PETER THE WHALER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 47, 30 June 1947, Page 6

PETER THE WHALER

What ho, what ho, ma hearties! Well here we are once more. I suppose you missed the column last week but it was far too rough for me to get across from Whale Island. I had a peep through the telescope and I could see the waves breaking on the shore with tremendous force so I said to “N'v Peter you had better stay on the island my boy.” The pets were confined to the cave too and as usual the tempers became a'little frayed. We managed to come through all right though. Now a word to all our story and poetry writers. I would like to see more of your work appearing in the column and would be very glad to see more stories, poems etc. coming in each week. For the poets I have arranged this tweek’s competition so get to work shipmates and see what you can do! I suppose you want to read the column now so cheerio until next week. P.T.W.

ANIMAL PARADE

THE LION If you watch your cat stalking a mouse you will have some idea of how the Lion hunts. He has all the grace ad cunning of a cat, but it is his enormous strength and royal appearance that have earned him the title of “The King of Beasts.” With a single blow of his fore-paw he can break the back of a horse, and he can carry a bullock in his massive jaws. He can run with the speed of a racehorse, and can jump a distance of 30 feet. It is only on rare occasions that young lions will eat human beings. Very often, however, old lions who have lost' the strength and agility necessary to catch other wild game will become man-eaters—men are comparatively easy prey. - Small animals fall an easy prey to these beasts of the jungle and sometimes an unwary native or white man falls victim to an old lion. The lion is found in Africa and Asia.

BIRD CROWDS

A bevy of Larks; a building of Rooks; a charm of Goldfinches; a dopping of Sheldrakes; a fall of Woodcock; a herd of Curlews and Swans; a murmuration of Starlings; a muster of Peacocks; a nide of Pheasants; a siege of Bitterns and Herons; a wisp of Snipe.

MY LETTER BOX

Margaret Mahy: I have received the first part of your story Lass but I would rather keep it here until you have completed the whole tale so that I can go through it thoroughly before it appears in print. You may send in the rest when you like. Thank you very much. P.T.W. Dear Peter the Whaler, •I sending in a few to gain points as I never do much good in your competitions. Henry Ross. Thanks for the jokes lad, you will see them in the column. Have you heard the motto: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again?” Keep trying your hand at the competitions lad. P.T.W.

COMPETITION

As a competition for this week I have decided to give all our poets and poetesses a chance to prove what they can do. I want you to write a piece of poetry, not too long (and not too short) on any subject you like. Send in your entries as soon as possible. I will allow a fortnight so that the results will not appear next week but the week after. I will award a picture ticket to the sender of the best poem and will also publish any others which appear very good. Hoping for lots of entries.©! 5 .T.W.

JOKE CORNER

* From Henry Ross. Teacher: Your essay on “our dog” is word for word the same as your brother’s. How is this? Small Boy: Well it is the same dog. xx x x Small Child: Mum, what is a boy? Mother: A noise with dirt on it. x x x x Hey! No swimming in here. I’m not swimming—I’m drowning. All right, go ahead. xx x x Friend: So you have won first prize for your peas at the Garden Show. What do you grow them in? Winner: Pods. xx x x “Jimmie” said the teacher, “why don’t you wash your face? I can see what you had for breakfast this morning.” . What did I have? asked the little boy. “Eggs.” “Wrong, teacher, that was yesterday.”