CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue VII, 17 February 1900, Page 322

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, February 5. The Tuam-street Hall presented 3 Very festive appearance on Wednesday on the occasion of the complimentary luncheon to the Hon. W. Rolleston, and at which Mrs Rolleston was present. About 300 assembled to do honour to the guest, many ladies amongst them. The hall was gnlly decorated with flags and greenery, the five or six long tables sparkling with glass and silver, the floral decorations and knany coloured confections making a pretty scene. Rossiter’s Band stationed in the gallery played appropriate and patriotic music, and some interesting speeches introduced the various toasts. The Mayor (Mr W. Reece) occupied the chair, and on his right sat the Hon. W. and Mrs Rolleston. the other seats were occupied by the Hon. C. C. Bowen, Mrs Reece, Sir John Hall, Mrs J. D. Hall, Sir Arthur Douglas, the Hon. E. C. J. Stevens, TJeutenantColonel Slater, the Bon. W. Montgomery, the Hon. J. T. Peacock, Mr J. Studholme, Mr (1. (1. Stead, Colonel Pole-Penton, Mrs Denniston, Mr Justice Denniston, Mrs Bowen, Lieuten-ant-Colonel Gordon, Mr E. G, Wright, the Editor of the “Press,” and Mrs Triggs. The vice-chairmen were Messrs W. D. Meares, J. A. Frostick (President Chamber of Commerce), R. Allan (President Industrial Asjiciation), R. Westenra and G. J. Smith. Among the many at the luncheon were Mr and Mrs J. Deans, Mr and Mrs R. H. Rhodes, Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes. Mr and Mrs Joseph Palmer, Mr and Mrs Staveley, Mr and Mrs A. Rolleston, Mr and Mrs G. Humphreys, Mrs G. G. Stead, Mrs W. D. Meares, Mrs Gordon. Mrs Slater. Mr and Miss Connal, Mr and Mrs Beswick, Mr and Airs T. Bassett, Mr and Mrs T. Garrard, Mr and Mrs W. B. Common. Rev. L. Fitz Gerald, Canon Knowles, Messrs J. B. Fisher, Montgomery, Ferguson, A. Carrick, most of the leading citizens, and many representatives of the country districts. On Thursday a “Welcome Home” was tendered to Mr F. Al. Wallace by the performing members of the Christchurch Musical Union, who gathered in strong force at the Durham-street Schoolroom (their practice room). Mrs Wallace and Masters F. and A. Wallace were present. The annual meeting of the Society was supposed to take place first, but was adjourned, and Mr Justice Denniston, the President, in a few words welcomed Air Wallace back, especially as he had returned full of vigour and renewed health, to give Christchurch the best lie could musically, making particular mention of his new love, the ‘cello, which we hope io hear him perform on before, long. Among those present were Airs Denniston, Mrs Wilding, Air and Airs Burns, the latter singing two charming songs, Misses Graham ami Bennington also gave songs; Airs AV. Wilson, Misses Fairhurst, N. Gard'nciyAir A. Carrick, Aliss Alartin, Airs C. B. Shanks, Mrs Russell, Alisses Shanks (two). Miss Vincent, Alessrs Izard, AV. D. Meares, Mr and Mrs A. Kaye, ami many others. Eight refreshments were served nt 0 o’clock. AVork is to be resumed this week for both chorus and orchestra, the latter having the advantage of a lot of new music which Air Wallace has brought out.

tn response to an invitation from Airs AV. Reece (the Mayoress) a number of young' ladies acted as collectors for the War Fund on Saturday, being stationed in couples in the business thoroughfares of the city, all wearing white, with a badge of white ribbon and the magic word “War Fund” printed, beside the National favour. ’The collecting boxes were red, white ami blue, and the small table where each group was stationed was draped with the red. white ami blue flag. The siege was carried on from 11 a.m. till 5 o’clock, when all assembled at Freeman's to count the spoil, and the magnificent sum of £ 150 8/3 was totalled up. The Mayoress was warmly congratulated on the success of her scheme, and at a little later period she was infof tied another £5 5/ was available for her box, making the grand sum of £155 13/3. At the Camp on Sunday Alessrs Allard and Pavitt received voluntary subscriptions at the gate, anti another astonishing num was counted out., £B2 0/7. the result of the two days being almost the full equipment of three men. A very large number of people witnessed a mounted parade in Bagley Park on .Saturday afternoon of the Rough Riders, all being surprised at tile progress made in a week, but Colonel Sinter and those under hint are working like Trojans to get the men into shape during the short time. Bis-

hop Julius visited the Camp on Saturday morning, and held service on Sunday at mid day. To-day Airs Reece has invited ladies to meet at the Natives’ Association Room, Y.AI.C.A. Hall, to make "hold-alls” for the Canterbury Troop for South Africa. AIRS REECE’S ”BEE” on Monday, which was held in the Native Association's Room, Y.AI.C.A. Hall, was very largely attended by ladies interested in our Rough Riders, with the result that over 100 hold-alls and "hus'ifs” were made. The long work of cutting out was done in the morning by Airs Reece and two or three friends, ami in the afternoon with the help of seven or eight machines and some sixty workers good progress was made. Among those helping -were; Mrs F. Graham, Airs Stead, Airs Cunningham, Airs (Dr.) Jennings, Airs R. D. Thomas, Airs G. Harris, Airs A. Parsons, Airs Appleby, Airs Alarsden. Airs Slater, Airs C. Alatson, Airs W. Watson, Airs T. Garrard, Airs (Dr.) Thomas, the Alisses Thomas (2), Graham, Hardcastle, Pratt (3), Scrivenor (2), Marsden, and others. Afternoon tea was provided by Airs Reece, which for a few minutes only silenced the whirr of the sewing machines.

Work at the camp is being pressed on, and though the men are being invited to many entertainments those in command rather grudge the time and break of discipline, yet reluctantly give “permission to.” The Rough Riders’ night at. the theatre, at “The Stranger in New York,” was a remembrance to take away with them. They will be present one night by invitation of Air Pollard at the Opera Company, also at Airs Howie’s “snowflake” entertainment. The latter promises to be very pretty. "Bees” are being held for the production of the cos-, tumes for this, and some gigantic specimens of the name flower have been seen about.

DOLLY VALE.