CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XII, 16 September 1899, Page 493

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, September 4. Once more we are revelling in “spring delights,” flowers, budding trees, sunshine and lovely balmy days, and last, but not least, feasting our eves if not satisfying our hearts with gazing on all the loveliness of spring attire displayed in our shops. How we long to put off our winter raiment and take to cotton garments. The blouse especially comes first. Sunshades, I notice, are marvels of perishable loveliness. But before venturing on our summer shopping, how would it do to study “Sheldon” a little, particularly “In His Steps?” On Friday, at the Choral Hall. Herr Friedenthal gave his first recital to a fairly large audience. The Bechstein grand piano he uses is a beautiful instrument, but numbers of his bearers were not carried away by his playing, though he had an enthusiastic audience and gained a good reception. Among those present were Dr. and Mrs Jennings, the latter in the new blue-green colour, the bodice tuck—d all over the corsage, finished with band of black velvet and white laee, long tucked sleeves; Mr P. Hume; Dr. and Mrs Miekle, the latter in very pretty pink silk opera jacket; Mr W. D. and Miss Meares; Miss Atkinson, black skirt and heliotrope silk blouse trimmed with dark shade of vebet; Miss Atkinson (Nelson), black skirt and pale blue silk blouse, finished with darker blue velvet; Mr and Mrs Bloxam and party; Miss West, black evening gown, peacock plush opera cloak; Miss C. Lean, black skirt and and green corduroy velvet blouse; Miss Prins, black skirt, yellow silk evening blouse trimmed with white gathered ribbon: Miss Shanks, Miss C. Lingard, Mr and Mrs Major Cunningham. Mr ITirschbery. Mr R. C. Bishop. Mrs Baber: Miss Baber (Wellington), heliotrope silk evening gown trimmed with chiffon; and others. AMBERLEY STEEPLECHASE AND STEEPLECHASE BALL. The Amberley Steeplechase has become so much of a function that Christchurch people look forward to it as much as the country folk, and journey up for the races and ball. The latter was splendidly carried out, and was a fitting finish to a capital day, the weather being perfect. Mr Bertie Ensor was secretary, and the ball will long be remembered in Amberley as the best in the district. The supper provided by the ladies was quite a work of art, while Miss Scrivenor, with her efficient little band, travelled up also from Christchurch. The Town Hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Among those present were Mrs Courage, in black satin; Mrs Ensor, black satin and handsome sequin front; Mrs Kempthorne, black satin; Mrs Fitz Henry, green brocade; Mrs Wells, black silk grenadine; Mrs L. Lane, ivory satin; Mrs Willis, white silk; Mrs Todd, black surah and jet; Mrs P. Campbell, black satin and jet; Mrs Acton-Adams, black satin and white lace; Miss Courage, pink brocade with narrow black velvet and tiny frills Vandyked on the skirt: Miss Ensor, white satin: Miss Dampier-Crossley, pink silk; Miss Buss, white silk; Mi«s Acton-Adams, bln e brocade; Miss Avnsley (Christchurch), black over over pale blue; Miss Gibson (Christchurch). heliotrope bengaline; Miss Kinsey (Christchurch), pink brocade

and chiffon finished with pearl passementerie; Miss Bassett (Christchurch), white satin and chitfou sash; Mrs W. Humphreys (Baleairn), green shot silk, pink satin trimming; Miss Earle (Wellington), white satin and brocade: Miss Wilder, white satin; Miss Haydon, cream satin and red roses; Mrs Dampier-Crossley, black silk grenadine over pale blue; Miss Mellw raitb, white; Miss M. Dixon, white satin and chiffon; Mrs Thompson (Balmoral), black over pale blue; Miss Thompson, white silk net and satin ribbon; Miss Reed, white: Mrs Scott, white silk; Messrs Acton-Adams, Courage, Dampier-Crossley (2), Ensor (4), Innis, Kempthorne (2). Lane. Pearce, Starky. Todd. Wells, Williams, McLean (Mount Hutt), Olliver (Amuri), Rutherford. C. Turrell (Christchurch), Mcßae (Tekoa), McDonald, Pemberton, Dixon (2), Thompson, Claridge, Scott. P. Campbell, Smaile (Christchurch), Humphreys, etc. Mr and Mrs Louisson gave a very large euchre party last week, which passed off most successfully. Among the guests were Dr. and Mrs Jennings, Mr and Mrs Graham. Mr F. and Miss Graham, Mrs Peacock, Mr and Mrs A. Tyree. Mr and Mrs F. W. Thompson, Mr and Mrs G. Kettlewell, Mr and Mrs C. Louisson. Mr and Mrs Appleby. Mr and Mrs Biekerton Fisher. Mr anil Mrs W. D. Meares, Mrs C. Cook, and others.

Mri and Mrs A. L. Parsons gave a delightful euchre party at their residence, Webb-street, also, one evening last week. Among those present were Mr and Mrs Peacock, Mr and Mrs W. B. Common, Mr. Mrs and Miss R. D. Thomas. Mr and Mrs Weston, Mr anil Miss Kinsey. Mr M. Stevenson (Auckland), Misses Sellars, Kempthorne (Auckland), Miss Bishop, Mr and Mrs Appleby. Dr. and Mrs Morton Anderson, Miss Sweet. Miss Laking (Napier), Mr and Mrs Graham Greenwood. Mr and Mrs Glasgow, etc.

Mr and Mrs G. G. Stead gave a pleasant dance at their residence at Strowan. chiefly for the Wanganui footballers. which was greatly enjoyed by a. number of adults as well as juveniles.

I have just heard of another delightful Juvenile Dance given by Mrs G. J. Holmes in Hobbs' Buildings, last week, to a very large number of her young friends, who all greatly appreciated her kindness. The Misses Holmes, of Bangor, came on a visit to their aunt in time for the dance, and the long list of invitations included the Misses Austen. Blunden. Bloxant (2), Denniston. Deans (2), Ferguson (2). Foster, Gossett. Gibson. P. Harley. Kettle (2), Mathias (2), Martin, Meares (2), Mather, Stanley, Secretan, Symes, Turnbull, Thomas, Watson (2), Masters Anderson (4). Austin, Blunden, Bridge, Bloxam (2), Deamer, Deans (2). Ferguson (2), Hawkins. I. Jennings. Kettle, Moorhouse. Martin (2). F. Meares, Staveley (2), Stringer (2), Steelee. Turnbull. Thomas (2). Wanklyn, etc. The ballroom was beautifully decorated and the supper just a delight.

Miss Fairhurst gave a charming Musical Afternoon last week at her residence, “Somerley,” Cranmer Square, to some of her friends, amongst whom were Mrs W. H. Hargreaves and the Misses Hargreaves. Mrs J. T. Peacock, Mrs Morton Anderson. Mrs W. Reeco, Mrs Broham. Mrs W. D. Meares, Mrs Morton Ollivier. (Mrs Chas. Cook, Mrs W. Stringer. Mrs Appleby, Mrs McBeth, Mrs J. Fairhurst, Miss C. Lingard, Miss Garrick, and several more. Miss Nelson, of Hororata, sang several songs, her very fine voice astonishing many present. Miss E. Lake, Miss Lingard. and others also gave great pleasure. The tea room was a picture with the lovely decorations, principally pink and white camellias,and the dainty sweets. DOLLY VALE.