LETTERS FROM OLD WRITERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 83

LETTERS FROM OLD WRITERS.

Dear Dot, — It is with vexy great pleasure I sit down to write this Jetter, although it will only be a word or two. I have never forgotten the "dear old page," as we ueed to call it, or the many pleasant connections I had with it. I have been trying to remember how long ago it is sjnee my first letter appeared; as far as I think, it is 18 or 19 years ago, and I can almost remember every word I had in it. We used io sign our own names then; and how I got teased at school about it! Dear Dot^—how those two words bring back my childhood days! But they have brought and taken many sad changes with them, too sad to dwell upon. I have lost all my old correspondents; some have got married, like myself; and find they have no time for writing. This country is a great place for dairying; a great number of the large milking farme have three and four milking machines installed. There are three cheese factories here within a short distance of one another, and all are receiving as much milk as they can work. It is very interesting to see the cheese-making proceis. -My husband is partner in a private factory, so I have often seen the cheese made.. Well, dear Dot. this is all the time I can spare to write this time, so with, best love to yourself and those connected with' the page I will cloae, wishing all a merry Christmas and a bright, prosperous NewYear.— Yourß truly, MAID OF ORLEANS. P.S.— I still h,ave my badge, and I will always treasure It for old time's sake.— M. of O. [I had hardly expeoted to find a letter from you after what Boadicea told me of your little son's illness, ana 1 am all the more «tad to receive We. I hope th*t by thip tune all anxiety with regard to him i* over, and that everything is going smoothly for you once again. It is especially nice of you to have found time, in tie midst of household cares, to send in a letter.—DOT.] Dear (Dot,— lt is a long time* since I last wrote to you. Last winter I was in Nelson. I left Port Chalmers on July 3, Even the elements were weeping. In due time, after a-good passage, we reached Wsilington, where my unole met me, and showed me the wonders of the city. In the evening we left the noisy town and journeyed into the country. It was a long ride, but theTe was so much to see I forgot mil about it. It was a lovely moonlight evening, and the scenery wa« veryweird and rugged. We reached Feotherston about 9 p.m., and then I found out what wind* was. T began to get used to it after a wliile, and went to sleep at night instead of lying awake waiting for the roof to blow off. After a month in the Wairarapa I journeyed baok to Wellington and srowed in a small steamer to Nelson. Will I ever forget ; ii? I found out then what sea-siokness was. Nelson ia a beautiful place, and well named TBleepy Hollow." I spent a few months i there with my aunt, and returned home in. time for my Christmas dinner. I well re- ' member the. first letter I wrote to you, when I signed myself "A Four-pound Loaf." 1 Thanking you for your kind invitation to ; oontribute to Old Witers' Week, I still remain,—Yours truly, LOAF. [It is a good thing, Loaf, that such disagreeables as sea-sickness and strong winds are not with us every day, and that you had 1 to go away from home to learn what they are. It must be very trying to live in a town where there* is almost constant wind; it is most destructive to gardens and to good people's tempera.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I'm coming, and if you are in a specially good humour perhaps I'll not be too late yet. I'm late, and it's little use making excuses for it now. I just want : to say that I'm alive, and still interested in the page, though it's little enough I. manage to see of it. From the page I notice that under your careful guidance a steady increase in contributors has been j effected, and that as much interest is mani- , tested in Dot's Page' to-day as ever there was— both by the adult reader and the youthful. And now I must be Thief, for tiis. i< j>enned just to be with you all on this occasion. A book of poems, entitled "Neptune s Toll, and Other Verses," by John Maclennan, { is just about to be, or has just been, pub- ! lished, at 3s 6d. Thi number of the issue I is limited, and as Mr M«clennan is well known and rospeot«d by all of us as "Blon- , del," of the t),hJP. Page; "Boy Frle.nd, oj j Cosy Comer Club; ana J. Mac!«nnan, as a contributor of verse to other parts of the Witness, I think many of us might do well to place a volume of "Neptune's Toll, gad j Other Verses" in our own little libraries. ! Now, with sincerest wishes for a merry I I Christmas and * l^py New Year, — Yours [ truly, AWKARD NED.

! did for us as long as we were comfortable. ' How nedr Christmas is again! I expect i there will be plenty of D.L.F. then. -I in- j tend to go to Rdverton on Boxing Day if I nothing turns up to stop me, and hope to i meet a few L.F. there. The wharves are j •' very .quiet here just now; there if only one i boat in, a big Home boat, the Whakatane. She has been laid up here some time now, . waiting for a cargo of wool, and is expected to sail some time next month. She seems to bo part of the wharf now, and when she goes we will mass hei for a time. The Maheno and the Wimm&ra were in on Monday, but sailed ths same day for Dunedin and Melbourne respectively. The Salvation Army's Biortun* Band waa on board the Wimmera, bound for Hobarfc, and they played : some lovely nuaio prior to the boat's departure. They were at Bluff from Saturday till Monday, and on Sunday f afternoon they played round the point on the Harbour Reserve, and it woe a treat. There was a big crowd round the point; it looked a lKtle like Bluff on Regatta- Day. I have a wee kitten here called Paddy, and he thinks I am not paying him enough attention, so he will persist ro walking over my letter and < playing wrth the point of my pen. Now, dear Dot, t think I must stop, as I am | afraid 'dy letter will not interest many ? D.£!f.; so with love to Dot and all my , L.F. friends, and wishing all a happy Christ- j mas and a prosperous New Year, I will write "Finis" till next O.W.W.— Yours truly, , BLEEDING HEART. ' [Then Kia Ora must hay« helped in the rescue of the Dundonald castaways: how j glad all the Hinemoa's people must have ( bean -to relieve those poor eufferers! I always look on you and Kia Ora as lovers of the sea, because you always write about it; and I am glad to hear how yo\i love it. — DOTJ Dear Dot, — Air your request I write a few lines once again for Old Writers' Week, as I notice the old ones are greatly yougbt after. It must b» quite five years since I permed a letter to you, Dot. At that time I was single, but now I am married and have a dearUttle daughter. Zitka also has joined the ranks of matrimony. How are you, Ziska? I have quite lost the run of you these few year*. I wonder if Old Boy, Shan • 8.0.8., and Harry will remember me? I i still have all their mementoes, even the Christmas card from Shan with the picture of a sulky girl on the outside beoauM I had offended' him somehow or other. Do you j -temember that, Shan? I often think of the ' fine amusement I had . in writing to yon, Pot. It is grand to look back on those times again. Good-bye, wjih fond love to - all my old companions. If ally wish to i correspond with, me again, Dot, they, are ' welcome to get ray address from you.— Tours truly, MAIOEY * . [I hope Shan does see your letter/ Maidey ; ' how he will smile when he recalls that little incident! I am co glad to hear from you, !

spot it is, and with what pleasure we» feasted i our eyes on its beauty. Yes, and I really I meant to tell how mueb we enjoyed ourj selves, especially my little friend Zealia; of i how wondrously blue the sea was with its [ white-crested waves, creeping ahorewarda and then receding, like our year's coming and going again into the vast Eternity. I . think that Zealia means to give you rather a vivid description of her friend chasing an old Maori along the beach, but I am trusting that she will forget. You see, Dot, he was selling sea-eggs, and as I was particularly desirous of obtaining some of those frail and dainty treasures of the deep, I, in, my characteristic, impulsive way, gave chase to overtake him, much to the amuse-, ! ment of Willow Brook, and Zealia. I must look very innocent, Dot, for Be tried to spin j me * tale of how he robbed the sea of its eggs, and how very angry it wa« when it discovered its loss. However, I only smiled — rather an unbelieving smile. I meant to toll you ■ too, Dot, what a wonderful (?) debater I am rapidly becoming (My trumpeter died last week, and, not having filled hi» place, I have in the meantime t lo blow my own, and of all the, rsd-hot de- ! bates we have. But time is fleeting, and so» > I muet fay adieu. Besides letters from my ? special chums — Moby, Zealia, Beta, Harry, • Boy, Laddie, and Cornish — I trust there will ibe a very full muster of old writers. With love to Dot, I remain, as ever, — Yours truly, JESSICA. [I have not yet come to Zealia' a version of the inoident, but I know there is a letter ; from her in the pile, ao I may still hear 1 how picturesque you looked. And so you af© back home again, Jessica; I hope that while you are there you will gather much sew life and strength in the sweet country air. You, too, finding all your pleasure in memory, and pronouncing life disappointing — what pessimists some of -.my Little Folk are, to be sure!— DOT.] Dear Dot, — What a long time since I wrote those two little words! Yet it seems to me but yesterday that I used to maks a rush for the Witness to see how many familiar names were there. How eagerly tue letters wer* read and reread I I anr realising more truly every day of my life that childhood's days > are our happiest. We . seem to look upon I everything with rose-coloured spectacles in out young days. This morning when I wok© and sprang out of bed to pull up my blind, I could not help thinking how good God is to U9. The tun was simply glorious, and the dew was sparkling on every blade of grass, j I ant looking forward anxiously for Old ', Writers' Week this tune; I nope to see many j old and familiar names. I am sorry to say J cannot get word to my sister, Queen Bess, in time, to get a letter for the page, as she is in Bendigo. Contrary to the usual run J of publio holidays, the 9th of November was • a lovely day. I went with a party of cyclists about five miles out of town, where we had decided to ©amp on tie ediza of ih« bush i

rat Kenningfon. It was an. ideal day tot picnicking, but we were too lazy to go- in for much sport. My brother Colonel BadenPowell, has been in Dunedin for the }»sH year, but he says he has never run againsfi any D.L.F. all the time he has been there. I have just been seeing him off in the express for Christchurch. I was in Christchurch! last year for six weeks, but I was bo glad | to get back to Invercargill. , And now, dean Dot and comrade?, I wul wish you all ai ! merry Christmas and a happy New Year.—* ! Yours truly, MILLICENT. \ [I am very glad you mentioned Queen 1 Bess, as I have often wondered where she was. I hope you have good news from her. Has she settled there or is she just on m visit? It must be hot in Victoria now: I think I prefer our more changeable but cooler climate.— DOT.] | Dear Dot, — As the bugle has called me to be present this day, I must not- disobey, for there would be a vacant chair in our. Old Writers' meeting, and that's just whafe you do not' want, do you, Dot? I do realty hope that this O.W.W. will be a monster gathering. I feel co privileged, Dot, to ba writing to the page again; it does feel sen, grand. I cannot exactly express what I feelj, but when old privileges are renewed one renews old vigours and feelings that were once the joys of our H-res. This <Uy'a gathering will, I am confident, awaken many ai memory, many a sweet thought. It does seem strange "to be out in the world." No/ one but those who are out really knows. the meaning of fighting life's battle, struggling for an existence and trying to len<l • a helping hand. But one short year ago 9 was at hour* under the sweetest guidance on earth, with sisters and brothers to love;; and cherish. ,Alas, then "I never knew what! being' away from that haven meant; I did' not know what it was to b» out in the world. I longed even in that cherished home to jdo for myself, and so, when my longing; ; changed to reality, 1 realised it all, and! many, a time in the stillness of a stranger 1 a, home I have felt a dee» longing to be back in the one horne — the home of my friends and loved' ones. " But I am working on for' my own advancement, and I ant very pleaseot to tell you ell I am succeeding, though very) slowly, for work and pleasure are time* devourers, and so progress is slow. , As the Christmas festivities are dawninaj *my in the misty uncertain future, I shall] take the opportunity to wish you and all, ■ D.L.F., past and present, a happy Christ-} roas. May the hand of Him who sees us aIR guide you and my comrades to a glad Newi{ Year. What flourishing advances out pag« has made during recent years. Though «' lot of us are grown too old, still the ranks; are full of promising comrades, who take) as keen an -» interest in the page and its welfare as we did in the limes of the pastS Nothing gives me greater pleasure than seta, ing the page flourishing, for I know Dot!x desire for its well-being. I will confess, foT they say "open confett. sions is good for the soul," that I have been) a very poor clubbite this past year, but S trust my club comrades will pardon m»{ It is not through carelessness or laziness, oti want of interest— oh, no!— but just through/ want of time. I have a lot of studying, two «md a-balf miles to walk to work and tw? and a-half back, class every Saturday, and! private letters to write in spare momenteQ Still, I know I should not have forgotten myi olub, papers, for I owe to the club and its, members many a happy hour. All I can do;" is beg forgiveness and 1 purpose to mend. B' «m writing to you on the eve of a holiday.^ November 11. In the morning I am goingi to a sports gathering in Ahaura. My threw" brothers and my sister are coming, so I am) expecting to have a good time with them/ «1 I hope the day is fine, f6r I like to see the sun shining when, I am on holidaymaking bent. ' ( Now, Dot, I think have written you enough, for you will want the space fot, abler and older pens than mine; so I will* 3'ust bow you and our comrades all a fondh adieu. My sinoerest love to all; that the* D.L.F. Page may continue to flourish and Old Writers' Week be a huge success is the, sincere wish of your old comrade, J PAPAROA. ' [We all know yon have been busy in you*, new work, Paparoa, and understand why you have not contributed of late to the clubs* But now that you have perhaps got a littler more veed to- the work, we hope you ma-yv be able to send an occasional paper. Majr you reap much good from your work in th# coming year!— DOT.] j I Dear Dot and Little Folk,— l am so sorr* i I have not time to write & proper letteti for Old Writers' Week, but am writing tnf% note to wish you all every success. I'd justt . like you all to know, too, that I have not? ■■ forgotten the dear friends of happy day* gone by. Kindest regards to Dot and alf i the page. Wishing you a big success «n<| a good meeting,— Yours, truly, ALYS. - [Ac it has turned out, Aiyi, you mightf have had far more time for your letter than/, yen* thought you would have when writing this. But since you have Been co very busy! perhaps you would not even then have haof more time to give. I am so glad to h*a£ ' from the private not* accompanying yotu£ letter bow xnuoh pleasure you have derived, from being a D.L.F.; may there be rmaji more good things in store for you. — DOT.} j Dear Dot, — So the time has come nenial iot the old and esteemed writers to gatheq, themselves together around their belovedl queen and to bold each other by the hand? It is so grand to realise that all of us belonf to the great band of D.L.F., and therefore we have much in common with one another Now I ,«jd afraid that I have not much p interest to write about this time, but | fel I would like to be among my comrades a this meeting. I sincerely hope that it wil toe a great success, and I am sure we art ♦11 going to have it "reall good jolly time — are we not, dear Dot?— for as we send oui thoughts and our wishes in our letters, w< forget the distance which lies between u», and in fancy we are all beside one another looking into one another's happy -faces, Mid talking, joking, and laughing, and feelins very proud of our own little kingdom. WJ shall be able to discuss things, to talk of thi books we read, of the letters we write anc receive; and we will talk of the friends wt love, and each of us will be eager to m*k< the other happy. It is so very pleasing U know that there is suoh a strong bond oj sweet fellowship between vi. Now, dear Doi and 1 comrades, I think our D.L.F. band could well be called "a Help-each-other Society.'' for lam sure that is what it is. Such! bright, helpful letters theTe are in the WitJ ness week after week- Of course, many of our good old writers are now on the reUred list, and that is why O.W.W. is bo eagerlyi looked forward to, for the letters are alwayM helpful and very interesting; and one oannov help being struck by the tjiendly tone vrhirte runs through them all. There are a p ;a« many writers whom I call my favou..te;/ and I have received muob help from many,! of their letters, and, indeed, I ' will never oease to be very grateful to those P.p-F. for ibt kindly 4n.ter.sßt w&ioh. m^tiy of thcip

[Many of us are looking for the appearance T of that book, Ned; we feel that it is in part our own, for is it not the work of our very own Blondel, our sweet singer? I hope that all D.L.F. who are interested in poetry will try to obtain a copy of these poems. — DOT.]

Bear Dot, — How nice it is to have the privilege of writing those two little words again! Although it is to our new Dot now, still they have the same meaning. I was unable to write to the last O.W.W. through being laid up, but this time I am more fortunate. I am looking forward to seeing letters from all our old writers, and hope the O/W.W. will be an immense success. I have had a xD.L.F. friend staying with ms for a. while, and what a time we did have! My friend's N.D.P. w*s A Lonely One. and she was indeed lonely when she returned home after her visit. She is an only child, co she had no brothers to liven her up when .she was down "in the dumpß," as when she was here. There were two young men staying in the house, and Kia Ora came in almost every day, and they kept h«r lively all the time. On the 11th November some friend? and I went to Riverton to spend the day. We went for some miles round the point,, and enjoyed 1 ourselves very much. We had a lovely day, and when it was time to )«we -we TvisJbed -ire could have Bt»ye«t longer. I saw Buckjumper while there, but •he did not see me. I also ©aw one other DJLF. When A Lonely One went home I went es far «a In/vercargill with her. We were stroling about the "street* waiting for her train time when we met Jessica, so we had a little fatlk about D.L.F. affairs. I was sorry when it was time for us to go, as I was enjoying myself. However, trains will wait for no one, co after seeing A Lonely . One safely away on the train I went and did a- little shopping, and by the time I had finished my train was due. We have plenty of entertainments down here just now. There i> a dance next week, and although it is « bit warm for dancing, I intend to go and have a good time. Do you collect curios. Dot? I have a few nice egg-shells, shells, stones, etc. Kia Ora used* ! to gather them for me when he was on the> ' Government -steamer Hinemoa". At present > he is away with the Hinemoa, but just as i an extra hand. A party of scientists went ' away to different islands in the interests of science, and there were far too many passengers for the Hinemoa's stewards to attend to, so Kia Ora went. It will be a nice trip for him too. ' I should have been glad ■of a chance to go fox a trip, as I love thd sea, and «m quite at home on it. I went to Melbourne nearly two years ago for my health. After leaving Bins I was aide for two and a-half days; then I was grand. I used to stay up on deck as lone as possible. I travelled to and from Melbourne) by the Maheno, and I think «*• is a lovely boat. I have also travelled by the Moeraki and Warrimoo, and I think they are all nice boats. The stewardess «nd stewards were all co kind, and did not mind what they

especially as you have not written for five years; even the shortest o.* letters from an Old Writer is welcome — we are so anxious to know how they •are all faring in life. You will see tbat you are by no means the only married member of our little circle to-day. — DOT.]

Dear Dot,— Old Writers' Week once again; a gathering of old clans, » meeting of old friends, a chat over old times. Dear old days: we shall never forget them nor the one whose influence shall fo llow us for all the rest of our lives. Even to-day he is with us in spirit, stretching forth strong, warm hands to help us over the rough places on life's way. For we find out, do we not, that life is not the rosecolouied, flowery existence whiqh we once fondly dreamed it to be? Dear old chums of the long ago, I wonder where you all are to-day, and how many of you have returned to pay tribute in DX.F.-land? I think the following verse — a favourite of mme — is singularly appropriate for Dot's old writers: "Scattered to East and West and North, Some with the faint heart, some with the stout, Each to the battle of life gone forth, And all alone we must fight it out. We had been gathered from cot and grange', From! the moorland farm, and the terraced street, Brought together by chances strange, And knit .together by friendship sweet! Not in the sunshine, not in the rain, Not in the night of stars untold, Shall we altogether meet again, Or be as we were in the days of old. But as ships pass and more cheerily go, Having changed tidings -across the sea, So am I richer by those that I know, And they are no poorer, I trust, for me." But so powerfuly sweet was the " magic influence which lingered around' D-L.F.-dom in days gone by that I am quite sure all of us, wherever we may be, carry treasured memories stored in our hearts' most sacred recesses, and we can each one say — and say ■ sincerely — with Burns : "Still o'er these scenes my memory wakes, And fondly broods with miser care;

Time but the impression deeper makes, As streams their channels deeper wear."

Sing of the old, old days, comrades. See, Memory's star is shining to-day, shedding over us its rays with startling brilliancy. Memory's bells are pealing, waking the sweet echoes of the past. Clearly, melodiously they chime on, rinsing above the harsh, discordant notes of everyday life, and as we linger awhile 'mid the sequestered volea of this, our one-time play-ground, we stoop softly and drink of the waters of the fountains of Memory and feel refreshed. Dear Dot, I intended to tell you of many things, but I am very, much afraid that my pen has lost all its cunning, and has grown rnsty. I meant to tell you of such a happy day a party of us spent- at Colao B»y on November 11, of what a delightfully picturesque

fcave taken in me. I have received eruch encouraging, helpful letters from Borne of my comxades. It has given me a great deal of pleasure to know that I have bo many kind friends, and I will take this opportunity of thanking all the L.F. who have shown urn bo muoh kindness. I pray that God will bless and reward them. As we are so near the holiday season, I will wish you all » Very merry Christmas and * happy New Tear. With love to Roby, Venetia Corona, Shasta, Iria 11, Mountain Violet, Harry, Black Watch, Boy, and all D.L.F., and also touch love and good wishes- to Queen Dot, — Tour* truly, . GRAVEL. pEhia it your first letter as an Old Writer, fjiarel, ana I feel more than pleased to give H .-a. place in our ,-coluran*. You mxuA r«mettber, though, that it is your especial prmJege -to write to the page whenever you H«a»e; we don't was* you. to absent yourjfeM iUI next O.W.W. There are bo many Pis.f7uow who will alvajy be glad to' het* bow you are getting on. Yoar -letter sounds Vtcy brave and bright, and ju»t corawi>ofid> Io the njeatftT picture I bare pi jrotL, A happy Christmas to you, Gwwelf— DOT.! j Dear Dot,— lt is stub along time since j i took w my pen to- -write *o you _*w ♦ I aga afraid yon most- h*v« partlr foraotte^. ; tin* among youf tupusfcna* Qf ponretponosnt* j

one that I have been swept far, far down the streani, so that I could not turn back. But to-day I kave made an effort to come back and shake hands with you all onoe again before I leave you for good. I do hope there will be a large attendance this week, and that we shall have the pleasure of reading letters from come pf the oldest of our clan — Cooee, Zisk*. Rimbecoo, Wullie, 8.0.8., Fra Diavolo, ana ever so many others whose letters have afforded us such pleasure in the past. Those were days we all delighted in— days we eiill hold de»r. But how Father Time carries ua on! It seems but yesterday when I waa a little mita writing my first letter to Dot, and now I take up my pen to write the laarewell. After OhrLnpxa* I tm going to be married, and my duties wul commence in another quarter. I hate io My good-bye, dftv D.L.F., but you know "the best of friend* miwi part." Some 6»y I may return to N«rw Zealand, ana even though I shall have grown into a vtaid old m*won, J trill «eek out Dot's haun^, and introduce myself fee fa old writer. Jn the meantime may good luok attend you! And now good-bye, old friends— one long, last good-bye.-r-Youxß truly, - BOBONLi,^ CTbezv Hi • number of D.L.P. who wiji be 4M4awd Io see thfrt tistiatuM, Boron^a-

proaching marriage, and I hope that the future has much nappiness in Btore for you. We shell perhaps hear news of you from time to time from Auntie Daisy Primrose. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I have persueded Boronia to write a few lines for 0.W.W., and considering that she is as fond of writing as I am of scrubbing, it is ratfier a favouT to receive even this small- morsel from her hands. My own contribution takes the form of a short story which I wrote for the page & little time ago. If it doesn't appeal to your fancy please mark me "absent" at the meeting. I'm really too busy to write a sensible letter, and I don't want to bore you with a scrawl that means nothing. My friends would never forgive me. Remember me to all old friends, especially Mr and Mrs Blondel, Roby, Ha-rry, and the others— you know them all, I think. With love and beet wishes, hoping it will be a "bumper meeting," I remain,— Yours truly, DAISY PRIMROSE. [I suppose you did not mean *me to print this little letter, Daisy, but it simply has to go in, fpr we mtaat have you at our meeting, and in more personal form than the etory, though - that will also be read with gTeat interest. I hope your health is Btill keeping good and that your eyes are as Btrcng ac ever they were. I suppose there ia no chance of youj being over in New Zealand this year?— DOT.] Dear Dot,— This is my first letter to Old Writers' Week and my first letter to . you. I am really an Old Writer, but 1 have only just reached the retiring age. I have received a postcard from Mje Australian Larrikin so fair, and I am daily expecting a letter. I think we shall become regular correspondent*. It is seven years eince 1 went for » trip io Sydney. I liv«d there for 18 months, «nd would not like to live there again. I like "God's Own Country" best. I would not mind another holiday over there, as I had a splendid trip, both going and coming back. We went over via Wellington and came back via Auckland. . We spent Christmas on the water going over, and landed! in Sydney on Boxing Day about 9 in the morning. I caw all the Commonwealth -celebrations, and was over there at the time of the Duke and Duchess of York'a visit. On the return voyage 1 spent a very peasant time. I wae on the boat 10 days altogether. I spent two days in Auckland, and was ashore at Napier, Gisborne, ana ' Wellington, and also spent a good day in Christdhurch, arriving in Dunedin at noon on a Sunday. I spent three days in Dunedin prior to leaving for my home in Arrowtown. Dear Dot, I trust that O.W.W. will be a great success. Wishing one and all the compliment* of the eea-aon, — Yours truly, OCTAVA. [It will be pleasant for you to have a link with Australia by opening a correspondence with The A.ustriW Larrikin, and I hope you both derive much pleasure fron> it. Since it i» your first letter to me, I should be extending » welcome to you, Octava.—shouldn't I? Ido w indeed, and hope you may long continue "your connection with "the Page."— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I ,b*ve been putting off -writing foar this momentous oocasion. tffi I can do Io no longer. Tieje seems to b» no use waiting for an inspiration that never comes, and all I oan write about thie tim« Is. <t nilere aucoeseion of plain unvarnished fact* relative to my experiences during my annual holidays this year. . My holidays being' due at the early part of th« year, I decided to accept that longstanding invitation of my old friend, Boy, to spend them in hia district. Accordingly, on Thursday, 14th March last, I caught the Otago Central train. It was raining heavily when I left Dunedin (by the way, two Inveroargill friends of mine are anxious to

knew if it is ever fine <at all up here, but they can take our assuranoe that it ie— sometimes). ■ However, before Ranfurly w*a reached it had somewhat cleared up, ana leaving my luggage at that station I rode the nine odd intervening miles to Naseby to see that little township. I returned to Ranfurly— after a few hours' stay, cycling round Naaeby— juat in time to escape a regular drencher. From Ranfurly to Oroiakau the carriage wae full of bookies bound" for the Omakau trots, and lively company tEey proved to be — especially in the singing line. One of them, unburdening his heart, informed us that his favourite song was "Ring down the curtain, I can't sing to-night," and I must Bay that his confession was good, not only for Mb own soul, but also for ours, as it somewhat prepared ua for his rendering of that pathetic little ballad. I stayed at the Manuherikia. Hotel for the Thursday evening as room-mate of an old drover — a taciturn old chap, who ventured no remark except when spoken to. Whether he looked upon me as a "spieler" I cannot s»y, but. at any Tate, he decided to take no risks. Even my honest (!) face was not, sufficiently prepossessing for him. We held an impromptu debate as to which of the two bunks eaoh of ua was to occupy, and, having settled that momentous question to the satisfaction of both, we started to "turn in." However, he wmtohed me under his shaggy eyebrows, and, juat as canny, I wia-tchod his every move. First of all, he carefully unfastened hi» wa-tcb, and, his eyes still upon me, secured it to the head of his bed with the chain. Not to be outdone, I did Hkewiee, with the addition of making mine still more secure with a piece of string. He next emptied all the valuables from hit coat pocket to his vest, whioh he placed very carefully under his pillow, I followed suit to the last. I may have dreamt during the night of thunder — I do not know, — but when I awoke, he of the shaggy beard was lying as if he disdained all the comforts of a warm bunk. His head, instead of being the natural protector of his -waistcoat, was bent down over the si^Le of his bed, while ever and anon a snore like a thunderclap wakened the echoes in the room. Nor did he awake till I, having completed my attire and taken an early morning spin round the district, iiiad returned to my room to prepare for a well-earned breakfast. The next day (Friday) saw me bidding a reluctant farewell to mine host and completing the (then) laet stage of the railway journey— to Alexandra, where I had arranged

to stay a- few days. My time in this township waa fully taken, up in looking over a dredge on the Manuheriki* and visiting niy friends Indian Chief, Ivanhoe, and family, by whom 1 was very kindly received. Monday saw me eit the St. P* trick's sports in Blacks, wbexeat I «n joyed myeelf very w«ll, coimideruiK yie nature ot country sports ac compared with those ot town. The old beliringer came in for speoial notice on my paott. His duty was, at times, to ring his bel) and announce ''Nominations for the St. Patrick's Handicap." Twice the word* were told him, and twice he repeated them to himMlf, rolling hi* fcmglie touna each wotct I a* if" it were « sweet rdorsel. £ut evidently 1 his patron faint assisted hlni little, for, after 1 nrolooged zing, he forgot the first word, fßn bad tp ask fo* aettstaoce. Again he

then gave it up as a, bail job. "My last sight of him, then, was a vision of the old chap violently ringing his bell, ever and anon muttering in fragments to himself: "Nbm-in-ations-for-the-St.-Patriok's-Hand "

At 7.30 on Tuesday evening I left Alexandra for Clyde, where, collecting my letters, I stayed that night, leaving the next morning (with my swag tied to the rear of my steed) fox a plunge into Central Otago. My only adventure as far as Cromwell was at a short distance from the latter township, when my bike took a sudden longing to plunge into the thunderous roar of the foaming waters below, ana, of course, I had to follow. Over the bank we both flew, I catching hold of the loose shingle to bring myself to a full stop. M3y fuggage-oajrier dug into the shingle, and the bike also saved. But for a couple of miles I deemed discretion the better part of valour, and pushed my heavilyweighted steed along, the only damages sustained being a dented lamp and a few scratches on both myeelf and the bike. At 11 %.m. on the Weftuejday I wae cycling through Cromwell. My next step was to take the wrong road above the township, «s, after pedalling a few miles on a candy road, I was informed by a fellowcyclist that I was duly making Pembroke. I had to return, and by the time I reached Victoria Bridge it was 3 p.m. At Gibbston, feeling weary and my mouth parched with dust and heat, I made a modest purchase of some biscuits from the storekeeper, who, however, threw my hopes down to zero by informing me that he kept nothing in the way of drinkables. I w*s juat about to depart, brokenhearted, -when b« said, "Corw in, and we'll ccc the missis." I am ashamed to put on record the number of cupa of tea I dmmk. The good lady of the house would insist on my partaking of cup after cup, and never has a cup of tea proved *o refreshing and acceptable. - Seven o'olook saw me riding by the shores of Lake Hayes, and duly introduced to my chum's people. The days that 1 spent at Lake Hayes 1 consider some of the happiest in my existence. It would take a "Boy" to tell you in his droll way of my attempts to fish with a spinning minnow, of our little excursions on the lake, our trip to Queenstown, etc., and our attempts to get on top of a

It would take a lot of epace were I to tell of the many hours we spent with our friend and chum Gravel, of a visit we paid to Crown Terrace, of the various other visits T^ P "t' , of *, SJ cnio T held •* tae Head of the Lake, of the earthquake whioh created quite a panic in Queenatown and Arowtown and neighbouring townships, and of the flood whjoh rendered tie Shotover impassable an 3co cut off our road to Queenetown. On Tuesday, April 3, I left ray. kind friends, and with my awag on my steed's back I started the touring racket once more. At the Shotover the remains of the main bridge were there; the reai of the footbridges must, by that time, have been floating down th«, Itplyneux. 1 thought my list ho>ur had come when, strugling knee deep m sand *nd water, I had to lay my eteed down to prevent my sinking further. It waß a weary atruggle with the Shotover, but I gained the opposite bank, and both bike and myself looking none the better for our adventure, I reached Queenstown in good time What w«e my huge surprise when, lolling oo -th« -wharf, wh«m, should I come across but Bert, my younger brother, who coolly informed me that he wae up there on business bent. The p.c. Mountaineer conveyed me to Kingston, . and once again I leaped on my steed. Had I known what was to happen I -am certain that I should, have taken the train, but adventure is the .spice of life, and so I decided to bike.' My nd^ thence was one long series of mistakes. In the first place, instead of labouring and floundering through large sheep paddocks, vainly endeavouring to find even one cart-wheel through the tussocks (over whioh, in spite of constant vigilance, my rear wheel would at times make a terrible bump), I should have cycled alongside the railway line. Past Nokomai I had & second serious puncture (the first I had repaired some couple of miles from Kingston), and took train to Lumaden, where I managed to effect satisfactory repair*, under the close supervision of some half a dozen youngsters, who, judging by the way they watched my every movement and examined my outfit, ought to make cyclists themselves some day. Again, instead of taking to the Moseburn road, I ohose the road alongside the railway line — which, for the most put, could scarcely be called a road at all. My next stop waa for tea at Dipton at 7 p.m. Near Limehills my rear -wheel totally collapsed, and the light of my lamp Tevealed the awful fact that my free-wheel mechanism was good for no more service — the tyre had some indisooverable punctures, the cone was irremediably worn, and the wheel itself was badly buckled, so I rode as best I could to Winton (10.80 p.m.), where, with but very little trouble, I secured a bunk for the night. Tne -first train on the Wednesday morning whi&ked me to Inv-ercargill, where I received a warm welcome from my chum, Willow Brook, and hie parent*, with whom I stayed till next morning. At 2 p.m. the next day (Thursday), I was seated on- my- office stool — all my perils and adventures and humorous «pisodes being but a memory.

With kindest regards and remembrances to all my Old Writer comrades, and the Beaaon's greetings to all D.L.F..— rYours truly, HARRY.

Dear Dot and comrades; I hope, you will excuse the "personal" element in this letter, as topios for letters are so scarce.

[We shall excuse anything you like, Harry, in so racy an account of your adventures. Besides, one of the charms of O.W.W. is that it must necessarily be more or lees personal, since every Old Writer wants to know what his friends are doing, and the only way to arrive at that is for eaoh one to give a little personal aooount of himself. Is that not quite sound reasoning, Harry 7 And, further, most D.L.F. know that they can't hear of Harry without hearing of his bicycle; it is not quite "Love me, love my dog" in your case, but perhaps, "Enow me, know my steed." — DOT.] Dear Dot,— l have very little to tell the LF. this time. I have been to Queenstown on business in company with the boss. I thought the Old Philosopher would have taken a fit when, he saw me on Queenstown wharf. You see, Dot, the mater was up at Clyde, and the O.P. at Oueenstown, and I, like a good little boy, was left housekeeper and chief bottle-washer. The boss said to me, ''Bert, -how would you like to see Queenetovn on business?" and I shook hands with myaeH and said, "Bight, oht" I auly handed my houaf-keeping over to Erneftt with written instructions, etc., how to cook and when to feed the fowls, to be careful of fire, to see that baby was fed properly, put to bed %t 8 p.m., and tent to school at 8.80 *v«ry ttjorning. Efcnest and Charley Boy had their holidays, and spent them in being housekeepers. Jfhings weren't «o hard, but really it i« a- difficult matter for things to find their own place*. Towels like to go i&tQ -wrong places, ana teaspoons do like to visit the sink. All's well that ends well The mater returned rather unexpectedly, and Eroeit met her at the station, while Charley

Boy remained to see that the house wouldn't run away. The baby visited the store afld got a tin of salmon syid a cake to welcome the mater home again. The majority of folk' think that boys are no good at all for the house; they never think to blame the things for getting into wrong places. We b,ave had a sister for five whole weeks lately staying with us! She -was three years old; and' ta-lk about chat! My word, Dot, she would talk the leg off an iron pot! She has returned home, and we are left lamenting. "Empty is the -cradle, baby's gone." On, dear! what a blank is here, my comrades. She waß such a lively, winning little creature; but they say it's better to have loved and lost than never io have loved at all. But I don't agree .with those lines; if we had never seen her we could never have the feeling of losing her. She is our oousin s daughter, and the -little baby brother is a few weeks old now. So we had to part reluctantly with our sister. Old Solomon was down, on a visit to see us. He is at Middlemarch now. The mater has to undertake the journey to Central Otago shortly, so we shall be "baching" once more. I send my congratulations to our late president. May you have a long and happy life, comrade. Keep two bears chained up in the domestic life — "bear and forbear." And now, dear Dot, good-bye till I write again. A merry and- happy Christmas to all.— Yours truly, BERT.

[Poor sisterlees boys! it was truly tantalising to get a sister for a period, just to lose her again in that way. But such domesticated boys as you ought to he able to dispense wrtfa sisters I—t>OT.]1 — t>OT.]

Dear Dot, — Almost "• ye«T has elapsed since I wrote my lust letter to ■this page. My last letter 'was writ«n from Mastertor, and very much I Tegret the day I said good-bye to the Nor+h Island. I arrived here early last March, but as that time is so far back I will not weary yon with an account of my trip. The only part of it I did enjoy was the passage from Wellington to Port Lyttelton in the steamer Mwraro* though I was really sorry to see the last of Wellington Harbour. But as it is no ÜB3 crying over spilt milk, I will try another subject. Whatever has become of Fra Diayolo? I once made his acquaintance in a railway cariage; that was on November 9, 1906 — a loag time ago; but I never aaw anything of him afterwards. I also met Golden Princess on the Caledonian Grrounds in Masterton last N«w Year's Day. I looked for you in vain, Golden Pxinoeas-, for a k>ng time, bu: could never discover you; have you returned to Oamaru? Those were the only D.L.F. I became acquainted with. I have written to the page for over eight years now, but I have not written many letters. 1 think I am too lazy. Christmas will soon be round .again ; this will be my firnt Christmas away from home, and I hope the last. 1 will be returning home again next November, or perhaps a little earlier. I have suffered one winter in the South Island, and am dreading another. I visited that wonderful Exhibition on my way here, and did not see anything that interested me in the least ; in fact, tt was rather disappointed. I really expeot#d to see something I had never seen and would never see again, but it, reminded me of a large toy shop; some parts, such as the -fernery and Maori pa, of axi out-of-the-way place in the bush. I have Eeen much, prettier places in the bush than that wonderful fernery, which created such a stir in some folk's minds. But as Exhibition tajik ia somewhat out of date, I will drop the subject. / Now I -will say good-bye, wishing yo.u all the old wish— a very happy^ Christmas and a bright New Year.— Yours truly.

[But what about the Art Gfallery, Elsa? Had you ever seen anything like that?— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l used to be Doughnut when, many years ago, I wrote to Dot's Little Folk's "Page, and since they say, "Once a D.L.F., always a D.L-.F.," I' suppose I am Doughnut still, although my farewell letter was ponced I don't like to think how many y«»ra ago. For, Little Folk, the years haverolled on sinoe the days of 80.8. and hi; famous horse Moses, since the time of Devonshire Dumpling, Echo, Cooee, Zislca, and Hairy, and since the time of my Scotch frien' "Wullie, with whom I -used to have one or two friendly arguments. But though time has flown, I see that several of th» earlier writers still take an active interest— notably Harry, who seema to have b*en very faitbful to the D.L.F. band all the time. Long may he continue to be! Since the. days when I nsed to be Doughnut I have travelled a long way, and have seen som» of the rcott important towns in the vtorla. and the most important of all. London, I have been in foreign lands and have seen the dark-eyed, dark-skinned Italians, haye heard them *t Naples singing their pretty songs to the music of the guitar and mandolin as they sat in their flower-laden ho* l *, singing for pennies and selling their lovely Neapolitan -violets. I have seen the g*y French people tripping through the street* of Paris talking in their own vivacious way, and very dainty, and smart in their fin* lingerie. And I have seen the dark-eyed glossy-hairoa, pretty Spanish women going through the streets, their heads bared to the arm's rays or covered with a dainty lace mantilla. I have Bailed on Scottish locfcs, but of all the places I have seen, LondoA has the greatest fascination for me. «s traffic, its teeming millions, its streets, i»« sights its "oldness"-these a,H make me feel as if I were living in a story-book. But 1 muat not start talking about London, or a would never be ended. v.««_ I am very pleased to join your happy band of D.L.F. once more, ana as P.wbably by the time this letter is pnnte d I wil have passed for W from the ranks of •£"*•*: hood. I win before I leave the days of S JSg Northern and Southern **'%s'%£s% KB Doughnut, I hope that thl. message will reach you, wherever your new lot :• best of wisnei for your future. I have thoroughly appreciate* having • letter from you: it vu what I desired W-to have some of the old, old writers with vi . oday. All Little Folk know that "o.d. oW doep not mean aged in year. Do»8™» "V? make ao apology to you for the use of tn# terS %r the%ar. bring you »^MQE imws! I have not even an address to , «W me in touch with you: I wonder if yon would send it me?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — It seemf such a long tin* since I wrote to you; but I *uppoM «c aged people must itoake the best of our f«*i^ maining' opportunitiet. I don t know wnewf tnTsuie tfiit lean be teackelrf anwagM "real old writers," for- 1 att onhr ft,?* 1*!1 *! of tome alx yean' •landing, «** «*?"»£ stowine older every day, tap. no% ♦»#">*«[ anoint yetT co <e*l eoH X* bmwXf* W b* jjumbeteji anVmjf tt* old p.W/fc » ia juat lotwy olit nerl Ju»i apw, lof m «W enjoying ttie lovtliftit of wUihai, awl Vtf?

fining seems to be In bloom. The lilac ] bushes look beautiful, and the bloom is so fcrofuse on the may* hedges that it looks j ~§ust like snow; the other day I went to ; tho door just after a shower, and the air was quite heavy with the combined perfumes. *We have just got over the excitement occasiond by my "brother's wedding on the 14th. j The day was perfect, and the ceremony was j performed on the lawn in front of the bouse, and the breakfast was laid out in ! s large marquee, and, of course, in the evening we had a few dances, songs, and games. Did I really forget to mention that the trifle -was just what a girl calls a new hat «->-a dream,— aaid, in addition, was very "-spirited"; but, as some remarked to me, it waa none the worse of that. The happy couple left a few days later for Dannevirke. lEdergowan was there, and I think she almost put in a record by baing at a double ■(redding at Goi» is the morning, and ar- | riving jutft in time fcr Shis other one in ♦he afternoon. This scxi of thing seems to be an epidemic up Hi* way just now, and Cm the 11th of December another of my brother* is ,going to "go and do it," so ■urely that will do for the family for a few /ears to come. And ♦hi* is likely to be my last epistle from the Sunny South, as early in January ire are all going to IDsnnevirke, that city away up in Hawke'a Stay, which one of your correspondents was musty enough to suggest an a place where We sent our home missionaries, and white jpeoplo^ -were seldom aeen~ It was too bad, vun't it? especially as come of us are none 'too anxious to make th» exchange to the j ■unnier north. Somehow the sun never ! ■eemad to , shine so bright down here as when -we are jnrt about to lose it all; but, ' »t «ny rate, I nope to see you all passing ' Hthrough- fown. Planet Junior has made up ' -• new version of "We parted on the shore, " »nd some of It runs thus: "Yes, we -parted ■art Gore," etc., and "I aaid. good-bye, lore, I'm off to Daxmevirke, and Tt kissed her on j the" lip, and the guard began to amiTk. Ijkwd-bya,'* etc., etc But, really, the family i Ac not «eem to appreciate her efforts in the | poetry lis». or ratter parody. Strange how people sometimes try to crush genius; but it will out in spit* of all obstacles. And now for the present 1 will have to stop. With best love to ail,— Yours truly, DARKY. TI have no doubt jan will find the North Island very pleasant Darky, and will possibly com* to wand** how you "ever passed a winter In that cold Southland." But the op^rootinjf is aferars a little painful. I am almost certain I saw one of your brides in line train -whan I was in the south lately, rfhd was most interested in Darky's new aist*r-in-law. II you have time, do come and see m» tan your way north. — DOT.] | Dear Dot,— All hail to our merry meeting! , lour letter cam* «• a sweet surprise, and it hae awakened a aoul that was dormant, stirred op old anemories, and brought to Ufa old ambition*. I have drifted far from she way* .ani the days when I wrote before, land to bi mAUijm to you once again takes zae back to the %me when the family circle swas complete, no* scattered as now. The catties I built are still incomplete, but hop* ■WVftr dies while the heart is young; does it, Dot? Buftjone thing I have discovered: bops alone will sot carry ue U> our goal; wto moat also possess energy and determination. When last % wrote I believe I was in (Queensland 1 ; since then 1 have been on the wander a iftUe., principally in this emal'. isle, and above all places I should like tto irtjSh a tent by the blue and green lakes art "Botorua, » moat delightful spot. And now «diett, ana may w» meet again, yo* and I and all those Old Writers so dear to memory and- never to b» forgotten.— Yours truly, BOUGH BIDEK. II am delighted to have your signature io-clay, Stonrfh Rider. Who was it who sent ane your address from Queensland, -do you know? (The oarfi waa sot .signed. And I mm glafl -goa, «houl& put In a good word for 'MHons," as '•'Memory" has been having much Jfche bejrt of lit to-d&y. Do you Know BrownSng'B lines?— "Without the want, Ciife, mow "human, would be bruittsh; just ihtt lop*, "hovreyar «umt> Wakes the *U(tual Offs worth leading; take the Hops therein :awa}r, fell we have .to do ."is surely not endure another day." ( i-»DOTj JDear Ddtr—l Jhava nothing of any great interest .to write about,; <thingß go on with ane .much about the same from one year's ena to .another. Nothing very interesting ox exciting happens. This year two interesting things flia happen. X was at the Christ(church Exhibition, and not having beets xn Chiistchuroh 'before I took quite a fancy lo it. tt appeal* to «ny imagination. I like 3ts equates, its avenues of trees, its buildings, ana. its 'beautiful river, and I like it because of its flatness— xno awful hills to climb. Dotft think 1 don't like Dunedin, •L.F. and Dot, because I do; but Chriatchuroh appeals to me in some indefinable way. There .1 met imy iwo dear friends, who *re known to the DJJ.F,, Mr and Mrs Young. /The, .second interesting event was, I was avorkixur at millinery for three months, and «ec#ivea sufficient know;sage of the trade to snake -ana r trim my own hats and my friends'. Of course, Dot, I .didn't learn all the trade an that time, but sufficient for me, as I liave a natural altitude for all artistic -*rork. Some of you may fto't think thest ftwo incidents very interesting or diverging, Ibut <to-2Oe they -were. I have written trace 3Eot "tKWVW.* to the D.L.F. Tiave learnt how IE -wrote my nxtt 'letter, and what I aaid o(tha was before noms He plume ware in «ogv#); 'how I told all about Billy «nd Tit--A*a#, the cits, their peculiar characteristics, %ow Bil}y liked .raw potatoes, but would vtonly i«st 'those that "he piokefl out -of the 'Jaaaftt 'himself,; and Tittena, how dhe liked asweet things. Since I joined the D.L.F, JP«geJl t havo:made many friends that I oerttainly would .not 'have made otherwise, both aaTfiome and abroad. I was Miss Oordery's «an2'AM»fVinegaffl!nist New Zsaland D.L.F. cconeapodaerit. and "I have D/L.F. octrrespmi£Ulnt# in -most parts of the Dominion, ana <4iw in I am -still an active mem- ; **r j6I the T>.L.F. Literary and Debating CJlub. -ann 'have "been *ince its inauguration. jgf there -were not the club to go to on "iZPuesiiay .evening* I don't know "what I 4feouW'do with ttyself. That's all I have, -%o write 'about this time, /dear Dot. If I -ibJB -*nVlhißg 'interesting 'to write about I -write tt longer 'letter. As it is. this Setter ~W*y 'be something alter the style of ffiy olhtfr leiters I 'have -written for O.W.W, Jl -&atfy 'target. 'I haven't 'towgoofi a memory. H state <lhis will "be a record O.W.W. It is ih&coffl^ccuance'O.'Wi's'aiivTß to keep is touch %«|i{h>ltha 'P*ge, »nfl I 'think °fhey ought to ~£ij& lit. T am 'sure -those two words, "Dear j|)is, "bring pleasant memories: to ane 'they iio-'gpl«Bwmffc "visits to D.L.F.. oorreipjafl&tUwa, ieturn •yintg, iplestssmt friendships wa& Medial life. With jdndes't regards to lift 'theJD.L.F.v *nd -wishing one and all. the EJS, «Hjwi*h, -which ateue «ver new, "A IQrieraf Xthjjißimu ■'and a "bright and pros§W|i 'lJ»w "Sear," and love to dear JDot, — ljfti^4-ul& ARETA. ' j fSSto J»m In^eeil • good D.L/F- carter

behind you, Areta, and there is no need to close it yet, for your active co-operation is still of great benefit to the clubs. And you must not say that you have nothing interesting ~to write about to-day; the merest details of an Old Writer's life have their place in the page.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It must be nearly a year since I last wrote those two words, and I think if I don't put in an appearance soon you will all be forgetting there is such a person «s Vanilla. To tell you the truth, Dot, I don't seem to have much time for writing; but now I have got my mistress back after three months' absence I may be able to join you oftener. . I am feeding 11 lambs at present. I wonder, Dot, what you would do if I asked you to name them for me, as we' used to do when the page was first formed? I haven't bothered myself with-giv-ing them names. I think it is bad enough having to feed them; yet I would sooner do that -than see them starve, as they must have done had I not mothered them. How nice it has been to see all these well-remem-bered names in the L.F. Pagfe once more (I refer to the ones that have appeared during the last week or two.) And what a success S.S.W. was! I enjoyed reading the letters very much. I wonder what we* would do without -the dear old page? I think if we hadn't it we would start a D.L.F. paper on our own, and have no retiring age in it. I was sorry to see so many of our best writers had reached retiring age;' I wish them all success in their old age. My sister Rose-a-lea has reached that age also, and as she has* not written to Dot for some yeais (I don't know how many), she may perhaps favour her with a. farewell letter. I was pleased to see her name amongst the^visitbrs to the club last week, and now that she has fallen into, such good hands we shall perhaps see it oftener. By the way, Didn't You Knew, you owe me an auto.; do you remember geting mine at the Oamaru Easter picnic? If you have mislaid it I shall send you another if you like. Dear Elsinore and Dot's Sweetheart, my patience is nearly exhausted waiting for those autos. What 18 wrong with you, Elsinore? Do you -Cot wish to send them 1 . Do you not .think a year quite long enough for anyone to have autos without returning theirs, Dot? I need hardly say how pleased I was to see in tho page of Daisy Primrose's (or Auntie Daisy, is it not?) complete recovery. May she long live to enjoy good eyesight. I wonder where Uncle Con has got to, Dot? Do you ever hear from him? One of our D.L.F. chums in the person of Viola- has gone to the North Island, so I hope to see a description of her trip before long in the page. I am pleased to say we have got Curly Pow amongst 'us once more. I was in Oamaru on Friday, -and never saw a sign of a D.L.F., although I kept a sharp lookout for badges. I had the pleasure of meeting Tasma in town some time ago, and spent a most enjoyable afternoon with her. Did you get home all right. Tasma? Did anyone chase you? I arrived home at 6.80, and had « great time feeding up after that. I started with the master first; they always say a "hungry man's an angry man," so I got over that difficulty first. What a time you all seemed to have at the two socials! I would have liked' to go to them; but that was impossible. However, I enjoyed reading the aeoounts of -them -very much. I knew a number of the L.F. from here who were down, and some of them made me quite jealous with the accounts of their doings. I see our friend Kia Ora has again joined the Hinemoa for a short period; I hope tc meet him in Oamaru at Christmas time. So. D.L.F.. _lobk out for ' our old member «ad do not be shy, -for he is very shy. I have not seen any notice about tho D.L.F. picnic, usually held on New Year's Day", in the Witness yet. WHere have -the O»m»ta L.P. got to? Well, I suppose I have written enough ; but, . oh, Dot, I feel I have ever so much more to say. As Christmas is drawing near I shall wish you and all our L3\ a very merry i/himmas and a happy New Year, and may you live to see many of them!— Yours tiulv VANILLA.

Dear Dot. — The weather up here has been very hot lately and «lso windy, but it is looking very much like rain just now. what » difference there is betw«m to-day and this time last year. The crops are looking beautiful, and there in plenty of feed for the poor animals that were almost starved to 4eath last year. How wot* vcu like to live in the country. Dot? I have lived In ■the back-blocks all mv life, and only go to town once a. year for a holiday, but I *m goins to Waim*te after Christmas to learn tailoring. I have two sisters in Waim*te — one is a dressmaker and the other one is at school. The annual school concert and dance is to be held on the 20th of December A. good number generally turn out to a school concert, but the great drawback h«re is that the school is rather small, or the people too numerous. Well. Tiot, I must draw this letter to a close. "With lose to all the Ij.F. and yourself,— Your° truly. EVENING STAR.

Dear Dot,— Just a few lines for O.W.W to let you see I have not altogether forgotten the- ne«e from -which I derived so much benefit while in my teens. A few weefcft ago » letter ovn« to «w bouse »<ldresed to Mise . and as I *m the eldest of oar family. I naturally thought it might be for me. but. on opening it found it was to Beta from Dot. inviting her to write for O.W.W. As I am two *nd a-balf years her senior, and entered D.L.P. circle* six months previous to her, I said to myself, " That invitation will do for you too." and cent the letter to Bet*. It is another Dot I have to write to this time: our dear editor has pone to his lon«r rest. I wae much surprised when it wan revealed to us that our beloved Dot wae the editor. I had jdways thoueht it impossible that one person could read oveT and ©orrec* so many letters in addition to being editor of the Witness. He ket>t the pag* tmre and good. *nd I ami sure all those who had the privilege to meet him loved--him aa editor, though we did. not know he was Dot. I with our present Dot as ranch happiness in her work and loyalty from her ever increasing family as our _ late friend had. Dunedin has been, and is still, the home of Quite a number of pood public men. and I think it sb'll holds the two bent in New Zealand, the Rev. A. Don And Mr Torranee, both of whom labour solely for tb« flick and the suffering, and to seek and www the lost or fallen. Well does the former deserve fhe ee»t of honour he has ibis y«?.r received in being chosen Moderator of the Assembly. I hope he may be spared many years of health and vigour to oaxry on the work, he doe?. And well doeit the letter fle*erwe the handsome presentation he received, and. •« one apeaker put it. a " auiet eventide alter his long day. of toil." Both these men follow very closolv in the footsteps of our Saviour. I would like to give an account of my doinsrs since last writine to the paoe. but I will try to be brief, as I hope there will be nvtay older and mor<> eeteomed writers than I to receive Boace. Las-t +. ; rtva I wrote, three years ajto. I waa at We*ton, near Oamaru; but in May 1906 I oame horn*. Before leaving. I was presented with -a beautiful Bible from the choir., and- a. nice book oj Scripture pmdAnzs. "Jlomeiits on the

Mount," from the Christian Endeavour Society. During the winter and spring I was mostly at home, except occasionally when away assisting' a friend. For four of the summer months I was at Waiwera, where I m\de the acquaintance of some very nice pe\?le, both in Waiwera and Kaihiku, and was very sorry when, owing to ill-health, I had to leave. But I am glad to say -that, after being relieved of ten unworthy teeth, my health gradually improved. I cannot now go far from home, as my parents, who are not co young as they once were, need my services at home, especially during the winter, when mother suffers from rheumatism ; so you see " I canna' leave the »uld folk noo." During this spring I have been, as one lady termed me, a general helper of the needy, having been one week with Mrs , another with an aunt, helping where there was illness, and a day or two here and there washing blanket* and spring-cleaning — quite a humble occupation, but none the lees necessary. When at home I have been trying my hand at dressmaking and gardening, and have made * few attempts at carpentering when occasion arose, and have been attending ohoir and Bible circle, teaching a class at Sunday School, and learning music. I travel about 16 or 18 miles every Thursday on my bicycle for my lesson. A cousin of mine and I cycled from Milton to the picnic on Labour Day. «, We had a strong head wind going- to Waihola, and arrived tired, and hungry, but were not long in putting the latter right. I had not Been Texas Jack for over three years, and I "thought he was going to break the bones of my right hand entirety. It was 'my first D.L.F. picnic, -and I enjoyed it very much. I 'must say two of our members gave us a splendid lesson on cycling economy. Beta and I went for a walk, and found ourselves in the cemetery, not & large one, and mostly German names on the tombstones. We had a splendid ride home, and could make ample use of the freewheel; it was worth the trouble 'of battling down. I think the clubs are doing good work, and I wish them success. I very much enjoyed the papers on "The Favourite Season " and "Is the World Growing Better?" also Lady Esler's "Debt." I am liking forward to spending Christmas at the Summer Sohool at Invercargill. I must now close with best wishes for 0.W.W., and wishing all a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year,— Yours truly, OPHIB.

[That invitation to send in a letter for O.W.W. applied equally to you, Qphlr, even though I did not know you were the elder sister; and I am very glad you were so sensible as to take it to yourself and take advantage of it. The two men whose names you mention are ' indeed worthy of admiration; they have laid down their livesr-I do not mean in death, but in absolute devotion — for others, the " others " in each case being, those who were in need of spiritual help. Theirs is that wider love that makes its glad sacrifice, not for friend* only, but for the helpless, outcast, and despised.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— -Old Writers' Week again! How time flies! It only seems a few weeks since last O.W.W. I wonder will there be many of the Old Writers present this year? I suppose not; each year the number of Old Writers (the very old ones, I mean) contributing to the; page is growyig less. But of course we must expect It; we cannot always remain D.L.F., can we, Dot? Nevertheless, I hope some of them will make an effort to be present with us this year. It would be just like old times to see letters from such old favourites as, Shan-, Dioky Donovan, Sibyl Scribbles, Devonshire Dumpling, Rimbecco, Ziska, Dockleaf, and many others who' seem to have forgotten all about O.W.W. Did' you have a holiday on November 9, Dot? I went, round to Colao Bay with a few other D.Jj.F., and spent a most enjoyable day. Colao Bay is a very pretty place, and has a beautiful beach.

Oh, Quago, why were you not ther« with your little note-book? What * bundle of notes you would ahve got, had you only seen Willow Brook fern-hunting! He actually forgot he was grown-up, and olimbed a tree; and I am sure even Quago would nave smiled had he seen our wee Jessica running after Maori*. You will hardly believe it, Dot, but I can assure you it is quite true: Jessica Actually chased a Maori along Colao Bay beach. It must have been the effects of the sea* air.

Header declares he is not going to a picnic with Jessica again. Next' time I go to a picnic in her company 1 intend to take the largest basket I can find, packed as full as possible; perhaps Jessica will tell you why when she writes an account of our day at Colac Bay. I am glad to see that Blondel is going to publish his verses in book form. I intend sending for a copy. I have a good number of his verses in my scratp book, and I can assure all L.F. who intend sending for a copy of Blondel's book that they will not be disappointed in it By the time this appears in print our wee smiling Jessica will have left Invercargili and returned to her home. I am very sorry she is going, as I shall miss her very much. We have had some good times together since she has been down here. We were talking of writing an account of our doings for the page, but I don't know -wh-ether it will come off or not When we two get together we generally' manage to have some fun. We just " tuk our time and mooch abahi," and have a real good time. (Do you know where I got that, Boy?) With love to all old comrades, and Christmas and New Year greetings to Dot and all the Little Folk,— Yours truly, ZEALIA. [I think you are right, ZeaJia; we cannot expect our old, old writers still to be taking the same keen interest in the affairs of our page as 'they did years ago. They have been called to do harder work, many of them, and we must not grudge them their call to greater opportunities. Much as one might wish to, one oannot remain "Little Folk " forever. I have no doubt that you and Jessica spent many a joyous hour together, Zealia, and that you will miss her very much. But perhaps it is good for her to be back in the country again, getting all the strength she can.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— l could not let O.W.W; pass without sending a few lines to let you know that I still feel an interest in the page. I hope many of the old friends will relnember the page this week and send a few lines. It is a very long tinie since I wrote to the page, but we always feel an interest in it, although up "here in the sunny north we very seldom meet any D.L.F. I had the pleasure of a visit from Darky ■ last winter, and we were pleased to meet after corresponding with one another fox several years. Hori Firiki is away at present, so I do not know if .he will be writing this time. Hori has been away about a month on the East Coast, and does not get many opportunities to write, as there is only one mail a week. We have been having very hot weather lately, and the rain last week was very welcomeIt is co Ion;; since I have written for the D.L.F. that I hardly know where to begin. When Hori Firiki- was in Otftgo last summer he had the pleasure of meeting a number of D.L.F. We have several weH-knoss writers up here at present, including Golden Prinoefs, Fniri Maid, Brpth« J3m £who&

' I know quite well by sight), and some others whose noms de plume I do not remember. Besides these, there are such old favourites as Dicky Donovan and Fra Diavolo. Fra we very often see, and he has stated his intention of writing this week. A few weeks ago we met some friends from Westralia, and I took them out to the, Maori pa to see the Maoris. They were much 'surprised, and favourably impressed with them, and noted the difference" between them and the aborigines of Westralia. They chatted with various " wahines," and quite enjoyed then> selves during their short visit to the pa. They were greatly surprised to see one Maori lady off to town on her bicycle, and to hear that some of the Maoris also had motor cars. They seemed to think that the Maoris were almost savages. Now", «s so many of the Old Writers will be sending contributions to the page, I will not occupy very much space; but I could not let the chance slip by of showing that I still feel « great interest in the D.L.F. With love to all the Old Writers, especially Black Watch, Oooee, Denise, Rimbecco, and Harry, — Yours truly, , NORINE MAURINE. [That makes quite a little colony of D.L.F. that you have in Masterton, Norine Maurine. I am glad to think that there is not just one lonely soul there, but that you can from time to time exchange a few words with someone else who has worn our little silver badge, and knows all it means.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— Allow me to introduce myselves—Little Lady. It is many months since I penned; the opening 1 words, and then they were to one wnc-n* I -knew, but now, alas — purely my own fault — they are addressed to someone whom I don't know. Having introduced myself, I shell proceed. But stay, let me think. Have I introduced myself?" Little Lady— that gives you no clue now, does itf* There, how foolish one oan be at times, and when they least think they are! To begin- with, Dot, as you no doubt guessed by the heading " O.WiW.." lam an old writer of eight years— or is it ■-nine? But I won't stay to weary you by being concise over such, a trivial matter as one year — standing, and I wrote my first . letter when I waa. a little girl peeping forth

i.om underneath a sun-bonnet. Not tha^ I am very Dig now, alas; but it's consoling in one way — that is, from a monetary poin\ of view — for I don't need neariy as much, dress material as my " divinely tall " sister< (wonder what I've let myself in for!) Dockleaf *nd Echo. Dear me, those sunshiny days of youth seem afar off. Sometimes — rare occasions— l used to take our dear old editor, otherwise another Dot, «, nosegay. I knew his love for flowers and ohildren, andf so picked my sweetest and best flowers to adorn his coat and office, and took them to him myself. Once I was * member of tlie club. 'Twere better, perhaps, that I didn't mention this fact, as I have become a deserter. Where would the club h»ve beeij now had all the members been as " active '* ul? Once I did write occasionally to th^ page, but though of late years I have been passive, I have still taken an interest inf all things connected with D.L.F., and hav< always turned to the page. After all this preliminary are you any the wiser. Dot? I wonder if you will be able to decide th«r order of rank in which this Little Lady should] be put? However, as my name figured) amongst the list of Old Writers, you will! know I am the genuine article. I do trußti the Old Writars will rise to the occasion and let the ourtains rise on a bumper house. Oh, I know it' 8 going to be a huge success, for I fancy I can hear the applause! Whew yo\i come to think of it, there is really quite a mystery attached to some of our old members. How their light shone forth for * time, flickered, and then went out, leaving us ofttimes in darkness. I refer "to sue a as Sybil Scribbles, B." O. 8., Lamb, Tha Critic Club, etc., etc. I suppose "if we onlyj knew, if we only knew," we might hear som« strange stories from the lips of some of th«r " old-timers." I think the simile of com* paring us to seeds is a most striking on*. Some are scattered. — but then, wby repeat the story that is so widely known? Happy day* of childhood! I remember my happiest hours were those in which X played with my dolls. Oh, how I loved them, and what fancies I wove over them. For hours I would talk to th«m and play being grown-up, till, with the waywardness of * child's mind wishing for " pastures new, '