CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue I, 7 January 1899, Page 25

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear IW. December 19. On Thursday evening Mrs Bullock gave A BALL in the Art Gallery, in honour of her daughter, Mrs Howard, who is over from Sydney on a visit, which was a most charming affair The decorations were lovely, the flowers used being principally roses and sweet peas, liacked up by' large palms and ferns, a sit down supper of a most recherche description, perfect floor and music. Mrs Bullock received her guests in the drawing room, and wore a rich black brocade trimmed with white satin revers and passementerie; Mrs Howard looked well in pale pink silk, with lovely flowers; Miss Bullock, a very pretty gown of black net and silver trimmings; Miss M. Bullock, in a sweetly pretty gown of heliotrope crepon trimmed with white ribbon and lace; Mrs Henry Wood, pink silk with lovely chiffon trimming; the Countess of Seafleld wore a rich white satin profusely trimmed with pearl and silver passementerie and chiffon, her hair parted down the middle and draped low on to the neck with three white roses at the side (not becoming, but picturesque); Mrs Meredith-Kaye, in grey satin and passementerie; Mrs Sam Gordon, black satin with white trimming; Miss Tabart, all black; Miss M. Tabart, white muslin trimmed with ribbon; Miss Garrick, lovely yellow satin; Miss C. Newton, pretty gown of pink satin; Miss Graham, pale yellow; Miss Constance Lean, a lovely shade of apricot silk with amber passementerie; Miss Denham, white silk; Miss Cunningham, grey satin and steel trimming, beautiful flowers and bouquet; Miss Denniston, white silk prettily trimmed; Miss Cox, in pink; Miss Preston, white silk and chiffon; the Earl of Seafield, Judge Denniston, Messrs Wood (3), Day, lieid, Batchelor, Atkinson, Henderson, Garsia, Cotterill, Gordon, Olliver, Lawrence, etc. Most of the girls wore

the hair low down, and very pretty it looked on some, but such a sudden and distinct drop is a shock one has to get used to. At the Taum street Hall on Thursday evening an immense crowd gathered to hear the MUSICAL UNION’S LAST CONCERT of the season, and were rewarded by an excellent programme, though the heat was very trying, but fortunately the concert was not unduly long. The overture, ‘Rosamunde,’ is an old friend and was as daintily played as ever, the No. -I Symphony of Beethoven was by request played again, and better appreciated than before. Miss Alice Corrick, who has just returned after a ten months’ sojourn in Australia, aang a song in the first part excellently. Her voice has improved, but her upper notes, though beautifully clear and true, are not by any means strong. In the second part Rossini’s ‘Stabat Mater’ was given, the soloists being Miss Corrick, Mrs Howie, Messrs Izard and M. Gard’ner. In this Miss Corrick was most effective, while the duet between the two ladies was a treat. Mrs Howie sang ‘Fac ut portemf splendidly; indeed, the whole quartette were in such good form as to greatly please the audience. Mrs Howie looked well in white satin and chiffon, with white plumes in her hair; Miss Corrick also wore white satin and white aigrette. We all felt so sorry to think this was the last concert Mr Wallace would conduct for a year, and can only hope that after his holiday we shall have the pleasure of welcoming him back to the concert platform in Christchurch. Among the audience were Judge Denniston and his daughter, Mrs Julius, Mrs Embling and the Misses Julius, Mr W. D. Meares and Misses Meares, Mr and Mrs Kaye and Mrs Erwin, Mrs and Miss Wilding, Mrs F. M. Wallace, Professor and Miss Cook and Miss Grigg (Longbeach), Mr and Mrs Bel'house, Mr and Miss Wheeler, Mrs W. J. Bruce, Mr Costello (Sydney). Mrs 11. Quane, Mr, Mrs and the Misses Wilkin, Miss Fair-

hurst, Mr and Mrs J. Fairhurst, Mr and Miss Connal. Miss Godfrey, Mr and Mrs Shanks and Miss Shanks. Mr B. H. Burns, etc. Dr. and Mrs Elmslie and their little daughter arrived from their trip to England on Thursday and we<‘ given a hearty welcome home the evening of their arrival by the members of the congregation. Dr. Elmslie is much benefited by the change and rest. December 21. The greater number of breaking up parties at schools take the form of ‘At Homes,’ and very pleasant they are to anyone interested at all in the way young New Zealand is being brought up or at least educated, and greatly so to the parents; and also serving its purpose for the young people themselves in overcoming shyness and awkwardness so often experienced at that age. The refreshments at these gatherings are more often than not samples also of the pupils’ work, while they look after all the guests in a most indefatigable manner. A particularly interesting afternoon was spent on Thursday with Miss Gibson and her pupils at the Girls’ High School watching an exhibition of drilling under Major Richards, many parents and friends being present. Feeling reference was made to the late Mrs T. S. Foster, and it was announced two scholarships in her memory have been established at the school, to take effect in 1900 for the first time. In closing, Miss Gibson gave such sterling advice to the girls that can never be entirely forgotten by them. The Misses Gard’ner and their music pupils were ‘At Home’ at the Y.M.C.A. Rooms on Thursday afternoon. when some delightful part singing was heard, and as a specimen of the thoroughness of Miss Gard’ner’s teaching in reading music, a piece was sung at sight most surprisingly well. The Misses Gard’ner and Mrs M. Gard’ner were in mourning costumes; Mrs Julius, grey lustre eoat and skirt, pretty black bonnet relieved with

pink; the Misses Julius. Mrs and the Misses Guthrie; Mrs anti Miss Robison. Mrs ami Miss Reeves. Mrs R. D. and Miss Thomas, Mrs Baber, Mrs Hurst-Seager, Mrs Embling, Mrs Nalder, Mrs ami Miss Wilkin. Mrs Burkas, Mrs Anderson, etc. On Thursday evening at Girton College. Misses Freeman and Fodor were ‘At Home,’ when, with the assistance of their pupils, a very pleasant time was spent by parents and friends. Here a method of doing arithmetic is a matter of much surprise ami speculation; it is veritable lightning arithmetic. A little French play was capitally done by a few of the girls. Though it was a very hot day, quite a number of ladies appeared at the College cricket ground on Friday to see the match between ‘Old Boys’ and the present pupils when the former proved too much for them. Afternoon tea. provided by the ‘old boys,’ was highly appreciated, and with such a host of willing helpers every one got a refresher. When the hot wind lulled things were much more pleasant and the game not such a scorching one. Among the onlookers were Mrs Bourne, in green coat and skirt, black toque, with pink flowers; Mrs Andrews, in pale grey and pretty bonnet: Mesdames Studholme, G. Rhodes, Wardrop. Palmer, Cook, Cotterill, Rose, Wood. Ronalds, Malet, G. Harris, Moorhouse, J. C. Palmer. Misses Julius, Malet, Winter, Reeves, Tabart, Anderson, Hewitt, Bullock, Russell, Hannan, Irving. Davie, Palmer. Lee, Wright, Meares, Harper, Cook, Grigg (Longbeach), Way, Cunningham, etc. ‘Enquirer’ in the ’Graphic,’ December 10th. asks if Rickett’s coloured starches are a. success. I have not tried them, but Maypole soap is a decided success, and directions for using, starching, etc., are with each cake. Rice-water makes the best starch for lace and muslins. Perhaps it would suit the black print and muslin. A handful of salt in the rinse water prevents the colour running. Mrs J. T. Peacock was favoured with a perfect afternoon for her

GARDEN PARTY on Wednesday, after a very threatening morning, the grounds looking lovely after some nice showers of rain. A large marquee was erected in a sheltered spot for refreshments, and many small tables with fruit, etc. A good band played at intervals, and croquet was kept going. Mrs Peacock received her guests on the lawn in front of the house, and wore a handsome black silk gow’n, and black hat, with yellow feathers. Among the guests were Judge and Mrs Denniston, Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, Dr. and Mrs Jennings (the latter in a pretty grey costume and black hat, with perise roses under the brim near the face), Mr and Mrs Wardrop. Mrs and Misses Julius, Dr. and Mrs M. Anderson, Dr. and Mrs R. Anderson. Mrs and Miss Palmer and Miss Lee. Mr and Mrs Weston. Dr. and Mrs Thomas, Mrs G. Gould. Mr and Mrs Common, Mr and the Misses Meares, Misses Garrick, N. Matson. Fairhurst, Mr and Miss Way. Mrs J Beaumont, the Earl and Couness of Seafield. Mr and Mrs Louisson, Mrs W. Stringer, Mrs Appleby, Mr and Mrs V. Hargreaves, the Misses Harreaves. Mr and Mrs J. M. Wallace (the latter in heliotrope gauze, with white stripe over white silk, black hat, with violets), Mr and Mrs Kaye (the latter in pale, fawn coat and skirt, with heliotrope vest, heliotrope bonnet) Mrs and Miss Cunningham, Misses Cowlishaw. Mr Carrick and Miss Martin (the latter looked well. in black and white shepherd’s plaid, with white satin revers, pale blue vest, white hat. with blue wings). Mrs Martin, Mrs G. T. Martin, and Miss Martin, Mr and Miss Beswick, Mrs C. Clark, Mr and Miss Connal, Mrs and Miss Reeves. Mrs Tonks. Mr. Mrs and Miss Graham. Mrs J. B. Fisher. Mr and Mrs Embling. Messrs Wood, Gibbs, Day. Kinsey. Hislop (England), Hill, and many others.

DOLLY VALE.