Aunt Roberta’s Family

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 143, 16 May 1930, Page 10

Aunt Roberta’s Family

OUR MOTTO: “ CHARACTER AND PERSEVERANCE ”

AUNT ROBERTA’S' LETTER. Dearest Children, This morning residents on the shores of Sydney harbour awakened to find their world shrouded in a heavy mist. The harbour was a nothingness of grey vapour. All familiar land marks round the foreshores wore obliterated. Even the mighty structure of the bridge had vanished. Barbaric music—in comparison to which Chinese music would be melody, indeed—drifted in from where the harbour-sea had gleamed opalescent yesterday. The signals of the ferry boats resembled an unseen orchestra —half-human, half-devil—-playing upon various instruments behind the thick, grey curtain. The loud droning of the bass violin never faltered, while the “siren” shrieks of the violins rose and fell intermittently, punctuated by what sounded like discordant and harsh tunings. Between the blare of the trumpets and the clashing of the cymbals, the squeak of the piccolo reached the ear, together with the loud, hoarse gaspings of the trombone. Unknown and unearthly instruments gave forth ear-6plitting and soft hootings; staccato and long drawnout “Ha-IIa’s”; wild screechings; discordant “purrings, as if the strings had been torn from the heart of a wild beast of the jungle; fearful and awful roars of prehistoric monsters. Suddenly—sweetly, above all the grating and weird noises of that unhuman orchestra, came the tolling of a church bell — oh, jieaceful sound ! —and a few minutes later from the heavens floated down the “burr-r-r-r, burr-r-r-r” of an aeroplane. Silent, ghostlike figures waited on shadowy wharves for ferry boats to emerge silently from their grey shroud and bear them away into a land of nothingness as the sinister “ferryman” is said to have carried his cold, dumb passengers across the River Styx. Your loving, QjuujJZ' {^&ktxb<2) 5s SPECIAL PRIZE. To: OYA and DULCIE INGLEY, who have gained 30 points bv highly commended and commended marks. ENROLMENT COUPON. Cut out this coupon fill it in, and post to "Aunt Roberta.” care "Standard.” My Name is My Age if My Address is My Birthday is I read “Aunt Roberta’s Family” Page. Signature of Parent. Guardian or School Teacher Sent in by 1 CHATTERBOX. MOEIIA says" Don’t you think that the page contributions are gradually becoming smaller and smaller, while they should, by rights, be growing larger. I think it is a shame. lam sure that everyone could contribute at least orie every month. Although I have a good deal of homo work (two hours) I try to send one regularly. Congratulations to Billie Boy on “My Ambition.” "Aunt Roberta, you can ‘growl at me for not writing, but don’t suppose that I don’t read our Page. Every Friday I rush out as soon as I hear the boy’s whistle, and climb our walnut tree, and sit and read our page all by myself, without my sisters crowding round, demanding to see Aunt Roberta’s Page. They are not members but they both take a ken interest in it. Please congratulate Ronnie Dalefield for me on getting his 30 points. I think Anna Lee and Allen-a-DaJe are clever at their work.” These are the remarks of Kenepuru. OYA writes: —"I agree with the other members who say that at least a few minutes can be spent on entries. Such a lot of old nieces and nephews who were writing when I started sending in entries have left. The page misses Eula Arthur’s wonderful work. I have still her beautiful poem, ‘lndian Lake,’ at home. Please congratulate Allen-a-Dale on his wonderful description of autumn. He must have a great love for nature, and also he possesses tho power to express what he sees and feels. The Cub seems to he a promising young nephew.” CLEMATIS 6ays: “After a long silence I must try and write once again to you. It ha 3 not been through lack of interest that I have not written, but my life is so busy- that I have not found the time to do so.” “I am glad Allon-a-Dale cannot say I forget to enter for the competitions,” says little HAZEL COLLINS. OUR MAIL BAG. LAURENCE BUNN : I am so sorry to hear about tho broken fingers, and hope you will soon he able to use your hand again. It is wonderful news that, you and your brothers are going to send in entries to the competitions regularly once more. The good wishes are much appreciated. Lots of love to all—and much sympathy for yourself. MOERA: “A Cradle Song” is very beautiful, my dear. KENEPURU: Congratulations on getting the bronze medallion for life saying. There aro things about Australia I like, and things about New Zealand I like. You must indeed be like a fish in the water. Tho description of the Birch Path is very good. Love and best wishes. LEO BURR : I did got a nice surprise when I received your letter. I think 17 baby pigs is an awful lot. Evidently you are clever at making things. Roma is a very good name for the kitten. Lots of love.

CHRISTMAS LILY: Very glad to hear from you —and the kisses were lovely. VERA BUTT: So pleased you have at last written, my dear. Every rose has its thorn, and it’s unfortunate that Australia’s lovely beaches have heir sharks. Thanks for the nice kisses. OYA : I hope it will bo your “up” day when the examinations arrive! Somehow I think it will. I wish you success in the essay competition. I suppose one cannot be clever at every subject, I shall be sending you a copy of an Australian monthly journal that is sure to interest you. Love and best wishes. CLEMATIS : Thanks for the nice long letter. I can see that your life is a very busy, interesting one. The verse for the literary corner is very appealing, I think. Love and best wishes. DICK DRUMMOND: Many happy returns of your birthday. You are growing up! Lots of love. MERVYN DALEFIELD: In Sydney we see at least one aeroplane every day. There is a mail service, you know. Best love, little nephew Mervyn. HAZEL COLLINS: I just loved your little letter —and it was so nicely written, too. ROLL CALL: Gwen Amies. LITERARY CORNER. Favourite verses, short descriptive passages out of well-known books, and opinions of various writers will be published in this corner each week. Wherever possible author’s name should be given. Still more contributions are required. From ALLEN-A-DALE : “I came across

a lovely little song the other day, that I’d missed out entirely before.” Gao bring my guid auld harp anco mair, Ga« bring it free and fast, For I maun sing anither sang Ere a’ my glee be past. And trow ye as I sing, my lads, The burden o’t shall be, Auld Scotland’s howe6, and Scotland's knowes, And Scotland’s hills for me. I’ll drink a cup to Scotland yet Wi’ a’ the honours three. Aunt Roberta likes this little verse, and no doubt the “littlest ones” will appreciate il, also: DISILLUSION. In a comer of our garden There’s a funny little door; And I used to guess about it, But I needn’t any more 1 I used to think it led into A strange mysterious land; And its padlock kept the ogres, Or a pirate’s wicked band. But last week I saw it open. Where it led was very plain, It simply opened outward on Our own back lane! THINGS TO MAKE. Marks will be awarded for suitable things to make —recipes, toys, fancy articles, etc. (More contributions are needed). (TOPPING—2 marks). COFFEE CREAMS. 2j cupfuls sugar, j cup strong coffee. Boil together four minutes. Cool, beating all the time. Roll paste into balls and harden. CINNAMON DROPS. Mix 1 07.. powdered cinnamon with lib. sugar and £ pint water. Boil till syrup hardens in cold water. Drop evenly on buttered dish or paper. TOPPING TOFFEE. lib. brown sugar, lib. treacle or syrup, jib. butter, a little more than 2 tablespoons vinegar, a few almonds. Boil all ingredients over brisk fire for 20 minutes, stirring all tho time. Pour on to greased tin. GAMES. Marks will he awarded for suitable indoor or outdoor games. SMILES. (1 mark—KENEPURU.) If you have some friends to tea and you are 100 tired to run round, sit down and one of the girls or boys passes his hand over his face and grins. He then passes his hand back and seems to throw his smile ,at someone who immediately smiles and throws his at somoone else No one must laugh except the one who is supposed to. If anyone smiles he is out. 11th COMPETITIONS. CLOSING DATE-SATURDAY, 31st 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, age and address of the competitor. Each entry and envelope must be marked “11th Competitions.” Address: “Aunt Roberta,” care “Manawatu Evening Standard,” Palmerston North. MY COUNTRY. State what country (it may be New Zealand, of course) you would like to live in and WHY. Senior Division (12 years up to 19 years). —Prize 2s 6d. Junior Division (Under 12 years).—Prize 2s. HIDDEN OOUNTRIES. 1. Jackie saw his pa in the motor bus. 2. Please, Mrs Jones, can Ada come and Play? 3. I agree Cecil shall be first as he’s the youngest. SQUARE WORD PUZZLE. Each word has four letters, and must read the same across and down. 1. Copied. 2. Animal like a tiger, 3 Big Birds. 4. A stroke. Senior and Junior Division for both tho above puzzles and a prize each of 2s. (Both have been supplied by Betty Hampson, who gets 2 marks. Betty, of course, will not be eligible to complete). RESULTS OF EIGHTH COMPETITIONS. (Note. —The prize money, together with tho prize money for tho 9th Competitions, will ho posted from Wellington about tho 6th Juno.) NATURE NOTES. The response was very fair, and I only hope that thero will be a steady incroase in the entries to the competitions from now onwards. SENIOR DIVISION. Prize 23 6d and 3 marks: ANNA LEE. Highly Commended : Allen-a-Dale, Bertha Zurcher, Iseult, Rosalie. INTERMEDIATED I DIVISION. Prize 2s 6d and 3 marks: VIOLET ZURCHER.

Highly Commended: Oya, Topping, Twinnent, Norma McLean, Mcrlo Collier, Brunette, Millie Procter. JUNIOR DIVISION. Prize 2s 6d and 3 marks: HAZEL COLLINS (7 years). Highly Commended: Lightning, Mervyn and Ronnio Daleficld, The Cub. Commended: Silver Queen. HIDDEN CHRISTIAN NAMES. The Christian names are: Ada, William, George, Amelie (or Ena), Susan (or Leo), Esther, Grace, Ethel, Edith, Madeline (or Adeline), Emma, Edwin. Although this was a very easy competition there were quite a number of incorrect entries. For instance, "Sail’’ and “Rob” are abbreviations, and cannot be accepted as Christian names. SENIOR AND INTERMEDIATE DIVISIONS. Prize 2s and 1 mark: DREAM GIRL. Commended: Anna Christensen, Kiwi, Joyce Ingley, Dulcio Ingley, Fuzz Buzz, Windflower, Betty Ilampson, Dorothy Pascoe, Allen-a-Dale, Twinnent, Rosalie, Maisie Pratt, Iseult, Christmas Lily, Topping, Anna Lee, Oya. JUNIOR DIVISION. Prize 2s and 1 mark: BETTY CHRISTENSEN. Commended: Cccile Bagnall, Baby Peggy, Trevor Ingley, The Cub, Dick Drummond, Bo Peep, Mervyn and Ronnie Daleficld. NATURE NOTES. SENIOR DIVISION. PRIZE ENTRY. “CHICKENS.” About three weeks before Mum had ordered some chickens, and on this par-

ticular day she had gone to town, and I to tho station to catch the train on which I go to school. About five minutes beforo the train was due a boy came up to me and said he had taken chickens to our place, and no one was at homo, and would I take them. Well, what else could I do? So off I ran as fast as I could with them, and, opening the kitchen door, I unfastened the box and let them loose. Back again I ran, and just caught tho train. You can imagine Mum's surprise, when sho came home, to hear “Chirp 1 Chirp! Chirp!” She couldn t think where the noise came from. On going insido she received another shock, for what did she see but a dozen littlo halls of fluff running hither and thither all over tho floor, and not caring what mess they left behind them. What a job sho hod for the next half an hour or so in catching the imps and getting them a nice warm bed ! As 600 n as they were settled the noise began to cease, and soon all the littlo newcomers were fast asleep. Each would close its little eye and bend its littlo head, and dream, perhaps of nice meal and “minced hard-boiled eggs.” For the next week or so wo had groat fun in our kitchen. Every morning before anyone was up wo would hear, “Chirp! Chirp! Chirp !” which meant. “Get up, you lazy people. We are hungry, and want something to eat. Get up!” And one of us would have to get up and give the chickens some “caties” and clean water. Then at night they would get in a corner, and nod their heads. Soon Mum would get a hot-water bottle and put them to bed, and then wo would have peace. As they grew older we would let them out in the yard for a run. They would spread out their tiny wings. One would find a worm and the rest would chase tho lucky one round and round the place. On the days tljey couldn’t go outside we would tie a piece of sour thistle to the netting, and they would jump up and peck off little bits. We had lots and lots of fun with our chicks, and now only the pullets remain to lay us nice white eggs. -ANNA LEE (16 years). HIGHLY COMMENDED. "WUFF.” Wuff, if lie had been born a dog, would have made a magnificent retriever. Although a mere cat, he did his best. I’igeon-shooting was the great sport of Willowdale, and the enthusiasts used to train on sparrows. At the first shot Wuff would come hurtling over the paddocks, and, trotting to heel, his great green eyes alight like lamps, would follow the guns without a shadow of fear. The first sparrow he would carry with him; the second he would collect and bring also too; but the third would prove too much. He would pick it up and drop the others ; pick those up and drop the first one; pick that up and drop another. At last, feverish with anxiety in case ho were missing more, he would wedge two into his mouth, gallop up to the house, leave them under the dining-room table or one of the beds, and come racing back for more. For days afterwards the house would be afloat with feathers, and much-defunct sparrows would 1» fished out from behind and under and among furniture; when they were presented to Wuff he took them out and worried them all over the lawn, and then brought them back and left them somewhere else. He was an attractive cat. —ALLEN-A-DALE (17 years). HIGHLY COMMENDED. “FAIR EXCHANGE IS NO ROBBERY.” Some years ago we had a pet cat which was a great companion to mother. Her name wae Speckles. She had some very fine kittens, and, motherlike, she was very proud of them and took great care of them. She was never more pleased than when mother came to admire them in their home under the tank stand. One day mother saw Speckles come home with a quail in her mouth. This she carried round to her kittens. Mother followed her, and, taking the quail away from Speckles, called her into the pantry where she was given some meut for her kittens in exchange for the quail. After that, every time Speckles caught a quail, which was often twice a day, she would bring, it to mother instead of taking it to tho kittens. If mother was not in the kitchen Speckles would put the quail under the table and then go and search for mother. In her own way she would tell her that she had brought another quail, and that she was ready for tho meat for her family. This continued until Speckles could find no more quail, and all the time sho never gave one to tho kittens, knowing full well that mother would ali ways repay her. -CLEMATIS (17 years). INTERMEDIATE DIVISION. PRIZE ENTRY. “AN INTELLIGENT DOG.” Wo had a dog in Taranaki who showed his intelligence in many different ways. His name was Toby. We had a hilly farm and he used to help mother every morning to get the calves home to feed them, when the skim milk came from the factory. One morning when mother could hear the milk cart returning, 6he called to Toby, but ho was nowhere about, so mother went to get tho calves by herself. She was- greatly surprised when she reached the top of the hill to 6oe Toby walking behind tho calves, bringing them to the feedingplace, so quietly, too. He must have heard the milk-cart, and knew it was time to get them. Every morning after that he would get them along in time for feeding. Toby also used every afternoon to get tho cows home for milking, often from tho back paddock of two hundred acres. Mother left the house at a stated time to get tho cows, and if she was a few minutes late 6he would hear Toby come into the back porch, where he would act as if he were greatly worried, and do everything ho could to make mother come out, so that he could remind her it was time to get tho co'-s. Then when he saw that mother unde: 4 iod, he would bound off, looking back V w and again, to be sure that sne was loilowing, and then by the time mother got there he would have gathered tho cows together. One day dad was working at the back of the farm, and as the day turned hot he wanted his straw hat, so he thought Toby might tako a message, and getting a piece of tin he wrote on it with a stapel : “Send hat back.” He tied this to Toby's collar, and told him to go homo with it. Mother was busy jn tho kitchen when Toby arrived at the back door, which he would not leave. The thought camo to mother—“ Why is tho dog home?" He seemed restless. She patted him, and then she noticed the message. So when the lunch was sent back the hat went hack also. In many other ways Toby showed his great intelligence. VIOLET ZURCHER (13 years). HIGHLY COMMENDED. “TEDDY.” When I was about 8 years old I had a beautiful little cat named Teddy. People said his fur was ginger, hut I always called it golden. Ho was indeed beautiful. His eyes had not lost their “kitten-blue," and no cat was more soft and furry, and he was very clever. He would follow mi? round everywhere, and when I went off to school, three miles distant, ho would mew at the gate till I was out of sight. Each evening he would meet me at a certain spot—about three-quarters of a mile from our home. If he were too early he would

lie in the sun until I came along, and when ho was late (ho was very seldom late) he would run up to me and mew his apologies. I would pat him and he would walk home by my side. One day, however, he did not come. I was very disappointed, and called his name repeatedly in caso ho wa6 hiding in tho grass. But no Teddy appeared, and I went home alone. To my dismay 1 found that mother had not seen him all day. A search of the orchard and all Teddy’s favourito nooks proved fruitless—or rather Tcddyless. Days passed. Weeks jrassed—and no Teddy came to meet mo. The week turned to months, and I had to admit that I was afraid I would never see Teddy again. I often wonder what became of him, for we never saw him from that fateful day. TOPPING (13 years). HIGHLY COMMENDED. "OUR MAGPIES.” My brother was very anxious to get a magpie, which he thought would learn to sing, lie went to our paddock and climbed a tall tree, where he had watched tho youngsters since they were small, helpless babies. They were fairly big by that time, and would soon leave the motherbird and seek another home. My brother was just in the act of taking a bird when the mother came back unexpectedly, and pecked the boy on tho neck. This gave Bob a surprise, indeed, and he did not waste another moment there, but quickly climbed down from the tree. Tho next day ho was successful in getting two magpies—female and male. The male had brown feathers on the neck, while the other had white. One day when I was watching them six larger magpies flew down and joined in the feast of crumbs. Our pets looked very dirty against these birds. The birds soon flew away and disappeared from sight. The next day we discovered that the male bird had disappeared; perhaps it went with the others, but no one know. —NORMA McLEAN, 12 years). j unior~d7vision. PRIZE ENTRY. “THE KIND SHEEP.” ‘ I saw this happen on a sheep station in Hawke’s Bay. It was springtime and there were hundreds of lambs about. One day when I was playing I saw a 6hecp with three lambs at her side. Two of them were cuddled close up to her, but the third stood bleating pitifully by. The old sheep nosed it, as if she didn't know what to do with it. In the distunce I could hear a sheep calling "Baa-Baa” to her lost lamb, and the little lamb heard it, too. It answered with a tiny “B-a-a.” Tho old sheep stood up, and, giving the lamb a push, tried to send it in the diretcion of tho “Baa-Baa.” The lost lamb would not go alone, so that kind sheep left her own lambs asleep on the ground and took the strange lamb around the hill, where I could hear the sheep calling. I followed, and there I saw the lost lamb run up to its mother, and how happy they were! The kind old sheep ran back as quickly as she could to her own babies, and when I got back they were still asleep, and she was cropping the grass close by. -HAZEL COLLINS (7 years). HIGHLY COMMENDED. “OUR OLD RED HEN.” Once wo had an old red hen who was tho greediest thing it was possible to see.

She was selfish, too, and would not lot the other fowls eat their food even if she was satisfied. She would run among the young pullets, pecking at them, and scattering their corn in all directions. Then on to another group of fowls she would go, worrying und frightening all- a-veu the old rooster was afraid of her. Une day the red hen became broody, and ill due time she hatched out ONE chick. How proud she was, as she walked round the fowlyard, calling to the chick to follow her 1 And how changed was the o.d red hen 1 She still drove the other fowls from their food, but instead of eating it herselt she stood guard while the chicken ate, ate and ate. Every dainty morsel that the old hen found was given to the cluck, and it was a common sight to sec the niotnerbird keeping back half a dozen hens while her baby helped himself to their breakfast. _ . —LIGHTNING (10 years). HIGHLY COMMENDED. “RATS.” Rats are queer, funny animals. A long time ago we found a hen’s nest under a blackberry bush. The rats found it, too, and they used to eat the nest egg. One day a big black fellow was seen sitting under the thorny branches, eating an egg which he had just broken. A china egg was then left in the nest, and next day we heard a knocking in the blackberries. We looked in, and we saw a big rat pushing the china nest egg against .a brick. llow puzzled he was when lie tried again and again, and could not break the egg. We watched him a little while, and then frightened him away. No doubt he went borne, and told Mrs Rat and all the baby rats about the queer egg that ho couldn t break. —RONNIE DALEFIELD (8 years). CRISPIES. • Mother: “Have you anything in your mouth ?” Jimmy: “Yes, mother.” Mother : “Well, take it out at once 1” Jimmy: “Oh, but I can’t. It is my tongue 1” * * * * Bobby: “Father, what does etc., mean?” Father: “‘Etc.’ means ‘And so on’.” Bobby: “Then I wish mother would ‘etc.’ my trouser button.” Man *in Lift: “Fourth floor, please.” Liftman : “Here you are, son.” Man in lift: “How dare you call me ‘son’ 1 You’re not my father.” Liftman: Well, I brought you up, didn't I?” * * * » Father: “I heard that instead of going to school this morning you played football.” Son : “It isn’t true; I've got a string of fish to prove it.” Sent by Kenepuru. When is a rock not a rock ? \Vhen it’s a shamrock. Why is coal a most contradictory thing? Because when bought it not only goes to the buyer but the cellar. * * * * Why is a good actor like a good architect? Because they both draw good houses. * * * * A man named Berry had his bill sent in too soon, and this is what it said : “Here’6 your bill—Berry, before it is due — Berry, und don’t look so black—Berry, for 1 don’t care a straw—Berry, so don’t be a goose—Berry.” —Sent by Betty ITampson. Fussy Customer; “Is that English mutton?” London Butcher: “Well, as a matter of fact, madam, the sheep was born in New Zealand, but it is of English parents. * * * * A negro boxer was to fight a heavyweight champion.. When he reached the ring, it was noticed he hung back. “It's all right, Sambo,” said his second. Just you say to yourself, “I am going to beat him. and you will win.” “That’s no good, boss,” replied Sambo. “I know what a liar I am.”

„ , , - “Now, John, if you wcr « faci^g > °vves*^ C ''’'H the north be on your ri^ lt 1 (after for a few New 13oy • t ( | on ’t know. moments) : 1 * c . afi • ’ strict last woek. We only moved into this aisupw , Teacher: "What is your father’s occulie’s a worm imitator.” Billy ' : er “He makes holes in furniture for an antique dealer.” # ♦ Teacher- “How could a single person make so many mistakes in h.s i.ome- " Teddy: “Please, miss, but daddy s married.” . * * Nurse: “Bobby, wliat would your father say if be saw you d broken that o ;^“He’d'say trees arc not so well mado now as they were before the war. * * A negro was a regular visitor to the local library, where it was noticed ho always took the some hook,, opened it eagerly, and then burst into hearty curiosity being aroused he looked over the visitor’s shoulder and noticed the picture of a small boy being chased by a bull. . , , The attendant was about to ask "hat there was to laugh at, when the negro chuckled, “Golly! ’E ain’t caught him yet.” Bo kind and gentle to the tiger, \nd do not cause him pain: For. if you do, I’ll tell you true, We’ll search for you in vain.