LETTERBOX CORNER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 4 (Supplement)

LETTERBOX CORNER

LEASE NOTE.

.THE HAUNTED WHARE Dear Miss Morton.—Labour Day dawned 4ne but a cold wind was blowing. " Our picnic is off " I said to myself. "It is sure to be.' I've never known a Labour Day to be fine yet." About (en o'clock.a friend of mine arrived. " Oh! aren't you ready yet?" she eaid. " Beady." I retorted. " You don't «*pect to go in this do you? " "Do come. I'm dying to see the little hut in the busn ihat you call the ' Haunted Whare,' " said Bubby. Thug in half an hour's time we Bet off carrying with us some lunch and a billy of tea. Five minutes.' walk across paddocks brought us to the seventy-acre bush/ j Full of rapture wo set our pace eagerly along a leaf-carpeted track. It was not long before we came to a Pinall clearing and to the left we could see the " Haunted "Whare." Inside were bed clothes, pots and panß, old clothing of various descriptions and a small fireplace. This was the hut of a bushraan who lived there about ten years ago. A sudden fear of centipedes seized us and sent us out of the hut quicker than r *s had entered. We continued our way • past the big blackberry bush and came 011 to a rough muddy track. Several yards in front of us were a great number of "supplejack" Creepers and we at once ran to them and after each of us had secured a strong one we started swinging. "We tried to see who could swing the longest and how our poor hands ached! Half an hour of this ■non made us tired, so scrambling tip the lidce we came to a fenc<\ On crossing the fence and climbing to the top of the hill, w# looked down and before us could see the homestead. It was not long before, we reached home wishing with .all our hearts that we were back in the bush again listening to the tuis and bell-birds. It was 011 Labour/Day morning that I heard the shining cuckoo for the first time this season.— I remain.. your sincere pen-friend, Betty Soar, Piriaka (age 13). — PICNICKING AT PIFIONCIA Dear Miss Morton.—lt was a showery, •pring day last Saturday, as we set off toward Mount Firongia fully prepared for a jolly week-end camping holiday on our brother's farm, which is situated on the, elopea of the picturesque mountain. The drive was very interesting but there were spasmodic showers between the dazzling rays of golden sunshine. Eventually we reached 'the foot of the clay road leading to the old mountain. We ventured forth, crawling slowly through the deep ruts and mud holes, minus the chains. The Raglan deviation was not to be compared with this winding, slippery road, for there was a ibower coming down from the mountain and the drops beat hard upon the windscreen. Finally we reached our destination, and after a substantial lunch, we walked around the green fields of the prospering farm. We visited the friendly cattle, frolicking and calves and the timid litter o£ black pigs. Next day wo decided to explore the bush further up the mountain. The road was very bad. owing to the rain the day before, so our shoes were soon covered with mud. We lunched on a eecluded spot in the heart of a small patch of bush and we obtained our water from a fern-fringed stream near by. Wo carved our names on several native trees in r°Kiepnbrance of the happy day we spent in the bush. Monday morning! My spirits ■were a little dampened, for we were to return to the busy city streets. " But still." I told myself. " T can always recall the happy memories of Nature's true home- the bush! "-i-Your loving pen-friend. Kathleen Grace, c.o, G.P.0., Hamilton (age 12). j THE POTATO PLANTERS Dear Miss Morton,—l wonder how many fcrn-friends spent Labour Day as I. did. I planted potatoes and found it most enjoj able. ; After breakfast we loaded up the konqki with potatoes, tins and fertiliser and set out. The horses begun to give trouble and went, too fust, which of course, was of no use, for if they go too fast the plough will not plough the ground properly. At last they slowed down and we were able to start planting. What fun it was putting the potatoes in the furrows, then dad put on the .fertiliser. When tho furrow w;is filled we had n rest while 111 •» horses ploughed about time furrows. The first was to cover the potatoes and the others ve left, for when the potatoes are big enough they have to b» moulded and n space has to be left for the horses to wain in. After a while morning tea came out. How nice it was, and as a treat pink leamingtons, which I found out had been snoilt and given to us to eat up. but for all that we er,joyed them immensely. When we were asked if we would like to have lunch in the paddock wc said " yes." for it would add greatly to the enjoyment. < Again we started work, but now it was getting monotonous so I thought that it would he far easier |o put on the fer ( iliser. 3 found this a great deal easier, for stooping and carefully placing was not necessary. 1 At about two o'clock dad said we could not 1 finish in one day, so we gladly packed up 1 and wttil home while dad let the horses ' out. . I reached home tired but happy and 1 Went to bed early prepared for school on 1 the following day.—l remain, your sincere < pen-friend, Judy Peppercorn, Waihou (age 11). 1