From the Hub

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7281, 7 October 1933, Page 11

From the Hub

DEAR COGS, On the third Saturday from today, that will be the twenty-third of October, wo will have our Animal Page. I am announcing this early so that you will all have plenty of time to think about what you are going to write. Short animal stories and poems will be appreciated, and I want you all to write letters about your pets for that week. Wo want this special Page to be a splendid success.

Cherry Blossom, I should like to you to write another instalment to our story. Would you please? You will all enjoy April’s instalment, I know, though it does scorn rather sad that Grandfather has died.

Last Saturday when I came back to my room I found that the fairies had been. My table was full of flowers —a beautiful bunch from Flax Flower, and two other bunches from some unknown persons. There was also a little shopping basket and a bcautifully-mado picture from some kind Cog for our Treasure Chest. Thank-you very much, my dears. Visits from other Cogs during the week were pleasant breaks, and I received a bunch of kowhai and some of the loveliest blue lupin I have seen. Thank-you, Cogs. Hyacinth, I have received your letter. Perhaps you did not seo that the pen-friends overseas corner was closed last. week. I am sorry they cannot, be sent out. “Mother”, will you further particulars, please? Love from Your friend, THE HUB. Apiti. Dear Hub, —I wa3 ten years old on Sunday and I had a big cake svliich my sister, Mother Hubbard, iced for me. I received somo very nice presents, the nicest thing being a pot lamb, Peggy. I am sending in the Skilltest and hope it is correct. I came first in my examination with 464 marks out of 600. Well, Hub, as I have run out of news, I will ring off. Love from Sweet Lavender. I was pleased to hear from you again, Swoet Lavender. Birthday parties are lovely fun, and how splendid to receive a pet lamb for a present! lam glad you did so well in your examination. Palmerston North. Dear Hub, —Just a brief note to thank you very much for posting me the address of those pen-friends in Fiji. Are these natives, though, Hub, as Betty Williams sounds very English? I wonder if spring has really come to stay this time? I doubt it! Everyone seems to be accustomed to the various changos in our climate and I suppose that wo will not bo certain of settled conditions until next month. What a pity the violets have finished blooming. I think they are one of the nicest of spring flowers. The other morning I noticed that our neighbour had a solitary red rose in bloom. I think it must be “the first, rose of summer.” I like gardening be3t of all hobbies. Do you care for it, Hub? I have a large bed, where I have quite a show of flowers. Tho colour scheme, alas, is sadly awry. If I havo a few moments to spare this afternoon I will come fh and see you. Until then, I remain your loving Cog, Cherry Blossom. Gardening is a splendid hobby and it is lovely to see the flowers flourish and grow. The addresses sent you were the only ones Uncle Phil had.

Palmerston North zDear Hub,—l was so thrilled on Friday ovoning, when my brother called to talto mo home. Wo drove homo in the twilight from Woodvillo, but through tho Gorgo the sun sotting on the hilltops made a most pleasing spectacle. Tho hills and banks wore covered with golden broom, relieving tho dark-green background of trees and shrubs, in one spot the little rushing waterfall made sweet music, while gurgling softly over the pebbles. Light green fernfronds draped gracefully over the water, some dipping their curls in tho limpid, cool depths, others hiding shyly among 5 starry-faced poriwinkles. At tho bends the river became calm and poaccful-looking, having not a single ripple on the mirror-like surace; but to make up for this rest tho rivor-sprito danced and leaped over tho rocks, a few yards along. In one place a slip had occurred, and the waters eddied and swirled around it with joyful bubbles. At tho end of the Gorge, before passing on to the bridge, thore is a delightfully-shady drive with overhanging native trees, and shrubs and broom on either oid. Tho bank is covered with soft-shaded willows, . idled with twittering songsters. Passing over the railway bridgo one had a really lovely view of nature at her best. Elfin artists had wrought wonders. On each side, the banks were covered with a wido band of willows, verging _ from light to dark green. Away over in the west, tho heavens were wrapped in a long blanket of purest gold. Sprites, in rainty frocks of this gorgeous shade, were dancing lightly on the coloured waters. It was indeed a picturo any artist might envy. All along the road, signs that spring had been were evident, but at homo it really seemed, as if she had made her homo there during her short stay on earth, for every day saw some new change. In a fairy dell down at the river, goldeu kowhais hung their honey-laden heads. The short, crisp grass was strewn, with dandelions and buttercups, reflecting tbo glory of tho tall, flower-filled kowhai trees. Did you say music? There was fairy music from all sides. Honey bees and simply millions -of tiny insects hummed through tho trees, all intent on tasting tho sweet nectar. With a whirr of shining wings Mr Parson-bird announces his arrival with a fluting song. Such a commotion! Hundreds of wee white-eyes fly off to somo other tree, to leave the tui to reign supreme in the tree. An alluring scent came from the catlrined willows, which grew on the banks, and the long lane of gorse. Tho little bubbling stream ,sang with, pure joy as it tumbled over a miniature waterfall. I gathered a huge armful of tho beautiful kowhai, and brought it back with me. I am bringing a bunch in to you with this letter. My polyanthus are a real picture at present; I have a large bed of all shades. Christmas Bells and I went down to the Esplanade last Wednesday, and the cherry-blossoms wore beautiful. After visiting all the gardens, we went for a bicycle Tide to Massey College. It was so pretty. Well, dear Hub, I must not take up any more room so cheerio. Best wishes, Mavis

I enjoyed your description very much my dear.” Tho cherry-blossoms aro vory lovely-, I know. Ashhurst Dear Hub,—Last night I wont to the Maori Concert at Raumai. and when I woke up this morning I looked (and felt) so tired, everone told me to put my' head in a bucket of water three times, and take it out twice. But 1 took it out three times. True, Hub, I put my bathing cap on, and put my head in a bucket of water. I am sending in the Skilltest this week, Hub. Lucky told me she had taken thG snap of Spot and Lucky, but could not send it in, as it was not developed. Parts of the Maori Concert were quite funny. I think the funniest part was a man supposed to be a statue. Another man couldn't make out what it was, and when he pushed tho feather down the statue’s togue went out. It was so funny. Another very clever part was where they threw sticks round and caught them. In one of tho hakas, Hub, you would have thought they had springs on their feet. Especially the leader. They nearly hit the decorations on the ceiling! My brother and Eric Roberts were frightened when, in a haka, a Maori jumped down off the stage with his taiaha and hit the seat in between them. Then the Maori said, “It nearly hit your darling little head!” In a solo, one of the men was singing about bim and his wife, and when his wife goes out the people shout “He’s rocking th 6 baby to sleep". Then g, girl came in with a. baby wrapped up in a rug, rocking it. That, too was funny. Hub, have we any Maori Cogs? If so, may I have one as a pen-friend? Please tell Mr Puz. that we haven’t any red roses in bloom, only white ones. Also that a bluebell is not a fruit but a flower. In my garden I have one hyacinth and it is out in flower. Puz., do you remember when Whistler and I chased you with pop-guns? I do. 3 hope you won’t go to sleep again for so long so that Napoleon and I have to wake you up and make you write to the Page. Especially Napoleon! That rascally rogue! Nelson, have you defeated him yet? I will close now with love from Bluebell I enjoyed your letter, and am glad you liked the Maori concert, my dear. Ashhurst. Dear Hub, —Well, hero I am again after a week’s holiday. Hub, I received your letter the other day and will you thank TJncle PMI very much for me, please. Haven’t we been having some lovely weather lately, Hub? Mj* lambs are growing lovely and big now. I have also got a darling little pup that loves to chase the lambs. Mavis, you do write lovely, interesting letters. : Hub, I have got a twin sister and she said to me the other day that she ; would love to join the Cogs’ Page, so ; you must watch out. I think she will : write to you one of these days. Isn’t ] the story getting on well, Hub?. The j gardens have been looking nice with ; all the spring flowers in them. Prom your sincere Cog, Little Wonder. ] Aren’t pups funny, lovable little j animals? I shall look out for your \ sister’s letter. Uncle Phil will send t further parti'sular?* g

OUR STORY Instalment 5.

BY APRIL "Celinda, look! look!’’ whispered the boy excitedly. Celinda followed his eager eyes to tho opposite bank of the. stream, whore stood the tiny figure of a fairy. ‘ ‘Come, children ” she called softly, and, hand in hand, they went to her, their bare feet splashing gleefully through tho water. Today, however, they did not linger, for there was no time to be lost and Celinda’s question must bo answered.

The fairy stretchod out her hands to them, and taking one each, tho pair looked trustingly at her. They were now a little smaller than the fairy but they had not noticed. “Oh, so once again you como to us, little mortal. You are welcome, but we must haste if you aro to see our fairy work.” Celinda was dolightcd with hor new friend ami chattered gaily all tho way. After a few minutes’ walk the children noticed the wood growing lighter and lighter and suddenly they stepped into a clearing. It was tho scene of tho fairies’ work, and gaily dressed little folk flew hither and thither about their tasks.

It was about eight o’clock in tho morning and littlo elves in green were rushing about with their small bowls, collecting all tho tiny, sparkling dewdrops before the sun might kidnap them and leavo none for tho next day. Other 'elves in motley-coloured tunics were hurrying round with paintpots, casting careless dabs here and there, which although so freely thrown, were in no way out of place. These spots of colour were the gold in daffodils, the blue in hyacinths, the beautiful tints in leaves, and all the other wonderful tints we see in nature.

Dainty littlo fairies busily skipped in and out of tho clearing, and Celinda watching enthralled, sow them gently touch the bamcn trees and watched the little buds sprout. Her fairy guides showed her all sorts of trees in tho several stages of growth, from the tiny buds of yout-h to the silken laciness of maturity. The children were taken to see the fairies making tho clouds and watched the soft, billowy masses change colour. The grey storm clouds, tho pearly dawn clouds and the lovely-coloured sunset clouds were caught and imprisoned until their time .arrived. Many more wonderful things their guide showed them, until the pair realised that it was time for their return. And thon, an the fairy led them back through tho woods, Celinda ventured: “Do the fairies — ”

The gypsy woman bent over the pair, rosy in their healthy sleep, and gazed compassionately at Celinda. “Poot child” she murmured to herself. "How can I tell her, she’ll break her heart, the little dear. ” Gently sho woke them and rising with alacricity, they grasped her hands and started homewards. They fold her all about the fairies, and Celinda, pouting prettily, exclaimed over the interruption to the answer to her question. “How pleased grandfather will be when I tell him of our adventures,” she said, and as she spoke a cloud passed over her sunny face. “How is grandfather? Please tell me, is ho better?” The gypsy evaded tho question and replied, "What a wonderful time you had and I am sorry your question wasn’t answered.” “But, grandfather?” demanded Ce’inda insistently, and there was a catch in her words and a suspicious trembling of her lips, while big tears welled up in her eyes. "Is he better? He is all I have now.” "Dearie”, the woman’s voice faltered, and, sitting down on a mossy 3tone, she gathered the little girl into her lap and told her as gently as possible that her grandfather was dead. Celinda sat up, petrified. "My own grandfather dead? The only one left to love me gone away?” Oh, grandfather, please come back to your own tiny Celinda. Oh, he’s not dead, he's notl” And horo she threw herself on the ground and cried as if her hoart would break. The gjqrny sat watching her, her own heart full of tender pity for tho sorrowing child. She let her cry until, judging that the passion of crying was spent, she lifted her to her feet and led her towards the camp.

The little boy had disappeared when the woman told tho sad news, and now they found the dinner dished and the woman led the girl to the table and put a plate of soup before her. Celinda swallowed a few mouthfuls and then freshly missing her gandfather, she pushed it away and began to weep silently. The little boy came round and put his arms around her. “Celinda dear, stop crying. Please be brave. See, you are distressing the gypsy mother.”

I Celinda, raising her tear-stained eyes * saw that the kind gypsy was indeed 5 very distressed and although her tears were still falling, she slipped to the • woman’s side and said t Colyton 0 Dear Hub, —As I’ve solved the Slrill- ’ test, I am writing a note to accompany it. At the social and dance at Awahuri I I my sister won a vase for tho most orig- ' inal dress. We have four chicks and ! we had to kill one that had a crippled ’ leg. Last Wednesday an inspector ‘ came to our school and took Std. VI for proficiency and Std VII also took 1 Std VI work. Every morning wo have to draw a flower and paint it for nature study at school. Yesterday two ' school pals and I went to town, We ' had an enjoyable day as in the afternoon we went to a little girl’s birthday party. All our fruit trees are in bloom and the strong wind has blown a lot of blossoms off. My bantam has hidden away a nest and I cannot find it. My sister had a magpie which was just beginning to talk, and the cat took it, so she is going to get another one. We have a lovely show of Iceland poppies in bloom, there being many different colours. I have read all thei “Anne” books bar “Rilla of Ingleside”. I have also read the “Emily” books, but I liked Anne the better. Mother has finished the jumper and it looks very pretty. I have not found many birds nests this year as I have not much time to look for them. As it is bed-time I shall close, with love to you and the Coggies from Judy I love little chickens, don’t you? : Birthday parties are great fun. How interesting that magpie was, learning to talk, and I am sorry to hear of its sad fate. I always enjoy L. M. Mont-

Halcomb e Dear Hub,—l thought I would write to you today as I did not write last Saturday. Today has been lovely with brilliant sunshine which I enjoyed very much. I went over to the bush today, and as I came nearer to it, I noticed a glistening white cluster of lovely clematis. It was in a totara tree, bound round with dark green vines. AH the leaves wore wide and green and they did shine in the sun with the large white flowers and their green centres. All tho ferns looked sweet with their spring green loaves. I went over to the far end of the bush and thore I hear.d tho sweet voice of a tui. The bush seemed to bo full of singing and whistling from all tho birds, little and big. Tho magpies wero calling out and feeding their young ones. Tho loaves were shaking with the soft spring breeze. On one of the trees I noticed some large orange berries which looked very pretty among tho dark green leaves. As I came homo from the bush, I watched tho lambs frisking around the paddock and they looked very happy. This morning early I watched a starling taking straws to her nest in an old shed. The flowers are still blooming. Wo have five small fish and some big ones. Our other frog has jumped away. The paddock is covered with green grass and tho little white daisies peeping up complete a beautiful picture. I will close now, with best wishes to you and all the Cogs from Ring-Dove I enjoyed your lovely spring letter. The bush is always-lovely and new ; and isn’t clematis beautiful. Are the fish gold ones? Halcombo My Dear Hub,—l am very glad lam going to bo a member of tho circle. I have been reading the Cogs’ letters for a long time. I called to see you on Saturday and I -was very sorry that you were out. lam eight years old and in Std. 11. There is another girl in my class and three boys. I like going to school very much. I have a pet hen. I call her "Biljy” because my Uncle Bill gave her to me. She likes being nursed. We haven’t much garden in yet because Daddy has had the ’flu and hasn’t done much work lately. We tried to set a hen on some eggs, but instead of sitting she stood up on them. I like flowers very much. I should like one for my pen-name. May I have one of these?:'Lilac; Viola; Anemone; Carnation; Chrysanthemum; Godetia; Iris. Goodbye Hub. Love to yourself and all -the Cogs. Your loving Cog, Connie George I don’t think we have a Carnation, my so you have that as a penname. I love flowers too, and I think the carnation is my favourite. Isn’t it nice to have a pet hen? I hope Daddy’s health has improved. Mnkino. Dear Hub,—l am much better again after my severe cold, and lit is a glorious, sunny spring day. All tho world seems beautiful and happy to-day and tho daffodils are a waving mass of gold. Last night the moon eoso and the air

- r "3 cool and delicious. Thore was no wind and not a cloud upon the sky, in which the staTS shone with extraordinary brightness, ell those near the moon were nearly eclipsed by her very bright light. There was a silvery glow upon the earth which gave an indescribable beauty to the scene. Tho loud screeches of the night owls broke the silence. Tho night passed away and the moon grow pale as the first streaks of dawn appoared in the oast. Quickly the stars disappeared, and the countryside, lately so brilliant, but faintly glimmered as tho last of the bright host disappeared as the gorgeous orb of gold roso suddenly from tho horizon. Springtime is stirring in every tree, leaves are clustering thick and green. It’s a world of dancing leaves and nesting birds, which resounds with bleatings of the now hardy lambs. Could any ono be unhappy In such a scone, dear Hub? Bettie is growing a lovely calf and is about seven months old. If I give her a bucket of cold water she just bunts it over, as much as to say, “that is no good for me,” but give her a bucket of warm water and 3he will drink it all up, so don’t.you think she is spoilt, Hub? I do. I also put a cover on her every night, and her coat is like that of a racehorse, and I also brush her every day. I will get a photo takon of her ana myself one of these days and then I will send you one. I went to school to-day after a few more days at. homo as our school master has been ill. I think I must close now, with love to you and all the Cogs, from Delphinium.

I lovo the happy spring days, too. Bettio 3s lucky to Lave such, a careful mistress. It. is lovely to have a calf for a pet, isn’t it? Kiwitca Dear Hub, —Here I am once more, Hub, and oh! how knottie my hair is after having worked out that Skilltest! First of all I must apologise for not having written for so long, and I think that one of the proverbs which is in the solution to the Skilltest will be my only excuse, one being 1 ‘Time and Tide wait for No Man,” at least they nevei wait for me to get my letter posted and awny. I have two pet lambs this year, their names being Slcippy and Mitzie Green. They are a very great nuisance at the back gate when anyone goes through as they are always so eager to get into the garden. The other day I worked out how much milk they drink and in weight it comes to 31b 2ozs each. That, is daily. I shall have to cut my note very shout or I shall miss the mail. "With love from. Honey Bee Lamb 3 love to be let loose in a garden. Yes, they do drink lots of milk. Pokangina Dear Hub,—Please may I bog a. corner in the Cogs’ Page? Icm very interested in the Page. I just love sitting down doing the Skilltest and reading the letters. Will you keep my name unknown to the other Cogs please Huh? My pen-name will be Billy Boy. Do you think I could have the last penfriend Little Wonder sent in for in London as I am very fond of penfriends in London. Little Wonder is my sister and she quite agrees. As it is getting past my bed-time, I must close for now. Tour sincere Cog, Billy Boy

You are very welcome, Billy B'oy Tes, you may write to your sister’s penfriendvs

Nireaha. Dear Hub, —I missed tho mail last week so I will make sure of this one. Havoa’t. wo been having lovely weather, Hub? It has been raining hero today. It is the Nireaha Women’s Institute meeting hero on Tuesday and tho Institute birthday is on the 10th., so tho young girls are practising a dialogue for that evening. There will also bo a dance. I did not go to tho zoo when in Wellington, but-1 went to tho museum. Have you been to the museum in Wellington? Well, Hub, as news is scarce I will close with love from Buster.

I am glad you did not miss tlie mail this time. Yes, I have been to the museum and I enjoyed my visit thoroughly. Mangawhata. Doar Hub, —My sister is writing to thank you for sending her the addresses of the pon-friends, and seeing that she has decided to write to the girl in Africa, I will write to the boy in China. Tim, my pony, hurt his foot when ho was fighting with another horse, and he is now a little bit lame. My sister has to help milk now as nearly all the cows are in and 75 is quite a number for two to milk, although they milk by machines. Hub, I have not finished the Skilltest yet, but liopo to get it out to-night. If I do 1 will include it in my letter. I have already made one Helix slipper from tho Page and think they are very nice. I have part of one sleeve and the collar to complete mv jersoy. Wo received a very nice and interesting letter from an old Cog this morning and we were very pleased to hear from her. Soapsuds, I am posting your letter with this one so you won’t have to wait much longer. I think i have told you all the news so I will close now with love to all tho Cogs and yourself, from ' Rising Sun. Mr Puz. can think out somo very puzzling Skilltests, can’t he? How splendid that you liavo already set to work on tho Felix slippcrsl Your jersory will very soon be finished. Woodvillo. Dear Hub, —-I was ever so pleased when I saw that I had two letters in tho Page. I did not think my last letter would catch the mail. I think Mr Puzzloman caught a lot of Cogs this time with the Skilltest. We have a sow with ten little pigs and they fight one another. We also have a ewe with a little lamb. I soo quito a lot of lambs on my way to school. Well, Hub, as it is bod time I will say cheerio to you and all tho Cogs. Lovo from Eainbow. Mr Puz. just loves to puzzle you all. Mangawhata. Dear Hub, —It is such a long time since I last wrote that I think you wilt have almost forgotten me. Thank you very much for sending the pen-friend. I havo written to the girl in South Africa and I will post it when we post this letter, so it will catch the next mail. I was pleased my sister, Rising Sun, mentioned to you about me penfriend as I was just in time before you closed your list of overseas pon-friends. On Sunday we had a most enjoyable visit from an old school chum and it was very nice to see her. Sho is very clever at sketching and sho put a very nice sketch in' my sister’s autograph book. We are listening to a community sing now in Auckland and it is screamingly funny and is taking my mind from writing this. I have to go and help milk now and I don’t get much spare time and I still have to keep my music practice up. Hub, One of our little friends had a nasty fall from her horse last week and cut her head, but I am glad to say that she is now getting on all right. I have told you all the nows for new, so I will close, thanking you very much once again for sending me the address of the pen-pal. Love to all the Cogs and yourself, from Pale Moon. The wireless is really wonderful, isn’t it? lam glad your little friend is getting better. Fitzherbert West Dear Hub,—l intended writing to you before to tbank you for my prize money, which I received safely. I have just finished leading a book by Robert W. Chambers: “The. Slayer of Souls”. It. is rather a weird story but very interesting. I read Gene Stratton Porter’s ‘ ‘Girl of tbe Limbcrlost” for the second time tho other day. I love reading cowboy stories, and have not long finished 4 ‘Bar-20” by Clarence E. Mulford for the second time also. It would be nice to be able to write rhyming letters like Powder and Patches, but we can’t all be poets. lam sending in the Skilltest which I found fairly easy. It is nico to see a letter from Mr Puz. again. Ho will be going for a trip round the world in his “jamtin” soon. How the time does fly: it seems such a little while since Christmas and it is only throe months from the next one. Wc had a lovely big bunch of tulips given to us about a week ago. I would love to have a garden with lots of them in it. The bulbs arc all past now, ours didn’t seem to last very long this year, but the primroses are still flowering. I think I had better close this letter now. Love to all (including Mr Puz. and Mr Printerman.) I remain, Gondolier Girl

I was pleased to hear from you again, Gondolier Girl, and am glad the prize money arrived safely. Beading is such a pleasant pastime, isn’t it? Yes, we shall be having our Christmas Pago soon. Woodville. Dear Huh, —Hero I am again writing my usual few lines. Several other hoys and I passed our first test a,t .Scouts last Friday. I have a bicycle of my own and I iind it very useful for going messages on. I have had it for nearly two years now. My brother can ride it now, so Mum might get me a man s bike later on and give mine to my brother, as my bike is a boy’s bike. Our half-grown, cat, Sport, loves to get us without sox and shoes on. Ho chases us np and down the path and if he catches ns ho bites our legs and goes for his life, only to catch us again when wo run past him. I will close now, Huh, as it is getting late, so good-bye. Love to yourself and all the Cogs, Gentleman Jack. I am so glad you passed that Scout test, Gentleman Jack. It will bo splendid to have a man’s bicycle. Sport evidently deserves his name.

Hukanui, Dear Hub and the Coglots, my weekly rhymes tell Of sunsets and dawnings—of lane and of dell, But to-night I am watching the lono clouds on high (Tho feathery ones longest) as they float lightly by. How flimsy they arc! How exquisitely formed! Just think of tho acres of blue they have roamed! There’s a huge livid nimbus cloud that frequents tho blue Don’t you love tho light cumulus cloud, and its form and its hue? ’Tis as white as the mountan top 3, which it softly floats o’er, Don’t yon love snow-capped mountains as they guard the groen moor?

Your remarks, Princess Betty, were very untruel And altho’ I write rhymes—plenty other folk do. There’s other small tasks you do every day Which I couldn’t do (I’m sorry to say). You care for your brothers and woo sisters —who knows That if Betty comes or if Betty goes She’ll always bring something—a smile or a kiss! And so, Princess Betty, you shall aftor this Say naught about me—or the first time you do— I’ll write a whole letter—just all about you!

Farewell, dear Hub—or rather goodnight, The clock has struck ten, so it’s late in the night For me to be writing—it shows my devotion (If I write one more line I’ll need some brain lotion!) So cheerio all—'Hub, Hncles and Cogs, I hopo I won’t wake up midst frost and ’mid fogs! Powder and Patches I, too, love to watch in the open blue sky The feathery clouds drifting lazily by.

Palmerston North Dear Hub, —Pigmies are not tho only people who love salt. Mother wondered why Sonny, a wee boy friend of ours, was keeping so very quiet, so she made a tour of investigation. Sonny was discovered in the tho salt collar between his knees, enjoying spoonfuls of salt! I came across some very interesting “larder lore’’ the other day. Here it is:— Did you know: — That the cauliflower came from Cyprus in 1694? That we owe the potato to South America and Sir Walter Raleigh? That artichokes came from Italy in the reign of Henry VIII? That red beet was introduced to England from the South of Europe in 1656? That the leek came from Switzerland, the shallot from Palestine, and parsley from Sardinia? That we owe the bean ito the Romans and that the scarlet runner came from South America as late as 1633? That peas came from the south of Europe in Henry VH’s reign? That the radish is a native of China and Japan, and was introduced to English cooks somewhere about 15549 I think Mr Puz’s. letters are great! Moonlight, Sunlight, Rabbit and The Hare crowded over it on Saturday, reading it aloud and chuckling with glee. I also enjoy Powder and Patches’ rhyming letters and love to see a letter from Pslphinium. Yes, I don’t think the mother of Pop’s Girl will need many of those three-foot beans for a meal! On Saturday I spent an exciting time buying myself a new tonnis racquet. lam joining the club, and am looking forward t.o my flrst game this season. I love tennis, don’t you Hub? The pansies in the Square are lovely now. There is a border of purpleyblue ones and another of yellow. Pansies are such quiet cool flowers, and it is easy to understand why they arc chosen to represent thoughts. Hero is rather a pretty story about this flower. “The charming name which many little English country girls have given to tho pansy is Threo-Fretty-Faces-TJnder-One-Hood. The little French country girls, however, call it Trinity Herb. At flrst, they say, the pansy had a sweeter and more delicious scent than its sister the violet. It grew in the wheatfields and it was much beloved, because of its beautiful colours and exquisite fragrance, and people used to trample down the wheat in order to pick it. The result was that when harvest-time came there was no com. This grieved Three-Pretty-Faees-Under-One-Hood ami one springtime she prayed to the Trinity that she might be deprived of her sweet scent so that nobody would destroy the growing wheat for her sake. Her prayer was granted, and from that time tho pansy has been called Trinity Herb by the little French country maids.’’ But don’t you think, Hub, that pansies still have a faint, cool fragrance? The clock on tho shelf is singing a sleepy song: “Tick Tock. Ten o’clock and bed-time. Love from your sincere Cog, Rebecca Ann Thank you for such interesting “Larder Lore” my dear. lam sure the inquiring Cogs will lap it up. I loved .the pansy story, too, as pansies hold a vory special place in my regard. Good luck to the tennis, it is a fine game for you to play. Hop an e Dear Hub, —Just a few lines to accompany the Skilltest which I found quite easy. I do not know the name of that big moth but I am going to find out. I will tell you about tho fancy dress ball that I went to on Thursday. The ball proved a great success although it had rained all the day. I went as a trapper, and I had a trap, a sack and a lantern, as part of my dress. We had a great time. There were children’s dances from 7-9 p.m. and then the grown-ups had the floor until 2 a.m. I was very lucky in winning a prize (fountain pen). Well, I will close now with love to you and tho big circle. Ftoju Weka I am glad you enjoyed the ball, and I am sure you were pleased with the prize,

Puzzle Town. Dear Hub, —Just nnother lino or two to fill up a corner of tho Page. Lucky thinks that sho has unearthed me, but you are still wrong, Lucky I am very interested in Powder and Patches’ rhyming letters. However she can think them out beats mo. I would collapse, I am. sure, if I tried it. I am afraid if sixteen was the age limit, Powder anil Patches, I would have to cease writing to tho Page, as I have loft sixteen behind. I won’t say how long ago!. Some of the letters wore very enjoyable this week. I read them all last night as I hadn’t had time before, there were such a lot. I am afraid the Skilltest has mo thinking this week. It is lovely out in the sun, to-day. I am writing this and enjoying the sun lit the same time. The birds are singing and chirping away. I don’t like the sparrows much, they annoy me sometimes. I love listening to the song of the thrush. Do you, Hub? I would lovo to see somo lambs to-day. They always frolic so in the sun. You know, I haven’t seen a lamb this season, yet. Aren’t tho flowers lovely in the Square in Palmerston North, Hub? I like the blue hyacinths. There are some nice carnations near tho railway lines, too. I am veiy fond of carnations, but I do not.know what flower is my special favourite. There are so many beautiful ful ones. I once saw a most beautiful begonia house ,which I could have spent hours in—just looking at them. I am wondering what has become of XU. Come on, Xl3, I have missed you. I haven’t received a letter from you yet, either. Well, really I must close as I will be taking up too much space. Lovo to every Cog and the Hub, . . Hooarni.

I enjoy a walk round tho Square gardens now they aro so lovely, don’t yon? Isn’t it fun- puzzling‘out the Skilltest? .

FQilding. Dear Hub,' —Here wo are, beginning the month of October.. This year i® slipping by so, quickly, that very soon Christmas will bo here. We are having a holiday to-day (Monday) as, unfortunately, our teacher is ill. We like the extra holiday very much, but of course we would far rather have our teacher well. Everyone seems to be getting influenza. Well, dear Huh, I am sitting in the sun writing this letter, and my eyes have wandered across the paddock and I see a darling little calf standing besido its mother. I feel so sorry, Hub, to think that soon it will be taken from its mother’s care and probably taken to the works to be killed. The cows only fret for their calves for a few hours, and then wo see them lazily chewing their cuds, the calf blissfully forgotten. Wb realise, dear Hub, how wise is our Creator in the ordering of every lifo. It is for the animals only to remember and understand for the moment. The rain has made the grass grow long and plentiful, the fruit trees are gradually shedding their blossoms, and if we look closely we can see tho tiny fruit already formed, that in its duo season will be ripe and luscious. Wo realise, even in times of depression we have a lot to be thankful for. Your loving Cog, - 2 Celandine. I know how swiftly time flics; I can hardly believe that Christmas is nearly here. Shannon. Dear Hub, —Here I am again with a few lines as usual. Thank you, Mr Pub for writing such a letter-—we do like to have a good laugh sometimes. Thank you, Hub, for the calf’s name; Betsy she will bo called. I had to beg the duck's pardon, as it was not the only culprit in the garden. We discovered tho birds wore eating the seeds, too. We now have black cotton along the rows and that seems to frighten the birds. Anyway, the seeds are coming on in great style now, especially since the rain. Have you had any clematis brought you this year, Hub?—we have plenty a few chains from here. My sister and I have soveral times brought home beautiful sprays of it, and decorated tho corners of tho dining xoom with it. Doesn't it look lovely, too! To-day we were out at my Uncle’s and I got a lovely bunch of kowhai. It too looks lovely, but if only its pretty leaves would come out at the same time as the flowers it would bo prettier still. Haven’t you noticed how beautiful and green everything is since the rain came? I had two disappointments yesterday, Huh. I have no brothers (sad to relate) only three sisters, and as I had no brother to play with I had begged my school-mate to come and spend the afternoon with me, and wirth my gun and bi-bis we were going to have a rare time. Well, this is the first disappointment. He didn’t turn up, and it’s not much fun popping at birds and things all on one’s own. Tho next disappointment was that there was to bo a bike race from Shannon to Tokomaru and back, the cyclists leaving Shannon at 2.45 p.m. Well, we all sat out on tho bank eagerly watching for them to come and we watched in vain. No bike racers came scaling along. We hoard afterwards that some of them had complained of there being too much wind that way, and so they had gone another-way; wasn’t it moan of them? We are putting some work in the show from our school. I have done a drawing and my sister has done two drawings and writing as well. Last year she got two firsts and a merit caard for drawing. Now I think thia will do for this time. Love to yourself and all the Cogs, from Napoleon. The dining-room would look lovely decorated with sprays of clematis. Kowhai is lovely, too. I am sure it was a big disappointment when your boyfriend did not appear. It is very exciting to watch a cycling race and see the cyclists flash by, don’t you think? Let me know how you get on with your show entries. Bangiotu. Dear Hub,—What a lovely surprise it was to see I had won the Skilltest. We have a pet lamb and we call him Billy. We are now playing cricket. We went to Grandma’s on Sunday. I found a hedgehog on Tuesday night when coming home from school. Well, Hub, news is scarce, so cheerio. Your loving Cog, Wallace. Do you like cricket? Does Billy still feed from & bottle.