SOME OF THE WINNERS WORK

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 213, 8 September 1926, Page 18

SOME OF THE WINNERS WORK

SPRING—THE INDICATIONS OP ITS PRESENCE. CATHERINE WELLS, East Coast Road. Milford; aged 16. Winner No. 3 Competition. Spring—"Green kyrtled spring." What marvellous visions one conjures up with the mention of that name! Back in the misty past did Solomon sing of its coming. Down through the ages echoes the praises of the poets and musicians—and now, this age-old, yet ever-new, miracle is recurring again. "All things are new." The weeping willow's tiny, soft leaves bursting •through the yellow stems, the oaks and poplars, with their promises of fresh green foliage, in the near future, the bluegum's new leaves replacing the old tattered ones that have weathered winter's boisterous rule, are all reminders that the season of rebirth has commenced. Out in the garden, one by one, liav*. come the heralds of Spring. First, the snowdrops, fragile ami tiny, then narcissi; daffodils are golden bright in the sunshine; pink. Line, nnd white appear the pale hyacinths; and now, shedding fragrance ifi the keen air, come freesias. creamy and sweet; while ''The rose among her ransacked orange hips. Bracjreth the tender tips Of bewers to he." ' / Xever is the bushland more lovely than in the springtime, when "kowhais . . have massed their gold battalions radiantly." when the snow-white flowers of the manuka, like seas of foam, toss and eway in the wind. A miaty blue patch in the distance hints of blue-bells, white the starry clematis drapes surrounding branches in ethereal whiteness, and "Overhead the tree tops meet. Flowers nnd grass spring 'ncath one's feet." . Delicately pink are the blossomwreathed branches of the peach tree. Very soon the plum tree will be adorned in bridal Tadiance, the apple tree a feathery mass of white and pink; and "cheTry trees are all in bloom, a cloud of fragrant snow." Discarded are the old nests in the pine trees, but the ceaseless twittering of the birds tells one that the process of rebuilding is being accomplished. In the dewy morning the anthems of the feathered choir—hill throated songs of joy and welcome—echo clear and sweet in the sweet-scented air. Silhouetted against the primrose and pink morning sky stands a puriri tree, ages old, arrayed in bright green leaves and berries. On the topmost branch a thrush carols, and "Hark on those boughs! never thrush did sing Harder in praise of Spring." BESSIE DICKINSON, 60, Mount Albert ' Eoad, Onehunga; aged 14. Second, Competition No, 3. Springtime has always some new wonder for us. Sometimes it is the rapidity of the change which transforms barren fields, trees, and hedgerows into a country that is one big bed of blossom. Should we. take a walk through a nearby wood, we would meet Spring or her workers in every corner. The bounding brook, as it swirls and splashes against the big mossy stones, the vast quantities of wild blossoms and delicate fernage, peeping from every nook and cranny, are the gorgeous reminders of the welcomed spring. Amidst starry-eyed daisies, frisky lambs gambol about their mothers, while fluttering amongst the green foliage of thip trees, mating birds are busily building ;.their snug nests ready for their yojgrig ones. Spring, therefore, shows us that there ia ,no, limit for her wonder-working, and of all the seasons of the year, spring i≤ the -most exquisite.

When I saw the water I longed to go in for a swim, but it wae too cold, so 1 teeided to ramble around the rocks. 1 had to be very careful when' walking Jiere for they were elippery from tile .ido constantly washing over them. It is surprising the number of things [ learnt while rambling round. I saw ■iorne crabs whose backs were coloured A-ith all the tints of the rainbow, bin .vlipn I tried to pick one of them up ii ran into a crack in the' rock. I alst iiw some sea-anemones which were a rreenish gray colour. I touched om A-ith a stick and tlie moment I did so t drew itself in until it could scarcely ")c seen. In a big pool in the rocks 1 >ould see many periwinkles swimming round. They are queer things t 0 ,i, for when they are swimming a eorl if tongue or feeler moves to and fro all 'lie time. After I liad had my dinner I sat on he sand for a rest and from where I ■viis sitting I could see in the distance. Vliinrt a faint curtain of silver mist the Little Barrier Island. Aβ my cyp 'ravelled along the horizon I saw the Tiri-Tiri lighthouse and the Rarigitoto beacon. The sparkling waters mocked Mio soft white clouds as they flitted •icroßs the sky." I felt I could sit and gaze at the pie"■urosque scene, for ever: but there ie nlways an end to a perfect day. I had to «tart for home at about half-past fhrec and arrived home nt half-past four !iappy because I learnt new thinpa about the sea, rocks, and creatures. The picturesque Rcone will always remain in my memory. (ITsiydn Heorge. Huntly, aged 12.) (FIRST BOYS). The happiest day for mc is Saturday which I call my leisure day. lam at school all the -week and on this' day 1 do odd jobs about the house and many other things. . It may well be said that a boy may to a large extent be judged by the way in which he spends his leisure. Does he use it wisely, or, does he waste it? What is more enjoyable and health) than running, jumping, . swimming or cycling-tests, or cricket* football and tenuis matches? These not only develop the physique, they also contribute to the formation of character and the team spirit. True recreation is refreshment. It recreates and is restful, for it is a change of occupation. Hobbies ought to get a good share of one's free time und I find pleasure in photography and carpentry, and the upkeep of a 'beautiful garden and caring for pets. Sometimes I devote time to the educative hobby of stamp-collecting or sketching, and in recent years to wireless and various electrical invention?, s Hobbies vary according to one's environment or one's capacity for expenditure, but whatever they are they not only keep mc out of mischief, but add new interest to life. How common it is to throw aside book* as soon as eliminations- have been completed. Few there are who make it their ambition gradually to collect a small library of books in the home, and T mean to be one of those boys and I will be one. A boy's education is never finished, and it is his duty to profitably and enioyably utilise his leisure time in order to extend his knowledge and develop his latent powers. A man who thinks only of his business lives in a narrow grove. He who makes the best use of his own free time is a happy and progressive man. That is why T put life to the best possible use.