The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1930, Page 9 (Supplement)

The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

te Addressed; “WENDY." Csre Taranaki baily Maws, Box liJt NEW PLYMOUTH.

Beth Cook, Huinga, How strange that you did not see your name in the new members’ list, but it could not have been in one paper and not in another, so the fault must have been yours if your friends saw it. g What pretty paper you wrote on. I I wonder if you will ever go to London and see St. Paul’s.

"Chatterbox,”’ Te 'Wera.—We are really 1 not mire about having a badge or not yet. The gorse is golden now. Do you know that a friend of ours was in England and was being shown around the warden when her host said, "You must see my gorse bush. It is. beautiful, but has been so slow in getting started.” It seems so strange that out here gorse is a menace and grows wild, while there they nurse a bush in the garden.

“Sparkling* Stream,” Waipnku. —Another Thik with influenza! This will not do. Billikins is reciting in a loud voice, ‘‘Bad Sir Brian Botany,” ami I can hardly think of what I am writing. Moturoa "has a strong team, so. I do not wonder that they beat } ou. You will have to practice hard and beat them next tournament.

‘•'Merry Sunshine,” Tariki.--We have had a good share of you to-day, and it brought a dear tui to our camellia tree. Fancy your being able to ride a big bicycle now. Pam has a tricycle and she and Peter “double-bank.” They go so quickly down the path that I feel sure they will not be able to istop before they reach the gate. "Starlight,” Tariki.—There is such a beautiful new moon sailing amongst the stare tonight. It is a treat to have such a night without the wind. It is so quiet that when I looked out of the window just now I could hear Bustei and Bimbo eating their hay in the paddock and nibbling at the grass. What pretty blue notepaper you all wrote on.

"Silver Shoes,” Tariki.—You did have a long day in New Plymouth. Did you o-o around the town at all? I suppose you had all the afternoon nearly to do whatever you pleased. Your school must be growing rapidly. It is fun meeting new children, isn’t it? More fun fci you than it is to them, becitnse they generally feel so strange and shy going to a new school.

Amy Burrell, Ingle wo<xl.--Thank you for the jokes and poetry. No, I do not know your friends. Peter had a terrible bump just now. He was doing •some tricks on the settee and fell on to the floor. He very nearly wept and his big eyes looked so pitiful, but we said, "Be a brave soldier, Peter!” and ho blinked very hard instead. That always works with the children, even with little Margaret.

Billy Peebles, Eltham. —Billikins wants to know if you are any relation to the cricketer. How about calling the little black kitten "Dusky.” _ Yoh nine boys must have had a rollicking party together. What games did you play? Billikins went out just now. to get some more wood, and on one piece there was one of those “whoo-whoos” I think that is what they arc called. Wo screamed. Ugh! I don’t like them.

Eileen Hurley, Pungarehu.—Billikins askri me to tell you ho does not really mind which way you put the stamp on. He was only joking. Vve were very pleased to see how much neater your letter was, or it May who scribbles in pencil? No, Baby Margaret's chair does not take 'me very long to do, because it is so very line and soft. In almost every letter I have opened the Tink has said how much ho or she liked the photograph, bo we are just as pleased at its success as you are. What are you doing in the concert? Mabel Hodson, Rahotu. —You are good to make Dulcie the cot and bed clothes. Tinkerboll made the bed clothes for a cot that Billikins made for Baby Margaret’s dolly;, at least it was really a cradle, because it rocked. Peter got in it and broke one of the rockers one day and -Margaret was very angry with him, but it is mended now. Now we know your” birthday we shall be able to semi you a card' when it comes along. Ales Mowat, Urenui.—l hope your raft will float properly. Billikins would j love to bo with you to help. I am ! afraid if he had one he would go Bailing down the river and out to sea. It is safer on a pond. I hope the cow’s legs are better now. 1 do not like to see animals in pain, do you? I feel I would rather have it myself, because they look so miserable and just as it they cannot understand why they should have it.

Sybil Bennett, Inglewood.—-What a good Scotch nante the baby Is to have. Yes, Baby Margaret loves animals. She never leases them and they love her just as much as she loves them. Bimbo puts his nose down for her to stroke it, .Snuff lies on his back for her to tickle him and Bouncer plays ball with her. Every time she throws the ball he runs for it and brings it back.

“White Wings,” Waitara.- It is a Jong time since we heard from you, but it was not for that reason that we did not send you a birthday card, but because your name is not on the birthday roll. I think you must have forgotten to give it to us, bo tell us your ago. and birthday next time you write, and wo will not miss you again. 1 have never been on an elephant’s back. I should imagine I should jump down if nobody brought a ladder, but I know that will not be the answer to your riddle. What is it?

Joan Beviu, Toko.—Yes, we have one Tink from the South Island, so I hope you will still write from Dunedin in the holidays. It' must be cold down there now. f am writing on the verandah in the sun and it is so hot, and yet inside it is very cold. 1 wonder what the gold fish thought of being under ice this morning. It is tho first time Peter and Pam have seen ice, and they were fascinated with it. Thenfirst impulse was to break a piece off and eat it. Thank you for the poetry.

“Camellia,” Korn.—We have Iwo camellia trees in full bloom now, one m white and one red, so, of course, we call them ''Snow White” and ‘‘Rose Red” after the fairy tale. The only trouble is they bruise eo easily. Peter has a bruise on his shin caused by an erratic kick of Billikins at football, but Peter is really rather proud of his' first, injury from the game.

Ilene Thompson, Te Kiri.—How glad you will be to have mother home again. I hope you are helping all you can, because it takes a long time for people to get strong again after they have been in the hospital. They often think they feel quite strong again and try to do too much, so you will have to be your mother’s nurse now. That joke was a good one. It is the sort of thing Peter would say.

Pearl Spencer, New Plymouth.—" Welcome, Pearl! What a time of it all you brothers and sifters must have together. Billikins wants me to tell you that he was eating oysters the other day and he found something hard in his mouth. He thought it was a stopping out of his tooth at first, but -when he took it out -he found it was a pearl. He was so excited, but I do net think it can be a very good one because it has some brown epote on one side. Rex Spencer, New Plymouth.—Yes, we have a splendid view of the mountain, and did you get any snow last Monday? The children were absolutely thrilled. Billikins was in school, but with three bounds he was outside. They were such soft little flakes and melted almost immediately they touched the ground. I. hope you will keep up the family record and win the calf rearing competition this year. Marie Rowe, Eltham. —You are a very lucky little girl to have so many toys, aren’t you? We are reading the Doctor Dolittle books now. I read two chapters around the fire before going to bed and the children laugh and laugh, and sometimes I cannot stop laughing to go on reading. Think how terrible it would be not to be able to laugh. I know of some people who count their sorrows so often that they seem to have forgotten altogether how to laugh. You can just imagine how unhappy they are.

Authie Perry, Wbangamomona.-—I am a dunce, Authie, not to guess that such a pretty name would belong to a girl. I shall not make such- a mistake again. Was the concert a success I Thank you for sending the poetry, but I think* we had it in the paper about a month ago. Baby Margaret is even sweeter than she looks in the photograph. "Little Miss Farmer,” Eltham.—Yes, Billikins has homework to do every night and I have to hear him his spelling. lie never learns the words properly*'the first time. He left his note book out all night and tho rain made all the ink run. At first Billikins laughed when he naw how funny the letters looked trickling all down the page, but his expression changed when ho was told that he must copy them all out into a new Imo!:.

.Joan Knoffldck, Eltham.—Baby Margaret did like the pretty paper. She made a crown out of it for her dolly and put the candles in her dolls’ house. You sent just the right number because she is three years old. I wonder if any purple violets have come ojit yet. You will have to ask the fairies if they cannot do something for you. Perhaps they could paint them. Mabel Smith, Tangarakau.—You do have a busy life. Did you have any snow? Ours was ever so light, but even so it was real snow. Billikins put Snuff outside in it—‘Snuff is as black as coal and did look so funny flecked with white. It reminded me of the time Billikins put flour all over him and Snuff ran away into the rain. Me looked so miserable when lie came back tiying to lick dough off his beautiful fur. We did have a bueiness scraping it off.

Nancy Midelton, Tariki.—Cold? This morning when I got up I should not have been at all surprised to see a polar bear appear round _ tho drive. There was hail on the window sills, and frost on top of that, hail all over the lawn and even ice on the puddles, and on the lily pond. It was the coldest night we have had this winter. Billikins had his cold shower, and he did jump around; he almost flooded tho bath-room. How did you hurt your hand?

Sheila Midelton, Tariki. No, Peter lias not quite caught up to Pain in the reading book yet, but he is trying very hard and deserves to. Pam wants him to catch up .just as much as he does. •She helps him and reads with him before I put the light out every night. Peter likes to try to play football, and Billikins says he is "shaping well.’ Thunk you for the poetry. “Snowdrop,” Pihamo.— Yes, you may write in pencil, Eva, only I do want if, to bo. neat and well written. Pam had been naughty yesterday so I was giving her a little lecture while I was tucking her in. I do not think she was listening very hard because she suddenly said, "Wendy, which would you rather be, good or interesting: ’

“Buffalo Bill,” To Wera.—That is a good pen-name. Billikins plays at being Buffalo Bill sometimes on Buster. He gets Bouncer tearing around the paddock while ho, riding Buster, hurls a lassoo round and round his head before finally throwing it. It very rarely lands anywhere near Bouncer. It reminds me of Bouncer catching birds. Ho is a confirmed optimist. Ho chases them everywhere and never gets within ten feet I am sure.

Ruth Matthews, Stratford. —I am glad you enjoyed reading the book. Emily is a character, isn’t ehc? I expect your little brother gets, into mischief, so you can imagine how we have to watch Baby Margaret. Cookie discovered her in the pantry yesterday eating jam tarts as hard as she could. I was so afraid she would be ill after eating so much pastry, but she seems all right. “Constantinople,” Mahoeiiui.— What is your tip-lorry like? Surely not like those big ones that hunch up their backs and drop sand and metal? That would be wonderful. Billikins is trying to make a motor launch bfit he has weighted it wrongly and every time he launches it it turns turtle. He Ims even made <some of those rollers that men use down on the beach to take the launch to the water. He has some good ideas, and course is very lucky to have his Hi tie workshop and the Hut Carpenter to help him. “Squirrel,” Mahoenni. —1 hope you are better now. What has been the matter with you? When you are in bed the days seem twice as long, don’t they? Such a peculiar sheep strayed into our garden this morning. Its body was quite white and its head and legs black. It looked rnich a miserable outcast, and so we gave it isome wann gruel to cheer and warm it up. It did not want to leave us until a boy on a pony camo and drove it back, to its home.

"Cinderella,” Mahoenui. —Your la nibs are the. first that I have, heard of this season from the Tinks. they arc dears, and so funny to watch frolicking about the paddocks. Pam is sure that she has seen them playing “chafing.” I am co glad you all liked the photo so much. We thought you would. She is running around the lawn at present dragging one of those fluffy things off a pampas bush behind her, while Snuff is chasing and pouncing on if. What a wonderful day you had! 1 am afraid we cannot print the best letters every week, dear.

pat Mackay, 'Toko. —Thank you for the poetry, Patricia. ’ You must have fun gathering pine cones. Billikins and Peter gather them from our pine grove and they make such wonderful fires. They always put on old clothes and have slides down the slopes that are covered with pine needles because they are so slippery and soft. » Heather Wai son, Lowgarth.—So you have not quite forgotten all about us? We thought you must have done. You must have had fun in the snow. We did not have nearly enough for that. As soon as the track clears a little and a good sunshiny day cornea we arc going to pack up and spend it at the mountain, because the children are longing to play in the snow. I. think Billikins dreams about it every night. They arc all so excited.

Edna Reynolds, Oaonui. —What do Radio Cousins have to do? I am glad you like school. Billikins is in standard 4. Tinkerbell has been picking some (towers and has just brought in a big bunch of spring bulbs. They are simply beautiful, and the scent reminds mo of what our bank down by the river will look like in a week or two. What a number of scented flowers come in the spring, don’t they? Freesias, violets, daphne and all kinds of bulbs.

Melva Reynolds, Oaonni. —I wonder what present you will get. Will the radio fairies bring it to-you- Pam says if she were not a little girl she would like to be a fairy. She dreamt last night that she flew to the moon, and when shp got there she discovered that her wings had vanished and.she could not get down again. However, the Man in the Moon was very kind to her and she woke up before she had time to worry as to how she was to come to earth again. Arnold McNeil, Opunakc.—’Welcome, Arnold. What a pity you. cannot always ride your brother’s bicycle. What you will have to do is to save up all your pennies ami buy one for- yourself. By that time, I suppose, Colin will be big enough to worry you for rides just as you do your eldcmbrother. Can you "double-bank” yet? Billikins wants a bicycle for his next birthday. "Christmas Lily,” Eltham. —I certainly was surprised to find your name at the end of the letter. It is such a long .time since you wrote to us. Baby Margaret is very well and happy, thank you. Wo found her trying to open the gate to go for a walk along the road this morning, so we shall have to watch her carefully. Yes, there are more girl? than boys on the roll.

Hetty McLaggan, Inglewood.—Welcome, Hetty! You must be doing very well at school to be in standard 6 ana just 10 years old. How do you like cooking? Billikins sometimes amuses himself by baking on a wet day, and he can really rake some delicious things, but, oh, the muddle and the mess! Flour all over himself and the kitchen and the bench covered with ingredients. Thank you for the riddles.

Sylvia Price, Oakura. —Did you see your name on the Honours Board last week, Sylvia? I hope you did not miss it. We liked the new paper. Are you saving your pennies for the hank too? Pam and Peter both .have a loose tooth and each is trying to get it out before the other. I expect the fairies arc watching too to see when the teeth are popped under a brick in tho oven. Pam has saved the greatest number of pennies so far.

Sidney Sharpe, Korn. —Dear, oh, dear! What can we do? What a pity you cannot get this paper in the new house. Perhaps there are other Tinka who go to your school, in which case perhaps they could bring the children’s pages after they had finished reading them. Try to find a way because we do not want to lose you and Connie so soon. Yes, Baby Margaret is much prettier even than she looks in the picture. Grey Fowler, Inglewood.—l can quite understand how dirty yon come home from football. We have two boys here, Billikins and Peter, and they tieem to get covered in mud. You may be called “Sparrow,” only I did not call you that in this letter because wo introduce new members by their real names first to tho other Tinks. Fortunately I never get chilblains but Pam gets them, and they do worry her so. Marlon Curran, Pungarehn.—l can quite understand how sad you ftfcl about having pets now, but it must be just a strange coincidence that you have lost them all. We felt so sad when Jock, our collie, died. Anyway I am glad the Wendy pages cheer you up. Billikins wishes me to tell you that he objects to being called “Billycans.” Wo think it a huge joke and sometimes tease him by calling him that. Your letter could have been on tho Honours Board for either best letters or best writers. We were very pleased with it

Ellis Harrison, Waipapa—Dear me, what a number of sick Tinka! I hope you will soon be better, Ellis. -What a shame if you have to sell your bantams. Baby just calls hers "Banty.” We gave it another name when she was younger, but she could not say it, so she chose plain "Banty.” What a large family of pigs you have. They must make a, terrible noise, don’t they? Someone nearby must have a goose because on quiet days we hear those awful squawks that geese give, Their voices are not at all musical.

"Shamrock,” Stratford, —I .do not think I have ever seen 200 chickens all together. They must be beautiful, but what a business teaching them to drink. I suppose that is because they came out in an incubator and have no mother to teach them, is that so? Are your nephews very much alike? Visitors can never tell which is Pam and which Peter when they only see their heads. Sometimes they dress up as one another and catch us when we are unwary.

“Mignonette,” Eltham.—You have chosen a very sweet little flower for a pen-name. We have a lot of it, and at night time the scent is so strong. There is a thrush looking for worms on the lawn and he seems to get one at every dig. Did you know that when they put their heads on one side they are really listening for the movement of the worm under the ground. “Little Red Riding Hood,” Korn.--Thank you for the poetry and riddles,’ and such a lispy tongue twister. .Pam has a slight lisp—just enough to make her talking pretty. Yes, Margaret stiff feeds her bantam, and never forgets, which is rather wonderful for such a little girl. We bad hail too, and it didmake such a noise on the roof. Billikins sleep* on the verandah, and'he said he thought.the roof was coming down. “Red Wings,” Te Kiri.—-I could guess chat'.you liked Indian stories from your choice of pen-name. Yes, I ain very fond of reading, and I used to like to sit up in a tree and read when 1 was younger. Tinkerbell does that now, but I cannot because I would have to be climbing down all the time to do something in the house or for the children. Don’t you like stroking the fluffy soft fur of your kitten?. I like stroking Snuff because he has such a splendid , coat. Noel Cave, Eltham.—Cats do not like moving, do they? What a line idea to send the mail down by wire! Do they put it in a box that has a little trolley wheel; I have seen men sending logs down by wire up north, and it is so fascinating to watch them. How do you like your new school? What a pity you could not find three more children Jsof that you could have two I suppose you have new friendfl by now.

"Waratah,” Tirimoana. —You were lucky to have a week’s holiday, and didn’t you go to school at all? "You will miss not having the little girls to play with. I think "that is a very good place to put Baby Margaret’s photo. The Hut. Carpenter has made her a little blue coat and hat, and they suit her beautifully. She is so proud of her tiny .ue socks to match too. She does not know that her blue eyes to match are prettier than anything. Juno Farquhar, Ingleyrood.—We have au “Apple Blossom,” June, so think of some other blossom. What a good idea of your teacher’s. I hope you did win the prize.. Let me know, will you? Tuni must look something like Baby Margaret. How bad-tempered of the rooster to scratch her. What was she doing? Some are very vicious, because I remember Billikins was trying to catch one once and it scratched his hand terribly. Beatrice Northcott r Urenui.—Hurray! Here is another new member from lireuni. When I tell the children there I’B a new member, they all try to giiesa where from, and this time Peter guessed right. So your brothers tease too! They all do. Beatrice. Billikins nearly worries the life out of Pam sometimes. If she is telling us a story she has made up he interrupts, but Pam never loses her temper; she just freezes into a solid silence until Billikins behaves him*self, and then she goes on. Donald Woods, Pukenguhu.---BillikiiiS i« getting better at spelling since he has had to write out each mistake fifty times. How did you and your father like baching? Did you cook anything? It would be a pleasant .surprise for your mother to come home and find such a clean tidy house. Have you got the greatest number of stars in your class? I wish I could see your raffia mat. I think it would be a good idea for Billikins to make one too. Do they take long? Harold Tuck. Inglewood. —You two put Richmond Road on the enrolment form and Lincoln Road on the letter, but it is two to one so we are entering you as living in Lincoln Road. How splendid of the men to make you a football ground. Is it all voluntary work? I suppose you will be able to have a team and enter for the -competitions now will you? Doreen ’Williams, Eltham.--I hope you will not neglect us if you join the Radio Circle. What a wonderful surprise to come home and find your grandmother there, Good luck to you in the examinations. As. soon as they are over you will be able to look forward to the holidays, and then, what fun! Billikins is doing more homework now, getting ready for, his.exams too.