Have you ever been to the Isle of Dreams, Trainlanders?

People from all countries come to see it and to forget their worries. This world-famous Isle of Dreams is Stewart Island, which is just the kind of place you would read about in an exciting story-book.

Strange though it may seem, thousands upon thousands of acres are unexplored. What lies in those mysterious forests? Gold? Remains of prehistoric animals? Ancient Maori treasures? The latter is quite likely, because valuable Maori carvings are frequently found in the populated parts of Stewart Island.

When you visit the island see if you can meet Mr. F. Traill who will tell you all kinds of interesting and thrilling facts about the Isle of Dreams. When Mr. Traill goes out in his launch he takes a box with a glass bottom. This he places over the surface of the water and presses it down, being careful that the water does not reach the top edges and enter the box. Through the glass bottom strange fish can be seen darting about on the ocean bed.

If you are a keen young naturalist you will be wildly excited at finding over 500 species of flowers in Stewart Island. About twenty of these are found in no other part of the world. The island is a bird sanctuary, so you can imagine how fearless and happy the birds are as they flit about and fill the peaceful bush with their sweet bird songs.

The Isle of Dreams is known to the Maoris as Rakiura—“Land of the Glowing Sky.” The sunsets are remarkable in their beauty, and it is lovely trying to row right into the heart of the sun.

The whaling base, with its fleet of whaling ships, in Paterson Inlet, is the favourite haunt of girls and boys. The Norwegian sailors are jolly fellows, who tell tales of travel and adventure in the far South.

Aren't we New Zealanders lucky to own the Isle of Dreams?

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Tame Eels.

Have you ever heard of the Takaka tame eels? A lady has them for pets, in the river flowing in front of her place. After years of patience she managed to tame them, and now they come to her when she flicks the water with her fingers. Within two minutes they come from up and down the river to a certain rock where she can stroke them. They look like big black serpents as they rise out of the water and beg for meat.

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What Next?

Now come mystery clocks!

Have you seen them in the jewellers’ windows? The stands are in the shapes of beauteous ladies, and animals such as kangaroos, elephants and bears. These timepieces are called mystery clocks because people peer to see how they go. No works are to be seen. A small gold ball acts as a pendulum and causes the movement.

There now! We've at least solved This mystery!

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A Business Bee And Our Competition.

A crowd of people gathered in a busy Christchurch street the other day to watch a bewitched strip of paper which flew out of an office window. It was an inch wide and six inches long and instead of fluttering down, it dived, soared, zig-zagged and whirled about at a great old speed. Someone then discovered that a bee was stuck to it! Apparently this busy bee had lost its way and had mistaken a glue-pot for a honey-pot and then become hopelessly entangled on a desk during the owner's absence from business.

What do you think happened to that business bee after he flew away? Perhaps you can guess. If so, make up a very short story about it and send to Trainland. Prizes will be posted for the best.

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Train Journey.

The peal of a bell, a shrill whistle, and the ever powerful train is off on its journey.

We move with increasing speed from the town, with its smoking factory chimneys and its cramped houses. The shops are lost to sight, houses become fewer, concrete roads gradually become shingled country roads, and thickly populated areas give way to rolling pastures. Here and there a farmhouse flashes by.

“Darkness descends, as we rush in the train.

The streets and the houses go wheeling back: But the starry heavens above the plain Come flying on our track.”

Margaret Davis,

C/o Stationmaster, Taihape, M.T.L.