SOME NOTES BY A "GROWN-UP."

Otago Witness, Issue 2667, 26 April 1905, Page 72

SOME NOTES BY A "GROWN-UP."

Dear Dot, — As I am a great admirer of your page and I have been contributing to the Witness regxilarly for over 15 years past, and occasionally for 10 years before that, I thought I would" send a few items that would be of some interest to your contributors.

Some of your contributors mention the fact that they have been teased because of their contributions to your column. The persons who do so have not much sense ; in fact, they must be very childish, and their opinion is of no accotmt, and the great army of D.L.F. are to be sincerely congratulated on making your cohirnns the wonderful success they are. I think the -D.L.F. should date their letters, and give theur addresses. That would make the farming and weather itenis valuable. It passes my comprehension why they should apparently be so anxious to conceal their identity in the page, and all the time wear a, prominent badge that reveals the fact at once that they belong to the noble band. And in any case, I consider it is very creditable to be a contributor to your page, which is such a grand institution for helping to complete the education of the rising generation, and the amount of good that it has done is incalctilable. It took years to bring it to something like perfection, because the D.L.F. had to be educated up to it, which naturally took some years. I notice that one of your correspondents has taken up postage stamp collecting, or philately. This is a very inteiestr'ng pastime, and a fine education, and, among other things, is r good object lesson in discriminating the different colours, moneys, etc., and ensures tidiness and neatness in arranging the stamps. It does not cost much for a start — 5s or 10s will give a good start, with album and all. and enable many an interesting hour to be spent in arranging the stamps. I have two catalogues, one by Jordan Newton, Thorndon Heath, Surrey, England, and the other from -the- Midland Stamp Co., Coventry, England. From these it is to be- gathered that stamps are to bo sold to sui* all purses. There is 1000 for Is, and also for 15s and 255, which two latter are, of course, the higher values in stamps; 3000 and 4000 for JEIO and £15 respectively ; for the people who have money to waste, 4000 for £28 10s is quoted. There are innumerable packets of stamps containing from 50 to 100 different ones, and each packet different, to be had for a few pence per packet. The square stamp albums are the best, and may be ' had for a shilling or two up to a pound or two. These can come out per wareel post. It is interesting to notice the different farthing stamps there are. There is the great firm of Stanley Gibbons. Limited, who would doubtless be able to stait beginners also. The two D.L.F. clubs would find a stamp evening very useful and instructive. I hope they read all the other parts of the Witness, which helps to complete their education. I will be placi io give nioi-e details on these subjects if required. Witxess Wastaka. Correspondent.