LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2652, 11 January 1905, Page 74

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto : — We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. Dear Dot, — I am going to tell you about how I spent my holidays. Well, of course I did not go anywhere, but I had a visit from Southland Cynic to the Hermitage, an event as agreeable as it was unexpected, and altogether it wa's a red-letter day. I had not forgotten to decorate the Hermitage for Christmas, and as Niagara is famous for its ferns and evergreens, I had no trouble in converting the bare walls of the cave into a perpendicular flower bed. I must tell you aiso, Dot, about my New Year plum pudding. Well, after inviting a friend (Brother Hermit) to dinner, I made preparations for a great spread, which, alas, proved a sad failure. After getting all the ingredients mixed up and tied in a cloth, I put the pudding in a kerosene tin of boiling water and boiled it for three hours. Well, by this time dinner was fairly well on, and my guest was waiting for his pudding, when, to my horror and disappointment, I discovered that the anticipated treat was merely dough; so, Dot, I think I shall give up inviting any one to dinner, and I shall also dispense with the kerosene tin, as I discovered afterwards that you require a pot with a lid on, so that tihe steam shall not escape. But of course I was to ba excused, as I only paitake of such luxuries as plum puddings once a yeai, so I have not had much experience in the cooking line. I suppose all the D.L.F. are away for their holidays. I have not seen Buffalo Bill for some time, so I presume he is off to see % namesake of yours. Dot, for there is more than one Dot whom some people love to write to. All the D.L.F. got their photos taken about a rncrhth ago, but I was afraid to venture out, for I do not want them to know my N.D.P., and I would have given the rrliole tiling away had I joined in the group. With love to Southland Cynic, Buffalo Bill, Mustard Plaster, and Love "in a Mist II, — Your s> -truly, : -:"T ?CK xLEEMIT. [It is a pity Backblock Hermit did not take competent advice about boiling the pudding before essaying the task. It would have been easy to have put a piece of tin or iron over the top of the kea-osene tin, weighted 1 with a stone, and thus have kept in the steam. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Here is another new writer to bring more furrows of care to the editor's brow, but as this is my first attempt, I do hope he will not put it in the condensed column. We are having very windy weather at present, which is doing wonders in the way of drying up the mud. My sister has been in bed for three days suffering from a cold, out I hope she will soon be able to goto school again. We aa-e only milking three cows at present. We have 'Sunday school down here every Sunday. With love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself andi the editor, — Yours truly, CLOVER LEAF. [I am afraid you have got the mud back again ere this, Clover Leaf, and' it will take a good deal of wind to dry it up again. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — We aie having very cold weather down here just now. My sister and I and some of my mates went to a, picnic on Friday, and we had good fun shaking the honey on our dresses. We have got our school holidays, and we are going to have our school picnic tomorrow. My youngest sister is two years old. I have only one brother, and he is 20. We have 21 cows in just now. We have one of our cousins staying with, us at present. With love to all the little folk,— Yours truly, BUTTERFLY. [What a strange mode of having fun, Butterfly. I fancy your mothers would not see the fun when the time came for the honey to be extracted from the dresses. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I wonder if you could spare one small corner in your column for this, my first letter. lam not very young to be only makinga beginning, but I suppose 'tis better late than never. I have not been anywhere for the Christmas or the New Year, as I always think it ever so much nicer at home. Do you not think so, Dot? On the Monday after Christmas Day I was at a picnic, and od Tuesday 1 was at sports, and the rest of the week I had to go to work ; but I get the following Monday and Tuesday as holidays, and there is to be a picnic on the Monday, but I am doubtful as to whether I shall go or not. I shall get my holidays from work in a month or so some three weeks' holiday!, and I expect to get into Dunedin. My. sisters and I always read the L F.s letters, and' we notice they are often having a picnic. I hope those who went to the big picnio near Milton enjoyed it, as I -am sure they would do if it was a fine day. I wish yourself and. the L.F. had a happy New Year,— Yours truly, 808 I.

PI can, like yourself, Bob I, enjoy my Christmas and New Year at home, but many L.F. and big folk, too, would not think it holiday time if they did not get an outing of some kind. And there is a good deal to be said for this view of the matter, for a change of air and environment now and again is gocd for everyone. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — The last time I wrote to you was on a cold, snowy dajr in the middle of winter, but to-day it is jiist the reverse— a hot sunny day in the middle of summer. The crops are all looking" well this year, and there ia every prospect of a good harvest. The farmers are all busy shearing just now, and most of them are growling, as it is raining nearly every second clay. I see Paulin hag predicted

six weeks', dry weather, and if we get that lot we shall be all crying out for rain. What will become of the 'grass and crops if we get six •weeks' drought 9 — I am afraid they will all be burnt u,p. However, we shall just have to ! take wliait comes : there is no use m growling, although a good gro-.vl cases the mind somci times. As Anthea say=. getting married seems 1 to be all the rage up here just now, several ; weddings having taken place within a week of I one another. Some of the parties are_schoolj mates of mine, too, Dot. and it is making me j feel quite old. I shall not give you an account of any of the weddings, as I am not a very good hand at describing ladies' dresses, etc., which is more in the girls' line, and I have no doubt that Anthea or T. S. F. will have something to say about aome o? them, later on. T. S. F. gave you a very good account of the Black Gully picnic; but I wonder if she would contradict me if I told her that I was present ? The long-looked-for D.L.F. photo group has appeared in the Witness at last, but I did not know any of those who were in it. Why don't you put your own photo in, Dot ? I am sure the L.F. would all be very pleased 1 to see it. I propose that you grant us a small favour, and place your photo in the centre of the next D.L.F. group that appears. I should like very much to be in possession of one of your photos, and if you comply with my request I shall have it (the photo) cut out, mounted, and framed. Old Writers' Week has come and gone once more, and you had a very fair crop of letters, but not so many as last year. I think all the Old Writers mjghfc have taken advantage of the opportunity of writing you a line or two when it only comes once a year. Well, Dot, I shall have to draw this lettei to a closs, as it is getting late. When I started- it the sun was high in, the sky, and there was not a cloud to be seen, but now Old Sol has gone down, and the clouds are beginning to roll by. What a change has taken place. The air has become as cold as ice, and rain p.nd hail are falling fast. We get six months' winter and six months' bad weather here, and sometimes we get the four seasons in the one day. With love to all, especially T. S. F..— Yours truly, NIBORNUD.

[Nibornud's forebodings as to the prophesied diought have proved quite unnecessary. Inaeed, at the time of writing it looks as if we should have to dread the continued moisture instead of the reverse of the picture. However, every cloud has a silver lining, and probably we shall have sunshine enough after the present stormy weather. "What a temptation for Dot to throw away her carefully-guarded anonymity! However, as I have hitherto resisted all such suggestions, I think I shall continue to do so until my retiring time conies, and then — we shall see what we shall see — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I do enjoy reading the D.L.F. letters every week, so I thought that I would join the L.F. band if you would have me. There must be a good few hundred — or should I say thousand ?— L.F. writing. There was a picnic held up here, but the day turned out very cold and windy, so there were not very many people present. I saw three D.L.F. there, however. At night a dance was held in tha hall, but as it was so near Christmas, and the night being rather warm there was not such a crowd as might have been expected. The prizes were distributed to the school children, in the*- afternoon after the picnic, and every j ohild received a book. We have holidays now until February 7, so you see our holidays are I much longer than yours, Dot. I expect to go away for three weeks' holiday, and then I hope to meet a good few D.L.F. I am in the Seventh Standard, but I do not care very much about going to sohcol. I am learning to milk, and I manage to milk one cow every night. Noi so bad for a beginner. My sister milks 10. We are milking 18 at present, and feeding seven calves. I saw the Balclutha group of D.L.F. in the Witness, and I thought they looked very nice. I enjoyed reading the O.W. letters, for some of them were very interesting. The weather has been very changeable up here lately — one day raining, the next blowing, and the next awfully hot— buit it is to be hoped it may have changed for the better by the time this reaches you. With. love to yourself and all the D.L.F., not forgetting the editor, — Yours truly, CHLOE. [Fancy a girl in the Seventh Standard "not likink school very much." Why, I should have thought she would have revelled in it. However, I welcome our new correspondent, and trust she will tell us all about her holiday.—DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are not having very pleasant weather for the New Year, as it has been raining all morning. Since I last wrote, I Aave been for a holiday to Lake Onslow, with, three anglers from this town. The lake is situated about 20 miles from Roxburgh, and about halfway to the Taieri River. The wall of the lake is built in a narrow gorge, and is 25ft wide, and about the same height. The lake is- three and a-half miles long, and in places over a mile wide. There is a 16ft boat on the dam for the use of sportsmen, and it was in the boat that I spent most of my time. We stayed for a week, and during that time we obtained more trout than a horse could carry. We left Lake Onslow at midday on Saturday, and arrived home at 5 o'clock, after spending a most enjoyable week. I see in one of Maid of Diamond's letters she writes about "the nice clear water of the Manorburn," but* I do nofc think she would drink the water, if she knew that the refuse from tlie station wool-wash and sheep-dip flows into it. Teviotite pointed out Dulce Doman to me last night, but I did not speak to Her. I think I shall now stop, or this may meet the fate oE my last letter. Please will you tell me how to write out an auto. With love to all the L.F., the editor, and yourself, and wishing y.ou & happy New Year, — Yours truly, TAIPO. [The form of on auto, depends very much on the individuality of the writer, Taipo. Something like this is the usual style ■ — D.L.F. auto. To Bright Star, with love from- Taipo. Bom at Teviot, June 16, 1891. (Proper name here.) Roxbv&gh, January 1, 1905." Of co-arse this should be in lines, and you can ornament it if you aie clover with your pen, or alter the wording in any way you think proper. — PO'lJ

Dear Dot, — I went to the Invercargill show on the 14th December, and passed a very pleasant day. I met about half a dozen L.F. Ceres was the first to stop and speak, and we had an interesting little chat on D.L.F. doings but I could not stop to talk for long, as my friend, who was not a L.F., and naturally did not care to listen to D.L.F. news, wanted to move on. I was sorry afterwards, though as there were several other things I wanted to lef™ £L 1 + T aS im *> Ossi Me, as I had to «E n ?^? by the 6 P- m - trai u- Tke Invel ._ LF I lo" % rea S T ple ° f all the rsat of ** Do? Hi I a **,^ their P icnics ' etc " Oh, ZZZr,* f tantalising to read those glowing accounts of social gatherings, and to know •+£.4.1 * Possible chance of joining in with tihem. With best wishes to all for the -New Year, and love to the editor and dear Dot, •—Yours truly,

KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN. [It is to be hoped you will be able to get to * picnic so as to judge" for yourself, KathleenMavourneen. I suppose there are not quifcg enough L.F. in the district where you live to get up a picnic, But perhaps the number will increase sufficiently some day. DOTJ Dear Dot,— l- hope you had am enjoyable tune at Christmas, but I have no doubt you did, .as a person who writes such kind answers to our letters must have- an amiable disposi-tion-and enjoy herself, no matter-in' what trying circumstances she is placed. T greatly enjoyed reading , the; letters of 0.W.W., and *aa agreeably surprised to see such a lot of almost forgotten names present. On *he King's Birthday, we" had a 'D.L.F. picnic at the beadh, and although not' many were present; i those who did put in. an appearance greatly j enjoyed themselves.. We have at last succeeded in getting the, long-%lkecl-of D.L.F. group taken, and I shall be very much disappointed if it does not turn out nice. The photographer spoilt four plates, in taking it. When he broke the third, I thought it must be me that was damaging the plates, for you must know, Dot, I'm not a beauty 7so I considerately offered to •withdraw, but he said he would at least have another try to take me, and, as luck would have it, he succeeded. So -if you see an in- ' describable face among the group, you must not be surprised. We had our annual picnic «nd dance on the 30th ult., but owing to the rough weather there were not many visitors at ! the picnic. A good many -turned up at night, however, and the dance was lovely. I am going to Tahakopa on l Monday, and as there is I to be a dance, out there, I hope to enjoy myeelf. j We had a, very dry Christmas here this year. I think it is because it was on a Sun«ay. With best love,— Yours truly, THE SMILING LASS. [Now, fancy The Smiling Lass with a face Buch as she endeavours to make us believe will appear in that group of D.L.F. should' the photographer succeed better' in developing his negative than he did in taking the photo. However, I am getting used, to L.F. expressing a fear, that they have "cracked the glass," and I generally look out -for the best-looking in the group to find the alleged culprit.— DOT.] pear Dot,— l was at the D.L.F. picnic at Milton, and "I guess" the L.F. -who were there •won't forget it in a hurry. When I got up, the -weather looked doubtful, but all the same, I started off > and' caught the train 'at 6.15. Jessica .and another. L.T?. got in at Lovell's Flat, and I went along and had a, talk. We coon reached Hilton," and there were a good ] many Lawrence -and Milton L.F. about — all ! girls or -young ladies. I stayed at the station ' a while, a"nd- soon a- young fellow "came' up and j started ■ talking. He turned out to r bi Nut, ] and we had a long talk about things concern- ' ing the L.F. and the club. We, went down the street and met- the other L.F. on the way. "We soon returned to the station, and met Black Watch. Soon afterwards Texas Jack and his sister came in a cart, and after they had taken the lunch baskets they started off for the bush. We met Reta on her bike on' the road, and after we had -walked a good way the bush appeared ahead. The bush looked very pretty and cool after- the hot sun, and we were glad .to get into its welcome shade. , Foxgloves and elderberries were growing everywhere, -while the creek was full of buttercups and wild forge>nie-nots. Daisies were growing on all sides, and there was. an empty house on the slope of the hill with a good water ] supply for the billy. The billy was soon boiling, and we all sat down to enjoy the refreshments supplied by the girls. We then enjoyed a half-hour's talk, and then someone proposed games. These were kept going for a good -while, and then we all went up to the bush for a stroll. When there, we met some other li.F. who had come late, and were looking for us, and after a little some of the party went back to make tea. About this time the sky became cloudy, and it began to rain, but it •was. kind enough not to come down in earnest until we got back' to the town. The v L.F">> who came from Lawrence. liovell'siTat, and otherplaces "were glad they' had come, and all seemed to' enjoy- themselves. The Milton L.F. also turned out very"! well, and I ' think they intend to make it an annual affair. It is a pity the weather broke' during, the holiday time. We went for a drive on New Year's Day "(Monday) to the Pomahafca Riverj" and spent an enjoyable day., We started 1 about 10 a.m;, and after an hour's drive reached the river. It looked very pretty, and is- a famous trout-fishing stream. Wishing all L.F. friends and jwrarself a glad New Year, — Yours truly, BRIDE'S BLOSSOM. [You were fortunate in having it- fine for the ipicnic, Bride's Blossom, but you certainly had - • narrow escape. However, as the rain did not come on properly till the picnic was over, it did not matter." I hope the affair will be made an annual one, and wish future picnics success.—DOT.] ~>aa.r Dot, — Christmas and New Year have i conw once more, and passed away.' Since last • ■writing to you I have gone to school. Though only about, three months there, I received avery nice book called "Mother's Little G-ivl " as a prize. On the breaking-up -day a picnic was held in the school ground, to which our parents and friendsi were invited. After singing a few songs, we had races and games, and, to finish up, afternoon tea. On Boxing Day I •wen.t to tihe Caledonian sports at Duntroon, And enjoyed myself very well. There I met four D.L.F.. whose nom's de plume are Fresh Water, Golden Princess, Otaga Princess, and •Waitaki Princess, and we exchanged autos. •I have only olie pet lamb this year, called Daisy, and my pony. Pet, has a little foal. I always read the D. If. F. Literary and Debating Club papers with -great interest, and I only wish I lived in ( town so as to be able to "attend the meetings. With love to all —Yours truly, . EULALIE. [Possibly you may be down some Tuesday, ISiirvlie, asd tSwn you. -would be a'ol? •<* attend m iraeiiag aa£ s&s what ifoe prcc-s^dings me like..' Fancy -your meeting no fewer than three Princesses !— DOT.] Dcax Dot,— l Since I last wrote to you I iiave been twice to Tarras. The first time I drove my brother, while the second time another brother took me there. On the first occasion we left home at 7 o'clock, and reached Riley's Hotel in time for dinner. Alter dojna

justice to a good meal, we continued our journey, passing through Blacks about 1.30 p.m. About a quarter of a mile from that town we crossed the Manuherikia suspension bridge. At 3.30 we arrived at Chatto Creek, where we stopped for the night. On the following morning, at 8 o'clock we started for Tarras. After travelling for a few hours we reached Clyde, which is situated on the banks of the Molyneux River. It is a fair-sized town. I did not see any D.L.F. , although there axe some in Clyde. Near the town I noticed several dredges working. We came to the CromwellClyde Gorge, through which the road and the Mtolyneux River pass. The gorge is very beautiful, and to improve the scenery houses are scattered here and there on both sides of the river. After journeying through the gorgewe reached the Halfway House Hotel, where we had dinner. Having satisfied our appetites, we continued on our journey, stnd in a, short time we came in sight of the Cromwell brewery. Ten minutes' drive brought us to the town of .Cromwell. We did not enter Cromwell, but kept on the opposite side of the river. The next hotel was ten miles from Cromwell. We reached the place about 5 o'clock, and had tea. After allowing our horse sufficient time to feed we again started, and in a very short time reached our destination, Tarras. We again fed our horse', and turned in to bed. On rising next morning we went to the station, and after having breakfast, went for a stroll down the banks of the Lindis River. As it was Sunday, we passed a quiet -day. On the following morning I started for home, , leaving my brother behind to settle .down to "baching" himself. Nothing happened on the return journey, and I ' reached home safe and sound. In- another week I was again at Tarras, pitching camp for myself. I have not to bake niy own bread, as I am near a bakery. After getting my traps started, I mad© havoc among the rabbits. About a fortnight after my arrival I had the pleasure of meeting Lieutenant J. and Little Angel, and of course, being L.F., we discussed L.F. topics. There are several other L.F. in Tarras that I should like to meet, and I shall be on the look-out for them. One day while I was setting my traps I got quite close to 10 goats that were too intent upon feeding to notice me. As luck would hare it, I had left my rifle at home, and of course my fun was spoiled. The Friday before Christmas I left Tarras, and after paying my bill I started on the road, homeward bound. I arrived at Drybread (not true to its name on this occasion) just in time for dinner. As I was the only one for that meal, I was honoured by dining with the proprietress and her two sons. About 6 o'clock I hove in sight of "home, sweet home," with the fire out, and father the only one about the place. My sister, A Mother's Lass, was in Uaseby, and mother had gone to fetch her home. As I was tired, I turned into bed as soon as tea was finished; but when mother came home she woke me by throwing an orange at my head. The following day I went for a walk, and then decided to go fishing. Well. I caught nine fish. I saw Cook 111 that night, and we had a chat. Christmas passed quietly. On Boxing Day A Mother's Lass and I made our way {o the railway station en route for Waipkta. It was a very. ; windy day, and the rid© in the train was the ! best part of the programme. Just' as I arrived at the sports ground I spied a badge, and up I^goes ,to baye> a chat. Who do you think it was ;lmt Indian Chief. A Mother's Lass stopped behind talking to Godk 111, and they came tvp"an(| spok^.- So far so good. Scribe then* made' her appearance, soon she was chatting happily with us/Then I saw Pundit. We stood talking for a time, and' then getting tired I, strolled away, and soon all the party had dispersed, leaving A Motli&r's Lass and Indian Chief talking. Well. I did not bother about them, and at night T found them sitting in the carriage waiting for the train to start. On the whole, I thought the sports stale, still T enjoyed myself all right. The day after New Year I drove to Naseby, and had a great time there. I did not see one badge, although I saw D.L.F., who were very shy. It was a cold, wet day. and I did 1 enjoy the drive home. I noticed in Queer Fellow's letter a short timp ago that he thought we (my brother find I) had lo'it a lot of traps on our block. Well, the whole nine weeks we were together we lost 13. 1 Now, I think I know what he was "hitting at." but you are mistaken, Q. F. Perhaps you will hear. It was rather a hard hit to me at first, but I have quite recovered. Well, dear old Queer Fellow, I have now ( a. block over the Ta.rras station — namely. Point Block. If vo.u should happen to venture this way, renienilW you are always welcome, and that M. A. B. O. T. Y. is always ready to extend a, friendly hand. Well, dear Dot; as I must be off to Tarras again to-morrow morning, I shall close now, with fond' love to all connected with t*ie nage. especially Little Angel. Lieutenant J.. Sparrow, and Indian Chief." I shall write P«?ain soiva time before I reach retiring ape. — Yours tru'y, MINE'S A BETTER ONE THAN YOURS.

[I hope you will, M. A. B. O. T. V.. and I also trust you arc- not so near retiring age as to make- it only possible to -write one letter. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— lt seems no time to me since I penned my- last letter to you, though it is about 12 months ago. How time slips by when 'you do not think of it. Since then there have been a great many changes in the D.L.P, Page. • Literary societies, picnic and social clubs nave been formed and carried out successfully. Some .of the-D.L.P. have a fancy I for criticising the' letters of the page. They ought to criticise their own letters first if they want to criticise. For my part, I think all the L.F. do their best, and it is not I right that their letters should be criticised by otther L.F. We are having our holidays from school just now, and they seem to be passing so quickly, just when I am having a good time. Olive and her sister were staying at our place. We went to the sports, but we did not enjoy them very much, as they were rather slow. We also went to the show here, and we all enjoyed ourselves splendidly. I met a number of D.L,F. there, and soon theie was a good number of us together, including Olive, Priscilla, Troubled Housewife, Amanda, Curlylocks, and yours truly. I also met Robin Gray on the grounds. I saw a few other D.L.F. on the grounds, but not to speak to. Olive is away home now, and I was so sorry the day she went away, as she is such a nice> girl. I sent my auto, to Zealandia, but he has not remembered to send me his in return. It is peculiar how some L.F. ask for autos, and when you send them they never think of returning theirs. We are having bad weather here at present, Dot, but^l suppose it is best to take it as we get it, as there is no use in grumbling. O.W.W. seems to have proved a success, as nearly all the O.W. wrote. It is nice to have 0.W.W.. because we do not really forget the Old Writers when we see their letters in print once more, and thus realise that they are still amongst us. I should like to be able to attend the Debating Club's meetings, but I shall have to be contented till " I go to Dunedin. I was great-ly disappointed at Christmas, when my brother from Christcliurcli did not come home, as he could not get away; but h© will be home. I suppose, when we least expect him. With best love to Curlylocks, Troubled Housewife, Viola,_ and dear Olive, not forgetting Dot and . the kind old editor. — Yours truly, 1 LADY MAY TBEVELYN.

[I am glad you had such an enjoyable time at the show, Lady May. It is one of the chef events of the year, for which we should all wish for fine weather, as it seems very hard that things should be spoilt by the weather after so much labour and time have been spent in Xsreparing. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I hope you enjoyed your holidays as well as I did. I am going to tell you what I did with myself on one or two days. I was at the show at Invercargill, but did not see much, as there was a great crowd around the ring. On Christinas Eve there was an awful lot of wee children down town with crackers and all sorts of toys for making noises. I was lucky enough to get a piece of silver out of our Christmas pudding. On the 2nd of this month I went to the Caledonian sports, where I met a number of friends, and so managed to enjoy myself all right. I v.-oke up on the Tuesday morning, hoping it would be a lovely day, when, lo ! it was raining ; but it sort of cleared off, and I made ready to go to the Bluff regatta. We got into a. tiuck at a quarter-past 10, and arrived at the Bluff about 20 minutes to 12. We at once proceeded to the wharf, where the Warrimoo was just coming in. We watched her unload, and saw all the mails getting unshipped and sent to the different towns, and then we proceeded to look for a place along the beach to put our baskets and have our dinner. Having done justice to this, we strolled about the town for a while, and then bought a ticket to go for a sail on the Theresa Ward. As I had never been on a tug before, I thought I should be sick, but we did not go far enough out for that; but when the tug was turning to go back, she rocked a little, and I was thrown liack on to some poor man's corns j but as I begged his pardon, it was all right. After that we set. out foi a good walk around the Point, which we reached after some tinis, as thei<s were one or two showers, and we had to take shelter. - I got some ferns and sticks, and we then walked back, had our tea, and caught the 6 o'clock train for home, arriving in Invercargill at five past 7, very tired from our day's outing. I went to a play on Monday evening — the Taylor-Carrington Co. The piece was "Called Back," and I enjoyed it very much. A great shower of hail came down in one of the interesting parts, so we could not hear what they were saying. Do you not think that was provoking. Dot? As you put No. 11l to my noni de plume, which was Scotch Lassie, I shall change it to Beryl. With love to Dot and the' editor, also the D.L.F.. — Yours truly, ANOTHER BERYL. [Dear me, Beryl, how unfortunate". We have already a Beryl, so I have had to put "Another" before your new noni de plume. — DOT.]

Black Watch. — I am only too glad to hear from you once more, and I am sure 3*our description of "the ideal picnic" will afford great pleasure to all readers. Your little piece of news is indeed a surprise to me. Needless to say, the subject of it has my sincerest wishes for future happiness.

AUTOS

Lady May Trevelyn would like very much to exchange autos with any D.L.F. who are willing, but especially Hubert. Wild Rover, and Alpine Princess. I shall send mine immediately in return. Address: "Lady May Trevelyn, care, of -Post Office, Lawrence."

Taipo would like to exchange autos with any L.F. who are willing. Address: "Taipo, 1 care of Geo. Dorward, Roxburgh."

Chloe would like to exchajige autos with Texas Jack. Darky, The Dulse's Amuser, Harry, Gooee, S-cobie. Black Watch, and any other D.L.F who are willing. If they will send two, they will also receive my sister's in return. Address: "Chloe, care of Clover Hill Farm, Windsor, via Oamaru."

Mine's A Better One Than Yours writes: — Would any L.F. please exchange aritos with me, especially Queer Fellow, King Dick, A Country Larrikin, Find Oxit 11, and awkward Ned. Any L t F. sending two autos will receive A Mother's Lass and mine in return. Address: "M.'s A. B. O. T. V., P. 0., Rough Ridge, Central Otago."

Eulalie would like to exchange autos with Florodora. The Duke's Ainuser, Daddy's Helper, Flossie, Queer Fellow, The Gaiety Girl, and any other L.F. Address : "Eulalie, care Mr R. Holmes, Duntroon."

Queer Fellow would like to exchange autos with any D.L.F. who are agreeable, especially The Lonely Girl, Cooee, and Mike. Address : "Queer Fellow, care P. 0.. Crookston, via Heriot."

Will Mustard Plaster, Queei Fellow, Cow Spanker, Love in a Mist 11. Lord Plunket, Tansy, and Find Ouit 11, please send their autos to Backblock Hermit, and I shall se^nd mine in return. Address: "'Backblock Hermit, Niagara P. 0., via Fortrose."

LITTLE FOLK'S BADGES. Badges: — Dame Trot, Cliloe, Ladj Stair. •alojj •£[ iMion-^ noj£ vipiQ; ' 8S & B H sssdui.tj 'bs»i ss t jat[^oyj[ y 'Aion^'ieano— :tnd q^AV

CHRISTMAS CARDS. Wullie and Wellwisher, Sherlock Holmes, Taniwha, Lizzie 8., Veronica 11.