CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 24, 15 December 1909, Page 68

CHRISTCHURCH.

December 9. Croquet Party. A croquet party was given on Tuesday afternoon by Mrs Henry Wood at Avonside. The hostess received her guests on the lawn. She wore a Princess gown of white muslin with lace insertion, large white hut trimmed with cherries. Some of those present were Mrs Nancarrow, in a tailor-made gown of mole-coloured cloth, black hat with ostrich feathers; Mrs Denniston, green and white striped costume, black hat; Miss Symes, coat and skirt of brown Shantung silk, Tuscan hat with roses; Mrs Butterworth, black and white costume, black hat; Miss Nedwill, blue and white striped cambric frock, hat with pink roses; Mrs Cracroft Wilson, gown of white embroidered linen, Tuscan and black hat; Miss Cracroft Wilson, white muslin dress, large black and white hat; Mrs George Hanmer, mauve linen pinafore frock, mauve hat with flowers; Mrs Vernon, cream muslin dress, floral hat. Afternoon Tea.

An afternoon tea was given by Miss Helmore at “Millbrook,” Fendalton, in honour of, and as a farewell to, Miss Isabel Hill, who is leaving Christchurch for Singapore, where she will be married. Miss Helmore wore a biscuit-col-oured Shantung, with large Tuscan hat and pink roses; Miss Hill, pretty pink and white floral muslin, pink hat to match; Miss Ella Hill, coat and skirt of white cloth, white hat with pink roses; Mrs Arthur Reeves, saxe blue gown of canvas cloth, black hat; Mrs George Helmore wore a pale blue dress and floral hat; Mrs J. Milton, pale blue crepon, blue hat with touches of mauve; Miss Boyle, grey spotted muslin, grey hat with pink flowers; Mrs J. D. Hill, cream cloth costume, black hat; Mrs George Lee (Sydney), coat and skirt of green and blue alpaca in stripes, green and black hat; Miss Lee, white cloth costume, white hat with large black wings; Mrs Allen, cream crepe de chine, with cream lace insertions, black crinoline hat with cream lace; Miss Elworthy, black and white frock, floral hat; Mrs Arthur Campbell, black cloth costume, black hat; Miss Humphreys, gown of grey Shantung silk, Tuscan hat with touches of velvet and crimson roses; Miss Turnbull, blue and white striped muslin dress, floral hat; Miss Cowlishaw, frock of white embroidered muslin, blue hat; Mrs Reid, pale green dress, hat with pale pink roses; Mrs J. Turnbull, white linen costume, black and white hat; Miss Cotterill, coat and skirt of white cloth, blue hat; Mrs H. H. Loughnan, the Misses Bowen, Aynsley, Gresson, Julius, Pyne, Knight, Neave (2), Cook (2), Maling, Elworthy, and Izard. Croquet ■was played during the afternoon, and the delicious tea was served in the diningroom. Bridge.

A bridge party was given by Mrs. Boyle (Riccarton). The players were Mrs. Wigram, Miss Murray-Aynsley, Mrs. C. Reid, Miss Reeves, Mrs. J. Turnbull, Misses Lee, Sise (Dune:!.- . Cowlishaw, and Mrs. Beswick. Highland Rifles.

A parade of the Highland Rifles took place on Wednesday night at the King Edward barracks, when they were inspected by Lieut.-Colonel Hawkins, and drilled by Captain Stewart, Lieutenants Guthrie and Stevenson. The movements and marching were most interesting, and excellently carried out. They were accompanied by their pipers, and at the close of the parade Captain Stewart and his officers entertained several of their friends in the Officers’ Club rooms. Amongst those present were: Lieut.Colonel Hawkins, Mrs. -and Miss Hawkins, Major and Miss Snow, the Rev. Mackenzie and Mrs. Mackenzie, Mrs. Stewart, Miss Stewart, Mr. and Mrs. Fisher, Miss Fisher, Dr. and Mrs. Fenwick, Mrs. and Miss Guthrie, Miss Middleton, Miss Spooner, Miss Stevenson; Captain Salter, and several others.

Flower Show. The rose show which was held this week (Wednesday) in the Alexandra Hall was on the whole rather disappointing as a rose show. This has been an exceptionally good season for these lovely flowers, but the mistake was not to have held it a week or ten days ago; most of the blooms were too full blown to be perfect. The sweet peas and pot plants were particularly good. There was a capital attendance, both in tho

afternoon and evening. Amongst those present were: Mrs. H. H. Ixrughnan, Mrs. and Miss Boyle, Mrs. and the Misses Pyne, Mrs. Blunt, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. and Mias Reeves, Mns. Murray-Aynsley, Miss Townend, Mrs. and Miss Cowlishaw, Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Palmer, Dr. and Mrs. Irving, Mrs. Hill, Miss Hill, Mrs. and Miss Helmore. Personal. Mrs. Isaac Gibbs (Merivale) left on Monday for a short visit to Dunedin. Miss Denniston returned to Christchurch from Levin on Tuesday, where she has been visiting her sister. Miss Patterson (Dunedin) is the guest of Mrs. H. Wood at Springfieldroad (Christchurch). Mrs. Duncan Cameron (Springfield) and Miss Murray-Aynsley returned from Rotorua to Christchurch this week.

Mrs. Williamson (Gisborne) is the guest of Miss Helmore, “Millbrook,” Fendalton.

Mrs. Elworthy (Christchurch) has gone to Timaru, where she is the guest of Mrs. Percy Elworthy, “Gordon's Valley.”

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer (Orari) are in Christchurch.

Miss Holmes (Rakaia) passed through Christchurch this week on her way to Wellington.

DOLLY VALE.