LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 65

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

. Dear Dot,— l am going to tell you about our Sunday school picnic, although I live so far away from Dunedin. It took place on the Bth o£ March, and was to begin at ha.f-past 1- but owing to the wet weather, it did not be^in until" about an hour later. When we reached Mr Cullen's paddock, a game of rounders was commenced, and this kept us running about for almost an hour. When this was over, we had a game of The^ Jolly Miller." Before this was over a heavy shower carae on, and w-e went inside and played until 6 o'clock, at which time we had tea, which was o\er about half -past 5. We then went outside, and played and danced on the green till dark. It was then decided that we should go to the institute, after having some refieshmeiits, to receive our prizes, for vhich, I am cure, all the children should be very grateful. Two special prizes were" given to the girla m my class. -I got one first prize- and a second. I 'alto got one for attendance. With love to Dot and the little folk,— Yours truly, ANDREA. [It was a pity the shower came on, Andrea, b .t you seem to have enjoyed yourselves notwithstanding that slight diawback. You cert.unly had a long day's amusement. — DOT.] j)ear Dot, — I have two such pretty little f viinea pigs, and their names are Snowball and •veipie. Our school had a tup to the Bluff on to Bch of February, and I enjoyed myself jjy much. Dear Dot, I was m Gore the i ay the Imperial troops passed through, but 1 was net in the day that»the Indian troops came. With love to all the D.L.F. and } curself. Dot, — Yours truly, LADYSMITH. [What, another Ladysmith ! I am afraid that will not do, for we certainly have one already, if not two, and I am afraid there will ■be some objection to another. See if you can find some other norn de plume next time jou write, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is months since I last wrote, and great changes have taken place since then. Our dead old Queen is dead, and it seems strange to have a- King to rule over us. Then, again, this year is the beginning, of a new century. Harvest is in full swing down this way now, so we are having our holidays. The other day I had a go at stacking for the first time; and so long as nobody looks at it it will be all right. I can load the drays and do the stooking, but stacking is not so easy the first time. There is a lot of hard v, ork on a new farm for the first few years. I was over at Tui's place one Sunday, and four of us lode on three horses. So poor old Tui will be telling you of another double-bank ride ; but, never mind, Tui, better luck next time, I hope. I was going up to the coal pits with Tui on Saturday. It did not come off, but ■we shall be going up soon, I hope, so I shall have something to write about next time. I should have liked to have seen the Imperial troops, but this is such an out-of-the-way "^ftce that I did not hear of it in time, or I might have goDe. It must have been a grand sight to see them, and another thing, the badges would be shining too, I think. Are there any moie than two or three ■writmgfrom here? If so I should like to know. ]fVell, lam a terrible one to scribble, and there is no mistake-. Don't blame me, Dot ; it's the pen's fault, not mine. That was your photo, was it not, A Contributer of Long Standing? If so I shall have to cut it out and frame it; so please tell me, because I don't want to put anybody else's photo in a frame, not out of a paper, at least. I think I ani getting a. bit cheeky, so I shall Lave to close this scribble, as here comes the niater. Well, I shall try to write better next time, and give more news. With love to all and yourself, — Yours truly, NANCY LEE. [Very well, Narey Lee, we shall keep you to your word. So you also think jou have discovered Dot I Did you leallj think I

should teli you whether you are light or wron", N. L. ? Ah, no, lam not £,omg to spoil°all our fun like that.— DOT.] D^ar Dot, — I kr:ow a good few L.F., among them being Dum Dum, Shrapnel, A Sea Nymph, Alexandraite, and a. few moie. My sister did not want me to write because she said i was too small, for I am only eight years old. I have a doll and a go-cart, and a doll's bed. With love to Dum Dum and Alexandraite, not forgetting yourself, — Yours tiuly, H. R. H. [Well, it is rather young, H. R. H., but jou have made a very good beginning for a little girl.— POT.] Dear Dot, — I have been thinking for the last ten minutes what to put after ''Dear Dot," and have not arrived at pny thing satisfactoiy j et. I know o.ie or two D.L.F., but they do not know that lam writing. Dear Dot, I don't think the war will be over for a long time. I hs>vS a brother who went out with the fourth contingent, and he is still fighting m South Africa, but he would like to come home now. I always enjoy reading Corporal Con's letters — they are so interesting. I wonder where Scotch Wullie has disappeared to; he has not written for a long time. I have seen ' a lot of D.L.F. in Dunedin, but have not spoken to sny of them, because I did i.ot have | a bac^e en. What did you think of the Im- | perial troops. Dot? I thought they were j splendid. I likeJ the Lancers and the Black I Watch best, but the others were very nice. | I was not in Dunedin when fie Indian troops arrived, but I saw them as they passed through in the train. I don't think I saw I two with the Fame uniform on. They must | have thought the weather very cold after comi ing from India. T suppose Dunedin is very quiet now, after all the holidays. I was just thmkirg. Dot, that if they send any more contingents to South Africa, there will be no young men left m New Zealand. My brother has be-en in a number of engagements, but he has not bee-n wounded. In his last letter he said that they were taking the Boer women and children with theai, and burning the farms, because they were helping the Boers. With love to yoarself and the little folk, — Yours ! truly, IRENE. [It seems a pity to burn farms, doesn't it, Irene? Still it is the best way to bring the Boers to thejr senses, and also to destroy the arms and ammunition they have hidden away. War is a dreadful thing any way we look at it.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I know 41 of your correspondents, including a good number wilting from here, but I shall not name them, m case I might give myself away. I have lived in this district for nearly 14 years ; therefore I know this place very well. I think I would rather live in the countrj 1 than m a town, for I don't like much noise. The chief amusements of this district in summer are cricket, shooting, and fishing, and in winter dancing. Most of the people live by farming. Did you see the Imperial troops, Dot ? I was very soriy I could not go to see them. My brother saw them at Oamaiu, and thought they were worth looking at. Whenever is this war in South Africa coming to an end? I know four men who went away in the fourth contingent. One got wounded, and had to return, but the other three are all safe ns yet. With love to all of the little folk, not forgetting yourself and the editor, — Yours truly, i LITTLE TRANQUILLITY. 1 [You have evidently picked a suitable norn de plume, Little Tranquillity, when the noise of town life bothers you. Ah, well, I am not quite sure that country life is not best, for the worry of the town is sometimes very trying. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am at home again after being in Dunedin for six weeks. I enjoyed myself very well during that time, although ne did have bad weather. When I was down, Dot, I found out who you are ; also Emmelme. Now, Dot, doesn't the window of your room look on to Macandrew street, because, when I was down, I heard that some of the L.F. went up that street just to look in at the window. Everybody knows my norn de plume up here, Dot, but I shall not change it for all that. I went down to see Clarissa one day, and we both started to write to you, Dot, but m ~the end we did not finish the letters. As I write this, lam sitting at the door, and it is very windy. I am at home by myself to-day, as the rest are all out. I founfl out who Baux is on the day I was coming home. I think I had better stop now. With lots of love to Dot, not forgetting Mr Editor, — Yoars truly, ALISON. [Dear me, Alison, there I am found out again, and even my room in the office is known now. And then Emmehne is discovered again, too! Well, I am not so sure of the latter discovery, for there are really very few people who know Emmelme, though there have been plenty of guesses as to who she is. Do tell me her name next time j - ou write, dear — I am quite curious to learn who she is supposed to be.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is 14 months since I last wiote to you. I have seen three badges since I leceived mine. I started to keep a list of D.L.F., but it was too much tiouble. The photos of the last group were very plain. I liked Pearl's and Camellia's best. If I had known Claude Collins was going to be the only boy I would have sent mine. I may send it for the next group. Dell, are your mtials B. de L. ? If so, please tell me in your next letter. With love, — Yours truly, CECILA. [I wonder if that is spelt right, Cecila? I felt inclined to put an "i" before the "a"; but then I fancy we have a Cecilia already. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Your page is increasing in interest every week. I know about 20 D.L.F., and I am still trying to find out some more. I see a good few badges gown, ]iere ; and, J thinly

they aie very n>ce I hi-; leading Coiporal Cdis letters, they aie vciy inteiestirg. What di-d jou think of the Indian troops" 1 =upposr» you" saw them m Dunedin, Dot I v, as out "learning to ride the bike the otiier right witu my mate, and wo £;ot some fine old spills. We have been hawng very bad leather oown Lere lately, but I think it will soo i clear up now. I have five more yeais to wnto yet, Dot, as I am 15 years old. We do not hear much abcut the «si iiovv, but it is lasting longer than vie expected. WiMi io\e to all, not foigettmc vciusclf, — Yoius tiulj, 6 b ■ CLARICE. [It ceitamly has la = iocl u.uch !o>,gci than anjone e::pectcd, Glance, arc! cvcijor.e hcsitptes no\v to =ay that it w ill soon be? o\ei. Houever, let us hope it will, whethei we say it oi not —DOT ] Dear Dot, — I do.it think jou will say r.o when I a&k if 1 may wnte to jou — not if jou are like the pretty lady I think jou aie. One Saturday a friend of mine and mjself wort to the bush, and pot some fen.s. We hpd great fun. Do jou ki,ovv an easy -way to water ferns, oi rather I should s-ay, to grow them' Well, it is this Instead of watering them at the roots take a bru=h, dip it in water and sprinkle the water on the lea\es, it is very easy to get thorn to giow that wiy. Do you know, Dot, I have never been to Dunedin. Isn't that temblc? But I krow a gooJ lot of Dot's little folk, oven m the little place wheie I live. Dear Dot, I hope jou do not mind a blot, for do you know, I am a \eiy lazy peison — I was going to say whether a boy or a girl, but I won't — and I don't want to write it over again. I don't like going to bed, and like still worfo having to get up. With lo\ c to all Dot's little folk, and a big heap for jouiself, — Yours truly, A NEW CHUM. [Now, that is a very gcod suggestion for keeping ferns healthy, New Chum, and I don't know that it. could pot be applied to house plants v, ith advantage, of course taking them out into the yard first. Why, I looked _haid for that blot, dear, and coald not find it. What did you do with it?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am now going to stait to write again after a seven or eight years' spell. We are having pietty good weather foi harvest now, but. who knows how long it will continue finer' Most of the faimers about heie have got their crop m stack, so they aie pietty safe. I do not kiicv any D.L.F. , but I know one who is thinking about starting to write to you. She lives about two miles fiom heie, and Mie is my chief mate. Dear Dot, did jou e\er learn" music, and how did jou like it? Is it not toff r" I just had my lesson to-day. I alwajs get it on Wednesday, except when it is wet, and then I get it on Friday. I went into Oarnaru to see both the Impenal and Indian troops, and I can tell you I would not ha\e likeel to have missed seeing them, but we could not get a very good view of the Indians. With love to all the little folk and the editor— poor man'— not forgetting yourself,— Youis truly, THE MOUSE. [So here is another of our very old coriespondents back m the page once more. Why I quite begin to believe that once a D.L.F. always a D.L.F., and that if we can only vait long enough we shall see all our deserting friends back among us sooner or later. Isn't it nice to begin thmkr^r that, D.L.F. '—DOT.] De?r Dot,— l was at the station last night, and saw six gnls we-uing the D.L F. badges. I spoke to one girl with a badge, but I had not got mine. 'Iwo L.F. girls wore white sailor hats with black bauds lound, and khaki short coats with braid down the front. I think they were sisters. I saw the Indian troops pass here. They gave us fiuit and biscuits and hard-boiled eggs. Aren't they big men? Is Echo lost, for I don't see any of her letters in nowadays 9 I think Echo writes very interesting letters. I was away for a day or two's holidays last week, and I enjoyed myself very much. On the Sunday night (for I was away from Saturday till Tuesday) a company of us started to sing, and not being satisfied witli the organ we got the violin and tin whistle out, and had a fine time. My sister and I went to the choir picnic a fortnight ago. To reach the picnic ground we had to walk three miles there and threo miles back. We took (as we thought) a short cut across country, but we had to jump big ditches, fences, creeks, etc., and as luck would have it, my mate fell and ruined he"i- Sunday dress, and another girl tore her skirt from the bottom hem to the belt. But we leached home without anj r more adventures at 9 o'clock, fairly tired out. With love to Echo, Heliotrope, and accept the same for your own dear old self, not forgetting the editor, — Yours truly, " YIDA. [However would the vjolm and tin whistle go with the organ, Vida ? lam af r aid there would be discord occasionally, and I don't think the tin whistle is particularly suitable for sacred music on a Sunday night. It is never safe to take a short cut unless there, is a beaten track, showing that others before jou have thought it worth while to take it. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I hope you will not famt away when you see that you have another correspondent. If you do lam afraid the editor will have to bring you round, as I shall not be near enough to do so. I have just "irished reading Dot's letters, and also the di.mia bjDum Dum. lam afraid you will find my letter pretty dry after those of some of j our other coirospondents, but I am a new chum, and I daresay I shall improve as the time goes on On the morning the Indian troops were to go through a very large crowd collected on the station, and after waiting some time we heard a whistle. There was gieat excitement, but, alas! for nothing, for the train whizzed through so quickly that you could i.ot see even the forms of the men. Dear Bluebell, are jour initials B. C, and do jou live at R.? If so, I have met you. I know a few of jour correspondents, but I do not know then noms de plume. — Yours truly, WILL-O'-THE-WISP. [I have survived the shock without the editor's assistance, W T ill-o'-the-Wisp, and have no doubt that if you exercise a little patience you will see your letter in print in due time. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — As all the others are away for the evening, I have decided to pass the time by wilting to you. The letters written to jour pages are still increasing in interest, and the writers getting more and more numerous. Dear Dot, is Dum Dum really thinking of retiring 9 If he does it will cause a sad loss to our page. That was a very amusing drama by him in this week's Witness, and I should very much like to see it acted. Dear Dot, do you think the war will soon be over? I hope it will, because it is terrible to read of all our brave boys going away, and more still going to follow, perhaps never to return. I enjoy reading Con s letters, for they are always so interesting. I think it very good of him to remember the D.L.F., and to write so often. I am in the Seventh Standard at school now, and I find the lessons a little hard. I have not found out any more L.F. since my last letter, but hope to do so soon. Feo and Trixie must have had come good fun at school, but I suppose they had some punishment too. I am afraid you will find this letter very uninteresting, so I had better draw to a. close. With love to yourself, the editor, and all the D.L.F.,— Yours tiuly, SANTA CLAUS. JLTlieie §$9ttsi is be no good speculating as

to when the war will finish, Santa, but I am faure wo all hope it will not be long —DOT.] Deai Dot, — To u°e a metaphoi for my norn de plume, once iroie I am <;on>g to bur=t upon jou, only I hope I slip 11 be icceived with moie pleasure tha i the leal n_tick would I r.m giadu illy becoming a ie?l D L F., <vr.d the btest addition to my D.L F. acquaintances is Aheia (an o'd wnte , I behove), and I hope I shall have the p'ea c ure cf meeting hei distinguished fuend Echo. Like eveijbody else I --aw the Indian Uoops, and the accounts of wh,it they, vcuid bo like (which appeared m the paper) weie not at all exaggerated. They were all men of splendid physique, although some ot them, I suppose, felt the Dunedin weather lather cold. Dum Dum and I keep no coriespondence, so that I may tell him the i.e.vs of St Clair and Dunedin, and that he iikij tell me the news of his little corner ci A\e woi'ld. lie tells me that he has seen several b: dj,es m In\ ercirgill, Lut that he hr.sn't had (with die or two exceptions) time to speak to the owner. I have begun to take an liiteiest in co' jin ing D\im Ourn lias just sei.t ms up die of his books on that subject, s-o I shall soon be able to do seme card and com tricks, at any rate. Perhaps you would like to hc.u an account of an mte-restmpc little episode which happened to my brother, Bum Dum, mj=elf, ancl six other bo>s. These latter bojs (evidently feeling hungry) enteied our orchard and stole (or as D. D. politely informed them, commandeeied) our fiuit and foipot to pay for it. They had also entered the garden ot anot'iPi" poison, and rehe\ed him of a considerable rmount. Happening to see them oown the road a few days afterwards, we determined to hold a council of war. My biother suggested that we should lay wait in our orchard and catch the miscreants. But Dum Dum and I did not think they would repeat their performance, as they evidently imagined that we knew their names. So we got them in a section down neai the beach and ga-\ c them e-ach a good spanking. The 830 tram from St. Clair is packed like sardines nearly e\cry morning, and for the last three weeks or more I have always had to stand the whole way. Last Saturday I wpnt to Hmdon with a lot" of other High School boys, and had a splendid time, shooting and bathing, etc. D. D 's three-act drama was very funny, and so was his cricket match. As my letter is lengthening I mu=t come to a full stop at once. With love to O Mimca San, Dum Dum, St. Clairito, and — Yours truly, SHRAPNEL. [Your little party deserve great credit for depling with the fruit-stcalers in the manner in which jou did. A few practical lessons hk3 that would do the young scamns a woild cf good. It is very hard for people to plant and care for an orchard, pnd then have the fruit stolen just as they aie abcut to get a return for their expense and trouble.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— Although only thiee weeks ha\e passed since last I wrote, those weeks to r.io seem, mouths. I saw Chum writing to you, so of course 1 v.as tempted to do the same. I suppose Chum lias given jou all the tßlk about the Indians, for I heard hei say that the would have a gcod deal to tell you about them. I say, Dot, what did you think of the Indians ' I was delighted with a number of them, ar>d such was the case with many other girl 3. When I went down to the hall I noticed two girls smiling very pleasantly, and on stretching my neck a little, there in fr«*it of ore Rill's hat was a b?dge, suie erough. T. drew Churn's attention to the girls, and before long the four of us were in conversation with each other. I was delighted when I found that I was talking to C. C. M. find Fifi, but was sorry I could not have a longer chat with them, for in my excitement I lost them in the crowd. I hope to see you soon again, C. C. M. and Fifi. I spent a grand day at Evansdale on Saturday, Dot. A party of us dro\e out, end we eLd have a jolly time. We left to»\n at a quarter to 9, and arrived there at p quaiter past 11, when we all =aw th?,t we were going to have a good day. The Hillside Workshops' picnic was held that day, and there were moie people at it than ever I have seen at any other. After having lunch, one of our party proposed going through the bush, to which all agreed. None of them had be^n out there before, so naturally they krew nothing of the place, anel before starting off, they all wanted to know who was going to take the lead. No one seemed to be coming forward, so I thought I could not do much haim by pretending to know all about Evaasdale and taking the lead. After volunteering for the front, and being accepted, off I started, with my little contingent. We went thiough mud and cicsed ditches before we came to anything of interest. I was beginning to feel a bit nervous when a happy thought struck me. In front of us I noticed a very steep hill, so I thought I would get the party to climb it, for it was so terribly steep that I knew some amusement would bo caused at the expense of those who found it hard work. When half way up, some of the party wanted to know what they were going to see up tlieie, and they all stood, <is one panted out, "What a lovely view'" At last we reached the top, and although our bieaths were taken almost clean away, I don't think any of us felt sorry that we had climbed the hill, for the view of the country was really magnificent. We had a couple of pholos taken while on the *op of the hill, and thoa on looking down, romirl about the bush, we noticed somo very pretty spots, which we decided to take photogiaphs of, but i ot before all the girls got down the hill, so that thej' might- be in the picture. I have seen a couple of the photographs, and they aie not at all bad. We left Evansdale at half-past 5, and arrived in town at half-past 8, feeling quite soiry that the day vas over. Just fancy, another contingent left, Dot, and ■v ct we all thought theip wou'dn't be a sixth l Whj - , soon ye will not have a young man i.i New Zealand, if the war continues, for anotL?r contingent is hardlj' mentioned when the men have volunteered and gone to Ahica. There is some talk of the first five contingents coming home when the seventh arrive. Well, that is something. 'What do you say, Dot 9 I am afraid I have wntten too long a letter, but before I stop I must say something about a lady who wears a D.L.F. badge. I met hei one day m town, and of coiuse I put on my best smile, but, "oh, what a surprise" when she gave me a stare and passed on. I could do nothing but stand and stare back at her, and say to myself, "Well, jou have a cheek to wear a D.L.F. baclge." I met the same young lady again to-day, but I don't think she saw me. lam not the only D.L.F. she has passed in this way, for other girls whom I have told say thej' know her only too well — not personally. I don't think any of us are anxious to be acquainted with that sort. This young lady wears her hair up, dresses very neatly, usually wears a light blouse and dark skirt, a sailor hat, m fiont of which is her badge — m fact, Dot, she wears everything nice, exGept the Witness smile, which would be a great improvement to her looks, and I am sure would please us all. Well, Dot, I have a great deal more to say, about another D.L.F. who passes up and down Stafford street. I have been keeping a sharp look-out for him, but I cannot catch him. Ivy told me that she thought he was Harry, but I've to find that out, I suppose. I'll tell you about him in my next letter. —Yours nuly, AIDA. [Possibly the young lady came by the badge without understanding what it is intended for, Aida, and did not understand the Witness smile. It may have been given to her with-

out proper explanation aid if this is so, anc. she is not even a rcj^er c[ o - ir faper, of course that would explain her e< ident surpnse or receiving a =mile from n D.L F Let us charitably suppose there is =omo explanat on 'A tl.at kn.d, for from join description -=he docs nof< se>.-ni likely to be intentionally unkind. — DOT.] Dear Dot — I know a few of jour conosponclentc, aiiiohj; them being Alys, Solomoa Slow, JBc-it, Mistlotoo, Thcatie, J'lmbecco, and Alexandrai'e. 1 «cc some of the little fo'k ar • giv n g the'r weieht, so I shall <rive mine too. I am sst 31b. "That is i.ot Ivul, is it Dot > What inte'o=ting letters Corporal Con writes. Dear Dot, I have about two miles to go to school, ni dI do rot find it fai to w<>lk With love to all tho httie folk, not forgettn g your own deal t-olf, — Yoius truly, A LIVELY PET. [That is a nice signature, and quite new, A L. P. You do not s.'j how old jou are, dear, so I cp It "-ay whether ost 31b is much or little fo. jcu to" weigh.— DOT ] Dea; Dot, — At la = t I have taken it into my heid to write to yon from heie. I shall give jou an recount of my trip over, as it rnpy be of interest tn some or the D.L F. We (that is, my biother and I) left home on Monday, 7th Jaiiuarj, and diovc to the- neaiest station, .mcl then took the train to Invcrcargill, arcl whi'c tiavellmg on that line we- met Koby at one of the stations. When we arrived at lnveicarg-,11 we had a look round that tovn, and then took a tiain to the Bluft, wheie we stayed all night. Next morning we went along to the pier to look at tho ship thr.t we were going to travel bj— the ss. Mo_.oy.ai. We left the Bluff at hair-past 4 p.m., a.id it was r.ot long before we were far out on tho brmj- ocean, lea' ing tho Xev. Zealand =1:0:0-3 behind 113. Wlicji v.c got cut into the biopkcrs I began to feel a ht'olo queer, 'o I want below to my cabin, and stayed tLeio foi two clays. However, tho next day I was determine! to get o.i deck, co aftei stiugghng into my clothes I vent upstair. It is vei> comical to see the qacer sijilea 011 the stewards' faces ns you go stpggermg, I might say, alo ig. All this time my brother was enjoying himself m.inersely. However, ho was very glad to see me up, so he birught a deck chair and rug«, and I sat down to jead. and also watch some gentlemen pacin? the deck and others playing quoits. On Friday the sea vas a little rough, and wo were tieatccl to sonic spray, although the canvas was around us. We entered Derweat Estuary about hakpast 11 a.m. on Friday-, and arrived at the Hobait wharf at 2 p.m. The first part of Tasmania you sec is a large stretch of rugged rocks, ranging fiom 200 ft to 250 ft in height. When we uii.ied at Hobart it was very hot, =0 we did not walk about very much, but stayed on deck most of the time. The Westlaha h?d also arrived at Hobart, and we saw he.- sailing down the estuaiy at 7 p.m., and we left h?lf an hour later. It was lovely "ailing m tho calm water 111 the evening On Saturdiy ihe sea was very rough indeed, so that we h?d to stay m the social hall. About II p.ir. o-i Saturday, when everj-body h.pcl re-1-ieU for fie evening, there was a most av/ful noise, and then the rushing of wpteis and smashing of dishes. I can tell you I thought vve had run on tho locks and v,-ere going to tho boltoiii. Tho ship was going \ery slowly. It appeal ■? that one cf the air cylinders had been washed pvvay, and as the sea was very high it came rushing overbcaid, and ran down into the saloon, breaking the dishes on its waj'. All the stewards were quickly at, work with buckets bailing out the water, which, was 5m deep The storm also broke c'ojie of the deck seats, and the boat was only able to go a knot an hour all night. Next morning (Sunday) the sea was a lot calmer, and we saw about four ships 111 the distance, and passed one quite close. She was rollirg very much, and her piopeller was right up out cf the water. She v/a* not heavily enoue-h l?den, so each time -he 1 oiled she nearly "touched tha sides with her buhvaiks. We weic all very thankful we were not on her, as she coyld aio't; have lived thiough a sea like we h.-c' experienced the night before. We entered Foil. Phillip Bay at about 2 p.m.. and readied the Melbourne wharf at half-past 50r6 p m Our relations were waiting for us, and drove 113 to our de=tinatioa. This is the end of my discourse on cur tup. Now foi my ars.vers to some of the D.L F Ljcklitc was sajmg that sli2 did not speak to me at the T. show becau-e I did not have my badge on, but jou could r.ot have looked at my diess, Lyddite, as it was on the cornei of my sailor collar. I 1 oticed ,oiubadge and Iried several timps to get rear" jou to speak to you, but you a, ways rcemed t.; get out of my way, so in the long run I gave it up, as I thought people v ould be woadeiing what I v.vs dodging m and out foi I shall send you my addic3s shortly, C C. M. 1 have not had time lately, as" I have v.nt'cn to diffeient frie: ds every week. lam soiry to hear that you have been ill, Mauley, and hope it will rot Le long befoie you aie" quite recoveied I shall write to you before 'ong I have seen nil the L F. p.i^es sinco I left home, Doi. Y±y mothei =ends the pi'ges every vtek, si el Ebbv sev.t me th« Jubilee W. tress a A al-o D.L.F. pages. I think the last group of photos was veiy good indeed, aid I also think tha' Kosher is tho nicest-looking. Yes, Vevette, I remeaibei the fall off jour pony all right, m the happy day« gone by, el ' I should have liked to have seen jou Lolore I left, but I cculJ net manage it.' I shall have to conclude now, as I have pas-cd the iirnted number of v. oid*, bu* I am sure jou wf'l forgi'-e me this time, as it is i.ot often I trausgrer,. I m-ght also add that I hko Australia very much, only tho heat is a littles oppiessne. esppcially tho hot ivinds. Xext time I write I s'ipll give you an account cf the Pioval visit heie, if I can go* a good of tho Duke and Du^'io*-,. With, love to Pique, Df4i«ie, C C M , jrai'iey, Roby, md yourself, — You. 3 tnvy, EVANGEL. P S.— My Lst of httle folk has gone un to 156 — E [Xo one will complnn of jour having passed the allotted space, Evangel, for of course j-oa had much to tell us that it was quite impossible to reep within limits. What a roagn ps°=age j'ou had. Why, it is enough to make jou dread facing the sea again. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — IVlay I change my norn de plume, as some little girl friends have found my old one out, and I do not want my name known? Did you go to the circus, that was here a little while ago 9 Primrose and I went, and we thought it was very good. Piimrose and I are learning a duet. I went out to Wmgatui foi a picnic not very long ago We diove out in our pony carriage, and as it was not lace day, we could go all over the race couise, and it was very nice. I enjoyed mvseli very much. Now, good-bje, Dot, with love.— Yours truly, i " PANSY. [I am afraid it will not be much good change uig your norn de plume, Pansy, for .youi" fiiends will soon find you out again. Indeed I should not be sui prised if they recognise you fiom this letter at onee — DOT.] Dear Dot, — The weather here during tha past two days has been beautifully fine, only lather frosty in the morning. It has started! to ram C2?m to-night, but I hope it 'won't be much. Two of my cousins went m the sixth, contingent and one in the seventh. So, Mignonette, jou thought mj r initials were J. A , but j - ou made a gieat mistake. Dear Alys, aie your initials il. M. 9 If so, you are a, sort of cousin of mine. I have a stamp book, and have 111 different btamps in it. £

im enclosing 2s— one (which I earned by thmmn= turnips) for the Cot fund and one for a badge. There is a girl (my mate) writing from this district, but she will not tell me her jiom de plume, although she has found me out With iove to Silverbell, Alys, Mountain Daisy, and yourself,— Yours truly, EUTH [Well, I don't think that is nice of her, Huth As she knows your com d-e plume she certainly might tell you hers. However, perliaps she thinks you would tell your schoolmates, and that soon it would be no secret at all.— DOT.] ' Dear Dot,— l too wish to change my norn de (plume for the same reason that Pansy wishes to change hers. Did you go to the biograph that was here a little while ago ? Pansy and I went, and we thought it was very good. My music teacher gave a picnic some time ago, and I enjoyed it very much. We nad a long way to drive, so it was very nice. With love,— Yours truly, PRIMROSE. [I wonder what the other Pansys and Pnmxoses will say to these two little flowers taking possession of their names' lam afraid (hire Twill be a protest or two. W e shall see.DOT.] Dear Dot and L.F.,-1 h?ve (after a lot of consideration; resolved to resign frond the LF Page. I Eaid before it was not that I had come to the age of retiring yet for I have still three iong years beiore me. I leave room now for abler writers than myself. I am very busy now, and can only write a short farewell I should be pleased to receive some LF autographs, and shall send mine in return I think I could not resign at a better time' There are so many real good corre■pondeots, and I stall never be missed As I've been writing for a long time now, I think it is only fair to make room for some who have not been writing as long as I. I now say ferewell-a long farewell ■ for ever. Thanking You Dot for all your kindness, and with love to Mr ' Editor, who always made room for my letters and kindest regards to Dot and all the L.F., I remain, for the last time,-Yours liuly, {So Cuckoo has flown away at the approach »f winter. lam sorry you have decided on this step, dear. It is not at present the letters we mi&s, but the name and individuality of an old writer. However, possibly some day you may renew your connection with the page. -DOT.] Dear Dot,— l am a little boy. lam sending you some of .rr-v drawings. I hope you will Sike them.-Yours truly, [They are amusing, Lead Pencil, especially the Black Watch soldier and "Our Washerwoman." The latter is quite aristocratic looking and I should say she '"has seen better days."— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l knew St. Cla.nte. Skylark, and 3rpnda. Skylark is a great friend of mine, and we both go to the same school. lam in the Fourth Standard. For ray holidays I -went to Waihola, and then to Kun. I had v lovely time sailing about 0:1 Lake Waihola. Are you fond of reading, Dot? lam very fond of it. I got two pnzes at school. They ■were books called "Three Little Maids and "The Bells of Dumbarton."— Youi 9 truly, BROW NY. [If you had fine weather, you must have had Wi enjoyable time at Waibola, Browny. Then Euri would be a complete change horn the lake.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l am staying with Padlock just a ow, and going to school with her. I was 12 years of age on the 25th January. My eister is down with me, going to school, and she is a lively little cricket. Padlock and I are mates. I only know two of your correspondents. We have four cows up at home, ■end five calves. I knov who you are, Dot. fWe £<f to bed every night at 9 o'clock. We ehall be going to bed soon now, so 1 must say Eood-ni"lit. — Yours truly, * ° CURLY WIG. [Curly Wig's first letter, and yet she knows twho Dot is right a-way from the beginning. INow, that is i cry hard on writers who have fbeen trying for j'ears to find out and have not •succeeded yet. I leally think Curly Wig «hould take the rest of the little folk into her confidence, and expose me once and for all. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I know a good few of your corti :poadeuts A and I have lately found out who Himbecco and Eoby are. Fco, Whiffles, Echo, and Rimbecco, write very interesting letters. ■Dear Eimbecco, I was once down your way, end I thought it a very pretty place. Dear 'Dot, I don't suppose J'ou get many letters from of photos very well. I thought Mona, Fatima, •^1 think I bad better not say any more, or she •will be finding me out. I liked the last group of photos very well. I thought j^ona, Fatima, and Nosher looked the best. I see some of the little folk saying that they are very fond of reading, and so am I. I could read all day if I were allowed to do so. lam also very iond of writing. I have had a good few falls off horses. A good few of the little folk have bicycles, and I often wish I had one, but I cannot ride yet. I hope Dum Dum will not leave the Little Folk's Page for a long while, as he writes very interesting letters. — Yours fcruW, SILYEE GEEY. [It would scarcely do for jcu to be allowed is read all day, Silver Grey, for it would lum • our eves, and then what would you do when ;ou grow tip?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have never been to Dunedm, liut I should like to go and stay for a few tlnys. It has _heen fine weather here lately, and I hope it will keep fine, to let the farmers get on with the harvest, which is piogressmg ia\ourably m this district. Dear Dot, I know a few of jour correspondents, but I shan't tell any names, for I might be found out. lam very fond of reading, and I see some of the litt.e folk are also. I don't care much for udmg, but I like driving with a smart-going Jiorse. Well, Echo, what has become of jou''' I have not seen a letter from j-ou for a long time. With love to all the little folk and jourself, — Yotirs tiul' , CHESTNUT. [Ah, who would riot like duvmg with a siuart-gomg hor-e. Chestnut ' But, then, it 3= not everyone who gets the chance, so you ELould think yourself >ei\' fortunate.-— JDOT.] Dear Dot, — It is ncaily four months since 3 last wrote to your page, and I suppose j - ou ■will have forgotten rll about me by this time. 1 am stayin;' with Fatima just now, keeping her company while her si-tcr is away for a few days. Dear Dot, Fatima and I know 24 L.F. —not so bad, is it ? We knov/ Laddie, Lydi'rte, Boy, Vevette, G. Y. M., Dado, Avcnl, 'Alys. and several more. Dear Boy, aic your initials J. W., and do you live at L. H.? If so, then I know you. One o-f your brothers was at our place four months ago. I met LydchtJ and Averil on Goie show day. We are ibavmg our harvest holidays just. now. We liave got three weeks altogether. I think the Qast group of photos was very good. Don't Laugh made rae laugh all the more. I always re-ad Con's letters, and I think they are bo interesting. Ido hope that he comes home to New Zealand safe and uninjured. Deal Dot, did you see the Imperial and Indian troops while in Dunedm ? I had not the good fortune to sec either of them, but I heaid several &*y that tk«£ ware worth seeing. What

» grand time they appeared to have 111 New Zealand, didn't they, Dot'> Dear Louis, please accept my sympathy for the loss of jour brother. I wa3 down at Balcluth? two months ago for my holidays, and I enjoyed myself splendidly. Dear Dot, I shall novv conclude, as it is time that I was letmng to Blanket Bay. With love to all the L.F. and youi self, — Yours truly, EOS AEON A. [If the good wishes of Con's chums of the page will do him any good he certainly should come home safe and sound. We all sincerely echo your wish, Eosarona. — DOI-] Dear Dot,— l know a good many of jour little folk. Spirniy, are your initials L. M. > If so I know j'ou. Won't it be a lively time when the Duke and Duchess of York come to Dunedm. Would you like a pair of pigeons, Dot ? We have about 30 pair. Igo to the beach every day with a friend, ard I am try\fig to get him to write to you. I must draw to a close, as Mr Editor will be frowning and saying "Another correspondent l " With love to Brenda, Spinny, and Bert, not forgetting your own dear little self and Air Editoi, — !fours truly, POLLY. [It is very kind of you to offer me a pair of pigeons, Polly, but I am afraid I should not do anything with them unless I made them into a pigeon pie, and of course I could not think of that. I don't think the editor would allow *me to keep them at the office either. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I cannot resist the temptation of writing to j r ou any longer, as nearly all my mates are D.L.F. I saw a gcod number of badges at Wilsher Bay on New Yeai's Day, and also at the Balchitha show. Among the wearers were C. C. M., Ois, Fifi, Joy, Sparkle, and Cooee. I also noticed Milhcent, but I couldn't say whether she wore her badge or not. I was in eeemg the Indian troops. They are fine-looking men. I wonder what they thought of New Zealand ? I think they must have felt it rather cold, as India is' such a. hot climate. Dear Dot, isn't the war terrible? I wish it was over, as there are so many lives being lo3t. We are expecting Trooper W. Adam, from this district, home soon. We are going to give him a great welcome when he comes. Everything 1J being arranged for the event as far as possible. He went away with the fifth contingent, and was wounded shortly after reaching South Africa. I wonder how Corporal Con is getting on. I like his letters very much. We ought to be quite proud cf having such a brave correspondent in our band. My favourite wnteis are Boy, Hany, Solomon Slow, Bert, C. C. M., Fifi, and Cooee. I see the Cot fund is progressing. I shall send my mite later on. Dear Dot, have ycu ever visited the Catlins district? The bush is very pretty down here. There are a number of sawmills, and they send a large quantity of timber away every week by the tram. With love to the editor, D.L.F., and not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, EEICA. [The Indian soldiers were well pleased with New Zealand, Erica, though rome of them felt the cold very much indeed. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am going <o tell you about a trip I had to Orepuki. It was a lonely ride in the tram. As we pa-ssed through the country we saw the farmers cutting their crops, and I heard Jfce little boy say "I saw one of those old-fßhioned ploughs before. ' He thought he was wise, but he made a mistake, for it was a binder. When we got half way we passed a tram with children on board, going for a picnic to the Bluff. They pelted us with stones aDd biscuits, &nd one of them hit me in the eye (what a pity it was not in the mouth !). We reached Orepuki at 10 o'clock, and made off for the beach, but before we were able to get theie we had to climb down stairs, which are made for the purpose. We went aloag the beach, and came to two men sluicing. We asked them to show us some gold, which they did, but they did not seem to have very much. After that my mate and I climbed the cliff, and when we got to the top we saw two men having dinner, and they invited us. to have a cup of tea. It did not have milk m it, but I am used to that, and did not inizid it. After we had drunk as much as we wanted, we made for the shale works, which are about two miles from the Orepuki railway station. When we reached the works we were surprised to see written over the gate, "No admittance except on business." But we were on business — -to see the shale works. We went in and got a piece of shale, and had a good look round. Back to the township once more for a trip along the beach, and in under the ground to see what kind of thing a gold mine is ; but when we got in we were not able to see, as it -was so dark , but we struck matches to see if we could find any gold, but it was a failure. I hope lam not taking up too much of your precious page ; with love to Dot and the editor, — Yours truly, THE FAEMEE. [As The Farmer regrets it was not in the mouth he was hit I shovdd say it was a biscuit that struck him, and not a stone. If he had only had his mouth ready he might have cpught it. The party apparently saw s good deal during their viEit to Orepuki. — DOTj Dear Dot, — My father gets the Witness every week, and my sister and I always read the letters. The letters I like best are Echo's, Maidey's, and Ziska' s. I know a few of your correspondents. There are a good few writing from this place. We are bu;-y harvesting just now. My brothers wanted to know my norn de plume, but I would not tell them, as they said they would tell a friend of mine who is writing. I must stop now, as it is getting late, so good-bye, Dot, and all thdhttle folk, not fOlf 01 getting the editoi. — Yours tiuly, MAVOUENEEN. [Your brothers have themselves to blame for not being told your norn dc plume, Mavoiunccn, but if they read your lettci I am afraid they will have found out without jotu tolling them.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Christmas has come and gone, smce I last wrote to you. Our school holidays are over, and we are all hard at our lessons again. Our school excursion wa3 to the Bluff this year, but it is too late to give j - ou an account of it, further than to say we all enjoyed it very much. We have had very wet weather this last month, and the fanners have had great trouble m getting their harvesting done. Mj r sister is milking six cows just now. I help her in the evening when I come home fiom school. I have discovered a few of your coirespondents since I wiote last. My teacher has founc 1 out my norn de plume, but I know he is a good teacher, aud will not tell any of my schoolmates. My fathei and mothei were 111 Dunedm a short time ago. When they were going away I asked them to call at the Witness Office and tiy to see Dot I was much disappointed when they came home and told me they had not had time to cfl.il. Our Sunday school social was held a short time ago, and was a great success. Dear Dot, the war is lasting a long time, is it not' I wish De Wet wa3 caught, as I T hiiik that \vould put an end to the war. There was a double wedding here lately, and cur school got a holiday in honour of the occasion. I was veiy much interested m the account of the children's ward in the hospital by "Fabian Bell." Please find enclosed a shilling's worth of stamps for the little folk's Cot fund. It is not much, but I shall send moie by-and-bva. I think the last group of. photos of the

httle folk 111 the Witness was very good. I , had not the good foitune to see the Imperial j troops, as they did not come the daj- we expected them I was very much disappointed, j With kind regards to all the little folk, and love to Dot, — Youis truly, ELDERGOWN. I knew 9 man v;ho3e name was Homer. He used to live at Grumble Comer — Grumble Corner, in Cro=s Patch Town, And he nevei was without a fiown. He grumbled at this, he grumbled at that ; lie growled at the dog, he growled at the cat, He grumbled at morning, he grumbled at night, And to giumble and growl was his chief delight. [I should think everyone would a\oid Grumble Corner, Cioss Patch Town, and the man named Homer. There arc some" little folk pretty bad at grumbling, so I hope they will take warning ot what they may come to if they don't stop in time. 1 think Is is a very good contribution to the Cot Fund, Eldergown. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We get the loan of the Witness every week and I like reading the little folk's letters, especially the letters Corporal Con writes. Dear Dot, did you see the Imperial and Indian troops when they were m Dunedin?" I was sorry I didn't see them. I have four brothers, three older than myself and one younger, and two sisters. Dear Dot, do you like boys'' I do, although they tease me sometimes , but as it is only meant lor fun I take it all in good part. They also tease me about being so tall, but I am only sft 10m high, and weigh lOst. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly, [Only sft lOin, Love-m-a-Mist! Well, I think tfcat is pretty good for a D.L.F. It is much better for sisters to laugh at thenbrothers' teasing, which is really only meant in fun.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— There is nothing very exciting going on here just now. I have found out who Sparkle' and J. O. Y. are. A girl told ms who Echo, Ziska, Harry, and a lot of other D.L.F. were, but I forgot their names in a few days. Have I not a bad memory, Dot? I think Dum Dum writes very interesting letters, and hope he will not yet resign from Dot's page. What a funny act that was about going to see Dot. I had the photos of some of the D.L.F., but they were always getting shifted from where I put them, dso I have lost them. What a nice description of a picnic Stella Rakiraki wrote. I have found out who Snowdrop is. You will soon need two pages instead of one, Dot. Buffalo Bill has not written for a long time. He must have been frightened by tho number of little folk. I heaid that somebody else near here is starting to write to you. It has been blowing very hard all day, but yesterday and Tuesday were lovely summer days, (there being hardly a breath of wind. I saw your photo in the Witness, Dot, and mamma has promised to cut it out and give it to me. I hope Jessie C. has not deserted U3, and that Wulhe has not been stolen. I shall stop now, as the editor will be thinking my letter too long. With, love to Dot, the editor, and the D.L.F.,— Yours tlUly ' CORAL. [I don't wonder at your forgetting the names if you did not write them do^n, Coral. You cannot be expected to remember strange names unless you have some special reason for doing so.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l went to see the Indian troops in Inveicargill. They looked splendid fellows, didn't they? I was in Christchurch at the time of the Canterbury Jubilee, and I saw the procession. There was a tremendous crowd, and I thought the Druids' display was one of the nicest. I went to the exhibition several times. The side-shows were interesting, especially the performing birds. The gymnasti; entertainments were very good. I wish I could do the Indian clubs as well as some of ths girls did. I think it is very nice of Corpoial Con to make time to write to us. It is so interesting to hear about the war. I know several of my friends write to you, but Ido not know their noms de plume. lam only in the Fifth Standard at school, so I do not learn French, but I hope I have got the expression right. I am going to sign myself, — Yours truly, MIRO. [You were fortunate to see the Christchurch Exhibition, Miro. I don't suppose we shall have another exhibition in New Zealand for a long time, so it was nice to be able to go to it.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— Fancy you having such a lot of correspondents — over 1000. I wonder you are not tired of them long ago. You must have the patience of Job, and that is more than I have got. I know a good few of the D.L.F., including Zara, Chloe, Vevay, Pique, Daisie, Cleopatra, Marguerite, Piccolo, and many others. The first D.L.F. that I knew was Zara, and I should never have known, if it had not been for her badge. When I saw it I thought, "Well, she must write to Dot," and I watched for her lettpis. Con writes some very interesting letters about the war and tho South African country. What a welcome home the httls folk will give him when he comes back. I fancy I have seen him on a tram car — at least if it were not he it was very like him. Dear Dot, when is the war coming to an end? It has been raging a terribly long time. The Boers have been tougher than the British thought them to be. — Ycurs truly, GWENDOLINE. [It is hard to say when the war will be ovei, Gwendoline, but I am sure we shall all rejoice when we see the final act. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— My brothers and sisters have found me out already. I know 15 D.L.F., but I don't want to tell their names. Fne of ou- family are writing to your page. I fancy I know Sophia and Dorothea. I think both of them live in 6. I have just finished reading a book named "Scottish Chiefs." I think the C. C. write a lot of nonsense. "When J write to you I have to go into a loom 8 .id lock the door, for if I don't the others v. ill come 111 and see what lam writing. 7jfy favour/ c wiiters are Ziska and Okau. I wish mv holidays weraj just beginning ajrain, for I hpve great fun in the holidays. Thcio is a little frost in the mornings now. It is very wmcly at present, and the leaves are coming off tho tiees. With lo\e to all the D.L F., not forgetting yctuself, — Yours truly, PUP. [So, Mr Pup, you don't think much of the Cutic Club lucubrations. Well, of comse, we do not all see with the same eye, for I think the club's reports aie very interesting, though possibly thej' aie a little above tho heads of some of our leba advanced conesponents.—DOT.] Dear Dot,— T shall endeavour to give j"ou a description of a visit that I paid to the- cliffs a few Sundays back. It was a very wild day The wind wad blowing at a gicat rate, and occasionally blinding showeis of rain and hail fell. After dinner I set out. It was not a large party, there being only myself present. A few minutes' walk brought me within sight of the sea, and -within half an ■hour I stood on the edge of the cliffs. Seldom hava I seen the sea so rough. The waves were rolling mountains high, and as they broke, th^ spray was caught, by the wind and swept along until the. wkgle ega* a# fci »*» Uie. «x c

cculJ leach, v.as a seething mass of foam. 'I ha scene. \ps m.:g 1 ficent in its w:!d and picturesque grardca As I stood on the edge of the cl:'i3 watching the ■seething waters far below, and with the sa-k spray dashing around me, 1 thought if Rwxibccco were only here what a de^cnpt.op s'^e covld have given jou, Dot. For fullj 2'J minute 3 I was an interested spectator of a shngglc between a couple of shags to rou 1 d a be- d m fie cliffs, aicund which tie vird swept with u.iabatmg ftny. They would sv\cc_> a'o"g the edge of the wptci, and in the ice 01 the 10A3, until they came to the pemt mentioned, when tl'ey would be caught by the wind and Inn led back aga^i. Time after time they attempted to round the point, but all to r.o purpc;;. At last during a lull in the waid, th&> succeeded in tunung the bend, and weie toon 10-t to view. But I must ring off this Dot, or jou will be consigning this epistle to the W P.B , 01 if by any j chance it dcc 3 happen to appear the L.F. will I be going to s-lccp ovei it, so I will change the subject. Red, White, and Blue, will you kindly exchange autographs with me' I , shall now conclude, a« I ddi't want to take up | too much of \orr mcc.ous space. With love to all, — Ycurs truly, LANCER. [I am sure you' account of \our trip to the cliffs is n-.ost lnlPicsiiii^ L.mcci. There aie not many boys v ho woald have sallied forth on ai expedition to the sto:n:-to=%ed scot on such a day.'— DOT.] Dear Dot,— lt is new nearly two months ' since I last wrote, although it seems much j longer. I was suipused to see my photo 111 the last group — I thought it was much too , small. 1 thought ro one would be able to distinguish it, but everybody at the boarding houss at Broad Bay either said "ifcur photo is m the Witness cr ''L'o 5011 write to the Witness" One day I was in the D.1.C., and a girl came up and said, "Did jou see your photo in the Witness'" and I said, "'ics." Then she- said, "I think you wero about the woist in the group." Beiore I could answer scmco.ie called her, and =he went downstairs. Who she was I don't know, but I have not seen her since. I see we have two new correspond- j ents from St. Clan — namely, Pom Pom and Shrapnel. I think — at least, lam sure — I know Pom, Pom, but he' will not tell me whether he writes or not All the same the boy I think writes takes a great interest in 1 the D.L.F.'s Page. We had a Black Watch soldier stopping with 11= also, and he gave me four red fcatheis cut of his busby (or "bunnet," as he called it), and mother eight. I stayed for a short pan cf my holidays at Broad Bay, but unfortunately left my badge at home, for I saw two D.L.F. down there. One was Loaf (I think), and the other Alvera I am collecting autographs and photoj of D.L F., and should like to excharge with any L.F. I mean the s ztecn a shilling photos, for I 1 aye no otheis larger. On the day the Indians were in Duicdin I saw several badges, but did not know the v. eaiers. Last S&turday I was hunting lound St. Clair for a friend when Shrapnel came up and told mo Alvera was ?t 'St. Clair. As coon as I left him I feu:id my friend, so had to take her and elio<v her vhere somebody lived. Such luck, Dot' We get the Witness on Wednesday, instead of Tharsday, and to mike sure of getting it on Wednesday I go and get it, instead of it being sent to us. That drama by Dum Dunn was verj r good, and I only wish we could meet and go and -\ lsit you. I must now close, with love tc Alsxandiaite, C. L. 1., Alvcra, and Dum Dum, not forgetting yourself, — Ycurs tiu'y, ST. CLAIRITE. P.S. — Will send yon my subscription for the cot when I next write, for rcy father is away, and he has all the money that I can call my own.— S. C. [Well, St. Cltimte, your unknown friend in tha D.I.C. behaved m anything but an agreeable way. If she had not anj thing better to say than that she need rot have mentioned the matter to you at all. You have something to remember vor.r Black Watch guest by —DOT.] Dear Dot, — Will you kindly excuse me for tiespassing on youi precious page. I have just been reading the Witness, and came across t-he little folk's letters. So, seeing letters from all over Australasia, I thought 1 might as well drop you a few lines and gi\e you a little news of Tasmania. lam a native of Dunediu, and I sailed for Tasmania 14 months ago. First of all I shall gi\ c you some particulars of my voyage on the sea. We left Port Chalmers on the U.S.S. Company's fine boat the Hor.owai at 4.45 p.m., and reached the Bluff next morning, leaving the same evening for Milford Sound. We leached the Sound the day after we left the Bluff. I think the Sounds scenery is as pretty as any we have in New Zealand. Three days later we aimed at Hobart. I think of all the ancient looking places I have seen Hobart "takes the cake. I, only put in two days at Hobart, and then left for a place called Strahan. Crossing the bar at Strahan is very dangerous, as it only csjries 9ft of water, and only small beats can cross. There are two boats lying outside the bar wrecked. One is a steamer called the Devon, and the other a sailing ship. They present a sad sight. Well, after I reached Strahan I got aboaid a tram and travelled 28 miles in it to a place called Zeehan, my destination. I have seen a great many reptiles since I arrived in Zeehan — dozens of snakes and centipedes. If this letter is of any interest to the little folk, next time I write I shall give a few details of how the ore smelters are worked, as it might be of interest to the little folk. I used to read Boy's camping out letters. I have been bachelorising by myself for over a year, and I quite enioy it. I should not like to live all my life in Tassie, as she is pictly dry, 0/ at least the people aie. With love to the L.F., — Yours tiuly, lIONTEZUMA. [Montezuma seems to bo strictly "on Ins own,"' as the boys saj" I w ondei if he had anj-one with him on his joutney across, and also what he is doing "baching" 'at Zeehan '> Howevrr, v, c fie to hear further fioni him, =0 I hone he will tell its all about 2L— DOT.] Dear Lot, — There aio not nearly so many coirespc t dents writing as there were, ais there, Pot? They have been falling off since about Chnstmps and New Year. Since I last wrote to j - ou I have found out tw o or three more D.L.F. Among them aie Sophia and Dorothea. Aie j-oui initial 1 * J. R., Mi«s Conceit, and do -\ou live in N. E. V.' And pio youi initials B. 8., Loaf, nnd do y-u live 111 S. street in D. ' I?m collet t.ng stamps, and I have about 501. I ha\e not many foreign stamps— ju^t fie i. an, Egvptun, and Orange Free State. Aie Orange Fiee State I stamp 3 valuable ' lam tiying to find out who Moia is, but I cannot. Do jou live at N y, Mona' I think I know Uncle's Auntie and Colleen. The place is veiy diy up heie, and haidly any trees can be got to grow. The giound is nearly all coveied with tussocks, and the gias? is dried up with the hot winds and the sun. I ha\c tlireo pet lambs, and jane of them is cal'ed Dot, because it was such* a small lamb vhcii I- got it, and it has not grown much sirce. The other two lambs aic big ones, and I do not feed them now, as they aie big enough to fird plenty of grass for themselves. We have a lo* of cats, and they are a terrible nuisance. I like riding very much, and every chance I get I go for a ride. I cannot ude the side-saddle yet. My favourite write!? aie Rough Rider, Alja, Ziska, and Maigusut^ FiiJj relere^ice to Ql£ Bov_'e euggeg-

lion, Yes. I sec that Rough Itider got a badge foi sending m the best lettei lost mont'i. A s there any badges to bo obtaircd ":t ' With, lovi> to all,— Ycurs tiuly, ALICE. ["Why, .Alice, what made ;ou think thcio wcra fcvci coricpoi-'den's wiit'rg 9 'lLu editor has just told mo that he has enough Ictttis over for ar other week, and I ha\e quite a pile of others o: 1 my desk. That does not look like a falling eff, does it 7 Ye*, Orange Free State stamps aic likely to become \aluable in time, for those issued in future will be Orange Ever. Yes, dear, I have just got another supply of badge;, so that anjone can get oleo le now. — DOT.J Dear Dot, — It is a veiy cold, misciab'e day to-daj , railing at times imd bloving at others. On tue whole, I think we hc\e had very seed haive=t weather. The farmers are all bu*y with then crops to get them cut while the fine weather lasts. I was at a boeial the other night, given to two returned troopers It was a lovely night, and I enjoyed myself immensely. They had a concert first, then supper, i<nd a, dance after supper The troopers had been l'L v.ith entesic fever, so they wero invalided home. You may be sure there was a great crov d, and some had to stand outside I went in to Oamaru to see the Imperial trocps. They V'eie just lovely. I could have watched them all day. It was a very cold day, but, ne\eitheless, I enjoyed myself cry much. I kept a sharp look-out for badges, but did not sea o^e. I did not see the Indians, because I was at school. They would find this climate very cold, after coming from such a hot country aa India, wouldn't they, Dot'? lam getting found out on all side 3 now. L can't go down the load but what someone calls out, " There goes the Nipper," or some- other remark. The first time I had my badge on I was going down to the station, and a boy called out, "D. L. F. 1 " and then, rode off. Of course I knew who the boy was, and I did not tako any notice of him. I was trying to get my big sister to write & letter to our page, but I could not manage it, so I gave it up as a bad job. There 13 a bazaar coming off in April for the Athenseum, and one fo. tho church at the end of this month, so our hitla township- is getting pretty lively. We have 1.3 little chickens running about outside. We had a lot more, but the cat ate some and some died. I hope Dum Dum does not resign, because he is one of the best boy writers we have, and I think his letters are very interestine. I have not seen a letter from Jessica for a long while. Hurry up, Jessica, and send us come more poetry. My sister has just returned from n, trip down south, and she said that it rained nearly the whole time. Anyhow, so long as she bi ought good weather up here with her it was all right. Although it was bad weather, she enjoyed herself very much. J was telling her she ought to write to Dot, and give her an r.ccount of it. Shouldn't she, Dot 9 I have not been able to send my mite to the Cofc fund, but you will get it one of thesa days. Now, Dot, I think I am trespassing on the allotted space, and I know you do not like that, but you will have to forgive me this once. With kind regards to all the little folk (and b'g folk), not forgetting yourself and the editor, — Youro truly, THE NIPPER. P.S. — I have just read Sweet Sixteen's letter, and she asked my initials. Yes, you are light. My sister was down south at W. But do you mean Waiwera, v aitepeka, or Waiiuna> as she was at the three places. Will you kindly send me your autograph, and I shall send you mine. Dot will give you my address. "n^t_ [Yes, Nipper, I am sure we should all give your sister as hearty a welcome ps the returned tioopers leceived. The only thing is that she would have to exercise patience before her letter appeared. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am still an in"' d. Auntie took me dew.i the town on the 7th Februaiy to see the Imperial troops. It was ? grand sight. Only for a gentleman, I should not have, seen them. He took me into his dogcart, and 1 had a good view. Then we went to the railway station, and saw the troops go.ng away. Then the Indian troops came to Oamaru. They got out at the Thames street crossing, and marched to the railway station, where refreshments were laid out. It was a grand sight, Dot, and I shall nevsr forget it. Some of the Indians had red coats 0:1. I only saw one D. L. F. She had a badge on; so had I, but she did not see me. She had the Waitaki Girls' High School colours on. I wonder if she writes to you, Dot. I liked the last lot of photos of little folk. Tho photos I liked best were those of Pearl, Stella, Loaf, Nosher, St. Clainte, Mona., and Claude Collins. Dear Dum Dum, I am glad jou are still to ba with the Little Folk's Page. Dear Dot, when I saw the little folk we were passing the Bank of New South Wales. That is a grand three-act drama, "Visiting Dot " (by Dum Duin) ; is it not. Dot? Dear Dot, would you like a photo of myself and two cats If so, I shall send one. It is p big photo. With best love to all tha D. L. F., not forgetting your own dear self, — ■ Yours tiuly, PEETOKIA. [I am so sorry, Pietoria, that you are not better yet, but I -*iope some day you vill be able to write to us and tell us tbpt you are quite well again. I am glad you saw the Imperial troops, and also the Indians. They were sights of a lifetime, and I am sure wo shall all think of them as long as we live. I shall be glad to get the photo, dear —DOT.] Dear Dot,— We are haung a little bit of winter weather just now. The examination came off about two weeks ago We all passed. The teacher examined us, for she thought the inspector was not ccmmg. He came, however, aftei vc had started the higher standard, but we all passed all the same. Dcai Dot, we h.id oui annual picnic yesterday, and it turned out a gic?t success. Theie was a concert arc! dance- at night also. One dr.v another girl and I went to our pig sty, and I went 111 and hunted the pig out into the yard, while the other gill sat on the top of the wall. But, oh, I hadn't put the smb on the gate, and the pig got out, but I was quickly after it. My fnend, whose name is J., was laugh.ng so much that she could hardly get eff the wail. I ran through all the mud, but at last wo got it m again \wth a little bit of tiouble. Dear Matilda, a.c your initials R. H.? I don't know any more now, but perhaps I shall find some out afterward?. With love to the editor, Dot, and all the D. L. F , — Youis truiv, DOWAGER EMPRESS. [Just fancy the Dowrg«r Hcipuss chnsTfr c pi? tlnoucfh mid and £ n u<=li and mire'^ No v onder hm* fnciid, who vn mob. blv of no lower milk than a Seicre Higl:<ie=&, laughed at so no\el a sight.— DOT ] Dear Dot,— lt is nearly a year since. I la=t wiote you, but now that I lija c started a^ain I am going to write jou more regularly. What a number of correspondents you have, Dot. I always enjoy reading the little folk's letter?, md we get the Witness every week. My father and my brother James were up on top of Mount Alfied, and they brought me down a beautiful mountain daisy. Now I must tell you how I spent my holiday. I was up at Paiadise, and theio was a Christmas tree, and I got a nice lot of things off it. Dear Dot, we have five hoise", and I often ride 10 miles for our letters. Do

TUSSICURA Cures Bronchitis, Catarrh of the Lungs, Oppiegsion of the Chest, etc. Sold

you like riding, Dot? I do very much. The horse I ride is named Jeannie. I am just 13 -years old. With love to L. F. and >oursolf,— Yours truly, MO TJNTAIN LILY. tit was quite right to bring a mountain daisy to a Mountain Lily, and I hope they will giow and flourish together.— DOT.] LITTIiE FOLK'S KIDDLES. By Bleeding Heart —(1) If a Tender and tongs cost 10s, what would a bag of coal come to? (2) Throw it up white and it conies down yellow. (3) I saw a boat with 12 men in it, and yet there was not a single man m it. (4) Round the rugged rocks the rapped rascal ran ; tell mo how many "r's" are in that.