CHILDREN’S PAGE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue II, 9 July 1904, Page 58

CHILDREN’S PAGE.

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

rizzu> for wlse heads. " DISGUISED NAMES. 1. A mixture <»f clay ami lini. ; and a town with a Corporation. An English public school. 2. A rough woollen cloth, or covering; and a preposition. An English public school. d. A vowel sound; and a heavy weight. An English public school. 4. To lacerate, or torment. An English public school. To succeed in life; and an ancient city. \n English public -rhool'. G. A bovine animal; and a shallow place. A university and city. 7. A sluggish stream: and the way over it. Another universal v. C.J.B. BURIED TREES, FRUITS, AND VEGETABLES. 1. Scale the heights, and then dive into the depths. 2. In this chair 1 can propel myself 3. Be sure you reap each field with 4. We should hope, as well as love. 5. The new page's name is Benjamin Thomas Smith. 6. Quest ions should always be answered carefully. ANSWERS NEXT WEEK.

COUSINS’ CORIESPONDENCE. Dear Cousin Kate, —We got the “Graphic” last nigh'., and 1 saw my letter. We are leaving grand weather here now, and the roads are lovely. The Jhiehelo. s’ Ball win held last Friday night, and it v;;h very good. There was a Hille Shooting Match, yesterday between th* Malvern Mounted Hilles and the Waimak Hides, the former winning by for;y six. Wasn't Cousin Koie’s letter a nice, long, interesting one last week? All the schools down here are having their winter holidays now. 1 thought Coiisiu Hubert’s and Cousin <‘‘din’s photo, was very pretty. 1 must stop now. with love to the cousins and youi-ell. I lom Cousin Myrtle. [Dear Cousin Myrtle. — I hope you have enjoyed your holidays, and that you had *4*..od weather so that you could gel out a lot. there has been a good deal of sickness in the Auckland schools, and quite a number of children are suffering from mump- and influenza, besides the usual < >’ds and coughs. It seems to have been quite gay down your way lately. 1 am glad the Bachelors Ball was a success. Someone sug-g<-’<d we should have our in Auckland, but a -• yet the men have not shown any desire to take the matter up. Cousin Itoir certainly writes capital letter-. She is i very very foi innate cousin, is she nol. and sec« mi h j lot travelling nboiit? I am gl I you liked the photo, of ( ol«n and Koherl. Why do you not send your- l » me? Cousin Kate.] * *• + Dear Cousin Kale, I am «n anxious to become one of your cou-ins. so this is my first I aiu eleven years

old. and in Standard IV. at the district school. We are going to have a week’s holiday, and to-morrow a number of girls are coming with us to have a picnic up in the bush. Won t we have good fun, Cousin Kate? On the 22nd of July, 1!H)4, we arc going to have a school concert. I am going to take part in the dumb-bells. I think the concert will be a very successful one. We are having a very good programme. I am so glad to come home from /Auckland, because it is so noisy. 1 do like reading the eou-ins’ letters, because they tell you all about Auckla'i.d. 1 am now learning music frem Miss Gibbs. There is no more news. Cousin Kate, I must close now. with love to you and all the cousins.—l remain, your cousin Dorotliv.

[Dear Cousin Dorothy. — It is very pleasant to welcome you as a “Graphic" cousin, and I trust to hear from you regularly. I was once in Whakatane some years ago, and thought it very pretty. I rode from there to Alatata along the bench. It was glorious, and I have never forgotten it, but 1 was dreadfully tired next day, and had to (hive all the way to Rotorua. It was quite dark before wo arrived, and we shitted very early in the morning I remember. I hope your concert will be a success. I expect you are practising very hard for it just now. How did the picnic go off? 1 hope it was nice, but should have thought the weather would lie. too cold for sitting about, though if is all right in the sun some days. No doubt Auckland is rather noisy, but not half as bad as Sydney or Melbourne. The trams make it worse, but they say they are to be made to run quietly soon. Perhaps it will be better next lime you pay us a vi<it. Cousin Kate.] * * * Dear Cousin Kate,—Just fancy, three (lays of our week’s holiday gone. Isn’t it a sh'ame. I wish wo were having two more weeks. A week seems so paltry, dues it not? Hut I suppose we must make the best of it. 1 will tell you how we have spent our time so far. Monday we did not go out anywhere. Tuesdav Me Merit to town in the morning, and Me went to the Museum. 1 like going to tee Museum very much, don't you, < mi-in Kate? In the afternoon we went to Onehmiga to have afternoon tea at the Kio,k. and it was lovely. Isn’t the Kiosk a pretty little place? Coming heme Nora and myself were in the front of the car. ami the breeze was simply lovely. 1 think it is a lovely drive out to Onehunga on a tine day. The following day we spent with our aunt, who lives in Parnell. We had a very nice day indeed. Do you like the pianola? Nora was playing it at my :itint s price. lam so glad you like rneoamit ice. Cousin Kate. I ’ like it too. 1 tried to make some, cocoanut cakes the other day, and they turned out frightful. *1 bey were as hard as rocks. It is horrid v.hen cakes do not turn out well, isn’t it? I jsaid 1 would never make any more cakes again, but I stippo-e 1 will try again soon. The day we broke up a man gave a “Punch mid Judy" entertainment at the school. Amy and myself went, and liked it pretty well. 1 have seen “Punch and • Indy" a great many times. 1 don’t th.nk I would go to another. I have not seen Lorna (the pony) for nearly a

month. Mie is not in our paddock now. Sue is in another paddock. I miss niv rides very inii.li. I suppose Lorna is very glad. f>hc has a very easy time ot it, I think. I don’t think Amy is going to write to you tin's week. She is painting in a book. Amy is mixing a number

of paints together. Io get some colour for a flower. She would make you laugh to see her. 1 am 'awfully sorry, dear Cousin Kate, you have a bad cold. 1 do hope you will not get the influenza, as it is a frightful thing to have. 1 don’t think your answer to my letter was a scrap dull; in fact. 1 thought it was lovely. I must tell you Amy lias just shown me one of her paintings, and it was splendhl- She has a book with pattern- of flowers. 1 must tel! her to send you one of her paintings. I must really stop now, dearest Cousin Kate, with love to youreelf- and all the Cousins.—Cousin Alary Aueklaul. [Dear Cousin Alary.—Don’t the days seem to fly during holiday time. A week seems just no time at all. You have had some lovely days for your holidays, the last three or four days have been simply lovely. It rained fearfully hard on Monday. I knew, for I want out to Itemuori, mi l got caught in a frightful shower coming home, and got wet. through. It -wasn’t a very nice thing to do. as I had b.-en in bed several days with influenza. However. I don’t think it made my cold any worse. 1 hadn’t been -along the Remuera road since they started getting them ready for the trams, and I had never realised how icry bad they were. How do the ■people who live on the top of. that high bank manage to get in and out? It is a lovely drive out to Onehunga. but one wants to b» very well wrapped up to go out in the front of it this weather. 1 like the pianola very intteh. but I think it wants to be well played. I prefer the piano, though: there is so much more expression in it. The pianola is a little b.t lu.chanical. I think, don't you? Do you remember ’.he old proverb about try again? A cook has a great many failures before she becomes a really good one. ‘•Punch and Judy” is very funny the first time, but one gets tired of it very soon, don’t you think? I expect Lorna thinks it lovely having no work to do. But you will be able to rile her twiee as much in the summer time to make up for it. Will you give Amy my love 'and thank her very much for the painting she sent me? It is very well tlone, indeed. for a little girl of her age.— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Csiusin Kate.—l sf-arted writing <o you last week, but got stuck for news when only half way through the first page. Our play, “Beauty and the Beast." was a great success-. It took about two hours to ncl, and the scenery was lovely. 1 have just read such u glorious book, called “The Rebel of the iSchool," by L. T. Meade. Cousin Ruby lent it to me. Have you ever read it. Cousin Kate? Are you going to Towsey’s concert on Thursday evening, Cousin Kate? 1 am not. but my sister as. My chain that I got for my birthday was a “Granny." Last Thursday evening I went to a dunee, and did not get home until half past two in the morning, so you Can imagine how tired I was next morning. Now, dear Cousin Kate, I am afraid 1 must close this short scribble, but there is really no news, with a big bunch of love to you and all the Cousins, —I remain, Cousin Gwen. Auckland.

[Dear Cousin Gwen, —I nm sorry you lead no news to tell me'last week, because I miss not getting letters from my regular correspondents, as I told you before. I am very glad, indeed, that your play was such a success. Did you lind your head gear very heavy’ You don't tell me half enough ’about things, and that is how you get stuck for news, i think. I would like to hear how large an audience you had at your performance, and where you got the scenery from, and all sorts of things like that. No. I haven’t vend “The Rebel of the School." but it sounds as if it would be very nice. Cousin Ruby hasn’t written to me for quite a long time. I suppose she is busy. I wanted to go to Mr Towsey's concert very much, but 1 could not manage ft. He •will be very much missed in Auckland, I think, don’t you? 1 heard yon were at a dance las: week, and I expect you were rather tired next morning, but you will have to get used to that when you grow up. you know. I have found out what C.Y.K. mean- for myself, though you forgot to tell me after ail. Well, Gwen. 1 really must stop now. for I have several more letters to answer yet. Have you noticed that two new Cousin Gwen’s have joined latelv.—Cousin Kate.J

Dear Cousin Kate. —I have only been over to the Lake once, but I hav<* often stayed at the Shore. I enjoyed “Unde Tom's Cabin” very inucli. It is very sad in parts, but don't you think Topsy is awfully funny? You must excuse me saying that the bandstand was opposite the bathhouse, because it is not; it is alongside of it. We thought my little sister, Elo-sie, was gettings the mumps last week, but it was only i cold in her mouth. The piec-s of music that we are going to have for the exam, will not l»e out from England for another three months, and that leaves all the hard work for the last. M’e are going up for the Intermediate, and if we get over 85 marks we get a prize, and as there is only one prize, the one who wins it is called ti e Local Prize Winner. 1 must thank you for the badge, which I received to-day. I think it is so pretty.

We arc in our other house now. It is just below Hie hills. Each of ua has a little patch of garden for our own. Aline is a semi-eirelc just under the verandah. It has a deep border of violets all around it. I think violets are so sweet, don't you, Cousin Kate? There were some big pine trees down the side of the house, but father had them cut down to-day, because they shut out tCa sun. There is no more news, so I will close with love to yourself and all the other cousins.—l remain, yours affectionately, Cousin Ida, Tc Aroha.

[Dear Cousin Ida, —Did you have a tine day for your trip out to the Lake? On a nice sunshiny day the view is simply lovely over there, but it is rather dreary in winter-time. 1 think, when all the leaves are off the trees, and it is very cold too. Topsy is certainly very funny, but one wants something to make one laugh. It would be horrid if it was all sad, wouldn’t it? When you said the bandstand was going to be put opposite the bath-house, 1 wondered where they would find room for it. I expect you were very glad when you found that Flossie had not got mumps after all, weren’t you? They are such horrid things, and so catching too. W hat a pity' you do not get your rausie out earlier, but perhaps y ou would get tired of it, and not play so well, if you were able to practise it too long. I do hope you will pass. You would be very delighted if you were the Local Prize Winner, wouldn't you? A iolets are lovely, aren't they? We have so lew this year, I'm sorry to say. Don't you find it rather cold working in your garden this weather? It is even colder in Tc Aroha than here, I think, too. ?.iy hands are so eold this morning that I can hardly hold my pen, so I will stop now.—Cousin Kate.J

Dear Cousin Kate, —I have started to write again, and I will write more regularly- as I have just got over a very had eold, and 1 can write now. Cousin Kate, my Tom Thumb is such a thief, and when Tom Thumb does anything wrong he will run up the chimney, and stays there all day, and when my mother goes to light the fire he comes down. Dear Cousin Kate, the photos, of Robert and myself in the “Graphic” were very nice.—l remain, yours sincerely.—Cousin Colin.

[Dear Cousin Colin,-—Thank you very much for your nice little letter, which I received this morning, and 1 am so pleased that you are going to try and write oftener. Aren’t eolds horrid things to have? and so many people have them very badly just now. You must be careful and not catch another one this winter. Tom Thumb is the name of your little cat, isn't it? He must be very clever to know when he has done wrong, and go and hide so that he cannot be punished. I hope he will not stay up the chimney some day when the fire is lighted. It would be so dreadful if he got burnt, wouldn't it? 1 once heard of a eat who would always go and sleep in the oven when it got the chanee, and it got very badly burnt one day, poor thing. I am so glad you liked your photos, when you saw them in the “Graphic.” I liked them, too, very much indeed. —Cousin-Kate. J * * * Dear Cousin Kate, —I did not write to you for some time, ns I was busy with my examination, and 1 am pleased to let you know that 1 passed at school. Cousin Kate, my mother and father were very pleased with my photo, and Colin's in the “Graphic.” 1 would like to have the photo., as 1 have so ninny con-mis to send them to. With best love to you ami all the cousins.—l remain, yours, Cousin Robert.

[Dear Cousin Robert,—Of course I vas sorry not to hear from you for so long, but I'm glad you did not let letteravriting interfere with your lessons. I was very pleased to hear that you had passed your examination at * school. What standard arc you in now? Yours and Colin's photographs were exceedingly good, 1 thought, and I am very glad your mother and father were pleased with them. I will send you the photograph baek directly I can find time to post it. I c\pe< t you have a great manypeople you wish to send it to. Are you interested in football? I am, and I'm looking forward to seeing the Eng-

lishmen play. I’m afraid they will beat us, though, but not so badly as they

have beaten the Australians, I hope.— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I have not yet received Olive’s address, but perhaps you were too busy to post it last week, so 4 will look for it next. You asked me if 1 had a nice recipe for lemoncheese in my last letter. Well, I have a very good one, so if you would like it I will send it you. Yesterday 1 took Desmond and Valerie and Olga to the Museum. It was tlie first time 1 had been for ever such a long time. Olga was quite taken with the birds and animals. 1 don’t think she had seen them before. She is staying with us this week, as we have a week’s holiday. Isn’t it lovely? 1 rang up the “Graphic” office for you yesterday morning, but was told that you were in bed with influenza, and would most likely be there for several days. 1 hope you are not very bad. Desmond has such a dreadful cold at present, and I am afraid I am getting one toe. I hope not, though. Mr Wallace eame out to school one day last week, but we did not have drawing with him. 1 was awfully sorry, because I love drawing. Mother read “Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" to Desmond and Valerie last week. Have you read it? It is very easy to read. J think one of the cousins mentioned it the week before last, f did not eave for it much, but Desmond and Valerie seemed to like it. Dear Cousin Kate, t have just been looking for some of my post-cards, and I discovered some very good puzzles, which mother had given her when she and father were at Waiwera. 1 will give you some before I close. Fancy Lyndal being able to recognise me in town through seeing my photograph. 1 didn't think it was plain enough for that. Didn’t, it rain dreadfully' this morning? I hope it will be fine to-morrow, as I have to pay a visit to my dentist; in faet, I would like it to be fine all the rest of the week, as 1 generally go out a great deal during my holidays. Yes, Cousin Kate, I have learnt “Bells at Sunset,” but 1 haven’t had it at my music lessons yet, though. To-morrow (Wednesday) a friend of mine is coming up to spend the afternoon with me. so we are going through my actors and actresses. It will be the first time 1 have looked at them for such a long time. Are you going to the farewell concert to Mr .Arthur Towsey, nt His Majesty’s, on Thursday evening? J. think mother and father are. so next time I write (which f hope will b? next week) I will tell you what they thought of it. When I have finished this letter I am going to try and do one of Desmond’s puzzles called “Omytryit.” Rather funny name, isn’t it ? but the puzzle is anything but funny. With love to yourself and the cousins.—From Muriel J.. Auckland. N.B.—You will find enclosed a few of the puzzles.—M.G.J.

Puzzles:—,l) Spell eow with 13 letters. Spell brandy in 3 letters. (2) Read and fill in the blanks: A old woman with intent, Put on her and to market went. Said she to , “Give mo, I pray, The wherewith all to this day. There is one word of four letters which is used. These letters cun be arranged in such a way as to form the live missing words. Answers: —(1) See o double you. B, r, and, y. I w ill send you some more next week.—• M.G.J.(2) A vile oh! woman with evil intent, Put on her veil, and to market went. Said she to l.evi, “Give me, 1 pray, The wherewithal to live this day. [Dear Cousin Muriel, —I am sorry you have had to wait for Olive’s address, but I really was not able to send it before. 1 have been away from the office for several dpys with influenza, so my cousins’ eorre-pondenee Ims got rather behindhand. 1 have a very good recipe for lemon cheese or lemon honey, as so many' people call it. 1 * really think lemon honey is a more suitable name for it. don’t you? Thank you very much for offering to send it me all the same. Mo-t children seem to love going to-the Museum. 1 took my little nieces some time ago, and they enjoyed it immensely. Like Olga, they were delighted with the birds and animals, but especially the birds, I think. You have had lovely weather for your holidays, haven’t you? 1 am very glad, because it makes such a difference to one’s en-

joyment. How was it that Mr Wallace did not give you a drawing lesson after all? Is he a sort of inajieetor? A great many cousins seem to have read "Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch.” I liked it. It is so very well told. I think. Thank you very much for the | uzz.les. They are very good indeed. I uni awfully stupid at finding puzzles out, so I never try now. Did yon manage to do “Omytryit ”? 1 suppose it should be written “O my! try it”? Don’t you hate having to go to the dentist? 1 think I would rather do anything than have a tooth stopped. 1 thought you had given up collecting actors and actresses, mid taken to post-cards instead. Cousin Carle sent me a post-card this week with some really lovely views in it. I had tickets for .Mr Towsey’s concert, amt I wanted to go very' much indeed, but my cold was so bad that 1 went to lied instead. 1 used to learn singing from Mr Towsey, and I am so sorry he is going away. I will pest, olive's letter to her to-day, and 1 will answer your other one, too, if I can possibly find time.—Cousin Kate.)

Dear Cousin Kate, —I saw my fitter in the last “Graphic.” You asked me if I saw it when 1 was at school. Well, 1 do. My sister sends it over to me. i saw Cousin Kuby’s letter last, week, and 1 am almost certain I know who she is. If it is who 1 think, 1 know her. Last Saturday, as I was going out. I went ever on my ankle and sprained it slightly. We have had such a lot of rain here in Wellington lately. What sort have you been having in Auckland? The band of cousins must be very large now. There always seems to be new ones joining our band. 1 collect stamps, and I have just commenced to collect post-card-. They are both interesting, but 1 think I like post-cards best. You get stall pretty ones. Perhaps I like it best because I have just commenced. You must get very tired of answering letters, as you have so many to answer. Have you had a cold this winter yet? I have only just got one, but it is pretty bad now. We had such a dear little eat here at school, but we do not know where it has gone. It has been missing some time now. It was so playful. I must close tiiis short, uninteresting letter with much love to all the cousins ami yourself.— From Cousin Rosie, Pieton.

[Dear Cousin Rosie, — I am glad you

m*c your own letters and the answeqp to them when you are at school. It. would be horrid if you had to wait t ill holiday time to see them. wouldn't iiY 1 had better ask Cousin Ruby to weather Ixadgc the next time you have holidays, and tl.cn you will lie able to find out whether you know her or not. 1 am sorry to hear that you have hurt your ankle. You must take great cant of it. because sprains lake mu-Ii a long time to got veil units!- <;ne is very careful of them. We have been having some dreadfully bad weather in Auckland, too. but the last few days have been lovely, to 1 hope the word of it is over now. I never collected stamps or postcards, hut 1 think I should prefer postcards. They are not so much trouble, for one thing, and they are certainly much prettier than stamp-. I have a great many letters to answer, but I like doing it, so 1 don't get tired of it. Ye-, 1 have had one rather bid cold (his winter. ami I don’t want another. I hope yours will be all right again soon. — Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, — I was so pleased to >ee my letter in the “Graphic, '* and also your nice reply to it. I got the badge some day- ago, and liked it v< ry much. 1 am better now ; it was only the mumps I had. We had a school concert la-t Friday, ami I sang in a ’’Dolly Song.” I got a prize, too. I am in tin? third primer at school. Have you sent

the “Chatterbox'' yet. because 1 am looking forward to it very mu« h. Dear Cousin Kate, would you please give me the address ami name of some little cousin l : ke me, so that I can write to her? Now. Cousin Kate. 1 must stop. With love to all Ihe cousins am! yourself.— Cousin Norma. Toko.

| Dear Cousin Norma, — T was so glad to get your nice little letter this morning, and to hear that you were so much better again. J Lave been so busy lately. and I have been ill with influenza too, and I am sorry to say that I forgot to post the ’’Chatterbox” to you, but 1 will post it to you to-day. ami I hope you will like it. 1 expect you will enjoy it much more now that you are quite well. Was your school concert a success? Do you know I have never heard a ”Dolly Song,” so you must tell me all about it next time yuu write, and till me what your prize was. too. Well, dear Nonna, I'm afraid I haven’t time to write any more this morning so 1 will close. 1 will stnd you the address of

mother lit tip Cousiu 1 have who i« just about your age, 1 think. 1 will write it on a little piece of paper, ami put it inside the "(.'hatterliox” for you. Vou-iu Kate.] + ♦ ♦

Dear Cousin Rule, —I suppose you will think I sun very lazy in not writing regularly. nut really 1 have been so bu*y I have not had time to do so, and I am just writing this before 1 set to and learn my lessons for night school, as 1 have been very busy at the office to-day. I have been doing more typewriting lately than 1 have done for a long time. But there is one thing: I had forty-five of the same thing to do, so I mimeographed the lot and saved a great deal of time. I am bending you separately a postcard, with fight views in it. and 1 hope you will like it. Last Saturday I played in a thirdclass football match, and I am glad to we beat our opponents by five to three. .We did not go on the field until a senior match was finished, and that was four o’clock, so it was a quarter to six before we finished, and then it was anything but light, and it was look this way and the other for the hall, for unless we were near it we could hardly .see. There was a bit of fun near the end of the game, for about five on each side were scrumming among themselves, while the rest of us were playing on the other side of the field with the ball. There were a great many barrackers. and what with this and the darkness and a pretty slippery and a heavy field, we had a rather exciting time. The weather is very cold here, so every Thursday I go to a dancing class, and this I think is better than playing football on a heavy field. I have been asked to join the volunteers here as a bugler. What do you think I ought to do. Cousin Kate? Our examination comes in December instead of January, as usual, and if 1 pass 1 am going up for matriculation next year. lam also trying hard at the piano, and after a while, if I get. time, I am going to learn the violin. My sister plays it. ami J think it goes very nice with The piano. Here is a little piece, and if any of the cousins care to try it 1 think they will get a deal of fun out of it. Repeat a passage of poetry, counting the words aloud as you proceed, thus: Full (one) many (two) a (three) flower (four) is (five) born (six) to (seven) blush (eight) unseen (nine), and (ten) waste |( eleven) its (twelve) sweetness (thirteen) in (fourteen) the (fifteen) desert (sixteen) air (seventeen). This will prove a great puzzle to many, and afford considerable amusement. Why is Q rather impertinent?—Because it is always in-quisilive. Why is S like a smart re-partee--Because it begins and ends in sauciness. Why is U like a very comical person?—Because it is always in fun. My first is a circle, my second a cross; If you meet with my whole look out for a toss!—Ox. Dear Cousin Kate, —I enclose you herewith another of my stories, and I only hope it will meet with your approval like last one, and that if you think it good enough that you will gel it printed in the ‘•Graphic.”—(’arte. Westport, June 21, 1904. [Dear Cousin Carle, —Many thanks for your long and must interesting letter, which I was very pleased to get. It is certainly very good of you to write when you have so much to do typewriting, and with lessons as well. It sounds as if that football match must have been great fun. 1 used to take a tremendous interest in all matches at one time, for I knew so many of the players up here, and had a brother who was in the representative teams for several years, but lately 1 have not been out so much. I expect, however, all of us will go out to see the English football team play. Some people are very confident that New Zealand will boat them easily, but I don’t think so, though I would like to see our boys win of course. They say the match against Auckland will be very hotly contested, as our team is going to make the game a very ‘’willing” one, not rough, perhaps, hut “all out.” as I have heard my brothers say. Thank you for the riddles and the puzzles, and also for the story, which is certainly a far better uno than the' last. I have shown it to the editor, but do not think ho has read it yet. —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate,—You will sec by the top of iuy letter that I am out at Epsom. I only came out this afternoon, and I shall be going homo to-night. 1 must ask you •• excuse me writing in lead pencil, as it

is the most convenient. We have been having fine times out here this afternoon. I have been playing skipping and a number of other games. 1 have just stopped, because 1 wanted to write you a short letter. Have we not been having dreadful weather lately? We are having a week's holiday, and I do wish that it had been fine, because it is so miserable if you cannot go out anywhere. 1 was so glad when it cleared up to-day, and I hope that it will be line the rest of the week, so that I can go out somewhere. Was it not a nice photo of Cousin Dora in this week's “Graphic,” and what a dear little boy’ I was very much afraid that I was going to get the mumps when T was not well, but I am very glad that I escaped with a cold. Well. Cousin Kate. I must close, as they are all worrying me to go and play. So good-bve.—From vour loving cousin, Lvndal.

[Dear Cousin Lyndal,—lt was really very good of you indeed to leave off playing with your cousins to write to me, and I was so pleased about it that I did not mind you writing in lead pencil, though il is rather hard to read sometimes. You sec il gets rubbed coming through the post, and that blurs it a little. 1 expect you and your cousins do have fine times when you are together. I wish I could come and skip with you this morning and get. warm. It is so cold up in my office today that though the Bavarian band is playing just down the street. I can't open my window to listen to it, and I am so fond of listening to it, aren’t you? Do you ever have it up your way? I think you have been rather lucky in your holiday weather. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were perfect days, I thought. Cousin Dora’s photo was very good injleed, wasn’t it? When are you going to send me yours?—Cousin Kate.]

4* 4? 4? Dear Cousin Kate,—As it is raining very hard now, I think it is a very good time to write you a letter. The streets here are just awful, The centre of Highstreet is covered with metal, and the sides are covered with mud: hurdles are put up along the sides in the day time, so that horses and traps will have to go on the metal to flatten it down. Pretty hard on the poor horses’ feet, isn't it, Cousin Kato? The electric wires being laid here are for electric light. No chance of electric trams in Hawera for a good many years to come, 1 am afraid. Have you lead “Btehard Carvil” and ‘•The Crisis?” 1 have, and also ‘'The Lilac Sunbonnel ” The latter is not so very nice. Can you recommend me a nice book io read, Cousin Kate, as 1 am very fond of reading? I received a letter from Kathy on Thursday, and she says in her letter that she likes To Awamutu better than Hawera. Last Sunday we had church parade, and then the volunteers went into camp at “The Oakes,” which is about two miles from here. In the afternoon four friends and myself walked out to the camp. Such a lot of people walked out, and a good many drove out also. When we got out there we were just in time to see the troopers drilling. Then they indulged in horsejumping and riding, and several got thrown off. but were not hurt. At four o’clock, as it was getting very cold, we started for home, and reached here about half-past. There was a small dance in the Theatre Royal on Tuesday, and J went ami enjoyed myself immensely. Last Wednesday the military tournament was held in the racecourse, hut as it was a bitterly cold day 1 did not go. It was a success, but would have been much better if the weather had been warmer. Dear Cousin Kate, do you think Cousin Muriel. Auckland, would like some foreign cousin correspondent? Because, if so, I am sending a page from ‘‘Weldon’s Journal” with some addresses on. and you could give it to her, as you know her—that is, if you do not mind. I must end now. or I shall be late for church. With love to you and all the cousins, I remain. Cousin Eileen. [Dear Cousin Eileen,—I was very pleased to hear from you again, for you had been writing so regularly up till the last week or so, and I was afraid you were beginning to get tired of it. I am sure it must have been very cold in Hawera, for it has been quite bitter up hero, and il is supposed to hi* far warmer in Auckland. I expect the roads arc hid everywhere just at present. In certain parts of Auckland th<y are simply awful. 1 suppose it cannot be helped,

but it always seems to me a very stupid thing to try and repair the roads in winter. It would be so much earier and cheaper in summer, and then there would be no mud. 1 like both ‘‘Richard Carvil” and “The Cri'i-U Have you read “The Virginian?” If not, I am sure you would enjoy it immensely. I should think the volunteers must have had rather a miserable and cold time in camp, but 1 suppose it is good training for them. I will write to Cousin Muriel about the foreign correspondents, and tell her of your offer. Thanks for thinking of it.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I am very sorry for not writing to you before, but I hope vou will excuse me for this time. It

doesn’t seem as long as it really is since I did write. When we had our term holidays I was not very well, but as •soon as I got better it seemed very nice to be at home. Ivy came up to our place to stay for awhile during the holidays, and I think that once she got up to Dovedale she enjoyed it very well. Since I came back again I have read a very nice book called “The Guinea Stamp,” by Annie Swan. Then just the other day Ivy brought another book to me. which she said I would like, called “Jessica’s First Prayer.” I really enjoyed reading it, for it was so intei’esiiug. We are having very unsettled weather lately. The roads arc very muddy, and before they have time to dry it rains again. This afternoon we had a heavy shower just as we got to Sunday-school. On Wednesday night I went to a Christmas tree in aid of the Wesleyan Chapel. I had a ticket, and got a vase and a pair of little mats. Now, I must thank you for the badge and pin you sent to me last time. 1 was very pleased when I got it. Now, I must close. With love from Cousin Kathleen.

P.S-—lvy and I are saving Swiss milk chocolate papers, and when we get a hundred we are going to send away and get a box of chocolates. We are also saving advertisements, which we ■ find very interesting.

[Dear Cousin Kathleen. —There is nothing to forgive or excuse in not writing for a week or so. Of course, 1 like cousins to write as regularly as possible, for it makes it. more interesting for us all; but I would hate cousins to feel they had to write or else I would be offended. I want you all to send letters as a pleasure, and not if it tires or bores you. I have not read “The Guinea Stamp.” by Annie Swan, but all her books are lovely. 1 think. If you liked “Jessica's First Prayer” you should read “Her Benny.” It is a very pretty story, as is also "A Peep Behind the Scenes,” which I am sure you would like. What sort of weather- are you having? In Auckland it has been fine, but very cold, and 1 have had a bad attack of influenza —in fact, 1 have only just come back to the office, and am behind hand with all my letters, so that I fear I can only send short answers this week. I hope you will scud a long letter next week, ami I will try and make my answer more interesting. Cousin Kate]