The Mail Bag

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 220, 13 June 1936, Page 27

The Mail Bag

Dear Ucribes All, — Star-point winners this week arc: Stories, San Toy (13) ; poems, Mary Greig (15), Rose Quecne (15), Silvertop (12). Golden Fleece (10); drawings, Gei-sha Girl (15), Diana (15), Tauponui a Tia (15), David Shaio (16), Marie Gilmour (15) ; special crossword puzzle, Elizabeth, Taylor (13) ; paragraph, Dairy Maid (13). —KIWI. Peg Leg, Lower Hutt. One cannot learn without, making a few mistakes, so don't worry. I have forgotten what it was now! Tiinlwhn, Knumati Beaeti. Hurrah—is it a fluffy bouncy ball? Some tiny tot will love it. Mako Shark, Knumati Beach. And does Jack Frost try to paint your nose and fingers and toeg with his cold paintbrush early in the morning, too? John Old. Levin. Yes, Elf Flag you may be. and what a quaint, penname to choose! Hutu. Uuuinnti Beach, Good luck! Kune. Bongotai. A good beginning, Rune, but. just too many lines for reproduction. Never mini), keep on trying. Happy Pilgrim, Eastbourne. No, the penname was not taken,' Tom. and a big welcome to the League. What has happened to Cheery Chatter?

Dancing Fairy. Levin. Ho you feed Snowboy on bran and oatmeal, too? They love something like that on these cold mornings and nights. Of course John may put his letter in, too.

Mary Greig, Wanganui. One can send the most wonderful things in envelopes—all one has to do is use one's pen most finely. There was a breath of Jaek Frost in yours! The poem was most dainty. Piglet, Woodville. A good attempt. Piglet but vou have lots to learn about, versemaking yet. Notice the alterations I have made if it appears in Winter’s Page. Then yon will know what mistakes to avoid. Dorothy Allnmnd, Otaki. The wee verse sounded like a valentine, or you might find it useful for putting in somebody's autograph book. Delorays, Otaki. The badge is on its way, and I hope you get a penfriend. It must be ever so jolly to sing all the way to town as you bike. Xlonda, Palmerston North. No, not a bit too old, there are some older than you! Your small story was decidedly promising, hut contained a sentimentality and plot that was too old-fashioned. Why not make the small waif a boy who had been reading too many adventure tales, who tries to have an adventure of his own, and who the watchman befriends in the cold until his parents find him. , Rose Queen, Hiilcniiiii. I think it Is one of your nicest poems. I am glad you received replies, and indeed the members should be thanking you! San Toy, Huntings. An excellent story Indeed, and the punctuation can be overlooked because the tale was so enjoyable. Santa Marla, Wnipukurau. I think 1 might use the story as soon as I can find space for it. The scrapbook sounds most, exciting and do tell me how the piggy quilt goes. Herinlu. Levin. A good verse, and quite effective drawing, but why did you do the verse in blue Iqk. for that will not reproduce. Next time' do the verse in Indian ink or pencil.

Nancy Pederson, Lovin. Not ft very interestin'g subject, was it. although the drawing was quite well done.

Sparkling Ruby, —. 'A good and simple drawing, but waterlilies are not very inteiesting things for the page, are they? But it whs a good try. Jean Sievers, Marnma. “Silver Wings belongs already, new member. Try again. Jiieqiiellno. Ohan. Green as an emerald, real Irish green, was it? I think it must have been four-leaved clover green! Pixie Pickle. —. Was “Hee Haw" original, pixie person? ’Cos you did not say so. and I liked It. Carlingford. Palmerston North. I ant sending you a reply by post. Geisha. Girl. Hawera. Yes, I liked this one better, and thank you for the stamps. Hazel Eyes, Waverlcy. Quite a good attempt, lint what a tall girl you made her! Chum, Bulls. Oh, twice as many letters for the mailbag these days, and it is such fun lam glad you have decided to write again, and hope father and baby sister will soon he well again. Silver Peacock, Palmerston North. That was an amusing letter, and a newsy one, too! Did you really grow little walnut trees from seed? Bridget, Tlkaklno. That was a quaint pen-name, new nember. A big welcome, and write soon. Silver Bullet, Cheltenham. It must have been a splendid drive, and was there time to get out and explore on the way? I often wondered where you obtained your pen-name. Golden Fleece, Napier, I have had one jonquil out, but that was all. I think the sun must be wanner in your part of the country. The poplar grove will be beautiful very soon now. “Elves” was good. TifTane.y Tess, Hastings. We • have already had a paragraph about tliat book, Joyce. But your paragraph was wellwritten. Brien Cash, Marton. "Moonlight’ belongs already Brien. Would you like "Sunlight”?' That would be an unusual penname. Sweet Adeline, Hastings. A well-written tale but why did you choose a storj’ about cruel step-fathers? It was not a very happy subject was it; and it did not seem to ring true at all. Try a subject you know more about. , . „ Popeye, Hastings. Is the school ball a fancy dress one? I hope a. penfriend writes °Twlnkle Eye, Hastings. Welcome, new member, is your own name Margaret? Write soon. * Silver Star, Te Faraetai. Thank you for the anxious Pooh song . . . and the photograph was perfectly lovely. The badge is coming. ' . Alison Christopher, Lower Hutt* Winnie the Pooh” for you, Alison. I hope you keep top o’ the class, too. Betty Bowen, Makara. Welcome, Betty, didn’t you want a pen-name, or couldn’t you think of one? lan Bourke, Pahiatua. The pen-name already belongs, so I am going to call you “‘Moon Man.” It was a good verse . . •

was it original? Atliol Gunning, Shannon. Black i anther" belongs, lint would you like ‘Blue Leopard?" „ ~ Kose . You must put your full name, vour pen-name and address as well as y«»r age on all letters and entries, Ngaere. Thank you for the riddles. Juno McGhle, Akatarawa. “Cappy Ricks for you June, and I like it. You must get lots’Of frost up your way. more than we do because we are near the sea. Silver Top, Mnsterton. Indeed I am sorry to hear yon are In hospital, and hope you will soon be well again. The poem was good. I hank you. Dairy Maid. Featherston. No. so sorry, but rules say pen-names cannot be changed. I like yours very much, so do uot ’.\orij. A good paragraph. Mlp-s New Zealand, Pctonc. I hank you for the directions for playing “Stoky.” It. sounds quite an easy game. And it was a "Tuey O< Locliet, Eastbourne, That must have been the greatest tun! I loved the photo—do you want it back or may T put it in the photo-book?