"HUT’S BEST MAN" SO PROUD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

"HUT’S BEST MAN" SO PROUD

Dear Wendy,—As I pen you these few lines I cannot describe to you how proud I feel to be a member of a family with so many talented ’ites as our Hut surely has. I have just finished reading the winning entries in the "Hut's Padre’s” competition and heartily congratulate the winners on their clever efforts. I also sincerely thank t'.*e “Hut’s Padre” for making such a competition possible and to the others that competed I wish better luck next time. What fine trim “Old Maid’ has the members of the Animal Kingdom in : how busy she mt st have been lately making snug beds for her charges while Jack Frost is about. How mischievous “Madcap” was to annoy such a loveable family, but I feel sure she would not do it again. I notice “Madcap” lives in the same town as I do, and I often wonder if I wiil ever discover who she is? How nice of “Hut’s Bridesmaid” to join after seeing the Hut had a “Best-man.” Perhaps someday the Hut will have a bride and bridegroom to keep us company. Well, Wendy, I think it is time I brought this to a close as I am afraid I am a very poor letter-writer. Kind regards to you and all your ’ites. I remain, yours admiringly, “HUT’S BEST-MAN,’’ Waitotara. How pleased I am to have your welcome letter this week, my dear, and to know just how happy you are among us. We have some wonderful authors in our Hut, haven’t we? “Old Maid” is a real brick, isn’t she? How she tends and cares for our friends of the Animal Kingdom. I hope you will one day meet our “Madcap.” Write again soon, won’t you?—Wendy. . “’FRISCO MAID,” Marton—The ’ite who wished to correspond with you was our “Lone Star.” I would suggest you write care of inc, and I will forward your letter on. Dear me, but your leg must be very painful. A hockey ball is hard, isn’t it?—Wendv. "T AU KAT AU" THE FAITHFUL

Dear Wendy,—At last I have found time to drop you a few lines. Still, I suppose “Tanekaha” wrote and told you the reason for the delay. I mustn’t bore you with our troubles, though, Wendy dear. Another reason Is I have been away. I had to take my cousin back to Hawera, and had a most enjoyable time. I arrived back home on Saturday, stayed in town to the pictures that night and later went to the’Lyric dance. During the earlier part of the evening I was going off to find “Te Korito,” “Okirae,” and “Hine Ngaro,” when some one stopped me. At first I thought she had made some mistake, but after I noticed she, too. was wearing a Wendy Hut badge, and at last she told me that her pen-name was “Innocent.” Of course. I told her mine. T stood chatting to her for quite a while, and I entirely forgot about the rest of my comrades. Say, Wendy. “Piki-te-Kaha” and “Rangimaric,” Gosh! They sure have got me thinking. Who on earth are they? There won’t be much of them left after I have finished with them, that is, of course, when I find out who they are. I can also see that “Pertinette” and “Annette” have been on the war-path again; four more new members. Well. I guess we can’t be far off the 2000 mark now, eh, Wendy. Oh, by the way. I think I have discovered “Ruatara’s” identity. I know his initials, but he goes under L.C. Please tell me if I am correct? Also tell “Ruatara” that I shall answer his letter as soon

as possible. What a lovely letter our “Old Gran” wrote in last Saturday's pages. Words alone I’m sure cannot express how lovely it was. Oh, Wendy, when is Sir Ernest Endeavour going to hold his first Quarter Day ? Gosh! I hope it won’t be long now. I was ever so disappointed, Wendy, at not being able to attend the Children's Afternoon at the Elrick last Saturday. The reason was I didn’t look un our page, and therefoie didn’t see the announcement of that afternoon's event. That evening when 1 met "Innocent” I asked her if she knew anything about it, and she said she knew naught about it, so I wasn’t the on)y one who missed it. Still I was disappointed all the same. Before I conclude. Wendy, will you please ask “Rakautaua” if he would become my pen-friend? If so, would he please write first? This is all for now, and I think I have made up for the time I have lost, so I think I will close in the true Maori style.—Arohanui kiakoutou katoa Heoi, Na. “TAUKATAU,” Arakuhu. I am so 'pleased to have your welcome letter this week, my dear. How nice to journey to Hawera. lam glad you enjoyed yourself. How lovely to meet our “Innocent.” Yes, our two Wangaehu workers have, indeed, been on the war-path again, and so have you, too, dear. I cannot tell you if the initials are correct unless “Ruatara” agrees. Sir Ernest holds court to-day. What a pity you were unable to attend the afternoon at the Elrick. “Innocent” also had failed to look up our pages. I will ask “Rakautaua.”—Wendy. “BONZO.” Waverley.—Dear me, hut I had thought you had forgotten all about me of late, my dear. lam over so happy to have your welcome letter this week. Our Hut is growing rapidly. We have such a lot of grown-ups with us now, too. Our Weather Clerk has been so kind to us, hasn't he? We are enjoying beautiful weather here. I have not yet had any mushrooms. They are very scarce here. Many thanks for the riddles. —Wendy.

“MERA,” Marton.—How pleased I am to hear from you this week, dear. Manv thanks for sending me the particulars I asked for. I am pleased you like the pen-name I gave you. I hope you are enjoying your holidays. Our Weather Clerk is so kind to send us sueh lovely days, isn’t he? Jack Frost is a real scamp, isn’t he?—Wendy.

“GOBLIN PRINCESS,” Palmerston Nort’d. —Dear me, but what a surprise you have given me this week, my dear. I thought you had forgotten me all this Jong while. I will see if I can get someone to send you our Hut pages. Gracious, but I hope your cold is soon better. They are wretched things, aren’t they? I am pleased you like your new school. Our Winter Relief Ship will soon be under way. Ido think it fine of you to send me,such a handsrrne contribution towards our fund for the relief of the poor children. I have not yet had any mushrooms. They are ever so scarce here. You will be very happy among your relations, won’t you?—Wendy.

“THE HEN,” Bulls.—l hope you spent a very happy time on your birthday and received lovely presents. Our Hut is growing rapidly, isn't it? The 2000th mark will soon be reached now. I hope you are enjoying your winter holiday. The autumn leaves are gorgeous. Such beautiful colours. Jack Frost is a scamp, isn’t he? I think hockey is a fine game. I used to play it once. I hope you are successful in forming a team. I am pleased you enjoyed yourself at the dance. It is fine fun during the winter months, isn’t it?—Wendy. “MOON MAN,” South Makirikiri.—Many thanks, my dear. I am keeping quite well and happy. You were lucky to go to town and see your favourite team of footballers win their game. What an exciting game it must have been. Oh, no! I love watching football. I think it the finest gamp ever. Wonderful, dear! I am so pleased with you for the way j’ou have succeeded in your examination. I hope you will always work hard. Perhaps someone will write soon. I will ask again.—Wendy. “DEERSTALKER.” Tokomaru West.—Well, well, and so you are getting on quite well with your shooting. Fancy a -abbit apiece. Poor bunnies, though. Is the name of your pencil “Eversharp”? I did not see the fire, dear. —Wendy.

“RED DWARF,” Gonviile. —Oh. but how well you have done in your examination, my dear. I am so proud of you. How hard you must have worked. I hope you are enjoying your holidays. Our Weather Clerk is ever so good to send us such lovely drys, isn’t he?—Wendy.

Dear Wendy. We meet in the “land of letters” on :e again ! Welcome o n Weir.y, and I tru.-.t and nope you benefit* by your holiday. I am in Wanganui at prjseat, but I do not know when I’ll be here again as I have taken over a fa m just outt.de Masterton. However, it matters little where I roam for I can still be with you and the Wendyites in the “Land of Make Believe.” I can still enjoy reading the young folk’s letters and find a lot to interest me in your pages although 1 am a lor/ way from where our Wendy Hut is. My word you are a good girl, “Madcap,” for warning me about the thistle burrs which I have been so busy collecting, turning, in time into Wendy kisses. I in sure that being a “Bachelor” and making my way about with pockets full of Wendy kisses among the young Wendyites, I would soon be appealing to “Hut’s Padre” for his wise counsel, and I’m afraid he’d decline to give it to me as he'd tell me I’m old enough to look after myself. Oh. no “Blue Danube!” I fiuve not been “kicking petals off the daisies.” I’ve just been counting them so have not had time tc grow lazy. You know it's a pleasant game counting the petals and noticing what colour they are. Nevertheless, I will answer your letter to-night. Please. Wendy, assure your ’ite that I received her letter safely. What has become of our “Madcap.” for she has not had her cheery letter in the Hut pages of late. Congratulations, winners of “Hut’s Padre’s” competition. What gifted penmanship your young Wendyites can boast. My word, "Big Brother” did have an exciting- week-end, did he not ? I am all the time wondering what joke “White Forget-me-not” will play on me. But. i Wendy, I heard her saying that she was not going to piay any more jokes on him as Wendy asked her not to. Let me tell you, Wendy, though, that she said she would play her pranks on “Hut's Uncle” instead of “Big Brother.” Well, I think this is all this week. My best wishes to all. —From “HUT’S BACHELOR,” Wanganui. Many thanks, dear “Hut’s Bachelor.” I spent a wonderful tim Q wherj on my holiday. Goodness, but we have missed you of late. I wondered if you had become lost or some, thing equally dreadful. “Madcap” i 3 with us to-day. What a jolly ’ite she is. The poems were wonderful. We have some splendid authors with us, haven’t we? Our “White Forget-me-not” will keep her word, Wendy 1 will forward the letter.—