November 1920 School Magazine

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BRIt4BAN3 GIRLS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL MASASIN.

November, 190.

The Coulstoun Lakes

It was a clear, sunny mornlng, and every- thing looked bright and cheerful. The birds fluttered in and out among the branches of the tall trees by the roadside. A gentle breeas was sirring the dry grass In the paddocks near by. It was Just the kind of day we had hoped for when planning our expedition to the Coulstoun Lakes. It was about 8 o'clook as we left the house, equipped for a day's ridipg And climbing. We took some sandwiches with us, for we did not expect to be back before sun-down. After about an hour's ride, which we enjoyed very much, we reached the foot of the Lake's mountain. The side of the mountain is covered with thick lantana, amongst which are a few trees and creepers. Through the lantana a narrow track had been cut leading to the top of the mountain. We rode a ahort distance into the scrub and then dismounted and tied our horses securely to the branch of a tree. Then began the climrobinl, and by holding on to the creepers and bushes near by we at last scrambled up the steep path and reached the top of the mountain. There we saw a large hollow In which were three small lakes. On the surface of these lakes a number of wild ducks were swimming. but on seeing us they flew away in great sur- prise. We wandered round looking at the lakes for a short time, during which my

cousin told me many interesting things about them. The mountain Is an extinct volcano which accounts for the large hollow in the top of it. The lakes were also formed by the volcano, and their depth has never been measured. Afterwards we returned to the shade of a tree at about fifty yards from the lakes. We remained here for a time, for we hoped that the ducks might return. We wanted to see how close we could get to them without their seeing us. While we were waiting we occu- pied our time by examnalng the trunk of a tree close by on which was carved a number of initials. We were very sorry that we had not thought of bringing a penknife with us eo as to be able to add our names to the list. Eventually a few of the ducks returned, but we found that we could not get very close to them, for they were very shy. We soon got tired of this pastime and decided to return home. After falltng and slitpplng very much in our descent we reached the plece where we had left our horses. It was late In the afternoon, so we had to ride at « fast pace to reach home before darkness came on. We went to bed that night tired out, but not before we had made up our minds to spend anothe. day there in the near future. A. LowekA, III. A.

Human Nature,

In winter time, our erte are loud. If hands and feet are cold; We wish it were the summer tie, With all Its Joys untold. And wea .the summer comes along, We welcome it with glee, But hl Whes very hat days come, How cold we'd like to 4e.

Why do we always wish for th&t Which is so hard to get? We mever are quite satided And are Inellaed to fret, If somethiang wieh we feel we want Is not forthcoming yet.

A. ROBsRTON (III. A.).

CITOM. n--W hav to asknowledge with thanks the relpt of the fellowlag

oatemporrles:-B.B.QO.. MagMssie Kian's behool Thistleo, B.Q.H.S. Magaule. IO.O. . Magaule.

ga*useo, *t. HdUa's MaumLasm, Mi