SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 85, 11 April 1931, Page 14

SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

A New Zealander by adoption who has brought an interesting and novel occupation to our doors is Miss Jessica Andreae, who brought her Danish loom with her when she came out from England a few years ago. Hand-weaving is her artistic adventure. The women on New Zealand farms, she thinks, with their long, quiet evenings, far away from city diversions, should be able to fill in time very profitably with this old-time pursuit, which is at the same time a hobby and a profession. At a recent wool exhibition in Wellington many people stopped to watch the handweaving demonstrations of a darlc-cyed, very pretty girl, who was quietly turning out anything from scarves and shawls to bedwraps as many-coloured as Joseph's coat. Miss Andreae finds New Zealand a delightful place, and the New Zealand women both enterprising and quick to learn. * * * *

As a wind-up to the business of the day, the members of the Auckland Federation of Women's Institutes, who held their bi-annual meeting yesterday, had an enjoyable social in the Victoria League rooms last night. At this gathering delegates from outside institutes were able to meet together, exchange ideas and get to know each other as they would not be able to do in a business meeting. On their arrival the guests were received by Mrs. S. V. Irwin, president, and Miss E. Hopper, and the special visitors were Miss Mowbray,

president of the Victoria League, Mrs. L. S. Rickerby, Mrs. Victor Macky, and Miss Carnachan, president of the National Council of Women, and Miss Winlove (Hawke's Bay). During the evening a programme of enjoyable items was given. It commenced with the institute song, which was followed by a playette by members of the Henderson Institute. Mrs. Kersey gave a number of charming songs, and a reading from "The Rivals" was given by members of the Greenhithe Institute. The programme was arranged by Mrs. Robb. The rooms were delightfully decorated for the occasion with masses of pink and white cosmos, dahlias and greenery, and a dainty supper brought a happy evening to a conclusion.

. Easter time at The Chateau, Tongariro, was very gay, and the main lounge surrounding the dance floor was always bright with beautiful dresses and moving groups of visitors. At intervals, mountaineers, dressed in coloured mountainearing outfits would introduce a new touch in the crowds. Out of one of the great circular windows, the largest in Australasia, could be viewed the smoking cone of Ngauruhoe, while on the far side of the lounge, Euapeliu, with its gleaming ice glaciers filled the whole sky line. Dances were held each night, and during the day tennis and golf practice helped to keep everyone busy. There were oyer fifty climbers sucessful in reaching the summit of Ruapehu. Here after lunch and a rest they made a most interesting exploration of the icefields surrounding the hot crater lake. A large party visited Ketetahi hot springs on Mount Tongariro. The walk through the bush proved very attractive to many English visitors, and comments were made on the fact that the authorities do not make these powerful and wonderful blow-holes and springs more accessible (o the public. In 1887, when Te Heuheu Tukino gave the mountains to the people of New Zealand, this area of about two acres was 'not included in the gift, as his people looked upon it as "the only place in New Zealand where new life could be induced to pulse in an old body."