THE MAIL BAG

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 133, 29 February 1936, Page 23

THE MAIL BAG

Santoriu, Lower Hutt: "Low mists curlling. . . .” Your part of the country must bo loveliest then, and I am sure your pen Is a magical one that can weave charming stories I

Helga, New Plymouth: The loveliest, bouncy, jazzy balls for some babe to love. Thank you ! Your.drawings were too large and spindly for the page, but try a single subject—like a child playing ball, for Instance.

Unknown One, Greytown: 1 have been there too, but it was calm and there had been, no floods. ... I liked the “Pioneering Days.”

Polly Flinders. Eastbourne: The photo, was not clear enough, but I liked the paragraph—it was the kind I. was looking for.

Quicksilver. Hatattai: I wondered where you had been! The story mis unusual, which I liked, but in places it was a little too “impossible” to make it sound true to life, and the Maori youth spoke too much like an uneducated Chinaman ! However, watch for it soon, and 1 liked "Miss Billy’s” account. liuraka. Carterton: Perhaps the frogs were going from one pool to another. I hope tlie car did not squash many. Bob. Lower Hutt: Welcome, Betty, and the pen-name is right. Little Pal, Marton: I liked the heading best! The story began so well, but the ending was so disappointing! Do you really think a Maori princess would come out and give herself up and that her tribe would abide bv her decision—in the midst of all the fighting? Rewrite it if you wish. Elizabeth Taylor, Hataital: I liked.the story, but it was too long for the special page, so watch for it soon. Be careful not to lose your story in the descriptions! To Iluaparalia, Bunnythorpe: You will find a change . . .'but I am looking forward to the visit. The account was well written. ■

Star Dust: We will have to start something of the kind too! But the elub sounds most interesting. Silver Peacock, Palmerston North: Yes, I saw “White Horse luu,” and enjoyed it, too. I would love a peep nt your little garden. Eunice Kelly, Wellington: I liked the story well—so mind you keep the good work up. You must have forgotten to enclose the diary pages. Heather Bell, Martlnborougli: Just send the snap, and, if you wish, it will be returned. Did you go to Christchurch in the holidays? I think the story bf Hlnetnoa and Tutanekel is one of the loveliest of Maori legends. Monti Bonnett, Norsewood: “Marie Antlonette” for your pen-name, and I am wondering why you chose it. Drawings must be made In pencil or Indian ink! Evening Twilight: Does peacefulness make you tired, then? I wonder what effect a busy day has? Guardian Angel, Featherston: And can vou turn a somersault yet .... holding your nose? That is good fun. Later on I want to start an overseas penfriends list. Sunshine box opens iu about two months and I would like you to wait till then to send things. I’ol Ihurauu: Most interesting, and you will see it soon, for there wasn't space on the special page. Dad's Cobber, Carterton: Thank you—the pocket smells very sweet every day. I mn sorry you had to look in a geography book for "your own country, when it is all about you every day! Hard Knut, Fcildlng: Perhaps somebody was hungry, and ate the letter instead You will want to live In the water now! And many happy returns of the birthday. Noel Coward, Wellington: I liked them all —especially ‘‘Gulls.” And the hendins waa splendid.

Dear Boys and Girls, ' Your entries swelled unexpectedly at the last minute for “our own country’s” page, and in the end there were so many good ones that I have made up my mind to have two pages! And so next week’s page will have an extra Neio Zealand flavour about it, too. Here arc the star-point winncis for this week. Stories: Senior, Nonnie the Gnome (15), Eunice Kelly; juntoi - Elizabeth Taylor (12). Best letter: Santonin (15) Lower Kutt. Drawings. Noel Coward (10) for the heading, Tauponut a Tia (!•->), and Bubble Brownie (15). Paragraphs, senior: Te liauparaha; junior: Polly Flinders (9), lan,wha (10), Dad's Cobber (9), and Wana Wong (11).

Detective Lloyd, Wellington: But where, oh where, was the plot? Certainly it bad atmosphere . . . . but that was all.

.Tacuueliue, Olmu: March hares don’t belong to Autumn—which reminds me. perhaps this page will just have to take the place of Autumn’s own one—till next year.

Rose .Queenc, Hukanut: Well-illustrated, but the printing was so small that when the whole had been reduced to the required size, it would be unreadable. I am sorry, for you had done it well. A photo of the cats would be simply lovely.

Hum, Rongotai: Just a little too “flowcry,” Hune, but you have lots of time yet to learn the art of verse-making, and meanwhile practice is the very best thing. Tauponui a Tin, island Bay: There must be magic in your pen—Maori magle, perhaps. I doubt whether there are any who can tell you much about the language—let’s talk of that later, then perhaps we can find a pen-friend to help you.

Kangi, Karori: Thank you for the equate—but oh, it should be only 'in pencil or Indian ink, small person! However, there is not much ink about it, so I will see what I can do with it. Sky Fairy, Te Horn: The pen-name is yours, Edna, and a big welcome to the League. - Goddess of Hunting, Masterton: And very soon you will be feeling important with a star!

Buz-Beo, ICongotai: Now it is right, Marie, and I hope you find a pen-friend. Dancing Elf, Wellington: The League welcomes you, new Elf, and Chummy the dog. too. Has he lost his thirstiness yet? Elspeth Simpson, llunterville: Poor little monkey must have been tired or his unnatural circus life . . . but I wonder what the bush creatures thought ot him? Penfriends, please!

Marie Trollings. 191 Coutts Street, Rongotai. Wellington, asks for a pen-friend (11-13) who is fond of reading, please. Challis, Mark, Lovin: Dear me, that serial must have been written ages ago. for I cannot remember it. But serials must not be sent in bit by bit-all in one, please! ». Lucy Locket, EnM bourne: You, too. have lots to learn about verse-making, but ) think I like your wee stories best. Scarainouche, To I’una: And how did you reach your “perch?” I liked the photo and wished it had been clearer, ®o that I could see you better, and so t.iait could have geon put in the page. Dickie Doo, Otakl: Welcome, Stuart—l’ a letter coming soon? „„„„„ Glowworn, Masterton: And tlie Lea D uo welcomes you, too, Vivienne. Bubble Brownie, Roseneatii: I liked nm drawing very much, but it arrived Into on Wednesday night which is too late tor drawings for this week’s page, so yo.i will see It soon. , , Mnko Shark, Raumati Beach: If teaclitt is nice, that makes all the difference, doesn’t it? , , . . Tanlwlm, Raumati Beach: A most lUtivesting talk. 1 wish more of the members had Deen able to tell something of tae “old days,” too. Nonoic tlie Gnome, Napier: 1 am sui> you will not mind the slight alterations to your book paragraph—you had becom. a little involved at tlie beginning. . Wann Wong. Wa'destown: A Very gOJII description, but it arrived a little late, so you will nave to wateli for It later on. Bluebell. Eketnliunn: I am very sorry Indeed. Vim bad not written for some time, and I must have been absent-minded enough tn forget yon when someone else wauled (lie pen-name. A beautiful poem. Joyce Rnlne, Marton: 1 mil so sorry, Joyce, but there is an old member with your pen-unme, whom I overlooked, "lease choose another one.