Essay Competition

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 72, 8 March 1930, Page 15

Essay Competition

A DRIVE TO WAIPAHIKA (Continued.) Dear Chief Kiwi,—From there wo walked about half a mile to the beach, a dear little bay, with a river which has beautifully safe spots for children, although there are many very deep ponds. This is a sandy beach, very like Waimarama, but as there wore numbers of people there we decided to go to Arapawanui, six miles further on. \\ Hiking back to the car. we heard several native birds, among them the bellbird and tui. The road between Waipatiki and Arapawanui is steep, with rough limestone formation. The bush scenery is beautiful, there being magnificent native trees, especially the karaka with its clusters of green berries. Arapawanui beach is private property, one side bein gowned by Mr MacKinnon and the other side by the Maoris. Having obtained permission to go down to the beach, we motored down and picnicked on the grass This is also a sandy beach with a river running into it. Having fished for herrings and only caught two, we went for a swim, and then lazed on the sand, getting well sunburnt. Numerous _ kawhia and mullet are caught in this river. We spent a very interesting time, seeing much beautiful scenery, and spending a lov r day in the sea s invigorating air. —Prize of 2/6 to Joan Natusch, age 13 years. Havelock North.

* * * * “THE SLIP”

Denr Chief Kiwi,—One of the principal repaic stations in Wellington is Evans Bay. 'lt is called "The Slip,” presumably because the boats are hauled up across the road. it is quite a small place, merely a space cut out of the hill, a couple of sheds and a lot of runners, ropes and chains. When we first saw it. it had nu ships in, but it had a large floating crane, which was being tarred.

When, however, we had time to inspect the place, we noticed a small boat anchored in the shallow water, with a cable tied to the bows, going up to the engines lor hauling up ships. This aroused our interest, and, sure enough, next time we pass.l tho "Slip,” formerly inhabited by half a dozen mon, was now a secno of bustle, noise, and work tho cause being the ship that, was in the water. The ship was hauled up high and dry, and was first hosed, then scraped, then red-leaded. Later on in the evening the boilers were being emptied through the side. Still later on, we saw plates had been removed ind repairing commenced. On the whole it was very interseting. Thank you for the certificates. Pink Certificate to Joe Maclean, age 13 year.- The Vicarage, Havelock North.

the scenery at tongoio FALLS Dear Chief Kiwi,—l am choosing the above subject this week, as last time 1 wrote about my trip to Tan goio I didn't have room to tell you about, the beautiful scenery we saw when we arrived.

When we arrived at the scenic re:erve, where the fall was. wo had to travel along a narrow, winding oath As we traversed this path we saw some wonderful scenes which I shall never forget Towering up each side of us were trees, their blanches spreading out so far that they entwined with one another, and formed a natural archway. Hangir branch to branch were supplejacks, so dense that only in places did we see the sky. In other places we saw some wonderful ferns, bith big and small, in amongst the roots which festooned the bottom of the trees. When we arrived at the fall we gazed in wonder because it looked just like a shimmering piece of silk. If I go to the Y.M.C.A. camp at Easter, I would like to go again on this trip, which wns tiring, but well worth the hardships. —Pink Certificate to William Howard, age 12 years, 310 Eastbourne street. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A MOTOR DRIVE Dear Chief Kiwi,—One Sunday afternoon my uncle took some Iriends and me for a drive. When we reached Petaue we turned to the left, and after a long ride, we had to go through a mob pi sheep, and soyu we came tv a pretty church. My umdp, and a friend took a photo ol it. We went on tu the boy's home, where we. took another photo. The home is d large brick buildrug surrounded by beautrful lawns ami gardens. v»'u then went back and saw the sheep that we had passed before, going into a paddock for the night. On our way back, we took a view of the bay. In the background are hills, and below them water. In the centre is an. island, and nearer to us were more hills. There was a house in tho valley, and near it a swamp, which was being drained. Soon we left this delightful scene, and went home, as it was getting dark. With love to all the Kiwis. —Red Certificate to Freda Kenis le.v, age 13 years. Clive road, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ * CORNWALL PARK Dear Okie! Kiwi, —This is the first time 1 have written to you. I would like to become a member of your band, Cornwall Park is very beautiful with its flowers and birds. There is a tea kiosk and a tennis court. There are five monkeys, a few parrots, and four white fluffy rabbits, and many other birds. There is a hurdy-gurdy, which most children like a slide, swings, and a paddling pool. AVith love. —Orange Certificate to Mabel Aiderman, age 12 years, 614 Heretaunga street, Hastings.

MY FIRST DAY ON A FARM Dear Chief Kiwi, —I have not written to you for a long time. I am going to tell you about the first day at my unde’s farm, where I stayed for two weeks. I arose early the first morning and wended my way down to the cowshed, where 1 hoped to find my uncle. He was nob there, and on turning to the right I perceived a middle-aged man with a bucket in each hand, trying to-push his way through a dozen fat, squealing pigs. His old straw hat was cocked on one side of his head, while his elean-shaven face was spotted with mud'. His sleeves were rolled up to the elbow, and his strong, muscular arms, browned by the sun and hardened by work, were splashed with milk, while his trousers were much the worse for dirt. The only parts of his boots which were showing were the tops above the ankles, for the rest were well covered with mud. I must close now, with love. —Orange Certificate to Edith Taylor, age 11 years, Box 45, Havelock North. ♦ * ♦ ♦ THE RADIO PICNIC Dear Chief Kiwi,—Last Sunday we went to Dartmoor to the Radio picnic. We went in our owp car, and arrived at our destination at lunch time, so we put up our tent-fly to have lunch under. About half an hour went by, and the men found a place for the races that were going to be held that afternoon. I ran in two races, and came second in one, so I got a whistle. When they were finished I went for n swim. At two o’clock we saw a bush fire further over the hill, so 1 went to see it. It was burning flax, pine-trees and everything that was within reach of the flames I must close now. With love. —Orange Certificate to Leslie Mardon, age 11 years, Heretaunga street, Hastings. ♦ * ♦ ♦ A RIVER ADVENTURE Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week 1 am going to tell you about an adventure on the river. The spirit of eagerness and excitement caused my friend and me to rise at daylight. The sun rose o’er tho green hills, making ‘of the long, winding river a most beautiful scene. My friend and I had arrived the evening previous, to spend a week’s vacation at my uncle’s house, near the Waikato river. We found the day to be most beautiful for spending beside the river which is in the vicinity of my uncle’s house. When we arrived at the river we were soon frolicking upon it in our canoes. As we had not paddled our canoes for a long time we experienced many thrills. After being -in the canoe a short time I found that I could handle it with skill. I decided to challenge my friend to a race upon the river. He, being very pleased to compete, off we set. (To be Continued.) I must close now, with love to you and your Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to William Hodgkinson, age 11 years, Ada street, Hastings.

THE TALKIES ' * Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank yon for the Certificate you awarded me last. On Saturday, the 22nd of February, I decided I would go te the talkies, as Mother and lather were going on Tuesday. It was a lovely afternoon, and I dressed in my best clothes, and set out for the Cosy Theatre. I had to wait about five minutes before I could get in but still that did not -matter. When I at last entered th® theatre I sat down to wait what seemed to be to be hours. At last the talkies began, and I became very excited. First I saw a little bit of cricket and a few othei kinds of sport. Next I saw part of two serials which I enjoyed ver much. Now came the big “talkie ' and everyone was excited and across the sheet was written, “Why Leave Home?” It was a very funny picture, and I laughed until my sides ached But it ended all too soon and I would like to see it again. With love to you and all the other Kiwis. —Joy Warren, age 11 years, 814 Ellison road. Hastings. JUNIORS. ♦ ♦ ♦ » OUR SCHOOL PICNIC ■ Dear Chief Kiwi,—Would you like to hear a little of our school picnic.Well, it was a lovely day’s outing. The picnic was held in the Tomoana Showgrounds, which 1 think is an ideal place, Arriving at our school at 9 o’clock, we were conveyed in motor lorries, which are much nicer than cars for a picnic as so many can ait together and have such nice fun, as long as we do as we are toll, and sit stui. Our teacher put one big child and one small child together. Don’t you think that was n good idea, for the big one cared foi the small one. When we had gathered together after arriving, we were all treated to an ice-cream and then we had races, but Chief Kiwi I was not very lucky, as I cannot run very fast, so did not win any prizes. After the races we had lunch Though 4 cannot run, I can always help quite a lot in getting rid of the lunch. Our five teachers were all there, and how good they were to us especially the little ones. Our head master had a whistle, and every time we were wanted to be quiet he would blow it, so we would quickly answe: to it by being silent. Sometimes it was to remind us that we were getting rather noisy, but sometimes it was for an ice-cream, apples or lollies. As tho day wore on, we had to gather up our rubbish and prepare for home as tho lorries were duo at 5. <3O —Pink Certificate to Molln Flanders, age 10 years, R.D., Mangateretere, Hastings.

¥ * » ♦ A NEW KIWI

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l would like to join your Kiwi band. 1 am seven years oi age and lam in Std. I. We have just gone back to school aftei having had six weeks’ holiday. Wc have u young man for our teacher, and he is very nice. He gives u. spelling to learn most evenings, am. 1 am trying my hardest to learn them all, so that when we have ou> exams, later 1 may pass. We ha., to learn to sew. in Std. 1., and m first piece of work is a mat mad from a piece of a sugar bag, workuu with coloured wool.

—Blue Certificate to Betty As! ford, age 7 years, 712 Seddon strm.: Hastings.

» ♦ * » A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l am writing ■: tho accidents I met with in ti holidays. First of all I received . bad cut near the parting of my hu> and Mother washed it and put bora-' lint on it, and took me to Di. Kitchen, 11® cut the hair fror.round the wound and then dresset it. 1 think he is a lovely doctor, an" I am sure other people think so too. On the Friday 1 fell off the swing in Cornwall Park, and got winded, and I had to lie down for a long time Then once, when I was having a paddle, I cut my toe and had it wrapped up foi a few days. I then scalded my arm, and had to hnv< cold water bandages on it. I think I must be like a cat with nine lives lives. Thank you for all the Certificates you awarded me. —Red Certificate to Huia Kirby, age 10 years, 508 Alexander street Hastings.

♦ ♦ * * OUR CLASS MUSEUM

Dear Chief Kiwi, —In our class at school we have a museum in which we have quite a number of things Among them are a hihi grub, a bit of a branch of a cork tree, some kauri gum, a number of shells, V pointed stone, and a stone with a hole in. and a bit of rock from a volcano. Teacher tells the children to bring anything interesting for the museum. I am taking some rock sulphur and some shells. Love to you and all the Kiwis. —Rod Certificate to Alan Barley age 7 years, 500 Nelson street. Hastings.

» * * * MY PET

Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you foi the shilling and the certificate you awarded me. This week lam going to tell you about my pet cat, whos? name is Bib. We give her milk t'j drink, and meat to eat. She scratches me sometimes, but not very often. She is black and white. The other day she had four little kittens, but Daddy drowned them all but one, and we are keeping that It is so pretty—black and with a touch of ginger in it. We make quite a pet of it, and it is playful and jumps on its mother’s back and bites her ears. We have great fun watching them. 1 will close now, with love to you and all the Kiwis. —Red Certificate to Sylvia Ashford, age 9 years, 712 Seddon street. Hastings. # * « ♦ MY NEW DOLL Dear Chief Kiwi,—l am at last abe to write to you. lam so glad, and I would like co tell you about my new doll. She is so pretty, and has fair hair and blue eyes. 1 call her Mary. -Orange Certificate tn Isa Whyte age 6 years, Crownthorpe.

A BATHE AT BEATSON'S PARK

Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thia week I am going to tell you about a bathe at Beatson’s Park. We left home about 10 a.m. We had lots and lots of good things with us. I went for a bathe in the lagoon and the baths. Once my little sister got in the water she would not get out again. We nicked a lovely spot to have lunch. It -■ as a big willow tree covered with havoc After lunch my two small brothers slid into the water and got wringing wet, ao they had to get into their swimming togs. _ —Red Certificate to Elsie Hunt, age 8 years. 601 Jervois street. ♦ • • • OUR MAGPIE Dear Chief Kiwi,—l would like to tell you some more about our pet magpie. One day mummie was sitting in the kitchen, and our maggie came up the steps and looked all roupd the room, and then hopped out apomIt moulted last month, and now is all pretty. Every day he comes lor big food. Ho loves thick milk. When we can “Maggie, Maggiel” ne comes to as. His colour is black and white, and he has • vary long biU. —Orange Certificate to Margaret Whyte, age 7 years, Crownthorpe. ♦ * * * MY HOLIDAYS

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l would like to tell you about my holidays. In the holidays 1 went to stay a, my autnie’s place. They live just near Beatson r s Park. There ai« swimming baths in the park, and w<> went for a lot of swims. Theie « a little creek running through the park, too, and I saw a lot of -rer rats. We caught some eels .ne aay and one big eel broke our hook. Another day we went to Waimarama and my uncle brought me a three penny ice-cream. We had great ,uu on the beach. We went to Nap'sr another day, and there was a man giving buns to the children that came from Dannevirke. We went into the laughing gallery, and laughed and laughed. -Orange Certificate to Alex ’,'hvte. age 9 9years, Crownthorpe. ♦ * * * PICNIC AT BEATSON'S PARK

Dear Chief Kiwi,—On Saturday, February 22nd, we had a picnic at Beatsou's Park. 1 When we arrived we had a bun to cat. We played farmer's in his don, drop the handkerchief, and lots of others. We gave all the little ehildren a swing, and they enjoyed it. We then watched them swimming till lunch time. When,we heard the bell we all ran under the willow tree and we said grace, and then had some sandwiches pnd cakes. After lunch we had the swimming races, and then the running races. I came second in a race .and was given three peuce for a prize. We had tea at four o’clock and wont home after a happy day. , —Orange Certificate te Elsie Ixiipst age 9 years, IQMCI Jellico* street, Hastings.

* * • * OUR HOLIDAYS

Dear Chief Kiwi, —You will think 1 have lorgotten te write, but 1 have aad my little cousins staying with as from Wellington, and i was only very small when they saw me lasi, so 1 can hardly remember tnam; but it was very uioe to see them, and 1 was sorry when their holidays were over and they had to go home. Dear Chief Kiwi I have passed into the second standard, and my little sister ilita has just started school. She is five, but she does not like it, and cries every morning when she knows that it is time to get ready, but mother said it is all new to her, and she will get to like it after a while. Dear Chief Kiwi, I shall close now, with best love to all tin. other Kiwis —Orange Certificate to Jvy Pelton;, ige 8 years. 205 Nelson street, Hastings. _ *♦ B « * FATHER CHRISTMAS

Dear Chief Kiwi,—Did you have a good Christmas ? I did. Although I ain seven Father Christmas still comes to me. On Christmas Eve 1 was very excited and I hung up my ‘locking and scrambled into bed. Dad woke me up in the morning, and told me that Santa hud knocked the top brick off the chimney. 1 was soon into my stocking. The first present I opened was a pair of socks and a ribbon. Then there was a mug and a cake of chocolate. I thought that was all I had. but when I looked under the bed, I found two big parcels—a lovely book, a doll, and doll’s furniture. I got a book from my teacher for coming fourth. I must close now, with lots of love. —Kathleen Giffney, age 7 years, 60!) Gordon road, Hastings. P.S.—My birthday is on June 9th.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A DAY AT THE BATHS

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This is the first lima 1 have written to vou and 1 want to join your Kiwi band. The I other dav I went to the baths with Jean, and it was the first time 1 had been. The big boys were making waves and f was jumping in them. I had a lovely time. 1 did not want to go home. 1 must close now with lots of love to the Kiwi band. —Zena Mclvor, age 7 years, C/o Mrs. A. Giffney, 609 Gordon road, Hastings.