A HAPPY DAY

Southland Times, Issue 22915, 13 June 1936, Page 22 (Supplement)

A HAPPY DAY

—PRIZE— One of the happiest days I had this year was at Christmas time, when Dad and I went to the North Island for a holiday. ~ . in the Uncle took us to Invercargill, where we spent the night In Uw morning I went to the railway station, where, after a minutes waitmg, the heavy express came lumbering in. Seizing my luggag , P move d the carriage and soon the train began moving out of the st at ion. We move steadily over a'maze of points and crossings, out into the • . two hours’ travelling, I said goodbye to sunny Southland and soo was thundering through Otago at sixty miles an hour Past green fields where sheep and cattle were grazing, we went. Then came a rumble ot wheels, as the train tore over a short viaduct. On we dashed. At ei{£ o’clock we reached Christchurch, where we changed on to the boat-tram whic would take us to Port Lyttelton. In a quarter of an hour we reached Lyttelton. Getting out of the train, we walked up the gangway of the boat, gave tickets to the collector, and putting our luggage under ourl bunks we came up on to the deck. Soon the boat moved out of the harbour. The whole of the vessel was ablaze with light, for it was dark. I went up on to the boat deck, but as the sea breeze was cold I decided to turn in. I awoke at five o’clock to see Wellington harbour a few miles distant. Soon the> ship was berthed at the quay-side. In a few minutes I found myself standing on land again, watching the ship unloading mail and parcels. Although I had many happy days during my holidays, that day was the best, for I had never been on a boat or in a tram before. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Reg. Paterson (9), South Hillend, Winton R.D. —PRIZE— During the year we had many happy days, but the one I am going to tell about was the best and jolliest. It was Christmas Day. The day was heralded in by carol singers, singing songs of praise and rejoicing, from early morn till late at night the fun went on. The whole wide world made merry then. , , . , . , The carol singers had wakened me from my sleep. I sat up in Dea and felt in my stocking to see what Father Christmas had left, though I knew I ought not to do so until morning. One little packet rattled deliciously m the darkness. A tiny round box filled with those little sweets, hundreds and thousands, thought I. Pouring them into my eager palm I clapped them to my mouth. Crunch! They were mixed beads. I decided, therefore, to wait for daylight before opening any more parcels. The day dawned bright and sunny, as all Christmas days should. Our Christmas stockings looked so mysterious, stuffed with bulky parcels and with square boxes tied to the outside. What joy it was to open and admire each surprise packet! After a dinner of all the good things, including the Christmas pudding, decorated with a spray of holly and containing silver coins and trinkets, we all gathered round the Christmas tree. On it hung gifts for all the family. It was such fun reading the names on the parcels. We were all hoping to find our own. At last I found mine on a book, and again on a box of writing paper. In the afternoon we went for a lovely motor-drive, first through the town and then into the country. All along the way we saw signs of Christmas. We saw children gathered at a corner blowing trumpets, and little girls standing round to admire a new doll’s pram. Even when w_e reached our picnic spot we could still feel the happiness in the air. The birds seemed to be singing such joyful songs, and the little stream to be gurgling with laughter, as it made its way between the W’eeping willows. I did not know why they should be called “weeping” willows when they grew beside such a happy little stream, unless they were shedding tears of joy. As the evening shadows fell, we made our way homewards, leaving the little stars to twinkle their tales of gladness at the close of the happy day. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Joyce Mortimer (10), Gorge Road. —PRIZE— One beautiful fine morning, while the larks were singing, and the dew still on the grass, we went off laden with bags and baskets and in high spirits, to the bush. The baskets were heavy, but what cared we? We were off to the bush for a whole day to have a very special picnic, in which we dressed up in blues, oranges, reds, greens, as fairies of the bush. We reached it at about ten o’clock and found the bush a beautiful place, as if real fairies had been there the night before, fixing everything for the great day. Tuis and bellbirds sang sweetly and the bush was carpeted with ferns, moss and blue-bells. We dressed up, and had the loveliest fairy games. Shirley was Queen Dewdrop in a white dress and veil made from an old curtain. Our dresses were made of crepe paper, except Dulcie’s. She had Mum’s old green satin evening dress, and she was the god-mother. We had a great banquet. We had jellies in saucers, and cold custard to pour over them. The jellies were red and lemon. Little cakes were eaten after that, and then the fairy cake. It had filling, and was iced with chocolate icing, with “Fairy Party” in pink on top. Shirley cut the cake, and then we had a piece. We had toffee and orange drink last. We went home very late, but were the happiest of children. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Joan McLeay (9), Otahu-Blackmount R.D., Otautau.

VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED. It was the last night of July, and suddenly the voice of a bird struck up a note which was instantly echoed and re-echoed by neighbouring birds. Tomorrow was spring, and the very hearts of the birds bounded with joy at the thought of the busy days ahead, after so long a rest. The morning arrived, and there was such a chirping and twitting, that the birds could hardly hear themselves sing, for the noise of others. Sheep were walking around the paddocks, while here and there a faint “ma” was heard. Squirrels came out of their homes, and hedgehogs uncurled themselves to start on a new career. Rabbits started to build new burrows, and nearly every animal was on the move. Night came on again, and to listen to the birds’ goodnight songs seemed like old times again. No one can fail to like the birds’ songs. —3 marks to Cousin Dorothy Stevens (11), Lora Gorge. VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED. I spent a very happy day in Dunedin with my auntie. After a hurried breakfast, we went to the town as we had some shopping to do. I was very surprised to see such great shops and beautiful houses, for the biggest city I had ever been in was Invercargill. We were looking at the beautiful bracelets in a large jeweller’s shop when I fancied a lovely silver bangle with a little chain. As it was near my birthday, my auntie said that she would give it to me. Before dinner I went for a ride on a tramcar, up a great big hill, because I wanted to see the otherside. But to my amazement I found there were streets and houses just like another- town, but I was told it was all Dunedin. I was much too excited to eat any dinner, for we were going to St. Clair We walked down to the beach, to see the gardens, and to have a slide and swing. I had a paddle and made a sand castle, but some boys knocked it down. There were two cargo ships coming into the harbour, so we decided to go down and see them. I had never seen such a huge ship in my life, but when I was asked to look through it, I didn’t because I was frightened I wouldn’t be able to go to the museum. Reaching the museum at five o’clock, we were shown into the room where the animals were. I examined the animals, birds, and fish, very carefully, because I knew I wouldn’t be there again for a long time. We found our way to a room where there were Maori weapons and houses. I also saw a Maori

war canoe, with feathers of different hues on it. At half past five we thought we had better go home, but alas! there was no one to show us out, and we didn’t know the way. We wandered through the different rooms, until we came to a flight of stairs, so we went down them and opened a door at the end. Inside we found a man, sitting in front of a fire reading. He got a surprise to see strangers, so we told him our story, and he showed us the way out. We returned home, happy and tired, after an enjoyable day’s excitement. —3 marks to Cousin Joan Hubber (11), Winton, Heddon Bush R.D. VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED. One day I was very happy, when I was told that we were going to Dipton for a holiday. We set off early in the morning, and we soon reached our destination. On arriving there, we found that our cousins were very pleased to see us. We had a great time, for we were playing on the see-saw and having rides on a swing. Then we went to see the kittens, and their names were Fluffy and Tiger. In the afternoon we went to the river to bathe. It was great fun ducking one another, and having sand fights. We built sand castles with trenches round the outside. Just as the sun was setting, we started for home. Bed time came too soon because we had to stop an exciting game of table tennis, and bid them all goodnight. —3 marks to Cousin Yvonne Hall (8), Aparima, Otautau. VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED. One of the happiest days I have spent was the day my brother was married. I was in Dunedin, and after breakfast, my mother and I went in a tramcar to the Botanical Gardens. I was very much amused at the antics of the ducks in the big pond, and stood watching the frogs in the lily pond for a long while. Then I went into the winter gardens. How warm it was in there. In one room were tropical plants, oranges, lemons.and palms, growing luxuriantly in the heated atmosphere. The fernery was just the opposite, cool and with dripping fountains keeping the ferns moist. Giant tree ferns, hanging baskets of asparagus, and ferns of every size and variety grew as if in their native bush. The chrysanthemum house was a mass of bloom. Row upon row of plants were there, and flowers of every colour, each bloom as big as a plate. Then I passed into the begonia house. Delicate fragile flowers, palest lemon, pink and white, stood among pots of maidenhair

fem. I could have stayed there for hours. The gardener cut us a buncL or begonias, maidenhair fern, and asparagus for the bouquets. Another couple of hours was spent in shopping in drapers, and in choosing presents. I do love helping to shop. In the afternoon I was kept busy running messages and watching the girls set the tables in the hall. At half past six we were all at the Cathedral to see the wedding, and then drove to the hall where the wedding breakfast was held. A dance was then held, and at half past eleven I went up to Dalmore to my aunt’s. I was very glad to go to bed, as I was tired after a long and happy day. —3 marks to Cousin Pat Henderson (11), Waikana. VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED. There was once a happy day, a party given by the Queen of Hearts, who set some jellies, made some tarts, whipped some cream, and made sponge cakes with icing and hundreds and thousands on top of them. She bought some water biscuits, and put cocoanut and tomatoes on them. The Queen of Hearts bought some raspberry and lemon cordials for the guests to drink. She asked Mickey Mouse, Jack Horner, Simple Simon, Peter Pan and Wendy, Little Boy Blue, and Tom Thumb, Miss Muffet, 80-peep, Humpty Dumpty, Mother Hubbard, Bunty-800, MaryAnn, Jenny Mouse, Polly Flinders. All was ready, so .they soon arrived at the

golden castle. They all came in by two’s and threes. They came from different directions, and they all brought happy gifts. Some brought cushions, strings of rich pearls, diamond rings silver cups, packs of linen cards with ivory corners, diamond studded wands, and many other lovely gifts as well After everyone was there, and the pre sents given to the Queen, they had tea They all danced to the music Mickey Mouse played on the piano and listened to the music over the wireless. They played cards and sang songs. As time went on, however, they began to grow tired of their long day’s entertainment. The Queen said good-bye to them, and hoped they had had a happy day. Before setting out on the long journey homeward they thanked their hostess for the lovely party, for her kindness, and for a happy day. —3 marks to Cousin Margaret Bagley (10), Railway House, Garston.