By the Sea Shore

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23275, 18 February 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

By the Sea Shore

(HEAR ANNE SHIRLEYWho does not like a swim in the breakers P There's something in the salty, buoyant waters, the foamy freshness and fun to be had on the surf boards that makes one enjoy every moment in a day at the beach. One morning after a refreshing swim., I climbed the cliffs of Bayley's Gorge and, quite content to gaze at the objects below, rested on a high sandy ledgoi From here I could look miles out to sea, a wide expanse of unbroken blue that seemed to merge into the blue of

the skv on the horizon, where white clouds drifted like dreamy silver wings of a sailing vessel. Closer at hand began the breakers," sweeping 'Ever onward in endless procession toward the shore, heaving and tumbling into a mass of furious foam. Many bathers were braving the breakers, diving and plunging, -while toddlers were paddling ankle-deep in water and decorating their sand castles. Elder folk sun-bathed closer to the cliffs, and were taking things as a matter of course.

AILSA' WALLACE.—Your "Problems" will see print, Ailsa.

FAY JONASSEN.—You certainly Teem to-have had an exciting time. Fay. A .stingray would not-be very pleasant to meet in tne water. > .

ERICA BRODIE.—The length of some of your lines in "The Old Grey Mill" was much too uneven. Erica. However, the idea of the poem was good.

ANNIE AH CHAN.—"Oh. for Adventure," was quite a good tale, Annie. The poem was not quite up to standard.

HEATHER BRODIE.—What a pity yon lost your little bunny. Heather. He must -- have been a- pet. BETTY FROST.—I did not think your "Hayfield Seen*?' was quite good enough for publication, Betty I'm sorry. I have noted the change in your address.

PAULINE WHITE.—Your sketches were only fair, Pauline. The copied one was the better of the two. bat too much dark shading .rather spoilt it for publication. GRACE THOMAS. —That must have been a deligbtfnl visit to New Plymouth. Grace. I must certainly go to see that park. It sounds very beautiful.

KEN COCHRANE.—Poor little pheasant —what a pity she had to lose her nest. I* expect that happens auite often at haymaking time.

MARY DRUMMOND. —Yes, Mary, you may do your sketch- in ordinary ink as jou are unable to obtain the other. So glad you enjoyed the Scotch sports so much. BEVERLEY ABRAHAM. —I have been thinking about another competition, Beverley. We will have one soon: I did. not think any of your sketches quite reached publication standard. Try and make them more delicate. They would be better for reproduction if you did not use such black shading.

PAULINE WILKINS.—No. it is not necessary to join the Herald Circles before vou send in items, Pauline. Address all items to "Anne Shirley,' Editor Boys and Girls. Herald Office, Queen Street, Auckland. I am sorry your sketches did inot reach publication standard

HILAIRE HYDE.—Sorry Hilaire. .vou must try a little harder before your sketches como up to publication standard.

JEAN SEFTON.— "Nigger's Story" was hot good enough for publication. You must be more careful of your spelling and grammar, Jean.

AUDREY LEVIS. —1 think you rattier overdid the description in "Florae from the Field,'' Audrey. Don't let the words run away with you.'' LOIS YOUNG.—The jumbled nameß will Eee print later, Lois. I did not think the "Fruit Seller" was good enough for publication. In parts the metre was very jerky.

dAWN MlNNS.—Thank you for the riddles, Dawn. They will be used latef.

JOAN SCHWARZ. —1 am sorry. Joan, but I am unable to du anything about your request just now. Perhaps if you approached one of the many charitable organisations in the city you could get some assistance. I do Tot accept riddles and copied items from Honours Members. Joan BETTY GOODMAN. —Thank yon for the contributions. Betty. Some of them will see print later N

PATRICIA MILLER—"The Changing Bells" was far too "ordinary." Pat. not like your usual fantistic style at all. Make Believe'" was much better. The sketch cer- v lainly made me chuckle COLIN DE LUCA. —Your letter puzzle will be used, Colin, but the sketch of the bunny going to school was not quite good enough for publication. IRIS PEDERSEN.—It is quite permissible for both .you and your brother to send items in the same envelope. Iris ."Autumn Evening" will see print, but the other item was not quite suitable for publication ROIE CAMPBELL.—So glad .von had euch a good time at the show. It all sounded great fun. The beach you mention is not very pleasant when the tide is out. I must admit. The only time I visited it the tide was Out, and it looked to me ae if the thin rim of sea visible on the horizon could never cover the great expanse of mad. However, I dare say when it does com® in the bay is very attractive. Many thanks for the complimeiit, Eoie. I too was very pleased to neo you in the flejih.

Behind me. built on the amphitheatre of cliff slopes, snuggled the beach baches, open only to the sea and cloud-fleeced sky. Below the baches were rustling .flix, and the wiry toitoi bushes, topped with the feathery plumes that gave a. tender green tone to the yellow cliffs, struggled up the sandy slopes. Down the gorge a fresh-water stream meandered,oyer its winding, sandy bed, till it emptied into the sea. At the head of the gorge the cliffs formed two sentinels, gnarled, rugged and worn away by the centuries into weird pat-

Icrns and crevices. These cliffs extended north and south, .only broken at intervals by small gorges, while in the north its bold outline somewhat softened bv distant haze or spray, was the "Bluff," a great rock formation jutting into the sea. Then suddenly a shout from the beach reminds me of the toheroas that have to be dug, and I pick mv way down the cliff path to join the party who have arrived on the beach. —"i ours sincerely, Ken Cochrane. M.8.G., Mangawhare.

DAISY AH CHAN. —Sorry, Daisy, your sketch was not quite up to publication standard this time. JOY HALL. —Sorry. Joy. neither or your sketches was quite up to publication standard this time.

£! COLLEEN McCRACKEJJ. —I did not think: any l of your last poems were up to publication standard. Colleen. You are inclined to get the metre rather muddled. Don't forget to write on one side of the paper only, next time. PEGGY WALLACE. —I liked your sketch of cabbage trees. Peggy, but I thought yon had used too many scratchy lines in the other two. It is great fun watching the breakers on a windy day. MARGARET DAY.—Your ducks will find their way on to the page very soon. Margaret. I'm have been so long publishing. the item. Thank you for the last contributions.

MARJORIE YOUNG.—I'm sorry. Marjorie, but yonr little poem was not auite good enough for the page. You did not mention your age in your letter. TRAVIS WILSON.—Just at present I am unable to tell you any addresses of overseas newspapers that deal with pen-friends. BETTY FROST.—Of your last two sketches the beach scene was the better, but even it was not of sufficient interest to merit publication. DAWN BROWN.—If you let me know your address, Dawn. I shall post out a certificate of membership to yon. ZEN A WAYGOOD.—Some of your drawings were quite well done, Zena, but you are inclined to make your children's legs and arms too fat. "The Dancer" was really a very "hefty" girl! I am sure with practice you will do better. •

EDNA HINES.—Yes. Edna, 1 think if you keep practising with your writing yon will certainly be successful in the end. I don't think I have ever seen a dahlia like the one you describe. It must have been quite a curiosity. Your story was not auite suitable for publication this time. a few alterations the poem will appear on the page.

MARY CASSIDY. —Just fill in your aire and keep the certificate, Mary. Of course Maori girls are welcome to the Circles. I am lookiini? forward to seeing: some items from you soon.

WINNIE TERRY.—I'm Rorry, Winnie, but your sketches were not good enough for publication this time. With a little more practice you should do better I think. Your riddlesi will see print later. JOAN PARKINSON;—The address you ask tot is Mangawhare Dargaville. JIE AN JENNINGS.—Your sketch is not good enough for print, J-'on. I'm sorry.

LINDSEY HILL,—I liked your po.em very much, Lindsey. It will see print later. CHERRY CONNELL.—You were indeed lucky to obtain those autographs. Cherry. Sorry, your sketch was not quite suitable for publication; JEAN POPE.—I have enrolled you as a member of the Herald Circles, Jean, and I hope to see some items from you. soon. MIARJORIE JOHNSON.—I have made you a member of the Herald Circles, Marjories Mark cards are given , for all published work. Sketches must be done in Indian ink. So glad you eujoy the page so much. Yes, Marjorie, I love being the editor of the Boys and Girls page. I'm sorry your sketches were not quite clear enough for publication.