BETWEEN OURSELVES

Southland Times, Issue 22999, 19 September 1936, Page 22 (Supplement)

BETWEEN OURSELVES

Cousin Nanette: Your entry arrived just in time, and I hope there is room for it in the Page to-day. Wasn’t the pen a lovely present? You will soon learn to write very quickly and clearly with it.

Cousin Sweet Pea: If you work hard you may win another prize for your entries. I liked the drawing of your pet lamb, and was sorry it could not be included in the Page this week. Do you like the other drawings? Cousin Kowhai: Do you think you could find another pen-name? Another Little Southlander has already chosen this one. Perhaps there is another Maori name, or the name of a native tree, which you could use. The news about the clan is good news. When would you like to form one? Cousin Sunny Gold: Mr Weatherman

was not too sure whether spring had really come, so the weather during the holidays was a little uncertain. The sun has been shining, though, and more flowers are blossoming each day. Would you like to write about those books for the Book Club? What are the new subjects you are taking at school this term?

Cousin Lily of the Valley: Could you send me the addresses. I will publish them, and any Little Southlanders who wish could write to those correspondents. You have helped to make our Spring Page a success, and I was very pleased with your entries. Cousin Kotoiti: I received the tickets and money quite safely, thank you. Did you enjoy the Coronation? You did not mention it in your short letter. It was an exciting evening for us all, wasn’t it? Have you names for the lambs? Can you tell them apart? Cousin Cherry Blossom: I wonder if Joan will come to see me on Friday? This term will be a very busy one for you, won’t it? I wish you the best of luck in your proficiency examination., I hope you will find time to write to me sometimes, and send entries signed with your name and degree. Cousin Weeping Willow: Does your teacher tell you what a neat writer you are? I hope you will write quite regularly, and then I will not be able to forget you, will I? When the tiny ducklings hatch out you must tell me all about them.

Cousin Mayflower: The gardens are all very bright at present, and so many Little Southlanders have written about them for our special Spring Page. This is the first week you have missed sending an entry, isn’t it? Don’t forget the letters after your name when you send your next competition story. Cousin All Sunshine: Although you could not go to the bazaar you were able to help your clan in other ways. I know the others were very pleased with the way you worked for them. Contributions for the Book Club are always welcome. Do you read very much? Cousin Cherry Blossom: You will notice there is another Little Southlander with the same pen-name. Would you change yours, please. The other Cousin has first claim, and I know you will be able to think of a new and original one for our Between Ourselves Column. Have you any rare stamps? Cousin Claudine: I am sorry you could not manage to be in town, but perhaps you will come and see me the very next time you are here. Thank you very much, I would like to have the address. Will you let me have it next time you write? Cousin 80-peep: Did you make the play-house all by yourself? There will not be very much time for playing now that school has begun once more. Have you any pets? So many of the cousins have pet lambs at present. Cousin Ra Mould: If you can tell when you earned the marks I may be able to tell how many you have.

I hope your next letter will not take as long as the last one did. You have made a good start, so keep it up. Cousin Betty Blue: Your letter told me quite a lot about your farm, with its many signs of spring. What did you do during the holidays? Did you take your cousins for any outings or picnics? You are c- very lucky girl, with so many birthday presents. Did you have a party? Cousin Tainui: The competition entries were quite good, but I think you could do a little better, don’t you? Are you taking part in the concert? There will be great excitement at school when the day comes. You must work hard, and soon you will be a V.A.C. which is even more important than an A.C. Cousin Koi: Thank you for the drawing. It was not successful this time, but you will improve, and the result of the next competition will be better. What are the names you have given the ducks? You will have to think of some new ones for the young ones too. The photograph was very good, and we are proud of our King and Queen. Cousin Shirley Temple Fan: Marks are given each week for competition

entries and for answers to Mind Sharpeners. Fifty competition marks entitles you to a prize of 2/- and the degree of A.C. (Able Contributor); 750 Mind Sharpener marks also wins 2/-, with a

degree of M.M.S. (Master of Mind Sharpeners). I hope this answers all your questions. Cousin Patricia Miller: It is not necessary to fill in the coupon. You have given me all the details, so I have

enrolled you as a Little Southlander. Thank you for the entry, you have taken a great deal of trouble over it, and will be very pleased to see it appearing in the Page.

Cousin Golden Gorse: When you told me what you saw at the farm you did not mention your name-sake, the “golden gorse.” It is very beautiful at present, and I am sure you must have noticed it. What other books have you read this year? Are you enjoying “Lavengro?”

Cousin Golden Dawn: Next time you are up town, climb Sally Staircase and you can look through the back-numbers of the Page to count your marks. Mr Weatherman was not at all kind to us the evening of the Coronation and so many Little Southlanders like yourself were not able to be present. Did Betty tell you all about it?

Cousin Golden Blossom: I think I answered all your questions when you came to see me. Perhaps you will bring your sister next time you visit me. I shall expect to see lots of entries from you, if you are working for a degree. Cousin Rambling Kid: I must answer your long long letter in one short paragraph. I am not sure what will happen when you have another fifty marks. Perhaps another degree will be necessary. I have not seen very much of your prose work, so I am afraid I am not in a position to advise about the examination, but I think that if you really made up your mind and worked hard, you should be successful. Don’t be in too much of a hurry though, you have plenty of time. Come up and see me one day after school. I am interested in your French lessons. Cousin Maid of the Mountains: The pen-name is your own, as no one else has chosen it. I enjoyed your newsy letter, and I hope you will write more often in future. Are you quite better? It is good to be home again, and farm life will soon make you strong and healthy. Yvonne’s last entries have been very clear, so that it was quite easy to read them. Cousin Rata Sprite: Cheer up, Cousin of mine. Even though you will soon be too old to enter for competitions you will still be able to write to me, and take an interest in the Page. I too was very disappointed that the clan was not represented, but it could not be helped. You are a Very Able Contrib-

utor, but I am sorry you will not have the opportunity to become an M.A.C. Cousin Pixie Peter Pan: Did you like being at the stall? Your clan did well, and I was very proud of my scattered cousins. Have you many opossums? I did not think they were very common in Southland. Perhaps you could write a description of them for the Page. Have you a pet lamb? Cousin Spring Fairy: Thank you for the names. I shall see what can be done about a correspondent for you. I am sorry you could not come, too. You will still be entitled to write the letters after your name though. Are you making anything for Hospital Day? Cousin Nan: Congratulations to you both. You are the first from your district to win degrees. All the marks are from competitions, aren’t they? The Sharpener marks are added separately, and win other prizes and degrees.