THE CASTLE MAIL BAG.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 5 September 1925, Page 18

THE CASTLE MAIL BAG.

Meremcic, Aug. 23. Dear Smile Queen, —Just a few lines to see how you and the other Smiles are getting on. I have a little calf. Her name is Nora. We have 23 cows in now and mum and dad l milk them and 1 mind, the baby. many pretty flowers out now. We are having two weeks’ holiday. lam sending some buried girls’ names that my brother Edward and I. made -up.. We have two dear little kittens. One is black and white; the other one is gray; but we can’t catch them., My sister and I went to a birthday party last Saturday and we had a time. I must close now with love to you and your Smiles. From Queenie Coltart. [Thanks so much for the buried names.—S.Q.] Fillis St., New Plymouth, August 24. Dear Smile Queen, —When I was down at my uncle’s I read the Smile Corner, and I would like) to write to you. I was eight years old on May 12. I am in standard two. I used to go to school in Hawera,, but we came to New Plymouth. When my uncle was at the war I was born, so I was called after him. We live near to the park in New Plymouth, and: we often play there. In the summer my brothers andi sisters and I go to the lovely beaches, and often have tea there. I hope you will send me an answer to this in the “Smile 1 Castle’’ as my uncle is going to send up the Smile Castle every week. 1 will close now, with love, and smiles, from Gilbert Hayton. [l’m so pleased you’ve come Gilbert, as we really need a few Smiles in New Plymouth. They can always tell us about what goes on there. —S.Q.] Smith St., Waverlev. Dear Smile Queen, —May I join the Smile Castle, for I like reading the Smiles’ letters? 1 am. 11 years 8 months old. L have a brother named Walter, and a sister named Buth. I must close now, with love from your new Smile, Joan Lippingwell. Mangamingi, Eltliam, Aug. 24. Dear Smile Queen, —May I join your Smile Castle? I am six years of age. My birthday is on September G, so I will be seven. lam in primer three. We go' to Mangamingi School. We have two little pigs, andi would you please give me names for them. Now I must close. From your loving Smile, Norman William Crosby. [Call them Ham and Squeak. —S.Q.]

Auroa, August. Dear Smile Queen, —I was pleased to see my letter in The Star. Fancy me forgetting the address! We live on the Sheet Bond, Auroa, on a farm. Dad has sixtv-two cows l in now, but we are going to milk seventy-five. I do not milk. I like to help mother in the house best. Yes, our pups are mischievous little things. They are, always running off with something. One day one carried off one of dad’s boots that had been put in the sun to dry, and we all had a great hunt for it, and found it by the wood-heap. Mother’s going to be, busy in the vegetable garden this week, so I hope we have fine weather; but it is very wet to-day. I will close now, with many smiles, from Gladys Bigham.

C/o West Port Boarding-house, Pukekohe

Dear Smile Queen —This will be my last letter to you and your fairies. I am very sorry to leave my friends behind, and also leave your lovely Castle. Could you tell me what marks I got for the drawing of the boot? With love from Annie Tomlinson.

[lf yours was the drawing on blue paper, then' you got 14 marks out of 25. I hope we still may hear from you sometimes. —S.Q.]

. Riverlea, Eltham

Dear Smile Queen, —May I bcome a member of your Smile Castle? I am 10 years old and will be 11 on September 9, and I am in standard two. I read in the paper some of my mates’ letters. I have a cousin writing to you and her name is Minnie Symes. I will give you something for the Gift Cupboard. I will close now for this time. With a big smile, from Eric Dew. [Address your letters to the Smile Queen, and put the. stamp on the righthand top corner. Try- to make y’our letter as neat as Minnie’s. Yon mustn’t let a girl beat y’ou. —S.Q.] Mokoia, Aug. 23. Dean Smile Queen, —It has been very wet here to.-day, so that we could not go outside to pla\ r , and so I thought I would write to .you. We had our exam, at school a few weeks ago; I came first in my class. I have a little calf, which I am having for the calf-reaving competition, and which I call Blossom. I. did not do the drawing because I am no good at drawing. I read in. the Smile Corner that we. have IC7. Smiles in our circle, but we need still more, do we not, Smile Queen? On Saturday morning I saw a rare, but beautiful singing bird, the bcllbird. Mother said that she had seen it many times when we were at school. I must close now. With love to all Smiles and yourself. I remain, your loving Smile, Mary Widmer. [I am delighted that von topped your class. —S.Q.] Glen ltd., Kaupokonui, Aug. 27. Dear Smile Queen, —Thank you very much for the very pretty card and birthday’ greeting which you so kindly sent me on Saturday. I had some nice presents given, to hip. We are having dreadful weather for our holidays. My little brother has gone to Auroa to stay with our auntie. I have a little girl friend staying with us from Eltham. We are having such lots of fun. We have a black pony, which we call Tim', and he is so tricky. We were, going for a ride on him on Sunday, but he would not go as 1 Dad had given him some carrots which lie did not like, leaving. I must close now. With love from Edna Hitchcock.

Noonan Rd., Wliakamara, Aug. 23. My Dear Smile Queen, —I am staying with my Auntie Lucy and cousin Peggie. Peggie is writing with me to say T am staying with her., T. am having a lovely time here. T came on Thursday. Wo have some little lambs at borne. I think we have three or more. We had' only one when I left home, but we have some more now. I will give von some riddles. Best wishes to all vour Smile fairies. I am, your Smile, Trixie Carter.

Noonan Rd. Wliakamara, Aug. 24. My Dear Smile Queen, —I am so ashamed to write to you now, for T have not written to you for so long. I wish to thank you very much for the pretty birthday card you sent me. I thought you would have forgotten ali about me. by this time. It came on the Monday, and my birthday was on Sunday, and I left on the Monday morning to spend a few days with my cousins at Ngaere. I arrived home last night, to find my birthday card from you, and also a cousin of mine—another of your Smiles, Trixie Carter — here to spend a few days with me. We ai'e having real good times. I love to have some girl friends to play with, although I have two little sisters. Spring-time is here, and I love the warmer, brighter days with the flowers, calves, lambs, and everything else that comes with the spring. I will close with a smile. One of your Smiles, Peggie Barkla.

[So you are Trixie’s cousin. What a number of our Smiles are related.— s.Q •] '

Matukulfrtr, P’atea, Aug. 20. Dear Smile Queen,—l was very pleased to see my letter in last weekhs I taweta, 'Star. When I wins rending the L'jijteiis oil your Smiles, I. saw that they were making bays for the Gilt Cupboa; d, so I asked mother il 1 could make something, and she •said “Yes.” So I dressed a little doill in pink clothes far the Cupboard. I was very miserable to-day because I had the toothache, and every time the cold got into mv mouth my tooth (started to ache. Tire other day, as J wats coming home from our schoolimiatsiteirVs, house, 1 went around a few sheep and 1. found a lovely little lamb, and I slrid to Dad that * the sheep had twins and went away and left one, so he said that I could have it for a pet. I must' dose now. From your loving Smile, Cllirissia M. Miller.

P.S. —My two little bantams • are ying and I a,in pleased. iTho dentist will soon fix your tooth•he. —'S.Q. ]

Piniitceis -Street Exit., Hawera,. Dear Smile Queen, —How are you? Mother went to New Plymouth to ;stay for a week, so my bather and my b rathe:’ and I ibaltched at home*. Oil T uesday 1 went for a skate, and nearly a,T itihs tiime j. kept tolling over, but just ’before the man blew his wlniisble L went round without falling over. From voni-r loving Smile, James Mortloek. 143 Glover Rd., Hawera, Aug. 26. Dear Smile Queen, —I hope you and your fairies have not got horrible colds like most of us have. I think old Winter is being very mean staying so long. Spring should hurry herself along a bit more too. I hope my poetr.v is not too late. I went in for the singing competitions under 14 last week and all my time has been taken up, so I could not settle down to make up a piece of poetry till this week. Now I must close, or I shall not be able to march off to bed when, the- clock strikes eight. Heaps of love and kisses. I remain, your loving Smile, Olga Hancock. [I am accepting your poetry. I heard about vour singing.—S.Q.] Mangamingi, Eltham, Aug. 24. Dear Smile Queen, —1 did not see any letter in the paper this week. My mother has not been very well these few day’s, but she is better now. We have had thunder and lightning and it has been raining here for the afternoon, so I did not go outside. I must close now as I have to wash the dishes. 1 am, your loving Smile, Doreen Mary Crosby’. Kaka.ramea, Aug. 24. Dear Smile Queen, —I suppose vou think 1 have forgotten you, because 1 have not- written for a' long time. The two bantams tire laying. I get up early every morning to get the, duck eggs. We are having’ our holidays now. I went to stay’ with my school mate Annie Hall for two days. 1 have three dolls and their names are Pinky. Mable, and Mar.jor.v, and T have a doll’s pram and bed. I have many little dolls in my dolls’ house, too. I will close now with love. From Alison Large. Te Kiri, Aug. 23. Dear Smile Queen, —Just a few lines as I have not written for a long time. One of your Smile children, Glady’S Bigham, is writing to you. So, as I am stopping here, I though I would like to write also. My’ sisters and brothers came for me on Sunday to see if I was ready to come; but I am staying another week. It was rough and, wet to-day, so we played indoors. Did you see the lightning and hear the thunder to-day? My mother has some sweet violets and bulbs out in, the garden, and, some vegetable seeds in. All the winter we have had lettuce,, which make nice sandwiches. I will close now, with a big smile for you and the Smiles. From Myrtle Coxliead.

[I did not- see the lightning nor hear the thunder at Smile Castle, How delicious to have lettuces all through the winter. —S.Q.]

Glen Rd., Kaupokonui, Aug. 25.

Dear Smile Queen, —May I join your happy family'? My age is ten and I will be eleven on the 23rd of next month. I am in standard four at school. Doris Dakcrs is staying here to-night, so we are making some things for the Gift Cupboard. We will not send them this month, for we have not made enough things. I have one sister and three The youngest is a little, boy aged two, but he will be three on the 31st of this month. As we did not got Saturday’s paper, I did not see the results of the last competition, a piece of poetry called Bed-time. I will not write much as this is the first time. With a big smile, from Myrtle Gamlin. Riverlea, Aug. 22. Dean Smile Queen, —I have a lot of spare time to- write to you because there is no school; but we’re going back next Monday. The days are getting longer and the nights are shorter, aren’t, they? The leaf-buds are coming out and some of the bulbs are, too, so that is telling us that spring is here. I hope the Smile fairies are getting on all right. lam sending a. piece of poetry because I wanted to. I have no more news now, so I will close with lots of merry Smiles to all Smiles, Jessie Gibbons. [Do not address your letters to the manager of the Star, Jessie, but to the Smile Queen. The manager gets letters enough of his own.—S.Q.] C/o Startup Bros., Hunter Ed., Eltham, Aug. 2G. Dear Smile Queen, —I am sorry I did not write to you last week. As it is a wet afternoon I will write a fe.w lines now. I went to town last Saturday and I enjoyed myself very much. We have 29 cows in and we are milking by machines, but I do not need to milk.. I set- the table and keep the. fire going for mother. I planted a few flower seeds the other day, and I hope they do not get washed out by the rain. I am. going to write a piece of poetry called Spring. I think I will close now, with love to you and all. From Olive Simpson. Duthie Rd., Matapu, Aug. 23. Dear Smile Queen, —I am so very sorry that. I have not written to you lately, and it is such a long time. We are shifting this week and. we have no liouse to go to yet, so my father will have to look for one. My sister is going to join our Castle after we shift. I hope the house is a large one because there is a big family of us. We have been living in Matapu eight years, so it will be quite a change. Mother, my two sisters and I are going to-morrow night to the picture which is calld “The Ten Commandments.’’ I hope it will be a nice picture. Your loving Smile, Flora Radford. [Please send me your new address as soon as you know it. —S.Q.] Kakaramea, Aug. 24. Dear Sniilei Queeir, —I must thank you for the. name you gave me for my bantam. One day I found a nest with two eggs in it. On Wednesday night we went to the “Ten Commandments’’ in Pate,a. Chong followed us along the road, and- did not come home till Saturday. I was doing some gardening- on Saturday. We are having our holidays from school. The spring flowers are coming out now. I must close now. With love from Mildred Large.

Glen Rd., Kaupokonui, Aug. 25.

Dear Smile Queen, —I did not- receive last Saturday’s paper, and so 1 do not know the results of the competition in poetry. I have, just finishe 1 m.ak'ng a pussy cat. but I spoilt it. When T. vas making the eye with ink it blotted, hut I think it will be all right to send. I am not at home at night, but at my little friend’s place-, Myrtle Gamlin. She said she would write if I did, but she hasn’t yet. She will write to-morrow. A good while ago my sister had a small Shetland pony called Nobby. It was lovely. It used to come in the front door and go out the back. With a big, broad smile, from Doris Dakers.

P.S.—I have had a lovely time since I joined. [We’ll be pleased to have the cat. The poetry won’t be marked for some time yet.—S.Q.] Auroa Ed., Aug.. 26. Dear Smile Queen, —My father was very glad I .joined your Smiles. We had a good concert on Thursday before our fortnight’s holiday. I can make scones, buns, and cakes for 'my Mummy when she. goes away to town. I am enjoying myself in the holidays looking after my spring bulbs. My father has a bad finger on his right hand. All our fowls and the bantam are laying. We have had a lot of rain, thunder and lightning this week. We are all gathering bottles to sell. I will write a piece of poetry next week for you. Well, I must close with many kisses to you ana your friends, Mavis Swale. [How splendid to be able to bake for mol her.-—S.Q.] Princes St. Ext., ITawera. Dear Smile Queen, —How are you? I went to my Grandma’s and my mother and I am going to New Plymouth for a week. I must close now. Prom your loving Smile, Barbara Mortloe'k. Rowan. Dear Smile Queen, —I was very pleas, ed with the pretty birthday card I received last night. If .you printed this drawing smaller which I am sending you, would it be suitable for the top left-hand corner of our smiling page? Mother says that I get so interested in reading,our page that I forget to help her. Did you see the British warships last year? My mother and my three little sisters, Doris, Vera and. Norali. saw them. lam sorry I did not. put mv age on my poetry, but did not know until last night, and I had sent it by then, but I put my standard (V). I think this is all I can say, so good-bye, with loves for you and your Smiles, and also many kisses. From Lulu Jackson.

[No, I did not see the British warships. I was pleased to receive your drawing, but the castle itself was not very good. It is also difficult, to have drawing reproduced. —S,Q.}

Kaponga, Aug. 28. Dear Smile Queen,—l have had a holiday at my auntie’s. There is a cow -called 1920 and another one called Bluev. From your Smile Bernard Willis. * Rowan, Aug.. 23. Dear Smile Queen,—l am just writing you a little letter so you will not think 1 have forgotten you. My mother has gone away for a week’s holiday and we are left on our own. I am learning the piano and my sister Louisa is teaching me. I think this is all can say. With a. lot of smiles and kisses. From Ruby D. Jackson. [Do vou alwavs remember to practice?— S.Q.] Mokoia, Aug. 23. Dear Smile Queen,—l am very sorry I did not write to you for a long time. I am writing to you now because it- is very wet and cold. We have a little calf and it is full of fun. The days are now growing longer, because it is spring-time. I hope you and the Smiles are well. I must close now. With a big smile from Martha Widmer. O'pumake. Dean- Smile Queen,—l did my ipoetiy a. few days ago and forgot toi posit dit, so I iioipo it isn’t too late. Laist might a lady friend iaind I worked _la crossword puzzle out until we cam© to a word meaning squla.ro dimiemsioins with four letters, the three first of which are ARiO I , and another word of two letters meaning near, the last of which letter is T. I aim home again new and non© the worse except. ■ that I ani not Billowed to run and jump for a while. I miulsib d'.oise now, with, tons df isimiles, to everyone. Your loving subject, Mavis. Lyitbl©.' [Try D to end the first word and A to begin the other one.—S.Q.]