Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 84

FROOTOIDS

7or Headache, Indigestion, Constipation, and Biliousness.

The immense number of orders for sent by post direct to the Proprietor, .is convincing proof that the Public appreciate their splendid curing power over tlie above-named complaints* They are elegant in appearance, pleasant to .taice, and, -what "is of the utmost importance, are thoroughly reliable in affording quick relief. . JTrootoids are immensely more valuable than an ordinary aperient, in so far that they not only act as an aperient, btttdo remove from the blood, tissues,' and Vternal organs, "waste poisonous matter aoat is clogging them and choking the channels that lead to and from them. f&e beneficial effects of Frooteids are evident at once by the disappearance of headache, the head becoming clear, and a bright, cheery sense of perfect health, faking the place of .sluggish, depressed feallngß, by the liver acting' properly, and by the food being properly digested. Ffcfiotoids vare the proper aperient medicine to take when any Congestion or Bl«od Poison is present, or when Congestion of the Brain or Apoplexy is pre-sent-or threatening. They have been tested, and have been proved to afford quick relief in such cases when other aperients have not done any good at all. It-is of the utmost importance that this should be berne in mind, for in such oases to take an ordinary aperient is to waste time and permit of a serious 111nsas becoming fatal. «^ -IProotoids act splendidly on the liver, and qujckly cure bilious attacks that "antflktious pills" make worse. Many people have been made sick and ill by "aatibiLrous pills" who could have been cured at. once by Frootoids. People should not allow themselves to be duped into contracting a medicine-taking habit b& bemg persuaded to take daily doses wife- each meal o$ so-called indigestion cures that * do- NOT cure. Frostoids have been subjected to extensive tests, »nd have in every case proved successful in completely curing the complaints si*

named. The ordinary adult dose of Frootoids, of.-Sfiifeli tliere are 72 in a bottle, is % to ir^mstQ or less as required — taken, preferably at bedtime, when constipated, qy at the commencement .of any other igiaaop* requiring an aperient, as an auxiliary with, the special medicine P aeeary for tfie case. A constipated Jt «f tody -will be completely cured the featitot will on each occasion, E" a ssfering, take a dose pf Frootoids, jad of an ordinary aperient; making interval between the taking of each Jose liaesger and the dose smaller. The patijent ■mus gradually becomes indepenlent of Aperient Medicines.

■for sale-fey leading Chemists and stow»se*jwsrs. Bei»il price, 1/6. If your BhpmMt er6toßeke«?er has not got them, iflkH&im to get them fox you. If not ffl>tti&«&e locally, send direct, to the Frjpefcr, W. Ck HEAKNfi, Chemist» , Gfeelonfe, Victoria.

and consist, amongst other ingredients, of 1&e ackve prjjaoijde of each oj fr^S a±fi^Msnt MEDICAL FRUITS and |$qOs&, bo oomMnsu and P r °2^M2,^^ m a pasticular -way that a far BSTTBK f&stftt i$ obtaiaed th£b. froffi an ordinary aperient.

should like to exchange autos with him (if an Irishman possesses such a thing). Now I have a suggestion to make: why do not some of you D.I*.F. write a ,]ong story, and have a little bit in each week, likp "Man"rap Manor" ? It would !»■ sp endid. I wish S.S.W. would hurry up and come round again. I like reading books by R. M. Balantyne, Joseph and Silas Hocking, Allen Raane,- Ralph Connor, Captain Marryat, and Robert E. Kndwil-es, the young Sootch author, who has written "The Undertow" and "S. Cuthberts of the West." With love to Tess, Lola, yourself, and the editor, — Yours ttn- ->EXE X NNON

truly, NA TBEWrNiNUi [You seem to have read a good number of books already, Una, and if you continue to collect at this rate, you will soon possess a very fair library. Have you read any of Sir Walter Scott's yet?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I expect you have forgotten that I ever wrote to your page, but after thia you will hear more from me, I hope. Since writing to you the last time from Suttcn, I have shifted to a smithy in Clarksville. The country round about heTe is very d:fferent fiom Otago Central, which looks very bairen at times; but as for climate, there is no comparison between the two, as you must know. The ground round here is very good, and the crops are looking well; the last ram we had brought them forward splendidly. The weather is very oharg««a.b'e; to-day there is a cold and boisterous wiad blowing, just the sort to »ive the healthiest man a cold. Well, Dot, I don't know if there are many D.L.F. in Milton, but I haven't noticed a badge since I've been here, though I suppose some, like myself, have not got them to wear.* Did you have any holidays at Christmas or the New Year? I had about nine days. The srst two or three days I stayed in Dunedin and went to the Port Chalmers regatta, then I went out to Warring-ton to spend the rest of my time ai hcroe. I suppose, Dot, you have often been there; it is a very pretty place, and has a good beach, having very "ittl* quictfa-nd. JJToot of the t>ea-cli«s sot, unfortunately, to have these treacherous sands. Another place* I must ask you if you have been to is Evansdasle. The prettiest piece of scenery there is the waterfall, which wheri" a good flow of water is running looks magnificent, as it leaves little drops of water hanging on the maiden-hair and other ferns, Wiring just like diamonds. The fall is, I think, about 30ft high. It is curious that of those who come from town to enjoy themselves have not the least idea there ie such a thing there, as the fall is 1 obscured from view by the dense bush. — PPRENTICE.

Yours truly, A [I was not aware of the existence of these falis you speak of, Apprentice, but they must be a beautiful sight. I have not been to Evansda.'e, but I know and like Warrington, , p-nd + hink you must have had a very happy holiday there. I shaJi be glad to bear from you again.— DOT.] -Dear Dot, — It is with a. feeling of diffidence that I now commence this scribble after neglecting your kind, reminder re O.W.W. As you see, I have changed my quarters since them, having forsaken the back-blocke for the sweets of town life, for a little while at ,least. It was my good luck to be present at the picnic at Oamacu on New Year's Day and to meet again many \ old,- friends-, as well as to make many new ones. We were favoured, as I think Oamaru generally •'«, with a lovely day, and as a. very large number 'turned up, including the Dune Sin contingent, the picnic was a deI cided success. As to deta£ls, I will leave | them- to abler pens- than mine; suffice to i say that, having seen the Tarawera off, we I watched the balloon ascent and descent by !Mr Barnes, then, returning to the ground, I we broke up and wended, our way to the station to board the several trains. I con1 aider myself fortunate in discovering, just ! as the train was leaving;, that I was to have The Gramaphone for a^ companion all the way to Timaru. For the first part of the journey the tram was crowded, but we I were jrell oater«d for in the matter of I music, the skirl of th« pipes sounding con-tin-ctously. Later, when Studholine was passed and the train wag almost empty, The Gramophone proved himself a firstj rate entertainer, and with the concertina , and .songs 'we made a long journey eeem I quite short. As to finding accommodation 1 and the consequent fun that evening, I roust refer you to my erstwhile companion. I The second wool sate of the season was held . on the Brd, and the town is beginning to ' show signs of the bustle which must ensue till the wool is all shipped. This morning the splendid N"ew Zealand Shipping- Com- ! zany's steamer Paparos, came into the harbour, besides two of the Union beets. I ' made the acquaintance of Rotokino Billy, the clever sheep which acts as leader when shipping live mutton. Bil^y was streching ( his legs on\ shore when I met him, just like a sailor back from a voyage. With i kind regards to The Gram&phone, Tasma, and Giulia, — Yours truly, D. O. D. [I can see there is no doubt that you enjoyed the picnic, D. O. D. I did not know The G-ramaphonc was to be there — or I may have known and forgotten, — but I am glad to think that he would «.t least meet Scribbler and Paparoa, who were disappointed at not being able to get to Kaitaugata. Did you meet our two "West Coast friends too?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Christmas end New Year have passed by once again, and I spent both very quietly. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve there were open-air meetings, both being well attended. We have six weeks' holiday from school just now, and I like holidays better than going to school. I am still in the Fifth Standard; I am such a clever boy that the inspector me wait in the same standard anotT-er year! We have a bee farm now, and most of ray spare time is spent amongst the bees. Have you ever seen a bee farm. Dot? We have nearly 100 hives now, a.nd we shall have more next year. We are extracting honey just now, and we are pretty busy. When extracting we put. a little smoke in the nioulh of the hive, then take the lid off the box, take 1 out the full frames, and cut th© caps off ' with hot knives, then put it in the extractor and turn it round. When the honey is all out of th© frames we take them out and put them back in the hives, to be filled again. We shall be ixtraoting again after harvest. I go out picking raspberries, and I get 6d a bucket. There are about two dozen of us picking, and we can»«pick about six buckets » d*y. I tfiink t wiu close, now, as I am gatting rather sleepy, although I did sleep all afternoon.-f-Your» truly, a HEATHER CHIEF.

INo, I have not been on a bee farm, Heather Chief: it . must be interesting work, even if a little sticky. And what about stinea? Are you often stung by- the bees? i And what remedy do you use if you are?. — I DOT.] Do»r Dot, — We have our holidays now, and instead 1 of having more time to write I seem to have less — perhaps because I am always playing or reading. I went to sea Ithe shearing of our sheep a few days ago, and felt veix sarra iac ihe poor things, be-

cause the men seemed so cruel to them. To-day I had c ride on the manager's horse, and rode him through the river; it was lovely. Dear Dot, the last time I wrote to your page Mother's Girlie wrote also. She was living with us then, as her mother had gone to Melbourne. You will be sorry to hear, Dot, that her mother died there, and my poor little friend has no mother now. Her father has taken her back to Invercaigill, and mother and I are going down to see her soon. It is my bedtime now, so I will close, with love to yourself and the

L.F.— Yours

[I am indeed sorry to hear it, Eomps. I remember Mother' r Girlie writing when you wrote before; will you please tell her when you ?e© her that I was very sorry to hear of her sad loss?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I wes sorry to read 1 of the death of Mother's Boy and W. K« G., and their friends have my warmest sympathy. It is only four months since my father died. He was ill for about two months. We had our Sunday school examination on the Bth of December, and I got two second piizes. We have some Indian runner ducks ; 1 don't think they do anything but eat from daylight till dark — indeed, till they have to squat down to eat. I liked reading the Old Writers' letters. We ussd to take the Witness =ome years ago, and 1 can remember readang letters- from some who have written for O.W.W. J?he letters I can best remember reading are- those from 8.0.8. and Wee Wullie. Blasting Powder is ill to-day ; I think he must have influenza. What a lot of influenza there is about! W© went for a picnic to the river on Christmas Day. Just as we were getting away a visitor came and made us late. In the evening wo had some crackers. It was good fun watching them burst in the air. What a crowd of L.P. you have, Dot! I should like to count them, but I think that if I started I should never get to the end. A swarm of bees has settled on the hut, and we are going to get them into a box to-night. It would be nice to ia.-5-e soin-e loej, fox I Hfe« Honey. I>xA you «ver see a boy carrying a calf, Dot? We have a. two-year-old heifer in, and she had such a wee calf. My brother said it was feafcherish (meaning light), and he could carry it home, so presently we saw him coming carrying the calf, its legs round his neck. Didn't we laugh at him and his baby I

ours tr

Dear Dot, — This is my first letter to the page. I hope you -will accept me as one of your happy band. I am 13 years old, and I am in the Fifth Standa-rd. My sister and I ride five miles to school. I have a hen with 10 chickens. We live quite close to the sea, and on hot days it is nice to wade in it. There is also a lot of bush about here. We have not had any rain for a week or two. Our Christanas holidays started on the sth of December. — Yours truly,

NEMOPHILA.

[Certainly I will accept you as a member, Nemophila. You have chosen a very pretty flower for your norn de plume ; it is such a perfect shade of blue. And I think you are a lucky girl to have both bush and beach* near you. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — The only holiday I have had yet was New Year's Day, when my sister and I went up to Oamaru on the s.s. Tarawera. We had all arrangements made a week before, so that when the day errived we were all ready to start. When we jot up at 2.30 a.m., as we do every morning, ' there was not a breath of wind, and the sky looked promising. About 3 o'clock the tree-tops began to stir as if^ a \vind_ was going to rise, but it died away, leaving a lovely morning. After doing our morning work we started to get ready, and at 6.15 a.m. ■w« were on the road to get the first car from the Valley, but we raised the first, so had to wait for the second. We got to the steamer about 7.30, but it was so crowded then that we could not get a seat. After looking round e< little w-e got up on one of the small boats, and got comfortably seated on the canvas which -was apread over it; but -we were not .left very long like thet, because the men belonging to the steamer came and let the canvas loose, so ,that we bad to sit right inside the boat, which was not nearly so nice. Before we got out of the harbour the steamer begaSn to roll from aide to side, so we were thinking we were going to get a rough trip ; but when we pot over the bar it was quite calm. I spoke to a- few L.F. going- up, but spent most of my time reading a book which I took with me. My sister and I have both got to wear dark glasses, for our eyes cannot stand a bright light, and it was very amusing to us to hear a few people remarking that they never could tell who those two girls were looking at. We reached our destination at ( half-past 1, and we were only too glad to g«t off so that we could get a walk after sitting in a cramped position for such a long- time. I did not go to the picnic, but . took a walk through the tow> instead. The 1 dust up there is awful. We think we have a lot of dust down here, but it is much worse up there. At 3 o'clock my sister and I were on board again, but we got a feat to sit on instead of a boat, and it was iiitch more comfortable too. At 3.30 «iia.Tp the steamer started for Dunedin. As we were getting away a balloon was =pen rising hi^h up in the air, and we watched it till we , could see it no longer. Just after -we staited awa/ the sun disappeared behind a cloud, and it started to rain, but it soon cleared away, and although the sun did not corae , out again we had a pleasant trip T enjoyed the trip home much more than the one going up, because the steamer was pitch- ' ing and tossing a good bit, and it made me , feel sleepy instead of sick, as I expected itwould do. I also had » much more com- | fortable seat coming down, that I had going 1 up, and that mrVes a big difference to the er-joyment of a trip. We got to Dunedin t at 9 o'clock, and as we have a lonsr steep hill to climb getting out of the Fa-kcr&i j Valley we reached home at 11. Awey to j bad we went, to turn out at 2.30 again to 1 start work, after spending a m.^st enjoyable day. I teill not -forget January 1, 1908, for many a long day. — Yours tr;ily, THK LAMPLIG-HTEU. j

[I sm lost in amazement at your energy, Lamplighter. To get up at 2.30 a.m. or.c morning, go to bed at 11 p-.m.. and get up again the following rooming at 2.30 3m — it ia more than I have ever done. I am very glad that you had' such a pleasant little trip to reward you. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Little time h?s elap«:il s-'r.ce | I last wrote, but many tilings iava taken place. I intended to give you _a short account of my trip to the southern i?isi*ds on the Government steameif Hinamea This trip is otto -which will" always- be remem'bsre^ by the Hinemoa's crew and m*ny others, ag we picked up the castaways of the ship Dundonalct, wreotad on Disappointment Island on March 7, 1907. I should like to , give an account oi this, but I suppose there* will be no space far it. The holidays Lav© . come and gone. I dddi not enjoy myeeli half j so much as last y«ar. On Christmas Day 2 ! proved to bo a. hermit, for as 1 am only a ' bachelor I did not go any farther than the door of my little home. On Boxing JPay I intended to go to the Elveitcto D.lj-F.. pic-

nic, but as I did not meet the L.F. I intended to go with, I stayed in town, and went to the regatta. This is the second L.F. picnic which I have missed, but I know you will forgive me when I tell you I am very shy. I hope the picnic was a success; one thing was in its favour, and that was the lovely weather that day. I returned to Invercaargill the same night, but could see no I».F. at ell. New Year came next, so I went to the Caledonian sports here, but the day was very rough and miserable, and I did not enjoy myself as I expected. I saw two L.P., but I don't think they were looking for L.P., so I passed in. Next came the Bluff regatta, and although it was very rough, I spent an enjoyable time. I did rot leave Bluff until 5 past 12 in the morning, arriving in town at 1 p.m. I got home at a quarter to 2, so I tbink I did have a, good time. 'Not a single L.F. did I meet. Old Writers' Week has come and gone, and what a success it was! If possible, when Old Writers' Week comes egain I shall be amongst them. I noticed a great many writers whoj£. I knew, but perhaps they do not know who I am, as I have changed my norn de phirne since meeting them. WbeTe haveyou "got to, Paparca? and Little Nell and Joan d'Arc? It is a long time since I heard fronj you. I hope you all notice this, as it will give you a reminder of days gone by. The weather down here is very changeable at present. We had very hard luck in not securing good weather for the New Year holidays'. I did not have time to wish you a happy Christmas, but if it is not too late I will wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year. —

Yours tru!

KIA ORA

[I should have liked to h^ar more about your trip In the Hinemoa, Kia Ora; I was so interested in your rescue of the Dundonald castaways. Perhaps next time you will fell us some more about it. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — It is some time now since I last wrote to you. I have another little brother now, about three months old. My xmo-fclxer 333*3 fa-tit-er are 3,-wa.y from. Ixozx2<3 today, 'two of my brothers are down at tho beach fishing, and the others end myself are gcing to church to-night. Christmas and New Year were spent very quietly here. The only thing that livened this place were the trains. The Scotch Lad and my eldest brother intend to write to you one day next week. Dear Dot, I had a very enjoyable time reading the Old Writers' letters. We got our Sunday school prizes a little while ago, and I got a nice book called "The Grew of the Water Wagtail"; it is a boy's book, but very interesting. I do not know Mystery Island, but I. am very glad to hear that she is getting we'l again, as I had an experience of something ihe seme myself; but I think it was worse, as it brought on a lot of other trcuUes. I am going to school after the holidays for the first time since I started writing to you. Wishing all the Little Folk, the editor, and yourself a hapuy New Year. — MISTRESS JEAN.

Yours truly,

[You will be very glad to get back to school, won't you? It is such s. good thing that you are quite well agaan, and able to do what the other children do; it gets very tiresome being an invalid, doesn't it, Mistress Jean?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — I had an idle hour this afternoon, and had just been wondering how I could spend the time to the best advantage, ■when suddenly the thought struck me that I could do nothing better than write you c, line or two. Old 'Writers' "Week (or perhaps I should cay thr«e weeks) has come and gone since last I wrote; what a splendid collection of letters you had this time! I think wie shall very soon have to call it Old Writers' Month instead, of O.W. Week, as it took three issues of the Witness to print all the letters this time, and it will probably take more next year, as there will be more Old Writers by that time. Many of the letters were written over signatures I had never seen before, but, of course, I am not a very old writer, fbis being only my second letter to you. The last time I wrote to you I thought there was only one Ir.F. in our district, but I have since discovered that tbere are at least four besides myself. Ten o'clock must ahve written to you before my first letter appeared in print, as he claimed to be the first boy writer out this way, and was requesting _ail the other boys to liven tip a. bit and not let the girls have all their own way in D.L.F. matters. Very well, I quite agree with him. there; but at the &*m© time I think we will have si pretty rough time of it, as there are only three or four boys here altogether, and there are nearer 20 girls. Wbaf; 'do you think, Sunflower TL? It is about time you were putting your spoke in, isn't it? In my last letter I was telling you about the burning plain, and you said in ypur foot-note that you would like to hear a little more about it. Well, at the present time the file seems to be confined chiefly to one place near the Pomahaka River, where, through the coal being burnt away underneath, about 10 or 15 acres of land ha-ve fallen in, leaving a bank nearly all round, 30ft or .30ft high. Along this bank smoke and • steam can be seen issuing forth at several places. At one time the fire must have covered a much great extent of country, as you can see wihereit has been -burning at other paces — some of them a mile away from the present seat of the fire. Of course the fire Is moat of the time smouldering away underground, but sometimes, when «.n east wind is blowing, it bursts into flames and blazes away for a day or two until the ground falls in round it and smothers it again. A few years ago the Government spent a lot of money bringing in "a water race end turning it into the mine with the intention of extinguishing the fire, but it was all of no «vail 4 as it kept smouldering away all the time : so they had to abandon the undertaking. Well, Dot, I think I have reached the limit, so will conclude by wi-shing you and! all the L.I?, a bright and prosperous New Year. — POPOTUNOA.

Yours truly.

[I am most interested in that fire of yours, Popotunoa. Can one s«a it from the train? — aa I shall be passing south shortly, and should like to be 6n the look-out, if there is anything to see. — DOT.]

Dear Dot.— This is the first letter I have written to you. I would like very much to bscorne one of your happy band. I go to school, and I am in the First Standard. I have three miles to walk to school. Three of my sisters write to you and also two of my schoolmates. As this is my nxst letter I will not write a very long one. With love to every L.F. and yourself.— Yours truly, SWEET BELL MAHONE.

[I know the three sisterst, Bell Mahon«, and am glafi to welcome you too now; you *r« tho youngest of the focr, aren't yon? Isn't it funny to think that some day, perhaps, you will be writing me quite long, big .letters— as long as the eldest sister's? When thsrt time comes you will think of this first littl© one, and smile to think how you have gro-jm up, and 1 how your letters have grown too!— DOT.]

Dear Dot,— lt is a long time since we hay* written to you, and now, *9 we are Having our holidays, and aie staying together, we thinfc we shall write to yort. We were a$ a picnic vesterd>y, aafl W* xfc vei*

111 in 1 in 1 N v_3 much. Dulcenia won on ornament by coming first in a race, but Vieta did not run. We were busy watching a fire on Ne-jr Year's Day. It came very near th« buildings, which would have been burned had „h© rain not come on. We had a kindexspiel a.t our school, and all the school children took different parts in it. It ie great fun io go to the creek with a line and a piece of meat to fißh for crabs. The other day Vieta anc£ her cousin went out to catch craba, and they caught 26 crabs each. The farmers about here are busy taking in their hay; we shall be taking in ours this afternoon. The man who used to work at our place had a bicycle, and Duloenia learned bo ride it, but tha man is away now, and there will be no more fun for us on the bicycle. Blaok-eyed Susan, and Peril Point, are you never going to writ© to me ? — Yours truly,

VIETA AND DULCENIA.

Dear Dot — This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will accept me as on© of your happy band. I am in the Sixth Standard at school, which is about tree" miles from here, so I g-o Ly irain. We are having our Christmas holidays just now, so I thought I would write you a. short letter. There are a number of my schoolmates who write to your page. Sports were held here on Christmas Day. but I did not go; there were also sports held at Mataura on Boxing Day, so I went to Shem, and we had a beautiful day. I had a splendid . holi-, day a few weeks ago, when my friends andl I went for a picnic to the Riverton Beach, wheTe wo enjoyed ourselves very much wading in the water. — Yours truly.

POETREE. n [Is "Portree" an Irish or a Cornish name, _ dear? They say that any name beginning; with "Tre," "Pol." or "Pen" is almost certain 'to be Cornish, but I don't know whether that applies to "tree" at the end. Thereare a good many D.L.F., I know, in your district ; I eh&ll be gled to hear from you , again.— DOT.]

Dear Dot. — I have a pure -white kitten, and I call it Bonnie. I was at a picnic on New Year's Day; the boiler was boiled twice for us to have tea. and we played games and had races. We have had terribly windy weather. How much does the badge cost, Dot? With best lovejbo Aunt Sally,, The Lily of Leyden, Chums, and yourself,— Yours truly,

MOUNTAIN LILAC.

[The badge costs Is 6d, Lilac— DOT.]

Dear Dot — T see by last week's Witness that somebody else haa taken my name, soI am going to ch«ajge it. We are v«ry busy preparing for a, picnic that ia coming off here shortly. I was at some sports one day last w-eek. and I enjoyed myself immensely, although the day was rough. I have a, little pony, and I often go for a rid« on it. J have never been thrown off yet. I know a - good few D.L.F. down this way. We have a lot of pretty geraniums. Our flower garden is looking lovely just now. We are having our school holidays at present. I hay« been away for a week's holiday. — Yours truly, SAN SEVEBO.

Dear Dot, — We have been having very hot weather here lately, but yesterd*y afternoon, it was. very cold. I was at church yesterday afternoon,, and it waa cold coming home-. Clnietmas and New Year are past. My sister and I went to riflrit som« friends .on. 1 Christmas Day, and on Boxing Day we wer« at the sports at W. We stayed for ha concert and dance at night and I enioyed! myself very much. It was 2.30 a.m. when, we Teached home. I did not go anywhere on New Year's Day,~tSnly in Jhe afternoon I went for a drive. On J»Tew Year's Eve we all went -bo a dance, and hact a good time. I was away for a holiday about a month/ ago. and had a real good* time. I was away for a month altogether. I wtus staying withi my brother? at F. S. They have a farm, and axe milking 33 oows just now. It ia very hard work both morning and evening 1 . I can't mPk. so I grot out of it nicely. I met a few D.L.F. whiW I w»s away, amongnt them beinff Swamp Hen. Oueenie 11. *ndl one or two others. I saw Swanrp 3.bh often, but ouly saw Oueenie II Slmee or four im«s. The latter and I correspond, I was at tha P. show, a-nrl ervrveo" mveelf very well. I ' ; V©3 the little ponies very much and alao the nice dogs. -Mv brother *nd his wife a-nd I drove together. On our way \> 'b© show we saw the Mount Boval Tiomefltead, and it is such a lovo.lv -r^ce. "Oof— Ynura

OTK^'R PBTKROSTC,

Dear Dot, — I will start by telling yon how I spent my holidays. On the 27th Ihere were sports here, and;- of course, I went, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. There w** a large gathering there. I liked th* bicycle races best. New Year's day I went to «• picnic, that was ■ largely attendee? ftlso. The day was spent in games anfi running. I saw Happy-go-Lucky and Anih«» Jhar-e. X think everyone was well satisfied 1 with -heir day's outing. Tho weather was- perfect both, days; it nm just real summer. I o*anb« tell you all I have done since last writing, but I will say I have been enjoying myself all th« time. I bare, been io socials, dances, and concerts. I have' mc&e she aoquaintanca o-f a large number of D.L.F. lftialy. among the number being Texas Jack, Taipo. and! Sunshine. There aTe quite a number or children writing: from here now, but I very seldom see a badge. I always wear my badge no matter where I ro, and I can s»7 that through it I have made some very good friendtr. I think O.W.W. this year wn * great success. What a number of d**r. wellknown names were, there! I read cj cT * letter with interest, especially thet of A Lonely Girl, as she is one of my correspondents. What a lot of pood writers are leaving- the page now! I. too. will soon hay« to leave it. (I arm not saying that I am a good writer: far from it— l am a very rioor one.) I have written to the paf?e foT- 1 long time now— close on 11 years.— Harvest ---ill soon be on here now. The shearing -is about over in this part- of the country. _ The fruit will soon bo ripe, and that 1a ]us 6 what I like— some good ripe fruit. It la very windy to-day: it would aknost blow lha hend off anyone- outside. A lot of 2he old! residents have left here, and" stranger* have come in their place; it makes a difference in a small -nl^re Ifre *M«. A few weeks *^ick the country looked lovely and green, but it is now quite brown again. I hay« done a good bit of readinar lately; that ia my favourite pastime; and I have read- so-me: very good books. I was going 4o make this} a very interesting- letter, but I- do not Jhinfc I have managed to do so. I will close nos* in case you have to employ' yonr scissors. Love and good wishes to you and all my comrades, especially A Lonely Girl.— Yours truly, LITTLE BEIG-HT EYES 11.

Beer Dot, — T am" away for a holiday a* present at the ■ soaside, and I a.ja having, good times. A few days ago I was taken, out for a tow in a boat. We had some eatables witb as, so wo went a long way up the river, and it was about 6 o'clock when; we arrived home. On th« following evening we went for another row, which waa to U3 even better than the day before; as tha sea waa a little rougher, it was late wh«ff wo arrived 1 home th«tt night. I waa at thai New. Tfear'a ball dptm bete, and I enjoy**

myself immensely; it was already afternoon when I got up next day. On the Friday after New Year four of us went for a ride io a lighthouse; when we arrived tliere we tad something to eat, then we were taken all through the lighthouse. After having a good time there we started for home. On cur way home the horses took fright at a milking machine; my mate and I got off and let our cousin lead, the horses past for us. When we were past we got mounted again, and had a. lovely ride all the way borne, but we were a little stiff next day. iWith love to Clock Winder, — Yours truly,,

E. E, C.

Dear Dot, — As five months have passed since I wrote to the page, I thank it ia ?bout time for me to write "again. Well, IDot, another year h<as pas««L with all its ■joys and sorrows, and we aie again starting a neiw one^-ona which I hope will b& full of prosperity to all the D.L.F. and their kingdom. Every Witness has .letters from ■?;ew writers in it. I enjoyed reading the 'Qld Writers' letters very much. Everybody atound about is crying out for lain, as we isave not had any to speak ot for weeks. The farmers ' especially are looking very serious over it, as their crops are not doing so. well as they might. I was at the Kelso sports on New Year's Day, ariai they were so quiet that I do not think there is anything to tell you about them. There were only about a dozen races altogether, and a bicycle xace and some wrestling. We had no music except the bagpipes, and if a young man from Tapanui had not brought them with him and given us > few tunes, they would have been very . dreary sports. Dear Mystery Island, was very sorry to hear, of your accident, end I hope you are fully recovered from the Tourns by now. I wonder do you -know who •I am? I think you ought to, as you know me, and I" have often been in your house, also in Aroha Nui's. I do not think he knows who I am, though. " W ill ye no come tack again?" Somebody's Sailor Boy, and •write to the page and me? I hope you received the post-card all right and the letter aJso. Christinas and New Year passed -away very quietly in Tapanui. and I did not sit up to see the old year out and the flew year in. I am out at Kelso for a few weeks just 'now, but I shall be- home before the school starts again, I think. We had our school concert on the 20th. December. There were, a lot of people at it, «nd Mr Malcolm •was there also, and he gave a very nice speech. By the time the prizes were distributed and a few speeches given it was 10 o'clock, and time to go home. It would lave been much better if there had been » dance to follow. Are you fond of dancing, Dot? I am, but there is only one every blue- moon up here, which is not very often, es you know. Well, Dot, I wag trying to ride the other day, and I was all right for a ilittle while, until the hors« took it into her head, to have some fun. She marched everywhere but inhere sho was wanted to go. She -went round and round in a circle, and she kept on going round until I thought tha-t waa no good, co I put her back in tha y stable, but I will have another try some day soon. A sad! accident happened not very far from here about a week ago. "\ r i hile «> woman, was burning paper outside the wind blew thes sparks on to her apron, and ehe was almost immediately covered in flames. Her wrists were burnt to the. bone in some places. She rushed inside, and a girl ~ 'that was there managed let extinguish the flames. I think Dueliess of Sutherland must Slave gone to sleep for the winter a'#t slfept xm through the Hurry uu and Duchess! .1 wonder did Golden Prince receive 'the post-card I sent him? Dear Dot/ I think I have broken the rules, ibut I will close now, with love to Somebody's Sailor -Boy, H«lics. Dueh-ess of Sutherland, Mystery Island, Golden "Prince, Sweet Lavender, and Ticky, — Yours truly. TONGALA. [What a pity that poor woman did not at one© lie down on the ground and roll over and over till sho extinguished the flames! She would have been much less severely •Imrnt. probably, especially if there had been a sack at hand to help to smother the fire. I wish all Little Folk would remember that the best thing to do in suolr a case is to aroll the victim tightly in a rug or blanket if there is one handy, or, failing that, to aroYl him over on th© ground or floor, keeping the i air as much >as possible away from flames. So many accidents would be terrible if that were remembered.— DOT.]

AUTOS AND POST-CARDS.

"Una Trewinnon, care Waronui School. Milton, Otago, New Zealand would like to exchange autos or posf-cards with any D.L.F. •willing, especially Chat. An African Daisy, Pat Murony. West Coaster, Lady, Sue, Emerald, and The Shepherdess's "Fairy. She would 1 also, like .some D.L.F. to. send her the address of Daisy Primrose. v-"«ta- fPukebiki. Otago Peninsula) and Duleenia (Katea P. 0.) would like to exchange post-cards with Priscilla Peel. Lady KilrojP, ■"Water Lily Lord Ronald, Lily of the Valley, Kasselas, Golden Locks, and Princess Mabel. San Severe Tokonui P. 0.. wishes to exchange -port-card's and autos -with Mint fiauce, Golden Locks, and! any other L.F. •willing. Little Brighteyes II (Jane Kitto, Miller's zF'att would like to exchange autos with, any JD.L.F. willing, "Vuigala, care Railway Ganger. Tapanui, "would like to exchange au'tos with any Orepuki and Colac Bay D.L.F.; also with Billy Sraal, Jessica, Pakeha, Baa Ora, and any ethers willing.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

J/Lkgemsea. — Thank you for your very nice letter. I am sorry that an unfortunate chain of circumstances caused you to miss 0.W.W., and know that you would have Tjeen with, us 'ihen if it had been possible. 7- wish you also, dear Angelesea, a very ■ haopy year during 1908. The AttStsaliam LABRiKnr. — I am afraid your badge must have gone astray, as I •oosted it to you on December 14. If you (have not received it by the time you read this it must have been lost in the post. In that case, if you let ma know, I shall send you another.

NEW YEAR CARDS.

.Dot wishes to acknowledge card's from D. O. D.; Bosebud, and Angelesea, and to fhank these- D.L.F. for -their good wishes.

D.L.E. BADGES?

' Badges sent to Nella, Hard Case, Thistle, A Wild Duck's Feather, -Princess Naomi, {Rosebud.

BUNEDIN D.L.F. LITERARY ANB DEBATING CLUB.

Motto : " Union is Strength." The above club reopened on the evening «f -the 7th. Emerald presided over a meeting> consisting of 19 members, of whom visitors oomprified fhe larger portion. The i>T«sident extended » welcome to Sadie, 33arky, Wilful Lassie, -A Wild Duck's -Feather, Southern Cross, and a lady whose norn de plume I have not been garnished vitk.

A very interesting letter was received from T Lola, who advanced some really helpful suggestions to provide variety as well as education in our syllabus. These suggestions will be placed before the committee. I am instructed, through, the medium of this report, to reciprocate Lola's greetings, and return thanks for her seasonable advice. This I do most heartily. A letter was read from Mr Fraser, in which he thanked the club for the honour conferred on him by electing him a patron. Our new patron has promised to attend our meetings at some future dnte. — Received with applause. Emerald spoke on the interclub debate, announcing that the debaio would be hela in the library on the 16th of January at 8 p.m. All are requested to .fee present, by 7.30 p.m., so aa to avoid delay. Dot will arrange for the judging of the debate. As the meeting waa set down aa "general," suggestions were invited for a method of profitably passing the_ remaining portion of the evening. Suggestions seemed to be an unknown quantity, and by reason of their absence the club perforce had to resort to that inexhaustible standby, " the questionbox." Even this mode of entertainment failed to arou-se any enthusiasm, and the response to tho /arious questions were so brief and uninteresting that few ar© worthy of recording. Out of some 19 questions, more or less humorous, only one developed into a v tolerably interesting controversy. This was, "Should girls put their hair up when wearing three-quarter skirts?" Harry gave this question the necessary momentum to launch it into debatable arguments. Harry strongly favoured three-quarter skirts, because of the freedom they gave the wearer, as well as the athletio appearance that was part of their charm. Women to-day have sense. Sense decrees that when comfort oannot blend with fashion, then comfort will take an independent stand. Animals are clothed to the hoofs, not further. Thus Nature has set an example, and why should human beings endeavour to impose upon Kature hy inventing trains that give a hampered appearance and collect dust and germs.

Another speaker sup-ported fh& long diess, ~~but the reason only amounted to that stubborn, "because" ; needless to say, it was not a boy that advanced it. Awkward Ned considered girls' notions always had an upward tendency, consequently they put their hair up and then raised, their skirts "to keep harmony.

The questions finished, an air of despair settled over the room, which cleared a trifle when an impromptu debate was announced. The subject was in perfect harmony with, the monotony of the evening — "Is Life Worth Living?" .or, in other words, "Pessimists veTsus Optimists."

A speaker (a pessimist) gave a word-pic-ture of life, drawn in darkest colours. Hope gone, friends gone, everything but the thread known as life. Under these conditions can life be worth living, or can men be blamed when, they terminate it all? The verdicts of "Temporarily insane" and "Emotional insanity" were mere disguises to cover up the motive of the crime, and the real explanation invariably was, "Life is not worth, living."

Tomahawk, with his usual optimism, considered life' well worth, living, and his contention was that all men should live to fulfil the requirements of the Creator. The speaker drew a ghastly word-picture of a man ending his days: he portrayed his last uneartlrly scream, his face, with, its expression of pain and fear, his despairing exemplification of the saying, "A drowning man will clutch at a straw." Tomahawk contended that life waa infinitely dear to all men. A few others supported the re^j-ective sides, and a vote of it-© meeting showed ilie noajo- , rity present favoured the negative side — that j life is not worth living This concluded the j business of the evening, so the club closed, ' to reopen on the 14th.

I have much pleasure in reciprocating C. C. M.'s kind wishes, which, we are pleased to receive.

CORNISH, Hon. Sec.

[I cannot help adding a foot-note of astonishment to this report, as I fe^el quite overcome by the idea that a majority out of 19 of my Little Folk should deoido -that life was not worth living! Cornish certainly gives me to undertand by the previous part of his report that there was a certain spirit of fatigue and ennui pervading the meeting. — but that it should be so hopeless 'as this!! Alas and alack, Little Folk, what has come to you? Where were the supporters for the affirmative that night ?— DOT.]