CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XIX, 7 November 1896, Page 22

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, October 28. Mde. and M. Musin began their season here in a very pleasing manner by holding a LARGE "AT HOME’ at the Theatre Royal on Thursday afternoon. Some two or three hundred people had the gratification of shaking bands, and the pleasure of a little chat with Mons, and Mde. and|the rest of the talented Company. Tea was laid on the stage, where Mons, and Mde. Musin received the guests, who then passed down into the auditorium. Some agreeable breaks in the merry din of conversation were a harp solo from Miss Hatherley ; Mr Alfred Hill sanga song of his own composition, accompanying himself ; Miss Venie Flower gave a charming song, and others who sang were Misses Corrick and Phillips and Mrs Woodhouse. Mde. Musin wore a very pretty blue and grey striped silk gown with accordion chiffon vest and turn over collar, handsome lace epaulettes, small black velvet bonnet with crimson roses: Miss Hatherley, pale fawn with brown ribbons, the bodice trimmed with ecru lace; Mrs Bourne, very handsome black costume, the yoke of white covered with black sequin net, Marie ritnart bonnet with white plumes ; Mrs W. D. Meares, rich brown moire trimmed with dark green and jet. stylish bonnet; Mrs F M. Wallace, rich black silk with buttercup revers veiled with beaded gauze, black hat with S oppies: Mrs Otterson, dove-grey coat and skirt, pale pink vest, rown and pink bonnet: Mrs Jacobs, handsome brown silk and velvet with sequin trimming, bonnet to match: her daughter in cornflower-blue trimmed with white, pretty hat; Mrs Burns, black costume with black and white striped blouse: Mrs W. Ollivier black dress, the bodice of vieux-rose silk and chiffon, large flower-trimmed hat; Miss Flower, in black, the bodice of striped black and blue silk, white hat with tulle and forget-me-nots • Miss Henry, very light check tweed coat and skirt, black hat with red band ; Miss May Burns, dark skirt and stripe blouse, pretty hat ; Miss Garsia. in black relieved with white ; her sister, a pretty heliotrope frock and white hat: Mrs H. O. J). Meares. becomingly gowned in pale blue, white hat; Mrs Ogle, in black with wide lace collarette, large black hat relieved with lilac; Mesdames Izard. Palmer, Garrard. Bowen. Appleby, Faulkner. Kiver Berkeley. Arenas, Hobbs. Misses Meares (two). Lingard (two) ’ G Henry. Gibson. Izard. Reeve (Aucklandi. Messrs Wall’ace.’Meares. Hark as, Macdonald. Morgan. Garrard. Tendall, Bourne. Burns. Thompson, Professor Cook. etc. On Thursday evening at ‘ Beckenham,' Papanui Road, the

given by Messrs P. and D. Wood was a most successful affair, being quite up to promise issued on the invitation, which took the form of a summons, thus— - P. and D. Wood v. Dull Care. You are summoned to attend.’ etc., etc. These caused a good deal of amusement, and much ingenuity was exercised by some in answering. while the majority answered in the orthodox fashion by appearing on the scene, and one who had to decline through illness sent a doctor’s certificate. The bouse was beautifully decorated and the verandah enclosed all round made a delightfully cool retreat, while the most wonderful nooks and cosy corners were to be found everywhere lighted with Chinese lanterns. Messrs Derry and Peter Wood received their guests at the drawing room door, who then passed on through the French windows to the ball-room, where Mr and Mrs Wood welcomed everybody. The ball room was brilliant with lights, draperies and picture s. numerous flags making it very gay. The music was Fleming’s best the extras being played by Miss Reeve. Messrs Hargreaves and Day. Light refreshments were always to be found in one of the rooms—claret and cider cup, ices, tea and coffee. Over the mantelpiece were fastened up some of the acceptances, many being very quaint. Supper was served in the dining-room arranged on a centre table and numerous small ones, the guests repairing thither in relays. Mrs Wood, our hostess, wore a rich black silk with diamond ornaments; Mrs Walcot Wood looked extremely well in a rich eau-de-Nil bengaline: Mrs H. Wood, an eau de Nil of a darker shade with pink roses; Mrs Guy Mannerins cream brocade; Miss M. Newton, white silk; Miss Amy Newton black the bodice of yellow under chiffon: Miss Cowlishaw white silk and passementerie trimming ; Miss G. Cowliahaw’ white silk: Mies Harper, pale blue silk covered with jewelled trimming (a very pretty gown); Mies Ford, white silk and chiffon; Miss Phillips (Melbourne), white silk delaine relieved with pink roses: Miss Kinsey, white, with salmon pink flowers • Miss Dampier-Crossley, black, the yello v bodice covered wi'h chiffon: Miss Macpherson, black, white flchu of chiffon: Miss Graham, black skirt, bodice of Trilby silk trimmed with green velvet ; Mias Deamer, white allk, and bouquet of white roses; Miss Harley, pretty pink allk; Miss Hargreaves. Pongee eau-de-Nil trimmed with pink chiffon and violets; Miss Gladys Powell, white allk ; Miss F. Wright, black and orange ; Mlsa Rose (Wellington) wore yellow; Mias Kiver. yellow silk ; Miss Willie, pink- Miss Donald, plum coloured velvet with white chiffon; Mias Roes, black relieved with pink roses; Miss Elsie Ross, black

with yellow trimming: Miss Reeve (Auckland), black velvet; Miss Cuff, in black; Miss L. Gibson, white; Miss A. Martin, white trimmed with eurah and salmon-pink roses ; Miss Meares. black; Miss Muriel Mears, white muslin andlaoe; Miss Dixon (North Canterbury), white brocade touched with black; .Mies Matson, pale blue silk and passementerie trimming: Miss May Tabart, black; Miss Mary Tabart. in white. Messrs Walcot. Willie, and Henry Wood. Collins, H. Reeves, Cowlishaw. Turnbull. Batchelor. Dixon (two), Flower, Turrell. Frankish. Matson (two). Brown. Donald. F. Rosa. Way. Mannering. Anderson (two). Bullock. Wright. Appleby. Graham. Hargreaves. Garrick (two 1 , Jameson. Day. Sams. A. Wilson. Clement Wilson, Tabart, Harley, Dr. Palmer, Captain Mill ward, etc. On Friday night, the first of THE MUSIN CONCERTS took place at the Theatre Royal, when the artists were greeted with a good house and a very, warm reception. The two local artists —Miss Hatherley and Mr Alfred Hill—who have recently joined them are a decided acquisition. Mdme. Musin wore a lovely gown of cream satin, the front of gold brocade in very large design, and some beautiful diamond ornaments: Miss Hatherley wore a graceful gown of soft cream somewhat of the Greek style, gold belt, armlets and band in her hair. Among the audience were Mr and Mrs Bourne, Mr and Mrs Burns, Mrs Denniston. Mr and Mrs Louisson. Mrand Misses Henderson, Mrs Wells, Mrs Jennings. Captain and Misses Garsia. Misses Fairhurst. Lorimer, Tait, Grant. Henry, Lingard and many others. On Monday the Musin Company gave their second concert. Amongst the audience were Dr. and Mrs Jennings, the latter looking well in cream brocade, the bodice covered with yellow spangled gauze; a young lady with her wore a pretty frock of white crepon and watered silk; Mrs W. D. Meares, black satin and pale pink oloak : Miss Meares. pink silk; Miss M. Meares. grassgreen silk: Misses S. and D. Meares. white muslin: Mrs Common, black evening gown with pink roses, grey cloak with feather trimming ; Mrs Garrard, black satin, yellow blouse covered with striped gauze; Miss Freda Marsden, black, yellow silk bodice and black velvet sleeves; Mr. Mrs and Miss Wilding, Mr and Mrs Adair, Mrs and Master Wallace, Mrs and Miss C. Cook. Mr and Mrs Burns, the latter in white satin and peacock plush cloak; Miss Hargreaves, black satin ; Miss C. Hargreaves, long peacock cloak with cream shoulder cape edged with beaver: Miss Rose (Wellington), black skirt, pretty shot silk blouse; Miss Ovenden, all white: Dr. Ovenden. Messrs Meares, W. B. Common, Hargreaves, etc. The Girls’ High School sports, fixed for Friday, were cruelly spoiled by rain, and had to be finished on Tuesday, when a lovely day made up for it. On Saturday Mr« Babington gave a small juvenile party for her Soung daughter. Some of those present were Mrs H. Wood, Mrs tead, and the Misses Wynn-Williams, who shared in helping to amuse the younger ones, amongst whom were Misses Stead, Denniston, Meares. Bullock etc. The opening of the boating season is fixed for Saturday next, and many invitations are out from the homes of those who live on the river bank. We all hope for fine weather.

Dolly Vale.