BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XI, 9 September 1899, Page 447

BLENHEIM.

Dear Bee, August 28. Mr Sims, the organist of the Church of the Nativity, held an Organ Recital on Tuesday evening, which was enjoyed by a large audience. The programme contained vocal as well as instrumental pieces, the choir contributing two anthems and two hymns, Mrs Black and Mrs Lucas a duet, “The Sea of Glass;” Miss M. Rogers a solo, ‘‘Low at Thy Feet;” Mr Birch, “Light of the Land;” and Miss L. Byes, Mrs Lucas and Messrs Birch and Barlow a quartette, “Jerusalem, My Glorious Home.” The organ selections were: “Au du Dauphin” (Best); “Offertoire No. 4” (Weby); ‘•Magnificat” (Clark); “Trumpet March (Jude); “Andante” (Wolfe); and “Gloria” (Mozart’s Twelfth Mass). A collection was made in aid of the choir fund. On Wednesday evening the W AIRAU CRICKET CLUB BALL took place in Ewart's Hall, and was a great success. The walls of the hall were completely covered with a wealth of greenery, chiefly nikau palms and tree fems, amid which were designs made of bats and wickets surmounted by crossed flags, curtains were draped over the windows and doorways, and flags and lycopodium were suspended gracefully overhead. Mr Brewster directed the work of decoration, and was invaluable in many other ways, notably in assisting the ladies of the supper committee. The whole width of the stage was taken up by the supper table, on which a bountiful repast was daintily arranged. Fancy as well as ordinary evening dress was worn, and some wore powder and patches, and altogether the effect was pretty and bright. Miss Mills represented Dawn, in a pale blue dress, with silver stars. Miss B. Mills was Good Luck, and wore a pretty white dress, covered with golden horse shoes of different sizes, and white net veil, ornamented with the same design, and arranged on her head coronet fashion, falling below her waist; Miss Grace Mills was Patience; Miss M. Ewart was Harmony, and wore a green velvet skirt and white bodice, across the front of which was the musical staff, with the treble clef and notes, and falling from the left shoulder across the front to the hem was a drapery of palest greeu silk, with a border representing the keyboard of a piano. Many thought this the best dress in the room, though some inclined to Good Luck, but two Fish Wives, Miss Ida Ball and Miss, J. McArtney, received their meed of admiration. Miss Kate McArtney looked particularly well as Night, in a black velvet dress, sprinkled with golden stars; and Miss Purser was a Shepherdess; Miss Stagg. Music; Miss, Neville, Winter; Miss B. Smith, Undergraduate; Miss Horton, Spanish Dancer; Miss Williams (Renwick), Pierrette; Miss K. Beatson, Ivy; Mr S. Connolly wore the costume of Charles I.; Mr Palmer, Naval Officer; Mr Grant, Sports; Mr Drake, Naval Undress Uniform; Mr Blakely, Tropical Evening Dress; Mr T. Coward, Huntsman; Mr J. Mead, Coachman; Mr L. Macey, Neapolitan Fisherman; Mr E. More, Jockey; Miss E. Bull had her hair powdered and wore a pale pink dress, and pretty white fichu crossed in front, and falling in sash ends at the back; Miss R. Bull wore pale blue, with wide soft cream sash, earried from the waist in front to the baek of the shoulders, where it was fastened in a large bow, falling with Watteau effect, powder and patches; Mrs Shaw looked extremely well in black, and powder and patches; Miss Johnston wore white satin and powder: Miss Bottrell wore an extremely pretty white dress, in which she looked very graceful; Miss Fitzgerald (Wellington) wore a becoming dress of figured satin; Miss Mullen, cream; Miss Macey was very pretty in a bright red dress; Miss Ada Robinson wore a cream dress, prettily made; Miss Rose, pale pink satin, trimmed with deep lace of the same tint; Mrs Harden (Awatere), rich black satin; Miss Perrott (Spring Creek), black silk, pink chiffon; her sister wore cream, handsome art green silk sash, the ends finished with narrow gathered cream ribbon; Mrs Corry was in black, with crimson flowers. Others present were Mesdames Macalister, H. Mills, Carey, Mac Shane, Mullen, C. W. Adams, Salkeld, A. Mowat, Greenfield, Edwards, Simson, Bottrell, T. Coward, H. Horton, Dew, the Misses Bell, Moore, Mabin, Maclaine, Beatson, L. Draper, E. Purser, Elbeck, S. Tunnicliffe, Simson, F. Nosworthy, Crook,

Anderson, Berryman (2), C. Farmar, Oban, Morrish, O'Sullivan, and Messrs Corry, H. Stace, Butler, Stow, C. Carey, C. Mac Shane, S. Macalister, Mathews, (3), Bottrell (2), Eccles, Gane. F. Mullen, Broad, Stubbs, Greenfield, Griffiths (2), A. Mowat, Moore (3), Fish, Broughtan, H. Campbell. C. Simson, E. Rose, Perrott, C. Mills, Middleton, J. Watson, F. Bull, McKay, Croweher, C. Rodgers, Prebble, C. Pawson, J. Quane, Allen (2), Dew, Brewster, L. Bartlett, Oban, B. Ball, G. Logan, Blick, A. Rayner, Barry, Read, Robinson (4), Horton (3). H. Western, McBeth, and others. Fathers Goggam and Fahy were also present for a short time.

Mr W. B. Cadzow has had a tuccessful season here of three nights, and pleased all with his fine voice. Miss Dudding too has been greatly appreciated. At last night's service in the Church of the Nativity, Mr Cadzow sang “In Native Worth,’* in fine style, and Miss May Dudding sang “Angels Ever Bright and Fair,” very pleasantly. The church is not a favourable place for singing in, but in spite of that the voices completely filled the building, every word being distinctly heard. Madame Cadzow played the accompaniments. The fact that the Rev. F. Bennett was to preach here for the last time before leaving this diocese to start missionary work among the Maoris at Parlhaita, attracted a very targe congregation, all of whom are extremely sorry that Mr Bennett is going so far away, for he is extremely popular both here nnrl in Nelson.

FRIDA.