Kim Ovens the Mail

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 85, 4 January 1930, Page 24

Kim Ovens the Mail

Dear Penfriends, —Picnics seem to be the order of day, but in-between-times scribes are managing to write letters. Here you may see how Some of us are spending th > holidays. KIWI LETTERS FROM LEAGUE MEMBERS

“I’ve chosen ‘Christopher Bobin’, from A. A. Milne’s book for my penname,” writes a. league member. “A; A. Milne is one writer whom I admire/ , At home I have “Once a Week? In ‘his book a man was given a Japanese dwarf tree, and we are told that this is what accompanied it: “The life of this tree is a precarious one, and if it’ is to be successfully brought to manhood, the following rules must be carefully observed: — (1) ‘This tree requires, above all else'fresh air and exercise. (2) ‘Whenever the sup is shining, the. tree should be placed outside,' in a position where it can absorb the rays. (3) ’Whenever the'rain is raining, it should be placed outside, in a position where it can absorb the wet. (4) ’lt should be taken out for a .trot at least once every day. ' (5) ‘lt simply loathes artificial light and artificial heat. If you keep it In your drawing-room, see that it is situated as far as possible from the chandelier and the gas-stove. (6) ‘lt- also detests noise. Do not place it on the top of the pianola. »(7) ‘lt loves moonlight. Leave it outside when you go to bed, in case the moon should come out. (8) ‘On the other hand, it .. hates lightning. Cover, it up with the canary’s cloth when the lightning (9 ‘lf it shows signs of drooping, a course of massage will generally bring it round. . , (10) ‘But In no case offer it buns. • “Those were all the rules, Kiwi, and I certainly do believe that if they were “carefully observed,” the tree would soon be ‘successfully brought to manhood, l don’t you?—even though he was not allowed to eat buns!” [lt .waS wery gay notepaper, Christopher./Dld'you decorate it yourself?. How quaint; are. our Japanese folk,, but there'is much-’truth hidden in the quaintness and many of those rules are necesspry if we would bring ourselves successfully to manhood or womanhood.] .

"Blue Gem” writes:—We went for a ride, the other. afternoon around the Martinborbugh district, and came back through ,the beautiful Tauherenikau racecpurSe.' I’he lawns were smooth and greenapd covered with beautiful wide spreading trees. The flower beds were gay with many-coloured blooms and very lovely they looked in the sunshine. . On, the surface, of the pond the goldfiiph were basking, looking very wonderfpl, as they,' glittered in the sun. some ,were bright gold, some pale yellow, whilp others‘/were multi-coloured. They were not afraid and cume right up to. us. . We walked in the cool bush .with its tall trees and beautiful ferns and its, winding paths that lead • down to the wide river where the water looks blue., There, on the grey sand, under . the cool shade, we often go to bathe- qnd picnic.” [Those, little painting, rules are splendid “Blue Gem.” A piece of the sun and-a piece of the sky, and we have a piece of the fields—is that right?] Who -was lucky enough to find a threepence in the Christmas pudding? “Mountain Maid” says that she found one. She jyrites: “I have, a lovely baby .doll, and a nice big book. We have nine puppies here where I am staylngr ,J J They are so-very furry and brown and were born only a few days ago. There is also -a little black kitten .which is .very playful. I hear a tun: .iltiis so sweet.”' [WiMrtraiarge and happy family you are. Nine puppies must need such a ' large amount of petting. Happy holidays, “Maid of the Mountains.”] ■ • ' JFather Christmas must have been very busy at Bulls. Mavis Meads

says: “He brought me a racquet and ball, and a writing set. The envelopes were cream, purple, pink and blue, with paper to match. I suppose there was a big crowd In Wellington ou Christmas Eve. In Palmerston ’North it was terrible. We went, into two shops and it took us an hour in each.” [lt was a very big crowd, Mavis. Balloons . . .squeakers . . . lights and laughter. It was a merry crowd. You will be able to write me so many letters now.] '

“Joey” is rf pet opossum. ’ "Fairy Nightlight” says:,"The thing I like doing best on the, farm is feeding ‘Joey.’ It is nice to see him take food in his bands ]ust like a human being, and nibble away at’ it. We feed him on docks and other greens, but best of all he likes sweets and milk with sugar in It. If you put your finger through the wire netting of his cage he comes up and sucks it just as a baby would suck Its thumb. His fur is soft and blue-grey, his eyes are . black and they ’shine so brightly in the dark. I like to watch him swing by his tail and jump from branch to branch. Once he got loose and it took my unde nearly half an hour to catch hint.” . [What a splendid time you are having! Were you sorry to leave the city noises for the quiet farm?] . BRIEF REPLIES Jessie Baghurst.—Another water baby? Car you swim yet, Jessie? You soon will learn ill you go bathing so many times. I really did think that you were a "lost” member, so you know now how glad I-.was to see your long, letter. .

“Johnny Tuck.”—Yes, we decorated it with streamers, balloons and bon bons, and everyone had a paper bat. Did you? Hpw did you manage to wake so very early? Just at the time .when many people were going home to bed.

Shelagh Maunsel—So you "have a little pussy and his name is Tommy ■Mouse.” That is a very nice name for a cat with such long whiskers as Tommy. 'lt was very clever of you to draw him for me. Are you having a happy holiday, Sl.elagh?

“Vivian.” —Vinland or "Wineland the Good” is in some part of northern North America, which was given its name by the explorers who discovered It because one of the men invented a wa.V of making wine from the fruit that grew there. > John Cave.—The answer was quite right, John, but it was just a puzzle, not a competition. Did you find it hard to guess?

."Tom Tit Tot.” —That was a dear little house with a* windy garden path that you drew for me, Tom Tit Tot. The trees are just like the ones in a toy Noah’s Ark. I suppose the lady who lives .in the little house comes out and puts them away at sunset.

“Tiptoes.”—l found one just like that a long time ago on a very wild and rugged beach. It was mother-of-pearl anil washed sb smooth and round. The sea makes such beautiful things of its shells.

"Queen .Lily2L^Nes, T the.mailbag is like ’a Btorybonk-just now,: with all its news about camps and picnics and long journeys. It is a storybook with pictures, too, sometimes. If you go to Pareinata' you will be able to send me a story yourself . . and a picture, too?