Essay Competition

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 211, 20 August 1927, Page 11

Essay Competition

* JUNIORS. A SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN TOWN. Dear Chief Kiwi, —Last Saturday afternoon Mother and I went to town on the 2 o’clock ’bus. First wq went into a chemist's shop for picric acid gauze to have in the house in case of burns. 1 was weighed and I weigh three stones twelve pounds; Mother was weighed too. Next we visited the "Bon Marche” and bought some nice ribbon. Then on to Westerman’s, and saw some nice silk. In the men's department we bought socks. 1 saw some fancy ribbon things The man said they were armlets. My Daddy does not wear anything like that. After that we went into Baird’s. What a nice big shop it is now. I met Gwen, a little friend of mine, there. We went into the Ritz and had afternoon tea; the gems were lovely. 1 liked the piano and violin music very much. We walked down to Roachs’. I saw lovely coloured silk stockings, and Mother said I could have them at Christmas; I wish Christmas was here now. In Peter’s window we saw ,au advert with a light coming in and out, when the light was in we saw pyjamas 7/C a paid. I never saw anything like that before. We caught the four ’bus home. I had had a lovely time. With love. —Prize of 2 6 to Margaret L. (Haughton age 8 years, Middle road, Morolock North-

MY BIRTHDAY PARTY.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I have chosen the above subject. My birthday was really on the 6th of August, but as I have had the influenza. 1 had my party on the following Saturday. Of course, it was wet. My mother gave me a case. I had twenty-two very useful presents, and a party of sixteen children. First of all, we went over to a hall which our friend kindly lent us, and we played A hunting we will go, musical chairs, hide-the-thimble, Sir Roger, squirrels, and a hooprelay. Then we went back to our house, with two forms to sit on for tea. For tea we had jelly, salad, biscuits, cakes, oranges, and nuts, also lemon-syrup, and last of all we had a large birthday cake, with cherries, nuts, silver balls and ten kewpies on it. The children had a kewpie each and some cake to take home. Soon after tea we took the forms back, and the children went home after a happy afternoon. I must close now. With love.

—Blue Certificate to Marjorie Webb age 10 years, Napier road, Havelock North. ♦♦■ ♦ ♦ COINC TO SCHOOL. Dear Chief Kiwi, —When we first came to bUerenden my Brother and 1 used to <wubie-bank on a horse to scbooi, but about two years ago our neighbour, Mr Oliver, bought a car to take Mis children to suuool, and my brother and Igo with them- We have tour miles to go. From our place to the bags, winch is half way, it is all up hili, there we are over IOUOtt above sea level and on a clear day we have a lovely view of Napier and the sea. / Now it is down hill all the waypast Tunanui (a lovely three-storey uouse, wbcira air Andrew Russell fives) till we come to the roadman’s whare, when we are on the main road. Half a mile more to go and we are at school. Love to all. P.S.: 1 have just read in the Kiwi page that I have gained the 2/6. Thank you very much. —Blue Certificate to Hannah Hallgarth. age 10 years. Private Bag, Hastings. * ♦ * * A WET DAY. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I will tell you how 1 spend a wqt day. When it is too wet for me to go to school I play with my toys and make dolls clothes, and in the afternoon I make tea, as 1 have a teaset of my own. 1 have biscuits and chocolate to eat, and then I ask my brother to join me and after spilling tea and sugar about and getting a scolding I wash up. 1 must close now with love to you and the other Kiwis and thank you for the certificate. —Blue Certificate to Madeline Fox, age 6 years, 410 St. Aubyn street, Hastings.

OUR PETS. . Dear Chief Kiwi, —Inis week i will try and tell you aout our pets. Our dog’s name is Tip. He is a very intelligent animal and he gets very excited when any of us lets him on the chain for a run Sometimes when 1 run down the field he runs after me and barks very loudly. He is a cattle dog, and can sometimes catch a hare. Every morning we take him down to the cow-bails to have a nice drink of milk. When we go to a cattie or sheep sale he comes with us in case we buy some stock. He is a very gentle dog. We also have two nice black cats. Their names are Tib and Tab and they catch a lot of mice and birds. They ure very playful and run in front of us and roll at our feet. We have to be careful not to tread on them. There is also a pet pup with blue eyes and black and white coat. He is very fat and fluffy and tries to bite my heels when 1 have a game with him and he has to be fed three times a day. Thank you very much for the prize vou gave me a few weeks ago. Love to all the kiwis and yourself. —Blue Certificate to Dick Hickson, age 7 years, Hill road, Fernhill. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ PREPARATIONS FOR OUR SCHOOL BALL.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —The school which 1 attend is the Mahora School, and on Friday, August IbUi, we are having our annual plain and fancy dress ban. W e are practising tbe Gi'aiiu March, and ouier dances, such as Polkas, Barn Dance, Lancers anu sir Koger. Every morning we l ale put through tbe Grand March, and are doing it quite well now. At nights alter school we start practising the other dances. We dance to the music of a piano. At first we did the dances very badly, but we are much better at them now, and by the timo the ball comes we shall be doing them very well. Children are helping to sell tickets, and Mothers are going to help give the suppers. 1 hope it is not wet for our ball, as we huve been having such horrible weather. By the tune my essay is published the ball will be over, but in my next essay, 1 shall tell you all about it. Love to yourself and the Kiwis. Your Loving Kiwi. —Red Certificate to Rosa Dixon, aged 10 years, Barden street, Hastings. * ♦ ♦ ♦ "BEAU GESTE.” Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week 1 aui going to continue "Beau Geste.” Lady Patricia calls for the imitation “Blue Water” to be brought in and when it is brought m the light goes out and it is stolen. That night Beau tells his brothers that he is tne thief and he has stolen the gem to save his aunt from his uncle’s anger, when lie finds it is a false stone Late that night Beau leaves home, leaving a letter saying he had gone to join the Foreign Legion in Africa One by one his brothers follow him and there they meet. After a while they are separated. Beau and John are sent to one fort and Digby to another. Shortly afterwards a tribe ot Arabs attack and one by one the men are shot down until onlv the general and Beau and John are left. (To be Continued.) Love to the Kiwi Band. —Red Certificate to Joan Carlton, age 10 years. 607 Charles street, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A BIRTHDAY. Dear Chief Kiwi,—lt is a very long time since I have written to you and 1 would hke to join the Kiwi Band again. 1 will choose as my subject a birthday party. Last night, the 12th of August, 1 went to a birthday party. We arrived there at 4 o’clock and came home at 8 o'clock. When 1 got there the children were playing games so 1 went into the dining-room and played with them. We nlayed "postman's knock,” and "musical stick,” and then we had tea. Aller tea we had more games, but at last we had paper hats. We all put them on and had a dance. I had a blue one with grapes on it. After we had a dance we had a concert. A girl sang a song, and we al] clapped our hands. Then we had a game. A girl had a handkerchief tied round her head so that she could not see. We pinned a donkey up on the wall and we would give her the donkey s tail and she would have fo put it >n the donkey, and guess where it would have to go, you had to put it on number 100. A wee girl put it on number 1(M) and won a big box of chocolates. fmust close now with love to all. —Red Certificate to Mervle Steel, nge 8 years, Campbell road. Havelock North. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ THE WINTER SHOW. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to tell you about the Winter Show. The children of the Wades, town School went to the Winter Show on the 21st July. On our way down we met numbers of other schoolchildren. The first shed we went into was No. 35. Near the door on the left-hand side was some fruit grown in Auckland. Down the centre were motor-cars, and at the end was a big red Bell bus. Lots of the children won boxes of chocolates at the rolldowns. 1 gathered lots of advertisements. There was a stall in which a lady w«s selling paper hags for sixpence which contained a Bostock pencil, a bottle of bos wonder cleaner, and a tin of Bostock’s nugget, also a tube of bos wonder-cleaner for cleaning patent leather shoes. —Bed Certificate to Doris Golding, age 10 years, 165 Wadestown road, Wellington.

A DAY AT THE BEACH. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to write about a day at the beach. When 1 awoke on the morning that we had arranged for our outing, 1 ran to the window to see if it was a fine day. To my joy the sun was shining brightly. I dressed quickly and helped to prepare -M breakfast. Then we did the housework and packed the baskets. Dai took the car out ot the shed and we set off. It was a lovely day, and there were many beautiful scenes on the way. As it was spring-time there were many little lambs to be seen frolicking around the paddocks after their mothers. The trees looked beauriful in their new coats of green. At last we arrived. M- brother, sister, and I went for a swim. After our swim had lunch, which ve enjoyed very’- -much as we were hungry. Then we played in the sand and made castles for some time. After that we went for another swim. After we came out of the sea and dressed we went to see the shops. We bought some meat to take home with us. After we went back to the beach we had tea. Then we packed the baskets and set off for home, after spending a very enjoyable day.

I must close now with love to yon and the other Kiwis,

—Red Certificate to Jean Campbell, age 10 years. 407 Willow Park road. Hastings. ♦ * ♦ ♦ A BIRTHDAY PARTY. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This time I am going to tell you about a birthday party 1 went to on Friday afternoon. 1 got there about four o’clock, then the others came. We went in to tea We had such a joyful time and there was such a lovely birthday cake Alter tea we played ail kinds ot games. The time went so quickly and we were sorry when we had to go home and that was the end of the jolly birthday party. Before 1 closo I want to tell you when my birthday comes. It is on the ijrli February. Love to yourself and the Kiwi Band. —Red Certificate to Thora Davidson, age 10 years, 941 Willow Park road, Hastings. » * * * A BIRTHDAY PARTY. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I will tell you about a birthday party 1 went to. There were lots of other children there. We had a good tea with lots of nice things to eat, and afterwards we listened to the wireless. which was telling us a storv about Robinson Crusoe. Then we played games, and had a scramble of nuts and lollies, and it was time to go home. 1 must clos/now with love to voi and the other Kiwis. Thank you for the Certificate. —Red Certificate to Basil Fox. age R years. 410 St. Aubyn street. Hastings. * * * * HOW I SPEND MY SATURDAYS Dear Chief Kiwi,—This is the first time 1 have ever written to vou, and 1 would like to become one of your Kiwis. I will tell you how I spend niy Saturdays. 1 get up early in the morning and help Mother with her housework First of all I wash and dry the breakfast dishes and clean the knives. Then I take all the mats out of the bedrooms. After Mother has swept the bedroom floor I dust the duchess and put the mats down again. Then 1 clean my shoes and my little sisters and brothers. After dinner we all have a bath and then we go to Dad’s shop and get fruit and nuts. Then we all go home and have tea. 1 must close now wzh love to you and al! the Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to Sylvm Thomas, age 10 years. 109 Garnett street, Hastings. * ♦ ♦ ♦ A PARTY. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to tell you about a party which was on Saturday. Most ot us were m fancy dress and there was a prize for the best one. After the prize was given we had a game called blindman’s buff. Hirst you are all blindfolded except one person, and she has a bell which she rings, when she is hiding, The girl who catches her goes in then, We soon finished that, so we had a game called the porridge pot. As soon as the game was over we had supper, which was very nice, and we all enjoyed it very mucn. boon after supper we had another game of blind-man’s buff which was a very ordinary one. We had a few more games but 1 forget the names of them, borne of the children went home then, but 1 waited till the end. It was about 10 o'clock when we left. Mother and 1 took a quarter of an hour to get honie after spending such a happy and enjoyable day. —1 will close now, thanking you for the Certificate you awaraeu me last week —Orange Certificate to Doris Price, age 10 years, 309 Eastbourne street, Hastings. ♦ * ♦ ♦ A HORSE. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This is the first time 1 have written you an essay. 1 like horses very much, but I have not had a ride on one yet. There are many horses in New Zealand. A horse is a very useful animal because it can pull heavy loads. I often see horses pulling big loads of wood and coal. Sometimes men whip horses to make them go faster. My uncle has a horse called Dobbin, and a pony called Frisky. People that have horses are very lucky. Bnhj' horses are called foals. —Orange Certificate to Norman Wyatt, age 7 years, 508 VictcMi street. Hastings. ♦ » ♦ ♦ Pat: Well, au revoir, Mike. Mike: What does that mean? Pat: Thai's "good bye" in French. Mike: O’well, carbolic acid, Pat. Pat: What does that mean? Mike: That’s "good-bye” in any language. —Orange Certificate to Mavis McKeown, age 10 years, R.D., Mangateretere, Hastings-

SENIORS. A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week 1 shall tell you about a walk through a beautiful garden. The monarch of day was retiring to his western couch as 1 wandered along the winding paths, and ah the air was fragrant from the scents of the numberless Howers blooming in the beautiful garden. it was the beginning of summer and all tile ■ flowers were happy. The tiny laughing faces ot the violets formed a neat ring around a sparkling fountain. The little stream trickled contentedly over its uneven pebbly bed, while the willows dipped their long tapering fingers in the cool refreshing waters. As I crossed the little rustic bridge 1 espied the laughing face of the moon peeping out from beiiind a cloud. The slender white iillies and tall daffodils nodded sleepily in the cool breeze. An owl hooted from the hollow trunk of an old willow. I think he was telling me that it was time to leave the beautiful garden. Love to you and all the Kiwi Band. —Pink Certificate to Agnes Morgan, age 13 years, School road, Wive. * * * ♦ A FIRE, Chief Kiwi,—As I have not written to you for the last three weeks, i am writing my essay about a fire we Had in a boot tactory which was situated m Bishopsgate, which is in the Heart of London, un a Saturday afternoon, we were playing marbles, for I was only ten then. The games were so interesting that I and my playmates did not hear the first fire alarm. But about a quarter of an hour later Mother sent me on an errand. Un my way there 1 was surprised to see a huge crowd of people watching something. As 1 got nearer 1 saw three fire engines. They were near a boot, factory, owned by a Mr. Rosenbaume. rhool as the front door was opened the smoke came out in clouds. My errand was an urgent one so 1 had to hurry on. By the time 1 came back the crowd had dispersed and so had the factory, for all that was left of it was the iron frame-work. Well. Chief Kiwi, I must close now with love to yourself and other Kiwis. —Blue Certificate to Violet Taylor, age 13 years, 913 Railway road, Hastings. » * ♦ * * A WINTER’S MORNING. Dear Chief Kiwr.—l am almost a new Kiwi, hut 1 have not forgotten you. This week 1 am going to write about a winter morning. One morning on awaking 1 looked out of my window to find everythine still and the ground covered with a mantle ot white glistening frost. All the trees were covered with dew. and drops now and again were sounded on the roof. It was just as though all the world was dead but for the chirping of birds. Small narticies ot ice were hanging here and them wnrre in the distance shone the big red orb which was going to clear away all these wonders ot nature. Little drops of dew were on every blade of grass. On going outside 1 noticed how stiff and hard the ground was. Little children were running to school and stamping their feet hard so as to keep them warm. Their little luce-, were red, and especially the tips of their ' noses. On turning to the flowers 1 saw they looked fresh and gay, The sun was now travelling over and was melting all the frost and thus ended a winter morn. Well, Chief Kiwi. I will close now. Love to yourielf and all Kiwis. —Blue Certificate to Lois Stewart, age 11 years, Kiverslea road, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ * THE SPRINGTIME. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week 1 shall write about the springtime. It is a cheerful season, and makes us feel cheerful. Violets, daffodils, snowflakes, jonquills. primroses, and all the spring flowers peep their sweet little heads up above the earth. The tiny green shoots of the willow trees appear, and the merry little birds sing cheerfully. Early in the morning the bright sun peeps in at the window and calls us out of bed. Blossoms appear on the fruit trees, and the little birds fly to and fro, carrying pieces of straw and wool to beg.n building their nests. ■ Later we see some eggs m the nest, and very soon little birds chirping, while the mother is finding food for them. Then there are the tnsky lambs that play in the meadows among the daisies, while we children lowe to niciiic in the fields and gather daisies to make daisychains. Well, dear Chief Kiwi, I must close with love to you and all the Kiwis. —Blue Certificate to Laura Beale, age 13 years, 407 Fitzroy Avenue. Hastings. « • « « PEOPLE OF THE LIGHTHOUSE. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am writing about the people of a lighthouse. Most of us know that the lighthouse is to guide the steamers from coming too near a dangerous coast, and therefore the lighthouse must have someone to attend to its light when darkness sets in. The man must know just when to light up and must also see that the lamps are always kept filled and the wicks properly trimmed. When the people are in need of anything they have to wait to catch a passing boat to take their order to the nearest town, and sometimes they might wait a month before they can get their things out. The children cannot go to a daily school, so they are either taught at home or else sent away to a boarding school. They live a very dull sort of life, as the only playground they have are the rocks around the lighthouse, and only when the sea is very calm are they allowed down to the rocks. The wife of the keeper has a very busy time, as she has to bake all the different things for the family needs as they don’t know when they may run short of anything. Well, I must close, with love to yourself and the Kiwi band. —Red Certificate to Elva Gigg, age II years, 4D4E. Southampton Street, Hastings. ♦ ★ ♦ ♦ There was an old golfer of Ghent Who never would pay his house rent When a ghost in the night Gave him such a big fright That now he sleeps out in a tent. —Red Certificate—A limerick from Suzanne Riddiford, age 11 years, Havelock North.

BEAUTIFUL CORNWALL PARK. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week my essay is about Cornwall Park. Well, I supjpose the most popular entrance into the park is through the great iron gates, which were opened by Lord Jellicoe in 1924. When we enter the park an avenue of trees may be seen, while further down is a row of palms. To make the place more beautiful there is a little creek, which winds through the park. Paddling upon this little stream are six or eight black swans and a pair of lovely white ones, while at the other end are a good many little ducks wading around. Half way down the stream is a very pretty fountain. Another water sight there is where a well has been sunk, and the water comes bubbling up, and trickles over some little rocks to a place below, from which it runs off to the stream. In a little concrete place below are some pretty fishes In the other corner of the park is a brown deer that has grown very tame and will come up to anybody. Also in the run are two white goats which are not so tame. Well, Chief Kiwi, there are so many birds that I can hardly describe them. There are some very pretty coloured parrots and pheasants and many others. Next are the playthings, which consist of swings, seesaws, slide and round about. Oh, I think Cornwall Park is one of the beauty spots of Hastings. I will close now, with heaps of love to yourself and all the other Kiwis. —Red Certificate to Edna Morton, age 12 years, 301W. Frederick street, Hastings. * ♦ ♦ ♦

OUR LONG WALK. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This time 1 am going to tell you about our long walk. One Sunday afternoon my brother’s chums came down, and we decided to go up Mt. Cameron, which is a big nil! in front of our place. We started off about one o’clock. We had to cross a river. We all took off our boots and carried them across the river and a long way up the hill, till our feet were sure with the hard ground.- When we arrived on top of the hill we had a rest, and then we went to look for caves. We found one and when we looked in the hole we saw a cow, so we could not get in. But we went in another which was near, and when we crept in and switched on the torch we saw something which we thought was moving, but I think it was only a dead sheep, and then we came home very tired. 1 must stop now, with love to you and the Kiwi Band. —Red Certificate to Kitty Oliver, age 12 years, Awanui P. 8., Hastings. * ♦ * ♦ A TRIP TO THE CAPE. Dear Chief Kiwi,—lt is a very long time since 1 have written to you, and 1 hope to write regularly once more, it was early in the morning when we set out on" a fishing expedition to Cape Kidnappers. It took a considerable time to get as far as the Gannets, as we had to bike and carry heavy loads. Instead of seeing the gannets, we climbed right over the Cape and pitched our tent. As soon as it was possible we put out our lines to try our luck, but try as we might we could not catch anything. When it got dark we lowered four well-made crayfish pots, and after trying till midnight we only landed thirteen small crayfish. We then went to bed. In spite of the hard ground, which was our tent’s floor, we slept soundly. Next day we went home, bringing nothing as a prize, as we ate the crayfish for our breakfast. I will, close now, with love to the members of the Kiwi band. —Red Certieficate to Eion Bowen, age 12 years, Middle road, Havelock North. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ SUNSET. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This is the first time I have written to you, and I have ohosen for my first essay “Sunset." The western sky was one mass of red. The birds sang melodies as they made their way homewards to their snug little nests. A weary farmer trudged his way homewards satisfied that the last duty of the day was done. All was quiet. The jocund rays of the sun had stopped their dancing. A mass of fire had taken the place of the golden sun. All people had retired for the night. The fiery mass had faded, darkness had come. The mellow moon had taken the place of the golden sun. Well, Chief Kiwi, I must close, with love for you and your merry band. —Red Certificate to Dorothy Farmery, age 11 years, Box 210, Hastings. * * ♦ * BEAUTIFUL NEW ZEALAND Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the certificate you awarded me last week. New Zealand is one of the prettiest islands in the world. We will travel from Bay of Islands and go right through New Zealand. Russell was once a whaling centre but now it is a largely growing town. From Russell to Whangarei will be our next town. Whangarei is a a beautiful little town, surrounded on three sides by bush-clad hills. It is a very busy little river port. Auckland is a place of importance as most of the snips from across the ocean call in here. Kauri trees grow near here and it is the only place in the world where they grow. Near Auckland is Onehunga, with large woollen mills. We will go on to Lake Taupo, which is the largest lake in New Zealand. Trout fishing goes on a great deal here. Many are the beautiful native birds that seem to strain their throats singing in the lofty tree tops of the bush. Then comes Rotorua, • There are boiling mud pools that just look like boiling porridge. There are also boiling waterfalls and pools. On one side of the road it is quite cold, whilst on the other side it is boiling. Now we will go over to the Wanganui river and go down the river in a boat. Both sides of the river are covered with ferns and virgin forest. 1 will close now, but will continue next week. With love to the Kiwis, but mostly for yourself. —Red certificate to Erin Heenan, age 11 years, Te Aute road, Havelock North.

Ml DOLLS HOUSE. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I am going to tell you about my doll’s uouse. My brother made it for me. It consists of four compartments. A bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and drawing-room, Tue bedroom and oathroom are both upstairs. I papered thd* rooms with coloured wall-paper. A piece of velvet was used for a carpet. I put the carpet in the sitting room, and placed some pictures on the walls, and with some furniture the room looked its best. The bedroom contains a bed, some chairs, and a little pedestal. Standing in the corner of the room is a chest of urawers where the doll’s clothes are kept. In the kitchen there is a big stove which I sometimes light. There are many pots, pans, and diches, a table and one or two chairs. I have a little bit of marvel cloth which I spread over the table. My brother makes most of the chairs for me. Koch room has a window which is made of glass. I made some curtains and when they were hung they looked very pretty. Soon 1 am going to add two more rooms on to fhe house. —Red certificate to Mollie Hull, age II years, Box 76, Hastings. * * * * PICTURES. Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you very much for the certificates you awarded me some time ago. This week I am writing about pictures. In our school we have some very pretty pictures. One is of Christ, carrying a little lamb in his arms. Another very beautiful picture is that of Joan of Arc. Ono I like very much is called the Avenue. It is very beautiful. On one side we can see part of a town and qn the other side pine trees grow.v An Avenue is a road, with trees growing on either side. This Avenue is rar over the sea in Holland. People hang pictures on the walls of their houses to make the rooms look cheerful and pretty. Some pictures are greatly valued, and are sold at very high prices; some for as meh as thirty thousand pounds. Love to you and all the Kiwis. —Red certificate to Celia Liley, age 11 years, Box 69, Havelock N. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ AN ELEPHANT. Dear Chief Kiwi.—Thank you very much for the certificate you awarded me. This week lam going to write about an Elephant. It is a huge animal of tremendous strength-- *j groat that it can hurl any tree to tlie ground. It has huge flat feet and flappy ears. When tamed they arc very gentle. In India the natives keep elephants to mind the children. In the zoo in Auckland, there is one which carries children about on its back. They are very fond of fruit and bread and are often given an a[ple by some kind girl or boy who is fond of animals. When they are in their wild state they live mostly on leaves. Tame elephants are often used for drawing heavy trucks or logs. When angry they are very dangerous and vicious. TMy have a very good memory for if someone ill-treats them they do not forget or do they hesitate to pay them back. With love —Red certificates to Ruth Frost, 11 years, Rissington. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A WEEK-END AT HAVELOCK. Dear Chief Kiwi,—lt is a long time since 1 have written to you, so 1 will write on the above suoject. One Saturday morning my auntie rang Mother and asked her if 1 could go out to Havelock for a day, and she said “Yes." I got ready and went by the 11 a.m. bus. When I got there 1 had a look round the, garden and the orchard, and a glimpse of the river. Then we had lunch and washed up. About two o’clock we went and gathered some walnuts and the time went ever so quickly. When it was time to go home, my auntie asked me if 1 would like to stay another day. 1 ra’ig Mother up and asked if I could stay, and she said yes if 1 was good. In the evening my uncle Jit a tire, then 1 sat and read the Kiwi Page till it was time to go to bed. Next day I went home by the 1 p.m. bus. 1 was very sorry when the time came as I was enjoying myself very much, I must close now as I am on the limit of my words, with best love to you and the other Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to Irene English, age 11 years. Omahu road, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ AN ENJOYABLE DAY PICNICKING. Dear Chief Kiwi,—As last week’s essay was a success I shall trv hard tins time. One fine day we decided to go tor a picnic. On our way we could hear the joyous songs of birds, and rustling of the trees. When we arrived at our destination we put the car in a shady place, We then unpacked our lunch. Mother said that we may play on the hills with our sledge. We were very excited and all ran over to the hills which looked very smooth, so that we could have a nice smooth slide. We were having a very happy time indeed, because we had our friends with us. Father went shooting hares and when he came back we were amazed because he had his bag full. What a least we knew was coming Later on Mother had the lunch prepared for us. We ran from the hills and arrived at the place to have lunch. When we had finished we ascended the hills again, and had a verv happy time. Soon came the time for home and we were very sorry to leave our play. We heard the birds’ songs coming home, and reached home and went to bed after having a nice tea. 1 hope t.he dragon will not have this because 1 have taken such a lot of paper and tune. With love to you and all the Kiwi Band, —Orange Certificate to Mary Harrison. age 13 years. 708 Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings. » » » » Whv are ears like regimental bands?—Because they have drums in them. —Orange Certificate to Lawrence Brady, age 12 years, 511 Grey* road,. Hastings.

MY GARDEN. Dear Chief Kiwi.—This is the first time 1 have written an essay to you so 1 will tell you about mv garden, ft has in it violets of a pretty purple and m lovely bloom at piesent. I have also daffodils, jonquils, lillies, and many other kinds of flowers. I have four strawberry plants which I hope will bear fruit this year. Last year f planted some beans but they grew so high and twined amongst the cosmos that I have decided not to grow any in my garden this year. ■ With love to you and the other Kiwis. Thanking you for the Certificate I received last week, —Phyllis Walker age 10 years, 907 Albert street, Hastings. * * * * MY CIGARETTE CARDS. Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the bine certificate that you rewarded me. I have not written to you for a long time. I have two albums and have three hundred and ninetyfive cards altogether. The set of Children of all Nations I have collected by exchanging cards with my friends, and also the set of Trains. I have nearly the set of dogs, motor bicycles, and also priates and highway men. Out of my three hundred and ninety-flve cards, one hundred and twenty-nine, are scenes of the British Empire, which are very pretty and I have 31 flowers. Best wishes to the Kiwi Band. —Peggy Marven, age 10 years, Seiwyn road, Havelock North. * * * • KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I have chosen to write about King Alfred and the cakes. He was walking along a track in a bush when he came to a little hut. He went to the door and knocked. An old woman opened the door and he asked to go in. The woman said that she was going down th the well and he could look after her cakes. While she was away he fell asleep. The woman smelt the cakes, and said that he was a good for nothing man, so he went away. Next day a man came with some money from the King saying that he deserved it. —Dick brodie, age 10 years, 600 Tomoan road, Hastings. ♦ * ♦ ♦ UNCLE TOM’S CABIN. Dear Chief Kiwi, —A book should be recognised as a very valuable article. All true lovers of Nature know this to be true. There are many classics, and one of these is a book called ‘‘‘UJcle Tom’s Cabin.” 1 am going to try to relate to you the story of Uncle Tom. Tom did not live in a cabin, but it was such a dainty little house in which he did live, that everybody called it a cabin. He was a Slav# but did not recognise himself as one because he was so well treated. All the children called him “Uncle Tom” because he was so kind. In spite of the fact that his skin was back everyone loved him. I’m not quite sure that Tom’s master’s name was, but I think to was Mr Sherendon. Well, this Mr Sherendon owed a neighbour a large sum of money, and he could not pay it. The neighbour came over one evening and told him that he would sell all the land and the house unless he would pay straight away. Mr Sherendon knew this was impossible so the man asked him to sell Uncle Tom. ’’his would not satisfy him alone, for be asked for a young lad that he saw in the garden. Aftht a long pernuasicm Mr Sherendon said he would. Mr Sherendon did not know how to tell his wife. She, however, could tell that something was wrong so she asked him, and he told her how the man was to' come and take little Harry, the boy, and Uncle Tom away in the morning. As I have reached the word limit, I shall have to continue my story' next week. With much love to yourself and the Kiwis. —Gladys Symes, age IS ye»n, 1105 Karamu toad, Hastings. P.B.—Thank you for the certificate you awarded me last week.—G.B. ♦ ♦ ♦ * A DAY AT THE BEACH. Dear Chief Kiwi/—I am writing about the above subject. Mother decided that one day this week we would go to the beach. It was decided that Wednesday would be the day as it was most convenient. We all waited patiently for Wednesday to come. At last the day dawned, but oh! what a horrible day, there wasn’t a patch of blue sky to be seen. I jumped out of bed as quickly as 1 could and ran downstairs to see if mother was up and sure enough she was, but the look on her face told mo what to expect. We were not going. An hour passed and the sky seemed brighter, and I went outside t« see, and there the sun was trying to shine. In an hour we were all ready to start off for the day. Ohl how excited we were. It didn’t take long to reach the beach. I was most excited when we arrived. There wore crowds and crowds of other people there. Some bathing in the sea, some having gay times on the swings, while others were just lazily lying on the beach in the sunshine. I persuaded mother to let me have a swim and she consented. My two sisters came with me. What a lovely time wo had. It was time for our lunch, After our swim we were feeling rather hungry so you can just imagine how we ate. After lunch we arranged to explore the caves, but there was nothing exciting about them so we didn’t bother any more with them. We passed the afternoon by having turns of riding on the donkey. Oh! such fun. Once I was thrown off, but I wasn’t hurt. I had lots of swings. I love the feel of the air in my face when 1 am winging. Time was passing quickly. It would soon be time to go home. I was so disappointed because it had been the most beautiful day I had spent during my holidays, and it would soon be time for us to leave. We had tea and then packed and very soon we were wending our way homewafd. What a glorious time we all had, and to think it had been such a dreadful morning, no one would have guessed it would turn out such a wonderful day. 1 must close flow not forgetting to thank you for last week’s certificate you awarded me. Best wishes to you and the Kiwis.

—Jean Garnett, age 12 years, 206 Nelson etreet, Hastings.

A VISIT TO WELLINGTON BY CAB CONTINUED. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to continue my essay. We waited tifl the next day, but it still poured, the heavier. Our hearts sank, as we had to stay in the house, and play inside games. We were hoping, however, that it would dear up, as we were going homl fhe next day. However, it cleared up about 8 o'aloek, and we went to ee# the wharvee. There were a number of small boats, going to other ports with goods. We went home very sorrowful as our holiday had come to an end. I must close now, with love to the Kiwi band.

—Joan Gibb age 12 years, HO Queen street, Hastings.