PETER THE WHALER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 68, 18 August 1947, Page 6

PETER THE WHALER

What ho, what ho, ma hearties. This is great weather for book-read-ing. I have just been going over my old diaries of some 40 or 50 years ago. Believe me it makes wonderful reading. It is hard to believe that I was actually once the crew of a sailing clipper that used to take part in the famous race from China with the season’s tea imports for Great Britain. Well I really was, and as a young man I was considered one of the best men at sail furling they had in the service. I was completely at home in the rigging and could keep my foothold in the worst of gales. Many a time I remember swaying from side to side as the ship plunged through the heavy seas. The motion made you quite dizzy until you got used to it. Well no wonder I’m tough now! It is certainly most interesting to go back over one’s life and see all the adventures one had as a young man. Must get on with the story now. Cheerio till next week, P.T.W. OUR STORY Plere is the story which you will remember was the winning entry in our last week’s competition:— THE FAKE After they had caught their first mouse Puff and Purr were very proud. They told kittens from far and wide and they boasted- too I’m afraid.

One kitten, however, was not at all impressed. “Why,” he would say, ‘I have caught forty rats and mice, twenty birds, four rabbits and one weasel!” After Puff and Purr had told their story for the fifty-first time and Freddy (the other kitten) had told them of his adventures Puff lost her temper.

“Prove it! prove it!” she cried and the other kittens took up her words. “Yes, prove it!” they all cried. “All right,” said Freddy grandly, “just follow me.” Along the cobbled path the kittens marched, their padded paws making hardly any sound and their eyes bright with anticipation. They turned in at the gate and went up an avenue of poplars. The faded green door of Freddy’s home creaked as he opened it. Mrs Mew smiled when she saw them and ushered them up a spiral staircase to the attic. There, standing against the wall, was a beautiful glass case full of stuffed creatures in the most lifelike attitudes possible. , “Oh,’ said Purr, taken aback to such an extent that she was almost speechless. In the glass case were all the animals that Freddy had claimed he caught; forty rats and mice, twenty birds, four rabbits and one weasel.

“Stop!” cried Puff suddenly. ‘Look! these birds were not caught by Freddy at all!” In the case Puff had seen a piece of card which read ‘These birds and animals were caught by Mr K. Mew in 1841.’ Purr took a deep breath. “Those were caught by Freddy’s Grandad,” he said. “Yes,” said Mrs Mew. “He was a great hunter,” Puff and Purr forgave the redwhiskered Freddy. .“We don’t care,” they cried, cutting short his apology. “But,” added Puff, “I’ll bet my tail that you will take after your % Grandad Freddy!” Original, Margaret Mahy. COMPETITION Well here is the result of the telegram competition. The picture ticket goes to: Colin Hammond. Congratulations lad! Here is the telegram: Abbott, Anzac Avenue, Auckland. Air force asigned Alec as Aircraftsman. Allan. NEXT WEEK’S COMPETITION Well after .considerable thought I have decided that next week’s competition will be a competition. That may sound rather funny to you but it’s right. The best suggestion for a competition will bring a free picture ticket to the sender. Get out your pens and paper and have your entries in by next Thursday. LATE ENTRY Here is another very good entry in the telegram competition which came in very late. In fact it v/as so good that I have decided to give another free picture ticket to W. H. Kaiawha of Ohope. Here is the telegram: Anne Addis, Alba Avenue, Auckland. Am awaiting aunty’s arrival. Alice.