PETER THE WHALER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 74, 1 September 1947, Page 6

PETER THE WHALER

What ho, what ho, ma hearties. My word did you feel the earthquake we had recently. I thought the Island was going to turn right over for a while. The waves were splashing on the beach very noisily and the Good Endeavour rolled and pitched at her moorings in. great style. It was*not very comfortable in the cave either. The pets got a great fright but they seem to be over it now. Of course the ’quake was only small in comparison with some I have experienced in my travels. In Japan when I was there they had a particularly bad one which was followed by a tidal wave. We were just moving out of the harbour when the wave struck and for a while I thought that we were going to end up on the shore. We'managed to get away all right but the havoc the wave and the ’quake wreaked on the city was terrible. It all goes to make one realise how lucky we are to live in a country like New Zealand where a really serious earthquake happens very seldom. Well I really must get on with the story now'or I’ll never have the corner across to the Beacon Office in time. Cheerio till next week P.T.W. MY LETTER BOX Jill Learning: Many thanks for the puzzles etc. lass. You will see your article about the salmon in the corner., Pat Patterson: You are welcome to join the crew lad. Just send in 3d in stamps and' I will forward you your membership card. , THIS WEEK’S COMPETITION This week I want you to make up a little, story using the names of soaps, cars, cigarettes or anything you like., “Private Seal” was walking down “Park Drive” when he saw a “Phillip Morris” riding a “Camel.-’ There is a very short example and I think you should have the idea all right by now so see. what you can do. Picture tickets to the senders of the best entries. OUR STORY WHERE PEOPLE ARE KIND TO ANIMALS In'the centre of Stockholm, is a ‘Roundabout’ where all the traffic from different streets has to go circling round in one direction before finding its onward way. In the middle of this circle is an ornamental pond and fountain; and in this pond, in the midst of all the bustle, and traffic of the city, a wild duck made its nest!

A wild duck of all the shy creatures!

Well, this duck hatched out a brood of small fluffy ducklings, and after < a time considered that this little pond' was not a big enough world for them to live in, so the other day she left the pond, and followed by her string of youngsters, she proceeded to walk straight across the roadway in the face of all the traffic of people, motor cars and lorries. v

She was right. < Everybody pulled up as though a red lamp or a policeman had stopped them. It was a marvellous sight! All the traffic suddenly brought to a standstill—held up by ducklings. The people on foot—even the rowdiest of boys—all stopped and smiled and let the little family pass un-' frightened and unmolested. So down the street they went for a long distance till they crossed- another busy thoroughfare where again the traffic stopped to let them pass; and thus the brave old mother led her brood safely down to the harbour—thanks to the sympathy of the kindly folk in the Swedish streets. Wise Sheep

I saw some children go up to some sheep and pat them. You don’t often see that in New Zealand. -

Our sheep are generally a little bit suspicious of you and jerk themselves away if you come too close. But these sheep knew that they were in Sweden where people are kind to animals—so they had no fear and allowed young people to come and stroke them if they wanted to. Sensible Horses The horses in Sweden are a quaint lot. They all seem to be twins, exactly like each other. Great big, strong, fat, sort of khaki colour, with very kindly eyes. They don’t wear blinkers in harness, so they can see all that is going on around them, and they take an interest in it. Sometimes when they ; have to stand for some time outside a house, master straps their two -front legs together and leaves them. But that is generally only- for

young horses, older ones know their business and they stand still, for hours if necessary, until master tells them to go on. Standing on the pavement with my back to one of these horses, I felt someone trying to pick my pocket. I turned quickly and found it was the horse sniffing at my pocket hoping to find an apple or a bit of sugar—the dear boy. It showed that he was accustomed to kindness from his master—and his master was a Swede. .Swedish drivers don’t use whips. SALMON Although salmon is caught in fresh water lakes, rivers and streams we mostly get tinned salmon here, today. I don’t think I have ever tasted real fresh salmon. Tinned salmon is sent to nearly every country in the world. In the West" Coast of North America, Canada and Alaska, are great places for these fish. I think the best place for them is British Columbia.

Spawning time begins in September and ends in January. Millions of fish thread their way up the rivers and streams during these few months. Sometimes they are so crowded that they bump one another as they swim. Salmon can either be caught in a net or by a fishing wheel. These fishing wheels have paddles around them. Coming out of the water is a chute. As the fish swim along they come to the wheel and get lifted out of the water and down the chute on to land. Original—Jill Learning. WHEN WE ARE MEN Jim says a sailor man . ! He means to be, ' , He’ll sail a splendid ship . Out -on the sea.

Dick wants to buy a farm When he’s a man, He’ll get some cows and sheep Soon as he can. Jack wants an aeroplane, And says he’ll fly— Far, far above our heads— About the sky. 1 Tom says he’ll keep a shop, Nice things to eat, Two windows full of cakes,' Down in the street. I’ve thought of something else— When I’m a man I’ll buy a trotting horse And caravan. Mother: Why are you eating with your knife? - Willie: Because my fork leaks. . Bobby: Please, mother wants a tape measure.