LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 77

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto:—"We write for the benefit of others, no! . v, for ourselves. : No letter to contain more than 460 woriaDear Dot,—This is my second letter to tha pa"©. I was pleased, to see my first letter in print. I was 11 years did on August'§9, and my little brothers and I had a little party after school. Wo did -not sea any birds at all during that pig-hunt; they seemed to have gone away before we arrived there. We are having a week's holiday from school just now. I went to see ona of my friends on Saturday, and w© played houses in a little shed and made chairs ip the tussocks. Yesterday I went to see ona of my schoolmates, and we made a house in the hush to play in. When w© got tired of , that w© played Boma other games'.A book that I enjoyed very much ,is “Miss Determination.’’ It telle about a little girl who was always determined to do things. Onoe she made up her mind she would always stick to it. With love to all tha D.L.P.—Yours truly, CAIKNUQUHEiEN.

[ls that a Gaelic name? I wish I knew how to pronounce it, but no amount of gazing at it seems to bring it any nearer my tongue. Wouldvypu like to'be like Miss Determination?,. Im .some, ways "that is a> very good quality to have, "but if - she -ever determined to do haughty things it would not be so good.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —As I have not" written-, to you before, will: you let me/ becoraia.one of your Little Polk? I pi nine years old, abd an* in the Fust Standard %t school. My mate and I make pcrguna. dxiring play ■hours, and protend to shoot - each with them. We play, pig-hunting and soldiers s too. The bush is' near our school, and •every "dinner time we swing on thick vine's. .'■■' We. have gardens at school, .and I Jxelp my brother m his.—Yoiirg ti'ioly, : ' ' " ' DONALD OlGfcr [When :I : wais'at -school .1 used to swing on vines in'the''bush too, Donald 0-ig» *I wondoa-. if ■.these .are. the; Very same kind ? I am glad .to;have" you fori one of; my'DiL.F., and I hope you will write again.—DOT.!" Dear Dot,—lfj'is blowing very hard .to-day,' and it looks as if it is going to rain, .' EVerybc'dy up here has., or has had, mumps; "some of the people went to the doctor with them. There was a school concert up here on the 25th of August, .and it was very good. Our fruit trees are coming out in flower. The flowers are all comfing into bloom. I. know a good few D.L.F. up here. I have not seen a letter in the .Witness from any ofl the D.L.F. up here for a long time. I have not much news to tell you this time, so I will close with love to all the -D.L.F, and yourself.—Yours truly, SWEET ROCKET. [I suppose you had mumps along with! the rest, Sweet Rocket;' it is no use being out of fashion when so many people are! • in it, is it?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It .was. my birthday on tb.9 22nd August, and I am now 14 years old. I ami joining the military training- classes, I got 4ssi for my birthday, and my mother gave m>e to. ~watcji and chain. I received my badge safely, and it is very nice. Last time I wrote I wrote a very small letter. Wei have had very gcod weather up here. We are picking up rabbits now. We have another two black pups, and I hope they will ' be very gcod rah biters. We are going to kull oho of our pigs, and we shall hava only nine left then; we are trying to get her fat. I wish to exchange autos with; old Dan Tucker, Blackface. Bluebeads, and Reindeer. My address is Ralnh the Rover, coxe of Mrs Robertson. P. 0., Sutton.—Yours truly, RALPH THE ROVER 11. [I hope the two> new pups will be g'ood rabbiters for you when they grow up, Ralnhj the Rover.. Is their mother gcod?—DOT.]' Dear ;Dot,—lt is a long time since I wrote to. your page, so; I thought I -would start again. If I wrote oiice to -my sisters twice I, should-dp quite well. How did the Dunedin Show "get on? I suppose it woiild have been better if it had been in June; it was awful about the hall getting burnr-d. I did not go, but Avioe went. I am living at the Sandstone now, and I like it. I havs a bicycle of my own, and I have about ©even miles to ride home. Every time I gd homie I try to get a ride on my hack. My father has been ill. but he is getting "Well again. There has been 1L terrible lot of sickness lately, Dot. Th<» dairy factory will soon open again, and then the work will begin. I used to likS driving to the factory, but as I am away from home, A Gesmtry Maid drives ■sa&ft,

and she also likes it. My undo will be having • fine times in Scot-Land. I would like to go Home for a trip, but not to stay. The Pyramid School concert will be on tho 6th October, and I hope it will be a success. My birthday will be on the 3rd October, .and I shall be 17, so I have a few mora years to write to your page. Hurry up, Handy Andy, and' write again; I suppose you are greatly taken up with soroethinjr m Quosnstowu that you do not write. With love to all the D.L.F.,—Yours

truly, JEAN. [Now that you have started writing again, J*ean, perhaps I may hope to -bear from you a litt!o more frequently. Try and write that one letter to Avioe's two; do you think you could manage that?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having a week's holiday. There are a. lot of flowers out in our garden. I have no flower gaiden, but I havs a vegetable garden. The. peas and beans are up new. Here is a story called "The Queerest Animal." Once there lived a man who had three tons named Tom, Dick, and Harry. One day the man called his sons to hiin and said, "I will give the cow to that one of you who finds the queerest animal." Toni was in the woods when he saw a squirrel, and after a whiie he caught it and put it in a box. Dick was lying down in. a field when suddenly he saw a lizard; he caught hold of its tail and it came off, so he thought it was the queerest animal. After a let of searching he found it, and put it in a box. Harry, who wag the laziest of the' three, thought* he would have some fun.', so he went to the shed wlieie his father kept the whitewash, got a basinful of whitewash, and whitewashed the cow all over; then he painted its horns bright red. Then he put a frill of paper round its neck and tied a bunch of feathers on its' tail, and last of all he go| four bocts and put them on its feet. Then he went inside to read a book. In the evening the man called his sons to him, and arfted them to show their animals to him. Dick showed him the lizard. Then Tom showed him the squirrel. Harry said that his was too big to bring inside. They all went outside and saw the cow stamping about the yard. Then they all burst out laughing, and said, "Harry's won the cow! Harry's won the cow!" After tliat the father went away to get the cow, and found that the cow was not there. They all fell on the ground with, laughing. • So Harry -non the cow.. —Yours truly, - ROBIN HOOD.

Dear Dot, —We are getting well into spring now, with all its beauty. The crocuses and enpwdrops are nearly all gone, and the 'daffodils and narcissi are coming out. The tiess, also, are beginning to send out their green leaves. We are having the spring winde now, and it is not very pleasant to be out in a gale. I think this will be the last time I shall have a chance to write to you from this place, as we are leaving this district to go to the North Island. I shall be very sorry to go away, but the best of friends must part sometime. I was down at Dunedin for the show, but didn't call on you, as I was pressed for time. Dunedin was too crowded for one to enjoy oneself. I was very glad when I got home. There was a bachelors' ball held about five miles from here a weak ago. I went, and had a splendid time. I should have liked to make something for your guild, but have been very busy lately, and could not get time to start, anything. Here is a riddle for the L.P.: What is thi difference between (1) a gardener, (2) a billiard player, (3) a gentleman, and (4) a sexton ? ' The Cluiha Riyer is very low now —lower than it has been for many years,— and a good mimber ci the dredges have closed down.—Yours truly, . SCARLET NONPAREIL

[When you go to the North Island I should like very much to have a -letter from you, telling me how yon like it, arid how, in your estimation, it compares with the south.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —You asked me to tell yon where Moawhango is. It is a small country plaoe 12 k miles from Taihape. There is a Maori pa at Moawhargo, and wo live just about a mile away from there. There are stili to be seen in the back country barricades that the Maoris had for fighting behind. "We live near the Moawhango River; it is such a pretty river. About a mile down there is a large waterfall, and father has taken seme good photos of it.—Yours tiuly, BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE. [You live in an interesting place, Bonnie Prince Charlie, with the river and the waterfall so near you, and monuments of history round about. History is sometimes to be read in the rivers and lakes, too, and even in the wayside stones; did you know that? But that is not so much the history of people as of things. I should like to hear anything you can tell me about the Maoris near you, or any legends of the war.—DOT.]

Dear Dot; —I expect you have been thinking I was going to desert you again, but I lave not had •very much news lately. Our holidays have begun, and my brother and sister have come home. For the last fewdays we have been out burning gorse with my father. We go out at about 9 o'clock, and take tea with us. Then we boil t>>e billy while dad and my brother burn ihs little pieces of gorse. After tea we burn the big bits all down the river bed. When there ie a whole lot alight it reminds you of a bush fire. Once I nearly got burnt, and only escaped by jumping into the stream with my sicter. Another time we nearly burnt dsd, as we did not know where he was, and we found we had lit fires all round him. We have got three pet lambs, but I think one is going to be given awiay. I certainly pity the person that has the little beggar, as it flatly refuses to drink out of anything but a spoon, and it would take rather long if you wanted' to give it a good deal. Dad reads us "The White Company" in the evenings, end we all think that it is grand. Dad always reads to us in the holidays. I think the boat books v"e have read are "Robbery Under Arms" and "The Leather Stocking Tales." Please excuse bad writing but I have got violent rheumatism in my arm, and I can't write straight. With love to til D.L.F. and.yourself,—Yours truly, BRER RABBIT. [Poor old Brer Rabbit with rheumatism! It can't be old-age rheumatism yet, though: that is a slight comfort. How you must enjoy having those stories read aloud to you! I wonder if you know a new book called "The Sun's Babies"? It is just a splendid % boak for that, and is by a New Zealander* Mass Edii'i Howes.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I arm efraid I am, not a very loyal D.L.F., as I have not written for a long timo. We have a week's holiday from school, and I hope it will be fine weather, so that we can have a good time in the open air. We do get so tired of being always inside. We were helping mother to do the garden to-day, then we were watching a traction engine shifting a house; it did look go strange moving slowly down the middle of tho street. It is not often you

see a house going for a- drive. Mother read a story i:, a book about a family who lived in a house fixed upon wheals. When they wanted to. gc for a change of the air the motor-power was turned on. and off they. went. I think it was a splendid idea, no house-hunting or packing up to do. When Sylvia and I were little girls a lot of people in this neighbourhood moved away to other pails of this town, and Sylvia and I did wint SO' much to go too. We packed up all cur little stools and chairs, little dolls' bed and cradle, and ran up aad down with them in the wheelbarrow, making believe we were shifting too. We thought it wad dreadful, -eve.ivbody shifting but us. I am getting quite an old D L.F. now; I have been writing for four years. I like to write to the page, but I never have thing interesting to write about.--Yours truly, BERNECIA.

[Do you knew that your little brain-box is just' full c<f odd holes .and corners and hiding-places, Bernecia, and in every one of them there is some interesting thing packed awav that you could find; to tell me, with just a little thinking? I found this letter of yours most interesting, although you sa-v you "never have anything interesting to write about." I should like to hear fiom you ofteive-r, and I was very glad you did write this letter.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l am glad that the long winter is over, and the bright sunny days are coining. We nevar had a bit of snow this winter. I like 'he snow because I like to make -a snow-man. But I would not like to live in ia country where there is a lot of snow Do you like snow. Dot? Dad says vdien he lived on the Lamme.rlaws the snow lay on the ground for three months. 1 do not know where the Lammerlaws a.re, but they are far away from here. How pretty the snow must have looked! We have still got Billy the cat. He is three years old now; he is getting quite an old cat, is he not? I do not think he feels old, because he runs after pieces of papt-r just like a kitten. The longer we have Billy the more we love him. I have not seen a letter in the page from *Moa fox a long time. With love to all the D.L.F. nw •yourself,—Yours truly. SYLVIA E.STHKR.

[I am glad io hear that Billy is still, hale, Sylvia, and even kittenish; that is the bsst way to grow old, I believe—just to refuse to notice eld age creeping on. Pltare tell your mother that I was very glad indeed to hear from Shasta <hat shn was so much better: you must be fax gladder, I know.—DOT.]

Dear Dot. —I am writing to ask you if I may Join happy band. I cm eigh - . years old, and I live in the back-blocks. There are two. bouswt here besides our own, and two men live in then: by themselves. I have one sister; she is five years old. .1 have four miles to go to school, but in the winter I go in the train. It is lonely walking to school by myself, but rnv sister will be coming after Christmas. I never see anybody until I get lear the school. Our examination will be next month. I hope I pass then I shall be in . the Second Standard. We have 23 fowls, and we get a terrible lot of eggs. I like going to school, as I. have little l*oys to play with there. I am going to Christchurch at Christmas, and I would like to come and see you when I am in Dunedin if you will allow me. With love to all the boys and girls and yourself, from —Yours truly, POOR JOE.

[I am so glad you thought of writing to me, Poor _Joe, because I always like particularly to get letters from lonely little "biaok-blockers," v.ho have r.ot many neighbours or playmates. I shall be delighted to see you when you are going to Christchurch; it would be best if you just sent me a little note- to say which morning you are coming, then I should be certain to stay in. About 12 o'clock is the best time.—DOT.]

Dear Bet, —I was down at the Dunedin Winter Show, and I called in one day to sea you. IT was on the Wednesday in Show Week, about 11 o'clock, but you were not in, so I had to go away sadly disappointed I was going to the social, but did not kno.v where it was held, so I cculd not. I enjoyed myself at the show, and I reckon it was *a> great success. The butter was simply lovely, and was admired by a great imany. My cousin and I went into the Laiighitig Gallery, and my cousin said that I must have brought .all the people in the place in, as they just crowded in when I ivent in, no doubt through hearing _ my shiieks of laughter. I also went one day to the fanciers' show, and it was very good, especially the Persian oats. I had a throe weeks' holiday, so I ought to have enjoyed myself. I was out at St. Clair one day, and it was lovely* to see the waves rolleing in. We went away up the hill to a, castle; I forget the name of it at present, but yo'u go round the esplanade tojt. It looked a lovely place; you have such a grand view from it. We have been wanting rain this long time, and it has come at last. I lave just been leading' the D.L.F. letters, and thought it was about time I wrote. I only had two wet days all the time I was in Dur.edin, and they were not bad, fcT I was out both days. We have two lots of chicks out, one hen with six and the other with 10. Our hens are laying well at present, and we get plenty of eggs. We have been busy spring cleaning lately, but the dust is awful here, and scon destroys all your work. Well, Dot, I think this ia all the news at present, and I hope to see you next time I comn to town. With love to Fisher Girl, Briar Bush, and Poy in Love, —Yours truly, CHERRY RIPE 11. [That Wednesday you came in to see me was the very morning I went to the show, Cherry Ripe; I am so sorry to have missed you through going there. I hoped to see some D.L.P. at the show, but saw none; at least, there were no badges visible. I hope we shall have better luck next time about meeting.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have just been reading the pag<», and, seeing several letters from friends, . I thought I would follow their example and write a few lines too. It is not so many months since my last letter was in, but I want to make the most of the two years I have left, so I hope yon won't mind. It roust be over five years smoei I first etaJ ted to write to the page, though it does r.ot seemi so. long; the time has passed very quiokly to me. Old Writers' Week will soon be here again; I am looking forward to it, and hope it will •be a big success. Several will be absent this year, though. I w;as so sorry to hear of Vidocq's death. When first the news came I could hardly believe it. We had corresponded for a long while, and I have some very pretty post-cards that he sent me on his travels.- He had many friends, I know, and. seemed to be so well liked. He will be missed by many L.P., I'm sure. We are having such beautiful weather here just now; I hope it will last a long while. All the gardens ere looking so pretty; the daffodils seem to brighten them up so. There are suoh a number of flowers out at

this time of the year that I find it hard to choose, my favourites. The violets and primroses, especially the dear old English ones, come first, I think, and then the daffodils. 33ut I love them all. Wo have just been doing up our garden, fnd it looks much better. It has not been made very long, so will be nicer next year. The wced.3 do seem to grow quickly—too for my fancy, sometimes. I notice several L.F. have told you of their gardens lately, and I don't want to make you tired of the subject, so will .stop. I am going to copy out that recipe for rainbow cake, Dot, and will try it one of these days; it sounds easy. Just now I am very interested in baking, and am often v.riling out some recipe, to try. It would bo a good idea for the- girls to exchange recipes, I thir.k; one should get some very good cues then. I do want to be a good cook, and though I often have failures, I keep on Vying. My brother is away in Au.-dnaha at present, so I" do not get teased quite as much over aryihing I make. He wouild never say anything nice about my baking. One day I coiddn't help laughing. I made a sponge sandwich, ' and, for a wonder, it was quite .a success. Of course I offered him some, a-ud as I kept silent he thought mother mad® it, and said, '"This is deceit; one can easily tell you didn't make it." He was nicely "had" that time. Once I offered him some buns, and he kindly said. "No, thank yon. I don't want to die yet." I had to laugh. Isn't that like a brother, Dot? He is sxich a tease, but, all the same, I wish he were Lack at home; we all miss him so much. Before I close I will give the I».F. (the girls, I. mean) a recipe for kisses or cockles. I often make them, and thty are delicious. The ingredients are: —One cup flour, three-quarters cup cornflour, two teaspoons baking powder, half cup sugar, two eggs-, quarter cup butter, and a pinch of salt. Beat the butter and sugar together to a cream. F"ut in one egg at .a time and beat, then add other ingredients. Bake small teaspoonfuls of this mixture in hot oven, and stick two together with jam. These are very good. Dot, and quite easy to make. Now I will conclude, with Jove to Connecticut and Gipsy Queen, —

Yours truly, SWEBTBRIAR. [That is .a very good ambition for a girl to have, Sweetbriar —to aim at -being able to cook really well. Her father and brothers and, later, her husband, will thank her for it in their hearts, however brothers may tease. If there are any special' recipes you would like. I shall do my best to get them for you. Thank you for sending the. recipe for "cockles"; I am sure some of the D.L.F. will try it.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Having been told by Pterodactyl to hurry up and write to the page, I shall now try to do so. We are having beautiful weather now, and the frost has left us ega-in. I have made <a flower garden, and the daffodils and other spring flowers will scon be coming out. We are having a good deal of lain lately, and if we have a few days' warm weather the seeds will soon shoot up. I am reading a book called "The Voyage of. the Vulcan," by Clarke Hood, and it is very interesting. I received a long letter from Pterodactyl last night, and I will fi.swex it soon. There was a band conoert and dance held here last Wednesday in aid of the band. My brother played the cornet in the orchestra.. I am a. member o? the Debating Club laere, and I enjoy going every Thursday night. We are having a social at the end of this month. Tho gentlemen of this town are getting a bowling green, and they are getting an experienced man to lay down the green. They ore having it rrwide in Vivtoxia. Park, next the tennis court. They collected over £IOO iii a few hours. I hope the young people will start a hockey .team next winter. I am. waiting for a letter from The Mariner, as I do not krow his address. I cannot think of>my more news at present.'so I shall close with love to Pterodactyl,' Clutho,, Kawaiau, Heath. Little Miss, Neddv Coat, Ivy Leaf, and all the rest of the P-.D.P.—Yours truly SPRING- FLOWER,

XAre the ladies going to play bowls too? They do in some places, you k;:ow. I' have heard of a ladies' bowling club in Wellington, but have not yet seen ladies play.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —This is a very windy day, and the wind is roaring on the mountains. The flowers are commg out and the fields are getting green here now. I had a very bad cold, and I could r.ot go to school for two days, but I am getting a little better to-day. Our Sunday school opens to-morow, and I hope that I shall be able to go. • The answer to my last riddle is, "The letter Ei." I will give the L.F. a riddle: A riddle, a riddle, a farmers' riddle, .alive at both ends and dead in the middle.—Yours truly. TOMMY. [Tommy, I should like to be somewhere where I could bear the wind roaring on the mountains. Here there are too many houses for it ever to do anything so wild and fine; we only, hear it in the chimney. Do you like the sound?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was so pleased to see my letter in print that I should like to write another. On Saturday I went to spend the day with some little friends at Tbule. Their house is built on a big rock. It is,' a big house with fir trees and gum trees, and littl" beaches near by. Thule is very pretty, with fern tracks about it. We went through atrack with moss just like a bed. In the afternoon we, went to a beach to gather cookies. Then we went up to the bouse and cooked them for tea. Next day we go to Thule we are going to pull across to lona, where there are a great many cockles. We had a. very enjoyable day rambling through the bush. Our quarterly examination was held to-day. We have a very nice teacher here'now. There .are about 43 children going to our school. I live quite close to school, _ just round the corner. Our school is just in front of the sea, and we play games on the beach. In the summer we wade in the esa. We can see.and hear the launches going out and coming in. We have two very pretty primulas out just now, double white and double heliotrope, also four different kinds of cinerarias in pots. I will olose now with love to you and Oban Yours truly, PRIMULA OB CONIC A.

[I was down at the Gardens yesterday, and in the Winter Gardens I saw quantities of beautiful primulas, some "obconicas" among them.. Some of them were such beautiful shades—deep crimsons, delicate pinks, and even some purples among them. Do you find that your cinerarias are attacked by green -fly?—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—We are having very mild weather, but it was blowing pretty hard today. It is a long time since I saw a letter from Maid of the South. I will tell you a story called "Room for Two." "I do hope the children will be pleased," said Mrs Wihon, smiling. "Mind you put it up properly, Tom, and see it is straight." "Right, mum!" answered the young gardener, running away in high glee, for he was always ready to plan a surprise for the two girls. Under his arm was a coil of rope and a piece of flat board; it certainly did not look much, but, after Tom had bean at work a

few minutes it was a lovely swing, which, hung from the boughs of an old walnut tree. "Little Misses will be pleased," said Torn., locking at 'his work with satisfaction. By-and-bye the- elder of the two Eisters came along; her name was May. Oh, what a lovely swing!" she exclaimed. "How kind of moor, ma-!" She w;as just going to give herself a swing when she exclaimed, "Nellie will be coming scon; she must have first swing." Just after May went into the house Nellie came by. "Oh, a swing! Won't we have fun! Baby will call Sissie and give her first turn." "Wasn't she an unselfish little girl? Neither of tliem knew that mamma was close by. "Now, little daughters." she said, "you can both have a swing, for I had it made big eicugh for two." If you had asked them* why "they enjoyed it so much they would have said, "Because there is rcom for two." I must close now with love to A Ecrlom Maid, Maid,of the Southland Black Psnsv.—Yours truly.

NELSON'S VICTORY. [Your parcel arrived safely-, Nelson's Victory, and I am sure the things you sent will be very much appreciated. I think the scrap-books will be mcst interesting to soma of the poor little cripples.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I go to school, and am in Standard I. I have a pony oalled Donald, but I don't ride him much now. Double Crown is my cousin. "We have such a lot of spring flowers in bloom. We live near the bush. We have a lovely cat called Bluie". As I have .a week's holiday from school, I would like to join, your Little Folk and write you my first letter. I lived in Otago . and am living in Southland now.—Youra truly, SUPPLE JACK. [lf you want to be a member of our band, Supple Jack, you will have to send me your name and address. I shall be very glad, when I have those, to make you one.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is nearly three years since I last penned these two words. I have left school now, a.though I went to school until I was 16 years of age. I was in the Seventh Standard when I left. I am out at service at a. lady's place in Crookston. She is such a dear lady, and is more like a companion than a, mistress. Do you dance, Dot? I am fond of dancing. A gentleman friend and I walked ©even miles to a. dance the other day„ We have plenty of dances up our way. We have as many as two, and some£ime3 three,, dances a week, so <that is not bad for the country. I can ride now; there is such <a dear little pony at the place where I am working, and I sometimes ride it, but it is awful for shying in the dark. I am thinking of taking a trip to Dunedm eome of these days, so I will call and see you when I come. My sister was down in Dunedin at New Year time for a month, and she enjoyed herself immensely. I was to luave gone with her, but could "not get away at; the time. I /am going to a wedding oh the 6th of this month, and to another on the 29£h of this month. Mumps, measles, and influenza are raging in this district; I hope I don't get them. Are you fond; of flowers, Dot? We have such. a, lovely lot of violets, primroses, snowdrops, and crocuses out just now. Hurry up, Bosemount, Our Cook, Boya.l Blue, and Bugler Boy, and write letters. Have you, all gone to sleep ?—Yours ' truly, BUTTERCUP. [You forgot to put a stamp on your letter, Buttercup; was that because it was so long since you wrote? You seem to have a very bright and happy time; I am glad that the lady you work for is so kind to you,, for it makes a - great difference to a girl in service.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I ss© that the O.W.W. is drawing near. I often think that the retired writers must look forward with great pleasure to the weak when they are privileged to write to Dot. I suppose a. lot of -the Old Writers started to write in the other Dot's time Since I last wrote most of our cows have come in, and we are milking 11 now. Our hens are beginning to lay again, and we got abcut a dozen and a half every day. The farmers up this way are busy preparing their land for crops. There a few entertainments here lately, so the place was livened up a little. The hockey is over now, I think. How quickly tim© does fly, doesn't it? It will scon be Christmas again. With love to all the L.F., —Yours tru.?y, COUNiTESS CASILDA.

[You are the forgetful girl whose stamps for auto-cards I have held so long, for want of a name and address to send them to. I am sending them now, and I hope they reach yen safely.—DOT.] Dear—Dot, —The answer to the riddle is, "It would come to ashes." To-night is our school concert, aoid we have been very busy decorating "the stage. Next week we get our terra holidays-, 'and I aim to spend them in Invercargill. I will write a longer letter next time, as it is .time I was getting dressed. With love to Red Rldinghocd and iielle Aurore, —Yours truly, PRINCESS ROSALIND.

Dear Dot, —Although it is a long time since I Last wrote to you, I have not forgotten to read the L.F. letters every week. I like looking for the riddles. As most of the Liittle Polk are sending something for the hamper, I thought I would like to send something, too, so my mother taught me how to crochet a petticoat, and I also made a pair of cuffs. We have a nice little red and white calf, and I named it Daffy after doffodrils. The last time I wrote to- yon my brother was on the training ship Amokura; he left her three months 'ago and joined the Government steamer Hinemoa. She will ba here in a few days' time, and we are all looking forward to seeing him. The weather is beautiful here at present, and the garden is beginning to look gay with the different spring flowers which are coming out. The fruit trees are also showing signs of spring. I will now close with a riddkt for the L.F.: What is it that is the beginning of eternity, the end -of time and space, the beginning of every end, and the end of every place? With love to all the D.F. and yourself,—Yours truly, DOVE PETRED. [You would be surprised to see that your parcel was acknowledged in last week's Witness, but with no name, Dove Petrel. That was because I opened one or. two parcels which laxrived just at the last minute befoT» I was sending my "copy" upstairs, and though I had just time to acknowledge them, there was no time to go through the letters which arrived along with them. However, I am acknowledging it in your name this week. Thank you very much for it.—DOT]

Dear Dot, —"We are Laving lovely weather •at present. It was very frosty last night. Mumps are still in the valley, but I havo not had them. The farmers aore lrasy cultivating the land now, but the wheat which was sown in the autumn is from three to four "inches high. I will now _ give the answers to my riddles: (1) One is a good strain, the other a goods train. (2) "Whan it is muggy. The violets are out in bloom now, land I think their scent just beautiful. We will soon have to start digging the garden, which is a toilsome undertaking, especially while the frost Js in the ground. "With love to the kittle Folk and yourself.—Youirs truily, PRINCESS ROSEMARY. [Just think of the results of your digging,

Princess Rosemary, -when you are finding tiw work hard; that ia what the farmer bias to do -when he is cultivating his fields, ox ho would sometimes get very tired of all the ploughing- and discing and harrowing.— DOT.] Bear Dot,—"We have had splendid weather lately, which dried the roads up for cycling. But it looks very much like rain to-night. I suppose you have almost forgotten the beginning of "my story, but I will tell you the end of it. —As soon as the Indian's dog had enlifed the stockings a3l over, he looked at his master as much as to say, "I know whaf you want, and I'll see what I can do for you." The Indian then pointed to the bush, and the dog started off, and within an hour returned to his master wagging tea tail and eeeramg very pleased. " There," said the farmer," "he has found the child." The farmer and the Indian followed the dogi into the wood till they found the child, who was lying under some bushes nearly dead. He was carried home by his father, and soon got quite strong again. I should likef to exchange autos "with any D.L.F. -willing. With love to all D.L.F., —Yours truly, HERVE RIEL [lf you wish to exchange autos, Herve Riel, you ought to send in a proper notice for the auto oolumin, with sufficient address to find you.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It has been very wet all day to-day. The roads were lovely till the rain, came. I went for a bicycle ride to-day. I have not many autos yet. We have had a. week's holiday, but I aim going back tomorrow. Do you like reading books, Dot? I don't read much, but I have a lot of books. Have you read "What Katy Did at School" ? I got my auto-cards all right, and was pleased to get them. We are having a dance down here on September 13. I wiu tell you how it comes off in th© nest letter I write to you. I wish to exchange autos ■with any D.D.P. willing (address: Greengage, P. 0., Niagara).—Yours truly, GREENGAGE^

[I like reading, Greengage. Perhaps you too will acquire a taste for it on© of these days. It brings one so much pleasure.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We have three boarders still, and w© are getting some more soon. We are Breaking our fca.l in just now, and teaching it to lead:. It was very frightened at first, and it kicked and reared a great deal. I have not seen a letter from Lod'y Matthew in the paper for a long time, so I thought perhaps she had stopped writing. We had a shower of rain to-day, and it was miserable; because. I could not go out We had our quarterly examination a little while ago, end I am very glad. We have 13 little pies, and they are such pretty wee. tilings. The people" are all getting their flowers and vegetable gardens don© up. Th© farmers have commenced sowing their grain in this district now. Our old! dog had four little) puppies, but my brother drowned them; I did not like him to do that, because they are such dear little things. I will be glad when we get our summer holidaysi, becaus© I don?t like school very much- I rid© to school every morning, and it is pretty cold. We are milking two cows; I milk on© and my sister milks the other. With love to Lady Matthew, Briar Bush, Cherry Ripe, Watercress, and yourself,— L Yours truly, CINDERELLA.

[I am afraid that if your brother did not step in and drown some of the puppies, Cinderella, you would very scon find that there would be too many for you to cope with. Some of them would grow up and have puppies too, and in a few years. there would be scores of them. Hew would you like that? —dot.] .y

Dear Dot, —We have been having very good weather lately, but it is very like rain tonight. Everything is so dry that.rain would do a lot oi good. The only flowers in bloom now are the crocuses and daffodils. Have you a pretty garden, Dot? Ours is very nice in summer, when the asters are in bloom. I like gardening, do you? Not long ago a party went up the Round Hill. We had a good time, and I think we all enjoyed ourselves very much. There were only 10 of us, but it was enough. There are 17 going to our school at present, but some younger ones ehould soon be coming. I have 'Sot seen any letters from Tit-bit ox Tutney. for a long time. I wish they would write soon. With love to Tit-bit, Tutney, Watercress, Waggorer, Butcher, Red Jacket, Carpenter, Blacksmith, Battler, and yourself,—Yours truly, BETSY ROSS.

fl should like myself to hear from Titbit and Tutney again, Betsy; it is a long time since they wrote. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —This is •my second letter to you, but for some reason or other, my first one'did not appear in the Witness. I wrote three weeks ago, and posted it to you. L think "Heretaunga" nieans in Maori "a bigplain." My brother and sister and myself go to the Hastings: School, and we do not like it nearly so much as the Musselburgh School, the on© we used to go to when we lived in Dunedin. My sister and myself go to the Convent for music lessons, and the sisters there are very nice. We do not like Hastings aa much as Dunedin, and I am always wanting to go back to dear old Dunedin. Hastings is a very large place, and it will soon be up to date, as they are getting the sewerage, high pressure water supply, and electric light. People say that Hastings will be the second Christchureh. I want to become on© of your L.F., so I hope this letter will be printed. I am 10 years of age, and am in the Third Standard at school. There are nearly 600 children at this school. With love to all L.F. and yourself—Yours truly, HERETAUNGA."

[Perhaps your first letter x was -written m pencil, Hereta'unga. Or were you too impatient, perhaps, and expected it sooner than it could appear. I think you will liko Hastings in time, but it always takes a•liitle while to get accustomed to a place, doesn't it? I hope you will write again.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—l am ccllectii'g stones, and have a- good f ewT ene is the shape of a boot and one like a Maori chisel. Another is red colour ard bottle-shape, and one light grey with a white ring round, something like a cockle. Nielsen's Victory and I found a dead trout in tha river, in our ground; it was 32in long, and weighed 121 b—such a beauty! We have a little whit© kitten; it was caught in a trap on Saturday. It must have been in all night, but' I don't think its leg is broken; I hope not. I have a garden., and I water it every night; there are a few seeds coming up. I am sending a scrapbook for the Brave Pcor Things. Our Sunday school is getting ready for the Band of Hope. With best wishes to all, —Yours truly, YELLOW THUNDEE.

[The scrap-book came safely, Yellow Thunder, and is very nice indeed. I have collected some stones too, and I have two from the beach where Sir Walter Raleigh, as a boy, used to sit and listen to the sailors' tales of the wonderful countries they had seen.— DOT.]

Dear Tot, —I suppose you will have forgotten all about me, as a few yeans have fcassed since I last wrote to you. We have

had a lot of fine weather lately, but to-day it has been raining off and on. As I have nothing to tell you about, I will write a story. Once there was a little hoy who lived a long time .ago. He went to school ins a rough log schoolhouse, and sat on a high board bench. One day, while he was twisting about on his high ssat, he spied a little grev mouse peeping out of a hole near him, and he air. est laughed out loud. Then he pulled a piece of line out of his pocket and tied it on to a bit of cheese- out of his dinner basket. Then he threw it out towards the mouse's hole. The teacher saw him and asked him what he was doing. Fishing, ma'am," Jimmy answered. "What are you fishing for?"—'For a mouse, ma'arn. "Very well; I will give you five minutes to catch that mouse." said the teacher, "and if you don't I will have to punish you for playing in school. Pretty soon a pair ot bright eves peeped out of the hoie, and the. mouse thought the cheese smelt very nice,- so out he came and took a nibble, and another, and "Oh, ma'am, I've-caught him! Here he is," shouted Jimmy, flirting the mouse high up in the air, his tiny teeth stack fast in the hard choose. Then all the children laughed, so glad that Jimmy would not be punished. And Jimmy, with the teacher's permission, took the mouse out ot doors and let it go, and he never fished m school any mare.—Yours truly, MARBLE.

[lndeed, I have not forgotten you, Marble\ and I hope you will write oftener in future. I am pleased to see how well yon have got on with your writing during all this time you have been away from the page. —DOT .] Dear Dot,—There have been a good few charges her© in the last few months. Wo have got two new neighbours now. Our nearest neighbours have gone away too, so we are pretty lonely till we get to know them. We are about the oldest settlers in this district. There has been quite a number of sales about here, so I think we will have to sell out, too, like everyone else. It is generally the way: when on© gets intimate with people, they go away. Of course, we gave our neighbours a good send-off, everyone being presented with something. I was up in Tapanui to see my married brother; I just stayed a week, and it was enough for ma, as I' don't like Tapanui at all. I used to like it. There are a few D.L.F. there, but I have mot met any of them yet. I went up to my sister's place, driving, one day, and the roads were simply awful. I have not -seen such roads before, but I suppose they are all right now. • I have not been on them sines. There have been a good few dances here, lately. The military ball was held on the 2nd June, but I did not go to it. Then there was the Oddfellows' ball, but I did not go to it either. There have been quadrilles here for the last three months, but I have only been about four times altogether. I think dancing is such a nice pastime. Tim© seems to fly when one is not noticing, and the dance is over before one notices it. It is not verynice coming home from a d.ance, especially if one has to go a long way. I have four milea to go, but I don't mind it a bit,. so long as I haven't to walk it. One of my friends and I cycled in to the quadrilles last Friday night. It was such a lovely night, and the roads are just splendid for cycling. They are in perfect order. We were towed home by my brother's motor cycle. We were just going up a hill nicely when she let go; so I did the same, and it ended in our walking up th© hill. It is just lovely being towed; on© has no peralling to do, but has just to sit still and keep on. We took about 20 minutes to com© home. I was down at the D'unedin Show. I went on the 2nd August and came home on th© 26th, so I had a good time. I didn't go to the D.L.F. social. (By the way, Momohaki was saying I was there, but she must have been thinking of something else I was telling her.) I fully intended to go to it, but at the last minute I backed out. I felt too shy. to' go among so many D.L.F., and I didn't know where St. Paul's Schoolroom, was, anyway. I met quit© a number of D.L.F., but I did not have my badge .on. I suppose there was a gcod turn-out. I know Indian Chief well; he used to live opposite us at Mosgiel. I met him when I was in town, but -he does not know me now. I was staying with Eldergowan nearly all the time. Wasn't the Capping Carnival great, Dot? It was quite amusing; Sousa's Band (students) was particularly fijmny. The disguises were very good. I was down at the Gardens a few times; they are very pretty for this time of th© year. I saw by the Witness that you got my parcel all right. It will help, to keep some poor wee thing warm. I suppose you have quite a large hamper full by now. I should have liked to see it. I went through the Times Office one night. With best love to all my numerous correspondents and yourself.—Yours truly, AVICE.

the Fecial, Avice. Ifext year we must see that the exact position of the hall is advertised in our page, for you are not the first to say that you did not come because you did not know where St. Paul's Schoolroom wv>. I suppose we know these places so well ourselves that we do not think of other people not knowing them. And really, Avice, you must not be shy of meeting other D.L.P.; just bring a smile along, and- you will find them smiling too.—DOT.]

.. Dsair Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will let nia join your happy band My little brother is very fond of animals* When he sees my other brothers bringing in the cows he runs and meets theim. One of cur cows is very quiet, and he goes up beside her and claps her. I wrote to ywi once before, but as it was Old Writers' Week my letter was not published, so I call this my first letter. We get the Witness', and I like reading the letters from the L.F. Although there are not many people about here, there are a good many L.F. As someone has the name I bad before, I shall take another name.—Yours truly, ' SWEET PEA.

[You are welcome as a member of our band. Sweet Pea.. I am glad your letter did not come abcut a week laterj or it would have suffered the same fats as your and not appeared because of" O.W.W. Then I suppose you would have been so discouraged that you would never have written a°ain!— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We are having veary windy weather up here now. The school children have started to make a garden. There are a lot of new settlers about here now. I am 11 year® o'd, and am in the Fourth Standard. I have six brothers and three sisters. Five of us go to school. There are a lot of new houses up here. I know a number of D.L.F. We have two lambs now. The inspector has not come to examine cur school yet, but I think ho will bo here soon, and I hope I pass. We have no cows in yet. Mumps are going about this district, but I have not get them yet. Tomtit end Gingernut "have bad them. There is a skating rink up here, and I like skating. Mr Mams on has a shop now. My sister and two .of my brothers were down at the Duuedin Show, but they did not see you. I like reading the D.L.F. page. I was at the skating rink on.

Saturday night, and I liked it very much. My mates at school are Ivyleaf and Tomtit. With love to oil the D.L.F. and yourself,—Yours truly, DOOLEY. OHio new settlers have come, I suppose, Dcoley, since the estate was soldi. That means there will be more children near you, and more playmates for you at school, and I suppose you like it much better. But in any case you have your brothers and sisters, and would never be very lonely.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was pleased to see my letter in the Witness, and also to get my badge. Since I last wrote to you we have shifted, and I like the new place much better than where I lived before. I go to my grandma, in Duuedin every Christmas, and. next time I will call and see you, Dot. My grandma has a Christmas tree every year, and it looks so pretty when it is lit up. in the family gets something from it. I have isome violets out in my garden. With love to vou and ell the Little? Folk,—Yours truly, MAY FLOWER. [You must have a very good) grandmother, when she goes to all that trouble to make Christinas liappy for you, May Flower. It is delightful for you to have that Christmas tree to look forward to every year. I remember spending Christmas at sea once, •and we- had .a lovely Christmas tree for the children on boajxl. It was specially bought at Capetown, and we all bought presents and decorations for it there, and when Christmas came about a week after, and we were away out on tie high seas, we all had a lovely time, especially the children. But it was Father Neptune that came, not Santa Glaus; and seme of the children were frightened of him.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was very pleased to see my lat~t letter in the page. No, I do not do any ferreting, but we have a ferret. I cannot let you go without letting you have anything at all for the • sta.mps; it would be ""too bad of me to do so. I will have something ready for. you soon. We are having lovely weather now, and signs of spring too. lam sending you an eisay on the spider, but it will not take the prize, I know. I have it in my mind now to send you a cutting of "Wandering Willie"; I will be very careful in making preparations for the helpless plant. . I had it about a foot and a half high last ycaor. I will now close by giving you and the D.L.F. some riddles: (1) A piece of string with a knot in it. (2) A white swan on a blue lake and a red beak: what flag did they represent ? (3) One day as I was "walking" up town I met my aunty in a green hat, a red skirt and blouse, and stockings and shoes; what was her name? (4) Four stiff standards, one sniff about and one swish about—what is h'ex name? With best wishes to the Little Folk and yourself,—Yours truly, MR JACK SPARK. [I iam glad that you sent in a letter about spiders, Mr Jack Spark. I expected to have a great many letters, but yours is only the second. Perhaps there will bs more in the next few days (I am writing on the 15th). — DOT.} >, ' Dear Let, —All iho farmers round here are very busy putting in their crops. I am down in Southland alone now, as my mother and father are away Home to Scotland foa: a trip, and my two sisters and my brother are up at the Lakes. I had a letter from my mother ithe other day, and she was very seasick ; - she never appeared at the table a,fter the first two days. I do not think she will want to oomte back for a good whale. My sister Siandstone had a letter in the Witness about two weeJns ago, and she has told you all the news about us selling our farm. Hurry up, A Telescope, and answer the postcard I sent you; Lady Connie and Sim's Mate owe me post-cards too. I was up spending the evening on Sunday with A vice; she has just come back from Dunedin after spending a good - holiday. Next time she goes down I think I will come down with her. Avice is a good writer; I always look forward to reading her letters when they are in. With love to Sandstone «md all the rest of the D.LF., —Yours truly, MOMOHAKI.

[Your mother must bs a very bad sailor indeed; I am so sorry for her, for a sea voyage is a delightful "thing if one is able to enjoy it. I hope she will not have such a bad tirde coming back. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I feel it is time to renew my intercoUTse with the diear old page; it is some time since I wrote last. My brother and sister liave joined your happy band sinoe I wrote last, and they were pleased' to see their first letters in print. The farmers about here are busy preparing their ground for sowing, and some faauners have their oats sown. The freezing works have stopped buying rabbits for this year. The factory opens hero on the 26th of this month, so we shall be kept busy, and we are going to get the highest prioe that was ever given for milk here yet. Dear Dot, my birthday is on tho 22nd of this month, and then I Ghall have only three years to write to your page. I will be sorry, for I have made many good correspondents since I have joined your hippy band. Deair Dot, I will tell you a, story cf a generous man. "It is rash to be generous," is the moral of this story.—The fair Alice, on the eve of her birthday, challenged heir admirer to guess her age. " I'll send you a rose for every year of your life," staid he fervently. Then at the florists, finding it happily possible to be complimentary and economical at once, he ordered 18 rose= to be sent to the lady's address. A little while after the proprietor was looking over the order "book. "Mr X ordered 18 roses," said he. " Look here, we've a stock, and he's one of our best customers; throw in a dozen more!" He was very kind, wasn't lie. Dot? I was pleased to see in last week's Witness that Thyme's brother is out of the hospital, and I hope he will soon got better again. I have given you all the news this time, and will write a longer letter next time. Hurry up and write soon, Sceptre, Longwood Blossom, Blue-eyed Bess, Tall Fair Maid, and A Country Maid. With love to aill D.L.F.,—Yours truly, MISS CURIOiSTY.

[lt would take the lady a long time to forgive her lover for such a mistake as that, Miss Curiosity. But it was not the generous man who suffered through being generous, was :'»?—DOT] Dear Dot, —Spring is here once more, and the dotterels are back with us again, and the hot days have - come. Our teacher has left, and wo have got a new one. The frost is all away, and the birds aire starting to build their nests. My brother and I are* trapping. We play rounders at school. The farmers are ploughing their ground. I am eight years old, and am in the Second Standard at school. We are busy digging our garden just now. Our examination is next month. With love to all the D.L.F. and yourself—Yours truly, OTUREHUA. [When you write me another letter, Oturehut, will you tell me all you know about the dotterels? I want to hear all that I can about them.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Since I last wrote to you I have lost my badge. In the last Witness I saw that someone had taken my name, but I think I have more right to it, as I had it first. We are going to have our examination next week. I have to go to Blverton to leairri cooking with the other girls, and the

boys are going to learn carpentering. I hstVO a lot cif violets out, and they are very pretty. I was to Rivcrton to-day, and am not king 1 home. Pink Geranium II was here to reo mie net very long ago. Pourakino Blossom has not written since she left here. With love to Pink Geranium 11, Wych Hazel, and Seekaishore,—Yours truly, LITTLE MEG.

[I should like very much to hear what you learn at your cooking class, Little Mk>g. The first time you make somiefhing yourself, will you write and tell me all about it? — DOT..]

Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to you, and I would like to become one of your Little Folk. I am very fond of writing stories, and I wrote one for the United Temperance Exhibition, and won second prizes. I go to Mount Eden, School, and am in Standard IV. We have the largest school in the Auckland province. Nine hundred and ninety-five scholars are already accommodated, and others are only waiting for room. Each class has a library of SOD books. _ I read Dan Dutch's letter about theiir going into the river for swims, but as we don't live near enough to the sea we have a large swimming bath in the playground', where we are taught to swim. I have three guineapigs and three canaries os pets, and I am very fond of them. Do you like poetry? I like it very much. My favourite poem is* "The Bridge of Sighs,' by Thomas Hcod.. As this is my first letter I think it is long enough,—Yours truly, SCARLET PIMPERNEL.

[I tiling some of our country D.L.F. will give a little bit of a sigh when they hear of the swimming bath in the playground, and will perhaps wish~~tliat they attended a school where there were 995 scholars, and such things as swimming baths were provided! Write again, Scarlet Pimpea-nel; I was pleased to get yo'ur letter. —DOT'.") Dear Pet,—As" it is now about eight or nine months since I wrote to the page, I think it is time I made another start, especially as I shall have to write my retiring letter ere many months are past. We had a very mild winter this year; I do not remember seeing a single flake of snow here, but the snow was low down on the hills several times. We have been having lovely spring weather lately, and in consequence all the gardens are gay with the various spring flowers. The wattle trees, too, axe very pretty, but not such a picture as they were last year. All the gorse —and there is an abundance of it. on the river-bed—-is a mass of bloom, and all the hedges look very pretty. Have you ever noticed how yellow is the predominating colour in the spring ? Erven the weeping willows have a yellow tinge in the green when they first get their new foliage In almost every direction these pretty trees meet your sight, and there is ail abundance of both kinds of willow close to us, oo:, as I should have said, two kinds, for there are a few of another kind as well. Is not spring a glorious; season, though fickle in the extreme? Her blossoms are so delicate in form and colour, but beautiful, so beautiful, though they lack the gorgeousness of many of the summer and autumn flowers. Spring, the season of promise, is my favourite season, though I like the summior too. I think spring has been aptly named "the season of promise," for does it not point our- thoughts and aspirations to the coming summer? All nature gives promise of fuller and batter life in the coming months. It is true that the trees and bushes form a pretty picture in the autumn, with their gorgeously-tinted and ever-changing foliage, but still I do not like to see them thus, for it malces me think of the coming winter, the season I hate. I suppose, Dot, you will say that I should not "hate" anything, and I think that is true; but I really do hate the winter, as it is so long and dreary. I think the letters which appear in this week's paper form the best collection which has appeared for soma weeks. I intended to send a batch of papers to the club" before this, but my eyes have been troubling me, and for a 1 short time I had to give up both reading and writing. In fact, I ought to be resting them for a while yet, but to one so fond of reading and letterwriting as I am it is extremely trying; however, I hope.to be able to send the club something before very long. Before going further I would like to congratulate Roxana and Francis on their promotion,' and hope Wiey may long be members of the club. I would like to send in a papier for every open meeting, but I cannot write good papers, and I am sure it would not be fair ~to send in a copied paper for each meeting and perhaps crowd out an original one. Jiowever, I will send one in now and then, and, if possible, I may send in something itor a debate some time. I am hoping that the coming O.W.W. will be an unprecedented success and am hoping, amongst others, to see letters from Harry, Gravel, Roxana, Marnys West Coaster, and Kate Carnegie! I am thinking you will not be able to carry out the idea you proposed and started last the publishing of a group of n-w-w • te ™ Wh -?' 9e letters *Pl»ar in the 0 VV.W issues. I am very pleased that the !?+^- Wao -. a i ai i Co^ s - l llad thought of attending ,t, but when I. did not se 3 any motion of the group-taking I did not think it worth while going down for the social alone when I db not dance. The thrushes make a very lively sound in the morning no-.v as soon as the sun has risen, and I suppose they will- soon be building there nests. The sparrows, too, make a rea t noise during the day I saw a great number of these birds in the leafless willow toeas and hawthorn* hedges when I was out today; 1 have not seen so many at once for many, months. I was just thinking what flocks there would be in those trees when the oat crops at the fcot of them are ripe; that is the time to see and hear the sparrows. I can tell you they make plenty of noise as well as do great destruction then 1 saw several lambs this afternoon for the first tun* this season, though there have probably been several near at hand for some time, as they usually make their first appeamnoe about half a mile from here early ln U f U , St - Thls is almost surrounded by ranges, the most distant of which 18 snow-capped. Last night I was admiring the picture they made, with the clear blue sky above and behind them and the moonlight shining en them, It being a calm night, everything showed up very distinctly especially the trees and bushes in the foreground and in the distance. Theirs was a fire on the top of one of the ranges, and it looked like a big bright star; below this there was another band of fire winch looked pretty and bright, but to-day the ec-cne was considerably changed, when there was only a big black scar to bo seen, and a great cloud of smoke rising from behind the range. When I first took up my ppn I felt sure I would be able to write a fairly good letter but all ray ideas flew away, and this is the result. When out walking yesterday afternoon I noticed a number of young green crops. _ They looked very well, but the g&v~s is beginning to die away except on the flats and in the hollows, for want of rain. Tho ground is very dry, and rain is badly needed. It looked very like rain all day yescerday, but it never came, and although

it h:\3 been dull nearly all to-day. there wa« only >a little mist on the hill-topa. We have had plenty oi wind lately, but we must expect moro in the future aa the equinox is near at hand, and I for one will not he tony when the gales are over. When I was out yesterday I saw several plain and apricot trees in bloom, but there was not a groat deal of blosraom on them; I suppose cue could scarcely expect it when they w»io so snowy white last spring. There was, however, very little fruit on them owing to an ill-timed frost. One of our plum trees is looking quite green, but I do not think it will bear f.uit this year. Several of the hawthorn© hedges about here are bursting into leaf, and some of the farmers will bo getting their hedge-knives to work on thorn, soon. We actually had a little rain last ni-rht, just enough to lay the dust. However, I hear they had boots nice showers less than a mil© from here in cr.e direction, and yet about a m.'le a-half in another direction they had none .s-.t all. Of course, we had some wind to-day to make up for it, and now it is freezing hard—quite a. contrast from last night, when my sister and I were out for a. walk in the moonlight. It is now ret.rly half-past, 8. and I aim wondering what sort of a meeting you are having at the club to-night. I often think of the club on a Tuesday evening, and as you may be sure, not infrequently wish I could be with jou. I notice that the weeping willows are now a mass of green, and that the others are showing signs of bursting into leaf, although four days ago they looked quit© dormant. One of our neighbours was sowing oats to-day, and.still has a good bit to do. so, you see, ho is rather late, as most of the crops are now in, aiid showing faintly green. I have just been reading your letter, Francis, and it reminded rue of a oake a friend and I once made. I was to have made it, but someone came in before I had finished the mixing, and my friend said she would do it for ra©, asking how far I had gone. I told her I had put everything in with the exception of the rising.' Sh© asked, "Did you put any salt in?" I said "Yes," and that she would, just need to put the rising in and mix it. When' I returned to the kitchen I asked how she got on, and sh© said it was in the oven. I was not sure how the oven was, and as eho was not used to a- tang© and coal firing. I thought I would try it. and found it was just right. I then asked her how much rising she had put in it. and she said that .she hadn't put any in at all, but had put the salt in. I could not help laughing, as did the others, who had just "come in. Of course, there was all sorts of aug-*" gestions offered, and my friend said that as the cake had only been in the oven for a very few minutes, she would take it out and puE the rising i'n. I said, "I don't think you can," hut she said she would try, C.B it could not make the oak© much worse; so she put-soma soda and cream of tartar into a cup, and mixed thern together with hot wafer, and poured the whole into the cake, and stirred it well in. I won't say how the cake turned out, but the- fowls had most of it; the dog refused to take more than one smiall piece. Whenever I hear anyone say that their baking was a failure I think of tins cake. Many a good laugh-we have had shout it. I hope you excuse the following "private 1 ' talk, Dot; I know it is against the rules, but I would like to ©end a message to some of my correspondents through the page. I received your letter safely, Novice, and quite agree with your proposal—in fact, I thought you had done as' yoa - propose- doing. 1 should have written to you before this if my eyes had not been sore; however, you may expect a note from me in the near future. Where have you get to Quoenie II? It seems ages sine© I had a letter from you, and I hope you will write soon. I suppose you received my note. I hope you are keeping better, Gravel, and that you will be able to write a few lines for O:W.W. I will write to you again as soon as I have any news for you, and will probably be able to send you some more autos. Many thanks for the postcard. M.arnya. Strange to say, I have not found either copy of the syllabus yet, but will try to get another one to-night, so as to be aVe to send you a copy. It I remember to ask for it I may he able to' send you a copy of the syllabus of the o<her class; I believe it is a good one, and perhaps it may be of some use to you. I will send you the autos you wi3h after O.W.W. I see several of the D.L.F. have been telling you who their favourite authors «re; mine are Joseph Hocking and Alhen Raine. I also like Captain Frank Shaw's writings, and £oir.o of those of Dr Gordon Stables and Mrs Henry Woods. Three of the best books I have read aire "The Scarlet Woman," by Joseph Hocking; "A Fight for Freedom," by Dr Gordon Stables; and "John Halifax, Gentleman," by Mrs Craik. This latter is the only one of Mts Craik's I have read. At-present I ani reading a large typed copy of "Patmos," by Kathleen Inglewood; it is a.'very good book, a true story of the fight for the Local Option Licensing" Bill. The first chapter, or rather~ihe introduction, is a description of Akaroa. Altogether, I think it is a book well worth reading. Well, dear Dot, I think it is time I bruoght this long, uninteresting letter to a- close, as I must long have passed the limit. Kind regards and best_ wishes to yourself and all the L.F., especially my correspondents and the m'smbsrs of the Duredin Club, from —Yours truly, LAVINIA.

[I am, somewhat disturbed over what you toll m& about your eyeo, Lavinia; they are evidently in a weak state. You cannot be too careful of them, for, you know, they have to last you all your life. May I make one suggestion? I should advise you to try to write larger; your writing is so small that I feel it must be a strain on your eyes to write much of it, and I know you are a great correspondent. And never write or read at all except in a good light, and never, never, never attempt to do either when your ©yes aro~ aching. I do hope you will try to follow this advice. —DOT.]

Dear Dot.—l have often started to write a letter to the page, but in the end it would get torn up and burnt. We are having lovely weather up this way for spring. In three months' time it will be Christmas again; 'it seems no time since last Christmas. Will there be a picnic at the Oamaru wharf next Ksv Year- If there is I hope to go to it, as I enjoyed myself at the last one. Will you be at it next year, Dot? All tba farmers around here are ploughing up the ground and putting in their crops. One paddock just over the road from us is quite green. We had a little shower of rain the other night, which fob it sprouting. It is wonderful what a little rain can do to the country, when it has been very hot beforehard. I want to tell you about the place I live in. We have bills all round us, and you canno; see anything unless you climb up a very big hill. Therei are big-white cliffs all round us; it. must have been a vrry largo lake at one time, for you can *?e shells and sharks' teeth along the white cliffs. What has becomo of Hazelchll and Queen of Flowers? Hurry up nni writs to the page. Green Shrubs, Sister, and Queen o' the Mine; I have not seen a letter from

her for ages. Dear Dot, have you ever bad the mumps? I have just got over them, and they are such sore things. I have heard that they are going iabout Dunedin, they are also going about here, and the measles too. There is to be a concert and dance on the 15th of this month, and I am looking forward to it. With love and kind regards to all the D.L.F. and yourself, —Yours truly, MAY BLOSSOM.

fit was only the other day that I _ was speaking to one of the Little Folk, in a foot-note, about the history that is written on the things around us —hills and lakes and quarries and such things; and here you come, May Blossom, and tell us about the history of your neighbourhood as it i 3 written on the white cliffs with their seashells and sharks' teeth. That is most interesting. Have you ever found any of the teeth yourself, and are you quite sure they are sharks'? Yes, there is to be a picnic at Oamaru at New Year, but I have not heard anything about the arrangements yet. I am not quite sure of the address you ask for, for vou did not give me the nom do plume; but I think it is Opio, Nightcaps.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will let mo join your happy bard., I am seven years of age, and inihe First Standard at Otautau School. We drive three miles to ochcol. The daffodils are nearly all out now. We •are having a week's hr-l-'day after the examination just now. The fowls are laying pretty well; yesterday we got seven eggs from the hens. I will close with a few riddles: —(1) A man rode up a hill, and yet he walked. (2) When is a man likely to devour a musical instruments—Yours truly, QUEEN OF STRATHVALE.

[I hope you are having good weather for your holiday, and enjoying it very much. There once wae a little Italian girl called Pippa-, who had just one day's holiday in all the year, but she managed to do such a lot. in that one day.. and made so many people; happy', ■ that .a great poet, wrote-a poem about her. Will your holiday be. as good es that?—DOT.: " ~ ~.

Dear Dot, —May I beconie a member of your happy band? I am 10 years old,-and am in the Third Standard at school. „ I have iiot much to say, so I will' tell you a story. One day a little boy 'was • taken out for a walk by his nurse. They rambled along the banks of a. stream near their home, and after a while the little boy complained that lie was cold. The nurse- told him to run about and get warm. The lad said nothing for a while, but looked steadily at the running waters, and then told the nurse that she had not spoken the _truth, for the waters are always running', and they are never warm. 'The daffodils and all the other early flowers are out. I will close with a riddle: Why is the heart of a tree like a dog's tail ?—-Yours truly, QUEEN OF THE FLOWERS.

[That is the worst of having no blood, isn't it ? One could never get warm without it. Like the whale, poor cold-blooded creature; aren't you sorry for him and the other fishes that they never get warm? But it would certainly not be much use to them since they have to live in cold water.— DOT.I. '-

Dear Dot, —Since I have been so long in writing I think I will write a few more lines, or perhaps I shall get into trouble with some of my L.F. friends: I hope you enjoyed the social, Dot. I did; I had a real good time. Which do you prefer, Dot, the town or the country? I think the country is . the nicest as' well as the healthiest. The houses are too close together in town for my fancy. I.am patiently waiting for 0.W.W., as there are generally some very interesting letters. There was a funeral here to-day, or at least at Pembroke. The lady lived in Cardrona, and has been in the Arrow Hospital for a while. I am trying to make a blouse and a petticoat for the hamper, and . I have the blouse nearly finished. There seemed to be a. good few things last week. Now, as I have no news to tell you, I think I will write you a story. It is -called "Herr Korbes." There once lived a cook and a hen, w.ho agresd to set out on. their travels together. The cock therefore' bought a smart carriage, to which he harnessed four little mice; the; hen then got inside with him, and'they started off together. They had not gone far when they met a rat, who asked them where they were' going. The cock said that they were going to Herr Korbes. "Will you take me with you?'' said the cat. "Oh, yes; but get up behind, for you might fall out in front." On the road they afterwards met a grindstone, a pin, an egg, .a duck, and, last of all, a. needle. And everyone mounted into the carriage and went on' with it. -When they arrived at Herr Korbes's house, Herr Korbes was rot at hormtv so they put the carriage in the barn.- The -cock and the hen flew on the -perch, the cat seated herself on the hearth, the duck perched on a waterbutt, the egg wrapped itself up in the towel, the pin hid itself in the cushion of a chair, the neodle buried itself in the bed, and the grindstone placed itself just over the door. Soon afterwards Herr Korbes returned, and, going to the hearth, began to poke the fire; then the cat threw the ashe3 in his face. He ran into the kitchen to wash himself, and the duck spurted the .water in his eyes, so he took up the towel to drythem, and the -egg broke and ran about all over his chin. All these mishaps made him feel iired, and he dropped into the chnir, but the pin was there before him, arid made him jump up in a rage and throw himself on the bed, where the needle in the pillow. pricked his head. At this he ran out of the room, but just as be got to the door the stone fell and knocked him down on the -spot. So we conclude that this Herr Korbes nrarf -have been a- very bad man. —Yours truly, LADY EVELYN".

[But you have not told us. Lady Evelyn, what i-oox Herr Korbes had done to deserve all this: it was surely unduly hard on him to have his peace destroyed in this fashion.—DOT;] Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to ycu. I live 30 miles out of Dunedin. I am in the Third Standard, and our teacher shows us how to graft tree 3 and plant vegetables. I hope to be in the Fourth Standard this year. We have two rabbits, and their colour is yellow and white. The yellow one had five young ones, but on Saturday morning they were all dead. The mother pulled fur out of herself to make a nest. Every Saturday we let them out and tie them up. We used to tie them up with a rope, but every time they got away; so we have to tie them with a clifin. They eat „ apples, potatoes, parsley, cabbages, turnips, grass, carrots, and duckweed. I am going to do the same as Cullenbon© has done: I am going to use the name of my native place as a nom de plume.—Yours truly, " KAKAPUAKA. [But 3'ou forgot to send mo your name and address, Kakapuaka, and I cannot enter your name in my book until you do. I thought one was rot allowed to keep rabbits; how is it that you corns to have them? It is very interesting to hear that your rabbit pulled her own fur to make a

nest for her young: that is great devotion, isn't it? How did they die?—DOT.] Dear Dot.—This is my first letter to you. I woald like to join your little band. I am seven years old, and ,1 am in the third class. I have two brothers. We hav« a pet rabbit, and I have a pet cat. She lets me dress her up and I wheel her about in my doll's pram, and feed her with a spoon. They call me pussy at school because I have a furry coat, bonnet, and muff; do you think Dot, that Pussy would be a nice name for me in your page? Love to the Little Folk.—Yours truly. PUSSY. [Yes. I think "Pussy' will do beautifully for your niame, dear, because you have a pussy, and you are one, too, when you are dressed like thai I wonder if I know your fatherland mother, Pussy? If I do, please say that I send mv kindest regards to them. —DOT.]

Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to. your pas«;e; may I join your happy band? I am 10 years old, and am in the Third Standard. We live quite close to the school, and can come bcnie for our lunch. We ha,ve a lot of homo lessons to do. I got a prize called The Water Babie3." I am the eldest of eight, and try to help my mother. One of my brothers has a little silver fish; he keeps i*t in a big mason's bottle. He had two, but one died. 1 have no pets, only two little baby sis'ers. It was. very ©old hear in the winter, and we bad snow. I like snow, because we have lots of fun then snowballing and this winter we went tobogganing, and that was the best fun of all. I have a giarden of my own this year, but there is nothing out in it yet. We have only >a few white violets out, but I suppose there will be lots more soon. We have on© cow, one pig, and one horse. I think this wiil do for the first time.'—Yours truly,

CANTERBURY BELL.

[We had no snow at all, Canterbury Bell, and we liva much further touth than you; how do you account for that? I hope yoai will write, again.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—l am working in town now, in a foundry, and I find it very .different from working on a farm, but it isr much easier. "Won't the country be looking nice and green at this time of the year, and won't the young lambs be having a fine timie playing round a cabbage tree ox racing over rocks? "Were you at jibe "Winter Show, Tot?- I went every night,. and had fine times with some of my mates. "We went into the laughing gallery, and didn't we laugh—or roar, I should have said? It was too funny. Didn't the pipß band play well? I think it is about the best I have heard; it was just grand. I don't think that the Dunedin D.L.F. can have any badges, as I have not seen on© since I have come to these parts. I have never been along to the D.L.F. meetings yet, but what else can you expect from a bashful young man just in from the country? But I might manage to pluck up enough courage one of theEe nights and come along. How are you getting on, Footballer? Did you come up for the show ? Well, Dot, when I started I thought that I would have enough n«ws to write a book, but I discover that I will have to come to a-full stop for want of any. Best regards to Portree, -'Ethel, Football, and yourself. Guid-nicht!—Yours truly, .A LOYAL HIELANDER.-

[I wish you would just throw your bashfulness to the winds, Loyal Hielander, and come along' boldly to the club some Tuesday night. I do not think you would be bashful five minutes after getting into the room; everyone is too friendly there. _ Come along and see.—DOT;] Dear Dot. —It is a very long time since I last wrote -to you, and I seem almost out of practioe. However, I will make another attempt. We broke up for our holidays on Friday, and have to go back on Tuesday. One of our teachers left us on Friday, so we gave him a presentation. I think he was the.best teacher in the school. The weather down here has been just lovely lately. I always like when soring comes, with all the violets and daffodils. I saw Iron Heart's puzzle in the last Witness, and thought it almost impossible at first, but I have it out now. I wonder if the D.L.F. can guess this one: "Mary is 24 years old. She is twice as old as Ann was when' Mary was as old as Ann is row. How old is Ann?"' Candlestick is my cousin, but I don't think he knows me. I know who Miss Curiosity is, and I think Pioctee is her brother. What a lot of new miembers join your band every wrek! I am sure you, must spend a great amount of time sorting all the letters that arrive. I will close now and let you pass on to seme letter more interesting than this 'one.—Yours truly, TATTERS. [So you solved Iron Heart's puzzle, Tatters—bravo! I am publishing the solution this week; I forgot to put it in last week. Ann and Mary are too much for me to attempt in a hurry. I might have come hope of solving the question had I a quarter of nu hour free, but will not attempt it just now. Let others try-.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—We are having mo3t beautiful weather just-now. I have four pet lambs. Our school was photographed to-day, and some of the bovs and girls were on their ponies. You will see the photo, of us in the. Witness, and in the Auckland paper. Are you going to have a picnic in Oamaru this year. Dot? If you are I might go to it. I will tell vou some of the books I have read—" Easrt Lynne," " The Mill on the Floss," " Pay Arlington," "Martin Rattler," " Ishmael." "In the Days of Danger," and " Mrs Halliburtcn's Troubles." But of .all the. books I have ever read I think " East Lynne" is "the best. I should like to seo it played. I like painting very much; oan you paint, Dot? I like reading the D.B.F. rwige very much.j You get • a lot. of new writers every week; don't vou ? Father has three men working for him. We have a little kitten, and it sleeps on the couch in the dining Toom. With love to Golden Pippin's Mate. Daisy Bell, Garry Owen, and Golden Pippin,—Yours trulv. THE. STAR OF HAKA [I shall look for that photo, of war 331100! in the Witness,' Star of Haka.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—The answer to my tiddly "What is that of which., if the whole be taken away, some will y®fc remain ? is the ward wholesome. I had two geranium plants in .a pot, but they both died. One of them was plowing nicelv until it was left out in a. haird frost, and that killed it. "We lu.ve had a. week's holiday from school, amd have to go back again on Monday. I would like to a letter .about th« habits of spiders, but I don't know enough about them, a.nd I don't think I could study them, for they always make me shudder. I like butterflies better than spiders. There was such a pretty one in our garden., and it was "Very tamo. I was able to got quite close to it, and once it flew on to my dress. I am glad that spring has ooino again, for we are having such beautiful weather. We have a few primroses and daffodils out, but not many <ytb«r flowers. Our garden lias to be made up fresh, «vnd when it is being done I am going to make a garden of my own. With love to you lanid nil t-ho Little Folk.—Yours truly, MOLLY RILEY. [Well, Molly, even if you cannot compete

for the prize I am giving for the best letter about spiders*, I feel sure you oould write* mo a ncie letter telling mo all about your friend the butterfly; will you? I am always •so* pleased when I get a tetter telling me about .animals ox insects.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am in bed with the influenza. I went to bed on Friday, and have been there for six days. My two older sisters are away to the Bible Class Conference in the Mosgiel Presbyterian Church. It was held both in the evening and the afternoon. Wei have 15 cows milking, and 13 young calves* to feed. My brother's leg is not better yet. It is an aboess on the bone. He was in the hospital before with it for two years. He went under more than six operations. Well, Dot, I have no more news, so I will close now, and give the D.L.F. a. riddle: Tink tank under a. bank, ten white and four brown. With bast love to all the Little Folk, —Yours truly, HIELAND MARY. [By the time this letter is in print you will no doubt be quite well again, Hielamd Mary; but influenza is not a very pleasant thing to* have, is it ? I am so sorry abo*ut your brother's leg; pleas© tell him thai I should like him so much to write to our page, if he oared to. It might help him to forget the pain sometimes. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have been reading, the letters irom the Little Folk, and I thought I would like to write ia letter too*. I a*m 10 yea.rs old, and am in the Second Standard. I don't go to school very often, as the roads are so bad I go on my bicycle in the summer. The school is four miles a*w*ay; it is a nioe ride on a fine day. I live through the bush in the country. We are six miles from the ocean, and we oflcai drive down in the summer and have nice picnics*. The birds are singing now in the bush; they are so happy that the fine weather has come. I have mp one to play with, but I play with my pets and my dolls. —Yours truly, MAID OF THE BUSH. [You are- a lonely little lassie, buried away in the bush, but pets and dolls maka good playmates, and they never quarrel with one, do they? Besides, there are always the birds in the bush to watch, and you will find the ways of the insects very mysterious and b*eautiful,_ if you give the time and patience to watching them. Write as often as you. like. Maid of the Bush; I shall be glad to hear from you.—DOT.] ... Dear ,Dot, —I hope you will let me join your happy little band. I am 11 years old. and am in the Fourth Standard. I did not go.- to school yesterday, because I was ill with fever, but aim now getting better. I will close with a riddle: When does a ship beat the wind? With love to you and the otheir D.L.F.,* —Yours truly, LIEUTENANT COLONEL.

[But you have not sent me your name either. Lieutenant Colonel; if you. will do so r shall enter it in my book, and you will then, be one of my band. DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have been reading the D.L.F. letters, and I thought I would like to join too. "We have been having lovely weather for this last week. I am 10 yearsi old and in the Fourth Standard. "We live about six miles from the nearest township, and o a quarter of a mile from the school. I have a white pony, and I call it Bell. "We have about 900 sheep and 20 horses. I have one brother, and he and I have good fun with my pet dog Yett. "We have a, little pig, and we are milking one cow. "We are expecting the chaffcutter cm Wednesday. "We have 150 hens, 50 ducks, and 10 turkeys. "We are going to poison rabbits next week. Hoping you will let me beoome a member of your happy band. With love to all the Little Folk, — Yours truly, RABBIT TRAPPER.

[You also have forgotten, to send your wainio, Rabbit Trapper; but I hope you will write again and send it, and then • I eh&ll b 9 very glad to count you one of my D.L.F.DOT.I Bear Dot, —It is very nice to read the D.B.F. letters. There are 12 boys and three girls going to our school, and 12 of us take out lunch. We have been having tea during the' winter. T think our teacher is good to allow us to have it in school; it seems like a, picnic. . "We had a picnic three weeks ago, and it was very gcod. We have oricket at ouir school now, but we •will soon have to stop it, ais we are going to do the gardens. I shall give the answers to my riddles: (1) There is only down on a duck. (2) Ink. (3) Ice. With love to you and all the D.L.F., — Yours truly, -BLACKSMITH. [I have no. doubt that you lave some jolly times during the lunch Blacksmith. I s can just imagine you all gathered on a form round the fire enjoying jxMir tea.— DOT.] _.•'■".."■ ' Dear Dot,—For some time past I have hod occasion to indulge in a little more physical exercise than formerly, such as extra featherweight lifting, etc., so as to have strength enough to enable me to take up the pen once again, for letter writing was always hard work to me. Having been very busy of late, and having left the writing of this letter to l the l:i«5 minute, I hope you will excuse its shortness. I will give a description of a journey I once took "to a small country plaoe, Purakanui, a well-known week-end resort, which is situated about i2 miles north of Dunedin. I had friends camping there, and they had invited me to go out the first opportunity, and I promised to go. At last an opportunity presented itself, the day being, a holiday. I lose early in the morning: to be.precise, the time was about 9.45 a.m. I packed my bundles together, cleaned myself, had breakfast, and was on iny way to the station within an hour's time. I reached the station at last, to say nothing of swags on my shoulder, .at about 11 cum., went straightway to the ticket office, asked for the ticket, os.ly to be told that the train had gone, and that the next one would leave here at 3.18 p.m., which piece of information I would just ias soon have rot heard. Determined, however, not to be beaten by disappointment, I again went to the station in the afternoon, procured my ticket;, and left by the Oannaru train.. For the first pari of the journey the train simply glided across the rail®, but on reaching the incline this side of Port Chalmers it merely crawled; in fact, it stopped three times in succession before reaching the top. After such strenuous efforts, however, we reached Purakanui safely, and I dismounted with my swags. I stopped on the station for some time, and looked around in the hope of finding someone to meet me, only to be met, as xsual, by my old friend disappointment. The first problem that faced me was, " What am I to do? Which way am I to go?" I had nobody to ask, except the stationmaster, and, of course, considering I knew nothing of the plaoe, I hoped for some information from him, but ignorance does show itself out most when not war ted. Opposite the station stands a white gate; through this I passed, and followed a steep, narrow, winding road, leading into a gully. At the foot of this hill another road joins it, making, as it were,_ two roads, one leading far over the hills to where all the camps and cottages are situated, the other leading round a desolate muddy tract of land—much resembling Anderson's Bay at low tide—to a smia-11 beach lying to the north of Purakanui. As it was my first: visit there, I naturally took the

wrong road, and, to my utter disappointment, found myself stranded on the beach. .There I stood, the swag on the sands, my hands in my pockets, and my eyes wide open, wandering which course to take. On oiie side was the sea, the other side mud, m front small cottages and camps emclos&a from the beach by a fairly wide ezpaus® °* water running in from the sea. At the back was nothing but bush. To row across the channel was altogether out of the question, as n'o xowing boats were available; to go book the road by which I came meant too much time wasted. To walk into the eea would be going too far, a«d the only way left was to cross over the mud, which I resolved to do, to the enjoyment of all w ho saw me, as I was l covered with mud from head to foot by the time I reached the other side. Before gaining the other side, however, I had to wade at times through water up to the depth of my boots. The tide, as it happened, was rising, the water coming closer to land. As darkness was setting in by this time, I was compelled to retreat to*the station «nd wait for the next train heme without finding out my friends' camp. With love to all L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, FRANCIS.

* [I believe that nobody but yourself, Francis, would have started off on a whole day's excursion by the 3.15 train, and I believe that nobody but yourself would have managed things so as to miss seeing altogether the people you went to visit. _ However, you always mo3t generously provide fun for us out of these misadventures of youiis,_ so that they are not altogether wasted experience - . I have a feeling that though Harry is preeminently " the Old Philosopher," you are not without a certain fund of philosophy yourself. Shall we call you the understudy philosopher?—DOT.] •■''.'? Dear Dot, —I like «ading the D.L.F le-tens. We have some daffodils in our garden. Spring is here again, and the flowers are coming out. Ducky Plum is one of my playmates at school, and she is in the same standard as I am. , Here are a few riddles: (1) What goes up when the rain comes down? • (2) What goes-up. the chimney white a.nd coines down yellow.? (3) a riddle, a riddle, .a farmer's fiddle, alive at both ends and dead in the middle. —Yours truly, CURRANT FLOWER.

[Have you a garden of tout owe? If you have, I hope there is & flowering currant in it, as that is you name; it .is a flower that I a.m very fond of —DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is about six weeks ' since I last wrote to the page, and I think it is my duty to fill a space in the Witness again. My subject is ; "Nearest the South Pole," Lieutenant Shackleton'a full personal narrative of his reoord-breaking voyage to the Antarctic. When first the news flashed acrc«s the ooean cables that Lieutenant Shackleton End his gallant little band had actually succeeded in penetrating to within 97 miles of the South Pole, the most inaccessible spot on the earth's surface, two emotions were uppermost in; the hearts of every Briton. First, pride that it was by one of their own race that this great feat had be>eai accomplished; second, an eager desire to learn more of the details of the most hazardous journey ever undertaken by mail —a 1700-mile sledge journey through mountainous, ice-bound country, teeming' with the roost terrible dangers and hardships. Dear Dot, I will finish my letter next time, and before I, clo3e I will give the Littlo Folk a few riddles: —(I) "What would happen to> a penny if it fell into the Bed Sea ?, (2) Why is the elephant the last animal to corn. 3 out of the Ark? (9). There was a boat going under a* bridge full of men, yet there was not a singele man in it? —:With love to Little Prinecess, Fairy Queen, Monte, and truly. . '.. • GRACE PALOTTA.

[I think I should have liked it better, Grace, if you had told me quite simply in your own words just what -you thought of Sir Ernest Sbackleton's great expedition.— DOT.] '

Dear Dot, —We have ■ just commenced school again after a week's holiday. The weather was very fines and, of course, this helps to make a holiday very much pleasanter. The trams aire progressing slowly; but the reason for the slow progress is that the supply of metal is very scarce. lam going to write you a story called "Nellie and Her Kids." Nellie has a goat who has two Lids. She cuts sweet grass for. them to cat, and tries to keep them near home, but every day the old goat leads her kids to the hills and wanders about with them. When Nellie goes out and calls them the old goat will answer readily enough, but will not com© home. Evtera when she goes for them they will not come as they ought to. Then Nellia takes one of her kids and takes it in her arms and goes straight home, and then -the old goat and her kid will follow her. The old goat knows that Nellie will not harm her kid; but she does not like to have it go out of Ker sight. I have come to the end of my. story, and hope you will em'oy it. With love to Little Princess, Graoo Palotta, and yourself.—Yours truly, - FAIRY QUEEN.

[This is another story of mother-love in animals. Fairy Queen, like the one we have just heard of the rabbit who used hear own fur to line a nest,—DOT.]