THE BEST LETTER.

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6841, 23 April 1932, Page 15

THE BEST LETTER.

Dear Hub, —I copied out the Skilltest this week and hope it is right. Thank you very much for printing my letter. Enclosed please find 3d in stamps for a badge, and an Autumn story. Does Kathleen Hopping write to you? Do you print stories? There have been two pretty white butterflies flying about latoly. They are an awful pest and we have been trying to catch them. Exams start in another week! Those dreaded exams, which we all shiver at, but wish to pass. To-day is a simply glorious summer day, so I straightened up some of my gardens. Our chrysanthemums are all out and make quite a show. East week a photographer came to school and took our photographs. I think the suggestion for the “Autumn page” is a good idea. Havo you ever lived in Ihe country? Wo have beon here only two years, and previously lived in Fcilding. I remember, when I first came out here on a summer’s day, being struck with the quietness and poacefulness of pretty Kaitawa. Being a “townie” I wont into raptures over pretty ferns wc found in our rambles through the busli and over the hills. I mado a fern rockery and many varieties of ferns still grow there. The high hills in front of 0111place were soon climbed, and the bush behind explored. Clumps of trees seemed to be scattered everywhere. From the top of the hill a beautiful view of Kaitawa is obtained, and so wc snapped it. Down at the river it was beautiful. All that could be heard was the chatter of the water, as it bubbled over stones. The birds filled the air with their sweet songs, and one was enraptured. Further up the road, about seven miles, is Hincmoa, an even more picturesque spot than Kaitawa. The school is very small, set in beautiful bush surroundings, with the river winding its way behind, it. Past, the school there arc ■not, many people living, o-nlv three houses. Wandering through the bush we came upon a tinkling stream, which babbled over the pebbles to join the Tiver. One could imagine the fairy of the stream singing that same song which Tennyson wrote: “I chatter, chatter as I flow To join the brimming Tiver, For men may come, and men may go, But I go on for ever.” I do love the bush and country on fine days. I don’t like it in winter, though. During the week-end Ashley and Norma Hcaly came over, and wo had great fun playing cowboys and Indians in the hills in front of our place. The bush and manuka scrub made excellent places. Ashley was Buffalo Bill, Norma was Buck .Tones, and I was Tom Mix. Wc did enjoy ourselves and I am. sure wc sounded like a crowd of hooligans with out ‘‘ Surrender! Stick ’em up! Bang-bang! Doggone you!” and various other expressions. However, ww enjoyed ourselves, and that was all that mattered. Wc went for a ramble round the river in the morning, and scared the cows out of their wits. On Monday morning we had an extremely heavy fog. which did not. lift until ten o’clock. It left a glorious fine day, the third one wc’vc had. My brothers came over with some friends and everyone had great fun, as the week-end was beautifully fine. I must now close as it is lunch time. Hoping you are in the best of health, I remain your loving Cog, Mavis. Tour letter should delight all the members of our big family, Mavis, and thank you for the Autumn story which I shall hold in case we are able to manage an autumn page. I love the country, too, but perhaps best in the summer time. What lovely games one can play in the bush and by a river, and isn’t it a joy to hear the birds?