BOYS and GIRLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25177, 14 April 1945, Page 4

BOYS and GIRLS

Our Tree-top Friends DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS,— How quiet and tame the birds are these days. We have numerous bird friends in our garden and I expect you all have, too. They are fascinating to watch, aren't they? Once again, with the falling golden leaves, have come our little fantail friends. They fly into the house each day and flit from room to room catching all the spiders and moths that have ventured inside during the night. They are such cheerful wee fellows and chatter, chatter all the while. In tact, sometimes they make so much noise it's hard to hear anyone else talking. Grey Malcolm and Sootie-Cat have grown used to their coming now, but I still catch them gazing at the birds with wistful eyes and quivering whiskers. Then there are oil the families of sparrows, starlings, thrushes, blackbirds and others who come every morning to be fed with bread-scraps on the lawn. The lively sparrows ore the first on the scene and they line all the branches of the neorby trees gossiping loudly while they await their breakfast. The more gentle thrushes drop timidly down and eat daintily on the ground until suddenly there's a flutter and a rush end aggressive Mr Starling comes swooping down and snatches the biggest piece of bread from under Mrs Thrush's beak. Poor Mrs Thrush just looks surprised and hops oway to a more secluded spot. Later Mr Starling joins his perky brothers ond sisters up on the roof and they strike up their high-pitched, squeaky chorus from the house-top, while their stamping up and down the iron provides an excellent "drum" accompaniment. Just now the windfall apples ore lying on the ground and the sleek blackbirds like nothing better than selecting the ripest, juiciest fruit for their meal. We have to be very quick if we want to gather the windfalls whole before Mr Blackbird and his fomilv find them. Jolly bird friends for you all and loads of .*-> love from Grey Maieolm, Sootie-Cat, and '

Draw the Old Cow l was looking for something to be put in your page; A joke, or a riddle, or something quite sage. When mother suggested I draw the old cow. "Aow that ujould be excellent," she said to me now.

HERE SHE IS ! "Oh. 1 can't draw her, she"ll go for her life, It's like showing asparagus a shinv new knife!" When out speaks mjj sister, in piping voice small: •"She'll go for TOD ft life —don't draw her at all!" —Original poem and sketch, by John Buekland (15). By the Lake Dear Anne Shirley,—Have you ever seen a baby swan? It is a fluffy gre.v little thins for I was shown one during my holidays To look at one you would never think that it would grow up to be the majestic black swan that floats serenely over the rippling blue Water. Once when we went for a ramble along the shore, of the lake we frightened a mother duck and her brood of ducklings. After giving a few warning quacks she disappeared into the gathering gloom of the willows winch grew around the edge of the jwaluku ° Uf smcer ® member . John Ridgley,

I ' _ ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL —Original sketch by Clive Crawshaw (15) Jumbled Cities Contest Our competition this week is one you will all want to try to solve. It consists of eighteen jumbled names of cities in the war news, which you have to unravel. When you think you have succeeded in finding all the names put them down in a neat list and write a short original paragraph of not more than 150 words on any ONE of the cities in your list. Add your name, age and address and send your entry to Anne Shirley, Herald Office, Box 32, Auckland, CI. Four five-shilling prizes for the entries containing the correct list of cities together with the best written paragraph. Here are the jumbled cities: — 1, Dreelagb. 2, Naveni. 3, Bhargum. 4, Erbnme. 5, Bleigunovail. 6, Aanilm. 7, Zgndia. 8, Yaadamln. 9, Vnoarhe. 10, Meend. 11, Kooty. 12, Ffuntrrak. 13, Moasorf. 14, Swaawr. 15, Blirne. 16, Kimelati. 17, Iglepiz. 18, Woosmc. THE CONTEST CLOSES ON SATURDAY, MAY 5. Thank You Very many thanks to these boys and girls for their letters received during the week. 1 have enjoyed reading all your news. Do write again soon.—A.S. Doris Roscoe, (many thanks indeed for the photo of yourself; it is a most unusual one); Amelia Samuels (you do have a long day at school, but I expect you enjoy it all; that must have been a beautiful scene with the moonlight on the water); Jewell Milne; Eileen Tongs (what fun you have been having lately with all the sports arid the visit to the farm); Janet Baker (no, I'm sorry, there will be no more badges till after tlie war); Ra.vrna Tilly (that was just the type of crossword wanted, Rayrna; you had done it so neatly, too); Monica Costello (so glad to hear from you again; yes, I, too. hope we'll soon he able to have more space for our corner) ; Rebecca Thompson (you may send as many letters as you wish); Dawn Gosper (yes. just send your book to me. Dawn; how wonderful to see that air carnival; T am very envious as T do love watching the planes); Xorina Julian; Lesley Scott; Mary McWhnnnell: Mary Davis (such an interest ing letter. Mary; yes, you must certainly get a cat. hut I'm sorry T couldn't spare Grey Malcolm—he's too precious); Elseheth Madsen (welcome lo Xew Zealand. Elseheth; ] hope you will love living here); Mary Satchell; Michael Moodahe; Claire Cox (black ink must he used for all sketches for publication); 'Varl Cox (ye s. cerf ifirsif es a*" given for both those awards); Geraldine Ward; Peggie Madgwick; Joyce Peglcr (many thanks for the snap of yourself; it is so nice to have it, to add to my collection of members); Bernice Rowell (such a nice, chatty letter; I'm sure the concert should go very well; good luck with your piece); Shirley Mildon: Ngaire Oakenful (many thanks for the snap, which 1 am delighted to have; what fun yon mnst have had at Waihi); Mae McCracken (points are only awarded for items published); Mvffanwy Jarman; Nancy Milsom; Brian La'w-rence-Fisher (so glad you had an enjoyable Raster holiday; the item you mentioned will be used later) Buddinq Fruit Trees Dear Anne Shirley,—The other day my rather went down to our school to do some nuddinor. He showed us how to hud. and let some of the pupils do some. On Saturday I .j d ,,J? ln ?, if T could do some budding. He said Yes ;so I put somp buds of a Paragon cross neacli on to a Golden Queen peach. i then put two greengages on to a plum. ] am now waiting for results.---Froin M. McW hannell (12), Ngahinepouri. Limerick Anne Shirley to Grey Malcolm laid. Don t you dare go and sit on my bed I" But the naughty cat, Do you know where he sat? Up on the pillow instead. Original, by Shirley Mildon (15).

Dance of the Leaves The autumn leaves are tumbling down, A host all golden, russet and brown. See them in their sprightly dance, .45 through the naked boughs they glanceOn the path they flutter lightly, In pools of light gleam so brightly. Some elfin artist has been at. play Scattering colours all bright and gay. They fall, eddying in the breeze, From the slender mother trees. A fairy seamstress collects the leaves, And from them fairy gowns she weaves. —Original, by Peggie Madgwick (13). The Seaside At Its Best Dawn, and with it, peaceful harmon.v. The sun, awakening early from a fleecy bed of flushed clouds, shimmers on to the long, golden strip of sand that stretches unceasingly toward the ragged edge of the blue sea. A sea, whose white .scalloped edges murmur, as it hisses on to the shore. A salty sea-wind blows over the sun-drenched sand, and further to the grassy dunes edging tlie bay, until it reaches the clay cliffs, Ihc giant sentinels clad in armour of crimson pohutukawa blooms, that mark out the rocky headland with its swirling, silvery foam. _ The bine of the sky becomes pierced with black and white gulls. They wheel about in frantic flight, uttering their uncanny cries, as if they mattered more than the sea. and the sand, and the flowery cliffs. Deserted, in the beautiful, drowsy hour of dawn, when nature awakes fresh from a flushed dewy sleep, lies the seaside at its best. —Original by Shirley Abbott (10). Welcome to Our Circles A warm welcome is extended to the following new members of the Hehai.d Circles: — Judith Edmonds, Margaret Stout, Pauline Groves, Rose Fairbrothcr, Heather Joynt, Frank Wright, Mona Parata, Fao Young, Joan Dalton, John Holland, Eirlys Jones. Ruth Hodge, D. Fordyce, Murray Wotten, Anne Harper, Colleen Stanaway, Phyllis Griffith, Fay Sattler, Pat Sattler, Joan Hill. Norma Meldmni. Lola Walmsley, Ann Wyllie Betty Hall

—Original sketch by Nola Neale (1:! > M.B.G. Do You Know Shakespeare? The following clues involve the names of Shakespearean characters. Place the initial letters of the answers to the clues with the words and rearrange to form another word whose definition is given. 1, Pater. 2, Main. 3, Port. 4, Hove. Clues: 1 (a), The Queen of Fairies; (b), A lady-in-waiting to Portia. 2 (a), King of Fairies (b) Othello's wife, r? (a), Queen of France in King Henry V. (b), Oiip of King Lear's daughters. <1 (a), The Duke's daughter in "Two Gentlemen of Verona." (b) This king had three daughters Definitions: 1, A shape. 2, A park. 3, climate I, A large spade (Answers elsewhere.) —Original. by Jean Fortune (10), D.D,M.B.G

ON THE HIGH SEAS —Original sketch by Owen Loverlay (12) More Honours We have pleasure in announcing that three more members of the Herald Circles have succeeded in gaining honours. A book prize for 500 points goes to MARY WILLIS, of Epsom, while the title of M.B.G. (Member of Boys and Girls) and cash award of 5/- go to'MONICA COSTELLO, of Mangapehi, and SHIRLEY LEWIS, of Utakura. Hearty congratulations, girls, and our very best wishes for continued success. Items Accepted Items from tlic.se boys and girls have been accepted for publication in this corner later on: Pauline Eccles, Amelia Samuels, Jean Fortune, Rayma Tilly, Helen Colheck, Clive Crawshaw, Lois Cunningham, Betty Morrison, Eirlys Jones, Mary McWltannell. Ruth Hodge, Mary Davis, Rene Anderson, Claire Cox, Poarl Cox, Lena Christiansen, Peggie Madgwick, Bernice Howell, Shirley Mildon, Winnie Peake, Brian Lawrence-Fisher, Helen Wyllie, Ann Wyllio Doreen Nelson. To a Monument Tall, stately, silhouetted against the shy, Is a token In a memory of a man who'll never ifie. White, beautiful, standing all alone, Is a token to a memory that is made in marble stone Although the years have done their part, And sorrow no lunger fills our heart, The monument trill help us even yet, To learn and love, but never forget. Original, by Marjorie Trice. Better Luck Next Time A very large number of items wero submitted for publication this week and as we only have a very limited space in which lo prini items only I lie outstanding work can he accepted The following boyu and girls are advised to try a little harder next time as their items were not quite suitable for use in (his corner: Eileen Tongs, Doris Roscoe, Robin Simmonds. Rosemary Creagh. Pauline Eecles, Margaret Jackson, Olive Mchimin, Sheena Walker, Judith Edmonds. Kathleen Day, Jewell Milne, Betty Martin. Jean Bartlett, Janet Baker, lan May, Rebecca Thompson, Helen Colheck, Fae Young. Robin Bolton Jeremy Commons, Margaret Reading, Nola Riley. Betty Morrison, Lois Cunningham. Patricia Barnes, M. MeWhannell, Wendy Cullen, Doreen Fordyce, Sonny Wilson, Florence Ellis, Marie Satchel!, Margaret Robinson, Lilian Robinson, Claire Cox. Mary Christiansen, Geraldinc Ward, Olive Meldrum, Peggie Madgwick, Joyce Peeler, Patricia Coe, Lorna Oravelt. Lesley Scott, Winnie Peake, Xancy Milsom, Fay battler, Pat Saltier, Jaeoueline Rill. Brian Lawrence-Fisher, Ann Wyllie, Doreen Nelson, Marjorie Price, Marie Walmsle.v Coral Putt. Margaret Masters. Answers Ou You Know Shakespeare?- Clues: J, cii Tilania ib) (a) Oberon, (b) IV.vlcmnn.'i i. Ia) Isabel, <li) Cordelia. 4, (a) Sylvia (in Lear, 1.. Pattern 2. Domain :i. Tropic I Shovel