BOYS' OWN COLUMN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 258, 30 October 1926, Page 25

BOYS' OWN COLUMN.

QUAINT HALLOWEEN CUSTOMS

AN OLD SCOTCH FESTIVAL.

Dear Boys,— There i» no night in the jmmr which tha popular imagination has stamped with a more unusual character than the evening of the 31st October, known as AH Hallow's Eve or Halloween. On this night is the time of all others when supernatural influence, prevail. It is the night set apart for a walking abroad of spirit* and the gift asserted by Glendower of calling spirits from the " vasty deep " is possible, so it is said, to all those who care to avail themselves of the privileges of the occasion. Essentially a Scottish night, it is now celebrated in a different fashion to the old days, there being more games and festivities than in the heyday of superstition. All over the United Kingdom on 31st October, nuts and apples are everywhere in demand, and consumed in immense quantities. Concerning the nuts, in Burns' poems of Halloween I find:— • The auld guidwife'e weal hordU nits And bum theelther trimly. Are round and round divided, Soma start awa' wl' saucy pride And mony lads' and lassies' fate* And Jump oot owre tha cnlmley Are there that nicht decided; Pu' high that nlcht." Some knidle couthie side by side, His words, of course, refer to the old superstition that if. a maiden puts a nut on the fire grate and it cracks or jumps her lover will prove unfaithful; if it begins to blase or barn they -r_l be married There is an old custom, perhaps still observed in some loc-UrJee on this merry night, of hanging up a stick horizontally by a string from the ceiling and putting a lighted candle on the one end and an apple' on the other. The stick is twisted vigorously, and the people endeavour to catch it with their teeth hands are not allowed to bo -used. To again quote .Burns: 6 "Or eaten tha elusive apple with a bound Aa with Its taper It flaw whizzing round. It often happens that the candle comes round sooner than expected, with the unfortunate result that grease smothers the face of the player. The grandest sport of this night of nights Is the fun to be had with apple ducking or "dooking." Several apples are set afloat in a tub of water into which the young folk by turns duck their heads with the view to catching an apple in their mouths. Great fun goes on in watching the attempts of the children in the pursuit of the floating fruit, which bobs up and down from one side of the tub to the other, and perhaps evades all attempts at capture until the aspirant for honours has at last to stand down in favour of the next comer. Many are the artful dodges resorted to in this game to obtain the applause which is always accorded the winner. The photo reproduced elsewhere on the page, taken from an old plate, serves to illustrate the game. This year the St. Andrew's Society of Auckland wfll celebrate this national night in real Scottish fashion. Halloween games wfll be played, and the very extensive programme —rhich has been arranged will be given entirely by over 60 boys and girls. •> A large number of orphan __7) 1 children have been invited, and no n _ «--*^^^^~ doubt Halloween will live long in fj ]J jf^^s*-" their memory. V^*T oA&^>^^^

« Yvonne Beaumont—Yes, I missed your letters but am pleased that you nave been away on holiday. Thanks ror the interesting account of your adventures. Lindsay Bell— Tricks and teasers are not for competition. Did you Qnd the. solution yourself or had you heard it berore? Write again. Margaret Gilmore—l never saw anyone so excited as Wendy now that she Is club mother. You must have a great tune with the kittens. Zita Myers—l am so glad that you have written and hope to hear more from you. I am sure you win have great fun with the competitions. William Stuart--We have no record or your suggesting a winning- name. Please explain. If you really want, mc to correspond with your friend get him to write to mc first, and then I win be better- able to do what you want. Also tell mc more about him. Mary Hamilton— Think or all the wasted effort. Why you might have won a prize. Best or luck ror the dance. Les Matthews—Thanks ror the photo, in your next letter write and teU mc all abou' yourseir and your interests as you said. Jean Kidman —Your Jokes are very good and I thank you very much Tor them. For the' lire or mc I can't find the story but I am rorwarding you a blue certificate just the same. The suggestion is very good but would have to be worked differently, Tor I do not like copying other papers. Many nappy returns or the 10th. Frances Skullan—l am sorry that you have bad the horrible measles. So long as your work reaches here by Wednesday it win be all right. No, you can Join the club rree, the badge will cost 1/3. Kathleen Rowe— Thanks very much dear. Wendy does not mind now that she is the club mother. Elsie Todd—Thanks dear, hut I am afraid' that would be too easy. Mary Milburns—Yes Hear, books are lovely and pass the time very well, but I have no time to read these days. Jack McTavish—Do you mean to teU tne that you are a boy or thirteen and do not know that you must stamp aU letters.? Why I had to pay 2J Tor your letter. George Barnett—More forms are now In the paper,

so have held yonr envelope meantime. Dora Daws Your tricks are very nice, thanks ror them. R. Watson What a Jolly shame yon had to walk home. Will send the money along with the certificates when they are issued. Catherine Wells—l shall be pleased to have the long letter you have promised mc. How are the pads? Margaret Young— Thanks. I appreciated your action, for so very Tew have done so. Milton Mabee— Write away. Your letters will fie welcomed. Jack Newiove—l certainly hope you get your proficiency, although you are still quite young- for that. Please give the other girl my best or wishes for success too. Write again. Lloyd Dent—You are welcomed to the club, and I hope to have some more letters from you. Clva Phillips—Don't forget to write ana tell mc about your new place. Grace Wilson —Cheer up, there will Be lots more painting competitions. Bessie Perrett—Your Idea concerning tbe motto was good but too long. Your competition suggestion sounds good and If possible I will work one out. Thanks. Jean Henderson Whenever you do that you should write it on a separate sheet of psper. However, It is all right this tune. Gladys Matheson —I am glad you have not forgotten mc. Write and tell mc what you did on Labour Day. Aileen Dawson—Didn't you read an about the certificates in the "Budget" of Saturday lastT Mary Dowd —What a shame that some of tbe bouses were flooded. It would be so miserable for the poor occupants. I did laugh over our "writing" Joke. Joyoe Martin— We are so pleased to welcome you to our ranks of loyal "Budgetltes." Best or luck for your competition work. Olwyn Luke— Isn't it annoying when tbe hen will not do her duty? Fancy spoiling all those eggs. Oiga Whitefleld—Gracious mc! Have you made all those dollies? You are a good girl. Clara Milligan—l was Just thinking what a good writer you were. I am so sorry that your' sister is sick, but hope she is soon better. Aren't pet lambs Just dears? Ruru Bey in—l am so glad that you like the "Budget." Write again. Leslie Crawford— You can get the Peter Pan Writing Tablet at this office, or else we will post it to you ror 2}d extra. Kathleen Dawson—lt does cheer mc to learn that tbe 'Budget" helped you when you were sick. Thelma Rasmussan You will be pleased that the work in connection with your teeth is over now, won't you? Owen MacDermott—l certainly hope that you will enter and wish you the best or luck with tbe competitions, won't it fie great to go for the class picnic. Good luck "in the rancy dress ball. Edwin Low—l agree with you that the country is the nicest place to live in. although it must have been nice over at Devonport. Write again. Richard Shepherd—Many happy returns or Monday—may it be a happy day ror yon. All best wishes ror the party and may it be a treat success. Mavis Moore—l am so pleased that you are working ror the hospital children. All best wishes ror the 30th. Jean MoTavlah—Tell your mend that all children can write to whom they like. Gwendolyn Evans—Why there was a pen drawing competition which closed last Wednesday. As you say it Is indeed good run. Lome MeLeod—You are let off this time. Certificates are given to deserving children, but we can't all get one you know. Rewa Cunningham—l take it that the stamps were ror the badge when it arrives. You made no mention or them in your letter. They won't be very. long. Thanks Tor the riddles. Errol Oracle—What a great time you had at Titlrangi. I am so pleased. IT other children only knew what they were missing they would go to the bush more often. Nancy Berry—l must conress that I had to smile when I read your remark about the sports. What excitement there must have been over the Are. Pat Ray—My. you are a tall boy ror your age, aren't you? Why not send mc a photo. Edith Allen — I want to tell you dear Just bow sorry Wendy and I are for you, and we both hope that you will soon be better. Denis McKechnie— l am arrald I can't give you the recipe. 1 think that perhaps you had better decide to grow up. I never "worry over mistakes, and anyway your letter was very good. Jean Coates The wireless set will be awarded to the