COUSIN BETTY’S LETTER

Southland Times, Issue 20615, 13 October 1928, Page 22 (Supplement)

COUSIN BETTY’S LETTER

COUSINS, MY DEARS, I’m afraid we stopped smiling too soon, before the weather had a chance to get a really, truly proper hold. This is a disgusting state of affairs for the second week in October, and if the weather man doesn’t soon see fit to step in and Do Something About It, we will, I can see that. After all, we’ve proved that 800 smiles, simultaneous smiles, can make quite a little sun of their own, can’t they! Indeed they can and we’ll just set about making it if there’s not a decided improvement, won’t we? (I’m hoping that the weather-man reads the page, and this letter, which is written like this just to stir him up a bit. Because, after all, it can’t be very nice for him to have us interfering with what is supposed to be his work—on the other hand, if he doesn’t do things better than he is doing, what is there left for us to do?) Now, I am pleased to be able to turn to the results of the essay competition for prizes generously given by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Quite a number of the Cousins, I regret to say, did not read the conditions as carefully as they should have done, because there were many essays on Temperance, whereas the subject was “The Effects of Alcohol on the Body,” which, as you will readily understand, is a different matter when an essay is concerned. Apart from that evidence of carelessness, the response to this competition was excellent, though I must refer to one Cousin whose really attractive entry was spoiled by some awful spelling. Cousins, we should know all about the words we use and how can we know them if we cannot spell them? The essays were all interesting, and I am pleased the writing of them turned the attention of so many of you to this subject, for it is of vital importance to you all—young and old. The result of the competition is as follows: Ist Cousin Daphne Woodward (13), 19 Catherine street, North Invercargill. 2nd Cousin Joyce Evans (14), 22 Melbourne street, North Invercargill. 3rd Cousin Annie Williamson (14), P.O. Box 60, Balclutha. The work of these Cousins you will find on this page. I was very thankful to find so many of you were quite pleased with the takings of the play recitals—l was so afraid you’d be a little disappointed, Cousins. But the more I think of it, and many of you, and your parents too, have encouraged me to think this way, the more I realize that £l5O was quite a good sum to have raised in this way. I’ve collected some of the suggestions I’ve received from your letters. Here is what one Cousin says:— About raising the rest of the money for the classes for retarded children—what about each Little Southlander contributing 1/-, that would raise about £4O, and what about having a garden party, charging for admission, having soft drinks, jelly and cream and sweet stalls? Another Cousin suggested the four plays be given again, as many people had no opportunity of seeing them before, and many who did see them have expressed the wish to see them again. Here is a portion of another:— I am writing to say how sorry I am that there will not be a bazaar this year. But as you say there is so much unemployment about that we don’t like to have a bazaar, do we, Cousin Betty? I suppose the parcel that I sent you will do for next year won’t it, so you can keep it until our next year’s bazaar. Well, as there will be no bazaar this year the Cousins will be able to make a lot of extra things for the bazaar next year—that is the way I look at it. I was disappointed though as I thought I might be able to come in and help this year; but never mind I might be able to help next year. You ask us to give you some suggestions. How would it do for every Cousin to send you 6d or 1/—it would soon mount up then? They would have to earn it themselves though, as it would not be fair to ask their mothers for it, would it, Cousin Betty ? I am very proud of that letter, which expresses the very spirit of Little Southlanders, doesn’t it, Cousins? It was written by one of our Gold Medallists—l don’t think you’ll have much difficulty in guessing who! Another Cousin (anonymously signing herself “A Senior Cousin”—l don’t like receiving anonymous letters, my dears, even when they are sent with the best intentions in the world) suggests that the managements of the local picture theatres be asked to hold a benefit night for us. This I consider impracticable, as where would our work, and our individual effort, come in? Consider these suggestions, then, Cousins, and remember that I am still waiting for further ones. It is good to put our heads together and think! Now, I have received a letter from Mr J. A. Forbes, of Oamaru, reminding me of Animal Welfare Week. This is to be from October 25 to 31, and as usual, I propose to make Saturday, November 3, our Animal Welfare Page. lam making it after the week is over, in preference to when it is in progress, because I want the work of the page on that day to be the result of Animal Welfare Week, and a further reminder of something which should never be far from our minds. Cousin Patricia Ward’s story in this week’s page, is a good example of the spirit I would see, and am sure Ido see, in all of you. The matter of not only protecting but loving the dumb animals about you is dear to the heart of every Little Southlander, I think. Mr Forbes tells me that a lecture (dealing with animal life) has been prepared by a gentleman in Dunedin, in connection with which over 100 beautiful slides are to be shown. It is Mr Forbes’ intention to bring it down to Invercargill during Animal Welfare Week, where arrangements are being mode to have the lecture given in the schools. We will probably hear more of this k ter, Cousins. Meanwhile, remember that the competitions closing on Monday, October 29, will be (a) for the best story about an animal, ft) for the best poem about a bird. And, incidentally, what will the printer-man think of the amount of room I’ve taken! ! ! (These are my shaking fears.) ! ! P.S. — But even the dreadful printer-man can’t prevent me from sending you my love—and there are columns and columns of it!—C.B.