CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XV, 11 April 1903, Page 1032

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, April 1. There is little, wonder we. have enjoyed the week, with the visit of the Squadron, the presence of His Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfurly. and last, but not least, and the greatest surprise of all, the return of the relief ship .Morning, which arrived most unexpectedly on Wednesday mo riling. There was much excitement, and a burning desire for interchange of news, mails were quickly exchanged, ami much joy on finding all well, only one sad accident to report, one of the mon of the Discovery having falldn over a steep ice cliff and drowned, rousing the deepest sympathy of all. Several members of Hie crow of the Discovery have returned in the relief ship, and Mr Mulock, of the Morning, has remained to take Lieutenant Shackleton’s place, he having injured his chest in some way. It is rtot yet known if the Discovery will come back to Lyttelton or remain for another winter in the Antarctic regions,

if she is able to move to new winter quarters where further explorations and discoveries can be attempted we shall not see her. It is Hninensely interesting to hear of the doings of these brave men, but I am digressing. Captain Colbeck was welcomed by a number of our leading citizens, coming through to Christchurch to luncheon at “Te Koralia,".as the guest of Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, to meet His Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfurly. A strange little coincidence happened in connection with these two ships, Mrs Wilson, wife of Dr. Wilson, of the Discovery, was a passenger from England by the Tongariro. wishing to be on the spot to get the earliest news of her husband on the return of the Morning, and arrived simultaneously at the Heads with the relief ship, getting into port about the same time, so there was not long to wait.

The ball given in honour of the Squadron was a great and brilliant function, the decorations almost equalling the Coronation ball given oy Mr and Mrs Wigram, and here we had the glittering uniforms of the naval officers, which ui a measure made up any deficiencies. All the arrangements ‘were as perfect as it was possible to be, and shortly after nine o’clock Lord and Lady Ranfurly, Lady Constance Knox, Admiral Fanshawe. ete., arrived, and were received by the Mayor (Air 11. F. Wigram), Mrs Wigram, the Hon. C. and Airs Louisson, Air and Airs Ranald Macdonald-, and a few others. The official set was immediately formed, and comprised the Governor and Airs Wigram, Admiral Fanshawe and Lady Ranfurly, All- H. F. Wigram and Lady Constance Knox, Flag-Captain Purefoy and Airs Denniston, Major Alexander and Airs Lewis, Captain Rich and Mrs AValker, Colonel Porter and Airs Louisson, the Hon. C. Louisson and Mrs Maedonald. The vice-regal party remained until after midnight. Lady Ranfurly wore a beautiful gewn of violet velvet, trimmed with rich lace, and exquisite diamond ornaments; Lady Constance Knox, a lovely white satin and ehiffon gown with sash, small blaek plume in her hair; Airs Wigram, rich white brocade with deep chiffon and frills at the elbow; Airs Walker,crimson velvet and handsome lace bertha; Airs Denniston, black brocade, trimmed with lace and pearl ornaments; Airs Louisson, pale grey silk and cream lace with touch of crimson, diamond ornaments; Airs Alacdonald, black brocade with white lace and spray of pink roses; Airs Lewis, grey silk, trimmed with white lace and pink roses, pearl necklet; Airs Alister Clark, cream sequined laee over heliotrope silk with frillings of pale blue chiffon; Airs. Dixon (H.AI.s. Archer), a lovely gown of white satin and lace; Airs Melville Jamieson (Timaru), pale blue silk under black laee; Airs Burdekin (Sydney), white silk with black sequin trimming; Aliss Burdekin, pale yellow accordion ehiffon over silk; Airs Woodrofie, charming gown of pink silk and laee, trimmed with roses, diamond ornaments; Airs AV. Stringer, black velvet and lovely lace on the bodice, finished with group of pink poppies; Airs R. D. Thomas, black silk, trimmed with lace; Aliss Thomas, pretty white silk and ehiffon; Aliss Stead, white tucked satin and chiffon; Airs Pyne, lovely blaek and white of yellow chiffon and silk; Mrs

gown; Mrs P. Wood, pretty gown Wilding, grey satin, veiled with blaek luce ; Miss Wilding, pule blue satin; Airs Graham, black satin and jet; Miss Graham, white satin; Mrs Haydon, handsome black and white gown, diamond ornaments; Miss Haydon, pale fink silk; the Misses Louisson, pretty white satin and lace gowns; Miss ElWorthy, eream lace over pale blue silk; Mrs C. Dalgety, white satin, with laee overskirt, diamond ornaments; Airs and Miss Kettle, Airs Wardrop, the Misses Lee, Denniston, Campbell, Cook (2), Tabart, Murray-Aynsley, Babington, and numbers more were present. Air and Airs Wigram were “at home” at their residence Park-terrace, on Wednesday, to meet the officers of the squadron, and the weather threatened to spoil everything. However, though rather cold, one did not notice it in the sheltered garden. Air and Airs Wigrain received on the terrace just outside the drawingroom, and among the guests were Lord and Lady Ranfurly, Admiral Fanshawe, Lady Constance Knox, Alajor Alexander, the Hon. C. Hill Trevor, Captain Colbeck (Alorhing), and some of the officers, and a number from the warships. Mrs Wigram wore pale blue frieze, Eton costume, strapped with blaek, white lace front, black hat; Lady Ranfurly, blaek zibeline cloth, flecked with white, black velvet trimming, piped with white, violet velvet and sable hat with bunch of violets; Lady Constance Knox, brown zibeline cloth Russian costume, trimmed with brown velvet, cream satin and laee vest, hat of brown velvet to match, with wings; Airs Elworthy, all black, bonnet relieved with white; Miss Elworthy,' pale fawn spotted silk voile, pale blue in hat; Aliss Al. Elworthy, dark blue foulard, with white spot; Airs Stead, dark blue, strapped With silk, white fur necklet, pale blue toque; Aliss Stead, pale green cloth, with white satin collar, white hat and feathers; Airs Peacock, black, with cream lace, black hat; Airs Denniston, blaek, cream lace bolero and trimming, black toque; Airs E. C. J. Stevens, handsome black brocade, pink floral silk vest, bonnet to match; Airs J. Gould, cream lace over silk, with many frills, handsome fur cape, cream hat; Airs Gossett; Airs Wilson (Discovery), pale blue voile, trimmed with white laee; Airs P. Campbell, green coat and skirt, black and white spotted silk vest, black and white

hat; Dr. and Airs Crooke; Miss Hardy - Johnston, deep cobalt blue Miss Hardy-Johnston, deep eobalt blue zibeline cloth; Airs W. Stringer, pale blue voile, trimmed with green velvet, lace and fur, floral toque; Airs Fitchett (Wellington), pale grey, trimmed with lace, Tuscan hat; Mrs Quaneb, brown zibeline, witli touclies of pale blue; Airs L. Alatson, black, with cream laee, white silk yoke, pink chine choux, blaek picture hat; Airs K. Allan, black brocade, blaek mantle, bonnet relieved with white; Mrs Ronalds; Airs Kettle, electric voile, with wide black lace insertion, black hat; Airs Louisson, electric blue silk voile and cream insertion, black hat; the Alisscs Louisson, pale grey voile gowns, blaek hats; Airs H. P. Hill, black and pink, black bonnet; Aliss Hill, pink linen; Miss E. Hill, cream cloth, trimmed with spotted red silk; Airs 11. Overton, blaek and heliotrope, black hat; Mrs Appleby, sage green, with lace trimming; Airs Waymouth, shot gown, with floral silk bolero, pale blue and eream hat; Aliss Waymouth, rose pink gown, with cream lace vest; Airs Elmslie. grey silk, with narrow black velvet and lace, black toque; Airs J. Anderson, Royal blue, sealskin jacket, toque with violets; Airs 11. 11. Cook, sage green coat and skirt, cream lace vest, white hat; Aliss Cook, pale blue silk,white hat; Airs and Aliss Foster; Aliss Pratt; Air and Airs. Rollitt; Air and Mrs I. Gibbs: Air and Airs Morris; Air and Airs T. W. Thompson; .Air and Mrs W. Reece; Air and Airs Garrard; Airs and Aliss Symes; Dr. and Airs Jeunings; Mrs and Aliss Thomas; Airs R. D. Thomas, pale grey, voile, with cream insertion, cream toque with yellow roses; Airs Jackson, grey, voile, with wide black insertion and ehiffon, black hat; Dr. and Airs R. Anderson; Air- and Airs Greenwood; Alt and Airs Bourne; Air and Airs W. Wood; Airs Owen Cox; Air and Airs H. Wood; Airs Chilton; Airs Kinsey; Air and Aliss Barns; Air and Aliss Bloxam; Air and Mrs A. Kaye; Airs Wardfop; Airs C. Clark; Airs Nancarrow; Airs W. Cowlishaw; Airs F. Cowlishaw; Air and Airs Bevan-Brown, and a great many more. A very exciting tennis tournament! was played at Lancaster Park on Saturday between Wellington and Christchurch, but the Wellington players must; have been at a great disadvantage, hav-

ing just come off a sea trip.

DOLLY VALE.