THE 'GRAPHIC’ COUSINS’ COT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XII, 21 March 1896, Page 335

THE 'GRAPHIC’ COUSINS’ COT.

Mv Dear Cousins. —At last I have the great pleasure of giving you some definite news of the cot, for which some of vou have worked so well and so faithfully. I had better begin at the beginning, had I not ? Well, last Friday I went up to the Auckland Hospital and interviewed the Lady Superintendent. She was most kind and courteous, and said she was well pleased with the idea of the Cousins’ Cot. We went into the children’s ward, which is not at all what a ward for suffering little ones should be. It has the wrong aspect, to begin with, and is too small; so the children do not get nearly sufficient sun and air. However, this they hope to remedy. I measured the required size for the cot, five feet, and hope to get blankets and sheets also. One cousin is kindly making a quilt. All these shall be marked * Graphic Cousins’ Cot.’ I also saw the Medical Superintendent, who was as courteous and pleasant as the Lady Superintendent, and that is saying a good deal. They most kindly promised that the cousins should be able, on visiting days, to see the cot and its occupant. So wear your badges, or show them, and you will be easily admitted. I have written to cousin Muriel to ask her to meet me to-morrow at Mr Garlick’s furnishing establishment, when we can choose the cot. I only wish all who have and are collecting could also come. I will add a p.s. to this letter after our shopping expedition. It must be short, though, as we go to press earlier this week. Now, as regards the cousins who have not yet sent in their cards, do not hurry if you think you can get more. I have enough to pay for the cot and the first quarter, and there should be some over towards the second quarter. But I must tell you about expenses next week. We hope to publish then a photograph of Cousin Paerau’s pretty heading for the cot. It is also proposed to frame it, very simply, so that it shall not get soiled with dust. —Your affectionate Cousin Kate.

p.S.—I have just bought the cot with everything complete—blankets, sheets, and counterpane (a pretty white one). Cousin Muriel, whose acquaintance I have just had the pleasure of making, has helped me. Mr Garlick has most kindly made a most substantial reduction in the price, for which the cousins owe him a hearty vote of thanks. The cot altogether cost £3 18s, thanks to Mr Garlick’s liberality.—Cousin Kate.

Dear Cousin Kate. —Will you accept me as one of your cousins ? We get the Graphic from a shop in town, and I like the letters vary much. I am a boy, five foot four inches in height, age years, and in the Seventh Standard. I have a bicycle, also my sister Molly, who wears bloomers (do you approve of them ?). The boys do chaff her so. My special friend at school is Bill Smythe. He has a lot of relations in Auckland. I showed a begonia and a maiden-hair fern at the last show. My cousin Gwen is going to give a large boating party down the river to morrow. Bill and I are going, and we intend to have some fun with the girls. Like all other boys we are very found of the girls, and they are fond of us. Papa has a pretty chestnut horse called * Little Katie ’ after an acquaintance of his young days. Of course, mamma does not like this. I enjoyed reading that interesting story entitled, ‘ Two days’ ’Cycle ride through Cheshire.’ I ride my bike every day, and am going to ride through to Pictou at Easter and stay a few weeks. There are eight boys and two girls in our family. Their names are Molly, Edith, Jack, Archibald, George Augustus, Henry Besley, Vincent Wallis, Ralph Lumley, Mervin Throp, and Francis Alexander Gilbert. Jack goes to the Wellington College, Archie and Edith go to the Nelson College, and the rest of us go to the Borough school excepting (?), who has a governess. Do you like my brother’s names ? I must leave off now as I have my home-lessons to do. —Your would-be Cousin Geoffrey. Blenheim.

[I have much pleasure in adding so deliciously frank a correspondent to my list of cousins. Please send me your surname, and I will send you a collecting card for the Cot Fund—unless, indeed, I have already sent one to your family. I have not my book with me, so cannot tell. You are a large family. What a capital time all you boys must have ! Ido hope you are good to your mother and sisters. I know you are to the ‘ girls ’ generally. It’s weak of them, though, to let you know they appreciate you ! They ought not to betray their admiration of your pluck and courtesy, but describe you as a ‘ horrid tease,’ or something of that sort ! Would you not like to have the pleasure of ‘ paying me out ’ for that ! I know what boys are ! Didn’t I have to chase one all over the house last week for the candied peel when I was making some buns for the school feast ! And wasn’t my cat put in the bath for the ‘ benefit of her health,’ to her great discomfiture and mine. I hope some of the ‘girls’ will write and tell me what thev think of you, really. When you take that bicycle trip please also take notes, mental or pocket-book, and write us an account of your goings and doings.—Cousin Kate.]