KIDNEY FERNS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 661, 14 January 1933, Page 18 (Supplement)

KIDNEY FERNS.

A Gift from Nelson Creek. < Marjorie and Billy Taylor, of Nelson < Creek, this week forwarded a box of 3 lovely kidney ferns. It will be an in- j teres ting hobby to try and grow them. • They are natives of New Zealand, and ' each leaf is shaped like a kidney and < is semi-transparent and a bright, clear ! green. They like a moist, shady place to grow in, and plenty of leaf mould. Aunt Hilda s Letter-Box. Joan, Millow: I’d like to be coming to the beaches, too, Joan. But not while Starland is calling so loudly.—A.H. Patsy Phillips: That was the New Zealand ensign, wasn’t it, Patsy? Thank you for trying so hard. Love und happy thoughts.—A.H. Brio Black: Now, of course, the magic pencil will find Its way to you. Cheerio! —A.H. Barbara Thomas: I hope you enjoy yourself ever so much. Happy thoughts to this little Starlet.—A.H. June Townsend: Yes, I liked tho drawing very much, and thank you, June. Will use later.—A.H. Shirlsy Kennedy: I’d have liked a letter, too, dear, but perhaps next time? The puzzle was correct. —A.H. Bnloie Cundell: You will never be sorry you joined, Dulcle, and I hope to get more good work later in the year.— A.H. In* Soatten: No, the puzzle was not quite correct, Ina, but what mattered most was that you tried. Lots of happy thoughts.—A.H. Ella Soatten: You seem to be having a great time. How goes the harvesting? —A.H. Betty Solland: Goodness! Everyone seems to be on holiday but me! But my turn will come later! Love.—A.H. Beryl Thomson: That certainly was a weird gooseberry! Your eyes were sharp. Beryl, to see It! —A.H. Douglas Webb: Glad you liked the prize so well, and I hope you will write lots more good stories. —A.H. Bdlth and Joan Biggart —Well, I think you are having high jinks in your holidays. Have all the fun you can. — A.H. Martin. Fltzglbbon: A hearty greeting to this little invalid. How much longer will you be in hospital?—A.H. Prank Beales: I shall expect to hear you have come about sixteenth next time, Frank. Work hard this year.— A.H. Marie STilsea: We are always happy to hear of you, Marie, and I wish you the best for all this year.—A.H. Ruby Peppers A welcome in to Ruby, and we hope the Circle will help you lots. Love from A.H. Z»aurel White: It was good of you to copy out work In your holiday time. Laurel. Good fun to you!—A.H. Zara Bashford: I think you are having some lovely trips in your holidays. Dean’s Bush is a very charming spot.— George Thorn: I will be on the air after Easter perhaps, Will be glad to know you are listening in then. —A.H. Xna Moore: So you knew all the trees well, too, Ina? I think it was an easy puzzle. Love to you.—A.H. I*lsle Ireland: Thank you for a budget of help, Lisle. And all the work was very neat.—A.H. Ella Weir: Thank ybu for the stamps, Ella, and I am sure they will be appreciated. The sea-beach would be a big change for you. Happy times.—A.H. ? ? ?: The tree puzzle beautifully painted, but with no name. Where is the careless artist?—A.H. Daphne Dickie: Lots of good things to eat in your garden! I still remember the lovely roses you sent.—A.H. Ursula Fentlman: Thank you for the flower and the new member. Such fun in the garden! lam so glad father has work again.—A.H. Audrey Kingston: The writing Is very good for your age, Audrey. Oh, dear! Standard IV. How fast you grow! Puzzle correct.—A.H. Phyllis Blythe: The country is the best place for a holiday. Can yqu ride a horse yet? Ha! Ha!—A.H. Sidney Sullivan: That must have been a very terrifying shower, Sidney. Pleased to see you on visiting day. Love to you.—A.H. Bobert Grant: Glad you liked all your prizes, Robert. You* really did very well, didn’t you?—A.H. Yvonne Burns: Good of you to write at holiday time, and I can see you winning laurels for painting this year. How are the bantam chicks? Puzzle correct.—A.H. Joan Crass: No, badges are not compulsory, and thank you for the jokes, Joan, especially the “ fishy ” one.—A.H. Alex Maokrsll: That’s the exact sort of letter I love to receive, and no doubt you are having the time of your life. Years after, this will be a happy memory to you. Keep on. Thank you for the card.—A.H. Prances Barly: And Frances painted, the bells. Weren’t they pretty? Happy thoughts.—A.H. Margaret Early: You did splendidly at Christmas, didn’t you? Glad to get a letter.—A.H. Ben Savage: Pleased to receive entry, Ben, and good luck to you. Happy , thoughts.—A.H. . , Yolande Swann: Congratulations on such good work. And do better still next year. Love from A.H. Katie Gray: Such funny wee letters from Katie. One, two, three of them. [ Ha! Ha! —A.H. Georgina Gray: Oh, such a *J*nny drawing - ! And so you thought I hung up two stockings, did y° u ?—A-H. Prances G-artlck: I should think wild I herry jam would be delicious. What . lovely times you are having. Keep ; a till eenk Turner. Yes, that was a real » surprise prize, wasn’t it? School reI suits were good. Love from A.H. Noeline Smith: Some day we muse find room in the Comic for the poemi Lots of happy thoughts.—A.H.

HIS LAST BUS. A bus does not often take part in a funeral procession, but then few buses have lived the life of chargers. If a field-marshal's horse follows its master to the grave so may a driver’s bus. The bus that replaced a charger began life in the streets of pre-war London, served across the Channel and during; the war was known to soldiers as Old Bill. The driver was London born, though his parents were German. When war was declared Harry Hubner decided to fight for England. The authorities gave him lorries and buses to drive, and he had some amazing adventures with them. Once the bus was buried by a direct hit. Once his lorry was blown over an embankment by an explosion. And once he found himself cut off by the German ranks, and drove right through them. It would have been safer to surrender, but neither driver nor lorry wanted to be prisoners, and they tore through. Bringing up supplies was a dangerous business, but Old Bill and Driver Hubner came through the war unhurt; the driver has just ended, his days in the London he loved. Old Bill, very fittingly, followed him to the grave.