THE CASTLE MAIL-BAG.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 May 1927, Page 18

THE CASTLE MAIL-BAG.

Tokaora, Hawera. Dear Smile Queen, —It is very cold these days, is it not Smile Queen? We have had a number of frosts this year. I am glad we have another week’s holiday for it is so very cold in school in the winter. All the autumn leaves are coming off in this wind. The other day I found some pretty red gum leaves, and tied them on to some sticks, and they look quite gay. I noticed in the paper that there are two more Smiles in England. I hope that soon there will be some join in another country. I have often wondered how many Smiles there really are. At Tokaora we have joined up with the Junior Red Cross and I was elected secretary. I am making up a book of New Zealand pictures. This is all I can say • this time so I must close my letter. Love from Mavis Francis. [You are busy Mavis! The book will be most interesting I’m sure. Tokaora is very progressive with its Junior Red Cross. I think it is one of the most useful things you could learn. —S.Q.] Nolan Road, Hawera. Dear Smile Queen, —I suppose by this time you have nearly forgotten me? Well Z have been too busy in making a house under the trees that 1 did not, notice how the time slipped by. I have made a sack hut in the trees and a lien has laid in it. The 'Other evening I went to a party which was a faremell to one of my Brownie friends who has gone to live at Wellington. Since I have last written to you I have three black eats that are named Alfonso, Aldof and Menjou. I think this is all the news so I will close now with love from Jessie Oliver. x x x x x x x x x [ I really thought you had forgotten the Castle. Do write again soon. What unusual names your cats have. 1 should love to see vour plav house. — «.Q]

Makaka, Awatuna. Dear .Smile Queen, —I (lid not write to you last, week because T was ill fr.un Tuesday until Friday. I received the card yesterday afternoon, and I wish to thank you very much for sending it to me, I think it is very nice. I received some nice little presents for my birthday. The winter holidays are drawing to a close once again, and I am pleased. I am at present knitting one of my dfllls a pink dross and I hope it will be a success. I am going to write to one of those girls in England; I think it is nice to have a correspondent there. I have two now, but they do not write very often. We have a few stray violets out now, and I think they are lovely scented little flowers, don’t you, Smile Queen? Well I think this is all this week so l will close with love. From your loving Smile, Matty L. Duckett. [[ hope you are going to kniUsomething for the Gift Cupboard, Matty. It is never too soon to begin.—S.Q.]

Dear Smile Queen, —We killed our pet lamb. It was so fat and big and lovely to eat. Our holidays are just about over. I will be glad to go back to school. Sometimes I miss the ’bus and have to walk home. That is about three miles. I feel very tired when I get home. I spent a couple of days with a friend in the holidays. I must close with heaps of love to you and your Smiles. Your loving Smile, Mavis Sadler.

[I am glad you are lokoing forward to going back to school, Mavis. You don’t realise how much fun you have at school until the holidays come, do you?—S.Q.] Manaia Hoad. Dear Smile Queen, —If you would accept me I would very much like to become one of your many Smiles. I was eight years old on April 0 7 last. And I am in Standard one at school. I have two brothers, Alister and lan, who go to school also, and one little sister, Betty, who may be starting next year as she will be five in October. We have nearly three miles to walk to school so I am learning to ride a pony, and I fell off one night coming home from school, but I did not hurt myself much. We have a flower garden each, and I am expecting some bulbs out later on. I am learning to knit a little hat and I wonder if it would be suitable for the Gift Cupboard. With love to all the fairies and yourself, from Peggy MacLeod [Certainly Peggy we should love to have one as useful as you in our Castle. Yes the hat would be most useful because there are some little girls in Hawera who haven’t even one hat. I hope the pony is kind to you and you have no more falls. • I like your * nice Scotch names. Do write again soon. —S.Q.] Meremere. Dear Smile Queen, —I write to thank you for that card you sent me for my birthday. I am going to be one of Evelyn Taylor’s pen friends. We have two little kittens, one is a black and white and the other is a grey and black. Our baby laughs and crows every-time you talk to him. We only milk the cows once a day now, so J will write more -often. Three of my brothers and my little sister have had the whooping cough, but I am pleased to say they are better now. Our chrysanthemums are out now. Mavis and I are going to make some things for the Gift Cupboard. Now winter is here, and we have no cows to milk we can sit and sew. Mum also will help us. Well dear Smile Queen, I now will close. Love from Muriel Judd P.S. You made a mistake in my birthday; it is on May. 7.

[I am sorry we made a mistake about your birthday, Muriel. We hn<i you down for the 11th iu our book. However, we have put it right now. Is your second name Gladys? I atn so glad you are going to write to Evelyn Taylor. I know she will be pleased to hear from our Smiles. — S.Q-]

Manaia Road, Kapuni,

Dear Smile Queen, —Please may I become a member of your Smile Castle? T am twelve years old next September 2D, and am in Standard five at school. I have a little brother and lie likes getting in the eggs for Mum, but ho doesn’t like going to school. He always’ hopes it will be a wet day so won’t have to go. We are having real wintry weather now and I like sitting by the fire and reading. I am reading “The Girl of the Limberlost” and I like it very much. We went to Mokoia on Wednesday and I had a lovely time. I like going for rides on the sledge with my big brother, only we haven’t had nice enough weather lately, but when it is sunny all my sisters go and we have lovely fun. As this is my first letter I will close with love to yourself and all your Smiles. Jean Bickford.

[Welcome to our Smile Castle, Jean. Do tell me about the sledge rides. They must be great fun. —S.Q.]

Kaupokouni

Dear Smile Queen, —I hope you are quite Avell. Mum and I have got bad colds and I am not alloAved to go out side. Alice has just got over the croup. Dad brought the cold into the house. When I found my letter in the paper I sarv that you had spelt Eva AA'rongly. You put Eve instead of EA'a. We have a lot of fun together. I think I AA’ill close noAv as this is all the neAvs. I remain your sincere Smile, Lottie Bennett.

fl hope your colds are better, Lottie. I’m so sorry I spelt Eve instead of Eva. Better luck next time.—-S.Q.]

Campbell Street, Eltham

Dear Smile Queen, —Just a line or two to tell you that Yve are all well. Ruby is getting on alright. She is stopping at a friends ' place in Eltham. We will be glad to have her back again. She has been at the hos pital about five weeks. I. can drive a horse in a gig now. I: often drive to town now and buy parcels for my mother. I help my father a lot now on the farm. I like being a Guide. I go to the back of the farm at night sometimes by myself now to get the cows which ha\-e been missed. I must close now. From your Smile, Marjory Jordan.

P.B. T am sorry 1 have written this badly. T would like to bo a pen friend; give ine the address, please. M. Jordan.

fit must be a great help now you can drive a horse. I’m sure it is most interesting to be a Guide and only a Guide could be trusted to find' the missing cattle. Do you want an Eng lisli Smile as a pen friend, Marjory?— s-Q-J ‘ ' Eltham. Dear Smile Queen, —May I become a member of the Smile Castle?? T am eight years of age. I will be nine on July 9. I will close now. From Nellie Cocker. [Welcome Nellie! We are always glad to have new Smiles. What class are you in at school? Do write and toll me if you have a garden and al about it. —S.Q.] Ararata. Dear Smile Queen, —Yes, our bulbs are coining out of the ground. My little brother has a bike. I have two cats; one black and one grey. Would you give me a name for them. Wo went to that little park behind the old hospital and saw the ducks on the lake. Love to you from Beryl Marsh. [Did you like the park Beryl? T think it will be beautiful one of these days. Write again soon.—S.Q.]

Riverlea. Dear Smile Queen, —I have not written to you for a long time, but I have not forgotten you. We are having our holidays now. I got second prize over eight at the fancy dress ball and my sister got second prize under eight. At school we had our first term exam, and I came second in Standard IV. The violets are coming out now. Well this is all I can -write now. With love to you and your Smiles. Jessie Gibbons. [I was so delighted to hear about your success at the fancy dress ball. Who made your frocks? Aren’t the violets sweet?—S.Q.] Manaia Road. Dear Smile Queen, —May I become amember of the Smile Castle. I am eight years old and I am in Standard one. We have a little kitten which I found on the> road. Please - Avill you give her a name. We have also a little pup. I am spending a holiday with my cousin and we are having good fun. My birthday is on December 12. Last year Santa Claus brought me a doll as big as a baby. And I have a tricycle too. I must close now because it is bed time. Love to yourself and all the fairies from your loving Smile. Joan Welham.

[You are lucky to have so many toys Joan. I’m sure you will make a good Smile because you are fond of animals. What about calling the kitten Minette?—S.Q.]

Wilson Street, Hawera. Dear Smile Queen, —Just a few lines to show I have not forgotten you. We are having a fortnight’s holiday from school. I have got a new little bantam and I think she is very nice. Your loving Smile, Major Eade. [I always enjoy your letters, Major, they are so nicely written. I’m sure the bantam is nice. How many have you now?—S.Q.] Patea. Dear Smile Queen, —You may think I am a long time writing to you to thank you very much for that lovely card you sent me for my birthday. It looks like a real fairy card with the Castle on it. I am staying in Patea for my holidays, but they are going too quickly. We had our exam, before avc broke up for our holidays. I came second in our class. I Avill try and make something, for the Gift Cupboard. Well I will have to close. I am trying to do all those things on the card. I am your loA T ing Smile Dena Stone.

[T shall look foi'AA r ard to the gift for the cupboard. Are you enjoying Patea? The holidays will soon be over and avc shall all be back at Avork. —S.Q.]

i Waverley Road, Patea. Dear Smile Queen, —We Patea Girl Guides Avere enrolled on Thursday and Commissioner, Mrs. J. Houston, accompanied by Mr. Houston, came doAvn from IlaAvera to put ns through that wonderful ceremony. lloaa' proud avo all AA'ere to Avear our badges for the first time, and to think avc AA'ere circled into that great sisterhood of Girl Guides. Mrs. Finlayson, president of the association presented us with a flag for the company, and AA’e were all very pleased to think that Ave had a flag so soon. Don’t you think Girl Guiding is lovely dear Smile Queen. I think it simply gorgeous to be a Guide, There are still some recruits to pass their tenderfoot. On Friday night the HaAvera Rangers came doA\n from HaAvera to help to get funds for the local branch. There Avas quite a croAvd present and Mrs. Marbour, Avho is a loA'ely fairy, entertained us by telling us some most delightful st6ries. including the Happy Prince, and Tinkle-bell and some other lovely stories. But I liked the Happy Prince and Tinkle-bell best. Mrs. Barbour’s brother, Mr. Warner and Mr. E. Pacey. and Miss Campbell sang some very nice songs. After the wonderful programme Avas over supper Avas provided for the A'isitors. During the evening I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Ballantyne, captain of the HaAvera Guides. Betty Peterson is my patrol leader and I am her second, anil I like Betty very much. Outside it is raining dismally. Pad, Atherley, and I have got sucii dreadful colds. To-day the BroAvnies are having their enrolment and. their dear little Bi-oavh Old, Avho is Mrs. Harre ,is the enrolling officer. Were you once a Guide, Smile Queen? I remain your sincere Smile, Gavcu Jury.

[I wr*s charmed with your letter, Gwen. It was fqll of interest. There were no Guides in Hawera when I was a little girl, but I’m trying to read up all I can about them and I often see the Brownies and the Guides. Love from S.Q.]

Denby Road, Hawera,

Dear Smile Queen, —Please may I become one of your Smiles? I was ten years old on the Ist of this month. L go to the Hawera main school and I am in Standard 111. I always look forward to the Star on Saturday nights as I love to read the Smile Castle page. I promise to smile every time I can and to chase all the frowns into the dark cave, where the Smile Giant will kill them with his magic sword Happiness. I must close now with love to vou and your Smiles. From Jean Pollock. .

[I often think that the old Giant must run for his life on Saturday nights- Yvhcn all the Smiles open the paper. Write again soon Jean and tell me all about your hobbies. —S.Q.j

Ararata. Dear Smile Queen, —Just a feYv lines to lot you know I have not forgotten you. To-morrow a girl friend is coming to stay with us for a week. She lives where tve used to live. We will have to take her to the park again. My cousin Peter is coming to stay with us for a Yvhile. Love to you and all the Smiles from Audrey May Marsh. [What a jolly time you f will haY*e. Audrey when all your friends come to stay. Please Yvrite on one side of the paper only.S.Q.]