(Written for the Ring by "Queen of the Snow," 16, Citys)

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 132, 5 June 1937, Page 20

(Written for the Ring by "Queen of the Snow," 16, Citys)

S 6 if"** IRLS, do let's have some fun this year at 'Hill Crest.' I'm tired of \jf work, and I vote we start on some plan to have high jinks after school and at weekends " Sylvia Bennett looked around at her dormitory mates with twinkling eyes. , , "I'd love to, but we're sure to be caught and get in for awful rows, you know," That was just like Jean, thought the others, always too cautious. "Oh, no," Sylvia cried, "not too daring or anything, just good fun. I'm going to think of something." " "Yes, do Sylvia. You always were the one to think of spiffing ideas." Eileen Sullivan spoke. She was a great admirer of Sylvia. "What do you I say, old.thing?" she .asked her friend Esther. ... ./. /'Anything Sylvia thinks of will do! me, thanks," was the reply. The dormitory door opened, and matron entered. . "Girls, it is-time you were'iri. bed. 'Make haste." • ,' • As matron's orders were to be obeyed, they began to undress as matron disappeared. ■■••■■- .-■•■'•••. • '..,■. ."',.', "I'm longing for Saturday," gasped Peggy, from inside her tunic, which would not come off. "Kather," agreed her chum Loretta, otherwise Lorie. It was the first day of the term, and already they had an idea for some fun during the year. That was just like Dormitory Two. The next Saturday morning saw the girls setting off down the path towards the bush that belonged to the school. There was an air of excitement about the,six as they hurried along, chattering and giggling. Sylvia and Jean wlio seemed to go together because of their different dispositions, were leading. Soon they came to a little dell away from the main track just where nobody would' expect one. Sylvia showed the others her find that she had kept for them. ■'■ "Well it's the very spot we want," they agreed, exploring all round it. ■ -'■ After a minute #r two the girls went off to the back of the gardener's shed ■ There they" picked up planks of wood that were lying about from an did-fence and, cafryiag-themi proceeded to the dell in the bush.v Esther took spades', and'Eileen hammer and nails; the rest carried as many planks as they could hold., .Once, in: their nook they put the bundles down and looked "What about here?" said Sylvia, t- So "here" they worked, digging, ramming, hammering, arid pushing, till tea-time, all helping; then they stood back to admire their work. There stood the skeleton of a wee house, sloping roof and all! ' "Jolly good, I say," remarked' Lorie, "and it's due to Sylvia's efforts, isn't it? Three cheers for Sylvia!" -.',,■ . _ , . ~ No five girls could have cheered more energetically, and Sylvia felt very happy and proud. . .. A week later the chums made their way again towards the scene of activity. This time they were to finish the house outside. They began to nail

j JACK FROST AGAIN •""These sharp, night frosts are turning our strawberry leaves beautiful shades of red, and making curious pictures on the windows. One morning, after a stiff: frost, we drew aside the curtain and blew on the window, and then watched the drops of water having races down the pane." "MERRY GAVE." ' ''Hataitai. ;, * ■ »:., * . f CARPET OP CRIMSON . ■■ -i- ■*> : . "We have a flowering cherry tree, and it is covered with red, gold, brown, and yellow leaves. There is a carpet of them on the ground below the tree. I have pressed some to send to my English cousin." ■ "MARCEL" (14). Upper Hutt. NIGHT COMES SLOWLY Night comes slowly on. The sun sinks in the west, leaving behind the beautiful sky colours which are reflected on the still waters. The cheery hail of birds twittering and flying home to their resting places is heard. The yachts glide to and fro with the reflection of the sky on them. All is still. In the distance can be seen Day's Bay..; arid 'Rona Bay, with their twinkling lights. All is peaceful. /';./ ;' "HENNY PENNY" (11). '■'■ Seatoun.:•■'■. ;•■■•.•.. ■■■■■■■,'■ '.■"*■ * * QUEER ADVERTISEMENT .''.'; 7.■-,..' '■.'■ . ' \ ♦ ,/Lost, .a wallet by a man full, of pound' notes! .; •' For sale, .a piano,by- a lady with a few dumb notes. ~, ..... ; Found, a torch by a. man about six inches 10ng.,,; . : -, ... .Lost, a grey coat by1..a. girl /wrapped in paper. ■ ■ '■'■..' ... '■ ••• ;! "FAJRIEL SENDS . . . "Snowdrop. Fairy," Silverstraam. —What Is It you want to know, childte? I think the .;ink-pot. elf must have interrupted before ; you finished telling. "Sea Foam," Karaka Bay.—So he hadn't lost the way to number eleven, after all. I hbpo you like the book, pixie. Are you a vcrsemakcr as well as an artist? "La Masaue," Feildlng.—A delinhtful story for little folks. Do you think you could make one for senior Ring members? 'Ware of spelling mistakes, "La Masque."

'Diamond Sparkler," City.—So school days start again and I 'sped there is no time for "afternoon picnics" now. I know one person who will miss them.

"Yellow Buttercup." City.—"Letterbox ■ Elf" thought you had quite forgotten tho way to the Ring. Has your pen been busy making a tale or a poem?

"Peter M.," City.—Splendid weather for kiteflying, isn't it. Have you joined the hilltop band?

HOW strange it is to remember that many thousands are now doing what seemed unthinkable a few years ago.

Parachuting from an aeroplane, instead of being a feat to wonder at, has become part of the routine drill of the airman. Parachuting from a balloon was not such a marvel. The Spencer brothers who made balloons made a number of such descents, and before the war Baldwin the parachutist was congratulated both on. having made 98 descents and on hatpins the ' moral courage to stop when he^as two short of a century.

But parachute descents from aeroplanes are a different matter, for there was no floating platform from which to let go, and the airman had to carry the parachute attached to his own body. So dangerous was the feat thought to be that airmen who were forced by circumstances to undertake it were enrolled in what were play-,

"Nolan G.," City.—"Splinter" has drawn us a picture of a mounted cowboy. Could you write a story to match It?

"Tomboy," City.—lt was grand fun to have visitors at the KiiiE almost every day. I hope you'll find minutes for visiting after school sometimes.

"Great Greenfeather," Johnsonvllle. — Yes . . did you see our Birthday Page? And the poem ... wns If yours? Only you could tell, plxle, . "Giggles, Auckland.— No badge, .childle . . . only the Invisible Order of Tiliryland. But how swiftly you flit to and fro • between Southern nml Northern mushrooms. "Miss Nobody." Karon.—Your story arrived too late, elf, so it must wait another year's passing. ' Splendid sketching! 1 can see a bis Improvement. "Merry Gaye," Hata.ltal.—Of course there was ever so much news to exchange after the lode holidays, but 'now, 1 suppose, the merry trio has become very studious, "Dawn L.,1' Fellding.— If the legends are new and Interesting, tfie ansnw is yea, Dawn. Would you like "Rapunzcl" for your pennnmc f "Pearl W.." City.— Would "Coral WinK" do, now pixie ? A l)lg welcome to you from the elves of the Dine. Have you a magic pencil!

NATURAL HISTORY ALPHABET

correctly? -i A is for ~ armour-plated is he, B is for found in the sea, C is for , as he moves the reeds swish, D is for , a queer-looking fish.

SKY JUMPERS

fully called Caterpillar clubs, as an order of merit.

But now, especially in Russia, it has become a sport, ' mainly among young people. Two years ago 4580 Russians made parachute jumps from planes. During the first half of this year the numbers mounted to 10,500; and Moscow has a centre to train instructors. "■

The preliminary to jumping from a plane is to, jump from a tower, as Brother Oliver, the monk of Malmesbury, did centuries ago. There are now 600 parachute-jumping towers in Russia, and 40,000 young people belong to the various jumping circles near them. Last year 800,000 jumps were made.

At present it is a sport, as full of thrills as ski jumping; but in future, when aeroplanes are as common as motor-cars, the parachute may be as necessary to the traveller by air as the lifebelt to the voyager at sea.

($"/f>'e^>&>'l

boards on to the posts that had been driven into the ground, and when they had nearly finished the walls, the supply of wood ran put. "I think there: is some old iron we could put on for a roof," suggested Esther.

"Oh, where?" they asked. So Esther and Peggy ran to get it from the

"What about a door?" asked Jean. "I know, I've some mosquito netting at home that would do for windows," said Lorie. ' , 4

"Perhaps we could get .:omething from the woodshed when we're ready for a door," was Sylvia's reply to Jean. . Peg and Esther having arrived with the iron, they set about putting it on so that not too many gaps would be left open for rain to come in. "It looks awfully ugly. I read once how to put thatch on. It would look ripping, wouldn't it?" The girls agreed that it would, and decided to gather tall grass to make it with. Under Peggy's instruction they soon had a pale green and brown roof, looking fresh as a newly-cut field. Then they walked inside. There was just enough room for the six to stand but they all admired it immensely. "Won't the girls be jealous," exclaimed Jean. "I think it is beautiful. What shall we call it?" . ' "Peg is the one for naming it, as she reads such a lot," said Lorie. "Well, I think Sunbeam Cottage would be rather nice. It is a sunny place, you know." So Sunbeam Cottage it was called, and what exciting things were to happen there no one knew. Monday morning's assembly was always full of notices for the week, but this time there was one extra. There was to be a new competition. "I think you will find it interesting," Miss White was saying. "I have put particulars of it on the notice board. The, prizes are good ones, and there should b<s a good many entries." So at interval the girls thronged around the board. There were many comments. The club, as the six called themselves, decided that they would have a try for it, for it was a painting competition. The first prize was £1, and the second and third prizes were smaller. At the first opportunity they discussed "Jean and Lorie ought to enter," said Peggy. They were the best at j The subject was a landscape in-water-colour and the competition was arranged by the art mistress. , ■ • "How about painting the cottage and the bush around it? suggested "We couldn't all do the same though," Lorie interrupted, "Let's try and thmWhile n theyr were 3e snting quietly in the house, they heard stealthy steps behind them in the bush, then voices.

KINDNESS TO BIRDS

"Every day my friend attends to her most faithful companions, the birds. She saved her pocket money for two weeks arid bought such a sweet little"dish with a picture of three small birds feasting happily on crumbs painted on it. In ; this dish she sprinkles crumbs, and in the centre of a pretty bed of pansies she places the dish and also a pretty bowl of water for the birds' baths. I also have decided to do something in which to help the wonderful birds." "CHARMING LADY" (11). Berhampore. I

■■■■: .« ■ ■■.*■ ' *'".■'■ PENFRIENDS WANTED!

Two Canadian girls^whp • would like penfriends in New Zealand are Rbsemary and Patricia McLellan, 48 Cadzow Terrace, St. Lambert, Quebec, Canada. Rosemary wants New Zealand penfriends between the ages of 11 and 14, and Patricia, who is 14, would like penfriends between 14. and 18 years of age.

THE PLACE FOR ICE

If you had a storage chamber you wished to use to keep food fresh by means of ice, in what position in the chamber would you put the ice? We know why ice at the top of a liquid causes cold currents to sink, and so allows the warmer fluid to take its place and becomes colder by contact with the ice above. Exactly the same action takes place if the ice is placed high up in the storage chamber. The cold air sinks and the warmer air rises. This principle is'known as convection.

TOMMY ON THE ROCKS. Said Tommy, whoso boots were but crocks, As he sat with his mates on the rocks: "Has any kind friend Somo scissors to lend, To cut these holes out of. my socks?"

»>cr>»3<rr>o()<:'3>o3<r>»<:

. . . AN ANSWER TO

"Bluebird," Brooklyn.—Welcome back to our merry Ring, "Bluebird." We'd like to see your^name here every Saturday. "Sea Plxlb," Kelburn.—lt was truly a flying visit ... but a pleasure to see a very-long- . lost elf once, again. "Fairy Spllnttr," Kllbirnle.—Make your outlines a little stronger, please,- Lorna. Your ranchman makes a brnve figure. .Perhaps about him. "Aute," Island Bay.—Good wishes to you from "Pandora," who says she likes your slorieaud hopes to read many more. "Romolus." City.—Oh, yes . . . and I guessed who left that orange bouquet. I am sending your story back with corrections. "Rambling Ron," Miramar.— An ideal snot for a holiday, Ron. How you will miss the horses and wide countryside now that classrooms are open again. "Yum Yum," Nuaio.—Your flowers most have looked real, clever fingers. Has Grandmother shown you how to make violets? "Black Spider," Miramar.—An eventful Journey, wasn't It? Tfou could make a story of it with a little imagination. Try? "Nancy 5.," Seatoun.—You tried to squeeze too much Into your drawing, Nancy. Try not to cramp your next one. I know you can draw very well, "Max M.," K»rori.—Tl trick, lad. I shall "Letterbox Elf" Is pr

hat's an amusing parlour pass it on to the Bins;. •actislne It every moment.

"Lassie," Kelburn. — And have the stitches niado you cross . . .

or perhaps It Is a needlework picture ot Cross Patch's cottage. We'd love to admire Its 'broldered garden. "Marcel," Upper Hurt. —Snowdrops, violets, and jonquils peeping tier If Spring will be an early visitor. You must be ever so good at "keeping bouse." "Crimson Rose," Seatoun.—Do you find It lua to be back at school acaln, too? Yours was a Thursday letter, elf, and so missed "Puzzleflnders" last week. "Pandora," Island Bay. —We already have a "Dancing Lady," Betty. "Xo changes In pennames" Is one of our most Important rules. . . . you see, it would cause a tremendous tangle. "Frankenstein." City. —It would bo n. a fairy ring. Save your idea and make It Into n. story for crown-ups.

"Goooy," City.—l wonder If that wandorinc autograph book

found Its way back to you.

NEWS OF THE FLOP-EAR FAMILY

VyHEREVER there is sufficient cover, rabbits are to be'seen'. 'They prefer dry sandy patches with plenty of gorse and short grass; they are sociable creatures, living together in numbers, making extensive burrows; an old warren, or rabbit town, consists of large main passages^ wide enough for rabbits to pass each* other, . from which intricate corridors wind, while side passages end in homes. In spring, mother rabbits leave the warren and make separate burrows three or four feet long, ending in a nursery. As baby rabbits are born without fur and are pinky, .helpless little creatures, blind, deaf,' arid very sensitive to cold, mother rabbit gathers mouthfuls of dry grass to keep them warm.

When the small rabbits are born the mother leaves the burrow, covering up the opening with soil which she pats' fiat. She dare not stay near for rabbits have many enemies, and she knows instinctively that her strong scent' would advertise their, presence; <Juring: the greater part, of the day she squats motionless not far away, .in the shelter of some bush, but towards dusk she' visits the nest., scratches away the soil,, and slips in to feed her^young. In about ten days, baby rabbits are able to hear: then their eyes open, their fur grows, and a few days later they are able to go outside the nursery burrow' and nibble grass, but they have a re-

markably, keen sense, of direction 'and at the. slightest/sound:' scamper '.'home. Their mother only ke£ps; them! near her for about a month;' after! which ;they have to fend for themselves -and 'join other young, bunnies that have been turned out to make; "way '■■-. for-H.new brothers, and sisters. - and what games these youngsters have, with biifcks-'and does joining, in. , They, run races.yjeap over one another, jump info the Jair, whirl round, climb into,hollow trees, and much time is given ~to_.th.e._serious business of washing, combing fur,: tending 'their' pads, ' for matters' df ! ( < the toilet are!of great importanoev.in the rabibt world. They .wash as' a cat <Joea licking , a paw.- and. rubbing .it-; :byer face and ears, and'the stiff hairs O.ji the stales' of their feet make an excellent comb. Oh sunny days they, come out ,of> the, hot burrows to lie like cats on the grass. Perhaps an old buck comes 'along and prods a sun-bather in the libs, or rushes at a bunch of youngsters "who make haste to get-out of his way; ■When feeding, if anyone senses danger it is its duty to thump and warn its neighbours, who -one, after- another thump the warning and off they all scamper to take cover, their white scuts gleaming, the immemorial danger signal of rabbits. It is not a beacon to show the way home, for there is not the tiniest baby in the burrow Who does not know this.

"RABBITS!" c

(Original.)

THE TREASURE HUNT

Three people clambered in to a railcar just as the whistle blew and the car glided out of the station. Jack was taking Rose and.'Mary to Woodside where they would join Bob, Clary's husband,-and "Mac,".his.friend, who

(Original.)

Laura, a red-headed girl of twelve, was walking slowly down the garden path after having had a quarrel with her brother, Norman. She had argued that there were hidden treasures and Norman had said there were hot.

had been camping there. The three men intended to shoot rabbits while the two women spent a comfortably lazy day reading and sitting in the

sunshine.

Jack placed his gun carefully on the seat. ' . ' ■ _ ■•.''. "I expect it will shoot .many more than those two," he remarked confidently, to his companions. "You see, with this shotgun of mine, you" can be much surer of your mark." Rose and Mary exchanged amused glances, but Jack, not noticing, continued his boasting. In this way, the journey was soon completed and their destination reached. : " ■ The two men, having met1 thorn at the station, led them to a quiet spot at the edge of the bush. When the ladies had settled down, the men left them to search for rabbits. • A few minutes afterwards Mrs. Bobtail scurried into her i. burrow. ; ,,She hastened 'through herj Ijouse leaving'a trail of;blood b"ehind her, and going through _a maze of burrows came at last to {he Mayor's house. ; She explained to him that some terrible men were again in the, forest and had tried to shoot her. Mr. .Blinker, the Mayor, then sent a message to Qeneral Pinkeye who dispatched regiments all over the town and out into the wood. Everyone was warned to stay in his burrow and not to venture out. In a few minuses Bunnytown was a scene of riot and confusion. All the shoppers came running home from market, the picnic-makers packed up their baskets and returned home, and everybody left what they were doing to fortify the town. The entrances to the burrows were disguised and- hidden with leaves. All the lights were put out and all the bunnies remained in their homes. ,■'..- At midday there had been no fatalities. The bunnies thought that the men must have gone home, co two soldiers were sent out to see if they had. The two rabbits crept stealthily through the bush. Suddenly hearing a noise they bobbed down behind a tree stump. The noise grew louder—it was men's footsteps corning nearer; The .bunnies trembled with' fear and crouched together. '■ Then— ■ : The three men, angry at having had no shots all day, were looking closely at everything that.could possibly conceal rabbits. Suddenly Jack ; saw too pink tips—they moved. He "hid his gun ready. Then the unfortunate bun-, nies happened, to glahce up. and at the: same instant Jack had fired two shots in succession. Both bunnies were dead! Well pleased, the men took the rabbits to show the ladies. All the rest of the day, however, the men did not even catch sight of any rabbits.

It was a fine autumn day, arid although the trees were bare, a few flowers bloomed here and there. Passing under a huge oak tree, she saw a, piece of paper protruding- Ircm its. gnarled roots. She picked it up and found it to be yellow parchment which read, "Ye treasure of ye ancient Brit, will be found if ye dig where ye found this." If she had looked a little closer, she would have noticed that it was an ordinary sheet of paper painted a faint yellow.; '■ ■' -! . ■;';J ,

"I'll show him there are treasures!" she murmured as she made her way toward the toolshed. Procuring a shovel, she began to dig at the foot of the old tree. Not long afterwards she dug up an old tin in which was another' piece of paper. On it were written two words, "Fooled—Norm."

, With a disappointed cry, she was just about to cover the hole again when the sun's rays fell on an object which glittered as it projected from the earth. ' « '-~..

Taking it inside and opening it, she found it to be a box containing some valuable jewels which had been stolen from a wealthy gentleman. Eagerly she ran to tell Norman about her find, and she asked him to accompany her to the Police Station.

That night the thief was captured when he, returned for the box,' for in his hurry the night he had stolen it he had quickly dug a hole and buried the' jewels. '

Now, Laura always teases Norman about the treasure hunt and the trap that failed.

"PRINCESS. OF NOD" (11).

As the last railcar glided out of the station that night, the moon shone down on the midnight revelsof Bunnytown who were celebrating their success in outwitting the silly , human beings once more. ■ "BONNY LASS" (13). Hataitai. ■

Newtown.

THE FLOWER SELLER. (Original.)-.'. There is a fairy flower seller Who lives in a.caravan. ~.. He sells dahlias and red rose», . And lie's such a jolly man. 'Bunches of" chrysanthemum! And'blue forget-me-nots, -.. : .. Marigolds and pansles, 'Arranged in" tiny pots. '" Mignonette and; hollyhock! • '■ ", 'Standing'on the shelves, ' J ' Matoy, many kinds? of flower! ■ •''■ For the fairies and. .the elves'. "GREAf .GREENFEATHER" (11). Jbhnsonville. <■■ . '. V. ! ■:> • THE FAIRY PIPER. ', -.■ ■'~'■ (Original.) • ' '*<:..'. • Tho- little Fairyl Piper, He sits and pipes all day, To the swallows in the bushes • And the wood" sprites In the. cUdc. ■•-■■ ■' The little, lambs come ou J,o play, Frisking about in a happy way " To the music of the lute. . Which the Fairy, Piper plsys. . "DANCING STAR" (1»>. Kewtown. THE CAR PARK. Driver: , Do you know a car parkf I want to park my car. ■•■ Attendants: '•'..'' Yes, sir (ma'am), here's the, car park Where all the fast cars are. Leave your car till seven o'clock. Or leave it till eleven.(But wo shan't be in the car park thi»—• We go to bed at seven,)