Wendy’s Letter-Box

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20110, 31 March 1928, Page 21 (Supplement)

Wendy’s Letter-Box

(Letters to be addressed “WENDY,” ct> “Chronicle” Office, Box 105, Wanganui.)

Dear Wendy,—l’m sorry I did not commence writing the first week our page started. I hope you had a very good holiday. I had a lovely one. I went up to Hawera for my holidays, and went to Ngaire Gardeas to see the monkeys and the lovely flowers. I am tending you some cigarette cards. Thank you very much for the Christmas card you sent me. I must close now with love to you and your Wendyites—from "WOODLARK.’’ Waverley. I had a grand holiday, my dear. Pleased to know you spent an enjoyable holiday, too. Thanks for the card. I will try and get the ones you want.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—As I did not write last week I will write now. Wendy, do you have to write in ink ? If so will you please tell me. I have a lot of swops in cards and are sendyuu lt began to rain here yesterday. It rained all day, so it spoilt our trip to Orangimea. Wendy, have you ever been up the Wanganui River to Parikino. If you have not I will tell you all about it next time we go up, as we often do. There is no more news. Love—from "YE BANKS AND ERAES,' Rapanui. I like my Wendyites to write in ink, if they can, but it not compulsory. Thanks so much for the cards. I must try and get the ones you require. Tell me about your next trip to Parikino.— Vendy. Dear Wendy,—Once again I take up my pen to write to you. You must excuse me for not writing to you for a long time. I love to read the letters that your Wendyites write to you, and I also like to do the crossword puzzles and read the stories about Jacko. I am goinK in for a music examination this vear and hope to pass. We are having a tennis tournament at school, and the one who wins gets a small prize. Winter is drawing near now, isn't it? I am sending you a few cigarette cards. All the pretty flowers of autumn have nearly finished now, and the leaves will soon be turning yellow, brown and gold. Well, Wendy, as I have nothing else to say I will close with lore to you and all the Wendyites—from “PEACH PINK,” Utiku. _ I hope you will pass your music examination. Thanks for the cards, my dear. Yes, we shall soon have the winter with us Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l am sorry I did not write to you last week. What a lot of Wendyites you have now; it must take a long time to answer ail their letters. The cows are not giving much milk now. The tennis season is nearly over, and we shall be starting basket ball. We have had no mushrooms this year, because it has been too dry. I do not like to eat them but it is great fun to gather them. We have had a lovely lot of nectarines this year, and and I am sorry they are all gone. I must close now, with love to you, Wendy, and all of the Wendyites—from "RAINDROP,” Utiku. Yes, it takes me many hours to answer all rny letters. I think we shall have rain soon. It is good fun gathering mushrooms, I like it very much.—Wendy.

Dear V* endy,—lt is really bad of me not to nave writ.en before. But at last I have made up my mind to write as often as possible, and do my job properly. What is left of the month of March seems to be full of events. This coming Friday is our school picnic. At least I should have said it is a combined picnic. The Ohakune School Ohakune High School, Ohakune Convent School School and lastly our school which is named Umumuri, are having a day’s holiday We are all going to the Raetihi recreation ground. I expect we will have the day of our lives. Then on the Saturday the sports fcmto be held. On the 30th the Ohakune is going to have a dance. My and myself are gojj.g , o thcin are still milr.ir.g cous but only once Q ' -■ Mostly all the cows in our uisgone dry owing to the d.y sp-11. so «trange, but our vewc.abie garden wonderfully although the soil i s Jikfe dust. Well, Wendy, I must now thana. you very much for that sweet Christmas card I received from you on Christmas Eve. It was very thoughtful of you. The time has come for me to go to bed so, sweet dream, to you and your merry family—from "HIGH JINKS,” Raetihi. I hope that you have a lovely time at the picnic. What a lot you nave to look forward to. So pleased you liked the card.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Please enrol me as a Wendy Hut reader. May I have “Sweet Lavender” for my pen-name? I really live in Ohakune but will be staying here in Raetihi until My mother is in Christchurch and my brotr.er and sister are at college. Would you like sie to send you some of my poetry. I nke riting it, and I also would like writing nx-• One of m -’ is called “The Wind and another is called "The Queen of the hxy. ’ Well, Wendy. 1 am afraid that I naw nothing else to say just now. Good-bye —ff-'m ” SILVER SHEEN,” Raetihi. Welcome to the Wendy Hut, my dear. I am orry but the pen-name is already taken, j* ha-e chosen “Silver Sheen” for you. hope you like it. Yes, I would like to have the I poems.—Wendy. L-Fu ar Wendy,—Easter holidays prill soon be rwith us now. On Saturday mother and I down to a garden not very far from us Mhere a house was burnt down once; there F«-s not very many flowers but some lovely putbmn, leaves red and brown. I will put one in for you, Wendy. Our chrysanthemums got some nice big buds on them. We F;* not got very many. Our dahlias are off now, but we still have a few left. ■ e are having some of the equinoctial winds our way. We have got a little black and four cats. The kitten we are sava friend. I think that is all now, so close with love to you and all the readers -from "WHITE WATTLE,” a jrety altumn leaf it is that vou me. I will try and get the ranis you I = rc.—Wendy-

Dear Wendy,—This week I will tell you about cur fowls. You remember I told you about them as chickens. Nearly all of them are grown up and v. e have had 250 eggs from them at the most. We have to go hunting for their nests because they build them in the trees. We know of one nest in this place, and it has had 15 eggs in it in one day. It is great fun gathering all the eggs and if you have a sore knee they will peck it in mistake rood. Last Saturday I helped mum feed them and we put the mash, which is the fcod tor the morning, on the ground. When we open the door to let them out they came out very quickly. Some running, some flying. Alter they have finished their mash they roam about in the wide space. They even go over the road into our neighbour’s paddock and we think they have got a nest there. Well, Wendy, I must close, although I am not going to school because yesterday 1 was sick.—From “BETTY BLUE,” Ohakea.

What r.n interesting letter you have written me this week. You do get a lot of eggs from tne fowls. It must be wonderful to get so many each day.—Wendy

Dear Wendy,—Weil, I suppose you are still receiving a large collection of mail from your V.endyites again. The weather up here is very hot to-day and I hope it will rain soon because the gardens are getting very hard and lumpy. Most of the gardens around here j re loosing beautiful now with the flowers in bloom. Ihe lawns around our school are very nice and green, when they have been mown and done up. Well. Wendy, I shall close now. "ith love—from "DAISY BELL." Mangaweka. My mail is growing steadily each week, it has been a very dry season, hasn’t it? Rain seems to be wanted badly everywhere I will try and get the cards you ask for—n endy.

Dear Wendy,—l was very disappointed when Saturday came and It was raining very hard. I here is only a clay road up to Orangimea. and it gets very sloppy and muddy. So wo do not go far for our trips. I will have to keep my story tell next time I write. There wled lo t of. house flies about, aren’t there. Wendy . It is lovely to run down and have a mSv™-.-./-' .Bove—from "SCOTCH ntiAiiirj;, Rapanui.

a i,^ame the ra,n spoilt your trip. I will be anxious to receive your next letter containing your story.—Wendy. Dear Wendy.—This week I am going to tell you about a famous poet called Sir John Milton. Sir John Milton was horn in Broad w Chea ‘ ns 'u e ’ On Dece mber fl in the year He was the son of a great family whlcn came from Oxfordshire. His father, who was a banker, intended that his son should receive a good education. John Milton was a toowilling student from the age of twelve, he sat up late oyer his classics and permanently strained his eyes. At fifteen he went for a f ° School- Then to Christ’s College, Cambndge, where he remained for seven years. Soane of the poems he wrote are Paradise LoM and “Paradise Gained ” these two poems are the best known of his T-’ , He others. Sir John Milton died on Sunday, November 8, in the year \ CWfMdy in the Wendy Hut read DewdropV’ letters. Well, Wendy. w C n ° H ; Wlth lots of love to you and ton U<?ndyltes—from BLUE PETER,” MarThanks for your letter, my dear, ing it.-w e n"y the Wen<b ' ites will en i° y r <« d -

Dear Wendy,—l a m sru-ry I did not write uYf W<iek bUt 1 didn-t have time. On Saturday we went to the Waverley Show. It was a lovely fine day. and we had a good On Sund, thoUßht ., the steer ridine was lovely On Sunday we all went to my brother’s place to tea. Dad and mum left for Wellington on bl?l y M a " d J don kno ' v " hen th ‘ ?y "‘H be thE w<.;T' lrn r h ? S ,' vrlttcn ttree letters to me So«e m w UP r sct !‘n K letters. I musl Moumahaki. ’“ h lo ' e - { ‘“n “PBIMULA.-

Pleased to hear you had a good time at the show, my dear. Your mother is very thought to a , TV? y ° U 80 many ,cttera - «is nice to get letters, isn’t it?—Wendy. Dear Wendy.—-I am sorry I did not write last week. I will tell you about a drive I f.lrthX 01 ye£ !® rday t° Bonny Glen, and a little further on there were some lovely blackdown "m ,’ n | Bathcn " E thcn> 1 cot scratches all J'- 1 ’ / „ lees - A f tor we had picked half iltn y nV 1 " e then got in thc car - After a itt e while we went to find some mushrooms, and a e could not find one. However. I had a orely outing. Our lawn is growing long now and green. I will close with love to nil the J:, c S d .? , tS s and yourself—from “SUNSHINE.’ hLP, Marton.

• H rH OU , P lus t have enjoyed your little outing. Blackberries are nice, aren’t they? ihere are not many mushrooms about yet Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—Please will you enrol me as a member of your hut. May I have “Eagle Eye for my pen-name, if it has not been taken already by some other member of your f am,, y ’ . Hasn’t the weather been terribly changeable of late. First it is extremely hot and then the wind howls and shrieks along and stirs up disorder everywhere. The next day gives promises of being fine, but half way through it suddenly changes, and we are given a display of the wildest weather Mother Nature could gne us. The baths will soon be closed now, won’t they? I think swimming IS the finest sport in the world. Wendy do you think you could possibly get me the'following cards. I do so want to get them as they will complete the sets my brother and I have been trying over two years to get. As it is getting late now I will close, with love—from “EAGLE EYE,” Gonville.

Welcome to the Wendy Hut. my dear “Eagle Eye.” You may have the pen-name. Yes. the weather has been very changeable of late. I will try and get the cards you ask for.— Wen<Mr-

Dear Wendy,—This is mv first letter to you this year. 1 must thank you very much for the lovely little Christmas card, I was very surprised to receive it. I went away for a holiday this year and was away just on six weeks. It was lovely, Wendy. Oh, isn’t Mount Egmont lively at sunrise on a summer's morning? I think it looks magnificent! One day we wandered through the bush. The riverlets which run through it were then dry, but beautiful tall ferns grew there in abundance. The supple-jack was laden with red berries, and the fingers of the gi-gi were turning yellow. We searched everywhere to find some of those quaint kidney ferns, but without success; we are afraid the long dry spell killed them. Just at dusk we heard a ciy “more-pork,” and there in a tall tree sat a uuaint little owl. I think the bush and its native birds are wonderful, don’t you, Wendy? 1 could wander through it for hours and hours. Well, we have had a glorious summer this year, haven't we, Wendy ? While on my holiday we went to the river nearly every afternoon, and snme times again in the evening. The river is the best place in such hot weather, isn’t it? Well, Wendy, I must close my poor attempt si a letter. I am posting you some cards. With much love—from “SPIRIT OF LOVE,” Marton.

Pleased to hear from you again, my dear. Glad you liked the card. Egmont is very pretty. Everything always seems so restful in the bush, doesn’t it ? Thanks for the cards. I will try and get the ones you want.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—lt was so nice to see the rain on Saturday again. The only trouble was it didn’t last long enough, but I am sure it has done a lot of good. I intended to go and watch the Rata girls practice hockey, but owing to the rain I did not go. This is the first year we have had hockey in Rata, so I hope they have a successful season. My elder sister has joined the team. Last Thursday evening two of my friends and I went to the athletic sports which were held in the Marton Park and I enjoyed the evening very much. There were only men’s and boys’ races, some on foot and some were on bicycles. Next Thursday there is to be the last meeting for this year. There are going to be more novelty races so I hope to go as I stay in Marton every Thursday for cooking and music. My word, Wendy, there seems to be a great demand for cigarette cards on our weekly page. I do not save them up, but my sister does, so if she has any spare ones I shall send them to you. Well, Wendy, as there is no more news this time I shall close,

with love to you and your merry Wendyites—• from “RATA BLOSSOM,” Te Hou Hou. Rain is urgently needed in many parts of the district. Pleased you enjoyed yourself at the sports. Yes, there is a big demand each week on the cigarette ward exchange. I am often at my wit’s end to supply them all. I would be glad of any you can send me. Wendy.

My Dear Wendy,—Here I am once again. This week I am going to tell you about one of our nicest seasons of the year, which is summer. The summer months are November, December and January. The days are much longer in the summer than in the winter, and the sky is general., clear, whereas in the winter it is usually very dull. January is about the warmest month of the year. The grain is ripened by the sun in the Summer and in some parts ot the country people do their harvesting. It is lovely to see the garden with all its flowers blooming at this time of the year. There are pansies. Christmas lilies, carnations and scores of others which attract the eye with their bright colours. Sometimes the grass becomes parched and dry, especially if we have had no rain for a considerable time. The summer-time is a fairly busy season for farmers. Then there comes the picnics at the river and other holiday enjoyments. Children like the summer months very much because they can occupy their time in the cool water as we have a whole six weeks holiday from school. Christn?^S t' JS i. Jn this interesting season, too, and old father Christmas comes along on Christi e v vhen , all chi,dr ® n are fast asleep with his bag of toys to fill each good boy and girl s stocking with lovely toys. While we are having these nice fine days, England is having it s winter, with snow and frost on the ground, perhaps every day. So now we know what a beautiful season summer really is I am sending some cigarette cards which I hope you will make use of. I do not mind not beaVle , chan « e my pen-name, Wendy. Well, 1 will close now with kindest regards to ?! the Wendyites—from “DAFfUDIL, Marton Junetiun. Your letter this week is very interesting. I am sure the VVendyitcs wiil read and enjoy it. Thanks for the cards. I will try and get the ones you want.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy.—l have not written to you for a whole fortnight, simply because I have t° ,JUt ’ alLhou S 7l » l am writing to y° u I still have no news. Thank you very much for the cards you sent me. I am sending some cards to you and I hope you can make use of them. I have still two sets of trams, Wendy, and I was wondering if through your page I could swap one of my 2° r v a ’ Set Of airsh *PS or ©oats. Easter will be here soon and I hope you have a nice time during the holidays, i am going to have an operation in Easter so you can’t expect me to look forward to it, can you? Thank you for putting me on the Honours Board, but I am in a hurry now, so I won’t get there this time. Lots of love to you and your merry band—from “GUELDA ROSE,” Tutaenui. Thanks so much for the cards, my dear. I am so sorry to hear of your Impending operation. Would you get someone to write to me for you. I will be so anxious about you Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—How do you like this sort of weather. We have sixteen little chickens and we have five little pigs. On Saturday I was out getting mushrooms, With love—from “BTTNTY,” Hunterville.

The weather is a little cooler now, my dear and a welcome respite from the heat. I will try and get the cards you require.— Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l have, as usual, just finished doing, or rather trying to do. Shorthand homework. I am very much afraid that you will be thinking it Is always the same complaint with me, but we do really and truly get more than our share. My transcript tonight has taken ine exactly one hour and a half and I simply can’t say how exultant I am to be able to write plain English again, but, oh, horrors! I’ve just remembered, I've another one to do for Froggy. Oh dear, and there’s a whole exercise of book-keeping to do too. Whoever said that school days were the best? Some intelligent person with more enthusiasm than sense I’ll be bound, but never mind, growling won’t improve matters and what's more, I don’t suppose I will be at school after this year. I hope not anyhow. Four years at a secondary school is quite long enough for anyone in their right senses I think. I suppose it is quite nice if you are a good girl and do what you’re told, but you need to call on a higher personage than “pity” to help you when you do the kind of things Edna and I do. Sliding down the bannisters and landing on the portly person of the head master lei just one of them, and not the worst either by a long way. I remember one day in the dim and distant past, when we had to go downstairs for something for one of the teachers. Off we went rushing along the corridors, as we invariably do, and down the stairs two at a time. Too late, we saw another teacher at the bottom and in a wild endeavour to stop ourselves collapsed right on top of her. I won’t tell you what she said to us and I won’t tell you what we had to do as punishment, but I will say that we took jolly fine care that that particular teacher was not anywhere in sight when we went down the stairs in a hurry, for the next few days. Well, dear Wendy, I think I had better say good-bye before I pain you further, don’t you, and please don’t form a worse opinion of your wayward Wendyite than you can help, because 1 do try to be good—sometimes. Not often. I’m afraid, but 1 do try; but it’s no use at all, however. I generally end up by doing something worse than ever. Some of my friends tried to reform me once, and I think they thought they had—until they heard of my latest achievement. And please so much, Wendy, don’t tell me to try and be good because fm absolutely sick of hearing people tell me that. I just won’t be made good. Won’t, won’t, won’t, with a bigger W each time. With millions and millions of love.—From your unrepentant member, “THE MYSTERIOUS MASQUERADER,” Wanganui. Thanks for the card. I shall not lecture you, my dear. Just be *.s good as you can. You will, later in life, realise that your school days were after all the best. 1 have often longed to have mine over again.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l am sorry I have not written for such a long time. I wish to thank you I for the lovely Christmas card you sent me. I Our baby is just starting to walk and will be i a year old on Tuesday. It is a great delight to hear the rain drops falling once again. We ( have been down to the beach a lot this summer. Swimming is a pleasure to me. We went to Kai Iwi beach once and had a lovely time. We used to go down to Castlecliff nearly every Sunday. The most I have been in for a swim was six times a day. I will end now, with love—from “WATTLE BLOSSOM,” Gonville.

Pleased you liked the card. I am glad to hear you like swimming. I used to go to tHe Castlecliff beach, also.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l am sorry I did not write last week, but I was very busy. I had a lovely holiday. I went forty miles up the Wanganui River. May I change my penname to “Golden-Bubbles” ? I hope you had a nice holiday. We are milking 55 cows now. The karaka berries are getting; ripe now and the cows go round in the bush and eat them. We have a very pretty bush with lots of ferns in it. All the school children go down to the river to swim. Well, Wendy, I must close now as I have no more news to tell you. Love to all—from “FIREFLY,”

Pleased to hear you had a nice holiday. What a long way you went. No, my dear, you cannot change your pen-mame, I know you won’t mind.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l hope you had a nice holiday. Thank you for the Christmas card. We have three turkey chicks. The mother hen is so proud of them. The rain has come at last after a long dry spell. Our school picnic is on Friday. With love —from “SWEET LAVENDER,” Taihape. I had a lovely holiday. Pleased you liked the card. Turkey chicks are funny little things, aren’t they —Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l am glad the letter-box is starting again and we are able to find out more about each other. I spent a joyful holiday in Kai Iwi. There were two Maori tangis while I was there. I got some lovely presents at Christmas time, among them was a Hornby train. The rails when built out to their furtherest are about six yards long. I also got a Meccano set with which seventyfive models can be made. This will not be a very long letter, being my first one to you this year. I will close now with best of love —from “ROBIN HOOD,” Mangaweka.

So pleased you had a nice holiday. How fortunate to receive such beautiful presents. You will be able to pass many winter evenings with your Meccano set. —Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l was very pleased to receive the cards you sent me and 1 thank you very much for sending them to me. I ant sending you some more cards for the Wendyites. Dear Wendy, I would like to tell you about my little kitten. It is very playful, and plays with a piece of string with paper on the end 'of it. When I play with him he bites and scratches me. When he sees anything move he tries to catch it. When I come out in the morning he comes and meets me. The ducks my father gave to me are called buff ducks. They are all brown. The days are getting shorter now, and the nights are long. My father got some honey from our bees. We do not get many eggs now because the fowrs are moulting. I must close now with love ot the Wendyites and yourself—from “BRIER,” Greatford. Thanks so much for the cards. What do you call your kitten? I must try and get the cards you ask for.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l am sorry I have not written for such a long time. 1 am going to tell you about our school picnic. We had it in the Aramoho Park. We went by train to the Aramoho station, and then by tram to the park. First of all 1 went on the swings. The park is a lovely piece of green land by the Wanganui River. It has some trees on it. At one end there is a shop. Thei’e is a chute and some swings, also a merry-go-round, paddling pool and a rock-a-by to play with. During the afternoon races were held. I won the race I was in. By the way, Wendy, I forgot to thank you for that Christmas card. I liked it very much. I must close now, with love—from “DADDY’S SWEETHEART,” Wangaehu.

Pleased to hear from you, my dear. Aramoho Park is a lovely place for a picnic. How glad I am you won the race. —Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l am very pleased that nobody had the name I wanted. "Scarlet Pimpernel” is my school friend. I went out with my father on my horse, “Darky.” I had lovely fun. It rained a little bit, to my disgust. We have a wireless set at home and I love the music we sometimes get. I have a little sister at home and two bigger ones, who are both away from home at present. When my sister Ena is home we go for Jots of rides. We have great times together. We always take our cousin with us. Ix>ts of love to you and your happy band—from “CHE'RRY RIP'E,’ Marton.

How lucky you are to have a horse of your own. The radio is wonderful, isn’t it? What great times you must have! —Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—lt seems ages since I have 'written to you. Doesn't trie time fly ? It .seems only about a week since we started school, and yet in a few deys time we will be breaking up for our Easter holidays. The weather has been colder lately so I suppose we will soon have winter upon us. Saint Patrick’s sports were held here last Saturday and Monday. There were chops, bicycle races and running races. Sice shows, ice cream, and cold drink stalls. The Taumarunui Boys’ Band came down to play at the sports. Last Friday the Guides went to the river for tea, and when it got dark we had a camp-fire. After we had gone through the camp-fire ceremonies we sat round and sang songs. Some of the Rangers came down and joined us. There was a swimming carnival here last Friday night; but I don’t suppose there will be any more because the weather is too cold. Hardly any of the children go swimming now. They play nothing else but marbles. We will soon be playing football, basketball, and hockey again. Well, Wendy, I must close now, wit<i much love—from “SILVERWINGS,’ Taihape. So pleased to hear ffom you, my dear. Was the tea held on the banks of the Hautapu? I have been to several St. Patrick’s Day sports at Taihape. It is too cold for swimming now. —Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l am very sorry that I did not write before this, but I have been so busy. I think we are going to get a storm, we cannot complain about it, because we have had enough fine weather. I have got a new horse to ride, it is a white one, and I was wondering of you could give me a nice name for it. 1 have got a new teacher to teach me this year, and I am in Standard V. I am going { or a week’s holiday at Easter time. Well, Wendy, as news is very scarce I must close now with love—from “PRINCESS BETTY.” Pleased to hear from you, my dear. How would “Spanks” do? Hope you have a good holiday at Easter.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy.—l have not forgotten you. but as we are very busy at school, and at home, you must excuse me. I hope you enjoyed your holiday The inspector was at our school last Friday. I am sorry to say that we w-ere like dummies. It seems to me that wo always talk at the wrong time in school. We are still swimming at school, but I think we will soon have to stop as it is getting a bit cow. We had our school picnic a few week- i ago and I won a pretty bangle. I have just ' read a book called “Emily Climbs." It is perfectly lovely. I have also ready “Emily of i Mewmoon.” “Emily Climbs" is a story about ' a girl who is sent to a high school in Shrews- I bury. Sne has to board with a very strict aunt, who does not agree to everything Emily 1 does. One thing that Aunt Ruth specially dislikes is Emily writing poetry, but Emily still goes on. and later on all her relations, including Aunt Ruth, look upon her writing mania as something." Well. I must close, with , best wishes—from “SUNSET.” Aramoho. I I had a lovely holiday. So pleased to hear 1 you won a bangle. Thanks so much for the cards. I will try and get the ones ycu asktor.—Wendj-;

Dear Wendy,—l am just writing you a few lines to let you see I have not forgotten you. I nope you had a very happy Christmas holiday. I spent my time during the Christinas holidays in the sheep yards with the men. On the twenty-third I went to play with “Brown Eyes,” as you know she is a very great pal of mine. Well, good-bye for this week. I must close now, dear Wendy, with love from your little Wendyite—“TOPSY,” Waverley.

So glad to hear from you and to know you haven’t forgotten me. I had a lovely holiday, my dear.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—AVill you please excuse me for not writing these last few weeks, as I (iiiite forgot you. Are you enjoying the sunny days of March, Wendy ? I think they are beautiful. As I did not jucceed in getting my proficiency last year I am trying again this year. “Laughing Lilac” and her parents are going out for another picnic, and 1 am going with them. Are you going away for your Easter holidays this year, Wendy? I am not. Well, Wendy, as I have got no news to tell you I must close. With lots of love to all the Wendyites, your loving Wendyite—"SHlNlNG STAR,” Taihape. Pleased to hear from you, my dear. The sunny days we have been having are lovely. Try very hard this year and I am sure you will gain your proficiency. I will try and get the cards you require.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Please excuse me for not writing the last two weeks as I did not think of it until after the letters should have been in. Outside it is raining. It has been raining all the afternoon, and so far as I am concerned it can rain all day to-morrow, too. This afternoon my cousin and I were playing Old Mother’s Dance. We were both dressed up and, of course, we looked real tricks. At school we play skipping and the other day I wore my sandals out. I had to get new ones. I enjoyed myself the show, especially watching the steer-riding. Well, Wendy. I must end now, with love—from “THISTLEDOWN,” Waverley.

It is lovely "dressing up” on rainy days, isnt it? . There are so many things you can do. I like watching the steer-riding, too.— Wendy.

* * « Dear Wendy,—l suppose you have forgotten me as I have not written for a long time. Did you enjoy your holiday? I did. I went to Hamilton for a fortnight, and then I went to Kimbolton for the rest of the holidays. Thank you very much for the Christmas card. We had our school picnic at the beach on the Sth. but the sea was dangerous and the backwash being very strong. However, we enjoyed ourselves. 1 must close now, with lots of love —from “CHERRY BLOSSOM,” Fordell. No, my dear, I had not forgotten you. I had a lovely holiday. Glad you liked the card.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—Please, Wendy, will you excuse me for writing in pencil, because I have a sore finger and cannot write properly in ink. I am sending some cigarette cards for “Sweet Adeline,” “White Forget-me-not,” “Chiquita’ ’and “Deerfoot.” I will be up early to-morrow morning. It rained on Saturday, so I am going to get some mushrooms. The underneath pink part of the mush-room is the fairies pleated frocks that they wear at ■ night when they go to the ball. That is a story that we read in our journals. I will be sorry ' when my little baby cousin goes home, because I like nursing her. We will soon be having our first term examination. I find Standard IV. quite easy now. I will have to close now, with love and best wishes—from “SWEET CARNATION,” Marton. Sorry to hear your finger is sore. What have you done it? Thanks so much for the cards. I hops you will find a lot of mushrooms.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l was pleased to see my name on the Honours Board tor tne neatest writing. This week I am going to tell you about harvesting. Harvesting time is in early autumn or late summer. The weather is generally hot and dry. The farmers engage a good many men in harvesting time as there is plenty of work to do. These men are called harvesters. The harvesters are engaged to do the reaping, stooking, drying, carting, cutting. The chaff falls from the machine into bags. The bags are then sown up and are sent away to be sold. During harvesting time the harvesters have no time for amusements, etc., as they put in all their time in working, sleeping and mating. The harvesters begin their work as soon as possible in th« morning and they finish when it is dark at night. They have little rest during the day, therefore they are very tired when they come home at night. It is interesting to watch the rats scuttling away as the men come to the bottom of the hay stacr. I forgot to thank you for the De Reszkes that you sent me. I will close now with love to you and all the Wendyites—from “VIOLET BLOOM,” Marton Junction.

Thanks for your interesting letter, my dear. Harvest time is always a busy period on a farm. I will try and get the cards you ask for.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l hope you are quite well. 1 am going to tell you about my dolls. I have four dolls. Their names are “Dinah,” “Lucy ” “Bebe” and Elizabeth.” “Dinah” is a aleening doll; she has curly hair and blue eyes. She has a lot of nice clothes. “Lucy” is a big doll, nearly as big as a baby; she is an unbreakable doll, but I left her out in the rain once, and she got spoilt. “Bebe” is a French doll, and I got her off the Christmas tree. She is a thin baby doll, and has curly hair and brown eyes. “Elizabeth” has a china head, hands and legs, a soft body and blue eyes She has a nice set of clothes. I have a cradle for my dolls, but only "Dinah.” ‘‘Bebe” and Elizabeth” can go in the cradle. Lucy is too big to go in, so she sleeps in the pram. I have a big playhouse that my father built for me, and all my dolls live m the playhouse. They keep nouse while 1 go to school. I think I have told you all about them, so I will close now with Jots of love and kisses to all the Wendyites and yourself—from “SLOW COACH,” Ohau.

What beautiful dolls you have. So sorry to hear you left “Lucy” out in the rain. You will have to take great care of them. Thanks for the cards, my dear. I will try and get me names you require.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—You will think me very ungrateful for not writing to you. I have been so interested in reading the children’s letters that I forgot to write. Thank you for sending me that nice Christmas card, it was lovely. We had our Sunday School picnic in Aramoho Park a few weeks ago and we all had a real good time. I am going to our Bible Class camp this Easter and we hope to have a good time. I must close now with heaps of love to you and the Wendyites—from “FIRE FAIRY,’ Wanganui. , Pleased to hear from you again, my dear. Glad you liked the card. Hope you have a splendid time at the camp.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—lt is a long time since I last wrote to you. I think I will post a few lines to you now. I like school. I hope you had a nice holiday. Thank you, Wendy, for the Christmas card you sent me. I am sending you a cigarette card for some of the Wendyites. Well, dear Wendy, this is all I have to say this time. With best love to you, Wendy—from “AUTUMN,” Tutaenui. I am glad you like school. I had a beautiful holiday. Pleased you liked the card. Thanks for the card. I will try and get the ones you want.—Wendy.

My dear Wendy,—l think it is time I wrote to you as it is so long since I did. Well, dear Wendy, the first question I am going to ask you is—“ Did you have a nice holiday?” * hope you did. I do really miss “Apple Blossom’s” l«tteru, for they were so interesting to read. I know many of the Wendyites in Tutaenui. There is “Guelda Rose, "Flutterby,” “March Hare,” “Anzac,” “Country Sparrow,” “Autumn,” “Bunny,” and a few more. Please tell me how many has joined your hut now, Wendy, if you do not mind. Well, I have no more to say, so I will close, with love to you, Wendy—from “PRINCESS BEAUTY,” Tutaenui.

I had a lovely holiday. There are at present over 500 Wendyites, my dear. Quite a lot, isn’t there I will try and get the cards you ask for.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—l am sorry I have not written for a long time but I have not forgotten you. Thank you very much for the Christmas card yoft sent me, it is lovely. Did you enjoy your holiday, Wendy? I enjoyed mine, I went ;to Aramoho for a week. I am sending you some cigarette cards. Well, Wendy, I will bring this letter to an end with lots of love and kisses —from “WATER LILY,” Rapanui. I am pleased you liked the card. I had a lovely holiday. Thanks for the cards. I will try and get the ones you ask for.— Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—Thanks very much for the cards you sent me. I see you were asking my little cousin’s name. She Is a little girl, and she is called Lesley. I have never heard it as a name for a girl before. Do you like it, Wendy? Lesley’s mother and her are going home at Easter. I am enclosing some cards for some of the Wendyites. Well, Wendy, as news is getting scarce, I must close, with love to you and all the Wendyites—from "POPPY,” Marton.

What a pretty name your cousin has. Thank you so much for the cards. -Wendy. Dear Wendy,—The Sunday School children presented our minister, who is leaving the district, with a fountain pen. All our potatoes are a failure this year, owing to the dry weather. The place is very quiet just now as there is no car-traffic on the main road. The weather being fine the road will be finished in about a week or ten days. I am sending you some more cards to give to the ones who require them. I think this is all the news this week. Love to you and all your Wendyites—from “SCARLET MANUKA,” Sanson. So sorry to hear the potato crop is a failure. Thank you so much for the cards, i will fry and get the ones you require.— Wendy-

Dear Wendy,—l am so #orry that I have not written before as I have not had time. I am going to thank you for the Christmas card you sent me at Christmas time. I had a nice time through the Christmas holidays. I hope you had a good time. Wendy. It was my mother’s birthday on Friday. I don’t think the sports were so good thia year as they were last year. My father and brother went to the Bulls races on Thursday and Friday. Isn’t "Apple Blossom” writing this year, Wendy? I have not seen any of her letters so far this year. I have not seen any mushrooms about yet. have you, Wendy? I am in Standard V. and my sister is in Standard II; she is nine, and I am thirteen. 1 was just looking to see if I could find some cards for different ones that want them, but I could not find any. I think that is all I can tell you this time. Love to you and all your Wendyites—from "HUMMING BIRD,” Sandon. Glad you liked the card. I had a glorious holiday. "Apple Blossom" has not yet written this year. Yes, I have had several lots of mushrooms.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l. hope you remember me. How are you and all yOur happy band? I am sorry I have not written but I have been too busy, so I hoi>e you will forgive me. Perhaps I can send you some cards for the other readers. You have got a lot of writers now. haven’t you, Wendy Thank you for your nice Christmas card. Could I have “Laughing Water” for my pen-name? I must close non with much love—from"MlMOSA,” Raetihi. I I never forget any of my Wendyites, my dear. The Wendy Hut is growing each week. I would welcome the cards. I am sorry but 1 cannot change your pen-name.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—First of all I want to thank you for putting me on the Honours Board last week and 1 hope this week’s letter will bi as interesting as my last one. I am working hard for my second class badge at Guides now. Wendy, and hope to get it by next month. Quite a number of Wendyites are Guides, too, aren’t they? I am enclosing some cards for "Murray Moon.” I do the crossword puzzle every week, and find it very interesting. Nov. this week, Wendy, I am going to tell you all about the life of the snail. It sleeps right through the cold winter months in some sheltered cornel' away from the cold biting winds, or perhaps under some dead leaves. When the merry spring approaches, however, the snail wakes up, and is very busy laying her eggs. She lays a batch of about thirty very small ones, about the size of a pin-head. In a fortnight's time these change into little moving objects which look like tiny glass beads. They take three years to grow up, which seems a long time to us for such small creatures to grow up in. They carry their house on their backs, which is rather unusual. It is made of shell, and it grows as the snail grows. When in danger they draw back into their shell. Their chief enemies are the gardener and the birds. The thrush, especially, has a great liking for them, and he bangs them up and dpwn on the path with his beak till the sheel breaks. They have teeth along either side of their tongue. They have two little horns at the ends of which are their eyes. They can draw their horns in and so protect their eyes. They breathe through little slits in the tops of their necks just as we breathe through lungs. They secrete slime as they go along which helps them to move more easily and they leave a glittering trail behind them so you can always tell where a snail has been. So as not to use too much slime they prefer to go out at night or after rain. They feed mostly on green matter and are a great pest in the garden, for they eat the lettuces and cabbages. Well, as I shall lie taking up too much room if I write any more I shall close now until next week, with love—from "SENORITA ALMERIA,” Wan,lrYe?’.there are many Guides among the Wendyites. Thanks for the cards. May you ' be successful in winning your badge.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l was most surprised to sec my name on the Honours Board. I don’t think I will get there this week, for I really don’t xnow what to write about. I think the ' Wendyites would like to know about clocks, so 1 will tell them their history. Primitive

man reckoned time by the shadows cast on rocks, next he reckoned it by ropes of grass tied in knots at set intervals. The grass was 1 set on fire at one end, and time was crudely ' measured by burning from one knot to another. The “time-candle” of the middle ages was on tne same principle. In the thirteenth . century there was invented the nearest approach to present-day clocks, and in 1504 a young locksmith of Nuremberg, while in prison, made the first watch, as large as a saucer, and manufactured of iron. It was ' not accurate, for it lost an hour daily, and not until the lost hour was an established tact, could its time be relied on. Nightwatchmen carried these huge watches for which reason they were given their name. The nex' important invention was a “hair-spring” made from a pigs bristle. Watches and clocks nowadays have reached a fine state of perfection. A lady’s watch has such delicate mechanism that a thimble will hold 20,000 screws, each having a bevelled gear, slot and spiral thread. Present day watches contain 211 pieces, one-third of which are screws. Well this is all I will write this week, so, with love SauXttd„« Wendyites—from “REVL D AMOUR, Marton . Thanks so much for your interesting lettei - .I am sure all the Wendyites will enjoy reading it. I will try and get the cards yoi ask for.—Wendy. Dear Wendy-I am sorry I did not write ’ last week. This week I am going to tell you about the school grounds. At the beginning of the year we did not have any w T there are Pansies, roses, anil .ihSi m\ C HVe two lawns in frnnt of the school The games we play at school are I hop-scotch for girls and cricket for boys I CS nOW - 10Ve Pleased to hear from you, my dear. How mce your school must rook with such beautiful flowers and lawns.—Wendy. *** ’ * Dear Wendy,—Please excuse me for not ' writing last week; we went to Wellington, « and somehow there wasn’t time. I have sent : some cards for “Poppy” and “Sunshine Elf ” I hope they will like them. We went to the Waverley show and saw the steer-riding which was very interesting, and two men came from Hawera to ride. They had big cowboy hats and long shining spurs, but a boy from Waverley, who had no spurs won the prize, which was £lO. We started for Wellington on Sunday, stayed the night in Wanganui with some relations, then set off early in the morning. The condition of the road in some parts was fearful, but when we came to the tar-sealed portions we had a glorious time. We stopped for lunch on a pretty little tree-shaded hillock at the end of a “one-car” bridge, then had dinner at ! Levin. We then crossed the Ruahine Ranges, ■ where many great bush fires burned merrily. On the top of a big winding hill we had a glorious view of the sea. The sun, like a magnificent ball of fire, dipped down in the calm ocean, which was as if silver paper had been lightly spread over it by Mother , Nature. Well, I must close now, love to you and all the Wendyites—from “TAHUNA,” Waverley. 1 hanks so much for the cards. Pleased you ' enjoyed watching the steer-riding. It is some- ' times very comical. How nice your motor trip must have been. I will try and get the cards you ask for.—Wendy. * * • •

Dear Wendy,—l am very sorry I did not write to you last week. Since we have had no rain there are not very many mushrooms about. One day my cousin and I went mushrooming and we got a basketful. But when we have some more rain there will be many more. On Wednesday and Thursday the Bulls races were held. Did you go Wendy? We I did not go. You could not see for dust. The ! cars were going up and down one after an- • ot .*? er ',, 1 am .sending three cards for "Red Wing.” I will enclose some riddles. My sister is also writing to you. Give my love to the other Wendyites. With love—from ; "ROSE-GLORY,” Greatford. j . No my dear, I did not go to the races. The - i cars do make a lot of dust, now that the ' roads are so dusty. Thanks for the cards and riddles. I will try and get the cards you re- , ; quire.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l hope you will not think I • that I have forgotten you altogether. I have ■ i not had time to write. On March 1 we had 1 our school picnic, and I won a beautiful book I - the onsolation race i the book is called « "The Girls’ Own Annual.” Last Saturday week and Monday the Saint Patrick’s sports i were held, but I did not go in for any races. I hope that you had an enjoyable holiday.: Laughing Lilac ’ and “Rose Marie” are good runners and they both won something at the 1 school picnic. Isn’t the new year going quick- j 4 t ‘ seem . to have been at school no time. : I win be going to the Palmerston sports on ' Laster Monday to dance. I will be eleven years of age on April 16. Next September 1 - am going for a music examination, Preparasoon be Easter, won’t it, ■ • Wendy ? You see all the sweets shops with 1 beautiful Easter eggs all sizes and colours. I think that is all now, with lots of love to . .' the Wendyites and yourself—from "AVE ' - MARIE,” Taihape. You won a lovely prize, my dear. I had a ! grand holiday. I hope you win the dancing ' event. Easter will soon be here now. Wendy. ’ Dear Wendy,—l must thank you for that t lovely Christmas card you sent me. I am f sending some cigarette cards to the following \ Wendyites, "Sweet Adeline,” “Golden Prin- t cess,” "Laughing Lilac,” "White Forget-me- > not, “Bones” and “Begonia.” Please can we have a painting competition soon. I found • such a lot of four and five leaf clovers in ' three days. I am going to send a four and a i five-leaf clover to you, Wendy. Well, as this I is all the news this week I will close now, <■ with heaps of love and kisses—from "DEW- t DROP.” Marton. «. Pleased you liked the card. Thanks so much for the cards, they are always welcome.’ 1 I am going to have a painting competition soon. What a lot of trouble you went to to i v get the clovers,—Wendy. (

Dear Wendy,—May I join your happy band of Wendyites, and can I have “Californian Poppy" if it is not taken, please? Did you go to the Bulls races? We were watching the cars go past and the dust nearly blinded us. My sister is writing to you; her name is “Rose Glory.” Our tank is empty, and we are getting our water out of the well. My auntie lives in Aramoho next to Mr Kease’s grocer shop. I am enclosing a few cigarette cards.—From "CALIFORNIAN POPPY,” Greatford. Welcome to the Wendy Hut, my dear. You . may have the pen-name. No, I did not go to ■ the races. Thanks for the cards. 1 will try i and get the ones you ask for.—Wendy. ! Dear Wendy,—You will think that I have i forgotten you but I am writing to you once I again. My sister missed two sports meetings : this year as she fell on her arm and sprained ■ it. I am reciting in a concert on Friday, it ; is in aid of the Maori Girls’ College at Mar- , ton. In the Sporting and Dramatic I saw some Taihape girls’ photos, who go to the j Wanganui colleges. I am hoping that I will J get a nice Easter egg this Easter. Love to i all the Wendyites and yourself—from "MOON ! WINKS,” Taihape. ’ Pleased to hear from you, my dear. Sorry Ito hear-your sister injured her arm. I hoj»e j your wish will materialise Wendy. ! Dear Wendy,—My cousin had a party on j Friday. Two little boys couldn’t come because • one of them contracted chicken-pox that morn- > ing. On Saturday and Sunday two little girls i became ill with it. I hope we don’t get it. ! I am sending you some cigarette cards and jumbled names of people and objects. Please will you try and get some of the cards I want? I am going to tell you about George | Stephenson. He was born in the year 1781 in a small village not far from Newcastle. He : invented the first trains that could run on : wheels. His parents were honest, hard-work- ; ing and very poor. George was the second of six children. He was sent to work so that I he could earn money to buy his food. His ■ father could not afford to send him lo school j so George used to go to a night school, and paid for his schooling out of his own money. He was a bright little fellow and as soon as ' he was old enough he was sent every day with I his father’s dinner. While his father was i eating it he would sit and watch the engine. In the winter he was glad to do so. When he was eight he was sent to mind the cows, and he was given twopence a day. While he was minding the cows he used to try to make models of the engine out of clay and sticks. When he grew to be a man he made the first train to run on wheels which was called the Billy.” He won a race with the “Rocket.” All the other trains fell to pieces. He became a rich man and when he became old he didn’t forget the days when he had to work for his living. He died in 1848. With lots of love—from "PRIMROSE LASS.” I hope you do not get the chicken-pox, my dear. Thanks for the jumbled words and cigarette cards. I will try and get the cards you want.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—This week I am going to tell i you about our trip to Levin. On the Saturday I morning mother received a letter from grand- I father to say that he had hurt himself. W« . all rose early next morning so as to help get I • the basket ready. When everything was ready ' father went to fetch the car from the shed. I We had to stop in Bulls to pick up Uncle Bert. Then we started for Levin. On the way we stopped, boiled the billy, and had our ■ lunch. It was a beautiful day. The sun was i shining brightly and the wind that was blow- ' ing was warm. Nearly all the farmers down that way milk cows. The Manawatu Mounted Rifles were in camp on the Foxton racecourse. Foxton is a lovely town. There is I such a big school down there ; it is brick with I a slate tile roof. We went over the Mana- 1 watu River. In the centre is a span which I lifts up to let the funnels of the tugs go i through, taking up the punts for flax. Then we were in Levin. Isn’t It a nice town After i seeing grandfather we left for home. I must I now close with love to all the Wendyites and yourself—from "DANCING SUNBEAM,” Kai I Iwi. I am so very sorry to hear that your grandfather has hurt himself. I hope he will soon be better. What a lovely motor ride you i had. Yes. I like Levin very much.—Wendy. | Dear Wendy,—l am very sorry that I have ' not written for a long time. I am in Stand- i ard I. now and I get some hard lessons to do I Thank you for the Christmas card that you sent me. I could not make a Christmas card ’ for you. When I get older 1 will make one for you, if I remember. I must close : now, with love to you and all the Wendyites— I from "808 CUSTER,” Mangaweka. So pleased to hear once again from you, i my dear. I am glad you liked the card. I ■ hope you remember to send me one. 1 would 1 I like it very much.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—The weather is very unsettled ‘ and we are having very strong winds. There ! has not been much rain yet, but we are expecting it soon. We have finished cricket, and • are playing football instead. A few sections ■ below us the carpenters are building a new 1 five-roomed house for the county overseer with 1 all conveniences. A friend of ours in Bien- I heim sent us a box of fruit on Saturday. 5 ‘ am sending you some more cards this week 1 for the Wendyites who require them. I will ' close now with love to you and all your I Wendyites—from “MURRAY MOON.” Sanson. f I think we may soon expect some raiYi. ! Thanks for the cards. I will try and got the I ones you^require. —Wendy. Dear Wendy. I am very sorry that I did ' 1 not write to you before, but I have been very ' busy helping mother, who has not been very i well, and with my homework. I am glad to , say that I am able to write to you again ' Well, dear Wendy. I must thank you for the ■ Lhristmas card. I like it very much, and I •iope all the other Wendyites did. We had our school picnic on the 9th of this month. 1 ” 0 la ” a lollies and games. I was 1 glad when the time came for the prizes to be ' ' given out. I got three prizes this year. One : of my prizes is Lorna Doone. Have you I 1 read it? I am half way through the book, ' and 1 think it is very nice. I hope you had I 1 a good time for your holidays. I must close 1 now with love to all the Wendyites and your- ■ self—from “LITTLE BUSH MAID.” Winiata. Pleased to hear from you again, my dear. ’ T hope your mother will soon be well again. 1 It is very good of you to help her so much. I 1

have not yet read the book you mention.— Wendy. Dear Wendy,—Last week when I wrote to you the weather was lovely and fine, this week however is very wet, and I have to stay indoors all the time. Our tanks wore getting low, so w e are glad that it is raining. I now have two hedgehogs, a mother and her little one I have been reading a number of books lately, and I am always sorry when I come .0 the end. I have read most of the books m our house and I find it very hard to fret a iresh book that I have not already read. I play tennis now at school and I enjoy nlaving very much. I am not very sure of the scoring yet, but I expect I will learn in time. ’ was in Wanganui the other daj’ rnd had quite an enjoyable time. We did not leave until nearly dark, and when we were at Kai*oke a man stopped us and asked if we could ■pare him some benzine. We gave him a little tnd we reached home about 8 p.m.. I must •lose now, with lots of love—from “BONES,” i Marton. The rain has come as a Wessinir to many. I Hodire-hoKs are curious little animals, aren’t I hey' I bke reading very much. too.-Wendy. 1 Dear Wendy.—l did not write last week ' oecauso I did not have time. Thanks ever .so I much for tn«s Christmas card you sent me. I always forjret to thank you. It is nearly i Easter, and it seems as thougn it was only zesterday that we had Christmas with us. My sister rides into Marton every day to the lecn., it is five and a half miles away. We ■ire having rain to-day, and we need it our •inks are nearly empty again. I belong to the Navy League but I lost my badge, and do not know how to get anotheh T suppose I will 1 I’ a >’ m >’ subscription and -hen get it. Have you heard the “Two Boileu Owls and the “Two Black Crows” on the wireless; aren’t they funny? I have written four letters to-day. It is the most I have written for a lor.g time. I generally keep jutting off writing and then I have quite a number to answer. We are going into town .o-night. We went to the pictures last Saturday night I want to go to “Ben Hur.” Did you see It in Wanganui. Wendy? T must close now as we have to get ready. With love n< fer t f, s and yourself -from PRINCESS JU JU, South Makirikiri. 1 will try and get the cards you ask for. Ask your school teacher about your badge. Yes. I have heard the perlormers of which you write. I saw the picture “Ben Hur,” it is lovoly,—Wondy,

Dear Wendy,—Once again I am writing tn you, I have not written for a long time, have I? How did you enjoy your holiday. It is , not long to wait before the Easter holidays > now. Have you had any mushrooms this year? I have had quite a few; I often go i mushrooming after school, f think it is wondi erful how mushrooms grow, don’t you? Last I Thursday night there was a dance in Kawhatau which I went to. and enjoyed myself j very much. Our tanks are empty just at I present, and everything is so brown looking. Iwe need rain badly, don’t we? Sometimes I go crayfishing with my two friends; I think it is such fun. The crayfish we catch are rather small to eat. Well, Wendy, I must close now with heaps of love—from “BUTTERCUP,” Kawhatau. Pleased to hear from you, my dear. The . Easter holidays will soon oe here. Yes, I have , had a few mushrooms. I hojie that it will I soon rai n and replenish your tan’ks.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l will send some cards to you j for the Wendyites. We have some small j prickly bushes that turn red with the frost j and the sun. In autumn the leaves turn pretty colours. Then they drop their leaves. Our goldfinches can feed themselves now. I 1 have planted some sweetpea seeds, and they ; are growing up now, Wendy. As thene is no I more news I will stop mow. With love to aU , the Wendyites and yourself—from "ICELAND • POPPY,” Marton. Thanks xery much foi- the cards, my dear. , Do you know the name of the curious bushes i '.f which you write ? Sweetpeas are lovely.— ' Wendy. i Dear Wendy,—This week I shall tell yoi about beautiful things that live under the sea. Many people do not realise what l>eairtifii growths live there. One of tb<?m is the coral which is almost every colour. Pink and whit® are the two most common colours. The Great ; Barrier Reef near Australia is camr>Oß&l of coral. Little insects build barriers of coral. The fan-corals are so called because of their shape. They live on the sea-floor. Coral is : ihe skeleton of an animal called polyps. This growth spreads from sec to sea like a plant. •The mushroom coral is not unlike a largo j mushroom. Another growth is Venus’ girdle which is a ribbon-like form a yard long and .is found in the Mediterranean. The sea-pen which is also another growth is like feathers. , Sea-gooseberries are common on shores near I England. They resemble a tiny crystal globf gleaming with all the hues of the rainbow. < Sea-cucumbers are like ordinary cucumbers | and have a mouth at one end. Seaweed, shells j and many other things are found on tho ; floor of the ocean. Sea-anemones are very j pretty, indeed. They vary in colour. but i crimson and green coloured anemones are the most common. They are tubular in shape. I Coralline is a plant that is found in rockf pools in abundance. Many animals in the

j -ea have beautiful crystal bell-shaped cups, .ome coralline have tiny forms like small , i crimson flowers. Sea-jows are fish-like in ap- : j>earance and feed on water-plants and sea- | weed. I shall not described any shells this . time as 1 told you about some last week Sea hares may be two or three inches long.’ incy crawl along and resemble a tiny hare or rabbit. Sea-horses are queer-looking fish, iney are olive-brown in colour with bluishwhite spots. The Australian sea-horse is a xery strange-looking creature covered viith spines and filaments. It is often mistaken for seaweed as it Is nearly the same colour. Well Wendy, I shall close now with much love, although 1 have not fiaTr-Hnrsned From "WOOD VIOLET.” Ngutuwera. Thanks very much for your interesting let- , s ea-life makes a wonderful study j Wendy. J Dear Wendy,—l have not been writing a long time, but I have not been able to, cause I have been going into town to see nB sister. I have managed to write this time. ■ am sending some picture cards to “Star of thl Desert ’ and "Sweet Pea." I went to the SunW any school picnic which was held not so long ago. I came second in one race and I a pretty little comb. I went in the sack and the three-legged race but I came no in them It was just a plain race that I the comb. W r e went over and had afternooW I We had a ,o, l y scramble. Aft/M | that we had all kinds of games. I wiU clos<B !w W >"'? 1 h P a «’ 8 of love to yourself and thfl I "cndyites- from "MARCH HARE,” Tutaenui® ' ter tO J ear T fr ®» you ’ my dear - Thank® i cards - 1 try and get the ones yo® . iequ.re. I am pleased that you won a pImB I in one race.—Wendy. j Hear Wendy. I ;i m enclosing for • Begenia." "Sweet Adeline.” ( 1 rineess, "Maid Mar.an,” Honey Suckle." "Murray f/ioon.” Almeria,” "Scarlet Manuka." " ""■-“ot, • "S.-arlct 11 .. 1 al ' ha<l son ’C for j Bone- but 1 gave them to . Goblin Greenleaf acted as mv • and gave some cards to "Lilac,” "Blue Th P J.L neSH and “ Sweet Carnatron-- from r3® ! mark lart w/k m " t Ch '° r a '’ ,ardin K i Wendyites who sent •’S.mshine New Zealand native bush. Compared with | the exotics, that is, imported trees, the virgin 1 “Ju ° n 't 0 h 'f h It >s wonderful to i >ush ’ Tow ering kauris lift I DP I h '’ a(is t 0 "?" 16 the sky and graeefk' dominat e the scene. As we pass ■ 1 h thC bU “i h we , se ’<' the graceful fems in ! the '™' ,arsl ' o "'th and the masanre trunks of I the totara covered with moss. To all. it pre. (sent, a picture of nature’s wonderful worksP cure of green, from a delicate green to ontwkl f Die bl'ss Of solitude. Clematis : i ’."f". 1 th<! b ™ nch e». and leaves of I m«ny a beautiful tree, ft is a mass of green | dotted with the blossoms of the rata and poi nutakawa if »t is their reason. The silence is °mt bv thc cal ‘ ® f "t® tut - b blr i’ rhe ™ ry Krandeur ot tho forests is enough to inspire one. It all sneaks , the one word -solitude. Then maybe the’ soft | murmuring of „ brook as it wend? it, wav i onwards, fa I upon our ears. But it . hances the beauty and reality of that scene. jiX ?'"f shaf t» ,»f I‘Kht as in the dim . aisles of a cathedral and at dusk a feeling of . calm pervades the forest. We can eee that [ there is none to vie with our New Zealand ‘rhS '1 ' k 't ls .„ abl ? l ' t t,ma 1 b *<i finished ; this letter, so I will close, with tons of love I MERTN”cASCADE7 en ' ,yit ‘'-“ frOn ’ I Thanks so much for the cards you sent I X?" r °,“ r n ? Ove bufh interestWendv- SnliS ‘° r tbe poem " n °t yet.— | Dear Wendy. I am sorry that 1 havw not | liecn wntmg for such a long time. Mv sister I is writing this letter becaure I am not allowed !to write lam getting on all right now. t 1a " . wnd "? a some Picture cards along to l bhimmenng Cascade.” "White Forget-me-i not. Maid Marian." and "Begonia.” Thank . you very much for the Christmas card you rient me. We had a good time dowij at the I Iu ath ‘ u ha< a,RO a love,y all Juv S<? w° ? vcn J- d ” w . n to lhe for the ! ? y ’, W C also liked it at the Sunday School i L th?' X , rac ? s! ,ne fi ''« on » wa. I a three-legged race but I came no where in tha„ and the second one I came first. I just | beat my -sister, who came second. I will close love—from "COUNTRY oFAKROW, Tutaenui. J am ® var so Pleased to hear from you. I will lie glad when you can once again write to me yourself. It is kind of your sister to write for you. Thanks for the cards. I will try and get the ones you w.--nt. Pleased to hear you won a race.— Wendy. Dear Wendy,—May I be one of the Wendy Hut readers. I Rm going to school with my sister. We have to go about a mile. I am in Primer 2. I like going to school. We walk to school. I have a little foal and he likes chasing the sheep and the little lamb. The sheep and lamb are both lame. I liked being down at the beach with my mother and sisters. We have a lot of little pigs. Mv father is going to put. some bigger pigs in the sty to fatten them up. I will not write very much this time as it Is the first time T have written. I am sending some picture cards along to “Lilac” and “Laughing Lilac. I will close now with heaps of love to you all—from “HAPPY-GO-LUCKY,” Marton. Welcome to the Wendy Hut. my dear. The pen-name you ask for Is a-reacry in use. I have chosen “Happy-go-Lucky” for you. 1 hope you will like it. Thanks very much for thc cards.—Wendy.

Dear Wendy,—Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well at present. I think I had better tell you a bit about myself. Tu begin with I am fourteen, have blue eyes, and black hair. I go to night-school and learn short-hand, typing, English and arithmetic. We have two shops. A fruit and confectionery and a second-hand shop. I slay at noma nnd help to mind the shops. I love night school. It’s corker! I should like to correspond with “Shimmering Cascade” if she coma write first. I saw in the paper that “Princess Ju Ju” would like horses 4, 15, and 19. I have only the last two mentioned, tto I am senuing them. Well, » must cToae now, —love from "SEA*-SPRITE,” Christchurch. Pleased to hear from you, my dear. T will let "Shimmering Cascade” know that yo« would like to correspond with her. Thanki so much for the cards.—Wendy

Dear Wendy, Please may I join your happy band of Wendyites which has grown very large since you started. I am 9 years old and in Standard IV. My birthday is on the 21st of August. Please may I have “Young New Zealander” for my pen-name. As this is my first letter. Wendy, I am making it very short so I will close mow— from "YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER.” Aramoho. Welcome 1o the Wendy Hut. my dear. You may have the pen-name you have chosen. Wendy.