The observance of Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day falls to-day, but the observance of the occasion belongs to a past generation. It was on February 14 that in former, times in England, Scotland, and some parts of Europe each young bachelor and maid was assigned by lot a member of the opposite sex as a "valentine" for the year. This was a form of mock betrothal which frequently led to real engagements and marriages. In later years the practice developed into a habit among young people of exchanging sentimental caricatures or "valentines." It is many years since the observance of the day in New Zealand was allowed to lapse.

- 'Local & general news', NZ Herald, 14 February 1923, p.8