Dot's Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22327, 30 July 1934, Page 13

Dot's Little Folk

THE WEEK'S POEM. Her* Is a poem about frost, children. Is It not pretty? And is it not •what a little girl would naturally think when she looked at flowers on such a night? DOT. V FROST. The flowers In the garden Are very cold at night; ■When I look out the window Their beds are hard and white. The primrose and the snowdrop, The merry crocus too — 6 ! Jane, if we were flowers, What should wo children do? We’d have to sleep all naked Beneath the windy trees; Tet we should die, X know It, With even a chemise. . . . —Laurence Alma-Tadema. WEAVERS OF WORDS. So Havelok and Goldboru—-the scullion and the maiden from the dungeons—but in reality the Prince of Denmark and the Princess of England—are married, my Little Folk, and we are told little more about them, the storyteller urging us to read their further adventures for ourselves if we would hear them. One thing you may notice, however — the description of Havelok’s character. Gone are the days of heroes whose only merits are strength and fearlessness. Now a man, If he would retlly be a man. must combine strength with gentleness, fearlessness with kindness. „ DOT. V w * HAVELOK THE DANE. 3 (Continued.) Then, seeing that there was no help for It, and that he must either be wedded or hanged, Havelok consented to marry Goldboru. So the princess was brought, " the fairest woman under the moon.” And she, sore afraid at the anger and threats of Godrlch, durst not do aught to oppose the wedding. So they were “ espoused fair and well " by the Archbishop of York, and Havelok took his bride home to Grimsby. You may bo sure that Havelok. who was . so strong and yet so gentle, was kind to his '■•beautiful young wife. was unhappy, for she could not forget that she was a princess, and that she had been forced to wed a low-horn kitchen knave. But one night, as she lay Jn bed .weeping, an angel appeared to her and bade her sorrow no mere, for it wae no scullion that she had wed, but a king’s son. So Goldboru was comforted. ._ , „ , , And of all that afterward befell Havelok and Goldboru, of how they went to Denmark and overcame the traitor there, and received the kingdom; and of how they returned again to England. *nd of how Godrlch was punished, you must read for yourselves In the book of “Havelok the Dane.” But this one thing more I will tell you, that Havelok and Goldboru lived happily together until they died. They loved each other so tenderly that they were never angry with each other. And they had 15. children, and all the sons became kings, and all the daughters became queens. . . . . I (Concluded.) TO ALL. Dear Little Folk, —Shorter letters, please. I set the limit at 300 words, you know, and some of you persist In writing more. Besides, the shorter the letters the more chance there will be of everybody’s seeing his or her letter In print. So. you Best Letter writers—beware. —Your loving

Ineajdumted July 16,1886, 0 by tKe

OTAGO WITNESS

DOT Invites short letters from her young friends throughout fhs Dominion on matters of interest to themselves. Letters are to be written under a nom de plume, which, once chosen, cannot be changed by the writer. New members must enclose their name and address. These will not be 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 Setters, " Dot, care of Editor, Otago Daily Times.” Dors Little Folk’s Badge, with pin, for use aa a brooch, 1* obtainable on application to Dot. Price 2s *<L lo stamps or postal notea.

Dear Dot, —May I be permitted to Join vour bifid of Little Folk? I have two friends who write, and they have been wanting me to join. The weather hae been cold lately. I suppose It is all we can expect this time of the year. I have always taken an Interest in the page, although I have never ventured to write before. I go to night school and take needlework and crafts. I hope to get some correspondents through the Little Folk page. WYNWOOD (Dunedin). [Wynwood Is welcome. Do you want a notice for correspondents put in the Letter Box, my dear? —DOT.] •Y ••.- » Dear Dot, —Here Is another little boy who begs for a little corner in your big family. Is there still room? I am nine years old, and In Standard I, We are having a month’s holiday, and go back to school on July 30, and shall have a new teacher when we go back. I like playing football at school. I have been up to my grandma’s for two weeks’ holiday, and am Just back home. Love to yourself. POMPEY’S SON (Bendigo).

(Yes, there is room for even Pompey’a Son, who is having such a jolly holiday. How have you been spending it?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I be one of your Little Folk? I go to school at Seacllff, and' X have to walk one mile and a-half. I have three brothers and two sisters. About two chains up the road there is the Omiml Dairy Factory, which won several prizes at Dunedin Winter Show. 1 think this is all just BOW. HARRY MAMOS (Omiml).

[What do yon see on that one and a-half mile walk, Harry Mamos? I am pleased to welcome you.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 13 years of age, and am' In Standard V. We have a pup and a cat. Will you please give me names for them? ‘There Is skating going on about Ranfurly. Apple Pie Is my cousin, and she la living with us at present. Love to all the Lltle Folk and your own dear self. SNOWY FROST (Ranfurly).

[Welcome to Snowy Frost, whose name has had to be altered a little. Call the cat Lightning and the dog Thunder. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am sure you will be able to And a tiny corner among your happy band tor another Little Folk. We are having terrible weather. One night It snowed. I am very fond of knitting, sewing, and reading. Now I am busy doing fancywork. It Is very pleasant to sit round an open fire these cold nights, Is It not? I know several of the Little Folk who write to jour page. BQNNy j-, OON (Kakapuaka). [Sure enough I have found a tiny corner. Bonny Doon. Yes, firesides are jolly places these nights.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your merry band of Little Folk? I enjoy reading your large page. This Is my first letter, and I shall be pleased to see It n print. I am ten years old, and am m Standard 111. My birthday Is on October 30. I will close now, with kind regards to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.

PIPER (Catllns)

[Certainly you. may become a member, Piper. How do you like being In print?— DOT.] # * 9

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy hand of Little Folk? I have two girl friends who write to your page, so I decided to write to. I am very fond of tennis and dancing. I Went to Be© the picture “ Sorrel and Son, and I »ked it very much. I have read the book. Love to yourself and all the Little F ° lk ' HAPPY IRISH EVES (Otago). (Your name was taken, dear, eo I have had to alter it to Happy Irish Lyes, welcome to you.—DOT.J

r 'sjs Dear Dot. —May I Join your happy band of Little Folk? There have been 10 Inches of snow on the ground, and we have been having good fun snowballing. My Bister has just started school. It Is a long time till my wee brother goes, as he 18 ""L*® 1 two. There was a hard frost one morning. I am nine years old, and am Id Standard 11. I do not like going to school. CLARRIE CODLIN (Patearoa).

[Welcome to Clarrle Codlln, whoes name has had to be changed because be took another Little Folk’*. Why do you not like school? —DOT.]

Dear Dot,—l am very much Interested in your page, and would like to Join jour happy baud. I am 14 years of age, and am in Form 111 at school. My birthday is on January 10. Rosy Rata and I go to school together. Irish Dimples (Cardrona) had her twenty-first birthday on Saturday week. I must close now, with love to your happj band and your own dear self. PATTY JOY (Queenstown). [I am pleased to welcome you, Patty Joy, and shall like hearing if you like going to school, —DOT.] BEST - LETTERS. Dear Dot,—The Blue Mountains are covered ip snow, and when the sun shines they are beautiful. In the summer time great crowds climb the mountains, and up the bush tracks there are three waterfalls, each one bigger than the last, so they are well worth one’s while to see. Men go deerstalking also, and as there are all- kinds ot amusements at the foot of Whisky Gully, we love to go up for a day’s fun. All the gullies have names, and the gully that we live nearest to is called Whisky Gully. 1 hope you will visit our mountains it you ever come to Tapanul. HAROLD LOGAN (Tapanul). [I shall be delighted to do so. after your pleasing description, Harold Logan. lour letter reads very easily.—DOT.) * V v Dear Dot, —In my last letter you asked me about the bees. 1 have! often watched people extracting honey from the hives. First a black headgear Is placed on the head (to prevent the head from being stung), next a small smoky torch is placed Just inside the top of the hive to smoke the bees out. The honey Is then taken away to be heated. When heated the comb of the honey is removed. The honey by now is pure and ready to be Iput in pottles. Just now we are engaged in catching mice. My brother set the trap and caught one immediately. When you are walking about the barn and see a mouse you suddenly bolt out ot a door or stand screaming, especially if you are a woman.

SMILING COON (Otago)

[Thank you for tolling me about the bees Smiling Coon. I think you had not quoted that verse correctly, so 1 did not print it. —DOT.J

Dear Dot, —It was evening, the moon was shining, and 1 was trudging through the paddociss homeward bound. The sky was dotted with myriads of gleaming stars, and the snow lay thick all around me. The light of the moon was reflected on the suowclad earth until one could almost say it was sprinkled with tiny grains of silver. How beautiful: bow pure it all looked. It seemed a pity to tread and mar its beauty. Trudge, trudge, merrily I went on, every now and then gazing at the sky, which somehow or other holds a great attraction for me, I was nearing home. Only a few more chains were to be traversed when I suddenly found myself in a drift up over mv knees. The snow, its beauty, the sky, and everything else was for the time being forgotten in my seemingly vain endeavour to get out of an awkward situation. However. after what seemed hours. I managed to arrive home a very wet and tired Little Folk, but whose sense of humour had not departed. LORD TONY’S WIFE (Ranfurly).

[What a human story. Lord Tony’s Wife! But you kept on smiling! Then all was well What a surprise you must have had! —DOT.) _ ..

Dear Dot, —To continue: On entering the monument, if one has enough energy, one can climb up oil steps and then come out nearly at the lop of the monument. When out there one can get a view nearly all over London. There Is a guide up there, and he points out the famous buildings. We had the privilege of seeing the Tower bridge open to let a ship come through. Leaving the monument we proceed to tho Houses of Parliament. Fortunately, It was a Saturday, and they were open to the public. We were right through the three Houses, namely,. Representatives, Commons, and Lords. We also bung our hats on the Duke of York’s peg and on the peg of the Prince of Wales. We spent a whole day at the Zoo, and enjoyed ourselves very much Indeed. We had a ride on the elephant and camel, and Were also In the reptile house, but I cannot say I liked that, as ! have a horror for snakes. Of course we had to take buns to feed the elephants, but one grabbed bag and all from my hands. Every-

one, I suppose, has seen pictures of or heard of ihe tame pigeons of St. Paul’s Cathedral. After having visited the interior of the cathedral mother went to do a bit of shopping. so she left us three Children with bags of c6rn feeding the pigeons. They came and settled on our arms, and one even would perch on our hats.

SPRING’S YELLOW DAFFODIL (TuatapSre).

[What an exciting time, Spring’s Yellow Daffodil I And how much you did. The pigeons must be charming.—DOT.]

Dear Dot. —When the wall reaches a river the general plan was to construct parailell sections along both banks for a number of miles, thus affording an opportunity for defence on the water breach. The Great Wall is at its best in the eastern section. There Us sheer tacCS from 20ft t 6 50ft high are constructed of carefully-built masonry. North of Peplug (Peking) great blocks of care-fully-cut granite are used, held in place by ’mortar superior to tbit made by the Chinese to-dfty. In other localities the wall Is faced with Urge bricks of a finer quality than most of those now manufactured. Stone drains are set at intervals Of about 100 ft to carry away rain water which accumulates On top. The firte preservation of much of the wall Is owing to the foresight in providing these drains. More thin 25,000 towers were built along the wall at intervals ranging from 100 yards to a mile. The Chinese name for this great contraction Is " Wan li chang chenp," which means “ 10,000 11-long-rampart.” The "11 ” is approximately equal to one-third of a mile, so this would Indicate a length of 3333 miles. EYES OP BLUE (Georgetown).

[ls this an extract from a book or something written in your own words. Eyes of Blue? It is fascinating to read. —DOT.] # * *

Dear Dot, —To continue; One day Mary Slessor obtained a canoe, packed all her household belongings, and sailed up the river alone. She was going to live with the Okoyong tribes in all tbeir sin and savagery. An all-night trek through the forest brought her. to Ekenge. The chief greeted her with surprise. She had come alone. Her courage pleased them. They allowed her to take one of the dirty mud huts, and went back to their drunken revelry. British consuls, 20 years later, seeing the result of those long, lonely years of sacrifice,' called her the Queen of Okoyong. The natives called her Ma Akamba —“The Great White Mother.” Slowly, patiently. She led them out of tbeir darkness and Ignorance Into the light of knowledge and truth. She taught them to hate lying and dishonesty, and crime, and made them sober, upright, intelligent men. I 'shall continue this story next week, Dot. With love to yourself and the family. EL MONTE (Oamaru),

[I wonder It the savages knew they were so wicked, El Monte. Keep your letters short, dear. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I had a good laugh and lots of fellow-feeling over Christmas Card's letter, for I may say that my feelings were precisely the same when I first saw the page that Monday morning. Then I thought about It and realised afterwards how stupid I had been to feel, annoyed about the change. Why, here was the best thing that could happen to keep up the standard of our letter*. It had been remarkably easy before to have our letters printed. We could just write about any old thing and it would be sure to be printed. I remember how disgusted I had been the other evening on hearing Mendelssohn’s delightful " Spring Song ’’ plaj-ed In rag-time. It was crude. And here, Dot was doing the opposite to our page. Instead of printing all our common, cheaply written “ Jazz,” she was rejecting It until we gave her our best. Our letters will never be classics in prose as the “ Spring Song ” Is In music, but they will be our own, and our best. And It Is not the long letters with high-sounding phrases which appeal to Dot. It Is the originality—using our own thoughts.' Everyone, therefore, has an equal chance. I remember the letter which appealed most to me one week was a mere two sentences. It tola of now the writer had seen the snow-laden pear tree one day and had thought It looked like blossonirtlme. We cannot raise our goblets and drink to this splendid Idea of yours, so let us raise our pens and write instead. Here’s to your new venture —our adventure —Dot, "and to all the Little Folk who are going to surprise you one day soon wttn a whole page of Best Letters. Love to them all, especially Christmas Card, and to the friend they will strive to please. POLLYANNA OP THE ORANGE BLOSSOM

[A good frank letter. Pollyanna of the Orange Blossom. So you, too, were a little dismayed at the change? Never mind, it is all for the best, as you say yourself.— DOT.] V 9 ***

Dear Dot, —The weather is cold at present, and the country looks sad. There are not even birds to make the country look lively. Can you Imagine how cold the buds and trees must feel. I do not suppose they feel verv cold, but every cold day as I look out of the window I think to myself how cold -those leafy buds must be, which next spring will come out as lovely green leaves. THE SCHOLAR (Walwera).

[I think that this week’s poem deals with this very thought, The Scholar. Yet really, the buds are as cosy as cau be.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have never told you about my little dog, Pete. Out of all my pet animals I think I love him best He is, 1 suppose, a very ordinary looking brown and white dog. He would perhaps pass unnoticed by many, but to me he 1* the best dog there Is. I have played with him and I know. No other dog would jump up to greet me as he does. He very often puts b* s wet muddy paws on my dress and leaves dirty marks, but 1 do not mind. He has such a sharp, excitable little bark. I can tell quite well he la happy and eager when he barks that way. We go for long runs together, too. Pete loves It, and so do 1. During a run his bright brown eye* everything, and he hear* every sound. Often he sees a rabbit, and like a flash he is on Its track. He speeds over all sorts of impossible places, no matter how loudly I call, he is deaf to my voice. Often a cunning bunny takes an unexpected turn and reaches safety, and It Is a very disappointed little dog that gives up the hunt. I have seen this happen several times, and It Is so funny to see Pete suddenly sit 6oyn and give pitiful short whimpers. He Is so very much disappointed, you see. He Is quite ready then to come back and go with me. and we get along well until another furry friend attracts his attention If I have & P> e °r with me I share It with my dog. M e fin I a sheltered spot to sit down In, and aa soon as he sees I have something In mi hand he sits very still and loks at me with ai «H»nt little side look. I break off a bit and one It to him and it disappears at once. He usually gets most ot my, f lece -ruL. tl, are times, he can eat so quickly. There are dogs and dogs. Mine is one that I would not give away for any other. LITTLE PLEASURE (Tuapeka Mouth). [No wonder you love him, Little Pleasure. I know that side-long look he gives you. Please give him a special pat for me. DOT.) . . :;< * *

Dear Dot.—l am sending a piece of poetry, which I composed. It is called The Stream.”

I come, I go, now fast, now slow, Through every kind of weather. Past hills and dales, down shady vales, Through thickly growing heather.

I twist and turn through glades of fern While parakeets call, “ coo-eei ” And warblers grey with fantalls play, And sweetly sings the tui.

When bellbirds sing and woodlands ring, And spring winds softly rustic I, murm’rlng, pass the waving grass With fashionable bus.tle.

Bright daffodils on grass-green hills Their golden heads bow sprightly. As darkness falls, I hear the calls Of the hunting owl come nightly.

When hailstones pelt, and Sol can’t melt The Ice along my edges. When snowflakes fall on trees so tall, I scamper past white hedges.

By meadows flat, where cattle fat Graze peacefully on clover. Where tussock land is gently fann'd Till each long day Is over. TENA EHOA (Beaumont). [Tennyson would be Interested In this, Tena Ehoa. You have done it very well and have given It a definite Impression of poetry.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I was seated on an old sofa In a corner of the garden writing a letter. I had been sitting there writing for some time, when all at once I looked up from my letter and gazed all around me and then sat perfectly still. While I had been deep in letter writing something had happened. What was It? A blackbird hopped about at the foot oil an apple tree, a few other birds flitted from tree to tree. The sun had sunk low In the western sky and was just peeping over the garden wall. The garden was full of shadow, and a wonderful spell of peace had come upon It. There was something more In the garden than peace, birds, and shadows, and those lines came to me: •< \ve are nearer God's heart In a garden than anvwhere else on earth.” Some one was calling me. and loathing to leave, I took a last long look at It all and then went Indoors. I was so very sorry to read of the death of those beloved Little Folk, My Daddy’s Darling and Wild Bill of Spring Creek. To their people I extend my deepest sympathy. ROSE ROUGE (Oaraaru). [That sense of “ something more ” often comes to a person in a garden, Rose Rouge. I am glad that you are able to write like this without becoming sentimental. —DOT.] v V V Dear Dot. —Mabel has started to go to school, and I take her. The second day she ran home because another girl told her she was going to get the strap. There arc about 800 pupils at our school, and we have 18 teachers There are 11 women and girls and seven men and boys. I was eight years old on July 5. Granny made me a birthday cake

with eight little red, white, and blue candles on It, and Ronnie, my mate, had dinner with me. SKIPPY (Victoria). [Poor little Mabel. Skippy! She must have had a bad fright. The birthday Bounds as if it were a very Jolly day.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Ronnie Radish and I are writing to tell you about our new pet, which is a wee wild pig. My father and brothers went pig shooting in the Kakanul Mountains, and brought home Barney, our wee pig, fOr us. He is quite a novelty in Palmerston, and has even acted (n a Steel Rudd play at the Women’s Institute birthday party. He is great frlendS with the cat, Mickey, and loves him to wash his face for him and play games with him. A number of children and grown-ups have been to see Barney. At first we fed him like a baby from a bottle and teat, but now ho Is growing bigger and takes his bread and milk from a dish. He has a bed in the shed and goes right under the straw to sleep, and the eat sleeps on the top. Ves, Ronnie Radish and I are twins. We had our tenth birthday on June $. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.

SPEARMAID AND RONNIE RADISH (Palmerston).

[You have nhlde me another of Barney’s admirers, Spearmald and Ronnie Radish. What a darling pet he must be. Please tell him bow much I like him. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Wo had more falls of snow after the one I told you of. We had a foot, and It was here over two weeks before it began to thaw. There Is about halt an Inch at present. I am not up yet. I have been hero six months now. I have a stamp album, and have over 200 stamps. There was a patients’ concert here, and it was very good. The staff are giving one soon. They both give ope every year. The men’s dormitory sister has gone away. She was very kind, and I miss her very much. She made the sanatorium feel very much like home, Instead of like a hospital. The new one has not yet* been appointed. I enclose another verSe I made up. The snow It lay so very thick. There was no hope of rushing; The only way of moving round Was by Jogging and by slushing. Fine men of snow were being made, But always going flop. Then rest hour bell rang forth its note And caused the fun to stop. RED SHADOW (Walplata). [Take more care with your verse, Red Shadow, and then It will not need to be altered. I am glad that you have fun and concerts, even though you are in a sanatorium. —DOT.] v : r Dear Dot, —I am sending a poem to you. It Is called “ New Zealand.” God made a land, A little land, And set It very far From all the other lands that were Beneath a southern star. LOCHERIE LASS (Dunedin). [Did you make It up, Locherle Lass? And What comes next? —DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Draw nearer, turn off the light. Ah —hush, the magic of home is stealing In swiftly, timidly. Its warmth is softly pervading the faces shining ruddy In the firelight. The flickering shadows brightening reveal each little characteristic of light and shade in the faces sombre and thoughtful rdstlng in the magic semicircle. The fire’s glow draws an answering depth of passion from the deep pools of light it reflects unguardedly, displaying the treasured secret of the glorious home-love the human souls within contain. Sweet, memories of the dim past are unfolding—shaping into living forms amidst the roseate, quivering coals. Quiet peace, ah —hush, “ I’m so tired, do let's go to bed ! ” Light. The enchanted moment Is broken and there, ah —the magic of home Is stealing away, swiftly, timidly. LENE (Owaka). [This is the end of your last letter, Lene, which was rather long. Just remember, dear, that if there is too much icing on it, you cannot taste the cake.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —How do you like the snow? I do not like It at all, because it is too cold. Magic the oat is very naughty, for be caught about a dozen wax-eyes, so we spanked him hard and shut him up In a shed. There were a good many wax-eyes here when the snow came. I suppose they looked very tempting, so you can hardly blame the cat, can you? Dad said that they would have come In from the hills for shelter. PUSSY’S NURSE (Lumsden). [I suppose he thought he was being good, Pussy’s Nurse, so you were wise to shut him up and so shut his naughty eyes to temptation. —DOT.] V V V Dear Dot, —I daresay many Little Folk are interested in dramatisation. Our school teacher has introduced it Into the school, and now everyone Is keen. Sometime* two children act rescuing a child from burning. One rushes out, seizes hold of the burning child, and covers the victim with his or her coat. I think this is so exciting! We perform many kinds of other acts also. QUBENIB (Sawyers’ Bay). [How interesting. Queenle. I do not wonder that yon enjoy such means of selfexpression.—DOT.] if ❖ ❖ Dear Dot, —We had a ferret called Ellle. One day she ran away and came home a long time after. Her box where she lived has been mended, so she could not get out again. When I went to get her to put her In It t found she had eight little ones. She ate six of them. The two that were left grew Into strong young ferrets. After a while the mother was sent away. A good many months after one of the young ones died. A little while ago there was a heavy fall of *now. I opened the ferret’s door to Its cage to feed it, and it tumbled out into the snow. I am going to get another ferret soon. Could you give me a name for It? NED KELLY’ (Lumsden). [Was the one that tumbled out dead too, Ned Kelly? I think you should call the next one Sclsic —short tor Excelsior. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have 'always been wishing for spring to come, because my birthday Is then, so I am quite satisfied now that spring is here. I always say that the best time to have a birthday is (n spring. I have been looking for violets under some big trees out in front of tho house. I picked a little bunch of them the other day and pressed them In a big book with a ribbon round them. Next night I was writing to Mount Egmont Princess, so I sent the little violets to her, and I hope she tvil! like them. I have a little pet goaf, which I call Nannie. The other night I went for a stroll down the road, and was a distance away from home when I heard the' goat call out. I turned round and it was following me. I thought It might be run over by a motor car, so I took It back home and tied it up. POSSUM UP A GUM TREE (Taranaki). [Surely Mount Egmont Princess would like them, Possum up a Gum Tree! Yes, spring Is a good time for a birthday, I think.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I believe we are going to have a very early spring, which will be quite welcome In this district, for It will brighten the place up a bit, as It is very bare at present. Our bulbs have made their appearance already, and our violets are blooming. Also the birds are nesting. My father was saying this morning that there is a family of young starlings In the roof of our washhouse. The cows are beginning to come in, and the calling of calvps can he heard In the distance 1 WATTLE BLOSSOM BRIDE (Taranaki). [I hope that your surmise about spring is correct, Wattle Blossom Bride. I have seen no young calves or starlings here yet.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I found this piece out of the native bird book. The tui 1b popularly called the parsou bird on account of the two white feather tufts which adorn Its throat. This glossy, greenish black songster is found in all parts of the Dominion, and Its powers of song are well known. It is a great mimic, and can be taught to whistle several bars of a tune. The tul lays four or five pinkish white eggs in a‘ nest of fine twigs, 10ft to 15ft from the ground, and generally selects a mahoe tree for the purpose. The tul Is a prolific berry eater, and adds insects and honey to Its diet an the occasion offers. A KING COUNTRY LASS (Milton). [I do not want extracts from books, A King Country Lass, but I will print this this time. Can you not write me a letter about something you have done yourself?—• DOT.] * * J <-' Dear Dot, —1 think I shall tell you about my darling little brother, who is two. I have taken him out for walks since be was seven months old. When I do the dishes bo puts them away, and all In their right places. At first he liked to pile the cups up on each other, but, he only puts one cup on another now. If I go for a walk he has to come too, and If I do not take him he cries. When my sister and I play hopscotch he has to play too. It is the same with the other games. We play rlng-a-rlng-a-rosey, and he likes It best of all. DULCEBELLA (Clyde). [He must be Indeed a darling, Dulcebella. Regarding your postscript, I hope that they will soon be quite strong again.—DOT.J # * * Dear Dot, —I attended a meeting of the Band of Hope. A humorous dialogue, "A Dental Operation," caused much amusement. The patient was a little man about three feet high, with his face covered with a large scarlet bandage and cotton wool. The

servant, talking Irish, ushered the patient in and called the doctor, who said he would pull u tooth for the gentleman, but It would cost him a dollar. As the man did not take much heed he stifled telling him what happened by letting teeth decay so badly, and that he would be obliged to charge two dollars. Having taken a look at the tooth once more he said it would have to be five dollars, as something else was the matter. The little man lost patience with him and ordered that the tooth be extracted at once, lire dollars or not, as he was In agony (he was groaning loudly). The doctor took a. set of pincers about the size a blacksmith would use, and started the, Operation. Before long doctor, patient, and servant were struggling about on the floor. The tooth extracted, the Utile man stated that It was n6t his tooth. It was a big one about three inches long. An argument took place, resulting in the doctor declaring that he must make the fee 10 dollars, whereupon the maw told him that he would not pay, and that the tooth would do for payment, and walked out. Up spoke the servant, staling that be was not going to stay in such a. place, and departed. Thus the rogue of a doctor was left bemoaning his fate without servant Or fee, ouly the old tooth. MISCHIEF MAY (South Canterbury).

[What a situation. Mischief May! I expect the audience was highly delighted with it, and laughed uproariously.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—One fine day we took the sledge and two horses and went over the paddocks to the plantation, where a large tree had been blown down with a big gale. We took hammers to knock the cones off the branches and trunk. W 6 gathered up the cones and filled seven sacks, which we sewed up. Then having bad some lunch, we loaded up the sledge and set off for homo. GOLDILOCKS THE GLAD (Waltepeka). [You must have enjoyed it, Goldilocks the Glad, especially as the day was so fine and you had the sledge with you.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Such a funny thing happened one afternoon when I was feeding the hens. After I had given the hens their wheat 1 went to gather the eggs. As I went Into the henhouse a rat scurried across the floor Into a hole it had neatly nibbled In the wall. However, It stopped a little bit too soon, leaving Us tail sticking out. Mrs Hen came along and gave It a good pull. I suppose she thought it was a worm. The rat must have been surprised, for he pulled his tall in very quickly. Don't you think that that was a funny thing to happen? PRINCESS NORVALEA (Ettrick).

[Yes, I do, Princess Norvalea. But 1 do not suppose the rat did, nor yet Mrs Hen, who had thought she was going to have some worm.—DOT.] * if Ai

Dear Dot, —Have you ever read the book called “ True Blue ’’•? I have, so I will tell you a little about It. A boy was born In the ship Terrible, his mother dying a few hours later. He was named ’Willie True Blue. Needless to say he was named by men. Trua Blue grew up to be a true sailor. Once he Jumped overboard and saved a man from drowning and v.'ould not take the reward. Once again ho was captured by the French, but was only prisoner for a few hours before being back on his own ship again, as an English ship captured the French ship which hold him prisoner. True Blue lived during tho beginning of the French Republic. JOHN PETER (Queenstown), [I have not read “ True Blue,” John Peter, so have liked hearing about It. Would you like to have lived then? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —As you suggested, Maori tapu is worth Investigating. There are a great number of tapu ceremonies; enough, I think, to fill a fairly large book. As everybody knows, Maori meeting houses are made from wood, and before tho trees from which that wood came could be cut down, a special tapu ceremony had to be performed, or the fairies and birds would erect the trees again and again. Now that the meeting house has been built another ceremony has to be performed to remove tho tapu. This ceremony Is called the “ whal kawa ” ritual, and meeting houses cannot be occupied until It has been performed to free them from the enchantment of “ Tane,” the lord of the woods, from which the timbers came. For the ’’ whal-kawa ’’ ritual there Is always a "hul" (a gathering), and when everybody has arrived the ceremony begins. (While the meeting house is being built no woman enters, otherwise the builders will die, as the timber Is tapu, having been taken from the forests of the god Tane.) When the “ tohunga” arrives prayers are chanted, be raps sharply on the door three times and orders the tapu to depart. Then the Maoris all stamp their feet and give weird yells to frighten him away. More prayers are chanted, then, a protective mat having been placed over the shoulders of tho most distinguished woman there, she enters, and after that it is safe for all. Next day a “ tangl ” (a feast) is held, and usually a great amount of food Is consumed. It Is polite to clear the table, so the Maoris take away In baskets the food that is over. Tho “ tangl ” usually lasts several days. A YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER (Dunedin). [And all this is symbolical, A Young New Zealander, and of far-reaching origin. Tapu is extremely interesting.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —There Is something sudden and unexpected about winter which one cannot understand. The other morning It was ominously calm and quiet. Not a breath of wind whispered through the bare branches or stirred the fallen leaves. Great black clouds were gathering overhead and blotted out the glorious sunshine. Then about midday the threatening storm broke in all Us fury. The wind sprang up from the southwest and lashed the rain against the windowpane. Then the snow came whirling down, covering Mother Earth with a flimsy, white coverlet. For haif an hour the wind and snow played havoc with one another. Suddenly Mr Wind decided to run away and cause riots elsewhere, so off he went, whistling shrilly. With his departure the snow ceased to fall, the clouds scurried away before him, the sun burst forth In all Its glorious radiance, and the birds whistled gaily once more. GWYNETT (Kycburn).

[Yours is an unusual winter letter, Gwynctt. Tt is like a ballet full of movement.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —In the west the sun was sotting, tinting the clouds with gold and crimson, which are reflected on the windscreen of our car. Away in the distance, behind the dark blue-black hills, snowcapped mountains rise towards the now darkening sky like massive clouds. We reached home after an enjoyable ride at dusk. RANG! (Sawyers’ Bay). [A pretty picture, Rangl. I - like the mountains looking like clouds. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Here is a poem called "Jack Frost ”: — "This morning when I wakened

I saw a lovely sight, For old Jack Frost bad been at work A-palntlng In the night. Dainty pictures he had made Upon my window pane; Outside I saw a silver path A-stretchlng down the lane. And, oh, what Joy! upon the pond I saw a coat of iceThat means we’ll soon have lots of fun,

Jack Frost, I think you're nice 1 ” THE ONLY BLUE-EYED ONE (Dunedin). [Who wrote It, The Only Blue-Eyed One? Do you ever try to write poems?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have been playing with my doll. It is a big one. Its name Is Betty Rosaline, but dad calls it Mary Ann and Jane May. I do not like those names. A wee black kitten came Into our shop tho other day, and I brought It over home and gave It a drink of milk and some meat. It has been here for two days. JUST MB (Raaturly).

[How naughty of daddy, Just Me! Which pet do you prefer—Betty Rosaline or the black little Kitten?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I was setting traps about three weeks ago. When I was first setting 1 caught a fairly large yellowish animal, , who, when seeing me, let out a squeal which 1 gave me a fright. I soon was up close to it, when it made a loud number of noises, i followed by a horrible smell, which came 1 from its body. 1 did not know what it was, and was a little frightened. Soon I was „able to get the peg of the trap out of the ground, then 1 began to drag the trap and animal down to the roadman, who killed tt for mo and afterwards told me it was a polecat. GLBNROSSIE (Mlddlemarch).

[I suppose It was very much hurt and frightened, Glenrossle. Some animals protect themselves by means of smells.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —To continue with my story of this masque at Whitehall; As you can Imagine, the gathering was a considerably distinguished one, including the King, Queen, and Prince. Proceedings commenced with four squires, who informed the audience what was to happen. The first character to appear was Error, In a skin coat like a serpent’s, followed by Rumour, whose robe was adorned with winged 1 tongues. Curiosity, with eyes on his coat, and Credulity, likewise adorned with ears, were the next appearances. Several other strange creatures joined in afterwards, including the four Elements. Earth’s robe was green, of course, Water’s had fishes upon it, Air wore a bird design, with an eagle on bis head, and Fire wore a flame-coloured mantle, and on his head a representation of a fiery serpent known as a Salamander. After these had acted a while, there came the four Continents, the three Destinies, and, lastly, Harmony, with nine musicians. Thus all the characters were assembled, and then followed dancing and solo and chorus singing. At the end the four squires came on again to wish the married couple happiness (the whole performance was in honour of the wedding of Lady Howard and the Earl of Somerset). The ships in the background which I mentioned last time now came into use, for the performers entered them and

sailed away behind the scenes while a final song was sung. Interesting, Is it not? It is a pity that we could not aee such performances nowadays In Dunedin. Love and best wishes to yourself and the Little Folk. CHARLES DICKENS (Dunedin).

[Maybe we could revive some such old masques, Charles Dickens. It would certainly be a great education. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —My namesake was a kind and good lady who died nearly a century ago. She is famous in history because she spent most of her time in visiting the prisons in Britain and Europe. As a result of her visits the wretched lives of the poor prisoners were made brighter. Even Parliament took notice of her and made better laws and cleaner prisons for these unfortunate people,' who Were sometimes quite innocent. ELIZABETH FRY (MahenO).

[No wonder you chose so famous a name, Elizabeth Fry. I am glad that you knew about your namesake, —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I think that the saying ” God made the country and man made the town ’’ is an excellent ode. There is an enormous contrast between the lovesome country and the grey towns. Is there not? When the quiet, peaceful snow falls on the ground It is left undisturbed add as beautiful as ever in the country, hut In the town It is soon slush and water. How can one enjoy Christmas in the town amongst smoke and streets when the fresh, fragrant country air beckons? All the year Is Interesting In tho country, which I think la absolutely heavenly. To look over crops of golden, rustling grain and fields of green, Juicy graas, which grows In abundance, fills one’s heart with pleasure. The harvest time, shearing season, lambing time —all are glorious. Those dear wee motherless lambs which are brought to the farmyard to be eared for are almost pitiful bundles of golden fleece. How peaceful the shepherd looks as he winds his way up the hills on his dally tasks. The farmyard is entirely a beautiful sight. The dogs In their snug kennels, the poultry yard, the stables with their friendly and sometimes unfriendly horses, the cow shed with the mllkboy whistling as he milks his cow, the snorting pigs in the sties, the implement shed, the barn, the toolshed, and tho loft—all provide heaps of enjoyment for the town child. "Pit-pat, pit-pat!” Ah! that sound comes from the dairy, where the farmer's wife is busy making butter to be taken to the market. Even the pricking gorse hedges, where numerous rabbits seek refuge, add beauty to the countryside when in bloom. Dot, the country for ever and ever. DAPHNE DB ORA (Balclulha). [I agree with you, Daphne de Ora. But there have to be towns, too, to allow the country to keep In existence. —DOT.] DOTS REPLIES. Call the calf Icicle, Little Engine, to remind you of the cold weather. Could you write me a letter about It?—DOT. * * ♦ Colds have a habit of coming when there is snow about, Sticky Beak. Why did you like being in the snow? —DOT. v O V The games sound Jolly and lively, Silvery Pinions, and will make you warm for when you go homo to bed, —DOT. 4? * * Yes, I have read “ David Copperfleld," Roche's Daughter. I look forward to the letter in which you are going to describe a hook to me.—DOT. if A< * I have also read ” Anne of Gelersteln,” Brown Bunny Boy. I am sorry about the defeat. Did the best team win?—DOT. v V Are you going to another district. Jolly Joy Bells? I bad influenza for one day only. What a little Sandard V! —DOT. # T *1 What were the measles like, Cherry-Bud No Little Folk has told me that yet. I am glad you are better again.—DOT. # At if What about a letter describing how you make ready for examinations, Fuzzy Wuszy? I hope you enjoyed Dunedin. —DOT. if * * Bubble and Squeak would do for the kittens, perhaps, Ida Valley Queen. How did they like the snow?—DOT. * * Yes, I have read “ Little Women,” A Ranfurly Lass. Could you tell me about the snow forts? That would make a good letter. —DOT. V * Could you not write me a letter all on one subject, Only-a-Leaf? What about ‘‘An 1 afternoon on the dray.”—DOT. « * * Describe what the gale was like, A Penguin—what It sounded like, and felt like, and even looked like. That ought to make good reading.—DOT. At £ * And you, Smiling Eyes, could tell me about Horry so that It I saw him I should know him at once and be able to go up and say, “ How do you do, Horry, old fellow?” —-DOT. >il Sp Those were good presents, Mistress Betty. What about describing some of the new people at school for me? —DOT. * >;: ❖ * A letter about Tim and the cows would be Interesting, Manukortki. Why not try to write me one?—DOT. Ai * * 7 The poor girl’s misfortune has then done you good, Eldred? You were fortunate to escape Influenza. I hope the concert is a success.—DOT. What are your ideas about mustering, Indian Brave? Would you like to do It? I think Caesar would be a good name tor the horse. —DOT. Could you write to me about the new furnltufie, Colleen Asthore? The school will make vou proud of it then, will it not? — DOT. ( hope the ice did not break when you wore braving the pools, A Babe In a Basket. That would have been a very wet adventure. —DOT. How exciting it must have all been, Miss Bllly-Glrl 1 I should like to have seen the people snowballing one another In the streets like that.—LOT. There wore too many subjects In your letter, Girl of the Snows. Yes, I like Molly’s name. Your school day sounds Interesting.— DOT. I hope you did very well in the examination, The Captain. Could you write to me about silting examinations? —DOT. I will see that the date is put right next time, Weelblx. What about writing a letter to me about baby Effle?—DOT. Did the horses like the snow, Roses of Argyle? I am glad there was no deep water beneath the Ice that broke. Just Jess would like a letter from you.—DOT. # « >:« Perhaps you would describe what it was like to sleep In the hut, Heather Fairy. What a fruitful orchard It seems to have around It. —DOT. $ * * * It is pleasing to know that the lamb and the calf survived, Dearness. Perhaps American Mary has too much to do to write to you now.—DOT. No, I have no cold, Little Nanny Rooney. Write me a letter about your dolls, who could be called Elaine, Leora, and Lilias. — DOT. The waterfall would be particularly large on account of the swollen creek, I suppose, Sly Swanee Paradise. I like the way you say that It landed with a thud. —DOT. At Ai * The poem of which your letter Is composed la so well known that I have not printed it, Raymond (Wharekuri). I am sorry, but It was all I could do. —DOT. - if * if No, I did not go for a skate, Kilty Jean. Just as you could not toboggan because you had no sledge, so I could not skate because' I have no skates. —DOT. *;’* A* ”* Robert Louis Stevenson’s “ Requiem ” Is so well known, Princess Forget-me-not, that I have not printed it. But thank you for sending it to me.—DOT. .’A v w I hope you will not gather native birds’ eggs, at any rate, A Rover Girl. Your doll will be glad that you had measles. —DOT. I like reading, but not sowing. The Japanese Kid. Call the kitten Snooks and write me a letter about her.—DOT. if ik * You are the only Little Folk who has not written In praise of enow, Father’s Chatterbox. Could you tell me more about the ponies?—DOT. V v V I enjoyed reading about your rainy walk, Smlt, and think that, despite Its discomfort, you enjoyed It. Please make your letters very short. —DOT.

What an interesting time, Ante* Roa! Every moment ot your time was well Riled. Would you have liked to own the bullock?— DOT. * # * Call the bantams Tlbby and Tabltha, Rainbow Nixie. Could you write a letter about them ’—DOT. * * V A stranger returns, Floabaae, Welcome home again, even though for only 18 months. I am glad that you still like outdoor life. —■ DOT. * V # Call the calf Crocus, Mother’s Middle Daughter. Yes, It Is very cold weather here now. Will you tell mo about your holiday later?—DOT. %' Your letter was all about snow. Kllmeny of the Pool, so, though It was good, I did not print it because we bate bad enough snow letters now.—DOT. * # And yours too, Mittens the Mouse. What were the green, pink, and yellow colours you saw? They sound Interesting,—DOT. $ * * The cow could be called Primrose, Annie Brown-eyes. That Is a charming little verse spoilt by the two last lines, which are sentimental. —DOT. $ # $ Measles have played havoc with all your arrangements, I see, English Bluebell. What about a letter telling me more about Queenle? —DOT. $ * £ It Is good to hear from you again, Tasmanian Girl, and know how enthusiastic you are about the present arrangements. Please write again for Best Letter's. —DOT. # # I should like to see you reading to your little sister, Wooly-Mooly. You probably let the snow become too hard before you worked with. It. —DOT. $ * Either In stamps or by postal note. Chromium Button. I shall be glad to hear from Mr Sls-Years-Old. —DOT, * * * ' Swollen glands are not the most pleasant of possessions, are they, Fairy Footfall? Do you help in the garden?—DOT. « * * Was there a birthday cake with candles at the party, Funny Winnie the Pooh? Could you tell me of It? —DOT. # £ * I should Ilka to hear of one of your adventures with The Skipper ot the Kia Ora, Freckle Face. What about it?—DOT. >:< * Snow seems the favourite subject at present, Red Lips. You will be glad when the ground Is ready for you to play hockey again, I know. —DOT. * * * Could you not write me a letter about delivering the bread, An, Early Riser? Yee, gum boots on wet days are Ideal.—DOT. £ * * Unfortunately, that poem was In tbe page a week or so ago. Little Eva’s Admirer. Write me a letter about bedtime. —DOT. , * * * Yours was a snow letter, so I did not print It, Golden Gay. Animals do not care for snow as Little Folk do.—DOT. V Three years Is a long time ago, Rose Bloom. I am glad that you are out of hospital, and hope you will continue to keep well now. —DOT. * « * Could you write me a letter about Snowy Copper Curls’ Mate? No, I did not have a snow fight.—DOT. I think some girl of nine will like to correspond with you. Queen Wllbelmlna. I have put in a notice for you.—DOT. OLD WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the committee of the Old Writers’ Association on December 19, 1933. it was decided to bold 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 subscription? 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 at her address, 24 Jackson street St. Kilda. Dunedin. OLD WRITERS’ NOTES. Indian Chief, president of the Old Writers Association (Mr Jas. T. Ramsay, 24 Neidpath road, Morntngton Dunedin); and Morning Star, honorary secretary (Mrs J Hines. 24 Jackson street, St. Kilda, Dunedin), are endeavouring to complete n 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 noma de plume, and, where possible, year of flrsl writing to Dot. Acknowledgments will be made periodically in this column. Silver Arrow.—l am very sorry, but your letter will have to wait till Old Writers’ Week now that you are 22 years ot age. DOT. * * * Silver Arrow (George A. Milne, Arrowtown) wishes some Old Writers or Little Folk nearing bis own ago to write to him. DOT. Rabbiter. —I shall see what I can do. But it will be for some time probably. DOT. OUR NEW MEMBERS. Dot extends & special welcome to th« following Little Folk who have written to the page for the first time thle week Blue Bell of Idle Pines, Polly Prammer, Noble Ben Hur, Jack Dillinger, A Budding Rabbiter, West Coast Fern, Tuppence, Roblna, Carolina, Wynwood, Harry Mamos, Snowy Frost, Bonny Doon, Piper, Happy Irish Byes, Clarrle Codlln, and Patty Joy. MANY HAPPY RETURNS. Out wishes man; happy return* of the day to— Locherle Lass, who was 11 on Thursday, An Early Riser, who was 10 on Sunday. Patricia Rose, who will be S to-morrow. Mountain Snowdrop, who will be 9 tomorrow. Little Shepherdess, who will be 12 on Tbursday. Copper Beach, who will be 10 on Friday. NOTES. Odd Eyes.—They arrived on Saturday in perfect condition, and were the first of the season. Thank you, you kind Little Folk, for sending such a fragrant greeting. DOT. LITTLE FOLK'S LETTER BOX. As the Little Folk inserting the following requests do not know the addressee of the companions with whom they wish to correspond, it Is necessary that those companion* should send the first letter.—DOT. Kilty Jean (Glenda M’Naughtpn, care ot Mrs Coubrough, Kelso) would like to correspond with any Little Folk between the ages ot 18 and 20. * ❖ Wattle Blossom Bride (Alice Watson, Brecon road, Stratford, Taranaki) wishes to

correspond with Little Folk about 18 years old fond of outdoor life and willing to write regularly. « >5 -.if Possum Up a Gum Tree (Jean Watson, Brecon road, Stratford, Taranaki) wishes to correspond with Little Folk about 12 or 13 years old. « * * Queenle (Lily Smith, High Street, Sawyers’ Bay) would like to correspond with Little Polk Interested In dramatisation. # * * Prlnoeas Forget-me-oot (Loraa Wilson, Highcllft, Dunedin) wish#* to correspond with Queenle. # «?= * Tuppence (leobel Miller, 14 Mason street, Dunedin) wishes to correspond with Little Folk about 14 years old. * $ * Bmmeleen (Doris Miller, 14 Mason street, Dunedin) wishes to correspond with Little Folk between 18 and IS, preferably from overseas. £ # & Roblna (Jessie Baxter, 48 Jackson street, Dunedin) wishes to correspond with Little Folk between 15 and 17. * ❖ * English Bluebell (Joan Mountford, Renhar) wishes to correspond with Maid of the White Mountains. £ ❖ # Freckle Face (Colin Hottoa, Talerl Mouth) wishes to correspond with some male Little Folk between the ages of 11 and 13. & * * One pf Many (Eileen Robinson, M<m»t Cargill) wishes to correspond with any girl Little Folk between the ages of 14 and 16. * # * Copper Curls’ Mate (Noel M’Leod, Stromness street, Palmerston) would like to have an overseas pen friend between the ages of 10 and 11. ijt Ik I*l Queen Wllhelmlna (Mina Craig, Ophir) would like a girl about eight or nine to correspond with her.

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Motto.—We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves.

FIRST LETTERS.

Dear Dot, —Would you kindly enrol me as a Little Folk, as I am greatly Interested in your page? Which do you prefer out of ■winter and summer? I like summer best, as one can enjoy the bright, warm sunsnine. I was looking forward to the basketball match at Maungatua on Saturday, Mr 21. Do you like sporting games? I do. Kindest regard* to you and your page. BLUB BELL OF IDLE PINES (Healey). fl like the feel of summer but the look of winter best, Blue Bell of Idle Pines. Welcome as a Little Folk—DOT.] * # * Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band? I was nine years old last April. We have had great fun at school these last few days having enow fights. I have just finished reading “Robin Hood,” and liked it much. Have you read it? POLLY PRAMMER (Clinton). [Yes, I read about Robin Hood, Polly Prammer, and fenjoyed what 1 read. Certainly you may join. — DOT-1 # Dear Dot,—Please may I join your happy baud of Little Folk? 1 am 12 years of age, and am In Standard V at school. My brother ha* a little pup, and would like you to give it a name, please. We have a Rugby football team at school, but have not played any games yet. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. JACK DILLINGER (Seacllff). [What about Tramp for the pup’s name. Jack Dilllnger? Are you In the team? Welcome to tha band.—DOT.) * # * Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am eight years old, and my birthday is on March 28. My two brothers and my slater have joined your band, so I thought that I would like to Join too. I enjoy reading the letters every week, and there is always a scramble to sec who gets Dot’s page first. We get papers only twice a week. X am In Standard II at school. I do not have far to go, as the schoolroom Is joined on to the house. I was glad I did not have to go a long way to school when all the snow was lying about. NOBLE BEN HUR (Kurow). [Yes, you may join, Noble Ben Ilur, but I have had to alter your name a little. How near you are to school 1 Are you ever late?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am writing to ask if you can find room in your big family for a little boy like me. I am seven years old, and in Standard I at school. I have been sick in bed for a week now, and dad look mo in to. see the doctor, and he gave me some medicine to take, so I will soon be better. We have our holidays from school. Love to yourself. A BUDDING RABBITBR (Bendigo). [That medicine will have made you better by now, I hope. A Budding Uabblter, who is welcome to my band, but whoSe name I have had to alter.—DOT.) •* # * . Dear Dot, —I have been going to Join your page for a long time. I am 13 years old, and In Standard IV at school. My birthday is on April 26. Have you read the books called “Joan's Adventures” and “June the Girl Guide"? I received them for prises at Sunday school. They are interesting books. I have a cousin who writes to your page. Her nom de plume Is “ New Zealand Fern.” X will close now, with kind regards to the Little Folk and yourself. WEST COAST FERN (Dunedin). [Welcome to you, West Coast Fern. No, I have not read those books. Is Joan a Girl Guide too?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —As I have been a keen reader of your page in the Otago Dally Times, I would very much like to Join your band o. Little Folk. My sister has also written to loin. I am fourteen years old, and would like to correspond with some Little Folk about my own age. Love to you and all Little Folk. TUPPENCE (Dunedin). [I am pleased to welcome you. Tuppence. Which school do you go to? — DOT.] * * * Dear Dot.,—Just a little note asking you if I may Join your happy band of Little Folk. I am 16 years of age, and delight in reading your weekly page. I also have several' girl friends in your large family. I will close now, with lots of love to all Little Folk. CAROLINA (Dunedin). [You, too, are welcome, Carolina. I hope you receive several correspondents.—DOT.] ♦ * * Dear Dot, —As my girl friend is writing to you I would also like to Join your happy band of Little Polk. ,1 am 15 years of age, and go to work, and I like it immensely. I always look forward to reading your columns every Monday. I will draw this note to a close. Dove to all Little Folk. ROBINA (Dunedin). find also you, Robin*. What work do 'ld that yon Ilk* It wo well!-DOT.J