DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 75

DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Dot Invites short letters from her young friends throughout the Dominoon on matters of interest to themselves, the result of their observations in the animal world, descriptions of anything they are interested in, of the district in which they live, of their school and homo life, holiday trips, &o. The letters are to be written by the little folk themselves, and addressed “Dot, care of Editor Witness.”

Dot’s Little Folk’s Badge with pin, for use as a brooch, obtainable on application to Dot. Price, Is 6d post free, in penny or halfpenny stamps. Ante. Cards are obtainable from Dot, Witness Office, Dunedin. Price, 3d for 25.

A SENSIBLE PROPOSAL. An Old Writer, Lavinia, has submitted a proposal, which, I think is a particularly good idea. She suggests that as such a number of L.F. have joined the Expeditionary Forces and Reinforcements, a list of their N.D.P.’s and names should be- published. This would lend an additional interest to the news concerning the forces, and all L.£. would, be able to follow the careers of their comrades. It is proposed that the members in our midst might supply the information etating the name, N.D.P., and unit the member belongs to.

These details would be published, and those who are interested in the page and its members could obtain an almost complete list of those members past and present who are serving their country. I have much pleasure in placing this proposal before the L.F., believing it will be taken up by the members, and the information desired supplied to me. If this is done we shall be able to follow the careers of our soldier comrades, and if "mentioned in despatches shall know immediately who is referred to. I now leave it to those members who have relations at the front to consider the matter, and ask them to supply the details required, such as: “My brother , Trooper —— is away with the Expeditionary Force now in Egypt,” or First, • Second, or Third Reinforcements as the case might be. I shall be pleased to publish such a list if the members supply the material. DOT. LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK Motto:—We write for the benefit of others, __ not for ourselves. No letter to contain more than 450 words. Dear Dot, —We went to the dance last Saturday. It was fine when we left to go, hut coming home it was raining very hard. We are milking only once a day now. One Sunday morning we left at half-past 9 to go to church, but did not get up to the bridge till after 11 o’clock, as we had to take a lame horse up with us. One of the settlers here was riding round a place called Gentle Annie, when his horse stumbled and went over the bank—a straight drop of 400 ft. The saddle hung halfway down on a tree, but was not damaged, with the exception that the girth broke. They got the saddle up. I think the rider was very lucky to be able to jump off the saddle so quickly, don’t you. Dot? I see there are two Sweet Rockets now. Please, Dot, will you give me a name for my little tom-cat? I have not seen a letter from Mother’s Lassie or Sweet Rocket lately. I have been reading a lot of books lately, and some of them are “Strive and Thrive,” “Wind and Wave,” “ Teddy’s Button,” and “ The Adventures of Phyllis.” The one I am reading now is called “ Peter Pengelly.” Have you read any of them, Dot? Clematis, mum, and I went to town last month, and we enjoyed ourselves very much. We went to see the pictures twice. We all got some teeth put. We are all busy studying for the examination, which takes place in the beginning of August, I hope to p&ss into tho Sixth Standard this year. With love to Mother’s Lassie and Sweet Rocket, not forgetting yourself and all the other D.L.F., Yours truly. _. YELLOW BANKSIA (Tiromoana) [What do you think of Tyras for a name for your cat, Yellow Banksia? —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having very favourable weather here lately. We are in the Sixth Standard iat school, and had our monthly examination to-day. Two of our brothers are away to the war._ They are fighting at the Dardanelles in Sir lan Hamilton’s Guards. The Lusitania was a terrible disaster, wasn’t it. Dot? W© do not know many D.L.F. about here. With love to the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly. „ SWEETHEARTS (Balfour). [You are progressing very well at school, Sweethearts. You must naturally feel very anxious about your brothers; hut I hope they may come through unscathed.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having horrible weather here, and there has been nothing but to<y for three days. It is also very cold. I thinlt I know who you are, Butterball. We feed our cow on mangolds now, as there is not much grass for her. She has been milking for nearly two years, and she gives us a good amount of milk. Hurry up, and write to the page, Waipupukaka, and also to me, as I have not had a letter from you for ages. The trees are covered with hoarfrost. I have not had a good elide this winter, as I am hardly ever outside, os it is too cold for me. I did not have to go under the operation, as I said in my last letter, as the new doctor in Alexandra said ft was not needed. I am still under his care, and 1 have not to go to school, but I do not care, os I would sooner be at home than at school in this weather. When you go outside you get your boots covered with mud. We cannot see anything of the Flat from where we live because of the fog. Colds are going around here, but I have not had one yet. When the Witness comes on Thursday, I airways read the D.L.F. letters first, as I like the D.L.F. page best. 1 like reading Elbon’s and The Rare Old gird’s letters from Egypt; but I do not low them. Kindest regards to Waipuputaka and A Day Dreamer, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, _ ~ A LONESOME LILY (Bald Hill Flat). [I am eo glad you have escaped an operation, A Lonesome Lily, and sincerely hope you may soon be quite well again. DOX.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I would be very pleased to join your happy band. We have two nice teachers at our school, and a nice flower farden, which we all help to keep clean, sn’t this a terrible war. Dot ? Such a lot

of young men are being killed! It is to be hoped that it will soon bo over. I did not go to the Winter Show this year, Dot as it is five miles to drive to get to the train, and very cold in the morning. "°y® to Lady Molly, Hill Princess, and Starlight Rose, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PATRIOTIC LASS (Manngatua). [Very pleased to have you join us, Patriotic Lass. Such a long drive in the winter time takes a lot of the pleasure away from a brief slay in town. —DOT.] Dear Dot—lt must be about 18 months now since I last wrote to the page, so 1 am not a very loyal member; but _ there s never much to write about up this way. The frost has been pretty bad here all last week, and, oh dear! it is awful getting up in the mornings; but these last few days I haven’t been getting up very early. A party from Invercargill gave a concert here some time back in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund, and they got over £7O, I behove. There was a bazaar' given by the English Church people last week, and the Presbyterian one is coming off later. I do not know what you will think of me. Frolic, for not writing to you; but I will write very soon. I see that one or two L.F. are away to the war, Welsh Boy among them. There will not be many men left here spoil, if the war goes on I will have to conc.ude now Love "to Holly Bush. Waipupukaka, Kathie, Mother’s Girl, Girl in Love, Annie Laurie, and yourself. —Yours truty^^^^

[lt is a pleasure to hear from you again, Etheree. I feel very disappointed at the older members dropping off in their letters. One always retains a keen interest in one s old friends. —DOT.]

Dear Dot—This is my first letter to the pa°e, and I want to become one of your Little Folk. I am in the Fourth Standard at school, and my sister and I drive five miles to school. There are 40 pupils. X live on a farm, and I like it very much. The nearest town is 10 miles away. I have to get up early on school days, and it is very cold those frosty inorniiigs.-r—Yours truly, DOLLY VARDEN (Oreti).

[Welcome to the page, Dolly Varden. I would be grateful if you enclose your name in your next letter, so I may enter it in my address book. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—l have left school now, and am working at home; hut I think I would sooner be at school than at home working. There was a recruiting meeting held here the other night, and five men enlisted A new Bible class has started here, and is held in the manse. There are only seven of us attend, and wo have had 14 meetings. Although there are so few of us, we have a secretary and a treasurer. I am also a member of the Busy Bees Club. I was at the Invercargill Winter Show, and enjoyed myself very much. Are you having wet weather at Dunedin, Dot? I really believe we are having better weather down here than we had a month or two ago. The farmers round about here have nearly all their harvest in now Stevenson’s Pictures were here last Friday night, but I did not go, as I do not like pictures. Mother goes to all the pictures and I go to all the concerts. Isn’t this war dreadful, Dot! There are quite a number of men away from here — some at the Dardanelles and some in Egypt. When news came of the landing at the Dardanelles there was a great noise here, the whistles all blowing and everyone cheering at once. I think the name Dardanelles is such a pretty one, don’t you, Dot ? It is nice to think that it was _ New Zealanders who helped to win that victory, isn’t it? I very much enjoy reading the D.L.F. troopers letters, and 'always look out for them every week. I also like reading the Roll of Honour in the Witness illustrations. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself Yours truly. ~ , , FENWICK LASS (Woodlands).

[The weather here has been quite on its best behaviour, Fenwick Lass, and we had glorious weather for the show and other attractions held recently.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is almost the middle of winter now, but it is not very cold. We have had some hard frosts down south, but nice, warm .sunny days. There are a lot of New Zealanders getting killed at the Dardanelles. One of my uncles went with the Second Reinforcements. We always look up the paper first thing to see who was killed or wounded. We have heard .nothing of him since he left Egypt. I went to the Invercargill Show, and I enjoyed myself, for we had a beautiful day, and such a crowd of people were there. The commercial travellers, .who were dressed up in all sorts of costumes, were collecting money for the Belgians. There was also a mock court, and it was amusing to see the people being run in. Two young men are leaving here on Friday for the front. There are five more children going to our school now, so that makes a total of 49. I am reading a book called “ Helen,” by Miss Edgeworth. I always read the letters from the L.P. who went to Egypt. We are milking seven cows, and feeding one calf I think it is getting near bedtime now. Love to Forget-me-not, Pink Heather Bloom, and Little Mary, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, RITA. [I am glad you enjoyed your day at the show, Rita. Given good weather, one invariably enjoys such an outing—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am in the Second Standard, and I like going to school. I have two cousins going to the war. We have two cows milking, and we have two pet sheep, their names being Toby and Topsy. I have two sisters writing to the page. We aro having very cold weather. With love to Pink Viola, Queen Sunbeam, and all the D.L F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, DEAR WEE LADDIE. [You must be very proud of your cousins, Dear Wee Laddie, and I hope they may return safely—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having some cold weather up here. I saw a letter in the paper last week from Elbon. He writes a nice letter. I am always looking for the photo of him and his little black Sambo in the Witness pictures. I would like very much to see them. Well, Dot, I have another brother enlisted to go to the war. Ho is leaving here on Friday for Trentham. My other brother is to leave Trentham on or about the 12th of this month. He says the place where they are camped is a mass of mud and water 4in deep. While I am writing this letter, Dot, my father is reading the war news, so sometimes I get puzzled and forget what I am writing about, as I am listening to him and writing to you at the same time. Some fine-looking young men aro being killed at the Dardanelles; wo see their photos in the Witness every week. There is going to bo a “ hard-up ” social in Roxburgh this week. Everybody is supposed to go in old clothes, and if you put on good clothes you get fined so much. It is to raise money for the Belgian Relief Fund. I saw in the paper where there are families in Dunedin almost starving. My sister, who lives in the Kaikorai, was telling us about them, as she took them a largo parcel of clothes Isn’t it awful to bo J like that, Dot, when the husband is away at the war? I suppose you get a headache sometimes. I never had one in

my life until last week, and since then I get it every night, and it is not a very nice feeling. There are not many flowers left now. Dot, as the chrysanthemums were about the last to bloom, and they arc nearly all frosted now. We had a nice garden, but all our draught horses got into it ono night, so you may imagine what was left after horses being in it all night. We had eight assorted rose bushes, and they destroyed them all, pulling them out by the roots. Wo were cutting chaff last week, and are not finished yet, as the enginedriver went away to the Winter Show, so we have to wait until he conies back before we can finish. 1 wish it was finished, as I have to get up so early in the mornings, and ride four miles out to where they are working and cook for them. The last time I was out I got caught in a storm coming home, and as I had neither hat nor coat on I did not feel too comfortable. You won’t find this letter very interesting, as one cannot find much to write about at such times. With love to all the D.L.F. and yourself,—Yours truly. ANTIIEA (Roxburgh).

[lt must be very inconvenient being left in the middle of the cutting business in that manner, Anthea. It certainly entails hard work for you.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are going to have a bazaar here this month, and I think I am going to it. We had our school concert, and my .sister and I were in a- dolly’s show. We have three little pigs and a big pig; but we are going to kill the latter tomorrow. We had our term holidays, and I went over to granny’s place. We have our new teacher, and her name is Miss Alexander. We have all our harvest in, and have thrashed three stacks. Best love to Chip and Doley. —Yours trulj', BLACK BUTTERFLY (Orawla).

Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to the page. My sister is writing to-night, so I thought I would like to write also. I am eight years old, and am in the First Standard. We had our school concert on the 21st of May, and we had a week’s holiday.—Yours truly, DAISY (Orawia). [I am very pleased to have you as an L.F., Daisy, and also to hear from Black Butterfly. It is needless to ask if you both enjoyed your holidays, as young people (and older ones, too) invariably do. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is very frosty these mornings. We have had our term examination at school, and I came top in my standard. Annie Laurie is away from here now; she is living in Timaru. One Friday afternoon ■about three weeks ago we children had a concert and sale of sweets to get money to buy balls for the games after the physical drill. We got £3 9s altogether. We got a racket, a football, a canvas bag, and two big round balls for the drill, and then wo had £1 over, so we are giving it to the Red Cross Fund. There was a- concert in aid of the prize funds held in the school last Tuesday night. Puddock and I went] and there were a good few there. After the concert was over there was a presentation given to a young fellow who is leaving for the front. He got a wristlet watch, a fountain pen, and a safety razor shaving outfit. Well, Dot, isn’t this war awful! It seems as thought it isn’t going to stop for a while yet. There are such a lot of men getting killed or wounded. With, love to Charity and Wee Pompey, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, MOTHER’S WEAN (Sutherlands).

[I must congratulate you on your splendid achievement in heading the class list. Mother’s Wean. The drill and games aro most interesting, I believe.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your page, and I ho;pe you will let ms join your happy band. It is very cold up here these mornings, and I do not like getting up. I have a nice flower garden, but all the flowers are withered. We have two walnut trees, but they have not started to boar yet. All the farmers here are ploughing their ground now. Best love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, KAISER. BILL (Miller’s Flat). [I am pleased to welcome you to our circle, Kaiser Bill.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Since I last wrote many lb tie things have happened. One thin" is that the road has been gravelled, and it is very well done. We are busy collecting for the merry-go-round at the school; it will be nice and warm swinging on it. It is cold going to school these mornings, but we do not feel it . very much because we play horses. I have .a little sister, and' she is an awful hard case. If we ask her -when she is going to school, she will say, " You don’t need to a-sk me that, because I am not going at all.” She is great company. My sister gets five pegs, and sticks two of them together, and leaves one standing out by itself, and if she thinks her brother has some lollies she calls out to him: “Look at this. Here are the Germans shooting a poor -little Belgian.” But she says he is the British army, and when he secs them be drops a bomb and kills the Germans. The brother drops a big lollie on top of them and knocks the Germans over, and she says, “My word, the British gave it to the Gormans that time!” Needless to say, she secures the bomb .and eats it. Dunedin will be very busy this week on account of the show being on. I like reading the D.L.F. loiters, and hit sister makes me read them out to her. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly. “ WATER LILY (Miller’s Flat).

[Your IHtle sister is evidently a very shrewd young person. Water Lily—DOT.]

Dear Dot, — There is going to he a “ hardup ” social up this way on the 9th, and any man will be" fined if he goes to it with a collar and .a tie on. The proceeds are to go to the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. It would be a busy week in Dunedin during Show Week. We are milking one cow, but she gives very little milk, and butter is very dear. One of my is in Dunedin. I don’t know when he will he home. My wee sister is a hard easel She has , four woe prvps, and she plays with them all day. She is playing with her kitten in front of the fire. You would not like up here these mornings, Dot, as it is very cold, and Jack Frost is always about. My brother dug our potatoes and I picked them up. There were 12 tons, so that was not had. My father works on a dredge. He has been on it for over It years. Do you read the war news, Dot? I don’t, as if I did I would be killing Germans ’ all night in my sleep, and my sister thinks I might take to her. The Bare Old Bird’s letter was very interesting. ‘I don’t think I have any relations at the front. Lovo to Teddy Bear, May Blossom, and Queen Mauve, not forgetting yourself and all the D.L.F.—Yours truly.

AUNT NELL (Miller’s Flat)

[For your sister’s sake, it is perhaps as well you dp not read the war news, Aunt Nell; hut etill a knowledge of what is happening on the other side of tha world is useful, a.s it will form part of your history lessons in time to come.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have started dressmaking. in town now, so have not much time to write. I cycle in .and out every night and morning, unless it is very wet —then I stay in town with Fleur-de-Lys. It takes mo half an

hour to ride into town, five miles away, so you see I have to leave fairly early to start work at half-past 8. I had a great misfortune the other morning while riding to work. I got halfway, when my tyre blew out, so I had to walk the rest of the journey. Then I got the loan of a bicycle to ride home on, but somehow the light would not burn, and it was a pitch black night, so the consequence was I had to walk nearly all the way home What kind of weather are you having down there? Up here we are having pretty fair weather, and I hope it stays like it is, for I don’t like rough weather for cycling, and I suppose a good few other people don’t like it. I have a lot of seeds up in my garden, including sweetpeas. I suppose I had better end this scribble, as the others aro going to church, and I have to stay home with baby, and I expect him to wake every minute. With heafps of love to .all the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, BONNIE MARY OF ARGYLB (Paid Paid). [Bicycles are uncertain quantities in the respect of punctures, etc., and these invariably happen at the moat awkward times and places.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was very sorry I could not write sooner, but I have been in bed ever since I wrote the last letter. Grandad died on the 22nd of May, and his funeral was on the 25th. Dad took mother and me out for a drive to see if the fresh air would do me any good. We were out for two hours, and I enjoyed it very much. The pony goes very quickly on flat ground and downhill; but she is spoilt, and when she goes uphill she generally stops and won’t go till we get out and lead her. Dot, do boys wear the badges? If they do I will send you the money for one. White Rose is out of the hospital, and is quite well again. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, HIGHLANDER (Mornlngton).

[Yes, Highlander, boys wear the badges—sometimes in their caps, or on the lapel of their coats. I am so sorry to learn of your illness, but sincerely trust you aro now on the high road to recovery, if not absolutely well—DOT.] Dear Dot, —As to-day is King George’s Birthday w® had a holiday from school, and that is how I managed to make a start with this letter. There are always cold frosts and fine days up this way—the nights are cold, but the days are all right. Since I last wrote I have read “"What Katy Did at Home and at School," “The Moat House,” “ Fairy Know-a-bit; or A Nutshell of Knowledge,” " Littlo Women,” " Good Wives,” “ The Secret Drawer,” “ A Family of Nine,” and “ The Lost Murrilo,” and they were all nice books. I have started to read “ Sir Anthony.” In the term holidays I went to Invercargill for a holiday. I was at the Winter Show, which started on Tuesday and ended on Friday. I was there on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. The weather was fine the whole week. Friday was the best day, as there were military sports in the ring in the afternoon. One time they were having a sham-fight, and a man was struck to the ground by another man. He was hit on the head with a stick, and the people thought he was killed. They carried him away to a tent; but that evening ho was better. The best fun of all was provided by the sham policemen who went about capturing ,men. They took them away to a tent ott the ground, and they were tried and fined, and had to stay in the tent until they paid the fine. There was a lot of money gathered in that way for the Belgian Belief Fund. Ono afternoon I had tea in Lewis’s tea rooms, and it was nice going up and down on the lift. I had a lot of motor rides while I was away, and I enjoyed myself very well. I will close now. Love to Weka and Mokoreta Birdie, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, SILVERY WAVES (Mokoreta).

[I am so glad yon had such an enjoyable time during your holidays, Silvery Waves.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —Isn’t the war awful! Such a lot of men have gone from our district. Our school teacher left here a few weeks and vre have a relieving teacher just now. It is very cold going to school in the morning. Well, Dot, I’ll have to stop now. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, PATIENT GEISELDA (Lowburn). [lt is certainly very cold is the mornings, Patient Griselda; hut we in Dunedin have had quit© wonderful weather, considering this is the second month of winter. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having very frosty weather here just now. A girl came to our place, and she said she was an Old Writer; but she did not write to the page last year, as she was too late. Two men are away from here for the front. My mother has been away for about three weeks, so eh© is having a good holiday. My sister got a lovely wax doll; but she took it out one day and let it fall, and its head came off, but she is going to put its head on again with plaster of Paris. Love to Queen Nancy, Wild Violet, and Queen of the Forest.— Yours truly, MOUNTAIN MAID (Outram).

[That was a sad ending to poor dolly's life, but I hope she will be rejuvenated by means of the plaster.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —W© are having very hard frosts, and it is very cold in the mornings until about 11 o’clock. When I wrote to yon three weeks ago I said that Wild Violet was having her winter sleep; but that was where I made the mistake, as her letter was published a week before mine, so I suppose she will be having a quiet growl to herself. Dear Dot, the other morning I was cutting bacon when the knife s l ipped, and I cut my thumb in the very same place as I did 12 months ago, only it is much deeper and longer. It is very awkward, because when I go to do anything I always knock it, and it bleeds. Queen Nancy, twice I have thought of writing to you, but I always remember that it is your turn to write. Dot, you will have to excuse my bad writing this time, because I don’t know which to blame —the pen, the ink, or myself. Dot, would you rather live in the city or the country ? I should think if you were living up hero in the hills and running wild, yon would be wishing every minute of the day that you were back in Dunedin. I was in Dunedin last month, but only for a day; and more than likely I will be in Dunedin next month, and will ho staying for a while. My mother is not home yet. I will now close with best wishes to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, QUEEN OF THE FOREST (Outram).

[The country has its charms, hut as I have never stayed a sufficiently long time in it I can hardly decide which I prefer. However, ns I like a quiet life, perhaps I would not find it boring.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —On the 3rd Juno, the King’s Birthday, three of my mates and myself went for a trip up the Longwood, a distance of about six miles from my place At about 9 o’clock we left the Orepuki timber yard, and about half-past 11 we arrived at the top of the hill. The first tiling we noticed when we reached the top was the morning train from Invercargill at Colao Bay. Shortly after arriving wo had lunch, and

thou we made straight for a well-lmowr rock. From this rock we had a splendid view of all tho surrounding district. YVa could see Solander Island, Invercargill Water Tower, Bluff Wireless Station, Contra Island Lighthouse, Riverton, Orepuki, and the Waiau and Aparima Rivers where they enter the sea. As it was a splendid day and a cloudless sky, we had an excellent time. After descending from the rock we went exploring, and we came across what is known as the Coral Lake. As this was my lirst trip to the Longwood, 1 was rather taken with the coral, and one of my mates and' I brought a specimen home with us. Now, as it was about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, wo thought we had better have lunch again, and begin out homeward journey Ag it was all downhill we soon reached our destination. Next time I write I will tell you about a trip my mates and I had today, as I think I have taken up quite enough of your valuable space with this letter. Give my love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, REDWING (Orotpuki).

[The Coral Lake must have been a sight worth viewing, Bed wing, I have not previously heard of it.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am staying up at Duniroon for my holidays, and I have enjoyed myself so far. I am 173 miles away from homo. Duntroon is not a very big place, and tho only time there is any life in it is when the train comes in at night. There are just two trains a day—one in to Camara in tho morning, and one out at night. About 20 minutes walk out of the township there are great high white cliffs. They are so high and all so nicely marked I would like to climb them, but it would be rather risky. I haven't been out riding since I came up here. 1 miss my horse very much; but there is one up hero that I rode last time I was up. How are yoit progressing, Bella Donna? Still alive, I hope; and you, Pineapple. The show will be over now—last week would be such a busy week in town. Love, to Bella Donna, Pineapple, Curly Locks, Joan of 1 Arc, Maraquite, and yourself.—Yours truly, SAMBO’S SWEETHEART. [The change of scenery and air will be most acceptable and beneficial, Sambo’s Sweet* heart. 1 hope the remainder of your holiday may prove as enjoyable as the time you are at present having.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I suppose you think I have forgotten all about the D.L.F. page, as I have not written for a long time. We have shifted from Awatuna, and wc are living in Kaponga. I don’t know how it is you never received my letter as well as the bride’s cake; it must have gone astray We have been having soma terrible weather up here this last while, hut it was a lovely day to-day. It is very cold hero in tho morning, as there are heavy frosts. My mother has been ill this last fortnight, and my sister and I had to bo house-keepers; but mother is getting better now. My, sister lias a bad cold, too; and it is not a very nice companion to have, is it. Dot ? I have left school now, as mother needs mo at home to help her. Is not this wai dreadful, Dot ? I know such a lot who have gone to the front. We are going for a holiday soon, and I will tell you all about it. I am sending you a piece of poetry. Think of me when you are happy, Keep for me ono little spot, In your heart of deep affection Plant ono sweet forget-me-not. Well, dear Dot, I must close now, as it ia] near bedtime. With best love to Mabel. Bride’s Cake, Nikau, and Jcunesse, and al| the other L.F., not forgetting yourself, —< Yours truly, PRINCESS ALICE (Kaponga). [I hope your mother is now better, Princess Alice. The change should do her a world of good.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —It could not rain here for more than a few hours at a time (and that does not do much good) if it tried ever so hard. The creeks and rivers about here are dxiejf now than they were in the middle of summer, and they were lire tty dry then. Isn’t the war awful now! What a lot of New Zealanders have been wounded at the Dardanelles; but it looks as if there are going to be a good many more. I suppose you are, like many, other people, doing Red Cross work, or donj you have any time for that? My sisters and 1 have been making a good many things lot it lately. Since I last wrote we have had & large carnival in Timaru. I did not go, but Scherzo and my other sister went. Scherzo and I went to the fir© brigade demonstraff tion a little while before I have' read several rather good books lately, some of them belnrf “The Silver Horde,” by Rex Beach; “Thl Way of an Eagle” and “The Rocks of Valpre, by E. M. Bell; “Tim o’ Day,” by Egertou Jones; “Bianca’s Daughter”; and I hav* nearly finished one called “On the Pace of the Waters.” It is about the Indian Mutiny, With love to all tho D.L.F. and yoiu-sclf.—* Yours truly, MISS LOU (St. Andrews). [I rather enjoy Rex Beach’s novels, they are so clean and breezy, are they not? J have not the leisure for undertaking Red Crosj work, but that does not suggest that one i$ any better off, as there are numerous calls ioi monetary assistance. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —My brother wrote to you last week. One of my cousins is at the Dardanelles, and ho is wounded. It is such ij sham© to see these nice fellows killed ancj wounded. We had a holiday on Thursday, af .it was held as the King’s Birthday. I havg just been reading tho L.P. letters, ,so I thought I might as well write It was pouring last Monday, but to-day is quite different. The days are very short now; at half past S it is quite dark. I am in Standard II ai school, and I am eight years of ag© on tho ]sth of this month. We are expecting our holidays in about a month’s time.—Love to all the L.P., not forgetting yourself.—Ycurs truly, LITTLE BICKLEY (Hornby). [I shall be a day late with my wishes by the time this letter is published, Littlai Bickley, but nevertheless I hope you may have a very happy birthday and many returns. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to your pago, and I hop© to join your happy band. I am 10 years of age, and I walk to school nearly every morning. It is all right walking when it .is frosty, but not when it is wet. Wo have turned out a lot of our cows now, and aro milking only a few. Well, dear Dot, yon will have to excuse me this time, because it Is my first letter. Dove to Sacley and all the L.P., not forgetting yourself.—' Yours truly.

SADEY’S MATE (Wyndham). [We are very pleased to have you join Us, Sadey’s Mute. I would bo obliged if you would send me your own name in your nest letter.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am very lazy at writing, and since it always takes my correspondents a <ong time to answer my letters they can’t bo very interesting. We have had nice weather this last week, and it is very welcome, as we have not been getting very much of it lately. The factory has stopped now, and it i« not nice making butter on a cold day; but our cows arc going off quickly. The days are getting very short now. I have been at two social evenings and I may bo going to another on Wednesday

night. They are to farewell the boys going to Irontham. I have two brothers and six cousins at Trenthain. One of my brothers is a corporal in the Tifth Reinforcements, and the other one is among the boys who went into camp a week ago. 1 have one cousin m raonnteds, one in the army service, and is a gunner. There are such a number of boys going away, there won’t oe many lelt soon. Bur. I think it is much nicer tor them to volunteer than to be forced to go. I wish. 1 was a bay, so 1 ooijld go too They all laugh at me, and tell me I would make the Germans run; but I would like to have a go at them. I have not read many hooks latel}', but wo have a few now ones which are very good. They are ” Smoke Bellow/’ “ The SilverHorde,” “ The Battle of the Rivers,” ‘‘ From Heligoland to Keeling Islands.” and “ The Secrets of the German War Office.” I will have to stop as my newsbox is exhausted.— Ycura truly, LOCH LAVENDER (Isla Bank).

[When one reads the casualty lists it certainly pnakos one long- to be up and doing something to avenge the deaths of our bravo boys.—DOT.]

Dear Dot', —-It has been raining hard up here, and the roads are very muddy. A 0-ew men are gravelling the roads. My eldest brother has left the engine now. Ho used to have some very early mornings getting up steam. We play hop-scotch at schoo.. We are getting new drill at school and I like it very much. It is dark up here very early at nigiit, because winter is setting in again. Isn’t this war awful, Dot! Such a lot of men .are going away from lirjre to it. Many people up here are bad with colds; my sister has one. We have two and a-lialf miles to go to school, and it is a long way in winter, because the roads are always so muddy. Some riddles to solve: Why is a hobbled skirt like a runaw.ay horse? What has got holes in it, but not right through? Love to Aunt Nell, Water Lily, May Blossom, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, TEDDY BEAR (Miller’s Flat).

[You should be nice and warm by the time you reach school, Teddy Bear; but it is certainly disagreeable walking along bad roads. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have chilblains on my hands and feet, and they are nearly broken. I have ako a big boil on the side of my neck, and it is very sore. My brother is working in the foundry now. There is a “ hard-up ” social in Roxburgh to-night in aid of the wounded soloiere, and we have pictures here to-night also, while there is to be a recruiting meeting on Thursday night, pictures again on Friday, and then a dance on Saturday, so that is a lot of things in one week. Isn’t this war dreadful, Dot! I have one cousin fighting at the front. The war will soon be a year started; and when will it end? I will close now. Love to Teddy Bear, Water Lily, Aunt Nell, Day Love, and Loveday, not forgetting yourself and all the other L.P.—Yours truly.

MAY BLOSSOM (Miller’s Flat). [You need not be dull for want of amusement, May Blossom.—DOT.J Dear Dot,. —The weather here has been very frosty lately, but on the whole we have had some very good days. I was down at the Invercargill Show, and A Country Maid and I were looking to see if we could see any D.L.F. badges, but we did not see any. There was a large crowd there, and as the. show was held in the new buildings everything looked very nice and roomy. I suppose Dunedin is crowded just now, it being holiday and show time. The bachelors of the Eiversdale district held their annual ball about a fortnight ago, and there was a fairly good turnout. I knew a good few L.F. present, among the number being Avice, A Lonely Violet, Smiler, and A Lazy Drone. We reached home about half-past 4 in the morning, and the next day I felt rather tired to do much work. Where have all those familiar writers gone to? Hurry up, comrades, and write us a few lines. Whatever has come over you, Tyne Lass? I have not seen a letter in from yon for a long while. Love to Welsh Boy, Avice, A.C.M., Thyme’s Mate, A Lonely Violet, Bobbie Dear, and all the rest of the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, LITTLE CUPID.

[lt is disappointing to find so many of our old friends deserting the 'page, Little Cupid. The older writers, if they would but send in letters, could make the page most interesting.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It is not very long since I last wrote to the page, but in that little while we have onoe more arrived home in Dunedin from our long holiday in the country. I enjoyed myself very much, but still I was glad to get home again. We held a bazaar in our church for the Belgians, and as far as I know I think it was a great success. I was selling golliwogs, badges, and buttonholes. 1 have a dear we© kitten, and I call it Mens. I brought one home with me, but it ran away, so I got this one. I haven’t been reading much lately. The last books I read were “ Children of Arabia,” “ Little Mag’s Children,” and “ The Robbers’ Cave.” Isn’t this war terrible, Dot! Do you know any of the wounded ? I know 30 or more men that have gone away; but so far only four dr five have been wounded. I have a cousin at the Dardanelles. I have started with a new music teacher now, and she is so nice. The lady who teaches Day Love and Loveday is in the hospital just now. Did you go to the show, Dot? I didn’t. Our bazaar was held that week, so I couldn’t go. I think I will stop now. Love to Teddy Bear, Day Love, Loveday, Cinderella 11, and Mother’s Darling, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SNOW QUEEN (Caversham).

[No, I didn’t go to the show, Snow Queen. I had very little spare time during that week, and being in the grip of influenza had less inclination.]

Dear Dot, —I hope I will never be so long absent from the page again. We had our examination last Wednesday,, but we do not know the results yet. My brother came third in Standard VI. We are keeping a darling wee pony for the winter. It is just a wee tot; it is black. We also have a wee black pup and a black kitten, so we are well off for black pets. My sister goes to the High School in Invercargill/ and learns gymnastics. My brother put a horizontal bar up, and we turn somersaults on it. I know a few D.L.P. up here. As soon as I saw Tipperary and Canberra’s letters in the Witness I knew who they were. At the patriotic demonstration I was a Red Cross nurse. It was lovely in the morning, but it turned out a miserable day. Canberra was a Belgian, as also was my sister. Our photos were in the Witness. Well, Dot, is not this war terrible! The Germans are horribly cruel to the poor Belgians. Well, I must not take up more than my share of the page, so I will close. Love to all the Little Polk.—Yours truly. QUEEN OP STRATHVALE (Otautau). [I hope to hear next time you write how well you hay© done in your examination, dear. Do not forget to toll me the result. — DOT.] Dear Dot, —What kind of waather are you, having? W© are not having very stood

weather at /present. We have had a few severe frosts lately. We had two days’ holidays las; week. Nearly all the farmers

about here are carting thir grain to the shed. I see a ,lot of people digging out their potatoes. We have eight ” hens, and get only two eggs. Everything looks very bare now. There is to be a concert here on the 23rd of Juno, and I hope it will bo a success. The days are short now and tire nights long aren’t they, Dot? Our mail coach comes in very late now. Lovo to Wee M'Donald, Crookburn Lass, and all the other L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, DANCING HEATHER (Tuapeka Mouth). [To answer your question, Dancing Heather, there is snow to-night, and it is very coH.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I did not see my last letter in the Witness, so I thought I would write again. Isn’t this war dreadful, Dot! It does not seem any nearer the end than it did .a month ago. One of my uncles is away to the war. What sort of weather are you having in Dunedin, Dot? We are having lovely weather here. It must be makingup for the weather we had in the springtime. Pixie was married about a month ago, and is living in Invencargill now. Hurry up and write to me, Bride’s Cake and Caterpillar; it is ages since I heard from yen two. Best love to Caterpillar, Wairaki Daisy, Ringdove, Hetty Grey, Pixie, Wayback, Prairie Bell, Lone Star, Ilfracombe, Princess Alice, and Bride’s Cake, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, MABEL (Nightcaps).

Dear Dot,—We have just had .a week’s holiday from school, and we had three weeks at Easter time. It has been very foggy up here lately, and everything is decorated with the frost, and looks very pretty. The pet white rabbit that I had died some time ago, and I was very sorry, for we had him for .about three years. When we got him he was quite small, and had nice long fur. There are a great number of children going to the school now, and it is rather small. We ore getting our garden at school ready for the spring. The war seems to have an effect on everything, and bread is very dear now. Our hens have started to lay, and we are getting two and three eggs a day. We have a little pup at home, but have not found a name for him. He is just able to walk about. I think I will bring this letter to a close. Love to the D.L.F., and not forgetting youseif.—Yours truly, IRISH MOSS (Moa Creek).

[You are lucky to have your hens laying a.t this time, Irish Moss; eggs are so dear and so necessary, are they not? —DOT. Dear Dot, —May I join your delightful band? I have five brothers and one sister. Moa Creek is a very ; miserable place to live in, because one can't go anywhere to amuse oneself like you can in Dunedin I have been feeling very sad and lonely lately, as my kindest and best friend has gone away. — Yours truly, A DISTANT LILY (Ida Valley).

[I am very pleased to have you join us, A Distant Lily, and hope you may find some nice friends among our numerous correspondents—if not actually in person, at least through the interest in the page.— DOT.]