LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Motto —We write for he benefit of others, not

Otago Witness, Issue 2511, 30 April 1902, Page 67

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Motto —We write for he benefit of others, not

for oui selves. Dear Dot,— Easter Monday was a red-letter day "in the history of ihe v'olnuteer force* of Otago, our tournament being held on that « ate - As you are aware, it was ouginally intended to hold the tournament on Anniversaiy Day, but the wretched weather winch pievai'ed on that day rendered it abso.utely impoasible to carry cut the project. As was anticipated, the display was scarcely =o -ucces«ful as it would have been had it been tamed out as originally intended Courit<--r attiact ons were rumerous, and ."everal of the volunteers were out of town. Taking all things li.to consideration though, it must be jegarded ss fairly successful. As it is, the battahoii benefits to ihe extent of £330. At 11. SO a.m. on Monday Dowling street presented a very animated apwearance, Otasro's volunteers mustering in full martial auay." The southern "boys, 1 consisting of Tepicscntatives of the Bruce, Clutha, and Owaka. Rifles, arrived in town by th.> rooming express, and marched to the Gainson Hall. The Clutha Rifles— a plain-clothes body of men— received a welcome which I scarcely thuik they appreciated, the small boys hooting then derisively. 1 went down to the station to see the "boys" come in, and bumped against, Dr Jim, "laige aa life and twice is natural" (to qi.ote an expression of his owiil. lfe accompanied me up to the Garrison Ha.l, - here the battalion paiaded prior to going to ■-"orbury Park. Punctually at 12 o'clock the •i. Battery, with the artillery, moved off. followed shortly aiterwards by the Hussars, the < i:!y mounted corps pre=eut. Then there was : futter ot excitomrtnt, and I feH my Scotch Mood rising as the Highlanders "ni' th^ir philabegs an' tartaa pl.ucK" eU , rnar'-lied past. Immediately following the ' kilues" came the Guaids and City Rifle*. Then ISTorth Dunedin, Bruce, Wakari, And Cuversh.un's jowal cicw. Burning for the scene of actic.i. And Vicious Crosses too. The route taken was up Hiph sheet, through Princs street, along the Andei son's Bay road, and thence to the paik. A large number of people, including Dr Jim and Lancer, accompanied us out. Going along the Bay load we got a foretaste of what was lo follow at the .park. In some rase 3we had to wade through aiiud almost knee deep. Oh, Dot, it was lovely X?), and all appeared to relish it immensely, particularly the "boys in petticoats"— ahem 1 Occasionally I saw our esteemed Dr Jim cast3Dg anxious glances m my direction, evidently lo ascertain how the "quiet boy from wayfback" was faring, and once I heard his voice (anxiously inquiring if I was out of in\ depth, and asking if he should run for a boat. I appreciated the dear old fellow's thoughtfnljiess immensely, but he didn't know that I could swim. Considerable speculation was rife on our way to the park on the probabilities cf oui company being enclosed m the b'ockjhonss to represent Boers The idea didn't commend itself favourable to the majority of v the chaps. We didn't want to miss the fun. *'L for fiH£j sli&U not go into vjiZ. biuskksv^O."

growled one of the boys. "I play Britain today and for ever" — my sentiments down to the ground, Dot. All doubts were set at r~st by the announcement shortly afterwards fat we were to occupy a prominent position in the filing line. Arrived at tho pirk, a pleasing siglii met our eyes. Even at that early ncir botn tho inner and outer grand stands were cro'.vele r l The public continued to arrive ,n a steady stream, and at 1.45 p.m., when the first big gun boomed forth, heralding the commencement of the "battle." it was estimated thai there were 6000 people piesent. The adjacent cpnahil's must ha<-e accommodated another ICOO, but as they enjoyed the performance for "nix," we did not benefit by their patronage. I am sorry, Dot, that space prevents me c rom giving you and the L.F. a detailed account of the "engagement. On the whole, it was rather interesting, but, oh, the ground was in a wretched condition. A fair estimate of its state, can be formed by referencs to the Witness illustrations. I hope the crowd of L.F. that were there enjoyed themselves. I had the p'easure of meeting a great many. There was a certain L.F. there. Rippling Lake, that I had a message for, and was particularly anxious to see, but she always contrived to keep out of my way. "Will the young lady that addressed me near the grand stand kindly tell me her iiom de plume' It is the intention of the bat'ahon to hold a similar tournament m November, when it is to be hoped the conditions will be more favourable. In the meantime, oui next big venture will be a ping-pong toiunament. It will be held m the Garrison Hall next month. I hope all lovers of this favourite pastime will rnako a point of patronising it. Personally, I have no acquaintance with the game, but I am given to understand that it is very popular. "Indeed," said our skipper the other night, "so fashionable has it become that I recently heard of a lady who, wher naming her twin "babies, christened one young hopeful 'Ping' and the other 'Pong.' " Doubtless, when they grow up they will be enthusiastic ping-pong players. Here I must conclude. Love to all, — Yours tiuly, BLACK WATCH. [I should scarcely think they would thank their parents for affixing pitch Chiues>e-like names on them, Black "Watch. Howeier, they would have the advantage oi not being easily abbreviated.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — The Oamaru Creek has been in flood, and the new bridge is useless now. There is a big hole in tho Humber street end of the bridge. I do wish the war was ended, Dot; don't you' I hope the Tenth Contingent is the la9t one. The Oamaru section of the Tenth left on the 4th of April for Addington. Lieu-tenant-colonel Headland addressed a few words to the men. He hoped they would prove themselves as muc'i a credit to the district as those who had gone before them, and ho assured them that tho thoughts of the people of North Otago would go with them. He wished them good luck and a safe return. Surgeon-captain Garland, also, on- behalf of the people of Oamaru and district, bade the men good-bye, hoping that they would do honour to themselves and to the colony. He hoped they would all come back in good health, and assured them of a hearty welcome when they returned to Oamaru. Captain Foirester and Lieutenant Swmdley also briefly addressed the men. Colonel Headland then put the men under Lieutenant Kedd'ell's command, and they were marched to tho station, where a large crowd gave them a hearty send off. I saw M. F. O. and Sunflower on the station. I also saw four other little folk, three of whom came and spoke to me. They told me their noms dc plume, but I forget them now. One of tliem had a green jacket on; she had also a violin case with her, if the three little folk see this, will they let me knew their noms de plume next time they write to Dot. So N"ut has gone to the war. Good luck and a safe return, Nut; also our old chum Con. I am very sorry to hear that The Kid is an invalid. I am yl°o an invalid. I hope you will get better, Kid, and be able to run about. That vas a nice letter Hairy had in the Witness, Dot. I sco that Maid of Orleans has retired. It is not nice to lose one of our best wnters, Dot. Aud Daisy Primrose has retired too. Well, I never! to think that Daisy Primrose, one of the best and leading correspondents of the page, should retire. She v-rote such grand letter«, and I do wish she hadn't retired. 1 have seven autos. now, Dot. I would very much like to exchange autos with Hurry, Boy, Dura Dum, and Henley West, aud with any other little folk. I have a cousin in the Teiith Contingent, Dot. One of our cat= has died. She was snich a nice cat, and a good hunter. Wo do miss her so. Ho, ho, so we have a D.L.F. Civis, have we' What next? With love to Henley West, The Nipper (don't forget your auto.l, the editor, and bonme Dot, — Yours truly, I'UIZTORIA. [You e\icleiiti> listened to tbr spree he a , Pretonu, u>.,el have gncii us a gord idea of what was s-,ud to the O.inuiTu lads Ix-foie they left. I hope they will all get back f-afe and .-ound. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Here I am once nice, making the editor wild again. Well, Dot, lam all alone in, my glory, for my sister has f* 01 *- 0 for a holiday to C., and I am going to tell you about a kicking cow which 1 have to milk now. I have to put l.er in the bail to gel her milked, and she kicks with a vengeance On Friday morning all the other cows went away before I started her. First I drove her into the yard, and put her in the bail, and then put the leg-rope, on her, started to milk her. At first ehe did not kick much, but when phe could not see the other cows she kicked till she got the leg-rope loose, and then I went to tighten it up. After getting it loose fhe wouldn't lift, and through me tiying to make her she kicked and pulled the j.og for tying her leg to out of thf ground. So 1 got discouraged at that, ard tried to tic hei leg to a post near by, but she would have none of it, and would not tome over for me, so I did not know what to do. Still, I would iot give up, so I pulled and pulled as hard as 1 could. In the end, seeing that I could not manage her, I gave her up as a bad job and let her po. I was displeased, after getting half of kr milk, and then getting it all spilt. Then, Friday evening being wet, I could not try her, fo the had to go till Saturday morning, and then I gave he:- another try, nfter declaring I would let her {?o dry , but mother coaxed me to try her again, and, sure enough, I managed her this time, for a wonder. Again, to-night she was a bit wicked, for she broke the leg-iopt into three pieces m two kicks, and then I had to go and get another, but I'll have it out of her gome day, I suppose. Well, Matakanuit^ how i:re >on getting on' A. E. 0., huny up and send me > oui auto Dot, I suppose I can gi\e some more r.ddles if I like So I shall clo*e with love to Doll, Lily Dale, the editor, and vourself.- Youis truly. WILD WAVE. fl should think there must have b^en something the matter with the cow, or .--he would not have behaved in that disagreeable way, Wild Wave. You know, co.vs ha\c ailments a3 well as we ha\e.— DOT.J Dear Dot, — Probably many of your httle folk have never witnessed "hot-cross buns a-mak-ing," so I shall give you a description of the process, as I was invited to help in that most interesting performance. When I arrived at the bakery I found the baker and two hired helps (uick-named "Bricky" and "Brownie"; already punching the bun dough, whuh, they 'fliglßjJid fIMU. fr"*ri iin.ii <r-iiiatir -iiiati .beauUf.uU'u'' k

soon got into the way of things, and worked away uith a will, but beioie going any furthei it will be necessary to explain our position. On one end of the tiough hd was the dough. In front of it stood Bricky, then I on his right hard, with the scales in front of me. On my right hand Brownie ?tood, and on the other "side of him stood the baker, who had the tins on which the buns were to be baked on his right hand. Bricky's work was to knead the dough into long rolls, so that I could guoss the weight better and thus save time. Then I weighed it into lioz weights, which is sufficient for two buns. Tins I quickly squeezed together and passed on to Brownie and the baker. There it was rolled backwards and forwards with both hands, so that it formed a long roll. It was then divided equally in two, and rolled quickly and firmly under each hand in a circular airection, so that all cracks had disappeared. 'lliey were now placed close together on the tm«, and given a final punch on the top, to prevent them rising too high. You may be sure we had to be smart over the weighirg process, as we had to keep both Brownie and the baker going When all the tins were filled, they were placed in the trough — at least some of them were. The baker then lifted t%vo laige boilers (about half-full of boilmg watei) out of the oven and placed them in the trough, one at each end. I might here explain that a baker's trough is a laige wooden aSair, pbout 3Jft high and 10ft or lift long, very much resembling an ordinary pigs' trough— narrow at the bottom, and broad at the top. When the boilers were put in the baker lifted four red-hot lumps of iron from the furnace with a spade, and placed two in each. The result may be imagined. The water bubbled and boiled at a terrific late, filling the place with steam. The rest of the tins were quickly placed in, and the lid let down. A number of empty flour-sacks -were then placed on top to keep the steam from escaping-, and tliev were then left for about quarter of an hour. By this time the buns had risen, and for a while we were busy putting them m the oven. In about 10 minutes' time the tins weie turned round, and in five minutes or so after they were ready to come out. A syrup had pieviously been picpared by dissolving some sugar in a. small quantity of boiling water, and n= soon as the buns were lifted out they were "pamted" (a-s the bakers call it) with it. Of course it dr'ed immediately, leaving a beautiful gloss. They were then slid off on anything that had been prepaied for them, and the tins brought back again, slightly greased while hot, and ptit away ready for the next lot. The same performance was repeated, and when I retired for the night (or morning) I heaid the clock strike 1. At 5 o'clock B. and B. were again on active service, this time you know what for "One a penny," etc. Well, Dot, I have gone far over the limit already, so I'll conclude with best wishes from— Yours lUy> MINNIE HA HA. P. S.— Dear Nobody Knov, s, will you please send me your addicss. — M. H. K. [Your night m a bakehouse was nn interesting experience, Minnie Ha Ha, and I am sure the L.F. will all be interested m your description of it— DOT ] Dear Dot, — I am living to wnte, but my brothers and sisters make bo much no:se with their school lessons that I feel inclined to envy the sisterless boy or the brotherless girl. The shooting season is in just now, and the lepoits of guns make one feel as though the seat of war was not far off. My brother wus out one day with a friend shooting wild ducks, when they met in with a man and a little boy. Tlip boy was about five or six yeais old, and it was very amusing to hear him say to his companion, a man about 50, "Come on, Bill, I think it's time we were getting a shift on." I think the Little Folk's Page is becoming the big folk's page. My mother and elder tisters take more interest in Dot 8 page than the younger ones. We all liked Rosa Bonheur's letter, and I think she ia very lucky to have such a chance to learn drawing and painting. lam very fond of painting, but as I live in the back blocks, I have no chance of taking lesions, but though the back blocks have their disadvantages, tharo is nothing prettier than bush scenery, I think. This is rather a quiet place. There are hardly any amusements to go to, and the Witness is the only thing I have to take up the little spare time I get in the evenings, for I have read all the books worth reading that I can get my h.vnds on. One of my sisters tried to read my letter over my shoulder, so I told her she would be able 110 read it better when she saw it m the condensed column, for I am afraid it will bo there. I see that some of the boys from our pa«;e have gone to South Africa. One of my brothers went, but after more than a year of active service he was invalided home, and weren't we glad to see him again. But now. Dot, I think I ha\e written enough for tonight. =o F n-.i.st co-, with kind regaids to .ill tlie little folk, \oui-elf, and the editor.— VV ° UrS tnl ' y ' GREEBA. fl am ;;iad yon have got your brother hack, Greeba, .end 1 tiust he will soon-regain his health, and make up his mind to settle down with you permanently —DOT.] Dear Dot,- Pretoria and Lady Roberts live very c!o<ie to our place, and they ><re ahvaya talking of writing to you. M. F. O. was round collecting for the Oamaru Cot fund, and she had a large list of names. My sisters went to Maerewhenua for their holidays one year, but it was raining nearly the whole time. One day they went to tho bush for a picnic, and while they were looking for ierns they came a-cross a bee-hive They got sticks and stack them 12. tho hive, expecting to get a lino liauT. The bees came out in. hundreds, and chased them up the bush till they were fairly exhausted. 'Iheir hands and facts »eic co\ ered with stingp, and instead of coming home happy, tLcy came home ir\mg. Dear Dot, when are you going to get another letter from Wnlhc who«e letters always mak'c the page interesting, both to young and old" My cousin v. ntO3 to you, Dot, and she "would never tell us her norn deplume, but in the Witness last week we saw her norn dc plume and address, 6o we- soon found her out. 1 was sorry to hear of Lieutenant Con going back to the war with the Ninth Contingent, but I hope he will return a still biater lad. The Oamaru Gardens were completely spoiled by the flood, and it is such a pit-., because they were, always kept so nice. With fondest love to the little folk, not iorgettuig your-^lf and the editor, — £oui^ tru'v, ORATOR. [I ?uppo=e the bee« were in ;i hole in a tiee, Orator ' It is a good thug the ic-nlts uere no worse than they were, for it is a dai gtrous thing to interfere with bce.-j.ui t'..'t v*;.DOT.] Dear Dot,— As it is now full} <=i\- months s-mce I la^t wrote to \ou, it i-> luj-'h tune I let you know that I am still in the laud of the livmg. I must tell jcu about an enjoyable trip I had to Mount Egmont a week ago Well, we arranged to start early ore niornine-, and you can inuke sure I was up with the lark that morning. Wher- we were all ready to start, it began to rain, but after a while it seemed to clear, so I decided to toss up a pennj --heads we go, tails we stop,— an<J it came clown heads, so we pet out, my sister and her little girl and m\=e'f, in the trap, and my oth( i s^ter ridm? We had to drive about 1-2 miles before we came to what is called the Forest Reserve, which consists oi a track cut through the green bush for four miles. We i£&U*i4 tJie Fpreat &esea\o about 3 W J-He

aitemoon, and left our trap there, and Tode the two horses, double banked, taking our blankets, provisions, and some extra clothes. It was now pouring ram, and continued to do so, but we went along merrily through the mud. The scenery was siniply lovely. I think if some of the httle folk down your way could see it they would wonder where they saw the beauty in Catlins. We passed two or three different parties of ladies walking through ' the bush, and I felt sorry for them, they were in such a dilapidated state with the rain and mud, and I felt thankful for my horse. We arrived at the Mountain House about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and weren't long getting out of our wet clothes. There were over 50 people at the house, but we managed to get a nice little room for the four of us. It was supposed to be for two people, but everywhere was so crowded that we were supposed to have done remarkably well. There are three large bedrooms and two small ones in the house, besides o very big living room, witii a very large fireplace, where everybody docs their cooking. It holds some monstrous logs — indeed, they aie trees. There is also a cottage which accommodates about -20 people, so you see there is ample room for all the visitors and tourists. There is a piano m the house, and different kinds of games, such as ping-pong, skittles, etc., are indulged m. There was one party who took possession of the piano the first night we were there, and discoursed anything but sweet music, but I suppose he did his best. We were up next morning pbout 8 o'clock. It was raining so hard that all thoughts of climbing had to be abandoned. It was groat fun cooking breakfast — one at this side of the fire making porridge, someone at the other frying meat, and another in the centre seeing if his potatoes were done. It rained so hard that I could not get down to see Dawson Falls, which are about a quarter of a mile from, the Mountain House, so had to wait until next day, wlion it cleared up lovely, and then, also, wei had ? grand view of Mount Egmont, but did not climb it, as it was time to be getting home again, for which I was very sorry, as I could have stayed ever so much longer, I was enjoying my holiday so well. 'Die caretaker, Mr Lloyd, is so obliging — nothing is ?. trouble to him, so long as he can add to the comfort of the visitors. We all wrote our names in the visitors' book, prefaced by a few Temarks such as "There was rather much staich in the pillow shams," "The champagne was very exhilarating," eac, and then mounted our horses for home. Now I think you and your readers will have had enough of me. I hope I have said enough to show that a, first visit to Mount Egmont is a gieat event in the life of anyone who has never been there before. With fondest love to the editor,— Yours truly, A MIGHTY ATOM. [A Mighty Atom seems to have the happy knack of enjoying herself under most disadvantageous circumstances. Still, I &uppos« the drenching was quickly forgotten in the novelty of the convivial life of the Mountain House. I trust her second visit will be under happier auspices, and that she will be able to climb the mountain instead ol staying indoors.—DOT.] Deal Dot, — We are at present having a few days' holidays, as our teacher has left. On Easter Monday the school picnic was held, and I think everybody thoroughly enjoyed themaelve3. I was in a race, and won a shilling for being second. In the evening a social was given in honour of the teacher, and she was presented with a purse of sovereigns and a testimonial. A few weeks ago a couple of young men, who wore travelling, had a donkey, and, having missed the train, were obliged to stop all night. Well, theae two men, who, I think, had •& play of some sort, m the evening were leading the donkey about, and of courso a crowd of children at once assembled round. Then the young men asked me to jump on and have a ride, which of course I did; but, lo! to my surprise, it started bucking up, so I jumped off, as it was a very small one, about 3ft 6in. Several others attempted to ride it, but none were successful, but I sucoeeded the other time 3 I made the attempt. The local Racing Club held their race meeting on February 22, despite the showery day. Perhaps some little folk would like to learn tlie names of the contingents that 'have left New Zealand' 3 shcres. Well, the "Invincible" first; "Die Hard second; "Plucky" third, "Dandy " fourth , "Fighting fifth, "Raging, 1 sixth; "Do or Die" seventh, "Gallant" eight, and the "Nimble" ninth. Well, now, I must close this letter, or the editor will be putting it through his condensing machine. With love to Dot and the little folk,— Yours truly, DEFENCE. [I phoiild think the donkey must have- belonged to a ciicn I*,1 *, for most circuses have a, bucking doukey to give boys a chance to show ho a they can i:de a. buckjuniper.— DOT.] Dear Dct,— Tiie school I go to had a picnic to Glenfcrn some weeks ago. I went with Fto I It was a peifect da> , indeed, we could not have wished (or a better. After a short journey m the tram, we arrived nt Glenfem. We had to walk o\er a mile before we got to the bush, but we soon found a suitable place to camp. It was a very picturesque spot called "The Rookery." We soon had the billy boiled, and after having had lunch, we started off ii different directions for tho bush. Feo and I went together, and after roving about for boms time we found some very pretty ferns, amongst which was a species of maiden-hair. We were quite delighted at this, and looked in vain for some more, but instead of it wo found iv «-m a ll crape fern, which was growing on a rtnk. We each got a mountain daisy, which nre very pretty when out in flower. About .') 3'J p in. we had tea. One of the members of our party found a little bird, but none of us could tell what it was. She took it hom<>, but the next day it died. I met a few D.L.F. there, among them being Khaki, Averna, the Larr.km, Orator, Khaki's Pla>mate, Bay View, and Lady Roberts I have fatarted to collect autograph 0 . I have only got a frw, but hope to got more. Will Princess Maud. Dame Durden, .Sunflower, aud any other D.L.F. please uxrharye autos with me' I will get tb"m U they send them to Mis-, W. Baudinot, care of Mr W. C. Baudinet, Wharf street, Oamuiu With love to the editor and all the htt'e foik, l.ot fc rgettmg yoiu dear old self,— Your'- tru'v, CHOCOLATE. [Poor UUle I'ird, it no doubt died of starvation, as it had not learned how to ferd itse-lf. Howe\ir, no doubt that or a worse fate awaited it, amnov -UO'i.J Drui Dot, Since I last wrote you I ha'-e paid nn first \i-sit to Dunedin, and enjoyed myself very much 1 saw all the khaki boys of the N'nth Contingent inarch into the Agricultural Hall, but there was too big a crowd to go do\.n to Port to see them off. I was out a-t St. Clair, and liked looking at the waves, and one day I was taken through a steamer called the Te Anau, and it was very interesting. I liked riding in the tram cars, especially in the electric car. I went to two different churches, St. Matthew's in the morningand the Hanover street Baptist Church in The evening. I was also at the Botanical Gardens, and saw the emus there. Dear Dot, I visited a lady friend of our u , and she gave me a sleeping doll and some china. Wasn't it kmd of her, Dot? Coming home from Dunedin I wrote down the name of every station, and counted the tunnels. There are 13 tunnels from Dunedin to Waipiata. The first one I we&t, ijiisaish i i^- ?■ bit ixiohleiL&d, but I

I got used to them. Now, Dot, don't you thin) I I ought to ha\e enjo3'ed myseh. 1 hope US ,go again some day. With love to Dot, the editor, and all the httle folk, — Yours truly, VIOLET. [You evidently did not sleep on the way ( Violet. It was a good idea to write down tht t names of the stations, and by counting tha tunnels, tell us something which very few D.L.F. knew. I had no idea there were sc many tunnels on the line. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— Again the Ugly Sparrow wants a place in your page, so do you think you can spare it me? You know, lam the only, sparrow writing out of — oh, ever so many. Ona little boy said the other day that I had na right to write to you, but I only said, "Chirrup! Chirrup!" and flew away. The last letter: I wrote, or rather the first, as I 'only wrote once, before this, I said I would tell you and the Xf.F. all about my nest and how I mads it, but since then I have decided not to da. so, as I think L.F. know too much about it already. Wmter is coming on, and then food will be scarce for us, but I am going to hva in. a nice warm nest high up on the blue gum tree. I see that tha L.F. of your page are discussing Alice in Wonderland. Now, Dot, don't; you think it would be better for the little folk to say what' kind of creature they would like to be, and their reason why? What do you say? Don't you think iE would be better than -writing: about books? Will you try it, Dot? I shall not tell you what I would like to be in this letter, until I know if ycu will take it (on. And now, Dot, I must say goodbye, hoping the condensed column will not see my letter. If it were to, I am sure I should feel small, for what would oiher sparrows say? And I am quite small enough, so don't make me smaller, Dot With love to one and all,— Yours truly, THE UGLY CHIRPING SPARROW. ' [I don't believe this lively Sparrow is half aa ugly as ho tries to make himself out to be. I think a rather interesting column could be made if Sparrow's suggestion that everyone should say what creature he or she would liktf to be were carried out, and their reason why. Suppose we give it a trial for a month? Say every writer during May to say what he or she would choose if some wicked fairy were to change them into a bird or an animal or a fish, and the leason why.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We were busy pulling apples al^ last -week, but I have to go back to school to-morrow, after a holiday of four weeks. Dear Dot, I am going to tell you of a ride which I had about four weeks ago. On going home from school one afternoon we came across two boys catching their mounts. Of course we stopped to speak to them, and asked them, fora ride. As they knew us, they told us to geb on the hacks, one of which was a Shetland pony. I got on the pony, and one of my, mates on the hack. Mine was very fat, and as they had no saddle on I was in danger of falling off. We went galloping away for tha saddles. I managed to stick on till I got near the teacher's garden, when, alas! over I' wont, and what a whack I got! I thought the head was off me, but, regaining my senses, I got up and ran after my pony, which my friend! got tor me. We then got on the saddles, and" rodo back to our mates, who were watching us. Then one of my other mates got on, but as she was not a good rider we both fell off, I getting hurt on the head again. Then. ins, first mate and I rode back to tho playshed, but we did not get back to cur mates, as our teacher went fcr a walk, I suppose jusl ta scatter us. So after it was over we all mada for home. I shall bo pleased to exchange autoa with any D.L.F.— Your3 truly, !>INEAPPLE. [Your friends were very good-natmed lo allow you to ride their ponies. Pineapple. It is a good thing the one you rode was so small, or you might have had a nasty fall.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l am going to tell you of a' dreadful pony ride I had four years ago. It was a. holiday, and as everybody was away picnicking and holiday-making, Diamond King and! I thought that we should do the same. So he proposed going for a good ride on tho ponies. We were, soon ready, but to omit great disappointment we found that the harness room door was locked and the key nowhere to be found. You can gueas what a state wo wore in, with the saddles and bridles locked up, but at last a bright idea struck us. We could! go without either saddle or bridle. So off via started, feeling very /happy. It wns not for long, though, for Diamond King's pony shied and started off at full gallop, while mine, not liking being left behind, started in pursuit o£ the other. What a lively ride I had— l bit too lively for my fancy, bul I had to put up with it. for I could do nothing but ,hang on to the pony's mano and sing out for him to stop. He did not stop, though, but only tore around all the streets like mad, and cud round the corners -no quickjy that I felfi quite dizzy. At last ho took it into his head to come home, and started to go faster than ever, but stopped dead at the gate, and landed me over his head I feft quite silly for a little while, and all things seemed to be going round, but I soon go* up, and gave that pony a good thrashing, and no feed into the bargain. Diamond King landed home an houi later, not much tho worse for his lively, ride.' Don't ever take to riding horses, Dot, unless they aie saddled and bridled; but I suppose I need not say that, for Dot has a< little more pride than to go even through tha back streets of Dunedin on a. bare-backed horae. What fun it would be, tnough, to ste our little Dot riding along with a big led, white, and blue flag on her back, with a big D.L.F. ! badge stuck in the centre, aud all the D.L F. hailing her a, she went past. D.L.F. picnic, groups, etc., would be blow in comparison. What do you think, little folk? Don't you think boys are teases, Dot? I do. Of courso there are exceptions, but they are mostly all alike To-day Diamond King, Siher King, and a lot moie boys were killing rats in the loft, when one of them called me, and on going to see what was the matter, 1 received quite a number of dntv young rots on my head. I immediately thought of plague, and of course hurried away from the much-dreaded little animals, whereas those bo> s thought that I was frightened of the harmless little rats. I did not give them any satisfaction about th 6 plague, so they now try to play lots of tri'.ks 021 me, thinking that lam nervous. lam sure that Black Watch would not do such a thnig, fo; he i° one in a thousand, and v orth his weight in gold. Dear Dot, please grant me a line or two of private talk. Thank you foi your auto., E. D. N. A. I'll .send mine tt Irene for you at the earliest opportunity. Yes, Lucinda, Cereda, and Ifanella, I II exchang* iuito«. With love to all the L.F , Dot, and th« editor, — Yours truly, FLORODORA. |T am sure Diamond King might lm» com* back before an hour was over to hpr. how \ou got on, Florodora. Surc'y hf> mtist^ ha\e gol control of his pony before that.— DOT.J Dear Dot, — I am \ery much amused at tha idea a lot of httle folk have of you. Sonn think you are a fairy, others a boautiful woman," etc., etc., etc. I shall not say much, about jou, as I might let the cat jump out of? tho bag I shall tell you of that day down the beach, that Unita referred to in her lasO letter. Well, Unita ?nd Zeila ni< t ine at tho bottom of the lull at the Junction We call it that for short, and it mean? the joining of four loads. We erected each, other, »nd 6fiJ

Jttui for the beach. We arrived there all right, pud began to climb the cliffs. Zeila, always got lip first, and then Umta. In the first p2ace I tried, to get up ; hut when I was half way up Islid right down again and skinned my knee. (We went along farther, and came to a place where we could not get across. I shall try to describe the place. There was a point in the cliffs jutting 1 out, and" there were a great many jmall rocks with -water (deep holes of waters called dungeons) between them. So we took cur boots off and got across, with much difficulty, as the rocks were slippery. We played a wnile> on the other side of the point, and then pnade for home. On our way we g-athered ■ruishrooms, and TJnita and Zcila dined with toe. With love to all D.L.F., not forgetting 'Dot,— Yours truly, HEARTY LASSIE. [That was a pleasant outing, Hearty Lassie, •nd I am. sure you must have had a pleasant day.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I wesC to Chnstchurch for my Christmas holidays. When I was there ior a «3ay or two a friend of mine came down to where I was slaying and asked me to go to etay at her place, so of course I went. When .■we got to her place we had our dinner, and then went down to the Avon River, and walked right around, the banks of it. The nest day «re saw round most of the iluaeum. in the mem- ; ang, and in the afternoon we saw the rest. It is bigger than the Dunedin one. It has alt the armours of the ancient warriors, all samples of fish and sharks found about Canterbury, ; Maori war canoes, m which the Maoris were supposed to come from Hawaiki to New Zealand about 500 years ago, but it would take up ■ too much space to tell all I saw. On the day of our return my friend came down to see us . off. She came on board to s?.y good-bye, ! but she would not go off again, so she came to Duuedm with us and stayed for five weeks. jWe were to have our Sunday school picnic on 'Anniversary Day, but it being a very wet day ( we had it in the Choral Hall instead. We had t«a about 4 o'clock, and after that all sorts of , games till about 7, and then we had reciting j and singing and a series of limelight views. .We have a singing class on Tuesday nights < it being held for a concert and examination at , the end of the year. I was looking at the : ■Witness a little while ago, and saw Little ' He's idea, and I think it is a very good one. ; With love to all the little folk, youiielf, and | Ihe editor,— Yours truly, ELANDSFOXTEIX. I [It was a pity you had such a wet day for j your picnic, dear, but no doubt you bad a good time of it in the hall. Your little Christ- , church friend seemed to be determined to have » good holiday.— DOT.] j Dear Dot,— -We had a picnic at Kakanui Beach on Easter Monday, and we all enjoyed | ourselves thoroughly. My brother tcok' his pea-rifle with him, and we had shooting on the ' sand. We also had an exploring -expedition j round the recks, wheTe I caught a little crab on a wooden spade. I showed it to my sister, •who took it from me and chased me with it. .Wasn't she cruel, Dot?— she kept me screaming half the day trying to put it on my bare toes. Dear Dot, was not the catastrophe to the Eighth Contingent sad? There were three Oamaru boys killed— Privates A. H. M'Donald, J. Bruce, and A. E. Pearson. There is going to be a memorial service on Sunday morning in St. Paul's Church. With love to all D.L.F., s-ourself, and the editor.— Your3 truly. * SNAPJACK. [It was indeed sad, Snapjack. Little did the poor fellows think when they left New Zealand lhat they would never get the chance of act.ye service.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l have heen thinking of writing For some time now, <to tell you of my trip to •Dunedin to see the Kmth Contingent off. It was nearly five years since i had been in town la3t, so I was quite i new chum. I think I would )oon have got lost if Waitohi had not been with me. We left home in the morning about a juarter past six to catch thejearly tram, and »ere soon on board and putting out of the station. We had the pleasure of speaking to Nut and Jessica going down in the train. We ■were not long in reaching town. After havirg our dinner, we did a little shopping. Then we went up in the car to Mornington to sec some friends. I think it is lovely coming down in it. At night we were at a party at a friend's house. We played all sorts of games till about II o'clock, aud enjoyed 1 the party immensely. The next morning was "departure day." I Son't think we could have had a better, for it was nice and cool. After breakfast we set out for Forbury Camp, and arrived there as the roll was being called. The men were all standing in a row. They looked very much alike in the uniform, and I thought it would be hard work to find my brother. But I was mistaken thac time, for in a, few minutes we found him. We only had a few minutes to Bpcak to him, for they soon marched out of the park, and' took the train into town. When we pime back into town we had to wait about an Jiour outside the barricade at the hall before the troops came in sight. We got tickets and went up into the gallery, where we could see them easily. After staying a few minutes we made for the railway station, en route for Port Chalmers. The crowd at the station was Very dense, and I never got such a squeezing in all my life. From Mussel Bay we had to walk to the wharf. The streets weie crowded, and it was hard work getting along. There was plenty of room when we got into the barricaded place at the wharf. We weren't long there bcfoie the troops came, and then there was the parting — the worst bit o[ the lot. Ihey were allowed a while to say good-bye to then friends, and it wasn't long before they were all aboard and steaming out of the harbour. iWe watched the Kelt glide ?way till it was a good bit out and we cou'dn't see ?nyonc distinctly. It was not loag tffore we v. ere on •UK WAY b^fi^ jUft D. tf V CI^ "1 1 &iL^li£ f^tf* Air7^

of an open truck. It wasn't very bad either, though there is one tunnel. "We came home r with the late train, and were very tired aftel the long day. I met a few D.L.F. on the wharf, and had the luck to be introduced to Dr Jim, Maid of Athens, and the sisterless boy Harry. I gave my autograph to three D.L.F. , ' but I haven't received theirs yet. I am sorry to see Daisy Primrose has resigned, and also ■Maid of Orleans, for they are both good writers. Dear Dot, i9n't Con brave to go back again, after two yeare' hardships? I think I ! had better ring off, or the_ editor will put this i where he put my last. "Ui<h love to yourself 1 and all the D.L".F.,— Yours truly. LUCTXDA. : [It must indeed have be~n an eventful day with you, Lucinda, ?nd with such crowds in ' town it would not have be^n hard to lese your-self.-DOT.] Dear Do., — This is awful weather we are having now. I wonder wh r re it comes from 9 I think it must be Dunedin weather we ?re getting, as it is always raining when I am there. .They are nice letters The Kid vrites to you. We are all very sorry for him., and hope it is not so bad as he thinks. I wondei ii you hvcf anywhere near us, Kid If you do I should like to go and see you. Would we not have great times? So cheer up, cd boy (I am not a, girl). On the Ist ot Ayiil .he duck-shooting season opened, and th'i- -.15 a lot of shooting on the plain and the 'ijere wcie a few good begs. I mv- ' you what happened to two sportsm?- - teilows th^y are, too. They were going on. tlv ji, the water with gum hoots on to wait t :i £ir chance for the ducks. One of them made o sl.ght splash in the water. Another sportsman farther down, hearing the splash, thought it was a duck, and Jet bang, hitting both the chaps on the legs, but fortunately thare was r-o damage done, except raak'ng a few ho'ci ..: their gumboots. What the two big ul'.ows said to the other fellow that fired the shot at them is better left unsaid. Did you ever taste a swan? We have had swans, ducks, and swamp turkeys, and they arc all right. The friend who shoots them all has a Winchester repeater, ard he can fire six shots with one leading. It is a dandy gun. Xow I must conclude, wishing ■fhe condensing column every success. Love to Dot, D.L.F., and Tomatoes, — Yours truly, WILL O' THE WISP. [I wonder if Will o' the Wisp would cont/nnc to wish the condensed column every success if h.s own letter had been put through the mill 1 ' I. however, found it too interesting, so there it la m full, and no doubt W. O. T. W. will remain a firm friend of the condensing col. It is a good thing that careless sportsman hadn't such, a "dandy gun' 1 as the Winchester repeater, or lie might have got into serious trouble instead of only ruining two pairs of costly gum boots — DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is a. long time since I wrote la6t, but I have not been idle, for 1 have found out nmo D.L.F. That is not. bad, is it, Dot' ? Donapony ?av'e herself away most beautifully m her letter. 1 went for a cluve to K. 3vith father on Sunday, and I saw two L.F. coming past the hotel. I spoke to them, and they both smiled. I have been to a few concerts lately, among them being the Corrick Family, Muldoon's Picnic, the B^ack Family, and a biogiaph entertainment. I liked the biograph best of all, as they showed some grand pictuies. Dear Dot, I have just sustained a great !os= — my dear old ppt hen died on the Ist inst. Mother just tame home to-day from Riverton. after two months' holiday. She o fij's I can keep house very well. Dear Dot, I was so sorry to hear of The Kid bfing an invalid. I thn k he writes very interesting letters. I am going up to She 'aprons to-mor-row with father if it is fine, <^o I hope it if. I have a bi othei away over in Australia, ?nd I wish it was time for him to come home. Dear Dot, I \\?s tc!d the other day that a ,crl from here v,=ited the office and sow Dot, and 1 she says she is a ycii^g man lam afraid she is to be doubted. I must stop iiovv, a^ it is very late, &o tv ta till next time — Youis trnlv, PRINCESS." [I indeed hope she i a . foi I shcuM be \civ [ sorry to be transmogrmed into a \oung ma" — j no doubt by "-cmc wicked fairy who does rot ' approve of "the success ol our page, eh, Prmi cess? But then, perhaps, one of the initj chievous junior clerks has had a hand in it. ■ I notice one of them especially has a somewhat j mischievous look sometimes when I hand m badge or cot money, and I think I must que«- ; tion him before he has the chance of seeing I this m print.— DOT.] Dear Dot.— HeTe am I, another new correspondent. Whatever will tho editor s.ty > But, just let me explain that you won't be trouble.d with me long, for oh, Dot, I am getting dreadfully old, and I shall soon have to go off the beards. For a long time I have taken a great interest in your p3ges, and I Lave several ccusms writing to you, among whom are Auburn and The Reveller. I know Jessica very nell, and she and I aic great old chums. I went to see her a few days ago, and, like her brother Xut, she was still wearing a broad smile. She and I, with her brothers and my j big brother, went for a waik to see the new . railway. We walked along the line on the ■ sleepers for a long way, but we couldn't look about us much, for if we did our feet slipped. Once I was gazing around at the beautiful (9)( 9 ) scenory when I slipped aud foil, and hurt my knee. Of course Jesnca laughed. When I went down, I said, "Oh, I ; cripple for | life." But I soon cot over it. Then came my turn to laugh. We wcr. 1 go.: g home when Jessica turned to watch her brothers driving the cows, and she tripped ai.d fell backwards. Oh, well, we enjoyed ourselves all right, so that wa3 all we wanted. Dear Dot, I h\c close beside the pieat roihrg, to- = mg. rc~tlc=s ocean, and I somel'iiios ffo for a dip in it. I can tell yru it i= :i!'-ii6;ht Tun Jes=ica was . Faying that she lia'i no bi" b.ctapr to n-ake l-ii^M^iti-linl^Sj fftg pi Ui j°l"i iipr £Uli /lAU. *ha.t

Xut is gone. I knew Nut well, too. ai d we used to have grand fun when he came to see i us, for he was so jolly. I bear that he has been promoted to the position of corporal now. Oh, Dot, do be kind, and don't hand my first attempt to the condenser. Condensed milk is nice enough, but as for condensed lc-tter — we!', I don't think that I'd rel'sh it. There are so many different ncms de plume in your page that it is hard work to find a new one. But I think I have succeeded. Hoping Harry won't be offended, and w.th love to pll. — Yours tiuly, HARRYS LOVE. fl'" H?rry were not =o bashful I «un sure he would feel quite pioud of the compliment, H. L., but as it is. I cm afraid he will be alarmed a-t the number of othei boys' sisters who are Taking an interest m Ins welfare. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— H>re I am ajraii:, :n s. room by myself, to make sure nc oi.e »vi!l see me writing. Since I Ipst wrote to the *>ag;e I have changed my place of abode, and I see DLF. every clay. 1 tool* a it:x> down to Port to see the contingent away, aud as I knew some of the tiocpers who were coing to the war, I felt soiry for them. I lead of Hariy's trip down south, and I see he «ays Duneclin was shedding tears. They must have been fox him, to hy and stop him from going away, 01 if not it was to make his moustache gioiv to stop him from UE.iit; a false one. (Excuse me, Harry.) Now. Clarissa, J am . c nrpn=ed at you riding a mail's bike in a town like Palmerston, because no doubt some one would pass rema-rks about you. and I should not like to have been you. I forgot to mention, that I went to a. picnic down to the Kaik, and I saw two D.L.F. there, an-d one of them tried to find out who I was. When they read this scribble I shall no ioubt be caught by them. I should like to exchange outos with Ruth, Holly Hedge, and Dunedmite. "Wake up from your slumbers. Holly Hedge, and let us hear from you. As I have seen you often, I always look fcr your letters. With love to the L.F. and also Dot, — Yours truly, LESTER. [I do not mind you having changed your abode, .Lester, so long as you have not changed your aom de plume. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — To begin with, I must offer an apology for the alarming length of my last letter it was quite unintentional, and I think I must have been fancying I was riding one of our Queensland horses, and was only too glad to let him bolt. I often wonder what happened with my poor Fcilding. When last I saw her she was being led away by such a hideous 1 man, and by the way she flung up her head, I 'mow she meant to be tire?onie. Once, when I had to lead her five miles, she would insist on getting just a little in front, and then she would try to kick, so at last I took off the bridle and drove her. Yesterday I led a horse 13 ruile=, aud had no trouble at all. The hot weather is now Ov-er, also the rainy (') season. The nights are now cool — almost frosty — in fact, some cf u« use blankets, though we still keep our windows and doors open at night The , rainy seafaon d<d not begin until about the 26th of March, when the glass lose to 92 in the coolest part ! of the house and a big cloud came up, and it rained for about five minutes, and thus ended the rainy season. And now we nre told that it will not rain foi foui months, so, since theie lias been no rain to speak of since last September—l believe it did rain for about an hour on one occasion, but never longer— the outlook foi many is decidedly gloomy. Forturately we have a good water supply for the stock, but we have only six weeks' supply of rain water, and in the larger paddock? we hart <?ni~s galore, though dr> . Triith to tell. wo keep the flocks of seme of our worthy neighbor!! s ii om staivation. Thpre is a. 040ano TC^rve within our bouiidaiie= r where stock can be biou?ul to water, so a certain neighbour— who, I may mention, lias p'enty of w^ter--brii'9;s his flock tincu?h ore of our j paddocks nearly eveiv day, ostensibly for water, j but real!'- to feed by the way It is only about tliTe mile = to the reser\e, and yet it take^ mm iill day. "Poor man, why blame j him ' He is doing yon a kindness in keeping the grass 'rom growing rank " This is ho»r cur labour candidate, of the recent elect.on, i.ould ar»ue Out west, they say, "You have to steal to a certain extent, you can't help it" , but we cannot quit<> credit that At present w aie rather interested in a bubhianging outbieak Not po long ago father was on the next station to that on which the agray took place 'I he- Qu°enslanders st.ll continue to be a source of amusement. In speaking of Xew Zeala id, a gentleman said. "Now, which island is really most likely to submerge first?" Before Mr Ty=on went to New Zealand, he told our informant that he thought he would not e'rrp on land at r,.ght, bu* would always come back to the bout Ore dv: there was a fk^ht debatp— Earthquakes versus Snakes,— and our friend" failed to agree that it wa-s much more preferable to b? shaken by an earthquake than bitten by a make. It is c nnply ridiculous that Tjeople should hare such absurd ideas about other places, and I think, genera l !v speaking, New Zealanders a.re bioader-miuded than Queenslanders, Fancy anyone asking such questions as, "You often have your hat shaken off by earthquakes, I suppose'" "You can »o for a drive round the island o?foro lunch, I suppose?'' "You cannot get to Tivr Zealaud by rail, can you '" and delivered with a. supercilious =ruile. "I don't suppose you have plains lik? this" ime.uimg one of between "20.30 and 3000 acres). Their speech, too, is not what one would expect , all sorts of slang expressions are used, even by the better classes, and they have a pccu'.iar way of swinsing their word= together which is not altogether pleasant to the ear. especially when it is rendered with a nasal diawl. Daisy Primrose (whc=e TesijniuMnvi we all lc-grel to notice) yaabe an. }■" \ % suliiett fcouifi liiTt seflv Xt> xe-

minds me of once when mother wss conversing with a number of ladies at a club in London, and one said, "And so you come from the islands of New Zealand? Yon speak very good English." Perhaps she had hitherto only met colonials from Australia. What do you think. Dot? — I am now an editor. Yes, an ' editor! We have a monthly journal (lllus- | trated) for the amusement and edification of the family, and I rm the editor. My mother and sisters contribute laigely — both fact and fiction Yesterday Polly and I drove father to one el ou- numerous railway stations, and when about four mAcs fiom the town the horses. b*-iig raiher s'~fful- danced on tile pole of the busjgy. which broke ; the,i they became fnghfued. so Polly gave the lems to father, and j umped out, after extricating me from rather an unhappy position. It was not long before I wa3 out too, and caught the horses. Just then an unknown neighbour came along, and so we accepted his kind invitation to continue our journey in hi= -.ihem '— vehicle. We laturned in the same way, and it was funny. We drove oui horses hi adrauee for about 12 miles, and left them o:i the reserve, and sent a boy for them. I fadicy I hear a drop of ram, so must go and investigate. — Yours truly, ROUGH RIDER. P.S. — Smc9 Tvntiiig, it has rained for fully one hour. It is impossible to describe the feeling of relief and gratitude with which we welcomed the glorious drops. It seemed as if we had not seen a drop for years. — R, R. [If we could only send over some of our superfluous moisture, how pleaded we should be. I must congratulate Rough Rider on her advance ir journalism. She does not tell us the name of the monthly journal she edits, but enclosed are a couple of very creditable samples of the illustrations. One of these illustrates a typical buckjumper engaged in endeavouring to turn a somersault, with the explanation that "the rider is really less at ease than he appears, ' while the other depicts the pleasures of hot weather in Queensland — "A trifle irritating," more from the myriads of bugs and insects, apparently, than from the trying heat.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I live 150 miles from Dunedin, in the centre of the great dredging fields, and as I write to you I can hear one of the dredges at work. It just started this week, after being stopped nearly five months on account of the river being too high. Dear Dot, do you think it would interest the little folk if I were to try to explain in my next letter to you what a gold dredge is like and its mode of working? We received to-day news of the accident to the Eighth Contingent. lam sure, Dot, all the little folk will be very glad when the war is brought to au end. It is getting very cold up here now at nights and in the mornings, and we shall soon have the winter, with its ice and snow, when we shall hs able to have fine fun making snow-men and skating. There are numbeis of men here r.ow catching rabbits, which are carted all the way to Ida Valley, then by train to Dunedin, where they are frozen and sent all the way to London. I have been learning to ride the bike. and it is grand fun, except when you get ofi in a huiry.— Yours truly, [Yes, Tin, I am sure we should be all interested in a description of a gold dredge and its mode of working. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l was disappointed to see my letter m the condensed column, but 1 was not the only one whose letter shared the same fate. How much more interesting your page would be if all the correspondents were to write according to Little ile'a suggestion. I noticed Thr Reveller asked if all white cjTs were deaf, but we have two while ones, and neither cf them is d>.af. I shall try to give you a sort of .in idea of what kind of a place we live in. In front of cur place you can nothing but hillf. and then a< the back thcie is a big pl-un. Wo live about seven miles out oi the town ol O , and on a tine day it is such a lovely drive iv There is a hard metal toad all the "way, and on Thursday afternoon^ (which js th? haH holiday) ciowds ol cyclists go past. About liuli a mile up past our place is a sma'l busb. whuh is the only piece of native bush there .3 about, and in line weather quite n number of picnic parties go up and sperd the day there. We have been having such fun to-night with a puzzle. It ;s^ like two staples turned up in the points, aua they are linked together, and the puzzle is to take them separate, and then when you do get that done it is almost as bad to put them together again. With love to the D.L.F. army and their leader, Dot.-Yoars Uuly, TUE EKA. [It is only pure albino?, with either light blue or pinkeyes, that are blind, Tuieka ; possibly your cats are only ordinary pnss'e=. and hencs'have escaped the affliction.— DOT.] Dear Dot, -The time -slips by so fast that I can scarcely believe it is nearly r> year since 1 la,t wrote to the L.F. page. However, one correspondent among ro many is never missed. Many of the old favourite writers seem to ho deserting lately, but I suppose they cannot writes always. I was very sorry to see that Daisy Primrose had sent in her resignation, and I join with some of the L.F. in hoping she will reconsider her decision. If she does not, I wi=h her the- best of luck and success in the Hcme country. De?r Dot, how would you like to bo Mr Seddon just now? It would be 6ple".oid to be the to'onv's representative at the Coronation, I should think. I only wi&h I cculd fret there and have a good vi"w of it; but "a wishes were horses, beggars would ride." About five months ago I was in P. one day, and while walking round the square, two girls passed me and smiled. I had not gone on much farther when they came tearing back, and one called rat, "HuJ'oo, D.L.F.!" It proved to b« Rough E^Jer and Potoki, and as we had the day at our disposal, we spent asm Iwa )"W'[i tozfiiiier, X' w like \Y£eJt

j before they left foi Queensland; I saw them j also the day they left P. We went to the Ipost office and exchanged autos. Dear Dot, did you enjoy yourself at Easter It was pretty , lively up here. The K. G. and another school had an excursion up to Wanganui. It is four I hours' travelling from Palmeiston to Wanganui, and as we were m cattle ttucks both going and coming, it was not very pleasant, for the day was rather »vindy and the embers were blown into cur eyes and everywhere. Some people weie holding their handkerchiefs to their eyes most of the time. I liked very much, going up the river, though "the Rhine of New Zealand" is not exactly what I had pictured it. Still, it is very charming, and & splendid p!?ce to have a picnic. The Taieri River, down near its mouth, is not unlike it, though the Wanganui is of course a much bigger river. Tonight we are having a fire burning for the first time this year. It has been a beautiful summer, but the last day or two ht>ve been wet and cold. The winter has set m early this year. The people down south are having a hard time of it with the floods, and I am glad I do not live on the Taieri now, as our old place is covered with water. But it is very unfortunate for those who do. With love to R. R., Potoki, A. M. W., Mira, Gitana, and yourself, — Yours truly, OROUA. [You were fortunate :n meeting Rough Rider and Potoki, Oroua, and no doubt they often think of the pleasant time you spent. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Since I last wrote I have been up to the Xorth Island having a. look round the country there. It is a very pretty place, and I should like very much " to live there. Palmerston North is a very large town, its streets being fully twice as wide all round tho. square as those in Dunedin. I was through Palmerston North and part of Wellington, and I enjoyed myself exceedingly well. When I got as far as Oamaru on our way up, I saw a D.L.F. on the station; but, unfortunately, I did not see her till after the train had moved, and when I waved she did not see me, so I did not get a chance to speak to her. After that I did not see any more D.L.F. all the way. up. It was a long and weary day from 11 a.m. till 10 p.m. — no one to speak to all the way ; and I can tell you I was not a bit sorry when. I got to Lyttelton. As soon as I got on tho steamer I went to bed. I shall not describo the night, becatise you might laugh. Well, wo did not get to Wellington till a quarter to 12 the next day. Then we had to wait till 4 o'clock in the afternoon to get a train to Palmerston North, and we did not leaoh our destination till 12 o'clock that night, and I can tell you I did not need rocking when I got to bed. With love to all, — Yours truly, MILKMAID. [It wa3 certainly a tiring trip for you, Milkmaid, pnd I don't wonder at your being tired and ready ior bed both nights. I hope you had it easier coming back. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am going to give you an account of a gre.it adventure two or three of u9 had some time ago. Three or four years ago (I iorget which, as I have a memory like a sieve) two of my mates and I went for a> picnic to the beach. One of the girls now corresponds to your page, but I shan't give her name, as that would give the whole show away. I got up early (such a wonder l ) on the memorable morning, and after taking a slight breakfast, started out. I called for my mates, and we were scon making cur way over scrub, peat, and everything else. After walking two or three miles over peat-bogs and jumping a few big ditches, we arrived at the beach quite safe. The first consideration wps to boil the billy, which did not take long. After we had made the tea and eaten some of our lunch, we made a roaring hre so a- to dry our stockings, which h?d got very wet. After enjoying ourselves for a short time, we be^an to gather a few shells, but we were not engaged thus long, for tho beautiful lnornmg goon became dull, and a steady rain fell in, which continued all day. We took shelter for a while, thinking that the rain would go over, but we had to make preparations for home at last. When we came to put on cur stockings they were still soaring-, go vve had to carry them and walk in our boots, as the boots would not go on with wet stockings. We thought we were going to die on the road, we were so cold, and the peat-bog was so wet and' sinky. At last, after many trials and frights, we reached my mate's home, where a nice warm supper awaited us. I had to change all my c'.othes, and after having a good warm I started for home, having about a mile to walk across paddocks. It was a good thing that it was* dark, as I must have looked a beauty in clothes about a yard too Rhort for me. At length I reached home, tired, miserable, and bad-tempered. My parents were glad to see me, as they were getting anxious, and were just coming to see if they could meofc me. I was too sore and tired to get up next day, so I btayed in bed. So r-nded our great adventure. My mother said we were three donkeys, but we" reckoned ourselves great heroines. "Donkeys, heroines, or whatever we were, I think we deserved a leather medal with a wooden string. With love to all the D.L.F., yourself, and the editor,— Youis truly, GEROME. [Well, it certainly was a picnic for you, Gerome, but really you were not to blame for the change in the weather, though your surely might have found a 'ocality where peaty hogs "had not to be negotiated.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have been a great reader of your page for some time now, and ha.ye at last regolved to become a member. I feel a bit shy, writing to you for the first time. Dot. as I do net know and have never seen a D.L.P. Would you mind letting me know if there are any writing from, here. What a. pity it is thai Daisy Primrose has retired from the page. I am suie pll the L.F. will mns her. as heu

VihaX m

number of D.L.F. know you, or seem to know you, lather. I hope, Dot, that I shall have tho pleasure some day of knowing you "for certain." What comical noms de plume some Lave. I forgot all about finding a "nice" norn de plume for niy3elf, so I shall sign mjself ■with the nickname that my brotheis and sisters are accustomed to call m<". — Yours truly, FLY. [I wonder do they call you Fly because you are always on the move, or aie very small, or what? Yes, dear, one girl writes from yom neighbourhood and has a badge, so j ou may see her some day.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am goaig to tell you about a "walk I had the other day with my cousin. We set off, and after climbing a small hill, we had a lovely view. On one side of us were the Shag River and countless gullies, stretching gradually upwards until they reached the tops of the mountains. One of these gulhe=. known as Rough Gully, 1a filled with trees and bush, but I have never been to it. It looks very pretty. On the opposite side stretched the main road, •winding its v.-ay up the hills, with houses here and there, surrounded by trees. We then descended the hill and caught the horse we were after, and then began to return the same way, and soon got home. In about half an hour we eet off again, this time to fetch 111 some sheep, ■whioh. were to be taken to a sale the following day. On the way, however, we were caught in, a shower, but it was not very heavy- Hasn't it been avrful weather lately, Dot? It is raining again to-day. That was a fiist-iate letter l<a,nce-corporal Nut had m last week. I hope toth he and Con come home generals. Dear Dot, did you ever hear of the Irish beggar who asked a gentleman to give a penny to a poor blind man? The gentleman noticed he was not blind, but he was told that the man's mate -was, and that ho was standing at the corner watching for the police. Wishing good luck to all the L.F., the editor, and yourself,— Yours truly, THE HELMSMAN. [I am afrnd it is r.ither too much to expect our boys at the f ir.t to be raised to such ■a 'height as" that, Mr xicimsman, suppose wo content ourselves with a step up for each ? Promotion is not quite so rapid in the army as you seem to think.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Were you away for your ho'idays this year.'' I was, and enjoyed roy=oli imi'veiise'.y. There were two other girls with me, and v,-e had great fun. We used to go through the bush every day and gather ferns and wild flowers. But, dear Dot, do ycu know what wo did one day? We went down to a friend's place, and asked one of her daughters to come out in the bush with us, She said bho would, so we all went off together, and when we were coming home we climbed a high tree. There was a cow feeding near us, and we called her, and she came up to the tree. Then we did not know •what to do, because the cow was just beside the tree, and we were frightened to get down because she might rush us, but after a while we picked sticks off the tree and threw them at her, and she soon went away. When we were getting down off tho tree we started to shako it, and one girl was falling, but she caught hold of a branch and saved heiself. _^I must, close now, with lovo to all the D.L.F., und not forgetting your own dear self.— Yours truly, MOYRA. [That was rather discouraging to the friendly cow, Moyra. It was rather shabby treatment after inviting her friendship to drive her away by throwing sticks at her I think she had a real gne\.ince against you all.— DOT]

TO " MOUNT IDA. ' j "Who's Dot?" a country maiden spoke: The Duke of York was passing b> — Mount Ida writes to little folk. And loves dear Dot, and so do I. Of course she thought I knew a lot, But all her longing question was That I should tell her who was Dot— Her reason why? Oh, just because. 1 only knew that Dot was Dot, So loudly cheered the passing Duke, And when she still an answer sought I conjured up a vacant look, And praised the way our <=oldiers lode, Or said, "The Princess looks a queen. To all a listening she bestowed, But always asked " Who's; Do; >" between. I would have toid her had I known , I didn't, so I couldn't tell, Yet though a year has nearly flown. Mount Ida thinks I know full well. The =ecret's out . somehow she's got A peep behind the scenery. Still, Dot to me is only Dot, So Ida knows fpr more than vac. [With ki'id wishes to the same o'd Dear Dot and Mount Ida and ah the little folk ] -J. M. Dunedm, Anul, 1902.

CORRESPONDENCE CONDENSED. Taoxlt tells aljout a tup her school had to TTansamu. They saw many pietu sights 011 tho way. Sonic of them v. ent by ttiamir 20 miles up the rivov, and others sailed the iluseum. Among the sights they saw uas a street of Maori houses. Pbincess Maud has now 43 autos, and v. ould like to exchange with other D L.F. Adress caie of Miss Edith Adams, Macrewhci ua "A few weeks ago there came a flood in the ;i\er and cieeks flowing through this district. The 3?lank on a creek was washed away, but it stopped in a paddeck, and was biought back again. The creek spread down a road, making it impossible for anyone to go along. A new road was therefore made. Xight Air's mate 13 av.-ny .:i Duncchn at present, and she is tbcicfoip <t ry loi.r'v "List SSatu.rd.ay myself and a i§w Irip.iifis v.eia juiluj

I for a picnic up the moint.un, but n was so | wet that we did no- £O. Dot, are \cu fond of maidenhair ferns'.' I am, veiy. There is a lot of iit down this way, and v. c often go out gathering it." Rachael likes reading our letters better than a, school book, because they are interesting, and at the same time they teach her to lead. "Didn't the flood spoil a lot of things! Up this way all the crops nrc nearly lotting on the ground. Most of the farmers a'i> carting it in before any more floods come, but I think it nill be too soft to thresh The giain will be black with the weather, and the. straw v. ill only be fit for pigs' beds." Marco lias boen trying to learn to ude a bicycle, but it 13 too high for him, and he thinks he will have to give up the ta«k and wait till ho grc.\s bigger. "The weather is very unsettled of late, and no harvest operations can be goi.e on vwth. 'Ye had thice days' holiday from .school for Easter, and 1 went to 'the sports on Easter Mondaj. As the day turued out fine, there was a good attendance, and I enjojed them very well. S. M. thinks a nice hit 1 " tup to Wyndliam would bo very beneficial to one who has so many letters to answer as Dot. "Wyndham, the small town in which we live, is 'Jo miles north of Invercargill and four miles inland off the main line. It is famous for it 3 fine livers and angling m the season. Game is al^o plentiful at present, as the shooting season has just begun. ' Nellie Bligh is evidently a naturalist. "I live in the country, and there is beautiful bush up among the gullies, and every timo we go out for a walk we are always able to find sharks' teeth. They are stuck firmly in the rock, and you cannot get them without a chisel and hammer to loosen them. Last time we were out for a hunt we found some pieces of petrified grass and moss, which form a. very nice curiosity if you like gathering fossils. Zehca must have a pretty hard time of it when she has to flee for her life lest her head should be knocked off with 3 blow fiom the bioow when Lalla Rookh is abusing her." Mary of Ahgyle tells me about the books she has re-ad. "I think Guy Boothby, Nat Gould, Annie Swan, and Ethel Turner are my favourites. So Nut (I beg your uardon—Colporal Nut) has gone to the war. Well, I hope he will come back all right, and I also hope I that while he 13 in South Africa he will not forget the D.L.F. Page. I fancy 1 hear you saying, "As if that is likely to happen. Otacoite tells about a trip she and her sister had up to Clydevalc. "We started from j home about S o'clock, add as the day was fine, i we enjoyed the walk veiy much. Having never been at Clydevale bofoie, we had to p&k oiu way as we went along. On reaching the river I called 0.-er to the puntman, who came and took us o\ ei in the punt. Wh n n over, we went to the p.<u:e v>e were going to and had tanner. Wo started for home at 4 o'clock, and reached there it (i I wjs tired when I readied home after walking 11 miles during ihe j day. Uncle's Ai'xtie would like to exchange autos with any D.L.F. "It has been very cold to-day, and it has been raining, so we could not go to chinch. We had our school picnic on the sth of April. The weether \ws not very promising in the morning, but just as it was time for the picnic it cleared up, and it turned out a nice day. There were rot •l gu'rtt mi ui 1.M.-1 of people present, as 1 suppose they thought it \sa-> going to lam Theio were prizes gi\en- to .ill tho ■■chool childien, and be->idos ihc general pi 17.1-3 th^re was one pnun for brat attendance, 'lhe picnic did not break up til! 6 o'clock, and 1 think all piesent enjoyed theniselvc-a. Dear Dot, 1 tried to keep v list of your coriespondents, but 111 vain. I could not put them down fast enough, so I ga\e it up. Isn't the war lasting a. long time' Everybody will be glad when it is over und * our boysr ' can come honie once more (all that is left of them;. Little Madcap likes tweet peas, and she has some lovely everlasting daisies. She has. also a scrap album, with a good many mteiestlng scraps m it. The Scotch Dancer is a little girl only eight years old, and' in the Second Standard at school. "We live a little out of the town, so I have a good long walk evnry morning. 1 only know two D.L.F. to ppeak to — Khaki and Averna. I know Mischief's little si c ter. ' Hii.ua would like to exchange autos with Claussa, Hoscbii'l, Night Air, and any othei D L.F. Addio&a "Hilda, po>,t office, Maercwhenua. "lhe \\t.ilh"i is fine now aftoi the long spell of r-111. I have :<t pie, cut 17 autos, and I am still wanting 11. ore Cikdertlla says she does not siippo-e it wnl interest any little, folk to have a description of the place where she lives. "It is pimply a mass of hills and runib of old mining claim-, no bush or anything picturesque. I did not go anywhere 111 particulai for my Easter holidays except for a good ramble over the hills, looking for mushrooms. 1 had lather good luck, too. The weather about heie jubt now is so wet that most of the crops aie spoiled. The sheave* aie all growing together in the stooks It is 1 -"ther a bad look out for the iaimers. Just fancy Con home ard a way again —such a shame 01 him not to lot us know he %vas heie. Will any little folk exchange autos with me' ; " Two New Zealaxdkrs wnte as one " We have got a new church up now, and it it <-uch a nice one 1 have left school now. but in; mate ha 1 * not. She i a . ho\.eve/. sjomg to lea' c next year. The Natives went away mut*oi.birdmg about throe weeks ago, and w .11 be back about the end of next month Pegoets write-, — "The pup that I told >ou about 111 my last let'.cr wa3 taken away ficun nic about a week ago, and I ««<-. to -orry to lose it, it was such .1 dear hU'.e thing, but jt was very mischici cm." 11. A. C. collects fctamps, *rd lus aoo->t 600 lliogcthei, inc'udinq 50 d.ffcicrit kind- of N..W Zcalanc' "Our teachci lead 'Alice p, Vi'ondorland' ir sihoo!. -and 1 thought it a. \nv nice book. Ij not the \v<u diradfu!-' L.i^i I year I n= £o:>ig to the Hig;i School >n to\\:>, but I took ill, ami I do not know v i am

' go^ig back or not. Our local school had a picnic to Ruerton about two months ago, and I enjeyed myself ver> much. R. O. M. H. has found out two D.L.F. in her district — Gentle Sp-.ing and Bingo. "My s.ster and I weie away up Cential Otago for three weeks, and, my word, Dot, it rained nearly all the time, so we did not get out much, end when we did go, it was to come home sor/iing wet. This weather is veiy miserable '01 the fanners, Dot, but it looks as if it is going to clear up now There is no oue in tlii3 distnct yet that hjs the crop l»>d in. Fathei made a start on Mondey. but it came on to lain, and he had ie stop But wo are never contented, Dot ~ we always Yv«int evciy'.liiiig to picaae ourselves. r"ri-To:r, Queensland. —l >iz;r hiimj r ;e!uctant consent fiom him. He ungraciously •■ays. that, notwithstanding the "fellow leel ing," he thinks a lasting lesson in the art of condensing will do you a world of good, and he therefore stipulates that no single letter is to exceed 500 words. That, lam afraid, is nothing like no much space as you wished, but I shfill be very pleased if you v. ill give it a. trial, and zee what you can do. Milly. — Envelopes containing auto 3 should always be stamped and unaddresaed, the address being sent to Dot on a separate slip of paper. lolanthe. — I see uo reason why you .should not do so, dear, piovidmg your pprent3 approve of the project. C. is quite energetic and enthusiastic enough to carry it thiougb succesifully.

NEW RIDDLES. By H. A. C. — 1. What are the trees that never giosv =nig!y° 2. "What tree is always exposed to the Tiiry of the ocean ? 3. Why is dancing like new milk 0 4. What as it dhat divides by uuiting and unites by dividing By Uncle's Auntie —Why 13 a mouse like a hay slack? By Defence- — Why is a cowaidlv soldiei like butter? By The Helmsman — 1. Why is a maiued man like a candle 9 Because 'he is apt to go out at night. 2. How can you make a real cowslip m winter? Grease a cow's hoofs and place her on the ice. U. What is the difference IWween a Methodist preacher at a camp meetnig and a glutton ? One dins at sinners and the other sins at dn.ners.

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S RIDDLES. By Sunny View -A Jio'p. By Wild "Wave —(1) Take a fly. (2) A stepfather (S) Because it's thr* end of beef. (4) Mouse. (5) Bccune =he pulled his ears and tiod on hi? coiii. (G) Tho sooner it's out the better. LITTLE FOLKS' BADGES. ! Badges have been sent us 'ollows - X <tlicline Williams, Saiah M'lvoi, David Kinlav, jun., Edith Adams, Lama Ros^, Chrissie Cooper (2), Mary Jaidir.e. COT FUND.

1 — Liverpool".-, (ity (\<<\>i ir. the h.^hr-t 111 Britain coinpaird to population It i^ su\c*n time.-, that 3l London. '" Frozen Mnnt ' has now 'bcc'ino A lai^o e\tpn=i\e tiad<>; Tln» c-xporU yield a decent -vm — An indiiitiy l* made. To freeze i» not a pleasant thing For mankind to ckliup. To ki^cn owt cold « o ull f-hould flinaf To WoOUSj' GHE^T I'iTPJEItiIINT C'VBJU

Prov.ou.-lv acknowledged J' 1 ) lb '1 Daihv Petei 01b Zehco 0 1 (> Otagoitc . 0 I) 0 Collected by M .-L-<.0..fl c< llc-c-tion), list below .. 0 7 6 Collected by Avcma (list b-'ow) .. 015 (5 Collected by Khaki (list below) .. .. 2 18 6 111 0 10 Aveina's list— U. Isdale .. I) 2 6 Mr-s James £0 2 0 T Common 0 1 0 M. Scrogs ..010 Meirose ..010 M. R ..0 1 0 Mrs Dosle ..010 A. M'Xei! . 0 2 f> l\ O. Beny 0 10 Tut.il . £0 15 G J. Dennis " . 0 2 G Collected by M. Skinner 'second collection) \V. M'Gimpsie 0 2 0 T Sknma .. 0 0 G X Cook ..020 I, D ..010 JLO 7 6 J. (iillas 0 2 Khaki'- Li,t- - Khaki . iO 2 0 Polev .. ..010 D. S. . ..020 T. King .. 02 G S. H R. .. 0 2 0 Grandma ..Oil) Miss Wyhe 0 1 0 A Kuend ..010 T. Kobert-on 0 2 0 C. Duncan 0 2 G Daisy Martin 0 1 0 \\\ X Si>cid 0 10 C, il'X. .. 0 2 0 J 1. ..020 C C. .. 0 1 0 A O X ..020 A Friend ..010 li.i7cl Durn 010 W K. S. .. 0 2 0 Chffotd Dunn 0 1 0 E Counihau 0 1 0 .7 C ...020 Ann* if. Eh- J M T. ..020 field 0 1 0 A S .. 0 2 0 Mrs Go!dm<?, F. P 0 1 0 Eiific-'d 0 1 0 A X .. 0 1 (i B. R. 0 10 M Stuait A. Cami-bell 0 2 0 Holmes .. '• 2 0 D Camwbcll 0 10 Mr« Beaton " 1 <> Mrs J. B. Mar- Annie Pe.nnid n 1 0 tin . 0 1 0 J S Ho in. - (i 2 6 The Rc\ell«-r 0 ] () Annie Stir'nip 0 10 - -- — Mi«^ Anii.e -'-- 1- ° Car=on ..020