Cousins’ Badges.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue III, 18 July 1903, Page 208

Cousins’ Badges.

Cousins requiring badges are requested to send an addressed envelope, when the badge will be forwarded by return mail.

COUSINS’ CORRESP 3NDEN CE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —I would very much like to be a cousin, and be able to write letters to your page. 1 have been taking great interest in it lately, and I see you have got a kind word for everybody, so perhaps you have got one for me. Next week 1 am going to send you a short story, and I want you to give me your opinion on it, and then you can do what you like with it (burn it if you think lit). We have been having some big boats here for coal, and among them was the Jesserie, on which I knew the men. On looking through an ■insurance Recorder" the other day 1 found the following, which 1 thought 1 would keep and send to you. Two boys were talking together, and presently one said, “1 say, Tom, do you think Professor Kidder meant anything’ by it?” “By what?” asked the other. “Why, he advertised a lecture on ‘Fools,’ and when 1 bought a ticket it was marked, ‘Admit one.’” Please forward me a badge.—Yours truly, Carle.

[Dear Cousin Carle, —I have written you a private letter, and sent you a badge, which you will have received some days ago. I am very glad indeed that you wish to become a cousin. Write again soon.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate,—During the midwinter holidays 1 only went out once; it was on Thursday that I went out, which was at the North Shore. One of my friends came with me. We left at the Queen-street Wharf at half - past nine. We went over before my other two friends came. When we reached the Shore the lido was coming in, so my friend and 1 went out into the water. When we were tired of wading we had some games and amused ourselves by making sand castles. We then began to get hungry, so we put on our shoes and stockings, made ourselves tidy, and went into a restaurant. When we came back we found our two friends, and two of their friends, looking for us. When returning home wc had a great bustle looking for our things, as they got all mixed up. In consequence re missed the boat, and had to wait till another arrived. But it was not for long, for one soon arrived, and we had some games on it returning home. I brought home some flowers and shells of every sort. Of course 1 was very untidy, but, worse luek, 1 did not bring my eoat with me. We had a test t xam. yesterday, and f got so excited over it that I never knew what I was doing. Our real examination is on the first of August. Now 1 must stop writing, as it is nSy bedtime. With my best wishes to you and all the cousins, must say goodbye.— From Cousin Ivy Metcalfe.

I Dear Cousin Ivy,—Your letter is so lit, this week that 1 shall only be able to write a very short answer, but I will write yon a nice long one next time to make up for it. What an enjoyable day you seem to have spent over at the North Shore; but it was a pity you left your coat behind. You will have to work very hard at school this month, as your examination is so close, wont you? Do you think you will passt—Qousin Kate.] ■ ’

Dear Cousin Kate, —May 1 become one of your little correspondents, please? I am twelve years of age, and am in the sixth standard at 'school. Would you mind forwarding me • badge please, as I would be very glad to possess one? It is very eold here in winter, the frost often being on the ground for weeks at a time without thawing. I live in Lyell, a. small township on the Buller River. I am sending you a few ferns, and I hope that you will like them. With love to all the cousins and yourself I now remain, yours truly, Cousin Rozellia.

[Dear Cousin Rozellia, —I shall be very pleased to welcome you as one of my little cousins, and will post you a badge to-day. We don’t have nearly such cold weather here in the winter time as you do, ami I am very glad, because I bate to be cold. Do you ever have snowballing matches? They are great fun, and make one so nice and warm too. Thank you very much for the ferns, dear. They are very pretty indeed. Write again very soon.—-Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —1 would very much like to correspond with you, as 1 have, been a reader of your page for a long time, and wish to join with you. I have just turned fourteen, and am in the fifth standard. Perhaps you will think me. rather backward. But I would have been much further on only I have been very much troubled with my ears for some time, which caused deafness, and eould ■not hear what my teacher said. I have been ever so much better lately, as I had to undergo an operation a few weeks back, and I am now getting on very well. 1 have two miles to walk to school, and the roads are so muddy. Lately father got me a pony to ride, and it is much better riding than tramping through the mud. We had our quarterly examination this week, and we are all looking forward for our week’s holiday, as we break up to-morrow (Friday). I would like very much a badge if you would not mind sending me one. 1 must now close, with fondest love to you. I remain, your loving cousin, Mabel.

| Dear Cousin Mabel, —I am so glad you have liked the Cousins’ Page of “The Graphic,” and I hope you will write often. I don’t think you are at all backward for your age, and your handwriting is very nice indeed. What have you called your pony, and is he very quiet? I am sending you a badge this week, amt hope you will get it safely. You must take great care of yourself this eold weather. Mabel, because it would be dreadful if you caught cold and your ear got worse again, wouldn’t it? Hoping you will enjoy your holidays.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l would have written to you before, but I have been ill with a sore throat, and did not go down to the office for nearly a fortnight. The bazaar in aid of the Maori Girls' School in Auckland was held at the Theatre last night. The Maoris performed hakas, danced poi dances, and sang. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I hear they made one hundred and forty pounds the first night, ami as it is to last two or three days I think they will do well. Did you go to “Are you a Mason?” I didn’t, but I hear jt was very good indeed. 1 went the second night to “Oh what a Night.” I enjoyed it immensely. I have read “The Maid at Arms,” and think it is awfully nice. Have you read “A Speckled Bird,” by A. E. Wilson? I don’t like it as well as some others of hers, “The Mercy of Tiberius." for instance. I am studying for Confirmation now, it is to eome of! in August. Mr Evans, our vicar is pre-

paring us, nnd he takes such an interest in tire class. There are about forty candidates, but a great many more girls than boys. 1 am rather sorry 1 was not. confirmed by Bisbop Cowie, as all our family except myself have been confirmed by him. Did I ever tell you that I lost my birthday book with Madame Melba’s and Dolores names in? I have found it again now, so it is alright. I really don’t know what I should have done if I had lost it altogether. Next week there is to be another concert in aid of the organ fund. Eaclj,,girl in the choir has to get up a concert herself. Don’t you think it is a good idea, Cousin Kate? I really havenlt been doing anything lately, and as there is nothing to tell you, will you please excuse this mad letter. Cousin Dora.

P.S=—Please excuse the mistakes in typeiag as either I or the machine have gone wrong. We’ll say it is the machine. [Dear Cousin Dora.-—I amso sorry you have been ill. I ean sympathise with you because I am just getting over a cold myself. A hundred and forty pounds was a great deal to make in one day. I hope they will do equally well for the rest of the thne, as the. money is very much needed for the Maori Girls’ School. I haven’t come across “A Speckled Bird ’ yet, but I don’t care for her books much as a rule. Have you read “The Virginian,” by Owen Wister, it is quite a new book, and a very good one. It would have been a great pity if you had really lost ypur hirtiiday book; -Melba is not likeK’.tto come to New Zealand again, so it is nice for you to have her autograph. I think each choir girl getting up a con-eert-herself. is a splendid plan, and wish thev would do the same at our ehureh. Wl»y -did yon apologise for your letter a nd.Hie typeing’? They are both very good jaded for a girl of your age. Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—l have got a very bad cold, really we have all had colds. We are having nice weather now, such fine days. The cousins do not seem to be writing very regular now. I suppose they are on their holidays most of them. My Auntie’s boardinghouse was burned down the other day, nothing was saved but a few clothing. I really have not much news to tell you. Hoping you are well and free from a cold, with love to all the cousins.—Cousin Annie.

[Deer Cousin Annie. —I am so sorry you have got such a bad cold dear, and hope you writ be better soon. I had a dreadfully bad. one last week, but it is better now. I am afraid some of the. cousins are very lazy about writing letters. but perlmps after they have had their holidays they will be more regular. I hope so, any way. How did the fire at your auntie’s happen? I think fires arc such dreadful things, but I like, watching them, when I know that no one is likely to be injured.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kato.—l have bean reading a number of your letters lately, so would. very much like to become one of the bmul. I take great interest in your page, so will like to help to fill your precious page. We have not had nice weather lately, but we will have rather hot weather in summer. 1 lived in Dunedin and have only been up here three months, so I do not exactly know what kind of weather you get in the summertime. But I think we are better off here than in Dunedin in the winter, because they get snow down there; but it is great fun x>mw-balling. At Christmas wc are leaving Auckland and going over

to America, so will be very sorry to leave your page. Cousin Kate, could I write to you from America. 1 would write every mail. How niHch have we to pay for our badges, because I would very much like one. When Igo to America it would be a great novelty to keep. Don’t you think so. Cousin Kate. I must now conclude with best love to all the cousins, not forgetting yOur own dear self.—Cousin Doreen.

[Dear Cousin Doreen.—l shall be very glad indeed for you to join our band of cousins and will send you a badge directly you write and tell me your address. The badges don't cost the cousins anything, as they are a present from Cousin Kate. Weren’t you very sorry to leave Dunedin. It is such a pretty place, I think, but i-t is very cold. Of course you can write to me from America, dear Doreen, and you will be able to tell me such a lot of interesting things, because I have never been there. Don’t forget to send me your address and your full name next time you write. —-Cousin Kate-1

Dear Cousin Kate, — I received the badge you sent me on Wednesday last, and was very pleased to get it. You were talking about riding, and asked me if I was fond of riding. Well, I am not. a lover of riding, but often ride to school. . We have just had our mid-win-ter holidays. 1 did not enjoy myself, as 1 thought 1 would, because it was so miserable and wet, and the river was in Hood, and therefore spoilt all our hopes of a pleasant picnic up the river. So good-bye, with love, from Cousin Minnie.

[Dear Cousin Minnie, —You are a very good girl to write again so soon, and I am glad you were pleased with your badge. I wish all the cousins would write oftener. I think I must start a competition, and give a prize to the cousin who writes most regularly for three months, starting from the beginning of August. Don’t you think that would be a good plan? I am so sorry you were not able to have your picnic up the river, but it is very cold for picnics just now, and you will be able to have a much nicer one if you wait till the warm weather comes. —Cousin Kate.] . f... ;

Dear Cousin Kate, —I did not spend my holidays- very well'as file weather was so uncertain; but I think that I enjoyed myself; as well as any of my, sdwol-mates. On Monday. I did not go anywhere, hut on Tuesday morning I went out with mamnia to do some, shopping. Wednesday afternoon I Went for a walk with my. sister Lucy, and on our way we went into the Museum, in which I met three of my school-mates. Here we stayed for a while looking at the curios, which are of a great number. Then we went to the Art Gallery. Here we stopped till it was time to go home. Thursday, the finest day of all the week, I went to the beach with some of my, companions. We left home at ten, and, after waiting a little while, caught a Ponsonby tram, in which we had great trouble in seating ourselves, as there were ten of us altogether, and the tram was nearly full when we got in. We enjoyed ourselves so much that the day, seemed to fly. On our return home we looked'nice, because the tide was high, and the rocks we climbed and stumbled over were very slippery;' Friday morning I employed myself with my daisy work, which 1 like doing; in fact, I likg any sort of fancy work; even.at school I do not think" any of the girls dislike this work. On Saturday afternoon I went to Harry Rickards’ Company, which greatly amused and excited me. Perhaps. if you went, you were excited during the cycle act, and amused by the funny sayings of the musicians. Dearest Cousin Kate, was ever the correct picture of the Five Point Puzzle published? Will you please tell me, as I have had a great many tries at it; but I cannot get it right, so I should very much like to see a right copy of it ?—• From Cousin Mabel.

[Dear Cousin Mabel, —I have only time to write you a very short note this week in answer to vour nice long one. You seem to have had very pleasant holidays, in spite of the bad weather. I went to see the Hurry Rickards' Company one evening, but I didn’t like the bicycle act at all; it looked so horribly dangerous; but I enjoyed the rest immensely. A great many of the cousins drew the Five Point Puzzle correctly. I will post one of the right ones to you if I can find one.—Cousin Kate.]