The Cousins’ Competitions

Southland Times, Issue 21732, 18 June 1932, Page 18

The Cousins’ Competitions

311th TESTS. (a) For all cousins: Poem on the First Daffodil. First prize 3/- and 4 marks to Cousin Katherine O’Brien (17) Haldane, Tokonui. Second prize 2/- and 4 marks to Cousin Vera I. Williamson (14), Baxter street, Balclutha. Very Highly Commended: 3 marks to Cousin Connie Jellyman (13), Queen street, Otautau. Highly Commended: 2 marks to Cousin Constance Fox (15), 94 Earn street, Invercargill; Cousin Annie Williamson (17) Baxter street, Balclutha; Cousin Chrissie Ross, 66 Stafford street, Dunedin; Cousin Doris Humphries, Chester street, Otautau. (b) "For all cousins: The dog who would not stop barking. First prize 3/- and 4 marks to Cousin Dorothy Edwards (14), Barrow street, Bluff. Second Prize, 2/- and 3 marks to Cousin Margaret Jaquiery (14), 21 George street, North Invercargill. Very Highly Commended: 3 marks to Cousin Constance Fox (15), 94 Earn street, Invercargill. Highly commended: 2 marks to Cousin Dorothy M. Fox (16), 94 Earn street, Invercargill; Cousin James Lynch (13), Main street, Otautau; Cousin Margaret Jellyman (11), Queen street, Otautau; Cousin Bert Fox (12). 94 Earn street, Invercargill.

The entries for the verse competition were very pleasing and the first three were difficult to place in order of merit, but I think Cousin Katherine O’Brien's poem showed more spontaneity • and it moved with greater freedom, with a better use of rhythms. Cousin Vera Williamson should be careful about repeating rhymes. She has used “ca_t," “past,” “blast,” “last,” “passed” too much in such a short poem and the result is a monotony in rhyme music. I must warn my cousins about the word “memories.” The accent falls on the first syllable, and it is only by putting a false emphasis on the last syllable that a rhyme with “seas” can be obtained. “Melody” is another word which must be watched very carefully. Variety made the entry in the Barking Dog stories particularly pleasing and as the number of stories sent in was large I feel very proud of my cousins. Cousin Dorothy Edwards’s story was humorous and it carried out the idea of the dog who would not stop barking very cleverly. Cousin Margaret Jaquiery on the other hand told a serious story of a dog’s faithfulness, which would have been stronger if his persistent barking had had a greater influence in helping him to rejoin his master. In the other entries there was some very good work, especially by the younger cousins, two of whom well earned a “Highly Commended.” ‘ —Cousin Betty. 312th COMPETITION. (a) For cousins under 12 years: Story on “The Boy who could not say No.” (b) For all cousins: A poem on a carpet. 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 irr 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, June 21. —Cousin Betty. 313th COMPETITION.

(a) For all cousins: Story on the Fairy Who Loved a Policeman. (b) For all cousins: Poem on "The Little Dog Laughed." -r-Closing date, Tuesday, June 28. i