“Madame X’s” Holiday Competition

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 5 (Supplement)

“Madame X’s” Holiday Competition

The Prize-Winning Entries

WINNER OF SENIOR PRIZE What I Would Like to be when I Grow Up. I think there would be nothing more thriving than to be an aviatrix. I know it would take a few years hard study to "learn the ropes,” but I know I would be a willing pupil so would get through in the least possible time. Then, oh then! Like that world-famed heroine. Amy Johnson, I would sail majestically through the air, adventuring alone into ■wide open spaces far over the wild, wide ocean and over lands where "no man’s foot has trod.” How thrilling it must be to go sailing up so near the sky through the floating, snowy clouds and to see the hugest cities looking like toy villages in the distance. Truly it would be a “bird’s-eye view.” and when one was so far up one could almost experience the feelings of a bird. Maybe .xime day I would feel like visiting Australia, or some other place across the sea. so out would come my trusty little ’plane and with a buzz and a roar I’d be away, and so long as the Weather Clerk behaved himself, well, I would soon be roaming the streets of gay Sydney. And then Perhaps on Saturday, instead of writing to Wendy. I’d go and visit her. and perhaps I’d even hop in my little ’plane and visit • Madame X.”—“CYCLAMEN,” Hunterville. WINNER OF JUNIOR SECOND PRIZE When I Grow Up. When I grow up my labour is lumbering in ♦he great forests of India and Canada. The trade is a very hard one, and only skilful people can elarn. The trees are planted in rows, and some are always ready to plant out when the old ones are cut down. The forests are well looked-after and if a woodcutter cuts down a tree he must replace it. They use no trains, trucks, or lorries for •acting the timber. They have a cheaper way Ihan that. Up they get in the early morning, and take the posts down to the river and they are distributed free. If one takes these logs they are punished. To stop this they are marked. If they slip between the posts they are caught, so they must have plenty of practice at it. The trees are cut down in the winter when ♦he trees are atleep and no sap is running up the trunk of the tree. Hundreds of people from all over the world go to these great forests to learn the trade, which I hope to go to myself some day. They like their work and sing merrily while they ■re at it. They begin their work before light and don’t stop till dark again.—RUSSELL HARPUR, Bulls.

WINNER OF SENIOR SECOND PRIZE What I Would lake tu Be When I Grow Up. When I grow up I would like to help on a farm. As I like out-door work and I’m not very clever, I thought it was the best thing I could do. And, because J am able to milk the most suitable farm would be a dairy farm. Mother and myself were thinking of running the farm ourselves. We would like to have a fairly big place and milk about 35 cows and have machines, also. I would help mother milk and feed the calves if there are any. Perhaps we mnv separate or supply a cheese factory, if we did the former we would most likely keep calves and pigs. ! would have as a pastime a horse to ride as 1 am very fond of riding, and also have a good one so as to be able to show it, because I like exhibiting in shows very much, as it is v*»*v interesting. If it were possible mother would have a horse, too, so that we may be able to go out together. Beside? uaving cows and horses wa might have a few sheep, so as to be able to have cur own m eat. It wi tld be nice to -ee the iambs *ri ‘».ng aoout in the paddocks duung ih< kpring time. On this farm we would keep a vegetal le g.nden and rice flewer garde.is as web. a. we like fruit we would plant hi orchard, if there wasn't one already. For the cattie .n ths winter we would grow co r t crons and make hay. While at school I would learn a’l I could ab?ut practical fa’ming, so as *o make the place produce as truch as possi’-la. I w>.vld likj to spend a few years at ‘he Mts:ey Co’ where I couli learn the luted methods of farming—side-lines such as poultry farming I like being out of doors and I can lh : i k of nothing better as the pleasant and healthy occupation of farming.— “NUTLANDS, - ” Westmere.

WINNER OF .1 INI OR PRIZE W hat I Would Like to Be There are many occupations one might have, but if I had my choice I would be an avia'vx. Of course, one could not be an aviatrix until one whs nineteen or twenty years of age. While one was reaching that age one would have to attend lessons in aviation. Thia would mean studying engineering. I think this would be interesting as one would get to know the construction of the engines ; how they work and how to control them. Then, there is the building of the ’plane itself. The best materials and latest models would have to be considered. Next T would try to get a position as apprentice in an aerodrome, an.l there I would get actual experience in handling 'planes and getting them reiulv for the aviators. In time. I suppose. I would lx? taken up and instructed how to tly. Gradually 1 would learn to be able to take charge of a 'plane in flight. Of course. I would have lo sit for an examination for my pilot's certificate. Now for a 'plane of my own ! How lovely it would lx? to fly away like a bird to different places. In summer when railway trains are dusty, close and stuffy, and service cars overcrowded, how glorious it would be to get in my 'plane and fly away in the lovely cool air, choosing my own course. How surprised the friends of mine in the country would be if I circled round, landed in one of their paddocks, took them for a flight and brought them back to milk cows in the evening. Fancy viewing from a 'plane the beautiful Wanganui River winding its way between the bush-dad hills, and what, a view of mountains, bush and sea would one get. i would not aim to accomplish great feats like Kingsford Smith or Amy Johnson, but. would love my 'plane for the pleasure trips I could make. Every Wendy picnic I could then attend and give the Ites free rides.—-“BROWN WALLFLOWER,” Taihape.