THE POSTIE'S BAG

Evening Star, Issue 21820, 8 September 1934, Page 5

THE POSTIE'S BAG

33 Jackson street, September 2. Dear Big Brother Bill, —I am nine years old. Tinker has grown into a big cat, and is quite fat. The big apple tree is nearly ready to shoot out leaves for spring. I will be going back to school on Monday. We have made a huge trolley at Mr Hinton’s place. The magpie was on the prop next door. It is Mr Trail’s magpie, and it sings to them. I will be sending in riddles soon.—l remain yours truly, L. llayner.

-/[Thank you for your letter ? L. Rayner. Brother Bill was glad to read about the busy time you have had during your holidays. The trolley should come in useful for, good fun as the days grow longer. A magpie makes quite a jolly pet' when it is tamed. It can be taught to talk, too. But beware of its sharp beak, because it can give a. very nasty wound, and quickly, too. \> rite again soon.]

69 Arthur street, September 1, 1934. Dear Big Brother Bill,—l am writing to toll you about our tramp during our holidays. On the first Wednesday of our holidays two girl friends and myself set off for the soldiers’ monument, which is situated on the Otago Peninsula. We started at 10.30 a.m., and carried on our backs bags containing our lunches. Arriving at Anderson’s Bay, we selected a nice green paddock and settled down to eat our dinner. After a rest we trudged on. We kept to a road until we reached the end, when we climbed a fence and cut across some fields. Suddenly we saw the monument looming above us, and our spirit, which, I regret to say, had been getting a bit low. _ revived, as the monument seemed quite near.

However, on climbing another hill we discovered that there were many other hills to be climbed before our destination was reached. At last, when we were thinking of turning back, we saw tlie monument silhouetted against the sky just above us. In a few moments we were standing beside the monument. The sight that met our eyes was indeed worth our long tramp. Stretching away to our right was a huge expense of blue, greenish water, and on our left, basked in sunshine, lay the City of Dunedin. A big cargo ship coming towards us at that moment completed the picture. After a few games among the rocks played with some friends whom we met there we turned our faces homeward, truly satisfied. I will close now, sending love to all the aunts, uncles, and cousins of 4YA. —I remain, yours sincerely, Roma Gillies.

[Brother Bill was very glad to read your interesting letter, Roma Gillies. Your name is m the Honour Square. , and the family will agree that it should ’he there because your letter was written so interestingly. Very few people know the magnificent panorama of sea and coast that can be seen from where vou stood. But it isn’t easy to get there, as you discovered. Did you ever notice, Roma, that it needs good strong effort usually to obtain something worth while? So your little jaunt becomes really a parable, doesn’t it? Write again soon.] 724 Cumberland street, 2/9/34. Dear Big Brother Bill,—l would very much like to join your happy family. [ go to Union Street School and I am in Standard 11. I have a pet cat and his name is Tim. Wo roll a piece of paper and he chases it and drops it at our feet for us to throw again. _ I am nine years of age, and I am trying to win the tangled fish puzzle this week.—l remain, yours truly, Margaret Mahon. [We are just as glad to have you in the family, Margaret Mahon, as.you are glad to join. A cat makes a very fine pet, and doubtless you find Tim, to be something like that too. Brother Bill used to think that a dog was more faithful than a cat, as well as being not quite so pernickerty (that last word means prideful and particular). But he

is changing his mind about it. Twice lately he has seen cats that were just as chummy and affectionate as any dog. One very beautiful tabby that has just lost its mistress was sitting on the mat by the fire. Its master was sitting in a chair a little behind puss. He was grieving because when puss lost its mistress he also lost someone whom he loved very dearly. The beautiful- tabby must have known its master’s sorrow, because, with a little comforting mee-oaw, it sprang to his knees, put a paw on each shoulder, and rubbed its head gently against his chin. If puss could have spoken good English he couldn't have expressed his sympathy more clearly. Writ© again soon.]

Main South road, Burnside, September 3, 1934. Dear Big Brother Bill, —Just a few lines to say that I have entered this week’s competition that was in the ‘ Star.’_ This is the first time I have ever tried the puzzles, so I hope that I am successful and win a prize.—l remain, yours faithfully, Jessie Thropp. [Thank you for your letter, Jessie Thropp. You did not win the competition, but Brother Bill was glad to receive your entry. You must try again. Write again soon.] 81 Shetland street, Roslyn, September 3, 1934. Dear Brother Bill,—l have not written to you for a long time, so I thought it was time to write again. I enjoy very much reading your page in Saturday’s ‘ Star.’ How are you Keeping? Well, 1 hope. I have enjoyed my holidays. On the first Sunday of my holiday I went for a hike with my friends. We went over Flagstaff, and we started at 3 o’clock and arrived home at 6 o’clock. It was most beautiful walking. May I, please, join your happy family ? May I come down to the studio and recite over the air? I have a little pet whose name is Trixie. She is a dear little thing. Now I must close, with love to all the family and yourself. —I remain, yours sincerely, Joan Mary Frazer. [You are very welcome to the family, Joan Mary Frazer. If you come down and see Brother Bill some time he will be able to talk with you about reciting over the air. He is glad to know that you had such an enjoyable hike over Flagstaff. You must have walked very quickly to be there and back again in two hours. Is your pet a cat or a dog? Write again soon.] 7 Primrose Bank, N.E. Valley, September 1, 1934. Dear Big Brother Bill, —May I join your happy family? I am eight years old, and ajn in Standard 11. I am entering for this week’s competition, and hope to win. I must close now with love to yourself and the bairns. —Yours truly, Bernie Walsh. [You are very welcome to the family, Bernie Walsh. Your letter was very nicely written for an eight-year-old. Ink isn’t very good to write with at first; the nasty stuff can be so blotty. But you have done very well indeed. Write again soon.] Broad Bay, August 30, 1934. Dear Big Brother Bill, —I am writing to ask if 1 may- join your happy family. I am in Standard 11. at Broad Bay School, and am nine years old. We have two white Angora rabbits which are very clever and will beg for their food. They will also jump for us. 1 listen to the children’s hour every night and enjoy it very much. As it is getting near my bed time I must close with love to the aunts and uncles, and also Big Brother Bill. —I remain, yours sincerely, Lorna Brook. -[You are very welcome to the family, Lorna Brook. Angora rabbits do make the loveliest pets, Lorna, but Brother Bill is sure that you will have to be careful about their wool. It is so easily matted, and then they lose their bright and happy look, don’t they? He hopes that you will have them for a very long time. Write again soon.] 19 Tyne street, Roslyn, Dunedin, September 2, 1934. Dear Big Brother Bill, —May I join your large family? I am in Standard V. at the Kaikorai School. I am entering for the over ten years’ competition, and hope to be successful, 1 returned to Dunedin last night after spending an enjoyable holiday at Clydevale.—l remain, yours sincerely, Beth Perry. [You may join the family, Beth Perry, and Brother Bill is glad to welcome you. He is glad to know that you had a happy holiday at Clydevale. Suppose that you write and tell the family what you do on your holidays? Write again soon.]