Essay Competition

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 October 1927, Page 14

Essay Competition

JUNIORS. NEW ZEALAND. Dear Chief Kiwi, —Before I’continue my essay I will thank you for the 2/6 you awarded me for my last essay. Last week I told you about the thermal lakes at Rotorua, and this week I will continue about thermal springs. At Rotorua the Maoris copk their food in large pits and cover it up with sods. A few years ago Mt. Tarawera exploded, and the lather and ashes covered up some lovely pink and white terraces. These terraces were formed hundreds of years ago by the sulphurs from the geysers. Further south there is a lake called Taupo. It is the biggest lake in the North Island. Tourists go to Lake Taupo to fish for trout. A great deal of trout and salmon fishing is done at Taupo. The great Waikato River runs through Lake Taupo. A few miles from Taupo are three great mountains. Ruapehu. Ngarahoe and Tongariro. Mount Ruapehu and Ngarahoe are active volcanoes, but Ton gariru is extinct. On the sidpa of Tongariro there is a National Park. Over to the west there is another volcanic mountain called Egmont. To see Egmont at night with the moon shinging on the snow is just excellent. Coming down the coast we come to a beautiful river and a pretty town called Wanganui. At Christmas I went to Wanganui on my way to New Plymouth. Looking over the river is a big hill and on top of the hill stand a tower of 176 steps. This hill is Durie Hill. The scene is most magnificent. Well. Chief, I will continue -next week. —Blue certificate to Una Loach, aged 10 years. P.O. Box, 332 Hastings. » ♦ • ♦ MY PET LAMB. Dear Chief Kiwi—This week 1 will tell you about a pet lamb I had when I was quite a little girl. It lost its mother, so we had to feed it with a bottle. ’ At first it would not take the milk, but when it got used to it, it was always wanting a drink. When it was a baby it used to stand and go to sleep so near to the fire that 1 was frighted it would get burnt. When it grew bigger it ran after me, and my brother and I had great fun with it ,and one day a big dog chased it. The lamb ran so fast until it rolled over on its back with fright, but it did not get hurt. When it grew into a fat sheep I sold it, but I was very sorry to part with it. I must close now with love to you and the other Kiwis and thank you for certificate. lam sending you a little silver paper this week. —Red certificate to Madeline Fox, age 6 years, 410 St. Aubyn street, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A TRIP IN A LAUNCH. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week 1 will tell you about a trip I had in a motor launch during last summer. While spending the day at Westshore beach some people we knew came and took us for a trip round in their launch, which was very nice, and 1 did not feel sick at all, so my daddy said I must be a good sailor. When I grow to be a man I hope I shall have a launch of my own, and then I will give my friends a trip and show them how to catch fish . I must close now with love to you and the other Kiwis. Thank you for the certificate. —Red certificate to Basil Fox, 410, St. Aubyn street, Hastings. * • * * GETTING BREAKFAST. Dear Chief Kiwi, —One wet morning during the holidays. Dad said, 1 ‘ Who is going to get breakfast this morning! ’ ’ 1 said I would, so 1 hurried up anu dressed and went into the kitchen. After lighting the fire 1 filled the kettle, and put on the saucepan for the porridge. Mum said we would have boiled eggs, so I put on the pan with water. I got the oatmeal mixed it smooth with cold wafer put some salt in and stirred it into the pan. When it was quite boiling I put it to the side and put the lid on. Then I set the table. Next I nut the eggs into boiling water. I looked at the time, and at the end of thng- minutes J took out Mum's my broiners, and my own eggs. I left Dad’s in for three more minutes because he likes his hard. Then I called out, ‘ 1 Breakfast is ready. ” Thank you for the certificate. Love to all. —Red certificate to Hannah Hallgarth. age 10 years, Private Bag, Hastings.

CAKE-MAKING. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week 1 am writing about the above subject. 1 often help mother to make a cake, so 1 will tell you about it. We must first see that our hands and fingernails are clean, we must also nut on a clean apron. We must see the oven is at a proper heat, and weigh out all we need before beginning to make the cake. The first thing 1 did was to beat the butter and sugar thoroughly to a cream. Then I heat the eggs in one at a time, then the flour, and baking powder is added. If it is a fruit cake, the fruit is added last of all. The mixture is then nut into a tin lined with grased paper. Then it is put in the oven, which must not be too hot. When we think the cake is cooked I take a clean hatpin. which is especially kept for testing the cakes. If it comes out clean we know the cake is coked. If it is a sponge cake we turn it our, on a piece of paper to cool. But if it is a fruit cake it is left in the tin to cool. I must thank vou for the certificate you awarded me. I must close now with love to vou and the Kiwis. —Red Certificate to Jean Camnbell. a<»e 10 years. 407 Willow Park road. Hastings. ,** ♦ ♦ AN AFTERNOON AT CORNWALL PARK. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to write about an afternoon at Cornwall Park. Last Sunday 1 set off for Cornwall Park, When 1 arrived I had a look at the peacock and peahen. The peacock was strut ting vainly up and down holding its Jiead high in the air. Then 1 had a look at the silklp fowl, the opossums, wallabies, magpie, and parrots. One parrot kept dancing about and screeching aloud. Then 1 went to see the swans. There were three black ones and two white ones. There were also some ducks and everv few minutes the black swans would turn around and chase the white swans and the ducks away. The lawns were well mown, and the gardens were neat and were in bloom. What an ideal playground Corntrtill Park is The Borough Council is making manv improvements and is going to make a paddling pool there. After a wood Itek around 1 had some fun on the slide, see-saw. swin~ and merrv-uo-round. Well. Chief Kiwi. 1 must close with love to vou and the other Kiwis. —Red Certificate to Marv O’Neill, age 10 years. 710 Avenue road. Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A VIS'T TO BABY BIRD LAND. Dear Chief Kiwi,—One night, when everybody in the house was asleep. 1 jumped out of bed and tlew through the window and away over the erassv fields until 1 came to Baby-bird Land 1 knew 1 was at the right place, for 1 heard the birds twittering a long time before 1 arrived at the gate. It was here where many elves and goblins weer waiting to do a good turn bv showing the people the wav around the garden. About six of them grabbed my arm and argued who was to go with me. However, it was soon arranged, so on we went. First of all we came to a large near tree, with clusters of go'.d?.-i pears drooping to the ground. in this we saw neat little nects lined w-ti> thistledown. Some of thorn, we were told, had eggs in and others had little birds in them. These were the Joev Red-cap or goldfinches. I must close now wrh love to yourself and other Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to Jovce Kitt, age 10 rears, Murdoch road. Hastings. ♦ * * ♦ A DAY’S FISHING. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This is the first time 1 have written to you. and I am going to tell you about fishing One beautiful warm Sunday. 1 went io Whakatu to fish. I took mv lunch, and started off about ten o’clock. When I got there I threw out mv line, and when I hauled it in. 1 found four little herrings. When it was about dinner-time I sat down under some trees and ate my lunch. As I sat down I heard the sea birds; they were darting out of the water. When I had finished mv dinner I began to fish again, but I had onlv caught sixteen, when it began to grow dark, and 1 came home. Love to you and the Kiwi band. —Orange Certificate to Phil Barrett. age 9 years. 905 Victoria street. Hastings. ♦ » » * A TRIP TO PALMERSTON. Dear Chief Kiwi, —I have not written to you for a long time. 1 have chosen as my subject “A Trin to Palmerston.” We started for the 20 to 9 train to Palmerston. The first stop was Otane, which was quite lonely- We saw many oows horses, and nigs roaming about the paddodk. Mv sisters, auntie and mother all went. When we reached Wodville we had dinner. We soon came to the Gorge, which is also very pretty Mv sisters did not like the tunnels. The water was very dirtv as we had had some slips, which are cleared away now. We soon reached Palmerston after a jolly ride in the train. There we found a taxi and started for our auntie’s house. I must thank vou for the certificate yea awarded me last. I have a few prees of silver paper for vou. love to the Kiwi band. —Orange Certificate to Peggy Mar ven. aoe 10 years. Selwvn "oad. Havelock North. * ♦ ♦ ♦ What can go through a woo<] without touching a twig?—An echo. —Orange Certificate to Phyllis McKeown, age 11 yers. R.D., Manga, teretere, Hastings.

OUR DOG. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I am going to tell you about our dog. but first of all I must thank you for the certificate you sent me. When we first got the -dog he would not stand up. because he was not used to children. His name is Darky because he is black. He is a very plavfu.l little dog. If you try to take a bone from him he will bite vou. We had a collar for him but he lost, it Chief Kiwi, have you a dog? When we go to pla.y he always comes with us. We chain Dark- up every night liecause he might run away. He barks when anyone comes to the door. Darky bit me on the leg one day. If you throw a ball he will get it and bring it back to vou. When ever he sees a bird he tries to catch it. One day some big dogs went past our place, and one bit him The next day the same dogs went oast. Darky did not want another bite, so he hid under the hedge and when they had passed he ran out and barked. Well. Chief Kiwi I must close with love to all. —Orange Certificate to Glen Ross, age 9 rears. Havelock North. ♦ * * * MY GARDEN Dear Chief Kiwi,—This is the first time 1 have written to vou. This week 1 have chosen as mv subject “My Garden.” I have lilies, violets, jonquils, and also chrysanthemums. I have a vegetable garden, too. with onions, spinach, peas, and mustard and cress. My mustard and cress is coming up. and we can see the Deas peeping through the earth.. I must close now. with love to the Kiwi band. —Orange Certificate to Betty Marven. age 9 years, Selwyn road. Have lock North. • ♦ ♦ * NIPPY Dear Chief Kiwi, —This riddle of mine was marked “Marjorie Kitt. ’ in the “Tribune” instead of “Marione Webb.” so will you send the red certificate to me. please? This week I am telling you about Mother’s fivemonths old Cocker spaniel. She got him for her birthday. Nippv’s father takes the championship prize at the show. Nippv is black with very long, curly ears and he is as tat as ever. His eyes are as blue as the bluest sky. and he has short, stumpy legs. We have a room at the back of the house where he sleeps. Whenever he has a meal he always shakes hands with both paws, ano then he begs so beautifully. When he first gets up he is so pleased to see us. and when we put him on the bed mv father puts his head under the blankets, so that Nippv tries io get Dad’s head out again. Sometimes he scratches up Mother s R!1 —Orange Certificate to Mariorie Webb, age 10 years. Napier road. Havelock' North. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ THE SALVATION ARMY. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week 1 am going to tell you about the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army band plays every Sunday- This morning 1 went to hear them playing at the corner by our place. 1 was very pleased when a man came round and gave me a big card. They sang “Shall We Gather at the River.” After they gave me the card 1 ran home and got some money to give to them. There were many men, one lady, and a 'little boy in the band. 1 like to listen to them singing and playing. After they had finished playing .they march up to their church. —Orange Certificate to Norman Wyatt, age 7 years, 508 Victoria street, Hastings. » ♦ ♦ ♦ SENIORS. • THE GANNET. Dear Chief Kiwi,—As we have gannets nesting in Hawke s Bay r thought it would be interesting to tell you about them. The gannet belongs to the seaguu family, anu in the winter months u seeks the open sea. The gannet lays only one egg which is pure white in colour- Beiore long, however, it changes to a dull green. The incubation, lasts six weeks—an unusually long time —but the bird that is sitting is not easilj disturb ed. • The newly hatched gannet is blind and helpless and slate coloured, but it is soon covered with beautiful snowy down. In about three months the young bird is ready, but not willing, tor its first plunge. It must be a great day when the young gannet catches its first fish. By degrees the gannet passes through the stages of changing plumage until it is a full grown oiru. The gannet is a great bird at diving or rath*r “planing” as it may be called. The bird launches itself from the top of the cliff and without moving its wings “sails” down on an untortunate fish that happens to catch its quick eye. The gannet’s only enemy is man and it is very cruel to kill the bird. The Government has taken steps to protect them. Dear Chief Kiwi, if you ever have a chance to go out to Cape Kidnappers,you will not regret going. 1 must close now with love to the other Kiwis—Pink Certificate to Murray Williams, age 13 years, 701 Riverlea road, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ * LITTLE PLEASURES. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to write about little pleasures. 1 would much rather have little pleasures than big pleasures. Big pleasures sometimes mean goinp to dances and theatres and sometimes means trouble. A little pleasure is to come down on a cold morning and get warm by a big fire. It is lovely in spring to go out and water a little plant, and pick some flowers and bring them inside and put them in a vase. 1 love to watch Spider when Daddy throws a ball and he runs after it. and he brings it hack to ns. Well. Chief Kiwi. I must close now. Thank vou for the certificate >Oll awarded me. —Red Certificate to Molly Jefferd. age 11 years, Ngatarawa, Hastings.

THE STORY OF RAUPARE. Dear Chief Kiwi, —During his lecture which 1 have already described to you, Bev. Bennett related a number of interesting Maori anecdotes and legends, amongst which, was the story of Raupare. This legend is of great interest to us because it is associated with the township of itaupare in Hawke’s Bay. A certain chief residing in Hawke s Bay, wished to erect a house. The toliungas came as usual and informed him that he would have to offer as a sacrifice his oniy daughter Raupare. Very much grieved, the cinei went to tell his wahine who, too, was filled with despair on hearing it. Determined to save the lite of her daughter, she hastened to one of the relatives of the tohungas, telling him a bout the awkward situation. He decided to assist her in some way and went to see what could be done. All the natives were assembled together near the foundations ol the pan- As the first streaks of day lit up the landscape, the chief’s wahine hurried in, carrying Kaupare under her arm. Thud! Every one heard the thud which told oi Kanpare s end. Wailing and crying, sho hurried out, and returned years later with Raupare. The thud heard by the people, was only the noise ol the post as it -ame in contact with a graven image of Raupare. Raupare was not sacrified. The township of Raupare is named after Raupare. Love to all. —Pink Certificate to William Laws, age 12 years, 503 Miller street, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ TREASURE TROVE I’hen Brian had a brilliant idea. “Let’s take them to the musuem,” he said, “because they might be valuable.” Then next morning, two excited boys were on thdir way to the museum- They were Brian and Mike. At last they arrived at their destination, and going to the olhce, they waited patiently until the assistant inquired what they wanted. “Are these of any value?” asked Mike, putting the box on the table and opening it. “1 do not know,” replied the assistant, “but if you like you may leave then; here until the antiquarian conies back troni a journey, so that he may examine them. Brian and Mike thanked linn, and promising to return next ..ay, they left the ouiee. Outside j.-i; ae--. met by two of their friends, who at once said, “Ever been had.-” then they told Brian and Mike that one day when uiey were digging in a cun, they nau touna these old coins. As they tnougiit that they (the coins) were of no use they had taken them home and put them in a tin. When Brian and Mike Had said that they were going to. look tor treasure at the old brick-house a week beiore, they thought it would be a joke to bury the coins in the garden. As 't was almost dark Mike had not noticed that Hie soil had been iresiny dug. and thus they were deceived. When they—Brian and Mike—came to the museum the following morning they presented themselves, very shamefacedly, to the antiquarian, who seemed rather pleased, and who told them that the coins were worth about 10/- each. Then Brian and Mike were given £lO each, and as theii two friends had really found the coins they decided to share the money witn them-

Blue Certificate to Miriam James, age 12 years, Orchard road, Hastings.

♦ ♦ * ♦ A DAY AT THE SOCKBURN > AERODROME. (Continued). Dear Chief ixiwi, —Auer easing my sore reelings a little, 1 climbed irom tile ’plane, and went lor a walk around tlie aerodrome. There are nve large sheas, each 80it by 7WI. Hie field is about 2U acres each way, and there is a path to each shea. 1 walked to one sued, and had a look in. There were five 'planes being cleaned, m 1 watched tnem. The wings of them all had the red, white and blue colours. Une ’plane was being wheeled out to tjie held to try the engine. 1 went to the next shed but found the men doing nothing but reading, so 1 left that one- In the next shed there were only two areoplanes, as the other three were taking passengers up for trips. The men were cleaning the 'planes, and joking to each other. 1 watched a while, and growing tired, 1 went to the other sheds. Those two were empty. Behind these sheds are large packing cases, in which the aeroplanes are brought out from Eng land. They are sometimes covered with tar, to keep the rain out, and used as storage stores. Hope you received the silver-paper. Love to yourself and other Kiwis. (To be Continued). —Blue Certificate to Cyril Watson, age 11 years, 594 Moorhouse Avenue, Linwood, Christchurch. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A MAURI CANOE. Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thanking you for the certificates you awarded me and also tor the lovely little album and the five shillings, i will begin my essay. The Maoris were once famous canoe makers, it took a long time to make one as they had no iron or steel tools, but only stone axes and fire. They first chose a suitable tree that was near a river or the sea. They used red hot stones or embers and applied them to the lower part of the trunk, being careful not to set the tree alight. They chipped away charred portions with stone axes until the tree fell. They trimmed the trunk in the same way, until they got it into the right shape, using lire and a hatchet, it was then hauled down to the water and completed in every wav and then was suitable for a river or a smooth bay. For sea voyages a canoe made like this was nece«r.iry. It was heightened, small holes bored with fire round the upper part, and boards fastened on through these by flax and other fibre ropes. Then the canoe was safe for sea going it was not comfortable as the water leaked in or came over the side, and constant bailing was needed. They were decorated with carvings and about sixty men would be paddling. They used to keep time to their war songs when paddling. With best wishes to all. —Blue certificate to Erin Heenan, age 11 years, Te Aute road, Havelock North.

TWILIGHT. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This is only the second time I have written to you. 1 have named my essay “Twilight-” Softly the darkness descended upon a little village, changing the deep green of the rolling hills to a duskyblue and surrounding them with a silent mystery. Birds on the wing sang their evening strain in sweet bell-like tones for dusk had arrived and it was time to leave their work and seek their nests. Over the misty hills came the faint bleat of straying lambs, mingling with the perfume of shy woodland flowers. The leaves rustled softly on their sturdy branches, as a gentle breeze played with them, whispering of the beautiful night to come. Nearby a little stream tumbled noisily over sharp pebbles, over winch a quaint rustic uridge stood pale and ghostly beneath the rising mellow moon like a grim sentinel forbidding all enemies to approach. Curious shadows like hobigoolins darted here and there beneath the old bridge and drooping willows. Quietness reigned supreme, while the moon shone tranquilly on the peaceful scene of beautiful twilight. With love to other Kiwis. —Blue Certificate to Iris Harper, aged 11 years, Otane. » » * » MAORI BOYS AND GIRLS OF LONG ACO. Dear Chief Kiwi,—Maori boys and girls, living in New Zealand, beiore "lie white mau came, must have had, in many ways, just as happy a time, as they have to-day. n is true, there were not the excellent schools there are now; but, very likely, the children were quite happy, without them- Books, papers, pens and ink were unknown to the Maori children of long ago. Still, they learned a great deal, without even those things. As nothing could be written down, everything had to be told, one to another, and remembered. A boy did not have to learn to write neatly, or read correctly, but he did need to have a good memory. His lather, oi often his grandfather, told him many of the things he must know. One of the lessons was all about the land belonging to the tribe and family. Besides having this memory work, Maori children were trained to use their hands. When they grew up, the boys would be warriors, so they began, as little fellows, to thrust and strike with toy spears, made of reeds, or flax sticks. 1 will close now, thank, ing you for the 2/6 last week. Love to all. —Blue Certificate to iris Harding, age 12 years, 415 E Queen street, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A PARROT. Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week L must tell you about a parrot my cousin bougii... it belonged' to a lady who was going away, and as she didn’t want to take me parrot she sold him to my cousin for 10/-. They call him “Cocky,” and he is grey and pink. Every . morning Cocky s cage door is opened, and out he conies, and my Auntie will then call the cats tor their milk, and Cocky hurries up to get in the kitchen and he will call the cats, and -as soon as they hear him they come inside and as soon -as they start on thqir milk he yells at the top of his voice. He will sit on anyone’s shoulder if they are having a cup of tea, and he will drink troni a cup just like a child. He will also love you and put his head around by one’s mouth wanting one to kiss himWhen he is in a good mood he will dance for anyone who will whistle a dance tune for him, but if they just whistle he will slide across the floor and yell. When it is time for him to go back to his cage, my Aunties has to get a stick, and show it to him, before he will go in. He is very tame, but is very spiteful if you want him to do something he doesn’t want to do. and he will then give you a good peck. Love to yourself and the Kiwi Band. — Blue Certificate to Elva Gigg, age 11 years. 404 E Southampton street, Hastings.

* * * * ALONE IN THE HOUSE. Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you for the certificate you awarded me last week, I am going to write on the above subject. 1 was left alone in the bouse for the afternoon which made me feel rather miserable. Here was'- I sitting by the dining-room fire. 1 saw many pictures in the flames, some of them very mysterious. I soon became tired of that and was sitting still, doing nothing when Bang! “What was that?” Nothing but the bough of a tree which had snapped in the wind. 1 then started to get frightened as the birds scraped their claws on the roof. Then the table creaked, which made my blood run cold. I was thinking of burglars. When 1 was reading my book there was another bang; this time it was the door. How I laugh at the time. Then 1 thought 1 had better get the tea ready, doing which gave me more courage. However it took me a good while to light the fire, but after all it burned brightlv and the kettle boiled merrily. After I had set the table there was another bang and I went to the window to look out and it, wa s shut. Then after a while the door opened. I hid behind the armchair thinking something terrible was going to happen. But no! Mother came in, which made me laugh out loudly. —Blue Certificate to Violet Batt, age 11 years. 400' Lascelles street, ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN OLD CART Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am writing to tell you about an autobiography of an old cart. Once I was new, and painted dark green, with black wheels. I was sold at an auc* tion sale, where my master bought me for £l5. He said I was a good cart, but he soon found out after a fortnight's work, I came to pieces and I had to go and get fixed up. My master thought he would have to give m up for he was losing so much grain every time X broke down, scatlast lie gave in and sold me to a man. My new master was not so kind as the other. —I must close now, with love to the Kiwi band. —Joan Gibb, age 12 years, 210 Queen Street E., Hastings.

ANTONIO CANOVA. Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I am going to write about the great carver in marble called Antonio Canova. He lived in a small village in Italy, and when he was three old his father died, leaving him to the care of his grandfather, who carved figures in stone and marble. This good gentleman taught Antonio first to make figures in clay, and then seeing how clever he was at carving, taught him to make marble figures. At the age of nine he was able to carve figures just as well as the old man, so from that time on he helped his grandfather. One day when Antonio was twelve, a rich man was giving a party but as misfortune would have it the beautiful marble figure in the centre of the table had been broken, so he was very disappointed. Antonio said that if he could have a pound of butter he would carve a centre for the table. He then made a butter lion. When the people came all eyes were turned to the lion. After that Antonio became so famous that at the age of 15 he owned a shop of his own. With love. —Red Certificate to Ruth Frost, age 12 years, Rissington. ♦ » ♦ » OUR PET LAMBS. Dear Chief Kiwi,—We have had six pet lambs this year but sad to say four have died. One day Dad brought in two lambs. One was very weak, as its mother could not look after it, and the other mother refused to have anything to do with it We named them Punch and Judy. Judy was mine. Then a few days later another lamb arrived which was hardly three hours ntd and it was mine, and 1 call it Sam, About two days after that Judy died. She was very strong and I 'don’t know what happened. Then Sam got ill, and died. One day when I was riding round the sheep I found a lamb whose mother I could not find anywhere, so 1 put it in front of me on the horse and rode home. I called him Mick. Punch and Mick were great friends until one day Dad brought home another lamb (which died) and cut off Punch’s tail, and he bled a lot. We tried all sorts of things but he died. Mick was very sad until Dad brought home a lamb which we call Mike and now they are very happy together. They both have learnt how to get out of their pen so v. henever 1 see them they have either climbed over or crawled under. They have a great time together, —Red Certificate to Margaret Bell. Box 101, Havelock North. ♦ ♦ * ♦

THE LIFE OF A SHEPHERD. Dear Chief Kiwi,—l am going to join your Kiwi Page once more. Wool is one of the chief goods which are exported, from the various ports of New Zealand. Mutton is also one of the chief exported goods. Much qare must be taken of the sheep from which the wool and mutton come. This is- the reason why the farmers hire a shephepi to look after them and care for them The life of a shepherd is very interesting. From morning till night he tends his s'-"; and keeps them from all harm. The shepherd rises very early in the morning, has his breakfast, and just when the sun begins to make its appearance above the eastern hills, with little sunbeams playing on the golden wheat below he commences his day’s work. His sheep dogs, who are verv intelligent, round up the sheep from the sheep-fold in very little time. The shepherd takes his flock to feed from the green pasture of the hills. All day long he roams the hills with his. flock, stopping now and then to refresh himself with the food and drink which he brings with him. Occasionally he passes a small stream winding through the hills, from which his sheep quench their thirst If one happened to be looking towards the east when the sky is lit with the golden rays of the setting sun, one may see a lonely shepherd making his way home with his flock of sheep. Having arrived home, the shepherd counts his sheep one by one to see if any have strayed from the flock. If he finds that any are missing he once more returns to the hills to find them. After a long and often fruitless search, the shepherd returns home to have his tea, after which reads a book and smokes a pipe by the fire. Outside silence reigns over the land as the sheep have ceased bleating and the birds have retire-' in their leafy beds for the night. In the morning they will welcome the sun with their beautiful, melodious songs and the whole world wi! awaken to enjoy the sunlight. —Red Certificate to Inez Holdsworth. age 12 years. 401 E Lyndon road, Hastings. ♦ ♦ » ♦ THE FLOWER BHOW. Dear Chief Kiwi, This week I will tell you about the Flower Show which was held in the Assembly Hall. It was a great success, and the flowers were all very beautiful. On entering the hall 1 noticed a stand m one corner on which was a display of bulbs for exhibition and sale. People were ordering their bulbs for the next season. At the other end of the hall were the decorated mantlepieces. Some were done in red and pink and one in yellow. The tables were very pretty, being done in many delicate colours. Long tables were arranged in the hall for the flowers. On one table were double anemones, hyacinths, snowdrops, violas, pansies, primroses, friesias, flowering peach and bulbs. On another were decorated baskets and bowls of different flowers, also the children’s buttonholes and sprays. There were also collections of flowering shrubs. The table on the other side of the hall had on it bulbs of every size and colour, huge yellow apd white ones, some all yellow and others all white. There were not any ranunculis, but Mother grew some which would easily have taken a prize. Best love. —Red Certificate to Mollie Hull, age 11 years, Box 76 Hastings. * * * *

Jf a lodger tears the curtain, how does the landlady charge it?—As his rent.

—Orange Certificate to Marjorie Ward, age 12 years Kaiapo road, Hastings.

THE SHAG. Dear Chief Kiwi,—The shag is a water bird. It is common in Australia and New Zealand. It has a dark plumage beautifully decorated with green and other brightly coloured feathers. The feet are curiously formed with four toes, connected with a web. Its tail is long and stiff. A ■ diver, that is a shag that dives, may be seen floating on the still waters of a bay, lake, or river. Then it suddenly disappears without a splash remaining under the water for a few minutes. Shortly afterwards it reappears noiselessly, sometimes with tiny fish. It is said to destroy young trout. It makes its nest of seaweed on a lonely rock out of reach of tide or breakers. Therefore their nests are rarely seen or obtained. —Red Certificate to Verdun Godfrey, age 11 years. 1006 Waipuna street Hastings. » * ♦ ♦ LOST IN THE BUSH.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to tell you of a day when 1 was lost in the bush. One fine day my sisters and myself set off for a picnic in the bush. On reaching our destination we put our lunch down, and went away to play hide-and-seek. 1 was running away to hide, when 1 saw a baby hare run across the path 1 chased it in and out of the trees tor miles. AU of a sudden it disappeared down a hole. Then I turned round to go back but alas! I had lost my track. 1 looked around, only to find that I was surrounded by trees. 1 began to call out as loudly as 1 could, but I was not heard. 1 tried to find my way back, but I could not see the track anywhere. Then 1 heard dogs barking and I knew that someone was coming. , At last 1 saw a grey-headed man coming towards me. I asked him if he could show me a way out but the wav he showed me was in the opposite direction to where I wanted to go. It began to grow dark, and 1 was beginning to get very hungry At last 1 was so worn out. and I climbed up a tree. A little while later I saw a light coming. 1 knew then it was Father. I jumped down and ran to meet him. Great was the excitement when I reached home. After having a good meal I sat by the fire and told how I got lost. I must close now. Love to yourself and other Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to Winnie Kitt, age 13 years Murdoch road. Hastings. ♦ * * * THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A BEE Dear Chief Kiwi.—Thank you verymuch for the-certificates you awarded me. There are 19 pieces of silver paper here which I hope will bring happiness to one child or more. I will send in more next week if I get any. The first thing that I can remember was that 1 was a tiny grub in a dark cell. My nurse attended to me daily and although I did not get much to eat 1 became quite big and fat. Five days after ray birth I wove myself into a cocoon, and at the end of nine days I crept out of my cocoon a fully-grown bee, only to find the cell sealed up. 1 gnawed and gnawed, but all in vain. At last my nurse, hearing me. came and let me out. and as 1 crawled away I saw many other bees biysily doing their day s work. 1 could easily distinguish the queen among the rest, for she was large and slim and also many bees escorted her among the maze of cells. At oixi ena or me hive was a door or “city gate" through which many bees were coming and going. One bee I noticed was larger than the rest. “That is a drone,’’ 1 thought, and I was right. They are the only males in the hive and do not work. In the winter they get killed by we workers. Suddenly 1 remembered that I must work, so 1 made for the "city gate’’ and onoe out I rose in the air and took a deep draught. How delicious it was. 1 flew to some flowers nearby and settled on a dark red rose. My tongue soon scooped out the honey and as 1 flew back to the hive I felt very happy. Love to you and other Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to Suzanne Biddiford. age 11 years, Havelock North. ♦ * ♦ ♦ A VISIT TO FAIRYLAND.

(Continued.) Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I shall continue my essay about fairyland, but first 1 must thank you for the certificate an,l shilling you awarded me last week. Beside the queen sat the king who was robed in moss-green and wore a crown very much like the queen. Winkie told the queen he had brought me back with him, and I was presented to the king and queen who were very pleased to see me. Then the dance took place, and 1 found myself dancing round the gaily lit hall with a fairy whose name was Happy. She told me all about Fairyland and showed me over the palace. It was wonderful. As a fairy messenger said it was supper-time, we trooped into the dining-room. The table looked sweet, decorated with roses and lilies, and tinv silver cups, which contained dew, were placed beside each one’s plate. I sat beside the queen, and after supper, the queen asked me if I should like to come again. “For,” she said, “we did not have much time to-night,” as we had to wait for Winkie.” “Yes. please,” I said, and after bidding the fairies good-bye and thanking them I jumped into the aeroplane and Winkie was making it sail high in the air when —‘‘lt’s time to get up,” Mother said .and so my dream came to an end. Well, dear Chief Kiwi I must close with love to yourself and all the Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to Laura Beale, age 13 years, 407 Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ An Irishman entered a restaurant in Auckland, and the waitress asked him what he would have. “Poached eggs, please” answered Pat. As the waitress was leaving the saloon sue asked Pat if he would have them on toast. “Yes-please, if you haven’t a plate handy.”’ —Orange Certificate to Robert Cooney, age 12 years, Te Mata. Havelock North.

A DAY AT MOUNT EBIN. (Continued.) < Dear Chief Kiwi —Thank you for the certificate. We put guide signa along the track and we made a boxarrow which was a sign to show that a secret had been hidden near there. We passed a stream with the most beautiful of New Zealand’s ferns. The stream went babbling over the pebbles. We went along furtuer an* then we saw the others following us. We all jumped across the stream, through a fence and side of the hi 4. We all crept down into a little hole) in the hill. After we had been sitting down for a little while we jumped up and crawled along a little track next to the fence. The others had already seen us, but they had to find the track first. We at last reached the starting place so we sat down and waited for the others to come. They looked all around to see if they could find a sign. They at last found it and they followed on and on until they came to where we were sitting. We had hidden two notes, but they had only found one I must close now with love to youself and other Kiwis.— To bo continued. —Orange certificate to Gladys Kitt, age 12 years, Murdoch road, Hastings. Kiwi Essays are continued on page 15