CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue XX, 19 May 1900, Page 948

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, May 7. Our flower shows have been very unfortunate this season, special storms getting up on each occasion. Last Wednesday, just an hour after the opening of the Chrysanthemum Show, by His Worship the Mayor, there was a sound as of a mighty rushing wind, and a deluge of rain with it. The run on the Rink Stables was phenomenal, the demand for cabs being much greater than the supply, for by this time the Art Gallery was filled with the “flower of Christchurch" to see the “mums.'’ and their faces spelt “caught.” I saw there Mrs George Hall. Mrs .1. I). Hall, Mrs ( lark, Mrs H. Airey-Watson. .Mrs Anstey, Mrs Dockworth (Blenheim). Mrs Empson, Mrs J. Little, Miss Hieks, Miss Godfrey, Mrs G. Merton. Mrs Beswiek, Mrs Ogle, Miss Palmer, Miss Cholmondeley, Mrs and Miss Croxton. Mrs R. D. Thomas, Miss (’. Hargreaves, Misses Way, and ot hers. On Friday evening Mrs G. Bennett, Chapel-street, gave a charminglyarranged progressive euchre party of 12 tables, the drawing-room and din-ing-room both being used for play, the supper being deftly arranged, while the last players decided for the prizes. The evening was a farewell to Mr and Mrs Common, who leave for England this week, and to Miss Kinsey, who is to be married shortly. Among the guests were Mr and Mrs VV. B. Common. Mrs and Miss Kinsey, Dr. and Mrs Jennings, Mr and Mrs Cobham, Mr and Mrs AV. Reece. Mr and Mis W. 1). Meares, Mr and Mrs Graham, Mr and Mrs G. Merton. Mr H. Wood, and Miss Bullock. Mr and Mrs Parsons, Mrs and Miss R. D. Thomas,

Huntley Elliott, Mr and Mrs McDougall, Mrs Tyree, Miss Niven, Airs and Miss Cunningham. Mr and Mrs A. L. Parsons, Mrs and Miss R. D. Thomas, Mr F. Graham. Mr I. Gibbs. Mr Cecil ami Mrs Ollivier, Mrs J. Henderson, Misses Meares (2. N. Martin, Russell, Messrs M. Denniston, 11. Henderson, Buddle (Auckland), P. Wood, Graves, Mcßeau. and A. Anderson.

A quiet little wedding took place at St. Mary's. Alerivale, last week, ami was the consummation of an eight or nine years' engagement—that of Miss .hinet Home, eldest daughter of the Rev. .1. O'B. Iloare mid Mr Phillips, of South Africa. The unique part about, it was during the ceremony, when the question comes. "Who giveth this woman.” etc. Her father replied. “She giveth herself, and I approve.” Mr and Mrs Phillips are returning to South Africa, ami all their friends hope tilings will be in a less troubled state when they reach there. May 9.

The plague is undoubtedly uu evil, but not an unmitigated one, for, so far. it looks like a blessing in disguise in promoting cleanliness. On Thursday u general rut hunt took place in Lyttelton, and the house-to-house inspection still goes on. Ju Christchurch no one is allowed to keep fowls within the city limit, mid though this is hard ou some, it is wise for 1 he benefit of the whole. Then, again, some aur-

prisingjy dirty holes and corners have been unearthed, and we shall after this be a cleaner and more wholesome pe<i|de, perhaps able to reverse the old saying, “sadder and vfiser,” by being wise in time. There have lieen one or two small “Teas,” atnd Miss Palmer had a luncheon party last week, when her guests included Mrs Ogle, Mrs W. N.. Bond, Misses Elworthy, AL Cotterill, Cowlisliaw, Tabart, Rattray and MaleC Aliss Murray-Aynsley and Miss Hill had afternoon teas, principally for the Alisses Elworthy, who leave on Friday by the outgoing 'Frisco mail for England with Airs Elworthy and their brother. Among their guests were Airs W. N. Bond, .Mrs Ogle, Airs Wardrop. Mrs ,1. C. Palmer, Miss Palmer, .Miss Rattray, Aliss N. Reeves, Alisses Tabart, ete. On Thursday evening Mrs Wilson. "Cranmer House,” and her pupils were At Home in St. Michael's schoolroom, when a delightful evening was spent by them and a number of their friends. A short musical programme, in which .Mrs AVilson sang a charming song; Aliss Talbot and others, and Miss Iris Bruce recited “Jappy Chappy.” A small operetta, “The Silver Penny,” followed, the parts being well filled by the Misses Ella Bruce, Grace Wilson, Nell Godfrey’, Violet Hobday’, B. Martin. Elsie Arrowsmith and Edith Goss. Refreshments were then handed round and the room prepared for dancing, which was kept up by the young people till about 12 p.m. Some of those looking on were Airs R. Gard’ner. Miss Gard'ner, Mr and Mrs Louisson. Airs and Alisses Bruce, Mr and Airs J. C. Wilkin, .Mrs Aierton, Mrs and Miss Milsom, Mrs Mcßeth, Airs Dawes, Mrs and Aliss Wilding, Airs Burns, Mrs Wilson, Airs Hurst-Seager, Misses Meares, -Mrs 11. C. Godfrey, Afaster Godfrey, and others.

DOLLY VALE.