Children’s Page

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 8, 25 August 1909, Page 58

Children’s Page

To Our Young Readers. Our young readers are cordially invited to enter our wide circle of cousins, by Writing to COUSIN KATE, “ The Weekly Graphic," Shortland Street, Auckland. Cousin Kate is particularly desirous that those boys and girls who write should tell her whatever it interests them to tell, about their games, their pets, their holidays, or their studies. Their tetters and Cousin Kate’s replies will appear in the “ Weekly Graphic," On the Children’s Pages. All cousins under the age of fourteen are accounted Junior Cousins, all above that age Senior Cousins. Cousins may continue writing until quite grown up, and after, if they wish to do so; for we are proud to number among our cousins some who have passed out of their teens. A Badge will be sent to each new cousin on the receipt of an addressed envelope. Foreign Lands. UP into the cherry tree Who should climb but little me? I held the trunk with both my hands And looked abroad on foreign lands. I saw the next door garden lie. Adorned with flowers, before my eye, And many pleasant places more That I had never seen before. I saw the dimpling river pass •And be the sky’s blue looking glass; The dusty roads go up and down With people tramping in to town. If I could find a higher tree ■Farther and farther I should see, To where the grownup river slips Into the sea among the ships. Where all the children dine at five, And* all the playthings come alive. To where the roads on either hand Lead onward into fairyland, ROBERT LOUIS gTEVENSON. 4 * * That Nice White Moon. I saw the Moon the other night Peep through at me in bed, And leave a spot of silver white Upon my snowy spread. I’ve seen the Moon come butting in When it’s hours and houis till night, Just hanging ’round, so cold and thin, And the Sun so round and bright. 1 thought: Suppose this jealous Moon Should shove the Sun away: And say: “I war nt to mark the noon— To shine, myself, by day!” Just think of that! What would we do? How black the days would be! And when the Moon was "dark” or “new" We’d need the lamps to see! The nights would be so very light No one could sleep or rest! I’m glad the Moon keeps doing right, Because that’s always best. HOLLIS W. FIELD. * 4 * COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE. Dear Consln Kate, —May I become one ot your "Graphic” cousins! I am 11 years of ■ga, and am In the fourth standard. Laat

Wednesday the St. Mark’s Sunday-sehool had a social, and there were about two hundred people there. I have six brothers and two sisters. It rained very hard yesterday, and I thought we were going to have a flood.—Love from DORIS, Te Aroha. [Dear Cousin Doris, —I shall be very pleased to have you for a cousin. That was a nice lot of people at your social. The Wailiou does rise very high in wet weather. You are rich in relations. —Cousin Kate.] •fc tfr ■fr Dear Cousin Kate,—Thank you very much for the pretty badge. It is raining very hard to-day. so I am not going to school. I have been ill in bed with an abscess in my tooth. Dear Cousin Kate, do you like music? 1 am learning. I have three cats, two tortoise shells and one grey. I had a nice big dog once, but he died about eleven months ago. He was such a beauty. My pony s just having a feed of chaff. 1 keep her fed and covered. Love to all the cousins and yourself.’ —Cousin EILEEN, Mamaku. Dear Cousin Eileen,—l sympathise with you. An abscess in one’s tooth is very disagreeable. I love music. You are well off for cats, but how sad about your dog. 1 am glad vou take good care of your pony, and also glad you liked your badge.—Cousin Kate.] 4» 4? & Dear Cousin Kate,—l am anxious to become one of your “Graphic” cousins. I have five sisters and two brothers. I have a married sister in Auckland, also a brother who is in the Tost Office. Cousin Lorna is a great friend and a schoolmate of mine. We take “The Graphic,” and I am alw’ays interested in the Children’s Page. My favourite game is hockey. As it is near my bedtime I will close. With love to all tho cousins and yourself.—From OLIVE, Motueka. [Dear Cousin Olive, —We are glad to welcome another of your name to our register. But I hope you will send me your full name and address. Some of the new cousins ace becoming rather careless about this, and I must remind them that we like to have the full name. Fancy Cousin Lorna being such a great friend of yours. Happy dreams, Cousin Olive, and don’t forget to send me your addressed envelope.—Cousin Kate.] 4* 4* 4’ x Dear Cousin Kate, —May I become one of your cousins? We take “The Graphic,” and I take great interest in the children’s page. I am ten years old. My sister and myself have a bike between us, and we also have a pony. Would you please, Cousin Kate, send me a red badge.—Your loving cousin ISABEL, Port Ahuriri. [Dear Cousin Isabel, —I am glad you like the Children’s Page, and am pleased to welcome you as a cousin. You and your sister are fortunate to have both a pony and a bicycle. Let me know huw you like your badge.—Cousin Kate.] 4* 4» 4? Dear Cousin Kate, —Thank you very much for the nice badge you sent me. This is the third letter I have written you, but the others got spoilt. I am glad to be your youngest cousin. My little hen lays an egg for my tea nearly every day now. It Is bedtime, so good-night.—From ALLEN, Paparoa. [Dear Cousin Allen,—l am glad you liked the badge. I am glad you took the trouble to keep on writing till you had a tidy letter for me. Your hen is the right kind.— Cousin Kate.] i * i Dear Cousin Kate, —I hope you will enrol me as one of your cousins. I am 16£ years old, and am in the Upper Division in the Takaka District High School, i went there with the intention of “working-up” to be a school teacher. I am very fond of children, and fonder of teaching them. But I would like to write books better. 1 do a great deal of reading when i have time, and I have just finished reading “Thelma, M by Marie Corelli. I think it Is a splendid book. I read “The Hoimeshold of Peter” some time ago, and I thought that was a good book, too. I thought that writing to you would perhaps be of some use to me with my English, and also in practising letter-writing. I love pets, but I have none of ray own. We have seven dogs on our farm, and so I have something to pet when 1 feel in that mood. But the men do not

like us petting them, for they say it spoils them for runnning after sheep. It takes nearly a fortnight to do our shearing, and we always have four extra men. besides three of our own. We have formed a debating society here. Next week we are going to debate on, “Is Sir Joseph Ward justified in offering a Dreadnought to the Mother Country”? I think tennis is a pleasant game for summer-time, don’t you? The tennis club here have their courts on our ground. Rounders is a game which seems to stay in a long time. 1 suppose you saw the American fleet when it came to Auckland. What a grand sight it must have been! With lots of love to you and all the cousins-.—-Cousin GRACE, Motupipi. [Dear Cousin Grace, —Many thanks for your beautifuily-written letter. I am sure that you will make a good teacher if you are fond of children and fond of teaching them. Did you ever read a poem attributed to Charles Dickens, relating to the children gathering round the teacher “to bid me” good-night, and be kissed”? If you really possess any true gift for writing, children would be your best subject. But you would have to take up teaching, or some other method of earning your bread, and be prepared to be unheard of probably for years as a writer. I am told that “Thelma” is a good story. I thought Maris Corelli theatrical. “The Household of Peter” ends up a little too prettily. An earnest writer must tell the whole truth about life’s disappointments, as well as about its partial romances. I am taking you seriously, because you have expressed your desire to be helped with your English, and that sounded serious. Read “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” as a pretty American child study, and “Mary’s Meadow,” as an exquisite English one.—Cousin Kate. P.S.—The American fleet did look fine.— C.K.] * i i Dear Cousin Kate, —Thank you very much for the nice letter. Hope you got the snap I sent you. It is such horrible weather here, so I have not been able to take the dogs. That snap I sent you with my dog and pony shows the best dog for harness. He is mine, and I am very proud of him. His name is Spot. The other dog is sold. There is a pup nearly full-grown. He will be taught to go in harness, too; then we shall have a tandem team. George and I had such a jolly afternoon in the dray to-day. We were carting metal for the paths. We w v ent into the river in the dray, and It was lovely. I love getting letters, don’t; you? I was told the name of that tree, but I have forgotten again. Poor man, I feel very sorry for him. Did your brother give him some food? I will send some more snapshots soon. With best love.—From Cousin BERYL, Ngaturi. [Dear Cousin Beryl,—lt seems as though I am not to see the photo of your dogs In harness. Never mind; there is finer weather coming. I can just imagine what a good time you had in the dray. Yes, Cousin Beryl, I like getting letters. My brother gave the man some food. Many thanks for the promise of more snapshots. —Cousin Kate.} 4* 4* 4* Stratford. Dear Cousin Kate,. —T received the badge you sent me, and like it very much. I had a little party on my birthday, and we enjoyed ourselves greatly. I haven’t given up dolls yet, and have the first doll that was given to me. I go to school and take my lunch with me. I am in the fourth standard. I live about a mile from school. I have a small flower garden, but the weeds grow so fast that it keeps me busy. We have a parrakeet at our house. My dada brought it from Taihape, and it talks all day long. I hope I am not wearying you, but I have such a lot to tell. I will close now, with love to all.—From COUSIN BEATRICE. [Dear Cousin Beatrice, —Would you kindly write on one side of the paper only? I am so glad you like the badge. I am sure your party must have been very jolly. I should like to see that doll.—Cousin Kate.]

Belgrovc. Dear Cousin Kate, —I am writing you another letter, but don’t know whether it Is too poor. I saw my letter in last week’s "Graphic,” and was pleased you thought it a nice letter. I was glad to get a badge, and know that I could be a cousin. There

are several kinds of birds here. The Wl'M is a very pretty little spotted bird with do tail. The fern-bird is a light brown with spots and a long tail, and is very, timid. The parrakeet is a green bird. There are two sorts. One is small, with a yellow top, the other is bigger with a red top. The robin is almost black with a light-col-oured breast, and is very quiet. One of them comes luto the whare, and I throw, him crumbs to eat. There are a lot of tuis, mockers, fan tails, silver eyes, and pigeons. There are some deer, too. I saw one the other day. It ran close by me. With love to you and all the cousins.—From Cousin LESLIE. [Dear Cousin Leslie, —It was not one bit too soon to write again. I am glad yon liked the badge so much. You have told me quite a lot about the birds, and I was so interested to hear about them. I see that you take careful notice of their points. You must never lack for company if you are a lover of nature. —Cousin Kate.] ± i * I Te Aroha. Dear Cousin Kate, —Will you accept me as one of your •‘Graphic” cousins? I have a pet kitten; will you please give me a name for it? I had a beautiful litt’e goldfinch, which I reared myself, but about a month ago I found him dead in his cage. I am sending you an addressed envelope. Will you please send me a blue badge? Hoping you will accept me.—From your would-be cousin, EDITH. [Dear Cousin Edith, —You do not tell me what your kitten is like, but Frolic Is sure to be a suitable name for any rightminded kitten. How sad about your poor little goldfinch! I am pleased to have you for a cousin.—Cousin Kate.] i i £ Wakefield. Dear Cousin Kate, —I received my badge all right, and think it very pretty. I was glad to see my letter in print. We are having very wet weather here now, and 'the roads are so muddy. I was staying up in the bush for a week .with two of my brothers, who were bushfeliing. We drove about eight miles, and had to walk about four. It rained so much that the river rose, and we could not come back until Sunday. I brought out a bag full of native trees and planted them in the garden.—Cousin LAWRENCE. [I am pleased that you like your badge. You must have had quite an exciting time in the bush. I hope the trees will do well. —Cousin Kate.] ±44 Wakefield. Dear Cousin Kate, —May I join the Cousins’ Society? I often read the cousins* letters, and find them very interesting. Buster Brown is very funny, isn’t be? He is always into some mischief. There seem to be more cousins every time. My brother and sister both write to the "Graphic.” I have four sisters and nine brothers. One of my brothers is away in Canada. I have been learning music for a long time, and like it very much. My Cousin Llora haa gone home now. She passed her examination.—Your affectionate cousin, DOROTHY. [Dear Cousin Dorothy,—A hearty welcome to another member •of your family. Indeed, I feel as though I have failed if I do not succeed in capturing a few more of you. I am so glad Cousin Llora passed. 1 think Canada one of the most inviting places on the face of the earth. I should love to visit it. Do you ever see "The Toronto Globe?” Our Toronto people send it to us. What are you reading just now?—* Cousin Kate.] 4: * *fc Nelson. My Dear Cousin Kate, —We take "The Weekly Graphic,” and I often read the cousins’ letters. I should like to become one of your cousins. I am thirteen years of age, and go to the High School. I am in. the fourth standard. 1 have not any sisters, only two brothers, who are grown up. So sometimes I feel a bit lonely. I have ft black and tan terrier called Pekoe, and ha goes out with me when I go for a bicycle ride. I have also two canaries, and they sing beautifully. I am learning music, and last year passed in the R.A.M. and the R.C.M. I hope to pass again this year.— With sincere love, from Cousin KATHr DEEN. [Dear Cousin Kathleen, —Our society Is human enough to love a little distinction, and will be pleased to welcome such a successful musical candidate as yourself. I suppose your brothers make a pet of you. Write to me again soon, my new cousin, and we shall get to know each other better.. —Cousin Kate.] 4* 4* 4r Parnell. Dear Cousin Kate, —At last I am making a start to write to you. I was very pleased to see my letter in the "Graphic.” Cousin Kate, I do not sing solos, we are only going to speak and act in the concert. I am. taking the part of the Fairy Godmother, and my sister is taking the part of Cinderella. My sister and I are making my crown, and my mother is making my dress. Cousins, have we not had a rough, week, what with rain and thunder? Did you see the lightning, and hear the thunder on Friday evening? We have had the Inspector at our school, and he has been examining us. Cousin, are you going to sea •‘Jack and Jill?” I think my father is going to take us. On Saturday my mother was washing, and I was trying to help her, and rubbed a bit of skin off my finger.—=» With love, from Cousin HAZEL. [Dear Cousin Hazel, —I was pleased to get another letter from you. What a busy time you must all be having. I did, indeed, see the lightning. It reminded me of the old storms in England, when we children used te huddle in a feather bed together for safety. 1 am not going to see "Jack and Jill.** 1 hope your poor hand is reskinned by now. Cousin Kate.]

Darga ville. Dear Cousin Kate; —I would like to be» come one of your “Graphic” cousins. Will you please send me a blue badge? I am ten years old. We have two lovely black kittens, Yum-Yum and Nanky-Poo. We also have a Jersey cow, Topsy, and two calves. Rose and Daisy-Bell. Daddy has five horses. We cannot ride any of them. Daddy is going to buy us a pony this summer. Last summer I rode fourteen miles In one day. Every summer we go to the seaside. We get the “Graphic” every week.

and love to see the pictures and read about Buster Brown. —I am, dear Cousin Kate, your’s truly, Cousin NORA. P.S.—I send you a photo of my sister and myself. I am the dark girl. [Dear Cousin Nora, —I was charmed to receive the very pretty photo of your sister and yourself. What a contrast you make: one fair and one dark! I would like to have you for a cousin immensely. You are well oft for pets. The seaside is ’ovo'y to visit, is it not? I must confess that Buster Brown has quite an in-

terest of his own. Would you mind me your full name. Cousin Nora, so that I cau send you your badge?—Cousin Kate.] “I dt dt Collingwood. Dear Cousin Kate, —This is my first letter to you, and I hope you will receive me as a cousin. I am nine years of age, and am in Standard V. I go to the Kaituna school, and like school very much. I have three goats, Daisy, Billy, and Snowy. My father takes the “Weekly Graphic,” and I feel

the greatest interest in the children’s paga* —With best wishes from Cousin WARDEN. [Dear Cousin Warden, —And so you like reading the children’s page? We have some real children in New Zealand, children wbs like children’s pages «nd children’s games and all those things. Some of these children are clever, too. I was playing a game of rhyming with one little girl the other night, and she could make up the verses quicker than I could. Give my kind regards to your goa’ts.—Cousin Kate.]