REGARDING OUR PAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 4 (Supplement)

REGARDING OUR PAGE

HINTS FOR NEW MEMBERS j Several now members have for information as to membership in our Circles, how they may win their what the mark cards stand for, how oft-en they may send in items and whether all work submitted should be original. In the first place, there is no charge for membership in our Pen-friends' or Artists' Circles. Girls and boys up to the age of sixteen should fill out the enrolment forms printed from time to time in our page; if sixteen or over, a Senior Circle form should be used. The Pen-friends' Circle is for general contributors; the Artists' is for those who wish to submit paintings or sketches, and can be joined only after a sample of their work has been sent in. Cash prizes, mark cards or stars are awarded for all work printed in our pace. New members often ask, \Vhat shall I send in?" " Do I have to write everv week, and what should I write about? Must it be original work, or can the items be copied?" Members are particularly requested NOT to write once a week. If they did, I would have to read through scores of letters every day, not one twentieth of which could be published! So please remember this important rule —read the page regularly and. carefully, and keep a lookout so that you may know whether the Letterbox is "Open" or "Closed. No items forwarded during the " Closed " period are kept, so if you want to avoid disappointment, heed the rules. The reason for this restriction is that so much excellent copy is sent in that we have to wait until it can be, used up before any more is accepted. If you read the page regularly, you will soon find out the kind of item to send; original work is preferred, but copied poems and other items are also used occasionally. These must be short; copied stories, essays or long articles or jokes are not accepted. When mark cards totalling 100 have been received, they entitle the winner to a five shilling cash prize, a certificate and the title of M.8.G., which means fully qualified member of Boys and Girls. 'When the second 100 marks has been won, they receive a prize of 7s 6d and title of D.M.8.G., Distinguished Member of Boys and Girls, and for the third 100, a 10s prize and D.D.M.8.G., or Doubly Distinguished membership. Some of our very enthusiastic members have wished to retain their connection with the page, even after winning their 300 marks, and they then become Honours Members, with an Honours star after their name. Girls reaching the age of 21 without having won their D.D.M.B.G. also become Honours Members if they wish to continue to contribute to our page—.and we take it as a very real tribute of loyalty and affection that they should still wish to retain their association with Bovs and Girls. Gold and Silver Stars; When 12 of these have been received, they should be sent in, and a book to the value of five shillings and a handsome Star Card is awarded. Winners may ask for any special book to the value named. Please read this carefully and keep lor future reference. Rules for members next week.