Untitled

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18229, 17 January 1931, Page 15 (Supplement)

GUIANAN NUTS. Dear Peter Pan, —I was reading a book , some time ago which told of a strange 'X nut that grows In British Guiana. A large ■ ,ree with glossy leaves produces curious . nuts which explode with a loud report i when the time is ripe for the kernel to ! come out of its shell., The kernels are , sent flying in all directions with great • force. It Is Nature’s", wonderful way of sowing the seeds well away from the i parent tree, so that they will have plenty or sunshine and rain. Don’t you think it is a clever way of sowing the seeds ? There is also another strange nut found In British Guiana called the Snake Nut. The kernel of this nut closely resembles a small boa constrictor, coiled up as IT It were asleep. The nuts vary In size from about the size of a walnut to that of a hen’s egg. if you unroll the kernel when it is unripe you ran see the resemblance to the head, tail and rang of a reptile. It is said that one of these strange nuts was accepted by Queen Victoria as a great curiosity. Have you ever read of such I curious nuts as these? —“Cherry” (14), / Te Kuiti. No, Peter has not read about the nuts you mention, “Cherry,” but they must make a very interesting study. Thanks for the verses and pars.—Peter Pan. „ SOME JOLLY PRESENTS. Dear Peter Pan, —Can you guess what I got for Christmas? I received a book entitled “The Day Girls’ Champion” from mother. It is ail interesting hook about a quarrel between the day-girls and the boarders of a certain school. Although there are only five day-girls and 7 5 boarders the day-girls, through sheer brains, win. This victory entitles the day-girls to Join In all the dances and plays, to play in all the school matches, and also to write for the School Magazine. I also received a book called “A Hundred Things a Girl Can Make.” I have made a few and I find they are very interesting. It shows you how to make articles in leather, sew pretty ornaments, and make sweets and party drinks. I got live beautiful handkerchiefs and some perfumed writing paper. Aiexa-and Mary gave me a small pie-dish which I will use to take fruit pfes and Jellies to school. These are only a few out of the many presents which I received for Christmas. The other day when Mary was chasing the pigs into a small paddock she had the old boar to take in too. She rode our uncle’s pony, Jean. When the pigs were about a chain from the gate the old boar took it Into his head not to go In. lie gave a grunt and leaped at Jean. Alas for Mary, Jean would not or could not move. The boar bit her half-an-lnch from her flank, it was a different matter artcr she had been bitten, for Jean turned and fled. That hoar didn’t seem to have any conscience. He further disgraced himself that day by coming into the garden. Jean is getting better but the wound still looks very sore. —“Fantail” (11), Puketaha. You certainly received some nice presents, “Fantail.” Poor old Jean! She did have a bad time of it!—Peter Pan. JOLLY HOLIDAYS. Dear Peter Pan, —I was very pleased to see I bad come second In the Competition and I must thank you very much for the postal notes, which I received beTore Cbrlstma3. We have Just returned from Kawhia, which Is about 7 5 to 80 miles from Raglan. About 20 miles of the trip is over beautiful ferny mountain. I think the most beautiful trip Is round the coast. Arriving at Kawhia, we decided to go for a launch trip up the harbour. It was a nice trip, and on the way we saw a Maori bush settlement, where a canoe is burled which brought the first Maoris to Kawhia. We also saw the aeroplane, which was - on the sands, rise. It looked beautirul, Peter. Did you go away for your holidays? I hope youu enjoyed them as well as I did mine. We have some touring students from Dunedin staying with us. My sister, a student,, and I decided to go out spearing. Finding that onr only spear was In use, we set out with a garden fork. We speared Tour 1 flounders after about two hours’ spearing. I went out with two sandshoes but I returned with none. You see, Peter, the mud Is about up to your knees and you get bogged.—-“Sunray,” Raglan. We were so glad to get your letter, “Sunray.” What fun you are having these holidays! Peter wants to hear more.—-Peter Pan.