CHILDREN S CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue XV, 13 October 1894, Page 359

CHILDREN S CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN.

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

All purely correspondence letters with envelope ends turned in are carried through the Post office as follows :—Not exceeding sd; not exceeding <\oz, Id ; for every additional 2oz or fractional part thereof, \d. It is well for correspondence to be marked ‘ Commercial papers only.’

I HAVE received the following rules from Cousin Lou, and am very much obliged to her for her kindness in drawing them up. The first point is the name. I think I prefer ‘ The Graphic Cousins’ Humane Society,' but would be glad to hear what some of my cousins think of the tw.. titles. As to Ride ii, though I agree with it, lam afraid I shall only have to receive the report. Ido not see how I can act on it, as the cousins are so scattered. Rule f. I think 1 would leave it open how often the members write to me. Ido not want to make a pleasant task at all compulsory, though lam always glad to hear from them. Suppose we leave out Rule 4. Rule sis thoroughly good. Will all who wish to join let me know as soon as possible. If I have a sufficient number, I will have a little badge printed on ribbon, and each member can have one by sending sixpence and the proper postal address. Beyond this, there will be no expense. I have the following names already : —Cousin Muriel Thompson, Auckland ; Cousin Lavinia, Auckland; Cousin Lily, Tuapau; T.A.C., Patea; Cousin Ruby, Auckland; Cousin Winnie, Ashley Clinton; Cousin Rose, Auckland ; Cousin Charlie, Newton ; Cousin Ella S. F. Gill; Cousin Lou, Cousin Stanley, Cousin Stella, Kawakawa; Cousin Maude Gully, Nelson; Cousin Sylvia Rose, Auckland. ‘GRAPHIC’ HUMANE FRATERNITY. PROPOSED RULES. 1. Those cousins who wish to be members must send in their real names or noms de plume to Cousin Kate. 2. Cases of cruelty considered worthy of notice must be reported to the Head Centre (Cousin Kate). 3. Members join by promising upon their honour to set an example to others in being kind and protective to all dumb animals. 4. Cousin Kate must be communicated with at least once a month by the supporters, who should report any cases of cruelty which have come under their notice. Should there be none to mention a short note should be written to that effect to Cousin Kate. 5. Members must endeavour to influence others in this cause, and to prevent any cruelty to dumb animals when it is in their power so to do.

Dear Cousin Kate.—l gladly complied with your request re our Society rules, and am sending five suggestions to be improved upon if necessary. I have never seen any rules for similar associations, so had to work upon my own ideas. If the suggestions are not what you could wish for, you will know I have not had any experience, which, according to the ‘ plain-spoken ’ old adage, • teaches fools.’ I was so pleased to get such a nice long answer from you in the Graphic, although I had to wait so long for it. The news agent tells me the Graphics have not arrived this week—he does not know why—and my sister and brother were so disappointed, as they expected to see their letters printed in them. I suppose the papers will come next week. Yes, please, I should like the recipe for banana buns. I know the fruit is delicious, so perhaps the buns will be the same. The rink is *on ’ to-night, but the rain has debarred us from going as usual. Papa is teaching my cousin to play whist, so I must hurry as I want to learn the game. I like the game of * hearts ’ very much, and once papa taught me enchre, but I have forgotten it. Our cat, which Stella calls Judas, has two little black kittens ; at least, one has white toes, which look so pretty. Their eyes are not open yet, but I suppose they will be in a few days. I wonder what is the origin of the assertion that cats have nine lives ’ Have you ever made cocoauut icing ? It is simply delicious, so I often make it. I will send you the recipe if you would like to have it. I saw by the newspapers that snow fell in Auckland some weeks ago. How strange ! I have not seen any since we left the South Island. The gardens and orchards are looking so pretty about here, as the trees have all burst into leaf, and fruit trees are blossoming beautifully. The other afternoon—Monday—papa and I determined to get across Oropa Road (which had been submerged in water on Saturday). We got a little way out and then met a great stream of water which ran across the road. So we had to get through a fence and jump from mound to mound of dry grass in a paddock. It was such fun, as each mound was a little island. I got my feet wet, but that was of no consequence. All the little streams of Oropa Road were higher than usual, although the floods

here rise and fall very rapidly, and it was grand jumping over them. I was pretty tired when I reached home again, but it served me right. Don’t you think so ? I see a number of the newspapers are offering prizes for stories and essays, etc., and I wish the cousins could have a similar competition. I once got a nice prize for writing the best essay on the ‘ Life of Christ,’ but that was for a Sunday school competition. As there is nothing else to stretch out into small talk, dear cousin, I will, with love, say good-bye for the present.—From Cousin Lou. [I hope you saw my thanks in last week’s paper, Lou. I now repeat them for all the trouble you have taken on behalf of the new society. Do you like my suggestions ’ I fancy they make the plan more workable, which is the great thing, you know. lam arranging for a competition, and hope to announce particulars next week. If your recipe for cocoanut icing differs from the one in this week’s Graphic please let me have it, as I have not tried this one, which was sent to me. Yes, we had snow : it was so surprising that many people did not realise or recognise it. —Cousin Kate] Dear Cousin Kate.—Having finished my home lessons, I thought I would sit down and write to you again. The map I told you I was going to draw won the prize, which was a pretty silver pen and pencil together. I would like to join the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. My brother caught a cuttie fish the other day, and a very ugly looking thing it was. Just lately we have been having some fine weather, and I think we will soon have summer. lam sorry I cannot give Cousin Lou a recipe for toffee, because my sister often makes it, but she does not follow any recipe. I am making a scrap book for Doctor Barnardo’s Home. lam making it with white calico, and sewing it in the cover of a scrap book so that it will be strong for the nursery. My brother went to a social and Christmas tree last evening, but I had a cough and could not go. But now, dear Cousin Kate, I must say good night as my sister wants me to help her dress a doll which is for the Christmas tree we are going to have. —Your loving cousin, Maude Gully. Nelson.

[l am glad to hear you won your prize. I hope you have received the scraps I sent towards the book for the Home. I am always so sorry for those poor little children in London. It is about time we did have fine weather. —Cousin Kate. ]

Dear Cousin Kate.—As this is the first time I have written to you I hope you will accept me as a cousin. I am very fond of reading the Graphic, especially the Youths’ page. My cousin Mary has told me that she is going to ask in her letter to you to be accepted as a cousin also. lam sending some puzzles for the cousins to guess, and also the answers to some of cousin E. W. and Emily’s first puzzle. I will not write any more just now, as lam afraid my letter will become too long.—Your loving cousin, Lena. Nelson-street.

[I am pleased to receive you as a cousin. Mary’s letter has not turned up yet. Please write your answers to your puzzles on a separate piece of paper, not on the other side of the question. Write again when you feel inclined.— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l have not written to you before, and I would like very much to become one of the cousins. We take the Graphic every week, and I have seen some letters from little girls that I know. lam eleven years old, and go to school in Parnell. I learn music, and have just begun French. I have nine dolls, a cradle, perambulator, a dolls' house, and also some silkworms. I saw that one of the cousins wished for a recipe for cocoanut ice, so 1 will send her one. Hoping you are well, and will print this letter,—l remain, your loving cousin, Jennie F. Cocoanut Ice.—3oz of desiccated cocoanut, .) a cup of water, 2 breakfast cups of sugar, boil fast for eight minutes stirring all the time. [I am glad to take such a nice, clear writer for a cousin. Thank you for recipe. Do you not put butter in yours’ I am quite well again, thank you, Jennie. Have you names for the nine dolls’ It is rather a large family.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l should like very much to join the Society for Kindness to Dumb Animals. I think I told you before how many cats I have got, and I know two nice dogs. They are very good ; they go home when yon tell them to. lam eight years old. lam sending the answers to Cousin Nina's first and second puzzles. I like reading very much. Mother thinks 1 read too much. Fergus and I like going to look at the seeds, which are all coming up. Iris is nearly four years old. She is my little sister. We have been gardening, planting maize, and sunflowers all this morning to make a hedge round our garden. Our verandah will be lovely this summer with roses and clematis climbing over it. Fergus and I have swing bars on the verandah, and a hammock. I hope my letter is not too long. Please put my letter in the Graphic.—Sylvia Rose.

[Your letter is not at all too long. I have put von on my list for the Kindness to Dumb Animals Society. How pretty your garden will be. Will you save me some sunflower seeds in the autumn if yours do well. I can exchange some nasturtium seeds or forget-me-not roots if you like.—CousinKate. ]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l send you, as you requested, a recipe for cocoanut ice. I hope it will be what your consin wanted.—A.R. [Many thanks.—Cousin Kate ] Cocoanut Ice.—Grate a good sized cocoanut, bat save the milk. Place in a pan lib sugar, .] a large cup cocoanut (or cow's) milk, and a piece of butter the size of an egg. Boil until the sugar is melted, | hour to 20 minutes ; add the grated nut. Let this boil a few minutes briskly till it thickens and leaves side of pan. Lift off fire and beat with a wooden spoon until cool. Pour into a buttered pan and serve. This can Ire flavoured with vanilla and coloured pink with cochineal. Dear Cousin Kate.—l have never written to you before. I hope you will accept me as a cousin. I have one brother and one sister. lam eight years old. We all have the whooping-cough. We have a cat called Daniel and a puppy called Lassie. She is such a funny little thing. My brother has a canary. He is such a pretty little bird. My sister is learning the violin and the piano. I learn the piano, too. I would like to join your Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Dumb Animals. I am going to send you a puzzle. We have ten little ducks. One of them is black, three white, and six black and white. Hoping to see my letter in the Graphic—l remain you loving cousin, Frank. Parnell. [Yes. lam glad to have you also as a cousin. You seem well off for pets, Frank. I always like the real name, though as you see, Ido not publish it. Which do you like best, violin or piano ? I hope your whooping-cough will soon be well.—Cousin Kate.]