WENDY HUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 219, 15 September 1928, Page 20 (Supplement)

WENDY HUT

I “BUSH QUEEN,” Ohakune Junction. —- {I am so glad you have written, my dear. The weather has been dreadful. I am afraid that many little lambs have died as a result of the wintry conditions. The spring bulbs are lovely.—Wendy. “RAINBOW FAIRY.” Ohakune Junction. —I will tell “White Swan,” my dear. I hope you enjoyed your holidays. The snow looks lovely on the hills, doesn’t it? I have not read the book. I will try and get the cards you ask for.—Wendy. “BREATH OF HEAVEN,” Makirikiri. I am so pleased to hear from you, my dear. Yes. “Red Wing” is indeed fortunate in being able to go such a journey. I expect to hear from him soon. 1 an) glad you enjoyed your holidays. The young opossums are funny creatures. —Wendy. I "PRINCESS MAGNOLIA,” Greatlord.— i I am pleased to hear from you, my dear. Will I "Topsy” and “Violet” do for the calves' names ? Thanks for the cards. I am pleased the names I gave you for the lambs were suitable. The weather has been wet and cold. 1 will be pleased to receive the parcel. 1 was so proud of “Snowdrop.” I will not he closing the exchange for a while yet. The cards will always be acceptable.—Wendy. “LITTLE SUNBEAM.” Marton.—l am so glad you have written, my dear. The lambs are lovely. The spring flowers are beautiful. I love their fragrance. Yes. I like reading very much. I am Quite well, thank you. Wendy. “JACK FROST,” Taihape.—Oh, many i thanks for the cards you sent. The weather has been wretched. 1 am afraid a lot of little lambs have died as a result of it.— Wendy. “SHINING STAR,” Taihape.—Yes, I rereceived such a surprise, and you can guess just how delighted 1 was. If you send me a stamp when next you write I will send you all the particulars you ask for. I am unable to publish them on the Notice Board. So you have named a pet lamb after me. The weather has been rough and wintry.—Wendy.

“EASTERN STAR,” Patea.—l am so pleased you liked the name I chose for you, my dear. The weather has been so wintry. 1 am afraid a lot of lambs have perished as a result of it. I saw the lightning. It was very strong. Dear me. how dangerous it was to kiss the cow. I hope the calf will take its milk. I do not like the spring cleaning. I shall be so pleased to receive the parcel for the “Relief Ship.”—Wendy.

“LITTLE GOODIE TWO SHOES,” Patea. —I am so sorry to hear you have been ill, my dear. I hope you are now better. What a nice name you have chosen for your pet. The puppies are always so playful. I hope you get a pet lamb. I am so pleased you like the letters.—Wendy. “ANNE OF GREEN GABLES,” Mataroa. —The songs of the birds are lovely. I love to see the lambs gamboling in the pastures. You write to “Ping Wings,” care of me : I will forward your first letter. Thanks for the cards. I will try and get the ones you ask for. I am glad you like reading. It is a profitable pastime. We learn a great deal from hooks. I am always pleased to know that 1 have Wendyites so fond of books. The weather is very changeable here.—Wendy.

“MIDGY,” Taihape. I am pleased you have written again, my dear. Thanks so much for the cards you sent. Yes, one. They do love to tease, don’t they? The pony is attached, isn’t it We have had a good deal of rain lately. Wendy.

“GOLDFISH,” Pukeroa.—l am so pleased you were able to listen-in to the reports of the flight. It was a wonderful accomplishment. How excited you must have been. I will tell “Cherry Blossom."—Wendy.

“ROLLING STONE.” Waverley.—l am so glad you have w ritten. my dear. The weather has been dreadful. It is very wet and cold. The Christmas holidays will soon come round. —Wendy.

“LADY LAVENDER,” Waverley.— You will now lie able to write long letters without breaking the rules, my dear. Most of the Wendyites appear to like the new method of answering the letters. They say that they can read what was in the letters by the answers. Yes, my dear, it was the only time I have ever noticed Mr. Printer really smiles as though he meant it. The Elf of Inspiration is elusive indeed. He is a curious little fellow. I have noticed he usually attends those who work hard at their lessons.—Wendy.

“MOUNTAIN DAISY,” Mangaweka.--How sorry I am to hea • that you could not get the paper on Saturday last. I hope you wili get a nice teacher. I would be pleased (o have them join. Will “Dixie” do for the '•nlf’s name? I will ask “Pink Blossoms."— Wendy. “QUEEN OF SILVER.” Mataroa.—l am pleased to hear from you again, my dear. You must have wondered where you were going to stop when your horse decided to gallop off. I like reading. It is a very good exercise. So glad you have worked the apron. The Hut has grown. If you send 'me a stamp for postage I will give you the 'particulars you ask for.—Wendy. [ “HINEMOA,” Hunterville Your schoolmaster was kind to let you go and hear the ' reception of the aviators over the wireless. I It. was an exciting time, wasn’t it ? Let me i know all about the concert.—Wendy. j “BUFFALO BILL,” Marton.—Well, T am (surprised to hear from you again. What a long time it is since last you write. I am pleased you had an enjoyable time at the ball. No. I did not see the picture. I will forward the letter to “H.M.S. Hood."— I Wendy. ! “SWEET LAVENDER,” Taihape. The ■ weather has been very rough and wintry I lately. I am so pleased you have a pet I lamb. What a nice name he has. The spring flowers are beautiful. The plum trees are very pretty when in bloom.—Wendy. “PATIENCE,” Wanganui East.—lt will be lovely when the sports take place. I hope you will win some races. Your little sister is quite original, isn’t she? I am so pleased to hear she is now better. It was good to hear that the airmen arrived safely. Thanks so much for the cards. I will try and get the ones you ask for. —Wendy. “SILVERWINGS.” Taihape.—Goodness me! How cold and stormy the weather has been. I can imagine you nursing the fire for I have also experienced Taihape during the winter. Your school has an excellent motto. Thanks for the cards. I hope the ball will be a success. — Wendy. “JUMBO,” Hunterville.—We had a particularly stormy week-end last week. It was very wet and miserable. I am so pleased you have a garden. The flyers made a safe journey. What a curious suggestion, my dear.—Wendy. Dear Wendy. -How this week has flown. 1 got quite a shock to-uay when 1 realised n was time 1 w rote io you once more, rias the picture "Bringing up rather” been Lu Wanganui yet? On. Wendy, it is a scream. I went to see it last Monday nignt, and enjoyed it very much. "Maggie” is one of those sights once seen, never forgotten. Don’t miss it. I’ve made such a disastrous discovery, Wendy. I think I told you I always write "Silvery Sprite’s" letters and sometimes “Shimmering Sprite's." Well, "Silvery Sprite’s" name is spelt Moreen and “Shimmering Sprite’s” is Lillias. I went to a birthday party last Tuesday evening and enjoyed , myself very much. It was a friend of { mine’s party and her name is Elma. She was eighteen. I was lucky enough to win a prize, but it wasn’t due to cleverness. Oh, dear no. I’m not a bit clever. As it happened I had Elma’s brother for my partner in this game, and he knew all the answers except one, but we puzzled that out. and we were the only ones with them all right, so of course we got the prize. Some of the questions were: A kind of lick (garlic) ; the age before motors (cabbage) ; a dog flower (cauliflower) ; and the birthplace of a sovereign i mint). I gave Elma a white xylonite trinket case and a rose hued comb in a rose and white coloured case. A lot of the girls thought sovereign was meant for a king so of course they couldn’t make that one out. Last Sunday Mabel. Ethel and myself went to Scarborough and had afternoon tea, we then walked to Sumner. We all went to the tea-room- there and had a Sunny Jim icecream <uch. and then we got the car home. If K'! ■ .oni Smith had come on Sunday we were gooig out in the moto- to see him arrive. Next Sunday I’m going to be good for owe in while and go to Bible-class. Well, Wendy, I think that is all for the present so <hr<iio. ever yours.—“SEA SPRITE,” Cl ristchurch. No. the picture has not yet been here. Oh. dear wha- a m : s take, however, that is soon righted. I am pleased you won the prize. I What a l> nutiful present you gave youj fr : «’*d. I <—i imacrine tkn exr ,: tamen*_'”'I vailin'? in Christchurch this week. What ' « su’-’i- - ■ -n st tve efived x.hea-i I the news became known that the flyers were <'ii their way. Wendy.

“RED RIDER,'* Mangaweka.—l am pleased you have written to me again, my dear. I am glad you visited your home during your holidays and had an enjoyable time. How nice to have the pet lamb. You have chosen a good name for it.—Wendy. “MURRAY MOON," Sanson.—The weather has been particularly stormy, hasn’t it? I saw the finish of the bicycle race. I am, pleased you like the new teacher. I was glad when I heard that the All Blacks had won the last Test. Thanks for the cards.—Wendy. “BUTTERCUP,” Kawhatau.—l am so sorry to heai- you have had the ’flu. It is too late to warn me, my dear, for I have already had it. It is wretched. So pleased you liked my story. I will try and get the cards you ask for. The optical illusions are a good set of cards. I hope the lambs will thrive. .The letters are ' interesting. I am pleased you think the “Answer Bag" a good idea.— •Wendy. “SALLY LOO," Kaitoke.—Dea~ me, it would have been terrible had the wind blown the tree on to your house. It was a terrible storm. Oh, how pleased I am to hear the puppy was safe. I can imagine its delight. Thanks so much for the cards, my dear.— Wendy. “BLUE FLAG,” Rangikura.—How glad I am you have written. I think it a good idea to plant the trees, don’t you ? We must look to our future supplies of timber. I will ask the Wendyites you mention. —Wendy.

“GOLDEN WINGS," Kawhatau. How lovely to have the three sets almost complete. I will try and get the cards you ask for. The weather has been cold and changeable.— Wendy.

"SINGING BIRD,” Wanganui.—l am pleased you enjoyed yourself so much at the fancy dress ball. It was a pity that all the beautiful costumes did not win a prize. What a strange partner you met with. Just fancy! A clown. Yes, they do make a difference. I must tell them though. I am glad you are able to sing nicely. You are quite right. I 'io like to know my Wendyites’ accomplishments. Thanks for the cards.— Wendy. I Dear Wendy,—Whatever will you think of Ime for not writing to you before this ? I [ know you will forgive me. As I have so I much work to do I have very little time to write to anyone. I will try and write as often as I can. Have you been to a Maori tangi ? I went to one the other week. It was lovely, I really enjoyed myself. When I went down to the mail the other day a man jumped out of the back of the lorry with a little lamb in his arms and gave it to me. I walked up the gateway very proud of rm lamb. I made it a nice warm bed in a heap of straw. When I got up in the morning it was nearly dead. We fed ft with a spoon every half hour and at night we got up every three hours. It lived for three days and then the poor wee, skinny little mite died. Yesterday “Shining Star’s” kind father gave me a little lamb and it drank its milk lovely. When we show it the bottle it runs an 1 bras with lelight. I love the little lambs. We have got one little t’« key chick Well, Wticy, I must close no.? as new., is scarce. With love.—From “PRINCESS PETT V ," Taihape.

I am so pleased to hear from you again, my dear. I wondered what had happened to you. Yes. I have witnessed a tangi. Howgood of ihe man to give you the lamb. What care and attention you gave it. How sad that in the erd it died. It was so kind of ‘Shining Su-i’s" father to give jou anvh r. What have }ou named it? Any mail foi "Blue Eyes" will no doubt be forwarded to her by the postal authorities from her former address.—Wendy. BILLY BOYS’ WORKSHOP A SUEDE LEATHER LETTER BACK You have all seen the pretty and useful things that are made nowadays from suede leather, and I am sure you would like to try your skill at this kind of work yourselves. One < f the simplest articles to make is the letter rack shown in the sketch. Get a piece of dark brown suede leather, about ten inches square; also a piece of lighter brown leather, ten inches long by about six inches wide. Cut the latter in a slight curve at the top (A), and in the centre sketch out lightly in chalk a little design of fruit and leaves, being careful to keep it quite simple and bold. Now paint the design in shades of green, yellow and red; or if you can do pokerwork this will look even better than the painting. Leave the decoration to dry. meantime painting a similar design at the top of the dark brown squareWhen all is perfectly dry, you can assemble the two pieces to make the

letter rack. Place the smaller piece of leather on the larger piece, arrang ing the lower corners and the edges to come exactly together. Then, holding the two ijh ces firmly on your workbench, pierce little holes along the edges, going right through both thick nesses of leather. Now take a strong needle and some good stout waxed thread and stitch through the holes. Be sure to make everything very firm, for the rack may sometimes have to carry quite a number of letters. Pierce two holes at the top to take a length of brown ribbon by which to hang up the rack. If a Wendy lady thinks she would like to make a letter rack, she might embroider the design instead of painting it; but a very strong embroidery needle would be necessary. Should the rack seem to require a little 1 backing’ to keep it stiff and firm, paste a ten-inch square of brown cardboard at the back when all the work is finished, but before piercing 1 the holes for the ribbon hangerWendy.

“GOLD WINGS," Kohi.—The weather has been very rough and wintry. I will forward it, my dear. The little pigs are so funny, en’. they? Thanks for your gift. I will try and get the cards you ask for.—Wendy.

“PIKLA-RERO,” Mangaweka.—Thanks for the cards you sent. I will try and get the ones you ask for. I am so pleased you have a pet lamb. I hope “Ngaia” will be given a pet. There is a lot each week on the Notice Board now. Many pen-friends arc asked for. The Hut has grown so rapidly that I have had to adopt the “Answer Bag." The weather has not been very nice at all.— Wendy. “NCAIA.” Mangaweka.—The weather of late has been very wintry, although we have had a fine day or so here in Wanganui. Ponies usually have a habit of playing tricks when you want to catch them in a hurry. The little lambs are lovely. What have you called the little pets?—Wendy. “WEARY PEARL.” Mangaweka—l am so sorry to hear that so many lambs have died. It is so sad, isn’t it ? Now, my dear, you write quite a nice letter, and I do not think vmi require any tuition from the other Wendyites. I am glad you know the readers who have joined from your district. Oh, many thanks for the cards.- -Wendy. • • • • “MAID MARIAN,” Brunswick. —I am so pleased to hear from you again, my dear. The lambs are lovely little creatures. ‘How strange to see the scene in the paper. The spring flowers a-e beautiful.—Wendy.

“PETER PAN” VISIONS HER IDEAL SCHOOL. endy ’ Clang! Clang ! ! Clang ! I ! Once again the school bells peal out, and the last term of the year has commenced. How lucky I consider myself, because I do not start till the following Tuesday. As I sit writing this letter, I stop to think of school. Yes. I do. like school, but it would be nicer the way I picture a school to be. A tall, huge, old building sitting on top of a cliff which overlooks the blue sea. This school contains many curious things, and the girls all take an interest in and love the old school. On the walls hang valuable pictures and ornaments of interest. Opening into carpeted corridors are studies or dens; for every girl from the fourth form up has a study or, if she prefers to, she may share one with her friend. By mounting a flight of stars you can see another carpeted corridor with bedrooms opening off this. At the end of each corridor is a dormitory where every girl loves to sleep. Every Wednesday afternoon is a holiday for the girls. This day is generally spent in studies, by the sea. or on the playing fields. Teas are allowed to be eaten in the studies provided that the girls behave themselves. The girls are allowed to keep pets if they keep them in the “Pet House" specially erected for that purpose. Mondays. Wednesdays and Fridays are the only days that they can do prep. The other evenings are spent in a pleasant way. Surrounding the school are velvety green lawns, round which are flowers of every description and hue. If they care to, the girls may have a plot, where they can grow flowers for their dens. This kind of school would be a very pleasant school to attend. Still, we cannot have things all our own way, can we, Wendy? I am sending in a few cards for Hut readers, and please, Wendy, would you tell 'Tinkerbell" I will gladly correspond, if I knew his (or her) address. Best wishes.— From •‘PETER PAN,” Wanganui.

You are very fortunate having such a nice long holiday. I am so pleased you are fond of school. School days are, indeed, the happiest times in our lives. Would it not be lovely to attend a school such as you describe. However, one cannot always have every wish gratified, and one must be content with one’s lot. I will tell “Tinkerbell." —Wendy.

“SLOW COACH,” Ohau.—Oh, dear me, how lovely to have the little bunnies. Thanks so much for the cards and poem. I am sorry the weather prevented you from attending the Happy Hour. I will try and get the cards you ask for.—Wendy. “WHITE WATTLE,” Marton.—How nice to have the pet lambs. What lovely names you have chosen for them. The weather has been very wintry here, although we have had a fine day or so lately. I will see if I can get you a pen-friend. I will try and get the cards you ask for.—Wendy.

“CUTE EYES,” Kohi.—The weather has indeed been very wintry. However, we must not complain for the winter has been so mild. There are a lot of new readers in the Hut now. I will try and get the cards you aak for.—Wendy. Dear Wendy,—l am sorry I did not write to you last week, the days went so. quickly, that it was Saturday before I realised that I hadn’t written to you. Thank you very much for the cards you sent me. I now have only six more to complete my set of New Zealand Birds. Isn’t it a pity you have to just put the answers of the letters in the taper? It will spoil half the joy of reading the Wendy pages, because we won t know what the answers are about. You are very popular, aren’t you, Wendy ? Fancy having over SdO on the roll. The weather we art* having n< w is not a bit like spring, is it? Last rifht (Saturday) we were terrified that our roof would blow off. The wind was so strong. Our house is quite icw and we have no shelter round it. My bedroom is on the corner of the house on the western side, and having two outside walls, the wind got hold of it and shook it just like an [earthquake. Once in the night the hail and ; rain was so heavy we were expecting our windows to break into a thousand pieces. My heart was in my mouth all night long. Nearly all our baby pigs are dead, and I am sure the lambs are suffering, too. I am not back at school yet, as the doctor and mother and father won’t let me. I don’t think I will be going until after Christmas. News is scarce, so I will close. Lots of love. — From “BONES,” Marton. Thanks so much for the cards you sent. I will try and get the ones you ask for. It is a pity that I am not able to print all the letters, but you can see that it would be impossible for me to do so. Space has become limited. Quite a number like the new method. The weather has been very boisterous. We also had a severe storm in Wanganui. Much damage of a minor nature resulted.—Wendy. WENDY’S LITTLE DRESSMAKERS Aly Dear Children. —So many of you Wendy Ladies arc keen gardeners, as Tink knows from your letters to her, that we thought you might perhaps like to make a pretty gardening pinafore. Half a yairi of sixpenny hessian will just be enough for one apron. You mus,t fold the stuff in half, so that you have a fokied piece nine inches wide and twenty-seven inches long. (The cheap variety of hessian is about twentyseven inches wide, and the width d abes the length of the apron. See?) Then cut as shown in diagram A. The cut-away pieces in the upper left-* hand corner will make two big patch pockets that will be useful for holding seed packets, bass, and so on. You must bind all the raw edges with coloured woo] braid, which you can buy for a penny a yand in the fur-

nishing stores. You’ll need about twenty inches‘extra of braid to sew in a loop for your neck to go through; fasten each end to a point r f the bib, as shown in the diagram. You’ll also need two twelve-inch ends of braid io sew* to the sides of the ‘ ‘ skirl” for tie-ups behind. And now for the trimming! Our famous 4 ‘Penny Ha’penny Flowers” in bright wool or raffia will look perfectly charming; suppose you choose emerald, orange, royal blue, crimson, and purple for the flowers. Use the wool double, to make the blossoms stand up well and put in a little black here and there by way of contrast. Wendy’s Dressmaker.

“RATA QUEEN,” Rata.—How glad I am you have written, my dear. It is quite a long time since I last heard from you. The Weather has been cold. Oh I what a lot of cows to milk.—Wendy. ‘■SPARKLING SPRITE,” Christchurch I am so sorry to hear you have met with an accident, my dear. I hope your wrist will soon be better. 1 am pleased you have received the letters.—Wemjy.

Dear Wendy,—Once again I take up my pen to write a letter. It is very wet up here now. Well, Wendy, as I have no hews to tell you I shall tell you a little about the National Pa~k and thermal regions. Have you ever been there, Wendy ? These are ideal spots for holiday-makers and explorers. The National Park is situated in nearly the middle of the North Island of New Zealand. Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu and Mt. Tongariro are Often visited by tourists. Ngaurunoe has a crater and the height of this mountain is 7,500 feet. Ruapehu is 9,125 feet. This mountain is an extinct volcano with a crater lake at the summit 500 feet in diameter. This lake is inaccessible except by ropes. The height of Mt. Tongariro is 5100 feet. It is an active volcano with three volcanic cone.'. The last was formed in 1868. Vast streams of lava have flowed down the sides of this mountain. The highest crater is called Ngauruhoe and it is New Zealand’s great active volcano. The hot lakes nea" Lake Rotorua are known as the Thermal Springs District. This district has an area of about 1000 square miles. The whole region abounds in hot springs, mud volcanoes, solfataras and fumeroles. The Tongariro National Park is a glorious palyground fo- young and old and will bring many travellers from far-off lands. On June 5, 1926, the volcano (Nlgauruhoe) was very active. Two climbers saw the hollow heart of it. There seemed to be alternate action of steam, smoke and fire. First, steam would appear in jets, soa-intr hundreds of feet above the mountain, to be wafted away on the winter breeze. The fire would issue flames varying from red to blue. The red flames, I suppose, came from the lavabed in the crater, and blue flames from masses of sulphur in the walls. People skate, ski, and have merry times tobogganing in the snow on the slopes of Mt. Ruapehu. During the holidays this famous sport is the mecca of winter sport. In Tongariro National Park there is beautiful hush and scenery and steaming pools. Steam rises where the hot springs are. So hot are these that potatoes are boiled in a minute. The geysers play at Wairakei. This lovely valley contains over thirty distinct sights and is the wonderland of New Zealand. The Aratiatia Cateracts are four miles distant and are the largest and most beautiful in the Southern Hemisphere. The Huka Falls are very beautiful. Lake Taupo is also very beautiful and Karapita Blowhole is always active and the r| st wonderful steam blow-hole in the world. A 1! the three mountains are lovely. Please, Wendy, will you tell “Blue Gleam" she may write to me? Well. Wendy, I shall close now with oceans of love.—From “WOOD VIOLET," Ngutuwera. Yes, I have often been to the National Park. Many travellers and tourists visit the Park during the season. It is a great pity that everyone has not the means of visiting the vast wonderland of scenic beauty. T shall never fortret mv visit to it. I will tell “Blue Gleam.”—Wendy. Teacher: “Although Shakespeare lived hundreds of years ago, what is he still to Englishmen ?” Child: “Bonedust, sir!**

“SHIMMERING CASCADE” ATTENDS A FANCY DRESS BALL Dear Viendy,—To-day must have been a red-letter day for Christchurch, when the daring aviators of the Southern Cross arrived there at the end of their conquest of the Tasman. I wonder whether the. “Sprites" saw them arrive? Wendy, isn’t it just too wonderful to be true . Even listening-in on the radio one felt one could see all that was going on in Christchurch, on the arrival of those entrepid men. The children’s ball was a great success. . In spite of the raging of the elements, children flocked into the gaily bedecked hall, dainty ballet dancers and fairies in their gauzy dresses, to say nothing of fierce looking pirates and jovial clowns, all lent colour to the merry throng. Sharp at seven the fun and merry-making began, and a livelier scene you have never seen. Everyone had put on their best carnival spirit and seemed bent on having their night's fun, and I am sure they had it, too. Then came the grand march, the event of the evening. First the juniors paraded in colourful array, golliwogs, bunnies, pierettes, all proudly marched before the delighted audience Then the seniors, they too with happy faces had their turn and after that a maize. From the gallery the scene must have looked like some quaint mosaic done in gorgeous colours, blended in perfect harmony. After a time of more dancing and more laughter the children trooped off to supper and they did full justice to that bounteous repast. Well, Wendy, thanking you for the cigarette cards, I must close, for space is already over-taxed. Tons and tons of love.—From “SHIMMERING CASCADE,” Murton. There must have been great excitement at Christchurch when the airmen arrived. I expect we shall hear of it from our “Sprites.” They are sure to have been present at the landing. How pleased I am you enjoyed yourself so much at the ball. It must have been simply wonderful. 1 will try and get the cards you ask for.—Wendy.