DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 63

DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Dot Invites .Sort loiters from her youffg friends throughout th« Dominion on mat. tors of interest to thetaselves, the result al their observations in tho animal world, d* soriptioaa of anything they are imeceeted In, of tiie district in which they lire, of their school and home life, holiday trips, *oTbr letters are to ba written by the little folk themselves, and addressed "Dot, can of Kilter Witness.’*

Dot's Little Folk's Badge with pin, lor o»e aa brocoh, obtainable cn application to Dot. Price. 3. 6d, in stamps or postal notes. ■into. Cards are obtainable from Dot, Witness Offlce, Dunedin. Price, 8d for 26.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO D.L.F. BADGES. PRICE 2n Gd. Wo are reluctantly compelled to raise the pr-.oe of tiw badges as, owing to the increased cost of labour and material, the manufacturer is unable to supply them at the old rate. The badges will now be •upplied post free at 53 6d. letters from the little FOLK. lintto: —Vf a write for the beneflt of others, not for onrsei res. Ko letter to contain more than SSO words. _ Dear Dot. —Once more I am home. This time on sick leave,-but I shall have to study at home because the matriculation and D. examinations are com ng off soon. Are you interested m music. Dot? I am. progressing rather favourably wilh piano and 'cello. Only a few nights ago I heard that some of the L F. wished to correspond with mo. . Possibly my informant meant A Wild English Rose. However, if those L.F. still wish to correspond with me I shall be glad if they will write to me cr put an auto in the Witness. Best love to Horselover, Madeline. Patriotic Paul, A Poor Little Rich Girl, end your dear self.—Yours trr.lv. A WILD IRISH ROSE. [I hope you are making a go d recovery dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Tue weather here has been just beautiful, a little chilly at times, and I sincerely hope it lasts. I was at the pictures last Tuesday night to see the picture “Through Jungle Wilds. and I enjoyed it immensely. The badge arrived in good condition, for which I thank you. The pear season is just about passed, and I am very sorry, because I am very fond of them, too much in fact, as I sometimes make mvself sick. I am going to a social afternoon next week, and I think I will enjoy myself. Best love to all my correspondents, and not forgetting your own dear self. — Yours truly, MEMORIES. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I am 12 years of age. I am in Standard Y We live about four miles from schcol, and mv sister drives. My little brother wa3 in the hospital for five weeks, but lie is quite better now. We are milking 11 cows just now, and we send cur milk to the factory. We have two ponies—a cream one and a chestnut. Love to all the L.F.. not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours trulv, FLIBAX. [You are very welcome to join us, dear.— Dear Dot.- We l ed a football match here the other day. and a good manv people turned tin to watch the game. Motnona won, so it :s to bo hoped they are .as luckv next time they piny. We have lieen having quite a lot of dances and other enter!ainnvnts here lately. Jlomona is getting quite lively. I went down to the river with a friend of mine the o'lier day, and we e.ui.ht two rabbits—at least the dog did. Fancy next ’Wednesday being the Ist of June! To me it =eems no time since last June. I am going into Dunedin for a hc'.id v about th-» end of June or the beg.ruing of July. 5 c f wish the time would 1 come. Were you on hoard the * ■ - o - ~ - C ha til am. Dot ? Mv sister was. bn! T d .1 ret g< t to see it The searchlights were lovely; wc could see them as plain as anything he-- flashing across the sk’-. They must have been lovely in Dunedin. I wish I had been in Dunedin that night. There are not many flowers cut li w, and the leaves have turned golden and have fallen off the trees, so I suppose we n " expecl some wet weather now tbv "■’liter is her ’. Best love fo Prince., s Mnriel. Peg of My l!< irt, Milkmaid, Pancake. ami Topsy. not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly. MAID OF ATHEXS (Momona). [I am glad to see you are keen to improve, dear. So long as you remain so, there is sure to be a great improvement.—DOT.] Tbar Dot. —I have been on a motoring tour to Invercargill. I left here on Monde morning at 8 a.m., and arr ived in T ;r .MTsriil at 5 p.m. I w:nt with a cobber on an Indian, and it was one of the most enjoyable trips I have had for quite a while. I nt • • • • • ing and saw 1 '■ ■■ r m leave. Tt was the only time that I could get in to see it, and I just arrived in time to see it leave. As this week is Show Week it will be very busy in Dunedin, between races and shows, etc. I am'going to Dunedin oil Thursday night, and am slopping with Allar-a-diile till Saturday night, spending one of the many holidays we get in town The weather lately has been very fair for this time, and makes one envy those who work out in the open I am phving football for West Taieri this' Eeason, but we have not liar] much luck yet. owing to tl)-’ scarcity of players, as we have a hard job to get a full team each Saturday. My brother came home on Friday night after being away in ' X ' ' for ibout a year. He is managing a dairy factory up there. Bestlove to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, TAXIWHA. I):sr Dot, —The weather is very unpleasant here just now. The farmers have finished their harvest, and are busy ploughing their ground. We unveiled our memorial on Anzac Day. It is a nice monument, and well put up. There are 13 ni mea on it "We have throe cows, but they do not give much milk, as the weather is too cold. I go into Gore every Friday for my music. We had a Sunday school social on the 20th May, and it was a great success. With love to Princess

Muriel, Weeping Willow, and Pink and White Maple —Yours truly, LADt BIRD WOOD. Dear Dot, —The Presbyterian Church down here held a bazaar in the Enfield Public Hall, which was a great success. We raised £l5O. It was a good amount considering the size of the ladies guild and other church workers. I did not know many girls at Enfield, because I go to the Elder-1 :e School, and am never down at Enfield much, so my mate and I went together and had a glorious time. The following night she did not come, so I went with another girl who lives not far from us.—-Yours truly, HEART’S DESIRE. [Please remember to write on only one side of the paper,—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Things are very quiet up here lately; if it wasn’t for the pictures once a, week I think the place would be very aead. The factory at Freshford is going to stop in a. fortnight. I was down at Gore for two days, and got all my top teeth out. I am not going to the Dunedin show this year, but wish I was; I havn’t been there yet, so it is likely I would get lost at show time. My uncle and cousin are going, so I will be able to hear from them tire most important things that take place. I went to the pictures last Wednesday, and had a good time. I hurt my foot on the door step tc-day, and it is hurting me. now I hope I have not sprained it. I am going to knit a jensey for myself when I get the neecdes, so I have my work cut out, and when I finish the jersey I am going to make a table centre. I do not get much +imo to read. At nights I crochet, but I am nearly finished a little petticoat for the baby. Love to all the L.F., not forgetDng yourself.—Yours truly, A WHITE MOSS ROSE. Dear Dot, May I join your hanpv band? We are having great weather for the winter time hardly any frosts yet. I do not like tile Irosty mornings, as I get chilblains very bad. The Busy Bees held a big bazaar on the 13th of last month. They bad a lot of goods. I went in for a few things, -Pmn dK J u ot W \ n asl >'thing. They made over Dlace C '/k U '-p 1? WliS T ery p ° od fol ' R small P if Lke B ® dfour , All aeroplane came to Labour on the 19th May. I have seen a tew flying, but was never close to them, *? , , 7 ent this one, and it was ail to see it go up. I did not go up for a fly, but would have liked to. There is some tain of another one coming to Balfour soon. It is rather an expensive ride a for five minutes. Love to all the D.L.I ~ not forgetting Campfire Girl, and yct "L ,°S, dear self.—fours trulv. CAMPFIRE GIRL’S SWEETHEART -DOT]"® VeiT welcome to U 3, dear. Dear Dot.—May I join your happy band? VVe -are milking a few cows. Sometimes I get up early and milk oils. I am -10 years of age, and in Standard 111 We have a large number of sheep, and two dogs, I have three pet lambs. I went out ferretln=’. ? nd S: ot a few rabbits. Mv mother useu co write to Dot, but she said she has not written for twenty years.—Yours truly BILL THE SLEEPY HEAD worit^Bilh—dot!] Carryin * ° n the od HD? a o U S-;r A Z 1 vV ,C ' e was held in the Hyde wild 2, h u° f , M ? y ’ and it was very cn•j' y \ le -, ,} think the quadrilles are going to be held and an extended night eve-v mon..h. i While we were at school to dav an aeroplane flew near the school l; v - i',;7 e f c ‘i tin ° t° "-atch it. but as I l,ad seen was not a n€w «i?rht for me. My two brothers are playing cards, and tbev have enough quarrelling over them. We wdl soon be get-oing our winter holidayr i to M Itch \\ n-mie. Red Heather G i n Glory, Daffodil, not forget: rig ycm - J vn deal sell. Yours truly, WHITE LILAC (Hyde) [I have, not heard for a very long time from Go men Glory, i n fact. I can’t remember the last occasion.—DOT.] r ißh thank Qneen Maud L jou.se ..t for those kind words of sympathy and to tell Queen Maud how much we appreciate that tribute to clear xixies memory. Some day I hone her smah sou and two little daughters (her dJrfoe ? Ily F r lk 'Y ,U “ ls ° '••rile to Dot and , preat deal of-pleasure from doing so -as then- mother and I once did. Amain til an king you for my people and mvseli lours truly, WAYBACK. [! will lock up_the addrsss, and if suec sstu. in.! forward it to you. Wayback.—DOT] Dear Doh—Since I last wrote my father has died as the result of an accident about six veers ago while out mustering on our run., I have just recently returned from a short time m Dunedin. I was there nearly a wee k, and came home on Monday, llie 11. Chatham was attracting large crowds, 1 followed toe example of the public and bad a look over her. Winter seto be very loath to com- i.T. Dr°D-r place is rm the weather.' wH, very lew exceptim ?, has bees very' warm anct pleasant We bud some Lev's at night, but one may fed as need -■ t a o- • bright day alter them. Footbill i 8 ° j n tuil swing here. 1 tie team which is ploying second grade lias so far won two matches and lost. two. I am exceptior.ailv roriQ of football, and am rather sorry J am not able to play this season. Owin'* to the .size and shape of the Maniototo County the teams have . to travel over 60 miles to play some of the matches. The season past has been exceedingly dry, and a large number of tne crops sown were not very successful There is also a shortage of fodder for sheep, cattle, and horsee," and this. qi course, has a considerable inffuenco on the price ruling. Farming is far from a profitable way ol living, and some of Emm are feeling the slump rather heavily. The duck shootists this season in most' places seem to have met with considerable success judging by the large bags reported on ail sides. Arc you at nil fond of nature from a plant student's point of \Sew? There is little I like better than to watch the growth of the young leaves and plants during spring. Have you ever seen the gentian plant. It grows high up on the country where there :s snow a large part of the year. [t lias rather a- pretty white flo-.v-r with a peculiarly shaped leaf and pulpy kind of stem. The root, which is exceptionally bitter to the palate, is used to some extent as a medicine. On the mountain ranges behind us here it grows in large areas—acres of it. Have you ever bad the pleasant experience of having your ear stop and taking two or three hours to get it going, and then not know what was the trouble? To-day when I motored to murailway station about 2t miles away that occurred, and I did not even have the satisfaction of finding ou' the trouble, although I have some idea. I am fond of motoring, and until the last two or three weeks have never had any trouble, although the car has covered well over 20,000 miles. The comet, Po-ns-Winnecke, will probably cause some excitement when it arrives if the display of star" showers is like what is fore - told by prominent astronomers. Speaking

cf the skies, I had the privilege of watching ihe brilliant display of the southern lights, or Aurora Australis, practically from beginning to end. It faded gradually away about 9 p.m. With kindest regards to all my one-time correspondents and yourself.—l ours truly, BEVERLEY. [I ani sincerely sorry to learn of your sad loss, Beverley, and trust you will accept my sincere sympathy.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —->tay I join your liappj’ band ? We arc mi4king nine cows. We separate tlie milk and send the cream to the factory. Vv c feed one call and a few pigs. I set some traps and catch a few rabbits. Wc have a few hens and ducks and eight cats. —Vo urs truly, COUNTRY LARRIKIN. [You are very welcome to join us, Country Larrikin.—DOT] Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote we have had the inspector, Mr Robertson cn a surprise visit. We nave our winter holidays now. As we are well into the severe season of winter, the feast of flowers is over, and soon the only thine: to cheer the gloom will be bundles of red berries to tell of joys that are - past. Now, there are at present a- good few L.F. writing' from Wauniakarua, a district of passionate beauty and admiring sceneries, most of which is hid fur back on the hills and in the gullies It is surrounded by a broken chain of hills running almost to the eaa shore. The gorse is in flower .at present, throwing handfuls of free uncounted golden blossoms upon the fiat and hilltops, thus breaking the duli monotony of abundant green. There arc no bands of any description, as is the common musical luxury o-f town life, but alas! despite all this we have nature’s natural ever highly praised sweet notes of our appreciated birds. Wit;: best Jove to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly FLOWER OF THE- DUSK (Waianakarua). Dear Dot. —It is cold going to school in Ihe morning The inspector was visiting the school a week ago. We arc getting a week s holiday now. We are milking seven cows now, and sometimes I milk one at might. My brother has five ferrets and goes rabbiting in his holiday. Love to the blower of The Dusk and yourself.—Yours truly, THE FAIRY” OF THE ROSE. Dear Dot.—My sister and brothsr-in-law are coming home on Saturday for a week’s holiday My brother was home I have a sister in Gore. Wc are having our examination now. 1 got 76 marks in sums and 26 marks in spelling. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself,— Yours truly, A BLUE FORGET-ME-NOT. [V ou are dome quite well in the examination, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have left the Kurow district, anq qiute pic a sod to do so, as the weather in winter time proves just a little on the cold side. Last winter there was only (which is a small word, but lias a large meaning) 9m of snow around, so you may be sure I wasn’t bargaining on staying another winter in such -r. cold place.' I suppose, Dot, you are too busy a person to do’ much reading I have not long finished “The Anvil,” * ‘Tire Magic Fire,” and “Molly.' One day i happened to bo in a shop iii Kurow, and I saw Die book called “Molly," and after I went home I thought I would like it, as I had another book at home, and both were by different authors I didn’t forget to gef it the next time I went to Kurow. Kurow is growing quite London-like lately. They hold pictures every Saturday night now. I was there the open ing night, when Charlie Chaplin in “Sluingliai’cd’' and Mary Pickford in “Daddy Long Legs” were screened. The children all thought Charlie was good, but the meet of tfn adult? agreed Mary Pickford was better I for one preferred “Daddy Long Legs,” as I am not in favour cf any of these comic pictures. Last Saturday “Tarzan of the Apes ' vas to be serj-ened I have seen it once, but would have liked to see it again. The opening night was a gland success, and if every night the people turned out as well I am sure it would soon pay the managers. I happened to hear one person remark that there must have been at least 200 people in the hall, which was good for a. country township. I suppose the 3 will be a very busy week in Dunedin, being Carnival Week. Last nig lit there was a nice frost, and tonight it is freezing again, so in the morning I will be quite surprised if the ground isn’t very white, although it isn’t freezing as much as last night. Best kve to Mae Marsh, Sweet Violet, Video km, and many others too numerous to mention, not forgetting yoursolf.—Your s Xi u 1 v. BIXK. CLOVER. Dear Dot, —Vo have had a largo number of visitors, so I have not had much spare time. Since i last v.uole 1 have a new bicycle, and I like riding it very much. V\ h . : e>t it 1 didn't knew how* t ) ride, and X ci id ha . - an exciting tin.. learning. My si t r and 1 arc leaminu music, end we : • mi o tow.. Uigc ha twice a week it -V lessons. 1 think the bn -vie rides am about tlie best tiling com ice led v •*.!•• Famine; mimic, i want to the races about a fr’- ‘ . Mid 1 was quite s< rj w lien they were over. The weather for them was beautiful There had been a shower of rain earlier in the week, so the dust was not so disagreeable as at the meeting in March. Kind regards to a 1! the L.F., and especially youuself.—Yours trulv, LITTLE DORR IT. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of D.L.F. ? 1 know all the D.L.F. about here, one of them is my mate. Ve are having lovely we alh - r hero and beautiful moonlight nights. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear seif Yours tru Iv, A WINTER NIGIIT. [You are very welcome to join us, A Vinter Night.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Ve have been very busy, and somehow I have neglected fa write. To-day I have been selling tickets for the concert, which is to be held in the St. Andrew's Hall on the 24th June. I have been practising every week, as I am in many of the items. Ve have had very dry weather for months past, and our turnips are not of mu ill account. Vo are milking one cow, and she gives a good amount of milk, which wo separate and send the cream to the factory in Timeru. I have not been in for any more exams, in music, but I am still improving. I iir ■ outdoor sports, and sometimes I go out duck-shooting with a mate. Kind regards to the L.F., not .forgetting y mi: ‘lf. Yours ti uly, MOTTIER’S HOPE (Spiingbro<>k). [I have’ forwarded tlie badge, pud hope you receive it safely, Mother’s Hope.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather has been remarkably fine lately, quite a contrast to the beginning of the month. The shooting season is now advanced, and several local sportsmen secured good bags of game. The frost has done much havoc am angst the flowers, and tlie gardens are looking very bare, lint soon, tlioy will be one golden mass. We have a most gloripua wattle tree, and when it is blooming it looks very pretty. The swimming season is over. Mother knitted

mo a nice jersey, and it is nice and warm# in the cold weather. Dances are starting* roup.d about now, and are largely attended. Molly Bawn geos- to Mosgiel Convent to school now. I do not know many L.F., but meet some travelling. With love to all the L.F. and yourself—Yours truly, ROSEDAY (Waihola). JBear Dot, —I am going to bo a fairy in our concert, and I have to learn dancing. I have to go to “Tech” every Tuesday morning at half-past 8 for cooking, and we made gruel to-day. The inspector is coming to our school at the end of June. It is awfully •cold these mornings, and one does not like to get out of bed. Have you read the book called “Little Mother Meg,” Dot? I have just .started to read it, and it is very nice indeed. I went to the Pantomime the other night, and*it was lovely. Love to all tlio D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. — Yours truly, A ROSEBUD (Timaru). Dear Dot, —We have a medlar tree, and it is such a- pretty tree, especially when it has its lovely yellow autumn leaves, and just now the fruit is ripe. If any visitors are asked to try tliem they think they are not nice because, when ripe, they look something like a rotten apple; but looks are deceiving, because they are really very nice to eat. At least W2> children and the little waxeyes think so, for what we do not get the little birds do. Dad motored us into town to see “Daddy Long Legs” last Saturday. It was just lovely, especially as we had read the book. Dad saw a stoat run into a heap of loose rocks, and, having his rifle and the dogs with him, he thought he would hunt it up. On going to the hole he heard a big chattering going , on, and after moving a few rocks he saw two stoats rushing backwards and forwards, chattering all the time. After a short time one dashed out, and the dogs caught it; then, when dad had moved a few more rocks, the other big one came out, and he shot it. Wondering what caused them to make so much noise inside, ho moved ;a few more reeks and found five young stoats; they were all dead, having been bitten across the shoulders ‘ by their parents before making the dash to try and escape. Did it not show the parent love for its young when they killed their little ones themselves to v».ve them from an enemy. We did feel sorry when dad told us, and wished they had not been such cruel little animals, then dad would not have gene after them; they took nearly all our chicks this year. Best 'wishes to all the D.L.F. and youTself.—Yours truly, RYL. [lt is certainly wonderful the way animals look after their young, Ryl, but in the case of such a pest one must just harden one’s heart. —DOT ] Dear Dot, —I am in Standard IV at school. Sines I last wrote I have -won two special prizes, one from church and one from school. Resell a is our Sunday school teacher now. The weather is net very pleasant, jt is raining one day and fine the next. My grandmother broke her arm very badly a \yeek ago. My mother has been busy making jerseys. Patsy’s jersey and mine are heather done with red, and Lady Ruby’s is grey and red. 'She is now making one for herself, but has run out of wool and can’t get any more to match. Princess Matriza lias been clown hero staying at Rose of Textile’s place. I am learning to play the piano now r .and like it very much. I am reading a good book called “Daddy Long Legs.” There is to be a monument erected in Invercargill in. memory of the Southland fallen soldiers. Most of the potatoes are dug- and gathered in now. Love to Oa.nna.brog, Lady Syvia, Delight-eons, Fair Ellen, and all the D.L 1* ■not forgetting yourself.—hours truly, LADY OF THE DELL (Bound Hill).. [The cold will hold no terrors for you in your nice- warm jerseys, dear.—DOx.] Dear Dot,—We are having fine weather her© at the present time. We have started playing hockey at school now, and our team was picked last night. We have entered jor the banner again this season, and hope to he successful in winning it. I was at tne pictures last Saturday afternoon, which were very good, but as there was no comic I was very disappointed. I was in Invercargill for a few days a week ago, and 1 had a good time. I am working a table centre m the evenings just now, and it takes up a lot of my spare time. I am: very iond of sewing. Last yea/ another girl and myself got a silver thimble each for neat sewing. My father keeps prize poultry as a booby, and sends them to several of the: shows. . rio has won a great many prizes besides silver cups. Love to Limiejuiic© and all the L F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours t!IUy ’ CLEMATIS. Dear Dot,—ln the last letter I wrote _to you I said I had escaped a cold which nearly everyone had. I have had my share of it, and 1 have felt' miserable. They seem very prevalent down here just- new. I had my seventeenth birthday last Saturday, -aiicl I received some very handsome and useful presents. Mother is making mie a jumper just now, which I think will come in very nanclv if the weather is still going to be aa cold as it has been lately. Memories and myself are g-oing to the pictures to-morrow night, as there is a good picture advertised. I am reading “Beulah,” by A. J. Evans Wilson, and I find it very interesting. Love to Bluebells, Telephonist, Ocean Pearl, Quite, . Camomile, Memories, and Steele Rudd, and all the other L.F., not forgetting your own. dear self. —Yours truly, SUNNY SOUTHLANDER Dear Dot, —I would have written before only I have been ill with the measles, and after I got better I went for a long holiday. I went to Dunedin for four months, and it was lovely. We will soon be having our exam., it is on the 20th o-f June. I hope I shall pass. I have a lovely doll and pram. My doll’s name Is Mary, she is three years old. I just got my pram when I came back from my holiday. On Wednesday we will have the streets lit up with electric light. When I was is Dunedin I was going to come and see you, only I did not like to. I would like to be ever in Dunedin now. Love to Cinderella 11, Queen Esther, Fairy of the Forest, White Violet, Little White Lily, end Muril.—Yours truly, PRINCESS PEARL. [You should feel better after the nice long change, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having warm weather here just now Everything is very dry for the want of rain, and some people: are out of water and are having to cait it from the river. There was a whale washed up on the beach about seven miles from here. I was not down to see it, although nearly everybody in the district went down. I saw the aurora last Sunday night, and it was very pretty at times. We are milking 14 cows in the morning and 12 at night. It does not take very long to milk them, a.a three of ns milk. One would not need to milk many cows now as it gets dark very quickly. Our liens ,are very lazy just now, as we are only getting three or four eggs a day. We have a lot of chrysanthemums out, and some of them are very pretty. I am busy knitting myself a jersey coat, and I have nearly finished it. I have been at it nearly three weeks; but I cannot say 1 did ail of it, as my mother did a good bit of it.

My sister and myself have started to pull J the mangolds and put them. I will be glad j when they are finished, as I do not care much for the job. Love to all the L.F., j especially Madcap, Princess Molly, and your- I self —Yours truly, PERT MINX. j Dear Dot, —I expect Dunedin is a busy | place just now with the Winter Show and j races on, quite a number of people have j gone from here. Bill’s Sweetheart and I 1 are going down to Mataura on the King’s ! Birthday, where wo hone to have a good i time, and also hop . to meet a. few D.L.F. \ Soma of the dancing classes have already i begun, but as I do not take much interest j in dancing, it won’t make any difference to j rne. Skating has not started yet, but I I hope it will soon, as I just love it. Love to j Terra Nova, Ostrich Feather, Kim, A Welsh ■ Main, Motor Girl, and Queen Diana, not j forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, TOMMIE’S GIRLIE. j Dear Dot, —We only milk our cows once j a day now. I have seen one or two aeroplanes lately. I have road a good few books lately. I believe H.M.S. Warrior is work- j ing in Dunedin Best love to Tussock Creek | Lad and all the other Little Folk, not for- ! getting yourself.—Yours truly, - STEELE P. HDD'S COBBER. ! Dear Dot,—lt is a nice calm claV to-day. i but it was frosty this morning. My sister is away for a holiday. I saw A Tussock Creek Lad the other week I was at a j bazaar last week, and I enjoyed myself very j much. There is going to be a big ball here i next week, and I hope it is a "good turn- j out. Dost wishes to all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SWEET LILAC. ! Dear Dot, —The weather here now is very j changeable. The flowers are all dying down I now. The fishing boats have not been able | to go out fishing much lately. Love to Lady of the Forest and all the D.L.F., not for- : getting yourself.—Yours truly, DE'WDROP (Stewart Island) j Dear Dot, —It is about two months since ; wo shifted here. I like living here better ; than in Mornington. Every morning “i----brother takas the spring dray and puts cut ! the turnips and hay for the cows, and I go | with him. When the hay is in I get up in j tho dray. I like up on the hay. Would you like to be mo, Dot? Love to th© j D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours trulr, I A'LITTLE ESKIMO." ! [Pleas© writ* on only one side of th© j paper, A Little Eskimo.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have my term holidays. 1 School commences on the 31st of this month, and I will bo sorry because I ha ve been having' a great time with Edna, a. new chum of min* who lives across the road. She. is suc-h a nice girl. I had a. tea party last j night with five of my cousins, and we had j a great time playing hide-and-seek inside. ! On© of my hiding places was in the pantry, i and .as I was crouching behind the door I rubbed against th© frying-pan, and, of ! course, made all my dress black. My favourite pastimes are reading, painting, gardening, and music. Do yen like music, Dot? I do not car® for the town, and very j rarely visit picture shows. X have written j to my cousin in Dunedin, but he has not replied. I hope he sees this, as he always j looks for Poppypink’s letters. I take ’a ! great interest in The Sport’s letters, as I i myself would like to be a naturalist. Love j to Freckles and all the D.L.F. and your own clear self.—Yours truly, POPPYPINK. | [Your mishap calls fo mind many funny ! experiences I have had playing th© same I gam© indoors.—DOT.] i Dear Dot, —On the 3rd June (the Birthday) cur hockey and basket-ball tea-ms j intend playing- all day. There is also men's j hockey that day too, and th© Napier foot- j bailers are coming up to play the Wairoa j City team, so you can imagine what a “sporty” day it will be for Wairoa. There’s j also a dance in the evening, but I don’t j think I will be ab'e to go, as I shall be j too tired. I would give anything to hear ! the music, though; it is going to be ,a jazz band. There are about 12 instruments, and j the players are going to. play all the latest 1 tunes. The weather is like summer up her© j at present, and if it can only hold out till j after Friday I shouldn’t care if it snowed ! after that. But this place seems to be ! doomed for holidays, especially St. Pat’s Day. The old veterans her© say it hasn’t been fine for 20 years' cn that day. Wairoa must have been the centre of attraction in the old Maori war clays. Up on all the lulls there are: still huge, holes ancl long- trenches, j The other day some men were ploughing, j and they came across a depot of cartridges j and ammunition of all kinds, including guns, j About three weeks ago w© were digging a i rubbish hole in the paddock iiext to our j house, and dug up a skeleton of a head, i That made us all curious, so wo started digging in all directions to find the rest erf his body, but we were not successful, and came to the conclusion that the Maoris must have cooked and eaten tho rest of tlio person. It must have been buried some time, because the top of his head fell off and he had no teeth. I was to go up for my i shorthand exam, last week, but could not be bothered, as I knew I would fail, because j I haven’t learned a thing since about the i second lesson, so I have given, if up alto- I ge-th-er. I regret it now. In fact, I (am repenting at leisure The High School up j her© has only. started this year, ancl so only I a few are going. They have just lately got ] their uniforms —grey dresses trimmed with i blue. They do look so pretty. Hoping you j have a ripping holidav. —Yours truly ALABAMA MOON. | [Many thanks for th© photo. Wairoa I seems a nice place, judging by the photo.— j DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since last writing to the pag© j wo have had lovely weather, but I’m afraid ; it does not suit the fanners, as they are 1 badly in need of rain. Everything is so dry ; some, of them are finding it very hard work getting the ploughing done, and some people i have run right out of rainwater, and have j to us© well-water, some of which is terribly ' hard, and is not of the best-tasted water. • This last week there, has been very little j wind, and the consequence was there was ! no water for the animals. One clay we had : to drive our cows along to a little stream i about one mile and a-quarter from our farm, ! so that they (the cows) could get .a drink. The girls of this district have formed a girls’ club, of which my two sisters and myself are members. The club meets once a week for two hours in the evening; for j the first hour we have either “drill” or I “first aid,” and for the. other hour we have ! game© or songs. Th© girls have also started - a seeker team;. I am not a member of that though, as I was in to th© doctor’s a month ; ago, and h© said I had rheumatism, and ! I was to be. careful or I would get. rheu- I matie fever The young men of this district ! have formed a football team, of which my | two brothers are members.- I was very in- j terested in. watching the aurora about a ! fortnight ago; there were some very pretty ! shades of yellow and red. My mother has ! been in bed nil to-day; sh© is greatly I troubled wifh bilious attacks. I was ©peak- j ing to a friend of mine a few weeks ago, i when sh© e-aw my badge which I was wear- ! ing at the time, and she (,my friend) said she I

was an Old IV liter, but I cannot remember her -VD.P. We had the chuffeutter last w€ek ’ b , they have their own cook they are no bother. Best wishes to all the L.F . especially Lizetta and Happy Bob, not forge tan g- y cur self. —Yours truly, PABSOXIA. with tlle aeration, and I agree with jou that the other is confusing.—DOT.] wEhl-AA'AY ! I' re havia S th© most awful iei here lately, blowing as though it te'lf"*, Y Bt °P' T here is a scAThera ‘ md 1 “ gpmg, so I hope to have W?w Moonll ght and I are going people in t * su PP° se there are crowds of rite, tin 7 1 :<>r the sW - 1 was down this time- last year, but there is no such luck this time. Best love to Moenlteht hj lCe - Plam Jane ’ White Bunny, not "fori setting your own clear self.—Yours truiv A MAYTIME PRINCE A s ar nt Dot ’ _1 ] l SVe a P la y mal © who is six eais ol age, ana comes from Lauder. We .a ■ e mid Mr Hunter, the organising* teacher out here. I have my grandma staying here just now; and my auntie is her© too, but oil L P® her© for long. At school we Play aimon says,” which is very enjoyable; an U h ? u £h ,' re 18 a . lied Rover gag. 1 have finished a oook caded “Three’s Company ” Which IS one of my prizes I got at school; and 1 am now reading a book called “Hettie and th© Sunbeams.” It is a very nice bock, „ E • vo a te'>°d few books to read. We are having very frosty weather up this wav, ana 1 hope you are not having it there O , "d s i iea to Meah, Daisy, and Mother's U;! F C-ir i; not forgetting your own dear seif truly oll the Cther Dot ’ s Little Yours . SONIA. Lxcu will be quite happy with vour playmate, fconia.—DOT.] * 1 " Dear Dot, I Jiiii®. to have a game of cards during the long evenings, or music ar.d danc--3n =* hor all that Ido my sin re of reading. I love Zaire Grey’s books, and I do believe 1 have read every one of them. At Invercargill the talk is football and hockey—games I take a great interest in, especially the latter. I attend th© S.T.C., and like lie l 3 'ace exceedingly, and we all had a iia-f-holiday last Thursday to see a- picture screened at the Civic. It was a most wondcriul picture, and i worth! not have minded: if it had lasted a good while longer. I taw in th© paper where the htyal Bush footballers were sadly beaten, and I am sure Lonesome will b® quit© disappointed at such bacl news, for she was sincerely hoping that they would be successful. Invercargill High School girls beat College at hockey last week, and 1 must say that I was very sorry for College'. I was not on© oi the players, but, being a. spectator, I noticed that" the backs of th© College team played exceedingly well. Lev© to yourself, Dosanageii, and all my correspondents.—Yours truiv, DO bANAGEIIK MAT if. Lear Dot,—Being at home for iny Easier holidays, I have decided to drop you a few lines about my native town and my native land. Chaguy, such is its name, is -i'uatoil in th© east centre of France, along or near the S a ones Valley, at about 10 miles from tho large metallurgic town ox Chaleo sur boon® and 35 miles from Dijou. Its pmmlaiion, about 5000 inhabitants, is composed of little traders and workmen. There ar© two parts in the town, th© upper part and the lower part, the first metallurgic and the second iiacics. Chaguy is a very old town, situated on th© passage by rivers and roads of th© first Roman invasion in the first centuries of our history., That was th© meeting place of non-regular soldiers after the Hundred Years War, by th©’ great French captain, Du Gucsclin fo send them to the conquest of Spain in the 13th. At the same date was erected a- fine castle, which belongs to the Baron oi Chaguy, called D© Clermont Moutoison, who were very powerful at the head of the district. That building was destroyed at the end of last century and replaced by a line and largo boys’ boarding school. The church, which is a large one, is also the oldest building in the city. It was erected in the course oi th© eleventh and twelfth centuries, and has three bells. In it are ail the tombs of cur “barons.'’ The commercial development of the city began at the end of last century, and now there are large shops. The chief industries are the tileries and quarries. The former employ some 350 men and the latter 50. The railway station is also very large and important—there are five lines to north, couth, west, cast, an I centre, and the staff comprises 350 employees. The principal business of the district is “wine,” both red and white. The best wine in the world is produced in this district, and I shall just indicate .some of the best: "Moulrachet,” I’ounnard, “Volnay,” and Kully. These wines are sold at £1 a bottle, and during the war were £1 10s. An important event took place last year. In the exploitation of sand, which is joined to the earth and used for making tiles, workmen discovered tlie skeleton of a prehistoric animal. I had the luck last week to assist some clc-ver teachers of France, who had come to Chngny to continue to fetch in sands the remaining parts erf that animal —fore legs and hind l’ect. They found two- teeth and some bones. I am pleased to tell you the first day they discovered a ton of bones. Some indications about that animal, which is tiie first of that type discovered in the world are: Height, Jsit; length, 24ft; total weight, 10 tons. That animal lived here about 40 -million years .ago, and now is the rarest piece in the Museum of Lyon, and attracts great numbers of visitors. But I am afraid, dear Dot, my allowance of 350 words is over, and I must close. I hope to send next week another letter about grape-growing in Burgundy. Good-bye, D.L.F., and may my lines please you.—Vour® truly,, LE MONTMARTROIS. Dear Dot,—On Sunday night a fly flew into on© oi the mantles of cur lamp, and five minutes after another fly flew against it aiid broke it right off. The flame from the burners flared down to the valve-stem, and when I turned the air off I burned my fingers. Wo have been using candles since, and tlie lights they give is nothing compared with the "arcolite.” Aoa-te-roa may come home next mouth for a holiday, and we will be glad to so© her. She will be 20 ill October, so she has not long to go before she is an Old Writer. As it is time to bring the- cows in (we are milking three) I will stop. Love to all my correspondents. —Yours truly, THE PALE ICE QUEEN, Dear Dot, —My two sisters write to the page. My mother is still in the hospital. Father went to Dunedin to the. show. I know a <nrl in Tapanui who writes ib the page. She is a cousin of mine. Love to Hester’s Daughter, Jeanette, and all my other correspondents, not forgetting yourself. —Vour3 truly, A LITTLE HARD CASE. Dear Dot, —I would like to join your happy band of Little Folk. I am now 15 years of age, and am in the Sixth Standard. As this is' my first letter 1 have not much to write, but 1 hope to have more news next letter. Love to ail the L.F., net forgetting vour own clear seif. —Tours truly. BLUE ROSE. [You are very welcome to join us, lb Tie Rose.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We finished cur first term examination a little while ago. I came second in it. We have cur winter holidays just now. I have gathered a few autumn leaves and pressed them. 1 think tli?v look so nice pressed. The young people's ball is to be held her on 10. h June, and I think there have been over 200 invitations given out. Wc have a little cream pony, and I am going to hern to rid him in cur holidays. Love to Trumpet Lily, A Maid of the Mountains, MarioneAa, Prince Arthur, Hydro, and net forgetting your own dear self.— Ycurs truly, \ WATER LILY 11. Dear Dot, — I will not be sorry when winter is over altogether, a-s it is very cold going to work in the mornings, and, besides, we get the Barber here. Bluel 1 and my- | seif are great churns, and we go out a good let together. Our chief amusement is dancing. Love to all my correspondents,' not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, STELLA THE STAR. Dear Dot, —It is Empire Day today, and it is raining heavily in showers. We have had a few heavy frosts this winter, and I suppose we will have more before winter is over. I am writing with The Pale Ice Queen’s fountain pen, and at first I kept dipping it into the ink just like any other pen; but The Pale Ice Queen took the inkpot away, and now I am getting used to it. Love to Miss Mischief and all the other L.F. and ycursolf.— Yours truly, LITTLE MISS MISCHIEF. Dear Dot,—l am now living at Westport, and I like the place well. I sometimes go down to the wharf to see the boats coming in, and watch them loading cofl. The coal is loaded on to the boats by steam cranes, which lift a truck of coal at a time. Their ticks have a trap-door in the bottom. When the truck is swung on to the boat by the crane a pin which holds the trap-door is knocked cut, and the coal falls into the hold or the ship. Love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting ycur-selr.—Yours truly, CARPENTER (Westport). [lt must be quite interesting watching loading oi)?rations J Carpenter.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having very wet weather here. It has been blowing and raining for nearly a week. Wo have had our term holidays, and it rained nearly all the week. We have some very pretty chrysanthemums out in bloom. The leaves are all falling off the willow trees new, and everything is looking very bare. I like school very much new, as I am getting used to it. AYe live about six blocks away from the school. AYe get a holiday on Friday, as it is the King’s Birthday. My sister is very interested in hockey-playing. Carpenter is in the Third Standard at school. Best love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours trulv, PEONY POSE. 1 Dunedin is the chief city cf Otago, not Southland, dear. It ’ooked so strange on the envelope.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —AYe are having very bad weather at present on the Coast. Last week it rained nearly all the week. Last Thursday there was a slip on the Otira Gorge, and the creeks were also flooded. Neither traffic nor mails came ever that day. They had to go back, and they came ever on Saturday. Stella and myself went to a dance on Monday night; v.e enjoyed ourselves very much. Last time I wrote to you I asked you if American still wrote. He is a Coaster, is she not? Love to all my other correspondents, and not forgetting yourself. —Yours trulv, BLUEBELLS. [lt is so long since I received any word I couldn't really state. —DOT.] Dear Dot. —AYe have our winter holidays just now. I have been helping my mother with the house work. My big brother lias been home from the High Schol for his holidays. He went back yesterday. AYhat a mild winter we are having! I wish it would rain, as we are out of water. Love to all Little Folk, also your dear self. — Y'ours trulv, MOTHER’S PRIDE. Dear Dot —AYc are having rice weather. It is very cold riding to school these frosty mornings. AA'e have a holiday on Friday next, as it is the King's Birthday Oifr teacher is a returned soldier. Our cat has two kitt?n<=. Best love to all L.F., not forgetting vcurself. —Y'ours truiy, QUEEN ELIZABETH. Dear Dot.—Ko.vhai II is dead, he died in January. AYe are having wet weather. AYe only had a week’s holiday instead cf the" usual fortnight. Ate had a holiday to-day, as it was wet, and it is Empire Day. AA'e all have a slight cold. Did' you see the southern lights. Dot? I did. I think it is the loveliest sc: no I ever saw. AYe wa*c lied it from half-past G o'clock until 8 o'clock, then v.e went to bed. Kindest regards to Caroline Dav. Little Shepherdess, Dad’s Daisy, Mrs Hippo, Rosy Cheeks, Puss foot, A Sp ig o’ Heather, Gipsy Girl, and Buttercup, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yoiirs truly, PINEAPPLE. Dear Dot. — Have you ever experienced th jries c-f a beautiful sun iet ? I think an nr/ Is are glories that are wasted on the inhabitants of totvj*. I daresay that you might not Lave had th© opportunity of experiencing such, for eyes blinded by dust ai smoke, minds wrapped in cares of business, cannot see the beauty around about them. I am sure every hoy and girl that has stood soul to soul with Nature in Ihe more lonelv places of the earth will have a iprceiatcd the glories of the beautiful sunf,. - The other evening, as I was strolling I . v across the paddock towards the ct k tl ■ sun was sinking towards the peaks of th dis ant Hokonuis. Th© ul g lden or ring i n size, deep- , - vitl londs of criro <on and r. h< ri; ; tout it. A pale mist was , ■ ■ 1 slopes. All nature W as d into solenn ' v at its own locality ' wi ■ nblaz with go 1 radian., \vi n one zes < the beaut:ful sunpet Oil© r,discs that no painter could paint write them. Ihcir t ireme 10-cline-cs gives nn exquisite pain to the mind that admires, and it seems incredible ,} B nch ecenes diould go by ' - - a l l n i to a crirus-oi orb burning v th vivid ra rate. Tl . ■■ flamed stil ui e glori- rn-sly till thv ■- unset reached its fullest bridiance. » ■ great orb dipp 1 1 ind the peaks melted to a pale bronze, e twh th© tailei Ire -on the ridges ah >wed np like deli tately-carvcd frame t\ork. The sky 10-- its i "lit and the ranges grew black, ai g ■■ ’ : wilight was over. ... on my min l»v- such ■ are ind bable, or tin < only red 1 i ■ w can v,,; endur • to h,c shut up in the heart of a bus" town, where the glories of Nature never dawn on you. As fo>- me, the fresh green country every time. Kind regard- to Tarati, The Sport, and all the rest of my I t-s, l - forgetting your own dear self. — A ■ urs truly, PATRIOTIC PAUL. [lt is not permitted that we may all ehoose our environment, Patriotic Paul, and I don't think we are always wrapped in aoch gloom, as you depict.—jJQl.,l

Dear Dot.—MY started’ college yesterday ( for another* term’s hard work. I was rather pleased to go back again, because I was tired of three weeks with nothing to do. ; Hera and I sit together at school, so we went early yesterday morning to secure a good de.sk. We are allowed to choose- our desks. Two of our ladv teachers missed the boat from Wellington on Friday, so they had to wait till Monday, and consequently could not get to college until Tuesday. One of the principal’s daughters, who is a teacher, had to fill one of the blanks, and one of the Sixth Form girls had to fill the other. The World Sculling Championship i 3 to bo rowed here on the 11th of next month. I am hoping nothing stops me from going! to see the race. I have a lot of grammar and French to prepare for to-morrow. With love to yourself, Primula, Aussie, and all my correspondents.— Yours truly, " MADCAP. Bear Dot, —Please may I join your hand : of L.F. ? I am 10 years of age, and am in : Standard IV at school.. There is a sawmill near where I live, and it is sawing timber nearly everv day. My sister was busy cleaning the windows to-day. We are having our winter holidays, and I will be glad when school takes up again. Best love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself, dear Dot.— Yours truly, JACK FROST. FYori are verv welcome to join us, Jack. — DOT.] * * | Dear Dot, —It is Empire Day to-day, and ' we did not go to school because it is raining. I have just spilt- a half-bottle of ink. Did you see the southern lights on the 15th of this month, Dot? I did, and it was a very pretty sight. When the mantle of the lamp broke The Pale Ice Queen and I were washing up the dishes. The lamp was hanging up, and the pieces cf the mantle fell on my head and burnt some of my hair, j Love ad the L.F., not forgetting *y° ur ov ’ ,n dear self. —Yours trulv, QUEEN TELEPHASSA. I Dear Dot, —As most of the family with whom I stay write to your page, I thought I would like to join your happy band. My home is away back in what people who live in the town would call the back-blocks. I have just arrived back fr-om three weeks’ holiday, and how sorry I was to come back ; to the dreary old town. Those boys and girls who live in the cities and towns and who have never been into the country have not the slightest idea of what it is to be rijrlit away from nearly everybody and all the noise of the towns —to be among the hills and the bush. These holidays I had two other girl friends with me, so, of course, we had many rambles together. As one had never been in the. country at all, everything was strange to her. Or.ce she was on a horse, and had ridden it for a while, she thought it was lovely.. How I love to g'st on a horse bareback and gallop all over the place, although I suppose I am getting . too old for that now, ai ? d si loukl be- more ! dignified and ride on a saddle dressed in the latest riding habit. At my home there are about only ©ight families of pakehas, ■ while the remainder of the population consists of Maoris. One of my brothers —I have three —can talk Maori very well. I haveheard him sometimes talking- with some Maoris and understanding what they say. I have picked up only a few words, as I am home only for my holidays. Next year I hope to have finished at Te-ch., and go home or go to work. AA'e have just begun our second term- to-day, so, a.s all our class — we are seven ill all —is studying fo-r a bookkeeping -diploma examination, we- will have to do' our three —sometimes more—hours’ | homework every night to make ourselves pro- | ficient enough to pass. The days and weeks 1 soon pass,- and it will soo-n be holiday time again, so the harder we work the more we will enjoy the rest when it comes. Love to all tlio L.F. and yourself.—Yours truljg j [I think I prefer your style, ana I am still older, Kerie, though I have little opportunity for such an experience.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Last week one could have believed it was spring, though I suppose you people in Otago will know it is winter. Did you see the Aurora Australis? It was beautiful. The sky was very red with moving white streaks for about two hours. We thought at first there was a big fire -somewhere. but wo soon discovered cur mistake. . AA’lien we were going to church the sky was very vivid, and the top of Durr© Hil-, with ■ the" tower and the -crest of trees, showed up beautifullv against tiro red. Since my last letter I have had a birthday, and am now 18. I’m getting old very fast. Four people ; in the office had birthdays within a fort- j night of each other, and three of us were j l ß r AYe have had a lot of excitement here j lately. There ■ was a burglary here, and ; while the men were in gaol awaiting trial ! they escaped. It was on a race ciay, and thev got away all right. They were seen , out" this way, but, of course, the man who : saw them didn’t know who they were. They ; were caught after -about a week, so they will get a- bigger sentence now. 1 had three ; weeks off from night tecli., hut it w-asn t ; anv holiday, as, I had 3G exercises o. book- ! keeping to work through. It kept me going • till 11 o’clock every night for two weeks, and 1 I foil rather mad to go back to tecli. and not have half of them checked, i think th© examination will be pretty stiff, and I shall have to work very hard this year. At j dinner time the other day I went for a tow j with another girl and boy. The bov, of course, rowed, and he had a stiff .pud, 1 - think, as the current was very swift that • dav. I would 10-vc to row. but the only I tim-- I have tried we went round in a circle. i hW.lctll is in full swing now. There is a- ' representative match here c-n l-riday A Vo u - - garnii v. Taranaki. Taranaki has usually j proved to be the belter team other years. : My brother plays, and every Saturday he gets cut or bruised. It is a good game for j boys even though it is so rough. There are ' lots of dances on now. 1 am gong to one on AA'ednesdnv night, and I think I will ! have a good ‘ time. I have been to a few already. AA’e have had a beautiful lot. of : chrysanthemums out lately, and our violets have done very well. AA'e always have plenty of flower-* out here. Best wishes to all my j correspondents and, ot course, yourseli.—- j Y'ours truly, _ I POUTING POLLY. Dear Dot,—AYe arc having our winter holidays just now, and we will be. going back to school again on Tuesday, the 7th. The wattle trees are oiit in Ini.l at present. We will bo dipping some of our sheep tomorrow. Our sweet peas are p-asl now, and it is about time too, as they have been flov.c ing for over three months. AA'e killed our pigs a few days ago, and are feasting on pork b-m - just now. AVo went to so© the whale which, lying near All Day Bay, and 1 brought a nice ct whalcbc-i,-r borne with me. Wc have a gig. a ■ 1 drive to school, and it is very cold in the winter mornings. Tin: re arc not as many wild ducks about hen- as there arc usiadly, and eo vo do not hear many guns going off. There are a numb r of v. asols about here, but tin y are a:l too clc. er to b - caught. — Yours truly, PUJCAKI. Dear Dot,—Our holidays are over, and we are back at tech, again. . At the end of liuit year i gained my piufici.eaey, tend. ,>vhe-n

■ tecli. starLcl mum signed me down fer two years. Although I like tecli, very much, it is not a-s good a.s the “Sts.,” a.s ws are : called. We have staided tc- play hockey now, and I like it very much. This is my fifth | year at the game, an d I like it be iter g\ r v year. The two last years I played at the old school I was captain, and I hoy.:- to get up ffcti’by h:gli in the tecli. team. To-day I went to watch a match between tlie old ! school and the South School. The Sts.' teacher asked mo to reforeo the second half, so 1 lock the whistle and finished the jr'iii'.L all right. That was she first time I had over refereed, so* I hope I did i - fiiirly. Last year I von a mod;:I for running; and a book for throwing a net-ball. I o:ton wish I was back at the- old school, but I could never stay there for ever. One of oiu* teachers is going away from us, and I •shall bo very sorry when she goes. Love to all L.F., not forgetting y our self. —Y-ours truly, MISS MISCHIEF (Invercargill). Dear Dot, —I am in the Junior Seventh now, so we have to work hard at- our lessons. AVe are having our winter holidays just now, &ncl we go back to school on Tuesday, so I am just preparing for our examination, because we have it when we go back. An aeroplane passed over the town on Tuesday morning at 1 o’clock. It was supposed to j be the Aero Company’s Avro, which was making a trip from Invercargill to Dunedin, t Love to all the D.L.F. —Y'ours trulv, MIGNONETTE. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy baud? AA'e live ab-out six miles back in the bush. AY© have had fine weather for a while. AA'e have about half a- dozen pig©, a few cows, and a calf. I live at a bush sawmill. There are about 2G children going to this school and ono teacher. Love to the L.F., not forgetting- yourself.—Yc-urs truly, ' M'GLUSKY. [Y'ou are very welcome to join us, j M’Glusky.—DOT.] ! Dear Dot, —It has been very cold and - rough these last few days. My sister goes to the Bible Class every Thursday night. Love to- Lo-vdy, Lily of the Nile, Little Queen Mab, Jenny Wren, Lady Lillian, and Diana, not forgetting Star of Erin and yourself.— Yours truly, A BASKET OF ROSES. Dear Dot, —AA'e have had our term examination, and .also the inspector on his surprise visit. Our winter chrysanthemums are coming out now, and s-ome of them are very nice. AA'e have been having some hard fro-sts lately, but the days being very sunny, we do not mind so much. W© had two euchre parties and dances, but I did not go to either of them. AA’e are having our winter holidays now, but we go back to -school on the 7th, and I will be glad, as I am very fond of school, and I hope to he a school teacher when 1 grow up. Love to all the Little Folk, and heaps to yourself.— . Yc-urs truly, BLUE EYES (Tuapeka AA'est). Dear Dot, —AA'e are having glorious weather up here for the first month of winter. There 13 a football match to-day between Balfour ■and Ardlussia Schoolboys. We are milking three cows and separate the milk. My sister and I went to the young ladies’ dance last .Friday, and there- was a tremendous crowd there. Some people up here still have the thrashing mill. I haven’t many relations in Now Zealand. The Prince's Birthday is on the sam-e day -a-s mine, 23rd of June. Love to Campfire Girl, Heather, and Motor Girl, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours trulv, BLIND JOSEPH (Balfour). | Dear Dot-, —-AA'e- have just finished our quarterly exam, at school, and we have also 10-st our rector, who has resigned on account of his health. AA'e have “Cairo Bradley” ieci turing in our town just now, and I was | at hi-3 first lantern lecture last night. AA'e ' liav-e not had bad weather here lately, but it started to rain this afternoon. Sunburst : and Red Lancer have been for a holiday to i Dunedin, and came home to-night. I am -secretarv of the Busy Bees here, and I like the job very much. There are over 30!) children going to the school. AA'e have pictures oil in the afternoon oil Saturday, and I go. marly every time, as there is a serial on just now called “The Great Gamble,” and I like it very much. AA’e are playing ; hockey at school just new, and I think it a very nice game. AA'e have two black cats. AA'e always look under their chins to see 1 who they are, for the kitten lias u few while hairs and the mother lias none. Love to Freckles, Sunburst, and Little Baggy Breeches, not forgetting your own clear self, i —Y'ours truly, LOVE IN A MIST. | Dear Dot, —It has been bad weather lately. I It snowed last night with very big flakes. The ground was slightly covered, and we got. a big surprise. My two si.-tors are away I down to the M’Neil’s for Sunday. AA’e ! have shifted into our new house, and it is a very big lK>ue-e. AAV each have a room toc urse 1 ve3. —Yours t rulv, MAY. i - [Please write on only one side of the I paper, clear.—DOT.] D-.ar Dot. —AY.- are having on* second term exal .-a i i .n to-day, and I ha . - been looking no my geography beaks. AY© have been making jerseys lor the two hoys, olso mother mi cl my sister Gweip. e. Mother bought Ivy, i mv sister, and myself a jersey, and Ivy's was a pearock bine, ai-.-i mine a heliotio-pe. ; She got them to match. I made a can for myself, but it is too loose, eo I think I j will have to undo it. I was away for the : cows one rainy day, and I had the cap on, 1 and the rain must have spoilt it. Ivy and j I went up for an examination in music last ! December, and we got the results of it the ! other week. Ivy passed with 9G points cut ' of 100, and I got 91 points. Father cannot ] work his claim at present, as it is too hard 1 and . co-id for him in the waters. Our jam is going fast now, an-.l very soon we will be j short! The cows are hardly giving any milk ! now, -and wo have hardly got enough to keep j ourselves going. AA’e have nearly lost the sun here. The house is on a long slope, ’ and the sun only reaches the very to-p of the hou ■?-, nml in the paddock a little way in i front. AA'e have a fine orchard here. There j is nearly all we want all the year round, i AA’e went away leaving a good orchard be--1 hind u = . all fenced in and everything. !•'/-!, -! > going to bring a few apple and peach trees clown, and plant them : here. AA'e often have laughs at mother ; going down to the crock. It Brewed and then it froze, and poo- mother would go shipping every few minutes. She had to get : father to take her hand at last. Love to - all L.F.—Y'ours truly, lIAXGHILDA. I Dew Dot. —Oiit- laburnum is out in flower ju=t now, though just a few blooms. The Latent trees arc funny, as the leaves ail drop off one by one, leaving the ono at tlir. end hid. If you touch any that are !•; ~lv they fall, but the end one never falls untii tin oihers are all gone from the 1 branch. If one elands for a few minutes wuU-himr. two oi three will suddenly fall, I when there is not a breath of wind to ! shako the tree. All the young in-en round ; here play football, and a rough game it scorns to bo too, as they often come back with black eyes and bruises. Still, Urey will jjla/ it, bo it is tlteii own fault, though,

would you bed lev it, they will not hear a word .-aid about it. If we wore making -hem do it there would be more rows about it, oul when they do it oi their own accord they bear all their bruises in silence. Best love to yourself and all the L.F.—Y’ours truly, TAYO LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE. [ j Itnt is just what you require, dear, and what I suggested.—DOT.] , D-c-ur Dot, —I live on a bush farm. AA'e have three cows, and we are milking them. \A © have one pig, which is nearly ready to kill for bacon. 1 am eight years old, and ui Standard I. There are only sevon chiloicji going* to our sc hoc!. AA’i h love to all tne Little Folic.—Yours truly, NIBS. [Y ou are verv welcome to join us Nibs DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am working at Kelso with the railway ballast train just now. It is fairiy heavy work on the railway sliovollinggravel, and one has not much time to write, when one is batching. I have been reading a good many books lately, as I have nothing much eke" to do at night.— Y'ours truly, AUSTRALIAN BOY'. Dean- Dot, —I was out at the aerodrome, and the Avro was making passenger flights. Ten people went up for a trip. Once when it came down one cylinder broke, and it came down with eight left and dropped 1000!-. AA'e have a holiday to-day because it is the King’s Birthday, and all the flags are flying*. Love to a.ll the L.F., and not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, GINGER MICK. Dear Dot, —May I join your liappv band of L.F.—I know quite a number of 'L.F. We had a holiday on Friday, the Kind's Birthda}:. With love te Milkmaid, Carolina, Arizona, English Chimes, and Leo, not forgetGng your own dear self.— lours truly LEO 11. CTou are very welcome to join us. Leo DOT.] Dear Dot, —Wo are having a spell of dry weather just now. 1 was learning music for about two years, but my teacher went away nearly tnre© weeks ago. There is to be a big concert here in about two weeks. There are five L.F. going to* our school. Y\ e had a holiday yesterday for the King’s birthday. Wo hare a black cat, and a wee grey kitten named Peter. I have <a doll named Edith; my sister lias two. their names are Douglas and Heather. With best wishes ior ail the L.F., especially Dairymaid, Sun Princess, and Welsh Maid, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SEA QUEEN. AUTOS. Brownie I (Margaret AY. M. Torrev, Carclrona) wishes to correspond with Srunv South lander. P* l oy Brown, care of Maori ixill l ost Office) wishes to* notify correspondents change of address, also wishes to correspond with any D.L.F. 16 io 18 y~3rs Terra Nova. H -(Miss G. M. Fiveosh, care of Methodist Parsonage, Bnlclntha) wishes to correspond with any L.F. between 18 and 20 willing. Maid of the A alley (Doris Kempthorne, -E 15 ’ v * a Heriot) wishes to- correspond with liie Sport and Nancy Lee. Madge Evans (Jean MTntosh, Bed Lion Hotel, Hokitika) wishes to correspond with A Scotch Dancer, Wattle Blossom. Queen Esther, Crimson Rata, and any L.F. 13 or over. Bonny Boon (Flora M'Kenzie, care cf Mr J. Kempthorne, Park Hill, via. Heriot) wishes to correspond with Stella Maris Stretcher Bill, The Bombardier, Mustard Pot, and any L.F. willing. Helga the Fair (Tresba Turnbull, Clyde) wishes to correspond with any L.F. between It and 16 years. Milkmaid (Isabel Sharp, Tuapeka Month, via Lawrence) wishes to correspond with anv D.L.F. willing, 13 or 14 years of a <te and also wishes Tarati, AVarrigal, Somebody’s Boot. A Dancing Fool, and Lass o’ Gcwrie to write to her. Silver Shoe (M. Gardyne, Glenledi, via Mi lion) wishes to correspond with anv D.L.F. 14 or 13 years willing. Fclicitat'-ons (Irene White," Derten street. Gore) wishes to correspond with Pink Clever! Darkey. 5.0.5.. Un Chevalier I’Amour, and A Highland Laddie. Primula (Kathleen Renanf. Marine parade, AA’aJroa) wishes to corresprnd with any L.I-b 1G or 17 3’ears of age. Bim iff. Johnston. Box 375, Dunedin' wishes to correspond with any L.F. 17 to. 19 rears. Postman’s Niece (Catherine Brighton) avt-Ik-s to exchange auto-s wiih any L.F. willing. Kid M’Coy (Miss A Black Victoria street, Bargavillo) wishes correspond with Te Puke- Lad, Ma Kotiro. and Minerva. A RuMie B candy (Yalmni Do La Mare, care ot P.O. Box 78, Hokitika) wishes to correspond with Apple Blossom’s Mate. Miss Muriel, and .any L.F. between ID and 12 years willing. Mot?key Musk (Lydia Do La Mare, care of P.O. Box 78, Hokitika'' wishes to correspond with Little Miss Mischief, Queensland Darky, and any L.F. between seven and eight years. Milkmaid II (Nellie Rov, Box 17, Balfour) wishes to correspond with Red Cheeks and Rose-pink. Mother’s Sweetheart (Francis Cupstick, I‘2 Nelson street, Ashburton) wishes to correspond with any L.F. from 11 to 14 yeans. Mustard Pot (John T-ait, B *al Bush) wishes to correspond with any L.F. about I*2 years. Father’s Lassie (Margaret Allan, Police Residence. Charleston) wishes to* exchange autos and correspond with any L.F. about 18 years. Hazel Dell (Cissy Wilson. Fruit lands) wishes to correspond with. Red Lancer, Avice’s Niece, Cowboy Jim’s Sister. Princess Mariorie. and The Bov that Love 3 the Girls. Vanilla (Rachel Sinnnmon, Mo a Creek. Central Otago) wishes to correspond with Goldie Locks, A June Rose. A Heart of Gold, and any other L.F. willing. Lazy Bones (Annie Farrington, Waikaia) wishes to correspond with Campfire Girl. Heather (Annie Pump a, Ardlu-s-sa. Balfour) wishes to correspond with "White Lilac, A Girl from the. West, and Golden Locks.