DOT'S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3430, 9 December 1919, Page 71

DOT'S LITTLE FOLK.

Dot Invitee short letters* from her young friends throughout the Dominoon on matters of interest to themselves, the result of their observations In the animal world, descriptions ot anything they are interested in, of the district In whloh 'they live, of their school and -home life, holiday trips, 4a The letters are to be written by the little folk themselves, and addressed "Dot, oare of Editor Witness:"

Dot's "Little Folk's Badge with pin, for oh M » ktuaoh, obtainable on application to Dot. Price, le 9(1 post free, in penny or halfpenny stamps. Auto. Cards are obtainable from Dot, Witness 'Office, Dnnedin. 'Price, Bd 'for 25.

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Uotto:—We write for -the benefit >oI ‘Others, not , ' -for ourselves. :No letter to contain more ’than 350 words. Dear Dot, —The weather is something terrible just now. I intend going for a motor tour at Christmas, but if the weather keeps as it is I am afraid I will have to cancel it. till a later date. I have a brother in the North Island, and he says the weather is beautiful up there. I have an unole down on holiday from Wellington. He is in the Dire Brigade there, and has such thrilling adventures of fire® and false alarms to tell us; There are a good many rabbits around here just now, and we go out shooting. It is good fun; and, besides ■ that, xabbitskins are bringing such a price now. Tennis is in full swing now, but the weather keeps us away from it at present., Love to all the L.P., not forgetting your-, self.—Yours truly, . • I TANIWHA. [I hope that the weather will clear up hefore Christmas, Taniwha, and that you- will have an enjoyable motor tour. —DOT.] Dear Dot,— May I become a member of your band of L.F. ? I will be 16 years old on the 20th of next month. It has been a lovely day here to-day, but I think we need it after all the bad ones we have had. ' I have read tv great many books, but of all I have read I think I like “ ‘Paddy the Next Best Thing ” and “ Bawbee Jock” the best. I know a good many L.P. Kindest 'regards to all the D.L.F., not forgetting youreelf.— Youns truly, , CHICKEN. [I am -glad to have you for a member, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May 1 join your happy band of Little Folk? T 'am nine years old, and in -Standard 111 at school. I am the twin Bister of Princess Natalie. I -have' three eiflters writing to the page. We have two pet lambs, and one last year’s lamb that has just come in to get shorn. We have 64 little -chickens. The fruit season -will soon be pound again. We are feeding three calves at present. The roses, -pansies, daisies, and peony roses axe just at their best. As this is -my first letter to the page I will .close now. Best wishes to Pearl Blossom, Princess Natalie, Apple Blossom, and Pear Blossom, not forgetting your dear self. —Yours truly, MOTHER’S DABBING. [I am glad you have followed your sister’s example, dear, and become one-of the L.F.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is some time • since I last wrote to you. Our examination was on the 20th of November, but I-don’t know if 1 passed. The wind is blowing, and it looks .as though it is going to rain. It was pouring with rain on Friday, and we got caught in it as we were coming home from school. The peony roses are out in flower now, and they lock beautiful. We. had Friday and also Monday for holidays. We have .a cousin here, -and she is cooking for the shearers. I have read some interesting books named “The Doors of c Gold,” “The Christmas Stocking,” “Kollo at Work,” and a few others. My father and mother are away in Dunedin to-day,. but they arc coming home tonight, I think. My twin sister is writing to the page to see if she can join your ■happy band of Little Folk. Kindest regards to Pearl Blossom, Apple Blossom, Pear Blossom, and Bed Banger, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PRINCESS NATALIE (Eoxburgh). , [I hope you passed your examination, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Our examination is over, and only four out of Standard YI failed. Wo have a cousin staying with us who is cooking for the .©hearers. I have been waiting anxiously .for letters from Eadhmi and Lady Warwick, -and if they see this I hope they will write to me. This has been a wet week. We had Friday as a holiday, and now we are going to -have Monday also. It • will soon be the fruit season again, and we wall have some nice fruits to eat. Just fancy, -Christmas will soon be here again. My mother and father get up at 4 o’clock on Sunday morning, and went to Dunedin. My little sister, Princess Natalie, is also writing to the page this week. As I wrote last week I have not much to tell you. There must ’.be a great number of L.F. writing, because I have often looked at the page, and have nut seen the same name twice. Kindest regards to . Princess Natalie, Pearl Blossom, Bear Blossom, Radium, Lady aWrwick, * Mother’s Darling,' and your own dear self.—Yours truly, APPLE BLOSOM (Roxburgh). [I -am sure you must be looking ; forward % with much pleasure, dear, to the time when the fruit will be ripe.—DOT.] Dear ,Dot. —Southland is very backward this year. There is not much grass to to seen yet. I think the dairymen must fare very badly during the backward seasons. Wo are the first to have turnips sown in this district this year. I do not think we aro early; but it is euch a wet season that one cannot get- the ground in order to so-w. It is to be hoped that wo have bettor weather for the shows. I am going to- Gore and Wyndham Shows, and Larola is going to Invercargill. Are you fond of flowers. Dot? I am very fond of them. I have spent a great deal of time in the flower garden this year, but have not been long enough at it to have a very good one yet. I planted some sweet peas, but very few of them frew; it must be the wet that kept them ack. Now, Dot, I must tell you something about the Little Folk and their correspond exfcoo-. Every week one sees a great column of correspondence in the page, but when one writes to an L.F. one gets two or three letters and that is the end of it. I used to jsiito to eight L.F. once, and now every

one of them has stopped. Golden Lily, A Western Star, and Gwen were three of my best writers; but they got tired very soon. They all know my address, eo I wonder why they do not drop me a line. My brother and I were out fishing, and we caught three, although it was not a good day. Love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, PERPETUAL WANDERER (Mimihau). [lt is a common failing, dear, to get soon tired of writing letters. We are always intending to do it, bat somehow it is put off indefinitely, and often never done at all. Just keep on hoping, and some day you will hear again from your correspondents. — DOT.] Dear Dot,—My I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 13 yeans old, and in the Sixth Standard. To-day was a lovely day, but other days are very unlike summer. We have not many flowers in our garden this year. I was planting flower seeds in our school garden -to-day Our schoolmaster is leaving this school on Wednesday, and going to Mosgiel.' We are Laving a relieving teacher till Christmas. There are pictures here to-night, but I am not going. _ They rarely come -here. My baby sister is such a hard case. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, FAIRY MOONBEAM (Naseby).

[You are welcome to join us, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We .are having some lovely weather here lately, and I hope you are having the same. When I was going into Mossbura the other Sunday I had the pleasure of meeting an Old Writer. She has been in the district for about four or five years, and I have known her ever since she came up here. I never knew she was a member of your page before till she said she was going" to write for Old Writers’ Week, and she told me she used to write when she was younger. We had a good! yarn together. This last three or four weeks I have got to know a dew Old Writers about here, and I enjoy very much talking to them. I have two correspondents now. Dot, and I like to hear ‘from them every week. I was expecting ,a letter from one of them to-day, •but'l did not get it. I suppose thoy_ are, like myself, too busy to bo bothered writing. I mot Cowboy at the dance the other mgnt, but I am sorry to say I had forgotten who she was and had to ask her name. I have not seen Cowboy since I came back from Lumsden —that is, .two or three years ago,— but at the dance the other night we wore sitting talking together. I was at a, Benedicts’ ball last Friday night, and enjoyed myself evry much. The dancing was kept up till 5 o’clock, and when we arrived homo it was time ..to start work, as it takes us ■ over an hour to come out -after we leave Stossbum, so I can tell you J was feeling very sleepy on -Saturday afternoon. Other- residents are leaving the district in about 10 days. I suppose the Sunday school children will-miss them -very much, as they are their teac’hers. What Fas ‘to Dover Laddie lately, as I -have not seen a letter from him for a long time? Best love to Clyde, Golden Bose, Curly Docks 11, -Cowboy, Dover Daddie, Bed Bube, and all the other L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, THE GLKL HE .LEFT BEHIND HIM (Mossburn). [You are indeed energetic to dance all night, and then come Borne and start work. — DOT.] Dear Dot, —'May I join your happy band? I am 12 years, old, and in Standard V at school. I know Merry Mischief and Left Wing very well.. I have a bantam rooster and hen, a dog, and .a, black kitten, all of which I like very well. -Seeing this is my first letter, I think I shall close. Best love to all tlie L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, SWEET BEIAB (Kaitangata). [I am evry -glad to have you for a member, dear—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Our roses are all out again, --and also our other flowers. Our examination is over once more, and we are now practising for /the .school .concert. To-day is a sandy one, and I suppose to-morrow it will he pouring rain. Our vegetables are coming on splendidly, and some of them will be ready for -Christmas. We have three cows milking now, and they keep -ns in butter and milk. We have 45 chickens, which consist mostly -of roosters, so we will have plenty to eat for .Christmas. The frost tha + came the other morning'nipped some of our early potatoes, so that it will keep them back, or else kill them. People have started to buy birds’ eggs now, but we 'have-* not started to gather any yet. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, BUNNY-TRAPPEB (Bannockburn). [I am glad to hear from you again, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have been having lovely weather here lately. We have a lot of little ducks and -chickens. I have a- pet rabbit, and I call him Baggylug; He follows me everywhere. When he is shut in his cage he has a little duck which is very..lame for company, and they have grown very fond of •each other. As I write this Oronoa and Maranoa are away for a. holiday. Well, Dot, I must stop now, as I have a bad hand. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, THE LITTLE CUCKOO. [I am sorry to hear you have a bad hand, Little Cuckoo, and hope it will soon be better.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having very changeable ■weather just now. We have a good many chickens running about the yard, and they are doing very well. My little sister has a little bantam hen, and she thinks a lot of the plucky little thing. We are milking a good many cows, and I milk every night and morning. Our flower garden is not looking bad now, as most of the flowers .are out. A banquet is going to be held in Dipton on the 17th of December for soldiers who loft the district to go and help to win the Great War. „I have a lamb, and I call it Smut. We have sewing once a week at our school. Love to the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, ■WHITE LILAC II (Dipton). Dear Dot, —This is a. terrible country for weather; it is not raining it is blowing. It is putting all the crops back a lot. It is a great -district this for dancing. The bachelors Jreld a dance here on the 14th, and, my word, it was all right. Wc had three suppers,' which is something unusual. I was also at a bachelors’ dance at Tokonui the other night, and it was also very good. I met three or four D.L.F. there, and had a good yarn with them. There is to be a welcome-home there shortly, to which I think we will be going. .Love to Golden Locket and all the other D.L.F.—-Yours truly, PUFFING BILLY. [You seem to be having a very gav time, Puffing Billy.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Here I am again—trying to write a letter to Dot and can’t find any news to put in it. But it is better to write a few lines than not write at all—just to let you see' we do not forget tho dear old page. I did enjoy Old Writers’ Week very much. All the letters were very

interesting, especially the soldiers’ letters. It is nice to know they are back again. I thank all Old Writers for their nice long interesting letters. Well, Dot, the weather is much about the same—blowing and raining and not a bit 1 ike summer. Ere re ton is still at school. They will be getting prizes when the school breaks up, and there will bo great rejoicing among the children. They always got lollies. It is nice to bo going to school. Well, Dot, we will not be able to live soon, .everything is- so dear to buy. My friend got a packet of small pins at the store the other day, and they were 6d per packet. Just think of" it! And to cap the lot, half of them had no point®. One would need a hammer to drive them into the material; others turned up at the end dike eel hooks. I was so angry I was going to send them back; but what was the good? I threw them in the fire. Best love to all the brittle. Folk and yourself.—Yours truly, EASY MONDAY. [I don’t wonder, Easy Monday, that after paying such a high price for pins you "were very much annoyed when you found that most of them were minus points.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —Wo are not having very pleasant weather up this way just now; it is either raining or blowing. Deo As learning a good trade in Lunisden, and I hope he will like it. We have had our examination at the Five Rivers School, but none .of us know how we 'got on, as the teacher has not ,got the reports. Isn’t it nice to have Christmas coming round again ? We shifted ; to Invercargill, but I came back to Five Rivers. Well, Dot, as news is scarce I -will close. Love to Leo, A Sailor’s Boy’s Mate. Merlo, Scapa Flow, and your own dear’ self. — Yours truly, AOTEA LADDIE (Five Rivers.) [lt. is . not necessary to give your name ©very time you write, Aotea Laddie, but if yon wish a notice put in the auto column you should give your name and address.: — DOT.] Dear Dot, —I enjoyed reading the Old Writers’ letter®, especially the soldiers’ letters, in which some of them spoke of their travels in the Old Country. We have been having rough and changeable weather lately, and to-day it*, is blowing a very strong gale. Since I last wrote I have Left school, and am at present working away from home. Are you very fond of music or dressmaking ? I am not at all fond of music, but take a great interest in • dressmaking, and make .practically all my own clothing. The flower garden is coming on splendidly, and the orchards are beginning to look quite green. Wo have,new potatoes nearly ready to use, but it is much later i than we have them usually. I must draw this short letter to .a .close mow. Rest wishes ! .for a merry Christmas and a bright New •’ Year to all. the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours 1 truly, BERBEBIS DARWINII., ;

[Many thanks for the pretty card; dear. I think you -are 'very lucky to be _ able to make all jour own clothing, as it -is, so difficult to "get anything made just now.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am very sorry I disappointed you by writing on 0.W.W., but I did not remember until I opened the Witness. I was very pleased to :be able 'to read the OiW. letters, -as some of them were very interesting. We are having awful weather just now. I think if we had some fine weather instead it .would do good, but we cannot always get what we. want. My sister had a wee baby the other night—a son,—so that makes three nephews now for me." 1 have only one niece. There have .been a iew dances and .socials on dn Ry&l Bush 'lately. There is going to be a .Sunday school social on Friday night, but I do =not know whether I will go --or not. What has be"come o ? my .comrades? 1 have >not had a letter for a long time from any of them. Best love and good .wishes to Mother's Ivy, Weeping Willow, Dorothy Day Dreams, Willow Dene, and Saucy Joe, not forgetting your dear self.—Yours truly, . MARGARET.

P.S. —I -would like to know whether SaucyJos has returend from the front, as I have not heard from him, for a long time.—M. [I congratulate you, dear, on the arrival of your new nephew.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Now that Old Writers' Week is over I will write to you iWe have been having lovely weather, though the evenings are cold. Our gardens are coining on very well now, and they are flowering .nicely. Our annual examination was on the 10th of thts month, and I .passed. I am leaving school at Christmas. Novice and I went for a walk on * Sunday, and we •enjoyed ourselves very much, as the day was perfect. Tlw pictures were not .very nice on Friday, and I am looking forward to next time. My brother had the misfortune to have his finger cut rather badly the other day, but I hope it will -soon be better. Please tell iny cexriespondents that they have not written to xne for a long time, and I am waiting for letters. —Yours truly, PLAIN JANE. [I am sorry to hear that your brother has cut his hand badly, Plain Jane.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Polk ? J am 13 years .old. We had our examination on the 18th -of this month, and I am glad to say I gained my certificate of. proficiency. I am ; going to the High School, as I .am too young to leave school yet. I also got first prize in Standard VI for the Navy "League essay, so I feel quite pleased with myself. I know one L.F. up here. I think her name is Hazel Dell. My father lias an orchard, and we have been picking cherries all day, but I am afraid I ate more than I picked, so they have christened 'me the champion cherry-eater, "as you will see by my N.D.P. As I am not very fond of writing and this is my first letter, I will close. Best love to .ail the L.F., not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, A CHAMPION CHEEBY-EATEB.

[I must .congratulate you, .dear, both on gaining your proficiency certificate and on ivinning the Navy 'League prize.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —"We are having lovely .weather her© just now. I think it must be the be■ginning of the drought. Some of the Old Writers' letters weio very interesting, and I quite enjoyed reading them this year Did you receive my letter.- Bcnette? I haven't heard from you so fax. Perhaps I addressed it wrongly. The Wild Irish lioss is talking about writing to the page, Wilt I haven't eeeii her pick up the pen yet. Since I last wrote wo have been having a few mo.rc entertainments down here, whkh made Slope Point a little livelier for a. while. I suppose our annual picnic will be soon, too. It was put off last year till February on account of the "flu." I hope the epidemic doesn't come back this year. The Wild Irish Rose and I went to the bachelors' ball, held in Otara about a. month ago. It was an awful night, but for all that, we enjoyed ourselves very much. I was riding a, young hoi'se, and on our way out along the beach it fell, and I came off of course, and just landed beside the -feet of the horse thai- The Wild Irish Rose was riding. Before I had time to catch my horse it was on for home,

but my sister mamigocl to catch it before it got very far, so T think I got off luckily, «s I wai3 afraid I would fuive to walk to Otar.'i. I think the Wild Irish Rose thought I was a poor ride)-, as that was the second time I foil off going to Ot-iirn, but as I did not get hurl- I thought it only ;i trifle. I'll try to get a better horse tho next time I go out, and see if I can't stick on it. Periwinkle, my -address is still the same—''Slope Point, via. Tokuimi." I thought, yo-a might have forgotten it.— Yours truly, EILG. [You certainly had some adventures on your way to the ball, and you were lucky to escape without injury. I have noied the change in your 3ST.D.P., but am afraid your coires/p on dents will not recognise you under your new pen-name.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have had very rough weather up hero lately, and have not been able to have a bathe at school. We are niilking 53 cows at present, and have very few calves to feed." We have our potatoes planted, and our other roots are waiting to be put in at any time. We have a new schoolmaster at school. He- is very nice, and I think most of the children like him very much. W© play "basket-ball nt school at present, and I think most of the girls like it, although it is rather hot to-be playing fames like that now. Love to Ohape, A laid of the Mountains, Heather Lily, Bonette, Bunny, and especially Ginger, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly. HEATHER LILY'S MATE (Temuka).

Dear Dot, —We are having very rough weatheir over here; it is raining and blowing nearly all the time. We live in .a twostory house just in front of the wharf, so we have a lovely view of tho sea and the harbour. My brothers go fishing every evening, but don't catch many fish. I received my badge safely, but I did not see my first letter, because when I went to the library I could not find the Witness. Love to Lonely Girl, Princess Beatrice, and your own dear self. —Yours truly, MARY PICKFORD II (Greymouth). [I hope you will see your letter in print this rtime, dear.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —'It will not be long now before we have •Christmas here again, and -with Christmas comes spring-cleaning. • It is very exciting work, also very tiring. When one is entering .a door one never knows jKhon some-, thing is going to come "flying out to he , aired. "Then there is cake-bnking. It is a very breathless time when the cakes are in the oven. Everybody in the house tiptoes around for fear of making them, go down We always hide our cake'3, because if we : didn't there wouldn't be one crumb left by Christmas. The weather is spoiling every- . thing down here but'rain all the! time. There has not ;beon a breath of wind to-day, and the rain ;has just been falling staight down. They : had a farewell social ; at Punakaiki last week for one of the settlers who was leaving. They made him a present of a lovely suit case, and gave "his wife a • travelling rug. It rained in the morning, 'but cleared up again in the afternoon, so a. good crowd turned up. There was a dance in Barrytown a fortnight ago for the Old Men's Home in Greymouth, and they got. quite'" a gcod collection for it. We have a_ surfaceman * working t on our road now, .but '-this weather makes it quits impossible for him to work, and the road gels in an awful state. There ore also a couple of men metalling the road .past our place, and it is not before it wanted it. I had a {party on. my birthday this time, but as it rained all day only a -few came. I am reading .a book at present called "The Black Horse." It is very interesting, and -is by .Nat Gould. : He writes very nicely, : and 1 have read quite a nuruebr of his books. Tiromoana cannot ' boast of much news, Dot. so this is »aIJ -this , time. Kind regards "to all the D.D.F. and yourself.—-Yours truly, MOTHER'S LASSIE. ,

[lt was a pity it rained for your birthday party, dear; but I am sure those who did come would enjoy .themselves. —-DOT.] Deaar Dot, —Since I wrote to you last we have ichanged cur address, and are new settled in the mining town of JReeFton. Having lived in Glenham so long, we .were sorry to leave there, but the many nice presents given us by ;the residents help to remind us of our friends in that district. The country on the West Coast is very rough in comparison with the plains of Southland where :we lived. The -most direct way to these parts is by rail from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass, and then by coach to Otira -over rthe wonderful Otira, Gorge road, about 10 aniles, to the train terminus. Prom there you journey to Stillwater Junction, where 'the railways branch to Beefton and Greymouth. The railway .shortly after leaving the Canterbury plains passes through some very stee'j -mountainous country, and the journey -over the Otira Gorge is -something to -remember, although one cannot help feeling nervous a little. We have had a friend of ours, a retired Southland farmer, visiting us. and we all had a splendid outing yesterday by motor to Westport, a distance of about 50 miles, through the Buller Gorge. The scenery on this read is very good, the narrow -road, winding through .the bush-clad mountains, with the Buller Biver in some places a great distance below -the level of the road. The principal industries on the West Coast seem to be coal mining, gold mining, and saw milling; except in some places here and there where one sees daily farming carried on. The .principal drawback to the Wost Coast .seems io be the means of getting here; ibut as the Otira hmnel should be -finished in a few years' time, no doubt there will he a big increase in population, and these parts will be better known and more thought of than they are at the present time. Kind regards to yourself and all Dot's Little Folk.—Yours truly, HOXEYSiUCKLE (Beefton). [I was interested in ycur description of the scenery round about your. -new home, dear, and think you ere .lucky _ in liayin-sr so- manv famous beauty spots within- reach of yen.—DOT.] .'„- » Dear -Dot. —May I join gxtax happy band of L.F.? As this is my first letter I will not make it teo long. I am the filth. .member ci:' our family who Ims written to- you. Father says he can remember the first letter you hod printed over the name of Alien, and he ' says he liked her pluck. I have taken my pen-name from" a place where my dad used to be in Victoria. It is a native name. Love to all the D.L.F.. not fo-rget--tinor your own dear self.—Yours truly, GOORNOXO (Mataura Island). [I am very pleased that you are following in the footsteps or other members -of your family, dear, and joining our band or B.L.F.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is over a year since I wrote to ycur page last, but I have not missed rending the letters once. You have more writers since the war has finished. We are not having very good weather" for November It is checking the farm work a, good deal, and the oats and gross are much shorter than at this time last year. We have had some turnips sown about three weeks now, and they are doing splendidly. We wore delayed last year with the "flu." but dad hurried up this year. It is better to get them in early, as they then escape

the fly, which is our worst trouble in this district. Our annua! examination is ito ibo held on December 1. I hope I will ,paes, but fin very doubtful, as I am pretty low

down in my class. My sister and I take i ;he milk to the factory, and leave the cart at the sohool. It is nearly four miles, and there ore only three of uh going now. Dad BOyj when we are all finished uouool ho will get eoiue nephews or niocew to carry on, as the driving would take up 100 much of his time. Mother is away to ni.y married eistor'a place for a fortnight, and 1 hope that the change will do hor good. Thoro is a dance to-night, and my brother and aiatons are going. The last of the returning soldiers got Ihoir wcloomo-hoino last month, and it was a splendid turnout. There was a band of eight musicians l , and I enjoyed the musio h-ery much. Wishing a merry Christmas and a happy New Year to Minetta, Dardanella, Hoatherdell, The Mysterious Boy, The Piper of the Cilans, all Cluny Farm D.D.P., and all the rest of my comrades, —Yours truly, GLEMKAMITE. [I wish yovi success in your examination, dear.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Please may I become a membra of the D.L.F. ? The weather has been very rough and cold lately. It has_ been raining nearly every day. The grass is not growing very fast this cold weather. _ The formers are sending a- good deal of milk to the factory this year. Nearly all the soldiers have returned to this district now. I am 16 yeara old, and have left school three yeans. I drive a team of horses on the Taieri Plain for a farmer. I was at the Taieri Show a week ago, and enjoyed myself. Turnip-thinning will soon bo starting in this district, and I will be glad, for I like thinning. The farmers have finished their shearing for another year. Ae this is my first letter I will close now. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your dear self.—Youtb truly, GLOAMING. [You are welcome to join us. Gloaming.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We are having very cold weather just now. i The days are getting longer now, as it is very near Christmas. _ I am not going away for my holiday this year, as I was away last time, and l my sister and brother are going away to Owaba. Mother's Pet is going "to Lawrence for her holiday, and I hope she wPZ like it. We ai»- having school in thfc Presbyterian Church just now, because- our school is being repaired. We are getting a holiday on Wednesday for the show. I am not foing to it, but am going for a picnic with lather's Pet and * Nellie's Pet. Give my love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, " DOROTHY DALTON (Gore). [I hope you enjoyed your picnic, dear. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, —The weather down here is very unsettled—rain one- day and* fine the next. My little sister has been in the hospital again for six weeks, but she is all right now. I am sending for another badeg, as I lost the first one, and they make nice brooches. We have 15 cows milking at present, and feed eight calves. My brother returned home about three months ago. Aa my pen is not too good, I will have to stop, and write more next time. Fondest love to all the L.F, not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, LILY OF THE NILE.

[I have posted you. a badge, dear, and hope you will be more fortunate this time. I am sorry Ho hear your sister has been in the hospital again.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having glorious weather just. now. On Saturday night we had a hard frost, a,nd our. potatoes and beans were frosted right down. I hadl two teeth pulled out yesterday, and I oan't open my mouth very much to-day, as it is sore. My lip is cut rather badly, too, and every time I smite the cut opens, and it is very sore. I spent an enjoyable week-end l down at Taita last week, and had lovely weather. My mateeamd I cycled about two miles to the pictures, and it was about 11 o'clock when we arrived home. While I was cycling home through the gorge on Sunday night I saw a "Tin Lizzie" overturned down the bank and just a few inches off the river. I did not look to see if - there was anyone under the car, .as I got suoh a fright. But it is nothing to get excited • about when a car or lorry 'goes over the bank up here, as so ma/ny go over. I am reading a very interesting book just now called "Pollyanna." Have you ever read it, Dot? I just finished reading "Tommy" on Sunday, end it is a good book, too. I am very fond of reading. I ami learning dressmaking now, but am not so fond of reading some parts of the lessons as I am of story -books. Handy Andy has been sitting for his proficiency examination lately, I hope he gwts through, as he has worked hard enough. He "was 18 on Sunday. Love to Ocean Pearl, A. Cocky Farmer's Da/ughter, Minetta, Glenhamite, Rievlis, Nuggety Ned, Fiona 11, Dardanella, Mermaid, and all the other L.F., r.-t forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, ISLAND LASS (Upper Hutt).

[I hope your mouth and lip are better now, dear. A, cut lip is very troublesome. Yes, I Have read "Pollyanna," and liked it.—DOT.] Pear Dot, —I have been scanning the D.D.F. page just now, so I thought I would write a few lines, too. My little sister is three months old. The weather has not been very good lately. It was raining all last week, but it has beon a really lovely" day to-day. Our next door neighbours are shearing just now. My auntie's husband is back from the war, and I was very glad "to see him again, ae it is over four yeara since he left. My auntie is going away soon, and I will be very sorry. I still learn musi©. I cut my toe with the spade not long ago, and my father and mother did laugh—in fact, I laughed! myself. We have 16 or 17 calves, and they aire very weak, as th© weather has kept them back. My auntie was sick for a few days. It was a year to the very day yesterday week since my uncle got the "flu." He was very bad. My auntie had the "flu." very badly in Otautau. "There is a welcome-home at Te Wae Wae .on "Wednesday night, and there is going to be _ a welcome-home at Te Tua the first week in December. I think I am going. The Distriot Pipe Band is getting on all right. Love to Grape Vines, Molly Bawn, Tieg, Stumper, and Mblly Maloney, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, PRINCESS ROSE (Te Tua). [I am sure you would be glad to see you uncle again, dear, after his long absence.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Just a few lines to let you know that I am still in the land of the living. Ths is a lovely summer evening—about the first this week, for it rains nearly every day. I have been reading the Old Writers' letters in last week's Witness, and I thought Somebody's Comrade had written a very interesting letter about his experiences at the war. I like reading th© O.W. letters, as they are very interesting. I was at a dance on Tuesday and didn't arrive horn© till 4 o'clock m the morning. My mother and sister aie away for a holiday to Dunedin., and I am, in charge at horn©'; but they will soon be back again. What has happened to Clyde? I have not had a letter from her for a long time. Has

she died a natural death? My birthday was on Wednesday, so I am 16 years old. I spent it very quietly, as I was all alone. Most of the brave boys are back from the war, and things .are looking a bit brighter. I had. a letter l from A Maid of the Mountains the other day. I hope that your wrists are quite better now, A Maid of the Mountains. Well, Dot, I think I will bring this letter to a close, as it is getting near bei time. Love to Clyde, A Maid of the Mountains, all the L.F., and your dear self. —Yours truly,

MERRY MIDGETS. [You made quite a •ight of it at the dance, Merry Midgets.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F.? I go to the Convent Sohool in Gore, and am in Standard 111. We have just finished our examination, but I don't know whether I have passed or not. We are' having very miserable weather. I hope it will be better for the Gore Show; it ia on the 2nd and 3rd of December. I think I will go if it is a fine day. Well, Dot, I think I will stop now, as this is my first letter to the page. Love to Sweet Marie, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, SOMEBODY'S DARLING 11. [I have posted you a badge, dear, and am glad to have you for a member.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I see by the Witness that you had a good muster of Old Writers. I am staying with my grandmother just now. My auntie oame home to-night, ' and brought her baby with her. I passed at the examination, and am in the Fifth Standard now. I don't think I will see Dear Wee Laddie and Wee Daddie again, as we are shifting from our old home. I can drive the oar now. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your dear self.—Yours truly, BUSH PIGEON. [I am glad to hear you passed your examination, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Pigtail was. down to-day, and got me to write to you, so I am making a start to-night. I am 15 years of age, and will be 16 in February. We have been only two months down here. We live on a farm, and have a great number of different kinds of animals. I don't live very far from Pigtail, so she often comes- to visit me, and I go to visit her. We are milking four cows at present and feeding three calves. I am just learning &> milk. I think I will close, as it is near bed time. Love to Frances, Mother's Help, Kathleen Mavourneen, Dorothy Daydreams, Pigtail, and your own dear self.—Yours truly, PIGTAIL'S MATE. [I am glad to have a letter from you, dear.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—We aTe having lovely weather, and the garden is looking Bplendid. Last night I went with a friend to the tepid bath, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I always do when I go for a swim. Father Christmas is arriving at the D'.I.C. to-day, but I'm not going to see him. On Labour Day my mate and I, with went for a picnic to Governor's Bay. I took some photos, but spoilt them in the developing piocess. The lamp went out, so I had to manage to. complete them in the dark. You can just imagine what a time I had fumbling about trying to find things. Another time I must see that there is sufficient oil in the lamp. The aeroplane was up yesterday. I think it will be going up again to-day. Wouldn't I just love to have a ride in one. Well, Dot, I' must conclude now. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, WOODLAND- WHISPERS v (Christchurch). [I can imagine how you felt when your lamp went out. It " was certainty very annoying, particularly as it resulted in the spoiling of your photographs; but amateur photographers have, to accustom themselves to mishaps of this kind.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is some time since I last wrote to the dfcar old page. The chief event of local interest was a welcome-home held her-' a few weeks ago. The schoolroom, where it was held, was prettily decorated, and round the walls "Welcome Home" was printed in red, white, and blue. The CkiEfise lanterns which were hanging from the ceiling cast pretty colours on the greenery and flowers that were artistically arranged about the walla. The medals were presented by the Mayor of Alexandra, and pinned on by a lady whose two sons were the first to leave this district when war broke out. The singing was very good, and much appreciated by all. A most enjoyable dance followed, which lasted until the small hours of the morning. I have not seen any letters from our local D.L.F. lately. I wonder what's happened to them. Surely they have not retired yet. It will soon be Christmas, land I hope it will be a happier one than last year. Well, dear Dot, I shall say "Au. revoir" for the present. Fondest love to A Soldier's Siste?-, Bonnie Gallowa, Gip, A' Maid of the Mountains, Ribbon Grass, One of Sir Robert's Scouts, and all my other correspondents, but especially Sir Roland and Alex, a Country Lad, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, KELBURN. [The welcome-home you describe was evidently a great success, Kelburn.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band? lam seven year© old, and in Class 3. We are milking 10 cows just now. I have two sisters writing to the page. Love to Lady Adele and Queen of the Hills.—Yours truly, GOODY TWO SHOES (Makarewa). [I am very glad to have you for a member, dear.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We are having a Scotch mixture of weather lately, but that is nothing for this part of the country. All our fruit trees .are out in flower now, but this unceasing wind is blowing most of it off. We have one cow milking now, and another one will soon be oalved. I have read a few • books called " What Katy Did at School," " Corel Island," and " Little Women." I was down the beach yesterday, and saw two bitterns wading in the water. I received a. letter from* Island Lass a week iago. There are a great many, little ~lambs frolicking about their fleeoy mothers. There w.ae a fancy-dress ball in Owaka a while ago, and. it was a great success. Our examination is at the end of this month, so I am making preparations for it. Dove to Cockle, Island Lass, and A Schoolgirl, not forgetting your own dear self.— Yours truly, MERMAID (Pounawea). [I hope you pass your examination, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather up here has been warm lately. We hud lOin of snow up here We shifted up to the Hakataraniea Station 'about 10 weeks ago, and I like it all right, but I think I would rather be down in Duntroon. I went to the Oamaru Show on Thursday, but it rained very heavily, and there was thunder and lightning. There is a creek up here, and my little sister and I often paddle in it on warm days. The shearers will be here scon. I often go for a bathe in some of the creeks and rivers. I go to a school three miles from' hare, and it was one of the little girl'a birthday, and we %veni over to the Hakataramea River

and had a bathe, and it was so deep. Then we- mad© a small fire of sticks and boiled the billy and had afternoon tea, and I enjoyed myself very much. It was my birthday on Thursday, and I was at the show. I got two. handkerchiefs from Joey's and Nellie's Mate, and ono from her sister, Gwennie. It was raining: very heavily hero this and I did not go to school. I thought I should like to write to you. Has little May Merry Gold wrote to you lately I wrote to Jouy and Nellie's Mato this morning. Love to Charity, Joey and Nellie's Mate, and all the other L.F., not iorgettmg yourself.—Yours truly, QUEEN OF THE RUSHES

(Hakataramea). [You are lucky in having a creek near you, dear, in. which you can bathe and paddle, and I am sure you must enjoy playing in the water when the days are hot.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—Just a few lines to let you sea I have not forgotten the page alto- " gether. I was going to the Gardens tonight to hear the band, but as it is now raining I have changed my mind, and thought I would drop a line to the page instead. _ As sure as the band turns out here it is bound to rain. I saw a picture here last night, " Shoulder Arms " being the name of it; but I was rather disappointed in. it, as I expected it to be much better than what it was. We had the ©how here last week, and it rained the second day; but as I had looked forward to going I went, and' ; spent most of the time inside viewing the nice caeks and scones, which were shut up in glass cases. It was a big disappointment it raining, as_ we had no show last year,. and we generally get suoh splendid .weather for it. Silvery Moonbeam was in town the other day, and I tried very hard to make her miss the train for home, but couldn't manage to do so. As there is not much to write about from here, Dot, I will close. Best love to yourself and all the Little Folk, also to Molly . Bawn, Lady Levenside, Pickwick, Martin Rattler, Silvery Moonbeam, One of Sir Robert's Scouts, Lady Carfax, Terra. Nova 11, and Gloria's Mate.— Yours truly, SYLVA. [lt was disappointing' that you had a wet show day, dear; but I daresay you would eniov yourself in spite of the weather.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —Once again I take -up my pen and write'to the page. lam not much good at writing letters, but I always manage to write one to the page. I was sorry not to see my letter !in print I quite forgot it was O.W.W. Our potatoes are all up now, and everything is looking nice and green, but the wind and raim has kept things back a lot. I am going for a ride with a girl friend on Sunday as far as. 'Catlm's River. Do you like poetry, Dot? "Well, I am sending you some. . Chajtce. " Not yesterday and not to-day; „ To-morrow—who knows what shall "be? I linger by the shores of chance, I wait to find a true romance, But the skies are a sullen grey. Not yesterday and not to-day; To-morrow—will* it matter then? For I shall wander silently *J Beside a shoreless,' waveless sea, / And far beyond the haunts of men." Love to Will 'o' the Wisp, Mermaid, Terra Nova, Cockle, and yourself.—Yours truly, "WHITE ROSE OF THE MOUNTAIN VALLEY (Tawanui). 1 [Yes, I am very fond of poetry, dear. The line 3 you ©end are very prettyj but rather mournful, don't you think?—ODT.] Dear Dot, —At last I have seen Lake Tekapo, and I feel quite proud of myself. I may as wd.l staart at the beginning and end at the ending. At half-past 9 thii3 morning dad (who is just learning to drive tlv* oar), the chauffeur, mother, and my little brother and sister, and I—you- may be sure—started off for Lake Tekapo. We went up a valley called Cattle Valley. Just now the wild yellow broom is all out, and, Dot, if you have never seen broom in its full glojcy you ought to. I don't believe it v has any smaller flowers than sweet peas, and. it seemed to be everywhere. But there, we are not progressing very quickly up Cattle Valley, so we had better put a spurt on. Everywhere there -were small patches . of firs, larches, and pines, as well as othertrees, and they- did look lovely. After manoeuvring down hills, round corners and hills, we at last arrived at Fairlie. We stayed a few minutes there, and then resumed our journey. When, we had gone about six or seven miles we stopped in the shade, and had lunch, and oh! Dot, I was famishing. Alter going ar few more miles we passed the Burke's Pass Hotel. All the way up we had passed homesteads, and some « them were really picturesque, nestling in the midst of plantations of trees; but I don't think I would like to Btaj there, for they do look lonely. "We passed through Burke's Pass, and passed the stone in memory of Michael John Burke, who passed through the pass in 1855! Fancy any white man away up ther« G 4 years ago! When we got through the pass we came into flat country, with hills all around, and the road seemed as if it would never end. When we got on the top of a hillo#k, I would look around and "sigh, as nothing! would be visible but the stunted tussock all over. But the hills did indeed look noble, as they stood towering majestically up to the sky. Just as I was getting doubtful whether we were on the .right road for Tekapo, and just as we were on top of a small rise, I caught a glimpse of the lake, and' oh! I was pleased. We then came in sight of Mr LeCren's home on the shores of Lake Tekapo. We kept on a_ bit farther and over a bridge, and we arrived at the Tekapo Hotel, so we turned round and made for home. From Fairlie to the lake it had blown hurricanes, but on turning back it was just the opposite, and it was a most enjoyable ride back. When we left Fairlie coming home we came down Middle Valley, which I think is even prettier than Cattle Valley. On the way one passes' through a most beautiful plantation of English trees. The road bends and turns all the time, and it was exceedingly pretty. Have you ever seen the Maori Dot? We passed • some on our ' way to-day. They have been fenced off and protected by geologists.—■ Yours truly, NEW ZEALAND FLORA. [You evidently had a most enjoyable and interesting trip, dear. No, I have never seen any of the drawings you mention.— DOT.] "• Dear Dot, —What terrible weather we are hr.ving just now. It has been raining all day. Yesterday was the last day of the Oamaru Show, and it rained all day in town. I did not go, as Redwings and A Little Girl from Nowhere could not go. I krown only two Old Writers—lnquisitive Poll and Ivanhoe. I have not seen a lettejr from Fleetfoot for a long time. I am always telling A Little Girl from Nbwhere to write, but she says she is too busy. I do not like writing much, but I like getting plenty of letters. Wee-wee, Casey, and I and two others went to the river last week, and got a lovely duelling; but if one waited till one got a perfect day one would neve*

go anywhere, don't you think so, Dot? It is to be hoped that this Christmas will be more lively than last year, "also that the "flu." does not come back. It was terrible last November. Best love to Redwings, A Caithness Lass, .Father's Help, Tricky, Snapshot, and yourself.—Yours truly, IRISH COLLEEN (Herbert).

[I have posted you a badge, dear, and hope it reaches you safely.—DOT.]^

Dear Dot,—As I have been doing my school lessons, I thought that I would write to the page. We began our final examination to-day with composition, but we Lave not received, oux marks yet. We have had two very sharp earthquakes lately. My mother had a hen sitting on. eggs, and she thought' they would be spoilt, but they were not. We have nine chickens out so far. There was a very sharp frost a few nights ago, which killed nearly all the potatoes and tomatoes. Love to Violet and Princess Mary, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, THE FAIR-HAIRED LASSIE'S SISTER 1 (Hastings). [I hope you do well in your examination, dear. It is very unforiunate that the potatoes and tomatoes have been frosted.—■ DOT.] Dear Dot,—.Onco again I am writing to your page. The weather is very changeable. If it is not raining it is blowing a • gale. It does not seem very much like summer. The O.W. letters were very interesting indeed, and I enjoyed reading them, as most of the e L.F. do. I have passed the Sixth Standard, and am leaving school this year, and am not a bit sorry. I am now looking forward to tne Cattle Show, which is to be held at Invercargill on the 9th and 10th December. The school concert is about the 19th of December. Kind regards to Minetta, Glenhamite, Maid'of the Mountains, Island Lass, Ribbon Grass, A Mysterious Boy's Cobber, Gluny Maid, and Cosmos, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, DAEDANELLA. [I congratulate you on passing your examination, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am sorry I did not write last week, but I will tell you about Taranaki this week. I like living in Taranaki, because it is so much warmer than where I used to live. I always have a good time at a dance or a concert, because my father knows such a lot of "people, and I get introduced to them. I often go to the pictures, and always go to a dance when there is one. We have not had a dance now for a long time, so there is nothing' to go to except pictures. Mr jGardiner and my father are going to hold a dance every week or' fortnight next year, so I will have a good time. Next time I write I will tell you more about 'Taranaki. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, KAUPOKONUI. [You evidently lead quite a gay life, Kaupokonui.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I was nine years old last Tuesday. I do not go to school just now, because I am staying with my granny in New Zealand. 'My home is in Fiji. My granny lives-near a lake, and has a boat to row about. The garden is very pretty. We came too late to see the daffodils and jonquils, but the roses and pansies ■ and poppies are out now. My mother used to write to you when she was a little girl. I have a big brother who goes to a boarding school. Love to "all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, ■ - N VITI.. [I am very glad to have you for a member, dear, and hope you will enjoy your stay in New Zealand.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Once again, I take up my pen to write to the page to show that I have not forgotten it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the letters in OiW.W. There were more Old Writers than I anticipated. . We are having examinations at sobool just now, and they will not end until next week sometime. The year 1919 has flown nearly past, and Christmas will once more be here. One can hardly realise that a year has passed already. The ladies of' this district gave a final welcome-home to ' all the returned soldiers, and! it was a great success. The soldiers are going to return it, so that will be another dance here. I have not found many L.F. badges down this way, and there are a great many Little Folk who write.to the page. The bathing season is supposed to be in just now, but the weather - here does not tempt anyone to. go in the sea for bathing. One does not know whether' it will rain, blow, or keep fine. The bush here is just lovely just now. The lawyers, clematis, and the pepper trees are all out in bloom.- . We have a large coal mine at Orepuki and .about 20 men working in it. There is a new shop' opened, and if things would keep going like that Orepuki would soon be a large city. Kind regards to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SAUCY JEAN. [Your town seems to be very busy just now, dear, and I hope it will continue to go ahead.—DOT.] ■ Dear Dot,—Here I am once more trying hard to write ycm. a line or two. We are having awful weather at present. Our examination is next month some time, and I hope I will pass. Mother has seven dear -jn&2> ducks and one little gosling. We are milking eight cows, and. sending the cream to the Waitoki Dairy Company. I. am. working a cushion at school- in green, and the flowers in satin. I think it will look nice when it is finished. I like sewing very much. We have sewing every Tuesday at school. One of oux neighbours gave father a dear little pony, and I ride it sometimes. We are having a concert for the school, and I am reciting and singing. Love to. Sunshine Girl, Lady Violet, Wind Fairy, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, DOLLY GREY. . [I hope you will have a successful concert, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I am 10 years old. We are having our holidays econ. We are having very wet weather now. It is getting late, and I am tired.—Yours truly. BUTTERCUP 11. . [You will notice that you are Buttercup 11, dear, as we have another writer who has chosen that name.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your happy band ? It has'- been very wet weather lately. As soon a 3 the roads are dry»it rains and makes them, as bad as ever again. There was_ a cricket match in the Koi on Wednesday, and the visitors won. There was a social on Friday night to farewell a Koi young man who was leaving the district, but I did not go, as it was " a very cold night. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, QUEEN OF THE DOWNS. [I am glad to have you for a member, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I have a .long way to go to school, having two miles" and aJiolf to walk. There are Eot very many going to our school. The weather is not very good for the farmers to get their crops in. I krow a lot of

D.L.F. in the Koi. My sister is writing to the page. We get the Witness every week, and I read a lot. of the D.L.F. letters, so I thought I would write to the page. I have three brothers and four sisters, and I am the second youngest of our family. I must close now, as it is getting late. — Yours truly, QUIMBY. [You are also welcome to join 'us, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is raining to-day. We have a new school teacher, and I like him better than the other one. My brother is going to write to the page. School is going to close on the 16th of next I was up at the bush about a fortnight ago, and I saw a morepork's nest, also the moreporks themselves. I will bring this short letter to a close. Love to Queen of the Hills II and yourself.—Yours truly, BLUSHING MAID.

Dear Dot, —.May I join your happy band? I am nine years old, and in Standard I. I go to the" same school as Duart Castle. As this is my first letter I will not write a long one. Love to the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, VOTE FOR LABOUR. [You are welcome to join us, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is a long time since I last wrote to you, but I am going to make a fresh start. The weather is very blowy here. We are milking three cows just now and have three pet lambs. I like feeding pet lambs. Our school breaks up on sth of December. We are having a picnic the day after the school breaks up. I think that is all the news just now. Love to all the D.L.F., not- forgetting yourself.—Yourstruly,

MOTHER'S HELP. [I hope the weather will be fine for your picnic, dear.—DOT.] * Dear Dot, —The" weather up here is something- awful—one day it is fine and the next it is wet. Thfe inspector was at our school on the 13th, and I passed, so I am going to leave at the end of the year. There was a big dance in' Queenstown the other night, but I did not go to it. I have not been to school for a week, but I am going again on Monday. Well, Dot, you had a grand muster of Old Writers, and I read most of the. letters, and found them very interesting. Our potatoes are all up now. I have finished hoeing them, and am carrying wood now. There are a great many farms and houses changing hands now, and there are a couple of sales every week. The Mount - Cook motor cars are running now, and there are a lot of tourists in and around Queenstown. Some of the farmers about here are shearing their sheep. Have yon ever been in a shearing shed the machine shears are .at work, Dot? There is a great noise a.nd bustle, . and everyone is very busy. Lov© to all-the L.F. and your-self.—-Yours truly, CABBAGE TREE NED. [No, I have never seen machine shears at work, Cabbage Tree Ned. "I have posted you the cards, and hope they reach you safely.—DOT] Dear Dot, —We had our examination last Monday, and I will be in Standard II when we go back to school. We got a week's holidays, but did Hot go anywhere, as my brother and I are going .up to Milton to grandma's when we get our Christmas holidays.'. One |of my schoolmates is coming up on Monday to play with us, bo I hope it will be a nice day. My little brother is growing a big baby, and is very heavy—too heavy for me to carry far. He is six months' old. There ore some public works men making a new road near our home, and when it is finished it will go through to the beach near Nugget Bay, but it is only going into a soldier's farm just now. Have you been to Kaka Point and the Nuggets Lighthouse, Dot? Mother is going to drive us children down there some fine Saturday, but every Saturday seems to be wet, or too windy and cold to drive so far. We have II little chickens. We'did not go to the show in Clutha, but hope to get to the Owaka one next week. We have six calves, but are not giving them names this year. One of our soldier ..uncles came to see ua the other week. The other on© did l not get home, as he was ill when he got to Dunedin and had to go to the hospital, and is there yet. I will stop now, as it is my bedtime. Love .to Cherry Mate, Cherry Puss, Sweet Plum, and Queen of Veralam.— Yours truly, OLIVE.

[I hope you will Boon get a Saturday fin© enough to go to Kaka Point and the Nuggets. I know both places well, and tbink them beautiful. I am sorry to hear that your uncle is in hospital, and hope he will soon be able to get home.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was very pleased to see my first letter in print. It has been a lovely day hero to-day—the nicest we have had for a long time. I think we will appreciate good weather when it comes. I went to the Gardens on Sunday. How lovely they are after the wet weather! The fjowers are so fresh instead of being dried up as they sometimes are. The music examination was held here to-day. I hope Little Dream Girl's Mate did well. It is a. very short time since I last wrote, so I have no more news ji:.st now. Love .to Little * Dream Girl's Mate, Dulcie, and all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly,

MAE MARSH. [I have posted you a, badge, dear, and hope you -will receive it safely.—DOT.] Dear. Dot, —May I become a member of your happy band of Little Folk. ? ■ I am 15 years old, and have left school two years past in August. I am out working now, and like * it all right. I have to do the shepherding here, as my boss is working the team. Shepherding is all right in warm weather, but it is no good in cold weather. It was snowing here on the Ist of November, but it did not lie long. There are a, lot of wild ''pigs about here. Have yoit ever seen a. wild pig, Dot ? It luis a long nose with two- long tusks near the point, and it is very ugly. The" wild pigs take longer to grow than the other ones. My boss has a chestnut horse here, and he nearly bucked me off once. There are a lot of nien packing wire and standards away out to a. x o '* o6, called Scout Hill. Are there any Little Polk about Kauroo Hill, Dot? I do not know any, as I have only been here two months past. Have you ever seen a sheep- getting shorn? I was picking up the fleeches at Tokarahi last year." for nearly three months. There were -five shearers, so I was going all the time from 5 o'clock in the morning until 5 at night. I broke xny leg about two years .ago, and it is just getting better now. ' I was in thfe hospital three times with it, and had to go tinder four operations I was in three times with it—the first time six months, the second time six weeks, and the third time a month. I also had a broken arm, eo that was bad luck for me. Christmas will soon be here again. It seems no time since last Christmas. Love to all tho Little Polk, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, MUSTARD- KEEN. .[You must have had a very Bad time with your broken leg, Mustard Keen, and

I sincerely trust that you will have no more accidents of fhe kind. I think there are one or two li.F. in your locality.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —Having read the letters from your Dittle Folk regularly, I thought I also would be one of your correspondents, if you will allow me. I go to the North School, and am in the Sixth Standard.' The """pro." examination takes place on the 4th Decern--ber, so my school days will soon be over. As this letter is my first I will bring it to a close. Hoping you will enrol me as a member of your D.L.F., —Yours truly,

YANKEE JACK (Oamaru). [I am pleased to welcome you to our membership, Yankee Jack.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I become one of your Little Folk? I enjoy reading the .letters appearing on your page, and would very much like to become one of your numerous correspondents. I attend the North School, and am in Standard IV. I must now bring my letter to a close.—Yours truly, YANKEE JACK'S MATE (Oamaru). [I am pleased to welcome you also as a member of the D.L.F.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Well, here I am once again. I take the Witness myself now, so am quite in touch with L.F. Dand and ever on the lookout for familiar nom-de-plumes. Hurrah! for shearing time is round again. It is quite as important to us as 0.W..W. is to you. I usually "fleeco" for the gang, which generally comprises four of my brothers, and think it just grand. Up at 4 o'olock each morning, and prepare a cup of tea for all hand®, and then proceed To the shed, where the honest toil commences in earliest. . There is a saying up .here, Dot, that man. who perspires is not "working"; he must "sweat" before he cap. bo 'complimented; and the boys certainly do the latter (we won't say anything about .the fleeco), for heads of perspiration trickle down their faces continually all day long. I'm sure they welcome 6 o'clock, then a -substantial meal, and -finally a good bed and a sound sleep. Before I retire to my downy couch I have a general search for ticks, for if by chance they dislodgment they are sure to interrupt a pleasant dream later on in a very unpleasant manner. Oux neighbourhood turned up about a fortnight ago in a surprise' party to a returned soldier who has lately taken up farming pursuits in our midst, and who has recently married a charming Australian lady. The settlers contributed towards a presentation—a solid silver tea service-—in his and her honour. 'Well, I will have to draw this to a conclusion, sincerely hoping you won't have occasion to use your scissors. My cordial compliments to my Old Writer correspondent, Nelly Bly, and best wishes to the rest of the Folk.—Yours truly,

FUNNY FEATHER. [Your description of shearing- time, Funny Feather, makes one appreciate, what bustle and excitement, not to- mention hard work, it brings in its train.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather has been very wet and cold. There are a lot of young rabbits about here now. We had our third term examination last week to see if we would pass into another class. The faimers are beginning to shear their sheep. We have 15 cows milking just now for the factory. The schoolhouse at the school was burned down about three weeks ago. The Gore Show will be on Tuesday and Wednesday, but I don't think I will go to r it. "We are practising for our concert now. Beat wishes to Sailor Jack and Buster . Bob, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, ' '.,

BURLINGTON BERTIE. [I hope your concert will "be a great success, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have been away for a holiday. I have just been round the bees with my father. He was feeding them, and when he lifted the lid of one box a bee flew at me and stung rue on the kg. I was at Matauxa on Friday with my father. There was a social here the other night, but I did not go to it, as it was a wet night. Love to Darky, Red Cross Nurse, and all*my other correspondents.—Yours truly,

SUNSHINE GIRL. [I hope you have quite recovered from the effects of the sting, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having very changeable weather here, and to-day was rather hot. I was .away for a, big walk this afternoon. We went a long drive to Waikari yesterday, but I did not like going through the Weka Pass very much. I had not bsen there before. The scenery was very pretty. The roses have been lovely this year, but they are past their first bloom now. The sweet peas are coming out now, and we have several " colours. I have done a lot of fancy work lately—mostly Christmas presents. Christmas will not bo long- now, and w«» will be having our holidays from school soon. The shearing is finished here, and the harvest won't be -long. I enjoyed reading th© Old Writers' letters very much. Some of them were very interesting. Dove to all the D.It.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly,

MURITAI. [I hope you will enjoy your holidays, dear.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your band of Little Folk? I am 16 years of age, and have been attending the Technical Collage at Invercargill for 18 months. I happen to be the only one in., tire family. I learn music, and take e. great interest in it. lam going up to the North Island at Christmas for «• month's holiday, so I hope I won't get homesick. We are having most dreadful weather down here at present; but I hope it won't be like this at Christmas. I will close now, as this "is my first letter to the page. Kind regards to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, THE PEACEMAKER. -[I .am glad to have you join us, dear.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,—We ..are having very rough weather down here'* I: went to .a. dance about a month, ago. We . are feeding fivo calves by hand just now. I am 10 years old, and in Standard 111. We are having our examination now. We are milking 23 cows. My auntie "had a lot of chickens. A weasel took 26 of them, and they have 26 left. Lovd b to Cream Rose, Little Queen Mab, Rose" of Sharon, Rose of Lucerne, Inquisitive Poll, and all the other Little Folk.—Yours truly, A BASKET OF ROSES (Otara). [Your aunt was very unfortunate to lose so many of her chckens, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Here I am again, safely landed at home, after spending a few days in " the heart of the city that has no heart"— Reefton. I had to go tkero for my examination, which lasted nearly ■& week, -end I had a few days extra for a holiday. In spite of the troublesome examination, I had a very pleasant time. It was such a relief to get away from the "cow-spanking" for a little while, .and it was simply lovely to wake Tip in the mornings- and know that there was no need to rise early, as there were no cows to rnilk. These holidays are appreciated all the more owing; to the fact that they 'are so rare_ during the milking season. Exit there is one advantego wo have over our town friends—namely,

that we have plenty of butter and milk. I have not much to tell you of my examination, Dot, except that I considered the questions extremely hard. I'm sure those directors set those hard papers purposely because they knew I had entered for the examination. It was too bad of them. I think they might have set some easy questions for poor me, seeing that it was my first attempt. As the first few days were wet. I used to spend my spare time in reading, and altogetner I devoured quite a considerable number of books. One afternoon my friend and I set out for a walk to Blacke's Point. The road there, which is very narrow in places, is cut in the side of the hill, and overlooks the Inangahua River. Several big slips occurred on this road last winter, and we noticed that the road was protected in several places by fences. Blacke's Point is a tiny place perched on the bank of the river. It consists of a few houses, a post office, and a school. This portion of the river " gorge is eo narrow that the hills on either Bide seem to be almost touching Beef ton can not be seen from .Blacke's Point, as the road winds in among the hills, and the place seems to be cut off from all surrounding districts by lofty hills The Inangahua River receives all the waste materials from the mines at Blacke's Point and Crusington, and by the time it reaches Beef ton it is very discoloured. I took my first dip of the season to-day. The water felt very cold at first, and I was a. wee bit timid. I stood with one foot in tho water undecided, While my sister, standing on the bank, kindly inquired why I didn't "duck." (She was afraid to hereelf, but wanted me to do it first.) I plucked up ecuatagei, and! took the plunge, and the water felt quite warm after a tittle while. I didn't stay in long, but I intend fco take another swim to-morrow.—Yours truly,

A SCHOOLGIRL. [I hope you were successful in your examination, dear. Examiners do seem Lo ba very hard-hearted sometimes; but it would scarcely do if they were to set special papers to suit the competitors, would it '?— DOT.] Dear Dot, —Have you ever been nearly driven mad and crazy with what is now the talk of the moment—spring cleaning? Spring cleaning is the time when everything gets all over the place, and all the things imaginable turn up in the most unexpected places. As I write this letter I can hear my mother planning what the work will be to-morrow. She says: "Now, Nell, we will take up the front carpets, and clean the pictures, and, let me think, •what else?" I hope mother will forget to think what 'comes next, for to my mind beating carpets and all that is quite enough. Really, I am not lazy; but oh! the mention of that dreaded spring cleaning is enough to drive one mad. And it generally happens when one is in the middle of scrubbing the floor or. ©leaning the range visitors come. You get ;up from the floor, muttering about visitors being a blessed nuisance or something, and you manage to get to the door with your hair all over the place and smuts all over your nose, and of course you have* to smile sweetly and say you are sorry that the place is in such a mess,, and so on. But I thank all my lucky stars that spring, cleaning comes only once a year. Love and best wishes to> Grant, Trilby, Dulcie, Heather. Lily, Bonette, Lady Carfax, Marconi, Lylie, ■'. Ikawai, Road Hog, Surprise Packet,; JtfmpingyjTenny, La Beine, Motor Jim, Pearl Blossom),'-No. 813, A True Patriot, A Little Khitter> Mickey," A Lonesome Melody 11, V Pittsburg Lass, Grace Fisher, Roses of ; ' Pfoardyy "Stella Mavis, Bunny, Oh, Christina, Piccadilly, Jack Livingstone, A Yankee Lad: from New Jersey, and especially Revlis, King William, Australian Girl's Pal, Telephonist, Dorothy Daydreams, and you, Dot, and all my many other dear correspondents whose names I cannot manage to remember at present, although I try not to forget them all.— Yours truly, AUSTRALIAN GIRL. [I sympathise with you in your remarks about spring cleaning, Australian Girl; but after it is finished one is repaid for all one's work by the knowledge that everything is fresh and clean.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It has been very windy here to-day. One to be- very careful with the fire, as there is such a strong gale at present. We have a- few roses out just but only one lily of the Nile." Mary Doreen,. if youi see this letter (whioh I am almost sure you will,) please remember that it is your turn to write. The Balclutha Show was held on the 27th and 23th November, but as I. did not go I cannot describe any of the proceedings. I am expecting my sister, Curly Locks. 11, home at Christmas, as she is leaving her place. She thinks four years is long enough to be at a place, and is going to try and get a situation nearer home. . Not very long ago a man died through injuries received by a fall in the mine, and about a week ago a woman was drowned in a well Best love to A Highland Laddie, .Mary Doreen, Radium, and all the other Li.F., not forgetting to wish you o merry Christmas and a happy New Year.— Yours truly, DREAMY EYES (Kaitaagata): [Thank you fox your good wishes, dear, which I cordially reciprocate.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am glad to say that my six soldier brothers are all home' from the war. Two of them were wounded and one gassed. One of them that was wounded went under 10 or 11 operations, and perhaps he may have to go under another one, because there is a piece of lead shifting in his leg. He got a big piece of lead out of his leg. and had it mounted with gold and fastened to his watchchain. I must not forget to tell you about the children's fancy-dress ball lti Temuka.. It was just lovely. Such a lot of children were dressed up as sailors, Chinese, fairies, butterflies, and -as-_ Night. Temuka, where we live, is a very nice place, with such lovely weather, _but, to-day is a wet, miserable day. Kindest love to .all tie_. DLF and your own dear self .-—Yours truly," ' ' MESSAGE GIRL:. [I congratulate you, dear, on getting all vour six brothers back -safely, and I hops the one who has had so many operations will soon be out of the doctor's hands.— DOT] Dear Dot, —We have been having bad weather down here lately. My mother set a hen on 10 duck eggs, and seven young ones came out. I have passed into Standard IV. I have had the toothache all the week. My lamb has grown very much. We do not sell milk now, but send it to the factory. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting vourself. —Yours truly, WEARY WILLY. [I hope your toothache is better, dear.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I liked reading the Old Writers' letters. They were very interesting. We are having very unsettled weather here. If it is not raining it is blowing. Wo are milking 13 oow3, «nd feeding five calves and a lamb. Sleepmeter is my cousin. There was & " hard-up " ball and a welcomehome for tho soldiers here. I might be going to the Inveroargill Show. • Wo nave a. new teacher at our school now, and I like him. - It won't be long - until we got our Christmaa

holidays. Most of the spring flowers are dying away now. Love to Nbrham, Bush Clematis, A Cocky * Farmer's Daughter, Sleepmetcr, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly,

KATHLEEN MAYOUBNEEN (Spar Bush). [I hope you will enjoy your holidays, a«ar.—DOT.] AUTOS. Island Lass Mary Wards, Main road, Upper Hutt) wishes to correspond with The Mysterious Boy and any L.F. willing. Merry Midgets (Beatrice Jansen ? Lower Shotover) wishes to correspond with Australian Girl, 'A Little Knitter, and Australian Girl's Pal. Sylva (May Bermingham, Ken street, Oamaru) would like to correspond with A Maid of the Mountains, Highland Jean, and Silver Echo. Dorothy Dalton (Phyllis Crawford, Hyde, street, Gorei wishes to correspond with. Grandmother s Pet and any L.F. under II years of age. ' Glenhamite (Ethel Telfer, Mataura Island) wishes to correspond with any L.F'. willing. _Sunshine Girl *(Yiolot Collie, Tuturau) wishes to correspond with .any L.F. "11 to 13 years willing. A Basket of Roses (Lily Black, Otara) wishes to correspond with any L.F. willing. Australian Girl (Nellie M. Osborne, -14 Union street, Ducedin) would like La Seine, Jiumiping Jenny, Motor Jim, and Snowi Queen, to write to her again, as she' haa forgotten their addresses.