Essay Competition

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 64, 2 March 1929, Page 14

Essay Competition

JUNIORS. OUR JOURNEY TO TAUPO

Dear Chief Kiwi,—On the 7th January we began our camping tour. Early in the morning we leu Napier for Tau]x>. When within six miles of Te Pohui we had a puncture. After the wheel was changed we sat down on the grass and had breakfast. We had some steep climbing to do to gain the summit of Titiohura which was 2,500 feet high, but Turangakuma was worse; being 2,720 feet high, but we were thrilled with the magnificent scenery. The descent ivas very steep and precipitous with weird peaks looming up from the great gulf below. On the way we visited the Waipunga Falls, which were very pretty. Two brooks fall down a great distance over steep and rugged rocks, one breaks up halfway then continues its fall with two waterfalls. The other brook begins with three falls then, when halfway down two join together and finish their descent in one, making seven falls altogether. While travelling along the Taupo plains at a good, speed we experienced a blow-out. Being within the dinner hour we sat down nnd partook of a hearty meal. Then when within seven miles of Taupo another puncture delayed us for about two hours. We arrived at the camning ground in plenty of time to pitch our tent and make everything comfortable before night came on. With love to the Kiwis I will close. Prize of 2/6 to Cecil O’Halloran, age 10 years, 111 Brewster street, Napier. ♦ ♦ ♦ V CHRISTMAS Dear Chief Kiwi,—l am sorry 1 have not written before this, but this week I will tell you about Christmas. Christmas is a happy time. It is the birth of Christ who was born in a manger in Bethlehem. Ever since that day, celebrations are held that this wonderful event will not be forgotten. It is the custom to give presents to one’s friends at Christmas time. People enjoy themselves looking for suitable presents to give one another and looking at the decorations and thinking what an enjoyable day they will have. Now comes the happv time for the children. People go home to bed, the children not forgetting to bang up their stockings for Santa Claus to fill. He comes creeping noiselessly over the roof and if the children arc asleep he slips down tbe chimney and puts plenty of toys in their stockings. They wake up early in the morning to see their toys and to play with them. Mothers make a Christmas pudding pnd a cake, Then on Christmas morning comes the giving of presents. Everybody gets a present and by the time piesent-giving is over it is dinner time and on comes the Christmas pudding. I will close now with lore to you and all the other Kiwis. —Blue Certificate to . Andrew Kemsley, age 7 years, Clive road, Hastings. * * * ♦ MY HOLIDAY Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you for the letter. I am glad you liked the cards I sent you. We are at the beach and go in the sea every day for a bathe. I have a nice bathing suit and a bucket. Thank you tor the Certificate. Love. —Refl Certificate to Eric Honey, age fi years, Lucknow road, HaveJocji North,.

HOW I SPENT SATURDAY

Dear Chief Kiwi,—On Saturday we biked to a shady river. When we got there we biked around the side of the river till we came to a nice shady spot where we got undressed and jumped into the river, which was very swift. After a time we had dinner which we enjoyed. We went in for a swim after dinner, and the water was swifter still, but _we managed to cross to the other side, and coming back we found it too swift to cross, but our friend managed to get across, and then she pulled us across, Qur friend fell in the river. She was on the river-bank and she said “I might fall in.” and all of a sudden the sand slipped from under her and she fell in.

—Orange Certificate to Joyce Batt, age 10 years, 400 Lascelles street, Hastings.

» * ♦ ♦ BACK AT SCHOOL

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to tell you about my first day back at school. We lined up to the bugle call and marched into school and to our classrooms. We had sums and then some spelling till playtime. We had a nice romp and went into school again. We had nature study till dinner-time, and then we romped till the bell went. A story was read to us and we had to write out the list of books we had to get for the year. I was disappointed that we did not have the teacher that we had last year, but we have a man teacher who is very nice. Love to yourself nnd all the Kiwis.

—Orange Certificate to Elsie Leipst, age 8 years, 1020 Jellicoe street, Hastings.

* ♦ ♦ ♦ FAIRY GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l shall continue my essay on “Fairy Geography of India.” Wonderful temples are built for the heathen gods which are usually of wood or stone, and all the things belonging to them are of ivory or gold. The women work beautiful tapestry, embroidery, and make magnificent rugs for these temples. The dress of the natives varies a lot from cloths of gold to nothing at all. The grand people, such as rajahs and princes, think it wonderful to get a white man’s hat, deck it with feathers and Jewels, and put it on. “Is that all you know?. We did not think it was such a beautiful country,” cried the stars. “Well next time I shall tell you about their houses,” said Mother Moon. “Now off you go to bed, Father Sun will soon be up.” With much love. —Pauline Goymour, age 10 years, Box 122, Havelock North. SENIORS. CAMPING Dear Chief Kiwi, —I will tell you about my holiday when I camped al Waipatiki, a nice little bay not lar troiu Napier. Quite early in the day 1 left with my r-mily on a motor lorry, which was packed with mattresses, pillows, and enough food to last a fortnight. Un reaching Napier, another family joined us, and we soon arrived .(after a very bad road) to our spot where we intended to camp. It was about half a mile from the main road, into a beautiful bush, with a stream running along the foot of it. This stream was visited frequently by six children of our party, not only bathing, but spearing eels, which was good fun, although awfully cruel. In this same stream our family would spear flounders, which were delicious for the morning meal. The bush itself is worthy of a deal of praise. The ferns and shrubs and native trees were a great sight tor me. as I have never peen in a bush before. Some of the trees were covered in red berries, and some had most beautiful flowers and all the shades of green one could think of. Early morning and late evenings we had music—not pianos or gramophones, but real melodies from “different native birds from the bush. Some were tuis, owls, pigeons and bellbirds. and I really think they tried to make us welcome, as they sang beautifully just over our camp. They really must have tried to do their best, as we had four nice bedrooms and one dining-room tent, so they would think naturally it was a town, and feel as if they were on holiday, too. J was awfully anxious that one would come to me. lam sure I would not have hurt it; but it would not come after all my asking. I must have looked like a little monkey, which Mother often calls me. Anyway, I had my oldest clothes on, so probably 1 did. I will continue this next week, as I have ever so much to say. Love to Chief Kiwi and to al] Kiwis. -—Pink Certificate to Peggy Flanders, age H years. R.D., Hastings. ♦ ♦ » ♦ A VISIT TO WAIPUKURAU Dear Chief Kiwi,—Once more I am writing to your happy page. When the second day ol Aunty’s and Uncle’s arrival had dawned, we began to plan for a day’s outing, and .it was settled that we would go to Waipukurau, where we would surprise our friends there by pouncing on them without giving notice beforehand. Havqng packed up and settled ourselves in the car, we left our dwelling at about 10 o’clock. We travelled that day sixty-six miles, much more than we had anticipated. We arrived at the Waipukurau camping grounds lor lunch at about half-past twelve. It is a very nice spot for a picnic, near the river, with a tennis court, all conveniences, and shady trees under which to meal. Our lunch consisted of tongue, beetroot, lettuce salad, bread and butter, cakes, tea, and trait. After our meal, Uncle went to sleep, Mother and Aunty read books, and my sister and I took Baby for a walk. At 3 o'clock we went to town, where we bought ice-creams and refreshments, and then went on to our friend's house, where we stayed until about a quarter to four. We left for home after a delightful day, I must close now. with kindest regards and thanking you for the certificate you awarded me. —Pink Certificate to Marjorie Webb, age II years, Napier road, Havelock North.