CHILDREN’S CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue IX, 2 March 1895, Page 215

CHILDREN’S CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN.

Any boy or girl who likes to become a cousin can do so, and write Utters 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 etuis turned in are carried through the Post office as follows :—Not exceeding ioz, id; not exceeding 4oz, Id; for every additional ioz or fractional part thereof, id. It is well for correspondence to be marked ‘ Commercial papers only.'

Dear Cousin Kate—l am so glad yon thought my last letter interesting; but this one will be very prosaic as there is absolutely nothing worth writing about. Local news would not have much attraction for yon, for I know gossip is very tiresome. It was very kind of yon to say that if space were obtainable yon wonld allow me to monopolise a half column weekly, but really, sometimes I am too dilatory to do anything bnt 101 l aimlessly about reading or something. The long-titled book yon mentioned has not yet appeared in print, and if I am any judge, there is not much chance of its doing so. My energy and abilities would have to receive a considerable impetus before accomplishing that. My father took me for a ride np the Kopurn last Sunday afternoon. The Maoris have made great strides towards the cultivation of their land ont that way, for wherever there is a whare one sees great fields of tall green waving corn and clean well-kept rows of potatoes. Yesterday evening also we went for a ride, and, as on Sunday, the rain came down, wetting ns through, and somewhat damping my ardour. We were intending to drive to Ohaeawai to- morrow, bnt as it is ponring rain to-day I am afraid that pleasure will have to be postponed. Perhaps yon have not heard that the Bank of New Zealand agencies are to beclosedhere and at Russell soon ? lam sure the tradespeople will find this arrangement most inconvenient. I have lately finished reading * The Miner’s Right’ and ‘The Heavenly Twins,’ and have just begun ‘The Golden Bnttertly.’ What a peculiar book the one I mentioned second is ! My little four-year-old brother, Gordon, said to me just now, ‘Tell Cousin Kate I’ll give her five kisses and nine loves if she likes,’ and he wouldn’t be satisfied nntil I had promised to tell yon. lam sorry this is' snch a short letter, bnt, as I said before, there is nothing to write about, so I must close now, with love from—Cousin Lou.

[Please repay dear little Gordon his kisses and love with interest from Cousin Kate. I am going to scold you, Cousin Lon. You knew I would when yon confessed your inertness. Do something with your life. Don’t waste your abilities reading trashy novels ! If you have finished school (?) set yourself certain tasks every day. Paint or practise, study German or French, or if you fancy none of these, learn telegraphy or type-writing, or wood carving. I am going to read up the subject of work for girls from a book just lent me, and I will give the cousins the benefit of any hints I may get. Remember for all your time and talents you must one day give an account. Forgive my lecture, but profit by it. — Cousin Kate ] Dear Cousin Kate. —I have been trying to compose a piece of poetry, and perhaps some of the cousins would like to read it, if you agree with it. I am very fond of poetry, and would like to see some pieces written by others. Now I will try and wiite it for you : OUR COUSINS. Our cousins should all be brave, Whether at home or abroad. Always trying to save Some knowledge along the road. Our cousins should try and share Part of their earthly pleasures With those who would not dare To spend their pence in treasures. Our cousins should all be bright. Kind, happy, and gay. When blest with strength and sight To see these summer days. Our cousins should work with love. Whatever their work may be. For there is One above Who watches over thee. Then if our cousins will keep This motto in their mind. That through their lives, they all will seek To learn, love, and be kind. For every worker has rules. In this our little band. So may our hands be tools, And oy our motto stand. E. A. W. Thank you for your poetry. I have put it in, but 1 don’t

really care much for poetical effusions. The sentiment in yours is better than the poetry, or in other words (which you, being a poet, will understand), the spirit seems occasionally to be nnable to find language in which adequately to incorporate itself. The rhymes are sometimes not quite on good terms with each other, and the feet of the song are not always free from a suspicious halt. Barring all this, the poem is good. For some reason best known to your post-office, we had to pay one penny fine, though your letter was properly addressed, the envelope turned in, a half-penny stamp, and ‘commercial paper’ marked on it. I wish you would ask at yonr end what they mean by it, for the letter was under 4oz.—Cousin Kate.]