Kiwi’s Mailbag

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 148, 18 March 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

Kiwi’s Mailbag

D EAR Leaguers— Last Saturday was wet and dreary, so many Leaguers whiled away their time indoors painting the picture in last week's page. Sunshine came again during the week, however, and later letters told of swimming sports and school picnics instead of indoor lessons. Write your news each week ! —Kiwi.

Sally, Waipawa: I wondered if mayhap I was receiving a huge sheaf of poems—but the stamps were just as welcome. Thank you for them and the latest contribution. That garden sounds enchanting—does it really exist? Frosted Bubble, Upper Hutt: I was pleased to have some of your work again. Have you been too busy to send sketches lately? In the very near future I shall expect a letter and some sketches, if you please! The subtle shading on the fishes was good, but the whole picture a little sombre. Soapsuds, Wellington: A clean penname for you, Colleen!. Welcome to the League! Lady Gay, Hastweil: At last, at last ! This pen-naWe is not taken, Elva, though both the other alternatives were. I love Maori songs and dances, too, and like you, could watch a concert for hours. Mona Walker, Takaka: Sorry, bnt that name is taken also. Think up a really original one and then you may be sure it will be in order. I hope there will be replies to your penfriend requests. Tiger Tim, Foxton: Somehow your photos were sent back, again. Laurence. I was so sorry, because I meant to have them put into our League album. I do hope you are better now, and sister Gwen too. A big health germ to you both.

Radish, Masterton: I can imagine that boys and dog would-need baths after froghunting! There must be a happy baud of playmates with , you, Douglas. Rosy Posy. Johnsonville: You carried out your promise to write all about the ballet, even if it did take a long while. I liked your description, but the names you mentioned were French, not Russian. That bieyele must be well “broken-ln” now. Scottish Lass, Stratford: A merry welcome to you, Joyce. The name is fine, and we do like short ones. If you use Indian ink for your sketches you may soon have one in the page. Daisy, Masterton: Brightly coloured, little member, and a neat effort in crayons. I specially liked your gay fishes.

Lucius, Wellington: When I had unwrapped all the folds of tissue paper I was delighted to find such an original picture. The painted shells made a lovely frieze and the picture was gaily coloured, too. Worrle, Hastings: The salmon and green striped fish were unusual, but they looked very pretty in your gay picture. Hope, Hastings: A black-haired mermaid Is a new idea! The green strands of seaweed were effective. The pictures are sent back.

Sally, Walpawa: Yes, the stamps were welcome, so your efforts were not in vain. Thanks for the afterthoughts—they say even the best writers think of alternatives and ways to better their work, so your “choices” are not unusual. I wonder could you send the autumn poem very soon, as It takes some time to get Illustrations done and blocks made? By then, autumn should be well on her way. Ihcidentally, I still have one of your seasonal verses here. The other answer by letter. Nuts, Gisborne: Congratulations on all the swimming successes! Next year it will have to be 880 yards you swim. I liked the bright painting with its green fishy frieze, and the Sketch was an Improvement, too.

Blue Lady, Paliiutua: Such pretty blues and greens you used for your picture that it really looked under-the-sea. The only brighter note needed was in the mermaid’s tail—it should have gleamed with silver lights. Goldytop, Carterton: If sea water were really as blue ag you painted it, a very pretty ocean we should have! A gay picture, Christine. Tiger Tim, Foxton: Another black-haired mermaid, and a pretty one, too. Your painting was well done in your usual manner, and I liked the unusual edge. Silver Stream, Stratford: You had chosen the right colours, Alison, but do not use so much water on your brush next time, and then you will lose that smudgy look in your paintings. Symbols, Pahiatun: Seaweed is squirmy stuff—specially when one paints it! I might have made the competition a fish puzzle as well, except that they were very obvious. William Weatherman has not been asleep, but he has been finding summer’s sunshine before he turns his full attention to autumn. Character, Eketaliuna: A sedgy way made your freize very decorative, though colouring would have made it brighter. Though I have seen a few blackberries, like Mayday, I have not been able to go picking. I shall excuse you from letters while the weather is fine and swimming and tennis are the outdoor attraction! Dad's Cobber, Carterton: A scratchy pen did cut your letter short! I have seen a number of those halfpennies, which are tEjiglish ones. There is no special significant® attached to the ship; the designs on many of the coins were changed when the new King George VI issue were struck, and as Britannia was on the pennies already, a new halfpenny reverse was made. The initials of the designer of these new ■“coin pictures,” Mr. H. Paget, can be seen near the ship, which is a fifteenth century galleon. King Edward HI and King James I also had ships on their coinage. Smiler, Carterton: Mr. Paterson was welcome to many “Dominion” readers when he came back from holiday. I noticed that your fire brigade had been successful in the New Zealand championships—l suppose the town is very proud of them! The special page you suggest will probably come later in the year.

Mary Brice, Marton: Welcome to you! Most New Zealand plant names are already taken, but you may be able.to think of an unusual one. Miss Furry, Colyton: I am anxiously watching some bulbs, too, Mattel, but mine have a start on the dry weather. A gay picture andjieatjy painted. Big health

germs to you all and I hope all the sickness has gone now. Silver Lark, Colyton: A wet Saturday meant that the painting competition was fun, Margaret. So’Puss wanted to have a paw in the pie, too —perhaps we shall have to make him a member! The green seaweed strands looked fine, despite the attentions of your cat. New Zealand Lass, Walpawa: 1 can sympathise with the dressmaker—as at approximately the same time I was walling at a pattern and calling for help, too! If I see a young lady (with long hair) come into my office carrying a suitcase huge enough to contaiu you. I’ll be very thrilled. Yes, Tuppeny will have to carry ou the old tradition”—but don’t talk about leaving yet. Eugenie, New Plymouth: School work is claiming time from most Leaguers, now, and hurried notes are the general rule. You live up to your reputation as an artist by the fine painting—it is daintily and effectively finished.

Mrs. Kind Bush, Masterton: Letters from overseas are always full of interest—when will you send that copy? Congratulations to you and your sister on your swimming prowess. Rose Petals, Halcombe: This is the penname we decided on, Lois, so now you can write in under it. Good wishes. Scrapbook, Takapau: Do send a longer letter soon! I liked the painting and the effective blacking-in, but it was a wee bit dull as a picture. Ace, Sydney: Thank you for the sketches. When you receive the first set back you will see the advice and suggestions we make. Let us see some more of your work along the lines we suggest. Peanut, Wellington: Hurrah for news of you again, Bessie. You must enter for more competitions, and see if you can Stic Sovereign and Stik into energy, too. The picture had a little too much of the red shade in it. but it was a fair effort. Pat the Pirate, Wanganui: A dear wee fellow is your little nephew! Do you want his picture returned? Thank you for the complimentary verse. I wonder If mother would buy Indian ink for your sketches, as well as the paints? Rose Dreams, Eketahuna: The ironbound chest spilling glittering treasure and the rainbow-hued fish made an original and colourful edge to your picture, Ursula. I did not find a letter this week. Rosy- Posy, Johnsonville: Your visit the other day was short, Clarice, but I was pleased to see you. How is the cycling 2"oin cf ? shivery Grass, Masterton: The goldenorange ’scales were well painted, Elsie, but parts of the picture were too dull to really stand out. . , , , , Snow Fairy, Takapau: A pink-cheeked mermaid, vours, in a fair picture, Dorothy. A wee bit smudgy in places, because your brush was too wet, I think. . Tinkerbell. Fellding: Such glistering silver scales shoue almost through the package. A clever and original idea, Pame*Evenlng Star, pahiatua: A bright picture, Shirley, specially the, goldy fiish in

it. I shall look for that longer letter with more swimming news. Jasmine, Johnsonville: The sketches, specially mushroom time and the Eastern one, were good. Try to get more action into your figures—they are still too wooden. Keeping fit should be easy with such queer exercises! San Toy, Hastings: It is fine to know that two of our League members from overseas are friends. You and “Awatea” will have to come and see me, together—some day when you are in Wellington. I was pleased to see you had taken my advice and made the changes in the story, but the original one was already in print. However, I may be able to persuade Printerman to make a few alterations even now! Magpie, Feilding: The best work is always used in the page, Wanda, so that the members who spend the most time and care on their sketches, stories and verses have more published in the page. If every member’s work was published we would geed many more pages, so only the very best are used. Poppy Baku, Masterton: When I opened your envelope I wondered at the two blank sheets, but I found your form in time to add you to our list of "Welcomes.” Choose a new pen-name, please, as that one is already taken. Pall Mall, Wanganui: Welcome to you, top, Fred, and' tell m e if this is the correct spelling of your pen-name. I think you mean this London place-name.

Shorty, Greytown: A happy snapshot, Linda, and I liked It very much. Your lamb certainly looked a prize fellow. Do you want It returned?

Annabella, Masterton: A pink mermaid and pink fish made yours a very pinky picture, Jean, but it was not among the dull ones! Mass drilling looks fine, I know. Perhaps you will one day join in such a display yourself. John Mitchel, Waikanae: Welcome to you! I should like a letter soon.

Tinker, Wellington: Sometime you must meet me in Friday Street—when are you coming to visit the League office? Marie McMillan, Wellington: A fine mount on your picture! Welcome to the League. Sorry, the pen-name was taken, so another is needed. Dorothy Creswell, Levin: No pen-name on your letter, bo remember next time, please. I wteh I lived near you,, for I would come mushrooming too. I love them, but they do got grow in city streets! Three feet of snow makes me shiver and feel glad I am not a Canadian. Goldytop, Carterton: A camping weekend—what fun! I suppose you wish you could get into the old truck each Friday and set off to "tough it.” Lady Lavender, Eltham: Did you take the sportsmanship oath for your whole school? The news eays there will soon be moving pictures in all the schools, too. The painting was fair, but a little subdued.

Springhill Queen, Levin: A gay painting, Patsy, but very grey fishes they were. I shall put your name in the penfriend’s column. Toe Dancer, Johnsonville: I did not recognize the writing, Rosemary, though it looked very queer! Thank you for the contributions. When you come in next I will have to show you something about crossword puzzles which I think you have not noticed. Was the king story written from a legend, or was it really original? Koi Taylor, Haunioana: Welcome to the League! Sorry, but another pen-name is necessary, as that one is taken. Members are invited to send in stories, verses, sketches, and of course competition entrlee. and the best work Is awarded starpoints, Fiva points maka « star, and

book prizes are given for each star gained. I hope we shall have some work from you ‘soon. Whltle, Dannevlrke: Welcome to the League, Mary. Do your sketches in indian ink and then you may have some in the page. Caramel, Marton: Glad to have you in the League, Coralie, specially as you are eo interested In the page. You will find an outline of the rules given to Koi Taylor, above. Marie, Wanganui: Another member who used silver flakes to paint the fish ami the mermaid’s scales. Tile effect was good, and I liked the cellophane pane, which gave it extra gloss. I have been watching hopefully for a letter and news of you and Mary. Pearl o’ the Sea, Wellington: Glad to have an entry from you again. The painting was falr 4 although your shading was rather ambitious on anything other than art paper. I have heard very little from you and your sister lately. Plul d’Or, Paraparaumu: A big welcome to you! I liked your painting almost as well as your pen-name. I hope we shall often see that name in the page. Sandra, Wellington: At long last the story is written out, and I think you deserve a pat on the back for the effort. The tale worked out well and I was most amused at the old colonel. Mr. Toad, Feilding: Welcome to you! A very line painting witli its frieze of shells —that makes a good start in the League. Yes, do send another letter. Bushranger, Feilding: The gilt frame and the smart edge of sea creatures made your painting a good one, Barbara. I am pleased to see sister Ann in the League, too.