LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2923, 23 March 1910, Page 83

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto:—We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. ■ Bgg" No letter to contain more than 450 woi'ls. Dear Dot, —I em sendinsj with this letter the receipt for the postal note for 7s 6:1 which you were good enough to award me for my drawing in the Witness competition. You will be pleased to learn that I immediately put the money with my little savings in the Post Office. I have tried to express op the face of the black cat I have drawn the satisfaction I felt when I received your oostal note. I would rather draw a flock of six moas and a yard of cats than write one letter; but you have been so kind and generous to me that I find it a pleasure to write and thank you.—"ioura truly, MARJORIE. [The black cat locks the personification of bliss, Marjorie. lam delighted to think that you looked—or is it felt? —like that when you received the prize for your drawing. And as for the little difficulty of writing lettersthere is ?iothing like practice for removing that. So I shall expect to hear from you often now!—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Once more I take the pleasure of writing to you after being silent for nearly a year. When last I wrote to you I was in Central Otago, but you will see by the heading of this letter that I am in North Ounterury now. The scenery here is much nicer than in Central Otago. We are living on the sea coast here, and there is an abundance of cabbage trees, flax,- manuka, and other native plants. There is a natural fernery in the gully near our house, and it is very pretty. I often go there for ferur. The school here is much larger than the one I attended in Central Otago, there being a District High and Technical School attached. I like going to school, as we are taught everything. There is an annual picnic 111 connection with our school, and this year it is to be held at Sumner on. the 12th March, when we intend to have a good time. We go by train from here to Christchurch, thence by train to Sumner.

1 There is a large plantation neai our house, 1 where there are a. number of magpies; they sing very sweetly in the morning, and look very nice far up in the trees. I got two young ones in the spring, and they are quite tame now. We live three miles from the town, and I ride my bicycle to school. I will write soon again and give you an_ account of our picnic. I have not met a- D..D.F. since I' came to Canterbury. With love to Eulalie, Brown Weka, Ivanhoa, Lady Clara, Coronation, and all the other Little Folk, not forgetting you, dear Dot,—Yours truly, SILVER POPLAH. [This is the 12th of March as I am reading your letter, Silver Poplar; so I am thinking of ycu on the beach at Sumner enjoying yourself. I hope you have a very nice picnic indeed.—DOT.] Dear Dot—l enjoyed my trip to Drummond. We are having bad weather lately. We have a horse and a pig now. I have see a number oi new letters in print. Wo have started school now, and I am m the ihird. Standard. It is my "birthday on the 14th of March and I will be 10 years old—Yours truly ( "LADY CHRISTABEL. [I hop* vou have, -a 'very happy birthday, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot—The farmers are all busy getting their harvest in now. We have nad m slight touch of frost here this last two or three mornings, but it u a lovely day today There were two accidents here last Sunday week. Mr and Mrs Ford, of Otautau, were driving up to Me'rrivale, when the j or se kicked and got his leg over the .shaft, but i don't think anyone was hurt. was also another runaway, but I could noi say who it was. I am: going for my holidays m about a fortnight. I am going a» far_«* Dnnedin, and hope to enjoj myseif l&e Merrivale picnic and dance came off lasß Friday week. ' I was at the dance and had a good time. They had a splendia day for it The bachelors of Birchwood had their dance last Friday; I rode u? to that, it was - a lovely night, and the dance was kept; up until about half-past 4. There is also to be a picnic and dance next Wednesday, March 16. With love to Waybacks Mate,— Yours truly, . ' I*KY BILL. Dear Dot,—l was very pleased to see my lettsr in the Witness. It is about six months since "l last wrote to your page. We hava two pigs and one little foal. 1 am in the Second Standard. I have another little brother going to school now, and he is only four vears old. There are about 20 children going" to school. I do not like going to school very much. I went for a walk m the bush the othe. day, and I saw many, different kinds of trees and wild flowers. With love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting;. yourself-Your* truly, WHITE ROSE. [Do you know what I should like you to write about in your next letter, White Rose? All about that walk in the bush and the different kinds of trees and flowers that yousaw. Do you think you could?—DOT.] Dear Dot—lt is a long time since I wrote, but I did not forget you. The wea-, ther up here Is very fine, but we get a little rain now and then. The Sunday School examination is on July 9 this year, and' I am supposed to go'in for it. We have all our harvest in now, and. it was not a bad crop, as the weather was very div. . The Easter holidays will soon be oil, and that vdV bs a busy time in Dunedin.—Yonis truly, EVERLASTING- DAISY. Dear Dot,—The holidays are all over, and* I am back at school again. I did not like to go back to school; I like to stay at home best and play with Sylvia and my dolls. We had a lovely *» time playing at home. Our boys put a hammock up under the willows in our garden. On the very, very hot days Sy'-via and I used to be m the hammock all dav with our dolls and ea* ocosebsrries. We had two cousins stayin" with us all the holidays. One of roy cousins, Ivy May is.- a DL.F. There was quite a little party of us. Eric, a little boy from, next dcor, . came over and played wit* us too. He is such a funny little boy He has such a fancy for my pet cat. Billy; fee would persist in trying to carry Billy, about loy the tail, iust as if Billy's tail was his handle, like the handle of a pot or i broom. Billy does not like that treatment, and ho tries to tell Eric so by biting and scratching him. but Eric just keeps sn doing it. Erie really likes Billy, and tries to be kino to him. I am learning music. I love music. 0 could play lots of little tunes by ear long ago. I don't like learning music; I think it would be easier to learn to put G B D F on the lines instead of those funny htt.© sticks with black heads. They look like little men running Uj and down stairs. I could never remember then "names, but I can novr. Exercises- and scales are just dreadful. Mamma told me a story about a little girt who lived with her grandma. She hated doiii" her practice, so her grandmother used to sit in the- next room to listen to the litt'e girl playing. As long as the little girl clayed the grandmother would fall asleep, but when she left 'lf playimr the grandmother would wake ura; This "naughtv little girl gofia little lame boy from next door, who loved music-, to corns and do her practice for he-r. Her grandmother thought it was Violet playing, and' was quite pleased, but her muaio teacher was worried, wondering why she was getting so behind with her music. The little boy died, then she had to do her practise herself again. One d-y while she was practising she thought \vb«t if the little boy had 'met her mother and told her what a 'naughty little- girl she was. She made U n her mind to practise an hour extra at nisht when her erandmotlier went to bod. Her father found her asleep at the uiano one night, 'and when b? heard her little storv--he" told her she need not learn any more if she did not care for it. an her mamma m heaven would understand all about it new. The littl-p girl was quite happy again. With love to Moa- from Sylvia and ire. also love to yourself dear Dot,—Yours trulv.. BERSTECLS. [I am so glod yon like your mr>j;ic. Bernecia. Ycu will not need to get a. little be* ; to come and nractise for you. will you? T know it would be easier just now to read the music if letters were printed on the lines instead of dot?, but later on when ycu wanted to read ouickly it would bs vorv much more difficult I was quite apivilkd when I thought of the trouble it would bo to nlay a difficult piece of music if it were written as you suggest. You will sion find out vourself how easy the dots really are.— DOT.] Dear Dot.—lt is now five months since I wrote to the page. I was very pleased to see my letter in print. I did not go anywhere for my holidays, but enjoyed them all the same picnicking in the bush and wadim? in the sea. I was glad to see Longwood Blossom had a good holiday. Don't think we have forgotten you, Longwrod Blcssom. Mother is going to write to you soon. I will send you a post-oard. Mountain Girl. Have you had your holidays yet. Dot? You must- have a great number "of Little Folk on your roll. It his been very hot to-day; we were nearly roasted at school. I have a'pood number of now, and I nine thank some Arrow L.F. for some of them.

Wei! h<->w. Dot, I mrst close. With best love to Do*, and the L.F.—Yours truly, POD. [Yo-i want «o know about the name "Snowberry." dear 1 find on looking, up my book that the other Snowberry was the first tc write, so of course the name 's really hers Bui 1 do not think you will mind takins the othei name, as it has such « curious little connection with my own. it was a very original idea of your mothers. Writ* again soon, little girl.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l have been at the club r few times as a visitot, and I should like to become a member of it. I thought some of the debates very interesting. We were at a ipicnic on Saturday at Evansdale, and uad a most enjoyable time. The sports were very good' We .did a great deal of dancing in the hall in the afternoon, though it was very hot. We had a good time coming home iri the tram with baepipe music and a great deal of sinking. With love to the L.F. and yourself,—Yours truly, THELMA. [We shall b-i glad to see you again at the club. Thelma. and glad to hear from you as often as you have time to write— DOT.] Dear Dot,—lt is fully six years since I last. ■wrote to you. You will naturally think that I am like < dormant volcano: but I take a great interest, in the D.L.F. Page. I am now 17 years of age. The climate of Southland has greatly improved the last few years. 9ur northern visitors can no longer refer to Southland as the land of wind and rain. There are f> lot of beautiful flower gardens in Invercargill. a oleasin<r feature of the town being the Public Gardens. I have two pet oigeons at home. They are both white, and look, very pretty. I do not keep them locked ,nn, but let them fly : about as they please. They do not go far away, and they come to me when I whistle to them. If thev get Jjungrv the" corns to the Iy»ck door and call Trie- A T e ther° manv D.L.F in Invercargill, Dot? I se» that they hove.*some srood debaters in the D.L.F. Club T'-n*- trnV HAZELDEAN... fI can't tell how many O.L.F. there are }n Hazeld°a.n : no means «t fin'dinffVt o*H. But why do you not c 6 .to -tb<> club? T 'm-; sure : '-vn wmld b» Wii-hil* welcomed there. And it is. of course. |b* centval meting place for D.L.F;—DOT.] Dea Dot—'Just' a fev more lines to M; yon know that you are not forgotten.. My. Wether and I were at the Oraki School, picnic, and we had a very good time. 1 «iw several, D.L.F. there that day: Luceda's sis-, ter was one of them W. G. P and his two sisters were there al°o. They had racing and all sorts of games The dav was just lovely. Thai held a dance at night. I wasn't there to sep the dance, but my brother stewed to it. -Dear Honey Blossom. T receive? your, autos, some. time ago, and thank you , very much for them. I meant to write and let you. know, hut somehow I had not time. Heather Lassie. ,J wiP write to.ycu one of these fine clays, hilt T won't promise what day. as I have «uch a lot of {ancv-work to do. 'lf all goes well I am foinc to my -..friend'" «veddm<» on the 28tb of thi« month, so I hope the weather wi" keen fine. »« I li«v never been to a wedding in urv life, and I ♦ion't want to miss this on** if J pin helo it. I forgot to ask yon in my last letter if evel- - received the litt* o box of carnations I iwWt you just Christmas, 1 vom did. Do you like musk. Dot? T think i l is a very pretty little flower and ha" such n nice smell. I am sending you a l itt l -" bit in t'ns Istter to let you s»» what tb» flower is like. Be»t wishes to MascoHe. Tnc«da, I<ady Olive Lcl Ron»ld. Little Miss Vanity, and vourself.— Yotii-q • I rn l v. LONGWOOD BLOSSOM. [I think I mentioned once_ before how much yen. writing has improved, Longwood Blossom, b'dt it- has struck me afresh this time as I read your letter. The little box of carnations did arrive safely. I- a.m sorry you did not see my acknowledgment of them: but thank you now for sending them, and also for the piece of musk that came with this letter It smelt very sweet when I opened the letter. I do hope you get a fine tay for your friend's wedding. Will ycu write and tell me about it?—DOT.] Deai Dot*—lt is a long time since I wrote to you last, and I suppose you have been thinking I was not .going to write to you again. We, have moved ink another house since I wrote tc you last, but it is near the house we used to live in, I go to the same. school, and I am in the Third Standard. We have a large quantity of fruit here, and I am nevei tired of eating it. It is raining up here tn-day My black cat nas three kittens. I think this is all I can tell you, eo I will close.—Yours truly. CANDLESTICK. ?)Zid you know that you forgot to send ms ycu; name, Candlestick? It would not have &>ne to post your autos without name or *4i'ress, so I had to search through a long list of names ir my book to find you I did At length find your name, and was able to post the auto, -cards to you. I hope you received them safely.—j-'OT.] i>«ar Dot/—We havebeen having very hot leather lately Before the weather broke • few rlay9 ago vhere were plenty of big, deliotoui i.-!<i--;kl'err:efl to be hat for the trouble " «rf £&,ii.e*:;:e It ia a pity they are such a »*«*»• p*»t. li left alone for a few years he** on the' West Coast they overrun a Visit* V.I we.-cx and blights do thrive here. •The fruit ts ripening far earlier than usual ihi* yes». Plums are now nearly things of iie- past The Reofton show took place on the 9nd o' this month. My father, brother, ar.d fo'ir sisters, including Grey Valley and West Coaster went to see it. It is only tilt second one they have had. and I think it was a success, although the' day was cloudy and inclined to bs wet. We had a visit from Jeannie Dear the other day She has been Jiving in Wellington for more than two years now. and came back a few days ago to spend her holiday* at her old home in Ahaur* Little Nell and Bachelor vi»ited us ■ also during the tatter's holidays. Bachelor ivu talking of writinsr to yon again, Dot. I sincerely hope he will, as he ouaht to be able to writ* some verv interesting letters on ]>te college life at Wellington. Very few of +ue L.IT who once wrote to yon from Ahaura, Dot. are living there now. They are scattered all over the coast, and some few have left it. The harvests are all over for this year During out hay harvest we had three young town friends staying with us, and they thought it great fun. When we were stacking the stack scon became too hiffh the two youngest, two bonny wee girlies of nearly four and six. to help me tramp. After afternoon tea was over my young companion and I climbed up a step ladder on to the stack, which was not very bigh, as we had only started after dinner. We had hardlv been up a couple of minutes when I heard . a voice announcing in triumph that she was np. Looking around I saw the oldest one. standing on the stack and the other one stepping off the step ladder which had been left standing there. Smiles of triumph wreathed their faces at thus having outwitted lis. On being told they would have to just go down aKain the oldest one said. "I won't" in determined tones, and the words were echoed by her yountr sister. Caljing West Cbaater. I promptly showed tuem they mtm***iA Mad "» bv nutting one oi#r the

stack into West Coaster's aims and then giving the other one to my eldest sister, who wa-s coming np the ladder .iter them. During the rest of the stacking the ladders were never left against the stack for long when they were about I must now close if I am to get this letter posted so as to go overland to-day. With love tc all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, BLUE VIOLET. [I am so glad to hear that Bachelor thinks of writing again, Blue Violet do you thin* you opuld keep him up to it? I often wonder what has become of V,he little band of D.L.F. who used to write to me from Ahaura. If ever yor see any of them, please tell them I have not forgotten them, and should like very much to hear from them again. I have enjoyed reading your letter, Blue Violet, and hope to hear from you frequently. Please give Grey Valley and West Coaster my love.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—lt is about time I wrote to you again. We are having wet weather up here just now. White Carnation, do hurry up and write to me! Longwood Blossom, I will send you my auto. soon. I do not know many D.L.P. The farmers, having finished harvesting, are now ploughing the ground for next harvest. Some of the. books I have read lately are "Katie," "The Lamplighter," "His Master's Likeness," "Anna Lee," and "Danebury House." There will be moving pictures .shown here to-morrow night. We have started school again now: that means hard work foi another year. I sent Giulia an auto, but I have got no answer.. With love to Bed Carnation, White Carnation, and yourself,—Yours truly, PINK CARNATION. Dear Dot,—l was very pleased to see my first letter in the page - and to know I was accepted as one of your Little Folk. We have finished harvesting and started to plough the ground for green feed for the cows in the spring. My brother had a. collision with a buggy and bent the front fork of his motor cycle, but he was not hurt himself. Didn't he have a wonderful escape? SU Joseph Ward is comint? down to open the new pcbt office at Wyndharn. I can milk one cow outside, and nearly all the young cattle are quiet. I went to the flower show, which wa.s held on the 23rd and 21th February. Our hens have been moulting, but they are laying again. . The wind has blow: a good many apples off the trees. We have a large, number of raspberry' canes, red, white, and V.ack currant trees, plum, gooseberry, and apple trei J ~ i0 5&53/J Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to you and I would like to join your band I have been interested in the page for a lon*, time, and have always wished to be one of your band. I know one or tw.o D.L.F. girls, and one of them lives opposite our place. Dear Dot, I have sent is 6d worth of stamps to pay for my badge. I hope to write ■soon again.-Yours [I am glad to have you for one of my Little Folk, Lady Madge, and I hope you received safely'' the badge I sent you the other day.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l was very pleased to see my letter in the Witness, and as you kindly said I could write for three years yet I am now doing so. The Clutha Biver, which 1 separates the districts of Lowburn Ferry on i the western bank and Quartz Beef Point on the eastern one, is very high just now, I on account of the heavy rain up country. I The school is situated in the Lowburn Val- ! lev, and the children from Quartz Reef ! Point cross over to it by a punt. From Cromwell up to above the punt there are I about eight dredges working. We had our annual school picnic yesterday,, and, although it was not a very nice day, we ! spent an enjoyable time, everybody doing their best to make it as pleasant as posI sible. Another sad accident took place here I lately, a lady being drowned in the river. Fruit was very plentiful up this way this , year, but quantities of it went to waste on ; account of there being, no rain earlier in ' the season. Have you ever been on a dredge, Dot ? I have not, but I should very , much like to go.--Yours'truly.- t RED WING 111. [No, I have not been on a dredge, but, like you, I should like very much to pay : a visit to one and inspect, the workings. ; You are certain to have a chance of doing . so some day, with so many on the Clutha, I but as there are uot so many in the streets ! of Dunedin, I don't know when my turn . will cape!—DOT.] j Dear Dot,—lt is raining ut> here to-day. My birthday is on the 17th of this month, and I shall be 13 years of age. Our teacher left us to-day, but we are getting another one on Monday. We are having the dog trials on ihe 30th and 31st of this month. The oarpenters are at our school painting it. There isn't anv news to tell you. as this ! place is very lonely. S.o I think I shall ! draw mv letter to a close. —Yours truly. , SCOTTIE. j [There was one thing you could have told : m. 3 about, Scottie —this dog trial that you speak of. I am quite puzzled to know what sort of a trial it is. Is it a trial of apeed between grevhounds, or a trisl of the intelligence of collies, or a trial by jury? T< think you will have to write me another lettei just to explain about it; would you like to do that?—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l said I was going to keep the pen moving, and so I intend to for three more years, and after that I suppose I shall only be able to write once in a long while. Well, our harvest ia over; we had the mill for three days, and it went away yesterday. We did not have to cook for the men, I am glad to say, as they were on by contract. I was at a. harvest horn* ball at Edendale last Friday: I cycled up and Tall Fairy Queen rode. I was halfway between home and Edendale when it started t*> rain, so I made time pretty short. I had a verv good time. It had started lo rain when I reached home again. The cows are still failing fast in milk; they give less every milking. A lot of our cows would be better out altosrether: I don't suppose it. will be verv long till they are all out. I have finished reading a verv good book called " The Masrnetic Girl." by Richard Marsh. I have read a pood few books by Nat Gould, and <\orr>» of them are very good. Did ycu see Lord Kitchener when he was in Dunedin? There are a lot of pictures in the Witne»« of his a.rrival at Bluff. Invemareil!, Dunedin, and many other nlace*. Butterruns and Daisies. Tall Fair" Queen, and I all went for a. walk to the bush. We pot down all riirht. but were nearlv drowned liefore we got home, m it pc»ared efresdily for an hour.—Yours trulv, HAPPY QUEEN BESS. [You seem 1« b* rather unfortunate in your outings, Hanpy Queen Bess; does it com* on to Tain hard every time that you go for a picnic or a dance? Your friends will begin to call you a "Jonah."—DOT.] Dear Dot, —You will think I have deserted your page altogether; . but here I am n.gain. It is over a year cince I last wrote to your paste. I have been away for a holiday at OwaJcn, and I saw a good many D.L.F., but had the

pleasure of meeting only Sheila, I '.v-a=i in her company a good deal, and enjoyed it very much. We had beautiful weather ail the time. One day my cousins and I went down to Pounawea; there is a lovely sandy beach there, and right at the edge of the beach there is a very thick bush full of blackberries and lovely ferns. There were seme nice young tree ferns just about a foot high; how I wished I could have got some to bring home. Another day we went to the lake. It was a very hot day, but for all that we enjoyed ourselves. We saw the swans; they looked so pretty, and if I had only been an artist what a picture I could have had! We went for a drive one evening ('twas in a dray, though). Two evenings we went out eeling. The first night we had great sport; every time an eel was thrown up all the girls squealed. Owing to it being dark we managed tc capture only two. The second night it was slow. We did not catch any. Winter is near now, and once more the evenings are getting quite chilly. I can tell you I am very thankful, for the young ladies cannot wear white dresses now, and besides we can have such lovely lons, games of cards. With love to Two and Six, Shei'a Edievale and yourself,—Yours trulv. "808 TANNER. [I have heard so much of the excitement and pleasure of eeling, Bob Tanner, I should like to try it some day myself. But I am sure I should meet with the luck you had on your second day. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will let ma join your happy band I milk two cows night and morning, and 1 like it very much. I did not go to see Lord Kitchener in Dunedin. but I suppose you went to see him. Dot. There is a concert and dance here on Friday night, March 11, and I think that there will be a good crowd if the weather is fair. I attend the dances very regularlj, as I like dancing very much. My sistei ' Plum Blossom is out working, and I think that she likes it. There is to be a picnic down at Taieri Mouth on Saturday* and I think that I am going down. Have you ever been down to Taieri Mouth, Dot? It is such a pretty little spot.—Yours truly, SWEET SIXTEEN. [I am glad to enrol ycu as one of rny D.L.F., Sweet Sixteen. Will ycu tell Plum Blossom I should like to hear from her again, just to know how s\» is getting on" at" work, and whether she likes it?— DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have a new teacher at our school now, and I like her very well. Since I last wrote to you I have passed into the Fourth Standard. My father has just arrived home after having a grand holiday. 'He has been all the way up to Auckland, and he thinks it is a lovely place. He went from Lyttelton to Wellington by steamer, and then up the Main Trunk railway through to Auckland. Have you ever been to Auckland, Dot? Do you think it is a very pretty place? The farmers have pretty well finished getting in their crops now. We are having lovely weather, just now. I will close now, as I think I have written enough for to-night.— Yours truly, COWSLIP'S PET. [Yes, I have beer, in Auckland, but only for a night and a day. It is a beautiful city—much more spread out than Dunedin. And, of course, it has a finer climate.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I hope. you and all the L.F. had an enjoyable Christmas and a happy New Year. I enjoyed myself very muoh. On New Year's Day I went to Oamaru in the boat, but I was very, sorry to think I did not see any L.F. I had my badge, but I suppose most of them would be at the sports. 1 am having a week's holiday out at Warrington, and Mayflower and I are good chums. Isn't the page increasing? I have been reading some of the O.W. letters, and I often wish I could write letters to the page like them. I see Pixie has a very nice letter in this week. My brother haa a ferret out here, and he asked me to feed it one day, and I left the lid of the box open, and the ferret got out. But. of course, I did rothing but squeal and run to the house. But he has got it again, anc I don't intend to feed it again. I have not seen a letter feom ; Marigold for ages; hurry up and give Dot a line or two! Somebody's Lover is down at I Edendale having a holiday. , I think it is j time you wrote, but when ybu are away it ! seems we never need look for letters. Scarlet Runner, it is your turn to write; and, Giulia, I think you have" forgotten me altogether, i I hope the Dunedin Club will keep up now ! that they have started. I would go to the meetings, but I am not good at anything like that. By the time this is in print I shall -be from my holiday, and a«i mother is goTug to Timaru at Easter I shall be sbonkeeper. I am learning dressmaking, and like it very. well. Dear Dot, I have heaps more to tell you, but I will have to write another time, so I will close now. With love to Scarlet Runner. Irisft Marigold, Giulia, and Mayflower.—Yours trulv, NIGHTINGALE. Dear Dot, —It is a good while since I last wrote to you. I was awav from school for a week, as my mother Had a poisoned foot. There are 50 children at this school, and one teacher. The flowers are nearly all done now. We have 100 sheep. Winter is coming ing on now, and the nights are getting short. We are. going to get up a concert in six weeks' time, and our teacher is going to dress some of the children up in real Chinese clothes, as she has been in China and brought some home with her. With love to Jacky Jingles, Little Dorrit, and Sunbeam Til,—Yours truly. ' TOWN HALL. j [lt will be very interesting to see the real Chinese clothes. Town Hall, as they are so different from anything we wear. They often have such beautiful embroidery on them, and are of much brighter colours than we are accustomed to. You will write and tell me about the concert, won't you?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It seems so long since I last wrote to the page that I suppose ycu will forget that there was ever such a person as Primrose 11. We do not get the Witness regularly, so that is why I am not more heard of. We are having quite a change in the weather now; this laat day or two has seemed quite wintry, after having such hot, dry weather and being so long without ram Winter ir getting a little closer to us, and the nights are beginning to draw in, and the morningß are a little darker; but the winter nights have their pleasures, too. We have finished our harvest this year, and have had the mill too. There are - few farmers who are still at their harvest, leading in their crops. I was at the school excursion, and I enjoyed myself very much. The day was not "all that could" be desiveS. but I met ■:mch a 'ot of old friends. Ws went tc Biverv.on. and in the afternoon we went round to the beach: ii was so nice. There were a few motor launches running excursion trips, and I went out twice. I hope vou i had a good Christmas this year; I had a fairly good one, although I was never very far from home. Easter is coming round again, but I don't know if I shall go a,nywhere yet. I saw E. E. C; on IJaturday? she-_and hear sister were Off their way to Queenstown. and I hope they had a good time. I was at a church social the" other night to welcome our new minister. In the

afternoon he was ordained in the church, which was so full. There were four ministers from different centres there, and the sermon wias very nice. I see most of the writers are telling what books they have read, but I am not going, to try, as I don't think I oould remember half I have read. I read such a lot at nights, but at present I have no book. I bad five pet lambs . this, year, but they are weaned now, and lam not sorry, as they were such little mischiefs. With best love to Heather Lassie, E. E. C. and yourself,-Yours [You are almost a stranger, Primrose IT. but not quite, for I recognised your handwriting before evei I saw your signature, and was so glad to think ycu had written again. Don't leave such a long tirus biiora you write next, will you?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was pleased to see my las'* letter in the Witness. My birthday was last Friday, March 11. We are busy harvesting, and I will be glad when it is over. I will ell you about a story which I read. One time an old woman lived Ou the line of Baltimore ind Ohio where it passed through a wild district in Western Virginia. Her house was near h deep yawning chasm across which . the railwaywas carried by a woodeii bridge She was a. widow, and had to keep herself and only daughtei. She sold poultry and- eggs in the nearest town. It was a long and weary walk for an old lady, and going by train swallowed up the money which she got so she walked along by the railway. The _ enginedriver and guard noticed hex, and being good-natured people, often gave hei . ride. The woman often wished to giv*> them. something for their kindness, but she had. nothing to offer. One wild night in March the mountains sent down their roaring torrents of melted snow and ice through a gorge near the old woman's house. The terrible storm washed the bridge away except two pieces of timber jutting over the side of the gorge. In half an hour the train would be at the bridge, and it would be whirled into the deep waters. The old lady did not know what to do. She had only half a candle in the bouse, but she cut the wood of her bedstead, and took all her furniture and piled it up in front of the bridge. Just as she heard the train coming she set a. match to ohe furniture. She wondered if the engine driver would see the blaze in time. Then she took off her red shawl, set it afire, and ran up the railway. The engine-driver . saw the signal, and stopped the train. In a few minutes the passengers . all gathered together.. .The old woman knew her work was done, and ?he regarded it is a simple act of gratitude. But .the passengers, hearing the story, made a. collection; and rewarded her richly for what, she had done. Dear Dot, it is very wet to-day. Our schcol picnic is on the 18th. I saw a. meteor the other night, and it was very bright. The comet is to be . seen next month. With love to Ivy. Clematis, ■ Wairaki Violet, and Orange Lilv.—Yours j truly, TWISTED EGLANTINE. [Do you like stories about brave deeds. Twisted Eglantine? So do I. I remember one of my "favourite stories at school was that one about a little Dutch girl who saved a whole town from disaster by noticing in time a lealc in the dyke, and stopping it with her hand until heln came. I wonder if that is in your school books too? —DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is a long time since I wrote j to your page. I am now in the Sixth Stan- i dard at school, and I am trying for the I junior scholarship, for I am only 12 years old. - Our Sunday . School picnic was held at Stirling on the sth of March. The train left Balclutha at a quarter to 11, and got into Stirling at 11 o'clock. I enjoyed myself very much, but was very tired when I reached home. The river pear our place is very hiyh. and a oart of the bottom reserve is flooded. I went over to the station to seh Lord Kitchener when he was going through to Dunedin to inspect the h\oops. There was a very big crowd on : the station, and the little children had to b© lifted up. We all "feave three cheers for j Lord Kitchener as the train left the station. . I did not go anywhere for my Christmas ; holidays—l just staved at home and eni joyed mvaelf very much. We have had a • lovely rdy summer this year,,—Your.p truly, INKPOT. [You do not sav whether you had a good view of Lord Kitchener, Inkpot. I hope you I had, for it will be something to. remember : j all your life. You will be able to tell j your children about it some day.—DOT.] AUTOS. Primrose II (oare Mr James Earl, Lumsden) would like to exchange autcs with any D.L.F. willing. Prompt replies. Sweet Sixteen (Miss H. Parsons, P. 0., Henley) wishes to exchange autos with any D.L.F. willing. Pink Carnation (Box 3, Albury, South Canterbury) would like to exchange autos with Lady Catherine, Leola, Lady Nancy, and any other D.L.F. willing. Prompt replies. Nightingale (61 High street, Roslyn) wishes to exchange autos or post-cards with any D.L.F. willing. BADGES. Badges sent to Lady Madge, Frolic, Lady of the Nile. AUTO. CARDS. Auto, cards sent to Pink Carnation, Candlestick, Prince of Wales.