The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1929, Page 9 (Supplement)

The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

LETTERS to be Addressed: “WENDY." Care Fargnakl Dally Nowa Box 1191 NEW PLYMOUTH.

Maurice Guthrie, Midhirst. — Welcome Maurie. We shall be glad to have you as another member of the Club. I have put your name in the penfriends’ corner and I hope a Tink will soon write to you. Are you going away from Midhirst for your holidays?

Fanny Stockman, Ngaere.—Wo were so sorry to learn that you and your sisters had been ill, Fanny, and are very glad that the wor't is over. There is really no ago limit for members of the club; you may keep on writing as long as you like for we shall always be interested in youi* doings; Many thanks for the poem about Peter. I felt sorry for him that he had to hurry and hurry and hurry. Sylvia Price, Oakura.—What a terrible calamity about those eggs! Did any of them hatch after your mother had put them in a warm place? What a pretty sight those seven little ducklings must be as they run about after their mother every morning. What kind of flowers did you take to school? “Quail,” Inglewood. —Your competition entry will be all right, ••Quail,” for your name is still on the roll. I shall be delighted to hear from Kathleen. Tell her we want to know all about everything. Thanks so much for your kind Christmas and New Year wishes; the Hut folk extend to you the same. No; I think the line you actually sent in was better than the four attempts.

Myrtle Looney, Koru. —Tink and Billikins and all the other Hut folk, not forgetting myself, have been very busy buying Christmas presents. Oh dear, it seems that I must have walked every street in town about .six times when I went shopping one day last week. I was so tired! And the presents! Really we thought wo would have to get a motor lorry to carry them all. What was the name of the book, that you got in that dip? Joyce Priest, Pungarehu.—Yes; Baby Margaret is looking forward to Santa Claus and Christmas. She made me laugh the other day when she asked me for a pillow-case. She wanted to hang that up instead of a stocking, for her stockings are too small. You may be sure Tinker Bell and Billikins are very fond of ice creams. They would eat them till they were sick, if I didn’t stop them. Thank you for the riddles.

Ellen and Edwin Furborough, Eltham. —What a lovely present you received from your schoolmate, Ellen. Tinker Bell was intrigued with the dear little envelope. That was indeed bad luck that aIL those animals died. Thank you for the verse, Edwin. Aro either of you going away for the holidays? Miriam Jury, New Plymouth.—We are so sorry to hear that you have not been well. It is too bad, specially so close to Christmas time. What a pretty sight it must bo to see Miss Joan and her baby bantams. Billikins assures inc that ho likes bantams very much. I have been so disappointed with the weather lately. A few days ago I went up the mountain, but it was so cloudy that I could not seo any of the surrounding country at all. “Snowdrop,” Pihama.—How did you get on in your examination, Snowdrop? t hope you will pass into standard VI next year. What a lot of eggs your hens lay. I suppose you like bringing tho eggs inside. Billikins loves that job. One day ho didn’t like it very much for ho dropped one and it smashed all over his foot. I shall be looking forward to that poetry you promised. “Clematis,” Midhirst. —Ensilage making, I think, is a very interesting process. Does your father ever make stack ensilage instead of pit? I wonder how those frogs got into that hole. How far were they from the surface? What a splendid garden you appear to have. The Hut gardener is in the same quandry as you are—will the peas bo ready for Christmas? Thanks for the poetry, and the Christinas and New Year wishes. The Hut extend tho same to you. “Golden Fleece,” Midhirst. —No; the gift cupboard has not closed yet. How did you enjoy the concert? Billikins and Tinker Bell and I had a lovely time at one last week. There were some little tots singing and they sounded' wonderful. I suppose you were disappointed in not seeing that ’plane after coming all tho way from Midhirst. Thank you very much for the poetry. Florence Kovaleski, Tuna.—Thank you so very much for the Christmas card, Florence. It is such a dainty one. Tinker Bell fell in love with tho pansies on the front. How interesting the show must have been. Yes, we are all in the midst of buying Christmas presents just now and it is such a job! I’m afraid we must be having similar weather to what you aro experiencing. However, it shows signs of improving. “Jonquil,” Durham Road. —Thank you for tho pretty poem, Jonquil. I am afraid wo cannot enter it for tho present poetry competition, however, for, if you will look up the announcement of that competition on December 7 you will see that it is for a missing “last line.”

Richard and Alton Kemp, Kiorc. —We don’t know how much to thank you for your lovely promised Christmas present. Tinker Bell is as excited as can be while Billikins just can’t help talking about what part of the goose he is going to have. 1 think that if you were to address it to “Wendy,” c/o Taranaki Daily News, New Plymouth, one of us could call at the railway station and collect* it. Wo are so sorry to hear that you have to go to the hospital, Richard, and that both of you have to have teeth removed. It is not much fun, especially before Christmas. “Hyacinth,” Inglewood.—Congratulalaticn;, Hyacinth, on that remarkably fine examination result. You must have worked very hard. Many of the streams seem to have flooded sineb the recent rains. Did the river near your place do any damage? What bad luck you have had with that hen and the duck eggs. We have some pretty little chicks though a wretched cat took one on Monday nieht. Thank you -for the poetry.

Eay Peters, Motonui. —What a lovely present you have sent to the gift cupboard! That dear little doll looks so sweet in her pretty blue clothes. Please thank Mummy very much from all the Hut folk. And, thank you, too, for that fat newsey letter and the poetry. We all hope that you have a good holiday at Auckland.

Lily Walsh, Opunake.—l suppose you like looking after your kitten very much. “Snuff,” the little pussy at the Hut, is a favourite with everyone. I’m sure Tinker Bell will spoil it badly. She loves to put blue ribbons round its neck. Thank you very much for the- Christmas wishes. We hope that you will also have a happy Christmas.

Mavis Booker, Midhirst.—You will be very pleased when the holidays come, Mavis, so that you can go home again. What is the name of your aunty’s canary? I think they are such jolly little birds, don’t you? Billikins can’t understand that they don’t get tired of singing all the time. I am so pleased you liked your card. Naomi Busing, Tariki. —Yes, Margaret likes summer-time very much. We can then take her down to the beach where" she delights to build lovely big sand castles. How lucky you are to be getting those new dresses. What colour are they? Tinker Bell is grumbling because she thinks it about time she had a new frock.

“Mushroom,” Mahoenui.—Was your ear scratched very badly by the lawyer vine? It is very painful when one of those prickly branches catches into one’s skin. Billikins was caught one day when ho was looking for bird’s nests in a clump of bush. He keeps a good distance from lawyers now. Thank you very much for the poetry. “Squirrel,'’ Mahoenui.—l hope the little lamb was not dead when you found him in the drain. Yes; I am afraid it is raining badly here, too, Squirrel. Just bucketsful and -bucketsful all day long! Have the little ducklings hatched yet? We are expecting a batch of eight any day now. What pretty little kittens you secin to have.

Noelcen Crosby, Waipuku. —Thank you many times for that pretty Christmas card, Noelecn. It is very dainty. No; I did not go to the Stratford show, but would have very much liked to have done so. I’m sure that if you wished hard enough, Saiita Claus would bring you a sunshade. Yes; Baby Margaret is going to hang up her stocking. I wonder what she will get. Hazel Martin, Mangamingi. —I think that a calf that can win a school competition should have a very good name, don’t you? How would you like to call it “Betty?” We have a few calves at the Hut now and Billikins loves to watch them feeding. He has a special pet one which he calls “Susan.”

Joan Pennington, Mangamingi.—l’m suae Billie must be like Billikins. The other day Billikins did almost the same thing with Baby Margaret, only he had been eating bread and treacle. The sponge was used quit a lot though Baby Margaret could not see how she had deserved it. Wouldn’t a red patch look funny. I must threaten Billikins with that. Baby Margaret thanks “wee baby” for the big kiss. “Forest Flowers,” Tarata. —We have been for only a few swims so far as the w ather has not been very good. I am trying to teach Billikins to swim, though ho prefers to run about and splash. We did think of having a picnic in the cave in tho near future though we haven’t decided when it shall be. Perhaps, on Boxing Day. This morning I made about 151 b of gooseberry jam and will be making more next week. Viva Gosnell, New Plymouth.—What a lovely holiday you aro going to have, Viva. You will bo away from home for a long time. Congratulations for getting through your examinations. How do you think you will like the other forms. We are sorry that you will not bo able to make something for the gift cupboard but perhaps, next year, you may have more time. Thanks for the Christmas wishes; same to you, from all the Hut folks.

“Robin,” Inglewood.—Have you been into Inglewood yet to see the shops all decked up for Christmas? Tiger must be a bit of a trick to have got away after having been tied up. I hope he didn't touch any of the chickens. Alice Edgecombe, Ngaere.—Billikins suggests that you call one of those pups “Pat.” Do you thing that would do? I hope you passed your examination. Thank you for the poem about “Mother’s Table Cloth.” And thanks also for all thoso kisses.

“Billy Bobtail,” Tariki. —Did you act in the concert, Billy? How well you did in the examination. That is a very funny piece of poetry you sent In. I’m sure I must be like “Mum” for everyone seems to be running to me all day long. Ella Graham, Midhirst. —I am glad to welcome you to the club, Ella. You have •begun well by sending all those riddles and jokes. Thank you very much. No; I am afraid none of us have been for many swims lately as it lias been too wet and windy. Why, just this morning, we started out for the beach hut had hardly got outside the gate when Billikins had to chase down the road after his hat. We decided to go for a walk instead.

Bell Innes, Okaiawa. —Wc are so sorry to hear that you have been in hospital with diphtheria, and hope that you will bo better by Christmas time. It would not bo much fun to miss Christmas Eve. What a long time you have been away from other children. Billikins is most concerned, for he does not know what he would do if he had to play with himself all that time. -'

“Apple Blossom,” Tariki. —What a long newsey letter for a little girl of six. We would love to have you as a member of the club. How would you like to call your kitten “Twink”? I am glad to hear that you got through your examination. What are you going to buy with the .shilling?

Margaret Dick, Pukengahu. —Baby .Margaret is very well thank you. She just poked her head inside the door a few winutes ago and said "Bo!” and gave me such a fright. That is a lovely photo you sent. I am very pleased to have it? Is it taken on your farm? What a help you must be to your mother when you do all that work. Jovco Dick, Pukengahu. —Welcome to the club, Joyce. I’m sure you must love feeding those little chicks. We have some pretty little black ones, and nothing delights Billikins more than to be allowed to give them their breakfast. It was very funny yesterday when two of them found a huge worm and had a tug-of-war. Poor Mr. Worm!

Rena Knox, To Popo.—Many thanks for that beautiful greetings card, Rena. Tinker Bell has -fallen in love with the picture on the outside and has asked me if she may "borrow” the card to put on the little shelf above her bed. Dear me, it’s raining again outside and I’m sure that Billikins will get wet through. He is down in the garden playing.

Jock Sulzberger, Waitoitoi. —I am feeling c-c-c-cold too, Jock. The window has jammed and I can’t put it down until the Hut carpenter comes and fixes it. At present the wind is blowing through with such an icy feeling. I am sorry to heai - that you lost those two ducklings. Was the concert successful? lam sorry, but other Tinks already have both "Robin” and “Robin Hood” for pennames. Could you suggest another name, Jock?

Ida Muller, Eltham.—Of course, you may' join the club, Ida. Baby Margaret is very well, thank you. She is very mischievous at times and I’m afraid she teases “Snuff” at times. Of course, she doesn’t mean to be cruel but Snuff does not like to have its saucer of milk hidden every night. That’s what Margaret docs if she get a chance. Did you have a party on your birthday? Alice Muller, Eltham.—Have you been swimming yet, Alice ? Really, on most days, it has been too cold here though on two or three occasions we went for a “dip.” How busy' your mother has been making cakes for Christmas. I made one a few days ago and left it in the pantry. I'm sure either Baby Margaret or Billikins went in when I was not looking and pulled some currents and raisins out of the cake.

Esther Billing, Rahotu.—l should be delighted to receive some flowers from you° Esther. My room looks terribly bare at present. *The wind spoilt many of the best blooms in the garden and the Hut gardener says that Bimbo trampled on some beds of roses. Thank you for that rhyme; we thought it very funny. Ruth willing, Rahotu.—l hope you were successful in your examinations this year, Ruth. ' What class will you be in next ? I’m sure you will deserve that fruit on your birthday if you are getting all your work right. Thank you for the riddles. We had great fun trying to find out the answers to them. Baby Margaret said “Ta,” when I showed her those kisses. Lina Corbett, Okato.—Well, did you have a lot of fun at the sports, Lina? I hope you won a race or two. I took Billikins to some sports last week. He went in for a race but I’m afraid he was badly last. A stone got into his shoe, he said. It hurt too much to run.

Ngaere Campbell, Pungarehu.—Yes; of course you may join the club, Nagere. We are so glad to hear that you like Baby Margaret. She is very well, thanks, though I thought she was getting a cold a few days ago. What a pretty name Valerie is. I’m sure she is a pretty baby. Are you going to hang up a' big stocking for Santa Claus? Thanks for the riddles and poetry. Gladys Carlson, Eltham. —Have you finished the rafia bag yet, Gladys? Are you making it in colours? I suppose you will be looking forward to learning music. I learnt for several years and like playing very much. What was the name of your Sunday school prize ? Margaret is very well thank you. Rex Woodley, Mangamingi. —You certainly have a large family of chickens and ducklings and turkeys. What a noise they must make when you feed them! Congratulations for passing into standard IV and for doing so well in the calf-rearing competitions. You must try to be first with your calf next year. I’m afraid you forgot to include the “last line” for the competition in your letter. Grace Warner, Bell Block.—l am so pleased that you have passed, Grace. Will you bo acting in the concert? I should very much like to be present. Oh yes; Margaret is very excited about hanging her stocking up though she says hers is not big enough. What kind of flowers have you in your garden ? Audrey Jones, Stratford. —Wo are glad to have you as a new member of the club, Audrey, and shall be pleased to hear from you often. Do you like minding Rex? I’m sure he must be such a dear littlo chap. Do let’s hope that you pass into standard II next year. Peggy Jones, Stratford. —Oh, dear! Here I’ve been sitting answering letters for three hours and it has been raining and pouring all the time. I’m sure there will be a flood if it doesn’t stop. Billikins came in a littlo while ago drenched to tho skin. The bad boy had not come in when I called him. Have the new tyres been fixed to the doll’s pram yet?

.ollis Anderson. —All the Hut folk are greatly excited with Christmas so near. They are the shops buying all sorts of presents. Billikins said that he wanted mo to get him a little pony and if he pesters me much longer, I suppose I shall give in. Ho loves ponies, specially the pretty Shetland type.