CHILDREN’S CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue II, 14 July 1894, Page 47

CHILDREN’S CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN.

Any boy or girl who likes to become a cousin can do so, and ivrite letters to ‘Cousin Kate, care of the Lady Editor, Graphic Office, Auckland.' Write on one side of the paper only.

Dear Cousin Kate.—l think the following are the correct answers to the puzzles that Madeline and Leila sent you :—Answer to Madeline’s, • Fifty cats.’ To Lelia’s, ‘Do unto others as you would be done by,’only I am not sure abont the end of it. It is pouring with rain this afternoon in Wellington. In fact, it is nearly always raining here. The H. M.S. Wallaroo is in port just now. On the anniversary day of the Queen’s Coronation she was just covered with bunting. She also fired a salute of twenty one guns at noon. I wonder if any of the cousins can guess the puzzle I enclose? Please excuse all mistakes. Hoping this letter is not too long and to see it in the Graphic.—Your affectionate cousin, Victoria. Wellington. P.S.—I forgot to tell you that I would like to become a cousin very much. I am thirteen years of age. I think cousin Alice’s idea is a good one. It would be nice if you could form a Puzzle Column in the Graphic.

[Yes, Victoria, I think a puzzle column would be very good, and all the cousins may contribute to it and keep it. up. I will put yours in to start with, so please will all the cousins’ write out their puzzles on a separate paper from their letters, and put on them, ‘Puzzle Column.’ The answers should also be on a separate scrap of paper. Put on them, ‘Answers to Puzzle Column.’ Your name sounds very regal. I hope you live up to it.—Cousin Kate ]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l live at Palmerston North, Manawatu district. My sister is a regular subscriber to the Graphic, so I thought I would write to you as I often read some nice letters in the Children’s Column. We have two dogs called Tweed and Bob, and my brother, who is very fond of hunting and shooting, always takes them with him. I have a twin brother, and he and I often go for a ride on our pony called Blackie. We live about a mile from the square on a terrace, and can command a lovely view. Goodbye, Cousin Kate, I will write to you another time.—Your ever loving cousin, Norman S. [I shall be glad to hear from you, Norman. Do you both ride the pony at once, or ride and tie ? —that is turn about, one walking, the other on the pony.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—lt is some time since we have written to you, so I am going to set an example, then Hilda perhaps will follow. I know that you are fond of pets, Cousin Kate, so I will tell you about a dog we once had. He was named Laddie, and was prettily marked tan and black. He had a very pointed face, but was said to be a sheep dog. It appears, however, that one day he turned a pig dog, for he stuck a pig up and barked at it all one day and night. The next morning my brother went after Laddie and had to carry him home, for he was so exhausted with barking he could not walk. Hilda has been for a holiday to the Wairarapa, but boys are generally found to be bandy at home, especially holiday time. I will now close with love.—From Twin Gerald. Island Bay, Wellington.

[1 have put your riddle in the puzzle column. Thank you for it. Yes, I am fond of animals. Will you join our Kindness to Animals Society ?—Cousin Kate ]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l have never written before, and we have been getting the Graphic these last two years, and we all like it very well. I have four brothers and three sisters. lam ten years old and in the Third Standard. We have three cats and one dog. Kaukapakapa is a very pretty settlement; it has four stores, two hotels, two churches and a large public hall. Please put this in the Graphic. I always read the cousins’ letters and would like to become one of them.—Annie, Kaukapakapa.

[You should have sent me a pronouncing dictionary with the name of the place where you live, Annie ; what do you call it for short?—Moo cow, I should think. It is certainly quite time you wrote after being so long a patient reader of our paper. lam glad to accept you for a cousin.—Cousin Kate ]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l have made this story quite myself, and I would like you to print it for me, please. Mother thinks you would rather have a true story, but I like this one because I made it all myself. I am just nine years old.—Fergus.

P.S.—I am writing the story of ‘Te Kooti.’ [I have not time to read your story this morning, Fergus, as I am hurrying to vet all the children’s letters in this week, but I will read it and put it in next week, so look out for

it. Your writing is good for nine years old.—Cousin Kate.] Dear Cousin Kate —This being the first time I have written to you, Ido not know what to write about. Hut I will tell you about a little dog I have got. His name is King. He is a black and white pup, and he is such a jolly little thing. He jumps about and catches hold of my dress when I play with him. I hope lam not too old to be a cousin of yours. I will be thirteen years old next birthday. Please put this letter in the Graphic, as I get the Graphic every week.—Your sincere cousin, Constance Bell,. Hamilton East. P.S.—Will write again. [I shall be very pleased to hear from you again, Constance. No, you are not at all too old to be a cousin, and we are glad to welcome you into our cosy band.—Cousin Kate.] To • Muriel ’ : —Am considering your story, * Ruth’s Choice.’ Another time put your letter in a separate envelope, unless intended for publication, as your MSS and letter were charged to us at letter rates.—Cousin Kate.