Cousins’ Badges.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XV, 11 April 1903, Page 1039

Cousins’ Badges.

Cousins requiring badges are requested to send an addressed envelope, when the badge will be forwarded by return mail. 4> * db COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE. Dear Cousin Kate. —The s.s. Pilot arrived here last Saturday, and towed the County of Ayr out yesterday. We are going to start full-time school here next week. There was a man with n monkey and an organ around here yesterday, and he came down to the school, and got a lot of pennies from the children. Yesterday the Concordia passed this bar on her way to Auckland, and two steamers were towing her; they were the Sterling and the IVairoa. We have been having very fine weather - here lately, but to-day it is blowing and raining. There are going to be athletic sports at Rawene on the thirteenth of April (Easter Monday). The electric light is nearly finished at the mill now. Now I must close this letter, as there is no news at all to tell you, but I will try and write you a long letter next week. With love to yourself and all the rest of the cousins; so good-bye.-—I remain, Cousin Newton. [Dear Cousin Newton, —It is simply dreadfully hot and close to-day, so if my answ’er is very stupid you must set it down to the weather. Last night it poured in torrents, but I think there must be more rain about yet, as one can scarcely breathe. I hope Easter Monday will be fine, and that the sports at Rawene will be enjoyable. There will be races here, but I don’t think I shall go. lam rather tired of them, I think. Let me hear how you enjoy the holidays, and if the electric light is on at the mill yet. —Cousin Kate.] 4> * Dear Cousin Kate,—lsn’t the weather unpleasant just now? It isn’t like summer, is it? Wasn’t yesterday horrible? We were going a gipsy-tea to North Shore, but it looked so bad that we thought it might rain, so we stayed at home. Such a dear little puggie camo here last night, and it won’t go away; it has evidently lost its master. Did you go to see the Maori School bazaar? It was so pretty. At one of the stalls there was the sweetest little puppy, who was sold for two guineas. One of the objects of interest was an old woman

spinning. Please pnt some more puzzles in the “Graphic,” as I am very fond of doing them. I also like doing “picture puzzles.” Have you ever heard of a waltz called “Fairy Tales”! It is so pretty. 1 am learning it. Now I must say good-bye, with much love to yourself and all the cousins.—Cousin Gwen. [Dear Cousin Gwen, —I must look up some more puzzles, and see if I can find a picture one or so. I am always glad to hear what the cousins like. What is a gipsy tea? I suppose it is very stupid to ask, but I always think it far more stupid to pretend to understand anything you don’t. I liked the bazaar awfully, and was glad to read in the paper- they made so much money. I have not heard that waltz you mention. The name is pretty, at any rate.—-Cousin Kate.] 4 4 4 Dear Cousin Kate,—l am just going to write you a few lines, as I have not written to you for some time now. We are having very good weather up here lately. We are milking 78 cows now, and are feeding about 30 cows. I suppose that bazaar is to be very soon. Now, dear Cousin Kate, as there is not much news up here, I think I will have to stop. Our examination is a little over a month now.—l remain, your affectionate cousin, Emily. [Dear Cousin Emily,—l was really glad to hear- from you again, though it, always make me aehe to think how hard work it must be milking all those cows. I think I would go to sleep over the task in the evening, and it is wonderful of you to write even a short letter when you must be so weary. I thank you heartily in any case. Did you pass your exam?—Cousin Kate.] 4 4* 4 Dear Cousin Kate,—l went to the Maori Girls’ Bazaar the first night it was opened, and I thought it was a great success. From the street it looked just like fairyland, with its many different coloured lights. I was with several of my companions, and my friends and I said that we had greatly enjoyed ourselves. I think the performance was a pretty fair one, but out of all the items that were performed, I think that the dancing was the best. I have not written to you for a long time, because we have another little brother, and most of my time has been taken up with him. I do not suppose we shall have very pleasant holidays at Easter if the weather keeps as it has been this last few days, but we are hoping that it will alter, as we do not get two o’clock days like the public schools. There has been a great many swimming sports lately, and in one of them Ivy came first. You can imagine how pleased she was to come first this year as well as last. She has not received her prize yet, but I hope that she will get it soon, as she is patiently waiting for it. Now I must conclude. Goodbye.—From Cousin Mabel. [Dear Cousin Mabel, —I was much interested in your letter, and to hear you had a little brother. Have you had the christening yet, and, if so, what is his name? I am glad indeed that Ivy won her race, and hope the prize will arrive all right, and prove a nice one.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —Ah I have a great deal of home-work to do, I thought I had better write my letter now. I went to the Maori Girls’ Bazaar, which I thought was very nife. There were three of my friends who did the Irish jig and Highland Hing. I liked it very

well, and thought it was very good. When they had finished dancing they got dressed and we had a good game of tig. There were not many of us playing, for two of the girls that had been dancing had gone home, and that only left Mabel Glady Carter, her sister, and 1. I went in for the swimming races not long ago, and came first. I have not received my prize, but I am hoping for the best. With love to all. —1 remain, yours truly, Ivy. [Dear Cousin Ivy,—As I told your sister, I was much pleased at hearing of your success at the swimming sports. I, too, saw your little friends dancing at the bazaar, and thought it all very clever; in fact, all the performances were. Have you been to the circus? I Eave not yet, but will perhaps go tomorrow. —Cousin Kate.] ♦ 4? 4> My dear Cousin Kate,—l am just writing a few lines, to tell you about myself. I am going to school now, but only in the mornings. I am sorry that I did not write to you before, but I have had no time to do so. I sent you a pin-cushion for the Maori Girls’ School Bazaar, but you did not have a

•tall for it. What are you going to do with the thingsT Please let me know. I thought that the bazaar was lovely, especially the Maori boys’ drill and the May pole.—l remain, yours truly, Cousin Daisy. [Dear Cousin Daisy,—Your pin cushion was sent to one of the stalls at the bazaar, and I think I saw it sold. It was on a stall one moment, and when I looked again it was gone. I do not know what will be done with the things that were over, but think there will be another sale later on. How do you like school? Tell me next time you write. —Cousin Kate.] + * + Dear Cousin Kate, —You must think I have forgotten you; but I have not.. We are having some dreadful weather here. Mother is going to Christchurch soon for a trip. I hope she will enjoy herself. Dear Cousin Kate, 1 must tell you that we are going to lay down a new tenuis lawn at the school. lam going to learn. Do you play tennis at all. Ido not, but I am going to learn; perhaps next year. I would like to learn very much. 1 will be very glad to see my letter in print in the ‘'Graphic.” I am writing my letter at. school, so I have not much news to tell you. Have yon read "Little Mother Meg”? It is a very pretty book; it is by Ethel Turner. My school teacher gave it to me for a Christinas present. I have got a book called '’The Girls’ Own Paper.” with the “Houseful of Girls” in it; but it is not the same as the book you sent me. Dear Cousin Kate. I must close with best love, from Hannah. [Dear Cousin Hannah, - —-I was very pleased to have a letter from you in this week, as the photo of yourself and Madame Melba’s letter to you appears in a different part of the paper, and you will like to have both together. Yes, I’ve read “Kittle Mother Meg,” and it is a charming little book, as are all Miss Turner’s works. I trust your mother will have a nice time at Christchurch and enjoy her trip. Mind you learn tennis. It is a grand game for girls.—Cousin Kate.]