MOST INTERESTING AND ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18635, 2 August 1930, Page 12

MOST INTERESTING AND ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Dear Peter Pan, We went to see the display of Circlians’ Work in the Bristol Piano Coy.’s window. The pictures were very interesting and the window was crowded with people admiring the original paintings, drawings and weird creatures all the evening. Do you like these cold frosty mornings? We have short days, but the evenings are long, and it is cosy sitting by the fire. We reared a number of ducks this year— Khaki-Campbells, Pekins and Muscovies. The two latter are excellent table-birds and the Khaki-Campbells are great winter layers. Every morning we let them out of the run at daylight and gather numbers of eggs that have been laid during the night. I must tell you about a Muscovy duck, that had a nest in a very funny place. She had been laying for some time, but nobody could find her nest. There was a big 'dog-kennel in the yard, and the Muscovy made her nest, laid her eggs, and hatched out sixteen little ducklings in one end of the kernel, while the dog occupied the front of it. Wasn't he a good old dog to share his kennel with the duck? We also reared a number of chickens, namely, white and brown leghorns, orpingtons, minorcas, and barred rocks, and have a fine lot of pullets all laying. It is very interesting work looking after the different pens or little ducks and chicks. "Pretty Pixie” goes early every morning and feeds the ducks and gathers the eggs before breakfast, while I milk my cow and feed the cats. We have Persians, three Manx cats and three grey ones, which follow me down to the cowshed when milking time is due. They all sit round waiting patiently till I finish my cow, and they do enjoy the dish of nice warm milk I give them. I have a little Jersey cow that was given to me as a calf by my uncle in Oamaru. Her mother used to take prizes in the Oamaru Show and she is such a nice quiet little creature. Best love—- " Autumn Glory,”—Doreen Stocker, Washdyke.

Dear Peter Pan, I hope you do not think “Laurie” has forsaken you, because she has not, and is not likely to. Yesterday morning snow began to fall and fell all day end part of last night. To-day Mother Earth is covered with a huge white sheet, nearly five inches thick. I do not think any artist could paint a picture more beautiful than the soft snow on the bare branches of an oak tree in the front of tall, dark-green pines, also covered with snow. I have not been out snow-balling yet, but am going soon. It seems a great pity to spoil the smooth surface of the snow with marks. Mr Wind is rustling the branches of the trees and a great amount of snow has dropped from them. One night last week when the sun was setting, there was a beautiful

sky in the east. The sky-line was tinted a pale blue, which gradually turned to helio; the helio in its turn paled to pink, and the pink to cream, which gradually faded and mingled with pale blue. One night about three weeks ago there was a huge ring round the moon, and we wondered if snow or heavy rain would come after it. Our wireless has been very good lately. The Maori Concerts were interesting, but I like the ordinary programmes much better. We hope to hear the results of the football next Saturday. We heard the second test results and they were wonderfully broadcasted. The announcer must take a keen interest in the game to be able to follow it the way he does. We have a tinker of a puppy and he is very friendly with the cats if they do not take his food. I was pleased to see the Christmas Ship again and am going to make some toys this year. Wishing Our Circle every successs, your loving—- “ Laurie,” —Hazel Dale, Albury.

Dear Peter Pan, Your pipe has been calling me to write for many weeks, and only now I take up my pen to answer its eager call. “Neverbird” has set me an example and I must follow suit. I suppose your Geraldine friends have told you about our very successful school concert, so I shall not burden you with my account of it. Last week, as I was roaming round the deserted garden, a piece of purple caught my eye, and soon I was down picking a few brave violets. The plants are very weary and worn-looking and even the blossoms look as if the rain and frost have washed out their beautiful hues, for they are quite pale; but oh, how sweet a fragrance they give to their nook! They are a breath of spring, which cannot be so very far away. To see them reminds us that all will not remain sombre and brown for long, but will soon burst forth into fresh greenness and bright colours. Cox street is very dreary just now, until evening, and then it is no longer dull, but quite a pretty sight. Street lights twinkle at the corners and over all lies a thin, grey mist, through which the lights shine. The sky above is usually grey, tinted with soft shades of pinks and blues, which are the sun’s “goodnight” to the sky. The bare trees can no longer be seen stretching their dark arms into the sky, for they are now cloaked in warm grey mist. Chimneys smoke, and lights begin to peep through the trees, telling of cosy fires and cheery rooms. How quickly the words creep up to the limit! As I must not be greedy and overstep the mark I shall have to bring this reminder of my existence to a close. Love to all the Circlians and you. Your Circlian — “Ribston Pippin,”—Jessie Cowie, Geraldine.

Dear Peter Pan, My letters for a long time now have been written in the Land of Counterpane, and this one is no exception to the rule. Seems as if I recover from one sickness just long enough to get another, and although bed is very nice on winter mornings it is not much fun after having weeks of it. I am beginning to believe that it is quite true that breaking a mirror brings bad luck, for I’ve been ill ever since I broke mine! Mother says it is ridiculous nonsense, but I’m wondering! I have just had my birthday and of course celebrated it in bed. But it was lovely, all the same, for everybody waited on me as though I were a queen, and I received a lovely lot of things, and in the evening we had a small party. I felt quite important when the guests sang, “She’s a jolly good fellow.” I had quite a laugh, too, over a game we played. It is called the “ring” game, and in case you have not heard it, it is played this way:—Any number make a ring with one in the centre to ask questions. He says, “What ring is sheep?”—and the answer to that is “shearing.” Or perhaps he might ask, “What ring is lion?” then that would be “roaring.” But whatever he asks the answer must always finish with “ring”; and if you guess you take the centre. Really, you can get quite a lot of fun playing, as some of them say such stupidly funny things. After we had guessed several things one of the guests asked, “What ‘ring’ is a cow after she has lost her calf?” I puzzled over it for some time and gave in, and eventually so did the others. And then she triumphantly said, “bellering”! And would you believe it, she was quite sure it was right, for she had never seen it spelt and had only heard it pronounced as “beller”! That ended that game, because I must admit there were a number of very audible titters. My mate came down in the afternoon with a gift, and it was the most pleasant surprise of all, for I had been longing to see her. Fondest love from—- “ Airy Fairy,”—lris Kellie, Pleasant Point.

Dear Peter Pan, I wish to write In rhyme to you this very night. Although it is my first attempt I hope it will not be exempt From Our Page. First of all my thanks to thee For the prizes you sent me. And the next thing I wish to say Is that I’m pleased this very day With the Merit Cards so gay. Also thanks for the photos, clear, They are to me ever so dear. These mornings are terribly cold And I don’t get up until I’m told. It’s rained so very hard to-day That I did pass the time away In reading. At school we all play basketball And it does seem to cheer us all. If at our lessons we excel We think the day has ended well. It’s taking me a very long time Just to make this letter rhyme. Dear Peter Pan, I do not lisp. Love and “thimble” from “Will o’the Wisp.” —Alma Stowell, Pareora West.

Dear Peter Pan, First and foremost I must thank you for the prize. It was lovely—especially the little card that came with it—and, oh, so unexpected! At last, lam really a Second Class Guide. The Mt. Somer’s Guides had their first birthday party on the 13th. Commissioners Mrs Grigg and Miss Cocks from Christchurch motered down, and the swearing-in ceremony of the Brownies and three new Guides took place. Several of the Guides were presented with their Service Stars, and I received my Second Class Badge. We had a very jolly day with a birthday tea and a cake to finish up with. It was snowing but we all trooped out to see the Commissioners off, and stood round the car in the snow and had our photo taken. Captain Webster has gone to St. Saviour’s Orphanage. We are glad for her, but sorry for ourselves. However, we have a very nice lieutenant, so don’t quite feel like “a ship without a skipper.” Weren’t the dragons fearful looking monsters. No wonder they broke the horrid spell. We would need St. George back again if they suddenly took a notion to come alive, wouldn’t we? Do you think our lovely Christmas Ship will be big enough this year? Won’t you have to get your Circlians to build another—one of our huge, modern, iron liners? And one that cannot sink, or that does not have to depend on Mr Wind for sailing? For it would be dreadful if our ship got be-calmed and was late. But if we had a big engine-driven ship, with Peter Pan as its pilot, it couldn’t be

late then. Our little kitty is just getting over an attack of bronchitis. But it is very playful, now. I wonder if all pussies dislike castor-oil as much as ours does. We have a church choir now, in Staveley. We have Bible Class and choir practice every Tuesday night, and last Sunday we made our first appearance. My love to all our fairy folk, Christopher Robin, Circlians, and you. “Little Sister,”—Nancy Norman, Springburn. Dear Peter Pan, I have been writing to “Fairy Bell.” Tasmania, since before she joined the Circle. Altogether, lam waiting to three Circlians. Just fancy, we are beginning our examinations in about two weeks, and after that the inspectors are coming to examine us for our Senior Free Place. We have already had one visit from the inspectors this year. I hate the thought of exams. Did you see “Sally” or “Rio Rita”? I went to both pictures, and liked “Sally” a lot better than “Rio Rita.” I have been reading several of Montgomery’s books lately; but the latest I have read is the “Tower of London,” by Ainsworth. It is a historical story with plenty of tortures at the stake in it. About a week ago I had a nightmare after I had been reading it. At least, I think it must have been a nightmare because it was ten times worse than a dream. I am still very keen on stamp-collecting, and have received quite a number of new ones since I last wrote. “Fairy Bell” sent me the new Australian Stamp that has just been issued. We exchange stamps, and I send her the Children’s Page every week. Last Wednesday I received the Children’s part of a Melbourne paper, from her. Did you see the football match? Of course I mean the one against Britain, because I am sure it is “The” match of the season. I am not a football enthusiast, but I did enjoy that match. I have been trying my skill at Verse-Making lately, but do not think they would be good enough for the page. Wasn’t “Ladybird’s” poem a lovely long one? I saw “Our” display of work in the Bristol. I think it was better than last year’s. I am glad the Christmas Ship is going to make its journey again this year. “Dimples,”—Lindsay Mayo, Timaru.

Dear Peter Pan, Whatever do you thinx has happened? After “Boy Blue,” finishing his wheel-barrow and using it for a day or two, I have the guilty conscience of breaking the handle off it. I not only had a guilty conscience after the mishap, but also had a skinned face and a black eye. He trusted me to wheel it to the house with a load of wood. When smash! all in a heap went wood, wheel-barrow and me! “Boy Blue” came to the rescue and picked us all up and tied the handle on with a piece of string, until he had time to mend it. This morning “Jack Daw,” “Mountain Princess” and I went over to the beach, frost-fishing, but the seagulls were all there before us. Every Tuesday we have a contest match in basketball against other surrounding schools in the district. We have never won a game, but there are not many girls at our school. The Birthday Page was exciting and delightful, but I did not go to town to see the painting and drawings. Mother saw them though, and said they were beautiful, and so wonderful, that one could hardly realise they were done by children. Love to Circlians and yourself, from—- “ Mary the Midget,”—Mary Boulton, Otaio.

Dear Peter Pan, It is time “Opossum” awoke from her sleep in a hollow tree, and wrote to you. I wish I could have seen the drawings and paintings in the Bristol window. I have never been fortunate enough to see anything like that. We have a new teacher at our school and I like her very much. Did you receive those pen-names I sent you? To-day I received a letter from one of my pen-friends in Australia. She wrote me eight pages, and also enclosed some jokes which I will send on for the page. I have not written to Bessie Newing yet as we have had a lot more work to do at home at nights. We milk two cows, and have only one calf now as “Kingcup’s”, calf died. We do not know what killed it. When we had that heavy fall of snow, if you went along the road you would see snowmen everywhere. I made a snowman and he lasted for four or five days. It was supposed to be the heaviest fall of snow since 1918. I do not care for playing in the snow. My father was getting his wood cut up to-day so we will have plenty of wood to last through the winter. Did you learn a piece of poetry at school, called “Abou Ben Adem”? I am learning that for my poetry now and like it very much. Your loving Circlian,— Mavis Warne, Geraldine.

Dear Peter Pan, I noticed in the last two papers that you have awarded me two merit cards for my poems. Thank you very much. We are looking forward to receiving the paper next week, as it will be the Special Birthday Page. I received a very nice letter from “White Kitten” the other day, and hope she will continue writing, as she is very interesting. Fancy having a Circlian all the way from Faulkland Islands. How interesting for pen-friends. What kind of weather are you having? Ours is lovely, especially for July. I was at a very nice social evening at a private home, and had a most enjoyable evening. We arrived home at one o’clock. I have been staying with a friend this week, and while there I went to a social in the Church Hall. Over here we have a game season which is open for shooting from May Ist until July Ist, or August, and people go hunting with a light and gun for opossums, kangaroos, and wallabies. Dad has been out twice and got nothing. We caught a kangaroo. He was a silvery grey and such a big one. This morning my sister and I caught a paddy mellon. Have you ever seen one? They are a light brown with a white tip to their tail and not very big.—Love from “Queen of Sport,—Winnie Jarman, Tasmania.

Dear Peter Pan, Every Saturday I read the page and try to solve the puzzles. We have played five games of basketball this year and have been defeated every time. This Saturday the tournament

is coming off and our basketball and football teams are playing. This year the chrysanthemums did not last as long as usual, as the frosts came too soon. I have two little calves. One is a red and white one called Billy; the other is all white, so I called her Snowy. We will soon be having our term examination, and then the holidays will be here again. In a month’s time there is an excursion to Christchurch, to the Winter Show, and if the train stops at Normanby, Mother and I will go. This year I learn music from Mr Tozer, who comes out from town every Monday. We will soon see the tiny lambs frisking about in the meadows, and the spring flowers will soon be coming up to enjoy the sun. I am sending in a piece of my own made up poetry. Love from your Circlian—“Melbourne Lass,” —Jessie Webber, Kingsdown.

Dear Peter Pan, Thank you very much for the Merit Card. I was very pleased to see my photo in the Birthday Page and also to see my dragon and painting in the Bristol window. I am very proud of my letter and poem in print, so I must send you lots of “thank-yous.” I have written a little poem about my dolly.

I had to call her Molly to make it rhyme. I have three dollies. Their names are Mary, Joy and Jackie, and my dear little bunny is Robert. Joan has four dollies and their names are Molly, Pat, Gwenda and Daphne. She has a Teddy Bear called Ambrose, who is getting very ancient. On a wet day we gather up all the lace ribbons and paper we can find and dress up our children. Then we give them a fancy dress party and Mother has to judge the dresses. Then we all have tea with the lovely teaset I was given for my birthday. Mother always has to hunt for needles ana pins after our fancy-dress parades. Lots of “thimbles” from—“lt,”—Dorothy Lyne, Timaru.

Dear Peter Pan, As we were walking along one of the charming tracks in the bush, I took

a piece of bark from one of the numerous fuchsia trees scattered along the way. I made a small letter to you on it, with my hawk’s feather pen. There are a few tuis in a totara tree at the head of the Mt. Peel cutting, though I have not yet caught a glimpse of one. It is very unusual for them to come so far down country. We have been having light snow-falls here. We made a great big snow-man, and it was great fun. Our cats are so funny and we had such games with them. They would come up to us and we would shoo them away. One time I dropped a sheepskin mat on Pat-a-pon and he just purred contentedly, and went to sleep beneath it. My kittens send purrs to Christopher Robin, and I send him a pat. Love from—“Maori,”—Elsie Rutherford. Peel Forest.

Dear Peter Pan, A month ago, when I was playing football, I cracked my collarbone, and that is why I have not been able to write to you. The other day when Dad went round the sheep he found two lambs, but we have not had any since. On July sth we went up to see the Test, Britain v. New Zealand. It was a good match, and I liked it very much. I went to see Britain play

South Canterbury. I also went in to see the football yesterday, Temuka v. Old Boys. I do like seeing football, and I like playing it too. I wonder if I will ever be an “All Black.” Haven’t we had a cold winter? I am glad the shortest day is over. “Saturday’s Fun,” —Rex Bennett, Lyalldale.

Dear Peter Pan, I saw my poem in the Page, and was surprised. The last two Pages I have sent to a little girl who is an invalid, and I hope she will join. We have a large cat at home called Billy. He is very fond of the birds that fly round the house. One day we boiled some potatoes for the fowls. Billy waits till the birds are in the boiler, then jumps up and comes out with one in his mouth. Yesterday mother told me 1 should write more regularly than I do, so now I am going to write once a

month. It snowed the day before yesterday, and we have had great fun. I am going to send you some poems this time. Kind regards to you and your Circle — “Lavender Lady,”—Agnes Rusbatch, Waimate.

Dear Peter Pan, I am writing to see if I may become a member of your page. I am eight years old and am in the third grade at school. Our school teacher is very nice. On Tuesday night Dad and two of his friends went to Burnie. which is about thirty miles from here. It is one of the main seaport towns on the north west coast of Tasmania. I am sending you a piece of poetry and hope you think it is worth printing. Please may I have “Poppy” for my penname? One of my girl friends stayed with me on Friday night and we had a lovely time. I like reading. Do you? The book I am reading is “The Girl Scout.” I think it is a good book. I have a lot of picture books. Have you ever read “Winning the Victory?” It is another nice book. Love from— Mildred Jarman, Tasmania.

Dear Peter Pan. I have been reading your Page in the “Herald,” and thought I would write to you. These days we are having exams, at school. Father has been teaching me my lessons at nights. In the mornings when I awaken and pull up the blinds of my room there are pretty pictures on the window panes, and I think it is very kind of Jack Frost to leave them for me to see. When I go outside the ground is white with frost. One day, when I was running, in case I should miss the bus, I slipped, but sat up laughing, as it was my own fault for not being careful. It is very cold these mornings going to school, and I will be glad when summer comes, won’t you? Then we can all go down on the Bay and enjoy ourselves in the sunshine. “Pandora,” —Betty Hamlyn, Timaru.

THE GOOD SCRIBES. Dear Peter Pan, This is the third winter of frosts and other wintry weather since our Circle commenced. The world looks very dreary with the leafless trees and dry grass. The gardens are very bare just now. but will be worth looking at when the daffodil babies have awakened from their winter sleep and are arrayed in their frilled dresses, and the flowering cherry and other shrubs are blossoming. The flowering currant tree outside our kitchen window is showing the flower shoots already. Your Circle of interesting and enthusiastic Circlians is always growing larger. I think the Dolorous Dragons were very good. I enjoy reading the poems and stories written by your clever Circlians. The evenings seem so long if you have not a good book to read or a game to play. Love and a “thimble” for you and each of your Circlians.

•Moonflower"—Beatrice Mitchelmore, Geraldine.

Dear Peter Pan. Sitting under the shade of the old pear tree, I am writing my monthly letter. How is Christopher Robin behaving? Mischievous as ever, I suppose. like all other kittens. Kitty sends him a big purr. As our exam has begun, I am studying hard to get through. To-day our teams were picked for the six-a-side Tournament, and I am pleased to say that I am in one of them. My latest books are “Infelice,” by A. J. Evans Wilson, and “Tom Sawyer," by Mark Twain. Have you read them? Every morning when I awake I have a red nose, and as the family remark on it, I get more annoyed every time with the culprit, “Jack Frost.” Isn’t the ground like a huge white curtain these mornings. Every night. Jack Frost paints my window with his white brush, as he passes. The weather clerk must be out-of-sorts this week, as he is giving us nothing but stormy weather. I send my best wishes to you on your Third Birthday. I enjoyed reading the Page on its Third Birthday, and visited the drawings and paintings at the Bristol. While inspecting them I heard some children saying. “Aren’t they beautiful! How I would love to join Peter Pan's big circle.” Your Loving Circlian, “Fairy Bell”—Betty McConkey, Timaru.

Dear Peter Pan, Once again I am endeavouring to pen a few lines to the dear old Page. I received a paper from "my New Zealand pen-friend” with an answer to my letter in it. I get the paper every week. My pen-friend always sends it. About a week ago I was at a party and did not get home till one o’clock. On Tuesday I was at a social, and Thursday at a Euchre Tournament, and did not get home till after midnight both times. No doubt you and your many Circlians will think I have been keeping bad hours, but it is not a weekly occurrence. I hope my “Flower” poem will be printed in your page. What a lot of happy girls and boys write to the Page. Unfortunately, the paper reaches me too late to enter for the competitions, which seem to be a great success. Isn’t Amy Johnson a wonderful girl? She must feel very proud of herself. I am sending you the piece of poetry I composed, entitled, “Miss Amy Johnson.” I have a small collection of stamps, numbering about a hundred and ten. I have not been collecting long. For poetry at school we have to memorise Grey’s Elegy. We know seventeen verses and have another six to learn. We have home-work every night now. Much love to all the Circlians, and heaps for yourself, from “Fairy Dawn”—Mavis Jarman, Tasmania.

Dear Peter Pan, I am sending you a photograph of myself with Peter, our cat, and also a story I have written. “Ngaio” found the first violet in our garden the other day. It was hidden in amongst the leaves, its little face out of view. The violet is one of my favourite flowers. —The little modest violet, with its fragrant scent. I have just started a new hobby of making skeletons of leaves, which may be interesting to other Circlians; so I will write out the directions, and send them to you with my next letter. It is quite a novel idea. Fancy Our Page being over Three Years old. Why! It is getting

quite grown up, and how the number of Circlians has grown, too. We had games at school this afternoon. I am an enthusiastic player of basket-ball, and enjoy it very much. Our team has won every game it has played, and I am proud of the fact. One of our hens has an injured leg, and we are afraid it Is broken, as the poor thing cannot use it at all. She is in a coop at present, just lying still, and she is getting quite tame and allows Mother to try to doctor her up. Love to Christopher Robin. Redcap, Will o’ the Wisp, and yourself. Your loving Circlian, “Puck”—Margaret Madill. Blenheim. Dear Peter Pan, I am writing to thank you for awarding me second prize for my letter. Your letter containing the postal note was a pleasant surprise for me, and I was delighted when 1 received it. The examinations are over now, and our reports have been given to us. Jack Frost has not been visiting us lately, but we have had some nasty cold winds. There has been another earthquake on the West Coast and a terrible one in Italy. Many people will be left homeless after this, and what is worse, there have been many killed. Our neighbours have six dear wee lambs. Aren’t they lucky? But the weather is not treating them very well, is it? My fifteenth birthday was last Wednesday and I received some nice presents The best part of the winter is when one comes in cold, to see a cheery fire burning. The leaping flames bring cheeriness to a room, and with a good fire and an interesting book a winter evening soon passes. But I think the long, warm summer days are best after all. Mother is taking my brother, little sister, and myself up to the Christchurch Winter Show, so we are looking forward to a good trip. Jumping out of bed at five o’clock in the morning gives one the cold shivers, but it will be an enjoyable day. Father is staying at home with my wee brother and also to milk the cows. Love to everyone, from “Dawn of Spring”—Ellen Cague, Otaio.

Dear Peter Pan, Thank you very much for my penname. I would like “Herald of Spring" very much. I was sorry I did not tell you my age, but I was thirteen on April 29th. For fancy work I am crocheting coat-hangers, and they look very neat when they are finished. I am making a peg-bag at school, and working a lady on it. She is carrying a basket of clothes. Later on I am going to make something for the “Christmas Ship.” Last night when I was going to bed my pussy brought a baby rabbit in to me. I felt sorry for the wee rabbit, but quite proud of my pussy. It is a wet day here to-day and our farm is badly in need of the rain. Daddy had to kill one of my wee bantam chickens as its legs were crooked and it could not walk on them. Love from your Circlian, “Herald of Spring”—Ethel Fleming, Glenavy.

Dear Peter Pan, Your letter on Saturday was very interesting. I see there is a painting competition also. The weather is now like spring, and the air is crisp, and very fresh. All the plants and crops are very green because the frost has not been able to kill them. I am looking after the fowls at home and am trying to make them lay by cracking china. We will soon be having our term holidays again. There are not many people milking cows now. We are only milking one, and it is nearly dry. All through the winter evenings I sit and sew. or read, for it is too cold to go outside to play. Now that spring is coming I suppose the house-workers will be very busy spring cleaning, and moving the furniture about. I hope the Pleasant Point school children win the tournament on Saturday. If they win all the games they will receive a medal each. “Cottage Rose" —Marjory Bruce, Kakahu.

Dear Peter Pan, Jack Frost does not seem to like us to go without gloves and coats, because he is always about, making us unhappy and cross. I am making a scrap-book and some toys for our “Christmas Ship,” and will send some things for Circlians to make on a rainy day like yesterday. We are having exams to-day. and the subjects are history, geography. English. We also have to write a letter. I went to see your Exhibition of Circlians’ work after the pictures, and it was beautiful, and I was sorry I had nothing at all in it. I am sending you some jumbled names of birds. Is Christopher Robin still as mischievous as when you first got him? A “thimble” full of love and kisses to you. and all your big family. “Only One” —Doris O'Connor, Timaru.

Dear Peter Pan, I was very surprised and pleased to see my name in the paper. My mother was in Timaru the day your Circlians’ paintings and drawings were showing, and she thought they were very good. We have four pheasants, three hens and one cock. The cock pheasant's name is Billy. He is prettier than the hen birds. Our school boys had a football match against Chamberlain on Friday, and won by 9 to 3. They are coming to play a return match on August Ist, We have two guinea-pigs. We are only milking two cows and they are both nearly dry. We have one coming in next month. Its name is Beauty. Lots of love to you and your Circlians, “Coo-ee" —Winnie Waters, Albury.

Dear Peter Pan, I have whooping cough at present, and am away from school. I have a pony, and call her Kewpie, because she is small. She is brown, and hasn’t a single white hair. My birthday is on August 17th, and I will be ten. We have a calf, and would you please give me a name for him? There are only fifteen children going to our school. Give Christopher Robin a pat from me. Cheerio; “White Jasmine” —Mary Risk, Bluecliffs.

Dear Peter Pan, Thank you very much for the “Merit Card” I received last Saturday. On July 29th we are having a basketball tournament in Timaru. I am in the A team this year. Isn’t it nice to feel that the spring days are nearly here again? I think the Birthday Page was beautiful this year. It was lovely to see a lot of smiling faces looking at me when I opened it. I also liked the poems and stories. I am making something for the Chrismas Ship. In June we had a school concert which was a great success, and this year we had two nights of it. I was in two songs; “England,” and the “Sand Man,” and in a play “Painting the Clouds With Sunshine.” We made £55. There were about twenty items altogether. “Totem Fairy”—Alma Lord, Geraldine.

Defined. Teacher: “Now, Johnnie, what is the definition of an island?” Johnnie: “Please, teacher, it’s a place which you can’t leave without a boat.”

“MANY HAPPY RETURNS.** Peter Pan Wishes— Nancy Thompson, Ivan Powell, Lucy Thompson, May Chesney Georgie Tregenza, John Gunn, Melville Ineson, Tui Wame, Fred Coates, Rene Wood, Jean Rose, Daphne Thornhill, Colin Tregenza, Margaret Strut hers. Jean Woods, Ella Cairns, Frank Davison, Joan Frisby, Arthur Burns, Eva Ridley, The Jolliest of Birthdays.

SOLUTION TO WORD SQUARE. BIBLE. IDEAL. BEARD. LARGE. ELDER. ANSWER TO ENIGMA. A MIRROR. A RIDDLE IN RHYME. My first Is in lead but not in tin, My second is in lose but not in win, My third is in hoard but not in keep, My fourth is in nod but not in sleep. My fifth is in water but not in ice, My sixth is in wheat but not in rice, My last is in yew but not in tree, My whole a Christian name you’ll see. (Answer will be given next week). LITTLE LAUGHS. Naturally. Customer: “I say, waiter, this coffee tastes like mud.” Waiter: “That’s right, sir, it was ground this morning, you see!” (Sent by “Page Boy,” Pleasant Point.) Timothy: “Do you know, my uncle is so heavy that when he stepped on a machine for weighing wool, it broke under him!” John: “That's nothing. My father climbed to the top of a mountain, and it gave way beneath his weight!” (Sent by “Western Sunset,” Kurow.) RIDDLE. Q.: When did six men sleep in one bed? A.: When Jacob slept with his four fathers (forefathers) and said, Ben, jam in (Benjamin), my son. (Sent by “Dreamaway,” Dunedin). THE GLUMP. The Glump is the person who make® everyone unhappy. He lives in a cold, damp cave on the fringe of the world and has never seen the sunshine. All day long he thinks gloomy thoughts i and all night long he dreams gloomy dreams. Worse than that, he knows everything we are doing. Sometimes he sends coal-black thoughts and puts our fires out, and. on holidays, he always prays for rain. When a child is half-way through a hard sum, he changes the answer and makes it wrong, and then again he often jogs elbows and spills blots on copy-books. The Glump is at the root of all mischief and is a most unpleasant person to know. Not very long ago the King of Laugliter-land heard about the unsociable Glump, and he sent a deputation of jests and quips and riddles to cheer him up. They felt rather small and unimportant when they entered the cold, damp cave and saw [ the Glump sitting in a corner with his chin in his hands, but the brave little jests turned somersaults and hand-springs, the quips threw the dust of wit into his eyes, and the riadles tweaked at his ears. Of course, it was useless. The Glump looked more bored than ever, and said rudely. “You can go now. You may be disguised, but you are all chestnuts. Thank you for calling.” So you see, his is rather a helpless case. The best thing to do is to ignore him. Wise children usually do. Another Slander. An Aberdeen mother rang up the doctor the other day. “Come round to our house at once, doctor” she pleaded. “One of my children has swallowed a saxpence!” “Right,” said the doctor. “How old is it?” “1891,” was the prompt answer.