Essay Competition

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 10 December 1927, Page 14

Essay Competition

JUNIORS. A SUNSET i : Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for ! the Certificate you awarded me and I also the l/- postal note. I got third I in my class at school for essay and 1 so I thought I would write the same one fey the Kiwi page. As the setI ting sun sinks behind the purple I hills he changes the fleecy white I clouds into beautiful shades of criniI son. pink and orange. The beautiful I colours sparkle merrily in his golden I rays. As the gay clouds dance across I the streaky horizon the shadows deepen, leaving the world in darkness. Now the chirping birds are flocking home to sleep, the gentle kine rest happily in the long sweet grass, chewinj their cud. The dog is lying down on the tender grass enjoyI ing the sunset. Gradually the colours fade and night falls over the world like a dark curtain. With love to all the Kiwi Band. —Prize of 2 6 to Ernest Morgan age 8 years. Clive. *64* OUR ORCHARD Dear Chief Kiwi,—After reading your young Kiwis’ letters every Saturday for some time now, I fell as if I should like to join, so I have decided to write and tell you about our orchard. It consists of many kinds of fruit trees, yich as peaches plums, pears, apricots, and apples. A few weeks back they al] looked beautiful, being out in blossom, but now they have young fruit on. My Dad has been nulling quite a lot of fruit off so as those left on will be a better sample. After he finishes this, he will be spraying once again and then to our joy the plums will be 'ready to pick. This is the time that my sisters and I like as we are pleased to have some of the ripe ones. Every Saturday I take my baby sister in the orchard bird-nest-ing. Wc find lots of birds’ eggs and sometimes baby birds which we are careful not to hurt. Although when they get big enough they pick our fruit, but don’t do much damage. 1 will now sav goodbye, dear Chief Kiwi. —Bine Certificate to Peggy Flanders age 10 years. R.D., Mangaterefere. ♦ * ♦ ♦ TWO LITTLE BIRDS’ NESTS (Continued from last week.) Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you for the Certificate you sent me. This week 1 will continue last week’s subject. The blackbird’s nest is situated in a shrub, near aur dairy. While passing the shrub. I noticed a yellow beak, so 1 put my head in to have a closer view. 1 soon saw a blackbird, but she Hew away as 1 came near. Then I looked in the nest, to find four eggs. I waited for a few days, then 1 saw one baby come out, and the next day two more. Last of all a feeble little one broke out of ,ts shell. Each morning I put bread or cake by the side of the nest, for the mother to feed her babies with. They grew So big that they weighed the nest down a little, andl the eldest had to fly away. One day our dog climbed up and tipped the youngest out mid began licking it. He »mo tilted the nest on one side, but I came to rescue them and set the nest right again. I also gave our puppy a smack which did not hurt him. Soon tbev all flew away, the youngest last. With much love to all. —Blue Certificate to Marjorie Webb. a*re 10 years, Napier road, Havelock North.

THE PLIMSOLL MARK

Dea r Chief Kiwi, —This week I am going to write about the Plimsoll mark. There is a curious mark painted on the big ships which has been the means of saving the lives of thousands of seamen. The mark is in the form of a circle with a line drawn through it and it is called the load-line, or Plimsoll mark. This line must be above the surface of the water, when the ship sails, if not the vessel is overloaded. In the olden days ships did not have the Plimsoll mark. The Plimsoll mark was named after Samuel Plimsoll. Thank you for the Certificate you awarded me. Love to all, —Red Certificate to Glen Ross age 9 years. Txiwer Te Mata road. Havelock North j * * ♦ ♦ SANTA CLAUS Dear Chief Kiwi,—Mv essay this 1 week will be about Santa Claus. This year 1 have been very busy looking up my big book and finding, there are a lot more children. 1 have been planning out gifts for little children, and Mother Christmas has I been making me a new cioak which II shall wear to see you on Christmas Eve. I am m my cave at Roachs' and my little fairy wendv will see you in the cave, so mothers an<| fathers bling all the little ones to see us. But 1 hope to visit the homes where there are no fathers as these little ones do not know fathers’ love at Christinas. A mein- Christmas to you all and a happy New Year. —Red Certificate to Thora Davidson, age 10 years, 941 Willow Park road, Hastings. * * * ♦ A RAINY DAY Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am writing about a rainy day. Un a rainy day the fowls do not come out of their houses, and we do not get so many eggs. . There are thousands oi worms to be seen floating down the ditches, though they are soon eaten Up by the birds. Many children are seen paddling along m the ditches, but this is a very bad practice for there often are pieces of brokfcn glass in the ditches, and children’s feet are sometimes badly cut. The flowers and vegetables all hold up their heads to the ram so they may have a drink. On Wednesday 1 planted some lettuce plants which looked as if they were, dying, but when the rain came down they looked different prints altogether. The cattle take shelter by the fences, and under trees on very rainy days. Thank you for the Certificate vou awarded me. I must close now with love to all, —Orange Certificate to Jean Campbell. age 10 years,' 407 Willow Park road. Hastings. ♦ * * ♦ HOW I SPEND SATURDAYS Dear Chief Kiwi, —This *eek I will write about how I spend Saturdays. First I mow the lawns and chop wood for the fire then I go .messages. Afterwards I go to the baths for a swim. When 1 come home I get ready to go to the ciibs at 2 o’clock. When that is over I read the Kiwi page and the Scout page. I must close now with love to you all. —Orange Certificate Peter Park, age 10 years. 706 Avenue road, Hastings. ♦ * * * OUR SCHOOL SPORTS Dear Chief Kiwi,—On Saturday, 19th, we held our school sports in the Domain. Dad gave us each one shilling and said we were only to spend sixpence in the morning and the other sixpence in the afternoon. I was going down with a friend of mine when we met another girl who walked with us ns far as the Domain, where she left us to go to Havelock My little brother went in the tiny tots’ race, and came second and re/ ceived tuppence, and with the tuppence he bought some lollies. I bought a penny ice-cream and some lollies. I went in two races mid came third Hut did not win anything When luncl -time came I bought my lunch and tty brother gave me another sixpence, no that made shilling and. threepence and I spent that on lollies and raspberry drinks at the stalls. I am saving silver paper for you. I will close riw. Love to all. —Oranjpe C rtiflente to Rettv Duncan ace 8 years, T« Mata road, Havelock North.

SENIORS.

THE DESERT Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week the subject for my essay is “The Desert.” What j s that indefinable something which whispers of awe and mystery to the heart of man? Think of the desert cold, grey and unfathomable. Did alien races cross those scorching sands, only to remain there as bleached bones? Perhaps the sun knows, humans never. It is night time in the desert now and the moon sails into view from behind a feathery cloud, revealing stretch upon stretch of dull grey sand, relieved only by the presence of a tall supple palm tree, under which ripple# a moss-bound spring shaded bv the graceful leaves of the unselfish palm. In the distance the “ship# of tn» desert”—or camels—are faintly outlined, mechanically ambling along, while, seated Sphinx-like on their backs are the Arabs, silent as the desert itself. Later, the camp fires gleam redly, illuminating the strange fates of stranger men, clothed in the flowing robes and turbans typical of their race. These are the desert’s children, and the desert is their birthright. The tents gleam strange and white in the fading moonlight, while, away up in the heavens, tho moon shines with her court of gems. The dawn has arrived now. alighting on those graceful sentinels, the palm and the spring. The desert is revealed in all its beauty and stateliness. hut ah! how mystic it is in its haunting vastness. —Pink Certificate to Iris Harper, age 11 years, Otane. ♦ * * ♦ STEWART ISLAND Dear Chief Kiwi. —Thank you for the certificates you last awarded me I will begin my essay on Stewart Island. btewart Island is a small island, about twenty miles from Bluff, which has always been noted for its beauty. The Maori name for Stewart Island is llaki-ura. The strait between the two islands is Foveaux Strait, winch is mostly very rough, and the tug Teresa Ward is tossed about like a cork on the erest of the waves. Hundreds of tourists visit Stewart Island every year. It is covered with Native bush, and the Government has set out tracks all over the island, so walking is good. There is a beautiful walk to Kapipi where you cross a bridge over a quarter of a mile long. There are many bush studded is lands in thu bays, the prettiest of them being I’aitn. Hope and Charity m the Patterson Inlet. Civ a, wtu-i Has the most, post eflice in 1 the world, u. a tew icules from Stew- i art Island. The 11 Haunted Biver” as it is can ed. is near the Paterson Inlet. There is a Maori legend about it as follows. “Many years ago a ship drifted into this river and got stuck.. They say that the suitors, are still working with the chains trying to get out. If you I stand just where the river goes under the ground you can hear a noise just like the clanking of chains.” While enjoying the beauty of the island at the back of your mind you know that to get home you nave to face that awful piece of water again, - and tho wretched little tug, also prob ; ably a good drenliing, so ail those who i love holiday making at Stewart Is- i land will bo glad to know that at last ' the Government has put on a better boat, service. ■ —Pink certificate to Erin Heenan, age 12 year, Te Aute road, Havelock North. * ♦ ♦ ♦ MORNING .Dear Chief Kiwi,—Thank you very much for the red certificate. This week my essay is called “Morning.” Away in the East a patch of purpic and gold spreads like a mantle across the sky. The last twinkling star dwindles away, as from the Eastern mantle rises the sun, like a golden ball shooting its rays of beauty and warmth upon the silent world. Then like a joyous niessanger the- lark rises in the air, sending forth its praises to its maker. The , birds . awaken and burst into song, and the flowers open out sending forth their fragrant scent. Tho trees awake to life and the air is filled with the orowsy hum of bees. Down among the dew bespangled grass the busy insect life wends its way’, and in the silver stream the crabs crawal about and the fish glide swiftly here and there. Tho cattle are lowing on the hills and the bleat of the lambs is heard in the meadows where the buttercups dance to the tune of the wind. Love to you and aIT Kiwis. .—Pink certificate to Suzanne Hid-di-ford, age 11 years, Havelock North. ♦ ♦ ♦ * A SURPRISE Dear Chief Kiwi,—When my mother was recovering from an illness 1 decided to give her a surprise. 1 got up at half-past six, and made my way down stairs. On entering the kitchen 1 lighted the - lire, which to my disguest began to smoke, but soon it burned cheerily 1 put the kettle' on, and while it was boiling 1 tried to cut some thin bread and butter, but I do not think it was very thin. Having packed the tray I took it upstairs to my mother’s room, Later I *ot breakfast. After breakfast I thought I would make some scones. I went to get my rcceipe book which had been placed on a high shelf. When, iow. crash! came down mother’s best vase and broke into a thousand pieces. Picking up the glass I went on with my scones. By this time my fire had gone out. and 1 felt as if I could cry. After gathering wood 1 got dinner on, Ding! Ding-a-ling! the door bell began to ring. Bustling away to the door 1 answered, and coining back I was sure 1 could smell scones burning. Everything went wrong. When I took the scones out ot' tho oven half of.them were burnt. After giving mother her morning tea 1 put the pottatoes on. When they were half cooked I remembered 1 had not put any salt in. At half-past twelve tho dinner was ready. But didn’t moth er laugh when I told her about Ihe scones and potatoes. —Pink . ertiticate to Mollie Hull age 11 yevrs, Ben 76, Hastings.

OUR BANTAM

Dear Chief Kiwi, —A few months ago my brothers and I had a Coch;.China bantam hen and rooster given to us. Unfortunately the little hen died soon after wo had it. The hen was a light brown and the rooster has pretty golden coloured feathers. Last week mother had a Sussex cockerel given to her. When the little bantam , camo in he stood still with surprise and the flew at the cockerel. They would lower their heads until they nearly touched the ground and then they would jump. It was so funny watching the big rooster jump. For he would jump right over the top of the bantam. At last the big one landed right on top of the bantam, who had had enough, and immediately went outside where he could hide amongst the grass. We were afraid if wc left him in the fowl-house he would be killed, so we keep him out* side. It was very amusing for tho first two days. At bed-time the bantam would creep up to the fowl-house, very frightened, with his feathers stricking up and his tall down looking exactly like a parrot. The big rooster, when he saw him, would dart at him. Not realising that there was wire-netting between them the bantam would run away crackling exactly like a hen. The bantam now realises that he is safe and is becoming quite cheeky, —Blue certificate to Joan Natusch, age 11 years, Havelock North. ♦ * Xc fit DAFFODIL Dear Chief Kiwi, —Daffodil w T as still asieep. {Snowdrop had called her several times. One morning she said “bister, the sun is high in the Heavens ana the spring is waiting to dance with you. Make haste ana prepare, yoursfelf for the long journey (.o tho world above.’’ Daffodil yawned and jumped out of bed, got thread and needle and began stitching away at her yellow satin frock. For days she worked, ana at last the frock was finished. Donning it, she drew her green cloak over her shoulders. {Snowdrop kissed her tenderly and hade her farewell. The journey had started and Daffodil pushed her way through the earth and stones. A bright and cheerful day welcomed Daffodil as she entered the garden The sun beams rushed to greet her, pulled off her cloak, and ther she stood, her yellow dress gleaming in tho sunshine. For eight days she remained in the garden dancing in the I breeze, or playing with the Sun- j beams. At last her dress began to ■ wither and she went hack to sleep ! ■tor another year in her undergrounu home. ». odbye, Chief Kiwi heaps of love to all. —Blue certificate to Muriel Rcichett ago 11 years, Raupare Hastings. A VIEW OF THE SUNSET FROM MY WINDOW Dear Chief Kiwi,—This is the first ■time 1 have written to you, although I. have always taken a. keen interest ■-11 the Kiwi Page. 1 shall write on the above title. Vine evening I sa at niv window, which faces the west, and drew aside the curtain to obtain a better view of the sinking sun. All around trie sky was a glory of fleecy gold clouds, with the sun in their midst. The very hills were touched with the sun's golden lingers, and with the trees around, the view was so magnificent that I called my sister to accompany me as I sat and watched the changing clouds They clianged from gold to a pinky shade as the sun sank lower. 1 sat for an hour and a-half drinking in the changing beauty. At last the sun sank behind the hills, not only leavini pale pink clouds behind, uuz two sleepy girls, who were rrlad to slip between the cool sheets and drift into dreamland. —Blue Certificate to Merle Lange, age 13 years, 400 E Heretaunga street, Hastings. * * * ♦ MY KITTEN Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week mv essay is about Mv Kitten.” A friend of mine one dav offered me a beautiful tinv grey kitten. Of course I had to ask Mother if I might have it. Mother was not too sure at first. Then she said. “Well, you must look after it yourself.’’ Of course, I was delighted, ana ran down to my, friend’s place to say I could have it. - The next night I got a small bag, and went to fetch my kitten to its new abode. All the wav home I thought it would get out. When I arived home, the first thing I did was to 1---- and coax him to drink milk out of a saucer. It was not very long in learning. Next thing was. where to make its bed for the night. I procured a large box and half-filled it with nice dry hay Then I got some old woollen clothes and put it in and closed the wash-house door. First thing next morning I went to see if it was still there, and sure enough it was sound asleep. Well, I have had it for three weeks. It is getting very nils chievous. There happened to be a bright lid on the verandah the other day. Along comes Puss, and he looked into the lid. He could not make out seeing another puss in the lid. He is busily putting his little claws into my stockings while I write this. Chief Kiwi, would you please suggest a name for niv kitten? —Red Certificate to Iris Cameron, age 13 years. Williams street Hastings. ♦** ♦ , CORNWALL PARK Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I am going to tell you about Cornwall Park. One day last week I thought 1 would pay a visit to Cornwall Park. And to my surprise I found it greatly changed from when I was there last. There was a paddling pool and some dear little baby ducks. The bigger ducks would put their heads under and they looked like a hill in . the water. Now, I must close witli love to yo uand all the other Kiwis, thanking you tor the certificate yea awarded me last week. '>' i f- p • a£r e 8 years, 400 Lascelles street, Hastings.

A PICNIC AT CAPE KIDNAPPERS

Dear Chief Kiwi, —The dav on which we decided to have a picnic had come. It was a bright summer’s morning, with birds singing cheerfully. The motor lorrv called for us. to we started off for Clifton. We arrived very surprised to see such a crowd there. The first thing I did was to go in for a bathe. After I had had a bathe we had our lunch. Very shortly after lunch my sisters and I went for a walk to Cape Kidnappers to see the gannets. We went in our bathing costumes, as we were walking a lon- the beach nearly all the time. On our way we canu across some coves, which we explored. In one there was a small stream, from which we had a drink. At last we arrived at the gannets. After having a good look at thejn we set off for Clifton. On our wav we were caught by the tide, so did not get home till dark. I will end now. with love te yourself and the other Kiwis. —Red Certificate to Noel Fritchley, age 11 years. 305 Ellison road, Hastings. * * * ♦ A DAY AT THE CASHMERE HILLS

Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I am going to write about “A Day at the Cashmere Hills.” At seven o’clock my brother and 1 dressed and then had some breakj fast. Mother packed some sandi wiches, and at eight o'clock we start, ed off. We caught the No. 2 tram from the railway crossing and at half-past eight we reached the hills. Looking down on Christchurch we could see a. long black, straight line. It was a goods train puffng slowly into Christchurch station. Further over we could see Colombo street and I Wilson’s road. We walked to one side of the hill and looked around. Away to the left was a stream, and a li'ttle way from it a few green trees. At twelve o'clock we had some of the sandwiches and had a walk over the hill. We walked to the top and looked over to the right. Over there we saw the waters of Lyttelton Harbour, and the blue skv touching the water at the horizon. Looking to the left of the harbour we could see the distant mountai-nh. Walking down the hill we came to the tram. IVe stepped on and. as it was full, started off. We reached home at three o’clock, and it was quite cold. Well. Chief Kiwi, I will close now. with love. P.S.: In case you did not receive | my other letter with my birthday on it, it is,on the 12th February. 1928. —Cyril Watson, age 11 years. 591 ! Moorhouse avenue. Linwood. Christchurch. * * ♦ ♦ MY GARDEN / Dear Chief Kiwi, —I hope v°u will ; excuse me for not writing sooner io I thank you and tell you that I receivI ed the fifive shillings and the album My essay is on the above subject Such a beautiful thing is a garden with its glorious flowers and splashes of colour. One day as 1 had nothing to do. I decided to make a garden. I asked my father if he would give me a piece of ground to make a small but nice garden. i was given a big plot, as I thought, and another little piece down the side of our house. Then 1 was given plants to put in. So 1 had asters, violets, larkspurs, 'chrysanthemums, oarnattons. snapdragons, pansies. Indian pinks, a lovelv bush of lavender. and other flowers, whose names I do not know. The lavender is early out, and when I pass the bush I can always smelj a sweet perfume. The carnations are in the smallgarden. There are yellow and red carnations, white ones with ping .ano red edges and a pure white one. I have had a lot of flowers off . the snapdragons and carnations and quite a lot of larkspurs. I planted some lettuce seeds three weeks ago, and now I am transplanting them. Mv garden will look nice when all the flowers are out in bloom. My father planted a~ passion-fruit tree for me. and it has grown tip well. It has a little shade over it all night. I water my flowers every night to keep them alive in the hot sun. But one night I forgot them, and vne of my lovely asters died. Now I must close, w'th, love to you and all the other Kiwiz. —Red Certificate to Violet Batt, age 11 years, 400 Lascelles street, Hastings. ♦ * ♦ ♦ A STORM AT SEA (Imaginary.) Dear Chief Wiwi, —This week I will tell you about a storm at sea. As I was walking out of my cabin. I noticed a big black cloud over in the west. The captain had seen it, and was busy seeing that everything was in order. Soon it had covered the whole sky. Everybody was excited, and were packing up the things they most needed in case they were shipwrecked. All the boats were put in position so that they could easily be swung aowu. The captain was looking througn his telescope to see if any land was near. He said: “I can’t see any land just yet. but we will have to reach the next port very soon or there will be trouble ahead. At this all the en

gines weer started in one rapid nition. But the storm was too quick tor us. Down came the rain, and the sea was tossed into fury. The wind swept round the ship, making a ghostly sound. All the portholes had to be closed and the cabins became a little stuffy but when the electric fans were set in motion the rooms became cool again. When dinner-time came the. storm was still raging, and the ship was tossing so much that when the dinner came in it rolled off the table and into the laps of the people. Soon the boat was tossing so much that when we took a rest in the afternoon we were rolled from one side of the bunks to the other. At tea time the same thing happened, so we could not get. any hot food that day. Towards night time the storm wore off. and wo had a peaceful night’s sleep. In the morning everything was as though nothing had happened, but I would not like to experience another -storm like that. 1 must close now, thanking you for the certificates you awarded me last, time With much Jove. —Orange Certificate to Amy Mackay, ago Tl years, 206 Lascelles street. Hastings. ;

CHRISTMAS

Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I am going to tell you about Christinas. Christmas is the time when every body begins to enjoy themselvei and get ready for the New Year. On Christmas Eve the shops are open very late for the people to get all their shopping done, for quite a lot of things are needed for the Christmas dinner and for many other things. On Christmas Eve most of the children hang un their stockings for Santa Claus, and what is their joy to wake lip in the morning and find their stockings filled with toys, nuts, fruit, and lollies, and many other good- things. New Year's Day is a week after Christmas, and on New Year’s Eve the firebell is rung at twelve o’clock to welcome in the New Year. I will close now with, love to you and all the other Kiwis. —Orange Certificate to Alex. McDonald. age 11 years. 603 Ellison road, Hastings. ♦ « * ♦ A TRIP TO HOKITIKA

Dear Chief Kiwi,—l will tell you about our trip to Hokitika. We left Hastings by the express for Wellington, After a long journey we reached Wellington very tired indeed and glad to get to bed. We were soon on board the Maori which was a very clean and fast boat. At seven o’clock we reached Lyttelton where the train was waiting, to take the people to Christchurch. We boarded the train to Hokitika. The train passed through seventeen tunnels. After getting to Arthur’s Pass, we changed trains to go through the Otira Tunnel. It takes seventeen minutes going through and coming back it takes twelve minutes. After a while we pass the Brunwhere some years ago sixty men lost their lives. There are beautiful rivers and beautiful mountains. You can get a good view at the Southern Alps. It is quite different from the times when coaches used to travel up and down the hills, it is far nicer now the line has been put through the mountains.

We soon arrived at Hokitika where my uncle was waiting for us. When we arrived at his home there was nice tea awaiting us. The next day we went and had a look at the town. There is a beautiful monument there in memory of the gold diggers. It is just in front of my uncle’s house.

There is a big bridge over the railway line for people to walk over. Hokitika is the capital of Westland and many whitebait are caught there. The soldiers’ memorial is a beautiful structure in a lovely square, with trees all round it. We stayed a fortnight. and we were very sorry when the time came for us to go home after that holiday. Well, Dear Chief Kiwi, I will close now, with love to all the Kiwi Band. —Orange Certificate to Tom Coe, age 12 years, 303W Frederick St., Hastings.

♦ « « ♦ MY VISIT TO THE ZOO Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week I am going to write about the above subject. While my mother and I were on a holiday at Wellington we went one day to visit the Zoo. We took with us some nuts and bread with which to feed the birds and monkeys. On arriving at tho Zoo we went over and saw the sealions. They were kept in a large concrete place filled with water, where they spent their time swimming about or else up by the fence waiting for the food to be thrown in by the people. Growing tired of the sea-lions we went and saw the monkeys. We fed them with nuts which we had bought. They seemed all the time to be asking for more. When we had had a good look at the monkeys we went to find the birds. They were verv happy as the people threw crumbs to them. There were many pretty coloured birds amongst them and their sweet songs filled the air as they fitted from perch to perch. Best love. —Orange Certificate to Joyce Lange, age 12 years, Heretaunga St., Hastings. (To be Continued). ♦ # « ♦ A STORMY NIGHT Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the certificates you awarded we last week. The great black thunder clouds came rolling over the blue sky. A loud roar was heard in the distance, and then it came nearer. A vivid flash of lightning followed and then another until the rain began to pour down in torrents. It rained, and rained, and outside it as black as pitch. A little boy was the last one left in town and he tried to find his way home but all in vain. He became frightened as the shops began to close down and he began to cry. A kind old lady said she would look after him until the mprning. In the morning the sun was shining brightly. The storm had done a great deal of damage. I must close now with love to yourself and other Kiwis. —Gladys Kitt, age 12 years, Murdoch road, Hastings. * « « * THE . POPPY

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I will write about the wildest of all flowers. the poppy. If we only take notice as we journey out into the country, we will see in almost every paddock the scarlet flower of the poppy. The flower has four petals, two small ones and two larger or outer ones. Before the bud bursts into flower, it has a covering called the calyx, and when the flower is ready to bloom the calyx falls off. The poppy has a seed box with four divisions in which there are hundreds of seeds. The leaves and stems are covered with stiff hairs, and one would think you couldn’t touch them, but they look worse than they are. The flower of the poppy is very valuable as a colouring for medicine, and certain parts are used for making chloroform. Love to yourself and the Kiwi Band. Elva Gigg. age 11 years. 404 E Southampton street, Hastings.

THE LIFE OF A BOOT

Dear Chief Kiwi, —This week my essay is on the life of a boot. First I was a piece of hide, then I was sent to a factory and made into a piece of shiny leather. This process being finished. 1 was made into a large black boot. At last the day arrived when I was packed firmly into a box and sent away on a cart. Oh, how stuffy it was inside that box. 1 thought I should suffocate, when with a sudden jolt the horse stopped and I heard the man telling his assistant that we had reached our destination. I was taken from the cart and placed on a shelf in a shop. Here I stayed for a few days listening to the quarrels between a vain shoe and a brown boot. One day when I was enjoying a quiet sleep I was suddenly aroused by a voice saying, “Yes, I will have that one.” How jovial I felt as the gentleman carried me out of the shop and along to his home. Here he put me on and wore we the rest of the day. I lasted my master many months till one rainy day he wore we up town, and although he did not know it, a hole had appeared in the sole. The dirty water squeezed in through the sole. Well, Chief Kiwi. I will continue my essay next week. Love to yourself and the other Kiwis.

—Kitty Colwill. age 12 years, 907 Railway road, Hastings.

♦ * ♦ ♦ SUNRISE Dear Chief Kiwi, —Thank you for the certificate you awarded me last time '1 wrote. This week 1 am writing about “Sunrise.” slowly the darkness of the night faded. A rooster (the herald of dawn) called forth its warning cry. A golden haze lay on the eastern sky. The birds were all awake singing their sweet melodies as they fluttered hither and thither, for the day’s work was coming and they might by chance find a worm. Peeping over the eastern hills was a fiery ball. Only the top of it could be seen though already the heat of it was undoing the doings of Jack Frost. Slowly it appeared and its golden rays or sunbeams fell brightly on to the frozen land. Well, Chief Kiwi, I will close with heaps of love. —Dorothy Farmery, age 12 years, Box 210, Hastings. » * ♦ ♦ A DAY AT THE PEAK Dear Chief Kiwi,—One day one of my friends and I decided to have a visit to the Peak. We took the bus as far as Havelock North and started on foot for the rest of the journed. On our way we noticed several orchards in blossom which were a pretty sight. After about an hour we reached the Peak. Here we could see a magnificent view of Hastings and Napier while we could see the Tuki Tuki river winding over the sunburnt plain. After having a good look at Eastings and Napier, we descended the hill to have our dinner under the trees. When dinner was finished we rambled among the hills until it was time to go home. We caught the four o’clock bus for home after an enjoyable day. With love to you and all other Kiwis. —Albert Donkin, age 12 years, 801 Queen street, Hastings. * * # ♦ KING JOHN (continued). Dear Chief Kiwi,—The two soldiers returned to John with Hubert's answer. A few days later a messenger came to ask if the deed had been done, but Hubert said he was hot going to do it till later on. Soon after he told Arthur he was ordered to do this deed, so Arthur said, “Are you sick Hubert?” but he was told that it had to be done. Then Arthur pleaded to Hubert to leave his eyes, and in the end persuaded him to let him go free. Again John sent a messenger to ask Hubert if he bad done away with Arthur’s eyes, but this time he said that he had no intention of touching the boy. At this John came in a boat up the Thames river that night, took Arthur down the river, where he killed him and threw his body in the river. —Lewis Clarke. a« 11 years, 500 E Avenue road, Hastings.

♦ * * ♦ THE VISIT OF THE DUKE AND

DUCHESS

Dear Chief Kiwi,—This week I am going to write about “The Visit of the Duke and Duchess.” All the schools were given a holiday so that the could go and see the Royalists. The children were all given flags so that -when they arrived all the children were to wave them. I could not go with the children because 1 was with all the Brownies so that we were inspected by the Duke and Duchess. One of the Brownlies presented a bouquet to the Duchess. The Duke inspected all the Scouts and Cubs. The Duchess was very prettily dressed in pink. We could all see the Duke and Duchess but the other schools were away back where they could not see. The people, from the Old People’s Home had seats kep. for them. The Duke and Duchess did not arrive till late and it was very hot standing all the time. When they arrived all the people cheered, as they had never seen them before. They both had a happy smile as they passed in the car. They had » stand with seats for the Duke and Duchess and the Mayor and his wife. There were several speeches made by the Mayor thanking all the people, who had come to Cornwall Park. After the Duke and Duchess left all the schools had a big box of something to eat. Our school ggve. us a bag with some sweets and biscuits to eat. With love to all the Kiwis, ano thanking you fn>- th" certificate you awarded me last week. —Venice Wall, age 12 years, 917 railway road. Hastings. ♦ * ♦ An artist of Bohemian habits decided to take a rest from work and 'went away for a short holiday, leaving his recently engaged “man' 1 in charge of his Chelsea home. But after a week the longing to paint seized the artist, and he sent a curt note to his valet requesting that his “drawing materials’’ should be sent. The faithful servant searched the studio and sent on a couple of corkscrews. —Grange Certificate to Hazel Batten, age 13 years, 66 Wakeman street. Pahiatua.