LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2388, 7 December 1899, Page 57

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Deai Dot,— l have just been to Christchurch for a fortnight's holiday, so I think I should have plenty of news. There is much, more traffic in Christchurch , than in Dunedin, and it seems to be a much livelier place. As I was staying it a very pretty part of c Christchurch, I enjoyed myself very much, especially when I went out ro"wing on the river Avon that the Christchurchites think so much of. I never saw &uch a large gathering of people before as I did at the show." As it was a lovely day, the .people turned out in. great numbers. I visited the museum; gardens, park, etc. Now, don't you think I did pretty, well, Dot? I had a grand time touring the town on a bike, which Igo the loan of, but I was afraid- of doing some damage to it and having to "dob out" my cash for repairs, etc. By good fortune and keeping a sharp loo"-out I escaped without any mishap. I think „isan Al plan having badges. Could you tell me a good place where X could get some fe/ns, Dot? I don't suppose you have time to go poking for fernß. I shall now give you the answer to my little conundrum, "What man wears the bigge3t boots ?" : Why, the man with the biggest feet. .My iriend Echo 'and I are always talking about Dot or the letters. Are you not flattered with that little bit of news? Isn't it fine to think Christmas is so near? What a crowd of country cousins you see about town just now. I hope I am not insulting any. of our country correspondents. I don't think I have anything more very interesting just now Dot, so I shall" say good-bye for tho present.— Yours truly. y> ALVERA. [It is difficult to find a place near at hand where ferns are obtainable, Alvera. There are spots in tho Leith Valley where they are obtainable, and also up towards Mt. Cargill. There may also be one or two places about iiavensbourne or further down, but I am not very sure. ' Thank you, dear, for thinking of me. I am only too glad that tho page occupies so much of your thoughts. — DOT.] Doar Dot,— As I was reading the Little Folk's | Page last week I was very sorry to see that Wullie was going to Auckland. His faither and mith'erimust be hard cases or "tough rags" "when his faither teases him about running away, jrit&a.'wee iMaori lassie. At any rate if he does L hope ho will have the wedding photo in the "Witness at ,'Christmas. Oh, 8.0.8., what do jou think? — I have found you out. Do you Ternember when at school you were called "ihe Guard of the Rectory"? I have suspicions about you, Pegleg. Are your initials S. H. ? "Of course I must apologise both to the owner and yourself if lam mistaken. I see there is another little Scottie in your page — this makes three — namely, Scotland, Wullie", and Jean. I think Little Lady^s suggestion is a very good one. Do you, Dot? 'I am send- i ing you my stamps now. I hope it is not too soon. lam sending ono extra for the postage of the badge. I must now conclude, with love to all the little folk, from HONDAI LANKA. [Yes, dear, I thought Little Lady's suggestion a capital one. You ne fd not have sent the extra stamp, as tho shilling includes the poßtage.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am a paroquet, and my name is Dicky. I live in a large house (or cage, I suppose you would call it) made of wood and lovely iron work. As lam a gentleman I don't work for my living, but have servants to work for and wait on me instead. I enjoy life immensely. I am master of my own house, and live on the best of everything. I may do what I like and say what I please, which I know is more than you mortals may do, for I saw the little boy who lives here get into hot water the other day for taking a bath in his mother's waahtub while she was hanging out the clothes. Now I can take a bath whenever I'like, not in a washtub full of dirty soapsuds, but in a beautiful enamel bath full of clear pure water. I suppose you will be wondering how I am able to write a letter to you. Well, I am not writing it, I am just dictating it "to a little boy who is a great favourite of mine, and ho has promised to send it on to you. I hope it is good enough to print, but us 1 have never been at school, please excuse any blunders. And now as this Jittle boy ha 3 to go to his lessons (poor mortal!), I shall conclude with love, from DICKY THE PAROQUET. [I have looked quite hard to find out where the blunders are, Dicky, but I cannot find them anywhere. What a good little boy ycur amanuensis must be to be a favourite with you. It is evident he is not a tease, and that he looks out for little tit-bits to give to pretty Dick. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — So Laddie thinks that women will be the rulers of New Zealand. Whew! won't there be something worth reading in the papers then! Notices like this will be stuck up everywhere: "Great excitement in tho House; members minus their hair," etc., etc. Then ■will follow a good account of the whole pro"ceed.ings, thus : "The House was opened this .morning in solemn silence. Then followed half an hour of agonising suspense. At the end of that time the hon. ntember for Clutha leaned forward and whispered to her neighbour, 'What a hat the Premier has on!' The effect was great beyond the Speaker's expectations. Instantly a buzz of voices filled the room, which had a drowsy effect upon the reporters present. Above tho din rose the shrill voice of one speaker stoutly upholding the fact that a" sharp razor was the best to cut toe-nails -with. She was here called to order, and reminded that toe-nails had nothing to do with the question before the House. At this point our reporter fell t asleep." Now, Dot, I hope you will excuse'this awful writing, as it is near 12 o'clock. — Yours truly, AGUINALDO. [More excuses! Now, Ag., you know quite •well there was no occasion for it, as even though •written in red ink your manuscript was quite ■legible. lam going to allow your libel on the future women to be dealt with by those most interested— the present girls. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Your page is every /%veek growing more interesting. * Some of the correspondents •write vory nice letters. My favourites arc g,9.&., Harry, Coa* Ismei;e, and Ziska. lam

looking forward to Con's farewell letter. 8.0.8. ; doss not write very often, but I suppose he will j make up for it by giving us a long description j of the fancy dress ball. I have a good idea who Alys is, and I heard about the moonlight party. There is to be a tea meeting in our district soon. If it turns out a success I shall •write and tell you. about it, Dot. I was at a cricket match on the 9th, and it was very inj teresting watching the game, the visiting side I winning. I think it is a very good idea having the ba-dge for the hat. What do you think about the war, Dot? I think the Boers will '■ get a very hard time of it. I think the young ' New Zealanders very brave in offering their j services, and hope they will bring back all their number. I think I haye used enough of your precious space. ' "With love to my favourites and yourself, — Yours truly, [We shall all look forward to A. O. E.s description of the social, and I hope that he will write as soon as it ris over, and while the affair "is fresh.— DoT.l Dear Do.t,— What lovely weather (wet) we are having! No need to water the garden this week, and no need for the farmers to be anxious foi the growth of their crops— at least for the present, and a good beginning bids fair for a good ending. The flowers are coming out nicely now. Rosebud says the roses will be out in two or three weeks. Why, they arc out now. Hyacinth — for we are mates and great friends — gave me some beauties to-day. Now, Eosebud, don't you wish you were I? Well, I shan't set you wishing in vain, and I hope you will soon have as many lovely roses j as you like. Pearl, I envy you, if you have : read the Mildred books— they are books I have , often longed to read. The Eltaie books I have ! read, all except the last four, and those I think _ I shall get very soon. Please, Dot r forgive j me for wandering away from what I started on. j I think your badge very pretty, and I for one will take one.' Lamb seems to be more cheery, at least her letters are. lam pleased to see the change, and hope she will soon be like her namesakes. Dear Dot, I must tell you of a picnic I was at on the Prince of Wales's Birthday. There were fourteen of us, and it took two traps Jo convey us to a nice creek, where we lunched, and, while the little ones j repaired to the creek to wade, some of us older ; ones began to explore the hills round, to see what we could find in the shape of wild flowers ! and ferns. We found a few wild flowers (white ! violets and white forget-me-nots), some ferns, and a nice lot of musk, which is growing capi- I tally. When he had had our tea, we packed j up the things, nnd returned home, a thoroughly \ tired, but happy band. On the road home, j some of us sang songs, while the rest laughed , and talked to their hearts' content. We have : not got long to wait now for the Christmas ] Annual. Dc you know on what dato ib is to be published, Dot? Before closing I must i aay I like tho plan of Pique, but I do not ] want to think about it, as I hope to write , to this page for a long time, if Dot -will let me. j As it is half-past 10, and all the otEers are j in bed, I think I shall stop, with love to Isme, j Pearl, Hyacinth, Lamb, etc., not forgetting j heaps for yourself, from — Yours sincerely, • JEALOUSY. [Fancy Jealousy being "yours sincerely"— it seems a little queer, does it not? But if jealousy was always like our Jealousy we could j put up with her very well, couldn't we, little folk? What a happy day her party had, and now- they will all look back to thatyjolly picnic! j The ' Christmas Annual' is being' sent out now, i an\l iryou haven't got it before this" ".appears 'in ! print you will not have to. wait long. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— resets in' the Witness that those who want it have to put in a shilling's worth . of stamps foi the badge, so I send you the stamps for one. Our swans have got seven pretty little white cygnets. I was sorry to sco i that 'W-ullie haa left the page and gone away I to Auckland. I .ses 8.0.8. has turned up | again now. I must tell you two reasons for ' leaving off — one thing, the mail is going, and . another thing, breakfast is in. Now, I really ; must say good-bye. With love"to all, I remain, , — Yours truly, BEENDA Shag Valley station, Waihemo. [Two very good leasons indeed, Brenda, and I don't wonder that they compelled you to make you letter short, dear. You must tell us all about the progress the cygnets make, and when they become full-grown swans. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I thought I should like to write, a letter, but I have never managed to finish it. What a lot of nice letters you are getting. I like 8.0.8.'5, Wullie's, Harry's, Ziska's, and Marguerite's letters best. Poor little Lamb, I do feel so sorry for her. I was very sorry to hear absut the fire in the Witness office. What a nice piece of poetry Jealousy wrote to- you. I know who Usca is, and I should like to know her well. lam looking forward to seeing all tho little folk •in the Christmas Annual. I do not know whether your writers have to send their real names or not, so will you please tell me. What a clover person Dockleaf must bo to have found out who Dot is. Well, as this is my first letter, I must not make it long, so with love to all tho little folk and yourself, I remain, — Yours truly, JOB. [Yes, Joe, the real namo and addreßS should always accompany tho letter. It is, a worldwide newspaper rule, and it should always be observed.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I thought Ishould like to write, as I see a number of my schoolmates are doing so. lam in tho Fourth Standard, and lam II years old. I know several of your correspondents — namely, _Molly Eiley, Daisy Bell, Cherryripe, and Annie Laurie. We have a pretty little red and white calf, and I want to know if you will name it for me. Ihavo five sisters and two brothers. Dear Dot, I was told you were a tall, dark gentleman. lam now going to ask if you will send me ono of your photos. Please do, Dot, like a dear. I had better close my letter now, but I shall write a better ono and a longer one next time, so with love to you and the little folk, I remain, — Yours truly, YUM YUM. [So, lam a tall, dark gentleman now! Well, well, what next, I wonder? Has any of my readers kept a list of all the descriptions that have been given of Dot? lam sure it would be interesting reading. It is hard to resist Yum Yum's pleading for a photo, but "I think she will have to wait till Wullie is a great artist, and insists on painting Dot's portrait, when a reproduction will no doubt be given in the Witness. Yum Yum might call her calf Pitty Sing.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — What a splendid idea that is of Koby about you having a holiday at Christmas, as you deserve a holiday more than any of us, and I hope you will have a 'most enjoyable time. Was it not strange, Dot, that Cherryripe thought about corresponding with mo just about the same time as I was asking Uncle if I might write to her? It is what Mark Twain would call a case of mental telegraphy. Well, Cherryripe, you will sec by my last letter the reason why 1 cannot correspond with you, and lam awfully sorry tbat I cannot. lam sorry, Dot, for saying what I did about Mr and Mrs Young, and I hope you will forgive me, and not be vexed with ne. It is a bad habit I have got into of expi easing my opinion on subjects which I do not really understand, and I hope, dear Dot, you will always correct me, as I am always saying and doing the wrong thing. It is so nice In heve somebody to tell me what is light. II X write tea often, please tell me t

■ and I will try and not write so much. Oh, I i do wish I could some day become an authoress, i as this profession is the grandest that can fall to the lot of any woman. Just fancy having the gift of influencing thousands by our pen! I once read that Carlyle saye: "Greater than all recorded miracles have been performed by pen 3." Ala 3! dear Dot, you can see by my letters what a small chance I have of ever becoming a good authoress, and I am afraid I will have to let my ambitions die. I once confided in Auntie about my ambition to become an ' authoress, and she said she hoped I never should be, as I would be sure to say that this j world is a world of evil. And true enough, I used a few months ago to think that it was; but you know Ido not now. I think that if I had the gift I should try to write books that would do good. I should love to know Marie Corelli personally, and be able to talk to her. I have just finished reading her book "Barabbas." So our Wullie has gone for a trip to Auckland. I hope you will like it Wullie, although naturally you will feel a little homesick, and will not like leaving your parents, j and dear little brothers and sisters. Will the editor also get a holiday at Christmas, Dot? I sincerely hope he will, because he must work hard all the year, and he must want a rest. I have had a book lent to me, which I have just started to read. It is called "Old Tales of a Young Country," and is written by Marcus Clarke. I find it a very interesting tale indeed. lam looking forward very anxiously to the arrival of the Christmas Annual, for then I shall be able to see all my dear friends' faces, \ and I only wish that I could see Dot among { them. lam sure, dear Dot, that it would not ; shatter our ideals if your photo were to appear ; among the little folk. I rather dread next year, for then I am to start going to school, . and I have no idea what it is Tike. I rememi ber once when I was a very 'little girl, asking another child what school was like, and she told me it was a prison where children were sent to be tortured when they became a certain age. Of course, I know now what school is for; but somehow or other my first impression of school has haunted me, and try as I like I cannot shake off the feeling, and I always look on school as something gruesome. Now I suppose most of the little folk go to school, and ; they will think I am very foolish talking like j this. Don't you think it is very wrong of [ big girls to tell little children untruths, just ; for the fun of frightening them? Of course, ■ now that I am a big girl I ought not to think ( of such stupid things as school being a prison. ! You will be able to see by my bad writing I how very much in need of school I am, and | when I do start I intend to work hard and try ito improve my handwriting. What a nice ; story that was in last week's Witness, written |by Isobel Mahoney. Can you tell me, Dot, ■ who is the oldest writer among your present . correspondents? Ido not mean in age, but ■ who has been writing the longest. I went out to the Hutt to see Auntie last Wednesday^ and she a3ked me if I had not tired of the novelty of writing letters yet. I told her it was not the novelty that pleased me, as I would go on, writing to Dot and my little friends as long as she allowed me to. Auntie laughed at that, and said she had seen faddy children before, and knew that their whims and fancies did not -last long. I hope, dear Dot, that you or the little folk will not think anything like 1 this about me, as I love you all too much to leave off writing to you, and you are all so kind to me. Since I have been writing to you , Uncle 'has taken to, reading the Little Folk ! s Page,, and I 'asked him which letters ,he best,' and he told me his favourite writers were C. CM., Ohi Girl, Laddie, Koby, Ismene, and 8.0.8. I like' all the letters, and never get tired of reading them. I see Doughnut has sent in heir resignation. She will be' missed j by tho little folk, I am*sure, as there is always | someone asking for her. I hope no one else j will follow .her example and leave our ,page ■ for many a long day yet. What age ought ; we to leave off writing and consider ourselves big folk? I used to think 1 was a big folk until I saw that girls and boys older than myself 1 wrote to you as little folk. Uncle always calls me Little Granny, so I suppose that made me imagine I was older than I am. Well, I think now, deaf Dot, I had better leave off writing, or I am afraid I shall take up too much of your valuable space, and be crowding somebody else out. So I will say good-bye, with very f fondest love to Dot and all the little folk, from your friend 1 LAMB. J '[You need not dread school, dear, for you ~ will find it full of attractions when the strangei ness has wo.m off. You will make girl friends there who will help you ever so much, and I feel sure that the last remnant of your morbid feelings will quickly disappear. Yes, Lamb, I think it very wrong of big girls or grown-up people to try to instil distoited notions into young children. They should aim rather at presenting the bright side of everything to their little friends, and making life appear as cheerful, as possible to them. lam not quite sure, but I think Harry and his two brothers are the oldest writers still contributing to our page. They commenced to write when they were tiny mites still in petticoats. Miss Ada Ludford, whoso portrait will appear among the little folk in the Annual, used to write almost at tho start of the page, and after shejiad grown up sheVontinued sendingjifrtlc folk's tales. No, dear, you need have no iear of our taking your ! auntie's view of the matter, but I feel certain ! she will ultimately come to take ours. Both ! your uncle and aunt are evidently kind-hearted, and if you have been slightly misunderstood, your letters and those of -your many friends in Dot's column will ultimately show your views of life in their true light.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have not written to yo\i for a long time, but you have such a lot of correspondents you would not miss one. I sco by this week's Witness that Doughnut has resigned. Oh, Doughnut, couldn't you stay a little folk a while longer? I suppose 8.0.8. will be the next one to think he is getting too big to be one of Dot's little folk any longer. I am afraid if he did he would get no peace till he wrote again. Well, I suppose we have to grow up, all of us. We can't be Dot's or anyone else's little folk all our lives. But I don't ! see the good of thinking ourselves grown-up before wo really are. We can be men and women a long time, but childhood docs not last long. That last is sentimental; but never i mind. I have left school now, and I don't know whether to be sorry or glad. It's a mixed ,up kind of a feeling. I passed the Seventh Standard. I see Wullie is going to have a i holiday. I hope you will enjoy yourself, Wullie. I think that is a good idea about the badge, Dot, with th.c "apterx in the foreground. It should look very pretty. I only know two of your correspondents, I think. I 3ee Lamb's letters are getting more cheerful now. She sees that life is worth living. There is always some bright spot, isn't there, Dot? Poor I child, it must be hard to have no father or mother, but you have a kind aunt and uncle — that partially makes up for it. I have been to two or three dances, small private affairs, since I last wrote, and I enjoyed myself very much. I don't see any harm in dancing; indeed, I tbink it is a pleasant pastime. Besides, it is good exercise. The sun is shining to-day for once in a while. AYe have had such a late , spring here. We bad a prohibition lecture here a week ago. I went, and it was very interesting. So Dockleaf has found out who you are, Dot! Well. I wish I were her; but there! I don't know, I might be disappointed. . People are hardly ever the same as you think of them (please don't be offended^ Dot). Oh,

dear, hero is a boy with a cut finger. Girls never cut their fingers like boys do. My brothers are always cutting theirs. They cost a small fortune in rags. Dot, did you ever have toothache? I've had it for about a week, and i it hfi3n't quite gouii yet. Well, I really must i pull up. Please excuse this scribble, and acj cept my love to ye" and all tho little folk, Zisk and 8.0.8. especially. — Yoara truly, ROMP. November 21. [I am so sorry you are troubled with toothache, dear. Yes, indeed, Eomp, there is always a bright side for the young, and- fortunately it is not very difficult to find. You will sco ! that Lamb is about to be brought into con- | tact with many children of her own age through being sent to school. I think that will do her a lot of good, ,and I feel certain she will soon leave the last trace ' of her dark days a long way behind her. — DOT.] Dear Dot — We> have had some very heavy 1 hail and rain up here, and the farmers are very • glad to get it. Dear Dot, our -school teacher i was telling /us about the badge you have for your little folk. lam sending you the shilling's ; worth of stamps for one. The first time I wrote i I asked you to give me the names for two doves j — you gave me Doo and Cush. They are get- | ting on well, and they lay a lot of eggs, but we cannot get any young doves. I think I shall now say good-bye. — Yours truly, Island Cliff, November 24. MABEL. [I am not very sure, Mabel, whether you ! wanted all your name in, or only your Christian ; name. You can tell me next time. — DOT.] ' ; Dear Dot,— Since I wrote to you last I have been to .a picnic. Five of us were there — my two sisters, Dimples, and another mate, and myself. 1 They all enjoyed themselves on the way, but I did not. That was on account of 'my sister's driving. lam sure she went over nearly every stone she saw on the road. However, we got to the end of our journey safe, and sound, and boiled the billy and had dinner. After that we climbed up the rocks and gathered a lot of pretty flowers, the wild fuchsia, flowering currant, and lots of others. We came down ; and went along the road a little farther to ' see if we could find a maidenhair fern, as ray . sister was anxiously wanting one, and to her \ great delight she did dispover one away up in { the rocks. She cut it out and took it home, < and I think it is going to grow. She is won- \ dering if it requires prepared soil, or if the ordif nary garden soil will' do. Then we went on i a little farther, but there was nothing much" to > see, so we came back and had another tea. I We then started for home, and'l took care to j be in the back, where I didn't feel the bumps so much. We were all enjoying ourselves when my sister took us over a great big stone, which nearly upset the trap. We all let out. a squeal except her, and she said quite , solemnly, [ "What are you squealing at? It is , all right." But we didn't think it all right. 'At last we reached home, sleepy and tired. She I wants to take us out for another drive, but ! I want to see a little more of the world before ; I die. Dear Dot, the fishing season is open \ now, and we go out fishing. We fish with' ' nets up here. It requires two to set the nets — one to run the net out, and the other to 1 manage the boat. The fish we catch are trout, • and I can tell you, Dot, that the be3t part of [ the "fishing is when we get a slice of fish for breakfast. ( Oh, I forgot to. tell, you that I live ' on the shore of one of Otago's prettiest lakes, f One night ll 11I 1 went "out fishing, and thought 'it t looked quite -easy to pu.ll; 'so I got hold of the ' oar, intent on doing' wonders, .with" it, but it { only glided .over the top, of the water, and^they all' laughed ; but next 'time I went, out I got on better. I hope Wullie will- enjoy his holiday, but I shall miss his letters, as it i 3 quite a treat reading- them. Is -this the answer to your riddle, Ismene? — "Because it took a great profit (prophet) out of the water." With love from BUBBLES. [The maidenhair fern would do better in bush soil than in tho ordinary soil ; but the main I thing is to attend to the watering regularly, and keep the foliage clean by syringing or . watering with a watering pot with a fine rose in it. Ido not wonder at you not wishing to ■ go out driving with your sister, Bubbles. She ! really should not be so reckless. — DOT.] I Deat Dot,— l see that some of the girls are complaining that the boys are not rolling up, so I thought I would write and let them see they are not going to have the page all to thernj selves — or, rather, pages, as we may call it ' now. Dear Dot, I have not* much news to ' tell you. Of course, the usual topic is war. -I- see they are losing heavily on both sides. I am very sorry, particularly for the Eoyal Irish Fusiliers. I see by the papers that they are nearly always in the front. Excuse me, dear Dot, for sympathising so much with my own countrymen, as I am a great lover of the old sod. But I hope when all the British troops are on tho field that they will soon end the war, don't you, Dot? as I think wiir is a terrible thing. Dear Dot, it is too bad that the boys are not entitled to wear a badge as well as tho girls. Perhaps we could wear one in our hats. I will conclude now, hoping to write again if you. will permit me. So "good-bye, Dot, with kindest love to all. I remain, — Yours truly, „ <■ r ' PAD.DXt'FBOM COBK. [But the'Doys can wear the badge, Paddy; what made you think that they could not? It is equally suitable for a boy's or a girl's hat. I think we all sympathise with and admire the Royal Irish Fusiliers. But all our soldiers are brave, and we should not think of them as belonging to any one part of the country alone, but to the Empire at large. A.nd you know it is not the English Empire, but the British Empire. Scotland ia North Britain, Ireland is West Britain, and England and Wales South Britain, and each part has helped to build the whole Empire, and will continue to do so. Yes, it is to be hoped the war will end soon, i for it is indeed terrible to think of the suffering jon both sides. But of course the British conquest must ba complete in order to do away with the possibility of trouble in future. — DOT.] Deux, Dot, — I did not mean to write so soon, ! only I thought 1 should like to be one of the first to relieve you of a badge. lam sending you a shilling in stamps for a badge, and you know my address, don't you? I think I have done my duty now, until I get the badge any- , way, and then it will be my duty to sew it on imy hut. I thir.k a silver badge will be far : better than a metal one, even if we have to i pay more for it. Thank you very much for ' sending me Mona's address. lam going to '• write to her next week. Dear Huia, I was not offended in the least at you mistaking me for a boy. It takes more than that to offend me. Are you sure your male friend's namo is ■ spelled "the same way as mine? The poet; I like best is Burns (I mean I like his poems best). ; Tho letters I like best this week are Mona's, I Pearl's, Huia's, Ziska's, and 8.0.8 's. Rhona, i Cynthia, and Jean also have nice letters in. ,' Fancy Thornton Harris saying that we must 'be ashamed of our names! Well, I for one am . not. Dot herself ia a mystery, and why should we not be a mystory too 'I Well, I think enough I has been said to convince him of his mistake, don't" you, Dot? I think I know who Tomboy is. Dear Tomboy, are the initials of your name A. W. ? If they are I know you quite well. Dear Dot, did you receive a piece of poetry with my second last letter? I was sure I sent it; but you have not printed it yet. The name of it- was "Grandfather's Specs." 8.0.8. does not tell us which pi those young

ladies was hia partner. Dear Dot, I haye.tcf congratulate you on the success of your page. The badge ia tho third "thing that has been; carried out successfully. First we had, the i Kindergarten Fund, then tho photos, and now it is a badge. I wonder what will happen next ft I am afraid this .is a very dry letter, so I will conclude, with love to Huia, Ziska, Hyacinth*" Cynthia, Viola, and yourself. — Yours truly, 1 ROBY. : [Yes, Roby, I think Thornton was wrongs The norn de plumes give a zest to the letters which they would not nave if everyone signed tho proper name. 'At the same time lam very\ j glad that some do sign their~proper names, arc! I I hope they will not think that I should prefea them to adopt another signature. I want every--one to please themselves and all to be as natural as possible. Yes, Eoby, the piece of poetry; came to hand all right, but there has been so. much to get into our page — nay, more than two pages lately — that I was not able,,to,nndi a corner for it. It ' shall, however, appear shortly. I had not thought of our ,three.-efforta - in" connection with the badge, Eoby. If. the badge is only as successful as the kindergarfa — movement, I shall tie satisfied. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Isn't it a grand idea to have a badge for the little folk? But I could not make out what the letters in the monogram* were. I think the badge is much' better than; a rosette. Dear -Dot, do you ever come' out to the country, or are you too busy reading the .little folk's betters. • I hear you are, an) old lady with a large family, so I suppose you have your, hands full. . I- know what it is,; as > I have a number of sisters and ' brothers.' Hullo, Qooee, how -are. you getting, on? , Ar& you going to "the show, "and will you have your ,badge then? I hope you will, as I"have nover had the pleasure of seeing you, but I know; who you are. I. have a- little friend, and she is a greai cure. One day she asked who mads the world and trees, and was, told that God! • made everything.' She thought for a little [ while, then she said: "I know something Ho i doesn't make: He doesn't make the cakes." A number of my schoolmates have found"" rue S out already, so I am going to change my name. I used to go out for ft drive with a girl friendi !of mine, and we had such lively times. The j horse used to back and kick about, and ona I night it went into a ditch ; it was a blackr | horse, and very petted. It would pick tho • girls', pockets for pears and apples. .- Well, j Sot, I must close now, as I have come to th« end of my tether. With love to 8.D.8., Wnllie) 1 Cooee, Ziska, and yourself, — Yours truly, " ' . ■ THISBE. - [The letters in the monogram arc D-L F, J Thisbe. They appear plainer in the silver," | and will, I hope, 'show up well against a co- : loured hat-band. Dear me, here lam an old' I lady with a family now — possibly without ! stays, and weighing anything up to ISst! Oh,_ | dear, , it is a good thing I am not easily di«- ; heartened. But I really think it is time some- < one began to«take a list of all the fancy pic- \ ture3 of Dot, and gave us the benefit of them. 'at tho end of the year. What do you think. ■ girls,— DOT.] f . -■ ■■ , Dear Dot, — Our examination is. over,'. and I , passed into the Fifth Standard. I live in' the country, about 30 miles from Duncdin.* ' 14. is a very pretty place, quite .close ,to the ra-il-' way line. There is. a limekiln . here, and wa often take a walk up there on Sundays. Thera are about 30 men .employed at'tho kjln's'. Theri are eight kilns? v an?l ', they are 1 -kept ''burn ing night "and "day." * I "shall*, tell yon - all aboiii them- next time I, write. ■ : As\this is'.rny.-firstf .letter I. do -npt t want.,to, make ""if too long. I '< have a tortoise'shell. cat;, please,, give mo * , nalue, for it. ' Please may I write', again ? ant! „ j if I forward the stamps may I have a^ba'dga j for myself ' and two for . my sisters ? " Witii love to all the little folk and yourself, from. . MAY B LTD w - [Of course you may write again, Maybud, and equally, *of course, you may have the badges, dear. • How would it do to call tho cat Calci, short for Calcium?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I like reading very much, and the names of some of the books I have read are "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "Ungava," "Sand-* • ford and Merton," and many others. Dear i Dot, I liko your idea of the badge very mifch, ! Dot, I liko yor idea of tho badgo very much, and I hope you will succeed in selling every, one which is made. I live in Queenstown, and from our house wo have a very nice view, of Lake Wakatipu. The holidays are soon coming on now, and then the Sunday school wienies conic. They are generally held at Bob's Cove or' Beach Bay. I like going, for tho sail on tho lake. Our garden juat now seems to be nothing but leaves, and I wish for the time when it will be nothing but fruit. I hope the war which is now raging , between tho Boers and British will soon come to an end. Dear Dot, as this is tho first time I f have written to you I will conclude now with love to you and all your correspondents.— • Yours truly, CLEMATIS. ( [A picnic with a sail on the lak# .to get to - the camping place does sound • attractive, and I am sure you must all look i forward to it longingly, Clem. . I am glad to ! see children wishing the war over. It shows you are thinking of- the.-^uffcring and misery, -it entails, as,^ 11 as the "glory .—DOT.] i Dear Dot,— As my two^fffends, Lady Elector and Ilex, are writing to' you, "I thought I- would ■ write to you also. I' have often started 1 , to writs to you, but I got no further- than "Dear Dot.'" r know Itbona, and was very I much amused at seeing CaSy jibbing, but, all , the same, I was sorry for her losing her ride, , and next time she goes out I hope she will meet with better success. There was a ball herd" on the 27th of last month. Ido nob , dance, as I have not yet learned, but I waa there, and enjoyed myself very much. I hop© 8.0.8. enjoyed himself at the fancy dress ball, ; and *I was impatient for last weok's Witness to come, so that I could see what costume he wore. Dear Dot, the country' is looking very pretty just now, ,all the gardens blooming with roses, bride's blossom, etc. It is more like winter than summer just now, the rain [ coming on when you aro least expecting it, i the mornings being fine and the rest of tho : day wet and miserable. I wa3 very sorry aft i Doughnut leaving the Little Folk's Page,' but surely aha will come back for a little time-^. • don't you think so, Dot? Is Cooee. really a girl? I made sure she was a hoy. Will Mona correspond with me? If she will, Dot_ : will send on my address— won't you, Dot?. ', I think I shall bring this dry letter to a close, with love to the little folk and yourself.— Yours truly, [However much I should like Doughnut bacfc I am afraid there is no use expecting it, Nita. However, * I have no- doubt she reada all the letters still, and takes as much interest in the page as ever. Yes, dear, I shall send on the address if asked. — DOT.] ' "; Dear Dot,— lt is raining very, hard just now ; ; and I could not go for a walk, so I thought , I would write a few lines to you. "I 1 see that there 'are a good many more little . folk writing to you; but the worst of it ia J they write oi.ee or twice, then they knock off again. Dear Dot, I think that the -badge will look very nice, and the silver will oa better than the metal, as it will look, nicer and will be much stronger. lam sending, you a shilling in stamps, and hope you will please. ( forward mo the badge before the Christmas; holidays. What a pity -that we are laaiagt

Scotch Wullie. He writes ; very nice amusing letters, but I hope that ho will write tor Us from Auckland. . Dot, what are you really-

an old man, an old, stout woman, or a nice

young lady? 8.0.8. days that you are a niceyoung lady, and I think that he is right. I Slave just started to read a book called "Doryincourt," and I have read a large number of "gthers. The ones that I liked best were "The iPalace Beautiful" , and "Merry Girls of England," etc. My favourite author is L. T. ftleade. Dear Dot, my letter is getting rather )ong, and I must conclude, with love to all the little folk and yourself. — Yours truly, MASCOTTE. [Fancy having a "luck-bringer" with U3 now ! I hope she will prove a Mascotte to our pago, which will consequently continue to flourish after the New Year. lam beginning to doubt myself what I am, dear, and if these suggestions continue much longer I shall require my friends to identify me as what I am, and not say of the pictures presented of me. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — As my two mates Nita and Ilex a-s writing, I thought I would write also. The ■weather is very bad here just now. I wrote to you once belore, but father did not post the •letter for me until it was too late. V.'c went out for a walk to-day, and met Rhona. What an interesting letter 8.0.8. had in last week's ."Witness. My opinion of you is that you are a nice young lady with brown eyes, black hair, and nice pink cheeks. As everyone is giving theii- opinion about a badge I thought I wauld give mine too. Well, I thinJc" the badge is a .Very good idea. I v/as looking forward to seeing your photo in the .Christmas Annual, and ,-was so disappointed when I found out you. .were Zlot. io be m. Good-bye. — Your 3 truly, LADY ELECTOR.

[Really, Lady Elector, what better portrait could you have' than the one you have painted? Hi it was in the paper you would not see the fcrown eye 3 nor the pink cheeks, go I think you )iad better be content with' your own picture >: me, dear.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I think the badge looks very nice, md-ls suitable for either a girl of a boy. I am thinking of taking a trip down to Dunedin after Christmas, and I hope to see some of The little folk wearing their badgus. If Ido we shall aot be long in striking up an acquaintance with one another. I have a very bad cold just now, Mother wanted to put a mustard plaster on me last night, but I wasn't having any. Christmas will soon be round again. It does not - «com any time since last Christmas. One ..vould think it was winter instead of summer the way it has been saining lately. Dear Dot, I am sending a shilling's worth of stamps to enable me to purchase one of the badges. I may never use it, but still it would be nice io have one. There are no nice girls where I live. I wonder if there are any down in Dunedin ? I have a cousin living in Dunedin, and •he says he see 3 plenty of nice girls, so 1_ sup.jpose "he is correct. I would like to live" in (Dunedin or within a few miles of it. I think it would be a nice place to live yi. We have about half an acre of onions in, and I can ftell you they take a lot of keeping clean* I •think I will conclude now, so wishing Dot and filer band of little folk may spend a Merry v Christmas and a Happy Hew Year, — I am, Sours truly, * H. E. A. ■November 27. , [I hope you will wear the badge, H. E. A., and i chink you will when you get it. I trust you may ' be fortunate .enough to. meet Horne 1 of the Dunedin correspondents-^-DOT.] ' ' Dear Dot,— l did not intend to write to you bo soon again, but on 'hesfring that the badges ara ready I am very anxious to get one, for fear ±hey will all be ordered. I think you will be able to dispose of .the 500, Dot, as I know some Sittlefolk who are writing for one. lam doing •well in the way. of mistakes, a3 I have already made two. . Is not Ziska a terrible girl for leading? Fancy fire books in nine days! If you goon at that rate, Ziska, you will do yqurBolf more harm than good. Really, Dot, I think you would'be justified in taking out— cr — a patent or something to prevent people discussing you the way they do. You are a young man, an old gent with sandy hair, a stout old lady, and I don't know what else. It looks as it we will all have to come to the unwelcome conclusion that Vida M'Kellar has forsaken our page, or else she must have been prevented from writing in some way. We had rather a eevere thunderstorm here last week, and I ,*vas very glad when it was over, as I am rather afraid of lightning. There, that is the third mistake—l don't know what you will think of this letter, Dot. You evidently enjoyed yourself lit the ball, 8.0.8. How did yoii feel next day ? (I 'ithink you are right about not going home immediately after supper; when one is there one may as well make the most of the time. I have a friend who thinks she knows you, Roxburghite, so be careful. What has become of Madcap Eileen ? I wonder if she has volunteered as a nurse for the Transvaal. We are getting some alarming creatures in our midst now — viz., Kruger and Yanipire. When the Christmas Annnal comes out there will be some dis--•csveiies jnade among the photos. I may safely apologise -lor this writing, as it is really bad. ■Well, I have nothing further to bore you with mow, Dot, so will bring this 'letter to a close, ■and as I may not write again before the holi"tlays I will wish yourself ancl (ill your correspondents an extra merry Christmas and New .Year. — Yours truly, f _ ' TCSTRELLA. ~~ [I am sure we all wish you the same, Estrella. I have not even yet quite given up ■hope of hearing from Yida. We shall see shortly.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am in the Sixth Standard now, and lam 12 ye.irs old. My mates at school are Cleopatra and Karangamai. I know Marguerite and Cynthia. Marguerite is not writing this week, for the has had influenza. She is better now, however, for I saw her yesterday. My mother went to town yesterday, but came back at night. Sho went to se*e the Dunedin show. The Portobello bhow is on the 16th of December. My mother and father arc very much interested in the wax just now. My father thinks the British will win, for he says the Boers are getting the wor3t oi it. I awpposo you are wishing the Christmas Annual will hurry .up. I am. at all events. Do you get anything from Santa Claus-m your stockings, Dot? We are not having very nice weather just now. It is more like winter than summer. When my brother and I were going bird's-nesting the other day we saw a hawk —Hy up, and we looked and found its nest with three eggs in it. I have just finished reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin." It is a very nice book. .The next book I am going to read is "The Seven Little Australians." 8.0.8. had a very nice ball, and I am glad he enjoyed himself. Be said he would like to go to the Transvaal. , 5t would be a very good trip, but X don't think he would like to fight. Arenot his letters very interesting? Wullie is not writing this week, for he went to Auckland for a trip, and I hope ne will enjoy himself. Ziska writes very nice Jettcrs also. She must be very fond of reading when she read so many books in that time. GL must conclude now, with love to Marguerite, ..Cynthia, Ziska, Karangarnai, Cieopatra, and the rest of the little folk, not forgetting yourself, Dot. — Yours truly, KOItA. .... [Was not the hawk's nest very high up, Rora 1 should have thought they would have bwilt oh nigh trees. Did you not find "Uncle Tom's <Cat>in" very sorrowful reading? You will have a laugh with "The Seven Little Australians," dear.— flQTd

Dear Dot, — It is quite a long time since I wrote to 'you, but a3 two of my mates are writing, r thought I would write again. My two mates are your new correspondents Pahua and Maya. They live quite near to me. I sec Pahua has asked you for names for her canaries. We had an Australian parrot for about five yeaTS, but it died a year ago, and we got it stuffed. It was all bright colours, and it used to talk a little bit. You have decided on a badg? at last, Dot. I think it is a good one. Could you not put the badge in the Christmas Annual with the photos, Dot, that everybody could see it? I see some of the little folk have been telling you about the scrapes they got into at school. When I went to school the girls used to make toffee, and they always had the misfortune to burn either their fingers, the plate, or the toffee. The girls also used to write notes to each other, aud one day I wrote' a note to the girl at the other end of the desk, and the master spied it. He came up to the desk and asked me what I was doing, and I said nothing. Then he said, "Let me see that note." I gave it to him, and I thought he was going to read it out to the whole class, but he didn't. He just read it in silence, and threw it into the fire. Two or three days after that we were having writing, and I said to the girl sitting next to me, "What say if we give the teacher a _ sell?" She said "All right," and I get a piece of blank paper, and pretended to be writing on it. The master_ came up . and snatched it" off the desk, and yelled out,* "Come down to the, floor." - So I went down to the floor, laughing' all over my face. The master, tore open the note, and saw nothing but a piece of blank paper. '.'Oh," he said, "go" back to your seat. I beg your pardon." We had a good laugh over it after we got cut of school. Christmas will soon be here, with the Christmas Annual also — I am very anxious to 6ee the little folk's photos. I see ' Devonshire Dumpling has left the page. lam very sorry, as she was one of Dot's best writers. Dear Dot, I was told that Dot, Emmeline r and the .editor were all the one person, and if that was not true, Dot was an old fogey with a bald head, spectacles, and white beard. I' must now close, with love to Dot and all the little folk.— Yours truly, ZEALIA. Clifton, November 24. P.S.— Must we send our right name with every letter? — Z. [Yes, Zealia, it is best to send your name with every letter, so that there can be no mistake. So the editor and Emmeline are being brought in again. Why not try Demon and Slip, or even -Agricola? This would be a fresh field to work on, and "changes are lightsome," you know.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have not written to you for such a long time — not since I lived at Mount Hope. Well, I came home- on the 2nd of October, and it was such a long journey — first in the coach for 40 miles, and then in the train to Dunedin. They were all yery pleased to see me home again, as you can imagine, after such st lapse of time. I had a letter written a week or two ago, but I did not post it, so I am writing you another one. My father does not get the Witness, but I think he may now, since I have started to write, for I could not very well write without seeing the little folk's letters. How is Ziska getting on? I suppose she is still an attractive correspondent to all the little folk. I was ill with influenza last > week, but I am nearly better now. I suppose some of the little folk have had it. lam looking forwardto seeing my photo in the Christmas Annual. I think there will be a fine group of young New Zealanders; but I also think it will be1 tray some wjio do -not wish to be known. I have no news at present, so I will 'say goodbye. With love to yourself, and all the little folk, and a happy Christmas, — Yours truly, ANNIE.

Dunedin, November 27.

[I hope Annie will be able to see the letters regularly, and that we "shall have her again as a correspondent. It must have been nice indeed to return home after so long an absence, aud I am sure she 'must have been very happy 'among all her people once more, — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — This is Sunday, and I have no nice book to read, so I thought I- would write to you to pac3 away the time. The Little Folk's Page gets more interesting every week. Not so very long ago I did not read any of the letters, but no\y it is the first thing I go for. Poor 8.0.8., what a hard time you must have had. in the snowy weather. I can quite sympathise with you, for I used to havu that kind of work to do myself; but I have outgrown it now, and one of the younger ones has come in for it. But I have m> trials yet. My greatest trial now is to get up early in the morning and milk a lot of cows. I would like to Jive near a town, so that I could get as many books to read as I liked. What a long letter Lamb wrote last week. Poor wee Lamb ; I am so glad that you are talcing a more cheerful view of life. It must be sad indeed not to have a mother to go to with your little troubles, because mothers always sympathise with their bairns. lam sorry Doughnut has -written her farewell letter, for I liked her letters very much. Dear Dot, wasn't Con's last letter a nice one? I think it was so -nice of him- praising up his mother in the way he did. I see' that Maidey .says she oan go tike wildfire on horseback without a saddle. I have never tried that game, but I can ride right enough. My brother and I used to ride to school double-bank, and one night we were coming home J wanted to make the horse trot, and my brother wanted it to canter. Of course I was on the saddle, and I could post a bit. We were trotting along when the horseshied, and over we popped, and I can tell you wo saw stars for a while. I -think I must draw to a close now, with love to Marguerite, ZiskS, and Maidey. — Yours truly, FIOJSIA.

[Yes, Fiona, I thought it particularly nice of Con, and I am sure his mother must have been delighted when she read his letter. What a good thing ycuv spill had no worse results. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I thought perhaps it was time for me to write you another letter. I think that your idea about the badge with letters DLFon is very good. I like Roxburghitc's letters very much. I hope she will write regularly. I like reading Pique's letters, and also those oi Ismene, Phoebe, Alys, Roby, and C. C. M. So Wullio hus gone for a trip. I hope hc^will enjoy himself. I think that the little folk are wrong in eaying Wullie has no respect for his parents. All he said about them ought to be taken as a joke, for he never once- said anything really nasty about them. Besides, look at his last letter: doos not that show he respects them? What a number of letters you had last time, Dot. It is nice to have so many letters to read, but it is a little trying for Dot and the editor. Dear Dot, when you were a girl of 12 did you play with dolls? I have given up dolls now. I would far rather have some nice books. I wonder if Rita really is writing under another name, for I have not seen the name of Rita under a letter for a long tirre. I have not been riding on my bike for Eorne time now, for if has been raining a good deal and_ the roads are not in a very nice state, and it is no fun riding onu a bad road. Would you please tell me of anything that is good for taking out ink stains. lam always getting ink on my blouses, and don't know how to get it off. I think I had better conclude now, but before I do so X want to ask, you another

question. Do you agree with me in 'what I said about Wullie? Now, with love to Ismene, Roxburghite, Pique, Lamb, and all the others, not forgetting dear Dot, — I am, yours truly, SUNSHINE. November 21. [Yes, Sunshine, I quite agree with your views of Wullie. To me it seemed that he only stated facts without any intention of judging or criticising his parents, who on their side had no intention of being hard on him. Why, I could play with dolls now, dear, although I am quite grown up. They are pretty, and when really nicely dressed I don't think many of our sex can resist their attractions, do you? — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was pleased to see by last week's Witness that you have managed "to get a little folk's badge at last, and I think it is a very nice one indeed. lam now sending you Is in stamps, and will you kindly send me one, Dot. Ido not think Is too much, and I hope there will be 500 of Dot's little folk each wearing one before very long, so with love to yourself, Dot, and all the little folk,— l remain, yours truly, ALICE. November 23. [I hope so, too, Alice, and from the way the orders are coming in have no doubt that there will be a demand foi fully 500.— DOT.] Dear Doi, — As Alice is writing to you, I take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of your kindly interest in all your little correspondents. I do not think you people 'in Dunedin have any conception what an important iactor the Witness is in these small country places. It rs the one link between us and busy town life. How eagerly it is looked forward to by both old and young! How the chiTJren gather when Friday night comes to scan the letters y from their little comrades! Just as eagerly do the mothers, after the little ones have retired, turn with pleasure to Emmeline's. Dot and Emmeline are more than mere name 3; though personally unknown, yet they are friends. So, dear Dot, thanking you for your conscientious endeavours to please all the children, and trusting that the coming year may be one of prosperity and happiness to all the staff of the Otago Witness, — I remain, yours very tru?y, THE MOTHER OF ONE OF THEM. [How can I thank this thoughthil and kindly mother enough for her woids of encouragement to both Emmeline and myself? It is indeed a pleasure to conduct a page of this description, for on all hands one meets with evidence of friendship and good-heartedness, and what is there in life half so sweet as the knowledge that one's poor efforts meet with the approval of those whose good opinion we desire to obtain? — DOT.] Dear Dot,— The suggestion Little Lady made, about the brooch was very good, but I sm by last week's Witness that you have decided to hava a badge instead. New, Little Lady, I have found out who you are, and my sister found out too, for you said that ypur sister . had been staying at St. Clair, and I knew that she had been out there some s time ago. But, remember, Dot, I am writing" to you, not to Little Lady. It was a very busy time jast week with the show and races. It made business men quite busy, especially those who are interested in --that kind of •"amusement. Dot, don't you think that Sunday afternoon •was very miserable? It was Very hot in the, morning, but we thought that it was too hot to last. On show day I am glad it did not rain. Though I did not go myself I am glad it kept fine for who did go. Now, Dot, as I have nothing more to say to you I will clcse my letter, with love to D. O. S., and Little Lady. — Ycurs truly, S > FORGET-ME-NOT. [Yes, Fo.-get-me'-not, Sunday was a most disappointing day, but was better that the rain should coma before the people got out of their homes, for you know two bands were to play that day.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l know who Little Lady is, and it would be very nice if I could only v/rite letters like she does. Dot, the suggestion about the badge I think is very nice, and I think most of the little folk will have a badge with D. L. F. on it. I am sending mv love to Little Lady, but I am writing to you, Dot, not to her. I have been thinking for a long time to write to you, Dot, but it never came off, but this time I really mean to write to you. My brother went away to the country some time ago, and I feel quite lost without him. I think I shall continue writing to you, Dot, but it all depends on what you think of this letter. It was very wet on Sunday, and my father told me it would do a lot of good to the grass and the crops. Nqw, Dot, as I have nothing more that would interest you, I shall say good-bye, with love to D.O.S. and the little folk, — Yours truly, SUNFLOWER. [I shall be glad to hear from Sunflower whenever she may feel inclined to write. — DOT.] • Dear Dot, — I am getting a holiday from .school to-day, because it is raining. I ride a. pony called Sheila. My brother Bert is going to school when he gets a pony. Four miles is too -far to walk. With love,— Yours truly, PRESTON LOGAN (aged 7). Maritanga, November 28. [A small letter from a small boy, who one day will, I have no doubt, be a great favourite in our page. How nice it must be to ride to school, but what do you do with the pony while you are at your lessons, Preston? — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Rain fell heavily this morning, and there were only 16 out of 40 at school. I know one of your correspondents, F.L.0., who is my schoolmate. I am sending a shilling's wortk of stamps for one of the little folk's badges. This is uiy first letter to you, but I shall write again. — -Yours truly, NELLIE PEL YIN. Glenavy, November 28. [That was a big drop, Nellie, from 40 to 16, but of course only those near the school wjuld bo able to attend.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I live at Glenorchy, where stands bold Mount Eaxnslaw, towering- nine thousand odd feet high, all covered with ice. Then there is Paradise and Diamond Lake, the gem of the Wakatipu district, where all the couples go to spend their honeymoon. We are having terrible dry weather up hi-re just now. I hope it will rain soon or the crops will not come on well. The lambing is very nearly over up here. With love to all the little folk and yourBelf, — Yours truly, GUNSHOT. Glenorchy, November 22. [It must, indeed, be a sight to see Earnslew, but I suppose through seeing it constantly Gunshot does not think much about it now. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Theve are some very nice letters in the Little Folk's Page now, but 8.0.8. still remains my favourite. I think Jean must bo a hard case. I did laugh when I read her last letter about her adventure with the cow. I am vary fond of reading. My favourite books are "East Lynne," and "Lorna Doone." I don't know any of your correspondents. I would like to live in Dunedin, so that I might have a chance of seeing Mona and some of the other ones that live there. I wonder what has become oe Jes3ie C. ? I hope she has not got lost when digging for gold. Hurry up, Jessie, and write again, as I like reading your letters very much. Now, Dot, the badge looks very

pretty, and lam going to get one. So Dockleaf has found out who Dot is. Fancy Cynthia thinking Dot a young man." "Well, I don't ; I am sure you are the young lady 8.0.8. saw. The bush looks so pretty just now, all the trees being out in_,blos3oni. I hope Wullie will like his trip to Auckland. We shan't have long to wait for the Christmas Annual now, shall we, I Dot? I must stop now, as it is getting late, but I shall write again if I may. With love to yourself and all the little folk, — Yours truly, CYMBELINE. Wyndham, November 28. [Cymbeline ! Why I should have thought you would have liked Shakespeare rather than " East Lynne" and " Lorna Doone," dear. Of course we shall all be glad to hear from you a^ain. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have again taken up my pen io write to you, but I think' this will be ray final letter for this year, as 1 want you to get your Christmas holidays as well as myself. I received a long and., welcome letter from Marguerite on Tuesday night. J Don't you think , sho is a pretty writer, Dot? In 8.0.8/s last letter he said he would give anything "he possessed to go to the Transvaal, but I think he forgot to include Moses. Whatever would you do without -him, 8.0.8. ? I see Wee Wullie has gons to the North Island. I hope he will not forget the little folk in the midst of all his enjoyment — like I do. Some of the correspondents were saying they did not liko him writing about his parents, but I do not think he said anything very wrong, only telling the funny things that happened. • I think he 13 just- as sorry to leav# his mother as any oi us would be. Never mind, Wullie, enjoy yourself. My mother was quite amused with my little sister and brother one day. My sistor was reading an Evening Star, but she threw it down, saying, "That's noi nrach of a paper," and my little brother caid, "That wouldn't be much of a paper either if it wasn't for Dot." Now, Dot, what do you think of that? Dear Dot, when the Witness came home on Friday night J went straight' for the Little Folk's Page, and the first thing I saw was the badge, and I shall give you an order for three, as I am so well pleased with it. I must also say you were very quick in coming to a decision, but I am afraid it will keep you very busy till New Year, for 1 think you will get a large number of orders. Dear Dot, we have had very wet weather lately, but we cannot grumble, as it is sure to make the crops grow. And now, little folk, all of you roll xip and send in your orders, and justify Dot's faith in you by buying out the 500 badges h,efore the holidays. I see some of you are still making suggestions, but I think Dot's badge cannot be surpassed b}- any. You are all sure to be pleased with it, as she has done { her best. It would never do for Dot to have ' any bother or worry over them after trying so hard to please us all as ahe does. I will now bid all (Dot and little folk) a merry Christmas and a happy New' Year.— Yours truly, OLD GIRL. ~

November 27.

[Yes, Old Girl, Marguerite is a very pretty writer, and she also writes an interesting letter. WeU, I think the daily papers will have to get a "Dot" if the "grown-ups" begin to 'think like your little sister and brother, dear. I don't mind being busy getting the badges out if everyone who wants one only receives it before the New Year. I am sure we all wish Old Girl (to tell you a secret, I don't .believe she is an "old" girl at ' all, but a real nice young girl) ,» return of her kind greetings. — DOT.] • ' ' . Dear Dot, — Here I am again, turning up like — what shall I 'say? — a. bad penny- . Oh, Dot, what great. -fun it was oves the firat letter I wrote to you. I did not let any of, my sisters know I was writing to you. When the Witness arrived I was out to my music lesson, and .when I got home I was greeted with cries of "What oh, Maisie; you thought we would not find yoa out!" and heaps more of such like cries. Of course I tried to put them off and tell v them it was not me, and so forth, but they were not having any, and at last I had to own up4o it.

"I laugh even now as I think it o'er, And the more I think, I laugh "the more." I was very much surprised to see in last week's Witness that Doughnut thinks she is too old to remain one of Dot's little folk any longer, and bo had to send in her resignation. I wonder if Doughnut knows who I am? I know you very well, Doughnut. Why, we used to be girls as school together. If Doughnut thinks she is too old to be one of Dot's correspondents, I think I will have to make my exit pretty soon also, as I am sure I am older than what Doughnut is. I suppose I shall have to say good- by o to you now") Doughnut, as our Cooee will not be able to call you back. So fare thee well, Doughnut. I have a little brother, Dot, who has just passed his fifth birthday, and even he takes an interest in you, Dot. The po3tman gave him a letter the other morning, and he came running into the house, and said, "Here is the Witness, ma; read about Dot quick, before the girls get it." He is euch a funny little fellow. One" of my brothers came home for the Prince of Wales's birthday. He' was home just for the onp day and away the next. We just had a peep at him, and then he was 'gone", 'much to my sorrow. Dear . Sojomon Slow, accept my heartfelt sympathy for the los 3of your dear schoolteacher, Mr G. He used to teach me, and I had great respect foi him. Xam quite sure ho will bo missed, and it will bo hard to fill his place. I cannot write any more just now, as my sister is strumming away on the piano. As I am now all alone in my glory, I will try to finish this scribble ' before my sisters, come in, so that they .can go and post it. They have gone for a walk. To-day has been a holiday from school, and the children ,have been malting the house ring with their cries, but to-morrow peace will once more be restored. Wake up, 'Alvera, and tell us all about your trip to Christchurch. ,You will be wondering how I knew, eh, Aivera? Ah, a little bird whispered to me! Such a bit of fun, Dot. Some girls were along here last night, among them being Dockleaf, Echo, and Little Lady. The Witness being open on the table, we fell to discussing Dot's page, and how it had improved. - There was- a gene-, ral smile on some of their faces like that infectious smile at the Witness Office when 8.0.8. asked for Dot. Then, to our great astonishment, and also amusement,- we found that we were all correspondents to Dot! One letter that attracted our attention was the one from Dorothy. We were all puzzling our 1 brains to find out who she was, and Dockleaf . was keeping remarkably quiet,., aa she is Dorothy's greatest friend. Echo had been guessing away for a while, when all at once it just dawned on her who Dorothy was, and of course the tell-tale colour rose to Docklcaf's face, and there was no denying it. So here you stand, Dorothy, robbed of your pseudonym. As my sisters have just come in, I must bring this letter to a cloac, with love to Shan and Dorothy. — Yours truly, MAISIE. P.S. — Dear Dot, I hope yon have a very pleasant holiday, and I wish you a rhe,rry Christmas and a happy New Year. — M. Dunedin, November 29. [It is only Doughnut herself who thinks she is too old, Maisie, for I'm sure I don't, and you mustn't think of following her example for a long time yet, dear. Thank you, dear, for your kind wishes; needless to say, I heartily reciprocate. What a happy time you must have had among yourselves guessing who the different writers were, I. »m afraid the i

country correspondents will ieel quite jealous' to think that so many Dunedin writers' could come-together like that— nnd all" of them among, our very best correspondents too.. You were lucky -to be there, and it is only a pity Dorothy was not with you also. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — " Should auld acquaintance be fcTgot?" I don't think so. I am preparing •for exams — getting my armour on, ready to fire (ahem) on the exam, papers. Solomon Slow has received a severe sca'id, and is therefore out of action. He has been laid up for a fortnight, but is progressing favourably. The other little nippers are looking forward to a good attendance prize, if nothing else. We shall share our prizes with Solomon,- as ho has lost his, good attendance .prize through an accident. He hopes to bo able to_ attend school . next week. I . received" a long, interesting letter from the 1 " young trooper of the lioyal Horse Guards. He sent me his photo. He is nearly 19 years of '"age, stands over 6ft, and is a perfect Adonis in, regimentals. He i£ anxious to get the Witness Christmas , Annual to see ali the young NewZealand writers. Just fancy the, criticisms of those noble (ahem) six- hundred young troopers in the barracks. He first 'got my address in Nuggets, and we correspond regularly as friends. Another young gentleman also writes to me. He is an enthusiastic Stamp-collector. I would be glad to -exchange a dozen used American stamps for some used New Zealand ones (new issue). Christmas is coming on, apace. I cannot imagine how time goes slowly with some folk.for tome it simply flies, and I cannot keep pace with it. How lovely tha broom and gorse looks from 'a distance covered with goiden blossoms; the bright green carpet of grass dotted with daisies, and' the hawthorn hedges covered with may. It is quite refreshing to take a walk on fine days. I£ 1 am forgetting to answer uny query you- must forgive me till the exam 3. are'all over. Then" " -hichard will be himself again," I am wondering where I shall weai the badge of membership. Here I must conclude, as I've got to the end of my tether, and do not know what else of importance* there is to write about. Wishing you, Dot, and the Ed., together with, all the little folk a merry Christmas and » happy New Year, I conclude.— Yours truly, HARRY. [Thank you, Harry, for your good wisneaV which are heartily recinrocated. Afterj3o much hard work you wi."i all be thoroughly fit to enjoy the holidays, and I hope nothing will come in your way to prevent your doing so to the fullest extent. Everyone will heartily sympathise with our old friend, Solomon Slow, and I sincerely hope he will be quite well ere the holidays begin.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l thought' I would write to you - when I saw your letter in the Witness to the little folk. I think yours a very good idea about the badge. I think I shall- send for one. It is better to have silver than any other metal. What .a peculiar idea of Old Boy about the badge, wasn't it, Dot? J don't think all the little folk would ■ care to wear such a distinguished dress. I have nine or ten nice prise books. I like reading. lam reading a book just now called " Elaie Yachting," and it is a very nice one so far as I have read. I should think Ziska did be.at the record, reading five books in nine days. She must be & very quick reader. _. How dp you' like the weather we are having just now, Dot?' Last week I only went to school half a day. I know who you ate r 8.0.8. As" nearly everybody is sending their height and age, 1 : will , send Joti mine. " I- am sft lin in height- and am IS years . old. It is past 10 o'clock, Dot, so I will hays to retire to Blanket". Bay. Good anight, Dote with love. — Yours -truly, ' '•...'. CLARICE. [I am not quite satisfied with the weather; Clarice,but then what is the use of complaining? Let us make the best of it, and hope it will be' steadily fine for the holidays, and thus repay us for what we have all gone through: — DOT.] ' Dear Dot, — It is a. long time since I wrote to you, but better late than never. Our school was examined about a month ago, and I passed into the Fourth Standard. I think that is a very good idea of yours, Dot, about the badge. Would you please forward one to me,' for which I enclose a shilling's worth' of stamps. v Dear Dot, since last I wrote to you I have been to me brother's wedding. .1 was one of- the bridesmaids, and I enjoyed myself very much. We went tor a long drive in the .afternoon, and to a dance in the evening, 'which was kept up until 4 in the morning Dear Dot, I do not know any of your <yrrespoh dents, but I shpuld like to, because judging by some of their letters they must be nice. What awful weather we are having for this time of the year. It is not a bit like' summer. I .must now bring this uninteresting letter to a close, or you wiU think lam never going to stop. With love .to all the little folk and yourself, Dot, — Yours truly, •FAIRY QUEEN. [It was something to look forward to to ba a bridesmaid, even for a Fairy Queen, and I have no doubt you can look -back with equal pleasure, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— As your page iff yery interesting I thought I would like to write to you. We poor boys are having a pretty hard time, as all the girls call us teases. I suppose what they say is true, because they are always ta!king,<,so> they ought to be right. Never mind, comrades, v/e can hold our own against all the_ girls 'if they do outnumber us. . I can sympathise with 8.0.8. because I have to carry water in <£he snow and rain, too. This is not at all like si-nimer. It is mor>j like winter, because -of the cold weathc. Dear Dot, I know who you arc, but I can keep a secret. ' I think that is a very good idea of yours about the badge, and will you kindly forward me one, for which 'I enclose the sum of one shilling in stamps. ■ I must now conclude, with,. Jove to all the little) folk, not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly^ GENERAT BULLER. ' [Well really, General, however did you find out? Of course, Genejral Buller is the soul of honour, and having passed his word I still feel that my secret is safe. Nevertheless, lam curious to find out how even such a distinguished person as the general penetrated Dot'a incog.— DOT.] ' ■ \ Dear Dot, — We were having a few days of good weather, but to-night the weather changed. The thunder pealed all day, and as I write this I can hear the rain pouring down. A. • fortnight ago we had snow here, and the hail also came down heavily. Fancy snow in November; does it -not seem awful? 'Our examination took place on the 13th of this month, and all the pupils passed. At another school all the pupils passed also. Does not thai give credit to the teachers, Mr White and Mr Ironside. lam In the Fifth Standard now, and to-day I had my first experience of Fifth, Standard work. My two sisters have gone to an entertainment to-night, and I suppose- they are enjoying themselves by this time. The> clematis, the mistletoe, and ..he wild violet arc all in bloom, and :the .Catlina "oush looks very pretty indeed. Our cat has a pretty, dark grey kitten with. a yellow face; wiLL you I please give me a name for it. The other dayI went fishing with my two brothers, and we got a good few fish. I wonder how 8.0.8. got on at the fancy dress ball. I hope be will write again soon and tell us all about it. Did you enjoy your schooldays, Dot? I enjoy mine thoroughly. Please excuse tha writing, as I have a, very* sore arm. I will now close by giving the ljt.tl* folk a xiddloti

What is dead in the middle and alive at both ..ends? — Yours truly, - SANCHO. Catlins, November 20. [Your teachers have evidently gained the sympathy of their pupils, Sancho, or such good Tesults could not possibly have been achieved. I think you might call the kitten after the beautiful bush climber you mention as being in bloom, shortening the name to Clem. I am glad you are enjoying your schooldays, ■Sancho, for really they are the best time of life.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — After reading Molly Riley's letter in last week's Witness I thought I had better ■write at once before that .advertisement appeared. I also wanted to write before the 6th, if you are to have the holiday that one of our correspondents proposed, and I think you deserve it. Have you had the influenza yet, Dot? I have just recovered from my first attack, and P don't wish to have it again. Everybody seems to suggest a different remedy for it, all equally horrid. I waited in vain for something nice/. The other day- 1 found in a funny paper a piece of poetry called "Worse Than the Complaint." lam sending it with a picture that my .brother drew. Perhaps some of your correspondents may try the whale's remedy: "Do my sneezes make you nervous?" Said the Penguin to the Whale. , "I have caught the influenza, And it's settled in my tail. "I have rubiscd my toes with treacle, And I've castor-oiled my hair, But I eecrn to get no better." ;. X , And the Whale said, "Don't despair." And the Whale said, "I'd an uncle, Who was just as ill as you, But he bought a kitchen poker, Which he boiled till it was blue.' "Then he added salts and senna, Tar, taraxicum, and mace, And he took the whole at bed-time Without making one wry face." And the Whale said in a whisper: "He's not alive, but still, There's the recipe, he left it To his nephews in his -ijill. "You're at liberty to try it" ; But the Penguin, turning pale, • Said he'd keep tha influenza That had settled in his tail. Tho verses suggest my dear old friend Lewis Carroll. I don't think he wrote them, though, for there was no name attached. I suppose you have read "Alice in Wonderland"" and •'Through the Looking Glass"? I think we almost know thorn by heart. I was delighted to see in last week's Witness tfiat E. Nesbitt's charming stories of the Bastable family are coming out in book form. I would advise all the little folk to get a copy when it does. 1 have read a good many of the stories in tho Pall Mall Magazine — viz., "The Treasure Seekers," "Lord Tottenham," "Lo, the Poor Indian," "How Wo Entertained the Burglar," etc. I am going to inquire about it at Braithwaite's on Monday. My musical exam, is over at 1 last. lam glad to^ay I passed, but I won't know the percentage I obtained till* February. I was very nervous, but -Professor Myles Foster was not nearly so ferocious as 1 was led to believe. I' meant to. have written before, only we had ' a youjig lady friend staying with us — one oi those nice ■ sort of people who have not forgotten that they ■were" -onco children themselves. You ■ know the kind I mean, Dot. We always „ eeemed to be out in the day time, and the evenings were so taken xtp with music, singing, recitations (always comic), etc., that I never seemed to have time to write; but you can be cure we always found time to read the letters. . So Doughnut thinks she is too big to write any mote. She is not much bigger than I am, is she, Dot? You have seen her, have you not? I always look out for Echo at St. .Clair, but I have not seen her yet. lam glad 8.0.8. enjoyed himself at the- ball. I am sure he must have looked nice in a sailor's suit. My brother has a cadet naval uniform, .and I think it looks very nice. What a long time it i 3 since Cooee and Rita favoured us with a letter, and where have Devonshire .Dumpling and Trixie^one? I hope chey al. start again after the holidays, and tell us how they spent them, for it is' too late for them to write now— that is, if Dot decides- to take .a holiday herself. Dot will have to write a long lettei and tell us how she apent hers. I am afraid my letter is getting too lengthy, sd I will conclude, wishing .Dot, the editor," and all my comrades of Dot's column a merry Christmas and lots of fun during the holidt<y3. — Yours truly, PRISCILLA. P.S. — I shall call next week for a badge, bo look out for me, Dot.— PRIS. St. Clair, December 1, [I felt inclined to shout Hurrah ! when I saw Priscilla's beautiful handwriting once more, for do you_ knjow, little folk, I had almost come to-.-±he conclusion" that she lied quietly folded •up her tent arid stolen away from our — I was going to say page, but I must add the "a" to it, for this week the littlo folk are monopolizing nearly three pages of- small type — pages, without even the customary farewell. However she has not^done so, and I hope it will be long ere she~ deserts us like Sybil and Doughnut and the others. The penguin was certainly wise in preferring even the influenza to the whale's uncle's remedy, but I don't "think wo need regret the amphibious uncle's decease when it resulted in giving us the charming verses quoted by Priscilla, and the capital little illustration given us by Huckleberry Finn, whose letter follows. Yes, dear, I have read and reread Lewis Carroll's works, and I hope every boy and girl in our page has done so also, for I don't think anything written can exceed them for the sublimity of their quiet humour. What a delightiul friend that young lady must be, dear. Could you not induce her, even if she is quite a "grown up,'' to write us just one letter? lam sure all our little folk would like her for a friend, and quite excuse her being a "grown up." Yes, from a glance I got at Doughnut once, I should aay she is quite 2in taller than Priscilla, but .still I think she might have stayed longer. I ehall peep round the corner, dear, when you come. — DOT. La.ter. — I did not get tho block of the picture of the whale in time for 'this issue, so it will have to appear next week. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — I think that is a very good badge you have chosen, and it should look very nice. I am going to Christchurch for a holiday this and I am sure I ought to enjoy myself. I" will get a badge when lam in Dunedin, on my way through. How the little folk will look at people to see if they have got the badge, and then they will know if they 'are members of the Little Folk's Page or not, ',as I suppose only little folk belonging to it '•will wear it. I hope Wullie will enjoy hia trip and will soon write again, as I like his letters the best jp.f all. Dear Dot, you have 'got a lot of good writers. Ido not know how they can write such good letters. You are still getting a lot of letters, Dot. I thought you would not have got so many in the summer as in the winter. Dear Dot, this is a pretty plain, onls. in. this jjart of it we get very

little rain in the hottest part of the year, when wp want it. My brothers and Igo for a bath every hot day. My older brother can swim .better than I can — I cannot swim very much. Dear Dob, the birds are eating all the green fruit; I wish we could get rid of them. We break two or three thousand birds' eggs every year. If we were paid for them we should make a little money. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, CRICKET. November 26. [Mind that the badges are not all gone, Cricket,' by the time you pass through. Unless there is a big demand for them I cannot get another 500 done, you know. — DOT.] I/eai Dot, — When I opened the Witness I was glad to see a picture oi the little folk's badge, and I consider the plan an excellent one. I am sure a great number of correspondents will try to repay you for your great trouble. I, for one, will do my best. "No man can do more," 1 as Locksley said. So I enclose a shilling's worth o'i stamps that I may have a badbe sent to ma. I think the little folk will be finding each other out during the holidays. Many of the little folk are trying to find out who you are, Dot, but when they have the enjoyment of corresponding and making new friends through you, they ought to be content to know yoti as a sort of invisible being — at any rate one who keeps out of the way when boys go into the office. — Yours truly,

PEGLEG. [Philosophically written, Pegleg, but you know, dear, I don't mind the speculations as to Dot's identity, though when she is described as "a be-spectacled, grey-haired old gentleman" or "a fat old woman" it is a bit trying. Still, I only put on the Witness smilej and forget a*ad forgive at once. It is the be3t way, isn't it?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Since I last wrote to you six of our cows have calved, and they are milking very well. Deai Dot, the Little Folk's Pago is becoming very interesting now. Our exam, took place on tho 28th October, and I passed into the Third Standard. Dear Dot, we have about 27 little chickens; they are such dear little things. My 'brother has a little pony, and it is being broken in now. I will tell you more next time I write, Dot. So goodbye, with love.— Yours truly,

CARRIE (aged 9 years)

[Very well, Carrie, but nest time you write you must send your full name as well as your norn de plume. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — This is tha first letter I have written to you, but I hope it won't be the last. I go to school, and Mias Robertson is my teacher. I like going to school because I often get a prize, and I get a card nearly every week. We have five cats and eight kittens. One of the kittens is mine. It is a yellow one ; please will you give me a name for it. We have three cows, whose names are Brownie, Nancy, and Beauty. We have a nice flower garden, and there is a lot of flowers out just now. Yours truly,

ROSALIND. [I think Sandy will bo a good name for the kitten, Rosalind.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have been reading your page a graat deal lately, and* I think that .there are too piany girl correspondents, so I have decided to add one lnoie to the list of boys. I happen to be the brother of that young person, Priscilln, who fancies herself as one of. your correspondents. Before" I go any further I must ,tell you of latest venturo in the natural history line. While practising on the piano the other day 'she discovered a miserablelooking bug, that had evidently fallen oift of some flowers, on her music. It looked like an animated piece of dried barkj having six legs and a little round head. She made such a fuss about it that one would have imagined it was a Notornis mantelli. She would insist that I should take it to the museum to find out what it was, and sa-id that there was a Professor Parker there who would know all about it. So it was stowed away in a little box, which I carefully carried to the museum. On inquiring for " tfre professor I was much surprised to hear that I had" come too late, as Dr Parker died a while ago. One of the attendants told me what it was, but on coining home Miss* Priscilla said it was nothing of the sort, and that he knew nothing at all about it. Catch me doing anything for her again. I 3ea that a good few of the little folk are giving their height. I am 15 years old and am sft Sin. I was at the show at Xuhuna Park_ last week, and was on the look-out for 8.0.8. and Moses among the competitors for the hurdle jumping. I saw a big boy on a very small pony, but I do not think it was 8.0.8. 1 am very fond of collecting Maori curios, and have two stonb chisels, an axe, and fragment of a knife. A few miles from where we lived up country were the remains of an old Maori camp. 'The ovens and fish bones are stil^ to be found. I hope to have fine fun there in the holidays, along with my oH mate Tom ("Sawyer"). When Priscilla spoke of her friend's visit in her last letter, she forgot to mention the immense amount of Bulgarian rock, etc., that disappeared about that time. I think the badge idea a very good one, but the charm of Dot's page would be lost if all the little folk became known to each other. Pauline is a very old friend of mine, we ■having been schoolmates since we were in the First Standard. Still, we had our little squabbles now and again. I must conclude now, with love to all the little folk and yourself, Dot.— Yours truly,

HUCKLEBJ3RRY FINN.

[A good resolution, Huckleberry, and I hope many other boy readers will follow your example, and let us see that we have quite as many boy readers as girls. The stick insect is a harmless creature to have such a formidable name, and, possibly, we should excuse Priscilla for thinking thai you were amusing yourseli at her expense, but I have looked up the authorities on the point, and find that you took back your message quite correctly. Professor Benham has had charge of the museum since the lamented death of Professor Parker. You have made a very good beginning as a collector, and I hope during your holiday researches you will be fortunate enough to" discover even a coveted hi tikei. Oh, dear, I wonder if I have got the spelling right? Our scientific contributor is away, and I don't know who to apply to in his absence. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I had such an adventure the other night with a bike. It was pretty dark, and I was going gaily along when I heard someone walking in front of me. Tho person was coming towards me, and I was making straight for him. He was a man. When I discovered him, he was only a foot away. He dodged to the left, and, as luck would have it, 1* tvftrned to the right and just* escaped him. Who do you think it was? It was the parson. i daresay he would go home and tell his wife that he was nearly knocked over by some girl on a bike. I had no light, so he' could not see me coming. Dear Dot, do I understand that you are going for a holiday? if you are cbming up this way, do let mo know, so that I can go down to the train and see you go thiougli. I will go down every evening and see if [ can see anyone who is likoly to be Dot. What are we to do about our lettcis while you are away? I am afraid that if Mr Editor has to look after them he will grey before you get back. We shall have to put " Dear Mr Editor," instead of " Dear Dot," at the top of oiu letters. I must send for a badge next time I write. I would send for it this time, only I haven't got the tin — beg pardon, I mean the money. I must, wait till pax-day* and* until then, X am

" brolce." My father wants to know if he can have one if he sends a shilling, because he says he is one of the readers. I think lie really means it. Dear me, what nice namas some of our correspondents have. Just fancy having Daisy Bell, Arnie Laurie, and Molly Riley in our midst! We need Sweet Marie and two or three others now, and then it would be complete. I see Jessie C. has not written for a loag time. I believe she is writing under another name, and that is the reason we have not recognised her letters. Only to think that in another week we shall have the Christmas Arnual in our midst ; it is enough to drive one crazy. I wonder if I shall recognise any of the faces— ii any of them are friends of mine. I see that Alys has suggested the age of 20 as being soon enough to retire from the page. I am glad to see you agree with her, Dot, as it leaves me three whole years and a fortnight (on Saturday) in which I can write to you without thinking that lam " too old." Don't you think it is ridiculous, a girl putting her hair up on top before then? There is a girl up here and she is not quite 16 years old, and yet she has had her hair up and worn long dresses for four or five months now. I don't intend to put mine up until I am 21, or 20 at the least. I think I will close now, wishing you all a merry Christmas, — Yours truly,

November 30. P.S. — You may rest assured that I won't give you away, Maidey. — Z.

[Dear Ziska, we all look upon your father as something more than a mere reader, for did he not contribute some beautiful little verses a Bhort time ago. Under the circumstances, I think we should all feel very proud if he really means to get a badge, and wear it. What do you all say, little folk? Do you know, dear, I had no intention of taking a holiday at Christmas time, but you kind-hearted little folk have arranged it all for me among yourselves. Now let me whisper a secret to you: Among the many invitations I have had since the announcement was made I have received a most pressing one from a kind-hearted farmer. and his equally kind-hearted wife not very far from your own home to come up and spend my holidays with them, and if it were not that Dot would be giving herself away by so doing I am inclined to think I should accept it. Then again, if I did, perhaps some other grownup Dots would think I should have gone to them, so perhaps I had better only "leave Dunedin and go to Cavcrshain " for my holidays, as we sa3 r down here when we intend to merely have a quiet rest at home. lam afraid it would be scarcely fair to add to the editor's work at holiday time to give Dot a holiday, and it wouldn't be quite so nice to write to" "Dear Editor," would it? I am afraid the poor man would blush dreadfully when be was replying to all the affectionate letters he was reading, and would altogether feel very uncomfortable. So, Ziska. if Ido gD away for a fortnight, I shall get him to send on to me any stray letters that may come to hand, and if they don't appear quite so soon aa usual the writers will know the reason, won't they? I think you ere quite right, Ziska, in remaining a girl as long as you can, and I feel quite happy to think we shall have yon with ub for over three years yet. Isn't it jolly, little folk?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have not written to you lor a long time, and I suppose you! will think that I have forgotten you,' or resigned like some of the others have done, but I am a long way from long dresses and putting up my hair as yet, so you have not heard the last of me. I have been wondering'who Boy is, <and I have a good idea who he is, and his namo,.is not "Whisky." He will know what I mean if he is the one I think. I saw by one of your answers to, a letter a good while ago that you had Jessie C.'s" address for me. I will be very pleased to get it and write io her if she will take tho trouble to answer. 1 will send a stamped envelope for it, /and you can send your autograph- and Roby's with it. I see one of your littlo folk was suggesting that Dot should have a holiday. I think we might do the thing proper and give her a Christmas box as well. I propose that if the idea- is taken up the editor should be asked to receive subscriptions aud buy a suitable present for Dot. I think I will stop now, and have some mercy on the poor printer, for there always seems such a lot of long letters now. — Yours truly,

NANCY.

[It is awfully nice of you to suggest such a thing, Nancy, but I really could not think of it, dear. The littlo folk did their duty nobly over the kindergarten fund, and now there is the badge as a further tax, and I really could not entertain fo# a moment such a proposal. Besides, dear, lam amply repaid for my trouble by all the affection bestowed on Dot, and I do not need anything to remind me of the good-heartedness of all my little friends. Then again, of course I am going to have a badge, and what more could I possibly want? I shall look upon the badge as from the little folk, because the idea came from them, and it will give me great happiness every time I put on my hat with it in the front. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Here lam once more. I suppose you would be thinking I Was not going to write again, but you see I have turned up once more like a bad penny. I could not write any sooner because I had no news to tell you, but uiy sister has at last persuaded me to do co. What a lot of letters you are getting now. They are coming in thick and ' fast, aren't they, Dot? Sunday afternoon was beautifully fine, and my sister and I went for a long walk. I was very tired when we were coming home, and kept wanting to sit down every little way and have a rest, but my sister, who was in a hurry to get home, would not wait for me. Every tinle I said "We'll sit down now," she would reply, "There's no rest for the wicked:" Wasn't she mean, Dot? ; However, revenge is sweet, and' l may get the' chance to pay her out, and at no far distant date, either. lam learning to ride a bicycle, but I am not making much headway, as it is so seldom I can get hold of one. A friend of mine is coming along with his bike to-night, and is going to "teach me to ride in half an hour," co he said. Oh, dear, it is just commencing tc rain, but I hope it will clear off before evening and be fine. My cousin saw my last letter in the paper, and knew it was from me, and she said she would tell everyone that I wrote and what my norn de plume is. I don't mind if she does, as it would do me no harm. I Bhould get barracked wholesale, but I can stand plenty of that. Thank you very much for the nice name you gave for the farm. Please, Dot, would you kindly give me your opinion of my writing? I must close now, with love to yourself and your happy band. — Yours truly, CLARIS S A. Palmerston South, December 1. [The writing is plain and easily read, Clarissa, but you need a good deal of practice yet to set your hand properly. Were you not very glad when you got home that your sister had hurried you up? I hope you got your bicycle lesson and that your friend fulfilled his promise.—DOT.] Dear Dct, — I suppose you will be thinking I have forgotten all about you, but I have not. I was intending to write to you last week, but somehow I could not think of anything worth saying. I see Wullie lias gone away for a holiday. I hope he will enjoy himself, and also write and tell us all about it. Little folk, are you bad nt doing sums, or what is the matter? Only one girl as yet has answered the problem. I worked it out and get the game, aaav/er. as plie did,— namely* £15, Is

that right, Amaryllis? I sco another of your j good correspondents has left off writing, thai ' making the third one durir.g a month or so.' If that continues, you will soon lose a good many correspondents. . Good-bye, Doughnut, | wishing you every happiness and success through, life. Yes, Dot, I think you should have a holiday, and that your suggestion be carried out. lam sending you some clover leaves. My brother has just come in the room and wanted to see my letter, but 1^ wouldn't show it to him, so he said, "Look at; the big wild daisy." Thank you for the name for the calf, and I would like you to give me a name for another heifer calf we have. I have seen the picture of the badge, and think it very nice, so I have decided to get one. You will find enclosed 12 penny stamps for a badge. With love to Dot and all the liHJe folk, I must bring this dry epistle to a close and retire to Blanket Bay (as my sister is there already). So good-night, Dot. — Yours truly, A WILD DAISY. [I got the clover leaves all right, Daisy, and it struck me that clover would not be a bad name for the new calf; what do you think, dear?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — What a splendid idea that is } of yours about the badges. Really, nothing could be better. How good of you, Dot, to go to such a lot of trouble. I hope the 500 badges are all bought. lam sending for two badges. One is for my sister. Dear Dot, I am sending an addressed envelope; will you kindly forward it to lny sister. r I really could not help laughing at Old Boy 'suggesting our going about with brass tacks stuck all over us. Well, he did not say "stuck all over us," but they were to be seen a mile off. The little silver badge is better than, brass tacks. Dear Dot, in some letters the little folk say that you are an old man, and a young man, and an old lady, and a young lady. Well, Ido declare!' What crabbed old man could write such nice answers to our letters, and be so pleasant? I urn afraid I would not have such patience as you have were lin your place. I fancy you to be very much like Phoebe's description, and you have very amiable ways. Just 'fancy, Dot, Daffodilly meant me when she said she had a sister as good at teasing as any boy. Wait till I see you again, Daffodilly." Come on, Wild Daisy and Mountain Rose, this rain ought to freshen you up. Dear Dot, did you know that the mokis kill the humble bees to get their honey? Tuis kill them for the same purpose. ' Ah, Dockleaf, jou lucky little Xriend, I wish you had been near me the other day, for they say dockleaf is a balm for nettle stings. I think Maggie Shillinglaw's suggestion that tho real names should be given when a writer is leaving us is just capital. Now, S. S. and D. D. can write one more letter and then sign their real names. Dear Dot, I must now close, with love to Daffodilly, Dimples, Dockkaf, and yourself. — Yours truly,

MOUSIE,

[Yes, dear, I knew about the tais and tho mokis hunting tho humble bees. Of course, you know, the bees have brought it on themselves, for they take the tuis' favourite food, the nectar irom the flax flower, the wild fuchsia, and other flowers, and then perhaps it is juafc as well that these two beautiful and exquisite singing native birds are assisting nature in maintaining the balance of power, for there was a fear at one time thai the Arainblo bees would become too numerous, and, thus -provea nuisance aa well as a blessing. They fertilise tho red clover, buirthey also spoil many flowers when they are too plentiful: — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It is a long time since I last ..wrote tp you. .1 am -getting nearer Dunedin every-year. Dear Dot, lam greatly interested in reading the -little folk's letters, but I never see any of the little folk writing about, their travels. I was very sorry to hear about' Dicky Donovan's farewell letter to the Little Folk's Page, but we cannot be always children. I am following Dicky's footsteps too, as I think I am getting too old to write letters to the little Folk's Page now. Dear Dot, lam learning to farm now, and I think a is botter than blacksinithing. I do not think I will tell you anything about my trip round the world, as I think I have told you all befoie, and I am sorry to say that I have not thanked you for sending the Witness with that letter in it. I thought it very Kind of you. Dear Dot, we are milking only five cows yet, and I go to tho Alaungatua factory with the milk eveiy morning. I would so much like one' "of those badges, and I am sending you 12 penny stamps for one. Dear Dot, please excuse this small note, as lam late to-night. So farewell to you, Dot, and the little folk.— Yours truly, JOHN. [So another correspondent has taken a step forward in life, and so he leaves us for good. "Well, good-bye, John, and I hope you wilt be successful in the career you have chosen DOT.] , . Dear Dot,— l go to the Ryal Bush school, and am now in the Third Standard. Our examination took place last week. I have never written to you before, but I reßd the little folk's letters, and I think them" very interesting. I have one brother and two sisters, but only three of us go to school. Dear Dot, T am sending you 36 stamps. Will you plense send me three badges, one for my cousin Arthur, one for my sister May, and one for myself. — Yours truly, NOEL BUXTON (aged 10). Ryal Bush, November 27.

Dear Dot, — I am, writing to thank#you for pi Wishing the Catland Times. It was very gcod of you to do so. I am sorry to say that John Huxley (the editor) has gone-away, and has not turned up yet. I am sending stamps for four badges, please, Dot, and I can assure you that all who are taking one are greatly inteiested in the Little Folk's Page. I have seen the picture of the badge in the Witness this week, and I think it is a very pretty design. So Wullia is away up 'north. I hope that you will write and tell us how you are getting on, Wullie. Well, good-bye,* dear Dot, I have no moro news this time so I will close with love to Lamb, Ziska, Priscill.a, and all the little folk, and yourself, Dot. — Yours truly,

[Fancy the editor of the Catland Times disappearing so mysteriously. I fancy he will turn up some day with the second number, and I am sure he will be received with open arms when he makes his second appearance. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I hardly know what to write about, but no wonder, for I have not written a letter since I last wrote to you. I think I have got hold of something now — it is about something that happened to me when I was in the First Standard. One day I was talking in school and the teacher asked who it was. Of course, I owned up to it, and the teacher put me among the boya. When play-time came she said, " Girls, stand." I stood up too, but she said I was a boy now. I did not like being called a boy at all. When the teacher said " Boys, stand," I had to stand too, and I had to take a boy's hand as well. I would not take a boy's hand, and neither would I march in with the boy 3. The teasher Jet me go back to sit with the girls when we came in, and I was very glad you may be sure. With love to yourself, and all the little folk,— Yours truly, ELLA.

Dunedin, November 30.

[Well that was curious punishment, because the boys are not talkers a3 a iule. However, it seemed to serve its purpose with you, Ella, aa you evidently felt the disgrace, — DOT.J Dear Dot, — For eight years I have read and had read to me your page, bxit I never plucked up enough courage >g write bejEpie'. X am lwic»

ing to see a letter of mine in print, and wonder what it will. look like. My brothers and I club together and get the Otago Witness, and the first page we turn to is yours. I have three brothers and no sisters, and sometimes I just long for a sister. Different people have said to me, " You are a lucky girl to have three brothers," but I don't always see it. Do you think I am lucky, Dot? Iho boys are out having a, kick with a football. I generally join them myself, but I feel lazy to-night. On a cold night when"one feels chilled to the bone nothing warms one up better- than a romp with thp football. I have never seen a game of football, but would like to very much. It is a rcugh game, isn't it, Dot? It was very sad about .arinit, who was lnut playing football. My home is situated about a mile away from a small range of mountains and on the banks of a little creek. The house is surrounded with trees an'l is rather old-fashioned. Our nearest neighbour lives about a mile away, so you see we are quite in the country. The creek is nearly always yellow, for there are about half-a-dozen Chinamen digging for gold on .its banks. They soon work away the ground, and leave nothing but piles of stones with heTe and there a bank of earth. There are a lot of rabbits about here, which are an awful worry to the farmers. They have to wire net their crops in to save them from rabbits. You would be astonished, Dot, to see the lots of rabbits there are about here. My youngest brother is very fond of your page, and readß every letter. He has to get me to read Wullie's letters to him, as he can't make out the Scotch. I see 8.0.8. is wishing he could go to the war. I wonder if he would really like to be there. I hope it won't be long before the war is over. It is a dreadful thing. Could E. 0.8. or Harry. I wonder, tell me if one of the masters of the High School is called "Pus3y" by the boys? lam sorry Doughnut has left the page. I liked her letters. We are all very fond of cats, and have four. We used to have ever so many more, but some have died. I have written a long, uninteresting letter, so must ring oif. With love to you and all the little folk, — Yours truly, . OPAL. [Well, it would be very nice, dear, to have a sister, I am sure, but as your brothers are fond of you and good to you, I do not think you need repine. Yes, dear, football is a rough game, but if it is properly conducted it is a good game for boys for nil thnt. Your letter is anything but uninteresting, Opal, and . I hope we shall hear from you often now you have made a beginning. — DOT.] Dpar Dot,— My father takes the Witness, and I like reading the little folk's letters. Some of them are very interesting. Our school concert came off iust three weck3 ago, and it was very nice. We shall have our Christmas holidays soon ; then we shall have a picnic at a pretty bush. With love to all the little folk, 'not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, ELGEY. Waikaia, November 30. [I wonder if that is really the way to spell yonr name, dear, or is it spelt in the usual way, " Elsie," and you have made a mistake? — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I think it is a very good idea about the badges. lam -going to Dunedin at Christmas for a holiday. lam like a good few of your readers— very fond of reading. I have read a great number of books, and I like Annie Swan's' and E. P. Eoe's the best. I think the letters of Ziska, 8.0.8., Cooeej Cynthia", Ismene, Marguerite, Wullie, and Harry are the best. I think Marguerite and Cynthia, must havegrsmd times I should like to correspond with' Marguerite if sKe would be willing. I would send you-'my address, Dot, and you coulri lorward it to her. Good-bye, with love to- nu tne little folk, not forgetting yourself, Dot.— -y ours truly, / TOREADOR. Edendale. November 27. [Next time, only write on one side of the paper, Toreador, as letters written on both aides give the linotype operator a lpt of trouble. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — This is the first time I have written to you. My, sister Sadie has written to you before. We get the Otago Witness every week, and we like reading the little folk's letters very much, especially those from Wullie and Ft 0.8. lam 10 years old, and lam in the Fifth Standard. Mis 3 Steel is our teacher, and we like her very much. lam sending you stamps for a badge, and shall close my letter with love to all the little folk 'and yourself. — Yours truly, MAY SIMPSON. Otiake, November 27. . * [I hope you. will write us a longer letter next time, May, and tell us all about Otiake. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — I started to write to you about three months ago, but did not succeed, so I thought I would write a fresh letter. Our examination is just over, and I passed into the Seventh. The Transvaal war is mo3t'.y what people are talking about now. Dear Dot, I follow the war news eveiy day, and I -think the Boers are getting the worst of it. I see that the New Zealand contingent has arrived *at the Cape. I wonder how they v/iIL shape at real war. If I was big enough I would go to the Transvaal the first chance I got. I think that ip a. splendid idea alJout tho badgp, Dot, with the initials D L F on it. It will just suit the little folk, as the boys as well as the girls can wear it. In a few days the Christmas Annual will be published, and in it I hope to see most of the little folk's photos. I think this is all I have got to say this time, Dot, so I will bring my letter to a close by wishing a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all the little folk, and to yourself, and also "good luck to our N/jw Zealand contingent." — Yours truly, ERNEST. Oamaru, November 21. [I am sure we shall all agree with Ernest | in including the New Zealand contingent in his Christmas greetings. Perhaps it will be a sad Christmas for the relatives of some of the contingent, but they will be consoled by the knowledge that their dear ones have nobly done their duty to their country. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was very glad to see that 8.0.8. had a grand time at the ball. What a narrow escape Jean had both times from the cow. Ziska must be awfully fond of reading. Just fancy, five books in such a short time. Dear Dot, mamma is going to town, and she is not coming back foi two or three days. How grand it will be to wear a badge. lam going to get one next time I write to you. Dear Dot, I persuaded my two schoolmates, Apple Blossom and Cleopatra, to write to you, and I see their letters have appeared. Do you ihink this summer weather? I think it is more like winter. I have a stamp book, but I have not many stamps. Dear Dot, I had some stamps given to me, but they suddenly disappeared. They were greencoloured stamps, and the name on them was "'Belgique," and I could not find a name in my stamp book like them, so 1 put them away, and could not find them again. I found a nest of three young blackbirds and a nest of one skylark. Minerva is having a nice trip just now. Dear Dot, soon will be the time for old Santa Claus. Has .he ever given you anything in your stocking? Every year I have got something nice. My two little cousins — one a baby and. the other two years old — are going to hang up their stockings thi'3 year. So Dockleaf has found out the mysterious ,Dot, and Lamb is happier now sincje she has : oined the Little Folk's Page? With

love fo Jean, Ziska, and yourself, — Yours truly, KAEANG^MAI. , Otakau, November 25. [They were Belgian stamps, Karangamai, and no doubt they had the head of Leopold II on the face. Of course, dear, Santa Clans remembers us all at some time or other. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l have never written to you before, but I hope you will let me join your little folk now. Each week I see one or two iiew correspondents, so perhaps it is not too late for me to begin. What nice letters Ziska, Cooee, and Marguerite write. I wish I could write like they do. I know hardly any of your correspondents, so perhaps it is not too -late for me to begin. "What nice letters Ziska, Cooeej and Marguerite write. I wish I could write like they do. I know Harry's and 8.0.8.'s names. I don't think 8.0.8. writes such good letters as he used to. Indeed, I think Wullie is catching up on him. It is siirely a long time since Eita "or Jessie C. last wrote. What a good idea that is for a badge that you have agreed on, but I did not know what the letters were for. I don't collect stamps, as I see a good many of your correspondents do. My only collection is birds' eggs, and I have not many different kinds of them. How different the Little Folk's Page is now to what it used to be. Should I put in penny or twopenny stamps for the badge, Dot? — Yours truly, LANETTE. [Penny stamps are better, Lanette, as. more of them are iisefi. You -will see that "the letters ' are DL F. Letters in a monogram are always somewhat difficult to decipher, but they are plainer in the badge than in the picture of it.— DOT.] 1 Dear Dot, — It is raining to-day, so I made up my mind to write a. few lines. First of all, I wish the. little folk a happy Christmas, as this will be the only letter from me until after then, when I shall give a description of the bush plants and ferns. lam sorry to say my pet lamb is dead. All my chicks are strong. The white ones are pretty. 'My brothei is going to write too. He is painting 8.0.8. with his gun, drum, and 3word going to the war, not as correspondent, but as a soldier. "God save our soldiers!" said a hero; "God save New Zealand!" say we all; For they part from their own dear lass With a loving smile, alas! 'Ontil they return home again. — Yours truly, E. M. Wairaatuku Bush, November 20. [E. M.'s verse is a little bit shaky, but the sentiment is good, so I insert it. I hope we shall get a description of the bush and ferns | from her.— DOT.] I Dear Dot, — 1 thought I would write to you to-day, as it is raining. Our examination took place on Wednesday, November 15, and I think I passed the Sixth Standard. I hope Wullie will have a good holiday in Aucldand. I see we have a Kruger in our page now. I thought he would be too much interested in the -war to have time co write. I see Doughnut is leaving our page, but she, cannot stay with us always. — Yours truly, CECIL EHODES. Waimatuku Bush, November 20. - [And I should have thought Cecil Ehodes would have been too busy helping in the .defence of Kimberley to have written. However, it ie -evident we both have been mistaken. — , 'DOT.] - - ; Dear Dot,-^I suppose you thought I had deserted .your page altogether, but it is not so. ■ Since last I wrote to you I have been ill with influenza, so 1 was unable to . go to school. I notice Wullie has gone to Auckland. I wish him every success, and a safe -return home. His mother and father must be joking when they tease him about the lassies. No, Echo, I ani not engrossed in the Tiansvaal war at all. I wonder where Priscilla is nowadays? We must get a truant officer to hunt her up. Dear Dot, what do you think? A whole lot of school children were together, and they had an argument'about you. Some said you wore a man "and others said you "were a woman. So who was right? What a good suggestion of Little Lady about the badge. When shall we get them? 1 haye sent in for one; did you get the stamps? I muat conclude, with love to all the little folk from VICTOEIA. ■ [Yes, dear, the stamps came all right, and the badge has now been posted, as you. will see from the list below. Do you really need to ask, Victoria, which was right? I only laugh when I hear Dot spoken of as a man, and wonder how anyone can be so silly. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — This is my first attempt at writing to you, and I feel rather nervous after seeing what a clever lot of correspondents you have got, and i hardly know what to say fii-st. I think the Little Foil's Page is becoming very interesting indeed. I know a grood number o/ your correspondents, Dot, but I don't think any of them" will guess who I am. Of all your little folk's letters, Dot, lonjoy Wullie's the best. Now, Wullie, don't, think that I am flattering you, for I really mean what I say. I saw iv Lisetta's letter that she has a cow of her own. Well, lam up to her in that, and a dear, quiet little pet mine is, for she will allow me to put my arms aiouud her neck. Her name is Cherry. Dear Dot, I have a flower ' garden of my own, but there are not many pretty flowers in it. My brother lias a little dog, and her name is Nettle. She will jump up on the sofa where ho is sitting, and put her nose into his jjocket and eat the lollies out of it. Dear Dot, I think 8.0.8. had a hard time of it carrying water in the winter, through the snow, but he will have no snow in summer to walk through. Some of the little folk say they can ride, but I have not learnt that much yet. I know what my brother will say when he reads this letter. He will say, "Oh, come and see Diamond's letter," and will make fun of me, but I'll have the upper hand of him. You see, Dot, he has joined the Hussars, and it is my work to clean his uniform and brighten all his horae gear, so if he teases me I shall just tell him that I won't clean them any more for him. That will frighten him, I know. Himbecco gives a- very nice account of her home, although it is in the back blocks of Catlins. My sister told me the other day that if I found her a bird for her cage she would give me a shilling, but then she said ii it did not live she would not give it to me. Now, don't you think she was mean? Well, now, I think I have said enough for the first time. Hoping you will receive me into your band, Dot, and with love to Lisetta, Wullie, 8.0.8., and yourself. — Yours truly, * DIAMOND. [Diamond will be a welcome addition to our list of correspondents, and I hope her brother will not tease her about her letters, oi he may have cause to repent it. Well, of course, you would not be to blame if the bird died, dear, but I think you might meet your sister Half way by -offering to take 6d when you give her the bird and the other 6d if it lives for a fortnight.— DOT.] Oh, little folk, little folk! Where are all the letters going this week! I have already taken three batches in to the editor, and when I handed him the last you would have almost died laughing if you could have seen how solemn he looked. There was no Witness smile then, and I am almost afraid to enter the

door this time. I can only tell him, however, that I am not giving- him any of Saturday's letters^ and see if that' will induce him to -take all these.- If this footnote, appears you will know I have been successful. , T had better write" no more; however. — DOT. • - > BADGES POSTED UP TO MONDAY, DECEMBER 4. Minerva, Dolly Hutton, Silver 8011, Koa, Jeannie Bray, E. Denham, Moki, Florence Henaghar, A.N.T. (2), James Sawers, Jessie M'Rae, Zip, Carrie, M. Brash J2), Ernest Synion, J. Young, May Simpson, John Kerr, Mousie, Wild Daisy, Old Girl (3), C- Instone, Brooklands (2), Fairy Queen, General Buller, Pegleg, Alfred Hodge, Rhona, Harry Amyes, E. M'Kinnon, Mabel F. Smith, Winnie Eichdale, Hondai Lanka, Aleara, Eoby, Alys, -Dorothy Jackson, Echo, Ella, Jealousy, Sister, Pauline (3), Nellie Pelvin, Alice Fraser, Maggie Jopp (2), Richard Wade, Noel Burton (3), Jessie- S. Jackson (4), Maidey, Shan (2), Brenda Bell. Boy.— l have mislaid you address. Please send it again. I Cabbie. — You should have sent your full name. Ask at the post office for the badge, which has gone in the name you sent. C. G. — You only sent six stamps instead of 12,