The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1928, Page 18

The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

LETTERS to be Addressed:. “WENDY," Care Taranaki Daily News, Box n», NEW PLYMOUTH,

Joyce Hoby, Stratford.— Thank you for the letter of such very careful writing; We will >e looking at your name every day for the next week, because the real hut honours board bangs over the mantlepiece in our dining room, and the Tink’s names are printed in blue and gold on the brown oak board.

Mary Jacobsen, Tututawa. —Your name is on thf honours board this norning. Mary. I thoroughly enjoyed your description of the bush picnic, and I could almost smell the damp mosses, and hear the liquid notes of the tuis calling 'from the tall trees. We are looking forward to the autumn, for then we will be able to carry out many alterations which we have planned, concerning our gard.cn scheme.

Elsie .Wellington, Tuna.—When 1 opened your letter just now I dropped the envelope on to the floor by mistake and the Wendy baby who is lying on the floor has picked up the pretty blue paper, and is turning it over and over in her fat, dimply fingers. Her eyes are both sliding in towards her: nose in her anxiety to understand what she has found. Billikins went for a motor drive round the mountain on Wednesday and he said there were about a hundred million haystacks near Tuna, but I don’t think he is a very good countdo you ?

Viwa Gosnell, Waitara.—l am very pleased to hear that you are now out of hospital. It was very kind of you to write so soon. If you left on Tuesday for Christchurch you will not see this answer unless somebody cuts it out and sends it to you. Perhaps you will be able to find it in the Christchurch library. Don’t forget to write and te'l me all about your trip. Didn't you ha’-e hard luck with the car last week? Bil’ikins always loves “blow-outs.” He usually cries out, “Look out everyone, here . come the injuns! ”

Queenie Coombe, Oaonui. —Your 11: tie brother Douglas is now a member of the club, and will soon receive his membership card. Has Bunty seen Mary Pickford ? I wonder if you have caught any more eels lately, or are you too busy sitting up very nicely In school, speaking when spoken to and making beautiful writings and arithmetics ?

“(Somewhere in Taranaki.”—l’ve tried to think who eould have sent this long and. interesting letter., I don’t remember the writing a little bit, and I think you are a big tease to sign yourself “A Cow Cookie’s Daughter,” because nearly all our Tinks live on farms. Did you have a water diviner to advise you as to where to sink your well? I have seen people who have this gift demonstrating, and I think it very wonderful. Why do you have your doubts as to whether I am a lady or a man? We all feel “fresh and green” too. Your sister expresses the after-swim feeling exactly, doesn’t she? Pearl Robertson, Opunake.—Good morning “one of our best writers!” Thank you for the dainty flower you pressed for me. It is almost transparent. Do you know the name of it? There are some lovely nooks and corners at Ngaere Gardens, aren’t there ? Did you take your lunch and have it under the shady trees? Tinker Bell and I received our kisses quite safely. Dorothy Bilski, Inglewood.—You have been a busy Tink, haven’t you? You- are lucky to own a well in these dry times, aren’t you? It was very kind of you people to send us that sugar bag full of apples. Billikins came struggling Into the kitchen with them when they arrived and cried, ‘Come on Wendy. Let’s open them quickly 1” • Tinker Bell is outside weeding on this beautiful morning while I write to you. It will be too hot for her later in the day and then she will come in and finish darning such a ’normous pile of socks. Jean Marr, Kohuratahi.—Well little new member, your name is on the honours board this morning. How old is your pet lamb, Daisy? The four ducklings must be simply sweet. I suppose they seem all bill and feet, do they? Last night Tinker Bell told us a story about a family of children who dreamt that they were ducklings, and they were dressed in green Dutch breeches and little scarlet jackets, with big white buttons. The ducklings had the most exciting adventures, and we were all sorry when the story was finished.

Maurice Shaw, Tututawa.—You have lovely times on the farm with your dad, don’t you? How far does he have to sledge the water? Your pigeons must look beautiful wheeling about in the evening. Do they sleep in a cot, or do they prefer to perch on your house ? We have two pigeons and they squabble and mumble away every evening, because the handsome grey-blue one doesn’t ever let the darling white one have the best place. Keith Bilski, Inglewood—l have just been telling Maurice about the lion at the circus. Well, after a little conversation the trainer said, “Why, poor old Tom, have you got toothache?” And the big lion looked very sad, then opened his jaws wide, showing his scarlet tongue and huge sharp teeth. The trainer then put his head right into tho lion’s mouth to look at the sore. tooth. I received tho competition . entries quite safely, but haven’t corrected any yet. You are a poor old burnt boy, aren’t you? Kerosene is very inflammable isn’t it? Yes! I know your two Girl Citizen friends. Edith Smith, Kaimata. —I was ever so pleased to hear from you again. Doing a kind deed everyday doesn’t mean doing hard work, dear, but usually just being cheerful, and helping people who are tired and worried! Do you have anywhere to swim near your home? Aren’t you living by the Maunganui River? There is a wonderful picnic place called tho Everet Road Reserve. Have you been there? Thank you far the poetry.

Richard Kemp, Tuna.—Well! I expect your father got his hay in because no one seems to have had real rain. Yes! Wo had a light sprinkle last Saturday and Tuesday of this week too. Billikins went to the circus on Tuesday and was very charmed with a bear who rode an ordinary bicycle' round just as though lie was a person. The lion trainer went into a big cage and sat down and said, “Come on Tom, old man, and chat to me.” And the huge beast sat beside the man and lent his shaggy, head' on the chap’s shoulder.

Joyce Corbett, Warea.—l was very pleased to read your interesting letter. Don’t forget to let me know about the school swimming sports. I hope you enpoy the races on Saturday. No, I will not be going either day, but we always see the dear old gee-gees walking past the Hut on their way up to the racecourse. •

Rosie Skedgwell, Tuna.—l wonder.how you like being back at school again. How you must love having the Workbox which your Granny sent you for Xmas. Have you made anything with the new sewing things yet ? Did you write your letter to me with the lead pencil which your Daddy received for his birthday ? We are so sorry to hear that you have run out of water.

, (Stratford.. —(Such an interesting letter from some little Tink who forgot to sign her name! You have just had a lovely holiday in New Plymouth, haven’t you! Did you enjoy the Druid’s pienic! It must have been fun , going there in the train. I hope you went to the circus with your Daddy. W£ saw all the elephants in town this 'week. Flossie Voitrekovsky, Te Tawa, —Are there any springboards at the school dam? I do hope you will be able to swim before this summer is over. I suppose the kittens would become giddy if you and Valerie were to take them on your new swing with you. John has just brought a dish of blackberries up from the gully, so we will have blackberry pie for dinner to-day. Amy Neilsen, Rahotu. —What a good thing it is that all the lobster children and all the very brown children, of whom you write, are now safely sheltered in shady class rooms. Thank you for riddles, poetry, etc. You nearly always take the trouble to find something for the children’s page. Tinker Bell is going to a dance to-night and she is now sewing a button on one of her silver brocade shoes. Her hair is very fair and is not cut off yet. I hope it doesn't become untidy on her way to the dance as there-is a strong wind blowing. May Weir, Kent Road.—Are you a little brown berry since your holiday in New Plymouth? Did you try all the chutes and whirligigs at Kawaroa Park? There is a very good view of the breakwater and sugar loaves to be had from there, isn’t there ? Were you lucky enough to see any big ships coming in, or going out? We are looking forward to the visit of the Dunedin.

Melva Simpson, Mokau River.— We are so glad to hear that you: enjoy school so much. The New Plymouth Girls’ • High School boarding house was opened last week and visitors were shown over the lovely home. Each girl has a new cubicle to herself, with dressing table, wardrobe, and low stool in it. The snow white beds each have a dainty pillow sham with dainty coloured flowers worked in the corners, while the dressing table bag a pretty runner to match. Would your sister like to call her playful kitten “Trixie." Marjorie Sampson, Molftiu River.— You two girls would love to see “Scotlands,” the girls’ boarding bouse. I wonder if you will gain proficiency and then attend the high school. I think Melva’s and your school attendance of five years without missing half a day is excellent, mid four sisters and a brother who went through the whole of their school courses with the same admirable record constitute a family you may well be proud to belong to. I received, thu photo you sent me and thought it such a joke that you had forgotten to put a cross on your own self. Would you like to call the young puppy “Toby.” Doris Mumby, Eltham.—Tinker Bell is very well thank you and has quite recovered from the spring cleaning. How old is your baby sister Lois? The Wendy Hut baby is just learning to crawl too, and she crashes over on to her darling little nose. By the way she has one tootli now. How many lias Lois! Thank you for tlie hundreds of kisses. There are still crowds of dandelion kisses flying about in the wind, aren't there?

Roy Death, Eltham. —Tour letter began like many others did this week, and this is liow they read:— “Dear Wendy, I have just returned frqm my holidays. School starts to-morrow, and I am looking forward to going back. Did you come to the beach at New Plymouth on the nineteenth ? Billikins and I climbed to the top of Paritutu this morning and we had a wonderful view of North Taranaki. Some friendly sea-gulls circled around us, and we watched them gobble up some crumbs which we left for them.”

Rosamund Creen, Korn. —I am pleased to hear that the birthday card atrived quite safely. Did it become crumpled lu the mail bug! It really is too hot to play basket ball at present, isn’t it? so it doesn't matter very much about the grass being too long. Is there a school paddock for the children s ponies? I do hope vou are able to attend High School as the wider knowledge and interest are blessings for girls in every branch of life, and especially the girl who lives on a farm. Education seems to be a door to much kappincsa and useful!!