The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1930, Page 25 (Supplement)

The WENDY HUT LETTERBOX

LETTERS to fee ’ AddfWMi: “WENDY* Care Taranaki Daily liews, Box ll®. NEW PLYMOUTH,

John Ray, Tahora. -Welcome Cornish gentleman! And how do you like New Zealand? Can you remember very much about Cornwall? Y'ou wust tell us all about it because not many 'Pinks have travelled so farThank you for the poetry. ®

Beatrice Northcott, Urenui.—You are lucky to get a car. Billikins wants mo to buy a Baby Austin. He is crazy about ears and can tell me tho names of any he sees a hundred yards away. When anyone with a car comes Billikins runs out to inspect it. and is thrilled when.he is allowed to steer it a little way along the road. “Smiling Irish Eyes,” Mataroa. —I expect you do find it lonely when your sisters are at school. I always feel sorry for children who have no brothers or sisters, don’t you? Billikins was even lonely when Peter and. Pam went away for a holiday. School books were tucked well out of sight yesterday. The boys came tearing out of school, kicking off their shoes and socks, shouting “Holidays at last! Hip hip hurray!”

, Fitzroy.—Hullo, what is your name? You forgot all about putting it at the end of that splendid piece of poetry you sent about 2 L.O. 1 think we shall keep it until you write again, and then we shall be able to say who sent it in. A name is really a. very important belonging after all. Gordon Campbell, Pungarehu. —You are a stranger, Gordon. Thank you for the riddles and the verse. We could not make head or tail of it at first. Yon must be getting on very well with your music to be able to play tunes already. [ wish Billikins would practice more. If there is any excuse to get out of it he will. I told him Peter and Pam would soon catch up to him and he does not like the thought of that. He got up at 6 o’clock this morning and thumped loudly until I almost wished I had said nothing. Sylvia Price, Oakura. —We liked your poetry, Sylvia. Where would you rather live, in the country or town? We prefer the country. I suppose you have been enjoying the same sunny days that we have had. Billikins wanted to go for a swim to-day so I told him just to go down to the river and paddle for a whjle. His legs became numb with the cold so he was not so keen then. It will take a lot more sunshine to warm the water for swimming again, won’t it?

Dulcie Guilford, Egmont Village.—lt is such a long time since we had any news from your way, Dulcie, so we are very pleased that you have joined. You may have “Fern” for your pen-name, which reminds me that the Hut Gardener has nearly finished my new fernery. He is just waiting for some more pungas. I have poked some little bits of moss in the walls and they look, quite at home already. Call your kitten “Topsy.” “A Sparkling Dewdrop,” Egmont Village. —We like your new pen-name better too because you are really somebody, aren’t you ? I. complained in the last letter that I had not heard from Egmont Village for so long, so I am glad you have written too. Billikins says it is always the same. As soon as he boasts about not getting the strap or puncturing his football, he gets or does it the very next day. He wonders why! So do I! You must have had some exciting matches. How did you fare in the examinations?

“Scarlet Pimpernell,” Wharehuia. — What a shock the little bantam will get when it sees that it has hatched out six black Orpington chickens! I saw the funniest little black lamb yesterday in a paddock, and it was far more lively than any of the others. It is considered good luck to have a black lamb in the fold, is it not? Are you superstitious? I think very superstitious people must be very unhappy, having to remember not to go out-of the front door if they came in by the back, and so on. Kathleen Travers, Tahora. —Yes, Baby Margaret goes to bed very early. She takes Teddy to bed with her, not her dolly, because if it fell out of bed it would hurt itself, and Teddy does not mind any bumps. We find him in all sorts of funny positions in the morning. Sometimes on the floor or standing on his head by the pillow. Little Micky must he a chubby little man. Someone from Tahora sent me some poetry without any name. Do you know who it was ?

Barbara Thompson, Eltham. —What marks did you gain in history after all your hard work, Barbara? Billikins did very well in history, because he is interested in it. I wish he waa keener on arithmetic, lie says figures make his brain ache. I suppose that is the same feeling as a headache. It reminds me of Billikins’ saying he picked up from nowhere: “The good little boy at a party would eat one tiny piece of sponge cake; but the bad little boy has cream cake, seed cake, plum cake, and stomach ache.”

Kyra Be<st, EJtham. —I will ask the Hut Dressmaker to find a pattern of a beret, Kyra. You were lucky to be given so many presents. Wasn’t that pretty notepaper with the pixie in the corner one of them? That is exactly what Billikins used to look like in nis pixie suit when he was a little boy, only he could not skip. It took us such a long time to teach him. At first he would say, “Huh! Only girls skip!” Then when he tried he could not do it. Now, however, he- is as good as any of us.

Thelma Alvis, Opunake.—Fancy Baby Margaret being like you? Have yon got blue eyes and fair curls too? You will race her to your fourth birthday, because hers is not until next year. I wonder if the dolly will be able to open and shut its eyes. Baby Margaret wonders why Teddy does not do that too. She says she watches him some nighte, but he never goes to sleep. I think he stays awake to have some fun with all the other people that live m Toyland, when children are all asleep.

“Little Red Riding Hood,” Korn.—We had those riddles in not long ago, dear, so perhaps you will think of some more. Yes, our violets are out in abundance now. Tinkerbell picks them every day and new ones pop out every day. After she has made our Hut look beautiful with them she takes ‘the rest to cheer people who arc ill or who have no gardens.

“Waratah,” Tirimoana. —Good girl to learn the twenty-third pslam. Yes, I know it off by heart. I learnt it when I’was a little girl like you. Billikins knows it too and soon Peter and Pam will be learning it. Baby Margaret can sing the fist verse of “Jesus bids us shine,” now. I hope your cold will coon be better, and also that Billikins’ cold does not go right through our house. Walter Clarke, Rahotu.-—Thank you for tho poetry, Walter. How did you finish up in the exams? I hope you did not count on your fingers in the mental arithmetic. Peter started to do that, but we had to sftop him, and Pam watches him now so that he cannot do it. Do your people have to sew your pockets up? I liave to sew Peter's up because he simply crams them full of string 1 , marbles, nuts, a pocket knife and all sorts of weird odds and ends.

Mavis Hcweon, Opunake.—Thank you for the poetry, Mavis. Someone sent that piece a little while ago, but I see by yours that she did not send all of it. I wish they would be careful to send all of the poem in. You will have to watch your garden in the spring and keep it free from weeds because they grow just as quickly as flowers, if not quicker. Valerie Voltrekovsky, le Tawa. I am sorry wo called Mick by his "wrong name. . Snuff brought a friend home yesterday, and you will never guess what it was! It was a duck! . We laughed and laughed to see this old thino- waddling up the path behind Smit?, who with the air of a host escorted his guest to tho lily pond, whereupon Mrs. Duck, of course, took t- the water. We do not know to whom she belongs, so we will just have to wait until Snuff takes her away again.

Eila Harrison, Normanby.--That was not a bad beating considering it is the first time you have had a team, when peter was four I bought him a tiny football, of which he w&© very proud. One day, however, he. and Pam began to wonder what was inside that made it keep up, so they determined to solve the mystery. Peter thought that to drive a nail in would be a good idea, so Pam held the nail while he hammeied. That was the end of the football. Jean Andrews, Urenui.—Welcome Jean! Yes, wo think Baby Margaret is like Princess Elizabeth too. She picked some flowers for me this morning and you should have seen the stems. They were about two inches long, fio I have forbidden her to pick herself now, but she may when Tinkerbell is with her to show her where to pull. She is giving Teddy a ride m Peter’s toy wheelbarrow now. Peter painted it green and left it in the rain before it was dry, so it looks very tearful. '

“White Wings,” Waitara.—l heartily dislike having, my photo taken, dear, so I trust myself to the imagination of the Tinks, hoping that they are kind to me. I was caught beautifully with that elephant riddle. Yes, I put it in last week. We are having wonderful weather, thank you, and feel that spring is in the air making arrangments for her coming season.

Isabel —, Tarata. —Isabel Who? We could not think of your other name and we were sorry because you really should have been on the honours boaid for best letter. Some day perhaps we shall be able to put in a photo of ’ that hard-case Billikins,” as you call him. I can iuet imagine the dozens of odd jobs you would have to do in preparing for the wedding. It is splendid to have a. cheerful little person to run all the messages. “May Queen,” Ngaere.—Baby o-aret has just come in with what she calls night-caps. They are the tuny little coverings that tho iceland poppies wear to protect their buds. We always call them night caps because they always throw them off m the moining*. What do you call your little kitten ? Frossie Voitrekovsky, Te Tawa.—l always thought that the Chinese made soup out of the fungus, but the Hut Carpenter says he will ask next time he takes his collars to the laiindiy. The ..noise you heard must surely bine been thunder. When you are lying in bed awake two minutes always seem like five. 1 hope your hand is better. It was an unfortunate accident.

Maisie Robertson, Te Kiri.—Don’t, -n „ 0 to school now, Maisie, or do you do 511 this work in the week ends? You and Alice are a useful pair. Thank you for your wishes to the children; they are sure to have a good holiday. Billikins has planned to row right up the river one day .and right down it the next day. Another day he and letei are going fishing. I could never trust them to o'O alone, so the Hut Gardener is o-oing °to take them. Cookie < .tys there will be all noise for a fortnight.

“Forest Fairy,” Te Kiri.—You lucky ajrls being able to ride on a load of hay. I love doing that, and we used to slide from the top of the haystack and land in a mound of cut hay, so that no bones were broken. I suppose you will soon be driving the lorry by yourself. Billikins says he would like to do that. Do you have any horeee or ponies to ride? Bimbo is a little * lame at present so we are giving him a rest. He likes it too.

Hazel Ray, Tahora.—Thank you for the poetry, Hazel. Your writing is very like your brother’s. Billikins wants to know if you ever visited the tin mines in Cornwall?

“Buntie,” Egmont Village.—Yes, Baby Margaret is just as chubby as she looks in the picture, Sylvie. X suppose you are glad, too, that the examinations are all over. Were you in anything at the concert? Billikins has since got the Hut Carpenter to make him a pair of dumbbells and is practising the swings—at least, as many as I could remember to show him. He hit himself and the dumb-bells and was very dangerous when he started.

“Freacan Gorm',” Puiigarehu. 1 think the Tinks would like to know that your pen-name means “Little blue beirics. Where did vou find it? Yes, the wee lambs and calves will be revelling in these sunshiny days. We were walking across a paddock yesterday and Pam said, “Hullo darling little thing,” to a lamb. It immediately came up to Ireland followed her, rubbing against her leg's just like a kitten. Then its mother came up looking very hostile, so lam ran.

“Cuachalain,” Pungarehu. —I like these grand new pen-names. They are a change from flowers and every-day names. So yours means “a great giant! Peter says he could hear a giant in the ocean last night, but Billikins said it was just old man Neptune having some community singing of sea chanties. You know how the sea roars on some still nights! Thank you tor those tiiek\ riddles.

“Grandma,” V- aitoitoi. —Daryl s letic, was splendid, Faith. He is.in the same, stages as Peter and Pam, only theii writing is much harder to puzzle out sometimes. Did you have a birthday cake? Cookie made such a pretty one for Tinkerbell. It was iced in pale pink with rosebuds of a deeper shade of pink on it and dear little silver bells dangling around the sides. Thank you for the poetry.

Daryl SulzbergSr, Waitoiioi.—So we are to call you “Dad s Old Man. 11 hat a jollv name. It sounds as if you help your Dad such a lot and he would not know what to do without you. Petei wants to know how far you liave gone in your .tables, because he is in primer I too, but he does not like tables, do you? Call your calf “Patsy.” Olive gay well, Uruti. —Thank you for the poetry Olive. Mischief was a good kitten to catch the mice. Billikins heard one in the roof last week so he put Snuff up there for . the night. At about 12 o’clock we heard a great scuffle. Snuff must have had an exciting chase because there must be a number of hiding palaces for a mouse up there. He brought down, two with him in the morning.

“Squirrel,” Awakino. —Did you all get toys because it was Arnold’s birthday? i T ou were lucky. We had great fiih at Tinkerbcll’s party, because we all had to be dressed as ghosts. When we played games, however, we had to take off our sheets because we tripped on them all the time. The children did not go to bed until 10 o’clock, and were so hard to wake up in the morning.

Peggy Bennett, Inglewood.—Well, little lady, here is a letter all for you. It must be fun feeding Spot with a bottle. We used to have a lamb called Fluffy, that Baby Alargaret used to feed,’but Fluffy used to be naughty and always bite the teat. Fluffy grew so big and had such a beautiful furry coat, but she used to eat all the buds off the flowers, so we had to send her away to a farm.

Marjorie Fraser, Opunakc. —What seeds did you plant, Marjorie? Billikins says he has planted some green peas, that will liave pods ready for pulling in eight weeks. Peter thinks he must have been reading Jack and the Beanstalk, but- Billikins -says that it is quite true, because it was on the packet. We have to watch Snuff because sometimes he goes to sleep on the seedling boxes. Goodness knows why, because there are many more comfortable places.

Eileen Granville, Auroa. —Thank Maurice for the riddles and that tangling tongue-twister, please, Jfileen. Billikins got seven eggs from seven hens to-day, and was very excited. The fowl without a tail, that he thought was not laying, he has discovered is the best layer of them all. He thinke he might like'to go in for poultry farming, except that the roosters would wake him up too early in the morning.

“Tom-tit,” Lowgarth. —Thank you for the riddles, Eileen. I wonder if any Tinks will win the calf-rearing competition. I hope so, because there are such a number in for it. I wonder if your cold is better. I have to keep Billikins in bed to-day and he is getting frightfully bored. He has had his Meccano, teased Bouncer until he left him to go outside and worry a bone, read books, and pestered Cookie for “just two more cakes for a poor sick boy.” “Clematis,” Midhirst. —Yes, I enjoy Dickens’ books very much, Bernice, and am very pleased to hear that you have read nearly all of them. Billikins would not like me to tell you this, 1 suppose, but I will just tell you. When ho was younger he used to pull faces, and so every time he did it wo called him “Scrooge,” and that cured him completely. A' simple cure, wasn’t it? We liked the poetry and Pam took it out for the Hut Gardener to read because he was making a scarecrow. “Bellbird,” Midhirst.—We are so glad you have joined, too, J sobel. because Bernice has mentioned you once or twice and we wondered if you would. Do you know the difference between a tui’s song and a bellbird’s? Vie do not hear the bellbird very often down here. Balloons do not last long, do they? I always hold my breath when I see the children blowing them up and up until they must surely burst any minute. They like those with squeakers on the end, that sour.cl when the air is coming out again.

Marie Hey, Mokoia.—We liked the poetry, dear. We are so sorry you were missed out in the birthday list. We had you down in September instead of August. Tinkerbell will send you a card this week. How you will enjoy playing tennis! Have you ever tried before? At first I suppose you will find a number of large holes in your racquet for the ball to go through.

Mildred Winter, Inglewood.—l saw your display and enjoyed it very much indeed; and your drilling was splendid. How sweet those tiny tots were dancing the gavotte and minuet. The teachers must have had a very busy time coaching you all. Fancy geometry being your favourite subject. It is interesting to find out how one thing follows after another until the theorem is proved. Are you going away for the holidays?

Lucy Tuck, Inglewood. —Yes, you may try to get amongst the best writers, Lucv. Write your very best and perhaps you will gain a place on the Honours Board. Every week I pick out the best writers and the best letter© and let you all know who they are. Thank you for the poetry.

“Flossy,” Stratford. —You are a faitlifuflittle Tink, Beth, sending in riddles and recipes so regularly, I can tell that you are very fond of Huffy, aren’t you? Send in the letters she scribbles, or 1 should ©ay, writes, to Baby Margaret, because, it would please them both, don’t you think? Eileen Piper, Stratford. —Y T ou were a dear to make those doll’s clothes for Baby Margaret, Eileen. She was simply delighted, and I don’t know how you managed to guess the > size so well, they lit dolly perfectly, and as Baby says, they are so “kwosy.” She always eays that for cosy. Baby Margaret sends you a big kiss, hug and thank-you. “Little 80-peep,” Waitoitoi.—Where have you been hiding, Veta? Pa - ’ eays you must be having a very busy time with the sheep now that so many wee lamb© are here. I went into Billikins’ bedroom, and, oh, the smell! He had epilt a whole bottle of eucalyptus all over the bed. He says it must either kill or cure. Bouncer came in, sniffed, sneezed and walked out again overcome.

‘‘Huia,” Wharehuia.—Perhaps some day a fairy godmother will appear and take you up the mountain. Sometimes pleasant surprises come to us when we least expect them. I am afraid someone sent “If I Knew” not long ago. It looked as if it had been cut out of a school journal, but Tinkerbell is keeping your copy for her scrapbook of poetry, because she likes it so much. It is very quiet in Billikins’ room. I should not be at all surprised to find the bed empty, the young rascal. Harold Tuck, Inglewood.—What did you have to do in the concert, Harold? I suppose you are glad the exams are over too. I wonder how many Tinks came top of their class. Billikins said he did, but then he came bottom too, because he is the only one in it. You will have to practice hard and put up a better fight against Inglewood next time.

Richard and Alton Kemp, Kiore.— You two did have a long holiday from writing. We shall be so pleased to receive letters written by your very own selves. I had a goat once and it used to sleep in the wash-house with a box with open bare, over it. Every night when I called it in it would trot and I would just pop the box over it. Then when it grew, it would come in, kneel down, and wait for the box. Then later it grew still bigger, so _it used to lie down while I covered it. Now, don’t you think it was a clever goat? Call your goat “Daniel,” and tho puppy “Caesar.”

Trevor Mowat, Waitoitoi. —Hullo, “Cowboy!” Here you are introduced to all the other Tinks, hundreds of them, and no need to be ehy at all. You must have some fun on that old motorbike with your brother. Billikins wishes he could find one. Thank you for tho poetry. No, none of us is going away for these holidays. We can have heaps of fun at the Hut.

“Bunny Boy,” Palea.—Well done, Palea, to win the shield! Did you play in the football team? Billikins has lent his football to Peter while he is in bed, and Peter is thrilled. He take© it into school and sets it beside him on the floor; he brought it to lunch and rented his feet on it under the table. He is making the most of every moment.

“Poppy Queen,” Palea—Thank you for the riddles, Molly. How many, of you are going to enter for our new competition? I hope everyone will try. We had very little snow. What a pity it did not come to Patea. Ours melted straight away, much to the bewilderment of the children. Do you like marigolds? I can see the Hut Carpenter peering into each flower searching for those cruel

Wilfred Alvis, Opunake.—lsn't it exciting getting a telegram all for your* self? I am sorry to say,that Billikins has a cold. too. He caught it despite all my care and watching to see that he changed his wet boots and stockings. He cays he feels dreadful, just as if there was a brick on his nose all the time, and as for tasting aud smelling—he says he might as well be eating sawdust and shavings instead of macaroni cheese. Poor old chap, we are very sorry for him. I' INTRODUCING FOUR KINGS. Although kings are fast passing out of fashion, here are a few that every boy and girl should meet early in life. Wai-King. He is .a sane and pleasuregiving monarch, who will amply repay you For your acquaintance with him. Cultivate his acquaintance, winter and summer. • - ' Thin-King, Of all kings in the world this is the most powerful.- He directs the destinies of men and of nations. He makes the world over. Give him half a chance in your life and he will do wonderful things for you; Ban-King. This king is well worth the acquaintance of any boy or girl. He teaches them how to handle the money which comes ■ their way. He is a good king to meet early in life and to stick to until the end. Jo-King. This jolly old king pours the oil of gladness on the squeaky machinery of life.' He makes the world -a jolly place to live in. Learn to enjoy him thoroughly even when he plays Ins pranks on you. A CAT AND MOUSE GAME. One player is chosen as the cat the rest are mice. Now first of.all the cat must catch one of the mice, then he must take him o’ver to some sheltered spot and leave him thete. The game is then for the mice to rescue their caught companion, and for the cat to protect his catch. And while he » protecting his caught mouse the eat is at liberty to catch any'of the other mice and add them to hie corner. By the way, the cat must not keep too close to his sheltered spot—just a little way out to give the mice a chance. You’ll find this makes it more fun. FAMOUS HORSE AND HIS MASTER. Philip, king of the Macedonians, once received a magnificent horse as a pre-., sent, but so unruly was the creature that nobody dared mount him. The kins and his court stood watching the beautiful animal prancing madly, and Philip became so angry at last that lie ordered one of his soldiers to taka the horse back to the man who had sent it. jn , . . Then the boy Alexander, the kings son. called out that it was a shame to reject so splendid a creature, and Philip asked him if he had the courage „ to mount. ‘'Yes, I have,” replied the boy gravely. Alexander had noticed that the horse was afraid of its own shadow, which was leaping beside it, so he made the animal fac- the brilliant sun. The shadow tell behind, the horse stood . still, and the boy sprang upon his back. Off went the homo at a speed that caused Philip to fear for his son’s life, but after a long, swift ride Alexander returned safely. Philip then oavc hinl the horse, saying that, as no had conquered him, he alone was worthy of the steed. Alexander named this swiftest of all horses Bucephalus, meaning ox-hcad, and .so great was the bond between the two that Bucephalus would kneel ter Alexander to mount him, but he would allow no other man to ride him. indeed, Bucephalus became as celebrated as his master, whom he carried into many fierce and terrible battles, wherever the name of Alexander the Great was spoken that of Duce/mam* was also mentioned. t - Bucephalus died at the age of and Alexander built a city in mdia which he named after this faithful friend whom he could never replace.

The chums were feeling very downcast. They did not know what was wrong, but they simply could not think of a game to play. 'The old games did did not appeal to them, and not even Richard could get a new idea. And so they sat on the fence and looked miserable. “I’ve never felt so dull in my life,” announced Polly.

But even the dullest days have some bright moments in them. Just as Richard was going to say that something was sure to happen before long, leaned too far back on the rail—and over she went. "Good!” chuckled Polly. “Gwen’s trying to make us laugh. ; ! “Don’t be funny,” snapped Gwen, “It was an accident.” , “Hurrah!” shouted Richard suddenly. “It’s given me an idea.’

It was not exactly Gwen’s fall that gave idea. It was because something different had happened. At least, Richard said so. “What we want is a change,” he decided. “Let’s do something different.” \ “Well!” asked Gwen, “What shall we do?” a, “That’s my idea,” Richard told her. “Well, what is the idea,” enquired Polly. “I’ll tell you as we run home,” said Richard,-“Because we are going to start at once.”

On the way home Richard explained his great idea. “What we want,” he repeated, “is a complete change. People go away for a holiday for that very reason.” “We are not going away for weeks yet,” Gwen reminded him. “I know,” said Richard, “so I propose that we take the boat up the river and camp out for a week.” “My! that’s a fine idea,” cried Gwen. “I thought you would like it,” said Richard. '

The chums lost no time in setting about the packing, and of course there was plenty of argument as to what they should take. Gwen wanted to pack enough to last for at least six weeks, and she staggered into the room carrying a great pile of plates, pans, bowls and cups, with a teapot wobbling unsteadily on top. “Be careful with those things,” Polly warned her. “What on earth do you think you’re going to do with them?” asked Richard. Then Gwen started to argue again. She tried to wave her arms, but she couldn’t do that and hold the crockery as well—so she dropped the lot.

They swept up the remains of the crockery and, still arguing, managed at last to get the hamper packed more or less neatly. Then they had another shock. Gwen started to search for the keys of the boat-house, but could not find them and, in the end, she remembered that she had put them into a cup which was packed in the hamper. Of course, everything had to be-unpacked again, and you can imagine that Richard didn’t bother to spare Gwen’s feelings when he said what he thought about it all. They were ready at last, however, and quickly made their way to tho boathouse. Next week we will follow their adventures in camp.