The Kiwis’ Nest

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 96, 6 April 1934, Page 15

The Kiwis’ Nest

IF ANY WORD OF OURS

If any little word ot ours can make oue hie the brighter, It any little song ot ours can make one heart thu lighter, Pray let us speak that little word and lake our bit of singing, A lid drop it in some lonely vale, and set the echoes ringing. DEAR KIWIS,—Now that you have explored tho contents of all those chocolate-coveted mysteries, and have returned to lessons and the daily routine, life may, for just a wee while, seem a little flat, so let’s cheer ourselves up with an especially jolly joke and riddle page. Sena me the funniest jokes and the most mysterious riddles you have ever beard of, and let mv have them by Monday, 16th April. To do this you must remember that they must reach the “Tribune” office on that particular Monday before 4 p.m. It there are sufficient entries, I may divide them into junior and senior sections, publishing one section one week, and one the next, but if entries are few, I shall have both sections published in the one page, giving a prize of 1/. for the best joke or riddle in either section; so dears, it rests with you whether we have one or two weeks of fun page. When this hilarity is over pro tern, the evenings will have drawn in considerably, lights will be switched on early, and all my Kiwis will be busily writing me letters. We must have lots ot exciting competitions when the winter arrives, and that little grey matter which we all hope is part of us, will become quite prominent. So here's luck to our plans for the winter. I wonder if you will enjoy having this “lesson in grammar” ?...“Mary, having arrived at the dignity of 13 years of age, is greatly interested in the study of her grammar book. The other day a gentleman met her, and asked her, among ether things:... “How many sisters have you?” •‘fwo.” “How old is the eldest?” “There isn’t any eldest.” “How old is the youngest, then?” “There isn’t any youngest.” By this time the gentleman thought Mary a little impertinent, and said •barplv: “Are they twins?” “No.” “Then, of course, one must be older than the other. What do yon mean?” “Yes,” was the reply. "Lucy is older, but she isn't eldest, for you must not use the superlative degree when talking of two persons or things. Lucy is my elder sister, and Emma is my younger sister.” the gentleman stood corrected, and was heard to murmur as he walked off: “I believe they teach children more useful knowledge in the public •chools nowadays than they used to teach in college when T was young.” How many of my thirteen-year-old Kiwis possess the courage of their convictions to such a degree? Mv love to vou all dears. CHIEF KIWI.

EBBAYS.—JUNIORSLast Thursday night 1 wont to a Concert at our Sunday school, given by thu Girl Guides. After we had all sung “God Save the King” the conceit started with three little girls dancing the Highland fling while a Bian played the bagpipes. Afterwards there were many recitations and dances, but the best of all was the “Chick” song. There were about ten girls all dressed in yellow, like chickens, and some had eggs, too. It was very pretty. In other songs they all had different dresses on to sing. Then the last item they played the “Scotch Haggis” round the hall, and then gave everyone a taste with a cup of coffee Love Prize of 2/- to “Clover Leaf,” age p year, St. Joseph street, Waipukurau. (A charming entertainment, little “Clover Leaf,” and well described in your letter.—C.K.) 1 went to the Air Pageant with a friend. There were nearly fifty aeroplanes there. Kingsford Smith’s ’plane was twice the siso of the other ’planes Mr Gerrand broke the wind screen of a car when he was bombing it The driver of the car was smothered m flour from the bomb. They also burst balloons by diving at them. Thia was very exciting because the balloon* sailed high into the air. There were three little blue and white ’plane* with a star on their tads, and they were called the “Southern Cross Kittens.” There was one red ’plane flying upcidw down, nose diving, and swooping very low. In t»» race three men had to run to three bicycles, ride to three motor-cars, drive them up to three aeroplanes, and fly the planes round th® Southern Cross. This was won by Mr Gerrand. Pink Certificate to “Bin * I eddy,” Cge 9 years, Hastings. (Wasn't it all very thrilling “Blue Teddy’’? Would you like tn he an airman* CK.) The other Saturday wo had a Phinket Gymkhana. It was a lovely day and there were crowds of people about. First of »D there was » proressinn through the town of decorated cars and bicycles and snch a lot nf little children with decorated doll prams. There were all kinds of sports—racing for boss and girls, horse racing and Vietor-rsrs, tl.r grtasy pole

and lots of others, I like ! the lioisv racing best. There was a Maori concert party, too, and they sang the L’oi Song, and several more. Mu really had a very nice day. Love. Pink Certificate io “London Policeman,” age 7 years, St Joseph street, Waipukurau (I should have loved to nave seen the decorated doll's prams, “London Policeman ” C.K I Fol the first lew days I had tin mumps I felt veiy sick, and was glad to lie still in bed. After that I used to read Comic Cuts which kind friends brought inc, and I looked out of the window at the people passing. My brother also had the mumps, und as we wore both in tho same room Wo were company for each other. Alter nearly a week we were allowed to get up, and we were very pleased. We would sit out in the sunshine and watch the birds flying about, and when mother brought morning and afternoon tea out to us we would feed the birds with some of the crumbs. After a few days the birds would com® quite close to us. To-morrow we shall be able to go to school again, as wo are well now ...Blue Certificate to “Parrot,” ng< 10 years, Hastings. (The friendliness of the birds would

help to compensate you for having mumps. lam glad that you and “Golden Eagle” are better.—C.K.)

A few weeks ago I was invited to a Sunday school picnic. We arrived at the Show Grounds at nine o’clock, and had a game of chasing. After this a bun and a soft drink was given to us. Next we went to a stream near by, where we played until dinner time. Dinner was given to us under a shady tree near the stream. After thv> adults had had their lunch, races were run, the younger ones receiving toys and the elder ones money prizes. Also there was a tug-of-war between the schools. We were given fruit to eat as it was a very hot day. Tea time seemed to come very quickly as we had all been enjoying ourselves. After tea the ’bus arrived to take home those who had come a long distance. —Orange Certificate to “Top Knot," age 10 years, Hastings, (Did your side win the tug-of-war, “Top Knot”?...C.K.) READ THIS ALOUD QUICKLY. As I was going down the street T saw two bootblacks. One was a black bootblack and the other a white bootblack, and both had black boots, as well as blacking and blacking brushes. The black bootblack asked the white bootblack to black his, the black bootblack’s black boots with blacking. The white bootblack consented to black the black boots of the black bootblack with blacking, but when he, the white bootblack, had blacked one black boot of the bootblack with blacking, he, the white bootblack, refused to black his, the black bootblack’s other black boot with blacking unless he, the black bootblack paid him, the white bootblack, the same as what he, the white bootblack, got for blacking other people’s black boots; whereupon the black bootblack grew still blacker in the face, called the white bootblack a blackguard, at the same time hitting the white bootblack with the black boot that he, the white bootblack, had already blacked with blacking.

SENIORS.

The great house lies sleeping, shining like a fairy palace in its veil of filmy dew, while the paths are dappled with tho shadow* from the shrubs near by. The eerie whisper of the breeze in ths background of forest seems to be the only sound. The beautiful flowers with all their fragrance and heavy with dewdrops border *ho green lawns. A garden party had taken place here, with its laughter and gaiety, but now nil is silent as I wander down the drive, for the visitors have said farewell to their hostess and far in the distance I can see the lights of tho cars which arc wending their way homeward. The birds twitter their good nights and f too must, say good night to the beautiful scene as darkness draws nigh. Love to nil. —Pink Certificate to “Lily of the Valley,’’ nge 13 years. Otane. (I think that a garden, in its quiet hour before sleep, just speaks to one, and this particular garden would love vour appreciation of its shadowy beauty.—C’K.),

Once again autumn comes gliding over the earth. She brings with her a band of fairy helpers who readily 1 carry out her wishes. They paint the leaves a glorious crimson, a rich brown or a pale yellow. What a wonderful sight is the Virginia creeper clad in her autumn dress, and transforming I lie garden fence to a thing of beauty. The gardens are gay with nodding aters shaking out their dainty ruffles, and dancing merrily in the breeze. Autumn has kissed the apples and made them rosy, the pears take on a golden hue. The hedges are gay with scarlet berries nestling among the rich ' brown leaves, and late summer roses I bravely lift their heads in the mellow i sunshine. Not much longer will they I l>c with us, for that mischievous Jack ! Frost will soon lie coming with hi" cruel scissors to cut off their poor - Pink Certificate to “Pooh Bear,’’ age 11 years. Hastings. (This is proving such n wonderful autumn, and we nil hope that Jack Frost will not make a raid upon us for a long time yet.-—C.p.l. Daddy had promised to take us to the Pukctapu Sports on Saturday, but us he was away we could not go and we were disappointed. Mother said, “Never mind; you can help me.’’ My brother caught Blackie and harnessed her. You should see how he puts the harness on her, Chief Kiwi. He climbs on her buck and my little brother Billy hands up the collar and harness. Noel is nine and Billy is six years old. Noel then put Blackie in the sledge and we carted away all the rubbish and threw it down the gorge. Then came the housework and garden. When we heard the cars returning we were disappointed no longer for we had had a happy day too. Love to you and all Kiwis. —Pink Certificate to "Menotali, ” age 11 years, Pukctapu. (I loved hearing of that happy day, “Menotali,’’ and I think that Blackie must be just a dear. —C.K.). Yesterday afternoon we went out blackberrying to Redcliffe. I set out with the intontion of gathering two billyfuls—a thing which I had never succeeded in doing. After a rather vain search, my efforts were rewarded by finding a good clump of bushes, and after much picking, I was rewarded by oue billyful. I returned to the car, had some afternoon tea, and followed ray father. He had found a good spot, and we were soon busy at work. The work was quicker here, because there were more berries, but oh! How scratched we were. We were very sore you may be sure. However, our efforts were successful and I am now looking forward to the eating part of the blackberrying. Altogether, we got 231bs. of blackberries, so it was quite profitable. When I got home, I had just time to have tea and rush off to a Scout meeting. Love to all. —Blue Certificate to “Buster Brown,” age 11 years, Hastings. (How wonderful to have gathered so many blackberries, “Buster Brown,” and is tho jelly nice? —C.K.). 1 was left in charge of the house last Saturday while Mother went to town. All of a sudden there was a rap at the door. I gazed at the speaker, a freckled urchin of about nine or ten. “Want any nice Southern pertecters?” he asked. “No thank you,” I replied, and went about my work, for a time unmolested by back-door callers. As soon as 1 had finished I went out to weed my garden. 1 was thus employed when 1 was startled to hear a voice say.

“Nice cauliflowers, fourpence each.” Looking up I beheld a sour-visaged man clad in an old, dirty, ill-fitting suit. His cap was pulled down over his face, which gave him a villainous appearance. Then a fat, red-faced, garrulous-looking lady called in to ask if I knew where Mrs Smith lived, and I politely told her “No.” I was fed up with back-door callers, so I went inside to read. ...Blue Certificate to “Linda Lee,” age 13 years, Hastings. (One’s pen could sometimes give n graphic account of back-door callers They are so many and varied. The; is a good subject for the imagination C.K.) We have had a lovely lot of asters out in our garden, but now they are beginning to die off. There has been every shape of purple and mauve and pink, and plenty of white ones and red ones. Some are double and some single. It seems peculiar that such lovely flowers have no scent at all. The double flowers are tho prettiest with their rows and rows of petals, but the single ones are dainty-looking. All along the front, fence are big red asters, and along the sides of the house are beds of all shades of them. Many people stop and remark how lovely they took, and 1 shall be sorry when they- all die, as they make a lovely display, and are so beautiful and bright with the sun shining on them —Blue Certificate to “Golden Eagle” age 11 years Hastings. (Are you going to save some seeds from your asters, “Golden Eagle,” so that vou will have another brilliant display next season C.K.) One of the other Kiwis gave mi? a little wee black kitten—such a lovely little one too. 1 think Chubby told you how another cat killed them all hut this one. One trick I have taught him is to sit on the seat of the bike while I r'd®. and such « lot laugh at him when 1 take him out en the retd,

because he sits on and does not try to get off. I am fond of all other animals just as much as cats. Tht kitten’s name is Major. I rather like that name; do you? I have another big cat called “Smithy,” and every morning he comes and gets his porridge, and after that he gets a saucer of milk warmed, with a little cocoa in. With love. — Blue certificate to Magnolia, aged 12 years, Hastings. (1 rejoice that the little lone kitten has found such a good homo. 1 like his name of “Major,” and am especially interested in his bicycle feats. Is “Smithy” jealous of him, or does he, aspiring to an aeroplane, consider a bicycle beneath his dignity?—C.K.) Last Saturday a friend and I went out to the aerodrome for the day to see the aero pageant. We left home at ten o’clock, taking a little lunch with us. On arrival we parked our cycles and went up close to the fence to get a better view. What a collection of planes there were, every one a different colour and each had the lettering on to show what part it came from. Up till lunch time they were competing for the different cups. At 2.30 Sir Charles took off for a flight over tho town with about 15 other planes following in formation. On returning they had the different competitions. At 3.30 Scotty Fraser descended from a ’plane by parachute which was very thrilling to watch. There was a great crowd of people backwards and forwards throughout the day. —Red certificate to Mr. Nobody, aged 13 years, Hastings. (Did you find the ride out a hot one, and were you a very dusty Mr. Nobody on your return?—C.K.)

I did not go to the Show, did you? My brother went and he brought home a box of chocolates by luck. My sister and I stayed at home. When we had finished our work wo were allowed to play, but as it was hot we could not think of anything to play at so we read books, which is my great hobby. As our mother was at work, and Dad, too, we had to have our dinner by ourselves. In tho afternoon we went for a walk, and as we were coming home we saw such a pretty wedding, and, of course, we stopped to have a look. When we reached homo we started to play a game of marbles, and we did have some fun putting, them through the marble board. After an enjoyable day we at last went to bed after all our fun and frolic. . With love. —Red certificate to “Silverbirch,” aged 11 years, Hastings. No, Silverbirch, I did not go to the Show either, but, like you, T spent a happy day in the sunshine.—C.K.) SOMEBODY’S BIRTHDAY 1 his is soiuebodj'« birthday .lust as sure as fate; Some little boy is six years old, Some little girl is eight. Some little boy is three to-day, Some little girl thirteen, Some little twins are exactly two—fwo apiece 1 mean. Someone is eatig his birthday cake, And laughing over the plums. Someone is rating his birthday cake On all her fingers and thumbs. Someone is bouncing his birthday ball, Or winding his birthday top. Somcosq is not too wise or too lain For birthday butterscotch. Think of Ihe beautiful hooks, think of the birthday cheer, Think of the birthday happiness Every day in the year! Every day in the year, my dears. Each day we are alive, Some happy child is one nr two Or threw, or ftiur, w five.