THE MAIL BAG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21781, 21 April 1934, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE MAIL BAG

Janette Gillespie.—Another little Australian who loves to read Boys and Girls! You must send me a letter to print one of these days, Janette. Euphemia Sharp.—You are credited with 70 marks. But haven't you kept your cards? You should always be able to tell how many marks you have by looking- at them. The sketch is spoiled by faulty drawing of face of child knitting. Edith Lynn.—"We do not care to use an idea or a scheme already in operation elsewhere, Edith. I think you are quite right in keeping the Furry b.ook, and also Bib and - Bub. Kathleen Odey.—Yes, it undoubtedly is more difficult to writo stories when one is 20 than when one is 15, because by that time you are just beginning to find out that you don't really know anything about life nnd you can no longer write about childhood. It is only life itself that can teach you how to write now. I didn't see the story you mention —did you send it? Gwen Evans.—You are inclined to be oversentimental in your prose, and it suffers accordingly. To say Anzao Day " eteals round once more " seems to give quite the w/ong impression. ' To me it comes as a steady, inevitable marching through the years. Then again there are awkward phrases, such as " we somewhat futilely attempt." There is no such word as "futilely" —or if there is, there oughtn't to bel Iris Reeves.—Easter story too late. Several of the others being held for consideration. Plonse don't send any mora just yet. " Fairy Dog" very charming—l, shall .treasure him. Many thanks. Mavis Armitage.—l never find a column " long," Mavis. My trouble is that it iB almost always two or three inches too short! I am eo glad you have enjoyed the accounts of my trip. Re your illustrations, the " Wind Elf " was good for a first attempt, but not quite good enough to publish. You cannot hope to succeed at illustrating unless you have studied drawing, and you would soon grow tired of copying. E. V. Yarnton.—Many thanks but I am afraid the children would not be ablo to pick more than three or four of the names in the list. Joan Schwarz.—Thirty points is correct. Acushla Turnbull.—Just address the letter as directed in the paper. No names of penfriends were given. Nellie Anderson.—l think you had better keep the items, Nellie, as I have a great many on hand, and only the very best ever find their way into print. Meliissa Cameron.—Mank thanks for the packet of seeds with the long name. I never heard of Sphocralcca before—what are they like ? Gwen Evans.—Your copy is all quite good, Gwen, but unfortunately we are limited to eight columns every Saturday. West Cojist 'article shows descriptive powers, but that kind of thing should be done only as practise. Words and phrases put together nicely, but human appeal entirely lacking. Keep all these essays for' four or five years, and then you will understand what I mean. Eileen Garrett.—l'm afraid you'll never win another card if you write both sides of the papor, Eileen! If you rewrite your request for the Garden Lovers, I will insert it. We do not use copipd items the length of the story, unless under special circumstances. The " tinfoil picture " idea sounds rather difficult, but it may appeal to some of our clever young folk.

Ruth Park.—Glad to welcome your reentry, Ruth. You have sixty marks. Alice Dubi.—" Wind and Trees " a good practice effort, but not the type of thing we publish. Lucy Fyers.—Evidently two of the stars have not been entered, eo I will correct my book. ■Olive Hyde.—Subject too slight for a story. Now if Paddy had caught a schnapper and found the diamond ring inside —! Adeline Waller.—l have tried to get a photo of Elma, but Mrs. Lee has only snapshots, and they would not reproduce The one you mention was on much smoother paper. I was very interested to hear Leome was a school mate. Do you write to her 7 She is a dear little girl. Grandpa is quite well, thank you. and celebrated his 86th birthday last week, aud had many offerings of chocolate from his young lady friends. Bernice Hunt.—l am sorry the Easter item was crowded out, Bernice. W ill keep it for nest year. "Alleluia, Hearts to Heaven " is my favourite Easter hymn. The music is so beautiful that I enquired 6ome time ago who wrote it, and found the com" poser was Sir Arthur Sullivan. Arthur May.—lt would take rather too long to criticise your story, Arthur, but I win just mention one or two points. If you a story to be read, do not write both sides of the paper. Such a sentence as " Amazement. and a feeling of friehziedness was hurriedly jumbled into the one sound would kill any story! I think it would be better for you to read our page carefully for some time before attempting storywriting. • , . Norah Benn.—l quite agree with what you write about keeping Anzac Day as a day of hallowed memory, Norah, but do you really think New Zealand /'children are learning to welcome it eagerly- as a day for holiday-making? It may bo so in some sma>l country districts, but I don't think that is the spirit that rules: in the cities. But i would bo glad to hear from other country members on this point. Anzac etory not quite up to standard. . Colleen McCracken: You should fill in an enrolment form next time one is printed. Colleen. We do not have a Birthday Roll Call in Boys and Gills. . Elsa Flavell: "Thank you for your interesting letter, Elsa. I think you had better decide to be a teacher, for it is extremely difficult to secure a position on a newspaper. Yes, mine certainly is interesting work, and you are right in thinking J. enjoy it. , LETTERS AND SUNDRY ITEMS FROM! Phyllis and Stanley Manson, Rona Coster, Joan Johnston, Gwen and Betty Soar, Joyce Letford, Patsy and William Lockyer, Popp? Hill, Kathleen Grace, Valerie Webber. Kathleen Odey, Agnes Winskoll, Betty Zandeis, Kathleen Cairns, Gwenda Millier, Stella Woolsey, Bervl Adcock, Betty Ray, Phyllis and Vera Hellier, Jeanne and Barbara du Pontet, Josie Brocket, Raymond Hi 1. Shirley Susden. Margaret Wilson, Betty Dromccol, Lottie Cole. Kitty Cox, Mario Blomfield, Alice Dubi, Grace Barron, Phyllis Lowe, Ron Dellow. Sam Bush, varie Dunnett, Lake Bntclielor, Nora Benn, Doreen Bartiey, Jessie Burgo.vne, Sheila Hogben, Doreen Bailey and Hazel Giddens, Iris Keoves. Preslon Craig. Phyllis Beck. All® McAnully. Elsie Waring. Dorothy Turner. Graham Steele. Betty McKinnon. Margaret 'Harvey, Elsa Flavell, Florence Cook, P^" 1 ® Lowe, Flora Soar, Valerie Webber, Colleea McCracken. ■ ,