CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9, 4 March 1905, Page 48

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, February 22. The arrival of tire AUSTRALASIAN SQUADRON caused a flutter both in Lyttelton and Christchurch. An offieia.l welcome was tendered them, and it has been one round of entertaining for the whole week. On Thursday at Lancaster Park it was a most interesting sight to see about 700 of our naval men going through various evolutions with wonderful precision. The Governor, Lady Plunket, the lion. Kathleen Plunket and suite were present, and a number of ladies of the Canterbury Branch of the Navy League received Lady Plunket. while Mr W. D. Meares (president of the same branch), received Admiral Fanshawe and his staff with the Governor and the rest of the Vice-regal party. A very pleasing part of the ceremony was the presentation of a handsome shield subscribed by the ladies for competition amongst the squadron. It was presented by Mrs W. Reece, and received by Admiral Fanshawe on behalf of the Squadron; Then came a little ceremony we were all proud to witness, as Lord Plunket handed Miss Mollie Denniston a bronze medal and certificate from the Royal Humane Society, and a certificate to Miss Gertrude Smith for saving two little girls from drowning at Sumner a few months ago. ' The tea-room at the pavilion was beautifully decorated and a delicious afternoon tea served there. Lady Plunket wore a becoming costume of navy' blue, black picture hat. and white feather stole. A beautiful bouquet was presented to her on arrival by Mrs Put. Campbell’s little daughter. The Hon. Kathleen Plunket wore a pale grey costume and large black hat; Miss Fielding, a fawn voile; Mrs W. Reece, black trimmed with white, black and white toque; Mrs Denniston, a pretty grey silk, black toque; Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes. Mrs Boyle, Mrs Elworthy. Mrs and Miss Gossett, Mrs and Miss Hill, Mrs Russell, Mr and Miss Bowen, Mrs •lennings. Misses Devenish Meares, were only a few of those presentOn Monday, a large afternoon tea was given by the Admiral on the flagship, visitors greatly admiring this most upto date man-o’-war. < ROQUET AND TENNIS have been most vigorously played, not a day passing but a party of one or the other in progress somewhere. Mrs H. P. Hill and her daughters entertained a number of friends at tennis, the garden and grounds looking very fresh and pretty. Among the guests were. Mrs Melville. Jameson, Mrs Beswick, Mrs and Miss Nancarrow, Mrs and Miss Leslie Mills, Mrs and Misses Moore, the Misses Julius, Stead Burns y Wells, Bowen, etc. Mrs G. G. Stead gave a charming afternoon of tennis and croquet at Strowan-fcr the lion. Kathleen Plunket. others present were, Mrs Craeroft Wilson, Mrs M. and Miss Campbell, Mrs and Misses Burns, Mrs and Miss Nancarrow, Mrs and Miss Boyle, Mrs and Miss Reeves, and several others. The Misses Cook, Uranmer Square, had a girls’ afternoon tea, aud then adjourned to Mrs Corry Thomas’ lawn for tennie. Among those present were Misses Banks, Kitson, Nancarrow, Burns (2), Bowen, Anderson, Campbell, Canwroci and Tudhunter.

Mrs F. Graham gave an all-day croquet party and luncheon on Friday, when a most pleasant time was spent. Amongst the players were Mesdames Guthrie Moore, G. Merton, Appleby, Coverdale. Stringer, Chapman, Staveley, Mcßride, Secretan. Morton Anderson, Wally Wood, J. Wood, Croxton. Kohu, W. Ollivier, G. Bennett, Misses Croxton and M. Bruce. The finals were played on Monday, and won by Mrs Guthrie Moore and Mis Staveley. Mrs Coverdale and Mrs Anderson have both had long days al croquet. Mrs B. IL Burns gave A DELIGHTFUL MUSICAL EVENING at her residence, (hester-.street. for her guest, Mrs Burdon of Geraldine. Others present were. Mis G. Harris. Mrs Smith (Napier), Mrs and Miss N. Reeves, Mi-s Tripp, Mis Nancarrow, Miss Denniston, Fathers Price and Ainsworth, Aliss Katie Young, and some of the officers of 11.M.5. Psyche. Some cltarming songs were given by Mrs Burns, Mrs Burdon. Miss M. Fox. and Father Ainsworth. while Mrs Smith and Miss Katie Young played delightfully. We have seldom had a more brilliant ball than that given by the Cliristchureh Club in honour of the Squadron last week- The quiet but handsome uniforms of the navy, the faet of the presence of His Excellency the Governor, Lady Plunket and suite, and the Admiral and his flag officers, made a memorable evening for the numerous guests (some 400) invited to be present. The House Committee received the guests, and in spite of the crush, a most enjoyable time was spent. The opening set included Lord Plunket and Mrs Boyle; Lady Plunket and Mr Boyle; Admiral Fanshawe and the Hon. Kathleen Plunket; Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, Airs .1. D. Hail, Mrs Pyne, Airs Pitman, and Miss Fielding. Lady Plunket wore a graceful gown of pink silk with deep face bertha, diamond necklace and tiara; the Hon. Kathleen Plunket. a pretty canary silk trimmed, with lace and chiffon; Aliss Fielding, grey chiffon velvet, the bodice trimmed with lace: Mrs A. E. .G. Rhodes, rich white satin with relief of pink on the bodice, diamond ornaments; Airs Pitman, rich yellow brocade, finished with face: Airs Pyne, pink crepe de chine frilled and trimmed with white lace; Mrs Alistcr Clark, rose pink silk lace trimmed, diamond ornaments f Mrs J. D. Hall, pretty white satin and cliiffon; Airs Stedman, bridal gown of white silk and lace: Mrs Burns, yellow and white brocade frilled with cliiffon; Mass Burns (debutante), gown of white satin and chiffon, and ehistei’s of chiffon roses, rose wreath in her hair; Dr. Alice Moorhouse, white satin under black lace; Mrs G. Gould, pink satin veiled with white sequin net; Mrs Wardcrp, brown ehiffon relieved with red berries; Airs T. Cowli-

shaw, white satin finished with exquisite lace; Mrs A. S. Elworthy (Pareora), handsome yellow brocade; Mrs Alarm* duke Bethell, her wedding gown of rich white satin and laee; Miss Stead, pale blue crepe de chine; Airs L. Clark, while satin bridal gown. DOLLY VALE.