Holiday Letters

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 4 (Supplement)

Holiday Letters

A BUSH HOUSE AND A GARDEN Dear "Miss Morton, —To-day I sit in the ftleasaiit shade of what once deserved the name of " Bush-house." Alas.! That name has been forgotten eince destruction and decay have taken possession, and now the once new and pretty fern-house is just an untidy ruin. It is about as tidy as a shag's nest. When it was first made it was really very neat and pretty, when the ferns and plants which are dead were growing and flowering./ Since its first season it has had two winters to go through, the first one taking the roof and the gecond killing the remaining plantsi. However., I intend to rebuild it again this autumn and in doing so I am going to reinforce it where I have noticed weak points. By next spring and summer I do hope I will have it established sufficiently to send you a description of its contents. Here in 7 the country our pastures, gardens and tanks are a,ll crying for rain in vain. As I think of th® town gardeners with their plentiful water supply and compare them with the country gardeners, I cannot help feeling envious, but only for a moment as X realise, like one of our fellow-members once quoted: "That which is lightly gained is lightly , held." In the country we have eo many garden enemies to combat that I often. wonder why "gold" is termed the most valuable substance, when surely water deserves first place? Gold is only valuable for bartering, it is neither food nor drink. It cannot produce, save by way of exchange. However, to go back to the garden, I have beans for picking, maize cobbing, tomatoes ripening, peas and beans are just coming up. and silver beet and kale, for fowls, are just up i£ the box. I have some nice size onions in my crop (150). My potatoes are all finished now, but I supplied the household with potatoes from October 1 to a day or two ago. The cauliflowers I am afraid I planted too late for they have become infested flj' although small. Most of the 'holidays here are coming to a close md in & week's time I suppose all holidaylpakers will have returned home.—l remain, tour affectionate pen-friend, Norah Bonn, Axkles" Bay. ' • /■ HAMILTON LAKE Dear Miss Morton,—l simply must tell you about my day I spent at the Hamilton Lake! The dawn had hinted at the coming beauty of day, and a fresh breeze kept the atmosphere quite cool. I started my journey at 9.30 a.m., arriving at the lake at 10 a.m. There was quite a number of people there, despite the early hour. Having secured a satisfactory spot in which I deposited my belongings. I at once prepared for a refreshing dip. The coldness of the water at first plunge quite takes away one's breath, but after a while it becomes warmer and more pleasant. I did not remain in the lake very long for I came out after half an hour hnd expired. I then went for a stroll. admiring the delightful shade which the trees offered. After rambling about for an hour or so I met some friends who were just emerging from the bathing shed, after a delicious swim. We decided to lunch together and I may tell you we had a substantial fill. The afternoon passed in ices and swims, till at six o'clock very happy and just slightly fatigued. I prepared tp go home. —Trusting you also may have a happy holi- ■ day, I am, yours sincerely, Thelma Pascoe, c.o. Mrs. Greenwood, G.P.0., (age 13)'. FUN IN THE BREAKERS Dear Miss Morton,—-The other day there •was a high wind, and when the tide was full the beach was covered by foam-fringed breakers. It was a lovely sight to eeo the 6eagulls winging their way against _ the wind, screeching, diving and at last in a corner of some fairly sheltered bay, gliding ever the swell. Robs, Max, Grant nnd I all went in for a swim and although it was cold in the wind it was warm under the water. We had some good fun too. Max and I were the first under and we had the laugh at Ross and Grant. Once I was lying not very far from shore when a huge wave broke right over the top of me, giving me a mouthful as well as plenty up my nose. Sometimes we would try to swim up against them and be knocked backwards.. sometimes lie down flat on the bottom with only our beads above water and when the wave ; •was on top of us, spring and swim to shore ■with it. But all good things must come to - to. end and wo had to go in and _ get dressed.—l remain, your loving pen-friend, {too* CoaUr, Axltles Bay (age 10). '

A HIKING TOUR Dear Miss Morton, —I would like to tell you how my sister and her cousin are spending their holidays. They have gone on a hiking tour. Starting from Wellington, where they live, they walked down to the wharf carrying their packs weighing 281b., which, consisted of a sleeping bag lined with eiderdown, und a few other necessary articles for camping. They took the boat to Picton, from there they walked to Havelock where they stayed with friends. They travelled round the Sounds over the Mungatapu, down the Maitai into Nelson. On leavirg Nelson they crossed over to the Moutore Hillß into Tasman Bay, Mptueka, there to Riwaka, where they visited the raspbsrry gardens, the bushes being laden with fruit and the pickers busily engaged picking the fruit into wooden buckets, which were weighed, and emptied into barrels and sent to . the factories. From Riwaka they went to Torrent Bay. Crossing back to Motueka and visiting Lake Rotoiti, via Top House then on to Murchison, from there to Reefton where they stayed a few days with relations. They walked the whole of the way. and write in glowing terms of the country and scenery they have passed through. They intend visiting other places of interest, including South Westland and Fran.-, Josef Glacier.—l remain, yours sincerelr, William Lockyer, Hungahunga, Wahi roa (age 11).