LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2465, 12 June 1901, Page 67

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot,— Kawarau has commented upon Iti7 description of Pigeon Island. I notice. Thank you for your dattermg words, Kawarau, but I assure you I do not deserve sveh praise. I should have liked to have giv<Mi a longer and jr.ore detailed description of the island, Dot; but I had to make it as brief as possible, though there was much more I should have liked to ir.ciude. I must not complain though, for you were kind enough to print my letter, notwithstanding the amount of space it took up. Ere this re<tches you I suppose you will have received my last and the subscriptions the members of the seventh contingent gave towards the Cct Fund, together with the list of subscribers' names. Do you know, Dot, if another contingent ■were leaving New Zealand (which, of course, is not at all unlikely, is it?), I would collect irom the members again, co that our ifund •would soon reach the required sum; and I ■would feel more confidence in myself this time. I wasj very shy last time until the persons I have mentioned in my last helped me to forget my bashfulness, and thu3 made my work turn out a succeps. Would it not be grand if wt could make up the sum before the cud of the year? I was very pleased to see how much Dewdrop and Mistletoe had added, and what they, had done to make up the amount. Let me use the common saying, Dot, in corgratulating them on their work by exclaiming, "Good on> you, Dewdrop and Mistletoe; jou have done splendidly!" Xow, as I promised in one of my previous letters to continue later on my description of the goldfields, 1 will take up my subject where I left off, and carry .1 through to the best of ray ability in each letter that follows, -and perhaps by the time I reach the retiring age or, I hope, long before that — I shaH have concluded my descriptions, and can then write upon other topics. I began with Coolgardie, and I must finish •with it before I can continue with details of my journey to Menzies, Kalgoorlie, etc., and my experiences of the bush country, and how I got lost. Coolgardie, I think I mentioned before, was only a small town when first I came to it, and had not developed into the great city it is new. It was full of aboriginals ■when I first came into it, and when first we saw these natives my brother cried out: "Oh, look at the Maoris'. How did they get here?" The idea of such a thing, comparing our intelligent Maoris wi<h these filthy veeless blacks I blush to have to admit my bicther made such an error; but ho had never seen anything 01 the kind before, and naturally he looked upon, them.- as something akin to Maoris. "You would bs surprised if you cculd realise the true character ot the W.A. jiativa (but 1 feel sura all I might pen from now till' goodness knows when would convey but a meagre ide* of what they really are. They are a very useless race, thcugh I have heard it said they do some maivelleU3 carvingj but thafc is the blacks of tho ncr-west, and not those I tame in contact with. They wear very little clothes — the men only indulging in some old cast-off diggers' pants and an old threadbare shirt, and to the -women simply wearing an old skirt fastened •up over the shoulder, instead cf around tho ■waist, and strapped across ihe back they carry a bag in which to keep their food, if they are lucky enough to receive any iioiu the hands of some good Samaritan. But 'tis little they get, and very often they have to go hungry. When we first 3Tived in Coolgardie, we took pity on them, and were feeding them one day, when a signal from them brougbt'a whole tribe around the door, together with their piccaninnies and dog 3, and they carry these lattei in their arms more often than the piccaninnies. Of course the proprietor of the boarding house came out, greatly annoyed, and ordered them off; but they would not go, and afte we fed them they laid down outside the house, in the hot, broiling sun, with their dogs iv their arms, and soon became a feast for the flies. It is wonderful how these degs stick to the blacks, and when once you J^se a dog and these blacks get him, no matter how faithful an animal he has been he will not leave the blacks. They feed on snakes, too, which they consider a dainty dish : but unless they kill them themselves they will not touch them. Coolgardie is also full of Japanese, who keep fruit and ;001-drink shops in-liessian buildings. In Kalgoorlie they occupyone whole block of the irain street with these shanties, adjoining each other, and thus preventing the whites fTom building near them. It spoils the look of the street, and yet as ihe land is their own, they cannot b-s- removed. It is amusing to watch the v.-o-m<ai in their native dress sitting cross-legged on the giound before a little fire in the centre t'f the building, talking to each ether in their native tongue. Asiatics (according to ■the W.A. law) were prohibited from entering the goldfields, yet these Japai.ese gained acct-ss to most of the towns. Scm9 of the •wemen I saw come up in the trains dressed as English women, which dress they scon discard when they are saife within their shanties, all of which are built of wood and hessian. Fienchwomcn also reign in numbers on the goldfields. They, too, keep" the ■cool-drink stops, selling, 1 believe, under this veneer more intoxicating drinks than soft ones, and they too have whole, blocks of Lcuses bxult of hessian and wood like the Japanese. So, you see, Europe and Asia were fairly represented on the goldfields, Dot, as well as in other l&\vr.s. When we -tfere there bui a few days ■wo began to feel the effects of the intense heat — and it is hot up there — and felt that we should sooner be back in dear old K"ew Zealand than remain long there. It is simply roasting in Coolgardie. In fact, I believe it very neatly reaches boiling point. Well, I have Bam a dish of water placed outside in the sun for about 1C minutes, and when brought in it was hot enoxigh ~to wash dishe3 with.

You. have never seen a "willy-willy," I suppose", Dot? Well, I shall* just tell you about one, or rather give a vague description of ih«ni. It is a cloud of dust like smoke that twirls itself round and round, lifting up all manner oi articles as it comes along, and sweeping everything before it. You watch it, but you never know, where it is going until it comes upon you — then you know! I was standing vith my back to one of these " willy- willys" once, laughing with a girl friend, when it came along and filled my mouth so that 1 felt the efiects for days after. Oh, yes, you've got ■fco look out for them, and close youv eyes, grab sour hat, and wait till they pass by, for ■sine of them are veiy strong, and will lift yovi

off youi feet. I have secii a woman lifted up about four feet into the air by one o[ them. ISTice experience, eh, Dot '> But that's nothing in companson with the flies of the golciflelds, which simply swarm there, and get into your food and eveiythmg, if jou aie not careful. If is nothing to swallow a dozen flies 112 a cup of tea 011 the fields, but as one gentleman lemaxked to me once, ''they take ihe place of food," though I cannot saj they are to my taste. When eating your food you have to waid them off with one hfnd as you eat with the other. Then 111 the mornmq they wake you up the moment the sun lises by buzzing lound you, and jou find it quite impossible to pleep unless you smother jourseif by putting a cloth over jour head. You see. the cure is as bad as the disease, so it is just get up and get nd of them, and when you do you find your nostrils and eyes are full of them. Very nice, don't you think? But I didn't. The little sugar ants are just as troublesome, and the only way in which the people up there mastered this little insect was by putting the legs ot all their sates and tables into tins, of water, which they found they could not- swim thiough, and so the ants were beaten.

It amused us greatly when we saw the "cheap Johns" bawling out in some vacant block of land in the streets, and further mi some sellers of fruit, which lay spread out on cases under torch lights. Then agitin we see the fUhmongoi sawing through the ie; fiid weighing xmder his torch light more ice .it times than fish; aud otil] farther on, at some coiner, we s-ee a speaker addressing a crowd of "diggers" as he stands upon a trolly, while a gentleman seated on a box beside him takes the part of chairman, and holds lip the torch light in his hand to enable the miners io get a glimpse of the speaker. I'ni pfraid you'll say when you've read this that I have not given very interesting details, but they Die to come — that is, if you are not tired of what I have already written. Now, as my space is filled up, I must leave what I intended writing ifor my next, when I shall describe my journey to Mcnzies. At picsent, With fond love to all, yourself, and editor, I will conclude by signing myself, — Yours truly,

DAISY PRIMROSE

[Well, I don't think any of us will be anxious to exchange our New Zealand home to reside in Coolgardie, after what you have told us, Daisy Primrose. A cool climate is evidently -preferable to a very hot one."— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I see Old Writers' Week has come, and gone again. I intended to send in a letter, but like myself, again must plead laziness as my only excuse for not doing ao. I wonder how many of the little-big folk can boast of having seen the comet every night for a whole week ? Well, I for rue can. Dear Dot, since I last wrote to you I have been for my holidays, and whilst away I met Cynthia, Shamrock, Alys, Marguerite, Clementine, A Daughter of Erin, and Macrocarpa, but not the mysterious personage called Doc. Just fancy Old Girl being m Duiiedin three wec-ks and could not muster up enough courage to go to the Witness oflice, but, of course, it is my misfortune, nob my fault, that I am shy. Dear Dot, I think the photo of the D.L.F. taken at Outrani Glen just perfect; but, oh, poor Harrj ! — how shy he looked. I think he might have smiled, considering all tlio pietty girls that were with him. My sister knews Ivy, your initials are I. P., and yotp live in Dunedin, Ivy. The Witness has just arrived, with the portraits of ;etnrned troopers. Is it not nice to see &o many of c at brave boys coming home again? The war does not seem so terrible to those who get their own back again : but, oh, how terrible to those whose lc-ved ones lie undei the veidt! I suppose the next great event will be the arrival of the Tuke and Duchess of Cornwall, bvit I am sorry to say it is my turn to stay at Lome (as I witnessed the arrival of both Imperial and Indian troops), wid 'seep house like the D.L.F. quartet; but 1 hope inj attempts at cooking will not be so fruitless. Now, dear Dot, I think I have had a fair share of your page^and so will step out to give the younger folk a show. I shall now say farewell — or will it be adieu, r.dicu for ever ? — but nevertheless I shall always take graat interest in your page. lam sending half a orown to the Cot Fund, and hope it will be a great success. It is good-bye, not au revoir, this time. — Yours tiuly,

OLD GIRL

(Full name, Lizzie Law, Eweburn),

[So Old Girl has gone, in rader to make room for the hundreds of new girls eager to take her place! Well, farewell, Old Girl, and a3 we know you are not deserting our page altogether, the regret is lessened to some extent. What numbers of our older writers seem to have dropped out of vhe page the last six months. I often think of noins de phime which used to appear regularly, but which are ne\ er seen now. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I find it very hard to write an interesting letter after reading those which have appeared of late. However, I shall make a desperate attempt. O.W.W. was a great success, but still many of the best writers were absent. What has become of you, Shan? — you' haven't written lately; you also, Laddie? Hurry up and write soon, both of you. On* May 3 a concert was held in aid of Allan M'Dougall, who was run over by a train and had his arms broken, both of which had to be amputated, one near the shoulder and the other above the wrist. The concert proved a great success.- Two of oui boys returned home lftely. They received a very enthusiastic vtlcome. " They weie met at the station by the band and a large crowd of people. A luiggy was waiting outside the station, but the volunteers unharnessed the horse and drew the vehicle themselves. At the town hall speeches were delivered and pongs sung. Refreshments were then handed round, after which the hail was cleared for dancing, but there was such overcrowding that there was not much pleasure in this. On Friday n'ght a. limelight lecture was given by Trooper Waldie, of Dunedin, the proceeds of which also go to the Allan M'Dougall fund. The views were lovely, and were shown very clearly. During the evening a box of chocolates which was Sent out by our late Queen to the soldiers in South Africa was handed lound for inspection. During an internal in the speech Troopers Munro and Paul were each presented by the young ladies of the district with a Maltese cross Alison and I have gieat times new. Two weeks ago we went to the top of Mount Puketapu, and, dear .ne ! what a time we had. The wind was blowing a hurricane. Abscn vowed she would never go up Puket&pu again. We are having such terribly lough weather just now, but 'at this season of the year ws can't exisect good weather, can we, Dot? If any D.L.F. like to send then autos. I shall send mine in exchange. I have over 40 now, but am not satisfied yet, you see. Dear Ziska, I think 1 can beat you, as my list of found-ouc D.L.F. has gone up to 304. I yonder it any D.L.F. has more than that on her list? I "had the pleasure of seeing Dum Dum's photo the other day. Now, Dum Dum, you will be puzzling your brains to find out how I came to see it, but I'm not going to tell.. I think I shall remain a mystery — that is, if someone else does not tell you. With love to Dot and all the D.L.F.,— Yours truly,

CLARISSA,

(.That is lather tantalising for Dum Dum, Clarissa, but do not be surprised if he finds 3ou out-, for you have helped him by letting him know the district in which \ou live. — DOT.I

Dear Dot, — What a variety- of little folk you ha\ c i'ov. — not like what you used to ha\e. 1 have a' ways been thinking o£ vwiting to j- ou oi.it somehow X na\ c alwsj ? id ilccl 121 clomq; so until to-night. I know a few of your ccirespo.ndent3. Alexandraite, I know you by Mght, .but not 1o speak to. You pass the doei of tho hou-sc 1 am staying m on your vay to school c\cry mounng. Your initials ar; F. W., aro thej not J. C, what norn de plume do you go under ' 1 knew you very vol. You and 1 get painting lessons together. Now, I suppose I hu\e let out on myself by saying aything about painting. l;o you like painting, Dot? St. C'ainte, I also know you by sight. Youi name begins v lth 3J, doe's it jiot > 1 used to stay out at St. Clsur. 1 used to see you going to and from Hit 1 beach. Whenever I saw your pholo I said to mamma "I know St. Clnir'te, by sight, any way." Deir Dot, I pioy of you rot to gicwl at ma for writing about other people in my veiy first letter. I should Jike to know \ cry miich, too, who you are. lam up here fo- a holiday )ust now, so perhaos 1 may come to know a lot of little folk before I go away. Dear Dot, i know Corporal Con to well. he is such a idee \oung tiooper. My brother, who was in S.A., met mm over there. He said that he was a grand mate tn hpve I hope jou will bo able to read this scnbble, and also lupe "ou will "forget and forgive" this dreadful writing, for somehow ] cannot v.rite to-night, a3 I feel so dreadfully sleepy that I can scaiccly see- out of my eyes. With love to dear Dot, Mr Editor, St. Claiiite, Alexandraite (hoping she viU come and speak to me some of these times, when she sees me), J. C. (whose r.cra tie plume I do not knov/), and the rest of th? little folk. — Yours truly,

AILEEN,

[You liavp certainly indulged in. a gieat deal oE private talk. Aijeen, and this is quite against tho iule; but as this is your first letter there is some excuse tor it, and of course in future you vail keep within limits.— DOT.}

Dear Dot, — I sec that your number of correspondents is getting bigger than ever, so I suppose you will soon be putting a notice in the Wituess for no more little folk to write as you have enough writers already. What nice long letters Dum Dum and Rimbecco write! I should like to be able -to writ-e letters like them, but I don't think I ever shall be able. Dear Dot, the district 1 live in is a very quiet little place, as it can only boast of a sawmill, a school, and some dwellings; but one consolation is that it is near Orepuki. By the way. Dot, could you toll me if there are any other little folk writing fiom here. If so, how many? I have been puzzling my brains io think who you could possibly be, and I, like another little folk, have come to the conclusion that you are the editor's wife. I think I must stop now, as it is time I was in bed. With love to the little folk, no', forgetting Dot and the kind editor,— Yours tiuly, WATERFALL.

[ISTo, Waterfall, I could not stora Lew writers c< responding, but as there is of course a limit to our space, my only course is to declare a holiday foi a few weeks, as I have just been compelled to do. I hope, little folk, when this has to be done, will refrain from writing, or if they do write they must not be disappointed if their letters are not inserted. Yes, dear, there are several correspondents in the vicinity of Orepuki, but I really cannot say how many. —DOT.]

Dear Dot,— We get the Otago Witness every week, and I like reading the little folk's letters. I like Rimbecco's, Boy's, and Dum Dum's letters; but I think Con's are far and away the best. I think the Boer war will soon be over. We are milking 10 cows at night and 12 in the mornir.g. Dear Dot, we live very near the sea, and also to the bush. When I W rote to you last, about a year ago, I was in the Fifth "Standard, but I passed very successfully, and am now in the Sixth. I have two brothers and one sister going to school with me. I don't much like going to school. I only know one corresoondent who writes- to the D. L. F. Page. There are only four pupils in the Sixth Standard at our school. We have two canaries which we got at Easter. I suppose you have seen the comet, Dot? I saw it very plainly Oxi Friday night. We have had some very wet weather since Easter. My birthday is on the 17th of May. There are only about 40 pupils going to our school. With love to Dot and tbs little folk, also to the Honourable Mr Editor,— Yours tiuly, SOAPY SAL.

[Dear me, S. S., the editor is rising in the social scale. I wonder what he will think when he sees the height to which he has attained. However did you come by your remarkable norn de plume, dear?— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— As I don't see any from about here I shall try to tei! you a little about the two districts nearest to us. First of all I suppose I must start with the largest one, thcugh neither of them is very large. Wyndham is a good distance away, but there is a fa nly good road all th" way. There are three churches in the township— Presbyterian, English, and Catholic. The houses in Wyndham are all very nice, but the shops are not much, though there is a good number of them. The streets are nice and wide, and altogether it is quite a lively little place. Edendale is not nearly so large, although it has a better chance, being on the main south line, while Wyndham is only on a branch line. The principal building in Edendale is the dairy factory, which has, in the height of the season, a daily supply of between two and three thousand gallons of milk. The land in and about Edendale was until a short time ago all worked by the one company, but now it is quickly being taken up in farms. A short distance fiom where we live is the Mataura River, which affords a great deal of pleasuie to the anglers, &s there is any amount of excellent fishing to be had in it. The fishing season is over now, but the river ttill affcrrls good sport in the way of duck shooting. Dear Dot, my sister and T vent out for a ride on our bicycles the othei night, but as it was very dark, and it started to rain before we got home, it was not a very enjoyable ride. I know one of your correspondents. Dear Oroua, are your initials N. R., and do you live at B. ? Now see if you can guess who I am. I suppose I have given myself away telling about Edendale. With love to all the little folk, — Yours truly, MIRA GITANA.

TThat must indeed have been a disagreeable ride, Mira. It is bad enough for it to be dark, without the rain coming on. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I know a good few of your correspondents, among them being Boy, Laddie, Dum Dnm, Harry, Lyddite, Dunedinite, Whiffles, Feo, and several others. My sister is one of your little folk, but I shall not mention her norn de plunie, because I should be sure to be found out. I was at a soiree a few weeks ago, and I did .enjoy myself. The night was -not a very good one, but in spite .of rain and everything else a large number turned ovit, and altogether it was a great success. I have been away from school for a few days with that troublesome affliction, toothache. It is not a very agreeable companion, is it, Dot? I shall be 12 years old in August, so I have a long time to write to your page yet. My sister and I have a pony each, and we ride to school. The roads are very muddy just now, and I am glad that we have not to walk. We have three miles to go to school, and that is a long way, isn't it, Dot? I shall now bring my lettei to a close, or the editor will be growling at another new correspondent. With heaps of love to Fatinia and Rosarona, not

forgetting yourt,e'f and the editor,-- Yours tlUl\, PLUMP. [■\yh\ , P^T^iip, yon l;ncw co 1"i1 "ic E ;nonc'oiii3 o.e. 100 imlf<s apart, iUul sovn.U fit tlldll lOPg C.US:torces fiom whcie you hve. How did you get to ki-ow them, e'ear.''— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Having ior a considerable length of time worn one oi your D.L.F. badges, I thought I would wnte to you, as my interest in your pages is gieat. in fact, v. h"n oue <=t?rts to icad the hlile folk'.s letters paid alto to vrite oneself (so I am told; one gets what is known as the "Dot craze." I know a girl who staited to write to you, and she talked so much about Dot and the L.F., that one of her brothers told her that it was all she thought about. Do you lemember that, Jessiea '> Poor old girl, you a lot of teasing, but it 1= all ovee now. I hope I shan't get po much. There are a good few waiters m this small place. I see Tussock is dic-jding having the mill. (You will miss Jessica for that, Tussock.) Wei!, we have passed through that oicleal once more, and I can tell you it is a rare old time. Old Writers' Week was a great success'; I was pleased to see letters from Pauline and Miss Muffet. I wish Nevada or Zilda would treat mo to a ride on their pretty little pony. I am very fond of riding, but usually when I get on a horse I find myself on the giound quicker than I expect, and no one helps me to dismount either. Queer, isn't it, Dot? Like most of your little folk I intend going to town to see the Royal visitors, and I hope to meet some of Dot's L.F. Once when 111 town I uiet a- boy wearing a badge, but he was walking quickly, and did not notice me. He was coming from the wharf, and judging by the descriptions I have heaid lately, I think it was our far-famed Harry. Now Brunella, Mistletoe, Nevada, Euphrosyne, and Zilda, don't weary your biains trying to finfl me out, for I don't think you'll manage it. Let me know if you succeed. Good-bye till next time, Dot. — Yours truly,

[I fancy you will soon be found out, Mela, through mentioning so many D.L.F. It is so easy to give yourself awsy, and I sh.aU be surprised if jou have not done so. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l know a good few of your correspondents. I have never been in Dunedin, but I hope to have a trip there some day. Dunedin will be very lively when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall arrive. I hope the war will soon be ended, for it is a terrible thing. I live in the country, and I think it is very nice. I have never seen a train or the sea yet, but I hope to fee them some day. What a long time Vevei^e has been wiitmg to you, but she has not long to go now. With love to Dot and the little folk,— Yours truly, ROSE MERRY.

[You have two pleasures in store for you, Rose Meny, but I fancy the sea will cause you more surprise than the tram. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It is about seven months since I wrote to you last, but here I am again, like a bad penny, always where I am least wanted. I did enjoy the last O. W. W. I think the letters were just splendid ; but I was disappointed iv there not being a letter from 8.0.8., as he used to ba my favourite writer. Dear Dot, isn't it good of Corporal Con to write to the D.L.F. Page when he no doubt has so many oi his own relations to write to. I have two brothers and a cousin in South Africa, and I wish they were home again, safe and sound. I have been doing a little "finding out" lately, and ha.ye found out who Harry, Sol. Slow, Bert, Mary, Sweetbriar, Jessie, and Alys are, and I know who Dunedinite is-. Your initials are A. S., are. they not, Dunedinite; please say next time you write to Dot. I think I shall be in town to see the Duke and Duohess of Cornwall and York, and I hope to see some D.L.F. I have only seen one badge since I got mine, and that was worn by a boy. Dear Dot, have you seeu the comet? We have a splendid view of it here, and it is very beautiful. With love to all the D.L.P., and heaps to yoiirself, — Yours truly,

CLOTILDA,

[8.0.8. must be getting quite a man now, Clctilda, so we can scarcely expect him to return to our page offer leaving it ifor good. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— We have been having love.y weatl.er this week, but we had a fall of snow about a, foitmsht ago. Have you seen the ccruet, Dot? It has been here fince last Saturday. An entertainment was held here to welcome one oE our boys back from South Africa. Corporal Con will, lam sure, receive a hearty welcome from the D. L. F. when he comes back. The Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Singers held a concert here last week, and it was very amusing. Hurry up, Wullie, and write again. I have found out who you are, V. R., but I don't think you know who I am. Trapping is in full swing, so Ihe poor bunnies are catching it. With love to all the D.L.F., and not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly.

NELSON. ' [Poor bunnies, it is sad to think that they have to meet with a cruel death, but I suppose it cannoi be helped. If they were ferocious wild beasts we should not mind so much, but they arc so harmless that we cannot help being sornr for them. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— Old Writers' Week being over I shall now send you a line or two. How nice it is to havo Old "Writers' Week now and then. I enjoyed the letters very much. I could not help laughing when I read about Boy and his pauny ; A was too bad of the other boy to take it from him. There must have been a trick in tossing, for "Heads I win; taib you lose." I have heard my brother say that when he and his mates were playing rounders, he knew a trick in tossing the bat. Since I last wiote to you we have had a fall of snow, rather early, ■ was it not ? I did nrif go out to snowball, because I always get the worst of it Our soiree was held here in April, and notwithstanding the ram, I enjoyed myself very much. It was very dark, and when, after the tea, my mate and I were walking about, I put my foot into a hole of water, and got my shoe and stocking soaked. " Expectation " and " Realisation " were not very much the same in the quartet of Maisie, Dockieaf, Little Lady, and Echo, were they, Dot? I do not think (as someone, said before) that you are the editor's wife, Dot, because if you were, ha would arlow you more space without growling about it. With love to all the little folk, the editor (poor man — he gets enough scolding from the little folk), and the lion's share ifor yourself, — Youfs truly, MARIQUITA.

[Well, dear, if your brother's trick in uossing the bat was as one-sided as Boy's acquaintance's method l of teasing, it was very unfair, to say the least of it. "Expectation" and "Realisation " was very amusing, but I don't wonder at the four participants in the experiment being glad to see their parents back again. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I only know two girls that wiite to you, aud they are Rum Turn and Fifi. We all go to the same school, and are great friends. Did you see the comet, Dot? I saw it two or three times. It was very bright on Saturday night. Have you ever been to a euchre party, Dot? I was invited to one last Friday night, but could not go. With love,— Yours truly, ROLY POLY SAM.

[It was a pity you could not get to the euchre party, R. P. S., as I have no doubt 5011 would have enjoyed yourself had you been able to do &o.— DOT.I

Dear Dot. — 1 see -\i> s Jfuiitt «av= -he haa caught tho .uitoj-aph ci.iro Well. 1 thimty I hene Siot tlir- pl.olr^i.ipli a-3 no!! ,i tie .nun. cia^e. l"uc &\ m L>t^m o aie alii'O-t the siT.ie. I UStd to -VN.'.it .111 . mc.i^pl, boo. win n.™., , but as blich a thug could rot 'up sol hsif, I had to be content with 11 biitluhty ijco'-, so when I get autos. of D.L.F. I just st ck them 111 it. rSut now 1 am moie .'ir>bitiou«, and want photos. I =hould vcr> much like to exchange photos with any D.L.F., =0 li any photos come along, I shall send mine 111 lctum, and the same with autos. 1 hope MiS5 Jluffet, Clementine, Sabma, aud Fatima will send theirs as they ako wished to exchange. Zi&ka says she is too ncivous to ude a hoise. I think I should be, too. One day when I went to a fiK.id's place, she hpd not long been learning to ude, so she got the pony saddled almost fiist thing. She wanted me to get on first, but as I did i.et much like that ictea, she got on herself, and had a canter lound. Then T got 0.1. Fnr a. while my friend led the pony, aiid then I we.it by myself , but every minute I thought the saddle would slip lound, or something else dieadful would happen. After a htt'e I tned to canter, too, but the pony insisted on trotting, and bumped me about so much that I could hardly stick on. However. I got on not sc badly, and quite liked it, but I believe I should rather have a bicycle just, now, for I can ride o^.e of them. Jessica said she knew my name, and that I gave myself away. 1 did 1101 mind that, Jessica, for I knew your name some time before the O.K.P. picnic. Dear Clnny. do you do the senior K. and P.' Because I do too, and should like to exchange autos. v/ith you. Then I should know if 1 saw your name mentioned. Dear Admoyn, rue your initials A. D.~? Dear Dot, I think it was St. C lair it c who offered to exchange photos with any D.L.F. If so, please forward niiue on to her. I received the photo safely, Ziska, and thank you very much. With love to Maidey, Elaine, all the rest of the L.F., -and Dot,— Ycuis truly,

LANETTE. [Auto.-collecting has become quite a favourite piirsuit with the L.F., and I irequently have quite a pile of letters to have addiessed. I wonder if photo-collecting is going to develop into a big thing, too?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I hope the next «voup of photos •wili not be long m appealing now, as I am always looking for them. That was a very nice ietter from Wulhe. Corporal Con's letters are very interesting. I was at Gore to-day, but I did not see any of your correspondents. Do you like cats, Dot? I am veiy fond of them, and they tell me I am going to be a ma-id — you know what kind of one they mean. I think G-. Y. M. and Vevette are very good writers. That was a very nice present "Wullie got fionx one of the L..F. I think the Old Writers' Week was a great success. I have a good few years to write yet, as I am only in tho teens. I could not think of anything to tell you about , sc as we are writing m the bedroom I had a jump on the bed to see if that would bring win any more news, but it was no use, so 1 shall just have to try my hardest. Is not an orchard a very pretty and useful thing to have? Ours was not very prolific this year, but I suppose we shall just have to wait, :?r.d probably have better luck nexj time. I should like very much to coirespond with some of your L.F. — Yours truly,

CUCUMBER.

[That vvas a novel way of trying to get ideas lVto your head, Cucumber, and I am sorry it did not prove more successful However, thinking hard is. the best plan after all. — DOT.] '

Dear Dot, —l have just finished reading tha Old Writers' letters, and I think this Old Writers' Week has been a great success-. Rimbecco has a very good letter in, and so have all the rest. Fancy Rimbecco being only 17, and yet she haß had her hair up for two yearE. I will be 17 next month, but I am not going to think of putting my hair up for a few years yet. I don't think I could write as good Utters as Rirubeoco if I tried. I see some ol the little fcik are troubled with a teasing brother . Well, lam also one of those pool unfortunates. I have to cook for three boys, and the othei night I made them a jam roll, and what do you think they did when I took it out of the pot? One of them gou under the table and the other ran for the gur, and when they had eaten it, they went outsido and were taking fits and rur.ning abou J . as though they were silly, and vOOlv ool me na( l to s+and"and watch the effects of my poor rolypoly; but they haven't seen one since, so it serves them right, doesn't it, little folk? Do you like riding, Dot? Ido My mate and I go for a ride often, and I have a ride every day down to the boys' hut. I know who you are, Nihil Nameless ; you were sitting beside mj at the Band of Hope the other night, weren't yoxt? I wonder who you are, Gillie, and Mac. 1 wish you would tell me whe you aro. I see Fluff says Dum Dum takes up too much room, but I think his letters could r.ot be too long. Dear Boy, are your initials E. W., and do you live at A.? Wasn't that drama on visiting Dot, by Dum Dum, good. Dot, although one of the little folk thought it was nonsense? We are getting the miil tomoirow, and then we shall have to fly round, as it is a but>y time when the mill corces. It is a good thing it only comes once a year. Did you gee the comet, Dot? Isn't it a beauty 0 It is the first one I have seen. I can't get peace to write this letter, as one is reading it out aloud, and the othei one is wanting the pen. Do you remember me writing to you about seven year* ago, Dot, and telling you about a duck I had that had got its head hurt? But, there, 1 won't fill up youi * va'uable space with telling you sbout an old duck, but will close with love to Dado, N ; hil Nameless, and heaps for yourself. — Ycurs truly,

[You certainly took the best of punishing those teasing brothers,. Mite. I have no doubt they enjoyed the loiy-poly, notwithstanding ths fun they made ovei it. Thsy will probably not carry on any of their antics ever the next cne you make. However, it ,vas only fun after all, and perhaps you laugh at it yourself new just as much as they do. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — As it is now over six weeks since I sat down to write a letter tc- you, I have almost forgotten how Io make a beginning. Well, 1 shall make a start, whether I finish this letter or not. The all-prevail-mg topic »vith us just now is the weather, which, I must say, has been very bad, and over a week previous to writing ihis we had both snow and rain, mterinixsd with stormy gales. Dear Dot, the winter has crept \ipon us rapidly, but if we get some fair weather similar to that of last year n tho months of May and June, of course we shall not mind it much. I notice that the faimers are all commencing to plough their gicund for another year, and the horses will be kept busy at that job for pom? time to come. The roads in this district are all being metalled, which I must say was a want felt, especially by the farmeis when they had to cart their grain thiough the mud, which was double work en the horses. Well, Dot, I muse alter my discourse to something concerning the L.F., and I also want permission to ask a few questions relatingto the L.F. Dear Butterfly, if lam not mistaken, I think jour identity has jassed within reach of my ears. Your initials are M. ML, and you live a+ L., do you not' Bum Dum and O Mimosa San, did you not formerly gc to the High School at I.? Will >ou please ii'form me, L.F., in your next letters if 1 am right. Will not Dunedin be full, and

nerhaps overflowing, with people when the ISS couple come m? If I gomto town Slh my sister (who is also a D.L.F.), we hope to come into contact with seme D-KF. tfy the way, Dot, that just reminds one to let you, SdriSo some of the L.F. know that I had an -Interview with Mary Ann Forsyth, and I asked her if it was her cousin >vlio wrote from ; Icotiand, and 3he said that it ys. She appears, judging by what I s,aw of her, to be a ?ery nice |irl You reside at 0., do you not, M A F ? I was down at M. station, one day not long ago, where I noticed a group c 4, Dunedin Htgh School boys, but not one of them that I could perceive wore a badge. 1 did rot go into Dunedin to see the reception that the returned troopers got, but one of them ■was out staying with one of our neighbours, sad I got ar. introduction to him. Dear Jam Roll I have found out who \ou are. Are not your initials A. D., and do you not live at D? " Write soon, Jam Roll, and tell me whether lam right or not. Dear Vanity Fair, I was pleased to see a letter from you in the Witness not long ago. You seemed to be enjoying yourself that night, despite the ram. Well, Nowema, if you forgot 1o psk my name, I was every bit as bad, as I forgot what jiour norn de plume was, so you see we were a forgetful pair, were we not, Dot? With love,— Yours truly, PRIXCESS MAY. [Forgetfulness seems to be a fault with little fo.k as well as big, Princess May, but of course ■when two D.L.F.'s meet there is &o much to ; talk about that it is no wonder that something is forgotten.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I wenc into tew.i to see the iiooos ccme home, and I saw ihree of your badges. I was with one of my friends who •writes, and she gave them the Witness smile. I have two friends who write, so I thought I should like to do so also. I nad the Little Folk's Page every week, and I like it very much. What a number of D.L.F. you have. I should think you have about s thousand. Kovf wood-bye. Dot, with love,— l ours truly, NERISSA. [A thousand, Nerissa! Why, lam sure I have a long way more than a thousand in my bcok, so I shall not admit to thtie being any less than 1200 correspondents low, of course counting in those who have retired. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have always taken great interest in the L.F. letters, and espeaially those of Dunedinite, Cooee, Harry, and Jessica. I suppose you would like to know s? little about Hastings. It is an inland 'own on the line between Wellington end Napier^ and is noted for its fruits, great quantities of which are exported nearly every day in the fiuit season. Thore are a great number of Maoris living about here, and chey are very excited over the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall's intended visit to Rotorua. There are MO going from th 3 surrounding districts to that place. I krow a girl who wears a badge, but does not write, though she has promised to do so, and I shall make her stick to her promise. At the 2few Year I was out camping for a week, and •it was "kapai." One evening a girl friend and myself went down to the beach for a wade, ■when all of a sudden it began to pour rain.

liesult: a shower bath that was not very acceptable. I daresay some of the L.F. will "wonder what the Maori word "kapai" means, so I will tell them that it means "good." The Maoris always carry tbeir piccaninnies (babies) on their backs, and it looks very awkward, but they don't sepm to mind it at all. Please. Dot, excuse a little piivate talk. Huia, are your initials M.-L. ? I know you very well, and often see you on the railway station. What do the autographs the little folk are always talking about take, the form of? A fortnight age I was on a visit to the cruntry, where I enjoyed myself very much indetd. We are having beautiful weather up here for this time of the year — not cold, like the South Isiand. lam 16 years old on May 22, and I am sft Sin m height. Dear Dot, are there jnany other L.F. about here? I am sorry Tussock started writing just as it was time for her to knock off, as she writes very good letters. With love to Duu^dirite, Cooee, Kuia, Nosaer, Punch, and Ivy, not forgetting ycurself,— Yours truly, MIZPAH. [Why, Mizpah, you spelt "kapai" "karpi." That is not tLs way we down south spell it; surely the spalhng is the sarno m the north. Aj.yhow 1 have altered your spelling this time, and shall imagine you wrong unless, you tell me lam mistaken. The D.L.F. autographs are merely the norn de plume and the proper name and address, wi+h the date, if thought desirable.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— The /first thing I read is the letters from Dot's little folk, and which I always enjoy very much. In the beginning of November in the year 1900 1 went in foi a scholarship examination, and it was not until tha month of January that I knew I had won a scholarship. The scholarship examination ■was held in Napier. Having won a scholarship, I am entitled to two years at the Napier Girls' High School free. The head teacher is Miss Spencer, and she is respected by all her pupils. lam vow having my first term vacation of nearly three weeks. Dear Dot, have you seen the comet yet? I have seen it a good many times. It is still visible here. •In the mornings up here it is very cold and sharp, and there has been a frost already this season. My second youngest sistei is in the fThircl Standard at school. A magazine is published every term at the Girls' High School at [Napier, and in the last number published there was s piece of poetry called "The Land of Counterpane." I have some relations and friends living in Dunedin, and therefore I "take an interest in what is going on in that locality. The High School girls have a badge tnonogram with the initials N.H.S. on it. About fi month ago I went to the country on a visit to a girl friend. She had one of the badges mi Dot's little folk. I know one of the. li.F.

who lives near here. Her norn de plume is Huia, and I should nke to ask her if her initials are M. L. ? With love to the editor, L.F., and yourself,— Yours truly, N. H. S. [It must be very gratifying to win a scholarship, -■«. H. S., and I should think ycur parents were greatly pleased when the result was made known. I hope you will not relax jour exertions during the time you are at the High School.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — At cime of writing we are having terribly stormy weather. The rcofs of houses, trees, fences, and telegraph posts are being blown down by the wind. I lu.ve a big re-tric-ver dog, and we. are great churns, indeed I tliink I shall call him Chum. lam m Standard V at the Park School, and my teacher is Mr Burnsid-e, who is very pootilai with us. At the Park; School we have a football team, and we play all the otaer schools. We played the Marist Brothers' School on Saturday last, and got beaten by 30 points to nil. I should like to -nrcte letters to other boys if they would send me there addresses.— Yours truly, COLONIAL. [There is a rule, Colonial, that no letters are to b© written between correspondents without the parents' consent. This mle applies to boys as well as girls, as possibly the parents may think their sons have quite evough to Oo without engaging in a correspondence with other boys.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— Since last I wrote we have had ■very dry weather — the kind I like best, but not the kind that the farmers vant. Scarlet fever is going about everywhere, and one school has already been closed for a month Luckily, ncne of our family ha?e yet caught it. When iR Jessie C. going to write again? I always liked her letters veryv much. I like Ziska's letters tco. Although this is winter, we are having lovely warm weather, except m the mornings, when the (frost is about. We get the Wit-iess every week, and we always have a run for it. The first thing I turn to is the D.L.F. Page, and then for the Editor's Wallet. I shall close with a riddle for the little folk, that won't take up much room : —"Why is a donkey like a penny when he is getting through a gate?" — Yours truly, DELL. [You should have sent the answer with the nddle, Dell.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Since I wrote to you last I have found out who Ladysmith is. There will be a great crowd in Dunedin when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall arrive. A number of our school children are going. Please Dot, do you know if the straw we are to sleep on will have any covering? When I was away for my holidays I went one day with G. Y. M. to see a dredge. It is very interesting to see how it works. Have you ever seen one? With love, to yourself and all the little folk, — Yours truly, MERINO. [As there is no likelihood of large numbers of children coming m charge of the teachers, as was at first proposed, Merino, I think better arrangements will be made for those who do come. Nc doubt there would be covering of some sort to the straw under any circum-

stances.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I think I am going to Gore for my next holidays I have just been reading the Witness, and I find that someone else has takeii my norn de plume, so 1 fhall have to sdopt another one, but it is not the first time I that I have changed it. Dear Dot, did you ever learn to play the piano ? Is it not very tiresome practising? My mata is now impatient for me to come out, so good-bye, — Yours truly. 21LLA. [Yes, Zilla, practising is very tiresome; but the more peis>evering ycu are tlie quicker you will get over the drudgery, and ccme to the interesting part of the work.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Here I am again, after an absence dating back to the last century. Some of the L.F. no doubt have forgotten Melinda May by now, but as I still belong to Dot's Page I must try to write a little oftener, when space permits. Last time my sister and I were in Dunedin, Dot, we brought a large bunch of mistletoe from the Waipori bush intending to call at the Witness office and leave it for you, but as it was a good distance down town from, where we were staying, and having just arrived by the evening tram, we postponed our visit till the morning, thinking also we would have a better chance of seeing Dot. But in the morning when we went to get it, although it had been in a tub of water all night, it looked too withered to take to you; but I hope to have better luck next time, as I intend to bring you a bunch when it is in bloom again. I enjoyed my holiday notwithstanding the numerous visits I had to pay to the dentist's. If you have ever been there, Dot, you will understand how long it takes to reach the top of the stairs. It would need Harry or one of the L.F. at the top, with the Witness smile, to keep one from glancing so often behind. I must tell you of an incident about a cat which belonged to my sister. It took a disease in its throat, and could not eat, so we decided tc drown it. After the bag was ready with a large stone in it, we had a great chase before we could secure the cat, but it was caught at last, and in spite of many a pitiful mew it was tied in the bag, taken to the river, and quietly dropped in; but, oh, Dot, you will hardly believe it! in two days after the pat was home again. There was a small hole m the bag, so we came to the conclusion that it had got out before it reached the rivei. Aftei svich a struggle foi life it deserved to live! What dc you think, Dot? But as it did not get any better, it was caught again, tied m another bag, and this time it was drowned, as I have not seen it since. Dc you know, Dot, that -Harry Farrei went with one of the Victorian contingents tc South Africa? I am sure all | the .UF.. including myself, wish him well and

a safe return. I have been locating for a letter from him to the L.F. Page, but there has not been we. Perhaps he will write yet, as he writes home regularly. Love to Clementine and A Daughter of Erin, not forgetting our faithful Dot. I enclose 2s 6d of stamps for the Cot fund, wishing you also, dear Dot, every success in your worthy undertaking.— Yours truly,

MELINDA MAY.

[It was a pity, after you had biought the mistletoe so far, Melinda May, that it should not last long enough to enable you to reach the Witness office with it. However, your intention was good, dear, and I thank you for the trouble you took over it. They say a cat has nine lives — meaning, of course, tliat it is very difficult to kill — and yours certainly proved that. No, clear, I had not heard that Harry Farrer had become a soldier, but I have often wondered what had become of him. So Dot and her little folk have two soldier boys now. I hope Harry falls in with Corporal Con, and then we snail hear about him. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Heie I am again, encroaching upon your valuable space; but I have not ■written to you for some time, so I must try to make tins letter as interesting as I possibly can. I was down m Dunedm m Februaiy, but I did not p-ay a visit to the Witness office. I stayed down to see the Indian troops. I thought they were a fine strong body of men, taking them on the whole. One of them \va& so difieient fiom the others, having red hair and a led moustache — at least that's what I call it, but "auburn hair adorns thy head, but spjteful people call it red." I expect that is what the poor Indian thinks. 1 suppose it was a great day m Port and town on the day when some of our gallant boys in khaki came home. They deberved a grand reception, for I am sure they have had some knocking about fighting for their country. The visit of the Duke and Duchess is approaching nearer every day. Nearly everyone is gomj, down. Perhaps it will be the only chance we shall have of seeing them. The Orchestral Society held a concert in the Sunday schoolroom last Friday evening. It proved a great success, the room being just full enough tc allow for comfort. The proceeds were to go towards paying off a debt on the instruments used by the society. The fire brigade arc to have a. torchlight procession and concert on the 23rd, which promises to be a success, there being imported as well as local talent. Dredging is still the topic of the day, but the craze has died down a little. The Hartley and Riley is not having such big wash-ups lately. The weather here has been frightful. We had a fall of snow in April, while on Fiiday night the wildest storm experienced for some years set in, the place being lit tip by lightning. The school children are going to hoist the flag presented by the male ex-pupils of the school, and the female ex-pupils are to give a social on the same night. With kind love to all D.L.F., the editor, and yourself, — Yours truly,

MISS PRIM.

P. S. — I enclose a portrait cf your friend Pussy to insert at the head of the L.F. Page. — M. P.

TI am afraid before your letter appears the hoisting of the flag, the social, .etc., will bs ancient history, for there are weeks of letters iv before your turn comes. However, it cannot be helped, and if you have seen the x^ictures of the hoisting of the flag before jou read your letter in print, perhaps it will enly make the letter more interesting. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — You must get tired reading all the little folk's letters, lor you get so many of them. I have only one brother, but I have three sisters. We are having \ery cold weather lately. Won't it be a disappointment if it falls through about the children corning to Dunedin to see the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall? 1 think it would be much nicer for the children if it had been in midsummer instead of in midwinter. My little brother is only four years old, and he is trying to vnte a letter. I know a good few of your little folk. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly,

DAEK EYES

[No, Dark Eyes, I do not get tired reading ihe letters ; but I sometimes feel very much puzzled to know what to do with them all, for there is only a limited space, but no limit to the number of letters. It is indeed a pity the Duke and Duchess are coming in midwinter instead of midsummer. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I just thought I would -write to-day, when I had the chance. The weather is very windy now, and it has lifted the roofs off a good few houses. I know about 17 who write to your page, Dot. It is hard lines when one is found out the first time he writes; but I may as well be found out now as after. There a-re about 12 I know in G. When I write I must keep something over the page. We hare a little black cat, whose name is Wee Black Jimmy. AH our cats go away in summer and come back in winter. Dum Dum used to write good letters, but he has not sent much lately. I know Old Girl, and a whole heap of others. I should like to know Uncle's Auntie. My favourite writers art Ziska, Rimbecco, Cuckoo, and Irene. With love to all, — Yours truly,

[Somehow or other I do not like that signature at all. It has such an ugly square look, even though there are only three letters in it. However, I suppose I should not complain, about a signature, for I know 1-ow difficult it is to find one which is not already ir use. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— Winter ha' beer visiting us lately in the form oif snow and frost — a little of all sorts. However, to-day it seems as if the weather is going fo improve — at least I hope so, for I am sick of rain day aftei day. Deai Dot, you will think this a very grumpy letter, so I shall change the subject. What ft B&I town Dunedin will be when tlie Euke

and Duchess amve. I should iike very much to see them, but my chances are "pretty slim" imiess, indeed, they come to Gore, and it is not very probable they will dp that. I really enjoy finding out some some L.F. I have just found out who Silver Grey and Chestnut are. Dear Silver Grey, your initials are M. C., and Chestnut is your sister. But, as private talk xs not allowed, I shall ring off. I know veiy few of your correspondents, Dot, compared with the number some of tha L.F. know, but I know who Rosarona, is very well. I have found her out °ince last writing to your page (know me now, Silver Grey?) Starlight seems to have vanished into thm air. I have not seen a- letter from her this age. But there, as I see the Witness but seldom, it is not to be expected Dot's great army of L.F. could all write in oje week. Why, it would take half a dozen Witnesses to hold them all. Dear Dot, as it 19 half past 10, it is time I was sailing into Blanket Bay, so with much love to all the L.F.. especially Eosarono and Fatima, and not forgetting your sweet little self, — Yours trxily,

DUCKIE,

[We all get tired of the ram, Duckie, but I suppose we should get more discontented if vie had less of it. Somehow we never get tco much foi the gardencis'or the ciops, and our surroundings would not be anything like so green and pleasant tc the eye if we had less. So you sec there are plenty of compensations, are there not?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —ls there room in your large heart for another, or rather two more little folk? My friend Wisteria and I are very anxious to join your circle of friends. I have been very much interested in the D.L.F. Page, especially as I know several of the contributors, among them being Dum Dum and O Mimosa San, also Gillie and Mac, and, I think, Pandora. We have had such bad weather down here lately, and as Jnvercargilhtes will never admit that we have a bad winter climate, the poor innocent cornet has received the blame. The strange part is, no one seems to ,be able to give a scientific reason for the cornet affecting the weather. All I can think of is that its sudden appearance disturbed Fathe. Winter's equilibrium, with the result that the old gentleman has been venting his ire on our innocent heads. We had some enthusiasm aroused in town on Friday, April 10, on account of the return of several troopers. Oiu new mayor, Mr Longuet, welcomed them, and the band played several appropriate selections. But I must not be monopolising too much space, if I wish to win a favourable reception from the circle of little folk. Ido net know how much space this will occupy in print, so' I must clos? my letter, with love to all the little folk.— Yours truly,

PE'TI'NIA 11.

[It is indeed amusing to hear our late visitor accused of influencing the weather, Petunia ; but, you know, we must nnd some excuse foi anything we regard as out of the common, and I suppose the comet does as well as anything else. You forgot to send your proper name with your letter, dear; and more than that, we have already a Petunia writing, so you will have to find another norn de plume.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— lt is so long since I wrote to you that I have very nearly forgotten you. There has Leen hard froat up here, but no siiow. I see Con has not forgotten the little folk yet. It. was a very' interesting letter he wrote a week or two ago. I was down m Oamaru when the returned troopers came in. One of our horses dropped dead the other night, wheii I was ]ust going up to catch it. I think I shall pull in my horns now, or Mr Ed'tor will be growling. With love to all the little folk, without forgetting Dot,— Yours tru'y,

SKIGGERS

P.S.— I think I can save a shilling for the cot.- S

[That is veiy good of you, Skiggtrs; I shall look for its airival some day m the near future.— DOT. J

Dear Dot, — What do you tlniik? I have found out who you are, and also who the editor is; but I do not intend to tell, so that your secret is perfectly safe in my keeping. Dear Dot, just the least bit ot piivate talk, please. Np^, Lady Croome, my imtals are not T. C. Fiti, are your initials M. S., and do you live at I.? If so I know who you are. Deai Dot, I wonder if any of the little folk would change autographs with me. I should be very pleased to change with anyone. Now, Dot, just fancy, I have been .one half day and a part of the evening puzzling my brains to concoct some poetry, but have not succeeded. However, I have not given up hope yet. I don't think I shall be able to get to Dunedm to see the Duke -and Duchess, but there will be so many people there that there will be scarcely room to move. If they go down south I shall be able to see them passing through. Dear Dot, I am sending you one shilling for the cot. It is a very small contribution, but I hope to be able to send the same amount a few more times yet. Dear Dot, lam trying to see something fresh and new every day, but do not seem to get any farther ahead, so I can't get you any fresh news, like Rimbecco, but as the saying is "Try, try away." I have been waiting very anxiously for a letter from the D.L.F. that I spoke to en the Edendale platform, but patience brings its leward. With best love to all the L.F., not forgetting vovirself and the kind editor,— Yours tiuly, ORPHAN.

tSo I am saved again, and this time by the magnanimity of an orphan. I don't think a shilling is a small sum to contribute to the Cot Fund, Orphan. It requires some saving, and I think: d is a very good contribution indeed. Ido not want anyone to punish thems.elves in order to contribute a big sum to the fund.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l read the little folk's letters everj week^ and. I euidx them very much. Cor-

poral Con has not forgotten the little folk although he is away in a far-off land. The-a will be great excitement amongst the little folk when he returns to New Zealand I W a3 in Dunedin the day thst Colonel Robin and the others arrived. We (my three sisters and myseh) were on the tongue wharf when they came alongside. We had a splendid view of them all. There were two Mosgiel boys among them. My father drove seven of them from the wharf to the Agncitftural Hall t<. lunch. I shall now say a few words about a, trip my father had to Palmerston North He left Dunedin by the Mararoa, and had a good sail to Wellington and from there he took tram to Palmerston. He witnessed the draughts tournament there, and 1 is photo wasm the Witness among the draughts players He stopped three weeks in the north and then he came to Lyttelton, where my eldest sister went to meet him. They stayed a few days in Lhnstchurch, visiting some of the surrounding towns. They left Lyttelton by the steamer Alonowai, and had a grand trip to Dunedin I went to town with mother to meet them and they said they wished they were going the same tup over again. I got my photo taken vyth my sister. We got them last week, and they are very good. With love (o all the little. foLc, not forgetting yourself and the editor,— lours tru.y,

JANE G. SHORE

[It seems that we shall not only have to welcome Coiporal Co.i, but also Harry Farrer so we have a double interest in the Transvaal now. You were fortunate m being so near the returning troopers, Jane.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l saw in the Witness the other week a letter from the Countess of Nitksdale. I think the Countess must hare been trying to make up a story of her own. I wonder what they lit the fire for when they found the. young farme. lying on the ground insensible Would it be to warm his feet '■> I hope he has quite recovered cfrom the effects of the mustard by this time. Dear Dot, ;ust fancy being covered with mustard cloths! It is such a soie thing. I believe the cure is *orse than the disease. What kind of weather are ycu having in town, Dot? The weather here" has been dreadful since Easter, and the roads are very muddy at present. Whenever we go out we have to put on great heovy boots, or we would get stuck m the mud altogether. I think I shall be coming to town when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall come, and if so I shall keep a look out for badges. The last time I was in town I kept a lookout for badges, but I did not see a single badse. I think most of the badges must be in the county. There are quite a number of them about here. DearDot, when will there bs another group of photos in the Witness? I sa^v Rimbecco the other day, but I did not know it she until after she had passed. I was very sorry, as I should like very much to know her. I wonder when there will be another letter from, Wulhe. His letters are not nearly as interesting as the> used to be. The letters in this week's paper are very good. Rirnbecco had a nice letter in this week, but she made a mistake about the kakas and parrakeets. It is only the tui and bell bird that have brushtipped tongues. The rata is the only flower that the kaka gets honey out of, but it has a round tongue — at least all those that I have ever seen, but perhaps they are different up Rimbecco's way. Father read the letter out, and he said she had made a mistake. What a trouble bread-making must be, Rimbecco. Ism glad I have none of it to do. lam afraid there are noti many girls about here that can. dc half the things that you mention m your letter. We must be behind the times down this way. Dear Dot, are you a Miss S., and! did you once live at W. Now, Dot, please excuse any private talk in this letter, and I shall try not to break the rules again. Evening Primrose, is your second irital C, and were you up at Oamaru during the summer holidays? With love to Mistletoe, Lilac, and Dot, — Yours truly,

HOETENSIA.

[I thought it was a new trait of the kakaa and parrakeets, Hortensia, but I was not sure enough to express a decided cpinion, and if; was as well I didn't, for you say the kaka. gets honey from the rata, and of ihis I was quite unaware beifoie. No, dear, lam afraid I cannot plead guilty to being Miss S., formerly of W.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Among the new writers in the Witness are two of my schoolmates, who come to school nearly every day. One is Jim, and the other Jim's Sister. There are many pretty birds down here, Dot, including the parrakeet, tui, kaka, pigeon, bell bird, robin, and many ethers. There are two beautiful rivers here — ■ namely, the Maclennan and the Tabakopa. We shall be getting our winter holidays in June. Then, we shall whack the bush down. Wo have to fall feed for the cows in the winter. Dear Dot, we have a tame parrakeet, which is learning to talk. It is about three months old. We have let it out m the" room two or three times. It knovvs when we go to catch, it and it flies about the room. — Yours truly, CHARLES.

[A bird does not take long to learn to get out of the road when it has to be caught, Charles. Parrakeets are very interesting, and are well worth the trouble entailed in teaching them to speak.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It is a long time since I last wrote ycu, but I have been waiting for the number of letters to decrease. The present state of affairs Is the very opposite, as they still seem to be pouring in iv large numbers. I was delighted to see that you had decided for another Old Writers' Week. I intended tc writ for it, as I have been writing ovei the limited time, but I suppose lam too late now. I was in town for my Eastei holidays, and I was also out at Brighton foi a week. I had lovely weather all the time, and enjoyed myself immensely. iWherj, I reached DunecUn statioa I was verj;

pleased to meet Fifi and C. C. M. I also saw a few other L.F. in town, among therm being Dockleaf, Little Lady, and Echo, but I did not speak lo them.. And, on my way home in the train, I was pleased to have the company of Hilda and Euphrosyne from Milton to Lovell's Flat. I read most of last week's letters, and was very pleased to see one from Miliicent, as it was such a long time since she last wrote. Wasn't that a, nice piece of poetry Madge C. sent in? I intend cutting it out to put it in my scrap book. Our schoolmaster has left here for the Northeast Harbour School. We are getting a lady teacher, but she has not come yet so we are having some holidays. We are having veiy Tough weather down here just now, what between rain, hail, snow, thunder, and lightning. With love to C. C. M., Fifi, Alys, Cis, Mfllicent, Sparkle, and your own dear self,— Yours truly, J . O. "■ ■

r Well, you know, it is winter fairly now, J."O. y'., and we must expect spells of rough ■weather. If it only gets it all over and gives us a fine spring and summer, we need not care about that, however.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I now see that my friend has got a. badge, and I hope she will keep up writing. How glorious it will be to see our Corporal Con come back 'from the war. I'm sure all the D.L.F. will welcome him. Isn't it a pity •women weren't allowed to go to the war? If they were, I believe I should have been away before now. It is terrible to think o£ it, though, to see the poor fellows getting shot down like dogs. Thai was a very nice little rhyme in the L.F. Page last week. I don't think there could have been a much more suitable piece put in, do you, Dot? Than we have found out that you are really a lady, and not a man. I used to wonder who you could be at all. Whether you were a man or a woman. I think you must have wonderful patience to read over a thousand letters every •week. We are having very fair weather down ■here just now. I think it is very cold here compared with Diinedin. It will be about 91 miles from here to Dunedin, won't it? I think Marguerite must have deserted us. I tope not, as I think her letters are so interesting. I dare say she takes as much interest in the L.F. Page all the same. 1 think the answer to Barberry's riddle is "dust." I shall give a riddle to the L.F. : — "What makes a. dog wag his tail?" And another :—" What flie3 high, lights low, cuts grass, but never mows?" I think those are all the riddles I shall put in to-night, because I don't think I know many good ones. We can see the trains pass the house here within about a mile, or maybe a little more. I often wish I could go up to, Dunedin when 1 see the train making off in tnat direction. I got a letter from my sister to-night, and she must be fond of writing, for she gave me a solid dozen pages, and was giving me "beans" for not writing her a long letter. When I wrote her four pages, I thought it quite long enough. We had a kineinatograph down here a few weeks ago, and we were shown the Queen's funeral passing. The horses were prancing about, and things looked as if it must have been very cold on the day of the funeral. With love to the li.F. and yourself, — Yours truly, CORPSES JAPONICA.

[Oh, dear, Japonica, I don't read over a thousand letters every week! Why, fshould be at it all my time if I did, and then, what -would become of them? It is bad enough to get space for q.bout 40 a week, let alone 1000. Some correspondents only write once in a year, ' you know, and some have already gone _ » couple of years without writing. It weald "be dreadful if our whole 1200 were to write every •week.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — When I last wrote to you, I told you al>out tlie reservoir. It is all finished new, and trees are being planted around it. I suppose there -will be a great many people gomg to Dunedin when the Duke and Duche3S come south. Did you see the comet which was here"? 1 3aw it for a week, but it has gone away now. I used to write to you over the signature of Blue Bell, but someone elee has taken that norn cle plume, so I am changing mine. 'With love to all the little folk, and not forgetting your own dear self, — Yours truly,

LA BEL.

[The trees will be a great improvement to tho reservoir, La Bel, and no doubt in time it will become a favourite place for picnics, like the Ross's Creek Reservoir in Dunedin. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— You have a good n.any correspondents now, and some ot them write very long letters. Some of the children from our school are going to Dunedin to sec the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. It •will be very nice to see them, but I suppose there will be a great crowd of people there. I am not sure whether I am going yet or not. I suppose you will see them, Dot. With love to yourself and all the D.L,F.,— Yours truly, COWSLIP.

[Well, I hope so, Cowslip. I have never seen a Royal Prince and Princess yet, and perhaps shall nevei have the opportunity again, so I think I had better take advantage of it when it occurs.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We have not had very nice weather here lately, and last Friday night we had terrible thunder and lightning. We are haying a school concert in about a fortnight's time, and I hope it will be a success. One of your correspondents will probably be at it. There will be a great time in Dunedin when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall come. I am going to town at that time, and shall stay with some friends at St. Olair. lam trying to get one of my brothers to write to you, and I think he <Wl do so. With love to Dot and all the little folk,— Yours truly. -

WALNUT

[As you have friends at St. Clair, it will be very nice for you to be in town at the time the Royal visitors are here, Walnut, and I am sure you will enjoy yourself. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have read your page, or pages, ■with great interest for a number of years, and I have at last made up my mind to become one of your little folk — that is, if you will accept me as such. Last O.W.W. was a great success indeed. Some of. the letters were just perfect, Rimbecco's, Cooee' s, Harry's, Maidey's, Boy's, etc., being, I think, the most interesting. I was very glad to see that RimT>ecco still intends to write to you, dear Dot, even although she only writes once every three months, her letters being so very interesting. I should like very much to know some of the D.L.F. who write from Catlins, such as Cooee, Eimbecco, etc. Maidey was indeed very fortunate, Dot, in being enabled to have a whole tour's interview with your most precious and mysterious self. I wonder if Maidey really was so fortunate, and, if she was, would she give us a description of what Dot really is like? I wonder when ova noble D.L.F. Trooper Con will return. The L.F. should give him a hearty welcome when he comes tack, should they not, Dot? I hope Wullie •will not meet with any accidents at the haunted house, and "that he will not be long liefore he writes and gives Dot and D.L.F. a full account of the adventure. Dear Dot, what a, lot you must have to do. Fancy having to answer the letters of over a thousand correspondents! Daisy Primrose, ■are you not a Miss P. ? If you are, you once lived near where I do. Dum Dum looks very well in -the picture in the Witness this week, does he not, Dot? He appears to be surrounded by

some lovely scenery there. The return of the troopers from South Africa will cause a great deal of excitement all over the country, Dot, but Con's return will cause the most excitement among the L.F. A comet is at present visible here, I believe, although I have not seen it yet. Dear Dot, I think I shall now say good-bye, as I lo not want to try our poor editor's patience too much this time, as this is 1 my first letter. With love to Cooee, Bimbecco, Daisy Primrose, etc., not forgetting our most precious Dot and the editor, — Yours truly,

ROSABELLE

[That is very considerate of you, Rosabelle, and I trust the editor will be grateful — if editors can be grateful, for our editor does not show gratitude to ms when I have done my best to get the letters into as little space as possible, apparently thinking I should contrive and condense a good deal more than I do. — DOT.]