DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3097, 23 July 1913, Page 69

DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

§D.L.I r . Page, Inaugurated by tbe late WILLIAM FENWICK, July, 188S.J

Dot InTltti ehort letters Irom her young friends throughout the Dominion on matters el interest to themooltob, the result ol their obserrations in the animal world, descriptions ol anything they are interested ia, el the district ia which they lire, ol their school and home life, holiday trips, Ao. The letters are to bo written by the little folk themselrcs, and addressed " Dot, care ot Editor Witness." Dot's Utile Folk's Badge with pin, lor use as a broach, obtainable on application to Dot. Price, It 6d post free, in penny or halfpenny stamps. Ant*. Cards are obtainable Irom Dot, Witness OSes, Dcnedin. Prloe, 9d lor 35.

DUNEDIN CLUB NOTES. Motto: To observe, to reflect, and then to speak. Last meeting, which was devoted to “Impromptu Night,” passed of! successfully. I was very pleased to see two visitors Duncan Gray and Indian Pirate. Pleased to meet you, comrades. Impromptu speaking is not an easy thing to do, and I think our president did not praise Indian Pirate and Nik Kartcr too highly. Poor Ivanhoe, they did pull you to pieces over your paper. After that neat little speech of yours, Mr Secretary, you will have to watch yourself ■, especially after 11 on club nights. Orsen spoke very well on his subject (Science), but 1 think he could have done better on the “Sufferyets,” beg pardon, “Suft'rtgettes question.’’ That description of yours, Silvcrdale, made me wish 1 was out in the briny. Welcome as a member of our club, Malvena. Your work seems very interesting, Dulcie, and this critic is looking forward to a paper on it for next open meeting. Don’t disappoint us. Did vou have eggs for tea last Tuesday night. Possum? You crowed well. You must have electricity in your fingers, W.W.L., you always get your favourite subject. Is it not a terrible complaint, “I haven’t enough patience”? Please accept the Imp’s sympathy, comrade. What a store erf knowledge you must have, Billy Burlow; and they say you go by electricity. Our social evening promises to be an out-and-out success by the arrangements that have been made. Admittance, one shilling; early doors twopence extra, payable to the Imp care Dot 1!! Box plan now on view at (not the Dresden) the clubroom. Wanted to know, the whereabouts of the following persons: Thelma. Barney O’Hoa. Penny Stamp. Clino. and Chloe. All communications to be addressed to Imp, care Dot. So we are going to lose another committee member in Tired. This critic passed vou ill town on Saturday night, comrade, but you never saw it. Although I am u little early, please accept my best wishes. Don’t forget Open Meeting on the 2Hili July, all you country D.L.F. Don't be shy. but send in your papers. Be careful, Froggie, The Imp is watching you very intently. He sees and hoars everything. and yet remains unknown. Tmi flati. THE IMP. PEARSON’S FRESH AIR FUND. As some of my readers arc not conversant with the work dona by the committee of the Pearson’s Fresh Air Fund, it may be mentioned that in 21 years 3,011,057 poor children have been given a day's outing in the country or at the seashore, while 21,015 have enjoyed a fortnight's holiday. For 9d the Fresh Air Fund is able to .give a child a day in the country, and 10s will take a child into the country or to the seaside for a whole fortnight. The sum of £8 2s pays for 200 children, with attendants and food, for a day’s outing. When it is mentioned that many of the children catered for have never seen a. green field, it will be realised •what a great treat can Ih_- given them for 9d. The following additional subscriptions have been received:

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLKilotto; W® writ® for th® benefit of others, not for ourselves. *ar No letter to contain more than 450 words. Dear Dot. —The weather is in an unsettled state out in this part of the world at the present time. One day is fine and tlie next two or three are very rough. The other day when I was on my way to schoo. I began to think of the wonders which surrounded me. T he birds were, each one of them, pouring forth their sweet and melodious songs. The tui. perched on the topmost branch of an old dry kauri, was niching his neck in a most graceful manner, and pouring forth as sweet a tune as ono could wish to hear. A little farther down the road T saw some pigeons in a tree, some of them feeding, some cooing softly to their mates, some pluming their feathers, and all seeming to glory in the beautiful sunshine.

The next thing that drew rny attention was a herd of cattle lying on the side of the road. All of them seemed to feel the benefit of the warm morning, as they were all looking nice and fresh. Still farther down the road, on the lefthand side, there is a lake, which is frequented by ducks, and, as usual, I wont in to have a look at it. Here, again, was a beautiful picture. On the water there were several ducks, and as I gazed they began to take their usual morning wash. Each began its toilet with great vigour. They wou’d throw the water over their backs for a few minutes, and then all of a sudden there was an extra big splash, and lo! all of them had disappeared beneath the water. In a few seconds they wore once more on the surface of the water, continuing their toilet with greater vigour than ever. Suddenly, however, they seemed to become aware of my presence, as one of them gave a loud quack of alarm, and with one swift movement they all rose gracfully from the water and disappeared behind some trees. But here around this exquisite little lake was something more to interest me, for on every side of it wore masses of ferns, grass, and flax. Some of the ferns were the prettiest I have over seen. They were after the style of the tree fern, only much smaller. All over them there scorned to be tiny little ferns which were maturing in a way that 1 could not understand. Their tiny roots were clinging firmly to the big fern, which hung almost on the ground. I could not see a sign of any earth by which the tiny fern was kept alive, and it has remained a mystery. With love to all the L.F. ami voursclf, —Yours truly, SAILOR BOY. [Thanks, Sailor Boy, for such an interesting letter. 1 do like my young people to take notice of the natural beauties and marvels that surround them. I should think the tiny fern you speak of receives its nourishment from the big one on which it grows. I have seen similar cases to the one you refer to. and I have found that such is tlic case. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am a stranger to your page, because this is the first time I have written to you, although I have taken an interest in some of the letters. I don’t know that I would even bo writing now, only I have two sisters who once wrote to your page, but through neglect, laziness, or some other cause I nave not found out, they have ceased, so I thought I would take their place. I am as yet very young, not quite II years old, so that by the time retiring ago comes for me I hope I shall have written a great number of letters to you if I don’t follow my sisters’ footsteps and give up writing. I live in Central Otago, which I believe is one of the coldest places in Now Zealand, so you will understand. Dot, that the weather is nearly all the talk until sometimes I feel rather sick of the subject. Some want the frost so that they can skate, and I am one of them; then there arc others who don’t want the frost, so 1 don t know how it would bo possible to satisfy everyone. We have between two and three weeks’ holiday just now, and I am sure most mothers will wish that it was Only two or three days. Do you know the height of mv ambition at present? Well, don t laugh when I say it is to go to Dunedin to live. Every good thing comes to the cities, and nothing to the country. Don’t think 1 am dissatisfied, because 1 am very happy whore I am. I have plenty of mates, and I am learning to knit and also to dq drawn-thread work. Well, I think this is a fairly long letter for mv first attempt. If you think this is worth putting in your page, I shall bo encouraged to try to do better next time. —Yours truly OSMUNDA. [Certainly I think your letter worth publishing, Osmundn, and hope you will not. in this case at any rate, follow the example qi your sisters 1 can understand your craving for town life dear, hut it is not as fascinating as it is sometimes painted. Most o' us at times yearn for an existence other than is our lot.-- DOT.] Dear Dot, — I was very pleased to see my last letter in print, and since then I .have had another few days in bod ill, but am ah right now. Our school teacher is going away soon, and as she is also our Sunday school teacher, the children are collecting to give her a small presentation, as she is very well liked. I am learning to milk, and can do two cows, while rny brother and sister are milking 14. That is rather slow, isn’t it? But I will he able to mi Ik quicker after a little practice. There is another girl at our school that writes to the page; but she will not tell mo her nom do plume, and I can’t pick her letter so far. I am trying to got my mate to write also ; and I think she will, as they got the Witness, and she likes reading the letters. I have a big scrap-book. Dot, and am cutting my letters out ami pasting them in it. It was given to rno bv a friend, and I found her first letter to the page in it. Her name was Faulatco: but it must have been many years ago she wrote, as she is a nurse in the Napier Hospital now. I am reading n nice hook just now called “The Family at Misrule.” 1 have read “Seven Little Australians,” “Seven Golden Kevs, “Little Susie,” “Little Bennie,” and a few of Grimes’s “Fairy Tales.” It was too cold for me to go to church tonight, so 1 thought I would write to you, and as it is near bed time . will close. With love to all the I).L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, A WILD COLONIAL GIRL. [I am sorry to learn you have again been ill. dear; but pleased to hear you have recovered. ] think yon are making good progress with your milking. ] suppose it is a matter of tune and practice to gain speed at it. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —'Die floods have caused a ’ot of anxiety to farmers, and as it is still raining, they will be getting more anxious about the safety of their stock and homes. The flood did not bother us much. All outcrop got very wet, and we had to take two stacks to pieces and stock them again, which knocked most of the grain out and made it very little good for thrashing. The crops didn’t thrash nearly as well this year ns usual on account of the hail and winds and rough handling they got besides. There was a bazaar here in aid of the Bowling Giiib, which was a great success. My brother is back from camp. He had a very enjoyable time, and wished that it lasted another fortnight. He was very tired and sleepy when he got home; but he managed to keep awake till 9 o’clock, till he told us all w« wanted to know of camp for the night. We often say that we wish there were Territorials for young women. I am quite sure they would have ns much fun ns the young men, and would look just as well in a uniform of their own; don’t you think so, Dot? Our ducks are nice big ones now, and wo get two eggs every morning. They are quite lame, and I can catch them whenever I like. I give thorn a plate of porridge every morning, and if 1 I am in a hurry and forget them they

make such a noise that I am glad to feed them to quieten them. They are very fond of getting into the vegetable garden, and they do a lot of harm if they are not watched. There are a few spring flowers out just now, and the snowdrops are in bud. I am learning the dress-making, and I am very fond of it, as it is a great change from farm work. We have a Bible class in our district now. It is held every Sunday afternoon, and it is a very nice way to pass the time, as well as a nice walk. Wo walk three miles and a-half down to it. I went down to the Bluff to see H.M.S. New Zealand; but there was such a crush that one could hardly get standing room or. the wharf, so we had a walk round the point and had a loolc at it through fieldglasses. We saw it just as well as those on the boats. The school children and cadets got the best opportunity to see it, for they sailed round it, and when tho people went out in tho boats they only sailed out half way. Now, Dot, as this paper is getting full I must draw this letter to a close. With best love to yourself and all the D.L.F., —Yours trulv. KENTUCKY MAIDEN. [Dress-making is a nice occupation, dear, if one’s tastes are in that direction. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have not written for some time, as I was studying for our Sundayschool examination. I have entered for Scripture lesson on the Life of Joseph. This is my first year, so I hope I gain good marks. Tho foundation stone was laid for our new Sunday school last week. We are going to have a concert, and 1 am asked to recite. We can see the Kakanui Ranges m the distance from our place, and they have been well covered with snow this last week. They are very pretty. I wish it would snow, as I don’t remember ever seeing a lot of snow here. I hoard Dr Kirk preaching twice. Ho told us a lot about the Chinese people. _ I would not like to be a Chinese girl. Me are getting a now teacher at school, as one of our teachers lias gone to Kakanui to be head master. Tirneteller likes playing cowboy. Ho secs them at tho picture*.—Yours truly, YELLOW CROCUS. fl hope you do well in your examination, Yellow Crocus. The lecture would, I am sure, bo most interesting and instructive.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—lt is a good while since I last wrote to you, and 1 will tell you why. Last Sunday I was at Dr Kirk s lecture, and the Sunday before that I was studying for an examination in catechism. The foundation stone was laid last Thursday' by Mrs Cottrell, who gave the section for the Sunday 7 school to be built on. M inter inontlis arc just about gone now, bat there arc a few cold days to come yet. There is going to be a concert in the Opera House on Tuesday, called “ Maritana.” I suppose you have heard Dr Kirk preach about China. It is very interesting, isn’t it. Dot? I am still working in the chemist’s shop; but I do not think it will be long before I get into the Post Office. It has been raining very 7 heavily lately, and the roads arc in an awful mess, especially in front, of our place, where they have just metalled and clayed it. A small boat got stranded in tho Oanmru Harbour a week or two past. The dredge was in the centre of the fairwav, and the boat tried to go out on the" right side of tho dredge, but got stuck in the mud. This occurred at night, and it bad to wait till about 3 o’clock the following afternoon before it was pulled off with the help of the dredge. As news is scarce just now, I will close with love to all D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, BRITANNIA. [Did the occupants of the boat remain on board all the time, Britannia? —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I think it is about time I wrote a letter to you, as it is nearly a year since I wrote lost. I did not go to see the battleship Now Zealand, because we thought that by the time our train got to the Bluff there would be such a crowd that we would never get on to tho ship, which was just the case, os nobody got on that did go. None of the children went from this school. A neighbour of ours sold his farm a few weeks ago, and five pupils were taken away from this school, which left it very, small. I have got a white cat, which I call Nigger. Mv other grey pussy ran away about a week ago, and she has not come back. I think I will go to the Winter Show at Invercargill. I was there last year for the first time, and I enjoyed myself immensely. During the week’s holiday which w 7 e had in the beginning of May I wont to visit my aunt and my throe little cousins I had great fun with them. We played all sorts of games, from “ Puss in the Corner ” to “ Blind Man’s Buff,” for it was too wot to go outside. All the same. I enjoyed myself thoroughly. One of the boys’ birthday came round while I was there, and his mother made a birthday cake, which she iced with pink and white icing and decorated with choocolatcs. Well, dear Dot. I will try 7 to answer your questions, which I have enclosed. The mildew is a kind of fungi which flourishes on animal and vegetable substances, from which it gets its nourishment. I have looked up tho encyclopaedia, but have been unable to find how it extracts its nourishment. 1 think I will close now by telling you about the weather. It has been dreadfully wet, and cold too. —Yours trulv. LITTLE GIRL. Dear Dot,—Tho weather has improved this last week or so. I think it is about time, too, for everybody alxiut here is about tired of the mud, to say nothing about the weather we have had for months past. However, tlie days are beginning to lengthen now, and we are looking forward to long days of sunshine. Since !a*t writing I have been away for a short holiday, and enjoyed it immensely. My mother, sister, and I were at the Invercargill Show, and the day being fine, we bad a good time. I did not sec many D.L.F. nr the Show. How did you enjoy it, Pinkie, and you also. Mavis and Mother’s Girl? By the appearance of you all at night you seemed to have had a good time. 1 was at the Murihiku and Foresters’ balls in Wyndham about a fortnight ago. 1 have just received an invitation to the bachelors’ ball in Edcndale. It is to be on the 11th of this month. The Quadrille Assembly has started in this district, but I have been to it only once as yet. M*o are milking only two corns night and morning; but the time is slipping round, and it will not bo loner till dairying will be the fashion again. The factories are going to start making sugar-milk out of the whey next season. I don’t know what will happen to tho “gentleman who pays the rent,” but ho certainly will find a difference when there is no whey for him. Our bens are not laying so well since eggs have come down in price, and we are using them ns fast as they are laid] Well, dear Dot, I bad such a lot of news when I started, but I admit there is none in this

letter, although it is long enough. I must now conclude, hoping you will excuse mistakes and bad writing, and accepting my very best wishes to our late Queen Fot and yourself, not forgetting my D.L.F. comrades.—Yours trulv, ' CUSHEDIN LASSIE. [You seem to be enjoying your round of gaieties, Lassie, and 1 am sure with so much amusement the time passes quickly. —DOT.] Dear Dot.—Wo are having cold weather just now. My grandmother is staying with us at present. I went to see the battleship. and I very much enjoyed looking at it. I have a pet cat at home, and its name is Davey. It hunts rabbits every day and brings them home. I go to school in tho half-past 8 train in the morning. We have an organ at homo, and I can play a few tunes on it. There arc not many D.L.F. round hero. I know one whose name is Winnie Belle. I think this is all just now. With love to all the D.L.F.. not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, RAINY DAY. [Glad to hear- from you again. Rainy Day. Your appearance is more we'comc and not quite so frequent as the real rainy days.—DOT.) Dear Dot, —I shall write and tell you about my trip to see the battleship. I left home at 3 o'clock, walked about two miles, and then drove about 28 miles to the railway station. I reached Dunedin about 6 o'clock. Next day I went to see tho battleship. I did not got on board, but • just sailed round Iter on the Ilinomoa. In tho afternoon I wont to tho Gardens. On Sunday I went to tho Methodist Centra! Mission and on Monday went to the Roslyn Woollen Mills and to St. Clair. Next day I visited the Museum, and in the afternoon the Times Office. I went to the Show and Hudson’s Biscuit Factory on Wednesday, and on Thursday went to the picture*. I visited some friends on Friday, and on Saturday left for home, which I reached at II o’clock. I shall close now. With love to all tho L.F. and yourself.—-Yours trulv, SWEET SULTAN." [I am sure you must have enjoyed your visit. Sweet Sultan. You would not have much idle time.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It has been raining all day, and to-night it is very foggy. I received your auto, IV. W. L. Many thanks for - it. 1 always wear my badge; but I haven’t met any L.F. so far. 1 am reading a book called “ Utopia,” by Sir Thomas Moore. Have you read it, Dot? Everyone is talking about the coining election. A ground lark came into our yard one day, and I gave it some seeds, and now it conics in tor its seeds every morning. It comes right up to the door. I think Dil Khush and Boscobel must have forgotten all about the page. I have about 400 post-cards now, and I get some every week. I always read the serials in the weekly papers, and seme of them are very good. A large number of old pioneers have died on the Coast during tho last few months. It has been a very cold winter, and I suppose that has a lot to do with it. We went fishing the other night, but we didn’t even get a bite. J have a good few autos now. I think I have told you all the news to-night, so 1 will bring this short letter to a close. With kind regards to the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, V ‘ LORNA DOONE. [I read Sir Thomas Moore’s “ Utopia ’’ when at school, dear, and that is gome years ago now. This cold weather is very trying for old folk. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is such a lovely day to-day, but I hope when we get up to-morrow morning the ground will be white with snow, and then the school children will get another week’s holiday. I do not go to school myself, but my brother and a friend that is staying with me will have to go back to school if it does not snow. We have not many flowers out, but have a few primroses. We have a lovely seesaw. It is a very strong, long board through a gate, and we seesaw on it. Wo were lighting fires in our plantation with leaves ami sticks; but it was rather too damp for lighting fires outside, so at last wo gave it up. I have seven fowls to look after. My father gave them to me to look after for him. I must dose, with love to all vour Little’ Folk, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, BREATH OF SPRING. [Nearly all my correspondents are hoping for fine weather. Breath of Spring, and vou are asking for snow. I think, though, that you like the fine weather as well as anyone else. You must have grand times with that seesaw.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —My father bought two cows at u sale in Mat aura, and my brother and I. went to get them. We had some trouble getting them through a ford in Mataura near tho paporini.il, where a bridge was washed away during the flood. There were five of us before we got them through. We are taking out stumps in the bush just now, and are going to plant potatoes. I drag away the stumps and logs with the horses, while my brothers take out the stumps with a stump mg-jack. There is a concert on the 16th in Mataura, in aid of the Pipe Band, and I have a ticket for it. There is also one on the 18th in Tnturau, to end up tho Mutual Improvement Class. We had a very hard frost on Saturday morning, and on Friday there was snow. The Tnturau Draughts Club is going to have a match with Gore, but the date is not settled yet.— Yours trulv, ‘ A LAD FROM THE BUSH. [Pleased to hear from you once more, Lad from the Bush. Driving cattle is usually not as simple as it looks, is it not? I hope vou will enjoy yourself at the concerts. — DOT.] Dear Dot. —Tins is my first, letter to your page. May I become one of your banpv band? I have been ’ reading the D.L.F. page for quite a long time: but now I think I will write mvsejf. I am 12 years old. and am in the Filth Standard. r i he weather up here is beginning to be rainy, but for the past week it lias been very good considering it i? winter. Do yon like reading. Dot? 1 have been reading a few books, such as “The Girls’ Scouts,” “Little Men and Little Women.” I must close now. With love to Lady Islington. Snow Oneep. Rattler. Boxer, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, ROSALIND. [Certainly you may loin tie, dear. I arn glad you are fond of reading.—DOT. 3 Dear Dot, —It has been verv cold up here lately. We had a vorv hard frost on Friday. It snowed hero the oth»r day. When wo get our winter holidays, which will be at the end of next month. I nil! be in Dnnrdin for a day or so. ’H/* frost is not so very bard to-night. The football tournament will be on (lie 14rh of next, month. Our teacher is leaving us next month to go to a Dunedin school. This is all the news

this time, but I hope to have more next time. —Yours truly, DEFIANCE. II have noted your change of N.D.P., Defiance. I trust von will enjoy your holt day.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —Wo had a very hard frost yesterday, and I think it whs about the hardest we have had all the winter. I suppose you have a good number of LF. writing to tho page. To-day I was reading “The Call of tne Wild,” by Jack London. H;iye you read it. Dot? Wo have five henjf laying, and two ducks. Wo had three £eeee, but one took bad and w© had to kill it- So we killed the other two, because we thought they were noc worth keeping. I never see Tricker’a letters in the page noWi I think ho must have gone to sleep and forgotten to write. News in very scarce out hero just now, so I cannot think of anymore. I will close. With love to all the D.L.F. and voursclf, —Yours truly, BELL BIRD. [Our family of young pcoolo is very large, Bell Bird, so Targe that I should not care to have to count tho number of correspondents. I think I have read tho book you mention.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having grand. weather up here lately, but we have hard frosts in the mornings. Tho flowers are springing up now, ami wo have some primroses out in flower. We are milking only three cows just now. Since I last wrote 1 have been tor a holiday to Milton. Mother and my little brother went ns fai; us Tiinaru to see my married sister, and my little sister and 1 stayed at Milton nil eho came back. Wo were only away for a week, but lad a good time. We have not had the mil! or chalfcuttcr in yet. Uur liens are uot laying, but I hope they will start soon, ns our tin of preserved eggs is finished. 1 know a few D.L..F. about here. Violetta must have forgotten to answer my last letter, so I hope she will see this. 1 am reading soino very nice books just now. 1 am very fond of reading. 1 must stop now. With iovo to Violetta, Rob Roy, Roma, .lucky Tar, Wheelbarrow, and Frosty Joey, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, LITTLE MAD. [I am .glad you had a nice, holiday, dear. You will"have a busy time of it when the mill comes round. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have a little Shetland pony, and it Is black. It is not broken in yet, as it is only four years old. There is a ploughman ploughing at our place. \Vu have not got all our turnips in yel, ( bccauep it is too wet. We have one pig. The las® time I wrote to you we had six, out we hud to kill five of them. My mato came to our place on her pony yesterday, and she gave me a ride. We had plenty of ton ruing along the road by our place. I have a white rabbit, and it us always burrowing out. I call it Snowball. 1 will close now. With love-to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, NORA. fit will be nice when you are able to havo rides on your pony, Norn. What age aro they usually broken in at? -DOT.3 Dear Dot, —As my ©inter writes to you, she has asked me to write also, so 1 am making a start, and 1 hope you will allow mo to become a member of your band of Little Folk. Some of tho D.L.F. letters aro very interesting, especially those by Linnet, Ivy Diamond, Fairy, Darky, and a few others. I hope 1 have not taken anybody olse’s name, but if I have I suppose I will soon hear about it. 1 have left school, and 1 stay at home to help my mother. I have been at home for two. years, but I am not tired of it. as there is always something interesting happening. I am very fond of gardening, ami I have * few chrysanthemums, violets, and primroses out in flower. The buibs are just beginning to come up. 1 think this :ong enough for the first letter, so 1 will close. With kind love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly, LAURA. [Yes, you may join us, Laura. So glad you arc fond of gardening; .1 is a dol.ghtful recreation. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—The weather has been very good here lately, and 1 hope it will continue, as it is so pleasant to have eo/na fine days after all the wet weather we have had. The inspector has been at our school' to see how the school children were getting along with their lessons. My brothers aro out drain-ploughing. We arc milking mno cows, i have to help to milk thfm sometimes. 1 think 1 (dial! close now. With, love to Ilftzle Kirk, A Country Maid, Peggy, S. G.. Castle Grant, Curly Jean, and yourself,—Yours iru'y, HOLLYHOCK. [Helping to milk the cows will be of groat assistance to your family, Hollyhock. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—This is my first letter. As we have not finished our mid-winter holidays I thought I would write We have had wet weather up hero, but it has'cleared up now. I have a littlo garden. I shall write another time. It is getting dark now. 'l’his is enough for a beginning.— Yours truly. ICR MAIDEN. [Pleased to receive your letter, Ico Maiden, and to number you among my L F. - DOT ] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to you. I am 10 years old, and am in the Fourth Standard. I have two silver medals which I won for having most marks in the school. Daisy Blackburn is my cousin. In my winter holidays I rode down on a pony called Major Taylor to see my uncle. Tho distance to Herbert is about 17 miles. I shall now stop. With love to Daisy Blackburn and the rest of the LF., not forgetting vourself, —Yours truly, MILDRED. [I suppose you are so accustomed to riding that you would not be tired after such a long ride, Mi’dred. It is splendid exercise 1 think. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I received my badge safely, and always wear it when I go anywhere. The clay for the Invercargill Show was very good, so I made up my mind to go When wo arrived at Invercargill I found mv sister, who was staying there, waiting just outside the station for rue. We waited there until some more of our people came, and then went and had a cup of tea, which I appreciated very much. About half-pMt 12 a party of i,9 v cut out to Appleby to sec tome friends. We stayed until about half-past 2, and enjoyed our visit very much. It did not take long to come back in the car, although they do not go veiy fast yet. Well, Dot, our next item on the programme was to go to tha Winter Show, winch was well worth a visit. After we had been through the Show w« wont to the Poultry Show, which was held In the meet building. It was pretty good too, but I think I liked the other or-. l>ettcr. One of my uncles got a few prizes at tho Poultry Show. A/tor wo cauie out of tho hall, wo went and bad a cup of tea. Then we went to the water tower, as this was

» place I had never been to before. By Hie time ve had gone up throe or four lots 01 stairs I was quite tired; but, after a little persuasion. I went up to the top. When i did get there I was very pleased that 1 had gone? as you could get such a good view of the town.* It was much easier coming down than going up. By the time we were down again we had, to go to the train, there was a great crowd to get through oefore we could, reach our train, but we got in all right. I arrived home about half-past 8, after a most enjoyable day. Last Thursday night Massey’s Pictures were here, and I went to see them, but I don’t think thej wore as good as the ones he has shown here before. They are coming again on tlm 18th of this month, and then every fourth Friday after that, so it will make things a litt.e livelier. Last night I went to an evening held in the church, at which about - 50 people who belong to ibis district were present. My Bister and I sang a duet, and I played the organ for most of the others who sang. At the end of it we had a supper, which seemed to be well appreciated by everyone there. We are having fairly good winter weather just now. Well. Dot, as it is getting late, I will bring my letter to a close. W ith best love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly, lOLA. [Very glad to hear you had such an enjoyabl time in Invercargill. The view from the top of the water tower is well worth tue climb up. Don’t you think so?—Dot.] Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to your page, and I wish to join your happy |>and. I have a wee p<?ny, and its name is Nelly. My sister Hazel and I ride it about the house and have grand times. Mother s Nursegirl is helping me to write this letter, as it is my first one. I ■. m six years old. and I go to'school, and am in the Second Primer. Mother often reads the D.D.F. letters to me, and I like listening to her. I think 1 will close now.—Yours truly. MAID MARGARET. [You are very welcome to our page, dear. You must have real good times with your little ponv. I hope she is nice and quiet. - DOT’.] Dear Dot,—Patter, patter, patter, is the sound above my head. The rain is coming down in bucketfuls. What sort of weather are you having, Dot? I hope you are not having what we are down here in Invercargill—rain nearly every day; and it does make things miserable, doesn’t it? Well, I think I have given you a fair description of the weather, so I will pass on to something elec, seeing everybody is growling about it. Mv sister is ctill in Danncvirke, in the North Island. She goes to the District High School and she is progressing vciy well. She and her mate get the nickname of “swots.” which means “very a.nxious scholar.” It is eight months since she went away, and I often wish I could see her. My brother has been very bad with influenza lately, but he is a little bit better now. I have plenty of news when I start writing, but when I have none about a page all the news eprings out somewhere else. I will be 1C on July 25, ami my eister will be 15 on July 20. v. There is one year and five days between us, but my sister is five inches taller than I. Well. Dot, as I have no more news, and as my hands are fitting too cold to write any more, I will ring this uninteresting letter to a close. "With love to all the D.L.F. and yourself,— Yours truly, GRACE PALOTTA. [Sorry to hear that the weather is not iraproving in Invercargill. Grace Palotta. Continuous rain dees tend to make one rather miserable. I wish you many happy returns of your birthday, dear. —DO I.] Dear Dot,—lt is time I wrote again. My birthday was last Monday, and 1 received thro© presents. Our bridge was washed away at the time of the flood, and we have to go through the river. My brother is going out pig-hunting on Friday. My eister is away for a holiday at my aunt s. I know a few D.L.F. about here, but not many. I am collecting stamps. I sent you a riddle in my last letter: A man rode up a hill, and yet lie walked. Answer; “Yet” Tras tlm dog’s name; he walked up the hill. This is all my news.—Yours truly. LOCH EARN. [Yo» must have been quite pleased, Loch Earn, at receiving nice presents on your birthday. I hope you are careful, when fording the river, not to run into any danger.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—W r o have been having bad •weather here lately, and the reads are very muddy. I wish it would clear up, eo that I might be able to go for a good ride again. I do like reading, and have read a good few books. The name of one I am reading at present is "My Strangest Case.” ■Well. Dot. I am going to tell you what my brother did one Sunday, not very long ago. A young girl cumo to our place for a rule, and he escorted her homo. She was riding a wee pony, and ho get on behind her. They •wore too hcaw for it, and going home they lamed it, and the poor little creature couldn’t walk next day. That wasn’t fair of them, was it? Well, Dot, I will have to close now. Love to all the L.l*., not forgetting vourself. —Yo irs truly, SOMEBODY’S SWEETHEART. [I eunpose your brother wculdn t think he would bo overweighting the pony dear, otherwise he would not have got on. I hope, however, the pony has quite recovered by now. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—l am not going to be so long in writing to you this time. I suppose you would bo wondering where the cane came from. Well,, it was I who sent it. It was a piece of my birthday cake. My birthday was on the sth of July and I was 13 years old. It is raining very hard tonight. Our hens are laying very well now. The inspector is coming to our school to-morrow, but I do not think I will bo there, as I have a very bad cold. Dear Dot. I received my badge safely, for which I thank you very much. Our big brown dog. which I told you about last time has four pnnpies; she had seven, but three died. If any strangers go near her she will snap at them. The wee puppies have just got their eyes open, but they have not started to play about yet. When they do they will bo into everything, as they are very mischievous. A man up here catches opossums, and I saw a dozen skins to-day. Ho has a wee one just like a rabbitskin. and ho gave it to his wife. Ho aleo gave her a grey one, which she is going to send over to England. I do not think there is any more news just now. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself. —Yours tnilv, WITCH HAZEL. [Very many thanks, dear, for your lovely piece of birthday cake. It. was just delicious. I was wondering to whom I was indebted, as thoro was no name and the postmark was blurred. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I saw my last letter in the D.L.F. page, and I thought it was again time to write. We are having our winter holidays at present. We got a month, and that is nearly finished. I will be sorry to have to got up early in the cold, frosty mornings to go to school. We have a mile to go, and the roads are very muddy. We have not had any rain for a week or

two. Hurry up and write. Princess Edna. I am very short of news, so I will give the L.F. ft piece of poetry called “The Disputed Case.” Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest rose; The spectacles set them unhappily wrong; The point in dispute was, as all the world knows, To which the said spectacles ought to belong. So the Tongue was the lawyer, and argued the cause With a great deal of wit, and a wig full of learning of laws. While chief Baron Ear sat to balance the laws. So famed for his talent in nicely discerning. On behalf of the Nose it will quickly appear, And your Lordslfip, lie said, will undoubtedly find That the nose has had spectacles always in wear, Which amounts to possession, time out of mind. Then holding the spectacles up to the court. Your Lordship observes they are made with a straddle As wide as the ridge of the Nose is, in short, Designed to sit close to it just like a saddle. Again, would your Lordship a moment suppose (‘Tia the case that has and may be again). That the visage of countenance had not a nose, Pray, who would or could, wear spectacles then ? On the whole it appears, and my argument shows With the reason the court will never condemn, > That the spectacles plainly were made for the Nose, And the Nose was plainly intended for them. So his Lordship decreed with a grave solemn tone. Decisive and clear, without one “if” or “but,” That, whenever the Nose puts his spectacles on By daylight or candlelight, the Eyes should be shut. With best love to Dolly, Bush Girl, Princess Edna, and Princess Maggie.— Yours truly MOTHERLESS GIRL. [You have had a nice, long holiday, dear, and you will not be anxious to start work at school again after such a lengthy time of play.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to your page. May I join your happy band? I am II years old and am in the Fourth Class at school. We have one iiorse, two cows, three calves, and a dog called Bully. I know two or three of the D.L.F. that write to the page. I think I will close now, as it is getting bedtime. —Yours truly, SLY OLD POSSUM. [Delighted to have you join our page, Sly Old Possum. Shall expect a longer letter next time.—DOT.] f Dear Dot, —This is the first time I have written to your page, and I hope yon will let me join your happy band. I am in the Fourth Standard, and am 12 yeais of age. Our school is closed at present, and we have a fortnight’s holiday. My friends and I have great times .skating. I know a few D.L.F., and Beautiful Mona and Tyne Lass are among them. I do miss them since they left here. I was down to see the battleship, and was one of the lucky ones to get on board, as I went with my mother and sister. We were on board her from half-past 1 till half-past 4. Well, dear Dot. I shall close now. Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, NASEBYITE. [You were very fortunate in getting on board the battleship, dear, and you must have had a good tour of inspection in that time. Very glad to have you as a writer to the page.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—We are having such lovely weather just now. We are going to have a school concert on the 18th of July. We are milking two cows just now, and they are giving nearly a bucketful each. We separate the cream and we get a good deal. We do not send it to the creamery now, but make butter and sell it to the grocer. I go to school in the train nearly every day, but school is generally in when we get down. We are getting a good many eggs now. Did you see 11.M.5. New Zealand. Dot? A good many got prizes in Oamaru. 1 iiope you are having as nice weather us we are. 1 think this is a!! I have to tel! you, so I will close with love to Butterfly, London Pride, not forgetting vourself.— Yours truly, , SUNBEAM. Dear Dot, —Football , has started up hero, and the first match, which was between Roxburgh and the local team, resulted in a draw, each side scoring three points. The school have a very poor team this year, but they are practising very hard in hope of beating another school team next Saturday. The local band held a concert and dance here a little while back, and it was largely attended. The quadrille started about two weeks ago, but not many go to it. It has stopped raining here just now, but it freezes very hard at night and in the morning. Thanks for the badge which I received a fews days ago. Well, as it is getting late, I will close with best wishes to all L.F. and vourself.—Yours truly, RALPH ROVER. [Yours is n nice, cliqtty ’ettcr. Ralph, and is most welcome. I hope the school team is successful. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Thanks very much for M. A. M’s. address. Does Watchdog ever write to the page now? I haven’t seen any letters from him for a long time. He and I used to correspond fairly regularly, but I haven’t heard from him for months. The disagreeable fog has gone again, and we are having sharp frosts, but pleasant, sunny afternoons. Last week we had some very heavy showers of rain. This winter wc have had* a great deal of rain—quite an unusual thing up this way. How quickly time flies! The older one gets the more quickly it goes; don’t you think so, Dot? I went to the military ball, and enjoyed myself immensely. Although wo had a wretchedly wet night for it. it was a success, til ere being about 55 couples ii. the grand inarch. I didn’t feel very much inclined for school work next day. It is very quiet at Tarras, and therefore, rather difficult to amuse oneself of an evening. My evenings are generally occupied by reading. writing, fancy work, and music, but still I feel very lonely sometimes. I often think, though, how thankful I ought to i>e that I can read and write, for within a few miles from here lives an old lady all bv herself, who can do neither. I often call in to see her. for she is so pleased to see anyone. She says it cheers her up so to

have a chat with someone. How lonely she must be; I cannot imagine how she occupies her time. We are having a bachelors’ ball at Tarras on the 25th of this month. , so that is something to lock forward to. We have no hall at Tarras, but most of the dances arc held iu the woolshcd, and are generally very successful. I think most of my D.L.F. correspondents must be lying dormant for the winter. Wake up, comrades, and let me hear from you again. I wish winter was over and spring here again. I love to hear tho birds whistling, and to see the flowers peeping up through the earth once again. Well, dear Dot, I think it is time I brought this uninteresting letter to a close. V\ itn love to all the D.L.F. and yourself,— Yours truly, RED WING. [One’s thoughts are not always cheerful companions, Bed Wing, and 1 think itshould be a continual source of grati-uae and thanks for the advantages wc possess in being able to read. You will be quue festive with all your entertainments.— DOi.J Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will let me join your happy band. I am nine years old. and am one cow, but she is dry now. Me have two in the'3rd standard at school. Me have calves. One is red-and-white, and the other black-and-white . As this is my first letter. I will make it short. Yours truly LILY OF CARDROinA.^ [Pleased to number you among my L.T., Lily of Cardrona. We will expect more news from you next time. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—l am glad the shortest day is past and that it will soon be spring. Our snowdrops are in bud. I think they are such pretty little flowers. The daffodils are a good way through the ground. r-> stair’s mother and I went up to ' e f a '' mill on Saturday. It is over four miles from where we live, but wc went up on the trolley and walked back. It is nicer m the bush in the summer time; but still we enjoyed ourselves. lam nine years old now, and am in tlie Ihird Standard. r, to the Bluff with my teacher to see the battle-cruiser. We went on board the Tutanekai and sailed round her. It was tne first time I had ever been cn a steamer, and I enjoyed myself very . much. Please put mv letter in print if it is good onouh. There are a lot of D.L.F. going to our schoo —Little Meg, Golden Lily. Biddy from Cork, Princess Doreen, and a Yours truly. feEEKASHORL. fYour letter is quite good enough to be published, Seekashore—in tact. 1 thou lit it a particularly good effort. You appear t he observant, and it is good plan to "rile one’s observations. —DO I.] Dear Dot—l was at the Invercargill Show on June 18, and I saw a good many D.L.F., including Viola, A Whits? \ wlet, and Sky Pilot. There was a mg crowd ot people at the Show, and one did not get much time to look at anything. I up the water tower that day, as 1 had never been up before, although I I’.sid been in town often. I was at a social last week, and enjoyed myself very much. My snuer and I sang a duet that nignt. -The people of the district are busy working for a bazaar which is to be held in October My grandfather and grandmother celebrated their golden wedding in April, and there was a big gathering that day. We played games, and had the photographs taken in the afternoon. In the evening the barn was cleared for dancing and games. I went to see Viola last Tuesday . I had a look at the D.L.F. letters. We do not get the Witness, so I do not see them very often. My little sister wa.s christened to-day; she is two months old. Do you read many books, Dot? I am very fond of reading, and some ot the last hooks I read were; —“The Romance of Marcus Trevail,” “Under the lhatch, and “St. Veda’s.” My aunt and sister and I were out cycling yesterday and we got caught in the ram coming home at ni‘dit, so 1 expect the bicycles would all take some cleaning. It lias been raining nearly all day to-day, and people are beginning to think that there will he another flood. Well, Dot, I must now bring my letter to a close, as it will soon be time to retire to blanket bay. With love to Viola. Camelia. and A White Violet, not forfeiting yourself,—Yours truly. ° " ALTHAEA. [lt is not given to everyone to celebrate their golden wedding, so you may consider you had a rare treat iu being present at tlie celebration. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —You will be thinking I have forgotten you. I was very pleased to see my first letter in print. I did not go to see II M.S. New Zealand, as we are a good way inland. The school children that went from Reef ton to see it were disappointed, as the sea was too rough. We are having bad weather again, and it is very lonely up here, as there is nowhere to go. The books which I like reading host are “Chatterbox” and “Wonder Books.” I think that the name you have given me is very nice, but as I am not living in Reefton. don’t you think that Inglewood Lassie would do? I do not know anv of the L.h ~ but I know that L L* are like gold up here —very scarce. One day I was standing by tho dog’s kennel, when I saw such a big Tipo spider. It was the biggest I had ever seen. "We were going to preserve it, but wo didn't do so. We killed tbe pig and made bacon. I think I shall now close. Love to all the L.F., and yourself, —Yours truly, INGLEWOOD LASSIE. [lnglewood Lassie is quite a nice N.D.P., dear, and more suitable than the other. Those spiders arc very ugly looking things, and some of them are very large.—DOT.] Dear Dot—We are having very cr.-.sottlod weather up here, but it will not be long till the winter is over row. There have been a few very hard frosts here. The farmers have most of their ploughing done now. I did not go to sec the battleship. A few of those who went from hero did not even sec her smoke. Last February my two mates and 1 were away at Wangaloa for a holiday. Wc were just close to the beach, so wo were able to go down every day. There are not very many nice shells on tho bench. The bush down there is very pretty. They have made bridges across ;ho gullies, ai d they also have seats made in tho bush. Wo walked into the Kaitaugata Fhnver Show, and the sweet peas were very ivetty; also the paintings. After we had spent a fortnight at Wangaloa one of my mates and I weiit to Balclutha. When we were there wo wont through the freezing works. Wc were not in the freezing chambers, as they were closed up by tlie time we were ready to go through. Wo also spent a few days at Pomahaka Downs. I have had four quarters’ painting lessons, and like it very much. Wo have a. parrot, but it does not talk. It can imitate the hens. We also have three pheasants. I am very fond of reading, and have just finished “The Ambitions of Jenny Ingram.” As news is scarce I will ston now. With love to Granny, Janet. Moira, Honeysuckle, Ferny, Tickles, and Hydrangea, not forfeiting yourself,—Yours truly, LYDIA. (You have had quite an enjoyable holiday, Lydia, and yFiled quite a numl>er of districts. Very pleased to hear you are progressing with your painting lessons, and that you enjoy your work. —DOT.]

Dear Dot,—l suppose you will be wondering what queer-looking letter it is that is in with niir.o. Well, I wrote it, just as though it was the kitten that wrote it. I hope you will put it in zs a L.F. letter. They are all true facts that are in the letter, things that happen every day of its life. It is such an interesting kitten that I thought I would write a letter about it. I do hope you will publish it. I think it might amuse some of the little ones. We have had many a hearty laugh at the pranks of that kitten. It is just like a little baby sometimes; but it's better than a baby, because it does not scream or kick. It puts its front paws up on to our face and looks at us so solemnly, and it leans its head against us. just like a child. I am very fond of cats. I like dogs, too; but all our dogs are working ones, so we can’t pet them. The little pup I told you about long ago has started to work now. I hope it turns out a good one. I don’t think we will ever have such a good and faithful sheep deg again as old Gypsie. She is about 11 years old now and is getting very deaf. She never comes in farther than the back lobby iii the hous.e. Whenever we are eating a piece outside she comes and stands straight in front of us. and watches us until we give her a bite. She is very careful when she is taking it out of our hand not to bite us. Whenever 1 am skinning a rabbit she never lets any cats come near, except tho kitten. The pup often wants to play with Gypsie. but she won’t let it. as it is too rough, so she snaps at it and keeps it off. She never likes to sec anyone quarrelling or chasing each other. She always runs to stop them, even though they are only playing. One day my sister was carrying soma turnips along and a cow was following her, and Gypsie began to growl like anything, and tried to get at the cow. She thought tho cow was going to rush my sister. She never likes to see a horse rolling; she always barks at it. Sometimes, when we are cooping oat the horses, she will prick up her oars, and walks off to see where th> horses are. She always barks at their heads when she is bringing them in. The same with the cows; she barks at their heads, not at their heels. Whenever we let her loore she runs about and jumps up at us and barks, she is so pleased. We have had some real summer weather lately, but it is raining to-night. I saw vour letters in tho Witness, Puddock and Mitlier’s Wean. I thought you both wrote very good letters. Toll Wee Pomjiy to hurry up and write to Dot; remind her that she hasn't written to me since she came back to New Zealand. Wo have been pulling turnips lately, but I was laying rabbit poison all day to-day 1 , and my legs are sore with walking. My father has started to plough now, and I have had ia take his dinner out, several times. When I get down to where he is he unyokes the horses, gives them a drink, takes out their bits, and hangs on their feed bags. We tie one horse to a flax bush, and let the other three stand about. Then we have our dinner, and if tho horses want another drink we take off their bags let them have one, and then put their bags on again. We find a good scat in some flax bushes, and wait till the horses are done. We used to scratch the date on the blades of flax with a pin, but I haven’t done it for a long time. W hen tho horses are finished feeding we put in their bits, give them a drink, and finally yoke them up again. Jack iL n< J g° iu the lead, and Daisy and -Bakhe come behind them. When that is done I generally have to go and pull turnips. 1 will have to stop now, as it's.'time il was l n w cL . r H “ rr >' 1115 and write to the page, h - , W p F and Y. 1.. and you. Ivan hoc. and Lady Victoria. Best love and wishes to Linnet s Mate, Pete. Fairy, Darkio. I ukete, Mount C. L., Lady Victoria, and al m.v otlior comrades, not forgetting yourself, — lours truly, LIXXET. Dear Dot,-This is mv first letter to you. 1 am only a little white kitten, but I hope you will let me tell you about mvself. Linnet is holding the pen to my paw while I write this, as I do not know how to read and write yet as I am only a few months old Linnet will write the rest for me. Mv mother is a big white cat, and she belongs to Linnet My sister, Groyie, belongs to \ . C., and my brother. Smoodie, belongs to T ■!,; am I’ 16 y ? ,, ""‘ cst cf ‘ho family, so 1 am the pet and favourite. One of mv mistresses is away for a holiday, so I try to £Crw into all the mischief I can Theother day Linnet caught me on the’ table eating a piece of boiled meat, and she -nave me a .smacking, but it didn’t hurt. In’the 0 , Rirl3 aro laci "X their ) jots. I c, tc!i tile lace in mv mouth and ha\e groat fun. I sleep on tho sofa, on a cushion, most cf the day, hut I have iflentv ot fun sometimes. Whenever the bov c ‘a a mouse m a trap he generally gives t to me and then I have fun. If I Sm hungry ! eat it straight away but if T’ m not I p ] * with it for a long time. Whenever I cot any “ e niy mother and sister lick me till Ini nice and white again I like the a a ll|T' r VI T- f CaU3G she (loa a not spit at me like she docs to my mother and othe-s I can nm very fast, and I can climb up a cabbage tree verv quickly, too. Linnet has another pet a black-and-white rabbit. Diamond. and I often jump up on to the top of her cage and watch her eating, or washing her face and oars. If Diamond was lot oose with me I do not think I would eat ! 1 , er ; L} l,nk 1 J?? ve better manners than that. \\ believer Diamond is taken into (ho house I iump up into her cage, to se e what like it is, but I wouldn’t like to he shut up there all day. One day Smoodie jumped into the cage when Diamond was out and ate her oatmeal and drank he>- milk. Wasn’t he naughty? A while ago I went up the stairs after Linnet into her room, and I sat down on a box at the open window, in tlie sun, to he comfortable. I was looking outside, and I thought T would like to get on to the roof, so I crawled along the waterspout and on to the roof. But I couldn’t find any thing to stick my claws into, ami it was very dangerous, so Linnet lifted rr.o in again, and she shut the window to keep mo from going out again. I like sitting on the girls’ laps lint they won’t let me do it often. They say I have to go and catch the mice. Sometimes the girls catch hold of mv right fore paw and sav. “Shako a paw.” hut I don’t knew what they moan. But I know what they mean when they call out “Pussy, pussy _ kitty, kittv,” for then I get some food. Whenever I try to get into the cupboards they call out very loudly, “Pugs.” or “Kitten.” ai d off I scamper, because I know if I am caught I get a smacking. I can climb off the fleer right up the girls’ hacks ami on to their shoulder. I like up (here, because 1 can s«: about, ami I get a ride. My brother Sinocdio likes bein® carried, but mv mother and sister don’t ; they scratch. When I was a wee. wee kitten a little boy and girl used to come over here and nurse me. and I liked that. I always purr when I am pleased. I have had a few patches of fur burnt off mv back, as I lie too near the washhouse boiler fire, and tha sticks fall on me when I am asleep. T never go far from the house, as I might get caught in a trap. I have never been caught vet, but most of my relations have. A long while ago my mother had one of her hind legs tramped on by an animal, and

she runs in such a queer way now. I generally sloop outside, but I like when the girls forget to put me out, and then I sleep on the kitchen sofa, and it is much warmer than in the washhouse. Some evenings I jump up on the sideboard and take the ball of wool out of its box in my teeth, and jump down and carry it off under the table or sofa and have a game. But the girls will n.ever let me have it for long. I don’t see why it doesn't do for me as well as anything else. One time they were all out _of the kitchen and I got the ball of wool and had a groat time. Every push I gave the ball it would roll away, leaving a long black thread behind it. I rolled and rolled it until there was no ball left. When they came into the kitchen Linnet picked up a chair and said, “Look!” I had twined the wool in and out, in and out, and round and round the four legs of one chair, two legs of another chair, and one leg of the table. They had a fine time rolling up that wool again. They had to break it several times; but I,only sat and watched them undoing my work (play, rather) I often find a potato to roll in the lobby, but it never has a thread coming cut and making it smaller. I will have to stop now, as I do not like writing letters; but T hope you will let me write again .goon Linnet is going to write another letter of her own to you, so mine will keep hers company, and I hope you will put mine next to hers in the Witness. I have no real name of my own. but I will make one up for a N.D.P. It’s time I was off to bed, so I’ll close. Ta, ta. purr, purr, purr.— Yours truly, PUSSY WHITEFOOT. [Very many thanks, dear, for your own letter, and that of Pussy Whitefoot. You must have a good deal of pleasure with such a dear little kitten to amuse you. You should cultivate the art of writing, as you appear to be rather clever at it.—DOA.] Dear Dot, —I am again turning up Jike a bad penny as Queen Dina eays. I think it in over four years since I wrote. My sister, Philadelphia, is writing to you, so I thought I v ould write. We are having our annual school concert on July 18, and I hope it is successful. My sister was married last Wednesday, and we all had an enjoyable time. She is (o live at Bannockburn. It is very cold to-day, and the snow is falling fast. I see a lot of the Hawea L.F. letters in; they are beginning to wake up 'a bit. I did not go to the Winter Show, but I went to the Cromwell Competitions. Well, Dot, I must draw this letter to a close, with love to Find Out, Kiss-Me-Quick. Queen Dina, Colonial Lassie, Dianthus, and all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, PINKIE. [Glad to renew acquaintance with you, Pinkie. I trust the concert will bo most successful.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is very cold getting up ilw the mornings. We have a month’s holidays now. We have our grandmother and grandfather staying with us. I have got another dog now; it’s name is Gipsy. Our other dog died of distemper. We have another Headier now, and our school has been painted and done up. We have also a new coal shed. Wo have two cows and two calves, a horse, and a pony. I ride the pony to bring home the cows. I have read a few books. I have just finished reading one called “Three Newchum Girls,” “Mother Malta,” “Our Dolly,” “Isabel’s Secret.” “Us and Our Donkey,” “The Little Heiress,” “The Naughty Little Newlands,” and “Settlors in Canada.” There was a fall of snow here this morning, but it is all gone now; it was not very deep. I am going back with my grandmother when they go home. We have four cats; their names arc Spottio, To Kooti., Sam, and Chad. Wo have a ferret, and go out rabbiting with him. The dogs chase the rabbits, into the burrows; then we put the ferrets in the burrows and he sends them out. We catch and kill them, then we skin them. Winter skins are worth about 3d each. We sail the skins. I am 11 years old and am in Fourth Standard With love to SnowMaiden and Lady Noggs. not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, VALLEY ROSE. [Your school will look quite fresh and new with all its renovations. I am glad you like reading.— DOT.] Dear Dot. —I did not got to ace the battleship, but al>out that time I went for a holiday to Bannockburn, and enjoyed mysc.'f very much. It was not a very pleasant drive going down, for it rained from the time we started till my brother and I reached our destination. I must now close, with love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.— Yours truly, BIDDIE’S WAKE. [Am so glad you enjoyed your holiday, Biddie. I have held over your riddles, as we are rather crowded this week.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —May I become one of your Little Folk? 1 am 13 years old, and in the Fifth Standard. I have two little brothers going to school, and wo have two miles to walk. So far, we have not missed a day this year. I have a dear little baby sister, just one year old last Saturday. ’ She is just learning to walk. It is very amusing watching her toddling along with her wee hands out. We have a farm, and last year wo milked CO cows. Just now, they are all turned out but six, and I help to milk them. I know a few of your Little Folk— Fenwick Lass, Rosebud, Woodlands Rose, and Rainbow.—Yours truly, WOODLANDS ROSE. [Certainly you may join us. dear. Babies, when they are beginning to talk and walk, are most interesting. It is splendid to watch the progress they make as the young mind develops.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —As this is my first letter to you you must not expect too much. I am -12 years old. and am in the Fifth Standard at school. I hare no brothers or sisters. I hope you will allow me to join your circle. I used to live in Dunedin before I came to Timaru; that was about three years ago. Wo have the sweetest little canary ever seen, and it sings beautifully. I have to go about a mile to school, but I do not go on wet days. We are having very chans-eabhj weather here just now. I went l t o see 11.M.5. New Zealand, both at Timaru and at Lvtteltou, and I, enjoyed it immensely. Pie.tso excuse this careless epistle. Love to all the L.F.. —Yours truly, ,i HONEYSUCKLE. [Welcome to the page. Honeysuckle. Will you send me your own name, dear, in your next letter? —DOT.] Dear Dot,—The weather up our part of the district has been everything that toqld be~ desired—with light frosts at night, and fine, sunny days. These last few days wo have had a very dense fog, which helps to keep the hard’ frost down, and f is very miserable lor anyone travelling. The men belonging to our part are great footballers. Last ".Saturday they played against Pembroke and won, while last Saturday week (the 21st) they played Tarras at Queensburv, and defeated them by eight points to three. Football is-quite the talk of the day. Every Saturday, and now and again on Monday nights,* we have a debating mocking. It is. indeed, very interesting to listen to some of the speakers, especially the ladies, who break down in the middle, and get stuck for something to say. We have had two weddings in our district, one Wednes-

day after the other. They both proved a great success, considering the weather was very unfavourable for such great events. Were you at the Dunedin Winter Show, Dot ? Quite a record number of Hawea residents went down to see 1 it and H.M.S. New Zealand too. The farmers are all busy getting rabbiters to trap their paddocks for them. The school children intend holding their annual school concert on the 18ih of this month. I think they aro all looking forward to having a good time. I will now close, hoping yourself and all Little Folk belonging to the club are both well and happy. With fondest love to all,- —Yours trulv, QUEEN DIANA. [I am sorry if your auto notice was not published. Queen Diana. It may have beer, overlooked. If you specified any particular L.F., send another notice along to me first opportunity, and I will insert it. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —With pleasure I take up my pen to write you a few lines. Club is being well attended now, and I am glad to see it so, because everything down at the club, is very interesting and attractive. The debate last Thursday night proved exciting and educational, and ended in a win ior the negative side on the casting vote of the president. We are holding another social on the 23rd of this month, and I hope 1 will have the pleasure of being present, because anybody that attends our club socials always goes away well satisfied by the report you hear from them, and I only hope this social will be as good as the previous ones. Football is at an interesting stage now, as there is only one point separating the three loading teams, i play for Mornington B,—that is Wednesday afternoon soccer —and our team has had the misfortune of being at the bottom of the list, and not winning a match. We are only a second grade team, but owing to the fact that there were not enough teams this year for Second Grade matches, we were classed as First Grade, and that is the reason why we stand no chance against our sturdy first grade opponents. Dot. I am doing the carting for the shop now, that is bringing the meat in from Burnside, and it is a pleasant drive cut there and back on a fine clay, but on a wet one it is no good to any fellow, so 1 have just to satisfy myself with al! the bad and good weather which comes along, and be contented, as we can’t make the weather to our own liking. Dot, I wonder if that D.L.F. who said she was shy was really shy, or was she only saying that? 1 think if she is shy she wants more company to break her in, so that shyness will not keep her away from the next annual social. 1 was sorry she wasn’t there myself, and was was another friend, who was expecting to see her there. Better hick next time, comrade. Roslyn Scout is amusing himself by playing with mother’s clothes horse. That is a sale horse to play with, I think, as ho has no chance of lacing bucked off. Well, clear Dot, I will bring this to a close. Love to Dewdrop, Tough Rag, Woodland Lassie, Hardcuse Harry, not m the least forgetting yourself, — Yours truly, W. W. L. [I am glad you find the club so interesting, W. W. L. As long as we have earnest members like yourself the club will continue to thrive. I'm quite certain that next vear will seo a difference in your position at football. Plenty of practice and training soon alter things considerably.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —To-night I thought I would write to the page again. We have been having lovely weather lately, which is unusual for this time of ‘he year. I went to see the pictures in the Art Gallery this afternoon, and they are very nice. 1 think Auckland has the finest selection 1 have ever fieen. Well, Dot, the battleship was in Auckland again, and stayed a week, after which it sailed for Suva. 1 think the sailors are having a right royal time. I went to see the League football match between Auckland and Taranaki (challengers) for the Northern Union Cup, which ended up in Auckland beating Taranaki by 24 point, to 8. The game was very interesting, but Auckland had the best of the game most of the time. I think. Dot, that Otago should send a team up here and try their luck. I went to see the pantomime, “Puss in Boots,” and it is very good. I have been to eee four now, "Aladdin,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Sinbad the Sailor,” and “Puss in Boots.” Well. Dot, the last time I wrote to you I said I was finishing up in the Senior Cadets. I am now posted in the Garrison Artillery a-s gunner. Well, Dot, I have no more news this time, so will close. With best wishes to all my correspondents and D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, WELSH BOY. [Pleased to hear of your promotion to gunner in the Garrison Artillery, "Welsh Boy. The match for the cup must have caused some excitement, though, judging by the point?, Auckland was superior to Taranaki DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was thinking it is about time I wrote to the page again, so will just write- a few lines. Have you heard about the smallpox in Sydney, Dot ? It is increasin'* very rapidly, and is coming Melbourne way. My father, mother, brothers, and myself are going to be vaccinated on Thursday, although we have all been done before. There are 25 more cases to-day. It is also in to-dav’s paper that it has spread to New Zealand, among the Maoris, but it is to be hoped that it is a false report. Sheep are, £6 10? a head now. It seems a great shame that food should go up like that just when it is needed most, don’t you think so. Dot ? I have been feeling most wretched all the week, as I have a bad cough. The weather here is something horrible; rt is neither rain nor fine. We only have half a winter here If it would snow it would bo something like the thing. The Suffragettes are causing a great deal of disturbance, are they not? I think they should be put in gaol for a dozen years or more, with hard labour. It would soon knock the nonsense out of their heads. They will never gain their ends by force. It was our school ball for the old collegians last Friday, but I did not go. They say they had a lovely time. There is going to be another one on August 4. for the present students. I may be left by then, or I may not. I am not sure. I have not been writing to many of the L.F. lately. I have the same complaint as a girl at school, I suppose. A few weeks ago it was our midwinter examinations, so this gir! said she thought she would bo sick and stay home. I asked her what she would do if her mother eent for the doctor. She said he would say she was sick with laziness. So I think it is about the same here, although I don’t have much lime after I have done my exercise at night. It is getting on for 10 o’clock now. so it will tel! you what time I get finished. It was my mother’s birthday to-day, am! my brother and myself gave ler a pretty pair of vases. It is reported that tho Commonwealth stamp is going to bo changed, bat I don’t know whether it is true or not. I will write to you one of these fine davs, Sceptre, Lady Evelyn, and numerous others; hut you know what a good correspondent I am, so you needn’t worry. Well, dear Dot. I really don’t think I have more to say at present, so I shall close. With kind regards to Sceptre. Lady Evelyn, Delos, Black Pansy, Lady Grace. Rough Rider, end all my other numerous correspondents,

of course, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, PRINCESS YARRA. [I am very pleased to receive your nice chatty letter, Princess Yarra. I hope the vaccination will not cause you any inconvenience, dear. The epidemic seems to be spreading very rapidly, and it is believed to be smallpox that we have among the Maoris here.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Tins is my first letter to the page, and I hope you will let me jcCt. 1 am 12 years old this month, and. am in the Fifth Standard at school. There arc 11 in my class at school. We are milking two cows at night and three in the morning. My sister, Swanhilda, milks them sometimes. We have two little guinea pigs. We had two little white rabbits, with pink eyes, but they died. They had young ones, but someone came in the night and took them. We got them from Dunedin, from one of our uncles. I have three sisters, and they are all going to school. We are having awful weather down here. I was at Bluff to see the warship. Wc wont out in a steamer to see it. I was not sick, but I was that giddy that I could hardly stand up. I think I will bring this letter to an end. Love to Lady of the Nile, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, SUMMER. [I am sorry, dear, that your little rabbits died, as they are such dear little pets as a rule. You would bo very glad to get back on shore again after your trip out to the battleship, wouldn’t you? —DOT.] Dear Dot, —My birthday was on July 12. I am 10 years old now. One my mates was down playing with mo, and I also received three wins. Mv inic'o Tom. from the North Island, is down at Purekiroki just now. lie was at Tapanui. seeing one of my uncles, who is ill in the hospital. I was at a wedding since I last wrote you. The Piirekireki School reopens to-morrow. We hud a month’s holiday. I did not enjoy my holiday-: this time, as I was not away anywhere. Miss Elliott, our teacher came home on Friday. My ncic Jack called me North Island Lassie, because I came from the North Island. Mv mother and father brought mo to the South Island because I was delicate Did you go to see 11.M.5. New Zealand? One of my aunties was away for six weeks. See just came home on Monday. I was looking at some L. F. photos just now, ami saw Lady Dundaa, Fairy. Deck Leaf, M. S.. and Dewdrop IV. 1 must stop now. Love to Myrtle, Forget-me-not, and ail the other L.F., —Yours trulv, NORTH ISLAND LASSIE. [I was sorry to hear you did not enjoy your holidays dear, as I think you ought to have setup good times, even though you remain at home. 1 hope, dear, that the South Island has made a strong gir! of you, and that you are quite healthy now.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May 1 join your happy band ? I have never written before, but I would like to join. I have a pet white rabbit, but it got sick and died. It was such a pretty little thing. My brother has three guinea pigs just now. I ride my bicycle to school. It is 11 miles distant, but the roads for some of the way are just awful. Wo arc having very bad weather just now, but winter is nearly over. I am glad; aren't you, Dot? 1 have joined a gymnasium class foi girls, and it is so nice. I hurt myself the last time I was there. 1 must close now. —Yours truly, WEEPING WILLOW 11. [You have quite a long distance to ride to school, dear, and when the roads are bad it must be very hard for you. Take care and don’t strain yourself in any way at gymnastics. One can so easily' hurt oneself.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—You will.be thinking that I am not going to write to the page any more, it is so long since I wrote. It is snowing heavily here this morning. It is the first snow we have had this winter. M'y eldest sister was married on the 2nd of July, and about 30 couples sat down to breakfast. I have been laid up in bed for a week, and am to try and get up to-morrow. I think all t i jo Ha we a people must lee asleep. 1 have not seen a D.L.F. letter in the Witness for a long time. Come along, Hawea D.L.F., and wake up! We are having our school concert this week, but I am not going. The crops are all looking well up here, and there will be a good harvest next year. The Hawea grain keeps the waggons carting to Clyde all the winter. We have a motor lorry up here carting grain to Clyde, and it gees much faster than the waggons. Everything is bare up here—no grass or anything. People are feeding the cattle and sheep on turnips. We have a large crop of turnips this year. A lot of the people up here arc laid up in bed with the told. I went for a holiday down to Bannockburn about a month ago, and had a very good time. There are a few D.L.F. in Bannockburn. 1 do not like up there—it is so quiet. We are about three miles from the nearest house. Well, Dot, 1 have read a few books, and some of their names are; “Sandy’s Selection,’’ “Worth , a Threepenny Bit,” "Martin Rattler,” and a few others. 1 am now going to tel! you a short story. Once upon a time there was a woman and a man travelling in the train, with their little dog. The man was smoking a cigarette, and the lady took it off him and threw il cut of the window. The man then threw 1 lie dog out of the window, and when they looked out of the window, what do you think they saw in the dog’s mouth, Dot? It’s tongue! Love to Pinkie Blue, Laughing Allcgra, Findon, Dianthus, Cantrip. Portia, Kiss-me-Quick. Postman, Colonial Lass, and vourself. —Yours trluv, PHILADELPHIA. [Very sorry to hear you have been ill in bod. dear, and trust you are now improving rapidly. A great amount of sickness seems to he prevalent just now. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I see in the Witness that Dot is inviting friends throughout the Dominion to write short letters to the Witness, so I thought that I would become a member of D.L.F. The weather is very wet, and it makes the road leading to the school very muddy. It is very tiring, for I have three miles to walk. Nevis is a goldmining place, and is about 2000 ft above sea level.—Yours trulv, OLYMPIC. [Clad that you have responded to the invitation to write to the page, Olympic. Three miles is rather a long distance to walk when the roads are baVl, and must tiro you considerably.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —1 wish to become a member of your band. My father gets the Witness. Week after week I read the letters from Dot’s Little Folk, and at last I made up my mind to join them. My age is 11 years, and as I have not much time just now, I cannot write a very big letfer; but I shall write a longer one next time. Dot.— Yours truly, BUFFALO BILL 11. [Welcome to our page, Buffalo Bill 11. Hope to have a longer letter from you next time you write.- —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I wish to become a member of your happy band. 1 am in the Third Standard at school, and was 10 years old on June 21. We have been having very good weather just now, only a little sloppy. This is a better winter than we have had for a long time —five years, at anyrate. I have

started to make a sample in sewing. I have made four handkerchiefs and a pillowslip. I have made one small stocking, and have started to make the other. I have done about two inches of it. Going to school in the morning, we have a good slide. I go to school every day just now. I read the D.L.F. page nearly every week. I think that I will end now. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself. Goodbye.—Yours truly, CHESTNUT. [I am very pleased to welcome yon as a member of our band, dear. You must be very good at sewing and knitting. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have written to you once before, and was very pleased to see my letter in print. I was out for a drive on Sunday, but the roads were very dirty. "When you get out of one rut you immediately go into another. There was some snow here on Friday. I like reading the L.F. letters. My chum lost his guinea pigs. He thinks something killed them. It was rather unfortunate, was it not?—Tours truly, JOHN PEEL. [lt spoils the enjoyment of one’s drive, doesn't it, when the roads are rough. What a pity your friend had such bad luck with his pets.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —V\'e had some snow last week—about four inches— and the roads were so sloppy and muddy. 1 haven’t been reading much lately. 1 am reading Oliver Twist at present. 1 have read it before, so I don’t suppose it will hurt to read it a second time. Dear Dot,l am changing my N.D.P. My last one, many L.F. made errors in the tpelling of it, so I chose one that is easier to spell and to remember. There is nothing exciting here at present. The “Great M'Ewcn” is showing to-morrow night. 1 am going. I see my brother, in the person of “Nick Carter,“ has joined the L.F. page. One thing, he is able to attend the club, but I suppose there are many L.F. in Dunedin who do not avail themselves of that opportunity. The weather is particularly fine to-day, rather a change from last week, if you notice. Dot, nearly all the L.F. talk of the weather in their letters. I suppose they lind it a particularly interesting subject. I don’t think my correspondents will find out who 1 am, but I will tell you, comrades, when you write to me and I answer your letters. I think this is'all at present, so I will close, with every kind regard to yourself, my correspondents, and all L.F.—Tours truly, PIG’S WHISKERS. [I think one can read most of Dickens's books through more than once and not tire of them as one does of some more modern novels. The Dunedin Club is very well patronised by the L.F. here, and great enthusiasm shewn by all the members. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—l received the badge safely, and was pleased to get it. I wanted it in case 1 went to the Bluff on June 3, as I hoped to meet some L.F. there; but didn’t go after all. I don’t think that those who went saw very much. We have just had a fall of snow, and it is not very 'nice. The house is always wet with people going in and cut. This is the second fall in a week; but it soon melts away. We • have had a few hard frosts lately, and it is very cold getting out in the mornings. We are expecting the mill and chaff-cutter this coming week, so I shall be busy then. f did not go to the Winter Show, but it is pretty cold going away this weather. You asked mo if I had ever done any fancywork. Dot. Yes, I have done some, and it is alright for passing away the evenings. There was a hunt here last Wednesday, and there is to be another - soon, to which I am going if I can get a chance. I was at a hunt last year, but it was a miserable day, so I didn’t care very much for it. There is to be a military ball here soon. There are dances in Mossburn every week, and they have also started a debating society. Sister Margaret, I saw that you wanted to exchange autos with me, but I cannot find the Witness with your notice in it. or I should send you one; but you see, I do not remember your address. I started collecting autos a good while ago, but I haven’t very many collected. 1 write to about a dozen L.F., so I always have a good few letters to answer. Ice Cieam, I think that you are a nice one. for you haven’t written to me for ages. I suppose that you have also forgotten me, Miranda, and you seem to have forgotten the page, too. 1 have just read a very nice book named “On the Wings of the Wind,” by Allen Kaino. Have you read it. Dot? Well. I think I will close now. With love to Silver Bell. Vogel, Rathie, Red Rose, Mo&sburnite. Lady Connie, Musk. Holly Bush, Taieri Belle, and all the rest of my D.L.F. mates, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, PRINCESS EDNA. [Your township appears to be quite a gay place to live in. Princess Edna. You will have a fine time at the next meeting of the hunt club if the weather is good and the roads dry.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Many years have passed since I penned those two words, but “better late than never.” The weather is very unsettled at present. We had a fall of snow on Thursday night, and on Friday morning it was about four or five inches deep. The bonspiel wasn’t a success owing to Jack Frost having too long a sleep. Thursday and Friday were the two days fixed for the curlers, but only one day was suitable; so the curlers had to be contented with that. I am fond of reading, and I have, read quite a number of books. Some of their names arc: —“Three Bright Girls,” “A Girl of the Northland, ' “Settlers in Canada,” “Children of the New Forest,” “A Vexed Inheritance, “A Band of Three,” and “Sisters of Silver Creek.” Have you read air; of them, Dot? I believe I could fill a page with names of books 1 have read. My sister and I are always reading. Last time I wrote, my letter did not appear for some weeks, because it was “Old Writers’ Week,” and there were so many old writers that it took some time to get their letters in print. I enjoyed reading their letters. News is scarce, so I shall give the L.F. some riddles. 1 have a little house, and a mouse couldn’t fit in it, and all the men in the town couldn’t count how many windows there were in it. (2) What makes more noise than a pig knocking at the door? (3) Why is an elephant like a wheelbarrow? I noticed the photo of the D.L.F. group in the Witness. We have our winter holidays now, but it won’t ba long before we find ourselves walking along to school with our bags under our arms. A quadrille is held here every Saturday night. It is getting late now, so I shall draw my scribble to a close. Love to The Prairie Flower, lola. Queen Phyllis, Isol Rose. Bonnie Bell, and Cherry Blossom, not forgetting yourself.— Vours truly, PORTIA. [lt would ho a big disappointment to many the ice not holding well. I have read one or two of the books yon mention, Portia. I hope you will not be so long in writing again, dear.—DOT.) Dear Dot, —I have not written to the page for some time now. We arc having dreadful weather up here lately, and the roads are so muddy. I do not like going to school in the winter time. We have only one cow milking just now, and it’s name is Pansy. I do not know many D.L.F. about here, but I like reading the L.F. letters, as some of them are very interesting. My brother is saving stamps, and he has 20 already. My little sister is in the Third

Primer. I will close now, with love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly, MOLLY BAWN. [I am sorry to have to cut out your poetry, dear, as it is much too long. Space is /very limited now. ns there are such a number bf new writers to the page.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —Just a line fo lot you know I have not forgotten you. 1 have just been reading the D.L.F. letters, and I like reading them. 1 :woncler if any of your Little Folk have road “Sun’s Babies.” I think it is such a nice book, and it explains all about flowers so well. “Chic-a-Pick’s Crow” is also very amusing. Olive, my sister, is in bed with a bad cold. I think. Dot, you have great patience tyith your large family of Little Folk. Will you have room for this poetry: I must not throw upon the floor. The food 1 cannot cat; For many a hungry little one Would think it quite a treat. ’Tis wilful waste brings woeful want. And I may live to say — 01)! how I wish I had the bread Which once I threw away. With best love to all the D.L.F.. not forgetting yourself.—Yours trulv, LIVE OATS. [Thanks for the poetry. Live Oats. i hope your sister, Olive, is quite better of hel - cold.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is tile fust time I have written to tho page. I am 11J years old. My little brother is very sick and we had to send for the Doctor to-day; but lie seems to be a little batter, now. I did not go to see the battleship, because I was ill at the time and was not at school. 1 have three brothers, one of which writes to the page. I am in the Fifth Standard now at school. The weather is very cold just now. I hops to see my letter in print.—Yours truly, SCOTLAND FOR EVER. [I am very pleased to receive your first letter, Scotland For Ever. You have had quite an amount of sickness in your family, haven’t yen? 1 hope your little brother is improving by now.—DOT.i Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I also wish to become one of the members. My uncle has taken the Witness for many years. I have watched the letters to your page. I am in tho Fourth Standard at school. Neris is a very quiet place to live in. There are a few dredges and claims, and plenty of ice to slide on in the winter . I hope to write more about tho country and rny schooldays in the next letter.—Yours truly, EARLY RISER. [I am very pleased at receiving your first letter. Early Riser, and shall expect a longer one next time.—DOT] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I wish to become a member of your happy band. I see the Witness every week, and I always read the letters which are sent from the Little Folk. I have a. long way to go to school, but I do not think anything of it, as I am 14 years of age, and have become quite used to tho walk. We are having glorious weather just now-hard frosts at night, and lovely sunny days. Nevis is about the highest district in Otago. - Now 1 must draw this short letter to a close, with love to all the D.L.F.—Yours truly, WHITE CAPE BROOM. [Pleased to hear you have taken such a keen interest in the page, dear. You will bo more interested now than before, since your own letters and those of your friends, will be among those appearing.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having bad weather just now. Our now teacher is very kind, and she drives my sister and me to school every morning. 1 went to see tho battleship, and enjoyed myself. We have three cows milking. Last night my mother asked mo to go and get the calf; but it would not come, so I got on its back, and it ran home as fast as it could. I am just learning to ride the bike and play the piano. My sister has a little baby girl, about four months old.—Yours trulv EVA. [The poor little calf would wonder what was happening when you got on its back, Eva. It is very kind of your teacher to drive you to school.—DOT.] AUTCQ. Welsh Boy (A. L. Hughes, 10 Yarborough street, Ponsonby, Auckland) wishes to correspond or exchange autos with ITardcase Harry, Princess Ada, Thyme,’ Saucy Joe’ Sleepy Wee Daisy, and any other D.L.F. willing. Philadelphia (Violet Robertson, Hawea Flat) wishes to exchange autos or postcards with Viola, Norma, Orange Blossom, Mother’s Little man. Town Hull, Auntie, Nell, and any other L.F. willing. Prompt replies. Steam Hammer (Thos. W. Kitto, Alexandra Station, Central Otago) wishes to exchange autos with Nikau, White Iris, Blue Bell, Kathie, and any other L.F. Willing. Hollyhock (Chrissy Grand, Oakfield, Limehills), wishes to exchange autos with Ice Cream, Seafield, and ally other D.L.F. willing. Ivanhoe (Murray Ramsay, 323 Cargill road. South Dunedin) wishes to exchange autos with Tyne Lass, White Iris, Shalmar, Silver Whip, Winneton, Ptero, Shasta, Allen Rainc and Wellingtonia. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Steam Hammer.—l am unable to publish letters written in pencil. DUNEDIN D.L.F. LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB. Motto; “Union is Strength.” The usual weekly meeting of the above club was In id in Dot’s Room, Lower High street, on July 15. at 8 p.rn. These present were Francis (president!, Adelina (vicepresident), Oriel (secretary). Possum (C.M.Ri, Dulcie, Weary, Malvina, Hobs, Billy Burlow, Indian Pirate. Duncan Gray, Silverdaie, Orsen, Bimbo VII, Nik Kart'er, Patience, Honey Blossom. Heather Lassie, W. W. L., and two visitors. A cordial welcome was extended on behalf of the club to the visiting D.L.F.Indian Pirate, Nik Kartar, Duncan Gray, Patience, Honey Blossom, and Heather Lassie. The evening was set apart for impromtu speaking. The following members spoke on their respective subjects:—Oriel, “Suffragettes”; Possum. “The Garden”; Orsen, “Science”: Silverdaie, “Yachting”; Nik Kartor, “Luck”; Bimbo VII, “Slurf Bathing”; Ivanhoe, “Coal”: Patience, “Patience”; Indian Pirate, “Football”; A Friend. “Racing”; Billy Burlow. “A Penny”; Hobs, “Drainage”; Dulcie. “Work”; W. W. L.. “Butchers and Butchering”; Francis. “Socialism,” “Electricity.” “Millinery.” “General Sport.” and “Drink”; B’lly Burlow, "Honour”; Orsen. “Territorial.®:” Billy Burlow then proposed that Malvina

become a member of the club. Francis seconded the proposal, which was carried unanimously. The subject for July 22. will be the debate, ‘‘Should Mixed Surf-bathing be Abolished ?’’ Silverdale leads for iho affirmative side, supported by Bimbo VII. Adelina leads for the negative side, supported by Weary. A programme was drawn up for the social evening which is to be held in the Warn tali Tea Rooms on July 23. Tlie club’s committee met in the club mom at the conclusion of the meeting for the purpose of drawing up a syllabus for the month of August. The following is the syllabus (cut it out and use it for future reference);— August s.—Debate, “Can an Honest Man, become a Millionaire?’’ August 12.—“ Mock Trial by Jury.” “Manslaughter.” August. 19.—Debate, “Which Wields tho Greater Power—Heredity or Environment?” August 26.—Open meeting. ORIEL, Secretary. TO ALL D.L.F. Please don’t forget to send ns a paper for open meeting. All papers sent in will be acknowledged by Pcssum (C.M.l't.) or myself. Try to give us your support, conirad rs. COUNTRY MEMBER*’ REPRESENTATIVE'S REPORT. Dear Comrades.—The usual weekly meeting of t'ne club was held in Dot's office on Tuesday evening, when tire president, ou behalf of tho members, welcomed Duncan Gray, Nik Kartor, Indian Pirate, ami three other visitors to our midst. 1 was pleased to eeo three of our old club members back with us again—i.c.. Honey Blossom, Heather Lassie, and Patience. Tho item on tho syllabus was* ‘lmpromptu Speeches,” yAs the secretary will give a list of speeches and speakers, I will only mention (he visiting L. F. who spoke. Nik Kartor spoke on “Luck.” mentioning potluck and Chow’s hick, and gave definitions of same. ImPaii Pirate spoke on “Football,” and he really made us believe that Association was more clean and scientific than Rugby. Is that the case, boys? I hoard Duncan Gray say he was too vh.v (o speak. I wonder if such is really the care? 110 seems to be nb'e to talk to Irs neighbour. Many thanks for your contribution as a country member, Indian Pirate. I havo entered your name in my book, so you aro one of ns now. Your paper on the debate to hand. Lady Dundas. ‘ Thank you so much for your support.

Tyno Lass, the surprise packet arrived to-day. The papers are so welcome. Your suggestions for the debates canto in too late, but will hold them over until next committee meeting. In the meantime think out some more and send them in. M ill write privately soon. I have received requests for the names of the L.F. in the Winter Show group photo. Comrades, I will comply with your request us soon as Francis supplies mo with the list, and also photos, as the present stock is sold, and we are waiting for a second batch from the photographer. Next week is Open Meeting. All papers welcome. The debate for August 5 is, “Can an Honest Man bo a Millionaire?” Write on either side, only let us have your views. 1 lope you are keeping better now, Gravel. Will write you soon. Any L.F. visiting town at any time, and desirous of attending club, just drop me a post-card, and I will willingly accompany von.—Yours sincerely. POSSUM (C.M.R.).

Previously acknowledged ... £1 15 0 Home Fairy ... 0 1 0 Chief Cook ... 0 3 0 Lady Hill ... 0 T o