COUSIN KATE’S SECOND PAINTING COMPETITION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue VI, 5 August 1899, Page 222

COUSIN KATE’S SECOND PAINTING COMPETITION.

THE PRIZE WINNERS.

Do you know I am afraid a good many of the Cousins are rather lazy, i did' not get nearly as many paintings sent in for the competition just closed as I should have liked. Of course a good number were sensible enough to try. but then I was disappointed that every single Cousin did not compete. THE PRIZES have been awarded to First: 5/ Prize. MISS DORA M. KNAPP, Makakai, Tikokino. Second: 2/6 Prize. MISS BELLE ALLEN, Care of Mrs Marsden. 280, Gloucester-street, Christchurch.

To each of these postal notes have Iteen sent. I shall soon often another competition. for which I hope all of you will l»e sure to enter. ® ® ®

Dear Cousin Kate, —I received my badge two or three weeks ago, and must now thank you very much for it. 1 have been going to write to you ever since I received my badge, but I have put it off until I got my collecting card full, which I now have much pleasure in sending to you. I have felt so sorry for the poor little boy in the cot lately, and am intending to semi in a little frock for the prize competition. Have you seen the • Queen’s Statue” in the park yet? I

think it looks very nice. W’hen we went to see it we went all through the park, and saw the statue, then we went down to the Museum, ana tad a nice look all through it. How nice it must be for the children now that they are in the new hospital. It is a tine building, is it not? I have got such a pretty canary, and it sings so sweetly. I must now say good bye. hoping to write soon again, with best love, from Vera.

[I wrote you a short note to your private address to tell you I had received the money for the cot quite safely. I am ever so grateful to you, for really we require subscriptions very badly, as the case will be a very long one. I have seen the statue and think Auckland may well be proud of it. Have you any name for your canary or do do you just call him “Dick”?—-Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I have not written to you for some time, but I have been expecting my collecting caret. Please do not forget to send it this time. Our examination took place near the end of last month, through which I passed into the sixth standard. We have had very cold weather here, and we hoped it would snow. For t.wo or three mornings there was thick ice upon the water, the under part of which had beautiful little ice fern leaves upon it. One morning the lilies all hung down as if they were dead, and on Sunday night a neighbour’s dog came in and scratched up all the young pansy plants, most of which, however, my sister found again next morning, and as /she planted them directly, they were not much hurt, for they are growing nicely now. I have nothing more to tell you at present, so I will close with love to you and all the Cousins.—l remain, your loving Cousin, Lilly. [Dear Cousin Lilly,—Will you please send me on a post card your full name and address, and I will send the card by return of post. It has been bitterly cold in Auckland too, but one must expect that now. I can sympathise with your trouble about the dog and the garden; they are terribly mischievous. Let me hear from you again before long.—Cousin Kate.]

My Dear Cousin Kate, —I am boarding at the Wanganui College now. Have you ever been to Wanganui? If not, perhaps a short description of it would interest you —just from a school girl's point of view. From an artistic point of view, I think Wanganui a charming town, nestled in a valley, interspersed with trees and ornamental shrubs, verandahs and garden nooks, the verandahs with passionfruit and other creepers growing up their supports. The creepers look beautiful in summer, although perhaps in the autumn, when green leaves are turned to red and brown, they look better still. The hills, too. surrounding the town, in varied shapes, and in parts clothed with clumps of trees, dotted here and there with houses, anti green pastures, add to the picture. And then there is also the deep flowing river, with so much hidden away in its silent bosom, stealing along to the ocean, to confide its secrets to her alone. I think the river adds much to the charm of Wanganui. Have you ever been up the river? I have. In the reaches, protected by great cliffs, with not a breath to disturb the surface, you see the cliff ami bush and fern reflected as in a jM’rfect mirror—so very beautiful. Next, I might mention the racecourse, with its pretty lake, said to be in imitation of Lake Te Anau. Across the lake is a bridge, and on one side a pavilion, built on punga tree trunks. Then the two Colleges must be brought into notice. There is not much to choose between them; the boys' is larger than the girls’, but the

girls’ is more regular in its architecture and has well-kept grounds. From different points of the surrounding hills there are views of Mt. Ruapehu—-snow-clad—lo,ooo feet high. ’Buses, coaches and trains connect Wanganui with Aramoho, on the main railway line. One of the most interesting sights, judging from the interest little girls and boys take in it, is the College girls taking their walk, and as I happen to make one in the pageant, that is something in the ladder of Fame — rather insignificant, still one must begin somewhere. Trusting you and all the cousins are enjoying the winter, I remain, yours affectionately, Cousin lima Cowern, Girls’ College, Wanganui. [ Dear Cousin lima, —I do hope so very much you will not be very cross at my having left out part of your letter. It is all so good I simply hated to do it. but you know that, like Mr Spenlow, in “David Copperfield” (have you read “David Copperfield?) I have a partner at the editorial table, and as I am the junior I must give way. I hope you will soon write again just to show you were not offended.—Cousin Kate.]