LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 61

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot, — I have a pony, which is a very good hurdle-jumper. lam like Sunshine, for I have often found myself gently placed on the ground after shooting from the pony's back. Many a time I have been on the pony when at full gallop, when he would suddenly stop, wheel round, and deposit me on tho ground. In doing this great feat I have always landed in the position of sitting on a chair, 30 I have been very fortunate. My brother and I made a flatbottoroed boat, and took it to a pond. I was having a row, and stayed too long. The reault wp,3 that, aa the boat iexLcad, a, great d.eaJ,

she began to roll frightfully, and in so doing rolled me into the water. After that 1 had a grand swim with my clothes on. We have to go back to school this Monday coming. Hard luck, isn't it? I have a suspicion of the identity of Alvera. That is a very sad thing about another New Zealander being killed. I think all the Boer officers shoxxld be shot, because of the way they have ordered the white flag to be used, the hospitals to be shelled, and the ambxxlancc to be fired on. Echo, I wish I knew as many correspondents as yoxi do. I wonder how yoxx found them oxit. With best wishes to Echo, Zi&ka, Harry, 8.0.8., and yourself,— Y ° m " S tl " Uly ' CAPTAIN. January 29. P.S.— I think the voting is a very good idea, so I vote for 8.0.8., Echo, and Ziska.— C. [The Captain, it seems, would rather be getting thrown from his pony or capsized m the pond than start lessons once more. Ah, well, perhaps it is only natural, but I hope it will not prevent his working hard all the same. — DOI.] Dear Dot,— We always get the Witness, and I enjoy reading the letters very much, for there are some very good letters m now. I don't ki.ow any of your correspondents yet, as we live away up-country. I have heard a lot about Dxxnedin, bxxt have never been there yet, but when I do get to town I shall be sure to come and have a look for the mysterious person called Dot, for, like some more of the little foL: we often wonder who you are, and what yo-i are like. Dear Dot, I think it is a very good suggestion about the photos for Easter, so I enclose the names of the three I would hko —Marguerite, Shan, and Wullie, and I do hope the other "little folk will send in their nominations in time. I shall be glad when Wullio writes again, for I like his letters very much. He must be having a splendid time of it up north with Wellwisher, and will have lots to tell us when he gets back. I think I must stop now, as I don't want the editor to get cross over my first letter, so good-bye, Dot, with love to Lamb and all the little folk, — Yours truly, CORA. January 26. [I wonder if Dot will catch a glimpse of Cora when she is looking in all the nooks and crannies to see' if she can see tho mysterious one? Perhaps she may— who is to tell? — DOT.] Dear Dot,— A strong wind has been blowing all day, making it pieasanter lo stay indoors than to go for a walk. I was nearly blown off an apple tree when I was climbing for apples. On a day like this I generally wish that I were a boy or had been born bald. If the Critic Club notices this letter I hope that it will not be too severe on a new chum's contribution. I was helping to pxxll plums the other evening. Dad always finds me ready to help at that. I am very fond of reading. My favourite authors are Kipling, Crockett, and Barrie. I saw by a paper lately that Barrie is only now writing a sequel to " Sentimental Tommy. ' Boldrewood and Henry Lawson are good writers on Australian life, and the foimer's " Robbery Under Arms ' is the best bushranging story I ever read. 8.0.8. is a lucky fellow, having a horse of his own, especially as Moses is such a beauty. I woxxld ride oftener than I do, bxxt I don't get the chance. The rose may smell sweet and the shamrock look neat, You may pull them and throw them awa' But where is the loon that woxxld dare to sit do on On the wee, wee thing that jaggit them a' ? — Yours truly, THISTLE. [I trust this Thistle will not jag xxs a', or I shall have to call in the aid of the Critic Club in our defence. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — The other day we got such a funny bird. It was of a bluish colour across the back, white on the breast, and yellow under the wings. The beak was aboxit two inches long. Can yoxi tell me what sort of a bird it was, Dot? I hope the war will soon be finished, as it is a terrible thing, and so many biave men are being killed through it. Our boys are getting on fine, and I think they are the best fighters there. It was very cunning of 8.0.8. to suggest to his father that the stack was high enough, bxxt he wasn't to be taken in in that way. I like Wxxllie's letters very much, and he mxxst be a real Scotchman, becaxxse he writes biaw Scotch. So a Critic Club has been started, with Taffy as lion, secretary. I hope it will continue to get on well. I hope it is true that Spion Kop is taken from the Boers, for it is a stronghold of theirs. Has not Ladysmith made a gallant defence, Dot? General White must be a grand fellow. I think he is the best, of the lot. With love to all the little folk, and Dot, — Yours truly, TUI. [I wonder if the bird Tui caught was a kingfisher. Can any of my correspondents identity it from the description? You will since have learned that the British unfortunately could not hold Spion Kop, dear. Yes, General White has earned everyone's good opinion. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are two mates. We have taken great interest in the Little Folk's Page lately, so we thought we would like to join your band, if you can find room for us. Our favourite writers are Maisie, Romp, Marguerite, and ivlaidey. Find Out invited us to find her oxxt. Well, we know yoxi, Find Out, Yoxt are a cousin of one of us, and also Cymbeline. We also know Bren, Fiona, and Henry C. We know who Ziska is, and we have both seen Usca. She went to school with one of us. We see by Maisie's last letter that she suggests imposing a fine of Id on every one that xises a slang word. We think that would increase the use of slang, because some would think when they used slang it would not matter 11 the fine went towaids the patriotic fund. What has come over Ismene lately ? She has not written for a long time. We agreo with The Mighty Atom aboxxt Wxillie. We do not think he is any chicken. We fancy he and Wellwisher are the same person ; but of course we hope we are mistaken, because he writes very interesting letters. (Interval of a quarter of an hour, as afternoon tea has just been brought in.) Do yoxx think the war is nearly over, Dot? Some think that it will last for another month yet. Dear Dot, do yoxi ride a bike? Neither of xis has one, but we have each a. horse, and we think a horso much nicer than a bike, especially for girls. — Yours truly, VERITA AND THEKLA. Glenham, Januaiy 26. [No girls, I am afraid the war is not nearly over yet, and I think there will be great troxiblo before it is finished. Howeyer, we shall see. — DO'!.] Dear Dot, — I am writing this little note just for the fun — I like fun — of commenting on the little folk's letters. To begin with, there's 8.0.8., who is rather severe on the Critic Club, but I fancy the Critic Club are " hard cases," and won't mind his " uncalled-for " remarks, and will not effaco themselves because of him. I'd advise 8.0.8. not to try to bother the editor, or the editor may bother him. 8.0.8.'s last letter is certainly not up to his usual standard. Whether he is in love or not I'm not prepared to say, but possibly he is. Insurance is a good thing, at least that is what I thought when I took out a policy, but then there is the horrid premium to pay. 8.0.8. can't be taller than I am when ho wouldn't do for the contingent. lam sffc 9in from the " sole 9.1 jay foo,t to the crown pi my head." A goocl

many of your correspondents are having guesses as to your identity, Dot, but none of them have been able to announce for ceitain who you are. They're playing the amateur detective and trying to unravel the " Dot Mystery." I think anyone who cculd get a snapshot of Dot would confer a great blessing on those hard at work solving — or trying to so've — the " Dot Mystery," and would earn their everlasting giatitude. I think that the length of the letters should be limited to 50 lines, but 1 think the number of words in a line is or no account. Anyone writing more than 50 hne^ should be fined Id for every three lines in excess of the number allowed. I would also suggest that the number to whom " love "is given be reduced to four. I tinnk that slang should be discomaged, and, as suggested by Mai=ie, a fine oi Id for every word used should be inflicted. The proceeds of both fines might be given to the patriotic fund. Dot ought to make rules as to length of letters, use 01 s>lang, etc. I thii'k that the little folk might well give Dot a brooch or some other thing as a keepsake. BabeUe claims to be a French girl, but if she is she has bsen in New Zealand more than three ycais. As to putting a dozen UUle folk's photos, in the Witness, it is 0 good idea, and as the little foik have been asked to nominate three each, I nominate Ziska, Jessie C, and Hany. T.O.T.'s deiimlion of " haul case " is wrong. I shall give my meaning of hard caso next time. " Time hasteth on apace," so I must clos° with kind regards to Ziska, Jesde G, Harry, and Dot (1 must practise what I presich, so can't give them to the editor.) — Ifours truly, ROY. [I cannot quite follow you in saying that the number of words in a line is of no account, Roy. You average about eight words to the line, but j;ou wiite closely on notspaper. Now, suppose you were to write o 1 foolscap, your lines would take about 18 words, so that instead of your letter appealing 111 50 lines when 111 print it would occupy 100 lines. Would that he fair ? I agree with yen as to tho limitation of the number to whom "love ' is sent; four will be ample — so will little folk make a note of that How would the proposed fines be collected, Roy? I suppose you would pay don't, put in another letter till the fine is paid. Thank you veiy much, Roy, for your proposal about the brooch. It is so good of yoxi, dear, but you know I have already said that Dot herself thinks the badge is quite good enough, and she wants nothing more. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— lt is so cold to-day that I really don't know what to do. What a pleasant surprise I got to-day when I opened the envelope and found such a lovely card fiom Signa. lhank you very much, Signa, I am going to tell you, dear Dot, that there were a few mistakes in my last letter that J am sure I am not responsible for. In a few places where I spoke of "E. T. I." I was veiy much surprised to see in the Witness "E. T. J." And, again, P<>t, my name was spelled wrong; instead of "Giulia," it was spelt "Gxxilia." Look here, Hard Case, I am fair wild with you. Don't you leniember that we made it up to write on 'the same day, and have oxir letters in the same Witness '■> And there, you never wiote. But I'll forgive you this time. I'll tell you next time I see you the reason I didn't come that day, or I may drop you a note to the post office when I get time. I hope I didn't disappoint you, any way. Are you as ford as ever of striped hatbands? Oh, dear, Dot, I was nearly forgetting about the -photo. It was not a real good one; but by saying it was all right I meant it was good considering the way it was taken. As as the photographer took the photo he put the plate into a tin of water, and after a few seconds he took it out and dried it over gas. So, Dot, yoxx couldn't expect a very good photo taken that way, could you Haid Case came oxxt very well, bxxt as for me, Dot, I was a fright. Dear Dot, I have another photo of myself, and if you get up another group I can send you that one, if you will return it. I would let you keep it, but it is the only one I have iett. Dear Bluebell, I am puzzling my brains to find out who you are. I should like to know you very much. You might drop me a line if yoxx know my name and address. Where have yoxi got to, E. T. I.? — surely not retired &o soon. Did yoxx get a badge yet, Hard Case? I didn't see your name 111 for getting one yet. I haven't seen a letter from Ida Foster for a good while. Hurry xip, Ida, and send xxs another letter. I have found out the names of a few more correspondents since" I wrote last. I should like to find out who Signa is. Dad and a neighbour are just talking in the next room aboxit men being scarce for harvesting, and she says that they will have to employ women soon. Dear Dot, I see a good many of the correspondents saying the photos are not good. I think they are very nice indeed, Dot. It was not right to say what they did aboxit the photos, but, Dot, some people are not satisfied with anything. What a sweet, smiling face Ida Foster has. I like Dicky Donovan very well. Alys comes oxxt very good. It is just the image of her. Have you found me oxit yet, Alys? Well, dear Dot, I rnxxst stop now, as I have some knitting to do. So good-bye, with love to Haru Case, E. T. 1., Alys, Signa, not forgetting your own most precioxxs self. — Yoxxrs trxxly, GIULIA. Back Blocks, January 25. [Certainly, Giulia, I shall return the photo. Be sxire to pxxt your name and address on the back of it, to make quite sxxre. The mistakes that yoxi complain of were what are known as "typographical errors." I hope you will not find any in this letter. I have limited yoxxr message to four, dear, and your letter is somewhat long, you will see by counting the lines.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I suppose yoxx and the little folk have forgotten there is such a correspondent as Punch. Indeed, I was thinking of retiring, or, at least, of changing my norn de plume, as everybody seems to have found me out. I have Dxxnedimte to thank for that. She betrayed me at home, in the first place. Wasn't she mean, little folk? X. think the Christmas Annual very nice, Dot, bxxt do not think the photos particularly good. I enjoyed myself very much at Christmas, although I did not go away. How are yoxx getting on, Dorothy? Did yoxx like the floral fete? A. L. told mo of the fxxn yoxx had. I think we can guess who Fluff is, Doiothy — eh? 1 am glad yoxx havo written at last, Schoolgirl ; we knew you at once. Please tell O. to hurry up and write to me, but do not betray us, V. What an adventure, Sunshine; it was well for yoxx that the hoise turned round. Dxm. and I were trying to ride the other day, on a man's saddle, but as it was very windy, we found it hard work to keep our seats. Dxm. kept slipping off, and at last vroxxid not mount again. I wish I had seen tho travelling menagerie, Harry. Were you there too? By the bye, Dun. saw a boy on the curs, with a badge on his hat, and fancied it was you. Ah, Dockleaf, I understand yoxxr description of Dot. lam so sorry, 8.0.8., if you havo made that dreadful mistake — falling m love. The next thing will be his resignation, and then, little folk, perhaps we will be soiry when wo see a tombstone inscribed with these words : Here lies 8.0.8., who nover, never, Did the right thing ever, ever. I think the C.C. a novel idea, Taffy, but I do not think I shoxild care to have my letters criticised. We were up town to-day, "badgehunting," as usual. We saw one stranger and Echo and Dockleaf. Maisie, I also saw Mona and Doris to-night. Dun. and I thank Shan, Mtwgueritei and. Clierryripe for tjie pretty

cards they sent us. Why don't you hurry up and write, Shan, and tell xxs all aboxxt the send off of the second contingent? I suppose yoxi witnessed it also, Lamb ? "There is no sign of the wai ending yet, is there, Dot I think it is a splendid idea aboxxt the photos for Easier. There are so many good correspondents, it is haid to choose three from among them, but I select the Old Phil. (Hany), Monica, and Con. I will now conclude with love to Harry, Shan and Monica, Con, also Dot. — Yoxxrs truly, PUNCH. January 29. [Punch mentions nine others, but four is a good allowance, and the otheis must just come in m then. txxm. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Just fancy! The Mighty Atom says that the little folk ought to toe ashamed of themselves, tiynig to unravel the mystery which has shrouded you for the past 11 yeais — making yoxx oxxt to be so old. I think it is The Atom who oxight to be ashamed oi himself for doubting Wullie and Lamb. I asked my father who or what was The Mighty Atom. He gave me two versions of it. I wonder if The Mighty Atom knows himself what his name indicates? I hope he will tell me next time he writes. Father thinks you are a man, Dot. He does not think a lady could answer the little folk so cleverly as you di, bx\t that is jxist the reason I think you are a lady, for a man would not have as much patience as you have with us. The badge is very pretty, Dot, and I intend to send for one with my next money. I see that a lot of the coirespondents aie talking of changing their 110 ms de plume. Don't you think it would be better if they keep to the one they take first, as we all know them by thai name, and do not mind if they are found oxxt. Isn't the war terrible, Dot 9 It makes me quite sick and faint to read of the fresh disasters which occur. Dear Dot, I mxist conclxide with love to Marguerite, Je?sie, Echo, Wulhc, etc., and Dot, — Youis tiuly, LA BELLE. [Yes, dear, I think yoxi shoxild all avoid changing your noma de plume, unless there is a leally good reason for adopting such a couise. I am pure none of ;« e » 1 have occasion to be ashamed of yoxir letters, and so if 3'oxx are found out what does it matter 9 So your father thinks poor Dot is a man ! Do yoxi know, dear, I geu quite depressed sometimes when I see a statement like that made; but then it is only for the moment, because I immediately think Well, what does it matter? None of my little foil: believe it even if tome of the grown-ups tiv to do so.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I would have written again sooner, but everybody likes their holidays. Printers and editors, my father says, are as hard worked as anybody. He says, too, that we must make oxxr letteis short if more of us write. My brothers want to write. One of them would like to tell you aboxit Mount Egmont, so I shall leave him to finish. Mount Egmont, Dot, is nearly 9000 ft high, is cone-shaped, and at sunset vei'3* often is like a pyramid of gold, and in the morning like one of silver as far down as the snow comes. It is not hard to climb. Many young ladies, like yourself have done it. A party went xxp yesterday. At Mount House yoxi can get rest and refreshment. There is a piano, too. If you come bring your old clothes and strong boots. It woxxld be a fine holiday for yoxi. Dear Dot, wo were delighted with the Christmas number of the Witness. — Yours truly, IVY and LIONEL. [That was very nice of yoxx giving way to Lionel, Ivy, and his capital description of Moxxnt Egmont fully warranted your doing so. I hope Lionel will find something else to tell xxs about your northern home. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— The weather is very warm up here, and I wish it were a little cooler, for when it is so hot it makes one feel lazy. Which do you prefer, Dot' — the heat or the cold? I prefer the cold. I wonder if Dot, or the little folk woxxld like to hear about a cat called Thiefie, which my brother had? The reason we called him Thiefie was because he was such a terrible thief; but he improved as he grew older. He was a very large cat, and his coat was very glossy, of a dark, dark yellow, with black silky stripes on the back. He had big, innocent eyes. He jumped very high. In fact, I never saw a cat which could jxxmp better. If he saw a bird he would just mew, and look at it with longing eyes, but was ceo lazy to try to catch it, and if he caught a mouse, which was very seldom, he would let it go. One thing we liked aboxxt him was that he was veiv affectionate. When we all went to Auckland for a trip last Christmas he must have missed us, for he was gone when we returned. He could not have left us for any other reason, for we got a woman to feed him. My little companion lias gone to Auckland for a trip. 1 miss her a good deal. I have a suggestion to make, Dot. Do you not think it woxxld be nic» if everyone who wished to become one of your correspondents would have to promise lo be kind to animals? — Yours truly, SUNSHINE. January 22. [We do not get very much hot weather down soxith, Sunshine, as probably yoxi remember, but it has been very hot and close this week, and it is very trying. I like the bright sunshine, but, as you say, it does make one lazy. It was indeed a pity that such a beautiful cat as that shoxild disappear. Do you not think he was stolen? lam glad to let your suggestion aboxit being kind to animals go before the leaders of the page, and I hope one "and all will make up their minds to adopt it and be kind to animals.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — For some time past I have taken great interest in your pages, and I thought that I would like to become one of your little folk too. I found out to-day who two of yoxir correspondents aic— namely, General and Fiiefly. Dear Dot, lam very fond of reading, and I could sit and read all day long, but mamma won't allow me to touch a book until all my work is finished. Do 3'ou ever play " Ludo," Dot? I think it is a very interesting game. What nice letters Shan, Harry, 8.0.8., and Wullio write. Where has Con gone to — has he taken another long walk, and forgotten to corno back, or has he gone to the Transvaal. Dear Dot. I like dancing, but I havo not been to many dances. So you did not get a holiday after all, Dot. Well that was a shame, for lam sure that you needed one. Dear Dot, I was at a picnic last Wednesday, and I enjoyed myself very well.— Yours truly, ANDROMEDA. [I think your mother's plan is a really good one, Andromeda, as )t will make you quick and clever at housework, and you will have your reward for getting through without waste of time. No, dear, T don't even know what " Ludo," is. Is it played with cards,, or what? — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I only know two of your correspondents, but I shall not mention their names this time. I s;ep by Wullie' s letter that he is away on a holiday, and I hope he is enjoying himself. What an amusing description he gives of the North Island Maoris, and what funny people they must be. We got the Christnns Annual, and the first thing I looked for was the little folk's photos. I think they aro very nice. What a lot of prizes Harry got. I have not read any of those he mentions. With love to yourself and all the little folk. — Yours truly, GEMMA. [I am glad the photos were nice in the Annual you got, Gemma,. Unfortunately* in some

they were spoilt, and I know quite a number were disappointed. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — May I join your little (but novr growing large) brigade? This is the first time I have written to you. What a big band you aro getting, Dot. I like Alys's letters very much, and also many others'. Where "is Alys all this time? She has not written for ever so long. Wake up, Alys, and don't desert us yet. A few of your best writers have left; you, Dot. I hope none of the others will follow their example. I hope Wullie is hay» ing pleasant holidays. I send you a little bit oi poetry I got the other day: — Mademoiselle, I wish you well, Pray let me kiss your toe." " Oh, no, Monsieur, my hand is near; You need not stoop so low." Hoping you will think it fit to print, I wil* b.d you good- eye — Yours tuily, _ VERONICA. Momona, January 31. [I wonder if Veronica will think me very ignorant of our geography if I ask her where Momom is? It is certainly a veiy pretty name, but it is one that I am not as yet" familiar with. Monsieur certainly deseived the rebuke he got, for a man has no right degrading himself so much as to kiss anyone's Dear Dot,— ln my last letter I promised to tell you about our Sunday school picnic, which was iield at the Ocean Beach on the 24th ult. , We went down in the 9 30 tram and returned iii the 7.30. When we got down there the children look oft their shoes and stockings, and began to paddle in the water till dinner time Alter dinner, to which we did lull justice, wo went up to the swings and merry-go-round for v whne and there were races for the Sunday school children. We then played games till it was tune to go home. Nahua and Maya were there also, and we all spent a happy day. I see that you are going to have a group of the little folk in the Witness at taster, Dot. Could you not put some Photos m every week, till all the little folk have been m. Here are a few riddles for the 1 ttle folk:— (1) What is that which goes through wood, up lull, down dale, yet it nevev ouches anything? (2) What is that which ho.ds water and yet is full of holes? * (3) A hat is that which a cat has, but no oth«animal? (4) What belongs to yourself, and is used by your friends? With love to Dei and all the little folk.- Yours truly, t "„„ ZEALIA, January 28. [You had a happy time of it at your pio me, and you were indeed fortunate m havinfine weather. I fancy it will be better to have a little group now and again rather than n single photo, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l was at Hokouui when I lasb wrote to you. That is where i finished up my T>° tZ% £ all } hom , e again 11OW - J llve at -Pos., Office Creek, and Berwick is our nearest post office. I will tell you about the creek iater on. I think ln the last letter that I sent you I said I was going to wiite about the mountains and plains of Stewart Island so I shall try and do my best. Leaving the moutn of Fresh Water Eiver, and going up the phm in the direction of the Ruggedy Mountains, you have Mount Thompson on your right and bush on your left. After you have travelled about six miles, you come to a lake about half a mile long and 300 or 400 yards wide. lhis is where the swans breed. You .cannot^ get round this without going through a lot oi swamp. Looking across the lake, you see Kuggcdy Mountains. They are very rocky and steep. On your right you have Mounc Anglem (320& ft). This is the highest peak on the island. You can go up this mountain from Christmas Village, there being a track all the way up. Turning to your left, and' following the plain still farther, you come to a pass called Walker's Pass. Going through tins you come to Mason's Beach, which is about 11 miles long. This is a beautiful beacn. It is nearly straight, and is very wide at low tide. There are quantities of shells and pretty stones too. During a heavy westerly wind the roar on this beach is something terrific. At the north and south ends of this beach are two little islands about four or fivo miles in circumference called Codfish and' Ernest Islands respectively. There are plenty of goats on them. Bush lines the beach and; covers the islands. Going back to the plains again, you find they are very swampy, full of lagoons, swamps, and little sandhills, which, makes walking very heavy. There are mora plains than these farther south, and those who have been over them say they are much about the same. These plains are about nine or ten miles long, and vary from one to three miles wide. In the last letter that I wrote to you I told you that Stewait Island waa 70 miles long by 25 miles wide. I got my,' information from people on the island, but looking through the New Zealand geography, I find that it is 30 miles long by 25 miles wide, though I am sure it is more than five miles, longer than it is wide. In saying that "looking across the water you will see Poll Jackson," I should have said Port William. That was a mistake of my own. In the next letter I shall tell you about the occupation of the • people on the isle, and also about a plum pudamg that we made hi the kettle. — *ours tru'y, HAKRY FAKREN. : January 27. [You evidently kept your eyes open, Harry," during your holiday, and we are certainly learning a good deal about Stewart Island that we did not know before. I hope you managed to eat the plum pudding, and did not forget to put m the flour m mixing it. — DOT.] Dear Dot — I see somebody has been taking my name in vain. Well, as the culprit is a gui i cannot say much, but beware of my 10-chambered revolver, as "dum dum bullets are not pleasant things to feel after all. AY' I ', Echo, you are really right as regards the uncomfortable feeling, for I do feel like as ii I had a lot of "dum dum" bullets inside. Don't girls feel uncomfortable too? — or perhaps they don't get reports, or, if they do, not bad ones. Well, Dot, lam going south in a few days, to stay for some time, so 1 don't know when you will hear from mo again. I noticed your proposal re tho shortening of the letters, and your desire to know if it meets v.ith the approval of 3-oxll- writers. I, for one, approve 01 your plan. I wonder the Critic Club didn't remark on my report, but I suppose they were guilty too, and had undergone the same feelings. Well, isn't this a horrid war, Dot? We heard that the British forces were five miles from Ladysmith three or four daj-s ago, and they have not got there yet, and it does not seem likely that they will get there for some time to come — it is clearly a case of "so near and yet so far." I pity the poor Ladysmithites, for they will soon be reduced to Spiders and snails, And puppy-dogs' tailg. Now, without meaning to be in any way rude to the ladies, I think if it were "Gentleman Smith" instead of "Ladysmith," we should be able to hold out much longer. The Criti« Club have asked you a question, Dot. Well, here is one for them, but not a hard one: — ■ "Why is an auctioneer the strongest man in the world?" The weather has certainly not been very good since I hare been up here, Dot, but I suppose when I go away you will have lovely weaihrr. I have got one of the contingent medals, Dot, and I intend to keep it as a souvenir, as I think it is worth it;' don't you, Dot? I ruobt ceitainly agree, witi&

Jfou when you have "strong suspicions" about that French girl. I think I know who wrote Jhe letter, but it wouldn't be fair to mention Wines. I must ask your pardon, Dot, for Violating your rule on the length of letters, hut I have four excuses, which, I think, the ■Critic Club will agree, are good; but so long you. forgive me, Dot, it doesn't ■ matter : 1. This will probably be my last letter. 2. The rule has not come into vogue yet. 3. I won't do it again. "*■ It's my first and last offence. r Ws truly, dxjm dtol '[I shall only forgive you, Dum Dum, on conflition that you revoke rule 1. Why, old chum, jjust as we are getting over our fear of you, t,nd see you are too good for your name, you Announce that probably we 3hall hear from you no more. Even if you are going home, surely iyou can arrange with your friends to send the iWitness on to you after they are done with it! 'See what you can do, for I am sure we should Jill like you to remain with us. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l always try to get the Witness before Sue others to look at the letters. I dike 8.0.8.'5, Harry's, Ziska's, Ismene's, {Lamb's, Doughnut's, and a good many others'. Poor little Lamb seems to beheading a happier life now. Having badges is a good idea, and another good idea would be for you to have a holiday. Poor little Dot, working hard all •the year, deserves one. I saw the Christmas 'Annual, and I thought it very good. My sister has just been away for a holiday. I •went for a picnic both on Christmas Day and Boxmg Day, and enjoyed myself very much. I have a doll named Ella and a cat named Tabby, and I also have a little garden to look after. lam in the Sixth Standard at school, and am 13 years old. With love io all the little folk, including yourself,— Yours truly, LADY PEGGY PRIMROSE. January 27. [So Lady Peggy Primrose has joined our ranks. She should impart a very fine tone to our page, so I warn her we shall expect her to assist m excluding all slang from it.— BOx.J To flourish around my native bower And blossom near my cot, I cultivate a little flower They call forget-me-not. Though oceans may betwixt us roll, And distant be our lot, Although we part to meet no more, Dear youth, iorget-me-not. Dear Dot, — It is so long since I last wrote , that I almost forge', tlie way to begin. First of all, I must thank you for sending my badge, •which I received safely, and I now wear it in any hat. A somewhat pleasant surprise awaited me the other day. As I wentinto Gore, I met ona of your correspondents, i have been looking to see a letter from her, but as yet I have nos done so. I think ii, was Alvera, but I cannot quite remember. I first saw her on the railway station. She bowed to me first, and \£, needless to say, Returned the courtesy. We ■were both too bashful to speak at^the time; '"buti I saw her afterwards by herself on the 'street, and she came and spoke to me, and we 'iiad a very pleasant chat together. Do you rknow, Dot, she knew that I was Jessie C. ! U?erhaps lam mistaken in the name. 1 should Oiot like to be sure whether I am right or wrong. I have been at four picnics this year, and I enjoyed myself very well at them all. There vra3 one of your correspondents wanting to (know if I was at the Gore races last August. GNo. it could not have been me that you saw, as I have never been on "the Gore racecourse -y.et. lam afraid that you would not see Another girl so ugly as I am; and if you are 'going by my photo, in the Witness, you will be greatly mistaken, as it flatters me very much. !i£n fact, I hardly knew myself, I looked so strikingly beautiful. So we have a Critic Club, 'jDot.. Well, I shall have to be careful or they .will be saying I have too much to say about myEelf. Dear Taffy, excuse me; I shall not refer ■to myself again if I can help it. Well, I have ibeen. wondering if you are almond taffy or cocoanut taffy, or whether you mean you are a l>ig taffy. Oh, please forgive me — I must stop .•writing like this, or Dot will also be angry with jne. There are a great many little folk thinking" I have changed my norn de plume, but they are mistaken, as I have been leaving room ior the letters that 'are far superior to mine. Oh, I almost forgot to thank Shan for the lovely card ,\rbich he sent me, and I am very much ashamed to say I did not send him one in return, but the reason was that I could not get to Gore before it was too late. I am sure though Shan will excuse me this time, and I shall be sure to xemenibsr him some other time. And so saying, I shall bring this scribble to a close, with love to you all, little folk, accept the same yourself, Dot, and with all sorts of good wishes \o the Critic Club, — Yours truly, JESSIE C. January 28. [Well, little folk, I simply refuse to take tfessie C.'s word picture of herself, and remain true to the " strikingly beautiful " picture of iher that appeared in the Annual. No matter .■what you say, Jessie, I shall not believe that you are anything but a pleasant-looking, nice girl, and I am quite sure that the photo, does 3iot flatter you a bit. So, there, dear, you are exactly what we all think you are like,. and there is no use in your protesting. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I spent New Year's Day at Waihola. ' My-motli'er, father,-and sister were down too. Grandfather, father, and I went about a mile along the road, but there was nothing to Bee. My sister and aunty only came half-way. •After dinner we went down to the lake to see the small steamer which is anchored theie. It is tised as an excursion steamer, but only accommodates 40 people. The name of this small steamer is the Staffa. I forgot to say I know .Yum Yum and Thisbe. I will conclude with Jove to Dot and the little folk. I remain,— lYours truly, WHEATEAR. [It was a pity the Slaffa was not running, Wheatear, and then perhaps you would have enjoyed yourself better. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have not written to you for a very long-time, but it is never too late to mend, so I shall begin again. I see by this week's iWitness that you want the little folk each to nominate three members whose photos, they ■would like to see in the Witness at Easter. The three I should like to see best are Dunedinite, Laddie, and Wullie. Ido not stvpr>ose you would put your photo, in, Dot. I seeyou ,wish us not to write any more than 400 words. T £he. Critic Club is an original idea and should succeed, but the members seem to disagree a great deal. Jam and Jelly are evidently very stuck-up young ladies, and thoiousjhly deserve ,the snub that you gave them, Dot. Some of your correspondents are stamp collectors in a small way. lam also, but I hay& not long started. The British are- finding- the Boeis .tougher than they thought. I hope, however, ithat the English will teach them a severe leaBon, at any cost, for they need it. They are sneaking cowards, with not a whit of manliness >n them. The girls are having the ivge to jthemselvea now. Wake up, boys, and show ,the girls -what you are made of. I think I shall stop now, so good-bye for the present, — •Yours truly, SMIKE. Dotheboy's Hall, January 27. '[No, Sniike, I don't think I shall bo tempted. Vet a bit, for we could have no further hints as Ik wiiat Dot is like if I did that. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am sending you a few flowers, and the editor a buttonhole, if he will wear it. The flowers are not very nice, but it is no good sending very nice ones till I know if they will leach you without withering, is it? The mail will be going now, so I shall stop, with love to Dot, — Yours truly, AMARYLLIS. [I had not seen your letter, dear, when I acknowledged receipt of the flowers last week. They were very much withered, dear, and I was so sorry because you had noi. only gone to a deal of trouble, but expense also. It was very kind of you, and the editor was quite touched when I told him that the buttonhole was intended for him. We are quite disarming him, and I hope he will soon quite forget how to look severe.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — What a welcome surprise I got this week, when I opened the Witness and saw a letter from Pauline. lam glad she has written again. Oh, dear, whatever will you and Shan think of me, Dot, after that affair about the chocolates. You must forgive me, but Cynthia and I understood it to mean that, and father and one or two other people asked me if I had received the chocolates. Now don't think me greedy, will yon? Now, Dunedinile, aren't your initials B, M. ? I think they are, but of course I may be mistaken. I saw a letter in this week's Witness signed Babstte, who claims to be a French girl, but I really believe it is " a have." Harry has a delightful letter in this week. Poor old Harry, have yon really no Fisters? What about Mona and Doughnut? I always thought they were your sisters ; perhaps they are your cousins, or some other relations. Old Boy used to be my favourite writer among the boys, but Harry is coming up on him fast ; so, Old Boy, if you want to keep in my good graces you musi; write a letter. Where have yoa been all this time? I see by Roby's letter Ili9u she wrote to Mona, and Mona never answered it. Well, you know, she asked me for my autograph, and I sent it to her, but she has not sent me hers in return. A. N. T. also asked me to change autographs, and I sent mine to Dot, with a stamp to forward it on to her, but I have not got hers yet. I think she has forgotten. Please send it, A. N. T. Toreador a&ked me to correspond with her. She said she would send her address to Dot to forwaid me. I wrote to Dot, and sent a stamp, but I have not got it yet. Perhaps Dot forgot to send it on, or Toreador might have forgotten herself. Yes, it is an ?gc since Nat Leigh wrote, but perhaps she has changed her name ancl has been writing to yoix. So we are going to have a group of little folk's photos, in the supplement to the Witness, and the little folk whese photos, are to be in are to be decided by votes. Well, here goes . I vote for Old Boy, Ziska, and Harry. We can't vote for more than 'three, can we? There is also a new rule out that we have i.ot to write long letters. Well, as mine is lengthening out, I had better conclude. Cynthia and Shamrock went home on Friday. I am expecting a letter from Cynthia by Monday eight's mail. I shall look forward eagerly to the Witness in Easter week to see whose photos in. Oh, I forgot. Now, Zara, aren't your initials A. C. '■> Do write soon and let me know. Well, I must conclude, with love to Sabina, the Critic. Club, Old Boy, Roby, and quite a host of others. — Yours truly, MAPcGUERITE. [You have quite a host of grievances, dear. However, never mind, I don't think any of them are intentional. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I see some of the little folk are very fond of reading. lam also. I have nearly finished " From Log Cabin to White Hci7se." It is a very interesting and instiuctive book. I should advise anyone who can gsl it to read it. Do you ever have toothache, Dot? I often have it. Oh, I forgot to tell you that I have found out who Topsy and Tekittia are. I was staying with them for my holidays. — Yours truly, REDSTART. January 28. [" From Log Cabin to White House " is a very good book to read, dear, and you do quite right to recommend it to others. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are having our holidays just now, and lam enjoying them very much. I live in Weston, about four miles from Oainaru, an<l we have only about two minutes' walk to the Weston school. It is a new school, and is much better than the old one. Our teachers are Mr Bastings and Miss Andrews. There is to be a cream factory put up before the Ist of April. It is to be on the Ardgowan settlement. There are a number of limestone quarries about here, where all the white stone for making buildings comes from. I like reading Wullie's, Ziska's, and 8.0.8.'s letters.— Yours truly, WINNIE WEST. Weston, January 29. [It is good to be so near the school as that, Winnie, and I should think your record for regular attendance should be a very good one. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— The Old Philosopher must have been dreaming, for I didn't " toot on a penny whistle " — it was a bagpipe, and all the little fellows in town were making a row, so 1 joined in. The Old Phil was jealous because father didn't take him. Never mind, its Daddy will take it next time. We go to school next Tuesday We had a grand paddle in the sea yesterday. lam practising music, " England will it thiough," on six bottles, and won't I catch it if the stick goes thiough them, as they re wanted for currant vinegar. Poor Old Phil, if you wring my neck for writing this letter, who would be your fag, and do your beets, etc. ? I kept time to your musical snores, and J think I have the tune of them. Of couise yoa thought that I believed it was Mark Anthony singing, but a cat purring is pltogetliei cliff 9i ent music. He lives longest that snores the loudest- Solomon's painting. I must say god-bye, Dot, with fondest love,— Ycurs truly BEET. ' [So Bert is the Old Phil's fag, is he? Ah well I suppose it is only right "that the eldest n-other should nave some privileges, so Ion" as lie does not g^o too far. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l should think the Old Philosopner was jealous just because he has »rown -i .ew inches taller lately, and fancies he's a man. Isnt that a joke, Dot? 1 wonder if he forgets the days when ho v.as young— l jvcaa aoout 12 years old. One afternoon, tluee years ago, when ho was going to the bin<*mo class, it came on a heavy thunder storm. lie j went Tor shelter under a hawthorn hecio-c, and, c Peing a kerosene tin, began pj actismt, iho notes on it, and giow po interested that he foigot eveiy thin" c'fc until a titter among the audience disturbed him. Instead of waiC ing ior an encore, he took leg bail, and ran as it he wore lunnmg for a piize. If I had been him I'd have taken round the bat. At the end of the teim he cariicd off the singing piize. That old kerosene tin must have done the trick. My bagpipes were belter than that, even ;f they hiust befoie [ had them a day. If they had lasted much longer I'd have joined a smgnig class and cairied oil the,-. prize. 1 won't ehcuige my name, since >ou all "like it. I have been to the beach, but 1 couldn't paddle in the baths because my foot isn't quite better yet, and they say I mtT-t be bad-tempered or it would have been bettei long before 10 weeks. I have just been painting, so excu&e a scribble. With lo\c to all the little folk, editor, and yourself, — Your? truly, SOLOMON SLOW. [Everyone will, I am sure, be pleased to learn that Solomon has resolved to keep his

old norn do plume. I hope the Old Phil's increasing inches will not prevent his wiiting to us now and again — there is a good stretch yet between 15 and 20, you know, Harry. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Did you get any Christmas presents this year ? I did not hang up my stocking, but I was given a pretty silver chain and some niioney. I was lucky, was I not? Dorothy, too, was very lucky, was she not? to get such nice presents. We got the Christmas Annual at Christmas time, and we all made a rush to see the little folk's photos. We hove a great many varieties of ferns growing here, and some of them are very pretty. Are you fond of ferns, Dot? If you are I could press you some and send them. I expect lam too late to get a badge now, Dot, but if I am not I will send a shilling's worth of stamps next time. I should like to have one very much. I will conclude with, love to all the little folk, and not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, ELSIE C. Fern Flat, Januaiy' 26. [There are a few badges left, Elsie, but you will require to be quick, or } r ou may be too late. I like growing ferns very much, but Ido not care for dried ones. Thank you for your kind offer all the same, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are going to have a grand picnic on the lst of February, on the occasion of the opening of a school. We shall have a long way to go, but we shall enjoy the ride all the better. I have not much news, Dot, as my sister is writing alto, and she puts all the news in her letter and leaves me short of news ; is she not mean ? — Yours truly, POPPY. Fern Flat, January 26. [Well, lam not quite sure, Poppy. Perhaps if she did not tell you v/hat she is saying yoa would not think of it, so you cannot expect her to hand her ideas over to you, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Would you mind inserting in your advertising columns, "Wanted, rain; must be a steady downpour for 24 hours. Anyone supply the farmers ot South Canterbury with same will be handsomely rewarded." But enough of this, foi this is to be a short letter. Since I have come home from Dunedm several people have asked me if I saw Dot when I visited the Witness Office. Of course I replied I did. But they won't believe me. They think the editor is Dot. They don't lealise that the editor has plenty to do without attending to the Little Folk's Page. "Wonders will never cease. ' The other Sunday, while at church, a gentleman walked in ancl sat down. I suddenly recognised him as a teacher m the school I attended at Dunediu. He is about the last person I expected to see up here. He has since been up at our place, but I was ay/ay from home. A very funny incident happened here the other day. One of our riding hacks ventured too near the geese, and the old gander promptly flew at him and caught him by the tail. The horse, of course, immediately galloped away, with the gander hanging on to his tail, and not until he had gone about 50 yards did the gander let go his hold. There is some talk of establishing a mounted rifle corps here. The idea, when talked about some time before, was pooh-poohed, but it now seems to be taken up with renewed vigour. If they start one here I intend to join — that is, if I am old enough. I don't know what the age for mounted rifles is, but the age for mfantiy is 17. Well, I won't be that for six months yet. Do jtou ever go out to Mosgiel, Dot? That is where I was bom. I lived there for about seven years. I stopped there a week when down for my holiday, and found that I still knew everybody and that everybody knew me. Since I left there they have had some splendid buildings built, the most noticeable j being the railway station and the post office. The station is a far superior one to that of Dunedm, taking into consideration the relative SLzes of the respective towns. I would not have written so much about Mosgiel, but I promised one or two there I would say something, so that they might see which letter was mine. I would not tell them my incog. But my letter is lengthening, so I will conclude with best wishes for yourself and all the little folk. — Yours truly, , LADDIE. i [I hope you will get your wish, Laddie, and be able to join the proposed Mounted Rifles. This sad war has shown the necessity for our Government adoj>ting a more liberal couise with volunteers of all kinds, and I hope young lads like yourself will be accepted quite freely in any new company which may be formed. How pleasant it must have been for you to ! pass a week in your old town, especially as you found yourself recognised on all hands. You are quite right about Dunedin' s railw?* station; it is a disgrace to the authorities. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I will tell you about my pets. I have two cats. I had a nest of goldnnchea, but they were stolen. They had all their feathers on them, and in about three days they ' would have been able to fly. Our school takes up again on the 29th of this month. We had six weeks' holiday. I spent my holidays in town, and I enjoyed myself very much. I see Wullie had begun to write again, Dot. He writes such nice letters, too ; I wish I could write as well as he docs. — Yours truly, * GREEN SHRUB. Back Blocks, January 26 Dear Dot, — I know who D. O. S. is, ancl also Devonshire Dumpling. Isn't it a pity that Doughnut and' Devonshire Dumpling have resigned? lam trying hard to find out who Jo 3 is. I have had one adventure with a cow, but that is a good while ago now. One evening I was standing with my mother and a cow came behind me, put her horn under my right arm, and tossed me up on to a tree. You may be suie I stuck there until the cow was gone. Dear Dot, about two weeks ago I fell from a tiee while trying to get a bird's nest. It was a good way from the ground, and I did get a flight whsn I tumbled down. I was on a thin branch. The branch broke and down I came Io the ground. The boys who weie with me ci-iCcl out, ' Hullo! You came down quicker than you wont up. 1 cculd not get my bj-cnth for a ]on? Lime. But this did not euro mo oi climbing tiees, for I was climbing them at^vu the next day. I have gathered newly a thousand birds' cg^g. One day I was jmrpins; over a fe^.ce, ancl I jumped into a bucket of hot ashes just taken out of the fire. All the stocking vR-i burnt off my leg, and my lea was bad'y burned too. I have had two of my fingi i." burned with tv skj ; rocket. I was holdiiv* tho can 1 , ancl when I lit it tho powder iiT'hcd do-,Mi on to my fingers. I have al?o hpJ. my iio-e torn open with baibecl wire. I have had other adventures, but I will tell you them in the icxfc letter I wn(e. 3 Ihink "ij.O.B.'s letters aie the best. I&n't this war dieacltul, Dot Tail the British are sure to v\n in tho end. I think I shall have to clo^e now, with ln-i-c to Joe, TJjcn, Daffodilly, Mousic, youi=elf, aud the editor —Yours tiuljs TOM THUMB. [Dear me, vihat a chop lor of siccidentg this j Tom Thumb has hod. I iancy he nmst be a I very mischievous little chaw, or he v, ou'.d never have come off &o badly. However, let us hope it ia all over now. — DOT.j Dear Dot, — Oi Boxing Day we went for a Picnic to >tli3 Bushy Boalli, and had grand fun in the sea. W° have tlnee coas milking, and their names are Beauty, D.usy, and Cheriy. We have a little black ancl wh.to calf; will you please give me a name for it? On Christmas Day we went for a drive up to Elderslie, and

we saw the pond in Mr Reid's place with waterlilies glowing in it, and I think ie was very pietty. Last week we went into Oamaru io sej our aunt, and when we were coining home we got wot through with the rain. I like reading Wullie's, Zi&ka's, and 8.0.8.'s letters. — Ycurs truly, EVA WEST. Weston, January 28. [If the water lilies were blooming, I am sure it must have been a pretty sight, Eva. Call the calf Sancho.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am so sorry, Dot, that the holidays aie over, but I need not fret either, as I am looking forward to a long one in future. Sorns of the photo? in the Christmas Annual were indistinct, but I suppose that was clue to the size of the originals. Dear Dot, I heard a friend oi mine saying you must be a very nice lady, because you answer the letters so nicely. Did you spend a happy New Year's Day, Dot? I suppose you were disappointed at not getting away for a holiday. The weather here has been very favourable, and every hill round about looks fresh and green. — Yours truly, PORTIA. The Countiy, January 28. [Oh, no, Portia, I did not mind much, because I had quite made up my mind, to go anywhere. Next Christmas, however, I am going to look ahead, and fix on some place to go, and then the letters will just have to accumulate till I get back. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have one sister and two brothers. Three of us go to school, and lam in the Third Standard. My sister Laura is younger than I am, but she will write to you soon. A kind friend in Dunedm sends the Witness to my aunt, and phe reeds all the little folk's letters to us. We enjoy them very much, and we have many a laugh over Wullie's letters. I am not writing a long letter this time because dad says you may not have room for me, since you get so many nice letters. "With love to you and all the little folk, I remain, — Yours truly, LIZZIE TAIT (aged 10). Wellington, January 27. [I have found room for your letter, Lizzie, and hope you will soon get the Witness with it in. You and Laura will have got your badges some days before this Witness is published.—DOT.] Dear Dot, — We get the Witness every week, and the very first page* that I turn to is "Our Little Folk." I hope, dear Dot, that you will let me be one of your little folk. Just fancy, there is only one more week before school takes up again. My brother and I were at a small country x>lace for our holidays, and we each got a dear little white rabbit with pink eyes. There were only four houses in the whole place. Do you like reading, Dot? I do, and I would read all day if I got the chance. As it is getting near bedtime, 1 will now stop, with love to Dot. — Youis tiuly, DORA. January 29. [That was a quiet little township, Dora, but I have no doubt you enjojed yourself thoroughly notwithstanding that. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am staying out in the countiy just now for my holidays, but I shall write again to you when Igo back to town. I suppose the Critic Club will be criticising my letter, but I tliink as this is my first attempt, I ought to be excused. I know a few of your correspondents who live out here. I think th& writer who interests me most is 8.0.8. I saw the photos of all your little folk in the Witness. Some of them are veiy good, but in some the features are not quite distinct. Dear Dot, I hope you ?nd the little folk spent as enjoyable a holiday as I did. We live quite near the sea, and on warm days go for baths. The beach is very lonely, as there are few picnickers who care to go to the beach. — Yours truly, ISLA. January 23. [Your name is in keeping with the nature of the place — I wonder where it is — in which you nave spent your holiday, Isla. You can scarcely see it picturing the "white horses" rolling "in on ia lock-bcund coast. — 001.] Dear Dot, — I have not seen my last letter in print yet. The reason lam writing now is because in the Witness of January 25 I saw a printed letter over the norn de plume of Sunshine. Well, that is the name I always write under. This is the first time that I have ever seen any letters but my own over that name. But perhaps this Sunshine might have written a long time ago. If this is the ca&e I shall, of couise, have to change my norn de plume, but I will not do so till I am quite sure that this Sunshine did write before me, and if she (I think she is a girl) wrote after I did, I will then expect her to change her norn de plume. No doubt Dot knows if she did write to her before I did; do you, Dot? — Yours truly, SUNSHINE. January 27. [I have no recollection of her having done so, dear, I think you have the prior right to the name.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — The holidays are over, and we have all settled down to 1900. I was in Dunedm for the holidays, and enjoyed myself immensely. Last week I was reading up the old papers, and I was sorry and disappointed to see you had not had your holiday after all. When I was in Dunedin I was in the Witness Office, and was suie you would be away. I was disappointed, as I might have seen you had I known you were not away. Just fancy, all the time I was in Dunedin I only saw three badges. What do you think I heard m town? 1 was riding on top of a car in Princes street one day, and two little girls who were sitting behind me were busy talking about auntie and uncle, when the smaller one saw someone she knew, caught hold of the other girl, and said, "Oh, look, Ivy! there is our dear little Dot, ' and when I looked I saw a dear little lady about 3ft 10m. I wonder n our Dot is anything like her, or if it was our Dot — wad it, Dot? I do not know as many correspondents as Marguerite, but I know 12. I saw a contingent goins, out to the Transvaal from Dunedin, and they weie all to merry you could hardly believe they were going to wai ; but are they not our brave soldieis 9 Our school picnic was at the beach. I went and enjoyed myself splendidly. .Now, little folk, give your promise, and please Wo not forget to give Dot her holiday next ChristmPiF. I give you my promise, Dot, not to write a letter after the 20th of December until you give us leave. What a good idea about the photos. I vote for Many, 8.0.8., and Shun. I will now close with love to all the little folk, jiot forgetting yourself.- — \ours truly, MILLICEIN'l 1 . [Thpnk you, dear, for your sympathy over the loss of my piomiscd holiday. 1 reolly did not mind it a bit, Milhcent. I \^fflider if Ivy and her companion will iemcir.be? the incident of thp decker ! r they should happtn to c cc youi letter. If you do. Ivy, I hope you v>ll write and tell us.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am soiry the holidays are over, y-jfc it is nice to gst to work again. I spexil my holiday in Dunedin, and enjoyed myself thoroughly. I was in the Times and Witness office, and would have liked very much to have been shown through, but I was afraid to ask for fear of soemiiit,' forwaid. J &aw several joi:ng fellows, one very old gentleman, aud a. liltlo boy with long white cuffs on in the ofnee whoic you p"\y for the Witness. I saw only

' one badge while in Dunedin. It was worn by a boy with a grey cap. I know Millicent. She is making a duff for dinner, while I write Vine. I, too, think that 8.0.8. has lost his heart. I like Harry's letters, and I*think those were such.' nice lines he dedicated to Diamond this week. I krew C. CM. and Cooeo. I was much interested in the photos. I iecognised several little folk by their photos. I think it is a splendid idea to get just a few photos, printed at Easter, and then those who care to can have them framed. I vote for Echo, 8.0.8., and! Harry. Are you fond of reading, Dot? lam. I like Eev. E. P. Hoe's books, and I! have read nearly all of " Pansy's. I have read! Dot's page almost since I could read, and I am glad to see how it has improved lately. You 1 get such nice letters now. I can remember a. lons* time ago when a girl used to write from aY Nelson College, and tell us how she and the other girls would sew together the ends of one another's blankets, sheets, and even dresses, thus causing endless confusion, and no little fun when bedtime came. Are you fond of music, Dot? I love music, and the sea. They both seem to rest me. I will be glad when the war is over. It makes me sad to think how. many British homes will be minus father and sons after the war. As for the Boers, I sur>po&e when all is settled there will scarcely be enough of them left to make a decent pound of pork sausages. I suppose there will be plenty, of bone dust exported from Africa after the war. Dear Dot, I could write all day, but I want to keep on the right side of the editor. So with love to the editor, the little folk, and yourself, and hoping you will soon get your well-deserved holiday, I remain, — Your 3 truly, QUEEN BESS. January 28. [Wherever have you got such notions about the Boers, dear? They are so securely entrenched that I don't think there is much! fear ol their being almost exterminated. They won't fight in the open, you know, but like to pot away at our soldiers in the open, while they, themselves are secure behind boulders or in trenches. If they would only meet the British, in the open short work would be made of them. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — The New Zealand people are very gcod to the soldiers going to the Tiansvaai. War is a very sad thing. The shops have been full of pretty things during the holidays, and the fields are just lovely with the grain. We have had picnic gifts, and Santa Claus gifts, and si:ch a lot of pretty cards. We went out dnv-ii-g. and goif some of the rain too. I like some of the long letters. My little brother would like to send his letter about the cat on your page. I think I like all your correspondents. With love to you and best wishes for the little folk, — Yours truly, FIR. January 29. [Tell your little brother to send his letter, Fir Possibly I may not be able to find a place for it, but I will do so if I can.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was at a picnic at Hillend on New Year's Day, and what a little band of Dot's correspondents was there! I saw Twin, Victor, Soldier, Molly Riley, Pegleg, Daisy Bell, Hondai Lanka, and Jock. It would take up too much of your valuable space or I would describe how I found them out. I have been told since that there were more there; but the ones I have named aie those I saw myself. Now, 8.0.8., I was told you were Jessie C.'s cousin^ I was also told Pegleg is A. X., and not S. A. H. I will close with love to the editor and your own dear self, — Yours truly, LADY ROBIN. [No wonder the editor is getting so polite and amiable in all his dealings with me, Lady Robin. lathis goes on lam afraid he will begin to think he is really one of us, and then there is no saying how much space he may place at our disposal. Wouldn't that be glorious? lam afra.d there is no room for the story just yet, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have never written to you before, but I hope you will accept me as one of your many correspondents, although I shall neither write long letters (which will please th-_ editoi) nor interesting one. When I wa3 about 10 or 11 I was taken to the Ota^o Daily Times office. I did not go all through, and I didn't see any lady. If I had I wouldn't have thought it was you, because at that time I did not know there was a little folk's page. The editor was very nice and pleasant, I can remember, and very little else, except that I went up a spiral staircase, which I thought wa3 great fun. I have Dot in my imagination as ?. slight young lady, with golcly-brown hair, and raetty grey eyes. There's another for the collectors to add to their list! I think that there ought to be a fixed "Tule that no one should write more than 50 lines, don't you, Dot? I do not know one of your correspondents ; fancy that! Oh, yes, though. ..I do know one who writes, but I haven't found out her norn de plume yet. I ically think that Wullie is genuine; don't you, Dot? I like his letters. Dear Dot, I see there have been anxious inquiries about the little girl, Vida M'Kellar, and I am sorry to inform you that she is dead, though when she died, I cannot say. I knew a cousin of hers who told me that she died in Mexico. It will be a sad loi3 to your page. I did not know her, but I have heard she was a very nice girl. I thought it would be best to let you know, dear Dot, and all your little folk, as I am sure both! would wish to know why Vida never wrote.— Yours truly, CIGARETTE. Dunedin, January 31. [This is indeed confirmation of sad news. We have all felt that we have been trying to deceive ourselves into thinking that original news was incorrect, but it is evident that our poor Yida is actually no more. lam sure she was a sweet girl, Cigarette. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — What a lot of letters you are getting. No wonder the editor looks solemn when you take them to him. I like Lamb's letters, and I am glad she is taking a better view of life now. I have seen the Christmas Annual. Some 'of the photos are rather dull, but I suppose it was difficult to get them, all nice. It has been very hot and windy, weather here. Our school broke up on the 18th of December, when the prizes for good attendance were giveu out. I got a book called "Twice Tried," by Annie Swan, and my brother got one called "The Victoria Cross," by Moiice Gciard. After the prizes were given out we had a picnic, at which I enjoyed myself. We have to settle down to school on Monday. I went to see a steamer launched last week. She looked very pretty Gut in the water. She was docoiatcd with flowers and flags. Her name is tho Makaiora. I am. changing my norn de plume, as there are two others with the same name. I only know one of ycur correspondents. I will close with lovo to all the little folk, not forgetting Dot and the editor. — Yours truly, MARIGOLD. [Yon selected Sunflower, dear, but we have a Sunflower already, so that will not do. How do you. like Marigold? If it does not suit you can take something else. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have just been reading the little folk's letters, and I would like to write to you so much. I don't live in Dunedin, but m Auckland, but I am staying down here for some months. I see Wullie has gone tip to Auckland for a trip. Well, I hope he will enjoy it. One of my greatest friends vrites to the Witness, but for some reason or other she woixld rather I did not mention her norn de plume. I see that Maisie and Dunedinilo both rasped Babette of not beiiast

genuine. Ido not believe in you either, Babette; so, as you are getting suspected all round, don't you think it would tie better to write and confess? .Now, dear Dot, as this is the first letter I have written you, I had better stop, or tne Critic Club may begin to pass remarks; so I shall conclude ■with love to yourself and Dunedinite. — Yours *"**' c. h. a. St. Clair. [Of course we are all glad to hear from our little Auckland friend, and I trust she will remember us all when she goes to her home in the north.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — If I were to make a, statement to the effect that the " club's letters are not read until their turn, a good many of the little folk would not believe me, so I will simply say that we always read them first. After the president read out report, Tom called for three cheers for Dot, for her kind explanation of Leap Year. Buttons said " Fancy being born on the 29th February, and only having one birthday in four years. It would suit the girls very nicely, but just imagine one birthday cake to every one else's four." 8.0.8.'s letter was then read. Sally said, " I can quite believe 8.0.8. is in love; I wonder who with?" Tom said, "I think it must be with the Critic Club." Dick looked very sympathetic, and said, " Poor boy, I can truly sympathise with him, as I myself once had a touch of that complaint. It was either that or the influenza. ' Tom said Jean's wds a sensible idea about cutting the letters short, and he proposes that everyone should write according to the amount of brains they possess. "Whereupon the incorrigible Buttons exclaimed, "In that case, Taffy's coriespondence would be completely ended," and Taffy said, " Well, Bxittons, if the length of the lette.s corresponded with the amount of impudence . each writer possessed you would occupy the ■whole paper." Buttons would like Mousie to send one of her scones along to him, as he is sadly in need of a dicket ball. Harry said Solomon Slow accused him of putting on " side." Buttons doesn't think Sol. could put on side any more than he himself. Buttons is certainly free from anything of that kind. Dockleafs letter was the next to call forth a remark. Thai remark came fiom Daisy, who, when we told her Dockleaf sent her love, said. "Did her? Where her was?" Sally envies Thelma the excitement she had in Clinton. Lady Clare's letter was well received, moie especially by Tom, who is an ardent lover of scenery. He became so enthusiastic over describing a bush he recently visited, and his description became so lengthy that by the time the president could restore order it was too late to discuss the remaining letters, — Yours truly, TAFFY, Secretary Critic Club. [And so, very appropriately, ends the batch for this week, for the editor is looking too serious notwithstanding all the love showered down on him for me to ventute before him again.— DOT.] TO CORRESPONDENTS. Giulia.. — Think you, dear, for the pretty card. I have sent the one on to Signa. Cooee. — I need make no difference whatever. I have sent the addresses, as requested. Tals of Two Beli/toppers. — It is certainly very amusing, but it would take up almost three-quarters of a column, and think how many letters that would crush out! I shall keep it over in the meantime, and possibly an opportunity to use it may occur later on. Badges sent from January 29 to February 5: — Eva West, Hannah T. Moody, Winnie West, Redstart, Cooee (2), Bess,' Queen, Cora, Captain, Goldy, Lucy A. Leslie, Punch, Zcalia, Fairy, Dora,\Laura Tait, Lizzie Tail, Bessie Cameron, Sunflower.