THE MAIL-BAG

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22006, 12 January 1935, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE MAIL-BAG

HOLIDAY LETTERS CONTEST NOW OPEN

•Rae Conway.—l cannot tell from your name whether you are boy or girl. Children with names that could belong to either sex are required to write "Miss" or "Master" when signing same. I cannot send a badge until you let me know, as there are different, ones for boys and girls. Elizabeth Close.—l expect you have received payment for the story now. I liked it very much, also the seagull letter, which will be used. Gladys WilHon.—Glad you liked the book, Gladys, and hope the bronchitis is better now. What a nice lot of Christmas presents you received. John Erceg.—You have the makings of a short story writer, but are not sufficiently careful in grammar and spelling. Also signs of carelessness in building up story. Why should a delicate lad of fifteen rush o£F in his pyjamas at three o'clock in the morning to save a mob of cattle when his uncle and farm could have done the job? And the other man, instead of sitting down brooding about the losb of " some hundred and fifty steers" a week afterwards, would certainly have been searching the country to locate them! Mobs of cattle don't just drop out of sight in a flood like water when you pull out the bath plug! William Dreamer.—" A Youth's Prayer" very nice sentiment, but rather weak verse. Muriel Davy.—The poem "To the Prince" is good in parts, but only in parts. But with practice I am sure you will soon improve. There is room for all in our membership. Jacqueline Irwin.—According to my book, you should have only two stars. If you have more than these, and are in doubt, send them back. The stars for the competition you mention were sent out twice. Dorothy Bramley.—Thank you for contributions. I am very proud to know you still wish to retain your association with the page. The period of actual membership so soon passes, but I like to think it leaves memories such as yours. Elsie Hayward.—What a busy time you have had,"Elsie! I expect your ta6ks will be lighter when the busy milking season is over.

THE PRINCE AT WHAKATANE I t Dear Miss Morton,— " God eavc> our gracious King, Long live our noble King, " God save the King. As the band played the "National An them " we stood watching with eager to see His ; Royal Highness, Prince Hear? alight from his car at. Whakatanfe. T]j»r» was silence while the Prince made his |l nr l speech and shook hands with "many people He smiled when he saw how delighted the children were when he told them aB ther had spent ere day of their holiday g o j n » to see him they would have an extra da? at the end of the holidays. He was welcomed with a haka and when he left we gave him three hearty cheers. When we had received a bag of eats we scrambled into a" lorn which took us to Whakatane West station where we got into our train. The pohutukawa trees were a glorious mass of bloom and by the time we reached home we were still talking of the flower? Christmas was a happy day with visitors', presents and sweets. On Boxing Day - went to the Mount Maunganui beach and played and swam about in the surf. Unfortunately, it was dull and overcast and th« wind blew around us but wo managed to have a good time. We again went to the Mount cn Xe w Year's Day, but it was still cloudy and etormy. The Mount and To Puke Life Saving Club as well as the St. John ambulance men ss.ve demonstrations. About three o'clock in th<s afternoon the life saving niren was sounded and everybody rushed to we who was in danger of drowning. Fortunately, nobody was, for a little Maori boy had sounded the siren not knowing it was. Of course, there are more days of holidays when I shall be busy helping my father haymaking.—Peter Chureher, Paoamoa, Te Puke, Bay of Plenty (age 12). A DIP IN THE TASMAN % Dear Miss Morton,—As we went to Ahi- ■ para Beach to-day, I thought that it might interest you if I wrote told you aboat it. We motored out fsom Kaitaia at eleven o'clock in the morniirg, and arrived at the edge of the Tasman Sea at about a-quartep to twelve in plenty of time for a dip before lunch. The tide was rather low, so mj Bister and I went into the "pools"—water in a large hollow in sand near the rocks, and sometimes several feet in depth. What fun we had. splashing each other, and trying all kinds of fancy swimming strokes together, the lastnamed usually endinsr in us both going to the bottom and swallowing about a pint of sea water each. After our swim we, had lunch, into which the sand had got mixed. The next part of the afternoon I spent in a visit to the people who keep the boarding house, and in wandering about in their garden Then, at about a-quarter to five we drov« home again, after a very happy day at the beach.—l remain, your sincere uenfriend. Mary McMillan, P.O. Box 19. Kaitaia (age 10).