BIRTHDAY REVELRIES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20764, 26 June 1937, Page 13 (Supplement)

BIRTHDAY REVELRIES

The whole of the Never-Never Land was in a fever of excitement, for to-day was Peter Pan’s birthday and to-night a big party was to be held in the moonlight at the edge of the lake—and of course everyone had an invitation to attend the festivities. For a week now Wendy had been closeted in her tiny kitchen pounding and rolling out cakes and sweets of every imaginable description, and she had also baked and iced to a turn, a huge "Birthday Cake.” John and Michael, who flew in and out excitedly, were the only ones who had been allowed to see this special feature of the moonlight feast. The town Itself was a fairyland of coloured lights and gay decorations, while the little folk fairly danced with the thrill of it all.

At last the hour for Peter’s procession to start for the lake, had arrived. The streets were lined with folk in gay festival attire; the town band was so excited that it got all the crotchets and semi-quavers hopelessly muddled, but nobody noticed the Jarring discords because, coming slowly up the street, could be seen the carriage of state. As it drew near the crowd could see Peter

and Wendy sitting side by side, smilingly acknowledging the boisterous cheers. After a slow, impressive drive, the carriage drew up at the velvety carpet of green grass near the lake’s edge. The feast was daintily served to the guests at long tables, and no fairyland party ever held before, could rival it for splendour and abundance. In the centre of the main table stood the "Birthday Cake,” decorated with fancy icings and “hundreds and thousands.” All at once a tiny speck far away in the sky became a loudly drooning aeroplane. The pilot effected a very neat landing and before the engine had stopped several well-known heads popped out of the windows —Belinda the Cow, Horace Hare, Smokl, Red Cap, Mr Letter-Box—and, to top all, when the figure in the cockpit removed its flying helmet and goggles, there was Michael, smiling broadly at everyone. Then the whole party returned to the well-laden tables, and as Michael took his place beside Peter Pan he saw the cake and read:—

“With every best wish for the future, to Peter Pan and the Circle.” (5 Marks and a Merit Card awarded to Agnes I. Bray, Waimate).