LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2232, 10 December 1896, Page 51

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Dear Dot,— We are Two Chums, and we have a good time of ib now and again. The weather is picking np splendidly now, so we went on a bathing expedition the other day. In the evenings we go eeling. We use mutton and rabbi's for bait, but we sometimes use a coil of worm*, which is called a " bob." We ! catch all sizes of eels. It is grand sporfc. I am sure, Dot, if you saw some of the large ones wriggling about in the grass at nigbt you would be frightened out of your wits. We are great sportsman in our Way, you know. Wo spend our Saturdays bird-nesting, ferreting, and sometimes we take our pea rifle and go for a shot. We were at the tradesmen's picnic. There was a lot of people at it, bub there were not enough conveyances to take them all to the Oroydon Bush, in which we wore to spend the day. We were nob fortunate enough to get a drive np, so my mate and I walked both there and back again. The distance was about fi?e miles each way, and it was a scorching hot day-; neverthe'ess we enjoyed ourselves very much in the bush. We hunted up some nice ferns, i fuchsias, and other bush plants. It is a very nice Jjush in summer. We carved our name 3 on a big tree up there. We saw a lot of nice birds in the denser parts of the bu9b, including the tui, or parson bird, which we thought was a very beautiful bird ; pigeons, goldfinches, thrushes, paroquets, fantailf>, robins, linnets, and ringeyes. We were very tired when we got home. Aand now we think we have given all the news which we have at present, so goodbye, Dot, hoping you will print our letter.— Yours truly, Two Chums.

Gore, November 30.

[Two Chums are evidently enjoying life in a manner which is calculated to turn an ordinary town boy gceea with envy. Walking 10 miles in a broiling sun was certainly a bib trying, but then think of the pleasures of that day in the bush among the tuis, goldfinches, thrushes, the ferns and tho flowers, with the running brook to drink from, and all tbe good tbiugs

provided by thß parents to eat I It was certainly good enough.— Dot.]

Dear Dot, — I am in the Second Standard, I but lam not very good at writing. My father gave me a doll for passing. I should like to see my letter in the Witness, and I am going to tend it to grandmother. I sent one before, and she said it was a very nica letter for a little girl like me. We have two miles to walk to school. Dear Dot, I would like to see all the little girls and boys in the kindergarten schools. I got 6d from mother, and I will send it to the little girls' school fund. Will you please give me a very nice namo for my dolly.— Yours truly, Gimmerburn, December 1. Mary Scott. [There, Mary, your grandmother will be able to read your secoud letter in print, and I think she will again say that it is very good for a little girl like you. How would you like Queenie for dolly's name ? Thank you for the scamps ; if you come to town at any time you could go and see the little folks of the kindergarten — Dot.] Dear Dot, — I live at Hindon, and it is a very pretty place. Igo to the Tahora School, and I have ju6t passed the Third Standard. Our examination took place a fortnight ago. I have two sisters and three brothers. Two of my brothers are going to school and one of my sisters. Oar teacher is Mr S. J. Harrison. I have a little grey kitten ;, please give me a name for it. My sister has a pet starling which she calls Joey. Thero are 31 boys aud girls, counting myself, going to school. My brother found a sandpiper's nest to-day. Do you like sandpipers, Dot ? We have two cows milkiug, their name 3 are Beauty aud Lily. We have two hens sitting — one on ducks' eggs, the other* on hens' eggs. I am sending two penny stamps for the Kindergarten Fand.-r- Yours truly, Fanny Mitchell (aged 10 years). » Hindon, November 28. [I don't know anything about the sandpiper, Fanny, but should like to hear something. Next tima you write tell us all about it, and how the nest found by your brother has fared. As the I starling's name is Joey, 1 think you might call the kitten Jenny. Thauk you for the stamps. — | Dot'] Dear Dot,— l sco that you have a column for little folk. Ab lam one of the little folk I think you will like to have a letter from me. Do you know how to play polo ? I have good fun every Saturday helping my brothers with their pouics. They have a number of ponies, because the game needs a lot of gallopiDg about, and ib makes them very' hot and tired. They play for 20 minutus, and then change horses. I ride some of them while they cool dowu. My brothers have saveu betwwn them, and they are named Shortie, Butcher, Bluey, Black'e, Fireworks, Dynamite, and Ginger. Last Saturday one of my brothers had a spill. The pony he was on is not yet properly trained. He thinks the ball is alive ; and when it came near him he jumped on one fide and stopped ho abort; that h« fell. My brothsr was not hurt, except his tbuinb, which wad sprained. — Yours truly, Gordon Giesen (aged 11 years). Feilding, November 27. [Now, Gordon, fancy Dot playing polo ! Do you think it possible ? However, your letter about ie is very interesting, and I should like to speud an afternoon with you looking on. — Dot.] .. . Dear Dot, — I am at home for my holidays just now. I have been away at school since the fir3fc of February. To get home I had to drive 16 miles in the coich, and then cross the Waifcaki River ia a boat. I stayed at Te Akatarawa station all night, and met my brother and sister there, and we all rode home tbe rpsh of the way, a distance of 20 miles. Dear D,>fc. I have a doll for* which I would like you to giw me a name. I have lots of linnets' and " goldies" nests in tho trees, and I often go to ccc how the young birds are getting on. In some of the nests they are almost ready to go away, but in others the eggs are not hatched yet. We get a very good view of Mount Cook and the Southern Alps, where there is snow all the year round. I hope this letter is not too long. I enclose nixpcnce worth of stamps for the Kindergarten Fund. — Yours truly, Mary Durwaed. Black Forest station, Novetmer 30. [Were you at school at Oamaru, Mary ? — you do not say in your letter. You had quite a journey to get home. You would be qnite glad to get buck to find all the neats. Call the doll Flora. Thank you for the stamps. — Dot.] KINDERGARTEN FUND. Stamps received : -Fanny Mitchell, Hindon, 2 ; Mary Scott, Gnnmerbuvn, 6; Mary Durward, Black Forest Station, 6.