The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX
LETTERS to ba Addressed: "WENDY* Cars Taranaki Dally News, Box 119. new Plymouth.
Tansie Drake, Oakura. —I think that "Toby” is an excellent name for any little dog and he should be proud of it. Does Hettie crawl up to him and pinch hjs tail and pull his ears? The calves would think a real red Indian was after them when Alfie took out his lasso! I hope he didn’t choke any!
"Thistle,” Tariki. —Billikins seems to have gone on a holiday of his own accord, quaint little laddie,, but thank you very much for asking him. I wonder how many other , pets he has trailing after him and how many snails are leaving a silvery train as they crawl along! Aren’t you glad the little ’possum got away? It must have been horrid to live in a box! ■>
Esther Billing,: Ngariki Road. —The little piece of poetry you sent made Tinker - Bell dance and jump, too; she’fi making the table move and it is ever so hard to write straight! Baby Margaret is watching her with big open eyes, and it won’t be long before she joins her, I know. Have you counted how many wee baby teeth “Frostie” has ?
Maisie Drake Oakura.—We would love you to join our happy family and we are so pleased to hear you do so well at school. Billikins loves reading, but perhaps it’s because he’s such a great talker! Have you seen the sunsets on our old mountain lately? Just like coloured iee cream.
Joan Pennington, Mangamingi.—l though a cloud had gone over the sun and then I looked up at the window and saw a huge spider, which was really only the Hut gardener cleaning the windows! I see your letter was in last week’s column; there must have been too many little letters the, time before and so the printer-man thought you wouldn’t mind waiting till next time.
Ivy Hollis, Spotswood. —You must have the same colouring as Baby Margaret, for she is fair and blue-eyed with crowds of little curls; have you any curls? Tinker Bell and I saw some dear little baby goslings the other day when we were out for a walk in the wind.and they were so cuddlesome! Do “Tom” and “Star” get on well together?
“Mountain Fairy,” Lowgarth.—What a really thrilling experience you and Irene had, scrambling up trees from a maddened goat! Isn’t billy-tea lovely even when it tastes smoky? I think it must be because we’re more hungry in the great out-of-doors. How’s “Patsy” getting on and is she inquisitive like all other little calves? We’re waiting to hear when the eggs hatch.
“Silver Shoes,” Tariki—“Better late —can you finish it? We could all guess what a very hard time you .had had to write, what with a kitten tramping over your letter, and dodging a little machine-needle, who can prick so well when she wishes! Thank you for sending me that interesting and amusing letter; spring effects everybody some way or other! “Little Miss Farmer,” Eltham.—BabyMargaret hae been in the sun to-day and watching a blackbird build its nest in one of the trees nearby. Early in the mornings a thrush sits on the tip top of a pine and sings and whistles. I sometimes wonder if old Jack Frost can reach him. We haven’t had many fires in tho Hut lately and we soon shan’t hear the crackle of pine-cones!
Olive Cleaver, Eltham.—Yes; we have a large garden at the Hut, full of gay flowers dancing in the wind and nodding their heads so wisely. What are your favourite flowers, or do you love them all alike? Baby Margaret’s pets are “Bouncer,” the dog and “Snuff,” the cat, and her old teddy-bear, who has lost one ear and has a chewed nose!
“Snow-drop,” Pihama. —Are those lovely little chicks out yet or are they waiting until it’s more summery? You had better train “Smut” that little chickiee aren’t good for little cats! I haven’t seen an aeroplane for a long while, but I often think I see lots and lots when birds are flying to their rest at sunset. Do get rid of those silly old colds; they’re very selfish things.
Marjorie Cole, Motonui. —What a lovely perfume you must have as you walk in your garden in the evening, amongst the violets and freesias! We have some hyacinths in the Hut garden which the Hut gardener looks after most carefully and woe betide a snail if he looks at one! What a large dairy herd, and have you names for them all?
Lily Walsh, Opunakc.—lsn’t it just lovely having a birthday and feeling a year older than you were yesterday? And how lucky you were to have a eake and some presents, too! ‘‘Bouncer” is watching a fly buzzing about on the window and I’m afraid that in a minute he’ll dive at it and go right through!
Margaret Dick, Pukengahu Road.—l am glad you liked your birthday card and if you colour in the little fairy Tinker Bell, she will look so pretty. Colds are co hard to chase away, but they don’t like the look of lemons, who make them run for their lives. If you can get such a long ride in the ear on wet days, you must quite enjoy it when it rains.
Melva Reynolds, Kina Road.—lt must be very interesting being a radiocousin and having a radio in your own home. What a lovely drawing you sent and I think it must be the Wendy Hut, with “Snuff,” the cat, and Baby Margaret, sitting outside eating apples and bananas! How old is baby Clifford and what colour is hie hair? Do you go to school with Edna?
“Bracken,” Tututawa.—How proud father must be of his two sons who are now old enough to help him on the farm. Do you like mustering and riding up and down the hills after sheep who will try to hide? The fruit trees just look like huge bouquets and a little puff of wind comes and down tumbles a pink and white shower! Won’t, you be glad when summer and swimming comes?
Gladys .Carlson, Hunter Road. —The gardens here are so full of flowers with happy faces which old Jack Frost hasn’t seemed to.nip at all! But he’s not so kind to our vegetables and I saw the Hut gardener scratching his head this morning as he was looking at the new potatoes’,Trost-bitten leaves!
Myrtle Looney, Koru.—When I was walking along a country road one day I saw miles and miles of lovely golden gorse, growing up hills and down valleys and giving out such a lovely sweet scent! But what a shame it has such horrid prickles, for it would be lovely to pick. What nice things do you do at school. besides learning tables and how to spell ?\. “Rosy Cheeks,” Koru.—Please tell us your other name next time and we shall be able; to put both names down on the Hut roll. I found a beetle to-day, sitting on my writing paper, it must have been one that Billikins brought in and it has just come out of its hiding place! When we were away Billikins brought in dozens of little creatures out of the cold.
Lily Peters, Inglewood—We are glad you want to be a Tink and we welcome you to our Hut. Tinker Bell is peeping over my shoulder and says to thank you ever so much for the pretty “little maid of yesterday.” Baby. Margaret is toddling about,* picking, up all the envelopes and tearing them up, pretending she is in a paperchase, I think! She’s about >27 months old.
Bunty Bell, Inglewood.—How lovely that you want to join our Wendy Hut and it won’t 'be long before you can write letters your very own self. Sometimes Baby Margaret looks at herself in the mirror on the wall and can’t always understand who is looking at her. And “Snuff”'fights himself when he looks in a mirror! “Blackbird,” Mahoenui.—We have inserted your little advertisement and hope you will get an answer to it, for you do enjoy your pen-friends, don’t' you? What a .shame that you should have to miss school, but, never mind, it’s lovely to be well again, isn’t it? We have a long ribbon border of Virginian stocks along one side of the lawn and aren’t they dainty wee things?
Ronnie Rowe, Warwick Road. —Well; it was nice to hear from you again and to send us such amusing riddles, especially the one about the “snappy” dog called, “Camera.” We will have to see what we can do about a painting competition. The twins have been playing wolves down in the eave and I can see two grubby little faces coming inside. Gwen Joll, New Plymouth Hospital. —You must hurry out of bed now that summer is coming, Gwen, although it' just must be lovely lying in the sun on the side verandalis. You will probably be able to see the aeroplanes when they come and yon won’t have to twist and turn your head and get an “aeroplaneneck” as we will have to! All the Hut folk send hugs.
Eris Hodges, Inglewood.—You would see lots and lots of worms if you were helping to garden; aren’t they horrid and squiggly? Baby Margaret collected a whole lot this morning when the Hut gardener was giving her ride on top of a barrow full of weeds. We are so glad you enjoyed the ball and the dress was ever so pretty, I know.
Cora Andrews, Okato. —Thank you for the poetry and we all thought it was such a clever catch. Would you like to call your calf “Bing,” or have you thought of another name? It was lucky you weren’t ill for your birthday party, and what a lovely time you must have had with your friends all around ou! You will soon find another little lambkin to love.
Sylvie Price, Oakura.—l suppose the little fly was feeling cold when he was buzzing' about and wanted to share your warm bed. Isn’t it great fun being an aunty and more fun still to .have a new niece? Is she a good little niece or does she cry an awful lot? Tinker Bell asks nie to ask you if “Moth” is your favourite little cow and if you name every one? . Kyra Best, Eltham —That dear little sprite af the top of your letter is very like Billikins and he has a cheeky little face like his, .too! Isn’t he a scamp, running away with all the pets and pretending he’s exploring the world! And he’s left such crowds of pets behind, too, and all are beginning to miss him and come out of their hiding places.
“Sunshine Sue,” Kaupokonui.—No one else has your pretty pen-name, so you will be known by that What glorious fun making a copperful of porridge and wouldn't Billikins just love to sit at it for his breakfast. Like all small boys, he loves porridge, and like all small calves, he likes milk. What a busy time you have with all your exams and your ‘lovely pets!
Amy Burrell, Inglewood.—Wasn’t it nice that the pattern should have suited you so- perfectly for your fancydress! The Hut dressmaker is having a very busy time making new summer dresses for the Hut folk and patching the boy’s trousers and the knees of the gardener’s trousers, where he always kneels to pull out weeds, so I don’t know if she will be able to send you the pattern for a little while yet. Would “Tink” do for the calf? “Rosebud,” Te Kiri. —We would love to have a little rose-bud in our Wendy Hut. Next time you’ll remember to sign both names, won’t you? Eunice will be having a lovely time at the beach, digging up sand and making castles and finding shells and dabbling her toes in the water, won’t she? The twins have been trying to teach “Bouncer” to beg for his meals but he finds it so hard to balance!
Marion Guillosson, Eltham.—You sent me a very pretty little garden and a nice little garden-seat in your letter, and it did make me feel ever so happy. Please tell Doreen how sorry we are ehe is in bed and we all send large helpings of love to her. Your two little hens are very good to give you their eggs every day. Our little brown hen has decided she’d like to sit on hers. Mavis Coad, Opunake.—Won’t you be sorry to say goodbye to all the big fires and the old fire-place that has been so good to you all winter ? lam sure Peter will be, although pussiee love the sun, too, don’t they? “Snuff” has been curled up like a cushion on my feet this morning and I can hear such a contented purr as he breathes in and out. Thank you for the poetry. Thelma Coad, Opunake.—That was a thrilling little story you enclosed, and Tinker Bell enjoyed it so much when I read it to her. Baby Margaret and Tinker Bell have been making daisy- - chains out on the lawn, and' such yards they have; I’m sure Baby Margaret will look like a queen when she wears them all! "Bimbo” will have to be decorated, too, and take the royal lady for a ride! “Clematis,” Whakamara. —No one else has chosen your pen-name so you may certainly have it. Won’t it be lovely to hear the “ping” of a tennis ball on our racquets just in a very few weeks? We all hope it wop’t be long before your patient is out of the hospital; it’s so hot in bed in the summer. “Heather,” Hastings Road— What a little busy-body!- But isn’t it nice to be a little busy-body and have so many interests? We all hope the exam is a successful one and send our good wishes for it. What do you think! Baby Margaret has pulled up the Hut gardener’s first new lettuce for our tea; I’m afraid he doesn't look very happy about it, either! “Wattle Blossom,” Hawera. —Would “Trixie” do for the little calf’s name ? What a dear little thing she must be, and how lovely to have an absolutely new live pet! Everyone has to go to school to learn, to read and write and ■spell, but it is horrid to get the strap. I hope Baby Margaret's little pink fingers won’t get strapped when she goes. Do you. think they will? “Bluebird,” Eltham.—Was that little picture on your letter Baby Margaret picking water-lilies? I hope she didn’t tumble in!. I am so glad you are going to enter for the competition and, even if you can’t win a prize (every one can’t, you know), it will be great fun, won’t it? Has Graham-got any teeth yet, and does he scramble all over the floor ? “Daffodil,” Eltham.—This little Tink must have heard .the spring coming and wakened up, because we haven’t heard from her for such a long time! Never mind, daffodils are always welcome and we know they are busy little souls! Won’t it be lovely to “splosh! splash,” into.the cool water and swim about like a little fish all the summer! Thank you for the little poem. “Golden Fleece,” Midhirst.—The first little Tink to send a parcel for the Gift Cupboard! When we heard the “postie’s” whistle and saw a brown parcel for the Wendy Hut- we got so excited. Thank you so much; your little gifts are lovely. You must feel important taking the babiee to Sunday school, but it must be so interesting. Babies are cute wee things, aren't they ? Rex Woodley, Mangamingi.—Yes; I’m afraid the weather-clerk up here doesn’t keep all the good weather in hie box, but he has been very generous to us for some time now. Then it will be your turn. Do you feed “Topey,” “Joe,” and "Tommy” from a bottle or do they nibble grass? Will their tails have to come off, too? How delighted you will be to have fourteen little chicks! Emma Ward, Ngariki Road. —Thank you for all the kisses. I’m sure they were meant for Baby Margaret, weren’t they? And the poem was for Billikins, the little rascal. But I suppose it is one of his jokes again and he will turn up again with a big smile on his little freckled face. We have almost said goodbye to our daffodils at the Hut;, have you many left? “Rose Marie,” Rahotu—You and Kathleen are little strangers, but now we know you have been busy getting into a new home and poking around all the nooks and crannies we understand what it is. Such lots of little Tinks will have baby chickens in a few weeks and I shall think of you all cuddling little fluffy gold balls! Kathleen Wadsworth, Rahotu. —It was unkind of the wind to give you a cold when you were a newcomer; he should have welcomed you by not beiim so boisterous and playful. You. won’t have far to go to pop into the sea in the summer, and I can imagine' that, if ever you are missing, there ifi one place where you’ll always be found. Ivy Morgan, Eltham. —Have you chased your old sickness away yet and told it that you have had quite enough. Yes; you may make whatever you like for our Sunshine Cup’board and your gift would be lovely. Did you see the competition for the cupboard in our corner last week? What books did you read while you were in bed? Fanny Stockman, Cheat Road.—lt will be very nice to have you and Stella in our Wendy Hut", and we send you both a big welcome. No; I have never been up in an aeroplane, but I know that we’d look like tiny little ants living in doll’s houses from any one who was up there. Are you glad to have left school and turned into a little housekeeper?
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Bibliographic details
Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1929, Page 25 (Supplement)
Word Count
3,008The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1929, Page 25 (Supplement)
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