LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2474, 14 August 1901, Page 67

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Dear Dot,— Here is another correspondent to your page. I was down in Dunedin when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York were there, and I had eight good views of them. I was also at the children's demonstration, and it was a fine spectacle. W-e have snow up here just now, and ice, too, so we can have fine fun. A lot of boys and myself were sitting on bottles on the ice, and working ourselves along with our hand.- We could go at a good pace. We afterwards tried going down backwards, and then we had races down the ice. One of the "boys broke a bottle under himself. When looking at the "Witness of June 19 I noticed in Dandy's letter that she had seen Boy among the A. troopers, but that they ■were not as good as the Queenstown privates. I know Boy jwellj and I have a very near relative in the A. troopers also, and I disagree with Dandy's conclusion entirely. The A. troopers were in Dunedin for the Royal visit, but their initials are W.M.R. They were at the end of the procession, being the youngest corps present. Kind regards to Boy, Mimosa, and not forgetting your own self, — Yours truly, MELUN. [Why, how did you sit on a single bottle, Melun? It must have been a most uncomfortable seat. However, whether that was the case or not, you evidently enjoyed yourselves, notwitstanding the breaking of one of the bottles.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — One day my sister and I had fine fun on the ice. One of the boys was giving my sister a ride on the chair. When they had got to the end "-lie ice broke, and in they both went. When >ey came out they looked, like drowned rats. They did not go home to change, but played about till they got dry. Dear Dot, do you ever have the pleasure of going out skating ? lam sure Bushranger must have been tired that day they were hunting wild pigs. I do enjoy reading the D.L.F. Page. I think my favourite writer is O Mimosa San. I am an old schoolmate of Schoolgirl's. With best love for Dot, — Yours truly, MISTRESS OP THE SEA. [It is a wonder your sister was not ill after her ducking in ice water, Mistress of the Sea. I am sure she must have been very uncomfortable while her clothes were drying. — DOT.] Dear Dot,-^-I am being found out and given away on all- sides. When I went to have a skate the other day, two girls — A. C. and M. E. — came up and said, "You're a nice L.F." I asked them how they found me out, and they said' that G-uniper told them all about my career as a D.L.F. Now, Guniper, " what a cheek " you had to go and tell ; but all the same I know you. Your initials are A. A. After the D.S. the other week I was standing in the hall with my badge on, when the two L. girls of S., accompanied by their cousin, came up and said, " Hallo, D.L.F.," but I didn't return their greeting. I only laughed at them. I was found out that same night again ; but I will not tell how. It was Tonywacks, Sam, and T.O.M. that found me out. Dear Dot, don't you think the country L.F. letters are better than the town L.F. The C. ones have far more to tell about their homes-, adventures, etc. ; therefore, their letters are the superior of the two. The town L.F. arefrightened of the least thing. If they see a incuse Ihey scream; a rat, they are driven into hysterics, and I wonder, what they would do if" they saw a lizard, newt, weasel, or a tadpole? I suppose their hearts would jump into their mouths. Then again they all climb up the feicces and gates if there is a cow or a sheep in the street, just like as if they were going to look at hippopotamuses or hyenas. I suppose I had better stop scolding, or the L.F. will be giving it to me. I wonder if you will see this, Ratio B. I have just been, reading a part of Aurora Leigh's letter about sliding down hills on cabbage trees. I think she is quite right, for it is great fun. Do you remember the grand slides we used to have on the cabbage trees, B. C? I often think of those bygone days, and wish you were living here now instead of in. Auckland. Dear Dot, when you have one misfortune, don't you always have three? The other day when I was hurrying to get my work finished, I ducked the lamp-globe which I was cleaning into a basin of hot water. I'm sure it broke into one. hundied pieces. A veil must be drawn -over the scene- that followed:, Again, when I was washing up the dinner dishes I dropped a cup and two saucers. And last, but not least, I got my finger caught in the mouse trap with which I Was playing. Dear Dot, allow me to congiatulate you on the success oi' the photo. What a kind little gentleman the editor looks. I believe I would make six of him. Ahem! What if he sees this? Now, Piccouo, your initials are A. S., and you live at S. ; do you not? If 1 have found you out, you caon't blame anybody but yourself for having your photo in the group. I am almost sure you are the boy I mean. I often see you passing, but I have never taken any notice whether you wear a badge or not. Didn't I think I would "have" j one of ray sisters the othei" evening. She went visiting, and said she would stay till she knew I would have the supper dishes washed. It was quite dark before she cume, so I thought | I would frighten her. I got a turnip and scraped ;t, and made it into a man's face lantern, and then put it on the gate post, with a taper inside it. I waited near it for about 15 minutes, when I heard the side gate click, and then I knew she had coma up the other way; i so she didn't see the lantern after all. I was lather taken id — eh, Dot? Before closing, let me insert a notice: "Lost, stolen, or stiayed fioni the D.L.F. Page a coutnbutc-r. Answering to the norn de plume of Laddie. Any news of him will be thankfully received by Shepherdess." Now, with kind regards to all the L.F., i Mr Editor, and yourself, — Yours truly, ' SHEPHERDESS. j N.B — It is over four and a-half years now since my last letter appeared," so I may I fairly claim to be called an " old writer."— S. j [I should think so, Shex>herde=s. You certainly are an old writer. I am very glad your sit.ter went round, dear. Practical jokes c£ that kind are not good.— DOT.J Dear Dot,— That is a good idea of the editor's —condensed corrcpoiidence, I mean, although, I •uppose those whose letter? are cut short yould rather they were not. Still, if the plan works, it should save both you and the editor

a great deal of worry. I think the photo was excellent — with one exception — that's me, of course. I had to lafugh. You see, girls, we frightened Boy so much that he had to turn his back to us. That was rather hard on us ; was it not? I suppose some of the L.F. who were present on Thursday thought me a rather old L.F. ; but, L.F., do not get alarmed, for thcugh I am only sft Bin, I have still four years to remain a L.F. So you must put up with me for a Httle while yet. I had some grand fun snowballing. It is only just within the last day or two that it has all melted from the hillsides. I enjoyed Roy's lettei immensely. It is very likely I met you on Wednesday, although I met so many little folk that I cannot remember half of them. Do you think you could spare me an outo., Roy? One of the L.F. asked if my initials were L. T. Well, they are. Love to all. — Yours truly, LOAF. [I am glad that the Letters Condensed departure has been so favourably received, Loaf, although I am every day expecting a sheaf .of I indignant protests from those who find omy a ! sentence or two of their letters used. — DOT.] ! Dear Dot, — Here I am again (like a bad renny, you wi)J be Baying). I see Nut (cracked) has been advising me to take Dr James, buit I must decline with thanks, as it sounds just a little too formal — does it not, Dot? Dear Loaf, I am much obliged for your sjmpathy in regard to broken bones, but happily mud does not hurt your boneß much — it is genera-lly your clothes that suffer. So poor Dum Dum has been thinking o! retiring because of the girls' persecution; but happily he seems" to have lived thfougi? it. Dear Dot, I always notice Harry is referred to as a sisterless boy (lucky fellow); but at the meeting of D L.F. that day he seemed to have plenty of sisters — it did not seem to matter if they were his own or not. And, .Boy, for once, disgraced his uniform, and surrendered without a struggle. I see some of the little folk art ct mplaining because they have not caught the "auto." fever, but anyone v ho could go through that Thursday afternoon without catching it wcuid, in my opinion, be proof against the plague itself. All the D.L.F. that day met with two big- disappointments — the first was that Dot the Myateiioua was not to lie seen, and the other was Mr Editor. We all expected to j find him very grim and fox bidding, but I tell ' you we were surprised. He seemed to ho en- ! joying himself aa much as the rest d us, and j treated us first-class. With love to all tha D.L.F. and yourself, — Yours truly, { , De JIM. | [I am sure the editor did enjoy himself on that .memorable afternoon, for I may tell you as a secret, Dr Jiin — quite right to refuse the temptation to become Dr James — he was boaming Tall over next morning when I met him and he told me all about it. It v/as evidently as much a red letter day for him as it was for any of you.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was examined at school the week before the Duke and Duchess of York came here, but I was not put into the Fifth Standard until Friday. We have a black cat, which we call Colonel Robin. It is a very lazy cat and it lies about all day long. I am waiting for Christmas to come, so that we shall be able to go to spend our holidays in the country at my grandmother's place. My little brother was only about a year old wien my mother died, but he is nearly 'e-ep. yenrs old now. My sister and I have both begun to write to you to-night, so oiu g-u^uiiiotiiu is going to give each of us a D.L.F. badge. ■isnedm looked very beautiful when the Duke and the Duchess of York were here. We had a fine view of the Duke and the Duchess when they were passing in their carriage from Fernhill Club to Princes street. The name of the book that I am reading just now is, "What Katy Did at School." It is a very nice book. Our Sunday School Union examination is going to be in the end of September. Did you like the snow? I did not like it when it began io melt, because it made the streets so dirty. With love to all the little folk, Mr Editor, and yourself,— Yours truly, WEKA. [Did, l like the snow, Weka? Oh, dear, no, I did not, and indeed I shall be very glad, dear, when the- bright days of spring a.re with us again. We have not long to wait now, have we?— DOT.] Dear Dot,-— We had snow two or three weeks ago — the first time for two years. The first day we had sleet, but on the ■following morning when we got up everything was white. Everybody went snowballing, girls and all. A number of Government officials were attacked by tli3 snowballers, and had to retreat into, shops. Three of my brothers went to Wellington, and two afterwards went on to Christchurch, to see the Duke and "Duchess of Cornwall and York. This town seemed q-ite deserted during the Royal visit to Wellington. In ojie of the land offices there was a notice: — "To Let, the town of Wanganui, for one week." The Koroniti Native School is going to give a concert here, and the pupils are all between 25 and 50 yeaars of age. *We sent cadets to Christchurch from the boys' school, undsr the care of Captain Aitken. If I have taken anyono else's name will you please tell me. With best wishes to the htlle folk and yourself,— Yours- truly, MAVIS. lI am afraid you have, Mavis ; indeed, I fancy there is more than one Mavis already. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have just finished reading the page, and I determined to write another letter, for I am aure I must be forgotten when I see that another girl has taken my norn de plume. So, Dot, I shall leave it for you to decide which of U3 is to change the norn de plume. I think the oldest writer of the two ought to be allowed to keep it. Dear Dot, I wonder what has become of Giriy and Cinderella? I have not seen a letter from either of them for a long time. It is a wonder Guly has not written to tell us shout the Shetland pony she has got. I wonder if she has ever tried to cioss the shaky bridge or climb the cemetery hill? I think I know who Mag is. Are your initials M. W.? Dear Dot, A. M. W. must have had a grand time of it when the third contingent arrived home, but I think I was equal to her, for I wa" on 1h» tongue wharf when tho troopship arrived, and then father drove seven troopers m our buggy, and my sister and myself were in the buggy with them. One of them gave me a Boer medal, which he received in Pretoria the day it was captured, and another one gave my sister a bangle that he had wever taken off his arm for 12 months. Dear Dot, since I last wrote to you I have got a new riding horse. Ht is a grand one to ride on, and a splendid juniper, so, Dot, I shall tell you my first experience in jumping him. One day Maid of Orleans and myself asked a friend to come over to our place and give him a trial, so one fine morning he came, and after he had cleared the hurdle a good many times I proposed that I should have a try, and this I did very successfully, until Maid of Orleans said it was hor turn. I was to have nx\ last turn, but to my surprise when he cleoied it he cleared me 100, so I reckon I came off second best, but luckily I was not hurt, as J might have been had I had a saddle on, for I was on bareback. I am gobig to get my photo taken ou my hoise, and it will be sent to the Witness in due time. Dear Dot, has Corporal Con returned home with the fourth coiitmgeirfc? If he has I think it is but fair that the little folk ought to collect money amongst themselves and give him a present. What do you say, Dot? What a grand writer Dandy is. I rfiould like to know who ho is. I don't think, Dandy, you have got Alys'a right name, for I think her initials

are M. J., and she lives near B. With love to Dandy, Tui, Alys, Lanette, Mag, and not forgetting Dot, — Yours truly, MAT!) OF AxHiiNS. [It has always been agreed that the oldest writer has the prior claim to the norn de plume, Maid of Athens, so the other M. of A. must find another name. No, Corporal Con joined the seventh, bo we shall not see him lor some time.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We have had a very miserable day to-day, as it has been raining and snowing most of the time. "What a splendid day the D.L.F. had at the Witness office, and how well the photo turned out. I have scrutinas>ed all the faces, but I am very sorrj to &ay that I do not know any of them. I am sure, now that some of the D.L.F. bave seen the editor, they will pronounce him very kind and pieasant, instead of being gruff and disagreeable. I see by last week's Witness that Ziska. is stjll busily employed finding out the D.L.F. I only wish I knew and as many as she does, but as it happens I only know one. I ha\e lately been enjoying the account given by Daisy Primrose of her trip to Menzies, and I was ratner disappointed to find that she did not have another letter in last week. Dear Dot, when are you going to have another group of photos in the Witness? I am longmg to see arother group, as I did not see the laet one. I v. as away from home when they appeared, and when I came back a<gain I hunted high and low for the Witness they were in; but to no avail. Did you ever try to skate, Dot? The ice up here is about 4m or Sin thick, but it is rather roiigh for skating on. Dear Dot, I think I must conclude now, as I have my school lessons to attend to. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself, — Your 3 truly, FULVIA. [It was a pity you missed the group, dear, for it would have interested you. Could none of your friends lend you the Witness with it in ? The next group is nearly leady now. — DOT.J Dear Dot, — I am back again. I did not want to write yet, but I could not resist. 1 suppose Dunedin will be a bit quiet now. People will have settled down to work aga-in. The Farmers' Co-operative Association is a great thing here, Dot. The other firms are m a fizz ; they said it was not going io be any good when it started, but they are finding out fckeir mistake now. Molly Mm© w*3 home for a holiday a week ago. I did not get time to talk D.L.F. with her. I have found out some wore little folk— numely, Dell, Jessica, and Miss Kruger. I have been keeping houae this week. Last nigiht my brothers gave mo three cheers for my cooking. Dear Boy, is the initials of your surname W., and do you live at A. ? I received a chain letter the other week. It was almost the same as Boy's and Ziska'e, but the address was a little different. Mine was No. 25, and was to stop at No. 80. Mine ia not in the fire yet ; I am going to keep it for a while. I know a few of the fourth contingent. I went to school with Trooper Jack Williams. Th« Mat aura. Valley contingent came home all safe. They carried Mr M'Nab, M.H.R., shoulder high at Gore. There are 10 of them, and Mr M'Nab gave each of them a five-pound note when they went away a.nd another when they came home, besides their horse*. So he did prebty well, did he not, Dot? Dear Fatima, j Ziska, and Rimbecco, will you exchange autos." i with me? Send them to Dot and she will | send them on to me, won't you, Dot? I know | who you are, Fatima. Do you'remember when M. C. died at H., three years ago? She wsw my cousin, and my brother used to Jive with them. Please excuse this private talk, Dot. With love to Mite, Molly Mine, Fatima, Tat, and all the little folk, not forgetting Dot and ! the good old editor,— Yours truly, • NIHIL NAMELESS. j [That was indeed liberal of Mr M'Nub, and ! if he does things like that for his district 7. J don't wonder that he is -popular.— DOT.] j Dear Dot, — I went down to jfe ' oui hcya' j come jn and I had the pleasure of speaking to | seme. I thought a great number 'ooked as if ! they didn't know what to do with themselves, j I hs-ve a little story, "The Diary of a Busy | Kitten," which will keep Ine restless little folk I quiet for a moment • — [ 7 a.m. : Got up and took a little exercise be- j fore breakfast. Mistress's work-basket wa* on • the mantelpiece. Didn't think it was in proper order; tried to set things right, but did not succeed. The whole thing tumbled to the flcor, and the thread got tangled around the chair legs. Gave it up as a bad job. 9 a.m. : Tired waiting {or the folk to come down, so helped myself to cieam — "not so thick a3 usual." 10 a.m. : Found my claws needed sharpening. Tried them on lace curtains, but the' flimsy stuff came to pieces the moment I touched it. Dear Dot, I think the wholo of it would take up too much room, so I shall leave it till next time I write and till I see how the little folk j like it. — Yours truly, [It is very amusing, Toledo, a- . >ou had sent us more of it. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was pleased to si.^ -iij last letter in so soon. I went in to Invercargill to see the returned troopers. The town was decorated beautifully with evergreens and flags. There was a terrible crowd in town. I wa« up in the park, and, oh, Dot, you should have seen the mud. All the returned troopers got silver medals. We saw the Maoris dancing, but could not get a very good view of them for the crowd, although we were inside the ring. While in the park I saw a D.L.F. She spoke to me, and I would have turned back to speak to her, only I wa3 with my uncle, and we were in such a hurry. I saw three more of your correspondents, Dot. Rima was one of them. In the evening there were fireworks. They were pretty. The Invercargill Hospital looked so nice, all lighted up and decorated with evergreens, and so did the Crescent. The Crescent was lit up with little fairy lights, and the station vrith electric light. We came home by the late train, and there was such a crush. Ye managed to get standing room in a firsA cla«s carnage, but after a while we got comfortably seated, as the people in the carriage were so generous. It was a frosty night, and was a bit cold coming otit in the train. I hope O Miixiosa San has used her best powers on Dum Dum, and entreated him to still write to the Witness. I think he is one of your best correspondents. Dear Dot, nine of your correspondents go to the same school as I do, and we are all mates. We persuaded a boy to write to you from our school. He took a good deal of coaxing, though. At las.t he said he would write, if I lent him the Witness. He says he wants to criticise some of the letters, but I think the Crrhc Club do enough of that. I think the Critic Club were too hard on Dum. Dum. Dear Camellia, I hope you won't change your name, as I think it is a very good one. V. vat do you think, Dot ? — the other night my sister said she did not quite like sleeping near a ghoit. She meant me, as my name means an Irish ghost, although I am not Irish. I shall close now, with love to Camellia and Lady Lavertea, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, BANSHEE. P.S — Dear Bubbles, are your initials E. M. "' If so. lam an old schoolmate of your cousin's. I ai'ia not bure about the first initial. -B. [This Banshee is a real live ghost, and I don't think her sister need have much fear of her.— DOT.] Dear Dot,-^-l + . is a good while since I have •written to ycu, and you will be wondering if

f I still exist. T have been waiting for the let- ! ters to decrease in number, but I think they are mcerasing. The visit of the Duke and Duchess to Dunedin is a thing of the past and r.ow the principal talk is the veathei fup here, at any rate). I see by the picture? this week that you had a good fall of snow. We did r.ot have much up here, but all the same I there was a lot of snowballing. I cou'd nol ! go out and enjoy myself because I had a verj bad cold. We gave our returned trooper a welcome home social last week. I was there, and I enjoyed myself very much. There wer« five* ether troopers besides the one from oui village. Now, just a few lines of private talk. No, Jessica, I have not seen F. lately, but father had a letter from him. Glen, are your initials L. M., and were you staying at H. I for your holidays' If so," I have seen you. I was very sorry I cou:d not get to Dunedin to ! see the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, but I was at O , and I saw them just as well there I saw four L.F. wearing badges, but I only spoke to two. Like many other little folk, 1 have begun to collect autos, and if any of the little folk will send me theirs I shall send them mine. I have found out who Diamond is. She was at the social to our returned trooper. What a grand time the L.F. had in Dunedin getting their photos taken! I wish I had been there. I met Coralie at a wedding up at H. How did you like the steps, Coralie? By-the-bye, Dot, I have found out your name, but I think it is safe with me, for I shall not tell it to anyone. I have not seen a letter from Sweet Sixteen for a good long while. Is she still writing? Our Cut fund is getting on very fast, and it is" all owing to Daisy Primrose. It is she we have to thank, isn't it, Dot. Aguinaldo, are your initials W. J. ? If so, I know who you are. You will wonder who told me. Our minister has left his charge here, and has gone to the Thames, so we have a different minister every Sunday. With love to Diamond, Glen, and all the rest of the L.F., and also yourself, — Yours truly, THE NIPPER. I [So kind of you, Nipper, to keep your discovery of my identity to yourself. That is the best of those who find me out: they are quite willing to keep the secret, so Dot remains as mysterious as ever. — DOT.] ! Dear Dot,--I did not go to see the Duke j atid Duchess, but my parents went, and they ! said it was lovely. I should have liked to have ' seen them, because when they become King and Queen I should be able to say I had seen the King and Quee>. of England, but 1 don't suppose I lost much by not seeing them. Dear Dot, were not those little boys that ran away from home to 3ee the Duke two plucky chaps? I saw your group of little folk, and I think they looked very nice, especially Boy, Dunedimte, Mimosa, King, the editor, and Areta. Dear Dot, I think the way you have got to condense letters is a good way. Each one's letter can have* a turn of being done like that. I have found out who you are, Aguinaldo. I shan't say whati your initials are. Dear Doi^ was not Ursula a silly to let, her brother read the fir»t of her letter? He will read all Dot's letters until he sees Ursula's letter, and then he will know it from the part he reac 1 , and will find out her pen name Perhaps he knsw it beforehand, though. >!o wonder you £.ot a scare at the meteor, 4..5.S , because you ara I only " an ass," and all tho cssea gefc a scare. I Oh, I beg your pardon, a.S.S. ! I hope you are | aot offended. Dear Dot, Geoff wrote " a boy " i q'ter his curae to make suro tha-fc sou wouldn't r«]l aim a girl. We had grand bin snoTVhAiling whe-n the snow was here. Dscl and my i little brother and sistei fought against we three I girl 3. »nd we ran round th 3 house and i inside. My brother kept, celling cp cowards. ; We told bin? he did ail the taiku'g and na i -<crk. And ?cr he did. My sister got one of | those chain lailesa Bo? was telling yea about, but I don't think hers read the same, though lit was to the same person. I think. Dear Dot, I shall cor-'ssticmd with Alias, if ah? fckss. You can aond iioi my address, acd sh.e can v?iite to me, and :.srA her addreaa along with her letter. DurJrg the snow my sislsr -and cousin and I went, over *n a friend's h.ous«> to f;et some books. Coding hemo, 'ye had to wade in cold ■water over the boot-tops, and my f-*ec felt like pins and r.Lefue* v.-heu ■•vs got ovl; of the water. With lev. !•.' z,'-'t - '_Co:it3 t-ui;, F.FFIE. [I am glad ycu rr.iuk the condensed letters a good idea, Effie. I wonder if you will think so when your turn ootl-.&s to appear La ths/i column, dear?- -DO I.] Dear Dot, — 'f ou seetc. to have such, s, number of correspondents that I ant -writing this with many misgivings as to whether it -will appear in print or get condensed, as so many otheia .have been lately. This li my first letter, aucfc 'i want to see how long I csua write without being found out, so I shpil try to describe the place I live in without giving myself away, district I live in has been in agea past a volcanic region. One of the supposed ■ iters would have swa-llowed up the whole of Dunedin and harbour. Wonderful treasure has been found here, and people say thaA thereis more to be found yet if they ceulu only hit on the right ulace. One of the old pioneers who first discovered this district died about a year ago. In his memos. he speak 3 of this di3teic£ as though it must have been a most beautiful land for pasture. The grass was up to the horses' knees. It is very different now. The vermin introduced by the white men have completely altered the aspeci of -the country, and the thousands who have oome and gone in years* gone by in search <>i treasure have made such holes in the earth that that also has not improved it. On one tract of land there must have been at one time a large forest, though never in the memory of white men ; the stumps of trees found in the early days gave one the idea, that it must have been destroyed by fire. Some of the bush that bordered the sides of the river when the- pioneers first came has also disappeared. Even the rivers themselves have changed. Where one river ran into another with a fall of 20ft or 40ft, they now run level. There are notmany people living here at present compared with the number in the old days, and m coming across the ruins of an old house with only its chimney standing I like to stand and think of the story that old fireplace could tell me if it could only speak, so I try to picture the forms of people long ago, and weave romances about them in my mind. At one place I came across there had been a dwelling in. a cave, and the track leading up to it is still to be seen. With love to Dandy, Boy, Nancy, Norma, not forgetting your dead little self, — Yours truly, POKA NOSA. [It is to be hoped that means will be found to find a good deal more of the hidden treasure, Poka Nosa, and thus make us all the richer. That must indeed be a big crater if it could take all Dunedin within its walls.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l have just been looking at thegroup of D.L.F. photos in the Witness this week, and I was sorry I was not among them, too, as I was in town, and must have passect the office about a quarter of an hour after. It was very good of the editor to treat them like that. lam sure every one would be quite pleased. I saw a, great number of little folk in town, and I was speaking to one or two. I

bave found out at last who Nevada and Zilda ■to by a letter in last week's paper, where it said that their pony was run over by a tram. Well, I knew whose pony that was. Dear Dot, was that not a lot of snow we had two weeks ftKO? AYe had grand fun snowballing. -baleen' and I had fun one night, too, sliding and I snowballing. I am giving mrseli away entirely now for when Maleen sees this letter, she will know who I am. Dot, do you thmk theie is i any fun in telling each ether your name, for I don't ■> You may as well sign your real name. I thiuk it is best to puzzle and find out each other. You must excuse this scribb c, as 1 am m a terrible huiry so as not to let ivy biotbwfe see me writine this, as they are awfully ai-xious to find me out, then I shall sot fun. 3 saw m one of Jessica's letters where she shut her eyes when she was going to hre out of a rifle. 'Well, I was not so bad as that t,ie first time I had a try. but because I did i.ot strike the target the first time I was grectrd ■with, "Oh, you are no good at ail! ' Lea gee the gun!" "You could not shoot for sour apples! " That was wba,' my brothers said, but they did not do any better themselves Ihe first rabbit they shot we never heard the end of it. I must close now, as it is getting late, so good-bye. — Yours truly, DALIS. fl wonder what your brothers will say when bbey see ycur account of their benstmg, Dalis. Perhaps it will be a lesson to thovu, and to some other biotliers as well, for I ianty biov .hfirs, as a rale, think they can <so things so rery much better than their sisters. Yon- ne[ltected^to enclose your name and- address, dear. pear Dot,— After sis months' absence from ro'ur eveiNmcreasing page, I now take the op- , >ortumty of writing a few lines. I was in ,}pnedin at the time of the Royal visit, and i must say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I 1 can tell you I was kept very busy looking | out for D.L.F., of whom I must say there j was a terrible number. Amongst the dozens of L-F. I was so fortunate as to meet were Poppy, Phrebe, Pauline, Fifi, C. C. M., and others too numerous to mention. I had just stepped off the train at Bwnedin when someone called out, " If ullo, D.L.F. f " After looking round I soon found out it was Poppy, but being m such a hurry to see my friends, I did not stay long ■with her. I was very sorry that I was not at tho L. F.s visit to the W. O-; but as I oaly came to Dunedin that night I could not posBibly have attended. While looking at the froup, I was able to identify some of the L.F. passed in the streets. Dear Dot, I have not told you what sort of a place I live in. Well, the best I can say of it is that it is very lonely, our nearest neighbour living about half a mile away. Although I was in town for three ■weeks I did not go to see the W. 0., as I had intended, for, like most girls, I am veTy bashful when there is no one with me. I have been very bad with the toothache lately, through not having enough courage to have it out. I said I would rather let it ache, but I have changed niy mind since. With love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, ESTELLA. [You had quite a long stay in town, EsteHa, j Wt it was a pity you did not arrive in time to be in the group. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Many D.L.F. have asked me to write, and one day I did so, but my mother j made me burn the letter. I know several of the D.L.F., and I am going to keep a list of their names I was in the demonstration at Lhe Caledonian Grounds-, and when I was coming up past the Witness office I heard '"-Somebody overhead singing out, " D.L.F. !"• D.L.F.! ' On looking up I saw a lot of child*** on a little bridge over me. We g-e-t the Witeess every and I always read the D.L-.Rsletters. I j wonder what the- country childrenihink when they have to go about three miles^to school. I have just to go about ten places down and I am at it. I have found out Britain. Hare you always to give your name and address at the end of the letter? Have you got Bny more badges left, Dot? — Yours tiuly, ZENA, THE CIRCUS GIRL. [Yes, Zena, send your name and address with each letter. Yes, dear, I have plenty of badges.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I think I can just see you rub"bing your eyes, and exclaiming, " Oh, dear ; heie is another intruder l " But forgive me, Dot, won't ycu 9 — the temptation is too gieat to resist. We are having terribly cold weather 1-ere. It has been freezing for five weeks without a break. I got up one morning, and, my word, didn't I get a surprise when I saw the ground white with snow. It was 4in deep, without a word of exaggeration. We had some gieat fun snowballing. Things were pretty Fhely for a while.; but, alas! I got a crack en the ear that made me see stars. I am sure the person that threw that snowball must have put a fair-sized stone in it. What a number of new writers you get every week ; but it is a pity so many old correspondents are retiring, because their letters were so interesting. I wonder where Shan, Jessie C, Little Lady, •Marie, Wullie, etc., have got to? They seeji to have vanished from Dot's little band. Why don't you hurry up and write us a nice long 9efter. Harry? You seem to be keeping in the background, too. I think you looked very Slice among the group of D.L.F. that was in the ("Witness. Everything seems to be at a standstill here at present. None of the claims are •working, as the water is all frozen, burl; I suppose they will start again as soon as the /veatiher breaks. The Blue Dnck dredge is shut down, and ©he is now for sale. Her claim turned out to be » regular duffel. seemed prosperous up here for a while, but the place is quieter than ever now. It is coming near my birthday, Dot, but I still havie four years before the retiiing age. 1 think Rimbecco is the same age as I. I ehould like very much to get your autograph, Kimbecco. If you will send il to Dot, sh.e will kmdlx »anfl it oßj won't sou. Dot? Dsfit

Dot, is there any truth in the report thai; Trooper Con is coming home soon? Two tioopero who leift here* with the fourth contn.gent arrived home last week. They go* a. | real hearty welcome m the form of a social I and dance. I am a great reader. I love read- j ing novel*; they are so interesting. How are I you off for chilblains, Dot? If I've got one I've got a dozen. I rub turpentine on them every night, so they will soon, go away. Well, everyone elso m the house is away to Blanket Bay, so I must say good-night, dear Dot, with heaps of love for yourself and about as much as you could stick in your eye for the editor, — Yours truly, 9 MATAKANUI-ITE. [I think I have had fully a dozen inquiries about Corporal Con's supposed return this. weak, notwithstanding the fact that it has been _ more than once stated that he has joined the seventh contingent, and remains in South Africa.— DOT] j Dear Dot,— l fancy that you will get quite ' a shock when you receive another lettei from me so soon. Well, a year elapsed between the last two, and A you will forgive me this time I shall not write again for a year. The reason I am writing this is to correct a mistake m my , j last letter in connection with the answer to i Daisy Primrose's riddle. That is not the solu- j i tion I found, D. P. It is the answer to an- ] 1 ether riddle. I puzzled over D. P.'s riddle for j I a, long- time, and when I thought I had found it I gaire the riddle to father, and asked linn ; iif -what I had sorted was Tight. Don't laugh. < at me, D. P., if I am wrong, but I found out i the riddle to be a bird's rest with five birds m it, or a hen and four chickens, in the head of a ' dead cow or bullock, or some other dead animal. Father laughed at me at first, and then j asked ms the riddle again, and after thmk- . ing for a while he said, " Well, yes, that could | do, ' but he said that several other things • could be made out of it. So D. P., if a bird s nest with five occupants in a bullock's or sheep's skull is incorrect, don't laugh at mo like father did. Have the group of D.L-.F_-who were in Dunedin appeared yet, Dot? With love to all the D.L.F., and yourself,— Youra tlUly> MARJORY. [Yes, Marjory, they were in the Witness of July 9. You will see several allusions to the group m this and two or three previous issues. Ycur answer to Daisy Primrose's riddle is certainly applicable. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am writing thi3 letter outside as I have no peace inside, for my brothers and I sisters are all jumping about. This is the . warmest day we hove had this month, and I have a, little spare tune to write to you, though ! it is not very often that I have any tame. I j was at a birthday party the other night, and I 1 enjoyed myself immensely. About 7 o'clock, Black Watch, Seaforth, my sasterl, and I left home, and proceeded on our journey towards the house, which was situated amongst a clump of blue-gum trees about 200 yards from our house. When, we arrived there, I rang the bell, and we were immediately shown into the kitchen. There are about 22 rooms in. the house, and I can tell you I was lost pretty often in it. However, I managed to find the kitchen again, and had just been seated when the shrill penetrating, ceaseless sound of the Highland pibroch caught my ear. I scooted out of the kitchen into the passage, and there, to my mteuse delight, I saw one of the members of the Dunedin Pipe Band. I am very fond of the bagpipes, and I wou'd fellow them for milea. The dancing then commenced, and you could soa them " Dancing on their toes, With their elevated nose, Their head in a whirl, And their arm full of girl." After tea the dancing was renewed with great vigour until it was time to go home. I never indulge in. dancing. I don't see the good of jumping arid hopping about the room, makingyourself tired for nothing. About 4 o'clock Black WatGh went home, and enjoyed his beauty sleep. I cam-© home about half past 4, and did likewise. Black Watch and I were a little disinclined to quit the stronghold of our bed at 7 o'clock. However, we managed to get up and milk the "kye." Every Wednesday night Black Watch goes down to the township and gets the Witness, and I keep the fire warm till he conies home. Oh, I forgot to relate an unpleasant experience which befeU us as w© were returning home from the party. Close to our house is a creek, over which we had to cross. My sister came first, and Seaforth and I brought up the reai. Suddenly we heard an awful splash, and we ran down to the creek, and— would you believe it? — here was our sister (who, by the bye, is abovit lOcwt) struggling in the water, her long black tresses streaming around her, and screaming wildly for help. It took the united efforts of Seaforth and myself to haul her out, much to our relief, as we were fair out of breath. However, she vas not hurt much, and she soon reached, the house, which, luckily for us, was not fai off. I When she got into the house she looked like | a half-drowned rat. She vowed she would | never go to a party again if she had to cross j a creek. She was eloquent m her thanks to iis for saving her from a watery grave. I suppose I'll have to do the disappearing trick after this appears in print, as I have great respect for Sis's " mailed fist." I have a gcod collection of autos; but, like Oliver Twist, I am asking for more. If any of the little folk care to send their autos I shall be very pleased to send mine in return. Darkness is creeping on now, so I shall conclude. With best love and kindest regards to all,— Yours truly, LANCER. [I should think you had better do the vanishing trick for a while, for I can quite tinder- | I stand there being a very indignant sister abroad after she reads this week's Witness. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is just three months since I j rfti last* or rather first, letter to xou.

For the last two weeks I have not had a look at the Witness; but Rita, told me that my badge had been posted to me, but I think there la some mistake , because it has not leached me yet. 1 was down at Dunedin, and called at the office to get a badge; but as there were no badges in, the clerk said he would post me one. Lately, I have been, thinking that the clerk had forgotten all about " Goody and the badge," but I have made a sad mistake, and I hope he will forgive me. While I was in Dunedin I was introduced to a gentleman, and he said that he was going to write to me through Dot. Dear Dot, if he does-, you. won't print his letter, will you ? The morning I went for my badge the clerk told, me io come in the afternoon; and, lo and behold, when I reached there, there were about 40 D.L.F. at the office. As I had no badge on, I did not like to speak, but Alison soon came and I got to know several. I met Alison on the Wednesday, and now we axe old friends, aren't we, Alison? Please, dear Alison, write to me soon. I cannot write to you as I've forgotten your name; perhaps you have forgotten mine too ? Then, Dot, one of us must give you some trouble by making you. our medium. Just aa 1 was writing this my brother began blowing at the lamp, saying that if the. lamp exploded I should have some more rubbish to tell you. I can't get this letter written.' to you because of the way he is bothering me. Cluny is begging him to stop making such a noise, but xt makes no difference. Are not brothers -teases and they always bother one when one is doing some-thing special, such as writing to Dot Bert said in one of his letters that he had not had the strap this century. w£a fc a good, little boy you must be, Bert! Oh, I beg your pardon, as I am not much older than you I often get the strap, but, of course, I am a, dreadful chatterbox, and so is thie girl I sit next to, therefore we're " often in corners ti"ht" I enjoy school all the same, and an extra, " lifiey " or two makes no difference^ We have had Dunedm weather lately, but for the last two days our own weather. The rain, they say, will do good, but the farmers will soon be grumbling again at the weather. The farmers up here are always grumbling. It's either too wet or too dry. I hope it keeps dry Dear Dot, when I came home from Dunedin, and told the girls all about the D.L.F., etc they did envy me, and said that they wished they had been at Dunedin, too. The other day, at school, one of my friends came and said to me, " Hullo, Goody, I saw your photo in the Witness! " Some of the D.L.F. have told how they got their noms da plume. I got mine from " The Happy Family," a kinderspiel. Cluny was "Goody Two Shoes," and whan I took that name I thougnt that those up here would thmk that Cluny was writing under that norn de plume. My brother callo m=- " Faddy Four Boots," but I don't thmk that I am bad enough to be called Baddy, nor yet good enough to be called Goody. I shall close now. Wibh love to Alison, Cherrynpe, Piccolo, Rata, Cluny, the clerk, the kind and gefierous editor, yourself, an-d all the other D.L.F., — Yours truly, GOODY TWO SHOES. . (Alias Baddy Four Boots.) j [Thie clerk tells me the badge was posted in July 7, Goody, and I trust you have got it ere this. It was very fortunate that you were in the office just as all the D.L.F. were there. Ycur brother is certainly a great tease; but I suppose he does not mean any harm. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — In my last letter I said thai I would write after my examination, and as that momentous event has; passed, and the results have become the talk of the day, I am going to fulfil my promise to write again. Davie, Anglo, and 1 I passed ; indeed, if I had failed I had made up my mind not to write to your page again. Goody came home from Dunedin the night before the exam, began, and nothing else was talked about but Dunedin and the D.L.F. she had met. Next morning, feeling very downcast, wondering if the arithmetic would be hard, and so on, guess my surpris-e when, on reaching the gate, I met a D.L.F. This is the first and only stranger that I have met wearing a badge. I do not know if I gave the Witness smile, but Laddie certainly gave it. After 1 left him I had forgotten all about the exam. till I reached the school, and when I saw the long faces of the girls I remembered what -was in store for me. I told the other D.L.F. girls that I had met Laddie, and they, too, forgot for a time about arithmetic. During the exam, week gas was being put into the school for the technical classes, and two of the young men ■who were working must have heard that I was Scotch, because as I passed one said to the other, " I dunno ken, fur I'm no a Scotohnran." I could not resist replying, " I ken that; fur ye dinna look wan." On. the last afternoon of the exam, other two girls and I ■were in the anteroom, when one said to me, " Ygu are a D.L.F., are you not?" I answered, " Yes," and asked hei if she was one, or if she knew any. She told me thpt her gieatest friend wrote, and knowing that she ond Ziska come from the same place, I asked if Ziska was her friend. So we had a D.L.F. I talk, and I told her to write, but we said gcod-bye when some of the other girls enterei the room. In one of ycur letters you said, Zisl.a, that you had met only twe persons wearing badges, not including your sistei?. Well, when you are in T., if you are at all lucky, you must meet a D.L.F. You should, at theie are five oi six on the lookout for you. Davie and Rata said that they had a glimpse of you; but as you were lot looking, they had not the courage to spsak. Dear Kildonan, I've a bone to pick with you. Please do not tell your new friends about me and my friends : you may tell them as much as you wish abouc the page and your own letter, as long as you j leave me as Cluny alone. Another thing that has laised my ire is a. statement you made in your last letter. It was not strictly truthful, j as we were invisible to you. I'm afraid you •ffiiil think iae ver^ bad-umpeiedj P,«.ti but itj

is anoying to have your affairs told to the girls of another school. You will soon have a large band up here. I know three girls who are going to write to you, " just for the fun of the thing," as one, said to me ; so we shall soon have as many as Dunedin if things, go on at this rate. O Mimosa San, do-es your surname begin with T. ? If you are the girl I thmk you are I -know your cousins well, and you were up here for a holiday last Christmas or the one before that, I really forget whicn. Your cousin's surnames begin with W. and 0., and Anglo, L. L., and I have had high times together, and many a trick we played on some poor unfortunate. Dear Cherrynpe, am I askmg too much of you it I request you to write to me 1 ' I have mother's leave to correspond with a D.L.F., and I should hke to become acquainted with several thiough writing to them. Was it not sad, Dot, that the ship Lizzie Bell was' lost, and some of her crew drowned' Perhaps this may seem a sad, strange thought, but all the others have retired, and I feel very quiet. The only sound that is audible to me is the noise of the waves-. The sea is pretty rough to-night, and as we live very near the beach, we can always hear it. When the sea is calm I often tdiink that it lulls one to sleep; but when rough you wonder how far up the beach it is, for it seema to be beating against the house — not a very pleasant idea at midnight or thereabouts, I can tell you. I think I must have been writung a great deal of nonsense. The editor will be flunking that, anyway, though Goody aays mat he is " perfectly lovely." Mother declares that you must be very sweet-tempered to read all the letters sent to you. Oh, but you will be thinking that it is time I w*s in bed, and so it is, as it is nearly midniglrt, so I shall say good night, and close this letter, sending my love to Oherryripe, Piccolo, Ziska. and her friend, Laddie, Rata, Anglo, and Goody, who, by the bye, is good only when she is asleep. — YOIU " S tIUIy ' CLUNY. [Oh, dear, Cluny, what a long letter! I am afraid it will take up quite half a column ! Whatever shall I do if the half dozen new writers you promise us should be as prolific in words as you have b6en this week? — DOT.] Dear Dot, — My brottier and I were down in Dunedin seeing the Duke and Duche&s. Wasn't Dunedin pretty, and the arches were just lovely. I saw quite a lot of little folk with badges. I think the group of little folk was a great success. The editor looks 1 so kind, but it was too bad of you to disappear, Dot. Have you had much snow in Dunedin, Dot? It was about a foot deep up here, and is not all cleared away yet. I only know two of your little folk, Dot— Beppo and Rob Roy. Are your initials J. R., Beppo? If so, we were old schoolmates. Do you like shooting, Dot? I think it is grand. I -asked my brother a littles. while ago to let me have a shot. He said he would when he came back, but he is not back yet. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting yourself and the editor,— Yours trUly ' CONNIE. [We do not get a chance to do any shooting in town, Connie, so I cannot say whether I should like it or not. Don't shut both eyes and scream out when your chance comes, dear. — DOT.3 Dear Dot, — Isn't this terrible weather we are having just now, and so awfully cold, too. I I see by the pictures in the Witnns3 a week or ; two back that you had a good fall of snow [ in Dunedin. I wonder if you were out snow- [ balling at all, Dot? As for us up here, we had scarcely any snow at all to speak of. Well, Twinkling Star, how are you after the skating? Wasn't the "Farewell! Farewell! " done very effectually, and also. " Kathenna." A verse of one of Spenser's poems comes into my head just now "which I thmk would suit Twinkling Stai very well, for she is always so lively and cheerful : — " And her against sweet cheerfulness was placed, Whose eyes like twinkling stars in evening clear Were deckt with smiles, and all sad humours chased, And darted forth delight the which her goodly graced." Dear Dot, I think you were mistaken when you said there was already a Twinkling Star writing, as I know my friend was the firs-t tc write under that norn de plume, and I don't think there is another T. S. Of course, there may be, but lam not aware of it. About those chain letters, I also received one from a little folk, the letter being worded the same as the one Ziska put m the L.F. Page, but I took no notice of it, as my brother and father assured me it was only a " fraud." I enjoy reading Daisy Primrose's letters very mxich, and I also think she deserves great credit for her effort in aid of the Cot fund. I could not for woilds have done what she did. I see some of the little folk have the auto, craze. As for me, my case is a pretty serious one. Why have you not sent me yours, Sea Nymph, in return for mine? Deal Dot, when anything happens at home now my brother says, " That will lie something else for you to write and tell Dot." I think I have taken up enough space now, so I shall conclude. With love to Twinkling Star, Sunflower, Vivace, and St. Clainte, not foigettmg Mr Editoi and our patient, mysterious Dot, — Yours tiuty, GOLDEN MORN. [When youi brother pays that, Goldfn Morn, you might very well thank him for the suggestion, and say you will make a note of it. Yes, dear, your friend is certainly the first, if not the only Twinkling Star writing. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — The long-expected and much-talked-of Royal visit is a matter of historynew; but I shall give you a short account of i how I spent the eventful week. Accompanied j by several of my brothers I left home on Wed- ' Uvsdaj e*orniDg at half past 8, and reached

town two hours later. I fchen separated froir" the rest of the party, and went off on my own? As I walked down the decorated streets I kepfc a sharp look-out for badges, and I saw a great [ number of them. As the wearers were mostly of the opposite sex I was constantly laising my cap, the peak of which was much worn out in consequence. I thought the decoTations, arches, etc., were lovely, and the immense crowds that thronged the streets were good-natured and orderly. I got a splendid view of 'i'.R.H. and suite as they passed alongto the Octagon, and again as they returned to the club, 'ihe chief centre of attraction while waiting for T.R.H. (to me, at' any rate) waa the pipe bands. Being a true Scotty, I could not repress a cheer as the Hielandmen, *• witlh: their philibags and tartan pfeids, and quid clayniorest doon by their sides, marched along the streets. I came into town in the evening to see the illuminations, which were also lovtiy. We reached home at 12 o'clock that night, thoroughly tared out, and I can assure you, Dot, that 1 went to sleep without rocking. Next day was (in my opinion) ot even groitter importance, for were we not to go to the Witness office to have our photos taken?, Thither I repaired at 2 o'clock, and I was rather dismayed when I saw such a large number of DoVs girls gathered around the door; but I thought of a motto that I adopted a long time ago — "" Never say die; tackle it like a. Briton, and marched up to them, and soon made tiieir acq^isuLnt-aaicG. TCliey g-nrls) a.ll seemed veiy niu&, and we wore soon busy exchanging' autos. I was one of the unlucky ones that went to Knox instead of the First Church, and therefore did not get my photo taken; but I had a splendid afternoon tea, got 13 autoa and a, hearty handshake from the dear, oldi editor; so I think I was very fortunate, indeed; don't you, Dot? I'm sure we ought ta all feel very grateful to the editor for spending so niiicli time over us, and I, for one, shall never forget his kindness. We had great fun. out here while the snow was on the ground. We made several snow men, and my bro&era and I had some splendid snqw fights. It wasn't such- iun sledging in turnips for the cattle, as we had to kick away the snow from, around the turnips before we could pick them, 1, like most L.F., have got the auto, craze, and would be pleased if any of the L.F. would! send me their autos, and I'll be pleased to send) mine in return. Now, Dot, I think I'll windi up this rambling epistle. All the " small fry" are kicking up such a row that it is quite impossible to write a good letter. Au revoir. With love and regards from, — Youra truly, SEAFORTH. [That is certai-ily writing under difficulties, Seaforth, but you have succeeded m making an interesting letter, notwithstanding the enjoyment of the " small fry. ' The sledging of the turnips would make you devoutly thankful when the snow melted, I should think. — DOT.] Daar Det, — When last I wrote to you I was enjoying a holiday at home; now I have just returned again. I was in Dunedin seeing their iioyal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York, and thought they both looked very nice. I saw a good few D.L.F. badges; but as I hadn't one myself, I didn't speak to any of the wearers. My sister, who has one, had a chat in Cavexsham with a brother of Black Watch's; but I forget now whether his norn de plum« was Lancer or Seaforth. When coming down from Mosgiel last week, I saw three girls standing on the platform of the Clinton, station. One wore a D.L.F. badge, and I went out and spoke to her. We told our noms de plume, and I was pleased to find hers waa Scotch Lassie. I wonder how many of youi. girl friends, Dot, ever played football at school. At our school the girls used to play against the boys, and beat them, too. Now, Dot, I am going to tell you how I got my norn de plume. After writing my first letter, I waa standing by the table puzzling my brainy what to sign myself, and I said to Freda, " Now, I shall dhoose a. name from something on this table." Well, about the first thing! my eyea rested on was a penny book, entitled', " A Soldier's Lass," and I thought that would suit me very well for a norn de plume. With kind regards to all,— Yours truly, A SOLDIER'S LASS. [And a very good name it is. Fancy girls beating boys at football ! I really do not thmk many girls can lay claim to such an honour ai; that, A. S. L.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Once I was playing about e> stream, when I fell m and got wet up to my, neck, and I got a great fright. I go to 3chool, and have a good long way to walk. Ida not like it in winter, and when it is snowing i^i is very cold. Once I went to school when the snow was up to my knees, and the road had great big drifts across_it. I was very tired when I got to school, and it took me a long time to get there. With love to all the D.L.F., not foigettmg youi self,— Yours truly, SAMUEL-. [That was certainly a dangerous journey to school, Samuel, and I should think your palents were well pleased wheii you got home safely.— DOT.] Dcai Dot.— l often go out rabbiting on Saturdays, as we have a fine pack of dogs, and wa have good sport. My brothers and I had grand fun in the snow time. We set up riddles tf snare birds, and we got nearly 200, 60 being tie most in one day. Do you like listening to an echo, Dot? We have a big hill in front of our house, and when people from town arei staying with us they amuse themselves shouting for an echo. With love to all the L.F., the editor, and yourself,— Yours truly, CURRANT DUFF. [I shoxild certainly like to hear that eclio. Currant Duff; but I suppose it only woika ■when rain is coming on, does it not? — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l have a good few dolls ; bufi I don't need to play with them, because there are a- lot of little children foi me to look after. I went down to see the Duke and Duchess; but I was not particular whether I saw them

cr not. We have a good few photos of them on the walls, and I feel like painting them, for I am a pretty fair painter. We have no very near neighbours, and tha<t comes very handy, because they cannot hear if we make 6 bit of a row. — Yours truly,

[You find the live dolls quite enough amusement (and trouble, no doubt), Dado, without bothering about the real dolls. But even if they are a trouble, they repay you for it with their engaging little ways, don't" they ?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — My father has a camera, and one day I told him that I wanted my photo taken to send to you. S* said he would take it soon, so I hope you will have the pleasure of seeing it some day. He is a dreadful tease, and always keeps us lively when he is at home. He is always saying that he is going to send us to tn,e Industrial School. It is a relief when lie goes over to the town. I know only three of your correspondents. I saw you, Dicky Deadeye and Jessica., running to get a ride, although you did not know me. I shall close now by giving two riddles for the L.F. : What was Joan of Arc made of? Why should soldiers be tired on the Ist April ? With love to the L.F., yourself, and the editor, — Yours truly, FAIRY. [Why, it is generally the brother who is the tease, Fairy, not the father. However, as he is only joking, you can easily put up with his little pleasantries. — DOT?.] CORRESPONDENCE CONDENSED. EtLodxb lives in a mining district, but does nor. like it. "On Saturday a football match was played by our team and one belonging to another district; but the- game resulted in a draw, and the team belonging to the other district got the cup. -It was a. shame. I should have liked to have seen our team win. What dcr you think, Dot? My favourite writers are Daisy Primrose, Rimbecco, Harry, Duin Dum, and Wullie." Anglo-Speciax has left school, " and I am very sorry, but I was wanted at home, so I had to leave. I have three brothers and one sister still at school. Lively Damsel, are your initials M. H., and do you live at D. ? If so, I know you well." Amanda had to stay at home and help her niother, so she did not see our Royal visitors. " A few days ago we (the school children) got laedals, which we prized greatly. I know who *6me of the C.C. arc." Flobcdoka knows quite a number of L.F., including N&acy, Kawarau, Matilda, Norma, Scribbler, Dror.ru, Boy, etc. '" We are having very hard frost here at present, and have grand fun skating on the ponds. We had a fall of snow here a while ago ; but it is all melted now." :': ' Dollie says: — "I know Sabina and Flower Garden, but they don't know me. The railway is coming nearer every day. There wa-s a heavy si.owfa.ll here; but your hands get too cold to snowball. Do you like spiders, Dot? I am. terribly frightened of them; but I am very fond of horses. My brothers are teas-ing me all the time; what would you do with them, Dot? " Red Rose writes : — " We are still having very cold weather up here, and have plenty of ice to slide upon. I should like to learn to 6kate, and have a- pair of my own', aB there is plenty of ice near our place. A social was given to our returned troopers on Friday night, and it was' a great success." ZiARY {I wonder if it should be Larry?) tells me she is only eight years of age. " I have four miles to walk t6 school, and it is a very dirty road. lam in the Secoad Standard, and I have » kitten which I call Topsy." Alberta did not get to town during the Eoyal visit ; but as she had been down, some little time before, she was not disappointed. " I live 165 miles from Dunedin ; that is a. good long- way, isn't it? I have been in Dimedin twice." Snowdrop thinks she will ba going for a trip' soon if the weather takes up. I hope she vill enjoy herself. Jack Frost had a disagreeable experience. " There has been a lot of ice up here, and one day, when I was sliding, I fell in, aad when I came homo I put my boots in the oven, and they frizzled up." Scotch Thistle would like some D.L.F. to exchange autos. -with her. Maibbdan, who has not written for five years, would be pleased if Dunedinite would change autos. with her. " I live about 12 miles from Winton, and I often go there, but I do not see any L.F. I saw where some of the L.F. thought it was hard to make bread, but I think it is very easy." Theodosia is very anxious to know where Aguinaldo and his sister are going to live, now that they have left W. She discovered Cissie and Irene in the group; but didn't know who they were before. " Dear Dot, our garden is looking dreadful just now ; but we can't improve it much if it is always going to freeze. Do you like house x^lants tuch as geraniums and other flowers? We had such a lot. of geraniums last year, but they got frosted, and now we have got some others'." Christine is learning music and also harmony ; but she thinks she will soon get tired of it. — I hope not, for if she perseveres it will give her many a happy hour in after life. Seaweed has been trying to thiiik of a norn de plume; but has never succeeded until now. Dear Dot, I ha<? one of those chain letters sent to me the other day. It was just for the same thing as the one Ziska received, but I took your advice about it, and destroyed it. I have broken the chain a 9 well, Ziska." Snowy says : — Spring has at last come round. Tho- lambs are beginning to frisk about in the meadows. It is rather cold, though, for them yet. The hills about here are covered in snow, and should there be a. thaw, which often comes in spring, the township will be a regular sea. Lydia has been persuaded by Wenna to ■write. She complains of the weather, and finds it difficult to write, " as I have to scratch my chilbLains all the time." Mildred while in Dunedin. at the time of the Royal visit waa met at the station by the greeting, " D.L.F. ! " "I turned round, and two boys came up and spoke to me. They asked me my name, and I told them; then when I asked them theirs they also told me; but it waa not their right names, as I found out their real names, afterwards. My brother came home with the fourth contingent, and he got a splendid reception in Wadkouaiti and on ihe following Friday he was presented with a silver watch and a gold chain, with a Maltese cross hanging from ib." Cassy and Rena tell me " there are about 40 writmg from here. It is a good few for such a small place, isn't it, Dot? The winter is almost over now, but still there are cold winds and showers." Stuck in the Mud thus tells of the recent meteor: — "There was a ttar burst some time ago, and it gave me the biggest fright ever I got." Justine has always been trying hard to find out who Rimbecco is, " and I have found her out at last." Blanche thinks she has discovered who Dot is "Are your initials- D.F.? That would be very appropriate— Dot's Folk. If they are, my eistsr has met you. We did have a grand time the day of the return of the fourth and fifth contingents. Though we didn't have iHikes and Duchesses, not to speak of aide-dc-Cftmps, we had. more troopers than you aid,

because a lot stayed here. I have been an auntie now for five years. At first it seemed fvimy to be auntied — that is a new word; — but I am getting quite used to it now. I have three nephews and two nieces."

Nelson tells of a football match held at Mid&lemarch on Thursday, July 25, when the Wedderburn team beat the local team by 17 points to nil. '" A military concert was held here on Friday last, and the bachelors' ball is to be held next Friday, so we have something to look back upon and something to look forward to."

F. W. has a Shetland pony, and sometimes he is very tricky. " During my Christmas holidays I went to Dipton. While there I caught a young rabbit. I brought it home in a box, and put it in a hutch. It got out several times, and it is now running about the paddock." A Norman Kntght hopes that the sftaw that was falling on the day he wiote would prove enough to let him have some more fun snowballing. " 1 have a pretty little horse, which I look after. I like riding him, and I can dnve."

Camellia May was in Oamaru to see the Duke and Duchess, " and I had a good view of them. At the main entrance of the station there was a platform decorated with red, white, and blue. There wene about 800 children singing ' God save the King.' The High School Cadets formed the guard of honour. When the Duke and Duchess were coming back from Dunedin, the mayor and councillors were on tihe station, and they had the carpet spread down ready for them; but the traorv went right through, and they never saw them. '

W. B. says-: — Last night it froze very heavy here. The ice on the ponds is very thick; we are having fine fun sliding on it before we go to school in the mornings. There are plenty of game up here; there are wild pigs, pigeons, hares, ducks, and other game too common to mention. We have a nice gulden, and it looks very nice in summer. There are plenty of black currants, strawberries, and apples.

Pariah goes through a bush nearly every morning on his way to school, and it is fine shelter. " I like school very much. I do not like getting the strap, because it is sore, especially on a frosty morning."

Clementine's favourite writers are A. O. E., Cooieena, Areta, and Shrapnel. "G-loria goes to the same school as I do, but I cannot find out who she is, but I always keep a good lookout for her."

Love a Duck says • — What a time you must have had when the Duke and Duchess were in. Dunedin. I was not there, and I think I was better off than a lot who did go, for tihey did not see the Duke, and they came home tired, and wishing they had not gone. Nannie has only two or three autos., but it is a beginning. "My father is away milking with my brother. We have 12 cows milking. <1 nuik on fine nights, but not on wet ones." BELLE. Shades of evening fast are falling O'er a cottage en a hill, Though outside all things look cheerful, I All within is strangely still. Ere the morning sun has risen. Betokening' thus another day, A patient, waiting, suffering spirit "Will fore'er have passed away. Round her bed her friends nre gatheied, For they know tha end is near ; She whispers, " I can see the river, With its waiters shining clear. Once I thought I could iiot leave you, Though I felt that I must go., And I knew that I was dying — Dying — yes; but, oh, so alow! " But I did not like to tell you ; I thought I was too young to die, And the thought of parting from you, Cost me many a tear and sigh. Now for that I am forgiven, Though the parting still is sore; But before another day is breaking, Your little Belle will be no more.'' One last message to the sister Who is o'er the ocean wide, And last messages and tokens To the sisters by her side. When the morning sun is rising, Flooding earth with glorious light, In the cottage on the hillside Everything is still as night. Belle has passed beneath the shadow — She has reached the heavenly goal ; But on ea-rth she's left behind her The memory of a patient soul. Only nineteen years, she was the Idol of that happy horne — Always cheerful and contented — Never waating far to roam. And thoxigh. life is drear without her, And the way seems dark as well, They are following in. her footsteps, Hoiking soon to meet their Belle. — Jessica, TO CORRESPONDENTS. Boy. — It is all right, chum ; room can be found for it. Ziska. — Thank you so much for your thought : fulness, dear; it is so nice of you. Either penny or halfpenny stamps or postal notes — it does not matter which. May. — Yes, dear, I do think the Cot Fund has " got on famously. I never dreamt of our getting such a large sum in so comparatively short a tune. Mabama. — Will be sent in due course. Solomon Slow. — Is that " petticoat warrior " a real or an imaginary person? If real you must be careful, Sol, becaiise it does not do to make assertions in a newspaper about one's neighbours. LITTLE FOLK'S RIDDLES. By- Nancy Lee : — Why is kissing like a sewing machine ? By Camellia. May: — What is it that a lady looks for, but never wishes to find? By A Norman Knight.— (l) What would a pig do who wished to build himself a habitation? (2) If a tree were to break a window, what would the window say? By Pariah : — What is that which, by cutting a lump off each end, makes it longer? By Lord Kitchener: — Answers to Kangaroo Jack's Riddles.— (l) Coal; (2) Five days. ANSWERS TO D.L.F. RIDDLES. By Susie Garty.— A bell. By Sunny View. — A wedding ring. By Waikoura. — Dust. By Curly Bobbie. — Because she is used to reign. By Messina. — Because he's an ass. By Reykjavik. — Silence. By Bloke. — Because there have been a number of Boers (boars) killed there.