The JUNIOR DOMINION

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 146, 17 March 1934, Page 23

The JUNIOR DOMINION

Kiwi Opens the Mail LETTERS FROM LEAGUE MEMBERS Dear Scribes, —Heavy mailbags and a cheerfully aching wrist ftom opening so many letters. I was glad, though, and I thank you all so much for the Animal Page.—KlWl.

“Peachblossom,” Greytown, writes:— "I am sitting by the window to-night, and the scratching of my pen is interrupted by the gentle, thud, thud of moths on the pane. An occasional, very courageous one plays a dangerous game with my pen. I haven't drawn the blinds yet, and I can see a perfect replica of the room in our haypaddock. And there is even a ghost of myself sitting at a phantom table with my pen in hand, and that wicked moth playing liide-aud-sepk with it’s brother in the vase of orange and yellow gaillardias in front of me. There are three stars in my little bit of sky tonight, and they look so dejected, bur. perhaps there's a party on In stardom,

and they haven’t been invited. What a sad state of affairs, and what brave little fellows to try to shine and twinkle just as usual!” Alice Osborne, Featherston, has been a-fishing:—“l was trying to catch perch without a hook. But oh 1 aren’t they such quick, slippery little things? In a twinkling of an eye they are up the other end of the lagoon. It was such a beautiful spot. Big, spreading willow trees overhung the banks of the lagoon, while the perch and other fish, darted about in the blue water, encircling themselves in little rings. Hare you ever seen the rings they make?” Madame Pompadour, Eketahuna, shares some of her holiday, and writes about camping:—“l lay and watched the moon drifting above the leafy crowns of the forest giants. Somewhere an owl was out hunting, and I could hear a waterfall thundering nearby, but the forest was asleep and very, very still. I was up first, before 5 a.m., and went for a walk down the road a little way. Early person, eli? 'Well no, the bell-bird didn’t think so at all, and kept telling me so, until a tul took up the refrain, too, and their dawn-chorusing was beautiful. “We were on the road again at 5.15, and had a glorious drive, passing on our way the leaping falls I had heard

that night. Hounding a corner we commanded a bold view of the Lake, green-blue in the early light, shadowy and wind-rippled. This was our first real view, and the simple majesty and grandeur of the scene was breathless. We arrived at the camp in time for an early breakfast, and we ate our potatoes and eggs on the very shores of Waikaremoana. The bell-birds never once stopped chiming, and flitted in the leaves above us, and in the thicker bush we could hear parakeets screeching noisily.” BRIEF REPLIES Helen Pryor, Paraparauimi: Your dog sounds a jolly sort of chap. Is he a Spaniel? You lucky picnic people. And nearly everyone has written of fine days for picnicking. Harold Madsen, Mangamahoe: Will you send me the rest of the poem, too, if you can remember it? Joan Nielson, Wanganui: Yes, I’ll send them as quick ns can be, and welcome to the league, Joan. Inkling and I are tremendously glad that you’ve joined. “Barnaolo Bill,” Featherston: Ahoy, Bill. Your ship’s a beauty, but I am afraid she can't sail on the page, because Mr. Printorman shakes his head at so many ropes and things, when they’re drawn in pencil. Peggy Kobertaon, Pahiatua: The mall bag goes up and down, or rather In and out; sometimes It's thin and sometimes fat. This week is ono of the bulky times. Do you mean that you want a Californian penfriend? Here’s the address of one: Dorothy Minnick, 222 D Street, Roseville, California, and she is aged 14. "Silver Peacock," Palmerston North: I was reading a very exciting detective story, and someone had just been murdered when the earthquake arrived and tumbled books out of my bookcase with a large, loud bang. Very alarming. How is the cold now? Well again? "Dinky Doo,” Palmerston North: Poor old chap. I can sympathise, because it's not really so very long, since I had them.

I shall look forward to a letter from you— I was just going to say next week, then I remembered about my holiday. However, you'll write just the same, won’t you? OU, yes, I forgot to thank Ituth for the recipes. Will you tell her? .. •Tench Blossom,” Grcytowu: Then you and I have something in common, for horses always have been my favourites. I tried it, too, and my young brother ato It nearly all up, the scamp. “Tim McCoy,” Masterton: And thank you very much indeed for sending them. No, the earthquake was really quite polite to us. and did no damage. Kiwa Bennett, Wellington : A funny thing. I was wondering why no one had chosen “Koala,” such a nice warm sort of name, anils now it belongs to you. Good. Joyce Patten; Napier: Then, “Joybell” It shall be, and a very cheery name, too. The poem Is well chosen; thank you for sending it.

' June Bennett. Wellington : Welcome to the league, June, and what about a pen-name? Perhaps Kiwa will help you think of one, or perhaps Wallaby Koo might do. “Golden Gleam,” Lower Hutt: But, you see, it’s not really very long since you wrote, and Ellaywn wouldn’t have had much time to answer. I think we did have a worse shaking than Wellington, but it wash't so very bad. Photos will be returned, yes, but we are not going to have them in every week, you know. Just sometimes. Patrick Cross, Masterton: Be careful that you don’t lose it, Patrick. 'Twould be a tragedy if you did. Pat McMurtry, Nelson : Another new mem. ber? Three cheers, says Inkling, and so do

“Tho Merry Hunter,” Palmerston North: Turned over and went to sleep. Did you wake up? Thank you for the jumbly towns. They'll lit into a Puzzle Corner one of these days. •• Ina —■, Murphy's Line, Featherston: Finish off your name, dear, then It can be popped quite-safely in the Exchange Circle. Did Betty send me “The Birthday”? Elaine Wainwright, Wellington : And very nice, too. Do you- think you could use thicker paper next time, though? “Darkle,” Palmerston North:.How exciting, they have been home nearly a week, now. Bruno is a dear, and I knew you’d like him.

Mine is sort of stuck on, so it’s not exactly a cap. Of course you would have a silver house, but I’ll bet you six silver

fish that mine sparkles better when its polished. I am going away next week, so I hope the seahorse won’t be too frisky for us when I get back. Juno Smith, Wellington: Where do you keep him? In Masterton still? I’m afraid that “June Rose” blossoms for someone else. We’ll have to think of another name. John Ensor, Hastings: Laddie must be a dear chap. He's your very own? "Yellow Kowhai.” Plcton: You've been having rather exciting times, I think. Are you one of those lucky people who ride to school? Your badge shall be duly sent.

Dick Wilde, Palmerston North: Welcome to the League, Dick, and yes, you’re to be "Jack Horner” in the Junior League, from to-day. “Rumple Stiltskin,” Waipukurau: I wouldn’t have liked it a bit If I had thought much about it, but I didn't, so all was well. What has beeu wrong, or was it just holiday? "Cutty Sark,” Marlborough: An interesting place to live in, Tua Marina. Congratulations on swimming the half-mile. Margaret Hazelwood, Upper Hutt: Afraid not. Yon see, there’s a rule about pennames. They may not be changed. Alice Osborne, Featherston: Lucky people, all my sunburn has faded. Yes, it is, and especially asters, their slender petals might be badly bruised. Alan Wheeler, Wanganui: Ever so many League members come visiting me, ami please don’t forget if you ever are iu Wellington. Alison Colquhoun, Ohan: We might, one day in the holidays. I did wish bard for good weather. Were you lucky? Sylvia Burlaco, Woodville: Ever such a big welcome from us all, Sylvia. ‘‘Lily of Laguna” is taken, I'm afraid. Claude Burlace, Woodville: A disappointment for you, too, Claude, for “Jack Tar” is taken. Tho story is splendid, thank you. "Snowdrop," Levin: How exciting! As I’ll be away then, I say “Many Happy Preturns of the Day” now, instead of on the 23rd. "Captain Lucky Last,” Mangamaire: Bad luck about tho chimneys, but a good thing you woke up before the bookcase descended. Just one thing about your drawings: could you make the lines a little heavier? The_n they will reproduce splendidly. i “Carlingford,” Palmerston North: Yes. it was, really. Hare you made any yet? The drawings are splendid. I think your work is improving tremendously. "Madame Pompadour,” Aten. Eketahuna: I'm chasing the summer away up to the north. I hope I catch It. She’s'# Sealylmm, and very sweet, and when I come' buck she's coming, too, to visit the page for a while. It does, as a matter of fact I've Offen thought about it. but as vet I'm still thinking. Such a gorgeously long letter. I envy you your trip, though.

Raymond Buscli, Martinborough: Bad luck about the chimneys, still the damage might have been worse. What was the party like? Good fun? The other earthquake must have been a rather unwelcome guest.

“Hone Heke,” Lower Hutt: Thank you, old chap, for the puzzle. Splendid work! John Revel, Lower Hutt: You'll join, John, as soon as I come back, won’t you ?

"Snorting Mustang.” Lower Hutt: Oil dear, I don't know what to do about yon. However, you’re forgiven, but write soon, please.

"Evening Twilight,” Featherston: Won’t you have time, dear? Never mind, then. Cookery homework sounds a rather nice sort of thing for a cold night, or is it just writing? Kathleen Wilson, Wellington: Inkling and I are ever so glad you've joined, Kathleen. Write to us soon.

Ivan Packer, Levin: Never mind, but I ani glad to know it's arrived safely, all the ’same. Next time you come to Wellington you must come in to see me, as you are a league member now. “Tootleberry," Lower Hutt: Yes, but only for two weeks. I am sorry about the story though. Remember next week, please. "Poppy Red,” Maraekakalio: You can check your answers up this week. I expect they are right, though. Yes, tell Sally that she may have “Woollyribs’’ for a penname.

“Flick,” Upper Hutt: No, your pen-name is safely down. You have your badge aud certificate though, have you not? “To Rnuparnha,” Bunnythorpe: The story comes in splendidly. Thank you for it. “Russet Apple,’-'.. Greytown: Not very heavily, I think, but quite badly enough. Did you mean the grey or the brown one? . Betty Clark. Walnilro.L.A.true story? That is splendid, and thank you for tho puzzles, too. Y'cs, we got it, but didn't worry much.

“Jon,” Napier: Yes. of course I will, but the other question has a rather sad answer. I'll be away. Lots of new members this week, and here's’an extra welcome to them all to gethcr: — Sallie Ashby, Maraekakaho: Kathleen Wilson. Wellington; Sylvia Burlace, Woodville; Elva Raynor, Fellding; Betty Adams, Levin; John Short. Napier: Ronald Hutton, Masterton ; Dick Wilde, Palmerston North; Joan Neilson, Wanganui; June Smith, Wellington;. June Bonnett, Wellington; and Pat McMurtry, Nelson.