Dot's Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22369, 17 September 1934, Page 15

Dot's Little Folk

THE WEEK'S POEM. Who has not seen a nest being built, watched the eggs in it, and at last seen the young bird 3 fly away, children? I think you will like this description. DOT. * tf * THE THRUSHES. Within a thick and spreading hawthorn bush, That overhung a molehill largo and round, I heard from morn to morn a merry thrush Sing hymns of rapture, while I drank the sound With Joy, and oft, an unintruding guest, I wiatched her secret toils from day to day; How true she warped the moss to form her nest, , m . And modelled it within-with wood and clay. And by and by, like heath-bells gilt with dew,' ' , . • TherV lay her shining eggs as bright as flowers, v-Ink-spotted Over, shells of green and blue. And there I witnessed in the summer.hours A brood of Nature's minstrels chirp and fly, Glad as the sunshine and tho laughing sky. „ —John Clare. WEAVERS OF WORDS., Now we have a doctor, a Bath housewife, a poor person and his brother, a poor farmer, among the pilgrims, my Little Polk. Note how their characters are. described even though very little is said about each. It is as if we knew each of them personally and would recognise them at once if we were to meet them on the street. ' ' :,.•'•''_' ' DOT. c :...-*.'/!■. >*' ',.• * •.. " THE PILGRIMS TO CANTERBURY. ' (Continued.) With u«, there was also a doctor of physic who knew the cause of every sickness and the remedy also, and had read the books of the ancient physicians. His diet was spare, but good and easy to digest. He was robed in' red and bluish-grey cloth lined with • taffeta and silk, and what money he made he kept closely to himself, for he had a special love of gold , A wife of Bath, there was, who was more expert at cloth-weaving than even the weavers of Flaaderjs. She was of middle age and rather deaf, but she thought very highly of herself; her face was bold and fair' and very red. Many pilgrimages she had made to Rome, Boulogne, Cologne, and elsewhere, and had had five husbands. She sat easily upon her pony, wore sharp spurs on her :feet, and on her-head a hat as broad as a target.,:; .- There was.a good religious man .too, a poor town parson, rich in holy thought and work; a learned man, too, who was glad to preach and teach, wonderfully kind and diligent, patient in trouble, and liberal to the poor. His parish" was wide and the houses far asunder, but neither rain nor thunder ever prevented him from visiting the farthest of his people in time of sickness or adversity; lie went on foot, too.- with his staff in his hand. J A better priest I believe there was nowhere to be found. The word 3 of Christ and His twelve apostles he taught, but first he followed them, himself. His brother, a poor ploughman, rode with him, an honest worker and a neighbourly man, ready to do anyone a Service. , , (To be continued.) TO ALL. Dear Little Folk,—You are writing me such charming spring letters that I have found this for you—a description of spring in India:— - / " Nowhere in the world does spring come with more vivid beauty of blossoming and more enchantment of colouring.than to Kasnmir, beneath the Himalayas. The name : Kashmir itself is full ; of romance, and calls to our minds visions of lakes, on which float, flotillas of pale, pink lotus, large floating gardens/with a variety of strange blooms, woven shawls and. carpets. All these imaginings however, fall short of the actual reality which' greets th«i delighted eyes of the traveller. When I -visited Srinagar, the capital city, in spring, the fruit trees were a glory, ofcbloom, and'the air was filled with the delicious, flute-like;notes p.f. birds.; the bulbule, bo well known in Australia, thrushes, mints,' blue tits," noopoes, 'starlings, and sparrows. Old wooden bridges cross the river Jhelum, and over them wander a strange c»owd of Orientals —women and children wearing long Jibbahs, with loose, upturned sleeves, In every shade of Purple, wine, magenta, green, or brown, whilst the men look patriarchal in long white robes and turbans. Dressing and housekeeping are simple matters to the women of this country. They mature and marry early, and alas, age early also! During the winter months they spin the fine wool obtained from .the soft down below the long hair of the Tibetan goat, into shawls of intricate patterns, and weave the coarser Wool from their flocks of hardy, black-faced sheep into blankets, and into the famous "puttoo" cloth, so much sought after by sportsmen. There is a considerable silk trade also, which keeps feminine hands busy.- The houses are brown,.built,of brick or wood, with carved latticed windows, and pillared balconies looking on to the swiftly-flowing river. One must not leave Srinagar, however, without ascending the Takht-i-Sulliman, on whose \ hilltop, a thousand feet up in the keen air, stands tho ancient Hindu temple of Solomon's throne! The view from these heights is unforgettable, across the fertile valley, up the winding con- . tours of the River Jhelum, and on to the ' turquoise waters of the lovely Dal Lake. But our spring is Just as lovely, I think, especially to us.—Your loving -^ LETTERS FROmIiTTLE FOLK. Motto.—We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. '~ 1 FIRST LETTERS. Dear Dot, —Now that I have lost-all interest in study, I thought L would to become a member of your happy band of Little Folk. I attended Waitakl Girls Senior High School last year/ travelling daily by bus. I left home about 7.15 a.m. and -arrived home at 5.45 p.m. I enjoyed High School very much, especially the basketball and tennis seasons. My elder brother boards , at Waitakl Boys' High School, and cornea home only once a month. My chief occupation this year being first assistant In a farm home, my pastimes and hobbles are hockey, tennis, dressmaking, needlework, and reading. I have played a-good many matches this season, but was' victorious in only, one match, as this is the first year we hate had a club. I am very fond of music. ,We are having very dry weather up here Just now. Everyone's tanks are.yery low, and some of our neighbours have no soft water at all, and have to use hard water. It almost seems incredible that- less than' sit weeks ago we - could not work in the garden because of its being so wet and now we cannot transplant because the plants will only wither and die. The farmers are. all looking very anxiously at the weather glass and waiting patiently for the hand to drop-back to rain. SAPPHIRE QUEEN (Oamaru). [Welcome to you, Sapphire Queen. You hav* lost all interest In school, maybe, but not really in study, if one of your hobbies is leading. I hope you will soon have rain.— DOT.) ... Sis 'fi ' .. ' Dear Dot, —Please may I join your band of Little Folk? I am fourteen years old, and enjoy reading your page very much. The sport I love best is riding, but the only opportunity I get to Indulge In it is when I go away for the holidays to my uncle s farm. My cousin and I once went for a "O-mlle ride. We took our lunches and started at about 10 o'clock in the morning, and rode for two and a-half hours without dismounting. Then we began to ieel the " pangs of hunger," so sat down on a flat rock and ate our lunch. We had great fun with a bottle of lemonade, which fizzed up when we opened It, and ran on to the rock. Our thirsty horses -immediately began to lick it, and they liked it, too. We rode on till 3 o'clock, and then, after a short rest, turned our horses homewards again. We arrived at the farm at half-past seven, tired but happy. • REDGAUNTLET (Dunedln). [I know how you enjoy your rides in the country, Redgauntlet, who 1b welcome to the band and will, I hope, soon write again about horses.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Please may I Join your happy hand of Little Folk? I was 10 on August 24, and I am in Standard 111. I had five weeks in Dunedin, and while there my little brother and I went to the Normal School. The day We came, home we were going to have a concert. ' I liked going there, because it was only a few minutes' walk and here . we have two miles to go. . Mum used to 1 write to the other Dot, Her name was Lady i Catherine. S p^ BBoDy . s JOY ( Ar dgour). [Somebody's Joy is very welcome. Though i those two miles are long, I am sure you have much fun as you cover them, dear.— DOT.] , , g ! . # *. * Dear Dot, —Please may I become a member of your happy band? I shall be 15 on I October f>, and I go to the Waitakl Girls' Senior High School. _ BLOSSOM OF THE VALLEY (Oamaru). [You are welcome, my dear, but your ■ name has had to be altered to Blossom of

IneoiOurewted tiulij 16,1886, 0 by tfre OTAGO WITNESS

Dot Invites short letters from her roung friends throughout the Dominion on matters of interest to themselves. Letters are to be written under a nora de plume, which, once chosen, cannot be changed by the writer. New members must enclose their namo 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 letters, "Dot, caro 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 6d, in stamps or postal notea.

Dear Dot. —Please may I join your happy band of Little Folk? I go to Outram School, and am in Standard IV there. My friends are Bud Tea and Miss Ladybird. My birthday falls on January 28. I learn music, and am in Advanced Junior now. I was in for a music examination in June and received 100 marks. PRINCE O' THE ROAD (Outram). [You are welcome, Prince o' the Road, but your name has had to be altered. Was that 100 per cent. ?—DOT.] BEST LETTERS. Dear Dot, —Many thanks for publishing my letter in your esteemed club page. 1 received three letters, and they were very interesting and full of questions which I must answer now. I am sorry to state that I can answer letters only from those who can correspond and exchange stamps fairly with me. I am mad after stamps, and I am afraid to tell you that I dream of having the best collection In the world. My answers to the questions of my three correspondents are the following:—rue Thread marriage celebration ceremony . is similar, or akin, to the confirmation ot Catholicism on Protestantism upon a Sri or boy after adolescence. The differences between the two ceremonies are many, and IsbXtell you some of them, /he ceremony is celebrated on a grand scale, with pomp and elorv Friends and relatives are iav?ted to attend the function. This confirmation is the significance of becoming a Brahmin with full Bramacharyeram> yHicfi la .to be maintained and observed till the marriage of the confirmed person. The most importlnt part of this confirmation is made only on boys, not on girls. The confirmation of Bramacharya takes place usually between the ages of five and twelve. It is said to be the second birth io f tho boy, for Tie isi to be enlightened by worldly knowledge and Sastric knowledge after the confirmation upon him. So the Indians read a lot of subjects, such as Roman, Greek, histories, modern history, Indian history, 'mathematics, physics, botany, geology, zoology, science—as logic and psychology—chemistry, physiology, and different languages of India. I like history immensely. History repeats itself and warns us against bad things to come off in the future.' 1 love sports, and I can play almost all games. I am good at ' football and hockev, and I. can row a boat tolerably well. I shall answer more of your questions next time. I close this letter with an appeal to hear from all those who can send me stamps and correspond with me. Excuse my nasty mistakes. Please let me hear from some of you. My best wishes to all of you. KASTURI (India). [Thank* you for describing the ceremony, Kasturl. It is interesting to us in New Zealand. I hope that you will realise your ambition In regard to your stamp collection. —DOT.] '»' « Dear Dot,—lt. is with very much regret that I pen this, my farewell letter to the uage as a Little Folk, I having attained the age of 21 during July. I first wrote to you over 12 years ago, and although I have not been a regular contributor, I have never failed once since then to read the letters ot the Little Fdlk. How proud I felt when I saw my .first letter in print, and now that I am older I feel even more proud to think I am a member of your large circle of writers. There is much that I could say and would like to say of what has transpired since I first wrote, but space will not permit a review of 12 years In one letter. Being a member of your band has given me much pleasure, as well as some splendid penfriends, and as I look over my years of membership I feel that I have reaped from it a great deal of good. Correspondence has widened my outlook on life, and the friendly little talks given by you from time to time and the sympathetic remarks of some of the Little Folk have made me pause to think of others. I intended *to write this letter last month, but was too busy ipraotising music gardening, and reading that fascinating human story by Mary Waller—' The Wood Carver of Lympus"—which Is- so fun of tenderness and deep understanding. 1 think a world without books and gardens interspersed With some music would be an incredibly dreary place. The best beloved human beings sometimos fail-you, out a garden will welcome you always and repay you a thousandfold for the work and time you give it. And books—well with these silent friends one can never be lonely, especially when there are intoxicating florists' catalogues to steep oneself in! Such enduring constitutions, such riotous splendour, such magnificent size and colour and 'perfume, such wonderful visions! I do not think there is any more gloriously optimistic reading on earth, unless it is Flora Klickmann's " Flower Patch Among the Hills," for I am sure hundreds of people in all corners of the world have looked to that famous book for inspiration and quiet fun. Well, 1 shall now bid you, dear Dot and Little Folk, au revoir until Old Writers' Week. GORDON (Herbert). [You, too, Gordon? Weill I cannot keep you a Little Folk for - ever, I suppose. I hope you will find the correspondents you desire and have a joyous future with your books and your garden. Au revoir till Old Writers' Week. —DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Besides using short striking weapons the Maoris used spears and battle axes. The battle axe was called a " tewhawah" by the Maori, and was made of wood and shaped like a halbert. Sometimes the blade of a tewhawah was carved, but I do not think it was often. It was used mainly by the chiefs to direct the operations of their men. Of spears the Maori had several kinds, the main one being the " taiaha." One of the main features of the taiaha is its elaborately carved head and the fringe of creamy-fawn hair of the kuri, or Maori dog, where the head joins the shaft. It may interest some ot the Little Folk to know that there is a mounted specimen of the kuri in the Dunedin Museum. The " ko," or Maori spade was a very awkward implement to use. It consisted merely of a pointed branch a little, longer than our spades, with a footrest projecting from the side about 15In from the point. I have only seen pictures of the ko, so I do not know whether the footrest was made and lashed to the pointed stick/or whether it was a small branch which grew out from the main stick. When a Maori managed to dig up three or four roots of the " tl," or cabbage tree, he considered that he had dono a great day's work. The root of tho tl is about 4tt long, and took about 12 hours to cook in a Maori oven. I. A YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER (Dunedin). [This is all useful information, A Young New Zealander. I am glad that you take such a pleasure in writing on Maori subjects, which are always interesting.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Here is a little story which I think you will like. It is in my own words. The name of it Is " Dick's Letter " : " I won't do It," said Dick. He threw the inky copybook right to the other side. Just then his mother came in. " You naughty boy," she said. "If I have to go away anywhere you will not be able to send me a nice letter." This made Dick feel a little bit sorry. It was the very next day when mother got the letter to go to grannie's, " How silly I have been," thought Dick. May I continue this in my next letter? BONNIE BRIAR (Ettrick). ["May I continue thi3 in my next?" asked Bonnie Briar. " Yes," said Dot. " I wonder what can be going to happen to Dick?"—DOT.] * # * Dear Dot, —Oamaru is a beautifully laid out little town with pretty shops with .tastefully decorated windows. There are good pavements also. Thames, the main street, has an avenue of trees along both sides, and that helps to decorate it. It is a sight to see the trees in autumn with their gaily coloured leaves. There are five banks in Oamaru that I know of, but I think there are inore. These are their names:—Bank of New Zealand, Bank of New South Wales, Commercial Bank of Australia, National Bank, and the Union Bank. I have received a correspondent. Her name is Father's Chatterbox. DAD'S BABY (Oamaru). [You make me want to come and visit your pretty town, Dad's Baby. I suppose you are -very fond of it. —DOT.] / ¥ * %*• Dear Dot, —This is the story of another heroine, Joan of Arc. When she was a young girl she used to go out all day and mind her father's flocks. One pleasant day she was sitting on a seat in the garden when she heard* heavenly voices in her ear, telling her that she was to go and defend France. She thought a lot about this, but did not tell anyone. Several other times she heard this, and at last went away. Next she went to the king and begged him to let her go as a soldier to fight. At last, after much persuasion, he gave tO-ber a suit of armour and a white charger. She led a huge army against the English, defeating them three times, but then the tide turned. France was beaten and Joan was captured and taken prisoner Then the fatal day arrived when she was to be burnt at the market place. Hundreds flocked to the market to see this brave and noble girl meet her death. Men tied her with big thick ropes to a stake. When the fierce flames were surging around her so great was her* love in God that she did not even wince. When she was burning a shrill cry was set up, " We havo burnt a saint! We have burnt a saint! " ONE OF MANY (Mount Cargill). [She was a strange and remarkable person. One of Many. When you are older you will read various opinions which attempt to explain why she was what she was. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —At present I am reading n book called "The Whito Chief," and I think it very interesting indeed. Have you ever read it? The story is based upon the adventurous life of Carlos the Cibolero, and how he tried to guard hisrights against two villains, Comantlanto Viscarni and Captain Roblado. I will now relate to you one of the most outstanding incidents o£ the story : As the Cibolero was roaming over mountains and valleys he heard the noise of a deadly conflict. Upon approaching tho field of battle he saw the Indian tribes, Panes and Wacoes engaged in deadly strife! He had a full view of the dreadful scene. Six hundred dusky warriors were riding about on the plain; some dashing at each other with couched lances, some twanging their bows from n distance, and others engaged in hand to hand combat with tho deadly tomahawk ! He was about to put spurs to his horse and dash forward, when to his astonishment he' saw that tho Panes were giving way! His friends the Wacoea had won ! A WANDERING JEW (Dunedin). [How thrilling, A Wandering Jew! What did he do then? Ride away, or go and con- { gratulate the Wacoes?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Have you ever seen a kiwi ? About eight years ago I was living in the King Country on the Mokau River. I was then aged five, and was very fond of playing in the native bush that grew close to our home. One day when I went with my father to get some water from a cool spring not far from the house wo found that during the night a kiwi had unfortunately fallen into the well and been drowned. I remember that I got so big a fright when I saw it (it was the first I had ever seen) that I must have imagined it was a bogey or some awe-inspiring beast. In any case I did a rare bit of screaming and made for home as fast as my legs would carry me, and for many mouths I kept a fair distance between myself and that well. Eventually I grew more brave and found it was only a kiwi after all, and they are more timid of children than the ordinary run of children are of them. Tho next time I saw a kiwi was about two years later when I was visiting my auntio who. lived in Mongongaonga, about 20 miles on the New Plymouth side of tho Mokau River. I was walking along the road when a kiwi ran out from behind a bunch of ake ake. I was not frightened. { and regarded It as n very interesting bird. It has no wings, and consequently cannot fly. yet it is a very speedy runner; but even so it falls a victim to dogs, and although it is fairly numerous in places, it is fast disappearing. I loved to hear its shrill whistling call, and would bo very sorry to think that it would, like the raoa, become extinct, even though it did at first put fear into hie. I would very much like to see many more. May I describe the yellow rata and "the nikau palm in my next letter? BLUE-EYED PAT (Puketlro). [lndeed you may describe them It you can do so as engagingly as you have described the kiwi in this letter, Blue-Eyed Pat. Unfortunately I have not seen a live kiwi. — DOT.] 1 H~ * * Dear Dot, —I am going to tell you a little incident that happened to us during the holidays. As putting dummy parcels on tho bridge was an old prank of my father's, we decided to try our luck also. The party, seven in all, met under the bridge with the various assortments of parcels, somo tins with stones in, some oblong brick, and some potato peelings in a paper bag. Having put a parcel on the bridge we waited for a while. A man In a grey suit appeared. We ducked under the bridge. Before very long we saw a man's legs beside us. We got up and ran for our lives with the man behind us. The youngest of the party began to cry, while the rest, except myself, ran to hide in the bushes. When the man did go away he went to my father's shop (though he did not know this at the time) to tell him how he had successfully frightened us. He said that one of the children, whose name was Noelenc—it happened to be me —had yelled something out to him. When dad told him that some of the children were his daughters he was startled, but he said he was young himself once. \ FAIRY DAFFODIL (Kurow). [That was a holiday prank with a grim ending. Fairy Daffodil. I wonder if the man will read about himself in print.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —There are many little lambs frisking about the fields now and growing big and fat. I stayed at home for my holidays, and helped my mother with the little chickens. I have four brothers and ' two sisters, but, as we are getting nearly 600 eggs, a day from the hens now, I have a lot to pack for export. FAIRY DUCHESS (Waitakl). [Yours would be one mother who was glad of the holidays, Fairy Duchess. I can scarcely imagine so many eggs in one day. —DOT.] $ * * Dear Dot, —During the holidays I went twice in my father's motor car to Dunedin. I went to the. competitions twice and said recitations, but I did not win a prize. I am glad I went, because I enjoyed hearing the other glrls'say their pieces. I had no party on my birthday, because the weather had been very wet. But I received some splendid presents. My best presents were a torch and a box of paints. A kind High School girl helped me to paint a picture the very next day. Pat Potatoe's father is building us a new playhouse with manuka branches. We shall be able to keep quite dry there when it rains. ' Wo have a real table, a real knife, and a few real pots. LITTLE GIRL BLUE (Balclutha). [Yours were good holidays. Little Girl Blue. I hope to hear more about that exciting new playhouse next time you write to me.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —What a number of Little Folk are writing about spring! Everyone seems to bo noticing the change froni the dull, wet days of winter. I myself have noticed a great change. It is lovely to see the lambs frisking about in the paddocks and calling for their mother. Last year I had a pet lamb of my own which I called Billy. All the spring flowers are showing their beautiful faces in the sunlight. The daffodills, violets, and primroses seem to be the first to come to light. The weather is lovely just now, so the plants will be able to have plenty of sunlight. I was reading Daphne Flower's description of the wax-eyes, and about trying to catch them. Although she had difficulty at first, she was successful In the end, but when I try to catch them I usually get nothing for my work. TvWNKS (Benhar). [lt is not difficult to notice the signs of spring, Twinks. Unless one wanted to examine wax-eyes as Daphne Flower wanted, 'one would be better not to try to eatch the little things.—DOT.] * '# * Dear Dot, —I am a Girl Guide. I belong to the Queenstown Ist Company, and I make the fifth Guide for the Kingfisher patrol. There are two other patrols besides the Kingfisher—tho Rata and Kowhai —but I like the Kingfisher best because I am second. That, however, is not the only reason. There are others, but they would take up too much space to write about. . We have Guide meetings every Friday night, and they are very interesting. We learn many things—knots, Morse, first aid, legends of the Union Jack, and many other interesting subjects. We open our meeting with corner inspection, then roll-call and inspection. When that is over we have corner work, then games. After that we have songs and a general talk given by captain; then sometimes more songs, followed by taps and "God Save the King." I always look forward to Guide night, I can tell you. ROSY RATA (Queenstown). [You have written a Best Letter without any trouble, Rosy Rata. . Next time could you describe some of the field days you have? —DOT.] * * ■:■ Dear Dot, —I am going to tell you about our Angora rabbits. After the rabbits were born we did not see them until they were three weeks old. Then one day when we were giving mother rabbit some food to eat, we saw a little white nose peeping outside the little door that opens froni the sleeping den out to the den where they run about. One by one they hopped out until they were boside'their mother. What lovely little balls of fluff, and what a proud mother! Their eyes were a bright pink. As they were very small they kept coming through the wirenetting that is in front of the hutch, so dad put a big board along the front to keep them in. Many a tirao when we were passing thp hutch we had to pick up a little rabbit that had got out and fallen down between the board and netting. And what a lot ot feeding they took, as they always seopled to be hungry. They did not take long to grow. ONLY-A-LEAF (Moa Flat). [When we were children we reared rabbits, Only-a-Leaf, so your letter brings back many delightful memories about little white balls of fluff.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We had our school holidays, and 1 was up at the Taiori, and enjoyed it very much. First we had to catch the 8 o'clock train at Balclutha. It was cold in the' morning, but a terwards was a lovely day; Hero Is a poem I made up. I am calling it "Spring." Tho spring is hero again, Bringing joy to everyone, The flowers are bright and gay, Tho little lambs play Upon the sweet green grass. The cool breezes come Stirring the daffodil. SCOTCH BONNET (Pukcawa). [You havo a stylo of your own in poetry, Scotch Bonnet. Did you make this up on that lovely day in Balclutha?—DOT.] * * -■:= Dear Dot,—One of the poets of great promise whose life was out short by the war was Joyce Kilmer, who was becoming widely known in America by his love of Nature and tho freshness and simplicity of bis style. Ho died when we was 31. Had lie written nothing except this poem on a tree he would have been long remembered : I think I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree, A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed Against the earth's sweet flown,; breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts its leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair ; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. MISS BOBBIE'S DOUBLE'(Dunedin).. ' [The last two lines in that poem; though

universally quoted, are really ambiguous, Miss Bobbie's Double. I wonder iC you can see why.—DOT.] Dear Dot., —Daddy and I did laugh when I showed him your answer to my last letter. That sounds rather unkind, doesn't it? But just let me tell you why wo laughed and I think you will laugh too. You see though our plum tree produces a magnificent display or blossoms every year, the average amount ot fruit it bears is usually about five plums. We call them plums, but really they are no larger than cherries. One wonderful season we were able to niako a tiny pot ot jam with them. I will not, however, state what the jam tasted like. But really the dear tree is worthwhile without the fruit. In winter I love it for the beauty of its silhouette in the evenings; in spring it is the place where I dream my dreams among the blossoms (there are, however, too many bees about at present for me really to enjoy my day dreams) ; and In summer wo all sit under its shade, so you see we could scarcely expect a huge crop of fruit. We love it without the fruit. Last year there was one solitary plum that the -birds had not pecked at, so my brother climbed' up the tree and very carefully brought it down. We made nn absurd little ceremony over this lone plum, and drew lots for the honour of eating it. My young brother was the successful one,' and "he was so pleased. His pleasure, however, was short lived, and his erstwhile triumphant expression gave way to almost indescribable contortions and puckers as though he was in agony. " U-ugh," he yelled, disgustedly as he dived for the sugar bowl. "Is it sour, dear?" I asked very sweetly. He gave me one look of utter loathing as he fled from the room clutching the sugar bowl. Are you laughing with daddy and me now, Dot? POLLYANNA OP THE ORANGE BLOSSOM (Dunedin). [Ot course I am, Pollyanna oE the Orange Blossom, and very gladly, too, for it really upset me to think of your being so romantic as to be -willing to clamber over future fruit in an effort to satisfy yojir romanticism. —DOT.] # . $ V Dear Dot, —I could not think of anything to write about until it suddenly occurred to me to tell you what a very interesting picture "Wild Cargo" was. I took my sister (who is also a member of your band, and whose nom do plume is One Day Lily) with my cousin to see It one Saturday. It was wonderful to see what experiences Frank Buck had when catching the wild animals in Malaya, He caught two rare animals that were sent to a zoo in America, and which hundreds ot people would not see other than at a zoo or on the screen. They were the white water buffalo and the iron-clad rhinoceros. The picture finished by showing the cages of animals being taken on board a ship with the aid of a crane. KORONIE LASS (Dunedin). [I did not see the picture, Koronie Lass, but thnk you for telling me about it. Were all the wild things caught to spend the rest of their days in captivity?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The school children were looking forward to the annual school concert. There were songs, drill displays, and dramatic items. The first item on the programme was an amusing cantata called " Soot and the Fairies." As one of the characters I was Queen Lily. My brother made me a lovely brass crown decorated with imitation jewels. Being a fairy queen I was arrayed in a silvery gown, train, and wings. I wonder if you have ever heard of this playette? I am sure you would think it very amusing if you saw it! QUBENIE (Sawyers' Bay). [lt must have been an enjoyable concert, Quoenie. " Soot and the Fatrieß" sounds jolly. I wish I had "seen it, and you as the queen.—DOT.] * *j -« Dear Dot, —As this is my second letter to you I must thank you for letting me become a member of your happy band of Little Folk. One day dad took us In the car to get two pups. The pups were very small when we first got them, but they are growing quickly. They are a browny-fawn colour with white patches on their faces and white paws. Their coats are more like wool than hair, because they are so small. We feed them on a little meat and they drink a lot of milk. They are always fighting and snarling at each other. ANOTHER BILLY BOY (Moa Creek). [Their fighting and snarling are probably only play. Another Billy Boy. What are their names? —DOT.] Dear Dot, —During the holidays I played house with my cousin. I am very fond of reading, and some of the books I read were " Scribbling Sue," " Peter Pan in the Kensington Gardens," " Peter Pan and Wendy," "Betty's Dairy," and "What Katy Did at School." The book I liked best was " Betty's Dairy." ONE DAT LILY (Dunedin). [Did she make butter in it, One Day Lily? I wish you had told me more about playing house.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I did not go away for my term holidays, but I enjoyed myself very much at home. One Thursday Countess Carina, Inquisitive Paul, my sister and brother, and I all went for a picnic up the North Taieri road. We were very tired when we came home. The next day we went to the children's community sing, and I liked It very much. I have had an extra week for my holidays because I have not been well. I live about a quarter of a mile from the Wakarl Sanatorium. On Arbor Day our senior part of the school went up to plant trees there. But the " B " basketball girls could not go because we had to go to North Dunedin. I am playing main centre now. I like the game very much. FRANCES MARY (Wakarl). [I should like to have heard more about that picnic, Frances Mary, but perhaps you will tell me another time. I hope you are better now. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —One Friday recently there was a manikin parade held In the Farmers' Co-operative showroom of Oamaru. There were about 400 people at it. The manikins first appeared on a specially constructed draped platform, which was visible from all parts of the room, and then promenaded across the stage and back, keeping time to the music. The lovely garments worn and displayed by the manikins were coats, swagger suits, frocks, and costumeß, with millinery and accessories to match. All- the garments were the firm's own stock, being the newest and most fashionable of the new spring goods. The announcing and description of the, frocks was carried out by the loader of the manikins. There were a good many who could not gain admission because there was no room for them. The parade synchronised with the company's spring opening, and special displays were in all the departments. GOLD SUNSET (Oamaru). [This sounds as precise as a newspaper report, Gold Sunset. Overseas Little Folk's addresses are given from time to time in the Letter Box.—DOT.] if. ••{■ •"• Dear Dot,—l am going to tell you about a beautiful gladioli garden. A friend of mine grows gladioli by the hundreds, and tbey are really a wonderful sight when they are all out In bloom. There are rows and rows of them in every colour of the rainbow. People come from everywhere to see them, but what a job it is planting them and attending to them every day, and don't the bees have a busy time, too! They buzz from flower to flower, never seeming to tire. MISS WANAKA (Pembroke). fit must be delightful to see. Miss Wanalta. Are the flowers just for show or for 6ale?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Keen lover of the drama as I have shown myself to bo, I naturally seized upon the opportunity of seeing' some fine short plays at this year's competitions festival. Serious works seem to be popular, for out of the seven plays I saw, five were of a serious and generally of a tragic nature. It is an amusing but discordant feature of amateur tragedy, however, that some trivial accident is liable to happen at a tense moment and turn the whole thing into a farce. One of the tragedies showed a party of Cavaliers who had been made prisoners in the Civil. War. One of the unfortunates was led out to be Bhot, and after this had been disposed of by a bang offstage, the leader of the party fell dead. According to the evidence of the text the leader was caught in the arms of his companions. Unfortunately, however, the poor man fell to the floor, and the efforts of two confederates to lift him to a chair were ludicrous indeed. There was a far more tense piece in which an old woman sat lamenting in her chair. At a certain point sho buried her head in her hands in a paroxysm of grief. We went into paroxysms too, but of laughter, not grief, for as she clasped her wig a thick shower of powder flew out in all directions! CHARLES DICKENS (Dunedin). [To make a tragedy tragic is no easy task, Charles Dickens, for the least slip in a serious play stands out In high relief.— DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I wonder if you will bo interested to know about my bantam. She made a nest in some periwinkle, where she laid six eggs, and then she sat. on them for three weeks all but two days. Sho came out on Sunday, September 9, with six pretty little bantam chicks. They are dear wee things. SWEET SALLY HORNER (Otago). TI am very much interested. Sweet Sally Horner. Please give the family a smile from mo.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Mother and I went to Dunedin on Friday week, and enjoyed the day very much. I had a shilling to spend, but spent only sixpence out of it, as mother bought nearly all the things I wanted. Last time I went to Dunedin I had a ride in a tramcar, but this time I did not. I also went up in a lift twice. We went to the community sing, and I enjoyed the Maoris very much. A few days after I took the measles. I am better now, and I am looking forward

to school. The school has been closed for a week, as there are so many children away with the measles. COPPER BEECH (Palmerston). [You spent your shilling very profitably, did you not, Copper Beech? But I wonder where you went to buy those measles.— DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Is there anything in the world more interesting than soap and its wonderful cleansing properties? First ot all to think that the white piece of Lux or the green piece of Palmolive lying on the marble Blab of the bath was once a sheep with its golden fleece, or a cow with its creamy milk, or any other animal wandering round the green fields of spring, or the more mellow ones of summer and autumn! Soap has a wonderful effect on everybody and everything. It freshens them up and cleans them till they look like new pins. People who are great userß of soap are the Dutch. Th 6 women of Holland have their houses and streets shining like new shillings. Everything there is clean. Children playing about are spotless, the girls in long bouncing skirts and white, stiff bonnets and aprons, and the boys in baggy breeches and big caps. I hope all of us children of your page are the same. SALOMY JANE (Milton). [I hope so, too, Salomy Jane, and shining like new pins because of something that was once in a paddock eating grass.— DOT.] Dear Dot,- —I shall toll you some of the beauties of the West Coast roads, one of which I pass along every morning on my way to school. After starting from home I walk half a mile to a small bridge. On my way I pass a trickling waterfall, In front of which is a line of native bush and fern fronds. Next I pass a sandy beach which was washed away In the great 1926 Westport flood. To my right is tho noisy New Creek wending its way to join the Buller River and is soon lost In the Buller's mighty waters. After entering the car 1 pass two other waterfalls, which are much more noisy and more beautiful than the first. Leaving tho iron bridge behind we cross another, and after turning two short corners wo seo daffodils blooming uncultivated where there was once a homestead. This place is called Moonlights, and behind the daffodils Is an orchard, so in all the seasons there is something to see. Further up the road Is the old Lyell cemetery, unfenced, unguarded, and In the greatest disorder, for ferns are growing throughout it, but daffodils and snowdrops are still peeping bravely here and there among the ferns. Shortly we see another orchard and two camps, and soon we sight Lycll with its two hotels, two'churches, a school, camps, and its newly built bridge. In -the early days there were over 2000 there. Now Lyell's population is hardly 50. Arriving at Lyoll we alight from the car and run towards the school, where we spend the rest of the day in study. A GRECIAN GODDESS (Lyell). [This has been very interesting, A Grecian Goddess. I have enjoyed it immensely, and thank you for writing it. —DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I am writing to tell you how I spent my school holidays. In the first place I helped mother with odd jobs. Then my sister and I played house with our dolls. We have tea sets and dinner sets, and we invited mother to tea one day. Our holidays all went too quickly, because we had so many things to do. \ COLLEEN ASTHORE (Taieri). [I do not wonder that they went quickly, Colleen Asthore. Are the dolls keeping well?—DOT.] ¥ JJS. V Dear Dot,—l am living in Timaru now, but we might make for Christchurch soon. I am going to the South School, but I shall be glad when I leave school at Christmas. May I say "hello " to Hone Heke's Brother, of Waltakl Hydro, anjd also Turkey, too? I like Timaru, and I am enjoying myself all I can. I can come home for my dinner now, and have it hot, which is much better than having it cold at school. MAURICE MOUSE (Timaru). [I expect you are ready for it, too, when you arrive home, Maurice Mouse. Why will you be glad to leave school?—DOT.] * :;: * Dear Dot, —Our holidays have come to an end at 'last. I like looking for gold in the paddocks, but there Is not much gold about. I am nearly eight years old. AN INDIAN LASS (Kuri Bush). [How do you look for It, An Indian Lass? Do you pretend to be a surveyor?—DOT.] * # * Dear Dot, —Is it not lovely to see the signs of spring? I love to watch every day for seeds first entering this world. Jt is now the time for daffodils and blossom on the fruit trees. Does it not delight you to see all around you the wonderful change spring makes? It seems to make everything brighter when we see the different birds which we did not see during winter. BLUE DELPHINIUM (Benhar). [Spring is Indeed a happy time, Blue Delphinium. Do you seo many birds at Benhar?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —In our garden we have hundreds of crocuses out, also some daffodils, primroses, and many violets. There are also some red and blue anemones. Out in the paddocks we aeo many lambs running about and playing with each other. There are also little calves. Spring is the time when the grass and crops begin to shoot upwards. The .nights are now beginning 10 grow shorter, and soon we shall be able to spend more time outside. JANE OF THE BACKBLOCKS (Milton). [Another spring letter, Jane of the Backblocks. Have you noticed how fresh the air seems lately?—DOT.] DOT'S REPLIES. A letter composed wholly - of verse is not allowed, A Blue Triangle Girl, unless the verse is original. That is why I have not printed yours.—DOT. fc * * Could you write to me about the pigs and calves, Daddy's Doughboy? I should like a letter 'all about that.—DOT. What about telling me more about the lambs and cows, Dolly Dew Drop? Remember, I live in the town.—DOT. * # * Call the puss Moonie, Boy Scout's Sister, and write me an interesting letter telling me all about It.—DOT. *;. * * Five pups? Glen, Fly, Tip, Star, and King. Funny "Winnie the Pooh. What a Best Letter you could write telling me about them !—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 llftleth 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. Hilda, Dunedin. A social under the auspices of the Old Writers' Association will be hold in the R.S.A. Rooms on Monday, September 24, at 8 p.m. All Old Writers and Dot'e Little Folk and friends are cordially invited to attend. Admission will be one shilling. There was a large attendance of Old Writers and friends at the last plain and fancy dress social held in the R.S.A. rooms. Items were given • by Sandstone, The Hylo Trio (Messrs Lawrie, Sutherland, and Broadfoot) Swanee Whistle, and Mr Porteous. The fancy dress parade was very enjoyable, and was won by Chic Lavender ("Sweet Lavender ") and Fat Boy (" Indian "). Games nnd dancing were indulged in until a late hour. Supper supplied by the ladies' committee terminated a pleasant evening. Amongst the Old Writers present were:— Indian Chief. Ivanhoe, Cabaret Boy, Morning Star, Alys, Lady Psyche, Francesca, Areta, Oamaruite, Chic Lavender, Thyme, Parsley, Sandstone, Anice, Little Worker, Australian Lass, Mattie, Tul 11, Creamy, Fat Boy, Blue Gem, Rarbnra Paul, Happy Irish Eyes, and Who Am I? A meeting of the Old Writers' Associallon will be held in the library of the Otago Daily Times office on Monday at 8 p.m. OLD WRITERS' NOTES. Indian Chief, president of the Old Writers Association (Mr Jas. T. Ramsay, 24 Neld path road, Mornlngton Dunedin) ; and Morning Star honorary secretary (Mrs J Hines. ' 24 Jackson street, St. Kilda, Dunedin), are endeavouring to complete a register of pa?t and present Old Writers 1 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, whore possible, year of Brsi writing to Dot. Acknowledgments will lie made periodically in this column. OUR NEW MEMBERS. Out extends a special welcome to tn* fullowlng Little Folk who have written to the page for the first time this week : Sapphire Queen, Redgauntlet, Somebody's Joy, Blossom of the Valley, Prince o' the Road. MANY HAPPY RETURNS. Dot wishes many bappv returns of tbe day to— Ardboe Boy, who is having a birthday on Wednesday. Queen Wilhelmlna, who will be 9 on Friday. NOTES Buttercup Bill (Kurl Bush). —Send your private name, dear, and I shall be pleased to enrol you.

LITTLE FOLi;*" LETTER BOX. As the Little Folk Inserting the following requests do not know the addresses of the companions with whom they wish to correspond, it is necessary that those companion! should send the first letter.-r-DOT. ;f »/. Gordon (V. Cameron, Herbert) would like to correspond with Norah Hayseed, Chaquita, and any other Little Folk Over 20. * * * Bonnie Briar (Vesper Crooks, Ettrick) wishes to correspond with Silver Comet. Twlnks (Florence Gregory, Benhar) would like Cave Valley Star to write to her. * * V Frances Mary (Frances Gray, 23 Gilmore street, Roslyn, Dunedin) wishes to correspond with Pink Camellia, if she is willing. Jts & * A Wandering Jew (Victor Robinson, Mount Cargill, Dunedin) wishes to correspond with any Little Folk between the ages ot 10 and 12. Blue-Eyed Pat (Patricia Finnert, Puketiro, Catlins) would like some overseas correspondents interested in nature, birds, poetry, and literature between the ages ot 13 and 16. * * X Blossom of the Valley (Mavla Ross, 13 Test street, Oamaru) wishes to correspond with overseas Little Folk between the ages of 15 and 18.