Will Father, Christmas Catch His Dinner ?

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7412, 20 December 1930, Page 20

Will Father , Christmas Catch His Dinner ?

CHRISTMAS. By Jack Searle (10 years) Mangarimu. As the end of December draws near, the spirit of Christmas seems to be in tho air. Little children all talk of dear old Santa Claus and gaze into shop windows at all the lovely toys, and wonder just what Santa Claus will put in their stockings. All the shops even seem cheery with their decorated windows and presents for all. But do we stop to think what Christmas is? The word “Christmas” stands for Christ child, Jesus born so many years ago on December 25 in a stable away in Nazareth. Every country has its own Christmas and poor people as well as rich find spaeo to spend a little time in pleasure. In New Zealand it is the opening of the holiday season. Schools close down after a busy year of work, and most people are preparing to retire for the holidays. The season of Christmas in New Zealand has the warm days, while in England it brings the cold winter. In England Christmas is looked upon as a more festive season than in New Zealand. Even the very poorest of homes in England at Christmas are decorated with holly and mistletoe. They celebrate Christmas there with indoor games and games out of doors, such as tobogganing, snow lighting and sledging. On Christmas Eve, towards midnight a party of young folk from the villages goes round carol singing, giving thanks for the birth of tho baby Jesus, from Whom first originated our Christmas Day. In New Zealand many folk spend their Christmas at the beaches, or people from the towns go to the country. On Christmas Eve all the children of every country either hang up their stockings or put down their shoes. They all hope that dear old Santa Claus will come along during the night and fill their stockings with lovely gifts. During tho Christmas season everybody, everywhere, goes about passing Christmas greetings from one to the other. In churches services are held to send out messages of good will and kindness to all. This year as we each look forward to Christmas, let us not forget the poor children who will not be able to have any Christmas because their poor fathers have no work.

OLD SANTA CLAUS. Old Santa Claus sat alone in his den, With his leg crossed over his knee; While a comical look peeped out of his eyes, For a funny old fellow was he. His queer little cap was tumbled and torn, And his wig was all awry; But ho sat and mused the whole day long, While the hours went flying by.

He had been as busy as busy ean be, In filling his pack with toys; He had gathered his nuts and baked his pies To give to the girls and boys.

There wero dolls for the girls and whips for tho boys, With wheelbarrows, horses and drays; And bureaus and trunks for dolly’s new clothes— All these in his pack he displays..

Of candy, too, both twisted and striped, Ho had furnished a plentiful store; While raisins and figs, prunes and grapes, Hung on a peg by the door.

“I am almost ready,” quoth he, quoth he; “And Christmas is almost here; But ono thing more, I must write a book, And give to each ono this year.”

So be put his specs ou his little round nose, And, seizing the clump of his pen, He wrote more lines in one little hour Than you even could write in ten.

He told him stories, all pretty and new, And wrote them all out ip a rhyme; Then ho packed them away with his box of toys, To distribute them one at a time.

And Christmas Eve, when all were in bed, Bight down the chimney he flew, And, stretching the stocking-lcg out • at the top, He put in a book for you.

Palmerston IST. Dear Hub, —I am looking forward to Christmas because I am going to Dannevirke for a holiday. My two big brothers arc coming homo for Christmas Day. I was eighth in my class with 4713 marks. I camo top of the girls and Mr Joblin is very pleased with me. I am sorry my last letter got mislaid till it was too late for the mail. I hope all the little boys and girls in hospital have a good time at Christmas* I wish all the Cogs, not forgetting yourself, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. .1 remain, yours truly, Evelyn. Thank you, dear, for all your good wishes. I do hope you enjoy your holiday in Dannevirkc. Isn’t it exciting when big brothers come home?. I think your Dad and Mum must be pleased with you, tool

A THOUGHT FOR THE NEW YEAR., “If you cou(d spend to-morrow exactly us you lilted, liow would you spend it?” To this question an English writer gave the following fine answer: “To-morrow I would awake beneath a sky of cloudless blue. And, could I thus arrange the weather to my liking, I should, presumably, possess magic powers, and would accordingly spend the day in traversing invisibly the length and breadth of England. “Wherever I found a dog that lived on a chain I would set him free, and wherever a wild bird in a cage I would fling open tlio door. “The pit-pony should be brought up into tho field, aud tho worn-out horse saved from the overseas traffic. “I would search the woods for steel traps and reduce all such abominations to ruins.

“No fox should be dug up out of ills hole and no stag driven into the sea. “In cities the starving cats should be fed and the dog turned adrift on the streets should find a home.

‘ ‘ Could I, if but for 24 hours, bring such as this to God’s dumb and helpless creatures, to my little brethren of fur and feather, I should count the day well spent.”

Apiti. Dear Hub—l am sorry I have not written to you lately. The weather is more like summer now. Fancy it is only about two weeks to Christmas. I did not write tho Christmas letter for I forgot all about it. Only one more week at school. We have six calves : Bill, Queeny, Milly, Pink, Daisy and Bessie and we have eight cows. The Cog page was very interesting this week and I enjoyed reading the letters. The other day a little weasel came right into our kitchen and my father killed it. It was a funny little thing and was like a large rat. I am trying to do the Skilltest this week and I hope it will bo right. Cheerio, Dinky Dandy. Oh dear, you didn’t enclose the Skilltest. ifhat a nice family of calves you have. Is Bill the bossy one. How it is less than a week to Christmas, what lovely fun for you all, isn’t it" Kiwitca. Dear Hub, —Just, a few lines to let you know that I have not forgotten you. May I have Fairy .Sunshine for my pen name? I went to the show, and had a ride on the tilt-a-whirl, and I liked it very much. We have finished our examinations. I was first in my class and had tho highest marks in the school. We arc having our’school picnic on Thursday. I must close now as there is no more news. Love to you and all the Cogs, from Hoemi. Very well, Fairy .Sunshine. I hope you are always Fairy Sunshine. Well done! You certainly deserve a good holiday afWr your hard work at school.

AS A LITTLE CHILD. Christmas is a child’s day, (0, my heart keep young). Christinas is the loveliest Song a child has sung. Christmas is the starriest Night of joy and mirth. Every little child is glad That Jesus came to earth. Christmas is a child’s daj% Watch a child’s eyes shine! (Heavenly Father, let me keep Tho Christmas light in mine). Christmas is so holy, Pure and clean and white — (Heavenly Father let me be A little child to-night). —Grace Noll Crowe!!.

❖❖❖❖❖❖❖ Cogs—One of your many Uncles sent in a little Christmas effort for your page, hut it was squeezed out. Be sure you look for it in the paper.

Apiti. Dear Hub— Here I am again and please don’t think I have forgotten you. Mum has a hen sitting on a dozen eggs and she hopes they will all be pullets. We have been having good weather up hero this last week, and I hope it will be line during my holidays. I broke up a week before I was supposed to so I will be having seven weeks holiday. Are you going away for Christmas, Hub « lam not. I am going to stay at home. We have three

young kittens here and they' are very wild. Sometimes I creep up very quietly and catch one of them and stroke him and lie begins to purr. One of my brothers lias been shearing at a neighbour’s for a week and has shorn about nine hundred sheep. I will have to close with love to you and all the other Cogs, Southern Cross. It was nice to hear from you again Southern Cross, and to know that you arc'enjoying line weather. How lovely to have seven weeks holiday and I often think you can have as much fun at home ,don’t you? I hope to have a few days away at Christmas. I expect you will soon tame the kittens. Wool isn’t worth very much these days, is it? Kimholton. Dear Hub, —Pam and 1 arc sending you 4s Gd for the children in the hospital. We hope they will have a happy time. Also a Merry Christmas to you, dear Hub, and all tire Cogs. Love from Marion and Pamela. Thank you darlings ever so much lor your gift and all your good wishes. It won’t be the Cogs’ fault if the kiddies don’t have a good time.

A COMIC STORY AND A TRUE ONE (Sent in by Jack Searle, aged 10 years, Mangarimu R.D., Kimbolton). This happened when I was living at Kariori at the mill. All the houses there, as well as the men’s wharcs had iron chimneys, which owing to the liercc fires in the winter often burn through. At one of the whares one chimney had a hole in it, and in the winter when heavy snow was on the ground, the big working horses used to back up against the iron for warmth. One evening three young men were sitting around the tire when one being in a merry mood heated the poker red hot, and pushed it through the hole onto one of tho horses. The horse got such a shock, that he lashed out kicking the chimney in. Next moment men were gathering themselves up amid red hoi, embers and wet clothing, which is usually found in front of a bushman s lire, iu the winter. When they got over their shock they laughed heartily over the joke. The chimney was repaired, the horses came back but the red hot. poker was not brought into action again.

Apiti. Dear Hub—l am very sorry I have not written for such a long time, but wo have been very busy with the examinations. I passed into Std. VI and I was very thankful when I heard I had passed. I have never failed yet, but I had better touch wood. There was only one child that failed in the school. When Oscar Garden came to the Cheltenham Aerodrome all the school children went down to see him. His aeroplane was painted blue with Kia Ora written in white.letters on the side. It was a beautiful big 'plane. Hub, I have two little kittens, a black one and a gray one, and I don't know what to call them. My pet lamb follows mo everywhere I go now. When I go to get my horse in the morning lie goes with me. Wo arc having our school picnic on Thursday. I will be able to tell you how many prizes I received next time I write. Well, I will close now with love to you and all the Cogs, from Smiling Irish Eyes. No time for a big reply, dear. How about Bubble and Squeak for the kits? Colyton. Dear Hub—l was very sorry to hear about the Matron’s illness, and hops she will soon recover. We have finished our examinations at school, and I have passed into Standard A'. We are going to receive our prizes on break-up day and I hope mine will be nice. I remain, your loving Cog, Konald.

I hope your prize-was just the thing, Ronald. You will be feeling quite big to be in Standard A 7. Our poor matron is not better yet I am sorry to say-.

LIFE ON THE FARM. (By Colin Smith, Kimbolton.) Only a boy living in the country can have any idea of the wonderful and happy life on the farm. Every season brings its own interest. Imagine the joy of springtime, when the fruit trees are covered with blossom and the grass is green and fresh and dotted with white daisies; but most wonderful of all is the coming of the little lambs. What a picture they make playing about together in the paddocks, but never straying far from their anxious mothers, who keep constantly calling while they arc at play. As you ride round the farm every day, each little lamb becomes dear to you, and you feel a great pride in watching it gain in strength, and its coat becoming soft and woolly.

Then conics summer —always suck a busy time on the farm. Shearing time I always look forward to, mustering all the sheep and then watching the big heavy fleeces fall from their backs; and as you watch you think what a relief it must be to get rid of such a load of wool. Soon after shearing, hay making conies, and that is always such a jolly time, especially driving in the hay-cocks. It is always so hot, but everybody is happy on the hay field, and always ready for refreshment. So the seasons pass, and life can never be dull, for there is so much of interest all around you, and when you como homo from school and your pets run to meet you, you stroke the little lambs and fondle the pony that brings you such joy and happiness and you feci glad and grateful that you live on a farm. Halcombc. Dear Hub—As it is near Christmas t am sending you a card and some little pictures for the little children. I have been very busy making chnstmas cards lately. My two little cousins and Auntie and" Uncle will be down _at Christmas. They arc two little girls and their names are Shirley and Kathleen. I ride a bicycle to school now. I came top in my class at school, although I was away two months. . M? garden is lovely now. Well, as it is getting late I must close with love. to you and your Cogs, from your loving B ’ Audrey. Audrey dear, it was sweet of you to make that pretty card and send those pictures. Thank you very much, kou will have a lovely time with your two cousins, I know. How splendid that you did so well in your examinations. I would love to sec your garden. Woodville. Dear Hub, —My word, I had quite forgotten about you. I am sorry that I have not written before. Mother is sending away Christmas presents to relations and friends. Our school closes on Friday and I will bo glad when the holidays "come. My proficiency certificate was granted. I have now fourteen pigeons and will have two more out on Christmas Day perhaps. My brother and I will send over something for you to give to the children in the Hospital for°Christmas. Now Hub, I wish you and all the Cogs, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Tony. Oh, Tony, how could you forget ail about the poor Hub . I suppose I must forgive you because I know you arc a very busy young man. How splendid that you got your proficiency. Best wishes to you both.

Manga what a

Dear Hub, —Just a few lines with, my donation for the Christmas fund, it is a very long time since last I wrote to you but I have been taking interest in the page. The weather is getting a little more like summer but still the cold winds blow at times. Christmas is nearly here once again. We breakup school on Friday the 19th. I have passed into Std. \I. May I have Miss Belinda for my pen name as I think A is a nice name. I must close now wishing you and all the Cogs a Meuv Christmas. Joan. Thank you dear for your contribution and good wishes. 1 was pleased to hear from you after this long time, sand to know that you had passed into Std. VI. That means hard work doesn't it? Very well, you may be Miss Belinda. A Merry Christmas to you. Apiti. Dear Hub—l am sorry I did not write sooner, because I have been very busy. I have passed into Standard li. Thank you for wishing me luck. Our Persian cat had four dear little kittens, but unfortunately, one died. We have only 400 lambs left to shear. I have worked out the Skilltcst this week and I hope it is right. On Thursday we arc having a picnic in Mr. Steven’s woolshed paddock. Our small school consists of twelve pupils and I am the eldest in the school. My cousin, Ygaire and I have not missed half a day yet. As news is getting scarce 1 will close now. Wishing you and all the other Cogs, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I remain, yours truly, Bill v.

Well done Billy, you have a big responsibility being the oldest pupil at school, haven’t you, and I think it is wonderful that you and your cousin have been at school every day. Tell me more about the kittens, won t you Thanks for your good wishes —same to you.

THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY. (By Dayc Bridgeman, Colyton.) Daphuo Hart lay stretched luxuriously before a blazing lire, lazily watching the flames as they leapt up the chimney. Daffy was pondering over a story she had read and was wishing something would happen. Suddenly a soft voice at her elbow startled her. On glancing round she beheld a dainty fairy with soft blue eyes and long, golden locks which fell around her shoulders. Her wee dress sparkled like diamonds. “Oh! Who arc you 1 ?" exclaimed Daffy in surprise. “I am the Christmas Fairy,” the fairy answered. “Would you like to conic with me?” “Daffy said she would, and the fairy waver her wand. Daffy was changed into the same size as the fairy and had the same beautiful kind of wings. The fairy waved her wand again and Daffy found herself in a gaily coloured room thronged with rosy checked children in gay costumes. As a silver bell was rung all of them flocked round a heavily laden Christmas tree and each in turn received a gift from Father Christmas with a happy smile. “These are the lucky children. Now 'l'll take you to another place,” said the fairy as she waved her wand. This time Daffy found herself in a long, dimly lighted room filled with cots and beds, in between which whitecapped nurses moved, pacifying the wee, thin, pale-faced babies, who fretted for their mummies. Here were sadeyed children trying to be gay, but could not help thinking of komc.Wken Daffy saw the sad, pale faces of these children she wanted to make thorn happy. “These are the children who have to spend Christmas in bed away from home,” said the fairy as she waved her wand and vanished.

Daffy awoke with a start to find her mother bending over her. At tea Daffv told her mother that she wanted to give a party to the poor children in the hospitals. Her mother said she could, and on Christmas Eve the sick children were all smiling with pleasure at the gifts they had received from Father Christmas, who entered just as the party was coining to an end.

Feilding. Dear Hub—l went to sec Sir. Oscar Garden on Wednesday and after a long struggle I managed to catch a glimpse of Mm. The primers of our school held a concert last Wednesday. There is only one more week to attend school and then the Christmas holidays _ commence. I call the Christmas holidays, “six weeks of freedom and pleasure. The wind is at large in Feilding to-day and is tossing tho lofty trees about. Cricket is in full swing in Feilding and just a few moments ago a member of the Feilding team went down tho street with his cricket outfit on. The toy shops arc decorating their windows with Christmas toys while in his gorgeous cave, sits Father Christmas, who distributes gifts to boys and girls. The only suitable toys that strike my eye arc the Hornby trains which would while any industrious boy’s time away. But I suppose other children think differently while some do not think at all. The aeroplane which was used for instructing pilots in Feilding, came to grief by smashing its undeicariiagc when making a sudden landing, but it will not be long before it is repaired. My big brother Walter, hiked to the aerodrome on Wednesday to see Oscar Garden leave for Wanganui, and to secure a few snapshots of him and his plane “Kia Ora.” T am sending a few more jokes and riddles. I must close now as the paper space is nearing an end.

Kalph the Rover,

Four period of freedom and pleasure has commenced now and I do hope you manage to fit in all the things you arc planning to do. The wind lias certainly had us at. its pleasure this week and to-day he is really nipping us again. Hornby trains arc good, aren’t they s You must have had a great time at the aerodrome. Thank you for the jokes. Do you play cricket ? Apiti. Dear Hub, —I sent 3d several weeks ago for a badge and have not received it*yet. I have been running up for the mail nearly every day. I expect it is because I did not tell you my address. It is Ivan Osborne, Norsewood Road, Apiti. I have just finished a letter to my sister who is staying at Morrinsvillc. Your loving Cog. Ivan. You forgot to send your address Ivan, so be sure and let me know when you receive the badge. AVritc again soon. Alangawhata. Dear Hub,—The holidays will soon be here, won’t they? AVc will have a “breakiing-up day” on Friday afternoon. I am going, but I will not be in any of the items, etc., as I am an oldgirl. I think nearly all the schoolchildren will be pleased when school breaks up. I used to, anyway. I am enclosing something for the Christmas fund. Hub. I suppose you have nearly live pounds now. A. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and all other Cogs. Apple Blossom. I just love your nice neat letters. Isn’t it fun being ail old girl? Thank you for your contribtion and your good wishes which I reciprocate. Our fund is nearly £G.