Kiwi’s Mailbag

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 154, 25 March 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

Kiwi’s Mailbag

Members, Out into the garden you went for this week’s competition, and when your verses were made you went on writing and told me how the garden grows. Not many signs of autumn noted in your letters yet, though how can ice talk of autumn in such summery weather! Some . red-gold briar berries tumbled into the League office this week, but of tawny leaves there arc as yet no signs. Has autumn missed your district toot —KIWI.

Put the Pirate, Wanganui: I should love to have Wild in thy League, specially It she uses that pretty name as a pen-name. Thanks, 1 shall put lue photo in the League album. Your peaches and plums sound delicious—l shall have to borrow a magic carpet and come visiting. I am sorry I cannot give you that address but perhaps It "Elephant Boy” sees this he will write again. Frosted Bubble, Upper Hutt: No. I live in ■ another direction, so your friend’s visitor must have been another curious ’possum! I liked the nasturtium sketch — and by the Way, did you like the verse 1 made for your picture last week? How about slipping up to see me one day during lunch hour or after work? Maungatitotea, Ilastwell: A newsy letter. .Mavis, and saucy as the first fantails. The sun must have held back your legs iu those races!

Cutty Sark, Tua Marina: The page has its ups and downs, and I am glad to hear you think it on the up-grade just now. 1 liked the lino-cut and will be pleased to use any others you may have. The nasturtium verse was a good effort. Smile l ’, Carterton: Tile marigolds travelled well, and the envelope was scented witli lavender. The "camel-plant" has a very pretty Hower, I know. Easter chicks and white bunnies have come to be accepted into our season just as plum puddings go witli our summery Christmas. I am glad Banger likes it “down on the farm.”

(liul’t Cobber, Carterton: Oh, dear, l-ostie must have "seen through" my ruse —or perhaps through tlie envelope! Sorry, I will try to get another for you. I can sympathize with the arithmetic difficulty! A hike just now shows lots of tilings to keen observers. Thank you for the berries—they are the first briars 1 have seen this autumn. My vases are filled witli’ heavy-headed grasses—an idea for you. too.

Peter, Makaretu: You will have to steal some of penfriend “Awatea’s” rhyming powers! Do let me have the ultimate result of all the nightmares and dictionary hunts, and 1 shall frame it. I wish I could join you tomorrow, for that wild honey expedition should prove exciting. Don’t forget I want an account of it, and those autumn-Uaster entries! Goldytop, Carterton: A newsy letter, Christine, and tidy enough, despite your fears! The picnic day must have been f un —specially the novelty races. The verse was a fair effort. Frank Perry, Wellington: Glad to have you join the League, but a new pen-name is needed please, as that one is already taken. Whitle, Dniinevlrke: Tlie micholnias daisy is indeed a dainty Hower. Alary. Have you many in the school garden? Toi-toi, Paraparaumu: It was a long

time since I had heard from you, Jean, so your letter was very welcome. We have been having springlike weather, so perhaps the peach” trees are justilied in their new green shoots! An original dower choice, and your verses showed definite improvement. I have made an alteration which drops one verse, you will note. Huckleberry Finn, Parnparauniu: Welcome to the League! Do you like your character namesake, and the story of “Tom Sawyer ?”

Lady Gay, Mangamahoe: What did you call the wee opossum? Watching your pet grow must have been fun. Trevnl, Inglewood: Pleased to have you in the League! Your sketch (in Indian ink) would be specially welcome, and I love receiving newsy let'ters. Sorry 1 cannot supply that address, but you may have your name in our penfriends’ column if you like. Dorothy Henderson, Petone: Another new member to welcome! Will you choose a pen-name, please, and send a letter, too. Thank you for the little sketch. Snow Fairy, Takapiut: Hurrah for the news that you can do that 25 yards! You did well in your sports, too, even if your school did not get the banner. The verse should have been about one flower only, Dorothy, but your rhyming was good. New Zealand Lass, Waipawa: I am glad you went straight to the point, for when I saw the familiar writing on the envelope, I immediately wondered how the meeting had gone. The time will fly by to exhibition time, and I shall look forward to meeting you then. Of course, you must carry on—like a number of familiar names that still appear in the page minus the tell-tale age! I laughed at the Lightning incident, specially as many times I have been warned thus myself-

Awutea, Wellington: That ghostly carpet piovement at such an appropriate moment would give you a surprise. I would love to see you one Friday afternoon; let me know when you are coming, and perhaps we could arrange then for Torrington to come some time. You will find both those Leaguers interesting correspondents. The poem of tlie blue aster was not up to your usual standard. The story, however, was a good effort, and I specially liked its original theme. Centipede, Levin: Those are out-of-the-way places tor penfriends, but I hope you have replies, David. Next year you must try for a 100 yards certificate. Jumbo, Musterton: We are glad to welcome you. Desmond. I think your brother lias just joined, too—is that right? Send some more sketches like tlie aeroplane one, and a letter, too. I’lnklepurr, Tlnui: I liked your painting very much, Helen, and have awarded you a point for It In cases where the mail is so irregular, late entries are accepted. Write again soon. Blue Lady, Pnhiatun: Another member who echoes “Can it really be March?" William did warm up the waters for swimming last weekend, Betty. In verses try to get a theme, not merely a lot of rhyming lines. Penny, Greytown: Always put your age on your letters and contributions, please. “My Desire” began well but ended lamely. See If you can think of a new ending and send it ip again. Taddy Tadpole, Tlnul: Two very pretty pictures. /Ann. 1 liked the cut-out flower. High Jinks, Wellington: Welcome to the League! I should like a letter soon, and perhaps you cbuld come and visit some day. Lucius. Wellington: The rosebud verse was dainty, but the second part a little rambling. A good effort, small member.

Alison Hamilton, Wellington: Welcome to you. Sorry, but that fairy-tale penname Is already taken. How about another more original one? Lilac Lady, Wellington: High treason? Perhaps-though I might call It “coming out into the open" al last. When that Story is finished remember I want one. And by the way, the “Red Vase” was sud-

deniy sacrificed for Phil's tale when space in the page was altered last week. Mowgil. Masterton: Yes, I am pleased to have you in the League. Lei's make liemost of the nine months left to you. shall we? and see if you will win enough Starpoints to make uP for those other three years. Cloud gazing is a fascinating pastime, specially when a sunset adds its splendours. Scrubby, Feilding: A quaint Easter picture, Marjorie, and an early entry, too. Thank you. for it. Scottie, Hnuinoami: A very interesting letter, and you will notice that it has already started you upon your wav tit.n star. Do you swim all the yer< round'' Put your ago on all your letters, please! Purkhill, Tikokino: Very pleased to have you in the League! The sketch Is a line effort and I shall lie pleased to have more from you. A heading for Easier page is already in preparation, hut tiny oilier sketches for that page woiil-l h<- welcome Lei me know how the sports go. O Mimosa San, Wnngiiniii: A happy weekend gives one a glow that lusts even over Hie blackest Monday. lour picnic partv must have been jolly, specially the game in "blackberry. lawyer and hawthorn.’’ ’Possums are a nuisance on farms, but one cannot help liking the wee