A DAY IN THE COUNTRY

Southland Times, Issue 24419, 26 April 1941, Page 11

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY

—PRIZE— Last Christmas holidays I was asked by my uncle to spend a day at his farm. At last the day came. Early that morning I went out in a friend’s car. Arriving there, I jumped out of the car, thanked my friend for the ride, and ran over to greet my cousins and uncle. First of all we went to see the pigs. At that time there were a

lot of little pink baby pigs. As one of my cousins was walking along the railing around the edge of the sty he fell in. The pigs then made a noise, grunting loudly, while my poor cousin climbed out and went over .to the house to change his clothes, as he was covered in mud. As it was nearing one o’clock we all went in, and had dinner. After that we had a look at the little lambs in the paddocks. Every field was green, and the lambs and sheep made a very pretty sight indeed. After a while we climbed up a nearby hill and rolled down the other side. This was great fun! At last, becoming tired of this, we started to climb some trees. By this time, it was time to go home, and, although I was very dirty, I had really enjoyed that visit to the country. —Prize of 1/6 to Cousin Ross Barnett (10), 1 Howard street, Gore. —PRIZE— Not long ago Jennifer had measles. She was almost bettei - when one morning mother came in flourishing a letter which asked Jen to spend a da)' in the country. As she was to travel by rail, mother put her on the train. Tire whistle blew and the little girl began her first journey alone. She watched the streets and houses disappear till the train was puffing past country villages and trees. After a short time the train slowed down and drew into the station, where the kind guard saw her into the hands of plump Mrs Jolly, the farmer’s wife. All the way to the farm Jen chatted to Mr Jolly until they were fast friends.

After a dinner of real country cream and fruit, Mrs Jolly took her on a visit round the farm. First of all came a little black and white calf which Jen at once loved. Next came the rolypoly pig and her piglets. Then there were the hens and ducks and turkeys dozing in the sun, and the dear little Shetland ponies munching the grass in the meadows. The cats were purring on the ‘doorstep and the two dogs were straining at the chains on their kennels. She must hurry to catch the train at six o’clock. Old Tim, the farmer’s man, let her hold the reins all the way to the station, where they found they had still 20 minutes to wait. The stationmaster, when he heard they were

waiting, took Jen into his office, and there in a basket under the desk were six plump puppies, one of which she was to choose for her very own. She chose- the most cuddlesome one. Then they heard the noise of the train as it steamed in and after - saying good-bye to old Tim, she was off. —Prize of 1/6 to Cousin Isabel McEwen (12). 87 Morton street.

—VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED—

It was a gloriously fine day when we woke up, so we decided to go for a picnic. Hurriedly we had our breakfast, packed a basket, then set off in the car. Soon we found ourselves on a long stretch of country road, the birds were singing gaily overhead, and we could smell the sweet perfume of the golden gorse as it glistened in the sunshine. In the fields new-born lambs were frisking merrily about, while across the road some men were ploughing the ground. Some stopped and pushing their hats further back on their heads, gazed at us while we slipped along the dusty road. Here and there we passed a farm-house, a school or perhaps a church. Sometimes while passing a farmyard a dog would run out barking at our wheels as though they were a rabbit. At last, when they could not catch them, they would stand still, wagging their tails until we disappeared from view. Just around a bend in the road wc came to a sparkling stream which looked inviting; we stopped to boil the

billy. While having lunch we saw some trout jump out of the water. The rest of the day was spent rambling in a bush nearby, where we heard the song of the bell-bird, as it perched high up in a kowhai tree. On the way home we saw many rabbits, some running out and seating themselves in front of the car. Further down the road we saw some cows lazily wending their way homewards. A sheep-dog gazed at us through dusty eyes, then went, to hurry up some of the laziest. Soon we arrived home, having spent an enjoyable day in the country. —3 marks to Cousin Valeric Fox, M.A.C. (10), 57 Conyers street. MANY HAPPY RETURNS Friday, April 25 Shirley Anderson, Fox street. Edna Wilson, Mary street. Reginald Porter, Islington street. John Tourell, 87 Forth street. Saturday, April 26 Betty Mcßride, Lorneville. Mary Shivas, Preston street, Gore. Sunday, April 27 * Eileen Wilson, Nith street. Lesley Sheed, Mandeville. Anita- Cameron, 177 Spey street. Monday, April 28 Teddy Hitchcock, Wrights Bush. Ima Broad, Haywood street. Mary Gutsell, Liddel street. Peggy Shore, East road. Lex Croad, Catherine street. Tommy Orr, Balfour, Glenure R.D. Tuesday, April 29 Mary Lyons, 375 Elies road. Clive Shaw, 77 Leet street. Marjorie Lange, 185 Tay street. ORIGINAL VERSE POPLAR TREES Here the poplar trees stand tall, By a little cottage small, With its tiny gate of green, Sweetest garden ever seen. Here the poplar trees stand tall, Leaves of palest gold soon fall, Then the trees will be quite bare; Faded, too, the flowers fair. —3 marks to Cousin Noelene Holloway (10), 397 Herbert street.