PETER THE WHALER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 38, 9 June 1947, Page 6

PETER THE WHALER

What ho what ho, ma hearties. Well here we are again. I hope you are all settling down at school once again and feeling fit and well after your holidays. In a way I am glad I do not have to go to school these mornings. It is strange to think that in other parts of the world it it summer while here in New Zealand we are approaching the coldest part of our winter. I often thought that I would like to sail the “Good Endeavour” to a warm country in the winter but still I decided to stay on my island in the cave. We always have a warm cheery fire going when the weather is cold so we really don’t notice the cold much. Poor old Butinsky has another cold too I’m afraid. Somehow he managed to fall into the sea and was a very sorry looking specimen when he'crawled beside the fire. While he was attempting to dry himself he bumped into Peterkin and I had to stop another fight. He did manage to dry himself but left a huge puddle of water into which Peterkin and Co. kept stepping. He was not very popular for quite a while. Now he is all dressed up in his new coat which has shrunk a little as a result of the dip. I’ll let you know how he is progressing next week. Cheerio for now, P.T.W.

BUNNY FINDS A FRIEND Jack’s mother said that if he, didn’t hurry he’d be late for school and get into trouble. “No fear” he declared, and, picking up his satchel, he sets off at a run. And didn’t stop till he had caught up with his sister Ann. They had only gone on a> few yards together when Jack stopped. He’d forgotten his Grammar. “You are a donkey!” cried Ann. “You’re always forgetting something.’” “I’ll have to go back,” Jack said. But ust then there was a rustling in the hedge, and out rushed a baby rabbit. It ran straight for Jack’s feet, and crouching there, looking up at him with frightened eyes, as if asking for protection. “Why, whatever ?” cried Ann. And then, “Oh, look!” she exclaimed. “That horrid ferret!” “Yes,” agreed Jack. “That’s what the poor little thing’s frightened of But it shan’t have him, the brute.” And, bending down, he snatched up the baby rabbit in his arms and held it tight. The ferret stopped, turned, and slunk away. It’s a good thing we were here,” said Jack.

And Ann said “What seems so strange to me is that the little creature knew we were its friends.”

CHINESE TABLE MANNERS Chinese table etiquette is somewhat curious. No conversation except remarks upon the food is permitted during the meal; but all guests begin to eat at the same moment, exclaiming with a flourish of their chopsticks: “Let us begin!” It is considered very bad manners for one person to finish before the others. WHAT IS It? When is your toy boat no longer - a boat? You can’t call the answer to mind? It happens sometimes when it is afloat. ' i ’Tis when it turns turtle, you’ll find! MR WILL AND MR WON’T One time I knew a man named Won’t— A cross old chap was he; Pie never did a single thing For those he chanced to see., I passed him by for .one called Will, For he was very gay; The good he did for other folk, Just made him feel that way.

CROW’S NEST COMFORT Passenger and crew quarters in the fleet of food-carrying ships being built in Britain are of high standard, and one of the most comfortable places will be for the man who usually has the most uncomfortable job in any ship. He is the “lookout” who usually stands in the crow’s nest high up in the foremast, a familiar figure in picture books and films.

The new type of crow’s nest is streamlined and roomy, and it is fitted with a steel umbrella to prevent the “lookout-” from getting wet. Instead of wearing several pairs of socks to keep his feet warm the “look-out” could do his duty wearing carpet slippers, for there’s a foot-warmer installed.

There will be no stiff climb up the perpendicular ladder, either, like those on the mast leading into the crow’s nest of earlier ships. Through a door in the butt of the 130-foot-high foremast the “look-out” will pass to a ladder inside the mast, and this will lead to a manhole door in the front of his cosy nest.