CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XVIII, 1 May 1897, Page 551

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, April 22. It seems heartless to start straight away with prattle of our doings, however innocent, without thinking of those who have endured perils by land and perils by sea during this Easter time of ’97. Wrecks and loss of life from in and around Napier and Wellington are terrible, and the only thing to be done is to ungrudgingly try to help those who have been desolated. Visitors from Christchurch to Wellington and vice versd spent most of their few days’ holiday on a very tempestuous sea, some only getting about fifteen hours in Christchurch before having to return, as those coming south fared the worst. The Pollard Opera Company could not open on Saturday evening, as half their people and belongings had not arrived, but are in possession of the Theatre Royal now, and on the holiday nights were well patronised. On Wednesday Mrs James Henderson gave a PLEASANT LITTLE LUNCHEON PARTY at her residence, Webb-street, chiefly for Mrs Kerr, of Napier, who has been paying her a visit. Among the guests were Mrs S. Gordon, Mrs G. Humphreys, Mrs E. P. Houghton (Dunedin), Mrs (Dr.) Jennings, Mrs G. Bennett, and Miss Walker. The table with its autumn decorations looked lovely ; vases of gaillardias with frost touched asparagus on a yellow silk centre piece were most dainty. The threatening aspect of the weather prevented many CYCLING PARTIES being got up, though individual riding on Good Friday was much indulged in, as every available machine in the place had been secured for that day weeks beforehand, and people unwise enough to leave their cycles at any of the makers (that is, anyone wishing to sell them) for sale may find them loaned out for days at a time, the dealer turning an honest (?) penny on his own account. One cycling party leaving Kaiapoi to spend Easter at the Otira Gorge returned on Saturday night, the elements being so unfavourable. On Monday Mr and Miss Kinsey, Mr and Mrs C. W. Hill and Mr F. Barkas rode to the Ashley Downs via Woodend and back. Mr and Mrs F. M. Wallace doing the Kaiapoi trip, and dozens of similar small parties. For the RACES AT RICCARTON on Monday the weather was perfect up to late in the afternoon, which was only kind to enable the happy possessors of seal capes, though only ‘electric’ seal, and other new and fashionable wraps to be worn with comfort. The new electric seal has a very good appearance, but the wear has to be proved ; but the difference in the price is, of course, immense. Capes of all kinds for wraps are still the favourite garments, owing to the ease with which they are adjusted. We missed many of the old faces, notably, Mr and Mrs G. G. Stead, Mr and Mrs P. Campbell, the Hon. Mrs E. W. Parker, etc. Many

visitors from the North Island were also absent. Some really choice gowns were worn, and the bright colouring of hats and bonnets gave a most charming appearance. Mrs R. H. Rhodes looked well in figured silk canvas of black and magenta, black swathe belt, white revers on bodice, floral toque with chine bows; Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, black satin skirt and shot silk blouse, large black hat trimmed with green velvet, cream lace and feathers, short velvet cape; Mrs G. Rhodes (Claremont), fawn cloth coat and skirt, floral toque of pink ; Mrs Wason (Corwar), grey corduroy costume, white vest, white felt hat; Mrs Pitman, dark red cloth costume braided with black, zouave finished with fur, hat to match ; Mrs Peacock, handsome black brocade, bonnet relieved with yellow and bear boa ; Mrs E. C. J. Stevens, black and white costume, bonnet with forget-menots and handsome velvet mantle; Mrs J. D. Hall, brown coat and skirt, hat to match ; Mrs Stephenson (Dunedin), rich black brocade finished with lace and jet, green straw bonnet with wallflowers and ribbon ; Mrs Boyle, black and white striped silk, toque with pink flowers ; Mrs G. Gould, dark terracotta cloth with velvet zouave, empire belt of silk, white hat with feathers ; Mrs C. Lewis, black fancy cloth with heliotrope silk vest, handsome fur-trimmed velvet mantle, pretty black and green bonnet ; Mrs H. Wood, black dress with fancy silk vest and cream lace, black and pink toque ; Mrs Ogle, black and green costume, hat to match with pink flowers; Mrs Babington, brown costume, bonnet to match, black mantle with fur ; Miss Fraser-Tytler, black princess dress, short seal jacket large black hat and feathers ; Miss Moorhouse, black fancy silk with pale green trimmings, hat to match ; Mrs Ranald Macdonald, navy blue braided with black, red and black hat ; Miss Cowlishaw, navy blue costume, black hat with chine ribbon and fancy wing ; Miss G. Cowlishaw, dark green fur-trimmed costume, becoming hat with handsome shot bows ; Miss Palmer, very pretty costume of green with violet vest covered with lace, hat trimmed to match ; Miss Deamer, brown coat and skirt, brown het with pink roses, bear boa. There were many other attractive gowns to be seen on the lawn, and I might go on to an unlimited extent.

Dolly Vale.