Dots Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22321, 23 July 1934, Page 13

Dots Little Folk

THE WEEK’S POEM. Another poem written specially for you, children, and very seasonable too. Say it aloud or sing It, and you will enjoy it thoroughly. do - t >:• Y ¥ WINTER’S NIGHT. Drip, drip, drlppety drip 1 When I wake in the night It gives me a fright, That sound on the wall; I don't like it at all— Drip, drip, drlppety drip! Do you? Drip, drip, drippety drip! It’s worse when it blows; * I pull up the clo’es Right over my ear, And try not to hear— Drip, drip, drippety drip! Do you? Drip, drip, drlppety drip! Why, it’s stopt! Hlp-hoorool And the sky is all blue! And I’m ever so glad To be rid of that maddening drlppety, drippety, drip— Aren’t you? —L. L. H. WEAVERS OF WORDS. Here are Grim and his family in England, my Little Folk, and here is Havelok growing into a splendid youth and making his living as a cook’s servant. No wonder the wicked Godrlch thinks it will he a good Joke to marry Goldboru to him and so be certain of having the throne of England for his son! The line "That I well ween thee to make” means " That I very much wish you to make (your wife).” DOT. * * » KAVELOK THE DANE. (Continue^.) Presently a great wind arose and blew them to the coast of England. And when thi»y were safely come to land, Grim drew up his boat upon the shore, and there he built him .a hut, and there he lived, and to this day men call the place Grimsby. Years passed. Havelok lived with the fisherman and grew great and fair and strong. And as Grim was poor, the prince thought it no dishonour to work for his living, and he became In .time a cook’s scullion. ... Havelok had to work hard. But although he worked hard he was always cheerful and merry. He was so strong that at running. Jumping, or throwing a stono no one could beat him. Yet. he was so gentle that all the children of the place loved him and played with him. / Him loved all, quiet or bold,' Knights, children, young and old; All him loved that him saw. Both high men and low. Of him full wide the word sprang, How he was meek, how he was strong.

At last, even the wicked Godrlch In *his palace heard of Havelok in the kitchen. "Now truly this is the beat man in England," he said with a sneer. And thinking to bring shame on Goldboru, the imprisoned princess, and wed her with a kitchen knave, he sent for Havelok. "Master, wilt wed?” he asked when the scullion was brought before him. “ Nay,” quoth Havelok. “By my life, what should I do with a wife? I could not feed her nor clothe her nor shoe her. Whither should I bring a woman? I have no cot, I have no stick nor twig. I have neither bread nor sauce, and no clothes but one old coat. These clothed even that I wear are the cook’s, and I am his knave.” At that Godrlch shook with wrath. Up he sprang and began to beat Havelok without mercy. And said, " Unless thou her take That I well ween thee to make, I shall hangen thee full high Or I shall thrusten out thine eye.” (To be concluded.) TO ALL. Dear Little Folk, —Somebody said to me the other day, “ I have no imagination. I could no more write a story than I could fly. And ns for those people who can make up fairy tales and ghost tales and create beings and events that have never happened —why, I look at them In dumfounded admiration!” „ . , But imagination is not only for dipping Into the unknown so that you create fairy tales and ghost tales, children, but for touching what you already know with a magic wand so that you see it with new eyes. That is what you are learning to do in these letters of yours. Once you would have said. " Catching a runaway rabbit; being in bed with influenza: falling out of a sledge into the snow—what is there worth while writing about in these everyday things?” But now you are using your imaginations and seeing that there is something worth writing about in everyday things, and consequently your letters are improving Some day you will learn more about imagination, but this will do Just now.— Your, loving DQT

Jury 16,1886, 0 hy th.e

OTAGO WITNESS

Dot invites short letters from her young friends throughout the Dominion on matters of Interest to themselves Letters are to be written under a com de plume, which, once chosen, cannot be changed by the writer. New members must enclose their name and address. These will not bo published, and are for registration purposes only Little Folk should write on one side of the paper only, and in ink and should address their letters, ” Dot, care of Editor. Otago Daily Times." Dot’s Little Folk’s Badge, with pin, for use as a brooch, is obtainable on application to Dot. Price 2s 6<L In sumps or postal notes.

Dear Dot, —May I have the pleasure of enlarging your little band of writers by adding one more to it? Maungatua is looking gorgeous lately, with her white gown on. On occasions the sun may shine on the mountain and 'make it shine like a thousand facets on’ a diamond. The nicest little bird we have in our native bush is the light-footed little fantail. It often flutters around . the back door; they even come inside. Do you like the little pet? As this is my first letter, I will close. Love to your large family and .your own dear self. DORRIB DIMPLES (Henley).

[Yes, you may join. Dorrie Dimples, but your 'name has had to bo altered a little. Indeed. I like the little pet.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I wish to Join your band of Little Folk. Port Chalmers is nine miles out of Dunedin, and I do not go up to town very often. I go to the pictures once a week at Port Chalmers. Igo to St. Joseph’s Convent School, and I am in Standard VI. My age is 12. and I have a little brother 10 years old. His name is Albert. I will close now.

MAID OP THE WHITE MOUNTAINS (Port Chalmers).

[Welcome to you, Maid of the White Mountains, whose name I have had to alter a little. Write me a letter about your school, will you?—DOT.]

Dear Dot. —As this Is the first letter 1 have written to you. I shall begin In the customary manner. May I join your band of Little Folk? First I shall teil you some of the historv of our village, which is called Beaumont (“Beautiful Hill”). The main sources of the Clutha River, which flows through the township, are the Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka, and Hawea. The western horizon Is formed by the Blue Mountains,, from one of which the village was probably named. Coaches were common sights in the early days, the horses being changed and stabled in the large stables of the Bridge Hotel, which has been rebuilt since the fire a few years ago. In which the old wooden two-storeyed building was burned completely. Gold mining is an Important occupation in winter when the frozen tributaries cannot enlarge the river. A small distance downstream from the bridge the top'of a sunken dredge ladder ripples the fairly even surface of the water. Above the bridge the river Is rough, swift, deep, and Impassable. Parts of dredges and dredge buckets are found In various places along the banks. An afforestation camp is situated on the western bank about four miles to the south of the village. TENE EHOA (Beaumont).

[A Little Folk who can write as well as this la Indeed welcome, Tene Ehoa. I have held over your poem till next issue.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I Join your happy family? I greatly enjoy your Little Folk’s page in Monday’s paper. I was 18 last January, and think X am quite eligible to join, am I not? I have several brothers and sisters, most of whom are younger than I. I have several correspondents overseas, and enjoy writing to them and receiving their letters, which are always interesting. Do you not think that corresponding with people in other parts of the world is an interesting hobby? I do. I am enclosing a snapshot of myself for you, and although it was taken two years ago it is very like me, except that I have grown a bit more since then. I know the letters have to be brief, so will stop now, with best wishes to all Little Folk and your own dear self. BLBPHANTYNE (Mosglel). [Thank you for the jolly snapshot, Elephantyne, and welcome to the family. Perhaps you will write me a letter about that hobby.—DOT.] * # « Dear Dot, —May I Join your large family of Little Folk? I shall be nine years old on September 2S. I am looking forward to the spring with all the pretty flowers, and to hearing the birds sweetly singing. I will close now, with love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. GUESS (Palmerston). [Guess Is welcome to the band, and will soon, I hope, be able to enjoy spring and all its blossoms. —DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —May I be a Little Folk? I shall tell you about the sledging and skating here. For skating they always use boots, and a pair of skates, of course. There aro different kinds of skates. Some are roundtoed skates and others are Just plain. It is very hard to balance oneself, but after a few times on the ice it grows easier. I am always falling down and getting up ‘rubbing a sore hand or knee while all the others stand round laughing at silly me. Most of the girls wear bright berets and scarves, and look very attractive as they come flying past. Now I am going to tell you about sledging. There is a steep hill where children all go sledging. The sledges are made of wood and have steel runners. To steer a sledge is an important thing, as one is liable to go over the bank and hurt oneself. It is mostly boys who steer the sledges, and some of them are very good. Some sledges, go so quickly that as one is pulling them up hill It is quite hard to see others go down. One has such a strange feeling on going down a place with a lot of ,bumps that one is £lad to get off the sledge. I hope I have not written too mUCh ‘ KOWHAI ELF (Naseby).

[Welcome to Kowhal Elf with a name that had to be altered. I like tho Information in your letter, and have been glad : to read it. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I be one of your Little Folk? On Tuesday it 1s my birthday, when I shall be 12. Do you ever, go to the pigeon shows? I was at the Qamaru Show one Friday, and ray pigeon secured first prize. I was greatly pleased about It. I have 18 pigeons and have taken eight firsts, two seconds, two thirds, one special, and one championship. All toy pigeons arc tame, and will eat out of my hands. How did you enjoy tlie snow? My sister and 1 bad a glorious time. We took turns sliding down the bills on a sledge, and the remains of our snowman melted only recently. JIMMY THE GUB (Seacliff). [Certainly you may Join, Jimmy the Gub. No, I have not been to a pigeon show yet so hope you will tell me all about it. What pets your pigeons must be! —DUI.J ¥ ¥ Dear Dot.— May I join your happy band of Little/Folk? I am eight years old, and in Standard 11. I like my teacher very much. Mv auntie wrote to your page many years ago. I am knitting myself a scarf. Santa Claus brought me a doll. Please will you give me a name for her? RITA'S BABY (Burnside). [What about Rowena as a name for the doll, Rua’s Baby? I am pleased to welcome you to my band. —DOT.] ¥ * -vDear Dot, —Please may I be enrolled as a member of your band of Little Folk? I am nine years old, and in Standard 111. Me have had a big fall of snow here lately. I will close now, with love to all. SILVER DUST (Roxburgh). [Welcome to you, dear, but you chose another Little Folk’s nom de plume, so I have called you Silver Dust instead.—DOl.J ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 13 years of ago, and in Form I at school. I have just had the measles so I am not at oC-hool just now. Love to all and your own dear self. QUEEN OF THE GARDEN (Dunedin). [The measles would not worry you when you were writing to me. Queen of the Garden. Welcome to my band. —DOT.] Sj! ❖ : I : Dear Dot,—Please may I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am nine years of age and in Standard I at school. I have just had the measles. Love to all and your own dear self. KING OF THE ROAD (Dunedin). [Arc you going to tell me mote about your school, King of the Hoad? I am pleased to welcome you.—DOT.] Dear Dot—May I join your happy baud of Little Folk? I am 13 years of age, and am In Form IHC at school. I like doing drawing and composition, but I cannot, say that I like arithmetic. We had a heavy snowfall the other week, and my mate, Freckle Face, and myself had a great snowtight. On Saturday I climbed Up through our trap door, but when I descended my clothes were covered with dust and spider webs which hung from the rafters like pillars. Well, as all letters must be short, I will close, with kind regards to the Little Folk and your own dear self. THE SKIPPER OF THE KIA-ORA (Taleri Mouth). [Ahoy Skipper! Welcome to you! What an eerie place that must have been! I cannot Imagine a girl liking to visit It. — DOT.] Dear Dot, —Please may I join your happy band of Little Folk? I read your page every week, and enjoy It very much. Wo had a good downfall of snow recently. T am nine years old, and am in Standard 11. We have not long to wait for the holidays now—only about three weeks. Well, as

letters must be short, I will dose, with best wishes for all Little Folk and your own dear self. THE FIGHTING SHERIFF (Miller’s Flat). [I think this is a stronger and bettor name. The Fighting Sheriff, so I have given it to you. Welcome to you, you keeper of the law ! —DOT,] « 4 Dear Dot, —Will you enrol me as a member of .your happy band of Little Folk, please? I am 12 years old, and am in Form I. Our borne is situated on the banks of the Clutha River. Recently we had a fall of snow, which was followed by manv hard frosts and rain. On the road to Roxburgh is a sl!> caused by snow molting and running down the hillsides. 1 must close now, with love to you and your Little Folk. KING OF THE RANGES (Central Otago). [Another royal person? Certainly you may be enrolled, your Majesty. I should like to hear more about the slip. —DOT.] •Y -r ; J ; Dear Dot. —May I become a member of vour happy family? I am 12 years old, and in Standard V at school. 1 have two brothers younger than myself. We are just milking one cow now. Like most other parts of New .Zealand, wc had our share of snow, and the hills are covered again now My brothers and I liked playing in the snow, and wc also made a snow man I will bo glad when the spring comes, because I have planted a number of bulbs, and I am anxious to see them in flower. Kindest regards to all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself. EARLY SPRING (Gatlins). [I hope your nom de plume will bring us good luck, Early Spring. Do you take your turn at milking the cow?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I Join your happy band of Little Folk? I came down to town about n year ago to take up dressmaking, and although I am very fond of my work, homesickness often grips me. I am too much of a country lass really to appreciate town life. I am 17 years of age, and I hope some Little Folk about the same age will wish to correspond with me. ISIT I (Dunedin). [I have put a notice in the Letter Box for you, Islt I. Certainly you may Join the band. —DOT.] sjt * ■-;< Dear Dot, —May I Join your happy band of Little Folk? I am In Standard I at school. I have a little brother called Frank, but he does not go to school yet. We have a black and white dog called Glen. Love to you and all the Little Folk. GLEN’S MASTER (Ettrick). [You did not suggest a name, Glen’s Master, so I have given you one. I am pleased to welcome you.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —May I Join your happy band of Little Folk? I often read your page, and find it very Interesting. A Miner’s Sweetheart and Golden Shadow are my sister and brother. I have a dog whose name is Tip, and be shakes hands with both paws. I am 12 years old, and shall bo 13 on January 21. Heaps of love to you and all the Little Folk. A BLUE-EYED FLIRT (Naseby).

[Certainly you may Join, a Blue-Eyed Flirt. Give Tip a special shake tor me, will you?—DOT.] , - sk * *

Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 11 years of age, and am fti Standard VI at school. Every Friday afternoon we play basketball for an hour. I have two elder sisters who used to write to your page. I am saving an album of pictures, which I get out of cocoa tins. As this is my first letter, I shall close, with best wishes. . . A DAY DREAMER (Henley).

[Are you going to tell me some of your dreams, A Day Dreamer? I am pleased to welcome you.—DOT.] sk' v sk Dear Dot, —I am a little girl Just eight years old ’to-day, and I would like to become a member of your happy band of Little Folk. Please may I? I- have a little brother four and a-half years old. I am in Standard I at school, and I have some hard lessons to do. As this is my first letter, I will close. Love to all the Little Fplk and yourself. SCOTTIE’S WEB LASSIE (Warepa). [lndeed you may bo a member. Seattle's Wee Lassie, especially as you did not ask me in the usual way. I hope you will tell mo more about little four and a-halt. DOT.] BEST LETTERS. Dear Dot, —I am enclosing a piece of poetry about " Little Red Riding Hood. ’ I made It up the other day:— Mother asked Red Riding Hood If she’d take food to Grandma; Red Riding Hood said she would — " It is not so extra far.” She waved good-bye to mother As she stood by the front gate; She said " Good-bye ” to brother, “ I must hurry; I’ll be late.” While walking through the dark wood A big, bad wolf said to her, “ Where are you going, Red Riding Hood, Alone, without your father?” “To Grandma's house I'm going. To give her nourishing food. I am to do some hoeing,” Said little Red Riding Hood. The big, bad wolf said, “Good-bye, I really, must be going. Little Miss Red Riding Hood, Because it looks like snowing. Red Riding Hood said, “ Good-bye, I must hurry on my way.” She looked up at the blue sky And said, "It won't snow to-day.

When she reached Grandma's woe house Grandma faintly called out, “Lift the latch. Walk; like a mouse. Please, I don’t want you to shout.

Just as she walked in the room The big, bad wolf sprang at her. She cried, as she got the broom, “ Father ! A bad wolf ! Father !

Father chopped off the wolf’s head And carried Red Riding Hood Home to her snug little bed. And that’s the end of Red Riding Hood. MOIRA PATRICIA (Hyde).

[lt you keep on trying, Moira Patricia, you will write well some day, for you have a good sense of rhyme and a feeling for rhythm. What you need now Is to learn to value words, so that you may use musical ones that make the line sing. Write again soon.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—The Waitaki Hydro dam is practically finished. They are beginning to clear away the houses now. What a largo lake will be held behind the wall! Last summer one of my friends and myself climbed to the top of Mount Mary. What a wide area of land we could catch a glimpse of! To the east wo could see the sea : to the north we could dimly sec Mount Cook and the Southern Alps; to tho west we could see nothing but mountains and gorges stretching as far as the eye could look. Although wo did not climb to the highest peak, we saw all wo wanted to see. On our way back we passed crocks clustered with beautiful native fern. HONE HEKE’S BROTHER (Waitaki Hydro).

[You must tell mo more about Ibis when the work Is farther on, Hone Hoke’s Brother. It will be interesting. I am glad that you had that splendid view.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Hero Is the continuation of “ Berkeley Square ” : —The last sequence shows the modern Peter in this modern world also in the identical house with which' the story commenced. Here ho breaks his engagement with his very modern fiancee, keeping faith to his dream girl of the century now long past. It was surely an artist who created the climax, for it could so easily have been a farcical anti-climax. Peter sitting in a chair with the little token In his hand and a copy of the inscription on the girl’s tombstone. As he sits wearily passing his hand over his forehead, he hears the dear, sweet voice of his dream sweetheart repeating the last words she had said when with him, “ Not in my day, not in your day, but In God’s day! ” As I was leaving the theatre 1 heard someone remark rather noisily, “ What a fool he was; he ought to have been in an asylum." Somehow this hurt me, and, rudely, I turned round to view the speaker. 1 was relieved to see only a little schoolgirl who probably did not quite know what she was talking about. I hope that that docs not sound snobbish, but I was so utterly thrilled with it ! that I wanted everyone else to appreciate it as I did. Curiously I have never associated (ho films with art. but this was different. As I walked homo, I was not trudging alone uninteresting George street, T was tripping through Berkeley Square in the eighteenth century!

POLLANNA OF THE ORANGE BLOSSOM (Dunedin).

[That was a well-acted ending, Pollyanna of the Orange Blossom. It could very easily have been burlesqued. I am glad you appreciated it. —DOT.)

Dear Dot, —On one of our gently sloping fields I started a snowball, rolling it slowly to the foot of the slope. Ily this time the snowball was so large that I could not move it more than a yard at most, so with a long slasher blade I removed a side of the ball and pushed the remainder on to the flat side. Then 1 hollowed the snowball out, with nine or i ten inch sides, and outside I plastered mud 1 in thin lines to represent ice blocks. This done, I constructed a hollow chimney and ' piled snow inside to form a couch. From ■ home I obtained halt a dozen sacks , for protection against the wet snow, and lay down, surveying my Eskimo house with pride. T could just, stand up in the centre, and the door I constructed with a short, low tunnel. I was extremely proud of my I house, and frequented It often, and the j next morning I went to visit it again and i lay down on my couch again. I had I gone Inside with a sack over my arm, and i one of ray parents’ cows, observing me ! and following me, thinking that I was

going to fetch the usual supply of hay, nosed around wondering, no doubt, where I had disappeared to. All round the hut sho went, till she exerted too much force against the wall, and crash! —the whole hut fell in on top of me. I was covered over from head to toe. X kicked and spluttered and shook my list at the now swiftly-departing cow, which was wondering, no doubt, what all the rumpus was about. After I surveyed the ruins, the departing ,cow, and myself, the amusing part struck mo, and I burst out laughing, wishing I could have seen my own face and that of the cow when the house so abruptly caved in. After all, what does the' old saying say?—Pride goes before a fall.” THE EASY OF THE FAMILY (Lawrence). [But your pride had had a good foundation, The Baby of the Family, so the fall would not matter so mlch. To have made a house of your own and lived in it! What an achievement! —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Over the sleeping flowers and leaves Mother Nature has spread her snowy mantle. As you gaze over the vast stretches of dazzling whiteness, it reminds you of those Christmas cards depicting snow scenes in England. At intervals tiny feathery flakes float gracefully down to earth, taking their place among the others. Here and there on the seemingly smooth guilt tops of tussocks and small bushes aro seen lending an almost grotesque air to the scene. Soon all its glory will be gone as in a passing flash, but of this beauty wo shall have drunk our fill. A FALLING STAR (South Otago). [You paint a pretty picture, A Falling Star. I like the touch about the tussocks —DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —We had a lovely fall of snow up here . in some places it was 18in deep. It is the biggest fall of snow wo have had since 1923. I love to see the snow (lakes coming down, for it reminds me of a lot of fairies dancing to the ground. Myself and some of the other bed patients had to be shifted from our cubicles into the sunroom, as the snow was coming in on top of us and making us all wet. My mother, father, and grandma are coming up to see me again soon, and I am looking forward to it very much. The time will not go quickly enough for mo. The patients here are holding a concert very soon, and wo children are looking forward to it. Betty is still in with me, and we have fun together. Well, as I have no more news, I will close, with love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. JANE EYRE (Walptata). [So, even though you were in bed, you were able to enjoy the snow, Jane Eyre. Yes, It is like fairies. It will be a happy day when you have that visit from your family.—DOT.] # * * Dear Dot, —1 suppose you would like to hoar the very happy news that is in our house. Well, I will tell you. I have another baby sister who is only 20 days old, so now there are four boys and three girls. My schoolmate writes to your page, and her name is First Fashion. I will close now, with this fancy piece of poetry that I am making up:—

Winter has nearly gone, And spring is near, So all the flowers will be coming soon, And trees have their small, fat buds, SNOWY (Otokia),

[I look forward to hearing the end of this poem, Snowy, which seems to be what grown-ups call vers libre, or free verse. Hurray about the little new sister.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Wc have had a heavy fall of snow, and the earth looks very pretty with Its mantle of white. The next morning after it had snowed I was out trying to make a snowman. I got his body all right, but I found It a hard Job to get his head right. 1 put a hat on him, an old pipe In his mouth, and a walking stick in his hand, and then I stood and gazed at him and thought that he looked like a real man stadlng out In the snow. I was eight on July 20. The curling has started, and I like watching It, as It is very interesting. A LITTLE RANFURLY LAD (Ranfurly).

[Making a man’s head is no easy task, A Little Ranfurly Lad. I am glad you succeeded so well with yours.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I thought I would write and tell you about the snow and frosts in Central Otago. It snowed and enowed and then It froze very hard and made it lovely to sledge on. My sister and I have been having great fun on the snow and lee. The frosts were so hard that they froze the water pipes, and we had neither hot nor cold water, so the men had to cart buckets of water from the river. I would like to correspond with a foreign stamp collector, please. POLYNESIA (Patearoa).

[The men would not like that, I suppose, Polynesia. Write to Philatelist or Kasturi, whose addresses have been given In the paper several times. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —When I awoke I looked out, and lo and behold! what did I see but a strange land. At the first glance I Imagined I had travelled with the wind Into Fairyland. All to be seen was a whole wide world of snow. We were not long rising, but when we were forbidden to go outside we were very much disappointed. However, on Monday there was another foot of snow, and now was our chance to go tobogganing. So we managed to get a toboggan and went down the gully, over bends and all, and what fun we had ! Once or twice we had a fall, but did not do any damage except get our gum boots full of snow. The next day we became wiser, and before going out we donned an old pair of long trousers and tied them at the bottoms to keep out any snow that tried to get in. So off we went again, and had even better fun than the day before. This time we jumped on top of the drifts and ran races, but when the snow began to thaw wo had to leave off our play and put our toboggan away and preserve It for another jolly snowstorm. MANX PUSS (Moa Flat). [I wish I had been with you, Manx Puss. You Central Otago Little Folk have ft splendid time when there is a really good fall of snow. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —In order to carry out his revenge To Rauparaha bribed Captain Stewart, of the brig Elizabeth, by the promise of a cargo of flax, to take him and his warriors to Akaroa Harbour for the purpose of kidnapping Te Mai Hhra Nui. Captain Stewart anchored off Wainul and sent messages for Te Mai Kara Nui, only to find that he was away at Little River superintending the dispatch of a cargo of flax. He had to wait eight days before Te Mai Hara Nui returned and came on board the boat, accompanied by his wife, Te Oka, and his daughter Nga Roi Mata. He was taken down below and Te Rauparaha and his warriors seized him. Te. Rauparaha also captured and killed all the chiefs at Takapuneke, where Te Mai Hara Nui lived, over one hundred persons being killed. Te Mai Hara Nui was carried up to Kapiti. , where he was tied to a kahikatea (white pine) log and pulled up by a chain and dropped until death supervened. On the way up to Kapiti he managed to kill his daughter, Nga Roi Mata (“The Tears”). To Rauparaha did not seek out Te Rchi's murdered. Tangata Te Hara (that was not the Maori way). His cousin had been killed by a member of the Ngai Tabu tribe, so nothing but the death of the great ariki of that tribe would be sufficient atonement. Te Rauparaha was not satisfied, and still kept making raids on the Ngai Tahu. On the Onawe Peninsula the Ngai Tahu tribe made their greatest stand against Te Rauparaha. Te Rauparaha’s warriors surrounded the Peninsula in their canoes. Treachery from within also helped, and the Ngai Tahu had to fly tor their lives, many being captured and eaten by the North Islanders. A*YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER (Dunedin).

[What bloodthirsty times, A Young New Zealander, full of revenge. Do you think human nature has altered much since then? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have been wanting to write and tell you how I liked your lov.ely plan. I could not write sooner, as I had other letters to write. I think your plan splendid, and much nicer for us Little Folk when wo know we have to work and think before our letters gain a place In our beloved page. It is so jolly sending a letter to you and not knowing if it will be printed or not. Why, it is just like sending a story lo a magazine nr paper, and gives one the same thrill, which is the best of thrills. I do like here so much! I love the moonlight on the sea, the sea in Us every mood, the sunrises and sunsets, the trees, the hills, and all the beauties there are, but I miss our beautiful native bush. Without it there seems to be something missing. One thing I cannot do here, because we live too near to the town and have not enough scope—go out in the paddock where there is nobody but just me and walk and walk and walk, thinking and enjoying the beauties of Nature and the birds and animals. It is so good to be out in the open with God, sun, moon, stars, wind, and rain and the birds, bees, and butterflies that belong to Mother Nature. When I am out in the open with all the things I love and away from the world and its cares I feel so happy and near to God. ROSE ROUGE (Oamaru).

[Thank you for your letter, Rose Rouge, and for the private one, the contents of which I had suspected long ago. I know how you miss the open, but Is there no' way of getting to It somehow, even now?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —One afternoon it started to snow and everybody, especially the farmers and children, hoped It would keep on. It did, and when we woke up next morning I here was six Inches of snow round the house The fanners viewed it with satisfaction —the snow would do the land a world of good and crops would be able to withstand long dry spells better with the moisture from the subsoil. The children viewed It with delight. Snowmen were in vogue and snowballs as prevalent as ducks on May 1. Next day a little more snow fell, and that night it froze. The day after it was bitterly cold, with a wind blowing oft the snow, which was not as deep on the

The salt in “ Huia ” is iodised for health. It is the butter recommended by doctors. —17/3/31.

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Motto.—We write for the benefit of other* not for ourselves.. FIRST LETTERS. Dear Dot,— Having heard of your club from a member and a good friend of mine, I decided to write. I am a Nature lover, and am very fond of outings. I have not travelled very much, but have always had a longing to travel more. However, we took a long trip to lowa which I shall never forget. We .left Canada on Friday and got our permit to stay In U.S.A, We left early the next morning for lowa. We had to cross Montana. Perhaps some of you have heard of the great Milk River (it is given that name because it is muddy and looks like milk) that runs through the State. We followed that river until we hall to leave the highway and follow a slow winding tract for several miles through a thick forest. This was on- the soma-cast of Montaim, and the peaks of the Hilldeer Mountains "n Wyoming could be seen. I was surprised at one place when dad told me they were several miles away. They looked so close and steep. I have Indeed some very beautiful memories of North Dakota, one being of the park of Minot and in It the tall trees, wild animals, and flowing Mississippi River. Minot is ft world of trees. All over are lowering trees. It was the first time I had seen fl squirrel. They are so cute scampering up the trees. Our camp cabin was right outside the park in the trees, and we could hear the animals calling all night. In the evening we watched the beautiful fireworks. The next morning we explored ana watched the animals. I did not care so very muen for the bears, lions, etc., but mother had quite a time getting me away from the elk’s pasture. X reached through the fence and petted one. He was so soft and lovely. They have almost every species of animal and bird you can think of in the park. It would take up too much space if I started describing them. Minot is one of the most beautiful cities in tho northern states, so is it any wonder when I say, “ I'll never forget it ” We went out of North Dakota into the Black Hills of South Dakota. They are the playgrounds of America. I am sure that even if I did try to describe it, 1 could not do justice to those palaces of tall stone, the beakiful lakes circling in among the great forests of pine, and the old volcanoes. It is indescribable, but as it is the Americans’ playground, perhaps you can imagine some of its .beauty. I have not much to tell about lowa. It always seemed to me while we were In lowa that it was a beautiful forest. We drove to Des Moines one day, and after driving five miles I was surprised when dad said wo were only on the outskirts of the city. Wo did not stay long in Minnesota, but spent half a day in Storm Lake City We ate our dinner on the beach of Storm Lake, watching the swimmers and yachts out on _ the water. The visit left me with the memories of my loliiest days. Those days are behind me, but I have new dreams which I hope some day to fill out in Minnesota. Now for mvselt! I am 15 years old, sft dm tall, and weigh about 1101 b. I have blue-grey eyes and reddish hair. My ambition is to become a world-known artist. I am very fond of music and can play the guitar, violin, and organ. I am a dreamer—sometimes a practical dreamer and sometimes not' Tennvson is my favourite poet. I wou’d like to hear from boys and girls who are interested in (he same things as 1 am ; and perhaps I may have a twin. My birthday is on .L ie 14. I like to receive letteis. EDITH (Saskatchewan). [You promise to be an interesting writer. Anne Edith, whom I am pleased to have as a Little Folk. When you write to your correspondents In New Zealand do not forget this page, and send a letter occasionally that a n may read.—DOTH

hills as on the flat. AI! the water had many inches of icc on it, and it was very awkward getting enough water tor the stock. The novelty of the snow having worn off, it was hoped that a thaw would set in, but for three days it froze without the slightest suspicion of a thaw. The wind alone was deadly, and even water being carried in buckets left a thick coating of Ice on the tin. A dairy thermometer six feet up in air registered 14deg below freezing point. It was termed the coldest week for many, many years; in fact, many people could not remember having felt so cold before. At last, a week after the first snow foil, a thaw set in, and in four days nothing remained but isolated patches of snow. NIPPER'S MISTRESS (Otckatke). [lt reminds one of the great frost of London in James I's reign, Nipper’s Mistress. flow cold it must have been. And fancy the water freezing in the bucket like that!—DOT.] Y- -Y -Y Dear Dot, —The frost was very heavy here for three nights. Some of our hens wore frostbitten, and we think one will die, as it stays outside at night. One of our ducks’ feet are all hurt by the frost and . snow, and it sleeps with the hens, but in | the day time it stays on the ice. We have I three little lambs whiclj live out in the j snow, and it must bo very cold for them. Do you like snow. I do. 1 SCALY LIZARD (Olurehua). [Poor frozen feet, Scaly Lizard! I suppose nothing can be done about them. Yes, I like snow when it is snow and not slush. -DOT.]

Dear Dot,—How did you like the snow? It snowed here for three or four days, and I felt the cold terribly. I am not accustomed to it, as we usually spent the winters at Parnassus, in North Canterbury, where we seldom had any snow on the low levels. It was u great sporting place, and many people came up from Christchurch to spend the week-ends. I shall endeavour to tell you about the qutnnat salmon. There were two rivers, the Waiau, of which you will probably have heard, and the Leader. The salmon came up these rivers to spawn about March, and it was nothing to see these huge fish crossing the ripples in the Leader with their backs above the water endeavouring to reach the deeper pools. After they spawn they begin to die, and one sees them lying dead at the bottom of the river. If closely examined it may be seen that all the scales are off their backs and tails with knocking against the rocks. Since I last wrote to you I have been in an institute play, which won the cup at Balclutha in the final. The name of it was “ The Old Lady Shows Hoi - Medals.” I think since your alteration our page has become more interesting. JEANIE’S COBBER (Tolro).

[What part did you take In the play, Jeanle’s Cobber? I know it well. How interesting about the salmon which you yourself have looked at.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —During our visit to England, although it Is eight years ago, I can still vividly recall parts of our visit to the capital city, London. Some of the more interesting places we visited were the Tower, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s and, of course, the Zoo. The Tower was most interesting, although there was one thing that was not very nice. To reach it one has to go through most of the slums, and to see all the poor, dirty, ragged children playing In the equally dirty streets was not a very pleasant scene. It makes one very glad to think that, at least, there are no slums in New Zealand. In the Tower we were taken into the room where the two little princes were supposed to have been murdered. It was a very small room with no furniture In it at all. We were also privileged to see the Crown jewels, of course very closely guarded. There were also on view those cruel Instruments of torteire. I could write heaps more about the Tower, but I will tell you a bit about the monument erected as a memorial of the Great Fire. SPRING’S YELLOW DAFFODIL (Tuatapere). [lt is very Interesting to hear of the Old World In this way, Spring’s Yellow Daffodil, and you seem to remember it thoroughly. I, have divided your letter In two, dear, —DOT.] •Y -Y -Y Dear Dot, —The other day we took a sledge to a slope which we thought was smooth to see It wo could sit on the sledge and ride down. I got in and went about halfway down, when the sledge turned a half-somersault and threw me In a drift of snow. I did not mind, as the snow was soft; but I did not make a second attempt, as I thought the same thing might happen again. Can you gue.ss why it tipped mo out? SWISS ROSE (Arrowtown). [I am no good at guessing, Swiss Rose, so you will have to tell me. What a good thing the- snow was soft!—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Next month Is the happiest month of all, I think, because we start examinations and spring Is here and my birthday comes again. BLUEBELL BUD (Otago). [No wonder you think it happy, then, Bluebell Bud. Can you tell me more about It?—DOT.] Dear Dot. —No other engineering accomplishment of any age compares In size, extent, and construction difficulties to those of the Great Wall of China. In a world of aeroplanes, bombs, heavy artillery, and high explosives the Great Wall of China Is of no value as an obstacle to an enemy army, but long ago It was of great use to the peace-loving Chinese, who were able for considerable periods to keep hostile enemies out of their country. The first parts of the wall are said to have been constructed about 469 n.c., but the ruler who did really make It great was Chin Shlh Huang, who lived about two centuries later. Starting at sea level at Shanhaikwan, on the Gulf of Chihli It reaches an altitude of 9900 feet among the mountains of Western China. Seldom straight and seldom level for as much as a mile the Great Wall wends Us way like some gigantic serpent, traversing valleys, climbing mountains, crossing gorges, and taking up Its way again beyond great rivers. BYES OP BLUE (Georgetown). [What a history that wall has, Eyes of Blue. And what its granite could toll us If we could hear It speak. I divided your letter too, dear. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —The ducks in the Oamaru Garelens have had a novel experience recently. Instead of gliding gracefully through the smooth water they have been skating In an astonishing fashion over the frozen pond. Someone has broken some of the Ice so that they have a small pool of water in which to swim. Some of the ducks were content to swim leisurely about in the water, but others who were more adventurous tried to walk on the ice. Their efforts wore not very successful. The duck would walk proudly along tor a few steps, and then to his surprise his feet would slide, and against his will he would do'an amusing and lively dance. ‘Well, it was amusing for the people who were watching, but I think It was a little annoying and perplexing for the ducks. One duck attempted lo pick up a piece of bread that was on the ice, but every time he touched the bread it slid away from him. The duck probably thought that the bread was bewitched, and I think he deserved it when he managed to pick it up nt last. Perhaps if the ducks could speak they would say they enjoyed it and thought it fun, hut I doubt it. SQUIRREL (Oamaru). [I can imagine the scene, Squirrel. It

[I can imagine the scene, Squirrel. It must indeed have been perplexing for the poor ducks. Was there much quacking protest to be heard? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Wo bad some snow here, and it was very cold. The trees looked pretty with the boughs hanging with snow. We have a little dog called Nip, and I have a darling wee baby boy brother. I like Belly Button’s poem. SILVER SHIELD (Otago).

[Tell me some of the lovable things that the baby brother does, Silver Shield. Does Nip like him?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Have you had this experience yet? I have, on a sunny spring morning, heard the birds on the roof like this— Clip and chatter! Pipe and patter ! What a clatter! What’s the matter? Scuttle, run To see the fun! Tho night is done. And what’s begun To rise? Upon My life, tho sun ! Then I left my peaceful pillow. Thrust my head out, crying, " Hello! What’s the good to scream and bellow? Other suns will surely follow, Lighting every hill and hollow, Just as round and just as yellow. Leave mo to my slumbers mellow. Go to bed, you silly fellow ! ” Hut still they chattered more and more, The news was whistled o’er and o'er. It seems they were astonished, nor Had ever seen the sun before. This poem Is the “ Starlings,” by Margaret George. When I hear the birds on tho root I always think of It. . AOTEAROA (Clydevale). [lt Is charming, Aotearoa, and very amusing to Imagine, How often have I heard starlings making a to-do like that! —DOT.] Dear Dot, —1 think this new idea of yours Is a good one, and am sure it will help the Little Folk to write better letters. Since I last wrote to you I know of another tree which has a very interesting growth. This Is the horoeka or lancewood. We have a few of those trees in our bush. The tree passes through a series of transformations during its development, starting from the little seedling with small and membraneous leaves, followed at the next stage by a single unbranched stem bearing defloxed, rigid leaves up to three feet in length and only half an inch wide. The plant may remain thus tor 15 to 20 years, growing a little taller and producing a few more leaves until the mature stage Is reached. Then the stem suddenly begins to branch, and short, erect wavy-edged leaves six inches long and an inch wide are produced.

A small round-headed, heavily-crowned tree 20ft to 50tc high is formed, bearing masses of small green flowers. HINEMOA OP THE POOL (Waropa). [And you would never recognise the mature tree as being even related to its baby self, would you, Hlnemoa of the Pool? I am sorry, but. that Little Folk is unable to have correspondents.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We have had snow lately, an everybody has been snowballing. The sno’ is hard to grow used to, but as it come only once in every while, it is a regula treat. There has been skating, too, as hot dams were bearing. The ice on the Manor burn dam was about four inches thick an stretched for roughly three miles. On th Saturday and Sunday my friend and walked out to it. The walk' is about tw and a-halt miles. Now the ice is thawinj and it is impossible to skate on it. Fo a week the paths have been covered wit a coating of frozen ice and snow, but on night it rained heavily, and the ice oleare away. I have finished knitting a Jumps and beret in red wool with a silver fled in It. Wo have learned the poem “ Oh Captain, My Captain ! ” at school. CHRISTELINA (Alexandra). [The jumper will make a bright splasl of colour against the next fall of snow Christelina. Can you skate, or only slide?— DOT.] •Y- -Y YDear Dot, —I am reading a very inter osting book called “ Helen’s Babies.” suppose you have read it. My aunt know exactly how their Uncle Harry felt whei Budge and Toddie worried him so much When I read about Toddy’s calling his dol Martha I thought of the name you gav me for my bantam. She knows sho is mine and comes when I call her. The other da; we had very heavy wind. Pat Potato am I tied newspapers to long sticks. Thei we marched round the paddock pretendlni to be a procession. What a noise we made LITTLE GIRL BLUB (Balclutha). [What a grand procession, Little Gir Blue! That is a very amusing book, am has caused much mirth In its time.—DOT.' Y Y ¥ Dear Dot, —Thank you ever so much foi receiving me into your band. One time we had a brown retriever dog called Nipper and ho always used to bring In the papei every morning, but one morning we bean great growling at the gate, and one of m; brothers went out to see what was the matter and found the dog standing at the gate wit! his hair bristling up and a scared tradesmar the other side with the paper clutched In hi; hand. Now this dog and man were the besl of friends, but the dog must have though! the man was trying to steal the paper, sc he was not going to let us go paperless Needless to say the man was only bringing in the paper. Love to you and all youi Little Folk. SALOMY JANE (Milton). [Good tor Nipper, Salomy Jane He die what he thought was right. I hope the mar understood, and bore him no grudge afterwards.—DOT.] * * He Dear Dot, —I visited a dairy factory lasi May, and I am going to give you a description of what I saw. When the milk is taker to the factory It Is put into a big vat whlcl: is attached to the weighing machine. Aftei it Is weighed a plug Is pulled, and the milt runs into another big vat. When all the suppliers' milk Is in, it - is put Into th< cheese vats and the rennet added. Ther they start the patent stirrers which help t( make the curd come more quickly. Wher they have been stirring for about two hour; they stop, and a V shaped thing is run ui the centre of the vat so that the whey car get away more quickly when 'it is drainer off. When it is drained off the men get busj and turn the curd over and over. Then the) take the curds and put them into the dices' press, which is lined with cheese cloth. 1 did not see any more of that part of It The whey, when It leaves the vats, rum along troughs Into a big tank. It Is pumper out of this tank into another higher up, ant then runs out of this Into a separator, whlcl has a bowl about 2ft In diameter. Thi cream is separated from the whey, whlcl goes on to the tanks outside. THE PRIME MINISTER (Mossburn). [lt sounds like a real, official visit, Thi Prime Minister. You must have been interested when you have remembered It all si clearly.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Is it not sad to think tha with the progress of the years we shall ver: likely lose open fires brought into vivii life by wood and coal? In the new, moden homes being built neat flat little gas o electric heaters are Installed, and yet, li our hearts we love best the sprawlei cavernous effect of the old home fires Some little part of us will die. We shal no longer dream pictures of a golden future no longer gaze with tender eyes on re kindled memories, no longer meditate am eagerly await the cheerful home-gathering before the family Are, no longer sit alom creating our dream castles in the coala revealing our innermost thoughts, our souls communing with God through the medlun of the glowing, magnetic depths before us Perhaps some day In the distant future i little child will climb on to her grand mother’s lap and say, “ Now tell me granny, what was a Are like?” and ther granny will tell her of the living masi which leapt, writhed, and crackled, ir whoso bosom strange shapes flickered, am where memories of the past and visions o the future came, lived, and fled unceasingly Tears will dim granny’s glowing eyes, shi will fall silent, living in a reverie of thi days of her happy youth. “ Thank you granny,” will say the little girl as shi climbs from her granny’s knees. " Goo( night, my dear," and granny with a slgl will come back from that dear world t« the “ modern ” world. LENE (Otago). [Lene, Lene! Do you really mean this? Be, sensible, dear! First, dream plcturee surely do not depend on a fire; and, second it a child cannot sec a fire indoors, he will always be able to see one out of doors when there is rubbish to burn in the garden. Dc you understand?—DOT.] >3 :f: He Dear Dot, —I will tell you as well as 1 can about the recent snowstorm. Abou 4 o'clock one Friday afternoon a stronf wind sprang up from the north-west, am big black clouds rolled up from the west, About 7 o’clock snow began to fall. In the morning a great surprise awaited us. Snov was lying about 6in deep on the ground The strong wind continued blowing thi snow in drifts about eight feet deep Snow fell through the day, and It was verj cold. The wind and snow nearly cut out faces off. It was still snowing when w< went to bed. In the morning the snow ha( ceased, but the wind was still raging am blowing the snow In sheets across the sky The wintry weather raged for five days then cleared up and froze. DIMPLES-0 (Kyeburn). [lt sounds like a blizzard, in Nortl America, Dimples-O. How cold it mus' have been! Did the wind roar? —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —We enjoyed 12 inches of snov here for two weeks. It was great fur being pulled about on my little sledge, ther sitting on It and going away down thi hill, with snow flying everywhere. Snow balling and sliding on the ice are botl good, so, you see, wo can have happy time: even in winter. My black cats have onlj one white whisker each, and my two whits rabbits have pink eyes. CENTRAL SUNSHINE (Central Otago). [Then the cats are odd and the rabbiti oven, Central Sunshine. How you chtldrei enjoyed that wintry spell!—DOT.] Dear Dot, —During the lime of the Tudon there was In vogue a type of entertalnmcu known as masque. We can readily see thi resemblance between this and the wore mask, which is, as wo all know, a coverlm for the face. The whole thing originated by the introduction into festive processions of men wearing masks and representing such characters as Hope, Love, Death, Time, Faith, etc. This developed Into a sort o: private theatricals on a very elaborati scale. Shoakespeare knew the masque. Ii “ The Tempest ” there is one to celebrati the nuptials of Ferdinand and Miranda Again, when Queen Elizabeth went to visil the lawyers of Gray’s Inn in London, there was a masque in her honour. I have the description of a famous masque performance nt Whitehall, 1613, the event being the marriage of Lady Frances Howard and the Ear! of Somerset. It appears that " in an uppei room ” pillars and platforms were erected with a triumphal arch in front. Above the stage was a painted canvas sky, and on each side of It a high cliff with three big golden pillars. Between the cliffs was what appeared to be the sea, complete with ships, some painted on the background and others made to move. In front of all this wat a beautiful garden, in which the action was to take place. And so the scone is set, but, as I have taken a considerable amount of space in describing it, the proceedings shall not commence until I write again. Until then, love and best wishes to all. CHARLES DICKENS (Dunedin). [You intend to keep us in suspense, 1 see, Charles Dickons. The masque has since been favoured by many poets and writers, including our own recent poet laureate.— DOT.] T V Dear Dot, —We play basketball nt school, and I am in the team. We have played two matches this season. The first match I have ever played in in my life was about three weeks ago. when nine of our team journeyed over to a school five miles away. About 2 o'clock we began the match, and after a good game It ended in a draw. At 3 o’clock we started to go home, for we had to walk some of the distance. Imagine the fun we nine children had travelling In all the delights that the roadside held. But as dusk was coming on it reminded us that we were still a good distance from home. Our next match was played on Friday, and in it we were successful. Please coulel you give my sister a name for a yellow tortoiseshell kitten? BROWNY EYES (Oamaru). [lt looks as if you enjoyed the homeward trip more than the match itself, Browny Eyes. I do not wonder. Call the kitten Amber. —DOT.] Y- -V- ¥ Dear Dot.—You have never been to Rotorua, have you? Then I would like to tell you of our trip to Tarawera. We left town about 10 o’clock and pushed our bicycles up hill and pedalled down hill till

wo came to beautiful Lake Okereka —a brilliant gem among the bushclad hills. Here we rested before we turned to the last weary climb, which was not for nothing. Below, like some largo sapphire—calm, silent, still —nestled the first of the sister lakes, viz., the' Blue Lake—not a soft, delicate blue, but the real deep blue of the heavens. On. gaining the ridge we could compare It with its “ twin.” The beautiful expansd of waters shimmered and sparkled in the sunlight—not the green that artists are wont to paint, but darkly, dully green. We partook of our picnic meal on the Green Lake's cool shores, and then turned again to the long dusty road. At Te Walroa we scrambled down a steep path to see the falls, in such a little area of earth, but richly endowed with Nature’s beauty. On our arrival at Lake Tarawcra wa borrowed a rowing boat and spent a dreamy hour rowing in and out among the countless bays and little streamlets. Ever In the background loomed the scarred, barren mountain which was the cause of so much ruin and decay In 1886. As the day changed to night, we turned home a tired, sunburnt, but extremely happy party. ' ROSY WINGS (Rotorua). [What a perfect day, Rosy Wings! And so much to remember from it! No, I have not been to Rotorua, so I have enjoyed hearing about it.—DOT.] ■ * ft Dear Dot, —Hero is a poem I hope you will like it. It Is called “ The World ”: — " The world’s a very happy place. Where every child should laugh and sing, And always have a smiling face, And never sulk at anything." Love to your happy band and your own dear self. KAKANUI MERMAID (Maheno). [lt is quite true, too, Kakanul Mermaid. Did you make it up?—DOT.] * ❖ Dear Dot, —I think your new plan is a good one. If it does not please all the Little Folk, it pleases me. Here is a little poem I hope you will like. It is called “ A House on Wheels ”: “ I’d like to be a gipsy man. And drive a dawdling caravan, And light my fire and fill my can With water from the cressy brook; And then the supper I should cook. Potatoes in the frying pan Are good for all the gipsy clan.” : Will you please give me a name for a wee pup? I liked the name-for my doll. TUI’S MATJ3 (Maheno). [Jaunty ought to be a good puppy name, Tui'a Mate. Would you also like being a gipsy man when the rain fell and the wind blew?—DOT.] •)* Dear Dot, —My father was coming out of a little country store in a hurry one dark night, and the day before being a rainy one, had left a lot of puddles outside the store. Father could not see where he was going, and plomp! he fell fair and square into one of the biggest puddles you ever saw. When ho came home with the seat of his trousers all wet we all laughed till we nearly cried. He came another fall on the top of a hill. I was wise, and therefore sayed at the bottom. We have finished our term examination, and my teacher told me 1 did well. DAD’S BABY (Oamaru). [Why do we always want to laugh at such happenings, Dad’s Baby? Yet we all do, don’t we? I am pleased that you have done so well.—DOT.] :js sk ❖ Dear Dot, —I wonder how many Little Folk know how Franco’s war song, “La Marseillaise," originated. On April 24, 1792, a distinguished party was gathered about the dinner table of Baron Friedrich de Dietrich, the Mayor of Strasburg. Throughout the banquet the conversation had almost entirely been concerned with war affairs. But all this talk of war became boring to the three ladies, Madame Dietrich and her two nieces, “ Tch, toh, dear general; you forgot there are ladles present.” Madame interrupted him smilingly. “ Surely war is not all that the great brain of Strasburg can find to discuss. Now I challenge you, find some topics more worthy of the company.” For a minute all were silent. “ Ah) my dear, we are all sorry,” said the Mayor, .‘‘but what else can we talk about? He thought a moment. Then: “ I have It! Let us speak of Prance’s need for a patriotic war song." Present was a young man, Monsieur de Lisle, whom the Mayor turned. ” Compose a noble song for the French people. You will try, yes?” Monsieur flatters me,” replied Rouget de Lisle deprecatingly. “ I can but try.” The Mayor was walking in his gardens, and his, early morning cogitations were rudely disturbed by two impetuous young officers. They told him of the song and of their great faith in its success. De Dietrich led them to the salon to hear it played. “It is great. Monsieur de Lisle,” he said, affectionately throwing his arms around the young officer’s neck. "We shall gather together an audience to-night to hear it.” On the night of the 25th the guests adjourned to the salon. “ First let us have some music,” said the Mayor. The introduction of “La Marseillaise ” filled the room. Then the Mayor began to sing—- “ Aliens, enfants de la patrle! Le Jour de glolre eat’ arrive . . I shall continue this next week. SAN PEDRO (Oamaru). [Are you telling it in your own words, San Pedro? It is a stirring tale. The other swim I was referring to was Leander’s across the Hellespont to Hero.—DOT.] X * « Dear Dot, —This week I am going to tell you .about “ The White Queen of Okoyong.” —who was a Scottish woman—Mary Slessor. She was scorched and withered by pitiless African summers, barefooted and bareheaded, her palace a one-roomed, mud-walled hut infested by rats and lizards and all manner of biting insects, yet never a queen ruled from he r royal chamber with such dignity and power as did this lonely white woman in the heart of the Nigerian jungle. Nothing but a passionate love for the souls of men could have brought quiet, nervous Mary Slessor from her Scottish home and happy circle of friends to toll for nearly 40 years among the most degraded of all Africa's untamed savages. She was not content with her work in Calabar, where the people were in touch with the missions. Miles up the river was Okoyong, where no white man had ever dared to set foot. The natives were the terror of even their savage neighbours. Even the children were armed day and night, and though many messages were exchanged, they flatly refused to admit any missionary. EL MONTE (Oamaru). [i am dividing your letter because it is too long, El Monte. I hope you are telling this story In your own words, and not copying it from a book. —DOT.] V * Dear Dot, —Imagine the scene to bo the interior of the Parish Church of Cults, a small village in a very pretty valley. The time is a summer Sunday morning in th» year 1792. The minister is In the pulpit preaching a long, long sermon. The middleaged folk aro listening intently, hut the young folk, however, find their attention constantly straying out of the windows to the heather-clad slopes of a nearby hill, or to the fields of ripening oats which are nodding in the gentle breeze. Young boys fidget on their hard seats, and are kept In order only by the restraining hands of parents. There is one small boy, however, who is very quiet, but very busy. Time does not lie heavily on his hands. Look over his shoulder and see what he is doing. To your surprise you find that he is sketching the head of a village worthy on the fly-leaf of his Psalm book. Dear me! This is no occupation for church. You look again and cry “ Marvellous.” for this boy is hut seven years old. yet the portrait is lifelike. He is a genius—untaught, certainly, but a genius for all that. When church is over you will ask his name and discover to your great surprise that he is David Wilkie, the minister’s son. If this biography of David Wilkie, the painter of many homely scenes, is of interest to you, I will continue it in my next letter. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself. NAOMI OF THE ISLAND (Dunedip),

[lt is very interesting, Naomi of the Island, only do tell It In your own words. That is the only way you will be able to profit from writing to me.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Did you see Jean Batten when she flew over the city? When the one plane flew over by Itself, I thought It was her's, but about five minutes later I saw six planes flying over, and Jean Batten's was the middle one. It was a wonderful flight she made, and New Zealand has every right to feel proud of her, not only because she Is a New Zealand girl, but because she failed the first and second time she tried again and finally succeeded in acompllshing her task. I was very sorry I was unable to see her, but I read all about her speech and her story of the flight In the newspaper, and that Was better than nothing. Are you fond of flying? It must be lovely to be able to own a plane and to go away for a flight on a beautiful summer’s day, away from the rest of the world. Thank you upry much for the birthday wishes. SALLY LUCK (Dunedin) [lndeed I saw her, Sally Luck, and admired her very much, too. She was so simple and unaffected despite her fame. Yes, I am fond of flying.—DOT.] OLD WRITERS' ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the committee of the Old Writers' Association on December 19, 1933, it was decided to hold a reunion during Winter Show Week In June, 1936, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Dot's Little Folk page. It was further decided that there should be a nominal fee of one shilling for membership, and that anyone, whether an Old Writer or not, desirous of making a donation could do so, all subscriptions and donations, accompanied by name, address, and nom de plume, to be acknowledged In the Little Folk's page fortnightly after being received by the secretary 4 at her address, 24 Jackson street. St. Kllda. Dunedin. OLD WRITERS’ NOTES. Indian Chief, president of the Old Writers' Association (Mr Jas. T. Ramsay, 24 Neldpath road, Mornlngton Dunedin); and Morning Star, honorary secretary (Mrs J. Hines, 24 Jackson street, SL Kllda, Dunedin), are endeavouring to complete a register of past and present Old Writers in connection with the jubilee in 1936. Either would be pleased to hear from any willing to supply names, addresses, and noms de plume, and, where possible, year of first writing to Dot. Acknowledgments will be made periodically In this column. Black Watch.—l hope that all will be well with Boy. Thank you for telling me. And congratulations on the other news and on the recovery of your little son. DOT. #. v * J. B. M.- —How kind of you to write like that! I greatly appreciated your enthusiastic letter. DOT. OUR NEW MEMBERS. Dot extends a special welcome to the following Little Polk who have written to the page for the flrst time this week:— Anno Edith, Dorrle Dimples, Maid <jt the White Mountains, Tene Ehoa, Elephantyne, Guess, Kowhai Elf, Sliver Dust, Rua’s Baby, Jimmy the Gub, King of the Road, Queen of the Garden, King of the Ranges, Skipper of the Kia Ora, Early Spring, The Fighting Sheriff, Glen’s Master, Blue-Eyed Flirt, A Day Dreamer, and Scottie’B Wee Lassie. MANY HAPPY RETURNS. . Dot wishes many happy returns of the day to— A Little Ranfurly Lad, who was 8 on Friday. Gladioli, who is 12 to-day. Pink Camella, who will be 12 to-morrow. Jimmy the Gub, who will be 12 to-morrow. Fred’s Little Pet, who will have a birthday on Wednesday. Tinkle, who will be 12 on Thursday. First Fashion, who will be 12 on Thursday. Mattie, who will be 8 on Friday. NOTES. Jockey Jones (Kelsomay Join if you send me your private name, dear. DOT. * * # A Brown Study.—l cannot forward your letter because I do not know the address Just now. But I shall keep It until I do. DOT. * * Pollyanna of the Orange Blossom. —But this is very sweet of you! How kind of you to do it all for me! I shall treasure it, and congratulate you on your taste iu poetry. DOT. LITTLE FOLK’S LETTER BOX. As the Little Folk Inserting tb« following requests do not know th* addresses of the companions with whom they wish to correspond, it is necessary that those companions should send the first letter.—DOT. *£ Anne Edith (Anno Edith Davis, Divide, Saskatchewan.- Canada) wishes to correspond with Little Folk about 16 years old interested in art nad music. e* -iRose Rouge ("Isabella Chisholm, c/o Mr R. Kennedy, “ Bellevue,” Derwent street, Oamaru) wishes Gordon to write to her, V *»- ’fi A Ranfurly Lass (Natalie Rutherford, Ranfurly) would like to correspond with Sunshine Susie, Box 20, Ranfurly. ❖ # ❖ I Sit I (Jessie Chisholm, 52 Ileriot row, Dunedin) wishes to corerspond with any Little Polk willing. $ V V Mistress Betty (Betty Smith, Reservoir road, Sawyers’ Bay) wishes to correspond with any girl Little Folk between the ages of 12 and 13. Flum Dum (Margaret Markham, Hyde) wishes to correspond with Just Me and any Little Folk between the ages of 9 and 12. j £ * * Maid of the White Mountain (Molly Jenkins, 37 Wlckllffe terrace, Port Chalmers) wishes to correspond with any young girls between the ages of 12 and 14. 5{C v v Dad’s Baby (Lorna Taverner, Fernbrook, Oamaru) would like to correspond with any Little Folk between 10 and 12. * % 5p Naomi of the Island (Beverley Brown, 5 Ferguson street, Musselburgh. Dunedin) would like to correspond with Snowdrop Shadow, Hono Heke, Waffles, and any other Little Folk between 14-16 years of age. * * * Smiling Coon (Edmund \\’alker, Station House, Waltahuna) wishes some male Little Folk to correspond with him.