Kiwi Opens the Mail

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 68, 13 December 1930, Page 26

Kiwi Opens the Mail

Dear Scribes, — _ . . , ' Holidays have begun already for some of my young penfriends, and the mailbag was packed with adventures, entries for the Christmas competitions, and many other surprises- “Thank you” to everyone who sent a letter.—KlWl LETTERS FROM LEAGUE MEMBERS

“Last Sunday, as it was a lovely day,” writes “Lady of the Labe,” “we went out to the beach at Mahla Peninsula, Ray, Alick and I climbed a hill. We went so far up that people looked like flies. Those below played a trick on us. Daddy cried out, ‘Good-bye, Dorothy,’ and blew the horn of the car. We all scrambled down as fast as we could. Ray, in his haste, stumbled over and Alick was frightened of the goats, but, of course, wild goats will not hurt anybody. They were put there to eat the blackberries. We enjoyed picking up plpls and found many pretty, shells. We can go four miles around the beach when the tide Is out It is then like a .racecourse. We are going to stay out there for a fortnight during the holidays.” I laughed when I read your letter, Dorothy. I could just picture you running down the hill like Jack and Jill. I hope there were no broken crowns, though. You can be perfectly sure that Daddy would never leave you to the wild goats. What a jolly holiday you will have. lam looking forward to reading all about it “Country Bumpkin” writes: “We went fresh-water cray-flshing last Saturday, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, in spite of the day being dull and windy. We took string, meat, a tin and a knife with us. When we arrived at the pool of water, surrounded by trees, we cut the meat Into little pieces about the size of a penny. Then we tied it on to the string. As the string was a little too short we tied it on to sticks, which looked like rods. The meat would not sink, but floated about on top of the water, so we tied a stone to it. We caught five crayfish which we took home in a tin. We found a fantail’s nest yesterday, and it had the fluffy babies in it The nest was in a manuka tree.' On the same afternoon we went for a walk by the river. The aspen trees looked so leafy as they drooped their thick branches into the water. We found a pukeko’s nest, and in It were four light brown eggs with brown, grey and reddish spots on them. The next day we went to see the nest again. The mother-bird was on it and sho did not move. Apparently you have been having a very adventurous time, “Country Bumpkin.” What a shock for poor Mother Crayfish, when she returned home to find five of her family missing! Did you notice the mother pukeko’s red nose? The Maori myth says that it is still red from the pinch given it by Tawhaki, who, on his way up to heaven, met the water hen coming down. Doris Court in part of her letter, describes the Manawatu River in flood. Sho writes: The waterfalls rumbled and tumbled more than ever, and some that had dried up roared down tiny clefts with astonishing speed and force. One spread itself over green mossy rocks that were overhung by ferns and shrubs till it looked like a sparking, snowwhite bridal veil. Another, and a much larger one, tumbled down rocks In brown, white-capped waves, that contrasted with the white, roaring water that fell from a higher ledge; and still another rippled and murmured about the ferns, as if telling secrets, before it flowed into the ever-moving brown, swirling waters of the eager river, to break on the rocks. The rapids tumbled and tossed themselves to snowy foam with far more force than usual, as if angry at being hurried pn their way. Your sketch is-very nicely drawn, Doris. I did not know you were an artist too. I have not heard from None, but lam sure I shall soon. I can imagine how surprised she Will ba to see the mesage in the Junior “Dominion.” Perhaps some of her friends in liarotouga would like to belong to the club. BRIEF REPLIES JearsOoehran®. ■ We already have a “Water Lily," . Jean. The school tennis tournament must have been very exciting to watch. \ Hate you .ever noticed ‘ the heads of people who are following a tennis match! They turn from side to side with even more precision than those of soldier* at drill Gordon Ridder. We are glad to have you as a new member, Gordon. You must lead a .very busy life on the farm. Do you

like milking? I am glad you are getting on well at school. Which do you like best, sketching, painting or writing? Lola Merrie. Your competition entries arrived safely, Lola, and with them a lovely surprise for me! What a pretty Christmas card it is. Did you design it and paint it, too? Thank you for your good wishes, Lola. I hope you, too, have the merriest of Christmas holidays. "Marama,” I like your “Sunset Among the Hills” very much. It is best to begin verse-making with short pieces. I was very sorry to learn that you are still in bed. You must be well and strong when holiday time begins. Write to me again soon, “Marama.” Stella Lloyd. If you would like to join the League, Stella, you must first fill in the enrolment form printed below. The penname “Bluebell” belongs to another member. Is there any other name you would like? Nancy Ridder. It’s splendid to be able to play outside after tea, isn’t it, Nancy?, Do you play cricket with your brothers? I am sure Jimmy knows all about cricket. Will you thank him for sending me the little note? Dulcie Keeys. The penname you wanted has already been taken,/Dulcie. Have you decided what to call your new baby brother? Illa Nicol. You may be called “Bonny Jean,” Ola. What fun you must have with your pony and the other pets. Do you help at shearing time? Shepherds, cowboys, fencers and gardener must mhke you all very busy people. I have asked Olwen to write to you. Midnight Sun. I am glad you like your new home. It must be ever so much more Interesting to be able to look at the shop windows on the way home from school. They are very gay at present with paper festoons and coloured lights. Thule Grant. Yes, you may be called “Princess Margaret,” Thule. Can you imagine how many new baby girls will be named after the littlest princess? You seem to have 4 great number of bird friends. I love to hear them singing in the early morning. Do you? Phyllis Grant. It will soon be your birthday, Phyllis. Are you planning a party? It must be nice to have one’s birthday during the holidays. A picnic party is the best way to celebrate a birthday, I think, Agnes Matliie. You, may be called “Pamela Jane,” Agnes. “Bubbles” is taken. Edna Smith. - ' I think those plums are very wise to stay green. If they were not green there would be no plums. Is that right? Would you like to be called “Jewel” ? Maurice Sergeant. I loved getting your letter, Maurice, and reading all about you. What are you going to sing at the concert? Can you think of another pen name? “Robin Hood” is a very popular one. Marjorie Thompson. I shall be very glad, indeed, to.have you and Peggy members of our league, Marjorie, if you will both fill in the membership form, which Is printed every Saturday. Frances Sparks. I have chosen “My Mary” from the list of pen names you sent, ‘Trances.” We shall have to invent some names of our own If the league continues to grow so quickly. I hope you will write to me again soon. Letters, riddles, and other contributions were also received from Nola March, Percy Wall, “Rose Queen,” “Pussy Willow,” “Dewdrop,” “Sailor Girl," Betty Holmes, Pat Elliot, Marjorie Kerr, Godfrey Firth, Ronald Cook, "Moonlight and Roses,” Audrey Frain, “Autumn Leaves,” Dorothy Campbell, Maureen Powell, Jimmy Ridder, Barbara P.erry.