Children's Stories From Subiaco : The Cat
In 1910 'Our Children's Pages' in The Daily News newspaper were run by Auntie Nell and Uncle Tom who encouraged their young readers to engage with the newspaper through writing letters and giving prizes but also encouraging them to engage in community and charity work they were involved in.
Auntie Nell bought a pair of guild-sleeve links and a silver shaving mirror...and selected topics for children to write essays about. This week the topics were Lord Kitchener, How and Where I Would Like To Spend My Easter Holidays and The Cat. As it was St Patrick's Day Auntie Nell went on to write about St. Patrick and St. Patrick's Day.
Auntie Nell responded to Walter writing 'Your essay on the cat is deciding clever for a little boy of 10' and decided his essay was the best for his class and was awarded a prize.
"The Daily News Perth, WA Sat 19 March, 1910
SECOND CLASS
ESSAY CAT
33 Robinson Street Subiaco
Dear Aunty Nell, - This week I am writing an essay on the cat. The cat is like a kitchen table, as it has four legs, one at each corner; it is also like the children's page of "The Daily News" as it has a nice long tail; it grows whiskers but never shaves. It lives mostly on the neighbours' chickens and is suppose to catch mice. A cat with average intelligence knows where the neighbours hang their milk jugs and vies with the milk inspector with taking samples, but it seldom makes any complaints. It is also very musical being fond of choruses and is as constant as a German band. cats are suppose to have nine lives. This I don't believe, but I know they have lots of luck in the first one.they generally sit in front of the flower-pots and other breakables and sing, and dodge boots and bootjacks with the skill of a conjure. Cats were invented by Dick Whittington and either they or him afterwards became Lord Mayor of London. Now this all I have to say about the cat so I will close with love - From your loving Nephew,
WALTER GROTH, aged 9"
