DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 56

DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Dot Invites short letters from her young friend, throughout th. ol interest to themselves, the result o>. rhe animal world, descriptions ol anythin* they are interested la, ol the dla ( riot In whioh they live, a< their school and home lile, holiday trips, Ac. The letters are to he written by the httis {oik themselves, aod adJrrssed “Dot, cars ol Editor W linos*.’’

Dot’s Tattle Folk's Badge with pin, lor use a? brooch, obtainable on application to Dot. Price Ss fid, in stamps or postal notes. Auto. Cards ure obtainable from Dot, Witness Office, Dunedin. Price, 9d for 25.

IMPORTANT NOT'"E TO D.L.F

BADGES. PRICE 2a 6d Wo are reluctantly compelled to raise the price of the badges as, owing to the increased cost of labour and material, the manufacturer is unable to supply them at the old rale. The badges will now be supplied post free at 2s 6d.

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Uotlo:—W. write for the benefit of others, uoi tor cur salve*. Ko letter to contain more tnan 1160 words Dear Dot—May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am eight years of age, and in Standard 111. There arc six in my class. 1 was learning music for about a year, and I was sorry when my teaciicT left. We have two cats and a dog. I have a doll, and so has my sister. Best wishes to all the Little Folk, not forgetting your cam dear self.-Yours [You aro very welcome to join us, Sunshine.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—The S coltish carnival is in full swing, and judging by the huge crowds that attend it is a huge success. I went tire first night, but 1 came away before it was half over, a 3 the crowd was something terrible. Royal Star and I went to the pic lures last night, and I was introouced to a D.L.F. I think she said her N.-o.P. was Miss Mischief. We our examination at night tech, a short time ago, and I managed to come out somewhere near first. It was very easy, and I would have been ashamed of mysel'f if I had not done •well. The aeroplane to.-k up a large number of passengers on the King's Birthday, hut i am sorry to say I was not among them. People arc- getting quite used to the sound of it now, and do not stare so much. White Violet, who is, one of my correspondents, pad a visit to town about a lortnight ago, and she came to see me. I had never seen her before, so I think I was at a less to know what to say. She stayed to dinner, ar.d we finished off the afternoon by going to the pictures to see "Bilks and Saddles.” I have had a very bad cold for some time past, and it toon me all my time to sqt.ee-ze out a word; but it is almost belter now, and I can’t say I am sorry. The nights are very frosty just now, and a cosy tire indoors is far more comfortable than poking around the streets. It was mv birthday on tile 25th of May, and I got' quite a 'large number of pretty and useful presents. With best love to "White Violet, Caroline Bay, and all the rest of my iriends, not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, SILVER LINING. Dear Dot, —May I join you? happy band? There are a lot bf U.L.F. at our school. There are 42 scholars and one teaelier, but an assistant is coming soon. We milk for the factory, but it will soon be closing down for the season. Love to Hairy -mm and Smiling Jack, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, ' BUCKEYE. [We are very pleased to have you join us, Buckeye.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having very frosty mornings just now. and I am not very keen about getting up in the mornings. I went to a Bible rally the other night, and bad a lovely time. We left the Post Office at half-past six in Frew's motor van, and arrived at Winton about eight. Ail lire girls are very busy making things for the Busy Bees, and. I have been helping them to make a doll’s bed. Dots of love to all the D.L.F. and" your own dear self. —Yours truly, A TRUE CAMERON. Dear Dot,—l see by Meg’s Friends’ letter that she did no*, like up Springston way. It is now some time since I was up there, but I must nay that I liked it, and had a really good time. The hockey season has commenced, and I Mice playing, especially when it is cold, for ii, makes one warm. There was a social here on Friday night for the purpose of bidding farewell to our etationmaster, who left for Hampden yesterday morn in". 1 have done a lot of fancy work lately, and also read a few books. My brother is in D lined in now; lie went to the Winter Show. Our school is closed at present for the winter holidays, which are for a day, but it will reopen cn Tuesday next. Our cows are going dry fast. We are only milking two now. Our pallets have started 10 lay, and it is all right to for it’s no fun without eggs. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truiy, JOEY'S AND NELLIE’S MATE. [There is little chance to get cold when a fast gam*? is in progress. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Foik? I am eight years old, and in Standard I. We have a little kitten and a Persian cat. Our pullets are laying eggs now. My sister and 1 have got a little yellow dog called Flossie. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.— Yours truly, A YOUNG TAFFY. [You are verv welcome to join us, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather here lias been very windy lately, and it rains nearly every evening, and it makes it quite unpleasant to go out. Ail tbo men left the Magic except one who was left to give the reports whether she had moved out any, but I don’t think there is much hope. I am home from school for a fortnight's holiday, and wo go back again on the .‘»lst of this month. I have just finished reading a book called •‘ln the Days ot the Pioneers," and it was ▼ery interesting. We have two cows milkfeg. their names are ilinemoa ami Daphne,

but we get very little milk, for there is hardly any feet] for them. About a mouth ago 1 went to see the -Atsrtomine, “Sinbacl the Sailor,” and I thought it was very good, Last week I went to see “Snow-white,” ar.d really. Dot, it was lovely. I would like to go and sec it again. With love to all tho D.L.F., especially Mon Mon, Auntie’s Companion, Glad-tola, and your own dear seif. —Y'curs truly, , PANDORA. [You evidently get more pleasure than in your previous place-, Pandora.—Dear Dot, —Me y I j-cte. ymr happy band of D.L.F.? I am in T7k> Fifth Standard at school, and am 12 years of age. The farmers are putting in their oats now. I have a young goldfinch and a canary, and they whistle beautifully. I have also, two, ringdoves. Love to all tho L.F., not foietting your-self.— lours truly, SLEEPING BEAUTY. [Yeti are very welcome to join us, Sleeping- Beauty.—DOT.] Dear Vot, —The lake is very clean to-day. Mother and father are away setting traps to-day. We- had a hoi id ay cn Friday. Mother taught ms- to knit, and I knitted my youngest sister a singlet. I can help mother with her wotk. lam still top of my class, and 1 hope to ey.nlinn© so. There is a lot ol snow on the irigh mountain. We have nol had cur winter holidays yet. Neither my brother nor I have scon cur letter in print yet. News is scarce now, so I will conclude now with love to all D.L.F., especially h arm Lassie, not forgetting yourself. Yours truly, ROBIN REDBREAST. Dio.r Dot, —Since i last wrote I have wandered round some more, so I am now beginning to think I am a polling stone, and somo peope say that a rolling stone gathers no moss, a saying in which I am beginning t 1 b’l ove in. iSince I was here last the weather has changed for the better, for winca we are all very thankful. Sliding on the ice has been very poor this year on account of the country being so dry.' Great was the interest shown in 1 connection with the aeroplane up here for these that were seouicr it for the first time, .and soe of the remarks were very amusing. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, GIPSY KING. Dear Dot, —My father has been very ill •and is no better. There are a let of D.L.F. around about Waianakarua, Hampden, Kakanui, and Herbert There was a great big whale washed ashore near Patchei’s place, but luckily it was dead. It had been dead some time, and the smell was awful: Tho length of it was about 40ft to- 50ft long, and tbs tail 6ft. Love to all the D.L.F,, including voarse-lf.—Yours truly, GOLDEN EAGLE (Waianakaruc.). Dear Dot,—May I write to the page? T am seven years old, and have one brother •and three sisters. I. drive six miles to school. We are going to have our winter holidays soon. We have three ponies. I can ride one, and her name is Mabel.— Yours truly, A FARMER’S SON. [You are very welcome to johi its, A Farmer's Son.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Wo started school to-day, after a week's holiday. On Friday, th© King’s a party of us went up the mountain. We all went up the face, and I can tell you it was hot. When we got to the top we boiled the billy, and had some refreshments. Then « began to descend down the gully. Th e very top-most fall in that gully is wcttli going a long way to see. We went down past ‘ the second fall, and then we seemed to get off the track, but two of the girls said they had it. The rest of us did not feel like going, as it was a very steep precipice they had to go down, so we made our way up on to the dear ground, and to our dismay found ourselves back at the place where we had boiled the billy. Wv had to climb right down the face again. When we reached the bottom we found the other two girls had not arrived, so all the men, of the party had to take lanterns and go and look for them. You can imagine how we felt waiting at the bottom. The men found them at last, about three miles up the gullv. I had a friend staying with me these holidays, and we had a fine time. Love to all the Little Folk .and your own. d:ar self. —Yours truly BLUE MOUNTAIN LILY. [You must have felt anxious waiting the return of the wanderers. —DOT.] Bear Dot —We went back to school to-dav, and it was very cold. I ride a pony, which is better than a bicycle, as you have not to get off and push it up the hills. I have about four ami fi-lialf miles io go to school. Wo •are digging the garden, and we are going to plant some seeds scon. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, a girl of the limberlost. Dear Do?*— My mother is away to Oamaru for a. holiday just now. I was in at the Winter Show last week, and I thought it was very good. While standing at the Dunedin wharf I save the aeroplane come to grief at Anderson's Bay. In a little while the passengers were rescued by a motor launch, which landed them safe on shore. Wo have had a- week’s holiday, but schooi opens again to-morrow. I have seven miles to go, so no sleeping in. Love to Silver Shoe, Grace Fisher, Heatheote, and Glen Foot. —Yours truly, JACK SYMONS. [I am very pleased to number you among our correspondents, Jack.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather here is vary dry, and many people have been carting water for a considerable length of time now, but a very welcome shower came yesterday, though it was not nearly enough. At present my people are in Dunedin at the Show, and I suppose it is very nice, I was there once, and enjoyed it immensely. They motored down, and are motoring back, so it will be a nice ride if the weather is good. We have a wee collie pup, and lie leads the cats a very cruel life, as lie can't leave them alone five minuses; but one, a Persian, docs not ijt.and much of his nonsense, and he frequently gets a thrashing from her. Love to Copped op. Lochella and oil my correspondents and comrades. —Yours truly AWAWEICA. Dear Dot,- I got 79 marks in the examination, and my mate, Maid of the Valley, got 78 Our winter holidays will soon be over, and I will bo glad to get back to school again. lam now 14 years old, and I shall scon be going to the High School. We are interested in the comet, and hope to get u good view of it. My brothers and myself got up one morning about five o’clock, as we thought, to seo the comet, but wo were told afterwards that it was tho beautiful star Venus. It is a beautiful star., and so large. We will be looking for the comet about tho 23rd of this month. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, flora McDonald. Dear Dot, -We have had a Busy Boa bazaar at Balfour. It was a great success, and we made over £UK) in one day. At tho bazaar I won four skipping prize» t „

trays, one table centre, and a vase. We are milking eight cows now, and I help to- milk them. My elder sister is very ill, find my mother is not very well either. At Christmas time I did not go away anywhere lor a holiday. T w?nt to the Balfour School excursion to Queenstown, and I enjoyed myself very much. The ride over on the beat was most enjoyable. The football sea-son as on again, and it is a. pretty rough game, I think. Tho Balfour boys played Riversrfale boys, and Balfour got beaten. On the King’s Birthday he Balfour boys played Ardlussa, and beat them by 3 to nil. My eldest sister is home with us for a holiday just now. We had our examination a few weeks ago, and 1 came eighth in my .class. Best wishes to all the D.L.F., including yourself.—Yours truly, MRS JIM (Lintley). Dear Rot, —I have been 1o Dun-eel in for a long holiday. I had a good time, but at the first I had the toothache. They started aching so badly, and I got the whole lot out. I was in at the Winter Show last .week with mv father. We went down to the wharf, and when we got down there they were watching an aeroplane that lia-d landed in the shallow water of the harbour. A motor launch from the wharf went over to the aeroplane and re relied the passengers, who had climbed out on one of the planes. One man get his feet wet. My mother is away just no.v for >a holiday, so- I am supposed to bo cook. Cole-ena has had holidays from rcho-01, and my father saye we do nothing but knit and laugh all day. But men think there is not much work to do in file house. Co lee n a is going to school to-morrow, so the only mate I will have- is my brother’s little pup. Love to all the rest of the D.L.F'., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, CARMYLLIE. Dear Dot,-—J must have made a mistake in my last- letter when I said I lived in Balfour, as I do i ot. I live a few miles •out. I am. often in Balfour, as we drive in. I was at a Busy Bee bazaar a few weeks ag-o. I believe- they did very well out of it. .as they cleared £IOO. There are quite a lot of L.F. about Balfour now. I do not know very many of them. The only ones I know very well are Dauntless Patty, Camp Fire Girl and her Mate, and Motor Girl. I am going into Balfour next Saturday to a foot bull match. I was in yesterday •at a football match between Riversdale school boys and Balfour boys. I was disappointed when I could not stay to watch the finish. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting; your own dear self, —Yours truly, MOTOR GIRL’S SWEETHEART (Balfour). Dear Dot, —I had my n*ate up staying with me for the King's Birthday, and we had grand fun. I am very fond of reading, and I like Ballant-yne and Edward S. Ellis’s books best. I have a bicycle, and it is very strong. Its make is a Swiftfield, and I go through water up to- the axles with it. We only got one gray duck in the season. The pigeons do not come about now—someone must have frightened them. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—'Ycurs truly, DELCO. Dear Dot, —We are only milking our cows once a day, and it is lovely. Lovers Dream is staying .with us. I am in Standard V, We are having a card party and dance at Knap dale on Tuesday night. On the 22nd June there is a Sunday School social. My brother’s birthday is on the 18th June, and he i 3 giving a party. I came cut from Gore in the train yesterday, and had to walk from Otamita as no one was there- to- meet me. We are going to kill two pigs on Tuesday. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yo u r sclf. —You v s t r u ly, WYOMING. Dear Dot, —I met British Boy at the Busy Dee bazaar; ho is working in Balfour now. Campfire Girl was homo for a week. She •came homo to got some of her teeth out, so she -and I went to Gore- on the Monday, and there we met Bill’s Sweetheart, Lo-ver’s Dream, and another L.F., but I have- forgotten her N.D.P. The aeroplane was in Balfour a fortnight ago, but I did not get m to see it much as I would have liked to. Mother does not like them; she says one is safer on the ground. I am keeping house just now. as mother is away keeping house for one -of her sisters, who is not well. The Ardlussa. School boys played the Balfour boys last Friday, but Ardlussa got beaten. They are to play at Ardlussa on of these days, so it is to be hoped they do better. We had such a lovely lot of chrysanthemums, but now there is not one left, as they are all frosted. Heather and Music Girl are going in for a Sunday School examination next Saturday, so I wish them, tho best of luck. Love to oil the L.F not forgetting* your own -dear self.—Yours truly, MOTOR GIRL (Be If our). Dear Dot, —One of the school children’s fox terrier wa-s here, and I caught two rabbits with it. When I was sitting on the verandah reading I heard a- rabbit squeal, and I went to see vvliat was hurting it. I saw a stoat running away from the rabbit. I was at a dance a few weeks ago, and there they had a children’s dance. I was up and had a good time. They had singing and playing’ in between the dances. I heard a i aeroplane flying around Balfour when I was picking up potatoes. At first I thought it was a tractor. It was to- come to Riversdale, but it lias not arrived yc-t. I have seen aeroplanes before; I was watching them putting a new engine in the aeroplane. Love to May Blossom, Montrose Lassie, Joker. Ave Maria. iSil ver Moon’s Pal, and Hawaiian Maid, r.ot forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, AVICE’S NIECE Dear Dot, —Some of the- flowers are dying now, and there are not many out. Our cow is going dry. Our holly hedge in front of jibe house has a good many red berries on it. We sometimes play -shops-, and have the berries for marbles. I have a doll, and I like making clothes for it and dressing it. Love to all the oilier D.L.F. and yourself.— Yours truly, LIME WATER. Dear Dot, —We have been having very fine weather here for this time of the year. There was a football match played on Saturday between Waim.aha.ka and Tokonui footballers, and Waimaliaka was beaten by two goals. I have a camera, and I have taken a few photos with it. I intended to take some snaps to-day, but it was too dull. There was a social and dan -e held at Fortrose- last Wednesday night for the debating society, but 1 did not go to it. Best love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, 8 () M E B O D Y ’ S C () B B 1 •: R . Dear Dot, —May I join your happy baud? I .am eight years old, and i am in Standard 11. It is cold up hero just now. There is frost on the ground in the morn inga. "Wo have two pigs. There is ice on I ho water. I like sliding on the ice, and it makes us warm. We have 20 lions. We have one pony, and wo ride it. I like riding.—Yours truly, BIG X. [You are very welcome to join us, Big X. -DOT.] Dear Dot,—t am eight years old, and in Standard. I at school. I go to school with

toy neighbours. I have three dolls and a toddy bear. We have had a week’s holiday- Vie will be going away from hero shortly, as wo have sold the farm, and all of us are busy packing now. I liave two broth-era, and they like playing football on a cold ciay. I piay sometimes to keep mysell warm.—Yours truly, WILD FLOWER. [You will all be busy preparing to remove, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot,-I have been ill, and am just uetier. We are still making nearly 60 Cu " s » '■ or -* ur laflory i s riot stopping till next moutu. 1 am 11 years out ana i iiu.c two oroihers ana live sisters. \\ e iiuve not many flowers out. My brother nas two biaoic and white cats, ana they are 'cry pretty. My sister and I were- away V r, * lust rveelt, and had a good tan . One day 14 ol us went for a picnic , ,1 w " ’ Jjiuua > tolur ot Lrm, oti-.ru Jockey, t.iiu tar Hot were there, also Fanny s iiiuie. \ve took a basket vatu us, ana nad ; lU , --JW-foie days otumg. W d.d not llullil " tIU nearly dark. "We have just min cur examination, ana i got (id marks out V ; , Vve S° ro actio ol on Monday, dale to Lny Ol .sue, A Basket o. F.owera lours uuiy, SCOTTY'S MATE. V.. 1 JJoi, -I went to my grandmother’s „ ? l - irm holidays, and mta « good time A- oN-N r d 1 tu Bailout “ 01, many or me D.L.F. who (111,110111 mere. \*e nave a school übrurv, “ Ja '"toy iond OI reading, xne uusv U-Co iiau a bazaar cn tile 14.11 ci -uay. was u great success, and all tlie Busy Decs .oie images. We made over £iU). nove'.o Aiikuiuiu, Mrs Jim, ana Dovay, not torsei.uig youiscii.— .Lours tnuy, J-LsbiUA’S NIECE. [I am hoping you will piove ua interesting a correspondent as Jecsiou, dear, ieu flam st line -xainp.e n> loilow. —Dor.] Dear Dot, Have you noticed ill© largo star m trie mornings, doi? i saw it yestercay morning, ana it. i-.jpked beaumui. "due otuer stars were quite eclipsed by ns brilliancy. beveiai antes lately v.-e have semi the- Aurora, Australia, and it was numudicieut, a ii.ena and i went for a, ride ias„ tiunuay, and liuu an exciting adventure, us we got lino quick-sand. Our horses v.incu were rattier iligiuy, were muon aira.J oi any sure sancl aaerwards. bine© I last wrote we have formed a tennis ciub m uiis district, but uitnougli the weather has been splendid we have not had a gam© la.ew vie have some very good players, and next ytar we hope, to challenge some of uio neighbouring teams. Dove to ail the Li. no; iorgetung yourself.— yours truiy, DXAiXS AaD -biiUPES. [I should not have cared for your experience, stars and Stripes.—DUX.] Dear Dot,—Yve had our winter holidays last week, and now we are back at achoof aga.n. r\exi week we nave our second term examination. j. am in Standard VI, and I turned 13 years last month. The Great M E wen is lie re. He is showing lor two nights., Tho dog trial was held to-day at Dusiiey. Dad was there, and he enjoyed it \tuy mucxi. There is a school concert to be held here cn the 22nd of this mornh. W’o have been having very severe frosts here lateiy, with lovely days to follow. My baby sister lias not been well lately, but ;iic is better now. We were supposed to play hockey to-day, but as tiie recreation ground was too wet wo did not play. A lunatic escaped from Seacliff Asylum la-st week, and lie was caught just a little way .trom Faimerston.—Yours truly rm , ’cyclist. U lease remember to write cn only one side of the paper.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —\Ve have an examination at school next week. On Saturday my mats aim I went for a. scooter ride on our scooters I was down in Dunedin for a week at Show time, and enjoyed myself very much. I have a camera. We took up school yesterday, after a week’s holiday. Love to Sunshine Girl and all tlie Little Folk, not forgetting your oven dear self.—Yours truly, FAIRY QUEEN. Dear Dot, —I have a little kitten and a pup. The pup is a great rabbiter. Totnra Schoo-l played Weston School one Saturday and bent them 61 to 3. I played in the team. I play half-back. My brother goes to the Waitaki High School, and he is in the fifth form. He plays football at school, too. We go back to school on Wednesday! Our hens are not laying very well, and we only get one from them. We have one pig. My father is working at a lime kiln; he is burner. I have often been ever to flit? kiln. - —'fours trulj’, Tiieo. Dear Dot, -Father has started ploughing bis ground. The farmers round here have nearly all started ploughing. Wo are milking six cows. The Birchwcod Hunt is to come here on the 22nd -of June, so I hope it is a. fine day. I like watching the hounds, especially if there are about 20 of them; they are « very pretty sight. The Hunt Club aro holding a dance here -on the night o-f the 22nd, but I will not bo going. The doctor will not let me go out at night, so I have to be content with staying at home with my sisters. I have been "doing a good hit of crochet and fancy work lately, and I like it very much. Bust lov© to Woodbine, Nancy Stain, Erin's Girl, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, CRIMSON TA NIGER. YYou have plenty of time yet for going out io dances, etc., at night, so it is no use protesting against doctor’s orders.—DOT.] Dear Dot.—Pussycat is away up at Millers Flat for the winter, and my second youngest brother is at Milton, so we are having a very quiet life, as w& miss tliemi both. We are expecting a housekeeper down on Saturday. and I won’t be sorry, as I have been housekeeper for quite a long time. At first 1 didn’t like it at all, but once I became used to it 1 didn’t mind it nearly so much. It is about six months since I have been to a dance, but I intend going to one on Friday if it is a fine night. Daddy lias been away up Can'K-rburv three times just lately looking at farms, .as lie Is wanting to get out of Molioreta. We will be shifting at the end of this month, and I won't b- sorry, as I don't care much for Mokoreta eh her, though it is rather a pretty place. I haven’t been dong much reading lately, as I haven't had a nice bock. I ivm reada good book just now called “From Log Cabin to White House. A few mornings ago when I was out milking the cows my eldest brother was in the bam culling c-haff with the water-wheel. While I was watching, part of the water fluming seemed io fly into the air, and water was eyerywhere. Tlie fluming wasn't quite fixed down a.t one end, and tlie weight of water had broken it off where it v.a.j joined. Best lovo to ail the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours trulv, ROSY CHEEKS'. Dear Dot. —The weather has been fine so far, and 1 hope it will slay fine, because when it rains it never stops .again. My brother and liis friend were out pig hunting. and they got two pigs; one was about nina months old, and the other was only

three weeks There are three new children going to school. We have another cow in, f , think it will be a good milker. Our fowls are not laying now. My fatiier was at Dunedin last week, and saw some of the teiiow. lie went on hoard Hie Chatham, and saw all through it. We have 13 pigs, and are going to kill three of them. We stiil ride to school, but do not come off our floisss now as we are so used to it. We hu\e four dogs and a pup. The pup is a mischevtous one, and runs away with everything. sometimes it comes inside, and if we try ta make it go out it will only put its bead on one side and look at us. There are a good number of possums up here., oie to all the D.L.F., not forgetting vourseli. — Yours truly * HORSEMAN. Dear Dot, My auntie and "uncle are up at our p.ace just now. Mv auntie has a very sore finger. My li+tle brother had his photo aken the oilier day. and it turned cut very good. Love to Elcus, and aii the other L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, JUNE. Dear Dot, Our school is getting enlarged, and we are at present having school in tho school resident*.. We are gohig to lose our assistant teacher, and we are all verv sorry to part with her. We had a picnic on I rid ay in the echool "round, and presented icr with a nice travelling rug. We are having .ovely weather here just now- -clear frosty nights and beautiful sunny davs. the lake looking like a sheet of glass. * Since my last letter we have had a visit from mi aeroplane. My sister went for a fly in it, ana enjoyed herself immensely. There are two fish hatcheries here this vear. and will commence soon. It is verv 'interesting to witch the progress of tlie fish eggs gradually emerging into little fish, when they are ready to bo distributed into the rivers. :.Ly brother has just returned from a “liar© drive, and thought it very exciting. Love to all my correspondents, not forgetting yourself.—Yours 1 ruly, MAID OF THE LAKES (Pembroke). Deer Dot, —It is very dry up here now, and there is no water in the rain tanks. We have been having holidays, but we go back to school to-morrow. There was frost on the ground this morning, and it was not easy to get out of bed. I am looking forward ho seeing tho comet this month. Oil \A ednesday Foxglove came up to our place-, and it started raining* before she got heme, but I hope she did not get wet. My father does not come home for dinner, as he works on a paddock far from the house. Love to Foxglove, Pixie Girl,, and Purple Rocket, -also yourself.—Yours truly, BELLBIRD (Xgapara). Dear Dot, —We have three miles to drive to school, and it is not vpry enjoyable, as the ground is white with frost. We play skipping at school to warm our feet. We went for a motor ride to Duntroon last Sunday, and we were very near the foot of tho hills. My sister docs not go to cooking classes, and 1 am gla-cl. as I do not have to walk home from school. Love to ycu and your band.—Yours truly, PRIDE (5s ga paru). [Please enclose your own name- as well as your N.D.P. in your next letter, Pride. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —It lias been a dull anil cold day to-day, and I have been visiting a girl friend. As it is Saturday night my mother and father are in town, so I am home by myself. Yesterday it was my thirteenth birthday, but I had to spend it inside, for tlie <iav was similar to to-day. Just now I am reading a book called “Tlie Girl Crusoes,” which is very interesting. I like reading very much, and I think it i 3 my favourite pastime. Love to all tlie other* D.L.F.—Yours truly, A CANTERBURY LASS. Dear Dot, —It is perfect to day, there is not a breath of wind, not a ckud in tlie sky, and the lake is like a sheet of glass. My sister and I have been over the hills with my father, w bo has been shooting. He managed t-o shoot two rabbits. One of the teachers at our school is leaving soon. The parents of the children had a mcnic at the school on Friday afternoon, and presented her with a handsome travelling rug. Tho children had a great time; they played all sorts of games, and afterwards had afternoon tea, and lo’lies and fruit, which had been provided by the parents. Love to the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, MARECHEAL NEIL (Pembroke). Dear Dot, —Wo went for a drive to a farm last Sunday, and enjoyed it very much. I went to Sunday School and church this m- rning. It froze very hard last flight, ancl one of our taps was frozen this morning. My mother lias seme beautiful chrysanthemums out at present. Love to all D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Y'ours truly, CLOTH OF GOLD. Dear Dot,—The place doss not look nice just now, as all the leaves are off the trees, and they look very bare, and there are hardly any flowers cut at all now. I do not like the winter time. We have three cats, and it is very funny watching them playing. One little black one is tlie funniest and most playful of the lot. Our liens aro just beginning to lay now, and wo get about four eggs a day. Golden Hair, Biilv Unlimited, and I are all in Ihe same class at school. I like going to school very much. I have been reading some good books la to lv—namely, “The Old Curiosity Shop.” “Little Women,” “Camp at Wandinong,” Anderson’s Fairy Tales,” and “Laddie.’ Kindest regards to Golden Hair. Billy Unlimited, The Prairie Rose, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, A STAR OF PROMISE. Dear Dot, There have taren very heavy frosts these mornings. We have been having holidays, but we go back on Tuesday. I am knitting a scarf for mv doll new. It is a brick-coloured one. It lias three jumpers. One is grey with brick and tho other is grey with red in it, and it has a plain red one. I came fourth in my class. I was second girl. Football is in full swing.—Yours truly, KE.STER’S 1) A UGIIT E R. [Please write cn only one side of the paper, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—There is going to bo a football match here next Saturday. Wo have ;!0 hens laving. We have had throe hard frosts. There arc 12 cats around our place —eight kittens and four cats. Colds and sore throats are prevalent ju : now. Love to Queen Esther, A Fisherman’ I .* Daughter, Black Pearl, Nancy Stair, Woodbine.—Yours trul v. QUEEN ALEX >XDRA. Dear Dot. —1 have three sisters' and ono brother. My brother has a wee pup, and he calls hiiii Nobbie. We are dry ing our cows off now, and only keeping two. milking.—Y’ours truly, ALTON LAUREL (Tuatapere). Dear Dot, —There have been two fells of snow this season, hut they only lay for a day or two at the most, C’ardrona is a very nu-'ict place at present, especially now the Mount Cook mail car has ceased to run on account of the roads being too rough and muddy for them to travel along. There have been no dances or amusement* here

Jot a long time. I was over at Queenstown about two months ago for the first time, but it was not a pleasure trip, as I had a poisoned finger, and had to have some decayed bone taken out of it. I had an enjoyable time, nevertheless, as it is the first time I had been so far from here. I have been at Luggate for the past three y ?^ r - 13 a ii* ll ® livelier than here, although it is a email township, but being about half-way between Cromwell and Pembroke, the two largest towns, it is a fairly busy place, especially during the tourist season. Cardrona used to be a very thrivtlm S Tn Ct ’ ** was ' on £ before my ijme. lne only occupations about here now kA *• ? ?° al mmin - a little gold raining, mixed farming on a small scale. We a a ,nL ° n y j t'hrse animals ourselves—a area ° B6 of my schoolmates, Josephine, is m Gore at present. Lots of tur and all tLe Littie poikrurw.lT , BROWNIE I. _ 7z ea f b>°t., I would very much like t.o join jour happy band of L.F Thev are so m- « 1 Sp ™ t an hour to-night reading the letters. The ones that interested me most were The Bombadicr, Coppertop, au<i I T * la ie “- ar| d attend lie Technical T it° ' i 1 liave bwn Somg tliero two years. Ihke it very much, although at times it ponies This is only a short nAoV b t to WT;te a longer one ext time. Kindest regards.—Yours truly BOOR PIDGE. ' VCl “ me to Jom p o° r Dear Dot-I am i n .Standard 111 at school, ?”V m a r"" ° f agc - 1 have W “™ the . r3 and two sisters. I have a doll, fineerf my eister brokc til© finger of it. On Monday and Tuesday I was in bed sick, and I made a whits dress I°*-”’ , and T l am g<> m ? to make a white petticoat. Love to all the D.L.F., not for-g-tting your own dear self.—Yours truly THE TANIWHA. [I hope you are now better, dear. DOT.] Dear Dot,—We have li-.id our first term examination, and I came third. Last year I did not go below second. England’s Red Rose was first, and Bell Bird was second I was up at Bell Bird’s place yesterday, and I enjoyed myself very- much. We are having our term holidays, but I am not going anywhere lam in Standard Vat school and I sit beside Bell Bird, and we have some g 5 J ta S es togethe [- B.v had a Sunday School bazaar, and we made a-bout bom? of the big girls made lollies. We have finished going to tech. now. My little sis.er lias started going to school, and she thinks she is someone. One day she said sue was going west to the mountain to see the snowmen. Love to all the L.F., especially England s Red Rose, Bell Bird not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, FOXGLOVE (Ngapara). Dear Dot,—Since writing last I hare been up in the aeroplane for a jov ride, and I liked it very much. I felt nervous at first ?!'t A 80011 ff ot over that, 1 was at the D. J .e races last. Saturday, but I did not enjoy them much, as it was too cold. Imvc to all the D.L.F., especially my correspondents.—Yours truly, AVIATOR’S PAL. Dear Dot, We have had quite a merry time lately, and such a lot of visitors. ]\jy auntie, uncle and cousins stopped some nodes witli us, and now it seems quiet sincethey have all gone. When my little cousin was here she let my pet bnnnio out of the cage, and we did not get it till next, day; it did not go away, but crawled under the wood; it had a swollen leg. I think the dog must hare bitten it. We have another new school teacher here; she will only be here a month. I have not seen her yet. Love to you and all the Little Eolks, especially Pandora.—Yours trulv, MAU "MATT (Nuggets). Dear Dot, —I have been sitting here, thinking that in a month's time I will have to write my retiring letter So I though I would like to get another letter in before mv last letter as a Liit'e Folk. Yon will notice that lam now a Balcluthaite. It have been here nearly five weeks now. and 1 like it very much. Balclutha is not such a bad place after all. Of course, it is very quiet sometimes. Skating is in full swing, at present, and fair crowds attend it. The English Perriois were here for two nights. I intended going to them last night, but I heard that they were nothing great, eo I did not go. I went to the pictures instead. It was a very good picture, one called ".Silks and Saddles,” and I thorouglilly enjoyed it. Last Sunday my mate and i” went for a cycle ride. We did not arrive at candestination till late in the afternoon, and by the lime we had tea it was beginning to get dark. We were a bit afiai.l cycling home in the dark without any lights, but, we arrived home safe and sound after a good day’s outing. 1 am going out Item.? to Tahakopa for a week-end soon. Love to all my correspondents, not forgetting youreelf, Dot. —Yours truly, TERRA NOVA II (Balclutha). Dear Dot, —Yeeterday morning when I went outside the ground was white with frost. There are some men coming to dip to-morrow. They were going to come today, but it was raining. The hens are moulting, and we do not get many eggs now. The cows and sheep are on the turnips. They make such a nieeS ou wet clays, and when the frost begins to thaw. I have not had a Tide for a long time. I do not like to have to catch the horse, Iteeatise he runs away. He lets dad catch him, but if anyone els? goes near him he tosses hie head and gallops away. Do you like listening to the gramophone? 1 heard a lovely march played one night when 1 went down to ileriot with Bonny Dean. It was called "The Entry of the Marionettes.” 1 wonder if you have ever heard it. Love to yourself and all ether L.F —Ycttrs truly, MAID OF THE VALLEY. Dear Dot,—-We have had a. decent winter so far. There hasn’t been any snow, and very little rain. Colds seem to Ithe order of the day about here just now, and 1 have just got over a bad one. There is to bo a concert in He rot next week. I rode down to Ileriot on Saturday afternoon. It was lovely when I left here, but by the time I got down it was quite chilly. We are going to start clipping to-morrow if it is fine Heriot. is quite a busy place now with pictures and skating every week. I like reading very much; in fact, once T get started on a book it is a bard jo’- to leave it, even to go to bed. Love ‘o all my correspondents and LF„ no! forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, BONNY DOON. Bear Dot , L My mother was away for a two months’ 1. iiday, and enjoyed it. She was at Gabriel’s Gully Jubilee, and enjoyed it very much. Mv mother’s uncle v.-as there, Mr W. If slop is his name. There are a tot of football matches about here. The Southland Electrical Board have the pegs in along by o-ur place, and they say we will have the electric light in about two years' time. My mother has had rheumatism very buclly in lier hands for years. When she was away for her holiday the great M’Ewen rubbed tliem. and they are all right now, and she Is so pleased. Love to Whirlwind and your •avn dear self.—Yours truly, CIUMBO iWendonefde).

Dear Dot, —I have been on holiday for eeven weeks, but am back at the hotel now. I had a lovely time on the farm among the cows and horses, and I learnt to rise to the trot on the pony. We have a lovely little pony called Digger, and he is very quiet. Footba-ll seems to hold a good place in winter sports this year. Just about everyone in Hokitika is talking football, as there are five different teams in the district.—Yours truly, MADGE EVANS. Dear Dot, —I am in Standard 111, and am II years of age. I like school very much. I have bean in bed three weeks with inflammation of the brain. I have three sisters. We have one dog and one cow. My father is a contractor out at Glenledi. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, WAIHOLA LASS. [You are very welcome to join us dear. x nopo you are now quite better.—DOT.] Dear Dot, They have a euchre party and dance here every Friday night. There is nothing on at Greenfield or Clydevale There oa d here to-morrow night. Next Friday night the Foresters’ Ball is being held at Greenfield. The Clutha Valley football team and the Balclutha football team are going to play at Clydevale on Saturday, and J'T J he C ,l' Hh rn Val W -v Will- The Show uas hold in the Tuapoka Mouth Coronation veri Wednesday, 18th of May, and it was ...There . were over 1300 entries. d ~t hlrd P riz © f °r my eyelet work, and one ot my married sisters got second prize tor ginger bread. My other married sister got a first prize and a third prize ioi fancy work. My younger sister. Tea Cosy got second prize for oatcakes. ' Love eelf -Yonrs te’ulyf f ° rgettin = y ° ur d *« MILKMAID. *1 1 a xr-jf lad -? cu were EO successful at the show, Milkmaid.—DOT.] • nlTh^ o*’ 0 *’- 1 Tf- a socia -l last week, “?V I,ad a time. We had a number o interesting games. One was making a caroiH 0,13 ~t o‘ f°r am °n f ' of the word Inverwith a ? f th * telegram started a , ter chosen word. On Wednesday afternoon two of my mates end my-s-lf went for a walk round the point The scenery round there is beautiful,*Tf one goes tmuSTun r n °T d V dk u ! 110t > however but timurt up a track into the bush, where we BeforrteNo?, 1 / tre ° ferll3 to take ZZ. „ i U ] U ] d ? ur wa y hack I suggested fronds ®hduld dress ourselves up in the idea and My mat€S inßlant] y fell in with the j e ®» , an d very soon we were Dicturpe-niroi-w. decked out m fern fronds." I!^^ lours truly, COrrespondenl3 a *id yourself.WEEPING WILLOW. cards.—Dot!] nVaTd€d badg ° and a °to nrm C h 1 ' enj ° yed m - v holidays very .1, vr r y collßln and auntie came out on and —* home < tlien<nct ,] i. - n£ w gnl came to our school the first day after our holidays. Tile old moJier hen lias left the old nest, and is lav£fd Tdo l u’d Ur ty ' Tho Pallet in i L , ouole yolk ® d effg, and her nest is n a hole in a bank beside the creek When my mother was feeding the calves one of W™ I ,™ awa >: with the bucket on its head Me ptey rounders at school, and have great inn. Do you ever remember playing rounders at your school? The wind 'was biowin" eiy hard to-day, and the- dust was cveryand'has n ° th £ f , w « ,lad went homo, tberJ (wV* back >. so we just left it e - C)ne of our cows is going dry Slio just gets milked in the morning. Love io I airy Nut, Moonflower, not forgetting your own dear self.-Yonrs truly ° etnnk rT , GOLDIE LOCKS. U have given it up lls hopeless, dear M hen they don’t turn up it is useless to 1 *» «« «* Dear Dot,—lt is .ages since I have tried IX ajl ' att ®mpt in writing to the page, r \ ery htl!e “™ s in tfxis place i,.c,.use it has been raining for nearly uve months, with about three hours’ spoil every week or .so right up until last week, ntehK 1 waa , beiwtlfl ' l ; The moonlight nights- have been simply glorious, and vou c.m imagine the advantage we took of’ it Plus evening it has been pouring, and lias S t dW 1 enthusiasm to the ground. . c rt an-moon we played tennis and enjoyed ihe exercise after having to keep in wo° J r-«i r r l0 "f During the wet months wo used to get properly fed up of each others company, so after five o’clock in theafternoon about six of us used to get into old toga and would go out in the punt. Ue had the time of our lives in the rain, and got as wet as possible. Last Sunday we all went for a picnic about five miles from home. The out board engine pJajc:. iip a little, but we managed to reach our destination innately. After our arrival all the- men folk went out fishino- eo we all went m for a swim. if’ was lovely, and we had great fun. After lunch some ot us went for a long walk, while the others rested, and in talking and lauHin-s we forgot the time. It became dark" so quickly that we could hardly see where the rocks and streams wore. However, when we ai ii\ ed back mother was stondin o " over a huge fire, putting fish into a frving-pan It was funny trying to eat by lantern belli the old moon wasn’t fair at, all. The engine would break down every few minutes wlien we thought everything was serene, but it, v.-as heavc-uly in the moonlight. This is a very uninteresting attempt, but it is the best I can do this mail Best regards to all.—Yours truly, COCO-NUT PALM. [lt is interesting enough to make one long for some cf your jaunts and happy times, Coco-nut Palm.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—We have a club here now, and we go on Friday. We have a good ’ time while we are there. When we go in we have fiist-aid, and then we have games songs. We are learning “The Bells of St. Mary,” ‘‘The Silver in My Mother’s Hair,” their club, but as their club had only been promised a lot more. A few weeks ovo ye ail went to Tekopuru, and competed against I heir cub, but as their club had only been opened twice we easily beat. them. Since I last wrote to you my sister had her dog shot, because it would not star- at home, and always came home with something the matter with it, so she asked a friend to shoot it. —Yours truly, CAMPANIA. [Please remember to v.iiie on only one side of the paper, Campania.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Our teacher is away from the Glenledi School again, so Coleena, her brother and 1 are back at Aka tore School. I do not. think I can call it a school, as there is no school to go to, because it was burnt down. The teacher is teaching us in on of the rooms in *he schoolhouse. We have not any desks yet, so it is very awkward for us with out books. When we were in school to-day we heard an aeroplane, so the teacher let us out to see it, and when we went out, wc looked everywhere, but we could not. see it for a few seconds. The Flower of The Family’s Brother wae the first to «eo it. There were

two of them. Trefoil was not at school today, because she was ill. Little Tickle was over at the school to-day, and while she was tliero lier little pup came into the schoolroom. Glen Foot and Bramble are not going to any school yet, so their mother is going to teach them a few lessons at home. Love to Coleena, The Flower of the Family, Little Tickle, Erotaka, Glen Foot, Bramble, Mud Lark’s Mate, Mud Lark, and Trefoil, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, SILVER SHOE. [You are being educated under difficulties it seems, Silver Shoe.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Wc have a fortnight's holiday from school. It is lovely weather here just now, but a bit frosty in the mornings. Our oow is milking just now, and we are glad of th© milk. We also have a goat and pig. My brothers have been putting up a new fence, and it is about finished. We have three back pups, and tlieir names are Nigger, Pincher, and Dick. Love to all tho_ L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, GRANNY (Lindis Crossing). Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band? I have a white rabbit, and my brother has a kitten. I am 10 years old. I live in Blenheim, and go to the Borough School. I am in the Second Standard, and I have a nice teacher. He has no strap. I also go i.o Sunday School, but my teacher died lately, after a short illness. Wc were all very sorry to lose him, as he was very nice. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours trulv, SUNNY MARLBOROUGH. [You arc very welcome to join ue.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F. ? I am 14 years old, and am in the Sixth Standard at school. I have three sisters, who are all younger than I am. Vvo have been having cold weather lately, and I hate getting cut of bed these cold mornings. We don't have frost as often as we had last year. There is going to be a fancy dres-s ball to-morrow night, but I am not going. My mate is going, and she is going to b© dressed as a witch. There was a hockey match between the- young ladies and the school girls. 1 was playing* in the school team. Each side scored on© goal. Th© Saturday before we also had a hockey match, and ills school team won by two goals to one. White Irish is working at our place, and we have lovely fun together. My sister and I walk a mile to school every mornihg. We are quite accustomed to long walks. My lather is a doctor, and lie often has to go- for long rides in his car. We sometimes go with him, and whenever we go we enjoy ourselves very much. Love to White Iris and all the other L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly HELGA THE FAIR. 11 am very pleased to have you ioin us. Helga.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —For the last week or so the weather here lias been very miserable. It happened to keep fine enough for the King’s Birthday, on which clay a hockey tournament was held. borne of the games caused great excitement. A few days ago the boats came in after being bar-bound for about a. month. But we kept smiling, though we were on the verge of being starved out. I am preparing for my typewriting and bookkeeping* examinations, and I hope I pass. Of course, if 1 do not succeed, it will be a matter of having better luck next time. With best love to A School Girl, Burma, and Steamboat, .and not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, - PRIMULA. Dear Dot, —Dancing wiltesoon start again. I went to Dunedin for my winter holidays, and enjoyed myself very much. I had to get my glasses changed, so 1 went in while the Show was on. I went to- the vaudeville, pictures, and a Scottish concert. I am making a juniper for myself. There is another D.L.F. out here,and she is a nice girl. A D.L.F. out here and she is a nice girl. I am just getting better from the whooping cough, and am very glad to get rid of it. Red Cross Nurse and I always go to SundaySchool. To-night I am going- to the train, which comes in at twenty minutes i>a-st ten. We have the Alia light in now, and it gives a lovely light compared with a lamp. I am learning music now, and like it very much. Tiie weather has been very miserable here lately. Tire school started on Monday. I used to go to- school with Cockatoo and his sister when J was at Pallia. Love to all the L.L.F., not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, FLAG LILY (Tahakopa). Dear Dot, —My father and I went for a ride la-st Sunday down to the beach. X was io go for a ride yesterday, but it rained. Last year 1 reared six pigs on a bottle, as their mother died. They v;-p - very funny pets, and nice and clean. Th were sold when they grew up. I ah reared two lambs, so I think I am quite a nurse. In th? trim little cloak and her bonnet of blue, With the Idle bow under her chin;. As she trips down the street she’3 as fresh as the clew And she’s as bright as a newly-made pin. - Yours trulv. NUItSIE. [You are very welcome to jo-in us, Nursie. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am a newcomer in New Zealand, and I thought I would like to make some friends. I have been here justtwo months, and. find it very lonesome and quiet after having been on the go for more than two years. 1 wa.b born in Edinburgh, and in the past year or two I moved from Liverpool to London, and then to- Sydney. As I have relations in Dunedin I thought I would like to see them, so here I am and here I shall probably stay till December. I had a very jolly time on the way out, what with cards, dancing, and deck billiards. Yve also had a picture show on board, and it was very nice to sit on the after-dec’ -m a warm evening in the open air and look at the films. I have a brother a wireless operator at sea, who has been almost from one end of the globe to the other, and he has fired me witli the wanderlust. 1 am hoping' that some kind person will take pity on a lonely soul and write to me.—Yours truly, JBIM. Jf am sure some of the Dunedin L.F. will endeavour to relieve the loneliness.—DOT.] Dear Dot, — T am in Standard VI at school. Y/e rare milking four cows, and we feed them on turnips every night and morning. Wo have no housekeeper, but are expecting one soon. I have a pony, and it is very hard to catch, and th-? way we catch it is with some chaff. Wc have had another young pony here lately, but it rs away now. W? have three dogs, and one is only a young one. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting y on r s e 1 f. —Y o u r s truly, BUFFALO BILL. Dear Dot,— 1 am out working again. I was home for u fortnight, and then started working again. 1 like working here, a 3 we have some good times, with plenty of music. My mates get me to do step dancing every night, and we have singing. Love to all the L.F. —Yours trulv, MUSTARD KEEN. Dear Dot,—Our evhool had a week and a day for our winter holidays, and 1 enjoyed

f them very much. I went to a party, and I enjoyed it also. We are having ehnrp frosts in the mornings now. I am eight . old, and in the Second Standard. We play skipping at school now the cold weather lias come. I have been reading a nice book called “Ail That Happened in a Week.” There was an aeroplane here about a month figo. It made four flights, and I loved watching it. Love to all the D.L.lf.. not forgetting your own dear seif. —Yours trulv, A WATTLE FLOWER/ | Dear Dot., —The English Pierrots were I here Last night, but 1 did not go. 1 think that the nights one is just as well inside, as the electric light ie cut off. It is very funny coining back to keroecne lamps and i caudles. I here was a fire here on Friday , morning, and it was caused by a cat climbing up on the table and upsetting the i which exploded. An aeroplane passed j over here yesterday morning, but it did not ‘ land. I think that there is one coming and going to- stop for a few days and make ! passenger flights. Love to Agnes’s Mate, | Black Eyed Susan, and Royal’Victor, not i forgetting your own dear sell*.—Years tru’v, FELICITATIONS. ! Dear Dot, —The dairy factory is running i every second day now, as there is very little milk coming to it. Tli« farmers are very busy ploughing, and sowing wheat. The I * u,n which is falling is very welcome to ths ! farmers, as the land is very dry and hard. i Ihe Winter Show and races attracted large | crowns from the country during last week. Ihe factory manager from here exhibited I cheese at the show. There is a dance to be , held here on Friday night, and 1 am going : to it. Love to Brave Allies, Lover’s Dream, j Patriotic Paul, Mysterious Girl, and all my I correspondents, not forgetting yourself.j Yours truly, j ” GLOAMING. Dear Dot, —We are having cold weather ; now - We are milking four cows just | we a good drop of milk from I them. A few weeks ago my father bought rne a dear little pony to ride tv school ou, | and we call her Sally. 1 had to walk to j • school before, and I did not like it very ! i much. We have 29 hens, and sometimes we i | grt. one dozen eggs. Love to all the L.F., j not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours * truly, PATCHES’ LITTLE MATE. Dear Dot, —I am 10 years of nge and I am m the Fourth Standard at school’. There are about 16 children going to our school, .and we have a lovely teacher. I liave six sisters and three brothers. Yesterday I was going to go to the beach, but as it was v.-jt I stayed at home and played with my little | sister. Love to all the D.L.F.. not forgetting your own clear self.—Yours truly. NIGGER’S SISTER. n cu are very welcome to join us, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather has been a bit cold. Some mornings we had frost, which mad? the ponds lull of ice. It was very nice fun to have slides, I have been in town for a few days Our teacher took us down, and I saw many things. AVe went to the pictures, gardens, through the maze, and i got lost. AYe also went to see the deer, and ; to Thomson s works. Mr Thomson gave us ; .a bottle of lemonade each.— lour tvu!y BUNXY BOY. j [Aon made good ttse of your time while in |s[owii, Bunny Boy.—DOT.] | Dear Dot, —(Since last writing I have been ; j to Stewart Island for a- holiday. I e ujoyed | myself immensely, and was sorry when I had | to c-ome back. A young man who lives just j next to where I was staying took me out in | his launch one Sunday to an island o iled ; Ulva.. There is only one man living on i this island. He - p-s a post office there, j -and in the summer t.-m© there are dozens of j letters posted there by tourists. It. is the j most southerly poet office in the world. The i island is a scenic reserve, and the bush is i most beautiful, with pines growing every j her© and there. The Pipe Baud up her© j have their kilts from Scotland, and they arc I lovely. They only sent for 20 sets, and will j have to send for more, as there are more member© now. I got my photo taken in kilts the otlier day, but do not know whether I it has turned cut good or not yet. IVe j never run short of fan here, and every ; AVednesday night the Pipe- Band holds | quadiiiks in the barn, I have been very j busy lately knitting a jersey for myself, j | The colour of it is maroon, with navy blue | j cuffs and collar. We had a friend staying j j here with ua, and she said I would be lucky | j if I had it done in a month. I finished it 1 in a fortnight all but a day I can tell you I I did work at it. The peopie of Tv.atapere ! and Oreyuki are having a very exciting tun© i j of 4 at present. The excitement is caused | ugh a man taking to the bash. He i - - people’s houses when they are out, I . helps himself to what he wants. There | a number of policemen and detectives i : up here trying to get him, but so far they • i have not succeeded. I noticed in the paper j that he was a resident of Tuntapere. Tua- • i taper© might be a bad enough place, but ; : 1 do not think everything should be blamed j | on Tuatapere. This man was born in -- ■ - ci puki. and has been a resident there almost ! all Ilia life. Football is on the go here j | again, but so far I do not think this team j ] has done- ma y great strokes. Love to I ! Sweet Marie, Beret on, Jolly Jack Tar. Lady \ I of the Dell, and all my other c- rrespon- | | dents, not. forgetting your own den: 6©lf.— [ ; Yours truly, SALVADOR (Tuatapere). Dear Dot, —I am nine years of age, and in. | Standard xl at school. There are only j seven pupils going to our school, but 1 like it, as wc have a very nice teacher. My i brother and I went ferreting together, but i as the rabbits are very scarce wc only got j 12 AYo live 10 miles from Xaseby. On the ! 17th a doctor is coming- to visit our school, | and I will be glad vvix'n it is all over. : j Mother is away to-night, so we are iceling' . | lonely. She has gone through the Danseya j | Pass to Livingstone to uncle’s wedding. | | My uncle Arthur is driving her. AVe have j l two cows milking, and they give hair a | j bucket of milk each. — i'c-"- s truly, SABLE-DYED FUR COATS, j [Wthowe to the page, dear.- -DOT.] i Dear Dot, —AVe have a fair amount ->[ | i bu.-h on cur farm, and there arc some pretty J ! piece.-; in it. It is very pleas?*', listening j i to the heU-birds on a hot sunny day. Some- i : times I go into the bush and start calling j ■ them. 1’ s very e-r.-tv to call bell-birds, j j tom-tits, and iantails. The bell-birds do j not coin - so close us the fani ils and tom- I i tits. They keep a little further away, ,-.nd I : make n m i-;- >s if they were not pleased. I j Sometimes they start singing, and it is i comical to hear three or four singing at j i once. People always like to hear the hell- , : bird. A few years ago w. had a robin in j ! our bush. AVo always l’kecl to near it | singing when oil our way, as it always reI mained near the same place. Cm© of my 1 brothers caught it, as it was fairU quiet. ] It was put in a cage, so that we could leave it, singing at home instead' of going- f- *he bush, hue we let it go after a while. When it was in the cag; it did mu sing -o mm h as it did when free. After we let it g< it j went back to its homo in the bush. Jt ( was eo quiet that it would hop around j picking up grubs or insects when we would | bo foiling- the bush. Not so very long after i j wards it disappeared. 1 think it must have

died, as we have never heard it since T think we all missed it. when it went, as it used to b; such a pleasant bird to listen to. I < nnk every bird likes to be free; not like some which are kept in a cage all their iive-s (or a prison as I coil it).—Yours trulv the marked outlaw. Dear Dot,—There is a picture to b? shown on Inesaay night, and if everything goes well mv sister and brother and 1 are going v.A, ~i ere arc <0 b<; three piclur.s shownUncle Tom’s Cabin, “Earn Lvnne,” and no S: nice of Dean Maitland." AVe have a good few lessons to do just now, as we are to sit for our proficiency examination in August. AVe hove just had our winter holidays, but I did not go away for them. I was spending one day with one of my schoolmates when I fell over and hurt my right hand. 1 was not able to use it for a week, but it is getting: better now. Two aeroplanes crossed over here the other day but as we were in school we did not s<xi tiiem. Me are milking only four cows one morning and six the next now, so it dees not take long. Love to Poppy pink, Freckles’ Mute, Saddler Tommy. Irish Imp, Glev. ora, Cor-.ntliic, and A Maiden of Dreams, not forgetting yourself .—Yours truly FRECKLES. AUTOS. Minnehaha (Miss Clarice AVeir, AVharetoe Ci\devale) wishes to correspond with Christabel, and any L.F. from 14 veare. Scotch Mac wishes A Maid of the’Valley to write again as her address has been mislaid. kick h Tickle (I. A. Brown, Raureka-u, Milton) wishes to correspond with Hera, Queen of Immortals, Madcap, Rob-n Adair. Cowboy Jim’s Sister, and A Masked Rider. Jenny AVrtn (Alice Jennings, Otara) wishes to correspond with Curley. Horsclover (Ma© M'Glaslian, Havelock street. Ashburton) wishes The Dancing Fool to write first. Peg of the Highlands [Lily Phillips, No. I Rowland Avenue, South Dunedin) wishes to correspond with any L.F. from 13 to 1G years willing. Erotaka (R. Brown, “Sunny Hill.” Rnurekau, near Miltcn) wishes to exchange au'os and correspond wi'h Curly, Madcap, Memories, Ploughman, and any L.F. 17 or over. The Flower of the Family (Marion Kennedy, Raurekau. via Milton) wishes to correspond with Hera, Queen of Immortals, Madcap, Robin Adair, Cowboy Jim, and Cowboy Jim’s Sister. Red Roses (Lizzie M'Cabr. Awamoa) wished to correspond with A Basket of Roses. Jessie the Flower of Dumblane (Jessie Robertson, "AA'aihun?, Rofomanui, Otira Line) wishes to correspond with any L.F. girl from 12 to 11 years. Marechul Neil (Florence Perrcw, Pembroke) wishes to correspond with any L.F. II years or over. Starlight (Flora Turnbull, Clyde) wishes to correspond witli A Lonely Heather Maid, and A Maiden of Dreams. ■Sweet Doreen (D. Taylor. Mabel Bush) wishes to correspond with Madcap, and any L.F. 14 or 15 years. A'elna (11. Louden, care of Air E. G. Reynolds, Dunoarn, Delivery, AVinton) wishes to correspond with any L.F. between 14 and 16 yaars. Brareton (Miss Veronica E. Kynaston, AA'illow Grove, Orawia P. 0.) wishes to correspond with any L.F. 16 to 20 years willing. Gladurse (Edna Tregilgus, Henry street, Maor' Hill, Dunedin) wishes to correspond v.-ith any Christchurch boy or girl, also wishes A Lonesome Melody to write again.