Essay Competition

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 205, 13 August 1927, Page 11

Essay Competition

SENIORS. THE LADYBIRD. Dear Chief Kiwi, —I was gald to see my essay was not eaten by the Dragon. 1 have to get about 15 more marks to get the 5/-. During the cold months of the win ter the ladybirds hides away in some obscure place and does not come out again until the spring. She then lays a number of oblong eggs on some bush, and after a while slate-grey larvae emerge from the eggs, and feast on the green-fly or whatever is on the bush. So we aught to be thankful to these small insects for ridding us of such pests. The birds would prey on them, but they exude an evilsmelling fluid’ from the joints of their legs which the birds do not like. In about two weeks, when the larvae are full-grown, they attach themselves by the end of their bodies to a leaf kStl bcome black and orange pupas. After a fortnight the ladybird comes out and again feeds on the greenfly. 'Then she flies from leaf to leaf, by means of gausy wings which when she is resting are kept under wing-cases. —Prize of 2/6 to Suzanne Riddiford ,age 11 years, Havelock North. * ♦ ♦ » THE LAND WE LIVE IN. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I am writing on that beautiful land in which we lead such a happy, carefree life—New Zealand. But before I begin my essay, I must thank you for the certificate you awarded me for my laet essay; also for the birtnday greetings. Several hundreds of years ago a number of brown-skinned warriors lived in Southern Asia. A young chief quarrelled with a neighbour, and to escape war and perhaps death set tfilt from the land in a large canoe, taking his men with him. After sailing for several weeks the poor, weary halfstarved, thirsty men saw what looked like a great white cloud rising from the sea. On drawing near they found that the “cloud” was a line of white cliffs along vhe shores of a land, till then, unknown to them. The natives of this country, who were called Mor-oris, were a peaceful race unaquainted with the arts of warfare; so the newcomers had little difficulty in coCpering them, and soon few were left. The conquerors, under the name of the Maoris, then, divides into small tribes and settled in various parts of the two main islands of the country, which they called Aotea Roa or “The Long White Cloud. The land now belonging to the Maoris was a most beautiful place. Miles and miles of beautiful bush, inhabited by many birds of bright and varied plumage unseen anywhere else spread from north to south, and in til is wonderland the Maoris found a very pleasant home. Now, Chief Kiwi J must stop, but next week I shall try to tell you more about our lovely homeland. Love Io you and all the Kiwis. —Pink certificate to Dinah Redpath, age* 12. Havelock North.

AROUND THE WORLD. Dear Chief Kiwi, —Before I begin my essay I must thank you for the five shillings, and the lovely little album you sent me, and I do like the kiwi on the cover. Last Friday 1 attended a film which showed the adventures of Cobham and Elliot, his engineer, in a 12,000 mile trip by air. Cobham started from Croydon and flew over Italy to Cairo. From there he journeyed on to Karafar and then to Assuan. Some of the things we saw were wonderful, and it really felt as if we were in an aeroplane. We saw some pyramids and two Arabs, one in olack and the other in white,’ started for a race up the prami’d. White won the race, getting to the fop in four and a half minutes ami beating the other by a P6w seconds. in one of the native villages the inhabitants danced for Cobham and his engineer. Cobham says that he got a little nervous as the dancers warmed to their subject. One sad thing occurred during the trip. An African tribesman, who evidently resented the machine passing over, fired at it and tue bullet passed through the petrol tank and entered Elliot’s lungs. I win close now with best wishes to the Kiwi band. —Pink certificate to Oive Borrie, aged 13 years, 417 Brunswick street, Hastings. » ♦ * * THE GIRL GUIDES’ SHOP. Dear Chief Kiwi, —I don’t know what kind of weather you are having in Hastings, but we are nearly floodon the roof. But this is not writing can hear the rain falling steadily upon the roof. But this is not witing my essay. Last Saturday the Waipawa Girl Guides held a shop in order to raise money to pay for their hats aud belts. ' The rain fell nearly all day, and we thought that our shop would be a failure, but no sooner had we got the goods into the window than in walked our first customer, aud from then on there was a steady stream of customers. During dinner hour aud the early afternoon was the only slack time we had. Howers were in great demand, they wore all sold before they arrived,and so were sponge cakes, very few of the latter remaining in the window for any length of time. The girls were divided up into rots, each lot having two hours at the'shop, but the country girls came in whenever tney could get. there were several complitions. 1 put a numbr of peas in a bottle and people had to guess how many peas were in the bottle; there was a cake to guess the weight of, and someone made a work-box in the form of a house and they worked flowers all over It, and it looked as though the flowers were arched over the doorway, and climbing round the windows. This was given as a prize to the person who guessed toe correct number of eachous in a bottle. lu spite of the day we made a double-figured profit and were very pleased with the success of our first shop. At 3.30 wo only had a pot or two of jam and a few vegetables left, but I'm not sure what is to be done with them. I must close now with best wishes to yourself and all the Kiwis. —Pink certificate to Hazel Ainman, age 14 years Ruataniwha, Waipawa. ♦ * ♦ ♦ My first is in merry, but not in gay. Slv second is in goblin, but not in fay My third is in knife, but not in fork. Mv fourth is in chatter but not m talk. Mv fifth is in belfry but not in belli Sly whole is a hoy. whom Puck readers know well?—Monty. —Red Certificate to Gladys Kitt, age 11 years, Murdoch road. Hastings.

MY LIFE AS A LAMB. Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you for the Orange Certificate you awarded me last week. This week 1 have chosen my essay to be “My Life as a Lamb.’’ The first place 1 can well remember was a little stream and some willow trees overshadowing it. Ovei the other side of the stream stood our master’s house. When I was a little lamb my mother used to keep watch over me all day and night. When the days were cold and rainy we used to go under the willow trees for shelter, while in the hoi days we went under a huge oak tree. Later on I was able to eat grass and hedge, but I like grass best. By this time there were other little lambs besides myself could eat grass. 1 was taught how to eat grass by Mr. Brown’s son who cut some grass and put it in my mouth. One day my mother was driven out or the field by some horrible dogs to be taken to the freezing works. How I called her back, but it was too late —she had gone. Everv day that came 1 would think of her. but at last I did not mind it so much. One day Mr Brown’s son caught me. and got on my back and tried to ride me, but I would not budge. Ho hit me and still 1 would not go. Then Mr Brown came out and scolded him (hie day 1 was about with the other lambs, what fun we had running and jumping across the field. When it was by turn 1. too, would take care of mv little ones as my mother had done. Love to all. —Blue Certificate to Josephine Pepper, age 11 years. Te Mata road, Havelock North. ♦ ♦ ♦ * ST. PATRICK. Dear Chief Kiwi, —We hear plenty of stories about our own Patron Saint, but not so much of St. Andrew or St. Patrick. Perhaps you would like to hear something about the latter. He was not Irish by birth, but from living amid their heathen ways *nd knowing the terrors raging in their superstitious minds he came to love and long to help them to live a more humane life. At one time the Irish were merciless sea-rovers, and, by means, of their swift vessels, visited neighbouring coasts? ■ raiding and plundering coastal or easi'y accessible villages. Then they sailed away triumphant, with as many slaves as they could capture, leaving a burning settlement strewn with the corpses of those they did not want. It was m one of these raids that Patrick ,as a boy, was taken captive and put in an Irish slave-market. Under a cruel chief he worked patiently for some years, suffering great hardship and harsh treatment. When a young man, he could bear it no longer, resolving to run away and flbard a trading ship, intending to work his passage home. After much difficulty he succeeded, but arrived penniless y.id in rags. Nevertheless, lie was welcomed heartily and could have lived peacefully, but his love end uity lor the poor heathen Irish was aroused in all its strength, and back he went to Ireland, in spite oi bribes and threats. He was mocked and scorned and even ill-treated, but. in time won the confidence and affection of the people. Many i. s _ tened to his patient teaching and some actually became fellow missionaries. However, things did not always run smoothly. Stubborn rebels refused to become Christians. Frequently serious revolts took place, and in one of these the brave sionary was murdered. Now he is honoured as a hero and the Patron Saint of Ireland, and hi s cross is represented in our Union Jack. Best wishes to the Kiwi band. —Blue Certificate to Hilda Young, age 13 years, Chambers road, Havelock Jiorth. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ANT-EATERS. Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank vou very much for the Certificate you awarded me. Tins week I am writing about “Ant-eaters.” Ant-eaters have no teeth, and they are chiefly found in South America. They eat white ants and other insects. They are about four feet long and they have large plume-like tails covered with hair. The ant-eater puts its sticky tongue among the insects and suddenly pulls it back, when a lumber have collected upon it. They a«'e grey, with a band of black on their breasts and towards their shoulders. The feet are white and their claws, which are long and strong, are very useful for dig ging open the ants’ nests. The anteaters sleep a great deal, and they lie curled up with their tails spread out to protect them from the sun and rain. When they are defending themselves they use their strong forearms. With love to you ami all the Kiwis. — Blue Certificate to Sybil Redpath. age 11 years, Te Ante road. Havelock North. * ♦ ♦ ♦ If a boy had sixteen lollies and ate all except one. what time would it be?—B.ls (ate fifteen). --4)range Certificate to Je-’n Garnett, age 12 years, 206 Nelson street, Hastings.

A FROSTY MORNING. Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the Certificate you awarded me last week. This week 1 am writing upon the above story. It was very cold when 1 got out of bed. 1 peeped out of the window and was surprised to see the ground covered with what appeared to be a white mantle, Evidently Jack Frost had been at work. When the cows in the paddocks breathed it wa 8 like steam coming out of a kettle. When 1 went outside 1 noticed some water in the bucket was covered with ice. All the water in the taps was frozen. After the sun had shone on the paddocks a little while the green grass began to show through the frost. Ln the distance the snow-capped mountains reared high above the trees. I will close now with love to yourself and your happy band. —Blue Certificate to Edna Lloyd, age 11 years, Hastings road. Havelock North. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A BELL-BIRD'S STORY. Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank vou for the Certificate you awarded me. This time 1 am going to write about ‘A Bell-bird's Story.’’ The Maoris used to call me the mokomoko, but the white people call me the bell-bird, because some of my notes sound like distant bells. 1 live on insects, berries and nectar from flowers. My tongue’s tip has little brush-hke hairs to lick up the nectar from the flower cups. lam often seen dipping my tongue into flax and kowhai blooms. Sometimes f live in com panies near the edge of a bush, or amidst flax. The Maoris used to catch mv relations by imitating some of my notes, or the rattling cry mad ? when bell-birds are frightened, to catch them, snaring them with a noose on a long stick, eaited with crimson rata flowers. I build my nest of dry twigs, woven together with grass, lined with soft bright feathers, built deep in wooded gullies or in thick low bushes near t>? edge of ' forest, or in flax swamps. With love. —Blue Certificate to Hinemoa Mitchell, age 12 years, 408 Lascelles street. Hastings. ♦ * ♦ ♦ CANADA J)ear Chief Kiwi, —The first coun try we learned about this year was Canada, so 1 thought 1 would tell you as much as 1 can about that ’Wfcdderful country. First of ah Canada belongs to the British Empire and Ottawa is its capital, vaimoa has a great river running into '.he Atlantic Ocean. This river is the St. Lawrence. Great ocean can sail up the St. Lawrence. Ottawa, the capital, is on the Ottawa River. There is a railway running right across Canada, from Halifax to Vancouver. This rad wav is called the Canadian Pacific Railway. The first pla it calls at ig St. John, then Quebec. Montreal, Ottawa (the capital). Toronto, then Port Arthur, on Lake Superior, Winnipeg, the great wheat centre, Calgary, and then to a place on the Frazer River where much salmon is caught, and Vancouver. That is the terminus. The Niagara Falls, the most wonderful falls in the world, are in Canada Ocean steamers in summer time can sail up into the Great Lakes, and go to Winnipeg to get a shipload of wheat. It is very cold in winter in Canada, and they play hockey on the ice. In summer the men play Soccer. In winter the men play basketball too. I will close now. P.S.— 1 have a friend in Canada. I am going to ask her to join the Kiwi Band. —Blue Certificate to Rnuma Godfrey, age 12 years, 1006 Waipuna street, Hastings. * * ♦ ♦ A CONVERSATION IN A BOOT SHOP. Dear Chief Kiwi, —I have never written before, but my friends asked me to join the happy Kiwi Band, and I have decided to do so. For my subject 1 have chosen “A Conversation in a Corner of a Bootshop.” In the boot shop there were many pairs of smart shoes and boots. Among them was a small pair of little pink satin shoes. A pair of smart tan shoes glanced round the shop, and saw the satin shoes crying. “There you are crying again.” Then to a pair of high boots, “isn’t she a disgrace to the window, besides she is spoiling her complexion.” The little satin shoes cried all the more, and said in a trembling voice. “Nobody will buy me now, nobody wants me.’’ “I should think not,” snapped a pair or stylish crocodile shoes. Just then a lady came in and asked for a pair of slippers, pink if possible. The man went to the window and brought out the satin shoes. “Just what 1 want,” explaimed the lady. “But what are those spots on them?” “Oli! that.is only the r?in. It has dropped through on to them.” “Then I will take them.” Bringing out her purse she asked, “How much are they?” “Four and sixpence, ma’am.’’ The lady took the slippers, and walked out of the shop, little imagining the excitement she left behind her in the shop. “Of al] the things!” exclaimed the crocodile shoes. “Fancy not even looking at us.” “Serve you right.” said a sensible pair of boots, “you don’t ieserve to he looked at.” I must close now. With love to yourself and the rest of the Kiwi band. —Blue Certificate to Hilda Sanson, age 13 years. McLean street. Havelock North. A WET AFTERNOON. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to write about a wet afternoon. I did not know what to do, but Mum said 1 could make some butterscotch First I put in a pound of sugar and a gill of water. It is best to wash down the sides of the saucepan, then you are sure that it will not' be sugary. I boiled it until it was » golden brown colour. Then 1 put in the butter and beat it well. Then I .poured it into a greased tin, and when it was cool enough. 1 marked out the squares so that it would be easier to break. Love to you and ail the Kiwi band. Bed Certificate t<> Freda Kernsley. age 11 years, Clive ings.

FRUITGROWING. Dear Chief Kiwi, —I have not written for long so 1 have decided to write again. The ground is ploughed and the trees are planted 18 feet away from each other. We must keep the weeds from growing by the trees as it helps to keep the ground moist. Manure is needed to allow the trees to have better crops. Orchardists prune the trees to give them a better shape and size, and so that they bear heavier crops of fruit. They prune also, because if the branches were to keep on growing, and the fruit continue to grow on them, the branches would droop. They usually prune in winter m Hawke’s Bay. They spray all stone fruit trees m early spring with lime sulphur or red oil to prevent leaf and other diseases which affect stone fruit. Pip fruits are winter sprayed first with Bordeaux Mixture or lime sulphur to prevent powdery mildew and other diseases, fhon sprayed with red oil to clean the back and centre. Then pip fruits are sprayed every three weeks, after the fruit is formed, throughout the season. These sprayings are to prevent codlin moth and to keep the fruit clean They thin out fruit on trees so that the fruit will grow to proper size, also to let the buds develop for the following year. •Orchardists then put on their picking bags and climb the ladders to pick the fruit. Then comes the sorting. A number of sacks ore placed together by planks of wood and a machine runs the apples along to their proper place. They are then packed with wood and wool and the number of fruit in the box is stamped on the front. Then wire is bound round both ends and there is the fruit readv for export. I will close now with love to all. —Red Certificate to Erin Heenan, age 11 years, Te Ante road, Havelock North * ♦ ♦ * A DAY AT THE BEACH. Dear Chief Kiwi,—First I must thank vou for the Red Certificate you awarded me. One summer’s day we decided to go to Te Avvhanga foi the day. After packing our things we started off. Going along the road many pretty sights greeted our eves We arrived there about ten to ten, and had to help carry the baskets to a nice shady spot, where we agree! to have our picnic. After morning tea. we walked along the beach. Many people were fishing, and others bathing in the sea. We sat on Hie sand and then walked back to our spot. I got into my bathing suit and went for a swim, which 1 enjoyed very much. After my swim we had dinner. After dinner I had another swim. Then I watched my father trying to catch a fish, but he had no hick. We had tea and went home. I must close now with best love. — Red Certificate to Mollie Wells, age 12 years, 3078 Nelson street, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ » LISTENING-IN. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This is the first time I have written an essay to you. Almost every night my brother and 1 listen in to hear speeches, uncles, or aunts, talking to their nieces and nephews, songs, or music, or many other different items. 1 think I cal© for the Auckland station best. We heart Aunt Betty on Tuesdays and Uncle Jack on Fridays. Sometimes we hear a children’s concert. After Tuesday’s or Friday’s meeting or concert we have the “twilight song.” The Wellington station is very clear. Last Sunday I heard Mr. Coates speaking; we also heard the band playing. On Sunday we hear churches; after we can hear organ recitals. (To be continued.) —Red Certificate to Muriel Shaw, age 11 years, 402 Knight street, Hastings. ★ ♦ ♦ ★ BIRDS. Dear Chief Kiwi.—“ What becomes of the birds,” is a question that is often asked. Authorities tell us few birds die of old age. but that the majority meet their deaths by misadventure. Hundreds of them are killed by crashing into telegraph wires. 1 once read a storv about a wren, who is sometimes called the “King of Birds,” because at a meeting of the birds long ago it was decided that the bir<j which soared highest in the air should be made king. The eagle claimed supremacy, but as he soared upwards a tiny speck appeared above him. It was the wren, who all unnoticed had begun the flight on the eagle’s back. There is a legend about the Robin red-breast, who took pity on the “Babes in the Wood,” and covered them with leaves. In some parts of the world, it is said the Dove brought the first grain of corn to be planted after the flood, whilst the magpie gets hig unlucky name because of ms habit of stealing. Then there is the morepork. When night comes we •ear its strange, sad cry of Morepork! Morepork! The blackbird is a great greedy fellow with a glossy black coat and bright yellow bill. I always pity the bullfinch and the little sparrows hopping here and there searching for food. Thank you tor the Certificate and love to all. —Red Certificate to Peggy Lee, age 11 years. Otamauri. P. 8., Hastings. * ♦ * ♦ , COCOANUTfe. Dear Chief Kiwi,—l thought this week 1 would choose for my subject “The Cocoanut.” Cocoanuts do not grow in New Zealand but in the warmer islands in the Pacific Ocean. They grow’ in tall palms clustered at the top and so are hard to get. It is a very useful fruit because you can drink the milk and eat the cocoanut inside. When they are growing on the trees there is a lot of hair covering it, which is taken off and used for making cocoanut matting. There is also, before the cocoanut is ripe, a kind of milk inside which is very sweet and cool to drink. When all these things have been taken from it the shell is very good for making fires. In the islands the natives dimb up the trees and throw the cocoanuts down. They do not break because of the hairy stuff outside. Then all the hairy stuff 13 taken off and the cocoanuts are packed in boxes and sent to New Zealand or other places where cocoa nuts don t grow

Red Certificate to Margaret Bell, age 12 years. Box 101. Havelock North.

WHAT I DO ON SATURDAYS. Dear Chief Kiwi,—The above is my subject. The first job is to tidy my. beuroom, and make my bed. Then 1 go to town to do some shopping for Motner, and do other messages. When I arrive home after doing numerous messages, 1 do some vegetables that my sister has not done for dinner, and then I set the table for the meal. Sometimes I wash the dishes, or else I help. If it is a fine day, my mother lets me go to the pictures, which 1 love very much. 1 meet my friends at the corner by our place, and then we go to the Cosy Theatre together. We generally sit in the back stalls. Dad meets us when we come out, and then we go home. After tea, after enjoying the contents of the “Kiwi Page” we go to town in our car. We generally buy some fruit and vegetables, and other things which we require. When we arrive home once more, we go to bed after a long day. That is all I have to say, Chief Kiwi, so I shall close thanking you for the Certificate which you sent me the other week.* Love to you and all the Kiwis. —Red Certificate to Mary Harrison age 13 years, 708 Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings, * ♦ ♦ ♦ OUR COOKERY CLASS. Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you very much for the Certificate you awarded me last week. This time 1 am going to write about our cookery class. At ten 0 clock every Wednesday morning we get ready for the ’bus to take us to the Technical School. The Convent girls aro just coming out when we arrive there. Uhen we go into the room we put oai our aprons and then start cooking. We work in twos and the recipes our teacher gives us are very economical and useful. 1 think it is a very good training tor we girls. When we have finished our work our teacher lets us go,, and we wait until the boys come out from their wood-work. We leave the Technical School at half-past twelve and get back to our school at about twenty to one. Well, Chief Kiwi, that is all this time, with love to you and all the Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to Phyllis McKeown, age 11 years, R.D., Mangateretere, Hastings. ♦ * ♦ ♦ THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A WILD (OR NATIVE) CAT. Dear Chief Kiwi, —I am a cat. Not a soft, petted pussy cat that is content to lie by the lire and iap warm milk from a saucer. 1 snouid choke it anyone should tie ribbons round my neck. 1 am a native cat and 1 know how to enjoy myself. I love to be Iree, and to roam about in the bush, but while the sun is hot ,one does not care to exert oneself, so 1 find a cosy warm rock or an old log, and lie by it till the sun is in bed and 1 ieel hungry. Then. 1 stretch myself, sharpen up my claws and teeth and start on my nightly ramble. One night I had a terrible fright. Jumping through an open kitchen window, 1 was just about to enjoy a basin of dripping when someone threw a brick at me and 1 had to scuttle away for dear life. Well, Chief Kiwi, 1 must close now. Best wishes to you and all the Kiwi Band. Orange Certificate to Joan H. Wood, aged 11 years, 313 Prospect road, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ * A VISIT TO WELLINGTON BY CAR. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week 1 am going to tell you about my visit to Wellington, by car. Evening was spreading its dark wings over Wellington, as our car drew up in front of the Parliament Buildings, which are situated in the middle of the city. The lights were shining brightly, as we walked near the shops. The first thing we did was to find a garage for the car to be kept in, during our stay. We did not nave to find a hotel, as we were going to friends. We soon arrived at our destination, where our friends had a hearty meal ready for us. We were feeling very tired after our long journey so we did not waste much time, getting into bed, for we wanted to be up early next morning. As the sun was rising next morning we jumped out of bed, put on our clothes, and went down to breakfast. As soon as I had finished, 1 asked my sister if she would like to come with me to see the town. We thought it was going to be a fine day, but alas, as soon as we had gone a short distance, we had to come back, as it rained its heaviest. I must close now, with love. (To be continued). Orange Certificate to Joan Gibb, age 11 years, 210 Queen street E., Hastings. ★ ♦ * * THE OSTRICH Dear Chief Kiwi, —1 am going to tell you about the ostrich. Its native home la iu Africa and Arabia. \\ e do not know whether there are mor© than one species or not. Hiey like the hot sandy deserts, inis bird is the largest oi all species. Hie ostrich has a bare tiesn-coloured neck, it is of a bluish sfiade and stands from six to eight feet in height, it lias a very small hat lieau and a broad short beak. lhe loot ol the ostrich lias no first or second tees; two of its toes being similar 111 size, and the are both padded underneath, lhe piumage is biack, with beautiful white wings. The tail is brown and grey, and like a web, with all the feathers alike. The ostrich is seen in vast flocks. I'heir nest is a hole made in the sand and a large number of eggs are laid ; all tiie eggs do not hatch. It can fly very quickly, and sometimes will run round and round in a circle. The finest feathers are sold for £25 to £3O. The ordinary ones bring from 7 to 8 guineas I must close now, thanking you for the certificate. Love to you and all the Kiwis.

-Orange Certificate to Carol Slade, aged 11 years, Te Mata, Havelock North.