June 1941 School Magazine

June, 1941

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

June, 1941

g iven a small plantation by the government. They have original names, such as 'Fale' (House), 'Wuska' (Whisky), or 'Bepe' (Pc:iper). On the arrival of a circus, many of the new- born babies were christened 'Sakisi' (Circus) . The doctor's chauffeur is called 'Bifala te' (B-Flat). The native arts and crafts consist' mainly of the making of tapa, mats, fans, baskets and sisis . Tapa is made from the bark of a tree and is used as a blanket, as well as clothing. The Tongans are great fishermen. They prefer the spear to the line. They dive down under the rocks, and tie the sharks up by the tails. They are quite able to do this as sharks do n_ot attack dark people. The climate is delightful, although tropical. There is n'o malaria and neither poisonous snakes nor poisonous spiders a re to be found. . Although Tonga may be a small island, it is sufficiently im- portant to be a British Air Base. This was only established recently. The finest scenery is found on the island of Vavau. Unlike the other islands, which are mostly of coral formation, Vavau is rugged and volcanic, and is clothed from summit to shore with one glorious mass of verdure. Some of the tourists who have visited Vavau declare it the most exquisite ly lovely place on earth. It has a beautiful harbour, whose waters are crystal clear and saxe blue. A more peaceful a nd happy group of islands would be hard to find . -June Rickleman, IV.D.

THE RAT.

Has anybody seen a rat?

'Tis big and long and sleek and fat,

We're looking for it high and low- Has anybody seEn it? No?

It came one day, 'twas during French, And parting's caused us quite a wrench- It peeped between ihe cases five, The schoolroom turned into a h ive.

"Did you ses· it? Did ycu Eee it?" 'Twas hard fer all of us to s it And watch those beady little eyes- We hope it never , never dies.

The mistress looked at us askance,

She couldn't see thosE· whiskers dance!

Thsy looked so iovely twitching there,

'Twas nearly more than we could bear.

Next day he came · to visit us,

You never heard quite such a fuss ! He tore some paper, pads and books- We hope it didn't hurt his looks .

The titters during lessons then

When came two big and burly men

To hurt our mascot, Rupert Rat,

We're glad they didn't have a cat !

The mistress once again was shocked, She a lways had an sar cocked To see if she could hear the pet,

WILD HORSES.

We hope they haven't caught him yet!

Let the green mountains Ehiver from thunder, Let the deep vallsys re-echo the wonder , Where the w ild horses trample the field, When like an eddy they circle and reel! NevE·r has man put one hand on a head, Never led down the creek to be fed .

He's caused us quite a lot of fun, W ith noises fit to make you run; He's gnawed the lockers, chewed the pens, And made himself a little den.

He nibbles there quite happily,

Hidden well where none can see; We hops· you stay there gcod as gold,

Follow them, rider! follow and follow; Over the hills and down in the hoilow;

We can't lose you who've been so bold!

v'lhere the wind's echo repeats and repeats, Let your heart · leap with its answering beats; Follow them, follow, where'er be the course Soon the wild echos·s w ill lese the w ild horse.

- F:::JRM, JV.D.

-RYNA RAVDELL, IIJ.F.

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