THE HOLLOW TREE.

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 780, 28 September 1929, Page 33

THE HOLLOW TREE.

I MESSAGES FOR SUMBEAMS.

The Hollow Tree closes each week on Wednesday at 5 p.vi.

Letters to the Dawn Lady are an- * were cl as follow : Winnie Munro. Morrinsville: I am sorry you have been ill, Winnie. Are you better now? Your limerick reached me safely, and I was glad to have your letter. That honours shield for the best row in the class is a splendid idea. Dulcie Rigden. Avondale: Congratulations, Dulcie. I love your story. Tliat cloud baby brought n wonderful grift to earth. Thank you for those two charming letters, written in the spring sunshine. T am glad you are sending the Happy Town pages to your pen-friend in Australia. Herbert Blair Wood. Morrinsville: Wellcome to this Morrinsville laddie. I have numbers of Sunbeams in your town. Your limerick is very amusing. Aileen Millar, New Lynn: Your card 'will look very pretty in its frame. Aileen. That is a back view of the Little Thought, but one of these days he may turn round and smile at you. Kitty Mcßeath, Parnell: A limerick from Kitty. Thank you very much. A limerick competition is full of laughs. Some of the entries are very funny. Creina Mosse, Milford: This is your lucky day, Creina. The competition results have a pleasant surprise for you this week.

Shirley Martin, Remuera: Beds are made for sleeping in, Shirley. I hope my little Sunbeam will soon be perfectly well. Yes, the gardens are very beautiful just now, and I think the fairies have been putting pink and white icing on the fruit trees. Joyce Petford and Brenda Hellaby will find your kind thoughts with friend Woodpecker. Some Happy Town love for Shirley. ~ Frances Munro, Morrinsville: And all the teachers are sick? Doctor Spring Sunshine will have to look into tins. Thank you for that wee poem, Frances. Ailsa Henderson, Ponsonby: lour story Is excellent, Ailsa, but it greatly exceeded the word limit. llow cleverly you mapped out the series of adventures in the “bird-car.” As always, 1 was glad to hear from mv faithful Sunbeam. Margaret Jones, Raetihi: Tuflfy must be a pretty kitten, Margaret, and what a quaint name you have chosen for him. I was sorrv to hear that sad news about your friend. My best love to tins little Margery Utting. Mount Albert: letters from Margery. I agree witn teacher that those poems are very ftooa. Yes, T have no doubt that Doreen M rightson will remember you, and if June MoKiool is peeping into the Hollow Tree she will discover that she owes You a letter. Thank you very much for the notei>aper and envelopes. aou aie kind little girl. T „.oJnck Gordon. Thames: elcoxne. .laoKI was ': ol vou were able to send n limerick, and I hope I shall heaf* all a ou Joan Duthie, Epsom: Another Stm" beam in bed? 1 think I shall have to put on a white cap and apron and com and nurse you all. Would take } fin d bSS K if a I llSwed th to “teethe Wjroß GST tions. i like you limerick, l iTtle c l i* ,a * t i, Maroar.t Norl.y. Whang.r.l: So - sprmc weather makes >ou feel * »*b ? e * fiSk you ffaret. 11 You "iS ‘.the naughty ones, would y°U? The Litt e Thought said to ask you that. . Douglas Gordon. Thames: Ma pougl.Ts. I was glad to have entry for the limerick competition, fio you these days? w.kmne Connie Peters, Remuera: Welcome. Connie. I have often wondered what happened to the leaves in al ! t '?’3 in- _l?.ud now I know. They turn into cloud habies and rlo not die at al { thanks for your story and youi inneri k. Rowena Asher. Tokaanu;. Tou found the hidden Sunbeam. ltowena. a Poem is one of mv favourites. ai> Dest love to this faithful Sunbeam. Ron Gordon. Thames: It reached me by Plxio Post. Ron. What an excitins !’me Mr. Horatio Tipping lias been Patricia Watts, Devonport: Tom’ birth-

day is not far off, now, Patricia. It happens just after mine. The Little Thought says we should have a combined party under tlie Happiness Tree. Thank you for your limerick. Isabel and Mac Rennie, Stanley Bay: That beautiful bouc/uot is still quite fresh. It was very kind of you both to send it. A Happy Town thought for Isabel and Mac. Kathleen Henley, Auckland: You are a clever little artist, Kathleen. That spray of peach blossom is very realistic. I like your story, too. Dulcie Craig. Wellington: Your lim-

eriek arrived safely,. Dulcie. and also a beautiful posy of violets that 1 think voS know something about. Thank you very much indeed. Will you be glad to return to Auckland at the end of the year? FMizabeth Christine, Auckland: The smallest Dixie Postman danced a hornSlue 1 when your letter came, Elizabeth fur there was a special message- n it for eicVtemen t 1 .Toy Vlllf who E% vou and Cathleen Fletcher lives at I'iavburii Road, Glen Eden. I do hope the' holiday in the country will completely cure your invalid and that: *ll vnur worries are now O’ser. A n\ o arm ful of Happy T' o "' ll .. l ,®'-® i, I ,®!' Elizabeth. Salome Jones. Morr nsville. Tes, uie springtime world ( is d fun ui of q „ fe returning to bare branches? Gloria R.vlin.on -will be glad to have your £hid thoughts and \ have entered your limerick in the competition. Fergus Henderson, Herne say. i

thought you would like that box of paints, Fergus. Now you will be able to enter for plenty more competitions. I was glad to have a letter from my little friend. Olive Mathias, Otahuhu: Your painting has arrived, Olive. Would you please let me know your age and the date of your birthday. AJsace Brown, Waiheke: Those four baby canaries must be a great interest to you, Alsace. What does Fluff think of them? I was glad to have your liappy little letter. Jack Oakes. Welcome,

Master Jack. I have entered your limerick in the competition, and I hope I shall have a letter from you soon.

Joan Taylor, Grey Lynn: That was a happy holiday, Joan. Were you sorry when the school bell rang again? T am glad your brother is coming to liappy Town, toe. How is your cold? Murray Gittos, Epsom: You have been having a busy time among the limericks, Murray, and I was glad you were able to send a painting, too. Yes, it is fine fun being a Sunbeam, and the Woodpecker hopes you will always be interested in the Hollow Tree. Donald MacKinlay, Remuera: The Woodpecker sends his greetings to this new Sunbeam. I hope you will soon tell me all about yourself, Donald. Are you fond of competitions? Winifred Stone. Herne Bay: That cloud baby picture was responsible for many fine stories, Winifred. Yours placed you high in the list. Audrey Christie. Whangarei: My love and thanks. Audrey. I am glad you were able to answer the Competition Bell. Are you stronger now?

Glona Rawlmson, Parnell: Which little Sunbeam believes In fairies? The Little Thought says you really see them, Gloria f,, 'wonder what could have delayed Azure Lye. Perhaps she was tucking the forget-me-nots into bed. The emallp ° st ™ an »S very proud of that feather, and he will always keep it. Many happy returns of October 1. Tour next poem will be by Gloria Hawllnson. aged 11. Una Kelly, Epsom: Your pussy •will soon grow fat if she takes malt everv. time you do, Una. That must bb a curious performance after every meal. \\ hen I was a little girl I once won a prize for making sweets, but now I only know how to eat them. I>o you make baskets for them, too? Ronald Enright, Hamilton: Cats have a sixth sense, Ron, and they usually return to their old haunts. I think vnu will have to put butter on your cat’s paws. My love to this faithful laddie. Eunice Quedley, Point Chevalier: 1 nat 1S a beautiful poem, Eunice, and I have put it among my treasures. Do you know the name of its author? Moira Watts, Devonport: It arrived quite safely, little Miss Devonport. Some good wishes for this Sunbeam. Helen Clothier. Hamilton: Your cat has quite a family to look after now, Helen. Does she take good care of her babies? I am glad you bad such a happy time at the fancy-dress ball. Margaret Maltby, Auckland: Thank you for those poems about the sparrows, Margaret. A friend of yours who lives in the Hollow Tree is wondering if you know anjv about woodpeckers. Stella Gray, Whangarei: Poor princess. >,o wonder she felt distressed when someone stole her baby. Thank you for that interesting story, Stella. Jessie Clothier, Hamilton: What a fluttering there will be when those 500 little chicks are being fed, Jessie. You were farm' beins ‘ abie to visit that poultry Cyril Cobb. Thames: Welcome, Cyril’ yv e are all delighted to greet you/ I hope I shall have many letters from my new Sunbeam. Joan Nelson, Grey Lynn: Your little maypole people have danced into Happy Town, Joan. Joy Hill. Mount Albert: Yes, ‘'Spring” and “Pussy ’Willow” were very dainty, Joy, and their little authors will be glad to have your kind thoughts. Ailsa Stuart, Olga Meyer, Eileen Grade, and Owen Poster will also find your good wishes with the Woodpecker. I like your story very much, Joy. Have you recovered from your sickness? Bertha Blaikie x Auckland: I am always glad to see the original work of my Sunbeams, Bertha. Your poem is almost up to publication standard. Thank you also for your limerick. Thelma Shackleton, Waiuku: The Little Thought thinks you will pass, even though you don’t touch wood, Thelma. If you say to yourself, ‘‘l will pass,” and work hard at your lessons, you will find that he is right. Patricia Sheridan, Te Aroha: You illustrated “Daffodils” very prettily, Patricia. Soon their season will be over. Thank you also for sending those riddles. Keith Wilkinson, Grafton: Two limericks from Tveith. You are a very versatile young man. T still have the snow baby and the birthday candle. My love to you and Wynton. Myrtle Burgess. Rotorua: Yes. I, too, love the sound of the sea. Myrtle. Its song is full of secrets. That was a fine holiday you had at Opotiki. T hope all the plants in your garden will grow. Margaret Willis, Epsom: Holiday-time will soon come .again, Margaret, and then away you will go to your uncle’s farm. What fun that will be! I was glad to see your painting. Joyce Maliowes, Te Aroha: "Her name is Joyce, and she lives at Te Aroha.” said the Little Thought, carefully stndving this little girl’s enrolment form. ‘That’s another friend for me,” Ruth Parkes. Whangarei: Xo need to reach for my thinking-cap this time. Ruth. I hope your sister will have a i happy holiday. Cathleen Fletcher, Glen Eden: That, was surely a happy birthday. Cathleen. i Yes, jig-saw puzzles are very interest- i ing. Have you seen any of those boat i ones? I like your dainty poem. A good i limerick is really quite hard to write. Margaret Belton. Herne Bay: So you , wonder what the Little Thought is like? i He often peeps in at you, Margaret, but : when he goes into the Outside World he ! has to take his invisible cloak. I hope i you will not bo nervous when you are I reciting that poem. Douglas Rogers. Ellerslie: Your limerick is very good. Master Ellerslie. Nita Olberg. Auckland: A little baby bear would make a fine pet, Xita, but what would happen when he grew into a great big bear 0 I think he would do

the cuddling- then. I hope your auntie will have a happy birthday. Thelma Burling, Ohakune: I am keeping your birthday flag, Thelma. Thank J*ou for sending it. The smallest Pixie -Postman beamed with pleasure when 3 gave him your note. He says it is a Jove, letter because the word “darling” occurs in it. Gloria Kawlinson, Delraa Schulz and Kola Craig will .And vour kind thoughts in the Hollow Tree. Hannah Beaton, Ponsonby: Why, vou must know as much about Happy Town as the Little Thought himself, Hannah. I am so glad that yo-tfHtave at last decided to cross the magic threshold. I like your little poem, and. I hope you will send me plenty more. Mavis O’Meara, Thames: Well, dkl five litt’e canaries emerge from those five little eggs last Thursday, Mavis? Pleasj tel! me all about it. That was a pleasant outing, and I am glad you won the game. Linda Dawson, Portland: Tour competition entries have arrived, Linda. And you have been in Auckland visiting the zoo and climbing Mount Eden? Let me tell you a secret. Last week-end I took the cloud baby stories up Mount Eden and read them in a nest of clover. It was a beautiful day, and cloud babies seemed to be romping all about me. Howkind of your Australian pen-friend to send you some sugar cane. Joy Lomas. Thames: Doctor Spring Sunshine cannot understand why there is still so much sickness, Joy. T hope your mummy will’soon be well. And you would love to see me? Well, Gwen Tailored tried/to show you what I look like in that little picture, didn't she? But i let me whisper. Gwen is not quite sure, either. Madeline Roache, Papatoetoe: Moving day for Madaline. The Little Thought always says that when the Dawn Lady moves she puts the butter in the coal scuttle, but that is not true. She puts it in the proper place just to be different. Thank you for that little story and your newsy letter. Claire Brakenrig, Ponsonby: Two limericks from Claire. My best love and thanks. Lorraine Gribble, Mount Eden: Your little maypole people have reached me safely, Lorraine. Don't they make a pretty picture? Eunice Wilson, Kerepeehi: That is a quaint poem, Eunice. Thank you f*r letting me see it. I hope you will write me- a letter soon. Mavis Gunsler, Epsom: Tour painting has arrived, Mavis. Would you rather go round a mulberry bush or a maypole? Ernest Quedley, Point Chevalier: This laddie is now one of my Sunbeams. The Little Thought sends a smile of greeting to Ernest. Kathleen Allington. Auckland: And you are wondering how you could send me some flowers? Some of the Sunbeams post them in boxes and others put them on the counter on the ground floor of our big building, and say, “Please give those to the Dawn Lady.” Two minutes later they are in the Dawn Lady's vases. Thank you for those riddles. Kathleen. Jean Me Indoe, Hamilton: A letter in pencil again, but the' Little Thought says the next one will be in ink. Your limericks are very good, Jean, and the smallest Pixie Postman has studied them most carefully He is wondering if you could give him a little tuition in the matter of rhymes, as you never make any mistakes. What do you think about Mary Cumming. Ellerslie: T am glad you have a pen-friend in Australia, Mary. Happy Town has been responsible for building of many rainbow bridges. Gay du Faur will find your love with the Woodpecker. and I was glad to see vour competition entry. Jean Buckley. Mt. RoskiH: Thank you , for your interesting letter, Jean. It is a very neat one, too. Your school must be very proud of itself just now. I hope j you will like your new master. Edwyna Stone, Onehunga: It will be 1 splendid if you are able to return to i Maramarua for a few months, for the country is always at its best during the spring and summer. You must be quite a. little horsewoman now, Edwyna. Many thanks for your letter. Iris Park, Mt. Eden: Yes. the Woodpecker has kept a corner for you. I think he must have known you would be writing this week. I shall look forward