OVERSEAS LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 83, 9 April 1937, Page 10

OVERSEAS LEAGUE.

ADDRESS ON CHINA.

„ Mrs. Ctuy Hillier, who has spent nearly all her life in Peking, gave an interesting talk on the life in that city to the members of the Overseas League this afternoon. Mrs. Hillier prefaced her remarks with -it -sketch of Marco Polo, the Venetian' traveller who first brought to: the'notice of Europe the glory , of the Mongol Court. She traced the course of the Ming Dynasty, describing the palac&B they had erected and the enlargements they had made to the city of Peking. The Ming Dynasty gave place to the hardy Manohus, under whom the Jesuit missionaries rose to° fame and helped in the establishment of artß and sciences. - f ' An interesting account of the immense power of the former Empire, when Burma and Siam sent tribute elephants to.? ?ekin«, swas given by the: speaker. These anunals playedanimportant part in official and court ceremonies, and Mrs. Hillier wis* fortunate enofcgh to | see the last of them in the early Peking Zoo opened in 1907. She then described the Peking of that date, with its Manchu customs and official life, and gave vivid pictures of week-ends spent in her Chinese temple. The 12-day reign of the Emperor Pu Yi, when he was put back on the Throne; of the Dragon in July, 1917, was described in a rapid sketch by Mrs. Hillier, and she told of how Mr. Hillier's car .had- been riddled with bullets. 1 One . of the interesting things thistjt had occurred during her life in Peking., was the wedding ceremony of the. Emperor, held in the Palace in 1923. Hero all the Chinese officials, in their Court | robes, assembled to pay homage to the great Emperor, arid a ceremony with all the colour of the old Chinese life took place. The neglect under the Republican Government said Mrs. Hillier, of the former classic teaching towards reliwas a sight that made the modern Peking a pathetic * city. The sacred parts qf the Temple of Heaven, once visited only by the Emperor, was now used as a billeting place for soldiers, and young; children played carelessly where once only the most holy could enter. Mrs. Hillier described with horror the looting of her own temple, and told of the destruction and filth left where once was beauty. . it■T? 6 E f st and West together, said Mrs. Hillier, 4o< not make a good combination, jf she were her opinion of the present-dajrl;Peking her reply would be" ' Ichabod, its glory has departed."

ART OF DANCING.

TALK TO PENWOMEIT.

A bright and entertaining talk was given.. to the members of the Penwomen's £lub this afternoon by Miss Beryl Nettleton who has recently returned <,from where she attended the he Id by the Frances ScullyWSehool of' Dancing. • |TTie art, of Miss Nettleioti, was growiiii- rapidly in Australia, People were taking it; very seriously and Were looking more to the technical Bide than taking the "show" point of view. Parents wanted technique more than what was generally known as fancy dancing and sent their children for ]esson*|as, many as three, times 4 Week instead of once per week af ;was the general custom in New Zealand. The main idea was .that an: examination standard must be attained to ensure the student learning along 1 the right and standard lines. j 1 Fascinating glimpses of Sydnev life were.also given by the speaker who also described personalities she had met w#i!e away. •

FRIENDLY BRIDGE CLUB.

A large number of members and friends of the Friendly Bridge Clnb, attended yesterday afternoon in. the private room of Georpe Court and Sons' tearooms. Autumn leaves and golden blooms, were used in profusion, for decorative purposes, the tea table being dressed in the same colours. Among the players were:—Mesdames H. Cooper, E. Shore, V. Radford, S. J. Shore, C. R. Wilson, E. T. Butler, F. Mounce, C. Engel, L. Stretton, A. Appleyard, S. McPike, B. Waite. H. Jordon, D. A. Dickson, D. Scannell, P. n. Martin, H". E. Taylor. E. Canle. 0. Anderson. S. Wi Darrocli. W. Matlieson. L Curtain, J. Mettan, W. Begg, J. E. Trestram, H. G. McLeod, J.Danks.