COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 23, 6 December 1911, Page 57

COUSINS’ CORRESPONDENCE.

Ilongotea. ztf'X EAR COUSIN KATE,— J I am now 'I \ taking the pleasure of writing I ■ vou another letter. It has been a I f frost here for the last three or fA. / four mornings, and two of them K—X were black ones. My hen hatched seven chickens on Wednesday last—2 black ones and five white ones. Since I wrote to you last my brother brought me home four dear little rabbits—-3 greys and one black and white one. We only had them a week when a stray cat clawed the black one through the bars (about one inch mpart), And naw we have only three left. We give them lettuce, carrots, rarricky, find grass, and give them a clean bed two or three times a week. They like 'the sun to shine on them. Rosie goes down to see them every day. We have 16 cows In now, but they are not giving much milk—only 470 gallons and a 3.8 test—but I expect it will be better later on. You must excuse any writing and mistakes, as I have a burnt it b u mb. —-E ST HER. [Dear Cousin Esther, —Thank you very much for your letter. I had no Idea anyone in the country would make pets of rabbits. They are such a pest. I hope -the chickens are doing well, and that the weather has improved.—Cousin Kate ] ■fc J? Auckland. Dear Cousin Kate, —Our badges came by the .post this afternoon, and we were so pleased to get them. Thank you very much for them. I have not much to say as I have been to the doctor. We made a Guy, and Enid’s music teacher gave us twopence.— Cousin IDA. Auckland. Dear Cousin Kate, —I received your badge 110-day. We have a little kitten, and a heu with twelve little chicks. I have come home from my holidays. I enjoyed them very much. I went to the beach on 'Labour Day. Thanking you again for the badge.— Cousin ENID. [Dear Cousins Ida and Enid, —I received your little letters, and I am glad to know you like the badges. Won’t you be glad when the summer weather starts'? then you can often go to the 'beach and bathe and have lots of fun.—Cousin Kate.] i i IOhaupo. Dear Cousin Kate,—l am ashamed of myeelf for not writing to you before, but I nave been having any eyes tested, and have find the measles. I saw my letter in the Graphic." Thank you for the pretty i ?fi Ben f tue. My cfuisln has a dear mue dog named Murle. It Iras long hair and as very playful. Have you ever seen ™!!‘“* a -f®wlT They are funny little things with top-knots on their heads, and they I '' olaeH - Their eggs are smaller <‘hmi the hens eggs, with little brown epecks m.+ ’Tr the ™- 1 wUI ■write a longer letter bfrt time—Cousin LILLIAH. -Gouain LiJUf.it, —I am very sorry you ’ ,nTC h ’ad ’ftatrhlo with your yes. You must be careful. Have you to

wear glasses? What are guinea-fowls for? Can you eat them or their eggs? I think I should prefer the common sort of fowls.— Cousin Kate.] 4* 4* 4* Melbourne. Dear Cousin Kate, —May I 'be one of your cousins? I am eight years old. Will you «end ine a blue badge? Though we live a *ong way from Auckland we always get the “Graphic.” I [have a little brother called Jack. He is four years old.—lNNiE®. (Dear lunes, —I am so pleased to have a little boy cousin, who can write a nice tetter. Do you go to school? ieli me when next you write.—-Cousin Kate. J * 1’ * ~ Kaimiro. Dear Cousiu Kate,—Just a few hues to let you know how I am. We had our examination. 1 passed* and I am in the fifth standard. My -mother has got a little baby •boy, and he -is only five weeks old. We a little pet lamb, and his name is -Bi lily; we feed him ‘With a tube and a dummy on the end of it. lie i S a vert playful little lamb, and he follows us all over the place. We have thirty-three cows in milk, and we have •twenty-nine calves. J nave three sisters and two brothers. My father has just come back from England* and he brought me a nice big doll, a braceset, a necklace of green beads and -white shells, and a green box. I made a white pinafore for myself at school. I -will close with a -riddle: I threw a piece of paper upstairs, and if came down read. What is the answer? With love. —BILBEN. [Dear Cousin 'Eileen, —-Please write only on one side of the paper. Otherwise your letter is well and brightly written. You will never be dull now you have « baby brother. I am so glad you passed into a higher standard. What fun the lamb must be. It is such a pity they so soon grow up. You were a lucky little girl to get so many presents.—Cousin Kate.] 4? 4? 4* Broad wood, tHokianga. •Dear -Cousin Kate, —Did you receive my last letter? if so, it has not been in print. The inspector was at our school on Thursday. Another gird and I wrote 'the best compositions. The inspector took them away with him. Christmas will soon be here again. Where are you going for the holidays? We may go back to Gisborne just for Christmas. 'All our animals are quite well except for Tiny, our little dog. One of the sliding-doors in the wool-shed came down on -top of her, but she is just about better now. I have a lovely black pony to ride now. It’s name is Kitty. The -weather is getting very fine and warm.— Cousin -IDA. [Dear ‘Cousin -Ida, —You must please remember to write only on one side of the paper. I hope your letter has been in print by -this. Many thanks for your nice and very well written letter. I have had my holiday. I went down to Wellington, and enjoyed every minute of it, -but I am looking forward with great pleasure to Chrtetmas. How delightful -to have -a pony.— Cousin Kate.] 4 -r, „ . „ Nelson. Dear Cousin Kate,—l think it is time I wrote to you again. The anniversary of your birthday is the day after mine. In the 18th of October ‘'Graphic” I read Cousin Jack’s letter, and did laugh at It. You have a number of new cousins in the circle of “Graphic” cousins. Nearly all the flowers are just about done for the season. I can ride a bike now, and think It fine fun. I think I have only one pet, and that is a horse, and her name is a queer one —it is Poisan. Wo have four little kittens; they are only six days old. I have not the horse in Nelson. She Is in Kimbolton with Tim. 'She is with my cousin. I did not see my second letter in print, but hope to see this one.—Cousin EDNA. (Dear Cousin Edna, —All your letters are printed. You will see it in time. You should have lots of seedlings coming on now, to flower in the summer; and how about sweet peas? Their best time is coming now. You never have so much fun as when you are learning to ride a bicycle.— Cousin Kate.] 4’ 4’ 4’ Palmerston North. Dear Cousin Kate, —1 am ashamed to have neglected your page for so long, but I will again begin. The large spring show, which is always the great event of the year In I’almerston, took place last week, and luckily the weather was very favourable. I went, as usual, but as the saying goes, “If you see one you see them all/* and it is quite true. The only section that I was much Interested in was the fancywork secHon, as I do a fair amount of it. The last time I wrote I attended the Technical School for a commercial course, but now I aux in an office, and 1 Like the work very

much. 1 have six such pretty chicks, and I hope that another hen will briug out more soon, as she has been sitting for nearly two weeks.—Cousin OLIVE. [Dear Cousin Olive, —I was so pleased to hear from you again. How important you must feel going to work every morning. I always think the only way to be interested in shows is to be an exhibitor, then you are very keen. I hope the chicks do well. We are having very rough weather. - Cousin Kate.} 4 4 4 _ _ , Bongo tea. l>ear Cousin Kate, —I have been reading some of the letters in the “Graphic,” and I was quite interested In them. 1 thought I would Hke to become one of your senior cousins, as 1 have seen a few others in the paper. We live on a small farm one and a-ha If miles from Bongotea. We have bad an awful lot of rain down hero, and It has done a great deal of good. We have a nice vegetable garden near the creek, and the flood came up and washed away nearly ail the carrot seeds we planted. 1 would like you to send me a blue badge, please.— Cousin JEAN. [Dear Cousin Jean, —You have forgotten to put your full name. Send me this, and I will enrol you as a cousin, and send you a badge.— Cousin Kate.] + -fr dr Napier. Dear Cousin Kate,—Thank you very much for the red badge. It makes a good book-marker. We are getting ready for the sth of November, and are busy gathering rubbish fur a bonfire. I went to our school picnic on Labour Day, and came In third in a race. We are going to Wanganui for our Christmas holidays. Two of my father’s draught horses died, and he had to buy six more, as they have such a lot of carting to do in the summer. We have a hen with eight little chickens, and another hen sitting ou ten eggs. Our flower and vegetable gardens are looking splendid.—Cousin ARTHUR. [Dear Cousin Arthur,—No one is allowed to light bonfires in Auckland, they are too dangerous; but there were lots of lovely fireworks, and crackers were going off on every side. What a serious loss, two carthorses dying. Do you go in for bathing in the summer? I suppose you can swJin? — Cousin Kate.] 4* 4* 4* Thn-aru. Dear Cousin Kate, I hope you will excuse me for not writing before, but 1 had no time. What is your favourite game? Our garden party is on Thursday, so I will be able to tell you about it when I write next. 1 am in two things, the May pole and the hoop drill. There are about five hundred children in the hoop drill, and it looks very pretty. I have two new dolls. Will you please give me a name for them. Now I think I will conclude.—Prom Cousin JEAN. [Dear Cousin Jean, —1 am very glad to hear from you at any time. I have two favourite games—golf in the winter and tennis in summer. I should love to see a’l those children drilling. How would Dulcie and Ladv Belle do for the dolls?— Cousin Kate.] 4 4 4 Glen Murray. Dear Cousin Kate, —I am writing to ask you if 1 may become one of your cousins, work. Will you send me a pink badge, please? I have six pets, and will tell you about them next time.—Cousin LOUISE. [Dear Cousin Louise, —I am very pleased to enroll you as a member of our society, and shall look forward to having a nice letter from you telling mo about your pets and your home life.—Cousin Kate.] 4 4 4 Ashhurst. Dear Cousin Kate, —I have not written to you fur acme time, and I hope you will excuse me, as I have not got much spare time, with all the work. I suppose you are going to the show? 1 have got a little pet calf for my own. I milk our cow, and make butter once a week. We have got a farm on Nikau Grange, and the stock conies to 200 cows and five horses and one foal; I don’t know how many calves wo have got. The grass is growing quick now. I have not much to say to-night. I will write again. I am sure you would not be in the right mood to write after scrubbing iand baking a lot, would you? Cousin LENA. [Dear Cousin Lena, —You arc a dear little cousin to write when I am sure you must have boon so tired. I should have just gone to bed. I am looking forward the show. It is to bo held for Hire? days. Can you ridel—Cousin Kate.] 4* 4* 4* Dear Cousin Kate, —1 now have the pleasure in answering your welcome letter. My mother and I are going up to Auckland lit the autumn to one Of my cousins* wedding They shifted up from Greytown about three yean* ago. They are not living right

1n Auckhtad, M PhttgerMU I to looklag iMward to thia trip. 1 suppose yev have a good many couetas writ lag to you now.— Cuuhlu .DOLLY. [Hear Cousin Holly,* 1 ah sure you will enjoy your trip to Au«*kl«ud, and the autumn is a very good time. Are you going to be a bridesmaid? Yea, we are a large and happy family of cousins. Cousin Kate.) * * * X>enr Cousin Kate, —Just a Hue or two to ask you how many cousins have you In yMMH* circle. We Lave some chickens now We had ten, but this afternoon two fell into the fowls’ water, and got drowned My brother and l were looking for them for a long time, and conld not find them On Guy Fawke’n day wo hart a big bonfire and a lot of cracker®, and on Monday we had a bigger bonfire and a lot more cracker®. We had good fun. Do you like reading and sowing? I do. Kna not this year gone quickly? in a few -weeks It will be Christinas. Our school examination will soon be here. 1 am going away for my ChristinaQi olid ays. Do you save stamps? I have 300 different kinds, aud such a lot of foreign one®.- —Cousin MAUDE. (Dear Cousin Maude,—Over five hundred new cousins joined Ln the last year and a half, and we have about three hundred old ones who write at rare Interval®, and many of them have grown up. I am glad you had such firn ou Guy Fawke'a day. I hope you enjoy your Christmas holidays. With love.- Cousin Kate.) 4: 4: 4: Hastings. Dear Couslo Kate, —Wo often take the “Weekly Graphic,** and think It Is very nice. I like reading the children’s page, and some of the letters are very nice. I would very much like to join the page, hope you will enlist me as one of your senior cousins. I am sixteen years old. and the eldest of a family of seven, consist Ing of four boys and three girls. Hastings is a very nice town, and we have lived in it five years last March. We have a cow. a calf, a dog, two cats, aud a kitten, and a canary. We have also about sixty fowls and a few young ducks, and a goose and n gander; so you see we have quite a small farm. I will write a long letter next time. Cousin VK-RA. [Dear Cousin Vera. —Please write only on one side of the paper. I am delighted to welcome a senior cousin. You must be qulto a little mother. I don’t suppose you ever had a doll; you would always have a baby to nurse. I have often heard that Hastings is a very pretty place. I suppose you have left school. Cousin Kate.] 1 i 4* Hastings. Dear Cousin Kate, I have often thought of writing to you, as I would like vefcy much to join you as one of your cousins. I am fourteen years old on January 21st. My sister and 1 always like reading the children’s letters. If you wouldn’t mind sending me one of your badges, I would bo very pleased. I would like very much to see my letter in the “Weekly Graphic.” I have got many pets. Hastings is a very nice little town. Do you think you could give me a nice name to call my calf? 1 have left school now, aud think it ie> much nicer at ho me.- - Cous I n TII E-I A [Dear Cousin Thelma, 1 am very pleased to welcome you as a cousin, and your letter will surely be in print. Perhaps you may have to wait some time: there are so many letters aud only a little space. T<*ll me what your calf is like. Please writ'' on only one Aide of the paper.—Cousin Kate] 4 4- 4 Murton. Dear Cousin Kate, I have often real the cousins’ letters in the ‘Graph’e,” and I wish to become one of your cousins. I nm thirteen years of age, and am in the tifih Standard. I have seven brother® aud six sisters. Please would you send me a blm* badge. Cousin ANNIE. [Dear Cousin Annie. 1 am pleased to enroll you as a member of our society. Do you mean to say there are fourteen of you? Are you all at home? What a time you must all have.—Cousin Kate ] 4 4 4 Kati Katt. My dear Cousin Kate, Please excuse me for not writing sooner, ns 1 have been very busy preparlug for the examination. Our inspector, Mr. Cox, came here yesterday io examine us. There was a farewell social to Mr. Ilerrles last night, and I think almost all enjoyed themselves immensely. I have over 200 chickens to feed and look after, besides 30 fowls. Wo have several young ducklings out, and they are lovely little things. They are only a few days old. Our chief amusements at school are tennis and rounders. I love reading Uncle Mun, but I think Busier Brown much nicer The roses and sweet pens look quite a picture In our garden Just now. There Is to be a floral fete here on December Ist. Cousin KIT A. [Dear Cousin Rita, 1 was so glad to he;from you again; I thought you had f-r gotten us. You have plenty of work t > feed all those fowls aud ducks, but It must be rather fun. You don’t feed them h’ together, I suppose; you have them lu fernt yards. I hope the floral fete will he a Avccefiß. -Cousin Kate ] 4* 4 4* El th a m •Dear Coushi Knte, 1 received the badge hmt week, and was very pleased to get it. Two of my Misters write to “The I'ur ucr.” T have five sisters amt five brothers bealdeft myself. \Yo are going to milk nhmit fifty cowo it his summer, l-nst year wo mllkefl eighty xseven. Will you plv.tso ask some of the roualn® to exchange pout cards with me. As U Is geGlug uour cow time I tbluk 1 will c’oKft. - Coujrtn DSABKTa Cousin Jhulu'l. I Huppixsr you nr® a very busy little girl. Do you have to milk any of -th® oow®, nr d<> you only bring them in? I Oiopo when some of th®

eouslns read your letter they will write tor your address and evhange poet car da W>th you.—Cousin Kate.J * * * i Apltl. l>ear Cousin Kate,—lt Is a long time elnce I wrote to you' last, but 1 have not forgotten you. Last Thursday week It was my birthday. I got some lovely presents. Would you please tell me when your birthday la, as I can put your naine in n>y birthday book. Christmas will soon be here. I hope It will not be wet for Christmas. In the holidays I have some friends coming up to stay with me. On Christmas Eve I help to serve in our shop, and I have great fun. I always read what Unde Mun has to say, and I think he is very funny. My canary has not started to stag yet, but I think he will soon. I have given him a name. It is Dickie. Last

Saturday uight wag Guy b'awkes’ night. I waa out with some of juy friends. We all had crackers, but not one of ua would set them off, so we got somebody else to do it for us. We had a really good time. Home of them had a Guy. After a little while they burned him up. I suppose you had some crackers. I am frightened of crackers, and I would not set one off for anything. I suppose there are more than five hundred In your circle now, because there are always new ones coming in. You have not many boya in the circle yet, have you? I think they are mostly girls. My post card books are just about full now. I am very fond of post cards. I think some of them are lovely.—Cousin PAULINE. [Dear Cousin Pauline,— I am glad you had a happy birthday. Mine is on May 7. Everyone is hoping that Xmas is fine. I just love setting off crackers. We had some pretty fireworks—rockets and all

aorta- od Guy Fawkes' nlghf. 1. wept to a I’frlldren’s party, and we had great fun.—> Cousin Kate.J * * * Hopelands. Dear Kate, — May 1 become one of your junior cousins? I ata in the fourth standard at school. Would you please send me a red badge?—Cousin DOLLY. (Dear Cousin Dolly,—l shalj, be very pleased to enrol you as a cousin, but you have not sent me your full address. Do this, and I will send you a badge.—Cousin Kate. J * * * Grey Lynn. Dear Cousin Kate, —I think I would like 1o write to Cousin Constance in America. It would be very nice to get views of America, and for me to send some views of Auckland. Don’t you think so? 1 will ctart corresponding with her as soon as

possible. lam learning elocutkm now .r--like it very iiiu<-U. I have learned » called "Reelguation," and one entitled Ballad of a Bamr," the former one betai a sad piece, and the latter rather amusimT I am learning from Miss Jay, who has eonia from Sydney. Our school held sports last week, and. It was a great success. Tha other day, when we were having our recess ar 11 o’clock we were all very frightened at seeing a centipede about a foot long on a dead branch of a tree. However, oub botany mistress put it In a bottle, and baa preserved it for us.—Cousin VEHA. ’ [Dear Cousin Vera, —I am very glad you are going to write to Cousin Constance. I have sent the address. Home day you will be reciting at the competitions, .and I shall come and hear you. That was an unusually long centipede. I have seen hundreds ot them, but never one so long as that -s Cousin Kate.