The Cousins’ Competitions

Southland Times, Issue 21662, 26 March 1932, Page 18

The Cousins’ Competitions

AWARDS IN THE 229th TEST. (a) Drawing (black and white). Four little sketches illustrating one of the “Lace” stories. Prize of 2/6 and 4 marks to Cousin Emily Horrell (17), ‘‘Fairview,” Mandeville. Highly Commended. —2 marks to Cousin Frances Fortune (15), 102 Ettrick street; Sadie Mclntosh (14), Elgin street, Collingwood; Vita Nelson (16), Green Point, Ocean Beach. (b) Story, entitled: "Cows.” Prize of 2/6 and 4 marks to Cousin Margaret Henderson (14), Mataura. Highly Commended.—2 marks to Cousins Dorothy Fox (16), 94 Earn street.; Vincent Brown (13), Ocean Beach. Comments. The sketches were extremely interesting, and their variety of subject was a delight. Cousin Emily Horrell illustrated Cousi.t Katherine O’Brien’s story, and her work was both fine and imaginative—four charming little sketches —one of Princess lone, one of Hyacinth and Tulip, one of the Btiidwr spinning the .lace in a secluded spot, and the fourth of fairy and flower. Both 1 Cousin Frances Fortune and Cousin Sadie Mclntosh chose Jean Nichol’s story, and tjie difference in their treatment was ex treniely interesting. The former’s work was inclined to be smudgy, and her points of interest not clearly outlined. Her idea of using the same setting for her four pictures was good. Sadie’s ideas were more clearly defined, and her picture of the proud daughter in particular, was very effective. Vita's sketches were too big, and thus lost much of their effect. The party must have been too much

for you last week-end, because there were so few competition entries after it. One or two entries, too, were not exactly what was required—one country cousin, for instance, began her essay, “A cow is an animal with four legs, a tail, an udder and four teats.” Now such a bare presentation of facts is hardly in story form, and before one begins one must really grant one’s reader some little fundamental knowledge of this well-known domestic animal. Cousin Margaret Henderson, who had a true story to tell, presented it interestingly and told it very well indeed. I was very pleased with her work. Cousin Dorothy Fox wrote

an imaginative story; but it should have been entitled "A Cow,” because Blossom was the only cow in her story. Cousin Vincente Brown, too, made a very promising beginning as a competitor, and I hope she will follow this up. —COUSIN BETTY. 300th COMPETITION. (a) Descriptive essay: Children's Faces at a Party. (b) Poem, entitled “Peace.” Rules to Remember. 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, clearly marking it “original” or “my own work.” 4— Drawing must be in black ink, preferably in Indian ink, and on drawing paper. 5— No one more than 16 years of age may compete in these classes unless, otherwise stated. 6— Remember that spelling and neatness will be taken into account. 7— Write your name, age and address at the end of each entry. Closing date—Tuesday, March 29, 1932. —Cousin .Betty. 301st COMPETITION. (a) For senior cousins—Write a little filay of about 500 words, entitled: “The Merry One.” (b) For cousins 14 and under: A Fairy story about a magic cat. Closing date—Tuesday, April 5, 1932. —Cousin Betty.