Dear Dot, — May I join your happy band? I am 12 years old, and in the Fifth Standard. I had the yellow jaundice a few weeks ago, and was in bed for a fortnight. I was gathering mushrooms yesterday, and got two baskets full. I have an uncle at the war. We milk three cows and feed three calves. I am reading a book called "Deep Down," and like it very much. I shall stop now. With love to Paddy from the South and William the Conqueror, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, HIMIONA TE PIKIKUTUKU (Otara).
[You were unfortunate to get such a complaint during the holidays, Himiona. I hope you are now quite better. — DOT.] -Otago Witness, 7/2/1917.
Dear Dot, — I am at home by myself today, so thought it a good chance to write. We are having our school picnic on the 30th of this month. I was in town last week, and enjoyed myself very much. We have had our oats in the stack for about a month. I was down at the rocks fishing, and caught two fish. We are having very unsettled weather just now. Love to Queen Tottie and Paddy from the South, not forgeting yourself. — Yours truly, HIMIONA TE PIKIKUTUKU (Otara)
[When one is alone it is a splendid opportunity to finish odds and ends and make up arrears in correspondence. — DOT.] -Otago Witness, 4/4/1917.
Dear Dot, — Through it being so wet I lost three days' school. Our teacher left us three weeks ago. The Friday before he went we presented him with an eight-day clock, a set of carvers, and a pipe. We have a new teacher now, but he is going away at the end of the month, and another is coming. When she comes it will be the tenth teacher I have had, and I have been going to school only seven years. All the farmers have started ploughing. There are a few little lambs in the district. Spring began here with very rough weather. My nearest neighbour is leaving the district in a week or two. Since I last wrote two wounded soldiers have returned to this district, and were given a welcome home, at which I was present. Kind regards to Otara Eel, Wink, Cream Rose, and Little Queen Mab, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, HIMIONA TE PIKUKUTUKU (Otara). -Otago Witness, 14/8/1918.
Dear Dot, — I have shifted from Fortrose up to Bush Siding, and I like the place very much. I am working for my uncle. I put in a few days working at the mill. I see there is a new writer from Fortrose. I think the rabbitskins are going to be a big price this year. There is a good few trapping up this way. I have left school, and I like it very much. There is going to be a dance in the Gorge Road Hall on the 9th April. The Easter holidays will soon be on. My uncle went away for a holiday, and he is not back yet, so I think he is having good time. It is nice to see the train going past, especially when it is dark. Love to Carolina, A Girl from Arizona, Some Kid, and all the other L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. — Yours truly, HIMIONA (Bush Siding). -Otago Witness, 6/4/1920.
Mana Davis, a boy aged 14 years, met with a painful accident while working in a sawmill at Asher's Siding on Wednesday (says the Wyndham Herald). His hand was so badly crushed in the machinery as to necessitate the amputation of three fingers and a thumb. -Otago Daily Times, 12/4/1920.
Dear Dot, — Since I last wrote to you I have bad a very dreadful accident. I was working at a sawmill, when my right hand was cut off by the circular saw. I was taken into the hospital, and had to stay there for a fortnight, but now my hand is all healed up, and I am back at school. I can write just as good with my left hand as I could with my right. Our schoolmaster, who has been teaching about 40 years, is now leaving, and a new master is taking his place. I think our school is going to play Waimahaka football. There was a bachelors' ball down here on Friday. — Yours truly, HIMIONA (Fortrose).
[I am sorry to learn of your accident, Himiona, and I must congratulate you on your use of your left hand. — DOT.] -Otago Daily Times, 7/9/1920.
POSTHUMOUS HONOURS
SEQUEL TO A LAD’S GALLANTRY
HEROIC ATTEMPT AT RESCUE
MEMORIAL CERTIFICATE PRESENTED.
An exceptionally large gathering of residents of Fortrose and district gathered at the Fortrose School yesterday to witness the presentation of a framed memorial certificate to Mr and Mrs C. Davis, the parents of Mana Davis, an 18-year-old lad who was drowned in the Mataura river on November 19, 1923, in an heroic endeavour to save his brother, Maranui Davis, aged 10 years.
The presentation was made in the presence of the assembled children by Mr George Cruickshank, S.M., representative of the Royal Humane Society, and in the unavoidable absence of Mr C. Christie, Chairman of the School Committee, Mr T. Golden presided.
In briefly introducing Mr Cruickshank, Mr Golden said that it was the first time in the history of the district that the residents had gathered together for such a purpose. It would be a great comfort for the bereaved parents to realise that their late son’s action had been recognised so far afield, and with the memorial certificate and the monument which had been erected in the Fortrose Cemetery, the gallant lad’s name would never be forgotten.
SADNESS AND GLORY.
Mr Cruickshank said that his pleasure at being present on such an occasion was tinged with sadness, for instead of honouring one whose deed was so gallant, they were present to perpetuate the name of a lad who had given his life in a vain effort to save his drowning brother. The speaker then described the lad’s plucky action that ended in the death of both brothers.
“The pity of it was only equalled by the glory of it,” he continued, and we can only hope that time will soften the great blow that the accident has been to the father and mother. Mana Davis laid down his life for his brother, and in the afternoon and evening of his parents’ lives they will be happy in the knowledge of their son’s magnificent bravery.”
Mr Cruickshank added that after the inquest was held he had communicated with the Royal Humane Society of Christchurch, who had felt that the lad’s action was decidedly worthy of commemoration.
FINE AND UNSELFISH CHARACTER.
The Rev. T. Moore and Messrs J. Riddell, W. Dawson and H. Chisholm also spoke eulogising the late boy’s fine and unselfish character, and Mr Cruickshank presented Mr Davis with the memorial certificate.
Mr Davis briefly replied, thanking all for their kindness and sympathy, and the ceremony concluded with “God Save the King.”
On the grave of the two Davis boys the parents, assisted by residents of the district, have had placed a fine monument and kerbing of Bluff granite, concrete and coloured gravel. The monument, which was unveiled some weeks, ago, after the residents had subscribed to the extent of about £40, also supplemented to the extent of £50 by the parents, was erected as an everlasting testimony to the noble deed of Mana Davis. -Southland Times, 21/11/1924.
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