Kiwi Ovens the Mail

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 103, 25 January 1930, Page 26

Kiwi Ovens the Mail

"Blue Gem” writes about a river

picnic. She says: “The sun was shlns Ing brightly and when we reached the river we got Into our bathing suits ' at once. After about an hour’s bathing w.e ’ basked in the sun with our towels over our backs. Then we had lunch in a nice cool place. After dinner We went for a walk along the river. Suddenly we saw a very uncommon bird running over the sand. It had a deep brown back with a white chest and white under its wings; in the front of its chest it had an oval patch of red. Every time it whistled it made a graceful bow. When we were about three yards away from it, it flew up, swerving in a circle and gracefully landed, then ran a little way, just like an aeroplane. Then we saw another one and also a baby one. They were very interesting to ■* watch.” » [I wonder who the gay stranger was I Thank yon for your puzzles, Blue

“I thought some of the boys and girls who read ‘The Dominion’ might like to hear an adventure that my cousin had,” "Bright Eyes” writes. "My cousin works on a big sheep station at Hunterville. One day he had to get a bullock out of a narrow gorge at the bottom of which a deep river ran. He was climbing down the bank when he'slipped and fell into the river. That day he could not get the bullock . out by himself.' So the next day my cousin and another man went to see if they could find it. They climlred down the steep bank, but the bullo.ck saw them and fan up the gorge. They gave chase, and in some places they had to uwlm. Fancy having to swim with all your clothes on and heavy boots I At last they had to give up. Mr. Bullock was.too quick for them.”. [I shouldn’t mind swimming away from a bullock even if I had on my heavy clothes and boots, but I wouldn t swim after one, would you, "Bright Eyes?’’]

Barbara Natusch writes: “I went to Ohariu Bay on New Year’s Day. It was very hot and the sun burned mv shoulders ever so brown. Like a lobster; be goes into the pot brown and eohiejs out red. Last Monday we went to 'the river. We 'had lunch there and a lovely game of hide-and-seek. - Once I hid up a willow tree—there were two, close together—and when my cousin Paddy, who was “he,”' came to look for me, he saw me in the tree and climbed up. I managed to get on to the other tree, but when I went to get down I couldn’t.” [What fun you are having, Barbara. When Paddy, climbed the tree it was a good chance for the others to get into “den.” wasn’t it? I expect you were “he” next.] > “A few days ago I ..ent fishing at Breaker Bay.” writes Frank Earle. "The waves beating upon the gravelcovered beach seemed as huge dragons covered with a waving cloak of farilung foam. Far away in the distance a ship could be seen battling with the mighty works of Nature, and it seemed foolish for man to match his puny strength against hers. Later I went to Shelly Bay, which presented a vivid contrast to Breaker Bay. There, all was calm. Not a wavelet disturbed the surface of the placid waters of the bay, except where some ‘mackerel’ cruised- round in search of food. The tide was going out and with it went our chances of catching many fish.” „ , [Thank you for your letter, trank. Best wishes . for the New Year.]

"Moonlight Revelry” says that she has found .a linnet's nest in the orchard with three little eggs in it. It is a tiny little test lined with horsehair and moss'and all kinds of things. [lt will be interesting to watch the linnet family, won’t it? The address yon asked for is: Suzanne, Riddiford, Havelock North. Hawke’s Bay.]

Dear Scribes,.—There was a large number of holiday letters this week, and lam saving some of the-best ones for our holiday page. If you have any of your own stories or sketches to send, don t keep them too long, because the printer-man is like time and tide: he waits for no man—or boy or girl. Good-bye till next week. KIWI. LETTERS FROM LEAGUE MEMBERS

“For-get-me-not” tells us about a journey to Taupo, where she stayed for a few days. “We went by car,” she writes, “and our first glimpse came from a good distance from the shore. Our road ran by the Tongarlro River and occasionally we had very picturesque views as we wound about amid the foliage. As we drew nearer the glimpses of the lake grew wider, till presently we were travelling by the very shores. Bend after bend we passed over, each turn bringing more beauty to our eyes. Then again we roamed from its glorious shores over a wide valley which, once more brought us back to the lake scene before we passed on into the town. Mount Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu, with their white mantles of snow glistening in the sun, stood motionless and beautiful beyond the opposite shores of the lake, making an inspiring sight even for a weary traveller. Once more we sped on till we reached the streets of Taupo, where our thoughts quickly changed to more ordinary things.” [l’m glad you are enjoying yourself so, "For-get-me-not.” I expect you will make the most of the remaining two weeks of holidays.] BRIEF REPLIES “Snowball.”—Have you really a spider carewheel in your hedge ? Most likely it came from a butterfly chariot. You must have watched our little creeping friends very closely to learn all those interesting things about them. Do you know the little song "The Spider and the Fly”? “Briar Rose.”—Holidays are lonely sometimes, aren’t they, “Briar Rose” I Would you like some pen-friends? Did you like the painting competition that you wanted so? Thank you for the riddles.

"Plain Jane.”—Your scrap book is a good idea. You will be able to colour the Illustrations and make it like a real picture book.

Phyllis Hughes.—Your little herald was a gay fellow. He would have been useful on prize-giving day had he been there to help you carry ail those prizes. Have you read them ail yet? “Heather Bell.” —I wonder if you and Tommy can do any of the tricks you saw at the circus? It was a splendid idea to have supper in the car coming home. Love to Fairy Bell. "G.M.”—Who is the mysterious little person? You Won’t forget to sign your full name next time, will you? Many thanks for those jokes and riddles.

“Noni.”—Did you know that you put

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Auntie’s letter in my envelope? I suppose she will be very surprised to find herself called “Dear Kiwi.” If you send me your full name 1 shall send it back to you.

“Joanne.’’ —1 am glad Grandfather likes our page so much, and tell him I would love to see some of his ninmiil sketches. Grandfathers are full of surprises, aren't they, Joanne? Did you guess what was in the box.