LETTER FROM CHIEF KIWI

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 162, 28 June 1930, Page 15

LETTER FROM CHIEF KIWI

Dour KIWIS, — Senior competition entries are disappointing tms timo, for out of the iuo not one uus gatuered the right idea tn icgard to wliat 1 wanted you to do wiln a chosen proverb. lou have ali lallon into the error of moralising on tho chosen proborb, nut what I asked lor was tuo extension of a brief, proverb into many words. At tho same time retaining its original meaning, and gave, us an example, the following:—“ A stiteh in timo saves nine.*'—A needle and thread deftly used in tho earlier stages for repairing purposes, win, it is calculated, save as many as nine stitches necessary at a period somewhat remote from the occasion first referred to.” Here is another —tho proverb being tho same as one of those chosen by a Kiwi this week, “100 many cooks spoil tho broth.' If a superfluous number of persons congregate together with the set purpose in view of engaging upon the preparation of a sumptuous feast, and whilst in the act of preparation tne number of persons interxores unnecssarily with the culinary operations, the savoury mixture is likely to suffer from their united efforts.” Head these two examples carefully, Kiwis, and then read tho proverb competition entries, and you will 090 at once how you have misunderstood my mean ing, and that your aro moral explanations of proverbs, instead of an expansion, as I meant. Let’s have it nil over again! I don’t like tho thought that I am not able to award a prize for a special competition, and I feel sure that you won’t care to be “beaten” by a mere proverb, and will try again. I shall expect some entertaining entries next time, and should like to bo able to add a “0” to tho number “9,” w'ho have tried this time. Naturally when I set a com petition subject, 1 don't appreciate its being disregarded by the majority of' Kiwis, as so often happens. The next closing date for this proverb competition will bo Monday, 7th July, and I shall make a special effort to prepare and judge them for publication on Saturday, 12th, which will be senior prize week. Owing to their being a large number of essays this week, and to my having to take extra space writing about proverbs, I fear it will be impossible to publish junior essays. I have judged and marked them all, juniors, and will keep them carefully on file, and publish them with next Saturday’s “Shopping Day” entries. To make up a little for your disappointment in regard to not seeing your essays in print to-day, I have made rather a gala week of jokes and riddles, having omitted the usual dras tic thinning out, and sending in nearly twice my usual allowance of these entries.

Betty Burnell has sent riddle find joke on same page which is again the rules (leave a margin to your next entry, Betty). Fowland Bell, despite all my remarks to him, continues to do this—a sign, I fear, that he does not read my weekly letter. Denys Heaton omitted to affiv his age to his joke. Lindsay Gibbs, too, omitted to state age. Was your story mads up entirely by yourself, Lindsay? Wo welcome two now Kiwis—Betty Burnell and Nick Wilkins

My thanks for silver paper go to William Howard, Ellen and Mario Robins, Josephine Pepper, Marjorie Webb ,and Meryle Stool. My love to you all. —CHIEF KIWI.