From the Hub

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 55, 6 March 1937, Page 16 (Supplement)

From the Hub

DEAR COGS, I feel like saying, “I told you so!" Letters this week have been full of joy that school has started once more and that happy feeling has even permeated my den. I would not be surprised if all the Aunts and Uncles went back to school, you have made them feel so envious. Now I want to pass on two tiny stories about animals, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, being mentioned in despatches this week. First of all I must tell you about a nice mother cat at Wanganui airport. This puss lost all but one of her own family and set about adopting two young rabbits to whom she has become very much attached. The story goes that she treats them with greater care than her own offspring and the bunnies appear to be in no way perturbed and seem to enjoy their foster mother’s attentions and fussing more than those of their real mother. The small inoffensive guinea pig, often kept by children as pet in shy captivity, is rendering valuable service to a Dunedin firm of merchants whose premises were once used as a restaurant by a horde of rates, the other story goes. Cats, traps, and poison were all used in an unsuccessful attempt to exterminate the rodents. .Then several guinea pigs were introduced, and Boon the rats left for fresh fields. The reason for this sudden exodus is simple. Tlic two animals do not move in the same social circle in the animal wo Ad; rats have a keen dislike for guinea pigs, presumably because of their smell, and refuse under any circumstances to live, as it were, under the same root. Now, who can beat those two stories? I think Uncle Bob might but he hasn't recovered from his long, long holiday yet. You will I know all send your love and sympathy to Aunt Margaret, who is in hospital and the combined good wishes of our big family circle must soon make her well. Remember your Nature notes, because searching for those will help you at school. And now dear people I wish you happy busy days at school. Your friend, THE HUB.