THE "GOOD ENDEAVOUR" LEAGUE FOR YOUNG READERS ONLY Abroad for the Goodwill Cruise

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 13, 6 February 1942, Page 6

THE " GOOD ENDEAVOUR" LEAGUE FOR YOUNG READERS ONLY Abroad for the Goodwill Cruise

PETER THE WHALER c/WHALE ISLAND

What ho, what ho, ma hearties. At long last I am back again writing the old column for my crcw. It seems ages and ages since the last instalment of the Good Endeavour League, and all I can say is that we will just have to try and make up for lost time, by making our page as interesting as possible. Well, in the first place, how do you all like going back to school. I bet many of you wished that holidays would go on and on. Bufc we can't have too much of a good thing or else

we would get dissatisfied and wouldn't appreciate life. Now I'm going to tell you a little about myself. Yes, I actually went away without my good old ship, and visited friends in Auckland. Had a good time too strolling down the wharves and meeting many of my old friends of the sea. Of course as you can guess they didn't hold with steam ships, but looked back on the days of sail. Ah, those were the days too. Still we can't growl I expect for the good old sailing ships will never come back now. After staying in Auckland for a whole month I decided toi do a little exploring on my own, so went over to the Naval Base at Devonport. Well, there I' had a most interesting time with the Commander, for as soon as I stepped ashore from the Ferry, he came out and said, "Peter the Whaler, I presume!" I said "Yes, Captain, and I'm right glad to sec you looking so fine in your smart uniform!" Well we talked and talked and what do you think. He's coming down to Whakatane one day to meet you all and exchange a yarn or two. I'll tell 3'ou when tol expect him, and in the meantime let's get on with the work. Cheerio till next week. Your old friend, Peter the Whaler.

DICK WHITINGTON

IN FACT AXI) FABLE

The story of Dick Whitington is; primarily an engrossing story ol adventure for children, cither in book form or in pantomime. According to ancient documents in the Guildhall, the name had only one '"t." No idle apprentice here,- but the strong moral tone imparted by one in search of adventure who worked hard and reaped the rich reward lie deserved under a kind master, Sir John Fitzwarren, who shines more in that capacity in Dick Whitington's history than that of the wealthy merchant that he actually was, and whose daughter eventually bocame Dick's wife. It was the master's cook who treated him so unkindly that he ran away;, but as all the world knows, he Avas brought back by the bells of Bow Church, Gheapsi.de, which seemed to his ears! as he rested on Highgate Hill, to ring otat: "Turn again, Whitington, thrice Lord Mayor of London," and so to encourage him to return and try again.

There actually was- a Richard Whitington, born in Pauntley, Gloucestershire, the youngest son of Sir William Whitington, who died when Dick was- only thirteen years old.

Very poor, and hearing that London's streets were paved with gold, he set out with a high heart to seek his fortune, together with his wonderful cat, upon whose back fable says he rode into London. Authorities disagree as to whether this cat was a three-masted SOO-ton! brig, built like a Norwegian ship, with narrow stern, projecting quarters and deep "waist," or whether the word should be "achat," meaning simply barter. He was certainly never "Lord" Mayor of London, but was four times Mayor, a title given to London's Chief Magistrate in 1.180 the year Kichard Couer -de Lien became King. Actually the title of Lord Mayor was not used until and as Dick W'hi 1 iiiutoii was born in 1 it is quite clear that the title cannot be applied to him. He was made Alderman ami Sheriff in i:W3, and was chosen Mayor for the first time in \'.Y.)7 by the K'.ng. Henry V., but for the second, third and fourth times by the citizens of London: he was also knighted by Henry V.

He died in 1423, a wealthy man, leaving money for rebuilding Newgate and St. Micliacl's Churcli; for restoring St. Bartholomew's Hospital; to build several drinking fountains; a library for Grej r friars; a college and an almshouse.

This wealth had its origin in trade fostered by Sir John Fitzwarren, and again the cat figures as Dick's only possession, which lie sent to Morocco, and which performed the stupendous task, single-handed, of destroying the hordes of mice that plagued the King of that country. Gratefully he paid a very large sum to purchase the cat, and so Dick began business with the money —some say in sea coal. The story is common to German, Russian and Danish folk-lore, and Persia also has one about Keis. of Siraf, the son of a poor widow, and his cat also destroyed a plague of mice in the King's palace.

Yet another cat was purchased for its weight in gokl, so grateful was the King of Guinea to its owner, a Portuguese named Alphonso, for similar colossal services.

PETER'S THANKS So many letters and Christmas cards came for me after the last instalment that I will just have to thank you all. It was* really wonderful to find that you hadn't forgotten an old friend and I can tell you I appreciate the pile of letters and cards that I have in my extra special bottom draw. Thank you lads and lassies, and may the year bring you all tons of luck and happiness.

WHO WANTS PUPS? TWO TO GIVE AWAY Now, you'd scarcely believe it but our "League is becoming quite well known. A friend of mine who has a brace of puppies wants to give them to an 3' member of the League who can guarantee them a good home and plenty to eat. They arc Sydney Silkies I think, and quite attractive little chaps, or chapesscs I should really say. At any rate, whoever wants one call into the BEACON and get further details.

THIS WEEK'S COMPETITION I SPIDER ON THE WALL Now a spider had been trying to climb a wall 20 feet high. "He climbed up four feet every day and fell back three feet every night. How long dkl it take him to reach the top. Noav be careful, there's a catch, so don't rush it. Just work it c.ut and send in the answer to Peter the Whaler. The three first correct ones will receive free picture tickets with my very best compliments., P.T.W.