CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVII, Issue XXIV, 14 December 1901, Page 1147

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, December 4. Things still remain very uncomfortable at Cheviot, and it now has .the appearance of a bachelor's district, scarcely a woman or child being left. Only four chimneys are standing in the whole township, and as the earthquake shocks still continue, some talk of putting up iron ones. There is no actual distress as far as food and clothing are concerned, nevertheless there is so much havoc worked in many homes that it means ruin unless a little timely help is given, and this is being done by a relief committee to the best of their power and the means at their disposal. Mr W. T. Robinson, who is on the spot, and an old resident, will be invaluable as a director of the relief, but no doubt some will be misapplied. An excellent concert was given on Monday in the Canterbury Hall for the relief fund, and about £7O will be handed over. Yet this only makes a few hundreds, when £3OOO is supposed to be the actual damage.

The good ship Discovery, now in Lyttelton Harbour, is the most talked of thing of the day, in spite of earthquakes, and a little incident immediately on her arrival about 1 a.m. on Saturday morning shows something of the energy lot the navigators on board, for one or two, with Lieutenant Skackleton at the head, thought nothing of a row from the Heads to the Lyttelton Post Office to get letters, and after succeeding in waking the sleeping official in charge (who thought he must still be dreaming when a smiling face asked for “the Discovery's letters”) was not long in getting a’ liearty welcome and his request acceded to. The Hon. C. C. Bowen, who has taken a deep interest in the ex-

pedition, was the first to gw on board, and m Sunday a great crowd visited the long-looked for explorer Discovery. Everyone remarks on the youthful appearance of commander and officers, but youth and vigour are a most necessary adjunct of the scientific knowledge they possess. They will be entertained at various functions during their short stay, while on board it is all work and no play. The vessel is now in dock, and every package of stores is to be repacked, while the gifts of mutton and lamb have far exceeded the stowing space for that useful article. The equipments of the vessel are of the latest and best., and also for their recreation there is a better supply

than any before. There is a splendid library, piano, pianola, gramophone, and dark room for photography. A very gay scene was witnessed at the Canterbury Hall last week, when Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes gave A LARGE CHILDREN S PARTY, the smaller ball and corridors being used, both beautifully decorated by Strange and Company, and an upstairs room for supper, which the young people expressed as “lovely.’ The card of imitation said 5.30 to 0.30. bat an extra dance made it a Jittle later. Besides dancing the e-vergreen Punch and Judy held forth during the evening, and vari•us games made all enjoy themselves. Most of the youthful guests wore dainty white frocks of silk and lace or muslin and lace, with here and there a pink or blue. Mrs Rhodes was indefatigable in looking after the little ones, and wore a cream silk and lace blouse and cream cloth skirt; her little daughter white silk and laee frock. Some of those helping Mrs Rhodes and enjoying the happiness of the little guests were: Mrs R. Macdonald, in cream canvas over pink silk, cream silk blouse; Mrs O’Rorke, pale blue silk: Mrs Hawke, black satin and lace: Mrs J’v-ne, cream gown; Mrs J. C. Palmer, black satin, with chiffon and lace trimming; Mrs Rose, black satin: Mrs Wood. Mrs Woodroffe, Mrs Ogle. Mrs E. M. Turrell, Mrs L. Harley, Mrs G. Gould, Mrs G. Rhodes, Mrs Blunt. Mrs Wigfey, Dr. Palmer, Mr and Mrs Pat. Campbell, Mr and Mrs Heaton Rhodes, Captain Hawke, Messrs Woodroffe, Stead, Perry, Turrell, Lane, Macdonald, and others. Among the guests were the Misses O’Rorke, Hall, Lance, Campbell, Macdonald, Ogle, Wood, Julius, Pyne, Rose, Clifford, Reece. Kettle, Burns, Stead, Saunders, Cowlishaw, Blunt, Anderson, Harley, Harris, Wilding. Wigley, Woodhouse, Cotterill. Bingley. Merton. Wilding, Masters Campbell. Wood, Anderson, Burns, Gould, O'-Rorke. Macdonald, Wilding, Woodhouse. Barker. Wilson, Payling, Bristed, and many others. On Thursday 3

THE CHRISTCHURCH I.IEDERTAFEL gave a ladies’ night, but ihe verywintry nature of the weather made a great difference in the attendance, The floral decorations were beautiful, owing to the wealth of flowers just now, and the hot tea and coffee in the interval were much appreciated. A novelty- was the appearance of a lady on the platform, when Miss Lucy Cook appeared with Messrs F. M. Wallace and H. H. Loughnan in a trio for two violins and ’cello, which was finely played. Only on one or two occasions has a lady assisted at a Liedertafel concert, and. “of course, the beautiful part singing by the members is the greatest feature of these concerts. Among those present were Mr Justice and Mrs Denniston, Misses Denniston, Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, the Countess of Seafield. Hon. G. and Mrs Louisson, Colonel and Mrs Gordon, Dr. and Mrs Crooke, Professor. Mrs and Miss Cook. Mr and Mrs W. Wood, Mr and Mrs I. Gibbs. Mrs F. Barkas. Mrs Appleby, Mrs and Miss Julius. Mr and Mrs H. H. Loughnan. Mrs F. M. Wallace. Mrs and Miss Wilding. Mr, Mrs and Miss Graham, Mr and Mrs Vernon, Mr and Mrs Besvviek. Mr, Mrs and Miss Molincfinx, Mrs and Miss Merton, Mr, Mrs and Miss Izard, Mrs and Miss Bowen, Dr. and Mrs Morton Anderson, Misses Wilson, Hargreaves, Harper, Reeves, Ainger, Anderson, Allen, Harman, Professor and Mrs Haslam, Mrs Bourne, Mr Carrick and Miss Martin. Mr and Mrs Litchfield, Mr and Mrs J. Fairhurst, Mrs and Miss Denham, etc. On Thursday afternoon the memliers of the Rose Society were Invited by Mrs E. C. J. Stevens to see her lovely rose garden, but the afternoon turned out so wet that it wit impossible to go round and see the flowers, but a delicious afternoon tea was served and the table decorated with some glorious specimens, but only a few of the members were present. Soma good polo was played at the

Park on Saturday afternoon, but a desperately cold wind was blowing, which made the afternoon tea provided by Mrs T. Cowlishaw very delirious and acceptable. Mrs Cowliehaw looked well in pink gown and hat to match. Among the onlookers were Mesdames A. E. G. Rhodes, J. D. Hull, Hawke, G. Lee, Woodroffe, Ogle, Wardrop, H. Rhodes. J. C. Palmer. G. Gould. Beswick, Misses Lee, Earle, Ainger, Nedwill, etc. Mrs Litchfield had

A GIRLS’ LUNCHEON PARTY, followed by. Ping Pong, last week, and a most enjoyable time was spent. Among the guests were Misses Tolhurst and Douglas (Wellington), Denniston, Stead, A. Julius, Neave, C. Hill and Kettle. Mrs G. Rhodes (Meadowbank) was staying with Mrs O’Rorke at Fendalton last week, and during the week Mrs O’Rorke gave a very- pleasant afternoon, a number playing tennis. Some of those' present were Mesdames A. E. G. Rhodes. G. Gould, J. D. Hall, Wardrop. G. Lee, J. C. Palmer, T. Cowlishaw. Ogle, Beswick, Misses Joan Lee, Hill, Tolhurst, Turnbull, Denniston, Wynn-Williams, and others.-

A great sight was witnessed at Lancaster Park on Saturday afternoon, when the children attending the North Canterbury- schools, to the number of about 3000, took part, in sports, club exercises, physical drill, etc., and a decorated bicycle competition. Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, Mrs G. G. Stead and Miss Colborne Veel acted as judges in the latter, the East Christchurch gaining a special for origlnalitr. DOLLY VALE.