KIWI’S NEST

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 270, 29 October 1932, Page 11

KIWI’S NEST

ESSAYS—SENIORS. THE COUNTRY. 'Dear Chief Kiwi,—l am thinking that you must have forgotten me, as it is such a long time since I have written to the Kiwi Page, but I have not yet left the happy band, I live about two miles from the village of Havelock North, and therefore see a deal of the country life. Every day you see or discover something new. As spring comes, the progress of the trees bursting into bud can be seen, and the fresh green clover and grass growing high in the paddocks for the stock to graze upon. How fresh the country is compared with the town! No high buildings to block the warm sun’s rays from reaching the earth, plants, and. gardens. Not such loud and tuneless noises as there are in the town. Tho birds can be heard singing their sweetest songs and flying about, peeping at you from the boughs of trees, and keeping you company. Well, Chief Kiwi, I must now close with love to you and all the band. —Pink Ceriifloate to Gwen Wilson, age 12 years, Box 57, Havelock North. (I haven't forgotten you, Gwen, and am pleased to know that you are still interested in the page. Yes, I, too, love the country. In it one need never be lonely, need one!--C.K.) OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS. Dear Chief Kiwi—The birds living on and around our house are very interesting just now. There are sparrows, minahs, starlings, blackbirds, and thrushes, and sometimes the noise is great, especially when the sparrows and starlings get together. One day whilst we were having dinner thpre was a louder scuffle than usual, and a noise of rolling and fighting. Dad said: “They are having a football match up there. ’ ’ Then: “Now they're cheering for a Score. ’ ’ We gave our eat some meat, which he left tying on the lawn. Then three minahs were screwing up courage to take the prize, getting nearer with each attempt. Finally one managed to secure the meat, but as he was flying away, the other cock bird also fastened his beak in it, and they had a good tug-o’-war, till the meat gave way. (To be continued.) Thank you for the pink certificate. —Pink Certificate to Herbert Borrie, age 12 years, 809 Cook Street, Hastings. (Your letter reminded me of the little verse which I have at the top of my letter, Herbert.—O.K,) TO AUCKLAND VIA TAUPO. Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thanks very much for the certificate you awarded me. Leaving Hastings one morning, we set out on a trip to Auckland via Taupo and Rotorua. A few miles out of Napier we came to some very hilly country, over which we travelled without any trouble. We arrived in Taupo about 11 o ’clock, and after a brief stay passed on to Wairakei, here we had lunch and looked around the grounds. From there we journeyed on to Rotorua. An interesting time was spent ip looking at the various shops and the Sanatorium grounds, after which we left for Hamilton, arriving there about 5,30 p.m. The night was spent at a relative’s place, and we continued our journey next morning. At Manurewa we branched pff to Whitford, where we stayed a few days at my uncle’s farm before reaching Auckland. It was a nice trip and we enjoyed it very much. With love to all the Kiwis. —Pink Certificate to Lionel Beeby, age 11 years, 608 Whitehead road, Hastings. (It was an interesting trip, Lionel, and you will look forward to going again some day.—C.K.) THE LOST PUPPY. Dear Chief Kiwi, —On Sunday night a lovely black poppy came into our place. He was a retriever. He was very affectionate and made great friends with us all. At first our Spot did not like him and was very jealous, but presently lie had a great romp with the puppy. Then we got our cricket ball and threw it, and each time the puppy would bring it back to us. He was such fun, and wanted to play all the time. We gave him some meat and a big bone to Spot. When the puppy had finished his meat, the cheeky thing went and took the bone away from Spot. When our tea was ready we gave him a bowl of milk and put him in the shed. When he got out he wanted another game. We were sorry when his owner came for him. Pink Certificate to Alex Hogg, age 11 years, Lyndhurst road, Hastings, (Puppies are so fascinating, and I can realise how loth you were to part with him, though I expect Spot was not anxious to share your affection with him.—C.K.)

FISHING. Dear Chief Kiwi,—Would you like to come fishing with us! First of all, we listen in to our Weather Man, and if he says a westerly wind and moderate sea, we go to bed very excited, thinking of the lovely day we will have at the beach. In the morning the sun is shining brightly, and we hurry up and get everything ready. First we put the big hauling net in the lorry and then, when my father’s friends come, they all lift the boat on to the lorry. Then the lunch and a large jar of water and the kettle go on, and at last we are off. My brother and I and one of the men g it in the boat to balance it. We must look funny because everyone laughs at us. Next time I will tell you about the fun we have hauling iu the fish. (To be continued.) —Pink Certificate to Roderick Hogg, age 10 years, Lyndhurst road, Hastings. (I think it would be fun to go fishing and to help balance the boat on the lorry.—C.K.) OUR VISIT TO THE “TRIBUNE” OFFICE. Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the rod certificate you awarded me. Last Tuesday we were very excited as we were told wo were going to see the “Tribune” printed. We caught the 2.30 bus into Hastings. When we got put of the bus we hurried along to the baek entrance of the “Tribune” Office. The manager showed ns round the place. We watched the Linotype

make little slabs of molten lead with letters on them. The Linotype is very much like a typewriter. After it has been fixed together and pressed it is put in an oven. Next it is shaped, and last of all it is put into the main machine. Then we went on to the roof and had an orange and a biscuit. We asked Mr Gardener to show us where Chief Kiwi was, but he said he was in a cage. We went home after a lovely afternoon. With love. —Blue certificate to Sybil Lowe, aged 12 years, Arataki road, Havelock North: (Did you not feel sorry for me being shut in a cage, arid did you wonder if I were fed on bird seed or nuts?— C.K.) MY PONY, Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the certificate you awarded me. At home 1 have a little black Shetland pony named Ida. She is very quiet but when we bought her she was wild, because she had not been ridden before. In the afternoon I go for a ride down the road. I have often fallen off her, but have not hurt myself because there is not far to fall. One day Dad left a tin of milk (which was for the calves) by the fence, and she came along and drank half of it. She likes eating apples, and whenever she can get into the vegetable garden there is not much left after she has eaten all she wants. With love. —Blue certificate to Connie Budg, aged 12 years Te Kura, Otane. (Ida must be a pet, though I suppose you arc not inclined to think so when s]ie revels in the vegetable garden <n - the milk that is meant for the calves. —C.K.)

SPRING. Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you very much for the 5/- note. The months of spring consist of September, October and November. In these months that elusive lady, Spring, is scattering her rare and precious jewels on the earth. Ope of these jewels *!s the .yellow-faced daffodil and another the white-capped snowdrop. Growing in all gardens are other exquisite flowers that wonderful and glorious spring has provded. Bright and happy are the homes that are adorned with spring’s luxuriant gifts. Melodious, too, are the bell-bird’s and tui’s sweet notes which ring through the still evening air. Many sad hearts have been cheered by these two small musical songsters. In spring the whole creation of female birds make then cosy little nests, in which they lay tiny dainty eggs. Soon, from the eggs, babies are hatched, and we all hope that the babies will grow up beautiful singers like their parents. > —Red certificate to Sonia Rice, aged 11 years, Te Rehunga, Dannevirke. (This is a busy and anxious time for our feathered friends, Soma. I hear much chirping going on in the hedge— C.K.) SHIFTING CATTLE.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —On Saturday Max asked me if I would go round the sheep with him. I said I would if he would catch Trilby, my horse, as I had some other work to do before I could go. When we arrived at the back of the farm Max drove gome cattle down to the river. He then crossed to the other side and took down some sliprails. After that he rode out into our neighbour’s paddock and brought a bullock of my Father’s (who had managed to cross the river) down to the fence. The sight of his friends on the other side decided the question of whether he should cross or not and he came over to the bank where I was keeping his friends. Afterwards we took four heifers up to the house, With love. (To be Continued.) —Red certificate to Keith Thom, aged 13, Maraetotaxa, via Havelock North. (After his wanderings and trespassing, Mr Bullock evidently decided that “East, West, Hame’s Best.”—C.K.) H.M.S. DUNEDIN. Dear Chief Kiwi, —After seeing that room we went up the deck and tried to get up some steps, but as there was such p crowd of people up at the top, we had to wait until they came down. We had already seen that deck, so we went along by the gang way and up on to the very top decks. We had to push and struggle there, too, otherwise we would never have been able to get up. There were little cupboards up on those decks. I asked my friend’s father what they were and he said the places where the ship’s signalling flags were kept. I stood on a box and looked out to sea, and it seenied funny to see the heads of the many bathers bobbing up and down, As we had seen all we could, we came down and off the ship. —Red certificate to Huia Kirby, aged 12 years, 508 Alexandra street, Hastings.

(Amongst such a crowd, it would be difficult to see all you would like.— C.K.) A THUNDERSTORM. Dear Chief Kiwi,—Out on the clear blue ocean a small sailing vessel was wending its lonely course to some faroff Istands, when a thunderstorm arose. Suddenly the sky became dull and overcast and great rain-clouds took the place of the fluffy clouds which had been there a few minutes before. Thunder could be heard—peal after peal—the lightning vivid and flashing across the sky like a fork from a stack of golden hay. Thunder sounded as if a giant was roaming on the world above. Another flash of lightning, then a loud roar of thunder, followed by the rain. Hail was coming down in torrents, and the children on the nearby lighthouse were laughing with merriment at the hail which was making a funny noise on the restless ocean. Soon the ship reached its destination in safety. —Red Certificate to Elsie Leipst, age 11 years, 1020 Jelljcoe street, Hastings. (I am glad your story had a happy ending and that the little vessel reached safe harbour.—C.K.) HOW I SPENT THE WEEK-END. Dear Chief Kiwi,—On Saturday J went to Girl Guides from 10.30 a.m. till 11.30 .a.m. Then I came home and went to my auntie’s for lunch. After we had lunched we suggested going to the baths so we all managed to get our costumes and set off. When we were in the small baths the boys started tq make waves. After a while it was getting late, and we went home. When we got home we played games till tea-time, and after tea we went out for a little time. ’When we arrived home it was 9.30 p.m. so wo went to bed. In the morning we went over to the neighbour’s and played in the long grass. —Orange Certificate to Mavis Hammond, age 12 years, 105 Stortford street., Hastings. (Was the grass long enough for you to play hide-and-seek in, Mavis?—

A DAY AT THE PEAK. Dear Chief Kiwi,—lt was a beautiful day, so my friend and I set off for the Peak. We arrived at our destination about twelve o'clock, . It was very hqt, so we found a cave in the rock and sat there to have our lunch. When we had finished we climbed to the very top of the Peak, and had a beautiful view. The Tuki Tuki appeared like a silver ribbon with the sea spread out before it. Lower down spine lambs and sheep fed peacefully oil the green slopes. We were very sorry when it was time to go home, Love. —Orange Certificate to Douglas Bone, age 18 years, Charlotte Crescent, Hastings. ...

A WALK IN THE PARK. Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the certificate you awarded me last week. Last Sunday afternoon I made my mother and father a cup of tea, after which we walked to the park. On arriving there, we first looked round at the beautiful spring flowers, then we went to see the birds and ducks, and swans. When we had looked at that side of the park we had an icecream, as the day was very hot. Having finished our ice-creams, we visited the goats, wallabies, and deer. Last of all we saw all the prettiest birds, including the two peacocks, pheasants, pigeons, canaries, tomtits, and quite a.few others. Then we went home as it was becoming dark. With love to all. —Orange Certificate to Fred Harrison, age 12 years, 708 Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings, (Cornwall Park must be charming just now, Fred, with all its signs of spring.—C.K.)