THE POSTIE'S BAG

Evening Star, Issue 22817, 27 November 1937, Page 8

THE POSTIE'S BAG

Warepa, South Otago. < November 18, 1937. Dear Big Brother Bill,—As it is a long time since I wrote to you, I am going to write to-night. The school is attended by four new pupils now, one being in standard V., one in standard 1., wad the others in the primers, so that is 31 attending now. The school inspector was here a few days ago. . . At homo wo have about 23 little red, fluffy chickens, also 15 small white ones, following their mothers around the 'grassy yard, and they are all growing like mushrooms. We went over to the Public Works camp at Kaibiku a week ago. It is great to see the amount of work they Save done in such a short time. They are making a new. straight road, which is about one mile long, doing away with all the bends that are in the old one. A deep cutting is being made all the way up a long, steep hill. I will close now, with kind regards.— From John Day. [Many thanks for your letter, John Day. It is a long time since you wrote to Big Brother Bill, but he was glad to get your letter. Good things are always worth waiting for. Your name is on the honour post for neat writing. Did the school inspector give you a good report? Brother Bill has some small chickens running about the yard, too. All the pet bantams have raised families this year, but what kind of fowls they will be would puzzle one of the wise men from Gotham to say. Still, if they live to lay eggs, nobody will ask any questions about their pedigree. Gtad_ to know that you had an interesting time 'at The Public Works camp. .Write again soon.]

9 Fern Hill, Dunedin, C.2. Dear Big Brother Bill.—ln this letter I am going to tell you a little about Centra Otago. Although you ; «re probably quite familiar with the country round Alexandra, there are no doubt, some bairns who have not been near there. . In the spring. Central is very pretty,, with all the fruit blossoms out and the numerous trees all in fresh green. The fruit blossoms and trees form a hedge along the roadsides; they are usually artistically arranged, as well as being set out to the best advantage where shelter is concerned. For two or three weeks in early spring,, the hills and plains are a mass of pink and white, while the Manureka River runs through the midst of them. In the summer time, the Alexandra district is very dry, and the pretty Blossoms give way to dust-laden trees, and barren hills, and thirsty bowed flowers which are usually stunted and faded. The extreme heat is often very harmful, ruining crops and paddocks of grazing, sometimes causing the cattle, and sheep to be in a very poor condition. Occasionally, during the summer months, the supply of water in the rivers dries up, making the irrigation water very short, and causing the farmers to lose several acres of valuable grazing through insufficient water and terrible heat. The birds in Central are just the very common ones—yellow hammer, thrush, goldfinch, etc., but they cause much anxiety and trouble, where there is ripe, or* ripening fruit. All the cherry trees, as well as a few others, are covered for protection; for instance, plums are covered with a fine birdnetting to protect them; while children are paid Is fid for 100 birds eggs to prevent the birds from becoming too numerous, and destroying the fine products of which Alexandra is so proud. „ , , . Well, brother Bill, I will close this time. :»ivi write more about Central another thee, if anyone is interested. —Another bairn, Valoiai Munro.

[Thank you for your letter, Valmai Munro. Your name is on the honour post because of your interesting letter. Brother Bill knows Central Otago very well, and likes it best in the autumn. Warm days and cool nights are delightful, He spent one summer holiday there, too, and liked that immensely; but he agrees that one summer holiday would not show the disadvantages of hot days all the time. Your little note about the bird’s eggs seems unfortunate for the birds. But Brother Bill knows nothing about the trials of those who grow luscious cherries and plums, and, being a little wise, will say nothing, except that it seems a pity. The birds do make constant war on blights and

*?)>» F»r HoMowit Yalmai Munro, 9 Fern Hill, Dunedin, C.2. For an interesting letter. John Day, Warepa, South , Otago. For neat writing.

weevils, however,, so they may think a little, juicy cherry or plum is their rightful wage for the work they do. Alexandra is a lovely little town, Valmai. Brother Bill came upon it, the first time, in the quiet and warmth of a noonday Sunday, and has never forgotten the peaceful impression, it made upon him. Write again soon.} 123 Opoho road, Dunedin, November 14, 1937. Dear Big Brother Bill, —I am going to tell you about our Brownie revels, which were held at Littlebourne House yesterday. We arrived there about 2.15. When we reached the road opposite we were given strips of crepe paper to mark which group we were in. At the gate were two Girl Guides dressed as the characters in/ Alice In Wonderland,’ one as,the White, Rabbit and the other as Alice. Walking farther up the path we were met by four characters—the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Queen of Hearts, and the Cheshire Cat. We were given little pieces of cardboard with the drawing of the characters on them. I was the Cheshire Cat. We were then taken to our groups. There were about eight in each. Our leader then told us the tale of ‘ Alice In Wonderland.’ , After that we played a few games, which included ‘Old Father William.’ About a quarter of an hour later we had afternoon tea. Just before we went home we had a treasure, hunt., In parts of the garden were hidden different kinds of animals with nicknames painted on them. There were 20 animals altogether. The prize went to the Opoho Pack, who got 17. It was a little brown china rabbit. We all went home then to tell our parents we had enjoyed ourselves immensely. Well, as I do not want to take up your whole page I had better close.—l remain, your true bairn, Jill Summerfield. [Thank you for your letter, Jill Summerfield. What a delightful time you had at the Brownie revels; and how nicely you describe it. / Alice in Wonderland ’ games were quite original, and must have been most enjoyable. Wasn’t it the Cheshire Cat that slowly disappeared until there was nothing left but its smile. It was not a bad ending, Jill—to be remembered by your smile. What do you think? Write again soon.]

441 North road, Normanby, Dunedin, N.E. 1

Dear Big Brother Bill, —I am one of the bairns, and am entering for this week’s competition, and hope to be successful. On Saturday morning we had three wee bantam chickens born, and one has a black stripe down its back, and it peeps out from its mother’s wing and looks very cheeky. One day two of the chickens (as Dad said) were playing hide and seek, and as they were running about they met each other and fell over. Another tried to scratch itself like its mother, but found he could not do it, and also fell over. Well, [ must close now, with love to all the bairns.—l am, yours sincerely, Gordon Roberts.

[Thank you for your letter, Gordon Roberts. Bantam chickens are comical little things, as you say. Brother Bill has a pet bantam with a family of nine, and another with a family of four. He does not quite know which is the most comical to watch—the chickens or their important little mothers. But they are good mothers, just as ready to fight for their bairns as to strut about showing off. Write again soon.]

43 Bush road, Mosgiel. November 20, 1937. Dear Big Brother Bill, —Please may I join your happy band? lam 13 years of age and my birthday is on February 16. I am entering for the over-ten competition, and hope to be successful. I enjoy reading your columns every Saturday night. Well, Big Brother Bill, I must close now, with love to you and th© bairns.—l remain, yours truly, Rosalie Thomson. [Welcome to the family, Rosalie Thomson. Brother Bill is glad to know that you enjoy reading the columns, - and thanks you for your first letter. Write again soon.] Warepa. October 22, 1937. Dear Big Brother Bill, —We once more write to you. I have a little read-and-white calf at home, whose name is Daisy. Every night and morning roy father feeds Daisy. It is a lovely spring time. I am enjoying it very much, I hope you are, too. On Sunday I went bird nesting. My father told mo where there was a blackbird’s nest. When I found it, it bad four eggs in it. Then I went into an old barn where I found a sparrow’s nest. My small brother has a hut made out of wood. When we had finishing blowing the eggs Victor said he wanted the yokes to make cakes. I think I will close now, hoping to see my letter in the ‘ Evening Star.’—l remain, yours faithfully, Molly Ashley. [Thank you for your letter, Molly Ashley. Brother Bill is always ready to read' a letter _ from Warepa, and is quite interested in the group of bairns who writ© to him from there. Surely you cannot make cakes from eggs of small birds I A long, long time ; ’ago, when a boy, Brother Bill remembers mating some blackbird pie. It took an awful number of birds to make the pie, but not as many as it would take eggs to make a cake. Do you and Victor play in the hut? Brother Bill knows where a boy has built a hut in the high fork of a gum tree, and a ladder is needed to climb to it. The boy who built it is quite proud of it, and when up there feels like Robinson Crusoe. Write again soon.] PEN FRIENDS* CORNER Readers of these columns who wish for pen friends are invited to send their names to Big Brother Bill for publication here. Bairns who have names and addresses of boys and girls who wish for New Zealand pen friends are asked to forward them, also, for the benefit of other readers.

Big Brother Bill is grateful to Irene Milblirn, 59 Reid road, Dunedin, 5.1., for the names below. Bairns interested in Canadian pen friends will find them all eager to make pen friends in New Zealand:—

Theresa lo Moullec, Notre Dames do Lourdes, Manitoba, Canada. Theresa is 13 years old and a keen stamp collector.

Jean M-Millan, Consul, Saskatchewan, Canada. Eva Midland, Makwa, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Jeannette Baird, Galahad, Alberta, Canada. The three last named are interested in sports, reading, and sewing.

A PLACE FOR BIRD LOVERS The Pledge.—“ I promise to care for all wild birds, especially New Zealand native birds, to feed them in winter, and to protect them at all times. I promise also to protect our native trees and bush, and at no time to assist in their damage or destruction, since they are the natural home of our native birds.”Name . Full postal address

If you wish to join tho 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 your letters to Big Brother Bill, care of ‘ Evening Star,’ Stuart street, Dunedin, 0.1. Be sure to mark your envelope “ Bird Club.”A BOY AND AN EAGLE Constantine Varaticeanu, a Boy Scout of 16, has received a medal from the King of Rumania, Constantine has to watch his father’s sheep, and of late has more than once been in trouble for losing one or two of his flock. The boy determined to find the thief, and going off for four days he waited and watched till the thief appeared. He saw an eagle swoop down on the flock and choose a lamb, and as the bird was rising with it_ in its huge talons Constantino flung himself over it, trussing it up in spite of its frantic efforts and the injuries it inflicted on him. News of his victory brought congratulations from Scouts all over Rumania, and with them a summons to Bucharest, where the King pinned a medal on Constantine’s tunic.

NIKOLA ,TESLA AND THE BIRDS One of the great,old giants of wireless, Nikola Tesla, is at the age of 80 taking care of the pigeons that abound in front of the Public Library in New York City. Until quite recently he would come each day to his pigeons with a five r pound Bag of corn and distribute it among the flock of eager birds which frequents this famous building. Today Mr Tesla sends in his place a telegraph messenger boy of , the Western Union Company to distribute his bounty. Nikola Tesla has been a lover of pigeons since ho was sis, when he fed them in his native Croatian village in Austria. Nikola Tesla’s great dream has not come true—yet. Some years ago the C.N. told of his dream of wireless power —energy to be sent out in all directions

AN AMAZING EXPERIMENT.— How five boys are able to lift a sixth by using ' their forefingers only! - Tho picture makes further explanation unnecessary, but it must be remembered that all the bo;vs have to start lifting at the same momentj otherwise the experiment will fail. Though it seems almost magical, the explanation is perfectly natural. The weight of the boy lifted is divided into five parts, so each of his friends may have only to lift one-fifth of his weight.

from the antenna of immense wireless power stations, so that those wanting power could tap it from the wireless beam and harness it to their electric motors or electric fires. True,_ the energy of a modern shortwave wireless transmitter can be so concentrated that the losses are trifling compared with those of a few years ago, and a man can talk across the ocean with the little bit of power that would be used for a bicycle lamp. But this is largely owing to the fact that the very faint signals picked up by the receiver can be amplified hundreds of times by valves and so made to give audible sounds or to operate a telegraph instrument. The day of sending out sufficient power by wireless to drive machinery and boat furnaces seems ns far off as

OBSERVING THE ALTITUDE OF THE SUN

While wo are on the subject of sailors, have you not often read in sea stories about “ the mate taking the altitude of the sun.” This is done by means of an optical instrument called a sextant, which is illustrated here. The instrument is made of metal and is shaped like a triangle, the lower side of which consists of a graduated arc (1). There is a mirror (3) at the top of the pivoting arm (2), and an adjusting screw (4) at the bottom, so that the aim can slide tf> and fro along the graduated arc. No. 5 is a magnifying glass to facilitate accurate reading of the scale. No. 6 is the so-called horizon glass, one-

LEARN FLAG SIGNALLING I am sure you know that when sailors arc at sea they generally signal from ship to ship by means of flags. You may even have seen a marine swinging two flags without knowing what it really meant, but now I shall tell you. The flag movements are a feature of a very ingenious system called the semaphore alphabet. This system is also used on shore—by Scouts —and is comparatively easy to learn. Here

measurement is to he made with the instrument the navigator looks through the telescope (9) and holds the sextant eo that the horizon (10) can be seen through the unsilvered part of the horizon glass (6). Ho then adjusts the index arm (2) until a ray from the sun is caught in the mirror (3) mounted on the arm and reflected on the mirror of the horizon glass. He now reads the scale at the bottom, and by doubling the figure he reads he knows the number of degrees at which the sun stands in relation to the earth. Once he knows this angle he need only look in a handbook to find the exact latitude of the ship. The exact longitude can be seen from the ship's chronometer, and when ho has these two figures it is an easy matter to find the exact position of the ship on a sea chart. On ships bound on long voyages the position is ascertained every day at noon in this manner. A LITERARY BREAKFAST As lately a sage on fine ham was repasting, Though for breakfast too savoury I ween, Ho exclaimed to a' friend, who sat silent and fasting: “ What a breakfast of learning is mine!” “ A breakfast of learning?” with, wonder he cried. And laughed, for he thought him mistaken. “ Why, what is it else,” the sage quickly replied, “ When I’m making large extracts from Bacon?”

you see the whole alphabet used for signalling. Some letters are missing, as they are not necessary for the short messages transmitted by this system. Two flags are used, a white one held in the right hand, and a black one held in the left hand. _ The various positions are clearly indicated by the illustrations. Note that fig. 1 shows the starting position, while fig. 2 is the sign for '“Ready” to bo shown just before the signalling begins. You can get lots of fun out of this system when you are in the country, so you ought to learn it.

AN UNEXPECTED SIGHT AT THE ZDD Either Jock, the powerful lion mate of Juno at the Zoo, has been much misunderstood, or his coming to London has reformed him. Tens of thousands knew him, for until he came to the Zoo fir© years ago he had toured the country with a menagerie. While a traveller Jock was regarded as a rather greedy mate, and when cubs appeared he was always marched off to a den - of his own. Recently two cubs were bom to Juno before they were expected, and the keepers arrived one morning to find Juno in the den with the youngsters and Jock very proud and officious on guard at the door. As he showed no jealousy of the little ones, and was behaving like a gentleman, he was permitted to remain, with the result that he has built up an entirely new and honourable record, Instead of robbing Juno of her food', when the meat is placed in the outer cage Jock chivalrously picks out the best portion for Juno, carries it to her den, pops it inside, and returns to eat his own share. This is but a return to the ginerous co-operation of the wilds, where birds and animals, and even certain kinds of fishes, pool their efforts in upbringing the young. The nursery season seems to bring to most creatures a reinforcement of parental affection. The big herb-eat-ing animals protect their offspring with a devotion that wanes only with mortal injury; horses and bulls fight to the last for foals and calves; elephants shepherd their young with care and intelligence almost incredible, even to helping the blundering calves uphill and down with the aid of trunk and tusks. There is an immense fund of goodness, chivalry, and sacrifice in the lower creation which humanity in these days of strife might study in humility and with much profit.