COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XII, 19 March 1904, Page 59

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —Thank you so much for posting, my letter to Winnie. I have had a reply to my letter to her, and have sent another, so I expect an answer to that soon. I have not heard from Alison for a long time, and as I have written two letters to her one, I am determined to wait until I hear from her before I write again. In Cousin Muriel’s letter the week before last, I saw she is collecting foreign stamps; so am I, and if she would tell me what she wants I might be able to exchange some. Oh! Cousin Kate, you promised some time ago to put your photo in the “Graphic,” but it has never appeared yet. I do wish you would hurry up, as we are all dying to see it; at least,, I suppose, the other cousins are quite as eager as I am. The Williamson Dramatic Company are here now, with Mr. Cuyler Hastings. I went to “The Light That Failed,” . and enjojed it so much. I think he is such a splendid actor, don’t you? I saw him tn “Sherlock Holmes,” and think I like it better than that. There was a swimming carnival at the baths yesterday, and it drizzled all day long. Wasn’t it a pity? I couldn’t go because I do not have my half holiday until Saturday. I like Saturday much better than Thursday, and wouldn’t change for anything. I had read “The Honourable Peter Stirling,” and liked it

very much, so could you please tell me another? Have you read the “Gold Wolf?” I forget by whom it is written, but I liked it immensely. Last week we had a garden party in the hospital grounds in aid of the “nurses homes,” and in the evening a concert was held in the same place. I went at night, but not in the afternoon. Now, dear Cousin Kate, I am afraid I must stop, with love—From Cousin Dera.

[Dear Cousin Dora,,. —I am always very glad to do anything for the cousins, especially if I can be of any help to them in their studies. Do you think that writing to Winnie will help you? It seems a splendid idea to me, especially if you keep it up and write, regularly. 1 don’t know whether Muriel is collecting stamps, but I know she has some, so I will tell her of your offer. Perhaps she may have some that you have not got. 1 went to see “The Light That Failed” on the opening night, and liked it immensely. I think I like “Sherlock Holmes” better though. I saw that when the company was here last time. I don’t care for sad things very much, so I am looking forward to seeing the “Admirable Crichton,” which is quite the reverse I hear. Have you read “Maids of Paradise,,” and “The Blazed Trail?” They are both good, especially the latter.—Cousin Kate]

Dear Cousin Kate,—Just a few lines to thank you for your kind answer to my last letter. How quickly the time flies. Just fancy we are in the third month of the new year and looking forward to Easter holidays. We went to Para blaekberrying the Saturday before last, and had a most enjoyable day. I went with mother to hear the blind musicians; they sang and played very nicely. They had a good house, which I was glad to see, for I think every one ought to help the poor blind people, don’t you? We are expecting Wirth’s Circus to arrive in Picton shortly. You must excuse this short letter, as I am not very well. I had a bilious attack a day or two ago and am not quite over it yet. Hoping you are quite well, I remain yours affectionately, with love to all, Cousin Ruby.

[Dear Cousin Ruby,—Your letter was a little late this week, so I shall only have time to write you a very short answer, I am afraid. It does not seem nearly three months since Christmas, does it? The time certainly has gone very quickly. What are you going to do with yourself in the Easter holidays. The blackberry season in Pieton must be much later than ours in Auckland, for ours are all over several weeks ago. I am glad the blind musicians, had a good house, for I certainly think they want all the help we can give them. I am sorry to hear that you have not been well. I hope you will be quite well again soon and able to go to Wirth’s Circus and enjoy yourself thoroughly.— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I hope you have not forgotten me. I am well and I hope you are the same. The badge you sent me is lovely. It is sewn on the front of my hat. Winnie gave Olive hers as Olive didn’t have one. Winnie is looking forward to receive the new one. You have a lot of cousins now, haven’t you? What a pity Cousin Hannah has left. I suppose you will think me a tomboy when 1 tell you I play marbles with my brothers. The fruit is ripe and the flowers are at their best. It is raining, so I could not go to Sunday-school. We had a lovely time at New Brighton; we bathed every day in the glorious sea.

We also paddled and there were sandhills along the beach covered with sandgrass; there was also a lovely river with ferns and wild flowers growing on the banks, with willow and birch trees too. One day we vTalked to the end of the beach. It is lovely there, as it is the mouth of a river. The tide was out, so we walked over the mud flats- There was. a short strip of water between us and the other side. Another time we went to a place called the Plantation. There is a lovely lake there with flowers growing on the sides. Another day we went to a place called Bligh’s Gardens. There were trees all round and grass and flowers in the centre. A delightful river flowed through. I have the dearest little baby brother, who laughs and coos all day. Now, dear Cousin Kate, I will close with love to yourself and all the cousins.— Cousin Fenton. P.S.—I ought to tell yor? that I did not know about writing on both sides of the paper till Winnie told me.

[Dear Cousin Fenton, —I haven’t quite forgotten you, because Olive and Winnie have been writing to me and they have mentioned you once or twice; but I hope you will write oftener now, so that 1 shan’t have a chance of forgetting you. I am so glad you liked your badge. I think putting it on the front of your hat is a fine idea, and I wish all the codsins would adopt the idea. I am sending Winnie a badge this week. I don’t think you arc a tomboy just because you play marbles with your brothers. I used to often want to play myself, but 1 never could fire straight. You must have had a delightful time staying at New Brighton. I wish I could have been there to sec yon all enjoying yourselves so much. There must be some very pretty places round New Brighton. I have been to Christchurch, but 1 never had time to go for picnics. Do you know that at first I thought you must be a boy because your name is Fenton. How did yon come to have such an uncommon name for a girl?—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —It is a couple of months since 1 wrote to you last, so I shall have to begin afresh and write to you regularly. We have had very fine weather here lately, grand for picnics and excursions. Did you go to the Premier Picnic—people say it was a great success. Aren't there a number of picnics at Motutapu this year? I think 1 must go to one of them as I have never been to Motutapu yet, have you? Did you go to the regatta on the 29th of January? I was over at Northcote and had a splendid view of it. Didn't the. yachts look lovely? Last year the yacht that I think would have won capsized about 50 or 100 yards off the Northcote wharf, but it was terribly rough that day. Have you been to the circus yet? I have not, but I went to the last two that were here, and I think they are all very much the same, so I don't care whether 1 go to this one or not. Have you heard about the coal they are making now (in Australia or America)?

They make it out of common clean soil, mixed with certain chemicals, and can be hot'"' 'nr 10/ per ton. They’re different i. > of this coal—some as soft as putty and some so hard that it rings like steel when struck, and it burns precisely like coke with a little bind flame. Cousin Kate, will you let me know when to post my letters so as to be in time for the “Graphic.” Well, I must come to a close now, as 1 have no more news to tell you, so with love to

all the cousins and yourself, I still fo uiain your loving cousin,—Ruth. N.H.—I have another baby brothei since I wrote last.

[Dear Cousin Ruth, —It is quite two months if not more since you wrote to me last, but 1 am glad you are going to write oftener now. The weather has been perfect for picnics and excursions lately, hasn't it? We had better make the best of it now, because we shan’t have very much more of it. No, I didn’t go to the Premier picnie, but I heard that it was a great success. 1 have often been to Motutapu for picnics, and think it is a lovely place for them. I went to the Regatta, at least I went on the flagship and watched from there for a short time this year. Last year I went out in a yacht and as you say it was terribly rough. We were all wet through long before we got home that day. I went to the circus one night and thought it awfully good; but they are all very much alike, I think- No, I haven’t heard about the new coal. I hope it will be a success, don’t you? If you post your letter on Tuesday night it will always be in time for the following week’s “Graphic.” What is your little baby brother going to be called?—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —Thank you very much for your niee long answer this week. I would always like them to be like that one, but I suppose I should not be greedy, as I know you often have a number of letters to answer besides mine. Mother said she thought that I had better keep to “Muriel,” as my relations in Sydney and Melbourne always read my letters in the “Graphic,” and if -they saw a letter signed “Tricks” they probably would not take any notice of it. As my friend is back from Wanganui I am going to ask her to write to you. I suppose you will accept her as a cousin? I don’t think she will be a very regular correspondent though as she took nearly a week to answer my letter when she was away. Last Wednesday afternoon mother took Desmond, Valerie, and mo to the circus; and we all enjoyed ourr selves very much. Have you been yet, If not, I suppose you will before it goes away. I was awfully taken with those two little ponies in the centre of the tent; I think their mains and tails wore lovely. We were all very sorry that Newhaven did not jump on Wednesday afternoon, because we wanted to see it. I also think the performing dogs were very elever. In fact, I liked the whole thing. 1 don’t think you will hear from me next week, as I will be away, and don’t know how the mails run, but I will ■try and write, even if it is just a line. How lovely your three Gordon setters must be. “Puru” is a eollie puppie. Cousin Kate, fancy your not liking pi pigs or oysters. 1 think they are both lovely, especially oysters. I am afraid my letter will not be very long this week, as Wilma and Valerie are playing hide-and-seek in the dining-room, and every time Wilma goes to run she bumps my elbow, or chair, or something, and, of course, I can’t write properly. Mother got such a niee bunch of flowers to-day, given her by a friend, so 1 put them in the vases, and took out the grasses which I had in befcre. 1 think it is just as well to let your garden go to raek-and-ruin when you have two or three, or even one dog racing round the place, don’t you? I suppose you are going to see Cuyler Hastings in 'The Light That Failed.” I wish 1 could see it. I dare say nearly if not ail the “Graphic” cousins in Auckland will go. I am so sorry that Cousin Gwen says she will only be able to write once a fortnight now, but hope she will change it to every week. I am sure all the other cousins hope the same, too. Dear Cousin Kate, 1 am hoping you will try to alter the cousin’s page, and your photograph in instead of the children on see-saw, as Cousin Ivy suggested. What did you think of Wilma’s photo, in last week's “Graphic?” It is exactly like her. isn't it? I received the menu safely; thank you. What did you think of it? I wrote to my aunt in England last week, as 1 won’t be home when the mail goes out, so it is all ready now, just to post, Of course father will do that when it is time. Now, dear Cousin Kate, I must conclude this note. With love to you and all the cousins.—Cousin Muriel J. | Dear Cousin Muriel, —I am glad you liked my answer to your letter last week. 1 would like always to write long answers if I could, but sometimes I have

such a short ‘time to answer so many letters, that it is a great wonder some of them get answered at all. I think after all that Muriel is a prettier mine than “Tricks.” though the latter ia more uncommon of course. 1 am always glad for new cousins to join the band, but I like them to be regular correspondents if possible. Yes; I went to the <•!.< •us one night, and thought it very good indeed, but 1 believe I told you that last week. I hope I shall hear from you from “Mullet Point,” even if it is only a short letter. I hope you will enjoy yourself, and feel all the better for your trip when you come baek. What a pity you will miss seeing "The Light That Failed.” It is awfully good, but so very sad: I shall be very sorry if Cousin Gwen can only manage to write once a fortnight, too, but I hope she will manage to get a few minutes every week just to let us know bow she is getting on. Wilma’s photograph was very good, I thought. lam looking forward to having her for a ‘’Graphic” cousin some day. You will be quite an old cousin by the time s<he is able to write, won’t yon?—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I received Dora’s letter safely, and have just answered I think you must be very kind and obliging to take such an interest in your cousins. Was that Cousin Gwen’s photo in the “Graphic”! I suppose she is Roie Nathan’s cousin (I do not mean “Graphic” cousin)? What do you think of the war? Perhaps you, like me, do not take much interest in it? Papa is very keen on it. I am almost tired of the subject. If you want any information on it vou had better go to him. We tell him he is a living war dictionary. I don’t know if that is quite the right way to express it; but that seems io take it all in. 1 am not typing this letter, as I had no time to do so. Was it you who addressed Cousin Dora’s letter? It was very pretty handwriting. Neville is getting prettier every day (at least we think so). 1 think Cousin •Muriel is a very good correspondent; I think she will soon be a second Cousin Roie. Fenton is even lazier than I; she has not written for a very long time. On Saturday mother thought she would take us all to Brighton just for the day; it was lovely down there, so cool and pleasant after the heat and bustle of Christchurch. Olive and I had a bathe. This we fully appreciated, as the water was delicious. We saw two men with a raft; they were sitting on it, and when a big wave came it carried them right over it, and then it would fall back into the trough of the sea, only to rise again when the next wave came; the ride must have been grand. The raft was constructed of airtight cylinders, with boards on the top. Then we saw a land yacht. This was a yacht on a light structure on wheels. When there was a good wind the yacht went sailing quickly along the beach. Hannah Hadfield was at our place yesterday; she Si-id she would not be aide to write again as they did not get the “Graphic.” That will be another of our old cousins gone. I am afraid I will have to stop now. Good-bye, Cousin Kate.—From Cousin Winnie. (Dear Cousin Winnie, —I am glad you got Dora's letter safely, but I don’t think it is so very kind and obliging of me to send her letter on to you. You see, I can’t expect iny cousins to take an interest in me unless I take some in them, can I? Yes; Cousin Gwen’s photograph was in the “Graphic,” but it Was not a very good one of her, and she 5s Roie’s proper cousin. To tell you the truth, I try not to think of the war at all if I can help it. It is such a terrible thing. I think; but, of course, all my sympathies arc with the Japs.; aren’t yours? I shall be getting quite conceited about my handwriting soon; you are the second person to say it is pretty lately; I have always thought it ugly myself. What a lovely day you must have had at Brighton. A nice long day at the beach blows the cobwebs away, doesn’t it ? I shall be sorry if Hannah doos not write to me again soon. Will you give her my love and tell her so next time you see her? I will post your badge to you to-day. — Cousin Kate.] + Dear Cousin Kate,-—I must apologise for not writing before, but while we Were at Brighton the weather seemed

too good to stop inside. It is astonishing how little inclined one feels for work in the holidays. We came home a week to-day, and Winnie and I started our school term to-day. Christchurch seems hot and stuffy after the eool breezes. To-day people say is the hottest day this summer, but it is cooler now on the lawn. I am just scribbling this letter for Winnie to type for me to-mor-row. We all enjoyed ourselves at the seaside very much. We had a large old-fashioned house about two minutes’ walk from the beach, and ten from the tram. Every morning we went for a bathe, wet or fine. On wet mornings the sea is much warmer, although it is colder coming out. What scrumptuous times Cousin Roie must be having in London, especially at Christmas time. I wish Cousin Alison would hurry up and write again; her letters seem so interesting, coming from South Africa. I saw Cousin Hannah on Saturday. She does not think she will write any more, as they do not see the “Graphic” now. She is staying at Brighton, but she does not care for it much, as they live a long way from the beach. Neville is growing such a pretty boy. He is not quite six months old. and can say Mum-mum and Dad-ee quite plainly. I am afraid I have no more news, so I will say goodbye for the present.—From your loving cousin, Olive.

[Dear Cousin Olive, —I received your letter and Winnie’s yesterday, :.nd was so very glad to hear from you again. I had not heard from either of you since the beginning of the Christmas holidays, and was wondering what had become of you both. I know how little one feels inclined to do anything except enjoy oneself in holiday time, especially in hot weather. It is much nicer taking a house at seaside than going into lodgings, isn’t it? One feels so much freer. It must have been lovely being so close to the beach. Cousin Roie is having a lovely time, isn’t she? I hope she will write soon and tell us how she spent her Christmas holidays. It is just about time Alison wrote to us again. I must ask Dora to Write and jog her memory a little. Have you any photographs of Neville; I should like to see one so much. —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I am just going to write you a few lines this week, as I have a number of lessons to do. I don’t think that you will confuse me with the other cousin Muriel, but it is very nice of her to let you call her by another name. She writes you such nice long letters. I never can think of enough news to make my letter a long one; but, Cousin Kate, if everybody wrote a long letter, you would want another page of the “Graphic.” I am getting quite use to being back at school now. and I don’t like staying away. To-day being so very wet I had to stay at home, and I did not like the idea at all. I am going out- to Epsom to-morrow night to stay with my cousin for a few days. It does seem so nice to have some, cousin living here that I can go and see. It was my cousin Eva’s birthday last Saturday, and she was twelve. I am going to ask her if she will write to you when I go out tomorrow. Did we not have a great deal of rain last week? But I suppose that it would do a great deal of good, but I prefer the nice fine days to the wetones prefer the nice fine days to the wet ones. I was so sorry that it rained on Friday, because I could not go -out to stay with my cousins, but I am going next Friday. Last Saturday I went out to Epsom just for the afternoon, and I enjoyed myself the short time that I was there. We went to the corner of Owen’s Road to wait for the car, and after waiting for about twenty minutes two came; but they were both full, and they would not stay, so we walked to Newmarket, and got in the car there. It was just about 8 o’clock when we arrived home. I must close now, as it is getting time for me to go to bed. With love to you and all the cousins.—• Cousin Muriel.

[Dear Cousin Muriel.—Your letter for last week was too late to go in the “Graphic,” I am sorry to say, so I have added this week’s on to it, and will answer them both at once. If you go on writing regularly every week you will find that you will be able to write much longer letters, and that it gets easier every time. What a good thing it is that you like being at school, isn’t it?

It is so much earner to work when one likes it. Have you never had any cousins living in the same town before? It is a pity they don’t Jive closer to you, though because then you might go to the same school, and see so much more of each other. 1 hope Eva will write to me; I am always retidy to welcome more cousins. It did rain a good deal last week. I suppose it was good for some people, but it rather spoilt the beginning of the polo tournament. Isn’t it aggravating for a car to pass without stopping when you have been waiting a long time? It is rather a long walk from Owen’s Road to Newmarket, too,, but it would be nice and cool for walking then.—Cousin Kate.]