A CHRISTMAS FANTASY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 70

A CHRISTMAS FANTASY.

By E. M. Story

In was the afternoon of Christmas Eve, 1947 All the 1917-27 Plunket babiea_ of the Empire had grown up and married, and a new race was filling out in time for the big exhibition of small children that was " ai - ranged to take place" in Jerusalem, where New Zealand intended to spend its Christmas Day. The Empire flying machines were due to arrive in five minutes, old time. "Five minutes" in 1947 and "five minutes" in 1917 had a whole thirty years between them. _ New Zealand had speeded things up until she had killed the mulberry bush, so that, instead of going l " round," everybody went rjp and over. The Christmas greeting for the day was one that pleased all because it pleas'od each: " May vou be a Christmas ohild!" None would have said this in 1917, because the scientists had not then discovered how to put off old age indefinitely. But the thirty years' love of the baby-life, with its corollary of baby-lifo-study, had made the words of the 1947 Christmas greeting full of joyful .meaning. Jerusalem was bright. and beautiful: it was specially decorated for the occasion. The flags of all nations wore blazoned with a little child guarding a huge lion from an inappreciativ'e dragon. There were no churches or chapels in the city of Jerusalem, for everybody practised so that nobody wanted to preach. The old mosques and church buildings - were used by the poets, who employed many " scientists." or "truth-testers," as they were called. It was a whole 'ten years since a new book had been written, and twenty since one had been printed. The authors had taken a dislike to ink, and rVdepathcd their stories-direct into the minds of those who wanted them, and in return they wore paid in fresh butter, as they had signified that they were tired of dry bread. All the meteorologists, working "together, had found a fine day. and kept it back or urp;ed it on for Christmas. Thousands of children wore expectr ' to .come to earth from their aerial flyii - homes. This was the famous Christmas treat, and all the grown-ups were invited by 'them' to a special entertainment in which old nursery rhymce came to life and ran an exnress train'into' the Fourth Dimension. There were no special /"Christmas Trees" for the children did not receive presents; thev gave them to the grown-ups. who gratefully promised not to "know best" for a whole hour. As there were no books, there was no need to learn to read; instead Jno older people learnt to listen bv watching the children, and 'to add urj bv hearing them, so that the little ones were as i£ , r P ar ents—for that is the way that Plunket babies should grow up. What a good thing it is," said Old Jack Horner, of London, as he sprang from his Eying" machine, "that Jerusalem is so near to England; and a jollv thing, too, that I found that plum when"l did—l saw that it was a plum of rich colour." ''Quaint old iimes when Christmas was ' picked out' in eating," said an air-feeder, as he quaffed a draught. Jack Horner nodded. "Ever seen a Christmas pie?" he asked. " Never." "Like to?" "I should." Jack Horner felt in his left-hand coat pocket, and drew out a small aluminium box. Opening l it, he held it out to the airfeeder. " Take a piece," he said, as the other peered at it curiously. "You might as well ask me to eat up the mountains round about. . . . I've never eaten the e'todginess you call ' food.' " " Sorry for you, poor old chap," said Jack, as he swallowed the pie. " Tell mo of your find," said his companion. ' " Wise men never tell," said Jack. " But look out. the five minutes are here. . . . See that cloud of trailing glory? . Well, that's the New Zealand and Australian child hosts. . . . They're In to time. . % . Just look at them. . . . What a figure they make! . . ; Did you ever see anything so fine?" I looked in _ the direction indicated through my " third eye " glasses, nnd there appeared in the near distance flashes of gorgeous colour, waves on waves of potential rainbows, in tremor. " Every prism menus ten thousand children." said Jack Horner—"all of them well and strong and henlthv, nnd of swift intelligence. But watch—they'll soon be her". . . . No; they're going on to Bethlehem. . . . No'; they're coming!" Tn a moment the machines were in place in 'the 'dromes, and the streets were transformed. Happy parents and children, full of the Christmas child-spirit, moved delightedly along. I was impressed with the appearance of the streets, which were laid out for beauty. There were no untidy gardens, no collections of odds and ends to the rear of 'the buildines, and none of the " unnecessary ugliness" that distinguished the streets «f nil cities less than a generation ago. The a'r was frnerant with rare scents for the Christmas Festival, and I saw no destitute people. A most remarkable intuition distinguished the children. A tiny dot of two or three years Immediately knew Jack Horner. "Where's the plum?" she asked. He took a pie from his pocket, and she looked at it whimsicallv. "Funny man!" she said. This led mo to notice 'that the shops of Jerusalem were very few of them offering sweets. There were cornered circuses for dancing; and here the children enjoyed

themselves, dancing gracefully and _to figure. Quite small children played musical instruments, and sung pretty childish songs. Instead of the old carol-singers, who could scarcely ever remember more than* four lines, s'ung to a hackneyed tune, the Christmas carols I heard in Jerusalem were such as in days back, one heard now and again only, rendered by trained choristers at great church festivals/ But how the children delighted injrhe singing! Joy was m thenvoices, joy in their faces, joy in their young hearts. , '

"No baby must cry to-day or to-morrow, ' said one small child to Jack Horner. " Babies must not cry in Jerusalem," said one a little older. Now I must say that during all the time of my stay thero I heard no baby cry or fret in any way. The parents and nurses who accompanied the children did not admonish their charges that they "must not sneak to strange children ; but, to the contrary, if 'they saw that a child was inclined to speak to another they encouraged it, and easy friendships sprang U P- ■--. But it is 'time I told my story. I noticed that one of the children, a boy of about seven years of ago, stood motionless, intently watching what to my eyes was just empty space. There was on his face a look of the mos't wrapt attention: ho appeared fascinated. I touched his shoulder; he did not respond. " What do you see? I asked, but »he did not hear. Then I waited. He turned his head and his eyes appeared as though they were watching a flight of birds. Astonishment, amazement, was clearlv depic'ted by his looks. "Tell me quickly, what it is that you see?" I said. "He started, brought back to earth by my voice. I repeated my question. "Oh. didn't vou see. . . . Look! Look!" His finger pointed eagerly in the direction where he had been looking when I snoke to him. " I see nothing," I said. " You must bo dreaming." "No, no; I'm awake," he said. See there . . . some more. . . . Look! look!" His excitement grew. I took out my air glasses and focused them. I saw nothing. " You little impostor." I said; but he smiled and continued to gaze. Then he suddenly turned round and looked in the opposite direction. "Ah! Now you can see them. They are quite close to you —some of them." I stared at the boy. " Whose son arc vou?" I asked. "My father has 'passed on,'" he said simply. "Do you mean 'dead'?" I asked. He did not understand my question; but he said, "My father is on the 'other side.' "... "Have you a mother?" "Yes. but she is with my father." "Then you are an orphan?" He said nothing to this, but was again entranced with his vision, for such I beliveed it to be.

"Where do you live?" I questioned. "At Bethlehem," he said, "with Aunt Anna'" Then he added quickly :• " Look ! Look! See, 'that's where they're all going—all the children. . . . Oh, . . . so many. The sky is_ full . . . children and children," he cried. " They've come for Christmas . .j . to see the ' Christmas Child.' "

"But," I urged, "the 'Christmas Child' grew up, you know, and became a man. Don't you remember?" He nodded. "You forget there's some more." .he said solemnly. " Yes, there's some more ; but you tell, it mo,'* I replied, wishful to hear what he might say. " One Christmas . -. . just one . He's coming again . . . quite small — smaller than me."

I stared at him. "Who told vou that?" I asked. He smiled and shook his head. " And all the children everywhere will* know the ' Christmas Child.' and ... . and I shall, too," ho paid, and stopped abruptly, his little face flushed and eager. " Oh! . . . See! . . ." he wept; but I knew that he went for rapturous joy. And I left him, saddened that I was a blind grown tip. And night came slowly down on Jnrusnlem, and the "orphan" boy left for Bethlehem in 'the dawn of the Christmas Morning. LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. No letter to contain more than 450 words. Motto: —Wo write for the benefit of othere. rot for ourselves. Dear Dot, —We are having very unsettled weather here just now. Yesterday was very fine, and to-day is just the reverse. There is a big fair on just now in aid of the Soldiers' Children Fund, and next week we have another one called the reveille, in aid of the Returned Soldiers' Fund. A Native went bankrupt here- just lately, and his debts were over £17,000 —such an enormous amount of money for a Maori to spend. There is a play on to-night called " Grumpy, ' T and there is a cousin of General Maude (the hero of Mesopotamia) acting in the capacity of Grumpy. There are two picture theatres here, and two have closed up on account of different things which are so essential to make the theatre pay, I get three weeks' holiday at Christmas, besides all bank holidays, which, I think, are all right; but, of course, if you get too many you don't feel like going back to work again. I received my badge, and was pleased with it, aa I think it is a very pretty one. Wishing all the L.F. at home and abroad a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, although I seem to think there will be more sad than happy,—Yours truly, PLAIN BILL (Hastings).

[I sincerely hope you spend a thoroughly em'oyabl© time during your Christmas vacation, Plain Bill.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since last writing we have had very hot weather here; but it i 3 raining tonight. It will do a great deal of good now, the gardens all looked very dry. .The school children are going to have their picnic on Boxing Day, and I think I will be going to it if it is a fine day. Wc are having the sports here on December 28 instead of on New Year's Day. My brother is 18 today, and my sister will be eight to-morrow. We have two cows milking now, and have a separator, too. We have also two calves. One of my sisters has had the toothache for a good while; but I think she is going to get the tooth pulled out to-morrow night. My flower garden is looking all right just now. The Christmas lilies are coming out once more. There seem to be a good many writers from Ngapara now, and I think I know them all. I had a letter from a cousin of mine who is at Sling Camp, England, as a musketry instructor, and he says they have to work very hard. I. have started to work a piece of crochet, and am getting

on all right with it so far. I think there was a big crowd at the Oarnaru Show; but I did not go into it. I m expecting my mato (Bride's Blossom) up Tor a short stay this month, and hope she will not change her mind. L-ovo to Brido'3 Blossom and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,— i'ours truly, SNOW IN SUMMER (Ngapara).

Dear Dot,—Wo have such a lot of roses ortt in our garden. I do think roses are beautiful. We go down to Foxton Beach every. year. I can swim, and I love it. Kind regards 10 Peg o' the Ring, Belgian Maid, and all the oilier D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, MERMAID (Palmcrston North). [Unlike you, I invariably go inland for my holiday, Mermaid. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—We are having lovely weather. I go to school in my bare feet every day. We have two little kittens—one is black and the other a tiger one. I have a lot 01 lessons to learn at night. Our hens are not laying just now. We have a photo of lrulhtoller and her sister. Our potatoes and peas are out in flower. I will be glad when we get our holidays Best wishes to The lrutlitdlcr, Mati, Ladybird, and all the other L F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, LADY HINEMOA (Thorfcbury). Dear Dot,—We have been having very warm weather here lately, but to : day it changed, and it is raining fairly heavily now. It was badly needed, as everything was getting dried up. Considering all the dry weather we have had, the crops, gardens, etc., about this district are looking splendid. Most of the farmers around here finished shearing now. The Invercargill Summer Show is going to be held on the 11th and 12th of this month. I am going on the 12th, so am anticipating a good time. Since last writing one of my brothers has laid down his life for King and country " somewhere in France." We got an awful shock when we received word regarding his death, and we feel his loss very keenly. I have not heard from my other brother on active service for quite a good while- now; but it is to be hoped he is still alive and well. Tommy Burns is patiently waiting for the military age to get lowered so that he can go, tooi. With best love to Topic, DrawEgan, Ironheart, Postman Henry, Silver Arrow, Squibs, Perpetual Wanderer, Grey Stairs, Niagara Larrikin, Lady Levenside, Seekashore, and all my other correspondents, including yourself, Dot, —Yours truly, GOLDEN LILY (Fairfax).

[I am eo sorry to learn of your great loss, Golden Lily. I trust the other brother may return to you safely and- soon. —DOT.]

Dear Dot,—l am a housekeeper at present, as my sisters are away for a holiday. The only part that I don't like is the milking; but I have not much to growl about, as I milk only two cows at night and three in the morning. The Kelso Show was on October 31, so, you see, we just managed to dodge the amusement tax. It looked very much like rain in the morning, and kept the people from a distance from coming in; but in the end it turned out a nice day, and everything passed successfully. The Kelso ladies had a Ked Cross lolly stall on the grounds, and what with it, the sale of hot water, flowers, etc., over £23 was raised. I went to the concert at night and enjoyed myself immensely. It was really a nigger minstrel troune, with just a few songs in between; but it was a change from the ordinary run of 'concerts, and, I think, was en'joyed by all. I went down to. the Gore Show in my uncle's car. It turned out to be a day something like what we had for the Kelso Show. It was cold, and looked like rain when we left here; but when we arrived in Gore it was just a lovely day. I can't say I saw very much of the show, as the sideshows and circus took up the greatest part of my attention. They were quite a novelty to me, as we do not have anything of that description up this way. I made the acquaintance ofElfhi, Gypsie Queen, and Myhero (three Gore D.L.F.) We had" such lovely news this week. My brother, who was gassed in July, is to arrive home on the 29th of this month. We thought we might have him home for Christmas; but still Cristmas for us this year will mean New Yfear's Day. Oh, Low I wish all our boys were returning home this Christinas! But I am afraid it will be many a long weary day before we will have them all home again. Well, I will say an revoir till after Christmas, as I will be too busy to write before then. I will close, wishing one and all a merry Christmas and the best- of good wishes for 1918, and trusting it will be a more cheerful year than this one has been, —Yours truly, EUROPENA (Keiso).

[You will, in truth, have a happy New Year, Europeana, and I wish j'our brother a speedy recovery to perfect health.—DOT.]

. Dear Dot, —I have seen many other boys who have joined your happy band, and I am just writing to see if I can join, too. It has been raining all night. I have -seven bantam chicks and two other chicks; also two white rabbits.—Yours truly, MAIL BOY (Morton Mains).

[Most assuredly you may join us, Mail Boy. Would you please send me your name, as I noticed you enclosed stamps for a badge, and I do not know whom to address it to.—DOT.]

Dear Dot', —On Gore Show Day I had to go clown to tEo doctor, and EUropena went with mo. She had her badge pinned on to her hat, so I thought I would sew mine en in case I lost it. All the time I was there I looked for badges, but did not see any till I was-trying to find Europena to go home witK I looked to the side one time, and I. saw her talking to three D.L.P. I saw very little of them, as we had to go home; but they all seemed very nice girls I have been lucky lately, for I have had two trips to Gore; but they were both to the doctor. I know quite a number of D-,L.F. now. "We are having our school concert on Friday night, and we are busy practising just now. With kind regards to Etiropena, Queen of the Belgians, Elfln,_Mother's Ivy, Harvest ,Maid, Butterfly, Mignonette, not.forgetting voiirself, —Yours truly, PRINCESS OP THULE (Heriot).

Dear Dot, —The weather lias been very hot in our district for this time of the year, and the gardens are further advanced usual. We have had new potatoes, and the green peas will lw ready for using by Christ-mas-time. The flower garden is also looking very well. We have a large number of ewcet peas in blossom-, and some of them are quite Gft in height. The birds are nesting again, and my brothers collect their eggs. They have already collected 37 dozen. The eggs they collect are chiefly sparrows', blackbirds', thrushes', linnets', goldfinches', and hedge-sparrows'. They are to 'keep count of the eggs and see how many th-s*-have by the end of the season. There ar> numbers of other harmless birds whoso eggs they do not take, such as th-» starling-*, fantails, tomtits, dotterels, terns, and many others. It is very interesting to watch iho habits of dotterels. They do not stay in this locality all the year round; they go away in the early autumn, and I do not know whore they stay in the winter; but they come back again in the early spring. The dotterels make very peculiar ncsta. 'They simply lay

their eggs in a shallow hollow in the ground. They lay only two eggs, and when tho little birds are hatched they can run very quickly, and so they are very difficult to catch. They a-ro very strong littlo birds, too, because if you take notice you will see the tiny birds running about, with small pieces of shell on their backs. The parent birds are very cunning. If they think that their little ones are in danger they will make a great noise to attract your attention, and then they will protend that they have a broken wing, and will run in a different direction altogether from their young. As it is so nen.r the end of the year I will conclude by wishing you and all the Little Folk a merry Christmas and a happy Mew Year.—Yours truly, DORIS MAY (Lumsden).

[lt is wonderful the subterfuge birds resort to for the welfare of their young.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —When I last wrote I was in the Third Standard at school, but I am in the Fourth now. I have a wee sister. We have four miles to go to school, eo. I can tell you that I feel tired, and my feet are sore. We have a girl stopoing with us who is one of the D.L.F. I think her D.L.F. name is Viola. She is going home on the 9th of this month. Our flower garden is looking lovely, as all the Christmas lilies are out. My little sister is going to join your band in about another year, because she is too small just now. Love to Snowdrop, Jumbo, and Treacle Pot, —Yours truly, POMPY A (Lindis Crossing).

Dear Dot, —I got second prize for geraniums at our flower show. We finished shearing early this year, as the weather was good. Thc>- days have been very hot for a long time, but the rain has come to-day. Love from, —Yours truly. . RUTH (Glenniorven, Huntervilla).

Dear Dot, —I am 12 years of age, "and am in Standard VI at school. We had our show laat Tuesday. It was a beautiful day for a wonder, because it has been wet for four or five years running. We are having a Sunday school concert next Friday, and I am in two items. I am very fond of reading books. I have read " Anne of Green Gabks," "Anne of Avonlea," "Anne of the Island," " The Land o' the Leal," " Dauntless Patty," '• The Fiery Totem," and many others lately. I have three sisters and two brothers. We all go to school except my youngest brother, who is only three and ahalf years old. We are milking nine cows,and have six calve 3 and two pigs. We had a pet lamb, but one night when dad wa;s not at home my brother gave it one bottle of milk instead of half a bottle, and it died in the night. It must have burst. We are having our break-up on the 20th of this month, but I don't think I will receive any prizes; it is never my luck. I have only one uncle at the war. I had two cousins there, but one was killed. Best wishes to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (Milton).

[You are very welcome to join us, dear. I will post the badge as soon as I get the fresh supply in.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We are having lovely weather here lately, and it ia very hot to-day. ' I have left school now, and find the days very long. All the roses are out in bloom, and they look very pretty. Most of the farmers about here have started shearing. We are milking three cows at present and feeding one calf. We separate the milk, but do not send the cream away. The grass is very long about here, and one can hardly see. the cows when they are lying down. A large number of men from this district have been killed and wounded at the war. The pin came off my badge; but I am going to town to-morrow and will get it fixed. Love to all the D.L.F'., not forgetting yourself,— "i ours truly, IVYLEAF (Peebles). Dear Dot, —We are having lovely weather just now. I was at the Gore Show, and enjoyed myself immensely. I did not see many D.L.F. there. On Saturday Shells of t-he Ocean and myself went for a bicycle ride down to the river, and when we were coming home Shalls of the bicycle broke and we had to Walk home. Our school gardens are looking lovely with all the flowers out. Kind regards to Shells of the Ocean, Pink Violet, Iceland Poppy, not forgetting your own dear self, —Yours truly, WARIMOO (Riversdale). Dear Dot, —We had our examination on Wednesday, and I came first of the girls. We have a dog with four little pups; we call the dog Floss. I have five dolls. I have a little garden of my own. I read a boolt called " Wee Doggie." I have only one brother, and he is in camp at Featherston, and will soon be down on leave. It will soon be Christmas, and I am wondering what Santa Claus will give me. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, —Yours truly, WIND FAIRY (Wyndham). [Mtt.ny thanks for your good wishes, dear, and I hope yoii will have a happy time during the holidays.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having nice weather here. My mother is very busy sewing for Christmas. Our garden is looking very nica. The potatoes are very green, and are flowering. We have some roses out in flower. I passed my examination, and am now in Standard V. I came fourth in the exam., and top of my class at school. My brother is away to band practice just now. We break up next Wednesday, but we are not having a concert or getting certificates. I was at the Gore Show, and there was a large display of stock. A large number of people were present, and it was a beautiful day. Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and with best love to the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, MAUREEN (Mataura).

Dear Dot, —Wo have been having very warm -weather up hero lately, but to-day it is blowing a gale, and the dust is flying in all directions. Since I last wrote to you I have been in Dunedin, and, although my stay was short, I enjoyed myself immensely. When in Dunedin I made the formal acquaintance of A True Patriot, and was very pleased indeed to ee-e her. I brought a cold back with me, eo I don't think it pays me to go for holidays. -There was a picnio here last week, but I did not go. A sal* of work in aid of Dr Barnardo'fl Homes is to be held here next Saturday. I hope it is a success, as it is for such a good cause. Wishing yourself and all the L.!P. a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and with love and best wishes to A True Patriot, 0 Bo Joyful, Canadale- Lass, Go To Bed Early Tipperary Mary, Starlight Rose, and all the other DrF., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly,

A SOLDIER'S FRIEND (Kelso). [Evelyn M'Kenzie, Lome, is the address asked for, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Wo had our Sunday school anniversary a fortnight or so dgo. Last Wednesday was Show Day here; but it wasn't much. At the show Elfin, Maheru, and myself met a very nice D.L.P. comrade from Kelso. We saw another one, but did not have enough courage to go and speak to him. For a wonder we had a fine day, and

I think that induced the people to ccfl out more than the show itself. I have be~S very busy' helping with the spring-cleaning and I must say that it does make one tired. The gardens down this way look really nice. We have a fairly large garden, and it take? a good deal of work to keep it in order. I think if some of iho city "girls had the amount of freedom we have here instead of having only a small backyard and the streets to play and walk about in thoy would think this glorious. I don't think we appreciate; it properly till we know and compare "' with city life. You don't get- too much < j 100 little of anything to entice you to knoc about the streets a groat deal. Best love to Elfin, Europena, and all the D.L.F. and yourself,—Yours truly, GIPSY BELLE (Gore).

Dear Dot, —I am nine years old, and am in I Standard 11. I had two uncles killed at '- the war. All the flowers are out in bloom. We ha,ve two cows milking now. I am going to Invercargill for a holiday. We had a - school concert on 23, and I was in it. Love to the, L.F., not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly, CRIMSOX I RAMBLER (Waipahi).

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F. ? I had four brothers at the front: one has been killed and one wounded. With kindest regards to all the L.P., not forgetting yourself,--Yours truly, A SISTER OF FOUR SOLDIERS (South Dunedin). [You are very welcome to join us, dear.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It has been blowing here nearly all day, and it is still blow'ing tonight. To-day I received a letter from a D.L.F. at Rawhiti whose IST.D.P. ia Rawhitian. "We have been having very warm weather here lately; but it is colder to-day. Irij was here visiting us a few days ago, and she brought her" little baby sister with her. "We have been doing a great deal of gardening lately, but not many of the seeds are growing. The school children will soon bo having their Christmas holidays, and I suppose they will be looking forward to a good tij«o(. Our turnips will be ready for thinning in about another week, so that will be a busy time. "Wishing the page every success, I will now close with best wishes, —■ Yours truly, LITTLE MAID MARIGOLD (Sutton).

Dear Dot, —We are having very changeable weather just now—warm in the mornings and a very cold wind in the evening. There is a slight fall of snow on the Rock and Pillar Mountains. We are milking 15 cows and feeding 12 calves. My brothers found a hawk's nest Tip in the lucerne last week, and it had four eggs in it. We went up last night and it had three wee hawks in it. I suppose the other egg is rotten. Have you» ever seen them, Dot? They are about thtsize of chickens, and are a pale pinky colour The schools will "be closing for the holidays in two weeks. The boys have such a lot of birds' eggs to sell. Last time they were going to take them the rats ate aboiit 6a worth. There is plenty of grass about just now. Love to yourself and comrades, —Yours truly,

FOULATA'S MATE (Sutton). [I will forward your badges as soon as the new supply comes to hand, dears. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Very likely you think me dead, as I have not written for such a long time. It has been terribly hot up here lately, and the whole/Peninsula is drying up. Ido not know how the farmers on the plains , are getting on ; but if this : weather keeps on much longer I do not think their crops will be much of a success. My aunt was staying with us for a fortnight, but she went home on Saturday. I do not think it will be a, very merry Christmas for many homes this year, Dot, as nearly every home has a father or son or some relation who has been, or is still, fighting for King and country. Best wishes to Shakespeare, Queen of the, Snowdrops, Go To Bed Early, A Sister of Two Soldiers, A Soldier's Sister, A True Patriot, Ardmore, Striker, Eunice, • and . yourself,— Yours truly, ONE OF SIR ROBERT'S SCOTTTS (Wainui).

Dear Dot, —It is a long time since I wrota my first letter. Our school breaks up on the 20fh. My eister, Hema, and I are going to Brighton for our holidays. We have had our examination, and I have passed into the Third Standard. I haven't been absent a day this year from school or Sunday school, and am getting first prize at Sunday school. It is time I went to bed, so I will have to close my letter. Love to Frances and a happy Christmas to you, Dot, wh°n it cornea —Yours truly, FLOSSIE. [Many thanks, Flossie, and I hope you and Eema hfav« an enjoyable holiday.—DOT.] AUTOS. Europena (Jessie M. Gibson, Riverview, Kelso) wishes to exchange autos and correspond with Allan-a-Dale, Anzac's Niece, Everybody's Friend, and any L.F. about 13 years. The Triplets (Miller's Flat) wish to correspond with Silence or any Bluff L.F.. willing. A Wes+ern Star (Miss Mathrson, Havelock street, Riverton) wishes to exchange autofl and correspond with Smiler, Long Shanks, and any L.F. over 14 years of age. Ivyleaf (Ivy Milne, Peebles) wishes to correspond with any L.F. willing. Maureen (Mabel Carroll, Kana street, Mataura) wishes to correspond with Grandmother's Girl, Waimumu, and any L.F. 11 years. One of Sir Robert's Scouts (Malcolm. M'Garry, "Wainui, Banks Peninsula) wishes to correspond with Nelson, Gwen, Long Island, Boxo, The Shepherd, and Yukon Bill.