DOT'S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3364, 4 September 1918, Page 56

DOT'S LITTLE FOLK.

Dot tnrites short let-, ters from her young friends throughout the Dominoon on matters of interest to themselves, the result of V their observations la =\ the animal world, doy scriptiona of anything they are interested in, of the district is which they live, at their school and homo life, holiday trips, Ao. The letters are to bo written by the little folk themselves, and addressed "Dot, oare of Editor Witness."

Dot's Little folk's Badge 3 with p*D, for use as a brooch, obtainable on application to Dot. Price, Is 8d post free, in penny or halfpenny stamps. Auto. Cards are obtainable from Dot, Witness office, Dunedin. Price. Bd for 2b. OLD WRITERS' WEEK. OCTOBER 30. Old writers' week lias been fixed for October 30 this year, and) I hope a great number of our old friends will find time "to send in even a short note. I have already in hand three letters from our soldiers for 0.W.W., so I hope everyone will rally round and prove to them since they have not forgotten us wo also bear them in mind. All letters must reach-this office not later than October 23. LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Motto:—We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. No letter to contain more than 350 words. Dear Dot, —I have just got over a week's sickness, and am not in the very best of health. "We have a new teacher, and I like her very much. My sister and I have a duet which we play on the piano. I was 12 years old last April, and am in the Fourth Standard at school. Our fowls are beginning to lay now. My sister is going to a dance at Te Tua. I think I am going to a concert at Tuatapere on Friday night. One of my little brothers has a very bad cold. My youngest brother is a year and four months old. He is a little hard case. Kind regards to The Flower Girl, Red Cross Nurse 11, and the rest of my correspondents, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, GRAPE'VINES (Te Wae Wae). ■[l hope you are now feeling stronger, dear, and quite recovered. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —"When we had those strong winds the Maheno was blown from Pelichet Bay to Macandrew's Bav, and landed at a point near the school. When she first came you may be sure we were round at her. _ It was a very cold day, so you can imagine what it was like at the point. The boys were the first to venture on board. Afterwards The Rose of Allandale, my sister, and myself made up our minds we would go on board. We were frightened at first, but ran about from deck to deck, and jumped from the top deck to the ground, about 15ft to 20ft below. We always eat our lunch on board. One day when the wind was blowing very strongly the boat nearly got away with us in it. I don't know what I would have done if it had. We have no Maheno to go to now, for she has been towed away. We are going to get a new ball built down here. I suppose we will have our break-up in. it. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, QUEEN MAB Harbour). [Young people are venturesome, Queen Mab, and take groat risks.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have two cows and six calves on the hill. A fire came right down to the school to-day, and the playground was full of piece of fern. The swing bridge across the Clutha was swinging in the wind, and I could hardly get over it. I knew a few D.L.F. in Miller's Flat and Rue's Junction. Best love to all the L.F., not forgeth'n<r yourself.—Yours truly, SHEEP SHANK ALIVO (Island Block). [Uncle Sam—Eds-cr -Hunter, Brookfield, Saddle Hill. Wild West Cowboy—D. C. Broomfield, Tarras.—DOT.] Dear Dot. —I know several D.L.F. here, especially Gipsy Belle and the Vingarnel. I am working at presont in a big factory with many girls, and I like it very much. I have three brothers, the eldest of whom is at the front. Best love to yourself and all the L.F. —Yours truly, CLARIBEL (Gore). [I have forwarded the badge and autos to your address, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I will be nine on Christmas Day, and am in Standard 11. We have just had our wharf made 20ft wider. The children used to go down and watch the men on the piledriver putting in the piles. L often wondered how the piles were put down under the water. I always thought holes were dug at low tide; but they just tie the piles with a rope, and then the "monkey" strikes the pile till it is quite firm. Then springs were put on the outside of the wharf to keep the boat from cracking it again. I have three sisters and one brother. Dove to all the D.L.F., not forge+tiner yourself.—Yours trulv, SEASIDE RAMBLER (N.E. Harbour). Dear Dot.—The weather here has been awful, but I think it is starting +o clear up now. I went for a walk down th« river with my sister, and we had some fun. I tried to jump a but fell into it. I have four sis+ers. There is goinsr to be a dance up at Five Rivers on Friday night. and I think I will go. My father and mother are sway for a holiday, so there are only foui- at homo. I have been reading some nice books lately. There is soing to be a football match here with Balfour on Saturday. I went for a ride on a flash horse a few days ago. I was going to go over to Doris May's place on Sunday, but it was a dull day, so I didn't go. Best love to Patricia and Doris May, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, ALLGOOD (Lumsden). Dear Dot, —We have been having beautiful weather lately. Our second term examination is next week, and the following week we have one week's holiday. The lady teachers have to go to drill, and all the other classes have another week, excent Standards 111,. IV. V, and VI. The only flowers we have out just now are japom'ca and v>rimroses; but we will soon have diiffodils, as most of them are in full bud. This year we have a bed of prize roses which we got from Auckland. I found a sparrow's nest last night with two eggs in it. Our hens are laying now, and the Persian cat always sits in the nest with the hens when they are laying. Love to Polly Pringle,

Little Actress, Sapphire, Topaz, White Heron, iJo-Peep, and Little Actress's Mate.—Yours truly, DOLLY DINGLE (Oiautau). Dear Dot, —At last spring seams to be hero. The weather has cleared, and the spring flowers arc beginning to come up. We have a large number of daffodils, which will soon be in bloom; and a bed of snowdrops, which look beautiful all covered in pure white blossoms. There are n.lso a few primroses showing among the leaves. The poor little violets were badly injured by the sno\v and frost, but there will soon be a fresh lot of blossoms in all their bsauty. The place where I live is almost surrounded by hills, and the Eyre Mountains and Takitimo Mountains can be seen in the distance, still covered in snow. In the summer they are free from snow; but on one of the peaks of the Eyre Range a. white cross can clearly be located when all the other peaks are bare. There is a great amount of bush on the sides of the mountains,' but I havo never been in it because / the mountains are too far from here. Love and best wishes to my correspondents, comrades, and your own tloar self.—Yours truly, DORIS MAY (Lumsden). [I have posted your badge, Doris, and hope you receive it safely.—DOT] Dear Dot, —I had my first experience of snowballing about three weeks ago, when the snow was about 3in thick. I thought it groat fun, and hope to have another fight to-day, as the snow is falling thick and fast. My father and I were going to have a willow-planting day to-day, but the snow put an end to it. We play football at school, but yesterday when we were playing the baill got punctured. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.— Yours truly, TOMAZO (Ngapara). [Like you, I revelled in a snow light when I was young, Tomazo, but am not very keen on it now.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —About three weeks ago we had a heavy fall of snow, and we had great fun snowballing and making a snow man. There is another fall of snow here to-day, but there is not much on the ground yet, but we hope to have some fun after a while. Queen Elizabeth is my cousin. I am learning to play five hundred now, and like it very much. I am in Standard V at school now. We have four little calves to feed. Love to all the D.L.F., not . forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, JAPONETTE (Ngapara)._ Dear Dot, —I arn 10 years old and in Standard IV at school. I like going to school very much, and have missed only one day this year. We are having nice spring weather now, and the daffodils are coming up. *We have not many flowers, but are busy making a flower garden. We have one cow milking just now. Her name is Belle. The Red Cross held ,a euchre party and a dance in aid of the Copper Trail. Love to the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, CROMEL (Athol). [You are very welcome to join us, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, —When I was in Gore with A Soldier's Wee Sweetheart, I met Gipsy Bell. We are having our term examination just now, and have 11 lessons a day. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, BESSIE T. (Maitland). Dear Dot, —We are going to have our examination at the end of this month, and I am hoping it will not be hard. There have been a number of weddings here lately. Nearly everyone has a cold. My mother is not keeping very well lately. I play with Koselyn at school now. Love to White Heron, Roselyn, Valeria, Dolly Dingles, Sapphire, Polly Pringles, Dancing Doll, Amethyst, The Little Actress, Topaz, and Rosy" Cheeks, not forgetting yoursef.—Yours truly, LITTLE 80-PEEP (Otautau). Dear Dot, —I had a letter from Queechy yesterday, and she had sent me a nice handkerchief for my birthday. It has been raining and blowing all day to-day, and, one good thing, it has blown all the snow .away, which was lying a foot thick on the ground. Is a gunshot wound from a shell, shrapnel, or a rifle, Dot? I am knitting a pair of slippers, and do not like doing it very much I wonder if any of the L.F. could give me a little verse. It begins something like this: "Accept from me this little gift." It is a verse to send with something to a friend, and I cannot think of the rest. Love to Queechy, Hop-along Cassidy, Tangles Wonnie, the L.F., and your own dear self.—Yours truly, MRS TICKLE TOBY (Wendon Valley). [I understand that gunshot wounds are those caused either by rifle fire or perhaps more especially machine gun fire, as distinguished from woimds caused by high explosives as shrapnel, etc.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote another brother of mine has left for the war. I have two there now. My first brother went with the Ninth Reinforcements. He is still going strong, and has not had a scratch. We had a patriotic concert, and I Went to it. It was very, good. This is a very wet day, and people"' here are expecting a flood. Our factory will be opening on the Ist of October. We will be milking 11 cows for the factory this season. I send the Witness to my brother at the front. Love to all the L.F., .not foigetting yourself.—Yours truly, MILKMAN II (Middlemarch). Dear Dot, —We have had snow, sleet, rain, and frost this year, and the roads and playground are very muddy; but the weather is now fine, and the ground everywhere is drying nicely. We have a few lambs now. I have a pony, which I ride to school. Her name is Fanny. There are eight children who either drive or ride to school. We are playing football at school.—Yours truly, NEW ZEALAND LAD' (Kelso). ' Dear Dot, —We are having much better weather now than we were having two weeks ago. Mac and W. S. B. motored with their father to the Taieri to see if granny and grandfather would come and stay with them for a while. We are breaking in two heifers at present. One of them is very quiet. There is to be a concert in Kelso on the 23rd of this month. Whether I go or not, I hope the night is fine and the concert a success. We have not started to dig our garden yet, but if the weather keeps fine we won't be long in getting a start. Did you ever try growing melons, Dot? I tried growing them last year, but I cannot say that they were a great success, as I did not know anything about them. Best love to Dad's Girl, Mac, W. S. 8., -Kuropena, Soldier's Friend, and all the other Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, BURNT BRICK (Kelso). Dear Dot, —I am 16 years of age, and _ go to work during the day and attend evening classes four nights a week, so you see my spare time is very limited. I intend going in for office work. I am ready to take a position in an office as soon as a suitable place presents itself, or rather when I have the opportunity of obtaining a place. I hope the summer will make up for the bad winter we have experienced. Although

the weather has been eo bad our pullets have been laying very well, which shows 1110 careful attention they receive. My father's special hobby is fowls, and ho putsin all his spare time looking' after them and experimenting with ' them. On Sundays I attend Bible Class, where we spend an interesting hour, and during the summer months we go for rambles, arriving homo at about 8 o'clock. Last summer I went for three or four rambles, and found it a very good way to spend a Saturday afternoon. On these occasions we visited Silverstream, the Cliffs, N.E. Harbour, and Mount Flagstaff, and were overcome with fatigue on our return journey. I have just finished reading " David Copperfield." which I enjoyed immensely. I have read several books by the same author, and found them all interesting. The "Pickwick Papers" was rather humorous in parts. Best wishes to yourself and all the L.F.—yours truly, A DUNEDIN GIRL. [I hope now you have made a start yon will find a few moments occasioanlly in which to write a short note.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I read a 'delightful book not long ago called "Gladys Gnahame." I have started to knit a pair of stockings. My sister was up hero not. long ago, but she did not stay very long. This is lovely weather compared to what we were getting laet month. "We have a few violets and pansies out at present. Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, LONELY VERA (Crookston). Dear Dot, —The spring flowers are well above the ground now. Our daffodils are 7in or Bin above the ground, and we have snowdrops out in flower. I had a lovely fall off my bicycle about a week ago. My side was black and blue .after it, and my arm was very sore also. It was a Wonder I was not killed, as I was going very fast. My sister, Echuca, is still sick, but she is able to • be up now for a while each day. Maheru and I are going to cycle to Conical Hills (Maheru's home) on Sunday. It is eight miles away, so I think we will be tired by the time our destination is reached. Happy Birds is married now, Dot. She has been married three weeks; she lives in the North Island. My brother and I are going up to see her' at Christmas. Tongala also lives up in the North Island. I must tell her not to forget to' write for O.W. week. She intended to write last year, and something came in the way and she missed her chance. A, Sister of Two Soldiers came home to-day after spending two months at Otautan. I was very pleased to see her, as she is one of my mates. Kindest regards to Stationmaster, Tarewai, Plain Bill, Shakespeare, Margaret, Europena, Verdun, and yourself.—Yours truly, MOTHER'S IVY (Tapanui). [Please convey my very best wishes and congratulations to Happy Birds, dear, and I am sure all the laF. will join me in wishing her health, wealth, and prosperity.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —My auntie died the other day. The bulbs ere coming through the ground here. "We get a dozen hens' eggs every day. The snow la all away from here now. We have two or three lambs. Our cow died last week. Our goose has laid five eggs. I scalded my leg, but it is nearly better now. The mountains round here have still a thick coating of snow on them. "We have some violets out in flower, end they axe very pretty. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PRINCESS PUSSI WUSSI. [I am sorry to learn of your mishap, dear, and please accept my sincere sympathy in the loss of your aunt. —jjO'T.] Dear Dot, —The snow is clearing away from here. One of our cows died last week. Our hens are laying now. We are milking only one cow and feeding one calf, and it is hard to make him drink. We have not started to dig our garden yet, as the ground is too wet. "We have a lamb about six weeks old. Love to all the. D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PRINCESS ELVA. Dear Dot, —We are milking two cows. Mother's Idol and I are mates at school. I think we will be getting holidays soon. We are to have a school concert some time rext month. Best wishes to Mother's Idol, Fuchsia, A Western Star, and yourself.— Yours truly, BARLEY QUEEN (Athol). Dear Dot, —We have been having . very cold weather these last few days. Our school concert turned out to be a great success, but I had a very bad cold, and could not sing my best. Some of the Waikaia performers who were assisting at the concert were delayed on the way, and a special motor car had to be sent to bring them the.'rest of the way, so as to be in time to perform. I have been learning music now .for about two quarters, and like it very much. I go for my lesson every Thursday. Iceland Poppy is living in Gore now. I bad a letter from her last Monday, and she said that she likes Gore better than Riversdale. I think she should, too. Kind regards to Tiny, Elfin. Shells of the Ocean, and Iceland Poppy.—Yours truly, WA.RRIMOO (Riversdale). Dear Dot,—l am 10 years of age to-day, and in Standard 111. I have four brothers, and I am the only girl in the family. Struan is the oldest boy, Alan comes next, then Nairn, and last of all Baby Bruce. Baby is ill, but is getting much better now'. I iam the eldest of the family. Love to Maureen, Silver Bell 11, and all the other L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, CEITA (Mataura). [You are very welcome to join us, dear. I hope Bruce is now quite recovered. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I received an envelope with an empty box. I was wondering if you had sent it. We have had better weather since I last wrote. I know Warrigal and Drummer boy. We are going to have an examination by our schoolmaster on Tuesday. Kind regards to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, LADY ETHEL (Woodlands). [Perhaps the wrong box was put in th© envelope, dear. However, I will post another to you-—DOT.] • Dear Dot, —It has been raining here for two days, and it is very dirty about the house. My little brother has been in bed with a bad cold, . but he is nearly better now. I was not at Sunday school to-day, because it was too dirty. "We shall be busy gardening when the fine days come. Lovo to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SAILOR BOY DICK (Palmerston S.). Dear Dot, —iTiave only another year until. I become an Old Writer. I am Working in town now, and like it very well. I have a good place, end that makes a difference. I have met Brown Eyes and Draw-Egan since I came here. I saw another L.F ; in the street one night,_ but I wasn't wearing my badge, and so didn't like to speak. I am joining the Y.W.C.A. here. I go to the meeting on Monday evening. There _ are meetings every evening, but Monday is a sort of all-round meeting. I was very interested in Nurse O'Shea's lecture. I think it was very good, and would go to hear that alone. I missed the Red Cross work, as I

was late. Then they had singing, which is my favourite pastime, so altogether I P^jL a very pleasant evening. Love to The Wild Irish Rose, Stars and Stripes, Brown Eyes, Draw-Egan, Aotea Roa, all the Mabel Bush L.F., and also Brownie and Grace Darling, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly,. GOLDEN! DOCKET (Invercargill). Dear Dot,—On Wednesday night I was runing after cows, and as I ran down the hill I ran a stick into my foot, and have been laid up since, but hope to be at work on Monday. Well, I have not had the luck to meet any L.F. down here since I received my badge. The weather baa taken a change now, and about time, too, for it is not nice getting up at half-past 3 o'clock to start milking 32 cows by hand between two of -us. On one wet day I was out rounding up cattle, when the horse went into a hole, and I went over her head up to my waist in water, and it was no good having to ride about a mile to get a change. Love to yourself, A Girl of the Limberlost, Mamaru's Cousin, and Gwen.—Yours truly, A MOTHER'S BOY (Tussock Creek). [There .are quite a number of L.F. at Tussock Creek, A Mother's Boy, and doubtless you will soon meet them. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have been catching rabbits lately, and have nearly 300 skins. The skins are worth well over 6d a piece now. We have a nice lake near our place, and tho sea is just beside it. We all go to the seaside for picnics every summer. _ The lake is well stocked with fish, and it is good sport floundering in the summer time. We encountered an octopus l one night. We use bicycle lamps to see to spear the flounders. We milk 18 cows, and if will not be long 1 before they are coming in. It will then be a very busy time, as we will have many calves to feed and the milk to take to the factory. Best love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SHIPWRECKED SAM (Kapuka). [You will have quite a substantial cheque to your credit soon. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are getting our week's holidays. The inspector has not come yet. I didn't go to church because it was too wet. I have joined the Young Helpers' League; it is to help - Dr Barnardo's Homes. We have some" wee lambs and five chickens. We have 'snowdrops, crocuses, and snowflakes out. Love to all the D.L.P., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, CACTUS (Gladfield). Dear Dot, —We are still having winter weather. With yesterday's and last night's rain the river is over its banks in the low places, but is not over much of our. ground. This river is accustomed to freshets. Last Friday night I was at a Sunday school sooial, and enjoyed myself very well._ There I saw Flowers. and Nobody. I was in Gore }ast Saturday getting three teeth extracted. One good thing, they never troubled me at all. While there I saw Blunderbuss, but had not much time to speak to her. I will be in Gore again next Saturday to get two teeth stopped. Kind regards to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, MATRIA LILY (Otama). Dear Dot, —I have been to Gore, and as it was a fairly good day I enjoyed myself all right. While there I met_ Blunderbuss, but as I did not have much time I did not get speaking to her long. I Was very tired when I got to Kelso; the train always seems to tire me somehow. There was a concert here on Friday night, and as the evening was fairly fine it turned out a success. "My father was in Gore last Saturday at a sale, and when he came home it was pouring rain, so his trip was not quite as pleasant as mine. Best wishes to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, A SOLDIER'S FRIEND. Dear Dot, —I am going to Mabel Bush School, and we have a good teacher. We are gding to have our examination on Monday or Tuesday. My three brothers and my father are going to a social to-night. Some musicians are coming out from town to play for the dance. My father is going to act as M.C We have a football at school. H.M.S. Warrior is staying at our place till Christmas. My brother is going to camp on the 9th of next month; he is going in the infantry. Best wishes to H.M.S. Warrior, Aileen, and yourself.—Yours truly, SHOOTING STAR (Mabel Bush). Dear Dot, —I am nine years old, and ride to school. There was a church social last night> and I was there. It Was very good. There are 80 children going to Orawia School. Our teacher is leaving. There id to be a darkie minstrel performance on Wednesday, August 28, in aid of the school funds. A dance is to follow. I have two sisters and one brother. We milk six cows, and have nine horses. I have, had a- cousin killed. at the war. I haven't missed a day from school this year. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, LAVINA (Pukernaori): .'[Your attendance has been excellent, Lavina, especially as the weather has been so bad.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am eight years old, and in Standard I. We are milking six cows. Thero was a social last night. We ride to school. I have two sisters and one brother. I have an uncle at Featherston, one returned home, and one going into camp next month. My cousin rides to school on a litle pony. Our teacher is leaving the school. Dove to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly. WINTER DAISY (Pukernaori). i[You are very welcome to join us, dear. — DOT.] Dear Dot, —I havo six sisters and two brothers, and my oldest brother left New Zealand - with the Fortieth Reinforcements. I know several Riverton girls who write to the page. I have left school, and am at present working at home, but might go to the High School next year. Kind regards to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, CATLIN (Thornbury). Dear Dot, —This la my first letter to your page, so I hope you will let me join your happy band. I am 16 years of age, and therefore consider myself getting old. I know a good few D.L.F. about here. Love to yourself. Golden Lily, Lady Levenside, Patriotic Lass, Seekashore, and Anzac's Niece.—Yours truly, CURLY SID (Ringway). Dear Dot, —I have been at Catlins for a few days, and had nos a bad time. I had a letter from Postman Henry some time ago, which was written at sea. He also writes interesting letters, and seems to have livened tho page up with his cheery style. Love to Queen Rocket, Terra Nova, Wild Irish Rose, Postman Henry, and yourself.— Yours truly, SNOW BERRY (Centre Bush). [I will try and alter the other N.D.P., or, if you prefer, you could alter yours—just as you wish. —DOT.] v Dear Dot, —We havo been having rather wet weather lately, though tho spring is showing itself in the flowers and plants. We havo one cow calved; she has a wee red-and-white heifer calf. Little lambs are beginning to make their appearance on some farms. The daffodils are coming out, and wo have many violets out also. We are

having our term examination to-morrow, and tho next week our holidays begin, and continue for a week. I think I am going away for a holiday. I will be sorry when the cows come in, for I do not like milking, though I will not be sorry when we have a little pet lamb to feed.. We saw some rabbit holes all blocked up. I have no doubt that there were young rabbits in them. Kind regards to all the L.F., including yourself.—Yours truly, PICCOLO (Limehills).

Dear Dot,—My birthday, is on the 2nd September, when I will be 16. We have had fairly fine weather for this last week, but it looks as if rain is coming # again. Lambs are making their appearance in this district. We have about 300 on our place. We are milking eight cows and feeding eight calves. Our hens are laying well now, and I have a clutch of chickens out. They are Plymouth Rock®, and 12 chickens came out from the 13 eggs set. We have one duck and one bantam, and they are laying. I have three guinea-foWls, and they chase and pick the other fowls. Wo have been giving our cows hay this winter, and we also give them turnips. There is a hall being built about three miles from our place, and it is to be opened by a social and dance in three weeks time. I suppose I will be going. > Some weeks ago we had some snow, but it disappeared in about a day and a-half. There is a baby carnival up here at present, and a lot of money is being gathered. There are six babies entered, and each is Well supported. There is a soldier settlement of 1000 acres near us, and there are 14 soldiers on it. Nine of them are married men. _ I do not suppose there are any L.F. writing from near here. —Yours truly, GAz,OOKA (Marlon). [I cannot recall at present that there are any L.F. in Marton, Gazooka, although we have quite a following in the North Island—DOT.] Dear Dot,—You will see that I am away from home again. I am afraid you will think I am always away, because nearly every time I write to the page I am away on a holiday or away -somewhere; but I am thinking about working down here. Love to Queen's Rocket, Terra Nova, Snowberry, and all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, . FLOiiINE (Centre Bush). Dear Dot, —I have only one year left to write as a present-day writer, so I had better make hay while the sun shines. < I am now in North Canterbury on Banks Peninsula. . I find it quite a change, as I had never been out of South Canterbury before; but I must say I prefer being down in the south. We are quite near Lake EUesmere. The country is awfully hilly just about here, and we are in a valley. The steep banks and hills are covered with native bush, which must have a very pretty appearance in the summer. We had a great time with the snow, and in fact it is not all gone in places yet. We are 30 miles out of Christchurch, and I fo in occasionally, only it is a long drive y car. I prefer the train; it takes longer, but is the most comfortable in my estimation. I like Christchurch, and think it a pretty city with its river winding through. About six weeks ago I went to a pantomime called "Dick Whittington," and I enjoyed it. It was the first play I had seen, so it quite opened my eyes. I do not see the Witness up here, so do not know how the page is progressing. I have been out for a ride today, and enjoyed it, even though it was raining a bit. Love' to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PUDDOCK (Otaahua P. 0.) Dear Dot, —I am 11 years old, and in Standard 111 at school. jJaddie's Potiki is a mate of mine at school, and I like her very much. She has been ill lately. It is raining very hard just now. It started early this morning. I have a little brother, and he is two and a-half years old. I like him very much, and he likes mc. —Yours truly, GLORLY QUAIL (Moeraki). [I am sorry our little friend is ill, dear, and hope she is now quite better.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have had splendid weather up here lately. Yesterday, by way of a change, it clouded over and to-day a warm rain is falling. The rain, of course, makes things rather uncomfortable, and we weren't in any need of it for the present. We are at present milking 17 cows, and it takes a fair amount of work to hand-feed them all. The grass, however, will soon begin to grow, and dairy farming will be a much easier occupation for a few months. As an old boy of the T.8.H.5., I take an. interest in the doings of the school, and was veiy sorry when Waitaki beat us at football by 6 to 5. I was, however, slightly appeased when I saw that they had beaten Otago by even more.—Yours truly, PEN-PUSHING COWBOY. [I must remind you that it is imperative for correspondents to v writo on one side of the paper only, Pen-pushing Cowboy. You are mistaken concerning the football match. Otago B.H.S. beat Waitaki 6 points to nil.— DOT.] •Dear Dot, —We have not had very good spring weather yet, but I hope it will_ come shortly. The grass and clover is beginning to come away in the paddocks now, and it won't be long until there will be a lot of little lambs running about in them again. We have finished our second term examination at school, and in about another week we will have our school concert, and will be getting our term holidays shortly after that event. I went for a long rido on horseback the other day, and it was lovely. Justice and Truth is one of my mates at school. Kindest regards* to all my correspondents, and Justice and Truth, Wild Red Rose, and all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, KILMENY OF THE ORCHARD (Tuturau). Dear Dot, —I have seen only one lamb as yet. We have two geese and three ducks. A weasel took the drake. Thero are only 12 childi-en going to the school here. Our teacher has only one arm. We have sewing at school. Best wishes to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly, RUBY'S BUTTERCTJP (Chaslands). Dear Dot, —Little Red Riding Hood is away to Dunedin for a holiday. We went to a. social the othor day, and had a good time. It was a welcome-homo to a soldier. Since I last wrote my mother has been away to Dunedin. Soldier Boy shows me the Witness nearly every Week. - There are a good many men working in the scheelite mines up here. Some of the flowers are coming out now. Snowdrops and violets and other early flowers are out up here. We are milking only one cow just now, and we got plenty of milk from her. We are getting six or seven eggs a day now; all through the whiter we got only one or two. Kind regards to all the L.F., not forgetting: yourself.—Yours truly. •MOUNTAIN LILY (Glenorclry). Dear Dot, —The jumble sale (about which I have written before) has passed, and the goods, which Were numerous, realised over £4O. You may guess what a surprise everyone experienced when the total was made public. We now have six cows milking; but the work connected with cows is not enviable, especially when so muoh mud is around. Next week we are getting a new

hack, and I oan see glorious times ahead. "What an interesting story A Girl of the Limber lost sent. It gives one an idea of the ways of other people. Kind regards to Postman Henry, A True Patriot, all L.F., end correspondents, and yourself. —Yours truly, CANADALE LASS (Katea). i [One has to take into consideration that the natives in these places place an extremely high price on their goods, and a love of . bargaining is inherent in them. —DOT.] | Dear Dot, —One of our cowe died last night. I have one brother going to enlist next month. My mother has just come home from ia trip. She brought me home' a book called ■" The Great Cattle Trail," and I like it very much. My oat got caught in a rabbit trap. I was 12 years old on the Bth of August. Best wishes to Black Sheep, A Soldier's Sweetheart, Gallipoli, and Jim, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SOLDIER BOY (Glenorchy). Dear Dof, —It was my birthday the other day ■ and I had some good fun. Snowdrop is staying up at our place for the night. She is going away from Otautau and I will miss her very much as she is my playmate. It is our examination to-morrow, the 27th August, and I hope I will pass. There was a concert in aid of the Red Cross Fund, but I didl not qo. There are pictures here nearly eveTy Friday, and I think they are very good. I have a ca.nary and it sings ail day. We have just had it about a week. We are sending some cakes to some soldiers. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, A SOLDIER NIECE (Otautau). i Dear Dot, —I am in Standard IV and am 11 ' years old. I go to echool every morning, but I have not far lo go. I play with. Soldier's Niece at school and we have great fun. At home I have a pet puppy which I call "Ronie." There is an examination to-morrow, and I hope I pass. There are pictures on to-morrow evening, and I think I will be going. Wo are going away on Monday. There are seven of us in the family. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SNOWDROP (Otautau). Dear Dot,—l am 11 and) a-half years old j and am in the Fifth Standard at school. ! We live about half a mile from the school, but if we went round the road it would be much longer. At school we play basket-ball, and it is a very nice game. In the wet weather, a while ago, out of the 50 that go to our school, one day only three were there. To-day it is drizzling rain all the time, and the hills are all hidden with fog. We cannot go out at all, and it is not nice having to stay in the house all the time. Love to all the D.L.F., including yourself.—Yours truly, j ERICA (Ahuriri Flat). 1 Dear Dot, —I am eight years old and am in Standard I at school. One of my sisters has been writing for a long time. There are six girls and one boy in my class. We have a great many primroses out this year. We are expecting our spring holidays next month, and hope it will be fine. I have three dolls and am often playing with them this wet weather. We have no lambs yet, but some people have one or two.—Yours truly, TWEEDLEDEE (Ahuriri Flat). [I am very pleased to have Erica and you join us, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —The spring flowers are out in the garden now, and they are lovely. Margaret is learning music now, and sho likes it very much. The iambs are appearing now, but it is not very nice weather for them. With best love to all my comrades, and all the other L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, DORINIDA (Ryal Bush). Dear Dot, —We have been having bad weather this last month, but it is looking better to-day. We have a little cousin staying with us for a short time. I have seven cousins at the war, and one uncle who has been iaway ever since the first. Our teacher is leaving the school, and J wonder what our new teacher will be like. '1 sold 64 rabbit skins a few weeks ago which I caught in the snow. I went out on our hill to-night and got 11 rabbits which were poisoned. All the turnips /"acre just about finished in this district. Love to Sportsman, Piper of the Clans, and all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PUKEMAORI ROUSEABOUT (Pukernaori). i Dear Dot, —I have been staying out at Browns, and now I am at Matai. I was planting flowers this .afternoon, and the ground was quite wet in most places. I was home yesterday. I go home once 0 fortnight, and one always likes to get home once in a while. Father has bought me a bicycle, but the roads are not in fit condition to use it just now, although it will be very handy in the fine weather. Love to Orlin, Petunia, Pickles, Picola, Caithness Lass, Ophelia, Queen of the Heather, and all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, FIREFLY II (Matai). Dear Dot, —It is just pouring with rain here to-day, but we can do with some rain now to bring the grass on. According to the Cousin's letters, they have all had their share of the enow. We have not had much here, only two or three inches, but it did not lie on the ground more than two or three hours. I am milking two cowe and have two calve& to feed. I also do the separating. We have the telephone on here, and when there is a wind blowing one can hardly hear oneself speak for the noise of the wires. I have no sisters but have a wee step-brother just seven months old. With fondest love to Cousins, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SILVER SHIELD (Waimate). [There are some L.F. in Waimate, but it is some time since I heard from them, and for the moment I cannot recall their N.D.P. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am still attending the Pukeuri School, but if I gain a proficiency certificate at the inspector's examination, I hope to go to the Waitaki Girls' High School. Orange Lily has left here and) I miss her just now and she says she mieses me. She has term holidays at present and she was at school to-day with me. We are having rainy weather lately which always makes everything miserable. There are a lot of violets out in our gardens at school, but just now it is very muddy. I have a bad cold at present. Orange Lily was going to come and see me when I hurt my ankle, but she didn't arrive, as she was in bed horseif for .a week after writing to you, and the tables were turned. Love to Orange Lily, Black Pearl, Pink Clover, Woodbine, and all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, MISS BOBBIE (Pukeuri). [I hope you will be successful, dear, in your examination. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since last writing, I have had a- cousin killed in action. "We are milking 28 cows now, and feeding 23 calves. Of course we have the machines going again. ' The weather has been fairly good lately,

but this last day or two it hf« been very miserable. There was a farewe'l last week to one of our local men who was down on final leave. There is to bo a bi;J "Welcome Home" to three of our returned men on the 29th of this month, so I hope it is a good night. Kind regards and best wishes to A Lonely Lass, Given, Eileen, Sylvia, Ladly Noggs, A True Patriot, Martin Rattler, Postman Henry, and of course yourself..— Yours truly, SILVERY MOONBEAM (Maheno). Dear Dot, —I have been away for three weeks, and I enjoyed myself immensely. We have had almost a montli of spring now, and it has been like winter the whole time. Our lazy times will soon be over again as the cows will soon bo coming in again. We have started to do up our garden and have some early pototoes planted. Wo have not many flowers out yet, only primroses and violets. I was down seeing Truth Teller last Sunday, and we went for a long ramble through the Bush. She doeon't live very far from us, so we see her often. I am at present knitting a scarf for the Red Cross. It is my fourth one. We have a Red Cross branch at the Island and there are a lot of workers. Kindest regards to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours trulv, RIBBON GRASS. Dear Dot, —I have just finished my homo work for school to-morrow morning. All our bulbs are in bud just now, and I hope to see them cut soon. All the hills around here are snowcapped just now. We have had a bit of misty rain lately, and the creeks have risen a little more. We had our term examination, and I came first. The other week the train got blocked with enow a foot deep and frost on the top of that, so our music teacher could not come up to Mossburn to give us our music. Love to all the L.F. and your own self. —Yours truly, SWEET BYE AND BYE (Mossburn). AUTOS. Little 80-Peep (Ruby Clent, Otautau) withes to correspond with Gwen, Humming Bird, Liberty, Bluebell, Larola, A Brighton Girl, Reomama, Beaulah. Ribbon Grass (W T innie Wards, Mataura Island, Southland) wishes to correspond with any L.F. about 14.' Kihneny of the Orchard (Dorothy Gaet, "Mavis Bank,"- Tuturau) wishes to correspond with any L.F. 15 or over. Molly (Molly Mackenzie, West Plains) wishes to correspond! with A Girl of the Limberlost, Highland Peggy, Sir Rowland, Jilted John, Nurse Molly, Postman Bill, Marconi, and any L.F. over 15 years willing. A Mother's Boy (E:. G. Ladbrook, oa-re of Mr R. Baird, Tussock Creek) wishes to notify correspondents of his change of address. Golden Locket (Henrietta Bridginan, care of Mrs A. Christophers, 258 Tweed street, Invercargill) wishes to correspond with any L.F. 18 or 19' years of age. Barley Queen (Vula Soper, Athol) wishes to correspond with P.C. 49, American, and any L.F. willing. Soldier Boy (Harold Knowles, Glenorchy) wishes to correspond with Black Sheep. Mountain Lily (Elsie Clingin, Glenorchy) wishes to correspond with A Girl of the Limberlost, Billy Boy, Smiler, Cul de Sac, A.E.L.W., and any L.F. willing. ( N Silvery Moonbeam (Violet M'Leod, ''Bay View," Maheno) wishes to correspond with Bunny and Roseleaf. ■ Bonette (Jean Henderson, Milford, via Temuka) wishes to correspond with Dairy Maid and A Wild West Cowboy. Woodland Whispers (Lucy Hallman, Brunner, West Coast) wishes to correspond with any L.F. about 15 years. ; Elvira, (Mary Fletcher, Thornbury) washes to correspond with Gwen, Clementine, Mountain Daisy, and Queen Sunbeam.