LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 72

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot,— l already kr.ow five or six little folk and am endeavouring to become acquainted'with more. Though I passed the Sixth Standard three years ago, I am still at school, for I like many others, honestly believe that "school days are the happiest." Is that not so, Cluny? What capital letteis some of your correspondents write, Dot. I am sure mine will not be worth printing, for the editor will think it a waste of time and space, which are so precious to him. Dear. Dot, before handing the letters over to the editor, carefully look what time it is, and be fully convinced that it is day time, for I am sure he will frown so hard when he sees there are more new writers, that a shadow will pas 3 over the room and you may think that the day has suddenly turned into night. Poor Mr Editor, I don't suppose we must be too hard on you, or else your hair will be turning grey— if it is not already so— with worry. I have not seen many D.L.F. badges, but will be sending for one later on. 1 should like to be down at Dunedin when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall are there, but as I am studying hard for an examination, which takes place m June, that will have to be only an imaginaiy pleasure. As my time is pretty well occupied with my lessons, I have very little leisure for corresponding. I nmst therefore bring this letter to a close with love to Cluny, Davy, Rata, and yourself,— Yours tiuly, ANGLO. Dear Dot, — I suppose you are looking forward to the Royal visit with as great eagerness as some of your correspondents. I am awfully soTry that I can't get dovvn to Dimedin to see the sight, but I suppose" there are more sad hearts than mine. We are having terrible weather here lately. I hope it will soon stop raining, and clear up, so that 1 can get out for a .vice lido without the mud flying when the horse canters and splashing me. I am going away for a holiday soon, and I hope to have -some good fun. lam bad with a cold just now. Lots of people about here have it. Boy evidently won't own up to his proper name. I think he lives at L. H. all right, or he would have said he does not. Yes, Phyllis, my initials are what you said, and I live at If. P. Now, who are you?" Fatima is very quiet just now. She has a new organ, and I think she stops at home to play it. Dear Dot, do you know what it is to be in want of eggs? I have been all around looking for hens' nests, but the hens are on strike lately, and of course cakes are scarce when eggs are few. My sister must eat them all herself if she does make any. Do you like winter, Dot? It is very quiet here then. No one comes about at all. A person coming here from Dunedin would think the people were dormant in winter. There are a few moss-grown, uninhabited houses about, and" it give 3 the place a veiy deserted appearance. Now, Dot, I hope you will excuse this letter, as it is tl ■» best I can write this time of the year. Wita love to all, — Yours truly, ROSOROJVA. [So the generally dull surroundings have the effect of making a dull letter , have they, Kosorona? W-ell, I suppose they have some effect, so we shall all have to overlook any httlo deficiencies thi3 time.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are having a taste of winter now, though it has been a good while m corning. It is raining at present, and I shouldn't wonder to see snow before long. I was pleased to see my letter in print, as I suppose many others aie when they see theirs. When I had mine written and sealed I found that there were no stamps in the house, so I had to wait and get one at the post office. Before thinking of what I was doing, I slipped the letter into the post without a stamp, and then I was in a fix. I stood, thinking what to do for a while, and then I asked the stationmaster to get it for me again. So I got it, stamped it, and posted it a second time. lam just recovering from a cold, which a week ago would not let me speak, but I suppose it will be a while before I take another, as I do not get them very often. I have only seen two badges about here, and, in fact, the only ones I've seen anywhere, for I was in Dunedm last winter, and did not see any in that big town. I should have liked to have visited tha Witness office, to try to get a glimpse of you, but I had not started to write, and did not feel that I had a right to. I hope I shall getTthat far the next time that I am in Dunedin, and that I may meet another "little folk" on the same errand. I did not spell uiy norn de 'pluuie properly the last time I wrote, Dot. It was mother that gave it to me, and I suelfc it according to the way I thought she pronounced it, which I afterwards found was wrong, so I shall put it right this time. Can you tell me anything that will stop new boots from squeaking, as I have a very noisy pair, which I should like to quieten? Love to all, — Yours truly, EGERIA. Clf they are black boots, put some linseed oil in a plate and put the soles in the oil, leaving them tlnu for at least 48 hours. This gets rid of the squeok, but it does not do for tan boots, as the oil runs into the uppers, and spoils their appearance. Should not the name be spelled --Egena, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — This is the second letter I have started to-night. The iiist one I started I had half written when, to my dismay. 1 tinned it over and found a great blot on the back of it. 1 only know 11 of the D.L.F .,'but I am only a beginner, and hope to know more loter on. Dear Dot, did you like Dum Dum's poetry (oi rather dream) that appealed in this week's Witness? I enjoyed leading it very much, as I am sure all the L.F. will. Go ahead, Dum Dum, and some day you will make a grand poet. Did you ever ride a horse, Dot? It is about two months since I was on one. My mate and 1 used to get my biother's pony, and one night we were both on together, and when the l\orse was cantering round a corner we ■were laughing so much that we both fell off; but as we did not get hurt, we got on again, and got home before any other misfoitune befell us. As I was looking through a bundle of letters the other day I came across a piece of poetry written by Jessica about a year ago, entitled, "The Little Folk's Page." With love to the L.F., the editor, and jouiself. — Yours tiuly, IXFELICE. [You weio foitunate in getting let down go lightly when you fell off the horse, Infehce. It "would be as well to restrain jour risible facujties next time you and your friend doubleb<u»k a charger.— DOT.]

Deai Dot, — In my last letter I said I wa« JBpk going to write again for six months, but ■v months is such a, hing time that I could

not wait so long without saying something. Since wii+ing last we have been '"flitting ; liot o:ily fiom one house to another, or just acioss the load, but fiom one island to another —from the "sunny north" to the dismal south. Now, C.C.. please don't all fly at me for calling this pait of the world "dismal." When one has to -walk on the shady side of the stieet, or e'se get burnt up, to come down to Dunedm and ba caught in a, snowstorm is rather a change. At least I think so. Why, the last evening I was m P. I was wrung a thin muslin c*ies?. But here it is muffs and furs, umbrellas and waterproofs! Ah. me-! Last Tuesday was my birthday. Amongst other things I received was an oval parcel I could not at all make out. Caiefully unwiappmg it^ from its different coverings (there were quite fi\ c or six), I came acioss a slip of paper with the woi-ds, "For the Complexion,' written on it. Epgeily I pulled off the last cover, when, to my astonishment, out fell— a carrot! It was fiom my biolher, "'Wishing me many happy retu'iiis." I had been reading to mother the night befoie, out of the "Young Women, that cailots weie the best things for the complexion, hence the idea. lie afterwaids declaiecl my room "was full of carrots." What would you do with a brother like that? I may add that he is too' old and strong to punish for all his snis. If you could sugge&x any other way you would oblige a worried sister. Only, please, Dot, not "heaping coals of fire." I have tried that and failed. Is rot Dunedm making great piepaiations to leceive it 3 Royal visitors 9 Soon we shall have to go round the Octagon to get past the aich. What a number of people will be m town. It will be a great time. I must not make my letter any longer this time, as it is late. We have not been getting the Witness lately, as we have been so unsettled, bxit will be getting it again soon, I expect. With love to Dot and all D.L.F.,— Yours truly,

TERITEA. [That certainly was a great change, Teritea, but no doubt you have found since that the weather is not always roung even in "the dismal south." "1 think I should assume the Witress smile m dealing with that strong brother jf youis, and show him that he cannot put you out, no matter what he does. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I am an ex-high school pupil, and oh, how I regret leaving the school, which was due to ill-health. Your Westralian L.F. made excellent use of her opportunity, with a splendid result. You are indeed justified in feeling proud of having such a D.L.F. in your xanks. What gay times you East Coast folk are to have when "the Yorks" put in their appearance! I had nearly all my things prepared to go to your city, but at the last moment the doctor would not consent to my going. Can you imagine my feelings ? We have been having dreadtul weather lately — just the usual West Coast weather. Have you ever been in Greymouth, Dot? I wonder if many of your little folk have? I have been in your city several times, and hope to be there again in a few months. I wonder if Dum Dum will be flatteied if I tell him that he is my favourite boy writer? Perhaps in a little time, Dot, I may send you a. few of my experiences in cycling, boating, and horse-riding. - Would your generous (?) editor print them? ' Perhaps he would if he knew that they were ifrom a D.L.F. With kind regards to the editor, and accept love to yourself,—Yours tiuly, TE RAUPEARAHA. [Send the expeiiences, by all means, Te Raup/araha. As they will be for this page I don't think the editor will make any objection, dear. You should hav.e sent your full name and address with your letter.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— The weather up here is not very cold, and I hope it will continue. I don't think I am going down to see the Duke and Duche3S of Cornwall. The river is. up very high just now. A social was held here in aid of the church, but I did not go. I am learning to ride the bicycle. I have a cousin in the wai\ Our town is busy at present with the building of the new hotels. Dear Dot, I think I have found you out at last, but I shall not tell. With best love to all the little folk, including yourself and the editor, — Yours truly, JAPANESE JINGLE. [It is indeed kind of you not to expose me, J. J. I shall still be able to retain my anonymity unless jou should change your mind. — DOT.] Dear Oot, — I am sorry to say I am not going in to town to see the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, but I suppose I shall see the photos of them in the Witness. It will be a gieat day when they ariive in Dunedui. Was there any snow in "Dunedin an Saturday fortnight 9 It vas snowing here most of the da}-. I think the last group of D.L.F. photos was very nice, especially' Pearl aud J. O. Y. Dear Dot, I am changing my norn de plume because I have got somebody else's. I did not know until I saw her photo in the Witness. The trapping has started again, and the rabbiters are all busy. It was veiy good of Daisy Primrose gathering all that money from the seventh contingent, wasn't it, Dot? I see by the Witness that the fourth and fifth contingents are coming home. Maidey and Dunedimte have not written for a long time. Have they stopped writii'g? I see Wullie has written again. With love to all the D.L.F., yourself, and the editor, — Yours tru'.y, OTAGOITE. [Yes, Otagoite, it was a wonderful piece of work for Daisy Primrose to do, and I am sure we are all very grateful to her.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — With such wet, windy weather, and so many people having colds, one almost foigets the lovely bright days— like summer almost — that have been interspersed here and there throughout the autumn. On one such day we went to the beach to see the Ariadne. It looked just like the picture m the Witness, only crowds going backwards and forwards over the long shingly beach, and among the tussocks and towards the river bed bicycles, carriages, gigs, traps; gills on horseback and men, too. The girls looked just girls, but I thought that somehow they suited the scene. The breakers dashed the spray over the vessel in a way that was very pretty. I saw some of your little folk, and we looked at each other so much tfiat we should surely know one another again. I can be trusted now to drive, but the days are so short and cold, and just at present we have not a horse fit. The folk in our house have had the prevalent cold, and ] think it is time my badge was sewn in my hat, as a lemindei not to expect much work until I am grown up. We aie all well again, though I am sending you, Dot, what my brotheis and - T"§aved foi the Cot fund. I hope to send some another time. That was a large contribution from Daisy Pumrose, but v. as it a proper course for one of your little folk There seems something pathetic about it. We echo her "God •speed" to the lads of that seventh contingent. When I arrange the bookshelf next time I think "The Wide, Wide World," will go beside "The Pilgrim's Progress." Nearly all your little folk seem to know it. Phra puts a l-ddle in last week's Witness, "When is a door not a door ? " That brings one into my memory. "When is a httle sister not a little sister?" "When she gets married and has a sick baby." It is not worth while keeping little folk waiting for the answer, po put all in the letter, Dot, and your leaders won't be in a hurry to grow up. " Will there b good weather to see the i)uke and Duchess of Cornwall, I wonder 9 Some folk hv.\e new dresses and are ready foi a giand chance to put them or. With love and best wibhes to all, — Yours tiul'", FIR. [I think I might also ask, is it fair that our

Cot fund should take the big pmount your brothers and joursclf saved. Fir, with the piomisc of moie? It is \ cry good of you to Le so &elf-denying, dear. I don't think the generous members oi the scvpnih contingent would llilSS their contributions to the fund, dear for it was distributed o\ci neatly 300 of them, you know.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Many a day I have wanted to write to you, but 1 couldn't think of a norn de plume. I am m the Sixth stnndaid at school, and I like going i cry n.iich. .Dot, did \ou like going to school when you woie little We aie having very cold weather up here ju=t no a-, and 1 hope that v.c shall be able Lo skate =oon, as it is fine fun. I have been lending the Witness lately, and I saw what a numbei of nice writers \ou had. I am sure my letter will be % cry poor compared with pome of them. With !o\e to all the little folk and yourself,— Youis Uuly, FAIRY. [You must tell us all about the skating next tune ;>ou wnte, Fany. We m Dunedin don't pet much fro&t, >ou know, because we are on the sea coast.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am 8 years old. I have a big, black cat called Black Tom. Biuce has a wee black puss called Fizz. We have nine cats; would you like o.ie?— Yours tiuly, ALLAN COCHRAN. [It is veiy kind of you to offer mo one of your nme cats, Allan, but I am afiaid I cannot accept one just now. Most town people are content with one cat, or not more than two, you know.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— My father gets a bundle of Witnesses every Thursday night. My biothers, Allan and Bruce, and myself weary lorlmirsday to come, to see the pictures in the Witness, and I thought I would write to you to tell you how much wo like them. We sometimes see pictuies of Qucenstown in the Witness. V\ c used to live there before we came to Urummond. It is all so flat here. I wish there were some hills to climb like Ben Lomond. Do yon like hills, Dot? We saw the comet in the western sky. I am 9 years old, and m Standard 111. I shall say good-night now, for it has struck 8, and mother says I must go io bed.-Youis Uuly, CQCHRAN . fYe« Harry, I like hills better than all flat country, which is certainly not veiy interesting I don't wonder at you longing for a climb when you were used to the grand lakes country before settling down ill the lowianas.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l enjoy reading the L.F.s letters very much, but I think I should like to be a writer m, well as a reader. What do you say, Dot? I think it is very kind of Corporal Con to write letters to cur page, don't you? It is p wonde- he finds time to lemember us. 1 know a good number of your writers, among then-, bong Redstart, Kimbecco, Euphrosyne, Con Clementine, and Zilda. Since all the L F give a description of you, Dot, in tneir ietters, I shalL try to tell you the idea I have of you. In the first place I do not think you are a lady at all. but a young man -ood-lookmg, with dark hair and moustachr, and iilways smiling. Zilda ancl J±.uphrosyne told me that they had seen you on tlie train once, and that this is a good description of you. While reading Rimbecco s letters J noticed she intended saying farewell to our pa^e but I see she has again put in an appearance, and I am glad, for she is my favourite writer. Zilda, Euphrosyne, aud Igo to the same school, and are having our secondary education. I have noticed a few others wearing the D.L.F. badge, but I have not found out their names. With best of wishes to all the L.F., Mr Editor, and yourself,— Yours truly « EOSSKEEN. [Dear me, here is another D.L.F. who thinks Dot is a man— of course, a most amiable young man, but still a maul This is quite tiymg, and I wonder and wonder however Zilda, and Euphrosvne recognised the owner of the dark hair and" moustache as Dot. Stay, was it the Witness smile that betrayed him, or was he labelled 'Dot, of the Witness"?— DO I.] Dear Dot, -We are having most awful weather down here. I am sure everyone appreciates home just now, especially at night. Last week there was an awful thunderstorm. The nMit watchman at the Port reported ohat for four hours theie was, an aveiage ot two flashes of lightning a minute. Don t you think that was terrible ? It is said that the weather was due to the comet, but now taat it has disappeared, 'the weather still remans unchanged. It might have had the goodness to take it away with it. The sun seems almost afraid to come from behind the clouds. There will be a great crowd in Dunedin when their Royal Highnesses arrive. I do hope they are favoured with suitable weather. What a disappointment it would be to all if it were wet! But we shall look on the bright side of things. We have had a holiday to-day,^ as it is the anniversary of our once beloved Queen's bnthday. I did not go anywheie, on account of oui capricious clime. I know several of your correspondents who live dovvn here. My "mate wrote last week, her norn ie plume being Petunia. With best love to Petunia Massassoit, Dum Dum, and all the other httle folk,-Yours tiu.y, wigTEHIA . [It is niuch bette. to be hopeful about the weather during the Royal visit than meet trouble half way, Wisteria, so I think we shall all join you m looking on the bright side till we are torced to look on the gloomy one. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— The weathei we are having just now is terrible. It is nothing but rain and hail from morning till night. I know 20 of your correspondents, Dot— not so bad for a new chum, is it? Equibel, Unknown, Miranda, Sunflower, and Britannia are my cousins. I have been tiying to get a mate of mine to write to you, Dot, and I think I shall succeed. I think there is only one person who has found me out yet, Dot. Auemelene says she knows you, Dot, but she won't tell me who you are, only that you are a lady, and that is "all I want to know. With best love to Dot, Equibel, Unknown, Miranda, Sunflower, and Britannia, — Yours truly, QUEEN ALEXANDRA. [I am sure. Anemelene might impart hei secret to Queen Alexandra, even if she wouldn't tell any of the commoner of us. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l have written twice to you, but I have never seen my lettei in print, but peihaps you had not room. Deal Dot, I have a pretty black and white kitten, which lam going to call Duchess. My uncle gets the Witness, and I see it every week, and I always look for the httle folk's letters. I must now conclude, with kind legards to the little iolk, not forgetting yourself — Youis truly, W. M. [W. M must learn to wnte a more mteiestnig letter befoie he can expect to become a regulai correspondent, 'ihere is not loom for all the letters that come, so only those in which theie is something of interest appeals.— DOT.] Dea^ Dot,— We are still m the land of the living. Dear Mimosa, we heard £, v were at the social at Port Molyncux on the evening of the 13th May. Our brother was there, and his mate. His mate said he had you for a partnei for the first dance. Dear Dot, hadn't Maisie, Dockleaf, Echo, and Little Lady a good time of it when their mother and eldest sister were away lor a. holiday ? Our old i&usic teacher is coming to see us to-night,

the 11th. Dear Dot, we got a silver watch each oi our last bnthdiys, a.id we appieciate thorn \cry n-iiich. We ha\e just finished cleaning t'lf kitchen windows. Sweet Sixteen, are your milials C. T., and do you live at B. 9 If so, we know who jou are. Wasn't the O.W.W. a great success? We think we are coming to Dunedm when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall come, and so hope to see a lot of httle folk and Dot herself. D. L. F., we saw you and your mother last Friday i uing. With love to C. C. M., Fifi, Mimosa, Cooee, and your deal old self, not foigetting the editor,— Yours truly, STEP-SISTERS. [That was a welcome birthday present, dears, and I don't wonder at your..appreciatmg it. I hope jou will meet plenty of D.L.F.'s when you arc in Dunedm during the \ isit of the Rojaliies.-DOT.] D ar Dot. -I am going to tell you about v trr» we had to the beach a few weeks ago. W' staited from home at about 9 o'clock, a/?J we got to the beach at 11. Then we unjoked the horse 1 ? and ga\e them a feed. After that we boiled the billy and had our lunch. lAfter we hed cleared! up our baskets and tilings we went for a walk to some very high cliffs, where we could see the sea far below us. Then we went for a walk through the bush to get some feins and flowers. We got a nice collection of them, and we came back and had a paddle in the sea. We then went to see some Maori graves. We got ready to come home about 4 o'clock, and we reached our place about 6 p.m., after having spent a most enjoyable day. Our horse will cany four of us on his back at once. He will eat almost anything. He chases the fowls away from their feed and eats it himself. Don't you think he is greedy? With love to you, Mr Editor, and the D.L.F.,— Yours truly, CHASLAjSTDITE. [It is certainly too bad of the horse to rob the poor fowls of their food, Chaslandite, but as he carries four of you— no doubt to schoolhe is deserving of good treatment, isn't he? You were fortunate in getting fine weather for your pleasant holiday, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l know eight of your corresponditnts— not so bad for a stait, is it, JJot? Dear O Mimosa San, I think I know you; are your initials L. T. ? Dum D_um generally has a nice letter in. Cameo and j. often go out together on our bicycles in fine weather, but last time we had hard luck. We were a long way -from home when Cameo's tyre burst, and =o we had a good walk before we Teached home. I have lately been to Dunedm, and I think it a very pretty place. I hope you will enjoy yourself, Dot, when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall come to Dunedin. With heaps of love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself and the editoT,— Yours truly, [That was an unfortunate accident, Crystel. I suppose you were both very tired when you got home.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l live at Miller's Flat, which is a -Treat mining district. A short time ago a waggon was putting off coal for the Otago dred-e, and as the driver was turning the waggon round the wheel went over the bank, and the waggon slipped into the river. One horse was drowned and a lot of coal was lost. They got the waggon out, and six horses were saved lam missing all the interesting occurrences in Dunedin just now. It will be a great sight in towD when the Royalties arrive.— VY ° UrS trU ' y> LOLLIE STICK. i [Yes I should think it will, Lollie Stick, I and I 'am sorry all my little country friends j can't see it. What a. narrow escape the other horses must have had. — DOT.] i Dear Dot,,— What sort of, weather are you 1 having in Dunedm? It is awfully cold up I heie We have had our first taste of wvntex 'in the shape of a fall of snow. It is rather a bad start for winter, to have a fall of snow 1 before all the leaves aie off the tree?. But there is an old saying, "A bed start and a | good finish." I hope it comes true m regard to this winter. Well, I have had my say about the weather, so I shall turn to something else. Was not Old Writers' Week a great succes-s? It was a pleasure to read letters from some of your older corespondents who had sunk into oblivion to make room for new' writers. There will be a great number of people soin- to town when the Duko and Duchess of Cornwall come, btit I am not one of the lucky ones. Since last wiitmg to you. I have left school, much to my regret. Well, Dot I hope I don't give myself away in this letter, as, so far, no one except Sabma Has ' found me out. You have four corespondents I writing from here now— not a bad number considering the size of the P1"?;-^™P 1 "?;-^™ * r T uly ' [Why, Ophir Girl, you have not even given yourself' away to me, tor you neglected to send your pioper name. Do so next time, dear.— DOT J Dear Dot,— lt is now some time since I wrote my laat letter. I was in Dunedm duimg the Eastci holidays, and I only saw two badges. One of the girls wore a blue dress with a black band around her arm, and was carying two or three books. She was on the Dunedin station when I saw her. She smiled, but I could not set a chance to speak to her, be- j cause I -vas in the t.ain. The other was on the Dunedin station also. I forgot what her dress was like, but she had a white hat on irimmed with yellow ribbon. Her hair was very fair, and was tied with black ribbon. I spoke, but I d jn't think she did, as she seemed very shy. I was coming off the tiain when I noticed her. She wa=> sitting on one of the seats on the plattoim. I saw two othei gins, but they did not have badges. 1 think they write to you, Dot, because they smiled when they saw me. One of them was on the Lower P.-ut Chahncis station. We had to run to catcb the ham, or else I should h*u-e spoken. She wore a g; cv diess and a brownish-coloured jacket, and a white sailor hat with a black band. Sha was with a lady at the time. I met the other girl in Princes street. I passed her pe-eral times. She had a light blue coat on trimmed v. ith ■while fur. I think her dress was giey. As she was passing she said "Halloo, D.I!F." I had a macintosh and a blown and white sailor on or each occasion. Would these D.L.F. kindly tell me fhcu- noms de p'ame next time they write to Dot 9 We are having a fortnight's holiday on account of there being a case of typhoid in the neighbouihood. Oiu schoolmaster and mistress are leaving ua this month. Would you like some violets, Dot 9 I shall send you some if you like. I think they will keep fresh, because we sent .some to Lawrence last year, and they kept fiesh for several days.— \ouis Ul Y> TROUBLED HOUSEWIFE. [Thank you, Tioublec! Housewife, for your offer to send me some \ lolets. If you do so, do not send them to leach Dunedin on Friday or Saturday, as I might not get them till Monday if yon do, and then they would be of no use.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— lt is =uch a long time since I last wiote that I leally forget how to write. I have started this letter, and I mear to finish it. It is the seventh letter I have started, and all the others have been committed to the flames because something always stopped me and I never ended them. So I burnt them. Since I last wrote I don't know all that has happened in these parts, but I remember that my sister has been marriedj and has made her home

up the Wjndham Volley, away from all avlhsalion. AH the same, it is a grard pi <^c. Jr^t fancy. Dot, bripg 20 miles u\\»y fiom :i'iV town, and >our nea-icst neighbour five mile* away l Twenty miles is a long way the fuse time, and muddy roads. My sistei hud beca down for a =hort holiday (I think she miM h.n o been homesick), and I vent back \.iUi licr lo_a fortnight. We left Invcrcaigill at ci^ln, miLufes past 7 m the moiri- g. Oh, it w nice travelling eaily in the nioiiiing. All a!o<, wo could sse people getting m their cows, o. # just milking It was a nice, \raim moriims, when we left Inverc?rgill, biit as we 30L faithei up the hue it became so cold. Then a. drizzly lam came 011; rot much prospect for a fuiehoLday, I Uicught We arrived 111 Wyndham at 10 mhv.'tes past 10, bui^ nobody was theie to meet us, <=o v*e went to a hotel, and there w?_ a grand fae in the sitting loom. We got ;i good warm and then sat down and wrote a Mtc- rpieoe. We had to wait thiee hours. We had a good dmnsi, for I can tell you 1 was veiy hungry, and i]ie ' 1 Vl ' e started on ovir 20-mile duve. I thought we wcie never going to get theie. but "the longest lane has a turning. Tlii' dnvei pointed out a black mountain away m the distance, a.-.d said 0111 destination was on the other side of it. I thought it was mucn rearer than it pro\ed to be. About 11 mile from Wyndham is, p dairy factory, and all the settlers round about it milk for it. They call milking .for a factory "cow spanking." Beside the factory is a large yard with a whole lot 01 pi^s and it was wet weather, and oh, dear' the pi°s' were m such a mess. We reached home about half-past 7. Ihe Wyndham River, which flows past a few chains away fiorn my sister £ house, was too high to take the trap across, so we unyoked and sent the horse across, and we walked across the sheep bridge. I shall net aavi«e any of the little folk co go for a holiday in winter for out of the fortnight I was away theie were only Icmi fine days. It was rathe* discouraging to get up in the morning and to see the rain coming down, or it looking very dull, and then come on to rain. But wnen the fine days did come, I can tell you I made the most of them. Till they came, however I had to make the best of a bad job. One clay my sister and I rode over gullies and up hills .c a face of rocks which projects out of a In"'. It 13 just like a platform. You can see feu miles around, and get such a grand view. 1 wished I was an artist, so that I could have sketched it. There was the Wyndham Rive • winding in and out, sometimes hidden by a turn ir the hills. Below was nice bush. Wo seemed to be such, a height m the air ltio scenery up at the Wyndham Valley is beauti-ful-such grand big hills. When we were coming home we had to go through ft lot en fen,. It is very tall, and I could gather it quite easily off my horse. It is so thick that the sheep cannot even force their way through. Another day we went out mustering. It is grand ma on a fine cTay, but it can't be fun on a colil day The shepherd was mustering- all the sheep to dip, and we went with him. I don t know if we were a hindrance or not, for I never wkftl him; all I know was it was real fun. When w were near the bush the dogs got on to a smalL pig in the bush, and killed it. Poor littl. thing! While* the dogs were worrying thf little one, four naif-grown ones-such <*f* aiec ;r started a little way from the edge of the bush and ran as hard as they could for its shelter. They can run, too. We chased them as far as. we could go on horseback into the bush. 1 was wishing for a pig hunt, and I got it, and you may be sure, Dot, I enjoyed it, too. Another day I went down to the dip to watch the sheep being dipped. As I stood there watchin" the men push the sheep into the -ip l thSught they were cruel, but when I did it myself I forgot all about being cruel. She poor sheep are so wet when they come out. Another day I thought I would try to shoot, and as there* was a nfle lying idle and some cartridges, too, there was no harm in having a shot I saw a fabbit down a gorss hedge no*far from the house, so I off, and by my way of it bunny had not very long to live. Much to niv disappointment, Mr Bunny said he was not going to die just yet, and bidding me good-day ho hopped awayr But I was not going back without shooting Eomething. As I was coming back up the hedge I saw a very email brSwny-coloured head, with a white throat and black beady eyes, pop out of a, rabbit hole and in a<*ain It came out once moie in a° little while, and I took aim, and pulled the trigger. The poor We thing fell, and it turned out to te a weasel. The bullet went mat the shoulder and came out the other side. I had it skinned, end I keep the skin to remind me of the happy days I spent up at Wyndham. That evening I wont out rabbit shooting. I saw a, lot but none o* them would stay long enough till 1 snot. Ai laot I saw one about 30yds off. I took aim and pulled the trigger. It fell over and squealed and I xan and picked it up. The shot had gont right through the back. I could not shoot before I went up there. Well, to tell the truth I never tried, and now I can shoot a little, but I hope to become a better hand at it. I nevei enjoyed a holiday so much in all my life, though it was wet and muddy. That is all I have to tell you about my holiday. Wyndham is a grand place to go for a holiday in fine weather I see by the last Witness a photo of Daisy -Primrose. It is a very nice one. I think it wan awfully good of her to collect all that money for the Cot fund. It will be such a help. I think Rimbecco must be a, real nice, sensible girl. I always read her letters with groat pleasure Io is very good of Con to write to the D.L.H. Page The- O. W. W. was very interesting. When the Invercargill A. and P. show cornea lound I shall be on a sharp look-out for badges. I have never met a wearer of one yet. 1 always wear mine. With love to all D.L.F. ancl jouraelf, -Yours Uuly, pETRQNEIjLA . p S —Please excuse all mistakes, for I ha\e jusl'found out that my brother has been watch-m-r me for I don't know how long. I told him he° would not know my norn de piume, but he said ho would read eveij letter till he found this. Won't he have a contract to read all the letters I '— P. LYes, PeLonelb, especially as he would no doubt expect to see it 111 the week after it war, sent, and here several weeks havo passed betfoie its turn comes. However, perhaps ho will begin to take a great interest in our pago through looking 101 your letter, and he may possibly stait to wnte himself. -DOT.] Dear Dot,— Can you spaie a icw moment"? to read a shoit note tiom an Invercare-ill coiresponclept' I have just finished leading some of the L.F. letters. I iead Enubecco's thiough seveial times. She writes such splendid letters. Dear Rimbecco, I ha\c found out your name. Is it not M. II. ' ; I wonder if >ou would caie to correspond with me 1 ' I shall send Dot my address if you would like it. Several of the girls in Sunday school have found out my norn de plume. I wonder how they found it out s« quickly? Ah, Molly Seamore, I have found out who you are. We used to go to the Park school at the same time. I wonder it you will find me out? I have not met O Mimosa San yet, though I have seen her seveial times. I see yoi- have a bike, O. M. S. How do yon hka riding' I had one, but had to pait with it oin account of my health. I was not very sorry, at I did not care much for bicycling. Dear Dot, don't your eyes get sore leading such a.

ilot of letters? I'm sure mine would. Kliaki, Miss Bobby, and Ivis are great friends, and noisy ones at that. I met "Think of If in the street to-day, but did not speak, as I had no (badge. I have found you out, Tika; you are CRima's sister. Rimbecco, you said you only /wrote once in three months. I hope you will /write 10-ig before that, as I should like to hear fcrom you, if you don't mind. With love to all JJie L.F., especially Riinbecco,— Yours truly, [Fancy not caring about biking, Ezna. But then, if it affected your health that accounts for it. You were probably too nervous, and hence 3011 could not enjoy it much. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— "We are having grand weather just now. I have a brother writing to the Kindhearted Brigade, and he received a membership card. There are a good many children writing, fbut not so many as are writing to you, Dot. I ■am very fond of riding, and 1 was away for a Slide" the other day. • Dear Dot, I know a good ifew -of your correspondents, but there are only rchree or lour living in this district. I am very 'liond of reading the L.F. letters- With, love to nil the little folk, not. forgetting yourself, Dot,— •Yours truly, , [I am not surprised that you are fond of riding. A vice. It is good for you, too, to get a good ehaking up and plenty of fresh air. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I live at Heyward Point, and I have a long way to go to* school over a. very tough road." I am in the Seoond Bfcok, and Mr (Davidson is my teacher. I was-^way for a holiday to Christchurch, and was m the train ,*he whole day. I went to the gardens up there, and they are very pretty. I can- milk three cows. With love -to all L.F. and yourself, — Sours truly, - . EVA. [You were fortunate to have a trip to Christchurch during your holidays, Eva. You would find it a great change from the district you live in.— DOT.J Dear. Dot, — The weather is not very cold yet, •nd I hope it will continue fine until the (Duke and Duchess o£ Cornwall arrive in Dun!«<3in, as I am expecting to go down to see them. .The river up here has risen a great deal within ,ihe last few weeks, and therefore most of the 'dredges are not at work. There was a wedding piere last Thursday, and I was bridesmaid, and .■was presented with a gold brooch by the bridegroom. Our town is very busy just now, with all tae ouildiag of tlie hotels going on. I liave mot noticed any letters from Pauline or Miss CMuffet lately. Dear Dot, I fancy I have found you out at last: are not your initials M. J. ? Cdglantine told me that j r our initials were the jsanie as hers, and then some one else told me Jthat they were something else ! With best love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself *nd the editor, — Yours truly, JINGLE BELLS. '[Ah. I am getting quite used to being found jml, Jingle Bells. But you do not seem, to ba Very sure, for you have evidently two different jpeople in your mind's eye. — DOT.] Deai Dot, — Three weeks ago last Saturday I thought the house was going to be blown, down, to? it shook like an autumn leaf. Some of the heighbours round about us- found many- things blown on to the beach on the Sunday morning, ffhe winter has come again, and the leaves are all falling off the trees. Many people say /we shall have snow soon, and we shall (have to stay indoors for two or three /weeks. It is very dark at nights now, so we cannot go out to play after tea. After milking a go up to the traps with my two brothers and 'sisters. Such a number write to the Little folk's Page r and I am very glad to get the Witness to read the letters. "There are about 39 chijclrei? attending this school, and nearly all of them have a long distance' to come and go iback. When the Christmas holidays come- my sister and I are going up to town to stop for two or three weeks with out auntie. I don't ihink we are going up to town when the Duke and Duchess come, for the streets will be so lull that we might get knocked down and crushed, or even killed.— Yours truly, ' CREEPING JINNY. C-I hope there will be no such serious acciflont as that. Jinny, but of course there is a £Tent risk of something serious happening. — Dear Dot, — It is over a year since I last "wrote to the L.F. Page, but I always read the letters, and take an interest in them. A good many of the old writers have ceased writing, but there are always plenty of new- ones to take iheir places. I see by last week's Witness that Afacrocarpa. has left. our page. It was a very nice piece of poetry she composed. My cousin is staying with us at present, and we enjoy oureclves immensely. Where have Lesetta and Marguerite gone to? I think they have deserfced our page altogether. Marguerite wrote to »ne and said her next letter would be her farewell one, but I hope she will continue to write a while longer. It is very nice of Corporal Con -jio'e to forget us, and write us such long, interesting letters. Dear Dot, we have shifted fiom our old home into a new one, and I am pleased to say it is a much better one than we [eft. I do not think there are many writers, up this way, as I have only "noticed one badge since I came up. I have found out who Arundel and Adnioyn are, but I don't think they have found out zny name. I did not see you, 'Arucdel, when you were down at the- X., but Marguerite told rae of your visit to her. 1 see ■ by the paper that the Cot fund has proved a success. I was certain it woxild, as I was sure pveryone would help to make it so. Dear Robv, I must thank you'fo* the nice kind letter you wrote to my sister and me, and I shall send you nij autograph in return for yours. 1 shall have to close, or the editor will be giving me a lecture. With love to al) the little folk, and the same to yourseL,— Yours truly, DIAMOND. £TJie Cot fund certainl? lias made wonderful

progress, Diamond, and I don't think anyone anticipated that before the century was six months old we should have almost four-fifths of the amount required. We have to thank Dais3 r Primrose and her seventh contingent troopers for a great lift, but even independently of that, we have done far better than I dared hope.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are having very bad weather ! just now, but we can't expect anything else, as it is midwinter. We have one pig and two hcrse3. I like school pretty well, ifou have a great number of correspondents, and I like reading the letters. I know a good few of the D.L.F. With love to yourself and all the little folk, — Yours truly, FROST. [Frost only likes school pretty well. I expect he would sooner be indulging in. a rousing game of football, exercising both lungs and limbs to their fullest bent.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Having devoted two letters to descriptions ot Coolgardie, I shall commence on my journey to Menzieg. Don't laugh, little folk, at what I an? about to relate, but imagine you arc with jne and you will enjoy, as I did, tire trip.. At this time the coaches were running -froir Ccolgardie every second day, but the passengers were only permitted to carry a little luggage, so that all other goods had to ba sent on. in waggons. We had a stock of valuable goodf which we could not entertain the thought of trusting to a stranger, sc we resolved to travel up in the waggoi 'with the goods. And that was no uncommon sight, for every day families could be seen in loaded waggons leaving for the back country. So one fine afternoon we hired a waggoner to take us up to Menaies, and when our goods were installed in the conveyance, the driver in his seat and wt in positions of ease up on our goods., it was close upon 4 p.m., and we took oui departure with laughing faces from the canvas town. Of course we did present a curious spectacle, but no one took the least notice of the sight, though, at the time, as we passed along the streets we laughed and laxighed at the absurdity oi the situation. _You will be surprised to heai. we had to pay tlie waggonei £1 10s a day for the trip, and he informed Us he would make the journey in (four or five days, or six at the outside. This we considered good travelling, as it took the coaches) two days and a-half, and that galloping all the time, only stopping to change horses at the half-way hotels.. So off we started, and as we made our way into the bush some miles out (wheie here and. there were clusters of miners' tents in among the trees around some claim), we fell to thinking what a splendid, picnic we were going to have. On we went, and soon had left behind the miners' tents and all, as we came farther into the more thickly-timbered bush, where tall gum tiees grew in endless variety all around us, and looking away between their trunks to the west we saw the sun sinking below the horizon, throwing a brilliant red light upon the whole scene. The" red soil whiffed up as the horses walked on and rested like powder upon the waggon and its occupants, while the driver hummed some queer song' that possessed neither air nor words, but was sufficient to satisfy his musical inclinations. We chatted to c-ach other and remarked upon the country we were passing through, and occasionally asked a question of the driver about some object that for the moment attracted our interest, until to our amazement we discovered the road upon which we were- travelling becoming narrower, aaid here and there the branches of trees jutted out and grazed our heads as we went along. "We're on the wrong track, I think," I ventured to remark at length, whereupon the driver replied that it was "all right; he'd travelled the way scores of tinie3." >But still 1 was not quite satisfied. At last, as the evening shadows stole up, to our astonishment we suddenly came up before a prospectors' camp, where, before their tents, the miners stood motionless, looking with astonishment Tipon the a-pproaching waggon, and apparently regarding us as evil omens. "Hallo," shouted our driver, pulling up to a standstill. "Which is the road to Menzies?"' For answei he listened to great shouts of laughter, and then one of them spoke. "Being a waggoner, you ought to know, 'he said. "You didn't expect this was Menzies, did. you?" Pointing away through the bush he added, "Make due west and you'll come tc the road. But you can't go much farther to-aight." "Ihanks," our obliging driver replied, "I'll just cut through a little way and stor for the night." and whipping up his horses he turned round and commenced his track through the btish. Our table, 1 may mention, which was a large one, was laid on its back on top of the goods in the waggon, with its legs standing up in the air like sentinels, while the chairs lay in on the table and the legs of tlie latter stood up over our heads. As we made our way along we had to "duck" every now and then to prevent our coming into collision with the branches of trees that hung down around us. At last wo drew up under a great gum tree, after going pome little distance, and the waggonei said he thought ,his horses had gone a good way that day, and it would be as well to stop as the light of day was safer travelling than at night. We quickly agreed to this, and, jumping down as he took out his horses and fed them, we commenced to light a fire. After tying them to the shafts he rigged up (in a sort of a way) our tents for us, by- tying them up with two ropes betweeii trees and pulling out the ends and sides he laid large stones on them to keep them firm. Night came on fast, and by the time we had taken dowr our table and chairs from the waggon and placed them near the fire, and laid the former for tea, the stars appeared quite bright in the sky. We felt as we sat around the big log fire eating our tea that camp life after all was not so unpleasant. Then we rigged up our beds in the tents — just temporary ones, you know, for the night — while the waggoner made his in the waggon, and seating ourselves around the fire once more we felt pleased, as the miners from the oamp came over and Ixad c chat witr us^ aad invited

i us to take the use of one oi their tents lor the I night if we wished. This we had to decline, as , wr could not go and leave our goods in the waggon. After a while they took their leave, and bidding them good-night, we retired. But this is sufficient for one letter. I shall continue m my next, and forgive me, Dot, if this is too long, but you. can print it in parts if you like. Can you tell me when and where the Wairarapa, was wrecked near Barrier Islands? DearIvy, are your initials M. S., and do you live at T. ? Saw your photo in the Witness. With fondest love to all the L.F. and dear old Dot, ' not forgetting the kind editor, believe me, — Yours truly, DAISY PRIMROSE: [.You had indeed a glorious time of it, Daisy Primrose. I should like to take a journey like ' that myself, only I suppose it would be difficult to get a change of food. The Wairarapa j was wrecked at the Great Barrier Island, near I the entrance to Auckland Harbour, on October 27, 1894.— D0T.] I Dear Dot,— l have never written to a paper before, and I should like to begin if you will let me. I am 15 years old, and sft 3in in height. I think I know who [vis, Khaki, and Rush are. 1 I have a brother out in South Africa, with the ' seventh contingent, fighting for King and coun- | try. I have a little fox terrier dog, and he took 1 first prize at the show. The volunteers in In- ' vercargill are' all getting read}' for the review | by the Duke at Christchurch. I should like to go through to Dunedin, but I cannot get away. — Yours truly, ZERO. [You did not enclose youi name. Zero; please do so in all future letters you write. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Old Writers' Week was indeed a great success this time, and we should thank | the editor for being so kind and liberal with • regard lo space. Why, we actually have more ! than three pages. Thank you, Fatiina and J Dum Dum, for your autographs. Dear Stella, I have been wondering however you foxind mo j cut. Ido not know you at all. Do you live in 1 Dunedin? I also know Schoolgirl, and I believe sh.j has "put me away" to j'ou. Dear Dot, what a miserable day last Wednesday was (troop day). We were splashed with nrad and i nearly soaked, but we had a splendid view of the procession. What a nice letter Fluff has in this week. I am sending you my auto. Fluff, hoping you will oblige me with yours. Dear Heliotrope, are your initials M. S., and do you live at L. ? The chief tiling just now seems to be the proposed visit of the Duke and Duchess. I hope we have better weather then than we ars having just now. Really, Echo and Little Lady, I think you did very well in your week's house-keeping. Whenever I am in a similar predicament I sh&ll come to you for advice, tritsting your former experience will have benefited you. Dear Dot, it is i.early a, month, since the first part of my letter was written, but I am actually going tc finish it now. Since writing the above I have received your auto., Fluff, for which I thank you very much. I j was much surprised the other week to see in . I cue of the L.F.s letters that I intended putting up my hair soon. I really have no such intention, as I have to go some years yet before the retiring age, which I think quite soon enough j to put my hair up. Really, Dum Dum, you -are almost a fully-pledged poel: — certainly tlie poet crDot's band. Punch asks me to thank you for your auto., Roby. Dear Maidey, I shall give yours to Cherryripe the next time I see her. Dear Ivy, you have made a mistake about my initials.! Dear Dot, are there two Tussocks writing? With love to Cherryripe, Black Watch, Echo, and Shan, not forgetting our "Queen Dot" and Dum Duin. — Yours truly, DUNEDINITE. [I got quite a start- when I read the first part of your letter, Dunedinite,, and found myself wondering where the letter had been for a whole ! month; but then the explanation came, and j I found that you were really to blame yourself, j and not the post office, the Witness office, or aryone else. Yes, dear, there are two Tussocks wii ting.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — They are all away to a ball except .poor me and papa and the mater, so as every thing is quiet and. still, I thought I might as well write a ifew lines to you to keep me out of mischief. I shall tell you about a ride I went i for the other day. First of all, my horse is : saddled and I am. ready. I mount, and away up the hill I go ; then through a gate, down the cuttings, through two other gate 3, away up another hill, and off I go full canter along the road, having another gate to go through before lam at the end of my journey. Some friends come out of the house and feed my horse and take me inside and make tea for me; and j i after spending a very enjoyable aiternoon, I start" again for home, arriving there about 7 o'clock, fairly tired out after my long ride. Deai Pearl, I think I know who you are by youi photo. Are nob your initials D. L., and do you not live at W. ? If lam right would you be kind enough to let me know in your j next letter? Oh, Dot, I must not forget to ! thank you for the prettj badge yo\- sent '• me a few week's ago. I have sewn it in -the > (front of my hat. I met Marie and another | D.L.F. the other night at M. bazaar. You rei member, Marie, don't you? I also saw two I other D.L.F., and I said "Hallo, D.L.F./' and I brought the Witness smile into play, and so did they. With best love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting our famous Dot, — Yours truly, NANCE O'NEIL. [Why, I should have thought it was Nance O'Neil who was famous, and not poor insigniI ficant Dot. What a glorious ride you had, dear ; it is enough to make town girls' mouths water.— DOT.] I Dear Dot, — I am glad Wullie has made his appearance again^ as I fancied he must have ] forsaken us all. I love Wullie's letters, Dot, so I hope he will for the future let us have one a little oftener. Albany has been very lively lately^ Dot., and to. ail appearances ftjiite a.

different place. There were great preparations for the arrival of the Ophir, with the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and the new Governor for W. A. aboarcl, and the two cruisers, St. George -and Juno. No one was quite burc whether the Ophir would really call here or not, but it was known that ihe two cruifcer3 would, S3 they required coal. The Colac, fron- , New Zealand, with Westport coal foi the ! cruisers arrived, some few days previous*, and j berthed at the jetty to await them. On TuesI day morning every ship in the hcrbour was I dressed with flags, and from every pole available in the town flags and bunting flew. The jetty was dressed up with shrubbery and flags also, and several arches weore constructed there too, but as the Governor did not arrive until after 10 o'clock at night, and there were no lights to illumine the- decorations, he was not able to see their beauty. At the landing stage be was met by some of the Ministry from Perth, and the Mayor and town councillors, and was presented with two addresses. Then, with the volunteers, Permanent Artillery, and volunteer band acting as a guard a? honour, he proceeded to the railway station, taking the train for Perth, where he was sworn in ns Governor. The. Ophii left early in the morning, and no one had the pleasure of having a look at her?* and the cruiters left in the afternoon. Daisy Primrose tells, me she has been foirad out bj O Mimosa San. I may say privately to you, Dot, I am jumping with joy to hear it, for ever since she has written to cou she has been so very sure that no one knows her. I have the laugh at her now, and- believe me, Dot, I don't intend to let stich a joke pass with trivial notice, but will not fail to tease her for the future. I suppose you know me too, 0 Mimosa- San? Dea» Dot, lam &oing to semi you my photo when it is finished for the next grcup. I have beeji taken in o::c of my costumes that I wear when I act in any of the plays, for I am very fond of acting and singing. 1 sang in the Juvenile Exhibition that was he-d •in the Garrison Hail in Dunedin some years ago, but I. was only 8 yeais old'tlieii, aad I have sung and acted in concerts in Coolgardie Kalgoorlie, and Perth, so I don't feel nervous now when, I come out on the stage. I shall be pleased when the Old Writers' Week comes round again, and I can read the interesting letters from the old writers. What a. lovely piece of ppetry Dum Dum. had in this Witness entitled "Welcome, Corporal Coo," and what a> capital letter there was from Rough Rider. I have just been admiring that prottv picture ("KeeK-a-boo") of those two sweet; little children; Dear Dot, don't you think they look lo\ely? I think that is the prettiest picture of all in the paper. With -love to Ivy and all the 'other L.F. and yourself, Dot, — Yours truly, BARONIA. [It certainly was a sweet little picture, Baronia, and I am, sure it gave pleasure to maliy other D.L.F. besides yourself. No wonder >ou have overcome your nervousness when you have been singing at so many different places since you left Dunedin.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have been very busy lately. Mother being very ill and my sister in town, I had all the work to do, and I am very thankful to have mother tip again. Dear Dot, the last time I wrote I was at school, but I have now left. Oh, glory! It is much better at home than at school, isn't it, Dot? 1 know Jean, Lyddite, Moonbeam, Mary, Queen of Scots, Pique, and Daisie. You were quite right in guessing my name, Lyddite. The house is very quiet just now, Dot, mother, and I being the only ones at home. Oh, dear me, I am trying my very best to write nicely ; but I can't do it. Whatf a beaiitiful writer Riinbecco is; I wish I could write like her. I have just been practising on the piano, and it has given me a terrible headache. My sister is in Dunedin. She has been there for about five months, but she will be coming home soon now. With heaps of love, — Yours truly, PRINCESS. [You are evidently happy at home, Princess, or perhaps you would think more of school ! life than you apparently do. Fancy practising giving you a headache; I think you must have hai some difficult scales and exercises to I learn when it had that effect. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We had such an exciting time the other day. On Tuesday morning, May 28, I was called up at 10 minutes to 3, and was surprised to see the room all lit up, and on getting out of bed I found that the stables and wash-house were on fire. These buildings were in one, and' were not more than seven or eight yards from the house. Unfortunately a slight wind wns blowing towards the house, and as both buildings were built of wood, the I house caught fire several times. But, fortunately, we were able to put oxit the flames. All that we had" to put out the fire with were three or four buckets, a bath tub, and a- garden syringe. The hose was burnt in the coach house. We spread a lot of blankets to protect the house, but they weue all burnt. Everybody worked hard, and it was fortunate that I two of my big brothers were at home to help us. The Fire Brigade did not arrive till al- | most all danger past, fully an hour and ahalf after the break-out; but it was just as well they did come, as the flames were still a little dangerous, and the fire had fallen into the lower greenhouse. The upper greenhouse, attached to the stable, was burnt. Luckily, the Fire Brigade did away with all the flames before they did much damage to the lower one, as it contained valuable plants. We lost a good deal in the fire, including a phaeton, harness, and saddlery, garden tools, a mangle, and all sorts of things kept in such places. I was fairly done after it was all over. In fact, we all were, for we were carrying water as hard as we could go, and my brothers, acting as firemen, threw it over the smoking end of the house. I tell you, Dot, it was hard work, and I have- learned now what a dreadful thing a fire is. I was too tired to go to school that das* Deai Dot t I see 0 Mimosa San lias an- ,

othei long and interesting- letter in the page, and Dum Dum a capital piece of poetry. I think I remember seeing in a letter about six weeks ago, wiitten by a D.L.F., whose norn d© plume, I think, was A. O. E., a question addiessed to me saying, '"Are your initials V. F., and do you live at S. ? " Well, yes, A. O. E., you are right. With love to all L. F., including SJ:. Clairite, O Mimo3a San, Dum. Dum, Sea Nymph, and yourself, — Yours truly, SHRAPNEL. LThat was an experience that should serve a lifetime, Shrapnel, and I fancy you will always have a kindly feeling for the firemen who risk their lives in the endeavour to save both property and life. How fortunate it was that the wind wae not very strong, or you probably would have been unable to save the house. — • DOT.] Dear Dot, — One of your writers, Molly Seamore, used to be one of my schoolmates* but I have been away for a long holiday, and have not seen her for a while. Is not Dunedin a very pretty place? It will be a great tim_. when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall come. I think another of my mates writes — namely, Cameo. Two others have also written — Geogia » aoid Crystal. We four are great mates, andwe all went to school together. We go outcycling on Wednesday afternoons. It is so plea? sant riding when the weather is fine, and the ■roads are in good condition. Do you cycle, Dot. I have a Massey-Haxris, and they run very easily. Cameo has such beautiful maidenhair fern growing. With love to the editor and yourself, — Yours truly, ■ . ALIDA. [I should think your cycling is finished till spring now, Alida, for the roads scarcely get % chance of drying up now with the short days and the frost and rain.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We have had very ,bad weather here lately. On Friday night the thunder was really sta'ctling, and the lightning was very vivid. It is nearly five years since I first wrote to the Witness, , and I should like to bo again one of Dot's- L.F. Do not Dum Dum, O Mimosa San, Fatima, Pandora, and Ivis write very interesting letters? Poor Dum Dum is not having such an easy time now. O Mimosa San, are your initials Z. T., and did you once live at W.? Dot, have you any gold fish? We had 1 18 sent us from Honolulu, but they are all dying and there are only four left. I have met Ivis when I have been out for a ride, but the weather is not good at all for cycling just now. Have you any maidenhair fern, Dot? With, love to the editor and yourself, — Yours truly, CAMEO. P.S. — Have you ans badges left, Dot. — C. i FYcs, Cameo, plenty. What a pity about the gold fish. Are you sure you change the water often enough, Oi- do you give them something to eat that does not agree with them ? — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Many things have happened since we last wrote, but we had bettei not say too nuich, 01 we shall be found out, and it woul£ ! not do to hv.ve everybody calling us by our noms de plume. Some of the boys try to guess our nc-ms de plume, and they occasionally guess; rightly, too; but -we never let on, so they do not know yet. The children were greatly excited to-day, as some of the committeemen were. rnparing a flag pole for the school, and they will be more so to-morrow, as that is the day the flag is to be hoisted. The flag is 3ft 9in ■vvirle-and 7ft 6in long. As we think it would be more convenient to write separately, aa we are not sisters, and do not do the same things, we shall do so next time, under the same noms d. plume. Wo hopo this change will not cause you any trouble. With kind love from us to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself,— > Yours truly, DOROTHY AND AUBURN. [No, D. and A., that will not make any difference, as I have your names all the same.— DOT.] I Deai Dot, — It is lovely weathe. up this way, but it is cold in the mornings. I think I ara gcing to Dunedin when the Duke and. Duchess come. If I don't go, my mate says that we hay.. • to go out for a ride. M 5 mate knew my name, and as soon as she opened the Witness she told, every one of the school children rnj norn dti plume, and. I did not think that was fair. We. had 10 pet lambs this year, but now they are all bis? sheep. What has become of Ladysmith ? I never see a letter from her in the Witness now. I shall send you a riddle: — "I have a little house in my father's garden, and it will hold thciisands and thousands and j T et it won't hold me in my clothes." With love to all the DCL.F. and yourself, — Yours truly, TJLYA. [It was certainly too bad. of your mate, Ulva, and I am certain she would not have liked you to treat her like that.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are having fine weather up here just now. It will be a great day in D\medin when the Duke and Duchess come. Did you see the comet and the meteor? I saw them both. We are only milking one cow just now. There is no teacher at our school at present, so we are having holidays. One of my brothers started to write to your column. My sister and one of my brothers are going- to see the Duke and Duchess; are you going to see them? With love to all the D.L.F., the editor, and Dot, — Yours truly, ; ANNIE LAURIE. I IT hopo I shall nave seen the Duke and , Dvchess, Annie, before your letter appears in flint. How fortunate you wen. to see th«

John Bunyan in his prison cell, On Pilgrim's Progress loved to dwell, And nearly all that startling tale He wrote while pining in a gaol. His work lives on, though John succumbed", No doubt the damp liis limbs had numbed, And gave him cold; his death that's sure, He'd not got "Woods' Gbbat PErrEEMiK? pIJBBt

toeteor. It was seen for such a short time that \ery few had Ihe chance. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l iiave often thought of writing to you before, but I have never succeeded in doing so until now. The letters in your page have improved immensely since I commenced reading them. But never imnd, little ones, perihaps if we had started to write when we were your ages, we should not have been successful either. You are progressing splendidly with your Cot fund, and I am sure we all wish it every success. We are Ihaving grand weather here for the time of the year, but we cannot expect it to continue long, as the time for cold weather has come, and oh, any chilblains are just commencing! What a treat I am in for once more. Could you give sue a cure for them, Dot? I suppose it will "be a great time when the Duke and Duchess arrive. I should like very much to go to Dunedin, but as my sister is away I cannot get. I know a few of your correspondents, including ■Mother Hubbard, C. T. 1., Doreen, Eglantine, and Jean. I know St. Clairite and Alexandraite by sight. lam sending you a riddle: — "If you throw a stone into the Red Sea what will it become?" With kindest regaxds to Dot and her little folk, and the most generous editor, — Yours truly, ZORAIDE. 'tThe best cure for chilblains is to burn them cut before the fire, though it is very painful for the- time, as the part affected has to be put very close to the fire. Another plan is to steep your feet or hands in hot water night and rooming, the water being as hot as can be borne, and more hot water being added as it cools. — DOT.]