Essay Competition

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 3 December 1927, Page 14

Essay Competition

SPRING CLEANING.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l suppose we al) know the joys of spring cleaning. At any rate, I do! We spring-cleaned the drawing-room the other day. mid I volunteered to dust the pictures, while the carpet was being beaten. I finished that and waited while the furniture was carried inside. The family seemed pretty hot and gloomy so l" put on the gramophone to brighten things up. but it didn’t I I would start carrying in a table with Mother when the gramophone record would finish so I would tear and put on another record leaving the table, then return and start again with the table. The family regretted letting me help when I put most of the pictures upside-down They absolutely tore at me like wild cats when I broke a gramophone record and a photo-frame glass, so I retreated into the background, to appear when the hard work was done and make remarks about it. much to the family's annoyance.

—Prize of 2 6 to Helen Sheild, age 13 years, Waikonini, Hastings.

THE SEEDLINGS

Dear Chief Kiwi.—Two little brown seeds had lain cuddled together right through the long winter months, deep down in the ground, and Mother Earth had kept them snug and warm, but now spring was here and it was time to wake up. So the smallest seed stretched himself and said, "Wake up little brown brother. Wake up, spring is here, I want to see the sunshine, and feel the fresh breeze on my head. See! our legs have grown so long; there will be do room to stretch them if we do riot push onr beads through." So they pushed their little green heads up through the earth until they reached the top. How glad they were to be out in the sunshine, among all the other flowers. The smallest seed turned to the other and said • "Why vou are much bigger than I. I shall be a poppy all white like my mother Will you be a poppy like meP” “No,” said the other, "I shall be a sunflower all yellow and brown, and when I speak to you I shall have to bend down.’’ "Oh!” said the poppy. “How I shall miss you." ,f Never mind,’’ said the sunflower, “I shall send al] the sunbeams to kiss you.” So the sunflower grew up tall and handsome with its golden face always turned to the sun, and tlyc poppy grew and had many beautiful white blooms on it. but the poppy was not happy so the sunflower asked what was wrong. "Oh!” sighed the poppy, "I wish I were tall like you. Everyone takes so much notice of you. Not only are you handsome, but you are useful in many ways. Your seeds are very good for the fowls and your oil is verp useful, while I am just a poppy.” "Tut! Tut!” said the sunflower. "You, too, can be useful in your own way. Hold up your head and look bright and you will learn for yourself that I am right.” Just then a lady came into the garden and, seeing the poppies, picked them, saying to herself, “Grannie will like these.” She put them in a vaso and look them into a room where an old lady lay ill. When she saw the poppies her face lit with joy. and then the poppies knew what the sunflower meant. I will close now, Chief Kiwi. Love to yourself and to all the Kiwis. —Pink Certificate to Lois Stewart, age 12 years, Riverslea road, Hastings.

SCHOOL LIFE IN ENGLAND.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—Here we are once again. The essay this time is on school life here in England. The weather we have had has been very wet. but is much better now Autumn la beginning to come, for the treo leaves are falling. No doubt school lite in England differs from that in New Zealand. The time we go to school in the morning is a quarter to nine, and in the alternoon a quarter to two. The school is not far from where we live. We start the morning with Scripture, then arithmetic, then comes play-time at half-past ten. W e play release and many other games. VWien play-time is over we generally have reading lasting about 30 minutes. After that wo nearly always have writing or composition for 10 or 15 minutes. For the remaining 15 or 30 minutes we have physical training or else Rugby football in winter, in summer cricket. We then go home for dinner. The time allowed for dinner is nearly two hours. When we go back in the afternoon the first thing we have is science or nature study lasting for nearly 30 minutes. From then until ten to three we have poetry. At ten to three we have plav-time. After play we have history or geography for at least 40 minutes. From then till four o’clock we generally have singing. We then go home to ten and play in a park or field till bed time.

—Blue Certificate to Ken Batson, age 13 rears. 49 Crossway, Chadwell Heath. Essex.

MAGPIES.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—First I aiust thank you for the Pink Certificate you awarded me. This time 1 am going to write on the above subject. We have two magpies nesting m the trees near our place. We thought we would like a pet magpie so we climbed up the tree to see if the young magpies were there. Just as my brother put his hand in the nest one of the old magpies came and pecked him on the head. He came down the tree as quickly as he i<>“ to get out of the magpie’s way. On Saturday his friend climbed up the tree and brought the baby magpie down. Then they made a cage for it. We placed the cage on the roof of the wool-shed and the old birds come and feed it every day. Every time we go outside the magpies chase us Magpies are very pretty birds Have you seen any. Chief Kiwi? They get very wild and will chase you and peck you if you go near their nest. I am sending you some silver paper which 1 have been collecting. I must close now with love to you and the other Kiwis.

—Blue Certificate to Kitty Oliver, age 12 years. Awa Awanui. Sherenden. Private Bag, Hastings

MY FAVOURITE AUTHORESS.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l am going io write to you of the authoress I like best. This is Baroness Orczy, her books being connected with earlier times. My favourite oues are those concerned with the Scarlet Pimpernel who is a leader of a band of nineteen men who risk their lives in order to save those of the aristocrats who are being persecuted bv the peasants of France. Of course the French try to catch him hut thev just might as well try to catch a ghost. Once the Scarlet Pimpernel in disguise is riding along in a dog-cart next to Chauvelin, a Frenchman who is going to catch the former, whom he thinks is hiding in a hut a league away. Another favourite of mine is Beau Brocade, who is supposed to be a highwayman. Earlier in life he was m the company of The White Dragoons.” but he was dismissed, so he turned footpad, robbing the rich and helping the poor. One night the squire of the village was robbed of fifty pounds, but next morning they found it in the poor box. These are only two of her hooks hut I have rend about twelve. In most of.tnem she heroes are very ouick and what one would call slippery. I must close now as I am drawing very near the word limit —Blue Certificate to Marjory Ed wards, age 13 years. 804 Victoria street, Hastings.

A BROWNIE MEETING.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to write about a Brownie meeting. Every Monday all the Brownies have to go to the Kings’s Theatre for their meeting. We have a badge representing the pack we are in. We have to take a penny each time, hut that is not much. Our uniform is shoes to match. We all have to learn to tie several knots tor exams. 1 have passed al] my exams, now and at Christmas time I am going up to the Guides. I have three badges and two stars. Al] the Brownies have to pass the tests but only three girls have passed, their exams. We have to do camp fires, signalling, and Mnrse. as all that will be useful when in danger. We play games after we have had some of our work. lam too old to stay In the Brownies any longer, but I am very sorry. There are about twentyfive Brownies altogether. They have six in each pack with all different names, and a sixer and seconder in each pack. That is the sixer is head of the pack and when the sixer is away the seconder takes her place. We finish about half-nast four after spending a happy time. Well Chief Kiwi I wilf close thanking you for the Certificate von awarded me last week. With love to all the other Kiwis. —Blue Certificate to Venice Wall, age 12 years, 917 Railway road, Hastings,

A STAY AT THE BEACH.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the Certificate you awarded me last, week. The sun was just beginning to peep above the horizon so I jumped out of bed and ran to the window. 1 saw the sea with calm and soft waves. 1 dressed myself and hurried downstairs to find they were all waiting for me to have breakfast. Auntie said that we could go down to the beach to see the boats at the wharf. They were big boats and wo were allowed to go over the biggest, ship there was. We looked down the funnels and down bottom deck. After we had had a good view of the ship we were told that the ship was going to leave in an hour’s time and we had better go. We jumped into the ferry and were taken ashore. We then went home and took our togs and went for a swim in the sea. When we were refreshed by the coo) sea water we changed into our clothes and sat on the beach. After dinner we sat under a cool tree and played houses We had a small table and a few chairs. When we had had enough of houses we had tea and went to the swimming baths where we eriioyed ourselves. I must close now with love to yourself and other Kiwis. —Red Certificate tb tlladvs Kitt, age 12 years Murdoch road. Hastings.

Whole, I mi a weapon; behead I am a fruit; behead again, and I am part of the human body?—Spear-pear-ear. —Orang 1 Certificate to Alex .vic Donald, age 11 years. 603 Ellison road, Hastings.

A DAY AT CORNWALL PARK.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week 1 am going to write about a pleasant day we spent at Cornwall Park, where mi mother took us last Saturday. There we found a pretty nook , under the grateful shade of the trees. We placed down our baskets and then Mother took out her fancy work while we went off to enjoy the different pleasures set aside for the children. First we went to see the birds, and when we reached the cage in which the peacocks are kept we found them strutting proudly around with their fanlike tails lield hign. Every now and again they would make a whirling sound with then tails, making it very much like an electric fan. Having looked at the different animals, we went back and had some lunch, which we thoroughly enjoyed, for it was very appetising after running about all morning. After lunch we had a tolly time on the different amusements. About 3 o’clock, having grown tired of the slide, etc., we had a game of tennis for half an hour. We played hide-and-go-seek until it was time to go home. When w e reached home, 1 was glad to sit down for I was very tired after romping about ah dav. —Red Certificate to Joyce Lange, age 12 years. Heretaunga street, Hastings.

OUR WOODWORK CLASS

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l am choosing the above subject for this week’s essay. On Wednesday morning at 10.15 a.m. we leave school in Mr. Nimon’s ’bus for the Centra] School to have woodwork. We arrive there at half-past ten and have a quarter of an hour’s play then we march into the room and take our seats at the drawing desks. When we have finished our notes and geometry we proceed to our working benches and continue on with our model ithe one at present being a “Fiji cat) which, when we have finished, is marked and remarks put on by our teacher, Mr Coxon. Some of my marks were a* follows: 6. 8. 7|. 8. and 9 out of ten. When all is finished we enteour diaries for the day. and march out into the 'bus and proceed home I will close now with much love tn yourself and nil the Kiwis.

—Red Certificate to R. Cooney, age 12 years, Te Mata. Havelock North.

A MOONLIGHT RIDE (Imaginary.) Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to write about the above subject. One bright night I went for a ride on my donkey. At last wo struck into a wide, white, high rood, carpeted with noiseless dust. The night had come: the moon had been shining for a long while upon the opposite mountain: when, on turning a corner my donkey and I issued ourselves into her light. Even Modes, tine was inspired by this purified noctural sunshine, and bestirred he. little hoofs to a livelier measure. The road wound and descended swiftly nriiong masses of chestnuts. Hot dust rose from our feet nnd flowed away. Well Chief Kiwi I must close now hoping to get you some more silver paper. (To be Continued.) —Red Certificate to Olga Hemmingson. age 13 yearn. 816 Caroline road. Hastings.

LOST IN THE BUSH.

Dear Cinei Kiwi, —Thank you io. me certiiiCuso you awaraeu me last week. As it Was a luvuiy summer a pay, i went lor a walk in me uusn. linen 1 reacnea my uesiiuamni r waiinerea aoour, looking at me lovely lerns ana carpets or grass ana moss on the grouuu. A alimig on again x soon became tireu, so i sat unuei a tree ana went to sleep, suhueiuy 1 heard a loud bang, like thunder, r woke up and found it getting dark, so 1 started to my leet and discovered 1 had followed the wrong track- Un and on 1 went until r came to a cave, m which 1 spent the night. It began to rain harder and harder, the thunder roared like a wud lion and tne ligunung hashed across the top ol the cave. As 1 sat there wondering what to do f heard a noise outside. Taking no notice ot it 1 soon tell fast asieep. When 1 awoke the sun outside tne cave was as bright as could be. At last 1 rose to my feet ajid began walking on my way. 1 could see a number of people coming towards me. 1 ran for my life as I knew it was mother. 1 was very glad to see her. 1 then went home and had breakfast. 1 must close now with best wishes to all. —Orange Certificate to Jessie Stevenson, aged 11 years, Havelock roadj Havelock North.

FAIRYLAND.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —One night as 1 lay in bed 1 liearu the tiny tinkling ol a bell. Ir grew nearer and nearer and then 1 heaid a pretty little voice asking if 1 would like to go to the fairies' ball. 1 sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes to seo it it was all true. And sure enough it was. Soon 1 was sailing away on a lovely big cloud. After 1 hud gone tor some distance linker-bell (that was the dairy’s name) told me to close my eyes. I did so, and after a minute or two 1 was told to open them again, and 1 found myself in a lovely garden. Tinker-bell told me that this was whdre the fairies were going to have their ball. Then Tinker-ben rang something that sounded like the tiny tinkle of a bell, and suddenly the place was filled with beautiful fairies dressed in all the colours of the rainbow. I had a lovely time there and was very sorry when Tinker-bell said it was time to go home. 1 said good-bye to all the fairies and then went sailing away with 'linker-bell. Somehow or other I lost Tinker-bell, and to my surprise when I woke up I found it was all a dream. 1 will close now with love to all. - —Orange Certificate to Peggie. Rae, age 12 years, 207 Gtey’s road, Hastings. P.S.: 1 enclose silver paper.

NEW ZEALAND.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week 1 am writing about New Zealand but first of all 1 must thank you for the red certificate.

Before Abel Tasman discovered New Zealand a savage race of people called Maoris roamed the country killing birds and animals for food. When Captain Cook re-discovered New Zealand, he sailed around the country and drew a rough map of it anil named many places. The white man appeared with his sharp axe and cut down the forests for farms. Cows and other animals were brought into New Zealand, and birds also brought to prey upon the insects that ate the farmers’ crops, for our native birds had been driven back on the ranges. The Maoris troubled the white men for they did not like the country being taken from them. New Zealand is getting a prosperous country for its people are willing to work. New Zealand has many manufacturing works. Love to yourself and the Kiwis. My birthday was on November 21. —Orange Certificate to Norman Downes, age 13 years, Hills road, Fernhill.

JOAN’S FLOWER CARDEN. (Continued from last week).

Dear Chief Kiwi, —When Joan was going up the stairs to bed that night she suddenly thought of her little spade which she had left in her garden. She ran back down the stairs and went out into her garden where she had left her spade. Just as she was going to lift it out of the garden, a little lairy came from the ground ringing a tiny bell and single; “Come on fairies, it’s time for play.” Then all the lovely flowers in Joan’s garden turned into beautiful little fairies, and they came running up towards Joan, but when they goi to the other fairy they all disappeared under the ground, except the one that had come out ringing the bell . She asked Joan who she was and if she would like to come and have a game with ail the other fairies._ Of course, she said “Yes." . "Well.” said the lairy, "you go into your little bed until we come and tap at the window. So Joan ran off and went to bed. In a little while one of the fairies came and knocked at her window and called her.

She jumped out of bed and went with the fairy The fairy told her to close her eves for a minute.

(To be continued). —Orange Certificate to Emily Osborne. age 12 years, George street, Pahiatua.

DAYLICHT SAVINC.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week 1 am going to write about “Daylight Saving.” just before it started. Dad thought he would play a trick on mv brother and me. He put the clock on an hour, and came to us and said it was time for bed, but it being so light we rang up and asked the time and they toid us the real time, and we knew at once he had put the clock on. So we thought we would play n trick on him and went and put the clock back to the proper time. Anyway I like “Daylight Saving” for we can go out and play till late. — Orange Certificate to Doris Golding. age 11 years, 165 Wadestown road, Wellington.

A FLOOD.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —My essay this week is on a flood. Uli, how the rain poured down upon the ground and how the wind boomed down from the trees. All day it rained, maun;, puddles of dirty water, while the cattie in the adjacent fields looked for some place of refuge. For a week or more this weather continued, making the rivers rise and blocking the paths. The water rose higher each minute and very soon the people and their children were being helped up on to the roofs of their houses. Here the poor people had to stay till the rushing water ceased to rise. Looking down the people saw many an unfortunate aimal being carried along by the flood. Suddenly there wag a scream and the saw a small child being carried along by the rush of the flood. Instantly they brought a rope and tried to throw it down to the helpless child. After several unsuccessful attempts the child caught the rope and was lifted onto one of the houses. After several hours had passed the flood ceased and the people were able to return to their houses. The flood being over the world looked fresh again. —Orange Certificate to Kitty Colwill, age 12 years, 907 Railway road, Hastings.

MR. HEDGEHOG’S ADVENTURES ACROSS THE ROAD.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —I have not written to you for a long time, so 1 shall begin again.

“1 lived in a bush on some waste land. One day food grew short so 1 thought I would venture over the road which was a long way from where I lived and 1 had never been there before. 1 started off early next day with food enough to last me for the day. 1 reached the road in about an hour's time. The first things 1 saw were something walking on two legs, and at first I thought they were walking scarcecrows. As I went along the path, I met Mr. Bat, a great friend of mine, who lived in a hole just by the path. He told me the names of them and said they were men, ladies, boys and girls. Besides this he showed me the difference between them. After thanking him I went on my way but when 1 had got half way across the road a boy picked me up, but no sooner had he touched me than he gave a yell of pain for I had stuck my pins into him. After this I found plenty of food and went home in safety. I shall close now with best wishes to you and your Kiwi Band. —Orange Certificate to Billv Edwards, age 11 years, 604 Victoria street, Hastings.

Why is the sen like curly hair?

Because it is pe:num. cllv waved. —Red Certificate to Di'k Pollington, age 9 years. ‘JOIN. Karaiuu road, Hastings.

MY TRIP TO ENGLAND.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —After leaving Colombo we begun to feel the heat m the tropics, ft was so hot we were bathing and rubbing down all the time, and we all had to sleep on the decks. We couldn’t bear the cabins, and it was funny seeing all the people carrying their beds up at night, and at 5.30 the deck men were knocking us up so they could scrub the decks ,so we had to be pretty smart, or else we could get the hosepipe on us. It was too hot to eat but we began to get more ices, and fruit and the time soon went by. We were soon in the lied Sea,, and then the Suez Canal. This part was most interesting. It was wonderful as we entered the canal. We could see nothing but sand. At the port of Suez a party got off to go to Cairo and joined us at Port Said next day. The people talked a great deal about the war, and how hard it must have been for the soldiers. They must have been very thirsty. We were drinking lemon drinks just about all the day. Well, we arrived at Port Said, but a lot of us children stayed on the boat, as it was so hot, and we didn’t forget the other black people, but we found plenty to interest us. Crowds of Arabs and Egyptians were everywhere selling their goods, and people brought beautiful carpets, table covers and silk things, too. The people that went ashore were mostly glad to get back, another "dirty place,” they said; "flies on everything." They are saying the Arabs never harm a fly, as it is sacred in their religion. Well, I am glad our religion is not the same. Then we sailed away and after 2 days arrived in Naples, which was most interesting. Love to all Kiwis. (To be continued).

—Pink Certificate to Percy Cambridge, age 9 years, 21 Burns St., Northampton. England.

P.S.: We have the “Tribune” sent to us.—P.C.

TWO LITTLE BIRD’S NESTS.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you for the certificate you awarded me. Tins ween 1 win ten you auoui. a mrusn s aiiu a blackoird's nest. ine nest was situated on a branch, overiianging a root, in a cnerry-pium tree, une day, 1 was climbing on to Hie ropi, iviien 1 saw trie nest, ft Had iliree eggs in it. A tew days later 1 went to see it again, aud n liad two baby-birds and au egg in it. the birds liud their eyes closed, and only tiutf on them. Soon another bird came out of its shell, and the others grew more tiulty. J hen, they grew, and they grew, and tiiey grew, until at last they had wings and feathers. Une morning 1 went to see them, when io! and behold! Un the roof beside me was a hungry baby, with its mouth wide open. 1 got such a fright, that 1 nearly fell oil the roof. 1 carried it back to the nest where the other two were. The next day the nest was empty. Evidently the birds had gone to look for their own food. With much love. (To be continued).

—Blue Certificate to Marjorie Webb, age 10 years, Napier road, Havelock North.

AN AFTERNOON AT THE FARM. ... Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you for the eertincaio yuii awarded me last wecK. mis week 1 alii gouig -u ..... you about an afternoon at a larib. A little irieud and uer auntie called lor me one alternoon to take me to the larm. A lien we reactieu there We sat down and had a little tea-party. After that we had a walk around, when we found an old pet sheep and a lamb. We then went to gather the fowls’ eggs. There had ueen a nest by the dog kennels but when we looked there we could nob find it, and we thought the dogs may have eaten the eggs. At 4 o’clock we fed the lamb and he drank a large bottle of milk. Then we went up and and saw the electric milking machine. The men baled the cows up; then they put lour tin tubes on tho cows’ teats. At first the cows kicked but stopped after a while. There were only two men and they milked 109 cows in about two hours. We went inside and found three lovely cats and kittens, and played with them till tea time. Then we started for home after a very enjoyable day. We arrived home at nine o’clock and 1 went straight to bed, and in the morning I had the measles. —Red Certificate to Betty Frost, age 9 years, Napier road, Havelock North.

CHRISTMAS.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I have chosen for my subject "Christmas.” Christmas Day commemorates the day Uur Lord was born and most ptople are bright and happy and now getting ready for Christmas and have made cakes and puddings. Children have been making, little presents for their friends who live a long way off. We all love Christmas because we go for picnics or have our friends come to see us. On Christmas Eve people go to town to get the presents and to take their children to see Father Christmas. We always get up early on Christmas Day. I have been awake at four o’clock sometimes. With love to you and the Kiwi Band. —Red Certificate to Nell Gumbley. age 10 years, FernhiH.

THE SPORTS

Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you very much for the certificate you awarded me. This week 1 will tell you about our school sports. A little boy, my brother and I went down to the park about halfpast ten, and there was a number of children there. When I got there I went in a race and came triird. I got a ticket with a penny marked on it, so I went to the ice r cream snop and got a penny ice-cream. Then I went in a two-legged race, ana name fourth, so did not get anything. After that we went home for lunch. After lunch we came back to the park. I bought some lollies, ice-creams andi apples. I was with a friend of mine all the time, and we sat in the car until we went home after an enjoyable day. With love to all.

—Orange Certificate to Meryle Steel, age 8 years. Campbell road, Havelock North.

OUR GARDEN.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l would like to join your band qf Kiwis if X may. I will be 10 years on the 15th of December. lam going to tell you about our gardens. In our gardens in the front are stocks, marigolds, asters carnations, snapdragons, pansies, chrysanthemums. and other flowers. We have four small flower gardens in front, and two on each side of the house. In one of them are sweet-peas, earnations, wallflowers, and snapdragons. Then we have one by 'he kitchen and another by the washhouse. Dad has also a fair-sized vegetable garden, in which he nas beans, potatoes, cabbages, onions, leeks, tomatoes, and other vegetables. The garden looks nice and green. lam afraid if I were to write the names of all the vegetables I would exceed the word limit. I will close now, as I cannot think of anything else. —Orange Certincate to Dick Pollingon. aged 9 years, 901 N Karamu road, Hastings.

OUR GARDENS.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —The weather has been beautiful lately, and tne gardens are lovel- too. Our garden is a very nice one. There are peas, beans, carots. parsnips, tomatoes, and potatoes in the vegetable garden. Strawberries, currants. loganberries, and gooseberries are in the fruit garden. In the flower garden there are poppies, sweetpeas, dahlias, chrysanthemums, larkspur, roses, carnations, and stock. There are six walnut trees, and on our holly tree the berries are turning red. To-day we had some of our own peas, beans, and cabbage for dinner. Love to you and the Kiwis —Orange Certificate to Fred Harrison, age 7 years, 708 Fitrzoy avenue, Hastings.

A DAY ON THE BEACH.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l cannot write, so I have to print. This time, lam going to tell you about a day at the beach. Dad took us in the car to Tuki Tuki river. On our way we saw dear little lambs running about in the paddocks with their mothers. Little calves and foals were baskin„ in the sun and when our car frent past they ran away, because they were frightened. We saw a lot of grape vines growing on a hillside. At last we arrived at the river. It was so hot that we went for a swim before we had our dinner. It was lovely in the water, and we did not want to get out. As soon as we were dressed we had our lunch. Then we went to see Dad fish. My brother found a little pool, and there were a lot of little fish in it. He had a net, but he could not catch any. At six o’clock we went home. That is all I have to say. Love to the Kiwis and love to you. —Orange Certificate to Ada Harrison, age 7 years, 708 Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings.

THE OPENING OF EBBETT PARK Deai Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to tell you about the opening of Ebbett Park. On Wednesday afternoon last, after we left school", my sister and I went along to see the opening of Ebbett Park. As it was late when we arived. most of the dances were over, but we sawsome of them, also the doll’s PMm and bicycle parade, which were very good indeed. They had ice-creams and very nice drinks. 1 hope to go there many a time to have a good play underneath the cool trees. Now 1 must close with love to you and all the other Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to Joyce Batt, age 8 years, 400 Lascelles street, Hastings,

MY DOG.

Dear Chief Kiwi—This week I am writing about the above subject. My dog is a very playful fellow, and whenever we play tennis, cricket or an yother ball game he gets the ball and buries it. He is also a very good ratter, and when he catches one he lays it down in front of the door and barks at it. One day he brought one into the kitchen, but mother soon chased him out with the broom, and he has never brought any near since that day. With love to you and the other Kiw.is. —Orange Certificate to Douglas Jay, age 10 .years, 406 Market street, Hastings

A RIVER.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This is my first essay. I have sent in jokes and riddles, but never an essay. For a subject 1 have chosen the story of a river.

A tiny trickle of sparkling water was trickling down one side of the Ruahine mountains. As it gently rippled along, another stream joined it and. flowing on together, was met by other small streams, until it saw th© huge, mighty ocean, which open ed its great wide mouth. In flowed the river, and it was seen no more. Now I will close, with much love to you and the other Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to lima Fear, age 10 years, 217 Park road. N. Hastings.

STAYING AT THE HILLS.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I am going to tell you about staying at the nills. One morning I jumped with joy when mother told me that we were going to stay at our Auntie’s place at the hills.

We started at 8 a.m., reaching there at half-past 10. I was very glad to see my Auntie’s house, and we were soon having our dinner. After dinner my Auntie told my cousin and me to go and play on the hill. My cousin showed me all their flower garden and vegetables. —Mary Martin, age 11 years, 410 Lyndon road, Hastings.

THE FLOWER SHOW.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—Many were the varieties of flowers I saw at the Rose and Sweet-pea Show. On entering the Assembly Hall I was amazed to see all the rows and rows of roses. One rose was labelled “champion.” It was of a beautiful pinky red colour. There were many bowls decorated with sweet-peas. On one side of the hall was a table which contained many prize sweet-peas In the middle of the room there were a number of decorated tables. The one that took first prize was decked in very pale pink and blue flowers. I liked the children's class best. Buttonholes were made by the smaller children. There were also some very pretty pansies. The flowers on exhibition were most beautiful. There were a few vegetables, such as peas beans, lettuces, cabbages and rhubarb. The strawberries and cherries looked very tempting. Before going home I went and had a look at the cups and medals which the lucky people had won. I wish you could have seen the flowers Chief Kiwi. -

—Mollie Hull, age 11 years. Box 76, Hastings.

HUNTED.

Dear Chief Kiwi, —My essay is to be about the female and male stag and their little one. The young one loved his parents, and all three lived together in the hunters’ favourite hunting ground. Whenever they beard the shrill sound of the hunter’s terrifying bugle they pricked up their ears and made off for their home, which was hidden away in a gigantic clump of ferns. One day while they were grazing together, the father heard a barking noise, as if a pack of wolves were nor far off. This was quite true. So in animal talk, the male parent told the female parent and the younger one that they had better hasten away. This they obeyed at once. But alas 1 the wolves had seen them, and the whole pack was in hot pursuit. Suddenly the little one looked behind hem. and ah, his mother had been pulled down by the wolves who pounced upon her. His father had been pulled down but had risen again and raced forward. At last the young one and his father reached home safely. But now they miss their dear mother.

Best wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. Only four more weeks 1 —Rauma Godfrey, l2 years, 1006 Waipuna street, Hastings.

KING JOHN.

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am sorry to say I cannot write , with pen and ink. as 1 am in bed with a bad cold, but I hope vou will, accept my essay in typing. After King Richard’s death, his brother John became king. Now, Richard’s father. Henry had another son called Geoffrey, who was next to Richard, and who in later years had a son named Arthur. After however Geoffrey died, it was Arthur’s claim for the throne before John. But when the eldest boy died John set forth Arthur’s claim fpr himself. When his twelve-vear-old nephew saw this, he asked Lis Uncle John if he was minding the throne for him till he was older and able to manage it by himself. Here John began to wonder who could have told him that he should be king. Now, when John was vouim he had been spoiled” and he still wanted his own way. so he had Arthur imprisoned in a tower. Later he sent some men to blind him with hot irons, but Hubert, the gaolkeeper. told them to go back and tell him, that he would do it himself. Well. Chief Kiwi I must close now. as I will be exceeding the word limit if Igo on. I will continue my essay next week. —Lewis Clarke, age 11 years, 500 E Avenue road, Hastings.

A SHIP ON FIRE.

Dear Chief Kiwi. —I am going to write about a ship on fire. The scene on the wharf was one of bustle and contusion. Now and then the shrill cries of the seagurls hovering round the Panther rent the air. The Panther was to sail in five minutes, and coloured streamers h;id been-"thrown to the p.is-c., and the people on shore graspeo them also. A shill whistle warned the passengers aboard and the ship moved amid the shouts and waving of the people who held the streamers. until the ship wrenched them from their grasps.. The day. was a pleasant one, and the sea was calm, affording the passengers much pleasure. The Panther had been sailing for five days, and so far the fair weather had lasted. It had only one more day to reach port, and the passengers looked to this as a joyful prospect. But much can happen in a day. and something was about to happen which would mar the pleasure of the people on board. The gong bad sounded for tea. and every passenger had eagerly answered it. The captain and head officer were pacing the deck, when the former suddendv stopped and sniffed the air “Funny,” he said, “but I can smell something burning. I’ll go and investigate.” A few minutes elapsed and then he returned, flustered and excited. “The ship’s a-firel Warn the people." The people ran helter-skelter, and the officers had a hard time to subdue them. The sailors and the captain worked hard and competently, and had nearly succeeded in extinguishing the fire, when a sailor same running in. “The fire’s caught the boxes of petroll’’ he said. Meanwhile the people stood terrified in the dining-room, when the captain said, "Quick I Lower the boats. The petrol room’s a-fire!" The boats were lowered and the people were put safely into them The last sailor had entered the boat, when the ship turned over and was claimed by the greedy waters. I must now close. —Agnes Joseph, age 11 years, Heretaunga street. Hastings.

What is it that is dead in the middle and alive at both ends?—A worm.

—Grange Certificate to P. Stack, age 11 years, Pukehou.