Kiwi Opens the Mail

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 124, 18 February 1933, Page 19

Kiwi Opens the Mail

LETTERS FROM LEAGUE MEMBERS

Fairy Nightlight,” aged IG, Upper Hntt, writes: “On Saturday night tuy little cousin, and I went over our hill for a walk. We had to go through gorse, and when we got out on to a hill we tried to find a path that led to the road, but it was so overgrown with gorse and manuka that we were trapped in the midst of it all. I made for the nearest clearing, and eventually found a path with quite a bit of gorse on each side. I told Ivy I would piggy-back her, as her legs were getting pricked. She said, ‘You will fall over.’ . I said, ‘No I won’t.’ We were getting on famously, when my foot slipped and I sat down on a great bush of gorse with Ivy at the back of me. She started to growl at' me, and I burst out laughing. In the end We were, sitting, on. a great. bush of. gorse laughing at each other. We were frightened to move in case we got pricked more.”

[What a disaster! Did you have any akin left on your legs at all?] “Little Ladybird,” Waipukurau, writes: “I though I . would write and tell you about our holiday. We went to Pourere Beach,' and had a lovely time. We got a lot of pipis, and cooked them, and bad fish several times. My father caught a lot of crayfish in a net.. We saw a large octopus, also a cduger eel; both had ’been caught by men fishing. We went out in a rowing boat to see the nets. Whilst at the beach I learned to swim and float and to dive a little. We had a lot of walks across the reefs and saw many creatures of the sea—sueh as'. sea-eggs, starfish, winkles,' cats-eyes. We arrived back home rather late on the. night before school began, very sunburned, but happy.” [You have been meeting many of Inkling’s under-the-sea . acquaintances, haven’t you. I am glad to hear that you had Such a happy time. Next time vou write you will remember about only ■vriting on one side of the paper, won't you?]

“Jasper.” aged 16, Featherston, tells of her holiday: “We went down to the lake for our holidays, and had a sitnply lovely time. Some people were catching flounders, and they gave us some.' They feet nets for the fish and then go out at certain times _to get the fish. We had plenty of swims too, and there was one old cow who used to come round and pick up all the scraps we threw out. One day I was sitting on the top of the cliff and two lovely black horses came and sniffed at me. Then, when I stood up, they let me stroke their noses. There was' another rather thin one, though, and he would let you ride on him without a saddle, or bridle either. There are thousands of swans there, too, and they, look so funny - when :they go to sleep in the garden—Good, gracious, I meant oh the water, but I was thinking of a poem of ‘Excelsior Elf's’ about a garden. I’m not very good at thinking of two things at once.” [Well, it is rather-difficult.. And as for the guitar. L ean quite imagine that you want a third eye! Thank you for the contributions. “Blossom Fairy,” aged 11, Napier,

Dear Scribes—Here's a lovely fat bag of birthday mail! And I expect there will be more letters actually before Saturday, bringing birthday greetings; but, of course, letters must arrive before ,Wednesday to be in the mailbag that same week. Did new scribes realise that? Perhaps not; I haven’t mentioned it for some time. —KIWI.

> writes: “I had such an exciting after- ’ noon nt the beach yesterday. We went Ito Westsbore for a swim. In the water were the queerest little blobs of jelly with a red dob in the middle. Two men were dragging a net. The mixture of fishes they got was amazing. We, got a baby dog-fish,, a sea horse, an elephant fish and some of the little fish, jelly ones, I mean. They were all alive when we got them, but the shark did not approve of being carried home in a mason jar full'of salt water, so he turned up his toes almost as soon as we got home. The elephant fish died , before we left even, so now only the jelly fish and the sea-horse are alive. Out of the net came some fish about the size of a tennis ball. They fill themselves up with water when annoyed or frightened. Do you know what they are?” [Very odd fish: I do not know their name. Did you really mean to say “shark”? I don’t think he would fit m a glass jar, somehow.] BRIEF REPLIES “Battercup Wings,” Wellington. —We were grateful for the puzzle, even though News was still a-misslng. Not quite, though—he peeped In, just a shadow of his former self! Good luck to you at Technical College. Queenle Clement, Mauriceville.—What a pity to miss the pages during your holiday! Now you are busily at work at school, I know, for standard VI docs mean hard work, if you are to get your proficiency! Would Patch suit the darling black and white puppy? I'm sorry, but “Honeysuckle” belongs to someone else. Ann Wylie, Paekakarlki.—Not Paekakarlki now, actually, but you will be home again seeing the new rooms and the alterations —what fun! Daddy’s breakfast is not exactly large, is it! What a wonderful book your present is.; It will keep you busy reading for some time, even though you are a real bookworm. Olive Morgan, Otaki. —Oh, no, I hadn’t forgotten you, but I was wondering whether you were going to write. I have made a note of your new address, and I hope that the notice will find you some pen firends. Robin Rockei, Masterton.—But that was the Boys’ Page! Didn’t you realise?. Jolly stories you send. Did you mean this one for a competition entry? I put it among them, anyway. “Nonnie the Gnome,” Napier.—l was pleased to have a competition entry from you; and. enjoyed both the stories.,: tfot as good as Marmaduke Beetle was, though. Exams, at once! How unpleasant! But perhaps they weren’t bad ones? David Wylie, Paekakarlki.—lnkling wanted to write a letter because it was'the Boys’ Page, and that was the reason why. I’m sb sorry that your last week at the beach was so rainy. Yes, you may call yourself “The Merry Hunter”: a very good name. “Madame Pompadour,” Atea.—l knew you would really understand, and I'm glad. “Hiawatha,” Wellington.—l was so pleased with your little letter. It must have been a lovely garden party, with pony rides and boat rides, too! “Bull chief,” Wellington.—Smut is an ex-cellent-name for a little black cat. lam sure he is a, darling; black cats are lucky, too!

' Muriel ; Lower Hutt.—Now which Muriel are you? I do remember, as it bappens, but.please remember to sign your full name, dear. Yes, “Goldie” may be youn,penname. • ■. •• . . . ’

Mitchie.” Wellington.—So we’ll have to say good-bye to you, and It seems such a little while since you came., to Wellington and joined the League. But it need not be for a few weeks.

“Dimity Gay,” Wellington.—Thank you so much-for your letter, and the stencils. I think they will look verv pretty in the page—next week perhaps. Please could you and Barbara come to see me next week? I have a special reason for wanting to see you. Could you come on Wednesday after school?

Janet Malcolm, Levin.—Certainly you may be “Helpful Brownie,” a very good name for you. Being a Brownie is great fun, isn’t it? Good luck to you in the new class: I’m so glad that you are enjoying it.

“Darkle,” Paekakapiki.—l think you are very fortunate to be having a Badminton court in your sunken garden. It is a splendid game and you will be able to have lots of fun. Inkling has a badge, and he’s very proud of it.

Bathia Luttrell, Waimana.—Your letter wandered into the wrong Glory Box when the wln.d blew last week, I’m afraid, and I think it ought to have been answered last week. However, as it is full of nice birthday greetings it is very’ appropriate now. Thank you so much. I did enjoy my lurid bast, but I made a rule once saying “No stories about .Kiwi or. Inkling," io I’m afraid I’ll have to keep it. . , -Geoff Waring. Carterton: I am glad you ire pleased with the badge and certificate, and I like the riddles you have sent. “Jacoblnn,” Wellington.—There’s a fat letter waiting for you. so come before the north wind snatches it away.. . • Graham Berry, ? Your badge and certificate came back to me marked “Not sufficiently, addressed,” hurry, Graham, do let me know all your address, very clearly printed. . ■ : ■ ■ '

"Jim T.”, Wellington.—Lucky that the birthday came on the 10th ;-you have just managed to,be an “under thirteen.” Thank you for the competition story. Dongles Smith, Mangamalre: Thank you the drawings, Douglas. You may be £ Captain Lucky Last.” I am sure Inkling would simply love a ride on your pony.

“Nonnie the Gnome," Napier; The drawing cau;e too late, .dear, but it is being cherished by Inkling, because lie likes it very much. Many happy returns to you, as you share our birthday, “Lobelia,” Hukanul; If you especially want drawings In the page on Saturday, they must, be here before Tuesday; later is quite impossible. Stories and verses and letters are allowed until Wednesday. Itn sorry, but it Just can’t be done. The S l ™,",' I ,’’' °! t ?° hollyhocks Is delightful, e J° a 6 10 reproduce printing as well when it Is as good as yours. “Grlmalda,” PahJatud: I am glad to hear that you like the book. What a darling, wee sister-you have'