MAIL BAG

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 40, 16 February 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

MAIL BAG

Kathleen Neely was pleased to receive her prize money lor the Antari-iii- rompetition, bill Wishes tll.lt she hail been awarded a oei'lillcale, as she is saving- up 2~, points tor a liuok.—Vour actual story, Kathleen, was well worth the prize, its plot bcinjr exceptionally jrood ami the tale itself being: well tolil, the only trouble Willi it was, as i said in my loiter, that it was contrary to facts known about Antarctica. Scott, Amundsen and others having- previously visited the South Pole.

Phyllis Whaley and Harry Parker write to notify me of their ehanirc. of address.— Your new address lias heen recorded.

Mary Duncan will he starting school again soon, when she will he in Commercial s?A. —One does tire of the. holidays, Mary, hut alter the long terms of school one really needs the six weeks' vacation in order to recuperate.

Cecelia Rassie's sister passed her proficiency examination last year. She -wants to know when the llrst Hiuiget was printed. Congratulate your sister for me. Cecilia The llrst edition of the Itudget appeared on July In. tili'C.

Tony Batistich wants me to give him a name r,> r a hlack and -white kitten.—How would Timniy do lor your kitten's name? Eileen Shaw sends in a little rhyme about a pussy cat and asks Wendy ir'shc would like to he a pussy cat.—l don't think that 1 would care, to he a pussy Eileen. I'or cats are not fond or the water' and swimming is my favourite sport

James Rasmussen asks that Lis commission lor selling -Knzed Junior'' be sent lo him. —To tla11•. none of the forms given "Mt by you have been received at the office. Should any come in at a later date enrnmissiun will he forwarded to you accordingly.

Grace Nerheny received her proficiency certificate last year, but is returning to school this year to learn shorthand and typewriting. She notifies me of her change of address. —Shorthand and typewriting are interesting subjects, ('.race, and you should llnd them easy to learn. Your new address has been recorded.

Elsie Mitchell sends In 25 points for a book. —I hope that you like the book which I have sent to you? Ted Maunder wishes to Join the club.— You've been enrolled, Ted. Dawn Collier describes lier holiday.— You did have a good tune. Dawn. l'luin jam and nectarines? How ripping l ! Kathleen Bird, a Talhape reader, started school on a cold, rainy morning-.—It Is horrid going: to school on wet days. Kathleen. Yes, 1 liked lessons when I used to go to school. Leone Cameron lias heen 111 for qui to a while but thinks that she will be well again soon.—l'm quite well, thank ymi, Leone. 1, too, hope that you are soon up and about again. Brenda Cameron Is saving up cigarette cards and has a (rood collection. The other day she had her photograph taken. — Cigarette card collecting is a good hobby, Brenda. Isn't it fun having your photo taken? Myrtle Wallace tell 3 me that she received her "Enzed Junior" commission saTely, but thinks it too late to revisit the people who neglected to send in the forms'with which she furnished them.—Perhaps It is a wee bit late now. Myrtle, nevertheless people are still applying at the office for copies or "Enzed Junior." Shirley Cameron says that together with her sister, she is making some pot pourrl which, although not yet completed, already smells very nice.—l'm glad that your pot pourri is a success, Shirley. I have conveyed your message to -both Wendy and Tlnkerbell. Eileen Johnston has now lert school and stands on the verandah watching the other children going to school. What are you going to do now that you have left school, Eileen? The picture of Bonzo is very line indeed.

Leone Cameron ~a\s thai her little cousin very miieh wanted in jrn .net see sulne public pardons. s>> sune girls decided to take him. .No sooner had he arrived Micro than lie ran away I'roin his escort and tumbled bead llrst into the pond in which rrotrs and gold fish lead a usually undisturbed career. The four-year-old adventurer asserts thnt he swallowed n number- of ''little fishes" in the course of bis ducking-: — flow runny it must have been when Stuart tumbled into the pond. I.oono. it's just like a little chap or his ago to think that he swallowed some or the little fish swimming- about in the pond.

Audrey Melville says that she has not yet received her birthday greet in? certitlcate. —Your certificate has been sent out late, Audrey, so you will have received it by now. The mistake which you point out has now been rectified. Derek Leslie sends in an enrolment form that hi; may join the club.—You've been made a member or the club, lierek. and shortly will receive a beautil'ully ornamented certillcafc or membership. Charlie Halverson notifies me or a mistake thai appeared in tiie Budget.—The mistake has now been reel died, Charlie. Your story has been received. Olive Durham has a little tiaby kitten which is a terror I'or scratching-.—Haby kittens often do scratch, olive, but I'm sure that they do not mean to hurt us. Ada Taylor writes me a letter to say that she has not I'orgotten me. She has now left school and asks if 1 enjoyed my holiday.—l'm pleased to hear rroin you, Ada. You were quite rig-lit in assuming that I am the Peter Pan or IYA. I had a very enjoyable holiday.

Beth Gwilliam during Tier Christmas holidays, spent four vents on farms. — it must liave been good run living on the farms, Roth. Did you reed the calves while you were away on holiday?

Joan Nicholson went to Cheltenham beach during- the holidays and also went to Avondale Tor a ride in the train.—lt's frond I'un riding on the donkeys, Joan, and ever so thrilling: to go for a train ride.

Daisy Peo is a Brownie ana is in the Sprites' patrol.—lt's good run lining- in the Brownies, Daisy. When will you be Hying; up to the Girl liuides?

June ;;ope starts school on Monday and reels sorry that ttie holidays are over.— It Is hard to settle down to work after the holidays, June, but it is only arter hard work that we really enjoy our holidays.

Dorothy Hill has not written to me because she has been away. After staying; at a bach her party motored to Houhora, where they had a picnic, then they iiad a 220-mile trip back to Auckland.— What a lovely holiday you must have had, Dorothy. A. 220-mile drive In a motor car is surely a thing- to be thrilled about.

Barbara Earl thanks me Tor her birthday greetings certificate. She had a happy holiday, and hopes that 1, too, enjoyed my vacation.—l enjoyed my holiday, thank you, Harbai-a.

Eden Coombes says that in Taumarunui she is having; had weather and so far has been able to go Tor only eight swims.— It is a pity that the weather is not g-ood, Eden, nevertheless it might clear up before the summer has gone.

Kathleen Sheehan wants lo know what is writnsr Willi her short stories.—l can't lay my hinds on one <• r ymir stories jus; ;ii ili«' moriii'!!!. Kathleen, but ir you spih: 1110 one of your typical yarns a:irt emi'is' a note with it reminding me that il i» lo lio criticised. I'll do my best to poinl out to you your faults.

Merle Stark says that she went to a Now Yrar's Eve carnival disguised in a big liny Fawkps face, lonjc white trousers, an old black hat. Mack boots and a walkingstick. —You must have hart a royal time at the carnival. Merle. it was unfortunate that you could not obialn a place at "Tech.." but no doubt some other college will find room for you.

Rewa Cunningham enjoys the Budget very much and likos her "Enzed Junior" too. She promises me a Ion? letter next week.—l'm glad to hear from you again, Rewa. I'll look forward to your "next letter.

Thelma Hutchins has entered some school work and some cooking- in the annual show this year. Last year she received nine shillings in prize money.— You were lucky last year. Tlielma. I wish you the best of luck with your show exhibits.

Jean Grieve likes the look or the book which I sent her in return for her 25 points. She Is going to work hard at the competitions because she likes puzzling thpm out.—The competitions are certainly very interesting-, Jean, and teach us to exercise our brains.

Joy Maiden wants to know all about the little card which was sent to her Tor her birthday.—The pink certificate is one or our certificates or merit, Jov, and counts three points towards 25 points which, ir sent in to this onice, will entitle vou to a book. Other certificates are given Tor competition entries, so la order to gain more points you should enter Tor the weekly competitions.

Nada Totty describes her holidays to me. especially does she dwell on an adventure which she had when, together With her two cousins, she climbed St. John's Hill, Wanganui.—You must have had a good time. ,\ada. Steep slopes are rather terrifying to little girls, so it is no wonder that your little cousin was afraid. Best or luck with your school work.

Phyllis Moore says that she spent her holidays at Brown's Bay. She encloses a Joke.—Brown's Bay Is a very nice place at which to spend a holiday. Once vou've learned to swim a little, the rest is easy and with plenty or practice you can become Quite a good swimmer.