Winter On Norfolk

Island.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Norfolk Is., July 2.

THESE last few weeks have been like a wild April at Home; slashing, silver rain . . . screaming winds . . . bright sunshine and blue skies quickly overcast . . . the joyful fluting of fat thrushes and sleek blackbirds in the swaying treetops.

In between the showers, we are out in our gardens planting out the tender seedlings that in a few short weeks will fill the island from end to end with scent and colour. The violets are out already, wet and sweet; jonquils and narcissus are bursting from their buds; there are a few drenched roses, and giant begonia hang heavy heads of pink and scarlet; but that is nothing to what we shall see by-and-by.

Winter anywhere is worth enduring for the sake of spring.