BEAUTY SPOTS IN N.Z. DESCRIBED BY GUILD LITERARY CIRCLE MEMBERS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 48, 19 November 1937, Page 12

BEAUTY SPOTS IN N.Z. DESCRIBED BY GUILD LITERARY CIRCLE MEMBERS

Some of the beauty spots in New Zealand' were described by memberg of the literary and play-reading circle of the Hastings Townswomen's Guild at their meeting yesterday afternoon. The G.F.S. room, where the meeting waa held, was gaily decorated with large bowls of lovely purple irises and stocks iu shades of mauve> and whjte. The members of the guild 'commltteo were the guests of the circle for the afternoon, and a welcome w.as extended to tjaeru by the circle leader, Miss H. i ord. The circle secretary, Miss McLean, was also present. Mrs. L. Itiley was the first speaker, and she described a visit to the Okauia iiot springs, situated in the Bay of Plenty. The speaker said visitors to tiiese parts foundl a warm ' swimming pool wxth ferns growing right down to the ivater's edge. The stream iiowed out of this pooi to form anotlier, the men's pooi, and still anotlier, the women' s pool, while last of all Was a very skallow and safe, children' s pooi. She said that duriug her stay in these parts the weather was very warm during the day, but the nights were quite cool. Mrs. F. Deans spoke about a visit to Hanmer Springs in -Oanterbury. She s.iid that after a drive through miles and miles of Etony country with no growth except gorse bushes, Hanmer, with its lovely trees and green pastures, was reaclied. Here were to bo seen many small houses witli very beautiful gardens. Many folk who lived in Ghristciiurch had a week-end cottage at Hanmer. Mrs. JDeans told about the famous hospital buildings, and of the wonderful peace and quict .to be lound wlien out v alking. Sho said that flowers, especially roses, grew paricularly well in this district, and their colours seemed to be even inore bright than elsewhere. Mrs. Deans concluded by saying that Hanmer was like an oasia in a desert, a wonderful environment for the recreation pf mmd, body and soul. Stewart Island was described by Miss Strang, who said that she couid never tell of all the charms of one of the best beauty spots in New Zealand. She said that Stewart Island had an area of 66 square miles covered with nativo trees and ferns, and was oniy two hours' journey by steamer from Bluff. She said that the people were a sealoving lot, with fishing and oyster iudustries from wliicli to earn tlieir living. Miss Strang described tho wonderful bird-life in the bush, and also the lovely beaclies. She said that the whole island was full of interest and a lovely place in which to have a restful holiday. Miss Helen Ford told about a tiip from Queenstown to Rere Lake which, though on© sof th© southern lakes, was 1 visited less often than many oi the others in the district. .She said that mountaln birches surroUnded the lake, and the ground, being covered with scarlet bidcly bids, made a vivid pio ture. Miss Ford also said that the lake was so deep that jt had never been fathomed and that the water was wonderfully blue, but icy cold1. Items which were much enjoyed were given by Mrs. Whetstone, who sang Maori songs, accompanied by Miss McHutchon, and Mrs. Warrington, who gave two resitations, "Not Understood" and "From Hand to Mouth." Two competitions were arranged by Mrs. Harper, the first being an anagram, which was won by Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Edwards. The second, a competition jn which the names of, circle members filled the gaps jn a given paragraph, was won by Mrs. W» A. Bryant and Mrs. Franklin. Afternoon tca was lianded round to those present, and was much appreciated. A circle member, Mrs. Macaulay, who always giveg great belp in arrang* ing the tea, was once again .to the fore, Afterwards a play-reading was given by some of the members of a clever and amusing play written by Mrs. 3>. Drummond, a member of the circle. Those taking part were Mesdames D. Drummond, W, A. Bryant, Sarah Jones, Franklin, Gardiner and Kirkman. The directiong wero read by Miss Ford. Members were reminded of the operetta to be staged by members of the musio cirole in the Oddfellows' Hall, Hastings, on tho evening of December %, which promises to be well worth seeing, and also of the Guild iancy dress party on December 9.