CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue VII, 17 August 1901, Page 328

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, August 5. It is all very well to say, “Blow, blow, thou winter wind.” To have to endure it is another story, ami a very cruel one. I simply do not believe the person who says he enjoys the winter. The shops have tried to make us think the summer is coining by big sales for the last week or two of everything cosy and warm, but with one’s teeth chattering, a very blue nose, and watery eyes it is difficult to realise, even with a notice in your pocket of a private view of spring millinery, that we may wake up any morning and find that spring is here. I am a real “John Bull.” My grumble out I can tell vou the news. One of the most delightful danees which has ever been given in New Brighton was held in Hawker s Hall on the 30th July by a committee of girls, the chaperone being Mrs W. J. Bruce. The supper tables looked extremely pretty, arranged artistically in red silk, holly, pot plants and ferns. A special tram took about seventy from Christchurch, returning at 1.30 a.m., and the music supplied by Mrs Vaughan was all that could be desired. Mrs Bruce wore black and white merveilleux, transparent yoke, and sleeves of lace and jet; Miss L. Harris, sweetly pretty evening dress of white silk, the bodice of tucked silk and Valenciennes insertion; Miss Dora Preston (Sumner), black velvet and turquoise blue; Miss G. Wheeler, white muslin; Miss Blundell, pale blue figured muslin; Miss Dulcie Inwood, white silk blouse trimmed with green velvet; Miss Dora Winter, white muslin and lace; Miss Edie Croxton, white with folded belt of eau de nil; Miss Essie Arrowsmith, white silk trimmed with pink; Miss Wright, black and pink; Msses Baxter (2) wore white; Miss Olney, very pretty 7 white silk dress; Miss Ella Bruce, pale grey trimmed with buttercup; Miss Myra Bruce, cream dress with pretty lace fichu and yellow sash; Miss Gertie Cook, white with green sash; Miss E. Thomas, black and yellow; Miss Ida Thomas, pretty white muslin trimmed with white satin ribbon; Miss Dorothy Restell, pale blue nnd forget-me-nots; Mies Brown looked well in cream, with pearl passementerie trimming; Miss Lona Collins, white mnslin; Missea Pearpoint (2). white silk. Amongst the gentlemen were Messrs W. J.

Bruce, E. Hardy-Johnston, Major Milsoin, Guthrie, H. Anderson, C. Cotterill, Edgar and Gerald Stead, Cecil Louisson, C. McKellar, Wethey, L. A. Shand, C. Bassett, C. Hawkins, E. Talbot, P. White-Parsons, A. Van ASCH, Reg. White, C. Wheeler, J. Quane, Arrowsmith, Shaw (2), A. Otway, B. S. Lawrence and many others. The pleasant evening terminated by’ those present giving three cheers for Mrs Bruce and the committee.

On Thursday a most enjoyable concert was given by the Christchurch Musical Union in the Canterbury Hall to a very large audience. It was mainly an orchestral concert, Miss Maud Graham singing one song in the first part, and Hiawatha's “Medding Feast, ” with Mr Percy Denton as soloist, concluding- the second part, making it varied enough to please all tastes. Beethoven's wonderful “Eroica” symphony, though long, was much appreciated, the movement containing the beautiful “Funeral March” being specially liked. Then the daintymusic from "As You Like it” was a great contrast and prettily played. Miss Graham looked extremely well in a trained white silk gown, with scalloped over skirt, the bodice finished with pearl and crystal trimming. She was the recipient of a lovely white shower bouquet with long white streamers, after her song “Awake,” which she sang in such a. manner as to evoke an encore. Among the numerous audience were Judge, Mrs and Miss Denniston. Mr and Mrs HenryWood, Dr. and Mrs Jennings and Miss Henderson, Mrs and Miss Julius, the Rev. Audrey Julius, Miss Ambler, Mrs T. W. Stringer, Mesdames G. Moore, Kiver, W. Lake, J. Little, Mr and Mrs A. Kaye, Mrs Webb (Adelaide), Mrs and Miss Snow, Mr T. and Miss. Barnett, Misses Inwood, Haydon, Grant, Mr and Miss Izard, Professor and Misses Cook, Mrs and the Misses Young, Mrs and Miss Shaw, Mrs Marsden, Mrs Marks, Mrs 11. and Miss Harris, Mrs and Miss Milsom. Mrs R. Gard'ner, Miss Connal, Mr and Mrs J. D. Fairhurst, Mrs N. Macbeth, Miss Wood, Mr and Mrs W. Wood and Miss Wilson, Mrs F. M. Wallace, Mrs F. Wilding-. Mr A. and Miss Wilding, Mrs H. H. Loughnan, Mr, Mrs and Miss Denham. Mr and Mrs Cobham, etc. The majority of the audience were wrapped in opera coats, the members of the chorus almost all wearing them too.

Very often a great reputation spells a severe disappointment, but not so.

with M. Jean Gerardy. Everything that has been said of his playing is, 1 think, absolutely true, and Christchurch people were in the mind to hear for themselves at the Choral Ball on Friday evening. The rush for seats was bordering on a free fight, and to the applattse was added shouts of “Bravo!” and “Encore!” afieß every item, the quiet, staid young performer generously responding to more than one encore. M. Jean Gerardy was ably supported by Mr Philips, whose accompanying was most artistically done, and Mrs Burns sang “La Mia Piccarella” beautifully, looking extremely well in white brocade, the bodice finished with crystal ■trimming, and cluster of crimson roses on the left shoulder. Among the many present were: Professor and Mrs Hutton, Mr and Mrs Grigg, Professor and Mrs Cook, Miss Grigg, Mr and Mrs Bevan-Brown. Mr amt Mrs Tyree. Mr and Mrs T. W. Stringer, the Hon. C. Louisson, Mr and Mrs F. M. Wallace. Mrs T. Garrard, Mr and Miss Izard, Mr and Mrs H. H. Loughnan, Mr and Mrs Hirsehberg, Mr and Mrs J. D. Fairhurst, Mr and Mrs N. Macbeth, Misses Fairhurst, Grant. K. Hewlings, Mrs A. Merton, Mr W. J. Bunz, Messrs. W. Day, F. Graham, Dr. and Mrs Jennings, Miss Henderson, D. Mickle. Mrs and the Misses Julius (2), Mesdames Appleby, F. W. Thompson, and Mathias, Misses IVither (2), Van Asch (2), Lightfoot, Mr G. and the Misses Hart, Mr and Mrs T. Y. Wardrop, Mr and Mrs Russell, Miss Cabot, and many more.

Mr and Mrs William Pratt, Worces-ter-street, celebrated their golden wedding last week, but unfortunately Mr Pratt was suddenly seized with an attack of pleurisy, necessitating postponing it for a day or two, but he was then well enough to be present at the gathering of -children, grandchildren, and a few intimate, friends. Mr W. Pratt, from Nelson, and Mr Alfred Pratt, from Waitotara, were present, and Miss Florence Pratt had returned to Christchurch about a fortnight before, after travelling- many years in America, England, and the Continent. A handsome wedding-cake graced the board, and many presents were brought to the aged bride and bridegroom, who for the exception of the passing illness of Mr Pratt are remarkably

hale. ' .

DOLLY VALE.