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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19838, 7 January 1928, Page 4 (Supplement)

•J *** (JwJt «Jk »J* «Jt V ♦> *»* Like the «tar *? That shines afa*» ♦*» *♦* Without haste »J» V And without rest, *J» Let each man wheel with steady <•* sway *♦* Round the tasks that rule *•* And do his best. V •*». —Froia Owen Burley, F'apatoetoe. A ♦

Dear Boys and Girls, — Here we are, back to onr tisaal "Boys and Girls" again, after three special Christmas and New Year issues. You will notice one or two small changes in this first New Year page. For one thing, we will close the Jumble Roll, and institute a system of stars, which you will read about in our page to-day. I think, too, that the Christmas and New Year pages, with their special pictures and stories, have been an idea that we might well repeat, so one of the features of ''Boys and Girls" in the New Year will be the introduction of special pages from time to time. The first of these will be a Holiday Page, to which all readers are invited to contribute. Prizes will be given for the best holiday stories and letters, and'ihdian-ink drawings for illustrating ouf page will also be acceptable. Read the special announcement in this page today, and you will, I know, take up the idea with enthusiasm! I have ® big pile of letters on hand, containing good wishes from many readers, and while J cordially return the good wishes, space will not allow the printing of the letters, so all my little friends wiL have to take this as a general acknowklTonpt all those who are eligible for membership in our Pen-friends -and Artists' Circles will fill m the enrolment form which appears to-day, also that those members who have not yet applied for badges will do so promptly. After today, enrolment forma will be pnnted only once a month, so that will mean a long delay if you overlook filling in the forms B I am sure you don't want to bother with too many competitions while yoni are but I hope you are all jgpiuz io do your'best with the Christmas Painting Competition ! A large number of entries have been received and l expect to receive many more by the time the contest closes next Saturday. Your friend, A RQTORUA HOLIDAY.

Dear Miss Morton.—l would Uk® J*®*? touch to describe to you the + delightful holiday we spent at Rotorua.. NaturaU w lost no time in sight-seeing. Whafca nmized us Its geysers, mud pools, and boiling pools were all a source of wonder to *ua Jho before had seen nothing more exciting than fresh-water It was very- delightful and r.ew to us to see the Maoris cooking their food in the boilm„ pools, and sometimes. we would meet a very old Maori making flax baskets or mats in a really marvellous way. Ik favourite pastime. with us was watching the Maori boys jump for pennies off a tiridee at Whakarewarewa. .On one occasion we went fo; a trip around the lakes. The scenery was . The lakes were bordered . with weepfa? willow trees, the haugins branches bowing down till they touched the bp arkling waters below. On the. bamks Plimru3e3, violets and maidenhair fern G'e-v in clustering abundance. and the sweet fragrance of these wild flowers proved a welcome ch&uge after the continuous smell ci sulphur which we had become bo accustomed to. A novel, form of amusement was examining the f-noient Maor) pas, all which afforded, us much interest. It was indeed interesting to "508 the old enno3 bucii stone tomahav its, battle-axes. and erjoars, and think o all the old historic Maori wars ihey had passed through, but all enjoyable things come to an ? n ,.*T i after spending ten days m this delightful holiday resort, we returned to Auckland, end home. With love from your mend. Sheila Ouinn. Tennyson Street, Mount Eden. (>Age 14 years). A DAY IN THE BUSH. Dear Miss Morton.—lt wa3 a beautiful summer's day when mother called me early, telling me to get up Quickly as tho cars would soon be here. I was too excited that morning to eat much breakfast. Wben all was ready I pot 111 and away W9 went. Up and down hills, over bridge* and over long, stnight roads. The sun shone brightly, and the Bky web cloudless, with a gentle breeze blowing. "We reached our destination about 10.30 p.m. It was in a deep bu6h. There were too many creepers and tree a to sjfct the car in» *o we left it nnder a lance wood tree. We helped to carry the things, and at last we came to a. brook where the water was as cold as ice and as clear as crystal. The men set a fire, and we soon bpiled the billy. We children ran off into the deeper part of the Tovely bush. The ground beneath our feet was a soft carpet of moss. The air was one chorus of the sweetest music made by the tuis and bell-birds. Wild flowers nodded their head*, creeperc spread their leaves out in " Welcome." The cruel boys went in search of nests, and we girls picked and polled native flowers and fernß. After lunch we played " Hide and Seek" till it was time for afternoon tea. HoniG was the next thought. Tired and weary after our happy day in the h=:art of the bush, we readied home. After tea I went to " Nod-land." bappv as a king after that lovely day in New . Zealand's beautiful bush. " Yottrs sincerely, Madge Melville, Pokuru, Te Kawa. (Age 13 years).

OUR PIGEONS. I am going: to tell you about our pigeons. We have fourteen pigeons: two dear little white ones were born yesterday. They are very funny and clumsy when they are little. It is very funny to Bee them being fed. they put their beaks in their mother's, and they snake tip and down. They make an nwfal noise. They are very bossy when they are stronger, and will not let the mother go near them. We have fivo Tumblers, It is funny to watch them flying; they fly up in the air and then turn somersaults. Have, you ever seen their eggs, Miss Morton? They are white, and as big as pullets eggs. We also have a calf called Dimpy. When we. E" to feed him T sit on his back and he trie 3 to buck me off. He is very greedy, and chases me around tho paddock for the bucket. Well 1 must- close, now. I remain, your new pen-friend, Iris Allen, Waimana. (Age 13 years), THE MAIL BAG, Mil la Gurr: _ Your trip np Itangitoto *onnded most interesting. I hope that your pussy haa walked home again ac lightheartedly as he walked away! Jean Harold: What with all your fourfooted pets, Jean, you most have a very interesting time! " Lady" sounds a dear. Sheila Pilcher: That was a long, hard ride, Sheila, and I am sure you wish horses' shoes didn't wear out so soon I H. Goddard; No Christian name given, no I don't know whether the kewpio-doll dres3 directions are from a boy or girl. John Gleeson: Thai was a very nice little letter, John, and I will use it later on. ' Dick Ramsay: Many thanks for your letter, and .the pressed kidney fern. Dick. The letter is being kept for a special page of " Bovs and Girls." lan Grant: I could not send you a badge, because you aid not forward the money, neither did you say which Circle ypu wished to join.