LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2541, 26 November 1902, Page 67

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto : -We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. Dear Dot, — Irfi3t Sunday Wild Wave and I started, for church, which is held about three milea from here, but before we got far it started to rain, and we had to run to «, neighbour's for shelter till the shower was over. It did not last long, and after a while we retraced our steps tome in the wind. It is show day in Ophir on Friday,' and I hope it will not be aday like this, or it will not be very pleasant., I am going to tell you- of. a joke Wild Wave: played on an Irishman who was ploughing not far from our place. As he was 8 good bit off the road his grocer used to leave his stores at our place, and one day he left a bucket. Wild Wave took the bucket up and left it at his tent, and then she went up to where Paddy was ploughing. Paddy asked her if she brought tie bucket, and she said "Yes, and there's a hoi* in it." He looked at her to see if she was joking 1 , but, .seeing no smile, he aaid, "They'll take it back." Two or three days after W saw him again, and asked him if he found the hole in the bucket. He sad "No. I put some water into it to see if it would l«ak, and turned it upside down to look for the hole, but there's none in it." W. said, "What about the top ; is not that a hole?" and made tracks. Paddy went home a wiser man. It will soon be Christmas again. Is there going to fee a D.L.F. group in the Witness at Christmas? So we have- a nigger among our numerous band now. I' hope he will continue, and not desert u& as The Kid and Th« Motherless Mite have done. I think it is a pity that bo much interest and pity was excited by their letters when they are fabrications. TEe wind still whistles fiercely round the corners, and it is very cold. The auto, fever is still very catching. It is much more prevalent up here than it wu a year ago. Now, dear Dot, as ray pen is running 1 away with me, I will plead for a few lines of private talk, and then au revoir. Where have all my L.F. correspondents got to? Griselda, Maid of the Meadows, and Ursula seem to have quite forgotten me. Dear^ Mariner, did you get my auto.? I sent it to* you some time ago. I would very much like to exchange photos with Boy, Mataura Valleyite, Harry, Troublesome, and Far from My Home, and any other D.L.F. Letters addressed "Miss E^Plew, P. 0., Becks, Lauder," will find me. With best wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy Kew Year to all D.L.F., the editor, and yourself. Best love to Snow (whose letter I will shortly answer), Griselda, and A Clydeite, Dot, and the editor (it he does not put this through the chaffcutter), — Yours truly, SHARPSHELL. ' [It is rather early to begin exchanging Christmas greetings, but I suppose we shall not hear from you again till after the holidays, and will not have another opportunity.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have not written to you for six months, but I was ill for about a month, and in the 'hospital. I was only home about a fortnight when 1 had to go to the hospital again, but I was not till that time— it was my sister, and I had to go and stay with her. The matron and wardsman are both very kind people, and so is the doctor. He is a very clever doctor, and his name is Di Thomson. The hospital is about a mile and a-quarter from the nearest town. Dear Dot, I have about 70 autos, and should like to exchange wfi>h any one who is willing to exchange with me. If addressed to "Red Rose, care of Mrs E. H. Plumb, Arrowtown," they will reach me. I have a little white and black puppy, whose name is Fido. We have had lovely weather thia last twe or three weeks. Our school was closed through the illness of some of the children. I think the tale "Big Claws and Little Claws" was very foolisfi. Dear Lily of the Valley, I know a good cure for the toothache: it is to keep it till it's better. I must close now with love to all the D.L.F.; not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, EED ROSE. [There would be poor consolation in adopting that "cure," Red Robe. You must know a good deal about hospital life through beirig in it twice.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I an. going to give you an account of my holiday in Catlins. I will give you a little at a time, and so make the letters shorter. One fine summer morning a train set 1 flui iioai. £aisltliJa«!i t&vtsd ffit Cfctlias. £a it

sat my friend and I ; and I, being but 12 years ■ of age, naturally inspected the country p.* the train rushed along. Passing on, we alight at Te Hora siding, enter a coach, and in half an hour we again alight at the Post Office, then in the old township of Owaka. Here we are met by relations, walk about a mile down to the river, enter a boat, and after a short sail through striking scenery, we eventually land at our destination — viz., Pounawea. Pounawea is at the mouth of the Owaka River, just where it meets the larger Catlins River, about amile from the ocean. Aa I -was with my relations, I very soon made myself at home. In fhe afternoon I went with some others to fish. The party consisted of Mr F » Bob, Jim, Jack, and myself. - With what delight I watched the net set out and drawn in again. At each haul some fine flounders, bulterfish, or trout were taken from the water. On one occasion, when the net was being slowly drawn ashore, I noticed the water within it unusually ruffled. "Something big there," says Jack in a ton© of anticipation. "We have him this time," ejaculated anotuer. Slowly and surely is the net United in. As the water gets shallower I see the fish, and immediately exclaim, "It's a groper!" "Nonsense!" says Jim, "It's a trout." "A trout!"I exclaimed ; "there's no trout that size." But I was taken no notice of, and after the fish was eventually landed there, waa much-specu-lation as to its weight. It proved to be over 181b weight — suoh large trout, and even up to 25{b weight; axe caught now in -that river. - The fishers reached home a little before sundown. Some flounders were soon 'cooked, and' you may imagine I had a good tea. Thus ended my first day in Catlins-. I shall now proceed to " describe a number of incidents arid the good- time I enjoyed during my visit. — Yours truly, REFORM. [You forgot to sign your name, Bcform. Each letter must have the full name and address with it.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am in the hospital, but hope to be out soon. We have had lovely weather this last month. The public school is closed for a week through the sickness some of the children had. Octava's cockatoo was always loose until the "flowers began to spring up, and then he began to bite them off, so we had to fasten him up. There are si* men, two, ladies, a baby, besides myself, in the hospital just now. I have a doll, whose name i» Lily of the Valley. The doctor gave me the name for it. He asked me its name, and I told him it had none, so he told me to call it Lily of the Valley. With fondest love to all the D.L.F., not forgatting yourself, — Yours truly, LARKSPUR. [It is very good of the doctor to take an interest in your doll, Larkspur. I hope you will soon be well enough to go home again and get quite strong once more. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are having some rather mixed weather here just now. We axe getting samples of the four seasons of the year pressed into a week of one. I suppose we need not complain, however, as we must take what we get and say nothing. I see that "Professor" Texas Jack has been playing with science and getting his feelings (if he has any) shocked. Never mind, T. J., better luck aiext time. I think Sir Tom's idea, to form D.L.F. clubs, a very good one. As for meeting places for the same, private rooms or buildings could in most cases be obtained for that purpose. On the whole, there would be little or no expense. The chief difficulty iv most places would- be to find -out the L.F. So Nut is on the warpath again. ■ I say, Nut, could you tell us- how- many ball* were lost in the fire during the ping-pong tournament you referred to? New Zealand'sshores will soon be getting a reputation for shipwrecks. Just fancy, Dot, the Ventnor going down>'with all the dead Chinamen on board. I suppose most Chinese who hear of it will take it as an evil omen. Then there is the unfortunate EUngamite, with death and disaster on its trail. Some L.F. girls appear to think their brothers great teasers. I believe that they are just as bad at it themselves. They never seem to consider the fact that a boy's stock of patience is limited, and when they worry that away, they take what teasing they get in return with a bad grace Perhaps this piece of poetry, which I copied from a magazine, will open their eyes a little: ■ I am only a boy, with a heart light and free, I am brimming with mischief and frolic and glee; I dance with delight, and I whistle and sing, And you think- such a boy never cares for a thing. Now oft, when I've worked hard at piling the wood, Have done all my errands and tried to b» good, I think I might then have a rest or a play; But how shall I manage? Can anyone say? If I run, someone says, "Now, don't get in a heat!" If I «o to the house, it is, "Mercy, what feet!" If I take a seat, 'tis, "Here, give me that chair!" , If Jloungt by the window, 'tis, "Don't loiter there!" If I ask a few questions, 'tis, "Don't bother me!" Or else, "Such a torment I never did see!" I am scolded or cuffed if I make the least noise, ' Till I think in this wide world there's no place for boys. At school they are shocked if I want a good play ; At home oj at church I am ?o in the way; And it's hard, for I don't see that boys are to blame, And most boys, too, will just say the same. Of course, a boy can't know as much as a man, But we try to do right just aa hard aa we can; Hare some patience, girls, though oft w* annoy, For the best man on eaitii once rras "only a boy." ' —Yours truly, SOUTHERN CROSS. [That is r very good defence for "only a boy," Southern Cross, and I must, admit there is "a good deal of truth in it. At the same time I don't think girls are serious when they call their brothers teases. Let anyone else speak disparagingly of them, and they will find the sister will defend hei brother for "all she is worth."— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l hope, you will forgive me it I caused you any anTioysfhce with my last letter. When I spoko about Reform, mother advised me to "beg pardon," and yon know the saying, "always take mother's advice." Not long ago I had th<? good fortune to meet Marcia, who seems to be an awfully nice girl. There were Ivvleaf, Dundouald, Marcia, an<l I, so I proposed, just for the sake of saying something, that we should get our photos taken, while Ivvleaf suggested taking T. by storm, neither of which suggestions were adopted. I was up the mountains on Monday, and was having a grand time until a crowd of people cajue along and started to barrack ÜB. Duudonald was I with »«» tod m we returned tt» *MM>limtttt. I

Among them wore Night Air, Donapony, Fazg son Seth, and Cowspanier, so we were quita* a neat little band of D.L.F. There i»'t6 W a concert here on the 28th. in aid <n the bjosgi* tal it is proposed to Have built here. I ami going to it, and I think it will be very good. We are getting quite important here, with our new Post Office, Town Hall, and Hoßpital. I See by Spring Blossom's letter that ahe wanta to know the name of a bird, the "smallest she* has ever seen." Is it not a ring-eye? 1 fonctt that is its name. They build such dear little) nests, and lay the tiniest eggs imaginable,, which have a white ring around them. Thai bird itself is called a ring-ey© Because it has a white ring around its eyes. I <un looking forward to New Year'B Day, when I am going out to X., to. the sports, and I hope to see some L.F. there. lam in mother's "blaokj books" to-day, because I broke her favourite! sugar basin, and I art* doing my best to geS into her "white" ones. I have found Maple out after all. She is such a quiet girl, and! ' hardly ever speaks— very different from hep sister, Lyddite. It is awfully cold to-day— iS almost seems like enow; wouldn't it be strangg if w« had show in" November ? With love to all,— Yours truly, ■ JEZEBEL. > fjt is» quite right to take your mother's adj vice, Jezebel; but as you did not cause mej annoyance,- I shall pass your apology over to» Reform, who should be quite satisfied, I am! s ? r *:.,, TneT6 mußt Have" been aaite~~a,~xuua&es of D.L.F. at the mountain thaVdayV^BGT^- \- Dear Dot,— l know GGara r for he used to livei ", up this way, and I also know a few other- -. little folk. The place I live in is surrounded ' by hills on 'three Bides;, and by a river on'thg • other. I go* bird-nesting among the 'tree*; and • I got about 50 eggs this year. We have ft *. flower and vegetable garden, also* -an orchards ' Nearly all the seeds are up in both gardens.-!* - Yours truly, MT7MBO. [You must be in a very sheltered place, Mumbo, as it is surrounded by hills on three sides, but it must be difficult to get at. — DOT.], Dear Dot, — Our examination is ovet at last, and I am glad to say I passed. 'The favourite game at this school just now is cricket, but my three mates and I do not join in with the play, a« it is not quite a snitable game fort girls. lam going to tell you of a visit I made to on« of my mates, who is a D.LJj*. I started out a little after 10 o'olock, hiving to walk " about four miles. It was a beautiful day, ao> '' I did not mind-the walk in the leaat. I arrived there a little after 11. My mate, Filia, and hen sister and I went into the sitting room, and) sat talking till dinner time. After dinner was ' over we went outside and played a few games*. When ire got tired of playing we 'went inside and got some books-, and looked at them till tea time. After tea was over my friends canufa part of the way with me. I reached home at little after 7 o'clock. I did not feel very tired 1 , but I enjoyed myself very much. I have three schoolmates writing to you, and they live not ■ far from here. Do you like flowers! Dot? We have 'a nice flower garden, and the yellow loses look very pretty. I am very fond of reading books, and IHave read a good few, including "The Wide, Wide World," "Melbourne House,'"The Pairchild Family," "The Flag of Truce," "Little Fishers and Their Nets,"' "The Young , Marooners," "The Basket of Fpwers,"_ - and . m»ny others. * I hive also react "Alice -in " Wonderland," but I thought it only, > fairy ' tale. We have no pet lambs/but we feed three '. calves-- namely, Lady, Beauty, and Dobiri. - Wei have a little foal, and' it' jumps about and is J very frisky. We" have five cats-, one. of then* ■ being ».Manz cat, and she i» a. great pet. I - know a. few- D.L.F., but I shall not mention^ ' their names, as it might give me away. II would like to exchange autos with Laura, New Chum,. Twin, Cornflower, Yellow Rose, Ophir, aal any other D.L.F. who like, and I .shall Bead mine in return. It is terribly windy h«re to-day. With love to all the L.F., the editor, and your own dear self, — Ydurs truly, CALDER. [The Manx cat must look very peculiar without a tail, Calder, but I suppose you arc used* to it.— DOT.] . Dear Dot,— There have been * few showers here to-day, and everything is. looking' juati lovely and green after it. In such, an out-of-the-way place as that I live in. everything' is ■ dead slow, but we had a social here not long; ago (the wind-up, of the ping-pong season), and! it «v all right for the ' concert parfc. There was a match, and then the prize* were given! out. Twinkling Star got the ladies' first, prise. I wonder if Harry, ■ D. Primrose, Areta, and . any other. DX.P. would change with! me? If they address them-to._"Mise C. Wilson, Post Office, Tokarahi," they will coam to me safely. Now, Harry, you must marls down that I want one, because I- saw in you* loot letter that if you don't mark down^wial wants them you forget. Dear Dot, wh*fe * , lot of L.F. ask you if you like riding and. bffe* . ing. This will be my last scribble- till after' the New Year;_then, if you -perm jt.me^l'P; write and lefr yon know how I spent Ohristmiub ,' Before concluding, I .wish *ll D.L.F., yourself,, and. the editor a merry .Christmas and a. happy- ; New Year. — Yours truly, • " . ' . ■'- GREEN 1 SHRUB. [ [Thank you for your good wishes, .Green - Shrub ; needless to say, I heartily reciprocate. . The L.F. who ask me those question. ' merely do so in order to tell us their experiences.—DQT.J Dear Dot,— Are we not having terrible weather just now? It seems funny to think of snow falling in October, when jail the fruit trees are in blossom and look so pretty. There | are about 38 children at our school, and- half ; of them write to Dot. I know a lot of L.F., including Daphne, Lenora, Miss Antoinette, and a good many more. * Cordelia and I sent our autos to Mariner about two months ago, and a week ago they can:« back in "unclaimed" envelopes. W* put on the address she gave in the Witness. Dear Dot, do you like, riding? I lore it, and every time T. get a chance I im on some horse's baok. My father is going to I get me » sidesaddle, and you may be sure I shan't stay in much tken. Igo to Gore every • Saturday to learw music, but I haven't neea a D.L.F. there yet. Ify brother is writing to you to-night also. Would Emily, Florodora, | Black Watch, Fatima, and M. C. (Chatton), exchange autos with me, end any other D.L.F. who are willing. My aodress is, "Thessalonica, care of Post Office, Waikaka Valley."-- • Yours truly, THESSALONICA. [There is evidently tome mistake about Mariner's address, ThesEaloniea. The address is the one she always gires when writing. You forgot to sign your proper name to your letter, "and the Thessalonica I have on my list live* in North Otago, not in Southland. — DOT.! Dear Dot, — We hare bad some dreadful weather since I last wTote. We have also ha« 7 some great times. Several dtrs' during th« winter time the children of the (?. School were allowed in to the fire during the dinner, hour. Nearly every tiny the girls opened tit organ and played till they -were, tired. Then they got braver, as the teacher did not catch! 1 them. At l«fc tli«X ir«ut so laa &s to bexm

. . . [lancing; : but one day, alae) wh» did they see approaching the school but the teacher. All &'• girts fan and sat down, beside the fire, and the organist left her seat and left the instrument open. When the teacher came in they ill. looked rery- innocent, but Bhe had heard, ioA so knew what was going on ; so after talking to them for » while about interfering, she Bent them outside. When it was "come in" the came out, and the girls did not like to go in. When they did go in, however, she told those who were dancing and playing the organ to go out on the floor. Of course all went out, &nd 1, %8,4,6, 6, they nearly all got. I guess It took them back a peg. The one who was j>l*ying the organ had to clean it, and the teacher said those who shifted her desk had » put it back in its place, so two bright-eyed girls (one being a D.L.F.) jumped up and did so. There -was a concert and dance in the lr. School recently, and I went to it. I did tot tenjoy the concert, but the dance was lovely. [ know about SO D.L.F., bu.t they, do not know jne. I have only two autos, and am dying for some more. I wilt accept anybody's who Will exchange with me. I wonder what Dot Would say if I asked ncr to exchange autos? f. "guess she would put on a funny face. I Received Matakanui's and Rowen&'s, and returned mine. I am, making some candy, and Vnust stop to attend to it, co good-bye, with love to Matakanui, Rowena, Dot, the editor, >tc.,— Yours truly, PINEAPPLE.

'(Well, you know, Pineapple, Dot has no need to, exchange autos, because she gets the auto, bf every D.L.F. who writes* It was very wrong 3or the children to tak* advantage of the (teacher's absence after she had been so kind (a» to allow them in .to the fire at dinner time, (but I suppose you did not think of it in that light, till after ,sh» teacher made hex appearance.- Probably,, if one or two who can play bad asked permission to do #o.lor a short time, they would have been allowed to use .the organ, but of course it would never do to allow anyDne to play-^DOTj ' . ' ' Dear Dot>— l am going to teTl-you about the good old timtiwe bad on the 6th' of November, aa old imitation 'Guy Faux. At half(pa'st 7a few of us boys gathered together, and jetarted off round the town. We took with us /two or three-torches and a mouth .organ. On Spur - way round' we were singing the National Anthem and "Sons of the sea." After rw had ' finished going round we went {into the nearest shop and bought all kinds of Tfiieworlra. At half-past Bwe went up the hill ito burn. our old dummy Guy Faux. After we bad finished burning it we let off our fireworks; jthen the head man of the gang gave the word, ■'The hill, boys," so we all followed his example land started off, lighting every bush we came Ho. At half-past 10 our time wa« over, and we all started off for home, and I can assure you tTwas tired wEen. I reached home. There was k social in the hall last night (Friday) in aid tof the new Catholic Church, whicn* ie to be built. I should like to exchange autos with (Barry, Alpine Princess, Queen of Diamonds, Beta, Arrowite, Annah, Maid of Norway, and uny other D.L.F. friends wno are willing, and fc will aend /mine in exchange. If addressed "Ernest Solomon TTren, Clyde," they will find me safe and sound. Well, Dot, we hoisted: our Hag at school on Friday instead of Monday, because Monday is a public holiday, and as Boon as. the flag was hoisted up, we took off /our h*t» and sang the National Anthem, and then ,went out and had a refreshing game of cricket. .ThV. weather is fine on> day, and -the tiext day, the wind i» blowing something awful. T*rday (Saturday) it has been doing nothing biit '.blow- hard .all day. Our examination is near now, for it is to take place in anotuer i ortaight,- and- we shall coon have to be sitting down at. home in the evening with our books and slates and pencils, learning geography and doing sums'. .With love to Esch■choltzia, Gadllardia, Rosa Rugosa, the editor, and yourself,— Yours truly, , A CLYDEITE. tA Clydeite evidently passes a happy life, notwithstanding home lessons. It seems a pity to have -burnt the bushes, a* there are Hone too- many on the hills. However, I suppose they were only matakouri, and of course they would be no loss.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— After a great mustering of determination, I have decided to write to you at last. Only the mere thought of the condensed column has almost induced me to change my mind. But.— ah, I don't care if this goes in the condensed column, as it is only my first letter, and I'll have the consolation of not being alone. I have been a constant reacler for many years. I believe 1 am the only writer from here. Please let me -know if I am, Dot. I see by last week's Witness that Silly Bill and Father were, over here last Easter. A great number of tourists come over here every holiday time and all through the summer, but the majority of them camp out or lease furnished houses, preferring that style of life to the boardingihousss. Have you ever been clown this way, Dot? I am sure you would like it, as it is 4 very pretty place, surrounded with hills and valleys, only we have so little flat ground. We have, however, plenty of bush, as it is nearly all bush country. We can also boast of a mountain called Mount Anglem, named after an old -whaler who used to go whaling about herein the olden days. The only access fo the island is by steamer once a week, and her arrival is a great event, and almost everyone turns out that day. In summer the tug comes twice a week. I shall keep a sharp look-out for badges this summer. We are having a nice new building built, part of which will be reserved for a library, and the rest will be used as a public hall for concerts, etc Next tint* I JttiU I Bktil tell ran mare.

about the place and its industries- With love to Dot, and a, little for the editor, wfio, no doubt, will be sighing again when, he gets my letter from Dot, — Yours truly, S. ISLAND. [I think the editor will survive tl is time, S. Island, especially as you send hint, "a little love."— DOT.J i ] Dear Dot, — I am going to tell you about a ' ( picnic we had the other day up the Blue Moun- j tains. It was supposed to be an 1.0. G.T. or Templars' Lodge picnic, but everyone did not go, as it turned out to be a very cold day. Nevertheless, nine of us went together. When we got half way up Whisky Gully we set to work to boil the billy, and having had lunch and a rest we resumed our journey. We soon arrived at the first fall, and it did look lovely, but on going up further we came to another fall, which was even prettier than the first. It would do some of the L.F. good to come and see- (the beauty of Whisky Gully. Well, we reached the top in safety, and there we had another rest. We got back to the bottom at half-past 5, but it was very windy coming ' down. It really was a picture to see us, some with, hats under their arms and others running after the billy, which had rolled down the mountain. One of the girls told me to hold my hair on, so I must have looked « picture. I shall exchange iautos with anyone who is willing. If addressed to "Ivyleaf, care of Mr John Matheson, Tapanui," they will reach me Bafely. With love to Rimbecco, Marcia, Night Air, Royal, and all the L.F., not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, IVY LEAF. [Your holiday up the mountain was not very agreeable, Ivy Leaf, but you may be more fortunate next time. It is a pity that beautiful I spot should not have a better name than i Whisky Gully. That may have been all right in the old sawmilling and bullock-punching days, but it is worthy of something better now. — DOT.3 Dear Dot, — I am going to tell you* about a trip I had shooting swans up at Lake Tuakitoto. As soon as I got home from school my father asked me if I would like to come up shooting with him, and of course I was only too delighted at the chance. When we got to the lakes we "had to hide in the rushes, as the swans are very cunning, and if you are seen .they will fly high in the air ojut of range. In the evening we saw a number of swans quite close <U> the edge of the lake, thus promising us a capital shot; but, to our disap1 pointment, they flew away before we could -get a shot at them. There is a favourite place for geese in a bay near Benhar, but they are protected from being shot, as there are very few of them yet. As we were going down the road a few swans flew over our heads, and we fired both barrels, but we only got one. If any of .the D.L.F. would like to exchange autos with me, please address the letters to "Snipe, Post Office, Kaitangata." With love to Folly, gunny Smile, Red Riding Hood, Tadpole, and yourself,— Yours truly, SNIPE. [Well, you did not come home empty-handed, Snipe, though you did not get a shot at the swans on the lake.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — The holiday is over again with all its bustle and excitement. Wasn't it a | glorious day! I left home in the afternoon, and went over the hill along with my mate to have a ramble in the bush,* and I enjoyed it all right. The reason that I did not leave till afternoon was that I had to work till 12 o'clock. I set a. hen- on some white Leghorn eggs three weeks ago, and thoy ire due tonight, .so by the next time I write I shall be able to tell you how. many chickens I get. With loTe to all the LiF. and yourself,— Yours truly, VANITY FAIR 11. [There is a Vanity Fair already, so I have j put II after youi norn de plume, V. F. I hope J you have a nice lot of white Leghorn chicks, i and' that they are doing well. Sign your full name and address next time you write. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have never written before. My break-up is in three weeks. lam in the First Standard, five and three-quarter years old, and have two brothers. My brother is writing to the editor of the New Idea. My brothers' names are Douglas and Jack. Igo to Sunday school. We ara going to get a rabbit, so Douglas made a hutch and painted it blue, — Yours tiuly, BUNTY. [The rabbit Bhould look very pretty in a blue butch, Bunty, especially if it happens to be a white one with pink eyes. — DOT.] LETTERS CONDENSED. "Eica would like Brown Eyes, Verona, Mountain Lily, Nut, and Maid of Athens to exchange autos with her. "We are having very rough weather just .now. Wasn't the wreck of the Elingamite a terrible calamity, and that of the Ventnor also. Just" fancy 16 people living on two apples for five days! Those on the rocks weren't so badly off, for they had something to eat, but they were just in time in getting i rescued, as their food was finished. There is ' to b- a bazaar here next week, but I am not very particular whether Igo or not. Our examination is over, and lam so glad. There was only one failure." Ohio plays ping-pong"" a little, but he does not care about it. and Doris go to the same school a* I do. They live about two miles from our place. Dewdrop is in the Fourth Standard, and Doris in the Second, and I am in the Sixth." , An Oyster -Shell, who hopes to remain (as one of the L.F. signs herself) "a mystery," knowß a good many D.L.F., including Tin Tacks, Evangeline, Agata, Matty, and Rum. "My sister has got two badges, Dot, and I think I shall get her to give me one of them. I quite envy my sister when I an. out in a Btracee nlace. witk her. v she can. £« u£ and.

speak to any strange D.L.F., and make their acquaintance, because of her badge, while I, alas! a poor-looking, homeless character, have to stand alone."

The Farmer's Daughter is only seven years old, but she is in the Third Standard. "We have six cows milking- now, and I am just learning to milk. Oui school teacher i* ill, and we are having grand, times now."

Snowberrt has a lot of autos, and is expecting , more soon, and especially Peart Queen's. "It has been raining and hailing here this afternoon, and I was out in it nearly all the time. I was away with my sister a piece of the road. She is out at service, and she was home to see us, so I had to see her off the premises. We were going to have a picnic "up at the top of Spylaw Peak, but it was put off, for too many knew about it. But we are going to have it on the quiet some day all to ourselves."

Elf»edo would like to exchange autos with R. Crusoe, New Chum, and Laura. "One day, as, with some others, I was coming homo from school, I noticed a fish in the creek, and I called my mates, -who were down below me, and they came running up. One of them said it was a flounder, but I did not think that flounders live in clear water. Do they, Dot? j The farmers are busy now shearing, and I often go to sco the shearing." [Flounders <are usually caught in the estuaries at the mouth of a river running into the sea, Elfredo. I never heaxd of one in a fresh-water creek. — Dot.]

Princess May tells me about the weatheT, which has been very bad where she lives. "I like living in the country better than the town, Dot; don't you? Wasn't it a pity that the King was ill the first time? We would have had better fun had the Coronation, not been postponed."

If. P. D. has a little grumble about the weather, and she wonders whether there is to be any summer this- year where she lives. "The school examination took place last Week, and quite a number of children failed to pas«. The gentleman who was staying here is away now, and I am getting -a little -peace, for he was always teasing me, but I think they are all a bit that way; don't you, Dot? I have been trying to rear some poultry this year, but I have not had much luck with them, as I have only reared one oiyt of four settings of turkeys, so I think it is time to give up poul-try-rearing; don't you, Dot?" — [No, I don't, - dear; I think you should persevere, and try to find out the cause of your failure. Next lot feed them on breadcrumbs and onions chopped up together. Be sure to feed frequently while they are small, and be_ careful that they do not get wet, and I am sure you will suceed.j ' Pearl Honetdew gets plenty of teasing at school, as the boys know her norn de plume. "How the boys found out nay name was that I told my brothers the riddle I sent to you; I forgot all about my name being at the front of rt, and of course they looked in the Witness and saw it. They could not keep it to themselves; they had to tell all the boys. I see Up to Date knows me, and I think I know her." Quxen or the Flowers was at the sports on the King' 8 Birthday, and enjoyed herself very much. She also found out another L.F. She has only seven autos, and would like fo exchange with any L.F. "My mother and sister are away up north, and I hope they are enjoying themselves. Dear Dot, do you like doing fancy work? I am very fond of it." Martha the Milkman's Daughter knows a number of L.F., including Pear] Honeydew, Queen of the Flowers, and Up to Date. She. would like Kate, School Teacher, and Piccola to exchange autos with her. "We have a nice garden now. For pets I have a cat, a pup, and a guinea- pig. My mate end I got a little sparrow to-night. We fed it as best we could, and put it away, but I think it will die before rooming. The river here is very low just now. j On hot days we go down, and wade in it. It is very cool. The other day we went for a walk, and got a lot of monkey musk. Do you like it, Dot? — [I am not very sure what it is, dear. Has it the same perfume as ordinary musk with larger flowers? — Dot.] Peach Blossom and her brother have just passed into the Fifth Standard. She would like to exchange autos with any D.L.F. Address "P. 8., Bough Ridge P. 0." "I am going to tell you how I spent a holiday from school. In tho afternoon my brother and I went to visit some friends who live about three miles and &-half away. When we reached our destination we had lunch, and then we climbed about the rocks looking for ferns and other pretty shrubs till tea time. After tea our friend's father drove us home, and thus ended a, very enjoyable evening." Phillis knows Lost Lover, Princess May, Queen Alexandra, and 14 other D.L.F. "Some girls are right in saying brothers are teases. I have three, and, oh, Dot, they are the plagues of my life. Wait till they see what I ami saying about them." Green Poplar has just passeel into the Fifth Standard. "I have a lot of brothers and Bisters, and we are kept very lively, especially on a wet day, when we cannot get to school. We have a nice pony, which we drive to school every day. He is veiy quiet, and any of us can harness him up. He took twe prizes last year at a show, one for jumping and the other for the best horse." King Lumberlow has a garden of her own, and a lot of parities and othei flowers. "Dear Dot, I will tell you how one of our ducks got killed. One snowy day the ducks went down to the pond. One of them went into some deep snow, and there it got stuck. It did not live very long after that." Rumpst Bumpsy is only eight, and he likes playing marbles. "I go bird-nesting, and sometimes I tear my pants, and my sister growls at JUG* »iid sometimes boxes mi ears."—

[It is natural for her to "grow!" under the circumstances, R. 8., but she should not be allowed to box your ears, as that is frequently the cause of permanent deafness. — Dot.] Otepopo complains of the dry weather, which is a decided change, for the wet is the usual cause of complaint. "I have a white kitten, which is full of fun. I have also a nice doll, which can open its eyes and shut them." Luebeck tells me that the school picnic is to take place on the 27th, and she is looking forward to spending a happy day. "Our schoolmaster is sick now, and we have grand times of it, but I think he will soon be better." Little Black Tom would like to exchange autos. with Donapony, Night Air, Rose-a-bud, and any little folk who are willing. "I have read, a few books, including 'The Little Larrikin,' 'Mike Merry,' 'Tales of the Coast Guaxd,' and many others." Dewdkop is a Victorian, but was only three months old when she was brought to New Zealand. "I have a little brother. He is only four months old, and he is » dear little darling, lie crows and laughs at me when I come home from school. Doris has an albjm full of cards. "I have a little doll, and her name is Nellie. We have j a lot of flowers in our garden." Snowflake's teacher is ill just now, but she hopes he will be better soon. "We live out in * the country on a farm. I have to milk six cows night and morning. ' I have a white horse, and I go' for a ride every Sunday." Soaf, Stakch, and Candles would like to exchange autos. with Mabel and Black "Watch. "The Gaelic sport 3 wore held in a little town not far from here on Monday, the 10th, in honour of the King's birthday. It -was a. very windy day, and I did not enjoy myself much. The pipe band was up, but I would rather have had the brass band. I think 'Big Claws and Little Claws' was a most absurd story, but it was very funny." A Stately Poplab Tree also tells me about the Gaelic sports. "I know several D.L.F., among them being Queen of the Flowers ; Soap, Starch, and Candles; Kurowite; Martha the Milkman's Daughter, and Snowdrop. I shall be willing to exchange autos. with any D.L.F. 1 ' Rhubabb has to attend to two lots of chickens, feeding them night and morning. "I have a little garde a of my own around a holly tree, and I have a border of daisies, pansies, and violets. Which of these thiee do you like best? We have a pretty little heifer calf, and it is nearly black, with c white spot on, its forehead and a white spot on each shoulder. Her mother is pure white." i The Charge op the Light Brigade lives in • a^ small place, but they have two mails a day. "lac coach goes up country at night, and down country in the morning, and calls here each time. There is an abundance of wild flowers here, and I sometimes gather them." Lolly Pop say 3 the trees about where «he lives are now pretty and green. "We live cloae to the school, and our paddock is surrounded with poplar trees, which look very pretty just now. Our examination ia over, and I passed into the Fourth Standard. Mother promised me a brooch with my name on it if I passed." FOXGLOVE lives in the bush, and' in the summer time gathers ferns. She is in the Fifth Standard, but thinks the fourth hardest of all. I have a brother one year old. He is just walking, and is into all sorts of mischief." The Blacksmith's Daughter tells me they have a. new mistress at her school, and they like her very much. "A relation of mine had an accident lately, her leg being broken, and she is in the hospital. It is a great pity, as she is getting on for 76." Sweet Floweb is 10 this month. "I think , it is pleasant to write to you. My brothers said that I was silly not to do so, and that is why I began. I know two DX.F., but I am not going, to name them." Heather Blossom wonders if we have a real Darkey writing, or if he is just a white "kiddy" like herself. "I know about 70 D.L.F. noms de plume. I have a notebook for the purpose of taking D.L.F. notes, and I have 880 noms de plume put down." Strawberry thinks Dot is a tall, dark lady, though she admits that she has not seen her. k "The place in which I live is very wet in winter. It is surrounded by hills, and the Clutha River Tuns through the middle of the township. There is a store, a church, a school, a hotel, two butchers' shops, and two dredges. We have all our seeds up, including peas, beans, radishes, carrots, and a lot of other vegetables. Have you ever scon a young sandpiper? I think they are pretty birds. Their colour is grey, white, and brown. '