The Editor suggests

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 16 (Supplement)

The Editor suggests

Ngaire Hogan—"Holiday Train" liad one very obvious fault, Ngaire. It was overloaded with adjectives. Keep to simple descriptions and simple explanations, and shorten your sentences. Molly Curtin—Although quite a welltold tale,- the theme or "Two Flags" did not warrant publication, Molly. He carerul to put in all punctuation mark 6 in your stories. Wilfred Goodwin—A good descriptive essay could be written about any of our seaside beauty spots, Wilfred, and your attempt was of B grade. Try in future, however, to make your sentences shorter, and to keep a connective thread in your paragraphs. Edna Crump—"Four-leaf Clover" did not seem up to your usual standard, Enda, although' it will be published. Try not to force j'our stories. This one did not seem to flow very spontaneously. Poggy Marshall—We are returning the "Flower Fairies," Peggy, for although it reached publication standard, all stories that are intended to be printed in our pages must be written on one side of the paper only, ir you rewrite the story and send it in again it will lie reconsidered. Congratulations on winning the llrst prize. Phyllis Clark—lt is a good idea to weave a fairy story from the material or Our own bush land, Phyllis, and "King Kauri's Decision" was quite well written. It reached B grade and will be published in our pages. Ruth Christensen—More characters are necessary in an essay of the type of "Back Door Callers," Ruth. Your drawing of the old man was quite good, but there was not enough in the complete essay 1;o warrant publication. Write always on one side or the paper only. B grade. • C. A. McLaren—Dialogue to be well •written, must be very natural, and this Is where your story "Should Pupils Have Homework?" failed. 'Listen to the way people talk and take care to imitate their ' manner In your stories. C grade. • Gladys Wilson —"The Supreme Sacrifice" a neatly worked out tale, Gladys, but for a children's story it would have been ' better to bave given it a happy ending. Try again. B grade. Betty Turner—"Nig" was short and to the point, Betty, and will ilnd its way into print. B grade. Evelyn Blyth—Do not introduce colloquialisms into a nature story, Evelyn, they quite spoil the style or the tale. "A Romance" was not up to publication 1 standard, but we should like to hear Trom • you again. C grade. Mary Hay—"Peaceful Thoughts" was well written, Mary and will be printed. ■ It had a very drowsy holiday atmosphere, ' and this was emphasised by the short sentences. Try again.

i Joan Davey—"The Scarlet Gladioli" will be published, Joan. It is quite a good i little tale, and or your usual high ; standard. F. Parnell—"Baby Jean" was of a higher standard than your earlier stories, and will be printed, it was a very pretty description and reached B grade. Mary Tucker—"Moonbeams" was quite a nice little story, Mary, to have been written by a little girl of 11. in Tact, It was very nearly up to publication standard. Try again. Ngaire Rodgera—"A Rainy Day" had a touch of originality. Be carerul, however, not to use slang expressions In your stories and essays. B grade. The following people sent In stories or C grade, and should show a definite improvement before their work reaches publication standard:—Ralph King, Glen Eden; Keith Walker, Raglan; R. S. Bayliss, Tauranga; Zoe-ann Pearson, Newton; Peggy Wright, Epsom; Fairy White, Cape Brett; Audrey Eady, Epsom. ROADS MADE BY SALT. (Sent in by Clarice Riley, Thames Street, Ohakune; age 17.) Some of the world's most ancient highways, according to geologists, were made by carrying salt. The favourite bunting grounds of the pioneers were near the "licks" where deer atid other wild animals in.'ulo converging paths through the forests to places where salt could be found. Arabian and other Oriental peoples attached a peculiar eacredness to the use of salt. It was the symbol of a covenant. It was neither food nor drink, but had a much desired flavour, the craving for which was the result of a physical need. — (Copied.) [ Nervous Old Lady: Guard, I hope there won't be any collisions! Railway Guard: Oh, no fear, madam! Old Lady: I want you to be very careful; I've got two dozen eggs in this basket. Manager: Want a job, do you? Have you pver handled timber? TrUinp: Well, I once had a job cutting the sticks for wooden matches.