LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 71

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot, — I caiaiol resist a de=H"e to wntt to you again, to bring a cloud to the editor ? blow and to take tip some of the mecicas

space that is allotted lo the D.L.F. However, as it is nearlj five month 1 ) since my last letter appeared, I will live m hopes of seeing this m print, though p.ot in the condensed column. Oh, Dot, don't put it there; but, as you put the ones that have the least news that will interest the little folk in it, I shall try to wiite of something sensible, and not get it "boiled down." Oh, litt'e folk, I had the 1 onour conferred on me by the all-poweiful trlitor of seeing Dot. It took a bit of peisuasion to bring him over to my side, though, but I "managed it, and then sent him off to plead my case with her most gracious nwjessy. who m turn- also gave in, and then I was mtioduccd to the "'Queen of Dot's IJar.d." I can't remember whit she said or what I saul

I (I suppose I stared at her with my month open), but I do know for certain that I wag qtuix delighted, and that the name fits her perfectly. We (Irene and I) spent a very happy halfhour with her, and then leluctantly departed. T felt as though I were in a different world to what I had been in when I entered the office, and 1 was so absent-minded that I nearly butted uito several persons who were going man opposite direction to me. I had also the pleasure of seeing Aida and Aieta while in Dunedin. Tt is quite a novelty to see a bad^c tip here. The fiist badge I saw in the Noi\n i island was at Hastings, and it was worn by j a girl, but I do not know her name, as she

wculd not speak, though I spoke to her several times. The first time I met her I lifted my hat, grinned, and said, "Hulloa, D.L.F.!"

but, didn't she give me a look! If it had been possible I should have frizzled out of sight. I saw her on the street several times afterwards, but she always used to scoot out of my load whenever she saw me coming. The next 1 saw were here, and were worn by Norine Mo reen, Hori Pirika, and Fra Diavalo. As N. ' M. gave an account of how they met me, I von't go over it again. Dicky Donovan is i living up here, but I have not seen him yet, j though I should very much like to do so. I . hope that the meetings of D.L.F. at the diffei- [ ent shows will be successful. How I wisli j I could attend some of them, but I suppose iitis no use wishing. Jean, you ought to gei, !up one at the Tapanui show. There are a good few D.L.F. in the districts lcund about. I suppose some of my D.L.F. correspondents are thinking I ant never going to write, but I shall do so as soon as I can. I do about two hours' writing every night. lam still collecting autos, and I shall be very pleased to receive them from any L.F. who care to ae:id me theiis. I should particularly like to get Daisy Primrose's, Rirnbeceo's, and Light uiog's. Will you please send them, and I shall send mine in return. Dear i'luff, if you have a photo of yourself to spare will you please send me one. D.'d you manage to get one of mine? Now, Dot, I had better bring this letter to a close, but before doing so I shall tell you that of all the towns I have been 'in, Dunedin is by far the prettiest. None 01 the others can look near it. Isn't it a pity that Con was wounded. I noticed his name among the wounded 111 one of the dailies shortly afterwards. I have let my pen run . away so T had better stop now, or none of this scribble wi'l ever appear. With love to Clarissa, Cooee, ilaidey, and Ziska, I shall close — Youis tiuly, AGUINALDO. P.S. — Please accept my sympathy for your loss, Evangel. When are you going to write again ? — A. [With a five months' spell and so much to tell us it was indeed time for Aguinaldo to write once more, don't you think so, L.F. ? lam glad that Dvmedin still finds favour with Aguinaldo, notwithstanding his- travels, and that his heart is still with his friends in tlrb south.— DO T.I

Dear Dot, — This is my first appearance as one of the D.L.F., but I thought I should like to tell you about my trip to the Blue Mountains on the King's Birthday. A paity of ten of us left Rae's Junction at about 7 in the morning, and drove to Black Gully, a distance of 14 miles. It was a lovely drive, and we were all ready for lunch when we got then. We walked about a hundred yaids into the bush, and then boiled the billy and had lunch. After h'nch one of the party proposed that some of us should try to get to the top of the mountain, so four ot us started off, and we did have a climb. It was my first experience of mountain climbing, and £ don't think I shall ever ■forget it. After we had oeen climbing foi about two hours, we got cut of the bush, and we thought we had leached the top, but we soon found our mistake, as we hacL to climb a few more hills before we got to the point we had decided, on when we started. When

we got to 'the top we got a, good view, but ix, was a bit foggy, so we did not see as far as we might have done if it had been a brighter day. We saw a young deer on thewayup, but we did not have the gun with us, so we were not tempted to have a shot at it. After having a short rest we began the descent, and it was even worse than going up. We followed the creek through the bush as much as possible, and the rocks covered with moss are very deceiving — you think you have a nice stepping-stone, when the moss slips away under neath ycur feet, and you find yourself very ungracefully sitting in the creek. We had several spells on the way down, and when we were just beginning to wonder if we had lost our way we struck the tiack that leads out cf the bush, and we got back to the others just as they were preparing to start for home. We waited and had some tea and sandwiches, aa we were nearly famished after our climb. When we had satisfied the pane; 3 o£ lmngei iva all slatted for home, with the traps decorated with ferns, clematis, etc. We arrived home in time 'for a late dinner, to which I c?n assure you we all did justice. Now, dear Dot, I can just imagine I see you fi owning at the length of this letter, but I hope you will allow it a place in D. L.F.'s page. With iove to Ed Felice and Inez, — Yours tiuly, LITTLE TOMMY ATKINS.

[That was a capital outing, L. T. A., and I am sure you must have been t red as well as hungry when you joined the others at the traps.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— We had some fun the other day in school. Our school-teachet was giving a boy the strap while he was id his seat, and ho was .sitting under the gas jet. The teacher raised the stiap and was just going to bring y; down on the boy when tlie ptrap stuck on the gas jet, and he had to put tlnee chaus npto get it down, but he fell right down tluough a boy pulling one of the legs of one of the chairs. Do 5011 not think that was a mean tiick, Dot? I do. I have just read a book called '"From Log Cabin to White House." It is a loveiy bcok, and it is wntten by Willia-ri M. Thaver. I like "David Coppeifield.'' Wo buy Homer's stories every Saturday night. They aie veij iuteiesting. With love to

Regiiin, Nut, a id Snowball, not foigctting vein ovu dear self, — Yoius tiuly, ELANDSFONTEIN.

[Yes, Elaiidsfontein, I tliij-'k it v>?s a niSJa tnc'i for the Loy to play on tie teacher. A fall fiom taiee chan^ m.yht eaiily res-ult in a bioke.i arm or leg, and thon tho boy would have had cause to legret his tnougiitlcbsness.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It is some time since I last wrote to 3 on, but as I have tiro or three suggestions to make, I thought I could not do better thon Vviile and mention them befoie it is too late. The fiist one is in regard to the Invercargill Cot fund, which is not getting on neaily so well as the Dunndin one did, so 1 thought of a way j you could get niore money for it. For every bentence of private talk L.F. use, pay a penny, and one can scarcely help using private talk sometimes. As I have co ute some private talk in this letter, I will pay foi it, ai,d perhaps some L.F. will folio iv my example. The o'.hei suggestion I have to make is— all the LF. at the different centics where shows are to hf held are planning to have their photos taken. I think we Dunedin L.F. ought to plim to have our photos taken. lam sure I saw i more than a dozen L.F. i>i town the Saturday night before last. If these L.F. and all the Duuedm L.F. would consent to meet at a c?rtaiii place (that you would name, Dot), we should have a very nice group. Of course, Dot, these aie only suggestions, and might not meet with every L.F.s appro\al. I went to Wingatui 011 Monday, November 11, lo the combined Good Teinplais' picnic, and enjoyed myself fairly well. I met Losf and Lassie there. I saw General Macdonald when he was heie, and liked him very much, as I am sure nearly everybody did. Dear Dot, how time flies! Christmas will soon hz here. It 13 indeed a true saying that '"Time arc! tide wait for r.o man." I agree with A. M. W.s suggestion re discussion on Looks. I have nci'er load '"Alice 111 Wonderland." I only know it is a fairy tale — a style of book I co i:ot cure for. Alice imagines she is all sorts of wonderful things, dees she lot? I hava lead "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and have also scan It acted. I have lead so many books, though, and I forget some of them so quickly, that I shouldn't be able to discuss them. I love reading. Ism so sorry that Con ami Harry Farrer are wounded. My father knows both these young mer. I feel very sorry for theii parents aaid brothers and sisters, for it is those who are left at home that do the worrying, especially the mothers. War is a very sad thing; I therefore tender my sincere sympathy to the lelatives of these two young men. 1 am so sony that Diim Duin has left the page — he was such a good member. However, I hope he may think better of his decision. I like both Duni Dum's and the Critic Club' 3 letters. I hope the O.W.W. will be a thorough success at Christmas, and that all O.W. will write for old times' sake. Now, dear Dot, I have some private talk to do, and then I shall stop. Dear Harrj', I see 3"ou nearly every Saturday afternoon passing St. A. Sunday School (Id). I never like to speak, but I asked Venetia to speak once, and she said, "Hullo, D.L.F.!" and you raised your cap (2). I may summon up enough courage some day, however (3d). Dear Charlotte, Portia, and Tmtacks, I aai going to send jou my autos soon (-id). Dear Irene, Ita, and Kush, hurry up and write to me (sd). 1 have not received letters from 3-ou for ages. To all L.F. asking if my initials are such and such they are M. G. (Cd). Dear Dot, 1 have finished my private talk, and hoping you do not mind it. Li case I do not write until next year, I wish all L.F. and the editor and yourself, Dot, a Merry Chiistmas and a Happy New Year, and with love to all my L.F. friends, the editor, and I remain, — Yours tiuJy, ARETA. P.S. — I hope, Dot, that you will enjoy your holiday— it is a much-needed one. — A. [The fines-foi-private-talk pioject as inaugurated by you, Aret?, is very amusing, and bhou'd prove a source of revenue to the Invercargill Cot fund. I should be very glad to anange for a group of D.L.F. Leing taken in Dunedin, dear, but befoie doing so I should like lo be supplied with the names and number of those who would join in. There are difficulties hi the way, for the country D.L.F. who come to town generally come on a paiticular day, while town D.L.F. might not be able to get pwpv from theii avocations or from school on that particular day. However, the subject may be discussed m the meantime, and peihaps someone would suggest a particular day that would suit eveiyone. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am going to describe a trip I once had to the Isle oi Wight before we came to New Zealand. We \ei-l Glasgow on a Thuisday night from St. Enoch's station at 8 p.m. on a ten-days' ticket to Poilsmouth. We got into London ou the following morning at 7 o'clock, and at oace drove to Waterloo station. We left our bags 111 the luggage office, and discovered we could get a tiain down at 9 o'clock, so weal in search of our breakfast. On returning to get our train we found the platform resounding strongly of the north. Dozens of hardy, keen-eyed, steady-nerved warriors from our side of the Border were making their wa> to Bisley, where they upheld so ably the honour of Scotland at the great phooting meet. We reached Portsmouth about 11.30 a.m., and got the steamer in connection with the train. Passing through Portsmouth Haibour you get a splendid idea of the might and majesty of Britain. Fortifications of great strength stretch out their strong, protecting arms round both sides of the bay, and numbers of the superb fleet on which we lest so assured he placidly in proximity to the honoured Victoiy that bore the flags of Admiral Nelson. At Kydo we got the tiain on the pier, as we had chosen to make Vent nor our headquarters. The railways m the Isle of AVight aie pokey concerns,, but fairly comfoitable. You leach Ventnor through a tunnel, and at the station before you enter it a boy comes along and hangs a lamp inside the dcoi tc light >our passage. We had beforehand made arrangements for boarding, and reached the house at 1 p.m., having been travelling continuously for 17 hours. It was mostly night travelling, and the time was not lost. We entered the house tlnou°h a laige conservatoiy, literally gioanlug under a weight of grapes, gi owing by the natural heat of the sun. Dear Dot, as I have not tune to iim&h this epistle, I shall leave the account of our sojourn on the Isle of Wight till next time I write. With love to Clarissa, whose auto I received all right, — Yotus tiuly, VERGOWAN. must have been a delightful change, Veigowan, from far ayont the Tweed to the delightful island 111 the South of England, of which we hear so much in connection with royalty.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — So General Sir Hector Macdonakl has come and gone. The geneial stopped at Oamaiu foi a couple of hours, and there weie a good many people in town to see him. Sir Hector came to Oamaru by special train. He was met at the station by the mayor, who welcomed the distinguished soldier tc the town, and then introduced little Miss Doris Potter, ottired as a Macdonald, who presented him with a sprig of heather. Then <i pioce&sion vas fcimed, its progiess being watched from eveiy doorstep and window. The paity pioceeded to the Star and Garter, wheie an excellent luncheon had been spread by Host Potter in the laige room known as the club room. Aitoi. huickepu had been parkkeu of,

1 there weie a few speeches, and then tho proceedings teimin^ted v.ith the Ringing ot 'AulJ Irnig 63 ne" and " CoJ save the i'liiig." The general then enteicd his cainncjc, and was driven to the station, v. hcie a vei\ laij.c ciowd of over 2000 poisons was waiting to spy farewell; and as the tiam moved off, cheer on cheer lent tiie air, Oeneial Macdoiwld &tandij.g en the carriage platform Loving Ins acknowledgements foi the enthusiastic &end-off accorded linn. Deai Dot, I saw three little folk that clay— one neai the Star av>\ Carter Hotel and the others roniin& from the station. T passed cno of them also m Thames street, and she said, "Holloa, Pietoxia!" I wonder how she knew my 110 mdc plume. We pre hivmg very hot, elry weathci, ar.d we vtaat lain very badly. With love lo The Nipper and the L.F., tlie dear old, kind editor, ar.d dear Dot, — Yours truly, PRETORIA. [Geneial Jlacdonald h.id evidently a very pleasant time at Oamaiu. Pretoria. Perhaps your D.L F. friend will tell jou in her next letter how she found out your norn de plume. -DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was very pleased to see my letter m the Witness. I suppose you are wondering where a cat could get a Witness, but a little girl who lives heie writes to you, and she gets the Witness, and she showed it io me. Dear Dot, Topsy has had four kittens, but the owner of the pups does not like cats, and he drowned them all, and mine too. Dear Dot, I had no paper, and I lost my pen, &o I asked the little girl to wiite this for me. I am getting called now (I hope it is to get some milk), so I shall have to stop. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself,—Youis truly, TIBBIE. [What a heartless thing for him to do, Tibbie. lam sure he might have left poor Topsy one of her kittens at all events.-— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l have been learning to ride lately, and have great fun. I lost my hat one night, and did not find it again. I had a sad misfortune th's year, Dot— l failed my standard. Oh, I was down-hearted. We have three kittens, Dot, such pretty ones. We had a hen with three chicks, Dot, and what do you think? — the mother (the clumsy thing!) killed two by tiamphng on them. Isn't it sad about poor Con? I hope he will soon be better and able to come back to New Zealand. I think Daisy Primrose writes such nice letters, don't you, Dot? I hope you won't mind si little private talk, Dot, as it won't be long. Dear Ronclinella, I shall answer your letter when I have time. Dear C. C. M., would you mind exchanging autos with me? We are great fuends, but live a long way apart. It is about two years ago, after New Year, since you were here. Dear Dot, it is dreadfully wet here to-day, and I didn't go to school. With love to Con, C. C. M., Mimosa, Fifi, Ti^a, Rima, Dado, Rondmella, your dear self, and the editor, — Yours truly, A. E. S. Lit was very unfortunate that you should fail, dear, but you must just make up your mind to succeed next year, and study hard fiorn the beginning, so that you will run no risks.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — The spring weather has left us, and we are having our summer weather now, bixt it is awful, notwithstanding the advanced season. I have seen a few badges up here lately. Deai Dot, I had a doll, which I called Floss, and one clay I laid it on the bed. Soon after my sister jumped up on the bed on to the doll's head, and broke it. There is a dredge called the Sixteen-mile Beach oh a big island in the river. It broke away when the river was in flood. In summer we sometimes have picnics, and our teacher generally takes us for one. Fairy, are jour initials G. C, and do you live at R. ? Please answer this 111 jour next letter. I see Trooper W. Stringer is going to be presented with something at a social to make up for the loss of his horse, which was shot at the war. One day my biother brought home some young labbits, and began chasing me with them. Oh, they were horrid little things, and, my word, I did scream! With love to the editor, the

D.L.F., and not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, THE LADY OF THE LAKE. [I fancy we have already a Lady of the Lake, and duplications of names alway3 cause coniusion.—DOT.] Deax Dot, — I have had intentions to write to the page this long time, and I have set to work this time. I do not go to school now, so 1 have to work in the fields. A.& I only passed the Fourth Standard, I am not a verj good scholar. My three sisters passed the Sixth Standard, and when they start doing sums, I do not understand them. I shall try now to tell you a little about the place in which I live. The wind is blowing vecy hard just now, and it is very annoying when lam at work. The Waitaki is a very large river, and I am sorry to say there is nc boating on it, as it is too rapid. There are a number of fine steep hills all around here for the shepherds when they are mustering the sheep, which has started now. With love to the littie folk and your own dear self, — Yours tiuly, LESLIE. [Although the Waitaki is not adapted to boating, Leslie, it certainly is for angling, so you must content yourself with the kind of sport it piovides.— DOT.] Ileai Dot, — Our school exam, took place about three months ago, and, wonder of "wonders! I passed best in the class. I can easily imagine my teacher's hair standing on end, while with eyes full of astonishment he gazed at the inspector's report before him. As I had passed the Sixth Stanclaid, I

left school, though not through ai.y fault of mine, but, like otheis, I say ' what can't be cured must be enduired." lam taking "The Dice's Amuser" for my noji de plume, as my teacher once said that if he hed anything to do with the arrangements for the Royal visit he would hare me lueie to amuse the Duke. I know four of your correspondents — not bad for a beginner, is it, Dot? lam going to see how long I can write to you without being found out. As I piomiced to write only a line or two, I shall have to draw it niild. or I will write till the cows come home. With fondest love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself and the editor, —Yours truly, THE DUKE'S AMUSER. [A novel signature and an entirely new appointment. I think you might have told us why your teacher said that, to you, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Since I last wrote to you, Christmas is a great deal neaier, and our examination is within a week. The other day my sister and I went out to gather mushrooms. We had not gone very far when my sister cried out, "Oh, I see such a big one," and she came back with a watch and chain. You may be sine she was pleased, but she heard of the owner a few days later, and returned it. May Queen says she thinks she has seen Noreen ; if she has, lam suie she has seen me. (Excuse private talk, please, Dot.) Jessica, one of the girls you saw at the doctor's gate was Fairy, but she did not have her badge on, became she told me m her last letter. The other two guls who were with her do not write to Dot at all. I saw the picture of the D.L.F. Cot in the Witness, and felt very soiry foi that poor little gnl. It was very kind of those two girls to diess a doll, because they must have »peat many home iv doing it. I

shall have to lii.*™ mv « i-M \ i ,i ''c-n ?.a this won't a I 'i)\ t.ib c I.ikl. \Vi' !i .c> to J\oicci', Co , aiid fit. cJ'toi V ( j|i , . Vl'iL'' ! 1 \ fTI.a( v.i- p j.i Jit 1 l.'?\y am! '. ; ' ' , iiable nuiAi^jii! to In c Vil!i;1 . '1 . < ur miio lir vei v v-RA «.'■"=- io a.\r Cw 'it' t. ''.<<; that. -DOT J Di rti Do!,— l c.v -,vi fi--.' ii Ic 'l _, 1 prp < r ■„ p.cnic vim li I aid -out int.". 1 "b.id ,cc long rgo An an r i»i cTcied to !,ii 0 us v .tit him, and lie tiolz h:s cair.cin, \ou ui;r - 'jo suie we scented l''3 niv.tat 0.1. As the ,oul. the aoglei v. cnl v as ;oo jouv,h foi us, he gavo us the skc-tcii of apoibfi load, uh:eh nc had r.cvei been J>cfoic, but we leached the piscc withent mi'jiap. Wiien wr v.-ere gomg we me!/ two D.L.F., and asked them to come v.ith us, which thnv did. When we reached tne place, ye could pot see our friend anyv.heie, so we f-at dovn and took off our boots, to ccoi our feet. After we had bcon s.ttmg dowi" .1 shore tune, we hcaul a shout, and loo'iing up ■\\c bslield otu fiicnd not far away. We lest ro time in getting the bil'y on, ajid then we enjoyed ourselves. When we had finished our luuch, our companioii took oar ishotos, ami then ye went off to some willow trees, at whicb we played till it vra« time to go home. With love to all D.L.F , not forgetting yourself and ths editor,— Youis truly, FAIRY [You evidevrly iiad an ei.joyable day, Fa-iy. I hope the photo was a success. — DOT.] Pear Dot,— l have oiteu shuted to wine to you, but I hare always so far posted my letters 'm the fire. The place where 1 lire is sturounded by hills. Theie is a river flowing past our hou«e. It is a very pretty place in sum Kier, but it is most w> etched in winter. I think the doll that Mignonette and her sister Dowdrop dressed for the Cot is voiy nice. What a dear little patient that is in the Cot. I am sure all the littie folk will give her then deepest sympathy. I hope dear old Con is botter by this time, and that ho will soon „ bs able to return horn->. I hope the editor won't put tins letter through that horud cendensmg machine of his. With love to Con, Hariy, and Daisy Pnrmosc, not foi^ettmg your own dear self and the editor,— Youis truN-,-ANXIE LYLE. LAU places aie disagreeable in winter, Annie Lyle, and I fancy you would have the same complaint to make wherever you were.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have a book callsd "A Golden. Heait," which I wir>h to recommend to all D.L.F. to read. It made the tears inn down my face, aiid ii has haunted me ever since I read it. So, de^ir Dot, could you let me have a little space for a chaptei now and again, and! I will copy it fiom the book. It is a tale of true love and selfishness. Your heart is in your mouth when you are reading it. I should like the L.F. to read it and see what they think about it. I shall lake my 110 mdc plume from the sweet Dolores. I shall cot be disappointed if I canuot copy the boo'c into your page. I know a few of your writers. Ethel Smart I know well. Dear Ruby and Skigger, is your name R., and do you live st X. ; And S., do you live at W. H., aiid is your i-.auia S. R.? The D.L.F. Cot doll is simply lovolj. I have read a great many books, among thorn being "Thankful Rest," "Wrongs Rented, ' "Running It Off," "A Golden Land." "Jack Dudley's Wife," "Friends Worfk Keeping," " Little by Little," "Ciur-ibs from tlis Children's t Table," " Dorns Cheynne," "There's No Place Like Home," "Golden Houis," and the conquerer, "A Golden. Heart." With love to yourself sncl the editor, — Yours tiuly, DOLEROO. • [You have written the signature as t .ppears, Doleroo, but I have an idea ths^ io tt meant it to be Dolores, the heroine ol . -afc touching book. lam airaid, deai, we * 06 afford space for a whole book m cv.r •,-«>. Why, with the little that could appfu'i. h week it would never end. Besides, I ii: ,-c & slight doubt about that book from whr.t -on telJ me of it. 1 don't think that ai.y 1 ,oi: that would have such an effect on its ivaderg is good for an Impressionab'e girl to lead. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am going to give you an aecor. :fc of a holiday I spent at Orepuki. J went on a Saturday in the tram, and I got there about half-past 1. My cousin was theie waitivg £or me, and I went with hei to her house. hu the afternoon, I went up iii the bush, ii.'t I saw a laige claim, but it was an old ore, and there was only one man working in it On Sunday I went to my aunt's place, and .'*pm I went along the new line that is being <. 'ta to the Waiau with my cousin. I went „ 093 a small bridge made of Wire 3 and boaids. ' 'to wires have been put across, and then the !-3.'ic:=i put end to end along them. Theie is a *'iro about a yard above the plank for you to "iokt on to, for the board is only about f>in •> 'ie, and the bndge is shaky. On Monday - - :,iing my little cousin Ahck showed mo • c-oJI many elaiims that were getting worked ,> ..!.«>& time, and I could see water races eveiy re. In the afternoon I went to see the shale ■• oi",s, and when I got there I asked the cleilc 1 I could go in and have a look round, s,,H ';& said I could if 1 did not go meddling v/.i'iv things, which 1 did not intend to do. I Lad just started to look round, wher I wa« '■.oie'L to go out, because they said boys were not allowed in, and this made me very uulapfy. I could see the large tanks, and the little" L alleys lunuing up and dov/n from the coal iv^ne. The shale is making the houses a dark l-.ron-u colour, and it has a disagreeable smell. B^cre dark my cousin and 1 went to a claim - here a, relat'on of mine works, and h.e nut ;<■ .a his little trolley and pushed us away ': o a. drive. A drive i 3 a small sort of tun"..* 1 ! our which the dirt is taken out, and thr f^itl cashed out of it. The next morning I v,."(_ to come home, and I got up at 5 o'clock o as to be m time for the tr<un. — Youis tiu'v. WJ-.KA.

[If you had mentioned that you worn r .sitor to the district I fancy you would ' 'ye been allowed to stay in and see evp'\c!i ac, Weka. I suppose it would not do to ;.'!o\v every boy to go 0,-ei the woil-s, but M^itois to a district are usually treated better than you were on this occasion. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l have been found out on all Sides. When 1 was at the post office, a 5111 I knew was theie, ami she called out, "Hal'oa, D.L.F.'" but she had not a badge on. She started tc tease me about my badge. She said she knew who I was. I asked her who, and she "W." She said she knew a s,oo(l many DjJ' F., so I think she is a writer. They can tease me as much as they like ; £ do not care. Our school is closed just now, for cur teacher went away, so we are having; some grand holidays. I am in the Fifth Standaid, but I do not like school, and often wish the time had come for me to leave. My sister is not well just now. She often te'.te me she is going to write to you. The first letter I wrote she looked for it tiU she found it. Wo got this year's Chnstmas Anuua". and I think it veiy nice. It only a gioup of your little folk were in it it would be complete. With love to all, — Yours Uuly, WAVEY. [I hope you wili get a new teacher, Wavey, for howe\er "giaml" the hohdajs may be, school is "grander," for without a good education a boy will find himself sevoiely handicapped in life's lace vhen he ic.ill'cj manhood.— DOT.]

D^a.l Dot.— AHei four months' silence I think it is tune I vsas wutms ugauij or £&!* ,

*rill be forgetting me altogether. For the las. jthree days we have had very wintry weathei bere, and the quantity of ram that has fallen

;will do a consideiable amount of damage to /the crops. I wonder what kind of weather Ithe soldiers are having- in South Africa. I (hope Con. and Harry Forrei will speedily le-

c cover from their wounds, whether • slight or Berious. Dear Dot, how did you enjoy the Birthday? It was kept here on Mcn|iday, and my sister and I went to Orepuki tfor the day. It was a nice cool day, and we enjeved ourselves, as it was the fust time we fcad been there. From the station we went to the house of a fiiend, and after having some 'dinner we went with her to the sports. Then

we walked to the shale works, h\\< as the smell from the works was almost unbearable, we did aiot stay in long enough to see very much. What; I most enjoyed at the sports was the anusic from the Invercargill Pipe Band, and •when it left the grounds, we followed it down to the railway station. I saw, tvo D.L.F. during the day, one of whom was Auigai l , btu I ■didn't have the chsoce to speak to eHher oi lhern. I should like very much to be 111 the Invercargill gioup of D.L.F. at sliow time, but am doubtful whether I shall be able to go or not. It is so disadvantageous living in the back blocks. Dct. We can't get to many entertainments unless they are close at hand.

■I hope the editor won't get this letter for hia mincing machine, although I v^uite approve Of the invent on, for to see p little of cut letters is much belter than none at all. I think tou arc a mcc lady, very patient and kindhearted, and I don't hke "to hear anybody say you are a man. With love to all the D.L.F. »nd yourself, — Yours truly, A SOLDIER'S LASS.

[Thank you, Soldier's Lass. It n=ed to •liurt my feelings at one time, too, but I eves''iually became quite used to it, and in tbe end simply laughed at the silly s>nd giotesque -^ descriptions of Dot that at one time became 'common among the D.L.F. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are haviug some awful wea-ther-here. The ground was just covered with jßnow this morning, and it was so cold tha-t I did not care to get up. I was surprised to see so few letters in for- the Eoya! week. Dear ;Dot, my mother had about "i 0 little turkeys come out of the sbe'l about a week ago, and sll of them except 10 died with the cold weather, and I am afiaid the 10 will soon enter the soil too. I was speaking to Fatirna at

the Mataura Valley military sports. Our .exam, is over now, and I passed into the ISixth Standard. I was awfully shaky on cram, day, I can tell you. I have a good feiany autos now, and I received Boadicea s }iuto the other day. lam willing to exchange 'autos with any L.F. who cares tc change with Jne. Con writes some very interesting letters, and I, for one of the L.F., could sit all day and read them. I think it is a eery good idea for the Gore L.F. to meet jn the show 'day. I should like to know where they intend to meet. " Would any L.F. be kind eiioußii to tell me? Love to all the L.F., Dot, and the tditior, — Yours truly, CHARLOTTE. [How unfortunate about the turkeys. Great care is necessary with them in damp or cold & stricts, but it is very hard to lose so many, if the "Witness photographer is at the show you had better look out for him, Charlotte, and he will make it right.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Our annual school concert was held in the Wairio Hall on November 15. The concert consisted of a kinderspiel, "Old DFriende With New Faces," by the scholars. •Grace Dodda acted as Sister Anne, and her fcister as "Mistress Mary. ' Maggie Forde «nd Liouisa Keen acted as "Jack and Jill."

■Nellie Cairns acted as "Little Red Riding 1 ' Hood." Mr Meek sang a song named "The •Blighty Deep," and Miss Meek sang "Come 'Ao my arms, Norah, darling." The weather •suddenly changed on Monday, 11th, at midday, _«nd was very wet till Friday morning. It was a beautiful evening, and there was a very big crowd at the conceit. About £17 was gathered at the concert and dance. — Yours truly, EUGENE TAXGNEY.

[How fortunate it cleared up in time to Enable your concert to be carried out sviccesfully, Eugene. Il seems such a pity to have nil one's plans spoiled by a caprice of the weather.— DOT-.]

Dear Dot, — I am writing you a letter to fell you and th; little folk about our school concert, which took place 111 Waino Hall on Friday, loth. It was a great success, and we gathered nearly £17 at the door. The Misses s>oddß opened the concert with a pianoforte 4uet called, "Tripping through the meadow," lor which they deser\e praise. The scholaia then gave a kinderspiel entitled "Old Friends With New Faces." I shall mention some of the solo singers in it, and what part they took . — "Sistei Ann," Grace Dcdds ; "Mistress Mary," Wilhelrhina Dodds ; ' "Huinpty Durnply," Tom Beck. Several others <took part, but I am afraid here are too many to mention. Mr Edwards and I opened the pecond part with a pianofoite duel called "The Canary Bird Quadrilles." Ihe solo singers iv ihe second part were I—Miss1 — Miss Meek, Mrs Ronald. Mr Meek, Mi M'Lean, and Mr Edwards. Mr Anderson gave twe recitations. The programme was concluded by Miss Lochhead, Mr fedwards, and Mi Anderson giving a farce entitled, "Box and Cox." At the conclusion of the concert Mr Cuthbertson and Mr Egan, chairman, thanked the people for their good " attendance and help.— Yours tiuly, NELIE CAIRXS.

'{I am sure you must have spent a happy Ught. Nellie, and probably you iound it pass nway too quickly. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l write you c. few lines telling You about our concert, wnich was held in iWairio Hall on Friday, November 15. The concert began at 8 o'clock. We had a play lamed, "Old ExienA* With 2fcw faces," Mwij.

I A the children went under false names, sucn as "Sister Ann," "Mistress Mary," "Little Boy j Blue," 'Little Jack Homer, ' and many other names. After the children's play a number of songs were sung. The last item on the pre I gramme was a farce named "Box and Cox. ; With love to yourself and the little folk,— Yours truly, MAGGIE SHEDDAN. [You had quite a pleasant night's entertainment, Maggie, and 1 aru sure you must have spent a very happy time.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I expect you have forgotten me. as it is about a year since I last wiote, but during that time 1 have taken the same keen interest in the Little Folk's Page. I think I am the only writer to your page in Taranaki Us that not so. Dot 9 ). There was another girl who used tc write from here named Kapunits. She got her badge about the same time as J did, and is i:ow engaged to be married, so I doa"t suppose she has any time for wntmg. My sister was in Dunedm six or seven months a_;o, and was ai the Witness office. I 4old her she should have Jnquiied for Dot. There is some vciy pretty scenery up this way, especially en the load to Mount Egrnont ; but as I am 1.01 endowed with descriptive powers anything like Kimbecco's, I shall not r-tteinpt to desciibe it. I have not se^n a letter fiom Maidey foi ever so long. I hope she has not stopped writing. Derr Dot, I seem to know all your little folk tluough reading their loiters, although I have never met any of them pei=Oiialh. I thaik tho?c gn& who wear badges dow.i your way pxid v.oat speak to the othei weareit wh°n they meet are more to be pitied than laughed at. Dear Dot, would jou like my photo feu th" next group? If you say so, I shall send it vlien I see your answer to this. With fondest lo\e to all the little folk, especially the Cnhc Cnib, not forgetting your own deal self and the kindly-looking old editor, — Youip t r u'y. THE MIGHTY ATOM.

[Tliis must be qui'^e a scfont'^c coi.cs;io":r7ent, judging by her 120 mdc plume. lam not quite sure about your be.n,^ tie on'j Taranaki writer, dear; X ran setre'v ibiiiii we have only one rorreaooudeiit m such a big district. Yea, I shall b? pkp=.=d io gft your photo, but it will be p gocd t:me b??"ie it ai^peaas, as there is avother aioun ■Rsit.i s; an opportunity to be giv-en ? pace in the 1!lustiated sheet, besides one or two show g:uuvs. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Shoor Oi've hed a nosl un to be. wroitm' to ye this rainy p dhay, 1 ut pliw.it wid th' shkoohng be dhay ay/ me avemng-? (akci up Wid fadh;' t'l' pigs a:i' ('.' ln>is. snooi U'a but little toime Oi hey to !■"> v/ro»lir,' httcis. But, sez Oi to me mate, Dhmi= Mmphy, thrt lives furnmt us across th' road.

" Dmnis, me bhoy,"' scz Oi, '' if it's roising in th' v, uii-ld we'd be. phwat betther start can we make th'n wioitin' to Dot?" Well, now. Dot, it, jist wanted foive minutes o", th' half-hour past foor whin Oi got me furrst ghmps? ov New Zaland, an' Dinni? wuz after arroivin' befooj.- th' ould bias? clock 0.1 th' Mv.vpb.ys' mantlepace wuz finished slro:kin' foive, go ye see it's ouldei Oi am thin Dinm&. So whin Oi sez, "Dinnis, mo bhoy_. we'll wroite to Dot," sez he, "Eoight ye are, St. Moichael; but,' sez he, "ye'e. 1 th' ouldcst, so I'll lit ye foire away furrst." Well, Dot, here Oi am roight in th' middle ov me furrst litter, but so much sv;ace is taken up intirely wid me expla,ning« that Oi'll hey to lave all me mterestin' news till me next litter, .if yell be so koind as to lit me wroite agin. Wid me besht love to yerself and ail th' L.F., Oi remain, — Yours truly, ST. MICHAEL. [Of course wo couldn't refuse to welcome a saint to our midst. I ouly hope his letters prove as interesting as his introduction, and if so they will be" a source of amusement to many D.L.F.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is now a long time since I wrote to you, and I <Jo hope you will take pity on me this time and print my letter. 1 know quite a lot of D.L.F., and I do hke to watch for their letters, some of them are so nice. We iiave been having tpirible gales lately. It is horrid to work oiitside m them, ■we are so apt to lose our hats. One of the L.F. was driving the milk to the factoiy, and her hat blew off and she lost it altogethei. Wasn't it a pity. But we are not so bad as they are in Melbourne, for it has been teirible there. Ido hope the Australian bad weather won't come here, a3 we have had plenty already. Our flowers are destroyed, and large trees have been broken down, but I hope it is all over row. I finish by giving a story for the D.L.F. — A teacher took an apple from one of his boys during school hours. After a while, the teacher ate the '.pple, while the boys were busy with their sums The lad, noticing this, began to coLifth. "What is the matter with you?" inquired (lie teacher. "Oh, please, sir," answered the boy, "the apple has gone down the wrong way. ' Wasn't that too bad, Dot? — Yotus truly, WILL O' THE WISP. [Too bad of the teacher, Will, but vei> good of the boy.— DOT] Dear Dot,— What a lot of funny little folk write to you. I suppose some of the bigger ones laugh at my letters, but, novel mind, little folk, -we all say and do funny things at times. Well, Dot, I think the ones that tell yarns wnte the nicest letters. So I must tell you one. The poet Gray was remarkably fearful of fire, and always kept a ladder of ropes in his bedroom. Sorn« mischievous brother _ollegians at Cambridge knew this, and in the middle of a dark night roused him with the cry of fire^ — the staircase, they said, was, 111 flames. Up went the window, and Gray hastened down his rope ladder as quickly as possible, into a large tub of watei which had been placed at the bottom to leceive him. Don't you think that a rather good joke to play on the poor fellow, Dot? I have auothet yarn t« tell, but I sliall keep it till aest

t.me I wnts, a= tvo yarns would be too much foi a little folk to swallow at once. Dear Dot, , I must stop now, hoping you won't condense me, or rather this letter. Best love to Kid, and I hope that he will soon be well again, | and going about. I hope he will write scon | and tell us how he got hurt. Hoping you | will accept m> love too, — Yours truly, [ KELLY. J [Poor Gray, he would look where he was go- \ mg next time an alarm of fire was laised by the mischievous collegians. — DOT.] • Dear Dot, — The last letter I viote to you was ' not published m the Little Folk's Page. I have never seen a railway tiam, Dot, but when I go for a holiday at Christmas I hope to see one. Xow, I am going to describe the elevatoi my father has m the | claim. It is a verj' large one, and the water | goes up about 100 ft into a very large box at ; the top, to catch the gold. He gets the supply of water from the Scandinavian Water Kace Company, Ltd., and Mr X. Nicholson is niana gei. I have -two sisters living in Port Chal- ' meis. How would you like to live in the ! country like me, Dot? li has been very rough j up here m St. Bathans foi the last week, and | it took seme non off some of the house 0 . It j must be terrible for the little lambs, of which j there are so many. With love to yourself and eveiy one of the little folk, — Yours truly, I SUNXY VIEW. > [I fancy 3-our letter was 111 the condensed co'uniu, Sunny View, and jou must have missed it.— DOT.] 1 Dear Dot, — This season ol the year is called j ''summer," but 11 I had Ihe naming of it , I should call it '"lamer," foi instead of mcc, I warm, bright days, ye have cc-lu pcnetiati'ig | winds, deluges oi lain, and once >h .t win c p gleam of sur.. Well, I think aftci this* cic- ; 1 gatlui (, '; ivecther is past we ci;?ht to h^v? a 1 enpnge ct fecoac. "Evciythi-ig 'co n :« bngVt 0.-d j iii.'=h now, ard ?ln:c=i. the only thiog Icli to j •n:sh for 1= a isstug t:=/l irom the suu. At- _'- i-j, ilia bo-1 " :'st'n:c p2o^cs to cc an iibscrb'ng book a1? v good fire. ] h.-ve read qiiiie a numbsr of books iptely. yud ?.noiig i oth;r fiutho^s Dickcia h?-: leeched a fair share • cf attention. Of h's bod-s I I p-p ir-ently j r-->'.l "I'hc O'.Jl Cv lO^ity Shop," "Maitin , Chu::z'.--,. .' ." '>\ 'j'n " c." 1 r. o C.'.ie=. ai-.i Ti>rny ; fa.icrtcr ftor.es. ] h.v :. c o lead tjiat u.iracul011^. book •which it now po muci' spoken of, ' Al'ce 211 WondcrJand." I considei it a veiy rlevevly written book, and m all ways suitable lac >cung folk to read. The writer ewdently h?d a powerful imagination to be able to tiansiorm and describe things so clearly and cleverly. That gooo book, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," is quite f. l'avounte with me. Poor Uncle Tom proved lamself a fine cample of the '"coloured" maityrs r whe at that time suffered foi the good cause. , D~ai Dot, we had such a dear we bhie kitten '. under a iorlnight old, but, alas ; th s afteinoon a certain little rascal, aged three, appeaied upon the scene carrying the poo* 1 little thing, vitb h ; s hands fiimly and tightly ', ci»3pcd around its throat. When at last I. ; mancged to get it away from its persecutor ; and laicl h again m its 'box, it did not move, j ' and hae not done so yet, and, moreover, is not j . likely to move again. I suppose you under- , . stand what is wrong. Now, Dot, don't you . think it time some arrangements were made J for the gathering at Invercargill — I mean when j to meet and at what place. As to the week I of Royal life, Boy's diary was decidedly comical, but I think his fears about that "young scamp 1 George" may be at lest, since he has long ere i this arrived home safely, and now is the much ■ honoured Prince oi Wales. It seems as though the people of Christchurch and the sur- , loundmg country weie receiving rather an tin- : pleasant shaking with earthquakes just now. ; We had one here a few weeks ago, but luckily ( have not felt any since. The cycloiie storm at C«stlemame (Vie.) must have done a great ; deal of damage since so many have been ren- . dered homeless. Such storms must be terrible j , to experience, ar>d I should say would be de- ' sired not more than once in a lifetime. But ( ■ we should be thankful for having things as they • are, knewmg that they are all sent tor a. pur- ' pooe. I wa3 much pleased to &cc letters from Dicky Donovaa, Boy, and other old wnters , in tlr.s week's Witness. Before closing I ] should hke to ask where Echo, Dockleaf, Little Lady, Maidey, Laddie, and a number of otuer ( o'd "writers have disappeared to But per- ' haps they are waiting for the Christmas ; O.W.W. " Hoping the coming O.W.W. will be j ; a great success, I remain for the present, — Youis truly, ABIGAIL. ; LPeihaps 'the best plan would be to go to the , show ground and look out foi the Witness pnotographer, Mr Hicks, who will also be on \ the look-cut for D.L.F. The badge should bo j : vorn in as conspicuous a place as possible in i 1 order to facilitate matters. — DOT.] ; Dear Do!., — You have a great many con-e- ' . spondents, but perhaps you have 100 m ior 1 one more. We ha>'e two horses, and we often { ' go ior udes along the beach. 1 lac ilt ihe j lighthouse. Fiom the lighthouse leseive j luns a T'dge ot ■white hills with a laige paddock | on each siclc. On the north-east side , ' hps Cliff oict Byy, and on the south thcie aic great ruaged leefs, which have caused many shipwrecks. Among the shj.ps lest on these 1 ies»o aie the Westminster, the Kangaroo, ai.d ihe Shephertless, which gave hei name to the . reef on which sKe struck. It was about four ■ lailes noith of the lighthouse where my father ; saw the lights of the ill-fated Ohau disappeai. — Yours tru'y, CURLY WIG. [What a sad but interesting place to ii< - e in, Curly Wig. You must often sit and thij k J of the destitiction those dreadful reefs h&\e , c?used.— DOT.J j ' Dear Dot, — We are having miserable we; 1 .- , ther — it is rnoie like winter than sumruei. Griseida and I were going to walk over to see the Taieri show, but it was such a veiy \vet day we couldn't get, and 1 can tell you we weie ;U&.a isolated. Deal Dot, i w»i.& &\,

a soiree in the church on Friday night, and I enjoyed mjself all right. There were five L.F. there. lam very fond of reading, Dot, and like boys' books better than girls. Ethel Turner and Annie Swan are my favounte authois. I saw the photo of the D.L.F. Cot in last week's Witness. Doesn't the little gul look ill. That \vas a '-cry pretty doll Mignoiict'.o and Dewdrop sent for the cot. Sergeant Con has wiittcn again to let us see he hasn't forgotten the D.L.F. Page. His last letter was a capital one. One of the D.L. IT. Ikip. Dot, thn les that her letters are superior to these of all the rest or us, and she is not goi'-g to write to you for a Jong time, as she tluaks we might hnd out her 110 m cle plume. With best regards to ah tbc D.L.F. and Ml Edilui, not foigclting voursjlf, — Yours truly, CLOTILDA. [I aw veiy soiry that any D.L.F. should \o so conceited as tbpt. Clotilda. Are nou ture she wa= not mating fim ° — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I coulJ'i'l bo'iei c"ma. een"?i vnl seeing niylnsi letter condensed fci 1' cL<J look &o dry. jl did noi nica.ii io v.ute 10 scor. but I w.uit a badge. Sine my last letter apneaied, I have been at the C.M.R. sports, a:ld h^d giand fun. notwithstanding the wind and miv. 1 oaiy saw one badge — I don't know who the wearer was. I also saw Mimosa, but I didn't notice her badge. My sister received hers safely, and wp* very glad to get it. She did not mean to tc'l me that she wrote to you, Dot, ljut she conldn'l help it. My brother alvv.iys that she could keep a seciei if she was paid to. But she is not so bad as all that. He says the D.L.F. Page is 'us! a lot of rubbish, though he often re ids it. What a nice long letter Con wrote. I was awfully sorry 10 hear that Ire had been wounded, and I siiicerc'.y hope he will soon be well again, and Jcturn <p."c ar.d icund to jNTc-v Zealand. Dear Dot, I £..iv. a pho'o or the cot in the Children's Ward oi the hospital. What a gentle, patient httls girl the little sufferer looks, and such a pietty doll. lam sure Mignonette and Dewdrop deceive prsi«s for dressing it so neatly. Daisy Piunrose and Rimbeceo are my favourite writers among the girls, and Con, Harry, and Durn Duvn among the boy s . Dsar Dot, I am glad Daisy Primrose :s going to giva us a column and a-half ciice a mcath of what she has seen and heard m W.A. lam going to tell you whai a &ofc fall I had the other day I was going to try to ride the cslt. It was rot haid to get on its back, but I had no soone* got on than away it went, and sent me ovei its tail on to a heap of stones. Ah, well, it served me right, for I should not have tried to make a four-month-old calf carry over JO stone. Dear Dot, one person said she thought I was too big to write to you. Well, if yen were to go by size I might not pass, for I am sft 7J-in, but when 20 is the retiring age, I have three years to write yet. Dear Dot, I see you have mentioned "Alice in Wonderland" as a book to be discussed by the L.F. Well, I can't give you my opinion, as I have never lead, it ; Neither have I read "Uncle Tom's Cabin," though we have it in the house. I hope 8.0.8. favours our page with a letter in the O.W.W. at Christmas. With love to all the L.F.j yourself, and the :ditor, — Yours truly, LUCODA. [I am certainly surprised to hear that you have not read "Uncle Tom's Cabin," Lucinda, and it in the house. Xow that you are seeing so much about it, you will probably make a start, and if you do that, T do not think you will leave off without finishing it. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I went to the Palmerston Xoitn. show last Friday and enjoyed myself very much. It was a lovely day, not too hot and not much wind. I was looking out for badges, but I did r.ot see any, but I stippose there weie a few L.F. there, because everybody up this way tues to go to the =bow. My mate has written to yon at last, but I do not know her norn de plume yet. I doa't suppose it will t.\ke me long to find it out. though. Human be.rgs are hard to please, don't yon think so, Dot-" One day lately we had such a vanety of weather — wind, ram, sunshine, hail, two earthquakes, and lightning ir> the evening — and still we grumble. Dear Dot, a while ago I thought that I would not bother with autos, but I really believe I am getting the craze, so please will any L.F. exchange autos. wiiii me? I think the auto, craze is catching. I must close now, hoping this letter will be more foitunate than my other two paid sscape trie condenser. Beat love to Dot, Loaf, La=«'e, I-fori Puika, Maleen, Harry, Boy, Black Watch, and all the L.F.— Yoius truly, PRIM OU MOU. [Two letters in the condensed column. aid yet Puni is quite good-natured over it! Well, the lea^t I can do is to allow tins one to appear as it is written.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — The people down at Cheviot must ha'-e had a very anxious time lately. Earthqupkee aie such dieadful things. 1 have been very frightened of them since that big me wehad a few yeais ago. We caught it clreadfii'ih up here There was a long shake here on Sahudav morning, but r>ot very heavj. I think the King and Qup»n letters rathei dUavjpoi lting. Boy's Ecval diary was very good What a me 1 letter the Kid had in the othe* Jay. It made me quite Sony for him; Ihe time must sc°m so lo.ig to him when he has to he still. I see someone was trying to describe .he nvei 'iere the other day Just let her gc the trips my biother and his chums ha^c gone m that same m-er, md set what fhe says then. They we'it nearly ab fai as it is possible foi boy a to go on it in a canoe — just three boys by themselves. It is two years now since they went thjt trip, but they are never likely to forget it. They have known what it is to have to buy potatoes and bread fiotr the Maoris when they have run short of food them=elves. They ived to spend their whole liol:da3'3 on the river. I see it is proposed that some book should be discussed by the little folk. Edna Lyall is my (avouiite authoi, and S. 11. Ciockett cornea uext. I

have just finished readm? "Kit Keniipdy." It is a grand book, and "The Lilac Sunbonnef is ] ancthei good one. With best wishes to Dot and the little folk,— Yoius truly, MAID MARIAN. [I wish you could induce those saiy.2 ciuuns ito wnte fcouae of then experiences 1110 1 us, Maid Mariau. They should be as mteiesting as Daisy Pumrose's account ot he: travel- in Westraha.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am 0 new chum in this part of the country, having only been iieie ibout 38 ninth-. 1 eomc ftcm a pace a good i-w m>lr* up the Rivr Cu^-p, a A before coming C'Omi hi-io I had neve* seen the ocean, p.cr c'-ci j tivi-'. 1 won 1 '! -ooncr In: down hue, a« there _« noiiun<, ,0 <=cc up couniiy >ml locks ini'l sand. Or Lourse thcie are a rood few people cowu hcie who have never scan .' gold dicdge, but I have seen plenty. I am jioing 1 oni" at Christma=, and I'm" longi/its icr 1. to come, fo that I shall see all my 0 d chums again. With lore to all the L.F., jioi. i or;j.-'- .-ig youiself,— Your« t.u'.y, :rAC. [Th"re '« compensation £•: that, Mac you hr.tl never se^j the ocean 01 a tram, and some seaport people have never seen a dredge (except 222, of course), so inatteis were squared tuitil you got the advantage by coming dovn country.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l was at the O. show to-day and 1 saw about 20 badges. 1 saw a lady takin---some D.L.F. photos, but as I did not know any of them at the time, I was too shy to <jo pmong them. At the show 1 saw Minerva Jo. 1. 1., Twinkling Star, Beryl, Golden Mom' Two Little Maids, and several others. Some of the little folk dp not like their biother3 teas--jng them. I have three, and although they arc awful teases, I should not like to be a. biclherle=s girl. I should like Pvimbecco'o, Giujii's, and Daisy Primrose's autographs, and if they wo aid send them to you, would you pease send them on to me. Dear Dot, Ivhaki and I made some very nice buttonholes to-day to- send to you, and I was to post them at a shop near the -showground. When I went m the girl did not know how much it would be, but she said it wouldn't be more than 2d, f-o I asked for a stamp, but they had none. I had to carry the box round all day with me, and I thought they would be withered, so I gave the buttonholes to some D.L.F. to help in commemoration of our D.L.F. meeting. I should hke any little folk's autos. I know Con—or, rather, used to know him. He -used to live about 10 miles from our place, and I sincerely wish him a speedy recovery and safe leturu. Dear Giuha, are your initials R. MC. If so, I know who you are. With love to all the little folk, not iorgetting thd edito. and our dear little Dot,— Youis trnlv

AVEPvNA. [Thank you, dear, for your Iduc7 intentions and the trouble you went to over the buttonholes. lam glad you made use of them in the way you did. fot I am sure they would have been withered before I could have got them — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l know a few of your coirespondents — namely, Maidey, Doughnut, and Xelly. Do you know what has become of Doughnnt, Dot.' Dear Dot, I shall tell you about our sixteenth annual show, which was held here on November 13, 14, and 15. The larges v attendance was on the last day, when the weather was just glorious. We seldom get a fine day for the show, but this time the weather was exceptionally fine. There were two fat children exhibited— a boy and a girl. The girl was so fat that she could scarcely walk. She was 8 years of age, and measured 51m round the chest, and weighed 14st. The boy — only fotu years of age — weighed Bst, or Ist 4lb heavier than nis mother, and he was 38in round the chest. I was told that in a single day so many hundreds came to see these fat children that some had to be turned away from, the doors. — Yours tnii'y, MYSTERY. (.Poor children, what a terrible affliction it is to b? so huge 111 size as to become objects of curiosity, and thus tempt their parents to make money out o" their offspring's deformity ! — DOT] De.tr Dot, — C dear' I very nearly had my letter finished when I found out that I had been wiitmg on both sides of the paper. Enclosed you will fi.id a postal note for £1 12s 10^d that I collected from the neighbours. Not having much time at my dispo=al, I could not get out much to collect. All those who subscribed gave it willingly. I may get a httie more later on. There is another cot for the Invercargill Hospital, called the "Ministering Children's League Cot.' There was a sale of work held in connection with it, and a concert in the evening. I heard that they were both a great success. I sincerely hope that Con and Harry Farrer will soon be well again, and back to their friends ir New Zealand. I was very °!ad to see tha-t Maid of Athens and Boadicea had collected £& for the Cot fund, and I am sorry that I had not moie time mytp'f, but "e\eiy little makes a muckle." — 1 Yours tiuly, A. S. S. [You have clone wonders, A. S. S., and it has E[iven the Invercargill Cot fund quite a lift. 1 ho!je aftei we have all lecovered from the tuiscttl'ng influences of the corning- holidays, the Invercargill Hospital Cot fund will attract a little more attention than it is likely to do for the next two months. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Enclosed you will find 2s 6d for the Invercargill Cot fund, and now I intend to resign fiom the D.L.F. Page, as I haven't got time to write to it, and leave the space that in tue past 1 have taken up for your numerous correspondents. With much love to all tha D.L.F yourself, and the editor, — Yours truly, O MIMOSA SAN. fl am sorry O Mimosa San finds it necessary to leave us, as she is a favourite with aiL b.L.F. However, if she hasn't time tc write, I suppose there is no help for it, and I can only hope that ske will contrive to take an mterea* V

Yours tiuly,

in cur page, and some day find that she has time lo lenew her connection with it. — DOT.]