A LETTER FROM LUCEDA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 83

A LETTER FROM LUCEDA.

D«ar Dot,— lt has just dawned on me, or rather -it has been thrust upon my notice, that I have become a- very negligent member of D.L.F.-dom, and now I fake pen md paper in the endeavour to place myself in the "good books" of D.L.F. in general, *nd Dot in particular. But perhaps you- J •would like to know the wonderful "something" which has pricked my sleeping conscience and awakened me to a sense of my duty. This is how it happened: Shasta had gone out for a while, and the men folk being absorbed in the evening's e.°ws I ■was wandering round looking for something to do when 1 unearthed our club "scrapbook."' In a few minutes I found myself transported into the times of long ago, or »t least, gone before. I fought again the •mighty contests on the questions of "Town i versus Country Labour." "Aft v. Poetry," and the like; once again I listened breathlessly aa Bolivar, Casino, and Willowbrook averred in turn that Youth, Middle, A-*e and Old Age were the \best perkds of life' as they did in that memorable three-sided I debate. I laughed aloud as once more w« ! •11 played hide-and-seek in the manuka scrub at. Long-wood' and! fished for whitebait in the Waihopai; memories of picnics conjured up, equally enjoyable memories of social evenings, especially that one where m a state of mingled joy and pain, we said -farewell to our old chum Homa. Is it any wonder then, comrades, that at this moment I am filled to overflowing with DL F enthusiasm? How I wiph I had you 'all here; what a revival there would be.' And to think that even Shasta iB at present out of roach r Anyway, Dot, my > enthusiasm is not going to-be without any /-esult, for £ have HHbued so much into The Helmsman that I find he has also commenced a letter to "Dear -Dot." Club work down here is still progressing favourably. The attendance is not quite so largo as this time last year, though the papers have, increased in both numbers and literary merit. Our Jast debate, Which H»« the Greater Influence in the Development of Character: Society or bolrcude?" was a great success. To-morrow night w« are going to hold our quarterlyfocisl evening, and we expect a good muster. It is some time nofw since the idea/ of having a social evening every quarter was taken up, and we have found it a great success. After a course of exciting debaies wad absorbing special subjects, a social evenimj forms a pleasant diversion. -' Tt gives themembers a. chance for a little social chat and thus stimulates the interest, whilst to * new member it forms the best of intro- »!?»£?"' £*K m ? ? ere «i*»»*ny in-iendinjr member who feels he really cannot face the ordeal of a formal meeting to come alone some social evening and he will find himself at ejwe ,n * very short tiin*. Country members, too please remember that we are always pleased to see * visitor I* encourages every member of the c'uß to work even better if wo find that our efforts are appreciated by our D.L.F. comrades, who though unable -to attend regularly, are able to put in an occasional appearance. By-the-bye, will country members please record their votes for their representative as soon as possible? The members nominated are Millicent, Iris, and Mother's «t& I 7?"I 7 ?" have io do i 4 to Eend a note saying which one you wish .to be elected: to the secretary, and it will be attended to If you are not already nn honorary member enclose sixpence (in stamps) with your note, and you will be enrolled. Now, comrades, please remember, for we want our committee to be completed as soon as pos-

To come to the ordinary topics of the day Bave you reep the airship (or "scareship") yet? I haven't, though I would like to have SS? Tfc f W^ Cl> eOry d ° TOU BU PP«t, -woti' That it is Venuß. a message from Mars, or the Germans? For my part I will "tell you my theory- after the matter is explained. I know mine will be right, but I to know what the right one is first before I commit myself.- . • Second to the airship comes the weather. After an attempt to snow on Saturday things cleared up, and yesterday (Monday) was a lovely day, to be followed to-day by a deluge, which ie not likely to improve the ground for the hockey match" to-morrow between the ladies of Otago and Southland. Well, Dot, I- have just been counting up to see if I have reached *50 words yet. As I find I have far exceeded the limit, I think I had better stop. With kind regards to yourself and all D.L.F.,— Yours truly

LUCEDA.

[I have given you a heading to yourself, liUceda, for three reasons. First, because you have written such an enthusiastic letter; second, because there is much of official interest to the Invercargill Club; and third, because you have exceeded the word limit, which last is the least important. — DOT.]