PETER PAN’S LETTER.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18642, 21 May 1932, Page 15 (Supplement)

PETER PAN’S LETTER.

JQEAR GIRLS AND BOYS,— What frightful frosts wo havo been having (luring the past few days! Ugh! Peter Pan does not like leaving his nice warm bed every morning. A little girl living at Paraparaumu, IVllss Gwen Lewis, may well consider herself as being the proudest girl In New Zealand, for sho has received from Sir J. Rfl. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, a letter aotually written and addrossed by him. In a charmingly characteristic style, the famous author tells the little girl of an adventure of Peter Pan while “flying about the world,” when he spent a night In a little house built by herself, and that Peter sends her a thimble In payment for his lodgings. How Barrie came to hear of a Peter Pan house In the far distant village of Paraparaumu may seem a little pdzzllng, but It is explained by a certain action taken by IVIr Vlotor S. Lloyd, of Wellington. IVir Lloyd was visiting “ Walmarie,” at Paraparaumu, during the summer, when he was particularly charmed with a little house that the little girl, Gwen Lewis, aged about 10 years, had built. In front of It was a signpost with the Inscription: “ Hodse of Peter Pan,” and the garden In front was neatly divided Into flower and vegetable portions. IVtr Lloyd photographed tho Peter Pan house, with its little builder alongside, and sent the picture on to Barrio. In his letter IVIr Lloyd explained that Walmarie meant “ lucky water,” and that Paraparaumu meant “ scrapings of an oven.” He related a picturesque legend surrounding tho little township, from which it Is supposed to havo derived Its name.

Legend relates that In a far distant time, there was once a IVlaori chief who had a very beautiful daughter, and with whom a gallant young warrior was deeply in love. When the young Maori asked for tho hand of tho daughter In marriage, the father would not look upon tho proposition with favour—and so the lovers eloped. Tho Infuriated father pursued them, and at Paraparaumii found that they had Just passed, for there were scrapings of an oven, still warm. In his letter IVIr Boyd mentioned that If Barrie would write to the little girl at Paraparaumu, she would bo the proudest girl In Now Zealand. This he did, much to her delight.

Barrie Is well known for his general shyness of manner, and It Is oommon knowledge that he Is a very reluctant letter writer. Therefore, this little note, which is printed below, Is of more than passing Interest.

ADELPHI TERRACE HOUSE, STRAND, W.C.2. 28 March, 1932.

Dear Gwen Lewis,

I think you are a very clever girl to havo built that Peter Pan house. You will wonder how I have heard of It, but tho fact Is that Peter when he was flying about tho world, saw It and said “ Hallo, here Is a nice little house,” and he flew Into It with Tinker Bell and slopt a night In It, and he sends you a thimble In payment for his lodgings. Ho saw a photograph of you too, and ho says Walmarie means “lucky water,” because you drink It. From your friend, J. M. BARRIE.

Pere