CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue V, 31 January 1903, Page 324

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, January *.o. The Horticultural Society were more fortunate, this week, ami the day fixed for the Floral Fete was a fair specimen of an autumn day; we seem to have entirely skipped over summer. Elmwood, Papanui-road. which had been placed at the disposal of the Society for this Show by Captain Heaton Rhodes, was looking lovely, and attracted a large number of visitors to see the ferneries and gardens alone. The absence of wind enabled all the exhibits to be arranged on the lawns, and the effect was very pretty amongst such a wealth of greenery. Afternoon lea was dispensed free, and a charge made for admission at the gate; a band played at . intervals during the afternoon, and some pretty exercises with clubs and dumb-bells were gone through by some of the Woolston school girls, under Miss Glanville. Among the visitors were Mrs Den nisi on. in all black; Mrs Stead, pastel blue ca.ivas over white silk, and strapped with glace silk, white chiffon toque with wreath of forget-me-nots; Miss Stead, pale grey voile with three skirts, white lace vest and under sleeves, white hat and feathers; Mrs J. Gould, pale green costume with white lace

vest and pretty hat; Mrs Cobham, voile gown of a pretty shade of green, trimmed with black lace, black hat; Miss Men res. black voi'e skirt, tucked white silk blouse, black hat and feathers; Mrs Ruch fort Snow, black silk gown trimmed with lace and jet. black hat; Miss Sutton (Xapier). lace skirt over grass lawn, bodice prettily tucked and trimmed, black hat: Mrs R. E. McJ>ougall, cream silk gown and hat to match with pale blue bow. belt and choux: Miss Way, in white with cherry ribbons: Mrs IL Macdonald, a pale grey summer cloth gown, pretty toque: Mrs 11. R. Webb; Mrs Chapman. fawn costume, and handsome lace collar, black hat and feathers; Miss Tabart, jxile green linen costume. black hat; Miss Murray-Ayns-ley. pink musHn. black hat; Mrs IL Allan; Miss Allan, stylish blue and white striped muslin. large lace sleeves, black hat; anil others.

The “Sherlock Ho’mes” Company have been delighting everybody, and for the whole week packed houses greeted them. The quietness of the acting makes it the more iinoressive. while the neat, noiseless, and surprising manner of the scene shifting is ages ahead of anything we have had before. Mr Cuvier Hastings, as Sherlock Holmes, seems the very man himself, but he is most ably supportmi. and there is never a weary minute in the whole three hours. Among the varipus audiences have been: Mr Mrs. and Miss Stead. Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes. Mr and Mrs Wigram. Mr and Mrs G. Rhodes. Mr and Mrs Boyle, Mr and Mrs T. Cowlishaw. Mr and Mrs I*. Campbell. Dr. and Mrs Palmer. Airs Wardrop. Airs Ogle. Mrs and Miss Tee. Dr. and Mrs Thacker. Mr and Airs Walc.ot Wood. Mr and Mrs Peter Wood. Mrs Rainger (Auckland), Mr and Mrs Guthrie Moore. Mr F. Dea m er, Airs G. F. Martin, Afiss Alartin. Miss I). Devenish-Afeares. Air and Mrs Cobham, Air W. Reece and party, Airs T. Garrard, Airs IL D. Thomas. Afiss Thomas. Afiss J. Alartin. Air and Airs C. H. Croxton, Airs Kohn, Mrs and Miss

Merris, the Hon. C., Mrs, and the M-itsj.es Louisson, Mr, Mrs. and Miss Harris. Mr and Mrs F. W. Thompson, Mr and Mrs Payling, Mrs Tonks, Misses Turner <t«vo), Mr and Miss Way mouth, Dean Harper, Mrs HM. Reeves. Mr and Miss Harper, Mr aud Mis Laurie, and many others.

Mrs R. E. McDougall had a children’s party last week to celebrate <>ue of her little girls’ birthday, when a glorious time was spent by the small peonle: tea. eakes, sweets, games, and presen’s for every one. Among those pre-ent were Mrs K. Garrick and her little niece, Mrs Leicester Mutsou and children. Mrs D. Matson ami elii’dren. Mrs Quane and two children. Mrs Norton and two children, Mrs V. Hargreaves and small niece. Miss Marion Wood. Master Syme, and a number of other little visiters.

The Summer Gala on Thursday drew a large crowd of people, especially in the afternoon and evening. The place, was gaily decorated with bunting, and sports kept going on sea and land, while a band discoursed lively inusJc near the Cave Rock.

Tt seeing we are not to hear Melba after all. or shall we hope on until she has really left the colonies? Rumour is so fickle. For consolation we shall be able to go twice as often to hear Mdlle. Dolores, and report says the latter is more satisfying.

Great sympathy was felt for the Misses Turner, of “Fassifern,” Papa-nui-road, on Monday afternoon, when it was known their house had been badly burned during their absence in town. “Fassifern” is a large house of twenty-two rooms, and usually a number of paying guests reside there, but fortunately only a few were in residence. The fire originated near the kitchen chimney, and burnt very fiercely for a time, gutting several rooms, while much furniture was badly damaged by the mistaken kindness of friends, who completely lost their heads.

DOLLY VALE.