CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, 1 July 1899, Page 22

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee. June 19th. It is not always the much anticipated reaches one’s expectation, but THE BALL given by the Mayor' and Mrs Louisson in the Art Gallery last week even surpassed all that. The night was beautifully fine, which adds greatly to the comfort of getting to and fro. though every precaution had been taken, and a long length of the footpath on the Durham-street side enclosed. The ballroom was only slightly decorated with flags, mirrors.

and tall fern fronds, as every inch of space was required for dancing, the permanent gallery being used for this. Tlie large gallery was divided by heavy curtains into supper-room and drawing-room. the small side-room also being used as the latter. Here the decorations were superb, and the lighting most artistic, the globes being all of delicate pink and crystal, showing up the rich tapestries and rugs, with beautiful pot plants in profusion. The numerous guests were received by the Mayor. Mrs Louisson. and their daughters, in the large drawing-room. Mrs Louisson wore a very handsome gown of pink jewelled net over pink satin, ami was presented by Cr. Appleby with an exquisite shower bouquet: Miss Louisson in pearly white satin, trimmed with white lilac, shoulder bands of the lilac and round the skirt, finishing in front with a large true lover’s knot; she also was presented with an exquisite shower bouquet; Miss — Louisson. maize satin relieved with white chiffon; Mrs Heaton Rhodes, prune velvet and real lace, diamond ornaments: Mrs Julius, black velvet and jewelled front; Mrs George Rhodes, pink and cream brocade with accordion-pleated flounce: Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, black jetted net over white satin, the design of true lover’s knots, handsome diamond ornaments; Mrs A. Boyle, cream satin and tulle with long train; Mrs Pat. Campbell, black satin trimmed with jet. diamond ornaments; Mrs. E. C. J. Stevens, black net over white, finished with turquoise blue, shoulders straps of roses and in her hair; Miss Palmer, pale green broeadd with deeper shade of tulle trimmings: Miss Cowlishaw. pale blue brocade; Miss Campbell, handsome gown of white satin with black silk net with large chenille spots over it, silver wings in her hair: Mrs Morton Anderson, black satin and crimson roses on the shoulders: Mrs R. Anderson, black satin and pale blue chiffon trimming; Miss Hargreaves. pale pink satin and pearl trimming; Miss C. Hargreaves, cream ondine silk with yellow point lace on the bodice; Mrs H. Cotterill. amber satin; Mrs J. Turnbull wore her bridal gown of ivory white satin; Mrs Kinsey, handsome black moire and jet. white brocade cloak and feather trimming: Mrs Michael Clarke, black satin finished with crimson roses; Nirs Ogle, black jewelled net over deep rose satin; Miss Garrick, amber satin and white lace; Mrs Keith Garrick, her bridal gown of white brocade and pearl passementerie; Mrs V. Hargreaves, ivory white satin with chiffon and white plumes; Mrs W. B. Common, jewelled net over deep apricot silk; Mrs R. E. McDougall, eau de nil brocade with pink chiffon: Mrs Leicester Matson, pale green silk relieved with pink: Mrs E. Deaeon, maize satin finished with lace; Mrs J. B. Fisher, black satin: Miss Bowen, pink brocade; Mrs W. Stringer, pink and cream brocade trimmed with fur bands, shoulder straps of the same; Mrs S. D. Barker, blue grev silk with scarlet geraniums; Mrs G.' Kettlewell, black satin and jewelled trimming; Miss C. Lingard. white silk and chiffon; Miss M. Ross, white surah trimmed with chiffon; itrs Appleby, handsome heliotrope satin trimmed with velvet of darker

shade; Miss Julius, eream silk; Miss E. Julius, cream China silk with pale eau de nil sash; Mrs (Dr.) Jennings, black satin and crimson roses; Mrs (Dr.) Manning, cream satin and crimson berries: Mrs C. Lewis, handsome black satin with pink trimmings; Mrs Friedlander (the Mayoress of Ashburton). maize brocade and pearl trimming, shower bouquet; Miss Graham. black sequin net over black silk; Nirs Graham, black satin; Mrs A. Tyree, black satin with pink chiffon; Miss Beswiek. cream satin; Mrs F. NV. Thompson, black satin with eau de nil trimming: Nliss S. Meares. white silk with pale pink roses; Mrs Chas. Cook, all black; Miss Cook, russet coloured satin with cardinal velvet trimming; Mrs Kohn, black satin and yellow chiffon; Mrs R. M. Macdonald, maize satin and chiffon: Mrs Bruges, black satin and jewelled bands; Miss Kinsey, pinky heliotrope brocade, crimson velvet bands and pearl trimming. long rucked sleeves and neck filled in with gathered pink chiffon. Many other handsome toilets were worn but I cannot enumerate them all. The supper was in Freeman’s best style; the health of the Mayor and Nirs Louisson being proposed by Sir John Hall. Nliss Scrivenor's band supplied excellent music, dancing being kept up till after 3 a.m. There is some talk of a return ball being given by the citizens, so pleasant are the recollections of this one.

One evening last week Miss Garrick gave a large euchre party for her sister-in-law. Mrs Keith Garrick, at her residence ’’Orwell.” Papanui Road. About 60 guests were present, 12 tables being engaged at euchre, when, after a charming supper, the guests danced for an hour or two. Nliss Garrick wore black satin and jewelled bodice; Mrs K. Garrick, white satin and blue chiffon; Mrs R. E. McDougall. black silk skirt and pink evening blouse; Mrs R. Anderson, white satin and yellow trimming; Mrs (Dr.) Jennings, white silk; Miss NN ay, black: Miss Newton, crushed strawberry surah; Nliss Kinsey, heliotrope brocade: Miss Graham, cream silk; Nliss E. Newton, orange satin; Mrs V. Hargreaves, cream satin; Nliss Turner. black; Mrs Henry Wood, white satin: Mrs Cobham: and others; Messrs K. Garrick. Cobham. Hume,. Graham. Hargreaves. Way. Atkinson. Wood (3), Gresson. McDougall, Drs. Anderson and Jennings. The Cinderella Dance in the Art Gallery on Friday was a great success I believe, more gentlemen than ladies; but I was not one of the fortunate ones this time. The hostesses were: Nlesdames Pat. Campbell. Boyle, Wigram. and Ogle. The new Russley golf links were opened on Saturday afternoon, the lovely day taking out a number of visitors. The Mayor declared the links open, and Mrs Boyle and Nir Wilder, the captains of the respective teams, drove off the first ball. Afternoon tea was provided, and a very pleasant time was spent by all. The news of the Perthshire was an immense relief yesterday, and thanksgiving prayers were offered in the Cathedral. Dear Bee, June 21. The town has been inundated all the week with country cousins, attrac-

lions for them being three-fold. First the winter show in the Tuam-street Hall, the products being numerous and various, with a good concert programme every evening; secondly, the poultry show, with a band stationed outside vieing with the medley of sounds inside; and on the hills at Cashmere the “sheep dog trials,” which was highly interesting to many people of our community. On one of the days Mrs E. C. J. Stevens had a picnic luncheon party on the ground, when some of those pres-nt were: Mr and Mrs Boyle. Mr ami Mrs R. Macdonald, Mr and Mrs G. E. Rhodes, Mr and Mrs Pat. Campbell and Miss (.'ampbell, Mr and Mrs Woodrotfe, Mr. Mrs and Mi ss Wilson, and Miss Whitaker and others. These functions all came to a close on Saturday and Monday. Then on Monday morning the early stirring citizens were started by a most ludicrous procession. and the sight of the Godley statue in Cathedral Square adorned with cap and gown. The procession was headed by a hansom cab. the driver in gown and trencher, others following on bicycles or walking in like attire, and all masked, the band consisting of a big drum and a tin whistle, the raison d'etre being

"Capping Day,” a function which all will remember has been passed over without ceremony for many years. This silly performance did not give the sedate ones a good impression of the “higher education” of young New Zealand, but during the ceremony of presenting the diplomas in the afternoon the students, after one or two outbursts, repressed their too healthy spirits. Sir James Hector (Chancellor), accompanied by Bishop Julius. Mr J. W. Joynt (Registrar of the N.Z. University), Mr A. C. Wilson (Registrar of the College), the Hon. C. C. Bowen. Professors Bickerton. Cook. Clarke. Wall, and Dendy. Captain Hutton the Rev. Dr. Morley, Messrs. T. S. Weston, W. Izard, T. S. Foster. Adams. Harkness. G. W. Russell. etc As these gentlemen took their places on the platform the students sang very' lustily "The Animals Came In Two by Two.” M hen the ceremony was over several of their typical songs were indulged in, and after the Chancellor retired a comical scene ensued, the students took possession of the platform, and delivered mock speeches after the style of the various speakers, interspersed with more songs. "Tommy Atkins,” “Clementine,” and airs from "The Geisha” being easily recognisable. The general public filled the College Hall in the afternoon, showing they were glad to once more take part in the proceedings of conferring the degrees, and in the evening a most successful conversazione was held. A musical programme was given in the College Hall. Those contributing were: Misses Graham and E. Lake, Messrs. W. Izard, W. A. Day. G. Marsh, and P. Hockley sang; Miss K. Young, piano solo; Miss Freda Marsden, violin solo; and the students some of the degree day’ songs. Short lectures were given in another room, beautifully illustrated by limelight views. The engineering department was in full working order, also the electrical department, telegraphywireless and otherwise explained, and numerous other interesting or ingenious things to watch. Refreshments were served between 9 and 10 o'clock, and Diploma Day, 1599, came to a close. There is a great rage for hockey this winter, and golf consequently has gone a little to the wall. Cycling holds its own. and seems still on rhe increase. The roads are in perfect condition, and in our present windless, dry, frosty weather it is pure pleasure. We are congratulating ourselves —

to-day we turn the corner, and if colder weather for two months, the days are getting longer. DOLLY VALE.