FROM THE DUNEDIN HIGH SCHOOL

Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 51

FROM THE DUNEDIN HIGH SCHOOL

TO THE BACK BLOCKS. LETTER TUP. SIXTH. Dear Auxty. — I have beeu going to writs to you for a long-time, but I keep forgetting-. Sunday is my letter-writing day. I have to write to mother every week, and by tha time I have done that I have used up all my news aud there ia nothing left to write about. Three very important things have- happened here lilely — the High School sport?, the departure of one fjf OKr masters, and a shooting match. I took the rnosfr interest in the match. We were firing for a trophy worth 22s 6d. I tied with another boy, ar.d we had to fire it off. I did not win the trophy, but I feel quite satisfied with myeelf, as 1 won two daya out of three. The gun kicked lika anything the last day, and I could not shoot a bit ; but they all say I did very well for a new boy. These matches are just by« ones to keep up shooting practice. The prize? are cartridges. Of course if we win these prizes we save a lot of money, as we have to bay our own ammunition. I won 100 rounds and 50 rouuds. The 0.8.H.5. (you will have to guess what these letters mean) gave Mi v Montgomery a bookcase and travelling bag 1 , and the masters gave him a comfortable armchair. I suppose that is to rest in after a day with the Geraldine bays. I wonder what they would think of a boy using an armchair. He got us a halfholiday, which was very good of him, and made a splendid speech. He didn't ask me, but I think I shall ride over and sec what he thinks of Canterbury bojs when I get home. It is only 25 miles across the country, and that is not very far to ride. I did not enjoy myself very much at the sports. I did not ruu, and that got me into trouble. Ii; i« bad enough having to walk so much, but it would be worse to run. I suppose you take an interest in these things now that I

am here, so you will hire ma l<y the ptpttt that (V fellow natnftd Roimes won the oh%ixtpioa cup ( while tbe boys who d\d not run got something elßo that night. "We all got ducked three time in cold water, and I t«h you the water was jolly cold. I »m getting quite used to oold baths in the morning, but I think I shall try and run next year. I have had the cane once and have been kept in five times, and I don't like either. I wonder what the punishment would be if I bolted from school for a few hours. I have a very good mind to ask the rector. I shouldn't think I would get the cave just for asking for a little information. I feel sometimes oh a hot morning when I hear a horse go trotting by as if I could bang down my books, make a bolt for the door, seize the first horse I come to, and go for a 10-mile ride. I suppose I should havb to reckon with the owner of the horse as well as the head master, so it won't do to think of it. I am going to get the Witness regularly now. Mr Talbot is going to send it. He understands what a fellow feels when he is done out of his favourite paper. It will be a week old when I get it, but " better late than never." I think it would save time and stamps if I could see the paper before it leaves Dunedin. I wonder how many people read the Witness ? I don't mean those who pay for it, but the outsiders. Now, there's the one that's coming to me t It goes up tbe line 200 mile;, then comes back to me ; then I shall send it to the schoolboy in the North Island, and perhaps he will send it further on. Ido hope the editor won't ever go sticking '• not transferable" on the Witness, like those mean railway people do on their tickets. [The editor says there is no dauger of that, as ne wants it read by everybody, whether they are subscribers or nob. — Dot.] I wish, aunty, you would write and aek " P*ter " if he has any idea how many people read the Witness. Dad, often tells me to aak when I want to know anything. I heard "Pater 1 ' had been suggesting things for the Queen's Record year. I wish he would think of something for the High School boys. The head man of tho country has gone Home free of charge. Now, I wonder why he shouldhave all the cake ? Why shouldn't; everybody in Ntw •Zealand have a free trip on the railway ? I think it will be very hard if something of the sort isn't done for the joung colonial. I can't truthfully !»ay I Beo much fua in saving money to buy pictures of other people enjoying themselves, as " Pater " advises. The Premier ought to have arranged all this before he left. When I get to be Premier, instead of receiving deputations aud all that kind of rubbish, asscou as I arrive in a town I shall drive r.traight to tho Boys' High School, sit; down in the head master's chair, and say, " Boys you are dismissed ; oujoy younelves whils I am in fchia town." Are you anxious for war, aunty ? We are, dreadfully. We would like to stick a pin into some of those kings and prinoes of Europe and \ make them do aomethiog. Why caa'fc they have \ a jolly good fight and get; done with ir. ? Nobody seems to know much about the ro - -7~^how i it began or how ib is going to end. That's/mother thing you might auk •• Pater " about. Suppose; the Russians come out here and try to take New i Zealand, as everybody says they will. If the Government do things by fair and equate rules they will give the New Zealand High School : cadets the first show ? Shouldn't you think «o P 1 We are ready aud willing, and wu haven't any i responsibilities. The bands wouldn't havo to | play for us " The girl I left behind me." Thara is a fellow here who saya he ir> in love v»ith a chit of a girl, bub we don't believe him. Auyway, I beb he wouldn't mind leaving if there wtss & chance of a acrimmftge I read in a papw a little while ago that the Russians had got tho plans of all our harbours locked np in their cupboards. What clwok ! There v/nn a torpedo boat here at the regaWa, and, my #oo«nea?, she could scoot through the water. With thab in the harbour and the cadets on shore there wouldn't be many go back if they tried it on in this harbour. I have written you a very long leltH 1 , and I hope you won't mind paying if a. 2d stamp io not enough. Duuedin is a very expenshe place to live in. I only get Is 8d a week for pocket money, and what with stamp?, boob Jacen, gotting my hair cut, and a little shopping I g«-t very hard up sometimes. Dad made me promise thab I would nob run into debb or borrow while I waa here, so that sometimes I have to posb letters and papers without any stamps ab all. I have had several lot 9of stamps Rent; me, but I shall not want any more this term, thank you, as I shall bo going home in about & week after you get this. Tho nearer the holidays come tlae more homesick I get. Good-bye, aunty, I hope you will soon be scolding for his uoise and his iuu The High Schooi, Boy.