THE CASTLE MAIL BAG.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 February 1926, Page 18

THE CASTLE MAIL BAG.

Ivaipaki, Ohaupo, Waikato, Jan. 22. Dear Smile Queen, —Seeing it is our liolidavs, I must find time to write to you. 'I am still staying with my uncle and aunt and am having a lovely holiday. I have been into the town of Cambridge twice and I love going over the big bridge across the Waikato River. From where I am living we can see the smoko from the boats going up and down the Waikato River, f had a lovely time at Christmas. Santa Claus left me a sleeping doll, a box of chocolates and a bag of nuts, and then my Daddy sent me a lovely sleeping doll, so I have two of them now and auntie gave me a doll’s cot. My cousins took me to the pictures last night and I thought they were lovely. Now I am looking forward to our school picnic, which will be held in February. Igo to Sunday school every Sunday and at Christmas I got a nice book for my prize. Well, hoping all the Smiles had as merry a Christmas as I did. and that Santa Claus didn’t miss any of them, I will close with love to all the Smiles and yourself. Your lov ing Smile, Mavis Hardakor. [You have indeed had a good holiday. —B.Q.] Papatoetoe, Auckland, Jan. 4. Dear Smile Queen, —I am staying with my auntie up here. I have been to the zoo. I saw two big hippopotami. Someone told them to open their mouths and they did. I also sawtwo sea lions that walked up and showed themselves off well. I suppose you have been there ar.d seen all the things for yourself. It is lovely weather up here just. now-. I diu get a lot of things for Christmas but the one I like best is my big baby doll. So goodbye and lots of love-. Your loving Smile, Doris Dakers. | What a lovely holiday you have had, Doris. Use just one side of your paper next time.—S.Q.] Rowan, Dec. 22. Dear Smile Queen, —Just a few lines to put in with the Xmas card. I have passed into standard two. I hope you have a good holiday and come back nice and fresh to start our Smile Castle a.gain. Wishing you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year, I remain, your loving Smile, Ruth Rowell. [Many thanks for your very pretty card.—S.Q.] Rowan, Dec. 22. Dear Smile Queen, —Just a few lines to send with some Xmas cards. We have had our concert now. Did you come? I did not see you. We have had our exam, and I have passed into standard four. I had the highest marks in the school. Hoping you have a Merry Xmas and a Hapjiy New Ylear, and also a jolly holiday, I remain, your loving Smile, Annie Rowell. [Thanks for your card, too. Y r es, I was at your concert and enjoyed it, but I was not able to let you see me. Congratulations on your splendid pass.—S -Q-I ' .11 Rural Mail, Mnbon Rd., Via Patoa, Dee. If). My Dear Smile Queen, —This little note is just to wish you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you will receive a great many letters this week. Our garden is looking gay with flowers, a thing which pleases me very much. We are having fine weather just at present. About a week ago I found a beautifully made little nest in which were four lovely little eggs. I have not yet found out what kind of a bird it belongs to. My little sister Faith will be seven on Monday, 21st. L must close now, so good-bye. With love and best, wishes to von. From your loving .Smile, Joyce Rockell. Manaia Rd., Manaia, Dee. 10. Dear Smile Queen, —I now sit down to write you a few- lines. We broke up for our Christman holidays yesterday. We had afternoon tea at school. 1 have passed into standard six. 1 did not miss a day from school this year. 1 think my cousin is coining to stop with me for a week in the holidays. Shortly after Christmas we will be haymaking. I think that is all the news, as 1 have to go down town for ivy mother. Wishing you and all your Smiles a Merry Christinas and a Happy New- Year, I remain, your loving Smile, Minnie Symes. [Many thanks for vour pretty card. -S.Q.]

C/o Startup Bros., Hunter Road, Eltham, Dec. 19. Dear Smile Queen, —I hope you don’t think I nave forgotten you yet. I had 315 marks for this last examination and my brother got 2(14. We are both in standard three and Charlie is in standard one. We arc haymaking today. Last Sunday we had visitors. How many Smile fairies have you now? 1 wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. 'Now I think I will close. From your loving Smile, Olive Simpson. Cambridge Street, Patea, Dec. IS Dear Smile Queen, —It is a long time since I have w-ritten to you, but I am sending something for the Gift Cupboard. YVe closed school to-day and we finished up with a concert. lam quite pleased that Christmas is coming near. I must now- close my letter, wishing you and all the Smiles a merry Christmas and a Happy New- Ycar. I remain, your loving Smile, Eva Bond. [Thanks for your parcel, Eva.—S.Q. ] Box 29, Opunake, Dee. 20. Dear Smile Queen, —Thank you for making me come first m the competitions. The others were all very close to me. Next year I shall w-rite occasionally, but I shall not enter any competitions if there are any, as the others ought to have a chance, don’t you think? I have not written lately as I have been very busy. I was helping to make things for a bazaar here. All the spare time that I did have was put into weeding the flower and vegetable gardens. lam sending a little parcel for the Gift Cupboard. It may be too late for Christmas or New Year, so it w r ill start next year’s collection. I think that is a very good way of helping the sick and poor children. My recent exam, in New Plymouth lasted a week. I had such a good time there. On a Sunday I went, with some friends round the mountain to Hawera. I must close now, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I remain, your loving Smile, Nina Brown. [I hope you will still give us some stories and descriptions to help on our corner. Thank you, Nina and Doris, for the pretty card.—S.Q.] Smith Street, Wnverley, Jan. S. Dear Smile Queen. —Thank you very much for the beautiful birthday card you sent me. That is the only one 1 have unless I had one sent to me -when I was a baby, but I don’t remember that. Love to Smile Queen. From Joan Lippingwell. [l’m so pleased vou liked the card.—• S.Q.] Kapuni, Jan. 31. Dear Smile Queen, —I shall write vou a few lines now because the liolidavs are almost over. The day that school broke up we all got a. prize, and mine was called l “Enid’s Ugly Duckling,’’ and I got the. sowing prize and it was a doll’s bed. On Christmas Eve I hung up my stocking, and next morning when I woke I found that it was full up to the top. Then, at breakfast time, it was great fun opening the parcels I got. YVe have been for a lot of swims now and I can swim.—Love from Ina Josephson. [I am glad that you and other Smiles have, made good use of the liolidavs by learning to swim. It’s great fun. isn’t it?—S.Q.] Auroa, Feb. .1. Dear Smile Queen, —I am going to write you another letter as it. seems a long time since we saw the. fairies’ letter page. Have you had a real good time, fairies? YV e have had lots of play, but I shall be glad, to go back to school to-morrow. I have had my tonsils and adenoids out in the holidays, so I hope I shan’t be sick any more when my ear gets betters. Our auntie came to sec us to-day. YY r e were pleased, as we don’t see her when she conies on school days. I have a new book for school, and it is nice. YVe have two little pups, only five days old,, and they can’t see. yet. YVe went to the. beach some days and it was lovely. I do love the beach; we had some nice, paddles. YVp have a paddle Tide in the creek, and have swims on fine days. I hope you and the fairies are well, Smile Queen, and lots of love to all. —From your Smile, Amy Bigham. Hawera. Dear Smile Queen, —I went to New Plymouth for my holidays. YVhere did you go? YVe. started school on Tuesday. I shall close now. —From. James Mortlock. [Some day I. may tell you of the beautiful bush and mountains in which tlie fairies and I made our holiday camp. —S.Q.] Glenn Road, Kapuni. Jan. 31. Dear Smile Queen, —I am going to write, you a few lines before we go to school. YVe have had 1 the most lovely holiday, but, we did not go away. Tinday that school broke, up we each received a prize. Mine was “ Little YVomen,” and it is very niee. Then, in the afternoon, we had a Christmas tree anil Father Christmas was there,, and we. all received a present. On Christmas morning I woke up and found my stocking full of presents; then l got lots of other presents, and I was so excited. YVe have been to the beach several times and I enjoyed it very much. YVe go to the, river every day when. it is fine, and I can swim. I will close now with a big smile for all. From Norma Josephson. Hawera. Dear Smile Queen, —I have not written to you for a long time. We went to New Plymouth for our Christmas holidays. YVe had a lovely time on the. beach. YVe went for a bathe every day. I must close now.—From Barbara Mortlock. [I am glad that you and James had so pleasant a time, Barbara. Please write on one side of the paper only next time. —S.Q.J Bovlnn Road, Normanby. Feb. 1. Dear Smile Queen, —I am very sorry I have not written to you lately. J am also very sorry to say that one of our little Smiles, Ivy Eynon, passed to rest during the holidays. I have another little baby brother, who was born on the same day as my birthday. December 10. I hope that our little fairies spent a happy Christmas and a bright New Year. —I remain, your loving- Smile, Flora Radford.

Mokoia, Fob. I. Dear Smile Queen, —I have just come home from my holidays, and I saw by Saturday’s paper that you were home and expected' some letters from tlip Smiles. I hope you and your fairies had a real good time, because- I did. The school is re-opening to-morrow for another year’s study, so I suppose vee must all work hard. T went to Ihe •gardens at ISTg-aere while X was stayingthere with my aunty, uncle and cousins. You were asking us to t-y and make some badges in your last letter. I have tried to make two or three, and I think I have one that will bear inspection. When we came, home we all liad to have a look around our gardens. There were such lots of flowers out and a lovely lot of weeds, too. I will conclude now with love, to all the Smiles. —One of your Sniiies, Peggie Barkla. [How strange! 1 always look around our garden after a holiday too. The gardening fairies were busy this week, too. 1 had almost forgotten the badge. I am glad you reminded me.—S.Q.] Hunter Road, c/o Startup Bros., Eltham, Jan. 30. Dear Smile Queen, —llow are you getting on now after all these long holidays? I hope you and your fairies have enjoyed yourselves very much. YVe went for a fortnight’s holiday up to New Plymouth. We had a good many rides in the trams going from one place to another. YVe spent most of our time, on the beach. YVe also spent a. day at YVaitara at my grandmother’s place. YY r e went to Kawaroa Park. Now we are home we are ready for school once. more. We have all our books, ready for school. I am going to make your badge. Now I think I will close, so good-bye. Smile Queen, with love from Olive Simpson. .[You have had a. good holiday, and I'm pleased you are quite ready to go back to school. —S.Q.]

. Glenn Road, Manaia. Feb. 1. Dear Smile Queen, —Just a few lines to tell you that I am not glad that school is starting. My sailor brother came home about a week and two days ago. He lias been, home to England, and has come back with the new battleship HALS. Diomede. He is home for two weeks and he goes back to Auckland, where tne Diomede is. I hope you had a jolly time on your holiday, and you and your fairies feel better after your holiday. Did you get. that present I sent- 'you? ‘Well, Smile Queen, I think I had better leave off now.—l remain, yours truly, Gwen Cross! ey. | How delightful to see your sailor brother again. I suppose you are very proud of him. You will surely like school when you meet all your mates again. Yes, thank you, I got your little luck token, and in return I wish you everv sort of success this vear.— S.Q.] 45 Collins (St., Hawera. Feb. 1. Dear Smile Queen, —Thank you very much for the beautiful “Boys’ Own Annual” which I received as a prize. My boy friend Yernon and I enjoyed its stories and pictures, but we havenot read it all yet. Did you have a nice holiday? I was hoping to go to YVellington, but my mother was ill, so I spent three weeks on a farm again. I passed at school and am now to go into Standard three. Our school starts to-morrow, so 1 am writing your letter to-day. I have a darling wee nephew. His name is Geoffrey.— Your little friend, Reginald Muscliamp. [I had some of my holidays on a farm, too. You’ll be able to go to YVellington another time.—S.Q.] Boy]nn Road, Normanby. Dear Smile Queen, —I am very sorry that I have not written to you before, but 1 am very busy now and I thought that if I had a while to spare L would write. I am sending a big doll’s dress in for the -Gift Cupboard. I have had a very good holiday and am pleased to be back at- school. I have passed into Standard IYC I hope most of the Smile Fairies have passed into another class. There is not very match news up this way, so I will close. —Your Smile Fairy, Irrel Radford. Auroa, Feb. 1. Dear Smile Queen, —I am once more going to write to you and your fairies. School starts to-morrow and I shall be very pleased. I hope you had a nice holiday, Smile Queen, and that all the fairies are well and have had a good time. I had a lovely holiday. I stayed with some of mother’s cousins, and they did give me a lovely time. 1 went for. a swim every day, either morning, afternoon or night. A lady taught me to swim. This rain will do the crops good. YVe saw tlie train with the Hawera Sunday school children go to Opunake, and it had eighteen carriages. We had nine extra little children to play witli ua yesterday, and we had a lovely time. After all this rain we shall be able to gather a, lor of new mushrooms. Next Saturday we shall be looking for the Smile page. I will close now as the news, is scarce. —From your loving Smile, Gladys Bigliam. [A lovely holiday, and pleased to be back for school. That is the spirit of the Castle, Gladys. Please remember to write on only one side of the paper. -S.Q.]

YVhakaniara, Rural Delivery, Feb. 2. Dear Smile Queen, —I hope- you and vour fairies had a nice holiday. One afternoon the Sunday School children, with their mothers, had a picnic down at our teacher’s place, and I enjoyed, it very much. On Christmas Day we had* our dinner at .home and then went for a. walk in the bush. On Boxing Day T went to Xgaere Gardens and had a very happy time. I went for a ride in the boat on the lake. Afterwards I wandered round looking at the many beautiful things which are to be seen' there. The Sunday after New Year’s Day wo went to the beach in our lorry and had, a lovely day. The sun was not shining very brightly, but the waves ivere lovely. All the, back of my neck was sunburned and it came out in blisters. Last Sunday we were going to get some Cape gooseberries, but we saw some, mushrooms, so we gathered them first. When we went on it came on to rain and we were all soaked through. My aunties, uncle and cousin came, over from West Australia. Yesterday my father, uncle, cousin, sister and I went- to town. YVe went up the water-tower and had a good view of the town. As that is the end of my holiday, I will close with love to yourself and fairies. —I am, your loving Smile, Jean Davies.