A LETTER FROM NED DE VINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2915, 26 January 1910, Page 83

A LETTER FROM NED DE VINE.

Dear Dot,—lt is with pleasure that I write these few lines to you, as it seems a century since I wrote last. I am a great traveller, Dot. I am once again up north, but I can't say for how long,. I have been living in Christchurch for the past three months, and it has been very dusty, with very little rain. But Christmas Day and the day following were very wet. It simply poured, but it cleared off in time for Boxing Day. I was down on board the H.M.b. Challenger on Chrisamas a,ftemoon at the invitation of one of the officers. I had a, good time; of course I had 'the pipes with me and 1 played several tunes for the sailors during the afternoon. One of them danced the sword dance and the Highland Fling, and before I came away I played the ° bluejackets' favourite dance—" The Mbrry Widow Waltz "—on the bagpipes. They all were delighted, and. after they had supplied me with a gcod_ afternoon tea, I bade them all good-bye. "Then I arrived in town the streets were covered with water — over 18 inches deep—and everybody seemed to fake the tram. I did likewise, so I got home nice and dry as I lived about 20 yards from the car. I spent the remaining days quietly until New Year's Eve, when I went to the Scottish Hogmanay. Everybody present enjoyed themselves immensely, and at 12 o'clock exactly the Pipe Band played the old year out and the new one in. On New Year's Day the Pipe Band went down to the Dunsandel sports, and we played selections during the day to the record crowd. The attendance was the largest they have had there for years. Seven o'clock saw us on our way back to Christchurch. We were all very tired, but satisfied with the day's outkwr. I wonder if there was a D.L.F. picnic at Oamaru on New Year's Day. I did not see any notice in the Witness to that effect. I aim very sorry indeed if it has fallen through, as it is an annual fixture worth keeping, up., I hope the social will be held as ilsuaJ. I am beginning to think ihat the Divnedin D.L.F. Club has had to disband because the members do not take enough interest in its welfare. But I hope and trust it will go ahead again shortly. iVow I will conclude, wishing Tasma, Molly, Indian Chief. Harry, and all my D.L.F. comrades and friends a happy New Year, also to Dot.—l am, yours einoerely, ■ NED DE VINE.