THE WENDY HUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 291, 7 December 1929, Page 21 (Supplement)

THE WENDY HUT

OUR CHILDREN’S CORNER

Vij dear Children, — While we are all so happy in anticipation of the coming festive season, there is one of our number whose heart is laden with sorrow. I refer to Indian Princess,” whose dear mother passed over the Great Divide a short time ago. How deeply sorry we feel for our sorrowing member, and I have “Red Island Rock” t° convey our sympathy to her in her sadness. May Father Time soon soothe her aching heart, and make her happy again. Here is a letter, dears, that I want you all to read, for it comes from our “Red Wing's” mother. You will all remember how “Red Wing,” before he sailed upon a voyage to the Homeland, wrote us such a cheery letter of farewell. He wished us good luck, and a merry lime until his return. He has returned, dears, but oh, how seriously ill he has been. His life despaired of, he has lain grieviously stricken in our Public Hospital these many months past. While so ill he did not forget us in the Hut. He wrote, and I just know what his effort must have cost him. To his mother he gave his letter to post, but poor mother, so worried, forgot all about it. How well We understand her great anxiety. However, dears, you will see by the letter I have published that “Red Wing” is slowly progressing. Wanganui, December 1, 1929. Dear Wendy,— I have promised “Red Wing,” my son, io write you for ages. I kept putting it off ever since he arrived back from our trip Home, six months ago. He has been very dangerously ill, having undergone two very serious operations for mastoid abscess, as near the brain as possible. We have been up with him night and day at the Public Hospital. A fortnight ago he was unconscious for nearly a weelf. He is improving very slowly now, lam pleased to say. Everybody al the hospital has been so wonderfully good io him. They gave us very Utile hope of his recovery, although now we feel he will be spared io us. He did write you some months ago, just after his first operation, and gave it to me to post for him, which lam sorry to say I did not. He has not been allowed io do lessons in any way on account of his severe illness, so that is why I never worried him to write you prior io his second operation, which he underwent a month ago. I wonder if you could spare a few moments to write him a few lines I would be so grateful if you could, and I know he would be so delighted. Thanking you in anticipation.—With kindest regards, yours very sincerely, H.M.A. I am going to write him a message of cheer, and also to tell him how we all send him our best wishes and love. “Red Wing” loves flowers, and I am just wondering how many of you would like io take our sick reader some of Nature's beautiful gifts? Their fragrance and beauty may help him along the way io recovery. I have arranged with the good Matron of the Hospital wherein our reader lies, to receive and have conveyed to him your gifts of thoughtfulness. Perhaps, too, she may even let you see him. “Red Wing's” name is Master Stanley Armitage, c/o Reid Ward, Public Hospital.

Now, “Hut's Padre,” I will ask you to lead us in a prayer for our “Red Wing's” good and complete recovery. I must now tell you of a lovely act of kindness performed by a good lady of our community, who saw the appeal sent by our friend, Mrs Dexter, on behalf of a family upon whom misfortune had fallen. I received, and have forwarded, a tremendous parcel of clothing, left at the office for me, for the distressed family. Just a little note accompanied the parcel. It ran, “To the children from Mrs E.” Many, many thanks, dear friend, for your splendid help and kindness. Your ihoughtfulness will do much towards making lighter the cares of the mother whose children so urgently needed assistance. I would like everyone to read “Phantasy's” letter in this issue, for it contains a matter of great importance, i.e., the forming of a “Wendy Hut Swimming Club.” I think this a wonderful idea, and one which we could all foster with much profit to ourselves. Clubs could be formed not only among our city members, but also among our country readers where facilities are obtainable, and to bring into being the first club, I appoint “Phantasy” (whom I #now will prove a most energetic worker) to the position of secretcry, and “Senorita Almeria” club captain. Other officers may be appointed by the committee selected at the first meeting. The secretary of each club will send me their reports weekly, and I will publish same and all matters of importance relating thereto. Will all intending members please send me their names, and I will announce the time and place of your first meeting. Let me see now, 1 have quite a list here for our Relief Ship. Clothing and toys, 'Sid,' 'Ron,' 'Sue,' and 'Des.' Beads, toy cutlery, etc., 'Primrose Las.' Books, Some Unknown Friend. Many thanks, dear helpers, your efforts io provide Christmas cheer for our little less fortunates is greatly appreciated. The following have sent splendid packages of stamps towards our collection: 'Happy Ramona,' 'Otara Maiden,' 'Fairy Primrose, 'Taletit,' 'Fatly,' and 'Wee Jean from Aberdeen.' Many thanks, dears, for your help. Befare I conclude, I would like to tell you of a lovely surprise I received last Wednesday. After the postman had withdrawn I commenced to open a small cardboard box. First I took °ff die Hd, and a paper party hat greeted my astonished gaze; then out came multi-coloured streamers; now something enfolded within a paper serviette. What could it be? I thought to myself. Then my eyes fell upon a gorgeous piece of birthday cake, and a little note which read, “From 'White-Forget-Me-Not's Darling' and 'Big Brother'.” Why, of course, it was in commemoration of a great event. While I stood thinking of the lovely time our lucky members must have spent, my morning tea arrived, so I immediately sat down and ate my share of the birthday cake. Later that day I received the information that the cake had contained much money; two pieces of silver had yet to be discovered. Had I found any in my share? Children, lam still trying to make up my mind as to whether I swallowed those threepences or not. I wonder? However, I thank our two members for their thoughtfulness in sending me such a lovely slice of their cake, and I hope every joy will be their's as they march along to another milestone on Time's pathway. Well, dears, I must now leave you until next Saturday, so to each of you I send my warmest love and kisses, from your ever affectionate