THE ‘GRAPHIC’ COUSINS' COT FUND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XXIII, 4 June 1898, Page 719

THE ‘GRAPHIC’ COUSINS' COT 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 i will be sent on application.

Dear Cousin Kate, —I feel quite ashamed of myself for not having •written to you for such a long time. It was my birthday on Saturday, and I am twelve years old now. My father gave me a violin. We have a library at our school. To form it each child was asked to bring a book. We have a trial examination every Friday, and the scholar who gets the most marks goes to the top of the class. We are having very cold weather and rain just now. Do you keep fowls? We have a good many and I have to look after them. I think they are such nice little things when they are chicks. My father has a camera and he sometimes takes my photo. I learn music from the Sisters of the Convent School. I don’t see so many letters in the ‘Graphic’ now. Have you ever been to Waipawa? It is not a nice place at all. Can you ride a bicycle? There was a young ladystaying at our place who had one. I was going to learn but she had to go home before I had half done so. I cannot think of anything more to say to you so will close with love to yourself and all the cousins.—Your loving cousin, EtheL

[Your nice, interesting letter gave me much pleasure, dear Cousin Ethel. I cannot think why the cousins do not write. I suppose they are all too busy. Please send me your photograph for the ‘Graphic.’ It is very nice to have a father who can take photographs. Yes, I keep fowls, and they will get out into the garden, though there is a good wire netting round, and I cut their wings. What kind are yours? Mine are, at present, a mixture. If I could get some brown Leghorns I would only keep them. 1 have not been to Waipawa. I do not ride a bicycle, but I hope to get a pair of road skates when they- are perfected. Many happy returns of your birthday. I suppose you can play the violin nieely. Our dog hates music, and sits anti howls dismally whenever he hears any. He listens for the piano, though his kennel is a long way from the drawing-room.— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —My last letter to you was about our Confirmation and I thank you for your kind words. 1 shall not forget them. I am taking a holiday at present and enjoying it immensely. Do you rememlter the letter I wrote to you and told you of that holiday trip I and my sisters had

on Christmas Day? Well, I am staying at one of the places we called at (Rahotu); it is a very small settlement, consisting of one hotel and about a dozen shops and cottages. I have been for several drives, but I went for one yesterday and drove as far as a nice little township, Opunake, and on the way we passed one big farm, a very wild place, of felled bush and burnt stumps of trees, etc. The roads are very good, because the mail eoach has to traverse them daily. I see lots of tourists passing here, and I have met some that I am acquainted with. I had an offer to drive up to New Plymouth in a buggy but I preferred to stay for at least a fortnight longer. I hope you and all the cousins are enjoying the best of health. We had a severe earthquake here last night and it is raining today after a fortnight of the loveliest weather imaginable. Au revoir. — Cousin Maud. [Many thanks for your nice letter, dear Cousin Maud. I am so glad you have had such a pleasant time. Do you sketch at all? because you must hav e a good opportunity for making some pretty little pictures where you are. I got two or three nice little sketches in water-colours when I was at Rotorua at Easter. One was of a Maori meeting-house, and an old Maori, after talking with the others, came up and drove me away. However. I stole back next day and finished my sketch. How many sisters have you? The rain has indeed come in earnest, though we had real Queen’s weather on the 24th. What sort of a day had you? Please send me your photograph for this page.Cousin Kate.]