THE HOLLOW TREE.

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 502, 3 November 1928, Page 31

THE HOLLOW TREE.

I MESSAGES FOR SUNBEAMS.

Letters to the Dawn Lady are answered as follow:

Jewel Dennis, Okahukura: You found the little people concealed in the puzzle picture. Jewel, and I enjoyed your verses about the starling. Thank you, too, for your second letter and your painting. How very pretty your garden must look just now. Joan Forbes, Waiuku: Your letter was just too late for the last Hollow Tree, Joan. You have been sick in bed, I see. Are you better now? Jack must have felt proud of his pigtail at the fancy dress dance. A happy wish for this Sunbeam. Meryla Webb, Glen Eden: The donkey . and his little master were very popular in Happy Town, Meryla, and I was glad to have your story. The Little Thought laughed when he read that riddle about the rabbit running into the bush. Ada Wilkins, Mount Albert: Your story reached me safely, Ada. Thank you very much for answering the Competition Bell. Freda Conning, Takapuna: The Dawn Lady was excited at seeing those photographs, too, Freda, and I like them very much. Freda, I notice, has a bright smile in both. Jack Forbes, Waiuku: The Woodpecker is delighted to find your name again in the Hollow Tree, Jack. What a tine playmate your dog Fat must be. Did he find plenty of shelter that very wet day? Mary Cumming, Ellerslie: That was surely a happy week-end you had with Dorothy, Mary. You two must be great friends. I was glad to have your story. My love to this faithful little lady. Owen Conning, Takapuna: Now I know Just what this little Sunbeam is like. Thank you for the photographs of you and Freda leaving for school. There is 14 Peep of garden visible, so I can see that you have plenty of flowers. Sylvia Webb, Glen Eden: I am glad *mit you have had a letter from Norma Waller. Jean spends most of the fine days out on the verandah now. The Woodpecker is taking c are of your love messages for our faithful little Hamilton Sunbeam, the Wallers, Pearl Knepp, Sylvia Hughes, Gay du Faur and Esmeralda Wigg. Some good wishes from Happy Town for Sylvia. Grace Scott, Rotorua: There would be quite a menagerie at school on Parent’s pay, Grace, and it must have been great fun seeing all the children with their pets. Thank you for that little poem. J. Cameron, Mount Eden: What is the full name of my new Sunbeam? A warm welcome to our happy family. Your Painting did not reach me until the week after the closing date of the competition, but perhaps you would like to paint the l “Sleepy Time" picture. I hope I shall j often hear from this new member. Claude Conning. Takapuna: Welcome, little four-year-old. ' I love the photo- I Kraph of you just as you had jumped out bed. The Little Thought hopes you j "’lll often come down Tiptoe Street. Connie Whiteford, Parnell: Another httje blind gir! come to sit with the Dawn Lady under the Happiness Tree. ! There will always be a special place for ' tonnie and Rina. I am looking forward J to hearing all about you. I think you and Etna must be very firm friends. How old J* my lutle Sunbeam? All the Happy Town people send their loving wishes to Connie. Brenda Chandler, Mount Wellington: Your story came safely to Happy Town by Pixie Post. Many thanks and much love to this Sunbeam. Henry Solomon, Point Chevalier: That Picture must have been very amusing, Henry, and I am not surprised that you enjoyed It. Working in the garden is s Plendid exercise and there is always something to show for one’s labours. How many messages have you now in that Hollow Tree scrap-book? Hilda Cameron, Mount Eden: Your crayoned sketch of the chickens is very 2*verly done, Jidda. Prizes are only for competitions, so I hope you "q” enter for some of those. Perhaps you would like to colour in the “Sleepy Time" picture? Elvira Bedogni. Auckland: So all those membership cards are framed, Elvira, inere will be no fear of your losing them

now. Your cat must be a very uncommon one with those soft green eyes. I am sure he sleeps well in that cosy bed. Thank you very much for the riddles. Some Happy Town love for all the Sunbeams in your house, Ethel Birch, Rotorua: That was a jolly day at the beach in spite of the rain, Ethel, and I am sure you enjoyed the ride home and the birthday cake for tea. Could any picnic have had a more satisfactory ending? A package of good wishes for our faithful Ethel. Isa Cameron, Mount Eden: Welcome to

our happy family, Isa, and many thanks for your story. Would you please let the Dawn lady know your age when next J °Rina Bedgoni, Auckland: I shall love to have the Braille alphabet, little lad>. The Little Thought thinks i should soon be able £> master it. Your sister tells me how you love your membership card. K is the open sesame to much happiness for this little girl. Isn't it splen’JJT'thnt Connie has become a Sunbeam, The DMH Ladv is very happy to th?nk That she can bring sunshine to you

and your friend. An armful of Happy Town love for Rina. Gloria Rawlinson, Auckland: The Little Thought made a special trip with his wheelbarrow to bring all Gloria’s letters and contributions into Hapnv Town this week. Thank you very much for your two paintings, the charming little poem, the riddle-me-ree and word squares and also your interesting letter. The Little Thought and the Woodpecker were delighted to hear from you, too. And you saw Doctor Sfiring Sunshine looking in your window very early one morn-

ing last week? And he said “Hurry up, hurry up. You’re wasting a perfectly good day?'* It seems that he pays quite a round of visits just about daybreak. Poor Monty would feel much disti'essed when his eye fell out, but I am glad he is now mended. Best love from Happy Town to Gloria. Douglas Anderson, Waiuku; Your letter whisked me away into a little world of fluffy ducklings, with a wee pup trotting at his master’s heels. And you have a new tennis racquet? You are

1 think- Your solution to the iiOdie-me-ree is correct, Douglas. Dulcie Rigden, Avondale: Thank you for your story, Dulcie. It has placed x ? , the Highly Commended list. My besi love to this young writer. »J$ ary , , Mt. Eden: Another little girl has been listening for the Competition Bell. Thank you for your story Mistress Mary. Myrtle Larrington, Napier: Thank you for your very interesting letter, Myrtle, l enjoyed reading about your two gardens and your pets. I hope it is fine in Napier on November 5, so that your bonfire will burn merrily. Yes, I-always feel happy when I am writing the messages for the Hollow Tree, for, although they are small, each one seems to me like a real letter. Sunbeams may send me jokes and puzzles if they wish, and they need not be original if the source is stated. You have something else in common with Joyce for you, too, are one of my good scribes. Elizabeth Christine, Auckland: The Pixie Postmen sped in with your letter and your account of those two dreams, being careful not to crush the petals of that dark-red rose. Then, later in the week, they brought me yofir box of flowers. All the rest of the afternoon I wore one of your red roses, and the others are still quite fair and fragrant. The Little Thought has offered to make a lasso if I give him a small length of blue ribbon. What do you think about it? How quiet the house must be without lan, and how you must miss him. Jean Farquhar will find your love and thanks under the Woodpecker’s wing. - A package of Happy Town thoughts for Elizabeth.

Jack Roach, Newton: Welcome, Jack. We are all glad that you have come to Happy Town. And Jim Dobbyn is your friend? What a jolly nickname he has. I like yours, too, but would never dare call you by it. I hope I shall soon hear from you again. Mary Potts, Opotiki: Nola tells me that she has written to you, Mary, so I expect the letter has reached you now. Norma Waller, of Wood’s Road, Penrose, is about your age. Perhaps you would like to write to her, too. What a pity you lost the birdcage story, but there will be another competition soon. Your, favourite subjects at school were mine, too, Mary. Maisie McLachlan, Whangarei: Thank you for the photograph of your own pretty little self, disguised as a fairy, Maisie. It created much interest in Happy Town. What a fine holiday you had at Russell. Did you catch any fish when you were out in the dinghy? Doris Muchamore, Devonport: How many Sunbeams have you brought to Happy Town now, Doris? Thank you for introducing Gerald to our little world for little people. I was glad to read that suggestion in your letter, too. A big package of love for our faithful Doris.

Eileen Grade, Glen Eden: Thank you for your happy letter, written on a day of blue and gold delights. And you peeped in and saw Rina and Jean in Margaret’s dream house? This week another little blind girl, Connie Whiteford, has come to Happy Town. Jessie Milne has promised to build a rainbow bridge between America and Happy Town. _ Gerald Wilson, Epsom: Welcome. Gerald. I shall be looking forward to your first letter and to hearing all about you. What is your favourite sport, and are you playing cricket this season? Jean Farquhar, Auckland: Soon you will have a large Happy Town correspondence, too, Jean. I am glad yon have heard from Nancy Waller. We all hope you will be successful in that essay competition. I have left you,? love messages with the Woodpecker for Jean Mclndoe, Nancy Waller, Dora McLachlan, Joyce Woodcock and Annie Archer, and the Little Thought has placed a wish from you on the window-sill of Elizabeth Christine. Una Kelly, Epsom: Thank you, Una. Your painting is safely entered in the competition. Phyllis Cochrane. Otahuhu: A warm welcome to Phyllis. The Doorkeeper thinks vou are going to be a very faithful Sunbeam. “Miss Nan Knock-abouf’ is certainly a strange little person. Thank you for the amusing poem. Lucy Crooks, Otahuhu: What fun you are going to have at your friend's place orw-Monday evening, Lucy. I hope the bonfire will burn well. The Dawn Lady saw “The Ghost Train” when it was piayefl here. Wasn’t it thrilling? Ethel Kinnaird, Grey Lynn: Here *is Ethel peeping in at the gates of Hal|v Town. YVelcome, little lady, and many thanks for your painting. Connie Williamson, Portland: Another Sunbeam for the Dawn Lads’, and she is fond of painting, too. What a happy day you at Whangarei Heads. I hope

I shall be able to place many messages for Connie in the Hollow Tree. Fred Crooks, Otahuhu: What clever parrots, Fred. The Woodpecker feels quite jealous of them because no one has ever taught him to see-saw. The Little Thought is very well and he sends you his best love. Catherine Daley, Herne Bay; I enjoyed your poem about the moon, Catherine. Thank you, also, for your painting. You have managed it very cleverly. Some Happy Town thoughts for this Sunbeam. Sylvia Woulds, Papatoetoe: You are lucky having those pretty little chickens, Sylvia. Do you look after them? Your painting has reached me safely, and I was glad to find that this Sunbeam had heard the merry ringing of the Competition Bell.

Mary Waters, Devonport: Yes, little lady, you addressed me quite correctly. We ai’e all glad chat you have solved the secrets of Tiptoe Street and the Woodpecker is .sure that your name will often appear in the Hollow Tree. Some Happy Town’ love for our new Sunbeam. George Edwards, Thames: Yes, I remember that photograph of you and your dog, George. You looked a jolly pair. And you have been holiday making in Auckland? Now, aren’t you lucky? Thank you for your kind wish of “happiness to the Dawn Lady.” My little friends bring me much sunshine. Jean Cochrane, Otahuhu: Thank you for that quaint poem, Jean. And you, too ,would like to trip down Tiptoe Street? The Happy Town gates are always open, and I hope your visits will be many and often. Eileen Luks, Birkenhead: We haye just had a story competition, Eileen, and I am sorry you have missed it. However, there will be another soon. What fun you must have had at the open-air fancy dress ball. The moon must have looked like a Chinese lantern. Yes, you may send me some jokes if you wish. Pattie Lydiard, Grey Lynn: Your painting is very good, Pattie, and I am delighted to welcome this little artist into Happy Town. The Woodpecker sends you a merry flutter, and the Dawn Lady her greetings and love. Joyce Woodcock, Edendale: If you glance down the Hollow Tree you will find numbers of Sunbeams to write to, Joyce. The Dawn Lady will let you have any addresses you wish. And you have a pet spider called Toby, who is all attention when you whistle? This is the first pet spider I have heard of. I have left your congratulations for Molly Langdon and your love for Jean Farquhar in the Hollow Tree. I like your painting, Joyce, and the decorations at the foot of your letter.

Isa Douglas, Huntly: The starlings in your roof are a busy family, Isa, and I am sure they are full of interest. The father bird takes good care of his little wife and her babies. I enjoyed your letter this time. Autumn Bakalich, Tuakau: Thank you for your painting and your happy letter, little girl with the pretty name. The Dawn Lady will always be glad to hear from Autumn. All your friends in Happy Town send their love. Joy McFarlane, Auckland: Run, Little Thought. Here is a little girl in Tiptoe Street and her name is Joy. She has a painting, too. A warm welcome to this eight-year-old. Irene Retter, Mount Roskill: At the top of the list. Irene. Congratulations on your prize-winning story. When next you write please will you let me have a list of six books. And you love roaming in that empty section where the wind plays “chasey” with your hair? Such winds are full of sweet thoughts and poems and stories, too. Thank you for that little posy of wild flowers. Irene. I gave them a wee vase all to themselves. Dorothy Sanders, Morningside: Your painting is a dainty piece of work, Dorothy, and how well you have shaded it. Y”ou will feel sorry when you leave school. I think. Joy Hill will find that you have remembered her if she is peeping into the Hollow Tree. Meg Grattan, Mount Eden: Thank you for your painting, little Miss Meg. It is now safely entered in the competition. Elsie Cox, Manurewa: Elsie has arrived safely in Happy Town and all the Sunbeams are waiting to greet her. You are already quite familiar with our page, I see, and I am glad that you know Nancy and Xorraa Waller. Many happj' returns of your birthday, Elsie. Yes, some of the Sunbeams send in the answers to the puzzlers each week.

Josie Henry, Patumahoe: I was glad to have your painting and your neatly typed letter, Josie. There are some dainty entries in this competition. Ailsa Stuart, Cambridge: I am sorrsisto

hear that Marjorie is sick in bed, Ailsa. Please give her my love and best wishes. David Collingwood was the first Sunbeam to pass down Tiptoe Street. I shall watch for your painting in the Happy Town mail. Kathleen Ricketts, Mount Eden: The “Leaf-riding Song” makes merry music, Kathleen, and I was pleased to hear again from my little “Drummer Girl.” We are all glad to find that you are quite well again. -A package of love for this little lady. Florence Pearl White, Birkdale: Thank you, Florence, I like your painting very much and also that little lullaby called “Sleepy Eyes.” We are always glad when Florence takes the magic road to Happy Town.

Olive Courtney, Henderson: That was a clever dog that barked to tell the time, Olive, and how lucky your dolls are to have a cot and a pram. You liav r e chosen attractive names for them. Is Bluebell dark or fair? And your chickens send their love to -the Dawn Lady? Please wish them sunny days and warm nights from me. Your painting has been entered in the competition.

Myrtle Bennett, Takapuna: What a big black bear, Myrtle. Wouldn’t you rather have a Teddy? The Little Thought sends you a pink and white wish. Nola Craig, Mount Albert: The girls’ pool at the Tepid Baths is 70ft in length, Nola, and, as you swam that distance 10 times, you have an interesting sum to work out. One, two, three, what is the answer? I am glad that Mary Potts and Eileen Gracie are now included in your list of Happy Town correspondents. Mary Gilbertson, Brown’s Bay: Thank you for your letter, Mary, and also for your painting, so cleverly done without a brush. How did you manage it? Those essays are very good, and we are all glad that little brother has passed down Tiptoe Street. Alsace Brown, Waiheke: Another little girl awaiting admittance to Happy Town Please bring her across the magic threshold, Little Thought. A warm welcome to our new Sunbeam.

Geoffrey Bennett, Takapuna: Thank you, Master Geoffrey. Your painting and letter have reached me safely. I am not surprised that the wee black chicken is your favourite. Does he come when you call him? Jean Saunders, Avondale: Good work, Jean. Your painting is beautifully done. I hope I shall soon have a letter from this little girl. Keeny Gilbertson, Brown’s Bay: Keeny is now one of my Sunbeams, and I hope I shaH often find his letters in the mail. The Little Thought says to ask you if you have started paddling yet. Dorothy Gosset, Parnell: A Pixie Postman has just delivered your picture, Dorothy. Many thanks and much love, Miss Parnell.

Margaret Anderson, Mount Eden: A seat in the plum tree, Margaret? How convenient that will be when the fruit is ripe. Doctor Spring Sunshine has promised to attend to those seeds of yours before he goes away, so I think the green shoots will soon appear. Rina Bedogni and Jean Cramp will be glad that the little lady of the dream house has been thinking of them. June Shearer, Mount Eden: Lorna Radford, of White Swan Road, Avondale South is about your age, June. Would you like to write to her? Thank, you very much for the picture of the two little birds among the Love Flowers on the Happiness Tree. The Woodpecker is delighted with it. A happy thought for this loyal little Sunbeam. Mervyn Scott,-Rotorua : Carnival week must have been very exciting, Mervyn, and what interesting competitions. Did you manage to catch a balloon? Gladys Mole, Frankton: Your painting looks very attractive finished in silver, Gladys, and I am sure the little girl will have pleasant dreams. I should like to see your wee sister Betty. Please give her the Little Thought's love. I hope you will be successful in that examination. My best love to this good scribe.

Jean Mclndoe, Hamilton: Books are magic carpets when we wish to travel, Jean, and I can guess that you have been many journeys. I, too, love “The Horns of Elfland.” Y'ou have been reading plenty of poetry lately. Your last letter has gone into my treasure box, for it is full of beautiful thoughts. -Rina Bedogni, Jean Cramp and Gloria Rawlinson will find those special love messages sprinkled with good wishes. All the Happy Town people send their love to Jean. Jean Anderson, Mount Eden: Jean’s

letter is full of news this time and I am glad that you are able to have so much swimming. What a fright that little girl must have had when she fell into the bath with her clothes on. Gloria asks me to give you her love and to say that she will be writing soon. Norma Waller, Penrose: You will soon learn to swim, I think, Norma. Isn’t it splendid that Elsie Cox is now* a Sunbeam? The Little Thought has taken your congratulations for Molly Langdon across to the Hollow Tree and also your love messages for Jean Cramp, Rina Bedogni. Gay du Faur, Jean Mclndoe, Eileen Gracie, Zeta Thomson, Nola Craig and Sylvia Webb. Ruth Powell, Huntly: Alfie had an unfortunate accident, Ruth, and I do hope the cut places will soon heal. You are having a busy time studying for your examination, but I have a feeling that you will pass. My best love to Ruth. Leslie Waller, Penrose: Yes, I have often played horses. Leslie. Which do you like being, a thoroughbred or one in a plough? Molly Langdon will find your congratulations and Jean will be glad to have your love. Roma Warbrick. Takapuna: Welcome. Roma. Y'our painting is a fine piece of work and we are all glad that you have decided to come to Happy Town. Nancy Waller, Penrose: What a happy time you have been having at the swimming baths, Nancy. Yes, I like that poem by Masefield very much. All the puzzlers that you attempted were correct. Jean Mclndoe, Jean Farquhar, Eileen Gracie and Jean Cramp will find your love messages, and the Little Thought has sped away with your congratulations for Molly Langdon.

Edwyna Stone, Onehunga: I hope your sister will soon recover, Edwyna. Please give her some Happy Town good wishes. David Collingwood was the first Sunbeam to come down Tiptoe Street. Thank you for solving the puzzlers and for sending that new riddle-me-ree.