FATHER 'XMAS' NOTEBOOK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13050, 15 December 1905, Page 4

FATHER 'XMAS' NOTEBOOK.

It is just twelve long months sine* I visited this beautifnl city. It delights my heart to get to the top of Mount Eden, and view- the grand panorama bathed in sunshine. The thousands of boys and girls who were introduced to me on my last visit to the D.S.C. will be pleased to hear of my travels in other lands. ■ ;

Everybody knows that my home is at the North Pole, and my dear wife. Mother 'Xmas, resides there during my absence, under the care of the great white bear. ; Strangers, knowing this, give my house a wide berth. Many a long winter night I sat with Mother 'Xmas and the Bairns, telling of the happy children in' Auckland. The time slipped quickly away I had to keep my engagement' at the D.S.C. during 'Xmas, so I had to pack tin and.be off. I selected four beautiful reindeer, had my sleigh newly painted. I said good-bye to Mother 'Xiuas, embraced the' children, and was away to the • sunny south. At the first bound of the reindeer on the frozen snov I heard the voice of my youngest boy saying, " Bring me home a football from the D.S.C." The reputation of the N.Z. footballers had even reached my quiet home circle. After ten days' hard' travelling I reached my kingdom of toys. My subjects were very glad to see mc. They exhibited their year's work and energy, and the _ : marvellous strides in Steam Engines, Motor 'Buses, Steam Fountain, Turbine Steamers, Big Drums, Japanese Cannons, Duck Shooting, Aunt Sally, Dart Boards; Dolls, dressed and undressed. Jointed, Floating. Sleeping,. Dark or Fair, and all beautiful; Walking Jacks, Jabberwoky, and Wabblers; Mechanical Toys, Trams, Trumpets, Fog Horns, Rubber Toys, and Arks; Animals of every kind, ..but quiet, tame and domesticated. I instructed my subjects to ship 100 cases at once to the D.S.C, where I intend to take up my abode fcr fcliyifc weftTss, and again make -'ilw- .ttq - .\> '■/;>.< ?>•'.<> it icy happy lit'; & fvie.:ds % nade a hurri -.n joarioy through ; :«3ia; no. happj . 'k'drea in the land of the Tsar. Ftoroe armed Cossacks everywhere, .vv poor reindeer always trembled at the sight of those cruel men covered with 'blood. I was very thankful "to tumble over the Himalayas, on to the plains of India, where I got some choice things in Indian toys for boys and girls. My face was now set for the country where Dick reigns. I travelled day and night, order to give ray good friend « "aid with the Sections. Had I arrived a- day sooner our combined efforts would have annihilated, the Opposition. I remember tho great effort made to increase the population by 'my good friend, the Eight Hon. Richard Sneddon. r.C. Although it increases my responsibility, it increases my joy to be able to distribute to the thousands of children * 'Xmas Presents at the D.S.C. The Premier is the greatest man in this country next, to myself, and while we pull together New Zealand is' right. ■' :- <: - •:•'■'- , FATHER 'XMAS, The Cave, D.S.C.