THE WENDY HUT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 132, 5 June 1937, Page 12

THE WENDY HUT

OUR CHILDREN’S CORNER

My Dear Children, — A remark made by “Simple Susan,” oil Utiku, to-day, pleased me very much indeed, so much, in fact, that 1 have decided to devote some time this morning in consideration oi. its merit. It is not only a declaration ot loyalty to our Hut. but unwittingly our Ite has opened the way for the presenta lion of two notable speeches made but recently by two equally famous men of our Empire. Let me quote here “Simple Susan’s” observation: “It’s nice to think thousands of girls and boys are linked by one clan. ’ ’ This, you will agree witli me, is very true, but for what purpose are we all linked together? There is little or no need for me to answer my question, for everyone knows of the great bond of love whieh binds us together more firmly than bands of the truest steel. It is a spirit of love! A love and understanding of one’s fellows that prompts at all times the kindly actions and thoughts for others less fortunate than themselves. The spirit that urges one to extend the hand of fellowship without thought of colour or creed. In consideration of tiiis I now come to the first appeal made by one of the two great men of our Empire. The Archbishop of Canterbury, in a summons to tile, youth of the Empire to dedicate themselves to Liberty, Justice aud Peace, said:— “You are young, and the future is in your hands. 1 pray God that the terrible summons to war will never be heard in your time, but other testing calls may come. “Liberty is the very soul of the system of life you inherit. It is being sacrificed in some countries for immediate ends. You must resolve not to barter your heritage for a mess of pottage. “Justice, which is still denied to multitudes in our midst, cannot be secured by violence or class war, but by the spirit of self-sacrifice. “Peace is the supreme need of the world. Another war would shatter all that civilisation has gained and the hopes achieved. Let British youth understand that other countries look upon them with frank goodwill. ’ ’ That gesture of frank goodwill is but evidence of a love felt by all our young people, and in further encouragement of this universal spirit, Mr. Stanley Baldwin delivered the following speech to the Youth of the Empire on May 19. He said:— “Democracy must be defended from without and equally it may have to be defended from within. It may well be that you will have to save Democracy from itself. Twenty post-war years have shown that war does not settle the accounts; there is a balance brought forward. When emancipation has been achieved, a new slavery my begin. Freedom for common men, which was to have been the fruit of victory, is once more in jeopardy in our own land, because it has been taken away from the common men of other lands. The King is the symbol of the union not only of the Empire but of society, which is held together by the common view of the fundamental nature of man. The fruits of the free development of man do not grow in the garden of tyranny.. “The torch I would hand you, and ask you to pass from hand to hand along the pathway of Empire, is the Christian truth, anew in each ardent generation. Use men as ends and never merely as a means, and live for the brotherhood of man, which implies the Fatherhood of God." Two great speeches, my clear children, and two great men, of whom it would do well to heed, for you must remember, at all times, that you are the youth to whom the appeals arc made, not in pantomimic vein but in the deepest sincerity, for one day it will be your duty, as the men and women of our nation, to guide its destinies and guard your heritage handed to you by those gone on before. True sons and daughters of New Zealand ' The envy of all the world! Well. deal's, ’tis said time and tide waits for no one, and I notice time is just speeding on so so I will send you all my e and kisses, from your affectionate,—

Dear Wendy.—Prepare yourself for another secret again t'jjday in continuation of my weekly ramblings. r »'o begin where I left you last Saturday: When I light-heartedly proposed to pay a visit to that orchard I had no idea I’d be made to suffer the way I was. Squat on damp clay in a spiders den. forge a way between roots and dirt, like a trapped underground animal, climb a tree like a monkey, roll up hill when the natural tendency was to roll the other way. run under wires on all fours, and slide down hill through a wild rose bush full of spikes, and then have to come away without seeing the tree, let alone tasting the plums. Truly the way of the transgressor is hard and anyone having nefarious designs on other people’s orchards had better believe it. As for myself, I’ve decided to stick to the straight and narrow path, as often as my evil genius will allow me It may have less thrills but it is safer. Nor did my troubles end when I got home. After we had retired for the night my companion, who had borne up bravely, thinking mostly of mi through the period of our recent scare, became hysterical. She startea to laugh and went on laughing until she began to cry. In Throes of Deadly Fear. Once again I was in the throes oi a deadly fear. I didn’t know what tc do or how to stop her. I lay as stili as still could be wanting terribly tc laugh myself, yet scarcely daring tc breathe. I would have feigned sleep anil I snored my hardest only lam sure I she would have known the snores for what they were, so I refrained and just kept quiet. After a while she calmed down though every little while I’d feel hei quiver and a little half-stifled snort would break out. Finally, when 1 a as on the verge of exclaiming loudly "What a day and what a night.’ sleep, merciful sleep, descended on us and when we woke ’twas dawn. J have visited Wayhack’s several timet since then, but I haven’t ventured near forbidden ground, nor have I fei lhe least inclination to indulge ir. raids. No. not even when the time came for plums to be rich red. ano juicy. Wiser if Poorer Person I’m a wiser if a poorer person. I've no hankering ever to be subjected tc like hurts and indignities through t, mob of yelling beasts, with an accom paniment of barks and whips cracks No plums are worth it. and 4 hat’s not just because some I wot of were sour grapes. This. I think, will do for to-day’a day of Make-believe so until next Sat urday best love and regards.—From ‘•MADCAP.’’ C.S.W.M., Letterland. ’ITS NICE TO THINK THOUSANDS OF GIRLS AND BOYS ARE LINKED BY ONE CLAN,” SAYS “SIMPLE SI SAN.” Dear Wendy.- Well, al last, here is one of your old Wendy-Ites returned, after months of leave. Hasn’t Jack Frost and Mr. Wind been chilly lately? Why. every night and morning I just about freeze especially at get-ting-up time. Then I always wish for another hour or so in bed but all the wishing is of no avail, is it? Were not the Coronation services lovely and exciting? I enjoyed them all. I think we must give three cheers for Their Majesties and Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose, don’t you. Please Wendy, do you think you could get me a pen-friend who will write first? Isn’t our club growing larger now? It is so nice to think that all we thousands of girls and boys are linked up by one dan. Thank you so much for printing my name in the birthday column.. As news is short. I will close. With best wishes to all.—From “SIMPLE SUSAN,” Utiku. I think most of us would like that little extra time in bed on such cold mornings. However, one must not be ?-bed when there’s work to do. The Coronation celebrations were enjoyed by all and one cannot heln but heave a sigh of regret to think that they are all over. I am pleased with your expression of loyalty to our Hut.— Wendy. NOTICE BOARD “Lavender Lady” desires a pen-pal Iving at Makirikiri. Who will cor"lespond ? “Simple Susan” asks for a nen-pal. Gne who will write first would be appreciated.

“I THINK WE HAVE WINTER ALL THE YEAR ROUND,” SAYS “QUEEN OF THE STARS.” Dear Wendy.—Having seen “Pond Lily’s” cheerful letter in our last page I decided that I have been neglecting the Hut very badly of late, so here I am with the news. Hullo, “Pond Lily” glad to see you have now regained that energy you lost. I hope you have quite recovered your high spirits. I I went home on Coronation Day and “Princess of the Stars” was about half a day telling me your escapades. Too bad about the dinner, wasn’t it? “Tommy Tucker can be slightly sarcastic at timc-s. I see you haven’t yet acquired the knack of keeping out of every nice, squashy mud-hole that happens to be handy. Oh, well, never mind, it will soon be summer again. Well, Wendy, how do you like our weather. Not too good, is it? I am afraid it’s not my idea of weather at all. One moment the sun makes a greater effort and manages to shine weakly, but the next it is blotted over with clouds again. I think we are having winter all the year round this year, don’t you Wendy? Well, I have just finished writing to my penfriends, and it is quite a task. I have 16 now. the latest living in India. I have sent her a New Zealand paper also. My brother, “Jolly Miller,” wants to join the Navy, and has had his final tests, but I don’t know yet whether he was successful or not. If he manages it, he won’t be a “Jolly Miller” will he? He will be a sea-sick boy, probably fur a while. Where are all the Bulls Ites lately? Wake up or Wendy will need a search party to venture to the old Witch’s cave to see if you are there! Well. I think I will conclude now as news is petering out. Love From “QUEEN OF THE STARS.” C.W.K., Bulls. P.S.—Mother rang up a few minutes ago and said the “Jolly Miller” was successful and is now in the Navy. Isn’t he lucky, Wendy, to be selected from all those boys? I think they took 22 out of 45 and 23 failed. He ought to be “Jolly Sailor Boy.” now, oughtn’t he? Well, cheerio, from a true-blue Ite.—“Q.O.T.S.” It is simply lovely to have you in lour midst again, dear. “Pond Lily” ’.was unlucky to fall into that mudIpuddle, wasn’t she? The year has been most disappointing indeed. One never minds greatly if the winter is severe if the summer has been really seasonable- What a large correspondence

you have to attend to. I expect our “Jolly Miller” will require some little time to gain what the sailors call one’s “sea legs.” How pleased I am to learn of his acceptance. He will be delighted, won’t he?—Wendy.

NEW ZEALAND EXPEDiTIO?PREPARES INSTRUMENTS AT CANTON FOR RECORDING PHENOMENON. The New Zealand expedition which recently left Auckland for the Phoenix Islands is reported to have arrived safely and are now busily engaged daily setting up their instruments and making preliminary observations in preparation of the forthcoming total eclipse of the sun on June 8 (June 9 according to New Zealand reckoning.) A member of the expedition says that Canton is a paradise for th? student of natural history and that the land is infested with crabs, which enter the tents and beds when the men are asleep. He says, too, that sharks are abundant, and there arc frequent hauls of fish. Till a few months ago the New Zealand party was the only one in the world which was prepared to establish itself on one of the few small islands which lie in the track of lot-?.-.Uy. Later, however, the National Geographic Society of America organised an expedition, and there is therefore, every prospect of the two parties working in co-operation. and our correspondent recently reported the two parties as settling down, and preparing for eclipse day.

In More Than 1000 Years. The eclipse, when it occurs, has already been declared by astronomers to be the greatest eclipse of the sun in more than 1000 years, because it is one in which the total phase is of very long duration—seven minutes four seconds. The greatest possible duration of the total phase of an eclipse of the sun is a few seconds less than eight minutes. Since the majority oi' solar eclipses produce a total phase listing only a minute or two, it will oe yea Used what importance astronomers s attach to the forthcoming eclipse. Total eclipses of the sun are visible t from only a small portion of the -i earth and the track of totality often * lies in inaccessible parts or over the t ocean. When the track of the coming .• eclipse was first calculated it was founc. to be over the large watery wastes of the Pacific Ocean. a The main object if the cxpelitivi is . to obtain as many photographs as poss sib’.e of the corona, the pearly win to light which is seen surrounding Ihe sun during total e dipses. 1 s================i========

“PRINCESS OF MUDViLLE” COM i TO LIVE IN THE RIVER CIT)

Dear Wendy.—Here 1 am turning up like a baa penny again and i tnank you very much Tor putting my story in the paper. I’m very sorry for not writing belore, but as we have been moving house to Aramoho, I had forgotten, but better late than never. When we brought our old cat to town we thought we wouldn't keep him, because everything was so strange, and he might go looking for his old home. But he didn't, so we still have him. Two or three weeks ago Mr. Flu Germ visited our house and about a week ago he left us, thank goodness. On Coronation Day our school held a service for about half an hour, and the youngest child of the school planted a tree and then all the children were given an apple each. Isn't the infantile paralysis awful, I thought it would get better with all this cold weather, but it seems to be getting worse. Well, cheerio for the present, Wendy.— From "PRINCESS OF MUDVILLE,” Aramoho. I am so pleased, dear, to hear you are now successfully domiciled in our city. I know you will like that, won’t you? Isn't Mr. Flu Germ an old rascal? He paid me a visit, too, but I am now quite well again. What a jolly little ceremony your school held. I hope the tree will grow well. The paralysis is on the wane now I really think since you wrote your letter.— Wendy. THE WORLD'S A HAPPY PLACE. The world's a very happy place, Where every child should laugh and sing; And always have a srhiling face, And never sulk at anything. —“Jackie Googan.”

“IT’S GREAT TO HAVE ‘MADCAP’ BACK AGAIN,” SAYS “THE VEILED PRINCESS.”

Dear Wendy. -Here is just another Hunterville Ite calling in after a year’s absence. How are you all, Ites? and how are you, Wendy? Recovered from Mr. Flu Germ I hope. It is great to have “Madcap” back again, isn’t it, Wendy, and as “Mother of Four” say.. I’m sure all the Ites will want more of her "deluge” each week. By the way, “Mother of Four” how are you after your trip across the ploughed ground? If you take a torch with you next time you go walking at night you may be able to see better. How are you, “Yellow Rose of Texas”? It would be a little bit chilly and rather wet to sit on gate posts these mornings, blit it would also be rather wet to go riding round with your friend in a sledge. Give him my kind regards when next you see him, won’t you? I have been trying to persuade “Hairy Goat” to write to our Hut again, but last time I saw hirn he was more interested in roller skates. Can you imagine a “goat” on skates, Wendy? He and the skates didn’t exactly agree—he wanted to go one way and the skates another. However, when one of the “Two Big Sisters” took his arm, he managed a little better. I noticed the other “Big Sister” at the Coronation dance, also “Hinemoa” and “Poultry Maid,” and “Mother of Four” seemed to enjoy hersejf throwing streamers. It would be a pleasant surprise if “Our Little Boy” now a very big boy, paid a visit to the Hut. I think though that maybe he is more interested in “Laughing Lizzie’s” hat and blue flowers. Am I right "O.L-B.”? Oh brrr, Wendy, can’t you persuade our Weather Clerk to give us some fine weather? Although he did give us fine weather for the Coronation celebrations and to-day is actually fine again. Three cheers for your return “Kelly the Great” and some of all you others he mentioned it’s time you all woke up. “Golden Glimmer,” did “Laughing Lizzie” and I walk with you to your corner a few days ago? Well, Wendy, it strikes me I’m taking up your valuable space with a lot of meaningless scribble, so I’ll say cheerio for now and leave more space for “Madcap” and other better writers than myself. Best of love from your long absent Ite — “THE VEILED PRINCESS,” M.W.L., Hunterville. My goodness, but I will never be able to survive any more surprises like this, dear. There have been many Ites as yourself who have been away for ages popping in, one after another, until I’m as excited as can be. I find it difficult to imagine a “goat” and “roller-skates.” Our Weather Clerk appears to be in for a goodly amount of censorship of late, doesn’t he? He has at odd times sent us some really lovely days.—Wendy. “NEW ZEALAND” God made a land, a little land. And set. it. very far From all the other lands that were— Beneath a southern star. “I’ll place within itself,” he said, “The best that I can make Of mountain, plain, and rivulet. Of glacier and lake. "I’ll plant between its narrow coasts The mightiest of trees, That those who love the forest land Need not go far for these. “I’ll give them harbours deep and cool And bright-eyed native flowers, And birds to sing my happiness Through all the sunny hours. "When I have made the whole wide world I’ll take a little rest — Then make New Zealand last of all That I may make it best. , —“Jackie Googan ”

“’TIS WASHING DAY TO-MORROW

Oh. dear! said Mrs. Centipede, 'Tis washing day to-morrow. A clothes line I shall really need To beg, or buy, or borrow. With quite a hundred pairs of socks That must be washed and mended. As well as pinafores and frocks. My work is never ended. The spider has a line, I know, Because I saw her spin it. Perhaps she’ll lend it me? I’ll go And ask this very minute. “LADY LAVENDER” SEEK? MAKIRIKIRI PEN-PAL. Dear Wendy.—Would you pleasft find me a pen-friend from Makirikiri? IWe started school last week. We tie 1 Rusty up now. My sister might join 'our Hut this week. Yesterday our ! teacher gave us a lot of material for doll’s clothes. I made a skirt, blouse, and two dresses. To-night I helped Daddy saw a log in halves. “Kimber” left here last Saturday. Daddy is sitting by the fire just now. Barbara has just been put to bed, so I think I had better say good-hight. Love—From “LAVENDER LADY,” C-W.K., Kakatahi. I will ask for a pen-pal for you, dear. I will be pleased to have your sister join our ranks. How kind your teacher was to give you the materials to sew. What fun that would be.— Wendy.