COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue III, 19 July 1902, Page 183

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

My dear Cousin Kate, —Are we not having lovely weather here now? It quite makes up for all the rain we had previously. I was sb pleased to see my letter in the “Graphic” this week, and lam sorry I kept it so long before sending it in, but I was ill at the end of the week, and so forgot all about it, but “Better late than never,” is it not? Thank you so much for telling me about the child in the cot. I have often wished to know, but did not like to ask you before. Poor little girl! I do feel so sorry for her, to think that she is so young and helpless. How pleased she must have been when you sent her the doll. I was glad to see another long and interesting letter from Cousin Roie last week, and I hope we shall soon have some more news from her, but I don’t suppose she will find much time for letter writing next week. I read such a lovely book last week. It was “St. Beetha’s, or the Heiress of Arne,” by Emma Jane Worboise. When I was at school I remember reading apother delightful book by the same author, called “Sis•ie.” Have you read either of them, Cousin Kate? I haven’t much news this week, so will now conclude with love to yourself and all the cousins.— I remain, your fond cousin, Ethel Ada, Auckland.

[Dear Cousin Ethel Ada, —I remember reading “Sissie,” I think. Was it about a girl with a widowed father and a large number of rather unruly brothers and sisters to manage; and did it describe how well she did itW If so, I have a recollection of it. Miss Worboise writes nice stories, but rather of the milk and water, order occasionally, and some of her male characters are hopeless prigs. At least, I used to think so. It is long since I have read them. Perhaps her later ones are better in this respect. —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, — Weren’t you sorry to hear about the King’s illness? We were, and we only hope he will soon be better. Didn’t the news come suddenly? Oh, Cousin Kate, I have no news whatever to tell you this week, so I shall not be able to write a very long letter. Next week the school Rounders’ Clubs ("Bonsor" and “Dandy”) are going to have a match. I hope we win. lam captain

of the “Bonsors.” We were going to have It this week, but on account of the weather it had to be put off. When it is too wet for rounders, we play ping-pong instead. Did you know that Cousin Alyce was only beaten by two points for the handicap singles in the tournament? Wasn’t it splendid! Since last I wrote I have read both “Seaforth” and “Thrown Together.” I think they are awfully pretty, but I think I like “Seaforth” the better. At present I am reading “Wild Kitty,” by L. T. Meade. I think it is a little too impossible, because I could not imagine a girl like Kitty. I like everyday girls best, don't you, Cousin Kate? and dislike impossibilities. Have you read “Gladys,” or “Gwenyth: A Story of a Mistake,” by E. Everett-Green? It is a very pretty tale. Gwenyth Tester is going to stay with a Mrs Macintosh, bnt by a mistake she goes to Mrs Macintyre, where Gladys Leslie Is supposed to go as her companions but they very soon find out their mistake, and are the best of friends. The •nd ia very sad indeed, as Gwenyth dies, and as she is an orphan, and has no relations, she bequeaths her money to Gladys. Now, dear Cousin Kate, I must end this very uninteresting letter, hoping the cousins and yourself are quite well. With love, Cousin Dora.

[Dear Cousin Dora, —The news of the King is now so good that we ar* beginning again to talk of the Cora? nation. I hope the Bonsors won the game. “Seaforth” is certainly a very pretty book. “Thrown Together” describes a phase of child-life with which I was once also very familiar, but which would scarcely be comprehensible in the colony, where even rich parents do not leave their children to the care of servants, governesses and tutors, etc. lam sure the parents in the colony get more real enjoyment out of life seeing their children grow up for themselves, and unquestionably the children themselves are happier.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —My letters always seem to be too late, some way or other. I don’t think I write soon enough, but I will try to be in time for the future. I went for a ride on my pony on Monday to the Tonsonby tram stables. and I saw the men beginning to

build the new electric cars. It looks as if they would be very big when built. I am afraid the excursion that went to Fiji was rather disappointing to most of the excursionists, on account of the Coronation not coming off. T am afraid I have not very much news this week, so I must conclude with love. —I remain, Cousin Mary.

[Dear Cousin Mary,—l don’t know how it is your letters arrive late. This one is in time, anyhow. As you will have seen by the paper, the Fiji excursionists saw the fire-walking after all. The Union Company arranged it for them. There are photoa of the new cars in this week’s paper. —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —My holidays are over now. I depart for my home on Saturday. Yesterday I went for • trip to Arch Hill, and although the weather wasn’t very fine, I enjoyed the trip very much indeed. Is it not a good thing that the King is recovering from his illness? I think

it would be a very good idea for all the cousins to wear their badges. I went to the North Shore to-day, and I had a splendid time. I looked through a telescope, and I could see children skipping in the Parnell school playground, and some of the patients sitting on the hospital verandah. Can you play ping-pong, Cousin Kate? I played it to-day for the first time, and I like it very much. I must new close, dear Cousin Kate, with best love to yourself and all the cousins.— I remain, Cousin Maggie. [Dear Cousin Maggie,—You will see this latter is in this week, as it arrived too late for the last “Graphic.” Your letter this week was in time, and is also printed. I am glad you liked your trip to North Shore. I can never manage to see much through a telescope, as I can never manage to shut one eye while I keep the other open.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I only remembered I hadn’t written to you this week, in bed last night, so I am scribbling a little now. early in the morning, so that I shall not miss. The German band played outside our gate yesterday. It is grand. I like a band, whatever it is like, except the Salvation Army one, because it stays outside our gate on Sunday for hours, and the row is rather distracting. School is going on just the same as ever. I play tennis whenever I get a chance, and stayed with three other girls until 5 o’clock one day, so that we could have a long practice. My flower garden is beginning to Took quite tidy again. I left it so long that it took me some time to weed, but it is finished now. and my white forget-me-nots are growing quite well. Are you fond of poetry, Cousin Kate? I like Lowell very much, and Tennyson and Longfellow, too. I haven’t read much, but I will always be able to read poetry. I have only just finished some of Sir Walter Scott’s. I must stop now. or I will be late for breakfast. With love from Cousin Alison. •

[Dear Cousin Alison, —I should have been disappointed if you had missed, for you have been so very very regular. I agree about the Salvation Army Band, but I believe they do good all the same. It must be rather dark at five for tennis, is it not? We shall soon have to be very busy in our gardens, shall we not? You could put in some broad beans now if yob liked.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l meant to write to you on Sunday, but I forgot everything about it, and as I have finished my lessons, I thought I would write to-night. We are having lovely weather now. The days seem just like summer days- It is quite a treat to see sunshine after *ll the rain that we have been having, is it not? I started this letter the other night, and I felt too tired to finish it, so I thought I would finish it now, as I have not anything to Jo. I went to that afternoon tea and won the booby prize. It was a silver thimble. I went as “Stars.” I had two men painted for me, and one hit the other, and the latter saw stars. The songs were so hard to guess. Was it not sad about the King’s illness? My brother went to Auckland on the Monday, thinking that there would be Coronation, and after he got there

he found that he went all the way for nothing. He eame home on Friday night, and he said that he had awful weather all She time he was there. I said in She laat letter that I thought I had escaped a cold, but I •poke too soon, as I had one the week after. It does not always do to speak before you are too sure, do yon not think so? I am going to a large dance on Bth August. It la the breaking-up of a dancing class. I must now stop, as I have not any more news. Love to all the Cousins and yourself.—l am, Ina.

[Dear Cousin Ina, —It was certainly very hard lines on your brother to come away for a holiday and then have such bad weather. But do you know that is the only consolation about the whole of the sad business of the postponement, so far as Auckland was concerned; I mean that the weather was so dreadfully bad that even had the celebrations taken place on the proper dates no one could have enjoyed them much. One of the large clubs here was giving a grand ball. Of course it was put off. It is now announced for July 17th. and all those who have got new dresses for it are delighted. Are you fond of dancing?—Cousin Kate.]

My Dear Cousin Kate, —We got th* “Graphics” yesterday, and 1 have been reading them. I enjoy them so much’. We have a dear little baby brother. He has sueh a lot of hair. He is three weeks old, and such a dear little fellow. Isn’t it nice that there is no more war going on- We were so glad to hear it. Were not you? It has been rather wet here. The gardens haven’t looked nice here for such a long time. They look so bare. I have not d-one anything in my garden for a long time. I am reading a book new called “The Lamplighter.” It is such a pretty story. Have you ever read it? Isn’t it a pity about the King’s illness. They were going to have great fun in Suva when the message oame, and everything stopped. There w*r« about ten thousand natives in Suva for the mekea (dances), sons* of them were already dressed. There were a great many people in Suva. My aunt came down in the Waikare. It was such a shame she did not see some of the sights. She is going to stay with us som* months. With best love to you and the Cousins, from Cousin Lorna-

[Dear Cousin Lorna, —You have had a visit from a lot of New Zealanders lately, have you not? Hew I should have enjoyed the trip if I had been able to go. 1 knew several who went, and they enjoyed it ever so much. Did you go on the Waikare? She is a very comfortable boat.— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —What nice weather we are having for the time of the year. Are we not? Only it ia rather cold in the mornings. I have to walk nearly a mile in the morning* to get my music lesson, which I have on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 to 9 o’clock. There is often a very thlqk fog, and it doesn’t clear oft till quit* late. I am learning a piece called “Le Jet D’Eau.” It is very pretty. Have you ever heard it. Cousin Kate? Many of the cousins tell you about the books they read, but I don’t seem to have any time for reading; after I have done my practice, been to school, eome home, and do my homework it is time to go to bed. Are the electric trams running yet. Cousin Kate? A lady that came from Auckland yesterday said that Queen-street will look so nice when it is finished. I think at first there will be a few accidents, because they creep up so quietly that people will not hear in time to move away. I have just done my practice, so I feel tired.—Your loving cousin. Ila.

(Dear Cousin Ila, —The trams are not nearly finished yet, but the men are working hard, and if you come to town at Christmas you may get a ride in them. They are to be supplied with loud bell-gongs, and these will be rung to warn people when they are coming. You really do seem very hard-worked, and in the country air one gets sleepy sooner. At least I do. —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I find the children’s page very interesting, and would be delighted to become a cousin. I live in Oruru, about eight miles from Mangonui. The Doubtless Bay cable station is not very far from our place and we often take rides over to see the lovely buildings. 1 am fourteen years old, and passed the six.h standard last Christmas. 1 have been home for the last three months, helping mother to sew and with the housework. 1 am learning music, and ride to Mangonui every Saturday it is fine to take lessons. Oruru is a dairying district. Ihe factory is two miles from our place. M e are milking twenty-seven cows now, but in the summer we milk about fifty. I have two brothers and one sister younger than myself. lam sending an addressed envelope, and please forward a badge. Now I must close. Cousin Kate, with love from Beryl.

[Dear Cousin Beryl,—l am delighted to have a cousin at Mangonui, for 1 used t j have many friends there years and years ago. Do you have to help with the milking, or do the boys do it all ? ft must be terribly hard work milking fifty cows morning and evening, but it seems to be a very profitable business nowadays. Are you fond of music? I love it, but cannot play hyself.—Cousin Kate.] -j 4-4 4 Dear Cousin Kate, —I am at shorthand at last. It is very nice, but rather on the hard side. I went for the first time on July 7th. The first day I found it rather slow, but now (Wednesday), as I am getting more into the way of it, I like it. This week seems to be passing so slowly. Do you not think so? To-day I was typewriting for the first time from two till four, and there were five other typewriters all going, so -to one not being used to the row it was dreadful. 1 must conclude now.—l remain, Cousin Ruth. (Dear Cousin Ruth. —You will soon get used to the noise of the typewriter. Il and shorthand are almost indispensable nowadays. Shorthand requires a lot of patience, but it is well worth all the trouble in the end. ’Are you going in for being a lady clerk or a secretary? Tell me next week, will you?—Cousin Kate.] 4 4 4 Dear Cousin Kate, —I was a bit surprised when I didn’t see my letter in this week’s "Graphic.” but I suppose it arrived too late. You will see from my address that I am back home again. My garden looks fresher than it did, but it does not satisfy me vet. I have had several plants given me. I do hope they will grow. Have you read the “Seven Little Australians,” Cousin Kate? 1 have just started it, but so far it is very nice. I think E. Turner’s books are very good indeed. 1 have a camera now, but the spring broke. I am getting it mended. and when it is finished T am going to take some photos. Well. I haven't any more news this time, dear Cousin Kate’ w I will say adieu.—l remain, Cousin Maggie. Dear Cousin Maggie,—lt is a bad time for the gardens, is it not? You should get someone to give you a few cineraria plants, and put them in. protecting them from the frost. They make a tine show in early summer. Let me know how the photos get on. —Cousin Kate.] 4 4- 4Dear Cousin Kate,—l saw in your letter to me that the competition for the most regular cousin does not close till the 15th of July. 1 thought it started on the Ist of April, and ended on last of June. Our school started on Monday again. The last three months we were having school bn Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but now we are having it on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The fowls killed one of my tame pigeons on Monday. They have .hatched out two young pigeons, but they both died. There is going to be a football match played at Pakanae on Saturday between the Koutu team and the Mangamuka team. Now I must close this letter, with leva to yourself and all

the cousins.—l remain, yours truly, Cousiir Newton. | Dear Cousin Newton, —I have written a private letter to you about one of y«-tir questions. Fancy a hen killing a pigeon! 1 would never have believed it possible. Which days do you like school best? I should always like Saturday as a holiday 1 think.—Cousin Kate.]