CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XVIII, 3 November 1900, Page 846

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear. Bee, October 22. . How it has rained this week, and surely it has never rained harder in the annals of Canterbury than it did on Thursday. The streets were almost canals, and this on the evening, too, when a hearty desire was felt by a large section of the Canterbury citizens to do homage to Mrs Howie, who is so soon to leave us, by being present at her farewell concert in the Choral Hall that night. However, the elements pleased the cabmen, and they in their turn succeeded in fairly well filling the hall, though the reserve ticket showed up in many vacant chairs. The programme was a very long one, much too long,, eighteen numbers being set down, and the too ready desire to respond to encores prolonged the. pleasure to such an extent that it became wearisome, and butfor Mrs Howie, or as we are beginning to know her now, "Te Rangi Pai,” being down at the very end to sing Tosti’s "Good-bye,” there would have, been a scanty house at the finish, many being obliged to leave as it was to catch late trams. The benefleiare looked simply splendid as she entered in a very long Mack gown, the front covered with net, embroidered with true lover’s knots of steel sequins, a steel ornament and huia feather in her hair, and carying an exquisite shower bouquet of wild clematis and other white flowers. She was the recipient of

many floral tributes during the evening. and her singing was a genuine delight, yet scarcely as steady and true as usual—over-anxiety, perhaps, to do mors than her best for her friends. Mrs Howie was encored for her three songs, and a duet with Mrs Burns. The latter was quite at her best, and sang charmingly. The others assisting were Misses Lilian Smith, Graham, Bennington, and Thompson; Messrs P. Hockley, W. A. Day, C. Rend, A. Millar, Sydney Bell, W. Izard, G. March, and Hugh Reeves. Dr. f’rooke played a piano solo, and Mr H. H. Loughnan two ’cello obligatos, Mrs Edgar and Miss C. Lingard sharing the accompaniments. Among the audience were Mr and Mrs Bourne, Mr and Misses Burns, Mrs J. and Miss Anderson, Air and Mrs Little, Miss Fodor, Mrs and Miss Reeves, Mrs and the Misses Boyle, Mr Connal, the Misses Hodgson, Godfrey, Fairhurst, Grant, Hargreaves (2), Ross, Mrs D. Wood. Mrs T. Garrard, Mrs F. M. Wallace, Mrs and Miss K. Young, Mrs T. W. Stringer, Mrs Fitchett (Wellington), Mrs Deacon, Miss Kiver, Mr and Mrs C. Cunningham, Mr R. C. Bishop, etc.

At the Theatre Royal Mr Donald) Macdonald has given four deeply interesting lectures, or talks, for it is just as if you were in your own home, and he talking to you. He can be stirring, pathetic, and humorous, and all with the authority of one who has been there, aud knows what he is talking about, never faltering for a word. He looks very picturesque in khaki and putties, and appropriate to his subject, and has had good houses throughout. On Friday how glad we were the rain was over, for was it not the night of the Mayor’s and Mrs Reece’s ball, to which hundreds were looking forward? The Art Gallery was scarcely large enough to hold the large number of guests, and dancing was almost an

Impossibility at first. The ball-room was the first room entered, and crossing that to where Mr and Mrs Reece stood, just inside the drawing-room, one took in at once the prettiness of it. Bright flags draped the walls, and mirrors, and delicate trails of mountain lycopodium were garlanded from lamp to lamp, as if walking in a bovver, The flowering plants and palms in the drawing-room were beautiful; the music Miss Scrivenor’s best; and the supper, served at small tables in Freeman’s well-known style, including champagne and claret-cup, left nothing to be desired. Mrs Reece wore a beautiful gown of cream brocade shot with shell-pink, the flowers standing out quite cream; it was lined with lovely shell-pink, and trimmed with lace and fringe, with a cluster of pink roses on one shoulder; the Misses Reece (2) wore simple frocks of white surah; their cousin, Miss Agnes Reece, a similar frock. Mr and Mrs Reece were assisted by a committee of ladies and gentlemen to entertain the large number of guests. These were: Mr and Mrs Ranald Macdonald, Mr and Mrs Burns, Mrs G. Harris, Mr and Mrs John Anderson, Mr and Mrs J. Turnbull, Mr and Mrs H. Wood, and Mrs M. Lewin. There were some beautiful dresses worn, but with such a moving crowd it is difficult to fix them. Miss Douglas (Wellington) had a charming gown of brown silk striped gauze over ylloff, which had a beautiful russet appearance; Mrs J. Turnbull looked extremely well in cream brocade, with crimson poppies; Mrs Burns, a pale grey satin with chiffon flounce, the bodice covered with jewelled chiffon, a bow of pale pink chiffon falling to the feet. The ladies assisting also wore white satin streamers. Mrs R. Macdonald, black silk and striped gauze, the bodice finished with pearl passementerie and crimson velvet: Mrs G. Harris, black silk, the bodice relieved with pink; Mrs J.

Anderson, black with transparent yoke and sleeves; Mrs Lewin, a similar gown with white lace fichu; Mrs 11. Wood, lovely pale blue brocade with pink flowers, the bodice trimmed with lace and narrow bands of pink velvet and steel buckles; Miss B. Bullock, pale pink silk and white lace; Miss M. Bullock, lovely ereain brocade; Miss Cook, white silk; Miss Thomas (Avon* aide), handsome blaek gown, the overskirt of net with white embroidery; Miss E. Thomas, rose pink silk skirt, white chiffon bodice; Miss J. Turner, white silk; Miss Prins, butt er cud satin and rich Maltese laee; Miss Croxton, azure-blue ulk. wreath of forget-me-nots on bodice; Miss Sweet, black silk and pink chiffon; Miss Nedwili, white silk and crimson flowers; Misses Julius, in white silk, with long pink ends and pale green respectively; Miss Bowen, pale blue brocade: Miss Merton, very pretty white satin and shower bouquet; Mies Maddison, yellow satin, with touch of crimson on bodice; Miss Poole (Nelson), lemon silk with cluster of yellow heath on bodice; Miss Bowland, maize satin over ekirt, opening over lace petticoat; Miss Boss, black gown with wreath of lilies of the valley; Miss A. Ross, pretty white frock: Miss Broad (Wellington), lovely peach satin finished with lace; Mies Godfrey, pale green silk and whitee laee: Miss Lightfoot, peach satin and black velvet; Miss Preston, white silk with violets; Miss Campbell, very pretty white -ilk; Miss Raine (Nelson), lovely white satin with ribbons and laee; Miss Fairhurst, black moire velour, pearl garniture: Miss Cunningham, very handsome black satin finished with ostrich leathers, posy of wild clematis; Miss S. Meares, white muslin and lace over greene slip; Miss Garrick, maize satin anede exquisite Maltese laee; Miss Graham, black satin; Miss March, black trimmed with pink and steel; Miss Cracroft-Wilson, white silk; Miss Wilkin, all white; Miss Winstone, pretty pink gown; Miss Acton-Adams, white spotted net over pink; Miss Milson, very fine white silk and lace over pink silk slip; Miss Lilian Smith, pale green and pink;

Miss lx>an, bright pink silk and white laee; Miss Shanks, handsome black and steel gown; Miss Fodor, white silk and pearl trimming; there were several debutantes —Misties Merton, Raine (Nelson), Macbean Stewart, A. C. Wilson and Curnow. The list of invited included Mr and Misses Devenish Meares, Mr R. and Misses ChoL moudeley, Mr K. and Miss Cox, Miss and Messrs Williams, Misses and Messrs Harley, Mr and Mias Thomas, Mr and Miss Barns, Mr and Miss Mating, Mr and Miss Irving, Mr and Miss Cardale, Mr and Miss 'Cowlishaw, Mr W. G. and Miss Stead. Mr and Miss Izard, Mr and Miss Cunningham, Mr and Miss Neave, Mr and Miss Cooper, Mr and Miss Denham, Mr and Miss Hulbert, Mr and Miss Smith, Mr and Miss Saunders, Mr and Miss Nashelski, Miss and Messrs Wilson (Cashmere), Mr and Miss Thompson, Mr and Miss Allan, Mr and Miss Aikman, Mr and Miss Rutherford, Mr and Miss Martin, Mr and Miss Babington, Mr and Miss Wynn-Williams. Mr and Miss Aitken, Mr and Miss Symes. Miss and Messrs MeKellar, Mr and Miss Curnow', Mr and Miss Kiver, Miss and Messrs Hardy-Johnston, Dr. W. and Miss Irving, Mr H. and Miss Steele, Mr G. and Miss Ronalds, Mr L. and Miss Donald, Miss and Messrs ActonAdams, Mr and Miss Holderness, Mr and Miss Lewin, Mr and Miss Harman, Miss and Messrs Reeves, Mr and Miss Bishop, Mr and Miss Slater, Mr R. and Miss Hill, Mr and Miss Winstone, Mr and Miss E. Newton. Mr C. and Miss Buchanan, Mr and Miss Overton, Mr and Miss Tribe, Mr J. J. and Miss Thomson, Mr and Miss Carl, Mr and Miss Croasdaile Bowen, Mr F. and Miss Graham, Mr and Miss Worsley, Mr and Miss Fisher, Mr and Miss Van Asch, Miss and Messrs Ensor, Mr and Miss Kettle, Miss and Messrs Harper, Mr G. and Misses March, Mr and Miss Lilian Smith, Mr and Misses Hargreaves, Mr and Miss Tendall, Miss and Messrs Gresson, Mr and Miss Cracroft Wilson, Mr and Miss MurrayAynsley, Miss and Messrs Cook, Mr and Miss Bates, Mr E. and Misses Hay (Pigeon Bay), Mr and Miss Wright, Mr G. H. and Miss Bush, Miss and

Messrs Thomus (Avonside), Mr L. and Miss Bonuington, Mr Cecil and Misses Ixiuisson, Mr and Miss Sands t ein, Mr and Miss Wilkin, Mrs T. Garrard, Misses Triggs, Overton, Westenra, Wigney, Louisson. Selby, Moon, Russell, Jakins, Moir, Prosser, Townend, Calvert, Garrick, Gerrard, Secretan, Sorensen (2), Frankish, Manning, Dawe, Macbean Stewart, Barker, Jones, Stringer, Trent (2), Dixon, Strange, Robinson, Bee Russell, Courage, Ainger, Bullock (2), Harper, (2), Cook, Troup, Thomas, Waymouth, Turner, Parsons, Muridge. Tarins, Ferguson, Brown, Cotton. W. Jacobs, Palmer, Croxton, Sweet, Cocks. Nedwill, Ginders, Mather. Maude, Julius (2), M.Cotterill, Caro, Bowker, Bowen, Merton, Palairet, Maddison, Poole, Strange, Berkeley, Fletcher. N. Binns, Howland, Cnddon, Greenwood, Ross, Lloyd-Simpson, Broad, Godfrey, Pratt, (2), Papprill (2), Buckley, Tabart, Lightfoot, Strouts, Preston, Campbell, Molineaux, Raine, Guise, Fairhurst, Garrick, Wood, H. Hoare, Willcox, G. Jameson, Milson. de V. Sanders, Gibson. Fodor. Collins, Cox. Jameson, Cabot, Finch, Kennedy, Wilder (2), Lean, Charlewood, Shanks. Niven, Watson, York. Plunkett, Gundersen, D. Samuels. Davis. Douglas. Roberts, Hart (2). Fisher. Russell, Gray. Barnett. Vincent. Gapes. Snow, Nalder, Bishop, Lingard, Hood-Williams, Cholmondeley. G. Thomas. Anderson. Williams. Overton. Deans. Anderson. Arenas, Sawtell, White. Hodgson, M. Sweet, L. Mathias, Hewitt. Wilding, Kohn, Shand. Walker, Messrs England, C. Douglas. W. M. Matson, A. Cox, Montgomery, Powrie, Claridge, Dixon, Winter. Hall, W. Reid, C. Stringer, Cowper, Macdonald (Orari), Kitson, Bishop, N. Hanmer, ~L. Clark. G. Pascoe, C. M. and H. Anderson, Hockley, Beadel, Pemberton, Ainger, Hallenstein. W. G. Cotteril], Belmore, Bume, Williams, Dr. Crosby, M. Denniston, L. Batchelor, Lawrence (2), Kitto, Mabin, D. Hoare. Winter, O. T. J. Alpers. E. Wright, A. Blunden. L. Way. C. Hodson, W. A. Day, Tabart (2), Poulton, Corfe. V. Harman, E. V. Palmer, Stowe. Ollivier (2), FraserTytler, H. N. Talbot. P. Shand, Miller,

Flower, Dyuiock, A. Anderson, G. Jackson, Polhill, L. Shand, Beadel, C. R. Clark, Ormsby, Deans, Drs. Graham, Campbell, Levinge, Moorhouse, Messrs Weston (2), D. Miles, E. R, Webb, E. J. Cotterill, Dr. Gan*, Cecil Perry, B. Lane, P. Wood, E. Macdonald, G. A. U. Tapper, H. and D. McLean, Cecil Thornton, Hon. Trevor Grant, S. and W. Townend, Colclough, Cane, Orbell, A. G. Cox, Parkinson, E. and C. Frankish, Rodney, H. Henderson, Fox, Starkey, A. Seed, Graves, W. Peacock, E. Matson, Russell, Bowring, Wallick, Sams, J. Moir, R. Allen, Vincent, Kesteven, Sutton, H. Matson, Thodey, D. Reid, J. Peacock, F. Hobbs, Donald McLean, Jameson, Dr. Hall, Macbean Stewart (2), J. S. Atkinson, and White-Parsons. October 24. Some of Professor and Mrs. Cook’s musical friends have had a great treat during the week listening to the Misses Cook play on the violin and the splendid new piano just arrived from England. The Misses Cook have been studying in Germany for nearly four years, and have made good use of their time, and a few friends were invited to meet them on two last week, and were greatly pleased to hear them. Mrs. Beswick also played a piano solo, and Mrs. Burns and Mr. Hugh Reeves gave some charming songs. Among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. A. Boyle, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Wallace, Mrs. and Miss Julius. Mr. and Mrs. J. Gould, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Scott, Mrs. Mathias, Mrs. Wigram, Mrs. Vernon, Misses Harper, Mr. Burns and others. Mrs. Woodroffe bad a very pleasant gathering on Friday, though after the recent heavy rain the grounds were rather damp, yet it was a tempting day out. Mrs. Woodroffe received in a pretty gre.y costume with touch of pale blue. Among the guests were Mesdames O’Rorke, J. Gould, P. Campbell, J. C. Palmer, Ogle, Pyne, Reeves, Bowen, Kettle, R. J. Scott, E. C. J. Stevens, A. Hawdon, Wigram, Cook, Misses Bowen, Cook, Sanders, Wilder, Murray-Aynsley, etc.

DOLLY VALE.