MORE TOYS BOUGHT

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31669, 3 May 1968, Page 8

MORE TOYS BOUGHT

Mr Stillwell’s Collection

Children on holiday from school from Monday will be able to see 200 mechanical toys in action at the home of Mr R. H. Stillwell. 70 Seiwyn Street, Spreydon. Mr Stillwell, a 70-year-old City Councillor, returned this week from a sea trip to Australia, Hong Kong, Guam and Japan, with 150 new mechanical toys and novelties to add to the collection which he has displayed at Christmas-New Year and school holidays at his home, which he calls the “Garden of Good Will.” ’

Mr Stillwell had to pay customs duty on the new toys and novelties, although he went to headquarters of the Customs Department in Wellington to explain that they were not bought for sale or personal gain. A sample of the new toys which Mr Stillwell displayed in “The Press” building cep tainly entertained many members of the staff. Young women members were particularly fascinated by a toy dog which walks, barks, then sits up and begs engagingly. A doll which walks without assistance, and talks when sat down, also won the admiration of the women. The doll saying (one of eight pieces of baek-ehat): “Have a good trip, daddy, and bring me back something nice,” failed to impress the father of four children who said bluntly that the doll was “too true to life.” A small monkey that did perfectly ■ executed somep saults entertained all spectators equally. A toy soldier (made in China) that crawled along the floor, regularly stopping to take aim and fire his automatic rifle, struck a rather incongruous note in adult watchers but would be the envy of all boys. A clown which swarmed up a pole to safety every time the lion at the foot of the pole opened its mouth in a realistic roar, and a demure Japanese young girl who took flashlight photographs were only a few of the toys displayed by Mr Stillwell. Mr Stillwell wu away 48 days on his sea cruise in the Queen Frederica.