Dots Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24634, 16 June 1941, Page 3

Dots Little Folk

ETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK Motto. We write fO7 the benefit ; oi 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:— Robin Redbreast, Bundles Queen of Incholme. FIRST LETTERS Dear Dot,~May 1 join your happy barm of Little Folk? I am m standard 4 and 1 am 12. My mother wrote to your page when she was a* little girl her name was "The Mushroom" I have a gray rabbit. He is a dear little fellow and is very fond of cake and carries his tin around the cage. Love to yourself and all the Little Folk, BUNDLES (Balclutha) y. * # Dear Dot,—l am writing to ask you if 1 could join your happy band of Little Folk, I read your page of letters and poetry and I enjoy it very much, I am 10 years old and am in standard 3. Kindest regards to all the Little Folk and vour own dear self ROBIN REDBREAST (Green Island) * * f Dear Dot,—May Ijoln your band of Little Folk? I am 15 years of age, and live in the country on rather a big farm. Well 'Dot as there is a war on and not much paper and ink, I will close now. Hoping this finds you well, best luck. QUEEN OF INCHOLME (Incholme) BEST LETTERS JUNIOH SECTION (under 14 years) Dear Dot,—Pussy-willow Bough told me she was writing to you, so I thought I had* better write also. I have been learning music for about a year, and I am going in for an examination in December. My brother lan is also learning, but doesn't like it much. On April 19 I had three girl friends here for the day, and one of them wanted a ride on the pony, so she got on and asked me to go with her While getting on I must have kicked his flank, because he bucked three times, and on the third we came off. As we fell I shut my eyes, and when 1 opened them the other girl was lying on top of me and I had my left leg round the pony's leg Here "is a poem of mine:

SPRING. Down in the valley the children play. Laughing and joyful all the day. While up in the trees the birds all sing Merrily for the coming of spring , When spring comes with its lamb? and flowers. We like to sit in sunny bowers. To watch the bees and butterflies pass by And hear the mooing of the cows going high • After spring has passed away It gets warmer every day; But still in the valley the children singHark, how you hear their voices ring l Well, Dot, how do you like it? With kind regards to all the Little Folk and yourself SNOW QUEEN (Roxburgh). [lt was fortunate. Snow Queen, that you and your friend were hot seriously hurt when you were thrown off the pony's back Thank-you for your poem. For a first attempt it is very good, especially the first verse, and I hope you will go on writine poetry.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—As 1 have not written to the page for some time, I decided to write to-night. My pen friend from Riversdale Is now going to Columba College in Dunedin. Some weeks ago the Houipana and Tawanui schools visited Dunedin. We intended to see the wharf, the fire brigade the museum, Thompson's Boot Factory. and Thompson's Soft Drink Factory, but we were too late to go to the latter. We could only get to the gates of the wharf and the men were having dinner at the Fire Brigade so we could not see everything properly. Although we did not see everything, we enjoyed ourselves very much. We are getting apples at school now. and we enjoy them very much Our holidays start on Friday. My pets are fine. The bird I have now Is very much tamer than the one I had before Dodger and Oscar are still well and frisky Dodger's feet were troubling him for a while but they are all right now As paper is short and our letters are not to be too Big. I shall close with kindest regards to Queenie's Mistress, Mother's Working Girl and the rest of the Little Folk including yourself. TOMBOY DOROTHY (Catlins). II am glad to hear that your pets are all well. Tomboy Dorothy. It was a pity that you were unable to see as much as you. would have liked when in Dunedin, but I hope you will be more fortunate next time.—DOT]. Dear Dot.—l hope you have not forgotten me. I should have written to you before. It is my birthday next Sundav. and I shall be ten years old. I am in Standard 111 this year. I came first in my class last .year and the vear before. My uncle, who has returned fro"i Ejneland because ot sickness, is in the Dunedin Public Hospital Brian is ten months and seven days old, . Mum is not feeing verv well today. Best wishes to all. . GOLDEN SUNFLOWER (Clyde). [1 vvish you many haopy returns 6t your birthday. Golden Sunflower. I hope your uncle i will • soon recover. You will be looking forward to seeing him.—DOT.l * ¥ * Dear Dot,—Here I am again after a ions spell. We had a school concert on May 9. It.was a great success lam entoying the holidays very much I did not go away for.them.' I have a friend from Dunedin staying close by. ' I play with her every day. With best wishes to yourself and th( Little Folk. NIKAU PALM (Middlemarch) lOne van have a very nice holiday at home, Nikau Palm, and I am glad you have enjoyed yours.—DOT.l

Dear Dot,—lt is a very cold day here to-day. and everybody; has to stay indoors I have recently been In bed ven sick, and it was not very nice. Last Sunday 1 went to Karitane, but when I got there grandma was gone. Yesterday the Air Force Band was playing here, but I did not see it With love from : GOLDIE LOCKS (Palmerstun). LI am very sorry to hear you have beei. ill. Goldle Locks, and hope your are now better.—DOT.l * * -YDear Dot.—Some time ago J toinea youi happy band of Little Folk It is very cold here to-day, and there is a lot of snow on the hills, but we have a nice big fire so don't feel the cold very much 1 am enclosing 2/6 for a uadge Kindest regards to all the Little Folk and vour own ear SC JOYFUL PATTY iWoodside) lOne does appreciate a good fire on cold days. Joyful Patty. Your badge, has been posted to you.—DOT.] # * * Deax Dot,—l am going to tell you about a wedding at which I was flower girl. It was on the Saturday before the Easter holidays. My frock was cyclamen and the bridesmaids were dressed in green The bride was my auntie. Beside each plate at the wedding breakfast was a wish bone tied with green ribbon. We had to pull them and wish. The bridegroom is a soldier, and is now overseas. We all hope that the war will soon be over and that he will be safely home with us. With kindest regards to all the Little Folk and vour own dear self LOCHLYOCK (Balelutha). I What a pretty wedding it must have been Lochlyoch. It was a novel idea to put a wish-bone beside each plate. I, too hope that the bridegroom will soon return safe and well.—DOT.] V- * * Dear Dot,—lt snow<?d here to-day and yesterday and Bob my eldest brother made a snowball 6 feet or more high. We tried to make another this afternoon, but the snow was too soft, and it is melting already Kep and Mac, our two dogs, love the snow and roll about in it. Have you read the " Emily " books, Dot? I have read Emily of New Moon." and a friend of mine is going to lend me the other two. Well cheerio for the present Love to all the Little Folk. LUCKY SHAMROCK (Tarara) (.That was a big snowball your brother made. Lucky Shamrock. Yes, I have read the books you mentioned, and think they ar« sDlendid stories for girls.—DOT.]

Inauourated July 16,1886,

u by the OTAGO WITNESS

Dor Invites letters of not more tliuii 300 words In length from tier young friends throughout the Dominion on auy matter? it which they are Interested, Sow members must enclose tlielr name aud address. These will not be published, and are for registration purposes only Little Polk should write on one side of the paper only, aud In Ink, and should address their letters " Dot, care of Editor, Otago Dally Times." Every letter roust state.the age of the writer for Dot's private Information T)ii> rptlrlnji sua Is 21. after which Uttle Folk become Old Writers Dot's Little Folk's Badge, with pin, for use as a brooch, is obtainable on application to Dot. Trice 8s (id, U) stamps or postal notes.

Dear Dot, -1 am just home from e very enjoyable holiday It won't be long before school begins again. I hope all the Little Folk had happy holidays. We have a blue budgie now, named Billy. The last one we had flew away because my cousin accidentally left its cage door open Our other pets are two pigeons, two cats, a spaniel pup, and a lovely heifer cow Love to all the Little Folk and yourself, BLUE BOUQUET (North Otago), lYou have quite a collection of, pels, Blue Bouquet, and they will keep you lively.—DOT.l u> * # Dear Dot,— i am having a holiday at Cromwell just now, and I am going home on Saturday. Every day I go over to the swings and slides, just across the road from where T stay. I went down the street to-day to gel some messages for the lady next door, LITTLE OLD LADY (Alexandra) II am sure you enjoyed your holida\ in Cromwell, Little Old Lady.—DOT.|l Dear Dot,—ln this letter 1 am going to tell you a little about Palmerston. It is a town with a population of about 800 persons, It Is situated, halfway between Dunedjn and Oamaru, and is the principal town of a large farming district There is a large hill near our town, called Puketapu, which is 1000 feet high The school is surrounded by a lovely bank covered in shrubs, principally, veronicas There are about 300 pupils attending the school. On the outskirts of the town there is a river, which is called the Shag This river is a scene of great activity during the summer months. About four mile? from Palmerston there is the sea, which you can visit either at Goodwood or Shag Point. Pictures are shown once weekly here—on Saturday nights B«st luck to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. A DANCING HIGHLANDER (Palmerston), [You have written a very good lettei about Palmerston, A Dancing Highlander.DOT.I ¥ * *■ Dear Dot,—Our dog has a little puppy When it was born my little brother said its eyes were shut When we asked him if it could see him he would say, " Yes ' I have had nine books out of the school library their names being " What Katy Did." " Bulbs and Blossoms," ' Budge and Betty," *' Travel South," " Just Forty Winks." " Little Ladyship," "At the Farm, " Peter Pan and Wendy," " The Hawthorn Patrol," and another the name of which I cannot remember. We have been having lots of frost lately, and we will soon be skating. With much love to all the Little Folk. SKIPPITY SKIP (Naseby) [You are evidently a great readei. Skippity Skip, and you are fortunate to be able to, get so many nice books from the library.—DOT.l y. * * bear Dot,—How are you getting onV We shifted up to Central Otago a fortnight ago. We brought up two dogs with us. named Toby and Star. Star got his name from a star which was on his breast. Our house is surrounded by trees, and we put bars across two of them and made swings We have half a mile to walk to school. but when we go through the paddocks it is not so far. There is a garage here and one shop Some of the children ride to school on horseback some go in oars, and some of them walk. With love from CREAM PANSY (Wedderburn). lYou will find lots to- Interest you in your new home. Cream Pansy; and I am sure you will be very happy there.—DOT. 1 ¥ * '* Dear Dot—To-day is wet and cold, so riiy brothers and sister, arid T.are sitting beside a nice ope'ri fire;:: .We have been out for some long walks over the hills during these term holidays, and mother made us a lunch to take with us. One day we walked to a place called the Sugar Loaf. There we met an old man who lives alone in a, small hut on the mountain side. He looks for gold high up in the rocks, and uses a pick and shovel. He let us see some bits of gold, and very kindly gave us a cup of pood hot tea. The "wash" is placed In a little bag, and then In a basin In a small dam, and after shaking it well he gets the gold. With best wishes. LOCH LOMOND (Queenstown). I You would be very Interested, Loch Lomond, in meeting the old miner and hearing about the way he obtains gold.- * * * Dear Dot,—Our first term holidays are over and once more we are back at school I did not go away, but had a girl friend out from Dunedin for nearly a fortnight We had some good times together. One fine day mum took us over the river in the rowboat. We got off at a track our grandfather had made. • and mum took us along the track and up a steep hill to show us where grandad had a cow shed once, also where he used to have a garden and grow crops of oats. On our way back we saw a mob of. bullocks and my friend Marie and Johnny were frightened. We kept well away from them, and hurried up back to the boat We were going out to the island one day. but the weather was too rough Yesterday afternoon we went along to the main road to see my friend off in the mail bus. While waiting on it we were playing a game of hide-and-seek, and Trevor sat on a thistle first. Then he poked his eve with a stick, and cut his eye-lid He was lucky not to get his eye poked out However after a good howl he was all right I have not seen a letter in your page from Harry Farrar's Girl for a long time, and I have not had a letter from her either Kind regards to all the Little Folk not forgetting yourself. HARRY FARRAR'S NIECE (Taieri Mouth).

[You would be Interested in visiting the place where your grandfather had had a Harden and grown crops, Harry Farrars Niece. What a good thins that TrevoT did not injure his eye!—DOT.]

Dear Dot.'—l am going to tell you about the settlement of Otago, 1848 and Canterbury, 1850. In spite of the trouble over the land the march of settlement in New Zealand went steadily on In March, 1848 two ships, the "John Wlckliffe" and the "Philip Laing," sailed into Ofago harbour bringing a number of Scottish folk. These settlers founded the town of Dunedin Two years later, there) arrived al Port Cooper, as Lyttelton harbour was then called, the Canterbury pilgrim settlers, who had been sent to New Zealand by a colonizing body called the Canterbury Association The ships which brought these settlers were the "Charlotte Jane," the "Randolph'," the "Jane Seymour" and the "Cressy. Both these southern settlements attracted to our country the best type of pioneers, and tn fact, the New Zealander of to-day is proud to remember that no colony of the British Empire has ever received such splendid colonists as came to the New Zealand settlements, both in the North and in the South Though the southern settlements werr> not troubled with disputes oyer land, and though they were not harassed by warfare with the Maoris, it musl not be

thought that the lives of their pioneer:, were lives of ease. Virgin ground had to be broken before the first crops could be planted, roads had to be made, and bridges built, unknown country had to be explored, and swift rivers forded. Rich and poor alike had to work hard, with best wishes to- Whiskers, Black Pete. Jimmy Allen, Heidi of the Alps, Miss Sunshine. Dad's Working Lass, Mother's Working Girl and Snow-fairy Cheerio. WONDROUS NOELINE (Shag Point) [We have good reason to be proud ot our early settlers, Wondrous Noeline. They were men and women of sterling character, and when one reads of the hardships they had to endure, one marvels at their courage, and the way they overcame their difficulties.—DOT.l BES'I LETTERS SENIOR SECTION (14 and under 21 years) Dear Dot, —Hereis another poem for the page: MAIL DAY. Up the quiet valley the white roads run, By rock and ridge and riverside, smiling in the sun, By paddock and plantation where the brown hawks sail, To lonely hut and homestead all waiting for the mail. Up the quiet valley the mail bus goes— A trail of dust behind it is all the mark it shows; But. oh! the wild excitement its coming always makes,' For no song could be sweeter than the music of the brakes. The bread and stores and papers—" Oh. the letters! Let me see—- " There's one for dad and three for mum, and here's a set for me! 'Now. who would send a parcel? Its post-marked ' Gamaru.' " Look, here's a funny envelope—lts front you see right through !" So now, good friends, s. letter—help fill our mail bag. We All wait and long for mall day and welcome it with glee. Remember how we listen for the coming of the bus; And, oh, the joyous thrill to find that you've remembered us! Kindest regards to yourself and all the Little Folk, particularly Daphne Delight and Mezzo. GREY-EYED BLONDE (Hakataramca). I Thank you, Grey-eyed Blonde You have given a vivid picture of the stir and excitement caused by the arrival of the mail in remote country districts.—-DOT.I OLD WRITERS NOTES Members are reminded of the meeting to be held on Monday June 16 in Dailv Times Library at 8 p.m. Will those having tickets over' from the Reunion please bring them in, with any money held, to this meeting . Members are also reminded of the social to be held in the Wilson Hall on Monday June 23. Please make this widely known among your friends. INDIAN CHIEF. Hon Sec. 129 Forfar sUeet Clydehill. S.W.I. 'Phone 10-257