Between Ourselves

Southland Times, Issue 23308, 18 September 1937, Page 4 (Supplement)

Between Ourselves

Cousin Windsor Lass: Welcome to a new Little Southlander. How old are you, cousin of mine? You wrote the date of your birthday, but forgot your age. Do you have correspondence lessons, or have you finished school?

Cousin Book-worm: Did the badge and enrolment card arrive safely? You are now a real Little Southlander, and one of my newest cousins. The visiting day for girls is Tuesday, so perhaps I shall see you some Tuesday after school.

Cousin Lover of Knowledge: I think this is one of the shortest letters -I have ever received. You forgot to sign your pen-name, too. Thank you for the ticket. Cousin Silver Moonbeam: If you read my letter this week, you will see just how much we have given the Free Kindergartens. Next time I may be able to tell you in what way it is to be spent. Do you like being back at school once more? Cousin Peggy Miller: Would you like to choose a pen-name to use in Between Ourselves? When you send a letter all the way from Gisborne, you will be able to read the reply in the Chronicle, under your very own name. Was the fancy dress ball a success? Did you have a happy time?

Cousin Bristol Lass: Fifty neatness marks are necessary for the degree of Master of Neatness. Will it take you very long to become an M.N.? Write a longer letter and tell me about your holiday at Lumsden. Did you stay on a farm? Cousin Clematis: Will the broadleaf tree live if it is transplanted? You could put it by its brothers and sisters in the bush. How soon will the clematis, your namesake, be flowering? Has your leg mended itself? You will be anxious to start school once more. Cousin Bluebell: Did you enjoy your visit to Kennington? I went to the first clan meeting and met all my cousins who live there. The twins have been up to visit me, too. What early birds you were. Do you wake up so early when you are at home? Cousin Primula: Have you any of your namesakes in your garden? Don’t you think that the spring flowers are the best of all? Write a longer letter next time, and tell me when you are coming to climb Sally Staircase. Cousin Brown Eyes: Congratulations on your promotion. I discovered your entry after the others had been marked, so will you count three more marks towards your M.A. degree. I was not sure about Alice-in-Wonderland’s tickets. Thank you for asking her. You will have to capture a sunbeam and keep it in the drawer of your desk when the windows are blocked.

Cousin Grey Owl: Did you come to see me during the week? I am writing this answer to your letter before the visiting day for boys. Are you coming to the hospital with Father Christmas? Your prize will be posted soon, so if Mr Postman does not deliver it, let me know. Cousin Carol: Could you remember to put your name, age, and address on all entries? The letters and entries are sorted into piles, so if lhe name is not on each sheet it

is difficult to tell the owner. Did you enjoy your holiday? Cousin Fairy Snowdrop: The badge has been sent, so watch for Mr Postman. Did you draw the horse all by yourself? If you are such a clever cousin with your pencil you should enter for some of our Art Club competitions. Do you like painting? Cousin Golden Star: I hope Coral will write often now that she has begun, as I like to receive letters from my younger cousins. It is a long time since your pen-name appeared in Between Ourselves. Will you write again soon? Cousin Sunny Gold: Is it “inspiration” that you mean? I am afraid the spelling was not too good. I have always meant to tell you that “original” is not spelt “orignial.” Will you remember? I hope that the inspiration has not deserted you altogether. Cousin Buttercup: Cheer up, there will be holidays again at the end of the year, and that is not very far away. What do you do when you come home from school? Have you a garden to care for?

Cousin Cherry Ripe: Do you know, there were more mistakes in your letter this week than there were in the one Joyce wrote? You must have been in a hurry to start your home lessons. Which subjects do you like best at school?

Cousin Golden Wattle: Let me know next time you are coming, arid then you will be sure to find me here. I hope Sally Staircase welcomed you for me. When next you come you must bring Joyce and Margaret with you too. Did you enjoy the picture? Cousin Silver Poplar: Although you are too old to enter for competitions, you are still a Little Southlander, and I hope you will never be too old to. read the Chronicle. Have you recovered from your illness? I will send a sunbeam to cheer you and make you better.

Cousin White Iris: Yes, Mary did come to see me, but she could not stay very long. I was surprised to see two letters from you this week. Will one reply do for them both? Don’t forget to let me know if there is anything you need. Cousin Apple Blossom: If you have so many pet lambs you should be able to write a story about one of them for next week. Do you think you could? I hope you will

soon be in town to see me again. Cousin Scotch Thistle: If your name was not in the list of sharpeners you may count those marks as yours. The letters M.M.S. mean Master of Mind Sharpeners. To win it you must earn 750 sharpener marks in one year. This is not very difficult if you enter regularly.

Cousin Sweet Briar: Many happy returns of the day, cousin of mine, and thank you ever so much for your hospital gift. I hope that you

will be able to come with us when we visit the hospital with Father Christmas. Congratulations. You are now an Able Contributor.

Cousin Red Wings: I found youi entries on the table-top, so I think you must have come to see me. I hoped that you would come back before you went home. Will you be able to come to town more often now that you are not going to school?

Cousin Flower-o’-the-lily: Are you keeping all the little chickens? It will be interesting to watch them growing up. Some day they will lay you fresh eggs for your breakfast. /I wonder if Mary had a name for her little lamb? Cousin Bruno the. Bear: Bruno of the Pantomime will be quite pleased to know that he has a namesake Can you sing a polar bear song too? What do you do with the eggs? Have you a large collection? Cousin Coronation Lassie: Yes, my cousin, I do like chickens, they are such tiny balls, of fluff. How many daffodils were there? Did you pick some of them to take to school? Do you keep the pet lamb near the house? You must write about Tulip for the competition next week. Cousin Queen Elizabeth: Soon you will have fifty marks, and then you will be one of my Able Contributors. I will try to come and see you next week, and I will bring a Pantomime programme for you. It has a picture in it of Jack Frost and all his attendants. Cousin Graeme Anderson: Thank you for your gift for the Hospital Fund. Our fund is growing, and I hope we will have a record number of parcels for the patients this year. Are you coming with us? Cousin Shirley Cowan: An enrolment card has been sent to you, my new cousin. What a lovely party you had. Was your name called over the air too? . Who won all the competitions? Did you spend the two shillings, or did you put them in your money-box? Cousin Betty Grace: I think you had a pen-name, my cousin, but I cannot remember what it is. I heard that your sharpeners had been done, and wondered if they would reach me in time. Did you enjoy the drive? Cousin Crocus: Come and see me about the photograph, or go to Mr Johnston, the photographer. To be an M.A.C. you must have 200 competition marks, to become an M.M.S., you must earn 750 Sharpener marks in one year.