HEALTH STAMPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 264, 6 November 1937, Page 12

HEALTH STAMPS

—A Penny for Postage —A Penny for Health.

My TJear Children,

With every week that passes Old Sol beams more kindly than ever, and one notices larger numbers seeking the pleasure of bathing, but as the swimming season draws on we must pause to consider how many will lose their lives this year by drowning and this brings me to an expression of leading thought which 1 am going to quote here: —

Drowning- accidents in New Zealand, have from the very early days been, in proportion to population, above ■he average of most of the settled countries of the world, ind indeed at one time were so frequent as to earn for luch fatalities the invidious distinction of “the New Zealand death.” This was no doubt due to the natural conditions of danger in exposed beaches and fast-flowing rivers, then largely unbridged and fordable often only at peril. In some respects conditions have improved, but it is still considered by authorities who have given the matter special attention that such accidents are. all too common. One cause is that ability to swim is far from being as general as it should be, in spite of the efforts of swimming associations and life-saving societies. One of the most urgent duties of the proposed National Council of Sport, under the legislation now before the House of Representatives, will be to see that wider facilities are provided for learning to swim, and that every effort be made to ensure proficiency in the art right through the community.

This proposed movement is most desirable and from its beneficial application greater safety in the water lies in sight. The day I speak of will be the day upon which one may say that every person has become proficient in the art of swimming.

To those about to learn to swim, please do not do so unless under direction and in the presence of some competent person for many a fatality has occurred through those who are not able to swim seeking to do so without help or safety at hand should they get into difficulties. So, dear children, let prudence govern and avail yourselves of the opportunity that will be given you through the proper channels, principally the Learn-to-Swim Week which will shortly be inaugurated. Last year this special week resulted in excellent response, and it is to be hoped that this year’s activities will meet with the same good results.

Well, dears, time speeds on and we have now only a few more Make-believe days before it will be the season of great joy—Xmas—so I will conclude until next Saturday. All my love and kisses from your ever affectionate

“NOW I CONSIDER MYSELF QUITE A DETECTIVE,” SAYS “TOTTIE.” Dear Wendy.—Here I am again at last, after a long absence as usual. 1 hope you don’t think I had forgotten you but I expect you won’t when I explain myself for not writing b c£ “ c to thank you very much for the birthday greetings last September. I have been in hospital for several weeks and have only just managed to come for a holiday. While in there I didn t see the Wendy page and therefore was unaware of everything that has happened. I saw by last Saturdays page that “Unlucky Love” seems to know quite a few Ites. I wonder if he knows who lam and by the way Unlucky Love,” are your initials M.C.. Mother of Six,” don’t you think its about time you dropped us a line. “The Veiled Princess’’ and “Laughing Lizzy” how did you enjoy “Man in Possession,” and how are you feeling after your late nights lately ? At last, “Kelly the Great,” I have discovered who you are and now consider myself quite a detective. "Our Little Boy ” you seem to be getting a rougn spin lately. Well, Wendy, as ’tis tea time I must fly. With best luck, your true-blue Ite—"TOTTIE,” Wanganui. Ever so pleased, dear, to have your welcome letter this Letterland Day. I hope you spent a very happy birthday and received lots of gifts. I am so sorry to hear of your ill-health and I hope you are now quite well once again. It is wretched to be ill, isn t it’ Oh but what will Kelly the Great” do now that you have discovered the real identity behind the penname?—Wendy.

“Latham’s Seige”

SENT IN BY' “SHIRLEY TEMPLE III." Chapter IV. As neither the cannon of the besiegers nor the cannon of the besieged, however, imposing to see and hear, did much damage on the solid walls ot a fortified house and the loose canvas of an entrenched camp, the besiegers sat down to starve out the garrison by stopping all supplies of provisions which could reach them in any form. Betty and Molly laughed at the idea of being starved. They knew better. They had been now and again at Jack Grubb's heels in his visits to the huge larder, and what, had they not gazed upon the barrels of beef and mutton, sacks of flour, casks ot home-brewed ale wine and strong waters from Holland. Nobody in Latham House could be hungry and thirsty for years to come. The inmates of Latham House had no desire to run the risk. Their tactics were harass and tire out the enemy, by sallies at ail hours of the day and night, till they should raise the seige. Lady Derby could not, with all her spirit, head these sallies into the opposite camp, but she was at the bottom of each forlorn hope, eagerly planning the enterprise. She watched its fortune with breathless interest and sternly rejoiced in its success, so that the men at arms brought home a tale of foe-men thrown into disorder and slain —even though the feat :ost them dear. Betty and Molly also watched these sallies, when they were within day-light hours, with great admiration. The girls, Betty especially, were not so bent on seeing the return of the brave fellows. For sometimes they came back rushing pell-mell in a wild hurry scurry, pursued in hot rage by the Roundheads, till the last Royalist had crossed the drawbridge, when shot and shell* were rained from the ramparts on the crowd that remained behind. Even girls could see how the ranks which had sallied forth so briskly, were broken and thinned, while here and there a soldier dragged along with him a comrade with stained buff-coat and ghastly face. The last sight was not pleasant to look on and caused the watchers to draw back trembling and shivering, and covering their laces that they might not behold it. Once it was big Jack Grubb, who to the girls’ grief and affright, was thus brought in. Instantly Molly set up a “boo-00-oo.” “Hush, hush, Molly!” implored Betty, “he is not dead yet not nigh dead, please God! It will only vex him to hear you cry out. There will be time enough for that if we cannot help him. But we must, we must, as your mother cannot come here. We must save all our strength for the nursing. (To Be Continued).

“YOU WON’T LET ‘V.P.’ THROW A POTATO AT ME, WILL YOU?” SAYS “YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS.” Dear Wendy,—Knock! Knoqk! You will not let “Veiled Princess” throw a potato at me, if I come in will you, Wendy? You see, I know one Ite had a beautiful black eye after “V.P.” had thrown a potato at him, and I am sure a swollen eye would not become my peculiar type of beauty. Perhaps “Mother of Four” would rather have the blankets pulled off her on frosty mornings than allow me to try wrestling holds on her. What say you, “Mother of Four”? Well, “Onga Lap,” I know whe you are, you too, “Hinemoa” and “Poultry Maid,” and I think "Brainy Guy” also. Does your Christian name begin "with N or C, “Brainy Guy”? I wonder what has become of "Hairy Goat”? I really think we will have to send out a search party for him. Perhaps if “Veiled Princess” pelted him with potatoes he would run into our Hut for safety, then we could shut the door and keep him. Well, dear Leader, I must close as my brother is waiting. Oh! “Tottie,” my dear pal, I am sorry to hear of your illness and I hope you are soon in perfect health again. Well, “Our Little Boy,” I though “Laughing Lizzie” looked just too, too divine on her “gee-gee.” Have you taught the “gee-gee” how to behave, “L.D.,” or does he still buck? Well, I simply must go or I’ll be getting a headlock put on me. Love and kisses from your ever-affec-tionate Ite.—“YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS,” C.W.K., Arapae.

I promise, dear, not to let our “V.P.” throw potatoes at you, for I have taken the precaution of sending her upon an errand to the Fairy Queen. However, so far as “Hairy Goat" is concerned perhaps a few well-directed potatoes may prove effective. If we could only persuade our Ite to enter we may be able, as you suggest, to shut the door and keep him securely in our midst. Ever so many thanks for your gift, dear.— Wendy. “MEET A METEOR”

My Dear Grandchildren, —I expect 1 will be considered somewhat a truant these day, but now that my days are spent in my garden I have neglected rny duties, but I must not be amiss. Looking up some notes the other day, prompted by a falling star I observed the night previously, I came upon the following:— A meteor is a transient, luminous body of matter from the outer space which moves rapidly through the atmosphere. It is more commonly krown as a shooting or falling star. Meteorites are meteors which have fallen to the earth. Meteorites fall at a terrific velocity. Just before crashing into the ground meteorites attain a speed of several hundred feet per second. They are of stone and iron and tiny diamonds are sometimes found imbedded in the iron of the meteorites. There is not an authenticated record of a person being killed by a meteorite, although about twenty million such bodies enter the earth’s atmosphere every twenty-four hours. Just fancy that! Ordinary meteorites are very small and a thimble is large enough to hold a dozen or more of them at one time. In contrast is a meteorite which crashed into a Siberian forest in 1908. It weighed 40,000 tons. The impact felled all trees, eight million, within a thirty-five mile circle. The air waves reached as far as Washington, D.C. The glow of the meteors becomes visible when the falling body drops to an altitude of seventy-five miles above the earth’s surface. The meteors usually burn out at an average height of fifty miles. And there, when you see a falling star you will know that it is a body from the outer space making a beautiful display ere it plunges into oblivion. Yours in this marvellous spirit of make-believe.— "GRANDADDY JIM.”

“TRUE BLUE IN ALL THINGS”

Enter . 4514 “SWEETPEA V.” Dear Wendy.—May I join your Hut o£ Ites? I would like my pen-name to be “Sweetpea." I know a large number of the Ites. Where has “Milly Molly Mandy” gone to these days, and “Drella,” too. How are you Mudvilie? What has happened to ‘‘Mr. X Junior,” we have not heard of you.—Love from SWEETPEA V,” Pukeroa. Welcome to the Wendy Hut, my dear. I am ever so pleased to have you in our clan of merry boys and girls. I am sorry but the pen-name you have asked for is in use, so 1 have given you ‘‘Sweetpea V,” which is the nearest 1 can give. I am glad you know so many of our Ites. That is lolly. I can see you are going to have lots of fun in our Land of Make-be-lieve.— Wendy. “A IJNE IN TIME TO SAVE TO SAVE A SEARCH PARTY,” SAYS “QUEEN MADGE” Dear Wendy,—After reading the Hut page the other day, it just made me realise how long ago it is since I last had a letter in print. It is quite a few months now, so I thought I would write you a few lines to save a search party from setting out to look for me. My word, Wendy, isn’t this weather glorious for the young animals and birds; they just stretch themselves out and enjoy the bright sunshine. It is a pity work prevents a good many of us from doing the same. We have a lovely variety ot sparaxis in flower at present and don’t they look lovely in the bright sunshine with their gay colours? We have about twenty varieties. The other day, when I was in the garden there was such a sweet scent and on seeking to locate whence it came you can imagine my surprise to see it was the beautiful starry white clematis in flower. It does look a sight, too, at present. My word, ‘‘Princess of the Stars,” my mother and I did enjoy reading your letter about the tug-o-war with the cow. It was a great laugh for us, too. I wonder when “All Pains” and “Duplicated Duke's Sweetheart” will write to the Hut again? I see “All Pains” nearly every week now, Wendy since she has been in Wanganui. Well, dear Wendy, there doesn’t appear to be much news, so I will close now and do some knitting. Kindest regards to all. Love and best wishes with good luck.—From “QUEEN MADGE,” Wendy line. How pleased I am to have your welcome letter, dear. The weather is glorious, indeed, and the rain has wrought much good in the gardens and fields, hasn’t it? The clematis is wonderful. Write again soon, won’t you?—Wendy.

“IT MAKES ONE FEEL LIKE SPRINGING ABOUT IN THE LOVELY MORNINGS,” SAYS “POULTRY MAID’S ADMIRER.”

Dear Wendy.—Here I am popping in to bid every one “good day.” How is the weather in Wanganui? We have been having marvellous weather here the last few days. It really makes one feel like springing about in the early morning. Well, "Mr. X Junior” how are you these days and how are those “nags.” I saw that poor horse’s back bend when you mounted it. It is a wonder you don’t break it’s back. “Tomtitite” and “Fantailite,” your riding is progressing wonderfully, so see you keep it up. Which one of you burnt the pudding the other day? Well, it is better to burn it than not cook it enough, is it not? Now, Wendy, I think I have found another of the hidden Ites. He is “Nelson Eddy.” I will find out for sure before long. Well “.Poultry Maid,” what has happened to you of late? “Kelly the Great,” have you forgotten us or did you do all your writing to “Stella” and “Cuddles”? “Onga Lap’ come on, wake yourself up! Have you sleeping sickness, as “Stella” calls it, or has the ’flu germ been to see you? If you don’t hurry and join us again we will send Sir Richard Elf after you. Trusting you are well, Wendy dear, I must conclude. —From your truant Ite, “POULTRY MAID’S ADMIRER,” Hunterville.

What a surprise your letter is, dear. The spring mornings are simply wonderful indeed. I like to get up very early just as the sun is rising. The air at that time always seems the nicest, doesn’t it? I wonder if you are right in thinking you have discovered who our "Nelson Eddy” is? [ —Wendy.

“PETER RABBIT” POPS IN FOR A BRIEF CHAT.

Dear Wendy.—Just a few lines to ask how you are. Did you have muon rain in the city? Out here it has been raining very heavily. We have a goat and two lambs and when the bab/ goes near the goat it bunts him and it bunted “Little Honey Suckle" tonight. As I have no more news to tell you I will close so goodbye. I remain, your loving He—‘TETER RABBIT,” Makirikiri. As your letter is a little late to have your birthday placed in the Birthday Book let me wish you the very happiest birthday you’ve ever known. I hope you receive lots of lovely gifts, too. We have had heavy rainfall here, which has brought untold good. The gardens were in great need ot the refreshing showers.—Wendy. “IT WILL SOON BE WARM ENOUGH TO GO FOR SWIMS," SAYS “LEX.” Dear Wendy.—Here I am again. We are having nice days again. It will soon be warm enough to go for swims .and picnics. It was my birthday on Wednesday the 3rd. 1 had a party and some fireworks after tea. We have a new hive of bees. Best wishes frem—“LEX,” Bulls, Yes, dear, the weather has been lovely indeed. Won’t it be splendid when we can go off to the seaside and riverbank for swims whenever we feel that the day is so hot. I hope you spent a wonderful time on your birthday and received lots and lots of lovely gifts.

“AND BUNTY NEARLY KNOCKED ME INTO THE DRAIN,” SAYS “LITTLE DUTCH GIRL.”

Dear Wendy,—Here I am again after a long, long absence from your ranks. Thanks very much for putting my birthday in the paper. We have a little puppy and its name is Jip, which I think is a very nice name tor it. We also have two little lambs and their names are Bunty and Mary. One day I didn’t want them to go into the trees so I tried to stop them and Bunty made one rush at me and nearly knocked me into the drain. It has been very hot lately. My little neice and nephew have been staying with us because their mother was ill. i must close now.—<rour sincere Ite “LITTLE DANISH GIRL.” Parewanui.

Oh, goodness, but what a trenmendous surprise you have sprung upon me. 1 wondered if you would ever return to our ranks again. I hope you spent a very’ happy time on your birthday and received lots of lovely gifts. The lambs are dears, aren’t they? How lovely to have your niece and nephew to stay with you. I do hope their mother is now quite" well again.—Wendy.

“THE BATHS ARE OF QUITE GOOD USE THESE DAYS," SAYS “BROADWAY SCANDALS.”

Dear Wendy.—Once again I bid you all a “good morning everybody.” Aren’t we having beautiful weather, Wendy? The swimming baths are ol quite £l>od use to many now. Well, you Hunterville Ites, have you guessed my identity yet? You seem to have guessed all the others. Well, “Nelson Eddy,” you certainly have me thinking. Won’t you give me a clue as to who you are? Well, Wendy, did you listen into the “Deanna Durbin quest? It was very good indeed. “Cuddles Chum” am 1 right in saying that 1 saw you in town on Thursday (sale day). How are you feeling after your illness “Tottie”? Now Wendy, it seems as if I will have to close. Bidding you and all Ites a happy farewell.—From "BROADWAY SCANDALS,” Hunterville.

The weather has been rather wonderful if, indeed, a trifle windy. However, we must not complain lor too much sunshine would, at this time of the year, soon dry up the gardens, lawns, and pastures. I am following up the contest with much interest.— Wendy.

“DON'T YOU THINK THE YEAR HAS GONE QUICKLY,” SAYS “FLOWER LOVER."

Dear Wendy.—This week I’m not sending in some poetry but next week I will. Last week the weather was beautiful but to-day it is raining heavily. I went tor my first swim this season on Saturday and by jove the water was lovely. 1 hope you are quite well Wendy, don t you think this year has gone by quickly? 1 cal. hardly believe we have only about eight more weeks before Christinas. Wendy, I am sorry this is a, short letter. I will say cheerio.-—From your loving Ite, “FLOWER LOVER,” C.W.K., Kakariki. The rain was very welcome, wasn't it? After the long spell of dry weather , the gardens were so in need of the refreshing showers. Oh, how lucky you were to go for a swim and find it so agreeable. I think it much too cold get. Yes, the time has flown indeed.—Wendy.