CHILDREN’S CORNER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10488, 28 December 1929, Page 4

CHILDREN’S CORNER.

(Edited by “ Wattle Blossom.”) ~" All letters to be addressed like this' Cousin "Wattle Blossom," care Temuka Leader and Geraldine Guardian. Pals o’ Mine, —Jiust fancy Christmas being over already! We had ever such a jolly time, and Judith thinks "Father Kimses” (as she calls him) a very kind old man indeed. I said to her that it would be another year before he came back again, which didn’t please her, and she answered: "No, he mustn't go away! We want him, don’t we?” I did smile at the funny wee thing. She received a dolly’s teaset in blue, among other things (she got her ball, a"’ she just loved it). She has had eve.’ such fun washing all her little dishes. She and Aynslie take turns. Sometimes she dries while he washes, then they take turns at pouring out tea for each other—not real tea, just milk and water —but they think it is just splendid fun. Aynslie found a splendid drum in his pillow-case (it was too big for a stocking), and he’s had lots of fun with it, and with his other things. Such a lot of noise drums and squeaky balloons make, don’t they?

To-day we went to a picnic on the banks of the Selwyn River. There were about forty people present, and everyone had a most enjoyable day. Some of the boys found a lot of little baby rabbits —such soft, pretty little things. Judith and Aynslie each nursed one for a good while, (ben, just as we came away, they set them free in the long grass, so that they could run home to their mothers. Dear little bunny-rabbits! 1 hope they found their way safely home. Afterwards, when the kiddies were safely in bed, we went outside and there was Buzzie, the pet lamb, going to sleep under the big gumtree —such a great big tree (towering ever so high up above us), and such a wee little lamb! Every night Buzzie sleeps there, and he always chooses the side where he is sheltered from the wind. Wise little lamb, isn’t he? Sometimes, perhaps, he is a little lonely, for there is only one pet lamb, and he lives, all by himself, at the foot of the gum tree. Very soon he will be put out with the rest of the flock. I suppose, and how he will love having someone to play with! Have you ever watched the lambkins frisking at eventide? They can jump ever so high, in their funny, stiff little way. Sometimes I think little children at play are just like little lambs, chasing each other round and round, as lambs and children often do. Now I must thank you. all for your Christmlas cards, Christmas letters, good wishes, etc. They have all been so much appreciated. It’s good to know people love one and think of one, at all times: but at Christmas it is especially so, is it not? I thought of you all. on Christmas Day, hoping you were all happy and pleased with what the Day had brought you. Don't forget to tell us all about your good times, will you? We all love to read each other’s letters, I’m sure, and I am quite looking forward to my next mail.

I am sorry to say that we left the letters and puzzle answers behind when we came to Ellesmere, so the results will be in next Saturday’s “Leader.” We are going home this week-end, so we won’t he long away—just five days in all. Now, this is quite a long letter to yo'U, this time, so I expect I had better stop now. Next time I write, it will be January, 1930!! (How fast the years fly!). Judith and I wish you all a very, very Happy New Year. With love to all of you.—Your own, COUSIN WATTLE BLOSSOM. A CHILD’S CREED. (Fay Inchfawn). 1 believe in Mother More than any other. 1 believe in Mother’s hands. Why, the wonders they can do, No one really understands, Only me—not even you.! Only Mother’s hands can make Scrumptious pie and sandwich cake. No one’s hands but hers can ease Poor bruised elbows, bleeding knees. 1 believe in Mother's eyes. Always loving, yet so wise. They’ve a way of seeing straight, Not too soon, and not too late. She can beckon with them, too, Till I know just what to do. And they’re often full of fun, Through the funny things I’ve done! 1 believe in Mother’s “No.” Yes, I really do, although You may. very truly guess I delight in Mother’s “Yes”! I believe in Mother’s feet; Day and night, in cold or heat. You should see how she can run To her helpless little one: Why, the very strongest man Can’t make haste like Mother can. No one else is half so quick When I’m frightened, sad, or sick. Mother’s ears are keener far Than anybody else’s are. ’Tis most strange that she should know When I really want her so. Doors may deafen, walls may smother, But they can’t deceive my Mother!

Often in the stilly night I have wakened in a fright, Couldn't call and couldn’t cry, Gave a little frightened sigh: Quick, a warm hand lulled my fears: I believe in Mother’s ears. I believe in Mother’s way Of making time to watch and pray. I know she gets alone to spend A quiet moment with her Friend; And though I can’t keep still a minute, ■I do believe there’s something in it. Something that takes away the fret, Something that helps her to forget. Someone Who shows her how to be The lovely thing she is to me. Oh, she can rule without the rod: And—l believe in Mother’s God.

Christmas came flying— A rush and a run, Christmas is with us, The jolliest fun! Little folks whisper As they go to bed, Full of excitement Is each little head. Up in the morning Before break of day, Shouting and laughter So jolly and gay! Into each stocking Go small eager hands — All the world over, In many strange lands. All little children Love Christmas time — No matter what colour, No matter what clime. All busy seeking The toys that delight; Such eager fingers— So merry and bright. Such jolly noises, Such lots of fun, Christmas is over When scarcely begun. "What, bed-time already?” They gush and they sigh: "Oh, Christmas, you darling, How quickly you. fly!” Christmas came flying, •A: rush and a run: And ’tis but a mem’ry— But, oh, it was fun! —C.W.B. • * * Peel Forest, via Rangitata-, December 23, 19 29. Dear Cousin Wattle Blossom, —I must write and wish you and Judith a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Are you having a long holiday, or just Christmas week? We are having a lot of wet weather lately. We had our school concert last week. There weren’t many people there, because it was a. wet night. The name of my prize is "The Bumper Book for Girls.” Jock passed his proficiency examination. I would have liked to go in for the scrap-book competition, but we haven’t any books with pretty pictures in. I will write more after the holidays. I must close now. Love to you and Judith.—From NELLIE HENEY. (Our holiday is just a few days at Christmas, Nellie, but we hope to have a longer one later on. What a lovely prize yours must be! Glad Jock passed. We haven’t heard from him for quite a while. Scrap books are judged for the care in making them, and their thoughtful arrangement, more than the kind of scraps, for not everyone can secure lovely scraps.—C.W.B.). * * * Winchester Sett., Temuka, December 22, 1929. Dear Cousin Wattle Blossom, —I was very glad to see that I won the prize for the scrap-book, and hope that some little children will like it. Doesn’t time fly! Why, it only seems two or three months ago since last Christmas, and it is only two days now before this Christmas. Nellie, Peggy and Betty , have gone to Christchurch for the holidays. It is raining at last, and the flowers will soon freshen up again. The rain certainly makes the flowers grow, but it makes the weeds grow, too. When the vegetables and flowers were drooping in want of water, the weeds didn’t, but seem to have sprung up very quickly. I suppose Father Christmas will be packing his bag now and fixing up his clothes. Mother Christmas would fix his clothes for him, and if there were any Children Christmases they would help him as well. I must close now, wishing Judith and yo'u "A Merry Christmas and a Bright New Year.” —I remain, your loving Cousin, MILLIE CRIBB. (I think Father Christmas must need an extra big family to help him, don’t you? Thank you for the contributions. —C.W.8.).

325 King St., Tem’uka, December, 19 29. Dear Cousin Wattle Blossom, — Christmas is very near now. and with it comes happy hours. In a few days we will be writing 1930 down on our letters. I suppose you, like many other people, are busy purchasing Christmas presents for this happy time of the year. I must thank you very much for that beautiful book I won for my scrap-book, which I received on Saturday. It is called “The Big Book for Girls,” and one story in it which I enjoyed very m'uch is named “Judith Goes to School.” My sister went to Christchurch in the train to-day. How happy one feels on waking up in the Spring mornings to hear the sweet songs of all the different

birds on the tree-tops. Well, Cousin Wattle Blossom, as there is no puzzle to do, I will close, hoping you have a very happy Christmas. — I remain, your loving Cousin, “SOUTHLAND MAID.” (Yes, I love the birds’ songs, too. So glad you liked the book. I hope your sister has a happy holiday.— C.W.8.).

The Federal Minister of Health has advised the N.S.W. Housewives Association that after full consideration it had been decided not to lift the embargo on New Zealand potatoes. He pointed out that irreparable damage would probably result to the Australian potato-growing industry if the disease powdery-scab was introduced, and it was practicable to examine only a small percentage of any consignment.

The rival claims of a wife and an unmarried consort, to the estate of Richard Stevens, a deceased farmer, of Te Kuiti, were decided by Justice Sir A. Herdman in the Hamilton Supreme Court. His Honour granted a declaration that Stevens’ farm should be held by the Public Trustee in trust for Amelia Alice Horwell, with whom deceased had lived as husband since 1909, having two daughter’s by her. Stevens, while in the Navy, married a Malta girl in 189'2. She and her son still survive. lie had not communicated with her since 1909. The money with which the farm was bought was taken from Horwell’s Savings Bank account, representing partly her own money, and partly profit on a home which they had bought and sold at Wanganui. The widow at Malta already had received Stevens’ £2OO life insurance, but the Judge decided that Ilorwell was entitled to the farm property. Stevens died intes-

The Hon. Mr Taverner states that in 1929, State planting has seen tho establishment in New Zealand of plantations constituting an Empire record. In fact, with the exception of Japan, the 53,509 acres planted New Zealand for the month of November, 1929, show that the exports totalled £2,868,804 and the imports 533 and £4,748,374 respectively for £4,049,512, compared with £3,359November 1928. The exports from New Zealand for the eleven months ended November, 1929, totalled £51,012,893 and the imports into New Zealand £44,813,738, compared with £51,805,163 and £41,4/53,657 respect ively for the corresponding period last year.

Tho overseas trade figures for in the Dominion this year are considered a world’s record.