LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3277, 3 January 1917, Page 56

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto:—We write for the benefit of others not for ourselves. No letter to contain more than 450 words..

Dear Dot,—l'm not going to exceed the space limit, as T have only a short time to write before bed time—we keep good hours on Sundays. The thought of Monday morning rnal 3 us extra tired. My sister and I have been working overtime for weeks now, so never seem to get enough of bod. It s just lovely to think of the rest we'll get when Christmas has come. I'm extra lucky, as I'm going to Wellington for a few weeks' holiday; also to bo godmother for my little niece. I'll be feeling quite dignified, eh! I was glad to see such a good muster of/ Old Writers, although such a lot who used to writ© such splendid letters didn't turn up. I saw in a letter from an L.F. that she had never felt an earthquake. Well, she'd better como to Westport; we get one nearly every month—just slight ones, of course. The last was just a few nights ago, and I didn't feel it. Guess I go to bed to sleep, and it takes more than even earthquakes to waken me. It's about the first one that I missed, and I must have felt a goodish many, as about three years ago w© bad 120 tremours —pretty big ones, too —all after one another. The biggest one cracked our new post office pretty badly. We've had little ones at short intervals ever since. The atmosphere here is full of strike. I hope the men are less foolish and more patriotic than to come out. We've had enough strikes to last us a lifetime. I'll never forget the last. The men who struck work were fed by the union and grocers (who have not yet been paid), while wo existed on the few things we could get—porridge, rice, bread, and meat and vegetables when wo were lucky. We were lucky enough to have plenty of flour; but lots of farmers had to eat bread of half flour and half pollard. The grocers., at any rate, say that they will not give any credit if tho miners do strike; so perhaps, when they're hungry, they'll go back. Well, Dot, I must stop now, as it's just 10 o'clock, and I must go to bed. Hoping you and all the L.F. will have a very happy Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year, —Yours truly, GUY (Westport). [lt is to be hoped there is nothing in the talk of a strike. Miners will be exempted from conscription, so that those who oppose this policy can have no grievance personally. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I liked reading the letters in the O.W.W. Our school break-up was on tho 22nd, and there was great fun when the prizes were given out. I received four books, the titles being "Proud Miss Sydney," "The Empire Annual for New Zealand Girls," "The Light Princess," and "James Chalmers." It is such a hot day to-day, and on© feels as if one could lie down all clay. This is all the news just now. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself. Best wishes for a merry Christinas and a bright and glad New Year.— Yours truly, TULIP (Riversdale).

[1 congratulate you, dear, on your success at school. You must have worked hard, and you should make the most of your holidays.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have been having very good weather lately. Our exam is over now, and I am very glad. 1 did not know any of the old writers who contributed this year. It is only a week now until our school breaks up. I am going round to Riverton for a week. All our teachers are leaving, I think; but I am not sure. We have a good few flowers out now. This is all the news just now. Wishing all the D.L.F. and yourself a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.— Yours truly,

LOVDY (Balfour). -[lt will be very unusual if, when the school reopens, the teachers arc all new. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your band? I am 13 years of age, and am in Standard VI. There are about 80 going lo our school, and wo have a very nice teacher. We live quite near to tho Waitaki River. We have- five cows and three pet lambs, which were continually in tho garden until to-day, when we took them to a paddock away from the house. We have been shearing for about a month now, and I don't think we will be finished until after Christmi 3. I have just been for a walk over the railway bridge to-night, and as it is getting fairly late 1 will close. Kind regards to vourself and all the D.L.F.—Yours truly, WHITE SWEET PEA (Kurow). [You are welcome io tho page, dear. - DOT.] Dear Dot, —Once again I take up my pen to write to you. We have been having fair weather lately, and hope to have better yet. Our school broke np on the 22nd, and wo are having holidays once more. Wo have begun -shearing our sheep, and our neighbours will soon bo shearing too. Wo aro going io have a picnic to tho Government plantation on Now Year's Day, and we hope we will have a good day for it. I will close now. Best wishes to all the L.P.—Yours truly, NAPOLEOTST (Greenvale). [I hope you have good weather for your picnic.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather hero is very hot, and I cannot find a cool place anywhere. The flowers are drooping with the heat, and tho ground is very hard and dry. I was trying to dig it because I wanted to make a "flower garden, but I could not. We have a few flowers out. I was at a picnic yesterday, and I enjoyed myself very much. I know ono D.L.F. up here; her N.D.P. is Dotterel. She used to live at Poolburn, but is now living here. I have a cousin coming to stay with us till January. I am going down south to Wyndham for my holidays

next month. I have a friend coming down her© next month. Christmas is not very far away now: it seems no time since last Chrislma=. I have received quite it number of Christmas cards this year, also a few Now Zealand cards. 1 have started to crochet now, and can do one pattern. I have been reading a. few books lately. Well, dear Dot. I shall have to close. With love to Lift, Lady Peggy, Nona, Postman Henry, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SEA BREEZE (Middlcmarch). [You were rather late in commencing to make a garden, Sea Breeze. When next you write be sure and stamp your letter, as wo Have to pay not only the regular postage, but also a fine of lid. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—Hero we are again. This is only my second letter to the page. The first was written such a long time ago that I think I'd better make a fresh start. We have just como in from church, and tho boys have been singing psalms. They've stopped now, and I think it's quite enough to write. How time is living, Dot! Here's Christmas jumping at us before we've properly realised that last Christmas is gone. It's going to be a very quiet season lliis year, though. But we will just have to buck up and make our own pleasuro. I've got to work pretty hard these days, as this is the busy time at the .shop. We work til! 9 o'clock at night four nights in the week. Well, that will soon be over now, 1 suppose, and we'll bo lucky if we get any work at all after Christinas. The weather here has been very good for this time of the year. It has been blowing great guns to-day, though, and I certainly don't love the wind a little bit. I hop© we have some good hot weather in my slack time after New Year. Then what-O! for a good old swim. I guc3s I'll spend the best part 'of my holidays in the water, and then I'll be a happy child indeed. Say, Dot, I guess this much will have to do this time, so I'll ring off now. Heaps of love to all the L.F. and yourself.— Yours truly, LUMP (Westport). [I hope your expectations as to fine weather will be realised, but trust you will have work and reasonable hours after ihe holidays.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—l went to the Winton Show and also to the Invercargill Show. It was a lovely day for the Invercargill Show. We have been having lovely weather lately. _lt is very windy to-day. and dust is blowing everywhere. Our holidays from school begin on Friday. We have a lot of vegetables now. We have peas and potatoes ready for eating. I think I will stop now. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself Yours truly, , . , ROSEEED (Lochiel). [lt is nice to have peas of one's own growing for Christmas, and I hope you enjoyed yours—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l have for a very- long time intended to join your happy band of writers, but will do so now if I may, please. Wo have for nearly 14 months been living on the tiny island of Niue, or Savage Island, about 1200 miles north-east of Auckland. There are about 4000 native inhabitants and about 50 whites and half-castes. My father has charge of the only English school on the island. We all like the island life very much, a.nd, 1 am afraid, will feel it very cold when we return to New Zealand. Some time ago 150 boys left Niue for the front, but could not stand the great difference between the climates of Egypt and France. So many were ill that they all had to bo sent home It is really no wonder, for the climate here is such an even one. Ihe natives seem to bo a fine race of people, very much like the Maoris in appearance, but much tidier. They are all very kind to us, and are exceptionally fond of the iitllo ones. At any time they will gladly stop what they are doing to do anything that the children ask for. I have a little sister five years old and a little brother three years old, so you may be sure wo have a good time. Out of the pandanus leaves tho natives make beautiful hats, mats, fans, baskets, and kits. When the leaves are full grown they are dressed, twisted up, and hung out in the sun to dry. They are then split up into very narrow strips and plaited up into hats, etc. They also make beautiful necklaces out of shells and berries. Princess Georgina, who writes to you from Lower Hutt, is my cousin. I am just six months older than she is, and I have just had my fifteenth birthday. The only other white girl about my age on this island is going to writ© to'you too. She, Ligitoa, lives next door to us, and her father, too, teaches in th© school. My nora de plume is a Nieuan a name which was given to me by a native. It moans "a twister of fragrance," and the letter "g" is pronounced as if it. were "ng." I hope this letter is not too long, but I have so much to tell about my delightful little island homo that I do not know when to stop. I am afraid that my next letter will not reach you till the month of May. as our next mail does not leave here until the middle of April. Fancy being four and a-half months without any news of the outside World I Love and best wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all the D.L.F. in New Zealand, especially Princess Georgina and you, dear Dot. —Yours truly, VIHIMANOGI (Tufukia, Niue). [I am sure all L.F will join in welcoming you to tho page, dear, and will willingly agree to curtail their own letters, if necessary, to make room for yours. As you can only send us a note about every five months, that, however, will not be necessary, so do not be afraid to exceed the space limit in giving details of life on your island home.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —T take a .great interest in yoiir L.F. page, and would very much like to join if I may. I have two little brothers—one four years old and one four months old. I shall be 15 years old in February. I am the only girl in the family. Niue is a lovely little island, with its high cliffs, lofty coconut trees, its fragile banana trees, and the great lowering ebony and mahogany trees in tlw bush. Niue is said to be one wonderful network of caves underneath. There are manv caves in which (here are pools, and POOI3 of beautiful fish, all the colours of the rainbow. There is a place about nine miles away from here which is called The Arches. Tho Arches are composed of coral rock, wonderfully shaded. Indeed, Nature has provided us pleuteously with many of her bounties. Last year there was a very heavy sea on here. We do not get many very heavy seas. The people said it wa.s the first 0110 for several years that they had had. Tho sea was a wonderful sight last year. The waves broke over cliffs over 100 ft high. We went down to our point (our point is 80ft high, and is about three minutes' walk from our house) to seo the sea and the great breakers break off the cliffs. There are nine smaller breakers, then four or five very large ones that break over the highest cliffs. Wo just got down to the point as the last of th© very big breakers broke over the point Then we "were so interested in watching the other smaller breakers that we did not think to count them. AYe saw a very largo one mounting up. Wo said, "Tin's will be a lovely one." And it was; it broke over tho point and gave us a shower-bath. Wo all laughed, and I quit© enjoyed mine. Niue is a coral

island, and it lias a roof surrounding it. When you first sight our little island it looks low-lying', it just rises abruptly out of the sea, with groon foliage riitht down to the cliffs' edge. Well, Dot, 1 think 1 will huve to close very soon. My mate, the only other white girl my age here, is writing to you, too. Good-bye, Dot, and I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New I'ear. Best love to you and comrades. —Yours truly, LINGITOA (Tufukia, Niue). [You, too, are welcome to the page, deax, and 1 feel assured all L.F. will be pleased if you can write regularly.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am too kite to wish the D.L.F. a merry Christmas, but will wish all D.L.F. and yourself a happy New Year. I am now staying in Duucdin, and I like it very much. But it is nothing like (ho country. Down our way the farmers are sowing their turnips. Some oats aro ripening and some aro just up. This is Christmas night, and everything is very quiet here at Maori Hill. Well, L.P., as 1 have no news at present I will close this short letter with lovo to all L.F., not forgetting yourself, Dot. — Yours truly, LADY PEGGY (Maori Hill). [I hope you will enjoy your visit to town, dear. Is it a visit, or have you changed your address permanently ?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —-There was a large crowd in the s.rcot on Christinas Eve. One wonders whero they all came from. Now and again you would see- Father Santa Claus going to some home to fill someone's stocking. 1 expect he will be speculating in a British-made airship. I don't expect he will get a Zeppelin, as .they are out of fashion. On Monday I went up to the bush. A mate of mine went with me. We could not have wished for a better day. The bush is lovely just now, too. To see the evergreens and to hear the birds singing would make the crossest person in the world happy. It made me happy anyway. I was happy all day except when I got something in my eye, which smarted. We followed a creek "for a while, and I noticed a strange thing. On both sides of the creek the trees and shrubs were thick. Yet here and thei'e the creek was covered with flowers a7id leaves, so thick that you could hardly see the water, while in other places there was not a flower or lea' to be seen. In one part of the bush is a sort of cliff. It is like an oil-box with only one end and the bottom left. Put the box, or what remains, at a slant with the end that is fixed on to the bottom of the box in the air. and you will have a, sort of idea what it is like. Some other boys and I tried to climb it a long time ago, but had to give it up. My mate and I tried to climb it this time, and after many failures I succeeded in gaining a branch that was hanging from a tree growing at the top. I was then able to pull myself up. My mate tried to do the same, but' part of the branch gave way, and ho fell down, but did not get hurt. He tried it again, and succeeded. Well, Dot, I must bring this note to a close, as I will have to go back now. With best wishes to the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, IRONHEART (Gore). [I am glad you enjoved your ramble in the bush, Ironheart.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Just a line or two to let you know I have not forgotten the page. As I have no news to tell you I send the following piece of poetry, which I have copied, as some- of the Little Folk might like it. I think it is very .sad: THE ANZAC'S FAREWELL. Good-bye, old chum, a last good-bye, For we have word to up and go. Wo fought together, you and I: And, Lord! it was a lively show. We took our gruel with the best, But chucking it is hard to bear, And I could envy you your Test Under your little cross up there. What have we gained the long month through For such a price as you have paid, And thousands more who fell like you? The gallant lads who came—and stayed? Not much, perhaps, in guns or ground. But just the sort of name that clings, For "Anzac" all the world around Stands for a thousand noble deeds. You helped to make it, though your breath Be stilled for ever, and your fame Shall speak the high contempt of Dealh To those wdio never heard your name. Good-bye; but while the Turkish shells Fall harmless on our vacant lines Above that hard-won hell of hells, For me a crimson glory shines. Well, Dot, as I have nothing more to say I will close. Best wishes to Pink Lady, Gencrva, Broom Girl, Greonoak, Adam Pearmain, and all the Longbush L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, BERGAMOT (Gore). Dear Dot, —I have just arrived from the Old Country; it was my first time to be on a boat. When we were coining through the Bay of Biscay it was very rough. From what 1 have seen of New Zealand I like it / very much. Ii was my cousin who persuaded me to join your band. 1 think it is grand to get a ride on horseback, as you cannot very well get a horse to ride in a big city. My native place is Belfast, in Ireland, so I have come a groat way. When I laneled in Wellington I went up to Trontham Military Camp iO see my brother. I had not seen him for three years, so I gave him a bit of a surprise. I think this is all. I hope you will allow me to join your band. —Yours truly, WEARY WILLIE (Tokarahi). Dear Dot, —I am going away for a holiday fox a week at the New Year. I have a lot of kittens now. I am able to milk a cow now; but not the one we have, for she kicks. I have a garden, in which there aro flowers and also potatoes, and there is a big sunflower. —Yours truly, AUGUST BERYL (Waitahuna). [I hope you have a pleasant holidav, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was pleased to see my first loiter in print. Wo are having very heavy thunder-showers here to-day, and only for that I would be at Sunday school. I do not like missing it, as I have to play the piano for the singing. I have a very good camera, but sometimes the camera has not a very good owner, as very often the photos are not a success, and I think it is because I am too careless with them. In your note to my previous letter you hoped that I would bo among the prize-winners on the 21st December, and, indeed, Dot, I was. I won the special prizes for arithmetic, writing, and drawing, and was first in my class for general excellence, so 1 cannot complain. Can I? My father owns many racehorses, and 1 enjoy watching them being trained on the racecourse, which is only about 200 yards from our house. I have a cousin in the Twentieth Reinforcements, and my dear brother was killed on Gallipoli. Really, Dot. you can hardly understand what war is until you have lost someone dear to you I was home in London six years ago, and it seemed a very busy city then) but I cannot imagine what it will bo like now while the war is on. I think my brother and cousin will be new members of your band soon, as the* promised me that they would write. Well, Dot, I will bring this letter to a closw.

Kind regards to Menagerie Camp, Toka-Rahi, Starlight Rambler, and yourself.—Yours truly, , „ CUPID (Tokarahl). [I congratulate you on your success as a prize-taker. You Bay truly that it is only those, who have lost someone dear, or those who have taken part in it. who realise the torriblo nature of war. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—l have suddenly awakened to the, fact that it is time I wrolo to you again, as I see that all my correspondents nave been writing. Would you mind if I exchange my N.D.P. to Timaru Kidd, as I like it much better than my old one (Lift). I hope that you and all the L.F. spent a most enjoyable Christmas and New Year, and I must also thank all my correspondents for their good wishes for Christmas and New Year. Well. Postman Henry, I hope you had an enjoyable holiday at Duncdin. I was very sorry to see by your letter that you fell in, so to speak, over the badges as I did. Where are you, Lassie-'s Favourite? and you also, Lone Star? I haven't seen a letter from either of you for some time now, so just wake up, as I have done, and make up your mind to write a few lines to the page. We are having lovely weather here just now—just such days as make you long for a swim. I got quite a pleasant surprise when I saw those letters from our boys in 0.W.W., because I had been wondering how Little Boy was getting on, as I hadn't had a letter from him for some time, and when I saw his few lines saying he was all right I was satisfied. Well, I think I will draw to a close now, as I will be taking up too much precious space. With best wishes to Anzac and all the Timaru L.F. and all my correspondents.—Yours truly, TIMARU KIDD (Timaru). [I have no objection to your changing your N.D.P., although I hope the contagion will not spread.—DOT.] NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. liionheart. —When writing to another L.F. you should use- the N.D.P. only in the letter. D.L.F. should know each other only by their pen-name, although necessarily letters have to be addressed to a young person's own name, CHRISTMAS CARDS RECEIVED. I have to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of Christmas cards from Lady Cantrips, Tulip, Pink Viola, W. M., Mba Creek, Pat, Apple Blossom, Niobe, Flora, A Soldier's Sweetheart. A NOTE OF APPRECIATION AND A QUERY. J. C, noticing that one of the L.F. has adopted the pen-name of Cathedral Chimes, forwards the lines with the same title for publication in the hope that some reader may be able to say who composed them. They were given to a friend, then a nur?e, but now in Balclutha, by a patient. The writer then adds: "Your page is just the thing- for young people, helping to bring them out. in letter-writing and observation. You must not think I am one myself, though, being past being even an old writer. However, two of my family belong to your happy band. Wishing yon and yours every success in the coming year." The lines referred CATHEDRAL CHIMES. I climbed the winding stairway That led to the belfry tower, As the sinking sun in the westward Heralded twilight hour. For I thought that surely the music Would be sweeter and clearer far Than when, through the din of the city, It seemed to float from afar. The ringer stood at his keyboard, Far down beneath the chimes, As he patiently struck the noisy keys As he had uncounted times. He only knew his duty, And he did it with patient care, But he could not hear Hie music That floated through the air. So we, from our quiet watch-tower, May be sending a sweet refrain, And gladdening the lives of the lonely Though we hear not a single strain. Our lives may seem but a discord, Though we do the best, we can; But others will hear the music If we carry out God's plan. He loves, Ho cares, He knows, Nothing the truth can dim. He gives the very best to those Who leave the choice to Him.