CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XXVI, 24 December 1898, Page 829

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, December 7. On Wednesday afternoon Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes gave a most. SUCCESSFUL GARDEN PARTY at their lovely home, Te Koraha, Merivafe. The weather was delightful, and an immense number of visitors were present, the summer gowns of the ladies making a charming picture as they swept to and fro over the velvety lawns. An excellent band stationed under the trees gave a very cheerful sound, and the whole house was thrown open, with refreshments served in many places, in the ball-room, small tables on the spacious verandahs, a large marquee on the lawn, and other little nooks, where ices, strawberries and cream, fruit salads, and other delicacies were found. Mrs Rhodes, wearing a lovely shaded green and cream silk, the bodice finished with cream lace, large hat with white feathers, together with Mr Rhodes, received their guests on the front lawn. Among those present were Mrs G. G. Stead, coat and skirt of rich black satin, trimmed with guipure lace, vest of white chiffon, floral toque of pale blue; the Hon. J. T. and Mrs Peacock, the latter in black satin skirt, cream satin bodice, floral hat; Mrs Boyle, blue and white China silk, trimmed with white satin ribbon covered with black insertion, floral hat; Mrs Denniston, black skirt, fancy fawn silk blouse, floral toque; Mrs Julius, black, with pale blue bonnet; Mrs Studholme looked well in black and white; Miss Julius, pale blue; the Misses Ethel and Ella in white muslin, large white hats; Mrs G. Gould, white over pink silk, white and pink hat; Mr and Mrs Louisson, the latter in blue silk trimmed with white, floral hat to match; Mrs Cowlishaw, black satin, with lace mantle, black bonnet with touch of red; Mrs Palmer, black; Mrs Waldrop, pale heliotrope gown finished with white, toque to match; Mrs Ogle, pretty fancy silk; Mrs 'Dabart, black; Mrs R. Macdonald, white canvas over colour, large hat; Dr. and Mrs Jennings, the latter in white over heliotrope; Mrs Woodroffe, England, pale grey costume, white hat; Mrs Common, blue and white fancy silk, pretty toque; Mrs J. S. Guthrie, black and white: Miss Lee, white muslin, rose pink silk bodice; Mrs J. D. Hall, white canvas over pink satin, toque to match; Miss Cowlishaw, fancy green and white silk, white hat; Miss G. Cowlishaw, cream figured silk, deep rose sash, white hat; Mrs and Miss Cunningham: Mrs and Miss Malet; Mrs Seeretan. black and white: Mrs Rose, grey and silver braid; Mrs Wilding, grey coat and skirt, black hat; Mrs H. H. Pitman, green silk, with sleeves and vest of pink veiled with chiffon and trimmed with cream lace, hat to match; Mr and Miss Kinsey, the latter in white spotted muslin and insertion over pale green, green sash, white hat with feathers and pale pink chiffon; Miss Mills (Dunedin), white embroidered silk, bodice finished with chiffon and insertion; Mrs and Miss Gibson; Mr Carrick and Miss Martin, the latter in a pretty black and white eheck with pale blue vest, gem hat with pale blue wings: Mrs W. D. Wood; Mr and Mrs J. B. Fisher; Mrs W. K. Macdonald, all black: Mrs Babington, black and white; Mrs Wigley, pretty grey coat and skirt; Mrs G. Harris, black skirt, yellow silk blouse; Mr. Mrs and Miss Harley, the latter a very pretty frock

of white muslin over pale blue; Mrs E. W. Roper, handsome black brocade; Mr and Mrs W. Reece; Mr and Mrs McKellar; Mr and Mrs R. D, Thomas, Miss Beswick, white muslin, pink straw hat trimmed with white; Mrs and Miss Wynn-Williams; Mrs B. H. Burns, soft grey trimmed with yellow; Miss Fairhurst, black satin skirt and sac jacket with white satin revers and collar, black and white toque; Misses Harper (3), Tabart, Ronalds, Cotterill, Garrick, A. Way, Reeves, MurrayAynsley, Wilson (Cashmere), Mrs Hargreaves, Mrs (Dr.) Symes in a pretty grey dress finished with white; Messrs Perry, C. Clark. J. B. Reid, Turrell (3). Macdonald, Weddell, Overton, Alpers, Jamieson, Gray, I. Gibbs, W. Wood. Cowlishaw, G. Palmer, Dr. Moorhouse, Professor Bains, Professor and Mrs Hutton, Professor and Mrs Cook. Mr, Mrs and Miss Jamieson, and many others. On Thursday the day was perfect for the FLORAL FETE, and fully 10.000 people visited Lancaster Park during the afternoon, a larger crowd than has even been seen on the ground. The promoters are to be congratulated on the success they have achieved, which has only been done by hard work, Mrs G. G. Stead at the head of the ladies, and our worthy Mayor. Mr Louisson. prompting the men. The exhibits were far too numerous to particularise, but some of those which were most noticeable were: Among the trade exhibits, a la wry of Messrs Strange and Co., in imitation of a native swamp; a decorated pony ridden by the tiny daughter of Mr A. E. G. Rhodes; a decorated phaeton driven by Miss B. Julius; a four-in-hand bicycle team, the ladies dressed in white pique costumes. sailor hats with yellow ribbons, the driver (Mr H. O. D. Meares) holding the yellow reins. The riders. Mrs Meares, Miss S. Meares, Mrs Jennings, and Mrs Hurst-Seager, rode most gracefully. Mrs Wardrop took first prize for decorated bicycle, but another charming one was done in pink ivy geranium, ridden by Miss Preston, in a white costume, holding a white sunshade, also decorated with the geranium. A Chinaman in a spotless white suit and his baskets beautifully decorated with red, white ami blue flowers, two men-of-war on a tandem bicycle decorated in the shape of a boat, and a guard of four Maories on a quad were much admired. The musical ride and Maypole dance were both pretty, but some of the decorated pets were surrounded the whole time; two little goats in a go-cart, a lamb, a tiny dog in a doll’s perambulator were only some of the attractions. Among the many spectators were:—Mr and Mrs Stead, Mr and Mrs Louisson. Mr and Mrs Rhodes, Mr and Mrs Wigley, Mr and Mrs Appleby, Mr and Mrs de Vries, Mr and Mrs F. W. Thompson, Mr and Miss Graham, Mr and Mrs H. R. Webb. Miss Webb, Mr and Mrs R. McDougall, Mr and Mrs H. Wood, Mesdames Clark, Julius, Stringer. Gould, Cowlishaw, Wilding. Boyle, Lane, Laurie, Kettlewell, Fairhurst, Matson, Anderson, Way mouth, Mr and Mrs Common, Misses Kinsey, Harley, Martin, Way, Hargreaves, Allan. Palmer, Lee, Cowlishaw, Tabart. Studholme. Louisson, Cook. etc. On Friday the Christchurch Liederkranzehen gave the last

•AT HOME’ OF THE SEASON in the Art Gallery. The large room was used on this occasion, and numerous small tables were placed about with cakes and sweets, so the girls only had to hand the tea instead of the usual adjournment in the interval. The part singing, as is almost always the case under Mr Wells, was very enjoyable; one lovely ‘Serenade’ by Schubert with Miss Alice Gray in the solo, and an ‘Ave Maria' with organ and violin obligato by Misses West, Shanks and Wells particularly so. Misses Jennie West and Rachael Ross each played a piano solo well, and the vocal soloists. Misses A. Lake. A. Gray. Moir and Woodhouse, were in excellent voice. Among those present were —Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes (president), in a rose pink gown covered with striped ecru canvas, the bodice finished with guipure, pink straw hat with roses and foliage, white wings and pink chiffon; Mrs Denniston, brown skirt, fawn fancy silk blouse with steel trimming, toque with bright green bows; Mrs Julius, black coat and skirt, white lace cravat, pale blue bonnet and white osprey; Miss Julius, black skirt, black and white chine silk blouse, black hat; Miss Fairhurst,

black satin coat and skirt, white satin revers, back and white toque; Mrs W. Stringer, pale green covered with fine ecru canvas, the bodice of rucked chiffon, black and cream toque; Mrs J. Fairhurst, black gown, yellow chiffon neck trimming, black and yellow hat; Mrs Bruce, shot pink and green silk covered with black canvas, finished with pink velvet and jet, straw toque with green bows; Mrs \V. I*. Townend, handsome green and brown crepon, bodice finished with accordion chiffon of green and passementerie, floral bonnet; Mrs W. Watson, pink and white muslin, white hat, blue bows, pink chiffon choux and white wings; Mrs G. Fisher, slate alpaca, the tablier formed with narrow black ribbon, white revers and collar edged with the same, white hat and satin bows, pink roses; Mrs ♦l. C. Wilkin, blue gown, white vest, black bonnet relieved with pale blue; Miss Wilkin in white, white hat and cream roses; Mesdames Wet hey, Macbeth, Barkas, Wells, Malyon, de Vries, Tyree, Mrs and Miss Marsden, Misses Hargreaves, Hicks, Ross, etc.