LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2456, 17 April 1901, Page 65

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot,— We are very busy up tins quarter harvesting —a season I do not like. Harvest is always a busy time with the farmers. As mj father is a farmer, I am quite at home wit 1 ' the harvest worry. I was down m Duuedm last Christmas, iind I enjoyed myself immensely, and was quite sorry to leave for home. The two principal events that attiacted my attention when m town were the Imperial troops and the returned soldiers from South Africa. I saw three D.L.F. wearing badges in Dunedin, but 1 did not speak to any of them (too shy, you tuo-,v). "I know six little folk, and I am trying I'^rcl to find out some more. Boy, are your initials J. W., and do you live in A.^ Also, Kawarau, are j"our initials A. 8., and do you live in A. ' ; If so, I know you. We are having lovely weather up here at present , but I suppose the frost will soon be setting in. Dear Dot, h?\e jou got any cure for a toothache, as I am troubled with it at piesent 1 ' With best love to L.F., not forgetting yourself and Mr Editor, — Yours tiuly, ARKOWITE. [I am afraid a cure would not be much good by the tini'i this appears in print, Anowite, even if I could tell you of one. The only peruianent cure is to^either have the tooth out, or have it stopped, but it is sajd a little piece of cotton wool with, plenty of pepper rubbed into it- and inserted, in the aching tooth, will sometimes give relief.— DOT.] - Dear Dot,- I am. sending my photo so a» to be in time for the next group. Oh, Lady Lovi°a, whoeve-r caa you be? Vi and I have tried our hardest to think who you are ; but in vain. Tt is tius I live in H., and I know Daisy B. She was my greatest friend. It is just a j'ear Fince Mr B. left H. for the INT. post office. Daisy 1-3 the onlj fr.end I have in Otago so far ks I krow. Pel hat) s you live m N., ai-d are D.'s friend; if co, I shall «oon find you oiu, as D. and 1 correspond regularly. I have asked D. to write to jou, Dot, but as she does not get the Witness yet, I don't thmk she will caie to do so. Dear Maidey, would you be able xo come to H for the flower show? I shall wnte and tell you when it is to be held. Dear Dot, through writing to you I have made a staunch fuend m Ma dey, and I hope to make many more. With best wishes to Duncdmite, Dnm Dum, and Boy, i ot forgetting jour deal old self, — Youis truly, A. M. W. [Fancy two Xorth Island girls becoming fast fuends thiough the medium of the D.L.F. Page. I hope you will both benefit from the friendship, dear.-DOl.j Dear Dot, — I could not wait -any lojger, so I have started another letter. What a lot of L. and B. F. write to you. I know about 30 of them. I enjoj' Corporal Con's letters, they ars so interesting. As most of the L.F. are stating how thej' obtained their noms de plume, I suppose (to be m the fashion) I, too, must tell bow I obtained mine. I opened a book containing a lot of names, and the first one I came to was Amanda, so I took it. I have been found out by ever so many. I was told to change my norn de piume, but I shall not do so. Tho weather here is very changeable. The snow and ice will soon come, then the winter games will commence. I saw Maggie at church last Sunday. With love to all the L.F., not forgetting j ourself, —Yours truly, AMAXDA. [I am glad you are keepmg v our norn de plume, Amanda, as it is a very pretty one, and you would bs quickly fourid out if you were to take another one.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was at the autumn flower show and I saw tiree girls with badges on, and I made friends with them. I was m town latelj', but I didn't see anj- badges. There was a picnic at Outram on Friday, and there were 400 people at it. Wasn't that p lot' Easter will soon be here, and we may have six v. eeks' holidays. Then there'll be fun. Did you see any bonfires at New Year time' 1 did. Tho First and Second Standard were examined by Mr \v hite, the headmaster, to-daj', and I had no errors m spelling, and five sums light out of five. With love- to yourself and all the little folk, — Yours riuly, EVELINE ANNIE LAKSEN (aged 7A years). [Five sums right out of five 1 Then they •vrere all right, Eveline. That was very good for a little girl.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— The other day a friend of mine started to write to you, and when she had written about six lines, she threw down the pen, savin", "I wonder why I can't wnte letters like other^people 9 I suppose it is because lam so fitupid-" Sue is not stupid at all, you know. Dear Dot I think it is too bad of some of the little folk to annoy jou by not sending their proper name and address. I have just been reading the little folk's letters, and I see that there is to be another Old Wnters' Week. I am very glad, for I enjoy the Old Writers' letters very much. With love to Harry, Solomon Slow, Bert, Ziska, and all the others, not foieetting voui self,— Yours truly, b ELMIRA. fYour friend only needs a little pra-ctice, Elmira, and she would soon improve. Get her to write a few letters before sending one in, snd she will find that it is not so dreadfully difficult as she thinks.— DOT.J Dear Dot,— The place where I am hvirg (or, lather, staying) is very nice in fine weather; tut in wet weather it is not quite so pleas«mt. Tfces« are no rocde neai here, as it is

' only a camping place One night, as I was coming home tlnorgh th° j.addocks-- w th cattle, sheep, horses and puddle-hole^ in them — I was looking at the stars falling, when all of ? sudden, splash l I went into a swamp. I pot wet as far as the top of my "hoes. Oh, Dot, jou wou'd have laughed had jou been here My companion laughed till he critd. I even laughed myself But it was not so b?d, as I ' was not fai from thz camp, =o 1 soon had dry ' feet again. Ever since that memorable night !he has called me "stni-gazoi.' A nice name \ that, isn't it ' There is ue\ ci any chinch heie 'on Sundays, so theie 13 not much to do. I often co foi a long ude on horseback l>e list Sunday I went I enjoyed rnvself mimci ia eh. It was St Patrick's Day, ynd j> crowd came- horn }i. for a picnic, but I did not \ontuie ncai. as I think it was only meant lor those belonging to St. P.'s. It 13 a lovely day as I am writing this epistle, and I am sitting outside, under the { trees, with ino=s and ferns all pround me. There | are some very pietty places h?re, such ?s an 1 artist loves to sec. I like art \eiy much, do jou, Doc- 1 We have had a good diop or iam here lately, but it hardly liiutteis much now, ' a-5 a'l the h"i\e=hng up this way l- finished I think it very race to -watch the men leaping and binding. I n»vpr knew e\en what it was like till I came u-p heie. You have to go to the country to see sport, haven't jcu, Dot f and I had never seen a sheep being shorn before. There's a towme for yoa' I worder whether i>ny of the L.F. -would caie to conespond with me'^ If =50, I shall =cc that the answers to their letteis are very prompt'}* attended to I think Dum Dam, Can, Hnri\ , Bluebell, Loaf, O Mimosa San. Pom Pom, etc., write *eij good letters. Oh, I v. as forgetting Sol. S'.ow (or, rather, "Fast' 1 ;. We'l. I must go i"side liovv, as the sandflies cie just beginrmg to find out that I am a bit sweet. I will give the LF. somethirg to puzzle their biaiiis o\cr. I will gre them a-H till the Cnd of May to think it out, and if tliej ha\e iio' guessed it by that time, tli3y ku c '. giVe i!, up, n:.d I shall then tell ■ them lh" answer. Ii jou look at it m the ' proper way, it will b-> ceen that it is quite 1 simple. Well, here it is — • "What is that winch all lo\e more thaa life 9 Keai more than death or rncila' strife ' That which co itented men desire 1? Th? jioor poke's the , leh require.

Th~- m.ser t> lords, Ik 1 -peiiclt'iiift save^, A 1 d aP me cany tr. tliDii oiaves'" j I mu-t ior br. id, t'ns =cra\,l to a conclus.on. With fo idest lo%e to nil L !■'., not forgetting Loaf, Bluebell. Mr Editoi, and our deal, kind, mvstcrious Dot, — Yours truly, I " FOKEN THELMA. ' P.. 3 — Or i f jou think I had better change my norn de pamic — "Stnr-ga;-er. Ji.st as vau please, yoa krow.— THE FOKEX. [It is not likeK- I shou'd think of doing aryI thing of the kind. Foken Thc'ma. ''Star-gazer" I would be dreadfully commo*.»!ace after your I present attia^tive signature. I hope you have got your parents' permission to correspond. — , DOT] Dc-oi Dot, — Since T last wiota to j*ou I have found out two more of jour coiresponclents. Yes, Bluebell, you are rirht m finding out my name. Doesn't it seem funny, Dot. to speak of "the King- 1 " but I suppose we shall gel used to it. We had a soldier who has just , come back from South Africa at our place jestcidaj. He v.a- a <=_'igeant in. the fifth contingent. I look e\L-j a eek for a letter from , you, Ruby and X:na, but neiei hpve sach luck a3 to see one. It must be rnorths and months since you wiote. "With lo\e to Bluebell, C 2*l. C, a.d Kuby and Nira — Yours tiuly, ASCELINE. Lit was strange at first to speak of the King, .. Asce-hne, but I fancy we are getting quite U3ed . to at now.— DOT.] i Dear Dot, — I have lead the little folk's letters for years, and think you get v cry m- , tsrcstmg epistles from =ome o z the writers. I know t\vo of jour correspondents. Octavi?, one of the (wo, is my cousin, and she lives j with u=. She got teased cc much when she did i vrite that the *a:d she would not write again, so I thought I would tiy my hand. We received the badges safely, and thank you very , much for sending thorn. I thi lk thej are very pretty. We wear them a gcod deal, but have l.ot seen any othcis ye I live in a very pretty place m the country, ;uid closs to the. I sea. There is a lot ot bush round the place, and *ome very pretty fern 5 ! in them. If jou vould like some ferns I shall send some to you. I read that piece of Dum Dmn's, and thought :t veiy interesting, especially where Harry is coi.ccrned. With love "to all the JittJe fo!k, not ' forgetting yoiuseif and the editor,— Youis tru'y,

META HENEMOA. [Thank ycu for the offer of the feirs, Meta, but I ;.m afraid they would not mrvne the four or five ctay3 m the steamer before reaching Duoedin. Four-leaved clovers seem to bo plentiful m jour neighbourhood, and j-ou even have fi\c-leaved shamrocks appttiently, as j-ou send mo tv/o four-lea\ed oies and one five-leaved —

Deai Dot, — Ie is fu ]y foui mont'is since I last wrote to you, and since that tune I ha\e been to town for three weeks' hohdaj's, and enjoyed myself very much, for I =aw the sixth contingent ileavmg Auckland, all of whom will, I hope, come back safe. I also saw a great many more things, Dot. but they would take up a liirge sheet of paper to describe ihem to jou. Dear Dot and L. F., do jou like going to fancy diess balls 9 I do, and I was at three or four during the Christmas holidays. "What interesting letters were in the last O. W. W. I hope there will soon be another one, Dot. 1 think I have found, you out at last, Dot, for I am sure that is your photo m the Witness which has "A contributor of long standing " at the bottom of it Dear Dot, is it not a pity about poor Maidey being m the hospital? I hope she will soon get well again. How did j-ou like being m the hospital, Mauley ? I suppose jou found it very quiet. What an interesting letter Daisy Prirmose had in last week. Dear Dot, will you please tell me the address of the little girl who said she would exchange stamps ' I must now say good-night, with love to all L. F. and yourself. — Yours tru'y, XOBODY KXOWS. P.S. — Will you correspond with me, Little Lady? It you will, Dot will send \ou my addiess.—N. K. [I really do not lemember who it was wished to exchange "tamps, Nobody Knows, but if she send 3me a letter for you, I shall lorward it on —DOT.] Dear Dot, — Heie I am ogam, after a spell of thiee months Christmas h,is come and gone, and we are now m the new centuiy. How did jou enjoy your holidays, Dot ? In spite of tho wet weather, I enioyed mine immensely I was m Auckland at the time of the Queen's death. All the shops weie draped v lth ciape, flags vere flying half-mast high, and everything looked so sad and mournful. Have jou ever been in Auckland city, Dot? Well, yon won't miss much if j"ou haven't. From Mount Eden yon tan get a grand view of the Wuitemata Haibour — m fact, the whole city. Dear Dot, when Mary May .nd I were m town, we went (lust for fun) and had our photos ta,ken. The photographer told us to call on the following Wednesday, and see the proofs. We'l, Wednesdaj- came, and off we went to see the proofs. Oh, Dot 1 you should hive seen them. We picked out the best one (for we weie taken in two different ways), and told him to send the photos by post. The marvellous photos arrived at last I was the first to open them, and laugh!— why, I latighed till the tears

ran down my cheeks. 1 was looking as soiu as, v megai, arc! Mary May had her mouth sciewed ud tijmg to keen from laughing We intended sending jou one of the photos, but they were not woith sending, for you might ha\c fainted, and then the editor would have had to run and get a glass of watei . That v.ould never do, would it, Dot' In a Witness dated Febiua'-y 6 I saw the photos of some of tiie contributors, ?nd ii 1 amongst them I discoveied "Our Dot. ' Of couise, it did not <ny c vot,r name — it only =a:d "A contnbutor of long standing" We've all come to tho cor.cln«ion that this ple? = mt-faced lady is you, Dot It is foil' j cars =mcc I stilted to -.nte to jour page — a different page it was thcii to what it is now. With Miiceie =jmpathy to Fatima, and lo\e to L. F, and that pleasant ladj called Dot, — Youio tilth',

E. D. N. A. (bleepv). p.S —I would be very plea=cd if tho little folk would <-eiid mo their auto/raphs — E.

[Fancy the editor with fainting Dot 111 Ins arms vainly calling for a tumblei of watei 1 The fun would be complete if oaly the P D or the iiirnoi reporter happened to come along with a kodak and took a snap for lcproduction, v.ould it not ; Seriously, I am =ony ycur photos were not a succe", E. D. N. A., as I should havo liked one for the next gioup.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — This is actually the thud sheet of paper T have scarted on. Tho two preceding o-.es I peisisted in wr'ting on both sides. I daresay I am now quite r stranger to ion, as I really thmk it is six months since I last wrote. Fancy winter so near 1 Ore can smcN the i"io,(.j mornings coming 027. WercnH the Indian tioops interesting 9 We had such v splendid view of them. Deir Cherryripe, you havo not sent your autograph jet. I am daily expecting it, but am daily disr.pporitel. Did you forward mine to Pique' D'ea; FiP v. :11 jou correspond with me 1 ' I think t PRi->d jou once before, please send me your address, if you are willing. Boj-, where are you' Have your wilting poweis deserted jou? It is such a long time since I answered your last letter. Punch and I were walking along George street one Saturday night neai the "D.S.A , and a girl with a badge passed us, and, nlthoagli «he seemed m an awful huiry, she had tim? to say, 'Hullo, D. L. F. " I v. oiider if sha will see this, and tell me v\ ho she vvps. Deal Hollyhedge, I was po sorry I missed you, but never mind, better luck next tun". Fancj, such awful fires lately, and both of them 111 Cumberland street, close to our beloved Witness office. Of course, we cannot spare Dum Dum. What an amusing drama he had 111 last week's issue. Dear Dockleaf and Miss — oh' I mean Maisic— l saw you last Saturday (Anniversary Day"i, walking up M H . but. although withm a few feet of j'ou, you did not see me, and I could not get to you. I was doing tho shopping, and saw you through the shop window. Dear Captain, are your 'initials G. B.? If so, I know ycu well by sight. Although it is rather late, I must thank these who so kindly remembered me at Christinas time Will Fatima, Laddie, and Pnscilla kindly exchange autographs with me' With love to Cheriyripe, Schoolgirl, Hollyhedge, Ladd.e, Boy. and Priscilia, not excludII g Dot, — Yours trulj', DUNEDINITE [Why, Dunedimte's letter should have been kdpt for Old Writers' Week, but I don't thmk il will a-jspear much before that i3bue, as the editor has told me till I am quite tued of hearing it that there are enough letters in for s. couple of week 3 ahead. I vvondei why peopl? will persist in telling us disagreeable things with evident enjoyment. However, he has been giving us a good deal of space latelj', so w-e must net say too much, must we'— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Our Sunday-school teacher's birthday was one day last week, so we gave her a surprise party. There were about 2-1 of us, and we went to the door all togethei. Our teacher opened the door, and she got such a sm-prise to see us. We spei.t the evening very pleasantlj-, and got back home at 1.35 am. Loaf and I went to the Christian Endeavour picnic last Saturday The picnic was held at Puiakanui. It started to ram just as v, c were leaving, but it cleared up by the time we arrived at our destination. We spent a veiy enjoyable day, and amved home at 7 p.m. All my brotheis aie wondeung when Lassie is going to wnte to jou again, so I had better be piepared for a good criticising when this is put into print. I shall now close with best love to Dot, Nevada. Zilda, and all the rest of the L.F. —Yours tiuly, LASSIE. [No wonder your teacher got a start, Lassie A bevy of 24 girls with baskets and parcels vva3 enough to surprise her. However, j'ou evidently received a hearty welcome and passed a pleasant cv ening — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Do you like ripe brambles ' There were a lot in the bush, but they are all done now. They make a lovely pie, and aie as good as strawberries with cream on them I hope to be 111 town when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are there, and I may call 111 at the office and see you, and possibly the editor also. With love to all the little folk, the editor/ and yourself,— Yours truly, SNOWBERRY. [Yes, Snowberrv, I think ripe brambles are dojjcious, but unfortunately they never seem tolipen togethei, and it is difficult to get them m any quantity.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We aie two mates, and have made up our minds to write to you. We live 111 Otara, which is a very pretty place, and many people vi^it it on account of its scenery. We get the Witness every week, and delight 111 reading the little folk's letters. Dear Dot, were you down seeing the Imperial tioops' Wo 111 ten a3d to go, but it came on too wet, and we did not get. With love to all the little folk not xo.geitng vourself,- Youis truly, " PUNCH and JUDY. [So there is a Punch and. Judy at Otara, is there' Well, we have a Punch, who wiitos from Dunedin, and a Judy, who wiites fiom somcwheie else, but as this P. and J. aie joined together I suppose the otheis will not mind them adopting this rom de plume. Next time they write, however, they must enclose their proper names.— DOT ] Dear Dot,— Do you not think it a shame for Daisie to retire already ; Why, she is not near the rearing age yet. I don't think she is moie than 14 yet, and I think all the L. F. should cry out against it. I see a lot of L. F weie at the Bluff on Februaiy 8. Well, I was there, too, but Jean and I only saw three badges. Two of the weareis were Pique and Daisie, and tho other was a little girl with a cieam 'sailor dre^s on. I passed her thiee or four times, but did not speak to her. It may have been G. Y. M., as I see by her letter that she was there. I think I have found out two mor* D. L. F. Princess, are your initials R. R., of T. , and Billj', are youis H. C, of W. Oh, ho 1 Moonbeam, I suppose you thought I wouldn't find you out You are D. B , of T., aren't you' Dear Dot, I hope you will forgive so much puvate talk, but I should like to know very much if the above ctneipondcntb are rightly guessed. 1 am getting found out everywheie at present. I scarcelj meet anybody but it is, "Hullo, Lydditel" I was once thmkma of changing my norn de plume, but on second thoughts I came to the conclusion that I would keep the one I always had. By the way, Maiy, Queen of Scots, I have also found you out Yor told Jean, I thmk, and she told me. I see you are going to have au Old Writers' Wee> oa May

10. Well, I hope it v.'ill be a great success, and that r great number of Old Writers will iol' up, and write tome nice long letteis I think .Daisie might also write a letter to it. I have been writing foi over a jear now, but I ilon't knew that I can v ntj rood enough letters yet. Deal Dot, it is a pit* Alvs won't bo able to see the Witness now, niid e.pecially the L. F. Page, but I hope she will write all the same, as she wrote \ cry nice letteis. I haven't noticed auy letter in from C. C. M. lately. I hope she hasn't done the disappearing trick. I have never got that lone-expected letter jet, C. C. M. With fondest love to C. C. M , Daisie, and Moonbeam, — Yours truly, LYDDITE.

[I am gh\d yon decided not to change jour norn de nlume, Ljddite It would not be much usr, as you would socn be found out again, and v*ou cannot be chancing vcur name cv cry time a few find out who jou arc — DOT.]

Deai Dot — You have alreadj' been told of the reeeptio'i the Indipn tioo"3 lecened at the hands of tr-? Invercaigil l people, so I sha'l simplj relate mv own experiences with the=e men. As sooi as they had had some lunch, I set out to find the Indian officer who wa= oidir'y to Loid Roberts, and who possessed tlu V.C. or its equivalent in. the Indian army. I found him in the shape of a ms.ll of fine physique, having red whiskers, in a khaki-co'.ourcd uniform, and his regiment being the Guides. On his breast we;e the symbols of hi 1 ? b'axeij' — \ iz., 11 medals, cf which two were the most conspicuous, the one with the v. ords "For va loui" engraved on it, the other with the woids "For good services ' The fhst one showed that lie had done some very brave act, for which he nad been awnided the most co\cted decoiat.on. of the British armj — the Victoua Cioss. He told me he earned it in the following rnan-nc-i — Fifty of them (1 c., the Giudes) were 01dered to charge 2000 of the enemy, a "'d, if pos"lb'e, captiuc their guns Th.s they- succeeded m doing, and m this charge this officer shot two with 1113 pisto', cut down two with his sword, bayoneted two, and received a severe cut on the knee and a bullet through his ear, the mark being there yet. Each of his explanations was accompanied with appropnate gestures and applause from the people. Leaving my subject a minute, Dot, the succession of "two's" in tim man's chaige reminds me of a very peculiar coincidence which happened f.o two brothers (both of the same regiment— the Giudes) during the Indian Mutiny. The brothers were Cppiam C. J S. Gough (now Genelal Sir, K.C.B . V.C.) and Lieutenant H. H. Gough (now General Sir, K.C.B , V.C). The former — (1) At Khmkowdah saved his wounded brother and killed two of the enemy, 12) on August 18 he led a charge of the Guides, and cut down two ot the enemy's sowars, (3) at Shumshabad he ran one of the rebel leaders thiough with his sword, and then shot two more with his revolver, (4) at Meangunge he rode to the assistance of an officer (Brevetmajor Anderson), slew his assailant, and cut down another of the enemy. His brother, at Alum Bagh, charged the enemy, carjtured tvo guns, had his tin ban cut to pieces while engaged with thiee Sepoys, and his horse received two vvoui ds at the same time. Again, near Lucknow, in anothei chaige, he had two hoises killed under him, killed two of the enemy', and had two narrow shaves fiom bullets, one going through his helmet and o.ie through his scabbard. Strange coincidence that "number 2" all through the records of these two brothers and the visiting Indian officer, all of the same reginiei t — two horses, two gu.is, twice wounded, and all tho?2 sowars , slain in two's. Returning to my subject again, he also possessed the next medal in importance to the V.C— the one for "Good seivices.' This medal (which carries £5 a month with it) j showed that he had on several occasions j greatly distinguished himself. He also possessed seven bais, showing that he had been in seven important engagements, and had been mentioned in despatches. He was undoubtedly the heio of the day, and besides having to answei a liuining fire of questions, he had to write his putogrpph m many a person's auto, book. Unfoitunately, I had left mine behind, so had to be contented with a heaity 'goodbye" and grip of the hand from this Irdiaii officer. Still, with a view of getting so.ne moie information for this letter. I set out to find tho next favourites, the Gourkas. I found the object of my search m a sturdy little fh efooter in a dqrk-green uniform He greeted mo with a hearty "good-day," and we soon got into conversation. Tins man pos=es=ed three medals, the latest showing that he had fought at the famous Dprjai Heights Xohc.ng that he had a rupee m his hand, and wishing to obtain a memento of some sort, I asked him what he wanted for it, on which he replied, "two shillm's." I then handed hun a florin, which he refused to take, at the same time refusing to give me the rupee. The reason for his refusal was evident when a minute afterwards a gentleman exchanged the rupee for two separate shillings This man was evidentlj' under the impression that a florin was not equal to two separate shillings, but as I had not got two separate shillings or he another lupee, I had to go without. Leaving him, I next- interviewed a Bengal Lancei — a magnificent six-footer, with (I must confess, and quoting-Shakespeare) a "vinegar a°pect. ' He proved as amiable as the rest, and soon entered into conversation. He wanted to know 111 what battle I had carried my badze, so I explained as well as I could how I came by A, though Fm afraid he's not much the v. iser. Our conversation was becoming quite interesting, when the "fall in ' founded, >o 1 shook hands for the last time with an Indian ofPcer This letter is rather long, I'm afraid, but I have endeavoured to make it interesting to make up for it; though whether I have succeeded (W not remims for v-ou and the L. F. to answer. I see iij' drama is severely criticised by a member of the Critic Club I have an an«wer in leturn, winch will appear 111 my next lettei. You mo eoirecS, Euterpe. I pent mj photo intentionally for next gioup, Dot, so it it won't spoil the rest you can print it — Yours tiuly, DUM DUM [I am so glad, Dum Dum, for I had half made up my mind that it was not intended to appear. You made the most of j-our time with our Indian guests, and I am quite 'orry tint jou neither got the autograph nor the lupee, you certainly deserved better luck. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am taking the oppoitunity of writing to jou befoie Old Wnteis' Week comes on (which I hope will be a success). It being Good Friday, I have a holiday from woik Bj'-the-bje, I am earning my own livelihood now, so jou must excuse me for neglecting you so long, as I have pretty long hours. Macrocarpa conies into the shop two or thiee tunes a day, and she was telling mo that she was thinking of sending in her last letter, as she has no time to vvnte, but I said ' No.' I told her she could still take an interest in the page and write onco in a while, as I intend to do. Dear Dot, I have lately found out who you aie for certain. I thought I knew who you weie before, but I find I v. as on the wrong track. I was at the haiuli esters' picnic on the Bth March, but, slthouqh I kept a sharp loot-out for badges, I did not see one I see Dunedimte was at the Otago Dai'y Times picnic on Saturday. Ivy was showing me hci photo last night Dear St. CUirite, aie your initials J. C. ' If so, my biotheis kaow your mate, and I also know a fuend of joins. Two of my brothers aie out camping at Puiakanui just now, and mj sister 1-= getting her basket leady, as she lV going to their camp by the fast tram in the morning. Hew I do wi=h I could go, but I have to work all day, and as

[ rate as 10 o'clock at night, so don't jnu pit} me, Dot You shou'd have seen Oiu !:. tellers on Wednesday night What with boxe& and one thing and another, we could baidij move. You would have thought they were goirg away for a month by the provisions they took, but I suppose they would be a hungij' lot when they got there. Well, I thmk I sholl ha<-e to end up now, or else the editor night be giumbhng again. So good-bye for the present — Your^ I tiuly, HOLLY HEDGE. P S — You will find a little =hp of paper with' i. question, which I should be pleased it you would answei. — H. H. [It is hard, Holly Hedge, to have to work so late when jom brothers are away enjoying 1 themsch es Kobmtoi Crusoe lashion , but I suppose it is the lot of our sex I feel sure that all those provisions would disappear be1 fore the wandereis leturned. It is wonderful I the appetite enge idered in stiong, healthy boys by out-of-door life In reference to your private questio 1 I cou'd scarcely break my rula 1 ot to le ).y to a dnect qaesLoii as to m> identity, could I, dear 9 — DOT] Dear Dot — T see jou aie going to have another Old Wiiteis' Week. I was just thinking it was about time, as nothing is more enjovab'e than reading the old ones' letters. Theic is such a ciose of new ones coming in evcrj week, that you *cij - seldom see the old ones wnte — as, loi instance, 1 Dockleaf, Monica, Shan, and heaps of others I could nientic 1 I have been a coirespcr.deni for o - , cr ,i jeai now. I call it a real shame oi Kimbeeco icsig"ir.g, more e&peciillj when she ha? not leached the letning £ge , but, dear Dot, could j'ou no 1 , coax hei lourul to write again, c\ en :t it is r ci o ice Dear Rimbecco, I once n'oie imp'.OLe ycu to still continuo writing, as it is jci wl'o niosth keeps things hveh\ I ha 1 c- foui d you out, Aljs f.ie net your initials ?[ MC. '> Also Jc=°ic 1, whose initials are J. R Thcie was <.' new wiite~ tie ot'icr week Sign* ma;~herscli Beaulah. Well. B, I think jour , initials are M. W., and you Ine at R Dear I Dot, I hope you will forgive me foi the pri/a'e 1 talk, but as a vile it is r> thing I c 7 c not in- ' dulge m. I was at a picnic on St. Patuck's 1 Day, and at a social at night, and enjo; ed my- ! self immensely. It happened to be a glonons day (for a wonder), and I don't think you cnalcl h .d a moie beautiful soot than the or.c they 1 chose. Dum Dum is quite capable of tak- ' ing B. O. B's place. The paiodv o 1 tho I "Absent-minded Bcggai" ,3 certainly pnm°! r .j;; 1 also, the cricket match, Bnton v. JBoci You ' have given up the idea of letiring, D. D 9 Those who thought jou were getting more praise than themselves were veiy unfriend'}*. When I is the next gioap of photos to appear, Dot. as II am patiently waiting to see them 0 Do you not thmk it would be nice to have a gioup of all thosp who h?\? letired, r o that we sLould have them to look back upon > Ziska had an. exceedingly nice letter m the week before last. Poor Pearl, it wis a shame to take jou unawares like that, but, if I were you, I should j pay her back with interest the first chance available. I notice this letter is lengthening out, to will stop, not wishing to be in the I editor's blr.ck books-. So with love to all thfI L F., and he^ps to yourself, dear Dot, au , revoir. — l r oars trub*

LUCILLE. [The number of new writers certainly is overpowering, Lucille, and I often ask mjself if we arc ever to get to the end of our tether. Ths editor tolls me that he has a couple of columns too much for the coming week before looking at your letter, and I have on my tab'e 31 letters to follow yours, and yet A is only Thursdaj- — i.e., we have m hand on the 4th enough letters for tke JOth and 17th 1 wonder the poor litt'e Mary Jones stamp of letter never sees the light of day now.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Although I am greatly interested in the L F. letters, I do not know many of uhe writers. Among those tha-t I hko best m your paj.c ,n-e Con, Hariy, Beit, Solomon Slow, Du-n Dum, O Mimosa San, Ziska, Echo, Himbecco, Alys, Maidey, and I also used to liko Jessie C.'s letters. Dear Dot, I was not down to see the Indian troops, but judging by the pictures in the pape:=, I +hmk they must bo a fine lot of mci. Was it net sad, dear Dot. to hear of the loss of oui dearly-beloved Queen 9 But although she has passed away fiom in for ever, we know that she is c o much happier. Dear Fatima, accent my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of youi mother. With best love to the editor and yourself, Do., — Yours truly,

STELLA RIA. [.The Indians reitamly v^ere a fine lot of men, Stellana-, and I think they enjoyed tha time they spent with us — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Harvesting is in full swing up here now, and the fanners aie \ c*y busy cutting and carting 111 their crops I don't suppose j'ou have e\ er seen a threshing machi/ie. I like to go ard have a look at them threshing. I am v erj glad Dum Dum l'lte.ids to continue wilting to our page He is too good a co:respondent to lo=e. What a giand sight it must hive been to '-cc the Indian troops, Dot. 1 crly wish I could hive been m Dunedin 10 cci?c ci? them. Which do j'ou think were the better. Dot. — the Impel la! or the Indian troops' So Wulhe has turned up at last like a bad pennj . Well, Wullie, I thought you had forgotten all about Dot and her L.F Now . if Lamb would cnlj - write again and tell how ,=lie has been, getting 011 this long tune. I think che must bo ill, or perhaps =he was only a fraud, trjiig to get the L.F. to sympathise with her. Whit a good nder Roiig'n ITidei naist be. Dot. She seems to ro a lot 01 ndirg oxer rough, country. I thmk her norn de plume is very well chosen. I am looking forwaid to the next Old Writers' Week, and I hope it will be a success. I am ••peal. ing of it caiiv — am I not. Dot' — but I don't thmk I shall be writing again before then, <-o that is \,hv - I mertio:i it now. Please Fco, huny up and \.Tife about some more cf Time's pranks ?= I am. very fond of reading them, aj are aU-o many mcie, I think What a long time Vevet^e has been wntipg to joii, Dot, but =he has not long to go now Do you make up the cat pictures that aie always at the top o£ the D.L.F. page, Dot' They :ue \eiv amusing Best witliestc join self and L F -Years liiih,

MATILDA. [Nc| Matilda, they are mostlj' by Louis Wain, who i-> a roted caricatunst of pu=sy in England. I gencrallj get them out cf a little Home magmne called Home Chat They are then gnea to a young lady who sketches them on what is known as a chalk plate, and from tlm they aie c teieotjped — DOT.] Dear Do f , — We get the Witness rvciv week, and I like leading the LF. lettoib I baw a lette fiom jßimbccco the other week Sho «ecms to think this a pietty pi ice, I don't. When 1 am a man I shall take my mother away to some of those pretty places I se? in the Witness pictnies. There was a pret*y 1 ltt ' 0 foal running with its mother on the road by which I go to school. Mv mother gave ma thieenence to buj- it, but its owner =aid it had not got enough trat vet, =0 I shall c enc7 the threepence, Dot, to the Cot Fund, in case I lo^e it — Youia truly,

[It was a good thi^g for the Cot fu"d thaJ the owner thought the foal was too young to take it fiom it's mammy vet, Jim Perhaps when jou get a little older you will t C e beau ties 111 Catnns that do r.ot pr<.=<?nt themselves to jour vision .el — DOT 1 Dear Dot, — I go to "Khool w>th ...iv In other Jim> My ruothci tetwhts me kmttiiig aud sew-

ing at home, also Bible lessons on Sunday. I am sending you threepence for the Cot fund. Dear Dot, when are you coming to Cathns? My brother is going to buy a foal, and if you Jet us know we shall bring it to the station, and you can ride in and see Rimbecco. — Yours Ulj ' JIM'S SISTER. *• fWell, now, with such an attraction as that, a visit to Catlins is worth considering, dear. I wonder what Rimbecco would say if she saw ■Dot riding up to her on a foal. lam afraid she ■would think I was cruel, so perhaps I had foetter wait till the foal has grown up.— DOT.] I Dear Dot,— l see by your answer to my last letter that you and the L.F. do not wish me to leave just yet. You >say that I have fully 18 months to go. Well, my unknown friend, I am not 18 yet, and shall not be until the 17th tof September. I shall only write once every ! three months, Dot, as I am writing to more (reapers than the Witness, and cannot write to all at once. Hcwever, as you wish it, and my (parents have asked me to write to you again, 'I shall continue to do so until I am 20. Just .now I close with best wishes to one and all.— lYoUr3trUly ' RIMBECCO. [That is good news, and I am sure everyone trill rejoice that we shall have Rimbecco witii na for nearly two years and a-half yet. — DOT.] OUR CON" WHO IS FAR AWAY. You'll know him by his thick dark hair, And by his voice so gay ; . ISTou'll know him by his face so fair, i Our Con so far away! You'll know him, for there's none so bright, There's none so gay as he ; !We know of none who can compare, Our dear old Con, with thee. You'll find him where the brave men stand On the dTeadful battle day , ■You'll raise for him your strong, true hand-r Our Con, so far away. You'll find him there, for none so biave There's none so bold as he ; D. L.F., in the foremost flank, Our good old Con will be. You'll bring him home when the battle's past, So please, kind Heaven, ye may , You'll bring him safely home at last, Our Con, so far away. — RIMBECCO. Dear Dot,— The weather is very changeable •np here. One day it is melting hot, and the n«xu day raining. Fortunately it is fine toilay, and the harvesters will have a. show to geY in their crops. I know three correspondents—not many, is it, Dot? but I hope to ■know more soon. I like Con's, JJuni Dum's, Ziska's, Wattle Blossom's, Myrtle's, and •Pinkie's letters the best. Dear Dot, do you mow how long paroquets will live? We have ihad one for over 12 yearE— the same age as my B i s ter — and it can say very many things, such as " Cup of tea for Dick," "Bread and butter for cocky," "Who are you'" "One o'clock dinner," "Sis o'clock tea," and it can mew like a cat and do many other thmg=. We have two ■vonng paroquets which we ara teaching to talk. (Next time I write I shall tell you about an ?dventure "with bees, as I must now draw this Better to a close. With love to all the little folk not omitting Dot,— Yours tiuly, WATERFALL. rYour paroquet is a very clever talker WaterSid, and I think you will have some difficulty in bringing the two young ones up to such a ihigh state of proficiency. I should think 12 years is a good age for a paioquet. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was pleased to see my last letter in print, though you accused your humble correspondent of telling you a story. So you didn't believe the skeleton yarn. Dot' Well, it's a fact, whether you believe it or not. The skeleton was not all together when my friend ;!ound it, you know. He had to search for the missing parts among the sand. It may have (been that some old Maori had lam down 10 die there; but I shouldn't be at all surprised if there were other remains theie also. fio if any of your little folk take the skeletonIhunting craze, they will know wheie to obtain the object of their desire. But I shall chpnge the subject, lest you should take nightmare. I should not like your blood to ilia cold, Dot, even in your 'dreams. Time passes quickly though, and it behoves me to begin the description of the Maori oven as soon as possible. (Well, you simply dig a large hole in the ground, and after having kindled a fire m it, throw Eome large stones m among the burning wood. ,"You may then put some leaves (mutton-tree leaves are the best) on top of the stones, and xm the leaves place the food jen wish to be cooked. Then put some more leaves 021 top of your food, and then a few embers. In a short /lime your dinner will be cooked. You may bite some ashes or a bit of charcoal occasionally, jfout that's only a trifle. To give the thing tone, yoi may dance and yell round the fire, and •when dinner is ready, sit down and eat it (minus kmve3 and forks. I have a Fijian native dress (made of grass, you know) at home, ■■which I shall lend you if you v/ould like it, (Dot, when you go for your Maori picnic. One night I dressed up in it, and blackened my skin. I went to several of the neighbours' ihouses and a girl at one hcuse was silly enough to faint. I thought it time to go home then. Well, Dot, I must say good-night, 8 3 it is bed time. — Yours tiuly, PAKEKA. [Well, Pakeha, we shall of course all accept Your statement as fact when you assure U3 of tits authenticity in that maunei. Ido not think 11 shall want the Fijian mat, and I hope you -•.•ill not play pranks with it and burnt cork again in a hurry when you see what harm you «nay do.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— When I was away for my holifiars, some time ago, I saw the Balclutha. •troopers of the fiist contingent come home. ."While waiting for the tram to arn\e I saw a girl with a badge in her hat. She wore a blue mackintosh. She saw my badge, so if she leads this she will know who it was. The Im(perial troops stopped at our station for ten anmutes. I thought they were just splendid. 3. got a small keepsake from one of them. iWhat interesting letters Rough Rider writes. {For the last one she wrote I think she deserved Dum Dum's badge. She must have some rough Tides, indeed. Wulhe has not forgotten us after all, as I see a letter fiom him thi3 week. >I am sorry to tell you the other magpie is 'dead. My little niece is still m the hospital, %he is getting on nicely. The weather here 'is very good for harvesting, I hope it conjtinues over the Easter holidays. I see by the (paper that the sixth contingent arrived safely «t Pretoria, so my brother will have some idea t>f war by this time. A few days ago my sister tod I went for a long drive — 24 miles there and back. There were a lot of hothouses where iwe went to, such lovely bunches of grapes and such a lot of tomatoes. I tasted tome Cape gooseberries, and we saw a small tree with a few oranges on it. Have you ever tasted Cape "gooseberries, Dot? With best wishes to Dot fend all the D.L.F.,— Yours truly, SCOTCH THISTLE. [No, dear, I have not tasted Cape goose[berries, but I have seen/the plant growing. It pounds quite tropical to read of an oiauge tree in fruit and Cape gooseberries, but of course .they were both under glass. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l know 12 of your little folk. We are having lovely weather just now. It is a pleasure to be m the sunshine after so much ■wet weather. Our roads get very muddy m

1 the winter time, so the people here are busy getting in their winter supplies. When do , you think this horrible war is going to end, I Dot? It is wonderful how De Wet always ex- ! capes from capture. I agreo with Flounder that you should put your photo in the centre of the next group. Rimbecco had a nice long letter in the other week. We get the Witness from the office regularly every week, and I always lead tha D.L.F. Page. Corporal Con writes very nica letters describing the places he stops at or passes through m the Transvaal. Dear Dot, you will be able to visit us when the iailway is finished right through. They are busy working at it just now. It will be a great time m town, when the Duke and Duchess of Coinwall arrive. I am trying to get down to sec them. What do you think of my norn de I plume? Has anyone got it before me?— Yours rU y> GENERAL MACDOXALD. [No, General, I think you are the fiist to wiite over the signature. — D~OT.] Dear Dot,— l enjoyed the Times' picnic vc-iy much, and the journey by tram, too. I go every morning to feed a lady's fowls, and to chop wood, and then I run to school. Sha is a nice lady, and I like her. The gentleman gave me a holiday to go to the Times' picnic, the old Philosopher took his booli3, and came out on his bike; but I think he studied much that day. Oh, IT I'll tell you of something funny. We — that *s, the Old Phil., Solomon Slow, and myself, wcie going a short jouiney by tram, and the Old Phil, forgot his book. As we were passing the Witness office, he bolted in, got a Witness, and 'we all made for the tram. When we got there, Sol and I got our lecture as usual. We were to enjoy ourselves, but always to keep him and that Witness in sight. We hadn't gone very far when an old gentleman quietly took the Witness from under the Old Phil's arm, and said, "Thanks, sonny," and gave him sixpence for it. I would have given sixpence for Struan, Boy, or Wulhe to have taken a snapshot of the Old Phil's face, Dot. Nearly everyone in the tram wore the Witness smile, except the poor O. P., who looked well — puzzled. Really, I think the old gent enjoyed the joke, too, for I could see him smile. I expected every minute to hear him burst into a hearty ha-ha-ha ; but he seemed interested, and when I looked at the paper it was open at our page, Dot— l i_ can the D.L.F. Page. I wonder did the old gent do it for a joke, Dot? or did he take the O. P. for a Witness seller? Well, we didn't keep the Witness in sight that day. Wasn't it a rich joke, Dot 9 Love to you all. The D.L.F. at the picnic were all nice girls. — Yours truly, BERT. [I don't wonder at the O. P. looking puzzled, I Bert. It seems to me that it was a fine joke for everyone but the victim. I should almost imagine that the old gentleman is a regular rea-der of the D.L.F. Page, and that he recognised the Old Phil., and hence his action. I I hope he will see your letter. — DOT.] ' Dear Dot, — I promised to tell you about my dut.es. I sweep the office and run messages. Well, Dot, I run the whole concern — or fancy I do. What would the Budget be without Solomon Slow — no, I mean what would Sol Slow be without the Budget 9 Well, I must say, what on earth is there that an editor doesn't know? My boss actually knew who So'omon Slow was a long time ago; so I can't wear the Witness smile at the office, but I wear the Budget grin. I was astonished when the cd.' told me, but he keeps it a secret. My nickname at my office is " All's Well, my hearty." That might give me away, but I don't think so, or much caie. Didn't Landau and Spent Gunpowder give the Old Phil, away ? Didn't I roar, as the O. P. can't retaliate, and must swallow it. Landau, are your initials A. F., St. Clair? I didn't get a hohdey for the Times' picnic. I forgot to ask, Dot. Well, I'm glad to see so nwny plucky High School boys in your page. Poor Old Phil, was the only one till old B. O. 8., joined m— glad of your success at shooting, B. O. B. It's time Pom Pom came on, too. Go ahead, Dum Duin the Famous. I'm always intending to run 111 with my mite for the Cot fund, and yet always forgetting through my voracious appetite getting the better of me, making me take a bee-line for home at tucker time. I'm glad the critics have not deserted the page. Rimbecco has gone oa her holiday trip, and we may look out for a long account of her travels. A little bird told me, Rimbecco. Well, the census papers are filled m and gone. They were April fool papers. Tlie O. P. was made an April fool before he left ior work, and he got three letters on April Fool's Day, but wouldn't open them to read their contents till the day was past, and then the writers were the biggest fools at last. Only one proved an April fool's letter, but tho O. P., being alive to the trick, proved himself one tco many for the writer. It was a pity. One of my chief mates is only 79 years old, and he remembers how this city looked in the early fifties. What fine old yarns he gives me of those good okl early days. Good-bye. Love to all. Would my old churn inpke a good D.L.F. too, Dot' — Yours truly, SOLOMON SLOW. [Well, I am afraid we could scarcely admit him to our page, Sol., as we must draw the line, and I really think our present age limit is quite far enough on. However, you might perhaps induce him to contribute a mite to the D L.F. Cot fund Of course, it would be veiy welcome i even though your friend may be a great-grand-father I am .sony you did not think of asking for a holiday for the picnic, as we should all have liked you to have been included m that i interesting group of D.L.F. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Since I last wrote to you I have found out who Star Queen, Cainien , Sylva, D.O.S , Scallywag, Chum, and a great number j 01 others are. I meet Cherryripe every Sunday. ! Our school sports were on Saturday, March 23, I and I joined in some of the laces. I came in first m the Guls' Handicap. I got an electioplated butter cooler. The sports were a gieat succesp. There were some valuable trophies given. I was looking aiound to see badges, but of course there were none to be seen. Last Saturday my Sunday school teacher took our class up to the Reservoir for a picnic. We had such fun. We went up m the afternoon, ?nd it turned out to be a lovely day, but towards evening it grew chilly. A little after we had tea, we went away along the Reservoir, and up thiough the bush, and came 111 front of the teacher and two of the gnls, and we all let out a great yell. After a little, we all trimmed our hats, and then we left, all feeling very tired. With love to all the L.F., not forgetting youiself,—Yours truly, GLORIA. P.S.— I shall send my subscription to the Cot fund soon.— G. [That vas a delightful spot for your teacher to choose for the picnic, Gloria. The suiroundmgs are perfect for a picnic, and I do not wonder at your spending a happy day.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I go to school, and am in the Third Standard. I also learn music, which I like very much. I know 10 of the L.F. I went for a trip to Taranaki a few years ago. I went to the Bluff a little while ago, and saw the steamer Westraha leave. Dear Dot, I saw the Imperials at Gore, and I thought them very nice. We milk two cows every night and morning. I like Dum Dum's, Wulhe's, and O Mimosa San's letters best. With love to Kkaki, Ivis, Lady Crorne, not forgetting yourself and ths editor, — Yours truly, LADY WYNDHAM. [You have been quite a number of trips, Lady Wyudhain. It 13 a, pity your visit to Taranaki

was some yearo ago, for had it been lately you might have told us quite a lot about the garden of New Zealand.— DOT.] Detir Dot, — Htro I am again — turned up like a bad penny. I should not be surprised if you do not recollect having a letter from Acacia, for it 19 sui.li a long time since I wrote to \ou — about nine months ago. I should think you would not wish foi many coirespondents like that, eh, Dot ? You have a correspondent writing to you under the norn de plume of Whitpooi, have you not 9 If so, I know him well, for I was at his place for my holidays at Christmas. The Duke and Duchess of York are not coming here, and it is a great disappointment to us all, but there is some talk about letting children go Lcs to Dunedm to see them. — Youis truly, ACACIA. [Well, I don't knew, Acacia , you know there arc so many new correspondents eve^y week that it is quite a relief to find one who is content with a. letter m nine months, though of course it would scarcely do for everyone to take thiee-quarters of a year's holiday fiom our p&ge, would it 9—9 — DOT.] Dear Dot. — I have always been wishing that I could write befoie, but mother «aid I was too young, but now I have made a start. I am eight years of age. I go to the Highchft school, -and am in the Thud Standard. Mr Whyte is my teacher, and I like him very well. I have four sistots and one brother. One of my sisters stays with my aunt at Balclutha. She goes to school down there. With love to Dot, — Ycurs truly, HAZEL. fit is a very little letter, Hazel, but of aourse you are a very little girl.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We always read the L F. Page, so we thought we should like to write to you, as many at our school do so. We know 80 of your correspondents, but that is not many out of 1000, is it. Dot? We saw the Indian tioops the other Monday. They stayed here about 10 minutes, and we had a very good view of them Gipsy Nell, are your initials M. H., of L. 9 If so, v, c know you. Reka has not written for such a long time. Some of the letters are very interesting, especially Con's and "Wulhe's. With love to all the L. F., not forgetting your own dear self, — Yours truly, CASSIE and RENE. [Eighty correspondents is a very big number to know, Cassie and Rene, even though there are over a thousand writing. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l have four brothers and one sister. There is a dredge being built on the river near where we live. I am nine years old, and am m the Second Standard. I know five of the little folk. The Saturday before last I was playing with a boy up the park, and I had lots of rides on his tricycle. I have a little grey kitten, and I can't find a name for it, as it is so bad. — Yours truly, CARL. [Dear me, Carl, fancy a kitten being so bad that you cannot find a name ior it. Why, it must be a little Demon. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have been recognised nigh and low, and so I had to alter my norn de plume. I don't think I'll be recognised now, Dot. Do you tiimk I will ? Harvest is at its height, and most of the crops are cut I did not see either the Imperial or the Indian troops, but I shoukl very much have liked to have seen them. Dum Dum's dialogue was very amusing, and CorpoTal Con's letters are a great surprise, as I did not think he would ha\c much time for writing in the Transvaa'. Wulhe writes most comical letteis, does he net ? and I am very glad he has not left us. I have found out who Rimbecco is, and if I am not mistaken, her initials are M. H.— Yours truly, MIRIAM. [I don't think altering the norn de plume will be effective, Mmam, and I fancy you will find these who found you out befoie will have no difficulty in doing so again. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — The weather is lovely at present, and we are having a lively time of it. Dear Dot, excuse a little private talk, please. Sister, do you remember speaking to me at Owaka sports 9 I have changed m> norn de plume since then. My sister and mother stayed at your place a night, if my sister has not made a mistake. Are your initials J. W., or one of the W.s from B.? If so, write soon and tell me, as I am going there for a holiday, and shall probably see you. So Wulhe has come back. lam sure all the L. F. are pleased to hear from him again. Dear Dot, I have cut your photo out of the Witness, and put it m my album. Aren't some of the photos very nice, Dot ? I shall give the L. F. a riddle before closing Why is a cow half through a gate like a penny".'' — Yours truly, QUEENIE. [So you have got Dot's phcto, have you, Queenie ? I hope you took the right one, dear, and not the one you feel sure is like Dot. You did not enclose the answer to the riddle. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I iust thought I should like to become aD. L. F. I used to wiite to you when it was customary to sign our propel name. I am 13 years of age, and am in the Fifth Standard at school. I -have three brothers and one sister, but my sister is at service, so I have to stay at home with nay mothei and zo to school. Dear Dos, I know only a few of the little folk, but I hope that I shall goon know more. Lady of the Lake, are yom initials J. G., and do you live at L. 9 If so, I know you. With love to yourself, — Youis truly, THE GREY-EYED DARLING. [Dear me, what a long signature' I wonder if the hnotjpe man will be able to get it all into one line > However, it is a signature that gives one something to think about, and I am trying haid to picture what this particular grey-eyed daihn^ is like. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — One clay my friends and I went for a picnic down to the Stirling Bu-jli, and, oh l we did enjoy ourselves. First ot all, wo had dinner, and then we took a walk right thiougli the bush and decorated our hats. We saw some beautiful birds, which were singing exquisitely. At last we thought it would be nice to go and see the Stirling Dairy Factoiy. Heie we saw an interesting sight — the great big tubs of milk which the men were swinging to and fio. Dear Dot, did you ever see such a sight ? We then thought it was about time we were making tracks up to our camp to have tea. About 8 o'clock the drag and waggonettes came for us, and, oh, Dot, what fun we had! We were saigmg all the way home. Dear Dot, there aie plenty of girls wear badges here in Balclutha, and they look so pretty. Next time I wiite I shall tell you moie about my pleasures. Best love to the editor, yourself, and all the little folk.— Yours truly, ETHEL STRIDES. [Why, here is another suggestive nameEthel strides, does she? Well, I suppose she can get over a good deal of ground m walking to school, so it is no doubt an advantage to possess such an accomplishment. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am just going to wiite a shoit letter this time — one that any other L. F. would be ashamed to send. My hat, with my badge m, has gone astiay, and I cannot find it. I had my photo taken a while ago, and I may send one for the next gioup. If it is taken with another girl, can it be taken off ? Because it is with a fuend of mine that 1 am taken. Since I last wiote, I have been for a tup to Gore, and I enjoyed myself very | much. I met a few L. F. while T was down south, including Gwyimeth and some othcis. I also met Shan.'** mother, who was awfully nice.

I met her m a tiamcar 111 Wellington. Wullip must have lost himself among the Maoris. I hope he will come o>"er oui way. He is not so far away from us, =0 I shall look out for half a, turnip coming Walking up the street. Where is Jessie C. now 9 She is also lost. Good Gracious' what awful mbbish I am wining. I think I had better stop. With best love to Gwynneth and all the other L. F., — Yours truly, RANGI MOKI. [Yes, Rangi Moki, it can be taken off, but it entails work in painting out the other one, so I think wo shall leave both in.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — This is April Fool's Day, and we did have fun, I can tell you. We told the girls that their belts were undone. I have just finished my les=ons, and I am going to bed m a little while. lam going out into the country on Good Friday May I ask you a few questions 9 How can 1 keep my ha'ids white and my face fiee from pimples 9 Feo, why don't you write 9 lam certain that jour initials are J. S. J., and that you live n O. The weather here is very changeable just now. With love to all Dot's little folk,— You/s tiuly, NANCE O NEIL. [Fancy Nance O'Neil wanting to know how to keep her h^nds white and hei face fice from pimples' However, perhaps this 13 not the original bearer of the name, and if she is only a schoolgirl I should advise her to let both her hands and face become as brown as the sun will make them, and not begin to bother about her complexion till she grows up. If she will not take my advice, she had better write to li -j incline, who may perhaps take another view of tho niattoi — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I must tell yen that there has been a temble fire heie. On Saturday, the 30tli ult., a large bui'dmg which was divided into offices and two shops was burnt to the ground, while another shop close at hand had a naiow escape from bemg burnt al^c. The fiie began in a room up-3tans, and soon spicad. The building comprised two offices, a painter's shop, a drapery shop, winch had seveial rooms attached to it in which the clothes were made, £>nd also a laige room, which was the brass band room. The fire started about 10 o'clock on Saturday night, and it was burning till 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon. I am glad to say nearly everything wss saved. The next building, which was a di apery shop, had all one side of the roof burnt, and all the ceiling boards were knocked off, so as- to prevent the building from catching firs so easy. The people got all the goods out safe, but a lot of them were spoilt — silks, gloves, stockings, and such like. I am gad to say it is all over now, but or.c building is burnt and the other is all charred and partly burnt. I must tell you that in Riverton there is no fi.-o brigade, and no water laid on, so the people have to depend on. the water m the tanks owells. Wishing ycu and all the little folk good luck, — Ycurs tiuly, PISCATAQTJA. [What an exciting time you must ha\e had, Pi^catiqua. I should think the boious,h council will now think seriously of devi<-ir~ <» < atcr supply. It would pay itse'.f 111 time, n i'O doubt the insurance rates are very hjgh in consequence of the lack of wator. — DOT ] Dear Dot,— l have found out the names cf some more correspondents since I las: wrote to you The haivestmg is going on 121 full force m this parl of the district just now. I did not Let io see tho Indian troops, fo. v'uch I was very scny. Dear Dot, on. el'ioc! teacher is leaving us. She has been tcac!m:g heie for a good many years now, and I do not think v,e shal 1 get «uch a good teacher again i". a hurry. I am very glad to see that WulLe h?s made his appearance again. Do jou like lead iig Scotch, Dot > I do. I started a Scotch book the other night, the name of v.hich is ' My Man Sandy." I h ive got four books as prizes at school, and I have read them over three or four times each. A new book is not very lopg in the house before I find out where it is, and lead it. The last time I had a letter in the Witness, one of my schoolmates cut it out, and whenever I make her angry she says she will '•.how it to pveiybody and tell them whose letter it is. Do 3cu not think it is mean of her, DoL ? The fiist time I made up my mind to write to jou, Dot, was when I was away for my holidays. The last letter that I wrote to you was a very short one, but I don't think this one will be mvfth longer. Maidey was reckoning that the Sou+h Island weather is at present very wet and disagieeable, but I don't agree -with hei, as we aie having splendid weather. I ihiuk I shall have to stop now, or I shall be falling asleep. So with love to all tho L.F. and yourself, Dot, — Ycurs truly, VANDELIA. [It would certainly be mean of your friend if she weie to cairy her threat into effect, Va Ideha; but I don't think she will do that. The autumn weather down south is, I think, usually the best of the year. What a giand Easter time we had this year.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I wiote to you once befoi", but I did not see nay letter m print We hr.ye had very good weather lately. I see that Army Lassie was asking if Inex lived at W. 8., and if her initials were B. A. 9 Well, Army Las=ie, if you meant me, you guessed my initials wicug. I see that another L/.F. wnte& under the name of Inex Well, I think I took the name' fust, but the other L.F. has written oftenest. She might not like to change her name, so X will. I received my badge a long time ago. and I am very much pleased with it. Dear Dot, have you got many badges left ; If you have, I may send for another. Can you answer this iiddle, Dot 9 I do not know what it is —What animal is it that has 10 tails, 100 nails, and not a foot but one ' With love to all the little folk and Dot, — Youis tiuly, A COLONIAL. [Yes, Co^.nal, I ha\e plentj of bpdgcs now, so Hut fo Giio need hesitate about senclinp; fo± a second one. I really do not know the answer to the riddle, but peihaps borne cne may tell it to us.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— Are not Coiporal Con's letteis intciestiiig 9 I think it must be temble m South Africa. I wish the war was over, don't you, Dot ? lam in the Fifth Standard at school, and I shall be 12 on Eastei Sunday. One morning we had to come to school at a quaiter past 9. We managed to get to school at the time appointed, but we did not want to go m, so we went and hid till about 9.30 am. We then went up to school, but the bell rang. Dear Dot, I know a few of your correspondents. Cosmos, aie your initials M. A., and do you live at S. ? O, Lady Robin, I think you must have a lazy fit. D ear Dot, do jou like leading > I do. Whenever I have a spaie mordent I alv\iy<3 have a book m my hand. I have read a good few books. Have you read ' The Swiss Famih Robinson" ' I think it is a splendid bcok When I lead it I always wish I was with them. I see by the Witness that ncaily all of the little folk aie giving an account of then holiday, so I think I shall relate mine. My sister and I went to Dunedm to stay with an aunt who had been down st Romahapa fishing. The firtt thing we did when we got in was to go and look for the cat and kitten^. The next day we went to Wnth's Circus, and greatly enjoyed oiusel-es. Are not the beais ugly crcatiiies 9 I did not go too near them, I assuie jou. as I was too fiighteued. Alter a day or two we wont to anothei aunt's place. After a week had gone by we went out shopping and my sister and I spent almost 10s at Mi Escott'.s shop We went down to Poit Chalmers the next day to \ lsit a lady friend who is going to Ameuca When we \me ceauKg kguie we

were in the same carriage with another g.rl who had a badge m her hat. Dear Dot, do \ou hko kittens } I do. I think it is so nice to watch them playing about We have eight cows miikiiig at night, and six in the morning I th.nk I shall conclude this letW now as I have trespassed already. Hoping the editor will noc be angry, I remain, dear Dot,— Yours tiuly, FANNY. P.S. — Mother says it is no wonder you are good-tempeted reading all the funny little letters you leceive e\ery week. — F. [Ah, I suppose she thinks I am always laughing at my little friends, Fanny, but I ,>m°not. I always try to put myself in their place, and see things in the same light as they do. You h?d quite a nice holiday, dear, and 1 hope you have been workirg hard smce ps some'httle retail for the good time jou had.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— Here I am once more, and I mnst thank you very much for my badge, which I got some time ago. Things are very quiet up here just now. So Mimo;a thinks she knows me. I haidly think so. However, will jou write, please, axl giv - e the initial of my first raire only 9 and if you are right I shall not hccitate m sajing =0. I hardly -think anyo.:e c» ctpt Cooee kneuvs who I am, ao she is the or>ly one I have told, and, besides, she collected my fiist letter. What great excitement was caused when the Impenal troopers visited oui colonies. I was at the station and had a good yarn to two of them. They were trying to take away some things of mine, but I wouldn't gi/e them the cba*e. I was ot a picnic some time Ego, and I enjoyed myself. I shall not mention what picnic it w?s, or I may be discovcrpd >ou knew. I see Wulho has written at last 1 Well, I trust he will write often. I like his letters •veiy much. I know who Ziska, Maidey, Dunedimte, Areta, Roby, Jessica, and otheis are. I foigot +0 mention that I know the Glenomam writers also. I often go down there fcr a trip, you knoiv. I fancy Rollo is Fifi writing under a different name, and if she is not, well. I have made a mistake. A few others think the same. I see Fifi and C.C.M. are m town. Dear Dot, I shall not be able to send in my rn.te to the Cot fund yet, but will do so latex- on. What with hair pins, ribbons, and other things, money soot disappears. My next letter may be a little bit more interesting than this, as I am going to Wilshir Bay shortly, and somehow I always find something to say when I'm clown there. I may pay a visit to the lighthouse, and also to the new signal station which they are electing. Then may I write and tell ;ou about it all, Dot 9 And now, with love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own self, — Yours tiu'y. FERRY. [Of com re you may. Ferry, wo shall be glad te hear ail about your ho ! iday. — DOT ] Dear Dot, — My "drama" has been subjected to some severe criticism by a member of the Critic Clvb — Sally — and a writer who signs herself Nemo. I intend to take no notice of Sally's c-itici^m. because, as a membpr of thais club, it i° his duty to give his opimo 1 on the letters, end, bcs:dp = , I don't mii'd bemg criticised m the way hr d'd. .But whe.i s. whole letlei 1= demoted in if (wlu'ii is cxtieniviy peisoiisi!, and I must add linpeitincnt '111 its tone), I caniiO 1 ' let it pas~ tm^h lilpiiqe'l. As Nemo is apparent^ an ally of tho C C , I shall loply to both hei a^d Sally's objections. Sally's objection? are (1) That it shou'd have been called a ''faice' , j2) That it would hint the ■feelings of the ' character. ' I shall say nothing about the fh^t object'o^i, because- S?lly did not Sivc » lea^on foi it, wbich at onco makes it i-ppeoi a gicundl< s =s one. Piobably he has reasons for it, and he might tell me them next tin:e. in which case I shall leply and quote various authorities, m support of my contention. Tha second objeci.on holds good foi both Sally's an-d Nemo's letteis lam first charged with "hurling the feelings" of the characters. No 1 "/ I am in a i^os;t:on to say that I have ie:ei^ed letteis from seme of the characteis themselves, 111 winch they say 'the^ didn't mind in the lenst," and "that they thought it great fun." Now, there is a \eiy weak pouit in Sally's a'ldi Nmio's case, combined, which I have iust noticed. I am taking them aa being both 011 the Oiie sid? — soy, the plaintiffs — and myself the defendant. While Sally th.nks the diama wojld not amuse the "chiiacters," but onK those not 1:1 the drama, Nemo thinks "it will only amuse those concerned in it ' AVhen two peisois on the same side differ in their cvidoncp like tins, their case is immediately decided against them. In any ca'e, I hf4ve a'so received letters from D.L..F. sayng that "tlie drama was especially interesting pud amusing." and many such phrases. Again, I am charged vith putting .expressions or conversation 'n vluch girls are not in the habit of u«mg Thisobjection is at any rate the most unfounded ore of any, as I have b?en told by both grov, L-iip» and D.L F. that "it is just how g i's talk." Didn't one of the very characters herself state m one of her letters that "it was quite original" > No,v come the more serious and personal charges laid against me by Nemo, 'ihe whole essence of her letter is that my diama was "nonsense," "ought not to b.ivo been pitted," "that it wasted space, a.:d thit I write for tlie pmpose of lnteiesting "on!> a certain number cf the leadeis. Suiely Dot is the best judge 01 the subject. Nemo 9 The last charge I ie?eiit veiy much. I have alwr.js enc!ea\ o.:rsd to wiite 111 the interests of the who'e prge. and, judgiris; from letters I have lecencl, I have succeeded 111 satisfying the majoiity , but was theie ever a percon 111 this woild who succeeded in satisfying eveivbodv' xl 13 criticism is especially aggra 1 . ating ior I am alwya ready to hrlp to increase the interest in your pngf>, Dot, either by sending the W tness to those who don't see it often, 0: b^ malviji£; an occasional piosentation of a badge, 'lhank \ou for taking my pait, Dot, and I sxiiceiely apologise fcr using that term "stiuck, ' but we a±e all apL to make mistakes at times. In cct'uc >on, I hope you will excuse 111 " for emus '^crt to my fcolm^s so fie^y, but I p'erc! c.^tLi noting circumstances as tins 13 thy l^v.aid I fct foi tryir>2 to do my btst for the pacje genei^'ly. Nemo is evi.dp.nl \ a female, consequently ( as I am a male) I don't wish to discuss this again. I enjoy belonging, to youi page rnoie than anything, and am only too gad to assist it o. the L.F. 111 anj way I can, — Youio truly, DUM DUM. P.S.— I don't see what "effusion" has got to do with a wntten diama. — D. D. [As Nemo has had her sa>, and Dnm Dum h r is effectively replied, I think all should be satisfied, and we can now K't matters stand as though the discussion had ne\er aiisen. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Easter is drawing nigh, and on. Monday we aic going for a piciuc providing the weather is fine. We cm get pkn'ty ot mountain hhes up heie. I have read ail Dickens' s books, and most of the Wa\ erley screes. Margucnts and Cooee vuiie nice letteis. Dear N., hurry up and write. With lovr to Dot and all the D. L. F ,— Yours truly, LIVELY DAMSEL. [I had no idea that mountain hhes grew on the hillsides m your neighboiuhood, Ln ely Damsel. Are you suie the} die the real mountain hly?— DOT.] Dear Dot,— We have a veiy long distance to \v«->lk to school, and when v.c come home we have J good appetite for tin I like leach-'t? the little folk's lette " >mi,-h, and especially those from Rll - K cocl many diedges here ' ;etti'-g plenty of gold. Th * Jiau'iC claims here, anc 7 pi city well, especially on i<- li^nt. We alj, intend" go' - - nl. Vv'ifcli