THE WENDY HUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 192, 15 August 1931, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE WENDY HUT

OUR CHILDREN’S CORNER

My dear Children,— Letterland with us again to-day, and wonder of wonders, spring seems to have arrived overnight! Glorious, wonderful spring! Oh, and it does seem splendid to have the warmer days after the severe weather experience! during the winter. Daps of rain, wind, and yes, snow, too. How gloomy and bleak our world appeared, but now the sun beams down upon us With u little more warmth; the mornings, always so chilly, now dawn with a brighter welcome and promise, while from tree lops our Feathered Friends mal(e merry the air with joyous song.

Just the other morning, as I arose early, 1 looked out upon a world bathed in the ruddy glow of the dawn. And as the sun, whose bright countenance 1 had not seen for many a day, or so it seemed, rose in all its majestic glory of colouring above the hill lops—that stood out in bold silhouette —I was greeted bj the song of a solitary thrush. Flow, this thrush had often sung before, but this morning his song held a new note. A note, it seemed to me, who listened and understood, to be of unutterable joy. His song of the morning was the voice of spring!

1 glanced to where a clump of snowdrops grew, and as I Watched several of them nodded their heads, it seemed, in answer to my unspoken thoughts. “Yes," they seemed to signify, “spring is here." I looked to where an apple tree stood in isolation. Every bud had formed, and gave just the faintest tint of pink concealed within the green jackets of leaves soon to open, and shower before an enraptured mortal s gaze, a fairy-like vision of blossom as pure and beautiful as ever a herald of gorgeous spring could be. Oh, cherubs, what countless joys are to be ours, when, clothed in its mantle of green, and gaily bedecked by the generous hands of Dame Nature, our world, but so recently gloomy, stands revealed in all its new glory. Well, children, the great Charity Rugby day is over, and you will have all read of the victory gained by the Police over the Press. It Was a wonderful game, children, and one which will be long remembered by reason of its object, the relief of distress among the less fortunates. Besides amounts allocated for various charitable purposes £5O was our Huts hare to be handed to our friend, Mrs Dexter, who has worked so untiringly io better the lot of those whom misfortune and necessity have dealt with so harshly. I can only repeat our eternal gratitude to the Boys in Blue and our Knights of the Pen for the part they played in assisting so Worthy a cause. In Mrs Dexter's capable hands, such a large sum will relieve in no mean measure, much of the acute want so rife at the moment tn our midst.

And now, how does our Relief Ship fare? Let me open our Ledger of Cood Deeds and read the Gnome of Gratitude's entries for the WeekGoodness, gracious! A sack of potatoes! Has “ H asbeeri s” friend at last succeeded in making his master understand his reason for his fit of stubbornness related last week? I wonder? Oh, no, here are two good Samaritans. Ihat sack of potatoes is from "Wainui-a-rua” and “Maunga Ohotu.” I'CAI done, my up-river Ites. I can imagine Mrs Dexter’s great joy when she perceives the nature of your generous gift. Next on the list comes “White Wattle,” our ever thoughtful lie of the “Old Brigade.” A little note explains her gift to our ship’s cargo thus: "Dear Wendy,—l am enclosing this little note with this parcel of clothing I told you I was sending. 7 hey are real, warm, flannel shirts and they have only just had a patch put on the sleeves that it seemed a shame to throw them out when so many are in need. FI oping uou will accept them.—l am, “WHITE WATTLE" l ,ry thoughtful of you indeed, dear. As you sap, the shirts are lovely and warm, and will be of great use to some little less fortunate. Ah. another parcel and a note from two unknown helpers. Just read it dears:— “Just a small parcel for li endy's Relief Ship.—From ‘I WO JOANS,” Pararangi.” Why, that is just splendid, and won't some very wee tot be ever so comfy and warm tucked away in such woollens? Many, many thanks, my “Two Joans.” The Gnome of Gratitude will never forget your gift and kindly thought. Perhaps I shall “Excuse me, Wendy, but here is just another gift .arrived per fairy post. J ou'd better see what it is." I hank you. Sir Richard. A oW. let’s have a peep. Oh, a crisp two sh'lling postal note and a message from jolly “Rosebud Queen. ’ I must print that. Sir Richard. I really must. It is indited in the following manner: “Io comfort and cheer less fortunates. —From ‘ROSEBUD QUEEN,’ Waverley." Dear “Rosebud Queen, ' will you accept by simple thanks for your gift? Thank you. “Oh Wendy! Il endy!” Goodness, children, but that is our Gnome of Gratitude's voice. I wonder what he can want? Perhaps he has another gift for our ship. Just as I thought. Tightly wrapped in a piece of paper are nine twopenny stamps. A o name, address or message, either. I wonder from whom they can be? You’ll have to excuse me a moment while I go out and ask the Gnome . . . . Ah, here 1 am again, and our Gnome saps the stamps were given to him by a tiny wee girlie, who said her name was “Daddy’s Daughter," and a stout Wee man who said, “The Huguenot" is my name. So that is who sends such an appreciated gift to help other little boys and girls whose lot is so much harder than theirs. Bravo! my two cherubs, you two little ‘true blue" lies of Letterland. B-r-r-r-r-r-r! B-r-r-r-r! Gracious, but there goes Mr Printerman’s buzzer, and I haven't yet told you all I wished. Our Sir Richard, who is to judge the "Our Happiness" Competition, will announce the prize-winnei s next Saturday. I wonder who will carry off the prizes so generously donated by our mysterious friend? Till next Letterland Day, my children I send you all mp love and kisses from your ever affectionate and happy //■ericAtf