The Cousins’ Competitions

Southland Times, Issue 20496, 26 May 1928, Page 22 (Supplement)

The Cousins’ Competitions

AWARDS IN THE 164th TEST. (a) Competition for Cousins 15 and over. A Triolet, any subject. 2/6 and 4 marks to Cousins Dorothy Maslem (15) 28 Karepa Street, Brooklyn, Wellington; James Betting (12) “Terry Hill,” Woodlands; Mabel Wright (15) Makarewa. . Highly Commended2 marks to Cousin Gwen Irvin (15) “Elderslie,” Lochiel. Commended:—! mark to Cousins Annie Williamson (13) Balclutha; Marjory Smith (14) Orepuki; Elsie Amos (14) Mabel Bush. 2/6 and 4 marks to Cousins Clare Hunter (101 Riverton; May Heath (11) Dunrobin (via Heriot); Mavis Grant (15) Charlton. Highly Commended:—2 marks to Cousins Catherine Thomson (15) Reuben Avenue, Brooklyn, Wellington; Mabel Wright (15) Makarewa; Peter Ferguson (13) Underwood. Commended:—l mark to Cousins Gracie Staite (12' Lumsden; Sylvia Porteous (9) 183 Spey Street, Invercargill. Comments. The triolets were fairly well done, although out of the many attempts that of Cousin Dorothy Maslen was the only one whose meaning was altered in the repeating lines. It was quite good, and the punctatio» of it made its change in meaning neat. Cousin Mabel Wright wrote quite an amusing one; but unfortunately she did not keep her metre quite consistent throughout. Cousin James Betting’s was clever; it was a pity he did not make it so that the meaning could have been given a new twist at the end. Several competitors

sent in poems that did not keep to the triolet form, which was a pity, particularly as one or two of them were quite clever, otherwise. Triolets, as you will have discovered by now, are more adapted to simple subjects than ones with deep and involved significance. The competition stories were quite good. This was an interesting section, although I was surprised that there was not a larger number of entries.. I liked Cousin Clare Hunter’s for its simplicity, Cousin May Heath’s for its directness and Cousin Mavis Grant’s for the vast improvement it shows on her earlier efforts. She has a fluent pen and a good vocabulary; but I would like her to develop her originality further. Cousin Betty. —Commended — I am just a little girl nine years of age, but I sometimes think I would like to be grown-up. I have to go to bed every night at eight o’clock, while the grown-ups can stay up as long as they like, and have supper. They do not have to go to school, and learn lessons, as I do. I just think it would be all right to be grown up. But some of the grown-ups tell me this is the happiest time of my life, at my age, because I can play and have good fun with my mates, while they have to work hard, to earn their living. I had a good time during Carnival week, although I had to come home before eight o’clock, and go to bed, while the grown-ups were allowed to stay, and have a .good time. Perhaps some day I will be grown up too, and then I will be allowed to stay up late, and not sent to bed so early. —1 mark to Cousin Sylvia Porteous (9) 183 Spey Street, Invercargill. 165th COMPETITION (a) For Cousins under 16. Anagram to “The End of May.” (Remember that this is a poem, the first letters of each line, reading down, forming the letters of “The End of May.” It will therefore have eleven lines.) (b) For Cousins under 16. Story, entitled “The First Raindrop.” 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. 6 No one more than sixteen years of age may compete in these classes unless otherwise stated. —Closing date MONDAY’, MAY 28, 1928. —COUSIN BETTY.