CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XX, 15 November 1902, Page 1264

CHRISTCHURCH

Dear Bee, November 5. The youths of our town apparently have a great respect for this sth November anniversary. The old song is being trolled out in many directions, and the number of “Guys” wishing to be remembered gets wearisome before the day is very old. But we are all ready to take our different way's of amusement, and the Carnival week that we are all expecting so much from is close here, with a full programme, beginning with a large ball to be given by Mr and Mrs G. G Stead at “Strowan” the night before the Cup (7th), for the coming out of Miss Noeline Stead, their only daughter. Mrs. John Williams* postponed dance is to take plaice on 11th, in the Art Gallery, in honour of her son. Lieutenant Williams, of H.M.s. Ringarooma; and the Jockey Club Ball is fixed for 13th. The theatre will be occupied with the Majeroni’s, and Wirth’s Circus is with us, so with four race days, trotting, and Show, could we possibly get any more in. That is the future, but the past Includes some interesting functions. the most so being the presentation to Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes at the A’cxandra Hall from tiie citizens of Christchurch. Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, as Mayor during the record year of the Royal visit, acquitted himself so ably, and with so much approval of the citizens they wished to give him some memento of his term of office, and it took the form of a large oil painting of himself by Mi - J. L, Balfour. Mrs Rhodes, too, made many friends, and worked very hard, being her husband's righthand in every quite deserving the handsome tiara presented to her. The hall svas nicely arranged with numbers of small tables, the picture being on an easel at the top of the room, near which were seated Mr Jolm Anderson, who made the presentation. Mr and Mrs Rhodes. Mr and Mrs W. Reece, Bishop Grimes, and Mr J. J. Kinsey. Miss Serivenor’s band played during afternoon tea. and then the ceremony took place, finishing w'ith three cheers for Mr and Mrs Rhodes and Master Tahu Rhodes (the future Mayor of Christchurch ). Among those present were the Mayor and Mrs Wigram. the latter in navy blue costume with lace vest, feather toque of pigeon blue; Mrs* Rhodes wore a handsome mourning costume, the skirt appliqued with silk: Mrs Reece, mourning costume: Mrs C. Clark, black gown, lace and silk mantle with white under frill, black and white bonnet; Mrs W. Stringer. handsome grey costume finished with lace, becoming hat; Mrs Appleby; Mrs G. Merton, rod cloth Eton gown, white felt bat with red velvet; Miss Merton, black skirt, pretty blue muslin blouse; Mrs A. Anderson, black skirt, heliotrope frieze jacket, tusean hat. and black velvet bows; Miss Anderson, navy blue Russian costume strapped and tabbed with white, tusean hat; Misses G,

-aud M. Anderson; Mr and Mrs Ferguson, the latter in grey, with pale blue ehiffon vest and la<?e revers, hat trimmed to match with violets under the brim; Mrs J. J. Kinsey, all black, with very handsome jacket and golden barley in bonnet; Professor and Mrs Cook, the latter in slate grey coat and skirt, tusc« hat with silk trimming; Mr W. D. and Miss N. Meares, the latter in dark grey frieze Russian costume, blaek hat; Mr and Mrs Struthers, the latter in black, white sequin net vest, lace revers, black and white hat; Mrs H. Quane, Mrs Norton. Mr and Mrs Beswick. Mr and Mrs W. Wood; Mrs T. Garrard, navy and white foulard, chiffon vest strapped with black velvet, black velvet hat and feathers, white ehiffon bows; Miss Garrard (Nelson), black canvas skirt and silk blouse, with lace insertion over blue, large black picture hat: Miss Pieleering (Auckland), Mr and Mrs G. F. Martin, Mrs and Miss Graliam. Mrs Reeves; Mrs R. D. Thomas, mourning costume; Miss Thotmjs. Mr and Mrs B. M. Litchfield, Messrs J. G. Moore, R. Macdonald. H. H. Seeretan, G. Gould, -Staveley, Wilson, and many others.

•The Musical Union gave another very enjoyable Orchestral Concert last week in-the Canterbury Hall, the chorus contributing three very pretty glees, two Laving orchestral accompaniment. Miss Katie Young, the Society’s pianiste. played a concerto with the orchestra, which, out of a very pleasing programme. wns the most enjoyable item. A very large audience, as usual, was present, amongst whom were Professor and Mrs. Cook, the Misses Julius, Mr W. Devenish Meares and the Misses Meares (2). Mrs Rochfort and Miss Snow. Mrs and the Misses Bigg-Wither. Mr and Mrs Bellhouse. Mrs and Miss Ross. Mr and Mra W. Wood, Mr and Mrs H. D. Carter,

Mr and Mrs E. Barber, Mr and Mra Marti ner, Mrs W. I-ake, Mrs C. D. Morris, Misses Kiver, Allan, Williams, Dr. and Mrs Bradshaw, Mrs and Miss Wilding, Miss Fairhurst, and many more.

The Misses Freeman and Fodor were “At Home” on Friday evening to celebrate the opening of the new Girton College. Taitimer Square, when a large number of the parents and friends availed themselves of their kind invitation to see the building. Miss Freeman recited most beautifully herself; Miss Fodor also recited and sang, some of the pupils gave a French dialogue, and others did some lightning arithmetic. Miss Helen Denniston and Mias Stead gave a short scene from “The Merchant of Venice” admirably, the whole making a verypleasant evening, when light refreshments were handed round. Among the guests were Mrs G. G. Stead, Mrs H. Rose, Miss Isabel Martin, Dr. and Mrs Chilton, the latter looked well in black square- cut evening gown; Mrs (Dr.) Mickle, in a beautiful peach silk; Mrs R. Snow, black silk and pale blue chiffon chon in her hair: Mrs C. Cook. Miss Fairhurst, Miss Grant, Miss C. Hargreaves, etc.

With two men-o’-war in port, little parties often go off to them, and vice versa, the officers and men are always welcome on shore. .A cricket match was got up last week between an eleven from H.M.s. Ringarooma and H.M.s. Torch, and eleven from our home teams. Mrs Woodhouse provided afternoon tea. with a host of willing helpers amongst her girl friends. t The greatest sympathy is felt for Mr A. F. N. Blakiston by his numerous friends in Christchurch on the death of his wife, whieh so recently took place in Auckland.

DOLLY VALE.