CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue VIII, 22 February 1902, Page 372

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, ' February 12. During the last week we have been very much engrossed with our Eighth Contingent, they taking their departure on Saturday afternoon amid great enthusiasm. A charming garden party was given in their honour by the Mayor and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, at “Te Koraha,” on Wednesday afternoon, His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by the Hon. C. HillTrevor, being present. The contingent arrived shortly after three o’clock, and after the officers being introduced to their host and hostess the men were dismissed and moved about amongst their friends, enjoying strolling round the beautiful grounds, inspecting orchards, stables, etc. The Garrison Band was stationed on the lawn, and tw’o large marquees for afternoon tea, ices, fruit, etc. Mrs Rhodes wore a charming toilette of pale grey voile finished with white lace, hat and parasol to match; Mrs Heaton Rhodes, white skirt, pink glace silk blouse, pink straw hat trimmed with black; Mrs Alister Clark, pink crepe de chine, much tucked, cream lace and blaek velvet trimmin, black chiffon hat and feathers; Mrs O’Rorke, cream dress, black hat; Mrs G. G. Stead; Mrs Julius, black satin and lovely lace collar black and pale blue bonnet; Miss Julius in white with pale blue silk trimmed hat; Mrs Hawkes, pale fawn chiffon, with lovely' gold and silk embroidery, Tuscan hat with crimson wreath of berries; Mrs Ogle, a eharm-

mg black costume with insertion over white, white hat with pink roses; Mrs . Wurdrop, pale blue gown with white lace, pretty toque; Mrs Elworthy, all black; Mrs Bond, black relieved with heliotrope; Mrs G. Gould, very pretty grey gown, black hat; Mrs T. Cowlishaw, pale blue and white crepe de chine, pretty toque trimmed with green velvet and pink roses; Mrs Boyle, a charming grey costume; Mrs G. Lee, heliotrope gown finished with white, Tuscan toque; Miss Lee, Eton costume of white serge, pink hat; Mrs Kettle, black silk canvas" over pink, black hat; Miss Kettle, heliotrope frock with lace collar, white hat; the Dean of Christchurch and Miss Harirer, Bishop Julius, Bishop Grimes, Bishop Lenihan (Auckland), Mrs E. C. J. Stevens, Mrs (Dr.) Fox, Mr and Mrs V. Hargreaves, Mr and Mrs C. Morris, Professor, Mrs anti Miss Cook, Mrs J. C. Palmer, Mr and -Mrs C'orfe, Mr and Mrs 1. Gibbs, Mrs Palmer, Mr and Mrs R. Allen. Miss Allan, Mrs Kettlewell. Mrs It. Macdonald, Mr and Mrs Wayraouth, Mr and Mrs Stringer. Misses N. Reeves, Cotterill, Tabart, Hill, Mrs and Miss Guthrie, and many others. The contingent left about five p.nr., giving three hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Rhodes, called for by Lieut.-Colonel Chaytor,

On Friday the agents of the troopship Cornwall (Messrs Kinsey, Barns and Co.) invited a number of the leading citizens to a luncheon on board, Lord Ranfurly also being present. This was followed by an afternoon tea, about four hundred being invited and conveyed by special train to the ship’s side. Some of the decks had been enclosed and nicely decorated, and a band discoursed lively music. A delicious afternoon tea was served by Freeman, Limited, and with partaking of that, viewing the horses, the men's quarters and chatting with friends the time to take the train again came all too quickly. Among those present were Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, Captain and Mrs Heaton Rhodes, Lieut.-Colonel, Mrs and Miss Chaytor, Captain and Mrs Jackson, Captain and Mrs Lewin; Major and Mrs Slater, Colonel Webb, Colonel and Mrs Gordon, Lieut.-Colonel Day, Bishop, Mrs and Miss Julius, Mrs and Miss Denham, Mr and Mrs J. Anderson, Mr and Mrs A. Anderson, Misses Anderson and Pratt, -Mr and Mrs G. Rhodes, Mr and Mrs O’Rorke, Mr and Mrs Wardrop, Mr and Mrs Owen Cox, Miss Hardy-Johnston, Mr and Mrs Meredith-Kaye, Mrs and Miss Denniston. Mr and Mrs Barkas, Mr and Mfs Bickerton Fisher, Mr and Mrs Lambic, Mr and Mrs A. W. Bennett, Mr and Mrs I. Gibbs, Mr and Mrs A. Kaye, Mr and Mrs H. D. Carter, Mr and Mrs Gilbert Anderson, Mr and Mrs de Vries, Mr and Mrs F. Waymouth, Mr and Mrs R. E. McDougall, Mr and Mrs Barns, Mr and Mrs Wm. Wood. Mr and Mrs Staveley, Mr, Mrs and Miss Secretan, Mr and Mrs Appleby, Mr Morton Anderson, Mr and Mrs Graham, Captain and Mrs Bone, Cap-

tain and Mrs Willis, Mr and Mrs T. C. Field, and many more. On Thursday evening about one hundred of the contingent were present at Miss Alice Hollander’s concert by invitation. I regret to say these concerts have not been so well attended as they deserved. The youthful contralto has much improved since her last visit, and Herr Volleiuar, Mr Neal McCay and Mr Farrell are all worth hearing, as ’cellist, tenor and pianist respectively. 1 have noticed there Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, Mrs E. C. J. Stevens and party, Mrs Mathias, Mrs ami Miss Julius, Mr and Mrs Barkas, Mr and Mrs Burns, Mr and Mrs Struthers, Mr and Mrs Kohn, Mrs and Miss Merton, Mrs and Miss Gibson, Mr, Mrs and Miss Graham, the Misses Gard’ner, Mr T. Garrard ,Mr and Mrs A. L. Parsons, Mr Carrick, Miss Martin, etc.

Tennis parties continue. to be held. Mrs G. Gould had a very plea-ant afternoon party last week for the purpose, and though rather warm a delightful time was spent. Among those present were Mrs Hawkes, in a cool tussore gown; Mrs Woodroffe. white linen costume; Miss Earle; Mrs Gould wore a cool white costume; Mrs Boyle. Mrs Alister Clark, Mrs Ogle, Mrs Wardrop. Mrs T. Cowlishaw, Mrs J. D. Hall, Mrs Beswick, Misses Cowlishaw, Hill. N. Reeves, and others. Miss Cowlishaw gave a boating party one day last week, and the day was so hot the river was really a delightful resort. The party landed at Park Terrace and had afternoon tea at the residence of Sir John Hall. Among those present, were Mr and Mrs J. D. Hall, Mr and Miss Cowlishaw (Sydney), Mr and Mrs J. M. Turnbull, Mr and Mrs W. Cowlishaw, Mr and Mrs T. Cowlishaw, Mrs Wardrop. Miss Lee, Mrs Alister Clark. ?»Irs G. Gould and others. Mrs Pat Campbell, “Ham,” entertained a number of friends one afternoon last week, but not at the. name by which the guests were summoned, a “Hay Party,” the rain in the morning damping z everything. But some of those present were Mrs and Miss Stead, Mrs and Misses Denniston, Mr and Miss Connal, Mrs Pyne, Mr and Miss Neave, Mrs Cotterill, Mrs O’Rorke, Misses Sanders, Mrs and Miss Bowen, Mrs Boyle. Mrs Rhodes, Mrs Woodroffe, Miss Earle, Miss Hoskins, etc. On Saturday no one thought of anything but farewelling the contingent. Lord Ranfurly took leave of them at the camp at Addington before they entrained for Lyttelton. There was gTeat disappointment the men did not march through the town, as the citizens wished to show more enthusiasm than they were able to. A great crowd greeted them at Lyttelton, where the Premier and Mrs Seddon, Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward, the Hon. W. C. Walker, the Hon. G. Jones, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes (Mayor of Christchurch), Mr T. C. Field (Mayor of Lyttelton), Mesdames A. E. G. Rhodes, Heaton Rhodes, T. C. Field

and others were on the platform. After the men had put their kits on board several speeches were made, and the unfortunate length of the Premier’s quite forbade the troopers getting.even a last few minutes with their friends. No one seeing the Cornwall steaming away from the wharf could think solely of the sadness of the departure, for there was so much noise of bands, steam whistles, rockets and cheering, with the men cheering and waving in returu ; one forgot for an instant what it was all for.

The greatest sympathy has been expressed for Mr and Mrs VV. Reece, who have just returned from England, at the death of their eldest daughter, which took place on Sunday at their residence, ••Norholme,** Springfield Road. Miss Reece accompanied her father and mother on their recent tour, and it was hoped the trip would benefit her health, which was not altogether satisfactory. It has turned their home-coming into a very sad one, but expressions of sympathy are widespread.

DOLLY VALE.