A Message from Mr. Puzzleman

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6835, 16 April 1932, Page 11

A Message from Mr. Puzzleman

Dear Mr Hub, I am just sending you a few lines before retiring to our winter haunts to puzzle out some winter puzzles for these puzzling little puzzlers of ours, and after Mrs Puz and I having just had our annual bath in tho expansive Pacific Ocean, I think we should bo in good working trim. Yes, we had a fine time paddling our toes iu the briney, building castles, playing leap-frog, digging for tohoroas and fishing for sharks (but all wo caught was a dose of sunburn and soveral mouthfuls of salt water). Still, it was a ripping time —ask Mrs Puz, she knows, ospecially when she first tried to get into her bathing suit. And by the way, you just don’t know what a fine swimmer Mrs Puz is. One day, a dear little crab tried to make friends with her big toe, and all I knew was an awful scream and poor old Mrs Puz was streaking for the shore at a rate which oasily broke all salt-water T ecords_for New Zealand and the world for all time, and then on and up and over the sand--hills at such a furious speed that all I could see was a dust screen behind her. Gee! I was proud of her! .She was so fond of the water and swam so far sometimes that I’m sure if she d kep going for another twenty minutes she cl have struck the shores of Miami. However, we were delighted to know all tho Cogs had a happy Easter, and also the Hub. That’s splendid. And now, just before I go, there arc one or two things I must mention. Firstly, I wish to give a great big pa on the back to a Cog named “Tuppence,” who saved mo much more than tuppence worth of brain fag by solving Mr Trooper Tex’s riddles—you’re a good sport, I’m sure—and next time I have tuppence to spend I won’t forget VoU __l’ll buy tuppence worth of apples and save you the cores!!! Best wishes to you little man, and keep your eye on Trooper (now General) Tex for me, won’t you. (But I must tell you that Mrs Puz had also managed to solve the riddles, too—she says it’s no “joke” tho way I make the “butter fly though.) And now I want to congratulate Trooper Tex on his promotion to General, for (sh-h-h-h) I’m sure he’ll be so busy now at the bead of his foicc that he won’t have time to “riddle” me any more, so I’ll be able to steep in. peace once again. Good luck, General! In response to “Qona” for a history puzzle, I trust; to-day’s and following Pkilltests will be found interesting, and not too difficult for the Cogs in general. Thanks for your suggestion Qona, and I will be pleased always to oblige Cogs with the kind of puzzles they like, if they will just tell tho Hub what are their favourites. I think we havo a great, variety, don’t you, Coggies? However, if you have any fancies, please tell us about them and where possible wc will endeavour to satisfy you. And now I think I must away, as Mrs Puz is waiting to take mo out to see the sunset. She says I must havo some recreation after long hours in the Den. . Isn’t, she cute? Ha, lm, ha. Well, perhaps she’s right—stm always is. So I’ll wish you au revoir, Hub, with best wishes to all your Buffalo BiLls, AU Blacks; Blueßclls and hundreds of other Cogs too numerous to mention, but nil members of the Big Family. Chin chins and keep smiling. MR PUZZLEMAN.

liimatan.gl. Bear Hub —I must apologise for not having written for such a long time, although I enjo,y reading the Cogs’ page as much as ever Some of the letters are very interesting . I managed to solve the Skilltest this week and I hope the answers aTe correct I was lucky enough to gain my proficiency at the end of last year and am now attending the Palmerston North Technical School, where I am taking the trades course for the present. I must close now with best wishes to yourself and all the Cogs from Bussell. I shall be interested to hear what progress you make at the Techuical School, Russell, and I shall also be glad to hear from you when you have timo.

Raugiotu. Bear Hub,—l have not received my badge and it is four weeks since I sent for it. On Saturday we were collecting pine cones and I was out on a branch when it broke and T fell 20 feet to tho ground. I did not hurt myself, but it was a miraculous escape. At Easter we had a jolly time because my grandparents celebrated their golden wedding. Then we had the breakfast at our residence. Have you had any mushrooms? I went to my friend’s place during the week-end and gathered a suitcase full. We began football the other day because we want to get into good form, I have solved the Skilltest and I am’ enclosing the paper. The other day a photographer came to our school and photographed all the pupils. As it is time for tea I will say goodbve. Your loving Cog, Nepia. Nepia, my dear, your badge was sent ages ago. What must we do about it? You certainly had a wonderful escape when you made a descent from that tree. What fun to attend a golden wedding. Maklno. Dear Hub,— Once again I am sending in my Skilltest. This time it seems a bit hard, but still there is nothing like trying. To-day is very wet, but nevertheless the rain is very welcome and will do a lot of good, as the farmers all around were suffering considerably, their stock and feed being greatly reduced. Wednesday is the bird show in Palmerston North, and both my sister and I are putting in a pair of buff bantams, but we do not know how they will get on aa this is the first time they have been shown. Well, dear Hub, I will close now as I have my homework to do, trusting you and all the Cogs are well. Love from Golden Wattle. I shall be most interested to hear how the bantams got on. Everyone must be rejoicing that tanks are full once more.

' Bangiotu. Dear Hub, —I found several words for some of tho definitions in this week’s Skilltest. I was surprised to see that,l had come top last week. Well, Hub, I have planned my term holidays. I am going to Wellington and while there I intend to visit 2YA, the zoo, the carillion war memorial, and if I can get permission I hope to see over a home liner. I would like to see the Aorangi, and if tho weather is not too rough, I will go across in a ferry steamer to one of tho many bays. My aunty lives in Wellington. I have saved up the money for this trip myself, so I am looking forward to a good time. Well, Hub, I must now close with love to you and Mr Puzzleman from your loving Cog, Wallace.

Well done, Wallace! I hope you are able to do all thoso interesting things you have planned. What wonderful things you will have to tell us. Tokomaru. Dear Hub,—Just a few lines to accompany tho Skilltest. On Friday, standards I and II went to the horse-shoe bend, away up in the hills, to get some little trees to plant at school. As this is all I will close now with love from Robin Hood. When arc you having planting day? It is nice to havo the native trees planted in your school grounds, isn’t it? Feildlng. Dear Hub, —I hope you are well. I have worked out tho Skilltest and hope it is. correct. I was surprised to sec that there were no correct solutions last week. On Saturday I sawed up some wood for Mum. There are a lot of mushrooms about now and wc have great fun gathering them. It was Dad’s birthday on Sunday and T gave him a handkerchief. As it is bed time I must close now with love to you and all the Cogs from your loving Cog, Robin. I have -shared in the mushroom boom too, becauso Dawn brought me a lovely box of thorn. I expect Dad was delighted to get that handkerchief.

Mamgawhata. Dear Hub, —This is just a short note accompanying the Skilltest , which I havo solved. Tho long wanted right sort of weather has como at last, hasn’t it? It is baby’s birthday on Saturday and she will bo ono year old. I have not received my prize money yet. I ■will close now with love from Sonoma. Thank you for that proper address at last —your prize money was returned through tho dead tetter office. What, an exciting day this is! Give baby a kiss for me. Cunninghams. Dear Hub—l am sending in the Skilltest again this week. lam sorry I was one of those naughty Cogs who omitted their names and addresses last. week. Woll, wo have had a lot more rain, and how’pleased all the farmers are, for they have had &o much dry weather that there is a shortage of feed for sheep and cattle. My father has three acres of oats just a littlo way up, so this warm rain will mako them grow quickly. We all went up to my auntie’s place on Sunday and on the way home, the rain came down so hard that it was difficult, to see the road and it got very dark too, but it cleared up again quickly and I saw a lovely rainbow. This afternoon mother caught my little sister putting a spoonful of sugar in her mouth. The basin had beon left on the table after afternoon tea and she stood on her toes and helped herself, and didn't she enjoy it! We havo not given her any sugar liko that, so I. am wondering if she noticed my little scamp of a brother taking it. I will say goodbye now, a-s I want to send my cocoa, coupons in this morning too. Love from Father Christmas. The rain came just in time for most of the farmers, I think. I cau just picture little sister and her delight in finding the sugar basin with no one about.

Colyton. Doar Hub,—l have not written these last few weeks as I have been busy ■feeding out fodder to the cows and have been too tired at night. Once again the rain has como and made the country look green and fresh. Yesterday "Buffalo Bill” and I cycled to Bedding, which is ten miles away. Unluckily we had a puncture about a mile from town and had to walk to a shop to got it mended. Wo saw a football match—Eeilding Old Boys v. Danncvirke (Pirates), the former winning by a large margin. The flower, gardens look very pretty with all their various -colours. ” We have a walnut tree and it is heavily laden with nuts. Ono of our pivs has seven little ones and they are always playing and lighting with each other. We are milking 27 -cows now and feeding two calves, and the calves’ names arc Rufus and Pansy. My older brother and myself go in an old tub down the crock and sometimes fall into the water. Please Hub, can I have "Cowboy" for a pen name as I am very fond of cows We have started to play ping-pong again and it is so interesting to watch it played. Our hens are giving up laying and are also losing their feathers now. We have a good crop of pumpkins, so we are haying pumpkin nearly evory day. I cycle to school and I like riding backwards -and forwards. Well, Hub, as that is all the news I will close. From your lovi " E COS '

You must be a handy man about tho place I think. Isn’t it good to be able to help? What adventures one can 'have in a tub going down a crock, as long as the creek isn’t too deep. R' n g pong is a good game for eye training. Yes, you may be Cowboy. Woodville. Dear Hub, —-It is such a long time since I last wrote to you, but I always look forward to reading the Cogs’ page. We will soon bo having our test examination and I do hope I manage to pass. lam in Std. IV. We have a little pony to ride to school and we have about two miles to go. Well, goodbye, Hub, I must get ready for school. Love from Fairy Bells. You must try hard to pass in your test, Fairy Bells, and do write again soon.

Kaitawa. Doar Hub, —May I join your happy circle? I am 12 years and 11 months old my birthday being on May 20. I always look forward to reading the Cogs’ pago every Saturday. Do you find pen pals? If so I would very much like some. I am fond of reading, writing stories, sport, animals, gardening, flowers, faneywork, stamp and postcard collecting and Guiding. I havo for my pets this year a black afid white Manx cat and her bob-tailed, roly-poly, black, blue-eyed mischievous kitten, named Tootles. They are groat fun to watch when they are wrestling and frolicking about. Bobtail spends most of hcrt>timo teaching Toots to be a sport and to catoh mice. They always catch at least two a day, from tho long grass next ioor. Did you go away for Easter? I did not, but had great fun at home, going shooting with my brother and sister, swimming, visiting, entertaining, tennis playing and going for rambles. On April Fools’ day mv sister caught me, but no ono else did, though many tried. Hockey and basketball have once more started and we have been playing the former on cold mornings. Fancy Phar Lap dying after winning so many races. How much is the badge, Hub? I would very much like one. Do you print stories? I solved all the Skilltest except one question. However lam sending it in. Last Saturday and Monday were my brother’s and sister’s birthdays, so Mother made a huge birthday cake. Kaitawa is a very pretty place, surrounded by hills and we are situated about 41 mites from Pahiatua.

One night as I noticed the shadows lengthening, I looked up to say goodnight to sleepy Sol, who was slowly sinking to his western home. What mystic glories surrounded his Majesty! What fairy hand had so artistically painted those scarlet and gold clouds until they appeared like so many autumn leaves, softly forming a flaming coverlet of fairy softness and wondrous beauty? As the shadows gradually became longer and longer, the sleepy golden ball sank under his rosy coverlet, until finally nothing was left but a soft glow suffusing the now darkening heavens. What undreamt of beauty there is around us, for those who have eyes to see! I have been doing most interesting faneywork, a pretty, big apron, which I finished in t.hrco days. What docs C.O.G. stand for? I must now close as it is school time I remain your loving Cog, Mavis Miers

I am delighted to welcome you, Mavis, and if you always write such splendid letters the Cogs will appreciate your contributions. Your descriptions of autumn and sunset are very nice indeed. We aro “Companions of Gratitude,” and the price of tho badge is 3d. I am sure you will find many pen friends in the family.

Palmerston North. Dear Hub, —How arc you? I have not written for two weeks, but here comes the topping letter I have promised you. We had our sports on Wednesday and I went in for two races, one an ordinary race and the other a thrcad-tho-needlo race. I did not got anywhere in either, wasn’t I unlucky? We aro now having enough rain to last us for a year, but wc were wanting rain and whenever we get it everybody says “I wish the rain would stop.” I have sweet peas in my garden, but they havo no flowers becauso they are not big enough vet. The girls have a new basket ball, but the boys ha vo Iwo now footballs, and the older one we bad last year. Your hope that I would succeed in my test was a good one, because I ca.me in the same position as in last year’s test. Tho Skilltest this week seems fairly hard. I have to say goodbye to .you because the news-bag is empty. Lots of love to you and all the Cogs from General Tex.

You started your letter quite well, General, but I think it faded away at the finish. Now where did you come in vour test?

Kiwi tea. Dear Hub, —On Saturday I went to a Sunday school picnic and enjoyed myself very much. Did you have the very heavy rain in Palmerston North that we had here yesterday? On Sunday after the rain, my uncle and I went out to look for mushrooms and we got about three-quarters of a ben si no tin full in two little paddocks. The little white pigs have not got up to any more mischief lately, but the other day when I went down to their house I saw them running races. They would ali line up and away they would go. I must close now r . Dove from Honey Bee. I love to hear about those little pigs and feel sure they are a great interest to you. Yes, we had some heavy showers and the gardens are all looking wonderfully refreshed.

Kimbollon. Dear Hub,—l am going to try and write more often to you. It is nearly four years since I joined the Cogs and I am sorry to say I have only written several times. I am very interested in the Cog page and I think the letters have improved wonderfully this year. Autumn is here and I think it is the most beautiful season of the year. The golden leaves are fluttering down to the green grass beneath and soon many trees will be bare. The chrysanthemums are in bud and the animals are growing their warm winter coats. A friend of mine living near here caught two whito butterflies in her garden and sent them to me. They are very pretty with their pale white wings and little black dots. I can hardly believe they arc such awful pests and do so much damage. Have you seen them, dear Hub, or have any of the Cogs noticed them fluttering around in their vegetable gardens? I spent my Easter holidays at my grandfather’s home, and I had a lovely time. My sister had a little black and white puppy given-.to her. She calls him “Tip,” and she Is very proud of him. I must close now, and not take up too much space. Love to all the Cogs from Marion.

I shall be pleased to receive more letters from you Marion. Strange to relate a Dannevirke Cog mentions white butterflies this week, but I have not seen one. This autumn has been a particularly beautiful season. Don’t let Tip grow too fat.