BIG BROTHER BILL and the BAIRNS

Evening Star, Issue 22631, 24 April 1937, Page 8

BIG BROTHER BILL and the BAIRNS

THE FELLOW WHO WILL NOT PULL IS NOT WORTH A SEAT IN THE iOAT Winners of competitions published on April 17 are as follow Under 10: Joy Hicks, 20 Forfar street, Clyde Hill, Caversham, S.W.I (her-ring, flounder, skate, mussel, eel, schnapper, sole, groper). Over 10: Ethel Edwards, 243 South road, Caversham, S.W.I (Gaynor, Cantor, March, Carroll, Cooper, Ayres, Bow, Boles, Ames). Congratulations. Prizes will be posted. THE COMPETITIONS There is a spelling test for the undertens and some hidden inventors for the over-tens. Send your answers to Big Brother Bill, care of ‘ Evening Star,’ Stuart street, Dunedin, C.l. Be sure to mark your envelopes “ Competition.” A SPELLING TEST. (Under 10 years: Prize, one shilling.) The laughing goat is pointing to six words, some of which are spelled wrongly. Can you say which are the ones?

ouME HIDDEN INVENTORS. (Over 10 years: Prize one shiling and sixpence.) There are the names of a number of modern inventors hidden in the squares on the old witch’s apron. Can you find .them? Each lino of letters represents an inventor’s name.

THE PUSTIE'S BAG

42 Grey street, North-east Valley, Dunedin, N.E.I

Dear Big Brother Bill, —Last week Ruth wrote a letter, and I put in ray idea of the competition, so wo are reversing things this week. Some nights 1 have a great deal of home lessons to do, and that does not allow rao any time for letter writing. Our lessons at tho Technical School are vastly different from those we had at our primary school. At first I did not think that they would prove very interesting, but now I know differently. Our science lessons are full of interest, and t do like the_ experiments. Learning about the various parts of the body makes one realise how wonderfully our parts are put together. I do not think, though, that I would care to find a real skeleton in a room when I was alone.

These last few days we had a great opportunity of watching a spider at work outside one of our kitchen windows. Mother broke his web while cleaning the window, but tho busy follow shortly reappeared ami remade his web. Wo have watched him spin a lot of thread around a big fly that was c.im-ht, ami tlic:i i""- ■■he Ins woh before his meal. yuitg a number

of small flies get caught, but we have only seen one big one. The webs must be very strong. Harvest thanksgiving services are to be held in our church on Sunday, and I like to see the decorations. Usually we have bunches of golden wheat and red poppies tied at the end of each pew. It would be very pleasant to have it always ■so gay. The collection of vegetables, fruit, and grain, and other things are always varied. There has not been such a great deal of fruit in the shops this season, but I hope that our display will not suffer in consequence. Have I wearied you with my letter? 1 hope not, because I want to write again one day. Best of wishes to the aunts, uncles, and yourself.—One of the bairns, Lily Stanaway. [Thank you for your letter, Lily Stanaway. Your name is on the Honour Post, and you are the winner of the best letter prize this week. Brother Bill was not wearied by your letter, far from it. The particular pleasure in reading the letters that come from the bairns is that each one says something different, frequently about the same thing. Brother Bill, and most other people too, share. your dislike of the idea of being alone with a skeleton. Why this should be it is hard to say. After all, it is only the scaffolding around which the body is built. Perhaps the truth is that it belongs to morbid things, and there are so

many other more interesting things to think of—the spider building its web, for example. Lots of people shudder at the very thought of a spider, and consequently miss taking note of a clever and industrious animal. Did you know that in all the wonderful intricacies of its web-spinning there is a perfect little telephone system, the receiving end of which is attached to the

spider’s knee. In other words, a spider listens with its knee. Autumn is very beautiful because it is the time when Mother Nature dresses her own shop window with the fruits and harvest of the year. She knows how to do it to the best advantage, too. Brother Bill saw a poplar the other day like a golden fountain. Write again soon.]

161 Valley road, Caversham, S.W.I. Dear Big Brother Bill, —I am writing to you, as 1 am interested in your Saturday night’s page, w ith its stories and letters. Sehool to me is very interesting, especially on Monday morning from 8..‘30 till 10..30, as Igo to cooking. The first week we stewed fruit. This week we make cornflour mould. One day in the holidays wo hiked to Green Island Beach. We left at 11 a.m. and arrived at our destination at 1 p.m. Wo boiled tho kettle and had our dinner. After that we changed into our bathing costumes. Mother would not let ns bathe in the surf, as it was too dangerous. Wc made a big hole in the sand and thou ran little tributaries into the pool. We left at 3.30 and arrived home at (i p.m. t will close, with love to all the bairn-. :uid aunts, and a big one lj«,r yourself.—Alice Rail.

[Thank you for your letter, Alice Fail. Brother Bill is glad to welcome you to the family. He is delighted to know also that the columns arc interesting to you. Mother is wise about the surf. It is much better to play m a small pool, because it is wiser to bo sure that your play is safe before you begin. You had a happy time at your picnic by your description of it. Brother Bill thinks that mother will be pleased to know there is another cook growing up in the house. Write again soon.} 73 David street, Caversham. Hunedin, S.W. 1. Dear Big Brother Bill, —I have worked out your competition. Could you please find me some pen friends, because I save stamps and would like to exchange some? I have not a very big collection—only about 700—but I am keen to obtain more,' and thought that you might be able to help me. —Yours sincerely, Jack Scott. [Thank you for your letter, Jack Scott. There seem to be a number of the family who are anxio; s for “ pen friends.” Brother Bill will find a little corner in the columns for this Feature, and then readers may help themselves to the names. Your name will be among those printed. Your name is on the Honour Post for neat writing. Write again soon.] 64 Church street, Mosgiel. Dear Big Brother Bill, —I would like to be one of the bairns.. This is the first time I have written to you. I am entering for the competition for over 10. I have a goldfinch, and my uncle is sending me two budgies. I am going to try to teach them to talk. Some people say they will talk.—l am, yours truly, Ronald Bryce. [Brother Bill is glad to welcome you to the family, Ronald Bryce. Thank you for your letter. Budgies do talk, but it is necessary to keep solitary the one you wish to do so. There are quite a number of the bairns who have talking budgies, and that is the way it is done. A letter from one small bird fancier says that they will not talk when kept in pairs. Brother Bill hopes that you have good luck with the birds, and will be glad to hear what happens. Write again soon.]

101 Fitzroy street, Dunedin, S.W.I

Dear Big Brother Bill, —May I join your happy family? I am 13 years of age. We have two cats and a kitten, whose name is Smoky, because he looks like smoke. I am entering for this

week’s competition, and I hope to be successful. Well, I must close now, ■ with love to all the uncles and aunts, including yourself.—Noreen Chooquc. [Welcome to the family, Noreen Chooque. Thank yon for your letter. When you write again it will be nice if yon tell the family something about the doings of Smoky. We are all interested in tho doings of the pets. Write again soon.]

Mount Cargill, Dunedin

Dear Big Brother Bill, —How are you getting on ? I have not written to you for a long time. Did you enjoy your Easter holidays? The Upper Junction School concert was held last Thursday night. 1 went to it. It has been raining all day to-day, and it is very foggy outside. I like reading books. I am now reading a book called ‘ Treasure Island.’ Have you read that book? 1 did not go away at Easter, but 1 am going away for my term holidays. 1 am going to Pine Hill. Have yon been up there? I collect pictures of film stars. 1 write to some cococnbs in England, and 1 write to a girl who is a cocoonb in Samoa. The prize book 1 received at the end of last year is called ‘The Arabian Nights.’ I will close now.—l remain, yours truly, Olive Ross.

[Thank you for your letter, Olivo Ross Brother Bill is glad to know that you like reading books. It is tho finest hobby in the world. You learn things that way, of course, but, better still, yon can travel all over the world while sitting in your own home. If you are interested in pen friends, would yon like Brother Hill to put your name in tlio list ? 'Writ ' a letter and say so. Write again suon.J

Name

Full postal address

If you wish to join the Bird Club it is necessary to send Is in stamps or a postal note, and a bird book and badge will be sent to you. Address vour letters to Big Brother Bill, care of the ‘ Evening Star,’ Stuan street, Dunedin, C. 1.; Be aure to mark your envelopes “ Bird Club.”

FRIENDLY NATIVE LARKS (By H. Ross Sutherland.) (Continued.)

The common white grass grub is a favourite tit-bit, especially when feeding the young birds and the sitting female do they prize this grub. Our garden is overrun with this pest, 3*et it I dig ever so many during a day s work, -the larks are able to deal with every specimen. One lark is so tame that, when hungry, he will take grubs from my hand. Like all of his kind when carrying food to his mate and family, he treats the unfortunate grub in one particular manner: First he lays it upon the ground, then deliberately ho bites it with his very serviceable beak; starting at one end of his prey, ho crushes it flat, working slowly along until he has arrived at opposite ends; then very neatly he doubles it over, catches both ends in his bill, and departs. In a few moments he is back, ready for the next victim. Tlie birds also delight in following the plough, or rather in eagerly fossicking in the freshly-turned earth. When 1 was working close to the house two of the little chaps used to await ray hitching up of the horses every morning. Towards 10 o’clock . they would disappear ; presumably their appetites were satisfied. One morning, while yet it was too frosty to plough, the larks awaited me as usual. Presently one, tired of waiting, flew back to the lawn, while the other one—who must have been very' hungry—after much consideration attacked an enormous frozen worm. It was so big that he could hardly shift it, let alone cat it. Eventually, however, ho succeeded in breaking off a piece about a half-inch long, which, after a tremendous struggle, ho swallowed. Then he flew to a post, where, with a cheerful “ cree! cree! ” he began to preen his feathers, apparently highly pleased with himself. It was the only time I ever saw a lark eat a worm. /

I remember, too, seeing one perched upon a fresh furrow making repeated jumps into the air. Closer examination proved that a host of smal'l insects were flying up and down the fresh earth, and this astute bird was enjoying the feast of a lifetime. The native lark appears to be able to outwit any cat. The old grey and white cat who lives here now has long since grown tired of attempting to catch them. Nowadays he never bothers to raise his eyes to them. True, one lark a while ago aimeared one morning minus his tail. My suspicion fell on a stray blade cat which had taken up residence under the dairy. Perhaps it was unjust, but one morning I shot that cat, and the larks have been left in peace since then. Usually our pets nest in the long grass not far from the house, where they have no difficulty in procuring food for their hungry offspring. The nest is generally well hidden in a bunch of grass. Well made of dried grasses and carefully woven and moulded, it forms a very comfortable home. From three to five eggs are laid; they resemble those of the skylark, except that they arc of much lighter colour. Usually the- young birds are brought to the door by the proud parents and fed until such time as they are able to care for themselves. Rather remarkably, the youngsters never remain here after they are full-grown. If they "do, the adorable little sprites, we shall he delighted to feed them. A PLACE FOR FEN FRIENDS So many members of the ‘ Evening Star ’ family have written to Big Brother Bill asking for pen friends, that he has decided to have a little corner for this purpose. It will appear next week, and if you wish your name to he printed in it send Brother Bill a letter at once. OLD FATHER SUN Old Father Sun sat up in hod, And yaw.ucd as ho nodded his old grey head. “ I think I’ll sleep longer this morning.” said he. (*' The longer ho sleeps, the better for me,” Said Mr Jack Frost, as he chuckled with glee.) So he took up his paint pot, he took up his brush, And painted the roof-tops all in a rush. The window panes gleamed, all silver and white, While the flowers in the garden were like jewels in the night. Old Father Sun started up out of bed, And looked at the clock which lav by las head, And he frowned as ho saw that the mischief was done. Then ho rose in the east, and shone all his might, ■ To show Jack Frost ho was keen for a fight. The battle was fought, the battle was won. And the prize went to our friend, Old Father Sun.

SOUSE CONJURING TRICKS

FUN FOR WIRIER EVENINGS

A HANDKERCHIEF PRODUCED BY THE HEAT OF A CANDLE.

The conjurer (that is you) stops before the audience, and, with a few wellchosen words, introduces himself. Now ask one of the ladies if she happens-to -have a silk handkerchief she can lend you, and before anyone has time to answer add that, of course, you might just as well produce one by means of a little magic! First show the audience that you have nothing whatsoever in your hands. You have previously placed a candle on the table. This you now

This is how it is really done: As you see in the picture the matchbox on the table is half open. The handkerchief is rolled up tightly and pushed into the open space in the outer cover before the performance begins. The arrow shows this clearly. After lighting the candle yon shut the matchbox, thus pushing" the handkerchief neatly into your left hand without its being seen. This, of course, is the hand you hold over the candle! THE MAGICAL BALL. You show your hands to be quite empty, then you make a few complicated passes with one of them—and suddenly a little ball appears between your fingers! The solidity of the ball can be demonstrated by knocking it against the table. This ball you can make disappear and appear again at

Explanation: The ball is of wood, a little smaller than a billiard ball. At tachod to it is a loop of thin fuse wire, which is round your thumb, as shown in the picture. When you turn your palms upwards to show that your hands are empty the ball is at the back of your hand. With a little practice you will be able to swing tho ball backwards and forwards over your thumb and make it appear and vanish between your fingers. A neat little trick! THE TRANSPARENT CARDS. After shuffling thorn thoroughly, you spread a pack of cards face downwards on the table. Now you can ask the audience to choose any card they wish

THE COIN WHICH CAN PASS THROUGH A HAT. Borrow a few coins and a bowler hat from the audience, and then announce that you will make one of the coins pass through the hat. You can assure the owner that it will not make any difference to the hat! . Now you proceed by placing a large tumbler on the table with the hat on the top of it—as shown in the diagram.

'.ater a shinking will be heard, and one of the coins will be found to have fallen down through the hat into the glass. When this is done you present the hat for inspection and return the coins to their rightful owners. .The explanation is quite simple, as you can see in the picture 1 While you borrow the coins you have an extra one in your hand. This you place carefully between_ the hat and the glass- on the side which turns away from the audience, of course. The little jolts as the coins fall into the hat will sooner or later make the hidden one fall into the glass. But remember in returning the coins to keep one back or the secret will soon be discovered 1 HOW TO CHANGE INK INTO WATER. You show the audience a glass which you say is full of ink. In order to prove the truth ©f this statement you dip a playing card into it. _ The half of the card which has been in the liquid immediately becomes black! Then you

hold a handkerchief over the glass and mumble a few magic words, and when you iremovo the handkerchief the ink has been turned into water! . This is how it is done: It is water in the glass, but you have previously put a piece of thin black material inside it, so that the material sticks to the sides of the glass. It will look as though the glass were nearly full of a black liquid—rsec the picture on the right. And now you glue two identical playing cards together, back to 'back. One of the cards is painted black, as in the diagram, in the top right-hand corner. Before dipping the card in the “ ink ” you produce the clean side, then without the audience being any the wiser you turn the card round and produce the .black one! In holding the handkerchief over the glass you manage to slip two fingers underneath it and remove the material inside the handkerchief. THE EDIBLE CANDLE. You explain that this last trick has made you hungry, so you take the candle out of the candlestick —and eat it with obvious relish. Explanation: You can either have a stump of candle, which is cut neatly out of a big apple, or a longer one made of marzipan! But the candle must be able to burn, so you give it a wick made of an almond, which can just burn long enough to enable you to. complete the first experiment. The false candle is shown in the first picture.