COUSINS' CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 7, 16 February 1907, Page 38

COUSINS' CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Cousin Kate, —I will write you a little letter to ask you if you will let me be one of your cousins. We have had eight weeks’ holiday, but we have to go baek to school on February the sth. I went to Hastings for a few days. We are having very hot weather down here; is it hot up there? 1 have got a pretty little pussy eat. I haven’t got a name for it yet. We have a very pretty garden and a very big oak 'tree. I am collecting postcards, and have got about 60 now. I have no more news to tell you. ' But before 1 end up I want to ask you if you will send me one of your badges.—Madge.

[Dear Cousin Madge. —Of course you may become a '“Graphic” cousin, and 1 shall be’delighted to add you to our hand. I will post a badge to you immediately, and hope you will receive' it safely. Are you sorry to be going baek to school? 1 should think you would be, if it is as hot in Napier as it is in Auckland. 1 don’t think 1 have ever felt the heat so much before, one doesn’t feel inclined to move until after the sun goes down. What are you thinking of calling your kitten? If you tell me what colour it is and all about it next time you write, I might be able to think of a nice name for it.— Cousin Kate.] •I- 4- "4 1 Dear Cousin Kate, —I now have some time to write you a letter. I suppose you will excuse me for not writing before, but we had so little time to spare. 1 hope you enjoyed yourself on Christmas Day. We went cherry picking on Wednesday, or, as people call it, “Boxing Day.” 1 suppose cherries are seen in Auckland at this time of the year as well. When are we to hear about the painting competitions? A lot of children want to write, to you, but they are afraid they might not see the answers to their letters. A pienie was held in Taupo for the closing up of the school. My sisters all went, but I did not go. My brothers' prizes or books were “I’nder Burnand's Banner” or .“The Days of Chivalry,” and “Happy Holidays.” My sisters’ were “The Gold of Chickaree” and Arum Field.” They are very nice books to read, and 1 suppose you have read them. Sometimes 1 see riddles in the letters, and I will putone down. too. 1 suppose you will find? it out. The riddle is, “Something that? shows its pleasure, by its tail.” Good-? bye. 1 must conclude this letter with? a bright, and happy new year to all the? cousins.—Tour alfeetionate cousin,s ELLEN. j [Dear Cousin Ellen, —Your letter has; been such a long time, on the way that? I do not know qiijite wlfat to make bfi' it. L fancy you Jiftyg JqrgoHfij*

to post it. Thank very much indeed for your good also for the dear little card you enclosed. I enjoey Christmas week very much indeed, and since then 1 have been away for my holidays. 1 saw plenty of cherries, wild ones, while 1 was away. Where your wild or cultivated? ’The wild ones are very small and rather acid. 1 have tried to think of the answer to the riddle you sent me, but cannot, so you must tell me the answer next time you write. -—Cousin Kate.]