The Hollow Tree

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 276, 11 February 1928, Page 27

The Hollow Tree

Messages for Sunbeams Letters to the Dawn Lady are answered as under: Ellen Johnston, Thames: All the way from Thames to Happy Town. The squirrel babies have reached me safely, Ellen, and I am delighted to have you for one of my Sunbeams. Quite a number live in Thames. I wonder if you know any of them? - Roy Robinson, Auckland: Welcome to this very small one. You are surely my baby Sunbeam, little Master Roy. Are blue eyes or brown ones waiting for this first message in the Hollow Tree? Betty Menzies, Dominion Road: So you have had a birthday and toothache, too, and you want the Little Thought to bring you happy dreams? He will do exactly that and has promised to chase the toothache far, far away to the land of long forgotten things. An armful of love for this Sunbeam. . _ Billie Callander, Newton: Greetings and welcome, Master Newton. I think a bird flew off with your age when you came down Tiptoe Street. If ever you find it again, please will you send it to the Dawn Lady? Ada Wilkins, Mount Albert: The gates of Happy Town have swung wide to admit Ada. Many thanks for your quaint picture of the squirrel babies. They look very snug under their patchwork quilt. Charlie Robinson, Auckland: There was great excitement when we saw the Robinson family coming down Tiptoe Street this week, Charlie. The Little Thought, the Doorkeeper, the Joy Shop man and the Dawn Lady all ran to the Happy Town gates to count you as you came through, and there was an extra little boy. It is lovely having a new wee brother.

Lucy Crooks, Otahuhu: Many thanks for your .painting of the squirrel babies, Lucy. I hope you had a happy birthday. I think you must have, judging by all those fine presents. Eva Drew, Edendale: Greetings and welcome, Eva, and many thanks for your Painting. I hope I shall find plenty of letters from you in the Happy Town

Mary Baker, Ngaruawahia: It is a pity your little story was too late for the competition, Mary, but perhaps you will •» ter next time. I am delighted that Father Christmas visited your house after ail- Sunbeams Isabel and Mac Rennie must have had a visit from the Little Thought, I think, and as for the other of the business, two of Redfeather’s Wigwam Braves and the Dawn Lady had a little talk about it. You see, Mary, you and Jessie sent something to help with Sixpence Time when you knew that gather Christmas could not visit you, and la the whole key to the mystery. You c *st your bread upon the waters and it £®turned to you a thousand-fold. Best *oy© to everyone in your house. Louise Porter, Dominion Road: I was pad to solve the identity of this nameJ ess Sunbeam and have entered your Paintfhg in the competition. I hope I ahall have many letters from Louise. John Sexton, Takapuna: A warm welcome to Happy Town, Master Takapuna. i like your painting very much. Are you pinning ofT to school with a fine new mason book these days? Ewan Cameron, Dominion Road: I was glad to have your neat and interesting •Her. Ewen. and also your painting for That was a jolly picnic Bay. Best love to this faithful Sunbeam. Lilian Gibb, Grey Lynff: Welcome to !L tUe & ir l and many thanks for patnttk * e s Q ul rrel babies. I am so glad “*2* have come down Tiptoe Street. *? a,s,e Baker, Ngaruawahia: An interesting letter from Maisie this time. Betty vL ce sL tainly a quaint little soul. I expect -■ou have happy times playing with her. •a package of love for this Sunbeam. __T , * ro,d Robinson. Auckland: So you zf® hack at school again, Harold. What are you in this year? I expect Jz u . are too busy with your home lessons h ave wireless these evenings. Much e from everyone in Happy Town. Alice Williams, Herne Bay: Your comAli^ tlon P a,n ting has reached me safely, rzr~. e ’ a nd I was very amused over that card. Those dogs must have been a Picntc, I think. I shall look d»„ ard t 0 hearing all about your holiGrade. Glen Eden: Gathering »■ ? ot is a splendid occupation, Alan, keeps the young harvesters out in °Pen air. I knew two boys who once a Ereat quantity and put it in -acks in a shed, and in a few days the

mice took possession, thinking, I suppose, that it had been gathered especially for them. Ewen Cameron will find your love message. Peter Kirby, Remuera: A warm welcome to Master Peter, who has painted the squirrel babies for the Dawn Lady. I hope I shall have many letters from this little man. Molly Rothville, Auckland: You are a working Sunbeam, I see, and your mother must find you a great help. And you would love to find your name in the Good Scribes? Well, supposing you study the list very carefully this week? Your last letter is wonderfully neat,* Molly. Florence Pratt, Ponsonby: I was glad to have your letter and painting, Florence. You will have a busy time now that your little sister is walking. Little sisters, just finding their land legs, want to everything. Don’t you think

Joan Cuming, Waiuku: Many /thanks for your painting and the jumbled names, Joan. Reading and swimming are splendid hobbies and you could not have made a better choice. Much love to this Waiuku Sunbeam. Monica Robinson, Auckland: The little housekeeper will find her time very fully occupied with a wee brother to look after. Have you ''tried bathing him yet? Patrick McKeown, Grey Lynn: I am sorry to find that you are sick in bed, Pat, and hope I shall have good news of you soon. That was an unfortunate end to such a happy holiday. Alda Burke, Edendale: Another Sunbeam for Happy Town, who has brought with her a painting for the competition. How old are you, Alda? Mavis Bates, Auckland: So you love the Dawn Lady best in Happy Town? That is very sweet of you, but we shall have to keep it a secret just between our two selves. I wouldn’t dare let the Doorkeeper know. It is splendid that you are in a new standard and I hope you have another successful year. Kenneth Brookfield, St. Heliers Bay: Greetings and welcome, Master Ken, and many thanks for your painting. I am

delighted that you have come to Happy Town and hope you will often find your name in the Hollow Tree. Edna Cayless, Auckland: Many thanks for your letter and the painting, Edna. You would be amused to see all. the different pictures of the squirrel babies. Some of them are very quaint. I think we shall have to start a squirrel nursery in Happy Town. I think I used those riddles a good many months ago, long before you came down Tiptoe Street. Perhaps you would like to send some more. Margery Joan Nicol, Devonport: Wel-

come to Happy Town, Margery Joan. What a pretty name you have. I have entered your painting in the competition.

Billie Robinson, Auckland: Ding, dong, ding, dong. The school bell is ringing for Billie. Can you make paper boats and little plasticine men? Sylvia Hughes, Huntly: Don’t forget to look in the Good Scribes this week, Sylvia. Your letter is wonderfully neat and I like your squirrel babies very much. Best love to this faithful Sunbeam.

Isobel McSporran, Otahuhu: Your painting has reached me safely, Isobel. and I am delighted that you have joined our happy family. When next you write please would you tell me you age? John Jamison, Mount Eden: That is a dainty little tale about the lily, John. Did you write it? Many thanks for your painting. Your prize book looked very interesting, and I am so glad that you enjoyed it.

Evelyn Stow, Ngaruawahia: Evelyn’s painting has reached me safely. Thank you also for your neat letter. I am so glad that you have found your way through the magic gates into our little world for little people.

Dorothy Munro, Devonport: Little Miss Dorothy is now one of my Sunbeams and I shall always be glad to find letters from her in the mail. Thank you so much for your painting. I hope you will enter for many more competitions. Leslie Robinson, Auckland: Who reached the Hollow Tree first this week, Leslie? You are now a schoolboy, I see. I wonder how much you have learnt this week, and do cats still sit on mats as they did when I first went to school? Jack Montague, Thames: Many thanks for your painting, Jack, beautifully mounted, I see. The Giggler Bird oh the wall asks me to send you his greetings- . Joan Makinson, Hikurangi: Some jumbled fruit and a painting from Joan. Thank you very much. I think you had a holiday in Auckland not very long ago, didn’t you? The Little Thought says so, and he is usually right. Olwen Harding, Remuera: Olwen has come safely to Happy Town with a neat letter in one hand and the squirrel babies in the other. I shall always be glad to hear from this little girl. Tess McGlynn, Taumarunui: Another Sunbeam for the Dawn Lady from the town with the long name. I like your painting very much, Tess. Your age seems to have dropped out of your letter. Perhaps you will let me know how old you are when next you write. Joyce Thomson, Thames: Many thanks for your letter, Joyce, and also for the package of sweet scents from your garden. I must start keeping a jar of potpourri. It is splendid news that your mother is recovering her health. The three little birds are good company. I expect they look on you now as quite an old friend. Nola Craig is wondering if you have forgotten her. Jean Marbeck, Green Lane: Here is another neat writer who has found her way to Happy Town. I entered your painting in the competition, Jean, and hope you will soon write to me again. Joan Wilkins, Remuera: Joan is now one of my Sunbeams. You are having a happy time in Auckland, I think. When next you write please could you let :ne have your home address. Best love to this little lady.

John Wood, Glen Eden: Your painting has reached me safely, John, and you are a clever young artist, I see. Much love to my faithful Sunbeam. . Grace Beer, Remuera: Camping m the bush is an ideal holiday, Grace. Did .you hear the birds greeting the morning? Many thanks for your painting. I like it very much. _ , Colin Mackie, Devonport: I think you must be your mother’s right hand man, Colin. It is splendid that you are able to help her. Those picnics sound great fun. You are one of the lucky ones. Please give my love to Rive. Does he still pay those early morning visits to the pantry? .., Nola Craig, Mount Albert: The wild opossum sounds most interesting, Nola, and it must attract a great deal of attention at school. Please give my regards to Buz. To my knowledge he is the only cat who looks for a message in the Hollow Tree.

Lorna Radford] Avondale: A charming letter from little Miss Avondale this week. The puzzlers are correct as usual. The Dawn Lady just loves her faithful Sunbeams, and she keeps a "warm corner :n her heart for one little girl who never misses writing. Her Christian name has five letters. There is another puzzle for you. Vera Robinson, Auckland: A little pink hand is diving into the Hollow Tree. Ah, here is Vera’s message. The Little Thought would never let me forget Vera. Much love, little one.

Lloyd Scott, Thames: A warm welcome to Happy Town. Lloyd, and many thanks for your painting. You have come down Tiptoe Street hot haste on your brother’s heels and your name is

next to his in the' big Sunbeam Book. I shall always look forward to your letters*. Moira Clouston, Gisborne: I am delighted that you have come to Happy Town, Moira, and I guessed immediately that you are Ronald’s sister. You will have a joint interest now in the Happy Town page each week. Alice Hewlett* Morrinsville: A whiff of sweet perfume from Morrinsville. Many thanks for the spray from your garden. Jean Mclndoe and Nola Craig will find that you have remembered them. Jean has not been very well again, but I had a bright little letter from her this week. Mary Clark, Grey Lynn: Mary’s name is now in the big Sunbeam Book. I am. so glad that you have found your way to Happy Town. I like your pointing very much.

Tom Rowan, Te Awamutu: Many thanks for your letter and for painting the squirrel babies, Tom. lam delighted that you have passed into Standard 6 and hope you have an equally successful year.

Marie Kissel, Wellington: Your choice of a prize book was a splendid one, Marie, and I was sure that you would enjoy the one I sent. It is hard to have to concen- ; trate on lessons when one’s thoughts are still on holiday. Stewart Robinson, Mount Eden: Greetings and welcome, Master Stewart, and many thanks for your painting. Under which star were you born. You have forgotten to send your age. Every good wish to this new member.

Mavis Cayless, Auckland: So you are having a busy time at school, little one? Do those beautiful curls stay tidy the whole day? You and your sisters are wonderful stage .managers and I am sure everyone enjoys those concerts. Marjorie Lewers, Epsom: Welcome to our happy family, Marjorie, and manv thanks for your painting and the riddle. I hope you will often write to me. Kathleen Ricketts, Takapuna: A compamting from my “drummer girl Thank you very much. I am not likely to forget the little lady who has wrought so many new ones down Tiptoe „°° roth X La 'T’ Herne Bay: Hey, presto! Here is Dorothy m Happy Town. Wasn’t it a simple journey? Thank you so much 1 h °Pe I shall have plenty of letters from this Sunbeam. Edna Robinson, Auckland: A laugh and a good wish for little Miss Edna who is wa.ting for her message to be popped into the Hollow Tree. The Little Thought has just blown a kiss to you. Did it reach you? Jean Farquhar, Dominion Road: Manv thanks for your painting, Jean. I was r< ? ad of that wonderful holiday widPaYvmb- h K° U ' n ’ iu t) be ver y brown sunbeain 5 bathing. Best love to this Dolores Pearn, Northcote: Here Is a little girl who wants to be an artist t)U “ Y' as rather shy about sending her painting to the Dawn Lady. It is very well done, Dolores, and I am very glad that you have come to Happy Town. Lennis May Henderson, Rotorua: I was glad to hear again from this Rotorua Sunbeam and to have your picture of the squirrel babies. It is very attractive and I like it very much. Thelma Robinson, Auckland: So Thelma is not the baby any longer? It will be splendid having a new wee brother to play with. Best love to this little girl. Sylvia Cross, Ponsonby: That was a very happy birthday, Sylvia, and what beautiful presents. Many happy returns. No, I have not heard from Eileen Coughey lately. George Edwards, Thames: So holiday

me is over, George, and school is once ore the order of the day. I quite ?ree that if you are going to grow up » quickly as this you will very soon ■come a man. I hope you have a ippy time on your birthday when it >mes.

Lorna Margaret Maxwell, Hamilton: Welcome to our happy family, MiSs Hamilton. By which of your pretty Christian names are you known? I hope I shall often hear from this new Sunbeam. .

Joan Brookfield, St. Heliers Bay: Many thanks for your list of books, Joan. Your prize should not be long in reaching you. It will be splendid if you bring some new Sunbeams down Tiptoe Street. Kenneth has already arrived. You must have enjoyed watching those Chinese wonder workers. What surprising tricks they can play. Jean Buckley, Mount Roskill: We do not have badges in Happy Town, Jean. When Sunbeams are enrolled they receive membership cards and these are free. When am I to have another of those beautifully neat letters? Next week?

Doris .Cayless, Auckland: Parties are splendid fun, Doris, especially when there are plenty of nice things to eat. When I was a little girl I used to dress up and give parties for my dolls. The dolls had to be Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Brown and so on, and I was the hostess, but I always had all that there was to eat. Much love to this lady. Bernie Thompson, Morningside: Welcome to this eight-year-old and many thanks for painting the squirrel babies. I hope I shall often hear from this young man.

Jean Mclndoe, Hamilton: The joy bells rang when Jean came once more down Tiptoe Street and all the cobble stones were singing. I do hope that you will quickly pick up again. Joan Brookfield will find your congratulations and Nancy Waller your love message. A package of good wishes for Jean from everyone in Happy Town. Betty Johanson, Weymouth: Greetings and welcome. Mistress Betty, and many thanks fo your painting. I shall always be glad to hear from my new Weymouth Sunbeam.

Rosa Heighton, Ponsonby: Many thanks for your painting. Rosa. Your writing is as neat as ever, I see.

Jack Lydster, Takapuna: I am very sorry to find that you are not well. What is the matter. Jack? That little poem is one of my favourites, but it was printed in Happy Town not very long ago. Much love and every good wish for an early recovery. Dulcie Craig, Epsom: I was so pleased to have your very neat and interesting letter, Dulcie, and hope you will write me many more. I have never visited the West Coast of the South Island so I shall look forward to your description of all its natural beauty.

Gladys Evans, Birkdale: Gladys has passed safely through the magic gates. I hope I shall have many letters from this Sunbeam.

Frank Sherley, Morrinsville: Many thanks for your newsy letter, Frank, written, I see, on your birthday. Many happy returns. That was a fine picnic and I am sure you must have enjoyed

your swim. You will be sorry that your holiday in Cambridge is over. Much love from Happy Town to you and your brothers. Victor Taylor, Grey Lynn: Victor is now one of my Sunbeams and his painting fs waiting to be judged. The Little Thought waves a greeting to this young man.

Beulah Knowfs. Edendale: Many thanks for the quaint little poem, “Sleepy Town.” It seems to need another line to complete the one, “At tea time in the land of dreams.” Perhaps you would like to send another copy. . Rosie Evans, Birkdale: lam glad that you have been on holiday, Rosie. You must have had a happy time. Many thanks for your painting. I think you will find your name among the Good Scribes this week. E. Couper, Grey Lynn: Welcome to Happy Town, Miss Grey Lynn. What does that mysterious E stand for? And please may I have your age. Your painting has reached me safely. Thank you very much. Malsie King, Auckland: We shall give your friends a merry welcome when they come down Tiptoe Street, Maisie. You have had a birthday, I see. Many happy returns. You are lucky to have all those beautiful presents. Have you chosen a plot for your next week-end play? Edwyna Stone, Onehunga: Pigeons are fine pets, Edwyna, and I am sure you must love your own particular one. Thirty-three new Sunbeams have come to Happy Town this week. I must ask the Little Thought to hold a grand tally one of these days. Eric Jenkins, New Lynn: A little boy called Eric, aged 9, has just come down Tiptoe Street with a painting for the Dawn Lady. A warm welcome to this new member.

Norman Lydster, Takapuna: Many thanks for the poem, Norman. The furry dog is a quaint little fellow. and I am sure his master must love him.

Gloria Dunn, Auckland: Many thanks for your long and interesting letter. What a wonderful holiday you have been having at Rotorua. I wondered what had become of Gloria D. At the pictures the other evening I saw the Fairy Springs with al the trout, and it was pretty sight. Doris Lydster, Takapuna: The poem about the little house in the porridge plate was sent in some time ago by another Sunbeam, Doris. Perhaps you would like to find another. Best love to this little girl.