LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 75

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto: —We write for the benefit of others, not for ouraelves.

/ fl^No letter to contain more than 450 words.

Dear Dot, — I think the first thing for me to do is to wish you a bright and prosperous New Year. . I am rather late in wishing ycu it, but you will forgive mo this ( time, won't you, Dot? The holidays are over now, and I am back to my work at school. Not iorjg ago I went to Queenstown. My cousin and my brother met me at the boat, and that light we drove out to Arthur's Point. My cousin and I stayed with Weary that night, and the nest day my cousin went back to Queenstown. Weary took me to gee Nance Lee and L. O. L., and in the evening I | went to Miller's Flat and had a talk to Mountain Violet. On Monday morning Weary ] and I went to see the shearing, and I saw| Tim Doo.au, but waa not talking to him. In I the afternoon I went to the place where my biciher was -working, and then I went to sea the hydraulic sluicing. It waa very interesting watching -the force of the water come out through the pipes and washing all the I dirt away. We stood and watched it for a, whi'.e, and then we started for home, for I was going back to Queenstown that evening. Next day I went on the boat with my J ccusin. She is cook on the boat, so I helped her to do some of the work. When I got back to Queenstown it was raining a little, but it soon cleared' off. I saw * good few D.L.F. in Queenstown, but was only speaking to Gipsy Queen, May, and a few others. I returned home the next day, after having had a real good time. When I arrived at home there were a- few fires smouldering, but nobody seemed to take any notice of them. A few days afterwards a strong wind sprang up and 1 the fires began to burn. Soon all the bush was on fire, and we, cquld not even see across the road fox smoke. The sawmill, a large house beside it, «nd the station were burnt down; while a truck of wood, standing near Ihe station, was also burnt. Two mills — on© about a mile away, and the other about •three miles — were ateo burnt. "When night came on all our water was gone, and if the he use had caught fire we should have had no water to put it out. We were all glad when it started to rain, for it put the fires out. The next day everybody had sore eyea. Some of us couldn't even open them. With : love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting ! yourself dear Dot, — Yours truly, ' ' SWEETBRIAR. Dear Dot, — This is the first letter I have written to you, but I wrote two or three letters to the late Dot. I was very sorry to hear of Mr Fenwdck's death, and my eyin- • pathy is with his friends and relatives. But I am sure that our new Queen Dot will faithfully fill his place. Our Christmas holidays are over now, and we went back fo school on the 2Sth January. We had our school concert before we broke up, and it was very good. Several of the children recited, »nd there wa3 a supper at the, end. We got our prizes the day we broke up. I got first prize m my class and my brother Wee Tarry got second prize in his class. The name of my prize is "The Flower of the Grass Market." It is a very nice book. *""" They are building a new haJl at Pahia, and we axe going to have our school picnic when it is finished. We are milking 17 cows, and we are taking the milk to a. cheese factory. I J am enclosing one shilling in stamps for tUe -Cot Fund.— Yours truly, KACHEL. Dear Dot,— Thia is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will allow me to join a* a D.L.F. I am 14 years old, and in the Seventh Standard at school. I was at our school picnic a day or two ago, and enjoyed myself very much. There were not very many at the picnic, but there was a big crowd at the d.mcc at night. Our school holidays are just over, and we are back to school aga<n. We have had very warm weather for this last month or so, but it has been lery windy during this week. There havo bon big bush fires in the neighbourhood, several persons getting "their property damaged. With love to yourself and all rhs D L P .— Youra truly, L. C. H. [I think you would get your badge before seeing your letter in print, L. C. H , and you would know from that tha>t you had been accepI ted as a member of our band. I suppose you are quite used to beinsr. at school again ; have you forgotten how it feels to have holidays?— EOT.] D«»ar Dot. — I am sorry that such a misfortune should have happened to my first letter. You must have lost the address, as I enclosed it with "the letter. But it was really my fault, as I cut it too small. We have been for a picnic since I last wrote, and we had 1 a most delightful day. I promised to leil 1 you how the Presbyterian Sunday school picnic turned out. The weather was not all one cou'd have wished for, but the picnic was r.ot spoiled for all that. The people joined ' heartily in the games, and some went for walks. The chijdren ran races, and one prize was a live rooster. On the trip home i the lake was rather rough. We start school to-day, Dot. We have had windy weather lately. There is going to be another picnio scon. To-day is my birthday, Dot, so I thought I would write to you , but I must ciose now. With love to all the L.F. and yourself,— Yours truly, POPPET. Dear Dot, — I have be»n interested in your page for a long i>me, and have always wished to become one o! your happy band; so. Dot,

if yon will allow me to join, that is all I de-sire. I am employed on a farm four miles, fioni any township, and we* milk 42 cows sight and morning; the Test of the day is put in with other work. We have just finished harvesting, and have everything cleared uo, for It really docs look aa if it would ran?. This year is the driest experienced since 1692, and everybody wishes it would rain ; we have to feed cur cattle with straw and cart water for tt-em, and such «. business it is. There are no other cattle kept but purebred Ajrshires, and every year at show time wo pick t^e bcsit and send them to the show. Last year wef showed cattle -at Oamaru and Dunedin. At Oftmaru we got seven first pr.ies and one .'hampion, with many other prizes, and at Dunedin we got the lot! Now, dear Dot, I hope you will not refuse n«y request. With love to the D.L.F., including vour3s".f. — Yours truly, DEERFOOT. [Before I can consider you. a real D.L.F.. Deerfoot, I must have your name to enr»-l >ou. You forgot to send that, although you gave me your full address. Could you let ma have it, dear? No wonder you are proud of your Ayrshire cattle, with such a recoid of prizes as that! They must be a splendid herd.— DOT.] [Many happy returns of your birthday, dear Poppet ; you did not tell vie how old this birthday made you. I suppose that other address most hay« been tucked aw«y in a corner of the envelope, and perhaps remained there when I took your letter out. But, you kiiow, you need not write your address on a separate piece of. paper: if you, write it opine last sheet of your letter, I always scratch it out before it goes upstairs to the printer. I think the live rooster waa an excellent prize; did the lucky winner have any trouble taking it. home?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — Christmas and the holidays are cvtr, and we are settled down again to hard work. We had a very quiet Christmas here ov/jig to tho bkd weather. Our annual picaic was held in the school grounds on the 2Sth December, nnd we also'held a dance at night. The ,picnic waa dull, owing to the very showery weather, but there was a good turnout at th« dance. Dear Dot, if you were to drivo through Chasland3 just now you would think we were a very industrious people. On every farm you would see two or three hands armed with sickles or scythes slashing at that noxious weed tansy. I went for a ride of about 15 miles yesterday, and, not having been on horseback for over six months, I felt it. My mate, Mushroom, and I left ricrae at 10.30 a.m., and after a ride of about II miles arrived at your old friend Neva's about 12 o'clock. \Mter waiting there for some time w«» romounted and struck out for tho Waikawa township, five miles further on. The raia, which had been threatening for tone time, now commenced to pour, and by the lime we reached our destination we were soaked. So we got our horees attended to and went into the boarding-house with great ideas of warm cups of tea and big roaring fires. Imagine our disgust on entering the titling room to discover two sparks about the size of a marble smouldering away amidst great clouds of smqke, and our clothes just dripping! What could we do but laugh! Wei), we look eff our coats, hung them on the back of chairs, and sat down before the fire to make the best of a bad job. We bat this way for about 10 minutes, when someone entered with an armful jf wood, so it wasn r t long before we had a good fire. Our next comfort was a warm cup of tea, and at 5 p.m. we rose to leave, refreshed! and comfcrted. We arrived home at 7.15 p.m., wet thicugh, as the raiti had never ceased. As we can:© in sight of our chimney-tops we felt within us, "There's no place like, home."* I Lope I have not made this letter too long, Dot. Love to Holly Tree, iMttstard Plaster, Tansy, and Mushroom. — Yours truly, TH3 SMILING LASS. tAro you living at Chaslands now, Lassie? Your last address was different. I hope you v/er© not very stiff the day after your ride, and had neither rheumatism or a cold in your head.- -DOT.] Dear Dot, — I went to a picnic the other day, and had a grand time. I spent a very quiet Christmas this year. Water is getting very short new, and I think we shall ha^o to san and carry it coon. Are you going up to the Exhibition, Dot? I think I shall be going up in a day or two. I do not wish to exchange autos with any Little Folk. I know you, Biddy, also Topsy Kiuger. But you will never guess who I am. I saw you, too. Auntie's Uncle, not long •go. With love to all the D.L.F. and your-eelf,-Yours truly, S. A. M. Dear Dot,— We are having very wind> and showery weather. I have left school now. We are milking 26 cows and feeding 18 calves. We have three pigs — 'two black one 3 and a white one. We have a new schoolteacher here. I would like to change poetcards with any LF. My address is GRACE DARLING, P. 0., Macraes, Ot-agtf. Dear Dot, — There was a sale here to-day, and things went very cheap; come cattlewere not sold at all. We had cix weeks' holidays. I went swimming most of the time ; sometimes I went out setting traps for rabbits. We got a horse a few months ago and when we put him in the cart he would have kicked it to pieces if we Bad not put kicking-straps on him. We can see the trains going up and down the railway line; they stop about six or seven miles away from our house. The weathor is terrible 4bout here; there has be?n very little rain, and the crops are all failures on account oi the dry season. Tho river is very low, end some people think it will go dry before very ifng There aie plenty of fish in it. People often go fishing for eels. — Yours truly, COWBOY. Dear Dot,— The »cHool picnic ie to be held 'on Friday, and if it is -a fine day I intend going, and hope to enjoy myself; then the next time I write to you I shall try to give you an account of it. We have been having very hot weather lately, and the feed for the cattle is very scarce on account of the dry weather and the fires; so much of the- graas has been burnt. Do you like reading, Dot? I do. and I think Ethel Turner writes very nice booke. When are you going to «end m ycur retiring letter, Bridesmaid? I am looking for it every week. — Yours truly, ROSABELLE. Dear Dot, — As all tho rest have gone to bed, and we are sitting by the fire in the kitchen, we thought we would write you a few lines to »ay we are et-JJ alive in our mountainous distric* of Dunrobm, nicknamed "Hills of Jerusalem." Outside the wind is howling dismally, accompanied occasionally by the cheery bark of a dog. We three are once more together, after one of us being absent for two years. One finds old friendship "111* beit. We were all at the Dunrobin School picnic end dance. The picnic wae dull, as 'it was 100 windy to enjoy games ; but the darce was splendid, breaking up at 1 a.m. We had a pleasant drive home of four miles, and were nearly asleep when we arrived. To-day we had our dinner down the paddocks with ' the boy e, and alter dinner, uwe were tired,

we three tried te sleep for an hour or two, j but there was no chance, as the two little j children were chattering while they busied themselves washing up. At 3 o'clock we* left, and, after much climbing, eating gooseberries and snowberries, home was reached in an hour. Then a musical selection on the piano and graphaphone livened us up til tea ; and now we find ourselves writing to you. Well, Dot we intend .going to Mr Plant's concert and dance on Wednesday night, and as the K.M. Rifles' sports and dance sre on the same day, I do not know how the people will attend. However, we are going to the former. As there are no theatres here, all the country people go to every entertainment, from a circus to a church sooial. As the hours are hastening on tovrards midnight, we shall have to clo.«e. With love to all the Little Folk and yourself. — Yours truly, J. F. M., PEARL QUEEN. THE SHEPHERDESS'S FAIRY. [Thank you for the auto, cards you sent me with your letter. I already know one cf Ihe trio personally — the one, I should think, to whom you refer as having been absent for two years. Perhaps one ?f these days I shall meet tho three of you together DOT.] Dear Dot,— This is our first day at school a.ter our six weeks' holidays. I spent my holidays in Dunedin, and a, rery enjoyable tj i?* - 1 had « io °- I went P*»t the Witness office, but did not go in. I was also at tho •ports on New Year's Day, and then in the -evening took the car to St. Kilda, and walked along the beach to St. Clair; then we took the car home again. Another time I wemt to St. Clair in the morning, tnd had a good time at the beach. We did not come homo again till tea time. Is not the new Railway Station splendid? The Beses o' th' Barn Band are to be in Gore to-*igb+, but we are not going, because it is too far. We never gp to anything in Gore, at night. I believe the band is very good, though. I am tending erne shilling for the Cot Fund; I did not think it would cost £50. It is very windy weather here, and so dry. ,My pony is very fat and fnsky just now. Witt love to all the D.L.F. and yours*lf,— Yours truly A MOUNTAIN MAIDEN. wSffc we ? ther h€re has } cry t*' but lfc w raining to-night I find tho Little Folk's letters 6 very I was very sorry to read' of Awkward Ned "taring but hope to hear or him in Old Wnters'Week. I send my best wishes to aim. There have been some big bush fires nere late.y; there 13 one in the bush toi.igh^ I aor going to send my share towards the Cot Fund. I hope it will be a success. I am reading a" very interesting book of fairy tales. The turnips are growing very well this year, but the oats are very short. We bay& a new teacher at our school. To-morrow is ins first day. and I am wondering what he will bo hke. We have about 60 chickens and a few young ducks. The ducks are very fond oi waddling about in the water. With love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, AWKWARD MEG. Dear Dot,— We are having very dry weather lust now, but I hope it will rain soon because we are very short oi water. I was a« a picnic here a little while ago. I ran in two races, and came second in each one. I am sending one shilling to the Cot Fund With love to all the Little, Folk, yourself, and the editor. — Yours truly, MISS MIGNONETTE. Dear Dot,— As it is a wet day and we can t get out anywhere, we thought we would take the opportunity of writing to you; it is so seldom at this busy time of the -year that we get a quiet hour to ourselves. I* is a very rough day to-day, and we are keeping a sharp lookout for the bush fires, which have been so prevalent this summer. They are not a-quarte-r of a "mile away today, and the wind is blowing in our direction ; the smoke is simply minding. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, however, \ve aro having a glorious summer, and many of the young people, to say nothing of their elders, have had some exceedingly pleas-ant times. A few of us young people round about arranged to meet at a certain spot at a certain time one holiday. We were all there punctually for once, and started for qur destination to have a picnic. After walking about three miles we arrived there in time to boil, the billy and prepare lunch. When this was accomplished we were "photographed. Our photographer, however, took us unexpectedly, when we were all laughing heartily at a passing joke. Indeed, some of the party turned out so awful that when the photowa3 presented one of the party took the face of Cathns for the Glenomaru tunnel) We thcr. gathered our belongings together and winded our way dowr. the river bank to the Purakinui Falls, where we were agsiin snapped by our wily friend the photographer; but we were mere lhan ready for* him that time. We spent tho rest of the time playing gamos and rambling about the bush uniil 5 o'clock, when we again boiled the billy. After a most enjoyable meal we gathered up our baskets (which we found much lighter than on starting) and proceeded home. But as- we were quietly trudging along, a few of the merrier ones of our party became rebellious, and started a bid-a-bid fight. It lasted about 10 minuteb at a furious rate, and a few of us were in a terrible state at the end of that time, being quite unrecognisable. We arrived home, however, about 7 o'clock, quite safe, but there was a gi©at demand for brushes and combs. On New Year's Day Catlins and I went over to Houipapa to a picnic. It was a glorious day, and we enjoyed it splendidly. We played games up till about 6 o'clock, and then Ithe young people all gathered at the school, where a very enjoyable dance was indulged in uirtil daylight We saw a goodly number of your Little Folk, Dot. both at tho picnic and dance— namely, Catlin's Lover, Sympathy, Pretty Polly. Harlequin. Cabbage Tree Jack, and Buller. I wonder li Cabbage Tree Jack thought the road very long when he went for the gTamapbone that night' One glorious day in the holiday time a number of us procured a boat and went for a picnic on the Catlin's River and lake. While boating on the Catlin's the pleasuieseekers have to be very careful of the numerous snags in its dark waters. We left the landing about 10 a.m., and, with an experienced man at the helm, we safely steered our barque into the Catlin's Lake. Our troubles, however, were not ended yet, as none of our party was acquainted with the channel's winding course, but wiui all, our inexperience we struck ground only twice. We landed near Pounawea, secured our boat, and all started off to find a suitable camping-place. We found a clear creek without much bother, and filled our biHy there. We ate our lunch, and then proceeded in a body to the beach, where we scattered, all roaming different ways. The time passed quickly and pleasantly, and we were back at our camping-ground about 5 o'clock for tea, laden with seaweed and sheila. After tea we made for the boat, which w« had left on dry land; But, alas, the tide had come in, and our boat waa' rocking in th« water. One of tb» party, however, mote courageous than the rest, placed a long pole from the land to the boat, and proceeded to walk to it. When he was about imlfwaj over

he turned some sort of a somersault a&8. landed head first in the water. He was not to be beaten, for he clambered into tho beat, little the worse for his immersion. W» reached our landing-place up the Catlin'a River about 8 o'clock, & little tired, perhaps, but thoroughly well pleased with ourselves. One evening last week we want to a "basket" party. On our way wo had to cross tho river on a plank, which frightened Witchery very much. We arrived at our destination about 9 p.m., and there we spent a most enjoyable time. The worst of it was* coming he me. There were 'dancing and reeitaitiona and games. We saw Sympathy and Catiin's Lover* there. We had a long way to walk, and consequently didn't get home till the "wee sma' 'oors," but wo were feeling pretbfit. as our kind hostess had refreshed us with a cup of tea. Witchery is going up ». . the Exhibition in about a month, so I'll . have to go on alone until she comes back. — Yours ,truly, WITCHERY & CATLIXS. Dear Dot,— l see by the Witness all 'ck? L.F. aie just now telling you about 3£-* I pleasures of their holidays; so, .as I have n<.* I written to the page for over a year, 3 j thought I would try and give you a description of my trip to Timaru, where the Oamax'i trades picnic was held. I stayed the nigh?, before with a friend in Oamaru. Thursdo,'morning dawned bright, fresh, and fair, aaS the first thing I did when I awoke was to peep _ out of_ the window, <md, lo ! the sun wa3 just rising in the heavens, and cast its rays just over my window. The little birds were piping forth *their sweet strains , «£ joyous music in welcome to the bright moming sun. Everything looked beautiful an* promising for a bright and sunny day. We bc-arded the train, and were very soon speed* ing towards our destination. We could nofc" get a seat all the way up; the train waa just crowded, there being ,1500 passengers aboard. We reached Timaru about .11 o'clock, and proceeded to the. town, of which we made a hnjrried investigation, and then v wended our way towards Caroline Bay, whew the picnio waa to be held. Upon reaching the bay we chose a pretty little spot, wheie we had some lunch, and then proceeded to; view our surroundings. The first thing w« did was "to make our way down to tbo swing, where we had about 20 ./minutes' ridei for a penny. The awing was made in ( th« shape of a small boat. Two persona get vii at the same time, and by pulling a small rope/ attached to a pole, from which the swings is suspended, give themselves a splendid* swing. From the swing we proceeded towards the harbour, where we decided to have! a, look over some boats whioh were then lying. *t anchor. Indeed, I think we put, the stewards to more trouble than was reallyi necessary. On one ship the cook politely* offered us a cup of tea. We then proceeded to the flourmills, where we were greatly in-; tcrested in all we saw. We went up to thti top storey, from where we could see all ove* the town. We next visited the churcheaJ' hospital, and park. I think the hospital grounds are splendid. In the evening thei band played in the rotunda. Our train lofa Timaru at a-quarter to 6] and arrived all Oamaru a little after 8. Next evening, al4 though very tired, I waved my farewell to im friends as the train steamed out ot the? station. I must close now. With love toi Lady Stair, Infanella. and Giulia. not forget^ ting yourself and the new editorr— Yoiuur truly, crfiiOSj f Dear Dot, — Many changes have taken place.' since I last wrote to the page. Our old Dot 1 haa passed away, and another has filled his' place. Lake the rest of the L.F., I was sorry to hear of his death; but I hope wa will learn to love our new Dot as> we did thaj other. I waa 'down at Dunedin in the winter, 1 but did not go to the show. I will tell you' how I spent my Christmas holidays. I went* to- the Ratanui sports on the 28th December^ «nd met a few L.F. there— Tip CW, E. L. M.,^ Country Larrikin, and Catlins. I spent ar very enjoyable dny. I wiU not say whero'i I went on New Year's Day, because ~lha#| would let everyone know who I am; but F also spent a very l good time with some friends. There have been some great fires lately; almost everything is burnt up. I have read a good few books lately. — Yours truly, 'JOAN LOWRIB. Dear Dot, — Having told you part of our> holiday, I will now try to finish about ouradventures and travelling. After coming back from Dunollie, we snatched a few hours,* sound sleep, and awoke at 9 o'clock as freaif as daisies wet with the morning dew. Ifc was a lovely day, so in the afternoon M. R. and I went to the park to watch the trotting, while Bush Boy, Scribbler, and A Silent! Member went to visit a friend in the hospital. In the evening we found our way to the theatre, and there we spent a few plea* , sant hours watching the play called "The Price of Sin." As next day was Sunday, we ] w^nt to church in the morning, and then for | a walk as far as the Tip-head. There wo ' stood for a while gazing on the mighty ocean, and watching the great masses ofi weves as they Err ok c in foam against th« rocks. These lines, written by Byron, cam« rushing to my memory: "There is a pleasure in the pathless woods. There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music in its roar.'* In the afternoon we went to the hospital, anJ In the evening M. R. and I walked up to> the reservoir. There from the top of tha hill we saw the sun sink down behind tha ocean, and the town of Greymouth bathed! in the beautiful glow of a summer sunset. We then went again to see the ocean wave^ and the seagulls, and came back to retire to rest. On Monday morning we left GreymontK for Hokitika, arriving in that pretty town' at noon. The afternoon went by watching the sports and meeting friends. Here we had' the honour to meet again Mx T. SeddonJ In the evening Bush Boy and Scribbler wenfc back to GreymoutK. No persuasions on theii^ part would induce us to leave on New Year's, Eve. At 11 o'clock the rockets were shofi into the sky, and 1 a procession, headed hf[ th© bagpipes, two bands, and the Fire Brigade, marched round the town saluting-, playing, firing off fireworks, and shouting for nearly an hour. Before midnight the marching ceased, and the- crowd gathered in fronti , of the Fire Brigade Station; and then sueh 7 a display of fireworks greeted the thousands of spectators! At 12 o'clock the city clock chimed out the last hour of 1906, the firebelß rang, the rockets shot into the clear, starry, sky, burst over our heads, and 1 droppetf hke a shower of •falling stars; while tna church bells rang out from every side theic farewell peal to the Old Year. While stand> ing watching, wondering, and listening, £ could not help recalling Tennyson's lines: "Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty night; The year is dying in the night, Ring out, wild bells, aad let him die! Ring out tho old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow; The year ip going; Jet him go I" Then, when all Was hushed again, the Dftgv pipes began to play that grand yet sweet eld tune "For auld lang syne." The bands then took up the strain, and the crowd was held in wonderment. When the last sweet note died away all turned and shook hands, and the rockets Mid, fireworks burst forth a?

gay as ever. One thing that I liked very much was the figures 19 0 7 suspended in the air, one burning mass of sparks, and changing in hoe evcy few moments. Then the bands and pipes played "Rule Britannia," and the fireworks slowly decreased as the - crowd grew less dense. On New Year's Day ■ws came to Gfeymouth. and spent the afterrocn at the races and the evening in the theatre, following the many scenes and characters in "Our Guardian Angel." Thus ended our pleasures, for next morning we bade our friends adieu and' left the striving crowds of busy people and 1 the bustle of trains and holidays fcr-our quiet home among the hills. Sweet memory now holds the happy hours. With my fond love to all, including Dot and the editor, — Yours truly, PAPAROA. Dear Dot, — We received the Witness last evening, and I have rea/J many of the letters. Among' them I see is Awkward Ned's retiring leUe-r. I am sure Dot and her Little FoLks will regret his absence from the page ; but we musi all lock forward to hearing from him at O.W.W. and S.S.W. I also see that we can no longer blame F. H, for having this unknown norn deplume, as her last letter reads as if she is a Southland comrade. Where ara yen of late, Dark Horse? I am afraid ■yon must have lost all heart and soul, or ws ■would surely have heard more than once from ycu. Were you at the D.L.F. picnic, comrade? - And did you se? Biddy there I enjoyed myself immensely You won't te<l, will ycu, Ll';tle Nt-H? My xmsans are up her* ?tay'Dg for a few day*.' ho'idny , they seem to be enjoying themselves. I mu-l now close this letter. With love to Dct and fell the Little Folks,— Yours truly BIDDY O' TOOLE. [I hope you have got over your attack of influsnzft, Biddy. I think it was very nnfortuiiate for you to havp to pass your birthaay in bed ] think you ought to celebrate ycur b rthday on another day this year — siy * public holiday —DOT ] Dear Dot,— Many years have elapsed since I lust penned thes-e two little words. I dent suppose any of the D L.F. will remember me. I used to write to the page years ago, when we signed our own name instead "«f a norn de plume. I »ni over age. Dot, •3 I hope ycu -will Hot mind me sending in any farewell letter, as it i 9 better late than never. I am writing this on the eve of my twecty-firet birthday, and I can tell you, Djt, I am beginnin- to feel ancient. Somehow, the years soem to fly round, and I think the ol^ei you get "tie quicker 4ho years go by I wen* to hear the great Besses o' th' Barn Band vhen they cuie to Invercacgill, and it Was quit* ft tee*t to hear them play. The piece I liked bert was the hymn 'Abide with ime 1 ' ; it was really, lovely, and just tounded like *n organ pkyitg. However, it, » no use my describing it, »« I suppose- you beard them in Dunedin. I paid " a visit to y©ui city at Chriitßtta for the first ti«», and I- think it is f*r ib«d of Invercargill. We ar« quit* ft DX.F. fawily low. 1 have a brother -and a sister 'who write to the cage under the corns de- plume- of Office Boy and Minnie Grey. We m*6 guile a large band of DX F. in our district ; everyone seems to like to writ* to Dot, and I think it is a true saying — "Once a DJJ.P., ftlw|g« a D.LJV AiUumeii I bar* not

•written for so many years I have always takpn s keen interest in the page, and I thought I would like to write one more letter. I have never been to any, of the Invexcargill D.L.F. n eetings, although we live only a few miles out of town I am thinking of getting a bicycle, so I may be able to attend them in the future. Dear Motu-Rimu and Maid Yvonne, I have not seen a letter from you for a long time. I will now sa-y good-bye, Dot. With love to all D.L.F.,— Yours truly, KILLMENY. [Dear Kilmenny, I was glad to receive y<UT letter and glad to publish it, because it shows me how lasting is the interest that the DL F. take in the- page. Although, af. you sny, you have not written for several years you feel that you must write again to say your good-bye , and as you wrote no retiring letter at the proper time. I think I am quite justified in letting this appear as your farewell. I hope your interest in all D.L.F. matters will still remain as keen ai ever, and that you wjll be able to enjoy the club meetings once you get your new bicycle.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am going to tell you how I spent my holidays. Fust. I went to my aunt's at Seaw-ard Bush, near Invercargill. While I was down there the Seaward Bush fires were raging. The house we used to live ;n at Tisbury was destroyed 1 can remember the time, not many years ago. when we could not see our next-door neighbours, the bush being: so thick My EiPterb and I often used to light fires -o burn the lubbish off "our place, and no damage wwoa o done by doing so then It wa-s terrible to see the places being destroyed, now that the bush is almost cleared away and the grass growing round the places that were burnt. When my holiday was nearly over at Seaward Bush, I received a letter from my married cousin at Gore asking me to come and stay with her for a week. So I had a good time in Gore, and only arrived Lome two days before the school reopened. Dear Dot. do you not think I was a lucky girl to have such a nice long holiday? With love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting you.fielf, — Yours truly, BLACK-EYED SUSAN. [Yes, dear, T am glad >ou enjoyed you holidays so much: it will give you pleasant memories for the whole year, won't it'— DOT] Dear Dot, — I have at last p ucked up couragp to write to you, and I mean to keep it up liow I have started. I wits very sorry to hear of our late Dot's death, and I sincerely hope our new Dot will be as much loved and respected as he was. Deax Dot, the Newcastle Braes Band arrived here yesterday morning by the Maheno. and they played coming up the harbour. Yesterday evening the Newcastle- Band and others gave an openair performance in ihe Basin Reserve. With lovb to The Lass oi Richmond Hill and Maid Margaret oi Galloway and the ether D.L.F.. — Youtm truly, VIOLA 11. - l)e»r Dot, — This is the first time I here written to you. I am 14 years and 8 month* old, and I am in tie Fifth Standard. There axe three girls going tq the school I go to, all D.L.F.. and I make the fourth. I live six miles from Invercajgil). It is a nioa Tide in the train going to Invercargill from where I live. I have been leading the

D.L.F. Page for two or three weeks now and 1 have taken a great interest in it. I know a few D.L.F. down here, including .Minnie Grey, Happy Ike, Billy Blister, and a few others. With love to all fehe L.F., not forI getting yourse'f, — Yours trvlv TENITA. 1 [Welcome to the page, dear, since this is your first letter.— DOT ] Dear Dot — The up here is very hot and dry, and a week's ram would do a lot of good. The shearing is now over, and the farmers, are busy cutting their crops. We intend going tc the Exhibition in about n fortnight or three weeks, and we will be ab e to tell you all about it when we come ■ boms. We think the Cot Fund is a good sthsme, and hope it will soon be completed. We ere very fond of reading, and we have iead a. good number of books We like Mrs | Henry Wood's books best. We know a lot | of D.L F , and we have a good mimoer ct autos. Do you collect post-cards 9 We ' do. end we have a good many between us. This is our first letter togethei With love to Dot and all the Little Folk,- -Yours truly J.. A., and J. Dear Dot.— l have beer, going to write to -\ou for a long time, but somehow I have "ver mpde a start befoie. I believe there are no boy writers to the D.L.F. Page in Brxmner, though I know of several girl ■Ariteis. Brunner is a. very wild-looking ".dace. I believe the Binmier Borough is one of the largest, boroughs in area in Xew Zealand, but the population is only about 1400. The G-rey River runs through the borough. On the Westfend side of the rher is Dobson, named afteT Dobson the surveyor, who was murdered by the notorious Kelly Gang. There is a monument erected at the place where he was killed. Then come Wallsend and Brunner proper, where the coal rninps are situated; then Stillwate 1 ", * v.here the Reeiton and Otira railway lines meet. On the Nelson bank of the river are Taylorville (where the principal population is) and Kendalton. Our annuaJ school excursion to Hokitika was h-eld last Saturday, and, nlthough there was not so laTge a crowd a3 usual, all seemed to enjoy themselves. The weather wa3 perfect We had a few showers on Friday, and they seemed to cool | the atmosphere. In common with the rest of the South Island, we have been having very warm and dTy weather We have been having some beautiful sunsets lately. As the sun sinks below the horizon the c'ouds in the western sky lose their fleecy whiteness and become first golden and then pink, then carmine and "then purple: as the light slcwly fails the &ky becomes leaden coloured, and at the last the stars come out sparkling like diamonds in the deep blue vault of heaven. I think J must bring this to a cose I hope you will accept me a& one of your Little Folk, Dot. Perha.ps I will be able to write you -a more interesting letter next time. As I have been so long in writing to you, I fhmk Taihoa will be an appropriate norn de plume for me. Love to all the L.F., and also to yourself, dear Dot.— Yours tiuly, TAIHOA. [Now you have aroused my curiosity aboat the meaning of your norn de plume, Taihoa ; why is it so appropriate? You will perhaps tell me in your uext letter. For I do accept ; you for one of my Little Folk, and shall I expect, now that you have broken the ice, to j hear from you frequently. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — This is the first time I have written to you, and I hope you will receive Ime as one "of your happy D.L F. band. I . i have taken a great interest in leading the | "etters written by the D.L.F. My sister was I a D.L.F., and I have a sister a D.L F. now. There are three D.L.F. .going to our school now. Have you been to the Exhibition yet, fc Dot? I have, and I think it is worth going to see. I was up there a little over a fortnight, end I had a grand time. We are having very dry weather up here, and we are I all longing for rain I will close now, with love to all the D.L.F— Yours truly. SEiIIRAMIS. [Yes, dear, I will indeed recen c you as one of myl Little Folk. Do you know anything about the great queen whose name yoti have taken 9 I think it would majce a very interesting letter if you would find out aJI about her and writo and tell us.— DOT ] Dear Dot,— lt is with pleasure I write to you once more, just to -enc'ose my brother's and my own mite towards the Cot Fund. I think it a splendid idea. I hope if I ever come to Dunedin I will be able to see the cot. I enjoyed myself through the holida3 - B v-ery much. I have been to two picnics this year. I met Sunbeam at both of them, but I am very sorry tha.t I forgot to tell her that I write tc +he page. I like rowing and riding Rowing is good exercise for the arms and legs, and so is riding We have had very dry weather here lately, but wo had a shower of ram to-day lam learning to ride a bicycle, but I am certain you have got to have some spills before you can ride. We have started school again, and lam glad , j if I pass next year I will be able to leave, j I often see some D.L F., but I never get the chance to speak to them. It is vctv qniet here just now. and business is very slow in the shops There are a Jargp number | of touristß up here, and nearly all the boarding-houses axe full I c uppo&e it is very dry in Dunedin 11 "theie i 3i 3 no rum All the farmers are crying out for water for their crcpo. T went for a walk down the c ic!e of the lake looking for maidenhair ferns. We walked six miles there and six miles back My companion: fell int< <be ci eek. '■ : f that made no differen<e, we still went op. ! We found lots of d-fferent kinds of leins There were lizards of ail description*? We found some mistletoe, and we had a good laugh over it. too Another time we are going to start in the morning and take cvi lunch with ns, and see how many miles we can go in the day. I with I could tome *o Dunedin for a holiday for a week or two to see all the D.L F. down there I would like to see you all and help you in \our ticublcs I suppose you have grand times down there I have a Tide every night on hoiseback I went foi a nd^ last Sunday. There are some very pretty hV.le ppots about here It i« vptv nice to go for a row on the lake when it is calm. I have a brother writing to the page besides myself, arid I "think 1* io so nice to read the letters of D L.F I must come to a. close now, as it is getting late — Yours truly, BOBBIEDEAR il suppose lizards are more plentiful with you this hot season than tn-ey have beeii before , is that so, Bobbied^ar ' I have -iot seen many in or near Dunedin. But tins particularly dry season has made a different* to many things. I notice that some of our native shrabs are beginning to look \try unhappy. Even that touph-leaved olearia is looking extremely limp — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am bUU another of the many newcomers to the page, and I hope your precious tune wil permit you to e-nroi me as •cue of your large army of D L.F. Well, Dot. I am working in the back-blocks at blackgxnithing', and from, it I am taking my norn de plume. The weather is still terribly dry, and in this district the. oat crops and wheat crops on the whole have been very poor. The turnips will aLo be a failure unless a heavy rain sets in ; but. of course, thai does not seem very likely. I was at J

the Middlemaxch sports on New Year's Day. nnd enjoyed myself "very well, though I fancy that a larger attendance oculd have gathered. There rs a great difference between the busy streets of Dunedin and here, for it is just about as quiet a place as I have lived in, and instead 1 of a sea beach to l&ok on there is only the muddy Taieri. I kr.ow a good many D.L.F around the place I came from, but some of them are ole? writeis. Well, dear Dot, I will not write ycu a very long letter for the first time, so, with for.de=t wishes for a happy life in the present yea^ to ail the D.L.F. and yourself, — Yours truly, APPRENTICE. [There is always Tocm for each newcomer. Apprentice ; and your place is ready for you amonnf u= I have enrolled your l ame. and bid you welcome —DOT.] Dear Dot. — I pm going to give ycu a description of the place in which I live — the beautiful township of Kurow. It is a lovely p'.ace to rive m. There are a good many hills about, and they look lovely, covered w^ih stones and rrratagauri. The Yv'aitaki River flows down between Knrow and Haka. separating the ono township from the other. There are a good many trees about here, so you can imagine the number of birds that live in them. The bsst place to see a pretty flower garden is> down at Pnddv's Flat. They have got. some love'.y fl^weis.— Yours truly, SN'OWBERRY. Dear Dot, — Do you like spiders' I don't. One is just taking an evening- walk over the table, mkstand, and — there! I have knocked it on to the floor. A -great many of the resid-ents about here have gone to the Exhibition this week: We are digging a new well as wo are shcrt of water, and I think nearly everybody else is short of water as well as us. With love to W. W. L. L., Trixie 11. Uncle's Aunty, Lady Gray, end yourself, — Yours truly, WALTERETTA. P S — Dear Kaia, are your initials M.M. ? Dear Dot — The crops abont here are very poor on account of the dry weather. Nearly all the people here are carrying their water. I don't think I am going to the Exhibition, and 1 am not troubling very much. It seems very fnnny going back to school after being at home so Long. There have been a lot of fires on account of the dry weather. A big train cam© up through our township to-night. There were 18 trucks and two engines on it AM hough I did not go away for my holidays, I enjoyed myself very much, as we had some friends staying with us. Love to W. W. L. L , A W. L., and yourself. — Yours truly, MARGERY DAW. Dear Dot, — As I see so many new correspondents writing to jou each week, I thought I would like to write- to you too. I always read all the Little Folk's letters as soon as the paper comes in. There are only two others in this district who write to the page. We are having an extraordinary summer this year , the crops are near'y ripe now. Have you been to the Exhibition? I have not been. Some of the people that have been ■ up seem to hs well pleased, while others say it is no good. The school picnic is to be ! he.d this week, and everybody is looking forward to a good day's outing. lam forwarding one shilling towards the William Fcnwick Cct ; lam very pleased to see that it i? getting on so well. I tun busy collecting post-cards, but I have not got a great many yet. The Besses o th' Barn Band were a great attraction. I would have liked •to hear them, but it was rather far to go. I must now close. Hoping you will have me for one of youx band, — Yours truly, EXHIBITION. {Certainly I will have you, Exhibition ; you. too, have chosen a very up-to-date norn de plume.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — The old year has waned and the new one has started to roll its course s.nce last I wrote to the page. I hope the year we have now entered upon will be a, happy one for all the members of our band We have been having very hot weather here this last month or two — in fact, hotter than we have ' had for some years. We are wanting rain very badly, and this morning it seemedi as if we were going to get what we wished for; but now it seems as far away as ever again. Thi's will be an excellent season fcr bees, as there are millions of white clover flowers — far more than usual. Dear Dot, I am going to try to describe a trip I had a few weeks ago. I left home at half-past 12 to catch the 3 o'clock train, and before long arrived at Omakau. After a, few minutes' stop we made for the next station. Although the train went very quickly. I thought it was going far too siowly. as I was so anxious to get to Alexandra, which was my destination. After being welcomed we made for home and had some tea. So far. so good. My pister and I then made our way up to see Clara, who wab very much surprised to see me. After a bit of a chat and a laugh, it was getting bedtime, so we bade her good-jiight and went home That ended my day's enjoyment. Dear Dot. as the time is flying I must drop iry pen and bid .all the D.L.F. and yourself good-night. — Yours tru'yA PIECE OF DOUGH. Dear Dot. — I have been reading the Witness, and I thought I would write a letter to you We are having such lovely weather at present. I noticed that you have all heard of the Seaward Bush fires, I pitied the p< oi homeless families I was at a picnic on Chiistmas Day, and I enjoyed myself, although it was w.ndy I was also at the dance at aight. and I thought it was better than the picnic The farmers about here have started harvesting and they have had good weather to start with so that was not c o ba'l I O'jly knew two D L.F., but 1 hope to know more toon I must close now, wishing you every sucves*. and love to all the D L.F. and ■\ourself, — Yours truly. ZOE. [The only rules about writing, Zoe. fire that you muei give your norn de plume, name, and address with every letter, and miist write on one side of the paper only. You are welcome as one of our band dear.— DOT ] Dear Dot,— As I write 1 hear the patter of ram on the 100f — the &r6t we have had for about a week. I hope it will put out some of the fires that have been burning leund lie-ore of late Several of the farmers have been nearly burnt out. The milL in front of our house was burnt to the grarmd Did you ever go spearing- flounders, Dot? It is fine fun when there are plenty of fish, about. The laet night we were out we did not have much luck. As many as eight ticzen fish have been speared in one night. 1 must etop now. With love to the D.L.F.. not forgettiE" yourself and th« editor. — Yours truly, HARLEQUIN. Dear Dot — Though I do not often write t"> the pag* I always read the D.L F. lett«rß, and sine* I last wrot« to it I notice a great msny more DL F. have joined your band. It is increasing every week, and I always fe*l proud when I think I am a member of your baix l and able to converse with new c<-n.rade=. Did you go \r> the Exhibition, Dct ' 1 have not been yet, but I went somewhere else instead, and I had a good time. I was at ft picnic at WaJlacctown while I

was away, and I saw one D.L.F. She had n$ badge, but I had mnnp on mj hat, ami sfas observed it, *nd asked me if I were "ft D.L.F. H«r nonr de plume tvUS Foxg'oven and when I spoke to- her you can guess hovs^ proud I was. as she is the* srecond D.L.F. S have met. Dear Dot. I sent my auto, to' .Mayflower alout six months ago, because fh« a.=ked for it. and I hare l-ot received hers rrf return. Row. Dot. don't you Uiick thtt ought to send it? I nope ?ije will see tliia and send it scon. I am willing to excunge autos and post-ca ds with any D.L.F., especially with Go lion, Awkward Ned, T r arry, Foxglove, Rnd Daisy Primrose. With iovo to Dot and all ihe L F , - l r ours truly, L*DY AILSBURY. [I am sure Mayfly ver tiil 1 et orce se-ii yort her auto, when c-hs leads your letter. Sho has probably r orgoi*en, as we ill do scu:<>t^mes, and will hasten to make amends for her fi rgetfulnes3 —'DOT.': Dear Dot, — It is now about three yeax3 since I wrote to your page. We are having very dry weather just now; everything., is burnt up for the vrant of rain, and there* ' is no fruit this year. I .will be 17 years old! on Thursday. I have thrse sisters and six b-cthers. There axe not many Little Folk about here. I was sorry to hear about the kte Dot's death. With love to Tim Doola-3, Mountain Violet, yourself, and the editor,— Yours truly, AWAY THE TRIP. [I hope yoti had a happy birthday, dear. I 1 received your second letter safely this morning, and your brother's letter and his friend's will appear next week, as there were already. 1 enough letters for this 1 week. — DOT.]