LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2647, 7 December 1904, Page 74

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto : — We yrrita for the benefit of others, not for ouiselves. Dear Dot, — Tiie weather here is something awful. It biows from morning till night, is. few weeks ago it was decided to hold a picnic on the 9th ot November, and when that morning broke theore was not a cloud in the s3iy nor a breath of wind, and it continued so all day. When lialf-past 10 cain«, and ail were seated in the waggon, we drove off, en route for Manorburn, which is a distance of about three miles. We had to cross th&" Manuherikia Kiver, which was very nigh, and it was not a veiy pleasant undertaking. Having reached our destination, the boys boiled th& billy, while the others played a game. After lunch we went for a walk up the Manorburn Kiver till we oarne to the bridge, where we rested a while. The» river was as clear as crystal, and we saw many fish darting aboufc at the bottom of the water, but could not catch any. After returning, we started games, such «.s rounders, two's and three's, fill the gap, hide the slipper, disappointments, husbands and wives, the jolly railler, kiss in the ring, nuts in May, aaid forfeits. There being about 30 of us, you may depend upon it we had a good time. We played on till 6 o'clock, and then boiled the billy, anJ had lunch again. We ha-d cur photos taken in two differentplaces, and they came out all right. After having a few more games we started for home. The boys sang all the way home, 'and made aterrible noise. Our driver would not let U3 out; till he drove us right down the main.street and up agam, thus ending our day's enjoyment. I have been told since that Indian. Chief was in iha't day, and M. P. D. and I were disappointed at not seeing him. ±Jut perhaps better luck next time. Queer Fellow was here for two or three weeks, and I often had a yam with nim. A Kilted Laddie wa3 also up from Roxburgh a few weeks ago. bufc he was too shy to call and see me. 11. P. D. and I intend going cut to the opening of t-lie railway at Omakau on. the 23th, End we hope to see Indian Chief and other Omakau D.L.F. I know you d-on't like long letters, so, before I conclude, I thank Mataperepo kindly for wisning me a spill going or comiisg from Earnscleugh. With love to all the little folk, yourself, and the editor, — Yours truly, M-AID OF DIAMONDS. [How fortunate you were in having such a glorious day for your picnic. Maid -of Diamonds, and «'!so nn having such, a ganial driver. You appear to have had a, veiy enjoyable time of it.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is a new sensation for me to be writing to j:our columns, bufc I hope to get used to it as time goes on. My acquaintance with Dot's page 13 of very re««nt date, but I have already derived great pleasure from it. I went with others to the D.L.F. picnic on the King's Birthday, and enjoyed myself very much, being greatly amused at the friendly feeling apparent among the members, using as they did the various noms de plume by which, they are known. J think a. picnic does a great deal of good now and again, as it giye3 us ai change of scenery, and raises our spirits for » time. I think I din safely say the D.L.F. picnic was the nicest I have ever taken part in, everyone^ seeming so happy, and I think th© Outran* Glen is about as pretty a place as could have baen chosen for the picnic. The place where I live is not bad, though. I live in Mornington — a really pretty suburb,— and it is so near to both, town and country that when you want a walk you can easily take ycur choice. With love to the editor, the L.F., and especia-lly yourself, — Yours truly, LILIANFELS. [I have pleasure in welcoming Lilianfels to the page, and feel sure she will quickly baoome a favourite writer. The picnic did good in more respects than one, for it was the means of adding some useful members to our band. — ■ DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are four maids, and we livo near each other. We know a> number of D.L.F., so we thought we would like to become your comrades also. Dear Dot, have you ever been in Chaslands? If not, try to come for your Christmas holiday, as it ia lovely here then. All the bush flowers are out now, and they look very pretty among the dark green leaves; bub we think the holly tree has the sweetest perfume. There is a mountain here, and at Christmas we often go to the top and get a bunch of rata flowers, which are all out on the top there. On the top of the mountain there sra a number of large holes, and we often roil big stones down, them, but we never hear them land, and when you come up here, Dot, we will take you up for a walk. We hope you won't b© afraid to come, as we will take good care thai you won't fall into the holes. With Love to Titi, Tansy, Neva, Holly Tree, Cook of Our House, Fairy Nell, and all the other L.F., your own dear self, and the kind old editor, we remain, — Yours truly, CHASLANDS QUAKTET. [It is very kind of the Chaslands Quartet to invite me to their district for the holidays, and I should certainly like to be among the g oriOU3 rata blossoms and see those mysterious holes, but how would my work get on if I deserted my post to spend a week or two ab Chaslands ?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Fine weather has taken the place of the misty, rainy weather we have had recently, and we are now enjoying lovely sv.2nrner days. We are milking 22 cows, and I milk eight. We are feeding 21 calves, and they are all looking very well. The worst of cowa is that they prevent you. going away for any length of time. On Sunday we went for a walk up to the Robin Creek, which is a very pretty spot. We went up to the watei falls, and had a wade, and then mode our way home. We were very pleased v/ith our Sunday cutinau

3STo doubt you will be saying that I shou-ld nave been in church, but I am sorry to say *&ere ia none up here, so I could not be there. Otaisfmas will soon v be with us again, and 1 iiope we shall have a good time. If ever you get any holidays, Dot, try to come up here. A am sure you would enjoy yourself, as' there »« 3 ?^ e l y sce3ier y ia this district, and it «ould be a- change lot you as well. With much c to jS- iI J? he-h F-F -> c - s P« c ia"y Hard, Soft, and -Easy, Titi, Cook of Our House, Aunty, Pat, yourself, and the dear old editor,— Yours truly - NEVA. t CWitn such kind friends to show me the oeaulaes of the district, I am sure I should Jbave an enjoyable time in Oatlins, Neya ; but a am afra-id there i 3 no chance of my being •mong you this year, dear.— DOT..] 'Dear Dot,— The Balclutha. show was held on Jfovember 22. When I got up at 5.30 w.m. the »un was shining, and^ everything was looking ? rI §T ' r llt in a tfttle,- clouds began to rise, and A thought we "were to be disappointed. My toother and I started off for the station, and 3U»t as we -got. there it-began to rain. When live got to Balclutha, the rain was coming down for all it was worth, and we made up our minds -we were in for a day of it. Of course, ziobody was surprised, because it always' has rained there on show day since they carried, "no license." So people couldn't say they •were too dry,- and wanted' a drop. I met Cornflower and Yellow Rose (two old friends) on the platform, and they had the D.L.F. smile in full display. The rain cleared.- off about 11 o'clock, -the sun came but, and^ after dinner, my trotter -and-r-maSe -lor ihe'show'grburidr We parted' company at the^gpte,. for rr'kne'w very^ vrell heu^arrtecljsonieb'ody- better than me for" a. companion;--' When Isa-whim a -little time . after -he-iva£ not alone, aiidthey both looked as happy; as you like. I walked round the ring, and met a good many L.F. I hadn" t seen before.' One or two looked surprised, to .meet Bridefs 'Blossom in. tie form of. a "boy, and one "said i that' l was. the second-, boy L.F. she had met,.' and' judgiiig' from that day the boys are in" the minority right enough. In a, little. Cornflower told, me that they were talking of taking a" L.F. group; and that we were to meet •t .the entrance in 'about- an "hour. I started «ff to tell the other L.F., but some were afraidthey would crack the glass, and said they wouldn't "come. But time works wonders, and some of them did come after all. At the time appointed, „ about 24 L.F. had" gathered, and were waiting. to see what was to be done"iiext. "We-soon set sail-" for J>he" photographers, -jand the" girls seemed" to think that they were in for • walking -race. Talk about walking — why,' the girls beat the 'boys hollow. When we reached ■• the place, * Jessica was 'in the lead,""of course, and the boys \vere_ a .chain or twoNiJehind. The' photographer soon 'got us into position, and the performance did, not tske long. Jessica took our nzmea, and made, arrangements with ■ v " Mr Morton.' Photos are to be got from nim, I "" understand, at Is 6d each, tmt I sunpese there -will-tiMi notice .about it._ Thus the- show day~ turned'! but, batter' than we expected" in the forenoon, and- we had a beautiful evening as •well." TKe'-"BalclußiVßa.nd played sonic excel-lenir-music in the jif ternoouj and it was enjoyed by all. With kind regards to alT"tlie Clutha • • L.F.,— Yours truly, " j ' ' - BRIDE'S. BLOSSOM, j [That was » very"good ; " muster of L.F.^ ; Bride's Blossom, and I am certain the group' ! will not' bear evidence of any of-, them being fit subjects to "crack the glass," as my friends . -are so .fond of predicting. The Balclutha show,, •was much more fortunate, than' the Dunedin . one, "where', after '^"perfect 'morning,, what "is-" • described as- "incessant " lain " set -"in; just as j tiust townspeople \ were >.'goflag -out, and ' only' \ . .cleared awaywhen everyone had reached home ■ sgain-^-DOT.] .- -. . ' *~, -' - Dear 'Dot,'— l w-as very much interested -in- j •the account .of the_Ou:tram Glen. . Judging.' -irom'idi® letters .about it, -I think \re country • • L.P. miss, something, good when, we are not : able to attend, a' picnic as'' the last «ne ! proved to-^be. My sister and I were down • at" Geranium's place about three weeks ago, '■ and we had a- "tip-top" time. Don't you think" ! Derby's description of a claim was , very good,. ' Dot? bazaar was held- four miles from here on the .^th,/lObh. and 11th, but as. other L.F. will have written ai>out- it before this, 1 need ; only "say. tkaKE hope -we shall soon have an.other and- just as -good" a one. My sister-has- . bean suffering from a sore leg for about a week, but it is. nearly better now.. The L. and.. X). Ciub still seem to be.firing aheau. I would; "— so "much like to attend some of their meetings. "We have a very poor garden this year, a& last years-flood carried most of the soil away. The iruit trees, and they are .very few,, are about the best things we have. • "Vv itn love to one and all,— Yours truly,-. " . ' GOLDSPUR. [It is a pity the flood was so destructive, G-oldspur. It is not easy- to replace soil washed •way -in such a manner,- so the .damage done is •11 the more regrettable. — DOTJ p®BT^ Dot,— Nearly alyear has passed since . I wrote to you, but seeing a x»'.EvF. ' group in an old Witness the other day. I decided to •write -once more. Last time 'I wrote I was J -, living in the country "with my ei3ter, but I am back in town again, and I must say that I like the, latter" much *bettei» than the .former.-:, "• I;ua"'goiz>{f[ta?jscn9ol. again.^SehcpE <3ays r arek pleasant,- Dot," but", still sbniejinies we .think that : if we could "jiist.'g'et a 1 week's." holiday" our I happinesa- would-' be. complete. '"Kiangaj-weka, i Twin, Emina^Wardlei-and-I- are all in we same j class- at school, and we have grand times' some ; days. I would very much like' to know Florodora, for I think "siie.nuijst be' a very nice girl.' On. the -9th of November, along -with' several others, I went to Normanby for afpicnic. When ; •we'got out of the car, we'walked along the road till we-.-came "to a' steep hiU'.'- After going ""upithis a bit we chose a nice spot where we could xest. We went through the usual tea-making and lunching, and then we started togo farther into the bush. We found some clematis and lawyer, but as they do not last long, we did not take much. After following a creek for -a good, way we found some pretty maidenhair ferns. These were irresistible, though we knew very well they would die soon, and so they fiid. We soon went, back to" our temporary camp, and finding no water "left, we thought ■we would go down. to- the creek and get some. But we were hardly inside the paddock when - we heard some men who were working near calling out to us to go~back. What this was for we did; not know, but we did' not feel very pleased with those men. We had- to go down to the bottom of* the hill jto get the water; but J suppose it was all the nicer because v we had to work eo'hard for it. We reached horde abput iialf-past 6, happy, but tired after' the. outing. On show day I went to the Firemen's* Carnival, but I did ~ not see one badge, though I •was on the look-out for them. With much love to all the laF. and yourself,— Yours truly, i ' VENETIAIL j p.S.— I have not sent any love to the editor,' \ "because he' gets foo- much already," and the> .weight of it will be making him ill. — V. 11. . i • fPoor editor;. l hope he will not feel slighted .■when 'he reads your footnote, Venetia.. However, if he does he must just turn to the other letters and console himself.— DOT.} -. j Dear Dot,— lt is with regret that I take my «en in hari^ after an absence of neßrly two feais, to say farewell to the .dear, old page as shall have leached "the oia age pension" list (by the 11th of next month, shortly after this will appear in print. Keally, Dot, I can hardly { 'realise tfcat I am so far advanced in years as \ I am still atti«a in short skirts, etc. Oh, ' dearie me, I am just breaking my neck to shy S^ of those trained' ones, "«f I have been)

have been told that that is the great ambition of the young ladies. I have intended to write you any time the last six months, but have always postponed it to see if those everflowing letters would decrease in number. No, it would seem that, like the biook, they in- j tend to flow on for ever. The D.L.F. seem, to • be progressing wonderfully well — what with i the L. and D. Societies', picnics, etc. I hope ! to have the pleasure^o-f being present either , at Invercargill or Dunedin, when I am on a holiday Christmas will soon be here again, with Christmas cards 1 , good wishes, [ holidays, flying about in all directions. Shearing will soon be the order of tLe day, with the bustle of the shearers, the yelling and whistling- of the shepherds, the yelping of dogs, and , the baaing of sheep and lambs. I presume ■ Dottie would think it very exciting if she spent a month in the country when shearing operations are in full swing. I attended the band contest, which was held last jfionth at Gore. There was a> good crowd, notwithstanding the very miserable, windy^day. I daresay there would have been a good many more had it been 'calm. However, in spite of the disadvantages, I enjoyed myself well. . I saw a few D.L.F., but did not speak to any of them, as I was not wearing my badge. I had the pleasure of an introduction to that little black boy, Darkie, and 1 reckon he is just the thing. It is blowing a hurricane and hailing also.at the present moment. Ugh! it makes one shudder to think that this is summer. Things on the farm are very backward; some farmers have not got •their crops all in as yet. The garden is looking well, considering the weather. Don't laugh, Do.t,/when I --tell you that I am the poultry" I , will give you an account of my chickens: three hens,witik 8, 10, and 7, and two hens squabbling over one chick. Now, do you think I am- a success, There was a. skating rink here for a few weeks. I went one night, - and enjoyed it first rate. My brother also -went ;• one night, but as luck would have it, he had J the misfortune to break his arm at the wrist. I However,' he is progressing most favourably, i I was' pleased to see - that the L.F. picnic on : tha King's Birthday was a success. I only wish some of the Southland L.F. would arrange , a picnic at some convenient time and place. There have been great alterations here dtiring the past six months, as a result of the wellknown Edendale estate being taken over and < divided into suitable blocks. Many houses, \ etc., have been erected. I believe one settler i drove in his dray with a pig in it and a cow tied to the back all the way from Canterbury in.tha snow, and that- on his arrival he slept iii a straw stack. However, I do not think they ' will improve the reputation of dear old Southland for a time, as I believe the majority of them have to gain their experience at their own expense. . It is two years since I was in Dunedin, and great improvements have been made since then, what with electric cars, etc. They say it is a marvellous little city, so I am longing to spend s, holiday, there. Last summer my uncle, two aunts, and two cousins 'left ; there for far-famed' America. Seattle, where ' their present ' home is, is a 'very busy place. On Siinday all the shops are open; carpenters working, etc. Dp not »be surprised, Dot', if you ever hear of yours truly becoming a full;~biown Yankee.' Farewell 'fotJie dear old page, f I shall- still be an interested reader, and will I wear my badge. jast for old time's sake. Wish- ; ing all connected with the page a merry Christ* « mas and a' prosperous New YeaV, not forget-:-ting mysterious Dot and the ever patient eddie, — -Yours s truly, , NANQE tJ'NEIL. •X [So, iNance 6?Neil's time has' come. : Well, .- gooa*-bye, dear ; it' is at" least some consolation .. that you will remain a, restder if "you can no [ longer continue a writer. — DOT.] } Dear Dot,— What excitement last month f brought, to the members, of the D.L.F. hbandk First we' had the DIL.F. socia], which j I am glad to say out a great success, and at which I for one enjoyed myself very • much.-' Then there was the D.L.F. picnic on p- the 9th jSovemtier, at Outram Glen, .which was t the 'first D.L'.Fl'-pienie T have attended, and I : think I never enjoyed myself so much before. j Possibly a description of a little outing ,my ; mates and I had a short time ago may be of interest to the L.F. There were four of us, all D.LrF.— jtiamely, Solomon Slow, Bert, ' The ...Wanderer" and yours truly. .We left Morning- ■ fcm "together; and made for over the hill's. I > don't know whether these partfcmlar_h.i!ls have \'a name or not, but they are near the" §ilv^» stream. After journeying for- six -or seven -miles _ - vre came upon a very large pond, in search of . which we had set out. There is an old punt upon this pond, for we had found that out before, to our sorrow. We also found that she J was full <of cracks and holes, so we had j equipped ourselves with a hatchet and plenty j of vails. We soon found ourselves busy, and j although not professional boatbuilders, we : managed to keep the affair together with nails ; ; but it was rather rough work, Dot, for we had' to use our hatchet as saw, hammer, and plane. However, we launched our dilapidated-looking oid craft in. the water, andi all four boarded her, j and pushed off. We were rather low in the water — perhaps 2in or 3in out of it— but we were getting on splendidly. We were rowing around the lake, or rather paddling Indian, fashion. Solomon Slow and I'had an oar each, and we thought we were doing splendidly, when presently-the .boat began to rock a little, and ".thewater^sam© over -the side/ which did not help ,tb.KghteX r the^burden nor in any way stop the rodking., Qh looking around to see what was „ causing^ all the bad' weather,- I saw our noble Bert with- his legs' cocked up in the air, and trying to keep his feet dry, and not being used "to boating,, he . was swaying to and fro,-Jbhus causing/the'boat to rock. However, the water did not- stop out, and -we could not break a> h.ole\ in the' bottom and- let it run out, nor r could- we get ~out and push, so what were we to do? We" struck out for the shore with all our _might and main, but did not succeed in getting' there without a good ducking. We were about 10ft or 12ft from some rushes which grew nea-r the shore, when the old punt bobbed her head under water. There was some screaming and splashing then, I can tell you. The Wanderer, having the first seat, stood up and made a jump for it, the rest following, and we succeeded in reaching dry land; but we were not dry— oh, no, not at all. On looking round I saw poor old -Bert rushing from end to end of the boat (which had risen a little out of the water after it had got rid of its burden), and as he did so the water went with him. down to the other end, and in came a little more. At last the boat started going down, and poor Bert made a good leap and caught hold of soriie of the nishes, and as he did so the water closed over our luckless boat. We ■were all seated on the bank ringing the water "but of our trousers and drying ourselves in the sun when a thought struck us that we might raise the boat again. We tried a long pole, but coiild.not reach it; then I pulled out a line which I had in my pocket and tied a heavy stone to -it. Then we threw it into the boat, and pulled it ashore. We had' come a long way to get a row in this boat, and we were not going to give it up so easily, so we plastered! up the holes with 1 clay, and once more started off, but only -two of us in it at a time. We got on well, all but Bert, who was " not having any more" after his first ducking. He said, "Yoiv. don't catch me in that boat again. I don't' want to go to the bottom," and with i tEat he sat down on the bank and lit his | cigarette, and puffed great clouds of smoke | •through his nose till I wondered if he had j oaught fira inside, a.nd ran with my hait full of i water to put out the fire. With love to all the I little folk, the editor, and not forgetting your- ' self,— Yours truly, " VANCE. { [Vance and party's boaiting experience somewiiftij r.esgE2,bl«d. VtfA pj the Old M.Bi&9 jtf

' Lee; still, they no doubt got some enjoyment out of the old punt on the dam. They must have been a pretty weary quartet, however, before Mornington was reached at night. I trust the smoking episode is not a frequent occurrence, as it inevitably means a stoppage of growth and a weakening of the heart's action. — uOT.] Dear Dot, — Otago Princess and I decidad to go to the Oaniaru show together, so we boarded the train at Uxbridge. The carriage being full, we stayed on the platform, and we had a cola time of it. -The guard gave us a double ticket, remarking that it wa3 a "twin" ticket. We reacted Oamaru in safety, and after we had lunch at a tea room, we made our way up to the show grounds. On the way we met Two Little New Zealanders, Violet Rose, Lady Stadr, Damon, and Pythias, and we had a. D.L.F. chat with the girl L.F. Arriving at the grounds, we walked round the ring, and came to the merry-go-round, on which we had four rides each. I had two rides on a horse, one on a kind of cart, and one on a chair. We then took to wandering round the ring again. We were on the look-out for badges, and nearly every hat was carefully scanned. We met Starlight 111, Prairie Maid, Amiericus, Queen Bee, Inquisitive Poll, and' Vidocq, also the others I have already mentioned. We saw different kinds of dogs, sheep, cattle, "horses, a-nd pigs. The dog 3 were chained up, and the cows, heifers, calves, etc., were in sheds, and all the animals were very fat. We came to a place • where a fat woman and a young la-dy were selling jewellery.. All the jewels had nuni--bers on;, them, and tlie woman would allow you to take five numbers out -of a bag. and you would get whatever number 'the five came to. Before drawing the number you had to pay » shilling. I put in for two, and got a brooch and a- ring. We came to a house near the grand stand where we saw scones, cakes, bread, butter, etc. We heard a man praising i his biograph, so we went in, paying 6d each. t He" showed a ' fe-tf pictures — about a. dozen — •aaid I considered it was as good as Barney Winter's twopenny show. However, different people have different ideas. There were about 10,000 people at the Oanmru show. After buyi ing some lollies and fruit to take* home, we i went down to the station, arriving early and securing a good seat. It was about 7.30 p.m. when we reached home, after spending a very enjoyable day. With love to Mountain Raanbler, Bleeding Heart, Moonlight 11, Charlotte, Dot, and our kind editor, — Yours truly, WAITAKI PRINCESS.^ [You evidently thoroughly enjoyed your first show, Waitaki Princess, though I expect you found it pretty expensive getting brummagem jewellery and being templed by side shows generally.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Since I last wrote to you I have been to Dannevirke on ai visit, and I enjoyed myself very much, and was very sorry to come home. I kept a good look-out for D.L.F. at all the stations on the way up. Are. there any D.L.F. in Dannevirke, Dot? I am going back in January, and I should like to know more of our band. We aie having summer in real earnest now. It was awfully hot here to-day, so my sister and I went and lay. in the long grassVwhere it was beautifully cool. ' On Tuesday night The Bicycle Built for Two and I got bicycles (don't be shocked, Dot, but I was riding my brother's bike), and we had such a lovely ride in the moonlight. As we were going past a house, two doga tushed out, and one made for me, as I was leading by about a chain and a-half. I pedalled for ail I was worth, but the brute got hold of my stocking. " It was lucky that the bike had a. free wheel, or I would have had to get off. When he had let go, and I had recovered from the shock, I thought of T. B."- B. F T., and went to look for her, but she was nowhere to be seen, having got; away without having attracted the attention of either dog. I rode round several blocks in search of her, (we were following- each other all the time), and -not seeing her, I rode up towards the Town v Hall,. and' presently v she came, along. After that' we- avoided the streets in which the dogs were. Do you ever suffer from toothache, Dob? "On Sunday one of my double teeth started to ache, and it ached, until to-day, when I plucked up enough courage to go across the road to the doctor. After six days of toothache, I thought that with ether I could bear to have the tooth drawn. I sat quiet enough while the ether was injected, and when the doctor g&veuihe first tug* but after the second pull -the tooth Eaot" iKstrmovedj and I could bear it no longer. I banged the p"cor doctor's hand and broke the tooth, ever co little, but enough to make it ache worse-.tihan ever, so h£re I affl, and here is the tooth, too. My, elder sister is going away soon, aaid I shall have to "do the then. The annual flower show came off last week, and T. B. B. F. T- *nd I went together. I don't suppose I'll be able to write again before Christmas, so I'll wish ail the L.F., yourself, and the editor a happy Christmas and New Year. — Yours truly, DON QUIXOTE. [It was a pity the effeots of the* ether did not last a little longer, Don Quixote, as you: will have to go through the process over again, for there is no likelihood of your getting any peace till the offending tooth is drawn. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I see by last Witness that an- " other -D.L.F. wonders if I think it is an. imp rovement to the page to keep using a nonx de plume that 'was in use before, I first wrote. No; I tlhink nothing of the sort. I did not- know that the norn -de plume was in use, or I s"hould not have written under it, but as he had it first -I shall 'change" mine. We are having lavely weather here just now, and the roads are drying up. I shall be down in Dunedin at Christmas, and when I come home I shall write you an account .of my trip. I have about a dozen autos now, and I hope to get a lob when Igo to Dunedin. My cousin is very anxious to know my 'norn de plume. Whenever she thinks I ami going to write to you she will sneak up to where I am writing. We are going to have a concert here soon, but I shall not be at it. With best wishes to all the D.L.F., the editor, and yourself, — Yours truly, BIRD NESTEE. [It is very good of you to act so promptly, Bird N-ester, and no doubt the L.F. whogie name you took will appreciate the manner in which you have met his complaint. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — It is over a year since I last wrote, and many things have happened both in and out of the D.L.F. world since then. The Literary and Debating dubs are now in full swing, both in Dunedin and Invercargill. I am over a hundred miles from Dunedin, so I don't think I shall ever have much chance of attending, meetings there, but I hope some day to make my appearance in Inveroaigill at some of the meetings, and to . make the acquaintance of a few D.L.F. there. What * splendid time some of the D.L.F. are having at picnics, etc. I wonder if we couldn't manage to get up one, eh, Petronella? Well, spring has gone aaid summer is here, but no beautiful days are we enjoying sTjch as we always associate with summer. Tlie beautiful wild bush flowers are all out in rich, bloom, and apretty sight they make. The clematis and bramble ' arid othe.r creepers can be seen everywhere in the bush. A bachelors' bail was |i«lcl here not long ago, and it was a great affair. I saw a good many L.F. there, and they all seemed ,to be enjoying themselves immensely. Last Friday the bachelors of Hedgehope gave a. ball". It was a most successful affair, there being a great crowd present, and the hall was prettily decorated with ferns and mistletoe. I saw Alpine Princess, Roy, Truelove, and Gentle Dove there. We had a ride of 13 miles to the daaice, and back again in the morning; but m vtt> had plenty of ogmsjijij we didn't

mind. Just as we were arriving home the sun was rising high up in the heavens, and casting a beautiful glow over the hills, and everything around us. The Takitimos, which lay far away in the distance in front of us, presented a lovely sight, with the rising sun shining on their snow-capped peaks, and everything bespoke peace. But soon the bustle and hurry of life would begin, and the toilers would commence their labours, and we should be sound asleep. Love to Alpine Princess, Roy, Marcia, Paparoa, Pioneer, and ail the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, EOS'E-A-BUD.

[I hope you will be able to visit the Invercargill Literary and Debating Club, Eose-a-Bud, for I am sure you will receive a hearty welcome. I shall look for something from you about it in due time. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Since last writing, nearly seven months ago, there has been a lot of changes in and around this place. We have all had the scarlet fever, and I am very sorry to say my little brother died through it. My- sister has been very ill, but is going about again now. Before my sister's nurse left I went with her to the top of the Kuriwai Peak. We had a long tramp over the tussocks beiore we reached it, and were not sorry when we arrived there. We could sec away down by Waiwera, out by Pomahaka and the Burnin-' Plains. At the foot -of the hill was the township of Clinton, and far away in the hazy distance we could see the sea. On the top of the hill,- there is a surveyor's cairn, and we put our names a/inong; others .that are in a tin among the stones. TEe apple trees have been covered with blossom this year. _With reference to writing letters on Sunday, I do not remember ever doing so. Indeed, I know if we did so we should be" told 'if we could not find time through 'the week, we need not write at all. With love, to Dulee'Dom&n, Noela, Queer Fellow, and all whom I kiow, aJso the editor, and yourself, and with best Christmas . wishes to all,— Yours truly, ' ■ JSTATIVE VINE. [What a grand view you' got from the peak. Native Vine. I am sure' the labour entailed in the climb was amply repaid by such a sight. — DOTJ

Dear Dot, — Since I last wrote to you, the annual show and other holidays have come and gone, and' I am sorry to say that I did not see one L.F., although I kept a good look-out for them. I was disappointed about the group which was to be. taken during show week, but I think we had not enough tiros when it was first written about, to prepare for it. Since I started to write I have became acquainted with four L.F., and I hope to know more before long. I r am going to tell you about a picnic I went to with my mate (Dreamy Eyes) accompanied by a few friends, on the King's Birthday. We had decided to go to Purau or Rhodes Bay. When we awoke in the morning we were disappointed to hear that it was raining. After a while the rain stopped, and it was not long before we were preparing for our picnic. We left the Christchurch station by the 9 o'clock train "for Lyttelton, anu arrived there at half-past 9. After getting put of .t-b.9 train we made our way- to tEe" wharf, where the tug John Anderson was in readiness for the picnickers. We had a delightful trip across the harbour, and soon arrived. at Purau. It is a very pretty buy. We found a 1 nice place to leave our baskets while we had^ games of criciet and rounders. When we had. finished playing we had lunch, which we en-, joyed after the i sea. breeze. "(Af ter lunch we ' started to walk to the bush. The road which' leads to it Is,- uphill, and it 'doan makes you » tired. Wlien we had .vvalked- about a mile Dreamy Eyes and I began to get tired, so' we" would not go any* farther";" besides, there' was no sign of the bush. We rested' awhile, when Dreamy Eyes thought" she would like to explore, so we started to climb, or rather slide, down a hill, and when we got to 'the, bottom "such a surprise we got, for there was 'ai- little brook rw-inding its---"way #long between "two hills, and along its .banks were .native, shrubs of all descriptions. We were not ""there long before we discovered some beautiful ferns, so we followed the brook along, 'and we thoughtwe would like to see what was on the other side. Just then we saw large stepping stones across it, and we soon found ourselves o.n the other side. However, we were not long before we wanted to cross again, for there was nothing but stinging nettles and bogs over there. We .saw a few stones over the brook a short distance from where we were, and we decided to cross over. I started to cross first, and just in the middle my foot slipped, and the next minute I- found myself, abpve my knees in water; but I did not stay long there; "I-oan. tell you. I sat on the opposite bank to watcE Dreamy -Eyes get over, and she did the same thing that I"had=done, and we both had to sit on the bank to see if our dresses would dry a little. Then we struggled up the- hill to the main road, where we had a rest,-' and » then started for a walk down hill. We did look such objects, and the rest of our party laughed at us and said we got that because we left them. We then had our tea and left by the nest boat, and caught the 6 o'clock train from Lyttelton, arriving home about 7, ' tired but none the worse for our day's outing. Dear Dot, I want to know if there are many L.F. in Christchurch, as I am thinking of getting up a L.F, picnic on Boxing -Day. If some of- the - L.F. will take ,up the proposal I think it might be arranged; don't yo£ "Dot?" "The " picnic woulid be to Pusau. - With best love to all the L.F., not forgetting the editor and your .own dear self,— Yours truly, ARIZONA.

- [I am afraid the Ckristchurch LtF. are too scattered, Arizona, to be able to meet with advantage. However, we aliall see what the others say in answer to your invitation. — DOT.] - , Dear Dot-,' — I «m going to give you a-descrip-tkwi of a- 10 days' holiday which I spent in Dunedin and the M&taura district. Leaving home on Monday, November 7, at 6 a.m., to catch the Hedgehope train for Winton, we changed trains for Invercargiil, arriving there a,t 9.!i0, to find that the express for Dunedin did not leave till 1.20. My brother, who was with me, tramped about there till train time, but I went to a friend's place and stayed. In due time I went to the station, hunted up my brother, i and boarded! the train for Dunedin, which we reached at 7 p.m., tired after our long journey in the train. We passed many beautiful places in tlie train, but the one I liked best was Lake Kaitangata, which was moving with black swans, with their pretty little young ones running about at the edge of the lake, and Kaitangata township lying away acrass the lake at the foot of some, lovely high, hills. Along the edge of some parts of the lake weeping willows were growing and-droop-ing info the water beneatih. We did not pass many more places worth taking up space to describe, except Lake Waihola., which is a p-retty lake, situated talso at the foot of high hills, and willows- are also growing there. I might as well say that the line between Invercargill and Dunedin runs between hills, because when you look out of the windows you can see rows of hills stretching for miles on both skies. The first tunnel we pass through ia not a very long one, but the next one, at C&rersham, is much longer, and I enjoyed going through them. 'As i? was my first trip to Dunedin, when the ofty came in sight I stretched my neck to get a good view of it. As my father was up to the doctor, and was staying at the Leviathan Hotel, we ma.de our way to it, and after getting our tea. and hunting up father, we went tor a stroll round the town, and then returned and went to bed, as we were a> bit tired. As tihero was no clock in the room, and I could not tell the time in tiie morning. I got up, diessecL and went down, and lo and behold ! it

was only half-pasfc 5. I went and sat dowa in my room, till* my father and brother got up - (it was no easy task getting my brother out, as he was sleepy). We had breakfast, and then went in the electric cars to the Gardens, and had a goo. 1 , look round there. It is a beautiful place, only I don't think there are so Inaiiy, nice flowers as there are in the InverearguJ gardens; but the trees are beautiful, especially the double pink and red hawthorns, weeping willows, and laburnums. The ponds where the birds are kept are ju3t lovely, with trees and undergrowth at the edge, and the beautiful white ducks with red heads swimming about quite contented, and all kinds of other birds netted in close beside the ponds. The blaok swans, with the little grey young ones, sail about, and they come up to the edge and look up so quiet looking, and t-h6 emus stretch their necks to look up at you with their big brown eyes; but they are rough-iooking birds. I saw the Maori hen, and a lot of birds that I did not know the names of; but I took a fancy to the guinea fowl, as it is such a funny bird. It is just like a large black ball thickly speckled with white, and' a red beak, I think. "It made a strange noise the whole time we were looking at it. There are a number of small birds closed in with it, too, and they; were singing gaily ail the time. Can you tell me, Dot, what they call the yellow beasts, something like a deer, but with a funny nose ? We left the Gardens and took an electric car as far as the Octagon, and then took a- cable car to Eoslyn, ' where we visited some friends. In the afternoon we_went to the_Museum, and looked all through it, «-nd it . was worth goinf to see. It took a long * time, as it is thfe . storeys high, and, as my 'brother said, there wai everything in it from a "grasshopper to an' elephant." I liked- the .birds, but I aid", not like the human skull 3 and some of the beasts, and I hated the snakes. After examining everything, we went' out to have a look round the ■ town, and see the shop windows. By this time it was raining in. torrents, and we- got pretty wet; -but it cleared in the evening, and- any brother and I went to- the Alhambra Theatre, where we had some grand fun, and I laughed till my sides ached at one fellow laying on. to smother " fellow 'with "a stick. He paid no heed, .but of cpxirse lie was padded, so he would not feel it. We weitt two nights, but it was the same both nights. - My brother and I were all through the Southern Cemetery, and we saw Bishop Moran'a monument, and it is as big as a small church. We also looked down the vault, and saw four coffins lying there^ What struck me as being peculiar was that the graves .were all different nicely" kept, and when we were up at- the top shapss, and some were three-cornered. It la we could get a grand view Kill over the town beneath, and we could see the train to Port Chalmers steaming along close to the water, and a little farther on *wa could see a small town close to the water, too (Eavensbourne). Away on the top of a high lull we-covild see Larnach's Castle, surrounded, by trees, and I would have liked to have gone and- had a look' at it; but we had not time. We were down at the wharf and saw a lot of ships, but I-for-get" the Traffles-of'theiQj'-a^id =we-sJSP, spw the dredge working,- and it made a- greac "oiolse. * - We went out to the Ocean Beach, and it ia a lovely place, as there are yellow lupins growing in abundance there; covered with bloom. - We spent an hour there watching the sea sending tip white spray into the air, and i.t did look pretty as it came' rolling up to the edge> and then broke into • a sheet of -foam and flew away up into the air. On Wednesday morning father "left" for homo by, the 9.10 a.m. express fo'f Invercargill;r,butniy brother .and I stayed till Friday niorriingV.While we were down at -the station- to- see him off I was besieged by DvL.F., and I- wondered what was on, as I had never seen-onc in town before then, and they told me that there was to be a picnic at Oxttrara Glen, and askeft me to come, too. My brother and, I intended to go to Port Chalmers, but. l let.bim,go alone,arid joined tfte L.F., but I was quite lost, as* they "were all strangers to me. I did not- enjoy the pic-nic so well as I might 'have-done if I had known any of the L.F., but I did enjoy the beautiful glen, as it is the prettiest place I ever saw, with its bush-clad hills on both sides and a pretty little creek running down the oentre, and: hawthorns covered in white bloom growing on its banks. One girl told 'me I had "uot " enough "cheek," and was too shy for a D.L.F. picnic"; but somehow I don't think I will ever have enough cheek for a 'D.L.F. picnic. I have the autos of a fe*v-- who were at the picnic, which I got a Ions; time ago. On Friday morning I bought a cockatoo, and then we hurried to the station to catch cur train, and we steamed out of fhe Station and bade farewell to Dunedin. After hours of weary travelling in the train we at last reached* Mataura, where: I got off, and lsft mv brother two umbrellas, a cockatoo, and a bos to look after, which would keep him lively, as he hates umbrellas. I. was met by a friend, and we had a drive of atoivLnine miles to reach our destination, which we did '-at % abauS half-pasfc 4 o'clock.

; It is a lovely place, where the hoxtse Is ; situated, close to the bush, and when I was I there ws could see the white. clematis in large bunches on the tops of tihe trees. One oicl dead tree looked pretty with the white .clenm.tic -.twined- round the branches. While I v.as ; there we went pig-hunting (no- doubt ycu Vill "laughX and got two trigs, and I have "got one of their tusks here. -When we were up on top of the hills we could see Gore and Maiaurn. I , heard the phonograph at- this friend's home, and I liked it very well,- as" it was much nicer,, lhan the | one which was at the Hokonui picnic last year. | It rained nearly -every day I was there — just heavy showers; but that did not- keep us in, though I ,got a bit v,el sometimes; but I am used to that. While at Ma'taura I saw the Mataura River Falls, and they were very nice, only the river is very dirty; and I also saw the Outram Glen Falls, which are pretty, tco. On Wednesday, November* 16, I started for Mataura station at 12 o'clock, boarded the train at a quarter to 2, and reached! InvercargilJ at five niinutes past 3. It was Blowing and raining: something awful there, so I bought a bock and sat in the station and read till half-past 4, when I caught the Lumsden train, changed at Winton. and got safely into the Hedgehops . train, and lauded once move at Ota.v>iri station, at 7.15. I had a- three-mile walk through the rain to home, which I reached at about halfpast 8 o'clock, .and found my two sisters vowing vengeance of all sorts on me if I did not come that night, as they expected me to com© on Tuesday, as they had not much rain bore, though we had up there.

It was the best holiday ever I had in my life, as I never was away from home more than two days before. lam going to the Invercargill show on the 14th December, and houc to see some L.F. there. Wishing: one and a 1 ! a. merry Christmas and a bright and lifipt>v New Year, — Yours truly, WATTLE BLOSSOM.

[The little animals in the Gardens are deer, Wa-ttle Blossom, though I do not know wLafr variety they belong 1 to. They are gentle-looking little creatures. What a holiday you had, dear, and what a long description of it you have given. However, it is all of interest, and I am sure it will be read by everyone. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — The other day Rustic and I made up our minds to go pig-hunting. I was to meet him at 4 x»' clock a.m. on top of a certain .hill. I was there first, with my favourite dog, Fly. I had not to wait long, however, for him, as he soon arrived with a rifle, and accompanied by a black-and-tan sluintyy-tailed dog with a ferocious countenance. He had borrowed him for the day's outing. We started walking with out rifW over cm shoulders, like

a couple of experienced sportsmen, intent on a good day's outing. We'll, to make a long story short, in due course we came to a place where a pig had recently slept. We followed up his trail until we came to a clear, where we saw a great pig and a smaller one of a black-and-tan colour. The dogs soon made them look up. The little one cleared to the bush, making for a place where my mate lay concealed behind a great khami, and a tru.e shot brought him down. Meanwhile I was busy watching the old boar. We had not to wait long, for with a rush he darted straight for us, the dogs biting and snapping at him all the time. My mate again fired, but missed his mark. It was now my turn, so I took a quick aim, and fired, the bullet talcing effect, and he dropped. The dogs were soon upon him, and his battles were over. We took a gooa piece of the little fellow, and left for the camp, and got there all right. I ratist now stop as it is getting dark. Hoping this will catch the eye of Rustic, and with love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, PATSY HOOLIGAN. [I think you might have fi-.-ialied your account of the proceedings in the camp, and told us how you got home, Patsy. You stopped in the most interesting part of your narrative.— OOTJ LETTERS CONDENSED. Oub Cook tells me about how she has oe°n enjoying herself : — " Since last writing to you I have been to three .surprise parties, so you see I have been having good times. We left one evening at half-past 7 and gob home at 3 o'clock in the morning, leaving again that night at 8 o'clock and getting home at halfpast 2 the next morning." --~ Sailing Shit has been to a picnic. "We reached our destination at 12 o'clock, after a ' two-hours' walk. After having lunch we went into the bush to gather ferns. We got some common ferns -which were of no use to tis. We then went and boiled the biHy and had a cup of tea and some cake, which we enjoy 3d very much." Taipo t^lls me that all the stations he lives are busy shearing now. "The local Pipe Band held a concert here last week, which was a great success. Queen Fellow is m this district now, and is at present at the Teviot station. A fatal accident occurred here a few weeks ago, when two men were killed. The men weie up mending the race, *hen a fsll of stones came down and killed two, and injured others." Watty writes about a drive he and nis mate had to Haldane on Saturday afternoon. "It was a lovely day when we left Fortro.je, but before* we got half-way it started, to rain, and oh, Dot, when we got back to Fortrose we were just like two drowned rats. -Fortrosa i* % grand little place. . There used to be a nice long jetty, but it has been pulled down to make a bridge over the Titiroa River. I'll be very glad when they finish the bridge; Inn. I thihk it will be' some time "yet before it is finished. There is sucii s. lot of eels in tlie Titiroa River. My mate and I speared 20 in. half an hour." Star of Love, after rea<ting -the L.F. letters, is struck with the number of correspondents all over New Zealand. "I only wish I had all their autos. What a pile I would hava One fine' Sunday afternoon two of the D.L.F. -and -I started off for' • Waikawa. As it was ■» lovely A&y and the roads were in good form, we enjoyed our walk. On" our way home we gathered ferns and wild flowers till me had as many as-vve wanted." Fair* Queen, has a little grumble at the weather. "We are experiencing changeable weather at present. One day it will be hot sod the next cold, and altogether it is not a bit like summer. I am milking four cows at present. One 'oi them has only just calved, and j as I was walking past her she kicked me on the knee and bruised it. Ido not like milkin°very much, although I see J. Smith Jo-;s. I think it. is horrible in wet weather, whatever it may be in fine." | Mas has got two good singing birds since : she last wrote. "Rabbits are very plentiful about here, but they are nearly all young ones, -and tiiey are very shy. My brother caught one .and gave it to me, but it got away. Some "boys are very cruel to birds; they take ihem out of ' the nest and pull- the heads oft them ; is that ' not cruel, Dot? There is plenty of green grass ! here, and the horses, cow,a, and rabbits have, plenty of grass to eat." _ ,' 1 Faiby Glen has three brothers aiid three , sisters. "I live in Aijatore, which is situated on the top of -hills, and we can^see the beach from our place. \Ye have only one cow, and mother milks her. I am up at-Weston just now staying with my grandfather and grandmother, and I am going to the Weston school." Waxete hopes the weather will soon get warmer. "I have three pet lambs, which are ' getting very fcrpublesome. I have also four chickens. We had a duck sitting on J5 eggs, but she only hatched out two, and they are both dead." • Decided L.F. has a gopd deal to say oi> the dancing question," but I think it has been pretty well thrashed out now. "I notice Disgus^S D.L.F. gets rather «■ hard time .of it, bvt I quite agree with him ,on this subject. I oniy -wish -there were a few more of the same opinion. Justfancy, one great man aaid' that whenever he heard of a dancing party he always thought -of how -John the Baptist had his head danced ..ff." ■ Desire wishes to become a member of oux J .band. "My home is in Dunedin, but I am staying in Central Otago for a holiday, a,nd as we get the Otago Witness, I have taken a great interest in the L.F. Page." Eebol has a little to say about the weather, "We are having fairly fine weather at present — at least for our capricious climate. Middlemarch is looking very pretty now, with all its nice green paddocks and trees. I have ro p.-ts, but it doesn't matter, for I" don't think jou would care about pet stories very nueh. That yearly terror, the exam., is over, a-.id I 0m glad to say every child* passed. Wasn't ihat good, Dot?" Olementine Rose writes about the weather, which was more like winter than summer v.iea she wrote. "The fields and crops about here are looking fresh and green, and the flower gardens are much nicer than they have previously . been." . MAHras enjoyed reading the letters from tLe Reading L.F , and hopes there will be some more English letters soon. "We are having very pleasant weather here just now, and the flowers were looking pretty. It is very nice to go for a walk in the bush just now, for the ferns are very pretty. If one had a camera, seme pretty pictures could be got. There is bush on either side of us, and if we go up to the top of our ridges on a fine day, we can see the railway station. I see the L.F. have enjoyed their picnic. lam too far away to attend the picnics, but I wish them every success." Maple Thee II has just passed from ihe Sixth Standard. There were five in the standard, and alt passed. "On Saturday we iisd a - little picnic \\r> at the bush. We had grand fun on the wild ivy creepers. The bush is threequarters of a mile from our place. The people have nearly all finished shearing about hete. ' Primrose II is learning to play the organ. "My music teacher gave a concert a little while ago, and all her pupils had to play. VVe have had a considerable number of dances up here this year. The crops up here are all through the ground. My little brother is very busy just now getting biids' esa^a fox we have

a good many trees. My mother and sister are milking five cows just now." AUTOS. • Don Quixote would like to exchange aut~s with any L.F., especially any at Danneviike. Address: "Don Quixote, care of Mrs Wishaw, Featherston, Wairairapa." Our Cook says: — Will any little folk willing to exchange autos please address "Our Cook, Post Office, Heriot." May would like to exchange with any L.F. who are willing. Address: "May, D.L.F., care of P. 0., Queeustown." M. P. D. would like to exchange auios with A Golfer. Matakereua, and Cooee. Address: "M. P. D., care of P. 0., Alexandra South." Rosetta, would like to exchange autos with Una, Princess Myrtle, Goldspur, Silverpino, and Sparrow. Address: "Koselta, D.L.F., P. 0., Ahua, via^Oamaru." Maid of Diamonds will exchange autos v,-ith any D.L.F.. Address: "Maid of Diamonds, Post Office, Alexandra South." Neva would be very pleased to exchange attios with Mustard Leaf, A Big Sunflower. Two Niagara Laddies, and Bosen. Address: "Neva, care of Cha«lands P. 0." G-oldspur would like to exchange autos with Florabelle, Daddy's Helper, Two Flirts, and Jeannie Deans. Address: "Goldspur, care of Post Mistress, Sutton. ' Arizona would like to exchange autos .with Troubled Housewife, S. Y. Morning, and any L.F. who are willing. Address : "Airizona, care of Mrs Thorn, 2 Antigua street, Christchurch." Vcnetia II writes: — I have only one auto as yet, but if any D.L.F. will change with me, " Venetia 11. Standard VII, Normal School, Dunedin," will find me. Native Vine wou ! d like to exchange autos with E. D. A.. Maish Marigold, A. S. S., E. O. A., Calder, Baronia, Nut, and Pauline. Address: "Native Vine, D.L.F., Box 19, Clinton," and I will return mine when I receive theirs. Songs Wanted.— Would some L.F. be kind enough to send tne the words of the following songs: — "The bird in a. gilded cage," "Gentle Annie," and "A Highlandnjan's toast." Address: "Miss M. M'Menus, Quarry Hill." LITTLE FOLK'S BADGES. Bpdjg'es sent: — T'aipo. Witih pin : — Garde la Fey, Tommy. BIDDLES. By Neva: — The man who made it made to sell it. The man that bought it never wore it. The man that wore it never saw it. By Bird Nesier: — Why is New Zealand baking powder like the sun?