CHILDREN'S PAGE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIV, Issue 16, 22 April 1905, Page 47

CHILDREN'S PAGE.

COUSINS’ BADGES.

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

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —We have been having such splendid fun the last few days. Stella has been staying with us from last Friday. She is sitting beside me writing to you, so I expect she is telling you all tire news. As it is no use my repeating it, I will try and find something else to tell you. My little cousins, Kona and Geoff, came out to spend the day with me last Thursday. They are such dear little children. Rona is five and a-half, and Geoff, her little brother, is just two. ,We played on the haystack, and pulled a lot of it down. Clive, my little brother, has such a dear little pug dog, called Togo, after Admiral Togo. He is quite a baby pup, but we have taught him quite a lot of tricks. He begs, jumps, lies down and pretends to be dead. Another trick he does is this: We give him some food and tell him not to touch it, and he does not eat it till we say he can. X think it is rather good for so young a dog, don’t you? 1 will send you one of the Maori photographs, as you desired. Dear Cousin Kate, 1 do wish you would put your photo, in the ‘’Graphic.” It often puzzles me who you are, for you seem to know me. Cousin Stella has Sent me a lovely book by Katherine Tynan, “Three Fair Maids.” It is just delightful. Have you read, it Cousin Kate? Here is rather a good riddle: “Why have dumb waiters gone out of fashion?” Answer—“ Because they were not found, to answer.” With love to you, dear cousin, the “unknown.” and all the other "Graphic” cousins.—l remain, your affectionate cousin, Ruby.

[Dear Cousin Ruby,—l was so delighted when 1 came in this morning to find your nice long letter on my table and your photograph, too. It is very good indeed, I think, and the huia feather, tiki and mat all come out so beautiful ly elear. 1 should think Clive must be fair. Is he? It is very hard to tell from a photograph sometimes. Stella will be quite sorry when you come back to Princes St., for ypu seem to have such delightful times together out at Hillsboro’. What pretty names your little cousins have got. Rona is a particularly pretty name for a girl, don't you think so? Togo must be a very clever little animal to pick up those tricks so quickly. You must have been very patient with him. I am sorry I cannot put my photo, in the “Graphic” since you would like it, but 1 think perhaps it makes it more interesting for you when you are not quite sure who you are writing to, so I’m afraid for the present I shall have to remain the unknown.—Cousin Kate.J

Dear Cousin Kate, —I promised in last Weeks “Graphic” to let*.you know how Olga’s party went, off, didn’t 1? Well, it was splendid, and everyone who was invited came, except one little girl who happened to be out of Auckland on a holiday. Everything was lovely, and the children enjoyed themselves immensely. They played all sorts of games, and during the afternoon Desmond acted

as lollie-man,and ran round the lawn with a coat on covered with little lolly-bags. After tea Uncle Alf. had a magie lantern, and the pictures were splendid. Were we not lucky in having such a lovely day, because, if you remember, last Wednesday morning (early) was very wet? On the whole, I think everything was lovely. The next time Jenny writes will you thank her for me, Cousin Kate, for her kind inquiries about my foot? Have you been to Harry Rickard’s Company, Cousin Kate? Mother and father went last night, and they say nearly every item on the programme was very good. Yesterday afternoon my two aunties took Olga, Desmond, Valerie and me to the circus, and we all had a lovely afternoon, although I thought that it was very much the same as Fitzgerald’s. Have you been? Your two little nieces and their father were pointed out to me at the circus; I think the elder of the two is such a pretty little girl. Hadn’t Aunt Mamie a lovely day yesterday to go to Cambridge? I went down to see them off by the express, and when at the station I just thought I would like to have been going down, too. Fancy, Cousin Kate, to-day is the first Sunday since Christmas that we have had dinner without Wilma. It seemed so funny not to sec her at the table. She came up all right at about half-past nine, but about a-quarter to twelve she said she wanted to go home, so Valerie took her down. I don’t know what could have happened, as she usually cries when it is time to go. I know you know the answers to my puzzles. Cousin Kate, but I will enclose a slip of paper with the answers in case 1 didn’t make the one about France quite clear to you the other day. Good-bye, Cousin Kate.—With love, from Muriel J., Auckland.

Answers to Puzzles.—-I. You understand that about 1800, France, with rebellion in four corners, had monarchy wiped out and religion overturned. 11. B. r, and y. HI- You understand. I undertake, to overthrow, my undertakings.

[Dear Cousin Muriel, —I was very glad to hear that Olga’s party was such a success. I’m sure the children couldn’t help enjoying themselves when there were so many different amusements for them. The “lollie-man” was a great attraction, wasn’t it? It was certainly a very lucky thing that it turned out fine in the afternoon. What would you have done with so many children if it had been wet? We went to Harry Rickards’ last night, and it is far and away the best vaudeville company I have ever seen. The conjuring and" wire-walking were simply splendid, and Mr Golden, the society entertainer, was very amusing. The rest of the programme was good, too, but I thought those three items the best. I couldn’t help feeling dreadfully sorry for little Historieus, the child who can answer so many questions. She is such a tiny little tiling, and it seems such a dreadful thing for a child of that age to eb up so late every night. She is wonderfully clever though. I went to the circus one night, but I thought it very much the same as Fitzgerald’s and other circuses I have been to. The children enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Don’t you always want tq start off, too, when you go to see people off? I always do, especially if it is a fine day. Is Wilma growing much? I expect she has almost forgotten her mother by this time. Children of that age so soon forget. Thank you for putting in the answers to the puzzles; it is just as well you did. for I should have spelt brandy wrong. O.D.V. was the way 1 was going to answer it.— Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —Thanks so much for the badge you sent me; I think it is very pretty indeed. 1 am afraid I have not very much news to tell you this week, for up here so very little happens. Occasionally there is a concert to go to, but they are not to be compared with the lovely ones you have to go to in town. East night a lot of Maoris did poi and haka dances, and things of that sort. I did not go, but a friend of mine went, and she liked it very much. Cousin Kate, I am very sorry to have to bother you again, but I did not get Violet Tate’s address with my badge. 1 am sending a post card enclosed in this letter, and wouW you mind sending me her address again? I have written her a letter, and have got three post cards for her; one is of the Domain up here, and the other two are very pretty Southern views, which 1 will forward her as soon as 1 have got her address. I must say good-bye now, with love to the cousins and yourself. — From Cousin Allan.

[Dear Cousin Allan,—l am so glad you received your badge safely and that you liked it; they are not so nice as the last ones we had; the ribbon is much thinner, so the printing is not nearly so good, and the gold lettering comes off a little, too, I think, doesn’t ft? I would like to see poi and haka dances really well done; of course, I have seen a few Maoris taking part in them, but I would like to see a whole lot all dancing at once, wouldn’t you?

1 have posted your post card to you today with Violet Tate’s address on it; it is not mueh trouble to take in a good cause, is it ? 1 suppose you went to the Polo Tournament every day. I like watching the riding, but 1 always feel dreadfully sorry for the ponies; they *eem to get knocked about a goed deal. —Cousin Kate.J

Dear Cousin Kate, —I think we arc going to have a change in the weather. Do you, Cousin Kate? I have been up since six o’clock learning my homework and doing my French. lam reading such a lovely book by Rosa Carey called “Nellie’s Memories.” I daresay you have read it, as it seems very well known. Gwen is reading one called “Mary St. John,” by the same author, and she says I have a treat in store for me, as it is so lovely. I got such a surprise when I read in your nice long answer in this week’s “Graphic” that you had only read one of L. T. Meade’s numerous books. I think all of hers arc most enjoyable. Do you know the name of the one you read? I am at present learning Paderewski’s dainty minuet. I think it is such a pretty tune and so catchy. No doubt you have heard it many times. I only wish I had heard the composer play it. Dear Cousin Kate, I have a great idea in my head to write a story for the “Cousins’ Page.” I wrote one a little while ago, but I do not think it is quite exciting enough, but I will read it through again, and if it is not I will try and write another, and send it in for you to see if it is worth putting in the “Graphic.” I could not find Ruby’s letter in the “Graphic” anywhere, and it was such an interesting one, too; I read it when I was out at Hillsboro’. Here are one or two riddles that you may not have heard before: Q.: Can you spell blind pig in two letters? A.: PG without an (eye) i, because it is blind. Q.: Which is the queen of roses? A.: The rose of the watering-can, because it reigns over all others. Q.: What is most like half an orange? A.: The other half. What a nice long letter Cousin Ro in has written. I think there is always much more news when you are writing from a place quite away. I see we have a new Canadian cousin. We are getting quite “far-famed,” are we nut,

Cousia Kate? Now, dear Cousin Kate, 1 must dose, with love.—From Cousin Stella, Auckland.

[Dear Cousin Stella, —I certainly thought there was going to be a change in the wexther yesterday ; but the rain seems to have cleared off again altogether. I suppose it must come soon, but 1 do hope we shall have nice weather for the Easter holidays. Six oT-iock seems very early for you to be up learning your lessons. lam always so sleepy nt that hour of the morning, but I expect I am up much later than you are «t night. I like Rosa Carey’s books immensely, and I have read ‘‘Nellie’s Memories,” but I don’t remember "Mary St. ‘John." I thought I had read all it»r books, too. I don’t remember which book of Mr* Meade’s it was that I read, Bhe has written so many, but I will look it up again and let you know. I hope you will write a story and send it to me; there is no reason why you shouldn't write a very interesting one. Ruby has written several, but. of course, you have read them all. I eannot understand what became of Ruby’s letter last week. I answered it and sent it down to be printed; perhaps they have Jtept it back until this week, because there were so many cousins’ letters last Thank you very much for the fiddles. Could you answer any of Muriel's puzzles? It seems fttnnv to bare cousins writing from Canada.’Lonflon and South Africa, doesn’t it? but it inakes the page ever so much more interesting. I think.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear C ousin Kate, —It is such a long time since we have had a “Graphic” with bhe of my magnificent letters in it that I am wondering if I will have the jov of hoeing either of the two last printed at itll. It- doesn’t seem much sport writing Jinless I see your answers, but lately we have had “Graphics” with very few cousins’ letters, perhaps because of the Christmas holidays. The N.Z. mails have been so irregular lately, and I’m sure people don’t write nearly as often us they used to. Of course, we have to r»tgember it is now two years since we J eft Auckland, though it seems about ire months. We never can understand what makes the time go so fast here—a week always seems two or three days shorter than those of Auckland. It must be because we work all day. You will see from my address on the top of this letter that we have moved. The name of the house is not our choice, as you may imagine. I think it is silly, and isn’t a bit applicable; however, it is no use altering it when it is known. The house is boncing after our other, which Was a good way up from the tram-cars and in a hot position, though the glorious view pf the sea partly made up for that. Still, it wa* very glaring in sumsuer, and had absolutely no garden, while this one has a largejgarden in front and R big space full of blue-gums at the back. It is not quite so far from town now, so we have a longer luncheon hour.

and as the Pine Grove car terminus is •t the gate almost, we are able to see .when the car is there and hop into it straight away. The Three Anchor Bay trams were what we caught before. We still have a view of the sea, -but it is •cross the Common. I really can’t think •f any news. Nothing exciting has happened in the town. The weather was •imply, awful for ten days without a break in the south-easter that raged day •nd night. Then it was terribly hot. T-aat night a white fog m<de everything cold and damp, so to-day was too cool. The climate is so changeable that old people must find it very hard on them. BO much so that a Capetown resident. Mr Land-berg, at the early age of 10A •lied last week! This premature death has been chronicled in all the papers throughout South Africa. We all had a half-holiday a few weeks ago for one day pf tl?e Roseband Agricultural Show; but ks It was n windy day only two of our iamily graced the proceedings. Not long before that a half-day was also given for Hospital Thursday at the exhibition, which i- closed now. When any special dvent took place at the exhibition, a Bouth-easter got up the day before, so as io be in fine working order land to collpet tons of dust) for the special day. ftiirsar, whatever it* drawbacks, this delightful storm provides conversation for • rather conversationless people. You •re thinking that I have managed to fill this letter with not much else than the wind; but, as I have said, it is a neverfailing topic. We will now let it go to its rest. Doris baa not sent me a line for •ges, beyond one or two on a post card.

the corner of which i- taken up with a very gtiod photograph of herself. I have one of myself drying a hideous little tortoise-shell kitten in the concrete yard on Sunday morning, so 1 must send her one. I read Cousin Betty’s letter, written at Christmas time, when -he said she wa

was going to Opotiki; and by the same mail 1 had a short epistle from one of the schoolgirls who lives in Opotiki. and she told me Betty would be with them for the Christmas holidays. I -fayed with her too. just before coming here, and never had such jolly holidays before those I spent in Opotiki. I am certain Betty would love tiie country life. Her sister went to the same school—Alelmerly —as all of us. Last month I saw "The Daughter of the Regiment,” and, of course, enjoyed it. Madge saw "The Earl and the Girl” for the third time. On Sunday. Table Mountain was blazing all over one side. It was a terrible fire, because all the plantations of trees, the work of the Forestry Department, were destroyed. It has taken years to get the trees on as far a- they - were, and now they are dead- The cause of the fire is unknown, the idea being that a pienic party started it. and most likely it is true. My puppy is so pretty now. but terribly mischievous. He drags the poor kitten up and down the passage by her tail: in fact, he chews her all over. She simply loves him, and never seems happy when puppy goes out. He is a regular bully, and sits on her head when tired of playing. I have a most elaborate collar studded with large brass nails, and his name and address on a brass -pace. No doubt the collar will lie grabbed directly he develops a large enough neek for it. < He follows my bicycle very well, but get- too tired to come beyond a certain distance, so I have io carry him on one arm. which makes me quite cosily warm when the sun absolutely blazes on to me. However. I can’t leave him on the road. What a slow letter this is. but I can’t think of anything at all exciting. I will leave a page to fill up later on. We have just arrived home (Sunday evening) from hearing Dr. Buchanan in th* Good Hope Theatre, which building, as I have toid you onee, is like a big barn. He I Dr. B.i holds a service there every Sunday evening, and the whole building is packed with people, mostly men. young and old. He is very clever, and knows something of everything: keeps everybody interested to sui-h a point that when he stops speaking dead silence reigns. He evidently loves nature, and has his table on the stage covered with Isowls of flowers. Of course, it isn’t a church service, but. judging front the number who attend, the meeting doe* as nsneb. if not more, to those there than the Ordinary church service could do here. Oar preachers here are not up to his mark: at least those we have heard. I haven't read much lately, beyond -some of Moore’s “Irish Melodies.” I bought a dear little copy bound in red. just a large-enough edition lor small enough) to take in my sleeve when I go for a ride if I want to get off my bicycle and sit down. I enjoyed "Elizabeth's Children,’’ by the author of "Helen AHistcn.” which 1 told you about in my last letter, and said was written by the same person as "Elizabeth and Her German Garden.” It was a mistake, because the author of "Helen” has only written two books. Until a few days ago I hadn't read Bret Harte’s poems, and not many of Lis stories. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed them, and have still some left to read. Well. Cousin Kale, to-morrow is Monday, so if 1 don’t finish this letter and go to bed I will feel lazy in the morning. Besides. I have nothing interesting to -say. and hope you will understand 1 wrote this simply because I like sending you a letter once a month, so excuse the dull parts. With love to you and all the cousins, from Cousin Alison. [Dear Cousin Alison. —I am sorry you Lave net been getting the "Graphics” Very regularly lately, r- you say it is not very ntnvb fun for you to write and never see the answers to your letters. It B rather too much of a one -ided correspondence, isn’t it? Do you have the "Graph:-s" sent straight from the office, or does some i? post them to you? The cousin* were rather lazy about Christ msM time: I suppose a great many of them were away for the holidays, and did not. care to write then, for which I cannot blame them, as I should think my holiday quite spoilt if I had to write many letters. Is it really two years since you left Auckland? I can hardly believe it is so long. Time must have taken to passing more quickly in Auckland, too, lately, I think. I noticed you had changed your abode directly I opened your letter, and I thought I should have to give you a

page of my cousins’ book to yourself in case you should be changing it again soon. It must be ever so much nicer to have a garden; that, with the tram-cars so close, nn st make up for the loss of the beautiful view. \Ve are suffering from the same complaint here a* you are V> South Africa, for there is no news to tell you either. 1 don’t think I shall come to Cape Town to live if I can help it, for I should just hate to lie cut off in the prime of my youth and beauty at the age of 100. Dora is getting lazy about wiiting. I'm afraid, or else ahe is haring too much gaiety, and has no time to write. I see her name in the "praphic”. as having appeared al several functions in New Plymouth. I told you. didn’t I. that she was in Auckland just after Christmas! She came up to see me one day, looking very bright ami weil. I have one of her photograph post-cards, too: it is rather a good one of her. I think. Is yours as good? If so, I would like one. too. ugly kitten and all. I haven’t heard from Betty lately. She goes but to the Diocesan Schoo, now. so I suppose she has not so much time for writing. Her brother-in-law is building such a pretty house for them just opposite Maelndoe's old garden ia St. Stephen’s road. We haven’t had anything very good in tlse way of theatres lately'. J. C. Williamson is sending over an opera company —at very good one, I believe — this month. They are to revive Gilbert and Sullivan’s operas, so we are looking forward to -seeing alt our old favourites. I went to see Harry Rickards' Vaudeville Company the other night. It was really awfully good: some of the "turns’ <is that the right term? —Madge ought to know) were splendid. In spite of there being no news’ I seem to have a lot to say this morning. I could go on writing for the next hour, I think; but they are waiting to set this, so I must stop now. I hope you will get the “Graphic” with th's letter in it all right, or I shall feel as though I had wasted my literary efforts (such as they are) this morning.— Cousiu Kale.]