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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20626, 26 July 1930, Page 4 (Supplement)

DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS: The reading of stories for " The Critic " took mo quite a long time, but It was very interesting. 1 want all tho older boys and girls to read this feature regularly, as tho replies will give them jnany useful hints in tho preparation of their own manuscripts. It is surprising the amount of incorrect spelling I noted In going through tho entries, while the punctuation was often very careless. Care In the preparation of copy is essential, as the correction of spelling and insertion of proper punctuation marks does not appeal to tho editor confronted with a big pile of copy.

There is a now and very interesting competition this week for members thirteen years and ovor, also a continuation of the ' Members' Names " con-, test. 1 have not yet judged the last

junior's contests, as i am writing this before the competition has closed.

Oh, most important! Next week we ehall start a most thrilling serial, " Tho Blue Pirate," written specially for our page by tho popular New Zealand author, Ellersley Hall. I suppose every boy has read Mr. Hall's book, " Tho Secret Station." " The Blue Pirate "is just as exciting, and I can promiso you a real treat when tho first instalment appears! Love to you all from

MY VISIT TO NEW PLYMOUTH. Dear Miss Mortun,—During the holidays I paid a visit to New Plymouth, tho prettiest town I have ever visited, Sir George Groy giving it tho title of " Tho Garden of New Zealand." Tho first thing I noticed when I was nearing the town was tho coldness and freshness of the air. Then, as wo lieared the wharf. «ji artificial broakwator. I caught my first glimpses of Mount Egrnont at a distance 'of 20 miles away. Mount Egmont is an extinct corn t.lwayß iinow-capped, and rises to a height of 8260 ft. When I arrived at tho town after 20 minutes' journey by trurri, I thought that New Plymouth was rather small compared with Auckland. While there I visited the Pukekura Park, where the scenery is beautiful. This pari? is noted for its vast collection of various trees and ferns, and its splendid fernery. On the sea-front is mnother park, Kuwaroa, an ideal playground for children. The baths, tho only ones, are also on the coast, while at Moturun, a part of New Plymouth, there is a huge rock, 300 ft. high, named Paratutu. The sand at New Plymouth is black and hot, in some place# too hot for the feet to bear. V.'ell, I will now close my letter, and I think that New Plymouth has many things to interest one.—From your faithful pen-friend, Thelma Churches. Tamaki (age 12).