LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 65

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot, — It seems no use waiting till the deluge of letters decreases. For that I think we shall have to wait for ever. Alvera and I have seen such a 'number wearing badges, especially at show time, but we have a good opportunity of doing so as we pass through town on our way to school. When are you going to write again, Harry? We have looked every week to see it there was a letter from you ; .1 suppose you know why. Have' you seen the sword they aie going to present to Major-General BadenPowell, Dot? I'noticed it in a window to-day. Do you know if the correct pronunciation of Kiuger is ''Kre-er," Dot? I wonder where the Critic Club have disappeared to? How I should have liked to have been a visitor at

"Krugersdeath camp." -You must have had a splendid time, Boy. By the way, tell Dick that lie was rather too funny. Fancy, Dot, poor me being put in a violin to send iorth an "echo."' Don't you pity me? I am afraid if you knew Dockleaf you would not ask that riddle, Boy. Did you enjoy yourself at the dance the other night, 8.0.8. ? I suppose you wonder how I know you were at one? The Easter group was very nice, but I don't think it. does justice to either the Little Lady or me. 8.0.8. looks as if he were frightened of me, and was trying to draw away. One of the little folk said she could not describe a visit to the Witness office as well as I did, but I am quite siire she could, if not better; as you must confess that about half was yours, Dot. I was rather ashamed when I noticed the number of corrections and I was rather sorry I had sent it. Did you go to the show, Dot? We went on Thursday night, but I never wish to get into such a crowd again. We saw one girl with a badge, but unfofrtunately had not ours on. Dear Dot, it is all right for those who have no sisters writing to you to sign their names when they leave your page, but if I were to sign my name then the little folk would know who Little Lady was, and. of course that would never do — at least L. L. says so, and I shall have to bow to her will. It wotild be nice if all the little folk told how they got their names. I have noticed a few have done so. I got mine from the story about " Echo and Narcissus," and I think "Echo" was my favourite in Greek mythology. Dinah and Mavourneen are at the convent, so they will not be able to write, but Dinah wishes me to send her love to Taffy, and her compliments to L. X., of Lawrence, for reporting who Dinah was. When do you think of getting married, Dot? Please remember that Echo would like to apply for the position you would no doubt> resign. With love to you, Dunedinite, Harry, Boy and C. C, — Yours truly,

[No, Echo I believe the correct pronunciation is Krug-er, but I think it would take us a long time to get into it, would it not? You need not have been ashamed of your description of your visit, dear. How could anyone grasp a difficult technical problem by watching an operator for a quarter of an hour? I had to have it explained to me more than once before I saw the ins -and oivt of the linotype; quite frankly, I only have a superficial knowledge of it even now. I shall certainly bear it in mind, Echo. It would be a very proper thing for an Echo to succeed a Dot, don't you think? —DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l live in the country, about 25 miles from Dunedin. The winter has come early this year, hasn't it, Dot? I only know one of your little 10lk — Brenda. I know three who went away in the fifth contingent. So Con has written. It was very good 'of him. I wish him good luck and a safe return. With love to Brenda, Maidey, and Ziska not forgetting your our dear self, — Yours truly, SHIELA. [Yes, Shiela, the winter has come early, and let us hope it will go correspondingly early. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — There was a Gaelic Society meeting at Kiuow last Friday, ISth, and there was a serious accident as well, a maa t named J. Healey getting his leg broken in two places. You have a large number oi correspondents, Dot. If they were all mustered up they would be like a mob of sheep. When are you going to put more photos m the Witness, Dot? lam going to get mine taken on my pony. His name is Napoleon I ; I will send it- down to You, Dot. With love to Dot, Harry, and 8.0.8., -Yoms truly, SKIGGER. [Slugger! What a dangerous sound it has. I should not like to meet the owner in a lonely place or a dark night. But peihaps he is quite harmless, notwithstanding his dangerous name. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It seems ages since I wrote to you, but I don't suppose it is very long. My word, Dot, you ought to feel proud— fancy having such a number of correspondents! I qiiite agree with Dunedinite in saying Echo's and my photo could have been better. lam waiting for the promised visit, Harry and I will put up two fingers as a distinguishing mark — will that suit you? I wonder if you recognised me in town the day you had a parcel nearly as big as yourself — eh, Marry? Echo and I can beat Ziska and Maiguerite, because we know ]tist about 60 — we reckoned up the other day. Oh, our visit to the Times office, shall I ever forget it? And the Witness smile— that took my fancy, I can tell you : a broad grin. I was giving it to Echo when w e got home, and I try to put it on when I meet some D. L. F. I don't know what has come over Cynthia, Shamrock, and Maisie, because a long tune ago I wanted to exchange autographs with Shamrock, and 1 have not seen a letter from hei since. You have never answered my question, Sol, have you? Do you remember what I asked? What a rare experience Echo and Dockleaf had with Dick and Boy, and then for Dick to get so funny. So you thought my sunbonnet looked very quaint, Dot? It is getting rather late in the year now to wear them, but if I were camping out with Dick and Boy it would be very acceptable. How I remember when we camped at Warrington — what fun we had. I cannot desciiba it. Dockleaf would very much like to have a tete-a-tete with Dick and Spy. I waa telling her we had.

found out F. L. 0., and what her name was, and she says there is a girl comes into the office with a lady whose last name corresponds with F. L. O.s, and the girl wears a badge, too— is it you, F. L. O. ? Most of the little "folk are telling how they got their norn de plume. It was a year ago on the Queen's Birthday that a great friend of ours came up on her bicycle, and I went back with_her to keep her company. I did a little bit of work for her — not very much, I must say ; biit when I got home she told my sister that the) Little Lady had been helping her, and that name has stuck to me. I wonder if you will see this, Aunty Em? I must bring this to a close at once, so here I write, — Yours truly,

LITTLE LADY.

CAnd I am sure we are all glad you gave that assistance, for it gave the name we all love. I suppose we should have liked Little Lady's letters just as well if they had been over another signature, but I think it would have been a X^ity all the same, and we should have been the poorer for not having Little Lady among us. —DOT.]

Dear Dot,— Here I am again, still in the land of the living. I know the names of 11 of your correspondents — 8.0.8., Harry, Alys, Jean, C. C. M., Cooee, Solomon Slow, Bert, Grace Darling, General French, and Hoya. Well, C. C. M., I may tell you that Bell and Lyddite are the same persons. I thought you would not find me out. Dear Dot, a young lady told me the other day that Dot and Emmeline were sisters, and that they were the editor's daughters. Of course I don't believe a word of it, for with me Dot is just Dot — a pretty, fairy-like lady that very few know anything about. Do you know, Dot, I had such a queer dream last night. I dreamt I was talking to Shan — the very same Shan as his photo makes him out to be — and his name was William Simpson. He was a very nice boy to speak to, and I quite lell in love with him. I told Jean this morning, but she only laughed and said. dreams were always contrary. I believe Jean has quite fallen in' love with 8.0.8. — with his photo, I mean. She is for ever talking about him. Not a very great many of the little folk seem to know Shan, do they, Dot? But if he is really as nice as he wae last night, he must be a very nice boy. When the photos of the little folk arrived, there was a great lush to see who would s,ee them first. Jean thought 8.0.8. and Shan viere the nicest, but I thought Boy and Dunedininte were. Riinbecco looks rather old, I think, to be a little folk. When the news that Mafeking was relieved reached here, the school was at once voted a half-holiday. Flags were flying and bells ringing, and at night we had a great-bonfire and there was a great kick up till about 11 o'clock. The school up here is closed for a fortnight on account of whooping cough, measles, and scarlet fever. They are having their holidays now, instead of in July. With love to General French, Boy, C. C. M., and Maleen, not forgetting yourself Dot, — Yours truly; LYDDITE. P. S. — I heartily sympathise with C. C. M. in her sudden loss. Expect a letter fiom me before long, C. C. M. — L.

[I don't know what the real Shan will think when he learns that his dream name is William Simpson, Lyddite. In reality it is something very different, so that I fancy he will be very much amused. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I think it is far past the time in which I should have written to you, but since -you have so many correspondents I do not like taking' too much space at a time, or perhaps my letter might not be put into-the Witness. I see that one of your correspondents ha 3 counted over 600 writers, and I think that is rather too many for the space available in ths Witness. We had a very heavy rain up here on Friday morning. Dear Dot, I am very bad with earache just now. lam very sorry to hear that you do not like your writers changing their noms de plume, but please excuse and let me change mine this time, as everybody found me out, and teased me very much. But when Ido get another I shall stick to it whether they find me out or not. Well, Dot I never got the badge last time I wrote, so I think I shall get one this time if you have any left. I shall enclose the stamps, and fine care must be taken that they don't get lost. We are going to have a concert tip here on the Bth of next month, and I think I will be singing at it; however,. l will tell you next time whether I do or not. I saw some of the little folk's j>hoto3 in the Witness, and I think that Little Lady, Fluff, and Harry came out the best. I have a good idea who Fluff is, but I shall not tell her initials, as I am not quite sure. I know six or seven of your little folk, but that is nothing compared with what some of them know; but as I have only written once or twice, I think that is quite enough for that short time. Some of the little folk don't like Wullie's letters at all, but some of the others, and myself, think he is a very good writer. With the greatest love to the little folk, and twice three times to yourself and the editor,— Yours truly, QUEENIE. [Did you send the stamps the other time, Qucenie? If so, they did not come to hand, or the badge would have been sent. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Here I am again, writing to that mysterious little personage, Dot. How I wish that I knew you, or some of. the little folk. Thursday was the Queen's Birthday, and theie was a concert and ball in the evening. Some of the songs which were sung best weie, ' Tho» gipsy's warning," "Soldiers of the Queen," and ''Sons of the sea." Two ladies fainted- at the ball. I was not there, but I got a description of it from a friend N who was there. I hays t,o go to the town now, so I must finish my letter when I come home. ' ' Later. — Just come horn:, and what do you think? I found the handle of my pen covered with glue, which I really like very much indeed. When we heard of the relief of Mafeking we rang the school bell for half an hour, fired a salute, and hoisted the Union Jack. The next Monday we had a holiday and a picnic in honour of the event. After the picnic we all sang '' God save the Queen." But we do not know yet who relieved Mafeking. At Brunnerton, during the celebration, someone discharged a gun into a boy's face by mistake; but the boy was not injured ver.y much. I wonder if any of the little folk would correspond with me? They need not be afraid of my finding them out. I am sending my autograph to Maidey. Dear Dot, please will you kindly foiward it tc her if it is not too much trouble. I must close now, with love to Maidey, Equibel. yourself and poor Mr Editor.— Yours truly, CAMELLIA. [Yes, dear, with pleasure. It has been posted. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We have bc-en having very bad v eather here lately, so perhaps that is why things are so dull. The news of Mafeking roused everyone for a little whiles but that was not for long, and people soon dropped into their quiet, monotonous ways again. There was one thing, however, which created a little excitement — that was, a large fire in the square. We were roused out of our peaceful slumbers one morning early by the clang of the firebells. People who were not too lazy were soon up, and there was a large numbei of spectators in a very short time. A large hotel and a few small buildings were burnt to the ground, and the firemen had hard work to keep the fire from spreading further. However, there were no lives lost, which was the most important thing. I think the people here have such funny names. I said so to a gentleman whom I krew, and he replied, "Oh, yes, they are all plain Macs or Sandys in the South Island, aren't they?" Wasn't that frightfully rude of him, Dot? I got quite cross with him. I

suppose he thought seeing I had left tug south I did not mind what was said abou'J it, but you may be sure I soon 'let him see] I did, Dot. Now I must stop this rambling scribble, as you will be tired of it, I am surd' With love to all D.L.F., and especially to Dot( herself, — Yours truly,

TEEITEA

[I fancy your friend only meant it i.i fun^ Teritea. -In the north there is a general ideal that everyone in Dunedin comes from across) the border, and I have heard it whispered that markedly English reporters who go up fromi Dunedin during the session are christened! Mac Jone- or M'Smith, simply because they, come from the south. They only laugh at it, however, and as it amuses their northern, friends, they don't mind it a bit. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am going to tell you about our turn out on the relief of Mefeking. The band went out at night, and we had a good long procession, round the town. Two other girls and I held torch lights for the band. We had also a lot of very nice fireworks, and I enjoyed it very much; but I think it will be a greater turnout when Kruger is taken, and 1 I hope that will not be long. Is the war not a 'terrible thing? I think William Tell is mistaken about knowing me, as I have never been out of Southland, only to Dunedin at the Jubilee time, and I have not the slightest idea as to who he is. Two or three have the little folk's badge here, and I think they are very nice. I have a guinea pig. They are funny, little things. All the school children hero got a badge of Baden-Powell. They are very nice to keep in remembrance "of the war, but a lot of the children are too young to understand about it. Dear Dot, my sisters have often started to write to you, but they have never managed to post their letters. My brother wrote once. With love to William Tell and all the little folk, including ycurself,— Yours truly, KITTY CLOVER. [Since writing you have no doubfc celebrated the entry of the British, into Pretoria, Kitty, and no doubt we shall hear all about it later on. I hope you had as good a day then as you had on Mafeking Day. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — You will be surprised to see a letter from me so soon again, but you will easily guess why lam in such a huriy. When I saw that about 50 badges were already sent for, I thought I had bettor look sharp if I wanted one. lam longing to see the iiexfc group of little folk in the Witness. The last ones looked so nice and clear that I cut them out, so when I leave New Zealand (which I intend doing soon), I shall be able to show my new friends some of the young New Zealanders. If only Con had had his photo taken with the others, I could have said, ''That is one of Dot's correspondents who went to the Transvaal." I must stop now, as I only intended this for a short note. With love to Dot and all the little folk, — Yours truly,

[And I wonder where your new friends will be, Jos, for you do not say where you aie going. However, I wish you happiness in your new home, wherever it may be. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l am sorry to see that my friend Daffodilly has said good-bye. I wonder if it is the dull weather that is making some of our writers so apathetic lately, or are they, getting 8.0.8.'s complaint — namely, falling in love. I hone it is not so, or some of our best; writers would be leaving us in the lurch. I had a pleasant holiday for three days at Easter. I was staying with a friend, and on Easter Sunday we went for a long ride to see some more friends. I saw several girls with badges at the Wendon picnic, and also one boy with a badge, who asked me if I was on"c of Dot's friends. I had my badge on the front of my: hat at the time. I onfy wish_ summer were here again, so that we could have some more picnics. We had a bonfire on Mafeking night, and fireworks were also let off. The boys and girls foinied a procession, and marched round the town singing patriotic songs. Someone gave Miss Kruger a great fright by setlingoff a packet of crackers at her feet. With love to yourself and all the little folk. — Yours truly,

DELL. [It is too bad of boys throwing crackers to explode at anyone's feet, much less at a girl's. Supposing they set fire to her dress and caused her serious injury, what would the boy who threw the cracker think? I fancy he would lcpioach himself ever afterwards, and, be more considerate of others' feelings when it v/as too late.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Twinkling Star ,and I are at present sitting writing to you at the same table. One of my uncles is standing beside us telling us to write about all the most ridiculous things he can think of. I muse now start and answer all the questions I have been asked lately. No, Zora, I didn't see any more badges .in the "Glorious 24th," but the last day I was in Dunedin I met a girl with a badge, and went and spoke to her. What do you thing, L. F — she was no other than Priscilla- No, Jos, my surname is not B, y. You were right aboivt my name, Laddie. I can't get over Pinetree thinking me a boy. I have found out who you are, Carmen Sylva, and Ella. Your -father's cousin, Mrs P., of T., told my aunt, 8., of M., to tell me who you were, so you see I found out in rather a roundabout way. That was a great piece of news Harry, Clutha and Pearl thinking you and I were related to each other. We are sons and daughters of Adam, I suppose, and Xserhaps you are ray forty-second cousin. I correspond with five D. L. F. privately now. Ido like writing letters. I see my little friend Merle has written at last. Are your initials M. P., Dunedinite? I have almost persuaded Twinkling Star to send her photo for the next group. She has been getting taken lately. Oh, Boy, how you made my eyes hang out with your descriptions of camp life. Love to all the little folk and Dot, — Yours truly,

[How pleasant for you and Priscilla to meet in that way, Alys. I am sure you must have had a most interesting chat. I hope you will succeed in inducing Twinkling Star to send her photo, as I have very few girls indeed so far. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It is a long time since I last wiote to you, but I haven't forgotten you 3'et. We are having our winter holidays now, and aro getting a fortnight. I am going down to Dalvey for them. It is about 15 miles off. Dear Dot, I liked Little Lady the best of the photos in the Easter group. We got half a holiday to-dajn because oi the news that Pretoria had been abandoned. Dear Dot, is not the war terrible? — so many of our brave soldiers getting killed.Yours truly, GRASSHOPPEK. [I hope you enjoyed your visit to Dalvey, Grasshopper, although winter is scarcely the time to get much enjoyment out of a. holiday as the days are so short. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am at present away enjoying my winter holidays. I have just been visiting Alys, one of your regular correspondents, ana we have spent a very enjoyable time together. We went down a coal mine, and I put on a gentleman's overcoat, and my word, I did look a ticket ! ±t was the first time I had ever been in a coal mine. The reason I put the coat on was tc keep me from getting dirty, as you will have an idea what it is like. The place where I am staying I can get a lovely view ol the dear old ocean, which is very pretty. There; is also a bit of bush a little way from the sea v J and I have been in it getting ferns. I am j., great one for ferns. I have some already grow-< ing at home, but I am taking more; so you^

see, lam not greedy, but I lika a lot. I must ' say that JBoy and Dick must have great times ' together. I like Boy's letters. I see they have not quite got into the way of cooking yet, judg- • ing by the way Boy cooks the rice. Dick's scones must have been very delicious also, bb 'Boy says they would do for spring mattresses, or something to that -effect. I know a good many ■of your L. F., but I shan't go to the trouble of naming thera all. — Yours truly, ,, f TWINKLING STAR. 1 '[What a nice time you must have had during your holiday, Twinkling Star, between visits .io the sea. beach and the bush. I hope you will "be pursuaded by Alys to send in your photo. V-DOTj " 5 Dear Dot, — Just a few lines to let you know Jhat I am still in. the land of the living. We have had a week's holidays, but I did not employ them very much, as I had a lot of work to do. I have lately found out {■three more of your correspondents — namely, V 8.0.8., Red, White, and Blue, and Captain. I iknow 15 now altogether — not bad, is it, Dot? .Oh, Daffodilly, whatever possessed you to resign, when, you were not 20? I am sure we shall all miss your letters very much; but I suppose it can't be helped. Well, good-bye, |DaxfodiUy, and I wish you a very happy and -prosperous life. Dear Dot, I saw in last week's .Witness that one of the little folk wanted to ihave a whole page for Wullie's photo. Now, I ' iio not think • that ' would be fair. Why should he have a whole page and all the others gust have a limited space ? Wullie is no better ;«haja any of the rest. Indeed, I know a lot of jpeopla who say there' ia no "such boy at all, but eiraply ono of the Witness staS ; but, -however, j if ■she photo is as good as the one he sentsome H.ims ago of himself and his parents, it would j ifoe well worth getting an oil painting taken of i •it, and hanging it xvd in the" Witness office, &.o _ihat if any oi the D. "L...F. called there, they "would be sure io see their dear Wullie's face. '-Even if they did not know Dot, they would be • sure to know Wullie's broad smile. Dear Dot, I have not seen a letter from the little German JTraulein lately. I think that if she called herself the "Big Frauleia "' it would be more - like the tiling. 'Dear Dot, what do you think about the war? Don't you think it is awful? However, even in New Zealand' there are a | good many pro-Boers who would like Kruger -uo win. Don't you thiak that it is a pity fch&y are undsr the. protection of the British flag ? ■If I had ray way 7. would send them and Kruger to keep Cronje company in St. Helena. We [have the threshing mill now, and you may depend it is a very busy time with us. Was it "not very good of Dicky Donovan to write again ? So poor old Con has -gone away to the ,-war! Bui was it not good of him to write such a nice and interesting letter? I also hope that I me will come back to New Zealand safe and sound in every limb. I wonder where Cooee j and Ziska have jione to? Wake up, girls, and •write soon. With lof eto Dot and all the little Soils, — Yours truly, MAGGIE. [Fifteen is a very creditable number to know, Maggie, although oi course it will not bear com- i ■Darison with the numbers known by Echo or Siska. So people say that Wuhie is one of the ■Witness staff, do they, dear?. Well, I can only say thai; I have never seen him, and that the •letters since he has been up north come with ihe postmark of a North Island town on the . envelope. I scarcely think the pro-Boers are taking notice or, dear — as a gaiter of facb they are cracks, and if they were not eccentiif • on. that point they would be on some other c. r-DOT.] Dear Dot, — I had been intending to send in "a subscription to your Indian famine fund, and iiere I liaye just discovered that I am too late, • ior the fund was to close on_May 31. Well, it ■ ■cannot be heip\:d-,iiow, tut 1 feel sorry that I did not write sooner and send 3ou some stamps. 'Along witii this letter 1 am sending you one of my photograph's, which I hope you will re'caive safely. I hope the other little folk will follow my example and send in their photos too, as 'Dot wishes. I was going to send in my name to Produce, but forgot all about it. (What a lot "of "sands/ you will say, Dot.) I was very pleased with the liitle folk's photographs .which appeared in the"Witness some weeks ago. Boy has a face bright and interesting, just like this letters. Shan must be older than I thought - lie was. I don't think Harry looks blind at all, do you, Dot? 8.0.8.'s one is, of course, the same 'as the one in the Annual. When do you think the next group will appear, dear Dot? I am very anxious to see Wullie's photo. I met Lanette at a social some time ago, but have not seen her since. Clarissa seems to know ■who I am all right, but I cannot guess her name. I was at a sale of work ihe other night. I went in for -. two shooting •, competitions, but was not successful. I came out of the hall minus a shilling, and, I need not add, a wiser and sadder girl. I don't think I have wiiite.il Io you'eince the threshing mill was here. Weil, just for fun one day we counted the dishes, Jcnives, forks, and spoons that were washed and dried, and they amounted to 542! That was a handful, wasn't it ? But I must stop ; •with best lore Jo all D. L. F. and Dot."Tours truly, ~ " MARIE. s ' [A handful, Marie, why it was a wheelbarrow load. How glad you would be to see the last of the threshers, dear, when it entailed such work 'as that. I should" like- to see a town girl face Buch '"a wash-up. • Why, I am afraid she v.'ould .collapse altogether. — DOT.] . .

Dear Dot. — You. will have forgotten me altogether by this time, but you see I'm still alive. •I ■was .always waiting, "thinking you would gei fewer letters, and, hare thus a little more spa.cc in .the Witness. "What a lot of correspondents you have, Dot. 1 like Dunedinite's letters .very much. I know only two of your correspondents, Mousie and Daffodilly. lam sorry Daffodilly has stopped writing. Were you out, on Friday, Dot, celebrating the relief of Pretoria? I was, and didn't my chums and I enjoy ourselves immensely. Ci&sie and I went to the Agricultural Eall at night, and it was very neisj-, but I liked it all the same. I see Uegina thinks she knows me. lam in Dunedin just now, but I don't live here, so think again, Regina. I wonder if you live in Lawrence? I might know you, but I can't thick yet. I haven't been to the Witness office. I should like to &cc you very much, Dot, t'fout I have small hopes in that direction. j-Does your surname start with C, Dot? But it's not fair to ask questions. Noiv, dear Doi, J-I shall be taking up too m-ach room, so I'll Ting off, with love 'to i-he little folk and yourself. — Yours truly,

LARRIKIN.

'["Second thoughts are always best" is sn old Baying, Larrikin, so I shall take your second ithought and agree with you that it is not fair io ask questions, dear. Ido not wonder at your enjoying your&elf at the meeting, Larrikin. \We hp.ve not the chance, every day of seeing cuch a vast crowd oE people, have we? — DOT.] i Dear Dot, — I think it is going to be a hard for I have had a lot cf slides already. ..One of my brothers is driving rabbits for the factory. lam going for a drive with him some iday. We have ripe raspberries — don't you /think this is late in the year for them, Dot? iWe got a' holiday at our school the day Mafefeing was relieved. I had my photo taken Sately. My sister and I were taken together. CI have been on two dredges— the Chicago and jfche Glasgow. I liked going over in the boat jvery much. One day a little boy who lives eiear us fell out of a cart while ho was drivdng along the road, and if his trousers had not caught on a hook the cart would have gone over

him. Dear Dot, two of your correspondents attend our school. I know who Cosm.o3 is. I like reading Wullie's letters.— Yours truly, C. L. I.

[It was indeed a blessing the hook was thereto catch in the boy's trousers, C. L. I. Was he suspended from, the cart? It is indeed late for the raspberries, but I suppose they are in a very shady spot, or there woiild be none left now.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We are llaving our -winter holidays tip here, and I thought I should like to write before school took up. I think it is too bad of come of the little folk to keep saying "they must stop because of the space allowed them." Dear Dot, I think by the time that Con reaches the Transvaal the war will be over, because I see by the papers that Pretoria and Johannesburg are occupied by the British, a-nd it will not take long to finish it. I noticed in one of the* Witnesses that there are 468 correspondents, and there are new ones every week. I wonder where you got to when Jim Brown and his friend were in the Witness office; you mus'fc have heard them coming, and run out of sight. Dear Dot, it is very rainy and cold to-day, but I suppose it is not the worst we shall have. With love to all the little folk, Mr Editor, and yourself, — Yours truly,

M. F. S.

[No, dear, I did not see Jim Brown or his friend, so I had no need to hide. Besides, I really don't suppose Jim is such a rough looking chap that I should run away from him. You know I am not in the Witness office all day. I only go there when it is necessary, so that you might go in half a dozen times without seeing me. — DOT.]

Dea-r Dot, — When my last letter appeared in the Witness my sister guessed whose it was. I did not tell anyone I wrote, but all .the same they found me out. More new correspondents -every week! We shall soon want a paper all to ourselves. You must have all yoiir work to do, Dot, reading and answering the letters. I am keeping a list of all the correspondents. Shan had^some nice poetry in last week's Witness, composed by the late Mrs C. L. Innes. I saw her photo the other day. I didn't think my norn de plume came so close to that of anoter girl. I was v&ry sorry, but it is not worth while changing it now. What a nice letter Con wrote. They are having a lively time. We had a letter from a young fellow whe went away with the fifth contingent. The letter was posted in Albany. I hope they will all return safely to New Zealand. The weather is getting wintry, but we may Respect that now. With love to yourself and all the little folk, — Yours, truly, ELVIRA. Dear Dot, — Rimbecco told her age in a letter to you on the 30th of November, 1899 — 16 yeais and three months. Yotje, photc in the Witness would please 10,000 people, old and young. You said at the Witness jubilee next July would be the time to do so; kindly bear this • in. mind. — Yours truly, j W. Y. i ' [Ah, friend, I thi-ik I qualified the remark by saying, if my memory serves me right, that 1 was afraid I should not be of sufficient importance to havt my portrait in among all the proprietors and managers and editors. I am glad you have mentioned Rimbecco' s age, aa 1 have been sorry to see the general idea prevailing that she is older than she really is.— DOl.]

every weeK. i wonaex wnere you goo tv when Jim Brown and his friend were in the Witness office; you must have heard them coming, and run out of sight. Dear Dot, it is very rainy and cold to-day, but I suppose it is not the worst we shall have. With love to all the little folk, Mr Editor, and yourself, — Yours truly, M. F. S. [No, dear, I did not see Jim Brown or his friend, so I had no need to hide. Besides, I really don't suppose Jim is such a rough looking chap that I should run away from him. You know I am not in the Witness office all day. I only go there when it is necessary, so that you might go in half a dozen times without seeing me. — DOT.] Dea-r Dot, — When my last letter appeared in the Witness my sister guessed whose it was. I did not tell anyone I wrote, but all .the same they found me out. More new correspondents every week! We shall soon want a paper all to ourselves. You must have all yoiir work to do, Dot, reading and answering the letters. I am keeping a list of all the correspondents. Shan had^some nice poetry in last week's Witness, composed by the late Mrs C. L. Innes. I saw her photo the other day. I didn't think my norn de plume came so close to that of anoter girl. I was v&ry sorry, but it is not worth while changing it now. What a nice letter Con wrote. They are having a lively time. We had a letter from a young fellow whe went away with the fifth contingent. The letter was posted in Albany. I hope they will all return safely to New Zealand. The weather is getting wintry, but we may Respect that now. With love to yourself and all the little folk, — Yours, truly, ELVIRA. Dear Dot, — Rimbecco told her age in a letter to you on the 30th of November, 1899 — 16 yeais and three months. Yotje, photc in the Witness would please 10,000 people, old and young. You said at the Witness jubilee next July would be the time to do so; kindly bear this in. mind. — Yours truly, W. Y. i [Ah, friend, I thi-ik I qualified the remark by saying, if my memory serves me right, that 1 was afraid I should not be of sufficient importance to havt my portrait in among all the proprietors and managers and editors. I am glad you have mentioned Rimbecco' s age, aa 1 have been sorry to see the general idea prevailing that she is older than she really is.— DOl.] Dear Dot, — I know several of your correspondents, but I am not very sure about others who write to you. I would very much like .to see Wullie, as lam Scocch. too. My chilblains are corning oa again, and I can't make out how my sister has none. I have two cats, of which I am very fond— one of them is black and white and the other black and grey. I have not written to you for a long time. — Yours truly, ZILLAH. [Probably your siater is more active than you, and hence has better circulation, Zillah. Steep your hands — or are they on your feet ? — in very hot soapsuds night and morning, adding fresh hot water as it cools, and you will soon drive away the. chilblains. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was glad to see the photos in the Witness, as they looked very nice. What a number of correspondents you have now. Dear Dot, I know one of your correspondents, as ho used to go to school with me, but h| is not going now. Dear Dot, isn't this war terrible? — there are so many lives being lost. The plague in Sydney is also dreadful. I have two sisters there, and I hope nothing will happen to them. Dear Dot. at the school that I go to nearly all the children have whooping cough ; btit I haven't got it yet, and I hope I shan't get it. As all the little folk are giving their opinion as to who you are I will give mine. I think you are a kind, gentle lady. I must bring my letter to a close, as you don't like long letters. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting your own dear self, — Yours truly,

IOLANTHE. [Thank you, dear, for your description. It will be another one for Ziska 1 s list. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — As you do not get rnany_ letters from South Taieri, I thought I would like to one of your correspondents. Ido not know many L.F. I went to school with Harry Paxrer once, but he lives a good way from here j now. Did you once have a brother in a bank | in the Taievi, Solomon Slow? If so I have met him. A friend stopping at our place told me your names, Clementine and A Daughter oi Erin. I was staying in your di&fcrict once, but it was before we had one badges, so next time 1 come down I shall have a look round for you. J. was not in Duncdiu at the show, but a •friend of mine was in, and she saw. a lot of badges, and two girls wearing them spoke to her. Do you like wild game, Dot? There, is not much shooting round about here this year, as the Waipoii Lake is protected, and as you pass aloag Henley road at the lake, you would fancy the duck 3 and avvans had lea/rned the gracious news too, as they come quite close and fiy round as^df to challenge the spoitsnian; and the disappointed shooter, although contemplating on the splendid dish a stuffed cluck always makes, has io pass on and comfort himself in tho hope of a good bag when he comes across rhem the half mile fiom the lake. Here we are in wintez again. Isn't this year flying round, Dot? It seems nothing but holidays, and a continual rush foi' the daily news ; and what glorious news we received today, "Pretoria abandoned." The Boers should all follow the same wise example and give in. They have done quite enough evil now, and I am sure it would be the best thmg for themselves — don't you think so, Dot? — as we all know tliQ "British rule is. far the best. Long live our dear old Queen— l hope there will never be another war in her time. How grand indeed that one of D.L.F. has left home and friends. to fight for our Queen and help to give ihe Boors what they de-isrve. What cruelty they have practised towards helpless women and children, to say nothing of the mean advantages in connection with tho while flag. But I must come to a full stop now. T should like to write again, but must wait my turn, as you have so many correspondents now. - With love to yourself, dear Dot, and all the little folk, — Yours truly, MELINDA MAY. [That is very cunning of the ducks, Melinda May, and they certainly deserve to escape the sportsmen's guns for their "slininess," as the Boers say. Yes, dear, the year ia slipping

away, and it will bo no tini6 before Christmas is in view again. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Will you allow me to write you a wee letter on behalf of o;ie of your little folk — in fa-ct, he claims to bo your "littlest" folk, for at the present moment he is only five minutes old (how is that for a junior memoir, Tafiy?). He wishes through me to send you a donation — as tiny as himself — for your "cot," with the wish that the scheme may grow to be as big and good as he intends one day to be. He cannot even make a X yet, so I shall sign this letter for him, with love to all little ones. — Yours truly,

fTiny Inn's contribution is hy no means st small as his amanuensis modestly makes ou». It is half a crown, which I think is very substantial for a little fellow of five minutes of age. I hopa he will have a happy life ana a prosperous career. He has certainly begun well.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I feel all out of sorts to-night, so I will try and cheer up my old heart by writing to you. I hope you don't object to me writing so often to you. I have not seen my first letter in the papec yet; but of course you puo in the best ones first. I meant to have sent some stamps for the Indian famine. I suppose it is too late now, so I will put in twe shillings for the> cot. lam very hard up just now, or else I would send more. My pay day will be here before very long, so I may afford a larger sum then. We are having very good weather just now. I have been so busy lately, Both my mother and sister were away. Mother came home yesterday. My sister won't be home for another week. It is horrible when mother is away. I was so pleased' to get her home pgain— "there is rio one like mother to me." lam very fond of riding. 1 was riding on a man's saddle, on a horse not used to a lady, and I was bucked off. -I did not get hurt, s<s I got on again. My sister was ridmg with dad one day, and they stopped to talk t-o someone, when my sister's horse went to roll with her, and she was sent flying. They say "pride tnust have a fall." lam a great friend of pussy. I have 16 now — I had 20 at one time. There is a great difference in cats — that is, in their ways. One cat we have knows everything we say to her, I think. She is a- blue cat. I would say hex name, only I would be giving myself away. I think the Easter photos are splendid. I like Dunedinite and Shan best. I'm another victim — poor Shan will think all the girls are falling in love with him. I would like to correspond with Dunedinite. I wocdei if she would be co good as to give me her address. I don't know eve"! one correspondent. I intend to buy a badge when I get another shillh'g. It is terrible to be so hard up. I will soon be, pawning my clothes if I doa'l mind. I was going out to night, but thought better of it. Ths last right I went out I nearly broke my neck getting over a style coming home, and I vowed then thai I wouldn't go out again at night. Everybody's gone to bed and left me-alone in my glory. The fire is getting very low too. It

is a great responsibility being housekeeper. I told a gentleman that, ard he laughed and said I looked 20 years 'older, and wanted to know if I was going grey. It is dad's birthday on Saturday. I made a cake, and am going to make almond icing for it. I was telling dad to-night what he could give me for my birthday when it conics — it is not till September. I had a lovoly silver thimble givon nicy lately with my initial on it. It was in a pale blue plush case lined with satin. I think I shall now give myself supper and then retire, or I shall begin to feel creepy. If this is too long a letter just cut it short, please. Give ihe editor my second best love and best love for your own dear self. Love to all the little folk. — Yours tralv, WINSOME. P.S. — How do you like my nom. de phirne, Dot?' I have raked up another shilling for a badge. — W. [No, Winsome, you are mistaken about my putting in the best letters first. Unless there is some special reason they all take their turn. I do not think yours will appear for a fortnight, as I have already sent m more than enough for one week, and possibly enough for two. I did not intend that subscriptions for the cot should begin to come in till the TSfew Year, but as your 2s is to hand I shall regard it as the first subscription. I think your norn de plume charming, dear. Your letter also is interesting, so I am sure you will be received with open arms by D.L.F.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was down to see the contingent off, and enjoyed myself greatly. 1 saw three badges down at the wharf. 1 3mow who Harry, Solomon Slow, Bert, Mermaid, and Mistletoe are. The photos in the Easter number wcie very good. Duneiinifce'is very like one of my cousins. Mother says she knows who you are, but she won'L tell me. Father thinks Wullie's letters are the beat. Where has Lamb gone to ? Do you like reading, Dot ? With love to Lamb and Ziska and yourself, — Yours truly, EASTER LILY. [So, Easter Lily, your mother also knows who Dot is! Well, lam glad she is not telling my name, and all about me, for I am being found out by too many now. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l am ten years old, and I am in the Fifth Standard. We get the Witness every week, and I like reading the little folk's letters very much. Mother is. away for her holidays, so 1 have to keep house for my brothers, s.J.d I have therefore to stay away from school for a month. My birthday was last Monday, End my brothers bought me a gold watch, and I got a lob cf presents from my friends. Do you like doing fancy work, Dot? I can do a loi of fancy work. My brothers said that girls are good for nothing but talking. I zxo. the only girl, and' they always say that my mother spoiib me. lam the youngest of all. I hove three brothers. One of them is seventeen, the otheiis nineteen, and the other is frvenly.. With love to you and the little folk, — Yours truly, WOUNDED.

[You need not ieel wounded, dear, at anything your brothers say, for they are just the age to' tease you, especially if they see you do not like it. " J expect, if we only knew, they do quite as much to "spoil you/ as they call it. as your mother does ; but -judging from your letter I should say that they have not been successful ec far.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l received Bookworm's address on Friday, and 1 should have sent her mine long, ngo. Will you pleads forward it to her />o\7? £°was in Duncdm on tha Queen's Birthday, and I mot five D.L.F. One of tho fh o Y/a* Bookworm, snd she a&ked me to correspond w.lh her. Should I w;ite to her fir-t, or should she write io me, Dot? I have rot <z<ro my ifisL letter in yet, but T know the reason for its nor>appesrance. Ths little folk do sot all kce~o the rules of writing shorter letter? very well, do they? With leve, — Yours truly. SISTER. [Kol very well, Sister. I ba\ ; e sent your address to Lcokwoiic, and J thi-ik she wiH have written to you before this. If not, pe^Lsp* you had bcUcr write io hei first, clc-nr.-DOT.I

Dear Dot,— Since I last wrote to you Er^bsr has come and gone, and winter hag ciept gradually, though "perceptibly, on u^. The mornings now aie very cold. One evening we had a lecture in our Sunday schoolroom on the Boers, given by Mr 'Roby, who had lived for about seven years in the Transvaal. The lecture was very interesting. Ho told urj about the Boers socially and politically. When tho news that Mafeking was relieved camo we were

so excited that a number of us, without thinking what we were doing, ran down the town as fast as we could. But some of us, when we fcund out that it was not officially announced. %\ont back again. About 12 boys out of tiis Seventh, each with a kerosene tin and. a stick, parpxied the town, kicking up an awful row. That was on a Friday morning. Many of these boys did not return to school till Tuesday morning. On the Saturday, when the news was officially aunounced, a great demonstration wh? made. lam sure that all the available handbe'ls in the town were made use of. Todey the news that Johannesburg was taken was received by the ringing of bells, but beyond and the flying of a few flags nothing was seen or heard. Captom would not join himself to tho band of boys with the kerosene Uus. Ha very' sedately walked the streets with his hands in his pockets. Our master calls him ihe long-legged boy. It is a long time since Captain has written. C. C, from tho B. S., wnt93, I think, but I cannot find out her norn de plume. She is a very old friend of /nine. Wo sit side by side in school neai-Iy every day. I think that the war is drawing to a close. I only wish that Oom Paul could be caught. Wotildn't it be grand? We would reed to get a month's holiday to give us tirae to get' over the excitement, and not even that, I should think, would be long enough. I must now draw to a close, with love'to all D.L.F, — Yours tiuly, BUTTERFLY. P.S. — I hop^ that when the editor seea this letter he will not bo in o.ne of his grumbling moods. — B. [No, Butterfly, the cynical smile, as much as to say, "Ah, Miss Dot, you are having to worry now; how do -you like it?" is what I get now. And it is \ery trying, I can assure you. I often think " this letter really should go in at once," but when I suggest euch a thing I am merely told that I have my eight columns — and why do I not put it in. Oh, those eight columns! lam quite sure I shall hate to hear or read about 8 in any shape or form shortly. If it were twice eight, how happy could I be!— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It is raining rivers again to-day, so I thought I might as well pass a pleasant quarter of an hour by writing to you, as I am hard up for a book io read or something to amuse myself. I know you will forgive me for writing so soon. Would you rather live in the town or the country, Dot? The L.F. must be very hard vg for ranies, surely. Wh-en I wanted a rame I had to pick from dozens. I'll give a few : Lonna Juliet, Siren, Mopoke, Atlanta, Diana. Loorine, Idalia, Elma, Ouida, Quaker, Patricia, Ariadne, lone, Santa, Syrlin, Erica, Azalea., Gipsy, Anthea, Celio., Maimie, Prim, Peg, Valeric, Comet, Scilla, Circe, etc. It is a shame to take another's name, I think. I am. woiting for the Witness and the L.F.s Page. I read nearly everything in ( the Witness— Dot's page, Pater's Chats, Passing Notes, war news, cablegrams, racing notes, Editor's Wallet, novel, Ladies' Page — everything except Crickeb, Football, Angling, and Cycling. As for the war news, I v.ouldn't read a word of it willingly, nor yet the markets and cablegrams, would you. Dot ? I see Roy has turned traitor — I mean critic, so wo shall have to be careful what we say. I vt order if Boy coiild give me a cure for toothache? Do any of your correspondents live at Matakarui? I have been found out wholesale, Dot, but I leckoii it was niy own fault, because I told one person that my letter was hi the paper, and I told heT what page it was in, and that I had the secovid biggest answer, so it was easy for her to find out. Have you. written yet. J. 8. ? and you too, K. L. ? Yvhat a favourite 8.0.8. is. I think Har-ry and Boy ara better writers. 1 wo.ider if Wnllie is really anything like th^t sketch? 1 was forgetting to say that I am sure you are not like any of those sketches by '" Jim." I have found out several lately. lam sure I ki'ow Loma. Her initials are J. "V 1 /., &tid fhe is one oi niy mates. I know Bennett, Mncaria, Sancho, Lorna, Fiarces, Joke, Florence, Mn,ple, Diamond, Marguerite, Cleopatra, etc., but I haven't enough spaee^to menlion any moie at present. I will say, however, that Diamond. E-nd I were schoolmates, and that I used io know Marguerite. Do you know if K. L. corresponds with Dot, Diamond? I wonder if Marguerite remembers the time when J. W. and I used to get fuchsia berries for her, and she used to bring us roses. 1 must conclude now with love to Bennett, Marguerite, Pique, and Lorna, — Yours truly, . FANCY FREE.

p.S .—When I said I once thought the Boers would win I forgot to add that I had changed lny miud pince tLaa. Sines writing above I have seen Marguerite's letter, so I will here say I used to «gn myself Egeria, and Marguenie is quits correct, except that Hate L. didn't tell ma. I found cut myself.— 3?. P.

[Dear me, what a selection of names you give. Fancy Free. It should be of assistance to hesitating new correspondents. I hope if anyone takes one from the list she will tell us that she is indebted to Fancy Free jot her norn de plume.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We are only two little kittens. I have a black and yellow spotted back, and mv name is Pretoria. I have a little sister with a white neck, and she-is called Mafeking. There are two little girls staying here, and they pet us, and we like it very much. We have a playmate, a puppy, called Bobs, and he catches us* by the back of the neck and_ shakes us, then, to pay him out, we sit on his back m bed at night. Now, Dot, Mafeking and Pretoria have written all they can think of this time, as we hove caly been here four days. So with love to all the Hbtle folk, and never forgetting your dear old self, — Yours truly, TWO KITTENS. fA very good beginning for two euch small kittens. " Ino doubt, as thsy grow bigger, they will y/rite and tell us how their lives are progressing. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — When I last wrote to you I was in Henley West, but since then I have gone to stay with my sister in Woodside, a _ very rice pla-ca m summer, but veiy_ cold in winter. li is not quite to muddy as Her.ley, hoy.ever Dear Dot, there is a lovely fruit and fiowei garden here, so you ace I dim quite in it, although the iruit is just at an end. The flower garden is just a mass of colours with chrysan-t-i&rnums. Do you like chrysanthemums. Dot? I do.ii know how I'll like to go back to Henley Eigun, although it oan't be helped; but I don't sinnk i' will be till after winter, as they tlunk r;e very handy here. 1 just biint> in th.3 co-.vs, iorcl Ib? hens and chiciena, and do a few little jobss in ihe house. 1 like feeding the hens, hut my base fun is chi«iug a wild cat thai is for ever prowling about the kitchen trying io steal. With.lova to all the little folk,— Yours Uuly, EDITH CALDEB (aged 11 years and 9 months). £l cx^eci thob wild cat takes soiue watching, Eaith, "end no doubt li= often slips rJ when ycu ero rvvay aiicv tha cov:s. — DQT.]

Dear Ocfc— I know ten oi your correspondents. anJ I hops io find ouL soae more bc}ore loog. I wonder what has become oi Jieth ail this long frae? Why, wave never had a letter from her foi ages. Now, Both, don't cominua ibis idle habit any_longer, or you will have bo explain your&elf. Osar Beth, I think I know who you are. I wish you wouirl write again, pnd tell me if your initials are E. N. Dear Dot, don't you think it very mean of some of the liitle folk Io criticise poor Runbecco the way they did. luhv, deal, little

folk, I think you should have left such fauHfinding for the Critic Club; don't you, Dot? Dear Rimbecco, don't take offence at these thoughtless critics; but" just write again and tell them. your, age, so that they will know, ir you are. old enough to stop writing. But I hope you are not, for we would miss your letters very much. Dear Dot, when will the next photos appear in the Witness? I have never had my photo taken except in a group. If I had I should have sent you one. My favourite writers are Alys, Harry, 8.0.8., Ziska, Marguerite, Rimbecco, Solomon Slow, and Dunedinite, although they are all very interesting. Dear Dot, aren't the Boers having a hot time of it now? Just what they deserve ! What a day of rejoicing it will be when Kruger is captured. I wish they' would huny up, and get hold of him, §0 that we could get a> holiday. With love to all the little folk, your r self, and Mr Editor, — Yours truly, LILAC. [You will have seen, Lilac, that someone has already given Rimbecco's age, and that she has nearly four years to go yet. I hope she has not taken offance, but will shortly send us one of her interesting letters. I still, wam> a photo or two to complete the group, though, perhaps before this letter appears in print I shall have enough. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We had a holiday on Friday and on Monday, because of the surrender of Pretoria. We are milking thirteen cows at night and nine in the morning, and we send our milk to the Invercargill Dairy Supply Company. We are having very bad weather just now. I saw the photos of the little folk, and I thought they were very nice, but I coulct not say which was the best. I was in Inveicargill last Friday with a friend, "and I. had to help her with her baby. I should like to live there, as I think it is a very nice place. I like going in the train. Dear Dot, don't you think that -we have had a lot of holidays since the war started? With love to all the little folk and yourself, — Yours truly, T. A. T. [There is already a Winsome writing, dear, so I have altered your signature, and next time you can select another norn d® plume. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We all go down to school in th« milk care. I have two cousins away to the war. I went to Wyndham at Easter with my grandfather, and I think it is a very nice place. It is a -very nice trip in the train. _ I have five brothers aiid two sisters. On the Queen's Birthday my sister, a friend, and I went to Eiveiton. There were sports, but we did not go to them. We saw some boats on tho river. We live a mile from school, and there are two te?xhers. With love to yourself, — •

Yours truly, ANNIE LAURIE. Dear Dot, — I have read Alpha's letter about the cat, and I must aay that I quite .agree with her. Some persons have a great dislike to cats, but I have always hked them, and Mever hive le3s than 10 or 12. Since I laat wrote I have lost irr/o of my prettiest tortoisesliells, liirnu and Weka; also one of the gr-ey3. It was some disease that killed them, .bash winter a poor little giey, starving kitten found its way to our place (I don't know where it came from). II was wild, and I could not get near it, so I used to throw it a piece of meat every day, and place a saucer of new milk where it would find it; but it <2id jtot know vhat the milk was, and it would; not touch it. It was not "^ery long till the poor little thing got quiet, aad it came into the house and soon learned to drink milk. It is a full-grown cat now, and is one of the iiiceat we have. It is as tame as any of the others. I agree with K-oanoak that the cat is not cruel — not so cruel as women' who 'go out shooting and fishing. Ido not thmfc-it is proper for women to go fox-hunting and shooting, though great ladies do so. Cats were made to catch mice, rats, and birds. If there w«re no cats the xats and mice would take possession, and we should be compelled to trap and poison continually. Dear Dot, I think by the pictures in the Witness there must have been some excitement in Dunedin when the new 3of ths relief of Mafeking arrived. Did you hear Miss Robin sing "The relief of Lucknow"? There were great rejoicings in Invercargill. Everyone who could get a kerosene tin or a bullock bell helped to make a- noise. I think it was very kind of Gbn to write^and tell us about his departure and voyage.- They soem to be having an enjoyable time on board ship. I hope he will come back when #he -war is over, and bring the V.C. with him. Con's letter was very interesting, and I hope he will send us anothei scon. Shan has been writing about the death of Mrs Innes. lam a lover of poetry, and I prize Mrs Innes' 3 poems very much. I think "The King is Dead" is the best. "The Last Whistle" is also very nice. Pear Dot, I think"Rimbecco will be offended. I cannot make out how the L.F. can say she is old-looking. lam sure she is not so oldlooking as some of the others. Some people think a girl old when she puts up her hair. However, I hone Bimbecco is far from 20, aa h«r letters would be much missed. You were wondering, Dot, how the kakas get honey from, the flax. It certainly seems impossible, b\ys you would be surprised fcpsee them insert their beaks and drink the honey- What has come over Fraulein and her great Kaiser, and Ba-bc-tte.and the frogs and snails? I conclude, with love to all D.L.F. and also yourself, — Yours truly.

WATTLE BLOSSOM.

' [I am glad to find that letters were so much appreciated, Wattle Blossom. I clwaye read them with great pleasure myself, pnd I am sure I should miss them very much, should she be offended with the remarks made on her photograph, and sto? writing. I should certainly like to see the kakas at the koradi blosstfm — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— We are not always able to send letters, though we write, owing to the river rising so quickly. It ia like our enemies, very ■treacherous. The waggon is crossing to-aay, so I will sond only a few liT.es. I sent my rsire to Produce, but I am afraid I was toe, 1 liteT With love to you, Dot^^

Dear Dot,— l am the girl Giulia refers to as"Hard Case," and I am making another attempt tc write to you alter that nice piece of poetry Giulia was kiud enough to put in. about me. I knov one girl's name up here, but I don't know her vom do plume. On Friday niaht (the night of the is recession) I was in the .same rotf as ibe was, una x had Holigan's . white hat cn — if you know who Holigan is.' She had a khaki hat on, and her initials are 3. E. I hope lam not giving you away, J. How are you getting on, E. T. I.? You are improving" a lot in your letters lately— they are gt?dtially getting longer. 1 suppose you Iboiifbt T was never 'going to wiite again. Giulia, but I hf.ve written at last. I know Nellie Little too. We used to live out in Ngapara. Vith love to E. T. J., Giulia, and all the little and big folk, not forgetting your own self, — Yours truly, IOLANTHE. [I am afraid the Critic Club will say there is too much talking behind our backs, lolanihe. It is scarcely fair ; letters should be written, so that everyone will have an interest ru what the writei saya, not one person alone, dear.— DOT.]

Cousin Jinnie. — Thank you for the mistletoe and fcho little box of flowers, clear. They came to hand in good condition, and when I told the editor what you said he picked

out a -pansy from one of the little bunches, and looked quite pleased — as much as to say if there were double the number of letters 1 should not" say anything after that. 'Maidey. — I have sent the photos on, dear, and no doubt they have reached their destination long ere this. I shall remember what you say about your address.