DOT'S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3265, 11 October 1916, Page 58

DOT'S LITTLE FOLK.

Dot invites short letters from her young friends throughout the DoiDinoon on mutters of interest to themselves, the result of their observations in the animal world, descriptions of anything they are interested in, of the district in wnich they live, of their school and home life, holiday trips, &e. The letters are to be written by the little folk themselves, and addressed "Dot, caro of Editor Witness." Dot's Little Folk's Badge with pin, for use as a brooch, obtainable on application to Dot. I'rioe, Is 6d post free, in penny or halfpenny stamps. Auto. Cards are obtainable from Dot, Witness Office, Dunedin. Price, 9d for 25.

OLD WRITERS' WEEK.

November 15, 1916. I am delighted at being able to announce that November 15, and, if necessary, November 22, will be devoted to contribxslions by Old Writers. I hope to fliul a large number of old friends sending in contributions. It is incumbent upon those who are left in the Dominion to make the occasion a success. Our comrades at the front will warmly welcome the occasion. I need hardly add that contributions must not be too lengthy, as the space available is strictly limited. Letters must reach "DOT, care of the Editor," not later than SATURDAY, November 4. In conclusion, I must ask the L.F. to refrain from sending in letters between NOVEMBER 4 and 18.—DOT. KILLED IN ACTION. GUNNER A. L. HUGHES (N.Z. Field Artillery). It is with sincere regret I have to chronicle the death of Welsh Boy, ao well and favourably known to all members and readers of the L.E. page. It is not long since we had a letter from Welsh Hoy from France, and the page has sustained a- great loss in his death. To his relatives I wish to convey our sincerest sympathy, in their sad bereavement, for if we who were his friends loved him and will miss him, how immeasurably greater will be their sorrow who knew him and loved him still more. DOT. LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Uotto: —Wo write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. No letter to contain more than 450 words. Dear Dot,—We did not get the Witness my last letter was in, so I was not able to see it; but we will try and get the other, in which this letter is printed. We are having beautiful spring weather here just now, and it is quite a treat after the rough weather. The spring flowers are out now, and are looking very pretty. I am learning to bake now, Dot, and I think that of the many things in life one ought to learn it is to bake. I am very fond of it. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, THE FLOWER OF DUNBLANE'S FRIEND (Kakapuaka). [Baking is a most useful accomplishment, and, like you, I think everyone should have a knowledge of it. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —There is really nothing interesting to write about, and space is too valuable to waste on nothing. The weather has been glorious lately, and the spring flowers havo been a picture. The spring air is so crisp and invigorating that it is just a pleasure to live, isn't it? I had a letter lately from Ivanhoc, and on July 28 lie was well, and leaving on three weeks' holiday. I suppose he will be in France now. Rumour hath it that the Anzacs are coming home for Christmas. I don't believe the rumour myself; but wouldn't it be grand if they did come? My brother had the chance to come home, but he wanted to go to France. I don't blame him, but I wish he were home. Well/ Dot, I'm not writing big letters now, as I've too many to write. Since Jim went to Scotland dozens of relations have turned up and have to get letters. I have no fewer than 13 cousins and uncles gone to the front fr6m Scotland and four from New Zealand—not a bad roll of honour, eh? Heaps of love to the L.F. a-nd self. —Yours truly, GUY (Westport). [One must not neglect our soldiers, Guy, whoever else suffers.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having good weather up here lately. I have a few flowers out just now. Best love to Rhododeiiflron, Wavie's Mate, Ferndale, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly.

WAVIE (Beaumont). [I have forwarded you a badge, Wavie, and hope it is satisfactory.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I saw my sister write to you the other week, so I thought that I would like to write to you too. I am 10 years of age, and am in the Second Standard at school. I know very few L.F. I have no brothers, and have only one sister. I went for a holiday last week, and enjoyed myself very much. Love to Bim Taily. —Yours truly, DADDA'S WEE CHAPPY (Anderson"s Bay). [I am very pleased to have you write to us, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote I have been in bed with the mumps and the influenza; but I am quite well again. There are pictures here to-morrow night; but I do not know if I will go or not, as the school children from tho Fourth Standard up to Ihc Sixth go to Gore to the Technical School to-morrow, so I suppose I will bo tired when I get home at night. Well, Dot, this is the extent of my news, and I will have io see about getting my home work done. With love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, WARRIMOO (Eiversdale). [I am so sorry you have, been ill, dear; tho one complaint without tho other would have been bad enough.—DOT.] Dear Dot,— Although it is now about two or three years sinco I have written to you (my last letter, I think, I wrote from France), I have not forgotten tho D.L.F. at all, and have always been intending to writo to yoti. I havo boon to school in New South Wales, and havo been there for over one year now.

Wo play hockey in the winter, and have been fortunate enough to win two matches this quarter. We always look forward to going homo in the holidays, and they are just three weeks off now. My young brother, who is just 10i years, goes to school about 12 miles from" us. He went for tiie first time this term, and seems to enjoy being there. My sister, who is exactly eight years and one month, is at home. She must be very lonely by herself; but as she is very fond of reading French to herself, she must manage to amuse herself. The bulbs just now are beautiful, especially snowdrops, which grow vet'v abundantly at school. We also have two* bushes of "daphne—one pink, one white; the former belongs to the Fourth Form, while the latter belongs to the Third Form, in which I am. They both smell very sweetly, the white one blooming about a month later than the pink. I have sown seeds of larkspur, poppies, stocks, and several others, and I have a good few other seeds left, which I will sow on Saturday afterneon, Saturday being a half-holiday. We have no lessons on Saturday except drawing and extra French conversation; but these two are not counted as lessons. I have had a bad cold and car trouble for the last month. I discovered, by going to a doctor, that I had nn abscess in my right ear, and had to come in to hospital, which I can't say I like very much; but both have left me now, and I am going back to school tomorrow, aficr being absent for iwn weeks. I have been reading a number of books whilst in bed, the chief of them being by Conan Doyle, "The Valley of Fear," "A Study in Scarlet," "The Hounds of the Baskervilles," "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes," "The Return of Sherlock Holmes," and "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"; the last one I have, however, read before. They are all detective stories, and are tip-top. It is so long since I have written to you that my bad<ro is all broken and rusty. If I send in Is 6cl in stamps, may I have another badge? I will be most careful of it if I may have it, as my other one is absolutely beyond wearing. Also, may I change my name? I have told you all the news I can think of now, so will close. Love to all the D.L.F.—Yours truly, PEACH BLOSSOM (Queensland). [I am sonw to learn you have had to spend some time in hospital, Peach Blossom, and hope the trouble is now eradicated. The answer to your questions is: Yes, most certainly, and I shall hope for another _ letter quite soon. I am very interested hi my young people in Australia.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It has been very hot up here. My birthday was on Friday; I was 10 years old. We have 27 lambs, and seven died; and we have 30 sheep. Mother is home again; she was away a long time. We have a lot of flowers in our garden. My brother is away to-night. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, WEARY BOY (Albertown). [I hope you had a very happy birthday, dear. Was mother home in time to celebrate it?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am staying with some friends at Woodlands for a while, and I am having a good time. The weather is just perfect this last week, and it is to be hoped that it continues a while longer. This is a very pretty place, with nothing but green hills for miles around. All the farmers about here are very busy ploughing and getting their vegetables in. I have a nice little baby boy to take out for a walk upon the hills. lam very fond of "reading. I have read lately "The Darleys of Dingo Dingo," which is, I think, tho best book I have ever read. It is a very old book; you cannot get it anywhere now. The one I am reading now is "The Girl of the Limberlost" ; it is also a good book. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly! A SOLDIER'S NURSE (Woodlands). Dear Dot, —I am going to tell you the names of some of tho wild flowers of England. The first two or three I need not describe, as they are grown in tho gardens of New Zealand. The daffodil,, snowdrop, primrose, and oxlip are known here. At Home they grow wild, and anyone may pick them. Also the beautiful blue violet and white which grows under the hedges and in the woods. The moon daisy generally grows to about 2Jin in diameter, and has white petals and yellow centres, so called because it opens at night. The bluebells grow in the woods, and bear from three to a dozen bells on each stem. Wild thyme grows on sunny banks, and is exactly the same as the garden thyme. Tho wild pansy, or loving idol, as it is often called, is a specimen of the pansy family, and grows in great profusion everywhere, being yellow and blue in colour. The dogroses are very pretty, some being pure white, some pink, and others a rich crimson. The paddocks at home in harvest are very pretty with the golden and green corn mixed with scarlet poppies and yellow and white marigolds. The buttercups are the same as these grown out here, but growing in large quantities, making the meadows in summer time a beautiful golden mass. The honeysuckle of woodbine grows in the hedges. Being a climbing plant, it clings around the trees and bushes, and scents the air with its perfume. The honesty, also, is of a climbing nature, its blossom being like a ball of white silken threads. Another meadow flower is the lady's srnox, which grows to about Ift high, and bears about eight small, four-leaved flowers, which are of a pale mauve colour. The paddocks at Homo are divided by stone walls or hawthorr.o hedges, very little wire being used. The wire fence 3in New Zealand look very forlorn-looking after seeing the hedges; also the brown-coloured hills, where at Home it is green grass. But, dear Dot, I will finish this scribhlo, as I am taking up too much space. Love to all and yourself.—Yours truly, A SOLDIER'S DARLING (Dipton).

[Your letters are full of interest, dear, and I hope you will continue to give U 3 a few lights on life at Home.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —The weather has been very fine until to-day, when it has been raining nearly all the time. On Tuesday I went up tho bush io get supplejacks to twino around the school garden. Our garden has pawa shells all around it. The snow is nearly all away. Our school exam, will be very soon, and I hope to get my proficiency certificate. I think I will close now, and not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SILVER SAND (Kaka Point). [I hope to hear in your next letter that you have been successful, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The spring days are here with us again, and we are once more enjoying the sunny days. I have some spring flowers out, and some of our shrubs are in bud. Tho butterflies seem as if they are enjoying the welcome spring, as they are to be seen flyins about wherever there are any flowers. You will see by the way I have headed this letter that the name of this district is changed to Fruitlands, so I suppose heading letters Bald Hill Flat will bo otit of tho fashion now. This is tho third name this place has hud; the others were Speargrass Flat, Bald Hill Flat, and now Pruitlands. Tho planting of the fruit trees has made a great difference to the placet, About 300 acres are planted in apples, pears, and apricots, mostly apples, and about 100 acres are to be planted in oats. Tho 100' acres that are going to be planted in oats this year will be planted in fruit trees next year. In a

few years' time this will be a largo orchard. There are no sod-wall fences along the roadside now, as the netting fences have taken the place of these old-fa sin'oncd fences that have been standing for years. The fruit trees that were planted 3 2 months ago came on well. They have fill been pruned, '-and, of course, are not nearly so big. The weeds are kept down, so the fruit trees have a good chance of coming on well. With kindest regards to Pamelia, Rainymoon, A Day Dreamer, Pink Iris, A. Lonely Crepe Fern, and yourself.—Yours truly,

A LONESOME LILY (Fruitlands). [The district will be quite beautiful when all the orchards are completed.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —How have you been keeping since 1 last wrote? Spring is with us once again, with its beautiful sunshine and the beautiful music of the birds. Will you kindly tell me Golden Shadow's name and address, Dot ? I will bring this to an end now, as the inkpot* has run dry.—Yours truly,

LILY FROM THE PLAINS (Moa Creek). [The address you a-sk for is Miss Elfrida Shcrbone, Stratford street, Gore.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We have been having lovely weather here lately, for the days have been fo hot. I am getting on fairly well with my music, and my mother gave me a musio case for my birthday, and I got_ several other things too. My uncle, who is in camp, will be up on his final leave shortly. The other day I sent him some cake and other little things. After we went to Sunday School today wc went for a long walk to a waterfall, which was beautiful, and we arrived home at G o'clock. My little brother is going to school about October. Are not the weeks flying? We will soon have Christmas here again; but I think it will be a sad one this year for all the mothers who have lost their sons. Best love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PUSS IN BOOTS (Alton). Dear Dot,—lt is very wet up here to-night, and I can't go to the prayer meeting, which is held very regularly every Thursday night. It has been very quiet up here this week, and there is not much news for you. Hull's pictures are to-morrow night, but I am not going to them. My brother, who is in the Sixteenth Reinforcements, sailed to-day, and we shall miss him very much. The inspector will be round soon. There is a missionary up here who is going to teach my cousin and me to speak Spanish. That will be all right, won't it, Dot? Well, I must close now. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.— Yours truly, MARIE (Ettrick). [A knowledge of languages is a most useful acquisition, dear, and every opportunity should be seized to improve oneself. —DOT.] Dear Dot. —There is an address for our Sunday school next week; eight girls are singing, and my sister and I are two of them. My cousin is staying down with us for a while, but is going home next week. _We will be sorry when she goes, as she is a great help. We went to a lady's place today and saw a big waterfall; it looked beautiful. We have had lovely, weather lately, some days being very hot, like summer. I like watching the dear little lambs running about. I am going to start music next week. My sister has had two quarter's, and likes it very much. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours 1 " truly, DAISYBELLE (Alton). [When you both get on a bit with your music you will be able to play duets, which I am 6ure you will enjoy.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—This is my first letter to you, and I would like to be one of your Little Folk. I am eight years old. I started school when I was six, and I am in Standard 11. It is raining to-day. We have a lot of daffodils out now. I have one sister and one brother. We have a lot of lambs and four pet ones. We have about 80 fowls. I am very fond of flowers, Dot; are you? Goodbye, Dot, Love to you and all the Little Folk —Yours truly, CHERRY BLOSSOM (Benmore). [I am delighted to be able to number you among my L.F., dear. I, too, am very fond of flowers.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I read a lot of the letters in your page, and would like to be one of your Little Folk. I live in the country, and am seven years old. I go to school, and am in Standard II I havo four miles to drive to school. I have one sister and one brother. I was in a hospital and had an operation for appendicitis. I go to Sunday School. I will write to you again, Dot.—Your* truly, MAPLE (Benmore). [I am delighted to have you one_ of my I+F., dear, and hope you will continue to write to us.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have been having very rough weather up this way lately. Nearly all the flowers in the garden are in bloom now. A great many of the sheep are lambing about here; but there are very few lambs dying this year. Two Palmerston boys have been killed at the front. There was a hockey match in Palmerston Show Grounds about two weeks ago, and Palmerston ladies raised about JESO to buy Christmas gifts for the soldkrs at the front. Love to Lady Turpin, Laureate, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PRETTY JOEY (Palmerston).

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I am nine years of age, and am in the Fourth Standard. I have three sisters, and two of them are school teachers. Wo are going to have a concert next Friday, and one of my brothers is going to be a nigger. He has a ferret, and sometimes I go out ferreting with him. Every night and morning I feed calves and milk cows. My youngest brother is four years old. About the best thing I like to do is to ride on a horso; I could ride all day. I have read many books—■ namely, "Miss Bobbie," " The Pendletons," and many small books from the school library. Have you read "Tom Sawyer" and

"Huckleberry Finn"? There are about 100 children going- to onr school. Love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.—Your3 truly.

MISS PEPPER (Seacliff). [You are very welcome to join us, 'Miss Pepper.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am increasing my stamp collection every chance I get, and I now have over 1400. I have 230 duplicates, and I exchange with my friends m Wellington. I also exchange with two or three boys here. I now have over 200 French colony stamps alone. These I go in for especially. Did you ever save up stamps, Dot? It is a very interesting hobby. I sit for the junior scholarship exam, on November 30 and December 1. Wo have been playing cricket at school for over two weeks, and we start the matches in a short time. Mother has not been keeping too well at present, and she may go north later on. I have been reading a great deal lately, and somo of the books I have read are "No. 70, Berlin," '"Two Years Ago," "Geoffrev Hamlyn," "Skylark," "The Boy Crusoes," "Waverlcy," and "Kennihvorth." Have you read any of Scott's books. Dot? I like them very much. I have not been learning musio for nearly a month, as my mother thinks I have enough to do with school and scholarship work I do an hour's scholarship work every evening, and it takes me rhrcc-quartera of an hour with ordinary work. We have had

lovely weather here for the past week; but it looks as if it is going to ram. We now have 315 going to our school, and we will have to get a new teacher before long. Kind regards to all L.F., especially Grant, Robin Hood, Busy Bee. Betty, Princess Georgina, Maori Chief, Postman, Hi-nry, Alison, and Eevlis, not forgetting yourself—Yours lUy 'AN IRISH JACK TAR (Invcrcargill). [My brother at one time collected stamps, but I have never done eo. I hope you are very successful in the scholarship examination.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l went bird-nesting on Tuesday, and got 14 birds' eggs; I broke five of them. It is raining here just now, so I won t be able to go out again to-day. I have two or three dozen birds' eggs altogether; they are mostly all sparrows' and thrushes' eggs that I have. The violets and crocuses are nearly all over now, but the primroses are pretty. We have such a lot of white violets growing in the grass; they do look pretty! the whito looks so pretty amongst the green grass! The fruit trees are all in blossom now; they look so pretty! Thank you for the pretty name you gave me for my kitten. Best love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, „ CROCUS II (Nokornai). [You will be making quite a lot of pocket money with your eggs.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—lt is raining here to-night, and it is very miserable. One of the fishermen has lost his boat, and we have found some. of his rope and one fishing line, so he had very bad luck. I have had a birthday since I last .wrote to you. Dove to all D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, FISHER BOY (Tautuku). [I hope you had a very good time on your birthday, Fisher Boy.—DOT.] " Dear Dot, —Since last, writing I have been away for a holiday for" a week. The day I came home I wont to bed with the measles. I am quite well again. I am staying with my sister. .My brother-in-law is very ill in bed with the measles. I had to get up this morning at 2 o'clock and go for the nearest neighbour to go for my "moth-er. This is the first time he has had the. measles. Wo have our cheesemaker now, and I think the factory will soon start. The flowers do look lovely out now! We have not many flowers cut, but my sister. Clover Deaf, has a lot of daffodils out. Best love- to Dolly Yarden, Lift, Llama, Jim, Maori Princess,. Snooks, Queen of the Roses, and all the rest of our L.F., not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, MAMARU'S COUSIN (Slope Point). [I am so sorry your holiday ended so disastrously, dear, and hope your brother-in-law is also better now. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band? I am eight years old, and in Class TV. I am top of my class at present. Our inspector's exam, is on the 9th of October. I have been collecting bottles for the Belgians; I have 400 now. We had our photos taken last Friday at school. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, TICKLIE GEORDIE (Pomahaka). [You are very welcome to join us, dear, and I am so pleased yen are doing so xvcU at school. I hope you maintain your high position.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band? We are milking four cows in the morning and three at night, and I help to milk them. The inspector is coming this month, and I hope I shall pass. My brother went fishing to-day, and he caught 14 trout.—Yours truly, PROFESSOR IT (Heddon Bush). [Y'our brother was very lucky in hie fishing expedition. You are welcome to join us, dear.—DOT.] Dear- Dot, —It has been fine all this week, but it looks a bit like rain to-night. My brothers were out bird-nesting, and they got about seven dozen eggs. Two of my brothers are away fishing, and they have not come home yet. This is the start of the fishing season? My brother will fee sailing some time this month, and mother and father are going up to see him off. He is sailing from Wellington. I am reading a book just now called "Fire, Snow, and Water." We have a lot of little- lambs now, and the hawks andseagulls have picked the eyes out of some of them. It must be painful for them. We have a lot of spring flowers out just now, and they are very pretty. Winton beat Heddon Bush at hockey laet week by 2 to nil. Heddon Bush. did well, as they have had hardly any practice since the last time they went into Winton to play. It lias been wet every Wednesday, so they had not played. Love to Fire, Snow and Water, Aileen, and Forget-me-not.—Yours truly, RITA (Heddon Buah). . Dear Dot, —We have been having lovely weather lately, but to-day it started to rain. The gardens needed a little ram, as , they were very dry. There is to be a send-ofi here on or about October 10 for another of our young men who is leaving for the front. Houipapa has sent nearly all of her young men to answer the call. There are only two or three left that could go. The bush is getting very pretty, and the ferns are all showing. My brother is going out fishing on Sunday, as it is the first d.iy of the fishing season. Love to Sawmill, Camp Creek, Molly Bawn, Shamrock, Bells, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, TERRA NOVA II (Houipapa). Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band ? I am 12 years old, and in the Sixth Standard at school. I go down in the train every morning to Balfour. I have two cows and a foal; would you please give me a name for them. We have a farm up in St. Patricks, and it is a lovely place. We had a concert and dance in Balfour about a week ago. I was down to it, and had a grand time; but it was pretty cold coming home. We are having bad weather here, and the farmers have not started sowing, yet. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself, Dot.—Yours truly, ENGINE DRIVER (St. Patricks). [Yes, you may join us, Engine Driver 11. I was rather surprised at a boy in your standard writing the personal pronoun "I" in email letters. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —My sister and I passed at our school examination the other week. Wo have a new assistant teacher. We are milking six cows and are feeding four calves; two more calves are running with their mothers, and two got drowned in the creek. I often do the .separating. We have a nice lot of daffodils and other bulbs out in the garden. We arc getting nice weather after all tho wind. We had an old shed, and the wind blew it all away, carrying the root right across a gul!y. Now, I must get ready for Sunday school. Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, GRANDMOTHER'S GIRL (Waimumu). [I am so glad you both did so well at the examination, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dof, —What a beautiful season tho spring time is! Wo enjoy such lovely weather, and the fields and trees are so fresh and green; while tho spring flowers are all in bloom. Shortly after I last wrote I went to a church social, held foui n, . i here. I had a ride on the b • of motm bike to it, and it was splendid, and ! had a good time. I was at a soiial and r.nce; it was a farewell to a nativ< of ilir who Is in the Eighteenth .Reinforceun '.-.,

and he was homo on final leave. The school children are very busy knitting. Our cat is very industriously washing his face after drinking a saucer of milk. At present I am reading a nice school story called 'The Nicest Girl in the School." There is to be a concert and dance here next Friday night, and I have a recitation to learn for it. I wag at the pictures on Tuesday night, and liked them very much. We have such a tiny puppy and some Love "to all tho L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, NELLY ELY' (Barmockburn). LTho best plan is to put a notice in the auto column, stating the N.D.P. of thceo you wish to correspond with, and they would write to you, giving you their names and addresses, for otherwise you would not know where to direct the letter to.—DOT.] Dear Dot.—We have a number of lambs, but they are all up at our other place. I go to the Technical School every Monday, and I like it very much. One of my cousins is wounded at the war, but we do not know where he is wounded. Wc have a number of daffodils and primroses out, and al3o a few daises and some forget-me-nots. The weather was nice this morning, but it has been dull all the rest of tho day. Love to A Wine Biscuit, Batty, and Rclma, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, AN OLD SHOE (Waikaka Valley). [I hope you soon have reassuring news of your cousin, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I hope you are quite well. When is Old Writers' Week, Dot? I like reading their letters, they are usually so interesting. This is the third letter I have written to-night. We had an auction sale a fortnight ago last Wednesday, and raised about £35, which was very good for a place like this. It was for gift parcels for soldiers. —Y'ours truly, SNOOKS (Clifton). Dear Dot, —May I have the privilege of writing to your page? I am 14 years of age, and will bo leaving school at the end of this year. I go to Ardlussa School, four and a-half miles from Balfour township. Our school was burned down a- little over a year ago, and -we had school for three months in tho residence, and the rest of the time till our new school was up in the playshed, which wan rot very nice in the winter days. Our teacher, who was with us for nearly five years, has been promoted to another higher school, and we are getting a relieving teacher till our permanent one comes. I have two cousins away to the war in the last Reinforcements, and I hope they will return. Kind regards to you and all thcLiitlo Folk.—Yours truly, FERNLEAF (Balfour). [We are delighted to welcome you as a member of cur band, Fernleaf, and hope your interest in us will show itself in a practical form.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Our exam, is to bo on Tuesday, October 3, and if Miss Jasmine hiis passed she will be in my room. We have had very windy weather up this way lately, and houses have beer unroofed and trees uprooted ; but this last day or two it has been raining, which will do a lot of good, and I think the weather will be more settled after this. All the children at our school do knitting for the soldiers, and I am knitting a pair of socks. I always read the D.L.F. letters from the front, and I think they are very interesting. I have been residing a lot of books lately, some of which are "The Girl of tho Limberlost," "Schoolday and the Holiday," "Some of Our Fellows," "The Girl's Own Magazine," and "Meg's Friend." They wero all very nice books. We have some flower 3 in our garden at school now, and it is very nice to G-ec them all out in bloom. Lovo to Miss Jasmine, A Wine Biscuit, Nurse Cavell, and Anzac Forever, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, AUNTIE'S LITTLE COMPANION * (Ranfurly). Dear Dot,—-We are having very enjoyable weather down here at present. The inspector was at our school a week ago, eo we aro having our holidays. All the spring flowers arc out, and the gardens look eo pretty. I knitted a scarf and a pair of mittens for the soldiers. Pictures were shown in Riversdale on Monday night; but I did not go to e«e them, as I was not at homo, and my mother and father cycled up. My mother "and the baby aro in Gore for a few days at my sister's place. I have two brothers, and the one has enlisted about a week ago. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, HAZEL DELL (Wendon). Dear Dot, —We have some primroses, violets, daffodils, and a few other flowers out just now. I have been working in my garden lately, and have planted a good many seeds. I have a little calf; lie is red in colour. Would you please «givc me a name for him? My brother wishes- to write to you, too, but he is. 100 young. Love to all my comrades, especially Hinemoa, Jim's Sweetheart, Sawmill, Miss Bobbie, not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly, A COUNTRY CHATTERBOX (Tuatapere). Princess Bess (Miss A. Pearson, Mooncalf Rufus, since that name suits his colour DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is very windy here to-day, and it has been blowing for nearly a week now. It is to be hoped we get rain soon, as everything is getting so dry. We havo a new bridge here, and it was badly needed, too, for the river used to get in flood pretty often. I can remember going across once in a trap, when it was in flood, and the cart was floating, and the horse had to swim for the last half a dozen yards. I don't like milking much; we are milking two cows just now, and a cow and calf were brought in to-day to wean the calf. The calf was wild, and as soon as we got the rope on him he charged straight at me. and would 'have knocked me down if I hadn't moved. I have some relations at the war from the Old Country; but none of us are old enough to go yet. I was away for a cycle ride yesterday with two of my friends, and we wont to see a c* np who has shifted from here into another house. We stopped at his place for a while, and we just got back here in time for church! Best love to Flower Garden, Star Dreamer. Livingstone, Newsagent, Tokorahi, Lorraine, Alsace Lorraine, Lady Bess, Mutton Chops, Queen of the May, The Fireman, Sleepy Wee Daisy, Monkey Puzzle, Gold Miner, Darkic Brown, Max Merriman. White Babbit, Rowdy, Dominoes. MocKing Bird, not forgetting yourself and all other D.L.F.—Y/ours truly, MENAGERIE CAMP (Maerewhenua). Dear Dot, —The other Saturday my sister and I went \o see the Seventeenth Reinforcements parade. We were watching- them march on to the wharf when I heard someone say, "Hulloa, D.L.F.!" I turned, and saw a young soldier. I was very pleased, "because if is the first D.L.F. I havo seen since I havo been going into Wellington, and it is nearly a year. I often wonder why I have not seen a D.L.F. before this, as I live quite near the camp, and I am often up to sec the Iroop train when my brother cornea down. When I arrived home that evening T found my brother had bought me a bicycle iV birthday, which will be in two months' My brother, who Is going witli the teenth Reinforcements, came down on day night, to a send-off given by the nical School. On Dominion Day Betty iini I went down to our boatshed at Petono

Beach, find we went in for a bathe, although we could not stay in long, as the w.der was cold. When my father camo down he helped us to get the boat cut, and wc went for a row. It was a glorious day, and consequently v.'c enjoyed ourselves. Love to Betty, Princess Goorgina, Postman Henry, and An Irish Jack Tar, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, BUSY BEE (Lower Hutt). [I am so glad one of our boys recognised a comrade; he would be just as pleased as you were. dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—l have been thinking for a long time of writing to your page, but I always have so many lessons and things to do that I have not had much time. It is raining tonight, but it was not through the day. I was discing this morning, and grubbing this afternoon. It was very oold on the discs, as it was windy. "We are milking nine cow* and sending the milk to the factory. 1 tm in Standard V at school now. There were two concerts near here last night. I \iave an uncle away to the war, and when he got to Europe he was put straight into the firing line. Wo had a letter from him not long ago. We have nine ducks, and tiiey are laying well, as we get nine eggs from them every morning. There are going to be some pictures down here on Monday night. Dove to all the D.L.F. and yourself—Youra truly, BEAUFORT (Morton Mains). [I expect there are plenty of odd obs for you to do, Beaufort, eo we will excuse you.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —The Busy Be© was so excited when she saw a D.L.F. soldier. We have had a big bazaar at the Technical College. It was to pay off Eonie small debt, and what was left was to go to some patriotic fund. There is a girl in Poton« would very much like to join, but she dors not like to write. We have had very wet days this week; but prior to that it was lovely weather. On Dominion Day the Busy Deo and I went to Petone Beach. We went in the morning and came back about 8 o'clock. We went in for a swim in the morning, and in the afternoon wo went out for a row in the" boat. —Yours truly. BETTY (Lower Hutt). [I am not really a very awesome person, Betty, that your friend need be afraid of writing to me.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I received my badge safely, and was very pleased wiih it. I have been writing two other letters beside this one to-night. It has been a very cold east wind to-day; but the weather has been very good, and has given the farmers a chance to get their oats lit the ground. Most of the sheep around hero have had lambs. We have 20 ewes and 24 lambs. 'On Saturday wo burnt about sis a-cres of rushes, and also drove out a number of rabbits. I chased one that was burnt black, but did not' catch it. The young rabbits ar© beginning to get plentiful about here again. One night I saw a young rabbit run under some wood, and I blocked up (he ho *s so that_ it could not get out, and then I caught it. I read a good many books during the winter nights; but as it gets .rearer summer I will not be able to read eo much It might be better for me, as they say at home that I read too much. Love to Iv Green, Allan-a-dale, Tanavvha, Claude the Archer, and Hawaita, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, ADAM PEAR3&A (Long Bush). Dear. Dot, —I will write only very occasionally now, as you are eo short of paper. Our school exam, is on November 20. I have a little flower garden of my own, and have had a few flowers out of it. We caich frogs under the lilies. We had a nice day at the beach last week, and I brought home some preity shells. My little sister ,s just going to bed. She will bo five in December. She comes to school with mo every Thursday, while "mother goes to sew for the R*d Cross Fund. Please, Dot, would you tell me the name of a nice book. I am eight and a-half years old now. I enjoyed reading about the silkworms, and showed the letter to my teacher. Good ni^ht. —Yours trulv, RATA (Greymouth). TI am afraid it is rather difficult to think of a nice book for you to read, Rata. Have you read "'Daddy Longlegs" ?—DOT.] AUTOS. Alsace Lorraine (Arthur J. Hore. care of Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Oamaru) wishes to correspond with Lorraine, Menagerie Camp, Woolclaeser, Tokarahi, Herald, and any D.L.F. willing. Mamaru'e Cousin (Christina Barnett, Slope Point) wishes to correspond with A Lonely Crepe Fern. Snooks (Ada Smith, Bluff road, Clifton) wishes to correspond with Llalma, Tricky, H. Y. H., Lift, and any L.F. willing. Menagerie Camp (Frank Radford, Maerewhenua Goldfields, via Tokarahi) wishes to correspond with Mnrpeill»i<M, Queen of the Redskins, Dad's Girl, Princess Beatrice, Princess Alice, Blush Rase, Mountain Olive, and any other L.F. willing. Cordelia (Agnes C. Riddiford, Main street, Blackball) wishes to correspond with Matai, Narcissi, and any L.F. over 14 years willing. Wait at i (Maggie Dawson, The Neck, Stewart Island) wishes to correspond with Postman Henry, Red Rose, H«;ppy Birds, Black Pansy, Hinernoa, Sawmill, Rainy Day, Country Lad, Japonica. Timftru's Lover (Violet M. Avery, Craigie avenue, Timaru) wishes to correspond with any L.F. over 14 years willing. Vid (Violet Hurle, Fortrose) wishes to correspond with LeoJa, Reeftonit-o, Little Miss Neddy Coat, -and any L.F. willing. Postman Henry (11. E. Beach, letter carrier, P. 0., Timaru) wishes to exchange anios and correspond with Chrysanthemum, Yellow Cowslip, Reeftonite, Greenvale, Snovrie, Lavender Lady, Alsace Lorraine, TJdud, Rsx. H. V. 11., Tricky (especially), also any L.F'. willing. Venius (Violet M'Ewan, Fortrose) wishes to correspond with Leola, Reeftonite, Little Miss Neddy Coat, and any L.F. willing.