COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XIV, 2 April 1904, Page 59

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Pear Cousin Kate, —Would you mind accepting me as one of your cousins! We get the “Graphic,'’ and I think the cousins’ letters very interesting. I used to write to “Captain Kindheart'’ and “Dot's Little Folk,” and I have my badge yet. I have ten correspondent comrades in England, Africa, Holland and British Guiana, and we exchange stamps. Dear* Cousin Kate, will you please send me a badge? Hoping you will receive me as a cousin, 1 remain, your loving cousin, Eileen.

[Dear Cousin Eileen, —I shall be very glad indeed to have you for one of my cousins. 1 have never had one at Hawera before, but I hope now that you have joined some of your friends will join us too. I am glad you like reading the cousins’ letters; but you will find them much more interesting now that you are writing yourself. Have you lett off writing to "Captain Kindheart’’ and “Dot’s Little Folk’’? I have often seen letters to them, but I quite forget what papers they belong to. It is a very good idea to have correspondent comrades like you have. You must get a great number of good stamps, don’t you? I have posted a badge to you, and I hope you will like it. Did you go to see the Hawera Exhibition? I heard it was very good indeed. I wish they would have another exhibition here soon. —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I'm very sorry I did not write before this. Mother and father were at Leithfield for two days. We had such fun. We went to the bowling green on Saturday afternoon. We enjoyed ourselves very much. They play bowls, and tennis and croquet. We had afternoon tea. On Sunday Cecil and I went down to Sumner on the tram, and the band played. A lady from Leithfield, where father and mother were staying, sent us a big jar of thick cream. 1 have a nice big doll; the dressmaker made a nice dress for her. I think I have told you all the news. 1 will try and write once a fortnight if I can. Give my love to all the other cousins, and to yourself, from Cousin Doreen.

[Dear Cousin Doreen,- —I was very glad indeed to get your nice little letter this morning. You are proving a better correspondent than Ceeil after all. I thought he was going to be one of my “good’’ cousins, but he seems to have forgotten me, as I have not heard from him for weeks. I am so pleased that you are going to try and write once a fortnight. It makes it so much more interesting for everybody, I think, when the cousins write regularly. Do you and Cecil trot about Christchurch all by yourselves when your mother and father are away? I expect you enjoyed that big jar of cream, didn’t you? It was a pity that strawberries are out of season, because they would have been delicious with the cream, wouldn’t they? You never told me what your doll’s name was, nor what colour her new frock is. •—Cousin Kate.)

Dear Cousin Kate, —I went to the circus on Wednesday afternoon, and I thought it was lovely. The horses were lovely, and some of the tricks they performed were wonderful. Dr. Gordon, the strong man, was more wonderful than them all. It was really worth going to see, I think. Dear Cousin Kate, I will try my very best to be a regular correspondent to please you. 1 am sure you like getting letters every week from your cousins. I simply love reading your nice answers to my letters. Lorna came back to-day, and Amy and myself were so glad. When Lorna was away I missed my- rides in the evening very much. Do you collect post - cards, Cousin Kate? Amy does, and she has a good number. I collect photographs, and have a good number, too. Dear Cousin Kate, have you read “The Family at Misrule’’? I think it is a lovely book. I like “Miss Bobbie” also. On Saturday morning at 9 a'.m. we left for Motutapu: we arrived there about 11 o'clock. After lunch Amy, myself, and two other girls went for a walk along the beach. The water looked so tempting that we could not help taking off our shoes and stockings and going into the water, which was lovely. After that we went in for two races. I came fourth in one, and, I think, last in the other. We spent a very enjoyable day. Coming home Amy and myself were on one boat, and mother and father on another; it was awfully funny. There was somebody looking after us. We had to wait nearly an hour till mother and father came, but that did not spoil the effects of our lovely day at all. There was another picnic down there besides our school picnic. There were a great number at both picnics. I think Motutapu is a lovely place for picnics, don’t you? It is Saturday to-day. This afternoon father hired a trap, and we put Lorna in it. and we went for a drive, which was simply lovely. She goes beautifully in a trap. Dear Cousin Kate, I do wish you would have your photograph put in the “Graphic.” I am sure all the cousins would like you to. I tried to do some of the puzzles in last week’s “Graphic,” but found them too hard for me. Dear Cousin Kate, I think your handwriting is lovely, and so does Amy. Amy hurt her hand very much at school to-day, and it prevented her from writing to you this week.—With love from Mary S.

[Dear Cousin Mary,—l am glad you went to the circus, as you enjoyed yourself so much. It really was very good, and I quite agree with you that Dr. Gordon was the most wonderful of all. I am sure that some day he will break a blood-vessel or hurt himself very seriously some way. It is very good of you, dear, to want to try’ to please me; you are quite right. 1 do like to hear regularly from my little cousins. 1 don’t wonder you are pleased to have Lorna back, because you must have missed your evening rides very much. Still, you will not be able to go out much longer now, as the evenings are getting quite chilly. I am so sony Amy hurt her hand so badly. How did she manage it ? Will you give her my love, and ask her to write to me as soon as it is better. You must have had a very pleasant day at Motutapu; weren’t your mother and father nervous about your coming home in a different boat? Valerie was there too, so I suppose she and Amy enjoyed themselves together. Do you and Muriel compare notes about your photographs?—Cousin Kate.) ' ”

Dear Cousin Kate, —My letter that was in last week's "Graphic” was really meant for the one-before, and it was written in time, but my brother forgot to post it. lam feeling rather sad just now, as our darling baby has gone. They went at two o’clock on Tuesday morning. I was going down to see them off, but got so sleepy while waiting up at the house that I fell asleep. On Saturday evening 1 went to see “Sherlock Holmes,” and enjoyed it immensely. Have you ever been to it? I did not go when they were here last time. I am looking forward to “The Country Girl.” I hear it is a sweetly pretty piece. Last Friday evening I and my cousin went to spend the week end at my aunt’s at Epsom, and 1 enjoyed myself thoroughly. We had lessons in riding while out there, and I managed to stick on the horse’s back, but that was all. Can you ride, Cousin Kate? I find it very difficult, but suppose it will be easier as I learn. I do hope the Japanese beat the Russians, don’t you? I am afraid you will think me very lazy when I tell you I am not going to do any of those riddles and puzzles that were in last week’s “Graphic,” but I have really no time, as I have not half finished the point-lace bonnet 1 was making for Margot yet, and I want to get it done for her birthday in August. Has it not been cold these last few days, though to-day it feels quite warm. I love the cold weather, and would not mind if we had snow here. We are only going to have

three days’ holiday at Easter. 1 do think we might have a week nt least, don't you, Cousin Kate! 1 am sorry t ■ say 1 did not find baby’s first tooth. I was always putting my finger in her mouth and looking for it. I am reading all my old books over again for about the fourth or fifth time. Bo you know, we have quite a lot of roses in the garden. They ure growing on a hedge, and look so lovely, as the rest of the garden is pretty bare. I thought my photograph was going to be put in the “Graphic,” and 1 will try and find out why it was not in time for my next letter in the “Graphic.” When did you go to “Sherlock Holmes?’’ I simply loved it. and was not a bit frightened for his safety, as 1 went with someone who had seen it before. Am 1 tiie only Cousin Gwen who writes’ I have never seen any others that 1 can rememberThere seem to be two similar names of all the other cousins. I am afraid 1 will have to close now, as my letter has got to go, with bundles of love to all thfl cousins, not forgetting your dear self. I remain, Cousin Gwen. [Dear Cousin Gwen, —I was rather surprised at not getting your letter at the usual time last week, but I kagw. what brothers arc about posting their sisters’ letters. I find it is much safer to post my own nowadays. 1 expect you do feel sad now that Margot has gone home. You will miss her dreadfully at first, but you will have more time Io work at the bonnet. How’ much more have you got to do? What a dreadful time two o’clock in the morning-was to start on a journey. I don't wonder you fell asleep. I have been to sec “Sherlock Holmes” several times, and like it very much indeed. 1 saw it when Cuylcr Hastings was here last time, and have been twice this time. Have you ever read any of Sherlock Holmes’ adventures? He always comes out of them safely after the most hair breadth escapes- 1 think we arc all looking forward to Welliamson’s Comic Opera Company. They ope.ii here some time in May. and I have been told they are splendid. You seem to spend all your week ends away from home. You live so close to town that it must do you good to go further out for a day or two. 1 can ride a little and 1 am awfully fond of it. I think it is my favourite exercise. You will love it, too. when you get used to it. Yes, you are the only

Cwcn who write* to the “Graphic,” but there are duplicate* of most of the others. Are you only going to have three days’ holiday at Easter because you had a few days extra at Christmas? I want the Japanese to beat the Russians badly, I think most colonials sympathise .■with the Japs.—Cousin Kate.] J ♦ ♦ ♦

” Dear Cousin Kate,—l have just come home from school, and I am going to write to you before doing anything We have lived iu Auckland four years now, and 1 like it very much. I used to like Wellington when I lived there. I was only six when I came up here, so 1 do not know a great deal about the place. My sister would far rather live in Wellington—she likes it far better than Auckland. You don’t sec half so many nice gardens in Wellington as you do here. I don’t think that they have anything so lovely as Albert Park. 1 do like going to see all the Howers there, the beds are made so many different shapes. I have another Christian name. It is Lyndal, but I do not like it, Cousin Kate, and I would like you to invent a name for me. We had a letter from my grandma in Invercargill a while ago, and she said that she likes reading the “Graphic.” We send ours down to her every week. I must close now, with heaps of love to you and all the cousins. Cousin Muriel.

[Dear Cousin Muriel, —It is very good Of you, indeed, to write to me before you do anything, especially as I know you would much rather be playing out in the fresh air with your school-fellows. I have never lived in Wellington, but I have stayed there ouee or twice, and I did not like it nearly so well as Auckland. It was always blowing, and I hate wind. I would sooner have rain, I think- Is your sister much older than you? I expect all her friends are in Wellington, and that makes a great difference. Albert Park is very pretty, but several of the towns in the South have much prettier parks than we have.' The Recreation Grounds in New Plymouth and the Botanical Gardens in Dunedin are lovely. What an uncommon name you have. Do you know, I have never heard it before- It is a pity you don’t like it. I was wondering what we could call you instead of Muriel. What names do you particularly like? I think we will ask all the other cousins to send us one or two of their favourite names, and then you could choose the one you liked best. 1 am glad your granny in Invercargill likes reading the “Graphic,” and it is very good of you to send it to her every week. Have you been out to see your cousins since you wrote last?— Cousin Kate.]

! Dear Cousin Kate, —Would you accept Inc as a cousin. 1 take great interest in the “Cousins’ Page,” as I am very fond of reading. lam 13 years of age, and am in the sixth standard. We are all looking forward to the Easter holidays. We

are having very wet weather. It is raining nearly all the time, but I hope it will be fine for Easter time. What sort of weather are you having in Auckland, Cousin Kate? The Industrial Exhibition is over, and it has been a great success. I suppose you have heard of it. I have a very nice little pony, but at present it has n foal, so 1 do not ride. Now, dear Cousin Kate, 1 must conclude, with love to all the cousins.—l remain, yours truly, Cousin Kathleen.

P.S. —I enclose an addressed envelope Please would you kindly send me a badge

[Dear Cousin Kathleen. —Of course I shall be delighted to welcome you as one of my cousins, and I am posting you a badge to-day, which 1 hope you will like. I am glad you like the cousins’ page, and I expect you will take more interest in it now that you have begun to write yourself. Some of the other cousins tell me that they are twice as -anxious to see the ‘’Graphic” now than they used to be. The Raster holidays seems to have come so early this year, and I hope we shall have fine weather for them too. We are having glorious weather just now, but it was dreadful last week. Yes, I heard about the Ifawera Industrial Exhibition, and I am glad it was such a success. Did you go to it very often ? I expect you miss your rides, don’t you, now that you cannot use your pony?—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I am sorry I could not write to you from Mullet Point very well, but the mails did not suit, so t had to let last week go. Had I wanted very badly to hssve had a letter in last week’s "Graphic” I could have given it to the captain of the Orewa to post iu town, but I did not care to do that. We used to get such lovely oysters, and sometimes we made a fire on the beach and roasted them. I had a lovely time and enjoyed myself very much. We had as much fruit as we could eat—apples, and pears chiefly—and they were lovely. The weather was beautiful nearly all the time we were down there, so of course that made our holiday all the nicer. The beach at Mullet Point is no nice and a mile in length, and every evening after tea four of us used to go for a walk right to the end and back; it was lovely in the cool of the evening, and often we would sit down on a broad plank at the end for a little while before coming back. Not many people were staying there, only fourteen, four of which were children. We did not go out fishing much because fish were very scarce; but the Monday before we left four gentlemen went out in the afternoon and caught 06 between them. That was a good haul, wasn’t it? I wanted to bring home a little kohai tree for mother, but the day before we left was so dreadfully wet that we could not go out of the house, so we played cards all the morning and most of the afternoon. It was the first time I had played for a long time, and I can tell you the time did fly. I don’t think I have ever known it to go so quickly before. Although it rained so heavily during the day it was not too wet for our walk after tea. We had a frightfully rough day to come home, and had to leave at eight in the morning. Owing to the rough sea, and having to call in at Waiwera, we were an hour late in arriving at Auckland wharf, so you can just imagine what it was.like. Going down it was as smooth as glass and simply lovely. We were nearly an hour and a half late going down, as we had to call at the lake and Tiri; it was the first time I had ever been so close to Tiri. Cousin Kate, does Cousin Dora live in Auckland? I am not collecting stamps, but I would like to see hers, all the same. Father gave me such a nice Tongan one on Friday. What a long time it must be since Cousin Fenton wrote last. I never remember having seen a letter in the “Graphic” before. Perhaps it was before Desmond and Valerie wrote. I used not to read the cousins’ letters until they wrote, but now I have started writing I can’t get the “Graphic” quickly enough. I hope, like you, Cousin Kate, that Wilma will be a “Graphic” cousin some day, but I think it will be a long time yet; don't you? Never mind, we will wait and see. 1 wonder when we will hear from Cousin Roie and Alison again? I think it is so nice hearing from them when they are such a long way away, especially England and South Africa. I would love to 1 wonder when we will hear from Cousins Kate? Perhaps I may if I have patience and wait long enough; but am afraid I have very little patience. What do you think? Last Saturday week was our school picnic, which was held at Motutapu, and Desmond, Valerie and Olga went and had a lovely time. They had a beautiful day, didn’t they? Have you ever read “John Halifax, Gentleman ”? I have just started it. Did you go up to the Domain to-day to hear the band? I sat on the verandah and could hear it quite plainly. I am anxiously waiting for my piece of music to come out from Home called “Bells at Sunset,” as I am sure it must be very pretty. I used to think “Angels’ Harps” lovely at one time, but I have played it so often that now f am quite sick of it. Won’t it be a sell if tb.c rest of “Bells at Sunset” is not pretty? Of course I only have a scrap of it on the back of another piece of music, and you know that is not much, but I am judging from it all the same. I will be so moppy if it is not nice—wouldn't you be? Now, dear Cousin Kate. I must conclude, as I have no more news. With love to all the other cousins and yourself.—Front Cousin Muriel.

[Dear Cousin Muriel, —I was sorry you had to miss a week while you were at' Mullet Point, but you have written such a long letter this week that you have more than made up for it. I am very glad you enjoyed yourself so much, and hope you feel better for your trip. Doesn’t fruit taste different when you

pick it straight off the trees like that? Pears are a most delirious fruit I think, but I don’t care so much for apples. Didn’t you tell me •nch that Valerie and Desmond were very fond of playing cards, but that you did not care for them much? What Hay did you coma home? Friday ami Saturday of last week were terribly rough. We went down to see the mail steamer off, and were very glad that we were not going out when it was blowing so hard. We could hardly keep our hats on, and when we got to tire end of the wharf we were so dreadfully untidy we were not fit to be seen. No, Cousin Dora doesn’t live in Auckland; she is a New Plymouth cousin, so I im afraid you won’t be able to see her stamps unless she comes to Auckland for a holiday. Cousin Fenton writes from Christchurch, and is a sister of Winnie and Olive; I think she has only written one letter before this last one, so I expect you missed it. It is very nice hearing from Roie and Alison, but, of course, we cannot expect them to write very often. I don’t care about going to South Africa at all, and I would much rather go to India or America, and I think that sometimes Cousin Alison would like to be back in pretty little Auckland again. I haven’t been to the Domain for ages; there always seem so many other places to go to somehow. I hope you won’t be disappointed in your new piece of music. It was rather risky getting it when you had only seen such a little of it, wasn’t it? Perhaps you will have forgotten all about it by the time it arrives. It takes such a long time to get here.—Cousin Kate.f