THE MAIL BAG

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 27

THE MAIL BAG

Dear Scribes, — Lots and lots of paintings, and all very well done, indeed. The best were made by Tauponul a Tia (15), Buster Boy (15), Starflower (14), Hune (11), Popocatepetl (11). Beverley Shore (7). Best stories: Heather Bell (lb). Dad’s Cobber (9). Poem: Mary Greig (15). Best paragraph: Moonflower (12). Best letter: limber (17). Drawings: Curleyhair (11). Ghandi (14), Marie Gilmour (15), Bubble Brownie (15). Cartoon: Xoel Coward (16). Illustrated poem: Rose Queene (15). Remember that entries close for the Adventure Page on May 2(1! —KIWI.

“Golden Fleece,” Napier. Another person who talks of “long looked for holidays.” Kittens are so funny and wobbly on their legs at that age, aren’t they? Is the poem one you made yourself? Silver Peacock, Palmerston North. Then I wonder if you will be able to spend a while of that last week In a visit to Kiwi? I do hope so! Tell me how the competitions go. “Dad’s Cobber,” Carterton. Such a fat envelope full of so many nice things. Holidays full of visitors, excitements and talk are rather fun, aren’t they, though surely you will have a few moments to write that true adventure—it must have been a bit too thrilling to be comfortable. Aunty’s lamb is a beauty. Leon looks very inquiring—and I think “Treasure” is superb. No wonder you gave her that name. Honey Bee, Martinborough. Big families are fun, I think, and you will always have somebody to play with! Uranus, Feilding. I wish the faces in your drawing had been sweeter! But it was a good try, so keep on. Kreil, Shannon. Do you keep the red finches in a big cage? I hope so, for tiny cramped cages are so unkind! I knew the adventure page would appeal to you.

. . . The drawing and the poem page is quite a good idea, too.

Tauponui a Tla, Island Bay. I am so glad you came . . . and do repeat the visit soon. The painting was quite the neatest and daintiest I received and the poem was most promising; likewise “Cinderella.” Anne Plowden-Wardlaw, Karori. A very dainty painting for your five years, Anne! Will you write me a tiny letter soon? Heather Bell, Martinborough. A very vivid painting, Heather Bell. I can see you have put a lot of work into it. Maid Mignonette, Putara. Such a colourful pile of stamps fell out of your letter, thank you. I saw the exhibition, and It was excellent. I wonder if you will have time for a visit while you are down? Try a different subject for a story—too many are written on visits to fairyland. Bo Peep, Putara. And did you have a funeral for Toby the Cat? What fun you and Betty will have for a week! Shivery Grass, . I think nearly every member chose a different colour for Alice’s dress and apron—and there was such a bright pile of paintings for me to choose the best from. Golden Queen, Pahiatua. I think it was surprising that Joan’s mummy bad not found the money in her spring-clenjiing! But it was a promising wee story for your eight years. Moon Flower, New Plymouth. Yes. there are lots of violets in the shops already, but I think they must be hot-house ones. But my daphne bush lias been blooming for two weeks now! “Young Fll” is a splendid book, and so is your account of it good. Beverley Shore, Karori. An excellent painting, and so neatly mounted! I hope you will try some more. Tit Taney Tess, Hastings. I am so glad “Sweet Music” is getting strong again. There is not very much to do in the winter holidays, is there, but it will not be long before school starts again. Rose Queene, Hukanui. Such a long, lovely letter to spoil me with! Thank you. “Mist Traces” was good, and many happy returns of your birthday. It must be dreadful to “be without hands” —like being blind, and I am glad they are better now. Popocatepetl, Maaterton. A dainty Alien in her spotted, yellow kimona—well done and do write soon!

Janice. Feilding. Poor Mill looks ns if she will topple over at a touch! WinterI’age comes at the end of June—are you thinking of something cold for it? Hawthorne Berry, Carterton. There is a penfriend notice from a boy in Novin Scotia, Canada, in the page to-day which I suggest you answer, as overseas penfriends arc hard to obtain. Rules say pennames may not be changed, but I like yours very much, so do not worry.

Beatrice Kennett, Whetukura. I loved the photo, thank you, and do let George send in what he makes up ... I expect I can help him by suggesting improvements to his essays.

George Dorney, Whetukura. I am so glad you have joined, and hope you will send a story soon. Pen-names are a puzzle, aren’t they? If you and Beatrice cannot think of one would you like me to suggest some? Ghandi, Napier. Good work, new mem her! Artist members are always very welcome, and I hope you will keep on. Butterscotch, Pahiatua, No, I have not had a cold yet . . . have you? Exams are such busy things, aren’t they?—no wonder you have not had time to write. Silver Dew, Christchurch. And do you find your pen-friendships help you to understand other countries better? It must be like a glorified geography lesson. Star Duet, Palmerston North. Hilt more than going to bed I bate getting up on a frosty morn I “A Letter to a Frog” was the best idea, I thought, thank you. Favourite, Stephen Island. How exciting it must be when the Matai comes! Hon do you receive your papers and letters? Mary Greig, Wanganui. You are right, and it was by the merest, slip (so easy to make!) that the four points were left out. The poem was charming, and the painting was good, too. Mermaid, Parewnnui. Such a neat and pretty border round your painting—do write again soon. Goddess of Hunting, Masterton. A simply scrumptuous play ... is it the one you told me you liad all acted together? Silver Wings, Masterton. With five days for your holidays there will be no end to the fun you may have! Thank you for the painting. , , , White Bell. Featherston. I wonder wliat you are doing with all the spare time holidays make for you? I expect you help lots at home, don't you? Asthore, Plrlnoa. And the painting was unite well done, even though you had to do it in crayons! ‘

Woolly-Kibs,” Hastings. K ingtislier’ < feathers, shining in the sun. are beautiful to see. aren’t, they ? Thank you for the painting—and the drawing. “Mary” certainly is in danger! Swiftwing, Patea. I hope you passed the test, too. Our Wellington weatherman has been misbehaving too, and it is oh, so cold!

■Miss Billy, Wellington. 1 wonder how you got on at the competitions? You have a most prolilie pen for a small person and this story was good, too, but not of the same quality as your others. Lucy Locket, Eastbourne. Well, fifth is quite good, and well on the way to top o' the elass! Thank you for sending the drawing in—if you keep on trying it should not be long before something finds its way into the page. Bubble Brownie, Roseneatli. Your work Is improving without doubt—this was good, and the youthful fairy godmother is a change. Buster Boy, Wellington. The drawing was not so good, but keep on—it is well worth-while trying to illustrate your own stories and poems. "Spring" may have to wait until Spring Page, in September. The drawing was good. Purple Fuseliia, To Horn. Thank you for tlie wee poem, and I am glad you like the pen-name. Charlie Lum, Wulpukurau. “Robin Hood” belongs. Charlie, but try again. Are you going to write a letter soon? Swagger Bill, Waipawa, Darkie must lie an Intelligent character! I laughed about him sitting down, that was more like a stubborn, donkey' than a horse. Hid you go to a t'aney dress ball in your down costume?

•‘Poppy Red." Hastings. Still, you Uoii t really mind winter so much, do you? Think of the cosy fires! A little idt gruesome. “Poppy Red,” your idea of adventure —the skull and erossbotM“s rather scared me. Pepperpot, Pieton. And so you are coming back to Eastbourne soon. . . That will be a contrast to the Sounds! The painting is a good one.

Tiffany Tess, Hastings. Quite an exciting Easter, and Worser Bay is good for swimming. I wonder if you will lie down this way these holidays? Janet Hull, Eastbourne. After ail these years—that sounds a very long time in deed. We’ll try to re-discover your penname for you—it might be in the book ■So glad you've decided to write again (liana, and the drawings will be very wel come. “Hune,” Bongotai.” A bright aproned "Alice,” yours, and “White Rabbit" looks very smart in coat of red. A very happy coloured picture, and thank you. E. Bzoska, Clnreville. Purple sails on i deep blue ocean, and a red hull for you, boat —deep sunset colours, these. Thank you very much, and by the way, have you a name instead of just plain “E.”? Ember, Kelburn. There are several mem hers who are two or three years older than y OU _ s 0 you need not worry! Your let ter was most interesting, and I am sure your pen can make delightful stories, too! Bonnie. Mataliiwi. What a terrific lot of damage the ferrets must do in the bushlands among the native birds, too! Is the puppy a sheep one? Curleyhair, Featherston. Do come and see me if you have time while you are in Wellington. The Dick Whittington picture was a very good attempt.

New Zealand Lass. Wnlpawa. 1 loved ill*’ photo, and will return it soon. I only wish it was clearer for the page. Do tell me all about the Maori shearers when they route. Lorraine Courtney, Miranuir. I hope you will always love school as much as you do now! You may call yourself “Laurie" when you write next,

Kenneth lasakson, Mangnmnhoe, A carefully coloured painting . . . are you going to write again soon? Field Mouse, Masterton. A pretty Alice in a bright blue apron. Well done, small member. “Sparklet," Featherston. You didn't say whether the poem was original or copied. “Sparklet.” It is a pretty little word picture, and tlie cabin sounds too attractive to have no one to live in it. “Mary of Argyle," Reikiorangi. One consolation about being in bed, Mary—there’s lots of time to sew! I hope the whoops have all been chased away now- Our house is on a hill, with trees around it. too—and they sigh all night in the wind. Do yours? “Lilac Lady,” Eketahuna. Did you really find a little house tucked away like that? I did once, too—and it was really rather queer, wondering who had lived there, ami where they were —leaving their house deserted and unswept. Percy Crosby. Dayton, Novlu Scotia. And so tlie news goes round ... I am so glad you have joined and I hope your letterbox will fill as much as you expect it to. Toe Dancer, Johnsonville. All I ask is ■i letter whenever you can write, and. if you can draw or write poems and stories, they will be very welcome, too. “Sago” was quite good, and will be in the smaller folks’ corner soon. Rnbby, Martinborough. The badge will be coming, and star points are awarded each week for tlie best drawings, stories, etc. When you have five points or a star, you have won a prize. I do hope you will come a-visiting! Heather Bill, Kinakurft. Grass couit. would be rather soggy for tennis now—it «us a pity u hard court was not handy for Die tournament. A careful painting, ■ind a beautiful pet ent—l have put it in Hie book. "Animal Page” is in .Tilly. Unknown One, Greytown. It is so easy to make mistakes, but I think your points come to three! The weeds In this weather shoot up unceasingly—my garden is chock-a-block with them, even though 1 spend every spare minute in weeding.

Stnrllower, Levin. Hurrah lor tlie poem. In fact, all your entries were good this Week. I expect you will lie seeing Mmgaret during the holidays. Daphnia, Featherston. I guessed you were very busy at school. Aud the business was well rewarded when you eame top. Tlie play sounds interesting ... is it one of your own? The poem is a dear.

Elspeth Simpson, Hunterville: No. Elspeth, Bluebell belongs to another member. Would you like Fern Girl? Pino Needle, Masterton: A quaint choice of pen-name, Brenda .. . Write soon, won’t you? Yours was the only Alice with a navy pinafore, and it was very neat.

Ratty, Rota: I thought you had forgotten the League! The painting was well done, and the orange and yellow was a pretty combination. S. Earl, Wellington: I am so sorry there lias been a delay with your book. “Journalese” had to lie sent away for, but you will have received it by now. Mac. Eketahuna: I am still waiting for you to send me your name and address. Your prize has been waiting for some time now.

Noel Coward, Kelburn: Happy holidays! Honey Bee. Martinborough: Please send your full address for the penfriend request ! Golden Queen, Pahtatiiu: Please send your full address for the penfriend request.

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS AND THE BIG BAD WOLF

Best star-point fairy-tale sketch by Marie Gilmour (I 5) Island Bay