The Cousins’ Competition

Southland Times, Issue 20445, 24 March 1928, Page 22 (Supplement)

The Cousins’ Competition

AWARDS IN THE 155th TEST. (a) Story, for all Cousins 15 and over, entitled “Honey.’* First prize—s/- and 4 marks to pousin Betty Griffiths (15), 23 Passmore Crescent, Maori Hill, Dunedin. Second prize—2/6 and 3 marks to Cousin Eileen Mclntosh (17), 91 Scandrett street, South Invercargill. Highly Commended—2 marks to Cousin Daisy Ward (17), Awarua Plains. Commended —1 mark to Cousin Hazel Boyd (15), Ontario street, East Gore; Catherine Thomson (15), 37 Reuben Avenue, Brooklyn, "Wellington; Mabel Wright (15), Makarewa. (b) Drawing, for Cousins under 16, in which a bumble-bee, or bumble-bees, appear; Prizes of 2/6 and 4 marks to Cousin Patricia Ward (15), Awarua Plains; Vita Nelson (12), Green Point, Ocean Beach; Randolph Smart (10 1, Wyndham. Highly Commended—2 marks to Cousin Frances Scott (14), 280 Yarrow street, Invercargill; Wallace Bickley (121, Thornbury; Emily Horrell (13), “Fairview,” Mandeville. Commended—l mark to Cousin Isobel Strang (12), Alma street, Wyndham; Edna Rae Gordon (11), Otatara; Zoe Smith (10), “Sherwood,” 24 Mitchell street. East Invercargill ; Jean Anderson (13) 9 Kirkwood Lane Invercargill; Annie Anderson (11), 9 Kirkwood Lane, Invercargill; Stephen Barclay (9), 65 Don street, Invercargill. COMMENTS. The stories on “Honey” were not very many, but the standard they set was high, and I was really very pleased w’ith them. Several of the competitors wrote rather I on “Bees” than on “Honey,” which was, of course, taken into account in the judging. The most instructive entry, in essay form, was that sent in by Cousin Hazel Boyd. This was really quite a fine piece of work, and must have entailed a great deal of research. Cousin Catherine Thomson was not nearly as effective as usual, and her plot was both too fragile and too com-mon-place to stand consideration. I do wish Cousin Mabel Wright would remember that “huge” terminates in “e,” not “h”— this seems to be a favourite word of hers, invariably mjs-spelled. Her plot lacked distinction in any way. Cousin Daisy Ward had the makings of a good story, but failed to get anywhere with it. This was more of a sketch, lacking the completeness of a story’. Cousin Eileen Mclntosh had quite a novel and entertaining plot, and used it well. She did not explain, however, why they called the new fairies “bees,” an explanation of which I think is necessary. Cousin Betty Griffith’s story contained the most promise, and her style the most development, which is of greatest significance in the work of these senior Cousins. I was very pleased both with the freedom and ease with which she told her story. The drawings were of a particjuiarly high standard, and pleased me very much indeed —so much so that I found the judging extremely difficult, especially when ages had to be taken into account. We must have more drawing competitions, certainly, to show more of the talent for this which undoubtedly exists amongst the Cousins. I would like to mention that of Cousin Emily Horrell in particular; which was a very fine piece of work; unfortunately her pro-

portion was not so good, and she lost marks because her bees were much too small compared With the pansy they were visiting. —Cousin Betty. 156th COMPETITION (a) Story, for all Cousins under 16, describing the feelings of the broom shrub in the garden as its pods grow black and burst. (b) Poem, for all Cousins, whose first line is, “The sun cools in the heavens’ paling face.” REMEMBER THE RULES. 1 — Write in ink on one side of the paper only. 2 There must be separate sheets for each competition. 3 Each Cousin must work unaided, and enter his or her own work. 4 Drawing must be in black ink, preferably Indian ink. 5 Each entry must show the name and address of the Cousin and age. 6No one more than 16 years of age may compete in these classes unless otherwise stated. —Closing date, MONDAY, MARCH 26, 1928. —Cousin Betty. 157th COMPETITION (a) Description of not more than 200 words of Southland at present, answering “Has Autumn Come?” All Cousins 14 and over. (b) For Cousins 13 and under: Write a letter to me, telling me about your favourite book, and why it is so. —Closing date, MONDAY, APRIL 2, 1928. —Cousin Betty.