D.L.F. PASSING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2556, 11 March 1903, Page 67

D.L.F. PASSING NOTES.

(By D.L.F. Cms.)

It is .not my intention to commence a- duel with my somewhat argumentative friend. Sir ' Tom. " I' w had intended originally simply torefer to a" remark of his, but as one may as well kilt a sheep as a lamb I shall take him more fully.- t My shaft had evidently struck home, and what is more, it had evidently struck - my-friend in a vital spot. , 'As I remarked, before, "my friend has a right to express His -opinions'. on any, subject, be they. favourable:. or, '"<qth«rWise; but I wrffild also remind him -that, in f such cases' as -this '.descretion is,l&e- better 'part of valour. His opinions being' con tacary ■to |the~ wishes of practically all the^DX-F.^they • doVriot (in my mind)jfappear to -be of' so much. . Importance', that ..we -require to be>~~ reminded of *fheni » second time^ v As *tc^ his- D.L.F.frferid of~the'same'.opiniqm' as. himself, I woul<& remind Sir' Tom that two blacks don't, and never will, .make a white. Myjr'iend may rest assured that I have no intention to "arm "-myself with "about- 200 D.L.F." . When I make any, assertions or express my opinion on a subject, I do so fully prepared to sustain and stand by them, irrespective, of any outaide ' assistance. On the other Hand, we are to believe'that Sir Tom requires no assistance. He wishes'to pose as a martyr, a laurel wreath round his brow, a halo round his -head, and a. pair of boots on his feet; but maybe that would

spoil the 'general effect. He concludes, after Bmoming'up my remarks,. that I have* come to a "disgusting conclusion. Be it what it may, it is the- conclusion, come to by the majority of th« DJj.F., so we must argue, therefore, that we- have all come to a "disgusting" conclusion, and, are hence "disgusting" D.L.F. It is an understood thing that privileges are "granted," not "asked for." Lastly, let me allude to a sentence in his remarks. This is it : "Besides

there's" . (i.c;, "there is," singular) "otherthings" (plural) "to be considered." Comment is unnecessary ; sufficient it is to remark that it covers » multitude of sins and accounts for the ideas 'entertained by Sir Tom— ideas different from those of anyone else.

A correspondent — whose genuineness I rather' doubt — writes to me as follows:— "Dear DJLF. Civis, — A short time ago you referred in your notes to the riddles which appeared in the . D.L.F. . Page, remarking that they were not worth the space they occupy. -You will oblige me if you will give, me a sample of the riddles you'- -would -wish- to" see — ones, 'l presume, one -would have some difficulty in answering." H«r.e follows the "signature, "A D.L.F." ' Ishall: assume that 'my friend is genuine, -for 1^ am only' top pleased at any time to receive^ information or matter from D.L.F., which would be suitable for- inclusion in these "notes. To. .return r to my correspondent, whoever (he'or she may be, I am asked to supply some-riddl«s which, one. would have some -difficulty in an-, swering. . I shall assume that I am not ex- , pected to supply deep mathematical problems. > The following two will suffice, and will give D.L.F. something to think about: (1) Can a nigger blusli? (2) Where in a serpent does its neck end, and body commence? With that I shall leave all D.L.F. riddle answerers.

D.L.F. will agree with me that the two things necessary for the success of a picnic are: (1)

Fine westther, (2) capable and .enthusiastic persons in charge of arrangements. ' Given these, success is assured. Having both these essential things, it is not to be wondered at that the D.lifF. picnic on January 14 was a complete success. With regard to the weather, it could not have been more suitable. With regard to the -management, judging, from all accounts, that also -was all "that could be desired. Whenever any project falls through or is a failure, the blame is put upon the originator of the scheme or undertaking, whaV ever it may»be. The originator of the picnic was Florodora, so that, had the result been a failure, the blame, -would probably have been put on her shoulders. It is only right, therefore, that, the result being a" success, the praise should be as readily bestowed upon, her as the blame would have been. That being so, I .take the; opportunity of offering-- her my, congratulations on the success, of the enterprise. With regard to the locality- at which the picnic, was held, it appears to. me to', be rather far 1 for, .at. anyfite,^ girls to walk, especially-when-they ,'are handicapped with" the,; impedimenta necessary* for. a- picnic. Howeyer, s maybe the . interest: in the- next pionic will warrant % drag being Hired especially .for the purpose, for let us' 'hope, that the. picnic just held .(which might be - called "in- future "Florodora's' picnic,"' out" df f respect to the originator) is enly the first of many to come.'

In this week's list of letters there appears one from a. victim of my criticism, to wit, Diamond. She is somewhat in error, for in my remarks I did not, as she thinks, catalogue her amongst » certain, class possessing undesirable qualities. . My remark was a mere allusion-, which, judging by Jier reply, is not applicable to her. How«ver7~my criticisms are always nutde ir a friendly spirit, and if at any time I tread on the toes of my victims I do so unintentionally. The friendly spirit in which she regards my criticism is an object lesson to all D.L.F., which many who resent my criti-; ciems would do well to copy.

'D.L.F. CIVIS.