WAI-NUI-ARUA RETAINS WHENUAROA SHIELD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 370, 13 September 1930, Page 18 (Supplement)

WAI-NUI-ARUA RETAINS WHENUAROA SHIELD

Dear Wendy..—l suppose you are just won- , dering what has become of your wee chappie of late? I was short of writing paper, and ( that was why I have not written. How are you, Wendy? I hope that you are well and ( your happy band. Since last I wrote to you . I had a bad cold, but now 1 am quite better. Isn't it lovely, Wendy, to welcome spring? We have been having beautiful weather up the river here, the wee lambies seem to enjoy it as well as us. Our daffodils, jonquils, etc., are all flowering, but, Wendy, my favourite of these bulbous flowers are the snowdrops. Well, dear Wendy. I say my letter to , you in toe Hut’s pages in reference to the history of my pen-name. It began with bold letters and it seems strange, Wendy, my own playmates, cousins and brothers did not know that letter belonged to me. I thank you most sincerely for having this published. "Wai-nui-Arua” has been able to yet you know about the final football match for the Whenuaroa Shield. I have been telling him to write, but he has the same excuse as mine. However, I hope you will forgive us, and not send Sir Richard Elf on the rounds. I have asked “Wai-nui-Arua” if I could tell I

you the result of this match, and he has given his consent. The Wanganui Maoris were the last to challenge for this trophy, and the match was played a fortnight ago at Ranana. You know, Wendy, we all thought it good-bye to the shield because our boys have not been practising lately, since the last match with . the Taihape Maoris. At any rate the visitors , marched out in blue and black jerseys, and ours with green jerseys with a gold band. . They did look a picture, Wendy I both teams I mean to say. The game was played soon after, both sides being the same strength, but i our boys were unfortunate in not piling on : : more scores. However, dear Wendy, have a ’; guess who won. 'Well, I am glad to say that I . we won by 9 points to 3, therefore we re- j : tained the shield for another season. In one ■ way, Wendy, it will be a very good idea for I ; some of these challenging team to take the shield with them, so we can look forward |' for a holiday out of the river. In the evening a big dinner was laid out to every heart's * content. Apart from all delicacies the visi- j ■ tors were served with piharaus. A piharau, J Wendy, is a fieh similar to eels. I think the European calks it "blind eel." I don’t think ' i they are really blind. Wendy, but these fish ' . are much prized by we Maoris, and they are | : very good to eat. I am sure. Wendy, if you 1 i were to try c»r.e you wcuid want another, i Amyway. these Wanganui Maoris were not , sorry about thrfr defeat that day. I over- • heard one say. "Leave the shield behind, so , we will he able to come back for more ' j piharaus.” Well, dear Wendy. I will relate ; - to you how these fish are caught in my next ; < letter. Will you please let me know, Wendy. | • if I am entitled to a badge, and I will be i ] pleased if I could have one. and how much * i they cost. ’ This is really an awfully long) 1 letter, Wendy, isn't it ? So I must hurry away. Heaps of love to you, dear Wendy, and all your Ites.—From "MAUNGA - OHOTU,” Matahiwi. I am ever so pleased to have your welcome letter this week, my dear. I had wondered * what could have happened to you of late. I t am quite well, thank you. I am glad your ] cold is now quite better. They are such i wretched things, aren't they ? I am pleased I you were able to retain the shield. I have i eaten the piharau and I. too. considered it a 1 delicacy. The footballer was wise, wasn't he? ’ He thought of the piharaus, too. The badges * are Is Id.—Wendy. ;

“SARRON’S SWEETHEART,” Makirikiri. So pleased to have your letter this week, dear. Haven’t we had some glorious sunshine, but during the earlier part of the week the weather has been somewhat cold and wintry. Why, dear, our "Old Gran” is with us to-day. She does write beautiful letters, doesn't she? Oh, yes, "Grandaddy” will always write to us. He is a cheery old chappie, isn’t he? 1 shall be pleased to have the stamps. I wiN see if I can get you some coupons. Goodness, so Jack Frost has paid you a visit also. I take a pride in your loyalty to me, dear. Be sure I will always appreciate such warm-heartedness.—Wendy.

* HONEY SUCKLE,” Kaitokc.—So happy, dear, to heaj* from you this week. I wondered how you fared during the holidays. I hope you have enjoyed them for the Weather Clerk has sent us such lovely days of late. We must not forget to praise him either, must we? How lucky you were to pay a visit to

Palmerston North. It is a city now you know. One sees a lot of trains in Palmerston North. I saw the two ’planes. They looked lovely as they flew overhead. Tha gardens and walks in Palmerston North are a credit to it, aren’t they?—Wendy.