THE TIME OF YEAR I LIKE BEST

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE TIME OF YEAR I LIKE BEST

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— Spring is the time of the year I like best, because the flowers and shrubs have awakened from their winter sleep and have put forth tender, young shoots and leaves. Crocuses, daffodils, primroses and snowdrops flower in profusion. In the cool, shady bush, hyacinths, forget-me-nots and modest violets push their dainty heads up through the ferns.. In and out among the leafy branches of the trees twines beautiful white starry clematis. The white manuka that I love so well is there in abundance, and the beautiful rata trees make a blaze of colour on the hillsides with their lovely bright red flowers. In the green grassy fields little lambs frisk and play around their mothers. Along the roadside broom and gorse with their golden flowers make a bright display and the perfume is wafted through the air to far and near. These are just a few reasons why I think spring is the nicest time of the year. —3 marks to Cousin Noela Frew (12), 20 Clifton street. —VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— Hurrah! hurrah! autumn, the season which I like best in all the year, is here at last. Although we have passed the longest day, Mr Sun usually gives us twelve or fourteen hours of sunshine during February days and, of course, a little less each day, during the months of March and April. Still, he is very good, and his lovely rays help to ripen all the many kinds of fruits during this season of the year. What a great day it is to visit an orchard for the first time. Such was my joy when I was taken to a fruit farm a year ago. There I beheld rows and rows of plum trees, all richly laden with juicy, darkred plums. I was told I could eat as many as I liked, and you may be I lost no time in setting to work. Oh, how I enjoyed them. After this treat, I explored the orchard further, and to my surprise. I found there were rows and rows of apricots, peaches, many kinds of plums, namely Golden Drop, cherry plum, greengage, besides the dark red ones. There were also hundreds of apple trees of many varieties. «All the fruit was ripe excepting the apples which would be ready for picking in a few weeks’ time.. How busy my friends were picking the beautiful, delicious stone fruits, and packing them in cases to send to market. What fun I had helping and I enjoyed every minute of it.z I felt no need of meals when so .much beautiful luscious fruit confronted me. When my stay drew to a close, 1 was given a big case of mixed fruits to bring home and how we enjoyed them. I took some to a sick friend who wa in the hospital and I was very happy seeing him enjoy them. He had plenty to share with the other little sick children, and it was lovely t see their bright smiles as they saw the big juicy peaches, apricots and plums. 1 also like autumn because then the leaves of many trees turn a rich golden brown, rust and red shades, and they make a glorious sight. During this season also we com-

memorate Christ’s Crucifixion, and His Resurrection which is the brightest day in all the world, and this season we call Easter. —3 marks to Cousin Victor G. Clement Jones A.C., (8), 71 Conon street. —HIGHLY COMMENDED— The time of the year 1 like best is Christmas because we can go- for holidays in steamers across the seas. We can also go to the country and many other places. We can go out every day for a visit to our friends. We can travel through both the South and North Islands, that is if we have plenty of money. We can go to the beach and splash among the waves and build castles in the sand. After being in the stuffy school rooms for nine months of the

year, we can breathe in the x fresh sea air, or the country air. The bushes too, are mostly in full dress and on a hot day we can visit the native bush. This makes' excellent shade. We can take a book and pass away many an hour. —2'marks to Cousin Kathleen J. Rillstone (9), 165 Elizabeth street, Applebv.

CLAN NOTES ANO NEWS Clan marks for February and March: Thistle Clan ' 143