CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue VIII, 24 August 1901, Page 374

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, August 14. We have had nothing short of a deluge of concerts, and really good ones too, but it is quite an error to suppose in these days that music hath charms to soothe the “savage” breast; on the contrary, the bigger and bulkier the breast the more savage it became when fighting its way to a shilling seat, or even a two shilling one. It is always understood a policeman’s life is not a happy one, but it is just as proverbial the greater the crowd the farther off the policeman, and some very unseemly pushing had to be endured by the music-loving public of Christchurch last week to enable them to hear Jean Gerardy and the Belle Cole festivals. Having got through the menagerie of wild animals safely, found one’s watch and chain hanging, though not in its pocket, and all limbs sound, excepting bruises, one was glad to drop into any seat (but in the Canterbury Hall that is a matter of indifference, for all are good), yet it needed a good concert to make up for the unpleasant struggle to get there.

On Tuesday, in conjunction with the Motett Society, Madame Belle Cole and Mr. Prouse gave us a delightful rendering of “Elijah,” Mrs. Burns taking the soprano soli, and Mr. Mark Woodward the tenor. And on Thursday “The Messiah” was given, Mr. J. A. Allan taking the tenor part in place of Mr. Woodward, the other soloists being the same. Of Madame Belle Cole’s singing in oratorio one cannot speak too highly; she is so intensely dramatic, and Mr. John Prouse is close up. It was a happy inspiration of the Motett Society to secure these two artists. Madame Cole looked very handsome on Tuesday in white moire velour, transparent yoke and sleeves, white aigrette in her hair, diamond necklet and diamonds sparkling on her bodice. Mrs Burns wore black sequin net over silk, jet shoulder straps, bunch of violets on corsage, and black aigrette. The Canterbury Hall was well filled each night. A very enjoyable “At Home” was given by the Christchurch Liederkranzehen last week, the musical programme being under the direction

of Mr A. J. W. Bunz. Songs were given by Misses E. Lake, Bqrrell, Samuels, and others, and the part songs were nicely rendered, Miss Winifred Jacobs acting as accompanist. Mr Bunz played a “Valse Caprice” very acceptably. During the interval afternoon tea was dispensed by the members. Among the audience werp Mrs Arthur E. G. Rhodes (their president), wearing a mourning costume and handsome sealskin coat; Mrs and Miss Cracroft Wilson, Mrs and the Misses Cook, Miss Julius, Miss Cholmoudeley, Mrs J. and Miss Anderson, Mrs and Miss Allan, Mrs Laurie, Mrs L. Matson, Mrs and Miss Waymouth, Mrs and Miss Graham, Miss Curnow, Misses Russell, O. Fisher, Andrews, Winter, Newton, Mrs Cardale, Mrs and Miss Marsden, etc. The Christchurch Hunt Club had a beautiful day for the annual steeplechase last Thursday at Plumpton Park, and many visitors were tempted thither. Mr Wilfred Stead has quite recovered from his accident, and' rode in one of the races, which he won. Among the spectators were:—Mrs G. G. Stead in a black cloth gown, violet hat trimmed with chiffon and ermine, white ostrich feather boa; Miss Stead, dark green dress, long fawn coat, red hat; Lady Clifford, all black with sealskin cape; Mrs E. C. J. Stevens, black cloth costume, grey feather boa; Mrs P. Campbel], black coat and skirt, large black hat and feathers; Mrs Hawke, navy blue cloth gown, sable Eton coat, blue and white hat; Mrs T. Cowlishaw, vieux rose Eton coat and skirt, ermine collar, hat to match; Mrs J. D. Hall, all black, black toque; Mrs C. Dalgety, dark green gown showing facings of white edged with fur, large black hat; Mrs A. Murray-Aynsley,■ Mrs Woodroffe, Mrs Wardrop, Mrs Ogle, Mrs Bond, Mrs Buckley, Mrs E. Turrell, Mrs Rutherford were only some of those present.

It is all races this week; in fact almost as giddy a whirl as November, for there are several dances and every hall has some performance nightly to attract the visitors. The Grand National was favoured with a very fine day, but the. cold wind compelled the ladies to wear wraps. Mrs G. G. Stead wore a handsome coat and skirt cos-

fume of navy blue cloth strapped with silk, cream front, black toque with Cream roses, white ostrich feather boa; Miss Stead, dark green cloth dress, red hat; Mrs C. Dalgety, violet frieze gown trimmed with velvet to match and black and silver braid, shaded violet hat; Mrs J. D. Hall, black coat and skirt, large black hat and feathers; Mrs A. Elworthy (Pareora). black coat and skirt strapped with silk, cream lace front, black picture hat with feathers, sable furs; Mrs Fat. Campbell, coat and skirt of slate coloured cloth trimmed with white, large black velvet hat; Mrs Hawke, white cloth gown, sable Eton coat, black and white toque; Mrs Denniston, browu cloth gown, cream lace front and undersleeves, finished with panne, red eape braided in black, fawn hat with shaded green plumage and eream lace; Miss H. Denniston, royal blue cloth gown trimmed with panne, pretty hat with shaded roses; Mrs D. Macfarlane, blue cloth gown, long sealskin coat, black toque; Mrs G. Gould, dark red cloth braided in gold, black bat; Mrs Owen Cox, black silk Eton coat and skirt finished with Maltese lace. blaek»hat and feathers; Mrs Wardrop, dark green coat and skirt, green straw hat trimmed wijth pale blue silk; Mrs Ogle, brown skirt and Eton coat, pink silk blouse, brown hat with pink silk trimming and brown quills; Mrs T. Cowlishaw, pale grey coat and skirt relieved with panne, toque to match, ermine muff and necklet; Mrs W. Stringer, black Eton coat and skirt strapped with silk stitched with white, becoming toque; Mrs Davidson, very liglik tweed coat and skirt, black plumed hat; Sirs E. Turrell. Mrs and Miss Graham, Mesdames Woodroffe, Kettle. K. Garrick, F. Courage (Amberley), G. Helmore (Rangiora), F. H, Barker (Orari), Cobham, Sim (Grassmere). Lichfield, the Misses Thomson (Balmoral), Nedwill, Hill -(2), Wilson, Williams, Anderson, Allan, Way, Martin, Croxton, Milsom, etc.

DOLLY VALE.