Aunt Roberta’s Family

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 120, 17 April 1930, Page 9

Aunt Roberta’s Family

AUNT ROBERTA’S LETTER. My Dear Children, — Billy ia eight years old and his father. is a rather stern doctor. This smal} boy h'ad a positive passion for locusts; they w.ore all over the house. It certainly must be disconcerting to skid from locust to locust on tho way to one’s bath! They are so squashy. One day dad could bear it no longer, and he ordered every locust to bo gathered up and removed from tho house. Billy’s love for locusts was only equalled by his father’s passion for his peach tree, just coming on nicely. The day after Billy had been told he must, get rid of the locusts ho announced to his father at breakfast time that ho had moved 47 locusts. His father said kindly: “Where did you put them, eon?” “I put every one on your poach tree, dad. I thought they’d bo so happy there I” _ Billy is still sore in places from tho sound whipping he received. Although it is much cooler in Sydney now, the bathing pool on the shores of the harbour not far away from where I live still attracts a good few bathers. A constant visitor, and one who might be described as the idol of the swimming pool, is Marie Ann—a fat, sturdy, healthy baby girl, of 1 year and 7 months. Her mother holds her up in the water, and she moves her podgy arms and legs in the same manner as if she wore swimming. Sometimes she chuckles loudly and sometimes she bursts into song. She doesn’t mind if she swallows the salt water —just gives an ecstatic gurglo and swims more vigorously than before. All eyes fasten on Marie whon 6he visits tho swimming ppol, and I’m sure each one of us is envious that she isn’t our little idol.

GAFES. (Marks will be awarded for suitable indoor or outdoor games.) FLOATING TOYS. Before you can make these little toys you should cut out some protty figures of animals or birds from old Christmas cards or cigarette pictures, and paste them on to thin cardboard. Now you will need a few old bottle corks, and make a small slit in ono end of each of these. Fix the little figures into the corks, and into the other ends of the corks push a small nail. You see, these balance the figures so that that will float properly. Thoy look so pretty sailing along on a bath of water. You will find it is great fun having races with them. 9TH COMPETITIONS. CLOSING DATE—SATURDAY 3rd MAY, 1930. (Competitors are asked to send in their entries PROMPTLY in order to avoid disappointment.) EACH ENTRY must be on a SEPARATE SHEET of paper, bearing the name, ago and address of the competitor. EACH ENTRY and envelope must be marked “9th Competitions.” Address: “AUNT ROBERTA,” C/o “Manawatu Evening Standard,” Palmerston North. Senior Division.—ls years and up to 19 years. Intermediate Division. —12, 13 and 14 years. Junior Division. —Under 12 years. PROUD MOMENTS. Perhaps the proudest moment of your life was whon you first held a party, or wore your first ovening frock, or won your first swimming race, or-; — , , . Senior, Intermediate and Junior Divisions—a prize each of 2s 6d. WORD REVERSALS. Reverse the word that fits each sentenco and find the other word that is indicated. For instanco, reverse a great English school and find a short letter. The answer is Eton —note. None of the words asked for below contains more than four letters:—(l) Reverse the bottom of a boat and find a vegetable. (2) An electric conveyance and find a trading place. (3) To give forth and find the passing of tho hours. (4) To spoil and find a male- sheep. (5) To fasten a ship and find part of a house. (6) An implement for .catching fish and find a numeral. . . . l! . Senior and Intermediate Division.—Prize 2s - . ;. „ . „ Junior Division. —Prize 2s. RESULTS OF 6TH COMPETITIONS. (Note. —The prize money will be posted from Wellington, with the prize money for the 7th Competitions, about the Bth May.) MY AMBITION. This easy and interesting competition failed to bring forth the response anticipated. I am beginning to think that my children have grown very lazy. Naturally, this makes mo sorrowful. Laziness can become a vice. There are hundreds of names on my roll, and it is very disappointing when week-after-week widespread interest is sadly lacking. It Would appear that thero are only a few faithful nieces and nephews left. SENIOR DIVISION. The HALF-CROWN (4 marks) goes to ALLEN-A-DALE for a little gem of thought. HIGHLY COMMENDED: Anna Lee; Rosalie. INTERMEDIATE DIVISION. BILLY BOY annexes the half-crown (4 marks). This member’s ideas are most teresting and fairly well expressed. HIGHLY COMMENDED: Oya, Brown Eyes, Iris Montgomery, Betty Hampson, Fuzz Buzz. JUNIOR DIVISION. . . The juniors are to be heartily congratulated on their excellent papers. SNOOKUMS is awarded tho HALFCROWN (4 marks). . HIGHLY COMMENDED: Lightning, Mervyn and Ronnio Dalefield, Hazel Collins, 80-Peep, The Cub. MONKEY PICTURES. There were only four entries, which is a disgraceful state of affairs. Drawing and sketching competitions will bo cut out entirely in future. . INTERMEDIATE DIVISION: Prize 3s (3 marks): BEN GUNN. JUNIOR DIVISION: Prize 2s (3 marks), 80-PEEP. , . „ _ , COMMENDED: Lightning, The Cub. MY AMBITION. SENIOR DIVISION. PRIZE ENTRY. TO UNDERSTAND. I think my ambition is to understand. Things, that is. People, I decided long ago, aro beyond comprehension. Sometimes you can understand, just - for a little while—tho bush, or the morning mist on tho hills, or crickets in the dry grass, or a. flood of manuka blossom, will show you how. You look up at the blue sky, and think of the world swinging through it, forover and forever; or you look down at still water, and think of the black, soundless infinity of night. You feel with the world. You know why the gumleaves are tossing like that against the sky, and just how the wind is smoothing down tho brown grass oil the hillsides; you -watch a far horse with lazy-swishing tail grazing down a paddock, and the scent of clover and swoct grass comes to your nostrils, and the sleepy hum of tho afternoon closes about you, till you almost Beem to be the spirit of tho horse itself. You hear the wind snoring through the pines, and think how it is driving the shallow ripple 3 against the bank of the creek, and bending the rank grass over the sides. And then, suddenly, your mind seems to tread on a step that isn’t there, and you fall out of perspective with a jolt. A ihoment ago you would nvor have dreamed of disturbing that plump and peaceful horse; now you stretch, and yawn, and stroll off and catch it, indifferent to the reproach in its eyes, and go for a ride. I want to stay in perspective for ever. You see thero are tjmes when you need something that is always the same; when you feel restless and wander everywhere. If you wore always in tune with the world, you could always turn to the world, and the winds that follow it through space. . There would always be something beautiful. You would run with the white road, and sway with the grass, and tower gloriously with tho dark pine, and crash gloriously with falling water; you would open wide eyes with tho hill-bluebell, and nudge and whisper and chuckle with the wind in the wheat. • Sometimes you understand what a dog thinks. When his eyes dance at ypu; wlien he, begs; when he hunts; when he is working. But when he site with his head on one side, and looks at you with brown eyes that are very bright, and seems disappointed whether you pat him, or fpeak to him* or leave him «iea9j,.i

Yours affectionately, i , ENROLMENT coupon. Cut out this coupon fill it in, and post to “Aunt Roberta," care "Standard.” My Name ia My Age ia My Addresa ia My Birthday ia I read “Annt Roberta’s Family” Page. Signature of Parent, Guardian or School Teacher Sent in by 5s SPECIAL PRIZE. To: RONNIE DALEFIELD, who has gained 30 marks by highly commended and commended points. Z* . ROLL CALL: Edith Cranton. CHATTERBOX. Anna Lee says: “I wish to thank the two members who praised my humble attempts in the competitions.” Allen-a-Dale paints this word-picture: “I saw a sunset last night on the river, like red light thrown through gold; all the air seemed to bo alivo with it, and it caught clumps of willows on the bank, and streamed over the lupins, and made the distance like tho forest in a dream, when you wako up and it’s still there. It didn’t touch the river because the sun was behind the hills, and the water was blue-grey and cold, with here and • there the light catching a snag or sandbank. Havo you ever noticed how beautiful sunset light makee other people’s faces? -It seems to sink right down into their eyes and glow out again to meet tho sunset.” . OUR MAIL BAG. MERYYN DALEFIELD: I’m sure Tim, the kitten, would be delighted to eat your ice cream I The weather -is nice and cool, in Sydney now. Best love to Ronnie, Arnold and yourself. ANNA LEE: You must be working very hard at lessons if you feel so tired in the evening. Don’t overdo it, my dear. I send you lots and lots of love. Many thanks for the lovely kisses. ' ■ IRIS MONTGOMERY: The reason is not a very good one, Irie, as your name seldom appears in the page. However, my answer is “yes,” but! after this I shall keep strictly to my rule. Yes, I have a big family—but I regret to say that very few appear to be interested in “Aunt Roberta’s Family.” I’m sure it is years since Annette Bristow wroto to me, and she is not the only one. Best wishes. LITERARY CORNER. (More contributions are needed.) Favourite versos, short descriptive passages out of well-known books, and opinions of various writers will he published in this corner each week. Wherever possible author’s name should be supplied. WINDFLOWER says: “Is not this wonderful? I think it is like a rainbow of soundß, each one a tiny fragment of colour, making a perfect fairy bow.” THE ISLE. There was a little lawny islet By anemone and violet Like mosaic paven: And its roof was flowers and leaves Which the summer’s breath enweaves, Where nor sun, nor showers, nor breeze Pierce the pines and tallest trees, Each a gem engraven. Girt by many an azure wave With which the clouds and mountains pave A lake’s blue chasm. —P. B. Shelley. THINGS TO MAKE. (Marks will be awarded for suitable things to make—recipes, toys, fancy articles, otc.) (More contributions are required.) TREACLE CANDY.' (BETTY CHRISTENSEN-1 mark.) Half a pint of treacle, just over a quarter of a pound of brown sugar, one ounce of butter, half a tablcspoontul of vinegar, and half a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda. Place the treacle, sugar, butter and vinegar in' a large stewpan, boil until a few drops will harden at once when placed in cold water; then stir in the bicarbonate of soda, which has been first dissolved in a little hot water. i Then pour the mixture into a buttered tin, turning tho edges in while it is cool, and then as soon as the wholo of it can bo handled pull it until it is white, drawing it into sticks, and cut into short lengths. GINGER WALNUT CAKE. (WINDFLOWER— 1 mark.) 1£ breakfast cuj> of flour, £ .cup sugar, i cup butter or dripping, 2 eggs, 1£ teacup of golden syrup, }lb walnuts, 1 dessertspoon ground ginger, teaspoon cinnamon, a good teaspoon of baking powder. Milk if nede. Mix in usual way. Bake about 1 Lou*

OUR MOTTO CHARACTER AND PERSEVERANCE ”

would give a great deal to know what ho is thinking then. It is so very hard to express, this ambition of mine; in reality, a something that belongs to tho blue sky and the clear air and the green earth, and yet is neither one nor other of them; in words, a flood of disconnected thoughts, roving aimlessly and turning in futile circles. Shall we leave it, then, as the bright light in a dog’s eyes that I would understand. —ALLEN-A-DALE. HIGHLY COMMENDED. A TRAVELLING SECRETARY. In my* childhood days the greatest desire pf my life was to be tho owner of a "dainty little sweets business. Often and often I imagined in my day dreams a cream and blue shop with a prettily arrayed window, and inside a low counter decorated with all kinds of -tempting lollies. On and on I visualised, hoping for the day to come whon my ideal would bo realised. i But I was growing oldor and my ideas were changing. For several years my mind wavered around several ambitions, until the timo came when I, really began to look on life from a different view. Then gradually my latent ideal came into prominence. As a few years passed, my ambition burned stronger and stronger into my heart, until now it is well stamped in. And this is what it is—to be a travelling secretary to some lady touring the world. You may ask why it is my ambition to do that rather than any other thing. Well, I suppose it .is because I am interested in that kind of work, and it has always been my desire to travel. I would love to visit nearly every place in the world. Not all —no, some places hold no attractions whatever for me. But then the others. Just imagine taking breakfast in tho 6unny atmosphere and among the .beautiful scenery of France, or, on tho other hand, climbing snow-clad mountains and ranges such as Mt. Everest. Then, after all our sightseeing, to come home to our hotel and write about what wo have seen. Also what a tremendous amount of pleasure the seeing of new people with new ways and new ideas would give. I don’t think my ambition will ever fade away as my childhood’s desire did, will be to become a travelling secretary, and if it docs not, then my greatest wish -ANNA LEE. INTERMEDIATE DIVISION. PRIZE ENTRY. TO BE A~WRITER. Every one, great and small, has an ambition. Generally ono aims for a higher position in his occupation. The dream of the schoolboy is ambition my be to strive to produce an to conic top of his class. The farmer’s exceptional harvest, and that of tho business man, perhaps, to be the first to work out his balance-sheet for the season. I think my ambition is too wildly impossible ever to be realised, but still it is an ambition. Just to write the tiniest fraction like Byron or Keats is my dream, and I think most of “Aunt Roberta’s Family” by their efforts aro suffering from tho same ambition. These heroes, in my mind, were gifted with the power of expressing their ambitions either in majestic prose or lilting verse, but I, of a lees powerful mind, must just bo content with the power I am allowed. It would be my ono sincoro dream come truo just to have one fraction of the originality of these wondorful poets, but, as yet, this is just a castle in the air, too good to come true. As “the child is father of the man.” I think that some of my fellow members, if they keep up their Shakespearean works, may one clay rise among the claa Of those eminent people who have, laid their literature in our pathway as a key to education and success. Yes,.they havo paved a path for tho living, and their writings have stood as a leaning post for the generations which have, like a campfire, flickered and gone, and still will lie as a stepping stone for the “Yet-to-be’s.” What state would the world be in hod it not these worthy books to refer to. Yes, this is my ambition, and I think the definition of an ambition is “Higher, higher will we climb up the Mount of Glory 1” If ever it comes truo, I will stop up the Rungs of the Golden Ladder of Fame and take my place beside Robert Bridges and others. If ever this ambition is surpassed, it will be by only one other ambition—the gallant and noble ono of so many strong young men in 1914, whose dream it was to lay down their promising lives in defence of their nation and their king, and amongst who, in their success, 'so many fell, to leavp their places on earth for the land of infinite peace whore dreams always come true. -BILLIE BOY. HIGHLY COMMENDED. A FILM STAR. My ambition is to be a film star. I have reasons for this wish which I will stato later, and I havo also a reason which makes the situation rather doubtful. Why I am attracted by the movies I cannot exactly explain, but I am able to give a number of suitable reasons. Of coureo there aro unhappy moments for film stars, but if a girl really wishes to be a success these troubles are but little. My reasons are: — A film star has a proud moment in her life, and that moment is when she first appears before the public on the silver screen. Her first attempt! This thrill brings her eagerly forward. She will wish to make more pictures, and she, therefore, strives harder. As I am a lover of dancing and singing, those two subjeots make tho movie life even more in my line. Now tho talkies are here, the voice of the player can be heard, her laughter, her anger and even her sobs. Now tho talkies are here, tho hard parts aro made even harder, but, as I havo said before, these are nothing to a girt who has a real wish for success. The learning of parts takes up a considerable amount of time, and also tho practices, which are continued time and time again. The players becomo bored and the director becomes irritable; such things make tho player’s life a burden. But of all ’others the actress’s life appeals most to me. -BROWN EYES. HIGHLY COMMENDED. . 'A FAMOUS AUTHORESS. My one ambitidn is to become a famous authoress, whose works aro read and admired all through the world. I have always longod to be a good wrjter as there aro so many beautiful things in the world about which we can writo. It must be lovely to know that you could write stories that would cheer the ead, and also help to give knowledge to the world. So many ordinary things can be ’made beautiful by a few skilful words and sentences. If you ever wont anything such as you never expect to have, or if you adoro a special name or a certain kind of person, you satisfy that longing tremendously by introducing them into your stories. rOXA*

HIGH-LY COMMENDED. A SHORTHAND TYPISTE. It has boen my sole ambition for many years to become a shorthand typisto. I am always delighted to do shorthand and typewriting in school. This is the only position that has really appealed to mo, and, therefore, I am studying commercial work really hard. I truly believe this ambition of -mine to bo a very good one, and I sincerely hope it will prove successful in later years. FUZZ BUZZ. JUNIOR DIVISION. PRIZE ENTRY. SHIPS AND THE SEA. When I think of my ambition I always think of Horatio Nelson, for when I grow up I intend to be a great sailor. When I am old enough I am going to join the Navy and work hard to be. an Admiral. Much as I like living on a farm I have always had a groat love for sailors, the sea and battleships, so, therefore, my ambition is to be an Admiral on a big battleship—to help to defend my country, and i-f necessary to fight nnd die like Nelson did. Wouldn’t it bo grand to see in the history books in a fow hundred years’ time the photo of a monument inscribed: “Here lies Snookums who fought and diod for his country —a second Nelson and a one time member of Aunt Roberta’s Family.” —SNOOKUMS. HIGHLY COMMENDED. A SECOND COMMANDER BYRD. '. I havo had many ambitions. One was to learn to swim, another to gain a medal from Aunt Roberta. Just now, however, my ambition is to visit the South Polo. Can you wonder at it, when you remember all we have heard of that region just lately. Only yesterday our school “listened in” to Commander Byrd when ho spoke from the South Island. What wonderful adventures he had down there in tho frozen south. Equipped with ship, aeroplane, and a wonderful team of huskies, ho explored vast regions of icebound territory. I would like to seo this placo of eternal snow and ice, so whilo and still, and maybe I should discover new tracts of land for England. Although Commander Byrd was isolated from civilisation during his sojourn in tho Antarctic, he was able to keep in touch with tho world by tho wireless. I, too, shall havo a wireless set when I realise my ambition, and I shall tell what I am doing at the Pole, and hear news of the outside world. -LIGHTNING. HIGHLY COMMENDED. A HUNTER. I think I should like to go hunting tigers in India when I grow up. It would be grand to sit high up on an elephant, which would go trampling through the forest, breaking off branches of trees which came in its way. The elephant would know when a tiger was near, and would lift its trunk high in the air, and give a shrill cry. Then my men would got tho guns and spears ready. The tiger might spring on the elephant’s back, as they sometimes do, but I should fire quickly and kill it. How proud I’d be of my first tiger, with its beautiful black and yellow stripes—proud to have killed the fierce, cruel man-eater. I would have the skin made into a handsome rug, which could proudly be pointed out to my friends when they come to see me. “Tho tiger that I shot in India, you know,” I’d say. Yea, I think it would be a grand and exciting sport. I wonder shall I ever realise my ambition and go tiger hunting ? oh, bother I There’s father calling mo to run and hunt the little pigs out of the hay paddock and back to the sty. v MERVYN DALEFIELD. CRISPIES. Hubby: “What! Dinner isn’t ready again? Then I’m going to a restaurant.” Wife: “Oh, just wait about five minutes, sweetheart.” “Hubby: “And will it bo ready then?” Wife: “No; I’m coming with you!” * * * * She: “He’s so romantic. Whenever he speaks to me, he says, ‘Fair Lady.’” He: “Thorc’s nothing romantio about that. He used to be a train conductor!” * • * • A tramp asked the proprietor of a circus for a job. He was informed that ho could beoomo a lion-tamer. He was assured that it was easy, and that tho whole secret was in forcing the lions to believe that he wasn’t afraid of them. “No,” said the tramp, “I couldn’t be so deceitful.” • * * • A small boy was taking part in a local concert. Ho was only eight years of age, and recitod so well tnat ho was encored. When he arrived homo his mother asked him how ho had got on. "Why, I thought I’d dono all right,” replied tho boy, “but they made me do it all over again!” “Mother, shall I run out and post this letter ?” asked a little girl of six years. “No, child; certainly not. It’s pouring in torrents, and not fit for a dog to be out of doors. Your father will go.” * * * * Little Mary was spending the day at her aunt’s farm, and she had just seen a peacock for tho first time. She ran into the farm-house crying: “Como quick, auntieCome quick! One of your chickens is in bloom!” * * * * Whilo a man was digging a holo in the road, two strangers came along and watched him. “What aro you digging for, my good man ?” asked one. . “Money !” he replied. Tho crowd increased. “And when do you expect to find it?” “Friday.” * * * * Irate housewife: “Arent’ you the same man I gave a pieco of pudding to last week ?” Tramp (bitterly): “No, mum, I’m not; and wot’s more, the doctor says I never will be!” • • * • Doctor: “I’m sorry to inform you, sir, that your wife’s mind has quite gone!” Mr Hcnpeck, “I’m not surprised to hear it, doctor. She has been giving me a piece of it every day for 37 years!” \