DOT'S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3239, 12 April 1916, Page 75

DOT'S LITTLE FOLK.

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Dot invites short letters from her young friends throughout th« Dominoon on matters of interest to themselves, the result oi their observations in the animal world, descriptions of anything they are interested in, of the district is ■which they live, oi their school and home life, holiday trips, Ac. The letters are to be written by the little folk themselves, and addressed 'Tot, cure of Editor Witness."

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

Motto:—We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. fzsr No letter to contain more than 450 words. Dear Dot and Comrades,, —I am 11 years old now, and have left school. My sister has also left school. We are milking 18 cows in the morning and 15 at night. We ■have three calves, but are feeding only one. The cows are going down in their milk eince the wet weather came on, and it is very muddy at the stable and cow-shed. We were not used to mud in the summer, but we know what it is like now. I have five sisters and two brothers. My sister takes the milk to the factory. We have about 15 hens and 20 chickens this year. It is very cold to-night; I think it is going to freeze. 'We have had .a good few sweet peas out this year. I will close now. With best wishes to all L.F.. not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, EVERLASTING DAISY (Gummies' Bush).

[Do not b© quite so long again in sending ns word of your doings, Everlasting Daisy. Now you have made another I hope you will continue writing.—DOT J

Dear Dot and Comrades,—lt i« over four months since I last wrote; but I am not as bad as Everlasting Daisy, who has not written for about two years-. She says she is going 1 to write to-night, but I don't know whether she will or not. We have all the harvest finished. We got it cut and led-in before any rain fell, so we were lucky. I received your letter to-day, Heather Bloom, and will answer it shortly; yours also, Postman Henry. I received a letter from Ivanhoe, some time ago. He is in Egypt, and is in the heat of health and spirits. I have an uncle who will be going away with the Thirteenth Reinforcements. He has no'. been down on leave yet. There are a good many uoing from here on the Gih of April. I will close now, as there is no more news at present, except war news, and everybody gets their share of it. Kind regards to Postman Henry, Heather Bloom, Niob-e, and all the rest of -my correspondents, not forgetting your dear self.—Yours truly, MET A (Gumniies' Bush).

[I am glad .'to see that Everlasting Daisy fulfilled her intention of writing. You will have to keep each other up to the mark.— DOT]

Dear Dot,—l am writing to ask you if I may join your happy band. I have read several of the D.L.F. letters, and I thought I would like to join. I am 13 years old, and in the Sixth Standard at school. We are milking six cows, and we send our milk to the Woodend Dairy Factory. Is not this war dreadful, Dot! We had very rough w T eather last week. As this is my first le;ter I think I will close now. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting vourself.—Yours trulv, DAUNTLESS PATTY (Awarua Plains).

[I am delighted, to welcome you to our circle, Dauntless Patty, and hope we shall be able to number you among our staunch supporters.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk ? I ana 14 years of age, and am in Standard VI. We have been having very much wind lately, but it dies away towards evening. As we are on a hill we do not get such severe frosts as those resident on the plain. We have an old dog called Bruce; he is as old as I am, and has also been in Queensland with us. We have two apple trees which are laden with winter apples. I think I shall close now, so good-bye just now.—Yours trulv, AMOKUIti. (Milton).

[Yoii are most welcome to join us, Amokura, and I hope we shall hear from yovr from time to time. Bruoo is a great age, isn't he ? and, I suppose, dociS not relish too much exercise at his time of life.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Just a lins t-o say that I am alrve and. well. I have been away from home this while back, so have been unable to write. I was working on a large station about 10 miles from where I live. It was such a nice place, too, but oh, so lonely! Princess Priscilla was working at the sameplace also. We had grand times together. I would have found it much lonelier if she hadn't been ••'here. I have tried to persuade her to write, but I don't knew whether she will or not. Are not the Waikaia L.F. backward in writing, Doc ? There isn't one that has written since they joined. I think Grey Eyes is writing tonight also. I wonder if A Lonely Lass knows who I am. I have always wondered who you were. Will you please send mo your address, Lupulite'? I noticed in the auto column that you wished to exchange auios with m-e. • The Witness lias been sent to the front, ..-<o I haven't your address. If I had thought of it at the time, I could have cut it out. You will see my address in the Auto column. My cousin gave Grey Eyes and myself such a; beautiful white French rabbit. N He is sxich a beauty. J had a common grey one, but I let it go. I urn very fond of animals. Winter will soon be round again. I think we had our first touch of winter two or three days ago. ] thought we were going to have another big flood; in fact, it was a flood, but not, as big as the one three years ago. We have ha;' one or two sharp frosts; but I suppose they will be nothing to what wo are likely to havo later on. I. don't like the winter months, as they are so cold and the days are so ehort. In the summer months we generally go swimmir.g. Can you swim, Dot? I am just learning. It is nice for everybody to be able to swim, as one never knows when it will be needed. The patriotic sports are to be held here on Easter Monday; but I don't think I shall go. There is to be a special train from Gore also, which generally brings numbers of people from the surrounding districts. Well, Dot, I have run

short of news, so will close. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours Iruly, LEOLA (Waikaia).

[I must confess I am not much of a swimmer, Leola. I think it is splendid for everyone to be abe to swim,. and I hope to improve my own at some future date.— DOT.]' Dear Dot—Aficr a long absence I again put on paper those two words to show you that 1 have not altogether forgotten ' the page. I suppose you have been thinking the latter, as I am not very liberal with my letters; but I hope to be excused this time, and will try and write more fro quently in the future. We are having bad weather down this way now; but I suppose wo can't have good weather always, can we, Dot? I have been asked if I will take on the position as organist at the Presbyterian Church, and I think I will accept the offer; but, as I play the piano, I suppose _ I will take a while to get into the way of it. My big brother, who owns a farm out of Gi'sborne, reads my letters. He is such a hard case, Dot, and full of fun. . My little niece is away again, I am sorry to say, as she was great company for us. Winter is fast approaching now, Dot, and the grass is scarce. This is a drawback to us, as our cows go over the numerous hills here, and my sister (Leola) and I have to go everywhere before we can find them. But vo cannot blame the cows, as they have to find grass to eat. I like reading the soldiers' letters; they are so interesting. What stories these who are spared to come back will have to tell about their difficulties, and the pleasant times many of the wounded spent in Egypt. The people up here are busy picking their fruits now, before Jack Frost has the satisfaction of making their hands cold. Kind regards to all your numerous correspondents and yourself.— Yours truly,

GREY EYES (Waikaia)

[lt is to be hoped some of the other L.F. in Waikaia will follow the lead of Leola and yourself, Grey Eyes, and send in'' a letter occasionally. No doubt you will soon become accustomed to the organ, and 1 wish vou all success in your work. — DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was pleased to sse my letter in print, and thought I would write again to-night. Though we are having a wet harvest, wo have had a very mild season. There has been a good crop of fruit, and now some of the trees have quite a lot of blossoms as well as fruit on them. There has been such a lot of flowers in the garden, and the forest trees, too, have been laden with blossom-. What a terrible war this is, Dot! I have several cousins at the front, and a number of my friends have been killed there. I hope it will not last much longer. Well, as I have no news I will now close. Love to. Dad's Girl, Leola, Sweet Plum, Ocean Pearl, Ivy Diamond, and all otter L.F., and yourself.—Yours truly, CAENATION. [What a picture everything must bo, Carnation. Certainly the season has been remarkably mild, which, I suppose, accounts for the profusion of flowers and bloom.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—You will be thinking that I have forgotten you. I was pleased to see my first letter in print. There has been a lot of rain lately, but we are having fairlygood weather now. I was away for a holiday at Christmas time, and enjoyed myself very much. The pup which I mentioned in my last letter has grown quite a big dog now. He brings the cows in morning and nignt, and whan he has brought them in he gets some milk. When we are feeding the chickens he chases the other hens away, but he does not touch the chickens. We have a cat, and she is 12 years old, and is as playful as a kitten. There are a good few D.L.F. in this district. Are there not voices strangely sweet, And tones of music strangely dear? So lovingly the soul they greet, So kindly steal they on the ear. I think I will stop now—Yours truly, LADY NAN AC Y LEE (Waikaka). [Your dog is evidently being well trained, Lady Nancy, and deserves his drink of milk, as it must save one quite an amount of trouble when he is so useful.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —As we have been getting the Witness lately I have noticed this interesting page of yours, and so have decided to write. First of all, you will want to know all about myself, I suppose. Well I am 14 years old and am attending the High School here. On Monday we exrjcrienced an awful thunderstorm. It was the worst seen in Gore for a long time. Although I was not here at the time I can imagine what it was like. The heavens seemed to open up, and tne thin white line zigzagged over the sky. The earth was filled with a weird light, which clearly illuminated everything, and was followed by an ear-splitting roar which sounded like the chariot wheels of the Storm King himself. Such storms as these make people appreciate the calm days when ihey come; but I suprjose we- would soon w-eary of these fine days and long loathe fierce outbursts, which make us feel so helpless and which make us stand in awe-. I do not know many D.L.F.; but I suppose I will soon make their acquaintance. 1 will stop now, as I am pressed for time; but I hop© that I will have a chance of writing again soon. Love to all the L.F. and yourself. —Yours truly,

GOLDEN SHADOWS (Gore)

[One, no doubt, realises .one's impotence and smallness when watching a storm; it is a magnificent sight, I think. I thank you far the details about yourself, but you omitted one thing—your nam®, — which if you will send in your next letter will oblige me greatly.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —'May I join your happy baud ? I am six years old and in the First Standard at school. I have a mile and a-half to walk to school. Mother makes me go every day unless I am sick, which I am at present. I am a sister to Chiddy. There are a lot of Dot's Little Folk going to our school, so I thought I would like to be one of them. I have a black cat called Tiny; she is 12 years old, and a real good cat, too. As this is my first letter to the page I hopo to have rnoro to write about next time. I will close now. Kind love to all Dot's Little Folk, not forgetting yourself, Dot. —Yours trulv, MOTHER'S YOUNGEST (Tycho). [I am charmed to include you in rny list of L.F., deai-.. I am so sorry you are not well, and hopo that long before you read this you will bo your bright little self again.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Wo arc having very changeable weather clown here just now, and the farmers are having trouble in getting their crops in. I am in the Second Standard, and we are having very hard work; but wc have a nice teacher. We have fun on the &eesaw and swing. Yv r c have a little pony, and it is very quiet. I like to have a ride on it. With best wishes, —Yours truly, ROBIN (Ahuriri Flat).

[A new standard is always rather difficult until one becomes accustomed to the work, Robin; but if one likes the teacher tho work usually secina easier.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am very sorry that I have not written to the page for such a long time, but I am going to make up my mind 1o write often I passed my examination, and am in the Second Standard. We have a dear little pony. It is quite quiet, and its name ia Fairy. We often have a ride on it. The weather has been very wet and cold lately. I will close now, with love.—Yours truly, LOLA (Ahuriri Flat).

[I am f=o glad jju are getting on so well at school, dear, mid congratulate you on passing.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am writing to tell you hew pleased I was to see my letter in the Witness. I was very disappointed the sports were not held on the 25th; but they are to bo held on the Bth of this month. The weather here in Dunedin is very fair just row. My cousin is going to Nelson on Wednesday, and is going on a fruit farm. I am getting on well at school now, but tho k'ssons wore a bit difficult at first. Moss Rose's mother is do-vii from the country, and the former is quite delighted to see her. My aunt has been staying with us for two weeks. She has neon living in Christchurch, but haa a horse here now. Have you been to C'hristchurch, Dot? Mother snys it is a lovely place. Isn't the war dreadful, Dot? Love to Outlaw, Chip, Island Girl, and. also the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SCOTCH THISTLE (South Dunedin). _ [Christchurch is undoubtedly pretty, as the river is a great attraction; but it is much too flat to suit my taste, and I found that walking continuously on the fiat made me very tired. —DOT.]

Dear Dot.—lt is some time since last I wrote to you, but I always take an interest in the page, and, looking over the D.L.F letters this week, I noticed that several Timaru people had written, among whom was Postman Henry. I wonder if you know 7 who I am now, Postman Henry ? I often sec you in tho street, and last Thursday night you sat next to Clutha in tho pictures some of tho time, then afterwards we saw you going home. I noticed you had your badge on. When I see so many letters from this part of the country it makes me curious to know who they are. This year my sister and I went to Auckland for our holidays and had a lovely time. We left here (four of us) on January 3 by special train, and went as far as Christchurch the first day. It was 5 p.m. when we arrived, and, after having tea, went to the pictures. The following morning we went to Sumner, where we spent a pleasant time; then back into town and along- the Avon. In the afternoon wo amused ourselves by looking at the shop windows. The time soon came for us to take the train to Lyttelton, and when we got on the Maori we met some people we knew. We were soon pulling out from tho harbour, leaving my two sisters on tho wharf. Tho boat was just packed with holiday-makers and soldiers going to and fro,. The trip across to Wellington was very nice, but I cannot -say I enjoyed it very much, and was not sorry to see Wellington, where wo mado our way to an hotel for breakfast, and laler went to the Zoo. By this time it was raining fairly hard, so we did not see as much as we would have liked to. W© went to Thorndon Station and caught the 1.10 p.m. train, and prepared ourselves for the long journey through to Frankton Junction. We met a, man on the train who pointed out the places of interest to us, and so made the journey very interesting. We arrived at Frankton at 3.45 next morning, and the same afternoon went to the country, where we stayed nearly three weeks. The journey out by motor took about two hours, through beautiful county, following the Waipa River most of the way. We had a grand time in the country, and had plenty of driving. Once I attempted to ride, but wish now I had been more brave. The bush was simply lovely, and, as I was not used to it, I was much impressed by its beauty, and could have spent hours in it. The weather was very hot while we were there, and so the mosquitoes had a good time w'th us. We had a day hi Hamilton going up, and then two days in Auckland city. The Waikato River is another beauty spot up there, and no wonder the people are proud of Auckland is a nice place, but I do not like it so well as Dunedin. We also had wet weather there, and so did not see everything; but, despite the weather, we went to Onehunga, Grafton Bridge, tho Museum, Art Gallery, Library, and Albert Park, and saw all the ferry boats going to the different places. The journey back was equally as interesting, although we did not waste much time coining home, leaving Auckland at 8.45 on Thursday night and arriving here at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday, after spending an enjoyable month's holiday. I think I had better change the subject or I will be taking up too much of your valuable space. The war is still raging, and no end of it in view. What rejoicing there will be when it is all over, and all our brave boys home again 1 My brother has been away over a year now; he went with the Sixth Reinforcements. We will soon have winter with us again. I don't think we are having a hockey team this year. Kind regards to all the D.L.F. ,wd V ouvs?lf.— Yn Urs truly, SPRING FLOWER (Timaru).

_ [You evidently made tho most of tho time at your disposal during your holiday, Spring Flower. I am so glad you had such an enjoyable time.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Just a few lines to say I have not forgotten the page. My birthday will be on the 25th of May, and then I will be 13. Our school picnic is supposed to be held on the 7th April. I am now in the Sixth Standard at _ school. pur auntie gave us two guinea-pigs some time ago. I caught a grty-and-whitc rabbit, so I put it in with them. My sister has a while cat; she calls it, Diana. We have a little yellow kitten. Could you. please, give me a. name for him? I have been sick lately, and did not go '.o school. It is raining to-day, but it is not very heavy. We have noi had a good downpour for a long time. There seems to be a loi of fruit, but vegetables are very scarce. Our hens have knocked off laying; bat we have a lot of eggs pickled. That infantile paralysis must be a terrible thing. One of our cows will soon be in. We have to buy butler a* present. Love to all the D.D.F", not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, IRISH *MOSS. [Though perhaps not very aristocratic, I should think Sandy the most suitable name for th« kitten. I do hope you are now over your indisposition, and in your usual health. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—On taking up the Otago Witness and reading several of the letters, I felt rather ashamed of myself for not writing to the page more frequently. It is now nearly a year since I have written ; but, all the same, I have read ihe letters every week and taken an interest in the page. This is my second year at the High School, and I like there very much. We go in for nil kinds o' sport, such us tennis, hockey, fives, basket-hall, and swimming. My sister, Spring Flower, is writing to the page to-night also. My other sister, Clutha, has not written for some time. She attends the Technical School, so does not get very much time to herself. Anyway, I think she, like myself, is not a very good correspondent. Spring Flower went to Auckland at Christmas, and Clutlia '.vent to Cluistchurch. I

did not go away, but hope to go somewhere for my next holidays. I very < u sco Postman Henry, with his bag of le. .s over his shoulder He wears his D.L.F. badge, and has often handed letters to me in LeCren street. I do not think he knows mo: but he sat in the pictures next to us the oilier night. How did you enjoy " Behind the Scones," Postman Henry? I do not know any D.L.F. in Timaru; but to-day "I saw a boy with a D.L.F. badge on. Last year, I used to correspond with a number of Dot's Little Folk, but, seeing that I did no'i write to tho page for so long, I have now forgotten the names and addresses ox them all. When Spring Flower was away I went down to Waimate on Boxing Day, and had a good time. I did not notico anyone with tho D.L.F badge on tliere. A school camo to our High School on Saturday last, and played a tennis match against us. It was very exciting in parts* The visitors won. A few Saturdays ago I was collecting hi the street for the Red Cross. It was French Bed Cross Day, and I sold many badges. We did very well that day, and gathered a good amount for tho French. Well, Dot, I must now close. Love to all the D.L.F.—Yours truly, KAWABAU (Timaru). [Perhaps Clutha, r.ot wishing* to be outdone hi the matter of letters, may yet send us a line, Kawaran. Still, I "can quita believe how busy she is, and tiust she will still keep a warm corner for us in her memory.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather down here has been very unsettled latch', but it was a little better to-day. The farmers are busy thrashing just now, but it is very nearly all ever. Tiiere wero two or three farmers down this way who had their crops out in stook, and they got them spoilt in the flood. I have beeu on my own all the week, as my mother has been hi Invercargill, nursingmy grandmother, who ia very ill. It was harvest festival in the 'English Church todaj-. Tho church was beautifully decorated with ferns and flowers and produce. Well, Dot, _ we are waiting patiently for the next hospital ship to come in, as we have had word from triencls at the front to say that my brother is coming home. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PANSY BLOSSOM (Winton). [What a state of suspense you will be in until your brother actually arrives, Pansy Blossom. W hat a relief it is to have them back again. 1 hop-e ho will soon be we'll again—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I find that to give a lucid account of the doings of David Copperfkld as depicted by Dickens would be "beyond my power in this letter. Those who "have read any of Dickens's works will know that each volume contains a vast amount of reading matter, and to give even a brief summary of the same would involve a work of no httle magnitude, so I must content myself by trying to give a description of some of the characters in this most interesting book of fiction. I think, perhaps, of this writer's books I like " David Copperfield" best. Perhaps I am influenced by' the words of the writer himself, " that tins was his favourite book," but more probably it is the reality of the incidents themselves, the various characters so admirably portrayed, and -the rnemal pictures so true to life which appeal to me. David Coppcrfield, the hero of the story, tells his own story in modest self-depreciation, with a clearness and vividness that will hold the interest of even the most casual and cursory reader. Copperfield is just a very ordinary baby, a very ordinary boy, and grows to manhood's estate in just the way that*everyone else traverses. He has his pleasures, his sorrows, his failings, and his triumphs. This is the thread of the story: We start at his childhood, and leave him surrounded by his wife and children, filling his sphere and living his life untroubled and undisturbed. His mother was one of those gentle beings who either havo no will of their own or are too timid and reticent to voice their opinions—a poor, frail little thing, one to be loved and cared for and made much of. His father died before David was born, and the poor " Baby" (as Betsy Trotwocd, David's aunt, persisted in calling his mother) married again—a Mr Murdstone, a severe, exacting man, who (though not so severe, so cruelly hard and peppery as his maiden sister, Miss Jane Murdstone) completely crushed all the life and spirit from the poor ' liuby." .between the two of them they managed to completely dominate the frail little blossom who was David's mother, and gave David a rather bad time of it. His one friend at thts time was Peggoty, his mother's faithful servant—a good faithful soul, whom David ever since his earliest childhood connected with a yard measure, a bit of ,wax candle, and a workbox witn St. Paul on the lid, and with such rosj' cheeks and arms that he used to wonder why the birds didn't peck her in preference to apples. There was another person whom he had heard a lot about, and that was his aunt, Miss Betsy Trotwood, suppiosed to be a very terrible creature, with a whoie list of eccentricities. This lady appeared at the Rookery, Mr Cojjperfield's Home, en the night of uavid's birth. Miss Trotwood had so made up her mind that she was going to have a niece and that that niece was to-be called Betsy Trotwood Copperrield, that when the unoffending Di: Chilip announced the advent of a fine, bonnie ■ boy, she struck him over the head with her bonnet and marched out of the house, never to return. At last, worn out in spirit and broken, like some frail reed, by the hands of the inexoraol© Jane and. Mr Murdstone, David's mother dies. Mailers then, become worse for David, and in desperation he makes his way to London, to the home of his aunt. Miss Betsy Trotwood. That lady, in spite of the fact that she wears her bonnet at any angle she feels inclined and not at all allied to the prevailing fashion, looks after the boy and brings him tip. And now, as rny mind dwells among those scenes 60 vivid in my imagination, how many persons lise up before my mind. First of all, like some radiant star, is Agnes Wickfield, the loving, thoughtful Agnes, David's guardian angel, his counsellor, his friend, his helper; lier father, the kind, stately man. whoso whole thought is for Agnes; and, like some dark spectre behind them bo;h, looms the figure of Uriah Heap, the fawning, humble, oilytongued scoundrel, who gradually succeeds in enveloping them in a black cloud, an intangible web, by his diabolical schemes. Then there is Dora, David's child-wife, with her playful, childish winning ways, her attempts at housekeexjing, and her brave efforts to keep her account book, which generally ended in the dog Jip getting his nose inked or made to stand in the corner on the cookery book. Boor dear little Dora! She was one of those sweet little butterflies that weren't made for cookery books and_ the realities of life; she was just a radiant, loving little plaything, spoilt and petted by the two maiden aunts, the Misses Spenlow, and worshipped by David. But the little blossom withers and dies, and David is left alone to long for the little arms of his child-wife that would cling to him and tell hint "he was a naughty doady." Then before mo comes Traddies, tho good-natttrad, hard-working Traddies, who is studying law, whose hair invariably stands on end, and who is engaged to *' the dearest girl hi

the world, ono of 10, down ir. Devonshire." Then there ure little Emily and Ham., and Mr Peggoty, and Missus Gummidge (who waii always so lone and lone) that live away down in the* boatbouse, Oh, Pot, it may eeem absurd, but I just love them all. Tbey are living- beir>gs to me. The pretty littlo Emiiy, who is to be married to the "devoted, honest Ham. Then, behind them all, 1 fancy I can see Steerforth, the school friend of David Copyerfield—the brilliant, unscrupulous Steerforth that enters that homo like some gilded serpent, and, taking a passing fancy to the pretty little Emily, fascinates her, takes her away, blights " her young innocent life, and brings devastation to that happy home. Ah, Steerforth, could you have but measured the awful consequences of your folly, your mad sin! Had you thought only of the sorrow, the humiliation, you wero bringing to your proud, haughty mother, how her proud head was brought low in the dust, that mother who' worshipped you, you who were her idol, would you not liavo paused and considered? And Lettemcr, the respectable, grsvely-cornposed Lottcmer, who was your accomplice! And through my rambling mind comes the vision of Mr and Mrs Micawber—the sanguine, genteel Micawber, who was always expecting something- to turn up; Micawber, with his insatiable mania for writing flowery epistles on any and every possible occasion, and his wife, " who would never desert Micawber." They are a study in themselves, and provide a fund of humour. Then there are the Doctor and Mrs Strong—the doctor, who is hard at work on his dictionary, and Annie, his wife, who is so many vears his junior. Then there is Mr Dick., whom Betsy Trotweod always asserts is a . mdorful man, though other people say he- ..- simple, who is writing a memorial, and can't write' a paga without talking about Charles I, whom he has some vague idea is responsible for ail the. sins of civilisation. And what of Miss Mowcher, Julia Mills, Martha, and so many more? Time and space forbid any more description, and the last closing chapters, where the traitor Heep is discovered and caught by Mr Micawber; where David) Copperfield becomes united to the noble Agnes, and things arc- brought to a happy climax by a settling of Mr Micawbers difficulties and the emigration of the family ta Australia; the finding of Emily, and" the going away of Mr Peggoty and his niece on the same steamer—all come to me in one last happy confusion of thought. Dot, much more could I write, but time and space forbid. And now over the last few words I fain would linger, as I am now going to say good-bye, till I. join with you again in thi) reunion of Old Writers. I have been writing to the page for about nine years, and I cannot say how much pleasure and profit I have- derived from it. I think it was through writing to Dot that caused me to take up writing- as a pursuit. And now it is farewell ! I would not stem the course of time even if I could! Ever and always shall I look back on many happy hours spent in writing to Dot, and now I must make room for younger pens than min*. To you, dear Dot, I wish the best of happiness and prosperity in the future, all good wishes to all your band, and good luck and success to the dear old page from, —Yours truly, DE-WDIIOP (Hampden). [" David Copperfield " is magnificent, Dewdrop, and it is a treat to run over the characters in my mind as you enumerate them. 1 am truly sorry to have to accept; this as your last letter as an L.F., but I am sure we shall not expect in vain when O.VV. Week comes round. I am sure all will join with me in thanking you for your good wishes, and wishing you the best of luck in your literary work.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since last writing, my sister-in-law had a son born on' Wednesday, and on Monday ray cousin was drowned. She was 10 months old. My brother took some, of the /mutton-birders on to the island, and he called in on his way back. He stayed at home one night and then went back to the - Bluff. A soldier came back from camp to bid his parents good-bye. He is leaving on Wednesday. There are a lot of men gone from here, and a lot more to go. Seme have been killed and others wounded. My father is away yarding up the sheep. My mother, sister, and 1 are going muttonbird in g. It is 12 months since my brotherleft Kevv Zealand: he is in the hospital sick. I only wish they would send him back. My mother and father.were 32 year* married on Sunday, April 2. Well, Do* pieaso excuse this short note; I must close With love to all the -iJ.L.P., not forgettinj yourself.—Yours truly, ISLAND GIRL (Stewart Island). [lt would be splendid if your brother was sent home, Island Girl. I sincerely hope he may, as it would relieve your anxiety a lot. I am sorry to learn of your cousin's death. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —This will be my last letter till I come off Muttonbird Island. My sister, Waitai, is making butter, while my mother is round at my sister-in-law's place. Mother and father are 32 years married on April 2. We are having terrible weather over here; it is raining to-day, but it iookfj as if it is going to clear up. My mother is going on to Muttonbird Island next week. My two sisters went out in the boat, and they got two cases of fish, which they gave to father. I had my brother Jim over to stay with me. I think I will close. With' love to all the D.L.F., not forgettinj yourself. —Yours truly, FEENDALE (The Neck). [I hope you have great success with your mutton-birding, Femdale.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Once more I take the pleasure of writing you a few lines. We are having very nice weather here just now. Father bought us a new pony; it is a cream colour, with a black mane and tail. We call himDoctor. I have a sore foot just new, so I cannot walk very well. I- was 11 years old on Sunday, April 2. We are milking five cows, and making butter. I know four D.L.F. about here. We had two weeks' harvest holidays, but we have started school again. I have changed my • name to Aparima. In our orchard we have a great number of apples. I will close now. giving the I/.F. a riddle: What is the difference between a schoolmaster and a penny stamp'? Dove to Viold, Eock Fern, White Pansy, and Eo-y Apple, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, APARIMA. [I hope your fool will soon be better, Aparima; one must take care now the cold weather is approaching.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —I was very pleased to see my first letter in print. Since I last wrote, my mother and I have been to Hokitika for five weeks' holiday. Lady Ottery and Armada Dais;." were keeping house while we wore away. The name of the ship in which we sailed was the Jane. She is a very pmall boat, and has not much accommodation for passengers. I was in G-roy mouth, and I liked it much better -than Hokitika, for 'A is a much larger place. Armada is going up in the spring to go to the convent for 12 months, and J will miss her very much, because there are no girls about here. -*■ little boy .vas here the ofher day- who, I think, was a D.L.F. He is poiivT to stay at Ok-uru for a_ few months. Weil, Dot, as it is getting near bedtime for

rue, i will close now. With love to Sunbeam and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, iiAAST HOSE (Haast).

[Greymouth is rather livelier than Hokitika, Haast Hose; but there was a time when the contrary was the case. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—l am not going to leave a very long time between each letter. I was il years old on March 18. Lady Ottery is leaving hero on the 24th of this month, so we will have no school then. There was no atteiyrpt made to secure the oil from the whale. The whalebone was saved by a resident of Olcuru. My father and brother and some more men took a mob of 110 cattle away to the sale about a month ago. "V\ e went down and saw the cattle swim the Haast River. They drove the cattle about 100 miles, and it took them nine days to do so. Now, I think I will bring this short letter to a close. "With best wishes to Sunbeam, yourself, and all the rest of the D.L.F. —Yours truly, ARM—>A DAISY (Haast).

[I hopo you had a very happy birthday, Armada Daisy. What a long distance to have to take the cattle. It must have been quite exciting watching them swim the river.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Once again I give myself the pleasure of penning these two words, which are getting to be so familiar to me. Have you had your round changed now, Postman Henry, because I haven't seen you in the town for a while? I was down seeing some soldiprq ax. ay io-day (sth inst.), and I saw Peggy Prirrrose, I think she saw me, too, but did iiot know who I was. We are having "Anzao Day" here on Easier Tuesday, and I do hops they make a good amount for the soldiers, because they need it very badly, don't they? I received our letters, Anzao, Wild Irish Rose, and Miss Lou, and I hope you will have the answers before this appears in print, as I am answering your letters along with come others. What a lot of new members you are getting from Timaru, Dot. There are. always new names appearing in the page; but I don't happen to run up against them at any time. Wake- up, Prairie Belle, and answer my letter, or I will be thinking you have gone to sleep for the winter. Wo are having lovely weather up here, Dot. It is still nice enough to go to Caroline Bay, but, as Peggy Primrose says, it is rather cold for surfbathing. Well, Dot, I think, I will close. Love to all the D.L.P., including yourself.— Yours truly,

LIFT (Timaru). P.S. —How many members are there in Timaru, Dot?

[Without consulting the address book, I could not say offhand how many members there are, Lift. It would require time and patience to hunt through the names.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Just these few lines to let you see I am still alive, although I have not put in an appearance in the page for weeks. The war is still very seriou3, and the men are answering the call wonderfully. A good many men have gone from this district (Westland), and a good few have come back again to their homes. A young man, Private R. Gibbs, landed in Dunedin on the 15th March} he lives about 30 miles from here. He had enieiio fever, and wag invalided heme with it. The infantile paralysis is spreading and making itself well known all over the island. In Auckland there are a frightful lot of cases, and a- good few have proved fatal. Hardly any disease cornea down this way, and I hope we keep clear of this one. There is a case down this way, but the boy is quite well again. He was five years of age. I had a good ride last Saturday. My brother (who is going to camp now) and myself went to one of our neighbours, who lives 18 miles below us. We rede our horsas, and I think we did it in quick time. We will soon have the winter here again—cold mornings and nights. It makes me shiver to think of the mornings. This is my first long letter to you, and I think you will be tired of reading it. so I will " draw the line." Love and kindest regards to Lady Cantrips, Postman Henry, Broncho Billy, Armada Daisy, Haa.ist Rose, ai d all other D.L.P., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SUNBEAM (South Westland).

[Did you forget to enclose the stamps, Sunbeam, as there were none in the letter? One can get along very well without all these epidemics, and I am sure you appreciate your immunity.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am writing to ask you if I may join your happy hand. I know a few D.L.F. in Timaru, ■ and I thought I would like to be one too. I often go to the library to- read the letters in the Witness, and I quite enjoy them. Have you ever been in Timaru, Dot ? What a lot of Little Folk there are in Timaru. As this is my first letter I will stop now, and leave room fox a better writer.—Yours truly, LLAMA (Timaru).

[Certainly you may join us, Llama, and I hope your interest in the page will continue.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It is with pleasure I begin to write to the page once again. Since writing last I have had -a lot of work to do. My mother has been ill for a long time, and I have been home from school doing the housework. I was at Tapanui for a holiday, and I like there very much. The native bush is very beautiful. I was at a swimming tournament, -and I saw a little girl diving. She was just eight years old, and was a good swimmer for such a small girl. Her name is Polly Smith. My uncle is in Trentham Camp; he is in the Thirteenth Reinforcements. My cousin was presented with the D.C.M. in Lawrence on Tuesday evening, and we are all very proud of hini. This war is dreadful. Everyone will be pleased when it is over, which I hope will be soon. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, TE MAHANGA LASS (Miller's Plat).

[I noticed in the paper where the presentation liad been mad© in Lawrence, of course, was quits unaware that the recipient wa3 your cousin, dear. You have just reason to be proud of him. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Just a few lines to the page, and also a little information for L.F. in Timaru and surrounding districts. I am out of my monthly routine; but it cannot be helped, 'and, with your permission, I will write again in my usual turn. I am very sorry for not telling you previously about this grand treat in store, and I humbly apologise for same. Well, for the treat itself, it is this:—Ned De Vine asked me if I thought a picnic would be acceptable, and, of course, I said "Yes." I am not taking the honour of being the originator, for which I and all the L.F. have to thank Ned De Vine—when it comes off. Ned De Vine proposes that on the King's Birthday (Jane 3) we hold a combined picnic of L.F. in Tiinaru and surrounding districts, such as Puddock, Charity, Miss Lou, Alison, and all others who can come, to bring a mate or two. If wo find that the picnio is a success, wo hope to make it an annual affair. Of course, the usual thing—ladies provide a basket, boys and men fruit and necessaries, will be the rule. Any L.F. who can attend please forward to me their names and addresses, so that I can have an estimated number to provide for. The picnic

place is to be Caroline Bay, and, if wet, will be held in any available covered-in place. A line lot cf recruits left here yesterday. Wednasday, the 3th inst., and the thing I thought grand was that a mate of mine had five standard mates going along with him, making up six out of the Sixth Standard, while this mate was in it. Don't you think that was splendid. I must close now, as I am short of news. Love to all correspondents and other L.P., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, POSTMAN" HENRY (Timavu). P.S.—All L.F. who can attend picnic (or think they can) please drop a line to Postman Henry (Henry E. Beach, Post Office, Timaru) as soon as possible. POSTMAN" HENRY. [I am sure your projected picnic will be quite a delightful affair, Postman Henry, and I hope the L.F. will turn up in numbers, and enjoy a dav by the sea. All success to the scheme.—DOT.] AUTOS. Forgct-me-Not (Victoria Hforthcote ,01enorchy) wishes exchange avrtos and correspond with Ned Do Vino, Black Butterfly, Ivy Green, and any D.L.F. willing. Nona (Christina Jordan, Awarua Plains P. 0.) wishes to correspond with any D.L.F. willing. Meg Flynn (M. R. Graves, Moa Creek) wishes to correspond with any girl D.L.F. willing. Leola (Elsie M. Stewart, Post Office, Waikaia) wishes to correspond with Lift, Little Miss Neddy Coat, Alison, Bravest of the Brave, Dolly Varden, Posiman Henry, and any other D.L.F. willing. Grey Eyes (Evelyn Stewart, P. 0., Waikaia) wishes to correspond with Heather Blossom, Monalfcrie, Bonnie Mary of Argylo. and any other L.F. willing. Postman Henry (H. E. Bench, Post Office, Timaru) wishes, to correspond with Tahu, Puddock, Alison', n,nd any L.F. willing.