LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 56

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

VUtto:—We writ© for the benefit of others. not for ourselves. No letter to contain more than 450 words. Dear Dot, —We are having lovely weather here just now, and it seems quite a shame to be inside when one can be out. I see a number of the L.F.- ; are changing their N;.D.P.'s; but I am still sticking to mine. I did enjoy- reading Pat's- letter, and, it being his farewell one, I also was very sorry to think you were losing such a nice L.F. He must put his thinking cap well on to think of all he has to say. I also like reading letters; also every D.L.F. that writes. "My'uncle has been transferred to some place in France; so he must bo better. It is satisfactory to know he is better and has not gone deaf. I wa_s in Dunedin three weeks when I was on my holiday, and stayed in Upper Kew, C'aversham. We left there in the morning, and it was very cold, and went in the train to Christchurch, staying there overnight at Coker's Hotel, and then next day went by train'to Rotherham. There I spent three very enjoyable weeks at Dt Morris's, late of Cromwell, and then we went to Trentham,' and had a very nice time there. I was taken all through the trenches, and saw all the barbed wire entanglements, which I did not like the look of. The camps are down at the south of the little town, and when you go through the gates into the camps it- is. like going into another little world. Best love to all my D.L.F. friends, — Yours truly, TREACLE POT (Lindis Crossing). [Thanks for the accompanying line, dear. I am glad you had such a pleasant trip to Trentham.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I would like to be' one of your little writers. I don't know of anyone else writing to you in this district. I am eight years old, and am in the First Standard at school. We are having a week's holiday, but are going back to-morrow. There is to be a new teacher, and I hope we will like her. I was at Sunday school yesterday, but was not present the previous Sunday, because it was too wet, but was sorry, as there was a teacher that day from a big Sunday school in Dunedin.—Yours truly, BILLY OAKLAND ? (Hedgehope). [You are welcome to the page, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have had a week's holiday from school. We are making a flower garden at school, and the boys a vegetable garden. I am changing my N.D.P., as there. Is another lona writing to the page also. 'One of our cows will be calving some time this month, and we will have two cows milking. Love to G-reenvale, Long Island, Cavillim, and Comet, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, RADIUM (Stewacrt Island). [I have noted your change of N.D P DOT.] Dear Dot, —I like reading the L.F. letters, and am_ very much interested in them. We are having very good weather down here just now. All the farmers are busy preparing the ground for oats. The dairy factory opens on Thursday, but I do not think there will be many suppliers for a while, as there are very few cows in. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, PLOUGHBOY (Morton Mains). Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? Wo get the Witness every week, and I like reading the letters of the L.F. I am nine years old, and go to school with my brother. Ploughboy and I are in the Second Standard. We are having our examination now. I have two white rabbits, and call them Snowy and Toby. We have a lot of flowers out at present, and they are so pretty. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly, LITTLE BOY BLUE

(Morton Mains). [You are Welcome to the page, clear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since last writing to the page we have removed from Hunter to near Waimate, and I must say I like it very nmch, as I find it more convenient and not nearly so quiet. "We have been having very changeable weather up in this part of late, and bitterly cold. I see by the papers that they have been having heavy rams up in North Canterbury, too, so it appears that the bad weather has been pretty general. Spring has oome to us again, and all the spring flowers axo out In bloom} also tho early fruit

trees. We havi two camellia trees here. One of iherr.. has two different flowers on it. On* flower is variegated pink and the other is light red Camellias are very delicate flowers. I am. very fond of reading, and since I have been up here I have read a great number of books, my favourite being '■ Thelma." My biolher went away with the Sixth Reinforcements, and it is 12 months last July since he lied from woundß in Franco. I don't suppose I here aro many families in New Zealand now that havo not lost some dear ones at the front. We can only hope and trust that the war will be soon brought to a victorious end, and that peace will always reign. Kindest regards to all the Little Polk, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, TUT (Upper Hook).

Dear Dot, —I hope you are sharing the beautiful spring weather at Dunedin that we are having in Gore. The gardens are very beautiful just now, and I think it is lovely to pass through them. My friend Elfin passes through them oil her way to work in tsh-j mornings; but I see them only once or twice a week. I will now close. With best wishes to Draw-Egan and all the other D.L.F.,—Yours truly, SILVERY CHIMES (Gore).

[I love flowers, dear; but as we have a fair variety of daffodils, I shall not trouble you to send some. If you send on stamps a badge and auto-cards will be forwarded to your address.—DOT.]

Dea.r Dot,—l know a good many L.F. I came second in my class in the examination, and received 80J marks. Our school concert was a success, the hall being full. I went to Gore for my holidays, and enjoyed ihem very much. We have had beautiful weather up here lately. Are there many L.F. in Dunedin? There is a- picture show here to-night; but I don't like war pictures, so I don'i think I will go. Kind regards to Tulip, Lavender, -Marigold, and Warriwoo, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, SHELL OF THE OCEAN (Rivcrsdale). [There are a fair number of L.F. in Dunedin; but the Witness circulates more in the country than in the city, where, since the terrible people like to see the war news daily.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am 12 years of age, and in the Fifth Standard. Wo are having - good weather up here just now; but it is looking like rain to-night. We have three cows, two of which are milking; also a little calf. We have a library at our school, and the last book I got was " The Pickwick Papers." It is a very funny book. I have not read all of it ye-t, but have nearly finished it. All trees are out in bloom here, and it is a pretty sight. The white blossom of the apricots and the pink blossom of the peaches look very pretty. Our hens are laying ,and we get about 16 eggs a day. I have three black-and-white cats. The violets and daffodils are out in bloom, and look very nice,. Kind regards to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours' truly, TEMERAIRE /(Roxburgh).

Dear Dot, —Our lady teacher has been away to see her brother. I have an uncle and a cousin stopping with us for their holiday. My cousin is going to write to the page. I have had a week's holiday, and have had a good time. Love to the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, CRIMSON RAMBLER (Waipahi).

Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote the weather has been very changeable. A concert was held here on August SI in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, and it was a great success. The Naseby Juniors played a football match against Ranfurly, and beat them, and the same day the schoolgirls played a game of basketball, which Naseby also won. Nearly all the people about are busy gardening. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, A SOLDIER'S NIECE II (Naseby).

Dear Do„t, —We had our examination on Wednesday,' and I passed from the Fourth Into the Fifth Standard. I got a little pet lamb yesterday morning. A concert and dance is to be. held here in aid of a new hall. My puppy's leg is quite better now. My eldest brother was killed in the Messines battle. Dad haß ecwn two paddocks of wheat, and is planting potatoes. I have to give the little lamb a drink - every 20 minutes.—Your3 truly, JOFFRE. (Kakanui). '■ [I regret to learn that your brother has made the supreme sacrifice, dear. Ail L.F. will sympathise with you and your parents. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are still milking four cows, and are digging a garden to plant vegetables. We are having two' weeks' holiday from school.—Yours truly, TE RUAHIKIHIKI (Otakou). Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I am 10 years of age, and am in Standard 111. We had a school concert on August 31. I was in the knitting flag drill and " The Empire of the Sea." There is to be a ball concert soon, and we are to do the flag drill there. Mr Thompson comes to Ngapara to show his piotures, and they are very good. We have a gramophone, and I can work it. We have the loan of some of Mr Thompson's records. It was raining on Tuesday—the day of the examination. My cousin wrote to you last week. I will close now. With love from, —Yours truly, IL BACIO (Ngapara). [You are welcome to the pace, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I am eight years of age, and am In Standard I. We have a parrot and a goldfinch. Our parrot flew away on Sunday, but we caught her at 6 o'clock, and she was very hungry. I have one brother, and he learns music. It is good weather here. I have three dolls. Two of them are big ones-, and the other is a little one. I have some dolls' furniture. I am going to Dunedin soon.— Yours truly, SILVER MOON" (Ngapara). [Certainly you may join us, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Did you get the berries that I sent you, Dot? They were not very pretty, as they are not very nice at this time of the year; but when they are out properly I will send you a better and bigger bunch. I cannot write a very long letter this time, because I have not much time. The mail leaves here early, and does not leave us much time to write. Next letter I write. Dot, I will tell you about the gold mines. We are living on our farm now. We were in our new house a year last July. I must close. With best wishes to the D.D.F.,—Yours truly, VERNED (Round Hill).

[I was surprised and delighted, dear, at finding the berries awaiting my arrival one morning last week, and I havs to thank you for sending them. There were some good specimens among them, so I do not think It will be necessary to send more. All the same, I appreciate your kindness in offering to send them.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —What a,number of D.F. have gone to the wort I have a brother in France} he has been there for some time now. I had a letter from him last week, and. he seems to be having a good time. He writes euoh. jolly letters, and never seems

to mind all the hardships they have to go through. We arc having lovely weather at present, and my garden is looking very pretty with all thd spring flowers out. I have only another year to write, so I will have to contribute a little oftener, and try to make up some of the time I have lost. I was at a welcome homo to a soldier not very long ago, and enjoyed myself very much. There is another dance coming off shortly; it is a send-off to a soldier lad, and if it is a fino night I think I will go. That was a very interestiner lettsr that Mountaineer wrote. I think the Red Cross dogs of France must be very clever and faithful. Love to Ferndale, Long Island, and your own dear.self, —Yours truly, NURSE MOLLY (Orawla),

[Such a long time must have elapsed since you last wrote, dear, that I am not sure I have your name and previous address. Please send these the next time you Write.— DOT.] B

Dear Dot, —I should also like to thank you for your warm good wishes at the foot of my retiring letter. You will bo glad to know I received quite a substantial increase to my allowance just the day after reading. My career at present is blocked by a big " D," belonging to the word duty, which necessitates my remaining at home and practically running quite a large home. Housework ever was distasteful; but I ..am overcoming that_ gradually, and take a pride in winning praise from my people for my cookery, etc. So, you see, my career is vagrue and shadowy. However, I have builded my own dreams, and it is queer what a lot of comfort one gets in imagining the task and conquering it. I have to apoloerise for inflicting this on you : but. you have been so sympathetic a listener to my woes that I needs must drag them in!—Yours truly, PAT (Palmerston North).

[Every cloud is silver-lined, dear.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It is Sunday night, and I am sitting by a lovely fire, as I could not go to church. I have been in bed with influenza.. My father has not been well either. We are just waiting for the doctor to coma Well, as I am tired I shall draw to a close. With love from, —Yours truly, SNOWDROP (South Oamaru). [I trust the doctor's report was favourable, dear.—DOT.p

Dear Dot and Comrades, —The weather is somewhat unsettled at present; but we have been having lovely weather. Most of the spring flowers are out in the garden. We have several species of daffodils out, bsides violets and primroses, crocuses, and wallflower. We also have mignonette and forget-me-not out. We have a number of hardy lettuces and full-grown cabbage plants. We grow all our vegetables from seed. My two uncles and my cousin were up hero at Easter. They had a great time deer-stalking on the Blue Mountaine, which are quite close to us. We have 11 little chickens, now. The farmers have their ground ploughed—almost ready for sowing. I see by the papers that my uncle has been wounded in France. Nearly all the young men from here have gone into camp. Have you seen any little lambs about thiß season, Dot? There are a few about here. We are • expecting our school examination any day now. Our school is still working for the soldiers. I have been reading two books lately oalled " The Harvester" and " The Pilot s House." There is a flaxmill starting shortly not far from here. I was at a social in Dawrence a few weeks ago, and enjoyed it very much. Hope is my mate at school, and we have great fun sometimes coming home from school. Well, Dot, hers is a riddle for you: Have you ever seen a duck . swimming down a river and a cat sitting on its tail? —Tours truly, PRANCES (Tuapeka West).

Dear Dot, —I suppose you will be wondering who I am, as it is such a long time since I wrote to the page. My sister, who writes to your page, has made it a practice to write every fortnight; so if I can write I also will try to write regularly. I used to be very fond of writing letters; but I am getting tired of it now. I have left school now, Dot. We are living on our farm, and there is such a lot of work to be done. I oouldn't get time to write before, as we Were busy packing up ready for shifting. Next time my letter will be longer. Kind regards to all the D.L.F. and yourself,— Yours truly, TINY (Round Hill). [I hope you will get fonder of your new home as you become settled down, dear.— iJOT.] Dear Dot, —We have had fine weather here lately, and all the spring flowers may be seen blooming in the gardens. I am home jtist now for term holidays, but am going back to school on Tuesday. The holidays seem to pass very quickly; it does not seem nearly three weeks since I came heme. It was raining yesterday, and it is still dull to-day. The top of the mountain near here is covered with snow, which looks very pretty when the sun shines on it. Dove to Cecy, Dad's Girl, and Fouletla, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, SILVER POPLAR (Middlemarch). Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I am eight years old, and in the Third Standard. There are 15 children going to this school. I have a number of pets, as I am fond of dumb animals. I am lucky, because I have not far to go to school. My young sister lives In town. Sh* is a trick, so mother calls her Trixy. With love to Dot, —Yours truly, MEAH (Kyeburn). [You are welcome to join us, dear.—DoT.3 Dear Dot, —My L.F. days are very nearly over. I will have to turn over a new leaf. Winter is over, although we are having some very cold days. I have been doing some work in my garden; but the ground is very wet. It is very quiet down here at pi - esent, and dances are very few and far apart. I was at one about three weeks ago, and enjoyed myself very much. I will now olose. With love to Grant, Mabel, Nurse Ella, and all my correspondents a.nd D.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, DADY PEGGY (Port Molyneux). Dear Dot, —It has been very warm to-day. There is to be a football match heTe on Saturday. I have one brother away in the Twentieth Reinforcements, and one called up in the ballot. He is the only one to work the plaoe. We had our term holidays last week. We have a dog which brings in the paper, and unless you give him something to eat "he will not give it up. His name is Jack. We are busy having our exam, now. We are milking two cows; but we will soon have eonv* more in. Best love to Queea Sunbeam and Shamrock, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, ROSE MARY (Drummond).

Dear Dot, —I am in Standard I, am nina years old, and my birthday was yesterday. We had four dear little calves; but on* died. "We are milking four cows. The factory has not opened yet, sou we are selling butter. We have five horses, and thei| names are Dolly, Nellie Nugget, Larry, and Bee 3. We havo 26 fowls, and they are nearly all laying, and I like gathering the eggs. We have been down here six months, and I like Middleruarch- I like going to school

here. Our teacho* is away on sick leave, and we have a relieving teacher. "Wo have a brother at the front. Ho went away with the Ninth Reinforcements, and has hot even had a scratch yet. "We also have an uncle at the front, and he was wounded, and anothpr undo was killed. I havo a number of cousins at the front. We are having wet weather just now. Kind regards to the L.P., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, MILKMAID (Middle-march), [You are welcome to join us, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your happy band? I am 11 years old, and am in the Fifth Standard at school. I have an unole at the- war, and he has been wounded twioo- I suppose he will come home now, and we wilKbe glad to see We havo just had our term holidays, and I enjoyed them very much. I went to the bush and got a lot of snowdrops and supplejacks. I must close now. With best love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,— Yours trulv, THE SILENT EANCSKER. [Certainly you may join us, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote to you the weather has taken s, decided change for the better. We are now getting regular summer weather. The other night I vas at a sendoff to a soldier who is down on final leave, and there was a great turnout. He has been in bed ever since he came down, and is very sorry for being robbed of bis holiday in such a way. Dairymen are getting busy again now, as the cows aro coming in. The factory is opening again on September 18. The War Loan was a great success, and I think Sir J. G. Ward scarcely expected to get so much as h© did. There should be no need for compulsory contribution now. I suppose. I will -close. With love to all my correspondents and yourself,—Yours truly, AOTKA ROA (Grove Bush). Dear Dot, —We have had nice, warm weather here lately; but to-night I think we are going to have some ram, because it is Very close. There is a quadrille assembly held here every second Saturday night to teach the young people to dance, and some of them are getting on very well. A small charge is made, and what is over after the hall is paid for goes to the Y.M.C.A. There was a football tournament in Cromwell last Saturday week, and it was very good. Bannookbuxn had two teams in—a Senior and a Junior; but they were beaten. We are holding a bazaar here in about a fortnight's time to dear some of the debt off the hall. All the fruit trees are out in blossom, and they look very pretty; but I think they look much nicer when the fruit is on them. Love to' all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself—Yours truly, BUTTERY DICK (B annockburn). Dear Dot, —We have had lovely weather here lately—only a bit too hot. A send-off social to Private John Logie was held in the Purerua Hall lost Tuesday night. A concert in aid of the Red Cross is to be held here on October 8. I know Pawny Bill, Little Torment, Dorothea, Coralie, and IryelL There are a lot of little lambs about just now. We have two cows milking at present. We have not had our examination yet. I wish it was over. Love to Iryell and all the L.F., not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly, * MIGNONETTE II (Puerua). [Yes, you may join us, dear. As I already have a writer using the N.D.P. you suggested, you may change if you like.—DoT7] Dear Dot, —When I first wrote to you I lived at Centre Bush. We have been living here a little more than a year, and I like this place. The country round here is very pretty. We are quite surrounded by hills, the snow-capped Takitimos to the north-east. The winter has, been very mild, and has passed very quickly. We have not started putting seeds in the garden yet. It is all ready; but dad has to put a fence around it. It is nice to have plenty of potatoes and vegetables; also butter, milk, and eggs. We have one cow milking. I milk her morning and night. We have two more coming in at the end of this month. We have quite a number of wee lambs, three of them pets. Two geese are sitting. The school .is a household one. There are 12 children—six boys and six girls. I am in Standard 11. The examination will soon be on now. We have a very good teacher. I have just gone back to school after a week's holiday. We have two and a-half miles to go over the hills. We are quite used to it now. I have two sisters and two brothers. The baby is the only one at home when we go to school. He is three and a-half years odd. Lots of love to Pickles, Rose of Lucerne, and other Little Folk, and yourself, Dot, —Yours truly, FAIRY ROSE (Wairaki Flat).

[The address in my book was not Centre Bush. I would like you to send your own name also when next you write. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I am nine years of age, and in Standard 11. I have no brothers or sisters. We have a few hens, and also have a big- blaok cat whioh has* a little kitten. It comes to be led every day. Our spring flowers are out now. Ws have some- daffodils, primroses, pansies, and violets. With love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, SNOWDROP II (Gore). [You may join us, dear. As another writer uses the NJ.D.P., you can if you like select another. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having fairly good weather here just now. Cousin Jack, Pasty, and Jumbo are going to their traps. Our house will be finished, I think, next week. Our school gardens are looking fine now from the road. Jumbo is crying just now. Our painter is reading the Witness.—Yours truly, POMPEY A (Lindis Crossing). Dear Dot, —We are having terrible weather —cold and wet all the time. Dast Wednesday the river rose high. A great storm arose, the waves splashing high up on the bank, flooding us out. The tide came right; up to our front stop. Then, when the flood had gone down, it carried a lot of soil away from under the bridge, and when the motor bus went across it the bridge went down lOin in a week. They got the pile-driver to work and fixed it up. We have a beautiful kauri forest in Kehu; it Is said to be the best in Now Zealand. The train comes down from Kartue every day with big kauri logs measuring 19ft in circumference. It will soon be the Michaelmas holidays, nnd I am going down to the Heads at Poptj Tii Shelly Beach. It is gTeat fun down there bathing under the willows. Yesterday I was up at Flaxmill, and enjoyed myeelf greatly. l»ovo to nil L F., not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly, GREEN IJZARD (Dargnville). Dear Dot, —We are having very wet woathor just now. I went to a wedding to-day, which proyt'd very enjoyable. I have another Xi.F. friend now. I saw her letter Jn print a little while back, so I made a good guess who it was. She writes the name of Rangi. She is a boarder n.t iho Convent School. She is at prjflont at Haatinga for her holidays. We both nave Very morry times at school. She also allied Xna to rtmemka: har to all hex DX.F, friends

and yourself, as she Aoea not get muoh time to write, but will do eo the first chance. We have nine duck eggs hatching now, and the young ducks are expected in a fortnight's time. All my mates are spending their holidays away just now, so I am a little lonely without them; but I hope they will be bade soon. When wo go back to. school the inspector is going to give us a test, so I hope I will do all right. The soldiers' send-off is to bo held in the Royal Albert Hall on Friday ".evening. One is held every month to bid farewell to those who aro leaving for the front. I will now close. With lovo to Rangi and Clyde, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, POLLY PERKINS (Wairoa), •

Dear Dot, —I see that someone has taken the N.D:P. which I have been writing under for three years. Tighnabruiach una I are just back from a holiday which we spent up at Tokomaru Bay The night we left Napier it was blowing a gale. We arrived at Gisborne next morning, and ware told that they couldn't possibly land us at Tokomaru, eo there was nothing for it but to go ashore at Gisborne. We didn't know what to do, getting stranded like that. Then I thought of a cousin of mino, eo I made his acquaintance, and then stayed the night at his place. Next morning we set off again, this time in a bit of a boat which did nothing else but roll, and, my word, you should have seen Tighnabruiach I She could do nothing else but Toll on the deck, until some of the crew came and pulled her down to a oabin. I managed to stay up on deck ; but I was sick all the same. Well, when we got to Tokomaru it was still ton rough to land, so we had to lay s out in the bay all night. Next morning we were put ashore in a motor la.unch. We enjoyed our stay there very much, and had a lovely passage back. The place must have agreed with me, for I put on Gib- in three weeks. Our schoolmaster's wife has "juat died, and now he is in the hosptial with a poisoned arm, I hoar that the lady teacher is ill, too, so I don't know how school will pet on to-morrow. They will just be going back again after a week's holiday. Sexton Blake is spending the week-end in town, so I have a young lady out staying with mfi. We went over and had a look round the works this morning. I shall have to close now, as I have a sore wrist, and it is worrying me. I had a letter from Littlo Boy the last mail, and he said he _ id quite well again, and at the time of writing was on the job of washing dishes for 200 men. Love to all the L.F., not- forgetting yourself,—Yours truly,

BONNIE MARY O' A.RGHTJ3 (Paid Paki). [I think the signature was Bonnie Mary of Argyle's Friend, wasn't it?—DOT] Dear Dot, —My time as one of the L.F. is up. Although I've rever been a very frequent writer • to the page, I always enjoyed reading the letters. Some time ago I saw Firefly's resigning letter, and as he is just_ a few months older than I am, I was reminded that my time was about up also. It was Firefly who first asked me to write, and after writing I always took more interest in the page. I am now living in Lawrence in a home of my own, so I suppose we will be here for some time yet. I think spring is the nicest time of the year, especially an early spring like there has been this year. I have some daffodils and narcissi out in bloom, and the violets and primroses are The weeping willows are all in leaf, and some fruit trees are in bloom. The weather here has been like summer, only to-day it was rather windy; but as we are near the equinox, I suppose we may expect gules. I wonder when this war is going to come to an end. Things will bj very serious round about the country for the farmers if the married men are all to be called tip. I'll now close' with best wishes for the page and all the Little Folk, and I must say I'm very glad that I became a member when Firefly asked me. Lovo to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly, 6LOW-WORM (Lawrence). [ln parting with old friends, dear, it is always gratifying when one knows that, as in your case, it is to assume the responsibility of taking charge of a home. I wish you long life and happiness, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—'May I join your band of Little Folk? I have taken a great interest in the page; but I have kept putting off writing till now. I have just finished writing to my brother, who went away to the front about a _ year ago. He has been wounded in the right hand, and is now on leave in England. We are hoping he will be back home again for Christmas; but I don't- suppose there is any luck for us. Best wishes to all the Little Folk, not forgetting ■ your-eelf.—'-Yours truly, FORGET-ME-NOT V (Dunedin). [As I have four writers using the N.D.P., I would suggest that you adopt another one. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your band? I am in Standard V at school, and we have two miles to walk to get there. I have three brothers and four sisters. We have 21 cows milking at present. We have about 12 dear little calves, which play about in the sun. My brother has a dear little pony called Neta. We had two floods lately. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly, A COUNTRY GIRD (Henley). [You are welcome to join us, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We .started school to-day after a week's _ holiday. My brother, who was teaching in the Winton School, is going up to Trentham in about three weeks' time. My brother : and I are busy gardening, and we have most of the seeds in. Except for send-offs to the soldiers, it has been very quiet lip here this winter. I have knitted two pairs of socks for the soldiers, and also a scarf. It is not very long since I learnt to knit, so I am not doing badly. Love to Tig, Lady Dell, Black Butterfly, Smiler, Belgium Girl, and Soldier's Bells, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, ROSELEAF (Orawia), Dear Dot,—-I live on a farm at Brydone. Wo are milking five cows and feeding four calves. We are having lovely weather here. Our school broke up for the term holidays to-day. I was at my cousin's place the other day, and she has a pony which she rides to school. The inspector was examining us on Wednesday, and I hope I have passed. The school concert was held a few days ago. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, BELGIAN SAUSAGE (Brydone). [You, are very welcome to join us, dear; but please forward your T'.-trno and "address with your next letter.—DOT.j Dear Dot.—We have quite a number of ln.mbs now, I have en-o pet; but I suppose I will pret som?' more. There are trees growing in the crooks on our place just like niatipo. They uro called ake-ake. We have a he-ige of it along the front. Nearly all the spring flowers are past nr>w. The wallflower is coming out, nicely. Ono day we had to stay at home from school, as It was ra^ir" ll " hvi i~ t! afternoon it cleared off, eo we i ,: nax harness and yoked th-i ■>•■;■ / *-.- small «ledge we havo for sli "'->.. '.lie hills on. He did not likci it a,i firsl, and tried to go home { but ho

soon got used to it, and the sledge Blid along fast over the wet ground. Dad told ine to drive into the lagoon, but I was not having any. It is lovely in the harvest-time going along the sides of tho hills on the big sledge. Sometimes when the sledge was ernpty the men made the horses gallop. From one of our hills you can see four lighthouses—one on Cape Campbell, one on the Wellington Heads, another on tho Brothers (a. small island between Wellington and Picton), and one at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound. The chaffcutter is to come on Tuesday; but ono good thing—they are to cook for themselves. Tho waggons will cut the road up when they arc carting the chaff away. Best love to all the D.L.F. and yourself,—Yours truly, WOODBINE (Blenheim). [Your spring flowers must have been early, Woodbine. The gardens hero are a picture.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am 11 years old, and in the Fourth Standard. . I have five brothers and no sisters. 'My only sister died six years ago. She used to writo to the D,.LF. pago. We had our examination, and I have passed. Wo have a number of narcissi and daffodils out. My brother has a magic lantern, and he shows pictures. It was raining here today, and the sea is rough We live about 10 chains from it, and it can be plainly hoard. We have a large orchard with different kinds of fruit. I had a nice tortoiseshell cat; but one night it disappeared. It must have been poisoned.—Yours truly, HAWK (Onma.ru). Dear Dot, —I am 10 years old, and in the Third. Standard. My younger brother is also in the Third Standard. I have five brothers besides myself. We have a young pup, and we call it Mick. Ho is brown, and very playful - . W© have seven little chickens, and they aro two days old. We have 150 rose trees. We are getting a oow, and I am going to milk it. I am going down to Dunodin during my Christmas holidays. There is a mission in Oamaru this week. I was going to-night, but. it ie too wet. A lady living beside us found a large froetflsh on the beach: She gave na half, and it was very nice. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, JOKER (Oamaru). [I am very pleased to have Hawk and you join our numbers, Joker.—DOT.] AUTOS. Forget-me-not V (Myrtle Price, care Thompson's Boot Factory, Lower High street, Dunedin) would like to exchange autos with any L.F. willing who is 16 years of age or over. Lady Peggy (Port Molyneux) asks Grant to writo to her, as she has mislaid the address, and cannot make the request by letter. Roseleaf (Grace Manson, ' Orawia P. 0.) wishes to correspond with Postman Henry. Woodbine _ (Emma Hill©, The Castles, Dashwood, via Blenheim) wishes to exchange autos with Vanity Fair, Brownie, Peg o' My Heart, and Lavender Lady.