MULTUMIN PARVO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2719, 25 April 1906, Page 79

MULTUMIN PARVO.

FROM D.L.P.-DOM. Many picnics were held during the Easter holidays, and, although, all were a decided success, perhaps the most enjoyable was the picnic held at Oamaru on Easter Monday. Our Social Committee, influenced doubtless by_ the fact that time is going past very quickly; has at last started its long and arduous task of preparing for the great annual reunion of separated D.L.F., which same is the Dunedin social.. . MILTON PICNIC ITEMS. , -TEe Milton picnic duly came off, as announced, on Good Friday. A goodly muster of D.L.F. out, and, as usual at our picnics," -3V Pluvius, Esq., was on his best bwiavlotlir, suirl'left -iis mlaia^eaß. »* .M.B . ate fife 'luC/picnic held af Milton, the pic.Jiickers were- met" on. the 'station by the local members -of our band, with Jessica at their head:- „- '„ '- : •-Lullier 1 intends tc- seriously talk to Captain Cook, the, next -time they meet ; so she said :at the- picnic." Of 'course, I can only ask, Why? - ' " , -A: certain member believes that an umbrella is an essential item at a picnic. Is that not so, Cornflower? Displaced high up and tied round a tree on the ground was a letter from Harry who ' passed through Milton the previous evening, wishing the picnic every success, and trusting ' They would have a good Say to-day." Your wish was amply fulfilled, Harry. Jessica, *Beta; Lullie, and others were fre-quently-interrogating members as to whether Quago oi T. I. C* were present among them les, cfiums, <they were, and 1 both thoroughly enjoyed therr-.Eelvss, thanks. Of the Dunedin members, Tomahawk Laddie, Go Hon,. Awkward Ned, Didn't You Knew, and Cornflower journeyedfrom town for toe function. ' Lester_ was the photographer for the day, . and secured three excellent groups, photos of which may be had from him at the nominal cost of one~ehiUin S each. Wfcile. Jessica aad Laddie were sitting on a boulder in mid-creek washing cups and saucers, our photographer, to make the scene more "realistic, perhaps, threw in a large stone, ' and damped their ardour— likewise their clothes— a little. - ' Tomahawk also "requisitioned- an umbrella during the day from one of the fair members. Er—er,— beastly warm, old chappy— er— was it not? Oh, Colin de Staggerer, how could you? -<- Vaizaleen, J -tia~ said, ,is very 1 precise as to • the> correct- pronunciation of ' her nom. It isn't Vaseline or Vizaleen,- as picnickers ejacu- ! latedy-brit just: simply "Vaialeen." ' - What ho! the latest! expressed quite autho- | ntatively 'by "Awkward Ned «t the picnic, that he- knew- who T,. I. CCand Quago were^-in 1 fact, he had known, it for some time. ! I can ' reply just . as" authoritatively ' that Awkward Is«d not know- who the writer of this J ; column, ia; likewise Quago and 'I would politely Tequest him to bear the 'same m , mind and not be too premature; it is a serious thing. I An artistic feather rested on "Woodland ! Lassie's headgear, and had a peculiar charm for Tomahawk, bo 'tis said. H'm! ', Reta was there, too, flying round and bustling about, together with Jessica, looking after. the welfare of the rest. Yes! Quago informs -me he will have a pie reserved for you on social night,' Reta! ] Did the same picnic provide you with .any clue concerning T. I. C.'a or Quago's identity. Lullie? I would like to know, chum! Did you speak, Jimmy Go Hon? 'Twas stated on the ground that Cornish was in Milton on the morning of the picnic, but, certain circumstances arising, he had to take train for fresh fields and pastures new, much to the regret of picnickers. A sweater is- a useful article at a picnic, is it not, Go Hon? "Where was the "broad"- . rimmed Dr Jim. Did you forget it? Oh, you i puny punster I -< \ Billy Grape Nuts, the amiable little musi- ' cian, and his familiar mouth organ were greatly missed at the gathering, from which, unfortunately, music was entirely absent. j Among those present I noticed Jessica, Beta, Woodland Lassie,- Love in a Mist, Lady Caudle, Lullie, Duchess of. Kent, X.. C. 8., Cornflower (and three friends), Jessie, Vaizaleen, ; Laddie, .Lester, -Go Hon, .Tomahawk, • Didn't You Knew, and Awkward Ned, besides t others whose noms I do not recollect at' the j moment.';j The utterance of- the word, "Cornish" caused . a little argument between two prominent j members -on the picnic site, and tvas the sub- ! j ject .of much -laughter. A third finally put • his little spoke in' as to the pronunciation of ' the word, and then a genuine laugh broke from those grouped round. Why the latter giggle, I wonder ?■ A "toinmyshanter" perched «>n top of Lester's inventive genius during the day seemed to be quite in place. Ia not that correct, chum? "lest— er" I've made a mistake. Cornflower after the picnic boarded the train, en route for her home at Purekireki, where she dwells for some time. I hope you enjoyed the fun at the picnic, comrade. They scy that a certain fair member ard a certain prominent club member totally disagree when opinions are expressed, and a , mild controversy took place on picnic day be- I It ween the duo. An original item in the picnic itinerary was , b- -bun race, but no one was declared winner, the three competitors — D. Y. X., Tomahawk, and Laddie—all failing to swallow the buns ■within the time limit. Go Hon, although suffering under the hal- ' lucination of that tired feeling, seemed to play havoc with the sandwiches at the "eating in- ! tervals." I'm afraid £hose sandwiches didn't sing "I've had a good day to-day," ye of "Patdon" fame. Picnickers, with one exception, did not exert themselves when running in the games, in "case she be" (K..C-B.) a runner! What's that? Oh, yes, there was a duchess present, representing, the province of Kent, and I think she had a "royal" time. I understand that faint, tuneful tones of "It's a good job M'Carthy wasn't there" were again, heard when a certain fair member left ■ the ground. Ahem! OAMARU PIONIC JOTTINGS. The Oamaru Public Gardens on Easter Monday were the scene of a very successful D.L.F. picnic. Members of our band rolled up from all parts of the country, some members even making the long journey from Dunedin. The picnic was without a shadow of a doubt the •.largest, most enjoyable, and most successful

f D.3J.F. picnic ever held,, as the appreciative remarks let drop by departing comrades as they left flic "'White Sfcone City" amply proved. Bottlewasher does not like anyone looking at her, because she smiles hugely. Lady Stair was "stared" at a good deal when she arrived on the ground a little late, and was also the victim of a number of jokes relating to her nom. Did you enjoy yourself, L. S.? Grape Nuts was also present at this gathering, and discoursed sweet music throughout • '. the day, and, it need hardly be reiterated, his playing was highly commented on. On ditj that Tomahawk and Go Hon speak volumes of the amiability and whole-hearted-ness of the Oamaru and surrounding little folk, and are both looking forward to again ! visiting the northern city at an early date. ' Some four or five tourists, with their '. cameras, simply swarmed round the happy '. picnickers, and secured quite a number of (I fear) unrehearsed incidents. Jimmy Go Hon noticed them, however, and gave the alarm too late, adding: "The snappers snapped, eh?" Rather mean of the photo fiends, was it not, Go Hon? The Dunedin Club members— Go Hon, Tomahawk, Didn't You Knew, and Grape Nuts — and also Laddie, who journeyed to Oamara on Easter Monday, unhesitatingly agree thai "they had a good day that day," and ' : wish to tender their profuse thanks to the Oamaruvians for their many kindnesses to them. on the day in question. Grape Nuts secured a novel liitle snapshot ' . -svitir faß camera airing a certain game, on the . green. . ; Go Hon was the recipient of a parcel from : a certain party, and^he desires me to kindly ' thank the Princesses (thence the original donor) for the contents of same. Will Waitaki Princess please- -oblige? Some 30 or 40 little folk (some pretty bi«* ores, eh, Gramophone?) were grouped together ' in Mr Mahan's studio at the conclusion of the picnic and photographed. I understand that the photo is to be sent to the editor to figure among the Witness illustrations in I due time in memory of that memorable day ■ , Merit caught hold of a stuffed puppy dog ! just before the photo-was taken, and remarked ' that it was Quago. The Oamaru L.F., as well as the Miltonites, • were also inquiring if Quago and (as they ' termed it) his friend T. I. C. (that's me!) wera conspicuous by their presence or not. Some of them even declared that "Billy Ah Qua«o" [ waa secreted in certain members' pockets, and 'be suspected ones laughed some. j Some little delay occurred in procuring a I bu'iy on arrival at the ground, but one of the j 'oca. l b °y members soon overcame that trivial , difficulty by securing one, and hot water too, for which we were thankful, from an adjoining l'&sidence. Giulia thought it was rather too warm for running about, and reclined herself under the ' trees watching the others. "Wert tired, chum ? The beautiful little piece of level ground selected for the anuisements in the Oamaru Gardens served adequately for dancing, and quite a number availed themselves of the opportunity ol "tripping' the light (or was it heavy?) fantastic." I must' take this opportunity of eulogising the efforts of our .chum C; A., who- travelled from Waikouaiti to attend, to' keep the games going. As it was the first D.L.F. picuic she ■ attended, I hope] she enjoyed' herself." This scribe finds -it- exceedingly "difficult to individualise all j?nd" supervised things, as -one and-- all assisted greatly, 'but perhaps j special mention' should Be given Lilian'll I Ginlia, Prairie Maid. Lady Stair, Indian ' Queen, and M. E. R. I. T. for their untiring ' [■efforts to make- the outing the success it proved. i Ennui so played up with our smiling Tom. E Hawke (!) that he found running in the games "a blessed torture." What say you, chum? > I €>n dit, that Gramophone, with his tremen- ■ t dous supply of wifcty remarks, was intermit- j tently asking after a certain fair club member that day. , Oamaru L.F* generally asked what had become of Hrrry at the picnic, but were gratified ' ' j to hear per Go Hon that he sent his heartiest wishes, and trusted that the gathering would b& a pronounced success. What with Gramophone, Go Hon, Laddie, Tomahawk, and co. firing off ammunition in the form of puny puns all day — well, a phonograph could not have given them more effectively and good-naturedly. During an interval in the games the Dunedin members sang the ever-welcome opening chorus given at our last social, and by special request rendered a song each, all the items being enthusiastically received. Were you not just a trifle premature in proposing the- games, Merit, or was that part of the programme only "merited," •eh? 'Tis said that chum Tomahawk only caught the Oamaru-bound train in time to escape missing it, and also had a startling adventure by hanging on to same. One loquacious picnicker was anxiously, inquiring after Dieudonne's welfare, and why she was absent; but when she arrived later ■ in the day he was overjoyed with pleasuie. Didn't. Xou Knew that. L.F.? Th«y*Dunedinites gave their original war-cry splendidly on the picnic spot, and somewhat amused the local members. Imagine our four comrades gesticulating in, and chanting the following : "Vigour and vim* Perfect trim, Over the fence went sunny Jimj Wahee, wahoo, , - T. I. C. and Quago! A— a— a— a— h— h !" [N.B. — After the last "h" everybody in the near vicinity of the "war-criers" is apt to faint.] Golden Prince was unusually bashful at the picnic, and could not be induced to take part in certain games. Imaginary baehfu'ness, was it not, chum? Who purloined the bag of cakes which D. Y. X., Go Hon, and co. collected for the return train journey fo town? Query! I think we ought to "see a" fair member about them. MIDDLEMARCH PICNIC NOTES. Hanry arrived on the ground from Alexandra South in a cycling costume, with bulging pockets, and his cycle covered with mud, and naturally did ample justice to the good things provided. Indian Chief had his black-box camera there, and scored a few interesting photos, much to the satisfaction of the picnickers. The same L.F. lost the screw off his photographing apparatus, and had half a dozen members searching in the long grass for it for some time. Veronica, having the best eyesight, eventually found it. Texas Jack was working at the schoolhous«, and on being asked to go to the picnic put in an appearance as soon as possible. Our friend Goldspur \vas very bashful < throughout the day. Was it because our estimable little musician was absent, chum? Where was Derby with his camera? Did you wilfully break it the day before the picnic, Mr Camera Fiend? Many members were sorely ; disappointed at its non-appearance. Chums Joe and A Mother's Lass, were snapshotted on a rustic bridge while watching the . gentle flow, of the rippling watsis beneath^ j

One of the members on the Picnic Committee did not turn up at the picnic. Did you miss the train on purpose, ~ comrade ?■• Several would like to Trnow? - Indian. Chief was very.parficular-aboui-the handling of his mystery box, and did not intend , allowing anyone to severely deal with it during the day. Someone meekly told our up-country snapshot comrade that ho wanted his father thoro to look after him, whereupon he remarked that it would be nearer the mark if he had to look after his father that day, and everybody roared at this sally. "Understand? AHAURA PICNIC. I received » telegram last week stating that the Ahaura D.L.F. were goipg to hold a picnic during the holidays. " lat once notified my West Coast correspondent, but although I have reason to believe he attended the picnic, his notes thereon have not come to hand. So we needs must wait till next week: The lot I T. I. 0.