LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 69

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK

Motto:—We *rit© for the benefit of others not for ourselves: CST No Utter to contain more than 450 words. Dear Dot—l always turn up after a long silence; but I hope you will forgive mo this time. Next week there is to be a Japanese fair here for the Anglian Church and a 1 the ladies are going to wear Jap kimonas. I don't think I shall be taking part, as we have visitors, and I can't get away. U* mother can't do my work and her own too. 1 haven't written a paper for the club yet- but I shall some day. I was 16 ( years old two months ago. We have had a nice big flood here to spoil the crops etc. Ihe Aparinia Rivor went over our farm, but didn't do much damage. The creek that divides us from the farm was like a river. Sunny Jim, a mate of mine, and myselt. were on the bank catching wee bunnies; but 1 didn't kill any. Sunny Jutf» put up two jumps to-night, and wo had good fun jumoing. Mv aunt and her baby and staying here, and I have a great timelooking ' after the baby. 1 went into the front bedroom this morning, and found his lordship with a box of matches scattered all over the floor. That is the second time I have caught him with them now. ' When 1 rtamp my foot at him he stamps his at me, and it is very funny to sec him. I was sick all last week; I had a bad cold, and my tonsils were right across my ihroat, and 1 could hardly swa"ow anything. I milk one cow named Ivy, and she is more trouble than anything else. 1 had a letter from Queenie not long ago. Hurry up and write to Do l , comrade. Did you make any plaster of paris plaques. Dot? I had the craze for a while, but* I soon tired of it. Sunny Jim <md I always quarrel when the Witness comes in sight. I like to read The Frog's and The Imp's notes. Have you many flowers out, Dot? We haven't. Auntie stencilled me a Dutch boy and girl to-day. I am very fond of stencil work. My dog Dinky is very lame, and i don't know what is the matter with his paw. 1 hope it gets better soon, as I don't like to sec him- limping. 1 have all my Sunday school stamps 1h is year. I missed two Sundays when I was sick: but the teacher gave me them. Heather Lassie, when are you going to answer my letter? Well, Dot, I must close new. Wishing you and all the L.F. a merry Christinas (when it tomes), —Yours truly, SCEPTRE. [I am sorry you have not been well. Sceptre, and trust the cold is now better and the tonsils their normal size again. 1 also hope Dinkv's paw is quite bitter now.— DOT.] Dear Dot.—This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will let me join your very happy band. I often read the L.F. letters, and 1 like them very much. My sister is writing to your page now. ] have a pony, a pup, and a little calf; they all know their names. I was al the Show last Friday, and I enjoyed my?elf very much. 1 have a vegetable garden and a flower garden. I know several L.F. who are my school mates. The ro-es are all out now, and they look very pretty. It won't lie- long until Christmas comes again. I think I have written enough for my first letter, so I will close now. With love to. all the L.F.. not forgetting vourself. —Yours truly, BELLE O' THE BROW. [Yes, you may join us, dear. You must bo training your pets very well, when they all know their individual names.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —I was very pleased to see s'.u-li a good response to the call of O.W.W. It is nice to hear of all our old comrades, and to know how they are getting on ; but, of course, there are a good many old familiar names who do not answer to the roll-call. I ±\\r,po=e new ties and interests have usurped the old. I was pleased to notice that in the mo-t of the letters the writers expressed their appreciation of our late comrade Gravel. Although I did not know him personally, I used to enjoy his letters, and they will be missed from the page. The favourite topic of conversation just now is the strike, and we are going "canny" 'wrth the sugar, and it is a good thing the jam season is not on yet. It is a great pity it is lasting so long, as it must entail heavloss on the Dominion. I have such a nice little black calf for a pet. Linnet. I think. will recognise its identity. I havo never bothered feeding calves before; but this was such a bonnio wee thing I took a fancy to it. By the way, Linnet, don't you think it is time to answer my letter? I would have liked to go to the picnic at Mount Stewart on Labour Day, but did not manage it. It was blowing a terrible gale here and I sun-

pose it was the same in Dunedin. I went to a dance the other week, Dot, and the next, or rather the same day, hiked 12 miles altogether and over ,such humpy roads. I would got along a short stretch of smooth road, and then a succession of bura'p, bump, bump, and the bike would skid on one side, and off I would come. Such was my experience several times that day. I wasn’t tired the next day, Dot; no, not a little bit! Haven’t wo had disagreeable weather for —well, I don’t know how long? It seemed to clear a short time ago, but now it is as bad as ever. One consolation is that it seems to be fairly general, so we can’t growl that we are not all treated alike. Our show isr to be held next week. A few years ago they always ma; aged to get a D.L.F. group Xihotographed; but I don’t think there are a great many D.D.P. in these parts; still, if they were all gathered together I suppose one would be surprised. Well, Dot, this will do for tills time. Kindest regards to Linnet, Inkpot. Black Pansy, Sleepy Hoad, Francis, and all the rest of the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, HILDA GRACE. [You are fortunate in being the possesor of so much energy' as to go cycling after dancing, Hilda Grace. No wonder you were tired next day.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —I went to the Oamaru Show and had a very pleasant time. I saw a sideshow where a man was attempting to ride a buck-jumper called Lady Weston; but she threw him off. 1 did not have such a pleasant time this year as I had last year, because there was no merry-go-round this year. I was with Waikaura Fern at the Show, and I saw some of my schoolmates too. On both Show clays we had holidays from school. Woodbine!was up at her aunt’s off Sunday, and can e over to See me. We have a lot of flowers out —some of which are: Sweet pea-s, daisies, stock, fairy bells, pansies, lilies, roses, and a number of others. 1 cat ray finger very deeply, and 1 have had it -bound tip ever since. I have a lot of marbles. My' sister gave me a nice big book called “Wonder Book.” It has some nice stories and, pictures in it. Our Christmas holidays will soon be litre again. We have three pigs and a number of chickens. I have a grey kitten called Mickie. My birthday' is on January' 12. I wall be nine years old then. Well, Dot, I shall close this short letter. Here is a riddle for the Little Folk: I had a little sister, her name was Beep, Peep, Peep; She waded through the waters deep, deep, deep; She climbed up the mountains high, high, high; Poor little sister, she had only one eye! With love to all the L.F. and yourself,—Yours truly, BOBBIE. [I hope the finger is quite bettor, Miss Bobbie; and in case you should not be writing before January, let me wish you many happy returns of the 12th. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote I have visited the new w'etks. You would hardly believe how quickly the men have built them; and such lovely buildings they are, too! I went up the big chimney, which is over 100 ft in height. There were ladders all in a siz-zag course up the inside. It was pitch dark and we had to grope our way up, although it wms worse coming down again. We have a big see-saw, Dot. I suppose you used to like playing ses-saw when you w'ere a girl, eb ? It’s grand fun, especially when there are a lot on at once, as someone is sure to go head over heels and land on the ground. We also have a swing. I was at the Oamaru Show, and we had glorious weather. I didn’t happen to meet any L.F.. except a few whom 1 know, such as Guiding Star, Waikaura Fern, etc I was only in one side-show —namely, “The Wild Australian Circus,” which I thought was not bad. A young gentleman ventured to ride a buckjumpor. He was to get £2 if he could stick on tlie horse for 30 seconds; but I don’t think there’s many could ride her for 30 seconds. Goodness, she was just like lightning! I do like to see a horse bucking, though 1 don’t think it would he very nice to be on one; do you, Dot? It is raining to-night, although wo have been having lovely weather lately. We were sip at one of our neighbours’, and they have a gramophone, and played some very nice records. Waikaura Fern’s musical examination is over; 1 think she did well. My cousin lias been hero for a clay or two. . Some of my sweet peas have been flowering for a good while now, and I have more coining on. Do you know the name of a lily something like the orange lily, but of a reddish colour? We have a beauty out at present. The flag and one-day lilies have finished flowering. We had a good show of pansies this year. Our vegetable garden is looking fairly well. Wo are milking nine cows, and taking cream to the factory. Yon had a good muster of 0 W. this year. When is Special Subject Week? A lot tease me about my nom de plume, Dot. They say it is a hard-caso name; but it’s the name of a flower. Have you ever seen it, Dot? It has a very dark leaf and cither a red or blue flower. I have seen the red, while my cousin has seen the blue. Why did you put “11” on to my ..D.P., Dot? Is there another writer with the nom do plume Kiss Me in tiie Dark? Christmas will soon be hero again. That means some more fun, if all goes wcil. We had ciackers, rockets, etc,, last Christinas Eve. It must bp nice in Dunedin on Christmas Eve, when all the streets arc lit up. Miss Bobbie is trying to write to you to-night. My mother tried Plum Duff's receipt for plum duff, and it turned out very good. She often makes one of them now, thanks to Plum Duff, though 1 don’t kno.v who he or she is. Our potatoes are looking well; but if this rain continues 1 think they will be all rotted in the ground. The mangolds and oats are looking well, 100. I hope you enjoyed your picnic, Dot. Have you forgotten me, Ellibanna and K’Vs Your Cousin? 1 am still where I was when !a;t you heard from mo. Write soon, cornmdcs. I will write to you in a day or two, Kurameke. Well, Dot, .vhen I started I thought I had plenty of news; but when it conic- j to writing it down there’s nothing v.or.h reading, so i'll close with love and whiles for a merry Christmas to Woodbine. Waikaura Fern, Guiding Star. Pelorus Jack, Pink Clover, Moonflower, Kurameke. Kiss Your Cousin, Ellibanna. Orange Lily, Water Lily At hitburgh Lass. Moss Hose, etc., etc., am! vourself. Dot. —Yours trillv. KISS ME IN THE DARK. (I am not quite clear by your description which lily you mean, as I have one or two peculiar varieties myself; but if you care to send me a flower I shall find the name for you, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—-Wt; arc having terribly rough weather out here just now, and the creeks are rising fast, so 1 do not know whether 1 shall he able to cross to-morrow morning; but 1 hope 1 may be able to. We have only two more heifers to calve—wo have about eight heifers in this year, and they are a treat. Taieri Belle is out here just now. Well, Dot, you would have laughed till your sides wore sore to see her to-night. When we were finished milking T. B. came over before my other si-ter and I. She found the boys’ door Lulled (it locks from the cutside) and the light burning, so she thought someone must be in the house, and went through every room, but found no one. When I asked her how she liked the job, she said she was shaking in her ahoes. After this she went into the room and found four

packets of raisins. Well, Dot, as news is short I shall draw to a close. —Yours truly, BILLY SPLODGED. [Poor Taieri Belle! I can imagine how nervous she would be. Of course, boys are far too superior to be afraid of going into an empty house, Billv; are they not ? DOT.] Dear Dot, —We had an hour off for gardening on Wednesday, and I did some weeding and hoeing. Then I sticked some pe«. Firpins has gone to Waihaotunga to-day. We have a seat under the pines for hot days. I have some cress growing on a plate in the tent. We had a heavy storm of hail last night. Mother has gone to Dunedin for a holiday. Father is going to give us a young spruce for a Christmas tree,, and I am going to thread some beads for it.—Yours truly, CAPTAIN FROG. [Your letter makes one yearn for hot days, a book, and a seat under the pines; but, unfortunately, here I find difficulty in keeping, myself warm.—-DOT.] Dear Dot. —We had two little pet foals, which we put in the loose-box; but one of them broke its leg. We are milking 21 cows and feeding 19 calves. It is thundering today. I have a little sister, but she has not started school yet. I have read two books—' one is Red Riding Hood, and the other is my book of pictures. We have two young pigs. We fvent up to the bush one Sunday, and I enjoyed myself very much; my auntie gathered ferns to decorate the Wyndham Hall. Love to Silvery Waves and yourself,— Yours truly, MOKORETA BIRDIE. (How unfortunate that your foal should break its leg, dear! It will be a big loss, too, I suppose.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —You will think I have forgotten you. Our examination was yesterday; but I do. not know if I passed or not yet. Does Shining Star ever write now? It is very miserable juid raining very hard. I am 10 years old now, Dot; it was my birthday at the end of last month. I have a little garden at. home, and I have beans, carrots, peas, and radishes, and lettuce up. I have a flower garden also.—Yours ttulv, RASPBERRY. [Y our garden is doing very well, Raspberry, and I am sure you will be proud when you are using your own vegetables.—DOT.] Dear Dot—We are having very unsettled weather. 1 am very fond of reading, and have read a book called “Ungava,” which I thought very interesting. We have a -library at our school, and wo have some very nice books in it. We have a good many ducks just now, and they are growing very well. We have two cows milking. One of them is giving n bucketful, and the other three parts of a bucket. We have peas, carrots,' turnips, beetroot, onions, parsnips, and many other things growing in our garden. I am reading a book which Heather Bell II gave me, called “Helen’s Babies.” Our A. and P. annual Summer Show was held on the 20th and 21st in Oamaru. It was not ns good as last your, but last year was tlie Jubilee Show. The painters were at our school last week. They painted the school yellow, with brown facings, and • it looked very nice. We have no pet lambs, but wo have such a lot of chickens! Mv brother had a very bad illness; ho missed the examination, and was away from school a long time. I am in Standard V now, and my sister is in the First Standard. Have you very many flowers out. Dot? We have a good many, such as pentstemon. frog’s mouth, sweet peas, peony roses, carnations, pansies, garden fern, and very many others. We have three calves, and they are growing well. t , ’ ,f* ea , r b>ot. as it is nearly half-past 10 I shall close. Love to all the Little Folk not forgetting j ourself.—Yours ttulv SUNBEAM. [I t* l . ll 60 sorry (o learn vour brother has been ill. dear; but trust ho has quite recovered by now. What a pity lie missed the examination!—DOT.] Dear Dot, —A L.F. wanted to exchange autos with me; but she did not put her address in the letter which she wrote to yon, Dot. It is getting near Christmas, and now I shall be glad when the holidays come. 1 suppose I snail get a number of P.C.’s I sco by the papers that the strikers' are beaten. It is raining to-night. Have you any ram down at Dunedin. Pukouri is getting a big place now. Well. I think I shall elose. Love to Guiding Star, Wliilburgli l,ass, silver Cup, and Princess Maggie Yours truly, GOLD DUST. 5? u asko<l are we getting anv summer, Gold Dust, I would say “No.” The rain falls d py a* regularly as the dawn follows me night.—DOT.] Dear Dot.—A Vo are having very bad weather down this wav at present, and while 1 was at school to-day there was thunder and lightning, and our teacher was frightened. and went out of the room. The exhibition will be open on Monday. We are having our examination this week, and I hope I .shall pass. After Ihe examination we break up for our Christmas holidays on December 15. Some of our fruit is ripe now. llie loquats, plums, and Irish peach apples n P®- and the peaches are getting ripe. Silver Lei is doing fancy work, and Harry fell, my big cousin, is reading the strike news, and my mother is sewing. I am in the school concert, which is to' be held in two or three weeks. I think I shall end up with some poetry. THE ACORN. A tiny little acorn grew within its little cup, A child was passing on its wav, and picked the acorn up. Beneath a little mound of soil he set the acorn small. Then ran away to play, and thought no more of it at all. Wars passed ; the sun. wRi fervent heat glowed m a cloudless sky; A weary traveller on the road some grateful slip mo din spy. He sa* him down' beneath an oak. Oh. little cn« ho know The tree had from that acorn grown ho planted long ago! Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.-- Yours lruK ’- FARMER BOY. ' (I a’so hope you arc successful in vour examination. Farmer Bov. and am sure- von will do well.-DOT.] b Dear Dot. —My word! doesn’t time fiv 9 Just fancy, it is almo-t Christmas am.in The weather is fearful. Dot. nothing" but ram every day. One good thing, there is plenty of water to clean up (he house after i a rainy day. How are you, Elmo Athol? ' Looking forward to a good time at Christ, m -fr? I islier Girl had the measles while Khno Athol was staying with us, and I was making great jokes about them. I reckoned 1 would not take thorn; but I started to crow too quickly, because 1 took (hem a fortnight later, and they were far from plea'sant; but I am quite better again. It w.ii terrible trying to get the vegetable seeds in this year, as the ground was so wot. and then the sparrows ate the peas ns soon as they came through the ground; but the other seeds are doing pretty well. AAT? have been using the gooseberries, and they are lovely to use for pics at this time of'the year. I was in Dunedin during Show Week, but L~ did not go to tho Show. Wc- have three pet lambs to feed, and they are a real bother. ] ns they all come round at once, and nearly

knock one; down in their hurry to get fed. Where are yon, Crow Eater? You are very quiet these times; but I expect you are too busy to havb tiime to write. What do you know about salt Elbon? I sincerely hope there fare 'plenty left in Milton, as I am going up to stay with Elmo Athol after New Year, and wo will need salt herrings to keep us lively. You know, I live near the sea, and if f went fishing X might by chance get some herrings; but there is a scarcity of salt, and I may not have enough fo salt them. I wonder when tho weather is going to be fine? The farmers will not get their turnips in until Christmas if it doesn’t dry up soon. There are very high tides just now, and there are no nice shells to bo got. Well, I must bring this letter to a close, and shall wish all the L.F. a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and the same to yourself, Dot. Dove from — Yours truly, MAID OF HONOUR. [Thank you, Maid of Honour; and accept my best wishes for a very pleasant holiday at New Year.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have a new doll, and am making a cradle for it. We are going to make a Christmas tree this year, and I ana dressing a doll for it. Our cherries ar® nearly ripe, and 1 have pickling onions in my garden which are coming up well. My mother went to Dunedin to-day, and oiur teacher is going on Monday, when we shall have holidays.—Yours truly, FIR PINS. [How delightful to have a Christmas tree, Fir Pins I You will have good fun, I am sure. 1 hope you enjoy your holidays.—• DOT.] Dear Dot,—-It is very wet and disagreeable to-day, but I hope it will be line soon. 1 have left school now, as our school examin*tion is over, and I have passed. We live on a farm, and have 20 cows to milk. My little sister is trying to write to you tonight. We have a nice vegetable garden with many different kinds of young plants in it. We are not having a concert this year, as most of the school children could, not attend it. My sister and 1 are learning music, and I like practising very hard. There are a good many D L.F. about here, but they very seldom write. I think I shall close now. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, CINDERELLA 11. II am pleased to hear you did so well at school, I hope you will find much pleasure in your music.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Wc are enjoying some beautiful summer weather here just now; but lately there have been some very heavy showers of rain, and on exceptional occasions there has been a slight fall of snow on the high lands. I have met several D.L.F. who live around here, and every week 1 see one of their letters in tho page, so I thought 1 would send another letter too. 1 have different cousins belonging to the D.L.F. band; but for a long time one of them has boon unable to continue her usual correspondence owing to her ill-health, which bus lasted for months. The D.L.F. members up here ar® forming a club, and soon we hope to give a concert and dance just as a beginning. tn a week or two our annual school concert i*| to be held, and it is expected to be as great a success as the previous ones have been. But now you will be tired of reading my letter. Dot, so I must close. Love to Star of Xlaka, Faithful Fido, and yourself.— Yours truly, ROYAL HIGHNESS. [I am so sorry to hear of yoiy cousin’s illness, Royal Highness, and hope that when ‘.he warm weather comes she may be quit® restored to health.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Once again we have changed our residence, and we now reside in Caledonian road, Oamani. We are only about one rnilo front 1 lie centre of the town, and it is just a nice walking distance. We have not a large flower garden—two square plots in front of the house, and a few flowers on one side. At i resent it is very weedy, us it has been too wet to wvrk much in it. I bar® some seedlings through the ground now. It is about seven weeks last Friday since we came here. We had a wedding here three weeks last Wednesday, at which I was bridesmaid. About the end of October [ started learning dressmaking in Oamaru, and 1 like it very well. 1 go Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10 o’clock till 5. I first made a creme radinnta one-pioce dress for myself, then a black one for my youngest sister, and now I am finishing a blue-and-wbite slrinecl on® for an elder sister. I am milking two cows and will soon have another one. We have a new Alfa Laval separator. We have ono calf, a pig, and a cat. We have a number of gooseberry and black currant bushes, but not many large fruit trees. November baa been very wet this year.* This afternoon wo had a very heavy thunder shower and tho rain canto down in torrents. Well. Dot, I shall close now. hoping to* see this letter in print. With love to the L.F. and yonrscU Voiirs Duly, MOONFLOWER. fit must he very nice to be able to make one s own clothes, Moonflower, as then one could have a much larger assortment of ggh«. So pleased you like dressmaking.— Dear Dot,. I am a little girl six years old, and I would like to write to you. I shall be glad when Christmas comes, because mother is going to take mo for a holiday tq Christchurch, where I shall see my brother i, 1 ” 1 ' I _ havq a pet, lamb, and his name is Bobs. My sister says I have written enough for my first letter, so goed-bve, dear Dot Love to all the L.E.—Yours truly M OTHE R’S DA R LING. [I am so pleased to receive your letter dear, and hope yon have a pleasant time in Christchurch during your holidays. DOT.JDear Dot, — May I join your happy band) 1 am 11 years old, and in the Fifth Standard at school. Our school concert is on Thurs. day, December 1, and we are all practising for it. We have eight pet lambs, and 1 always feed them. Are you going to the Clutha Show on Friday, Dot? I must close now as it is bedtime. Love to Daisy Blackburn. Bride’* Cake, Honeysuckle, and all the D.L.F., not forgettdns: vom-p-elf —Yours t,ul >’. CHRISTMAS LILY. [No, I did not go to the S ’>ow. dear. Tha weather hero was too unscttVd and cold to go away from home. Certainly, you may join us.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Summer has come, but as yet no warm weather. Most of the native flowers are past now—the lawyer, the maple, and" tho clematis are all done flowering; but there ard still a few left. It was only last Saturday that I noticed how beautifu' the bush looked with ail the different shades of green. Tho small native shrubs are out in bloom, and tho other day I found a branch of what we call snowberry; but I found that its scientific name is Oaultheria. I suppose most of the country L.F. have seen it. It grows to a height of a foot or more. It has small loaves, almost round in shape and the flowers are bell-shaped; small, but verypretty to look at. There is another plant or shrub, some relation to tho Oaultheria, for its flowers are shaped the- same, only smaller, but its leaves are altogether different. It grows like the Scotch heather. The berries -are bright red when ripe and in the sunlight, and they arc just like tiny cups and saucers. Another of the native plants T know is tho orchid, or, at least, one of the many kinds, known as Corvsanfbcs mac- ■ antha; wo call it the ‘"spider” orchid. The

leaves come above the ground about the mi die of October, and gradually grow until they arc about an inch in diameter, I he eurface of the leaf is a nice, green, and tho underneath is silvery, and the flowers. come about the midle of November or before, ino “feelers” resemble a spider’s legs. The pretty, •wild, white violets are Just about past, home have blue veins coming from the centre,_ ana others have yellow; and the latter are hiffger than the others. One day Linnet brought home some which were quite pui pie-red Just another plant, the bourne ever last in daisy, is out in full bloom now and the hd slopes are quite white with them These daisies will last a long time if pu led and hunt* up. Those who do not care for v\ .Id flowers will be tired of this, so here goes As the weather has been fair, cycling is permitted, and it is just lovely to ha%e^a !h ;n e bik r 9 °it'ti. e b “L,i” "itari. iV.° » horse disadvantage, J-hat is uy x horse better than a bike. You can talk to a noise, and it can hear and understand hut a bike is as dead as a door-nail. In m last letter said I was hoping to g° o . _ fernhills. -"Well, I did go, and it was nice, only I was alone, and there was one drawback in my wander—l was very stiff “ the previous day s ndei on hoisebacK. tell the trlith. 1 don’t think I over felt so stiff before; but I didn’t have to take my meals at the mantelpiece, or he on a -ofa next day I think that the bush where I S S i.lt th, home of birds. Oh how their joyous songs resounded! hut now Viola Cornista is describing she found, and it is really saw a dotterel this afternoon as I was comm* from school 1 think I’ll have to stop now. Wlfh kS. regards to Bo.d, E™««£ Fiddler-up-to-date, Hearty Lassie, 1 ukete, and yourself.—Yours trulv | VY DIAMOND. letter a ?vy Diamond. Yfound “eeveral varieties t!. 0 e vou describe I did not know ants were ?o Vo found in the South Island, so I have gleaned some information from jour lette . DOT.] .... „ Dear Dot,—We have throe cows milking, Sib TtVbS'lm f:?: ‘ chickens I gather stamps now and have a^good 11 few. fly father h« ] -tartedjto shear his sheep. l\c have two litJe to-ia since I last wrote. We have hot %crj m flowers out in the garden. Did yaa go l see the big steamer wrecked at the Otago Heads a while ago? Maid of Honour and 1 have just come in from feeding the little calf and the rain is teeming down. Me had Elmo Athol staying with us for a ' veek -. had a good time. I go back l » sc "!, on the Ist of December after a month s holiday. We have not been trying to fish, as there is hardly a night to try, since it is always raining. It will soon be time to cow the turnips. Tho farmers are wondering when they will get their shearing done. Maid ot Honour has a piece of willow tree growing m the garden. One night, just as we finished milking, the biggest calf got out of the pen so I took a bucket to get it to follow me to the pen, but the calf was not having any; so Maid of Honour came along with a ropo to catch it, and we were going to run it down, but we tired first. Maid ol Honour caught it round the neck, and- was pain" to hold it, but the calf was too much for her. Next minute I looked round, and there was Maid of Honour lying flat on the ground and the calf ever so far away. After much trouble we got the calf. Have you gone to sleep. Queen of the O ipsies ? I think I shall bring this to a close now with love to Elmo Athol, Crow Eater. Blair Dale, and Glenledi, not forgetting yourself. Lot. Yours truly. FISHER GIRL. [You had a lively time with the calf, Fisher Girl.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —You must think that I am never going to write to the dear old page again; but I have awakene.d to my responsibilities. My mother has eight little chickens, but we had to help one out of its shell. My sister is learning a recitation for the concert. News is scarce, so I shall close. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting vourself. —Yours trulv, BRIDE’S BLOSSOM. [Glad to find you writing once again. Bride’s Blossom. I hope your sister does well at the concert. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —It will not bo long till we got our six weeks’ holidays, and I shall be glad, for then I might go for a holiday. My mother is reading the paper, and my sister is playing with a doll, which she calls Mabel. We went to Sunday school, and coming home we got wet through, and our shoes wore covered in mud. We have two cats, and their names are Dot and Trix. Our Sunday school teacher gave my youngest sister two roses, and they were such hig ones. Our teacher is going to leave school this year. I must close now with love to all the Little Folk.—Yours trulv, BROWN SCONES. [I hope you did not take cold after such a soaking.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The Winter. Summer Show is on Wednesday, November 26 and I am going to it if it is fine. It is the first Summer Show there lias been in Winton. My birthday is the day before the Show, and I wiH bo 10 years old. I will be in th© Fourth Standard soon. A friend of mine has been staying with me for a fortnight. and she just went home to-day. One of my pet lambs died, and the one that is alive is getting very big. 1 cal! him Jock. Last week wo had our examination at school. A Farmer’s Lass is my mate at school. At our school wo all get prizes at tho end of the year. I will tel! you all about the Winton Show in my next letter. J will write a piece of poetry. MR FROG. “Well, good-bye. Mr Mouse; This umbrella I’ll lend. If you're caught by a shower, You will find it a friend.” MR MOUSE. “If I’m caught by a- shower It will surely be that ; But it won't help me much If I’m caught by the cat.” (Just then pussy did come round the corner, and Mr Mouse in his hurry to be off. forgot to borrow that umbrella after all). Love to A Farmer’s Lass and vourself.— Yours trulv. PRINCESS PATRICIA. [Sorrv vou lost one of vour pet lambs, dear. —DOT.] ' Dear Dot. —At one time I promised to ■write once a month, but I cannot find the time; but, although I don’t write often, I take an interest in the page. I am always ready for the Witness on Thursdays, and when I get it I turn up the old page and read it. I was going to send in a paper for last open meeting; but I did not got it written in time. However, I will try to get it read for next meeting. Well, Dot, Christmas is coming, and it brings pleasure to most people. Where on earth have you got toi Caterpillar. You have not had a letter i:i for ever so long. Wo are milking 28 cows

now and feeding 18 calves, and lovely work it is in bad weather. How would you you like to be at that, Princess Edna? I am sure it is worse than two cales. By the bye, I will answer your letter soon, comrade. Well, Dot, I will close now with best love and wishes to all the L.F. and yourself. —Yours truly, LITTLE CUPID. [You must have your work cut out feeding so many animals, Little Cupid, and I am sure it must be disagreeable in bad weatber. DOT.] Dear Dot,— May I join your happy band? I am 15 years old, and have left school. It is very cold weather here, lately. I have a pet parrot, which I call Uncle Pat, and he can say anything,, at nil. Christmas will soon be here again. I was out fishing on the bridge, and caught six mullet; not bad for me, was it, Dot ? I am working at a place with Vogel, who has left Mossburn. xou would think she was just a schoolgirl, niaking toffee, and she cam make it, too. Well, now dear Dot, seeing this is my first letter, I will close, hoping to see this epistle in print. With kind regards to all Little hoik, not forgetting vourself. —Yours truly. CAPTAIN SCOTT. [Yes, you may join us, Captain Scott. Your angling effort.j were most successful. 1 can quite imagine how you appreciate the toffee. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—l would like to become one of your Little Folk. 1 am II years old, and as we are living in such a* lonely p.ace it is such a pleasure to read the Little Folks letters. Our nearest neighbour lives a mile and a-haif from us. We are surrounded with bush, and there is a river quite near us, also another river between us and the township." The bridge was swept away with the big flood, so my brother and I can't go to school; but we shall be going to Stewart Island soon, and then we can get to school. I have four brothers and two sisters, butboth my sisters are away from home. My father and eldest brother work away from home, and we see them only once a week. Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself, dear Dot, from —Yours trulv, GIPSY COUNTESS. [I shall bo pleased to know you form friendships among the D.L.F. through the medium of the page, dear, and also that you enjoy reading it. Will you please write on one side of the paper only, deer.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l wish to join your happy band. I am 12 years old and in the Fourth Standard; but as our examination is now on, 1 am hoping to pass into the Fifth Standard. I live with my grandfather, who has been a subscriber to the Witness for many years, and 1 always like to read the letters from Dot’s Little" Folk. We have a very pretty and clean town here, in the centre of which is a large square containing four smaller squares, each one being beautifully laid out in gardens and ponds. I shall close now, as this is my first letter. —Yours truly. HEATHER BELL. [I sincerely hope you do pass, dear. We are glad to welcome you to the page. Your description of your town makes one long to see it.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Just a line to let you see fhai I am still in the land of the living. I don’t write often, but there never seems to be anything to write about in this part. Since .-si lust wrote O.W.W. has come and gone. The only O.W. here that had a letter in was Ratine. She used to write fairly often as a L.F., which is more than I do. There was a school concert and dance here a few weeks ago, and there were a good few present. The Invercargill Summer Show will soon be held, and I intend going this year. By the time this appears in print it will be over. I am patiently waiting for that promised letter. Shining Sunbeam ; and for one from you also, Girl in Love. I suppose that some of my correspondents will bo thinking I haveforgotten them, but I will write to them in the sweet and elusive future. Christmas will soon be round now; but it is always as quiet as ever here then. There are to be sports ou the day before Christmas, and I suppose I shall be going. I was at the last, but didn’t run in any race; hud I done so I would have had a big hope of winning anything! Everyone is very busy just now. Shearing time will soon be round for us now, and I shall have to fly round then to cook for tho aheareis. After that harvest will be coming on. so one is always kept busy on a farm. It has been fairly good lately, which is a change from last year, rtxcuse all errors, Dot; but everyone is busy talking, and I can’t write with fhe noise, so I had better close now with love to Lady Connie, Frolic, Lass From Carlowrie, Holly Bush, Niobe, Waipupukaka, Cinderella, Motherless Girl, Girl in Love, Taicri Belle, and all the rest of the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, REVA. [There is no doubt one can always find employment on a farm, Leva; but very few serin to grumble at their lot, and, on the whole, everyone seems happy—DOT.] Dear Dot, —IV o are having semr fine weather now. We have seven cows milkin'*, and my sister milks two. Our flower garden at school koks very pretty. We get our Christmas holidays in three weeks, and we also get our prizes. I have not been absent this year Irom school, so 1 shall get the first attendance certificate. I gathered a great many birds’ eggs this year. I have a starling that builds her nest in a hollow post every year. T was out rabbinim on Saturday with, a little fox terrier, but did not catch any rabbits. I think 1 shall atop now.— Yours truly, BIRDNEST. [I am sure you are looking foiward to prize-giving day and holidays at the same time, Birdnest. lam delighted to know your attendance has been so perfect.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Our examination is over now and I have passed, so I shall bo in Standard IV next year. The Winton Show was on the ■26th, and there was a crowd of peonle there The weather is good lately, and 1 wish it would always be. but I suppose a shower of rain will soon be our lot. Our Christmas holidays will soon bo hero now, and I will bo glad when they come. I think I shall stop now, as my news has run short. Goodbye. Love to Hollyhock, Oakficld, Curlv Jean, and not forgetting vour'■elf Your= truly, HAZEL KIRK. fl trust you may have an enjoyable time durii g your holidays, clear, sines you are so eager for them. Very pleased you have passed.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —Still another seeking admission to your ever-increasing band. I have always taken an interest in the page, and have found the letters very interesting. I have often thought of joining, but have always put off until I have only four years to write.. but I hope to make th© best of them. I may say that we live about eight miles from Maslcrton, and about the same distance from Carterton. The Waingawa River is about five minutes’ walk from our house, and wo are only about seven miles from the foot of Mount Holdsworth, in the Tararua Range. I left with a party of five others to make tho ascent of it on January 21, 1913, but we were disappointed in not being able to reach the summit. We did not go past the accommodation house, as it was far too wet to proceed further. However, we hope to have better luck next time. I have been up to the summit once. The view one obtains of the surrounding district is very nice indeed,

and on a clear day and with the aid of. a pair of field-glasses one can see as far as Mount Egmont. One can also see the faint outline of the Kaikcuras in the south. The view one gets is well worth a little exertion to obtain it. There are always large parties go up during the Christmas vacation —some coming from the South Island as well as from all parts of the North Island. We are experiencing very unsettled weather at present, and we have had seme terrible gales of wind, which have done considerable damage to the flower gardens. Well, I think this letter is quite long enough considering it is my first one. Hoping I have not already taken up too much of your valuable space,—Yours truly, MOUNTAIN LILY. [Your letter was most interesting. Mountain Lily, and lias made me wish to visit your scenery when next I am in that vicinity.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I hope you will let me join your happy band. I have left school, and am just turning 17. I hope I am not too old for your page. Most of my mates are D.L.F., and they tell me I could not do better than join our-happy band. This is all I have to say to you in my first letter, so I shall close now. Love to all D.L.F. and ■ yourself.— Yours truly, HIGHLAND LADDIE. [L.F. are permitted to write till they are 30 years of age, when they retire and appear once a year during O.W. Week. I trust you may have a happy time while you arc among us.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —As there are a few members of your jolly club down here, 1 thought I would like to join also. We are getting very bad weather lately, but it is clearing up a little to-day. We have 1G cows milking,' and we go to iho factory every day. Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, —Yours truly, THE NIGHTINGALE. [The same wishes *o you, dear, and thanks for your greeting.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —A very bitter wind is blowing to-night, and 1 think it will ram before long, as ttiere arc a lot of black clouds hanging round. The crops round her© are all looking well. Wo have a good garden this year - r it contains radishes, lettuce, cabbage, silver beet, peas, carrots, onions, and cauliflower. No, Shining Sunbeam, Annie does not write to the page. Fairy Maid is my youngest sister. The Winton Show was held last Wednesday, and turned out to be a great success, nearly 3000 being present. We had our pony in, and it took a first and a third prize. I was rather glad I did not go, because they got "a thunderstorm, and coujd not find shelter. A bazaar was held in tho evening of tho Show Day, The people will be very busy here next week, mustering for the shearing. It is a pretty sight to see the sheep streaming over tho hillside with all their little lambs. A friend and I went for a drive to their bush section, and the road was very bad. In one place we went down to the axle; but that was soon forgotten, for we struck a hard, metal road, blasted out of the hillside. The scenery was beautiful —tho hill above us was covered with bush, and wo could look down below, at a depth of 40 feet, to a very wide and deep creek, with bush growing on its banks. Did you ever seo Christmas mistletoe? It is a deep red, and the flower is shaped like a honeysuckle, and has a very sweet smell. Christmas is close at hand now, and most of the women will be making their Christmas cakes and plum puddings, and the little ones are all talking about Santa Claus. Were you at the Show on Wednesday. Whit© Heath and Oreti, why don’t you let us hear from you? Marianian has been homo for a week; she was sick, but she went back to work to-day. I think I am going to tiie Invercargill Show, which is on December 9 and 10. Our goose brought out 11 goslings at the first sitting, and now she is sitting on seven more eggs. I heard you were at the Show, Shining Sunbeam. I am afraid you would find it hard work dodging round the street corners, comrade, because there arc not many street corners in Win ton. Did you speak to many of the L.F. ? There has been a lot of sickness round this corner of the district. The school holidays will be here in three weeks’ time. There has been an awful to-do about the strikes, lately, hasn’t there, Dot? Annie*says she will write to you. this week. Milk Can, you will be getting plenty of knocking about now, comrade. I must close now, as it in getting dark. Wishing all comrades and our Queen a merry Christmas.—Yours truly, QUEEN MAYONNAISE. [Thank you for your good wishes, dear, and for myself, I wish you tho happiest of times at Christmas and New Year.—uOT.J Dear Dot, —At present it ia raining very heavily, and the turds are singing merrily. What interesting letters Queen Eiizabotti, Linnet, and Mistress Jean write! When I sat down, I had pages of news to tell you; but they all liy away to a place I do not know 01. 1 saw a letter from Niobe in the Witness this week. Doll Uinks and Snowdrop 11, hurry up and write to the page, comrades. It will soon be Christmas again. 1 hope you are enjoying your holiday, Snowdrop 11. You haven't got very good weather for it, if it is like what it is hero. Doll Dinks, did one of tho birds peck off your head, that you have not written to Dot for such a time. We got our mail on Tuesday, Thursday, ami Saturday, and on each ol these days I have to carry our own and two neighbours’ mails, and i can tel! you 1 have a good few papers to carry. On Thursdays 1 go to tho Technical College, and my sister carries it then. I go across the Narrows in tli© boat with Lupin, and walk into Riverton, a distance -of about three miles or more. I have only two more days to go, and then wo break up. 1 like cooking,' and would like to go all the year round. I will close now to leave more space for letters of more interest than mine. Wishing Dot, comrades, and all tho D.L.F. a merry Christmas and a happy Now Year, and with kind regards to Lupin, Snowdrop 11, Doll Dinks, Niobe, lied Daisy, and Everlasting Daisy, not forgetting your dear self.—Yours truly, QUEEN OF THE EAIKIES. [lt is a peculiar thing that when one sits down to write to friends, inspiration is invariably wanting, Queen of the Fairies. Nevertheless, your letter was most interesting. Thank you for your wishes.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is raining very heavily todav. I have just read Queen Elizabeth’s letter, and found it very interesting, although I do not know- her. Wo have on© cow, and my sister and I have to go for her. We have to go about half a mile through bush, and we leave the gat© open as we go; and. of course, tho cow has a different track, and when we go out in tho paddock we look about, but she is not to Ire found. When we come home again, the cow is there before us. Last night I went down and opened the gate, because she comes home herself. When wo were going for her wo were just about at tbo paddock when I saw her footprints. I said she must be away home. Wo went home, and never thought of looking to see if she went past tho gate before we went away, and that is where she was, _ It is not very nice in the bush when it is raining, is it, Dot? Our school examination was held about a week ago, and I hope I have passed. Doll Dinks is my cousin, and she told me that she gets birds’ eggs and sells

them. I think she ijas made five shillings. Hurry up, and write to me, Doll Dinks; 1 am expecting a letter from you every da-y. My sister writes to Niobe. Christmas will bo here before we know where we are. I do not think I will write again before Christmas, so I will wish you a merry Christmas and a happy Now Year. We hay© seven hens, and w© got seven eggs yesterday. My tincle is staying at our place now, and he ia a hard case. I will close now with love to Snowdrop 11, Dolly Dinks, Niobe, Lupin, Queen of the Fairies, and Red Daisy, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, EVERLASTING DAISY. [As you will not bo writing again I must take this opportunity of wishing you a happy Christmas -and prosperous New Year, dear, and at the same time thank you for your kind greeting.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Would you like some post-cards of Kaeo. a township near us? W© are having fine weather just now, and I suppose you are having the same kind of weather, too. I think I shall have to send the stamps along for the badge. I have met with an accident; I cut my foot on a piece of glass, and the doctor said I will not be able to go to school until after the Christmas holidays; Tho doctor put three stitches in it. I like reading. and 1 am reading a book called “For God and the King," The garden is looking quite green now, and we are having a nice lot of vegetables. The doctor was up tc-day, and was going to take out the stitches; but he said I had better leave them until next week. I think I must draw this letter to a close, so with love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, J KONINI. [I am so sorry you have boon so unfortunate, Konini, and I do hope your foot will soon be quite better again. I bc pleased to receive the post-card. UUJ..J Dear Dot,—l passed at school, and am in the Fourth Standard. It is a very wet day. and it has been wet for a week and a dnv. with only one fine afternoon.. It ?s verv'stormy, and it is thundering a lot. There is a lot of trouble over the strike, it is the bigge§t strike I can remember. News is scarce, so 1 shall close with a riddle:—ln marble walls as white as milk, Silken lining soft as silk, Within a fountain crystal clear; No doors are there to this stronghold, Yet thieves break in and steal the gold. The answer is an egg. I shall close now, as it is bed time.— Yours IT know what Roefton is like in stormy weather, Camelia, and how it can ram.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—l was very sorry not to see mv last letter in print. It has been raining all 1 he week. • Tho inspector came to our school to examine the children, and I passed into the Fourth Standard. A man came to our school to drill the school children, and cur teacher gives us drill every morning, which makes me very tired. We have a flower garden at school, and I have one at home. Christmas will soon be here once more, and I shall be very pleased. L am sending Is Gd- towards a badge, and 1 hope you will receive it safely. My sister has two rabbits at home. Have you any flower garden? Our hens are laying very well now, and we get five or six eggs a day. I know a good few D.L.F. up this way. Our holidays will soon be here, and we are having two visitors at our place. My sister and brother were up at the coal pit, and tne> enjoved themselves very much. Our roses will ' soon be out in PETRIEL. II have a flower garden, dear, but it is bereft of flowers at tho present time, as the rain and wind have spoilt all those endeavouring to bloom. —DOT.] Dear Dot,-Wo had our examination about a month ago, and I passed into the -tilth Standard. I milk tho cow every night, and I tret, half a bucket of milk. We have a good many birds’ eggs, and my brother and 1 have gathered nearly all of them. Our grass is about 2ft high, and it will soon be ready for cutting. Love to all tho D.L.I . ana yourself. Yours truly, BROWNIE. [Congratulations on your success at school, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—Just a few lines to let you see I have not forgotten you. It is raining very hard here to-day, so there is not much pleasure out of doors. Did you go to tho Dunedin Show, Dot ? I have never been, in Dunedin, but 1 would very much like to go. Balclutha is tho farthest north I hate beem I come from Invercargill and I think it is a lovely place. Oropuki is the farthest south 1 have been, and it is a ver> small township. I do hope tho weather clears up before Friday, December 5, because I intend going to th e y Clutha Show. When it is wet H is miserable, and I am tired of wet weather; are yru not, Dot? I do not knew many D.L.F. I received your pretty P°»t card' Long wood Blossom, for which I thank you very much. 1 received your nice postcard of the part of the Exhibition. Bov and many thanks for it. I will answer it very shortly. Well, Dot, I think I shall do e now, as I can’t, think of any more news this time. With best regards £ Silver Cup, Longwood Blossom, and eUI Boy, not forgetting yourself and all tiro other D.L.F. -Yours truly, BQK I If ever you are in Dunedin, Bon Ami, you must call and see me, and I know the club members would give you a warm welcome J. hone vou enjoy yourself at the Show. DOT.]' Dear Dot, —Our examination was about three weeks ago, and I am glad to say i massed, and am now in Standard 11, *o l must try and work hard this coming year There are about 3G going to the school, and onlv two failed, so our teacher was very pleased, as ho has to teach us all himself. Well, dear Dot. wc are having a lot or rain up here and everything is looking lovely and green, but the farmers are all wanting line weather to get their sheep shorn. We are ail looking forward to our Christinas holidays and it will not bo long now till wo have thorn. I hope to go away for a week or two after New Year, if all goes well, to rec some of my aunties. We have two cows milking, and also two pet lambs to feed. Do you like pot lambs, Dot ? I do very much; and I also have a nice black cat' -v.; call Nigger. Ho got caught in a trap vosterday, and has a very sore foot. Now, 'dear Dot, I think I must slop. Love to all the I. F. and yourself.—Yours truly, TINY ROSE. [I am so pleased you uassed. Tiny Rose, and hone yon have a good holiday. Nigger s foot will, I trust, soon be quite well again. I have only once possessed a pet lamb, and I enjoyed watching its antics very much. — DOT.]' Dear Dot. — Since last writing 1 have been to Christchurch twice. Tho first time I had to got five teeth slopped, but even then I had a good time. Wo stayed only five days, and went to four parties—three were dinner parties and one was a tea party. The second time we all went to the Show and stayed a week. I have been very bad with a cold for tho last week. We are shearing now, and wo are blocked with the bad weather. \\ r e are all going to Mount Peel next Sunday if it ia fine. Twelve of ns are going—the ladies in the car, and the men are driving.

I don’t think I have told you. Dot, that we have a magpie. Dad caught it in a neighbouring plantation, and we hope it will soon start to talk. It ie just a young one. My cousin, Canterbury Jiell, recited Curfew Shall Not King To-night.’ She is a very good reciter, and recites at concerts. One of my friends has just passed a hard musical examination, and I wish I were as clever as she at music. Dad says he is going to get her to teach him. I shall close with some riddles:—(l) Where will the Prince of Wales go at 21? (2) What bridge cant a man cross? (3) When is a tall man short? Love to Queen Alexandra and Canterbury Bell.Yours truly, MARION. IT am so glad you had such a jolly time in Christchurch, Marion. Who knows ? perhaps one day you may blossom into a splendid musician. I hope so. DOJ..J Dear Dot, —The weather has been very wet lately, but to-day it has been fine. We have 12 ducks’ eggs set, and they will bo out on the 6th, when I shall be glad, as 1 think a duck’s egg is very tasty; don t jou, Dot? Our cow’s name is Topsy, and she is a very big cow. I remember, Dot, 1 asked you for a name for my doll. I picked Gwendoline—l do like that name. My little sister Beatrice has a doll named Lucy. VV e get eight eggs from our hens. We have potatoes and radishes ready for eating, and the lettuce, mustard, and cress will be ready for, Christmas . I always hang up my stocking at ‘ Christmas. There are a great many kingfishers’ nests about in the bush just now. My little brother found a goldfinch's nest: young goldfinches are nice. Our school break-up evening was on-November 21, and I got n nice big prize named “Sunday,” and my brother got one named “Busy Little People.” There is a nice story continued right through my prize. The name of it is “Castle Dangerous -of Canada." I like it very much, and. I am very fond of reading. I forgot to tell you at first 1 got my prize for writing and general improvement. My loving Dot. I think I shall close now, as I have three other letters to write.— Yours truly. EEC MOANA. fl am so pleased, dear, you received a prize. I hope you have such a happy time during the holidays.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —What terrible wcatber we are having down hero; hut I suppose it is just the same in Dunedin. Our flowers are out, and they are locking so nice. We have a lovely cream rosebush, and I made up such a nice big buttonhole, and sent it in a small tin down to Southland. I am watching every mail to got a letter from them to say if they got it. The Balclutha Show is on Friday; but I don’t think I shall go, ae I am going to the Owaka one on the 17th. My aunty’s baby took first prize at the baby show in Mataura. I shall be glad when Christmas is over this year. The native bush is out in blossom just now, and 'it looks beautiful. The people down here are trying to get a hall, but whether they will succeedor not I do not know. I mad© a nice big cake to-day, and my sister Eeo Moana crushed it to death, as it was hot when she put the box on it. Wake up there, A Lad From the Bush and Tui; yon are my cousins, and this is spring, you know. And you also, Sea Maiden and Tibby Tartan; I have found out who you are; I used to go to school with you. Well, Dot, it is time all respectable people were in bed, so I shall give my fondest love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, SHINING LIGHT. [I am sorry about the - fate of the cake, Shining Light; but I hope you are more fortunate next time. Keep a watch cn Eeo Moana’s movements, and warn her off the danger zone.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is a good many months since my first letter last appeared in print. What kind of weather are you having? It is either blowing or raining here all the time lately. I am learning music, and I like it very much. Our examination is next week some time, and I do hope I shall pass, because I shall then leave school. My eldest brother is in Wellington carting goods from tho wharves, and my second is at the Victoria College in Wellington, but I suppose he will soon bo homo for his holidays. I have some cousins writing to the page, but I do not know their noms de plume. Our flower garden ii looking well now, although, this weather does not agree with it. I went to the Palmerston North Show on the People’s Day, but did not see any badges. I shall give the L.F. a riddle:—Why did tho fly fly? My sister is waiting to go to bed, so I must close with best wishes. Hoping you will excuse this writing,—Yours truly HOUSEMAID. [I shall endeavour to think of something suitsnlo for the occasion, Housemaid, and post it to you through the week. Best wishes for that day.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have just had our inspector’s examination, and 1 have passed into the I* ifth Standard. Wo hav© a week’s holidays next week on account of tho bazaar being held in our scliool. The Show was held last Wednesday, and I was greatly disappointed when I was not allowed to go. There wore only two sideshows on account of the strike. We have had a great deal oT rain this year, and the vegetables and grass are coming on very well. I have a vegetable garden of my own, Dot. To-day my father was busy sowing Indian corn to give to the cows next winter, when there is little grass. Wc are milking only one cow, but others will soon be in. One of our cats has two little grey kittens, and their eyes have not been long open. My mother is calling me to bed now, so I must close, with love to all the L.F. and yourself, Dot.—Yours truly, ARROW OF FIRE. [I think the Indian corn looks so pretty when it is up for some time —it is such a lovely shade of groan. I remember admiring it when visiting Nelson some time a."o DOT.] Dear Dot,—l have been staying with my cousin for about six weeks, and I went to school there. 1 am in tho Sixth Standard now'. Golden Whip and Hello o’ the Brow are in tho same standard as I am. 1 know such a lot of D.L.P now, Dot—Mayflower I, CJ olden Whip, Blue Ribbon 11, Bonnie Heather, Hieland Lassie, Empire, and a good few' others. Bonnie Heather is my cousin. 1 have five brothers, all younger than myself, the youngest being two years old, and I am the only girl. There was a ball in the Poolburn School last Friday w'eek; but I did not go to it. The girls hav© a flower garden at our school, and the boys have vegetables and fruit trees in their garden. It is blowing very hard now, and it is so very cold outside. Have you read any of these books, Dot? “John Halifax, Gentleman,” “Dusty Diamonds,” “Tessie’s Trust,” “Audrey, or Children of Light,” “Was I Right,” “Uncle Toms Cabin,” “Cornin' Thro’ the Rye,” “Good Wives, Little Women,” “Anderson’s Fairy Tales,” or “The Magic Mirror”; I have read all these books, and a good many others. Here is a story for the D.L.P. Once upon a time there lived in the world a dear little girl who had no one to care for her but an old blind grandmother. These two lived in a, tiny cottage, and they were very poor; but they loved each other dearly, and they did not care about poverty. One sad day the grandmother died, and little Greta sat down and cried herself to sleep. Some fairies came to Greta, woke her up, and played with her; so she was happy for ever. I think I will

close now. Love to Mayflower, yourself, and all the D.L.P.—Yours truly DOTTERELL. [Yes, I have read some of the books you named, Dotterell, but it is some considerable time ago now. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I got four teeth out with gas on November 13, and when I came out of the gas I said I wasn’t going to get any teeth out; ,1 was going home, but my teeth were all ouif. We are going to have our break-up concert on the 12th. I am going to sing. W© are going to have a holiday on next Friday and Wednesday for the Owaka and Clutha Shows. Well, Dot, as it is getting late, I will clbse.—Yours truly, BLUE OGIN. [I hope you do well at the concert, Blue Ogin, and do not suffer from nervousness; hut, perhaps, you are too young for that affliction.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I suppose you have had your experience of toothache, Dot? If I haven t before, I am getting it now, for my front teeth are aching. I have had toothache for the last week; but, as it is my_ front teeth, I do not want to visit a dentist just yet. Isn’t the strike awful. Dot? Sugar is running out, I can tel! you; how are you getting on with yours ? Christmas is very near now. We seemed to have such a long winter, I think, and it is still raining yet. The weatner is not very nice. The weather was bad for the Dunedin Show. I believe. My father and my sister went to it. Balclutha Show is on Friday, and the Owaka Show is on the following Wednesday. I do not know whether I am going or not yet. We are milking 20 cows at present, and I don’t know how many calves my sister feeds. Other cows are expected in soon, and we shall have to get up earlier then. Mv brother is doing some improvements here just now. The creeks were pretty high again, this morning but are down to normal to-night. My brother (Blue Ogin) was at home to-day, as he had a bad cold and mother would not let him go out. Do you ever knit stockings. Dot? I am knitting a pair for myself just now. and I think it is verv handv to he able to knit. Well. Dot, I think I have written enough for this time, as I am suffering from toothache. Hoping vou are lasting through this wet weather. Love and hs=t wishes to a]!. —Yours truly, SWEET PLUM. [I am sorrv vou are having such a bad time with toothache. Sweet Plum; and I hope you will soon get relief. Could not vou get them stopped instead of drawn ? DOT.] Dear Dot,—Since I last wrote to you we have had our school examination, and I passed into the Sixth Standard. After the examination we had a fortnights holiday, and I had a good time. One day I went up to a lady’s place where there was a little baby girl, so I spent the afternoon nursing her. Another day I went up to my schoolmate's place, stayed all night, and came home next day, and had an equally good time there. We started school to-day in earnest, and I hope, when the examination comes, it will prove we have really been working. My youngest brother, when he was homo for a holiday from "Wellington, gate mo Is Gd to buy ”a badge, and I am enclosing with this letter the stamps for one. It wid not be long till Christmas and the school holidays, to which I am locking forward, and hope I shall have an enjoyable time. Most of the birds arc laying their eggs now, and 1 have got a good many nests of eggs. Have you ever seen a-tortoise-shell stoat, Dot? Father and I saw a brown and white one playing about on a sheaf stack, and there was as much white as brown on it. One of our neighbours saw a pure white one. The weather has been very wet lately, hindering the farmers from shearing their sheep and from doing other farm work. We have three wee kittens about one month old. There are two black ones, and one grey one. We have over 100 chickens anc. about 150 hens. Well, Dot, I must close. Love to Glow-worm, Little Miss unity, Zebra, and yourself, and wishing all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.— Yours truly, ESTELLA. [I have not. to my knowledge seen a stoat of any description, Estella,.—DOT.] Dear Dot,— We are having very changeable weather here at present ; but the glass is going up, so 1 think it will bo fine eoon. There was a frost here on Sunday night, and it cut the tops of our potatoes in the paddock, but it did not hurt the ones in the garden. Since 1 last wrote to you, Dot, 1 was at a dance at Otapiri, and enjoyed myself very much. . I was at the Winton Show last week, and I mot Shining Sunbeam, Milk Cun, and her two sisters, who write to the page, but I do not know their N.D.P. Shining Sunbeam was wearing her badge. There was a large crowd at the Show; but the thunderstorm that came down about 3 o’clock spoilt it, as it made everything so sloppy and muddy. I got drenched to the skin. * I did not see it coming, or 1 would have run for shelter. O.W.W. was very good this year. I read nearly all the letters, and they were very interesting. Little Venus will reach Tetiling age next March. She docs not write very often to the page, neither does Red Rose. News is So scarce I hardly know what to write about. I have three cows milking, but I think I shall have four by the time this letter is printed. I wrote a letter to the page about a month ago, but the fire was the post office. Hasn’t this strike up in Wellington and Auckland been terrible ? I think the only thing it affected down hero was the sugar; but it is coming down to its usual price next week. 1 think I shall bring this letter to a close now. Wishing you and all the D.L.F. a merry Christmas and a haupy New Year, —Yours truly, ENGLISH LASSIE. [Thank you for your wishes, English Lassie, and accept my very best wishes for the coming festive time. When next you write fold your paper in two. Your letter was 100 wide for the plate of the linotype, and thus gave the operator considerable trouble. —DOT.] AUTOS. Farmer Boy (Willie Butcher, Pukckohe, Auckland) wishes to exchange post-cards with Teig, Green Grass, Inkpot, Puddock, Bookkeeper, and Queen Ellen. Lorna Boon II (Joan Bignell, Moana, West Coast) wishes to correspond o rexchan"e postcards with Grizzle, Bourn- Scotch Thistle Silver Whip, Wanaki Daisv* Stockman Hardcase Harry, and any other L.F. willing. Little Cupid (Sady Watt, Pyramid, via Gore) wishes to correspond with Florence Dombey and Cinderella. English Lassie (Miss E. A. Gibb’s, L-'me Hills, Post Office, Southland) wishes to exchange autos with any Little Folk willin'" Sure replies. ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK’S RIDD"LES. By Little Fairy.—(l) Cat, (2) Dog, (3) Read. DUNEDIN D.L.F. LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB. Motto: “Union is Strength.” The usual weekly meeting of the above I club was held in Dot’s room, on December | 2, at 8 p.m. Those present were; Francis! (president), Adelina (senior vice-president), I Girlie (junior vice-president). Oriel (secretary),

Possum (C.M.R.), Dulcie, Avice, Weary, Elbon, Wai-No-Tee, Orson, Eulalie, and a visitor. The president extended a cordial welcome on behalf of the club to Eulalie, a country comrade. The subject for the evening was the debate, Resurrection of the Invercargill Club Probable.” Possum led for affirmative side, supported bv Francis, Pterodactyl (paper), and Orsen (impromptu). Adelina led for the negative side, supported by Girlie (impromptu), Wai-No-Tee (impromptu), and Weary (paper). After the leaders had replied to the arguments, a vote was taken, with the result that the negative won -by six votes to five. The subject proved a very interesting one, and some sound arguments were brought forward by the speakers of both sides. No> doubt every D.L.F. would like to see the Invercargill Club working again, and the Dunedin Club members would welcome the event as much as the Invercargill D.L.F. The friendly rivalry which existed between the Dunedin Club and the Invercargill Club afforded great interest to one and all, and wo can only hope for the resurrection of the club. Who knows but what we will see the motto “Excelsior” once again in print. At the conclusion of 1 lie debate, Oriel moved and Possum seconded that the debate, “Who Should Light the Fire, the Husband or the Wife?’ which was to be held over until next year, take place on December 16, instead of the Magazine Evening' set down on the syllabus for that date. This motion was carried, Dulcie leads for the affirmative side, supported by Elbon, and Oriel for the negative side, supported by Girlie. Francis moved and Girlie seconded that, instead of the Open Meeting, set apart on the syllabus, a debate be held. There was not sufficient time to appoint leaders for the debate. ORIEL, Secretary.