THE ‘GRAPHI’ COUSINSCOT FUND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XIV, 2 April 1898, Page 431

THE ‘GRAPHI ’ COUSINSCOT FUND.

This fund is for the purpose of maintain ing a poor, sick child in the Auckland Hospital, and is contributed to by the ; Graphic ’ cousins—readers of the children’s page. The cot has been already bought by their kind collection of money, and now £25 a year is needed to pay for the nursing, food and medical attendance of the child in it. Any contributions will be gladly received by Cousin Kate, care of the Lady Editor, ‘ New Zealand Graphic,' Shortland street, or collecting card 3 will be sent on application.

Dear Cousin Kate.—lt is a long time since I last wrote to you, but please excuse me as I have been away spending my Christmas holidays. I went to Lake Takapuna to stay with some friends for a

month, and enjoyed myself very much. We lived on Hurstmere Beach, in the mast comical house you ever saw. When it rained the rain came in, and the bees built their nesls in the walls. There were a lot of girls (my friends, I mean) and we used to have such fun. We went blackberrying some days, and picnics others. One day we went and got a lot of crabs. I also went to Avondale to stay with my cousins, and spent a nice time there. I got a nice lot of presents at Christmas, dolls and other things, and a nice tea set which I liked very much, bnt one night my sister’s pussy cat jumped up on the small table which they were on and npset the table, smashing all the dishes. It made me feel quite sick when mother told me, but mother has bought me another set to make up for the loss. I was very sorry I could not come to the cousins’ picnic, but I was not at home at the time. I sent you my brother’s and my photo to put in the “Graphic.” Hoping you are well and that you enjoyed your holidays as well as I did mine.—l remain, your loving Cousin Ella. [Many thanks, dear Consin Ella, for the Photograph of yourself and your brother. will put it in the ‘ Graphic,’ and will return the photo as your mother wishes. You seem to have had great fun in your holidays. I did not get any this year, but hope to have some later on. What a pity about that pretty tea-set, and how lucky’ for you to have a mother who could replace it. What did your brother do in his holidays ?—Cousin Kate. ]

Dear Cousin Kate. — It is a long time since I answered your letter, but now I am going to begin. I was away for a month during the holiday’s. I did not go out while I was there, except to the Ruakaka races, where I enjoyed myself very nicely. I did not see your last letter to me. The ‘ Graphic ’ came while I was away, aud the paper was given away. We had a show not far from here at Manngakaramea. We all went np to it. My brother got seven prizes and I got two. There was an excursion from here to

Erqnarts Bay on Thursday, but there was so much w ind and so few |>eople eame on account of the rain that they went to Parua Bay instead. Tin.* steamer was rolling ana the waves sometimes came over the boat. Some of the people were seasick ; we didn't enjoy ourselves very much because it came on to rain soon after we landed. I.ast Sunday one of our horses got in the creek. They managed to get her out about midnight, out she is still very stiff in the legs. I have got a young rooster to nurse now. It got its leg hurt by a horse, and they wanted it to be killed, but I got them to leave it alone, and I am looking after it, it is nearly better now and can walk altout. It is about three weeks now since it happened. This rain we are having will do the vegetables, Howers, and the grass good and make them green and fresh again. I must stop now, hoping that Cousin Atla and the other cousins are well, not forgetting yourself.—Cousin Dora. P.S.—How is Cousin Ada at present, if I may ask t [Please write on one side of the paper only, dear Cousin Dora. lam glad yon were so kind to the [>oor injured fowl. I hope the horse that got in the creek will soon lie well again. You seem to have been quite a traveller lately. Cousin Ada is going on w ell, and all the cousins 1 have seen lately looked the picture of health. Vegetables seem rather scarce ; have you many?—Cousin Kate.] Dear Cousin Kate. — I hope this letter will lie more interesting than any former ones, as it is about ‘ Confirmation ’ I am going to tell you. On Tuesday night, 15th inst., at St. Mary’s Church, about 120 were confirmed by the Primate of New Zealand —B5 girls and 35 boys. Some of the girls wore veils and some caps; all of them looked very prettyr. At a quarter to seven we all assembled in the schoolhouse op|>osite the church and prepared ourselves to take our places, and I am pleased to say my sister and I took the lead. We marched across the road and through the main entrance, down the aisle to the front pews, which were reserved for us, then sang a hymn, after which Bishop Cowie preached a most interesting sermon and proceeded to confirm us. We all marched up eight at a time and knelt at the altar rail, and he placed his hands on our heads and prayed, and so on till all w’ere finished. Then after the service we all filed ont of church and thence to our respective homes. On Sunday we all attended Holy Communion for the first time. I do not own a bike, that was only a hired one. I think I prefer the horse to the bike. lam sorry I cannot send you our photos, but hope to do so soon. Hoping you, all the consins, and Cousin Ada are quite well as we are now.—l remain, your affectionate Cousin Maud. [You had a large numlier at your confirmation ; I hope they all realise what a very solemn thing it is to undertake for themselves all that their godfathers and godmothers promised for them. What a good girl you will have to be now ! Being ‘ good ’ does not mean not being bright and merry and happy, but it means always remembering • Thou, God, seest me.’ to turn to other things. I shall be glad of your photographs ; and I hope other consins will also semi me theirs. Very many people now seem to prefer a horse. Have you one, or a pony ?—Cousin Kate ]