CHILDREN’S PAGE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XVII, 22 October 1904, Page 59

CHILDREN’S PAGE.

COUSINS’ BADGES.

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

LETTER - WRITING COMPETITION. In order to still further encourage the cousins to write regularly, it has been decided to give a prize for the best series of letters between November Ist and Ihe second week in January. ft will not be necessary to write every ’Week, and the letters need not be too long. Two prizes will be awarded, one for cousins over twelve, and another for those under that age. Included in the series must be one on "How 1 Shouhl Like to Spend My 'Xmas Holidays,’’ and fhis letter must be posted to reach the •‘Graphic” Office on or before January Ist. It must be clearly marked “’Xmas Holiday Letter’’ on the outside of the envelope. The writer’s full name, address and age must be sent with this letter by al) cousins, old or new, and new cousins writing for the first time fer this competition must be sure to semi their full names and addresses and ages willi their first letter. This is very important, and must not be forgotten. 1 hope all the old cousins will try, and that quite a number of new ones will also join our band for the Occasion. The answers to letters during the time the competition is in progress will be much shorter than usual, and if there are too many letters some Weeks there may possibly be no answers at all to some of them.—Cousin Kate. F F + PUZZLERS FOR WISE HEADS. NAMES OF CELEBRITIES DISGUISED. I. Still existing, and fourteen pounds. IA missionary and explorer. 2. A large boat, and one who works. An inventor. J. To agitate, and something to wound. SA great poet. 4. A Christian martyr, and a male child. An engineer. 5. A long way off, the indefinite article, and the time to work. A man of science. C. A stout little horse, and a miserable cave. A politician. 7. A kind of light cake, and a preposition. A writer on art. 8. Sounds with meaning, and good .Value. A poet. '.). To join in matrimony, and a small preposition. A popular novelist. C.J.B. ENIGMA. Physicians watch me oft with curious IVvhaj >s you’ll think I am about io die, And that I nearly have run out my race; For Time has marked his hand upon my Yet 1 am sure my. charms do not decline, Few have a face so gazed upon as mine! They say that for the hour men look on me; *Tis very' singular—but let that be: The wisest they who most with me confer; I axu, in truth, a striking character.

COUSINS’ CORI-ESPONDENCE. Dear Cousin Kate, —I want to write per week if 1 can now until Christmas at least. I don’t think 1 will be able to write during the holidays. This afternoon we have been practising for our concert, I am playing a solo ealled ‘■.Scherzo Brilliant.” by Hollenhaupt. Do you know it. Cousin Kate? We first of all played our solos at the Choral Hall, and then we went up to our music master’s to practise our symphony. Last night I went to an operetta at St. Paul's Schoolroom; it was acted by 45 little children, and they’ all sang very well. To-morrow night I am going to “Sweet Lavender,” and am looking forward to it very much. Have you been, or are you going, Cousin Kate? I have just finished reading such a lovely book, called "Rupert of Hentzau”; it is unnecessary io ask if you have read it. as I am sure nearly everyone has. Mother is still away, but she returns next Monday, so yon can imagine how excited we are. We are not having a holiday tomorrow, but wo are going out for a little while to see the procession. What a lovely number the Christmas one of the ‘‘Graphic’' is this year; we got it to-day. The Salvation Army band was playing in the Park this afternoon; we also notice when any band is going to play there it always rains. Now, dear Cousin Kate, my' budget of news is all exhausted, so 1 am afraid I must elose, with heaps of love, from Cousin Gwen, Auckland. C.Y.K.

[Dear Cousin Gwen,—lt is so nice id hear that you are going to write regularly once a week now; it will be quite like . old times to have your letters every' Thursday morning. Have you decided yet where yon are going to spend your Christmas holidays? Last year you went to Rotorua, didn’t you? Your convert must be coming very close now; no, I do not know “Scherzo Brilliant”; at least, I may' have heard if without knowing what it was. I have beard ever so many people say' that the operetta by the children at St. Paul’s was very good indeed. I wish I had seen it. I didn’t go to "Sweet Lavender” after all. We were going on Wednesday night, but it was so wet and horrid that we thought we should enjoy ourselves more at home, with a book and a big fire. I suppose you went ? What did you think of it.? “Rupert of Hentzau” is a charming book I think, but. 1 like “The Prisoner of Zenda” even better. "Rupert of Hentzau” is the sequel to it, you know. If your mother has been having weather like we have the last few days I’m afraid she will have a very’disagreeable trip over. Wasn't it a pity that Labour Day should have turned out such a wretched day? I felt so sorry for the people who wen) to the Domain and to Mot utapu. I didn't hear the Austral Band, and I was very sorry, as people said it was splendid.—Cousin Kate.j F ♦ 4Dear Cousin Kate,- —I did not mean to be so long writing to you and thanking you for my' badge, but whenever I think of writing iiolmdy has time to guide my haml, and as I told yon before, I am only four, and can't write by myself. My badge is very nice, and Ims a lovely strong pin. We iiad a beautiful concert at. our Sunuay-sehool. and Dorothy and Tui were fairies in lovely white frocks. We are going to have it over again next Monday. 1 got a nice prize for being a good boy. It is all about dogs. 1 go in the boys’ class at Sunday-school now because 1 have veal sailor suits. .1 went to the museum one day lately with a little boy called

Charlie, and the man sent ns out liecause we were 100 small. My hand is tired now, so good-bye. with love from Cousin Jack (Auckland). [Dear Cousin Jack.- I was very pleased indeed to get your letter this morning, and I am so glad you liked your badge. 1 know you won’t be able to write very often until you are older and able to write for yourself, because

grown-up people have so much to do that they cannot always lit d time Io help little boys, can they? I heard about the concert that Tui and Dorothy were taking part in, ami people said it was very good indeed. Were you taking part in it, too? I suppose you were as you got a prize. You .must lie feeling quite a big boy now that you are in the boys’ class at Sun-day-school. and your new' saiLor suit is very nice indeed. J saw you in it in Queen-street one day last week. —Voth n Kate.j 4» 4* 4* Dear Cousin Kate, We a»o having fine weather down this part of the world just now. Our peach and cherry trees are in blossom. Our school examination will be next week. Mother has promised my brother a book and me a football if we pass. Yc.u wanted to know which is which in the photo. Desmond is sitting down and I am standing. Buster Brown is very funny in the “Graphic” this week. Love to al! the cousins.—Witiie (Murchison). [Dear Cousin Willie, —« expect you have been wondering why your photographs have not been in the “Graphic.” but we have been so busy late’y that we haven’t had time to see abou. it; but they are ready to go in rfbw, so you will perhaps see them this week or next. The peach awl cherry trees look lovely when they arc all in blossom, don’t you hope you will have a lot of fruit this year? Your examination will be over before you see this—l wonder if you have passed. Yen must tell me next time. The football reason is over now, so if you get your football you will have to put it away until next year, won’t you?—Cousin Kate.j 4* 4* 4Dear Cousin Kate,—J was quite surprised to see another of my letters in the “Graphic” to-day. I did not think it would bo in until next week. How strange you guessed exactly at Neville’s ago. Me is just 13 months. I always thought Margot Cousin Gwen’s sister. Thank you for lolling me who she is. I suppose you thought when yon saw my letter that it was from a new cousin. 1 do not often write them, do I? Yes, J hope to visit Tasmania some day. It is a very interesting country, I Ihink. and judging by pictures. and photos I have seen of parts of it, and also from my Auntie's letters, a very beautiful one, too. How lovely it must be for you to report for the “Graphic.” It has always been my jKcutest wish io be a reporter, but 1 suppose one nurds to hr very clever, which I am not. Is it not. sad to think of Mel. B. Spurt's death? I did like him so very much when ho was in Christchurch, and ho was so awfully clever, don’t yen think? The great Paderewski hits conic and gone. Y'ou may be sure J was very glad when, papa said I could go. I did not think then* was the remotest » bane? of hearing .him, and I need- not I«d| you how 1 enjoyed myself. It was simply lovely. I love music. I suppose yoy play, don’t you, Cousin Kate? I have not heard from Dora for * >m<» weeks. 1 hope she is not ill. I am writ jig t o her again to-night. Really, Cousin Kate, Buster Brown gets and

•worse every week. I should not care Io he one of his family, should yon? As you say hr will romc to a bad end one of these days. We always laugh so when we read about him. What nice letters Doreen writes. She lives in Christchurch I think; does she not? 1 often wonder if I know her by sight, and I think I do. Dear Cous’n Kate, I will have to end this letter a< I cannot think of anything eb-c to tell yon. and with love to yourself and the other cousins. I remain your affectionate Cousin Winnie (ChristchurchJ. | Dear Cousin Winnie. — Y'our letter arrived just in time to go into last week’s •‘(.‘raphit-.” because I was a little later than usual in sending them f<» press. 1 didn’t exactly guess at Nev i lie’s age. You know you told me in one of your letters la-t year that you had a I'tlle baby brother, ami I remembered it, so you see it wasn’t very clever of me after al, was it? I have never been to Tasmania, but I Ihink it must be beautiful from all I have heard of it. All the same I don’t think I should rare to go there if one had tu have adventures with strange animal’ like your aunt did: but then I am a dreadful coward. I was ■ very, very play my own urrompaniments. | don’t death. I heard him several fanes when he was in Auckland, and liked him immensely. lie was very ch-ver, and Lad such a wonderful memory; and when one thinks (h it hr mud have been suffering all tin? time it makes one wonder how he ecu hl go <r\ I am very fond of music too. r-spet-i.tII v singing. I play just a a cry little, inly enough to play my own accompaniments. I don’t think bora has been : 11, I had a letter from her last week, and she was taking; great interest in a hockey < la nee, so perhaps she lias had no time for writing. Yes, Doreen d< es live in Christchurch, and she eertainlv does write charming let tris for a child of her age.—Cousin Kate.j 4* 4* 4’ Dear Cousin Kate,- It was «n jelly io see my letter in the “Graphic.” My friend Harold thinks Suds is a very suitable name for his little while dog. Gawkey, the parrot, is learning fresh sentences every day. Two new sayings of his are: “You bundle of rubbish.’’ ami “That’s all right.” The Mm I borough Exhibition has been a great success, and has caused great, amu.se•ment. 1 thought it grandW’ fun, and spent most of my evenings there. A fiiend and myself used to sit for hours gazing at the trout in the lish pond that was made for the occasion. .Among (he numerous fish was a freak of nature in the shape of a double-’iv.adrd trout. The side show which seemed to be the most -popular was the Punch and Judy show. 1 liked this much that I went

•even times. A friend of mine lias for * pet a young Angora goat. This animal, which has long white hair, causes great fun. She seems to be very fond of boys, hut some of these hoys don't take to her so kindly, and it is no unusual thing to see her chase some of them up the road. My little dog, Belle, seems to rather like her company, for they often play together, and Juno gets quite jealous. My father has just bought me a new tandem bike, and my friend and myself ride to the High {School together. I have just finished a very amusing story called “Shadowed by Detectives, or the Fight in the Gipsy Tent." This book is grand. Last Saturday 1 had my photo taken, and next time I write I will forward you a copy. Last week a party of us boys went for an excursion down the Pelorus Sounds in an oil launch. The scenery was magnificent. 4 am sorry to say I am again under the care of the doctor, as I put my wrist out, al a punching machine. 1 think Buster Brown is very amusing, and I have great laughs over him. That dog of his has such a wonderful expression on liis face. As I have no more news, I will bring my letter to a close. Your loving friend. Charlie Dobson, P.S.—How can f get a badge?

| Dear Cousin Charlie, —I am glad yon liked seeing your letter in print, as it Will encourage you tq write oftener, and it is astonishing how much nicer One's letters look in print, isn’t it? I suppose you teach Gawkey to talk. It must be very interesting, I should think. Did you see in one of the magazines a short time ago an account of a parrot school kept by a lady. She used to shut about half a dozen young birds in a room with a gramophone, ■which just went on repeating the one sentence. It was a splendid idea, wasn’t it? and such a saving of one’s voice. I don't wonder you enjoyed the Exhibition. \\ e had one in Auckland some year-, ago. which lasted for I wo months, and we never tired of it. chough we didn't have any freaks of nature to watch. Are you sure you are not hoaxing me about that two-headed trout? I should think the Angora goaf must be very amusing. I should like to see her chasing the hor s myself, but what would happen if she caught them? I shall bo delighted to have your photograph, so J hope it will be finished soon. What a lovely trip you must have bad the day you went down Pelorus Sound. You are a most unfortunate boy. are you not? and always seem to be having the doctor. However, by the time you see this I hope you will be all right again. I will post a badge io you directly you send me your full address. —Cousin Kate.] -1- 4. 4’ Dear Cousin Kate. — I suppose you nave been wondering what has been the matter. Our mid-winter holidays are over now, and I have been spending them on the tarm. There are pretty ferns in ihe bush, and 1 found a piece of moss growing round (he trunk of a tree. We have some pct lambs this year, and 1 have a little wee one named Jenny. She is always eating the flowers. We had a lovely carnation just coming into bud. pnd -he ate it down to the roots. She likes the stock, and is always nibbling the young shoots of trees. We have a little dog, such a funny colour; tier name is Frisk. My brother has very nearlv shot her for a rabbit. Isn’t Blister Brown a funny boy? He is always up lo some mischief. “Jungle Jinks” has not been in the ‘ ‘Graphic*’ for some time, but I do not think the cousins will be forgetting about them, they are such naughty boys. \Vc have three little kitten-, but their eyes arc not open yet.— •With love, from Cousin Helen, Waipuku%au. [Hear Cousin Helen, — Tt does seem Ta I her a !<mg time since you wrote to me last. 1 suppose you have been busy nl -ch'iol and have not had much time for letter \\ riling. I always think there is less to write about in the winter time, too, don't you? for one has to May at home so much more on account of the weather. Are you fond of pet lambs? 1 have never oven soon ’one —a pet one, I mean—since we lived in the country a great many years ago. Jenny seems to he rather a mischievous specimen. I should think you will have to keep her tied up if she goes on eating the (lowers down. Buster Brown certainly is a terror, isn’t he? Even worse than the Jungle .link boys; and they were quite bad enough. U I had Buster

Rnd his dog to look after I should have put them lioth into a eage, so that they couldn’t get into mischief; wouldn’t you?—Cousin Kate.] 4? 4» ♦ Dear Cousin Kate, — I would very much like to lie a member of the band of cousins, if you will please accept me as one. My delight is to read the cousins’ letters in the “Graphic,” they are so interesting. My name is Millicent. and I am—l 3 years of age, and in 1 lie sixth standard at the Girls* High School. Cousin Edna, who has just lately joined the cousins, is my great chum. We are always together, and it was she who persuaded me to become a cousin. Will you please send me a badge, Cousin Kate? I am enclosing an addressed envelope. Cousin Edna and I are helping in a bazaar, which is to take place in November, and we are to be dressed as Japanese girls, which I think will look very pretty; and we are also helping in our school concert. Then we are to be dressed as Grecian girls. Aly aunt and her dear little baby son are to arrive here on Thursday. We are all very proud of the boy; he was born on Christmas Day, so is called Noel. Aly grandmother and grandfather are now enjoying a trip at Home. They left for America on May 24th, 1903, and are to arrive home next month. They have been to America, England, Scotland and Ireland. We will be very glad to see them home again. They will have been away eighteen months. Is that not a grand holiday? I hope you will kindly accept, and if so. I will try and write regularly.—l remain, dear Cousin Kate, your affectionate cousin, Millicent.

[Dear Cousin Millicent, —I shall be delighted lo add your name to our list of cousins, and I will send you a badge one day this week. What a good time you and Edna are going to have; I don’t wonder you are looking forward to it. Japanese dresses are very pretty, and so becoming, too. I wish you and Edna would have your photographs taken in them and send me one. Are you going to be in any particular stall at the bazaar? 1 expect you are delighted at the prospect of seeing your aunt and baby cousin. Noel is a very pretty name I think, don’t you? When he gets a little older, though, he won't like having his birthday on Christmas Day, because it means only one holiday and one set of birthday presents, instead of two. What a delightful trip your grandfather and. grandmother are having, and what a lot they will have to talk about when they get home. One can see so much in eighteen months nowadays.—Cousin Kate.] 4 4* 4* Dear Cousin Kate. —I was so pleased to see my letter in the ‘Graphic'’ last wook. Aly ankle is still a little weak, but it will soon be quite strong again. There is going to be a bazaar in November, so I am in that instead. I am also in our school concert, so I have a great deal to look forward to. What a large number of cousins you have, Cousin Kate: and they all write such nice letters, too. You must, have a lot to do io answer all their letters. Fancy Aid. B. Spurr being dead! Did you hear him? I did not, but my sister did, and thought him very good. Have you ever been to Wanganui ? It is a very pretty place, especially in the summer. It is so nice to have a picnic up the river or at Castle Cliff. The scenery is just lovely. All the willow trees look so pretty along the bank of the river. We are having grand weather in Wanganui at present. I am doing a lot of fancy work for the show. I have just finished a table centre with A.H. in the corner. They are my mother’s initials. I have started a fancy handkerchief, and hope to finish it at the end of next week. Do you like fancy work, Cousin Kate? I am very fond of it. I do a great deal. Dear Cousin Kate, I am very sorry I did not send my full name and address, but 1 never thought of it at the time. The badges must be very pretty, as all the cousins seem to be delighted on receiving them. I think I have told you all the news just now, so good-bye at present.—l remain, Cousin Edna, Wanganui. [Dear Cousin Edna, —T am so glad to hear that your ankle is getting quite strong again now. I have just finished answering Millicent's letter, and she told me that you and she were both taking part in a bazaar and a school concert too. What a gay time you are going to have. 1 have got a good man};

cousins now. and it takes me some considerable time every week to answer all their letters. I was so dreadfully sorry to hear of Mel. B. Spurt's death; I heard him several times when he was in Auckland, and liked him very much indeed. No; I have never been to Wanganui yet, but I am coming some day soon. I have some great friends living there, and I am anxious to see them, as well as Wanganui. I have always heard that it is such a pretty place, and I have seen some exquisite photographs of the river. I’m afraid I’m not very fond of fancy work, though I do a little sometimes, but then I don’t get much time for sewing of any sort nowadays. It did not really matter al all your not sending your full name, only I couldn’t send you a badge until I knew it, could I? I wiH send you one this week, though.—Cousin Kate.]