Aunt Roberta’s Family

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 27, 2 January 1931, Page 4

Aunt Roberta’s Family

WHAT IS TO BE OUR MOTTO FOR 1931 1 AUNT ROBERTA’S LETTER. Dearest Children, — With the beginning of the now year, you will see that some changes have been made in the page. The competitions will bo once a month only, and there will not be any end-of-the-year prizes, nor >vul the roll bo "called” again. One or two new features are being introduced, and marks will be awarded to those who care to help by sending in suitable contributions. In future, when highly commended and commended marks in the competitions, and also marks earned for recipes, games, tricks, eip. total 25, a half-crown prize will be given. These marks will be carried on from last year. Many of you, no doubt, will be pleased to know that a serial will commence to run from 30th January. Did you know that tho Australian aborgines are classed as one of the lowest black races of the earth ? However, the following would indicate that there are exceptions : Helen was abandoned at her birth, seven months ago, and was found on a vacant allotment. There is no institution for foundlings in Darwin (which is in tho Northorn Territory of Australia) and the baby was taken to the hospital. Her future was becoming a problem when Mrs Kitty Kal Pon—“ Woolaginya Kitty”— offered to tuke her. When very young Kitty was orphaned in the Booromoola Golf country during one of the great tribal wars. She was found under a bush, and shletered by tho manager of Macarthur Station, and was later brought to Darwin. Kitty married a Malayan chief, who lost his royal heritage because of his marriage to an aborgine, and remained in Darwin as bo’sun in ono of the local trading fleets for many years. Ho died recently. and now two sons provide for Kitty in a well-kept cottage on the beach. She speaks excellent English, having taught herself to read and write by a study of the Bible with tho help of the white people who befriendod her many years ago. She is a strict Methodist, and touches a Sunday school class of 25 coloured children in a rough shed on the beach. Kitty has written two books. One, which has been taken to Melbourne for publication, has the title "The Red Lily.” “My people were of the mountain tribes, and they wandered, gathering the roots of the red lily in tho lagoons,” she explains. "The book is tho story of my life, and it brings, in old territory days and characters. Some day I hope to see my wild people again. We black Australians are not a low typo, but wo are too little understood.” Kitty proudly attends church with the baby Helen, beautifully dressed in clothes which she has embroidered. Her two sons and one boarder, a bearded old cattleman, make up the rest of her unique, happy household. Kitty is guide, philosopher and friend to the coloured neighbourhood. while Helen gets all tho love and mothering that l any baby girl could wish. A happy new year to all. Yours lovingly,

success. Christmas is a lovely time of the year. There is always such a thrill about u:—A.R. LITERARY CORNER. The following are favourite verses of OCEAN SPRAY:— PICTURES IN THE FIRE. ♦ Flames die down, and in the emberß, Strange and lovely things I see; Visions of the past and future Weave themselves in front of me. Live coals drop, and 10, a garden, Filled with flowere and trees of flame; I remember one who walked there, — lovingly I breathe her name. Ashes fall, the dream is fading. But I picture in its place Two old folk who sit together. With a smile on each lined face. Memories are ever precious, Visions comfort and inspire; So I spend my sweetest moments With my pictures in the fire. (Author unknown). RECIPES. LEMON CREAM. (Sent by OCEAN SPRAY, 1 mark). 1 pint water, loz. gelatine, juice of 3 lcmon3, rind of 2 lemons, 6ozs. castor sugar, 2 eggs. Stir the sugar into the water, and add the gelatine, lomon juice and rind, and bring to the boil. Siinmor for about ihour, take out the lemon peol and strain the rest throughout a cloth into a bowl. Leave it to cool, but tho whites of the eggs to a froth and stir into the lemon mixture and beat until it thickens. Pile on a glass dish and decorate with whipped cream.

one of my companions—and I was off once more, hand-over-hand, slipping and sliding, my mind fixed firmly on tho fact that I must get up first. Past tho dip I ecrombled, breathless with excitement, when, oh, horror of horrors, my foot, placed firmly on a treacherous clump, slipped 1 All my weight thus being suddenly put on my hands, I pulled out tho fern—uttered, a sharp cry and went falling and rolling down to the dip, over the edge, when, to my amazomont, my groping hands found something round and strong to clutch to. It was the wire. Like grim death I hung there, my arms almost being pulled from their sockets with my weight. Suddenly I hoard tho thud, thud of a hammer on wood, then a sick feeling came to me. My cousin was ovon now hammering tho last staple into tho wood, and any moment it might come hutrling along the wire. I dared not lot go, for below mo the cliff was almost perpendicular. Then I summoned all my strength, and gave a loud, frenzied cry: —“Don’t, oh, don’t let it go!” Thero was silence. “It’s I—Betty,” I cried in agony. “I’m on tho wire. Don’t let it go!” Whcthor my cousin understood my inco herent pleadings I do not know, but I heard the distinct sound of staples being withdrawn, and a second later my cousin appeared around tho bushes. “What the dickens . . .” he began in amazement, then startod to run down to tho bridge, intending to rescuo his poor helpless oousin. However tho twins, having taken stock of my plight, had climbed down and, placing themselves one on each 6ide of mo, begged mo t.o "drop,” as they would catch me. Rather gingerly I lot go tho wire and dropped. My arms were aching with the strain. True to their word, the twins hung on, and prevented me from tumbling more than a yard. That was a thrilling experience! TOPPING (14 years). HIGHLY COMMENDED. MY FIRST THRILLING MOMENT. It is a little over seven years ago now since I experienced my first tfiirilling moment. It was when my parents, brothers and I were motoring through tho Manawatu Gorge, Tho road then was covered with woooden planks in many places, owing to its bad condition. And, in some placos, tho road was so narrow that a car could scarcely pass along it. It was on ono of theso narrow places that we met another car travelling in the opposite direction. The meeting was so unexpected that tho drivers of both cars applied their brakes; but this was of no avail, so Dad pulled our car as near to the edgo of tho Gorge as possible, while tho other attempted to pass. Then came the most exhilarating moment. Our car swerved nearer towards tho Gorgo, and 1 though that we were lost, as did tho occupants of tho other car. But, as good fortune seemed our way, tho car righted itself, and we continued our journey as if nothing had happened. ECHO (14 years).

SPANISH SQUARES. (Sent by BABY PEGGY—I mark). tlb. icing sugar 2ozs. shrodod cocoanut, >ars plain sweet chocolate, i gill milk, a few drops of vanilla essence. Mix the icing to a paste, with half of milk. Now add the cocoanut and mix it well into the paste. Heat the romaindor q£ the milk. Grate the chocolate very linely, and pour tho hot milk over it. Stir until the chocolate is dissolved. Add tho vanilla essence. Now add your cocoanut paste. Mix well together. Turn on to well sugared baking board, and shape into squares. Bake in a moderate oven for ten minutes. When done cut into small squares.

SOMETHING TO MAKE. A DOLL’S CHEST OF DRAWERS. (Sent by TOPPING —1 mark). Gather six match boxes, then hoap these into two piles of three. Putting the two rows together cover sides, top and .bottom with brown paper, but not back and front. Sew a boot button to each of the six "drawers” for handles, and put a dainty cover on top, and your chest of drawers is complote.

•QuuJt fSyWfo*. ENROLMENT COUFON. Cut out this coupon, fill it in, and post to "Aunt Roberta,” care “Standard." My Nsme is My Age is My Address is My Birtnday is I read "Aunt Roberta’s Family” Page. Signature of Parent, Guardian or Sohool Teacher Sent in by

HIGHLY COMMENDED. THE NEW CALF. Early in August of this year, my father brought home a cow with a new calf. Tho calf was so small that ho decided not to keep it. I asked him if he would let mo rear it. At first he said "No.” I kept on worrying him to let mo rear it. After a time ho reluctantly said, “All right.” After I had had it a couple of weeks I decided it would bo tho one I would enter and compote with in the Girls and Boys Calf Club. I did not think it would have a chance, but I didn’t care. I was really caring for it because I loved it. Tho calves belonging to our school wore judged on the 28th Novembor. I trotted mine along ,and, oh, what a surprise! I came first in both classes —“Condition” and “Type.” You can imagine what a thrilling moment it was for mo when I was handed the two first cards and the red ribbon was put around my calf’s neck. TOM STRAWBRIDGE (12 years).

GAMES. MUSICAL ARMS. (Sent by MARIGOLD—I mark.) This is a splendid game for parties. Each* player stands a foot or more apart in a row. Every othor one crooks the right arm, and ovory othor ono tho loft arm. If thero are ten in tho row there should be eleven to walk round, so that when tho music stops there will not bo an arm for ono of thorn to grab. Before they start again one in the row and one of tho cloven sit down until at last thero is only ono in tho row and two walking round

RESULTS OF 25th COMPETITIONS. (Tho prizo money will be posted from Wellington about the first or second week in February.) A THRILLING MOMENT. One entry, describing a thrilling bathing incident, arrived without a name or address. SENIOR DIVISION: PRIZE 2s 6d and 3 marks: TOPPING. : HIGHLY COMMENDED: Oya, Tom Strawbridgo, Mooroa, Echo, Juliet. JUNIOR DIVISION: PRIZE 2s 6d and 3 marks: MERVYN DALEFIELD, whose entry is brightly and cloverly written. HIGHLY COMMENDED: Hazel Collins, Lightning, Marigold, Ronnie Dalefield, Tho Cub. A GIRL’S NAME. The answers supplied by ANNA LEE are:— (1) Jade: (2) Orange: (3) Salmon: (4) Emorald; (5) Pink or Primrose; (6) Henna: (7) Ivory: (8) Navy: (9) Emerald: The girl’s name —Josephine. SENIOR DIVISION: PRIZE 2s 6d and 1 mark: ANNIE DORSET. COMMENDED (also correot) : Duloie and Joyce Ingley, Arnold Dalefield, Mooroa, Fuzz Buzz, A. Collier, Oya. JUNIOR DIVISION: PRIZE 2s 6d and 1 mark: ADA DORSET. COMMENDED (also correct): Trevor Ingley, Ronnie and Mervyn Dalefield, The Cud, Lightning, Hazel Collins, Dick Drummond.

INTERESTING FACTS. Marks will be awarded for interesting facts about bird, beast, animal, thing, etc. HEARING THROUGH YOUR TEETH. It is very wonderful to think that we can hear through our teoth, isn’t it? It is quite true, and this is how to do it, Take a poncil which has a rubber on the end, and into this fix a needle, so that the eye is in the rubber and the point outwards. Put an old record on the gramophone and let it revolve without putting the gramophone needle on it. Now put the pencil between your teeth and let the needle rest lightly on the record and you will hoar tho record. I have found that if you block your ears you can hear more clearly. Nobody else can hear the record but yourself, and you will find, also, that if you let tho pencil rest on your lips you will not hear it, but as soon as your teeth come in contact with tho pencil, you will hear the tune. (Sent by Kenepuru 2 marks). DID YOU KNOW THIS? A camol lives 40 years; an elephant 100 years; an ox 25 years; a lion 40 years; a pelican 50 years ? CHATTERBOX. Interesting or “newsy” extracts from letters will be published in this corner. TOPPING Rongotea, 4 Dec.—Please congratulate OYA for me on her success in the “literary world.” . ; KENEPURU, Palmerston North, 4 Dec.—l make nearly all my Christmas presents. I have made Mum a bridge table cover, my little sister a dress, my grandmother a fancy tea tray cloth, and my other grandmother a cosy, as well as a few extras for different friends. Mum seems to like getting presents which we have worked ourselves. I had no idea the Family was so big. It is very nice that so many children take an interest in the page; you must be very proud to think that you have so many nephews and nieces. CHRISTMAS LILY, Kelvin Grove, 8 Dec. —I wish all my cousins a merry and a happy Christmas.

HIGHLY COMMENDED. ‘ THE MYSTERIOUS CALLER. During tho last September holidays my Auntie took mo with her to stay a week with my great grandmothor at Ashhurst. It was near the olose of the weok, and, having nothing to do, wo wero playing a game of euchre. I had just dealt the cards, when I hoard a tap on tho little window in the chimney. I said fo Auntie that thoro was someone there, and I turned round just in time to seo —a man’s hand raised to tap again. My Auntio called out and asked who was" there. No ono answered. At first I thojight it was the man down tho road, but when Auntie called again, and got no answft', I admit I was thoroughly scared. When wo made granny, who is a little deaf, understand there was someone at the door, she, quite self-possossod, wont to onon it. My 1 I was frightened, for she had boon tolling us how an intoxicated man had come to tho door one evening and tried to got in. Auntie made to follow her, and, although everybody had laughed at mo Binco for it, I admit I said, “Oh, grab tho poker!” Then I hid behind the door. i>. With a squeak the door opened, and my granny said, “Come in,” to the person outside. The person walked in, and little cousin Kenny, who had been standing wondering what was wring, said, “My daddy! My daddy 1” As I ventured to put a nose round tho door, I saw. to my astonishment, my Uncle George. You could have knocked mo over with a feather. My uncle had cycled from Palmerston North to Ashhurst to see us. Even when ho produced bananas and sweots I felt too sick to eat them, but I may add this was not for long. MOEROA (15 years).

THRILLING MOMENTS. SENIOR DIVISION. PRIZE ENTRY. WHEN I CLIMBED THE PAPA CLIFFS. One day, about two years ago, when I was staying with my aunt at Raetihi, I had a little adventure. My two chums, who wero twins, and I decided to go over the paddocks to some papa cliffs, and see who could climb them first. Full of excitement wo ran olf, and after many tumbles over bushes of manuka and ferns, we commenced to climb tho grey blue wall, which was studded boro and fTiere with clumps of ferns. Grasping these, wo eagerly drew ourselves up a little way, all the while panting with excitement and casting glances to each side to soe how our rivals ' wore faring. The bank had two hillocks at each end, and in the middle, about half-way up wus a hollow. To make it fairer wo ruled that no one was allowed to climb in the dip, ns it was not only much shorter but much easier. My place happened to be quite near the dip, and I noticed a wire going from up the other side of tho gully to tho fence on top of tho dip. I knew this wire was used by my cousin as a means of conveying large lengths of wood across tho steep and rough vaJley to the woodshed. Pausing on a ledge to rest, I wondered idly if he was using it to-day, but, on turning my head to look, I found that a thick hedge of bracken obstructed my view. Then, came a rousing word from

JUNIOR DIVISION. PRIZE ENTRY, CHASED BY~A BULL! I think tho most thrilling moment in my life was when I was chased by a bull 1 I had gone bird-nosting or mushroom gathering—l forget which —with one of my brothers. Wq entered what appeared to be an empty paddock, but it t had an occupant who must have been hidden among somo trees, Probably ho considered that tho field belonged to himself, and that the grass in it grew specially for his benefit! Anyway, lie showed us plainly that he resented our intrusion. We wore startled to hear a loud bellow, and. looking round, saw a big angry bull tossing his head and tearing up tho turf in his rage. Then he came after us. Remembering all the stories we’d heard about those amiable creatures, wo didn’t wait to argue with him about the rights of his claim to tho field 1 Running for the nearest fonce, wo scrambled through just a few seconds boforo the bull arrived thore. . • From our safe position we told him what we thought of his bad behaviour. He evidently didn’t understand us. for he seemed quite unrepontant. So we left him in possession of his field, and sought “fresh woods and pastures new”—where there were no savage bulls lying in ambush for unwary boys. MERVYN DALEFIELD U 1 years).

OUR MAIL BAG. TOPPING: You did very well indeed in the English examination—but I’m not surprised. The marks are not up-to-date just at the moment, so I cannot answer your question. The good wishes are much appreciated. —A.R. KENEPURU: Thank you. my dear, for the nioe interesting letter. Many happy returns. What a jolly birthday date 1 Yes, I’ve seen a photo of the tiny princess; she is a darling. You will be surprised to hear that I had ' 17 to Christmas tea—most of them nephews and nieces, so I was not lonely. And I got a number of presents, too.—A.R. PANSY: Suoh a dear little letter! You’d Jove the Sydney Zoo. It is like a big garden, built on tho shores of the water. I do think the animals have a lovely time. Best love. —A.R. CHRISTMAS LILY : Congratulations I I hope the little afternoon concert-waa »

OUR MOTTO: " CHARACTER AND PERSEVERANCE ”

HIGHLY COMMENDED. THE SCHOOL CONCERT. It was the night of the school concert. I was taking part in a flower scone, and was dressed in a paper frock to resemble a daisy. I was only one of the chorus, and had no linos to say, but I was very excited, and very proud of my white-ancl-green dre3s with its frills of yellow at tho neck and waist. , „ , , , When wo roached tho hall tho teacher said to mo, “You must tako tho buttorcup’s place as she is ill and cannot como to-nignl.” I knew all the linos tho othor girls had to say, as I was very interested in the scene, so when I went on to the stage I spoke my pieco without a mistake, and felt very pleased that I had been chosen to tako the place of the absent girl. It was very thrilling to have tho people applaud me, and when tho teacher said “You did very well,” I was very happy. HAZEL COLLINS (8 years). HIGHLY COMMENDED. MY NINTH BIRTHDAY. Tho most thrilling moment I have ever had was when I turned nine. I had forgotten for a couple of days before that my birthday would very soon arrive, and when I woke up on the Ist March I saw a tiny parcel on my pillow. It was wrapped in six different papers, each being tied tightly with string. I thought I was never going to get to the littlo box, which I guessed held a- bead necklace. Imagino my surprise, however, when on lifting the lid I saw a darling little silver watch on a leather strap. I jumped out of bed and ran into my sistor’s room, calling excitedly, ‘T’vo got a watch! I've got a watch 1” For years I had envied my sister hem, and was always saying, “You lucky thing to have a watch”; and eho would say, “You’re not big enough to havo one; you would only break it.” Well, I havon’t broken it yet—and, I hopo I never will. MARIGOLD (10 years).

“A THOUSAND POUNDS.” If I had but a thousand pounds, Just dropped into my hand, Porhaps I’d buy a collie dog And travel round tho land. Porhaps I’d buy an aeroplane, To hurtle through the air, Perhaps a swanky motor-car, To make the negihbours stare. Perhaps I’d givo it all away To help the sick and sore; Porhaps I’d put it out to work To earn a littlo more. My mind gets into quite a whirl With planning this and that. There’s just one thing I’m certain of, I’d buy a cricket bat. TOM STRAWBRIDGE (12 years)

CRISPIES. A simple-looking lad. halted outsido a blacksmith’s shop on his way homo from school, and eyed tho doings of the proStor with much interest. Tho smith a piece of rod-hot iron suddenly under tho youngster’s noso, hoping to make him beat a hasty retreat. “If you’ll givo mo a half-crown I’ll lick it,” said tho lad. Tho smith took from his pocket half-a-crown, and held it out. Tho simple-looking youngster took tho

coin, licked it, and slowly walked away, whistling. # Little* Freddie* was accompanying his mother on a shopping expedmon. They Cpo,“o‘d”thsTX°bo”i<>'Vko * tho greengrocer took a handful of nuts, and put them m the little fd On V ’tho o0 way home his mother said. “Dearie why did not you take the nuts . Freddie looked up at her, and .said, “Mummie, his hand was bigger n mine.. ••* . * ~ Jane: “I want to give you notice, ma MkTtross: “Why, whatever is wrong, Ja jano': “Well, I ’aven’t minded Miss Veronica using my finger as glove-stretch-ers, nor putting tho master s„ new boots on to make room for is corn, but I am t to sit on the family Biblo for two hours' 4 to press leaves for young Master /Erkr for nobody 1” •** * * Mother: “My poor Jimmy is so unfortunate.” Caller: “How i« that? . . Mother: “I’ve just heard that during the sports to-day ho broke one of the best records they have at the college. Judge: “You’ve stolen no chickens?” Sam: “No, sah.” Judge: “No geese?” Sam: “No, sah. Judge: “Any turkeys? Sam: “No, sah. Judge: “Discharged.” Sam (grinning): “Boss, I sure wa scairt to death you’d say ducks. 0 * * * " A GOOD CATCH.

Ask someone to write down the name of a book, to pass tho paper to everyone present, except yourself, then to fold it up and place it on the floor. Now request somebody smaller than yourself to put his foot on it. Pauso a few moments, as though in deep thought, then smilo triumphantly, and ask tho ono standing on the paper: “You want to know what is on that pieco of paper.” when he anwsers, les, you say, “Your foot !”

A KNOT TRICK. Try to catch mother or fathor with this trick. . , Tako a piece of string, not less than to inches long, ask them to hold an end m each hand, and tie a knot in tho string without lotting the ends go. When they givo it up, as they aro sure to do, you show them how it should bo done. Fold your arms, then catch tho ends of tho string in each hand. The knot is simply made by just unfolding your arms.