HAPPY COGS

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 74, 28 March 1936, Page 16

HAPPY COGS

A BELOVED MASTER “THE SQUIRE OF SANDRINGHAM ’ (From, an Exchange). In the beautiful grounds of Sandring ham dogs are running to and fro between their kennels and a gate .... •whinning .... watching for the mastei they love. Well do these dogs—King George’s Labradors, his famous Clumber spandels—known that these days are shooting days, and as they ponder on the absense of the deep and kindly voice of their master, there is to be seen in their forlorn eyes a hesitating hopefulness alternating with perplexity. But for one dog—and she a celebrity —there is no more perplexity. For Sandringham Susan, the sole survivot of the four Suffolk working Clumbers with, which King George founded his famous strain in 1920, was put to sleep recently. Not for her the pain, the bewilderment —the anxious waiting. “Detached.” Sandringham It is impossible to mistake the simple dignity of the proprietary air towards their beloved master of those employed on the Sandringham estate, or their apparently detached interest in the attitude of the rest of tho world. Officials, keepers, kennclmen and gardeners refer to the King’s death almost shyly, as though it were a private concern of Sandringham and not a subject to be discussed with peoplo from afar, no matter how well they might know them. “He may be your King,” they seem to say, “but it is a matter of far greater moment' that he was our squire.” To anyone who has been in personal contact with Sandringham folk during the past few tragic days, it is abundantly clear that “The Squire of Sandringham” is no haphazard phrase, but an exact picture of the great King's standing in the eyes of his Norfolk people. As one responsible official remarked: “He was more like a gentleman than a King.” THE CHEST IN THE ATTIC Sometimes on quite afternoons I love upstairs to run; For in the attic hid away Are memories of yesterday, I know them,- every one. In Granny’s chest, that is so old A hundred things are laid; A flouney frock, a buckled shoe, A crumpled wreath of flowers blue, And many another trinket, too, That once adorned a maid! This dainty shawl of cashmere wool My Granny’s Granny wore Upon her shoulders white and sweet; Her gown, that hid her tiny feet, Trailed yards upon the floor. And see! this coat of velveteen Great-Grandad used to wear; With linen ruffles, white as snow • At wrist and throat, he used to go To court Great-Grand-Mamma you know, (AVhat fun if I’d been there!) Among the clothes I sit and dream Until I seem to see The attic fill with misty hosts Of friendly, long-ago-day ghosts, Who stand and smile at me. Great-Grand - Mamma, Great-Grand-dad’s there, And heaps of others too; “You’ve come,” I ask, “to play with me I cannot stay, because you see, Downstairs the bell has rung for tea! 1 mustn’t stop with you!” WELCOME NORA Opiki. Dear Hub, —May I join your happy band of Cogs? I am nine years of age and I will be ten on the 7th of May. I am in standard 4. May I have Silver Moon for my pen-name? I am enclosing three penny stamps for a badge. I have two pups I would like you to name, please. Well I will say goodbye to your band of happy cogs and yourself. Nora Young. A big welcome, Nora, we are always happy to receive new cogs. I am sorry but we already have a “Silver Moon,” so could you choose another pen-name? Kapiti Island, Ngatitoa Tribe. Dear Hub, —Hullo! Here I am again afer a long absence. I’ve forgotten how to spell the name of my island and the name of my tribe. I will have to buy a sixpenny spelling book. Has Mr Puz. discovered a brain-wave, nr has he a book full of competitions? t don’t like the look of the Skilltest. J think Kipling is writing to our Page. Powder and Patches is certainly a poetess. Te Rauparaha.

Te Rauparaha, is he on the warpath again? I wonder or do you go to sleep during the summer Te Rauparaha?

TIMOTHY’S DIARY by jameFhurdle (Continued From Last Week.) Sunday. I went to church to-day. I called for Dicky, but, as usual he was still "under the blankets.” Mrs Hedge very politely told me to come into the hall and wait for him. Dick’s bedroom is upstairs and so his mothor called out to him to come down. “O.K. Muml I’m coming right nowl ” replied he. My word— h« did come. Next moment his small figure came sliding down the stair banis ter, and failing to stop at the end ht landed on the floor. There was a loud bump. Mrs. Hedge came running to the scene to seo what the matter was. “Tho little rascal” scrambled to his feet and remarked that sliding was a great sport. “It’s a great morning exorcise,” he told me. However, we were soon on our way to church. I haven’t told Dicky about the scare I had on Friday night. “I don’t believe in ghosts,” he once remarked. Tom Hearne told “Sharpeyc” that ho saw his great grandad's ghost one night. Simms said that if he looked in a mirror- he would probably see a better ghost, I agreed with him. Anyway, I don’t believe that he ever had a great grandfather. . “Sharpeye” told Hearne that he must had had a nightmare. Then, another boy said that he, too, saw a ghost. Dicky told him to go and see if ho could see another one. Monday. More homework to-night. Dash it all! Whenever Dicky and I want to play marbles or a game of cricket “Sharpeye” always gives us extra homework to do. Dicky is constantly saying that arithmetic should not have been invent-ed-on the other hand, “Sharpeye” is always saying that marbles should not have been thought of. Homework should be abolished. Most of the fellows at school say so. It’s no use protesting—it wouldn’t get us far. I get so mixed up with tho history dates. Why do we have to know them off .by heart? What if Watt did find out the power of steam in 1736? It is all right and sufficient to know that he did discover steam power. (To be Continued.) WHISKY BILL'S CANADIAN RANCH Longburn. Dear Hub,—-When I looked at tho Skilltest this morning I thought it was another of Mr. Puz’s “impossibles;” but because a Cog and not Air. Puz, had suggested it I kept staring at it until I could feel my eyes dropping out so I gave in when I had found twenty-two names. Centenarian must be too old to write to you now; or else too lazy. Last time I saw her sho was looking remarkably well and she looked more like a girl of ten- years than a Cog of 100. You must come and see my cowboys and mo when you are on your next world tour. You will be sure to see some good shooting. My ranch will be easy for you to find. Just ask the first person you meet in Canada. They all know me there. Whisky Bill. Do you really own a ranch,- Whisky Bill, and employ cowboys? You do lead an adventurous life and what fun it must be. GINGER BOY IS WITH US AGAIN Halcombe. Dear Hub, —I am very sorry that I have not written to you long before this. Since my last letter I have been away to the beach twice |or a holiday which I enjoyed very much. Last year 1 was a pupil at Makino school but this year I am attending Halcombe school and hope to get my proficiency at the end of the year when I will be 13 years old. My sister is in standard 2 and my little brother will begin school next year. Ginger Boy. It is a long time since I last heard from you, Ginger Boy. You were lucky to have two beach holidays. I hope you get your proficiency, too. TEMPTING EASTER DISPLAYS Feilding. Dear Hub,—l suppose you thought I had forgotten about you and your happy band of Cogs but I haven’t. Easter will soon be here again, the shops are decorated with Easter eggs which are very tempting. The children from Manchester street school are going to the opera at Palmerston North to-morrow afternoon if they are allowed. -1 am going so I hope it turns out as expected. Miss Armour who is one of our school mistresses is taking charge of the children and she said the music and singing is beautiful. Angora. It is lovely to hear from you, Angora. Did you go to the opera? lam sure you would enjoy it. The Easter eggs make a tempting show don’t they?

A VISIT TO FLOCK HOUSE

Ashhurst. ' Dear Hub, —It is such a long time since I wrote to you that I think you must have forgotten all about me. Yesterday wo all went to town and m tlio afternoon we went out to Flock House to sec Whistler, who is staying there. The garden there is very beautiful, as well as big. There are lovely green lawns and shrubs. Isn’t the sun naughty, Hub? Lately lie’s been going behind every cloud he sees, and doesn’t come out for a long time. Only to-day he has been very good, as he hasn't been behind a cloud at all. I suppose most of the Cogs will stop swimming soon as summer is practically over ami we are getting ,on to colder days. We went for a picnic to-day and enjoyed ourselves immensely, the water was very warm. We are having our school fences and gates painted and all the paths newly cemented. Dancing Daisy.

I hadn’t forgotten you, Dancing Daisy, but was wondering where you wero hiding. The swimming will soon be finished I think and winter games begin. A DAY AT THE SHOW Rangiwahia. Dear Hub, —I am going to tell you about the Rangiwahia show. I received first prize for iny drawing and second for my purse. In tho morning I ran in one race and came third. I saw many horses which jumped high hurdles. Country Maiden’s father came first in one chop I think. I had about six icecreams and two cakes of chocolate. Mother, Father, Dawson and .1 all enjoyed ourselves I think. Inside there were many exhibits. We put Nellie, our pet lamb, in tho show and came third. I saw Betty Fergussou riding Rajah her horse. Tui. What a day you spent at the show, fui, I wonder that you were not ill with all those icecreams and so much chocolate. You did do well with your drawing and handwork at the show.

HOW TO MAKE AN AMUSING GAME. Quite an amusing game can be easily made from materials which should be available in most households, or, ii not, can be easily' obtained. First of all we require an empty gas mantle box. Faint a face on it and cut a large hole for the mouth. Next make a cone-shaped hat out of stiff paper, and glue this to the top of tho box. Now obtain tho lid of a large-seized boot box, cut a gap of about 2in. at one end, and glue the gas mantle at the other. If you now fasten a strip of elastic across the gap, you have a s'ort of catapult, by means of which you can flip counters into the mouth at the other end. A PEPPER-MINT ZOO On a wet afternoon it is great fun to make a pepper-mint-zoo. This is a : game which appeals to everybody—for jwlio does not like pepper-mint creams? It is important to wear your oldest clothes, and don’t forget to scrub your hands before you start. First of all put a pound of iciug sugar into a bowl, see that it is quite free from lumps, and then moisten it with the white of an egg and two tablespoonfuls of creamy milk. Mother will show you how to divide tho yolk from the, white, and how to whip it with a fork until it is-very, stiff. . Stir the sugar with a .wooden spoon, and soon it will become a soft, firm dough; the proper name for. this is “fondant.” Then add about two teaspoonfuls of essence of pepper-mint; you must taste it to make sure of having it just right.

When the whole of the fondant is properly flavoured, borrow ' mother's rolling-pin and roll it into a sheet of* about half an inch thick—a little castor sugar sprinkled on the top will prevent it sticking. Now comes the most exciting part of the performance. You must each have a perfectly clean penknife, a new paint-brush and a strip of fondant. In the middle of the table put a saucer containing a teaspoonful of cochineal (this is rose pink colouring) mixed with a teaspoonful of water. With the point of a pen-knife draw elephants, camels, cows, giraffes or any animal you like on the fondant; you will find it quite easy to cut them out afterwards. Paint, .the eyes, ears

A BONE FOR FIDO

Poston. E. Hub,—lt is'a long time since I’ve written to you so I’d better hurry. Yes! where is Fido? I wonder if he is the stray dog who comes to our place every day. I gave him a large mutton t bone the other day and he seemed to enjoy it. So if it is you Fido, don’t say I ill-treated you. On Friday night I went to "A Girl of tho Limberlost," and enjoyed it immensely. There is a thrilling serial on now called “Rustlers of Red Dog.” They always seem to wait till an exciting part comes to then switch off. I do hope Heather Adair won a prize at Sandon. My sister is back from Dunedin but the other is still down there. The one who came back spent a fortnight down there and visited all her old friends. We listened to the broadcast from New Plymouths’ new aerodrome opening on Saturday afternoon and the Governor General unveiled the monument of Mr. Uliu and Sir Kingsford-Smith. The Hon. Lee Martin passed through Foxton on Saturday at 1 o’clock and to-morrow (Sunday) he is conducting the harvest-festival services at the local Methodist Church. Hoppy-Go-Fetch-It. Fido should really write when you are so kind to him, that is if it was Fido.. Your sister would enjoy her visit to Dunedin, it Is so pleasant to meetold friends again. THE TINY PUP Dear Hub, —Granny and Granddad are home agaiii after being away up to Hastings for a fortnight. A sundowner called here to get somo hot water. And he had a dog with him that had a little pup about two days old. He carried the pup in his pocket. I pulled a tooth out to-night, so I am going to put it under a glass so that the fairy will come. Hinc 0 Te Ra. Wo musn’t havo lazy Cogs, must we, Hiue o To Ra? I wonder what the fairies will leave in place of tho tooth?

and any markings you think necessary with cochineal. Then arrange the animals on clean paper, and leave them to harden. Sent in by Dancing Daisy. koofs. The road is wide and the stars are out and the breath of the night is sweet, And this is the time when wander lust should seize upon my feet. But I'm glad to turn from the open road and the starlight on my face And to leavo the splendour of out of doors for a human dwelling place. ■ • I never have seen a vagabond who really liked to roam, All up and down the streets of the world and not to have a home; The tramp who slept in your barn last night and left at break of day, Will wander only until he finds another place to stay. A gypsy man will sleep in his cart, With canvas over head, Or else he’ll go into his tent When it is time for bed. lie’ll sit on the grass and take his ease, As long as' the sun is high, But when dark he wmnts a roof to keep away the sky. If you call a gypsy a vagabond, I think you do h'im wrong, ' For he never goes a travelling, But he takes his home along. And the only reason the road is good .every wanderer knows, Is just because of the homes, I'he homes, the homes to which it goes. They say that life’s a highway, And the mile-stones are the years, And now and then there’s a toll gate, Whero ypu pay with tears. , It’s a rough road and a steep road, And it stretches broad and far, But at last it leads to golden town, Where golden houses are. Copied by Dulcie Hore. Who was the oldest woman ever heard of? Ann Tiquity. . , When is a bill like a mended chain? When it is receipted,

AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT

Feilding.

Dear Hub, —This is Ralph the Rover calling Cogland! On Friday an aeroplane, (which was jounrneying from Milson Aerodrome to the air pageant at New Plymouth,) piloted by two Palmerstonians made a forced landing on a hillside not far from where I live. I went to the scene of thp landing. The occupants suffered from shock and received concussion which necissitated their removal by ambulance to the Palmerston North Hospital. A picture of the aeroplane was in Monday’s "Times.” I went to the air pageant held at Milson Aerodrome in connection with the McGregor Memorial Fund. “Scotty” Frazer gave a rather thrilling and splendid exhibition of parachute jumping. One could see the parachutist’s small form on the wing of the aeroplane and a moment later a great -white streak shot earthwards from tho machine. "Scotty” had jumped. The parachute then opened and ho made a more comfortable and slower descent to earth. It is interesting to note, Hub, that the parachute is really opened by a pilot parachute which could be seen above the larger parachute. Four K.N.Z.A.F. ’planes, including r. bomber, besides numerous outside club planes attended tho pageant. A display of formation flying Was given by the Air Force machines, while another plane flew upside down and showed tho spectators ' some "crazy flying.” Mr' O’Hara arrived later in the plane in which ho flew the Tasman Sea. At approximately four o’clock one of the Union Airway'’s liners arrived fronr Dunedin with passengers and mail. It was a very good pageant and the takings amounted to a little over one hundred pounds. Ralph the Rover. It is a great thrill to watch the aeroplanes arriving isn’t it, Ralph the Rover? Did y-ou see them flying in formation? A SUGGESTION FOR MR. PUZ. Sumware. Dear Hub, —I’ve been doing the Skilltest more or less in spasms since Saturday and now 1 can scarcely think of anything but boys’ names, girls’ names, uncles’ names, auts, cousins, friends, cats, dogs, cows, horses, etc. 1 don’t know how many I’ve missed as L haven’t had much time to put to it. E hope the winning list is published, Hub, so that one can laugh at tho names one has missed. Perhaps Mr. PUz would let us have a “Telegram” competition again, either all the same letter or a variety, (set letters of course) I like a mixture best. It is a rather chilly day to-day and I guess one will need to hug the blankets to-night. They are good bed mates on cold nights, only they are hard to part with in the mornings. I was in Palmerston on Saturday but missed seeing you again. I think we spent too much time over afternoon tea. Uur young Persian cat died on Sunday. I think it must have been tired of our funn_, summer, which, by the way', was its first so it wouldn't really know' how awful it was. Aren’t the Virginian creepers pretty now? Such a lovely red. Hooarni. Dear me, I am sorry to hear that you arc not too well, Hooarni, and it is hard going w'ithout things you like, isn’t it? I do hope you are better soon. The Virginian creeper in certainly a very pretty sight just now. POOR TIGER TIM Filzherbert West. Dear Hub, —You can tell King Lion that I have a sore head, but it ivas not through diving off tho higher bank and hitting my head on the bottom. A piece of wood hit mo on the forehead when I was chopping so that meant bed for me. Tiger Tim. Poor old Tiger Tim. You must be moro careful next time you are chopping wood. Was tho lump very big where y r ou were hit? POOR PATCH AND PAINT Dear Hub, —I hope you are well, and never get the mumps like I have and have had them on both sides. I havo had to stay in bed for live days and I was very glad when I could get up, us it was so hot aud Mum kept saying “keep y'our neck covered.” There has been a good few with tho mumps at our school. We w'ent to Feilding sports last Saturday' and had a good time. I ran in an open race and camo third. There were twentyoue different schools there so I was told. We might be going to Wellington on March g 9. lt is iny little sister’s birthday- on March 24. Patch and Paint. It is lovely to hear from you again Patch and Paint. I was wondering w-hat had become of you. The mumps are certainly most unpleasant. Best wishes for little sister’s birthday. A WORD OF PRAISE FOR POWDER AND PATCHES Halcombe. Dpar Hub, —I have not written for a long time as my sister has joined and she gets the Skilltest. I celebrated my birthday last Friday and I am now 12 years old. Wasn’t it a lovely day to-day and the wireless says- rain from Taranaki southward. Powder and Patches must be a genius to be able to write those rhyming letters every week. Curiosity. You could both do the Skilltests . on separate sheets of paper if you like, Curiosity. I think we have had enough rain for a while but the weather- is most uncertain-isn’t it? -THE HUB REPLIES DULCIE ,HORE. —Yes, Easter is almost upon us, Dulcie. Many thanks for tho list of - pen-friends. BILLIE MOTH. —has gone to live in Marton. I am glad you are still writing to our Page, Billy Moth althougfi you now' live in Marton. You must tell me about your new school. GREEN GEM. —I am sending your badge to you, Green Gem. Yes, the wcathec, was wonderful last week wasn’t it? DIGGER. —The dog trials must be very interesting, Digger. Did you have a dog in the trials? I am glad you liked your badge, ,