THE HOLLOW TREE.

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 394, 30 June 1928, Page 27

THE HOLLOW TREE.

w# U' W\».* W w w w w V | MESSAGES FOR SUNBEAMS.

Letters to the Dawn Lady are answered as follow.— Gay du Faur, Howick: The Pixie Postmen have delivered your story and your interesting,' letter. Gay. No, I have never organised a caterpillar race, but it must be great fun. It would be rather amusing' to have a combined caterpillar and snail race. I think. Becky Pelham, Jean Mclndoe, Norma Waller, Joan Brookfield and her wee brother will find your love messages in the Hollow Tree. Lily Latimer, Pukemiro: I was glad to hear again from Lily’, and to read the quaint little poem. Do your dolls have washing days, too? Thank you also for the Jokes and riddles. The Doorkeeper and the Joyshop man had a good laugh over them. Sylvia Hughes, Huntly: Many thanks for your story, Sylvia. I am glad you heard the music of the competition bell. The Pixie Postmen are looking forward to a long letter soon. Viola Garrett, Waitoa: I was glad to hear again from this Sunbeam and to read her story. Please give my best love to May Perry. I hope she will soon be well again. If you address your letters to the Dawn Lady they will reach me sooner, Viola. Best love to this faithful member.

Pearl Stewart, Point Chevalier: The Little Thought was delighted to discover how poppies become redder and redder, Pearl. Many thanks for your story. You are one of the Dawn Lady’s very good scribes. Phyllis Potts, Opotiki: You had a happy time at Dawn Kelly’s birthday party, Phyllis. Did she blow out her seven candles? When your letter came I did not recognise the new writing, but you managed it very neatly. Much love from Happy Town to this little girl. Dorothea Maioha, Waimatc North: Welcome to this new Sunbeam who has built yet another rainbow bridge to Happy Town. The Woodpecker says to tell you that he hopes there will be plenty of messages for you in the Hollow Tree. Mary Warren, Morri nsville : Mary has Written a neat letter this time and I enjoyed that little poem. Thank you also for answering the Competition Bell, Mistress Mary. My best love to his Morrinsville Sunbeam. Maile Morris. Epsom: This is Malle’s birthday and, by the time she reads this, the Little Thought will have watched her cut the cake. Many happy returns to this happv little five-year-old. Jack Hemara, Te Kuiti: A warm welcome to this new sunbeam, who has come safely through the gates of Happy Town. You are a most industrious Young man, Jack, and I was very interested in all those jokes and games. Thank you also for your story. The Woodpecker sends his greetings and hopes he "'ill often see your name in the Hollow Tree. Mona Quinn, Te Awamutu: It seemed Quite a long time since I had heard from this Sunbeam, so you can imagine how £lad I was when your letter came. Yes, Quite a number of Te Awamutu children have passed through the gates of Happy Town. Thank you for the riddles, Mona. Ivy Quaife. ” Hikurangi; The Pixie postmen have delive'red the story by fiiis neat writer whose first message now appears in the Hollow Tree. The DoorKeeper and the Joyshop man send their Qest love and hope they will often see You in Happy Town. Rive Mackie, Devonport: A bird with silver wings flew in to Happy Town just now, Rive, and settled on a branch of Jhe Happiness Tree. And what do you J-hink it had in its beak? Why, a wonlufi v Bhillin & thought from a faithful uitie boy called Rive. I am going to take sreat care of it ai d keep it always. SSfrest love from Happy Town to this man. We all hope that you are °ecoming stronger. Jean Vercoe, Waitoa: Jean’s story is ji o * entered in the competition. Much vv’ e and many thanks to this loyal mem* of Happy Town. Rene Dickey. Waihi: The little men in 2*® poppies are very happy to think that , Ve be «n writing about them, Rene, you very much for your little «i5 y,v J a Stewart, Point Chevalier: Your Svi’, abed le tter has reached me safely, la ' T bank you also for the interesten closures. It was unfortunate that £°uld not play in that basketball fit,, ' but I hope you will soon be pertho T, we » again. Much love from all ‘f.Happy Town people to this Sunbeam. \'* v " c Mcßurncy, Ngaruawahia: hi become a Brownie I think you will ap*bte to tie all the knots, Irene. You it J Uol< y being able to watch the Guides trork. Yes, Auckland is having plenty

of rain, too, but there are always blue skies and sunny faces in Happy Town. Joyce Howard, Waitoa: Thank you for your story, Mistress Joyce. When next you enter one in a competition, I wonder if you would mind writing on only one side of the paper. This saves a great deal of work. The Woodpecker sends a flutter of his wings to Farmers’ Road, TVaitoa. Aiken Tornquist, Onehunga: “This little girl has been studying the picture of those elfin artists in the corn,’’ said one of the Pixie Postmen, holding out an important looking letter. “Of course she has,’’ said the Dawn Lady, slitting the envelope and reading Aileen’s story under the Happiness Tree. Colin Mackie, Devonport: There was great consternation in Happy Town when we found that your balloon picture had been accidentally destroyed, Colin, for the Pixie Postmen were watching all the mails for i:. Never mind. Perhaps you will forget all about it with this new competition to keep you busy. lam never_for a moment likely to think that Colm is not a faithful little supporter of Happy

Tow,.. Da^.Ji eS Te OS Aro t ha: tll Those d pretty Sway re to? The Little Thought sends a ki t?m MV H^£Mor£Eden: piE miby r has ?h°r m oL t bX n ?n^ic, gates and into HapmTown. Jour I very think f Dawn Lady s, tarns. drops another you yhen Father Time from new - found* friends in Happy Town.

Frances Kelly, Newmarket: That looks like a fairy house, Frances, and I am sure that is enchanted smoke rising from the chimney. The Little Thought sends a smile to this young Happy Town artist. Ronald En wright, Frankton: Birthdays are fine fun, Ronald, and I am glad that you enjoyed yours. Many happy returns. What a number of presents. You are one of the lucky ones. Margaret Mears, Otahuhu: Welcome to Happy Town, Mistress Margaret. The Pixie Postmen are searching under all the cobble stones in Tiptoe Street for your age, but so far, they haven’t found it. Perhaps you could send it in your next letter, and also the date of your birthday. Ralph Clouston, Otahuhu: I was glad to hear again from this young man and to find that he has written a story for the Dawn Lady. Thank you very much, Ralph. I hope I shall soon hear from you again. Ruby Hodder, Devonport: Your letter is very neat, Ruby, in spite of your sore arm. It is taking a long time to recover,

but I hope it will soon be well again. The Doorkeeper was delighted to find that you and Doris had sent him a special message, and he has locked it away in the Place-of-You-Never-Can-Tell in a big box, where he keeps his treasures. YY e often find him peeping into the box and laughing happily to himself. Una Kelly, Newmarket: So you think the Dawn Lady is a “Dream Lady,’’ too? In that case I must make some happy dreams for this Sunbeam. Thank you for the drawings and the joke, Una. When you are old enough to join the Wigwam you will have a pen-name, but we just

keep our own names in Happy Town, with one word added. Don’t you think it is very pleasant to be Sunbeam Una Kelly? That title will belong to you until you outgrow our little world for little people. Masie Harper, Devonport: Welcome to Happy Town, Miss Masie. There was a flutter of excitement in Tiptoe Street when we heard your footsteps. The Little Thought is wondering when your birthday is. Perhaps you will let him know. „ . t Irene Retter, Mount RoskiH: Another neat letter from a very good scribe, and also a story for the competition. Thank you lor the joke, too. It is very amusing. Esme Quick will find your congratulations and Nancy YValler your love. The Little Thought and the Joyshop man were delighted to have your message, and they both send some very special thoughts. Joseph Dobbyn, Grey Lynn: So this is your birthday, Joseph, and your last day in Happy Ton? You will feel quite a man now that you are sixteen, but 1 hope you will still peep over the fence into our little world for little people. The Sunbeams are never really lost to the Dawn Lady, even when they return down Tiptoe Street into the outside world, for friendships are built in Happy Town that stand the test of time. I hope you will still write to me occasionally, even though your interests are now centred in the Wigwam. Thank you very much for your story, Joseph. I like it very much. Lillian Govan, Archhill: Hush! I can hear the patter of feet in Tiptoe Street. Someone is tapping at the gates of Happy Town. The Little Thought said the other day that he saw a little girl at Archhill deeply interested in all the messages in the Hollow Tree, and why, here she is! Greetings and welcome to this new Sunbeam. Gloria Rawlinson, Auckland: Monty, the monkey, will soon be as famous as the wise old YY r oodpecker who lives in the Hollow Tree, Gloria, for such numbers of messages have come for him this week. The Sunbeams have not forgotten a certain little girl with eyes like brown pansies, either. How lovely having a letter from Margaret. By the time you read this I think you will have met her. I wonder if you played together with those dream children in her little dream house? She will find your love message, and Jean Mclndoe will be happy to think that you have sent her some special thoughts this week. Ngawai Paki, Huntly: So that is how rainbows are made, Ngawai? I have often wondered about it. Thank you so much for the charming little story. The Little Thought is practising saying your name, and when he says “Ngawai, ’’ it sounds so pretty. My best love to this happy Sunbeam. Lorna Cull, Wellington: It seemed a long time since I had heard from little Miss Wellington, and the Pixie Postmen were greatly excited when your letter arrived. How high you came in those tests and how neat your writing is now. Many happy returns of your birthday. Your playroom will be nearly full now, I think. Are the dolls still behaving themselves. Much love to your house from the Dawn Lady and all your friends in Happy Town. Annie Seagrove, Mount Eden: Your story has reached me safely, Annie, and I have read it with much interest. Many thanks for answering the Competition Bell. Your writing is always wonderfully nea t. Edwyna Stone, Onehunga: There have been numbers of birthdays in Happy Town this week, Edwyna. Many hjippy returns of yours. Don't you feel very rich with all those fine presents? The word square is correct, and many thanks for sending me those hidden trees. Please give my love to your cousins. Jean Anderson, Mount Eden: The little girl called Shirley sounds a dear, Jean, and I am not surprised that her shyness vanished when she had played with y«>u for a while. Did she make the acquaintance of those dolls of yours? Much love, little lady. Errol Gracie, Glen Eden: Now, this is all very wonderful, Errol. I knew, of course, that Nola Craig’s cat, Buz, had organised an All Black football team, but I did not dream that the Glen Eden cats were endeavouring to form a “mixed colour brigade.” It is a pity that the players could not agree and that the team has disbanded. Frolic and Kiri must be feeling rather sorry about it. So you have kept all the Happy Town pages, too Errol. You must have a large collection now. The YVoodpecker sends his greetings to Eileen, and we all send our best love to Errol. Frances Mae Hodgson, Titoki: This little girl from the sunny North lias reached Happy Town safely and is now numbered among the Dawn Lady's large family of Sunbeams. I hope you win write me many letters, Frances. You are going to be one of the good scribes, I see. Leila Jacobson, Otahuhu: “Silver” is one of my favourite poems, Leila, and I often say it over when the moon peers in at my window. Have you memorised it, too? The passage I like is this one: “From their shadowy cotes the white breasts peep, of doves in a silver-feathered

sleep.” Doesn't that call up a beautiful picture? Much love to Leila from her Happy Town friends. Margaret Anderson, Mount Eden: The little dream house called the “Dovecote’ is the one that appeals to the Dawn Lady, Margaret, for it has a bright lire always burning and plenty of dream children there. I think I should feel a little awed if you led me through the spacious halls of “the Manor,” for there might be frowning portraits on the walls and sternlooking flunkeys at every door. Gloria will find your love message. It will be splendid to hear of your meeting. Don Day, Mount Albert: So you have returned from your holiday, Don? I am glad you had such a happy time. And you have been building sand castles at Plimmerton? The Dawn Lady has built castles on that beach, too. It is a fine place to spend a holiday, isn’t it, Don? My best love to this loyal little Sunbeam. Hilda Allington, Hamilton: Hilda’s story has reached me safely and is now entered in the competition. It is so neatly written that it was a pleasure to read. Earl Smith, Devonport: It is very good of Doris to send you the Happy Town page, Earl, and now you will never lose touch with the Dawn Lady, the Little Thought, or any of the Happy Town people. Much love to this wee man. Mary Haycock, Devonport: A warm welcome to our little world for little people, Mary. I shall be looking forward to your first letter so that I shall know all about you. Do you like painting? If so, you will find something to interest you in to-day’s page. Joan Bland, Mount Eden: So you have read Happy Town always, Joan, and now you have decided to come down Tiptoe Street We are all delighted to greet you. Thank you very much for your story and your neat letter. Rona Whitman, Auckland: Many thanks for your story which has now been entered in the competition, Rona. I am always glad when letters arrive from this Sunbeam. Betty Brown, Devonport; Thank you very much for your happy little letter, Betty. I, too, am glad that you are a Sunbeam. Doris has introduced quite a number of her friends to Happy Town, and they are all very faithful ones. too. Edna. Bowman, Grey Lynn: So you read the Happy Town page from start to finish last time, Edna? And which part of it did you like best? Thank you very much for your story and your neat letter. Ruth Powell, Huntly: YVe are all delighted to hear that your mother is better, Ruth, and hope she will soon have quite recovered her health. Thank you for your story which has come safely to hand. It is splendid that Sunbeams Iris Wilkinson and Dallas Northmore are your friends. Doris Muchamore, Devonport: Doris has been a -wonderfully active member of Happy Town ever since she joined, and now I have to thank her for yet another new Sunbeam. Are you keeping count of the number you are bringing down Tiptoe Street? The Doorkeeper sends you a special lucky wish that he has been keeping for some deserving Sunbeam in the Place-of-Y’ou-Never-Can-Tell. I hope it is a good one, Doris, and that it conies true. My best love, little lady. Leslie Waller, Manurewa: YY r e are all sorry that Jack is sick in bed, Leslie. Please give him plenty of love from Happy Town and a bright wish for an early recovery. Nola Craig’s cat, Buz, and the one that lives next door to Jean. Mclndoe, will be pleased to find Fluff’s sincere regards in the Hollow Tree. Jean Farquhar, Auckland: Yes, Jean. I always feel like singing a little secret song of joy when the shortest day is over. Before long we will be having light evenings again. The Sunbeams were very sorry to part with the Incredible Creatures, but I think they will like the new series. I am glad you found the message from Betty Menzles If she is peeping into the Hollow Tree she will find that you have been thinking of her, too. Mary Kerr, Pukemiro: That was a wonderful win at basketball, Mary. Aren't you feeling proud about it? Many thanks for your story. Perhaps you will enter for the painting competition, too. How is Master Billy? Please give him the Dawn Lady’s love. Nola Craig, Mt. Albert: And those All Black cats beat Hamilton by 100 to nil? YVhat a marvellous win. What do they

use for goal'posts, Nola? Jean was not quite so well when her last letter came, but I think you will hear from her soon. It is some time since I have heard from Doris Adolph and Moira Clouston, but your letters probably reached them. Much love, Nola, and our best regards to Buz. Peter Kirby, Rotorua: Thank you very much for your story, Master Peter. How you can write now. This little boy is one of my very faithful Sunbeams, and I always feel happy when his letters arLorna Mackenzie, Timaru: I found your letter very interesting this time, Lorna, and felt as if I were beside you looking at that funny picture. You described it very well. Oh, yes, the Dawn Lady is always busy with her children. She is something like the old woman •who lived in a shoe, don’t you think? Norma Waller, Manurewa: So you have made a book of the Incredible Creatures, too, Norma? Which is your favourite? I think I .ike the Nabble and the quaint old Slither-slim. Jean Buckley wishes me to ask you if her letters reached you. I am glad-you have heard from Gay du Faur. She will find your love message. Many happy returns of your birthday, and my thanks for your daintily handled story. Joy Hill. Mt. Albert: The haze of rain lying over Alt. Eden must have looked strange, Joy, especially as you were standing in bright sunshine. I saw a beautiful rainbow that day. It ended in a deep valley, and the pot of gold should not have been very hard to find. Thank you for your story. The sick Sunbeams will be glad to know that you have sped some thoughts to them. Nancy Waller, Manurewa:_ That is an interesting story, Nancy. Where did you find it? You will find it strange leaving Manurewa, but I hope you will soon settle down. I am glad you have written to Pearl Knepp. Jean Mclndoe, Nola Craig, Irene Retter, Sylvia Hughes, Joyce Thomson, Margaret Anderson, Jean Buckley and Muriel Lauder will find your love. What numbers of Happy Town friends you have now. Joyce Kerr, Auckland: A membership card is all filled in ready to be sent to this little lady, but I am afraid that “Joyce Kerr, Auckland” might not find her. Please will you send the Dawn Lady your full address. June Shearer, Mount Eden: The Woodpecker is delighted to hear that you have painted his picture, and he would like to see it. Yes, Gloria has eyes just like brown pansies on a sunny morning. Perhaps yours are like cornflowers, June? The Incredible Creatures are all fast asleep now that their long journey is over Did you make a book of them, June? Isa Douglas, Huntly: If I had any dolls and they had a house like the one in that poem, Isa, I should like to steal in at the little door too. How glad you must be now that the examinations are over. I hope your marks will be high. Sheila Lockington, Waihi: Your story has come safely to Happy Town, Sheila, and I enjoyed it very much. My best love to this Sunbeam. Jean Mclndoe, Hamilton: The Little Thought is searching through all the messages for one for Jean, and the Woodpecker is helping him. So, here it is. I hope you are not sick again, little lady. A big package of love from all the little people in Happy Town. • Sybil Stacey, Parnell: Your story has reached me safely, Sybil. Thank you