DOT'S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 56

DOT'S LITTLE FOLK.

Dot invites short letters from her young friends throughout the Dominoon on natter* of interest to thenaselTes, the result of their observations ia the animal world, descriptions of anything they are interested in, of the district In which they live, of their school and home life, holiday trips, &o. The letters are to be written by the little folk themselves, arid addressed "Dot, car« of Editor Witness."

D.L.F.

Pot's' Little Folk's Badges with pin-, for use as a brooch, obtainable on application to Dot. Price, Is 9d post free, in penny or halfpenny stamps. Auto. Cards are obtainable from Dot, Witness office, Dunedin. Price, 9d for 25.

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK

No letter to contain more than 350 words. Uotto:—Wo write for the beneßt of others not for ourselves. Dear Dot— Since I last wrote, to you the shearing has been finished, and we are now busy with the harvest, and it is nice to hear tile reaper* going. The fruit is now ripening fast, and we have an abundance of raspberries, gooseberries, and currants; also early peaches, which are very nice. The country around here is looking beautiful, white clover blooming all oyer the paddocks. I am going to Port Molyneux next week for a fortnight, and hope to meet some D.L.F. There was a. welcome home to the soldiers last night. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, APPLE BLOSSOM (Roxburgh). [Your part of the country must present a beautiful piefnre at present, Apple Blossom. —DOT.] Dear Dot—At tho school break-up I received a certificate for attendance and a book for spelling. One of my brothers is home from the war. Mum, dad, and myself went up to Christchurch to meet him. We had fine weather all the time. It was a nice ride, and I enjoyed it very much. It is very hot to-day. The chicken has grown so big I hardly know her. Love to all the Little Polk, not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly, SADDLER TOMMY (Milton). Dear Dot,—l am staying at Balfour for rriy holidays, and I am having a very good time. Did you see in the paper that the Makarewa School was burnt down about a fortnight ago? Well, that is the school my father teaches at. I think most of the children are very glad. It is very hot to-day, and I feel as if I could go to sleep, but I have to write to Queen of Verulam. Hoping you had a happy Christmas, and love to Queen of the Hills, not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly, SWEET VIOLETS (Balfour).

Dear Dot, —It is a very cold night here. It is lovely to have a fire to sit at on a cold night. I don't know how the poor soldier boys get on in the trenches; they must get very cold sometimes. They never say much about the war after they com© back. My brothers hardly ever say anything about it; they try to forget what they have seen. I was at a welcome honie last night, and had a very enjoyable time. I had two cousins killed at the war, and another one of my cousins was killed beside my brother in the battle of the Somme. Best love to tftrip, Queen of the Hills, Queen of Verulam, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, lONA (WaikiwiV.

[lt is hardly to be wondered at that the poor fellows should wish to forget just a« soon as possible the fearful times they have experienced.—DOT.] \ Dear Dot, —We have had a few fine days lately. We are having our school holidays just now; but I am not going anywhere this time. Stock, sweet peas, dahlias, candytuft, etc., are in bloom now. I have read some books lately, such as " Our Bessie," " Peter Parley's Tales," " The Better Part," and two or three others. I received a prize at school for attendance, and also one from Sunday school for attendance. We go in swimming nearly every day. I like swimming better than anything else.. Kind regards to Go to Bed Early, A Sister of Two Soldiers, Baby Bliss, Mother's Ivy, Thorn, A Soldier's Friend, Postman Henry, Shakespeare, not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly, TIPPEBARY MARY (Tapanui).

Dear Dot-,—l am staying at Slope Point for a holiday. Our school starts on January 29, but I wish it would never start. Last night we had thunder and lightning. It was an awful storm, but did not last long. Slope Point is not a bad place for a holiday. Since we came here we have been down to the beach every day getting pawas; but we are going bock to Fortrose on Saturday. There is a welcome- home for a soldier in Niagara, to-night. Love to Stars and Stripes. Postman Henry, Maramu's Cousin, Long Island, and all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, MIHI MOANA (Slope Point).

Dear Dot, —JVfiiii Moana and another girl are down spending a holiday with me. The night they came wo went to the beach, and coming home we were driving a big bull and some cows in front of us. Our mate said to Mihi Moana and me. "Let tu chase the bull" ; so she chased after it, and just as she stopped chasing it it turned round and chased her. We just about died laughing at her. It was rough here last night. The thunder cracked and lightning flashed dreadfully. It was so rough that one of the adies got such a fright that she bad to be put to bed. We all got a fright. I will feci lonely when Mihi Moana and her friend go away, as they a.re good company. Besj love to Dolly Varden, Rustic, and yours©??.—YouiK truly, => COUSIN. Dear Dot, —May I becovo a - member of your happy band ? Wo are having very unsettled weather at present, but as it is holiday-time I don't mind. We go back to school on February 4. I have been reading a good many books lately, and ono of them was oalled *'Frorn Scapegrace to Hero," and I enjoyed reading it very much. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself, —Yours trulv, DA-0-SA-NO-GFJH (Kennington). [You are very welcome to join us, dear. What is the translation of your N.D.P. ?- DOT.]

Dear Dot, —1 have just finished reading my prize this year, and it is a very interesting book. I am going for a holiday in a few days. There are a good many Little Folk writing to tho page now, D6t. —Yours truly, QUEENIS (Tauniata). [I hope you enjoy your holiday, Quecnis.— DOT.

Dear Dot,— May I join your happy band. I am 11 years old, and am in the Fourth/ Standard. I have throe brothers and one sister. Love to all the D.L.F.—Yours truly, WHITE HEATHER (Thornbury). [Certainly you ma/ join "us, dear.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—lt has been very cold here to-day. Wo had a picnic on the day of our school break-up, and as it was a fine day it turned out a success. We start school on" February 5. I passed my exam., and I will be in the Fifth Standard when we start again. I will stop now. With love to all the L.F., including yourself,—Yours truly, No. 5 (Balfour).

Dear Dot,—l have been staying in Hastings for the past fortnight, with Tighnibruiacli, and it was just all right, too, as it has been very wet, and stnying in town saved me the trouble of biking out and in in the rain. I was very surprised, mdeed to hear of. Little Boy's return. I hadn't heard from him for months, and was wondering what had become of him, but I am very glad that he has managed to get back to dear old New Zealand. No place like home. My sister, Sexton Blake, is away for a holiday at present, and by all accounts is having a good time. I saw in yesterday's paper where she has managed to get a senior scholarship. I think she must have a few brains. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, BONNIE MARY 0' ARGYLE (Paki Paid).

[Please convey our aincerest congratulations to Sexton Bkke on her success, dear. She deserves a -good holiday.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—l suppose you will bo wondering where I have got to; but things have been fairly busy since we reopened after the Christmas vacation, and I have not been able to get a note away. I see another Uh. has given his life for King and country, hit his parents will know that they have not sacrificed in vain. Thoy wdl have ail our heartfelt sympathy. We are having a fair share of rain here just now, which is all right, I suppose.; but we can have too much sometimes. What interesting letters aro written by I/ingitoa and Vikimanogi! They could almost be called miniature books. But, of course, there is quite a lot of interesting things to write about, and you don t often get a letter for a few months. 1 should like to live there in Nine, where all the bananas and a great amount of fruit are grown; but I suppose I would soon change my mind after a few months. By some of the letters from those that were at the Timaru picnic they seemed to ha/e thoroughly enjoyed themselves, which is, of course the right thing to do provided that the weather* W- fine. I wonder where lin Lizzie has disappeared to. Surely not too tired to write a short note to the page! There was a play on here last night. " You're In. Dove " was the name of it, and I believe it was very good About how many are in the D.D.F. band, Dot? Don t you think that piece of our column last week was very good, and if it was followed by the L.F. it would save a lot of worrying on the mother's part. This is my half-holiday, so I am writing this It is hard to fill in time in Haatl . n * B r"?* J™ Dunedin, where one can always find some place to go. I am learning shorthana just now, and don't fir. 4 it very h«d to learn though some say it is very dry. With kindest regards to all the L.F., not forgettuig yourself, of course,—Yours truly, PLAIN BILL (Hastings). [ln this issue you will learn of a few more L F in Hastings. I would not care to undertake the counting of our numbers, Plain Bill They must run into some thousands, as new ones are always coming forward to taka the places vacated by the older members at retiring age.—DOT]

Dear Dot—l am having my holidays with Father's Lassie in Charleston, and am going home on Friday. Father 8/ La&sie stayed three weeks with me, and we had a lovely time together. We went on to the island one day at 6 o'clock Mid came off at 5 When we went on we fished until ,IU o'clock. Then we had something to eat. After we finished Father's Lassie and 1 went from one end of the island to the other. There were baby seagulls all over the island, and there were dead and live ones all over the place. The small.ones are very pretty. Thev are white, with little grey feathers. The'bio- birds were flying around getting fish for them. We found only seven eggs, so we did not touch them. Kind regards to aIJ the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours y ' MOTHER'S LASSIE (Tiromoana).

Dear Dot,—These words are being penned many miles away from the usual place, ior I am on a holiday, enjoying myself, too, though the rainy, unsettled weather tries to disappoint me every time anything exceptionally nice is planned. But even ram cannot damp the pleasure of seeing new sights end faces, even though those faces and sights are themselves damp. A friend and I set out on December 29 ior Carterton, or, to be exact, Dalefield, a few miles out, and after missing our friend at the station at Carterton and wandering around like lost sheep, wo were finally taken to our destination in a taxi. But I am not going to give you a detailed account of our wanderings, as it will take up too miich space, which, though I haven't seen a Witness since I left home, I know is valuable. I don't profess to be good at descriptive work, but there are some such pretty falls here that we visited lately that I am inclined to do my best to show their beauty. Two carloads of us drove to the edge of the bush, going along a track with a cliff one side and a stream the other, and there boiled tho billy and had lunch, while the all .too plentiful sandflies, which, apparently, were hungry, too, took a decided fancy to my legs and refused to touch anything else. But we are wandering from the point, and it is a far cry from my legs to the waterfalls, which we found out when, we had to go there. We followed tho swiftly-tumbling stream at first, where the bush was very pretty and easy to walk through, except for being caught by a grasping lawyer or hit by a swinging supplejack. It was uphill work, and we had to cross the water, walking on slippery stones, every few minutes, because the bush became so thick that walking became impossible in it, so we had to walk on tho water almost. As we proceeded the water rushed with greater force, making it more difficult to keep a footing on the stones, and as we got quite Wet-footed few of Us tried. Big, waving ferns hung over the stream, logs covered with soft damp green moss lay alongside, and tall trees of every description grew up and around, shutting out the sky and making an arch over tho swiftly-tumbling waters. Everything was damp, for the rainy weather had oven pene-

trated tlio arch of trees, and when we at last rounded a bend in the stream and saw the waterfall we couldn't go too near because the spray from the falling water radiated around. The waters raced down over mossed stone 3 into a basin below, and nearby a log had fallen over, and on it, too, the waters fell;' and when for a moment a small sunbeam straggled through the growth the shining, frothy waters were worth seeing, with their dark, imposing background bringing out with greater effect the seeming lightness of the water. We got. back very grubby and more than very wet, but not grudging it in the least, as the waterfalls paid for it all. Love to the D.L.F. and you yourself,— Yours truly, SEXTON BLAKE. [I am delighted to be able to congratulate you on your success, Sexton Blake, end am so glad you are having such a jolly time.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is now such a long time since I last wrote to the page that I feel almost too ashamed to send this letter in. I am sure the L.P. have quite forgotten that such a person as Tighnabruiach ever existed. I am back at my old place keeping house while the family is at the beach. There isn't much work to do, so I quite enjoy the rest. I have Bonny Mary o' Argyle staying with me, so between us we manage to have a pleasant time. The Christmas holidays passed off very quietly here, and I think all were glad when they were over. I had a very jolly time at New. Year, and am rather dreading this long, dreary year ahead; but I suppose we must try to see tlie bright side of things in everything that comes our way. I see- there is one D.L.P. in Hastings—namely, Tin Lizzie. I haven't chanced to meet her yet, but hope to happen across her some day. I always wear my badge, as one never knows where one may meet a comrade. It is very cold, and inclined to rain to-day, but I wish the subi would shine, as we have had quite a lot of rain lately, and would now like some warm weather. . I shall have to bring this to an. end now. This is a veterinary surgeon's house, and the telephone ie beginning to get very busy, and as I have _to attend to it, it knocks all chance of writing on the head. Wishing all D.L.F. and yourself a happy New Year, if I am not too late in doing so, —Yours truly, TIGHNABRUIACH (Hastings).. [I am getting quite a number of young friends in Hastings. Tin Lizzie and Plain Bill are the latest recruits, and both are anxious to meet other L.P. —DOT.], Dear Dot,— Previously, , when I have written, I did any other'D.L.F., but I know Tawantfi Hardee se, and I think I know" who A "White Rose is. She lives in Puke tiro, the next station from us, three miles away. We, like most parts of had very wet weather this summer, but, as is the common • saying, "There's worse than that at the front," we make the best of it. Of course, the wet weather spoilt the holidays to a certain extent, and it is still very broken, which is bad for the harvest and shearing, which, I understand, are not finished yet. The two D.L.P. from Niue Island write very interesting letters, which, I am sure, all D.L.P. must enjoy . We went to Jack's Bay during the holidays with some friends, and had a lovely day's outing Jack's Bay is about 12 miles away, and I rode my -pony. With love to Heartsease, White Rose, and all the D.L.P., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, QUEEN'S ROCKET (Tawanui). . Dear Dot,—We are having lovely weather. I was fishing to-day. and I caught one medium-sized fish. Everything is looking fresh and green, and there is every sign of a good harvest. The fruit will soon be ripe and the cherries are all eaten. I have an uncle at the war, and he was wounded. Several soldiers from, here have been killed, and two gained the military medal for bravery in aotion. With love to Ancient Warrior, Ae-te-Roa, and all the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, WOODSIDE (Grove Bush).

Dear Dot,—Since I last wrote I have been awav for a holiday. I enjoyed myself very much One of my cousins came up to see •us, and ©he and I had a very good time. One of my uncles was killed in action on November 23. Three more of my cousins have gone away to the war lately. Our head school teacher, Mr Clark, died about a week ago. I was very sorry, as be was a good teacher, and brought his pupils on well I passed my examination, and came second top of the ctasa: I will be in Standard V when we start again. We have finished cutting our grass, and are getting the mill in to thrash it some of these davs I have some very nice flowers out in "my garden. I am getting on fine with my music, and like it very well. With love to Iceland Poppy, Marigold, Warnnioo, Zonal Pelargoniums, and all the other Li.h., not forgetting yourself—Yours truly, PINK VIOLET (Lumsden).

Dear Dot,—We are having good weather at present, and I hope it will last, as some of the farmers are harvesting grass. There was a send-off here about a fortnight ago to three soldiers who are on their way to the front. It was warm for those who were dancing, because there "was a large crowd of people there. My mate and I were at the Eiverton regatta, and we enjoyed it very much. Most of the pepole had on white dresses, as it was such a lovely day. We wont out in n boat with some mora friends, and we found it was cool enough on the water if it was hot anywhere else. I felt as if I would like to live at Eiverton; there was such nic* scenery. I did not meet any L.F. there, and I would have liked to. Love to Roscleaf, Gloria, Gloria's Mate, Postman Henry, A; Western Star, Go to Bed Early, Boxo, and yourself.—Yours truly, SMILES (Orawia). Dear Dot,—The weather is very hot down here. We had a concert for the break-up of our school. I won four przies this year, one being a special prize for was the Boy's Own Annual. I am very proud of it. We had to have a vegetable plot, as well as one for flowers; but my vegetables wore the best. Jimmy and I are cutting cocksfoot. We motored out to the Eiverton regatta., and w-3 hod a really enjoyable day. My father took my two brothers and me out for a sail m'the motor launch. 'R was the only time I was away from home, except when my father took the wool hrto Invercargill. Wishing you and the Little Folk a happy New Year,—Yours truly, DAVY LAD (Waianiwa). Dear Dot,— My sister (Starlight Eose) writes to the page, and so does my brother (Mr Nobody). I enjoy reading the D.L.F. letters. Starlight Eose is down at my grandmother's place near Glenomaru, and she lies there very much. Christmas was very quiet tere with many people. Are there any D.L.F. about here? If there aro J would like to' be' friends with them. I left school at Christmas-tim«s and am glad. I have read a great many books lately: some of them are "Peggy D. C," "Half a Dozen Girls," "Alison's Quest," and "Spring Daya/' The one I like best is " Peggy D. O.' It is raining to-day, and I was going out, but I have to stay home now.

Two of my unfiles aaro away to tho front to do their duty. One of them has just gone and the other one has been in the firingline for nearly three months. "We have a few flowers in bloom, and they look so pretty. The sweet peas look pretty _ growing in a garden; and eo do tho carnations. We have only the double red carnation, and it is in bloom. My little brother is going to start ■writing to the page soon. The school will be starting in about two weeks. Love to Starlight Rose, Mr Nobody, Sunflower, A Soldier's Friend, and all the other L.P., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, MOLLY (West Plains).

Dear Dot, —We have had good weather this last few days, but there is a cold wind blowing to-day. I went to see the picture of "The Kid from Timaru." I was at a welcome home to a returned soldier. Ho was presented with a gold watch, chain, and a pipe. Queen of Verulam and hear sister were dancing in fancy costume. I have been up seeing Queen of the Hills. Love to all the L.P.. tfbt forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, A RETURNED SOLDIER'S PET (Waikiwi).

Dear Dot, —May I join your circle of writers ? I am 11 years old, and in the Fifth Standard at school". When we get the Witness on Friday I will excitedly look for my letter. We have to walk to school every morning, but as it is not far we do not mind. Our pets consist of two Angora rabbits with white fur and lovely pink eyes. Have you seen any Angora rabbits, Dot? Besides the rabbits we have a dog called Mao and a cot called Tom. We start school on the' 4th of next month. Love to nil tho L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, GRANNIE'S FAVOURITE (Reefton). [You are very welcome to join us. dear. I hav-3 four or five L.F. now in Reefton.— DOT.I

Dear- Dot, —This is my first letter to your page. Wo have jv.st had a day on the bay; we had our dinner and tea there. There was a crdwd at the bay and a number in bathing. We three children were in for n bathe, and the water was nice and warm. There was a concert at the bay to-night, but we did not stop for it, as we were too tired. We are going fishing this afternoon if it keeps fine. I ami eight and a-half years old, and in Standard I. I have had a good holiday. Our school takes up on February 4. I am getting on well at school here.. We axe quite near the school, and I get home for my dinner every day. We go to the Waimataitai School. This is all.—Yours truly, ANNIE WAG TONGUE (Timaru). [Very pleased to add you to-our numbers. -DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Sine© I last, wrote I have come to D'unedin for a holiday. I hope you won't mind my changing my rv.D.P., Dot. I am having a good holiday. We play cricket every day, and enjoy the game very much. My brother Rawiri is a corporal, and expects to leave Trentham early in February. jt have read, a book called " A Woman's Part," and found it a very nice one. I have not seen one D.L.F. since I came to D'unedin. I would much sooner live in the country than in the town. We are having lovely weather, and have been down in the boat twice since we came here. Love to Sea Breeze, Tangle Thread, and Wattle Blossom, not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, .TEAEI (Dunedin). [I have no objection to the change dear.— DOT.

Dear Dot, —I was very glad to see my last letter in print. Wo have two clogs and a black cat. The latter has such a dear wee black-and-white kitten. It is just about a fortnight old. I have been learning painting for over a year. ■ I also learn the piano. My father is at the war. He. went with the Main Body. I wish the war was over. What a happy day it will be when it ends! .My mother (Flora Dora.) used to write to the D.L.F. page. She has not written for over 15 years now, so I suppose you don't remember her. Love to Little Maid Marigold, Tomboy, Erleen, and all the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours truly, QUEEN LILAC BELLE (South Dtmedin).

Dear Dot, —I am having a holiday in Dunedin, and it is lovely Weather. We have been here for nearly a week, and have enjoyed it. I have read three books, which were written by Amy Le Feuvre, and find them very nice. I have been on the .ferry steamea-s Waireka and Waikana, but the Waireka was the cleaner and nicer to sail in. I hope you will not mind my changing my N.D.P. I would much sooner live in the country than in the town, for it is so noisy, while the country is quiet. I must close now. With love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself, —Yours truly, BUITA (Dunedin). [You do not give your previous N.D.P., and it would be an endless task to go through my address book to connect a proper name to an unknown pen-name.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band? I was nine years old in December, and have just passed the Second Standard. I have had a- short holiday up north. While away I visited a woollen factory. Everything was very wonderful. First of all the wool was washed and dried. Then it was taken to where it was dyed; then it was spun into yarn, and afterwards made into blankets. The blankets were washed and dried. I saw where they made jerseys, stockings, caps, and coats. I also, saw where they washed the stockings and dried them. 'The last thing I saw was the place where they were packing up the goods to send away in parcels. This is a Ions: letter, so I must close. Best love to all the L.F., and to Dot, —Yours truly, INKPOT II (Lumsden).

[Certainly you may join us. We already have a writer with the IST.D.P. of Inkpot; so if you like you can select another nenname.—DOT.] Dear Dot,— The weather up this way has been fairly fine lately. I was at the 'Kelso and Gore Shows, and enjoyed myself thoroughly. While I was standing on the platform of the train at the Gore Railway Station Elfin came up and spoke to me .There was a picnic party from hero on New Year's Day to the Leithen Bush. When wegot there the rain came on and spoilt it It is a pretty place. Kindest regards to all my correspondents and the rest of the L.F., not forgetting yourself,—Yours- truly, SHAKESPEARE (GreenvaLs). Dear Dot,—Wo have had the haymaker* at our place, and it is a good thing they have finished here now. Wo had them for three days Inst week. On account of the rain it was awkward for the farmers who wanted to get in their crops, as they could work only now find then for several days. Our flower garden looks very pro4ty fust now, as it is full of so many different kinds of flowers in bloom. I passed my proficiency examination in December, and I was glncf, too, for I would not liko to sit for it again. I know a few D.L.F. around these parts. J suppose Trump Card is too busy to write. He is at present away on a holiday. I am hot going for any holidays this Christmas, as I would sooner stay at home. My second ♦ldost brother, Stumper, has now left school,

'—- ■—' ■ ».«.*.' ■■ ' -f r- : as he reckons school makes him lazy. He would sooner work on tho farm, like _ Tieg does. I have two brothers and two sisters Writing to the page also. I was in bed all last week with rheumatism, and I did not like it at all. It is the second time I have had rhoumatism since I last wrote to the page. The first time I landed in tho hospital with it, but that did not happen this time. I like reeding. Love to Terra Nova 11, Trump Card, Laureata, and all the L.F., not foi getting yourself,—Yours truly, MOLLY BAWN (Te Wae Wae). [You did not forward your own name, and ns I failed to find it in my address book I am unabla to publish your request for correspondents.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band of L.F. ? I always read the L.F.'s page, and find it most interesting. Oronoa i» my sister. I am nearly 13 years of ago. I will close now. With befit wishes,—Yours truly, LILIAN MAY (Lake Pukaki). [You also, dear, are welcome to the page. — DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I become a member of your band of Little Folk? I always read the L.F.'a letters, and find them very interesting. I am nearly 15 years of age. I have two sisters and three brothers. As this Is my first letter to the page, I will close now. With best wishes, —Yours truly, OEONOA (Lake Pukaki). [You are welcome to join us, Oronoa. — DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band? I am 13 years old, audi still go to school. I have no brothers nor sisters, and my mother and father ore- both dead, I am sorry to say. I know many of the D.L.i. I have a pet sheep and lamb of my own. Tho sheep'3 name "is Daisy, and the lamb's name is Frisk. _ We have one cow milking; her name is Cherry. The apples will soon be ripe now. Do you like apples, Dot? The'holidays will soon be over now. I must close. With fond love to Mother's Help, Pickles, and Firefly II; also yourself. Kind regards from,—Yours truly, LOST GIP (Goitre Bush). [Certainly you may join us, dear. I hope you will make many friends as a slight consolation for the loss of your parents DOT.] v AUTOS. Tipperary Mary (Elsie Harraway. Tapanui) wishes to correspond with any L.F. over 13 years. Tighnabruiach (Ivy Scott, Fitzroy avenue, Hastings) wishes to correspond with Snakey Joe, Grant, and any L.F. over 18 years. Woodside (Johri Boyle, Grove Bush) wishes to correspond with any L.F. willing. Smiler (Jessie M. Mathieson. Orawia) wishes to correspond with Plain Bill, Grant, Hermit Crab, and Draw-Esran. Queen Lilao Belle (Miss H. Jordun, 62 Melbourne street, South Duncdin) would like to correspond with One of Sir Roberts's Scouts, Tin Lizzie, and any L.F. willing. Shakespeare (Archie Colder, Greenvale, via Waikaka) wishes to correspond with Elfin and .any L.F. over 14 years.