CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XXV, 20 December 1902, Page 1584

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, December 9. The one dissipation again this week has been the theatre, though a good deal of disappointment 1 s been feit over “The Thirty Thiuves" and “The Chinese Honeymoon,” with the one exception of the "Porcelain Procession" in the former. The grouping, colouring ami dressing in this one particular sneetacle was unique and most artistic, and so much enjoyed that, by request, it formed also the closing scene of "The Chinese Honeymoon.” Good audiences have been the rule, and among those present have been Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, Mr and Mis Wigram, Mr and Mrs Boyle. Mr and Mrs Pyne. Mr and Mrs Ranald Macdonald, the Hon. C., Mrs and the Misses Louisson. Mr. Airs and Miss Wilder. Dr. and Mrs Palmer. Dr. and Mrs Anderson, Mr and Mrs Bond, Dr. and ?lrs Thacker, Mr and Mrs Stead, Miss Stead and Miss Roberts. Mr and Mrs Woodroffe, Mr and Mrs Campbell. the Hon. .1. T. and Mrs Peacock. Miss Ching, Mr and Mrs Kinsey and Miss Garrard, Mr and Mrs J. Anderson, Mr and Mrs A. Anderson, the Misses Anderson, Mr -and Mrs A. Wilson, the Misses Wilson, Mr and Mrs de Vries, Mr anti the Misses Hargreaves, Mr and Mrs K. Garrick, Mr, Mrs and Miss Wilding. Mr and Mrs Cobham, Mr, Mrs and Miss Waymouth, and numbers more. And now, after quite a long spell of having this pleasant way of spending an evening, the time will seem very long before it comes round again. Miss Fenwick, Aloni real-street, is. I regret to say, lying dangerously ill, her many friends in Christchurch and elsewhere feeling much anxiety about

her. Aliss Rosa Prins, daughter of the late Dr. Prins, is been seriously ill, but is now recovering. Afr W. P. Cowlishaw still remains extremely ill, his condition being considered very

serious. Mr Langdown, a very old resident of Christchurch, is seriously ill; anil numbers of children are stricken with whooping cough or measles, and one I heard had both; go we are not a very happy community at present. ji- •

Mrs W. S. Bean (nee Miss Seddon), it is feared, will have to undergo an operation; her condition has improved slightly, and every one hopes she may recover and the' operation be averted.

Air and Mrs Sei.don have been in Christchurch for several da vs.

Air W. .1. Alills passed• away peacefully at his resilience, Sumner. on the 6th. - Some three or four months ago Air Alills had a slight paralytic stroke, from which he never fully recovered. Mr Alills was at one time well known in. the city and suburbs, being traveller for Edwards, Bennett and Co., but relinquished business many years ago, and for the last sixteen years has lived quietly and happily at Sumner, doing what he could in the interests of the borough, being also a staunch churchman. Mr Mills leaves a widow, but no family.

Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and Aliss Ward came up from the South on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday afternoon went on board the Aforning and were shown over the vessel by Captain Colbeek and some of his officers. and left for Wellington in the evening.

The relief ship Aforning sailed on Saturday afternoon to hunt for her sister shin Discovery, taking all kinds of stores and creature comforts. We. shall all get keenly excited as next April fades away day by day, watching for the return of the relief ship and news of the Antarctic explorer and her brave crew. A small party of Christchurch citizens went through to port and out to the Heads to see the Aforning away. Amongst them were Air and Airs Wigram, Afr and Airs A. E. G. Rhodes, Afr and Afiss Bowen, Mr, Mrs and Misses Waymouth, Airs Cunnington, Afr A. Kaye,

Mr Kinney, . Professor .-Scott, Afr C. Himd-Williams. anil others. Bishop Julius hehi a short service on the sbjji in the early part of the day. which was aken part in by almost all oij Board.

DOLLY VALE.