LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Motto: —We write for the benefit of others, not

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 74

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Motto : — We write for the benefit of others, not

for ourselves.

jgf-No letter to contain more than 450 words.

j Dear Dot, — We are having very miserable • weather hero at present, keeping the harvest | Aery backwaid. Now that we are in the beginning of May, we can expect snow any time. I went for a ride not long ago, and ' enjoyed myself very much, with the exception ■ of the wind, which was very disagreeable. 1 ' rede about 18 miles, which was quite enough in cue day. Dear Priscill^ and Lady May Trevc^yu ar;ept my deepest sympathy for the > very sad bereavement you have sustained! through tho loss of your dear sister. How ; very much you must miss her, as she was such a nice, pleasant girl, and looked so healthy wh-aa I saw her three months age ; ihat it seemed the last 'tiring imaginable that . she would leave us so soon. We can only bops to meet again in a much fairer world ! ihan this, to part no more.- Priscilla and | Lady May Trevelvn wers schoolmates of mine, and they are such nice girls, and co also was their departed sister. — Yours truly, BRIDE OF LAMMEBMOOB. De*r Dot, — I am, always in the wars. Yes- ; terday morning I was outside when I heard I my brother calling to me from the cowshed. I went to him and found that he could not , get the Jeg-ropo off one of the cows. I was , going to bo awfully smart, so I started te • pet her, until I thought she had had time to coo! down, and then I proceeded to get hold of the rope which was «*round her leg. The first thing I got was — not the Tope — but tws< • kicks on my leg.— I must fay by then some of I the smartness was kicked out of me. Again . I caught the rope, but I somehow miscalcu- .' lated tho length of her leg, for I got another kick on my arm. whioh left a bruise, and » pretty dab of mud on my sleeve. By this time | 1 was nioely speckled with dirt. I got the i hoe then" and tried that way, but she gave it . an awful kick, and knocked it out of my hand, j and over the yard flew that hoe until it struck ' one of my sisters. When I looked around she ' was dancing \ip and down with her hands i clasped aroui.rl herself. Oh, dear Dot, we did I laugh. Black Diamond came along then, and { she got the hoe, but the cow gave it a kick i and *>ent it flying up and nearly over the roof I of tho shed- At last my brother and dad 1 j managed to get the rope off, but not before j she nearly got her hind foot into my brother' : ooat pocket. She certainly is a very handy ' cow — with her feet. Queer Fellow arrived horo some time ago, and we were all pleased to I see him. I was sorry that I could not get ! to the L.F. picnic which was held in Ahaura, ! but I was afraid that I might hurt my ankle again. Now, I must not exceed the word limit, or Mr Editor might end this letterV enreer by putting it straight into the wastenaper basket. — Yours truly, BRAMBLE, i | Dear Dot, — I spent my Easter holidays in going out hunting for rabbits with my mates. A few week 9 ago out school cadets joxirneyed! to Dunedin to fire a match against the Albany Street Cadets. We were billeted among tho parents of the boys that night, aud shot thei | match on Ihe following morning. The result was that we came o\it victorious by is points. J We came home by the night train, quite i pleased with our trip. A few days ago tho Dunedin boys came up here to tire the return match, and we were again victorious, winning this time by 12 points. The weather here has been something dreadftii, biovrir* and i raining for this last week. — Yours truly, I HIGHLA^V; i.A.O. ! Dear Dot. — We have had very rough weather lately, but I hope'it will soon clear up. Mother is not at home at present. A short time ago I went to stay with a friend while svjcip of her relations were away from home, and as there were only the two of us, we had a lively time of it. While I was away I had tw grand rides to the station. Last night, whei I I was up the road for the mail, Fairy was telling me vhat a lively time ehe had at r* , wedding party eiie was at lately. Isn't the : San Francisco earthquake something awful? • It ig terrible to think of the hundreds of men ! and women left homeless. I am glad we live 1 in dear old watery New Zealand. — Yours truly, 'LADY OF HOLT DENE. Dear Dot, -The weather has been terrible down here for the last month. Easter Mon- ! day and Tuesday were about the only fii ' days wo have had The rivfrs have been ' flooded nearly all the time , indeed, a week j ago all the flat river country \v.is one broad sheet of water, and the farmer* who lisd crop- ! out in the stook have had a lot of their giair ! washed down the river to the sea. F-«lhe. bas some oats to cut y<?t, as he ha? not had a hi>nce to get it done owing to the rough weather. Harvest is veiy late Ihi? year. Oh, dear, what a nuisance little brothers are. I have one at this nioinen | looking over my shoulder, and reading for all ihe is worth If I have told him once I have told him 50 time 3 that I wish *he school was [ oi.cii, and then ho would not be tormenting ; me. Hi 3 school has beeu closed for over a : fortnight, with a fair prospect of a week or two more as svurlet fever has broken out in this district. The Rwerton school is eloped ■ tor the Rime reason. My word, how the wind I is blowing. The other night I thought the hous*e would be blown over. It blew down. ' two groat big trees, and there are broken, i branches all over the place, but as winter i» [ coming on we must expect some rougb. 1 veath-er. We are only milking 11 cows just vow. We left the factory «onie time ago, and I v;j."s i«oi sorry, for it wa3 jrery cold and 1 wet driving the milk, but I suppose the faci tory will be closed altogether by the time this appears in print. — Yours tiuly, j MAYFIELD. Dear Dot, — I am going to describe to you a picnic which took place here not very long sipo. One fine morning a party of 12 gathered! in front of the post office bent on a day's enjoyment. Among the party were Dorothea, Soldier Boy Sweet Nell of 015 Drury, and; Waipori-ite. We started from the town at about ID a.m., and after a great deal of climbing -reached our destination. By this time it was 12 o'clock, so we soon had the billy on the fire, but it seemed to be a long iimo before it boiled. At last, however, some puffs of steam announced the boiling of the water. After lunch we proceeded to explore the bush. After getting tangled a good deal in brambles, we reached a shady nook in which grew & good many ferns and other wild plants. After gathering some of thee« we went down the bjsh again. As it was now about 4 p.m.. we started for home, for we had about five miles to walk. We soon came to the paddock in; which we had left the horse, and, after putting two of the smaller girls on its back, weproceeded on our way home, arriving there at 6.30 p.m., very tired, but very happy.— Yours truly, SUNNY DICK. Dear Dot, — We are having very rough wea~ tner up here just now, and the farmerr are far behind with their harvesting. At time of writing we have not finished cutting, and the flood covered some of our wheat. 1 did not go anywhere for my Christmas holidays, but I was down to Dunedin a while before, andi enjoyed myself thoroughly. We have about five miles to go to school, but we ride on borsebackj go it ie not so bad. About 40 go

to our school.,. We are milking four cows. Dear Dot, did you ; hear about the great earthquake "at San Francisco, in which hundreds of people have been killed? I would not like if a great earthquake like that was to waken me up some night. I heard the great Scottish singer at Dunedin, and I fancy I can hear her voice -yet. I never heard anything like it before.- Our school excursion was ran to Mataura. I was there, and was through the paper muls and the freezing works, and I also went to the flower show, at which there were some lovely plants on view. I ride a long distance for the mail every Saturday. The last time I went for it is was a very rainy day. — Yours truly, THE BTJLLOCKY. Dear Dot, — I wonder if you or any of the X/.F. could tell me the names of two birds if I describe them to you. One sort is like the banded dotterel, only larger, with a reddish brown .breast. Another is much smaller than the banded dotterel, with red bill and legs, but no bands across the breast, but with a dark band round the throat. They are all similar in habits.' They scrape a hole in the loose sand and lay three eggs. The young ores seem to be able to run about as soon as they ' v are hatched, and are nice and fluffy, like chickens, only on long legs. I read about the butterflies and moths in the Public School Column.-. Last spring I gathered four cater-pillars-and put them in a box, and fed them on ragweed/ etc., and watched them spin their silken hammock and go to sleep in it. Three came out black and. white butterflies and one & moth. I forgot, to the date when they tvcrrt inter- their,' epeoonsy but it was a-long time. X thought-they were, all dead. One day last^wedk I saw a pied starling with a- flock of starlings 1 in front of our house. We all had a good; look at -it,, although it kept on the move »H the time; That is .rather uncommon, isn't it? Its head was the usual colour and ..the body. , white, but the- wings were white and black, mostly white. As this is my first j letter to you I must keep within the word j limit.— Yours truly, -WAIETA j ■ Cl hope it will not be .the last letter, Wai- ! eta, as we have not many naturalists in our j band, and- so observing a correspondent as j you evidently are is most welcome. I am j sorry to say I cannot identify the birds, but I I hope some reader will ba able to do so, | and I shall look eagerly for a reply from some j one who knows something about them. Pied ! starlings are seen now and again, but any kind out of the common is sure to become the victim of the vandal's gun. Why come people 'should take a pleasure in killing in- ' teresting creatures because they are not exactly the came as others of their species is a mystery. — DOT.] I Dear Dot, — We have had awful weather lately — raining, hailing, and blowing. I went to the theatre last Wednesday to see "The Two Little Vagabonds," a very touching play, in which the actors and actresses did their parts very well. 1^ also went to the sports on Easter Monday, and saw one or two D.L.P., but was not speaking to them. Another D.LJT. and I went to the Bluff yesterday for a. drive in the trap, and had a most enjoyable time, though it was rather cold. At Christmas time Witch Hazel and I went for two months' holiday. We first visited Riverton, where we stayed at my sister's, and went out in the evenings in "an oil launch. We next went to Colac Bay, but we did not stay there lorig r as it was rather quiet. We visited the sawmills, but they were not working. After that we went up to Round Hill, and saw the gold mines and the Chinamen's Josshouse, but we did not go in the, josshouse. We journeyed to Orepuki, and stayed there longer than -at any of the places. The people up there are kind and sociable, and we enjoyed , out visit very much, and had a lovely time.— Yours truly, NICOLA. Dear Dot,— This is a very stale old place, and there is hardly ever anything interesting to write about. I should like to -go to some of the D.L.P. club meetings, but tiat is a vain wish, for I do not often get into town, and then only for a day. Our nearest railway station is Allanton, from which place Dunedin is 15 miles by rail. I am very fond of reading, Dot. lam at present reading Tennyson s poems, and I think they are just splendid. Like a good many other L.F., I collect pictorial post-cards and postage stamps, and I shall be very glad to exchange post-cards with any L.F. who care to do so. "Angharad D.L.P., Allanton P. 0.," will find me. Dear Dot, I think your page continues to become more and more interesting, and there are always new writers coming forward to fill the places of those who come to the retiring age. Thus the number of D.L.F.; instead of diminishing, is always increasing — like the length of this letter. — Yours truly, ANGHARAD. Dear Dot, — We are experiencing awful weather here at present — raining and blowing something awful. Our "harvest home" was held in Mrs W.s Hall on Friday night, but ii t i was mi_ faaure ' °. wilJ g to the heavy rain that fell. When the tinje for leaving home ca:ne it simply poured in torrents. I was one of those 'who were courageous enough to go, and notwithstanding the unpropitious weather I enjoyed myself. There wee only eight girls and about 30 men 4here, but they kept the <3smoe going until 4 o'clock in the morning. They had,anothei dance in the hall on Monday night, but with little better success, there being only nine girls at it. It was a great pity, too, because the hall was beautifully decorated, and everyone could not but admire it. I did not go to the Middlemarch picnic ton Easter Monday, but I was glad to ccc that it wa3 a success. I should have liked to hare gone, but no such luck for me: I was born on an unlucky day. Bear Dot, do you ki'oxr a cure for tootache? I have had it for a week, and cne sids of my face is all swelled up. I thought I would write to you, and perhaps the memory of you and your band Would make me forget my pain for a while, but it is in vain: one side of my face just feels as if it would jump off. If you know a cure, Dot, kindly let me know.— Yours truly, DADDY'S HELPER. [I wish I could give you a cure for toothache, D. H., but I am afraid the only cure is either extraction or stopping. Relief is sometimes got by putting a little flannel bag with hot salt in it against the cheek, or by stuffing a pill of breadcrumb saturated with pepper into the hole, but it can be only temporary, as the aching is caused by the nerve being exposed through the tooth decaying, and until that is remedied there can be no permanent relief.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am' sending you a letter from my cousin, and I hope you will get it safely. iWe have been very busy lately, and have just finished up with the mill, for which I can assure you we are very thankful, for if there is. one thing: l hate it is taking out the lunches. I did not get to the Oamaru picnic at Easter, but from what I hear I think it •nusf have been a success. lam waiting patiently for the New Year picnic now. It is awfully funny, up here at present. Eveiyfcedy is saving ,up for the Christchurch Exhibi.ticn. I think we are all going up, and I am net going to writs to you again until I can iell you about it. I have been to two socials within the last three weeks. That is a lot for me, Dot, and I don't think I shall be at any more for another year or so. I have met a good few old D.L.F. lately-rone of 15 years pgo. She has iuet got married: 'now, "aad" I

1 wish her aruccess ; don't you too, Dot ? I am not going down to the winter show this year, but I hope to nee the bay photo, in the Witness, as I cannot see it in reality. I asked father the other day when he was going to town if he would get me a cardboard box for me to send my exhibits in, and do you know what he got me? — a box 3ft by 2ft. I could not help laughing, and I asked him if he were going to pack me up and send me as an exhibit. I would make a, good: one, I can assure you, Dot ; but then lam not so lucky — not even lucky enough to get down in a bandbox. We have turned our cows in on the stubble up here, and at night when we put the cows out late we never can get the dog — that is. our cattle dog. He is a- real Seddonite. and goes out on strike, and no matter how you call no dog appears after 5 o'clock. It is funny when even the dog can understand about Mr Seddon's eight-hour system. I wonder shall we need to import ck>gs that will work at any time? I hope you will not condense this, as there is only about the right number of words in it. The counting of the words is good exercise. — Yours truly, VIOLET ROSE. [I do indeed wish our ex-D.L.F. a happy married life, Violet Eose. I wish you had told me what her norn de plume was, as I am always interested in any of our old friends. I am sorry you will not be able to get down to see the bay, dear, but, of course, we cannot get all we want in this world, and I hope the picture in the Witness will give L.F some idea of what the bay is like. What a knowing dog to be sure; I think you right to call him after the Premier.— DOT.] Dear Dot. — Nicola and I are great friends, and Ws often go for a drive or a bike ride together. We enjoyed! ourselves immensely on our trip to Oropuki, Bound Hill, etc. We saw some D.L.F at the Axemen's Carnival, but had no interview witb them. We went to the Invercargill Dramatic Company's play, "The Dairy Homestead," and to another one last Wednesday, at which there was a big house. We have had terrible weather lately, and have had to stay inside and amuse ourselves writing letters and post-cards. Nicola and I went for a trip to the Bluff. We cbnibed the bill, and when we got back we were very tired, but could not resist the temptation of going into the water. We stayed till it was getting dusk, and our heads were nearly blown off. We arrived home at about 9 o'clock, b-.it it took us about three days to get over our experience, though that did not spoil our fun.— Yours truly. WITCH HAZEL. 30 Thomas street, Armagh, Ireland. Dear Dot,— After hard work one needs rest. It is so with schoolboys and girls, and that is the reason holidays are provided for. Our school got their summer vacation on Thursday, 22nd June. I was very busy from that evening till Sunday night following, for during the next week two examinations in Scripture were held, at both of which, I am pleased to Bay, I waa successful. On Tuesday, 27th June, 1 went to Dungannon (about 15 miles from here), where I was met by a chum, who showed me round that town. Dungannon, which has about 7000 inhabitants, is situated on the slopa of a hill, about three miles from Lough Neagh. It was the chief seat of the O'Neils, Kings of Ulster. Near the town there still exist the ruins of the castle where they resided and even the church which they attended. There are coal mines in the neighbourhood, but little mining is done owi«g°to the- poor quality of the coal. Before returning heme I had a walk through the demesne of Loid Ranfurly (who for some time was the Governor of New Zealand), which is in the immediate neighbourhood. On Thursday I visited Armagh Agricultural Society's annual show. As I arrived half an hour too early for the general programme, I spent the time in viewing the various exhibits of photography, paintings drawings, wocd-carving, etc I also saw the cattle, sheep, and poultry. I hsid just finished an inspection of the latter when tho bell rang out. intimating that the first event was about to be started. I hurried <lown and paw the horse-jumping, which was followed by tent-pegging hy the 6th Dragoons. Alter these a great many events were gone through including lemon-cutting, pushball. footbaU on horseback, cockade fight, musical ride, wrestling on horseback, etc. Needless to say, I was greatly pleased with my day's outing, and returned home light-hearted. From that date till tile Bth July I enjoyed myself playing cricket and taking walks in the country. On the date mentioned mv uncle took me for a drive to his farm at Moy, and we icturned through the villages of Charlemont and Blackwatertown. I went to Warren Point (the chief .«easide lesort about here) on the 21st, and spent a splendid day sailing, trammi rig, and otherwise enjoying myself. The following week I went to my aunt's, at GlassUnicfh. for a week ar.d spent a jolly fine time. With love to all the D.L.F. in New" Zealand,— Yours truly VIOLEI ROSE'S IRISH COUSIN. P.S^— l would like 10 •pxchange autos with al l D.Ij.F. willing Send one for Violet Rose also. Address tO\ "Violet Eose, care of Mr D. Hewton. Ngapara." [What a pplendid holiday you had, V. R. I. C It was almost 12 months ago. so I s\ipi:ose before you see your letter in print you ■wJI have • had your summer vacation once more. L.F. will ba envying you, because we are light into out winter now, while you are basking in 3unshine.— DOT.] Dear Dot.— l live in the back-blocks, far from Dunedin. The nearest railway station is Otautau, 15 miles "distant. It is not a very large district, but there are plenty of men working in it. There are three flaxrnills not £•*■* Zr-oxzL xis. and we can la^ajr tkem -working from the house. There is also a dairy factory here where all the farmers send their milk, which is separated — the milk from the cream. The cream is then sent away and made into butter. Not far from here are the famous Waiau caves and bridge. No doubt you win have heard about them. I have been in the caves often. It takes a good while to get to the well. There are places where you have to go down on your knees and creep ; but there are other places as big and spacious as a room. It is very pretty, all hanging with stalactites, but they are getting all broken off. It must have been very pretty when the caves were first discovered. The bridge is a suspension one, and looks very nice from a distance. It is hung with huge wire ropes from one pillar of stone to another. Near it are the natural gardens. They are called this because there is a natural fence of limestone rock all round them. In it there is an implement shed and a manure shed. There are all sorts of fruit trees and other trees growing there: I think this is enough description about the place I live in. The farmers here are all stuck up with their crops. Some of them have not finished cutting yet, whiie others have finished leading-in, and are start- ' ing x>lougbing. — Yours truly, ORAWIA LARRIKIN

Deal Dot, — We are having exceedingly bad days just now One day it is fine, while the other is something awful Really, it is past being called weather at all. We started to take our crop in, but that was all, for it started tc rain, and before night the mountain was white «rith snow, so we have not yet got another start owing to the stuff not being dry. I am trying to do a little trapBin^ now, but tie aroiwd is rather wet.

W. H. O. runs a cart for my rabbits, so he can't have a very nice drive, especially now and again, when the rain is coming down. I am going over to Ranfurly to try and have a game of football to keep myself in exercise. I saw Shiny Bob at the mail the other night. I do not see many D.L.F. about here. I don't suppose, Dot, that you know of any D.L.F. who are looking for a billet cooking? If so, we might come to terms, as you do not get much time to prepare food when rabbiting is in full swing. — Yours truly,

THE FALSE RECRUIT

Dear Dot, — The weather up here is very cold! at present. Yesterday it was snowing all day, so you can imagine what it was like. All our summer games are over now, and the sliding and skating will be in full swing soon. I have to go for the mail this afternoon, and it i 3 not very pleasant having to walk down five miles and back again. Some of the farmers about here are just leading-in their wheat, and they are having very wet weather for it. The L.F. who read this needn't laugh at my mistakes, as there are three or four rowdy children outside in the new house, and they are squealing and jumping as if they were out of their senses. I hope they will quieten when the carpenters come out, for they are always ~in trouble" with them. I hope the D.L.F. Bay will be a success. I was thinking of sending something, but it ia too late naw.-i-Yours truly, CARLYLE.

[It is not too late yei. Carlyle. No matter how r,mall the exhibit may be it will be acceptable.— DOT.]

Dear pot,— l am living in a very pretty little valley surrounded by hills all thiclcly covered with ferns and bush. During the summer months it is just jovely to ramble through. Some quartz reefs have been discovered about four and a-half miles from our house, and in a few months' time a good number of men will be_ employed in opening up and working the mine. One day my school teacher and some of my schoolmates and I went out to the reefs. As none of us had ever seen a gold reef before it was quite a novelty to be shown over the ground and have the work explained to \\b. The way to the reef is by a pack-track for some distance, and the rest is just a bush track, and uphill, but not too steep, an easy grade, and we enjoyed the outing exceedingly We crossed the creek at three different places, and all along the way all kinds of lovely ferns and native trees were growing. The track is formed round the hills, with the creek flowing just below, and the scenery is lovely. One very pretty spot is at the third ' crossing. In a narrow gorge the rocks are -all covered with moss on one side of the creek. On the other are the "bungy" ferns and tho Prince of Wales's feather, and a variety of other ferns in great profusion Along the banks of the creek the wild fuchsia and toi-toi are growing, and on the top of the hill is thick bush, with such a variety of rata, birch, red, white, and silver pine, miro, cedar, and other trees that I do not know the names of. They will be most valuable for mining purposes. I shall tell you more about it next time I write.— Yours truly, CARABOO.

Dear Dot, — Winter is setting in now. There was snow on the ground a few mornings ago, and in another ooup'e of weeks the ice will be here. I shall have grand times then, skating on it in the mornings before I go to school. I don't like going to school, although I'm not going very long. I stayed at home to-day, as it was raining- something awful. This place was pretty lively at Easter, as there were ' 500 Volunteers up here. I saw them marching and firing off the cannons. They had three cannons and about 30 horses. I had a look at their camps on Easter Sunday.—Yours truly, WEE TONALD.

Dear Dot,— The principal subject of conversation here is the storm last night. It was a storm too: wind, rain, lightning, and thunder. I thought it would never stop, and was afraid our house would' get blown down. Tins morning, when we looked out, there were fonces and trees lying about in every direction. One of our neighbours nearly had the house smashed up, a big fir tree growing in frout being blown down, and the house had a very narrow squeak.— Yours truly.

QUARTZ.

Dear Dot, — It was with deep feelings of regret that I read of Fairy Bell's death. She was indeed a dear girl, and I shall miss her from among my correspondents. Her parents have my deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement. My cousin and I have just come home from a trip to Queenatown, so I shall try to give you a description of my holiday. We left Lawrence at 3.30 p.m., and arrived at Balclutha at 7.30, and stayed there all night. I had been to Balclutha several times, and every time it was raining, and this time it did not prove any exception, as it rained in torrents. I >an tell you we weren't sorry to leave next morning. I kept a good look-out at a U 4 *he stations we passed for badges, but nevc^» a one did I see. When we got to Kingston we were about dead tired of the train, and it was a pleasant change to be on +he steamer. The lake waa beautiful and calm. The Melbourne cricketers went over at the same time, and as they were a- fairly lively lot, the time seemed to pass very quickly. There were some very nice singers amongst them, and it waa lovely to hear them singing, and the soft swish of the water on the sides of the steamer. The moon was just rising over the hills (or, rather, as they seemed to ns to be, mountains : I shouldn't like all hills to be as big and rough), and all our adjectives for expressing the beautiful were well nigh exhausted before we reached the wharf. We were met there by my little niece, and then made our way. which seemed endless, up to my sister's. We did ample justice to tea, ana then we tn<a a. yarn. I think we tried to fee who could talk the most — at anyrate, we woke up the baby, so we thought it was time for bed. It took us two or three days to get over our journey, and when we did we were never in. We hired bikes and went up the One-mile ; it is a very nice, flat piece of road along the side of the lake. There had been a shower of rain the night before, so the roads were in tip-top biking order. Coming back, I had the misfortune to break the chain of my bike, so I had to go and get it fixed. Meanwhile my cousin was away along the Gorge road, and when I got a bit out I met her coming back. She said the road was very rough. We then went out Frankton road, and it was just " real fine," the scenery being beautiful. The next day we spent m the park: it is a beauty spot. We were having a big rest that day, for on the morrow we were going to climb Ben Lomond. - Next morning, punctually at halfpast 6, I felt some cold water on my face, and, jumping up. I fecund my cousin dressed ; so there was a bustle. It was great fun putting on big, heavy, nailed boots, which my sister's girl lent us We left home at 10.15, and started our climb. There was a very heavy mist all around, and we couldn't see anything at aH. I think if we had seen what was before us we would have thought twice before we went. I reached the hut first, my sister and cousin being about half a mile behind I had wood ready to light, and waa singing to keep the mice away (I am told I can do thai) when the other two came up. It was not long before we were sitting down eating for all we were worth. After resting a while we made another start, and eventually reached the very top By that time the mist had cleared, away, wid, tue obtaiaed * lgvely.

[ view of the surrounding hills. Everywhere I we looked it was hills. The view we got was worth all the climbing, and was one I shall never forget We made another start and boiled the billy, -and then reached home just as the boat was coming in. The next day we were a bit tired, bo we had a day in bed. We went up to the waterworks, which are very pretty, and we spent the afternoon there reading. We also went for a drive out by Shotover, Malaghan's Flat, Arrowtown, etc., and in by Frankton the day before we left. All things come to an end, and all too soon our holiday was ended. My cousin got a telegram to come back to work, so we had to come. We were very sorry to say good-bye to all the kind friends and to dear old Queenstown. However, we hope to go back again. — Yours truly, j MARGUERITE DAISY, j P.S.— Please, Dot, will you tell me where the exhibits for the bay have to be sent, as I have mislaid the address?— M. D. [To Mr i J. R. Scott, secretary National Dairy Asso- j ciation. Agricultural Buildings, Crawford ' street, Dunedin.— DOT.] j Dear Dot,— The weather is very unsettled ! here, and is keeping the harvesting baok. The j greater part of the crop is in stook, and some I remains yet to be cut. We are always late here, but this year wo aie later than ever. There have been ft number of tourists here j this summer. They admire the drive up the Zigzag and back down Tobin'a track. A iovely view from the top of Tobin's track is ' obtained of Lake Hayes,. Lake WakaUpu, andl ; Arrowtown. We «re Teaming to ride. .The | pony we ride is very quiet. We know The Two j Little Bluebells very well, as we live near ! by, and are schoolmates. Now let us t'ellyou ! of a trip we had to D.unedm We 'stayed ! -away three weeks, and were sorry when 'the ' time came for returning home. We went to ' the Museum - and thence- to the Gardens; which we ' thought magnificent. . We also visited St. Clair and the wharf. We got some seaweed, w.hich we brought home.. -The days are getting short and wintry, and we have had ice ana snow. We are very fond of birds. We have a few, including a parrot, a cockatoo, and some love-birds. — Yours truly TWO CROWNITES. Dear Dot, — I am a little girl, eight years old. I go to school, and am in the Second j Standard. I have about half a mile to walk to school. I like going to school very much. Four D.L.F. attend the "same school aa I do. I am going to tell you of a picnic I had with some other D.L.F. We arranged to meet at a. certain place at 2 o'clock. The members of I the party were there as arranged. We started off >and followed a creek. This we found very enjoyable, but at length it became too lcugh 10 go any further, so we climbed one side of the hill. It was very steep, so we left our lunch at the bottom of the hill and climbed to the top. The day was very clear, so we had a good view of the surrounding country. On our return we found a nice place, where we sat down and had lunch. We gathered ferns, mnsk, and other plants. We reached home at 6 o'clock, tired out, but happy, after our day's outing.— Yours truly, CRYSTAL, j Dear Dot, — I am setting traps just now, and generally get a good many rabbits. -A white ; ago I used to gat a stoat nearly every time ' I set ths traps. Stoats are savage little ani- I mals, and bite at anything put near them. It ; is a difficult job finding cows just now, as they go so fir away. I wish they -were not ! milking.. There are only four of them, but i that is quite enough. T,here was a D.L.F. ! picnic at Ratanui on Good Friday, but I hear ' there were not many D.L.F. present. It has ' started to rain again, and I expect it will '< continue all night. — Yours truly, HARLEQUIN. Dear Dot,— We are having dreadful weather up here lately. We have scarcely had a week of diy weather all summer and autumn. I am away for a holiday at present, and enjoying myself immensely. I was up at Waipiata on Boxing' Day. and enjoyed myself very ' much. It was my first ride in the train. Isaw a. number of D.L.F. at the sports, including Indian Chief and Puss in Boots. They had been to a picnic, and arrived as we were . leaving. I notice by the Witness that the L. 1 and D. Club is progressing. I am far away in the country, and it is useless to think of attending the meetings. Still I wish them every success possible. It will soon be time for the bay to be seen in public. Is it too ' late to send anything foi it now, Dot? A ' bazaar in aid of the Catholic Church was held i here. My siste. won a Highland doll by j guessing its name. My two brothers won a i teapot, a hot-water jug, a pair of paintings, a j hearthrug, and a pair of pillow-shams. My • mother won half a dozen willow-pattern cups, j I waa the only one who did not win anything. I have a very bad cold again. I had . one a few weeks ago, but before it disappeared properly I caught anothei one. What is a good cure. Dot ? In, answer to my laßt' letter you said that if Little Dorrit No. 1 did not write before I wrote again I could stop putting No. 2 after my nape, I have given j her plenty of time. ' I have only 20 antos, | but Have sent away a lot. hoping, of course, to receive some back.— Yours tru]y, LITTLE DORRIT. Dear Dot, — I read the account of the Milton D.L.F. picnic. They appear to have had_ a > very nice time of it I was at Dunedin at ', the time the picnic was being held. We,.are ] having very bad weather here lately. It has ! been raining nearly every day since Easter. I Harvest ia very late here this year; some of the crops are not cut yet. I have a bike, and ; ride into Milton every Saturday. It is a nico ■ ride when the road is dry, but when the road ft wet it is the very opposite — Yours truly, BRISK. Dear Dot, — I am seven years old. I am m ♦he Second Standard, and have a long way j to walk to school. The distance is about four miles, tvo of them over a rough track through the bush. I live very near the sea. Curio Bay ig very near the place where I live. I often go to the bay to gather shells. There are many pretty ones to be found, and also jatarfish and sea eggs. I have a rabbit trap, and caught throe rabbits in one week. I have not caught any during this bad weather. — Yours truly, BLUEBELL. Dear Dot, — Winter is coming on fast. It is in the long winter evenings that one feels the benefit of the big log fires we can have in th,3 country. I notice the Cha&lands D.L.F. are not bothering you with many letters, Dot. I am not surprised, as there is really nothing to write about. Since I last wrote we have had an addition to cur family — a. little baby girl. When she's quiet- she's all that can be desired, but when she eries — oh, my! I usei to be reaowned for smiling, you know, *Dot; but now I am sadly afraid. l'll never smile again. I have just finished reading Dickens' s "Dombey. and Son," and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although very sad in some places, Dickens always manages to balance hia sadness with wit. I always think he comes nearest possible human nature than other authors. " I must now tel) you of a picnic I and some friends went to the Tautuku Beach. The weather was very bad for a few days before, so wo began to give up hope of getting, but luckily our day turned out fine, so we drove eff with extremely light hearts. The roads •were very bad, tut we are all used to rough ioads; consequently we took no notice of the bumo3. On reaching the beach, our spirits

went down terribly, for there were clouds—* dark clouds — coining over, and, -worst of all,; the u'de was full in. We looked across a wide expanse of water to the other aide of the river, and were greatly surprised to seetwo men in a boat coming towards us. They, then asked if we would like a sail. Of course we were delighted, and were soon skimming swiftly down the river to meet the owners of our boat, who were coming towards us in sv J rowing boat. They then rowed us up-stream; I a good way, turned round the boat, and pufc up a sail. And I just wish you could have ! seen us coming down that river, Dot. I was i quietly wondering if, once the sail was off, ' they would even be able to step her then. ; They managed to get her into the side wonderfully though, and after having tea and a walk round the beach we prepared to go licme, not hsving such a bad ~ day after all The rain which had threatened all day came down . heavily 'after "ws got "home, and has done so ever since. — Yours truly, j THE SMILING LASSI Dear Dot, — A few months ago I went down, jto Kaitangata for. a holiday. I stopped there I about five weeks. "Whilst 'there Fortune favoured me, for nearly .All the time there was .fine weather. Nosdless to". say, .1 .enjoyed myself immensely, as I went for some lovely, drives and fishing excursions with-my brother, who prides himself on being a crack angler-, s When my visit came to an end I was loathe . to give up such pleasures and freedom of I country life for work- again/- but nevertheless . J returned to it quite, happy, and satisfied [ with, myself and th* world in general;' While j down there I heard- there" were a lot of D.L.F. j ni that -district, ,but I did not even catch a i glimpse of a D.L.F., so I came to the conI clusipn_ that, there were none.- Dear -Dot, iff 1 S a M.^J h x^ cp 4 tfeat J J»eard of Fairy Bell a death, and I v wistr to express' my sincerest sympathy with her bereaved parents, and -also io chum Geroroe in the, sad loss of her parents. Oh, Dot, how could the editor be so cruel to the L.F. .as to cut -the letters down to 450, words after giving us so much space before! I think we shall have to send «»- deputation to wait en the editor to ccc if he cannot reconsider his decision and <ave> "3 » little more space. lam thinking of attending the social thi3 year, and I am looking .forward to haying s good time.- I have not visited the Literary and Debating Club yet, as Tuesday night is a little inconvenient for me, but I hope to spend an evening there yet.— Yours truly, MADEMOISELLE ROSAELE LETTERS IN BRIEF/ „ ,■ H- B. P.., went 'to see some animates .... tures in the hall on Saturday night? • "Wa have a little black puppy named Ben, and some other dogs and cats. We also have four pigeons and two dear little egga. We havear little pony named Bouncer, and some pigs such playful little pigs. We have primroses and violets out juat now, but it is the wrong time for them. Our teacher has left, and toe have -a relieving teacher till our nev.comes." i- " • • A New Zealand Lassie always wears hey j badge when she comes up to Dunedin, but I she is never- fortunate enough- to see any L.F. "Isn't' this- weather something fright- , firl? I wish it would clear up, as we haven't ' got our washing dry yet."I Little Fellow has to stay at home at present, as the. school is closed because there is scarlet fever* about. "We have some, grain, f to cut yetj and the birds are eating- it as f fast as it ripens. There, is a. lot of sickness ■ t here this year, but I have not had anything . the matter with me yet except, perhaps, toothache. The threshing mill iB at 'our neighbour's just now, and as they were a man short my brother went- down to help> them. I went out rabbiting a while ago, and I got four rabbits I did not have much time, for I had to ride for our mail." • Hilda Grace has been doing a good deal of reading lately. " I have read a good few of Sir Walter Scott's poems lately, . amongst • them being -' Marmion,' ' The Lady of the . Lake,' 'The Bridal of Thierman,' and others'. I am now reading some of Cowper's works. The weather here is' awfully rough. It hs. • rained all this week except yesterday." ' i Etjlalia has a little sister six "years old, and she would like to be able to write to Dot. " I was not at school to-day, as it was too wet to go, arid my father was away out on. the hills after sheep." ! Wild Rose was down in Dttnedm for her 1 holidays at Christmas time, and she enjoyed! , herself very much. "We are having very cold j weather here. I wish che winter was over. . and the nice warm weather hod set in again." j A BtKcii of Grapes writes about tber . weather, like many other L.F There was a 1 Presbyterian Sunday School concert on May 4. I have a lot of pansies out. All the trees are bare. We are getting anothei room put up at the school." AUTOS , Daddy's Helper wishes to exchange autos with Biddy O'Toole, False Recruit, Puss in j Boots, Texas Jack, Two Shillings, Yetta, Dolly I Grey. Shiny Bob, Bonny Prince, and Two '. Friends. Address : " Daddy's Helper, care of P. 0., Wedderburn. Otago Central " Harlequin would * like to exchange autos with Wilful Lassie, .Cooee, Ida, and West • Coaster, and any other D.L.F. who are willing. • Address ' " Harlequin, care of Houipapa ; P. 0., Catlin'B River." -. ' / j ' The Two Crownites -wish to exchange postj enrds with an L.F who are willing. l Address r " Miss A. Brodie, Crown Terrace; Arrowtown." j Little Dorrit would like to exchange autos with Christmas Lily, Puss in Boots, Indian Chief, Lady la Tbuche. Lady Lilian, Little Nell, and anj other D.L.F. who are willing. Address : "Little Dorrit, care ol Mr Charles Cowan, Moonlight, Otago." j The Smiling Lacs would like to exchanga autos with Sympathy, Bob I. Lady Akatore. Address: "Smiling Lass, D.L.F., Chaslands P. 0., Catlins." AGE OF CORRESPONDENTS Waitaki writes protesting against cur page being availed of by grown-up correspondents' to give descriptions of their experiences and adventures. I trust this is not done to any extent, as the object in fixing the agc-hmit at 20 was to keep the page for the young; and not to allow it to change its character by admitting as correspondents those who have reached the age of man or womanhood. ■ Will the correspondents of whota Waitaki complains please take notice that except on Special Subject and Old Writers.' Weeks correspondents must not exceed the ;age limit of 20 years? ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS L Eulalia. — Yes, dear, I have plenty of badges on hand. A Bttkch or Grapes. — No, it is not too l»t« to do something for the bay if you set about it at once, dear, but there is no time to spare-. Hilda Gbace.— Yes, certainly, dear. A papea of any kind^ would be welcome. Lilian. — I shall see him about it, dear. Thera is evidently some mistake. Bhenda. — Enthusiastic, considerate, and hopeful as ever! I trust your estimate of tha number of exhibits will be fulfilled, dear.; If so, our bay will indeed be successful Icj a degree none of us. could have dreamed v~

even in our most sanguine moments. I shall certainly view the triumph of the L.F. with the most lively satisfaction, and. will join with exhibitors and L.F. alike in thanking Brenda for the successful issue of a, project which seemed very much in the air until she sprang into the arena and imbued evaryone -vs-itli a little of her enthusiasm. The correspondent you mention has been ill, and hence his silence. Maosi Chief. — Thank you vary much for your interesting letter. I trust you will bear in mind your promise to write aft er_S_. S. W.i D.L.F. BADGES. Jcsepha, King Harry, Nat Gould, W. M., Lady Ellen. a'Adair, Water Lily, Blue Violet, Minnica D.L.F. BAY AT THE DUNEDIN WINTER SHOW. All exhibits, except bakery and perishable goods, should be sent in without delay, Monday, May 21, being fixed as the last day for receiving" ordinary exhibits, though special exhibits may be delayed till June 1.