LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 61

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot, — I received the badge all right,- and •was very pleased with it. The 500 must be nearly finished now. "Are they not? I have not got a bicycle, like some of your eorres ; •Dondents, but I have had rides on them. Wulhe seems to be enjoying his holiday up among the Maoris. He will have a lot to tell his faither and rnither when he comes home, and, of course, he will Tvrite and tell it all to Dot. I like the badge very much, dear Dot, and I Lave put awiy carefully that small piece of paper which was inside the box. I went in for a Senioi Scholarship this year, but I did not succeed in gaining one. I see that you have decided not to have a "Little Folk's Patriotic Fund, but you say you have been thinking ab,out something else for a long time. aSTow, what is it, Dot? I have not seen anyone cut here wearing a badge, but there will be a number of picnics here iroiu Dunedin and elsewhere, and I mean to look out then and speak to everyone with a badge on. I see j'ou dil not get your holidays as promised. Well, I have had a good few. I stopped in Dunedin for a fortnight before Christmas, and then I came home, stopped at ' home on Christmas Day, went to the'Blueskin A. and P. Show, on Boxing Day, and to the Karitanc fete the day following. We had a visitor, about my age, stopping with us over the New Year. We went to a picnic on New Year's Day, and to the sports the day following. Since then I have been in Dunedin for another week, but am iio-v at home again. I think I know who Margueiite and Cynthia are. Do they live at P C- , and is the initial of their surname "X " ? What a lot of letters you are getting now, and heie am I starting another page. You must just blame this pen for writing on and on, and never getting anything interesting written down. . I nxust now say goodbye, so with love to all your correspondents and yourself, I lemain, — Yours truly, DIAMOND.

[The scheme I have been thinking of is such a big one, dear, that I have hesitated for nearly two years about even siiggesting it, although I know very well it would be received enthusiastically were Ito start it. That cannot be this year, though, because the badge and now the patriotic fund in connection with the schools will be quite a big enough drain on my little folk's pocket money, without trying them any fuithcr. On the tmderstanding that the scheme, if favourably received, shall not be commenced till January, 1901 — that is, the begirning of the new century — I shall tell you what it is, so that during the year it may be discussed if it excites as much interest as I tbink it will. It is to commence a fund for the establishment of a Dot's Little Folk Cot in the Children's Ward of the Dunedin Hospital. This will necessitate the subscubing of £50. so j'ou see I have had occasion to hesitate, and greater occasion to stipulate that the scheme has not to be taken in hand till the beginning of the" year. In discussing the question Ido not want you to agree to it because DoL haa proposed it, but I should like you all to say exa-ctly what you think about it, and if there are many objections to it, we can drop the idea, and rio harm will be done. I did not mean to tell you about it at all, but your direct question, Diamond, has forcod me to say something about it ; so the proposal is before you all, and I shall wait patiently to see what you all think of it.— DOT.]

.Oear Dot, — I- have just finished reading youi pages, so I thought I would write another lettsc to you. I see b3' the answer to my last letter that I was mistaken in thinking Miss Ada A. R. Ludford was you, Dot. Dear Dot, I have at last found out who 8.0.8. is. A girl from Dunedin told me what his name is, and where he lives, so I asked two girls who nav£ not long left the place where he lives if ihey knew him, and they said, '" Ye 3, we know him quite well." One of the girls has fhort curly hair. Do you know who they are, 13.0.8.? I think 1 shall also find out who Wullie, Well-wisher, and Ziska ore. At least, a ycung Jady is going to do so for me. I hope aha will succeed in her efforts. Do you know, Dot, I heard that there was only one young lady in the Witness office, and that was^Ernzneline; but perhaps Emmeline and Dot are the same person. What an awful fright Ths Mighty Atom lnust have got when he saw that ierccious-looking bull after him! I suppose he would have been killed if he had not left his bicycle behind him, but better have your foicycle destroyed than your life. Don't you think it would be mean of Solomon Slow to change his norn de plume, just because a few persons have found him out? Dear Dot, I feel very lonely just now, bocause my mate is in Dunedin. She is going to go through the "Witness office,, and I hope she sees you, Dot. There is to be a patriotic ball here to-night, but I am not going, although I hope it will be a success. I must stop now, with love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself. — Yours truly, YVONNE. January 19. [So there is only one young lady in the Witress office, and that is Emmeline, and Emmeline is Dot! There now, little folk, do you think Yvonne has solved the mystery ? I don't imnk the little folk would mind much if Emjneline really were Dot, but how would the staid mothers and aunts and even grandmothers of Emmeline's page like to think that their counsellor and friend was only poor little Dot? •I am afraid the ladies' page would lose caste. However, never mind, there is another one for the collectors.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I was expecting my mates over to spend the afternoon with me, but it turned out a wet day, and they could not get over, so I made up my mind to write a letter to Dot. last time that I yas in Gore I s»w a girl

with a badge- on, but I did not speak to her. I have found out only one of your numerous correspondents, and that is Jessie C. Dear Dot, a gentleman very kindly told me that you were a nice young gentleman. I told him that you were a young lady. I said that a gentleman could not answer the letters so nicely as Dot cculd. He said that a gentleman could answer thu little folk's letters better than a lady could. I was also told by someone else that you were Eniineline. My opinion of you, Dot, is that you are a, nice young lady, with dark hair and pretty brown eyes. I have not seen a letter fron Aguinaldo for some time now. I hope that he has not said good-bye to Dot's page. If ha does not write soon we shall have to be setting up advertisements like this : " Lost, from Dot's page, a youth, answering to the name of Aguinaldo." This, if he does not write soon. We are finished with the shearers now, and it is pretty quiet when the men are are all away. I used to be called " the clerk " down at the shed, because I kept tally for them sometimes. That was a good suggestion of Echo, and it is a pity that it couldn't be carried out. lam glad that Lamb is taking a more cheerful view of life. I hope she will make a lot of friends at school. Wasn't that a grand long letter of Wullie in the Witness of January 4. I did enjoy reading it. I was in Dunedin once, over four years ago, but I am beginning to forget all about it now. The next time I visit Dunedin, I am going to the Witness office to see if I can get a glimpse of our mysterious Dot. I went out fishing last week with a few others, and we caught five small trout. I was very tired when I got home at night, I can 1 ell you. When I sat down I had a lot to say, but I can only remember about half of it now. Isn't the war terrible, Dot? The Boers must be very treacherous to go and pjunder the dead. I hope that the British will win; don't you? I am sending you a stamped envelope for you to forward my address to ismene (if it is not too much trouble) for her autograph. I. must bring my letter to a close, or the editor will be looking stern. With love to Lamb, Ismene, Echo, Harrj', 8.0.8., Roby, the editor, and, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly,

FATIMA,

January 18, 1900,

[It is surprising, Fatima, how knowing some of our male friends pretend to be. However, we do not need to c,a>e, do we, dear? They all provide something for the long list of what Dot is supposed to bo. How aie the collectors getting on now? I think I must have been painted in about 20 difreient chara-oters now — the. lists must be getting quite loiig. I have sent your address to Echo, dear, but probably you have heard fiom her before this. — DOT.]"

Dear Dot, — Christmas is over now, and I hope jou enjoyed yourself as much as I did. i was not away for an 3' holiday, but still I enjoyed myself very well. On Christmas Day we all went to a picnic held in the school grounds. It was very nice, for every one was . c o sociable. We ended up with a dance at night. Do you like dancing, Dot? I hope you do, for I do very much indeed — at least, in reason. I suppose dancing, like everything else, can bo overdone. The only thing that marred my enjoyment on Christmas Day was the absence .of my eldest brother. "He had promised to be home for Christinas, but was unable to get. I must tell you about a picnic that a, loi of us girls had. Well, of course, it was not all girls — there were three bo-ys with iw. We went up a high hill some distance from our place, of course taking our baskets and kettle with us. From the top of the hill we had a grand view of the surrounding country, and very pretty it looked. After boiling the kettle and having a snack, some of us went down to the river below the hill. We found some pretty red flowers growing on some of the trees beside the river. It was a veiy hot day, and it was so nice sitting under the trees. We did not feel inclined to get up and climb the hill again. It was pretty hard climbing going back, but N after we had reached our camp and boiled the kettle and had our tea, we felt quite refreshed, and ready for our walk home. I must say a word in praise of the boys, who were really very good 1 and helped us nicely. Dear Dot, I think it was unfair for Bren's poetry to be passed over as poor stuff. It was certainly anj- thing but poor stuff, for anyone who has brothers must know how exactly it describes boys when they are home for a holiday, or on a wet day when they are about the house. I have several -brothers, and I know what boys are like. Bren also has several brothers, so I suppose she knows what they are like too, though of course boys have their good points as well as girls, and I am sure none of us would like to be without our brothers, for the}- are really kind-hearted if you take them th* right way, though they are such teases. Deal Dot, I saw what you said about the little folk expressing themselves properly in their letters. Would it not ba a good idea for us to keep a copy of our letters, and compare them with the printed ones? How kind of you, Dot, for lam afraid if all are like mine, you will have to correct a good many expressions. And now. I think T shall say good-night, for it is time I was off to th» Land of Nod. I was thinking of changing my norn de plunie, for a number about here have found me out, bill if you would rather I did not, I shall still sign myself, — Yours truly, FIONA.

P.S. — I think I know who Cymbeline is. Your initials are C. B. R., are they not, Cymbeline? — F.

[I should indeed be sorry for Fiona to change her none de plume, even if everyone in the district knew who she was. What does it matter, dear? You have never written a word that you need be ashamed of, and the name — one cannot see it without thinking of the pibroch, and the heather, and the romantic characters in Sir Walter Scott's romances, and everything that is free and inspiring — not forgetting the noble Gordon Highlanders who have done such splendid work in the Transvaal. No, dear, don't think of changing such a proud name as Fiona if you wish to please — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Here lam again! I received my badge all right and was very pleased with it. In after years it will remind me of the time when I was one of Dot's little band. I agree with D.O.S. and Phoebe about the patriotic fund. We could send the money in stamps to you; couldn't me, Dot? Anyway, we can wait and see what the other little folk think about it. I see Wullie has written at last. Roby has a nice letter in this week, and so have Maisie and Bren. Here is a short story, called

A STRONG FARMER.

A nobleman once took a journey from London to strive with a Scotch farmer, who was gicatly famed as a wrestler. He found the Scotchman working in a field, close to the hedge which surrounded it. His lordship entered the field, tied his horse to a tree, and made his way towards the farmer, saying, " Friend, I have heard wonderful reports of your skill, and I have come a- long way to prove

which of us is the better wrestler." The farmer, without answering, seized the nobleman and pitched him over the hedge, and then went on with his work. As the other slowly rose from the ground, the farmer asked: "Well, have you anything more to say to me?" — " No," replied his lordship, " but perhaps you would be kind enoiigh to throw over my horse!" " The "Red Flag, by Mr Hammaker, was a very nice story, though so sad, lam sure he will gain the sympathy of the little folk. It is a horrid disease, is diphtheria ; is it not, Dot? I know a lady who had three children die in one week with it. She was very bad heiself, and did not know for days afterwards that her dear ones were called away. It is very sad when you come to think of it. I see D. D. <has sent m her resignation. I hope you may have many bright and happy years before you, D. D. Ziska has not written for a while, neither has Madcap Eileen. I wish Vida M'Kellar would write us a nice long letter. I see my letter is lengthening, so I will conclude, with love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself, Dot, — Yours truly, LADY BELL. January 17.

[That was a really dreadful case, Lady Bell, and I am sure Mr and Mrs Hammaker's hearts will go out in sympathy to the bereaved parents, whose tale bears such a striking resemblance to then own. I also wish Vida would write to us, as I do not feel quite happy over the state of unceitainty that hangs over her. Do none of our little folk correspond with her 9 — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I see the girls are wanting the boys to roll up and write to you, so, in answer to their call, I have rolled up, and now I have rolled up I do not know what to write about. Well, I shall start on the holidays. I hope yci and the little folk have enjoyed yours as much as I have mine. We had" five weeks' holidays given \is, but there is not much more than one week left now, I am sorry to say, because I can't say I love school, like Harry does, though 1 like it well enough when it comes to playing football and cricket. The master plays with iis boys. I should like if my schooldays were over, and I can't understand why old folks say that it is the happiest time of a boy's life. I wonder if they thought so when they weie going to school? I suppose it is a necessary evil, though, that will have to be put up with. I was at a picnic on Christmas Day, and won several prizes, and I was at another with my sisters and brothers, but we poor milkers can't get away long. When we are going away, it is always, " Boys, mind and be back in time for the cows!" So, of course, that takes away a bit from one's enjoyment, for we have always to be asking what the time is for fear we are not back in time for the cows. I like 8.0.8.'s letters. I wish 1 knew him. Wullie's letters are very amusing. lam sor ( ;y Con and D. Donovan have stopped writing. Well, good-bye, Dot. This is my, first attempt at writing to you, so I hope you will think it worth printing. I mean to be a- blacksmith some day, so I will sign myself, — Yours tiuly, VULCAN. [You have made a very good beginning, Vixlcan, and I am sure you will receive a hearty we come.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I went to the Bluff regatta. It was a veiy windy day. I went out in the tug Avsarau about a mile from the land. I was on board ths Monowai, and I saw the cooks. They were very clean, and a boy was cleaning potatoes as if by magic. She is a very nice steamer. We have a pony. He is very quiet, but he does not like passing flax. Last Sunday afternoon we went for a drive to the bush. It was a hot day, but it was lovely and cool in the bush with the ferns and the foxgloves, pink and white. We have also had a trip to the Riverton Beach, and we enjoyed running out to meet the waves and wade in the water. One of my sisters fell down in the water, and was drenched. Another of my sisters and my little brother wore frightened of the water and were pleased "to get away from it. We had luncheon with us, and boiled the billy, so we enjoyed oxaselves very much. It was six miles to drive home again. My brother wished to get some raspberries on the way home, but they were not ready to pull. I have been to two picnics, and they were both on nice summer's days. — Yours truly, CELINE. [Was the address you gave me for the badge sufficient, Celine? I hope you got it all right, but I felt a little doubtful about posting it to such a meagre address. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — "What has become of Marguerite? I hope that her long silence is not caiised by her being unwell. Little Lady professes to hay* pierced the identity of Old Boy among others, and says that he is going to a High School next year. He hopes to go to a High School in the end; but what year it will be — this year or next — it would be difficult for him to say. Tiy again, Little Lady, as you are wide of the mark this time. Dear Dot, I wish my comrades would not write quite such long letters. If they would be content to put their ideas on about three or four pages of ordinary notepaper, then you would be able to put in all our letters each issue of the Witness, instead of being compelled to hold them over for the want of space. I hope they will give the matter some consideration, and with kind wishes to all, yourself, Dot, of couise, included, I remain, — Yours truly, OLD BOY. [Thank you, Old Boy, for the suggestion as to the length of some of the letters. I have such a great bundle of letters by me, and I am afraid many of them will never see print. If little folk would try to make, say 42 lines of eight words to each line the extreme limit, it would ease matters considerably, and give others a chance. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am sure your views were quite right with regard to the patriotic fund and the schools. lam getting on very well with the book I am reading, and I like it very much. When it is finished I have another ono ready to start. I suvjpose nearly all your little folk have seen the sea, but 1 have not seen it, except when I was a small boy about three years old, so you can imagine 1 don't remember much about it. A young peison asked rrw if he were too old to write. His age is about 17, but I am afraid there are some a good deal older than he is I think he would irak" a vory good correspondent, for he is used to writing. lam sure everybody will be glad when the war is over, and all is peace again. I hope the remaining part will pass without so many lives being lost. I hope the British are conquerors, and the Boers have to be content under British rule. I will stop now, with lov to all the little folk and Dot. — Yours truly, THIS SKIPPER. [Do you know, Mr Skipper, I can never quite understand anyone expressing such a hope as that, as I cannot imagine an enemy having any chance of being victorious once the British have made up their minds to conquer or die. Even if the Boers had been successful in their intention to march through to Capetown, I should not have lost faith in our countiymen driving thorn back in time and showing them how utterly futile and wicked was their dream of driving the British out of South Africa. Make up your mind, lsd, that Britain will always win m the end, and you will not be far out.— DOT.]

Dear .Dot, — I am very fond of riding, and often ride bare backed. The other night I was on a horse bare-backed and fell off; but did not hurt myself. lam very fond of reading, especially Dickeas's bopks. I saw by the last week's

Witness that Fatima got a nice present of two books, by Dickens. I have read one, " The Old Curiosity Shop," and I thought it was very good. The holidays will soon be over now. Wullie is away for a glorious holiday with Wellwisher. The gooseberries and currants will all be finished soon. I don't like picking fruit, do you, Dot? I think it would have been very nice if the little folk had started a patriotic fund, had subscriptions not been called for in the schools, but as most of them have subscribed to the school fund, I don't suppose the idea could be carried out. — Yours truly, HOYA. [Picking berries is certainly tedious, Hoya, and I think stemming them afterwards is worse ; but it is worth the labour when you think of the jam that is made from them. We have to pay for our pleasures, you know, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — As I have been staying at the beach, I thoiight I would write to you. On Fri- j day we went out for a drive, and I was frightened, because the horse was very fresh, and bgan to jib. Of course I jumped out, and in doing so hurt my ankle. My brother took us out netting, and we caught six dozen flounders. My brother is sending us a blue cat ; will you give me a name for it, please. Dear Dot, don't you think this is a terrible war going on; I do. We are having very bad weather just now. -We have a pony down here whose name is Jack. —Yours truly, TRANSVAAL. [Isn't it rather soon to ask a name for the j cat before you get her, Transvaal? However, perhaps you have got her before this, and if so, you might call her Jennie. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was rowing in a boat the other day when suddenly it capsized, fortunately in shallow water. A young gentleman told me that you were an old man with long white whiskers. Dot, don't you think that girls who play football with the boys should ba ashamed of themselves? I do. Isn't it sad, Dot, to think of our dear friends who spent their Christmas Day on the battlefield? I hope General Buller will get old Kruger, and take him Home to London. I must now stop, with love to Dot and all the little folk. — Yours tuily, UP TO DATE. January 19. [I am afraid Kruger could not stand such a trip as that. I fancy that when he finds all his scheming has gone for naught, he will collapse, and not be able to stand the shock. However, he will not be treated harshly by the British, whatever may be the result. The " young gentleman " evidently does not know much, does, he?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Your page is a success at last, and I can now truthfully say I enjoy reading the letters. Of course, I am often laughed at by the boys, who call me a baby for taking an interest in the " kids' page," as thhe call it. However, I don't mind, as I am quite used to being laughed at by now. I wonder if the criticisms of the little folk were too much for Madcap Eileen, as she has not written to you again? lam inclined to think that they were, but I am sure that what she wrote was written only in jest, and that she had no intention of being serious at all. Don't you think so, Dot? Do agree with me, as I am sure if she sees anybody taking her part, she will write again. I would very much like to know Lamb, also Rita, who I am sure is writing under a different name. Is not that so, Dot? I see by the last Witness that a correspondent has changed her norn de plume to Vevette. Although I do not know her, I have a pretty good idea who she is. The initials of your name are E. D., are they not, Vevette ? If lam correct, you will wonder how I found you out; but I am not going to tell tales. Do you know, Dot, I have a great liking for all your boy correspondents, althotigh I have never met any of them. They ought to feel flattered, I am sure. I don't suppose it is any use me saying anything abovit the war, as we all know it is terrible, ancf also that the British will be certain to win sooner or later. I do not know any of the New Zealanders who have gone to the war, though there are a few from down this way who have gone with the second contingent. It has been very close today, but the wind has risen now, and by tomorrow morning I suppose we shall have rain. Although I live in the country, I do not ride, though 1 would very much like to. I cauvot ride a bicycle either, trough I have tried to learn more than once. I saw the Christmas number of the Witness last night, and I was rather disappointed with the photos. Jessie C.'s and D. Donovan's are the two best, I think. When next I go to Dunedin I shall try to make the acquaintance of some of your correspondents. 1 am afraid I must stop, as I am sure you will bo leaving my letter out if I make it any longer. Of course it may not be worth printing as it is. I will now close with love to Lamb, Kita, and Ziska. Not forgettng yourself. — ( Yoiu-s truly, RAGAMUFFIN. I [Yes, dear, it is worth printing, though rather long. I do not think it was the criticism that stopped Madcap Eileen writing, Raggy. She has simply had something else to take up her attention ; but I feel quite confident we shall 1 hear ironi her again when she feels like writing. ! No, Rita is not writing under any other name, and, indeed, I think she has performed what is known as '"the vanishing trick," ps there are quite a number of cards awaiting her, and I have frequently asked both her and Lamb to send me their addiesses, without any re&ponse. If they do not do so shortly, I shall send all the cards back to those who have sent them. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Holiday-making, frolic, and fun have been the general rule these last few weeks. ! The old year has been succeeded by the new, and we have to look forward again to "winter and rough weather." lam glad to say that I have fully recovered from an overdose of Christmas pudding and confectionery, though I was haidly as bad as some fellows I met, who weie having a very bad turn of indigestion. It is a stiange custom, though the one generally adopted, especially by boys, to eat five times as much oil Christmas Day as oa any other day, and it is perhaps a good thing for the health of many people that Christmas comes but once a ye<<r. I received my badge safely, and am very pleased with it. It is of a very pretty design, and though the letters are not very distinct it cannot be mistaken, and can I easily be reoogmsed even at a distance. Being | silver it will be stronger and more lasting Lhan jif it were metal. What a splendid souvenir to i keep of ihe page. I picture mysel£ in days to [ come, taking out my little badge, and with its j aid calling up memories of happy dayj i long gone by, and perhaps telling stoiies of i the page to a group of eager-faced young grandchildren. But, to return to the present, I think the badge scheme has been a decided success, and you have every reason to be pleased with the result of your painstaking i effort 1 ?. I am sorry the suggested patriotic I scheme was not adopted, as I am sure we [ should have liked to have shown our patriotism and sympathy in connection with the page, but of course _if, as you say, it is likely to affect the school fund, and undoubtedly it would, it is best to give up any idea of it. I have to acknowledge the receipt of cards from Cuckoo [ and Shan. It was very kind of you to remeru- | ber Dot's friends in the way you did, and I heai til y reciprocate your kind wishes. I shall always keep them as souvenirs of the page, and of you, my dear friends. I hope you received mv last letter safely, Con, and I hope to hear fiom you soon. With best of love to Shan, Bluebell, Cuckoo, Dockleaf, Con, Tikitia, Mok:' and yourself, dear Dot, — Yours truly, BOY. [So we have not quite lost Con yet, for here ia Boy sending him a message which he ha 3

no doubt good reason to think will be read bj{~ our ex-contributor. lam glad to hear, even' indirectly, of one of our old friends. — DOT.} Dear Dot, — Just as I said before, Wullie ;£ giving himself away. Just fancy him sending a silver brooch to Bluebell, and when he? started writing at first he said his father an6s mother would not give him notepaper, and ho had to get it from Well-wisher. Where did ha get the brooch ? However, I hope he will enjoy his trip to Auckland, and I should like him to know that my s "rnither" is not an old 1 " applewife," as he said in one of his letters. I' see General Joiibert says he knows who Wullie is, and if he is good-natured and not a " Boor," I hope he will let us know something about our friend Wullie. Dear Dot, I hope the war will soon be ended. There are such a number of men being killed or wounded, and I hope the rest of our New Zealand boys will get safe through it, and that General Joubert won't get; General Buller's scalp. I hope all the little folk enjoyed themselves at Christmas. We had a picnic, and got prizes at our school, and I got two books, one for attendance, the other a class book. They are entitled " Gleanings from Popular Authors " and " Pictorial Records of Remarkable Events." With love to yourself and all the little folk, I remain,— Yrurs truly, F. L. O. January 19. [My dear F. L. 0., you seem to forget taaf Wullie is not with his parents, but with Wellwisher, which quite accounts for the different in his circumstances. I have no doubo thai Well-wisher asked him if he would like to send any of the little folk something, and also supplied the money for buying the presents. W« shall, however, see what Wullie says. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — The holidays are almost over now, and in another week our school opens. Fighting is still going on in the Transvaal, Dot, and both sides are losing heavily. I see the New Zealanders are getting great praise. Thai shows what they must be. The New Zealanders and the Australians are some of the best British troops there. How would you like to be fighting, Dot? I should like i< fine, although ' 1 know that fighting in war is terrible. 1 hope you enjoyed youiself during tho Christmas and New Year holidays. I did, if everybody else didn't. I have not met with any accidents this year, but this time last year 1 met with one, but I was none the worse for a good soaking. Wishing you all a happy time, also wishing the second contingent a pleasant voyage in the Waiwera, and success in the Transvaal, — Yours truly, ERNEST. Oamaru, January 23. [Dot fighting, Ernest! Ugh, the suggesliou is as bad as seeing a mouse or a spider! No, dear, I am quite prepared to look on and applaud the bravery of Our Boys without taking an active part in the war. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I see Dolly has been writing to you while I was away. One thing 1 noticed in her letter was that she was going !o write to Aroha. Well, Aroha begs leave to state that she never got that letter. So you read ou>" letters, Paul? Why don't you write? Dolly and I intended to walk to St. Clair to-night, but some friends asked us to go for a row. . Dolly went, but I could not, as mother would have been nervous with vis both away. Dolly; went up for an exam, last week. It was tha same one that Harry went up for. V\ r hile I was away in the country I went to a patriotic meeting, and saw two girls there with the D. L. F. badge in their hats. I found out? who they were, but not the names over which they' wrote. Did you go to the floral fete ? I did, and enjoyed watching* the people very, much, but it was too -wet to walk about much.' I am so tired of the holidays, and long for school tip reopen, even though I am only going back for classes. There are only about uwo" weeks to wait now. With love from, — Youra truly, AROHA. [I wonder if the girls you saw at the paw tnotic meeting were equally successful in finding out who you are, Aroha. If so, they will X>iobably know your pen name also now, aa you have given yourself away by mentioning having seen them. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I see Aroha has written to you, so I will just write you a short note. We went out for a row last night, and it was such fun. We followed a sailing vessel up the harbour and reaped the benefit of the back-wash from it. We got home about a quarter to 10, after having spent a most enjoj'able evening. Have. yoj been stealing any door mats lately, Aroha? I hepe not, and has that friend of youra stopped smoking yet? On the day of my exam. I saw Harry. I knew you by your badge, Harry. Do you remember the gymnastic hall and your photo? It must have been fun. I know about, it. Isn't this weather lovely? Ido hope it will be fine on Saturday week, as I am going to a picnic on that day. Paul, I hope you will take Aroha's advice and write to Dot. Dot, we have had such fun over the badges. One boy asked ma if it was " Decided little fathead " or " Darling little fascinator " ? It told him it was the latter. I don't think it is true about Vida M'Kellar's death, as one of my uncles is engaged to her sis^r. I will find out. X agree with you, Echo, about the tax on W. E. and L. G. ; also I think it should be levied on T. G. for London street. I am not sure of your identity, so will you give me a sign in your next letter, please? I', know you are a girl. Aroha is busily engaged in chasing a large moth round the room with a big broom, and is letting out the most unearthly screams now and then. She sa3's she will not be able to sleep to-night, as it will distuib her. Poor little darling. I will say good-bye now, with love fiom, — Yours truly, DOLLY. P.S. — Aroha has at last killed the monster, so she will be able to sleep undisturbed, and I hope she dreams of door mats. — D. [Dolly evidently loves mysteries. You know, dear, we do not know anything about the door mat episode, or about the owners of all those initials whom you think it would be right and proper to tax. Making allusions that youi leaders cannot understand is almost as bad form as whispeiing in company. I like everything in all 3'our letters to be plain and above board.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am waiting for the mail tc come in, so I take the liberty of writing to you. Some of the little folk write capital letters, and I wish I could write as well. I think 8.0.8.,T\lp.idey, and some of the others are the best, I wish Lamb and Ziska would correspond with me If you will do so, I shall send my a<Ldiess to Dot. The war is a terrible thing, ia it not? Dear Dot, did you ever try riding on a man's saddle? I have, and I fell off when tlv> horse started to gallop. Deal Dot, I thmfr you are a dear young lady, with light browr. hair and viole'- eyes, and a very pretty little mouth. I think the editor must be a very nica man. Dear Dot, my brother gave me a lovelj black horse for a Christmas box. Will you please give me a very nice name for him ? Thera are five badges about here, and not one of the wearers writes to Dot. With love to all the little folk and dear Mr Editoi, and not forgetting yoixj precious little self, I am, — Yours truly, BLACKBIRD. [That is a very nice description of Dot", Blackbird, and I hope the collectors will note it. No wonder the editor is looking quite cheerful, even under the most adverse circumstances, considering all the nice things being*

said of him. I was told that on no account •were Dot's letters to exceed two pages, and they are to be as much less as possible ; and yet they continue to run considerably into the ftbird page — and the editor still smiles. Thank you, little folk, for the assistance you have given me. What a fortunate girl you arc to te sure to get such a handsome Christmas box. iWouldn't Black Prince be a good name for him?— -DOT.] v Dear Dot, — We have whooping cough, so we are staying in Timaru for change of air. We don't like it very much, because we haven't otir 'ponies with us. We go in the sea every day to .paddle. We have buckets and spades to dig slioles with. There are hundreds of children on [the beach, but I haven't seen any badges. I owear mine on my best hat. Thank you for putjting my composition about a boy in the paper. fft[y godfather saw it, and sent me five shillings ,to do what I like with. This is how I spent it: — A measuring tape, a pineapple, a ruler, a 'lead pencil and pen, a knife, some lolly billiard jfoalis. We are going to stay in Timaru two •Vieeks longer. I wish daddy would come. We live next to the lighthouse, and we see all the chips come in to "the harbour. — Yours truly, FAIRLIE GILLINGHAM. [That was real good of your godfather, Fairlie, and it was well applied. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Somebody told me that you were a young man; but of course I didn't believe that. A young man could never answer letters bo nicely as Dot. Do you think so, little folk? •But I must not talk iike that of young men. "I am away for a holiday. Dear Dot, Ipm 13 years old my birthday was two weeks ago last Sunday; and I am in the Fourth Standard at school. Did Santa Claris come to you and put something in your stocking at Christmas, Dot? He gave me two books, a big packet of lollies, a glove box, a ball, a card, and a little green velvet rba-g with a dog worked on the outside. Dear Dot, arc you fond of reading?' — I am. My favourite stories are " The Nursery Alice," "Alice Through the Looking Glass," and " Little Women." I hope the war will noi last leng. I think, instead of all this trouble, Kruger and Lord Salisbury 3hould go out into a paddock, take off their coats, and fight by themselves, and see which would win, and then let it be finished. Don't you, Dot? It has been raining hero to-day, and it also rained yesterday; but we have had no thunderstorm. % like listening to thunder, Dot. With love Lo Dot, and all the little folk. — Your 3 truly, LEONORA.

' [Well, Leonora, I am beginning to think there are many persons quite jealous of Dot and her little folk, and that that is the cause of their putting poor Dot down as a young man. However, they are very foolish, because if we begin to distrust them in one thing, we shall probably not give them credit for telling the truth when they are actually doing so. Santa Claus was very good to you, dear, and I hope you will try to reward him by being very industrious with your lessons during the whole of the year. lam not quits sure that your solution of the war problem would answer, dear. (Lord Salisbury is not at all responsible for the ,-war, and Krager is only one of many who forced it on Britain, and I am sure the others could not be bound by the result of a personal 'encounter between the Prime Minister and the President.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I think what 8.0.8. and G-eneral 'Joubert said about the girls is quite true. ■•Dockleaf is lucky to know so many of your correspondents. I only 3mow two or three of jthem. Bren has sent you a piece of poetry, wliich she said expresses her' feelings to a, T, but I think it is rather hard on the boy& — just like some girls, always complaining about the toys. lam going ,to tell you how ■3TAMPIRE AND 'SNOOKS WENT A PIGHUNTING.

"- "*' Call the dorgs," said Snooks to me, f while 1-ge.t the gun. We were soon, pt the bush, which is not far off. " Away, lads, and find •'eni," said Snooks to the dogs, and away they went, bounding about the ferns. Snooks had a gun, I had a tomahawk and a knife. We saw a pigeon on a black pine tree, and Snooks said he would shoot it. So he took steady aim and fired at it, and the gun kicked him over a Btump that was "behind him. 1 asked him what it was like to be kicked over by a gun, and he gaid it was just like having your backbone shoved up into your brains. He iais=ed the pigeon. Just then a big boar came clown the track with the dogs at his heels. Snooks fired & shot at him and wounded him, and he got wild and made for us. Snooks bolted down the track, and I made for the nearest tree, and the boar rushed after me, but I got up the tree in time, so he did not get a hod oi me. But he sat under the tree and watched inc. I threw sticks at him, but he only growled and grunted at me. In about an hour he began to shake his Siead and stagger about, and after that he soon 'died from his wound. Then I came down from /the tree, gave the old boar a few kicks, picked up my tomahawk, and cut out his tasks, which; .were about 11 inches long. Then I ran down t ihe track as fast as I could go for fear of meeting another boar. When I got nepr the outside I began to walk, and when I gor outside of ,the bush I saw Snooks sitting upon the highest branch of a ( tree, but he came down when he saw me, and looked quite surprised, for' he said he thought it was a wild bull coming down the bellowing. I told him it was only me singing, " When the roses come again." — Yours itruly, VAMPIRE. ; Kakanui, January 18. P. S. — It was not a Transvaal Boer, btit a Captain Cook boar.

[Not very much for either Snooks or Vampire to ba proud of, was it, little folk? Snooka especially should sing very small in fixture till he does something worth talking about — DOT.]

• Dear Dot, — This is the first time that I have written to you, so I feel a wee bit nervous. I always read the little folk's page, and think it is getting very interesting. I am -glad to see ( that a lot of the little folk who were calling themselves horses, cows, dogs, cats, and rabbits have given it up. it does not look nice to see little girls or boys signing themselves a 'dog, and winding up with, *' I have a pet kitten ; will you please give me a name for it. 'I think I saw in the last Witness that you said that you checked the letters before they ( went to the editor for print. lhs>t is veiy good of you. It has been raining all day to-day. This war is a bit tough. I thought it would bo over by Christmas. If they get pushed for men, I am ready; but I wish it was over, nevertheless.

I went down to Stewart Island for a holiday, and had a good tour through a great part of it, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I vent across to the island on December 'A 7. The voyage was pretty rough at the beginning, and I •was sick ; but it cleared up towards the end, and I got better again. The stcrnier takes about ihree hours and three-quarter^ to go over. It leaves the Bluff wharf at half-past 8 in the jnorning, and arrives at Halfmoon Bay wlurf at 12 o'clock or thereabouts. The otrait is studded here and there all the wr>y pcrof-s. Halfmoon Bay is very pretty. It i" <ulusibd on tho north coast of the island. The Fteamcr /waits here for about an hour and a-half. People ■who have travelled thiough and all round the island say it is about 25 miles wide and about 70 miles long, jand I behevo it is from what 1 have seen of it. After you have loft llalfmoon Bay and gone west along the coist, you come to a snug little beach called Buttmfiplds. 'L'hen 'after you leave there and go along the track for j, mile or so, it fetches you to a very iwetty •say called Horseshoe. The bes eh lound this bay is a mile long, and it loo!— like a horseshoe at low tide. Leaving l£caeeslioe behind.

you go along a track to Lee Bay. This is a very nice, quiet bay for picnics. A good few years ago there used to be a Maori pa or settlement here, for the femtrees of their huts are still standing, and some hurt trees, such as gooseberries and currants, are still to be found, and there are also a lot of strawberries there. The track that takes you to Lee Bay ends here, and you go round the rocks till you come to a river called Little River. This is a very prettyplace at low tide, for the beach rims back a, good way. You still follow the rocks till you come to a point of land called Peter's Point. This is where an old man had a garden once and there is still plenty of fruit to be found, strawberries amongst them. Between Little River and Peter's Point, there are the remains of a coal ship of som« sort called the Eclipse. G?he coal is still to be seen strewn among the locks all along the coast. Leaving Peter's Point, and still keeping to the rocky road, jou pass a place whers there was a little gold got. Then you come to Maori Beach, which is about half a mile long, and is a very good place for shells. At the far end of the beach is a river called Maori River. Thia is about one of the best bathing, places that I have seen. It is wide and smooth. The sea docs not affect it m any " way. Looking across the water you will see Port Jackson. This is a very nice sheltered harbour. At one time the place wa3 used for the emigrants, and the site of the barracks is &till to be seen. You can't get round ' the rocks very well to the port. It is better to ' go to it in a boat. That is as far as I have • been, so 1 cannot tell you about the' coast any farther that way. But going back to Maori Beach again, you will see a tiack cue throtigh the bush, and at the entrance there is a signboard up with ' To Halfmoon," o:i it. If you follow the track it will take you out on to the Halfmoon-Horseshoe Bay track. j

It was at Horseshoe Bay that I stopped for my holidays. After I stopped here for a week I went up the Inlet for a week to put in the last of them. So before going any further, I may 'as well tell you a little about the Inlet. Leaving Horseshoe and Halfmoon Bay 3 behind, we went round Harold's Point, then through a narrow pas&age between Rabbit Island and the main one, then out into the inlet. Going up the inlet, we passed Golden and Kaipip Bays, Price's Point, and numerous other bays and points and islands, all very pretty. It would take one all his life to learn the geography of this little island, for all the rocks have names, from the size of a strawstack upwards. The inlet is 17 miles long. Up near the fiats — that is, the top of the inlet — it i& very shallow at low tide, and at high also — in fact, it is all bare at low tide. This is wheie the swans, ducks, redbills, and snipes come to feed, together with numerous other seabirds. There are two big sheets of water, one on the righthand side and one on the left. The one on the right is called the North-West Arm. It goes into the island for a consideiable way. The one on the left is known as the South-West Arm. They are both very pretty, especially the latter. We went away up this one for a long way, and I thought it was the nicest place I 'was ever at in my life. This is one oi the best places on the island for tourints, there being any amount of shooting, boating, and fishing, while there are plenty of seagulls', shags', and penguins' eggs to be j,ot in the reason, as well as shells, such as you don't see every day. After having a look round and shooting a few &hags, we turned back and went up the Freshwater River. This is a nice ;iver, grand and wide and deep. We went up the river to a hut that is there, and fixed things up a bit. Next morning we went tip the river for seven or eight miles, but could not get up any farther for snags. There is another river branching off this one, about a mile from the mouth ct the big one. You can go up this tributary for two or three miles. It is called Little Freshwater river. But before 1? go any further, I should say that I had two real camp mates with me — one a sailor, the other a fisherman ; and that is everything when you are camped away out on yovir own. It is veiy nice when you say, " Suppose we go for a row? " and the other fellow says. "What's the good I " It takes the cream off the holiday when you have a mate like that. Anyway we got on splendidly between exploring, shooting, etc. So we had no end of fun. I will close now, "but I shall send you a full description of the plains, mountains, and lakes of Stewart Island uext time I write. —Yours truly, HAERY FARRER.

Hokonui, January 19,

[What a jolly time you have had, Harry, and what a capital description of your holiday you are giving us. I have always heard what a grand place Stewart Island is for a week or two's camping out, and I can readily believe it after what you have told us. I shall look forward to your description of the scenery with considerable interest. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — As I am down at Echo's to-night, and she is always talking about Dot, I thought I wotild like to become one of your corresponddents ; so here goes. I know a few of your writers, and I think, among the boy's letters, I like 8.0.8.'s and the Critic Club's best ; and in the girls', Ziska's, and Maisie's. I sco that Harry is in for some examinations, and I hope he will get through them, and not be down with brain fever before he has finished, as he seems to be studying very hard. So 8.0.8., jour mother thinks a. new lock on her cake cupboard is necessary ; and you say that you only like cakf when you are hungry. I should think that if two hungry boys, such as you and Steve, get in there, there wouldn't bo much chance if visitors called in the afternoon. I should like to take a snapshot of your mother's face when she opened the door to «et a cake for afternoon tea. Now, you of the Critic Club, d.on't go saying that two boys couldn't get into a cake cupboard. I meant theii hands, and perhaps their mouths. I see Dolly's sister went for a picnic up the Leith Valley, so she will have passed not a hundred miles from our place. "We have a lovely bush, brimming over with ivy, convolvulus, and wild strawberries, besides peach, apricot, and all kinds of fruit trees.

I was very much disappointed in the annual; I looked out for familiar faces, but didn't see any. I think that Jessie C, Steve, and Harry were clearest. I had bettor not put " nicest," in case they get swelled head. I agree with "Echo, that your holiday was a- decided failure; but nest year you will lust have to take it, and put the little folk in the background. It will be a nice idea to have the little folk's photo 3 in occasionally. I haven't noticed many badges in town ; but perhaps that is because my eyesight is rather defective. . . .

I h?,d to break off for teo, and then we read the war ne.vs. Isn't it very sad about the two New Zealanders, especially for their relations? I am thankful I haven't any brothers there, though perhaps that is rathe*, a selfish way to look at it. I feel qtiite sobered down by the war news, so I shall now conclude with love to Dockleaf, Marguente, Maisie, and the Clitic Club. Perhaps if I send my love to the Critic Club they won't be too hard on me. — Yours truly, NEMO.

Dunedin, January 17,

[Nemo has niado such a good, beginning that I am liuro the Critic Club can have very little to say m disparagement of her first letter, and I am equally &iue she will be received with open aims by one and all. Your lettei is rather long, dear, but that is its only fault. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Everybody, except the farmers, is grumbling about the lough 'weather, but the farmers don't mind, a3 it will do the crops good. I have seen one of the badges, and I think they are . ciy nice. 1 know three ol your good correspondents, but that is very few cflnmafgi with the number Little Lady knows.

Where have Pauline and Miss Mufiet gone to? I have been away for holidays, and just returned a few days ago— Our school begins next Monday, but I wish the holidays would last another month. I did not enjoy my holidays very much, as the weather wad unfavourable most of the time. With love to all the little folk, and yourself, — Youis truly, HILDA. January 25. [I am soiry you did not have a better time during the holidays. It certainly has been very trying, but I suppose we must just put up with it.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It is nearly two years since I last wrote to you. I intended to have written months before this, but you have had such a lot of letters that I was advised to wait until you had fewer; but it seems the longer I wait the more letters you receive, so 1 have made up my mind to write a short letter, trusting you will find enough space to insert it. I was very sony you did not have the holiday tho little folk talked of giving you ; but I hope you will be more successful next time. I went down south to see our dear relations for my holiday, and I enjoyed myself very much. Dear Dot, we were highly amused at Beit's letter in last week's Witness, where he says the Old Phil's voice is cracked, and he can't sing. I hopa it will soon mend. I will .close with fond love to yourself and little folk. — Yours truly, DAISY H. KING (aged 10). Kuri Bush, January 20. ■ Dear Dot, — You have been having so many letters lately that I had mercy on you and refrained from writing for a time. I always feel sorry for you when you have to keep over some of the letters week after week, ai*d I am sure it is anything but a pleasure to hand in the letters to the editor when he thinks there are too many. Like most of your correspondents, I was very pleased when the Christmas Aui.ual arrived. Of course, the little folk's photographs were the most interesting part of th» paper to me. Ido not think you should feel very disappointed with the result. I know it was quite up to my expectations. With such a number of different kinds of photographs, one could scarcely hope to make them all clear. I think it would be very nice if Emmeline were to have a group of her Cosy Corner Club correspondents in next year's annual. Did you ever suggest it to her, Dot' I am sure some of her correspondents must bs very clever to write such good essays. I was never very good at writing essays. Mine were always short and sweet — well, I don't know much about the sweetness of them, but I know that if I had to write on a subject about which I did not know much, i used to wonder if I could make it stretch over a page of foolscap. I enjoyed reading Wulhe's last letter veiy much. He must not forgat, when coming back in the steamer, to ask the man that waits 011 him foi '" saut soo's lugs biled," " shortbread wi' sweeties on it, ' and '" ither oira vegetables." (I am not very sure of the spelling, Dot). I hope he will write soon again. Dear Dot, I was thinking of changing my norn do plume as " Sweet Marie ' has written lately, but I think it best to stick to the s?rue ona always I will now close, with love to yourself and the little folk, — Yours sincerely,

MARIE.

[Thank you, dear, for not changing your liMne. I think that should be avoided when possible. Noj Marie, I have cot suggostecl such a thing to Emrneline, but I think it id by no moans a bad idea, and I hope Ernmelme will sco her way to consult the n? embers of her club on the subject. I fancy Wullie would puzzle the steward if he put such a string of puzzlers as- that.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I received my badge the other night, and I think it is very nice indeed. I see Shamiock has had to taks the hay horn theleaper. Well, I had to do that too, and I think it is very hard woik. I went for a trip to Waikouaiti Eay in the Rimu, and enjoyed myself very much, although it was blowing hard. I have a cousin gone to the Tri'i/svaal to fight the Boers, and I hope he will return safely. My brother has not teased me about my letters since the first on 3 I wrote. I think 1 nrust have frightened him. I ses Rora has found out who I am. Never mind, I know who she is. It was Margvtrite who made me write, and every time I met her, she would say '' Well, have yoxi written yet?" Of course my answer would oe " No," and then she would say, '" I shall give you juat another chance." It is raining and bk wing very hard to-day. Dear Dot, your correspondents arc increasing every week, and I think they will have to get a paper to themselves if they keep on the way they are doing. Wullie has written at last. Well, Wullie, I am sure you must be enjoying yourself away up there amongst the Maoris. Poor Lamb, she must feel very lonely without any parents, but neser mind, you have the sympathy of all the little folk. My sister caught a little black rabbit the other day and put it in a tin of feathers. Shr- then forgot all about it, and a week after she just remembered she had it, but when she went and looked the rabbit was still living. There were two steamers down here on Christmas Day, but I did not go in them for fear I might miss my Christmas dinner. Our school picnic came oft' on the 23rd, and I think it was one of the best picnics ever held down here, as one and all enjoyed themselves. I was at a coiicert the other night, and I saw Maiguerite, Shamrock, and Cynthia theie. Lesctta, thinks it was my laziness kept me from writing, but that was not he reason. It was because I thought I could not wiite a good enough letter. That was a nice piece of poetry sent by Alys last week, and I am sure we shall all be pleased to fee the other piece in print next week. I hope Wullie will scon write ftgain, and tell us how he is enjoying himself. Dockleaf is a lucky girl for finding out who Dot is. Dear Dot, what cort of weather are you having in Dunedin? It is something awful down here — raining and blowing every day. I see that Cynthia and Shamrock do not care about going home now on account of their being here so long, and I "m suio Marguerite will feel lonely when they go. I have a great many book.s of my own — namely, " Little Women," " Grace Ashleigh," " Margery Hamilton," " Unlucky,'' and "' Uncle Tom's Cabin." My flower garden is all in bloom now, and it is very pretty indeed, the roses, poppies, and pansies all being out in bloom. I notice by the Witness of January 11 that there is another Diamond writing. Well, J think you should change your name, as I used it first, and it would also be better for us both. Don't you think so, Dot? Well, Dot, I think I have said enough this time, and I .suppose you will think so too. So with love to Marguente, Cynthia, •Shamrock, Lesetta, and yourself, I close, — Yours truly, DIAMOND. January l'l.

[Feathers were a poor diet for Ihe little bunny to subsist on for a week, Diamond. It is a wonder it kept alive so lone;. Yes, Diamond, I think that is a fair request. One coriespondent should avoid taking another's name, and if it is done accidentally the mistake should be remedied at once. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We have been getting splendid weather here lately, but to-day it is rather dull, and 1 fancy we shall have rain. I onjoyecl my Christmas holidays very much. 1 know only a few of your correspondents, Dol. I like Ziska's, 8.0.8.'5, Echo's, Harry's, and many of the other little folk's letters. Where has Ziska gone to? I have not seen any of her letters for some time. I tee you hive a letter Lpm tlio Maid gj Athens. Lord Byiou

will be coming next, I suppose. I shall be looking for his letter. lam sending a, card to Giulia. It is rather late m the day, but " better late than never." Some of the little folk are fond of .riding. I am, but the last time I was on a horse I got bucked off, but luckily escaped with only a few bruises. I have seen ycui badges, Dot, and I think they are very pretty. I am over sft Sin, but I have a long time to write before lam 20. Dear Dot, do you hkc the country? I like it in summer, but I prefer the town to live in. lam also sending a card to Ziska. "Will you please forward them, Dot, if you have their addresses. I must close with love to all the little folk and yourself. — Yours traly,

SIGNA,

[I have sent both cards, Signa, and they have no doubt reached their destination long ere this. You were lucky m escaping so lightly. Were you not afraid to ride again? — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Our school holidays will soon be over. I may not have time to write again for a while, as I have such a lot of subjects to learn at school. Everybody is talking about the war, and I hope it will soon cease, as the different forces seem to be killing one another too freely. This is a fine summer's day; but to-nioirow may be wintry. Dear Dot, 1 don't see the Witness very often — only when I am at home for my holidays, so I don't wiite much now. lam veiy fond of riding, Dot, and I often go riding on my pony. He plays all sorts of tricks and sticks me up sometimes. — Yours truly,

DAISY (aged 9).

January 22.

[You do aot tell us where you go to school, Daisy, to get such a lot of subjects to study. Are you boarding in town? — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have seen the Christmas Annual and I think the little folk's photos, come out very nicely. Our holidays are over, and I enjoyed myself very much. Our school takes up on Monday, and I am glad, for I like going to schcol. The garden is very pretty just now, as the flowers arc out nicely. The fruit is ripe, and I like strawberries and gooseberries; dc you, Dot? We live beside a river called the Tahakopa. It is very pretty, with the manuka, mistletoe, and other flowering trees. "We have got our nay all stocked now. It was grand tossing the hay. With love to all the little folk and yourself, Dot, — Yours truly,

RUPERT

January 17,

[Yes, Rupert, I think strawberries delicious, and ripe gooseberries very nice. I suppose you little folk have some difficulty m spelling the river proiserly, especially when you think of its pronunciation. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Mostly all of the little folk are fond of reading, and so am I. lam sure I am never pushed for something to read, for I have any amount oi books, and as I know Miss Mun'et she and I lend one another cur books. M. M. and I are veiy Xond of liduig, and we often go out for a ride together. Lately my brother has bought a small horse to ride, but I have no side-saddle, so I cannot ride her yet. Dear Dot, the cold winter days will soon be here now, and we have had hardly any summer at all. I think J shall have to put my pen and ink away now, so with love to Pauline, Miss Mufiet, Priscilla, Daphne, and your own deal seli, — Yours truly,

DUMPY DOLLY.

January 19.

[Dumpy Dolly— doesn't that sound nice and old-fashioned.? 1 wonder how broad this Dumpy is, or whether she really is dumpy r.t all? — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We are Lwo mates, and if you will agree we are going to become correspondents in your pege. Did you go anywhare on Boxing Day, Dot . We went foi a picnic up to the biish. Guess how many were there, Dot — 21 of us went up in a waggoaette. When all were leady, we &ta:ted oft. Three persons only went pait of the way and got out and went to work. Dear Dot, two of your correspondents, Dell and Daffodilly, were there. We ha-d any quantity of iun going up, and even more coming down. We reache.d the bush about 11, and by the time we got the water, gathered the sticks, and boiled the pot it was nearly dinner time. We had our dinner, and we two especially enjoyed it. Dinner being finished, our leader took us into the bush, where we gachered bunches of ferns and branches of mistletoe. We found a path and followed it until it ended. After this some of the picnickers went to cut down a tree while the others stood watching them with gieat interest. When tlu tree was cut through, it came down with a teriible crash. When about to leave the trae we looked round to see if all were with us, but to our great surprise we found that Daffodilly was miss ; ng. We then began to shout out at the top of our voices., but cculd not hear any reply. At length some of them saw her.,, anj. we all went to the place where we had had our dinner. We s-it down and had a laugh at what had just happened, biu she told us that we need not be afraid, because she was not a new chum in the bush, as she lives in one 4fter a short rest, eight of us walked up to a dredge, about two miles oft. On returning fiorn there, we had a good tea, and prepared to return home. We decorated the waggonette and also our&elves with ferns and mistletoe. We started for home, and had a good song all the way down. While on the way six or seven oi us kept passing conversations from one to another. Daffodilly sang us a. comic song, too. TJirj night after this we had an " at home," mid wo will tell you all about :t the next time wo write. Now we fhall conclude this letter with love to voni-aclf and the little folk. — Yours truly, PHLOX and MARIGOLD.

Waikaia, January 22.

[Deal me, what a posy there was at that picnic — Phlox and Marigold, and Daffodilly, md Dell — I was just going io write Cosy Dell, but really Dell is quite pretty enough, isn't it? — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have been away for a month's holiday, and I enjoyed myself very well. The first day we were away my sister fell in the creek, and got all wet. We used to have grand fun going out fishing at nights with my cousin Hugh. I know a niumber of ihe little folk's names. Scotch Thibtle and Dell go to our school, and I also know Usca. She is a nice girl. Mousio and Daffodilly are my cousins. I see several girls wearing the little folk's badge. With love to all the little folk not forgetting yourself — Yours truly,

HEATHER BELL.

[Your sister was fortunate in not getting anything worse than a ducking, ileaiher Bell. You have not told us what success you met with in >our fishing expeditions. — DOT.]

Dcir Dot, — You sec, I have turned up again like a bad penny, and none the worse after the Christmas goose and pudding. I must thank Shan, Marguerite, and Harry for the pretty cards they so kindly sent me, and it was very good of you, Dot,- to go to all the bother of sending them on to me. Thank you very much for your kindness. What a pity you couldn't have your holidays, Dot. I think it is an awful shame; and to think that it was our letters that stopped dear old Dot from having a real jolly time. Well, it is cruelty to think of it. Now, I think it will be nothing but fair for ixs \o give you a fortnight or so at Easter time. What do you think, girls? Dear Lamb, are not your initials M.8.? 1 fancy I am right, as in one of your letters you mentioned about your uncle and aunt living at the Lower Uutt, and in another you say 'they have moved to the South Island; but I don't remember to what part. All this corresponds with tho Kei&ou I ai^ taking £o_u tp_be^

or rather if B. is not your surname, it is you* uncle's. The little girl I am thinking of always used, to be called the some name as her uncle, but I don't know if it wa3 her proper name or nofc, &o don't forget to tell me if I am right or not, dear Lamb. I'll come back to you again now, Dot. What " terrors " some of your correspondents are for reading, Dot. I am not a lover of books like most of them. I very seldom read a book of any kind. Fancy work is my chief occupation. How poetical Harry is! If you keep on like that, Harry, you will soon be a full-blown poet. I hope you will get through your exams all right, and come out top. That's what I used to do when I went to school, you know. (Yes, every time.) I say, "VVullie, you might have told us that you were going to be in Jerusalem for Christmas, and 1 should have been on the lookout for you. That's where I spent Christmas, and I fancy now that I must have seen you. In fact, I'm almost certain it was you. Tell me when you write if you were in a light suit and straw hat. The gentleman with you was in. lighfc clothes also. He had dark hair and a dark moustache. Oh, my! and this supposed \Vul-.. lie had red hair, or ginger I expect it should be called, but never mind, Wullie, your face was all right, for all that; and, oh! I forgot to say you had a few freckles on your face. Wee Ziska told me she didn't like .to see boys with freckles on their faces, but she doesn't know anything about it, does she, Wullie? I saw such a strange thing while I was away, Dot. Some fiienc]3 of ouis have a cow, and their youjgesl child is a little girl of six years. "Well, this cow never takes to her calf at all. She bellows after this child, and goes up to her and licks her clothes. The child can do anything with the cow. If ibhe sits down by her legs anywhere she won't stir until the child gets up. 'Ihs cow gets in a fearful state if a dog happens to go near the child. I never saw such a comical thing before. It is only a two-year-old heifer, and she won't take the least notice of her calf. That's not like' the cow you ran away from, Harry? A few of the photos in the Annual were very dull, Dot? How awful mine looks in there. Dicky Donovan, Miss Ludiord, and Ziska are very plain, while some of them can scarcely be seen at all. In the Annual I have got there's not a sign to be seen of C.C.M. What are you up to C.C.M., to hide away like that? Is that young lady's name " Ludford " or " Luxford," Dot? Is Shan there? Harry is a regular bookworm. There he sits with his book in front of him. I could not as much as get a sight of 8.0.8. It all seemed so dark. Moses could be seen, a little, and 8.0.8.'s light knickers and straw hat very faintly. This letter is getting rather on the long side, but you'll forgive me this time, won't you, Dot? So now I'll say au revoir, with love to all the girls and boys, yourself, and the editor, too ,of course, to keep him. m a good humour. — Yours truly,

MAIDEY.

River View, Jantiary 18 [Oh, Maidey, is it fair to tell the editor that you only include him in your message to keep him, in a good humour! I should think that wiil knock at least two columns from our budget this week. We shall ~rc iSTo, Shan is not pmong the photos, dcr f •( Miss Ludford ia the name you ask pljc DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I wrote to you a long time ago, when I lived in Western Australia; but now I have come back to New Zealand, and am staying at my uncle's station at Shag Valley. I like Yvullie's leoters very much; but ah tho sa^ie I agree with The Mighty Atom that ?oruebo:ly helps him or her — whichever it is.

I pm learning to ride a pony, and I like ifc very much. My father is going to give me a bicycle on my birthday; 1 can ride one, but have not got one of my own yet. I think the war is terrible, but of course the British will ,win. I have been looking out for someone wearing your badge, but have not seen any. I think Solomon Slow writes grand letters, and I only hope he won't write under another name. Has Ziska departed from your page, Dot? I have not seen her letters for a long time, but perhaps I have not seen the Witness they have been in. I hope the report of Vida M'Kellar's death is not true. I am so awfully sorry Devonshire Dumpling has said good-bye to your page. She used to write such splendid letters, and they were always amusing, too. I was down at Gore for New 'Year, where Jessie C. lives, and I tried to find out who she was ; but I could not succeed. Do yon like reading, Dot? I do ; my favourite authoresses are Louisa Alcott and Rosa Carey. I like " Little "Women," and the sequels; and I think Rosa Carey's " Mollies Prince "is very pretty. Now I must conclude, with love to yourself and the little folk, and wishing you a very happy New Year, STARLIGHT.

Dot. — Yours truly,

Shag Valley Station, Waihemo, January 20,

[I am so glad Starlight has come back to New Zealand, and I hope we shall always have her amongst us. Ziska has not written for some time, dear, but no doubt that is due to the fact of there being so many letters nowadays. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It has been -wet nearly all this week. Nahua went up to Centre Bush for her holidays. I got a prize for good conduct at school. The name of it is " Louise De La Valline." Ido not like it very much. Dear Dot, have you read " Ihe Lamplighter? " What nice letters The Mighty Atom and Little Laciy wrote labt werk. Has a girl named Topsy ever written to you, Dot? Zealia is keeping 110 Jter writing with you. What a lot of your correspondents Little Lady knows. — Yours truly. MAYA.

0 anuary 22,

[Yes, Maya, Topsy wrote some time ago ; but I don't think we have had anything fiom her lately.— DOT.]

Dtar Dot, — I spent my holidays at Centre Bnsh. There is a large river at Centre Bush called the Orcti. We had fine fun fishing and wading m the water. "We went to the caves, and had to climb high banks nearly as steep as a wall. In the caves we found lovely maidenhair ferns; but they died before we reached home. In going up one of the banks I had to hang on to the tail of a girl's dress, it was so > eep, and she pulled me up all the way. We also went to see the mill, and walked three uiilcs and a-halt through the bush to get there. When we got there we went into the engine room, and I shall never forget the size of the engine. It nearly filled the whole room. One afternoon, we climbed the Trig Hill, which is very steep, and I had to go part of the way on my hands and knees. When we reached the top we could see the Bluff Hill and Stewart Island. When we were coming down we had a fight with bid-a-bids between the boys and girls. Of course the boys won, as they were three to two. I got my hair, my dress, and my stockings covered with bid-a-bids, and my cousin and I took about half an hour taking them off. I came home last Tuesday, having had a very enjoyable holiday. I see Maisio went up for the Trinity College Exam. Which division did you go up for, Maisie ? I went up for the Junior Pas 3. I think I have passed; but I wish I knc-77 the result of the exam. Dear Dot, our Sunday School picnic is to be at Ocean Beach. I hope it will be fine. With love to Lonib, Maisie, Ziska, Little Lady and yourself. NAHUA.

— Yours truly,

[That was very unfair of the boys. They were the stronger, anyway, and they should have been content to have fought you with even numbers.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am spending my holidays with my sisters amongst the hills at a place called Caroline. The last time I was here I went £q the busli and saw sugh a bj&llJaiul wa,t«x-

fall. I wa<s there shortly after a heavy fall oj rain, and the water looked like milk it v;as so white. I was there ag.iin on a veiy hoi day, and I hardly knew the falls, there being only a tiny stream falling that looked very much like silver threads, and the water was very clear, lying in the pools at the foot of the falls. There were some lovely ferns there too. I brought a lot home with me. We had great fun pulling ihe bid-a-bids off our clothes and trying to keep clear of the nettles. With kind wishes to yourself and all the little folk— Yours truly, RUBINA (aged 8J years). Oratui, January 20. [What a change rain can make, to be sure. Still, Rubina, I suppose your second expedition to the falls was much more enjoyable than your first. It is a pity someone was not present with a kodak to take a snapshot of the falls under the different conditions. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We have had seven weeks' holidays, so you can imagine we are having a very easy time of it. From what we can gather from Dum Dimi's letters we consider him a very conceited boy. We wish you would start a patriotic fund. We see that two New Zealanders have been killed. Is it not sad? About half a dozen of the Contingent left the surrounding districts of Otakia. — Yours truly, QUINTETTE. [You will have seen above, little friends, -why I have discountenanced starting a Patriotic fund in connection with Dot's page, and also that I intend starling a big pioject next year. If my readers would all put away even a penny a month from the beginning of this year, what a good start we might make in January, 1901.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I wrote you a letter a good few years ago, but I don't suppose jou lernember it. We have been having temble weather here lately. I think 8.0.8., Solomon Slow, Ziska, and Phcebe write the best letters. ■ Wullie's letters are very good, but I am of the same opinion as The Mighty Atom : I do not think that they are genuine. I fancy he is rather an old Scotchman. Dear Dot, I was told by a frined of mine tltat you were an old ] a( jy — the editor's mother. Is that true? Please forgive- me if I have made a mistake. How did you enjoy yourself at Christmas? I enjoyed myself grand. It was a pity you did not get a holiday at that time. I think I know two or three of your correspondents. "What a nice letter Siiss Ludford wrote this week, and fancy, Roby thought she was Dot. Now, Dot, I think I have taken enough of your precious space this time; if you do not object to me writing again I will do so. With love to all the little fo?k, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly VIXEN. [Dear me, Vixen, I think that is the most extraordinary solution of the Mystery of Dot yet propounded! How the editor will smile when he reads that! I feel almost inclined to take in some of the 101 letters which I was despairing of finding a place for, even though our spa-ce is already considerably exceeded. Ask your iriend why he did not say the editor's grandmother at onee — 50 years or so is really nothing to such an accomplished fairy-taler as that. No, dear, lam not quite so near handing over Dot's page to my successor as all that.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l like Wullie's, Jessie C.'s, 8.0.8.'5, and Ziska's letters best. I think Wullie must be a hard case, and I hope he will enjoy his trip to Auckland and tell us all about it and what the place is like wlien he writes again. It was a pity that you did not get a holiday at Christmas time, but I hope you enjoyed yourself all the same. I know seme of your correspondents in Tuapeka and Rongahere. There is a; sawmill in Rongfhere, owned by Messrs J. Cochrane, J. Buffey, and J Kepple. They have not sold much timber yet, as the _sawraill has only been built a few weeks. 1 shall tell you inoie about the sawmill next time I write. — Yours truly, 2IETHCJEN. Dear Dot, — Obsarvin' in your intherestin' page letthers from the gurl Oi luve, Oi tuk it into me head to sind ye an epistle. Oi'm shure yell pity a poor crathur parted from his own thrue hive by miles ay tussock and bush. Aven in the midst ay me woe (och! ochone!) me desire to do good to me fellow-crathurs compels me to sind some advice to yer corresponds ts. Let the childer lam to condinse a bit, and thus save throuble with th' editor, the crsthur. Dear Dot, wanst Oi wrote to yez before, but thin 'twas under a different norn de ploom. Och, Alys, me darlin, don't ye remimber the days pv the past whin we had matins on the shly, near the hawthorn hedge. Remimber the toime Oi hild oop the barbed wire fur ye to crawl undther below, and how graceful ye looked in th' act. Iver o£ thee O'irn fondly dromin', Alys, Zvlavoumeen. (Dear Dot, thim splotches is caused by me tears.) Remimber me, Alys! How all the gurls betwane Dunadin and the Tiry were sazed by greon- . eyed jealous because yo had got hould ay hansum Patsy. StiH Oi'm thiue to ye, Alys, and Oi hope ye pre not flurtin' wid the young sparks down there. Deai Dot, yer heart must be swellin' wid pity fur me. With luve to yez all, dear children, — Yours tiuly, PATSY. P.S. — Dear Dot, Oi have lift off sort ay suddint becas the pig, the darlint, has escaped, and is carariu' around among me vigitibles. [I am putting this letter m, but it must not Jje looked upon as a precedent. I do not like personal allusions, but as I am sure Alya will be amused at the good humour of her friend's livtie bit of badinage, I pass it this time. Patsy's recommendation to the children to "lam to condinse a bit" is sound advice, and I hope it will be taken in good part, and an endeavour made to follow it. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Congratulate me! I have at last overcome my naturally retiring disposition, and am about to enter the lists as one of your correspondents — of course, that is, if you will allow me. Now to intioduce mj'self. I am 15 years old, have a bike, a sister, and brothers too numerous to mention. As it is said that confession is 1 ' good for the soul I shall make a confession. I am a — well, a terror for using slang. I am afraid that '' terror " is slang, but I cannot think of any other word, so you will forgive me just this once, will you not? I do not think I know any of the little folk, but I believe I know Priscilla's name. Does it begin with 8., Priscilla? Have any of the Duiiedinites got bikes? If you have, do you not think it would be fun for us all to go for a ride? Think of it, all of you, and we shall see if we cannot arrange it. Perhaps, Dot, would come v/ith us? Would you, Dot? I think as I have nothing else to say, that I shall tell you about my first ride on my bike. A friend of mine, named Pat, asked me to go a ride with her one afternoon, so we set off in high spirits; but before long it began to rain, and %ye began an argument as to whether we should go on or not. I took the affirmative and Pat the negative ; but I soon brought her round to my views, and we proceeded. However, I was to pay dearly for my success, as before we had gone far my bike '' skidded," and I collapsed into a pool of liquid mud, whence I retired home by side streets, a sadder, if not a wiser girl. Take a lesson, little folk, and do not buy bikes. Now I think I have written enough for a new j chum — oh! I beg your pardon; that is slsng! | I mean a beginner — so " 3U revoir," v/ith much I love from yours truly, SCOTCH THISTLE. CWelcome to our page, Scotch Thistle, notwithstanding your little lapses into the use of slang, and .thank you for your invitation to me *o joia ihe woposed biking parfar. Why. if I

l agreed, dear, the Mysterious Dot would be mysi terioua r.o longer, and we should lose a source ; of a lot of harmless fun. Xo, clear, I shall not ; be trapped into disclosing my identity in such • a transparent manner. Be thankful, dear, you : .did not go on to a heap ot road metal instead : ' of into the mud puddle. The mud could be . ' scraped oil, but the metal would have done the ' scraping itself. — DOT.] j Dear Dot, — It has been such a nasty day, j but this morning I went up a tree and thiee j dear Jilllc birdies peeped out of their nest, j I went and got .some breadcrumbs, and I sprinkled them on the ground for the niolherI biid to pick up. I am learning to lide on I Gipsy, Brenda's pony, and have been going for good long rides lately, but I got earache, and , then I could not go for a good many daj's. One day we niade a box for birds' eggs, and put in , small bits of caidboard, and made little cells 1 out of them and stuffed them with cotton wool ! and all kinds of eggs. Y/e went mushrooming, , and we walked about for an hour, but m the end we did not get a single one. With best I love to the little folk, and most to yourself — Yours truly, SKYLAEK. Shag Valley, Waikemo. , ["What a glorious holiday for a little town , girl, even if she did get the earache through j riding her cousin's pony, and didn't succeed in getting any mushrooms. How you will work at school on your return, deai, after having suck a good tune.— DOT.]. Dear Dot, — I have just been reading the little folk's letters, and I think that rule ought to be adopted at onee — I mean abouj the length of the letters. Dou't you see, little folk, it annoys Dot very much, and I think Dot is the last person that ought to be annoyed, as she is so very good with us all, so I will try and set a good example by practising what 1 preach. I made quite a mistake, Dot. when I told you ' Mona was ths only one that knew me. It escaped my memory for the time, Echo, that I was known to you and Little Lady. I think Dockleaf knows me, too, and I suppose Dorothy does also, she being such a great friend of Dockleaf. I think a great lot of you, dear j 1 Harry, and I am only sorry you don't live a ! little nearer to us, as I am sure you would have a jolly time with me and my noisy sisters. "We are great girls for playing cricket, Hariy. "We , have the proper bats, fairly hard balls, and to j crown all, two kerosene tins for wickets — a good | substitute, eh, Harry? They make the most noise, so that is in keeping with the players. At one time ivc could thing of nothing but cricket, and we were ai it early and late. When it got too dark to see, we used to get two I candles and stick one on each of the kerosene tins ; bul that got a bit expensive, so we had I to stop it. So, Hoby, you saw that piece of | poetry in Women's Life. "Well, that is just in keeping with what I said to Marguerite — ; ! that the people think it is so good that they | are getting it into a lot of papers ; so don't be i surprised, little folk, if you see it appearing in 1 all the well-known papers — ahem l Excuse nic j for robbing you of jour pet word, Harry, but j it is very appropriate here; but I promise on my honour not to -do so again. Dear Marguerite, we will forget and forgive, as I wish j to keep good friends with all Dot's little folk. Like you, Dot, I have my doubts as to the authenticity of French Girl. I also was at '' The Messiah," and to Walter Kirby's concert, Dockleaf. Wasn't Miss Alice Corrick's singing divine? I wonder if you were sitting anywhere near me, Dockleaf? I heard, Dot, that our dear Dunedinite is vfery, very ill. I am ! quite sure you, dear Dot, and all the little folk, j will be sorry to hear it, and will all wish her a speedy recovery, as I most sin- ! cerely do. I think the limit of our letters, little ! folk, should not extend over more than four pages. With regard to the photos, Dot, I ; think it a grand idea, so here are my three J names : Shan, Harry, and Dockleaf. With love. Yours truly, MAISIE. [Thank you, Maisie, for your endeavour to j assist m the condensation of some of the longer j letters, and for beginnine: with your own letter, f It is still on the long side, but a little practice i will enable us to get at the proper length to go to. You have indeed given us something to | grieve about, dear, in the information about Dunedinite's illness. I hope that our dear little chum will soon take a turn for the better, and that she will be able ere long to write and tell us all about her illness. In the meantime we can only express, our sorrow and sympathy with, her parents in their trouble. — DOT.] Deai Dot, — As usual, we have to thank you for- v. ell, what shall I say — such an important disco-< cry. • Here, little folk, is an explanation of tho extraordinary falling away of 8.0.8.'s letters, which some of us have noticed lately. Of course, now we know why he was so quiet about that ball. The symptoms were developing. Search your brains, little folk, for a cure for this disease which has attacked our old friend, or we may lose him altogether. Maisie, in her last letter, says that Mora is the only one of Dot's correspondents that knows her. Well, you are mistaken there, Maisie, for both Punch and I know you by sight. I see Laddie has been to Dunedin lately. Was it you, Laddie, I saw in the car one wet Saturday afternoon with a badge. I hope you will enjoy yourself at Milton. Dorothy, and succeed in mystifying them with you know what. We knew your letter at once, Schoolgirl, and have been expecting a< letter ever since. • I see we have a Bookworm writing now. I wonder if she is as bad a ono as Ziska. Some one said they honed T would enjoy . reading "An Original Belle," by E. P. Roe. Well, I did, and it ! wasn't at all dry. I am sure you would not think ; this his books dry if you had read " Near to Nature's Heart," " A Young Girl's Wooing," " Original Bella," and others. I see we have a Critic Club. Ah, well, two can play at that game, eh, little folk 7 — we can criticise even critics themselves. Babette is either not genuine, or very dense, after living in an English-speaking colony for three years and not being able to speak the language properly. I rather think it is the former. I too have my suspicions about Fluff, after something someone said, eh. Dorothy? I think we ought Lo hay? a rule that after a person has been writing a certain number of times under a norn de plume, he or she ou^ht not to change that norn de plume. What do you say, Dot? I went oui the other day without my badge on, and I felt quite lonely. I said to Punch, " Now if I see anyone with a badge, I won't be able to | smile," and I made up my mind not to go out ' without it again. It is a haid job to pick three out of so many nice correspondents, as j there are so many whose photos. I would like , to see in the Witness. But, however, I sup- [ pose if I want a vote I will have to make up my mind tc it. So here goes — Echo, Shan, Lamb. The effort was too much, so I shall conclude now with love to Echo, Shan, Lamb. > Cherryripe, Harry, Dockleaf, Dorothy, and Pauline, not forgetting Dot — Yours truly, DUNEDINITE. fl do not quite understand Maisie, Dunedinite. Is my sympathy wasted, dear, or have you recovered very suddenly. — DOT.] Badges sent from January 23 to January 29: —Find Out, Rubina, Laline, Nahua, Starlight, ' Molly Hutchins, Hoya, The Skipper, W. Raymond, "Ring Dove, Celine, Vulcan, Skylark, ; Maud liloogh, Rachael Paterson, James Gibson, Ivy D. Jackson, Ethel Dalton, Grace • Flint. ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S RIDDLES. By Sharpshell : — To have his legatees (leg at ease).