Kiwi Opens the Mail

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 45, 16 November 1929, Page 30

Kiwi Opens the Mail

Dear Scribes, - . . ' A number of'old friends have sent letters this week. It is splendid to know that they have not forgotten us. Many thanks to all those faithful members who sent riddles and puzzles once more. -KIWI.

FROM LEAGUE MEMBERS

“Sweet Lavender” has been to a fancy dress ball, dressed as a Spanish boy. Don’t you think it sounds very gay? This is what she tells us. “It had long ,b.lack trousers, with gold braiding, a->white blouse with a blue necktie, a little short, waistcoat with gold spangles;, and. the largest hat I’ve ever seen. My. sister was ■ dressed as a leaf elf- in. green.. All my friends were in fancy dress, some ; in long .trousers, some in short, so yod can. Imagine what we looked like, all trooping through the town, can’t you? When we arrived there, we met a great many more children in fancy dress, and we all went in, and took off our coats. There were grand marches and all kinds of dances, for which prizes were given, but It was only till,lo o’clock. ..” [Do you love dressing up, too? And the nest of baby birds. .I hope it is not true that they are almost falling out of the honeysuckle.] ' .

“This is a true story about Father Cat,” writes Scribe Rosa,, “and I am sure no one will think the cats are unfeeling, after reading it. •• One very stormy night, Father Cat was enjoying a rest in front of the fire'. He had special permission to stay in a while that evening. Suddenly he grew rest; less—evidently he remembered something—for he mewed to be let put. As he went out into the rain he me-owed incessantly, as if he was calling some one. Perhaps he was! ' z-o." Suddenly, against the front door, bump, bump—was heard —and again, bump! Bigger this time. Opening the front door we beheld Father Cat carrying a kitten. Behind him, wet and bedraggled, came Mother Cat, , carrying another kitten. Straight to the fire he went, dumping the kitten on the rug. He looked at Mother Cat over his shoulder as if. to. say, “Come on!” and meekly she followed him. She snuggled on to the rug, the kittens near her. Soon she was cheered with some warm milk. Father Cat, his domestic troubles- over, weht' to sleep. [He was a pet to be proud oft I hope you feel .'better now, “Scribe Rosa.” I think your little-ipemfriend. has been too busy making speeches!]

“Blue'Gem”, writes: “I am. going ,to tell you about a 'beautiful hill that overlooks our town. The name of it is •’The Featherston Domain.” At present all the native bush flowers are out, while the other shrubs ,fhat do not bloom are a very deep green. On either side of the hill there are broom trees, all in bloom. They make a' pretty sight. If one goes up in the evening all the birds are sending forth their beautiful songs. There is a large area of ground covered with lovely soft .gi’eqnr.grass.. . In the:-summer- we have picnics there, and scattered here and there'are tall stately trees spreading out'.theineshady branches.' The other day._as I was, passing: a hedge right on the footpath in the street I saw a little girl looking at a nest; in it .was a mother bird and her young ones. She did not mind the people or the traffic passing by and was quite; tame,: I thought it was lovely.” [lt is a time since I heard from this scribe. How are Peter and Patsy, “Blue Gem”? Best of luck for school tests! Are you sitting for proficiency?]

A black-haired lady -with a gorgeous frock of green and scarlet steps out of Marjorie Millar’s envelope. She writes: “I do love your story competitions, they are interesting. Igo to the Girls’ High School here. It is a beautiful school, wonderfully laid out, and the boarding establishment is perfect, th,e building itself being ,of concrete, 'with sweet air dormitories and lovely grounds. When I grow up I am going to write books and paint because I love it so. I will send you one of my drawings, and want you to tell me truly what you think of it. I love seeing pictures of actresses, too, because they-, give you new ideas for different types of faces. The last few months Egmont, our guardian mountain; has been simply glorious; covered from its highest snowcapped peak with a lovely white coat. On fine days it is one of the most beautiful sights, the gun on glistening ice, the ranges wonderful peaks of blue, and nearer to it the ever-glorious bush. Sometimes the snow is right down to the mouiitaip house, and at other times even to the edge of the radius line. [Thank 'you for the painting. -. The lady is very’gorgeously arrayed. Practice hard aiid .some day . . . -who knows? Have’you'made any snowmen this winter 1 ?]

“I promised to-selb .yoti about our bazaar,”-.',writes Pallan Athene. “The day was,beautiful,;-and the grounds looked their best, decorated with flags, streamers, -lyhile'-the stalls were gay. with tempting! goods.. ; Several of us sold buttonholes,,-while.-others.served in the sweets and flower stalls. Wo made over a hundred pounds, which was ever so much more than last, year, go. we were all very pleased-'with .the result.

My sister has a dear little Shetland pony, who if very good at jumping. He won the jumps at the Masterton show and also at Carterton, Just now my sister has forsaken ‘Bill,’ as the pony is called, and is making a great fuss of a pony that has been lent to her. This pony, called ‘Kismet,’ is very pretty and loves to be petted. During the winter Dad brought us in from the paddock two tin# lambs, who were nearly dying with cold. He gave them to us and said we could have them as pets if we could warm them again. Of course we placed them before the fire, covering them with flannel, and fed them with hot milk at intervals. You may be sure the lambs soon began to take an interest in their surroundings, and after about a fortnight they were scampering everywhere, and were as fat as could be."

[I hope “Bill” does not become jealous of “Kismet.” Horses are very much like people, you know. How splendid to have saved the lambs.]

This week a letter comes from “Sunbeam.” She writes: “We seem very unlucky up here, as the weather is very changeable and the rain seems ceaseless. After a rainy night don’t you think the pleasant scents rise strongly from field and garden? The blossoms smile shyly up at you, all covered in tiny drops of rain—shimmering crystal drops. Everything seems so much greener and fresher after a shower; dust has disappeared from the hedges and railings, and the fields seem wilder and gayer. But we can have too much of a good tiling, and, indeed, nobody is looking forward to more, after the cloudburst on Saturday. We first heard the thunder rolling away to the hills and noticed repeated flashes of lightning. It soon began to rain, and then to pour. In ten minutes parts of ; the streets of Hastings were under, or almost under, water (it was > impossible to cross from one' side, to the other without a pair of gum boots), and;the fields were swampy and the flowers beaten down. And then as suddenly as it had begun it stopped.” ■ [Thank you for your entry, “Sunbeam.” I am glad you liked the subject. Best wishes to yourself and “Silver Moon.”]

BRIEF REPLIES

“Morning Glory.”—l hope there will be more verses from this new member. Many happy returns of the birthday. How gay the party..must have been with all the paper hats you made. They make the tables look like summer floWer gardens, don't they?

“Mountain Maid."—l think we often feel cross and unhappy if we have nothing to do. Mother knew just how the ride would cheer you up. The poplar trees will be looking very beautiful, and the manuka, too.

“Red Shoes.”—Thank you for the list, of pen-names. Don’t you think it would be better to keep the same one, because we all know you well as “Red Shoes.” . •

“Mayflower.”—The letter was very welcome after so many weeks. Did you have a jolly evening with your friends? I shall have to print the game you sent so that our other league members may enjoy it also. “Blossom.”—Do you like limericks? I suppose you know this one: Three wise men of Gotham Went to sea in a bowl, If the bowl had been stronger My story had been longer. You will see your puzzle in print soon. Your birthstone is the garnet, which means constancy.” ' ’ ’ ‘ Marie Paterson.—ls the pigeon still there? Perhaps he was making a long journey and stayed to rest for a little while. Or do you think he was frightened of all the spark whirls and double bangers?

Don Parker.—-Welcome to the league, Don, find thank you for the little Christmas story. Are you also busy at school just now?

“Antoinette."—l have given you the pen-name you wanted. I hope there are pen-friends in Napier or Wairoa, to see you, as you pass through. You will bo very fit and brown when the holiday is over.

“Peter Puck.”—l think they must have been thrush’s eggs. There are quail in those swamp rushes, too. If you watch silently one day you might see some baby ones learning to fly.

■ “Tiptoes."—Any sketch will do, as long as it is done in Indian ink. There are,many things your little club : could do. What about making up a Christ■mas hamper for a poor family?

■ . Letters' and puzzles were also received from “Kowhai,” “Stardust,” Allan McLean, Doris Court, “ITorget-me-not,” Joan Paterson, “Golden Moth,” Jean Ryan, “The Dusky Bride," Balfour Groves.