Wendy's Letter-Box

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19990, 5 November 1927, Page 19 (Supplement)

Wendy's Letter-Box

(Letters to be addressed “WENDY,” c o ‘‘Chronicle*’ Office, Box 105, Wanganui.)

Dear Wendy,—l thought I would tell you about our pat cat. When I was at Eltham my mother got a rat. If he saw too many children near the house he would run away. It is not frightened of any girls or boys now. Sometimes he catches birds or rats. His name is Weepatter. He is a black and white cat. He does not sit on the mat by the fire. He gets upon a chair so no one will stand on him. I am sending some more cards that are wanted. Now I will close with love to ail the Wendyites and yourself.— From "BRIER.” Greatford. I suppose you are very fond of Weepatter. I’m sure he must be a great pet! Thank you, dear, for the cards. 1 will send them on.— Wendy. Dear Wendy.—How are you getting on. The apple trees have their blossom and don't they look pretty. Wendy. I was very pleased to see my first letter in the paper. Our best lamb, named Flossie, died. She was my lamb. Thank-you for the birthday greeting.— From your friend HEART, ** Taihape. Yes, the apple trees have been very pretty. I am sorry you lost your lamb.—Wendy? Dear Wendy.—How are yon and all the Wendyites. 1 am just writing you a few lines to tell you the news. I am in the Hur.terville Brownie Pack and I am leader of the Elf patrol. My friend. “Wood Fairy” is in the Sprites patrol. We have three pet calves and I cannot think of any nice names for them; could you tell me any ? We also have a hen with thirteen baby chicks which rush towards you whenever they see you.— With love from “BLUEBELL.” Hunterville. How would Molly. Wendy and Barney do for the calves? You were lucky getting thirteen wee chicks.—Wendy. Dear Wendy.—l am entering for the painting competition but I do not think I shall get a prize. I have a young calf to look after now but I have no name for it yet yet. We have been having very wet weather lately so I hope it will be fine for the sth of November. That is all the news this time. Wendy.—Love from “FELIX,” Turakina. I expect you are looking forward to having an exciting time on November sth. I hope your calf will always be a pet—they become so friendly if you are kind to them.— Wendy. Dear Wendy.—l hope you will excuse me for not writing to you before this as I have been so busy lately that I have not had time to ■write to anyone. I will be going up for my examination this next few weeks and I hope to pass but I think the exams year are going to be very hard. We have a batch of kittens now and they are just beginning to open their eyes; they are pure Persians. One is a blue, one yellow, one silver, and one silver with a touch of yellow ; we haven’t decided names for them yet, but perhaps you could suggest some for me. Our gardens are looking very well now, and we have so many flowers we don't know what to do with them. Well. Wendy, as I must go now I will say pood-bye.—Love from “HIAWATHA.” MarI was glad to hear from you again, Hiawatha- I hope you will do well in your exams. How nice having four real Persian kittens. I should call them Blueboy. Goldie, Beauty and Bunty.—Wendy. Dear Wendy.—l am sorry I did not write last week. I received the badge you sent me. It was very pretty and I liked it very ‘much. The trees look very pretty because they have their new leaves. I have seen several letters in your paper which boys and girls have written. I have five baby kittens and would you please give me a name for one of them. I must close now. with love from—“WALLFLOWER.” Marton. I am pleased to know that the badge arrived safely and that you liked it. How would “Fluff” do for your kitten?—Wendy. Dear W'endy,—At last the snowy border of Nature’s ermine robe began to fold away and flowers were decking their green kirtle. The bulbs had lain so many weeks under their white covering that they had almost forgotten how long they had been asleep; but at last She pale snowdrop and gleaming crocus peepid shyly up to nod to each other in the sunihine, which had called them from their hidjig places. How wonderful is Spring? Love to you and all Wendyites.—From "ROBIN,” Marton. Spring is indeed a wonderful time. It is go nice to see all the shrubs and plants putting on their new summer dresses and so after the bareness and dullness of winter— Wendy. ... □ear Wendy,—l suppose all the Wendyites are practising for the sports. Us schoolchildren are, and I can tell you it is very tiring too. lam sure most of the children will fee* like a sleep after the sports, won't they ? I am in eleven races. Most of them are the championships; in fact I ■nd three other children at our school are in every one of the championships. There is ♦be skipping team. too. I think that is very hard with only four children in a team, don’t you, Wendy? We have to skip up to six -nd down to one again. Then there is a skipping race—just a straight-out race, which ; s more like a straight-out run than anything only you have to turn the rope and mind you don’t trip. One year our school won the banner, but they did not count the girls’ points or else we would have won it Anyhow we did not get it, but we are tuning to get it this time. I must close with love from.—“CHATTER-BOX,” you will all be tired after the cnorts but it is splendid to enter for things like that. Perhaps your school will get the banner this year.—Wendy.

| Dear Wendy,—Please will you enrol me as a hut member and may I have “The Duchess” for my pen-name. lam in Standard 3. May *_ hav «. a badge, for “Blue Bird” and “Sally Horner” have one. I have gone in for the Wanganui Show. On the 4th November it is our baby’s birthday. I will close now with ; love to all the Wendyites and yourself.— trnm “THE DUCHESS.” Waverley. Yes, you may have "The Duchess” for your j pen-name. I hope that you will like the i badge which has been posted to you, and i that you will write again.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,— l am going in for your paint- | ing competition. I can hardly wait for next ! week to come to see who has won a prize. I Our examination is coming on soon, which I am just dreading. I must close now with love from.—"PANSY,” Wanganui. I hope your examination will not be as dreadful as you are expecting. They are really not very terrible things.—Wendy. I Dear Wendy,—l have started the Painting , Competition, and I think it is very nice. Isn't ; our page growing quickly ? How many l Wendyites have you now, a good many I | suppose. There is no school to-day; as it is ■Labour Day, and it is my brother’s birthday as well. Christmas is nearly here, only two months to go. A girl friend came up on I Saturday, and we tried to catch some whitebait in the creek. We caught a few, but not many. It is Waverley races to-day. They are having a winter’s day for it. Dad is fixing my bike, because it is punctured and I walked to school for two days. Well, dear Wendy. I must close now. Love to all the Wendyites.—From your loving reader, “GRACE DARLING.” Makirikiri. Yes, we have nearly five hundred Wendyites now so our family has ground very quickly. It was a pity that you couldn’t catch more whitebait as they are so nice to eat. You will be glad to have your bicycle mended. —Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l am sending the money for a badge this week. A starling is building its nest in our letter-box. We got three eggs out of the nest. I have seven birds’ eggs now. Do you like birds’ eggs, Wendy ? All the trees have got their leaves on them and it does look pretty. The flowering cherries are in bloom.—With love from “ICELAND POPPY,” Marton. I hope your badge arrived safely, and that you like it. Yet, I like birds’ eggs—some are so pretty and there are so many different kinds. I love to see the flowering cherries in bloom.—Wendy. Dear Wendy, —Please may I enter for your Painting Competition? I have not written 1 to you for several weeks as I have been very I busy. I hope my next letter will be longer. Hoping this will reach you in time. I must i close now.—With very best love f rx<n . “CHARLESTON CHUCKLES,” Wangaehu. I Pleased to hear from you again “Charleston Chuckles.’’ Your painting was in time.— Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l suppose you have forgotten me as I have not written for so long a time. I have to go up for my proficiency on the 30th of November so I am busy studying for it. We start shearing next week so we are busy preparing for it, Yesterday “Rose Red,” “Felix.” and I went out for a ride. We had a lovely time, but coming home I was trying to dodge a branch that was over-hanging the road, when my pony shied and I was landed on the other side of the road. As I was none the worse for my escapade I mounted and rode home. With best wishes to you and all the Wendyites.—l remain, your Hut reader, "BIG BOO,” Turakina. No, I have not forgotten you and was glad to hear from you again. I hope you will pass your examination. Shearing time will be a busy time for you, will it not ? Glad you did not hurt yourself when the pony put you off.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Thank-you Wendy, fqj sending me the beautiful badge. To-day it has been very windy and cold and we have had a little rain witjj it «go. We "have a garden and it is looking quite bare now but we have a few roses coming out. Our fruit trees are now blossoming, and the plum trees have little plums on them. We had a little lamb called Teddy, but unfortunately he died. We save cigarette cards and have an album full. Wendy, would you ask Wendyites if they would be able to give me Nos. 42, 24, 23 and 6 in dogs. I will close now.—From “STAR BLOSSOM,” Rangikura. We have had a lot of wind lately. Sorry to bear Teddy has died. I will try to get the cards for you.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l am sending in my painting. As I have not had any luck in the others I wish to have some in this one. I went away in the holidays. One day we went out bird nesting and got 20 eggs. Aren’t Peter and Pam dreadful twins? They are as comical as the chums. “Romola” wrote a very interesting letter this week. I know quite a lot of members. I am sending in some riddles. Well, as I have no more tp say this time I will say good-bye with heaps of love.—From "TINKER BELL.” Marton. Yes, Peter and Pam are mischievous Thank . you for the riddles. No, you cannot change your pen-name.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l am sending a list of cards for you to forward. What a lot of the Wendyites are wanting cards. I have been having an exciting time finding them but I managed to find 14 that they wanted. We | have 13 little chicks and this morning wht»i I went out to feed them the little black one was out. I must close now. —Love from “JONQUIL,” Barham. Thank you “Jonquil” for the cards. I will send them on. Hope the chicks are doing well.—Wendy.

i Dear Wendy,—l have my badge as mother I went to the ‘‘Chronicle Office” and got it. 1 think it is very nice, too. Wasn’t it boisterc.us weather during last week-end ; it was ■ raining very hard on Tuesday and bitterly I cold so I did not go to school. But it has ! been lovely to-day. Our roses are coming out now and they look lovely. I am going for my proficiency this year and I hope to pass. I enjoy reading “Apple Blossom’s” letters and also “Wood Violet’s’’ as they are very interesting. I am looking forward to the Christmas holidays and I hope to go away. Do you like whitebait, Wendy ? I do, and wp have had some lately. Well, Wendy, as I have no more time, I will close now.—With love from “WILDFLOWER,” Wangaehu. Pleased to hear you like the badge. The weather has been quite changeable. I wish you every success at the examination. Yes, I like whitebait.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Well Wendy, I have at last managed to write to you again. It must be nearly nine weeks since you last heard from me. Yes! Your family is growing but I suppose you enjoy reading the letters. Your Honours Board is growing long, too. "Story Girl” and “Apple Blossom” have their names appearing frequently there. All we people in this house are enjoying ourselves to-day. We had two little kiddies here all day. They came from Rangiwhia, where they had eight inches of snow last Monday. We used to live there, and the winters were very cold. To-day mother got fifty more day-old chicks so now we have about 100 chicks again. Our Persian cat that has four Persian babies, eats a chick nearly every day and to-day mother gave it a good smacking for it. What do you think of the Daylight Saving Act. It is very good perhaps for you town people who don’t get up so very early but when it comes to we farmers who arise at 3.45 now it will make a big difference if we gfft up at 2.45. Well, Wendy, I will close now with love to you and your members.—From “CHIC-A-BID,” Marton. Glad to receive another letter from you “Chic-a-Bid.” I have been to Rangiwhia but not in the winter. What a naughty Persian to eat the little chicks. It won’t be much 1 fun for you having to get up earlier. No, I have nothing to do with the other paper.— Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Thank-you very much for printing my letter, and also for the names you gave me for my kittens. They suit the dear little fluffy things beautifully. I went birds’ nesting with “Red-Riding Hood” ag«nn, and we found a lot. I have 17 eggs altogether. I went white-baiting, too. I like birds' nesting better than white-baiting because they are too hard to catch. What a lot of Wendyites there are now. It must take a long time to read all the letters. I must close now with love from.—“HUMPTYDUMPTY,” Rapanui. Glad the names suit your kittens. Whitebait are hard to catch, aren’t they? Yes. it takes me a long time to read my big mail.— Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Just a line to thank you I for the pen-name and also for letting me join ’ your big family. We named our lamb Fluffy ; he is a nice woolly lamb and my sister and I play with him in the paddocks. The buttercups are out now and don’t they look pretty. The fruit trees have got fruit on | now but they are very green and all the trees ■ have lost their pretty blossoms now. We have a vegetable garden and we have peas, beans, and potatoes in it. Doesn't “Apple Blossom,” write lovely letters. I have no more to tell you, so I must elope with heaps jof love from—“HUMMING BIRD,” Sanson. | I'm sure you have fine fun with Fluffy. The ' buttercups make the paddocks look pretty, don’t they? Yes “Apple Blossom” writes in- ■ teresting letters.—Wendy. I Dear Wendy,—l am sorry I did not have my letter in the paper last week. I did I write but forgot to post it. I suppose a lot I of the Wendyites are practising for the sports. I am in four events—two running races and ; in the “Overhead Ball" game and the junior relay. I received my badge from town and ; I am very proud of it. Doesn’t the “Wendy Hut” on it look nice? Please, Wendy, do you think you could get these cards for me: Nos. 12. 11. 20 of dogs. I like saving up these cards, don't you? I think they are ' very interesting. If I can I will give some •in exchange. As it is getting late I will have ito stop with best wishes to all the other j Wendyites.—From “WESTMERE BEAUTY,” i Westmere. Glad to hear from you this week “WestI mere Beauty.” I wish you success at the sports. Glad you like the badge. Will try to get the cards you want.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Please may I become a Wendyite as this is the first time I have written to you. We do not take the “Chronicle” regularly, but we get it now and again, and I like reading the letters to Wendy. We I have three pet lambs and their names are Bib, Bub and Pat. We have had a fall of ’ snow during the week. Wendy, would /5u ' please ask the Wendyites if they have 6. 8,9, 15, 22. 38, 39 in Beautiful New Zealand scenes. I am sending some cards that I do not want. Please could I have “Fern I Leaf” for my pen-name. I must close now with love from.—“FERN LEAF,” Pukeokahu. I You are welcome to my large family and I you may have “Fern Leaf” as your penI name. Thank you for the cards.—Wendy, f Dear Wendy,—Will you please enrol me as a , Wendy Hut reader? Could I have “Dolly Varden” for my pen-name if nobody else has it. I have two dear little pet lambs at hoxne which I feed every morning and night; one feeds out of a basin and the other out of the bottle. I have to keep an appointment at the dentists to-morrow. I never like going to the dentist. It hurts so much when he bores your teeth. “Silver Wings” and myself are both in the same class. Well, Wendy, I must close now with love to you and all the Wendyites.—l remain, yours sincerely, “SYLVIA.” Taibape. Pleased to have you as a member. As “Dolly Vardon” has' been taken I am- giving you “Sylvia” for a pen-name. Thank you for the cards.—Wendy. • • • • Dear Wendy,—Our roses have just started to flower. They are very pretty, aren’t they? The Lily of the Valley is flowering also. We have some other flowers too, which are this year’s seedlings but they are flowering. Well, as nothing has happened this week I will close now.—With love from “BLUEBIRD,” Waverley. Some of the roses do look beautiful now. I picked a lovely bloom this morning.—Wendy. Dear Wendy.—l saw my name in the “Birthday Greetings,” and I thank you very much. I am sending the stamps for my badge and I hope you will send it to me. Our teacher is in the hospital, but he is getting better. I am going to write a few riddles for you. I saw my letter in the paper and was pleased to see it. Have you ever been to Maxwell, Wendy? I suppose you have passed through in a car sometime) I suppose you get very busy answering our letters. I see you are still getting a lot of letters. Wdll, I must close. —From “IRIS,” Maxwell. Yes, I have been to Maxwell, “Iris.” There is some beautiful country near your home. Hope your badge arrived safely.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Thank you for the names for the calves. I received the badge on Wednesday. The pin was a bit broken but my father soon fixed that so I can wear it to school every day. Yesterday I went along to spend the afternoon with “Sally Homer” and “Waratah.” We went down to the lake and gathered some pretty ferns. We also got some flax and were trying to make windmills. We were having great fun playing games and all too soon my mother came for me in the car to take me home. I must close with love to you and the Wendyites from.—“BROWN EYES,” Waverley. There must be some pretty fems by the lake, “Brown Eyes.” Have you ever tried to make a fernery at home.”—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l am not very well this week so my letter will not be very long. I will be going to the hospital, but I am trying to keep out as the examination is in a fortnight. I am very pleased you enrolled me as “Red Island Rock.” I will not be allowed !to go to the Wanganui sports. I love read- ) ing the letters in the paper. I wrote mv sister’s letter for her. but she told me what to put. We had a shop day in town on Saturday. I will close now hoping you and all the Wendyites ate in the best of health.— From “RED ISLAND ROCK,” Patea I am sorry to hear you are to go into hospital, dear, but I sincerely trust you will soon be well again, and I am sure every Wendyite will wish the same. Pleased to hear from sister. —Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—Would you please enrol me as a member of your happy band—“ The Wendy Hut.” I can assure you that 1 have taken great interest in your paper ever since it started. It is the best of its kind, I think. I go to the Victoria Avenue School. I am in Standard IV. Could I have “Hula Rose” for my pen-name, if it is not yet i taken ? I am sending you a few cigarette cards. Some Wendyite may need them for their set. I am saving up Wonders of the World cards that come out of Capstan and I want Nos. 8, 13, 21, 23 for the set. I will now close with best love to you and all your readers.—From “HULA ROSE,” Wanganui. You are duly enrolled as a Wendyite. Yes, you may have your pen-name. Thank you for the cards. I will try to get the number you want. —Wendy. Dear Wendy,—May I become one of your Hut readers, please? I would like my penname to be “Mary Pickford.” My sister, who wrote you a letter last week, is writing it for me as lam only in primer three. I am seven years old. I learn my lessons sometimes at night or first thing in the morning. I go to the same school as my sister, and the Convent Sister says I am a good girl. I am sending you some cards in exchange for Riders of the World. I will close now hoping you and all the Wendyites are in the best of health.—From “BLOSSOM,” Patea. Yes. you may become one of my Wendyites. I have given you "Blossom” for your penname as “Mary Pickford” has been claimed. I hope you will write often, dear. Hope to get the cards for you; thank-you for those you sent in.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—All the fruit is just forming on the trees. We have not caught any more mice yet-. I was glad to see my letter in the paper but I did not like to see that mother had written it for me. So I am trying to write it in ink. We have a new calf and do you think you can guess what we call it. It has a spot or. the forehead and on the back legs of the calf the** is a spot. It also has a spot on its tail. I think that' is all.— With love from “FATHER CHRISTMAS,” Taihape. You managed your writing in ink very nicely. ~4 think you must hare called your new calf Spot.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l was very pleased to hear that you would like to publish “The Lamb” so I have copied it out for you. I hope the other Wendy Hut readers like it as much as I do. This week I will try and tell you something about the keas. There are a good many in Canterbury and Otago but generally they stay in the high country. Their eggs are very rare because they choose a very inaccessible place for their nests. Naturally they feed on berries but they peck at anything strange which is seen. Sometimes the keas kill sheep and eat the fat from the kidneys. If a farmer leaves a sheepskin hanging on a fence these inquisitive birds come and peck at it, especially if there is fat on it. Thus they acquire a taste for fat and this causes them to kill the sheep. They have curved beaks which are very powerful, enabling them to tear cloth very easily. Often when people are climbing the mountains they are followed by the keas. Sometimes they let their curiosity get the better of them and go right into fhe tents. There they peck at anything bright they see. I would like to see the keas in their native haunts as they must be very interesting. The serial story is very interesting and I am always ready for the paper on Saturday. The letters are so nice and I like to hear about the other readers and their doings. My little brother is enclosing some cigarette cards as he has a good many pairs and he just wants one of each number. Best love from—“JOAN OF ARC,” Taihape. Thank-you, “Joan of Arc,” for sending the poem. I’m sure everyone will like it. Keas cause much damage in the South. Thank brother for the cards.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—Please will you enrol me as a Wendy Hut reader? I always like to get the paper on Saturdays. Please may I have “Sweet Carnation” for my pen-name? A lot of my friends have joined. “Wallflower” and “Lilac” are two of my friends. I have a pet lamb; its name is Trixy. I also have a calf called Queenie. I am not going in for the painting competition, Wendy. Nearly all the flowers are in bloom just now. Don’t they look lovely. Are not Peter and Pam great twins? You have a lot of readers, Wend?! You will soon have over five hundred. I will have to stop now as it is my first letter.— With love to you and your Wendyites.— “SWEET CARNATION,” Marton. Yes, you may become a Wendyite and you may have your pen-name. Thank-you for the cards ; I will try to get those you want. Yes, I have a very large family now.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l received my badge all right and I wish to thank-you very much. On Thursday afternoon Mum came up to the school and when I saw her with a little white thing I did not know what it was, but when I saw her with a letter I knew what it was. Every day I wear it to school and some children say that they wished they had one. Ido not think I would give it away for anything, not even to my cousins. Have you a cat, Wendy? We have three and one has got two little kittens. One kitten is dark grey and the other a light grey. We do not know what to call the kittens so will you please give us names for them. Their mother’s name is Dot and the other cats are Tommy and Cheeky. I call her Cheeky because she does cheeky things. Sometimes when a fowl is walking along she tries to trip them up by the legs. She is sometimes a naughty little thing. Last week I went back to the back country with two other riders and as they went further than I did I came back alone and found I had been away three hours. That afternoon I spent in bed and thought perhaps I was getting the measles as they are very thick in Waverley at present. Luckily, I was better by Monday and able to watch the cars go to the races. As your family is getting so large I will close so that there will be space for other Wendyites’ letters to be printed. Love to all, from—“THISFTLEDOWN.” Glad you like your badge. Suppose you call the kittens “Pip” and “Silvery.” Cheeky is a very naughty cat. I hope you escape the measles.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l was very glad to see my letter in last Saturday’s paper. I am sending you some beautiful New Zealand scenes to pass over to the Wendyites who want them. Would you try and get me Nos. .36, 42 and 43 of New Zealand scenes and Nos. 33 and 34 of film stars. My father has a good vegetable garden this year. He has planted pet*, beans, potatoes and about one thousand onions. We have just had our house painted and it looks very nice indeed. I think this is all. Love to you and all your Wendyites—From “MURRAY MOON,” Sanson. Thank you for the cards ; they will be very useful. I hope to supply those you require. Your daddy’s garden will be fine. —Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Will you please enrol me as a Wendy Hut reader and may I have “Rosebud” for my pen-name? I am 11 years old and in Standard IV. at school. I am sendtyg a few cards to you for any of the readers who want them. I have three sisters, all younger than myself. Our school has been having another room put on but it is finished now. Well as this is my first letter Wendy, I will close now.—l remain, your faithfully, “CRIMSON ROSE,” Makirikiri. Pleased to have you as a member but as “Rosebud” has been taken I am calling you “Crimson Rose.” I hope it will suit.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l am very sorry I did not write last week, and I hope you will excuse me. My poor cousin is still in hospital, and is not much better. Don’t sheep look different without their wool. I have a little vegetable garden in which I planted carrots, peas, beans and swede turnips. I gave one of my kittens away to a little girl and the othT I named Tinker. I have entered for the painting competition ; we think it is a lovely picture. Well, Wendy, I will close now with best love to you and all the Wendyites.—From “BUSH FAIRY,” Parikino. Pleased to hear from you this week, “Bush Fairy.” Yes, the shorn sheep do look different.—Wendy.

i Dear Wendy,—As this is my first letter jt will not be very long;. I wish I could join the Wendy Hut readers.—Love from “NIGHT OWL," Ngutuwera. I am pleased to have you join us, “Night Owl.” Write again soon.—Wendy. * * * • i Dear Wendy,—Could you please send me 'Nos. 1, 4. 5,6, 7, 25 of De Reszkes, first series; Nos. 1,2. 3. 4,5, of second scries and 14, 5,25, 19, and 20 of third series. I am ' contributing some cards for the Wendyites who have asked for them. It will seem funny starting the daylight saving, won’t it? 1 1 am sending in some jumbled names of I flowers, so I will close now with love to you and all the Wendyites.—From “GOBLIN GREENLEAF,” Marton Junction. | I will try to get the cards you want, but I think it will be a hard job. Don’t forget to put your watch on an hour when you go to bed to-night.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Would you please enrol me as a Wendy Hut reader andfr allow me to have the pen-name of “Jackie Coogan” if it is not taken? We have four miles to ride to the Rapanui School. I have two ponies; one's name is Lady and the other’s name is Peggy. I only ride Lady now because Peggy kicks the other ponies. Please, Wendy, would you try to get numbers 3,5, 8,9, 11, 13, 16, 19, 25, 34, 40, 50 in beautiful New Zealand cigarette cards. Our cat has a little kitten and would you tell me a name to give it. I am putting my pet sheep in the show.— From “TIKI,” Kai Iwi. Glad to have you as a member. Have called you “Tiki” as Jackie Coogan has been taken. I will try to get the cards for you. Call the kitten Digger.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—This week I am going to tell you about my seven small chickens. This morning I had just gone round and picked out forty roosters when I came across one which was much smaller than the rest. I picked it up and felt iCs crop and found it had had nothing to eat. so I came to the ! conclusion it was too small to work its way in amongst the stronger ones to have his or I her fill. At once I went about and picked out six more in the same state. Then I took them away by themselves. As soon as I had put them down I went to fetch a hammer and nails and also a box. With these things I soon knocked a brooder into shape. After that was made I found the run which our last year’s chickens were in and brought it to where I wanted it to go. The next thing to do was to put some chaff in the brooder and then to put the chickens in, too. I did this very hurriedly because dinner was drawing near. Then I had to put the brooder and chickens into the run. When they were safely there I tacked sacks round it so the wind would not make my family cold. Afterwards I fed them with bread-crumbs and put a drinking fountain in, too. Immediately they had finished I put them back into their brooder because this run was slightly colder than their former home. Then as soon as they were settled down I put a sheet of linoleum over them so that during the . night, if it rained, they would not get wet. Well, I have told you about my family so I will close.—l am, your sincerely, "EARLY DAFFODIL,” Ohakea. The chicks need careful attention when they are young, don’t they? It is wonderful how quickly they grow.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l have my pen again to write to you. One of my magpies has died and we only have one left. I have one pet calf at home, and will you give me a name for it. please. I have another pet calf and I called it Wendy. On Thursday at school We had to write an essay and the name of the essay was, “ A Wheelbarrow,” and we had to take it out in the shed and write it on the blackboard and then when the blackboard was filled we had to go in school and Standard 3 had to copy it off the blackboard in our essay book. Standard 4 had to write about a car. I will close now with best love from—“PEDRO,” Ohakea. Sorry to hear that you lost one of the magpies. Will Bonnie do for the calf’s name? Do you like essay writing?—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—This week I am going to write about Niue, or the Savage Island. On the long irregular fringing reefs and against the bold sea-worn cliffs of Niue, the great rollers impelled by the south-east trades, break in a thunderous crash and fling skywards dense clouds of spray. A voyager sees, through a curtain of mist, a thick forest of coconut trees, their tall branches waving in the wind; the white houses of the natives can be seen here and there through the thick green tropical vegetation. Since the Niue people bore the reputation of being fierce and turbulent. Captain Cook named the island, Savage Island. Now. the islanders are peaceful and civilized, working even as we do. The natives carry their produce to the white traders, invest the proceeds in clothing and tobacco. and go to their home rejoicing. On this island there are no gaols or serious cases of crime. For many a year yet the natives of Niue, this small red-circled speck on the map will live their quiet uneventful lives secure behind the spray-hidden cliffs and the many leagues of blue ocean that isolate them from the busy outside world. I will close now, Wendy, with heaps of love.— From “JUAN DE FUCA,” Marton. It would be a pleasant holiday to go to Niue, wouldn't it? Thank-you for the cards. I hope to get those you require.—Wendy. Dehr Wendy,—May I become one of the Wendy Hut members? lam 9 |hars and ten months old. lam in Standard t“o at School, 'but I hope to pass this year and get into

it I hope to pass this year and get into Standard 3. We have two cats. Ginger and Snoosie. May I have “Slow Coach” for my pen-name, please? Dear Wendy, I am sending you four motor cycles cigarette cards.

| “Golden Dawn” wants Nos. 29 and 42. Will iyou please let her have them? Can you get me Nos. 1,6, 19, 37 motor-cycles, please? 1 will close with love to all the Wendyites atid yourself.—From “SLOW COACH,” Ohau. You are duly enrolled as a member, “Slow Coach.” I wish you success at the examination. Hope to get the cards 'you want.— Wendy. • • • • Dear Wendy,—l am very sorry that I could not enter the painting competition as I dm very busy working the ground for my carrot plot. I have entered the Girls' and Boys’ Agricultural Club. I have a wee black kitten Wendy, would you please give me a name for it. I am enclosing stamps for a badge, would you please send me one. Are you in favour of the Daylight Saving, because I am not for I have to get up too early. Could you please tell me where I could sell birds' eggs, for I have two hundred and thirty-one eggs to sell. I will close now with love. From “JACKIE COOGAN,” Brunswick. Will Nigger do as a name for your kitten. I hope your carrot plot wins a prize in the competition. I think you will get used to the Daylight Saving after a few weeks. You may be able to sell your birds’ eggs to the Waitotara County Council.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l am very sorry I did not write last time. We are working very hard at school as the examination is getting near. I have quite a number of friends writing to you now, Wendy. Every week I think your page becomes larger. Our gardens are looking very pretty at school, just now. In each of the gardens is a shrub called an Azalia and they look very pretty when out in bloom. Well, Wendy, I shall close now, best wishes to all the Wendyites; with love.—From “WHITE ROSE.”

The last term of the year always brings examinations, doesn’t it? Your school gardens must be very pretty.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l am going to write about a Spanish bull-fight this time. They must have been wonderful sights, Wendy, and to those of us who have Spanish ancestry and Spanish blood in our veins, they would have been i glorious ones. How the senors must have ! thrilled to see the huge beasts pawing the '• ground and rearing up on their huge, massive legs in a brave effort to beat off their agile adversaries I I will endeavour to describe a “torreado” or bull fight, but I am afraid I j can draw but a poor picture in words of what I can see in my mind. There would be a great building, the interior of which would consist of a huge open space surrounded bv tiers of seats raised high above the pit, so that the spectators receive none of the enraged bull’s blows. The seats are filled with laughing scnoras and senoritas and dark-eyed senors. All the wealth and fashion assemble to see the bull-fight and not unfrequently one sees the gorgeous mantilla of some demoiselle ' of noble birth. The bull is led in by some men who quickly jump back into safety. Sever- , al gaily-dressed young men stand in the ring, ' armed with sharp swords and carrying over j their arms their short embroidered cloak< j These they flap in the eyes of the bull until the creature becomes almost possessed with rage and blind fury. If the bull comes at too close quarters with them they prick him with their swords. At length they desist and a ! man, a skilled gladiator, I think he is called, | jumps into the ring. He is even more richly dressed than the other men. He teases the ' bull for some time then, throwing his brilliant ' cloak over the tossing head, he pulls out his i sword and kills it. Applause rings through | the air, the bull is dragged out, sand sprinkled i on the floor, and the theatre prepared for a i fresh performance. Isn’t it cruel, Wendy? Ii don’t know how women could watch it. Anvway, I’m not Spanish, perhaps if I were, I'd have a different opinion. I am sending “Daphne” No. 22 of “Beautiful New Zealand.” and could she supply me with No. 10. 18, 26 ? I also want No. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 of “Film Stars.” Could you get me them, 1 Wendy? I will close now, lots of love.—From ’AYACANORA,” Marton.

A bull-fight doesn’t appeal to us, does it ? I i think it a cruel sport. Thank you for the cards for “Daphne.” I will try to net those you want.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—This week has been a very busy week for Masterton and its surrounding districts, because the Carterton Show, which was held on Wednesday and Thursday always provides a busy time for intending competitors. On the first day, the show opened in overcast, but not unpleasant weather. Wo left Masterton at about eight o'clock because I was going to put several cooking entries into the show and they had to be in by nine. I won two prizes, a first for tolTee. ana a second for sponge cake. I had to compete against grown-up people because neither of these entries were in the children’s class. The attendance was particularly good for an opening day, and the display of sheep was acknowledged to be the best ever presented in the Wairarapa. Dad told me that it was many years since so much space was occupied by displays of agricultural implements, machinery and trade exhibits. Tents, large and small, were dotted about the ground, each containing something to interest everyone. Everybody found plenty to interest them, and when these had been seen there was no lack of other attractions in the ring competitions and along the “showman’s” alley. There were not so many side-shows as usual, but there were two round-abouts and also two chair-o-planes, but the chief attraction was a novelty called “The Big Wheel.” It is utterly impossibly to try to explain this contrivance to the other Wendyites, but I suppose that they will all g«» on it sooner or later. I had two rides and I thought that it was perfectly beautiful. Despite the large entries in most classes, occasioned by the liberal prize list offered by the society, the judging was completed in good time and the results were quickly made available through the splendid system practised by the society. The second day dawned, and it was' the most perfect day that any one could wish for. Some of our girls who were riding in the show’, rode 'their ponies down to Carterton (a distance of ten miles) ; they left at about half-past’’six as their first event was at nine o’clock. The day passed off much the same as the first and everyone returned home tired, but happy. Well. Wendy, as you asked Us not to write long letters, I will close now, with love to you and the Wendyites.—From “APPLE BLOSSOM,” Masterton.

Your winning those tw T o prizes when competing against adults was very good, “Apple Blossom.” Agricultural shows are most interesting and Instructive, and, when the weather is pleasant, they are particularly enjoyable.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—Please excuse me for not writing, but 1 had nothing to tell you. This week 1 am going to tell you wilal we do at school. On Monday mornings we go in senool and Mr. Barnes takes mottos and puts the one that most of us vote for upon blackboard. Then Standard I and 11. do our sums. After we have had five sums right we go out to play, boon the Primers come out and we playt rounders or 1 spy. When we come in, the Primers have sums and Standard I. and LL have drawing or paper-folding. When the Primers go out we have reading out of oui journals or some other books. 1 will continue right through the week telling you half a day of school work each day. Well, Wendy, 1 must close.—From “BETTY BLUE.” Yes, schooldays are most interesting. 1 often wish I was back again. Make the most of your days at school “Betty Blue.”—Wendy. Dear Wendy.—l am very sorry I did not write last week, as I had a slight touch of bronchitis. 1 am going to tell you how many presents 1 got, as I said I would. Well, 1 got a box of chocolates, a book, some fancy garters, material for making a dress, and last of all, a box of handkerchiefs. I am sending Is Id for a badge. I must close now, with love to all the members.—From “THE DANCING MOONBEAM,” Wanganui. Hope your bronchitis is quite better now. You received a nice lot of presents, didn’t you.—'Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l suppose you will be glad to hear from me again. I wish to thank the Wendyites very much indeed who sent me the cigarette cards. I can see in the paper that you have a number of new Wendyites enroled . I am going to tell you about a picni" I had in our bush on Saturday. I had three girl friends who came to see me from Marton. When they came none of us knew what to play. But after all. some of us would say to play such and such a game, but the trouble was some would play it and some would not. At last I thought of playing at Maoris a hundred years or more ago. So Walter went out and caught the horse and put him in the cart. We all got busy and the canvas tent and sticks and rope were put on first. Then we got half-a-dozen mats, six kerosene boxes, and a basketful of luncheon and some other things'. Then we cut a tin and put it in the shape of a fire. When that was done, we set off in the cart to the bush, and there we had the most exciting time that could have been. The first thing that was to be done was to set to work and put the tent up and put the mats down for the floor. When we had everything complete we lit a fire in the tin, and boiled a kettle of water and made some tea- When we had the tea finished we put a swing up ana when someone was on the swing the others were attending to the fire or chopping wood for it. When I was gathering chips of wood I found a nest in a shrub-tree, and it was shaped like a saucepan. It was made of moss, hair, wool, feathers, and straw. It was vensoft and warm inside, and in it was laid three wee, tiny, blue eggs, and we all thought them so lovely ; but we did not take it down or disturb the eggs. My cousins are coming to stay with us on Wednesday for a fortnignt. Well, Wendy, I must oiose now, with best love.—From “PRINCESS BEAUTY,” Tutaenui.

Yes, "Princess Beauty,” I am pleased to hear from you again. I will try to get the cards you ask for. What fun you had in the bush.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l will’only be able to write a short letter this week as I have a lot of homework to do so I think I shall tell of some rather quaint old-time ceremonies. In deep contrast were babies born in the "good old days” to what they are now. While a good deal of “pot luck” attended them, and their small wants were appeased by the “simple” means of sweet syrups and the gin bottle, far from simple were the rites necessary to their well-being. Even if we were asked to perform just one of these strange ceremonies nowadays. I think baby would be looked at askance. They had to go "up.” before they went "down,” so if a child was born on the top storey of a house, its nurse must needs climb on a bed or chest of drawers with it to preserve its life, and until it was baptised, witches and fairies sought to snatch it from its mother, so a carving knife had to be hung from the head of its cradle with the point suspended near its face 1 Can we not see the possible complications! Others preferred the carving knife to be placed with its point near the infant’s heart. It appeared to be effiracious and everyone seemed satisfied and happy about it, the baby of course, being unable to express his feelings in words. Mothers, poor things, had a rather piquant time. Think of the anxiety they must have felt knowing that:—

Sunday’s child is full of grace, Monday’s child is full in the face, Tuesday’s child is solemn and sad, Wednesday’s child is horrid and bad, Thursday’s child is inclined to thieving, Friday’s child is free in giving, Saturday’s child works hard for its living. Can one not see the hope dawning her face on Sunday, and giving way to doubX even despair, as it draws near to Thursday? What have we, in these modern days to compare with it. Please, Wendy, do you think you could possibly get me Nos. 49 and 33 in "Children of all Nations,” and No. 4 in "Zoos.” I am sending three cards in exchange and I will send more as soon as I can. With best love to all the members and yourself.—From "THE MYSTERIOUS MASQUERADER,” No. 2 Line, Wanganui. It is not hard to understand the feeling? of mothers in the early days. It is nice to live in these enlightened days. Thank you for the cards. Hope to get those you want.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—May I become a Wendy Hut reader, and could my pen-name be "Piki-a-rero?” It is Maori for clematis. I have some pet lambs, and they are growing quite big. I give them three drinks a day. There is plenty of bush about our place and a friend' and I go bird-nesting and we get quite a lot of eggs. I have a garden and it looks very pretty at present as lots of the flowers are out. Every day J ride to school on a pony and I ride her to Sunday school, too. I will write to you, Wendy, as often as I am able. I must close now, with heaps of love to Wendy.—From "PIKI-A-RERO,” Mangaweka.

Glad to enrol you and you may have your pen-name. It sounds quite quaint, doesn’t it? —Wendy.

r Dear Wendy,—l hope you will excuse me ! for hot. writing last week. Thank you very i much for putting my name on the birthday ; I greetings list. Please would you ask the otner - J Wendyites if they could get me Nos. 14, 26, 1 27, S 3, 39, in “Zoo Animal’.” I am sending ; ; you some cards the Wendyites want and 1 am j also sending some more silver paper for • . “Ada.” Well, Wendy, I think I will tell you . some of the things I received for my birtlit , day. I got a box of crackers, a box of hand- ; : kerchiefs, a box of chocolates, some shoes, and f a bag. I have not all my presents yet; we • I could not go to town because it was so windy. . | “Iceland Poppy” is my sister. I think I will . gelose now as news is scarce. With much love 2 to you and all the Wendyites.—From “DEW- } ' DROP,” Marton. , | You did receive a lovely lot of presents, f i didn't you ? Thank you. dear, for the cards I and silver paper.—Wendy. 1 Dear Wendy,—We have five cats; two of , ! them are not full grown. One cat has kitf ! tens. Have you got any cats or kittens? Do j 1 you like them ? I like kittens very much. I L like them when they have their eyes open and 2 ! play with each other. We have seventeen ' i chickens ; they are not more than three weeks j ‘ old. They are black. They have a few white j feathers by their wings. Have you any hens r or chickens? I like chickens better than hens, w but I like hens because they lay eggs. Can r you supply me these numbers in cigarette cards. I want Nos. 17, 36, and 38 in “New Zealand Scenes,” Nos. 2,3, 5,9, 11, 16, 17 „ and 23 in “Wonders of the World,” Nos. 9. j 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 26, 30, 31, 34, 43, 45. . and 48 in “Royal and Ancient Buildings.” With love from "PRIMROSE LASS,’’ Marton. t No, I have no cats. I think kittens are j nice little things. I have six hens and they f lay very well. I will try to get the cards you want.—Wendy. £ Dear Wendy,—May I become a Wendy Hut B reader, and may I have “Autumn” for my , pen-name? It will not be long to the Christ- ] mas holidays. I am going to tell you about a place in our bush that is most beautiful. It J is a piece of land shaped like a potato. There are lots of - lilies and lovely trees and ferns growing there. Often I go over and play. 2 The creek is very deep around the island, as ' we call it, and there are many bi rds’, nests ” there. I only take one birds’ egg out 6f the nests. It is wonderful how they build their nests. Well, Wendy, I am just thinking how tired your eyes and how sleepy you feel when . you have finished reading the pile of letters from the Wendyites. Please, Wendy, could you ask the Wendyites if they have any of these cards to spare: “Beautiful New Zealand” any number, and in “De Reszkes” No 1, 7, and 23, and in “Dogs” Nos. 10, 15, 17, 22. Well, dear Wendy, I must close now, with heaps of love.—From "AUTUMN.” Tutaenui. Pleased to have you join my happy circle, and you may have your pen-name. I hope to get some of the cards for you.—Wendy. | Dear Wendy,—l have a lovely fern in a pot. ! Most of the primroses are over now, aren't • they, Wendy? I have a garden with primroses l growing in it. As news is very scarce I will i close now. With love to you and aJI your Wendyites.—From "ICELAND POPPY,” Marton. I hope your fem does well. They are very pretty. Primroses are nice, too. Thank you 0 for the cards.—Wendy. t ! Dear Wendy,—Pleaser will you enrol me as ' > ' a Wendy Hut reader, and may I have “Hard L Beat” for my pen-name? Last Thursday the I school tennis court was opened. I like tennis. . I Do you? Well, I will close, with love.—From ' I “HARD BEAT,” Utiku. Yes, you may become a member of my large , ' family, and I hope you will write often. You , • may have your pen-name.—Wendy. [ I Dear Wendy,—Will you please thank “Rose > Marie” and “Wild Rose” for the cards they sent me. There are some new children com- , j ing to our school on Monday. Last night I r I went bird-nesting with “Humpty Dumpty.” We [ I found a nest will six eggs in it. It was in I a bank. So we had to make steps to get up [ | to it. I put my hand in it and the bird flew out, and I fell down. I got all dirty. Wc blew the eggs and put them on a chain. I have 29 eggs now, Wendy. “Humpty DumpL ty,” “Gold-finch,” Golden Butterfly,” “Danc- : ing Sunbeam,’ “Daniel Boone” and I go to the ’ same school. Nov/ I must elose with love to L you and the Wendyites.—From “RED RIDING , HOOD.” Rapanui. , I will see if I can get the cards you want. You have quite a number of birds eggs now.— ’ Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l am enclosing nineteen cigarette cards for some of your readers. Can you • get me Nos. 21, 22, 25, 29. 32, 46, and 48 of “Film Stars.” This week I am going td tell you about a picnic we had at the beach. We set off about ten o’clock and reached our des- , tination at half-past ten. We strolled along ' ; the beach picking up many curious shells. ’ ' After lunch we had a bathe. At three o’clock we had a treasure hunt in the sand. Then ’ we had afternoon tea and after an enjoyable meal we set off for home. I will have to t close now, with best love.—From “QUEEN • MAB.” Kohi. ’ Thank you “Queen Mab” for the cards. I ’ hope to send you some you want. What a ' nice picnic you had.—Wendy. • • * • ‘ Dear Wendy.—On Thursday. 27th inst. the i • Boy Scouts of Mangaweka had their birthday natty and also bid forewell to their Scout- ' master who is leaving Mangaweka on Mon- - | day. The parade started at eight o’clock. The I scouts marched up on to the stage in front • ■ of the audience. They then gave the “Do- ' ‘ minion haka,” which was followed by a dance i I for the people. We then had a game of . j “Bang the Bear,” In this game two players j i were blindfolded and a roll of paper was put - » I in their hands. They would then join their ? left hands and get down on the floor facing r each other. Then one player would say, "Are . t I you there ?” Then the other player would | . ' say, “Yes.” The first player would then try , ’ ' to hit the other one. The other player would I . then say, “Are you there,” etc. The next I ■ item on the programme was a pretty dance j by the Girl Guides. This was followed by a ; demonstration of hut building. Here the ■ Scouts put up a neat hut. After the hut ' 'building four rxoy Scouts (I was one of them) j , l gave a demonstration of signalling. We sent ; some messages in semaphore. After this the L 1 Guides fixed up a lamp in red paper. The | ‘ : lights were switched off and the Guides had ; a camp fire. After the camp fire the Scouts | • handed supper round to the other people. After | supper a present was given to the Scoutmas- i ■ ter and a silver cup was presented to the cubs because they had the best-kept tent in | ’ camp last year. Well, Wendy, as that was 1 - the end of the evening I will now close. With ‘ love from.—“ROBIN HOOD,” Mangaweka. The Scouts’ Birthday Party sounds very enjoyable, “Robin Hood." I think it is a fine i thing to be a good Boy Scout. —Wendy. j Dear Wendy,—We have a gramophone and ) through the winter we sit round the fire lis--1 tening to one record after the other and get i much pleasure out of it. I have a record of my own which my brother gave me for my ’ birthday. I have some prize books, too. I ; like reading about Jacko and the Terrible 1 Twins; also the letters from all the Wendy- . ' ites. The names of my prize books are “A : ‘ Sheaf of Gold,” “Little Friends,” “Nice . ! Stories,” "Rita’s Triumph,” "My Pretty Little , j Nursery Rhymes.” Love from—“DADDY’S , I SWEETHEART,” Wangaehu. . | A gramophone brings a great deal of pleasj. j ure into a home doesn’t it, especially during | the long winter evenings.—Wendy. 1 . Dear Wendy,—l have not written to you for J i a long time. I spent my holiday over in s i Hastings and enjoyed it very much. I went ' i for a lot of motor drives to Napier and hrfd ' ; ' dinner on the beach. The sea was very j ’ j rough, but looked lovely. I was also out at i Havelock and the fruit gardens are beautiful I ' all out in bloom. I was over there for a i ’ month. While I was over there I fell on a i board and hurt my eye very badly. I mo- ' : tored over through the Manawatu Gorge and j • we came back that way. We started from Hastings at three o’clock and arrived at 8.30 | at night. I get up at 5.30 to help to milk i 46 cows. I have one little lamb, and seven calves. Well I must go now.—From “DICK TURPIN,” Putorlno. Hastings is a very nice place to spend a holiday in. I hope your eye is quite better. — . i Wendy. j j • • • • • Dear Wendy,—l am sorry I did not write 1 t ! last week. One Friday night our house was ! » I burnt down. Isn’t "Bob-tail Bunny” a clever 1 I ' little girl for her age ? 1 will not be able j ! j to write a very long letter because this page i | is the last in the book. We are having our ' . school examination now and so far I have I | passed in all of the subjects we have had. II I must close now with a riddle. What gets | wet while drying? I will send you the answer next week. Lots of love. From—"ROSE F PETAL,” Utiku. , It was very hard luck having your house [ ' burned, Mollie. Pleased to hear that you are ‘ doing well in your examination.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—We have had lovely weather " up till to-day and it is raining up here. Yes- ' terday there was a cricket match; our men | ■ I played against Rangataua and we won. We • j have a new dog and its name is Curley and 3 ! it is such a playful dog. There is a bazzar I' on Thursday and the funds are for the Ant glican Church so I shall be able to let you r know how it got on next Saturday. On Shn--3 day I went for a ride on a bicycle and did < not get home till. half-past five. There is 1 not much news this time but I will tell jjpu . more next time. So I will close now with lot's ) of love to the Wendyites and yourself.—From . —“SNOWBALL,” Ohakune. f The weather has been very unkind lately, . ? hasn’t it? I hope the bazaar was a great I success. —Wendy. {

J Dear Wendy,—Thank you ever so much for my badge; it does look so nice. My sistars and I had a good time yesterday we had a skipping rope and each of us had a turn and my big brother had a skip too, but he skipped so fast we had to give him pepper all the time. It is Guy Fawkes’ Day to-day and we aro having a bon-fire in one of the paddocks and some fireworks, so I think we will have some fun. don’t you. Wendy? With love to you all. —From “BONNIE MARY.” Mangaweka. Skipping is an excellent exercise and keeps one supple. Yes, it will be great fun to-day.— Wendy. * • • •

Dear Wendy,—l am very sorry to say that I have not been writing to you lately as I have been very busy and have not had much time. We have had a lot of fine wearier lately. but now it has changed and it is raining. The spring flowers used to look very pretty but now they have faded away. Would you please give me two names for little kittens as I cannot think of a nice name for them. With love from “GOLDEN WINGS.” Kawalau. Pleased to hear from you again, "Golden Wings.” Would Fluff and Billikins do for the kittens’ names ?—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—Our beautiful weather wan broken last week by a slight fall of snow. The days have not been very nice since then. I did the painting competition; but forgot to post it in time. I am going to tell you about our first Taihape Company of Girl Guides. We have a captain, a lieutenant, and a troop leader. There are five patrols—the Ron Ini, Kowhai, Rata, Clematis, and Scotch Thistle. I am in the Konini. The colours of the Konini are red and blue, the Kowhai yellow and brown, the Clematis green and white, the Rata red and green, and the Scotch Thistle mauve and green. We all wear red tics, with our patrol colours on the left shoulder, and a little white strap with Ist Taihape Comprfhy printed on it in red letters just above our colours. There are about forty Guides in all. We all wear an emblem above our left pocket. The game I like best of all is tracking. Three or four Guides go on ahead and lay the trail while the rest follow up and rub out the signs as they find them. We have many other games. We also have to pass many tests for which we get badges. Well, Wendy, I must close now with lots of love. —From “SILVER WINGS,” Taihape. Yes the weather has been unsettled I consider Guiding excellent training and 1 think more girls should join.—Wendy.

• • * • Dear Wendy,—l am sorry I did not f last week. I received my badge safely and • I am very pleased with it. Yesterday I got • a piece of wood in my foot: my father out • it out with a razor yesterday. My cousin » came over and we went fishing but caught . none. We are having our final examination , after the Show. Well, Wendy, I must close » i now, with love from.—“JACKO,” Ohakea. f I am very sorry to hear that you hurt your foot. I trust it is quite better now. Hope . ' you pass your exam.—Wendy. 11 • • • ’ • Dear Wendy,—Will you please excuse me for I not writing for a long time. I am going P to tell you about the birds. At school we found a number of birds’ nests, one being the Australian robin. These birds are very r pretty. Some of these nests which we found , we do not know the name of. To-day it was I very wet and cold and when I got home I was wet through to the skin. I want tc , I know if I could obtain a badge. I must I leave now, with love from —“SNOWMAN," , Ngutuwera. It is surprising what numbers of different. ’ kinds of birds there are and what variety there is in their nests. Yes, you may have } a badge if you will send Is Id for it. —Wendy. 1 t Dear Wendy.—Thank-you. very much for I putting my name on the Honours Board. I like reading. I expect you do, too, Wendy. ! I had a very bad illness three years ago and ' I was in a private hospital for six months. ’ After I came out I had to spend a great deal 1 of my time in bed so I did a lot of reading. - Have you read any of A. A. Milne’s poems 1 called “When we were very young.” He » wrote them for his little son. “Christopher ’ Robin.” I think they are such nice little poems. ' The ones 1 like best are “The Christening,” 1 “Vespers,” “Halfway Down” and “Jonathan - Jo” from which I took my name. We had - some of them at school this year. We are j collecting the N.Z. scenes for the school; we > have some swops so I will send you them. ; Would you please get me Film Stars Nos. 2, 12, 13. 14. 17, 18, 20, 24, 25. 33. 34, 35, 40, . 43, 47. Send me the ones you can. I will . end now. With love from— “JONATHAN JO,” Wangaehu. I Like you I am fond of reading but I do . not get much time these days. Hope to be j able to send you some cards.—Wendy. ] Dear Wendy,—l have just finished a book 2 called “Emily of New Moon." It is very in- ' teresting. Have you read it, Wendy? On Saturday afternoon my little dog named “Scamp” ran away and I saw him up town ; he came up to me but another dog ran up to him and they went away. I am sending you some poetry I made up to-day. Well, Wendy, ' I must close with love to the other Wendyites ’ and yourself.—From "ROSEBUD,” Marton. i Thank you, dear, for the poetry and hidden ■ names. “Scamp” is a very naughty fellow. 111 hope he is behaving himself now. —Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l have not forgotten you alI together, but I have been very busy. I live on ! a farm and we are milking 48 cows at present. We have over a hundred pigs and some ■ baby ones. Do you like them, Wendy ? We ■ have about 40 sheep and I have a pet'lamb. We ' have about 12 horses, too. I think the prize you gave to the school is lovely, Wendy. I ■ am sending the money for my badge. WeN, Wendy, I must close now. With greatest love. —From “CHARLESTON CHUCKLES.” Wan1 gaehu. Pleased to hear from you again “Charleston Chuckles.” I can quite understand how busy : you all are now, I think little piggies very ‘ . quaint.—Wendy. ’ I Dear Wendy,—l was pleased to see that my I letter was in the paper last week. We are • shearing our sheep now and we have good ! fun watching the sheep losing their wool 1 and also branding the bales of wool. Good- ! ness, your family is growing terribly large, - isn't it? lam sending one shilling to you ! and will you send me a badge. I must close • now with love to all the Wendyites and to ’ yourself.—“PlNK BUTTERFLY," Kakatahi. ! I ,1 hope your badge arrived safely. Shearing I is a busy time on the farm.—Wendy . II • . . • ■ ( Dear Wendy,—l am sending “Bunty” Nos. ■ I 20. 45, and 40 ;; “Kiltie” No. 1 ; “Fred Thomp--5 son” No. 29; and ’Butterfly” No. 31 of 1 I "Children of All Nations.” This week, I am ’ j ffoing to tell you something of the name Mabei, 1 I which comes from the L.atin word "uno," I love. Amabilis, which means “lovable,” was ’I a male saint known to France as Saint I Amabie. His name was passed on to Aimable, the Norman heiress of Gloucester, who so I strongly protested against marrying even a I King’s son without a surname. Her name ' became on English lips, Amabel, which has been handed down unchanged in a few old English families. Country folks altered it into Mabel, in which form it is now generally used, borne people have tried to make out that Mabel comes from two French worefe. Ma belie—meaning "my fair one,” but this is • considered quite erroneous. Amy, too, mean» the same as Mabei, and it is much favoured • by poets such as Tennyson, who used it foe the heroine in “Lockesiey Hall” and Whittier • calls the heroine in "The Witche’s Daughter,’ l Mabel. On account of her mother having perished on the gallows as a witch, Mabel Marlin is despised and slighted. She always sits in the shadows, spinning, day after day, with na 1 relief until one day Ezek Harden who con- ■ tinued to be her warm and steady friend mar- ‘ i ties her and she is no longer forsaken and ! neglected, but finds a home. Mab is generally • j used as a shortened form of Mabel, but Mab is also a name in itself and is quite distinct 1 I from Mabel. Maeve or Mab, is one of the ’ I oldest and most famous ot Irish names. The ’ meaning of it is said to be “mirth.” Maeve | | was the daughter of a King of Erin, who lived i long before the Christian Era, and was sucn ■ a famous heroine that the men of Connaught ‘ . were told to "remember Maeve” on the battlefield. Afterwards, she became Queen of the Fairies, and some of the Irish settlers must* t have carried the story of her into England, for Shakespeare brings her into "Romeo and Juliet.” Queen Mab is an active little personage. indeed I Shelley has a poem about her • ' called "Queen Mab.” Our modern Mabel and i | Amy have no connection with her whatever; ■ ' they belong to commonplace everyday life, not •| to the realm of fairyland. Well, Wendy, I ■ must not write much more, for you do not • j like our letters to be too long. "Ayacanora” i ’ and “Juan de Fuca” suggests that we should have a story competition, and I think with 1 several of my friends that it would be a good idea. I know I like writing stories, even if there is no one to read them I Well, I 'Xally must close now. With love to you and all the ! Wendyites. I remain, “REVE d’AMOUR,’* 1 | Marton. I It is quite interesting to trace the history , of names, isn’t it. I will arrange for a story competition soon.—Wendy. # • • • , • Dear Wendy,—l have been backward in writing this week, but I shall be in ti-fe for . Saturday’s paper. I entered for the painting competition, but do not think I shall get a prize ; if so I shall be very lucky. Guy Fawks is always an exciting time, when crackers go whizzing here and there. I must not forget to thank you for the badge, Wendy; it was very nice. Well, Wendy. I shall have to close now with much love.—From “FELIX,” Tau- : rimu. I The prizewinners are published in another , ' column, “Felix.” It will be great fun to-day . I with bon-fires and crackers. Glad you like th< k badge.— Wendy.