CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 17, 29 April 1905, Page 47

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, April 18. The opening of the Art Society's Exhibition on Thursday evening which took the form of an “At Home’ given by the President and Council was most agreeable. H-is Excellency the Governor, Lady Plunket, and the Hon. Kathleen Plunket arrived shortly before 8 o’clock, and were received by Dr. Jennings (president), the viee-presidents, and Mr Justice Denniston, and conducted to the raised dais in the small gallery. Lord Plunket in replying to the president's welcome, made a very humourous speech and declared the Exhibition open. They then made a tour of the room and on into the permanent gallery, where a programme of music was listened to and refreshments handed round. We were glad to see Lady Plunket, as she had been obliged to cancel some of her engagements through indisposition. She was gowned in a rich crimson satin, the bodice trimmed with some exquisite white lace, diamond tiara, and single stone necklet. The Hon. Kathleen Plunket wore white crepe de chine anil lace, pink spray on the bodiee. Miss Rosinn Buckman (Whangarei), who sang several songs, was prettily gowned in white muslin, and lace, with pink roses on the bodice and in her hair. Others assisting were Mrs E. Barber wearing white brocade; Miss Gray, white relieved with pale green; Messrs Hobbs, Millar and Vincent, Mr Einpson (piano), Mr Melitns (violin) and Mr Winter Hall. Mrs Jennings wore a becoming gown of white silk and handsome lacc; Mrs Denniston, black satin, the bodiee cut square, pearl ornaments; Mrs U. M.

Gray, blaek silk and rose ribbon at the neck; Mrs W. Stringer, blaek silk with berthe of Irish point lacc; Mis J. Gibbs, blaek silk with tucked white chiffon yoke and lloniton lace berthe, tri-eoloured folded belt, diamond ornaments; Mrs Diamond, black voile, the bodiee finished with racked blue .-ilk and cream lace medallions: Mrs Thomas, black, trimmed with white lace; Mrs Guthrie, black silk, white tucked chiffon yoke; Miss Guthrie, pale blue trimmed with lace; Mrs B. M. Litchfield, sage green and Paris lace gown; .Mrs Balfour, flounced eoral pink gauze trimmed with bebe ribbon; Mis W. Reece, handsome black evening gown; Mr and Miss Reece, the latter in white muslin and pale blue; Mrs Hurst Seager, black net with steel embroidery over silk, long grey cloak; Miss Moreland, soft cream gown trimmed with lace; Mrs Morton Anderson, black brocade and white lace; Mrs R. Anderson, blaek silk trimmed with white lace and touches of orange velvet; Mrs 11. O. Devenish Meares, black net with crimson spray on bodice; Miss 1). DevenishMeares, white muslin over silk slip; Mrs J. Mills, blaek satin with lace sleeves; Mrs Weymouth grey accor-dion-pleated voile trimmed with chine ribbon in pink and blue; Mrs Blunt, pale grey satin and white laee: Miss Freeman, heliotrope satin; Miss Fodor, myrtle green silk. Other present were, Mrs Struthers, Dr. and Mrs Manning, Mr and Mrs Cobham, Mrs and Miss Tabart, Major and Kirs Snow, Mr A. 11. and uiiss ’Turnbull, Mr and Mrs Evans, Aide. Winter, Misses Wilson (2), Dr. and Airs Bradshaw, Mrs G. Harper. Mrs and Miss Jameson, Hoti. C. and Miss Lonisson, Hon. E. C. J. Stevens, Airs and Miss Sinclair, Air anil Mrs Sey, Mr and Airs R. C. Bishop, Mr and Mrs F. W. Thompson, Misses Gardner (2), Mr and Aliss AliTntyre, Airs de _G. Virtue, Airs Hobbs, Air and Mrs F. Hobbs, Dr. Af. Anderson, Air W. D. Af cares.

Airs Helmore gave a pleasant afternoon to some of her friends last week, some of those present being Airs Mathias, Mrs and Miss Reeves; Mrs Lough-

H>n Mrs ami Miss Hcnnah, Mrs Cooper, Mrs Blunt, Mrs Bowii-k. Miss Mur-. ta/A ynsley. .Miss Morton, Ilk-carton, entertained Borne of her friends to meet Mr and Mrs A. Biakiston from the Chatham Isl.iitds. Among the guests were Mrs Bowen. Mrs and the Misses G. P. Williams. Mrs Beckett. Mr and Mrs Neave, Mrs Campbell. Mr and Mrs Whitehead, Mr and Mrs Talbot and others. Mis Nellie Stewart anil company have had very large audiences at the Theatrj Royal. Lord and Lady PlanLet have been present several times. Others in the audiencd have been: Mr, Mrs, and Miss Stead, Mr and Mi's Wilfred Stead. Mr and Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes. Mr, Mrs and the Misses Louissou. Mr. Mrs and the Misses Harris. Mr and the Misses Devenish Meares. Professor and Mrs Blunt, .Mr and Mrs Chamberlain, Dr. and Misses Nedwill, Dr. and Mrs Anderson, Mr, Mrs arid the Misses .Anderson, Mr and Airs Kinsey. Mr and Mrs Quane, Mr and Mrs Norton.

Mrs Finch gave a very pleasant mildeal evening last week at her residence, ‘Hcathbauk,” Opaw’a, when among the guests were Mr and Mrs Wild iug. Dr. and Mrs Crooke, Dr. and Mrs R. Anderson, Mr and Mrs A. Anderson, Mr and Mrs Day, Mrs Haise Francis. Colonel iiauchop and several more.

Miss Helen Macdonald gave a very unique afternoon for her girl friends at “Hanibledon” last week, called a “curiosity party.” Miss Nancy Inman came first with a bow and arrow supposed to have been in use before the time of William the Conqueror, and Miss Gossett second with a curiouslyshaped bone, painted and made to look like a clergyman preaching. The

prizes were a silver pincushion and silver pin tray. Among those present were the Misses Inman. Gossett, Cook, Tabart. Tennant, Russell. Symes, Nancarrow, Wells, Miles. Harley, Campbell and Burns. A delicious tea served in the dining-room was a very merry part of the afternoon. A ladies’ cricket match was played at Lancaster Park on Friday afternoon between Christchurch and Sumner teams, the former proving victorious. Among the players were the Misses Anderson (2), Turnbull, Devenish, Meares (2). Bourne, Deacon, Preston, Ehnslie, Humphreys, Wilding. A very nice afternoon was provided by the players, and their guests included Mrs Wilding, Mrs Denniston, Mrs Bourne, Mrs J. Anderson, Airs Preston, Mrs Elmslie, and others. Miss Stead has again been elected captain of the Christchurch Girls’ Hockey Club, which has started play in earnest, on a ground at Elmwood. We expect to hear of them giving a good account of themselves in some of the

coming matches.

DOLLY VALE.