CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue X, 28 August 1897, Page 310

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, August 19. The beginning of the FESTIVITIES OF THE GRAND NATIONAL WEEK reminded one very forcibly of its great rival, the Carnival week, in November. The weather on Thursday was perfection. The number of visitors for the races was much larger than usual, and the brightness of the day tempted more of our own residents out to Riccarton, so we look upon this as a * record ’ Grand National. The win by Levanter of the great event seemed to be looked upon as a surprise, too, and there is nothing like the unexpected for making people satisfied, even if it is not quite what one wished, if only unexpected enough. The unusually large gathering of ladies, and the unusually fine day brought more brightness on to the lawn. A few bright cornflower costumes a number of green with just a touch of red velvet, the ruddy brown and pale fawn helped so much to lighten the general sombre tint

among the ladies at the August meeting. Among the visitors were Mrs Collins (Wellington), in dark gown with heliotrope satin trimming, sealskin cloak; Mrs Barton (Wellington), dark blue gown with cream satin and chiffon vest, large hat with blue flowers and touch of pink ; Mrs C. Rattray (Dunedin), very tastefol gown of black, the bodice of white veiled with black, white satin epaulettes edged with jet ; Mrs Roberts (Akaroa), cornflower blue costume; Mrs C. Loughnan (Napier), navy blue serge; Mrs F. Fenwick (Napier), fawn cloth gown, red cloak, black toque with deep red roses ; Mrs G. Rhodes (Timaru), grey cloth, the bodice of deep heliotrope velvet finished with gold straps; Mrs G. Rhodes (Meadowbank), shot brown and black silk crepon, the bodice finished with sequin trimming, black toque relieved with blue. These were only some of the many. Mrs J. Studholme wore a very becoming gown of green cloth, Eton jacket over vest of pale bine, floral hat of forget-me-nots; Mrs G. Gould, ruby-coloured cloth with velvet bodice to match, white felt hat with black coque's feathers; Mrs R. Macdonald, navy blue costume finished with braid showing touches of red velvet, hat to match; Mrs A. Rhodes, black skirt, the bodice of handsome brown and blue silk trimmed with cream lace ; Mrs Alan Scott, a striking costumeof blackand white silk, the hat trimmed with heliotrope; Mrs W. B. Cowlishaw, red gown trimmed with velvet, seal cape, white felt hat with black feathers; Mrs J. D. Hall, fawn coat and skirt, pretty vest and hat ; Miss Cowlishaw, dark gown, long fawn coat; Mrs Babington, black costume; Mrs P. Cunningham, black gown, the bodice prettily trimmed with white silk and jet; Mrs Pitman, slate grey coat and skirt; Mrs C. Dalgety, fawn costume, the vest embroidered in gold and sequins on cream, toque to match relieved with pink; Mrs Elworthy, black crepon, petunia bonnet; Mrs Brough, very handsome green gowu and seal cape ; Mrs W. Clifford, fawn cloth with small revers and cuffs of scarlet ; Mrs Wason, fawn gown with vest of white satin and frills of pink chiffon, black hat and feathers ; Mrs G. Lee, dark green gown ; Miss Lee, seal brown costume trimmed with beaver ; Miss Palmer, green costume relieved with purple; Miss Fraser-Tytler, black Princess robe, the epaulets lined with white, black hat relieved with white; Miss M. Tabart, dark navy costume, the coat trimmed with beaver ; Mrs Wilson, handsome black gown, sealskin mantle; Mrs Burns, brown coat and skirt. Mrs Duncan Cameron’s ball at bishopscourt on Thursday was a fitting finale to a glorious day, when some lovely gowns were worn. All the arrangements were well carried out, and everything went with great spirit from start to finish. Mrs Cameron wore a beautiful gown of yellow and white brocade, with wreaths of violets and exquisite lace on the bodice, and diamond ornaments ; Mrs Barton, cream and pink brocade, long sleeves of gathered chiffon ; Mrs C. Dalgety, blue brocade relieved with primrose silk and chiffon ; Mrs F. Dalgety, black velvet; Mrs W. Clifford, pink and cream brocade, pearl trimming; Mrs Wason, rich crimson satin, with gold embroidery and shaded red to pink roses on the bodice; Miss Palmer, eau-de-Nil brocade, the bodice finished with passementerie and chiffon ; Miss Lee, pretty pink satin and gauze; Miss Buckley, a lovely heliotrope brocade with chiffon and velvet flowers ; Mrs J. Studholme, turquoise blue silk veiled in white ; Miss Wilder, white satin; Miss Cowlishaw, heliotrope silk, the bottom of skirt finished with green velvet, swathe belt to match ; Miss Murrsy-Aynsley, white satin, the bodice trimmed with pink rosesand violets ; Miss Reeves, white satin finished with lace ; Mrs G. Cowlishaw, white brocade ; Miss K. Wilson, white satin, the bodice trimmed with gold embroidery; Misses E Tabart, Elworthy (a charming gown of buttercup and white brocade), Ovenden, Co tier ill, Ronalds, Neave, Wynn-Williams, Irvine, and many others. On Saturday a decided change in the elements reminded us once more of winter, and Riccarton for the second day’s racing was not so tempting, but a pleasant finish to the week was A DANCE IN THE ART GALLERY, given by the visitors to Christchurch, among whose names mentioned 1 heard Dr. and Mrs Collins (Wellington), Mr and Mrs Walter Clifford, Mr and Mrs Fortescue Dalgety, and several gentlemen. Mrs Clifford wore a lovely gown of pink brocade finished with exquisite lace; Mrs Coilins, black gown with jewelled design; Mrs Elworthy, rich black satin and Brussels lace ; Miss Elworthy, pink brocade ; Mrs G. Gould, pink satin and jewelled trimming ; Mrs Lowry (Napier), lovely gowu of white brocade ; Mrs G. Lee wore cream ; Miss Lee, white satin; Mrs Alan Scott, haudsome gown of black and beetle wing embroidery; the Misses Cowlishaw, white brocade ; Mrs Ogle, pale pink satin trimmed with cream ; Mrs Burns, white satin, heliotrope bodice with shoulder straps of flowers; Mrs R. Macdonald, deep yellow brocade ; Mrs and Miss Wilder, Mrs Cameron, Misses Buckley, Ovenden, Wynn-Wil-liams, etc., Messrs Fielding (Wellington), Lawrence (England), Elworthy, Thierens, Teschemaker, Madocks, Clifford, Palmer, Clifford, and many more. Fleming’s music, a good floor, and most dainty refreshments made a delightful evening

THE assembly dance given bv Miss Cox on Thursday evening in the Art Gallery was also a decided success, the chief feature of the evening being the new dance, ‘Washington Post,’ in which a large number were able to join in spite of its novelty. Some of those present were Mrs Cook, in dark blue silk ; Mrs Neave, black silk, and dainty lace cap ; Mrs Bruges, black and green ; Mrs Stringer, handsome black satin ; Miss Davie, white satin, and handsome epaulettes of beetle wing trimming ; MissC. Hargreaves, black ; Miss Rose (Wellington), green and black, with red roses ; Miss Mathias, blue and white ; Miss HardyJohnstone, white silk ; Miss M. Meares, pretty heliotrope and white; Miss Winter, deep yellow silk and chiffon ; Misses Shury, Way, Ross, Gibson, Messrs Macdonald, Alpers, Day, Cox, Corbett, etc.

Dolly Vale.