IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL “GRAPHIC” COUSINS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XII, 16 September 1899, Page 510

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL “GRAPHIC” COUSINS.

A NEW COMPETITION. My Dear Cousins, — I want to talk to you — especially my girl cousins—very seriously about the new Comjietition which is now o|>en the Competition for the Rest Dressed Doll sent me. I want you to dress these dolls for the children in the Hospital and Orphan Homes, and the children of people so poor that they never get a Chrishtmas present. Now read over carefully the conditions and try and observe the rules strictly. THE PRIZES. First prize, half a sovereign. Second prize, five shillings. Four other prizes of half-a-crown each. CONDITIONS. The DOLLS WILL P.E PROVIDED free until further notice. Any cousin who wants to dress a doll has only to write to me or call at the "Graphic” Office; but. AND THIS IS IMPORTANT, they must bring or send with their own letter one from either their parents or guardians or teacher stating that they will see that the doll is returned in good order directly it is finished. Remember, the dolls are for other children's presents and not for you to play with. You may dress the doll in any way you like, as a boy or girl, or baby, or sailor, or soldier—any way you like whatever —but you must make the clothes yourself, though you may-

have them cut out for you. They must all "put on and take off.” The Competition will remain open until further notice. The dolls are now ready and may be obtained by any cousin sending in a request as 1 have explained. I do hope, dear cousins, you will enter into this competition with spirit. For very little trouble you can in this way give a vast amount of pleasure to others. And that is always well worth doing, is it not? COUSIN KATE. COLLECTING CARDS RECEIVED. I have to acknowledge with many thanks having received from Cousin Alliert Binsted his collecting card and a sum of six shillings.

Dear Cousin Kate. —I see by the "Graphic” that you are announcing a new competition, one for t“he bestdressed doll. 1 would like to try for the prize, and so I am going to ask you

"would you mind sending me a doll please, by next mail?" 1 would like to get it soon, so that I might start immediately. Even if I do not win the prize, it will be a pleasure for me to know that 1 have done something towards making someone else happy. I feel so sorry for the little boy in the cot. Poor little fellow! It must be very hard for him to have to stay in bed all the time, and not be able to run about and play like other little boys and girls. I would like to try and do. something towards helping him to get better, so if you would send me a collecting card I would try and collect something. At the same time, please. Cousin Kate, along with the doll and collecting card I would like you to send me a badge. With love to all the cousins. T remain, your loving cousin Adelaide. Whangarei. [Dear Cousin Adelaide.-—I have sent you a doll, and hope it arrived safely. T will also send yon a collecting card, and shall be most grateful if you will help to collect for the cot. I am sure you will be happy in your desire to make others happy. Hoping to hear from yon again soon, your affectionate Cousin Kate.l

Dear Cousin Kate.—l am writing now. as I have mv holidavs. We

"broke up" on Friday morning. 1 came third in my class: there are twelve pupils in the class. On Wednesday evening I went to hear Herr Friedenthal play. He plays most beautifully. I have never heard such pianoforte playing before. I will send you the programme of the pieces that he played on Wednesday evening. My sister went for a walk, and she brought home some lovely gorse: it is in full bloom, and is such a pret ty sight. I was going to see the football match that was played on Friday afternoon, but it was raining very hard. The Wanganui College boys played against the Wellington College boys, the result being that the Wanganui boys won the game. The scores were 33 points to nil. The florists' shop windows are looking very gay with the spring flowers. I hone the little boy's eyes are better. T must say good-bye. with love from Cousin Pboelie. Wellington.

[Dear Cousin Phoebe, —So many thanks for your nice long letter. I agree with you about Herr Frieden thal. He is a wonderful player. I heard exactly the same programme in Auckland, so can understand how you must have enjoyed it. I am afraid your Wellington boys got a dreadful luxiting by Wanganui. Thirty-three points to nil is awful, is it not? However. better luck next time, eh?— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l hope you are quite well and are having as lovely weather as we are at present. Nearly everybody round here has the measles or bad colds. I have just had the former, and I didn’t enjoy them at all. I am sending you some flowers, which I hope you will receive safely. My sister and I made up the bunches and father packed them. I was going to send them last week but I was sick and couldn’t. Our garden looks lovely now the spring flowers are out. The exam, is next month, and then my sisters will have a week's holidays. 1 think I like spring better than any other season of the year because of the lovely flowers that are out just now. The fruit trees are in blossom now and they make the orchard look like fairyland. I had some ferns given to me a little while ago. and one of them is growing grand. I don't think I have any more news so I will say good-bye. with love to yourself and all the cousins from Cousin Lilian. Cambridge West. [Dear Cousin Lilian. —Your beautiful flowers and interesting letter have just arrived, and I was afraid I should not be able to get the letter in this week or to thank you properly. As it is. the printer says I must be very quick and take up very little time as the ]>aper is all ready to go to press. I will write to you again next week. I gave some of your violets to several of my friends in the office here, and they were all so pleased. Those I have kept scent the whole room. Again thanking you, I will say goodbye.—Your affectionate Cousin Kate.]