THE "GOOD ENDEAVOUR" LEAGUE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 183, 21 November 1941, Page 6

THE "GOOD ENDEAVOUR" LEAGUE

by PETER THE WHALER of WHALE ISLAND

FOR YOUNG READERS ONLY H i 8

for the Goodwill Cruisen

What lio what ho, ma hearties. I had my first enjoyable dip yesterday. The water looked so inviting that 1 took Butinski and the pair of us travelled round to Sulphur Bay, where as you know there is a hot spring, into which you can tumble when it feels too cold in the sea. Well we had a splendid time. The sea was a(sl calm as calm, and even on the ocean side there was scarcely a ripple. We had a splendid swim and then lay in the sun till we were nearly roasted. I expect I will be stiff for a day or two till I get back my old tan. Any way we finished up the day with a fishing excursion. Round on the North Point we went with a pile of lines and bait. I even trusted Butinski with one line and he actually caught a schnapper—a baby one. He was so excited that he nearly fell off the rock into the sea himself. My bag amounted to seven big fellows, two kahawai and a gurnet. So you can guess Ave had fish for the next day.or two. Tomorrow I promise myself a trip to the trig to gather new heath and tea-tree for my bed. The old stull is getting too jolly old and prickly. If it remains fine, Avhat a glorious view I shall have Avith my multi-super-jeAvelled-in-tAvelA'e-holes telescope. I will lia\ T e more to tell you next Aveek. Till then cheerio from vour old friend Peter the Whaler.

TO INTEREST YOU

NEWS ABOUT JEWELS

We all love the richly coloured, sparkling stones we call jewels. Do you, 1 wonder, know the meaning of the word "jewel"? It simply means something that gives pleasure or joy, and so e you see, the little ring you were lucky enough to find in that cracker with its pretty blue glass stone is just as much a ''jewel" as

any precious stone

Rare jewels are called "precious' stones because they are worth a great deal of money. With one exception, all the best-known precious stones are mineral, and are found in the rocks of the earth. The exception, of course, is the pearl, and you all know where that is found, don't you?

Pearls are formed through tiny bits of sand or grit getting into the oyster shell. In order to protect itself from the irritating object, the oyster covers it over with a layer of carbonate of lime, which forms "mother-of-pearl." Mother-of-pearl is that beautiful silky lining we find inside oysters and other shells. The oyster goes on covering the grit with layer after layer of mother-of-pearl and the result is a beautiful pearl!

I wonder, if we started to look foi diamonds, whether Ave would know one when we saw it. Of course, we think we would, but diamonds are like greenstone—not so easy to recognise in their "raw" state as they are in the jeweller's windows.. Personally I've been on the lookout for a good piece of greenstone for years, without success. If you want io know what a rough diamond is like, find a lump of washing soda. It »s very much like that.

Less than seventy years ago a man in South Africa noticed some children playing with a big white pebble, and after looking at it carefully he offered to buy it from the children's mother. But the mother laughed and said, "If you want the pebble so' much, you can have it. The children will find another stone to play with, and I am certainly not going to take money for a pebble." And that "pebble" was a diamond of great value. Many diamonds have come from South Africa since then, the biggest being the "Star of Africa." the great diamond valued at £1,500,000 and presented to King Edward VII before his coronation.

You know how a diamond Hashes with blue, red, yellow and violet lights? Those flashes are rays of light reflected from the interior of the stone at different angles, and diamond-cutters have to be very clever to know just how to cut the hard stone in order to bring out the

imazing colours

Teacher: Nov,', hoys, who was the fa (her of the Black Prince?

SAY THIS QUICKLY

Whether the weather he fine, Or whether the weather be not, Whether the weather be cold, Or whether the weather be hot. We'll weather the weather, Whatever the weather, Whether wc like it or not.

JOKE CORNER First Boy-: We once had a goat that we called "Nearly" because he was all but (all butt). Second Boy: We had a rooster we called "Robinson" because he Crusoe (crew so). Third Boy: That's nothing. We had a dog called "Sausage" because he was half-bred (half bread). ■ • m « Bill: It's a rattling good car, Jack. Jack: So I hear, Bill; so I hear. Sound in every part. mm*** Seasick boy (looking at the sea): "Britain rules the waves, but I wish she'd rule them straight." m ® • • Little Girl: When I grow up I'm going to marry a Dutchman. Mother: Why, dear? L.G.: Because I want to be a duchess. m »• * » Man: Three months ago you sold me a plaster to cure my rheumatism. Chemist: Yes, sir. I remember. Man: Have you got something to get rid of the plaster? m m m * Grandmother- If 3*ou wash your face I'll give you some ice cream. And if you Avash .your ears, you'll get twice as much. Grandson: Well, can't I take a hath? Uncle: And Avhat part of school do you like best; Tim? Tim: The outside, uncle. m * a 9* "Dear teacher," Avrote an indignant mother, "j r ou must not cane my Tommy. He is a delicate child and isn't used to it. At home A\ r e ne\ r er hit him unless in self-defence"

MY MAIL BOX

ANOTHER NEW MEMBER

Says Betty Wilson of Edgecumbe: May I become a member of your merry crew. I often read the items which are. published in the BEACON. Hoping you are well!

Yes Lass, of course I'm well. Thank yon very much for asking all, the Same. In the meanwhile, step aboard and right welcome you are. Your certificate leaves to-day and let me know if you receive it alright. Cheerio, from your new skipper P.T.W.

LAST WEEK'S COMPETITION

JUMBLED PROVERBS

No, my friends, I didn't receive one answer. Maire Goodwin's competition must certainly have made you tlnnk. Well I am going to publish the proverbs and if you have last week's competition in front of you. you can see how easy it was. Here they are Too many cooks spoil the broth A rolling stone gathers no moss Look before, you leap A bird in hand is worth two in tho. bush In for a penny in for a pound A stitch in lime saves nine Distant hills look greenest Cheats never prosper Prevention is better than cure A faint heart never Avon a fat turkey I think that perhaps it was a little foo difficult so I am not going to blow you all up. I must however compliment Maire on thinking out

THIS WEEK'S COMPETITION

DRAW MB!

Now my little friend Olive Hunter has suggested that a good competition would be to draw me—Peter the Whaler, jtast as you imagine I am. Of course the photo of me which appears in the BEAC'ONi was taken years ago. I'm something like that still, but not quite. Now just draw what j'ou think I, look like and I will award three free picture tickets to the three best. Now don't flatter me, and also don't give me heart failure. Just do your best. Yours till next week, Peter.