THE MAIL BAG

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 34, 3 November 1934, Page 23

THE MAIL BAG

LETTERS FROM LEAGUE MEMBERS Dear Scribes.—Christmas competition- thank you’s ledgments to “Uranus,” Feilding; W Jerry.” Makara. and “Janice,” Tending. Come along boys._ You are behind, so KIWI.

“Morning Glory,” Masterton, writes: “Our apple trees have finished blooming now, and soon, Oh joy! we shall have plenty of fresh, ripe apples. “This year the colour scheme of my garden is blue, yellow and orange. In the background, blue giant forget-me-nots, blue Canterbury 'bells, blue forget-me-nots and blue delphiniums make a setting for orange and yellow eschscholtzias, orange and yellow marigolds, yellow daisies and yellow bulbs and primroses. Pretty? You should see it in spring, when most of the flowers are blooming I It’s simply gorgeous. I love blue and orange together, don’t you? “Our roses are just peeping tiny, tantalising petals, from theft green sheaths. Those pink, yellow, red and white buds seem so exciting, and mysteriously slow in bursting into the full, glorious beauty of the full-blown roses, with their heavenly scent. The > primroses are in full bloom just now, and the flowering cherry with its beautiful pale-pink flowers is just dying off.” “Gold Dawn,” Mangatalnoka, is an outdoor girl. “Isn’t Nature a busy worker, Kiwi? Since I wrote you my last letter I have noticed ’ many more changes. The flowers seem to bo mauve and white, with the deep red of the hawthorn; ! haven’t noticed aiiy white hawthorn yet. Don’t you think those beautiful round snowballs cool you. on a. hot day ? They seem to belong to winter, but they grace the spring days. The lilac is a wonderful sight, the wisteria, very pale mauve, •lends enchantment to the trellis over which it clings its way. The pansies and miniature stock blend into a marvellous picture under Nature’s artistic touch. ' Then there are the tulips—stiff stalked, with the most lovely splashes of colour on their petals —and, what are those, flowers which are gracing most gardens at present? Anemones, pale shades and brighter reds, and Iceland poppies, swaying on bowing, slender stalks, as if their gailycoloured petals are conversing with Mother Earth, who feeds and rears them, and then, when their brief sojourn above the earth has ended, gathers them once more to her motherly arms. It seems that spring has changed her golden mood, with which she greeted us, and become more sedate, dressing in mauve and white." “Just Toki,” Mangatainoka, writes; “Kiwi, have you ever noticed the beauty which surrounds a country house? The fields are studded with daisies and buttercups, and happy birds sing their gay songs. In the tall bluegums and pines, dozens of magpies play their games. In the flower gardens the .busy bees hum their songs of work as the flowers toss their heads in the breeze. Round about the beauty is pretty enough to satisfy a fairy queen’s desire.” “Nounie the Gnome,” Napier,'writes: "One of my friends has a tiny baby opossum, and he .is the dearest little thing imaginable. Answering to tho name of Buddy, he climbs up legs, arms, shoulders and everything he can crawl on. Ho curls his'tall round your fingers and hangs; when left in daytime he tucks his head tinder his coverings and pulls them over himself. He also jumps from his box and runs up a small ladder, and many other Amusing and clever tricks which our little bush creatures alone can do.” .. ■ •■ ' ’ BRIEF REPLIES “Lobelia,” Hukanul: A treasure trove. You and "Excelsior Elf” make such an excellent combination that I sec myself sending you special commissions. May I? The Guy Fawkes drawing was just too Lite. ■ Winnie Humphrey, Lipper Hutt: Yes, often I’ve seen him, slow old snail, with his house on his back and his slippery tall. . Jean WUson, Pghlatua: Nothing at ali, Jean, and I will send your badge and certificate soon. AU’a well with “Moonlight." .navis Robinson, Mamvwatu: A big welcome, Mavis, from us all. “Now Zealand Lass,” Waipawa! Make your drawings on the largo side; I can have them made exactly the size I want by the big cameras upstairs, And always use plain drawing paper. If you have Indian ink, use It, but if not pencil Will do. I always have to ink over pencil drawings in black ink. Anotherr League member has a little black kitten which shs call# Inky, so you see our League has stopped into iiho animal world, too. I’d love some heather, ' and a plant would be a splendid idea, I should think it would keep. "Whip-poor-will,” Napier: Almost exactly nine yearn ago, and we had a most gorgeous dragon for the occasion. Well, after telling you about Bright Eyes, I should think you can quite easily guess which. Kohe Tnku, Masterton “Lavender Lass," “Greenshadow,” "Meadow Maid,” “Silver Fish”? "Silver Peacock.” T’almerston North: When will the finals take place? I expect vou are all feeling a bit tired, aren’t you? No, I haven’t ventured in yet, though I’ve been sunbathing a lot. "Desert Shells,” Dannevlrke: You have beaten me, then, for I have never seen one. What exactly are they like? •Unknown Ono,” Grey town: Good gracious! Somehow, I Am not very fond Of earwigs; I don't know if its their expression, or their legs, or Just the general look of them; but they make mo feel all shivery Inside. Thank you for the drawing, my dear. Mary Matton, Morrinflrtdlle: Needless to say, wo are all ever st, glad to .welcome you, Mtay,

“Llnarla,” WcsDbourne: Tour pen-Mme is so musical that I lore saying there « almost a tune In it. Tes, nearly Christmas, and there Is all the fun In the_? vo f ' ahead of us, packed into the next few months. ; •Tiro*fine.” Featherston: lour verses are well expressed--as V* oB ®'... J" p.m," words, the lines you have written ( lhe Bush Path”) are musical and delicate, but your metre is so irregular that it has destroyed the rhyme. But wusmt bad, Ly any means. Lots of i >ron 2'?Jx-- J you ’to keep on trying* Will you. "Snrlngtlme," Rata: So was I, awfully glad, and about the Dutchmen coming second, too. lan Haywood, Rata: Best of success to you, new member. Write to us soon. •'Oliver Twist,” Dannevlrke: I’m, he seems to go nearly every week-end lucky Chap. Did he tell you that I know of Michael quite well, and why? Anne Is coming to 'stay'with us soon, I think. ieone Gllmor, Tokomaru: The Exchange Circle is taking care Of you J 1 0"?. , 1 about "Fuzz” and "Wuzz” for the pets/ ‘‘Good Cook,” Huntorvlllcl. I have referred your letter to the Womans World page. ‘ , ‘‘Forest Fay,” Upper Hutt: Poor mouse! He would have got a shock if he’d run UP a Roman candle, wouldn't he 1 , Masterton: Most mysterious, no name but lots of puzzles! Do toll me from whom they are sent. "Hawthorne Berry,”.Carterton: Yes. but not nearly such a fierce one. I saw the trees uprooted along the main road... "Pink Carnation," Carterton: Yes, spring with vou, every day now: and it’s lovely. How is the iamb; still frisky ? Harold Harford, Feildlng: Yes, the pennamo Is splendid, and welcome, Harold, Lily White, Mastertori:- Roots/ too? -I always think dock roots terrors to get out.' ' "Silver Dancer,”, “P.E.,” and "Blondie,” Wellington.—So am I, but it Wasn’t a visiting day. so how could I guess you were coming? "Jamie.” Feildlng.—Thank ' you, dear, very much indeed. ■ ' • ■ ■ ” “Uranus,” Feildlng.—And thank you, too, old chap. Josephine James, Masterton.—-Welcome, new chum. Is a letter coming soon! “Nonnle the Gnome,” Napier.—lt looks ''as though we’ll have to save the story for next year. But you will be surprised .when

you discover ■what I found in the glory "Princess Rosalind,” Pending.—Every prise-winner gains one point of a fivepointed star. Second place wins half a point, and the first one to complete tho star wins a prise. Air clear? . ••Just Toki,’’ Mangatinoka.—And thank you for the aeroplane; It looks splendid. “Tros Bon,’* Napier.—Oh, we’ve been very lucky lately, golden days, lots of them. Yes, do; I’ll always love to help. * ••Evening Twilight,” Featherston.—So was I, and cheered just as heartily nt the finish as I could. I love watching horsejumping, best of all, I think. >- •'Just Jerry," Makura.—Such a jolly "handkerperson,’’ almost like Miss Christmas. I will write to you soon. "Gold Dawn," Msngatainoka.—All correct, so I do remember a bit of Latin after all. I was quite thrilled about tho horses. Please send me sdme.’ I mean it. •'Morning Glory," Masterton.—Oh. What a scream Micky Is. What is he imagining himself this week? I have never been “fernlng,” but . Often In the summer time I find great clumps during my bush walks. "Tootleberry,’• Lower Hutt.—Perhaps I can help a bit; anyway I’ll try. "Russet Apple," Oreytown.—They were golden ones; the deep, almost orange tint of a summer sunset.. < "Jacobltm,” Wellington.—Ode o’clock again? I'm gorry that I was not here. What lots of cats, I don’t think. I’d have oven the courage to think of thorn. I was wondering about you, and when I should see you again.