The YOUNG FOLK'S BUDGET Of Fun, Stories, and Competitions. DECK TENNIS. THE HINDU SAND TRICK.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

The YOUNG FOLK'S BUDGET Of Fun, Stories, and Competitions.

DECK TENNIS.

THE HINDU SAND TRICK.

AN EXCITING GAME. • This fine old game of the sailors is as appealing to landlubbers as it is to those who travel the sea. And it can be set up in almost anybody's yard or vacant section, and with equipment that any boy can get together. The game consists of tossing a rope ring across a net or rope, but first let ns describe the equipment needed. Lay out a level piece of ground 24ft by 12ft, as in the drawing, marking it out with lime or by scratching the soil with a stick. Put up two posts 7ft high on either side at the centre. Between these stretch a net or rope 6ft from the ground. Cut off about 10ft from an old tennis net, or use an ordinary piece of rope oil which you have tied cord at intervals of every four or five inches, allowing it to hang down a, foot or so. If you just put up the rope," it is difficult at times to tell whether the ring is thrown over the rope or just under it. With the cord hanging down, this difficulty is eliminated.

To make the ring, secure a piece of %in rope and bend it into circular form; the diameter should be 6in from the outer edges. As you bring the rope together to form the circle, force a piece of wire 3in or 4in long into the ends. Now wrap some adhesive tn-pe around the„ point wlieie the ends are joined, and the ring is ready for use. Now to play the game. The scoring and routine are just like tennis. One player serves by tossing the ring over the net, keeping one foot in the little corner box shown in the diagram until after lie throws; the other player catches and returns the ring, and so on,

This mystifying trick that was long kept secret by the Hindus consists of placing ordinary sand in a basin of water, stirring it, and then taking it out in handfuls, apparently perfectly dry. To prepare for the trick, put two pounds of fine silver sand in a frying pan, and heat it well over a clear fire. Then place in it a small piece of grease 01- wax about the consistency of a paraffin candle. Stir it well so as to mix; it. thoroughly, then let it cool. If you place this sand in a basin of water it will appear to be perfectly dry when you take it out, because the grease or wax coating in each particle of sand repels the water. RED INDIAN'S HAT. All small boys like playing at lied Indians, and will be grateful if you make them this liat. Take a strip of corrugated cardboard, about 3J inches wide, and about an inch longer than what will be needed to go around your head, and cover it with silver paper, or paint it a bright colour. Now sew the two ends together. Finally, collect some stiff wing feathers from the fowl yard, and, if possible, dip them in dye. Push into the corrugations and this will make a fine and enduring Indian hat. QUERIES FOR THE WEEK. Regarding the Short Story Competi tion.—The competition Is judged fort-nig-htly. Stories that are too late for one week are put aside to be judged with the next week's. All stories must be the sender's own work and must be accompanied by the name, ag-e and address of the writer. ' Write in ink on one side -only. Age of Club Members.—Any children may become members of the club so long 1 as there is an enrolment form tilled in for them. At present members must cease from taking- an active part In club affairs when they are 18 years of age. How to Gain ''Points."—ln every Wednesday's Issue a competition is announced and certiilcates of merit are given to good entries which are not quite up to prize winning standard. All published work is awarded a certiilcate.

1 Joan Daniels: Kill in an enrolment form and I'll enrol you. Maurice Sullings wants names for six calves. —How about Beauty, Betty, Rose, Daisy, Shamrock and Bonnie? Elsa Flavell sends a chatty letter, for which I thank her. Mary Head lias a pair or pigeons, which are at present sitting - on two eggs.—l nope the chicks come out safely. Rona Olsen: You did have a fine time at Napier. Didn't you find the wait monotonous 1 Molly Neale's father's Ire** are covered with buds and the willow trees are clothed with new green leaves. —I'm sure that your place is very pretty, Molly. Tlianks for your interesting- letter. Harold Brennan, who is on holiday, went to tlie park one day and rode on the merry-go-round.—What a happy time you must have had. Rena Shenkin: Yes, I too, am fond of nature study and in summer spend much time out of doors. Ida Moore writes a very pleasing letter, for which. 1 thank her. Lottie Bates: Perhaps some time your suggestion' may he used. Thanks. Kathleen Bird: I'm glad that you had a .happy holiday. Iflary Costarr.lf you want your letter answered over tlie air you should write care IYA, Auckland. Don Williams: Fill in an enrolment form for your sister, Don. Doris Brown says that there has been an aeroplane over Stratford for some time and nowadays all that one hears is "loop the loop," "falling lear," "hanking," etc. Peter McGregor tells of Dooley, his cat, which begs for Its food, and which, If no notice is taken of her, taps her owner's leg with her paw. Mollie Speakman: Yes, rabbits do make lovely pets, Mollie. Norma Marriott: I'm so glad that you had a happy birthday. Many more. Lily Brain attended a fancy dress ball dressed as an owl. I hope the dance was a great success. Raey Edwards writes us a chatty letter. Thanks.

Murray Ward: At the place where Murray spent his holiday lie often saw deer grazing - on the hillsides. Joyce Taylor now has-a position in a shop and owns a little kitten, for which she would like me to suggest a name.—l think Friday would be a good- name l'or your kitten. Afra Culpan: You did have a line holiday. How fortunate that the benzine lasted until the car reached the oil pump. Elva Thorpe saw the keeper reeding the animals at the zoo, and when lie approached the lion's cage the lioness quickly pulled a cub, which was near the bars, away so that the keeper couldn't toucb It. Thelma Thomas: Glad to bear from you again and ihope to see more of your work. Joan Smith, an Australian reader, contributes a story.—Thanks, Joan. I' bope to bear from you again soon. Story results later. Emily Fugill, writing from Waihi, complains of the weather. Kath Griffin 1s spending her holidays at home in the Bay or Islands, whilst Higbl School in Whangarei is closed. Lance Scott: I am pleased to hear or the advanced subjects that you are taking in Standard VI. at your school. Hector Shepherd: We have enrolled you and hope that by now you are over vour. illness. Gordon Haines tells me about his kitten named Spot, who should have been called "Biter," because of his habit of biting. Adelaide Moody -also pops a note in with her competition work. Finey Signey: l am afraid your suggestion cannot be used. Thanks. Remember the rule about Witch Doctor queries. Meg — (Remuera), came top or her class, and so wears a medal of honour.—Congrutulations on your success, Meg-. Margaret Grubb: I'm glad that you are well again now, Margaret. 2G3, Balmoral Rd., Edendale: When you send u.s your name we will forward a badge to you. Dawn Broyd went to a rancy dress ball as an All Black.—l expect you had a great time. Betty Broyd, whilst staying with her auntie, helped to feed thirteen Angora bunnies.—What a time you had! Claude Cartledge wonders if the Ginger Meggs competition has closed yet.—The results of this competition appeared in the Budget of August 7. Bernice Bryant says that a letter to her was addressed "Master."—That was just a typing error and will not occur again. June Rutledge wants to join the club.— Your form has been received, June. Olwyn Dore wonders whv his brother did not receive his birthday greeting certiii-catc.—John's certillcate was not sent because we had no record or his birthday. Sybil Jones sends in a short story.— Your little story was very nice, Sybil. Joan and Olive Beaumont each write me a letter.—Thanks for your letters, girls. You have not been marked oil' the roll. Elva Sanders encloses an enrolment lorm.—Your form has been received, Elva. Eileen IVlulvihill contributes a short story.—Your entry was in accordance with all the rules, except the one which states that your story must be written in ink. However, as this is your lirst effort the breach of rules has, been overlooked and your work entered for the fortnightly i short story competition. ' ; Beatrice Bridges has been "swotting" for her half-yearly exams.—l hope that you did well i.i your exams., Beatrice. Tilda White gives me the results or her Scripture examination.—or course, as you are in a higher grade, you -must expect more' difficult worlc. 1 hope that you have better luck next time.

Mervern .McMillan attended Surf-dale school for time and says that ono day ai'ter school his teaclier went in for a swim.—lt is rather early for swimming - , Mervern, and T should think that the water would he rather cold. Rena Shenkin describes how she round the first violet in her garden this spring-.— Welcome to iiie club; Rena. Yours was an interesting- letter and an interesting find. Owen Dixon sends in his correct date of birth.—You are now a member of the club, Owen. EJsie Mitchell thanks me for her prize.— I'm glad that you received your prize sarely. Has Evelyn's prize arrived yet? Allan Sinton has some silver paper whicn he would like to send to some orphanage.' Tf you sold the silver paper you could then send the money to the orphanage, Allan. Send 1/3 in stamps to this office and I'll' send you a badge. y Nora Purkis wonders if the birthday greetings certificates have points like the competition certificates.—Yes. your birthday greeting- certificate counts as three points toward your 25 for a book. Don Adams sends in some blots.—Your I effort was quite good, Don. Cyril Treby also sends in some blots.— Your contribution, too, was quite clever, Cyril. Leonie Dove hasn't yet received the rabbit which has been promised her.— Write and tell me when you receive your pet, Leonie. Neil Robinso-n sends some very Interesting contributions.—Thanks, Neil. Gwen Schofleld has a white Persian kitten, for which she would like a name.— Do you think Snowy a suitable name? Patrick Nerheny notifies me or his change of address.—Your new address has been recorded. You did the right thing to enrol William. Alexandria McLennan came 19th out of 47 in the term exam.—You did quite well, Alexandria. Olga 'Holloway is going- to move again soon.—Don't forget to notiry me of your new address, Olga. Mamie Morris didn't see Iter name in the .'birthday greetings column.—That was most unfortunate, Mamie, but your enrolment form was not received in time to allow your name to be added to the column, which had already been sent to press. Margaret King wonders ir there is another member of the club with exactly the same name as hers.—There is no other Margaret King on the roll. I'm sorry that I can't make this a longer answer. Ngareta Humphrey notifies me of her change of address. —Your new address has been recorded, Ngareta. Doreen McKernan tells me of the death of a little girl who has been a member of the Peter Pan Club. She also tells me about her birthday.—Thanks for the very nice letter, Doreen. You did a very good thing on little Vera's birthday. __