LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2309, 2 June 1898, Page 51

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Dear Dot,— Perhaps you would like to hear a description of Dipton, unless yoa have ever been there. X spent my holidays ct'ce at Dipton, and l'uve been there beveral other times. Dijston itself is only a veiy small town, bat many farmers iivn foe miles around it. li ie really a big plain, surrounded by beautiful hills and mountains, sud down the j centre flows a beautiful river, the Oreti. I It is too dangerous for navigation cwing to its stony and shifting beds. On the backs grow lovely toi-tois and the New Zealand flax. The river has abundance of fish, especially trout and eels. On the other side of me river is a | large marshy tract of land. In thia swamp are | some wild cattle, so it isn't safe to go there because of them. The mountains are very beautiful, especially in winter time, vrhen they, are coveted in dazzling nnow. When the sun sets bebind them tbeir peaks are red, gold, pink, and purple. The Takatimos are seen in the north-west, and are about the highest of all. A curious legend exists among the Maoris about these Takatimos. They think the first inhabitants of New Zealand were a very fierce and warlike tribe cf Maoris, who came to New Zealand in an enormous canoe, and that they left their cauoe overturned on the shore, and that it was overgrown with forests and covered with rocks, &c. They believe that the Takafcimo Kaugo was this canoe. There is little bush about Dipton, But still ifc is a very pretty place. If you have ever been there, Dot, you will know where its beauties are. Ido so like reading the letters from the "Back Blocks" and from " Harry," but the last-named doesn't write such interesting and funny letters as he used to. I think I have written enough for the present, so I shall say good-bye to you, Dot. — Yours truly, Dunedin, May 29. C. [You have given us a moat interesting description of Dipton, dear, and you need not hesitate to put your name to ife. Thafc is a very interesting legend among the Maoris about the Takatimos. We shall all know now what the range is like, and whenever we see it mentioned shall think of an upturned canoe of immense proportions. Next time you write only use one side of the paper. — Dot.]

Deab Dot, — I live at a place called Nenthorn. It is a mining district. It is very cold hero in winter, and in summer it blows nearly _r!1 the time ; but it is a very healthy place to live in. I went to see a battery working last week. It is driven by water. The stampers go up and down and grind the stone to very fine sand, which goes through screens, and the gold is caught on copper plales covered with quicksilver. I like to see it working very much. As I was comiDg home the dog caught a rabbit. I am in the Third Standard. Please, Dot, could you give me a name for my cat. I have enclosed two stamps for the Kindergaten Fund. — V — E-

cure truly, Matthew hjlliot Nenthoro, May 2. (aged 9 years). [I think you might call him Tibbie, Matthew. Thank you for the stamps. — Dot.]

Dear Nat, — I am answering my part of yoiw letter. I don't know whether the mania for carving names is confined to the High School boys only. There is certainly nothing manly or unmanly in it— only a boyish trick. Ifc is a very old oastom, which seeifl* hard to die oub. It is a pity bo destroy, but

i Our meddling intellect ! Misshapes the beauteous forms of things ; ! We murder to dissect. I think fellows corner!; Locgfellow's verse : thus : : fr.it'als, tbat peihnpe another, : Enteriug school life's troubled main, \ A gentle, timid, shrinking brother, ; Seeing, shall take heart again — ! and do likewise. I suppose when we boys are grown into men we will view our carvings with | different eyes. • • When you live at Rome you I must do as the Romans do." The masters, I viewing our mischievousness, must bring to re- [ meoabrance their own schooldays — " Wish they were schoolboys again." Here's a verse I dedicate to the masters, who are equally loved and reverenced by all High School boys : TO THE MASTERS. Beloved master, past, present, and to be, .Loved deeper, yet scarcely understood, j Behold, I dream a dream of good, I And mingle all the world with thee. I A3 I am about to visit the Exhibition with my i chum I shall conclude. Love to all. Answer your part, "8.0.8.," dear. — Yours truly, Hark;. Dear Dot, — I am going to tell you how I spent my holidays. We had our school picnic at Kokonga, and ray auntie and cousins took ■ me up to the Kyeburn, where I stayed a week, | eDJoying myself very well. Then my uncle took I me up to Blacks in the waggon, and I stayed J there ten weeks, enjoying myself all the time. I I am sorry to tell you that my little cousin George broke his leg on Christmas" Eve. He was pleased to see me, but he had to stay in bed six weeks. I kept him company, and before I left he was able to walk on crutches. I havß lost one of my little school mates, Alice Elliott. She" was a nice little girl and we miss her in school, and ali the school children went to her funeral. 1 live in Middiemarch, and I am in the fourth Standard, and like my teachers, Mr Matheson and Miss MAdam, very much. Dear Dot, I am sending two stamps for the Kindergarten Fund. — Yours truly, ) Amy Nevabd (aged 10 years).

(_lt was vsry sad about poor little Alice, and I am sure you will often think of her for years to ccme. What a long time for poar George to stay in bed. I hope his leg is getting right cow, *t>rt that ifc will not be shorter than the othpi*.- -Dot. ] Eose.— Received, and Will anpear in issues of 7.6' th end f Prd. •