The Cousins’ Competitions

Southland Times, Issue 20831, 20 July 1929, Page 22

The Cousins’ Competitions

AWARDS IN THE 208th TEST.

(a) Story for Cousins 16 and under, entitled: “Noise.”

First prize—s/- and 4 marks to Cousin May Heath (13), Dunrobin (via Heriot). Second prize—2/6 and 3 marks to Cousin Beatrice Witsey (16), Riverton. Highly Commended—2 marks to Cousins Dorothy Maslem (16), 314 Taranaki Street, Wellington; Graham Witt (14), 159 Lindisfarne Road; Unah Borland (15), Havelock Street, Riverton; Richard English (10), Orepuki; Jean Nichol (13), 166 Clyde Street; Hazel Boyd (16), Ontario Street, Gore. Commended—l mark to Cousins Mollie Burns (16), 94 Duke Street, Gladstone; Margaret Macarthur (10), Ohai. (b) Poem, whose first line begins, “Softly the night falls.” First prize—s/- and 4 marks to Cousin Annie Williamson (15), C/o Comdt. Lamond, Lanark Street, Mosgiel. Second prize—2/6 and 3 marks to Cousin Pearl Staite (12), Lumsden. Highly Commended —2 marks to Cousin May Heath (13), Dunrobin; Dorothy Maslem (16), 314 Taranaki Street, Wellington; May Harvey (13), 144 Lewis Street; Gwen Irwin (16), Lochiel; Rosemary Heath (9), Dunrobin; Peggy Playfair (11), “Bonniefield,” Gummies Bush, Vita Nelson (13), Green Point, Ocean Beach. Commended—l mark to Cousins Sylvia Porteous (10), 183 Spey Street; Jessie Clow (15), 76 Victoria Avenue; Margaret Macarthur (10), Ohai; Arthur Strang (11), Alma Street, Wyndham. COMMENTS. There was a good muster of entries for both subjects this week, and I was very pleased to see that a number of competitors who have been neglecting me of late have returned to the work of the page. Just a word to those of you who are reaching that unattractive borderland between youth and grown-upness. Amongst'you there is just a tendency to write about grown-up things about which you have no first hand knowledge, but have absorbed from your own readings. Write about the things you know of, these things you live amongst, the things you feel and think, cousins; leave stories of the tropics, and of grown-ups and grown-up circumstances to the people

who are more fitted to describe them. Meanwhile you have all the field of glorious, opening life to traverse; and some day you will be grateful to me for urging you not to grow old before your time. I liked Cousin May Health’s story because its humour was bright and unforced. Cousin Graham Witt’s, on the other hand, is just a bit precocious, and at times sounds “cheeky.” Cousin Beatrice Witsey, who has a good vocabulary and a nice command of words, tends to verbosity, and dwells too long on ideas. I would like her to write about things nearer home. Cousin Richard English surprised me by a very good effort. Cousins Jean Nichol and Hazel Boyd, two very dependable writers, wrote quite entertaining essays; but these were not stories. The poems were good, particularly those of the two prize-winners. The two Heaths, also, have a nice, easy style at versemaking. Cousin Peggy Playfair wrote a pretty, charming little poem; but she must not change her verse-pattern, and “you” and “you” does not make a rhyme. Cousin Vita Nelson’s poem contained some very good ideas; but although her metre has improved, she has still to learn to arrange her rhymes more logically. —COUSIN BETTY. 209th COMPETITION (a) Drawing of a cottage and garden. For cousins 16 and under. (b) Dialogue, introducing three people, one or all of whom have lost their way at night; and an old, old man who finds it difficult to direct them. 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 16 years of age may compete in these classes unless otherwise stated. Closing date—MONDAY, JULY 22, 1929. —COUSIN BETTY. 210 th COMPETITION (a) Story, for Cousins 16 and under, entitled: “The Whistle.” (b) Triolet (eight lines) about Laughter. Closing date—MONDAY, JULY 22, 1929.