LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2368, 20 July 1899, Page 57

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLKS.

Dear Dot, — I wonder how many of the little Jolks know .who Ziska was? Well, I will tell you, and then they will all know. Ziska, was ■born of noble parenta/'in Bohemia, 1360, and became a famous leader of .the Hussites, who, under his training, became splendid coldiers. Ziska became remarkable for his quicki.ess of thought and action, of -great firmness of mind, and with an iron' will, a merciless opponent of the enemies of his country and his faith. As an illustration of his determination it may be stated that* when a youth he lost one eye, and at the Siege of Kaby, in 1421, he lost the other eye, yet he continued to direct in battle his invincible " Legion of Brothers." This is, however, not where I took the name from. I had heard of a book entitled " Princess Ziska," arid the name took my fancy. I said to myself: "' Now, I have a good mind to write to Dot, .and sign my letters Ziska." I did so, and the result you all know. "Oh, B.O.B.! Oh, B.O.B.! how could you treat ma so? Tou came down here, and stayed three days, And never let me know."

— Ziska,

You say you went into the printing office? .Why didn't you go into the other one, and then you might have seen someone you least expected to see. Very nice place this, is it not, B.O.B.? I'm glad you like our reading room and library. You seemed to like the dinner, too. Alway_s go to the Crown when you want a good dinner. Sorry it was wet. Never mind, better luck next time, eh, B.O.B.? Did you enjoy the Bishop's sermon? I hoped you listened attentively, and took it to heart.

Dear Dot, what ever will you think of me? I start writing a letter to you, and then I wander off to 8.0.8. 1 will tell you one thing that makes me puzzled at times. When lam reading the letters I come across one signed M.8., M.H.M., C.C.M., and so on. Well, Dot, I have to think for a while before I can remember whether they are old or new correspondents. Of course wo can all remember 8.0.8. If they' can't think of a ismc let them ask Dot for one (like they do when they want a name for a cat or dog), anS I am sure she would give them one with the greatest of pleasure, wouldn't you, Dot? 1 wonder if the real Dot is anything like my ideal Dot? My ideal is a • w^lL, I can'.t exactly .say, sc I won't try. • ' " I was at a dance tho other evening, and I enjoyed myself verjt much indeed. In the Highland schottisehe everybody seemed to lose their partners. I didn't ; ' I kept my eye on mine all the time. It was a, case of "Oh, where! oh, where! has my partner gone, Oh, -where! oh, where*! can r^) be." (Now, Dot, I am going to leave you again for a few minutes.)

No, Con, I don't wear my initials pinned on the front of my hat. I don't think it was me that y.ou saw, as 1 have not been in Dunedin for over a year. If it had been myself how would you have known that it was me? Do you know my initials? What aro they? Dear Dot, what fun it would have been to see " five ladies sprinting after a ball." All the little folk aro talking about Dicky Donovan's tall yarn, so I thought I would pend one: A man was driving along a quiet country road, when the horse took fright and bolted. The road sloped downwards, and a railway line ran across it. Just as the horse and trap neared tho crossing a train appeared in sight, and the horse and trap, arriving a second later than the train, passed clean over it, landing safely on the other side. I'd sooner it was the man than me. What do you say, Dot? Have you ever tried to write a letter while you are thinking of something else? That is the reason there are so many mistakes in this one.

. The photo list has increased a good deal, and our " j)icture " will bo larger than I thought it would be, judging _ f rom the way things,looked some time back. I will now close with Lest wishes for the success of the Witness Christmas Annual. — Yours truly,

ZISKA.

• [Wouldn't it display a lamentable lack of originality to ask Dot to provide a signature for a. letter to Dot, Ziska? If anyone takes your advice I shall of course do my best, but I hope they will put on their thinking caps, and try very hard before confessing themselves beaten. At the same time, I quite agree with you about the inadvisabihty of using initials unless they form a name when conjoined. Why did ybu not finish the picture of Dot, dear? I am sure we should have all been interested in it, not excepting Dot herself. Yes, Ziska, the photo page in the Annual will be quite a success after all, although there are many faces absent which I should have liked among tho group.— DOT/]

Dear Priscilla, — You will no doubt be surprised to get a letter from me through Dot's column, but I must use some means to rouse you up, for I have not received that letter yet. 'Hurry up, and give your impressions of town life, for lam anxious. 'to know how you like it. Do you remember how elated you were at the prospect of going away? I have not been to " the rock " since you left. I have not the heart to go- there alone now, so I'll wait till you pay us a visit before I go. I see that you have sent in your photo. Well, Pris., why did you not tell me that you were going to put your norn de plume, for when Miss M. and I were sending our photos we put our real names. We were, put in the column of " Photos Received " (at least our names were) as being in " Westport " instead of " Waipori.". But that was not Dot's fault, and as I do not think the districts will be put in the Annual it does not matter much.

When you were at the Witness Office did you see '' The Children's Friend " — Dot ? You were awfully cunning that time pretending to the girls that you did not know who-8.0.8. was. Why, 8.0.8., we found you out when you were attending the High School. In one of your letters then, you said that you were third in some shooting match. Of course it was published in the papers, and there, too, was your name. Not long after findirg you out, Priscilla and I were having » confab, with a High School boy who knew you well. One of Dot's correspondents, Isniene, writes #BOh nice letters, d,ges she not? I should, like

to make her acquaintance. However, I've seen her photo. Guess where, Ismene. And another girl, May, was wondering how I liked having left school. Indeed, May, I dc not care much whether I go or not now since Pris. has left, for at school we were " Inseparables," and I would be quite lo3t at intervals without her.

Oh! Priscilla, I suppose I must confess it, j but I have never been to see poor little Frisky's grave, after all the partietilars you gave me when leaving. But I think I can be excused, as I have left school. I am sme your late pussy cat can rest unmolested in his grave though, as no intruders venture near the triangle. That is the kitten we made up the verses in remembrance of, is it not? '" We mourn for thee, dear Frisky," etc. Now that I think of it, what a lot of hobbies we had at school together. At one time it would be. drawing fairies, another copying autographs of famous authors and authoresses, etc. Anyone else who reads this letter will think it a very mysterious affair, but you will only say, " Oh! Ah!- Just so; I ken the noo." Give my love to Docy, Jack,' and all the others, and remem- j ber me, your old chum,

PAULINE

[Not at all, Pauline, though perhaps most, of its readers will wonder what " I ken the noo " means. Still, I suppose it is underelazidable by those interested.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It is some time since I last wrote to you, and I do not want you to think I am going to stop writing after the 30th of June is past. I regret very much not being able to send my photo. However, as it is, you have got 'a large number of photos. lam waiting very anxiously until the Christmas Annual, comes out, because I know several of your correspondents who have .contributed their photos. We have been having horrid weather lately. On the 7th we had snow, and on: Saturday it was frozen hard, and it was very cold. I had to go round the turnip sheep, and had to_ walk over the hills in snow about Ift deep, so that by the time I turned to go home I had my coat off. I took my dog with me to see if I could get a hare or two, but I only saw one about 200 yds away, so I did not trouble. We went out pig-hunting one day. Our "army" consisted of three guns (one of them bein-f a muzzle-loader), closely followed by a hedgeslasher and i butchers knife. Then came the rouseabouts—^.liat is, the chaps, including myself, who carried the pigs, worked the dogs, etc., etc. I had a big Newfoundland and a ferocious collie to look after". Last, but not least, came the boy with the horse, who carried the bags to put the pigs, etc., in. After a good p,ftei - noon's sport we returned home with one little pig (alive), three hares, and one rabbit — not a big bag, I admit, but a good afternoon's sport, which wp wanted more than anything else. To-day— that is, the 10th — there was a party of five guns and one butcher knife out on our property, and they got one boar. They first surrounded the pig, and he charged one of the party, who fired when he was about 2yds off. Then the man turned and ran for his life. The pig also ran, but not far, until he dropped, when tho butcher knife despatched him. I have got his jaw with the tusks iii now.

So Ziska has found out where 8.0.8. lives also. Poor fellow! there are too many finding out his name and address now. They won't find out mine so easily unless they look up the reports of some of the late' dog trials in South Canterbury. I should like to ask Ziska if she lives at a place called T a, about nine miles from Pleasant Point, and 10 miles' from Timaru. Now, Ziska, don't be shy, but tell me, and I shall tell you where I live. " V/I never sje& any of your correspondents mentioning stamps. I do a little in stampcollecting myself. My sister is at present sorting stamps to send to Messrs Wilcox, Smith, and Co., of Dunedin, while I am sending for some. I have a few good foreign ones already, but the rest of them are not worth much, except that they are foreign. I will have to close now, so au revoir, dear Dot. — Yours truly, LADDIE.

[That was a good day's sport, Laddie, even though you did not fall in with anything more ferocious than a sucking pig. I have no doubt there was plenty of noise and barking, shoutmg and squealing before it was safely bagged.

JJear Dot,— lt is two years since I wrote to you last, when I told the little folks about my trip to Dunedin. I have been there once again since then with mother and Lex. We enjoyed our holiday very much. We went to Portobello on the Onslow, which was the first time I had ever been on a steamer. It is such a small steamer. I suppose you have seen it haven't you, Dot? Lex did not like it at first —he was so frightened that the bottom cr the sides of the steamer would come out ; but before we got to Porlobello he was quite sure he was going to be a sailor. We also went to St. Clair, which, I think, is a very pretty place, but not so pretty as Sumner, near Christchurch. Have you ever beeu there, Dot? Another day we went to the Museum and to the Gardens, and we passed quite close to the Otago Witness office. 1 should have liked very much to have come in and seen you, Dot, but mother said you would not be "at home." Lex and I both go to school. Lex is in the First Standard and lam in the Fifth. It is near our examination now, and I hope that we shall pass. 'Dear Dot, one of our neighbour's dogs ate our two guinea pigs and another neighbour's dog killed my bantam hen, and my cat, Thomas Henry turned ill and .died. He was such a beauty, and so sensible, and ' seemed to understand everything that was said to him. He used to come with us every morning to the corner of the street wben we were going to school. I have also got a beautiful dog called Kaiao. He is a splendid watchdog, and is pure black, except a few white hairs under his chin. He will follow us anywhere, except to church on Sundays. He seems to know that he must not come with us then. Another of my pets is a very pretty canary. I got him last Christmas, and he sings beautifully from daylight till the sim sets, and then he tucks his head under his wing and goes to sleep until next morning. We have had very bad- weather in Ashburton lately. There was snow lin deep on the ground on Saturday. It looked beautiful, but it was so cold. Dear Dot, I am sending you my photo. It is a week too late, which lam very sorry for; but it was not my fault, but the photographer's, and he said it was not his fault, but the weather ; so I hope you will be lenient, Dot, and put it in, seeing it depended on the weather (so the photographer said), which was very unfavourable indeed. Lex (my only brother) sends hia love to you, and accept the same from— Yours truly, NINA M. REID (aged 11 years). Ashburton, July 10.

[Dear me, you have been unfortunate with your pets, Nina. It was sad about the guinea pigs and the bantam hen, and Thomas Henry will not be easily replaced, when he was such a good cat. However, with such a model dog as Kaiao and such a capital singer as the canary you are not so badly off are you, dear? The unfavourable weather acted in two ways, for it also prevented the Dunedin photographer getting on with the group, and thus* your photo was included for the same reason that it was delayed.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Our mid-winter holidays have begun, and we have two weeks on account oi the measles and other complaints. The inspectors have just examined the schcol, but we are not told who have passed or who have failed. My master will be glad to lose me, for there will be an end pi all nis troubles, and. mine too, for

careless, untidy Sol -will be the Sixth Standard master's pupil. I'll be better in the future ; there's room for improvement. I don't know whether I've passed yet, so I a had better not crow too early. I did mv best, anyhow. Tho old Philosopher got a book, " Emerson's Complete Prose Works," but it seems too dry for me. Mr R. EmerEon has a nice frown on his smiling face. I wished I had a pair of glasses on so that my mates wouldn'6 know who I was. Never mind, I'll see the photo? of all the other little folk. The old Philosopher got a letter and a photo last mail from London .from one of the Royal Horse Guardsmen, who thought the old phil. looked like his younger brother who had died six months ago. I hope to enjoy the holidays, as I will write at the end of them 1 . — Yours "truly, *

SOLOMON' SLOW.

[I am quite sure Sol. has passed, so I t.il:e this opportunity of congratulating him, and, further, I must ask the little folk not to take him at his own \aluation. My estimate of him is very much higher than his own, and I would like to exchange confidences with the master of the Fifth Standard.— DOT.]

Dear Dot. — My sister and I go to the Maiaura School, which is about two miles fro'rn our place. Mr Macandrew is my teacher at school, and I like him very much. My sister has a pup ; please give her a name for it. It is such a playful wee thing. I think I will close by saying good night. — Yours truly, J. D. M. (aged 13).

Mataura, July 1. [You might call the pup Sport, as I have no doubt you have good fun with it. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I think .1 have passed .the exani this time; I do hope I have. We are haying a week more holidays, owing to the measles. None of our boys have them, and I am very glad, for they make you feel sick. The old Philosopher and Solomou are both reading, and I was reading '" The Silver Vase." The little boys are trying to sing: Before all lands in east or west, I love my native land the best, With God's best gifts 'tis teeming. No gold or jewels here are found, Yet men of noble souls abound, And eyes of joy are gleaming. I hope we shall have fine weather for our holidays. Good-bye; love to all the little folks. — Yours truly,

BERT. [Your wish has been fulfilled, Bert, and I hope you have enjoyed yourselves. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I don't know whether I passed or failed in the First Standard, but I did try to pass to pleaFe father. Baby's little kitten is growing. I hope we shall have apples on our trees soon. I shall write better letters to you soon. Harry's pens are too big and heavy for Charley and Ito write well with. Love to all — good-bye. — Yours truly,

ERNEST.

Dear Dot,— l am in the Second Infant Reader, and I can't write with pen and ink yet, but lam learning. We had the inspector up at our school. I shall write you good letters poon. I can write better on my slate, but I am going to learn- quick. — Yours truly,

CHARLEY.

Dear Dot, — I have written to ypu only once before — many years ago, when I informed you of the astounding fact that I went to school, and liked my teacher very much (although I am afraid that that was not quite the truth), and that I had a cat and wanted a name for it. I can tell you I was as pleased as anything whjen J saw my letter in print. 1 -shall be very pleased if you will kindly allow me. to again join your baud of correspondents. Dear Dot;

I implore you not to condemn my writing, -for I have the most horrible pen. I fancy I hear you saying to yourself, " I cat well believe that. Good gracious, what writing!" [No, ■what I thought was, " The same old excuse when none was needed." — Dot.] Yesterday, as I was looking at the Little Folk's Page, I noticed a letter signed Sailor Lassie, and I determined without delay to follow my friend's example, foi she is a very clear friend of mine. I have not sent my photo, because I'm not a beauty — in fact, am very ugly. I was at a party on the night of the eclipse, and when I got home the moon was half covered. I went inside and told my father, who was in bed asleep; but he said he couldn't be bothered w^th eclipses. What actually took place was this i. I said, " Dad, the moon's half cove-red." Being sleepy, and, consequently, not in the best of humours, he replied, " (J-et the dishcloth and cover the other half with it.'' My little brother asked if it (the eclipse, I mean) was to be held in the Town Hall, and another young budding astronomer went outside with a lighted candle to look for it. But enough of the eclipse. I was told by a lady who formerly lived in Dunedin, but who is now married, that she knew you, Dot, and I was delighted to make tho acquaintance of anybody who knew you, you may be sure I told papa this morning that next time I went to Dunedin I would go to the Witness office and tiy tc catch a glimpse of the remarkable, but mysterious, xJot ; but he only laughed at me. Yesterday and last night it was. snowing, but the snow is now melting. Wei), I must now bid you adieu, as I have been asked to take a message, and will post this letter while I am av;a"y. Hoping that you are quite well, I must now conclude with love to 8.0.8., Harry, Ziska, Trixie, Nancy, Doughnut, and yourself. — Yours truly, THELMA. July 8. [Dear me, Thelma, surely it is not so long ago since you wrote before? I seem to remember your name well.' I am glad you saw the eclipse, dear. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I was pleased to see that you thought my letter worth printing. I have two little dogs, whose names are Dot and Spy. Dot (Spy's mother) is black and tan, and Spy's colour is white with pretty brown spots on his head and back. Do you like flowers, Dot ? I am very fond of them, and I have a very nice garden, with a number of different sorts of flowers in it. We have six cows, and their names are Milly, Topsy, Beauty, Rosy, Pansy, and Duchy, also five calves, whose names are Daisy, Dinah, Flora., Charlie, and Billy. — Yours truly,

ALLIE.

Mataurn, July 9.

[Of course I like flowers, Allie. You musl write in the springtime and tell me how your violets and prinnoses and wallflownh die flowering, won't you, dew? — DOT.I

Dear Dot, — Our holidays are all over, pik! we. have settled, down ta mlUqul juzaui. .Y.'q h,*C

not much pleasure on account of the weather, for we had fog", snow, and rain. The snow, though not very much, afforded us a little enjoyment. H.TJ.G.H.'s monkey, Hooligan, must be a very comical creature. We have a prize pigeon. He is a carrier, and has a small brass ring on his leg. He is so tame that he will fly on to , my shoulder, and if I do not talk j to him he will peck at my ear. He. used to j follow us to school, but he only comes half way now, and then flies homo again. Hyacinth seems to have a very bad opinion of Harry as to conceit, but I think he is quite the reverse. You say that if you put your photo in you will put it iv without a name. But never mind, as long as it is in, name or no Dame, I am sure all of us will be able to pick you out. Now, dear Dot, I must conclude with lov«i to all the little fo'k, not forgetting yoxtrself. — Yours truly, JESSIE MB. Pembroke, July 5. [You must be all very gentle with the pigeon to have him so tame, Jessie. However did he find out that he was not to go all the way to school with you? — DOT.] Dear Dot,— There has been a lot of rain lately, but it is fine now, and the mud is dry- ! ing up well. I have no other pets, but three cats, and I am very fond of them. The oldest of .them has had a sore paw lately; but it is a mystery to me how she came by it.- The other two are quite well. We have four cows, two of which are milking. Dear Dot, which beverage do you like best? I don't like cocoa or coffee, and I don't care much for tea. I like cake with currants, raisins, lemon peel, - and almonds in it. My cats are very fond of it 'too. _ I am a good hand at cake. I made a splendid one the other day. lam very fond of reading nice story books. Fiction is what ■ I prefer. In my spare time I crochet, knit, and sew. I am 16 years of age, and sft 7*in in height. With love to yourself and all the little folk, — I remain, MAUREEN.July 8. [The beat- thing for Maureen to drink is, un- I doubted^*" milk, especially as she is in the country, and can get *it fresh from the cow. Cocoa is good for you, but some people cannot take it.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— We get the Otago Witness every week, and I like reading the little folk's letters very much. I have two sisters and two brothers, their' names being Jeannie, May, Johnnie, and Donald. I am in the Third Standard at school. Theie are 30 children going to our , school. Miss Steel is our teacher. I will be nine on the 28th July. We have two ponies, and their names are Jack and Baldey. I got a bride doll at a bazaar ; would you please give me a name for it. — Yours truly, SARAH SIMPSON. Otiake, July 9. [The bride who has attracted most attention lately is Lady Peggy Primrose, who married Lord Crewe. How would you like to call your doll after her, Sarah?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Did you ever play snowballing, Dot? I like it very much, and there is plenty of snow here just now. The last time we had t snow my father, my uncle, and my brother, I with seven more friends, went pig-hunting on " our run. They got a nice wee black pig, arid brought it home, and it is very fond of milk. I have a big curly dog called Jack, and when I throw a stick into the pond he jumps in ! and brings it out again. Perhaps I may write again/ Dot, so good-bye. — Yours truly, j " LYLE THOMPSON. Albtiry Park, Te Ngawai, July B. .[I hope you will, Lyle, and tell us how your little wild pig gets on. Do not make- Jack dive^,' when you arc giving him a swim, or be will • become stone deaf in time. The water gets [ into the ears and hardens the wax, and poor doggy loses his hearing. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Vv'e have a'u present about Sin or lOin of snow on the ground, and we ore having fine fun snowballing each other. We are living close up under the ranges, and the nearer you are to the ranges the colder it is. But we are very lucky here, foi coal is plentiful. We have two coal pits — Hughes's and Dungey's. We aie a family of 13, one dead, and 12 living. I have seven sisters and five brothers. One brother, John, and three sisters, ;;re at Alexandra. One of my sisters is now Mrs John M. Comjje, and my eldest sister Mrs Roberts, is at Livingstone. My sister Rachel has gone over to.Livingstone to stay with hoi for a time. There are six of us left at home— Joseph j Bickley, David Samuel, Thomas Edward, ! Ethel Jane, Blanche "Rubina, and William Albert. I am in the Third Standard. We commenced our holidays to-day, so we shall have ■ plenty of time for snowballing. — Xcmrs truly, ETHEL JANE MORGAN (aged 10). Cambrians, July 10. [You will indeed, Ethel, and I hope you have enjoyed yourselves and kept warm and glowing, for you need a Jot of exercise when there is so much snow or the ground, especially X it has commenced freezing since. — DOT.] My Dear Myrtle,— Once wben I was a little' boy, a long time ago, 1" fell out of a tree and was taken to the hospital. The doctors gave me some scent and made me go to sleep. They cut,a hole. in my,.s"ide and made me better. Wje went in the buggy. I was on a mattress on the bottom, and I saw a 'ot of stars, I had a lot of nasty medicine. We have a pony called Sally. I hope you will soon be quite well. — Yours truly, * i ALLAN GILLJNGHAM (aged 5 years old), j [I wonder if Myrtle will think Allan a big ■ boy now. that he is 5 yeai-s old, and able to, write to her? What n long time ago it must have been since he hurt himself. — DOT.] | Dear Dot,-— I have a litttle workshop, "in ' which I make all those things that I told you about, and I am making ? clothes chest now. Dear Dot, it has been very frosty down here lately; but I think yre are ♦going to have a change now. There is no reservoir here, so most of us have to depend on tanks for water. Some people have wells, and they seldom run short of water. I might be in Dunedin about November, and if fo I shall have a good look for Dot. but I don't suppose I /shall see you. Deav Dot, wo have had our midwinter holidays from school, and I was away for mine to a place called Waimatua, and I enjoyed myself very well catching rabbits. There is plenty of bush round about, and plenty of wild cattle ; but I did not see any, because I was not there- long. I was glad I did ' not see any, btit tho people I was staying with told me not to be afraid of them, because they run away as soon as they catch sight of you. There are not many houses there, and what few there are are a good distance apart. There are not many boyr ,and girls; but I don't mind that, as I would rather live where there are not many than where, there are a lot. I am very sorry I can't send a photo because it was left too late, and the photographer had gone away. — Yours truly, j THORNTON HARRIS (aged 0 yearp). Riverton, July 9. | [You must be ablo to pas? scnic interesting half hours with your tools, Thornton, and it is a pity you are not near a technical school, where you could leceive pioper insli fiction.— : DOT.] j Dear Dot, — I have beer, reading tie little folk's letters, and 1 llioush I would liko to join in, 100. I have spen letters ff t 'oni B 0.X., j irl 1 <fp !ir hjj v r.t you his ph'-to, and I hope to •-,(.< ( ii. 'li- Clui^ijn-s »ni val wilb »11 the ir-t cl the |))"!c?. I" ',vou^» be very pleased to • bee your own phoio iv thr. annual. Dot. I am

very sorry I did not send you my photo, for I see i* is- too late now. We are haying a fall cf snow just now, and I hope it will not last long, because I get fits with snowballs. I have seen leters from some of the folk who live about here, and I see they have also sent their photos. I go to school, and I am in the Fifth Standard. Our examination is coming"' near, so I muse learn my lessons or 1 will get the stick. So good-bye Yowss truly, ' G. "W". W. W. Ut is a pity you did net send the phoio, fcuf it cannot be helped now.— DOT.] Dear Dot,--" I hope you were as good a? me lo keep a riomise, for if you were you would have written three or four tiuics since May the 4th." Such Was the remark > made to me lecently.. I promised two or three persons that I'd write to you as soon as possible, but here - I am at my first letter since May 4. Indeed, I'm a good hand at promising. Now, what dc people want me to- promise for? "My promises are like piecrust — easily broken. So my mate says. Of course I don't know, and I pretend not to. The reason. I didn't writo before is. Dot, that I had nothing to say. As yet I've found nothing, biit am going to rlo the best* I can. The gold dredging fever has at last reached Port Molyneux, for a party came down and pegged off the banks of the river from the old pilot station to Mr Melville's. It is their intention to put on a dredge if sufficient inducement offers. Did you see the eclipse of the ruoon,"Dot? I did. I had just come home. I had beeu to a coffee' supper at our school, held by the Salvation Army! It was simply beautiful— l mean the eclipse of the moon. The eclipse began at 12 and ended at' 4 iri the morning. - My sister was very angry, for she did not see the eclipse, and she' had meant to watch it. But she was in the Land of -Nod by tho time the eclipse began. I saw the Mokoia going past the other night. I often sen steamers going to and fro. I am so glad that the Perthshire has been discovered. Just fancy how many aching hearts were relieved when news of that phantom ship, the Perthshire, arrived! I suppose tho newspaper boys made a, pile that day. While we are rejoicing over the discovery of the Perthshire, 'there are people around us mourning for some lost ones. Who are they mourning for? Have you forgotten the loss of the Ohau? Oh, don't say you have, or I should think you are all absentminded. The Ohau, which left the West Coast for Dunedin, had on board 22 brave men, and she was last seen in Cook Strait battling against the waves. Don't you think these lines are true, Dot? How little does the sailor think, As he launches on the wave, : That worn-out barque in which he sail* May bear him to his grave. That worn-out barque, its rotten planka To pieces soon may go, Yet ships liko these are sent to "sea, ' That men may richer grow. The sailors of the Ohau didn't knovfr Uow soon their end would come, didn't know how many | more trips they would have on that same vessel! ! Deal Dot, I've found out how Gipsy knew nj» and- also know who she is. (No, Beth, Gipsy VSV S ?"# *£• W<) Gipsy is mv old— my old— shall i I tell, Gipsy? I don't think I shall, for I don t wan fc he,. to ,3 eaert j) ot altogether, or J ll have Dot's wrath on my head for over Any way, Gipsy has found out that " I'm" worse [ than a young ferret." (You know what I mean, i Dot, for Gipsy mentioned it in her private note to you.) Dear Dot, . what a pleasure it ! was when I saw all. your old correspondents have turned up at last. But what li.as become of Sybil and Trixie Have they deserted us altogether? Wake up, girls, and" let us' know how is the world using you. As for me, the world, rough as it is, has used me well. At lea E t, .it hasn't destroyed my health,' which is the 'best news at present. Harry has evidently not taken nny notice of the letters written of him. It showa that it take 3 more than flattery to turn M 3 head, for which I admire him. His letters are- getting more interesting now, though he doesn't mention hia " good old masters." I'd like to have witnessed his adventure with the bull in the paddock. Fancy a bull! Peuple should teach their bulls to respect tho 0.H.5.8.'s colours, and not go rushing them. Do you know, Dot, one day &a I was going to the mail— three miles away — [ met one of my school fellows. What do you think ho greeted mo with? Well, he sang out, " Hullo, Miss Cooee!" Imagine my surprise! I tried to look as if I was indignant, when another laugh broke from him, and hr said something about reading in the Little Folk's Page about Cooee and Beth." I asked him why he took mo lor Cooee? He told me: *U- Gammon you don't know." He afterwards said, "Con't I know who's Beth? Humph, Beth, Cooee, and Cackley—don't I know who they are?" When he mentioned Cackley I found out then how he came to know who were Beth and Cooee. Never mind, Angus, we at least won't say anything about you, though you're a young Tartar . _ The beach is stale just now — not a soul on it.' Jn'st : once iri a while some people would come and see if all the beach, folks were" still alive. Perhaps- a few straggler's , would be- seen -on-Sundays.' But wait till-summer conies^ Thi' beach will then be lively — all sorts of games being plaj'ed", and visitors to be scon abundantly, bathing, walking, reading, playing, anc i photographing. Do you remember the time \<:t j wer6 taken on the rocks, Snooks? Am I tei!--I ing tales"' rfgain? Since May 4 I have grown to a considerable height. I was then sft hin, but now I'm sft 7Jin, and am also 35 years. So what do you ! think of that, Dot? I'm not going to grov; anj 1 more. Oh, Dot, I'm so exhausted with thinking and puzzling over what to say, and now I think, as all my machineries are all gone dry, I must conclude with love to all and sundry, not forgetting your own dear self. — From your little truant, COOEE. [Well, Cooee, the lines you quote are scarcely applicable in the case of the. Ohau, for it has- ' been demonstrated that sho was a sound ship, and good of her class. At the same time, they, picture forcibly the dangers* that' men who earn their living on the sea have to encounter iri the pursuit of their avocation. You must have made some ■ mistake in your measurement, Cooee ; / you surely could never have run up 7£in in a little over twe months? — DOT] Dear Dot, — Seeing how you welcome new correspondents to your page, I thought I would like to increase the number by one. T 'think photographs is the current topic, not either of the subjects you mentioned, Doughnut. I thought Dot would get very few, but they came in abundantly at the last. When they do appear in the Christmas Annual, how shall we know which is which, Dot? I suppose there/ will be a column of names all numbered, and 1 the photo.-i numbered also, to correspond with, the names. I agree with you, Dot, when you say you will never hear the last of it if you don't I'vi yours in the group. I have been waiting to sep how Ziska would repay 'Aguinaldo for his impudence. Sarcasm is a grand thing, isn't it, Zisku? You hardly gave him oncugli, but I suppose he is not worth bothering about. What a brother Boy must be, or, rather, scamp! J«'ancy only liking his sistera when tlioy make toifee for him. He must be Jikfi Ba:<by in "The Sctju Litt-le Australians,"' a little bit greedy. I pi;zzlt-d my brains trylag to Bml out how, fist- chicken dealer managed to chetd Dump-, linx out i let shillins. but div nut cuccejyjf[

I can prove that Dumpling" is right, though. Surely none' of the little folks thought that 8.0.8. was a girl? I don't think a girl could write letters like his. (Don't be flattered, B.O.B.) Of course they could write as good in their own line. Besides, girls, as. a rule, don't go carting coal, camping out, and shooting, | etc. If they were to say Harry was a girl it would be more like it. But then, again, girls can't jump five-barred gates. (Larrikin might be able to.) They might scramble over somehow but I believe the bull would assist them. How interesting your page is getting, Dot, to grown-ups as well as little folks.— Yours * ruly ' AMARYLLIS.' [There will be no difficulty in recognising the photos, Amaryllis, a3 they will be dealt i .with in the manner 'you surmise.-rDOT.] [ Dear Dot,— Since I last wrote to you, mother and I have been for a trip to Dunedin, and I - enjoyed myself very much. We went to the (Museum, and t- hear the band play, and had tea and hot pies. We went to the Bluff to see my brother and uncles away to Coolgardie. Dear Dot, my cockie has been very ill, and my sister Tottie has been nursing him, but he is getting all right now. I have six brothero *.nd one sister. My sister is not very much at home. She goes to the Convent, in Queenstown- but she is home now for her wintei holidays. I see that you got any photo, and I • hope it pleases you. I have a little playmate, . and her name is Maudie, and I like her very niuch.-Yours truly, MAGGIE JOPP. Arrowtown, July 10. [Yes, Mao-gie, I think your photo will come )But. al| right.— DOT.] Dear . Dot, — It is a long time . since I last ■wrote to' you, and I think it is about time I was making another start, I have, now got a rifle, and, most of my evenings are taken up ehooting swamp turkeys or rabbits; but as the shooting season is over, the game will i jow get a spell. Most of the talk up this way is aboutT dredging, and people are busy peg-, ging off their claims before all the ground goes. ■Dear Dot, I will now .tell you of an event which liappened to my brother and I while out shootin" pigeons. We started in the afternoon and followed a track in the bush for about four miles, and after shooting a few pigeons we i started homeward. When we were about half- , way out, we happened to strike on a patch of kakas, and they kepi us shooting until it be- I gan to get dark. The track is a very small j one, and when dark is not easily followed. , At any rate it got too dark to follow it,, and ; ,ive lost ourselves. At length we came to a ; small creek called Marshall's Creek, and know- j ing whereabouts it came out, we thought it j would be best to follow it. But that was easier | 'said than done, as the ferns and scrub kept ! a fellow back, and so we thought we had bet- j ter wade down it. After going down about a mile, we struck the track again crossing it; and being wider, it was easily followed out. „"We got out about half-paat 10. Not long after that one of the sawmill hands was out shooting- and got lost, and the engine started whistl- j ing and kept it up for about half an hour. Through this h. got out a lot earliei than we { Bid. — Yours truly, . FREDERICK HELM (aged 14 years). Dpper Hedgehope, July 3. [It was a good idea to start the whistle, and , now relieved the lost man must have been \ when he heard, it.— DOT.] i I Dear Dot,— ln the f/itness of June 22 Fan- . tail said that Ziska gave me a "haiiling over j the coals." If she did, I did not notice it, nor j if I had would it have affected me very much,for as Fantail says, ,when I- don't believe in j girls, I "won't believe in what they do or say either. Charity thinks that I have no sisters; (fhut it is the very opposite, for I have heaps, and no brothers. I shouldn't be sorry if my 'sisters were all boys, for then I might be able t-to get some peace, which, when girls are about, is impossible. I have to thank Boy for his ad;vice, and also for the brilliant future his imagination has pictured for me. Whether it is s-pleasing or not I will not say; biit this I will 'tsay, that if a girl wants to bestow a smile tiipon me, she will have to do all the walking. ' •1 see Ziska has found out who 8.0.8. is, I ; .Sound out who he is long ago, and Ziska, too ; I defy either of them to find out who >1 am, unless Dot siipplies that part of the pro- ' gramme. I found out quite lately who Jessie £«C. is; in fact, I live quite close to her, though j •IC suppose she does not know me. Now, Jessie, you must wake up, for we are beginning to | ,/think that you have joined the silent ones. 'Here is a little piece about Robert Burns to anatch Zieka's anecdote. He one nighu ',sentered a boarding house, and went into a room which was occupied by Jthree men. They began talking about ;poetry, and one of them suggested that ..■whichever one of them could write the best verse of poetry in five minutes would have his "board paid (which was half a crown) by his companions. Bobbie Burns started and wrote : iWee Johnny Peep saw three sheep, And these three sheep saw me; *6alf -a croon a piece will pay for their fleece, . And wee Johnny Peep goes free. ."His companions were--»ery- much surprised, Hud- they now recognised him as the great Scotch poet. to Bay .he got " free." ' Here is a riddle for tire little folk to guess . — -' ,~My first's x dirty little brute; My second's at the end on't; My third, like many an honeßt man, Is on a fool dependent. IWith best wishes to the little folk, I remain, — Yours truly, AGUINALDO. [Aguinaldo need not fear about Dot giving him away ; but is he sure that he has not flone so himself by almost naming the district he lives in?— DOT.] Dear Doi, — I have a black and white cat; please will you give me a name for it. My lister and I have four dolls between us. I go lo school, and am in. the Fourth Standard. I ihink I will stop now, as my sister is waiting lor me to play a game. The name is " Our Pets: Lotto."' So good-bye, dear Dot.— Yours tiuly, M. A. M. (aged 11 years). ilataura, July 1. [Then why not call "the cat Lotto, as it ia pne of your pets?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I go to school in Alexandra, and I am in the Fourth Standard. Our teacher is Mr Closs, and I like him very much. I take great interest in the Lillte Folk's Page, and I like to jead the letters. Dear Dot, I am sorry I cannot send my photo, for I have not had it taken yet. I have a kitten, and my sisters call it Tom, and I do not like that name; please will you give me another name for him. I have two little nieces, and their names are (iracie-and Ethel, and they.are such dear little thing's- Deaf 1 . Dot, it- i&- getting 'near my bedtime now, 5a I shall have tc draw tc a close. Good-bye to yourself and all the little folks.— Afours truly, ISABELLA BRUCE (aged 11*. years). [Probably Tom would be a good name lor him when he is grown up, Isabella, but if you tire determined lo change it, call him "TW.s. — DOT.I Dear Dot, — T cannot agree with those Jrlo who say they do not like boys. I have fcur biothers, and find them very useful sometimes. Three of them go to school, and the fourth is a darling baby brother. I would not change him for another. The greatest trouble with my brothers when they are not at school is to keep them out of the kitchen, cupboard. I am

sorry I have not got a photo to send to you, I have only been taken in a group, and they all looked very ugly. — Yours -truly, FASHODA (aged 1H years). [I am sorry, Fashoda did not send the group, as she could have been picked out of it. How- | ever, it is too late now. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Your page is really getting very interesting. I sometimes think you must have the patience of Job to be bothered with all our letters. But I can't resist the temptation of writing to you myself now that I have started. I enjoyed myself very :nv..h at ih<s Winter show. When I was in town anyway, I thought I would just take a run up and see if the young lady had sent in my photo; but when I went in she didn't even know whether they were finished or not, and she had promised to send it in. on Tuesday, and that was Friday. However, I waited a good long time, and ' at"iast she brought me one, f,ad I to..k )t iijlo the Witness office myself. I will remember in the future that if you want a thing done, do it yourself. I have jtist finished reading one of Hall Caine's books, " The Bondman." I enjoyed it very much. When I arrived at church this morning I found nobody there, not even the minister. I went into church and sat waiting for about a quarter of an hour, and as nobody came I had to march away home again. It was a very cold, wet morning, so I suppose people didn't like to venture out. I rather enjoy having a walk in the rain sometimes. The school my brothers and sisters go to has got a fortnight's holiday just now. My mother thinks it won't be much of a, holiday for her, as they turn the house upside down when they are at home. Us children sometimes have a concert at night. We sing and give ' recitations, and sometimes we make enough noise to bring the house down. I am always composing a great lot to write about, but when I start to write I seem to forget it all. I think I have written plenty just now, so I will close with love to yourself and all the little folk.— Yours truly, ALYS. The Country, July 9. [Fancy your being the only, one at church, Alys! Whatever had become ofj«4fce minister? Surely the vain did not frighten him away as well as the congregation! — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Two of us go to school, my sister and I. lam in the Third Standard, but I dc not like going to school much. We are having pretty fine weather now. I have four brothers and two sisters. I like reading the Little Folk's Page very much, and I think that the Christmas annual with the little folk's photos will be very interesting. With love to all the little folks and yourself, from your little friend, July 3. M. A. K. [I am sorry M. A. K. does not like school, but perhaps when he gets a little older he will like it better.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have just been reading the little folk's letters, and like them very much. A fancy dress ball was held last week in aid of the Athenseum, and it was well attended, there being over 100 children present. We have a pet goat. She is black and white, and is eight months' old, and she was brought up on a feeding bottle ; will you please give us a name for her. I was 12 years old last May, and am in the Fiftli Class. I have two brothers whose names are George (the baby) and Ernest (aged eight), and a little sister called Letty. Ernest has a cat ; will you give him a name for ■ it: We live near the bush, and it is very pleapant in tho Bummeitime to hear the birds singing in tho trees. J have just been 'reading my letter 'over, and it seems very dry. But I must draw to a close as it is quite long enough. — Yours truly-, ' • FREDERICK REYNOLDS. Peel street, Westport, Jitne 26. [Never mind, Frederick, you will do better next time. Why not call the goat Pet? I I think it would be very appropriate as she has been brought up by hand. Call the cat Tib. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have a little black kitten; will you please give me a name for it. I have a ; pony called Gipsy and a dog called Turk. Dear I Dot, I read the Little Folk's Page every week, I and like it very much ; but I like 8.0.8.'s letters best of all. As this is my first letter, I will not make it very long, so I will close for the present by saying good-bye. — Yours truly, BRENDA BELL (aged Ih years). Shag Valley Station, July 6. [With a Gipsy and a Turk, the only possible name for the little black kitten is Nigger. I wonder will Brenda be pleased with it? — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am staying up— out of bed, I. ; mean — to see the eclipse of the moon, and as I have nothing else to do, I am going to write J to you again. In my last letter I promised to I send yoii a fairy tale ; but I did not get it written out in time. I see that a lot of your correspondents are telling you their height, so I am going to tell you mine. I am only 4ft 7in. I wonder how old Cooee and the others arc? I am 13. Dear Dot, has Jack Frost ever been about your way lately? He comes here every night, and eeems to stay till morning, for it is very cold of a morning. Do you ever ' have chilblains? My hands are smothered in them; will you kindly give me a cure for them. Dear j Dot, I started to write' this letter on the night of the eclipse, and I never finished it. Now it is the 7th July. Now about the photo : when I went to get it I found out it was too light, and as I have no" other, I 'cannot send mine; but I hope you will put your photo in, as the group will not be so interesting if you don't. ! I hope you will put the names above the photos, I as I would lite to know which is which. I wonder where Doughnut and Devonshire Dumpling have got to? I have two birds, and they are practising whistling for spring. Have you had any snow in Dunedin yet? It began to snow here about 8 o'clock this morning, and it has been snowing off and on all day. Here is a riddle " As I went through the garden gap, who should»l meet but Dick Redcap, a stick in his hand and a stone in his throat; if you tell me this riddle I'll give you a groat." Dear Dot, I hope you can read this letter, but my little brother was shaking the table while I was writing it, and I am not a good writer. I think it is about time I stopped writing, so "good night, sweet repose, half the bed, and all the clothes." Do we need to send our correct name every time we write? With love from ROBY. [Yes, Roby, we have had a little frost lately, and it certainly is shnrp. Steep your hands in very hot water every night and morning for a few days, and tho chilblains will go. Have the i water hotter than you can bear it at first. Well, yes, dear, it is as well to send the correct name always, as with io many letters I cannot possibly remember all the hanflwriHmr. you know. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Stillwater is the name ot tiie village in which I live, and it ia situated on the Grey River. We are having om mid-winter holidays, and having plenty of spare time, I . thought I would write a few lines to you. My chums and I have fine + ; >nes at school, especi- ■ , oily in teasing the girls ; but they have revenge by getting piece? of mud on the end of a .stick and throwing it over its. Dear Dot, I am 12 years old, and in the Fifth Standard. Our school consists of two rooms, and has twoteachers — Miss Crowley and Miss Barkley — and there are about 60 children going to it. — Yours truly, PERCY FEARY. Stillwater, July 10. Dear Dot, —We are having proper winter weather down here just now. To-day is the last nf a week's snow. I do not mind the snow bo.

much as the frost. I like snow-balling arid skating. I see a lot of the little folk will be disappointed if your photo is not in -the group. I have been to Dunedin since I last wrote to you. I did not get the chance to have a peep into your office as some of the little folk were saying. I went 14 miles the other side of Dunedin to stay with some of my relations. I thought it was a long journey, and it was the first time I had been so far by myself. I see by one of H. U. G. H.s letters that he has been to see an old Maori graveyard. After I read it, I could not help thinking about when the boys read it they would say, "One of the girls again"; I fancy I can hear them. I see you have two photos from Otautau. I lived there two or three years ago. I see some of the girls are. saying they are fond of reading. I, too, a^n very fond of reading. With love to you 'and all the little folk. — Yours truly, July 11. LINDSAY.

Dear Dot, — I suppose yoii/wonder where Makarora is? It is situated at the head of Lake Wanaka. Some people visit it for its scenery, which is very pretty. It is surrounded with snow-topped mountains. Parts of the mountains are covered with very pretty bush. There are two large rivers in it, which we have to cross on horseback. I will tell you in soane other letter of a trip I had up one of them. Makarora is about 15 ' miles from the Haast Saddle, which is the lowest saddle of the Southern Alps. I must tell you about an island which is .half way down Lake Wanaka. It is called Pigeon Island. On the top of it there is a lake called Paradise Lake, which is a mystery to everybody. I must now stop. With love to all the little folks. — Yours truly, FLORRIE EWING.

Makarora, June 30.

[But you have not told us why Paradise Lake is a mystery to everybody,. Florrie. I think I know. Is it not that the water is always the same height, and yet there seems to be none running into it and none running out ? Of course there must be both an intake and an outlet, but where are they?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have just finished reading the little folk's letters, and I thought I would write, too, if you will let me be one of your little folk. Dear Dot, I have got a nice doll and a cat ; will you please give me a, name for my doll. It has curly hair and foiir teeth. Dear Dot, .do you like chilblains? I know I don't like tbem. I've got two or three of them. I am in the Third Standard and am 10 years old. I shall close now, with' love to yourself and the little folk.— Yours truly, E. J. T.

Alexandra, July 11

[Do I like chilblains? No, dear, of course I don't; but I soon get rid of them by steeping my hands in hot water Call the doll Mab. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — In front of our place is Spylaw Valley, and the Spylaw Creek runs through it, while beyond there is the White Comb and the Old Man Ranges. There is snow on them nearly all the year round. In the distance there is another mountain with snow on it, and we can see it, and it looks cold.. In the township there are two stores and one saddler's shop, two blacksmiths' shops, a hotel, Haleyards, a church, a fellrnongery, and a school. There is a sale of horses, cattle, and sheep once a month. Our teacher is Mr Foster, ond I like him very much. I have four brothers, three sisters and one grandpa. I have not been to school lately, as we live too fai away, { and the roads are so muddy. — Yours truly, ! JESSIE C. HERBERT (nged 9 years). Heriot, July 5. Dear J)ot,— l have four sisteTS, one being a "little baby whose name is Connie, One is "Lilian, another Doris, and one is, •■'Winnie. Doris is just getting better from the measles. The school is closed, for nearly all the children are sick with it. I went to Wanganui, and I went up the rivor in a steamer to a picnic. Tho whole school went up too. 1 went to school in Wanganui with my aunty. She is six months younger than I am. AYe have a girl stopping with us. Her name is Vinnie Powell, and she lives three miles away from our place. I hope I shall have a photo to send next time I write to you. I have a cat, it is a grey and white one ; can you please give me a name for it. — Yours truly, NELLY CRABB (aged 7). Bewa, July 1, 1899. [The photo will be too late now, Nellie. Call the cat Nip.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I sent you my photo on the 27th, and I do not see my name on the list. Is that because I did not write my proper name on the photo. I quite forgot to do it. Or is it because 1 am 100 ugly? The photo does not flatter me the least little bit. I do think I am a wee bit better looking than that, but as I left it so late, I did not get it taken agaiu. I hope, Dot, you will not forget your photo. We often wonder who you are. Some of the girls at school say you are the editor's wife. As we were going to school two weeks ago wo saw a mimber of school children off to a wedding that was held early in the morning, just before we went into school. Us girls went into the church, while the boys tin-kettled the couple up to the church. The bridegroom gave them 7s 6d to buy lollies with and to stop their noise. One girl was out at the time, and the boys only gave her Is to divide among the girls! Jxist like boys — the greedy things. While the ceremony -was going on the school bell rang, and we did not like to disturb them by going out. When we got to the school the door was shut, and as the handle was off we could not get in. We knocked and knocked, "but the master was so angry that he would not let us in. One of the girls, however, managed to open the door with a rulei. When we got in all the master said was, " You know you will have to make this tune up," and he kept us in an hour and a-half. We have been a long time getting snow this year, but it came at last, and we are having great fun snowballing. What a large number of letters you are getting just now, Dot. The page will be the best in the Witness soon, and wo may some day need a paper all to ourselves, of which you must be editor and 8.0.8. one of your reporters. All the children at school know who Nancy is now, and the boys say that I might have signed myself by a decent name. I have a good mind to sign myself Biddy: it would suit my face better, don't you think? — Yours truly,

NANCY.

[The omission was quite accidental, Nancy, and was not due to either of the causes you suggest. The photos are all away at the photographers now, so I am unable to sc-e what your photo is like, but I have no doubt it will come out all right. It was a pity you were kept in the church co long, but of course you could not go out while the service was on. However, the master had his duty to do, and of course you could not complain at being kept in. It would be nice to be able to start such a paper as that, dear, but I wonder if your parents would take it in preference to the Witness or in addition to it.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— We have -just got our holidays, and I am glad. ¥o have got 20 cows, three horses, and two dogs. The horses' names are Dan, Tete, and Nell, and the dogs' names are Floss and Tweed. I have one cat and a kitten ; would you please give me a name for the kitten. Chaslands i's a very pretty place in summer, when the roads are good and the bush is covered with flowers. There is an awful lot of bush here. There is a dairy factory here, and we send milk to it. Mr M'Kenzie is our cheesemaker, and he took two second prizes this year for making cheese. Deai Dot, I wish

you would come through to Chaslands, and I would give you a hand to gather ferns and flowers if you would allow me. I have* three brothers and a sister. — Yours truly, MAGGIE SMELLIE (aged 9 years). Chaslands, July 10.

[What a pleasant holiday we should have, Maggie ; but how would Dot's page get on while Dot was away at play? Call the kitten Fluff. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, — What a jolly time you're having with tho letters. They are -falling like -hail, thick and fast, into your devoted hands. I enjoyed a laugh at the mistake of one of your correspondents, thinking I belonged to the fair sex. Oh, dear! what a disappointment she must have got when she found out that I was only a schoolboy after all. I am Harry yet. My friend gave me " Emerson's Complete Pro3e Works " as a gift. I find the book very interesting and entertaining. I am engaged in studying it. I will say more'about it'by-and-bye. By last mail I received a kind, interesting letter from one of the Royal Horse Guards, London. The photo he sent me is very nicely taken. He is going to tell me of some of the wonders of London. I hear from a great many sources that there will be a great demand on tha Christmas Annual this year. ' " The more the merrier."" Wouldn't the little folk have laughed to see a photo-of me clearing the gate while being pursued by " that monstrosity of a quadruped of the taurine genus." I tender an apology to the bull for .calling him hard names. .tSut I'll take good care there is a stout hedge or a fence between. They shall have to fancy they see me in school' racking my brains over a deduction of Euclid. A senior member of the Sixth Form desires me to convey to you his compliments, and may he write to you also? — Yours truly,

HARRY.

[.Yes, Harry, are they not? I have had to again hold quite a batch over till next week, as the editor has quite a worried look when I take them to him, and has just told me that he will not give me another line this week. So there, little folk whose letters do not appear, you must not blame me foi it: I would take a3 many more if I could. I shall be only too j>leasecl to add the senioz member's name to oxir list, but I am afraid he will expect a separate part of the page to himself, would he not?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I once more sit me down to write an epistle to you, as I saw that my last one was received and printed a few weeks ago. 8.0.8. has not told me why he did not finish that football examination yet. Because you don't liko to tell the reason why, eh, 8.0. 1 i.? I see Devonshire Dumpling (what a long name), has once more turned up, and I hope Sybil and Trixie will soon condescend to honour the Little Folk's Page by a contribution. Ziska has been getting into hot water lately with the boys; but she can stick up for herself, can't you, Ziska? Having only one brother, and he being away, I am not a very good judge of boys ; though that one brother was a tease. Still, I miss him a good deal now he i 3 gone. What a lot of photos aic in now, deai Dot. I counted 108 last week; but some of the principal writers have not sent theirs, have they? A few weeks ago our Witness -did not come on its usual night, and you may imagine what an unpleasant surprise I got to see that the delivery boy had passed off the previous week's Witness on us instead of the new one. As ,my letter was in this one, I felt pretty wild, 1 can tell you, as I had .been waiting anxiously for" it to ccrmc. What a lot of le.tters arc in during these last few ,weeks. Fancy having 'to keep some over until the next week. You. will have to provide an extra- page if all uhej. little folk who now write keep on writing. -<Ziska nmst be quite proud of herself at having started, the idea of the photos, and Dot backing it up so quickly in a slightly different form. Now abotit exchanging stamps. If those who wish to exchange send their address to Dot, would she be willing to send the stamps on if enough stamp 3 were included in the envelope to pay for postage from one place to another? Because I see that some of the little folk are stamp. collectors, and would exchange wuh me. Now, Priscilla and Dunedin little folk, I have a proposal to make. Could wo not meet somewhere in Dunedin some Saturday afternoon, and be introduced to each other just for fun? What do you say, Dot? Doug&U'it and I went to the Witness office like PrUeiUa, and had the same experience as she did, excepting that the editor gave us a copy of the p->rt of the Witness as it came out of the machine. It had the Little Folk's Page in, so we saw it before anyone else on Tuesday instead of Thursday. A linotype operator kindly cast our 2iames for us in his linotype machine. The editor was very kind, and did not spare any trouble in showing us round. We were shown 8.0.8. and Moses (their photos, of course), and I must congratulate oui favourite boy correspondent on his horse. It looks a grand hunter. We also saw Harry's and his brother's (including Solomon Slew's) photos. Altogether, we had a good time of ifc. lam afraid I am taking up too much of Dot's precious space, so I must conclude, with love to Dot and her little folk.— Yours truly, . MONA.

[I shall be quite willing, Mona, to receive and forward you the stamps in the manner you suggest. lam not very sure about Buch a meeting as you- suggest,- dear, being practicable,' but before giving a. decided answer I should like to_ hear what Priacilla and some other Dunedin correspondents think about it. — DOT.] . ' '