LITTLE SOUTHLANDERS

Southland Times, Issue 19823, 20 March 1926, Page 22

LITTLE SOUTHLANDERS

COUSIN BETTY’S LETTER. Dear Cousin.- of Mine. I do hope that the wind hasn’t blown you away, out of Southland, just when our arrangements for the clans are being completed so satisfactorily! It is a good plan to dig a hole, knee deep, and, after you have got in it, fill the remainder of the cavity with rocks and earth. That is the only means I can suggest of getting you to remain where you are in this dreadful weather. It would be rather amusing, wouldn’t it, to find, when the clans came to meet to-day, that you were all mixed up, higgeldy-piggeldy, and that the wind had scattered you shamefully! I wonder if such a thin? has ever really happened! It’s rather an exciting thought, isn’t it! If ever there was a wind capable of doing this, it is the wind roaring about mv ears at present. Don’t you think so, too? Now about the clans: and I must say that I am very, very pleased with the eager enthusiasm all you Cousins are displaying, and the kind interest your parents and friends are jshowing, in offering their help and advice, and the use of their homes. I have a feeling, my dears, that we are not going to disappoint all those kind people who are m interested in our work, and are showing their interest in so many practical ways. We will not disappoint them, will we? Most certainly, most emphatically, No! The North Invercargill Clan is to meet to-day, and also rhe Gummies’ Bush, henceforward to be caDe*l the “Clematis Clan.” The Cousin appointed to write up the first meeting, in the form of a report to me, will also make a list of all those present, besides giving a full account of the work done, plans made, etc. There is one point I wish you to be clear on—these are not necessarily sewing clans. Really, “handiwork clans” would describe them more aptly, as Cousins may make ANYTHING AT ALL providing it is saleable. Next week, when there will be more clans in working order, I think I could set an inter-clan competition—just a little one— and these can be carried out fortnightly. What do you think? Then, money prises could be given each fortnight to the clan to which the successful competitor belongs, or else the marks can be added up, and a prize given for the yearly total—a trophy, say, which can be competed for each year. Which do you think is the better plan? Here is the business-like letter I received from Cousin Annie Playfair during the week:— We are starting our Clan on Saturday, March 20. and we have decided what we will make first, and at what time we will meet, and what the name of our Clan wil’ be, i.e. what we would like it to be. Wasn’t it a coincidence, Cousin Betty that Beryl said to her mother last Saturday morning, “Wouldn’t it be lovely to have our been “The Clematis Clan?” And Margie down at “The Rocks” had been thinking what a lovely name that would be. And I thought to myse'd that the Clematis Gan would be quite the nicest name of all. So please Cousin Betty, could our clan be “The Clematis Clan?” Cousin Eileen Milmine is coming too, so we will be four busy workers. The Clan is meeting here on Saturday for the first time, and Grandma is going to officiate as Captain. We are all looking forward to our Cousin Betty’s -visit on April 10. And so the “Clematis Gan” has been formed, and by the time you read this, the day of the first meeting has dawned. Cousin Olga Anderson, Wright’s Bush, wrote to me:— Seeing that there are only three Cousins in this district. Nellie Pagan, my sister and I, I have asked Cousins Edna Lopdell and Doris Young if they would like to join us for a combined clan. The two Waianiwa Cousins have consented to this but I have not seen Nellie Pagan about it yet. They could meet at our place. I could meet you at the train if you came to see our clan. Please tell me when our clan could start. Do you think “The Hilltop Clan” would be suitable tor the name of our clan ? The “Hilltop Gan,” also, is ready to start to-day, and next Saturday, at all events, should have it well started. Again, from Cousin Hazel Boyd, Gore, I received the following:— I shall be very willing to help, and will ask my mate? to join, and then if you come to Gore mother said you could hold the meeting at our house. The only bother is Saturday would suit me but perhaps it wouldn’t suit the girls or you either. Then, of course, school days. The only thing we could do would be, that you make arrangements and tell me your ideas, then I could get girls who didn’t have music to go to, or other odds and ends. Mother said she would be willing to help, too, if you liked. I think we could have quite a good clan, (that’s if the girls are industrious), don’t you think so, Cousin Betty? Please tell me your arrangements when you write. As regards the Gore Gan, then, I think I should do nothing till I hear from all those Little Southlanders in Gore who wish to join. Send me in your names as soon as possible, so as not to waste too much time, and tell me the ideas you can suggest on the subject. We cannot start a clan until we know how many are willing to join. It is very good of Hazel’s mother to offer her house, and I think we are all very grateful to her, and will be glad to make use of her kind offer. Cousin Doris Winder, Tweed Street writes:— I, too, think it would be better for the Georgetown Cousins to co-operate with the South ones, and then when we become too numerous a clan we could make two separate clans. I would like to give in my name for that clan. We would need a name for it, too. I think it is a good idea of Cousin Daphne Godward’s for the Cousins to meet at each other’s homes, if possible. And you •aid. Cousin Betty, that we could work at anything! How splendid! I’m doing a small petticoat and am busy trying to do some other small things. It would be lovely to have you visit us on a Saturday while we were sewing. Will all the Cousins be able to serve at the bazaar. Cousin Betty? Now. I have received the following names of South Invercargill and Georgetown Cousin® anxious to form a clan:—Doris Winder. Eileen and Vyna Mclntosh, Cecily Hanley and Rita Jackson. That seems to me enough to start with, and doubtless, as Doris says, the number will swell. Can any of these Cousins suggest where you can meet, and do you want anyone in charge of you? As soon as these particulars are arranged, you may go right ahead, so that you will not be behind the other clans that are starting. If any Cousin wishes to join a clan, all she has to do is to send her name to me, and then watch in the page to see where the next meeting of the clan will be held, and then attend it! That’s simple enough, isn’t it? Cousin Zoe Smith would like to know if any Cousins would make up an East Cousin Alison McKenzie, whose address for the present is 14 Napier street, Morning*on. Dunedin, writes:— I just think it would be lovely, if we all made something towards the bazaar. I think it would be better to have a lady in charge, because I don’t think there would be very much sewing done if a few girls all got together by themselves. Of course I don’t think anybody would if they had a lady, because they would want to try bard to please them. Then when you were going to visit a certain clan, send them a letter telling them of your coming, so as not to jump on them unexpectedly. This is my idea of it. although it may not be very good. Have a meeting at a certain place, say every Friday. Take it in turns to send m a monthly report to you, telling you what we have made and how we have progressed or failed as the case may be. Maybe we could ask a friend to come with us and let her see one of Our Pages, and then coax her to write. T am glad that even when she is away. Cousn Alison is planning things for us. There ■are one or two quite good suggestions here. From Cousin Annie Knowles I have received the following cheering letter:— As Dorothy has left me to tell you about our sewing clan I suppose it will be best to let you know as soon as possible. Well, Cousin Betty, do you think you could manage to come and see our clan ? I will be able to sew as much as I like now, as I have left school. The doctor said that I had a weak heart, and it was best for me to drop school. If it suits you. Cousin Betty, you can catch the train that leaves Invercargill a little after ten o’clock. It reaches Gore in time for you to catch the Waimea Express that leaves Gore twenty minutes to one. You arrive here about 1.15 p.m. and you can get back into Gore in time to catch the late express to Invercargill with the char-a-banc. Ir passes our door. We live near the station and I would be able to meet you. As mother is head of our dan, we are holding our meetings here. Of course, Cousin Betty, if you have other mean® to come up, you may do so. If you cared you could stay with us till Monday and catch the train to Invercargill that leaves Gore at 11.45 a.m. If you come by train, Cousin Betty, you have a long afternoon. The Cousins from here would meet from about 2 o’clock till 4.30 p.m. or perhaps before two. If you could, Coumn Betty, let us know what Saturday you are coming, we would all be there up to time. That explains the well-thought-out plans of the MandeviUe Gan, and I am very grateful to Conain Annie for making her arrangements so complete. Now, my dears. there is a lot for you to think on in these letters. To say that I am pleased with you, expresses very inadequately the joy you have imparted to me through your enthusiasm. There is not a happier human being in all Southland 10-day, than Your own beaming COUSIN BETTY. p§—Don’t forget to save your coupons—perhaps the clan leaders will collect fhem. —C.B. ppjg.—The North Invercargin Gan meets to-day at 2 p.m. at the home of Cousin Molly Holland. 262 Herbert MmL-CR