THE LITTLE PUZZLERS’ CLUB

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19108, 28 June 1930, Page 18 (Supplement)

THE LITTLE PUZZLERS’ CLUB

THE FIRST MEETING. “ Hello, there, Jack I where are you going in such a hurry?” School had just let out, Tuesday afternoon, and Jack had joined the throng of boys and girls leaving the yard. Looking round, he saw his friend Ted. “ I’m going over to see Charlie,” said Jack, adding that he had received an invitation to attend the first meeting of the Little Puzzlers Club ,at 430. “ Great * I had an invitation, too,” said Ted. “ 1 just know we are going to have loads of fun, for if there is anything I like to do it i§ to solve puzzles.” “ I’m taking along this puzzle that my Uncle Ned sent me from England,” said Jack, as he drew from his pocket a little 'box containing several odd-shaped little blocks which formed a square. “By moving these blocks about in different positions you can make all the letters of the alphabet, besides houses, animals, people, and all sorts of things, I’ve had lots of fun with it.” “ I wonder why we couldn’t make such a puzzle at the Club,” said Ted, as he examined the puzzle, “we could use cardboard or thin wood, and cutting out little pieces just like those?” “ That’s a good idea, Ted, and I’ll gladly lend you this puzzle as a pattern.” By this time the boys had reached Charlie’s home, where besides Charlie they found two other boys whom they knew, and another boy whom Charlie introduced as his cousin, Harry As it was a warm sunny afternoon, the boys decided to hold their first meeting under the trees in the garden. Before they were fairly seated. Jack spoke up: “ I move that as Charlie started this club, he should be elected president. Will anyone second my motion?” Before anyone could speak. Charlie broke in:

“ Just because I sent out the invitations is no real reason why I should be president.” he said. “ Couldn’t we just have friendly meetings among ourselves, without any officers, each one bringing puzzles qr ideas for puzzles for the others to solve, and helping each other with whose we •find hard to solve? We might even make some puzzles ourselves.” “ That’ just what Ted said about this puzzle I brought along,” said Jack, He thought we each might make one from cardboard or thin wood.” “ A great idea,” said Charlie’s cousin Harry. “ But if we are not to have any Officers in the club, why not at least "have a secret password for members billy. How’s this?” he held u£> & piete of papfcf arid asked if anyone could guess what the password meant. For some seconds the boys tried to figure it out. Suddenly one cried, “ I know, that’s puzzle, spelled backwards. What a dandy password ! ” After talking puzzles for 9ome time, the meeting adjourned, each boy agreeing to bring some cardboard or thin wood to th 4 next meeting so that they might make a puzzle like Jack’s Uncle had sent him.