CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XX, 14 November 1903, Page 51

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, — November 4. As usual,-Christchurch stagnates this week preparatory to the giddy rout of carnival week, which commences on Saturday, the 7th. Visitors are beginning to arrive, and everyone is on the qui vive, as it were. There have been immense alterations at the Riccarton racecourse—new stands, new tea house, the description of which sounds very pretty, with its ornamental water, rustic bridge, etc. There will be one terrible drawback, however, this year, and that will be dust, for, owing to the long spell of dry weather, the grass has not come on well on the new ground, and I am afraid to think what the roads will be like out to the course. However, even that will be preferable to a downpour of rain, though the want of some refreshing showers is beginning to be felt. We can in a measure laugh at dust now if we are sensible and wear washable dresses, for a new industry started last week—“a steam laundry.”' Mrs. G. G. Stead, “Strowan,” has issued invitations to a garden party on Tuesday, 10th, when the pretty garden

and grounds should be looking their best, and a great number of the visitors of the week will sure to be present. The Musical Union gave another ENJOYABLE CONCERT on Tuesday evening at the Canterbury Hall, when every seat was occupied. A short first part followed, by “The Speotie’s Bride,” formed the programme, the soloists being Mrs. Burns. Mr. H. Weir (Sydney), and Mr. P. Hockley. It is light or nine years since Mr. Weir left Christchurch, and we all enjoyed hearing him sing again, especially "My Queen ’ in the first part, and his encore song, “Come into the Garden, Maud.” Mrs. Burns trilled “Il Bacio,” and later took the soprano part in “The Spectre’s Bride.” the duets between Mrs. Burns and Mr. Weir being splendidly rendered. Mr. Hockley sang the bass' solos excellently. The concert as a whole was a great success. Among the audience were Mrs. and Miss Julius, Mr. and Mrs. A. Kaye, Mr. F. M. Wallace, Professor and Miss Cook, Mrs. and Mis. Izard, Mrs. and Miss Loughnan, Mrs. and the Misses Anderson, Mrs. J. Fairhurst, Misses Fairhurst, Hargreaves, Grant. Mr. and Mrs. N. Macbeth, Mias K. Wood, Mrs. Mcßride, Mr. and Mrs. Roper. Mr. and Miss Snow, Mr. and Miss Connan. Mr. John Tinline (Nelson), Mr. and Mrs. Frostick, Mr. and Mrs. Marriner, Mrs. and Miss Milsom, Mrs. Guthrie Moore, Mrs. W. Lake, and Mr. A. Carrick. Mrs. Burns’ song recital, to take place on the sth, promises to be something quite unique and very pretty. Mrs. Burns will be assisted by Mrs. Wilson, Miss Maud Graham, Messrs. H. M. Reeves, S. B. Collier, and Percy Denton. Miss Murphy and Mr. Densem, both of Dunedin, are in Christchurch busy rehearsing, as they take part in •'Trial by Jury,” “Les Cloches de Corneville,” and “The Sleeping Queen” at a great function got up by the Catholics in aid of their cathedral, and lasting through the carnival week.

DOLLY VALE.