CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XXV, 16 December 1899, Page 1121

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee. December 4. Never was there a more trying day than last Thursday for a FLORAL FETE. from early morning it was hot. only to increase as the day wore on, accompanied by the faithful nor'-wester. The road' to the show grounds, the scene of action, was kept well watered, but the grounds themselves produced clouds of dust, so much so that at times it was impossible to watch the floral procession. Then there was bitter disappointment to the general public, which by 3 o'clock numbered over 90(H) people, as by that hour half the exhibits had been taken home. There was great mismanagement somehow, and though the takings altogether reached, 1 believe, nearly £5OO, there is such a feeling of fraud about the ■whole affair that we must not mention floral fete for some time. There were several novelties, one a cat harnessed to a small cart, another a miniature dog; a wicker chair with a design in flowers. Mrs Henry Wood drove a very prettily decorated dog-cart, Mrs F. W. Thompson a phaeton charmingly done; Mr Styche’s gig was another pretty piece of work. The “Bettant” fire engine with its daisy chain harness was extremely well carried out, and Strange's drapery vans, one in native shrubs and flowers, the other oats and poppies, were worthy of notice. The tea tents were much sought after and proved far too small for the requirements; there was a prize for the tent with the largest takings which fell to Mrs Howie and her assistants, amongst whom were Misses Graham-, Prins, Kitson, West, Lilian Smith, etc. On Friday Mrs Grahaau gave a “Book Title” tea at her residence, Glouces-ter-street West, in honour of Mrs Guy Mannering, of Hastings, who was her guest for a few days, and who now with her two small children has gone up to Mrs Mannering, “Greta Peaks,” to stay for a month. She expects Mr Guy Mannering to join her there, when they will return to Hastings together. Mrs Lascelles returned to Lake Heron last week. Miss Robison accompanying her. Mrs Lascelles will if possible carry on the station. The sudden death of Mr John Joyce, M.H.R., on Friday night, caused a great sensation, and all political meetings in progress were closed at once, messages of condolence being sent to Mrs Joyce and the family. Mr Joyce had addressed a meeting on Thursday night during which he had, at it were, his first warning, but did not appear to think very seriously of it, and owing to the doctor’s orders remained at home, his son attending a meeting on Friday on his behalf, and while he was there'his father suddenly expired in his sleep about 8 o'clock on Friday evening. Mrs Seddon arrived from the West Coast on Saturday and paid a visit of condolence to Mrs Joyce before leaving for Wellington in the evening. The funeral took place on Sunday and was the largest ever seen in Lyttelton, shoals of telegrams and letters have been received by the family, and a larg e number of wreaths sent.

The election in Lyttelton has been postponed for a week, and a great wish has been expressed for Mr Louis Joyce to take his father’s place. The date of this letter suggests far more serious thoughts than all the merry chit-chat of the week, for while 1 am writing a fierce battle is going on in town, each party displaying the utmost energy over the election in spite of the intense, still heated atmosphere, which betokens a coining nor'-wester. We are having a sorry time with these unwelcome Visitors, and the flower show to-morrow will. I fear, show signs of the ruin they brhtg. The members of the Llederkranzchen gave their last “At Home” of the season on Monday night in the Art Gallery, making their usual' departure of giving it in the evening and admitting gentlemen. A pretty little cantata formed the first part of the programme, when ten, coffee

cakes and sweets were handed round to the numerous audience, no small undertaking for the girls, as the small gallery was well filled, but some of the gentlemen assisted. This was followed by songs, part songs, and a pretty trio for piano, violin, and 'cello by Miss Freda Marsden and pupils. Among the audience were:—Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes (president). Miss Fairhurst vice-president), the Misses Julius. Mrs W. Stringer, Mrs Morton Anderson, Dr. and Mrs R. Anderson, Misses March. Mrs C. and Miss Cook. Mrs J. Fairhurst, black silk skirt and pink silk blouse; Mrs N. Macbeth, black gown, long peacock blue cloak with soft grey fur; Mrs Hastings Bridge, black skirt, pink silk bodice covered with black lace; Mrs (Dr.) Mickle, pink silk opera jacket; Mrs Hobbs, rich black silk, sleeves of white silk veiled with black laee; Miss Hobbs, black skirt, pink broche evening blouse trimmed with chiffon; Mrs (Dr.) Thacker, black skirt, cream floral chine blouse; Miss Thacker, all black; Mrs C. B. Shanks, black silk and pale green; Mrs W. Lake, rose pink blouse covered in handsome cream lace, black skirt; Mrs Howie, Mrs Hargreaves, Mrs Marsden, Mrs Bowen and party, Mr and Miss Connal, Misses Godfrey, Inglis, Fodor, Lake, etc.

Mrs Secretan gave a very pleasant afternoon tea at her residence, Fendalton one day last week, when among those present were: —Mesdames G. Humphreys, Rose, Little, Richards, Burns, Misses Martin, Povey, Tabart, Hicks and others.

Au interesting wedding took place in Lyttelton last Thursday, when Miss Willis, eldest daughter of Captain Willis, Lloyd’s surveyor, Lyttelton, was married to Mr E. J. Tosswill, the chief officer of the s.s. Waikato, which steamer, you may remember, drifted about so many months between Capetown and Australia.

Mrs C. Bourne gave a very enjoyable play title party on Tuesday afternoon at her residence, Christ's College, when Mrs J. 1). Hall won the prize for the most original design. She chose the “French Maid,” and wore a glove inside out with “made in France, 4 ’ and Mrs Hurst Seager won the greatest number of guesses.

DOLLY VALE.