WOMEN PASSENGERS ON THE LINER RELIANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 85, 11 April 1938, Page 13

WOMEN PASSENGERS ON THE LINER RELIANCE.

And They Have Done Interesting Things Too!

The Auckland port has seen its share of tourist liners. During the past few years overseas visitor* have become interested in the country, lnit when the German cruise liner arrived this morning Auckland saw something quite new, both in the way of ships, and passengers. The Reliance was a ship with personality. Everything' from the tasteful and up-to-date appointments of the ship in the large passenger list of noted women \ ' itors was interesting. There was an air of good friendly quality about the ship, of pleasant well being and comfort rather than luxury, and the passengers themselves were smart and good looking. It was interesting to note that the majority of women on board dressed simply, used the popular shade of sun tan make-up, and enjoyed cigarettes. Outstanding fashion features seen on board included the loose fitting swing coats, trimmed with soft fur collars and worn in shades of beige and grey by many -of the matrons. Flight at Eighty! First among the interesting passengers was the 80 years old Baroness Josefa von Dobrzenski-Dobrzenicz. The Baroness, who celebrated her eightieth birthday on board the liner, has a great deal more animation and high spirits than many a young modern flapper. One of the most exciting moments of her tour was the 50 miles flight around Melbourne. It was her eightieth birthday present to herself, and to quote her own words, it was the grandest thing she had done in years. "I thought I might be a little nervous at lirst," she said, "but as soon as I got int# the 'plane I had no time to think of anvthink like that —I was far too excited. Oh! it was too wonderful to describe. Thousands and thousands of electric lights looking just like a fairyland. I liked Melbourne from the first, but after that I simply loved it."

The Baroness, although she lives in ienna, ii=. a Czechoslovakian. and she is wondering what her home is like now. She believes that the German alliance with. Australia will be a good thing because she can see no other way out of its poverty.

A recipe for eternal youth was given by the Baroness. Until the age of 70 she w£(s an enthusiastic horse rider, and she recommends it as her secret of youthful appearance.

Another passenger who is interested in horseback riding was pretty fairhaired Virginia Schmidt, who is not yet out of her 'teens. Miss Virginia Schmidt, who comes from San Francisco, lias been practising hard at this form of sport and she hopes soon to be able to compete successfully in ?l»ows.

The skins of 20 Javanese water-snakes went to the making of the unusual and attractive swagger coat in the wardrobe of Mrs.. Ellie Bodenstedt, of Batavia. The skins were sent to Vienna to be made into a coat. The preparation of each skin occupied two months, as they had to be carefully stretched. "It Ls warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather," Mrs. Bodenstedt said, "and above all it is very practical." Before her marriajre Mrs. Bodenstedt was an actress in Vienna; her mother was also a famous actress, and her grandmother was the pianist C'eeile Frank, who Avas a friend of Brahms. Mrs. Bodenstedt continues to act in Batavia. giving performances by herself. "I speak songs," ehe said. "Tliev ara mostly Viennese songs., and I give them in all kinds of Austrian costumes, from that of an old man to a young peasant girl." Ocean Traveller. Miss Augusta de Peyater, of New York has crossed the, Atlantic 04 times, and of all the lines On which she has travelled she prefers the German; Miss de Peyster is a member, of the Women's Central Council of the Seamen's Church Institute hi New York, which occupies a building of 14 storeys. It has accommodation for 2000 men, and if they can pay, a charge of about 1/ a night is made. Every ship is met by a representative of the institute, which is carried on by voluntary subscription, although all workers are paid. Owns Golf Links. When a relation died three years ago Mrs. Bazel Wells Veirs, of Chicago, became the owner of a picturesque golf links at Water of the Leite, on the shores of Lake Michigan. She said that with a woman proprietor everyone expected the course to deteriorate, but she had made improvements and now it*was. considered to be one of the best courses in South Michigan. Mrs. Veirs.' summer home is about half a mile from the club. She was very impressed by the variety of eucalyptus trees in Australia. The white or silver gum trees, she said, were called "kid glove" trees in California, because of the soft, fine bark which peels off them.

Mrs. John Jacob Hasslacher is a charming German woman whose husband is managing director of a large iron and coal works at Duisberg, on the Rhine. Mrs. Hasslaclievs elder son is an attache ta the German Ambassador at Budapest. Her daughter Hedda, who is 23, is an actress at Dresden, and Elizabeth, who is very keen on sports and riding has joined a ladies' riding school. Her younger son, John Jticob, aged 18, is in America.

Many Interests. Mrs. Robert F. Cole, of Winnetka, Illinois, and Mrs. Edward Richter, of

Cincinnati, Ohio,, are both interested in

women's clubs which have charitable as ' well as intellectual interests. Mrs. Cole belongs to the Winnetka Women's Club, which has the Dorcas Home for destitute children as its _principal interest. She is also a member of the Women's Republican Club, which instructs women in political matters, and of the Red Cross Society. Mrs. Richter is enthusiastic about the good work done in the United States by the Young Women's Christian Association. "In Cincinnati." she said, "there is a magnificent 'Y.' building, which can accommodate 050 casual travellers. The automobile clubs always advise women motorists to stop at the '%•' if they are travelling alone. There is per- ' m'anent accon/modation for girls under

-4 years of age who are working in the city. They pay 4i 'dollars a week to share a room, arid six dollars a week for a single room. Golden-haired and most attractive. Mrs. Corrine Stussgen, of Cologne, is making her third trip on the .Reliance. Sb;> collects typical souvenirs of every country she visits, and her home is entirely decorated with them. Mr*. Leopoldine Schoeller. who is making her third world cruise, has an unusual bag among her accessories. It was of brown leather fastening with a "zipp." and had a watch inserted in one side. "Thrilling," says Mrs. Delbruck. Koala bears an<l the vastness of the bush in the 151 ue Mountains are the two things which Mrs. Berta Delbruek, of Berlin, found must "thrilling" in Australai. Mrs. Delbruck, whose husband id a banker in Berlin, is keenly interested in horses and horse racing. She rides as often «s possible in the Ticrgarten in Berlin, where there is a tan track about six miles long.

Miss Hetty Lynds. who is making her first world cruise with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Lynds, of Los Angeles, California, is a student at the Pomona Co-educational College, about 50 miles from Los Angeles. About SOO students attend the college, which is set among lovely orange groves.

Mrs. .Tames \V. Freeman lives most of the year at Cape Cod, New England, which was formerly a fishing and whaling station, "but the industry disappeared with the introduction of steam and oil-burning vessels. "The New England 'frame' houses have a distinct style of their own." said Mrs. Freeman. "They are built of wood and each home lias a small enclosed garden in the front."

As well as Baroness Josefa von Dobrzenski-Dobrzenics there were two other members of the German nobility on board. Baroness Marie Louise von Koskutl, the famous social directress, and Baron von Shilling, of the Cruise Department, who has graduated at the Heidelberg Ui^iversity.