Competitions

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6628, 15 August 1931, Page 14

Competitions

SKILLTEST WINNERS.

This week’s Skill test winners are:— Kathleen McCormack, Rongotca.

Tod Hewett, Peilding. Marks have been awarded to _ Ken Drummond, Gwylfa Robinson, Norma Terry, Mary Beaumont, Wallace Cook, W. Giles, Ina Parlane, Bryce Clapham, Betty Clapham, Sybil Young, Zelma Mclntosh, Margaret Knapp, Clarice Knapp, Joyce George, Ruth Richards, Jean Spicer, Rising Sun, Kookaburra?, Dora Wild. Evelyn Jensen, Betty Barry, John Lehrlce, Lilac Time, Mollie Mitchell, Beo Salmon, Joan Allwright, Jack Scarle, Violet Smith, Jean Tappin, Doris McKinlay, Jean Nairn. The answers were: Milliccnt, Adeline, Rebecca, Gwendoline, Angeline, Rosemary, Etholda, Thelma and Margaret. Quite a number of Cogs mado careless mistakes in spelling and several forgot to put their names on tho papers.

Feilding. Dear Hub,—l am sending in tho Skilltcst and hope it is correct. We have several sick sheep. We had a test in writing to-day for examination. Dad has been°shearing at Kopane to-day. This morning ho brought, in a little lamb that had not had a drink since the day it was born, so I gave it a little drink of hot milk and a pinch of sugar. I will say cheerio. lam your loving Queen of the Ice. Your dad is making an ea.rly start with the shearing, isn’t he? _ I do hope the little lamb gets on all right. Wood vine. Dear Hub,— This is Wednesday once more and I will need to get tho Skilltest posted so that it will reach you in time. We are busy having our term exams just now and we will soon have our holidays. I hope tho weather will be better as it is very rough to-day again. Love to all the Cogs and yourself from Meccano Tom. I hope the examinations were not too hard. What plans aro you making for the holidays? Feilding. Dear Hub,—l am sending in the Skilltcst and my sister is too, and we hope it is right. We are having our exams now and we had a writing test today. Wo aro having much better weather. I think I have told you all the news. Love to all the Cogs and yourself. I am your Cog fnend J Bob. Mr thoughts aro all with you in your examinations, because I like my family to do really well. Peep 0 ’ Day. Dear Hub,—l am sending in the Skilltcst this week and I hope it is correct. I am sorry I did not write last week. Did you have a nice holiday in Hawke’s Bay? Wo are having a few fine days now. I have got another cold. I Toad the Cog page every Saturday. We have finished our examination. Mv birthday is next month. We are getting a little puppy. Have you seen any little lambs yet? I haven t. Are you having wet weather in Palmerston North? Well, dear Hub, I must close. lam your loving Cog, Red Rose. You and I must be tho o-nly two people who have not seen any lamb 3 yet. What are you going to do about it. I can imagine how delighted you will be to have a puppy. Palmerston N. Dear Hub,—l am very sorry I have not written for such a long time. How are you getting along? I am very busy just now as next week is the mam exam week. I will be glad when the holidays come. The weather lately has a really “ springv ” feel, but it is still very cold Have you a heater or a fire-place in your office? I have been for a ride around tho countryside and I have noticed that there are many prettily coloured birds flying about. I saw chaffinches, fan.tails, goldfinches and atlarks. We have a number of pets here. There is Gyp, the dog; Snowy, the cat; the fowls and the pigeons. The cat is pure white and she plays with any little piece of paper or string Which is at all moving. The dog is a foxie, and she plavs with a ball or piece of stick which, after being thrown for her, is brought back immediately. Well, as it is nearly tea-time I must close. ■ I re?our C ° B - Koolato

The countryside is beginning to look very beautiful in all its spring green. I do love to hear the little birds at this time, don’t you? You are very well off for pots, aren't you? I have a nice big heater in my room, I am dad to say.

Woodville. Dear Hub —Just a short note to accompany tho Skilltcst. If wo havo a fow more days like wo havo been having we shall soon have our garden free from woods. I am anxious to hear about White Island. Wo finished our exam to-day and havo not got any homework, so I thought I would do tho Skilltcst and writo to-night. I am. in Std. VI. now and I am just dreading sitting for my proficiency. At school I am knitting a blue hug-me-tight for mv grandmother, but I think tho cold nights are nearly over. There aro about 400 at our school and quite a number of them aro Cogs. May I change my pen name to Blue Bell? Mrs Puzzleman must have a good memory to remember Mr Conundrum’s item.. Well, as news is scarce I will closo with love to you ami your happy family, from your sincere Cog, Bluo Bell. Very well dear, but I can’t havo all my family changing names bccauso I should get completely puzzled. I wish you wouLd send mo your pattern for tho hug-me-tight. Standard VI. work is very interesting, isn’t it?

Woodville. Dear Hub,—l am very .pleased to say I have received my badge at last, and thank you very much for it. I havo done the Skill-test this week and hope it is right. I must also thank Lilac Time for her message. I too, know her and am looking forward to her coming up to her aunty’s place in t.ho holidays. It is my birthday next Saturday. .1 wish she could havo been hero for it as I have no other girls here except Nga-i-ra. My name was missed in the August birthday list. Well, I must close now with love to all tho Cogs and yourself, from Fairy Rosebud. I wonder how that birthday was missed! Better late than never, so many happy returns of to-day to you my dear. What good times you will be able to plan in tho holidays. Cunninghams. Dear Hub,—Just a few lines to accompany the Skilltcst, which, took a lot of puzzling and I don’t think it is right now. Am I supposed to keep count of my marks, Hub, or do you keep them? I think spring has come at last, for we have had nearly a week of fine weather. Well, Hub, I will close now with best of love, Brown Eyed Jean. It would be just as well for you to keep your marks and send them to me after August 30, and I am keeping them also. Yos, I think we have really had some spring weather lately. Feilding. Dear Hub,—At last the clerk of the weather has found time to turn on the sum’s rays. It has been glorious out of doors and I’ve b-cen hoping for weeks of it, but I think it has come to an end as to-day is very cloudy and dull. The Skilltest again was fairly easy,, but the seventh name puzzled mo quite.a lot; in fact. I am still puzzled over it, although I have put down what I think to be the correct name. Perhaps the letters are not all correct, and if they are I thiuk it must bo a name of Air Puzz’s fra-n —the effect of eating too much of Airs Puzz’s hotch-potch savoury, or perhaps the -finding of that nest of stale eggs addled his thoughts a hit. I was pleased to see my name among the winners of last week s Skilltest. The Cog page gets a rough handling now that Imelda can read—-she thinks' no one wants to read it but herself. She cannot write properly yet but prints very well. She is doing all Std. 1 work at school and will not lie seven till January 18. One of our hens has a nest not fET away from the house and we keep a china egs in it. Keith, who is only two years old, loves to get the eo-gs, and yesterday he took them the china one too-and threw them down a hjoih bank that leads to a creek at the back of our house. So-loug till next letter from your loving Cog, Mother’s Alan.

A very nice letter, Mother’s Alan. I do like to hear all the family news and to learn how well Imelda is getting on. Keith must have thought the eggs were cricket balls.

Bunnythorpe. Dear Hub,—-I am enclosing the Skilltest and hope it is right. Hasn’t the weather cleared up since a week ago.. I have lost my badge and will send in another 2d. when I write next time. Well, I have nothing very interesting to tell you. Hove from Lilac Time. I like to have even a little message fro-m yon, Lilac Time. Enclose your full name and address when you send for the badge. Palmerston North. Dear Hub,—Just these few lines to say I have not forgotten you. I am enclosing tho Skilltest, which I hope, is correct. My two bantams are laying now. One of the roosters likes to fight. X have a white rabbit. Hub, I asked for Irish Pose as a pen name, but you said someone else had it but I have not seen it in the page yet. I called to see you last Saturday week but you were not in. We are busy having our second term exam now. We will soon bo having our holidays, and we will only have one term left in this year. Aren’t the flowers beautiful now, Hub? We have won the basketball tournament on this side of the line. We are waiting for the other side to finish so that we can play the final against them. I have had a very bad cold lately. Jack Frost is about now, making us feel very cold, but he always gives us a sunny day, doesi't he? Well, Hub, I will close with love to yourself and all Cogs. I remain your Cog, Violet.

You have been absent from the page for quite a while, Violet, and it was nice to hear from you once more. I am sorry to have missed you that day. Tou may be Irish Eoso if you like. I hope you play well in the basketball final. Kiwitca. Dear Hub,—l am enclosing the Skilltest and hope it is correct. We are having some nice weather now after all the rain and wind, I am sorry I have lost tho paper with the Skilltest on it. As news is scarce I will stop now. Love to you and all the Cogs from Nira. The days have really been much milder, haven’t they, and they are slowly lengthening out, which should make us all feel happy. Awawaro. Dear Hub,—l am sending tho Skilltest written from memory as our paper was burnt by mistake. The names are not quite in their proper order so I did not number them. Our cousin Tilly is here with us and we have lots of fan. I hope Mr Printermen spells my penname right this time. Much love to overybo lv from your loving Cog, Pua Bata. Mr Printerman prides himself on his spelling so your letter would give him a shock I thank. I can imagine all the games that are planned for cousin s enjoyment.

Cheltenham. Dear Hub, —Just a few lines to send in with the Skilltcst which was quite easy. Wo havo been having nice weather lately, haven't we, Hub? I suppose we want some fine weather after the wot weather we have been having. Aren’t there a lot of lambs about just now? Not very nice weather to arrive in either, and such a lot of the sheep have sleeping sickness, too. Tlio Ruahines just now aro covered with snow and in the sunset ‘they turn different odours; also in the moonlight they look very beautiful. Wo aro having our exam just now and then come tho holidays. I would rather be at school, I think. Poor old Air Puzzleman must have felt uncomfortable with his face covered with earth and spiders and cobvvebs, don’t you think, Hub? He is always getting into a fix, but it was hard luck when he was trying to give Mrs. Puzz a surprise. Well, Hub, I must o’ose now as I am short of news. Love from Yvonne. You make me quite envious. I have not seen a lamb yet. Your mountains must be very beautiful. lam wondering very much what Air Puzz. is up to this week. Kopane. . Dear Hub —I a-me enclosing the Skilltest and hope it is right. I am writing early this week because of our examination. In two weeks’ time our holidays beg l a. The weather has improved since I la«t wrote. Well, I must close now with best wishes from your Cog, Vincent. A very wise plan, Vincent, and then you aro sure of your letter being in time. What fun preparing for holidays. Glen Oroua, Dear Hub —I a/m sending in the Skilltest which I havo just finished. The word Gwendoline is my second name. We started our term exam, to-day, but I did not do very well. In eleven days we will have holidays again. What jolly times we will havo then! We are making a cane-work basket at school and it looks very nice. I am making an apron for my Grandma Parlane’s •birthday present. Her birthday is on tho same day as Dad’s—September 22. Ae you going to see the play called “The Naughty Wife”? Dad saw it in London when he was away at the war. He liked it very much. Best love from Forget-me-not.

I am soTry to hear about the exam., but most interested in your handwork. What a celebration Daddy and Grannie will be abie to havel I expect to see that play.

Palmerston N. Dear Hub, —I have a spare five minutes before going to school so I thought I would write a few lines. Julia mentioned in her letter that the cockroach is called a Maori bug. Tho real cockroaches are about lUn. long and aTe a brownie colour, and aro found in many countries, while the Maori bug is a little black chap, and gets Ms name, not by being black, bu-t by being a native of Now Zealand like the Alaoris. Time is up now and I must net away to school. Love from Betty. Yes, Betty, X Lope Julia notices the mistake. We could very well do without the cockroach or the Alaori bug. Palmerston N. Dear Hub,— Very many thanks for your birthday wishes. lam one of the lucky ones as my birthday comes during the holidays. Havo you heard some of tho “ bird "talks” from the YA stations? They aro very interesting. We have such a number of blight Mrds round our house. They get insects in tho hedges, but eat the little lady-birds. Yesterday they visited our cherryplum trees which are in flower and seemed to enjoy themselves by the way they twir.tcd and hopped from bongh to bough. Wo often have the fantails, to 0, and tho olid cat sits and talks. to them as though saying ho would like an extra morsel. Regards to you and all Cogs, Bryce.

You are certainly a fortunate Cog, and will be able to celebrate your birthday in fine style. No, I am sorry to say, I have not heard those bird talks. The famitails aro very friendly little birds,, aren’t they?

Haleomiie. Dear Hub,—l am writing to you as I have not written for a long time. I thought you might have forgotten me until I saw my name in the birthday list. I thank you for putting it in. I am not sending in the Skilltest as it was too hard. Mrs. Puzz must have a queer life with Mr Puzz. This will only be a very short letter, as my sister is writing. Wo all want to nurse the bahy; even my other little sister wants to, too. We are having awful weather. I suppose it is the same in Palmerston North. I miss the Adventure League now, as I used to enjoy reading it.. I think the little lambs have a hard time out in the paddocks. May and I get our feet wet going to catch tho pony. We have a big family of Cogs, now. Well, Hub, I suppose I will have to stop as' I have told you all the news. From your loving Cog, Sunrae.

It was very nice to hear from you once more. What a lot of Cogs celebrate birthdays in August.

Mangarlmiu. Dear Hub,—lt is about three weeks since I wrote last, when you were away on your holidays. I worked out the Skilltest last week but I did not get time to write, so I did not send it in. I have cot this wek’s Skilltest worked out. Well, Hub, there is not much to say except about the weather and you hear enough about that. X wonder how you would like to come down our road now after the snow. and rain. It is full of holes and ruts whidh are full of water. W 3 don’t know how deep these holes aro until we go into them. Dad has to case the car in and out again on account of the springs. One hole was bad and Dad did not notice it until we bumped into it and Joy, Bae, and Mum sprang up and hit the hood with their heads. And you ought to see our car when she has travelled over the mud all the winter. When she is lined up among tho clean cars in the Square 'in Palmerston North it is easy to see that sho comes from the backblocks,. But when summer comes we all take a day and dean her up tiU she seems to smile her thanks. And we keep her clean till the winter comes again. (Good old Lizzie-) We have quite a few signs of an early spring here. The elderberry tree is in leaf, the buds have burst on the gooseberry bushes and the plum trees,. and the sun is lovely and warm when it peeps out, and we ars very glad to know we will soon have fine weather again. There is bo moiQ nows now, Hub, so I will close and send in some tongue-twisters. Love to jou and all the Cogs from Jack and Bae.

Thank you dear for your very nice letter and all your news. I know something about country roads and fully appreciate all your trouble about X/izzie. Thank you also for the tongue-twisters.

Ashhurst. Dear Hub, —Please do not think I have dcseited you. I have not done so. I have boon thinking about you for a long timo but l think I must havo been very lazy, don’t you? Jim has a pup, and my sister Nancy is very frightened of it and runs away when ho goes near her. (Jim is my brother.) I have , tried to do tho Skilltest, but I could not get it all out. I must hurry or I will miss tho mail, so goodbye for now. Lovj from Bluebell. It was good to hear from you once more, Bluebell. Puppies do frighten children with thoir sharp teeth and playful ways, don’t they? Apiti. Dear Hub, —Just a short note to accompany the Skilltest, and as I am writing it before school I havo not much time.. We start our exam to-day and I hope I get through all right. Well Hub, as it is time to leave for school, I will close. Lovo from Elk. A very short note, Elk, but examinations must come first these days. „ Apiti. Dear Hub,—Evelyn is sending in the Skilltest this week. I went to a social on Friday night and I had a good time. Coming home from Sunday School today wo saw some little lambs and I saw three of tho little lambs and Evelyn saw 12 of them. Love from Rae. It is fun counting tho lambs when they first appear, and I would love to see some. How is that doar baby? Apiti. Dear Hub, —We havo had some fine weather lately, and the sun is shining now. Our neighbour has about forty little lambs and lie has only found two dead after all the rough weather. We arc having our exams at school now. I am sending in the Skilltest this week. Well, as I have to got this letter posted before dark and also get some chips for the morning, I think I had better close. Best regards from Alountai-n Alaid. It is wonderful that the lambs have been able to weatiher the storms—they should b 3 very strong. I have not seen one yet. Feilding. Dear Hub,—Just a line to accompany the Skilltest. We will be getting our school holidays on t.ho 21st. of this month, and I hope it will be fine we-athi-er. At school I am making a basket out of raffia and cane. It is all colours and I think it will look very pretty when it is finished. I was in. Palmerston North on Saturday doing some shopping with mother. Wasn’t it a glorious day? I have only one sister and no brothers. My sister is married. I go out with mother a good deal. Well I must say goodbye now as it is bedtime. Lovo to you and all tho Cogs, from Spring Time. You are lucky little people all planning for holidays. Alum must be glad to have a little companion, I am sure. Isn’t it good to be able to make baskets?

Feilding. Dear Hub, —I bavo not written to you for a long time, but I stall read the Cog page every Saturday. I am enclosing the Skilltest if I can solve one more word. I expect it is very easy if I knew what it was. The last two days hero have been beautiful. To-day the sun has been trying to shine, but it was a fruitless effort, as heavy clouds hunig over the slcy. Our exams are over at school, thank goodness. Wo have been finished nearly a fortnight. Holidays will soon be here, and then for some fun as I think I am going to a farm in Hawke’s Bay. Last holidays I went to tho country, 40 miles from Hamilton. I had a lovely time. I don’t think there is any more news, so I will go to bed. With love to all the Cogs, including yourself, Anno of Green Gables. It was cheery to have a note from you once more. That holiday visit sounds good. Ormondville. Dear Hub, —Just a short letter to enclose with tho Skilltest. I went to Dannevirke on Saurday, but did not go to tho Aero Pageant, as it was being held too far out of town and we had to catch the train home. We are starting our examination to-morrow. Well, Hub, I will close now as tea is ready. Love to yourself and all the Cogs, from Starlight. It is a pity you missed the pageant. It must have been very fine. But trains won't wait for us, wiil they? Mangawhata. Dear Hub, —I have done the Skilltest and hope it is right. Mum is staying with my Grannie for a few days, so I am housekeeper and I like it, too. It is fun trying all sorts of new dinners and recipes. I was quite surprised when I read in the Cog page that there were nearly 700 Cogs in tho happy family. It is growing, isn’t it, Hub? I have been a member of your page for nearly three years now —time flies! I sent a letter to Gussie, and I am expecting one from her soon. Wei, dear Hub, I must close, hoping you and all the Cogs are well, I remain your loving Cog, Freda.

How splendid that you can _ take Mum’s place some times! It is fun trying all kinds of new recipes, isn’t it f

Mangawhata. Dear Hub,—Freda is doing the Skilltesit this week, so I will write too. We have a lot of cows in now, and have kept seven calves so far and I feed them, too. I like it very much. My mother is staying at Grannie’s for a little while and Freda is keeping house while Mum is away. I was staying there too, for a few days, but I thought the cows could not get on without me, so I came home to-day. I don’t like holidays. Well, Hub, I will close with love to you. I remain your loving Cog, Colin. T wonder how many Cogs would agree with you about holidays? What a blessing it is when we like the job we have to do! I love calves, too. Mangawhata. Dear Hub, —I have worked out the Skilltest again this week and _will send it with this letter, hoping it. is right. I am back at school and like my new teacher very much. The dear little calves are all coming in and I have one as a pet. I call it Nelly. It is not for the calf club. Dear Hub, as I have a lot of lessons to do I will close with, fond love to all the Cogs, not forgetting yourself, from your loving Cog, . . Bising Sum.

What colour is Nell? You must love havin a pet calf. I am so glad that you are able to go to school and that you like your teacher.

Kumeroa. Dear Hub, —I havo enclosed the Skilltest and liopo it is right. I am sorry I have not written to you before but I nave been busy. We have 13 cows in and we aro rearing four calves. They aro nearly one month old. Yesterday two aeroplanes flow over our house. On Saturday five aeroplanes were giving people rides in Dannevirke. All the afternoon we could see three flying very high. Well, dear Hub, I must close. I 'remain your loving Cog, Jessie. Very well, dear, but have you spelt it correctly? Tho busy times aro now at hand for tho farmers. I don’t think the animals like the aeroplanes flying overhead. Ngawapurua. Dear Hub, —Just a few lines with this week’s Skilltest, which I hope is correct. I am sorry I did not send the last one as I would have liaa it right. Mr 3 Puzzleman’s letters are very cheerful and T always read them. What a lot of Cogs there must be. How aro you, this awful weather, Hub? It is a wonder tho spring bulbs arc up at all. Two ot our little pigs died with tho nasty frosty mornings we have been having lately. AVo have over a dozen new cows in now, and we hope to milk GO this season. The book I am reading at. present is called “The Ship That Never Set Sail,” and it is very good. Well, as I havo no more news I will close with love to yourself and all Cogs. Your loving Cog, Ocean Spray. You have busy times ahead, but I am ever so sorry to hear that you have lost two little piggies. AYhat would we do without our books to read? Makerua. Dear Hub, —May I become a Cog? 1 like reading tho Cogs’ letters. I am ten years cld and am in Std. 111. AVe are having our concert soon and I am going to be Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. i enclose 3d for my badge. I had two little rabbits in a box and they got away. I will close now as it iis bed time. Best love to yourself and all tho Cogs from Buth.

I am \cry happy to welcome you, Buth. Plense send me the date of your birthday. What a nice part for you to play in Cinderella! You would be sad to lose your bunnies. Bongotea. Dear Hub, —Please may I join your happy band of Cogs. I am ten years of age and my birthday is on March 8. I am in Std.*A 7 , at school. lam sending the Skilltest and hope it is correct. Every Saturday I look forward to reading the Cogs page end we have lots of fun trying to work out tho Skilltest. Please may I have Miss Nightingale for my pen name? That story Betty Aird wrote was very good, Avasn’t it, Hub? I remain vour new Cog, Kathleen McCormack. I am very pleased to gather you in to the big family circle. Send tlic stamps for your badge, dear. Bongotea. Dear Hub, —Just a short note with tho Skilltest, and I hope it is correct. I have not received my prize-money yet, Hub. 1 am sending the book, Hub, and hope it will be useful to you. Kathleen and I aro going to make a scrap-book for the children in the hospital. I made one last year for them. With lovs to all the Cogs and yourself, Canary. All the prizes havo noev been sent out dear, so iou should have yours. The book wiil be most useful, and I know the scrap-book will be appreciated. AVoodville. Dear Hub, —AYe are having our exam this Wednesday. I have solved tlic Skilltest this week and I hope it is correct. AVe have seven cows in now. I havo seen tho baby lambs frolicking about merrily. AYe are going to breakup for the holidays on the 21st. of this month. Isn’t the year going quickly, Hub? I must close now with love to all tho Cogs and yourself from Prairie Bell. With ali the Cogs writing about holidays and exams it makes me quite excited. Don’t you love it when the little lambs are about? AVoodville. Dear Ftub, —Just a few' lines to accompany the Skilltest. Please, Hub, is it necessary for us to send in the paper, as there are two of us, or should we take it in turns in sending it in? Please could I havo Hilda Bicknell as a pen friend, and would you please give me her address. I will close now. From your loving Cog, Bed Wing.

It is quite all right for you to write the answcis on separate papers. Hilda’s address is Rural Delivery, Baincsse. Mangawhata. Dear Hub, —This is just a short note to accompany the Skilltest. I was very pleased to read the account of tho social. Only one more week now a.nd the schoolchildren will be enjoying themselves away on their holidays. I a.m going to Wellington to stay for a fortnight. Well, dear Hub, I must close now with fondest love to all the Cogs. Cheerio. From Dorothy. Thank you for all the sweet messages. What a lucky little girl you arc to be planning such a nice holiday'. Do tell me all about it. Baincsse. Dear Hub, —I have just wakened up and thought it was time I wrote to you. I hope y'ou are well. I saw that one of the Cogs was asking for a party. I think would be nice to have one again, but we couldn’t have one as good as last time as times arc so hard now, are they not, Hub? This school has its fancy dress ball on Friday', at least the children that go to the school do. Wc have had four days of sunshine—what has happened, Hub? Do you like cowboy pictures? I do. We went to see “Buck Jones” on Thursday night. I remain, Lydia. I am glad that you liavo wakened up at last—perhaps you have been asleep for the winter? —that is what I would like to do. It would bo lovely to have a- party, but I expect we shall have to put it “off until next year. Orings. Dear Hub—Just a small note to say I have not received my badge yet. It must havo gone astray somowhere. I could not do the Skilltest this week. I had them all out except three. Wc are having our examination at school now. Wo headed up all the papers the other day. What is the weather like over at Palmerston North, Hub? It has been lovely here to-day. I must close now because it is bed time, with love to you and ail the Cogs, from Snowflake. Send me your full name and address, dear and I shall send you another badge. I hope the examinations go off well.

Feildiug. Dear Hub, —Just a few lines to send in with tho Skilltest which I think is correct. Aro not Mrs Puzzleman’s letters amusing, Hub? I supposo Mr Puz. has a hard time puzzling out what puzzles to give us next. Our fancy dress ball will be held next Friday night. My two sisters and my brother and I are going to it. I am in about five or six dances, which I like very much. Isn’t the weather changeable? Thursday Friday and Saturday were quite sunny and nico alter the frost, were they not, Hub? I must close now. Lots of love to you, Mr and Mrs. Puz., and the Cogs, from Sweet William. You must remember to tell me all about youi ball. I would dearly love to look in upon you, and the four of you will have great fun getting ready together. Cheltenham. Dear Hub, —I managed to puzzle out tho Skillrest, which I hope is right. I got tho insects’ names right, but my letter was one of the unlucky ones that did not reach you in time. AVe aro having our exams now. AVo hope the Apiti girls wiil soon bo down to play us at baskctbal 1 , so we arc having plenty of practise. Dad sold my pet lamb the other day and I was very sorry to lose him. AVe went to tho pictures on Friday night, and I enjoyed it. It was named ‘‘‘White llcd of Pitz Palu.” I have two calves and I am entering one in the calf club competition. As news is scarce 1 think I will close. I am your sincere Cog, Jean. It is horrid parting with one’s pets, isn’t it, but I expect you will soon have another. Basketball is a fine game for

girls I think. Good luck for the exams. Halcomb e. Dear Hub,—This will be a very short letter tills week as I think news is rather scarce and I have not much time before Igo to bed. AYe had three lovely sunny days last week, which seemed really like spring, but to-day has been cold and windy. The wind blew so hard last Monday night that it broke the wireless aerial. A\ r e are starting our exam some time this week. We are going to call the baby Pamela Ngaire. 1 must say goodbye for now, with heaps of love for yourself and all the Cogs, from Christmas Lily. The wind has played some very unpleasant tricks all over tho countryside. I think Pamela a very sweet name. I hope the exam goes off well. Bangiwahia. Dear Hub, —I have not written for a good while now, so I thought I would write this week. I havo solved the Skilltest, which I hope is correct. Would you please find a pen friend for me? AVe have a pot lamb now and I have to iced it. AA’e have had a few T lino days this week. AVe get from seven to ten eggs a day from our hens, and Mum is selling them. AVell, Hub, as nows is scarce I will close, with love to all tho Cogs, not forgetting yourself. Little Nursemaid. A r cs, dear, I will look up a pen friend for you. AVhat have you called your pet lamb? It is exciting gathering all the eggs, isn’t it? AVaituna AVcst. Dear Hub—l have not written to you for some weeks. I am sending in the Skilltest, which I hope is correst. I went over to (ho back of tho farm to-day to throw out some swedes to the sheep

with Dad. There arc quite a lot of lambs about, now. Wo have had three lovely days up hero this week. Well, hub, wc will be having our two weeks’ holiday soon. The magpies are building ing a nest school, so that is a sign of spring. My brother has 17 hens and eight of them are laying. There have been many frosts up this way this week and they leave pretty designs on the pond, i'herc was one shaped like a big bird with its head buried in. its wings, I must close now with love to all of the Cogs and yourself. Love from Robin Hood. Wo have all been feeling lighthearted tins week, with the milder temperature and all the signs of spring. I am sure you uro looking forward very much to your holidays. Palmerston N. Bear Hub, —Cheerio, the exams are ■over an;l only a fortnight more school and then a beautiful holiday! I have done the Skilltest this week and I am enclosing it. The inspectors are coming to school on Monday anl they will be saying who is going to be recommended for their Senior Free Places. I hope I am. Just outside our school window two sparrows aro building a nest under the iron. I am glad that I sit by the window because I will be able to sec the parents feeding their chicks when the eggs are hatched. The seats by the windows at school havo two great ■advantages, one that they are near the heaters, and the other that you can look out and see any stray aeroplanes that may bo flying about. I envy the boys and girls in the country their lambs anl calves because I just love all the baby animals. The calf belonging to a man in the next street is in tho paddock next to our place and as Pet has no calf of her own she is crazy about it. She stays by the fence nearly all the time. This afternoon I •found my best flying pigeon on the a nest at school, so that is a sign of has killed it because it has no marks ■on it as if it had been caught by some ■cat or dog. I think that it might have banged into our wireless wire. The sparrows at school arc very tame. They ■come as near as two feet to eat some bread. The girls who take their dinners feel them. They fly in and out of tho schoolrooms a.nd perch on the windows and “twee ” so loudly that we can hardly hear the mistress speak sometimes. Love to your Cogs and yourself, Arawa.

tho worry of exams over a'nd the holithc worry of exams over and the halidays in view. I quite agree with you ■about the young things—country life has many attractions. A window soat at school must bo very distracting. I am sorry to hoar about your sad loss. Feilding. Dear Hub, —As I havo not written for such a long time I decided to write this week and send you the puzzle, which I hope is correct. I generally do the puzzles but forget to send them in. My brother won the prize about three weeks ago. Your friend, Frank. What a pity, Frank. We shall have to send ycu to Criss Cross House. Woodville. Dear Hub,—lt is quite a change to seo the sun again, is it not? We finished our term examination to-day and I hopo I am successful. I will send in some puzzles next week. I send my best love to you aud all your sincere Cogs, _ . ■ Zelma. We are all smiling broadly, Zelma. I do hope tho examination results please you.

Bangiotu. Dear Hub, —Just a few lines with my Skilltest. Our new teacher is nice. Ho teaches us boys to play football and tells us nico stories. I like •stories about tho war. AVo havo three bantams. They look funny with feathers down their legs. My sister violet says they have stockings on. There are ten of us at school together, and eight of us arc Cogs. Well, Hub, I will now sign off. Cheerio, with lovo from your loving Cog, AVallace. AVhat a lovely Cog family! And isn’t it good that you havo a nice teacher. Bantams are certainly funny little birds. Thank you for the sweet photograph. 1 like the young farmer in the background. Mangarimu. Dear Hub—l am sending in the Skilltest, but there is no news to tell you except that our district is white with snow. I will close now with love to you and all the Cogs. I am your Cog, Jack. Another unfortunate letter, Jack, because it was too late for the page. Has the snow disappeared yet? Kauwhata. Dear Hub—l am sending in the Skilltest which I hope is right. I did it last week all but two answers. AVo will soon be having our examination now. Isn’t the weather very rough? I will' close now, with love to you and all tho Cogs, from Francis. Your letter missed the page last week Francis, I am sorry to say. AVoodville. Dear Hub, — I must tell you about a drive we had yesterday in our gig. Jock, our horse, went along in great style,' anl when wo got as far as tho cemetery, Mother and I went up to Grandma’s grave with a bunch of heath. Then we went as far as the new bridge and drove over; probably we ■were the first to go over with a horse ■and gig. It seemed strange with tho old bridge gone! Then we drove to Ballance, past where Grandad used to live—their house was burnt lately and there are only the chimneys standing. AVe then explored the bush for a while, then came home. Lots of love, All Black. That was a very nice drive, All Black, and Jock would be very proud •trotting over the new bridge. I did not know the old homo had been burned 'down. AVoodville. Dear Hub, —The air seems very fresh lately as the spring is here at last. AVo have two little heifer calves now; wo also have two new cows in that have no names. AVould you please tell us some names? On AVcdnesday next our school examination starts and I hope to pass. There are three other Cogs in our class besides myself. I suppose I had better stop now as tea is ready. I remain your loving Cog, Shining Star.

Isn’t it funny but I can only think of flower names, Buttercup, Daisy, Pansy. Would any of those do? Polly is a nice name for a cow. Good luck for the examination. Woodville. Dear Hub, —I have not written to you for ever so long, so I thought I had better write this week. I supposo all the schools are busy with examinations now, our' school is. I am sitting for a music exam next Saturday, and hope I pass. There do not seem to bo any flowers about just now. School breaks Ain in a fortnight’s time. AVo have a lovely cat;, which we call Tiger, for he is very big and ho is striped like one. He catches many rats, and mice, too.. I am sending in a few riddles. AVell, Hub, as news is scarco I 'must close, with lots of love to you and •a.ll the Cogs, Sunbeam. Thank you, Sunbeam. I hope you do well in all the examinations. There aro quite a lot of spring flowers in Palmerston North now. Tiger must bo very lo\ r cly. I Avould like to sec him. Apiti. Dear Hub, —I have not written for a long time, so I will Avritc a few lines to you now. I hope you arc well, for we are’ quite well on the farm. Tbo AA-eather lias been a- erv rough and cold. Wc had a little fall of snow on Tuesday afternoon and tho snow-clad mountains look very beautiful AVe haA-o to have a good fire, and when wc Avent to school I was nearly covered with snow by the boys, but when we Avent into school there was no fire. I am going to send in some riddles this week. I have no more news so I Avill say goodbye. AVith loa'c to you and all tho Cogs from Cloverlea.

We thought you were having a snowstorm that day, the clouds wore leaden. You must have quite enjoyed it, Mangawhata. Dear Hub, —I am once more writing to the page. I have tried tho Skilltest and am sending it in, hut I doubt if it is right. If wc don’t try wc don’t win, do wo Hub? Well, spring is here lam sure. It sounds much like it anyway, to hear all the birds chirping ■about as busily as anything. We havo to tako our milk to the factory every day now. Wo have quite started our new season. Wc milk 24 cows and have six calves. Our hens havo started to lay and wo get four eggs a day. As soon as the ground gets a bit drier we are going to start our vegetable garden. We have some violets and primroses in flower. I must close now as this is rather long for your page. Love to all, Daphne. A nice, newsy letter, Daphne, and 1 like to hoar all the doings of the farm. Violets seem to have been scarce this year. Feilding. Dear Hub —I am sending in the Skilltest, which I hope is right. I have not written for a long time so thought I would write this week. We have had some fine warm days since Wednesday. Our holidays start on the 21st. for two weeks, i think lam going away, but am not quite sure. We havo a fire in our dining-room to-night. I must close with love to yourself and all your loving Cogs, Golden Arrow. It was nice to hear from you once more, Golden Arrow, and to know that you are making holiday plans. Linton. Dear Hub, —I expect you have forgotten me by this time, but I always read the Cog page. To-day is tho best day we have had for weeks. What has it been like in Palmerston North, Hub? We havo 12 cows in now. Betty Aird must be a clever girl to write interesting stories I wish I could write stories. I remain your loving Cog, Dawn.

You don’t know what you can do until you try, Dawn.