COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VI, 8 August 1903, Page 424

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —I have not written to yon for a long time. To-day was Kitty’s' birthday. She is five years old. Kitty is my youngest sister. She got a lot of presents. Uncle Will, my sister, and I went down to our boat to see if there was much water in it. There was not much, but we bailed it out. 1 like going out in the boat. 1 have been out when the sail was up once, and we went very fast. The other day Dad saw two swans on the lake. He went down with his gun, but eould not get very dose to them, as they were swimming out. When lie did shoot he missed them. The other day Dad went shooting, and got four ducks. I like reading very much. 1 have lead ‘‘.Little .Meg’s Children.” “What Katcy Did." “Three Little .Maids,” and “Kuby and Pearl.” 1 think all of them are nice books. Have you read them? 1 can’t think of anything more to tell you. (food-bye, with lots of love to you and all the cousins.— From Cousin Jenny. [Dear Cousin Jenny.--Jt is a very long time indeed since you wrote to me last. I was beginning to think you had quite deserted the cousins, but 1 hope you will write oftener now. Will you wish Kitty many happy returns of her birthday for me, ami I am glad she got so many presents. Don’t you ever get sea sick when you go out in the boat? I think all the books you nu ntion are charming tor little girls. This is a very short letter, 1 am afraid, Jenny, but 1 will try and write more next time.—Cousin Kate.J

Dear Cousin Kate, — I am sending you my post-card 1 got from England to see. I am sure you will say the canary is very good. .My cousin, llungi, has been very ill, so on Saturday I went down llrigii-ton-road to see him. and took him a pretty horse-shoe calendar, but as it was such a lovely day he went out for a walk to see another cousin, Hawea, so I did not see him, and as it was too far to walk there I came home. Next Saturday I am going to lunch with him, so 1 hope it will he fine tor us to have a good time. I thank you very much for

the pretty badge you sent me, and shall always keep it in remembrance of you. With love to all the cousins and yourself.—Cousin Desmond.

[Dear Cousin Desmond.—lt was very good indeed of you to send me your post-card to sec, and I think the canary is really wonderfully good. I hope you •nd your cousin Rungi will have a very

nice time on Saturday. What are you going to do—go down the beach? Hawea has only lately come up from Gisborne, hasn’t he? lam posting your canary back to you this week, and hope you will get it quite safely.—Cousin Kate.j

Dear Cousin Kate, —I again take the opportunity of writing to you. We are having very cold weather just now, I was very sorry that I did not see my’ letter in Saturday’s “Graphic,” as 1 expected. Yesterday Whakatane played Matata at football. Whakatane won. Are you fond of reading? 1 think all boys and girls should be fond of reading. Have you ever read “Enoch Arden"? I think it is a very nice book. My father- went out fishing to-day. He and some other men caught fourteen hapuka. My sister went by the steamer this morning. Now I must close, as 1 have got a dreadful headache. With love to all.—Cousin Florence. [Dear Cousin Florence,l am sorry you were disappointed at not seeing your letter in the “Graphic” as soon as you expected. The cousins’ letters must lie in by Wednesday, and then the answer will be in the following week’s “Graphii.” Yours must have been a little lai . I quite agree with you that all girls ; I boys should be fond of reading. I nave read “Enoch Arden,” the poem, but 1 don’t remember ever having seen the book. What did your father do with all those hapukas? We very seldom see any in Auckland, and I think they are such nice fish. I expect you will miss your sister very much, won’t you.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —Please may I become a little cousin? I always read the cousins’ letters in the “Graphic,” and would like to always write to you. My father has got a motor car, and he takes mother and myself to church every Sunday. 1 am twelve years old, and I have no brothers or sisters. We had a nice 1 rip to England, and have only been hero six weeks. Oh! it is so nice in the big steamers. There was such a nice cat on the boat. 1 wanted to bring it away with me, but the sailors wanted it. They were so kind to it. I do love people to be kind to dumb animals. Please, Cousin, eould you give me a name for a deer-hound we brought from England? It is sinh a faithful dog, and very quiet. We are going to stay here for three months, and then we are going to Auckland for three months; after that we are going to live in England. If you will let me be a cousin I will always write to jou from England. I think my letter is too long. If it is, please tell me. I will now say good-bye. Hoping to see my letter in the “Graphic,” I remain, Cousin Claire.

[Dear Cousin Claire, —I shall be delighted to welcome you as a cousin, and if jou send me your full name and address next time you write I will post you a. cousin’s badge. What a lucky little girl you are to have such nice trips. Aren’t you ever sea-siek? M ould you like to have some little brothers or sisters to go out in the motor car with you? Sailors are nearly always good to animals. 1 went on board a steamer the other day where thev had two dogs.

a cat, and an opossum, and they were so well looked after. Bran and Oscar are both very good names for a deer-hound, I think, don’t you? Your letter is not a bit too long. The longer they are the better I like them. I hope you will write when jon go to England, but most of my little cousins forget all about me when they are so far away. —Cousin Kate.]