DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 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 ol their observations in the animal world, descriptions of anything they are interested in, of the district in whioh they live, oi their school and home life, holiday trips, &o. The letters are to be written by the little folk themselves, and addressed "Dot, care oi Editor Witness,"

Dot's Little Polk's Badge with pin, for use as a brooch, obtainable on application to Dot. Price, Is 6d post free, in penny or halfpenny stamps. Auto. Cards are obtainable from Dot, Witness Office, Dunedin. Price, 9d for 25.

OBITUARY NOTICE. DEATH OF AN OLD WRITER. It is with the greatest ran* I h » T# ** record the death of an Old Writer in the ™ r °on of Cooee (Mrs Annie Bennington) at the Riverton Hospital at the age of 32 years. Cooee's husband was known to the page as "Hori Pirika," and her brother corresponded ■tinder the N.D.P. "Badger." Previous to hex death Cooee resided at Papatotara for the sake of her children's health. Her death was very sudden, her husband not having time to see her at the last. She did not appear to suffer, but just passed quietly away after a period of semi-unconsciousness. Her remains were taken to Port Molyneux, where her people live. Cooee leaves a husband ana three little boys to mourn their loss, and I am sure all Dot's Little Folk, both past and present, join with me in expressing our deepest sympathy with her sorrowing relatives. I am indebted to Mrs Watson, Troubled Housewife's mother, for the intimation and the information she so kindly supplied me with. Troubled Housewife and Cooee were great friends, and corresponded regularly though they did not meet in person until a little over a year ago. As Mrs Watson, who knew her so well, remarks: —"Even though Cooee has gone, wa must try and keep xip the friendship with her family. She was a splendid woman, and it was a treat to talk to her." Mrs Watson visited her frequently in the hospital, as also did the Rev. Parata, Anglican minister at Riverton. Cooee's husband and children are assured of my personal sympathy as well as all the Old Writers of our numerous band, among whom her name was so familiar.

A LETTER FROM THE FRONT. Deai Dot and Comrades, —Just a few lines to let you know that I am still alive, and have had no fighting to do yet; but I hope very soon that I will be up with the other boys. We are kept back here on account of the mounteds not going, 'and as we are attached to them we have to wait until they move off. Some -of them are going away as infantry men, and the horses are going on later. Well, Dot, it is very hot here, and eorhe of us are just like a grease spot on the road through the heat,. I have not seen Lex for a good while now. Everton has been away to the Dardanelles since Easter Monday, and so has School Teacher (Estelle's brother, he is). A lot of the wounded are here, and some of them saw only cne day's fighting and others three. The Australians have suffered the worst, as they were at the Turks the first. We have great talks to the fellow 3 who are back here wounded, and it makes one feel wild that he can't iget at them for some time to come; but better late than never. Possum sent me the club -notes out of the Witness edited on the 10th of March. Well, it is no us© telling you anything about the war, as you will get more news than we here. I saw Lavrnia's suggestion in the club notes, and it is a good one, too. Well, dear Dot, it 13 very hot here day and night, and the flies are here galore. Now, I will close, leaving me in, good health and spirits, and I hope by the time you get this I am well in the firing line. live to all D.L.P. and yourself.—Yours truly, ELBON. P.S. —I saw your brother, Dot, and he is looking very fit and well, a* if he "could do with a good fat turkey.—Elbon. [Many thanks, Elbon, for your letter; the [postscript is most welcome, as we had heard no word until we received a field postcard, which arrived the same night as your letter. Good luck, Elbon, and a safe return. ff hope we shall hear from you again soon.— DOT.] LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLF Motto:—We write for the benefit of others not for ourselves. No letter to contain more than 450 words. Dear Dot, —I would be very pleased to join your happy band. I am 11 years of age, and am in the Third Standard. I have not been to school for 12 months, as I live in a country place where there is no school. We have a boarding-house. I have a little black pup. Will you please give me a name for it, Dot? Do you like reading, Dot? Best love to all D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SNOWY CLEMATIS (Kukawai). [I am very pleased to have you join us, Snowy Clematis. It i 3 unfortunate you are unable to attend "school, is it not? You could call the little pup Darkie in contrast to your own N.D.P., Snowy.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band ? I am in the Fourth Standard at school, and am 11 years old. We walk three miles to echool, and it seems a long way when you do it every morning. We live on the coast, near a Maori settlement. Out on the ocean we can see Stewart Island. The war is still going on like a bonfire. Many young men have gone to the front; a cousin of mine, •who is a sergeant, is among the wounded men. We are milking two cows, and it is very' cold when you get up early. As this is ray first letter, I will not make it a long one. I know Prince Colac and a few other Little Folk.—Yours truly, SOBER SAM (Wakapatu). [You are welcome to join us, Sober Sam. I should like to know more about the place you live in.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band? J have a black and a white rabbit. I am rtine years old, and am in the Second Standard at school. We have three cows, but We are milking only two. We have ono pig, but wo are soon going to kill it. My father works at the meat works; h& .teats and labels the line. Ho has a very sore Land, and my brother has a spra'ned ankjo. The Fifth and Sixth Standards of tins school fco to the cookery and woodwork classes at

Invercargill; they go every Tuesday. Stevenson’s pictures come here ©very week, and I like going very much. There are about 120 children going to our school, there are 19 children in my class. There are meat-preserving works here, and about 53 men work in them. It is very interesting to watch the different processes the meat passes through.—Yours truly, JACKY FISHER (Woodlands). [The woodwork classes are most useful for boys; they make them useful and hands about a house. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I would like to join y° u ( happy band. I am in the Third Standard at school, and am 10 years old. I live m Dipton, not far from school. Isn’t this war dreadful. Dot I I have two brothers away, and they are at the Dardanelles. One is in the bodyguard for Sir lan Hamilton. I Qm busy knitting a face cloth for the soldiers. Dove to all the D.F., not forgetting yourself.—Your truly, , PATRIOTIC GIRL (Dipton).

[Welcome to the page, Patriotic Girl. The present is an anxious time for those who have relatives at the front. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Do you like reading? The books that I like best are the Wonder Books and the Girl’s Companion. I have such a cold that I could not go to work, as I had to stop in bed, and will have to for a while yet. I know some of the Little Folk, but I forget their'flames. Silver Pine, Dot, used to be my only companion at Inglewood. There were no other girls there at all. We were miles from town, but we have ■shifted, and I am not sorry at all. I, will write more regularly now. Love to ail the Little Folk. —Yours truly, QUEEN’S MATE (Ecefton). [Glad to see you have not forgotten us quite, Queen’s Mate. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —My father has met with an accident. It is very frosty in the morning now. Is not this war dreadful, Dot 1 Quite a number of the men around this district have left for the war. I will be 13 years old on ,June 29 —that is, his month. There are 12 children at our school now. Best wishes to all D.L.F., not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, E. M. A. C. (Nokomai). [I must take this opportunity of wishing you many happy returns of the 29th, E. M. A. C. I hope your father has recovered from his accident. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We are having lovely -weather here, but very cold and frosty in the mornings. Hakatarawha motored (iftwn fi-om Haka on Saturday and back on Sunday. There was a man killed in Tiniaru on Thursday at the point-to-point, and one killed the Thursday before that at the hunt. Wasn’t it strange, Dot, as they were such great mates. Dear Dot, I shall bring this scribble to a close now. Love to Hakatarawha, Waitakian Valley Rose, Tussock, and Star of Haka, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly. SINCLAIR PETE (Waituna). [I have received the stamps, Sinclair Pete, but unfortunately I cannot find your name in the address book, so would you please forward me your name as soon as possible, and I will forward badge and cards by return mail.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It is very windy down here tonight, and there are some black clouds coming from the N.W. I was carting out turnips to the cows, and the third day I ran over my brother’s arm but it made only a bruise on it. The next day I was carting out turnips again with another horse; about the third load he jumped up into air and fell right back on his back and broke a shaft. I had a great deal of trouble in undoing tho harness. I am in Standard IV, and am 12 years old. W r e are having a spelling race at school. I did not win it. The ones that did win it got a box of chocolates. I must end now. Love to all the D.L.F. Good-night.—Yours truly, BEAUFORT (Morton Mains).

[You have had bad luck with your driving, Beaufort. I hope your brother’s arm is better.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —My father is in Milton working, but he will be homo on Saturday. My brother is working at Lovell's Flat. We had two days’ holiday for the Ring’s Birtlrday and the show. We have had no snow this winter. We are having a sale on Tuesday, and will soon be going away. I like reading the Little Folk’s letters. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SILVER BOTTON (Hillend). [You must write to us after you get settled in your new home. I hope you have fine weather for the sale.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—lt will soon be the middle of winter, and we have had no bad weather yet. Some of the farmers about here have not finished harvesting yet. We had a concert in the school about three weeks ago for the Belgians, and they raised about £lO6. We are having a clearing sale on Tuesday, and soon we will be going to Milton. There are a number of New Zealanders killed and wounded the war. I have no brothers away, but I have one cousin. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, HINDUSTAN (Hillend).

Dear Dot, —The weather has been very good lately. It is very lonely down here, as we have only one neighbour, and she lives about half a mile away. Do you know any men who went away to the war ? I know a few; one went away from here. We are milking four cows now, and I milk them. We do not have to go far to catch the train to go to school, as we have just to step across the line and we are at the station. Dear Dot, there is not much news down here lately, so I think I will stop now. Best wishes to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, NONA (Aivania Plains).

Dear Dot, —We have Saturday half-holiday now, and it is a change to go up town and see all the shops closed. There was a bigprocession last night, and they were collecting for the wounded soldiers and for those away to the war. I was speaking to one of the hoys who came back from Egypt; but he is going back again. Another lot left Trentham last night to go to the front. My brother and cousin are in that contingent, so I hope they will be safe. I always read the casualty list. There are a great number of New Zealanders missing. I suppose their parents are anxious about them. My brother sent us some beautiful things from Egypt before he was wounded, and also soma nice views of Cairo. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, MARSEILLAISE (Dunedin). [I hope you will soon have good nows about your brother, Marseillaise.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote there have been many changes; ono is, that representative men of our country are now fighting at the Dardanelles. This is the greatest war that has ever been, and some people think that this is the greatest one that will ever be. There are many casualties among our troops, and especially the colonial ones, who have just now had their baptism of firo. Is there any prospect of the war ending? At least I do not think so! Since 1 last wrote I have passed the Sixth Standard, and am>-ow gob'g to the Southland Boys 1 High

School. I started at the beginning of this year. I am staying at Invercargill during «the week, and go home on Friday nights and return on Monday morning. We have been having very fine weather recently, but I think it will break to-night, because it looks very dull.—Yours truly, WALLACE GROVE. [I suppose you enjoy life at tne High School, WaLace Grove. The young people of the present day have great advantages in the matter of education. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —You may have almost forgotten that there ever lived such a creature as I, for it is such a long time since I wrote to the page. My sister is in town just now. I go to the Clyde School now, and I like it very much, although it is very cold cycling up these mornings. 1 like reading the D.L.P. letters, as they are so interesting. Is not the war terrible, Dot! I don't like reading the war ' news very much. It must be very cold for the soldiers in the trenches m the winter time. All the leaves have fallen off the trees, and they are once more bare. Well, Dot, I shall close now. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly,THE EMPRESS OF THE WAVE (Clyde). [I am glad to find your interest in the page has not quite died, Empress of the Wave. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I would like to join your happy band. I am 14 years of age, and still going, to scbool. There are 52 children going to our school just now. The weather has been very wet up here lately. A few of the Orawia boys are away to the front. We gave them a send-off before they went. I have six sisters and three brothers, and five of us go to school. I have a dear little kitten, and I c.all it Pussy. We have about 10 guinea-pigs, and we have ■ sold some of them. There are a few D.L.P. about here. 1 like reading the Little Folk’s letters. I had a cold last week, but I am bettor now. Love to all D.L.F., not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, BELGIAN GIRL (Orawia).

[I am very pleased 'to have yon join ns. Belgian Girl) and I hope you may soon have a number of D.L.F. friends.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is snowing and raining today, and it is very cold. Isn’t this war terrible, Dot! The poor Belgians are having a rough time, aren’t they? I was at a dance last Tuesday night. I was not dancing, and it was very cold sitting all the time. -Why don’t you hurry up and write to the page, Lit'Le Cupid? Have you gone to sleep? Dove to Queen Mayonnaise, Dittle Cupid, Fairy Maid, Turie Dad, Old Station, not forgetting yourself. Dear Dot, can I change my name to Silver Thorn? —Yours truly, ONLY A ROSEBUD (Waikaka). [Yea; you may change your name if you wish, Only a Rosebud. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is two years since I last wrote to you. It has been snowing here all day. We had our examination a fortnight ago, and we had a -week's holiday; then the school closed for three weeks because half of the children had the measles; but we start again to-morrow. We had a bazaar here on the 29th and 30th of May; but things were too dear. Is not this war terrible, Dot! I have a brother at the Dardanelles. We live three miles and a-half from school, and we drive, and on these frosty mornings it is cold on. your feet and hands. Dove to Mother’s Sunshine, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, LEWELLA.

[I hope you did not have the measles, Dewella.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —There is to ha a sale of work in aid of Belgian Relief Fund. I am busy rabbiting to earn a little money to buy a few things to help the Belgians. We have not all of onr potatoes up yet, but I wish they were, as I do not like picking them up. They are a very good crop this year'. We have all the influenza cold that is going round. We have the oats thrashed, and wo also had the chalfcutter in. We have a gentleman friend staying with us, and he. is not used to the hills. There is one hill that is as straight as a wall, and he and my two little brothers climbed it, and the next day he could hardly walk. The weather we are getting is real winter, and it has been trying to enow all day to-day. Really, Dot, this dreadful war does not seem to he getting near an end yet. I have not had a letter from you, Bravest of the' Bra'Ve, for a long time. I will close now. Best wishes to all the D.L.F. comrades, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, CHIP (Maori Hill, Tuaiapere). [lt must indeed be yery cold work picking up potatoes, Chip. No wonder yon wish they were all done.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Is not this war awful, Dot! I have a brother and five cousins at the front. They all went away with the Main Body. I have been away from school with a sore throat, and I missed my quarterly examination. JThere was a jumble sale''hero on the 28th. of May in aid of the Belgians, and they made over T3OO. My word, Dot, it is not very nice getting up these cold mornings. There was a snowstorm here on Sunday night, and oi? Monday the snow was lying everywhere. I think I will close now, as it is near bedtime. Dove to Dittle Dark, Mustn’t Touch It, Red, White, and Blue, Wild. Rose, Green *Apple, Buttercup 11, and Dad’s Girl, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, FODDATA (Middlemarch). [The fall of snow seemed to be general. We also had one in Dunedin, but fortunately it did not lie long.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I think all my correspondents must have forgotten me. Wake up, comrades! To-day, Dot, the ground is covered with enow; that is a sign winter is here again. So far it has been very mild, but I suppose we can expect something rough In th€ near future. I began this letter a couple of nights ago, and then left it to see if I could rake up some news; but I think I have forgotten everything. I wonder when this terrible war will end! It will soon be raging a year. Oh, Dot, it is awful to think of the thousands of lives that have been lost within the last 10 months! It will take a long time to replace all those men. I have a brother in Trentham camp now. There will soon bo very few men left in Now Zealand at all. What a nice letter A Rare Old Bird wrote from Egypt. Now, Star Rose and Shining Sunbeam, don’t you think that it is high time you wrote to me. Since I last wrote to you, comrades, I have left home to toil for myself. I like this place, and would not like to go home again. Love to Bush Girl, Dolly, Lilac Blossom, Etheree, and Shining Sunbeam. —Yours truly, MOTHERLESS GIRL (Whennakoa). [I am glad you like your new place, Motherless Girl. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —This is my first letter to- yon, I hope, now that I have started, to write regularly till I am a young lady. We have a dear wee baby- slaying with us just now while her mother is in Dunedin. I am nine years old, and am in Standard 111 at -school. We have a new teacher, and wo had a good snowball game with him to-day. The doctor came along in his oar, and ho got out and had a game with us. There are not many doctors who would snowball with children, do you think, Dot? I was oyer at the creek

on Saturday having n game with British Bulldog, and in the long run she fell in, and that ended our game. I am very sorry for all the poor boys who are getting killed at the front. One brave boy who lived near us was killed at the Dardanelles, and there was a memorial service held in the church on Sunday. I hope to write soon again. Kind regards to Halley’s Comet, Tiny the Toiler, Gallipoli, British Bulldog, Waipupukaka, and all the Little Folk.—Yours truly, PRINCESS BEATRICE (Coal Creek Flat).

[We shall be delighted to have you join us, Princess Beatrice, and 1 hope you will keep your resolution and write us many more interesting letters. Please send me your own name when you write next time.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have not been to school for over a fortnight, because my mother has been very sick. I have three little guineapigs ; will you please give me names for them. , Isn’t this war terrible. Dot I Two more young men went away from here the other week to go to the front. We have two dogs, but we are going to give one away. Love to the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly. COUNTRY LASSIE (Glenorchy). Dear Dot, —We are having . very rough weather just now. Isn’t this war dreadful! I do hope it will soon be over. I have only two brothers, but neither of them is going to the front, as my youngest brother is too young, and my oldest brother is married; but I have a brother-in-law in camp in Trontham. ■ Are you fond of reading, Dot ? I have read many books, such as “The Pathway," “Paddy the Next Best Thing,” “Dorothy’s Dilemma,” “Alison’s Adventure,” and many others. There is plenty of sport down here, as it is mostly bush country, and there arc plenty of deer and wild pigs. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself and the editor. —Yours truly, BUSH FAIRY (Wairoto).

Dear Dot,— May I join your happy band? I am in Standard 111 at school now, and am 10 years of age. I like going to school. I rido the bike to school every day, and double bank with my little sister. I have chilblains, and they are sore some nights; I don’t feel them so much to-night. 1 wi.l stop now, Dot. Dove to all the Dittle Folk. —Yours truly, DAZY CREME. [Certainly you may join us, dear. I hope the chilblains will soon be vetter. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Will you please forgive me for not writing for a long time. It was snowing here to-day, but yesterday was a nice day. Everybody about here either has a cold' or the influenza. Is not this war terrible, ■with so much bloodshed and destruction! My mother was away at Dunedin for a week to see the show, and she enjoyed it very much. We are not' milking many cows, and we go to the factory only every third day. We separate every night’s milk and make butter, and take every morning’s milk to the factory. My father has one paddock ploughed, and ho is ploughing another little bit of stubble. Our Sunday-school has stopped, and we are having holidays. I got a prize named “By Dove Impelled,” and it is a nice book. Hurry up, Bell Boy and Daisy Caramel, and write. Dove to you.and all the Dittle Folk.— Yours truly, NOBODY (Otama). [Colds and influenza seem a necessary evil one has to suffer during the winter. I hope you have escaped.—DOT.] . Dear Dot, —I sent the 3d for the Belgian Fuiid, and am sorry I forgot to mention this when last writing to you. I have not heard from Brownie or New Potato for such a long time. Will you both please hurry up and write? We are now having real winter weather—heavy frosts and snow, and to-night a gale is blowing. I hope you are escaping all this in Dunedin. We expect to get cur winter holidays soon now, and hope the frost will continue so .as to give us plenty of fun. One of our young men, Mr Tom Galvin, is leaving to fight for us in the great war nowraging. We all feel proud of him, and hope to see him come back safe and well, and although far away amongst the mountains we all take great interest in the war news and feel proud of our brave soldiers at the front, and feel deeply for those whose dear ones have fallen fighting for us. I will now close. Dove to all.—Yours truly, DIDY OF CARDRONA (Cardrona).

[I thank you for the subscription, Lily, and shall add it to the funds already in hand.—DOT.] d

Dear Dot.—Just a tine to let you know I received the badge, for which I thank you very much. You will be wondering what has become of me, since. I have not written for such a long time. You will see by my address that we have shifted. I like Dunedin all right as much as I have seen of it. There is only one thing wrong with it—it is so cold; I have had the shivers ever since I came here. This war is terrible, Dot, isn’t 1 it? It is hard to realise it until we see the names of our friends in the casualty lists, and know that they are dead. There have been quite a number of names I know in the lists lately. Were you at the show, Dot ? I was, and liked it fairly well. I received a nice letter from Ilfracombe yesterday, which I was very pleased to get. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, Alt RA-WAT ER (Dunedin).

[I wish to apologise for the delay in sending the badge, Arra-Water; but I could not fin'd your name, -and though I inserted two notices I had to ask Day Dreamer to send it to me. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It is very bad weather to-day, and there is snow on the ground. I made a little snow man, and I put two stones in for eyes. Our dog was playing out in the snow; he was running round and round. We-have three little puppies now, two blacks and a brown; their mother is a brown retriever. I made a little house for them to lie in. When my brother gives them a rabbit they start to fight. Onr cows are dried off now, but there are three for the winter yet, named Spot, Lady, and Valle. Spot has brown spots, and Valle is a dark brown. My three eldest brothers are away to the war. Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself—Yours truly, SILVER BIRCH (Birchwood).

Dear Dot, —Did you go to the show this year? I did, and enjoyed-myself very much. I left Mosgiel at 11 o’clock and arrived in town about half-past 11. "While my friend and I were wandering about the street we met some friends, who took us to lunch with them, after which we all went to the pictures, spending two hours there; but I did not enjoy them very much. After tea wo went to the show, and had a good look around in spite of the crowds of people. I wish this dreadful war would end soon. It is teprible to read about the numbers that- are being killed and wounded every day. I have some friends away, so I hope they come back safe and well. I am glad to know there are some D.L.F. willing to fight for their country, and I think all boys that are capable of going should go. I must stop now, as it is edtimo. Love to all D.L.F. and yourself.— Yours truly, MADEMOISELLE (Mosgiel). N.B.—Enclosed find Is Gd for the Belgian Belief Fund. [Thank yon for the subscription. Mademoiselle, though the accountant wa® very wrathful, as ha had to pay a fine of 4d on your

letter, as it was not registered and contained coin.—DOT.]

•Jculetto3& rydgiflL ndUlqcve ywgrrOa kaso Dear Dot, —1 am living in Milton; I go to the High School. My teacher is Miss Nelson. I am six years old, and am in Cl.t's 4. My six cousins are fighting at the Dardanelles, and two are wounded. My uncle is away also. I was away from gchocl for w

long time, as I was very bad with whooping cough’. Have you ever read “The Sun’s Babies”? I have read most of it, and I like “Alice in Wonderland.” My mother says she used to write to Dot when she was a girl. I liope to write to you again when I am bigger and older. Love to all D.L.F.— Yours truly, TOKO (Milton). [Your family has evidently done their duty for their King and country, Toko. I hope yon soon have good news of the wounded ones. —DOT.] Dear Dot. —This is my first letter to the page. I am 10 years old and am in Standard 111. It was snowing here all day yesterday, and there is about Sin of snow on the ground. On Belgian Day our school gathered about £i. I ride to school. Love to ad D.Jj.F., not fors-etting yourself.-—Yours truly, EVERLASTING SWEET PEA (Aparima). [There are already two Sweet Peas writing to the page, dear, so to distinguish you I had to add to your name. You may change it if you do not like the addition.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I become one of you writers? We get the Witness, and I always read the D.L.F. letters. It has been very rough here lately. The other day we had. about Gin of snow. I have just finished a book called “The Young Fur Traders,” and have started another called “Julian Home.” Have you read either of them? My brother who is at the Dardanelles is an Old Writer. His N.D.P. was Robin Hood; do you remember him? My mother is up in Oamaru having a holiday; but I think she will be home -socn. Did you see any of the comets? I saw them, but they were not very plain. I am in the Sixth Standard, and have seven miles to go to school. I was in at the Winter Show, and saw very nearly everything, even the cheese which had a very repulsive smell. My brother who is at the front is t lieutenant in the Otago Hussars. Several of the men under his command have been wounded or killed. I have also two cousins away, and -one of them is wounded; but I think he is progressing favourably. Well, Dot, I will close. Love to Queen Nancy, Wild Violet, Queen of the Forest, and Mountain Maid.—Yours truly, MR PICKWICK (Outram).

[We are .always pleased to welcome new writers, Mr Pickwick, and chatty letters like yours are always sxreciaily welcome. This is naturally a very anxious time for those who have relatives at the front —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am writing to see if you will let me join your happy band of L.F. I am 11 years old and am in the Fifth Standard. I have a pet lamb, and its name is Nanna; while my brother has a guinea-pig. We have five little pigs and two big oneSj W© are milking one cow once a day, and expecting one in this month. We have not many flowers in the garden now. Our hens are not laying just now. As this is my first letter I will not make it Very long. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly. GOLDEN'FEATHER. (Southland). [Delighted to have you join us. Golden Feather. The severe weather we have had ii-as ruined most of the flowers in my garden.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather is very rough, ,and we had a heavy fall of snow on Sunday. Our teacher had a rough time on Monday, because we were snowballing each other. The Queen Carnival is a great event, and I am selling tickets for the Government Service Queen. I sold 3s 6d worth of tickets in about half .an hour, and hope to sell more. We are having a concert here on June 29 in aid of the Fallen Soldiers’ Fund. Greenfield is having a concert on June 25, and Tuapeka Mouth is having one on June 23; while we are having a euchre party on June 18. So you see we will have plenty of -amusement this month. W© are all busy with our concert .and ouchre party, and hope they will be a success. I think that the three concerts are too close to have many people attend them; but it is for a good cause, and everyone should go. We ar© erecting a public flagpole, and my brother was getting the pole to-day; it is 38ft long. The flag is 9ft long, and is a New Zealand flag. The school concert we held on May 26 was a success, and. we managed to raise £25 in aid of the Belgians. Lollies and buttonholes brought £3, while a painting by Miss Copeland brought £5, and a sheep £3 some odd shillings, and the concert brought the rest. The farmers of Clyd-evale donated a number of sheep each, which brought between £l5O and £l6O, which is very good for'a country place. The evenings ar© very long now, and you have to do something to fill them in. Well, Dot, I will have to close now. Love to Queen of the Lilies, Mbonflower, Bella Donna, Wandering Willie, and not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, BRUCE II (Clydevale). [I do not object to tbe'L.P. changing their N.D.P. provided they notify me and send in their name and address when they make the change. An N.D.P. chosen when one is young naturally does not appeal to one in the same manner when one grows up. That is the view I take of the matter; so you are at liberty to change, Bruce, if you comply with what I have asked.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We are having very heavy frosts up here, and when such is the _case lovely warm clays follow. All the trees are deprived of their foliage much earlier this year. Does not a x 3 i aoe look bare and deserted when the trees are leafless? Winter is coming on apace, and I wish it were over ■and the lovely spring- here again. Winter over, and this frightful war at an end, then everyone could be happy again. I am afraid there will be some homes where happiness will have trouble in showing itself. It is dreadful to think of our boys at the front, who are likely to be killed any moment. What a sacrifice, and yet what an honour, to die fighting for their country. Last week I saw a photo of the Naseby boys, taken in Egypt. Many of them are wounded now, but I hope not fatally. The creamery has closed now, so wo separate our milk and send the cream to town. We had two cans of cream for the week. They milk only once a day now, and do not need to rise so early. You will be quit© lively during Show Week, Dot. Will there be a group photo this year? Last show I was wishing I could go to town, and now a year has passed my desire has increased. To tell the truth, I am about tired of this monotonous life, so I hope not many more shows will come and go without my being la lown to enjoy them. Well, Dot, you will see by the date of this that it was commc.'cod on the Slat May, and wo are now somewhere about the middle of June. Good near knows when it would have been finished had I not read Littls Cupid’s letter in the page to-night. Rejdly I do think it is about time some of the old -familiar N.D P.’s appeared a*ain. Dow is the club progressing Dot, or do they not

hold any meetings now? I have not seen a syllabus for some time. I often think about writing a paper and sending it along; but their I get a book, and all else is forgotten. I’m sure I must have read about 100 books since last I wrote. Mother is always saying we neglect our music, for when we get a docent book we forget to practise. This afternoon Beautiful Mona, a friend, and myse, f walked up to Patearoa, and had a really nice time. Just a- lovely walk from here, over three miles. We are going to Han fur! y to-morrow, and I always enjoy myself whenever I go there. How did you enjoy the show, Dot? This coming carnival in Dunedin will create a sensation, won’t it? Everyone seems to bo doing their small best to help the soldiers. I received a photo of Welsh Boy yesterday, taken in his uniform. They will have left Trentham by now. Will they ever come back? That’s the question. We talk about—at least I do—having to live her© in this quiet country place; but come to think of it, guess wo ought to be satisfied, for our boys are having a lively time of it. Love to Welsh Boy, Elbon, Saucy Joe, Taffy’s Boy, Ivanhoe, Possum, Little Cupid, Dina, Linnet, A Shining Sunbeam, Silver Bell, Myrine, with more love to yourself and a promise to write soon again.—Yours trulv, TYNE LASS (Patearoa).

[So many of the really live members of the club have left town that the club is practically defunct. It seems impossible to put any enthusiasm into the members, and I think it is, as a club, nearly dead. It is a pity, but most of the young men are away to the war, and since Possum left town the backbone of the club scorns to have departed. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It was snowing hero yesterday and to-day but it did not lie very thickly. I enjoy snowballing very much, especially when there is a lot of snow. We have now six pigeons, as one of them flew away. I think this war is terrible, don’t you, Dot ? Everything is dear, especially flour and sugar and fencing material. I know a new writer called A Soldier’s Sister, also a Lonesome Lily, Red Dress, A Quarrelsome Laddy, and St. George. All the sod wall fences are getting knocked down, and new ones aro to be put up instead. Tonight it is a little windy. There has not been much frost yet, but I hope some will come, and we will be able to slide. Please, Dot, would you mind giving me the address of Bnttorball, Galloway? I will close now. Love to all the D.L.P., not forgeting yourself. —Yours ruly,

ALEX. A COUNTRY I-AD (Bald Hill Flat). [The address you ask for is Pierce Carroll, Galloway, Alex.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather has been awfully cold of late. There were very hard frosts last week and cold fogs till nearly midday. I read your letter in the page, A Lonesome Lily, and I am very sorry you are ill. I do hope you make a speedy recovery. How are you keeping, A Little Joker? Well, Dot, our mail comes only on Saturday- now. I do miss it since it stopped coming twice a week. A week seems such a long time to wait for the mail to come; doesn’t it ? "Nothing very startling ever occurs in this part of the world. The dog trials were held last month, and during the two days of the trials were held the ■weather was all that could be desired. My father was very lucky with his dogs. I rescued a pup out of a creek a few days ago. He fell into a rather deep part of the creek, and as he is only a wee fellow he had no chance of getting out himself. Ho did make a noise, but I don’t think that he has gone near the creek since. There is another pup, .and he carries the cats about in his mouth. Sometimes he knocks them down and catches hold of them under the throat and drags them along. They never attempt to scratch him. I wonder if any of the L.F. know the words of the song named “Just before the battle, mother," I would so much like to get them if I could. My address is: Miss Paterson, the Plains Station, Lumsden. How are you getting on, Halley’s Comet ? I -have not seen a letter in the page from you for such a long time. The roads are terribly slippery now. The mountains all have some snow on their tops. There have been a few showers on the level, but it did not lie any length of time. I have some of those lively companions called chilblains just now, and they are very annoying, though I don’t get them nearly so badly as- I used to. I have never had any broken ones. Three days have elapsed since I started this letter, Dot, so I think it is time I made an attempt to finish it. The days -are very short now, and it gets dark very early. Well, Dot, I think I shall conclude now, as it is late. Kindest regards to Rough Rider, Etheree, Airship, A Little Joker, A Lonesome Lily. Soherza, Frolic, Halley’s Comet, Tiny the Toiler, and your own dear self. —Yours truly, WAIPUPUKAKA (Lumsden).

[I am so sorry you are suffering from chilblains, Waipupukaka. It seems strange, since they are such a common complaint, that there seems to be really nothing efficacious in curing them.—DOT;]

Dear Dot, —We have 11 horses. "I am nearly 11 years of age. Winter has come again with its cold and frosty mornings. 1 had a very sore face, and had to go to bed for five or six days. My sister is in Oamaru at the High School. We have no flowers left now. Love to all.—Yours truly, EAROEA. [I hope your face is now quite better, Karora. It certainly is very cold in the mornings now.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having very rough weather, and the mountain tops have all their winter coats. I went for a long walk to-day, and enjoyed it very much, as it was to a place I had never seen before. I have two brothers away at the front, one on H.M.S. Blanche; but he does not give us very much news, as they are not allowed to. Well, dear Dot, I must not take nip too much space. Love to D.L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, BEATRICE (Lynwood Station).

[Meagre though the ntws is, it is still a great comfort to hear from our friends and relatives away.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It is about three years since I wrote last. We have been having pretty good weather this last week or so. It was rather hard work for some of the farmers to get their crops in this year. The early ones were all right, but the rest had just to get theirs in by degrees. At Christmas 1 was in the hospital for five weeks. I rather like being in one now. At first it is rather lonely, especially if you are in a ward by yourself. I left school last Christmas, and have been working at homo ever since. There was a concert and dance here last Wednesday night. Are you fond of flowers, Dot ? I am, and have a garden, which is getting rather crowded with the different flowers. I think carnations and rosea are my favourite flowers. There was a factory built, here last year. We are milking IS cows in the morning and 16 at night. The factory hasn't closed yet, hut I think it is going to for about two months. Influenza and the measles are going about here just now. 1 was at the Invercargill Show and the domonst rating or. the Friday, and enjoyed myself very muck. We haven’t thrashed our oats thiy year, but expect the mill either

this week or next. Wc will have it for about a day and a-half. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly,

ROSE MARY (Mabel Bush)

Dear Dot, —I have three cats, two black ones and a tortoiseshell. Will you please give me names for them? My aunt has a big grey cat called Jim. When I was staying with her wo used to bath him. I am in Standard 111 at school, and I like going to school very much. Mother and I were at church this afternoon, and a Mr Dow told us some nice little stories. We have no Sunday school here, but mother always teaches me every Sunday. I have a lot ot Sunday books. One, "Christie’s Old Organ," I have read several times, and am reading it again. Have you read it. Dot? We ha\v been having lovely weather. To-day it h been wet and cold. I must stop now. Love to Maid of the Flowers, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, MOTHER S DARLING (Eamscleugh). [Three cats to name and no information as to the gender the names must be is a big order. Mother’s Darling. Give me more particulars next time, and I will try to think of some suitable names.—DOT.] AUTOGRAPHS. Little Boy (Fred Noble, care of G. Morten, Waimahaka) wishes to correspond with any D.L.F. from 'lB years. E. M. A. C. (Marjorie Campbell, Nokomai) wishes to exchange autos with any D.L.F. willing. Mona (Miss C. Gordon, Awarua Plains) wishes to correspond with any D.L.F. between the ages of 11 and 14 years. Marseillaise (Rubina Gray, M’Bride street, Dunedin) wishes to correspond with Lady Enid, Anthea, Jumping Jenny, and any other L.F. willing.