Dots Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24604, 12 May 1941, Page 8

Dots Little Folk

u by thte OTAGO WITNESS

TO ALL I Dear Utile Folk,—There arc a good many letters this week, so I shall postpone the remainder of what I have to say about books and reading until another time, and shall content myself with wishing you a very happy holiday. Ido hope the weather will be fine enough to enable you to spend most ot the time out of doors, and that ] you will gather up a store of health and energy for the winter's work. With all good wishes, your loving DOT LETTERS FROM~UTTLE FOLK Motto. ■ We write for the benefit of others, not tor ourselves NEW MEMBERS Dot extends a special welcome to the following Little Folk who have written to the page for the first time this week:— White Rose, J. E. M.'s Daughter, Another Twinkle Toes. FIRST LETTERS Dear Dot, —Could I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am six years of age. I have one sister, called Second Fantail. As this is my first letter, I will close now. With love to Second Pansy and yourself. WHITE ROSE (Paretai). * * * Dear Dot,—Please may I join your band of Little Folk? I will be seven years old on May 14. I am in Primer 111 at the Cromwell School. I have one sister and three brothers. As this is my first letter, I will close with best wishes to all the Little Folk and yourself. J. E. M.'s DAUGHTER (Lowburn). * * * Dear Dot,—Please may 1 join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 12 years old and in Form I at Green Island School. I have a mile to go to school. I have one brother, who is nearly 18 years old. We have a dog called Spark, who is a fox terrier; and also a cat called Micky. I have two budgies. One is called Paddy, but we don't know what to call the other. Would you suggest a name for it, please? Love to you and all the Little Folk. ANOTHER TWINKLE TOES (Abbotsford). [Certainly you may Join, Another Twinkle Toes, but as your nom de plume has already been taken I have had to alter it. I suggest that you call the budgie Popeye.—DOT.] BEST LETTERS JUNIOR SECTION (under 14 years). Dear Dot, —Well, here I am again writing to your page after a long spell. lam now 12 and in Standard VI at school. My sister left school last year. She too is one of your members (Cameron Tartan). The swimming season has once more come to a close, and now the principal sport at our school is basketball. I have now six pen friends, and I appreciate their regular correspondence. During Easter my father was busy dipping and crutching, which is a busy time for both housewife and farmer. My brother is now three years of age and is very mischievous. The floods caused much anxiety round the district of Palmerston. The reason I do not write regularly is because writing is not a strong point of mine. We have many chrysanthemums, which in their coats of amber, red, and gold look most attractive. I enjoy your page very much, and especially liked the one with the letters from the Canadian children. Poppy Day has already proved a great success, and there are still more returns to come in. I have just finished a book called " Little Women," by L. Alcott, and enjoyed it very much. Do you like her books? With kindest regards to Miss Sunshine, Mother's Working Girl, Heidi of the Alps, Black Pete. Jimmy Allen, and yourself. Cheerio! WONDROUS NOELINE (Shag Point). [Miss Alcott's books are deservedly popular, Wondrous Noeline, and they never, seem to be out of date although it is many years since they were written. I read and enjoyed them in my schooldays.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot,—l am sorry I have forgotten you so long. How are all the Little Folk? We will soon be all having holidays from school. Snow-white Mountain is my desk mate, Fairy Frolic sits behind me, and Curly Locks sits beside Fairy Frolic. HAPPY JACK THE SAILOR (Alexandra).

Inauouraied duly 16,1886,

Dot Invites letter of not more than 300 words In length -from tier young friends throughout the Dominion on any matters Us which they are interested. Now 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 Editor, Otago Dally Times." 15very letter must state the ago of the writer for Dor's private Information The retiring age Is 21, after which Utile Folk become Old Writers Dot's Little Folk's Badge, with pin, for use as a brooch, Is obtainable on application to Dot, Price 8s Od, in stamps or postal notes.

I II am glad to say, Happy Jack the Sailor, that most of the Little Folk seem to be well at present. It must, be nice lor you to have your three friends sitting so close to you in school.—DOT.l ■*• * * Deal Dot, —1 am going to tell you about the flood we had in March, We had about two days' steady rain. The first day the water was as deep as the fences or deeper In a few places on the road it was quite deep. About 2 o'clock the tide started to go out, and some of the water went with it. By 7 o'clock nearly all of it was gone Just by the bridge over the river the road was three or four inches under water. The water was right up to the bottom of the Goodwood railway bridge, and round one of the piles there was a hole. Part ct the bridge is falling away. In the school playground we have a mile of cut wood and another of big logs. Quite a few of the smaller ones went floating around the paddocks. Some of the big ones went also, but they sailed more slowly. When we went to school on Tuesday—Monday being Anniversary Day—we had none, for only eight pupils came. With all good wishes to you and the Little Folk. CHERRY BLOSSOM (Flag Swamp). I You must have had quite a big flood, Cherry Blossom, and would all be relieved when the water subsided. I hope it caused no serious damage, apart from that done to the bridge.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Yesterday Jim and 1 (Jim Is my cubicle mate) went up to the powerhouse which supplies the Waipiata Sanatorium with power. It is a building of tin, in length about 20 feet and in width about 16 feet. Just now workmen are adding on a new wooden building, in which they are going to put two new Diesel engines. I am taking a correspondence course just now, as our patientteacher is in bed ill. SUNNY JIM II (Waipiata Sanatorium). [You would find it interesting, Sunny Jim 11. to visit the powerhouse and see the addition being built. How do you like taking the correspondence course?—DOT.l BESI LETTERS SENIOR SECTION (14 and under 21 years) Dear Dot,—Here is a poem for you: POPLAR Had I a poplar tree as gold as light To sing In my laughing garden, I should be In love with my tree. For beauty would come every day to me— Come flooding softly through my eyes at dawn, Come singing on my sparkling, dew-filled lawn. Like light on a starry seaHad I a poplar tree. And all the leaves would be my own to love, To gather, dreaming from at break of day To ever stay Dancing, till they softly whirl away In a shining wind; and I should see them go With a thought of spring to come and the flowers to blow Bright and glad and free—- , Had I a poplar tree. But poplar trees belong to winds and stars, And rain that clouds their glowing silver hair With ribbons fair; And poplars are the spirit of sun and air. I cannot have my tree. Yet, oh I the flame Of the singing leaves this morning, turned and came Laughing with joy to me— Like the heart of a poplar tree. Kindest regards to yourself and. all the Little Folk, especially Quilp and Falrey Fox.

AMBER BUTTERFLY (Oamaru). [Thank you, Amber Butterfly, for this charming poem. You have poetic insight and imagination.—DOT.] .y. * * Dear Dot,—Hasn't there been a change in the weather lately? Winter is here again, and we have had a good deal of rain. The autumn leaves look gorgeous on the trees, but when the wind comes it blows them to the ground. With love to all the Little folk, especially Plain Joan and your own dear self. LITTLE HOUSEMAID (Dunedin). fl have inserted your request for a pen friend in the Little Folk's Letter Box, Little Housemaid, but it is unusual to ask for a correspondent living in the same street as yourself.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Here is another poem for the page: THE TALE OF A MOUSE. ."There's a mouse in the house," she said. " For I've seen " (with a frown) " My best eiderdown All chewed into holes on my bed. "And it's twice now that mice have been drowned In my basins of cream, When the scamps wouldn't dream Of using the trap, so I've found." So she put tempting dishes of cream In each room, and then set One small trap: " Now, I'll bet He falls in with my suicide scheme." There he lay the next day, really dead, in the trap—not the dish. " For that kindness I wish I'd not caught you, poor fellow," she said. Kindest regards to all. GREY-EYED BLONDE (Kurow). [Thank you, Grey-eyed Blonde, for this bright little poem, which shows once again what a versatile writer you are.—DOT.] ROLL OF HONOUR Readers are invited to supply particulars of old or present-day writers who may be on active service in the various arms of our fighting forces or in the nursing section. We wish to complete a roll of honour, and I have been entrusted with (his and will appreciate your help. INDIAN CHIEF, Hon. Secretary. 129 Forfar street, Phone 10-257. Clyde Hill, S.W.I LITTLE FOLK'S LETTEK 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 Little Housemaid (Agnes Wade, 33 Royal terrace, Dunedin) would like a pen friend about 10 years of age living in Royal terrace. OLD WRITERS' NOTES The monthly meeting was- held on Monday May 5, Lady Dundas presiding over a record attendance. The usual routine business was attended to and then arrangements were made for the next monthly social, and also for the reunion gathering's in June. Old Writers everywhere are asked to note that the social that was contemplated for May 12, will now be held on May 10, as the hall was not available for the original date. It has been decided to carry on with the reunion again this year. ' Functions will be held on Monday June 2, There will be an afternoon gathering on the lines of previous years, with afternoon tea. one or two short speeches, items and social chats, this function to commence at 2.30 pm. In the evening a dance will be held. Miller's Band will again supply the music and a good dance programme will be arranged. Both functions will be held in the Crawford Lounge St. Andrew St., next Service Station on the corner of King St. A large attendance, especially of country friends, is urged. I would be glad to have an indication from intending visitors eariy so that an estimate of number expected to attend may be given to the caterer. Tickets for one or both functions may be had on application to me or to members of the Executive. Prices: Afternoon 2/-, Dance 2/6, (dance 8 pm. to 1 am.) Ivan Larsen is to be congratulated on winning the cake competition. During the evening reference was made to the passing of a very well known and honoured old writer in the person of Lavengro.' Members stood for a moment as an expression of sympathy with his relatives, and with Areta and Alys. who had also lost loved ones. It was decided to hold a special meeting of the association to review and finalise arrangements for June 2. Subs received from Kilmeny of the Pool and Mr. and Mrs. Black (associate members). INDIAN CHIEF, Hon. Secretary, 129 Forfar street, Clydehill, S.W.I, i Phone. 10-257. I