Essay Competition

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 239, 27 September 1930, Page 15

Essay Competition

JUNIORS. MY HOLIDAYS

Dear Chief Kiwi,— During my holidays, I went out to my mute’s place till Sunday. We had such good times playing together. We went all round the farm, and had a game with the lambs. Thera are such numbers of lovely lambs, and such a lot of the poor little things died. We also went down and watched the men fencing, and making the fences tight. We counted the eggs. The fowls lay over 100 days a day. We saw the cows getting milked, and then we tried to catch a lamb whose mother died, but it ran away too fast, so we went home and had our dinner. Then we played with the dolls, and had such good fun. We ground some maize from the big cop heap, and made it small so that the fowls could eat it We picked some bulbs and violas out of the garden. I was sorrv when it was time to go home and get readv for school. Love to all the Kiwis.

—Prize of 2/6 to Isobel Langley, age 7 years, 406 W’illiams St., Hastings. * * * * MY PET

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l have an Irish Terrier called Micky. Although Irish Terriers are generally snappish and are called dare-devils, my dog is an exception, because he is very playful. He is as much at home in the water as on the land, because he can swim very well. We often take him to Westshore with us in the car and at the first sight of the sea he jumps off the car, and bounds away, eager to be there first, and when we get there, we find him swimming away contentedly. and when we are leaving we have * hard job to get nim out. One day I took him up town with me, and he heard a gramophone playing in a music shop, so he sat up ami howled, much to the amusement of passers-by. 1 will close, with love. —Pink Certificate to Douglas Tonkins, age 10 years, 406 Market St., Hastings, P.S.—As this is all my own work, would you please send me a Kiwi Badge ?

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ WATCHMAKERS

4)esr Chief Kiwi —One day when I aas up town 1 saw a watchmaker busy at work, holding a magnifying glass up to his eye, looking at the works of a wristlet watch which he had set going a minute before. When it was going correctly he gov a small brush and brushed out all the oust that he could see. and then he oiled the works well, and put the case on, and just then a young girl walked in and asked him if he had mended her watch. He handed it over to her and asked her for ten shillings please. She gave him ten shillings from her purse, and walked out of the shop Well 1 must close now Chief, with lovo to you and all your Kiwi band. —Pink Certificate to Errol Apperley. age 9 years, 202 Riverslea Rd., Hastings

* * * ♦ SPOTTING

Dear Chief Kiwi,—Last Wednesday we decided to go to Napier for the day. Mv mother, sister and 1 left home at 8 o’clock and walkea to Longlands station, where « met my school-mate and her motner. We went to Hastings bv train and then to Napier by the free train. As soon as the people got off the train they went to see if they could spot the number of their Shopping Week Book- We did not nass a shop without looking to see .1 we could see onr number. Well Chief Kiwi, we were very lucky for when we looked in Mr. Henry Williams’ shop we spotted our number on a lovely aluminium teapot, and so we hnd it given us. After looking round tls town and watching the balloon ascent we caught the free train back to Hastings. We arrived homo at half-past six. very tired. Jarve to the Kiwi band —Pink Certificate to Rene Hassnll, age 8 years. P. 0., Paki Paki.

OUR TRIP TO ENGLAND

Dear Chief Kiwi.—Thank you ever so much for tho certificate you awarded mo I would like to tell you about our trip to England. We got on the express at Hastings for Wellington, and then on to the boat. Tho sea was very rough when we left, and nearly everyone was seasick for about two days. Wo stopped at Pitcairn Island first, but were not allowid ashore there, and the natives came on board selling fruit and sugar-cane. They wanted clothes mostly. Our next stop was Panama. We went ashore there and had a very nice lunch at the English Y.M.C.A. Then we had a run round new and old Panama. As we mint on we had to pass through Panama Canal, which wns most interesting. The lock gates were wonderful. The liner was taken through the canal by little trollies (sic) running along each side. We saw many banana tries as we passed up the great Culebra cut. There were also many crocodiles lying on the banks iust out of tho water. We stopped at Curacao to get oil. You could also get whit l wine, cures and scents. Then we went straight on to England. With love to the Kiwi blind. —Pink Certificate to Dorothy Estamzh. age 10 years, c/o P. 0., Haunioana.

* * * * MUSIC WEEK

Dear Chief Kiwi,—My music teacher had a pupils' day during Music Week. We all played pieces. Some of the big pupils p.ayeu Hara ones. 1 played “'lhe Recruiting Station,” "Squad, Attention,” "J lie Officers’ Ball ” and "Fun on the Parade Ground.” These are uice soldier pieces for boys. We had a competition, which was full of musical terms. The stoty was about “A Trip to the North Pole.”

Love to you and all the Kiwis. —Pink Certificate to Alan Barley, age 7 years 602 Whitehead Rd.. Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ THE SHOW—(Continued)

Dear Chief Kiwi,—After that we looked around tho side-shows, and listened to the amusing cheap-lacks, talking and urging people to come inside their tents Thin we suddenly missed Father and usually find him lookl. g at cattle or sheep.' What I enjoy most is watching the grand parade of bulls and cows (some with sweet’ little calves), also the horses and dogs. The jumping is very interesting, also the walk, trot and canter. Once again we looked around to make sure we had not missed anything, and reluctantly turned toward the gates. The pandemonium that exists bicomcs fainter and fainter, until we are far away, and all we have in memory of a wonderful day, is a kewpie walking stick. With love to all Kiwis.

—Pink Certificate to Gwen Wall, age 8 years, Private Bag, Waipuku rau.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ SPRING

Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you foi the certificates vou awarded me lust week. Spring has come at last, with all the little lambs frisking about the nice green paddocks and all tho trees bursting into leaf ana bloom. The gardens are beginning to look gay, with then pretty flowers. Tho days are getting longer and warmer, and wo can play longer. The ocoplo enjoy more sport. Most of the men are ploughing the fields readv for cropping. How pretty the orchards look with their pink and white blossoms. With lore to the Kiwi band.

—Blue Certificate to Eunice Roil age 9 years, Tomoana Rd., Hastings.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ WHEN I WAS AT THE BEACH

Dear Chief Kiwi,—One bright summer’s day I went to Kairaka beach. When I got there, I put on my swimming togs, and had a bathe, whilst my brothers went to get some ice-creams. After an ice-cream I climbed a hill, and slid clown on some cabbage tree leaves, then had dinner. I had another ice-cream after dinner. An hour later I had another bathe, and the water felt very cold because it was getting late. A boy told us that there was a waterfall near, so we set off. and when we camo to the supposed place there was no waterfall, so we had to walk hack. We had tea, then went home, after a verv enjoyable day. —Blue Certificate to lan Taylor, age 9 years, 304 Jervois St., Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Dear Jhief Kiwi. -There nie niuky ri’uio stations for broaduuinur, |-\.r instance, the “A’’ stations are IYA, Auckland; 2YA, Wellington; 3YA, Christchurch; 4YA, Dunedin. The “B” stations are 2ZH, Napier; 2ZM, Gisborne; 2ZP Wairoa; 2ZI, Hastings ; 2ZL, Hastings, and others. There are also many foreign and oversea stations, like San Francisco Japan, China, America, England, and India. The different kinds of radio sets are Atwater-Kent, Crossley, Majestic, Stnndydyne. Stewart-War-ner, and Browning. Over the air one hears many peculiar noises when people are tuning in, that is, trying to get some station—there is a squeak ana a squeal, going up and down, up and down all the while. Then there is a noise called static, which is in the air. but as I don’t know anything about it. 1 can’t explain the cause of it. Ono can hear all kinds or music from different stations. Thus the usual progamme of the “A” stations begins at 8 p.m., and the “B’s” at 7 p in. The first man to invent wireless was Marconi. Thank you for the certificate. To be continued.)

—Bed CoilifioHtc to Huia Kirby ago 10 years, SU& Alexandra street Hastings.

MY HOLIDAY

Dear Chief Kiwi.—Thank you for the certificate and the five shillings yon awarded mo. Now, Chief Kiwi, we are at the end of our holidays 1 will tell you about some of the things I did. The first few days were wet, so I had to stay indoors, and in the mornings I had to help Mum, then my cousin and 1 had our doll out to play with until tca-timo. After tea we bellied to put away the things. Ou tho Wednesday of Shopping Week in Napier, Mum said she would take us in, so we all made haste and helped with the work, then we had a great day. We went down to the biach and had swings and went on to the roundabout, until It was time to go home. Love to vou and all the Kiwi band. —Red Certificate to Sylvia Ashford, age 9 years. 712 Seddon St., Hastings.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ OUR SCHOOL

Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the certificates you awarded me. Our school is about two miks from homeI take my lunch every day. The building is two stories high, and is painted white. The room we are in is upstairs. We have a wonderlul view, and can see the mountains from the landing window. From our class-room window we can sie the tops of the shops; from a distance they look well. The grounds are well laid out, and we have an aspnart basketball ground and an asphalt tennis court. We have an hour and a half for lunch and three-quarters of an hour for play-time. We get out at a quarter-past three in the afternoon.

With lovo to you and all tho Kiwis. —Red Certificate to Aileen Fawcett, age 10 rears, 126 Bryant St., Palmerston North.

THREE DAYS’ HOLIDAY

Dear Chief Kiwi,—May I join your Kiwi Bund?

lire first day of the holidays I was helping Daddy plant his onions. We planted 1519. The next day 1 went to the Talkies and enjoyed them very much, but the next day I was running in the grass, and cut my foot, and had to get a stitch in it. I have to go back to-morrow at 2 o’clock.

—Red Certificate to Leslie Wilson, age 10 years, llapia road. Frimley. ***** WHAT I SEE ON MY WAY "

SCHOOL

Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you for the certificate you an aided me. First 1 sec sumo houses with pretty (lowers in front of them. Next 1 see the hospital, and sometimes 1 seo the nurses picking flowers. Alter that 1 come to Stortford Lodge, where 1 see tne store and bowsers. Just beside it ther is a paddock with horses in it, and just outside is a horse trough. I walk a Little way and 1 come to our Sunday sehooi. Over the road is the sale yard. Next 1 come to the cemetery, which Ins pretty flowers on the graves. After tut 1 see some more houses, and they have pretty flowers, too. At the’ corner of the road there is a paddock with little lambs in. I pass two houses, and 1 am at school. —Red i erc.ii' ■’ t< to •/•r'.-. Doole, age 7 yen’s, ( mahu roa I Hastings * * * *

Dtar Chief Kiwi,—Thank you foi the two marks which you awarded me last week. There are quite a number of radio stations, ior instance “A” stations, IYA Auckland, 2YA Wellington, 31’A Christchurch, 4YA Dunedin. There are also many oldfashioned wireless stations in India, Japan, China, and England. When you first put the wireless on to try and get a station, you hear a very peculiar noise, but later you are able to hear beautiful music and songs. We all can sit lor hours interesting ourselves bv listening-in. Children from the Radio Family are supposed to get presents from the Radio Fairies, and that of course we all ’enjoy. The first man to invent the wireless was Marconi. Nowadays there is the Atwater-Kent, Crossley, Majestic, Standydyne, BrowningDrake, and also Stewart-Warner. On tho wireless you can hear the results of the football. I think the wireless is verv interesting. —Red Certificate to Nellie Cook, age 10 years, 916 Havelock Rd., Hastings.

♦ * * * WHAT WIRELESS CAN DO

Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the certificate you awarded me last week What a wonderful thing wireless must be when it even saves people's lives. Only through wireloss tho people on the Tahiti were saved; also tile people received comforting reports to put their uneasy minds at rest. Then there are people that live in the country, and they are greatly interested in the music that conies from many different parts of the world. As it is very quiet in the country, it is nice for those fortunate people who are aide to have wireless. Also, if your clock is wrong, you can get the right time through the wireless. The first thing 1 will do when I grow up is to save up for a wireless set, and then 1 will bo satisfied. With love to all the Kiwi band.

—Orange Certificate to Gladys Harper, age 10 years. 301 Charles street. Hastings.

* * * * MY HOLIDAY

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to write about our holiday. On August 23rd we broke up for two weeks. The first couple of days we had it very wet, so I had to stay at home, but afterwards it was fine, so I went bird-nesting, and we got about 14 eggs. The next day we went to the race, trying to fish in the pond. Then I went ovei to the park to watch the basketball, which I enjoyed very mini). One day I spent at Napier, where I had u good time at the ,I’ort. fishing. 1 was very sorry when it was time to go home, hut it started to rain before we rqaehed home. The last four days of. our holidays 1 had to help Dad in the garden so I was not sorry when the linn- came for us to go hack to school. Love to all the Kiwis and yon. Orange Certificate to Dudley Ashford, age I’l years, 712 Seldon street, Hastings.

OUR SCHOOL BALL

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to write about our fancy dress ball .

Wo used to practice the dances every day before the ball, It was held in the Village Hall on the 22nd August. I went as Little Boy Blue. The Grand March started at 7 o’clock. When it was finished we had some dances. At half-pa,st eight the seniors went to supper while we did some more dances. At 9 o’clock we had our supper. When we came buck we watched tho grown-ups dance, and then we went home. Thank you for the certificate and shilling you awarded me. Love to all tho Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to Billy Ross, age 7 years, Havelock North.

* * * * FOUR LITTLE SCHOOLBOYS

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l am sending you another poem. Four little schoolboys learning ABC. One did it all wrong and then there were three.

Three little schoolboys in an aeroplane flew, One fell out and then there were two. Two little schoolboys out with a gun. One shot the other and then there was one. One little schoolboy then was hung,

When he was dead there was none. —Hamish Maclntyre, age 9 yours, Turamoe, Hastings.

* * * * HORATIO NELSON

Dear Chief Kiwi, —Horatio Nelson was one of England’s greatest and most heroic admirals, and all through his life of hardships and dangers, be was just as brave and daring as ever. Born in 1758 ho showed his courageous spirit before very long and on one occasion he would not give in although his elder brother, who was with him, badly wanted to. He was a delicate little fellow but find stout heart. When only eleven he started his sea career as a “powder-monkey” in tho battles. He did ‘his for a short while but then went on to his uncle’s ship, and then his bard stern sailor’s life began. The surroundings were filthy, the food bad, the work hard, the hours long, and the punishments severe. Ho went on with his sailing life, gradually rising in ability and position until he became England’s greatest sailor. In 1794 in another battle ho lost his right eye In 1797 he with another admiral met lhe Spanish at Cape St. Vincent and though his ships were smaller and fewer he did u very clever thing and so gained a great victory. His last, but most important victory was at Trafalgar in 1805. There, after a very strenuous fight lasting five hours he died in the hour of victory. As he led hie way tn his ship, the Victory, he flew his last famous signal, “England expects every man will do his duty,” und this saying will live for ever.

—Geoff Tate, ago 10 years, 803 Frederick street, Hustings.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ SENIOR!.’-.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —Music is entirely compiled of little notes known us sound. The birds’ songs, sounds from instruments fashioned by the hands of mankind, all are called music. let. what really is it but the knowledge of pleasant ■ sensation on one’s ear. The type of music which appeals most very largely depends upon tho mood one is in. Strong, stirring music will rouse one to do something, energetic, while a peaceful, drowsy lullaby will son lull one to sleep. Yet, again is the peaceful, melodious music which, brings one to tho beauties of Nature, making one think only of the beautiful things in the world, dark and dismal things, for tho time being swept into oblivion. Another kind will bring the ready tears of sympathy to cue’s eyes and then again a jolly, rolicking sea ditty will cause ope to dance with very joy. It shows how sensitive we must bo to sounds, for a raucous sound will cause one to shudder and instinctively to try and fend off invisible foes. Of all music there's nothing so beautiful as the sounds provided by Nature. For example, tho notes of birds, tho rippling of .streams, merrily flowing over boulders in the sunshine, and the rustling of leaves frolicking with the breezes.

—Pink certificate to Joan Natusch, age 13 years, Havelock North.

* * * ♦ JUMUNA

Dear Chief Kiwi, —I was delighted to seo “Jumuna's photograph in Saturday's Kiwis page. It brought to mind a lovely morning spent at tho Auckland Zoo. Jumuna came from I mho ami was p resented to Auckland l y Mr Job- Court, who stipulated that the children of Auckland should bo given free rides on tho elephant for one year. In order to decide who would have tho first ride, a competition among school children was organised, tho winning girl or boy to have tho first ride.

After Jumuna has given rhe eiilhircu a ride, off comes tho huge saddle and she takes a plunge into n small pond. Crowds of people gather to watch her antics. She is so well treated and simply loves her keeper. Wo saw her in her stable a small building apart from tho others. Fresh hay was laid for h,er to be on and she was very comfortable.

—Pink certificate to Joyce Malcolm age 12 years, P.O. Fcrnhill.

* * * ♦ A SPARROW’S SPEECH

Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for tho certificate you awarded me last. Sitting on a macrocarpa tree is a little brown sparrow, and yonder on the chimney top are six or seven of his acquaintances and this is what we hear him say; “Come hither, my friends, and hear my speech! I heard the school bell ringing, and soon the children will be out for lunch. There is a lovely green lawn over there, and we may have the crumbs.' “Quickly, now, you fellows, for the children are now coming out. Hurry along, now, or those greedy niinahs trill eat them nil up before we get there.” — Pink Certificate to Mabel Aiderman. usio 12 years. 611 Heictuuiiga street West. Hastings.

MY FOX TERRIER

Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you very much for the certificate that you last awarded me. Jack is tho name of my dog, and one day whilst playing in Cornwall Park, 1 saw him cornu running across tho road, in front of a motor car, that was travelling at a tremendous speed. The next minuto he gave a loud painful yell. Running to a large holo in the hedge nearby, I crawled through to see Jack limping to the roadside. Knowing that ho was very badly hurt, 1 picked him up, carried him inside, and showed him to my uncle, who, after bandaging his leg, put it into splints. Having kept the splints on his front leg for several weeks we took them off, and to our delight, found that it was healed. The next day he took a delight in chasing cats, and no sooner would lie see a eat, than away he would run as quickly as ho could, until tho cut had climbed up a tree or dodged round a corner.

—Pink certificate to 'Richard do Lisle, age 11 years, 800 Tomoana road, Hastings.

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A MOUSE TRAP Dear Chief Kiwi,—lt is a very long time since 1 have written to you, so 1 will be just like a new Kiwi. lam wiritiug on the above subject. When 1 first realised 1 was alive, 1 was cramped up in a box with my brothers and sisters, in a shop, which I think was an ironmonger's. After 1 had been cramped there for a long time 1 was taken out and sold to an old lady, who took me to her well-kept pantry. 1 was put in a very dark corner of a cupboard, where 1 lay quite peacefully until I felt something sniffing around me. Something touched one of my springs. Snap I 1 had caught my first mouse.- A little later in the night I caught two more. 1 was as proud as my mistress was pleased next morning. I caught about six more mice during the next few days; but then, as there were no more to ctatch 1 was left to lie in the dust and dirt. I don't know how long I have lain here, but the smell of this mouldy cheese make me Snap! Why that mouse must have crept in when 1 was not looking! I will close now with love to all Kiwis. —Pink Certificate to Brightie Gray, age 12 years. 804 Gordon road, Hastings,

A DAY IN SHOPPING WEE!

Dear Chief Kiwi, —On Wednesday of Shopping Week we decided to go to Napier in the free train. The train was very crowded, and as we would have had to stand, we waited for tho second one. When we arrived we straightway begun looking fo rour number. We searched the shop windows until lunch time, when we felt very hungry and tired. During lunch we thought we would sit on the beach, and while Mother and Father had a rest, Ola and I went and had a swing and a ride on the ocean wave. After this wo wandered through the streets, still looking for our number, but we did not find it. We were just about giving up hope when suddenly Mother exeainied: “Why, there is our number!” and there, sure enough, perched on some tins of honey, was a lovely box of chocolates with our number on. . .Soon after this we met our Uncle, and after talking for some time we turned our steps towards the station, where we soon caught tho train for homo. That night we returned home very tired, but happy. —Blue Certificate to Joy Warren, age 11 years, 814 Ellison road, Hastings. * * * * BIRDS Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thunk you f ortho certificate you awarded mo. Please may I have a Kiwi badge? Birds make everybody happy when they sing their melodious songs. One of the best singers is the thrush'. Every morning I hear a thrush singing near our house. The tui is another beautiful bird, and it likes to hop about on the bluegum trees and dip its bill into the flowers, and suck out the honey. Skylarks are wonderful little singers. They fly high up in the air and stop up for quite a while, singing. ’rhe skylarks build their nests on the ground, and lay about four eggs. Quails lay their nests on the ground also. They lay from eight to twenty eggs. Once I found a quail’s nest with nineteen eggs in it. The seagull generally lives by the sea. hut it is very often seen on the land looking for worms.' With lovo to all the Kiwis.

- Blue Certificate to Burnard Bliss, age 13 years, Xupier road, Havelock North.

THE RACE FOR THE AMERICA CLP

Dear Chief Kiwi, —This morning I was awakened by various sounds and squeaks resembling small explosions, which seemed to demand some explan ation. They oyeutually turned out to be the sounds of static from the wireless, where Had was endeavouring to pick up the American statu ns which wore being rebroadcasted from 2YA. These American short-wave stations were broadcasting tho yacht race for the Cup, presented by Cawes, in England, 79 years ago, and which has been held by America ever since. For 30 years Sir Thomas Lipton has been trying to wrest this from America. This year they are racing again, the English yacht being Shamrock the sth, and the American one being the Enterprise. These yachts have to race over a distance of about 30 miles. Unfortunately tho atmospheric disturbances were so great that it was quite impossible for tho New Zealand stations to pick up on short-wave this ‘race from America. The New Zealand “YA” stations have been on tho air since 3 o’clock this morning, and it must have been very disappointing to them not to be able to pick it up. Wo hope Sir Thomas Lipton will bo successful this time.

Thank you for the certificate. —Blue certificate to Enid Kirby, 13 years, 505 Alexandra stret, Hastings.

♦ ♦ * * A VISIT TO NAPIER

Dear Chief Kiwi.—Thank you very much for the live snillings and album. On the 2nd of this mouth, a friend and 1 set out on our bikes for Napier. On our way we saw some lovely little lambs, ono of them being black. It did look funny. Have you ever seen a black lamb. Chief Kiwi? When we came to Awatoto it began to lain, so we took shelter until it stopped. In one hour and threequarters we reached Napier. We went round to a friend’s place to leave our bikes, and then we went to town. After looking around for a while we went on to the Parade, and played on the swings and in the sand. While I was looking round I bought a birthday present for a little friend of mine.

At dinner-time we went up on the beach again, and had our dinner. As the time flies we had to start on our journey for home quite early, we got our bikes, and when we were nearly to Clive my tyre went down. We jumped it up to see how long it would stay up, but it went down. I caught a ’bus at Clive, and then came from Hastings with my father. Blue Certificate to Glen Ross, age II years, Havelock North.

* ♦ ♦ * A DAY’S CYCLING

Dear Chief Kiwi, —One Wednesday morning a friend of mine and I went on a bicycle tour to Havelock North, and we enjoyed it very much. Eveiy where was so fresh and glorious, wattle trees here and there adding to tho beauty. Lots of other trees we"> bursting into leaf and in tho fields. Wo could see little lambs frisking about. We enjoyed our trip so much, wo decided to go out riding again after dinner. So about two o 'clock wo started out agaiu and wo wont in tho direction of tho aerodrome and wo thoroughly enjoyed this trip too. Wo wore delighted to see a visiting plane there piloted by a lady who told us sfio had had some trouble to find the aerodrome, but after circling around for a while she found it, and landed for petrol. About forty five minutes past two she left on her return trip to Masterton. Wo had a good look round and had a good look at tho ’planes and then returned homo very tired after a lovely day's cycling. —Blue certificate to Wilhaiß Howard, aged 13 years, 310 Eastbourne street, Hastings. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ SPRING Dear Chief Kiwi,—Now Spring is here, it is a beautiful warm season. As the-trees have a new- covering we can hear our merry feathered friends singing their new songs to us. introducing Spring, from their cosy homes. This time of the year people rest under shady weeping wlliows, reading books, listening to the happy songsters. or stroll leisurely along a small track adimiring the signs of Spring. Now is the time when wo see the young lambs frisking about happily beside their mothers in the green, grassy meadows. In the flower beds too. are the delicately coloured flowers—daffodils, violets, pansies and primroses showing their tender faces to us. Spring, the careful artist, paints her leaves delicately, while Autumn splashes pots of pain everywhere. Willi love io the Kiwi band. —Blue Certificate to Jdnn Smyth, age 11 years, Post Office, Clive,

A TRIP TO WELLINGTON BY CAR

Dear Chief Kiwi, —If you leave from Havelocjc North for Wellington you generally go by tlje To Aute road and join the main road at Paki Paki, and then on to Waipawa. Ou the way you pass To Auto Swamp, which is being drained, but just now the fog is sometimes so thick that you can only see a few yards ahead. It is about twenty-five miles distant from Havelock

From Waipawa you journey five miles to Waipukurau, the centre of a large sheepfarming district. Waipukurau, like Waipawa, is situated on the banks of a river, with the houses on the hills overlooking the river and town.

Dannevirke is thirty-seven miles out of Waipukurau, and an hour and a-half. travelling at an average of 30 miles per hour, will take you there. The scenery between Waipukurau and Dannevirke is more interesting than the scenery between Waipawa and Waipukurau. The town of Dannevirke is also very nice, with its wide streets and well-lit shops. To be continued.)

—Blue Certificate to Roy Natusch, ago 12 years, Havelock North. * ♦ ♦ ♦ BEES

Dear Chief Kiwi, —One day as I was going home from school, my ..lend came ivp'ing out and said he had a swarm or bees: but first of all I took no notice of him, so he told me to come and have a look at them. When I went in. the bees swarmed all round me. Soon I thought 1 would go a little closer, so I took a pace forward. Suddenly one stung me on the arm, so I wont home and put some blue on it, which stopped the pain. The next day we were going to put them into a hive. All that day we weib busy trying to find the queen bee. Soon Mum called me in for tea, so I went home. After tea we tried again, but a bee flew up and settled on my face. Then it crawled up. fluttered, and stung me on the eyebrow. With love. Red Certificate to Allan Apperley, age 12 202 Riverslea road, Hastings. ,

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ THE VILLAGE OUTCASTS

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l have not written to you for a long while, but I have not stopped yet. This week I am going to write about tho Village Outcasts. Although the sun hud long sunk behind ihe western hills, and twilight was nearly over, the usual quietness did not reign at the little village of Milford, for ioud were the shouts of the children who were at play on the village green. “1 wonder what all the fun can Le about” asked fat Mrs Platt of her friend Mrs Hill, who was sitting on tho doorstep of Mrs Platts house. “I am sure 1 don’t know/’ answered that tall, thin, and nervous person. A few minutes later, Mrs Piatt glanc cd up tho road In tho direction of the village green and the kind hearted old woman was amazed to see two girls, driven down the road by a crowd of shouting children, who were throwing dirt, sticks and oven stones at tho unfortunate girls. “What’s all this noise about?" cried Mrs Platt running out, and step ping tho tormentors. “It’s those 1 o girls,” cried tbo scornful crowd, u.l gloring at Peggy and Rosa Millar, who were now stand ing by Mrs Hill. “What have they done”? demanded Mrs Platt.

“Nothing. Wc will not have them on our green—thoce two daughters of a swindler.”

“Wo arc not, indeed,” cried Peggy the cTdest. “Wo were crossing the village recn, Mrs Hill,” said Peggy looking up into that nervous person’s face “when tho children run cut at us, and would not let us go cn, but for what reason I do not know.” “Oh, you do, Peggy Millar,” cried ono of tho biggest girls. “You knew your father is a swindler, and in debt,, and do you think of him running away to defraud the people of just dues I” “It isn’t true” sobbed Peggy. “All of you go "home st once, and leave these poor girls alone,” said Mrs Platt getting angry, and then turning to Peggy and Rosa. “You two had better go homo this way, ’ said tho good woman in a more gentle tone pointing down the road. “Yes we shall, thank you Mrs Platt,” said Rosa taking hold of Peggy’s hand and walking away —Edith Taylor, ago 12 years, Bex 45, Havelock North.