LETTERS FROM THE BACK BLOCKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2370, 3 August 1899, Page 57

LETTERS FROM THE BACK BLOCKS.

My dear Dot, — Snow and. ice are the order of the day with ua everywhere. I have quite changed my mind about going to tho South Pole. . I wouldn't go for anything ; although I .don't think it could ba much, worse down there than it is in the niounifthiG. We have ' three fire 3 going night and day, and yet we can't get the rooms im to a decent warmth — odeg above freezing- point is the average where the fires sire, and 3deg below where there aro none. Yesterday in Uncle Harry's greenhouse at 10 o'clock it was 3deg above zero. Don't you wished you lived here, Dot? I'm tho poor boy that brings in the wood again this wintor. I had a leswn in phopping frozen wood last year, fo I rook good <>are to get a. plied full chopped before tho frost got into it. But the extravagant way it is used goes to my heart. I am afraid it will be all gouo before the snow has. Another reason why I disapprove of the snow is that I have to be the water-boy as well as tho wood-boy. All through the rest of the year, when peox^le can go out and batho, w$ have 30gal of wat&r going through the house every hour. Then when wa want it most, the ram and pipe* get frozen. a,.ul all the water lias to be brought from, a half-frozen creek.' You wouldn't believe, Dot, until you had had a little experience what an awful lot of water it takes to keep a. home going. Those little brothers of mine seem to get dirty on purpose to get baths. I think all baths ought to be stopped until the pipes start again, but mother doesn't. Then there's the dishwashing. When we were out camping a billy of water would wash up a day's dishes. Here they use more than a bucketful for one meal. I call it extravagance ; but if I complain they tell me, '" Water "is cheap, and to be had for the carrying." The carrying means going down a steep terrace with nearly a foot of frozen snow on it, and coming up with two buckets of water as best you can. Dad is busy making a snow jplough. to-day to get the snow off the turnips for the sheep. I Haven't said anything about it, but I am wondering whether it is going to be drawn by a horse or a boy. Ho was talking of making some tobogganing sledges to have some sport on the pnow ; but now — well, somehow ploughs dou't sourid much like sport. As for golf, I haven't had a cleek in my hand this winter. Generally we can depend on that for a winter game. So you will see, Dot, that I haven't any news to tell. If the snow has gone I mean to have a chat with ?iska next. week. Perhaps I sliall be in a little more cheerful frame of mind. 8.0.8. [It is really to be hoped so, poor boy; or I am afraid the little folk will have to go into mourning, and tho verdict at the inquest will be, " Died from an attack of the Doleful Dumps." Seriously speaking, however, you do appear to have grounds for a grievance, 8.0.8. Perhaps if the other members of the family took a hand at oarrying water and cutting frozen wood a curb would be put on tho inionse longing for baths and for fires half-way up the chimney, and your task would Uo made easier. However, we aro nearly through it now, old boy.— DOT.]