CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XIV, 2 April 1904, Page 51

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, March 23. With the constant stream of departing friends for the Old Country, it would seem with first thoughts there would be no one left, for as each steamer leaves our port she is a full ship, "not another berth,” and so it has been for several months. And still the exodus goes on. quite a long list of Christchurch citizens leaving during the next few weeks. There has been a great change in the weather during this week, and winter seems not very far off: rather sharp frosts have been noticed in the country. It does seem terribly early (o begin tires, but we have had to do it. Outside there is a draggled, untidy look about the gardens, and many of the trees are almost bare. A VERY CHARMING BIRTHDAY PARTY was given for Master Harry WoodrofTe by Mrs Wigram. Park Terrace, last week, when a large number of juvenile guests had a right royal time. Many were accompanied by mothers or grown up

friends, who helped to entertain them. A Ihinch and Judy show (so dear to children) was perfectly fascinating. Many games and a delicious tea, with lovely iced cake, all helped to make a most successful party. Mrs Wigram was gowned in all black and picture hat; Mrs WoodrofTe. cream muslin with black spot, green straw hat: Mrs J. C. Palmer, eream linen costume, white hat and feather boa: Mrs Harrna (England), green linen skirt, white embroidered blouse, burnt straw hat with green silk and autumn leaves; Mrs J. H. Beswick, pink

linen and cream insertion, hat to match; Mrs Pyne, white linen costume, black hat; Mrs Vernon, al! blaek; Mrs Blunt, grey coat and skirt, black hat; Mrs G. Gould, blaek coatee and skirt, black hat and feathers, and touch of pink chiffon; Mrs W. B. Cowlisliaw, pale grey voile; Mrs W. Vox, cream serge and pretty hat with pink roses; Mrs E. Turrell, green linen skirt, while silk blouse; Miss Elworthy, pale green silk skirt, white satin blouse, tan cloth coat with green velvet collar; Miss Rutherford (Anuui), green linen costume, hat to match with cornflowers; Mes<lniHes Archer. Harley. J. 11. Scott, Misses Wynn-W illiams, Tabait, Mills, and others were present. Bridge (or as 1 saw the other day the correct spelling was "brich”) has become quite the fashionable game, and two very enjoyable parties have been given during the week to almost the same players by Mrs J. Gould (Merivale) and Airs i’yne (“Fayrestowe,” Park Terrace). Among the players were Mrs J. Gould, Mrs W'gram, Mrs Woodroffe, Mis Pyne. Mrs Wardrop, Mrs Cenipb-11, Mrs Harina, Mrs Fox. Mrs Cowlishaw, Mrs Lee, Mis J. C. Palmer, Mrs Cotteriil. Airs G. Gould, Mrs Keil Ip, Mrs Randall, Airs Beswiek, Misses Elworthy. Stead. Lee, Fitzgerald, Murray-Aynsley, Pember, Kettle, Al ills, N. Reeves, and Neave.

Miss Fairhurst gave a farewell afternoon tea for Mis.-. Hargreaves prior to her departure for England, when a large number of friends wished her bon voyage. Some of those present were Airs J. Fairliurst, Airs Price, Airs took. Mrs Hargreaves, Airs Waymouth, Misses Way, K. Wood, Preston, Waymouth, Hausman, Freeman, Fodor, Grant, and others.

Mrs It. D. Thomas gave a small but very charming afternoon tea to say good-bye to her niece. Airs R. Johnston, who has returned to her home in Western Australia, after spending the summer in Christchurch. Among the guests were Airs Sweet. Airs Gould, Mrs J. Gibbs, Airs and Alias Alartin, Airs Percy Cox, Mrs J. Hume, Airs P. Hiune, Aliases Sweet, A. Martin. A. Cox, Tennant, etc. Airs Henry Cotteriil gave a small tennis party last week at her pretty home. Fendalton, which was much enjoyed both

by players and onlookers. Among the guests were Mrs Ronalds, Mrs J. Gould, Mrs Kettle, Mrs Randall, Mrs G. Gould, Mrs Mulct, Mrs Beswiek, the Misses Cottcrill (2), Mills, Egerton-Jones, Hill, Wilson, Fitzgerald, The polo sports took place on Saturday afternoon, but were very sparsely attended, greatly owing to the damp state of the ground and the <<:ld afternoon. The most interesting event (the ladies’ bracelet) was won by Mrs Alister Clark’s Ladybird, rilden by Mr K. Neave, and the Polo Cup by Mr F. Courage’s Mermaid. Among the ladies present were Lady Clifford, in black coat and skirt and blaek hat; Mrs Stead, dark navy coat and skirt, blue and green hat, white fox furs; Miss Stead, navy skirt and military coat, white and red hat; Mrs Heaton Rhodes, dark green costume trimmed with lace and pale blue brocade, hat with pink roses; Mrs Alister Clark, navy blue cloth trimmed with red Oriental embroidery; Mrs Denniston, brown zibeline flecked with white, toque to match; Miss Denniston, pretty grey cloth; Mrs Ranald Macdonald, fawn tweed costume, red hat; Mrs J. Gould, fawn cloth, white feather stole and cream hat; Mrs J. D. Hall, grey cloth trimmed with black, picture hat; Mrs T. Cowlisliaw wore green; Mesdames W. B. Cowlisliaw, E. V. Palmer, Ogle, W. Bond, €'. Dalgety. E. Turrell, G. Gould, W. Fox, Clarkson, Wardrop, the Misses Neave, Julius, Elworthy. Helmore, Hill, Tabait. Mills, and others.

THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE SOCIETY OF ARTS

was opened on Monday evening by the president, Mr IL D. Thomas, in the presence of a very large gathering of members and friends. The collection of pictures is a most creditable eve for this year’s work, and we have been fortunate in having several fine pictures added to the permanent collection by the generosity of Christchurch citizens. Among those present were Mrs R. D. Thomas, in a rich black silk with Maltese laco berthe; Miss Thomas, rose pink silk and silver grey coat; Miss Gladys Thomas, black evening gown and pale grey coat; Mrs Denniston, all black even-

ing gowr.; Mrs Haslam, black satin skirt, heliotrope blouse; Mrs (Dr.) Thomas, black gown relieved with white lace; Miss Thomas, black skirt, pale blue blouse; Mrs Haselden, cream voile with wide insertions, transparent yoke; Mrs Snow, handsome black brocade relieved with white la'-e; Major and Miss Snow; Mrs Cobham, black silk with long owing net sleeves; Miss Leach, turquoise blue skirt trimmed with insertion, white silk blouse; Mrs (Dr.) Jennings, black silk Imdice and sleeves trimmed with old lace; Mrs Litchfield, black skirt, white silk blouse; Mrs Waymouth, cream voile gown, handsome mole coat; Miss Waymouth, white with orange velvet bands; Miss B. Way mouth, cream and navy blue; Mrs Tyree, black evening gown; Mrs I. Gibbs, black silk, sequin net sleeves, and lovely lace on bodice; Mrs Alfred Evans, pale green silk end net with touch of crimson on bodice; Mrs Burns, cream canvas trimmed with black; Mrs T. Garrard, black brocade, net yoke and sleeves; Miss Barraud (Wellington), pale Mue silk; Mrs G. Harris, all black; Mrs Gilbert Anderson, black with cream lace; Miss K. Mood, pale green silk; Misses Gardner (2), Col-bom-Veel, Waller (2), Mclntyre (2), Mrs J. S. and Miss Guthrie, Mrs H. Hargreaves, Mde. Winter, Miss Cabot, and many others.

The marriage of Miss Mary Neave, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs

Neave, of "Okeover,” Riccarton, and Mr Percy Acton-Adams takes place very shortly, and will be followed very soon by that of Miss Muriel Elworthy, a daughter of the late Mr Elworthy, of Pareora, South Canterbury, and Mr W;G liams, of Gisborne.

DOLLY VALE.