The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1929, Page 21

The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

V LETTERS . to bs k \ Addressed,’ g- "WENDY," 2* Cara Taranaki Daily liewa, Box 119, new Plymouth,

Sadie Matthews, Stratford. — We arc so pleased to welcome you and to know that yvti have entered for our competition. It would be fun to get a prize but, then, we all can’t, can we? Tinker Bell is very anxious to kno-w who null win; she paints the garden flowers when she feels impish.

Mina Schumacker, Ngaere. —Yes; it is a long time since we heard from you, isn’t it? You must have some lovely concerts with your gramophone and the mouth organ. Tinker Bell says she loves the poetry you sent, especially as she sometimes rings a little blue-bell, too. Have you blue-beT • in your garden,' for that is where fairies hide?

Sadie Olson, Egmont Village.—What a pretty pen-nam you have chosen. We shall use it next time we write to you. Of course we hadn’t forgotten you and we are so glad you haven’t forgotten us. We’ll see if there is a little pen-friend for you. Yes; isn’t Billikins a trick, the things he does. I often wonder what he will do next.

Rosabelle Gijber’, Waitara. —I’ve just bought bags and bags of salt for the gardener to put around the cabbages, so he should ba very happy. He’s whistling. away and I’m afraid he will put it around everything if I don’t stop him. It’s such a lovely day to-day and Baby Margaret is rolling on the lawn and Bouncer is playing with her. Maisie Sulzberger, Mangatoki.—Wet days are lovely for letter-writing and I know, all my little Tinks wrote to me last Sunday. Wasn’t it a dreadful day! Billikins and I thought we might go for a long walk but we decided that it was too wet for walking and too cold for swimming. What do you call the Shetland pony? How Baby Margaret would Jove one to ride on, because someone always has to lift her on to Bimbo. Marion Pitt, Stratford.—l don’t think it is naughty that you have not written before, as y-u are such ft busy lady. But I do think it is naughty of Billikins to have jumped out of the window on to a clump of'Spring bulbs just because it’s time for a game. I wonder if I can catch him? Is the baby hippo an ugly little fellow like his mother? Michael Co' don, Te Roti.—No; the earthquake didn’t make the Hut chimneys smoke but it made one of them look so queer and crooked. It made us all laugh but wc got a brick-man to come and put it straight. I saw such a dear little curly-headed boy carrying a big black cat, big as himself, along the street this morning and showing it all the shop windows. Beulah George, Tarata. —Do please eend us some more riddles as, even if there’s pot quite enough room always in the page, Billikins does enjoy them. He was so interested to hear about the new football and thinks you must be a great sport to play with your brother. The Hut is always at the top of the page. Do you see the little dove’s hut? Baby Margaret wmld like it for a doll’s house sometimes.

June Power, Okato. —What pretty coloui'fl your paints are and it was nice to have them for the competition. Baby Margaret is very well and sends you some kisses. Billikins is giving her a piggy-back and she is laughing like anything, H' is the knitting getting on, and what is it? Knitting is lovely to do as you can see it growing bigger and bigger, can’t' you? “Quail,” Inglewood.—What a lovely holiday you had. I hope the pillows did not burst when you were fighting and give you a shower of kapok. It’s so hard to pick up and terrible to swallow, isn’t it? Billikins jumps up quite early and has a cold shower, but Tinker Bell and Baby Margaret snuggle down into their warm blankets and pretend to be asleep when I call them. Tell Kathleen we’d love her to write to us.

“Little Miss Nobody,” Egmont Village. —I gave Tinker Bell the kisses you sent and she was so pleased with them. She’s doing her best to dress Baby Margaret in her woollies, but the little Tinker pulls off her things as fast as Tinker Bell puts them on. She thinks it’s a new kind of game. I hope you won your basketball match last Saturday. What position do you play in the team? Ruth Billing, Rahotu.—Do you like riding in the brand new bus? You must feel like kings and queens riding in state. The poetrv is so pretty and. I wonder where you found such a pretty bit. Tinker Bell says she just feels like that little girl on cold mornings when she hears the big grandfather clock chime eight. She always hopes it is only seven as she counts each chime. Esther Billing, Rahotu.—You must tell us about the sea-lion as Billikins says he’d love to eee one and if he knew where there was one, he’d go to see it. The poeti. was lovely and I’m sure it was the early morning that made him so happy. But June in England is warm and not cold as it is here, so I wonder if he’d feel so happy on a New Plymouth bridge in June. I think so, somehow, don’t you? Winnie Baylis, Ihaia Road.—l am so rrlad that you are well and haven’t got colds or ’flu like co many other little Tinks. Do you think cats ever get ’flu, as I had “Snuff” sneezing a while ago? How lovely it must be to be able to play well enough to pass examinations! I hope you pass the next one, too. It is lovely to have wireless concerts and io think that they travel miles through the air to you. Eileen Piper, Ngacre.—You managed to draw very well, even if you were lying in bed, and Billikins has pinned your pictures on the wall. Are you one of the little people who wants to be jumping about like Tinker Bell instead of being in bed and counting the boardfl on the ceiling, or do you spend most of your time working that nightie? Stanners Street, Eltham.—l really can’t write to this little Tink, as he (or she) forgot to sign his (or her) name, and . nobody at the Hut can guess to whom the writing belongs or what the answers to the riddles are. Isn’t that too bad? And were nearly dying oi curiosity I I

Flossie Voitrckoveky, Inglewood.—The Hut gardener thinks “Jemima” is a good name for a kitty. Do you think it will suit yours? Aren’t violets brave little things the way they smile through all the storms, snuggling in their little green leaves. I have forgotten who “Guggin” is, so I hope you will tell me next time. Whatever she is, I’m sorry she has a cold in the head. Joan’Casey, Inglewood.—Nd, Tinker Bell hasn’t a doll’s house; she plays with the flowers instead. The little pansy faces and the violets and daffodils arc her dollies. * She loves stroking the lovely little furry pussy willows, too, and says they’re just like pussies. The Hut folk think the story very funny. I suppose you’re able to have a skating rink on your road.

Irene Bond, Tataraimaka.—How lovely to have “the farthest away Tink,” so close to us. What a lovely trip you had and it was really a holiday itself before ever you arrived in Taranaki. How do you like our old mountain and do you think he’s changed at all since you last saw him? I guess he’s got his winter coat Oil this week, hasn’t he ?,

Mavis Tuck, Stratford.—Wc would be only too glad to have you for a Tink and we hope you will fill in that little form in the paper so we’ll know just when your birthday is. I’m glad ypu liked the competition and were keen to do it. The twins think painting competitions are good fun as they peep over ray shoulder to see what tumbles out of each envelope.

Lee. Bell Block.—l’m not quite sure if you were the little Tink who wrote to me this week as I got a letter from your address without any signature. So Billikins and the twins and Tinker Bell said they thought it was you? Are they right? But they couldn’t guess the first name. I have not heard from Gwen for some time but, then, I’ve lots more letters to open and her name might pop out.

Moira Hoben, New Plymouth.—Welcome to the Hut, little Tink. How lovely for the dolly to have a bed these cold nights, because some poor dollies have to sit up all night on a shelf. Can Baby Dorothy play with dollies or teddies yet or does she want to put them in her mouth ? That’s what Baby Margaret does and she even eats her shoes. Do you like being in Primer 111 ?

Sylvia Price, Oakura. —How many pups have you, then I shall know just how many names to give you? You must be energetic making haaikies and aprons. Have you finished the old witch yet or are you doing the broom? How did you break the dolly? Poor soul; she will be all bruises when she’s glued up but I daresay she’ll be happier than when she was in bits.

Clemency Western, Bell Block,—Certainly you may become a member of the Wendy Hut and such good writing, too! You’re going to be very busy out your way with all your gay little functions, aren’t you? I can hear such a naughty little squealing boy out on the road and everybody is turning around to look at him. Perhaps he’s cold and wants to get warm. Thank you for the recipes, little housewife.

Marjory Mason, Eltham.—Hullo, little Tink! How’s the stupid old thumb? I wonder, now, what would be a good name for a little heifer? Here’s Tinker Bell; I’ll ask her. She says “Susie” is a good name for a calf. Bo you think that will do? We like the poetry and the little drawing with it that you have coloured so well. “Sweet Lavender,” Eltham. —What an interesting item on wireless; have you one? No; we don’t collect stamps at the Hut but the king of England does. Did you know that? The twins are giving “Snuff” a bath and they're having a terrible time as he doesn’t like it a bit. Neither does “Bouncer” so he’s keeping well out of the way. Doris Mumby, Eltham. —I’m glad to heai - from your part of the world again, as I think most of the little Tinks your way have gone to sleep for the winter, like little squirrels. I’m glad Beulah likes the page; perhaps she’ll write to us. Yes; aren’t the puzzles great! Billikins always takes a pride .in those and he’s pretty cute, isn’t he? “Delphinium,” New Plymouth.—The poetry was very good and I learnt that same piece when I was a little girl at school. Too bad that “Wattle-Gold” has the ’flu, isn’t it? You will have to be careful to dodge him if he comes to visit you. Tinker Bell has just lit all the candles because it’s getting, dark and is putting a match to the fire and it will soon be cosy.

“Wattle-Gold,” New Plymouth. —Is the ’flu better yet? I hope so but I hope, too, that he hasn’t come in your little letter to wait his chance of giving it to Wendy. Do you think ho will? I shall have to see that that little bit is put in tiie paper soon so that your friend may join, but she can still join without it. Billikins thinks the catch is very clever and it took him a long time to see it. “Rosebud,” Fitzroy.—We shall see there’s a little pen-friend for you; I’m sure there is. What did you make at cooking on Monday? I like making scones better than anything else; ones with lots of raisins in. They don’t burn as easily as toffee, do they? I shall have to answer the other letters from your house; it’s so nice to have them all.

Loma Gosnell, Fitzroy.—What a shame poor old Poll died; did he die of cold or old age? I can see that you can add properly and you are quite an artist, too, judging from those two funny little faces at the foot of your letter. They look as if the earthquake had given them a fright. Billikins is trying to draw on a board with chalk and says he is drawing me writing to you.

“Rosabelle,” Tariki. —What an unusual and lovable little pet your little kid must be; does it follow you through the house and upstairs and down, like a little one which belongs to a little girl I know does? Would you like “Giggles” and “Goggles” for the two ducks’ names? I meant about the National Anthem, dear, that every country has a National Anthem and I thought it was that of another country to which you were referring.

Noel Gosnell, Fitzroy.—How interesting to know who “Uncle David” is, as I never knew before. I expect you have some great fun with the wireless, twisting all those funny little round things around and listening to all those queer noises. Were you in the parade of scouts or is that something yon will do later? Wasn’t .Sunday terribly wet! Too wet for us to even play in the cave.

Jean Ritchie, Inglewood. —No one else has your pretty pen-name so we will use it next time but don’t forget to sign both your names, will you? Yes; the little beehives are full of busy little bees in the summer making honey as. hard as they can go. Have you ever seen bees trying to race each other to a flower and nearly colliding? Shortbread is so tempting that one can easily eat lots before they realise it.

Ruth Fyfe, Hawcra. —Welcome, little Tink, and you may certainly have your pretty pen name. No one else has it though there is one very much the same. How are “Fluff” and “Tiger?” I hope they don’t fight, though black cats are lucky, aren’t they? Bouncer (.he’s our Hut doggie) is sitting out in the sun waggling his ears and his tail, for the flies like the sun, too.

“Fairy Daisy,” Okato. —You are a clever little Tink to compose such a pretty poem and your drawings were clever, too. Do you enjoy the “children’s hour” on the wireless? Yes; it must be wonderful to have an aeroplane so close to you and don’t you wish you could Uy like that? Tinker Bell has never seen one but Billikins says he’s going to buy one when he’s big enough and take us all for a ride.

Len Sampson, Mokau River. —I have sent your birthday card and I do hope it isn’t drowned in the river. You must be quite a man to be able to manage a rifle and bring home wild pork for dinner; it is lovely with apple sauce, isn’t it? Yes; hasn’t the weather been terrible and not even good for shopkeepers like you. What sort of shop did you keep?

“Flower of the Forest,” Mokau River. —Baby Margaret was two at the beginning of this month, and she is such a dear, little fat round thing; you would love her. She’s always getting into mischief, and she and Billikins are a great pair. I think everyone in New Zealand felt the earthquakes. Our Hut swayed like fun, but we didn’t really mind. The poor old willows must be cold without any leaves on them this cold weather.

Lily Kelly, Te Roti.—lt must be just wonderful to have such a darling little baby brother. And you already have a name for him! Are you allowed to hold him, or help mummie bath him, or do you think he’d break if you did? Poor old Kevin! It must be nice to have him home again. You’re a lucky little girl to have two brothers, aren’t you? I hope we find you a little pen friend. Are there any calves yet?

Olga A’agaard, Pembroke Road. —Did the old earthquake really tumble you out of bed? I think the people in England miss a lot of fun, don’t you? Baby Margaret had a birthday on the very first dav of this month and she was two years old. So next time you can send her many happy returns. Is your birthday card coloured in yet? Billikins always wants to colour them before I send them but I don’t think he should.

Caroline Turchie, Koru. —Tinker Bell is getting on very well and is outside having a ride on Bimbo. He looks as if he’s enjoying it, too, and I think I can see him smiling. Yes; it is a long time since you wrote and we thought the postman must have lost your letters, but he didn’t. Thank you for the poetry. Ivy Morgan, Eltham. —I hope you won a prize for the “flower-pot” drawing which you put in the show. Fancy me mistaking red berries for pussy willow! I think I shall have to get big fairy glasses to see with. I hope the baby doesn’t keep you awake at nights now; perhaps it was cold. What was its name ?

Berys Burrell, Helensville.—lt doesn't matter if you don't always win a prize because it’s fun doing it, isn’t it? We are so glad to hear you are well because some of the poor little Tinks have the ’flu. Don’t you think they are little sillies, because he’s such a nasty old man? Thank you for your age; it is down in the birthday book. Renee Startup, Eltham.—“Lily of the Valley” is a pretty pen-name and you will be called that next time I write to you. That is, if you remind me! Baby Margaret wants me to thank you for the kisses I know, for her little face became all dimples when I told her you’d sent them. I shall not forget to tell you how to play solitaire some time, but you may even have to remind me about that, too!

Rex Woodley, Mangamingi.—Don’t you think Bubbles and Chips are nice names? I‘m sure they’re nicer than any that Billikins or I can think of ? Rotorua is such a wonderful place, with all it’s boiling pools, where you can do the washing, and bubbling mud, which looks like porridge. Haven’t there been lots of earthquakes? But the Hut is still standing!

Ida Lee, Bell Block.—Another little Tink with the ’flu but wo hope it’s better now. Do you think there were any horrid little ’flu germs hiding in your letter when you sent it to Wendy? Billikins has just come from his lessons and wants me to romp with him, so I shall have to and then we’ll both be warm. June Worthington, Whangamomona.— Of course, we’d just love to have you as another little Tink and we hope little Enid will join, too, when she thinks she’s old enough. Does your little canary sing lovely songs? We have lots of pretty birds' at the Hut but we haven’t a canary yet.

Doreen Reid, Mangorei.—Yes; we were beginning to wonder if this little Tink was going to write to us again, and Billikins was beginning to get quite worried. He thought you weren’t going to enter for the painting competition either, but he’s quite happy again now that he knows you are. No; I have never been to a Band of Hope so you must write and tell us about it.

Patricia, Whangamomona. —This little Tink forgot to tell Wendy what her other name was and she was so interested to hear about poor old Jean’s big burden that she carries every morning to school, I don’t think Bimbo . would be so good-natured, and Baby Margaret and Billikins are all he can manage at one time. Is Pixie a Tinkite?

Ronald Rowe, Stratford. —Billikins did enjoy your joke about the hole; he says it was very clever and he often has a hole in his pocket, too. We welcome you to our Hut and hope you’ll often write to us. I can see Tinker Bell chasing a bit of thistle down but now it has blown far above her head and she can’t reach it.

Ernest Turchie, Koru.—Well, you have Billikins in a fix this time, for he simply can’t see the answer to the riddle about the dog and his motor-car. You will have to explain it to us next time you write. Have you painted your birthday card? No; we haven’t many flowers just now, but once Jack Frost has left us we shall see some of the brave ones for a few weeks.

Nancy Kemp, Kent Road. —We hope the cold was well enough for you to go to the fancy dress ball and wear that pretty little dress. Tinker Bell thought it must bo wonderful and wondered if you went as a “snowdrop.” Did you? Our little Iceland poppies are still snug in the ground but we saw a little yellow daffodil smiling a welcome to us this morning.

Kathleen Bishop, Rahotu. —Tinker Bell loves the poetry you sent and so do I. Tinker Bell is a little fairy who lives at the Hut and Billikins is a little boy who also lives at the Hut. lam Wendy and write to all my little Tinks every time they write to me. Do you understand now, dear, what we all are? Billikins loves jokes and you sometimes have to find where he hides things in those pictures you see on Saturdays. Eric Lucas, Inglewood.—Welcome to the Wendy Hut, Eric. And so you’d like to travel around the world. Wouldn’t that be fun and then you could write to the Hut and tell all the Tinks and Billyboys what you saw and did. All real boys like games and don’t mind a bit being knocked about, for that makes men of them and I’m sure, some day, you’ll like it like all other boys do, won’t you?

Freda McCabe, Okato. —You did make Billikins and I wish we were with you when you wrote, as you said you were just going to make some toffee! Yes; weren’t the white pups at the show just lovely! We didn’t see the white rats and wouldn’t they make tiny pets? Whenever I see a little brown mouse I stand on the table until Billikins or Bouncer comes to chase it away. Irene Andrews, Okato.—Poor little field mice, to be given to the kittens. Tinker Bell would have cried had she seen you but she would have loved jumping about in the chaff. You might have mistaken her for a mouse, she is so small, and that would never have done! We hope you’ll remember your little letter this week because letters hate to be forgotten you know!

Joan Morgan, ’Rahotu.—Billikins and I decided that “Pat” is a good name for a cat, and we wondered if your cat would like that. Sometimes cats are a

little bit fussy about their names and pretend they don’t hear when they’re called by them. Anyway, you can tell me what yours thinks. . How lovely have a brand new, shiny car! What .is it’s name ?

Avis Forbes, Stratford.—That'...w pretty little story you sent and L t the little girl in it must have been when the old sun had put you to; in the garden. You have had a serf accidents but you will soon be well'a and then you’ll forget you eye£ them. How do you play cats after'n

Phyllis Aldous, New Plymoui Wendy was so pleased to hear, from but she hopes she won’t get the ’flu; as you had it when you wrote,cd you? I think the names for those little “banties” are just lovely;' ar hope they lay lots., of little brown. for your tea. We would love toy little sister as a Tink and you'tell to write to Wendy.

Olive Dombroski, Normanby.—lf. enjoy your letter, little girl, and I k how Nature must have helped yol your trouble. The sight of the.s'it mountains must have been just glor and I love our old Mt. Egmont, .toO; pecially when he has his bonnet of s on. We all think of you at the Hut; send our love. ’

Mary Jacobsen, Tututawa.-—You?; love the winter show and I hope, weather is fine for your trip to .itjwill see just hundreds of things you h never seen before and I wonder what will like best of all. We love biglo fires at the Hut, too, and sometimes’ all sit. down in front of it for our of hot toast, with the butter dripj off it. -.. W

Irene Wilson, New a mistake for me to say you were ele instead of ten! That was too bad,« I can only think Billikins must , h been having his little joke. He- so times hides people’s birthdays and I h such a hunt to find them! I am g you like reading. You must be a:b little girl with your, dancing as wel

“Blue Bell,” Tuna.—Yes; the sea-. < tainly has been rough lately but I; 1 the sea when it is angry, don’t ;y< Baby Margaret likes the sand best t in the summer she makes lovely lit sand-castles with shell trimmings. Son times she tries to talk to the seagi when they come up to her for, someth] to eat. There are such . hundreds.. Tinks that I must stop now and wr to some more.

“Fern Fairy,” Opunake. —-Thank -y for the pretty piece of poetry abopt t apples. Doesn’t thirteen seem very,a and you really are a lady and no. dunce at all. Cooks are never dune What do you make? Lovely little bro) cakes'with icing on top, or nice hti crisp biscuits that “crunch” when ?y bite them ? Perhaps you sometimes sol the pudding question for Mother “Forest Fairy,” Opunake— These D fascinating little fairies, have writt and haven’t signed their other nan Isn’t tliqt a pity, for Wendy alwft likes to know both names? You are clever little person to make such an elfl orate badge and we think the poet very pretty. Baby Margaret was;; pleased to get your present and sen some back for you. Yes; Billikins ct always find , the puzzles but I cou Jasver.tell him that you couldn’t, ~