The Hollow Tree

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 230, 17 December 1927, Page 27 (Supplement)

The Hollow Tree

Messages for Sunbeams

Eric Taft, Birkenhead: I was most amused when I read your last letter, Eric, for, when you speak of the kitten, “Solomon,’* whose name I remember rightly, I chose for you, you say “She is splendid at catching birds and mice." As she crows older she may prefer to be known as "Miss Solomon.”

Joyce McLean, Glen Massey: 1 felt very sorry when I read of the wee brother who la not with yon this Christmas to hang up his stocking. Because of the message in it I sent your letter to Mary Gordon. You have don*' wonderful work collecting for the poor, Joyce. You are a true Sunbeam.

Zelda Williams, St. Heliers Bay: This kind little girl has sent two sixpences for the shining box. Thank you very much. Your painting has reached me too, Zelda. When you write to mo please will you put “The Dawn Lady,’’ on your envelope and then the letter win come straight to me. Much love to this faithful Sunbeam.

Jean Buckley, Mount Roskill: Many thanks for your letter, Jean. Perhaps if Dalcie Hawthorn is reading the messages she will find your greetings. Your brother should send his name, address, and age to Redfeather, and a seal will soon reach

Grace Beer, Remuera: A beautifully neat letter from Grace, and also some useful puzzlers. Thank you very much. I can see you are going to be a “workin* Sunbeam.” Best love from Happy Town.

Harold Buckley, Kohimarama: Your two drawings have reached me safely, Harold, and 1 like them very much. I wonder if you are having any swimming these warm days. Marjorie Hetherington. Mount Eden: I was gad to have your letter and story, Marjorie. Your holidays will be well earned. I hope you arc successful in the examinations.

Doris Lydster, Takapuna: Many thanks lor the we« poem, Doris. 1 wonder if >ou and Santa Claus have the same secret? It will not bo long now before h* begins piling his sleigh full of packages.

Gay du Faur, Howick: That was a fortunate morning when you saw the bawn Lady peering down at you from me eastern sky, little Miss Gay, for I have had a letter from you each week, since. And such neat Tetters too. ion will need to watch your rabbits with mat ferret prowling round. I do hope the wild one escaped. Walter Pearce, Grey Lynn: Many 'hanki for your competition drawing, 'Valter, and also for your generous resSixpence Time fund. It ''ill be a great help. Much love to this faithful Sunbeam. Tommy Jackson, Takapuna: A warm Welcome to this new Sunbeam who has f-'Mne safely to Happy Town. "What a number 1 have in Takapuna. I hope will write me plentv of letters. Thank f OP the story. i enjoyed it very much.

Jack Lydster, Takapuna: Thank you v er y much for bringing a new Sun>;eain down Tiptoe Street, Master Jack. Little Thought becomes greatly ex(lted when he sees the new ones. I i( is because he loves putting the messages into the Hollow Tree. I you will not have the same exc^ynce as the boy in the poem, on uoristmas Eve. Sheila Quinn, Auckland: Your story as reached me safely. Sheila. Thank you *ver Your writing is as neat as

, A. Woodhouse, Devonport: Many , lor your charming little latter, j v , last Hollow Tree had gone to press jsfore it arrived, and I am still in the ark regarding your Christian name and inrf agt? We do not have pen-names Town, hut, if vou desire one, 3'ou -•ay belong to the Wigwam also, if you yi? , en © l, gh. Yes, that is our faithThought immortalised on the card. nosa Heighton, Ponsonby: I was glad «> bear again from Rosa and to have your drawing. Have vou had a j r U* r . fro,n Vor;l Oliver lately? Much Tbanv*!! 1 fcVer Y'onc in Happy Town, and th *nks for the lucky Christmas *2 and greetings. "orman Lydster. Takapuna: This little . 13 fr, rgetting the Dawn Lady, I That n pretty little Christmas lii a |^ v The Little Thought sends you Somerville. St. Hellers Bay: nan* you for vour uoat uttlo letter . y f u r compe*ition drawing I had nll et chuckle over that ioke, Helen. No little girl felt concerned. t 0 t “ stln Griffiths, Ponsonby: Welcome be*'# new Sunbeam who is now a memin. °«r happy familv. Your drawa4LT as rea °hed mo safely. It is an a wSI!S „ stud y. T shall be hoping for letter from you soon, j-o * rjorle , Ernptage. Auckland: Thank 'frv Poem. Mariorie. I like it *irl J£ Uch Best wishes to this little to* Str e ° et comes so frequently down Tipt0 C t , ?” lent Seale, Herne Bay: Greetings If v f n^ w Sunbeam, and many thanks to' drawing. I hope I shall be able H °ltow e T ££ ny messa^es for > ou in the T homhiU, Auckland: ilany thanks V» ra your __letter and competition poems, tsofth,- # You have a very grown-up philhWi'° r 0,10 so young. Perhaps it f ,r »nd«»T- iou h ac * h;ul so much time to PviftK. things. Yes, life certainly moves fi hine year brings its sun- • and, when we grow old, there

will still be cloud castles ajid rainbows. I hope you will wiaite again soon. John Jamison, Mount Eden: So your one regret is that you didn't come to Happy Town right at the beginning? You w'ill have to see that you get plenty of messages so that you can catch up with the others. Some of them keep. Happy Town scrap-books and paste all their messages in. Your worst subject at school was my worst one, too, John, so you see we have something in common. Beatrice Emptage, Auckland: Many thanks for your letter and the pretty little poems, Beatrice. Yes, I certainly look on the Sunbeam as my children, for they are all very dear to me. Sometimes I feel that I would like to tuck the wee ones into bed at night, and pull the curtains back so that a star could look in on them.

Jean Farquhar, Dominion Road: Sometimes the Sunbeams wonder why letters, posted to reach me on Friday, are not answered in that week's Hollow Tree. The reason is that the messages go to press on Thursday, so that explains why your letter was not in time. Many thanks for your competition entries, Jean, and also for helping with Sixpence Time. You have been moving, I see, but I hope your worries are now all over.

Millie Clark, Auckland: Many thanks for your competition poem, Nellie. I like it very much. It gives me a pleasant little thrill when Sunbeams sign themselves, “yours loyally.”

Mary Baker, Ngaruawahia: I was so glad to hear from you again, Mary. I used to wonder what had become of your letters, and here I find that you have had sickness in the family and were aJraid of send it to the Dawn Lady. It is very kind of you to send that shining sixepence, for I know that you have saved it penny by penny. I am very glad that you are now out of hospital and hope you will soon be strong again. Best love, Mary.

Joan Brookfield, St. Heliers Bay: Joan’s competition story has reached mo and also her two bright sixpences. I think you must come top of the class for writing? Isn’t that so?

May Hiscocks. Northcote: A warm welcome to this new Sunbeam, and many

thanks for your poem. I hope I shall often hear from you. The Little Thought sends his love and greetings.

Jessie Baker, Kati Kati: I am very sorry to hear that this Sunbeam has been so ill, but I am delighted that you arc now on holiday. What a delightful place to stay at. Jessie. The fresh air should soon make you strong. A Love Flower has come out on tho Happiness Tree for Jessie. Thank you so much for helping with Sixpence Time. May Gash, Parnell: You have brought me three new Sunbeams, I see. Good work, May. I am so glad that Happy Town is such a source of interest to you, and I hope you will write me many more stories. Gwen Gorman, Auckland: Your name is now' in the big Sunbeam book, Gwen, and you are a member of the Dawn Lady’s family. Would you please let me know your address and your age. Gloria Dunn, Auckland: Welcome to Happy Tow'on, Gloria D. I shall always think of vou by that name. You will have plenty of friends now that you have joined our big family, and. when you read the Hollow Tree, you will find that they seem almost like brothers and sisters Thank you for your second sixnanoe You are a kind little girl. ° Jean Gash Parnell: Another new Sunbeam. I hope I shall have plenty of letters from little Miss Jean. Please would you let me know how old you Morris, Epsom: It is wonderful that you managed to get your contributions ready when you were so busy. Fitzie. T was so glad when they came to hand. Our Christmas page will appear on Christmas Eve. I hope T° u win have a happy time in Tauranga. Don t forget H-innv Town while you are away. H t?is Good, Kati Kati: Welcome to this %nnheam You muL, have a happy ?hTe In the ' bush, and I expect you

a? r-l-r bring home plenty of ferns. I shall always be glad to have your letters r9e , LaV r son ’ -Auckland: Your competition ,aw ( n^s and jokes have reached me safely, George. Thank you very muoh. It is unfortunate that you have naa to have so many teeth out. I hope you arc better now. Mary Gash, Parnell: Mary is now a Sunbeam of Happy Town, and I hope she will find a pleasant place. What age are you, Mary ? *> Marie Kissed, Wellington: Your silhouettes have come safely to hand, Marie, and I see that you are now busy in a new branch of art. Silhouettes always reproduce well and these are fine examples. Dick Schofield, Ponsonby: The pansies are still beautifully fresh, Dick. Some of them are looking out the window and some of them are looking at the Dawn Lady. I have pressed ttye very specia.l velvet-brown one and also the blue one from Nanette. Tony Whitlock, Parnell: I was glad to hear again from my “faithful follower.” Your letters make me feel like a General, Tony. Those boys in the story had an exciting time down the mine. Please give my love to Philip and Wendy. George Edwards, Thames: So you think 1 am kind to take notice of a little boy like you? The Dawn Lady loves little boys, especially the kind ones like George Edwards. Much love to, this little soldier. Nola Craig, Mount Albert: Many thanks for your letter, Nola. No, 1 shall not be going away at Christmas time. The Doorkeeper is suggesting that we have an open air Christmas dinner under the Happiness Tree, but the Little Thought protests that he can’t passibly eat turkey. Alma Kokich, Whangarci: I was glad to have your interesting letter, Alma. That must be a beautiful waterfall near

your school. llow old is Vinie? Please give her my love. Nanette Schofield, Ponsonby: The Little Thought says that you have blue eyes. Nanette, and that you sometimes wear a blue dress. Is that true?

Eileen Gracie, Glen Eden: You had an adventurous time on your way for that swim, Eileen, and I think you must all have been glad when you reached home again. You have had a visit from the Little Thought, I see, and have now a mental picture of the Dawn Lady. Much love to this faithful Sunbeam.

June Gladding, New Lynn: Quite a number of the Sunbeams have told me about the fancy dress ball, June. I think you all had a very happy time and shall be looking forward to seeing a photograph of you in your Dawn Lady dress.

Margaret Anderson, Mount Eden: I was glad to hear again from Margaret. You are going to have a happy time at your tea-party. Jean lias a number of Happy Town friends. I am glad that you still write to her.

Sylvia Smith, Brown's Bay: Your competition story and poem have come safely to Happy Town. Sylvia, and I was so glad to receive them. Much love to this Sunbeam.

Jack Gladding, New Lynn: I shall love to have a photograph of you as Redfeather for I am sure you must have made a striking chief. Did your mother make the Indian suit?

Edna Bull, Remura: It seemed quite a while since I had had a letter from this little girl, so you can imagine how glad I was to find that you have not forgotten me. That must be a wonderful book of fairy tales. Much love, little lady. Mary Uffindelf, New Lynn: It is very kind of you to send two bright sixpences for the shining t ox, Mary. Thank you very much. I see you have been to the ball too.

Cleve Gatfield, Ponsonby; You certainly deserved the prize for your painting’, Cleve, for you went to much trouble over it. I managed to find one of those books and it will not be long before it reaches you. Winnie Lynn, Mangere: I was glad to hear again from this little girl and to have that quaint poem. It calls up a striking picture. Joyce Gilbert, Auckland: Two bright coins from Joyce, and a little verse about Sixpence Time. Thank you so much. Did you go on the scenic railway when you went to Luna Park? Alice Williams, Herne Bay: I was glad to hear again from this Sunbeam, and to have that little story. Your writing is as neat as ever, Alice. Best love from the Dawn Lady. Ruth Thompson, Auckland: Ruth has filled two shining crevices in the shining box. Thank you very much. I am always glad to have news of this Sunbeam. Jean Mclndoe, Hamilton: I had a great laugh over your letter, Jean, when J discovered that the pet rabbit had turned out to be a hare! No wonder he had so many adventures. Phyllis Miller, Eileen Gracie and Alice Hewlett will find your love messages. I am hoping that you will be able to be out on the verandah on Christmas Day. Best love from us all in Happy Town. Ruth Holbrook, New Lynn: A warm welcome to Mistress Ruth, and many thanks for helping with Sixpence Time. You must have had great fun at that dance, disguised as a Christmas cracker. Zena Norrell, New Lynn: A pretty Christmas card from Zena, and a very neat letter. Thank you very much. Your mother has certainly given you some useful presents. What shade is the bathing cap? Lorna Radford, Avondale: A very neat letter from Lorna, and all the puzzlers

solved. It will be splendid having a Christmas tree. Are you going to hang some presents on it for the two little rabbits? Olga Gunning, Mount Albert: Your letter has reached me safely, Olga, and I am delighted to find that you came top in the English examination. You have been having a birthday, too. All the good things are happening together. Many happy returns.

Margaret Webb, Glen Eden: Welcome to this wee one. I should love to see some pot-hooks as I have some magic spectacles and can always tell what they mean.

Kathleen Ricketts, Takapuna: Quite a package from Kathleen, this time. I love the painting,s and you have managed the cut-out picture very cleverly. Puss looks very snug beside tho log ft l-6 - ! Jack Montague, Thames: It was splendid hearing from Master Jack again. What a busy time you have been having. It is fine that you now have a wireless set. Congratulations on winning those prizes, Jack I am not surprised. Eileen Thorne, Takapuna: Greetings to this little girl and many thanks for the pretty little poem. I think you will be having happy times on the beach, these d Syivia Webb, Glen Eden: Many happy returns of your birthday, Sylvia. T hope you had a happy day. Your writing is as neat as ever.

Jack Hobbs, Takapuna: It was a pity that you were too late for the painting competition, Jack, as your work is beautifully done. If you find that s*ou are unable to post your letters perhaps you could leave them at the office. Much love, laddie.

James Dobbyn, Grey Lynn: So you are going to a school picnic, Jim? 1 hope you have a happy time. Please give my love to ail the Sunbeams in your family. Gladys Thorne, Takapuna: A wave of the hand to this wee Sunbeam, and many thanks for the poem. The Lttle Thought sends his love.

Meryla Webb, Glen Eden: You must have great fun sliding down the hills on those sledges, Meryla. I stayed at a place in the country once where the children used to harness a quiet old horse into their sledge. He always understood what was expected of him. Donald Foot, Takapuna: I am delighted that you are going to have such a fine holiday at Cambridge, Donald. Who will take care of the silk-worms while you are away?

Clifford Bowrey, Onehunga: It was lovely to have those kind wishes from this litte Sunbeam. I wish you exactly the same. Yours is the last message this week to be placed in the yellow and green wheel-bar-ow with the squeaky wheel. Much love, Clifford.