Children’s Column

Putaruru Press, Volume XII, Issue 562, 8 March 1934, Page 3

Children’s Column

4 FOR YOUNG PUTARURU FOLKBIRTHDAY GREETINGS Many happy returns to Heather Harwood, on March 7.—Jill. Motto for the Week : An acre of performance is worth a whole world of promise. - Dear Girls and Boys,— Summer, such as it is, is slipping away swiftly now and autumn and Jack Frost will soon be here again. Have you heard of the Moneybox Tree? It is in the middle of the town of Norway, in Maine, United States .of America. It is an old elm. One day some horses in a farm cart ran away and the tongue of the cart struck the tree and tore a deep gash in its trunk. The heart of the tree died, leaving a big hollow. During the American Civil War old army and navy pennies were in circulation, but they, were not very popular with the storekeepers. One man, Oscar Hayes, disliked these pennies so much that when he had accumulated a quantity he would take them and throw them into the hollow tree. Others, more for fun than anything else, would add to this collection until the young wood on the outer rings of the growth completely closed in the opening in the trunk. Locally the elm became known as “ Oscar Noyes Bank.” The pennies are still there, and the authorities will not allow anyone to interfere with the tree, which is regarded as a treasure possession of the town. I am still waiting for those letters * -'•and contributions, children. My love. ( JILL. |

, RIDDLES ■ 1. Why is a fly a tall animal? I 2. What sweet singing bird | names darkness and wind? I 3. Why are clouds like coach- j . men ? * * 4. Why is a bank cashier so well informed ? t 5. Why is the surf a good place | for poultry? 6. What is it that you like to have but often turn out? 7. What bridge should you never walk over ? % ANSWERS 1. Because it stands over six feet. 2. Nightingale. 3. Because they hold the reins (rains), 4. Because he takes so many notes. 5. Because you can get as many ducks as you like. 6. The light. * 7. The bridge of your nose.

A School Essay. MUSTERING THE SHEEP (By Hazel Latham, Matamata High School) Mustering time had arrived on Mr. MacDonald’s huge sheep station ; ,.in Taranaki. Seven riders had been seen trotting slowly over towards the distant hills, early that morning, with tents and plenty of supplies on the pack-horses’ backs. The sun was beginning to shine as they rode in and out among tall trees and small bushes, but it was almost eight o’clock before they attempted to eat or drink. As day wore on the sun beat mercilessly down upon the musterers’ heads, forcing them to stop for a while to rest themselves and their horses in the pleasant shade of the few trees which stood out on the pathways. By the time dusk had fallen the men were well on their way to the hills, which they expected to reach early the next afternoon. They erected their small tents, had: their hastily-cooked supper, and then sat round the cheery fire to talk. “Well,” said Big Jake, a tall, handsome young man, who was going to marry Jess MacDonald, “I hope we get back with the sheep before the bush fires come this way. Stan Taylor said that they have spread round to the bush west of his farm.”

“ Oh, we’ll get through. Don’t worry yourself about that,” answered Tom Ashton, a big-, burly man in his forties. “ Why, last year we didn’t even get a glimpse of any smoke, and the fires were only up in the Carrington’s Forest.” After a number of arguments and some more talking, all the men turned in, and slept until well after the sun had made its appearance in the cloud-dotted sky. It was as they had thought. They had reached their destination at two o’clock the next afternoon. Then began the tedious work of mustering the thousand sheep and lambs to be driven back to the station to be, shorn. The men’s voices could be heard a long way off as they called to one another, whistled to their dogs, or yelled and waved their arms at the endless mob of sheep in front of them.

Such a barking and baaing, mixed with the voices of the men, was never heard before; but the huge muster was steadily moving forward towards the east and home. However, the danger was not yet over, for many sheep and lambs fell into the numerous gullies on the hillside, and the men were in constant danger themselves as they attempted to rescue the luckless victims.

Not only this loss of sheep delayed them, but Big Jake had noticed that a mist of smoke was hanging in the air above them. Bush fires! The men prayed fervently to cover the few remaining miles to the river before the lurking enemy overcame them. Their nightly talks were always about the fires now, but they seemed doomed until one of the men

noticed a thin, silver streak winding in and out among the trees . and rocks. “ The river! The river! We are saved!” was the joyous shout which passed from one musterer to the other. The earnest prayers had been answered at last. The river lay be* fore them. In a very short period of time the sheep were crossing the gently flowing water, and the fire, which was coming nearer every moment. was disdained even by the horses and dogs. Soon the welcome singing of the men on the station was heard, and by nightfall the weary sheep were running into the pens, ready to be shorn in the morning. The men had been ten days out in the hills.