CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XXVI, 29 December 1900, Page 1228

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, . . December 19. As I sit pen in hand I feel no words of mine can describe the great pageant has taken, place to com-

ineiuoratr our Jubilee in Christchurch. Never have we had such a gathering either in numbers or of interest. Old colonists from far and uear met together some for the first time since leaving the ship they travelled out in. Other members of their families they had not- seen for many years. Imagine the hearty hand grip and the ‘‘don't you remember” on all sides, and you will think of the difficulty it was to marshal these old colonists into anything like order for the procession. They met at the Exhibition Mall and >ere. driven to the South Kelt, where the procession started from, headed by a fine team of eight -bullocks provided by Mr T. O. Hay, of Pigeon Bay, and driven by Luke Scott. In the dray were about twenty old Peninsula identities, who arrived between 1843 aud 1850. Then came the ■volunteers numbering over thirteen' • hundred. Some of the' mounted ones ih teir khaki uniforms with plumed hats, on some' splendid horses put in a very fine appearance. There were drags, carriages, and other vehicles brimming over with old colonists. The carriages with the Hon. W. and Mrs Rolleston, the Mayor and Mrs Heece, the Hon. R-. J. and Mrs Seddon and' His Excellency the Governor were the signal for much'clapping of ' hands all along the route. The Maoris were ' an interesting part of the procession. A canoe on wheels, with a crew of energetic paddlers and . one to - direct , their movements was ypiite a.. feature, r Another* old wara spear*was much more effivignt at clearing the road than any two' mounted tfobpers/”'The returned troopers received quite an ovation. ■_ and a mounted Kaffir was the ob- , served of all observers. The trades were well and some most tastefully ' represented, .but to describe it fully would take far too long when I tell you the procession took fifty minutes to pass a given point. The line of route was beautifully decorated. The ’ scheme hltd been Carefully thought out by Mr Hurst' Seager, and days -’before poles had been .planted in the streets and twined with coloured muslin. Then . soon after 12 p.m. on Sunday -began the work of -festooning from-pole to pole and corner ~ to corner,- • the - 'most- delicate Binaries of - blue. yellow, pink, usad with white*.-made-, the most charming effects, while, : some streets - were red. while, jßiwlcblue;, and' som«! : ';red and ~ whiter these contracts throwing up .'the' jpialer ; shades.' The bottom of . lamp«posts. telegraph' poles, . >tc., appeared to grow'out'of ffai bushes and The- weather was perfect; Just sufficient breeze with the .//graceful festoon's of Liberty muslin, mid flags, the latter floating in every . direction. Some 20,000 yards of muslin were used, but I doubt if anyone ~ can form any idea of the prettiness of it by hearing - of it. At night several places were' illuminated, the “Times” Office being the'L.best. » The . procession after . reaching Hagley' Park broke-up, aitrt' there' were.many" greetings Hftfiongst friends after the lapse of a great number of years. The Governor reviewed a march past of the-i-v-olunteers and then drove off; the park stpon after gradually emptied. In

the evening at the Exhibition Hall an immense amfieitce assembled, including hundreds of the old colonists, when, the Horology and a Te Drum, under JJr AVejis. were sung, followed by speeches by (he Mayor, His Excel-U-pcy the. governor, the Premier, Sir Jphiy. Hall, tjje Hons. W. Rolleston. and ,(*- V. Bowetj, when God Save thy (Jueen was heartily sung by all. thus ending a ' memorable day in Canterbury, and if it could be possible that the same st rules forward could be made in the next fifty years as in the past it sets one wondering what the. result might be. Among the audience were Bishop aud Mrs Julius, Bishop and Mrs Wallis (Wellington), the Bishop of Melanesia. Mrs Reece, Mrs 'Kolleston? Mr ami Mrs John Anderson, Mr and .Mrs R. Allan. Mr and Mrs Appleby. Mr and Airy Louisson, Mr Embling'and Mr Maughan Barn'ett (Wellington). Mr ami Mrs F. M. Wall ace, Mr .and Mrs Burns, Mr and Mrs A. E.'G/ Rhodes. Canon and Mrs Knowles, Mr ami Mrs Allison, etc. On Tuesday the Exhibition Hall was ‘ again the’ rendezvous, where the old colonists’ luncheon took place.- A number of willing hands decorated the tables and. stage. An excellent luncheon was provided by Mr Burke, but the numbers attending seemed greatly in excess of those expected as many hail to be accommodated with seats on rtc stage and wait a second relay. It is thought nearly 900 partook of luncheon. His Worship the Mayor was in the chair, and on his right.were His Excellency the Governor. Mrs Reece, Sir John Hall, Hon. C. C. Bowen, Mr Guise Brittan. Mr Mollett, Mr W. I). Wood. Mrs Stewart, ahd Mr and Mrs'Farr. On the Mayor’s left? were the Hon. C. Butler. Captain Williams, A.D.C.’s, Mr J. Deajas, the Hon. .J. T. Peacock, AreKdeacon Dudley, Mr A; F. N. B’akiston, Canon Knowles.' Archdeacon Cholmondeley, Mr K. J. S. Haiman, Mr E. W. Seager, and Mr George Hart. The tables were arranged as far as possible a&the first four ships, namely. The Charlotte Jane, The Randolph, The'Sir George Seymour, and The Cressy, the various toasts being-given and replied to by speakers from these vessels. It was a .ujlique and interesting gathering, the gallery being, filled with spectators, and <one word expresses all the old colonists and their friends seemed to feel that day. “happiness.” for their faces were wreathed in smiles. Luncheon over, took the old c.olonists -to’a garden party given by Mrs Deans, senr.. and Mr ami Mrs John Deans. Riccarton, whose hospitality, and kindness has extended for over half a century to all and sundry in and around Christchurch. Mrs Deans, seated in a chair on the lawn, received the guests, and exchanged reminiscences with many old friends. About 700 people altogether were present. Numerous'marquees were' dotted about for serving refreshments, gnd a band played; at intervals. The Governor- wjgjMefl a’bnnt ."• p.m., having ./ealjczboii his way ..to distribute the ■ 'prizes at ' Christ’s College, that day being also the jubilee of the College. In the evening - the Exhibition Hall was. again filled, many old colonists being present. The choir..under MrWelts/gave the “Cant-erbufiy Pilgrim"

anthem, which was sung by the Canterbury pilgrims themselves in St. Paul's. Ixindon, jwst before leaving for New Zealand. Then Mr ' Maughan Barnett, of Wellington, stepped on to the platform to conduct the ode which he composed for the opening of the Exhibition. It went brightly aud well, Mr Hugh Reeves taking the solo very effectively. At the close the applause was very enthusiastic, and Mr <>. T. J. Alpers, as librettist, was compelled to acknowledge his share with Mr Barnett. Mrs Burns then sang “Rejoice Greatly” in her usual pleasing numer, the Hallelejah Chorus being a grand finale. Mr E. W. Seager then gave his lecture on “Old Canterbury,” with limelight views, many of the early colonists long since passed away being shown on the canvas, with Christchurch and Lyttelton in the divert anil V hut stage. The Jubilee celebrations beng uppermost. I have put them down first, but there were one or two small festivities last week. Mrs Wigrain gave a delightful “At Home.” The day was beautifully fine, and everything looked its prettiest.- A band was stationed on the lawn; there was also sKinie music in the house, irnd everyone seemed to enjoy the afternoon. Mrs Wigram wore a dainty cream gown, hat to match; Mrs J. Gould, blue glace silk, with cream lace bolero, blue chiffon and cream toque; Mis Stead, pale blue voile finished with heliotrope silk bands, toque to match; Mrs H. H. Cook, black lace over white silk, blaek hat and feathers: the Misses Cook, pretty floral muslin gowns, black hats; Mrs H.H.Loughnan soft grey dress trimmed with black velvet, large black hat; Mrs Deans, biack silk grenadine over green, bonnet to match; Miss Deans, white glace silk and deep cream lace, black hat; Mrs Pyne, while corded cloth, Eton coat and skirt, Tuscan and floral toque; Mrs Ogle, pale grey gown, pink vest and belt, pretty toque; Mrs Wardrop. pale pink gown, toque to match; Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, handsome black gown, black hat with touches of blue; Mrs and Miss Fenwick: Mr and Mrs Louisson. the latter in palest grey silk with Maltese lace and narrow crimson velvet, and steel buckles on the Imdice, black chiffon toque; Miss Louisson, pretty pink floral muslin, hat to correspond; Mis and Miss Harper. Mr J. C. Palmer. Mrs Vernon, Mr ami Mrs Wilding. Mrs and Miss Julius, Mrs A. Rolleston. Mrs J. Turnbull, and many others. - On -Wednesday evening Miss Taylor gave a,picnic at New Brighton. Quite a number of the party cycled down. Mrs Louisson, Mrs Marks, Miss M. Allah, and a few others going by tram. Among those present were the Masses Prosser, Louisson (2), Messis Webb. Hardy-Johnston. Ziele. and Louisson.

On Saturday Mrs Louisson gave a drag picnic to Sumner for Miss M. Louissou’s birthday, over thirty guests going, amongst whom were Mrs Louisson. Mrs Marks, Mrs Green, Misses Louisson (3), Taylor, Wood, M. Allan, Prosser, Messrs W. Peacock, Ixiuisson, Ziele, Hardy-Johnston, and others. Mrs Mathias, “Fendalton,” gave a delightful afternoon tea at her residence last week, and some charming music was listened to. Among those

present were Mrs Arthur Rhodes, Mrs and Miss llelmore, Mrs Secret an, Mia aud Miss Deans, Mrs ami Miss Palmer, Mrs aud Miss Heunah, Mrs Moorhouse, Miss Bowron, etc.

<>•l Thursday evening the comtHiied societies (musical and motett) gave t’>* “Messiah” iu the Exhibition Hall, which was filled. Mrs Burns, Miss Graham, Messrs Allau and Millar sang the solos, and T am told all did wetl with the exception of the tenor, but unfortunately at the lust moment I was unable to go and hear it.. DOLLY VALE.