The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1930, Page 25 (Supplement)

The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

to be Addressed: "WENDY.” Care Taranaki Dally Hcvrt, Box 111 NEW PLYMOUTH.

May Skedgwell, Tuna. —Tell Violet that we are sorry to lose her as a Tink, and we shall always be glad to hear how she is from you, May Is this your lucky month ? I looked at the new moon through glass las' fe, week so I am prepared for ' any bad luck that may come.

Douglas Green, Korn.—Thank you for the poetry last week. I did not have room to answer your letter then. Good luck to the fowl-house. If yon feel it ii 3 going to fall over, do not forgot to remove the eggs first. Have you ever heard of “fowl lips.” That io a phrase Billikins used in his last essay. It is really the only subject he tries his best at. How do you like essays? Rex Woodley, Mangamingi.—We are so glad you wrote again, Rex, because we remembered your birthday, but not your address and we could not send you a greeting. So please forgive us for sending it so late. We did laugh when we came to tiie end of your poetry. Not one of us guessed it could be a kitten. What grand parties you have been having. What kind of flowers are out in your garden now? Ray Horgan, Te Kiri.—Sooty must hav" been practising “collaring low,” when he tripped you up in the paddock. Snuff caught a mouse yesterday and left it on the path, without taking a bite out of it. Peter thinks it must have been all skin and bone. Does Sooty ever turn up hin nose at a mouse? It seems to me as strange as a little boy refusing to eat chocolate cake with big Walnuts on the icing, and cream in the centre.

Miriam Jury, New Plymouth—Your household will not be normal for long, will it, because holidays come again so soon. I expect your violets will be bigger later on in the season, as it is still very early. We have just six out. Tinkerbell was up early and brought them into my bedropm to greet me this morning. They were beautifully fresh and shining with dew. I do hope Bantam Joan’s eye will get better. “Sunset Fairy,” Tuna—How wonderful it would be really to be a fairy wouldn’t it, Rose. It seems impossible to divide this year into seasons. Here we are to-day basking in glorious sunshine, and enjoying a very gentle breeze. So you have turned 12? When someone asked Billikins how old he was the other day, he said, "Oh! I am nearly a dozen.” Thank you for the riddles. Watch the sunset these evenings and see how o-radually the fairies change the colours of their frocks.

Rex Harrop, I’ihama. —Well, how do you like Frankton with all its train shunting and tooting all day? Have you heard the new whistles? I like them. Billikins love* engines and wishes he was with you because he could see all the trains. We cannot see them from our place. Write to us soon, Rex, and tell us all about your holiday. “Waratah,” Tirimoana. —We are glad you have chosen a pen-name, Merle. Yes, sign it at the end of your letters. I think it must have been the Easter holidays that made yo -• two letters arrive the same week. We roast ehestnute too, * and doeen’e Baby Margaret squeal when they pop! ’We tried your guessing game last night and Peter thought of an animal beginning with K. We tried and tried, but no, and he kept saying, “But it’,3 so easy!” We all gave in! His animal was “k-a-t.”

“Little Miss Farmer,” Chiselhurst. — Yes, you must have a happy time. We. feel as if we are on a farm because we are out of the town and we have our pete around. It will soon be Baby Margaret’s birthday, but she does not know so we are going to give her a wonderful surprise. It is on the Ifith of this month. What a great big surprise she will get. Edna Reynolds, Oaonui. —I will answer your questions first. lam very well, thank you. We have a beautiful flower garden and at present it is a forgeous mass of chrysanthemums. We have not six cate, like you, but surely you have heard about our great, big, sleek Snuff! Baby Margaret has a little swing of her very own that the Hut Gardener made for her. She can nearly swing herself now. I suppose you can do that easily.

Ngaere Campbell, Pungarehu.—We were pleased to see the little picture on the writing paper painted so prettily. What bad luck that your washhouse was burnt down. I suppese you are feeling grateful that it was not the house. Thank you for the poetry. I will have to make my answers shorter now because winter is coining and more Tinka are writing and I must not take up too much room in thia page. Gordon Campbell, Pungarehu. —We liked your coloured magic lanterns too. I could not find Baby Margaret yesterday, and discovered she had gone for a walk up the road, so to-day I said, “Now, Margaret, you are not to put a foot outside the gate.” Tinkerbell came along and found Baby sprawled across the footpath with hci feet' inside. “What in the world are you doing?” she exclaimed. “I’ve not got one foot outside the gate, Tinkerbell, has I?” answered Baby. I think Billikins taught her that trick. Thank you for the riddles and poetry, Good luck to the carpentering.

Alice Ward, Bahotu.—Thank you for the poetry, dear, but we want a letter too next time. We are glad you got the puzzles out. I think what you Bay about the old witch must be quite true. Can you hear the more-porks these nights? We hear them calling to one another in our trees.

Viwa Gosnell, Fitzroy. —What a time you will have if you get swimming bathe at school. How do you like the upper school? I expect to-day you have hidden your school bag and books and are looking forward to a jolly two weeks of holidays. lam glad to find letters from all members of your clan in this envelope. What about that writing, Viwa? Start writing carefully now and it will help your such a lot later on.

Winnie King Hon, Rahotu. —And “where have you been to, my pretty maid” that we have not heard from you for such a long time? Call your kitten “Petsy.” Thank you for the poetry and riddles. They may not be in for a week or two because we have had such a lot lately. Eileen Hurley, Pungarehu.—A jolly fat envelope from Eileen. I can see Baby Margaret is in Bimbo’s paddock picking wild flowers, which I know will presently be brought to me. Oh! That reminds me! On Sunday I asked the children who could remember the story we had had the Sunday before. “I know,” eaid Pam quickly, “Dandy in the lions’ den!” Thank you for the riddles and poetry. ‘ • “Sweet Lilac” and “Sparkling Streamlet,” Waipuku.—l am afraid Tinkerboll would find it rather difficult to supply all the Tinks with birthday badges, don't you ? Baby Margaret will be three years old this month. Yes, Peggy still writes to us occasionally. We°have a “Sparkling Streamlet” which babbles through our bush and joins the river, where the waters seem to be happier than ever to greet one another. Do you not think water has a oreat fascination? We go down to a blow-hole sometimes and never grow tired of watching the huge waves hurling themselves against the rocks.

Noel Gosnell, Fitzroy.—ls it a little native you are writing to in Fiji? Yes, I like writing letters too. Congratulate your bantam on laying an egg. Baby Margaret will not cat any eggs other than her bantam’s. What happened to your parrot? Surely he is not in the museum. Do you mean the zoo? What are you going to do these holidays? I hope this weather will keep up and then all the cobweb's will blow away and you will be fresh .again for lessons next term. .

Martin Langdon, Okat-o. —We had some “big laughs” over your jokes, Martin. I am glad to hear of at least one little boy who can -save up his money. A aood lesson to our Billikins. Good luck to you with your camera. They are what Peter calls “a box of tricks.” Do you like meat dumplings? Cookie must be giving them to .us for dinner because tli’ere is a tantalising smell being wafted up from the kitchen.

Ilene Thompson, Waitieka. —We are very pleased to have you join our club, Ilene. Do you pronounce your name like “Eileen?” Thank you for al! the riddles, jokes and poetry, and next time write us a letter to tell us all about yourself and what you have been doing. Margaret Murray, Stratford.-—What are you going to do these holidays? A fortnight goes very quickly, does it not? Billikins wishes he had a time control, and then he would accelerate during lessons. The children are having a practice at their toy band in the schoolroom and it is very distracting because I want to listen to them when I should be answering letters. I wonder if you will notice where else your name is this morning.

Ivy Morgan, Eltham.—Which kind of hate did you want the Hut Dressmaker to describe? Were they the “berets?” Tell me and I will ask her. Why did your little brother have to have all his teeth out? Poor woe chap, but I expect a good strong second lot will come in their place. Have you heard any tuis yet? Three have introduced themselves to us now, and we expect more soon. “Silver Shoes,” Ngaere. —To-day is the great day! Why ? Because we are expecting a special new member at the Wendy Hut. A beautiful little black pony! The children are so excited and they have told Bimbo all about it, and I think Bimbo is glad because they will not ride him bo much now, I wonder if all the Tinks would suggest names for a change and we can see what name suite it best.

Doris Ayson, New Plymouth—Our Wendy Hut is doing very well, thank you, Doria. Who could be miserable on such a glorious day? Tinkcrbell is singing that song, “I love the merry, merry” sunshine, it make my heart so gay,” as she flits around the garden. She came in with an . armful of pampas grass and has put it all in the summer house. I suppose it is for some new game the children have made up.

Dulcie Bea, Omata.—Welcome Dulcie! I hope the kitty is better now. Try regular feeding, and call it “Plunket.” Call the black and grey one “Stormy.” It is a long time since I was asked to name a pigeon. Try “James.’ Did you know that in the early days pigeons used to act as telephones? if an inn wanted to know ho\y many guests to cx[>ect by the coach, a pigeon used to fly there with a note tied to it. “Sparkling Dewdrop,” Bell Block. We were pleased to hear from you a<min, but why name yourself “Lazy Joan.” Choose a better adjective than that, dear. 1 hope you will fulfil your ambition. There ia no harm in building castles in the air, even if they do crash. The fernery in the park is wonderful and it grows more and more beautiful every time we go because the ferns are growing up. Yes, I have been up in an aeroplane once and hope that I may go again some day. Billikins, of course, ie itching to go up. Moira Hoben, New Plymouth.—Thank you for the poetry, Moira. I thought I saw a hole in Peter’s tooth this morning, and Pam said, “Ooo! You’ll have to- go to the tooth-maker jiow, Peter.” I wonder for how long your little man will turn flips. Surely he must feel dizzy sometimes. 1 know when the children turn somersaults on the lawn over and over again they get up and can hardly walk straight.

Betty Froglcy, Norfolk Island. —Well, I do think it is perfectly delightful to have a Tink in Norfolk Island. How do you like it over there? -You must write and tell ue all about it. We all think it is very exciting, and when Billikins met the postman .he said he rubbed hie eyes when he saw an Australian stamp on the envelope. Did you live formerly in New Zealand? Some day perhaps when everyone has an aeroplane instead of a motor-car we ehall go for a ride and land on your front lawn. Good-bye, and lots of love from all the Tinks here to our new faraway Tink over the sea.

Viti Gosnell, Fitzroy.— One, two, three, four, five, Gosnell letters all arrive,

Why do we like them so? Because they make ns laugh, ho! ho! Thank you for the riddles, Viti. We like your pretty pink writing paper. Keith Gosnell, Fitzroy.—lt ie playtime for the children and 1 can see Billikins creeping alongside the lily pond. Slowly he bends down. Now he has his hand in the water. I know what he is going to do. He is going to tickle the goldfish. No luck. Adam was too quick for him. I expect his great bulgy eyes saw him coming. They are like trout; if you tickle them they just lie intoxicated. '

Keith Hoben, New Plymouth. —Well, vouno- man, you should not have failed in composition when you can write such a good little letter. Billikins says he. will go to Samoa with you too, because he would like to have natives to do all his work for him, but I- think you two would soon grow tired of it. I expect you woke up early this morning and shouted, “No more school for a fortnight. Hurrah!” But if you always had holidays and no work I think you would soon wish- to go back to school.

Loma Gosnell, Fitzroy—l am sorry we called you’“Lorna.”,. We will re s member in future. What did you have for tea on Saturday night? Mushrooms! We recognised your illustrations. Don’t they make your mouth waver? When are you all going to choose pen-names? Put your heads together over the fire to-night and think, think, think!

Sylvia Knofflock, Inglewood.---How did you enjoy the fancy dress ball? W.e once had one here and Pam was dressed as a rosebud. They had a rollicking time, which ruffled her petals somewhat. After the party Billikins looked at her and said, “Call yourself , a rosebud? Looks to me as if you ic full-blown!” Pam did not mind. She is the most even-tempered child I haw known; nothing seems to disturb her. “Star,3 and Stripes,’ Rahotu.—-It would be funny if yon Tinks were always called by your pen-names. . Some of you would change pretty quickly I expect. What do you think, Miss Freda? Yes, the weather here is perfect too. It is an extraordinary place to be sure. One day we are piling woollens on and hugging ourselves to keep warm, and the next . day I find cardigans and discaided all over the house. Thank you for the riddles. We enjoyed the window one. “Fairybell,” New Plymouth.—A delightful letter, little Miss Lover of Nature. People who do not appreciate nature must miss a tremendous amount of pleasure in this world. Not to love birds, trece, and animals seems to me as unnatural for a person not to love babies. I wish Baby Margaret could always stay young, but here she is nearly three years old. We shall have to find a new one soon, I think.

“Bunty,” Egmont Village—We did wonder what had happened to our Bunty, and we are so sorry you had such" an unfortunate time with your hand. Just in the holidays, too, when you should have been having a good time. Row do you like High School? I expect you were a little bewildered at first when you discovered that “Sum” and Je suis” both answered to the name of “I am.” Are you in your form basket-ball team? Let me know how your form gets on in tho matches.

Walter Clarke, Rahotu.—Well I declare, your cat beats Snuff by a whisker. He is almost 35 inches from IX to tail. Billikins suggested that wo should stretch Him by pulling his tail. The rascal, it is just what he might do, if we did not watch him. Billikins also thinks we should have a capacity competition now because Snuff can drink a huge saucer full oi milk without a pause. Put yours to the test.

“Wild Red Rose,” Rahotu. —Such a jolly number of letters has come fiom your quarter this week. No, I am not goiirn away for the holidays. Cookie is <roin«r away, bo Tinkerbell and I are gonm to take her place. My failing is burning tho potatoes and Tinkerbell’s is forgetting to put the baking powder m her cakes, bo we are in for a good time. Yes, Baby Margaret does wish sue could go to school too.

“Busy Bee,” Bahotu.— After your letter Billikins always says, “How doth the little busy bee improve the shining hour- he gathers honey all the day, from every little flower.” Yes,. Peter and Pam have started school, but not Baby Margaret. Pam works hard, but Peter is inclined to dream. He looks as if he is taking an interest in the lesson until suddenly in middle of arithmetic he will ask, “Can you think where all those frogs that were in the swamp wont last summer?”

Wally Winstanlcy, Awakino.--Wel-come, Wally! When is your birthday, because we would like to send jou greetings? Two miles is easy to wute, but it sometimes seems a long way do walk with a school bag on one s oack after a day’s school, does it not? We do hope Ronnie will write to' us soon. Do you live near the river? Billikins wants to know how you would like a motor-boat to run up and down the river in?

“Fuchsia,” Whangamomona. —Speakinf of honey reminds me of malt, 1' bought a big jar for Pam because she has had a cold and I want to build her up again. I thought it was disappearing quickly, though none of Hie others seemed to care for it. To-night, when I kissed Billikins good-night I wondered why my face felt so horribly sticky. Now I know! Thank you for the poetry and riddles. I hope you passed in the examinations.

“Bed Shadow,” Tataraimaka. —Good girl! You must, have tried hard to gain second prize for gardening. I can get a panoramic view of the garden from my window. Chrysanthemums are simply revelling in the sunshine and I can see the bed of marigolds, which all have such happy bright faces. The water in tho lily pond is as clear as crystal, and now and again I catch a glimpse of Adam and Eve when they swim near the surface. Best of all, set in the dark green trees, I can see a scarlet patch of gum flowers, which the sunbeams have only just discovered.

“Jenny Wren,” Hawera. —Yog, at last we have" had some mushroomfl. A friend brought us in a big box full from the country. I thought we could never eat them all in one meal, but they shrank so during the process of cooking that we all had just enough. I think the smell of them cooking is almost as good as their taste. The nights are go very cold now that I expect no more will venture to pop their heads up out of their cosy houses in the earth. Thank you for the poetry and riddles. I hope your sister is getting better now. Molly and George Williams, Patea.— Now, don’t your names look neat and proud of themselves introducing their owners to the other Tinks on the cage. They look quite at home, and I hope that you will feel the same among the other members of our happy club. We must not forget to introduce our Bouncer and Snuff to your Fluff and Peter. v

Chloris Stewart, • Normanby.—Call your grey kitten "Midget, ’ the black and white one “Domino,” and the two black ones “Smuts,” and “Nigger. What a jolly long page you wrote on. but we wished you had filled it up. What was it for which you won the pen in the show? Fountain pens arc handy. lam sure if I did not have one I should take twice as long to answer all these letters,' because every dip takes time.

“Star,” Whangamomona. — “Star bright, star light, you’re the first star I’ve seem to-night. Give me a wish to come true. Please do. Please do.” I often bear the children saying that. Do you ever try it? I think Peter is a very good name for a kitten. Thank you for the poetry, and what a good drawing. ’ But ugh! It makes me shiver to see the cskimo sitting on a lump of ice, and 1 will have to lease this flre soon and crawl between icy sheets.

Donald Woods, Pukengahu.—Where docs your aunty live, Donald? Yes, wc saw the sunset. Do you wake up early enough to see tho sunrise? It is very beautiful too. ' We often get up with Mr, Sun because one of our mottos is, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” I wish Stewart would come and darn our stockings too. I could give him a huge pile every week. Josephine Green, Korn. Thank you for the sweet verses of poetry. I hope you do not let people call you “Joe” for short, because “Josephine” is so pretty. Thank Douglas for his poetry too. I answered his letter before this letter arrived. How does the fowl-house look now? What colour did they paint it?