AUNT HILDAS LETTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18615, 17 November 1928, Page 18 (Supplement)

AUNT HILDAS LETTER.

Wisdom for the Competitions:— When we are considering' when to begin, it is already becoming late to begin. DETAILS OF THE COMPETITIONS. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. J)EAR LITTLE PEOPLE— The entries for the Christmas competitions are beginning to come in freely, but some of you are a bit confused. First, then, the competitions for the Christmas page are quite separate from the “ Fair ” Competitions, and close definitely on December 1. The Christmas number will come out about the loth of December, and all entries must be in time. That is only two weeks to-day. Note that date well. You had better do them this week-end and make sure of them. Any reader under eighteen is at liberty to send as many entries for each section as he or she chooses. Send in a dozen drawings or limericks if you wish. Each will stand the same chance. The “Fair” Competitions close on December 8, and there will be sweets and cakes competitions closing on the day of the Fair, so the little cooks will be able to show their skill. Now let me plead for hard, hard work; don’t slacken for a minute. Aunt Hilda cannot do what your myriad fingers can do. The boys could be making a better show, I think. I should not like to see the boys’ stall the poorest there. Next Saturday, I will announce all the details of the Fair, where it will be, the kinds of stalls, etc. * * # * AUNT HILDA AND THE MONKEY-BOX! In reply to dozens and dozens of queries, I went out to the Show and enjoyed it all very much. I liked the parade of the horses best; it was so nice to see their sleek shining skins, picturesque and be-ribboned tails, when we have become so accustomed to the sight of motor-cars everywhere. I also went to see the monkeys driving motor-cars. I came out feeling pretty simple! It was not very hard'to discern the secret of the monkeys’ control of their miniature motor-cars! They all had a feed of pineapple, too, while I was watching; and the day was so hot that I wished for the minute I had been one of the monkeys! I sat down on an innocentlooking box inside the tent, holding a light overcoat. All at once something tugged the coat away, and with a terrific leap through the air I left that box behind! It had a monkey inhabitant, and through tiny grating, he had reached out and grabbed my coat! Then I saw the little pigmy Kaffir in his real leopard skin pants; saw him wind up the tiny gramophone, and heard him chant his native songs through a megaphone. The only words I could ever make out seemed to be “ umpta lala”! He was ever so small, but well developed muscularly, and wore a headdress of pink and blue ostrich feathers. He looked a very friendly little chap. Someone said he was a Kaffir, but Ido not know. The man next me in the tent said: “ He’s a cute little beggar, isn’t he?” He had a long spear, too, and I dare say could have given one a nasty ■wound if that way inclined. But he mostly sat on a box on a cat-skin, and gazed at the crowd quite unperturbed. He also had a curious grace of movement. Something like the lithe grace of a panther as it slinks through the pampas. I remember seeing the Indian hockey test match played in Auckland four or five years ago, and noting the same sinuous grace of movement that we white people simply do not possess. Those were the chief items I thought my family would appreciate from my wanderings at the Show. I simply couldn’t venture on. to the chair-o-plane! Oh, dear, no. Love to all my happy little workers. Ever yours in Starland and with all flags unfurled for success at the Fair. Your special friend— P.S.—Start on to those competitions right now. Closing date two weeks *.o-day.—A.H.