COMMENTS.

Southland Times, Issue 22499, 8 December 1934, Page 22

COMMENTS.

The poems were, on the whole, good, and though many of the usual competitors were missing, it was good to see so many new cousins taking their place. Punctuate your verse, my dears. Count the number of feet in each line, and re-write the offending lines until you have a carefully balanced poem. Do not use words just because they rhyme—they must be effective too. 319th COMPETITION. Story for all Cousins: My Visit to a Show. Ist Prize of 4 marks and 2/- to Cousin Dorothy Jellyman (10), Queen street Otautau. 2nd Prize of 4 marks and 1/6 to Cousin Ruth Dowden (11), 11 Scandrett street. 3rd Prize of 4 marks and 1/- to Cousin Norman Hall (11), Aparima R.D., Otautau. Highly Commended: 3 marks to Cousins Irene Hall (15), AparimaOtautau R.D., June Webb (10), 85 Mary street, Constance Hall (13), Aparima R.D., Isobel McKenzie (13), Dipton, Dorothy Hall (10), Aparima R.D., Kath Springford (11), 304 Yarrow street, Phyllis Rule (16), Mataura Island. _ Commended: 2 marks to Cousins Isla Knox (9), Wright’s Bush, Dora Todd (14), Toa, P. 0., Olive Paton (12), Bluff road, Catherina McGillivray (12), Menzies Ferry, and Heather Finlay (8), Woodvale, Clifden. COMMENTS. Many of the entries showed signs of carelessness, and I am afraid you did not read your stories over before sending them in, or you would have noticed words omitted. You MUST mark your entries “original,” or “my own work.” Otherwise, they cannot be used. Avoid slang and loose expressions, Such as “a lot of,” “put off quite a lot of time” and “Uncle shouted us.” A neatly written story stands a much better chance of winning a prize than does an untidy one. 320th COMPETITION. (a) Story for all boys: An aeroplane story. ’ ’ . , (b) Verse for all girls: To a Lovely Lady. • Entries close TUESDAY, December 11. 321st COMPETITION. I want you all to give the Page Christmas presents of . stories, poetry and drawings. No prizes, or marks will be awarded, for knowing my Little Southlanders, I feel sure you would like to give the Page these gifts. Cousins over sixteen may send entries for this page. (a) Original drawings: Entries close TUESDAY, December 11. (b) Christmas stories and verse. Entries close, TUESDAY, December 18.