PRIZE ESSAY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 11, 24 December 1925, Page 13

PRIZE ESSAY

THE GIFT BOX. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I am going to tell you about my gift box from the Bournville Company. Some months ago I started to save the coupons from the Bournville cocoa tins. W hen 1 had saved twenty-eight T pasted them in a book and forwarded them to the company, and they sent me a lovely box of chocolates. Mv sister, brothers, and I drink a lot of cocoa; it is better than tea. In the front of the box is a picture’called “The Blue Boy,’’ by Thomas Gainsborough. K.A. It is a very pretty picture. I am saving up for another box and have eight coupons already. Thanking you for your gift of five shillings, also my album of certificates, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy' New Year,

Blue Certificate to Jean Steven aged 10 years, Otane.

“REWI’S LAST STAND.’ 1 ' (Continued from last Week). Away in the back of the pah the wo men were swinging around on a pole erected for their amusement. One of the maidens joined them, and swinging round let go the rope, and fell into the waters of the Waikato river. Chief Kewi Maiaiapoto formed his men in order, and told them to fight well so that the grand country they so greatly loved would be freed from the hands of the Pakehas. Hence they made their fort, and then the battle began. Bullets were falling fast. Agony and weariness filled the fort and quick preparations to obtain water had to be made. So while Rewi’s brains are working, let’s see what happened to the native girl. She was drifted seaward, without hope, and in despair, of drowning, when Kenneth saw the form of a human being floating on the water. He plunged in and brought her to land safely, and was later taken captive by the Maoris, who took him to tne Tohunga. Those at the pah were women and although carefully watched the days passed pleasantly enough. Dismay filled his heart when he was shown a newspaper, in which he was printed as a traitor. He was Bad, and although he tried, he could not escape. At rhe battle Rewi and his

men were still fighting, having been without water for two days. On the dawn of the* last day the white flag of truce was flown, so that the women could get water. “No! No!” cried the chief, “we will fight on.” They fought on but at last they had to give in. No longer could the pah be kept, for all would go through the swamp of death. J hey drove off and as Kenneth had escaped, left in pursuit. Kenneth had been helped by the native girl who was now dead, and he made a brave effort to reach safety, in the peril of his life, which was Rewarded with success. Now old, and weary too. Sir George Grey sat •beside his fire, and saw passing the British troops. A happy evening followed and in tho gloaming the New Zealand flag was hoisted and so “Rewi’s Last Stand finished. Long over the word limit is this essay, but Chief Kiwi, though all the little things have been left out. it could not have been made shorter, so as to make it so interesting. With best wishes to all I close. —Blue Certificate to Win. Laws, aged 11 years. 503 Miller street, Hastings. Dear Chief Kiwi.—l am going to tell you about the picnic we went to one day. It was no trouble to get us out of bed that morning. We had breakfast and then packed the baskets, maxing sandwiches, cutting up cake, and packing in the fruit. Then we got readv and went and got- in the bus, which left at 9 a.m. We had an enjoyable ride to the beach, hirst we got our bathing cosutmes on ;vnd went for a bathe. The water was so lovely that we reallv did not like getting out tor lunch. After lunch we got the fishing lines and went fishing. W e were rather lucky that day for "c caught several fish. Then we went for another. dip in Wo sea. After that we went for a walk along the beach towards f’ape Kidnappers where we saw some gannets diving into the water and catching fish and flying off with them. Then we thought we would turn back as we were leefing hungry, so we gatnerea sticks on our way back to bod the billy After tea we made castles in tho sand, thou we packed up our things and set out for home after a most enjoyable day I must close now with love to all the other Kiwis. , . - Bed Certificate to Doris Beckett, aged 13 years, 409 E Southampton street, Hastings. g> ® ® HOW A CAT CAUGHT A MOUSE Dear Chief Kiwi. I have not writton an essav for a long time. I am going to tell you how a cat taught a mouse, and lam go 1”". ? e 11 «-;th I live in a beautiful big house with a kind mistress. Although I have no need to hunt I like to catch a mouse, Dow and then. . One night, when I was lying on a cashion in front ot a dying fire. I heard a noise. I sat. up and listened, think »„ g towyself . cr ;P^^r^t n e clipboard from where I though the noise ome. 1 listened .again and still

I heard the same noise. While I was waiting 1 thought of the fun I would have when 1 had caught the mouse. After a while I saw the little creature running about in the cupboard. When it came near me I grabbed at it and missed it. The naughty little mouse ran away, but I soon caught it. 1 was not hungry so I played with it a while. When I was tired of playing with it I thought I would kill it so I tossed it up in the air and when it came down 1 put my paw on it. That was the end of the poor mouse. With best wishes to you and the Kiwis, and also a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year. —Red Certificate to Marjorie Ward, aged 11 years, Kaiapo road, Hastings. ®> ® ® S> WHAT I DID ONE SATURDAY MORNING. Dear Chief Kiwi, —One morning 1 thought I would like a swim, so I took my togs and was gone. When I got there, it did not take long to get into my togs. I took a jump, and under. My word! It was cold. I did wish I had not gone in then, because it was so cold. I did squeal out soon. Perhaps tho baths had only.just been filled. I tried to swim but I couldn’t. I got out soon enough. My friend wanted me to stay in a little while longer. I simply couldn’t because it was so cold. With best wishes for a Happy ’Xmas, —Orange certificate to Margaret Heasman, aged 9, 809W Frederick street, Hastings.