LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2913, 12 January 1910, Page 87

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motts: —We write for the benefit of otbers, not for ourselves. fIST Ne letter to contain more than 450 woris. Dear Dot,—l am left all to myself this afternoon. As I have nothing else to do I thought I -would write to you. This is my first "letter to your page. I hope you will let me join. We are having glorious weather now. It is getting time to feed' the little chickens. We have 13 little chickens. It is a- little too hot to-day. I do not know many Little Folk. I have read a good many books, the names of some heing "The Head of the Family," "The Pilkrs of the House," "Bleak House," "Running It Off," "Madge's Mistake," "Holiday House," "Captain January," "Three Little Maids," "Seven Little Australians-.," "Little Hazel," "Chrissie's Old Organ," "Told l in the Orchard," "Town Mice in the Country," >and a lot of others. I think I will close now, as this is my first letter. Love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, THE LITTLE MINISTER. [Yes, my Little Minister, you have the distinction of being the first new writer for the year 1910. Last week's ones really belong to the old! year. So you begin your new year with the New a unique

time to fcave a birthday. Many ha.ppy returns of the- day.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I suppose you will be thinking that I am withered and gone like all the other roses, but I am still climbing bravely onward We have got five weeks' holidays from school. We are having very dry weather just now, and everything in the garden is looking withered. The Oa.maru sports were held on New Year's Day. I have just finished reading a book called " How Dick Found His Sea-legs," which I found very interesting. There are a number of town people camping here, and they seem to be enjoying themselves. I do not go for many rides on my bicycle, because ike roads are very rough and the weather to warm. I think this is all this time, so I will close, wishing all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself, a, bright awl prosperous New Year.—Yours truly, WILD ROSE. [I have been out on the hills and in the bush to-day, and if you are as bright and flourishing as the wild roses I have seen, I need have no fear of your withering for many a day to come, Wild Rose. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—Once again I take up my pen to writ© -5011 ■ a few lines, after nine months' absence. Although I have never written, I have still read the page with great interest. I did enjoy reading the letters in O.W. Week. There is not much news to tell you about this part, so I will give you a brief description of mv doings on Christmas Day. It is the usual thing for the choir in this district to hold a picnio in the bush on ■Christmas / Day, so this year it was held a* Whisky Gully. Well, on the 55th my sister and I rost» early to get our work done before the picnic party came, as they were to leave the township at 8 o'clock. We were greatly disappointed when we heard it raining, for we thought the bush would be too wet. We had most of our work done by 8 o'clock, but we could see no signs of any buggies coming. We watched for about an hour and a-half, and when we had given up all hope dad cam© in find said that some of the party had gone by another road. I can tell you it did not take us long to get ready and get on the road too. There were five of us in the buggy— Laurine, Pomahaka, two of our cousins, and myself. Wo landed at the gully about 12. The fire was lit, and the billy was on. (What a. funny, picnic it would be without the billy, eh, Dot?) Well, the billy was soon boiling, anci one of our number made the tea, which was very good, and, you may be sure, did not last long. By the time we had finished tea, a few more had come, and more came during the .afternoon. At about half-past 12 some of us left to go up the mountain, some in twos and the rest in groups. It is very beautiful all the way up the mountain. It would take an abler pen than mine to describe it, so I think it is far better for me not to say anything about it. Well, the party I was with arrived at the top of the mountain after hard climbing at about half-past 2. We had our photos taken on. top, and I am sure we were all bauties, covered with mud and bid-a-bids. We had a spell ait the fop, and then started to com© down the outside. On our way down we saw three deer, which were very much surprised' to see such a crowd come on thern at onoe. When we were half-way down we met some of our friends coming up. They had arrived late, so they thought they would come to meet us. When we got to the bottom we had tea, and then we went) to play games until the rest came down. The party broke up about 7, all tired, but ha.ppy. To finish up the day the horse of one of our friends had the misfortune to stick its foot in a hole in the bridge. Iti was very lame for a while, but it is getting all right again. My friend and I were in Tapanui yesterday, and, heedless of the terrible wind, we had a grand ride. Did you get home without any more misfortunes, Nell? Well, Dot, I think I will draw (his letter to a close. Wishing all the D.L.F. and yourself a very prosper' ous New Year, —Yours truly, SUNFLOWER 11. Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will let me join your happy band. I am U years old, and I am in the Fourth Standard. We have our Christmas holidays now, and we are going to have the holidays right on till the 17th of Jianuarv, We have got a lot of chickens. —Yours truly, SHAMROCK 11. I hope 3'ou got your badge safely, Shamrock. By the way, we shall have to call you Shamrock 11, after Sir Thomas Lipton'a yacht, for ycu are not the first of that clan. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will let me become one of your Little Folk. I am 11 years of age, and am in the Fifth Standard. I have three sisters and three brothers. Two of my sisters have left school, -and the other is in the Second Primer. O'ne of my brothers ia in the First Standard. The other two do not go to school yet. I went to Dimediai soma time ago for a week. This is all just now.—Yours truly, LARRY BOBTAJ-L. [I wonder where you got your excellent name from, Larry. It is one that should be remembered, and I hope it will be one that will often appear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is a long time sir.ee I last wrote to you. School has closed for six weeks' holidays. It was very wet for Christmas, but we went to town. I saw Rosebud in town. Our old canary is still alive, and ws have 11 young ones now. There were six in one nest. Since I last wrote to you I have got another bantam hen and rooster. • They are buff Orpingtons, and they are going to be put into the shew next year. I also got a little white kitten, and it has not got a speck of black on it. Its name is Snowy. I have gone to school all the year without missing a day, and I will get a bar joined on to my medal. I hope I have passed, but I do not know till I go back to school. I have no more news to tell you. So I now close., wishing you and all the D.L.F. a happy New Yeair.—Yours truly, MINERVA. Dear Dot, —We. have got our six weeks' holidays, and I am very glad. We broke up school on the 23rd of December, and I got a prize. I will tell you some of the books I have read: "'Brownie," "Hilda and Her Doll," "The Golden Mill," "Little Fan," "Crown Jewels," and "Babes in the Basket." I like reading the Little Folk's letters, and find them very interesting. We are milking two cows. We have a lot o£ flowers out in our garden now. We have had our examination, but I do not know if I haive passed or not. We have five cats and a dog. I was in Dunedin on the 9th of November. We are not getting very many strawberries this year, becaiiso the plants have nearly all died out. Wo have a lot of roses out in our garden. With lovo to all the L.F. and yourself,— Yours truly, STRAWBERRY LEAF. Dear Dot, —I was so pleased to see my first letter in the page. I know a good few of the writers, but I don't know any in Dipton. Well, I am going to tell you about th« .JAJpton picnic, which was a very

successful one. Although it was raining at first, it cleared up afterwards, and we had several games, such as fill-up-the-gap, jolly miller, twos-ana-throes, and a few" more. Then the races began; first there were the little girls' and boys' races, and they got as prizes dolls and trumpets and money. Then we had lunch, and beg'an the ladies' and gentlemen's raoe3, for which there wiere.sonie very nice prizes. Shortly afterwards they took a photo of the group, and after having a few games they danced the Scotch reel. Then I' started homo. Thvff played several tunes on the bagpipes. I think this is all I can tell you about the picnic. I went to the wind-up of the quadrilles,, and had a good time. Since I last wrote I was away for a fortnight's holidays. I was .at a surprise party while I was away, and we had" a few dances and a song or so. I think this is all, with love to Marjory, Arlie, and Golden Fern. A happy New Year to you all from—Yours truly, INKY BILL. [Y«u seem to have been having quite a lively time. Inky Bill. I am glad to hear from you again.—DOT.] . Dear Dot, —It seems such a. long time sincra I wrote last. Ouir school closed on the 17th, and each of us was presented with a book. I got three books, "Macaria" for being the most popular girl, "Infelice" for the collector's prize, and "The Daughter of Fife" as an ordinary prize. We have six wieeks' holidays, and our school again opens on Januß.ry the 31st. I was at a Sunday school picnic on the 21st, and enjoyed mycelf immensely. The day was verv licit, and we thought it too hot to run. A few days after the picnic I caught a very tad cold, and it has settled in my chest. I was at the Ri vert on regatta on Monday, the 27th. Some of the people thought it was going to rain, but it cleared up. and was a beautiful day. I mot many L.F. at the regiatta. My mates and I went for a walk through the bush. When we came back we went for a ride in the motor launch. Dear Dot, I am 'going 'away for my holidays after New Year, and I am, going up the Bourakino for a. day during my holidays. I will close now, wishing you and all the Little Folk a happy New Year. —Your 3 truly, MAZEBEES. [Congratulations, Mazebees, on your success at school. I hope your oold has gone by now. Happy holidays may you have; and thank you for the pretty little memento. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to you, and I write to know if I may becomie one of your L.F. I have often wished to join, but some time ago we removed' t« Christohurch. While there I wrote once to "Aunt Hilda" of the Canterbury Times, but , shortly afterwards we came back to Dunedin. Wishing vou a. happy New Year.— Yours truly, FUZZYWIG. [I am pleased to add your name to our roll, Fuzzjwig. You will write us a longer letter next time, will you?—DOT'.] Dear Dot, —It is a long time since I last wrote to you. We are having our Christmas holidays now, and I am enjoying them very well. Now that the New Year has come; I think I will have to write every month. I have a nice wee rabbit, and I have to clean its house out twice every day. What is the best kind of food for a rabbit, - -Dot? We have two cows and one calf, and about 40 hens, but the chickens are all dying off. I will be in the Fifth Standard v>hen I go back to school. I went to Waivati on Boxing Day with the Sunday school children to their picnic. When we got out there we started to have our lunch and then want to the creek and caught minnows. Another &irJ and myself went to the beach end caught gxc&n crabs, a.nd when we cam* back tea was ready. After tea we packed up and went to the station to wait for the train. There were a great crowd of people, but we all managed to get on safely. We went through four tunnels', aad one was fo long that we thought we were never eoing to get out of it. We got into town ft a quarter to 7, and I got home at ia ruarter -to 9. I had to walk three miles I got out of the train. I arrived home sunburnt and tired, and I ■went to bed. With love to all the L.F.. —Yours truly, FERN! TREE. [As far as I know, Fern Tree, the food for bunnies is cabbage leaves, grass, groundBed, thistle, carrots, and bread that has been soaked in milk, but with the milk squeezed out.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—lt is a long time since I wrote to the page. I went to the Riyerton regatta last Monday. We went for a ri<ie in the launch right across the bar and back agiain, and we enjoyed the ride all right. I passed some little folk as I was going round. There was a circus held in Riverton, after dinner, and I went to ©oo it. There were three or four tents put up. Tiangar, please send me your address again, and I will post a post-card to you.—Yours truly, SEAEGG. [Riverton must have been very gay that day, Seaegg. Thank you for the card and New Year's greetings. I hope you have a happy year.—DOT.] Dear Dot.—l am spending my holidays at Kelso. We got five prizes from' day school and five from Sunday school. There, are sports here on Monday. I was at the Winton school picnic. I was also at a picnic on New Year's Day. Have you read any of the books I w going to mention ?—"Alice in Wonderland," "What Katy Did at School," "A Basket of Flowers." "Little Women," "In the Days it Queen Bea 3," "Guy Power's Watch-word." "The Rifle Range," and "Raymond's Ride." I think I will close now with love to Mistletoe 11, Wild Roses, and Mountain Lily Yours truly, CONVOLVULUS. [Quite a little library you have got, Convolvulus, between yon. I have not read all the books you mention. I hope you have a good time .at Kelso—DOT.] Dear Dot.—l was at a New Year picnic yesterday, but it was spoilt by rain; but there is going to be another one to-morrow, and we are hoping for a fine day. I have read a good many books, including "Winning His Laurels," "The Search for Molly Marling," "Stepping Heavenward," and "An Easy-going Fellow." We are having our summer' holiday* just now, and when we go back to school I am glad to say I will be in the Sixth Standard. Since I last wrote my brother fcias been to Dunedin to sit for the Civil Service examination, but iio has not received word if he has viet. Love to Edievale and all the Little Ffjlk.—Your* truly, CHEIRRY BUD. Dear Dot, —I again take up my pen to write you a few 'lines about my Christmas.. Well, to begin with, it was not a good day up here. But it improved a little in tub, afternoon,, and I and three others had a grand game of tennis. I am getting a crack player, and take a great interest in tne game. Wo have not a very big club. dljwu still in the etorf (at Limehills. I waa nTwinton Boxing Day, and didn't niysslf very mucin. I was at the In-

vercargill sports to-day, but'it was a bad day, and thu3 another of my holidays was spoilt. We axe having sports up here on January 19, and I hope they have better luck, as it is two years since they had any up here. Well, I must close, hoping all the D.L.F. had a good time at 'Christmas. — Yours truly, BONNIE JEAN. [You seem to have had misfortune in your holidays, Bonn:* Jean. Tennis in your country townships seems a gireot blessing. So you are becoming quite an expert, eh?—DOT.]

January 19, and I hope they have better luck, as it is two years since they had any .up here. Well, I must close, hoping all the D.L.F. had a good time at 'Christmas. — j Yours truly, BONNIE JEAN. [You seem to have had misfortune in ! your holidays, Bonnie Jean. Tennis in ; your country townships seems a grest blessing. So you are becoming quite an expert, eh?—DOT.] I Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to the D.L.F. Page, and I hope to see it in the i page. I ain 12 years old, and am in the ; Sixth Standard at school. I came up to Kelso for about a month's holidays. I like ion a farm to see everything, green. lam ! sitting at the fire and listening to the birds I sing. I hope I will be in the happy band of Dot's Little Folk. —Yours truly, PONTO DRAPER. ! [Now, Ponto, lam glad to welcome you, hut you have not sent your name or address. And how about a. nicer piece of I paper to write on? If yon were writing \ to a friend you would try to make your j letter appear as neat and as tidy as J possible, and I want to be a friend. Yon I won't forget next time you write, will you, i Ponto?—DOT.] ' Dear Dot, —It is quite true that time waits for no one. To me it seems only ' about a month ago since Christmas, 1908, and then now to have Christmas, 1909, past I seems almost incredible. Well, Dot, I !am like the majority of boys—jtlad my school days are over. I have put in quite ; a long time at school, or it seems long '■ when I come to look back. Alter being in town I seem quite lost at home here —nowhere to go, nothing to see, but a dried-up plain extending for miles north and south. The only place I can find any interest in here is the beach, and that isn't much when one goes alone. I had a great time on Christmas Day. I went over to cee some of my cousins, and went out for a walk early in the morning. We got caught in the rain, and were soaking before very long. I put in one of the quietest New . Year's Days that I have ever spent. lam : going to break this little bit of dreary life by going to town next Saturday and staying , over Sunday, ooming back on Monday, or . perhaps Tuesday. In. about a fortnight's , time I am thinking of having a holiday I in Wellington. If I have my own way in the matter, as I will very likely, I shall j stay up there. Are there many j D.L.F. in that quarter of the globe, | Dot? If so, I hope I shall meet ! some of them. At the end of last ; year I sat for two examinations, but have j not heard how I have got on yet? I aim expecting word any time about the 19th'. | I think I will be successful in the one, as 1 I sat for it and passed last year; and sat this year just to get a higher place on the list.' As for the other examinations, it will be .a great surprise to me if I get through. I think I must close now. The country is different from, the town in that one cannot j post his letters any time, but has to catch I the mail at a certain time. Hoping you • had a very happy New Year. —Yours truly, . WHITE MAORI. [I can hear the note of discontent in your '; letter. White Miaori, and I suppose it is imy duty to reprove you. Town life doesn't : always fit us to see the best in the quiet- { ness of the country. Still your outlook, j by your own showing, is not so hopeless las you would have Us believe. I wish you < success in your examination. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to your page and I hope you will accept me as one of your Little Folk. I take a great interest in the page, and always enjoy rending the letters. Some of the books I have read ( are "The -Lamplighter, ' ''Water Babies," j "The Children of Cherryholm," "Mother's 1 Little Girl," "Piokwick Papers," "David I Copperfield," and a few others. Last year i I got "Heroines of History and Travel" for | a school prize, and "The Buried King" for [an O.K.P. prize. I got a post-card album [ this Ohaistmas, and I have stacted collecting postcards. I ha.ve three sisters, and four brothers. At Christmas time my sister and I went for a holiday to Invercargill and Drummond, and we had a very pleasant time. I know who "Little Miss j Vanity" is, I think I will stop now. With kindest regards to all the Little Folk, — ! Yours truly, AUGUSTUS SNODGRASS. [So you are one of . the "Knots and ■ Puzzles" heroes. I am glad to hear it, i Augustus. By the way, the other writers ! might think you a boy from your nom de ! plume, but you and your sisters will be • known as the Pickwickian trio. —DOT.] j Dear Dot,—This is the first time I have j written to you, though I have often read j the Li.F. letters. We live near the bush, ■ and often see swarms of bees flying across. I We captured two swarms, and put them in I boxes. Last autumn my father and brother j had to take some cattle to a sale, and they noticed many bees going into a. hollow tree. One wet dfcjjr,' not long after, they put the horse in the trap, tcok some buckets, and went for the honey. They chopped down the tree, and smoked out the bees with bracken fern. Then they took out the honey, and brought it home. There were three buckets full of comb, said when we strained it we had a nice \o\ of honey. Bu3h honey is not like the honey which beekeepers get. It is darker and sweeter, as it is obtained from bush flowers. With love to Dot, —Yours truly, SAMIVEL VELLER. [Welccrns, Mir Veller. You will have a great deal to tell us if you follow in the footsteps of your namesake. And is bush I honey nicer than the ordinary honey, or do I you get that eucalyptus taste in it?—DOT.] j D'Sar Dot,—l would like very much to be one of your Little Folk. We live away up--1 country. There are no houses nasi ours, for the road goes no further. "The hills around us are covered with bu?Jb—manuka and yellow box scrub. On scone of tine trees in the bush grows a brown fungus, sometimes a foot wide. Every year it grows a new piece, which is white—thus, if it is an old fungus, shades from dark brown to pure white are found upon it. Can you , *ell me the name of it? With love to D.L.F. and Dot,—Yours truly, MAS'R DAVY BOR. [I know the fungus you mean, Mias'r Davy, and have looked up works of reference, but so far have found no description which would be of particular interest tons. It is merely awoken of as the birch fungus.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—l once more take up my pen to write to you. In the first place, let me ■• ;ish you and all the L.F. a happy New Year. I wef.t to a picnic on Christmas Day, and I enjoyed it very much. On New Year's Day. I went to the races, and at night I went to O'Neill's buck-jumping, whioh was jusi splendid. There were a lot ! of Maori boftt and girls dancing, but I did I not like thaw, so much as the horses. Well,

T Dot, I will close' now, with love to yourself I and all the L.F.—Yours truly, JKANETTE.

Deal- Dot,—l wonder if I am too late to ~ wish you a happy New "Year. I intended to i write sooner, but somehow it has been put i off. This- last year seems to me to have I gone very quickly. I sup-pose the time seems shorter to me, because it is my first year from school. Christmas and j New Year were very quiet for us, ■although I suppose you would have it very I rowdy and noisy in Dumedin. On Chris-1- ' anas Day hero we all wont to my grand- , mother's, and . had tea- After tea, my ; uncle, brother, cousin, and I went for a I- row on Lake Tuakitoto, and it was dark i when we got home. Did you hang your j. stocking up, Dot? I didn't, and when my I little cousin knew I didn't intend to hangt I it up she said she would hang up two. j New Year's Day was very miserable with Ith 3 rain and wind. I was at a blue ribI ban picnic last week, but it was a slow .' affair. My mother is in bed ill just now, ' v.xid I have to be chief cook a.nd bofctle- ' washer.—Yours truly, BLUB ROCKET. | [I am afraid Santa Cla.us- ignores my I stocking now, so I don't hang it up on I Christmas Eve. Sorry to hear of your , mother's illness, Blue Rocket. Thank you in anticipation for the photograph.—DOT.] I Dear Dot,—You will bo thinking I have forgotten you, but I have not. Since I j last wrote I have made the acquaintance of ! throe D.L.F., their noma de plums being ' Molly Molone, Larrikin Tom, and Colonial . Boy. Hurry up, Molly Ma.lone and Colonial | Boy; I ,am. waiting for post-cards from you. j. I am at Wallacetown just now. The Maka.rewa River runs near our place. It was just lovely to look at its banks about a week ago. The .elderberry was just covered with flowers, and it did hook so pretty at a distance. Wallacetown is a quiet place. We have had two concerts lately, both being pretty good. I was at the Riverton regatta last Monday, and I enjoyed myself intensely. What rough weather we j are having just now. It is always the ", same when the holidays are on. Didn't it rain on Christmas Eve and New Year's I Eve! I went to Invercargill on both j nights, and enjoyed myself all right. I ! have got a good many post-cards now. I ! got some lovely post-cards sent to me from ;my cousins from Australia. We bad such pretty roses out, but they are nearly all I faded away now. We have not many j flowers. lam very fond of flowers. With ! love to Midgie, No Name, Molly Molone, Larrikin Tom, Colonial Boy, and all the rest—Yours truly, MADELINE. [So you have the elderberry growing on the banks of the river, Madeline. I am afraid the display its flowers make can never compensate for the nuisance it becomes. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Lately I have been having some new .experiences,, for I have got into a farming district to spend my holidays. I saw a crop of wheat on. Wednesday for the ! first time in my life, so you can quite un- ! derstand that I am seeing lots of new things. j Ir, seems queer to be out here on the Oieraj mika Plain after, living so long among the ! gold mines a.nd sawmills; here I cam see ' lor miles, whereas in Round Hill the longest distance one can se» is about one mile, unless a person gets up on a hill and looks out to sea.. Then, of course, Centre Island j and even Stewart Island are visible at times. I was at the D.L.F. picnic at River- ! ton on Boxing Day, and I bad quite am enjoyable time; the Little Polk seem to be a very .sociable lot—in fact, they all had j that sort of smile which won't come off. It wants just three hours and a-htalf, to | be 1910, so I suppose this will be the last j letter I shall write this year, and I supposeI my last to the page, because on Tuesday I jeh fell enter my twenty-first year. I hope | that my next yesir will be an improvement on this one, which is so near gone. Last : year at this time I was hoping to do bet- \ ter things, and to live better and nobler; : and now the yeai has gone almost, and I I have to confess that I have failed in my j good intentions. No doubt I have not I been the only one who has come short, . but still I am hoping that I won't be a i failure next year. I find the open counj try is to mo a new kind of mystery. I j could find beauty everywhere in the bush, j but here, although there is beauty to be • found, I cannot find it. Yet others think j "this just glorious, whereas the bush and ! birds are of no interest to them-. Since I ! came out here I have seen about perhaps a dozen sparrows, a few larks, and one I solitary thrush. I bare not even heard a lark sing out here, and yet all or very nearly all the poets talk about the songs I of the milkmaid and the lark. So far as I I can see, the larks don't sing and- the ] milkmaids growl. However, the growling ! may be natural, because so far the only i persons I have found milking are of the male persuasion. Maybe it is time for mie to close, because I have an early train to ' catch in the morning, and I am a champion I at sleeping when it is time to get up. I hope that when Old Writers' Week comes I I may be able to send along a line or so, j but, of course; no one knows the future, so ; maybe it is best not to say I will write. Now, good-bve, and good luck to yourself and all the D.L.P.—Yours truly, MANSIE WAUGH. [You have had a veiry short stay in Dotland, but I trust it has been a happy one. Southland D.L.F. never cease to be D.L.F., so that -although you have only figured in our. page a few times, I hope you have formed' associations which will last for many a year to come. A letter from you, though it may not be in Old Writers' Week, will always be welcome. Finally, I hope this year that has begun will be fully up to expectations, and that you will do your j best to make it a memorable one. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page. I have a flower bed in front of the door, and it is looking pretty with all the flowers out in bloom. I must stop now, with love to Little Girl, Somebody's Lassie, and Kiss-Me-Quick. —Yours tridy, FAIR HAIR. j [I see the picture of your house with the garden just by the door, Fair Hair. You will tell «J 5 more about yourself next time, will you?- Just a wee bit more paper in your next letter, please.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I a.m staying with my cousins for a fortnight's holiday. It is a nice place among the hills. The hills are green with the bush, and many of the flowers- are out in blossom. I went to the Fortrose sports on Friday. There were a large number of people there, but the day was rather dull, and it rained towards night. I am going to the Tokonui sports, so I hope j the day will be good, so that it will be more r- pleasant. Some of the people have good j turnips, but others are not very good. My i. uncle's oats and turnips are coming on all right. My uncle has three nice little foals I and seven or eight calves. My uncle's : house is about 25 .miles from the railway | station, but the railway is being' pushed ofi to about five and a-half miles froth the blaoe.

Dear Dot, —I am staying with my cousins for & fortnight's holiday. It is a, nice place among: the hills. The bills ara green with the bush, and miany of the flowers- are out in blossom. I went to the Fortrose sports on Friday. There were a large number of people there, but the day was rather dull, and it Tained towards night. I am going to the Tokonui sports, so I hope the day will be good, so that it will be mors pleasant. Some of the people have good turnips, but others are not very good. My uncle's oats and turnips are coming on all right. My uncle has three nice little foals and seven or eigiht oalres. My uncle's house is about 25 mires from the railway station, but the railway is being' pushed ofi to about five and a-half miles from the ]?laoo.

Our school has six weeks for Christinas holidays. It is raining outside now, and I don't think there will be any sheep shorn to-morrow if it keeps on all night like it is doing now. lam sending you the drawing of the New Zealand Santa Claus, and I hope it will take the first prize. With love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, FARMER- JOHN. [Thank yon for your drawing. The number of competitions is mounting up.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Although I have not written to your happy band for some time, I take a great interest in reading the D.L.F. letters. I also take a great pleasure in general reading, and have read many books, some of which are very interesting. I have read "Heroines of History" a.nd "Travels." written by Frank Hun-dell. This is a book of adventure, sorrow, and happiness. O'the.r books that I have read are "Bashful Fifteen," "A World of Girls." "In the Mist of the Mountains," "Little Ruth's Lady," and many others too numerous to mention here. The school concert was held on the 17th of the last month, and it was a great success. The programme consisted of tabl-eaus, songs, wand drill, dumbbells, and the March of the Nations. —Yours truly, LADY GRACE. [I have looked through my books to see if ■your name was down, Lady Grace. I don't see it, so I have entered you again. Why so long in writing ? However, lam glad you have looked in to see us again.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —As this is New Year's Day, and I have nothing in particular to do, I have sat clown at- my leisure to write you a few lines. I did not go to the sports today, as it was too rough, but I was at the A. and P. Association's annual show, and 1 enjoyed myself thoroughly. I was also at the school picnic, which was held at the Bluff on December 28. We arrived at the Bluff at about 11 o'clock. After leaving the train we went and had some lunch. After lunch a girl friend and myself went down to the wharf to look at the steamiea-s. There were two large- ones and several smaller ones lying next to the wharf. We went through the two large ones, and we wore quite bewildered at the sights we saw. After leaving the ships we climbed up the Bluff Hill. On reaching the top we had a look round, and after writing' our names on the book we made our way back to this wharf. On reaching it we found the tug, the Theresa Ward, with a great many on board, and it was leading on its first trip, so we had to wait until it cams in again before we could go &ut for a trip. On coming in again we left the tug and made our way back to where we had lunch, and there left our coats, because we found them very uncomfortable. We then went for a walk through the town, a.nd came back along the beach. As the train was leaving the station I noticed a D.L.F. sitting on the station platform, but I hadn't time to speak to him. We arrived home about 6.20 p.m., very tired, but not less happy after our day's outing. With love to Glenfailoch, Mother's Help, and Bobbie Dear, —Yours truly, NO NAME. [You must have had a fine time at the Bluff, No Name. I don't think you can get tired of looking over the big steamers, do you?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Once again Christmas and New Year holidays are past, and with them the many picnics and sports, and we have a little more leisure until the harvest commences, which will be in a very short time. The weather has been very dry indeed,, but this evening it is drizzling a little, and 1 hope it will continue to do so. The grass and flowers are all spoilt with the weather, and there is very little small fruit about here this year. The crops, too, have suffered peverely, the heat having turned them ripe too soon, and the seed is very small. Christmas day was exceedingly cold here during the day, but cleared up so brightly in the evening that I thought we were going ;o feave a frost. In the evening I cycled down to Temuka to hear the " Carol Praise.' The church wa» crowded and the singing was very good, including as it did several solos. The church was prettily decorated for the occasion. On Boxing Day I went away to a picnic, at which I enjoyed myself very much. The day was very bright, but rather hot for playing games. On New Year's Day I went to Timiaru and ha* a walk round the town and down to the beach, and also along the breakwater. There were three steamers -anchored in the harbour; two were close to the wharf, and anyone was allowed to go through them. One was a. Dunedin steamer, and the other came from England. Of course, the latter was by far the better. We were taken down to see the machinery and the place where they make the snow and ice. Before you get down there you get very- nearly roasted with the heat, but it is very interesting to see it all. On board the steamer we saw four cats and two small rabbits, which were all very tame. The sailors put the kitten in with the bunnies, but they didn't seem to mind at all. The beach is very nicely laid out now with gardens and lawns and a number of walks, all of which are very artistically done, and kept very tidy. The flower show is to be held 1 in Temuka ?iext week. I expect I will go down to it if the weather permits. There is also to be an excursion from Temuka. to Oamaru on the 24th February. The last two Sundays we have had holidays from Bible Class, but we commence next Sunday. Our annual social, which'was held in September last, was a splendid success, and we made nearly £7, which goes towards keeping- our missionarj " Ocea" in New Britain. We are going to send a box to New Britain for Easter. Early on New" Year's morning the Temuka Band came all round the country and played several tunes. They made a collection, of course, which wa3 to be in aid l of the band instruments. The amount that they received was £lO. so I think that was very good indeed. Well. I think this is all the news. Hoping that all D.L.F. spent a very happy Christmas, I will conclude with love to all D.L.F. and yourself —Yours truly, EGYPTIAN! MAID. [A le+ter full of interesting news, Egyptian Maid. You must have enjoyed yourself thoroughly on New Year's Day at the port. I suppose you would get personal letters from the missionary you help to support, which would lend added interest to your good work—DOT.] Dear Dot.—lt is a year since I wrote to you. so I think it is about time to write again. Christmas and New Year are past. I spent both days very' quietlv. and did not go away from home at all. We are having very cold weather just now; not like summer at all. We have got all our turnips in and some of them thinned l ; I like reading very. much. My -favourite authors are Augusta J. Evans. Wilson, Mrs Henry Wood, and Annie S. Swan. We are milking four cows and feeding four calves. In. the winter time we milk hardly any oows. The gardens are very beautiful just now. We live near the bush, and it looks very pretty in- the springtime. We live about eight miles from the sea. We can see it from our place. It has lookqd rough these last few days. T know a few D.L.F. We live about six miles from

Milton. I must draw to a close. With lov« to all the Lf.F.,—Yours truly, „„ TT „ T ETHEL. [Why so long a silence, Ethel? I should think a sight of the greut linking highway, the ocean," would make you feel less shut out from the rest of the world.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —We are now milking 12 cows and feeding three calves. 1 was at ths Invercargill show, and I had a gocd time there although it was a bit wet. Our Sowers are looking very nice now, p.s the carnation 3 a; ; all out, and we have them in several differei. . colours. I was at the Ciiiton races on New Year's Day. I went up to E. M. G.'s .. > New Year's Eve, and then started tor Cliito ■. on New Year's morning, and we a.-r.ve i about 12 o'clock. We then boiled cu. hi by and had dinner, and watched the races ti 1 about 5. Then we had tea and left for home. We got home at about 7 o'clock, very tired but very happy after a good day'3 enjoyment. I will have to say good-bye, as it is time to go to milk. —Yours truly. KOWAHI. Dear Dot, —I am going to tell you about our trip to the race. We left home at 9 o'clock, and we did not reach the race till 11. All along the race are huts, and we went into number one hut to boil the billy. After dinner we went along the race till we came to a steep bank. For a, quarter of an hour we played at pushing each other over the bank. We went along the race till we came to a stump that was covered with snowberries. A light breeze was blowing, and very beautiful the snowberrie3 looked as they dangled about. After helping ourselves to a bunch of snowberries, we went down a path to an iron-wood free that was red with flowers. We went back to the hu't Laden with wild flowers. After we had some tea we collected our things and started for home. We reached home as tired as if we had walked 20 miles. As I have no more news to tell, I will say goodbye.—Yours truly, PEACH BLOOM. Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will let me join your happy band. I am in the Sixth Standard at school, and am 12 years of age. I have six sisters and one brother. I have one sister and one brother going to school with me. I live about a, mile from the Eiverton town, and we have to go over the Eiverton bridge to go to school. There is another bridge just for the train. The sea is just over the road from, our place, and, oh! what fun we have sometimes. You often find some pretty shells on the beach. I and one of my sisters and brothers are staying with our aunty for our holidays. I waa in the hospital for five months. I had hydatids. One of <my sisters is in the hospital now. She has been in about a year, and we expect her home about the end of the week. My mother was also in for six weeks. I have one sister working ait the tailoring and one at the Nurse's Home in Invercargill. We had our school burnt down, but a, newone is going up in its place. There is about 250 children going to our school, and seven teachers. I must stop tiow, as it is getting late.—Yours truly, ROSABELLA. [I can see your are going to be one of my best correspondents, Rosabella. How pleasant it must be living so near to the sea. You will have quite a lot of things to tell us, I am sure, so write again soon. — DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather this last week has bean something like the weather we had last year about this time. On Christmas day it looked very rainy, but we had only a few drops here. At other places on the coast it was different, as there were thunder showers, a hailstorm, and even snow ■ait ane place; while at Greymouih it was lovely and fine, but very windy. We. cut our hay the first two days of last week, and teddered it the third day, but it is still lying there, as it has been r>aihing every day since. There was lightning and thunder the other night before dark, and I was watching the flashes for some time. The eky was clearing up one morning quite brightly, and I thought it was going to be a good day, but it cl<*uded over again very quickly. On the 20th of December mother, Blue Violet, and I went into Greymouth-. When it got down as far as' here, the train was about full, but when H left the next station it was crammed, a number of people having to stand, though many sat doublebauiked. It rained a little a»t one place, and then cleared up, and! was not too hot a. day. When the train got into town Blue Violet and I went to and I had a nerve killed and two ether teeth stopped. I knew I had two holes, and the other one had 1 been aching -/or a good while. Blue Violet had nothing t<y be done to her teeth. I did not go to the Town Hall to sea the latest Otagc* Witness, as I hud not much time after the dentist had finished with me. The train was not so crowded at night, as they put on an extra carriage. My cat Baby hea three such pretty kittens in one of the stalls in, the stable, and we are going to leave them there till she brings- them in herself. Two are black and white and the other is a dark grey. We got a little puppy not long ago, and the first day he was here he looked,dull, and did not run about much. The next Say he started stealing the cat feed and yelping at them, for which he sometimes gets scratched if he ventures ico near. When I call the cata at feeding time he comes running ais if he were going to get some too. Be knows, how to pull the flowers off the plants along the side of the house. Don gives it to him. if he tries to steal his feed. We were thinking of calling him Tip, as he has a tip of white on the top of his tail. He is much bigger now than when he arrived. Ouir earliest plum is ripening quickly now, and looks ripe at a distance. The birds are eating like anything, and I think I counted over a dozen of them in the tree at once. There are a grea-t number of birds about this year, and they have eaten holes in some of the apples already, " Blue Violet has had more birds' eggs this year than usual, and has also got several sparrows' eggs. I saw a bird one night the like of which I don't remember ever seeing before. It had a piece of not very bright red on the top of it» head and! dark grey down the back, with white underneath There was a pair, but I hadn't long enough to see them both properly, and I haven't caught a sight of them' since Father told! .us last night that there was a little bird m his room. We hurried through and found such a wee fluttering biro! between the two window panes, and not able to ™ d its way out again. We caught it, and West Coaster is sure it was- a grey warbler. Of course, it was very frightened, and after having a good look at it we set it foe© I will now close with love to all the DT,p' and not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly'- ' WATER LILY.

[I lave been trying to think what ia tha name of the little stranger bird you speak of, with the Ted head. You must watch •for it again and take particular notice of it. Don't you think puppies* are the most *r

toresting little fellows? I wonder if you' have read Maeterlinck's "My Dog"? It is a most delightful book, and should be read by anyone who gets the chance to read it.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I wotild like to join your D.L.P. Pago. I am nine years old, and am in Standard 11. I did not go to school till I was over seven, because I was often sick. I have almost three miles to go, but often get drives in all kinds of conveyances—even a motor-car and a traction engine. Our school is a small one, there being only 12 scholars. Our teacher is a lady. We have three cows, and I milk on.e of them. We feed two calves and two Pigs. Was it not sad about Iona? I knew her well; she took me to Sunday school when I first went. Love to Elvera, Queeny 11, and Swamp-hen.—Yours truly, NEMOPHILA. [You come to us not altogether as a stranger, Nemophila, seeing that you have good D.L.P. relationships. Prom a motorcar to a traction engine is surely a bigdrop, at least in speed. Write again soon. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to your page. I wiaint you to accept me as one of your band. lam 13 yea.rs old. I went to Invercargill for my holidays at Christmas, and enjoyed myself very much. I think Invercargill is a lovely place. It was fine weather while I was there, but when I came back to Orepuki again the weather was not so good. There are some D.L.P. up here. We have four little kittens; they are about a month old. I was up at the bush to-day for a picnic, and enjoyed' j myself very much. We gathered a number j of pretty ferns; then we had a cup of tea.. We often go down to the beach for a picnic. With love to all the D.L.P., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, CHEERY BLOSSOM. [I am glad to accept you as a member, Cherry Bloss'om. Plenty of picnics in the summer -time there is no doubt makes life very enjoyable. Those little kittens must be just getting to the pretty and the amusing age. Let me; hear from you again soon.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—lt is nearly two years since I last wrote to your page. I hope you will let me join your happy band again. . I am staying at a place at Bald Hill Flat, eight miles from Alexandra South. Bald Hili Fat is only a small township, in which there are no shops, but a post office, a school, and a church all in one. I was staying in Alexandra' for a-few days when coming cut here. I•■ went round with a grocer twice in Alexandra for a ride. I came out here with the same grocer on Thursday. It is so hot up here' that the heat makes yort sick. • Last night it ■ was snowing thickly on the Old Man Range. There is a big water race in the garden up here, so we sail our -boats in it. One day I got a plank and had a ride on it down the race, but I fell into the water when the plank was going quickly. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday the coach comes in from Roxburgh, and on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday it comes in from Alexandra. Igo down for the mail every day, but there has not been more than three tetters since for me. There are a lot of hens here, two big dogs, and a horse. There is a big gold claim in front of the house called the Last Chance, but there are no men working there now. There is a big quartz *nine away over the hill, where my uncle works. There are plenty of gooseberries up here, but the birds; have eaten all the raspberries. I will close now, with kimd regards to all.—Yours truly, REVESBY. [There are several truants turning up again this' week, Revesby, you among them! I remember passing through, your little settlement on my -way to Lake Wanaka. I am afraid you would not find very great excitement there, would you? Still, happiness is the-main thing, wherever you live:—' DOT.] Dear Dot,—l forgot when I wrote my first letter to put my age in. lam ten years old. and I am in the Fourth Book. The holidays are on now, and I am very glad. It is raining to-day. Ido not like rain at night, do vou,-Dot? —Yours truly, BUNCH'.; OP CREAM ROSES[Don't yon think that rain at night time makes your home.. seem more, comfortable and your bed more. cosy. I hope you enjoy -your holidays*.—-DOT.] "* Dear Dot, —It is'-'a very long time since I wrote to you. Iv suppose you have forgotten that my name is Aople Blossom. I am at- Orepuki for my holiday. It is a very nice pla.ee, 'and I' am enjoying myself very much. We .have been having disagreeable weather, but' I-think it is going to be better weather now. There are some D.L.F. up here that' I know. We have got a lot of.chickens this year —white ones and black ones. I 'am going home on Saturday. . I have been' with my auntie to the bush" to-day, and 'gathered some beautiful ferns. We are all going'to Monkey Island to-morrow for a picnic. I have no more to say at present, so I will draw this to a close. With love to all the D.L.F., hot forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, APPLE BLOSSOM. [You must tell us all about your picnic to Monkey Island. Apple-Blossom.'By the way, why is it called Monkey Island?—DOT.] ' NEY YEAR'S CARDS. Many thanks to Maple and Seaegg for their cards. I reciprocate their good wishes. —DOT. AUTOS AND POST-CARDS. Seaeyg (Miss M. Fiveash. Wakapatn, via Colao Bay, Southland) would like to exchange of post-card'; with Conna ticut 11, Longwood Lassie, Josop, and any other D.L.F. willing. ANSWERS TO RIDDLES IN LAST WEEK'S ISSUE. 1. Because it is the grub that makes the butter-fly. 2. A glove. 3. One longs to eat and the eats too long. 4. Make the waistcoat and trousers first. D.L.F. BADGES. Badges sent to Diamond, Shamrock 11, and Gravel.