Dots Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22707, 21 October 1935, Page 15

Dots Little Folk

THE WEEK'S POEM. Have you ever wanted to keep a little /arm of your own, children? Here is a simple but lovable poem, by T. Katharine Tynan telling of a farm' that she wanted to keep and what such a farm would be like. DOT. # * * WHEN A LITTLE FARM I KEEP, When a little farm I keep, I shall tend my kine and sheep, And my pretty lambs shall fold In deep pastures. starred with gold. On green carpets they shall tread. Gold and purple be their bed, Honeyed clover make their food In a watered solitude. Garden places I shall tend For a welcome to a friend. Make for him a roomy seat By the box and privet sweet. And my kitchen garden shall Grow me fruits on tree and wall, Give me blossoms in the spring. And an autumn gathering. An old dial and a cote, Where the pigeons fly and float, And a well so green and dim "Where the little fishes swim. Hives of honey I shall own, Bees with drowsy monotone Toil all day to bring me home Heather honey at the gloam. 'Twixt the mountains and the sea There my little farm will be, In a heart-remembered spot 1 shall have my happy lot. In the heart-remembered place Where the mountains lift their face, • I shall tend my sheep and kine, And a thankful heart be mine. When a little farm I keep I shall sleep the happiest sleep, To my simple meals invite Thanksgiving and appetite. In the heart-remembered place I shall wear a shining face, And my quiet nights be praise, And a prayer my innocent days. Katharine Tynan. WEAVERS OF WORDS. Frigga, Baldur's mother, thinks she will be able to save her son, my Little Folk, so she goes and asks all things not to hurt him. They promise, and their promise is proved when none of the arrows and spears thrown by the gods hurt Baldur. But Loki is not satisfied. What do you think he is going to do now? DOT. '* # * OF BALDUR'S DOOM.—(Continued.) In Asgard he sought Frigga, and told her all. Thoughtfully she laid down her distaff. " A branch," she murmured, " since it is a branch that may slay our son, I see a way to save him." Wrapping herself in her veil, she passed through the worlds of Asgard and Midgard, taking from all things an bath that, none would harm her beloved. Trees, flowers, rocks, and stones, the beasts of the fields, the woods and the seas, light elves and swart-elves and spirits of the air and water, gladly swore that none would harm the Shining God. Then, weary but at peace, Frigga returned to her hall and told the Aesir what she had done. y Light at heart, as at the passing of a cloud, one cried: " Let us go to the garth and make play with Baldur. Bring arrows, spears, and stones to aim at him and swords to cleave bim through. Sport will it be to see him stand unharmed. This they did, and Baldur stood, calm and grave, with a look of sadness in his blue eyes, as' the arrows and spears fell thick around him, and the sword blows rained in vain, while the Aesir laughed, and the Asynjar clapped their hands. So great was their relief that all were merrier than they had been for many days past. Only blind Hodr leant gloomily with folded arms against a wall in the shade, taking no part. Now it chanced that Loki had been absent and knew naught "of all that had passed. Seeing the crowd in the peace-garth he stole up to learn the cause, then crept away to a dark corner to think. Were Baldur gone, the brightness of Asgard would be dimmed and the destruction of the gods brought a little nearer. How could he work this play of the Aesir for his own wicked ends? (To be continued.) ■ THE SIX SEFTONS. j Something to Amuse the Younger Little Folk. " What is it? " she called. Punch rushed to her and took her by the band. They ran round to the back of the stack, and came to a hole in the ground. " Put in your hand, ,r Punch ordered, standing over her. Starlie thrust her hand into the hole, further and further until her whole arm was inside. She felt around, her fingers curling back as if afraid of what they might touch. "What is it?" cried Berry coming up with Jacko, escorted by Pepin making a leso rapid arrival in the background. But Starlie was speechless with bliss, and could not answer. " It's a rabbit's nest," Punch said, " and the old rabbit's away. You can feel the young ones inside." * * * There was never such a day, Starlie told herself later walking back on one side of Alec, who was nobly bearing Jacko on his shoulders now that the sulky was full of manuka roots, and a' quick return to the cottage for dinner was necessary. "Had a good time?" Mr Chossie asked. On his shoulders Berry was riding. Sometimes Mr Chossie had her, and sometimes her horse was Tom. She and Jacko were having the fun of their lives. " Oh, yes," Starlie answered. "It is the loveliest peat bog in the world." " And yet you didn't go paddling and jagging your feet, and you didn't even get dirty," Mr Chossie persisted. " Oh, we did other things," Starlie said, " we didn't need to do those." A butterfly flew ahead of her, and she started to follow it. How flighty it was! It went all ways at once. She began to run and laugh together, her head back and her hands out Suddenly the butterfly flew over a hedge. But Starlie still kepi on running and laughing, because to do so was so pleasant. Indeed, she felt as if she could never stop and could run and laugh for ever. (To be continued.) TO ALL. Dear Little Folk, —When Kisargi, the month for wearing additional clothing, is over for the little Japanese, springtime comes, with Yayoi. the month of youthful happiness. Then the peach blossom buds open, to reveal their pink glory, and, because the world is young again, the third day of this month is devoted to a festival for youth. Here is an account of the Festival of Dolls which takes place at that time and which I have taken for you from a magazine.—Your loving, DOT. The third day of March is celebrated in every Japanese household where there are little children by Hina Matsuri (" Hina meaning, originally, little or lovely), and the observance of this age-old custom is fraught with as much excitement and pageantry as our own celebrations at Christmas time. The Hina dolls are a treasured possession ot every Japanese family. They comprise sets of 15, and are usually heirlooms, handed down from one generation to the Other. Japanese babies always have other dolls to play with, but the Hina dolls are put away in boxes from one festival until the next. A few days before the celebration they are taken from their careful wrappings and placed on a five-tiered red stand, with a screen behind them and a curtain in front. On the top step are placed the Imperial dolls—a prince and his consort. Below them come ladies and gentlemen of the court. Next, the musicians, usually five in number, and each with an instrument. Sometimes there are a singer doll and four others, with a flute, tabor, and two drums. Below these are set the stewards and guardsmen. In front of the dais food is spread for the dolls and their young mistresses. There are always plenty of little diamondshaped rice cakes tinted in bright colours, tiny sweet drops, broiled beans, and a thick, sweetly-spiced liquor. Beans are called, in Japanese, " mame," another name for the word " health " or " longevity," and are seldom wanting on any propitious occasion. Peach blossoms must decorate the stand too, for these signify happiness in marriage, and also symbolise the softness, mildness, and peace-loving qualities which should characterise the Japanese maiden. When all is ready the children go to bed and sleep fitfully, their minds dwelling on 'the party that is to start on the morrow. The stand has been erected in the best room of the house, and when the 'great day dawns the little hostesses are up early in readiness to receive callers. Relatives are bound to come, bringing presents of dolls, and other girls will call to se_o the «how.

Inaugurated Julu 16,1886, 0 by ttte OTAGO WITNESS Dor lnrltei short letters from her yoeng friends thro«sho«t th» Dominion on matters of interest to themselves. 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 letters, " Dot, care of Xditor, Otaje Daily Times." Dot's Little Tolk'u Badge, with pin, for use as a brooch, is obtainable on application U Dot. Price 2s 64, In stamps ec postal notes.

Later in the day you will return their visit, and duly praise their display and partake of their refreshment. Of course, food and drink are offered first to the dolls on the stand, but, as their appetites are delicate, there are always plenty of good things left over to be eaten up by the girls, while their poor brothers peep in at the doorway with watering mouths. There is no part for the boys of the house on this, the day of the dolls. When night comes the dolls are not put away. They are usually left on view for several days, but in all that time even the littlest one in the family would not dare to touch the hand of one of them. Nor does she want to, fully realising that respectful distance lends enchantment to this pageantry, and, when mother at last packs her dolls away, she gives a sigh and picks up her everyday dollies once more. Opinions differ as to the origin of this ritual. Some authorities maintain that it sprang from the great love that Japanese parents have for their children, their joy and pride in them and their desire to make them happy. This idea seems to be borne out by the fact that poor parents will often soli some of their possessions in order that their babies might have dolls for the festival. These would be very humble dolls, certainly, being made of paper stretched across bamboo stick, but they would be royal dollß nevertheless. Some ot the Hina dolls cost thousands of yen (a yen being about 18 pence), but others, heirloom dolls, are quite without price. The seventeenth century was an era of literary and artistic renaissance in Japan, and it is said that, during that time, tho art ot doll-making reached perfection. Dolls created in this period are certainly realistic almost to the last touch of humanity. Perhaps the loveliest dolls in existence are in tho possession of H.I.H. Princess Takamatsu, who, when she married her prince in 1030, brought the family dolls with her. Girls always take their dolls with them to their husband's house when they marry, and, when children are born, dolls are bought for the new baby before Hina Matsuri comes round again. The dolls of Princess Takamatsu were made by a distinguished . dollmaker, and her imperial pair are each 12 inches high. They are made from wood, with faces and hands most realistically coloured. Their court dresses are of gorgeous silks. The robe of Tono, the prince. Is patterned in cloud, and Hlml, the princess, wears 12 unlined garments of differently patterned silks. Each garment is carefully folded across her breast to reveal the others. When the princess places them on their dais she puts a screen of gold leaf behind them. It is an exquisite, miniature thing, and to the left and right she sets child pages. Replicas of famous trees on either side of the imperial palace In Kyoto decorate the dais, and miniature chests, table services, and palanquins are put out for the use of the dolls. The prince wields a sceptre, while the princess toys with a fan of cyprus, and although this little lady is only make-believe she is lifelike enough to look almost as regal as her own Imperial mistress. LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK. Motto.—We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. LITTLE FOLKS' DEBATING CLUB. The debate was entitled, " Are Talkie Programmes Which Have Been Passei as Suitable for Children Beneficial to an Ordinary Child of School Age?" This week the Little Folk who think such pictures are not beneficial have written their second lot of letters. These conclude this debate, which is now closed. DOT. * # # Dear Dot, —Thinking seriously over the subject of our debate, I have come to the conclusion that no talkies whatever are suitable for any children under 16 years of age. One has only to look at the average child of to-day, and one will see the answer. How few children to-day do not use that abominablß American slang, and where do they learn all this rubbish? At talkies, of course, or from parents who visit them often. One Saturday I took two boys ( (one aged 12, the other 8) to a picture marked " For Universal Exhibition." Well, If I.had known what kind of picture' I was going to see neither of those boys would have gone with me. They were not used to pictures, so could not follow it very well, but I saw and heard with disgust just how the children around us understood and enjoyed it all. So that, Squirrel, is what the occasional couple of hours spent at the talkies are doing to our children, making them far too old before their years. And, Squirrel, may I ask in what way do the shorter pictures and travelogues interest the average child.' I think If you will study them, you will find that those pictures are enjoyed least of any. In fact, children are usually bored by them. As for Mickey Mouse, well, honestly, I have never seen one that I would allow a child under my care to see. In my letter I have mentioned nothing as regards the health of children attending the theatre, but I do not think anyone can deny the danger these children are put to every Saturday afternoon. Laughter is a good tonic all right, Squirrel, but I would rather see a child sitting barelegged in a gutter than laughing at a supposed joke in the talkies which had been wrongly marked, "Approved for Universal Exhibition." CHRISTMAS CARD (Dunedin). * * * Dear Dot, —I quite agree with Pixie Ears when that Little Folk says that the average child could see a picture that is both entertaining and educating if it chose the time and theatre it went to, but few of the smaller children do that. They see a flaring headline or illustration announcing an exciting myßtery picture in the newspaper, and on Saturday afternoon they make a point of seeing it. Although they may enjoy the tense and thrilling moments while the picture is showing, I am sure their minds are not improved by the horrible, creepy scenes. It is a pity small children are not banned from seeing pictures which are inclined to give them criminal tendencies, as in many of the pictures nowadays there are scenes that are not suitable for any child to see. On the other hand, there have been a number of very interesting historical and animal pictures shown lately, and although animal pictures seem to be well liked, I do not think the history ones receive such a good hearing, , as many children regard history as being stale and unneedful. I saw several of these pictures, and if I were given my choice I would rather see one history or animal picture, that is of educational value, than six comedy or mystery pictures which serve ' only as amusement for the time. i A YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER (Dunedin). * * * Dear Dot, —I wonder how many of the • average schoolchildren nowadays investigate i ' the type of pictures screened by perusing . the film columns of the local newspapers. I From my own experience, I should say very • few. I have arrived at this conclusion, because the only thing which seems to matter to the children is that the title of the film should denote plenty of action behind it. It is only when the boys and girls, of to-day are well past school age that they show any interest or discretion in the choosing ' of films to suit their own individual tastes. ' Unfortunately their choice is very often a ■ bad one, with disastrous results. Mickey : Mouse, Laurel and Hardy, etc., provide in- ; nocent entertainment certainly, but they are '' not beneficial, and I cannot say I enjoy 1 them in the least, as the pranks they play ! are quite impossible, not to mention the utter ' nonsense of the whole thing they appear '■ in. " Cavalcade" was practically the only ' film I attended which I considered wholly suitable for adults and children both. It catered for all classes, from poor cockneys l to the high-born people of London society, i and especially for kiddies. Tho children playi ing with toy soldiers, the troops, the boats, ; and all the other joys which never fall to t thrill a child's heart were given full play, j and there are many thousands of children to-day who will never forget that glorious i film. It was a film in a thousand, and ones > like it do not come every day or even in 1 years. All the children can do now is to . await the films which will, I hope, be made i expressly for them. Whether they would bo I a success or not remains to be seen. 1 have ; a premonition, however, that they will not be hailed with much enthusiasm by the i young folk for the simple reason that the 1 latter have been too much influenced by i the present-day films, the majority of which . are not worth discussing. Kindest regards 1 to all. l MURIEL MAY (Dunedin). j FIRST LETTERS. s Dear Dot, —Here is a girl from Canada 1 who wishes to join your interesting club. 13 I am 17 years of age, and very fond o£ all sports, reading, and letter writing. We ■ are having autumn here now. Most of the '•> farmers have finished threshing, but many • are disappointed in their crop, as the stern I rust did serious damage to the wheat. I e live in the province of Manitoba, one of e the great wheat provinces of Canada. The • trees are changing their colour now from A a green shade into a motley of brilliant '■> colours. Different trees have different •' colours. The forests certainly are a beau- " tlful sight now. I wish you could see them. Come on, members, and write to a Canadian a girl who would greatly appreciate letters II from boys or girls, and I will answer all '• letters. s BENITO (Mary Foster, Benito, Manitoba, s Canada). o [You are welcome, Benito. I hope you r v. ill soon have several New Zealand correspondents.—DOT.J

Dear Dot, —I have found out about your club over here In Canada. Please may 1 join, yet my main object is to gain a correspondent through your club. I would like one who lives on a farm and iB interested in Nature. My age is 14. I hope I do not ask too much, so come on correspondents and write to me. THE BARBER (Stanley A. Barber, Wolsely, Saskatchewan, Canada). [You too arc welcome, The Barber, and you too will soon have several Little Folk to write to you, I think.—DOT.] •V * * Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your club? A member of a club in Saskatchewan which I belong to mentioned your pages in a recent letter, and I immediately became interested. I adore writing letters, you see, and I thought that 1 might gain some New Zealand correspondents. I sincerely hope I shall. I am 16 years old, and live on a farm in South Saskatchewan. 1 am fond of reading and writing, and at one time I hoped to become an authoress. I like taking parts in plays and debates. My favourite sports are.,dancing and skating. Believe me, we certainly have enough Ice here every winter to skate on just as we please! We have finished threshing on our farm, and I am so glad. Threshing is always a busy time for us. The fields that were once dotted with stooks of grain are now bare, except for a huge pile ot straw in each. Newly-thresbed straw piles look so inviting to slide down, and I would like to, but after all at 16 one is a bit too grown up to go sliding down straw piles. Our wheat did not turn out very well this year, because the kernels were shrivelled by rust, a powdery substance which is rusty coloured. It falls on the wheat stem and causes it to ripen quickly, thus not allowing the kernels of wheat to become full grown before they ripen. We have not been having good crops for about seven years now. If they were not damaged by drought, It was grasshoppers, and this year rust. I am beginning to believe that something must have gone wrong in this province of ours. This letter is getting a bit lengthy for my first letter, so I shall close, hoping to gain correspondents my own age or over. Will someone please send mo tho pages in which this letter appears? Thank you. BELIEVE ME (Mary Glfco, Avonlea, Saskatchewan, Canada). [Welcome as a Little Folk, Believe Me. Why not write a book about the wheat rust if you wish to be an authoress?—DOT.] V * * Dear Dot, —Billy Boy, a correspondent of tho Western Producer of Saskatchewan, Canada, sent in your name and address to the pages so that some ot us could obtain a correspondent from New Zealand. Would you please find one who Is 14 years of age, who speaks English, and who is interested in stamp collecting? I should like to learn about your country —occupations of the people, scenery of the country, and the sports the young people have. I trust that you will find a correspondent for me. A CANADIAN (Isabel Ewen, Box 235, Govan, Saskatchewan, Canada). TAs the Little Folk are always wanting overseas correspondents, A Canadian, you should find several wishing to write to you. Welcome to the band.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —As I gaze up the columns of your page In the Otago Daily Times each week It makes me wish I could be a member of your merry band of Little Folk, so I ask you to enrol me as a member. I am 14 yearn of age, and live on a farm at Teviot, the nearest townships being Miller's Flat and Roxburgh. I live just two miles from the Teviot Homestead, where the Molyneux River flows gracefully past our front door. I am very much interested in history and Nature study. It often makes me wonder what I am when I look around and see what Mother Nature has provided me with. The blossom on the fruit trees looked marvellous last week on the opposite side of the river at Ettrick, but it has started to fade away now, so I suppose we shall be getting some ripe fruit in a month or two. Our farm is a sheep run like all the rest of the places on this settlement. We have a great number of lambs, and it is great to see them playing their games at sundown each night. Well, Dot, I think this Is enough for one week, so I will close. SHIP AHOY (Teviot). [I am pleased to welcome you, Ship Ahoy. How beautiful the blossom must have been!—DOT.] V * * Dear Dot, —May I help to make your columns in the Otago Daily Times larger by becoming one of your Little Folk? I am 13 years of age. I live on a cosy little farm near the Teviot railway station. My favourite hobbies are skating, music, and swimming. Each day I catch a bus down to the Miller's Flat School. I love spring best of all seasons, because the fruit trees show their lovely blossom, which later turns to fruit. That is the time, for we can eat as much as we are used to. As space Is limited I shall bid you adieu until next time. GINGER POP BANG (Teviot). .. [You are welcome, Ginger Pop Bang, but your name has had to be altered a little. I like your hobbies. —DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 12 years of age and am in Standard V at school. Every Monday I enjoy reading the Little Folk's letters. POSTAGE STAMP (Milton). [Certainly you may join, Postage Stamp. I am glad you enjoy the letters.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —1 should like to be a member of your big family. I am 10 years old and in Standard IV at school. I have a pet rabbit, which I would like you to name, please. PRINCESS OF CAPRI (Duntroon). [Call the rabbit Jack Straw, Princess of Capri. You are welcome as a Little Folk.—DOT.) * # * Dear Dot, —Will you accept me as a member of your band? It is very interesting to watch how many new members write each week. This being my first letter I shall not take up much space. I shall tell you about when we, Ist Roxburgh Guide Company, went tracking one Friday. We set out a few minutes after the ones who were laying the track. Through the back fence we went, keeping strictly to the tracks on the ground. We followed on until we came to the foot of a fairly steep hill. Up this hill we went, following the arrows on the ground. Somehow we managed to lose the sign, finding it again after a short search. Along the face of the hill we went till the tracks ended. We knew that the ones we were following must be hiding somewhere close at hand. We scattered, and at last found them hiding under some gorse bushes. We held our meeting up the hill, some of us passing tests, such as morse, first aid, etc. We had " Vesper an.d Taps," departing till we met the following Friday. THE SINGING BELLBIRD (Roxburgh). [Welcome to you. The Singing Bellbird. I am glad you had so interesting a day. —DOT.] * ¥ * Dear Dot, —I would like very much to join your happy band of Little Folk. I am II years of age and in Standard V at school. I often go to the pictures, and I am interested in stamp collecting. We have a dog and a cat, and I have a white pony called Ktwh CHARLIE CHAN (Milton). [I am pleased to welcome you, Charlie Chan. Please tell me more about Kiwi.— DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I read the Little Folk's letters every Monday, and would like to become a member of your page, if I may. I am 13 years of age and In Form 111. We play tennis at school, and what a scramble there is at lunch time to see who will be first on the courts! We are allowed to play one set, and then If there are others waiting we must go off so that everyone may have a game. Love to all. DUNA (Otago). [I shall be pleased to have you as a member, Duna. How sensible you all are to play tennis like that!—DOT.] BEST LETTERS. Dear Dot, —I now take the opportunity of writing my last Little Folk letter, as I reached my twenty-first birthday in June last. It seems no time since I joined your happy band about six years ago. How the time does fly! I have made several friends through the page. I did not have a coruing-of-age party, but I received several presents, all of which are very useful. Since last writing to the page I have come to Invercarglll to work. I am working as a waitress, and I like my position very much. Working alongside me is an Old Writer, Rose of Sharon, who joined the happy band over 20 years ago. I have been one of the lucky ones, always in steady work, which one has to be thankful for these days. And last Easter I became engaged to a young man whom I have been keeping company with for many years, so I am very busy these days collecting things for my glory box. Well, Dot, I wish your page every success In the future, and hope that It may still keep growing bigger every week. I shall say good-bye now to all the Little Folk, and hope that my nom de plume will flourish during Old Writers' Week next year. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. SWEET ROSIE O'GRADY (Invercargill). [Good-bye as a Little Folk, Sweet Rosie O'Grady, and best wishes for your future happiness. I shall look for your letter among those of the "Old Writers.—DOT.) Dear Dot, —I am going to tell you about our little fox terrier. She is black, brown, and white in colour, and is called Pickles. One day when my brother had her out rabbiting she became lost. He hunted and hunted for her, but she was nowhoro to be seen. After tea my father and brother went to look for her again, but they were unlucky. Next morning as my sister and brother were getting ready to go and look for her, she came panting and puffing up the path and jumped up on my brother with excitement. Kindest regards to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. A WINTER BLOSSOM (Waianakarua). [How glad I am that she came back to you, A Winter Blossom—but not so glad as you arc. I am sure. —DOT.] •V # ¥ Dear Dot, —I was glad to see my fust letter in print. This time 1 shall tell you about the day I went out. pig hunting with tho man who works with us. We left as soon as we had dinner. I was riding my wee pony. We had to ride out to the back of our farm, then ride over tussocks and scrub until we came to the bush. After we

reached the bush Joe discovered pig marks, so he sent his dogs away. After waiting a while, which seemed like hours to me, we heard the dogs barking away in the distance. We rode up a track till we were blocked, then Joo told me to hold his horse while he went on foot. I was feeling a bit frightened, but I had the horses for company. A short time after Joe came back with a halt-grown pig slung over his shoulder. That was the only pig we caught, so we returned home in time for tea. I will close now. with best wishes to you and the Little Folk. A ROYAL SCOTCHMAN (Wyndham). [lt must have been an exciting day, A Royal Scotchman. And what a jolly ride von had before you reached the bush! — DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I came quite accidentally upon a lovely spot the other day. It was In a drain. But perhaps your astonishment will abate when I tell you that the ditch was quite dry, well sheltered, and comfortably warm. Someone had thrown some narcissi bulbs In it, and they had grown. There wore in all more than a dozen blooms, with satiny, sheeny white petals and delicate orange or yellow trumpets. Some were but buds bursting through their brown skins, while a few were turning a browny-orange colour with age. The leaves were rustling in the few scraps of breeze that came to them from the outside world, showing now a gleam of silver and now a dark green blade. The banks were covered with wild raspberry canes and fresh green grass. Across the railway line two wild cherry plum trees waved their chaos of snow-white blossom before the lively spring breeze, while in the sky above me white woolly clouds chased each other In an endless game of " tig." The rich notes of mating bellbirda came from a clump of tall poplars near the creek. Occasionally a butterfly would flit over the ditch or a bumblebee, attracted by the gay blossoms and the sweet perfume, would zoom overhead. SIR WALTER SCOTT (Central Otago). [What a beautiful place to come upon, Sir Walter Scott! Thank you for writing about It and lotting us all have a 6hare In it.—DOT.] H- # * Dear Dot, —What Is happening to modern music? The other night I decided to listenin to the broadcast of some modern French orchestral music, and most of the presentations were hideous, ear-corrupting monstrosities which filled me with the most lively type of fury. I direct my wrath principally at Maurice Ravel's collection of queer noises under the title of " La Valse," and described as " a choreographic poem in ballet form." The orchestra commenced, and was soon engaged in a passable imitation of a boiler shop In full action. The thing appalled mc in its barbaric forcefulncss. It seemed to lack everything, except a persistent rhythm and an overpowering mass of what caunot be described as- anything but sheer noise. Following this, we had somebody's alleged imitation of a trans-American express, which rejoiced under the name of " Pacific 231." If ever chaos was expressed in musical guise, it was here. Several minor oddities in this vein continued to annoy me until I could stand the weird noises no longer, and switched to another station In time to hear Schumann's piano concerto. Oh, what a blessing to return to the realms of comprehensible composition ! Coming as it did after the aforementioned horrors, this lovely creation of Schumann's seemed more beautiful than It has ever appeared to me. But where are these modernists, exponents of the so-called "new art," leading us? Of course, they are not all like that, for such composers as Elgar, Delius, and Sibelius, to mention but three, are giving us music which, though it may have a modernistic flavour, is nevertheless true music. Remember, of course, that I am judging Ravel simply on the strength of my opinion of his " La Valse," which shows him in a most unfavourable light. lie may have written better music, and I hope he has. But I most confidently predict a speedy end for heinous musical crimes of the "Pacific 231 " type. Form is the basis of all art, and when music lacks form it is unworthy of any consideration. Thank goodness that when weary of all this pot-boiling stuff we can always go back to Bach, Beethoven, or Brahms! CHARLES DICKENS (Dunedln). [Remember, Charles Dickens, that when the very composers you applaud were first heard, their music was received in the same spirit as that in which you at present are receiving Ravel's compositions. One has to be careful In making an appreciation of music which is a little ahead of its time. —DOT.]. %■ V * Dear Dot, —Last July we shifted on to a new farm at Springbrook, which is near Tiniaru. It is good being on a farm again and seeing the lambs and cows. As the nearest high school is 10 miles away I do not go to school. Instead, I stay at home helping mother. We have been very busy these last few months with calves and lambs. Father has brought in several lambs for us to feed, but luckily we have only three now, because if we kept them all we would have about 20 pets. We would be busy then, wouldn't we? The three lambs we have are Sally, Billy, and Pat, and the calves aie Daisy, Ivy, and Peggy. Last week the men were busy tailing lambs, and my small brother got on to the old hack and rode to the end of the paddock. When he got to the end he could not turn- the hack, so he had to get off and walk back. How we did laugh! Well, Dot, as space is scarce just now I will close. BIDDY MOLONEY'S DAUGHTER (Otago).

[I like hearing about farms, Biddy Moloney's Daughter. I hope you will tell me more next time you write. How happy you seem to be there ! —DOT.] V- :{. *

Dear Dot, —I am going to tell you about two things. The first is a trip we had to the daffodils in Lawrence. One Friday a friend very kindly came and took us in her car. vas really interesting seeing the numbei . daffodils which grow there on the hillsiae. When we had looked all over we then started for home, and arrived at 6 o'clock after an enjoyable day. Now, Dot, I am going to tell you of an incident which happened when I was going round the sheep. 1 came upon two great big hares having a dance. Have you ever seen them dance? I shall tell more about them next time I write. Love to all. RED ROSE WREATH (Tuapeka West). [No, I have not seen hares dance, Red Rose Wreath, so I shall like hearing about them. How pleasant about the daffodils! — DOT.] Y, %. %• Dear Dot, —Our annual school Bports were held at Oamaru. Duntroon is about 28 miles from Oamaru, so our journey in the train was very much enjoyed by all. To hear the man say, " Duntroon A wanted for the tabloid team '•' was at first a shock to us, but after the first event it was all right. The tabloid team is made up of eight players. The first event is the hop, step, and jump, which is followed by the broad jump. After that we have a sprint and the relay. As the Duntroon team was made up of girls we did not have a chance in it. The next item of interest to us was the basketball relay, this being made up of 10 girls each throwing the ball to one another in turn. Duntroon managed to win two games, but we lost in the final. However, it was not bad for a small school. Two of my friends ran in single races. A sight never to be forgotten was the huge massed drill display. To see the schools marching must have been wonderful. Duntroon did not win anything this year, but next year we hope to be a surprise to all. The Duntroon footballers won the cup this year, and I hope the All Blacks come home with an equally good reputation. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself. A FOOTBALLER'S SISTER (Duntroon). [You have given me a good account of an eventful day, A" Footballer's Sister. I am glad you enjoyed yourselves so well. — DOT.] ¥ !{■ * Dear Dot, —You asked me to tell you about my dolls in my next letter, so to-night'l am going to tell you about them. Their names are Jimmy and Dorothy. Jimmy is made of celluloid, and Dorothy is a china doll. I have had Dorothy four and a-half years and Jimmy one and a-half years. I also have a little kewpie doll named Gladys. 1 put her to bed in a small basket made by a blind man. I cover her with blankets and an eiderdown quilt. Jimmy and Dorothy sleep together In a large basket. When the day is warm and line I put them out in the sun, and if it is too hot I put my Japanese sunshade over them. Love to you and all the Little Folk. PATRICIA ROSE (Queensberry). [You are a devoted mother, i see, Patricia Rose, and look after your family carefully. Thank you for telling me about them. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —" And all at once I saw a crowd." These lines must have been recalled by many on the swarming station at Lawrence on Daffodil Day. And a merry, mixed crowd it was that poured from the smoky, sooty train, dusty and a little tired after the journey, but nevertheless cheerful to boisterousness. Hastily slinging haversacks and cameras over our shoulders, we pushed and shoved ourselves off the little station, eager to reach the picnic grounds. A cool breeze wafted the sweet scent of gorse towards us as we tripped lightly along the grassy roadside. How delicious the air was, refreshing too and as invigorating as a tonic ! What a delightful sense of freedom one had ! Gone was that pent-up, city feeling. A delightful sense of liberty and gaiety reigned instead. I had a desire to laugh, dance, sing; to do something, anything to express my joy of life. Oh ! there they wero — myriads of lovely, laughing daffodils, " dancing and fluttering in the breeze," entranclngly gay. There were perky, pale lemon cups, dainty, 'red-gold cups, vivid yellow cups—all frilly and sweetly smelling. I gazed in delight. I feasted my eyes on (hem while I nibbled my lunch, then climbed the hill and threw myself down on the solt green grass, burying my face in it. Three hours I spent there, basking in the warm sunlight, and filling my lungs with .the perfumed air. Before returning to the station, we performed our ablutions in a, little stream which murmured musically near the roadside Thus revived, we again climbed into our carriages. The engine shrieked its farewell, and amid groans and gasps wound clanking away from the platform. Shall I ever return to see that "garden" In alx its beauty and splendour? Who knows? SUNNY MORNE (Otago). [I like your description of the happy day, Sunny Mornc, and thank you for the postscript. I think you nro very wise.—DOT.] * :{. •?• Dear Dot, —I wonder it you have ever thought of buying a town? I think not, but in the early history of New Zealand towns had to bo bought. The following list, copied from a magazine, is the price paid by the New Zealand Company to the Ngatiawa tribe for the site of Wellington and the shores of i Port Nicholson: —100 red blankets, 100

muskets, 2 trlerces of tobacco, 4S Iron pots, 2 cases of soap, 15 fowling pieces, 21 kegs of gunpowder, 1 cask bull cartridges, 1 key of lead slabs, 10 dozen pocket knives, I dozen umbrellas, 1 gross Jew's' harps, 6 dozen hoes, 2 dozen adzes, 100 cartouche boxes, 100 tomahawks, 1 case pipes, 2 dozen spades, 50 steel axes, 1200 fish hooks, 12 bullet moulds, 12 dozen shirts, 20 jacitets, 10 dozen pairs scissors, 1 dozen hats, 1 dozen razors, 1 dozen shaving brushes and boxes, 1 dozen sticks of sealing wax, 20 pairs trousers, 60 red nightcaps, 300 yards cotton duck, 200 yards calico, 20 yards chock, 20 dozen handkerchiefs, 2 dozen slates, 200 pencils, 10 dozen looking glasses, 1 dozen pairs shoes, 21b beads, 10 dozen dressing combs. Reading over this list, one thinks what a small price to pay for the site of our attractive and busy capital. I doubt if any town could be bought at such a price now. Best wishes. ELEPHANTVNE (Taierl). [lt Is indeed an extraordinary price, Elephantyne, and one which, as you say, would scarcely be considered when a town was being bought to-day.—DOT.] 5£ * * Dear Dot, —On looking through the newspapers, one inevitably finds letters to the editor on some subject or other in the correspondence column. Most of these letters seem to be written by people, more or less Indignant, who have a grievance to air. Someone hiding his identity under a nom do plume writes criticising or condemning someone else. Next day there is a reply by someone signing his name In full, and demanding that the previous writer do likewise. So the battle royal is on and wages furiously, until the editor cries, " Enough " and "This correspondence is now closed." Undoubtedly this column Is a very useful place for anyone to " blow off Bteam," but In my opinion is often abused, as some of the letters sound somewhat ridiculous, and I often wonder if these persons would write what they do if they could not have the uso of a nom de plume. I had a somewhat amusing experience some time ago concerning this subject. One day I was walking home from work with an acquaintance who was having a good old growl on a certain topic. Becoming tired of his grumbling, I sarcastically suggested that he write a letter to tho paper about it. I was somewhat taken aback on reading the paper in the evening to And in it a letter by him on the same subject on which he had been holding forth. This probably accounted for the quizzical glanco he gave me for my remark. Well, Dot, I get a certain amount of enjoyment in reading these letters, but they are not. to be compared to tho joy I get as I absorb the letters of the Little Folk each Monday. Love to all. PIXIE EARS (Gore). [I am sure your readers will agree with you, Plxle Ears. The correspondence column is a useful one, much read and much discussed. Yet Little Folk prefer their own columns when all is said and done. —DOT.'] •v v * Dear Dot, —As I look out of the window and on to the garden I can see one of spring's beautiful white-robed queens. I am going to try to tell you something about It. Last year this tree had no blossoms, so we pruned it to make it bear better fruit. We then left it, hoping to see a few blossoms on it this year. Instead of seeing only a few blossoms, however, we see the tree standing out among the others " beautiful In all her pride." Love to all. WANDERING WILL-O-THE-WISP (Owaka). [What a delightful reward for your attentions, Wandering Will-o-the-Wisp! And how pleased the tree Itself must be! —DO I.J Dear Dot, —This week I am again sending a poem in which I have tried to express my thoughts of a wonderful friendship. It is called "To You Two." You gave me your friendship, strong and true, A treasure, both priceless and rare, 'Tis such as possessed by the very few, The solace of many a tear. I'll hold it forever as really worth while, As a gem worth its weight in gold, 'Twill help me climb every difficult stile And will thrill me anew —as of old. For such is the friendship 1 ask of life, An epitome—steadfast and true — 'Twill be as a song in my heart alway. And I'm singing that song to you. LAUGHING LILY (Otago). [Thank you for the poem, Laughing Lily. I am glad you have known so fino a friendship.—DOT.] ¥ .'f. ¥ Dear Dot, —I wonder if you remember me? I am sure you will not, as it is nearly five years since I last penned you a few lines. But nevertheless I still have a number of correspondents, some of whom are very dear friends to me, and I feel as though I should thank you for our first meeting. Well, our little Round Hill is much the same as ever. There is a big sluicing claim down below our place. It employs close on ..0 men, and works night and day. Our basketball season is over. I was lucky enough to get into a representative team this year again. Last year I played as a junior, but this year I gained my place in tho senior team My two oldest brothers are both away from home—one in Otago and the other on the West Coast—so we are al well apart. I have tried my hand at dressmaking, but proved a failure, so now I have signed on the nursing staff. I wonder it any Little Folk who may by chance read this will be kind enough to send me the paper in which the letters are printed. Love to you and all the Little Folk. LADY JANE GREY (Round Hill). [Welcome back again, Lady Jane Grey. Now, we write on only one subject, so next time you send a letter to the page you will know what to do.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —"Music is an art which rests on love It is beautiful sound vitalised by feeling, and it can only be grasped fully through man's emotional nature." These words appear in an article by H. B. Krehbiel on " Choirs and Choral Music." And how aptly they apply to this art of arts. They cover, of course, the two classes ot music—instrumental and choral —both of which otter the necessary ingredients for tho satisfaction of all music-lovers. In choral music the thoughts are for the most part expressed in the set words, thus making it fairly simple for tho average person to appreciate the whole sense and beauty of the work. On the other hand, the expression of the accompaniment and volume may do everything to produce the effect required. If the wording suggests pathos, then soft, sweet tone might be expected, but if it suggests praise or joy, tho music would probably bo' of a lively nature The " Sanctus " from the " Mass in B Minor, by Bach, is a striking example of what expression and volume may do in bringing out the full effect of the composition. Theso words, which are recited in the " ordinary way " Sunday after Sunday in the majority of our religious bodies, are now exalted to almost limitless heights. The sopranos singing in the highest possible pitch give an uplifting erfect. The deep resonant voices of the basses combined with the tenors and contraltos build up a strong body around the melody, and, • accompanied by tho organ, lead up to one of the most brilliant climaxes in choral music. What more could wo wish for than this for our musical sustenance? And yet the generation of to-day favours jazz for being music with rhythm! _ ,_ ~ . SCHUBERT (Dunedln).

[Be sure that you express these letters in your own words, Schubert. I like your description of the " Sanctus," but wonder if Krehbiel's definition of music is adequate enough —DOT.)

Dear Dot.—Jo of " Little Women " Louisa M. Alcott —was born in Gennantown, Philadelphia, on November 29, 1832. She was a happy, bright little girl. with., merry brown eyes and a wealth of chestnut-col-oured hair. Her father was a schoolteacher, who had a very happy disposition, and he and his wife were always giving away to others who were less fortunate than themselves. There were four children In the Alcott family. Anna, the eldest, is known as Meg in " Little Women," then Louisa was Jo gentle Elizabeth was Beth, and May, the youngest, became Amy. Louisa was always fearless, very sensitive; a born lunmaker but she possessed an excitable temper She encouraged her sisters to write journals, and the Pickwick portfolio in the story is a copy out of one of them. At the age of 13 she staged the play about Rodengo s boots so vividly described in the book. She often wondered what she was going to be. " Am I going to be an actress or a story writer?" she used to say, but for the sake of the family she took a position of governess in Boston. One day her father found a little fable written by Louisa. He showed it to a friend, and it was printed. That gave Louisa tho determination to write, and when she came home to Anna s wedding she started on her first novel. In the meantime the American Civil War was declared, so Louisa, impulsive as ever, offered herself as a nurse in the army hospital at Washington, but after a few weeks of devoted service she was taken ill with typhoid fever. Five years after this a manager of a publishing firm asked her to write a story for girls She laughed and said sho knew nothing about girl's, but she set to work and wrote about her family exactly as they .were. Sho called the book " Little Women, and it was first published In ISGB. Louisa never married, but she was happy in realising the fondest hopes of her girlhood. She had provided many comforts for her loved ones. (She always said in the book she was the man of the family.) Louisa died on March 6, 1888, two days after her father, and it Is characteristic of her that a flannel garment for a poor child was the last work of her hands. REMEMBRANCE (Abbotsford). [Hers was an interesting life, Remembrance, particularly as she made the most of it and provided her own opportunities for change and progress.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —The statue in the Oamaru Public Gardens has often been mentioned by Little Folk in their letters, but very few seem to know what it really represents. Standing in tho centre of a lawn with very beautiful surroundings is this statue. It was presented to the children of Oamaru by a resident of tho town. On the top of the statue there are two children —the boy standing, but bending forward and looking over the edge, while the girl sitting at his feet also seems Interested in something she sees below. It is not surprising that they gaze with such rapt attention, for below them are manv little creatures. The central figure is a fairy creature playing on some pipes, while fairies, rabbits, mice, a frog, and even a wise old owl are enchanted by the music. All seem to be very still, as ir fascinated by tho fairy notes. The rabbits have come oiit of tliclr burrows, and are listening intently. So can wo wonder that, the boy and Uia girl who are peeping over the edge

are filled with wonder as they get a glimpse into fairyland. The name of tho statue Is " Wonderland," not " Peter Pan," as it is so often called. The fairy piper may be Peter Pan, I am not sure, but I think it is more likely to be the god Pan playing his pipes. The bov on top is not Peter Pan. nor the girl Wendy, but just two children peeping over into Wonderland. In such appropriate surroundings this statue looks very beautiful, and is admired by all children. SQUIRREL (Oamaru). [This Is Indeed the true explanation, Squirrel, and one more charming than that, usually accepted. I think, as you say, that, the piper is Pan, and that Peter Pan and Wendy do not appear in the group at all. —DOT.] sjc * # Dear Dot, —On a windy day we arrived In Dunedln intent on a day's shopping. We paid a visit to a restaurant, and I sat enthralled while I watched a man calmly pull a file out of his pocket and commence to trim his nails This was after he fluished his lunch. Between giggles, I told my sister about it, and she pointed out to me another man who appeared to be a Communist or something, as he was talking very quickly and making wild gestures with his hands. I may add that never do you see a woman do that in public. A big bargain store was, of course, duly visited, and a good half hour spent there among the bargains. Nearly every corner we passed we had to make wild' clutches at our hats. I do not caie much for the city on a windy day. We passed the new post office, and we obtained a bird's eye view of some workers far up on it. I can tell you, Dot, It was two shopping-worn girls who reached the station at train time. And I must say that a day's shopping in the city is worse by far than a day's tramping anywhere. SALOMY JANE (Milton). [Yes, shopping is far more tiring than tramping, Salomy Jane. I can imagine your ombarrassed amusement In the restaurant. — DOT.] . * * * Dear Dot, —We have had terrible fires down here, but thank goodness our house was safe. It was an awful experience. It started ono Tuesday night, and did not end till Thursday, and even then it did not end properly. It started at Tahakopa, and swept down and spread down round to Glenomaru and then to Chaslands. The sparks were flying like chaff from a threshing floor. They caught our veranda, and it caught alight, but fortunately the men managed to put the fire out. Hogg and Go's mill was burnt down, and two others which were not working, but in ono of which there were some things which had never been used. There were six houses burnt belonging to the firm. No one went to sleep that night until the rain came. How thankful wo were when we heard the rain! If it had not been for the rain the whole country would have been wiped out. Fire is a good slave, but a bad master. MATAI (Papatowal). [What an alarming experience, Matal! I greatly sympathise with you about it. Yes, you would be thankful when the rain came. —DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —The windy days are back again. On the Mission Committee one has to tell what tho mission does in the South Sea Islands. The Christian Endeavour is every Friday. I will tell you a piece of poetry called "Ten Grey Poplars." Ten grey poplars watching all forlorn, Leafless, flowerless, weeping in the dawn; Springtime, summer time, somewhere have 1 seen Ten grey poplars dressed In green. THE RAINBOW (Beaumont). [Keep to only ono subject, please, The Rainbow. Do you know who wrote that piece of poetry?—DOT.] * tf * Dear Dot,—l have a pet lamb, and would like you please to give me a name for it. One Saturday tho primary school sports were held at Miller's Flat. They were between Roxburgh, Ettrick, and Miller's Flat to see which section should hold the cup for another year Finally, Miller's Flat, having won 32 events out of 40, were the winners of tho day. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. PORKEY'S NIECE (Miller's Flat). [Call the lamb Skipper, Porkey's Niece Congratulations on winning the cup.—DOI.J * # * Dear Dot, —I was pleased to see my first letter in print. My little sister Is walking now and loves to go out and watch the fowls feeding. She also likes to watch Bounce the cat but she does not like him to come too close to her. There are a good number of lambs here, and it is lovely to watch them playing in the paddocks on a sunny day. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. , , THRUSH (Luggate). [I like hearing about your little sister, Thrush, and should like to see her watching Bounce when he is not too close to her.— DOT ; ] * Dear Dot, —In Lawrence we had a busy day There was a special train from Gore and one from Invercargill to Wetherstones. The daffodils were lovely to see on the hills. They made a gay show. I must close now, with love to yourself and happy band. GLAD GIRL (Lawrence). [You would bo a' glad girl that day, Glad Girl Can you tell me more about It? — DoT ' ] * * * Dear Dot, —You wish to know more about my grandfather and his work for Animal Welfare Week. It first started in Oamaru about the year 1923, and ever since has been celebrated annually throughout New Zealand. My grandfather was a lover of animals and felt lie would like to do something on their behalf and teach people kindness to animals. We have a friend who has a young collie dog, and he is being trained to bring in the evening paper, and as a reward gets a biscuit. One day last week as his mistress was sitting beside the fire, she was surprised to see her dog bring in a log of wood and drop in in the hearth. I shall close now, with love to you and.your Little '°SHIMMERING BUTTERFLY (Oamaru).

[Write out a notice, and I shall put it In the Letter Box for you, Shimmering Butterfly. Yours was a good grandfather.—DOT.] * ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —I have just finished reading a book I had lent to me by Remembrance called "A Girl of the Llmberlost," by Gene Stratton Porter, and it is a beautiful story. I am only sorry I missed seeing the picture when it was on a short time ago. It tells the story of Elnora Comstock, and how she used to hunt and search the Llmberlost for rare specimens of moths, so thai she could sell them to the Bird Woman, and so earn enough money to pay for her entrance into high school. How she does this and the rest of her adventures to the end of the story are well worth reading, and I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who likes stories of this sort, as I am sure they will not be disappointed with it. Love to yourself and the Little Folk. SALLY LUCK (Dunedin). [You would not have liked the picture so well as the book, Sally Luck. The story of Elnora is very well known now.—DOT.] OLD WRITERS' ASSOCIATION. At a meeting of the committee of the Old Writers' Association on December 19, 1933, it was decided to hold a reunion during Winter Show Week In June, 1936, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Dot's Little Folk page. "It was further decided that there should be a nominal fee of one shilling for membership, and that anyone, whether an Old Writer or not, desirous of making a donation could do so, all subscriptions and donations, accompanied by name, address, and nom de plume, to be acknowledged in the Little Folk's page fortnightly after being received by the secretary at her address 24 Jackson street, St. Kllda, Dunedin. OLD WRITERS' NOTES. Indian Chief, president of the Old Wtiters Association (Mr Jas. T. Ramsay, 24 Neidpath road, Mornington, Dunedin) ; and Morning Star, honorary secretary (Mrs J Hines, 24 Jackson street, St. Kilda Dunedin), are endeavouring to complete a register of past and present Old Writers in connection with the jubilee in 1936. Either would be pleased to hear from any willing to supply names, addresses, and noms de plume, and, where possible, year of first writing to Dot. Acknowledgments will be made periodically in this column. ¥ -V. * Sweet Rosle O'Grady (Miss Nellie Marechal c/o Mansfield House, Bowmont street, Invercargill) would like Salt Sprinkler and any Little Folk or Old Writers to correspond with her. She will answer all letters. OUR NEW MEMBERS. Dot extends a special welcome to the following Little Folk who have written to the page for the first time this week : Benito, The Barber, Believe Me, A Canadian, Ship Ahoy, Ginger Pop Bang, Postage Stamp, Princess of Capri, The Singing Bellbird, Charlie Chan, Duna. MANY HAPPY RETURNS. Dot wishes many happy returns of the day to— Tcddie's Nurse Girl, who will be five on Thursday. NOTES. A Winter Blossom. —Write to Stanley A. Barber, Wolselv, Saskatchewan, Canada. ' DOT. * .Y- * Wandering Will o' the Wisp.—Charles Dickens asks me to tell you that he Is too busy to be able to correspond with you. DOT. V * V Postage Stamp.—Write to Leola R. White, Krowera P. 0., via Lock, Victoria. Charlie Chan.—Write to Fred Whiting, Frobisher, Saskatchewan, Canada. LITTLE FOLK'S 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 companions should send the first letter.—DOT. ¥ .¥ * Lady Jane Grey (Jeanetto Mason, Round