THE WENDY HUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE WENDY HUT

M J) dear Children, — A pleasing feature of our pages each Letterland Day is the lift of old members returning to our ranks. During the holidays mostly everyone left our Land of Letters, and set out for seaside, city or country intent upon enjoying the long vacation. Ere the school cells pealed though all returned and lessons commenced in earnest. Not only has everyone returned to their studies, however, but as week follows week numbeis of oui band whom we have not seen for many a day appear in our midst. 1 his is indeed lovely of them, and I hope to see, next Saturday, a full mustei of our “Old Brigade." Oh, good morning. Sir Bichard. You are about early. I did no: expect to see you so soon. "Early, I will admit, for me, Wendy, but I have a letter entrusted by Mrs Dexter to me for you. She said 1 was to be sure you received it this Letterland Day, and as I know it must be important, brought it along early. Eery good of you. Sir Richard. Goodness, a nice long letter, too. I Wonder what our helper has to tell us? Oh, children, just read for yourselves! Here is the letter:— Dear Wendy,—l have received a further sum of £1 lls 2d from your Hut family to help our refugees, which is splendid. Some parcels of clothing, and also a purse bag with Is enclosed from "Ellen" and "Johnnie All Sorts”; a box containing some lovely necklaces, and a bead purse containing 1 s which mas sent by "Midgy." Well, I think it beautiful, especially the thoughts which prompted the sending of the purses and the money enclosed. It is very touching, and the donors will be pleased when they know how their gifts are appreciated. Firstly, I will relate about the big purse. It is a light blue colour and such a nice one. I gave it to a refugee mother who came here from Hastings a few weeks ago with seven children. There was a wee baby about three months old, and the poor mother was suffering with her nerves. She had been living in a small tent with her big family since February 3. The children were all very frightened and the members of the Relief Committee did everything possible to make them comfortable and happy. They were improving wonderfully, when a sad calamity befel the mother. It was when she received some money from a kind friend, and, I understand, she went to town to cash it. She put it into a bag in which there also was a watch which belonged to her son, and she had the misfortune to lose it. Oh dear! Imagine the poor mother. She came up to me brokenhearted last Friday morning, telling me of her loss, and that she —■ Was going home the next day. The same afternoon I called into the "Chronicle" Office, and was given the monies and parcels from Wendy. When I saw the purse-bag I thought immediately of our mother refugee, so I went down to her house, and explained about our good Wendyites, and was sure Wendy too, would agree with me that to put £1 into the bag together with the Is already in was the best way we could help her, and the lady herself was so overjoyed to have a purse, and some money as well, that she wept tears of joy. She will never forget it. She said, "Cod opened the way for me.” She may write to you, Wendy, when she gets back; she, poor soul, was very much comforted. They left next morning by early train for their home in Hastings. I think I told you I sent to Hastings and bought some apples and tomatoes from a grower who had suffered a big loss by the quake, and distributed them here among Hastings refugees, so it helped all ways, and the money was all contributed by our good Wendyites.

Many thanks to you all. Oh, but I must mention that the bead-purse and necklaces have been given to some dear little girls of another family from Hastings. They were delighted, and think “Midgy” is just a darling io part with her treasures. Cood-bye for now; I feel I could write a lot, but must not lake up more space. There is great joy in distributing these gifts from our friends. Yours sincerely, E. A. DEXTER, Hon. Welfare Officer, W anganui. There, my cherubs, could we possibly wish for a better use for our fund and gifts than that they go io bring such happiness to those who through misfortune suffer so keenly. Can you imagine the poor mother with tragedy in her heart, and at her wit's end to know what to do at her loss, when, to her assistance came our good friend? What a crushing load of care was at that moment lifted from her, and it is lovely to know so much has been accomplished among the poor refugees who have been our care since 'hat fateful February the 3rd. Now to our city's good Samaritan I would say this:— Mrs Dexter, Hut’s helper, and distributor of Wendy Relief Fund: May I take this moment while gathered in our happy Land of Make-Believe to thank D° u for the wonderful help you have rendered us in our effort to relieve as much as We were able, the plight of the refugee children who became the portages of our city? How diligently you have striven to assist I need not indite here, for it is known, both near and far, the good you have performed, and the happiness you have spread about you in your work- Never will your untiring energy and unselfish motive be forgotten by those whom misfortune treated so harshly. Yours, dear friend, has been a gigantic task admirably accomplished.

“Aunty!" Just jive little letters that make a word—though small in itself —a mountain of greatness. When our Ohingaiti Ites first learned that “Aunty" was about to hold a picnic for them, little did they realise that a privilege—so often denied one these days— to meet one whose greatness far exceeded her appellation. Was to be realised. Their expectations Were amply fulfilled, and now word comes that those same Ites have made our “Aunty of Ohingaiti” the recipient of a token of their esteem. This action is one I wish to applaud and record as the spirit of all true Wendyites. 1 can assure you, dear Ites of Ohingaiti, that your Warm-heartedness has given “Aunty” a great measure of happiness, for she expected no such reward for her labour, but 1, sitting here at my study desk, send my many thanks to you for your thoughtfulness. Bravo, dears! "Cood-bye Summer Time Competition": What fun our mysterious author has provided with her unique idea, and considering the clue that was given in the concluding verse it is most surprising indeed to find that only one has succeeded in solving the problem. Let us take this clue. “Light in the darkness." Now, whose pen-name could this be derived from? You will all remember that our "Old Gran" was “torch bearer” to those who sought admittance to the Hut as Hon. Members. She, good soul, led them Io their seats in the darkened gallery of our Wendy Playhouse. Therefore “light in the darkness" comes from “torch bearer," who in turn is “Old Gran." There you are, and “Snowdrop” is the lucky Ite whose guess >s the only correct one. Following is the list of guesses, with the guesser’s name in parentheses: —-“Cows” (Queen Starlight) ; “Moon Man" (Thistledown); “Silver Moonbeam” (Royal Rose); “White Forget-me-not" (Desert Song); “Daylight Saving” (Princess of Poppyland); “Madcap" (Brown Wallflower, C.W.K.); “Chic-a-bid" (Golden Sunrise); “Madcap” (Silver Birch); "Madame X” (Fuzz Wuzz) ; “Laughing Lilac" (Hut’s Biggest Sister); “Old Gran," (Snowdrop) ; “Star of the Desert" (Wood Violet); “Murray Moon” (Rambling Rose); “Shining Star’ (Little Jim); “Taffy" (My Lady Lavender); and “Coms” (Cheery Snowdrop). , Now, children of Wendy Hut, my time is close drawing nigh, and 1 must away. To each n(j&u I send all my .warmest love and Jfisses from your ever affectionate

I OUR CHILDREN'S CORNER