COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue II, 11 January 1902, Page 94

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —It is very cold to-day, and as I was unable to go out I thought I would write to you. We are now having our Christmas holidays of six weeks. So far we have had pleasant days, as to-day it is the coldest of all. Yesterday we all went in for a bathe, and it was very good. The river is about a quarter of a mile away from the house. Dear Cousin Kate, were my competitions right? And if they were I wonder if I will get a prize? I would very much like to get one. Dada took our little pup out with him while he went away after cattle, but not taking much notice of him, the pup strayed away and got lost. I have very little news to tell you this week, and hoping to get a prize for the competitions, I remain, your loving cousin, Bertha.

[Dear Cousin Bertha, —You will see that the answers you sent in are right but that yours was not the first correct answer taken from the box. Better luck may be yours next time, so mind you try again. Poor little puppy! I wonder if he found anything to eat after he was lost, or was found by anyone else. It is dreadfully cold weather for the holidays, is it not?—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I have often thought of becoming a cousin and entering for the competitions, but this is my beginning. I have done all the puzzles, but I do not know if I have to put the name of each flower and then the one they form. Our holidays begin on Thursday, but I am going away, as I have only come back a short time ago from Wellington. I stayed in the country and enjoyed it very much. This wind is dreadful for the fruit, and has blown off most of our Christmas plums, but we hope to have a few left. I have a garden of my own, and have set a few different plants which I brought from Wellington. I got some carnations which are coming out. A good many girls from our school went up for the Bishop’s Prize Examination, but the results will not be heard until January, which is a long time to wait. I must stop now. —I remain, your loving cousin Alison.

[Dear Cousin Alison, —Please send me your full name next time you write, so that I may enter it on the list. Also send me an addressed envelope for n badge. The wind has been bad here too. an d has ruined much fruit. Were your flowers much knocked about by it? Write regularly, and try and win the prize 'or this.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate. —May I become one of your cousins? We take the “Graphic,” and like reading the letters and stories on the children's page. I am going to tell you about our school picnic that was held at the Kakanui Beach. The school broke up at nine a.m. and then the people proceeded to occupy the vacant seats in the waggons that were drawn by a traction engine. At 111 o’clock a.m. everything was ready, and we started. Although the morning had been rather gloomy, there were signs of fine weather, and by

the time we reached our destination the weather was so fine that anybody would have thought that there had been no rain. The refreshments were provided by the committee. Every child received a prize. I must conclude with love from Cousin Aileen.

Dear Cousin Aileen, —You are indeed very warmly welcome to our band of cousins. T am extremely pleased to have some more from your district. You were very lucky with your picnic. The weather for Christmas was dreadful in Auckland, so bleak and cold and rainy. Mind you write regularly.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—May I become one of your cousins? We take in the “Graphic” now. and I thought I would write to you. T would be very pleased if yon would send me a badge. We broke up on Friday, 20th of December. We had a picnic down at Kakanui Beach. We ran races and I got a box of paints. We went in trucks, drawn by a traction engine. There were four trucks. The committee supplied refreshments. I was very tired after the picnic. I must conclude now, with love.— Cousin Kathleen.

[Dear Cousin Kathleen, — I have posted badgesto your sister and yourself. and hope you will like them: they will reach you before yon see this in print. I want you to write as often as you can. I shall give a prize to the cousin who sends the best and most regular letters for tTie quarter.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I am writing to you to tell you that I am sending my doll to-morrow (Monday). I did not get a prize for dressing it at school, so I don’t suppose T have got any chance in this competition. Cousin Kate. I am very sorry, but one of its legs came off on Thursday morning. My brother and myself fixed it. and I don't think it will come off again. If is loose, but I think it is safe. Don’t look at the stockings. It did not have any on, so I thought I would make it a pair. We broke up on Friday night, and I got a prize for! second English and first arithmetic. It was a lovely book, called “The King’s Story Book.” Have you ever read it? It is a boy’s book. Are you going away for Christmas? We are all going to Otaki next week. I am quite excited, because we have seven or eight weeks’ holidays. Did you get my photo in the last letter. I thought I puf it in, but I found one on the table after I had posted the letter, and so, of course. T thought it was another that I had not put away. It is very windy. This morning it rained about eight, and cleared np soon after, and the result is that it is very windy. I must stop now as I am going down the wharf with my sisters. Wishing you and the cousins a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I am. Cousin Ina, Wellington.

[Dear Cousin Ina, —As you will see, your letter was just too late for last week’s paper. It was rather miserable here on Xmas Day and Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve was one of the coldest days in the year. I have not read that book. Your doll was very nice indeed. We fixed up its leg quite strongly.—Yours affectionately, Cousin Kate.]