LITTLE SOUTHLANDERS' CHRONICLE

Southland Times, Issue 25549, 18 December 1944, Page 8

LITTLE SOUTHLANDERS' CHRONICLE

My Dear Cousins, This is the last time you will see our Chronicle this year, but on the first Monday you are back at school, look for our comer again. Your Cousin Betty has had a busy time this week, sending out the year’s prizes, and preparing the gifts for the hospital. Prizes for degrees have also been sent to Margaret Maloney, Colleen Holland, and June Holland. Congratulations to these cousins. The book prizes and the gold medal are being posted to th'e clever Little Southlanders who worked so hard to earn them. .1 want those of my cousins who forgot to return their library books before the end of the year to keep them safe until the first visiting day next year, which will be the first Tuesday you are at school! Percy Pencil, Penelope Pen, and all my other helpers join with me in wishing you a very happy Christmas, and a sunny holiday.

Your loving

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

A beautiful Christmas tree, all golden bright Was shining so softly throughout the long night, Awaiting the morning when children would come And take from its branches, gifts, one by one. On the topmost tip of the Christmas tree, Was a star like a sparkling gem; It reminded all who saw it there Of the Star of Bethlehem. Beneath the star was a fairy doll, In a gown all frilly and white; And in her hand was a fairy wand, With tinsel and ribbons bright. There were gifts for everyone, young and old, Each bearing a loving wish For a happy, holy Christmas tide, And each was sealed with a kiss. So the Christmas tree shone happily All through the lonely night, Knowing the joy that it would bring, With the morning’s early light. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Mary Duncan, A.C. (15), 31 Canning street, Gore.

HOSPITAL DAY

To the hospital patients we cousins say, We’re so sorry we must stay away When Santa Claus makes his call, On Christmas day to see you all. We were planning to go there too, With the Little Southlanders’ gifts for you; But now as this we cannot do, We send our Christmas wish to you. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin Russell Fergus, A.C. (9), 46 Doon street. I KNOW I know where the’ nymphs and the fairly folk dwell, It’s down in the woodland among the bluebells, Among the tall grasses where soft breezes blow, That’s where the fairies dwell—l know. Amid rocky tors and green valleys deep, The pixies so merry awake from their sleep. Where shadows move fast and sometimes move slow, That’s where the pixies dwell—l know. Within caves and caverns, beneath hills so drear, Dwell the gnomes and the dwarfs whose customs are queer. They hold parties nightly where the darkest shades show, That’s where the gnomes dwell—l know. Now the water sprites nimble, live in rivers and streams, They love to dance and play among sunbeams. They hide in the rushes when rivers are low, That’s where the sprites dwell—l know. —Prize of 1/- to Cousin June Holland, A.C. (14), 45 Wigan street, Gore.

COMPETITIONS

605TH COMPETITION.—HoIiday letter for all Cousins: Entries close TUESDAY, February 6. 169TH ART CLUB COMPETITION.— Prizes of 1/- to Cousins Gay Simmers, Patricia Mcßride and lan Hanright.