A PERFECT HOLIDAY

Southland Times, Issue 24460, 13 June 1941, Page 2

A PERFECT HOLIDAY

—PRIZE— Hurrah! We will be able to go for a holiday after all! Three cheers for good old Uncle Peter!” cried Betty excitedly to her twin brother Ron. They had been feeling very sorry for themselves as their father was ill in hospital and their mother could not afford to send them for their annual holiday. Uncle Peter, who owned a fleet of fishing vessels and who lived at Halfmoon Bay had invited the twins to spend their holidays with him. They were delighted and accepted the invitation readily. Arriving at their destination they found their Uncle awaiting them, and with a cheery smile he took them to his home.

l ur A '^ a^lng next . morn ing, they found Mr Sun streaming in through their bedroom window. Uncle had promised the children he would take them out and let them sail in his yacht the Jolly Roger, while he and his crew fished out in the strait. Rounding the cove, Ron sighted a mysterious looking ship anchored in a bay ahead. Drawing closer he saw strange flashes of a torch coming from the rear of the ship. Ron had often heard his uncle tell them of the smuggling going on in the bay and a reward was offered for information of the whereabouts of the gang. Ron, who was a Scout, soon made the flashes to be the following message, “Will meet at cave on Ragged Point at six-thirty.” Trembling with excitement Ron told Betty of his discovery, and they quickly told the sailor to take them back to

the wnarf. There they met their uncle, who, after hearing their story, quickly informed the local police. That night the band of smugglers was surprised to find the police instead of their comrades, and were soon captured and taken to headquarters. The children received their reward, and after many weeks of glorious sunshine which they spent in the many beauty spots on the island .they returned home to their mother, full of glowing accounts of a perfect holiday. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Alyse Holloway, V.A.C., (13), 397 Herbert street, —PRIZE— My idea of a perfect holiday is for a party to go camping away in the mountains. In midsummer when the days are long and the skies blue, it would be fun packing the things on the trailer and car, and setting off to see the rivers, lakes and mountains. It would be lovely to wander about the hills and gather ferns and wild flowers. I would get up early in the morning and see the sun-rise, then help fetch the water and wood to cook the meals. Then I would lie in the shade and listen to the birds singing and see the wild animals roaming the bush or hills. That is my idea of a perfect holiday. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Margaret Ferguson (9), Orepuki. —VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— Kitty Laurey was sad because the day after tomorrow she would be going back to town to go to school. “If only

something exciting would happen,” she sighed, and little did she think what would happen that very day. She was walking along a grassy lane when suddenly she heard an aeroplane coming overhead, so she dived among some tall grass. She lay there until the | plane had gone past, and then she started to get up. There came a crash from behind her, and she turned round and saw that the aeroplane had crashed in a field nearby. “It must have been following the other aeroplane,” said Kitty excitedly to herself. She knew that it was a British aeroplane by the markings. She rushed to the aid of the pilot as the ■plane was beginning to catch fire. Kitty undid his flying-belt and dragged him out on to the grass, out of reach of the flames of the plane. He was unconscious, but soon regained consciousness. *

“Where am I?” he murmured. He tried to rise, but fell back with a groan. “My ankle.”

Kitty knew that the pilot must have broken his ankle, so she went to a farm house nearby for assistance, but nobody was at home. She went back arid dragged the pilot into the shade of a tree. She made him as comfortable as possible. “I’ll go for the doctor.” said Kitty to the pilot. It was four miles to the nearest do'■to- and ■she had to walk, so off she

set. She had been walking a lot that day so her feet were sore but she kept gamely on. She had gone about three miles when she saw the doctor in his car coming towards her. She stopped him and told him about the accident.

The doctor fixed up the pilot’s ankle and drove h:m to the bosp.tal, and then Kitty decided to go home. She did not say anyhing about her adventure to her aunt and cous’ns and one day soon after, she received a medal for bravery, and the pilot gave her a wristlet watch. Kitty still has the medal and the watch. —3 marks to Cousin Mary Shivas (13), 12 Preston street, Gore. —VERY HIGHLY COMMENDED— I think the perfect holiday would be to spend a week at the Rocks in the summer time. It would be lovely to live in a bathing suit all day and play in the water whenever I liked. I would like to sleep in a tent, as long as it did not rain. I have never slept in a tent, so I think it would be good fun. We were out for a day last summer, but I hope to go for a week next year. —3 marks to Cousin Flora McDonald (7), West Plains R.D.