YOUNG FOLKS CORNER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 197, 20 August 1943, Page 5

YOUNG FOLKS CORNER

OUR RECENT CONTEST

WHY I LOVE NEW ZEALAND

Dear girls and boys, Our space was so. taken up last week with the prize-winning entries in the New Zealand contest that we weren't able to talk about the competition in a letter to you (thougii we were lucky to have a little extra space, weren't we?). We hope you all enjoyed the winning entries, and will be entertained by those being published to-day and from time to time in the future. We were very much pleased with the results of the contest, particularly with the short stories sent in, as many of these were really excellent. We were surprised at the large number of poems and drawings sent in, but these sections, on the whole, did not reach the standard of the short ■ stories, though some good work was undoubtedly sent in. Another pleasant surprise was the response made by the younger boys and girls. The earlier you become interested in, your own country the better it will be for the future when you are grown up. Don't lose 'that interest, little ones ! It was obvious that our native bush was considered by the majority of entrants to be most typical of New Zealand, and offered the widest scope for description. A pleasing knowledge of trees, flowers and birds was shown. In this connection, however, some writers over-did their description, and sent in wordy contributions on a New Zealand scene with too many adjectives. (More on this subject later). Next week we will mingle New Zealand items with ordinary contributions, as we don't want you to become tired of one subject. There will be no August short' storv competition, however. Any stories received this month will be included in the September contest. Love to you all and happy holidays!

(By JOAN CHALLIS) Do you love New Zealand? If you have answered "Yes !" do you stammer when asked why, for the simple reason that you don't know? That Is what occurred to me for the moment, for I loved my country without question. A man might be questioned why he fell in love. If he could think of nothing more feasible he might say: "Her type of nature appealed to me." I shall use that as my reason for caring about my country. As I sit on my high balcony I can see the bush and the sun rising, casting the reflection of her beautiful face, everywhere, while a tui sings to his mate and brightens the morning more. The dew has fallen, illuminating all things with sparkling diamond-like drops. They are suspended on every branch and bough, on the evergreen leaves, the red kowhais and spiders' silvery webs. Just as this touches the softest place of my heart, so does the noisy bustling of our New Zealand city streets. The atmosphere of "something doing" is there always, as well as the warmth of friendly feeling produced by the little ordinary people who chat at street corners with their friends. Also I like to keep a memory in my heart of those who made the land what it is. They were our ancestors — the pioneers who cultivated the land and built the foii'-.Uations of the cities most of vis live in. I love New Zealand because it was born of the labour of those who have gone before us, for us to appreciate and to develop still further.

ANSWERS

Jumbled Birds: 1. Canary. 2. Bellbird. 3. Thrush. 4. Budgie. 5. Quail. G. Robin. 7. Goldfinch. 8. Mockingbird.