THE POSTIE'S BAG

Evening Star, Issue 21316, 21 January 1933, Page 5

THE POSTIE'S BAG

109 Norfolk street, St. Clair.. Dear Big Brother Bill,—l wonder if you remember me after all this time? I have been very busy doing my examinations for the senior free place at High School, but I won’t know until the end of January whether I have passed or not.' lam sending in what I think is the answer to the competition, but I am afraid if writing counts I ,’will have no chance.—With much love from Betty Wrather. [Many thanks for your letter,- Betty Wrather. Brother Bill does remember you, of course, because you were one of his most frequent correspondents at one time, but since studies become moije exacting he .quite understands there is less time for the writing of letters. Your letter was very welcome, however,, and here it is for all the family to read. The time will soon be here, for you to know if your examinations succeeded in getting the coveted free place. Brother Bill hopes the reports will please you when they appear. You will notice, Betty, since the days when you used to write to Big Brother Bill, there have been a great number of other names added to, the family. As the older ones come to the stage when they do not write so frequently there are younger ones to take their places. So the weeks go by, and new names are still coming to Brother Bill at the bottom of quaint, delightful letters that are always worth reading. You must write again and tell us all the result of your examinations.] 8 Wales • street, lloslyn. Dear Big Brother Bill,—lt was long ago since last 1 wrote to you. I am nine years old, and am in Standard 111. at the Maori Hill School. I am going in for this week’s competition, and hope to. bo successful.—l remain, yours truly, Joan Guthrie. [Many thanks for your letter, Joan Guthrie. It is very nice that you thought of Brother Bill again after so -many weeks. You will be in Standard IV. when school begins again, and, as Brother Bill has said to other bairns of the family, that will bring increased work that is harder, too. It is astonishing, however, how quickly the years pass and the school standards with them. Big Brother Bill met a strapping young man in the city this last week who nodded to him, and then came across the road to speak. If was a little difficult to recognise him, although there was the feeling that he was not, altogether a stranger. Then he made himself known as a young lad whom Brother Bill knew six years ago. Goodness, it was a real shock to see the lad of six years ago now become a fine young man. But that is the way, Joan. The grown-up folk appear to themselves to'stand still, but the young folk pass quickly through school standards, and have pushed off their little boat in the stream of life almost before We .older people are aware of it. It will-be the same with Joan Guthrie, so it'is a good idea to work , hard in these school years in prepai'ation for the other years that are marching so swiftly toward us , all. Write again soon.] ' ■ 2 Grant street, Dunedin. Dear Big Brother Bill;—May I join your happy family? 1 am eleven years of age/ and I am in Standard IV. at Arcberfield College.

I am staying with my granny down here, but I really live in Wellington. My father'is coming down next week, and I am so excited. I have - been down to the country for my term holidays, and took my little friend Joan, We had a lovely time round about the fields with my uncle. —With love from Alison Hutchison. [Many thanks for your letter, Alison Hutchison. It is a long time since your letter came to Brother Bill, but you will not object to it being published even at this late hour. It is not very nice to be away from one’s own folk, but even that has its compensations, as your letter suggests. Brother Bill hopes that your companionship with dad on his visit was all that you anticipated, and he hasn’t the slightest doubt that it would' - be a great time for dad too. If you are staying with grandmother, it is not quite like being away from your own folk, because, as a general rule, grandmothers are so near to one’s own folk that the difference can be hardly noticed. And you seem to have some delightful relations in the country. Brother Bill, thinks that there ought to be an uncle or aunt with a farm in every properly organised family. It is such a jolly place to spend a holiday. Some of Brother Bill’s happiest and clearest memories are days spent on an uncle’s farm. Indeed, it became an annual holiday eagerly anticipated, and sincerely regretted when, the day came for returning home again. You must write again and tell some of your adventures on the farm.]