HAPPY COGS

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 144, 20 June 1936, Page 16

HAPPY COGS

OUR DAFFODILS ARE PEEPING THROUGH,” SAYS POWDER AND PATCHES Hukanui. Dear Aunt Margaret, I'm feeling rather blue, Cogs This weather’s awfully drear, It seems to mo that winter Is really and truly here. The rain is pouring down, Cogs, The wind is whining, too, The hours are dragging by, Cogs, Or else they seem to do. I went to the dentists yesterday And, had seven front teeth out And very soon I’ll bo done, With dentist trips no doubt. I only have four wisdom teeth Left in my young head, When I reached the dentists yesterday 1 surely could havo fled. I’ve paid so many visits To this same dentist, too,

That it really was no wonder, I sponsored, —much adoo! I’m ALWAYS having teeth out, But my trials should soon be o’er, 'Cos when I lose my wisdom ones, There wont be any more. Our daffodils are peeping through, Above tho damp old earth, I’ll be so awfully glad when they Fill their bare plot with mirth. Tho garden is so awfully bare, I feel that I could cry, . And very often do you know, I cro-ssly wonder why— Flowers don’t bloom in winter, Or are there some that do? If you could name some of them, I’d be much obliged to you. Mother bought some new shrubs And I’m thrilled "to the boots” For by the way she talks of them, They surely must bo "beauts.” I wonder how our Hub is And if her journey’s o’er, Will she come back again now, To be our "Hub” once more? I love tho way you fill our page With drawings quite completely. Would you have room for one from mt If I do it extra neatly? I’ve a poem of my own you see Which I’d like to send to you,

But it also needs a drawing Of a sailing ship, too, I've illustrated it before, And thought perhaps you might Have room for this gay venture craft Boldly done in black and white. We had a B.C. rally here, On Thursday last and there Seemed to be a huge big crowd, Of gound folk from everywhere, The time slipped by so quickly It always does —I know, When I am enjoying things The time does surely “go." Isn’t it rather strange, too, How—when you’re feeling gay And everything is just “so so,” How time just “flies" away. My red cardigan is growing And I’ve started something new, A lovely new supper cloth, I surely love it, too. It’s a border of autumn leaves, They surely will look grand, When I’ve done embroidering them, And yet all the way around Mother’s busy crptchetmg, She surely is a worker, I could never imagine My mother as a shirker. My letter of last w;eek, Cogs, Was much too long I fear, And so with my "good wishes,’ I’ll end this letter.here, I send my love to all the Cogs And also Aunt —to you And to any fond relations And friends—l send it, too. Powder and Patches. I would like you to send that poen: and illustration in very much, Powdei and Patches. KIDDLES Q. What has a mouth but cannot taikl A. A river. Q. What has ears but can not hear? A. Oats. Q. What has eyes but can not see? A. A potato.

“THE WORLD IS CHANGING” SAYS BONNIE BLUEBELL Woodville. Dear Hub, Again to you this week I write. Oh! it is a sorry sight, Cold and rainy is the day, I wish this rain would stay away. On Sunday morning it was bngh , And we were enjoying warm sunlight, But as the noon wa3 drawing near, Our blue sky was not so clear. / At nine it was just like tho sea, Clear and blue, still as could be, But later on it did amaze, And round the hills there was a haze. The sky looked greyish, as if ram _ Would fall, on Woodville fields again. And right enough within an hour. We had a fairly heavy shower. But later it had cleared away, Then wo expected a better day. STo! after three again was wet, \.nd we are having the ram yet. It is show week also, too, I think it always rains, don’t you? When show time comes each year, It’s either wet, or cold and drear. Another jumper lam knitting, . Just up the first sleeve I am getting, Colours being a peach, and pale grey, And I began just last Friday. I tell you, Hub, that it is fun, Trying to get a jumper done, For a fast approaching date, I’ll havo to knit fast or I’ll be beat. Still the rain is-teaming down, Over country, and over town, I wonder will we have more sun, I’m rejoicing, as winter’s half done. When swimming season comes again, We’ll be waiting for it, then When there’s holidays from school, We’ll all be off down to the pool. My word, the year is passing by, Nowadays they seem to fly, Christmas time comes and then No sooner it is back again. Once to me tho year did go, Crawling ou as slow a 3 slow, Year by' year the world is changing, All things seem to be rearranging. And certain days we hold each year Seem to be fading out I fear. As for instance, now Guy Fawkes day,

me ium ° - As some years back it used to be, A day, of noise and shouts of glee. Long before that day was come, People were looking forward to some Noise and gaiety, at shade, But never now —it’s seemed to fade. It is true the world’s changed somewhat And ways and fashions, too, arc not One scrap like they used to be, The world’s completely turned, you see. Still, oh still! it rains away, I’m sure we’ll have it all day, And maybe for a week or so, I really wonder will it go. I'll have to be off, dear Hub, The time, I’m sure I do not know. And of course I must be fair, And leave some room, for Cogs to share In our Page, each Saturday, More room for other letters each day. I send all my love to you, And now I pen you all "adieu.” Bonnio Bluebell. SILVERSHOON IS HOME PROM HER HOLIDAYS Palmerston North. Dear Hub,—l have just been, away for my holidays and enjoyed them very much. On Saturday my Uncle took me for a drive to see the new bridge and also to see the sights. Silvershoon. I am glad you enjoyed your holidays, Silvershoon. Where did you go for them? Do write and tell us moro about the things you saw. HOLIDAYS Palmerston North. Dear Hub,—"We are having a holiday for the show tomorrow and Friday and a whole holiday on tho King’s birthday. Derry. You are lucky having so many holidays, Derry. What are you going to do? go at the show?

COMPETITIONS WORD SQUARE AND WORD DIAMOND Skllltest Winners. The prizes this week go to Rose, Palmerston North. Tiger Tim, Pitzherhert West. Again I was very pleased with the numerous entries. Other correct solutions were sont in by Columbine, Gumboot Bill, Laddie, Narcissi, Laughing Water, Hooami, Derry and Lizzy Limpet. SOLUTION TO SKILLTEST Word Square. HANGS ALERT NEVER GEETA STRAW Word Diamond L HIT HUMID LIMITED TITLE DEE D PENFEIENDS WANTED Deirdre McCready (8), “Gnarivyn” Ondit, via Colac, Vic. Zandra McCready (11) Same addross as above. Thelma Ford (15), Post Office, Timboon. Heather Ford (9), same as above. Hazel Ford (16), same as above. Merle Cummings (10), same as above. Myer Blake (13), 33 Gladstone St., East Coburg N. 13., Vic. Lorna Cowell (14), 19 Compson street, Reservoir, N. 19, Vic. Doris Heenan (14), “Corona” Clover Flat, via Coleraine, Vic. Maureen Ryan (15), Doyle’s Private Bag, Cohuna, Vic.

USED STAMPS The Hub wishes to thank the following Cog for sending in used stamps. Gretehen, Feilding. “WE OUGHT TO MIGRATE LIKE THE SWALLOWS” HOOAMI Sumware. Dear Hub,—l have solved the Skilltest so will enclose it. I found the “Word Diamond” rather hard for a start, and then it simply “fell” into place. Has Aunt Agatha finished that scarf yet? It will be worth keeping to put in Palmerston North’s Museum when it is erected. With its many colours it will be quite a curiosity! Ido not enjoy cold weather at all. I think we ought to migrate like the swallows. I can’t think of any news -with the wireless on. To-night we are going ,to listen in to the Timaru Brass Band from 3YA. One of my cousins is in the band. I love the community sings over the air, except that one misses nearly all the fun, as the audience always laugh at what I presume must be the antics of tho song leader. I would love to be at the Christchurch “sings.” Hooami. .Yes, .I, too, enjoy the community sings but. I am sure we miss many of the jokes. It would bo an excellent idea to migrate, Hooami. A LETTER FROM LAUGHING WATER Feilding. Dear Hub,—l am your most irregular Cog I think, only writing once in a while. I still, however, read the Cogs’ Page every Saturday, and try my hand at the Skill test. Also, I think I am baffled this week, I have solved I think the word diamond, but my brain power is completely petered out when I saw the word square. Horvever lam still hoping. The question has arisen, please is there any age limit to remaining a Cog aud still doing the Skilltests. I have often woudered if we can continue writing until we are grey and haggard. I suppose not. I have been having another attempt at the Skilltest and have at last solved it. At least that is if it has only one solution. I thought this one rather hard. I do think that we are heading for snow here in Feilding. These mornings the lawns are encrusted with a white sparkling blanket of frost. And it is so cold. I wish I could leap into an airplane and bo whisked off to Fiji for the rest of the winter. Don’t you? But if wishes were horses—as the saying goes. Laughing Water. Dear me, Laughing Water, I Teally must confess lam not quite sure of the age limit. We will have to ask the Hub when she returns.' However it is lovoly to hear from you, Laughing Water.

“BIG BEN HAS A SPRAINED WHIST” SAYS CINDERELLA Cheltenham. Dear Hub—The weather has been nice and warm this last few weeks so 3 will write before it gets cold and my pen becomes frozen. finished knitting my jumper now and it doesn’t look bad considering I made it and 3 have started making another one in red and fawn and in cable stitch. The Cheltenham- school boys played Kimbolton school boys and sorry to say Cheltenham lost and Big Ben had his wrist sprained. Did you play basketball when you went to school, Hub? I think it is a good sport. I think Powder and Patches rhyming letters are wonderful. Haven’t we been having some hard frosts these last few weeks. 1 don’t suppose Mr. Puz. likes getting up when it is cold like this. I haven’t my pony now as I have lent him to a friend to ride to school on. Have you seen any little lambs or calves in the paddocks yet? I came second in the test wo had at school. Cinderella. You are doing very well with your knitting, Cinderella. I’m sure the one finished is lovely. No, I haven’t seen any lambs or calves yet, Cinderella. I was sorry to hear of Big Ben’s accident. POPEYE AND HIS SPINACH Feilding. Dear Hub, —Here I am once again. 1 have just had a good meal of spinach! I enjoyed reading Powder and Patches’ rhyming letter, especially about ‘‘Popeye. ’ ’ I am in the school football team which is entering for the seven-a-side tournament at Palmerston North on the King’s Birthday. Popeye. That spinach will make you very strong, Popeye. You must be a good footballer to be in the school team. Good luck for the tournament.

A NEW COG. Palmerston North. Dear Hub, —May I join your happy band, and please I would (iko to have “Brown Eyes” for my pen-name? I am going to ask my friend if she will join, too, I hope so. I have a white cat. Please would you name it for me? And also if you could manage it I would like to have a pen-friend in Italy. Brown Eyes. Welcome to our happy band, Brown Eyes; I would like you to send in your real name and full address please, so that I can enter your name in our big book of Cogs. I wonder would the cat like Eloe for its name. MOONS Gold moon, silver moon, Little moon, big moon, Don’t you want to play and juggle With the moons you’ve seen? Big fat orange moons Little thin white ones, Small deep pink ones And one, perhaps, of gold; Quantities of silver ones Somo with faces on. them, Some with faggots on his back. Don’t you want to play with moons Stand and toss a lot of moons, Have all kinds and sorts of moons Bobbing through the air? Red moons, white moons, Yellow moons, green moons,' Jumping from your fingers And playing in the air. • Pocetta Saunders .Phillips,

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES HAS BEEN. BAKING Aslihurst. Dear Hub, I’m sitting in the kitchen all comfy and cozy And its made mo feel both “witty” and “prosy.” The smell of the cake in the oven is a . treat, It makes me long for something to eat. My cold was so bad I’ve been coughing all night, But a slice of that cake should about put mo right. You’ll be very surprised to learn that I 'tried To make some small cakes heaped up on the slide. If you could but see them all fruity and brown, I’m sure that you’d wish I would bring v somo to town. You’d put on tho kettlo and brew us . some tea, And what a fine timo we should have — You and me. Anne of Green Gables. Your Skilltest and letter arrived just too late Anne of Green Gables. I am sure those little cakes would be delicious. How is your cold? Quite better I hope. “EXAMS ARE OVER” SAYS SECRET CODE Palmerston North. Dear Hub, —We have now finished our examinations and I am pleased they are over. Tomorrow it is my sister's birthday and she will be seven. Mum is going to make me a wino jumper soon and I am knitting a pair of slippers for myself. Secret Code. It’s good to have the examinations finished isn’t it, Secret Code? The knitted slippers will bo very cosy these cold days.

A JOLLY PASTY Oroua Downs. Dear Hub, —Tho cows are drying off so quickly and it only leaves us 11 to milk at niglit and 20 in the mornings. But it won’t be long they’ll all be in full swing again. Well, Hub, I went to the party and had a jolly good time. Wo had paper hats, squeelcers, balloons, and confetti and I didn’t get home till two o’clock. Snow Flake Fairy. What a lovely party, Snow Flake Fairy. Pm sure you would- be tired next morning. A LETTER FROM LIZZIE LIMPET Dear Hub, —We have just finished our exams but I do not know where I came in the class. I might be going to tiie show, too, as I will get a free pass. Lizzy Limpet. It will bo fun going to tho show, Lizzy Limpet, there are so many exciting things to see there. AN APPROACH Silently Spring comes across the wind-whipped days, until aslant the tedious epilogue of -winter long shining shafts of warmer light fall gently; benevolent assurers of Spring's certain nearness. Mildred Nickerson. Patient: “Is the dentist in? I want to make an appointment.’’ Maid: “He’s out.’’ Patient: “Good! When will he be out again?’’

TIMOTHY’S DIARY BY JAMES HURDLE (Continued from last week). Thursday. This morning Dicky was late for school; that’s like him! He was just finishing his breakfast, (so Mrs Hedge told me), when a steamroller, one of Dick’s delights, passed the house. Some men wero working on a road near the school and the roller was travelling in that direction. "Great guns! There goes “Ginger” and his old steamroller!” cried Dicky for he had caught the rolling sound it made, and taking a last and largo bite out of a piece of bread he hurriedly and rudely left the table. Of course, ho had to upset the teapot and he very nearly took the table-cloth away with him! "Goodness!” exclaimed Mrs Hedge. Having found his bag, but not his cap, he said goodbye to his mum and ran off in pursuit of his quest. This "cap, (and perhaps bag) business” is awful. I might quote that it takes me a long time to "dig up” my cap or school bag. (I don’t like' wearing a cap but mum marlces me and "Sharpcye” insists that we should.) Whenever you are late for school aud want to get away in a hurry or a boy friend calls for you to go to the “talkies” there is always something you can’t just find. It’s usually that way with me. Every time I cannot find my bag or my cap, for if one is not misling the other is, Dad asks me where 1 put them. "Where did you hang your bag, last night? Where did you put your cap?” my parents ask. Usually I hang them on the floor. However, they are soon found somehow—sometimes I "fish them out” of a corner in one of the rooms, or find them "hiding” under the table while it is not surprising to find that door handles serve as pegs for hanging my bag on. When I remember I hang my bag on a peg in my bedroom. Yesterday morning Dad tripped over it for 1 left it lying on the floor. Well, Dick later found his cap—it was in one of coat pockets. “Ginger” allowed Dick to ride on the steamroller. He is very popular with most of the fellows at school and because of his ginger hair the boys call him "Ginger.” Steamrollers are veryslow travellers, dear Diary-, and therefore it was a long time before Dickyarrived at the school gate. I bet he wished he could have ridden on the roller and talked and joked with “Ginger” all the day-. "Sharpcye” was calling out the spelling when suddenly there was a gentle tap on tho door. I knew that it was Dicky and I pictured him standing somewhat miserable outside in the corridor. There the door slowly—very slowly, opened and in he crept. He was a sight; his hands and face were very black. The steamroller explains why. "Good morning, Sir!” said Dicky trying to cheer up a little. “Good morning, Hedge,” replied "Sharpeye.” Ho then asked the late one what had detained him and why his hands and face were black. Dicky confessed all; the sentence w-as: “Stop in when the others go out to play and write out lines. You must write 500, Hedge, for more than once you have been late.”

Dicky was then told to go and wash himself. I sympathized with Dicky and felt liko saying to “Sharpcye,” but said it to myself, "You must not be so “stiff” on your lines for more than onco you have imposed them on us.” However, Dicky was soou clean. He had to write "I must not ride to school on steamrollers.” Friday.

Three cheers! Hip, hip, liip, horray! To-day school “broko up’’ —no more school for two weeks! All the boys were excited! Who wouldn’t be? Monday: I went to see a football match on Saturday. Usually Igo to the pictures but it was one of those Greta Garbo films that was showing. Now you know, dear Diary, -why I didn’t go. The match was not a bad one. Every time something exciting happened a gentleman in front of me kept jumping up and down and bawling out. (To be continued.) A HOLLYHOCK 10 ft, 6ins. HIGH Halcombe. Dear Hub,—l am bringing some scrapbooks and peggy squares in tomorrow (Thursday). 1 have not tried the Skilltest yet, I managed to find about S colours for Aunt Agatha’s scarf. He will be feeling warm and gay through the winter now. I am making a basket at school and am going to make a purse when I have finished that. It is about 0 o’clock when I get home from school now; sometimes about half-past if the train is late which it often is and also in tho mornings. Our three pet lambs have been sold recently and we got 265. for them. We have five calves this year and three bull calves. Thero is hardly anything in tho garden now. We have a hollyhock which is about 10ft. dins. high. The Emu. Many thanks for the lovely scrap books and peggy squares, The Emu. How interesting making a basket and purse. ROSE HAS BEEN HAVING EX.AMS Palmerston North. Dear Hub, —On Monday we were having exams all day. I had my essay marks to-day, but I didn’t do very well. I had 9S in arithmetic, 25 for spelling, 19 for writing and 60 for essay. When I told my mother she said, "I think you will come top of the class.’’ I am top in every subject so far except in essay. Rose. You did do well in your exams, Rose. It will bo lovely if you are top. A DAY AT A FARM Palmerston North. Dear Hub, —I have not been writing lately as I have been on holiday. On Sunday I went to a farm and did not get home till late. I have not been making any peggy squares as I have no wool. To-day I had a geography and history examination. Sunshine. What fun going out to a farm and where did you go for your holidays, Sunshine? Were your examinations verd hard®

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO FUNNY BUNNY Palmerston North. Dear Hub,—lt is my birthday to-day and I am seven years old and have received many presents. I am going to the show and am very excited. Hasn’t it been frosty lately, Hub, but we have had fine weather and I hope it is line for the show. Funny Bunny. Many happy returns of your birthday, Funny Bunny. You were lucky to get so many presents, weren’t you? There are so many exciting things to see at the show. CAMPING IN THE JUNGLE The Jungle, Africa. Dear Hub, —I’ve been having a lovely time since I last wrote to you. I have been camping in the middle of the Jungle. My tent is pitched by a beautiful little stream. I have a magnificent view of part of the jungle from my tent opening. Just across the stream are two huge rocks shaped like mountains. On the top of them they have big basins which are filled with water. Around the sides of these basins is growing a green moss. When the sun shines on these it makes a beautiful picture. I spend most of my time hiking around looking at some picturesque parts of the Jungle. 1 simply love looking at native beauty. Hub, I think Timothy’s Diary is very interesting. I look forward to reading it each week. King Lion. So you’ve been camping in the middle of the jungle, King Lion, how lovely. What wonderful drinking pools those rocks would make.

KING- WINTER’S FAITHFUL SERVANT. Feilding. Dear Hub, —I have started collecting used stamps now, and I have two balls of silver paper. Would they bo of any use? We have almost finished exams at school, and I am very glad. My worst subject is geography, and we had it yesterday, but I think I have come oil all right. The ice this morning was half an inch thick, but there were no icicles on the taps. Jack Frost is quite an artist, isn’t he? He can draw such pretty white ferns and trees on the windows, although he freezes'us while he is about. He is a faithful servant to King Winter, because ho always does his job thoroughly, Gretchen. The silver paper will be most acceptable, Gretchen and thank you for the stamps. It is lovely when exams are finished, isn’t it? A FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT Hello Hub! This is Cog, Ralph the Rover calling! My -word! It is very cold here to-day and is raining “cats and dogs’’ which is a sure sign that Old Man Winter is somewhere about. (If Aunt Agatha -was here I’m sure she would have to wear that scarf!) On tho King’s Birthday a seven-a-sido rugby football competition is to be held in Palmerston North and a team representing our school is entering. I am to captain the team. Ralph the Rover. I am glad it is our Cog, who is Captain of the football team. Best of luck for Tuesday, Ralph the Rover.