LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2818, 18 March 1908, Page 99

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto:— Wt write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. (§"No letter to contain more than 450 words. Dear -Dot,— l am' going tc tell you about our picnic to Taieri Mouth. We started away about 7.30 a.m., and after a, pleasant drive of about seven miles reached Milton Station, where our friends were already waiting. At 8.50 a.m. we got into the train, and were soon enjoying a pleasant ride. On the way we saw Lake Waihol*. We got off the train at Titri, and after a short walk arrived at the boats. There was a small boat and a large one. We had a very enjoyable sail down the river, passing on the way the Maori Leap, and seeing some lovely scenery. We reached the beach at 11 a.m., wttere we all had our lunch and then went to have a paddle. The grown-up people had a game of rounders. We went back to where we were to have tea, and after having it went to the landing and got into the boats. After another pleasant sail we reached Titri and got into the train. On the way back to Milton we sang "God save the King" and "For they are jolly good fellows." After getting out at Milton we drove home, feeling very tired.— Yours truly, RAWERA. [That is one of the pleasantest excursions near Dunedin, I think, Rawer^-. Isn't the river beautiful?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We have had two picnics here lately— one for the school and one for the Sunday School. The ground is very dry here just now, and the grass is getting all burnt up; but we had a good shower of rain yesterday, which will help the grass a great deal. When I was up at the Waipiata sports' on Boxing Day I met a few D.L.F., but Christmas Lily was the only one I knew. All our fruit is done now, except the pears and peaches, which wei have a lot of. Our school teacher is teaching us to swim, but some of the boys are frightened to go into the water. I have a post-card •album now, but I have only 11 cards to put in it. There are » good few children going to our school now, and there are two teachers.— Yours truly, JACK FROST. Dear Dot, — What an interesting letter Kia Ora wrote about his trip to the Southern Islands! Although there w«re other accounts about it in the Witness, Kia Ora's interested me the most, just because it was a D.L.F. that wrote it. Jack Frost is writing to you, too. It will be his second letter to the page. He has been taking a great interest in D.L.F. matters since he first wrote. I was up at the Waipiata sports on Boxing Day, anel enjoyed myself splendidly. While I wasthere I met Eweburnite, Dot's Sweetheart, and Christmas Lily. I was 1 going to the Middlemarch sports, too, but when New Year's Day came round I didn't feel inclined to go, so I went over and spent the day with Only a Leaf instead. The Hyde School picnic wes held on Friday, and as it was a lovely day there was a good turnout. I went in the eirls' race, and came first, and Only a Leaf and her cousin came second. Geneva was in it, too, but she didn't win anything. We had a lot of fruit this year, including apples, pears, pluma, cherries, peaches, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, and red and black currants. I think fruit was very plentiful all over Otago this year. Since last writing to you I have another wee brother ; his name is Leslie. I have eight brothers now — don't you envy me, Dot? I dm still collecting post-card?, and have 140. Our flower garden looks terribly neglected just now, as the plants, are all withered up on account of the drought. I am very fond of ferns, but I can never get them to grow. The Taieri River is very low just now. My brothers went down ee<!ing the other day, and I went down with them. The river wan so low that we waded right across it ; but I must confess- I felt a bit shaky by the time I got to the other siae, a 9 the river was pretty deep where we waded out. With love to AlveTa, Only a Leaf, Sophia, True Blue, E. R., Christmas Lily, Clorine, Doreen, Millicent, and yourself,— Yours truly, VIOLET LEAF. Dear Dot, — We have three cats and two dogs. I have three sisters and four brothers. We have a lot of fruit this year. I have met a number of Dot's Little Folk, and they wanted me to write to you. I am in the Third Standard, and I was 10 years old on the 3rd of March. The days are growing short now. We are having hot days up here. I went to the Head of the Lake for a holiday, and I enjoyed myself very well. — Yours truly, FERNDALE. This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will let me join your band. I am II years old. I have a sister and a brother writing to your page. We had a shower of rain to-day, and it will do a great deal of good to the farms, for the grass is withering up for want of rain. Our school started three weeks ago, and I am going back again. I don't mind going to school, but what I don't like is having to walk three miles. I have too far to walk; if I only had a short distance to go I would like going to school. We are milking four cows; my brother milks them, and sometimes my mother helps him. I am learning to milk now, and I suppose I will have to milk altogether when I learn. I like reading the D.L.F. letters. I know a few D.L.F. about here. — Yours truly, NAVAJOE. Dear Dot, — The fruit ia almost done now, though there is still a little late fruit left. All the farmers have their crops in stacks. It has been • very dry season, this year, but it has been tuning * good bit lately,

and it will soon /naf 4 the grass grow. Some* times we have hardl/ enough water to drink. I have a flower garden with all different kinds of flowers in it, but they are nearly all going to seed. There must have been a lot of bush fires lately I was at the sports on the 9th November. There were a lot of L.F. there; Indian Chief took a photo of a lot of us, but I did not see it. There are alot of L.F. about here now. I was at a flower show two weeks ago, and there was a* great display of fruit, flowers, and vegetables considering the dry season. I saw the biggest marrow I have ever seen ; its weight was 471b. My grandfather got a lot of prizes for flowers. Some of the school children go« prizes for drawing and writing.— Yours truly, M. A. M. Dear Dot,— l would like to become a member of your happy band. It has been raining for two days, and we needed it verjj much, because all the grass was withered! up for want of water. This is a short letter, but I will write a. \Jonger one next time.— < Yours truly, CAIRNMUIR. [I shall be glad to hear from you again. Cairnmtuir.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— l notice that all the L.F. Hera have been writing to you lately, and as ] do not wish to be left in the background I nave decided to send you a line or two also. Being rather short of news I will commence with that everlasting topic, the weather. The drought has at last broken up, and we are getting plenty of rain here now; consequently the farmers are in great glee, as the grass paddocks were all getting burnt up and! the turnipß were beginning to wither, too, for want of moisture. What a difference aj day's rain makes to the general aspect of the country! Perhaps I should have said a day's rain in the summer time after a lon& drought ; as a day's rain in the winter doesn'-fi make much difference, does it? Previous to« the rain the fields were very dry and hard', and presented a brown, barren appearance; but now since the rain everything has donned a- bright green tinge and looks quite different. I am going to tell you about a ramblej I had one day last week over as far as the flaxmill which is situated on the bank o£ the Pomahaka River, in the Rankleburn district. It was a bright, sunny morning, and! after making up a good big lunch and stuffing it into one of my pockets, I left Popotunoa, and gaily trudged along the road in the direction of the flaxmill. The first place of interest on the roadline that attracted mjj attention was the home of Sunflower 11, Laurine, and Pomahaka. When I got opposite the house I stopped and looked oves" the fence for a few minutes, expecting to Be* -S ye oi tho k* n<i fromi * smiling D.L.F. But no, my luck was out; ther© was no sign of anybody, and as the blind* were all down I came to the conclusion, that they were all in bed, so I passed on. The next halt that I made was at the Burning Plain, and I stopped there about half an hour and had a good look round, viewing a1!a 1 ! the places where smoke and steam were, coming out, etc. I will not say any rmora about the burning plain, aa Popotunoa told you all about it in his letters. After leavingi it I proceeded on my journey along the bankt, of the Pomahaka River. It is a beautiful) river, Dot— clear as crystal and full of troutJ It flows over «. bed of rocks and gravel, withf ' the exception of- a few chains here and there;' where the bottom is solid coal. After dodgS ing along the bank for about an hourf] passing an occasional fisherman, and watch- j ing the trout shooting under rocks .«hkl| stones, taking shelter for a few minutes' while I passed, I "came to the ford where? I had to cross to get to the mill. The riverj was very low, so I took off my boots andf socks and waded through. I was getting; pretty hungry by this time, so seeing sd fisherman boiling his billy I went up to: Eim and bade him good-day. Of course, h« asked me to have a drink of tea, and as 1 had my lunch in my pocket I gladly accepted. It was a very hot sunny day, so w« both sat down in the shade of a large flax bush, and, with the assistance of a mug of tea, ire ate our Wt of lunch. I can assura you I enjoyed mine. I then thanked him foi the cup of tee, and bidding) him good-bye, I went over to inspect th» mill. I intended having a good look at th* mill, but as the men were all Susy working and you could hardly hear yourself speaking for the noise of the: scutcher, I did nofc venture inside, fearing that I might be mi somebody's road} I had to be contented with standing outside and viewing operation* from a distance. There is very littla machinery in a flaxmill, and not very much to see, so I was rather disappointed with my •trip. After wandering about the mill fo* about an hour the thought suddenly struck me that it was time I was getting a move on in the direction of home. So after securing! a piece of tow from one of the mill hands I made tracks* in that direction. I walked very briskly for about ivro hours, and arrived home just in time for tea. Well, Dot, I musil conclude now. Hurry up and write again, Sunflower 11. You can expect auto from me ! some day «oon. — Yours truly, TEN O'CLOCK. Dear Dot,— <Chrißtmas has passed one« more, and we have started a new year. 1 was away for three weeks' holiday, ana I had a grand time. I was at some sports her« not long ago, and I saw one budge; but I was too shy to speak to the girl who waa wearing it. The Wyndham flower show waa held on the 19th and 20th of last month. It/ . was supposed to be the best and biggest! show ever held here, and they took over £50 at the door.. The first day there wa9 am excursion from Orepuki, Colac Bay, and Riverton, and the second day from Bluff and Invercargill. That also helped the flower show on, as most of the people went to see it. I was there one night, and I was speaking to Edendaleite, who was the only L.F. I saw there. It has been very hot here for some time, but it is changing now, and the days are getting short very quickly. Thank you very much for sending my badge, which I received safely. I had my photo taken ai little while ago, and I will send you one if you would like one. Vyvian I is going to th« Invercargill High School now, so she won't have much time to write to you. She has not written for a long time now, and I think it is about time we saw a letter from her. With love to R. E. W., Lady Gwendoline, Edendaleite, Vyvian I, and yourself, — Youra truly, BROWN BESS[If you Bend your photo, Brown Bess, I shall keep it to go in the next group.—* DOT.] Dear Dot, — We have all our crop stacked 1 , and we are expecting the chaffcutter to-mor-row We are going to have a. harvest homa on the 17th of this month, and the sale oil work on the 18th. Our guinea pig 1 got ouft last night, and the cats took it. We hay« six cows milking, and I milk three nighf and morning. — Yours truly, SOPHIE FULGARNIE. Dear Dot,— lt is several months since I lasi wrote to yon. I started to write to you about six weeks ago, but I did not finish the letter. We are having very dry weathe* up Here, but two days ago we had a fall oi , rain, and that fo&ened, the «ix. W« hava

a new schoolmaster and mistress, and I like them both. lam happy to say that I passed rm ixamination. and. i am now .d the oixih Standard. All our fruit trees were loaded with fruit, and we had more than we could use. It was sad to see how the fruit was going to waste. I am collecting post-cards, and I have 63. I believe there are a good many D.L.F. in this part of the country. I bad a good time at Christmas going to ■picnics and bird-nesting. I gathered 1000 birds' eggs and heads, and I got Is 6d per 100 for them. It seems very cruel to rob the birds of their young, but if it was not done they would rum the farmers. Water is very scarce, and it takes us all our time to make it go far enough. — Yours truly, POSTMAN. ' Dear Dot, — We have had welcome rain at last, though, since I am not a farmer, it is, to tell the truth, hardly welcome to me. "Some of the D.L.F. whom I used to know have not written for a long time. Why don't you follow my example, Lauriesy and let us see your name in the page once more? —Yours truly, ' FIVEASH. Dear Dot, — I, too, saw some little canaries when I was over at Stewart Island for my holidays; they were fed on breadcrumbs and egg. . There were three little darlings, all cuddled closely together in the nest. I enjoyed myself very much at Stewart Island. iWe went to Ringa Rings to see the Siberian ddgs, but were disappointed, for they had all been sent away with the expedition party ■to the Antarctic regions. We went up Patereon's Inlet to the north-west arm; we had lunch, there, and called at Ulva before coming foftek.— Yours truly, PANONI. {Stewart Island is a . delightful place for a' holiday, isn't it? There are all sorts' of interesting excursions *6 make. — DOT.] -Dear Dot,— l should Uke very much to Join your band. I go to school, and I am in the Fifth Standard. We play fine games at Echool, and enjoy ourselves. I have six ."brothers and seven sisters. We have two {phonographs and 74 records. I am 12 years of age, and will be 13 on the 14th ot June.— Yours truly, WATERY GRAVE. [You did not send your name, Watery Grave. What a lugubrious N.D.P. !— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am back at" school again after a' spell of' six weeks. I did not go away anywhere for my holidays. We had lovely weather for our holidays. I was at the Wyndham show, and enjoyed myself very much. I am collecting post-cards, and have ( a good few. I enjoyed reading O.AV.W. — Tours truly, LILY OF THE NILE. [I asked Harry to forward your autos, Lily of the Nile; you have no doubt received ■them safely by now. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — This is my first letter to you. and thus I feel a bit shaky. Harvest :s nearly over in this district, and soon the voioe of the mill as she does her work will be auddble for miles around. From where I •live a fine view of the sea can be had on .the one hand, while on the other, by taking a walk of a few hundred yards, V view can be obtained of the township. — Yours truly, THE LONE PARD. [I hope you won't feel shaky again over Bo small a matter as writing to Dot! I have sent yon a badge, and hope it will bring you much pleasure. — DOT.] .Dear .Dot, — I promised a long time ago <to .give . a -description of our shearing ; I ,will try to do co now. The day fixed for the shearing to .commence was November 11. On Saturday a large number of men arrived, and by Sunday night ihe whole lot were here. ■It came on' to rain on Sunday and wet 'the sheep, so that they didn't get a start to shear .until 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning. . They ithen shore on until half-past 3 on Saturday. 'It came on .to rain on Saturday afternoon, ibut as they had the shed full they started on Monday morning at 5.80 o'clock, but were stopped in the afternoon. They did not shear any more until Thursday, and then it rained on Thursday night, and they knocked off early on Friday. On Saturday they shore on until 4 o'clock. Next two weeks they had full, and finished up at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning. This finished them up for another year, much to my joy; they had been here exactly a month. There was a great Ibustle while it lasted. We are now busy twrth the harvesters, but as they axe soon to (be done it won't be so bad. I went in to Oamaru for a week a little while ago, and happened to see one or two D.L.P. I didn't manage to get into the picnic on New Year's •Day, much as I should have liked to. Were not the bush fires terrible while they lasted? There seem to be fires everywhere just now. iWe have been having very hot weather, but since it started to rain it has cooled and freshened the air. It is 11 months since I last wrote to you, Dot, but I don't think I will be so long the next time. What a lot of I^F. are retiring and- getting married! With kindest regards to Remember Me, Jasma, Curly Pow,— Yours truly, INQUISITIVE POLL. .[lt is a long time since you last wrote, acquisitive JBoll ; lam quite glad to see your name again. Your shearing seems .to have been very broken; it is so much more satisfactory*, to get it straight through without these enforced waits for fine weather, isn't it?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I will describe the Orepuki School excursion to Wyndham. At 5 o'clock that morning I awoke upon hearing the whistle of the big "U" engine that was to take us on our journey. At 6 o'clock people ibegan to mov« towards the railway station, and continued to do so until about 7 o'clock. 'At five minutes past 7 the signal was given, and the train moved away from the railway station. When we arrived at Pahia there •was another crowd 'waiting for the train. ,They were soon seated in the vacant cars, and we moved on again, not stopping until ,we reached Riverton, -where the Riverton contingent awaited our arrival. Three more tsars containing the Riverton people were then added to our train, and we set off for Invercargill, where we waited for five minutes and then started again for Wyndham. We arrived at Wyndham at five minutes past 11 *fter a very pleasant ride. When we alighted from the train we were shown to a $>lace where the fires Viad been lit for us. \After lunch I walked about the streets with some of my mates, and then we went back to ithe place where we had had our lunch and listened while our band played some beautiful selections. Then we went to the recreation ground, where our cricket team •was ready to. meet the Wyndham team. The match was soon started; the Orepuki team went * out for 32. Then .came Wyndham's turn, and when time was called the scores were: Orepuki 32, Wyndham five wickets for 96 runs. After tie match we went to the flower show, and here we could see the produce of Wyndham; but as I looked over all t!be exhibits I noticed that some had come ifom Orepuki. At i o'clock our train was ready, and we stepped on board and started for Orepuki. When we arrived at Riverton dor Riverton friends left us, and soon we were on the road again to Pahia, where another contingent would leave us. As I passed along the remaining cars I wondered where til tka Hfiflftle bad. come tronv but

■ when the train stopped again I found that they had all -come fromr Orepuki. — Yours truly, MANGARUA. Dear Dot, — It is such a long time since I last penned those two words that I feel quite ashamed to do so now ; but I have only a few months to write, so I must make the best of my time. Such changes have taken place since I last wrote; it seems like a new world altogether. At one time I was the only writer from Orepuki ; now there are a number of L.F. there. Since last writing I have left Orepuki, and am living in a small farming district about 12 miles from it. It is a very small district, having about 200 settlers. The farmers here go in for dairying mostly, each farmer having from 10 to 5C cows. The dairy factory is situated near the main road, within easy reach of everyone. We live about four miles away from it; others live about three to five miles, and others again are just a stone's throw from it. We are all busy harvesting now, and we are getting splendid weather for it. After the harvesting is over we shall be digging potatoes. The potato crop is splendid, and if the blight does not come there will be a very good crop. Some people run away with the idea, that farming is slavery. I thought so, too, till I came to live on this farm. The farmers here are kept very busy all the summer months while the viag and harvesting are in full swing; that is, from about October till May. But from May to October again they have, one might say, their holidays. The railway here is going ahead now, and I think it won't be long before it will be finished. They have just finished the Hollyburn bridge, and are to start another about four miles farther on at Camp Creek. One of the stations is nearly complete, having the station, ,goods shed, and residence erected, and men are busy preparing another station yard at the school. The station at the school is to be called Te Tua, and the other one farther down Mangarua. The railway is going right to the river to Tuatapere. When it is finished it will be quite a boon to the settlers in Te Tua and also over the other side of the river as far as Orawia. When it is throixgh I believe there is to be a lot of land thrown open farther back, so in years to come Te Tua will be quite a big place. At the present time there is only one store, a butcher's shop, and a school. Two churches are to be erected — a Roman Catholic and a Presbyterian. The Roman Catholic Church is in course of erection, and is to be finished in about two months. It is expected to be opened about Easter. There is some talk of a hall being erected. I hope it is true, as a hall is very badly needed in this district, as any entertainment or amusement that we have here is always held in the which is m<uch too small. I think I must close now, as I am afraid I have gone beyond the limit. If I have, Dot, you can use those magic scissorß that some of the L.F. talk of. With love to all the L.F., and yourself,— Yours truly, KOROMIKO. Dear. Dot, — Some time has- passed since I last wrote to the page, and during that time I have noticed what a number of new correspondents there are. In every Witness I notice new writers. There are very few D.L.F. round about here. We had very dry weather up till last week, and things were beginning to be very serious for the farmers. Some of the farmers round about here had very little water on their farms for the cattle to drink. Since last writing I have been away for a holiday. I went up to Oamaru for a week, and enjoyed myself very well. I did not see any D.L.F. while I was up there. Have you ever seen the Oamaru Gardens? While I was in Oamaru I went to Bee the Gardens, and I think they are lovely — much prettier than the Dunedin Gardens, I think. I am reading such a nice book just now, entitled "Changed Lots." Do you read many books, Dot? I don't suppose you have much time to read, having so many letters to attend to. I have just been reading Kia Ora's account of the trip in the Hinemoa to the Southern Islands. This trip will be remembered by the crew of the Hinemoa for a long time, won't it, Dot? WiUh love to Another Primrose, Swamp Hen, Rosy Cheeks, Madame Philidia, Alvera, lona, and yourself,— Yours truly, QUEENIE 11. Dear Dot,— This ia the first time I have written to you, and I hope you will accept me as one of your Little Folk. Our annual school picnic waa held on December 27, in the school ground. Although it was a very hot day there was a great crowd, and I enjoyed myself. I know a few D.L.F., who live not far away from here. I saw a letter from Lady Sue in last week's paper. There is to be a concert and dance down here on Friday, but I do not know whether I am going. One of my sisters is a D.L.F., but she has not written for a long while. I sometimes go for a ride round the sheep and cattle, and I think it is grand_ fun. I think this is long enough letter for the first time. — Yours truly, TURTLE DOVE. [I have inscribed your name in my book, Turtle Dove, so that you are now one of my Little Folk. I hope you will get and give much enjoyment through writing to the page.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am at Silver Wave's home writing this, and she is hardly doing anything but laugh. She says she' can only get as far as "Dear Dot," and then she comes to a full stop. I was at a ball 17 miles from here a week or so ago, and I had a grand time. I saw Mountain Violet and C.Y.K. there. The dance broke up at half-past 3, and we arrived home at half-past 6 in the morning. I drove nearly all the way home and my sister slept most of the way. She did not wake up until I nearly tipped the ' lot of us out ; she jumped up in a hurry then, j Oh, Dot, if you had seen us the day after the dance you would have laughed. We had had no sleep, and we had to work all day, so when wo came home at night we looked like two dying ducks. We vowed we would not go to a dance in a hurry again. But, Dot, there is another coming off shortly and' we are thinking of going to it. The Queenstown D.L.F. are showing up a bit. I saw three letters in the paper last week. We have had beautiful weather this year, but it has changed to-day. It has been raining heavily, and it is very cold tonight; but I suppose we may expect cold weather now, as we will soon have winter here. Dear Dot, I was always wishing to climb Ben Lomond, and my wish has been granted. A little while ago some friends and I made up a party and went up one lovely moonlight night. We arranged to leave at half-past 1, and to meet at our gate. I was the first at our meeting place, but I nadn t long to wait before I saw the others trooping along with an old black billy and a basket. "We nad a yarn at our gate while my sister put on a strong pair of boots, and then we srtarted off. When we got to the hut (that is, half way) we boiled our billy, and I can tell you we were very glad when it did boil, as we were longing for a cup of tea. After we were finished our tea we started for the top, and reached there just as the sun was rising, it was a beautiful sight. We sat on the top about a quarter of an hour, and then we started for home. We reached home ax 6, and we all enjoyed our walk very much,

only that we were a little bit stiff next day. I was very sorry about Weary being so ill, and I hope she will soon be better. Best love to Happy, C.A., Weary, and Mountain Violet.— Yours truly, WILD ROSE. Dear Dot, — The weather up this way almost all the summer has suited visitors to perfection, but not the miners and farmers. Very welcome rain has been falling this last day or two, which brightens things up a bit. Wild Rose and I have intended to write this last week or two, but this is our first attempt, and I sincerely hope it succeeds. I'm afraid it will not, as I have been laughing since we started. Queenstown seem to be livening up a bit. I noticed three letters from here in last week's Witness. Newbury and Tenor Horn must have had ( a delightful trip up Ben Lomond; don't you think so, Dot? Wild Rose and C.Y.K. had a lovely time at the ball, and at the time I felt jealous of them. Next day, however, told a different tale, for they could hardly keep their eyes open, let alone walk about. I can safely say the jealous feeling vanished quickly when I saw them coming home. C.Y.K. fell asleep on her homeward journey, only waking up when Wild Rose nearly capsized the gig into a ditch. It was her first experience at driving, so she did not do so badly. She diove ihe whole 17 miles home. Winter will soon be once more upon us, and then Jack Frost will be very busy painting. I always long for -winter to come, beoaj3e ihe evenings are nice and lon or, and there are so many amusements. Poppet seems very slo-w in writing. I think I must hurry her up a bit, don't you, Dot? I always like reading the letters, especially when they ccme frcm Queens-town L.F. I have not been 'to any picnics or dances this year, so that makes me short of something to write about. I expect to go for a week's holiday at Easter, and I will make up for lost time then. My mother is going to Paradise, a place about 45 miles from, here, for a week's holiday. I will be housekeeper. With love to Wild Rose, C.Y.K., and Poppet, — Yours truly, SILVER WAVE. Dear Dot, — It seems a long time since I wrote to you last, and I believe it is, too. Don't you think the nights are getting dark quickly, Dot? I do. I hardly know how to put in the time till 9 o'clock, my bed time. It is trying to rain here to-night, but I don't think it will, because it is wanted. We have bec-i> back to school quite a long time now — nearly a month, I think. I got a nice post-cardi album for a Christinas present, and I have about 30 pretty post-cards in it. I think Sabina Barnes must be dreaming, for lam sure I never sent her a post-card. She says sha got one with my N.D.P. on it, but no address; I think some other L.F. must have sent it to her for fun. All the same, I will exchange post-cards with her. My address is " Madame Philidia, care Mrs Dempsey, Goodwood." One of my little sisters hurt her foot badly a week ago, and it is just beginning to gain strength again. With love to Millie, Nancy Lee, and all my other mates, — Yours truly, MADAME r PHILIDIA. Dear Dot, — This is the first letter I have written to your page, and I hope you will accept me as one of your happy band. I am seven years of age, and I am in the First Standard. I know a few L.F. about here, and I- hope to know more. As I am not a good writer my sister is writing thi3 letter for me. She also writes tc the page. It is raining to-day, so I did not go to school, as I have a long way to go. As this is my first letter I will not write a long one. With love to Mat, Wee MacGregor, and yourself, — Yours truly A LITTLE FAIRY. [Yes, you may join us, Little Fairy. Perhaps you will write again on another wet day when you are at home tfom school.] Dear Dot, — Will you welcome a new writer to the page? I know a lot of D.L.F. who seem •to have jolly times, and I would like to count myself one of them. I have some very nice mates at school, and we have grand times together at rounders and other games. I collect post-cards, and have some very pretty' ones. The D.L.F. seem to have good times at picnics; I have heard of different ones that my friends have been at, and they enjoyed them very much. I have a small garden of my own, but there are not very many flowers in it. I was at a picnio a few weeks ago, and had a very nice time. It was a long train journey, and the day was very hot. There were crowds of people there. I think there were people from other places at the picnic. It was a grand picnic ground, with big double swings m one corner. A party of us went for a walk down to the river and into the bush a little way. The river -was very clear, and; not very deep, so we could see the bottom very plainly. We arrived home tired, but happy and a lot of us with our faces very muensunburnt. — Yours truly, FANCY WORK. [Certainly I will give ycu a welcome, Fancy Work, and I hope to hear of you one of these days going to D.L.F. picnics yourself.—DOT.] Dear Dot, — The autumn holidays are over now, and school has reopened. I did not go away for the holidays, but stayed at home and carted water for the school gardens. We carried 16 tins of water nearly eveTy day from the river. We carried it in kerosene tins, with wires and sticks. The flo-w-er show was held at Timaru last Thursday, and I am pleased to say our school won the Hurdley Shield for South Canterbury schools. This shield is given for the be3t collection of flowers and vegetables grown in the school garden. We showed sweet peas, nasturtiums, asters, stocks, petunias, marigolds, phlox, pansies. and lobelia. Beside" these, we bad 21 kinds of vegetables in the show. My sister won the third prize in the essay competition for school children, so our Hilton School did very well in the competitions. I am not poing to the Hilton School now; I go to the Geraldine High School. I ride in and out, a distance of six miles each way. I will now close, with love to Mount Cook, Lily, and Early Primrose, — Yours truly, *' QUEEN ENA. [You deserved your prizes. Queen Ena, when you were so energetic carrying water for your gardens. I hope your school garden continues to flourish. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — Since I last wrote the old year, with all ite joys and sadness, has passed away, and the new year has begun. It is too late to wish you a happy New Year, but I hope you spent a very happy one. Dot. My new year was spent at Queenstown. On the 31st of December my brother, father, and I left Tisbury for Queenstown. We had to wait about an hour and a-half before the train left Invercargill, and so we had time to have a look about the town. Going into the booking-office I met Rogue 11, who said she was going north to join Paparoa and Scribbler. I hope you enjoyed yourself, chum. We arrived, at Que-nstown about half-past 7, bo we stayed in town that night, and went to Arthur's Point the next day. That night, New Year's Night, I stayed at my cousin's place, but after that I stayed , with Weary. They were all very kind to me, ! and did all they could to make me feel at home. The day after New Year we all went to the Head of the Lake. It was a very hot day, and some of us were sunburnt, but for all that we spent a very enjoyable day. Th%

next day I was very tired, but not too tired ] to go for a drive to Frankton in the afternoon. It was just lovely, that ride to Frankton. On one side are the hills, and down below on the other side is the lake. You can see the lake nearly all the time, and it looks so beautiful as you go along. Weary and I had a good talk about D.L.F. affairs that afternoon. She knows a good few L.F., including a large number of Old Writers. On the Sunday following, my brother, Weary, and I drove to Lake Hayes to see Gravel and Boy. We saw Gravel, and he told us that Boy was not at home that afternoon. I was very sorry not to have seen Boy, but I may see him when I go to Queenstown again. I was glad to make Gravel's acquaintance, for I had heard or him before through the Witness. He told me you were going to visit Lake Hayes, and I was only wishing I could have been there too when you arrived. The next day I went home, after having spent a very enjoyable holiday, the memory of which wil remain ml my mind, for many a day. Since I have been home we were all sorry to hear that Weary is very ill. Dear somrade. I hope you will soon be better. With love to Weary and Gray-el, — Yours truly, SWEETBRIAR. [Two D.L.F. to-day have mentioned Weary's illness. I am very sorry to hear of it, and shall be very glad if anyone will let me know how she is getting on. I hope she will be well again soon. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — This ia my first letter to your page. I hope you will accept me es one of your happy band. I am 13 years old, and I am in the Sixth Standard. I have five sisters and five brothers, but none of them are D.L.F. The people about here are busy harvesting just now. I only know one D.L.F., but I hope to know a lot soon. With love to Orange Blossom II, — Yours truly, GOLDEN BUTTERCUP. \ [I have inscribed your name in my book, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We have had a very dry summer, and we were beginning to think there I were no prospects of getting any food for the stock this winter. But the welcome rain has come at last. It started this morning, and has been raining off and on all day. The grass that was all burnt up is now looking green and fresh. We have two big oai stacks and one wheat stack this year. Oar annual school picnic was held on Friday, 28th February. It was a lovely day, and there were a. lot of people there. There were a number of different kinds of races and a lot lot of prizes. — Yours truly, NEW ZEALAND MAIDEN. Dear Dot,— This is my first letter to you. I am beginning to take such a lively interest in your page that I crave admission. I am just 12 years old, and I live in a very outlandish place. I walk to school some three miles, and I like my teacher very much. Although she gives me the strap sometimes, I must say she does not use it very much. Our teacher lives in Mossburn, which is a small country place, containing two grocers' shops, a smithy, and also one publichouse. Mossburn is a railway terminus, and the coach for the Manapouri and Te Anau Lakes, distant about 40 miles, passes through here twice a week. I deliver and take away the post to the Dome station thrice weekly. I have to crogs the Oreti, or New, River, which has been very low for some time, but with recent heavy rains is now at normal. Crops are in all stages, green as grass, ripe, cut i and stooked and stacked. The threshing Hill has been, and continues to be, hard at work. I omitted to mention that Mossburn contains a 2«rge ball, recently built. The school children had an excursion to Colac Bay. A very good number turned out, an« each apparently enjoyed themselves.— Yours trillr » AN M.P. fYou also may enter the ranks, M.P. You confer honour on us by your norn de t>lume —DOT.] Dear Dot,— lf I have not quite forfeited my right to it after an absence of over two years, I wish once again to claim a share of our page. I have no excuse but laziness to offer for my long silence, but nevertheless I hope that you will forgive me, Dot. Although my name has not appeared in the page I never seemed any the less a D.L.F. With so many socials, picnics, club meetings, etc., it would have been almost impossible to entirely forget our page. Twice during the midwinter of the past year I had the pleasure of meeting you in Dunedin : do you remember, Dot? I met many old D.L.F. friends during my stay there, and I also made many new ones, all of whom. I hope to see at the next Oamaru picnic, which is to be held on Easter Monday. Picnics have been the rule here during the first months oi the n-ew year. First and most enjoyoble was the D.L.F. picnic on New Year's Day, which my sisters and I enjoyed very much. I had the honour of being one of the Picnic Committee, but I am afraid I must have lived, up to my character, as I was reprimanded once by our popular secretary for being a lazy young person. It was my duty to provide the big billy, and it caused my sisters and I endless amusement on the way to the picnic ground. J. E. S. was carrying it as we boarded the train for Oamaru— l wasn't lazy then, only shy!— and one oi the men we passed on the platform called out to her in what I thought was a very hungry tone, "Have you got anything eatable there?" The billy was full of goodies, but J. E. S. was deaf to the inquiry, for they were to be reserved for '• someone." On arriving at Oamaru many amused glances were cast at our big friend, the billy, which Giulia appropriately described as "like a small tank." Indeed, as we went down town we heard several people remark in very audible whispers, "What very thirsty people," and so, as it was only 10 o'clock, we deposited the much-abused article m a confectioner's till it was required. On making our way up town again we met Vanilla, who expressed her desire to accompany us, on condition that the billy was left where ' he " was till it was time to go to the picnic ground. We went back to the station again, and found that a few more L.F. had arrived by the first express, and then we all started for the picnic ground, where we were welcomed by quite a gathering of friends, old and new. My cousin Rogue II (from Southland), Scribbler and Papaxca (from the West Coast), Gramaphone, D.0.D., and many others were amongst the group. Then the steamer arrived, bringing with it the Dunedin contingent. With so many amusements the time seemed only too short till the departure of the steamer and our Dunedin friends again. Even then our enjoyment did not slacken, but was kept up for about on hour longer, when the 'party wai reluctantly broken up and we country members prepared to enjoy our walk to the station. The objectionable billy was kindly taken care of by some of the boys of the party, and J. E. S. was very thankful, as otherwise she would have' had to carry it, and in its blackened condition it would not have improved even a frock which had seen the delights of a picnic. On. our way we saw our absent friend Latsy. We reached th« station in time to see our friends Giulia and Violet Rose off bj their train, and on. the departure of ours shortly afterwards we w«© is turn farewelled by thosa whose

trains had not yet gone. Vanilla travelled ■with us, and together we enjoyed a packet of chocolate, thoughtfully provided for us by a li.F. who must have guessed my liking for it. So ended one of our most successful picnics, and now we are waiting for Easter, to bring with it another, which I know will be quite as enjoyable. I intended. Dot, to tell you about several other picnics which I attended, including the Oamaru and Timaru trades, but I find that it would make this letter longer than is permitted, so I must leave them until another time. J. E. S. and Miss Freddy attend school in town now, although at present J. E. S. is at home taking care of an attack of influenza. The drought here has broken at last, and we have had nearly a week's rain, which, to judge by the contented smiles of the farmers, has been greatly appreciated, although it spoilt som« of the exhibits intended for the local flower show held here during the week. Now I must conclude before Dot's welcoming smiles for the returning prodigal are changed into frowns; but before I close I should like to send a few private messages if I may. "Will the New Year's Day picnickers who wished to send me their autos kindly send them to Maple Dale, Alma? Will the D.L.F. of conversation fame please note that I'm singing "Where, tell me where?" Do you understand "Mother says I musn't"? Violet Rose, will you please forward me your address as soon as possible? Now, with love to all my friends, — Yours truly, TASMA. [The smile -remained to the end, Tasnra. Try another letter, won't you, to see how long Dot is warranted to smile. — DOT.T Dear Dot, — I would like so much to become one of your L.F. ; would you pleas* allow me to join your happy band? I only know three D.L.F. Laly lives about two and a-half miles from us. I went out for a ride around the paddocks with father on Sunday, and we got sopping wet. I have 10 guinea-pigs. I am learning to play the piano. I go once a week for my music lessons; I have about six and a-half miles to go. I am very fond of music. Perhaps I will write a longer letter next time, as I have no news to-night. Love to the L.F. and yourself, — Yours truly, NONAH. [You are welcome to the page, dear. How do you come by your curious name?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — As the weather has been very fine for the last few months the harvesting is nearly over. All the farmers in this district have threshed, and are carting their oats away. We have two pet rabbits, but we have no niftmes for them yet. I am reading a book to-day called "Adventures and' Travels"; have you ever read it? — Yours truly, BLOSSOM. [Next time you write, Blossom, please tell us where the adventures and travels took place; I am sure they must be interesting.— DOT.] Dear -.Dot, — This is my first attempt in writing to you, and I hope you will accept me as one of your happy band. I live in a place called Tisbury, about four miles from Invercargill. We have five cows, two of which are milking. We also have on* quiet horse; its name is Toby. I have r> mile to walk to school, and I am in the Fjfth Standard. There are a good many D.L.F. living about here, and I know most of them. I have two brothers and two sisters; one of my sisters writes to your page. — Yours truly, CAPTAIN STARLIGHT. [Did you go to the picnic, Captain Starlight? I have not heard yet whether you had a fine day for it, but I do hope you had.— DOT. [ Dear Dot,— Thiß is my first letter to the page, and I hope you will accept me •»» one of your happy band. I am in th« First Primer, and I am seven years old. We have a nice quiet pony, which we often ride. I got my photo, taken not very long ago. We have a nice little pickle-jar. My mother gave Fatty and me sunshades for our birthday. My sister is writing to th« page. I have a pretty silk hat.— Yours truly, FATTY'S SISTER. [Please remember next time, dear, to write on one side of the paper only; your last two sentences had to be missed ont because you wrote on both sides. I hays written your name and Fatty's in my book. —DOT.] Dear Dot,— This is my first letter to the page, so I -will not write you a very long one. I always Tead the D.L.F. letters, and I like them very much. Our school is closed now for harvest holidays ; we got three weeks. It opens on Monday, and I will be sorry. Have you ever been in the buah? I have not. There ia bush not very far from, here, but I have never been in it yet. I do not know any D.L.F. about here; I do not think there are any other*.— Youra Dear Dot,— What a large number of new • writers you are getting every week ! To this week's list I would like you to add my name. I know a few of the D.L.F. in this district, but I am not going to let any of them know that I am one of your correspondents. I was at a picnic at Waitati last week, and I enjoyed myself immensely. I think Waitati township is a very pretty place. Do you like white mice, Dot? I have both black and white ones. They are very tame and pretty, and they do lots of pretty tricks. Autumn is beginning to niake itself known here already, for I noticed some of the leaves on our fruit trees were getting quite brown.— Yours truly, [There are indeed a number of new writers-" this week, Edina, and I add your name to the list with great pleasure. How long do you think you will be able to keep your identity a tecret ?— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I hope you will take another new writer to your page. I know a number of D.L.F. here. I was also at one of their picnics a while ago. I have a parrot Jhat will say almost anything you ask it to. All the high standards of the schools hay* gardens that they are supposed to look after and keep weeded. We have six hives of bees, and my brother robbed one of them a day or so ago. A number of our friends and some of my sisters and I went to on* of our friends' places to pull fruit. Last year I was up at the Christchurch Exhibition with my mother, and we stayed at my cousin's place for three weeks. I collect post-cards, and I have over 100. We have been having fine weather here '■lately. — Yours truly, TOMATO TOO. [You will see that I have added to your name slightly; that is because I had already a "Tomato" among my D.L.F.— DOT.] Dear Dot,— This iff my first letter to you, and I hope you will accept me as a member of your happy band. I am nine years of age, and am in the Third Standard at school. I like going to school very much. I hay* two brothers and** sister going to school too. We have a nice flower garden, and have a lot of pretty asters out. I like working amongst the flowers very much. W* have a fruit garden, and I think the rip* peaches are delicious to eat. We milk two cows, and. it is my. brother* woik is}

bring them from th« paddock and tie them up in th© byre. I always try to be top in my class at school. Ido not know any DJJ.F. about h«re, but I hope to know some soon. We have a mile to walk to school every morning. I like going to picnics very much: I suppose you do too. Dot. — Yours truly, FRUITGROWER'S MAID. [Yet another new member, and I gee that the three letters following also all begin •with requests to join our band. Well, I shall just welcome all four at onee — Fruitgrower's Maid, Only Pebbles, Captain Kettle, and Barney O'Flannagan — and assure them that there is plenty of room for them in the page.— DOT.] Dear Dot, — I went to Invercargill for my holidays, and enjoyed myself very much. The gardens were lovely. I went to the Bluff also. We had grand fun on the beach, paddling in the sea and chasing crabs. What ugly things they are! Some were very big. I like Dtmedin bett«r ttam Invercargill. Dot, have you read any of Grimm's fairy tales? I had the book sent me at Christmas, and I like them. We are getting a lot of mushrooms this season; they are early this year. Father caught a great number of birds with the Granger bird-trap. — Yours truly, NELSON'S VICTORY. Dea"r Dot, — May I become a. member of your, band? I am 1 a very little girl, and I am in the First Standard at school. I am seven years of age, and I like going to school very much. My mother and father are away to Otautau to-night, but I think they will be back Boon. Sweet Bunch oi Daisies »nd Lochnagar live in this township, and I see them very often. I am going to a party one night this- week, and I hope to enjoy .-myself. With best love to all, — You^ truly, " ONLY PEBBLES. Dear Dot,— May I become a member of your happy band? lam in the Fourth Standard, and lam 13 years of age. I have been going to Tisbury School for over two years, and have got a first-class certificate each year for good attendance. We have two cows and two calves, and their names are Rosy, 8011, Ebony, and Brindle. —Yours truly, . CAPTAIN KETTLE. Dear Dot,— This is my first letter to you, and I hope it will not be the last.. I am 12 years old, and in the Sixth. Standard. One day one of my mates at school asked me if I wanted two tame rabbits, and of course I said "Yes." So one night I went for my rabbits, and to my surprise I found they were two little -white ones. One morning, •when I got up and went to feed my rabbits, they were gone, and presently I «aw them running about in the flower garden; so then I knew that they had opened the door of the cage and got out, »nd they have been Tunning about our paddocks ever since. One night I set some traps, «nd just about 8 o'clock I went round them again to see if thexe were any rabbits in them, and in my third trap I caught another white rabbit, which I tamed, and sold to a man for a shilling. My sister, Dulcibel Carissima, wrote her first letter le«t week, and now I think I have written a long enough letter, so I will come to a close. With love to *11 D.L.F.,— Yours truly, BARNEY O'FLANNAGAN. Dear Dot,— We are having harvest holidays just now, and I am. etaying with my aunt at the Taieri. I got into the express at Invercargill, and got out at Milton, and. waited for the slow tram; then I had to get out again at Otokia, and I waa- very tired when I got to my aunt's. I was at the picnic at Colac Bay, and I got some very pretty shells and bits of seaweed. Have you ever been to Colac Bay, Dot? The blight has spoilt all the turnips out this way, and I think feed for the cattle will be scarce about here this winter. The mill was here two weeks ago, *nd it stayed five days, and we were very busy. You ask where I got my norn de •plume. It ia the name of a book, and is a very interesting story— all about the life of • sailor, by name Will Weather je.m ; have you read it, Dot? With kind regards to Smiling Lassie and yourself,— Yours truly, WILL WEATHERHELM. Dear Dot,— lt is over six months since I wToto my last letter to your page. Time after time I was going to write, but somehow or other the letter was never written. "The only thing you can put it down to is laziness, but in the future I shall try to mend my ways and write a little oftener. He New Year holidays are all" over. I did not go away anywhere, having had my holiday before, when my sister and I went down to Tautuku. It would take up too much of your space to tell you what a good time we lad and what we saw, but I will just tell you a little about it. We went over to see the sawmill, and then went up to the hauling engine to see them hauling in the logs ; then we came back and went down to the beach. After strolling round the beach for a little while we started for home. Tautuku is a pretty place to spend a holiday, but I should not like to live there. We are having very hot weather at Chaslands just now. With love to Whistling Jack and Canterbury Bell. — Yours truly, PRINCESS MAY. Dear Dot, — I am going to tell you about my holidays and where I spent them. I went up nortlr at the beginning of the holidays, and I came home the day before the school took up. The harvest began two or three days after I went north. I was staying at a farm. They milked four cows; their names were Spot, Brindle, —Daisy, and Polly. We drove to Duntroon on the 26th December, and met the Papakaio school children as they were forming into line near the grounds. When we met them 1 I got out and walked to the grounds with them. I enjoyed myself fine, but it waa too dusty for much, enjoyment. I went to the Oamaru sports on the 2nd of January with a friend. The balloon did not go up until 5.15 p.m. ; it had been torn, and Jiad to be mended. It went up as the Kurow train moved away, but I saw it all the same. As this is my first letter, I shall ask you to let me join your band. — Yours truly, PRINCESS AKATORE. [You may join too, Princess. — DOT.] ' Dear Dot, — We are having fairly good weather now, but it was very cold for two ©r three days. I know some of the D.L.F. here. Among them) are Lady Danesbury, St. Elmo 111, Grandpa's Sweetie, Cadet, Xrady Bradbury, and Lady Osburga, who is now staying in Dunedin. going to the High School. Bluebell V and her sister, whose norn de plume I forget, used to live hem I was at the Waipiata sports on Boxing Day, and there I met Sleeping Beauty, Dot's Sweetheart, A Bunch of Roses, Somebody's Comrade, and a lot of others. I had a grand time with them, and came home with •tho night train. I went to the Ranfurly ahow, and met a few there also. I was at the Sunday school picnic, and won two dolls in the races. I also got first prize for lessons and attendance at the Sunday school. — Yours truly, MANIOTOTO MAIDEN. I Dear Dot, — We nave been having very changeable weather here of late, but to-day .urns sice mi warm. I was at sports held ]

at Waipiata last Boxing Day, and I met a good few D.L.F. I saw Another Primrose, but as I did not see her badge I did not speak. Where ara all the Gimmerburn D.L.F. lately? They have not written to the page for a good while. The Mounted Rifles were in camp for a week, but Owing to the scarci-ty of -water they did not camp on their usual ground. There have been a good few picnics about here lately, and there is to be a- school picnic on Easter Monday. I hope we have a good day for it. The Ranfurly races are to be held on the 10th, and I hope to meet a few L.F. at them. Since last writing we have shifted to Ranfurly, three miles from our old home. , What a lot of new writers' letters were in the last Witness! There are big tanks getting built here for the railway engines. With love to Lady Saville, Anthea, Violet Leaf, Dot's Sweetheart, Sleeping Beauty, and A Bunch, of Roses,—Yours truly, EWEBURKITE. AUTOS AND POST-CARDS. Ivy Leaves, care Mrs Phelps, Tisbury, S. | Invercargill, would like tc> exchange autos with R. E. W., Hilda Grace, Dulcinea, and' A Farmer's Lassie. Lily of the Nile, care Messrs J. M'Donald, Brydone, wishes to exchange post-cards or autos with Lady Gwendoline, Minnie Grey, Malta Vita, R. E. W.. Papakura, The Last Rose of Summer, and any other D.L.F. willing. Queenie 11, Flag Swamp, wishes to exchange autos or post-cards with The Flower of Dunblane, Ruby Primrose, and any Oamaru D.L.F. Silver Tassel, P. 0., Evans Flat, wishes to exchange autos with Black Watch, Dotfs Little Girl, Blue Bell, and Indian Chief. Maniototo Maiden, care- Mr J. Duncan, butcher, Ranfurly, would like to exchange autos or postcards with An African Daisy, West Coast D.L.F., or any others willing. She asks also for Lady Osburga's address. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. Ewebubnite.—Thank you for the Old Writer's address which you enclosed with your letter. I am always glad to get correct addresses of any of" the Old Writers. D.L.F. BADGES. Badges sent fep Larrikin Tom, M. A. F., Sweet Bunch of Daisies, Othere, The Lone Pard, Heather Bell, Isaac, Fancy Work, Blue-eyed Bess.