CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 8, 26 August 1905, Page 47

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee. August 16. THE MILITARY CIRCUS opened last night under the happiest auspices. The audience was an immense one. every seat was tilled. His Excellency the Governor, Eady Blanket, the Hon. Kathleen Blanket, Captain Braithwaite, and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rhodes arrived punctually, and were received by the Garrison officers. A guard of honour (the City Guards, under Captain Bishop and Lieutant Ward) had escorted the viceregal party from Mr. Rhodes' house (Merivale) to the King Edward barracks, where Miss McGee presented a lovely bouquet to Lady Phuiket. The first part of the programme was a miscellaneous one. and comprised some excellent items, much superior to those shown at a professional circus. Two specially good turns were slack wire walking by Miss \da and some very clever tricks by “Los Premier Jougler.” Colonel Jowsey introduced a couple of trick ponies, both of which worked splendidly, and were considered quite the “stars’* of the evening. Another capital item were the performing dogs, who went through some remarkably clever tricks. The skirt dam ing of Miss Francis, Miss Kohn, ami Miss Harriot Watson was exquisitely graceful. They made their entry into the ring in quite an up-to-date maimer, in a resplendent and well appointed motor car. and wore whirled off at the conclusion of their dance in quite a triumphant way. amidst the great applause and enthusiasm. There were a couple of comic sketches, in one of which a nondescript animal which would puzzle any naturalist to classify was introduced. This act was exceedingly funny ami mirth-provoking. The clowns ami dummy clowns were very good indeed. The competitors in the high jump compel i tion ami the military steeplechase gave •n excellent display of horsemanship,

and were heartily cheered. The second part of the programme was “Dick Turpin's Ride to York,*’ which was rapF*U|y done. Lieutenant George E. Rhodes gave an excellent impersonation of the gallant highwayman, and rode a magnificent horse. He infused a great «!<;>! of life into the character of Dick Turpin, especially in the final scene, when he takes leave of his two Besses, his love and his good horse. Mr. Met tdlough made a gallant looking Tom King, and also doubled the part of Sammy, which he made exceedingly funny. Uapiain Richardson, as the sheriff, was capital, ami rode with great pluck, as beseemed the representative of law and justice. Lieutenant Stead, as the stable boy, who assists the flight of Dick, made an excellent representative, and played the character with great success. J he ork mad coach, splendidly horsed, with also its cargo ot frightened passengers, was particularly realistic. Miss Thorpe acted the character of Boss excellenti\, and •the filial scene' was well worked up. The gipsy scene was very pretty, ami Miss Arena's mandoline solo was did iiictly gocai. The Garrison band, under Limit. Merlon, supplied the music. The performance will be continued dining the entire week, ami in my next let lei I hope* to give details of some* of the performers' dresses. A novelty, in the way of what is called “A PAPER DANCE” was given on Friday evening by Miss ( ox at “Te WTiare,” ’Hereford-strpet. All the guests were expected to appear in paper costumes, but only a few of them carried out the idea properly. Miss Prin<. as a tulip, looked remarkably well in red and green crinkled paper, the skirt cut into petals in the form of a tulip. the bodice made* in the same way and ornamented with small paper tulips, a larger one was worn as a cap, with the green stalk uppermost; Miss Middleton wore a black crepe de chine, garlanded with scarlet poppies of crinkled paper, and poppies in her hair, a verv effective dress; Mr Charlie' Merton, as a baby, caused quite a sensation when hi' appeared in the. gentlemen's dressingroom, so well was hr got up in a long white paper frock, with bib. cap. coral and bells: the men at first thought one of the young ladies had made a mistake and got into the wrong room; Dr. John Thomas, as a “cracker,*’ was also well got’ up. hi* wore blue paper, tied in the orthodox cracker style, and ornamented in front with a picture: Miss Elsa. Thomas was “The Australasian.*’ a white dress with the “Australasian” pink covers and head line's ornamenting it. on her head she wore a becoming little cap of the* same: Mr Geoffrey Thomas, as “Punctuation," wore a white costume, covered with paper full-stops, commas, notes of admiration, exlamation. interrogation, and «o on; Miss Hilda Way, as a Hower girl, looked very nice, her frock was of white crinkled paper, ornamented with bunches of roses, poppies, narcissus, and all kinds of paper Howers, most cleverly made, sin* wore a wreath of roses and carried a large basket of flowers; Mr W. Moore*, as a “Sundowner." had a brown paper suit, adorned with various coloured patches, he wore a beard and a wide-awake hat. and tarried his swag: Miss Meredit h-Kaye, as “Sunflower." had a white dre-s. trimmed with yellow sunflowers, sunflowers in her hair, and as a bouquet ; Miss Day. as “( hrysanthemuni," was a pretty fro.k of yellow silk, fringed with chrysanthemums: Mr Geo. Bridge's, as a. “Fireman.” wore a white suit with red paper stripes: Miss Mary Fox, as “Broadways." had her white dress trimmed with Broadways' business bags, and wore a bag bent over like a fisherman’s cap on her head: Mr Ned Moorhouse, as a “Plumber,'* wore' a brown paper suit, a beard, and carried a plumber's kit of tools: Miss Masuy. as a “Carnation," wore white silk with a profusion of red carnations: Miss Barker, as “ Forget-mc-not." pale blue* crinkled paper, edged with forget-me-nnf (lowers. Others present were the Misses Gossett. B. Russell. Merton. Deveni-Ji-Mears, Ensor. Denniston. Symes. Messrs ’Tribe. Ollivier. Dixon. Fuller, Van Asch, and llaselden. A great many of tin- guests did not attempt paper costumes, but contented themselves by wearing paper Hower button-holes. On the- same evening Mrs Izard gave a PROGRESSIVE BRIDGE PARTY for girls only. in honour of her guests, Ihe. Misspfl Anderson t Wanganui).

There were alnuu plaxers. and a most delight! MI rwiillg was Kpcnt. Among (lie -guest* •awiv the Misses Reid, Sanders. Hill, Inman. Pouiton, Uorpe*. ( ampbell. De nniston and Cook. A SMALL LI N< HEON PARTY was given by Mr* Wilding last Friday at her residence “Fownlmpe." Opawai. Among the* guests wore .Mrs Ta hart, Mrs Palmer. Mrs ( hilton. Mis Finch, Mrs Leonard ( lark and .Mis* Moreland. TLE GOLF ( HA.MPiONSHIP at Shirley was won by Miss Nora Campbell, with Miss stead as runnerup. The junior championship was won by Miss Helen Denniston with Miss Kettle as rnnner-up. I lie long-deferred match Between Miss Nora Campbell and Miss Stead for the* monthly medal was played on Thursday. Miss Nora Campbell being the winner. On Wednesday a match wilt he* played at Shirley for the' benefit. of \isitors. and will take ihe' form of mixed foursomes. Miss Campbell now h«dds the* shield for the* year, and also received a pretty trophy. Miss Stead also received a prize as runner-up. The* Shirley ( Inb is sending a learn of tour to compete in Ihe teams match to be* held al Napier during tin* championship tournament week. Misses Harle*\. Symes, Rita Wilson and Campbell. THE HAGI.EV PARK ( lIAM PIONsll 1 P was played oIT cm Friday. The wi.nior being again Mi>s Nora Campbell, with Miss Rita Wilson second in the* first grade. Miss Murray-Ayiisley with Mrs Kettle' see'ond in the* s< cond grade*. Mrs G. G. Stead presentccl the prizes after the' match. Miss Campbell rc'ceived Ihe cup, and Mis* Wilson a silver mounted scent bottle'. Miss Murray Aynsley got a powder box. ami Mrs Kettle an ink-stand si he r mount ed.

On August 25 Mrs Henry Wooil hns arranged a niatcli to Im* plny<*<l for prizes given b\ her, anti all members of the rlub are invited t»» afternoon tea. A ( lIILDREN S PARTY Va*» given hist week b\ Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes ( Alerivah*) in honour of her son and daughter’s birthdays. On the arrival of the litth* gnvsts a sit-down tea vas served, and after that magic lantern views and all kinds of games w ere thoroughly enjoyed. Among those present were the Misses Boyle. Rose, Macdonald and Campbell and Messrs CanipiM‘ll, Robinson. Blunt. Nancar row. Archer and Macdonald. HIE sot 111 C ANTERBURY 111 NT ( LIT held their steeplechase last week. The course was in capital condition considering the quantity of rain which had fallen for several days. The race of the day resulted in a very popular win for Mr Evans, who rode his own horst*. The attendance was large. Among those present were Mr and Mrs E. Reid, Mr and Mrs Arthur Elworthy. Mr and Mrs James Huy. Mrs Maurice Harper, Dr. and Mrs Thomas. Misses Howell, Marchant and Buchanan. Hargreaves (Waimaie) Mathias (W’airnate). Winter (Albnry). Mr and Mrs Hutcheson. Miss Giltson, Mrs and Miss Wright. Miss Tennant. Mrs Cartwright, Miss Wigley. Miss AL Hay (Teniuka) ami the .Misses Mendelson. AT THE RACES. Seldom has th.* Canterbury Jockey Club been favoured with finer weather lor the opening day of the Grand National Meeting. '1 he heavy- fog in the in<»rning no doubt accounted for the litany nwetl costumes which were worn, but those who appeared in their gay early spring frocks were fully justified in doing ><». as by noon the sun shone brilliantly, and the weather was perfect. There were many visit*,rs from the North Islam! ami South Canterbury, the attendance being unusually large tor an August meeting. The Vi<v*-Regal party arrival just after the first race. Lady' I’lunket wore a beautiful gown of brown velvet with full skirt, and swathed bodice. tin* full vest was of rich creamy Malle.-.* lace, a small toque of brown straw, with brown ostrich tips, completed a. very eH’ectivc toilette; the Hon. Kathleen I’lunket wore a becoming pale him* frier. < osltime with a lovely coat of pale blue cloth, white cloth hat. with bird of paradise plumes: Mrs. A. E. Rhodes, a handsome dress of violet cloth, rich sable fufs. and hat of pale h<diotrope; Mrs. H. Johnston (Wellington), a smart, tailor-made costume of pale gii»y tweed, black picture hat with feathers; Mrs. Elworthy' was handsomely gowned in black taffetas. black bonnet; Miss Elworthv. brown cloth costume, with brown furs, and hat to match; Mrs. Arthur Elworthy (Pareroi). a beautiful black voile, tin* vest and col lar of cream lace, black ami whit.* hat ami feathers; Mrs. Melville Jameson ITiinarui. a smart co-hnm* of black cloth, grey coat, and black hat: Mrs. J. Cracroft Wilson (Cashmere), a grey I weed, handsome sealskin coat, and becoming hat. <»f cornflower blue: Mrs. J. Studholme. handsome black talletas.

black hat; Aha. Geo. G. Stead, costume of navy blue cloth, faced with unite, handsome set of white lox lurs, white fur toque; Mi***, Stead looked well in a brown frieze costume, hat to match; Airs. \\ iitrcd Steuu, tailor-made costume of grey tweed, black picture hat; Airs. J. u. Hall, grey coat and skirt, smart purple toque; Airs. C. Dalg*ty, <*ostume ot dark grey cloth, pale In I iotrope toque; Miss Burnett (Dunedin), navy blue serge, light straw hat; .Mrs. Cobham, costume of cinnamon brown cloth, toque to match; Mrs. E. Grigg. ( Longbeach l , pale green dress, wide bell i>f green velvet, gr»?y and green hat; Miss Cook wore navy blue, hat to match; Miss Humphreys, a charming costume of white cloth with pale blue toque; Mrs. Hugh Buchanan (Little River), cham-pagne-coloured doth, sealskin coat; Mrs. \\ . Buckl. w . grey costume, pretty floral toque; Mrs. Denniston, soft grey cloth with touches of heliotrope, hat en suite; Miss Denniston, a becoming toilette of pile blue with touches of black velvet, pa’, blue h?it ; Miss Helen Denniston wore pair* grey with pretty heliotrope hat: Mrs. Lowrie (Hawke’s Bay), pale grey cloth, hat to match; Mrs. AL Bethell. dark grey coat and skirt, white cloth toque; Mrs. Wells, dark grey costume. with black hat; Miss Wells was becomingly dressed in navy blue with hat to match: Mrs. J. AVilliams, black gown, black and orange bonnet; Miss Williams. dress of sago, green, pale blue coat. hat en suite; Mrs Blunt, costume of navy' blue: set of soft grey furs, ami grey toque; Mrs John Deans, black costume, black and white bonnet; Miss Deans looked well in white cloth, heliotrope and white hat; Airs Wilkin, costume of brown cloth, hat to match; Aliss Jessie Wilkin, navy' blue dress and blue hat; Mrs J. Turnbutt (Methven), navy blue trimmed with heliotrope, hat to match; Airs Boyle, a lovely costume of pale grey cloth, hat with touches of pale heliotrope, blue, and green; Miss Boyle, pale blue frieze, dark green hat with pink roses, white furs; Airs Wigram. costume of blue and white check, white hat: Airs Ranald Macdonald. wore a becoming brOwn toilette; Aliss Macdonald, pale fawn, faced with green velvet, fawn hat; Airs Robert O. ('ampbell, black relieved with cream lace, white fox furs: Airs George Gould, handsome costume of navy blue, hat of dark blue, with shaded blue cornflowers; Airs AVardrop. navy’ blur costume, grey eoat. cerise hat; Airs Ogle, a flecked tweed with dark green hat: Airs T. C’owlisliaw. costume of green serge, blue and black hat; Mrs T. IL Lance, wore fawn with sealskin coat, white felt hat: Mrs IL Knight, pale grey costume, hat en suite: Airs Guy Ronalds, grey check tweed, floral toque of pale blue: Aliss AA’ilson, flecked tweed, hat of burnt s'raw with bunches of Parma violets; Airs Peach?. (Mount Somers), brown cloth costume, toque of pah* blue and brown; Aliss Peache. navy blue, grey hat : Aliss F. I’cache. brown cloth with brown straw hat; Airs Burden (Geraldine), brown skirt, sable coat, brown hat wi h roses; Aliss Harley, pale grey coat and skirt, hat with red roses; Mrs Vernon. white frieze, hat of black ami white; Mrs Secretan. black cloth, black hat; Airs Henry* Wood, red costume, black and white hat; Airs Leslie Ru' herford (Amari), brown hopsack, brown hat ; Airs Quane, black (*h»th costume, hat of violets: Airs Symes, black cloth ami black hat; Aliss Symes, navy blue costume, white furs, red and blue hat: Aliss Al urchison. black costume with handsome brown fox furs; Airs R. W. Anderson, brown cloth, hat to match; Airs looper, pretty dress of brown cloth faced with pale blue, hat to match: Aliss DevenishMears. pale grey, grey hat and furs; Miss Daisy* DoVenish-Alears, navy blue dress, brown hat: Ali-s Hay (Tcmuka), blue coat and skirt, burnt straw hat with crimson roses: the Alissrs Aiooro wore cream serge costumes; Airs Kettle, costume of pale blue frieze, smart toque of brown and pale blue: Aliss Kettle, dark green with cream lace front, green beaver Imt; Airs 'f. Phillips, a pretty grey costume with black hat: Miss Phillips, cream hopsack, cream hat; Airs (has. Louisson. handsome gown of brown and pale blur, hat en suite; the Misses Louisson wore navy’ blue toilettes; Airs Staveley, dark green costume, hat of dark green beaver; Aliss Chapman, fawn cloth, violet toque; Airs Beswick. a grey* doth costume, heliotrope and white hat; Airs J. Buckley (Oarnaru). purple cloth, light fawn eoat, hat of purple velvet; Mrs Duncan Cameron (Methven), grey zibeline with touches of purple velvet, purple toque;

Aliss Cameron, a pretty brown costume, and hat t<» match; Mrs Geo. Rhodes, pale grey’ redingote costume, hat of

pink and black; Mrs Alex. Rolierts (Westerlield), handsome velvet gown, straw toque with cream roses; Mrs J. Barker, costume of black cloth, black and white hat; Miss Wilder (Fcrnside), black and white dress, pale blue felt hat; Miss B. Russell, a grey tweed costume. pale pink hat with roses. COMING EVENTS. During this week the Hunt Club ball, always a highly popular and successful one. will take place, also the Ladies’ Charity Ball in aid of the Consumptives’ Home, which promises to lie a huge success, owing to the strenuous efforts of its organisers, of whom Mrs Wardrop, Aliss Symes, and Miss Kettle were the originators. They have !>eeii ably assisted by Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, Mrs 11. Cotterill. Mrs J. D. Hall, Mrs Henry AVood. Airs George Rhodes, the Misses Denniston. Humphreys. Macdonald, Wilson. Deans, Boyle, and others. For the ladies’ night at the Savage Club very* special efforts have been put forth, and a perfectly original programme will be produced ending with a dance, the viceregal party have promised to be present. The Canterbury College students will also give a small dance during this week. The High School old boys intend giving their annual dance at the end of this nipnth. during visit of the AVellington and Wanganui football teams. The present High School boy’s are also giving a dance in honour of the Nelson College football the team, who are due here at the end of the term. Airs Gower-Burns intends giving a song recital, “In a Persian Garden,” in the Choral Hall on August 31.

DOLLY VALE.