LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2509, 16 April 1902, Page 67

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto — We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. Dear Dot,— l am trying to write this letter with one sister drumming on tho piano behind me, while another in front of me is making vain efforts to get my ink bottle. Monday was a very wet day, and father said we might stay at home from school. What a day it was' As soon as the bell rang we got out all our rubbish and started to make dolls' clothes. When dinner time came mother told us a man was coming to dine with us, so we h»d to pack up all our rubbish. All the farmers round about here have their crops cut and in stcok. Very few are leading in, as the sheaves are far too damp. Dear Dot, -will you let mo try to describe the district I live in? It is a very smaii township, consisting of about 160 houses, not counting the different kinds of shops. It lies between a range of mountains, with a few large bushes clotted here and there. The woods are very pretty, for they consist of maple, totara, and many other native trees, covered with a very pretty plant which makes the trees took like balls of greenery. 1 did not go anywhere last Christmas, but I went down to Port Molyueux in November with my brother, sisters, cousins, aunt, and mother. We stayed a week down there, and had lovely weather. During our stay we met a number of D.L.F., who managed to find out that Nilas, my sister, and I were D.L.F. One day as we were bathing in the sea a girl passed wearing the Witness smile. We watched her till she got up to our house, and, to the amazement of us all, she turned and went in. She turned out to be Cooee. You will be thinking this a very silly letter for a girl in the Sixth Standard, and who will be 13 on April 7. I should very much like to receive autos, so anyone caring to send theirs, please address, " Fanny, care of Mrs W. Smith, Silvermere, Stirling," and I shall send my auto, in return, — Yours truly, FANNY. [Why I don't think a township with 150 houses in it is so small as all that, Fanny. I shouldn't wonder if it gets a mayor and councillors some of these days. — DOT.] Dear Dot — It is over a year now since I last wrote to you, and I can hardly think you can call me one of your band ; but, Dot, as the old saying goes, " Better late than never." It is very lonely to-day, as all my brothers and sisters are away, 'and I am left in charge of the house. The weather has been so miserable down here lately, and has kept the farmers back with the harvest. I think the harvest time 18 the best time, Dot, especially when the corn is put into stacks, as I am sometimes asked to " crow "" — not a bad job, anyway. I have a good many pets. Dot, but I like my two dear old pussy cats best I shall not mention their names, oi I might be found out. What a nice lot of letters there have been in the Witness lately. I have found out who Hearty Lassie is, but bhe does not know who I am. Do you. Hearty Lassie ' Isn't this war terrible, Dot. What a lot of men ha\o gone from New Zealand, and many a brave one has lost his life. Wasn't it sad about the seventh contingent when they lost so many in that fierce engagement! I hope, Dot, the war will be over before very long. I shall close now, dear Dot, or Mr Editor will bo growling. With love to all the little folk, not forgetting your dear self, and kind regard's to Mr Editor,— Yours truly, LOVE-IN-A-MIST. [I cannot see why you should not be still considered one of our band, Love-in-a-Mist, even though it is 12 months since you wrote. I am sure many D.L.F. still remember your signature.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am not at all acquainted with you, but I see other little folk writing to you, co I thought I would follow suit. I havp just come in from 'having a splendid ride. I had a trooper's horse, and such a dandy. I expect this dear old horse will be going away with the tenth contingent, so I shall have to start and pull the onions now. Wo haven't got too many, either. My sister and I went for a walk the other nitjht through the bush, anel when we were coming home we got lost. But it was such a lovely night, as clear as day, so we did not mind it a little bit. I wish you had been there. Dot, to hear the fun we had with weasels and ferrets c qucaling Reside us. The bachelors had a dance hcie on Friday night, but it t\as very wet, and I don't think there were many present. I suppose there would be a good many bachelors, ns there are plenty of them in the district. I soc the labbit waggon Ins started to run up and down the flat, so Mi Bunn> wi'l have to look out. — Yours tru!v, DICE. [I should rather not have bsci piers:: t, Dice. I Rats are bad enough, but v. easels aud feriets — ugh! -DOT.] Dear Dot, — As Old Boy wishes all the little folk to find out where he is wrong in his. correction of D.L.F. Civis's quotation, I may point out to him that, instead of " The evil iaeA Uo liTfia ftiitt liisUi fee ywd ie §Ji m-^

terred with their bones," he should have said, " The evil that men do lives after them ; the good is" oft interred with their bones." The crops are all pretty well in the stack up this way, and already there are two threshing machines at work. Poor bunny is catching it now, and at night the lulls arounel are dotted with the lights of the trappers. My brother and I went out one evening to shoot rabbits with a pea nfle, but as we were both very bad shots we did not kill any rabbits , so we stuck our hats in a bush and started shooting at them. We put a bullet through each of them , but I shall not say how far away we were from them. With love to all the L.F., the editor, and yourself,— Yours truly, SWEEP. [As you are so inexperienced with the pea rifle, Sweep, I hope you will be very careful in using it, and never fire indiscriminately. A bullet from a pea rifle is just as liable to kill someone as one from a full-sized rifle, and boys should always remember this, and exercise the greatest care in handling and using it.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l am away from home just now, staying with my brothers. I have been staying with them for about five weeks, but I am going home soon. Last Sunday week my sister and brother and I were away for a drive, and we enjoyed it very much, but before we reached home again my sister got a good spiller out of the cart, but she was not hurt. Harvest is going on here, but we have had very bad weather for a week, and it is not clear yet. We have had a letter or two from my brother, who went to the war in the Eighth Contingent, and he says he enjoyed himsnlf grand on the voyage. I saw a. photo of another girl who has the same norn de plume as I have. I don't know which of us had our norn de plume first. With love to all the little folk, the editor, and yourself, — Yours truly, ELDERGOWAN. [I really cannot say which of you hael the no me de plume first. Eldergowan", but ]f you put " I ' after it we shall be able to distinguish between jou in future letters. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l was at the circus when it was here, and I enjoyed it capitally, as I had never seen one before. In the tiger act I was always afraid one of the tigeis was going to attack tho man, as it would turn round and show its teeth. What wonderful feats were perfoimed on horseback! The boxing ponies were very good, and also the bear performances. I c aw Clanssa there. She was wearing her badge. I wonder if the boy who was with her was a D.L.F.? He had no badge on. I was out for a ride one day not long ago, and was trying to do a little performing, when the stirrup bioke, and I nearly came a cropper. I always rida clotnes -peg style, Dot, as I find it is ihe safest plan with a man's saddle. We had floods here on Sunday and Monday, which did an immense amount of damage. One night Romany Leigh, my sister, and myself were going along the road. It was a very lark night, and a cyclist came behind us, and gave us such a fright. I called out to him, "Where's your lights ? ' and he replied, " Next my liver! " Wasn't he smart, Dot? I see Clarissa has a bicycle now. I see her nding it sometimes. One day I saw Clarissa at the station. There was a girl with her wearing a badge. I think it was Areta. They seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely over something. What a pity Con did not let us know he was coming home, so that we could have got up a presentation for him. I think he richly deserved one. If I was Maid of Athens I would have thought it an honour to have shaken hands with so gallant a soldier. He sets Nut a good example, doesn't he, Dot? Captain Jackson Barry, whatevei weie you thinking about when you said in your letter ycu thought the D.L.F. were doing enough gathering for the cots without getting up a presentation for Con' Really, there must be a> ,'bit of the pro-Boer about you to talk like that. Who knows, we may be able to give him a present when he returns after his campaign with the Ninth Contingent. I know a lot of troopers who went with the " Nimble Ninth." Very few went from this district. However, I wish them all God-speed and a safe return. I expect there will be great rejoicing when the Sixth Contingent leturns. It will soon bo tune for cow-spanking; that's the only thing that pays just now. With love to all the D.L.F., — Yours truly, AURORA LEIGH. [It must indeed have been a treat for you to see a circus for the fiiat time, Aurora Leigh, and I can quite understand you being delighted with it.— DOT.] Deal Dot, — Wo are getting our Easter holidays jufct now, and I tell you I am not sorry, for I don't like going to school, because I get the stick every day, which is not very amusing at times. However, I suppose it is my own fault, because my mate, F. T., and I sit together, and we are always talking and laughing ; sc no wonder we get the stick. The annual soiree was held on the 18th, and I was at it, and, of course, enjoyed myself very much. The church was ciowded .=o much that some had to stand outside. We are milking 28 cows, and sending the milk to the factory. My sister drives to the factory in the fine weather, and she seems to like it very well. Dear Dot, do you think the war is nearly finished? If it lasts much longer all the young men will be in South Africa. I was not in Dunedin to see the Ninth Contingent away, and I don't think I shall get to see the Tenth away — if it goes. I saw by the papers that theie is some discussion about a girls' contingent for South Africa. Wouldn't it be fun, Dot, if all the girls wero to go over to South Africa ! If we did not shoot some Boers, perhaps we would frighten some. I suppose the Sixth Contingent will soon be back again ; that is the one my cousin went with. Dear Dot, you bhoulcl come round this way if you want to see mud. The roads are terribly muddy just now, and you know it must be granel walking up the muddy loads in the mornings to school, anel then (as I said before) get the stick when you get there. With best love to all the D L.F., not forgetting the editor and yourself, — Yours truly, TROOPER A D. [Tins =o-called trooper signed both name", but I have only put in the initials, as for all I know there may actually be a trooper of th<> name, and if so he would scarcely be pleased to see his name in full to a letter in our page. My correspondent should alto have given the full address, instead of only the name.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l suppose I am quite forgotten by all the members of your lwppy band, it is so long since I wrote to you. Well, to tell the truth, Dot, I was frighteneel to write, bocause a= you get so many inteiestmg letters I thought you might leave mine to the mercy of the editor, and he would put it through that much-dreaded " mincing •nachnie. The thought of it terrifies me; but when I think it over, surely Dot would uol be co cruel to do thai, to me, considering I am one cf the oldest writeis in the page. How many of the L.F. can say th^v have been regular coirespondents foi 13 yeais > Dear Dot, I wiote jou my fir«t "letter when I was five years old, and I have been a regular correspondent ever since. I think Harry has been writing ever since I started. Well, dear Dot, I must change that subject, and I shall tell you about the beautiful weather we are having. All last week it was raining off and on, and on. Friday, 21st ult., the ram staited about 7 p in., and never ceased till llcnday night. All thr rivers wero in. higii flood. Yehteid.iy (Monday) all the tiams v.cio bloekcJ. TLo public gardens in Oamaru were

[ma river as was in the Kakanui. It washed away grain and slock, and all the land on its banks appears to be spoiled. All through, it was a disastrous flood. I see by this week's Witness that Pretoria would like to know who tho L.F. was that was speaking to him the day the Oamaru section of the Ninth Contingent left. I think I know who he means. That girl speaks to him very often, does she not, Pretoria? Well, I l^pe to see you on Easter Monday, and I shah tell you. Dear Dot, did you know any of the members of the Seventh Contingent who were killed on February 27? I am sorry to tell you that a friend of mine was killed. It was very brave of them to fight as they did. They could not have died a nobler death than fighting for their country. Dear Dot, do you not think it too bad sending so many New Zealanders to the front' Fancy 5100 there already, and now they are raising another contingent. If eveiy place equal in population to New Zealand sent as many men the Boors would be wiped out in a week. Why, if the Boers or any other nation came to New Zealand we should not have many men left to fight them. The women would have to " shoulder arms " then, and I daresay they would not be backward in doing so. So Con has gone back again to the Transvaal. He is very determined on beating the Boers. I saw his photo m this week's Witness, and I think he is looking very well. I bee Nut has also gone. Well, I wish them both God-speed and a safe return : also a lock of Krugcr's hair to bring home to their mother. A trooper in the Seventh Contingent promised to bring me a, lock when he comes back. I should like to exchange autos with any of the L.F. Dear Dot, I was going down the street one day, and there were two young fellows behind me. One asked the other what I had on my hat, and what it was for. The other said it was D.L.F., and ru-eant " Dear Little Flirt." The first speaker said "Dashed Little Fool." What do you think of that, Dot? Was it not shocking 9 I gave them a piece of my mind, and 1 don't think they will abuse my beloved badge again — at any rate in my hearing. What has become of Hard Case now? She must have slipped away quietly. Her brother told me she had a sore eye, but I hope it is all right long ere tins lime. Now I must stop as the editor will have a very black frown on, but, Dot, you might tell him not to be too hard, as it's over six mouths since I wrote. Will Camellia kindly send me her present address? With best love to Harry, Aguinaldo, Averna, Ivanda, and Pretoria, not forgetting your own dear self, and kuidest regards to Mr Editor,— Yours truly, GIULIA. Back Blocks. fit really seema longer than six months since you wrote, Giulia, so it will never do to put your letter through the condenser. Fancy you having been writing all those years! It is indeed a long time, and I don't believe the sisterless boy can beat your record, though my impression is that he was only about four when he wiote his first letter. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Since last writing to you I have made the acquaintance of Lady Federal and Rosa Bonheur. But both them and Tekopua are going away next month, and then I shall have no D.L.F. friends over here. Mirabel's brother, who joined the Seventh Contingent, was killed. I saw his name among the list of casualties, and I hoped and prayed that it might not be him; but, alas' it was too true, as I received a letter from my biother to say that he was killed. His biothor, who went in the Eighth Contingent, would be greatly disappointed, as he was looking forward to "meeting him over there. I am glad that Con is better and that Harry Farrer has returned. But, dear me, Nut is going now. I wish him God-speed and a safe return. I hope you do not get cracked going over, Nut. Dear Dot, what do you think of Captain Cook? He says he is not going to write to you any more, because he is teased about it. I suppose there are a good many more teased besides him. I agree with Wild Daisy when she said that the L.F. should subscribe to the cot themselves. I do not think they should collect from outsiders. My favounte authors are Marie Coralh, E. Wetherell, and Guy Boothby. I have lately read "Boy," "A Komar.ce of Two Worlds," and " Barabbas, ' by Marie Corelli, and I liked them all very much. I am going to read " Thelma," " The Master Christian," and " The Sorrows of Satan," by the same authoi. Of E. Wetherell's books I liked " The Wide, Wide World the beat. I like books of travel and adventure the best. I mean to be a, traveller some day. I read a book to-day called " The Mountain Kingdom." It is full of thrilling adventures from beginning to end. To-day is St. Patrick's Day, but as it was not proclaimed a public holiday there was no procession, so I cannot tell you obout it. I went to see Lady Federal, and spent the afternoon with her. We went down town to a bookseller's, and had. a look at the Witness. They keep the Witnesses on a file, but they do not soil them. In the evening I went to spc Rosa Bonheur and Tekopua, and they said they are going to etay over here for a while longer. Lady Federal is going away on the 2nd of nest month. I think she is going to write to you this week. One of my cousins takes a great interest in your page. She said if she was not so old she would write to you. She will soon be 18. I think some of the L.F. are too hard on the Critic Club. I am sure what Taffy says is only meant to be taken in good part; is that not so, Taffy? No, Idyllen, my initials are not E. D. With love to Dot and tho editor, — Yours truly, OCTAVA. [It was very sad about Mirabel's brother, Octava, and I am sure she has the smcerest sympathy of everyone connected with the L.F. Page. You do not tell us where Lady Federal is going, possibly she may be coining over to New Zealand , we shall see.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l was in Oamaru not long ago, and only saw one badge. I intend going in to-morrow again, and hope to ccc more this time. Dear Dot, we are having terrible weather here— nothing but rain. There was a big flood heie last week, and wp can't get any har\esting done, though we 'have had three men for a fortnight, and we phall be glad when they are gone There are plenty of hills about hero, Dot, and I wish you could &cc them. Have you been for any Easter holidays I think you deserve a. holiday. Our school teacher has left, and we are getting another one this week. There are only about 20 going to school. I have three brothers and two sisters at school. I was away for a, ude to-day, and I enjoyed it very much. I went for a ride the other night al&o, but it was not bo nice, as the pony would hardly go. She is so lazy; her name is Dolly. What a lot of men have gone to the wai, and such a number have been killed. Fancy Con going back again' He must have liked the war. It is to be hoped that he gets home again safe and sound. It was a good thing that his wound was no worse: I (have often s^en Con. Our neighboui is getting a nice new house up. With love to Myra, Zoe, Dioopmg Violet, the editoi, and not forgetting your3elf, — Youis truly, STRAY BLOSSOM. [I hope you woe successful in yuiir tench for badges, Stiay Blossom.— DOT.] Deal Dot,— l live in a little township in the North Island called Ormond. It is a vrry piti'.y place, surrounded !>y hills. We r'ka go for picnics .ii the IjuiL, whr:o I'uip -c some vc-iy pretty lues ni.d fern". Thar < „ lajjtc wate.ii?llj \>4lh a lhke wt »Ue foot oi it,

about ft mile away, -where wo often t*~* ' PS* nics. One day some fjirh? and myseti' ■ •.■ent there foi n, picnic, anct we had a lively of it, as some bullocks chased us till we go-J to a swamp, where we got bogged. Just a.M we were about to give iv a Maori came to theJ rescue. Dear Dot, if you had been there yorJ would, I have no doubt, have got a greati fright. We have a very pretty school, witbi gardens and lawns. Our mistress taught usi how to make hats out of th* bark of a "thou-. sand jacket " tree. They arc very light whenf made, but do not last long. I fcwe a little Shetland pony, which I ride to school. She ig very quiet, and will eat apples, lollies, cak-<js, and anything you like to give her. I call her Tiny, and she took second prize at the show. I might try her next year, and see if she won't get. the first prize. Ponies are very knowing, and when treated unkindly do not forget it. This is a very quiet place to live in, especially now, as the harvesting is over. It was a busy time for the farmers. What a time the Seventh Contingent are getting! They must have been brave to fight against SOO Boers. I hope I have not taken some one else's norn de plume ; I don't think I have. Welcome rain has come at last, after a long spell of fine weather S must tell you about an adventure we had once when camping at the seaside. Some boys and girls went with us to an island, a good distance from the shore. The island consisted or two parts, which at low tide could be crossed! quite easily. We started off in high spirits takinor our i unch with us We explore s thfl island, but when wo started to return we found to our dismay that the tide had come in, and the stmgarees were sailing about. We did not know what to do. Fortunately for US we had; a- big boy with us, and he carried the little ones across, one by one. One little boy nearly, got swept away, the breakers were coming in; with such force. After a, long struggle, we got home, drenched and tired. With love to all the D.L.F.— Yours truly, BUBBLES. [You are right. Bubbles I should indeed have got a, fright, especially after getting bogged and unable to see a way out of tho dilemma. I never heard of " a thousand jacket vr ee> 'i dd r eai> but I SU PP° SC ' it- is peculiar to tho iNorth Island. You were fortunate in getting off the ishnd without accident. You forgot to enclose your name and address.— DOT.] Denr Dot,— l have taken it upon myself to write a description of the holiday I enjoyed with the camp of the R.S.B.C. at Puketeraki during Easter. Seeing that I do not write quite so often as some do, you will, perhaps, find space for a letter unusually long. THIBD AN'tTAL R.S.Y.M.B.C. CAMP AT PXTKETERAKT. I need not trouble you with all the proliminniy airargoments of this important event as they interest only those who attended. Suffice it to say that one rule was that wo should take two (or^ more) pair of socks and plenty of " scran " (eatables). A meeting was held a. week before to make these aforesaid arrangements, and to discuss things in general, and 1 the camp ir particular. The long-looked-for time came at last, but not at all promisingly. It had laincd the proverbial "' oats and dogs" for days before, and the general order of things was water, mud, and floods. Thursday, however, dawned bright and balmy, and the thermometer of our spirits rose accordingly. When the half dozen who journeyed by the 3 o'clock train left to get up the tents required! for the first night and to attend to our luggage at the other end, the sky had again become overcast, but not threatening. The train was off sharp to time, and soon we were making good headway towards our destination. The journey is so well known that I need not describe the pretty scenery of the picturesque townships through which we flew, nor of tho still better known Otago Harbour. A diversion was caused at Port by a gentleman se'ling papers, some one calling out to him, " Oki, John! How you fnddah now?" Of course this from the funny man of our party. Five o'clock saw us ou tho platform of the station of the little Maori settlement of Puketeraki,. amidst a heap of swags, tents, portmanteaux, tins, and boxes. These latter were carried to our bivouacking ground by a cart from the "London Restaurant, which we were curious to see, but could not find. Arrived at our destination, we found that our ground was iortifiedl on all sides by muddy swamps and creeks. These, however, are quite a secondary consideration with young lads in search ot enjoyment. The pitching of the tents was Jit once proceeded with, and soon wo had six up, including a small maiquee. We had a hasty inea.l composed of bread and butter and cheese and tea, and then set off to the place where it had been arranged for us to get straw. We got away with a bundle each, and had each, another ready, when we heard, through the dark, "What you do with my straw?" And! a figure, carrying a huge umbrella, hove in, sight. "Oh! we are the R.S.B.C. Mr arranged that we should get it here." Argument failed, however, and we returned to camp disappointed However, we were more successful in the morning, so all ended well. We now set to work to get tea ready for the midnight (or rather 1 o'clock) arrivals, whom most of us went up to meet. There was vary little sleep for any one that night, and we were up betimes in the morning. Most of Friday morning wa? occupied in putting up four more tents and arranging the camp Another batch arrived about 10 b'c'ock, bringing the total to about 35 — it was 49 last year — but the bad weather most likely .iccounted for the decrease in numbers. The remainder of the day was spent very much in the way that it usually is at camp. Friday night it rained rather heavily, but, thanks to our hard-earned straw, every one was comfortable, and I, at least, had v. good sleep, although the children (don't be insulted, boys) kicked up a bit of a row. Saturday we spent in bathing in the surf, cricket, and general exploration of the neighbourhood. I happened to be orderly (of whom there were four appointed to each meal) thai, day, and made the tea. Goodnesa knows it looked all right, and I waa congratulating myself on being such a good tea-maker. When ih came to be passed round, however, there was a general outburst. Words seemed to utterly fail them to think that they should be insulted with such stuff. I was angry for a while, but when I tasted it— well, I thought the fellow who put the soap in would have done better washing himself with it! "Besides the tea had stewed for half an hour, they all being half an hour late. Sunday, we had a meeting in the morning, bathed in the breakers as usual, and in the afternoon the X.C.B.C. came to our meeting ; also a dozen young ladies. We all combed our hair and had a peep in the; looking-glass. Some of the braver spirit* walked to Waikouaiti that evening. H. and I started to do so, but only reached Merton. We sat on the railway bridge for 10 minutes, and! threw pebbles into the water, by which time the light began to fade. Wo v.alked leisurely, back, talking as people do when they takn a walk together, and I found my companion' very sociable. Wp reached what we thought was the turn we took to the camp, but wero very poon unburdened of th.it happy idea, iowe had quite lost our bearing. Of course thero weip swamps, swamps everywhere, and, o course, I took a pretty slide down a bank, vu> sympathetic companion meanwhile laughing, for all he was vorth at the top. Happily, w«.'t jitst tli^n iccogmscd a \ny large stone, ane.' :'( ;m.(l Unit v.c h.ul ' "v makii.g at right anpie ' !o 1..0 viii.p. Mi.'lrly aiid tnod out, i\e rcachee{ ih r >.c, an-i we lit to i^u. last sUep in crimp tha_* Easter. Mcaday moiuina -we had n, moat en-l.

ioyable game of Association football on the teach, after which we bathed and had our ! photos takerir-the fiend, by the way, was very much in evidence. The afternoon saw us reluctantly striking camp. Someone started an Mxction sale of strayed goods, but when he was in the middle of it the owners put in their ap- ! pearance. We boarded th* early express for town, and our Easter holidays were drawing to m. close. One end of our truck was occupied iby a numbtr of young ladies, whom some of cur members seemed to know, and, judging from the laughter and chauer that came from that end of ths carriage, they wcie having an interesting time. So the miles flew past, wo enjoying ourselves meanwhile singing and passing such remarks as " Who put the candle in the tea? " Who used the pint mug 7 " These questions were always answered by a simultataeous yell of the name of the miscreant. Each station brought a fresh crowd of people, and by the time we reached town we had a large crowd aboard. Hoaie at last! The lights of our beautiful city of Dunedin burst into view hs we rounded Black Jack's Point, and soon we were pushing and crowding our way from the station to our various places of abode. A camp brings out the bad and good qualities of t -fellow, and although our fellows were mostly Df the right sort, we all agreed that there is no place like home. Neveitbeleas, we were very Barry to leave the third annual encampment of the Suesell street Young lien's Bible Class «nd Social Club. Wo are all glad that this cue was quite as successful as the others, even though it was bad weather. Thanking you, Dot, and hoping for the good graces of the editor, — I am, yours truly, | ABBE DENOYAN. CSo it is out, is it, Abbe? — the Russell street Sonng Men's Bible Class, etc. I have been ignite curious to learn what all the initials 'jßtood for, but there it is. I am sure you must uU have had a good time of it, notwithstanding iUie swamps and the candle-and-tea episode.— pOT.I I ' Dear Dot, — I am writing to yon again after >n absence of about seven years. I have been constant reader of your p?ge (or page 1 - rather) jduring that long period, and I think the little folk's letters of to-day are much more hitereating than those when I first wrote to you. But I suppose the retiring age being extended *o 20 years, instead of 15, is partly the cause W their improvement. I, for one, think 20 is *the best age for retiring. The plrce where I fcive is situated in a. southern point of Southland. We are bounded by ihe bush on one ' Vide and the ocean on tlie other. We can see the ocean quite plainly from here, as it is only two miles distant. It is very pleasant on a calm summer's day to sit and watch the roiling waves, and also the beautiful steamers and sailing vessels gliding gently along the deep plue waters of the ocean's surface. AH we can lxmst of in this quiet corner of the land is a toost office, school, dairy factory, flaxmiil, and, fast, but by no means least, a lighthouse. Huntlreds of people come to see this lighthouse, juid many from long distances. There are sltwo men engaged in looking after the lighthouse. The present keepers are very Kind, and take great trouble in showing jou til the interesting parts. After you have teen through it you are requested to sign your name l dn a large book. As I happened to glance 'through this book I noticed several DunedmSte's names therein. Two wrecks occurred on Jlhia coast before the lighthouse was built. All 4he passengers on the first wreck were drowned, but the second's crew were more fortunate, bs they were all saved. All the dead people ,\rere washed ashore, or nearly all. Some time ago the school children (yours tiuly included) planted a lot of pretty flowers on the graves iof the poor drowned people. I notice you have quite a number of correspondents from Invercargill now. I visit that town occasionally, so the next time I go there I shall be on the 3ook-out for badges. Con seems very anxious ffor fighting; does he not? L saw ms photograph in the Witness this week, and he looks very nice in his xmiform. I don't know any ©f your little folk at all. I have a nice pony, and I often go for a spin. Next time I wiite 1 shall try to describe a ride ov er 10 miles which a friend and I had some six weeks ago. J[s it necessary to always put your name on a Separate paper? With love to all D.L.F.. and tot forgetting yourself,— Yours truly, NIRA. Clt is necessary to send both name and address each time you write, Nira, but it wjll do if written on the back of the paper. You tute welcome back aitei so long an absence. — EOT.] Deai Dol, — It is with a feeling of pleasure that I once more take up my pen to address The children's fuend, Dot, indeed you fire; and net only the children's, but also the sroung men's and youug women's alike, besides giving pleasure to the dear old folk, who >o enjoy to turn to cnir page. There is only one thing, dep.r friend, and one which I am giieved 'to nonce, and this is the free use of slang and rough expressions amongst v«. The gula, I am sorry to see, are worse than the boys for this. It is a distressing pity that we arc allowed to use it. What kind cf women bh.ill we develop into? I have a. suggestion to offer concerning it. Suppose instead of printing the plang adjectives, there is a blank left, such ao We had a time." Slang, in ruy opinion, Js just another form of swearing. Although once given to the free use of it myself, I am thankful to say I have nearly broken myself of it. It i 3 bad enough to hear a person speak it, but it is much worse to see it wntten, to Bay nothing of it being printed. Dear little folk, what say you to forming an Anti-slang tieague, and competing with each other m having letters the most free troru slang and unladylike expressions? For think, the Witness has a wide, wide circulation, not only in the colonies, but at Home also. At least I know of several folk at Home who get it almost regularly. And what must they think

of us young Kew Zcalanders who, judging from our letters, are such rough-and-tumble girls ? Our brothers and friends are fighting now for the dear Motherland, and making a name for our dear little, colony , do not let us cast a slur on them and the good name they have made and are making. They are our brothers, our friends ; we aTe their sisters, therr friends. If we degrade ourselves by using low words, we not only hurt onrselves, but them also. Cannot we remedy this? Dear htt'j folk, we can but try, and, trying, m the end succeed. Thou let us try. Let all who are willing consult Dot. Ec the league, how would this do?— Rule I . To have no slang, rough expressions, etc., in our letters. Rule II • To abstain from impertinence to each other. Rule 111 (much required) No private talk. Any of above rules being broken, the letter not printed. Strict, you will say, little folk, but then strict measures are sometimes best. But this is only a suggestion. Our Dot must be consulted, and it lies with her to decide. Dear Dot, will you ple2se think it over for a little, and let us know the result? I do not think it would rob the page of any of its charms if slang were abclished, do you, dear Dot' With love- to only yourself, dear Dot, — Yours truly, LITTLE ME. [I quite approve of the suppression of slang, Little Mo, but I am afraid the suggestion to leave a blank in place of any slang word used would only make matters worse. Fancy a mischievous brother reading his sis•ter's letter, and filling up the slang blauksl I am afraid the result would be anything but an improvement on the original. As to the proposed rules lor the suppression of the use of slaug te-nis, why, I atu afraid we should los« many of our best writers if they were strictly enforced. I might, however, suggest that each D.L.F. should cut out Little Me's proposed rules, and read them over each time before writing a letter.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — A friend told me to ask yon why pure white cats are deaf. I would like any L.F. to send me their autos. Address, " The Reveller, care of Mr James B. Martin, Enfield, near Oan->aru." We live at the top of the township, and as we can see part of the creek from our window we thought that it, during the rainy weather, had risen pretty high, so my sister and I went down to have a look. We cculd not get down the road, as it was flooded over, EC we had to go dov.-n the \ lailway. It is a small cicek, but it looked j like a fairy big rivei, and was nearty up to the floor of two bridges, which pre pretty high ones. One trpffic bridge was comple'.^ y covered over, and most of the low-lying i docks were covered with water I see soaie of ycur correspondents say that their brothers are awful teases. Well, 1 have four of them, aud I j.et my share of teasing, but all the same : I get a gc.nd bit of money, too , but one thing about them is that they ate quiet when they are sleeping, which my ii^tei is not, as. she &noret. With leve to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself and the editor, — Yours truly, THE REVELLER [All Albino cats are not deaf, Reveller, though I know some of them are. I should think the reason is that an Albino has naturally a delicate constitution, and that the weakness comes out in some cases in malformation j of the inner ear. If any one has a better explanation I shall be oalv too happy to publish it.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Oui harvesting is nearly all over 1 now, and 1 suppce it will soon be time for j ploughing again. I think the harvest is the ; best part of the year. 1 was moie than surprised to hear that Con had come home, and i that he was going away again with the Ninth. ! Contingent. 1 knew a good many who went with the Ninth Contingent I have about 30 L.F autos ano seven photos. I went for a ride on horseback a few iught-> ago, ai.d, my J v.ord, I think my riding was classical, althc ugh I don't know what anyone else thought. When I had gone about a mile I thought I had had enough of riding for a year. 1 have met a great many L.F. lately, and some of them told me their noins de plume, but like :< dummy I forgci them agaiu. We had a vi=itor from Dunedin staying with us for a week, and he told me that Dot w;>s a little girl with pure red hair. Well, Dot, I was shocked, and I ! told him he knew nothing pbout Dot. Dear Dot, have ycu read the books called " Wiongs Righted," "The Stoiy of a Baby," cr "The Lamplighter"? I was very sorry to see Daisy Primrose's farewell letter. I don't think I have used any private talk in this little bit of a scribble. With love to Dot, rud all the L.F., and the editor, — Yours truly. I CHARLOTTE. [Why, Charlotte, should \ou be shocked at the idea of Dot hmniL. led h-aii ' Golden hair j ib veiy charming «ouu time-;, and I rcallv do j rot behce tbat people dislike it half so much j as they tiy to persiiacio theji'-clves they do. It 1° hk^ the bagpipp«-- =onit people seem to think it fchovvs cultivated tastj to say they | can't boar theru. but I I'oticp they arr first j to reach the window when the pipe and drum band is parsing, and if a tin whistle band po<-s by pljMng "I he cork o' the north" they are all cait - DOT J " j Dear Dot,— l wei t to Oamaru on Tniii c Jay for my holiday, and I sh.iil leV you hew i enjoyed them. Artivme thcrr ,>t 230 a.m r>n ' Friday we proceeded to the Quceu"- Hotel, where we had rconij craped ext, iiioimng we presented our=elvc= .it ou> fuei.d's dooi at 7 o'clock. In the uilciuco': we went for a lovely duve to-vaids Xgapara, and in the cv ruing we went ior a nice bike ude. and after all that ended up by going tc the Foiesters' Ball. Next day (baturday) I spent the mcrning in bed, and went up to Duntioon in the afternoo. : and on Sunday we went for a lov e'y dxive wV._ajL iowiixda LiYifliitpiie. It vva^ bo

nice driving through the new settlement, but what a pity it was to see all the crops beginning to grow. On Monday we went to the Oamaru sports, and to the concert at night. Will any D.L.F. exchange autos with me? Love to E. T. J., Gmlia, Floradora, and Dr Jim. — Yours truly, lOLANTHE. [That was quite a pleasant change for you, lolanthc, it must have been veiy enjoyable. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l read in one of the D.L.F. letters something about calling out " Why don't you marry the girl f" after some friends. I don't know the song, but one evening my broi ther and I were going somev.-here together, and ' a small urch;n called that out niter us. Such hke witty sayings are always being hurled at our devoted heads, because we are so much together I suppose. It evidently doesn't enter their wise little heads that we might possibly be related already. The other day I was walking along behind a. Maori girl and was thinkI ing how very stylish and " Englishy " the girl | looked, when she took a cigarette fiorn her i pocket, handed it to a boy, who lit it, and gave it back, wheieupon she commenced smoking, evidently enjoying it immensely. It was fun watching her, but the effect of her stylish clothes was rather spoiled. We are very fond of watching the Maoris down on the quay. One day we were watching one ol'the river steamers when a Maori boy approached and stopped solemnly in front of us. At first I wondered what was the matter with him, until ho fumbled in his pockets and produced a, large pear, which he gave us. A day or two ago we went down to the Heads, and, while in the tram, we saw a baby shark, several feet long, which some Maoris had caught. There are a numbez of Maoris camping down there, and they have rows and row 3of fish hung lip to dry. We had quite a number of small misfortunes that day, for, to begin with, we missed our train, and had a tiresome wait of an hour and a-half for another. Once on our way we pioeeetled very slowly, but that didn't matter, ior it gave us more time to look about; but we arrived rather late. Depositing all superfluous belongings behind a log, we tramped for a long distance round the beach, until it struck us that it must bo time to return, so we ac- • corduigly turned back, and for some time could not find the log where we had left our things. This made us late for the train again, and when we reached the statiou it was crowded. However, just as it was moving off we managed to squeeze on to the platform of a carriage, and as we weie near someone who had evidently been fishing we had a. most delightful journey ! — Yours truly, MEG MERRILIES. [It should have beeu the gal who lit the cigarette and handed it to the boy to smoke, Meg, and not the other way about. However, 1 suppose it would not have been so picturesque. What a good-hearted little fellow the other boy was to gi\e you the pear. — DOT.] Deal Dot.— Florodora. was at our place for a week, and now I am staying at her })bice. Floiodora has a lot of animate, including fotir dog", five cats, 30 fowls, eight bantams, two birds, and a numbci of horses. I have the pleasure of feeding them all, excepting the hoises. 1 was going to pal the little cream pony to-day, when all of a sudden Florcdora '■ said, " Look ou 1 ! " and I was aware of Barney's hoof whizzing past my head. I took quite a set on him after that, and I think there was no love lost, for he put down his ears every time he saw me. We went to the military display yesterday, but I did not care i much for it — it was very dry. We met a lot of D.L.F., amongst whom were Black Watch, The Duke's Ainuser, Gnselda. Holly Hedge, Poppy, Dr Jim, Earthquake, and a few whom we did not speak to. Diamond King was also there, and we had the pleasure of walking out to the grounds with bun. He is such a nice boy, Dot, but awfully shy till you get him started. Florodora and I had a bit of a quarrel last night — much to do ovc-r nothing, i but I h.«d to crawl over and speak fir=l to her, for she <s very determined. With love to Earthquake, Diamond King, Florodora, Del, ajd the editor,— Yours truly, SILVER MIST. TSo 7 - ''orodcra is very determined, is she-, Silver Mj-t ' Well, that is a good fault in case-, but a- you were her guest she should have held out the o'.ivp branch on tins occaSion .tk! l.ot waited foi you to do <=o. However, all' 1 - well that ends w^ll, aiid i:o dcub* you were better friends th?n evei aitei' the reconciliation.—DOT. J D-ear Dot. — 1 thought it might interest some of our leadeih to hear of a trip a lew ci 115 b.id 011 Eaatei Monday Six of us left Trpanui, en loute foi the Whisky Gully Falls. We intruded '<>a\ ')••_; lorn- r- r 'y, but the morrm» was --o chi ll \ c cou d i>cl u.iko up civ nmidi whether to jrn 01 jiot A* J'u!f-pa o t 10 o'rlock we decidcJ '.o ;. o. <c . ■ cot ready, and j made s bi.ut .>. }> a' in A v :tr ' .'^t, b^bk^t-, ! etc., a:.d or coin- r. bMy We got up tr th» ' entrance o,' th" I 1 '• t/ark, md the.! we had ! to go o- > behi id the othci. as the tru_k is narrow. It is pi r -tj we!' bc.t'cn, but very inuddv in =ome p'aco. We tiudee'l en, =omoti'iie= beside the creelc, and r -ometim' l-3l -3 r ru abo\ c it li> ";orr.3 place- the truck jast n hariow kdge on tiif Men 1 of :< big lo.'k, and a chbtanc^ bslov.- ;■, th" creek. It made me feel qu'te qu"ei to lock down and think of losing my fc-t.']?. The sveuery is peiiectly lovely, j Oh the othci of the creek fiom us the i mountain l.ses up aln^c-t perpendicularly. Moii&trou^ tieefe aie grc\v»ng on the sid-"* and the ground is ju3t cohered wth fprns of all kinds The f.ills are lovely, too. It means a lot of Hrud climbing to pet to them, but the j Sight icoay, \ou foi tin- tToub'e. There are three l.'fg? mils, of whi. h the top one is the largest, and it 1= divided ir'c three pr-rla Tlie t.ces aJ.Q.115 th; U t '.ck lu.e, trot, sudx a Joi. of

names written and carved on them, so, of course, we added oms to the number. At ibe 1 foot of the top fall we stopped, lit a fire, boiled our billy, and made tea, and we all thought it was the best tea we had ever tasted. We thoroughly enjoyed cur meal, and after pack- : ing up our bags and having a, good re3t, we proceeded on our journey. It is a very stiff climb from this plice to the top, but we managed it. Even after we got out of the bush it was a good step to the top of the mountain, and the. worst of it was, the place was just a ciop of bid-a-bids. At first we picked them eff our dresses and stockings as we got them, but it was no use — tho place was covered, and they were just dead ripe, so we got covered, too. It was nice and calm so far, but when we got on top of the Blue Mountains- it just blew a gale, ajid we had to hold 011 to our hats to keep them from blowing away. Wo did not have a very good view from the top, the day being dull. We h:icl a short rest, aucl then started to come down the mountain. It was pretty steep and rough, so we got jerked and jolted feaifully, aud we got more bicl-a-bids every step we took. It seemed a long way to the bottom of the hill, but at last we got there, and we were very glad, too. We had a spell, and then started for home. When we got back there was a grand hot tea. ready, aud I can assure you we did full justice to it. We were all pretty tired, but had enjoyed our trip splendidly. We retired early, and got up next morning with stiff joints, but net at all sorry that we had gone. I take great interest in Dot's Page, and always read the letters. I know a number of writers. — Yours truly, SHIRLEY. [It is something to be able to say you have been up the Blue Mountains, Shirley, and it was certainly -worth the hard work that the trip entailed. The charm about billy tea is that the fresh air and unwonted exertion give one such an. appetita that the tea has quite a different taste to the orthodox cup of tea we are accustomed to. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I fancy I see the look on your handsome face when you see another letter from Diamond King. I have found you out at la3t, Dot, and I think the name fits you perfectly. I was going out camping at Easter with Silver King and -=ome other", but as I could not dodge work I had to content myself at home, but in the end Silver King came off, second best, for his camp was broken up by wet weather, and he also broke himself up with a bad cold. Some hungry camp mate ato xip all the provisions, and so the rest had to go to a lady resident for chanty, and she gave them a loaf of bread to tide over the pangs of hunger. She also gave them a dog, and I shall eagerly scan the prize list of the next dog show to see how he fares in his particular class. On Good Friday I rode out to Green Island on the pony to s?e Florodora, who was staying with Silver Mist for a week or so. I did not get a very good reception, for Florodora coo'ly said, "What do you wavt' I suppose you came to order me home. She soon came iGUii'l, howevei, foi she took the pony and went foi a loiig rule up to the FernhilL coal mine. On Easter Monday I went to the military display at the Foibury Paik. It was very good, and well v\orth going to see. While there I saw a number of D.L.F., but shyness prevented me from speaking to any of them, and I dodged out of then- way. Ihe D.L.F. girls looked charming, aud once or twice I was nearmg some of them to have a chat when I thought that my room might be more acceptable than my company. Florodora did nothing but praise up the D.L.F. that she had met that day, till I got a headache and went to bed. I think Harry was right when he said I got out of bed the wrong side the moming I wrote the last letter, and I think many others say things that they do not mean. I would not part with poor old Florodora for a nice bit. With love to Civroni, Dot, and the editor, —Yours truly, DIAMOND KING. [I ha' - e not been found out much lately, so it is, quite cheering to know tiiiU Diamond King (on his =idel has become one of my personal acquaintances, and especially n-, he hiuH my face is a handsome one. But Uic-:i aga-m I am not quite sine about s> " handsome "' as applied tv Dot, tor I tl.iuk there has to be something commanding along with a handsome fyce, and whoever could niugine Dot commanding > I like Diamond King for his admission in reply to Harry's stucturcs, and I am sure Florodoia will return the compli-ment.-DOT.] Dear Dot, — The inevitable has dawned at last, and I must fcrwaid my last letter to your page. It gives me quite a sorrowful feeling, -for with the thought lhat. I am leaving my teens behind comes the conviction that I'll have to consider m^-elf grown up, and as I am far from fefchrg in that advanced state 1 try to beli'\p -• ia not •-o but one cannot very well tli-pule t!i«- fam'ly legible/. Although I crrapi" u1 in jc'.r iulc and ccn^c to write, my interr-.*-, v. ,'J still be in your paga, and I trust that ti 0 eii&uiiiE; years will cli^-clc-p as grrat an improvement 111 \ou> '•o'un-'s as the preceding encs. The D.L.F. volunteers :irc giving quite a di='»mct ion to the " band. 1 am sure that many L.F. must frc-1 doubly prou-l of bei.ig members smce our =oldici - boy-s have gon" forth fiom our midst to w:c 'v' of wvr. I had a little talk with Nut win.' lie was m camp. a;'d I had ?.n opportunity c' f peaking to Lieutenant Con at the luncheon before h..- Ici;, and they are both woithy rcpicstntatr. r, cf Do'"-. Lulp fo.k. In nil, there must be thiee 01 four L F at the front, and I think that jutSfic* a call on the L.F. at home to make some little sacrifice of time anJ troub'o m gett;ng up a hamper for " oiu boys, p!:ould tliere be arother cons.gnment sent out E\en 1' half rur nntn'o": would contnb^'' Loire «mcr'l art r " -,v • v.ruld he've a ciclit Vu < o'iecM^v Jo =eiia I know it 13 not vo:n custom, to lav our any such mo- .

posal, Dot, but perhaps you'll show a leniency wheie our boy* are concerned, as many of the L.F. seem anxious to help them. For myself, I am never happier than when assisting them, and if I had my way of it I would be following them up through the campaign as a hawker or some such profession, and supply the boys with all necessaries free. That doesn't sound a. 'very rational idea, does it, Dot? But it expresses my feelings; and were it not for the question of £ s d I should feel no qualms in putting the plan into execution. You know I have to keep up the family reputation of being contingent " mad ; thus many would not be surprised at my action. What did yo\i think of the sham fight. Dot? Some of the mnnceuvres were not bad, but there was nothing very impressive about the engagement, except for the many ludicrous sides it showed. The Boer women (9)( 9 ) who appeared on the scene, cracking their rifles as regularly as the men, , were especially funny, and the way they " cleared " the railings which enclosed the at- ' tacking party would have done credit to an athlete. Then again, owing to .the swampy state of the ground, when the victims of the i Boer fire were to drop, for the benefit cf the Ambulance Corps, they would carefully select a> spot before doing so, and I even saw one man get up and change his position for a more suitable one, while- others just crouched down on their feet and waited to be carried off. Of course, one couldn't blame the men for em1 ploying these unsoldierly tactics, for it was no J fun to them to get soaking wet for the benefit [ of an unsympathetic public; but it was these little incidents that compelled us to recognise the whole thing as a farce, albeit one woman near me was so far carried away by a Hussar's bravery in rescuing a comrade under a heavy fire as to exclaim that he deserved a VIC! 1 The Battery guns in action were the only . things that made the affair any way realistic, and their booming was grand. I went to sea our quota to the Tenth Contingent away on Friday morning, and notwithstanding remarks I made to the contrary, I consider them quite I as presentable a lot of men as have gone in '. the later contingents. Unless Mr Seddon j contemplates sending a "Girls' Contingent" I • think it is time he stopped sending the boys j away ; for we girls will be entirely lost presently, and only 111 each other's way. From ' teachers to schoolfellows my friends have gone, ' until I can new count on my fingers the num- ) ber who arc not troopers, either past or pre1 sent. It was with regret that I read of Daisy ; Primrose's resignation, for her letters were i really interesting, and she ought not to have 1 taken the sighteat notice of those few who presumed to criticise her writings, for her travels i have evidently not ended yet, and our page i would have benefited by many more interesting j storie3 of her adventures. I hope to hear of her through a private correspondence, however, ' so beyond my interest in the page, her retire1 ment will not personally affect me. Dear Dot, j I must bring this to a close, not without a, reason, for I am deep in one of E. P. Rce'a books, " The Earth Trembled, which depicts ' th.c bitterness felt between the individual ! families of the noithern and southern States ' of America, and existing for many years after ' their gieat war. It is very interesting, and I am 1 pnx\ou« to see whose cause prospeis the most, for both sides consider themselves the wrouged I ones and pride keeps the characters of the [ book from making headway towards fnendliI ness with each other. With every good wish. 1 to yourself and the L.F.,— I remain, ever a 1 sincere " Chum " to all D.L.*F., j ETHEL M. BLACK. Kia-ora ! [I should, certainly not object to the hamper suggestion, Churn, if it were called for, and I i have no doubt some arrangements- could be. made to carry it into effect. I am afraid your 1 hawker idea would result disastrously, and ' that you would find it impossible to follow vi the campaign very far. So your retiring time has come, dear. Well, I am smceTely sorry', but as you say, we cannot put back the hands of Time, and so must bow to the inevitable.— j DOT.]

CORRESPONDENCE CONDENSED. Goldfinch went for a picnic the other day up the mountain, "and I did not know v. lien I I was going to get to the top of it. VT c ?re 1 milkin" five cows, and they kick something 1 awful." We had a good bit of fruit this year, i but my eldest sifatcr used it all for jam. One I clay ai she was up the tree, my brother came after her with a basin of water^ and she came ' down quicker than she went up.' 1 Maple write? " I was at a river r.ot very I Ion" a<^o with some oUiet girls, and we hud t great fun. We took off our boots and stockings and let the water go over our feet. It was hot. and that cooled us. After that wb went and gathered wild flowers and ferns, and decorated our hats ; then we went home and had tea, after which we placed skipping, baud man's buff,' and other games. I^ext day X was veiy tired. ' Physilla tells me about the rows, of whirh they have three milking. "" We are having lovely weather for the harvest just now luo shooting season has started again. a-e j very plentiful about here just now. I Lactopeptixe knows about 20 D.L F. " Queen Mab, this being your buthday, I wish you many happy returns 01" the day. On i-ri- ! day I went for a ramble m the b'i.»h y^m Ivy Leaf, and gathered maidenhair fern. ' I Ckre»a complains of an ?cr: uamtar.ee whom 1 she met a* the regnua on Lioxing Day lmpcr1 Fo»atjnij a well-known wuter. " During our 1 talk I asked him if ho knew any D.L F. in. Invercrugill, ajul he said, Yes. lam Dura Dum,' and never thinking for a moment that he was taking ' a. nse ' out of me, I, of course, believed him, especially when I asked hurt „ hf knew certain D.L F and he said, 'Yes.' Now. I thii'k that was fair; do you, Dot? So Con has been licrne. and, has son*

away again. I must congratulate him on his promotion. Our neighbour's son aleo went away. He unlisted at "Waunate, and a fine, strapping young fellow he was, too. Oh, how I wish the dreadful war was over." Ejijiemne, juniob (who would like to exchange autos or photos with any D.L.F.) tells about the High School picnic. "We drove to Mosgiel, -where we had our lunch, and in. the afternoon we drove to the Springs. A few of us lost our way in the bush, and when we found the Springs, we had very little" time to spend there. "We left the Springs about halfpast 4, and drove back to Mosgiel, where we had our tea, which we enjoyed very much, as we were very hungry. We reached Dunedin at 8 o'clock, after spending a very enjoyable day." A Colonial, after staying for seven months in the Taieri, and making a number of D.L.F. friends, is back in her home in the south. " I like the country life, for I think it is much freer than a town life. What do you think, Dot, my two sisters and myself thinned 18 acres of turnips ourselves this year — not bad, was it? I think the country girls can teach the town girls a lesson in something. At least, they could show them how to jump on to a horse bareback and canter away. Although I have ridden a good few times I have only had two proper spills, and one runaway. One night I was riding along on a horse bareback, when all at once it stopped, and would not go any farther. I tried to make it ; but it quietly bucked me off, and, as luck would have it, I went right over his head, and lauded on my feet in front of him.' Eastee saya: — ""We have been having terrible weather lately — all the rivers and creeks were in flood, and the gravel was all washed off the roads, which were made pretty rough for bikes. Harry has a nice letter m Ihis week. The Citizens' Band held a cor cert here the other night, and Clarissa went to it , but I didn't. "Alice in Wonderland' wrs read in school here at one time, but I did not take much interest in it, because I was away from school when it was started, oud I always used to be talking instead of listening to it. The D.L.F. ought to feel proud of Con and 2\ut. I know I do." A Highland Lassie does not think the war is ever coming to an end. " I know one who departed in the transport Devon, which, I fear, has experienced some rather rough weather since she left Auckland. lie is a native of O. The recent floods have done a great deal of damage m the country, much grain being spoilt. Every little stream became a, raging torrent, carrying away in its mad career everything that chanced to cross its path. Trees were uprooted, bridges were washed away, and silt and rubbish were deposited everywhere. Such is our fate ! " Alexandria wishes Con and Kut success in their career and a safe return. "If Con and Nut write to yom page, you should have plenty of war news in the page. I have a brother away in the Seventh Contingent. I suppose they will soon be home again." Miss Antoinette spent her Christmas holidays in Invercargill, where she enjoyed herself very much. "We have finished cutting all the crops about here, and the threshing mills are beginning to make their appearance. I see by one of the papers that another L.F. is off to the front, and I must say I envy him. At any rate, I wish him good luck and a safe return. I was pleased to see you had got the necessary amount of money for the Invercargill cot fund, and I hope you will be equally successful with the Oamaru cot fund. What a lot of ' fine ' men went away in the Ninth Contingent, Dot! I'm afraid if some of them ■were much " finer ' we should not be able to see them at all. Little Bhidesmaid was at the school party, and «njoyed herself very much. "It will soon be -winter, and then I shall be able to get slides, but the worst of it is that it is very cold. Just fancy. Dot, sending away a Tenth Contingent. I should not care about going to get shot ; should you, Dot ? I see Daisy Primrose has got her farewell letter in our page, and that she is leaving for England very soon. I was very sorry to see her farewell, for she used to write some very nice stories; but I suppose it cannot be helped. I hope she will like her journey. My imcle cannot get his crop taken in, for there has been so much sleety rain, but he has got one stack and a bit of another. We have sv dog which sings to the accordeon when my uncle plays it, and it is fun to hear him singing." "Violet Alice tells me about her home on the West Coast — Birchfield is a very swampy place, and is almost covered with birch trees. That is how it got its name. There are a lot of trees at the back of our house. Behind the trees ihere is a deep lagoon. Then there are some n ore trees, and then the sea. Although Birchfield is swampy, it is \ery pretty when the rata is in bloom. There is a foundry, a flaxmill, and a sawmill here. As the throe are close together, there is a great deal of noise going on. We live about three chains from the school, so we have not to go far on winter mornings. Carrots knows Dairymaid, Parsnips, and May. " I am not at home now. I m staying at a friend's in South Canterbury. My mate is writing to you to-night, too. Hasn't the Transvaal war lasted a long time, Dot ? That was sad news about the poor fellows of the Seventh Contingent. There has been a terrible lot of rain up here lately, ond it has done a lot of damage to the crops that were standing in the stooks." S. W. L. B. hopes Daisy Primrose will reconsider her resignation, as- she is a grand writer, and describes everything so well. " Con's letters, they are all right. I wish I was over there with him, but I am not old enough yet. I had a cousin killed over there, and have two others, still fighting in Africa. The cousin that was killed was a Gordon Highlander." Parsnips tells me that the house she lives in has 16 rooms, 19 windows, and 19 doors. "Out woolahed is between. 130 it and liQlt a,

length. There is a, hut for the shearers, another hut for the swaggers and harvesters, an office, a smithy, two loose boxes, the ploughman and cowboy's hut, a store, a barn, an implement shed, stable, etc. There has been a lot of rain lately. The creek came up to near the house. It carried away two bridges which we had to get to the garden with. We always have to ride when .we want anything since the bridges have been washed away." Epp won a nice prize at school and also a doll at the picnic. " Dear Dot, we were up the Catlins Eiver one day for a holiday in a boat, and we thought it was leadly beautiful. After we went up about two miles we came to a great many logs sticking out of the water, and wo had some hard work to get past them. When we were coming back the boat got on top of a log, and we had some fun before we got off again." Kuhi-ite spent his holidays at Kun Bush, and while there met A. O. E., Coolcena', and Portia. " Whnt a surprise everyone got to hear Con was home again, and was going away with the Ninth Contingent. Well, I am proud to be a D.L.F., for our D.L.F. band is represented at the war by Lieutenant Con and Lancecorporal Nut. I hope no private talk is used in this, though I would very much like to. I am very sorry Daisy Pumrose has retired from the page, for her letters were very interesting, and I think that those L.P. who grudged her the space were rather mean." Moonlight knows several D.L.F., including Helen Macgregor, M. F. A., and The Larrikin. I am down at Burnside for a few days on a hoiday trip, and I am going to Invercargill next week." Nothing hat made many attempts to write, and has at last succeeded, but I don't know what he will say when he sees his letter condensed. " I have a brother in South. Africa, and we expected him home, but he is working over theie now. I found out Puss, who is my sister, after the first letter she wrote to you. Almost every other day it rains up here. Wo were very disappointed at not going to Dunedm to see the Ninth Contingent off." Maria Thphesa says the crops in the stooks are all growing where she lives in consequence of the long spell of rainy weather. " I see some of the U.L.F. have read ' The Camp at Wandenong.' I have read, it also, and I like it very much. I saw Con's photo in one Witness, and I think it was like him. Fancy him joining the Ninth Contingent." Mouta Rata tells me about her cat and kittens, two of which died, she thinks, from starvation, as the other three are all right. It has been raining for nearly three weeks down here, and we have not got all our crop led in yet. We are milking three cows, but I (never milk them, because I hate milking, but I suppose I shall have to begin later on, as we have some more to calve. I have left school now, a3 I can find plenty to do at home, but I am going down to the Clutha next month for my holidays." Tessa would like- to exchange autos with any D.L.F. " I am a great lover of horses, and can ride almost an} 1 horse. lam very fond of music, and could listen to a player or singer — musician, I should say — for hours. I have a cousin going to the war with the Tenth Contingent." Captain Jackson Bakry complains bitterly of tho weather, like everybody else, and says the roads in his district are in a terrible mesa. " I was up at Clarissa's a few Sundays ago, and I went out cycling with her in the afternoon, and to church with her at night. I got a terrible spill off the bike on Sunday down at Sawycr'B Bay. The hind wheel slipped in the mud going down hill at a sharp bend, and I was in a great old mess. I am not like Wild Daisy — I always look out for the bike, not for myself. A good few D.L.F. have got bikes now. Rubbing a little vaseline all over the frame is very good this weather, as it keeps the mud fiom sticking. I haven't much time now for writing, as we are busy with the cro t l and the apples. Wo have two farms now, and I have a four-roomed house to myself on one of them." Reggie tells me how she has been left almost pretty well alone since the beginning of the year, occasionally there not being even a dumb animal left in the house to relieve her solitary life. However, she has the cattle to look after, so she finds plenty to engage her attention. " Dear Dot, I was very sorry to see that Nut was away to the war. I always enjoyed reading his letters, especially that letter ho wrote about camping. I always like letters about camping. Hori Pirika had a nice letter in the Witness some time ago, and I enjoyed reading it very much. I ahvavs think of the days that I went out camping myself. It was a very pleasant time, and I thought there was nothing like camping out for enjoyment. How httle did I dream that Con was home, and that he was returning as an officer with the Ninth. However, I wish both Nut and he God-speed and a, safe return. On Good Fnday I got a holiday, and I spent the time very enjoyably. Together with my chums I went for a long ramble, leaving at 9 and not returning till 3 o'clock in the afternoon. We enjoyed ourselves like the birds — eating brambles and blackberries."

Eeggie. — You are quite mistaken about the presentation fund, so I have handed your stamps over to the Cot fund. I have been specially lequested not to encourage the kind pioposal.