CHILDREN’S CORNER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10937, 8 May 1926, Page 3

CHILDREN’S CORNER.

(F.ditid by " Wattle Bloiaom.") All l«tt«r# ta be uddrewed like thi*: Omiein “Wattle Blowem.” ear* Tamjika Ptadar and Geraldine Guardian. ON TRAVELLING. Dear Children, —I wonder how many of you, in these days of comparatively safe travelling, stop to think of the tremendous difference that lies betwixt present times and bygone days? Now we have well formed roads, wonderful bridges, railway trains, motor-oars, ships— -and we seldom think about the ease and comfort with which we travel from one place to another. In olden days, boys and girls, travellers were confronted, for the most part, with i trackless wastes, endless morasses, almost impenetrable forests, and' unbridged rivers, and most of were compelled to travel on foot for few owned horses, and for a long time there were scarcely any carriages or cants, even.

Gradually, these things have all changed—brave, far-sighted men have 'i Ahiilft itfOads lifiiofngh pass, and forest; , they have drained the dreadful morasses ( and built great bridges over the rivers, while others have designed all the modern conveyances you are so familiar with to-day. Can you imagine what it was like before travelling was made easy for us? For long years—nay, centuries —after bridges had been built and roads made, travelling was dangerous for quite another reason. Thieves and robbers frequented lonely mountain passes and dense forests. In the midst of lonely plains, too, they waylaid harmless travellers demanding their money or their lives —and it. was no idle threat, for many a traveller has been killed who has dared to defy them. Cumbersome coaches that took days and days to cover distances that take us hours; that creaked and rattled all the weary journey—yet some people still talk of the "good old days”—were the only means of conveyance they had. Standing on the bridges at Rotherham, St. Ives, Wakefield and Bradin the Old Country, are little chapels that recall to us the perils of the past, when the construction and repair of bridges was regarded as a sacred duty and incumbent often upon religious order's, and these chapels provided a place for people to give thanks for a safe journey.

In those old times, men were continually at war with one another, and it is only since the coming of Christianity that people have developed a disposition to be kind to their neighbours, and have been law-abiding citizens. And always remember, boys and girls, that if the world lost Christianity , eveh now, it would soon, deteriorate and go back to those truly bad old times.

COMPETITION. I have decided to offer a book for the best original sketch, any subject; entries to be sent in by the end of May. Sketch MUST BE ORIGINAL. If anyone who is unsuccessful wishes their work returned, they must enclose a stamped addressed envelope with it.—C.W.B. PUZZLES. Answer to last week’s puzzle-^— PCNOIU L A E T R CURTAIN POLE. Won by G. Lyon, Waitohi,' Temuka. .. The following were 1 also correct: M. Taylor, "Paddy the Next Best Thing,” Gordon Taylor, Randal Heron and John Miller (all the way from Rangitata Island). NO. I.—RIDDLE-ME-REE. My first is in fledgling but not in . bird, My second’s in interest but not, in heard, My third is in essence hut not My fourth is in hop-beer but not in tea; My fifth is in sister but not in Sue; My sixth is in courting but not in woo, My seventh’s in "dodgem” but not in “whip,” And Pm often found on a holiday trip. Prize of Is for the first correct solution opened. Competitors must cut out the following coupon and sign their name, enclosing it in an envelope. So as to'give those a fair chance who are at a distance, no letter* will be opened till Wednesday of each : ,. t 1 Answer to Children’s Corner Puzzle, Signature . Address Date