Children's Page

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVII, Issue 22, 1 December 1906, Page 39

Children's Page

COUSINS’ BADGES.

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

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —I would like to be one of the cousins very much; I take a great interest in the "Grapnie ; the pictures are very good, especially Buster Brown. I would like a badge, please Cousin Kate. 1 will write a longer letter next time.—Cousin ESMA. | Dear Cousin Esma, —I would send yon a badge at onee if I could, but you never sent me your address, so till you do, it is quite* out of the question. I am glad you like our pictures. I too think they are very good. As you like them so much 1 hope you will paint some one of them and send them in for the competition. Buster Brown is most amusing, but rather too much of a pickle. What a charming name you have. Is Esma all of it or is it shortened. I like short names, don’t you? —Cousin Kate.l 4 1 4- 4 1 Dear Cousin Kate, —I hope you will accept me as a •'Graphic” eousin,-and send me a badge. lam thirteen years old and in the sixth standard. Good-bye. 1 remain, your affectionate cousin,ELLEN. [Dear Cousin Ellen, —I hope that now you have been accepted as a counin you will write longer letters, and they ought to be interesting, as you live in the most interesting part of New Zealand. I have never been to Taupo, bat hope to very soon, there is such a tremendous lot to be seen, the only trouble is that it is rather a long time and tiring journey- to get there. —Cousin Kate.] 4* 4" 4> Dear Cousin Kate, —As I have not written for a long time, 1 am going to write now. We had three little chicks, two died, the other one is quite a big chicken, one little chick was blaek, the other brown, and the ether white, the white one has turned grey. It has only got a short tail. We had three little kittens; they al! died; one was tortoiseshell, the other two were tnoby. Baby has a rocking-horse. Mother went to town in a motor-ear on Wednesday and came home on Friday. We had a concert a week or two ago, and it was lovely. Our garden is looking very nice, though there are not many flowers in it now, but there soon will be. Mother brought us such a lovely lot of toys; she brought me a writing-ease; it is brown; and a sweet little eup and saucer.—From DOLLY.

[Dear Cousin Dolly,—Haven’t ycu had a badge yet, or have you lost yours and want another, as you have sent an addressed envelope? If that is the ease, I will send you one next time. You were very unfortunate with your chickens this year. We are much luckier; we have only lost one, so far, and we ate expecting a lot of new oneu out to-mor-row. Wore you very sad when the kittens died?- Kittens are dear little

things, but when they grow up they are such a nuisance, they are always in mischief. Did your mother enjoy her motor ride? I think it is lovely being whizzed along just as fast as 1 can go. \\ hat nice toys she brought you: no wonder you were delighted.—Cousin Kate.] 4- 4- 4Dear Cousin Kate, —Constance i~ writing to you, and please may 1 be a eon/.i too? iam ten years old. I want to tell you about my kitty which is the cutest little kitten in Auckland. lie is quite blaek, and it is such fun to see him play with bis mother's tail. He will curl up like a furry black bail, and pretend that lie is not looking, but all the time his little bright eyes are peeping out looking for a chance to jump. He can beg so nicely, too.—Your loving cousin, Mary. [Dear Cousin Mary,—l don't think I ever had quite such a short letter to answer before, I do hope that this is not the average length of your letters generally, if it is, you won’t take up very much of our page. Your kitten certainly sounds a beauty, and very clever too. I wonder if you ever read any of Cousin Lynn’s cat stories that he wrote about this time last year, perhaps your kitten will become nearly as clever as some of his. I rather doubt it though. Irecause his were really too remarkably clever.— Cousin Kate.l 4- 4- 4Dear Cousin Kate,—l would like very much to become a cousin, so would you please send me a badge, a blue one if you have it? I am twelve years old and am in the third form at sciiool. Not long ago I went to West’s Picture- and enjoyed them very much, but the one 1 liked most was when a prisoner escaped and the warders chased him for milee. I like very much to read "Buster Brown’’ in the ‘'Graphic.’’ I keep guinea-pigs. I have two, "Black-Eye,’’ an I "Nibbier.’’ Black-eye is the father anti Nibbier is the mother. Not long ago they had two voting ones, but I gave them a wav today. We have a little dog called "Bogey,” a funny name, is it not? 1 have a garden with a few Howers and seeds in it. To-day 1 got a lot of little oak trees, they were all under one very big tree, and had grown from acorns. I think that I will enter for your 'Painting Competition.” If I painted one of the “Buster Brown ” pictures, would that count as one of the ‘ Graphic’’ pictures? As it i., getting dark 1 think that I must say good-bye now.—l remain, one of vour cousins, BERNARD.

[Dear Cousin Bernard, —I shall be very pleased to have you for a cousin, and 1 will send you the blue badge at onee. I wish all the cousins would tell me which colour they prefer, then everyone would be pleased. I was very much amused at that same picture last time I went to West’s, and though morn.ly it was quite wrong, I was very glad he managed to get away. I don't think I ever eared much for guinea pigs, but I used to have rabbits, which was against the law. because we were in the eity. 1 think that rather added to their attraction than otherwise, as there was always a chance of being found out. What will you- do with the young oaks now you have got them? they grow too big for comfort unless you nave a large place. Of course, the Buster Brown

pictlllTS would count in the printing competition, but 1 would choose something better' if I were vow. Cousin Kate.] 4* 4* 4* Dear Cousin Kale. AH the girls have been telling about the books they have read lately, and as 1 have b.en intere-t--ed in their opinions, I thought 1 saotil I write a book-letter too. I am afraid I am the first of us to disagree with the popular opinion on "The S arlct Pimpernel, ’■' but I did not care lor it at all. It should make an entertaining and dramatic piny, though. Another 1 was disappointed in was "Lavender and Did Lace.” 1 liked ' The Master's Violin” very much indeed, so 1 was the more disappointed in the other. They, were sneh dear people in " The Master's Violin,” and it was so very pretty, ami SO humorous. Wasn’t Lynn’s garden funny? Where he would grow "cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, melon.;, peas, h — paragus, and what else?” "Nothing else, my son,’’ su'd Mirgarel. "unless yon rent a-vacant acre or so. The- seeds are small, but the plants have heart known to spread.” Some time ago I got a little book called "The Roadmender,” by Michael Tairle.-s. It is very beautiful, ml a st. ry exactly. I love it. Another little book 1 enjoyed very much was Stephen Phillip-’ poem. "Marpessa.” It is beautiful, especially Idas’ lines telling what Marpessi was to him. I love it, ton. I have been re-reading an old favourite, “The Elf Errant," by Moira O’Neill. It is the .story of an English elf who ie carried to Ireland between the leaven of a Shakespeare. ami, finding himself among the Iri-h elves, sets himself to understand them, and to reform them. They are so hopelessly irresponsible. Naturally he fails, and becomes irritated and dispirited, yet his last mes-sngr on leaving for home is "Tell the fairies 1 love them. Speedwell.” One characteristic remark that seemed to him must unreasonable was Speedwell’s quaint. "We understan I things so much better when thev are not explained.” The English elf always explained. I! is a very dainty, charming story lam so fond of it. Lately, too, I have been re-reading Poster Fraser’s "Round t lie World on a Wheel.” Isn't it an interesting book, and so entertainingly’ written? 1 know a good many of the places he passed through, but, of course. he went even more off the beaten track than most people could. I certainly don’t yearn to follow him into some of the places ho ..escribe.-. dust now 1 am enjoying myself over a volume of Keats. My library is growing to an unwieldy size, and I must leave some of my books at home next time. I hnt» to leave any of them. When 1 am twenty-one I shall settle down in the old home among my books, and read ami read and read. — HERO.

[Dear Cousin Hero, —1 see you and 1 will not agree on the subject of books, because 1 was ebarmed with "The Scarlet Pimpernel,” though 1 confess 1 was rather disappointed in “By the Gods Beloved”; it was so very like "The Eye of Ista,” and 1 preferred "laivender and Old Lace” to the "Master’s. Violin”; it is not perhaps such a pretty story, but I thought the characters were much more vivid and more natural. I suppose that my Irishism eomes to the fore when 1 say I quite agree with Speedwell’s remark about explanations, theyt are sueh a mistake, 1 think. )f you

don't understand anything at once, explanations only wake your ideas more <°ggy than ever, and anyway listening to them is nearly always a bore. 1 have never read the “Roadmenders.” I Will get it and see if we will agree about that. Cousin Kate.l

Dear Cousin Kate, —I should like to become a cousin if you will find room for we in your band. I often thought of writing before, ns I take an interest in the letters, and am, besides, fond of tending. But I should be one of the elder girls, and they seems to be so fond of grown-up discussions, which must be rather beyond young girls like us. In fact, but for the appearance of Cousin Hero, I do not think I should have gathered courage to write at all. She is, I think, much the cleverest, and yet she is not a bit formal or grown-up. She just seems to write of things that interest her in such a natural way. and her quotations always seem to come as if they had to, just there. Perhaps that is not quite clear. lam not, of course, judging from her subjects, for she has travelled so much, she must have more interesting things to tell, but from the things that interest her and the hooks she likes. My grandfather was much interested in her list of books; he thinks it quite a remarkable selection. He ordered Wertheimer’s “Duke of ■Reichstadt” solely on Hero’s recommendation. I have been trying to get some books by Jane Harlow, whom she spoke of, too. Wasn’t her last letter about Ireland splendid? I hope she will tell us about Lochs Lomond and Katrine, ■nd other Scottish scenes soon. Well, if you will have me I shall try to find something interesting to tell you abodt next time. 1 have left school, and am studying music and painting at home. Please forgive me for sending this typewritten, but I have hurt my right thumb and cannot write. It is such a nuisance, as I cannot practice or anything.— Your new cousin, CONSTANCE.

P.S.—I wonder if Cousin Hero would tell me if I could get “L’Aiglon” in English, or if hers is a French copy. I liked the play very much.

[ Dear Cousin Constance,- —I shall be only too delighted to have you for a cousin. I am glad you have at last plucked up courage to write, and I hope you will join in the discussions too, at least those that interest, you. I always enjoy Cousin Hero’s letters very mucti, ?he seems to take such a tremendous interest in life and everything that comes in her way, then travelling has enlarged her ideas, and travelling itself is a liberal education. Her list of books certainly was wonderful, and such a queer mixture, I could not help laughing at it. I hope your thumb will Ton ■be better, for with a sore hand both practising and painting are out of the question.—Cousin Kate.l

Dear Cousin Kate, —I wish to become tone of your cousins and get a badge. I am so glad that the Christmas holidays are near because 1 always spend them at the seaside. t have five young pigeons, and all of them are Homers, it is very interesting work teaching them to home. I have a bike which I ride to school every morning, and was very fortunate in winning a mile race on it at our school sports last week. Have you been to West's Pictures yet? 1 went the other night, and they were very interesting, seeing the pictures of the. Exhibition made me wish that I was 'down there. Buster’s page is a verv funny one. and affords much amusement to many of us. As it is now half-past eight I must say good-night.—l remain, your loving cousin.—COLlN.

[Dear Cousin Colin,—l will be verv pleased to have you join us, and will send you a badge. If the weather gets much hotter you will want to spend your Christmas Holidays in the sea. not at the side. I always think that bicycling must l>e realty hard work. Weren’t your legs very tired when you first started? I have never tried one. but have often lioen very much imuwl «t other people’s efforts to learn. I have only Iss-n once to see West's Pictures this time, but enjoyed them very much, and thought the Exhibition pictures splendid, but I did not need them to make mo wish I could go down to Bee the original, and I have great hopes of seeing it before it closes.—Cousin Kate.l -

Dear Cousin Kate, — During the last fortnight we have been having a gay time, so I cannot this time start my letter to you with complaints about the lack of news. The long-looked-forward-to International Exhibition is now in full swing, and so one need never be at a loss for somewhere to go as long as the Exhibition remains open. Of course, you have heard a great deal about the Exhibition, but I daresay some of the cousins would like to hear about it, even though they may possibly intend to visit it themselves. Tlic opening ceremony on the Ist was very interesting, and I much enjoyed Lord Plunket’s great speech, and also that of Sir Joseph Ward. The singing of the Exhibition Ode by Miss Amy Murphy, assisted by the members of the Christchurch Musical Union, was, to say the least, a great musical treat, and I am sure everyone thought it the most enjoyable feature of the ceremony. Afterwards the Governor shook bands with the composer of the music and the author of the Ode itself. But it would take too long to tell you every detail of the ceremony. and as I must not make my letter too long I will not do so. Suffice it to say, however, that everything went without a hitch, the only note of sadness being when our late Premier, the real inaugurator of the Exhibition, was mentioned by the Governor and the present Premier. It seemed so hard to think he was not present to see the result of what woidd have been his greatest and crowning achievement. After the ceremony was over most of the guests departed. and at one o’clock the building was thrown open to the public. All the afternoon and until late at night crowds of people visited the Exhibition. It seems almost incredible 37,000 people should have done so on the opening day, does it not? It will take a long time to see everything in the Exhibition thoroughly. and although I have b.en about seven or eight times I have not seen half its attractions. I have been in the Art Gallery twice, but will give you a description of it some time when I have not so much to write about, as it would take pages to give you any idea of the beauty and rarity of the pictures. The fernery is wonderful, and even more b-.autiful than lat first thought possible. It has been made as near as possible like a piece of real mountain forest. There are charming walks between high over-arch-ing tree ferns and a pond with pretty fountains rising from heaps of boulders. The pond is crossed by a little bridge made of the stems of tree ferns. Waterfalls trickle and bubble out of the rocky walls on two sides, and run into the pond. Then there is a grotto with imitation stalacites. which look very real indeed. The smaller ferns all have a peculiar beauty of their own, and there are lots of different specimens of maidenhair growing in little clumps here and there. The biggest of the tree ferns rises to a height of 20 feet, and stands immediately opposite the entrance. It is called, I think mamaku, and its st;m is jet black. Besides tree ferns and smaller ferns, there are a quantity of nikati palms, lance wood and cabbage trees, and a great many other native plants whose names I have forgotten. The building is about 100 feet in diameter, and it seems quite big when one is inside. I could tell you a great deal more about the fernery, but I think perhaps I had better not write any more now, but if you like I will continue my description of the Exhibition in my next letter. I keep forgetting our letters have to lie short, but I hope you will forgive me if I have made this too long. With best love to you and the oth»r cousins, your affectionate cousin. WINNIE.

[Dear Cousin Winnie, —I can quite imagine how you are enjoying yourself these last few weeks rambling round Sliding unexpected stalls and new corners to explore. The opening ceremony must have been interesting, but not so amusing as the Exhibition itself. If it is half as hot in Christchurch as it is here I should feel inclined to spend the day on the water chute; that would be the coolest place, I should imagine. I am very anxious to hear all alsiut Wonderland, as I have heard that that is the favourite portion. It is marvellous the numlmr of people that have visited the Exhibition already, and the cry is still they come. Is that the first time you have seen a mamaku. It is funny that we should be so close to you and yet have such different vegetation. There are lots of in umikus in all our bush, and are. I think, the most splendid specimen of our fern trees. —Cousin Kate.]