ESSAYS JUNIORS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 210, 18 August 1933, Page 15

ESSAYS JUNIORS.

On Boxing Day, Mother, Father and 1 set out on a holiday to Waikaremoana, through the Vrewera country to Rotorua, and then to Taupo. After crossing the Wairoa River, we drove along a straight road for a short time, and then began to climb till we reached the lake. Wo pitched camp as the last rais of the sun disappeared over the hills. For the three days that we stayed at Waikaremoana the rain came down so I was unable to explore the surrounding bush. Ilefore leaving, Dad put the chains on the cars because the road was bad. After a wonderful bush drive, we reached Rotorua wheie nearly every morning I had a hot bathe at the “Blue Baths.” We left Rotorua in a few days’ time for Taupo, where we camped round in the western bays. At the regatta next day, we saw New Zealand’s fastest boat, tho “Png.” Love to yourself and all Kiwis. — Prize of 2/6 to “11 Uy Boy.” age 10 years, Hastings.

Once a friend gave us two young white roosters, and after feeding them tor a long time to make them grow, Daddy killed them for dinner. While he was cleaning them I gathered some big leathers and painted them red, yellow and pink, and they look bosker in my hat that 1 have made to go with m.v fancy dress for the school ball. I am going as an Indian. My father has got to make me a pouch for my gun, and when I get my face painted I shall look like a real Indian. It seems so cruel to kill the poor roosters for dinner and to use some of then feathers for my fancy dress, hut it has kept me busy painting them and they look good. With love. —Pink Certificate to Keith Goldsbrough, age 7 years, 702 Beech road. Hastings. I am going to tell you about the birds. I think they aie very clever. They kill the slugs and caterpillars on the cabbages, and they help the cabbages to grow If they did not kill the insects the cabbages would get eaten away. Over in England there are little robins which are very tame. The people hang out bits of bread for them to peck at. They must be very tame because it takes the cheeky sparrows a long time to decide whether to come and eat the crumbs when anyone is about. Tuis and bellbirds have a lovely song. There are quite a lot around here. We have also seen an owl. We called out to him to see what he would do. Love. —Pink Certificate to “Makere,” age 7 years, Tautapu, Hastings. We have a black and white puppy at home. He is only a few weeks old, but he is very fat. The first night Dad brought him home he howled and howled for his mother, we felt very sorry for him, but he is getting used to us now. He is a sheep puppy, so when he grows up he will be very handy for rounding up our cows. Love to all the Kiwi band. —Pink Certificate to “Mickey Mouse,” age 7 years, Hastings. We were all hoping that Friday would be fine, as we were biking to Napier. In the morning it looked as if it would be all right, but to our disappointment it started to rain. Our outing was not to be spoilt though, for we decided to go by ’bus. M.v little sister and I were sorry to find that we could not play on the swings, as it was so wet, but we had a good look at the shops. In spite of the rain we had a lovely day. With love —Pink Certificate to “Rosebud,” age 8 years, Hastings. I would very much like to join your happy band. I am going to tell you a true story of a wise cat. My big brother is an assistant to Daddy, and he loves cats. Ono big grey one is so tend of him that she follows him every time she sees him, and he puts her on his shoulders, where she remains until he removes her. In this way she first watched him kill a sheep, and as a reward for her patience, he gave her a bit of hot liver. Ever since then, she seldom misses a visit to the slaughterhouse when the men are there, and she keeps quite quiet until the liver is hung up, then she starts to miaou in a most pleading way, as if saying “Liver, Please." Love. —Blue Certificate to “Star Fairy,” age 9 years. (I scarcely look upon you as a new Kiwi, “Star Fairy,” for I think you have previously written to the Kiwi page.—C.K.) I would like to tell you o£ a beautiful view I enjoyed on a trip to Wellington last week-end. We had tea at the top of Paekakariki Hill, from where we had a far-reaching view. In the foreground native bush bordered the railway line, which was dwarfed because of its distance below us. Before us stretched a rippling blue sea, with the rocky island of Kapiti standing against the cloudless horizon. Away in the left distance were seen the beautiful snowcapped mountains of the South Island, while over all the setting sun spread his rosy veil. Love to all. —Blue Certificate to “Queen Elizabeth,” age 10 years, Pukehou. (It is a wonderful view, “Queen Elizabeth.” Will you please leave a margin on your essay papers?—C.K.) My essay this week tells you about a picnic. One Saturday morning I asked mother if we could go for a picnic provided we were homo in time to milk. We had our lunches cut and started off. We reached the country and spread the cloth, making ready for lunch. Finishing our Innch, we went along the creek to try our skill at spearing eels. We managed to spear three small oucs, and we caught seven crabs. This passed our afternoon away. Love to all other Kiwis and yourself. —Blue Certificate to “Snowy,” age 8 years, Otane.

Ou Saturdays, when 1 get up 1 iced the fowls and give them water. Having finished that, I clean the brasses and then I peel tho potatoes. When I have finished my work, if there are any messages to run I do them first, and then 1 can gu and play with my friends. May .1 have a Kiwi badge, please, as 1 do all my essays by myself. With love to you and all the other Kiwis. —Blue Certificate to “Tui,” ago 8 years, Hastings. (1 shall send you a badge, “Tui.”— C.K.) I awoke this morning to find tbe sun shining in on my bed. The sun seem d to be shining brighter than it has for a long time, as if it is wanting to remind us that it is tbe first day of spring. When I went outside everything seemed so much nicer than usual. 1 noticed that some of our jonquils were coming out, and there arc little green buds on the walnut tree. All the birds seemed to be singing more cheerfully than ever, as they perched on the branches or flew about in tho sun. —Blue Certificate to “Golden Eagle,” ago 10 years. One afternoon my father took me inside a tunnel that the mon were making on the East Coast railway. It was very wet and dark, and we had to carry a tunnel lamp to see with. Water was dripping off the roof and the air smelt musty. When we got inside, some of the men were using small picks to break up the earth, and others were loading it into small trucks, which were pulled by a horse and then by a cable. It was very noisy when the men were boring with a very heavy machine which my father said was an air drill. I was glad when we got outside again. Love to all Kiwis. —Blue Certificate to “Bingo,” age 10 years, Hastings. Thank you for the badge you sent me last week. We have a little calf at home, and we have not got a name for it yet. My sister feeds it every night and it plays with her. We keep it in the hay shed and we feed it on milk. It broke the. chain and galloped around the paddock, and we had a hard job to catch it. Love to all the Kiwi band. —Blue Certificate to “Felix,” age 8 years, Hastings. (Would you like to call the new calf Eloss?—C.K.) Last Wednesday evening a friend asked me to go with her to the Kindergarten concert. At seven o'clock she called for me, and I was so excited, and could hardly wait until tho concert started. All the little ones were funny, and one little fat boy was very funny, and he made us laugh. I had two little friends in it. They were very good. After the little ones had their concert the big girls and boys gave a programme; soma recited and some danced or sang. All the little boys and girls received a surprise packet. It was very late when I reached home, and I was glad mother had put a hot water bottle in my bed baeeuse my feet were cold. —Blue Certificate to “Floris,” ago 8 years, Hastings. We have three cats. One is a kitten and the others are tom-cats. We gave a black one to a friend, and as soon as they got it they put butter on its paws, so that it would stop there. It stopped there for a little while, and then it came home. It is marvellous how cats can find their way home again. At night one of the cats makes a terrible noise, and wakes us up. Two of them are black, and the other is grey and white. Once Rae was playing with the kitten, and she pulled its tail, and the cat said “Meow, meow!” and scratched her. Love to all the Kiwis. —Blue Certificate to “Wriggler,” age 7 years, Mangatereterc.) May I join your jolly band of Kiwis? This week I am going to write a story about a little girl named Polly. Polly stood by the nursery window playing with the tassel of tho blind. She was feeling very sad for Jane never seemed to understand things. Compared with Nannie, Jane was really a stupid person; and you couldn’t talk to her for she always said “Yes,” to everything. She never argued with you like Nannie did. Polly was always lonely now, ever since Nannie put Mary to bed with the measles, and Jane came to sleep in the night nursery with Polly, and she snored like a pigP.S.: May we have a joke and riddle page? —“Popsy,” age 8 years, Hastings. (You are welcome as a new member, Popsy, but I hope you are quite clear as to what is meant by “original essay.” It means that each Kiwi must think out and write his or her essay entirely unaided, and not copy or repeat • story heard »r read of.—C.K.).

It was a very wet afternoon, but iuckily I was able to go to see the I’antomime “Cinderella.” It. vias very dee and I liked Cinderella in her ball hess. The dancing was pretty too. I think the part 1 liked best was Cinderella getting into her coach with the two white ponies drawing it. They were real ponies. 1 was glad when Cinderella fitted tbe dainty silver shoe on her foot. Mickey Mouse was very tunny when he came down off the stage. Did you go to it Chief Kiwi? Love. —Orange Certificate to “Alice-iu-Wonderland, ” age 9 years, Kenilworth, TomoanaBirthdays are always days that we rook forward to, for we usually gel a surprise. We wake up in the morning and wonder what big surprises are in store for us. 1 had a pleasant surprise on my birthday, as 1 received many presents that I wanted. I did not have a children’s party, but 1 had a nice, iced birthday cake. One ot my presents was a jig saw puzzle, which, when made up, is a picture of Maoris outside their huts weaving mats. —Orange Certificate to “Topknot,” age 10 years, Hastings, We have eight fowls and one rooster and 1 feed them every night with maize, then when some of them are finished they go to the fowl-house and jump on the perch and go to sleep until the morning. They sometimes find some maize left from the night before. They go away in the day and find worms and grubs so they are not very hungry at night, when I give them four maize cobs. Love to all the Kiwi band. —Orange Certificate to “Golden Poppy,” age 9 years, Hastings. This time I am going to tell you about a picture called, “Delicious.” It was on in Otane on the June 9th. The main actors were Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. There was another actress named “Olga,” and Janet was called “Heather,” and Charles Farrell was “Mr. Beaumont.” The picture started when they were on the boat going to America. All the people on the boat were very happy, but Heather was not happy, for she was not allowed to land because she was an emigrant. She escaped off the boat in Puncho’s horse box which was taken to Mr. Beaumont’s house. —“Buttercup,” age 10 years, Otane. The whole country would look very bare if there were no trees. The willow trees are lovely with their branches nearly sweeping the ground. The tall poplars look like rows of soldiers, so stiff and straight. The macrocarpa and pine trees are always lovely and green, and are good shelter from the cold winds and rain in the winter. It is lovely on a very hot day to sit or lie under any of the willows, especially by the river. The birds build their nests high up in the branches of all the trees, so that no one can get at them easily. Love. —Blue certificate to Parrot, aged 9 years, Hastings. May 1 join your happy band? One day we decided to go for a picnic. 1 asked Mum if I could take my mate David. Mum said I could, so he came. When we arrived we put on our bathing suits and went for a swim. After lunch 1 went fishing with David, who had sixpence, so he hired a skiff and we went for a sail in it. When we were coming back, a boy picked up a rotten tomato and threw it at the straw hat I was wearing. Afterwards Peter, my brother, had a ride in a boat. Soon we went home after a happy day together. —Red certificate to John Park, aged 9 years, Hastings. (We already have a, “Micky Mouse,” John dear.—O.K.) I have been thinking a lot about trees and their different uses. There are many kinds of trees, some very useful and some very pretty. I like the fruit trees best of all because they supply us with lovely ripe fruit every year for the gentle care the orchard man. has to give them. The ornamental trees are very pretty in the summer time and make the gardens look nice and fresh, and give shelter and a cool place to play with our dolls and toys. The pine trees are the most useful because they give us timber to build our homes with, and firewood to warm them, and cook the meals with. Everybody likes the shelter of the willow to rest and play under, or to read our books of fairy tales. With love to all. —Red certificate to “Bubbles,” aged 10 years, Hastings. I am going to tell you about a trip we had away out in the country. When the .car had started, it did not take us long to cover the country roads and leave the town behind. What a pleasure it was to see the green fields and the lambs running about chasing each other and crying out for their mothers when, they lost them. The cows were in the fields eating the fresh grass, and the horses were grazing after their hard week’s work. The birds were singing and flying from tree to tree, making everything happy. —Red certificate to Snow Ball, aged 10 years, Hastings. My Mother and I went to Beatson’s Park for a walk. We quite enjoyed watching all the people playing golf. Some ot the ladies were hitting their balls into the water and there were a lot of little boys wading in to get them, any they did not seem to mind the cold wind a bit. Love to all the Kiwis. —Red certificate to Towser. aged 7 years, Hasting*.

One day we went to Napier. At one bridge a man was driving some sheep. Ho left a lew behind him with his dog, and went in front oi the bus with the others. A sheep tell under the bus, and we all thought it would be killed. The bus driver got out and undel where the sheep was. Then he got tn and backed the bus, and the sheep jumped up quite all right, and ran on to its mates. When the bus was over the bridge the dog brought the other sheep from behind. There are some new buildings in Napier. They look nearly as nice as Hastings We were very glad to get home. Love to all Kiwis, --■Red certificate to Tubby, aged 10 years, Hastings. Un Saturday Muni and Dad took me to town. Dad was going to the dog trials, and he took two dogs with'him. Mum said she would buy me a dress and a hat. She bought me a pretty blue one. In the afternoon we went to see a sick lady After a happy day we returned home —Orange certificate to Purple Heather, aged 8 years, Havelock North. In Spring the birds build their nests, the butterflies fly irom flower to flower, the busy bees fly back to the hives with their bags full of pollen. The land looks lovely, and all is a remarkable sight. ’Tis interesting to watch the birds and to see the buds shooting. Here is a piece of poetry:— From out of the ground A little blue-bell Peeped early forth In a lovely dell. A little bee came And sipped with glee, For each other made They surely must be. Love to ail Kiwis. —Orange certificate to Cloudy Bai, aged 10 years, Otane. We go to school in a ’bus which comes at half-past eight. It is four and a half miles to school. As we go we see pukekos and seagulls and lambs. When we get to school we play football and the girls play basketball. Some of the boys play bar. After our lessons we get out at a quarter past three, and play till halipast, then the bell goes to let us known that the ’bus is there. We hop in the ’bus, and off we go home. Please Chief Kiwi will you send me a badge? I do my own work. Love. —Orange Certificate to “Jackdaw,” age 8 years, Otane. ESSAYS—SENIORS. Every morning about seven o’clock a peculiar bird perches on the fence near our window and waits till we throw it some crumbs. It is blackish in colour, with an orangy red beak and a white breast. It is always alone, and does not seem to have any friends. It hops round so funnily, first on one leg and then the other, as though one of its legs is sore. It is a very funny bird and no one seems to know it. I wonder if any Kiwi can tell me its name. With love to you and all the Kiwis. —Pink Certificate to “Linda Lee,” age 12 years, Hastings. (Are there any suggestions from Kiwis, as to the identity of this interesting bird?—C.K.) The lightning flashed, The thunder rolled As home I dashed Wet through and cold. I had been told to take my coat to school with me in the morning as it was threatening rain, but in my hurry to be off, I forgot it. The consequence was, when school came out, it was pouring with rain, so I decided to make a dash for it. 1 thought how silly I must look tearing along in the rain without a coat, but the worst was to come. When I reached our gate I made a flying leap in, stepped on a loose board in the bridge which tipped with me, and landed me in the centre of the overflowing gutter. When I picked myself out and went inside, my mother said, “You naughty girl, you must have been playing about in the rain for ages to get so dreadfully wet!” With love to all. —Pink Certificates to “Hibiscus,” age 11 years, Hastings. Have you ever been to a quarry? One day when I was going round the sheep with my father, we stopped at a quarry which is on tho farm. The cook came to the door of the kitchen and said, “Good morning I Would you like a drink of tea?’’ but Dad said, “No thank you,” as we were in a hurry, but the cook gave us a nice hot bun. We went on to the top of the hill to see tho men breaking up the rocks to send them down the shute. From here the metal is loaded onto trucks which run along lines to the crusher. After it has passed through the crusher it falls into what is called a hopper and from here it goes into the lorries that distribute it over the roads. —Blue Certificate to Barbara Moore, age 11 years, Rangitapu, Waipawa. Some time ago a system of Girl Guiding was commenced in connection with the Correspondence School and there are now four flourishing companies. It is carried on by correspondence and except for this it is the same as active Guiding. Each company has its own captain and lieutenant, and contains two or more patrols. In each patrol there are six girls. Instead of a meeting, a letter is sent to these girls, each one posting it to the next. This letter contains all ' work For examinations, news, and so on, and each Guide looks forward to it with great eagerness. The companies all have their respective colours and

mottos. 1 am in the Weka Patrol in Jie 4th Company—its motto is “Be True.” Altogether I consider Bone Guiding splendid and 1 am thoroughly enjoying it. —Blue Certificate to Beryl Wall, age 14 years, Maraetotara, Havelock North. One tine summer’s day we decided co go for a picnic to the Tuki Tuki river. When our friends came round ror us we were all ready waiting. When we started off it was nice and cool, but towards the middle of the day it became very hot, so we went in for a swim. It is a beautiful place for picnicking, and a nice river for swimming, for it has a number of weeping willow trees for shade. There are nice places to make a fire to cook the dinner. After we had our dinner and cleared away the dishes, we sat on the river bank and did some knitting. After a while we went in for another swim. Then when we tired of it we got out and dressed, and went for a walk around the hillside. Love to all Kiwis. (To be Continued.) —Blue Certificate to “Lavender,'’ age 12 years, Hastings. On Sunday a friend and I cycled to Napier. On the way we stopped for a drink. Reaching Napier we went round to the Breakwater, and there was a trawler unloading fish. There were many people watching them unloading. There were four other trawlers in the bay fishing. We saw the harbourmaster looking through a telescope to see if the ship that was near the Kidnappers was nearing the shore. It was still lying out catching fish. The local fishmongers were at the wharf getting their supply of fish Mounting our cycles again, we rode on to the Parade. There were not many people about as it was a cold day, so we decided to go home, and arrived about tea-time feeling very tired. —tied Certificate to “Mr Nobody,’’ age 12 years, Hastings. My favourite author is Harold Avery. His books are mostly stories about schoolboys. In the Public Library there are several of his books The first one I read of his was “The Confessions of Cobb Major and Cobb Minor.” lam at present reading another book by the same author. It is titled “Out of Running,” and is very interesting. Most boys like books by this author, I suppose because they are about boys. With love to all the Kiwis. —Red Certificate to “Lord Kitchener,’’ age 11 years, Tomoana, Hastings. Please may 1 join your happy band ? I am going to write about trees. Trees are very useful in many ways. When one wishes to go for a picnic in summer, if the chosen spot is by a river, one is almost sure to find a shady place under a willow. Then a I tall pine tree may also be used, but see how anxiously Mother looks up to where her son is climbing. “Come out of that before you tear your trousers,” she calls. Some very fine timber can be obtained from New Zealand trees. Also, when driving along a hill, the trees and bush on the other side make a picture fit for the brush of any artist. Please may I have a badge, as I promise to do my own work? Love to all Kiwis. —Red Certificate to “Buster Brown,” age 11 years, Hastings. We have sixteen baby pigs. One sow has ten and another has six. We have just finished building a double pigsty, and they are all in it. They are mostly black and ginger, and a few are black and white. We put some hay in the sty for a bed, and they like to play in it. —Orange Certificate to “Yoho,” age II years (P. 8. Hastings. I am sorry I have not written for a long time. We have a pet lamb, and its name is Mary. Mary has nearly half a basin of milk three times a day. She sleeps in an old tank with straw in the bottom. In the day-time she runs about the house. If you were to touch Mary’s tail she would waggle it for about two minutes. She followed us halfway to school the other day, and would not go back, so I had to take her back. With love to you and all the other Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to “Snowflake,” age 12 years, Otane. Please may I join your Kiwi band! One morning in our August school holidays, I packed my clothes and went to Palmerston North. I had to catch the Aard ear from Patoka to Napier and then to Palmerston North. On the way to Palmerston North wo passed through Waipawa, and when we came to Dannevirke we had our lunch, and looked at the shops. Going on, we passed through the Manawatu Gorge, and we saw the ferns on the cliff, with the river at the foot; on the other side were the tunnels and the railway line. The train looked very big when passing. We arrived at Palmerston at three o’clock, and I was very tired, so when I reached my aunty’s place I had tea and went to bed very early. After an I enjoyable holiday I returned home, very pleased with my journey. Love to all the Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to “Granny Bonnet,’ ago 12 years, Hastings. (I had to make endless corrections, “Granny Bonnet.” Read your letters carefully before sending them to me.— C.K,)

On the 11th of August we are going to have our school ball. Every night after school we practise for the dances over in the Drill Hall. The dances are The Black Nag, Gathering Peas Cods, The Skating Dance, the Tripping Dance. The dance I like best is the Skating Dance. Some nights wo don’t arrive home till half-past five, as I have a long way to go. With love to all the Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to “Sunflower,” age 13 years, Hastings. (The ball is over now, “Sunflower,” and I hope you enjoyed it all. Did you represent your pen name! —C.K.) We have six hundred acres on our farm. It docs not seem much, but it sounds a lot. On Saturdays Igo round the sheep to see if there are any cast or dead ones, and one day,-when we all went round, we found five cast sheep and five dead ones. So when we went home we told Dad that they were down. In our back paddock there are a lot of cattle and sheep, and the other week the men were cutting manuka, because we have such a lot of manuka on our farm. These are the names of our paddocks: Front paddock, Spring paddock, Holding paddock, Back paddock, Cow paddock, and a great many more. Love to all the Kiwi band. —Orange Certificate to “Sunflower Fairy,” age 11 years, Pukchou.) (What is yqur Christian name, “Sunflower Fairy?”—C.K.) May I join your happy band? This week I am going to tell you about a journey. One afternoon we had packed and were ready for a trip to Taupo. On the way wo saw a bouse with the Union Jack flag on the roof of it. We also saw some brown horses, which galloped as we passed. Night came, but as it was moonlight it didn't take us long to find the house at which wo had arranged to stay. That night we went straight to bed besause wo were so tired. Next morning we were in bed till about ten o’clock. After lunch we unpacked the loaded car. Nearly every day we were there we went to the rapids, the waterfalls or the lake. Most nights we had a hot sulphur bath. With love to all. —Orange Certificate to “Japonica,” age 11 years, Hastings. Yesterday I went to a picture in the New Cosy Theatre. I not only went to see the picture but also the new theatre. It is a beautiful place, and is a big improvement to the town. I bought my ticket and gave it to the man at the door. On entering, I went down a narrow corridor winding to a door. When I saw inside I was surprised to see such a pretty scene. The picture was called “State Fair,” and was a very good one. It was a funny picture, and there was a fat, petted pig named “Blue Boy,” which went to the fair. There were lots of stalls, sideshows and merry-go-rounds. Love to all the Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to “Bowie,” age 11 years, Hastings. One Sunday morning Mother told me that we were going to Waimarama for a picnic. Packing the basket very quickly, we were soon on the way. Arriving at Waimarama about eleven o’clock, we unpacked the basket. It was a very sunny day, so we went for a swim. After swimming for about five minutes we went up the bank and boiled the billy for dinner. Later, we went home tired, but very happy with our outing. With love. —Orange Certificate to Annie Laurie, aged 11 years, Hastings. Owing to the fact that it was George’s and my 12th birthday, Dad suggested that we send up a balloon. When he arrived home with the balloon he tied a piece of wool to the mouth and then lit it. After the warm air, from the burning wool, had filled the balloon it was tied with a strong cord. He then produced two envelopes, one with our address on and a stamp, the other with a note inside saying would the finder of the balloon please return it in the attached envelope. On tying these to the cord he threw the balloon into the air after after it blew out of sight we went indoors. (To be continued.) —Orange certificate to Puff Ball, aged 21 years, Hastings. My pen name has been taken, so 1 will choose another one. I was once a piece of leather and a man bought me, and made me into a school-bag. He put the price on me and then I was put into his shop window. A lady came past the shop, and she thought she would buy me. When the lady arrived at her house she gave me to her little girl, who was so delighted that she would not leave me alone for a minute. The next day I carried her lunch to school for her and when she reached school I was put down by the deck until dinner time. —Blue Mountain Girl, aged 13 years, Hastings. (You omitted to leave a margin, Blue Mountain Girl.—C.K.) “Matches to sell! Matches to sell!” came the cry from a pale-faced boy. This boy had been in the streets since early morning, trying to sell matches. Ho was very hungry because for his breakfast he had only had a dry piece of bread, and a small tin of water. I His miserly guardian had sent him out to sell matches and unless he sold them he would get nothing more from his guardian to eat that day. It was now three o’clock and he had only sold five boxes. “Poof, I s’pose he’s a waif,” one man said, “and the matches are wet or something.” Other children

mocked him. While he was sitting on a door-step some rough-looking boys came strolling along. When they caught sight ot him they started throwing mud. He tried to protect himself, hut it was of no use. (To he continued.) -—“Dunce Double Dee," aged 13 years, Otane. (I shall need to read the next instalment before giving any award, Dunce Double Dee.—C.K.) May I join your happy band of Kiwis? Thig week I am going to tell you about a picnic. First we were told that we would go to the Black Bridge. When we were outside we saw the lorries waiting for us, with long seats on the back. We jumped on the lorries while there was room and started off along Karamu road to the bridge. On arriving at the spot, we saw a tent on the beach To reach it we bad to go through a gate, round under the bridge, and at last arrived there. When the picnic was over we were sorry to return home. Love to all Kiwis. —Brer Fox, aged 12 years, Hastings (Not quite up to a merit award, Brer Fox.—C.K.)