PICTON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue IV, 27 January 1900, Page 177

PICTON.

Haercmai, Kainga, Waikawa, Dear Bee, January 14. We came into camp on Thursday and had all our work cut out to fix tip tents and fireplaces ere night came on. Our camp is placed in a perfect position, sheltered front the north winds by the Snout. All in front is a

which some of the boys went out to catch a supply. OUR COSTUMES are worthy of description by kodak, and we long for one often. The Vicar of Spring Creek is a target for the humorous remarks of the camp, but he cares not, only smiles and asks his persecutors what they suppose he came out to camp for. if not to wear his old clothes and paddle about after the fashion of hisoriginal forbears. The vicar of I’icton’s personal appearance is not much better, but he wears a clerical looking vest, anil on the strength of that token of his profession he considers it his duty to rail at his brother, who wears none. So far the Archdeacon has only paid flying visits to the camp, and his costume is too orthodox to call for remark. Presently when he comes to stay his appearance may be worthy of description. The rest of the male population—about eight—are usually dressed in a nondescript fashion inipossible to particularise. If one puts on a civilised garment the rest jeer at him. They spend most of their time bathing, but sometimes they go out fishing. They went outside tile bay the other day, there was a little swell on. and they all felt sea-sick. The Picton girls grinned. I refrain from describing the ladies’ gowns and getsup. We are so often in the papers, but I may say that we have been saving up all the old dresses, hats, and shoes for a whole vear. and leave you to imagine them. The only things that trouble us are sandflies. We had to do some darning to protect ourselves. CAMP COOKERY. is an institution, but disappointing sometimes in its results. For instance, when fried eggs and sausages get all mixed up together in the ashes. However, the cooks for the occasion have minds above troubling over accidents such as that, and invent a new dish on the spot. which evokes much applause in the kai-kai whare. when we assemble to discuss our meals. ACCIDENTS. are numerous, and already our amateur doctor has had to attend to a burnt hand, a black eye, and a maimed toe. not to mention sundry cuts and bruises. A PUBLIC MEETING was held last night in the “Social Hall” to arrange for the publication

of the camp newspaper. Two editors were appointed tor the first week whose duty it is to solicit contributions or write the articles themselves. “Our Own Artist” will illustrate the contributions. There will be a "Poet’s Corner." "Ladies' Page," “Lost and Found” column, and all the other peculiarities of a bi-weekly paper. The three clergymen drove into their several parishes yesterday, also the Sunday school teachers, leaving the camp to the tender mercies of two chaperones ami the young people. Needless to say that Sunday was well spent, though perhaps a carping critic would have found fault at the very short service, at which a lady presided and the happy manner in which tile campers spent the day. We are expecting a good many visitors next week, and only hope they'll come well provisioned, as the enormous appetites developed by the ozons and sea bathing bid fair to create a famine.

JEAN.