The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1928, Page 21

The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

LETTERS to b« Addressed: "WENDY,” Cere Teronaki Daily News, Box 119, NEW PLYMOUTH.

“80-Peep,” Inglewood.—We have had some beautifully sunny days but this morning as I write to you, I can see clouds of misty rain sweeping past the window. I can’t see any spring hats going down the road, only the glistening tops of umbrellas. You people had a lovely view of the planes, didn’t you? Mavis Adams, Alton. —I hope the next clucking hen is really broody, because I am sure you are very anxious to see 14 yellow balls, and to hear the band of 14 colonial pipers. The Hut people do play coon can but they seem to be happier playing “beggar my neighbour” and “animal grab.” Joyce Burrell, Kakaramea. —Peter and Pam came to feed the chickens with me this evening and they said that they wished that all the Tinks.. could have seen Wendy. It was raining hard, so we all wore very old clothes and I had on some huge men’s farm boots. I happened to tread in a bog and left one boot behind me and had to hop back again. The twins nearly fell in the mud themselves, with laughing at me. Grace Smeaton, Bell Block.—The Wendy baby received all the kisses, but I don’t think she deserved them to-day, because she will keep undoing her- ehoes and throwing them away, I hope Joan will be very happy. Does she sit very still and quiet? The nectarine tree must be a wonderful eight. Queenie and Douglas Coombe, Oaonui. —We are looking forward to your next letter telling us how Douglas enjoys school. Do you both- take your lunches with you? Billikins says that Bimbo is in line fettle for carrying geese. You people think of the most-- lovely surprises for us, don’t you? Naomi Busing, Tariki. —We were surprised to find that you had moved. John suggests that we should have a simply enormous telescope at the Hut so that wo could swing it round and keep an eye on the doings of all the Tinks. If the canary is called Tommy Tucker then he will learn to sing for his supper. Do you like this name for him ? May Neilsen, Rahotu.—lt is a thoroughly pouring, wet afternoon and the Hut people are playing terrificly bumpy, shouting games all over the house, so I put a notice on my door — “He who enters will be eaten by the tiger”—but they all came trooping in—- “ Just to see if there was a tiger helping you to .write the letters, Wendy!”

Chrissie Stewart, Stratford. — Thank you for the poetry. Hurrah! Whitebait for tea. Peter and Pam have just come in with a large basin full. They caught them their very own selves, with their very own net. I expect there will be about six fritters each.

Miriam Jury, Liardet Street, New Plymouth.—Poor Joan seems very lonely without her Darby, doesn’t she? We all went to a birthday party last Saturday. Tinker Bell’s side won in the “nuts and may” game, and a little girl called Phyllis guessed the competition. Wo had to write down the names of all plants and flowers in the garden beginning with the letters S or B. Norma Thomas, Matapu.—Congratulations on your splendid exam results! I know what kind of time you are having with your ear, because I had the same trouble a short while ago. 'What a surprise you must have had when you found the baby rat peeping out of her nest.

Grace Jury, Tikorangi—Your new bantam seems to be very intelligent. Couldn’t you train yourselves into a bit of a circus? Billikins says that ho would love to walk along the quiet horse’s back, blowing his mouth organ, with the bantam standing on his head. Mavis Kidd, Stratford.—Your name is now on our roll, Mavis, and your caid will arrive next week. Will you send the date of your birthday next time for Tinker Bell’s birthday book? We all appreciated the drawing of yourself, especially the marcel waves.

Viwa Gosnell, Uruti.—l was very surprised when I received your letter addressed from Uruti. We think it is the very best holiday for you, and expect to hear shortly that when you next tread on the weighing machine, the scales will go up witli a terrific bang. Have you seen any clematis in the Uruti bush?? Lucy Smeaton, Bell Block.—l shall now proceed to answer your two hundred and forty questions (about!). The Wendy baby is 18 months old. Yes; we often see the tuis in their white waistcoats. They swing on our flax in the summer. Our persian kitten is called “Rajar.” No; not a sign of a chicken’s beak for us yet. Would Peter do for a name for your pet?

Joyce Gardner, Oaonui.—Your name is in three places this morning, Joyce, and we think that quite soon you will have a free place. Billikins is very busy with his bush palace at present. It is a nuisance calling on him, because he has soldiers posted at each corner of the passage, and one has to remember seventeen different pass words, before chatting with “His Majesty.” Mildred and Robert Baylis, Oaonui. — Good morning new members! Will you please send your birthdays for the book. I suppose you often have rides in the cream truck. Billikins has a tricycle and ho whizzes down our paths at about 50 miles an hour. lie wants to know the name of your machine. Have you any dollies, Mildred? Kathleen Goodin, Public Hospital.— Your number on the list is 7’23, Kathleen. Good gracious! Here is Tinker Bell in tears. Our puppy, Bouncer, has scampered into the trees with one of her shoes, and none of the Hut people can find. it anywhere, so I must try and help Cinderella. I suppose there aren’t any princes at the hospital who have picked it up, are there? Noeline Croeley, Waipi&u.—ls this the first time that you have ever seen your name in the paper, Noeline? Our Billikins wants to know if you would like to call your pet calf “Dorset,” because he has one of that name. The postman will bring you a surprise this w-eek. Have you many brothers or sisters ?

Annie and Neal Raven, Te Kiri Sawmill. —I have enrolled Neal, and his card will arrive soon. I don’t know how the mail travels to Te Kiri. You really are a prize winning family, aren’t you? Yes; I think Iceland poppies are very dainty. Freda McCabe, Okato.—How grown up you must feel now, Aunty Freda! Tinker Beil has just come in with a tray full of buns to show me that we each have a special one to ourselves with our initial in pink icing. Billikins will probably think there are two for him as there are two B’s but one is really baby’s. Ivy Upson, Hillsborough.—Would Nelson like to call the lamb “Janet” ? Peter and Pam, our Hut twins, are very excited this morning because the lupin is shooting up so quickly in their own special garden. They are expecting it to grow taller than our chimneys. “Scarlet Pimpernel,” Tikorangi.— Yes! we have had white bait several times. You people live quite near the Waitara river, don’t you, which is such a good netting ground? I can hear the postman’s whistle outside our gate, so I expect that means dozens more letters. Doris Aubrey, Tariki.—Thank you for the drawing of the weather cock. Is the man dressed in wet weather clothes? Have you any calves or pet lambs ? Some of the Tinks have been for swims in the sea already. Don’t you think they are brave ? Noel Cave, Eltham. —We are sorry to hear that Roy Death has a poisoned foot. Perhaps he could write to me from hospital. If you visit him you could tell him I would love to hear from him. I am sure you will be able to swim this season.

Kathleen Riley, Pihama. —I think your writing is very good, although you are too little to write with ink. Just peep on the honours board. Would you like to call the calves “Dinah,” and “Peggy?” Speaking of pegs, our Tinker Bell made three into very dainty ladies yesterday, and they are standing by the flowers on our dining room table. Jessie Standing, Inglewood.—Your name is in the book for April 5, and the* train will bring you your membership card very shortly. We rode in the train to Waitara this week. It was the Wendy baby’s first journey by rail. Our carriage ,was close to the engine, and she jumped every time the whistle blew at the cuttings.

Richard Kemp, Kiore.—l am looking forward to a letter written by your very own self someday. Your sister’s name is on our other page this morning. The twins are paddling in the pools on the lawn. They have just shouted through the window telling me there are daisies growing on the floors of all the puddles. Rita Cartwright, Mokau.—No! I haven’t ever been up your river, but I have crossed it on the ferry and over th© splendid new bridge. We found some huge mushrooms on the high cliffs by Tongaporutu ono day. Oh! yes our Wendy baby can walk and run too, although - she often has spills and bumps. Eunice Cheffing, Opunake.—Yes; your beach is a joy in the summer, isn’t it? It is so sheltered and picturesque. This morning as I write to yon our sea is a mass of white horses. Tinker says they look exactly as though they will gallop right over the houses. Pearl Wells, Mangorei.—You are now a member, Pearl. I don’t know of anybody else who has a birthday as close to Christmas. Would the calf be pleased with “John Gilpin” for a name? I haven’t heard of the gardening competition. Is it connected with your school? Doris Taylor, Lowgarth.—l have put your name down for a December birthday, but I don’t know the date. Do you know all about the many people living at the Hut witli me? We will all be very busy next week, as w© will be starting our spring cleaning. I hope no one swallows any tacks or falls off any ladders. Douglas Fraser, Huiroa.—ls there a school paddock for Topsy? Are there any other steeds who carry light burdens to their lessons? We have a pony at the Hut called Bimbo, and yesterday John and he were caught in a terrible hail storm, but they have quite recovered. Jake Rothery, Hillsborough.—l have asked Wendy if I could answer a few letters for her, so her© I am in charge. First, let me christen the Persian “Potifar.” This is the noble name of a Cat in one of my books. Where do you keep the silver medal for growing mangolds? I haven’t any medals except a sixpence out of the last Christmas pudding. Well, I must get on with my new job—Yours, Billikins.

Esther and Ruth Billing, Rahotu.— There is such excitement at the Hut to-day as the chimney sweep is here. The carpets are up and the soot is down. Of course Billikins is trying to be everywhere at once. Now I will have something to keep the slugs away from my young seedlings, won’t I?

Nancy Poynter, Westown.—You were not in hospital very long, were you? Seven race horses have just passed the Hut. Do you see many in Westown? The riders were all munching apples. I wonder if the gee-gees are allowed any juicy carrots. Jean Alleman, Inglewood.—What is the name of your tortoise-shell cat? I hope Peggy’s wounded head is better now? Oh! there go the twins away for the whole morning. Some men are building a garage next door, and they wish to investigate. They promise not to be a nuisance. Olive Good, Okaiawa. —I was very pleased to open your letter and read “Dear Sir,” because everyone at the Hut treats me like a child, although I am teaching the Wendy baby to call me Uncle Bill. I wonder what we will be having for dinner to-day. There is a smell of stuffing sailing in at the door. • —Your, Billikins. Jean and Joyce Hammond, Opunake. —Oh! dear me! I guess someone will be wanting me soon for I can hear John calling, “Does anyone know where the axe is please?” I suppose I will have to go out and say, “Please John, I did have it this morning, but I can’t quite remember where, I left it.” I seem to be always in trouble of some sort. —Yours, Billikins. Joan Oliver, Bell Block.—-You must be very happy with your garden plot after so much hospital. Wendy is always telling you Tinks about things that I do, so I will tell you that she is sitting in th© sun reading a book, while I am doing the writing. I think I will pop outside and tip up her chair. —Yours, Billikins. Gretchen Simons, Vogeltown.—l went to Vogeltown on© day last week, because I had a shilling to spend, so I jumped into one of the coffee pots | (that’s what the ’buses look like), and away I went. We waited at the terminus for a while and I saw a field with 14 hundred million cabbages and then I had to run, because the ’bus was waiting and honking for me. —Y T ourfl, Billikins. Alex Cox, Hawera. —Th© riddles and jokes were quite new to me, Alex, and I have put them on the other page. You were right on the spot for the fliers weren’t you? New Plymouth peopl< left in a great hurry, so that they wouldn’t miss anything. What standard are you in now? Helen Cartwright, Mokau.—You wrote a splendid letter, Helen. How interested everyone will be watching for the seeds to come up. Did the Sampsons get any more pigs? We bad some wild pork chops this week. Of course Billikins is longing to grow up and go hunting.

Gwen Smith, Opunake.—l was very interested to read about the “Princess and the Robbers.” Oh! here is the postman with a parcel; I must run out and meet him. ItVas only a new pair of shoes for Tinker. I nave written quite a number of letters to-day, so I will ask Wendy to correct the spelling, and then I will go for a ride on by tricycle.—Yours, Billikins.

A LITTLE LEARNING. “Oh,” said the elderly tramp, giving ais brimless hat a twirl, “education is a wonderful thing in our line of business.” ‘Why, whatever" good would education be to us chaps?” asked the second road walker. “I’ll tell you,” said the elderly tramp. “I was in Willesden one morning and knocked at the door of a tidy little villa. When the lady of the house came out to see who it was, I quoted a little Shakespeare.” “Well?” “An’ she replied with a little bacon.” v e * * THE COUNTRYMAN’S APPETITE. A countryman who had come to London and prospered in business invited a friend from his native place to spend ‘a holiday with him. On the first day he took him to dinner at an expensive restaurant. They went through the various courses, and when they had finished, the host inquired: “Well, what do you think of that for a dinner?” “Great!” replied the friend enthusiastically. “Now have one w’ith me!” • * • • When the lady district visitor called, Pat and his wife sat merrily sipping from the “cup that cheers.” “I trust,” she began, “that you have both made good resolutions for the New Year.” “Yes, mum,” promptly responded Pat. “My wife ain’t going to drink any more, and I ain’t going to drink any less.”