Kiwi Opens the Mail

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 93, 13 January 1934, Page 19

Kiwi Opens the Mail

• • • LETTERS FROM LEAGUE MEMBERS. ' Dear Scribes, —Competition entries are coming already. Splendid! This week entries have been received from “Summer Maiden,” Wellington, "Fairy Buttercup.” Featherston, “parkie,” Palmerston North, “White Bell,” Pirinoa, and “The Merry Hunter," Palmerston North. • A new rule, so pay strict attention! Please be very careful of your badges because, after this, anyone who loses a badge and wants a new one must send one penny for it. You see, so many of you have been losing badges lately that the supplies run out far too quickly.—KlWl.

“Jacobina,” Wellington, writes of a visit to the country: I always envy country people. Oh! and the trees—hundreds and hundreds of them. They grow by the wayside, And over the plain, And murmur thanksgiving, For refreshing rain. . . . Don’t you think that is beautiful? (Not the rhyme of course.) Just planting trees for weary travellers to be refreshed by the sight of them. Ido w’ish onr city streets were only wider, and then, perhaps, we could have trees each side. I do love trees, but I think my favourites are the poplar ones. They are so tall and straight, and on calm days they remind me of very prim and proper, and even stiff, old maids, while on windy days They toss their heads and dance Like young and joyous maidens.... 1 Dawn Heyward, Hastings, writes interestingly about bees: I read somewhere that bees were “singing masons, building roofs of gold,” and I love to watch them busy at their work, coming out Of a flower with their backs dusted witlj pollen, and their pollen-bags full. It is a wonder that their tiny wings can hold them up, but they are very strong, quite different to the delicate wings of a dragonfly. Sometimes if a bee is lazy it won’t enter a flower by its mouth, but bites the part of the flower near the stem and gathers the pollen from there. “Marie,” Napier, has had her garden visited by the blustering wind: Our elder tree looks as if a fire had swept through its branches, the leaves are so black and dry. The jasmine creeper has been shorn of its beautiful white flowers, and many, many leaves. The honeysuckle has been partly dismantled. All the buds of the thalictruin are blackened and limp, and one dahlia was broken right off. BRIEF REPLIES “Darkle,” Palmerston North: Splendid 1 I am glad you have entered. Yes, lots ot people write to me from boarding school, and one or two from Woodford House. That is where you are going, is it not? “Summer Malden,” Wellington: What a shame! I must just have missed you. The competition entries must all be original, but then your drawing is. “White Bell,” Pirinoa: Perhaps they will be in soon. Watch and see! Arthur Mubin, Nelson: Welcome to the Junior Dominion League, Arthur, and write long letters soon. Joyce Trueman, Ohau: It's good news that your badge and certificate arrive! safely. “Sea Anemone” Is taken, I'm afraid. “Gossamer Wings,” Pahltua: One League member writes that her birthday Is on Boxing Day, and now here is a Christinas Day one! What a funny "fruity” tooth your puppy seems to have! Olwen Amyes. Feilding: Lucky fellow! I only found a little donkey. However, he was a shining silver one with twinkling eyes, so I didn't mind. “Princess Lilybet.” Kelburn: About four hundred words or less, if you like. I am hard that no cat frightens your canary; the little thing will be cold and lonely. But perhaps you have caught it now. “Evening Twilight,” Featherston: Funny person, buj: I understand. Even holidays seem too long sometimes. Can you find enough pictures in the books? I have not really looked through them. “Excelsior Elf,” Hawera: Not really deserting us: just making holiday. But they have come back again now. As a matter of fact all the drawings were by members,

, only there was a reason for the unsigned ones being so. I don’t think we ever ban a half belief in Santa Claus. If there arq fairies, Santa is their king. Roy Jervis, Makara: A welcome to you, Bay, from all the Junior Dominion members. There’ll be letters from you soon? . “Janice,” Felldlng: Your notice Is in the Exchange Circle, quite safely. Best of luck for the birthday! “Madame Pompadour,” Atea: I looked In vain for a crooked line! Yes, her books are very "graceful,” I think. We'll have to hope and hope for fair weather for your holiday. You are going to have a wonderful trip. Hawera is tho missing word. “Sparkles,” Te Horo: It would be a “dry” bathe. Inkling sends his respects to ’Possy; arid we are 'both ever so anxious to see his photograph. “Wild Passion Fruit,” Woodville: A song of summer, yes, but you forgot to tell me whether you ha<j written it or not, dear. “Ratty," Bata: Somehow I am often not very successful with toffee, but I shall certainly try your recipe. “Busy Bee,” Mataroa: You did have a full and thrilling Christmas. Does Mousie often do unexpected things like that? It must'be rather alarmlug. Kiwi and Inkling don't really have birthdays you know. “Fireside Fairy,” Featherston: What fun. Can he talk ? What a tattered wanderer the wind is—a ragamuffin. "Mousle," Bata: Thank you for the drawing, dear, but, you see, Mr. Prlnterman says “No” to erayon. “Fairy Nightlight,” Upper Hutt: Did you seo the "Faith In Australia” pass.' I saw its long shadow on tho ground, hoard the deep note of Its engine, and looked up. at the great swift silver thing, and watched .it till it was no more .than a tiny mark on the smooth sky. ; ■ ' Gwen Davies, Iluntly: “Pleftke” filled a corner of the Junior Page'not so very long ago. dear. and “Clematis” belongs to another member. But. next week you will send me another poem and tell me another name? — A” “White Bell,” Pirinoa: In a while tar ko, but not Just at once, dear. Has there been lots of fun for you these holidays? ■——, Palmerston North: Such a Jolly, letter with New Year wishes at the,end. But when I looked for tho name, 't'was no: there. I do know who it is, but; Ruth, re-< member to sign your name, won’t you? ■ The Merry Hunter, Palmerston North: There is a new rule about badges, but you would not know it yet, so Iwjll send you both another one, but be careful of thfese. "I’lglet,” Woodville: Ever such a merry one, and so did Inkling. Even the weather, couldn't spoil the fun for us, one bit. . ' ' “Desert Gold,” Dannevlrke: The Exchange Circle notice is safely in, and thank-you .for the puzzles. •• “Spring Blossom,” Masterton : What 'exciting things your envelope contained. Thank you for them all, dear. Ann Is tho sweetest thing, and I love the snap of you. “Hurry Hedgehog,” Waipawa: What bad luck, old man. Is all serene now? You have siuji a lot of chums; I think Curly' must be an awfully .nice fellow. Dawn Heyward, Hastings: Yes, often, but the best place of all to watch the flying sea is on the Hutt Road. "Jollyboy Is now your pen-name. “Marie,” Napier: No, but you see, the illustration had been in the Christmas supplement. I probably found it in the same place as you did. How many names do you want? I know some of the League members like to keep just their pen-names, but send me a list, and I'll see. Of course I wouldn't laugh, so please do write to me like that. I can't understand people being so wantonly cruel. Poor Eric. lie will get better? There are all kinds of little models to make from emptymatch boxes. I expect I could And .some for you if you want them. “Jacobina,” Wellington: A splendid idea. 1 ! I couldn't have too many poems, you know. They are all so delightful. Myrtle Woodley, Featherston: We are all ever so glad that you have joined the Junior League. The river water is cold for swims, even on hot days. I think I. like the set best.

“Fairy Buttercup,” Featherston: Thank you for the competition entry. It is safe.} put away with the others, waiting. ■■Russian Princess,” Wellington; I have missed your visits, but of course in hoHdM time I don’t expect you all to be able to come. Sybil Thornton, Dannevlrker ?,ot for the first one; but after that you must pay one nentiv if you lose your badge and want a new one. ’ “Daisy Bell” belongs elsewhere. Bad luck. T , Grace Woodley, Featherston: I wonde too; we will And out next week. I expu.t I she punished them severely, don t you . ion were lucky to get safely ashore. •‘Mr. Bit,” Masterton : The puzzle is splen- | did'and a good idea. Thank you for send- | ing it. [• Margaret MacDonald, Werarofl, Levin: I Yes “Bird of flic Elver” may be jour pen- | name. Perhaps you will see one of jour I drawings in some Saturday, so watch. iiuniiiiiiliiiiiiiiiitiliiiiliuni