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Otago Witness, Issue 3513, 12 July 1921, Page 56

IMPORTANT NOT' "E TO D.L.F. BADGES. PRICE 2s 6d We are reluctantly compelled to raise fb ‘ prioe of the 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 supplied post free at 2s Gd. LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. -•pro* oss ustf) ojotti mwjuoo oj jatiaj e* v lesrao j;:,, jou -sjeu-ie »o sgj 10; a,,-!* **&- :<w*. Dear Dot, —The weather up this way has been very wet, but the rain was wanted very badly. There is plenty of mad about, now. The farmers can get on with their ploughing- now. My sister and I were at the pipe band concert and dance on Thursday night. The conceit was good, raid it lasted till 11 o'clock. Then supper was provided, and the dancing started. I enjoyed myself. It was half-past 3 in the morning when we got home, so I did not get much sleep that night. There is a, fancy dress ball to bo held at Ka-kanui nest week, and I am looking- forward to going to it-. I am very fond of dancing. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours D-uly, BELL. Dear Dot, —I like school very much, as we have a good teacher. We had the aeroplane flying about here. We all took great interest in it. I would have liked to go for a flight. I did not go 4 o the Winter Show this year. Love to all tile D.L.F.. not forgetting your own dear seif.—Yours truly, KODAK. Dear Dot, —We have had such a lovely rain; it started l%st Sunday, and it ra-ined all day Monday, then it cleared up till Friday, and then it rained till yesterday. I was down at a concert on tEe 16th, and it was the best concert that has been here for quite a long time. I enjoyed myself immensely. The returned soldiers are having a fancy drees ball her? on. the 29th. I might go and see the fancy dresses. It is hard to make some of them onf, they look such tricks. I like reading, but' if I read it makes my eyes tired and gives me a sore head, so I dou’t read much at a time. I have a cold at present, and it is not verynice. Love to Olga, Patches, Fairy of the Flower, Donnabrcg and Pat-chco, Little Mate, and not forgetting your own dear self. ~ Yours truly, BILL THE HARD CASE. [I hope the cold is better, Bill.—DOT.l Dear Dot, —May -I join your happy band ? I a-m 10 years old and in Standard 111. I like school very much. I have four brothers and one sister. Kind regards to all the D.L.F., not forgetting ycur own dear self.— Yours truly, SOLDIER BOY. [You are very welcome to join us, Soldier Boy.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having our school holidays just now. I will be glad when the winter is over; I don't like getting up early these frosty mornings. There 'is going to be a musical evening here next Saturday, and I hope I may be able to go. Best love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, SWEET PEA. Dear Dot, —There was a fall of snow on the hills last night. 1 am very pleased to say we haven’t had any on the fiats yet. All the schools ’nave their winter holidays just now. It makes a. great difference having all the children home during the day Time. Ellsorella is away up in Timaru just now, and. we miss her very much, as she often came to our place. Things are getting quite j lively up here, as dancing and football are - in full swing. We want something to keep up alive during the winter months. Love to Cathedral Chimes, Indiana, Erotaka. Madaline, and Billie the Flirt, and all the other L.F., not forgetting yourself. If Billie the Flirt secs this I wish ‘she would write again. —Tours ruly, MAMEENA (Otago Central). Dear Dot, —The ground is very wet and muddy just new, because we have had a good deal cf rain lat.lv. but wo have net had «nv snow yet. We are having our term holiday from school just now. We arc having a fortnight, and have had a week, so we start again next Monday. There will be a musical evening down the valley next Saturday night, so I hope I can go to it. Beet lovo to White Lilac. Red Heather, Yellow Buttercup, Beach Blossom, and Climbing Ivy. not forgetting your own clear self.— Yours truly, BUTTERFLY 11. Dear Dot, —It is a lovely day to-day; the lake is like a sheet of glass, Ihe surrounding mountains are topped with sno-w, which makes a very pretty picture. There was a football match played here yesterday between Lowburn and Pembroke, the’ result being Pembroke 20, Lowburn 4. The carpenters are still busy working at the school, but they hope to be finished in a fortnight! I w-ill be very glad when it is finished, as we have not much room in the schoo-lhouse. Now. dear Dot, I will close with love to Ihe L.F., especially Maid of the Lakes, Blue Mountain Buck, and Wonaka Less, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly MARECHAL NEIL (Pembroke) [I would prefer you did not, Mareehal Neil, as the present one is very nice.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am nine years old, and I am in Standard 11. I have a goat and some pigeons for pets, and they are very pretty. Hera is my sister. It has been raining today, and we bad a half-holiday. With best wishes to you and all L.F.—Yours truly, BILLY FROM BAKU. £You are very welcome to join us, Billy.— DOT.]

Door Dot, —Last Monday night I was at a pi-ay, “The Geisha”; it was very pretty and very good, and I enjoyed it very much. On Saturday last the race for world’s championship was rowed here, but I did not go. It- was a freezing- cold day, but, despite this, there were more people there than has been seen here before at a public function. I was r;i, her dis-app onted that Mr Hannan did not win. There wa-3 a- great deal of interest raised -over the race. It is raining- heavily to-c ay, and it looks as if it* will continue c-oing- so. Just now L am feeling very energetic, and I have start* d knitting a cream jersey for myself, but I don’t expect 10 get it finished for a good while. My brother is wriling to you to-night. He ha® been worrying me to let him write to you when I do for several weeks, and at- last I have consented. Best wishes to all my correspondents, especially Topsy Turvy ana Olga of course, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, HERA. [There really was no reason why Billy should not write, Hera.—-DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I am 12f years old, and am going* to the Alexandra High School, being “in Standard VII. Ev-cry morning I have to cycle up to too tram, which leaves at 10 minutes to 3. About a month ago I was in Dunedin, but most of my time was spent at the dentist’s, 'y } ° r staying a fortnight we came home. My old schoolmates and I are getting up a bazaar, which we hope to have in about a men to s time. Al. hough it is nearly the nr dale of win'er, we have h ad comparativcuy good weather lately, but I suppose the worst is still to come. Kind regards to all the D.L.F., also yourself.—Yours trulv, STARLIGHT IT. [You will notice you are the second claimant to the above name. If you wish you can, of course, choose another. —DOT.] Dear Dot, Since- I last wro + e I have been clown to Wa-llacetown for two months staying with my married brother, and had a really good time. I had n nice cob pony to ride, her name was Spiff. My mate and I need to go for some long jaunts on our ponies. My. sister-in-law lias such a dear woe baby girl ; her name is Sylvia Minnie. The other girl is six years old, and she just loves the baby. My second youngest sister was in a private hospital for three weeks, and went under an operation for appendicitis; she is still very weak, and has palpitation of the heart. My sister-in-law went under an operation, and my mother was very ill at the same time, so we had no end of trouble. My sister and I are going away to Dunedin soon. Love to Gloaming. Easy Monday, Salvador, Clio, Princess Maritza, and all the other Little Folk, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours trulv, B RE RET ON. Dou had a- very worrying time, Bre-reton, but I trust all the invalids are on the mend.—DOT. ] Dear Dot,—l am in tenderd : V at school now. Our pupil teacher, Mis® Hall, left about, a month ago. We gave her sendoff. and she received a dressing-case from • h? people, and ta rug from the children. We had our term examination a while ago, after which we had a, week’s holiday. We kept house while mother went to Palmerston. Mother knitted mo a jumper. It is dark grey with pink let in. We are milking six cows and feeding two calves. Our two pups’ names are Toss and Sharp. I got two prizes at day-school and one at Sunday school. The two I got at day-school were for general excellence and dux of my class. I am sewing a skirt at school. I had two pet lambs, but one died. Love to Princess Mary II and Nursing- Sister, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, HONEY COMB. » Dear Dot, —I / have just finished writing 1 to Gloaming- and also Buster. Buster is still attending the Southland Tech., and I have not seen her since the Christmas holidays. We spent them together in the country, and, believe me. Dot, we had a most enjoyable time. She is such a sport! I ■do wish she was back in town again. We have a beautiful bush of wallflowers out, and I think they look lovely. They have such a lovely scent. Trust me, Dot, to have a vase of them in my room. Best respects to all my correspondents and, most c f all, your own dear self —and, oh! I forgot Road Hog. - —Yours truly, G L AD WIS E (Dunedin). Dear Dot, —An aeroplane visited here a fortnight ago. It stayed two days, taking people up for flights. Both days were quite calm, and they were kept, busy, as quite a large number went up. I did not go up, for I think one is safer on the ground. My sisters and I are going to church to-night it it does not rain. We arc having a- church social here on Thursday night, so I am looking forward to having a good time. Fiona 11 has shifted back here again, but I have not seen her since she came back. We have a. new post-office opened up here now, and the name of it is the Oliai Post Office and it is very handy. Love to Mount Rouse’, Victoria Flov.-er, Mary Doreen, and Rose Pink, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly GOLD B RAN CHEN (Ohai). ’ Dear Dot, We are milking 12 cows, and we find it any amount these cold morning The factory is going every third day now, SiO it vvill soon bo Hi© end of another season. We like to see the cows going cut, but when we want something new, and no factory cheques to depend on, we wish the cows were milking again. Since I last wrote I have been away for a holiday, and I enjoyed myself immensely. I went to ride a one-year-old pony, and you can imagine what it would be like. I like riding horsea very much, but I have no hack now as my brother has his hack away- everv day The aeroplane was flying over Woodlands on Friday, and it was a nice day for them. We had three or four hens laying; my sister found a nest in the bush with 14 eggs in it, and dad found one with six in it. Love to Ivydale, Princess Molly, Casilda, and A Village Girl, not forgetting your own dear seif. —Yours trulv, SWEET DOREEN. Dear Dot,—l have another little sister now. I do not like going to school these frosty mornings. I had a little pup, but it died one morning. There is another new girl going to our school just now. Beat love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours trulv, NANCY. Dear Dot, —I have just been down at the shed gathering the eggs. We have not had good weather for about four days here, but we want rain to make the green feed grow for the cows. The bush is not very pretty just nowq because nearly all the trees have lost their leaves. I am reading “The Secret of the Sea,” and it is a very interesting book. I arn in Standard V, and I am 12 years old. Best love to Billy the Hardcase, Jack of All Trades, A Fairy of the Rose, Flower of the Dusk, and not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, A DANDELION FLOWER. Dear Dot, —On June 3 last all our hockey girls had made it up beforehand to go to Otanta.il and play them a friendly game on Shat day. Friday dawned clear and bright, and so wo left the post, office at 9.30 a.ns. for Otautau, which is 33 mifei* from here.

We had a nice ride out. A good part of the way wa,s very hilly, and we arrived there at half-past 11. Otaul.au is a pretty place. The Jacob's River flows, past it, and a birkwater of the river runs through the tovnslnp, along which is planted willow* and flax. We al! wont and had a look round tne town, .and one of the girls had her eamqra, so we had e, snap taken on the bridge. We then walked slowly hack, and of than it was dinner time. We enjoyed our dinner very much, and after if wo went nWel- i i and sa 'v a. football maten played. Then we hud our game, in whicn we, won by seven goals to one. We ah journeyed back io the had and had afternoon tea, and as they ware having a dance ai Ocp.ntau lint night wo decide:! to W 1 T/l' ! K '" h otf '»l3U player took 77 7 to F go-H to their homes to i C'-aroc was to start. We all arrived there eventually, and stopper! for 7)7 uuus, ana then made for home, where vv* arrived m the small hours of the m-ern-’ffb, Bm If' ci!d not mac tor, era we had all .lmroughJy enjoyed cur day’s outing, and 7", -forwara to another one soon. W-'th best rushes to all my D.L.F. comrades,-Yours PITA (Invercargill). wTup May I join your band of Li:tie Gou ■ 1 7“ n ?\. vc, y H'tiov but small 7' ' ‘ '? ! \ k.". I am out at work just n 0,., and fra I am learning dressmaking I have very httle tune io spare. Wo have been Having much ram here lately Tim garaens are beginning to lock grcan with aaffpod reaves, and the flower buds are on p - / va |" 10 - 7?i aIBO have sprin? violets and Can erbury Bells out. My cousin is siavinwith mo just now. At the place whore I woik there is a cocker spaniel; he is a dear wee cog, end can do all manner of trance. 1 have examination questions in dieosmaking to answer, and they iaV a lorm time, Fanciest regards to all the L.F. and yourself.— Yours truly, rT , VELNA. [I have put a notice in the Auto, column tor you, Veins,.—DOT.] Dear 7>-d,~pl Imve read such a lot about the Li:,!© rok that I would like to join so much I have a badge that belonged to A Boundary Rider, bir. as he is over age he gave it to me. You might think me too old because I am 16. but still it is better late t-lian never. I have been at Velna’s now tor a fortnight-, but, holidays must corn© to an end some time. I left school two years ago, but do not go io work, so you see I have an easy time. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, » ' YELMER. BIT r ' TO VCly wc^°°'m3 ' ’° ioin ns, Veimer. Dear Dot, The aei'oplace. came here, and caused much excUement. All the town was out to see it. It was due on Sunday, but ft was too misty, so it came on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning there wore flights given, and it went away at 3 o’clock in 'the afternoon. The dairy factory closed about a week ago, so we have, started to separate. We have had our term exam., and I came second m the boys. We are having fine weather, it is more like spring than ' winter, and we have not had a fall of snow yet. Love to all L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, JOTO. Dear Dot, —I am wri+ing to inquire if I may join your happy band ? I am- 13 years old. I have two and a-lialf miles to go to school, but I generally ride a bicycle!’ We play basket ball at school, and I am in the team. .- Our colours are red and blue. We are going to- play a match with .a, neighbouring school soon. We have experienced very dry weather for mouths now, and the- state of the country was becoming serious, but a welcome rain set in la-st week and lasted for three days. I have two brothers ' and two sisters. I know Alison very well, and a few more comrades. Love to yourself and Alison. —Yours truly, BLUEBELL, [You are very welcome to join us, Bluebell. -DOT.] Dear Dot, —Our playground at svlrol is going to- be altered, and they have started to do it now. We- are milking two cows. I have a pony which I call Pansy. I often see A Former’s Girl and Milkmaid II in Balfour. My cousin, who was -staying -with us, went, home a, -week age. My uncle and auntie were up staying with us for. a few days, and my sister went down with them. Hhe is go-ing to stay there for a while. Love to Milkmaid 11, , A Farmer’s Girl, L-ovdy, Mrs Jim, A Green Ixia-s, and Dauntless Patty.—Yours truly, A FARMER GIRL’S SWEETHEART. Dear Dot, —It was very wet here all last week, and I do not like going- to school these cold mornings There are not many flowers out now, the spring bulbs anil flowers aie beginning to come on now. I have a flower garden of my own, but the. ground is too wet to work in it. It was my birthday last Friday, and I was 10. My little brother can sit up by hims-elf. Yours truly, HOLLY. [The Gado'-o was posted on January 4, Holly. I will forward another.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather just now is simply awful, and the roads are very dirty. I walked to church to-day, and I was wondering whether I hadn’t better carry e, flag in case- I got bogged. Wc- have just had a bazaar to get funds to build a hall. It was a three-night affair, but I only wont one night. I was going- the third night, but it was too wet. I believe they got a goo* bit altogether. My sister is away in town just now, having a, good time, and I think town i 3 the best place in the winter. There was a wedding in this district a few weeks ago. This always causes .a little excitement. A few days before the- wedding the Bible Class members gave the young couple a kitchen party, which we**all enjoyed. Last Tuesday night was cur Bible Class, and a good many came, but as the minister didn’t turn, up we all had to go home. I read two books by Zaire Grey lately, and liked them very much —“Rainbow Trail” and “The Light of Western Stars. Love to A Lonely Heather Maid and all the L.F., yourself included. —Yours truly, ERICA. Bear Dot, —Dancing is in full swing again, so that livens the place up. I like going to dances. We are supposed to see a comet this month. I have already seen one, and 1 think it is worth seeing too. The colds that are going the rounds now are very severe, and, of course, I had to get it. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, ELSIE (Milton). Dear Dot. —Wc are having wet weather of late, so I do not have a very pleasant ride home from school in the afternoons. The teacher often keep 3 me in, and I do not reach homo until very late, I have two fat wee pups, and they are such dear wee things, just beginning to crawl around. My brother-in-law lias to stay in bed for six weeks, as he is not well. He has to lie very still on his back, but I sometimes have great fun with him. Wo hope to have some grand fun to-morrow night. A near neighbour lias been married lately, and a crowd of

friends are collecting to tin-can the happy couple. My dog goes to school with me every day, and he is great company for me. Love to yourself and all D.L.F.—Yours truly, JOCKEY BERT. Dear Dot, —I left the public school two and a-haif.years ago. Since then I went to the Technical School for a year and to a commercial college for nine months, and have working in >a temporary position for eix months. I like office work very much, and like when I have plenty of work to do. rhe winter has been very mild so fa.r, but uae worst time is to come yet. I just love when the snow starts to fall, and the hills are all whit e. T like the winter evenings too, because I get a chance to do a bit of nincy work or reading. There were great crowds down to see the 11.M.5. Cha-ham during her visit, .and my mate and myself were among the many. We were shown pH her, /mid were not sorry when we hau finisued looking round about the engines, •because it was so hot. Everything was most m Wrest mg to us when fully explained by die sailor 3. The sailors eccm to think Auckland and Dimedm the best places they have been to, with the exception of their own homes, of course- -they are not likely to run them down. Since I last wrote to the page I nave got a litTe sister, and she is 16 months old new. Oh. what a little trick she is. -She is starting to say a few words, and makes very brave attempts -at pome big words. 1 don’t know what the house would bo like without her now. I am very fond of reading, and am just reading a book called ‘Sunny Ducrcw.” It is a very comical book, and I often have a quiet smile to myself about the- things Sunny docs. Love to Meg’s Friend and The Flower of the Family, net forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, MEG. [lt is good to hear from you again, Meg, and to know that you are enjoying life.— DOT.] Dear Dot. —I cm 11 years of ago, and in Standard I V. I have three sisters and one brother. I do not like school vary much. I am very fond cf reading, and have read several nice bocks. It was my birthday on sewing, and would like to become a dressmaker. My eldest sister is also writing to your page. As this is my first letter I will close now. Love to all the D.L.F. and your dear self. —Yours truly, FAIRY RINGS. [lf von are fond of sewing you should later on follow your inclination.—DOT.], Dear Dot. —I am 10 years of age, and in. Standard IV. I have cne sister and three brothers. I have a little kitten named Smut. I know a few L.F. about here. Kind regards to A Little Curiosity, Hazel Dell, An Adventurous Girl, not forgetting your own dear self —Yours truly, PRINCESS OF THE VIOLET. [Welcome to the page, Princess. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I_ am nearly 11 years of age. I have often wished to join it. We have seven cows,— Yours truly, MICHAELMAS DAISY. • [Please enclose your name and address with your next letter, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are starting to play matches in net-ball on Friday, and I .am picked for the team. I have to play in the centre. We have had some big boats in here lately. One of the boats, named the City of Winchester, went away yesterday, while another one, named the Surrey, went away to-day. It is very frosty in the mornings. We go to cooking in Invercargill every Friday, but I never see any D.L.F. Weeping Willow, who is one of the girls who were in the netball team last year, was up at school to-day. The team girls had to play the old girls. We beat them 4 to 3. Mermaid said that their house was destroyed by fire. They mana god to save a few things. On entering- the baker’s shop the other Saturday night a lady asked me my penname. She said her little boy, who is in the hospital, is a D.L.F. member, and I think she said his pen-name is Little Gems, but I -am not pure. Love to Mermaid Cowboy Jim’s Sister, Avico’s Ni-e-c-, and mv ether correspondents, especially Ro-sepink, my best one. —Yours trulv, HAWAIIAN MAI Eh [I have the names entered under the initials cf the N.D.P., — so am unable to state what, the pen-name is, a-3 there is no means of identifying it by the address.-—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have our winter holidays. We got three weeks, but one is over now. I am knitting a doll’s jumper, and I have just finished a pair of cuffs for my wrists. During these last few weeks I have had a bad cold. Yesterday Evening Star, Ngaive the Fairy, and I dug and pulled up’ the weeds in two plots in our garden. I learn music, and like- it very much. Standard IV have had their first term- exam., in which I came fourth I was at two we-dding-s last Wednesday. Wo just ha-d time to go from one to the other. One was my cousin Moca’s, and the other was a girl friend of ours. My cousin’s was at Timaru, anil He other was at Pleasant Point. My brother was best man for the latter. We feed our cows on swedes and chaff now, as there is not much feed in the winter. My mother and father were up in Taranaki in April to see our grandfather, grandmother, uncles, aunts, and cousins. They had a most enjoyable holiday. We have two bantam chickens, and they are the biggest puzzle to us whether thev are pullets or v roosters. Love to Daffodil, A fun a A reck a, not forgetting yourself, Dot.—Yours truly, NOVA AGUILAE (Levels Valley). Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I have three sisters and one brother. My father is trapping for rabbits now. He has caught six black ones and one yellow one. I am going over to my mate’s place on Saturday. She came over here yesterday. L-ove to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, j A CREAM ROSEBUD. | [You are very welcome to join us, dear.— - )T.] Dear Dot, —We have cur winter holidays, because there were 40 children away out of nearly 200. We have had our first term examination, and I came eleventh. Nova Agu.ilae and I went to two weddings—one in the morning and one in tlie afternoon,— the first wo have ever been to. I have a bad cold. I am knitting a doll’s jumper, and Evening Star is making one for herself. My sister is reading a book called “John Halifax, Gentleman, and she likes it very much. I am going to read it after her. We ■saw the Aurora. About a week after my father told us to get up and see the moon. It had beautiful rings around it. , There was a ring of red, yellow, purple, and green, and great white bands spread ■across the sky just like the aurora the previous week, only the streaks had no colour i in them. It must have been the aurora affecting the moon. It was about a quarter to 6 in the morning when we saw this. We have a pigeon called Alice, and it is very quiet. Love to all the D.L.F., especially Afuna Areka-, and not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, NO AIRE THE FAIRY (Levels Valley). [You must have seeta * beautiful sight. Ngaire.—-DOT.J

Dear Dot —V.’, have just liad the doctors a. sohool My mother says we are lucky -in ren, for sue did not have a doctor when she .vas at school My sister, who is at present teasing- tne eat, has to get four teeth mopped, and she is going to town next week to stay at my aunt’s, who has all the modern conveniences. She says she will be sorry when she has to corns back to this place. TVe have 13 hens, bu: are only netting a few egg-3. We have a loester who c liases rue when I go near him. Mum say* tbbflTu 7 1S btcal '-ie lam so ugly. Do you kUb rt rs true JJ°t. Best love to Sonia, f’G Cowboy, Zeta, and Mother’s Only G.rl, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, rT , . . DAISY. C ‘7\ t i tf 11 * !t can bc true, Daisy. You f elNcrPl Y 7 conc ® ite ' d you get sl ' ctL IC marks made to you.—DOT.) Dear Dot,—l am 10 years old and in Standard 111. My si-ster is in Standard I. We are playing basket-ball at school. We are nn..ang four cows in the morning and two at wgat. Love to Hollyherry, Curly, and A Bu’pefc-baJer, n ot forgetting: yourself.—Yours MOUSEGRASS. T ■? ear T May I join your happy band of HU I am 10 and in Standard ill. I am getting on quite well at my surra, so the teacher ells me. The aeroplane cams here on ~ie 10. h June, end there was greet ex-'-it"’-ment to see it, for it was the first aeroplane to come here. I went to see it, and it was a- small one. The men are flunking of outting up a memorial hero. Best wishes to all L.F., not forgetting ycur own dear self.— Yours truly, DOUGHNUT 3. [You, are very welcome to join U 3, Doughnuts.—DOT.] ' ° Dear Dot, —At present our .school is being enlarged, and we are. having lessons in the residence. Our lake is very boaißKul. It has four pretty islands, Pigeon Island being the favourite The other islands are named Orescent, Ruby, and Stephenson. The lake at mis time of the year is very calm, l>->-caus-e there is no wind. To-day is the shortest day, and so far we have had very cold weather. There was a ball at Ha-w-ea r lat a lew weeks ago.—Tours truly, BRIDAL ROSE. _ Dot—lt is my brother’s birthday today and he is five. He got a a slate, a cake, and a cup. He is wanting to go to school, but mum is keeping him at homo till after the winter. 1 have seen in the paper that the comet i 3 coming on the 26th of June.— Yours truly, SUNSET IN THE WEST. [lt is rather cold for your brother to start school at present.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Last week we held a bazaar nere, and it was a great success. I entered for several competitions, but all I gained from any of them was a burnt finger, olitained in the candle lighting competition. The ladie-s are holding a ball here in the near future; it will be the first dance we have- luid this winter. Our football team is getting on fine. I was at the last match they played in Invercargill, .and they played a very good game, coming cut winners by 6 points. The score was—Ryal Bush 15, Mar Ist-A till otic 9. My brother got knocked out once, and then, when the game was nearly over, he got his knee hurt. Love to all my correspondents and all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, LONESOME (Ryal Bush). Dear Dot, —You will see* by the address that we have shifted. We have been here ■about three weeks. My sister and I are staying with our uncle at present, and it is rather quiet, because the children are quite young yet, so whatever amusement we want it is a case of making it for yourself. There are pictures here at Mrceer twice a week, and there happened to be a fa.ncy dress ball the second Friday after wo came, so we were rather in luck’s way that time. To hear the people talking anyone would have thought it was going to be some big affair, but I got a shock, for it wasn’t Vat all startling. The trip up here was not bad. We left Dunedin on Tuesday morning by the 11 o’clock express, arrived at Lyttelton wharf about 8 .o’clock, went on board the Maori, and arrived in Wellington about 8 o’clock next morning. From there we went to Thorndon station. We had a while to ourselves in Wellington, because the train didn’t leave till a-quarter to- 1, and we were in the train from that time until 8 o’clock next morning, when we arrived at our destination. It was a long journey, and we were still going in the train for a couple of days afterwards. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, NGrARETA (Pukekohe). [lt is a long, tiring journey, Ngareta, and I .am sure -you would be glad to reach ycur destination.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —My friend Peg of My Heart has gone to work in town, and I am very sorry. In the achoolhouse about the end of July there is to bo another concert and dance, and I am going. At present we are having our winter holidays, .and we go back to school on Monday. My birthday was on the 16th of June, and I got many nice presents. It was my eleventh birthday. I went to an evening the other night, and did not come home till 1 o'clock in the morning, and I was very tired. Love to Lonesome, Big Lizzie, A Highland Laddy, Peg of My Heart, and Maypole Queen, not forget ing your own dear self.—Y onus truly, [You forget lo sign your N.D.P., dear, and there is no intimation who the letter i 3 from. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am chief telephonist now, and like it very much. My sister and 1 are still learning music; it is getting more interesting as we go along. The half-holiday has been changed to Saturday in town now, so it is very dull on a Saturday afternoon when my music lesson is over. All one can do is to go to the pictures. The liens have started laying again, and it is a blessing, as it is not very nice to be without. eggs. The qua-dri iles Inve started again, but I ha r e not been to any of them yet. I ain doing a litle bit cf fancy work in my spare- time. Love to all the L.F . especially Sylvie, Carnoustie, Dreamy Daniel, and Nancy Lee, not fc rgeting your own dear self.—Yours truly, ENGLISH CHIMES (Fortification). Dear Dot, —About a fortnight ago Patriotic Paul and myself went for a ride on horseback up to Croydon. On our way up we went to the cemetery, as we wanted to deposit a, number of flowers including a wreath, on the graves of our dead relatives. Going up the horses w-ent all right, but coming back they bolted at sHh’. of some individual who was siting on tho roadside. This person was dressed in rags and tatters, so you may guess what he was—a sundowner. On Tuesday night a very special friend, Patriotic Paul, and myself went to see tha picture entitled “A Girl of the Bush,” and w-e thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Love to all the L.F., especially Patriotio Paul and her cobber and yourself.—Youra trulv, PATRIOTIO PAUL’S SWEETHEART. Dear Dot, — We had our examination about two or three weeks ago, and I think I came about twelfth. I was in bed for two days

■with, a pain in my aide, but I am all right now. We are feeding our cows now, because there is hardly any food about for them. We are only milking one in. the morning' and two at night. I am in Standard IV at sohool, and am 10 years old. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, SILVER TOP. Dear Dot, —I hope that you will visit Gisborne come day, seeing that you have not yet had the privilege. I spent, a very enjoyable day at Waeringa Hika on the King’s Birthday. I went with a friend of mine. We missed the train, and had to go out by car. Best love to all, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, GRETCHEN. Dear Dot, —I have not written for about two or three years, so I thought I would start again. Bellbird is my sister. I am the eldest girl of our family. Browny Beaver is my mate at school. I have a dog called Jack, and a little black kitten called Niggfo. I have a little sistar called Susie, and she is always teasing my little brother Frankie. My other little brother, Jack, does -not like school. Love to Bluebird, Browny Beaver, Mud Lark, and yourself.—Yours truly, BUTTERCUP. [We are very pleased to hear from you again, Buttercuo. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I* have just returned from a holiday which I spent in Dugedin. I went to the *hov and. many ; la-ces I did not know of. Although I heard that Dunedin lias a great number of D.L.F., I met only one all the while I was there. I am' just getting over a nasty cold, which I Dunedin; also a, cold in my gums after getting teeth out, which was not very pleasant. Well, Dot, this jtlace is not startling with news, as there is never anything fresh. Love to Motor Girl, A Maid of the Mountains, and A Lonesome Baby, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, QUEEN DIANA. [I am sorry you fared so badly while.-here, Queen Diana, and hope you are now quite better.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The factory has stepped now, and it is lovely not having to get up on the cold mornings. Our school teacher is going away, and I am very sorry, because she is eo nice. I have had my bicycle for acme time now. My brother is setting traps just now, ard is getting quite a number of rabbits. There was a bachelors’ hall last Friday night, and there is going to be a spinsters’ one on the 15th of next month. My father has been up to Dunedin for a week, and came heme yesterday. Pastrycook is going to the Technical School in Invercargill now, and she likes it very much.—Yours truly. LITTLE WHIMPY (Thornbury). Dear Dot, —I am kept a prisoner in the house this week. I have chilblains on both feet, one on my heel being broken. I have tried all sorts of things to cure them. Yesterday I landed on an .old book, and in it, I found that if you bathed your feet in the water you boiled the potatoes in it effected a certain cure on chilblains. Did you ever hear of that, Dot? You may be aurs I tried it, ard am finding relief already. I have just finished crocheting a hat for myself (maroon and fawn), and it looks very nice. I am going to knit a jersey the same colours. Everyone seems to be knitting We have had beautiful weather up till now—just rather dry, because we have had to carry water for a week ®Pr two, and it is no joke carrying; water for a quarter of a mile. Fancy being out of wafer in the middle of winter! I 6ee A Mountain Gowan every morning; she goes past our house to school. We have some beautiful chrysanthemums out just now. One is a- lovely heliotrope shade. It is most unusual to have so many out at this time -of the year; the frost generally spoils them long before this. I think we are going to have an early spring. All the bulbs are through the ground. I have been reading a lot lately. Some of the books were “A Divided House” by Annie Swan, “Infelice” by Angus* a Ev-ans-Wileon, and “The Lad with Wings” by Bertha Ruck. Me have a steep hill at the back of our house, and my imcle has been ploughing on the top of it. Every fine day I took him up his dinner, and I enjoyed the walk immensely. From die top one gets such a lovely view of the Taieri Plain, and at one part you can see the- sea. I see my little sister had a letter in a few weeks ago. Love to all the L.F.. including Mignonette, A Leith Valley Girl. Juanita, Read Hog, A Scotch Dancer, and yourself.— Yours truly, SILVER SHAMROCK. [I am sure many of the L.F. will bo glad to try your remedy for such a painful complaint.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —In my last letter I promised you some particulars about cur grapegathering in my native district. I pray you to excuse me, but I had no time to prepare it, and you shall have it in a fortnight. ’Io-day I speak you of our international situation. You surely have heard of the actual political situation of France and England with Germany about the Peace Treaty of Versailles, and on the Ist of May the “Huns” (as you say) must pay to France one billion in gold money, and some few hundreds more year by year. If they do net wo shall have to occupy the Ruhr in the beginning of the May month, and it is just because I am to return to the army to take my place in the expeditionary force I send you these few linc-s. As soon as I have joined my heavy artillery in Germany I shall let you know it, and send you my new address in the same letter and some novelties from Germany and Germans. I dare hope they will interest you and all boys and girls who would write to mo to- have any special details. I take the liberty to inform you that now all the letters for* foreign countries must be stamped with 5d in place of 2ld. So, my dear Dot, I hope I shall not be obliged to leave my studies, which are over in July, to go and be a “policeman” in Germany; but if I must go in, it, I sa;*, “Hurrah for France, and hurrah for ail my friends of New Zealand.”—l remain vour sincere French friend, LE MONTMARTROIS. r\Ve trust you will Ik> permitted to continue your studies, and not have the necessity of going to Germany.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We hankered for rain till we got it, and when wc did get it we had too much, so we wil! never he satisfied. Before it rained we could hardly got, the plough in the ground, but now it will go as deep os you want it to; but it is very hard to keep the plough clean, especially if the ground is dirty. The paddock I was on this morning turned up lovely, so I had nothing to growl about. Did you see the H.M.S. Chatham ? I did not have the luck to see her, but the night she left Timaru a-a sho va« passing Oran I could see the searchlight flashing all over the plains, although we are about 10 miles inland. Two or three times lately when I have been ploughing a very pretty bird has followed the plough. It is very tame, and flies quite close to my head. Sometimes it brings a mate, and sometimes there are four, but never more. It is a very pretty grey with

long -wings and a short tail, email red feet, and a black patch on top of its head, with a short yellow beak. Can yon name it, Dot ? It is a stranger to me. Best love to Kim, A Soldier’s Love, and White Iris, not forgetting your dear self.—Yours truly, THE MASKED RIDER. [I am waiting for some cards io be printed, and" will forward immediately I get them, The Masked Rider.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is cold in the mornings, early. I simply can’t compel myself to- get up, so I stay in bed until about 10 o’clock, which is tremendously lazy of me, I know. I didn’t go to the Winter Show. I don’t care for shows much—at least, not that kind. I am not interested in farming products and agricultural implements; but I must say that it is very nice to- have a farm to go to for a holiday sometimes. Love to all the L.F., not forgeting your dear self.—Yours truly, AN ANZAC’S DAUGHTER. Dear Dot, —I am 10 years of age, and in Standard 11. We are milking three cows at present and feeding two calves. We have a dear wee half-Persian kitten. We call her Fluff. It is very cold going down to school in the mornings. There are not many flowers out at present. I lave reading story books. On cold nights I sit round a warm fire and get warm, and then go to bed.—Yours truly, DOLLY DIMPLE (Ardgowan). [You, are very welcome to join us, Dolly.— DOT.] y Dear Dot, —May I join your happy Little Folk’s page? I am 13 years old, and in Standard 111. We have three teachers at our school, and one teacher is very good to the children, because she brings them lollies and fruit, etc. We still get a few eggs every day. I feed the hens night and morning, and mother says it i 3 because I feed them, so well that we get the eggs. Love to all the L.F.—Yours trulv, VIOLET THE VICTORIOUS (Ardgowan). [You labour is well repaid, Violet.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Winter lias come in earnest now, and we have- had rain—glorious rain—at last. I am exceptionally fond of reading, and have read a goo-d many books. I have read ail the Elsie books, also the Mildred books, and they are very interesting. Annie Swan is a favourite writer or mine; also-. I will be 19 on the 21st of July, so I am getting quite old. My brother was working at a neighbour’s not very far from us, but lie is leaving now, and is getting a position on a milk run in Oam am. Saturday half-hc-li day is carried here, and it seems so funny to see mother going to town early in the morning about 9 o’clock and getting home at 1 or so. Well, dear Dot, seeing that I can find nothing to write about I will draw this scribble to a close. Love to Oretchen, Miss R:ka, Mother’s Fairy, and all the other L.F.’ not forgetting ycur own dear self.—Yours truly, PRINCESS VANDA (Ardgowan). [The young people need not fear I would do such a thing, Princess Vanda. I am always keenly interested in them.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I came from Australia, and we have been here 12 months. We like hero better, because- there are no snakes* her;, and there was a big snake on our verandah last year. I have been sick and away from school nearly three months, but I am getting better again. My sister and I always read your letters in Australia, as ive had the Witness sent to us every week. This is my first letter, but I will write again.—Yours truly, WATTLE BLOSSOM. [I hope you will soon be quite strong again, dear. Wc shall be delighted to hear from you.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—We will soon bo examinee] by Ins inspector now. I am goinq- in for the Navy Leayne Essay (about. Blake) in August it I can find enough books. It was raining* very hard this morning and to-night, but the sun was shining during the day. My twin sisters were six on the 2nd of June. They had their photos taken on their birthday, and they looked very nice. It was my eldest eisler’s birthday last Monday, and it is my auntie’s next Sunday. There are about five new scholars coming to cur school now. One of the teaehc-rs is sick just no-w. \v e had an anniversary entertainment at our church last month. Oil the Sunday which was the “Children’s Lav, v.? several songs in the morning, afternoon, and night. The children and grown-ups ’ who went to the practices did all the eino*iii<n On the Thursday following at 6 o’clock a tea was supplied for the children, and t-hsn at half-past 7 there was a programme bv the children. I said the poem "Dolly’s Christening,” and was in the dialogue “Dreadful Boys.” My sister was in ' the dialogue ”M hy ? ’ and she recited “Somebody’s Mother.” My twin sisters sang the song “Happy Little People.” Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly YOUNG COW-SPANKER. ’ , Dear Dot, —There are hardly any flowers out just now, as the weather is too cold, but m the spring we shall have a nice display of daffodils. I am 12 years old, and in the Sixth Standard. W© used to go into Oamaru for cooking, but we have stopped now. I have three sisters and one brother. One 1 sister is at school in Dunedin. Our baby is six years old, and will be going to schcoin the summer. We live three miles from school; I walk, while my brother rides. Best love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, BILL. , [I think the process should be reversed. Bill, or else you should take turns at , alternately riding and walking.—DOT.] 1 Dear Dot,—There is a ball next Friday. Wo are milking four cows. I have cocoa". - at school now. Our hens arc laying very : well, and we get nine eggs every day? Love to Buttercup, Mud Lark, Brownie Beaver" ■ and yourself.—Yours truly, THE BELL BIRD. Dear Dot, —The Birch wood Hunt visited i Dipton last Wednesday afternoon, and it happened to be- a. lovely day. I went down to see it, and there was a bur crowd there I saw Willow Dene and A Yellow Sunflower there. The bachelors are giving a ball here on the Ist of July, but I will not be going. I have just, finished reading a book called * “Tlie Valley of Giants, and it is very nice > Love to Coppertop, Woodbine, and all the > other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself i Yours truly, CRIMSON TANIGER. > Dear Dot, —Our winter holidays were very , quiet. I read most of the time There are r hockey matches here every Saturday after- ’ noon. I generally go, but it is too wet this y afternoon. It was a beautiful day when , tlio aeroplane came up. After dinner my mate and I cycled out to where it landed, i We enjoyed watching it rise and land. It stayed here two days. A good number of people went up in it-. I did not have two . guineas to spare, so I stayed down. I y can hardly walk for chilblains, and they ore i, not very nice things to have. Love to your- - self and the L.F. —Yours truly, , DREAMIKING.

[You will notice another writer has found something to alleviate chilblains. Why not try her remedy?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was at the show, and, like the rest of us, caught the cold. I am fond of going to school, although I have a long way to go. I have read a few nice books lately, and am reading “Ruth Fielding in the Saddle” now. We ,are still milking a few cows, but I haven’t to milk. The boys at school are playing football My favourite game is rounders. It is very ldhely in this part of the world. Our neighbours are few, and the roads muddy. I think it will ba> snow to-morrow, as it is so very cold. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yburs truly, NUT-BROWN! MAID. Dear Dot, —This morning it began to snow, but soon stopped, and contented itself with raining and hailing instead. I was looking fixrward to some snowballing to-morrow, but will have to content myself with going out and getting wet. There- are a good many children who write to the D L F. going to our school, and now that I am writing there will ue one more. The contractors have bee", putting gravel on the road, and it is heavy work for 1-he horse which I ride to schoo-l. There are 25 children riding and driving to our school. Love to all thed Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PUKEKO. [Please remind Little Miss Muffet letters must be written in ink. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have., never before- written to you, but I wish to join your band. It is very rough weather out here, and the rivers and creeks are fairly full of water. I hope the water hole is not flooded over, or we will get our feet wet when we go to school. We will be getting our holidays scon, and I wdl be glad, as it is not nice weather for going to school on muddy reads. I go to Roma ha pa .School with my brother, and have about three miles to walk. The Sunday School here- is closed down for winter holidays. My father keeps four cows, but only one of them is milking, and she- gives a good deal for this time c>t year. We keep a good many draught horses to work on the farm. I have three brothers and two sisters. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, THE HEATHER. [Will you please enclose your own name as well as your N.D.P. in your nixt letter.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is very rough here * to-day, and I think it is going to snow. Our factory is going* every second day now. Wo arc milking six cows at night now. Me have two calves. There have been a few dancttP in the district lately. There was a bazaar in Balclutha last Friday, and the takings were- it2til). They had a- baby show, and of course it helped a good bit, a-s it realised £lO-5. L was in Dunedin at tiie M'inter Show time, and I saw the aeroplane. There is a skating rink ill Balclulha now, but I have- not been yet. I don’t like reading books, so I crochet or sev.*. Kind regards to. all the L.F., not lorgetting vourself.— Ycura truly, SILVER STAR. Dear Dot. —There a-er three boats in just now, one of which has black men on her. I have chilblains on my feet. Do you got chilblains, Dot? They aiv irritating things to get, and -are not by any means pleasant. My birthday is soon, and I will bo 13 -years. 1 have only* this year to g*c- to school, and I am glad. Wc play netball at school. A match was to be played last Friday, but, owing* to its being wet, the game was put off. Th: gau*e was to be played at Invercargill against- St. George team. Hawaiian Maid is in the team. My mother is out to-night, and my sister and I are home by ourselves. It seems very quiet, but my sister makes it pretty noisy. Best love to Jerry Joy, A Sun Princess’s Mate, Booty, and Hawaiian Maid, not. forgetting your own dear self. — Yours truly, LITTLE- FRIDAY. Dear Dot. —We are past the shortest day, and we have had no heavy falls of snow so far. On Saturday, however, thstre was an inch of snow, but it is all away now. Morning* and evening and in parts "of the day the thrush sings a-s merrily and sweetly as though it were spring. I wonder why some of us take so much notice of th© thrush? Yet would anyone say it was pretty? Possibly none, so that all we like it for is that it sings so beautifully, and also that it may eat some harmful insects, though it destroys the worms, which do so much good. So- many of our greatest poets have written odes to the thrush; and I myself have thought when I heard the bird sing in the spring and on warm days—- “ Sing on, sweet song thrush, sing on, E’er these warm days are gone.” To-night as I came in from milking, just as the light was growing dim, 1 heard the clear notes of a thrush singing from the top of a matagowri bush. In the beginning of May our plum trees were infested with dozens of th-o-sc dainty little birds the waxeyes. There were half-dried-up plums left on th© trees, and they used* to eat thorn, so that was the reason of their visits. At other times these birds would settle on our rosebushes, and peek away insects from the stems. The waxeyos come- to our plum trees every year. Almost every day I sec a starling on a high branch croaking out- a few sounds, part of which he calls his song. One day I specially noted a starling sing to- an audience of two sparrows, who looked up so expectantly .at the singer that it was really comical. ’ After a while, though, they became tired of such a song—as it seemed, —and began hopping round the bird and chirruping. Another afternoon while I was sitting out in the mill I saw another starling perched on a kafstrinpecl willow tree. He was whistling and ruffling his feathers and making a, great fuss over something—perhaps proud of the fact that he was a good singer. I watched him _ for a while, but suddenly he stopped Ringing,_ and seemed to know I was minding his business and not my own, so with a cry he flew off to a more secluded spot. I did not find another that bisect I described in my last letter, but may procure a specimen some other time. Many thanks to Ornithologist for his information about birds. 1 see a few yellow hammers sometimes, and an occasional grey warbler, also some goldfinches. Tho goldfinches do not. seem to have gone- away to a warmer climate well, not all at any rate, for a flock of two dozen passed her© a few day- ago-. Best love to all my correspond©!? ts and friends, especially Thrupp, Patches, Avice’s Niece, Woodbine, Lovely, Cromel, Mountain Maid, Princess Mary, Snowdrop Queen, Volita, Miss Mints, Pearl White, White Rabbit’s Friend, Osiria, and Maid of Senna Flow, not forgetting vourself.—Yours truly MONTROSE LASSIE (Arrowtown) Dear Dot, —-Wc have a cow calved. The calf is brown and white, and we are going to keep it It has not learnt how to drink yet, so we are teaching it. Up at the drill hall there was a. trench mortar that weighs one ton. To-morrow is school again, and I do not like it. It was snowing to-day, and I think it will be enowing to-morrow. I like snow. We had Sunday School to-day,

and there were only three in my class.— Yours truly, LA CHAN. Dear Dot, —My mate and I went to the skating last night, and we had a lovely time. There w-as a football match here- yesterday, and our boys won. The ladies have started to play hockey, and their match is to he held at Waikaia on Saturday. 1 like playing hockey. The aeroplane was here a while ago, and a lot of people went, up, but I think I would sooner stay on the ground. Dad is going up to Tc Anna Downs this week, and the roads* will be pretty bad after all this rain and snow. I went t-o Invercargill about three weeks ago, and got three of my teeth out, and I can tell you it wasn’t very nice walking round town after having teeth o-ut. Love to all my correspondents, net forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, BEAUTIFUL OHIO. Dear Dot,—l am writing to ask you if I may join your happy band of L.F. I am 10 years c-f age, and in Standard IV at school. Wc are having fine weather up here lately. We have about 18 liens, and most of them are laving. I have read ahook called “Fairy Rings,” and now I am reading a book called “Froggy’s Little Brother.” Love to all the L.F., especially Sun Princess, -Sea Queen, A M T elsh Maid, and A Mountain Rata.— Yours truly, SWEET VIOLET. [I on arc very welcome to jc-in *us, Sweet Vio-let.—-DOT.] Dear Dot, —W T e have had terrible weather hero lately; it is very nearly a floid. The rain makes everything so terribly wet and muddy. The eejmet is supposed to hit the earth to-day; it is bringing tho bad weather, I think. I am reading a good book just now; it is “Sydney: Her Summer on the St. Lawrence.” I have read many others also. Best wishes to Gwendoline, 1* laps:.iff, and all the other D.L.F., net forgetting vourself.—Yours truly, MIRIAN (Ryal Bush). Hear Dot, —We. had some snow to-day, and it was too dull this morning for us to pee the comet. Au aeroplane passed over our schc-n.l on its way from Roxburgh a fortnight ago. It was the first on: to flv over our district, and the- horses were all frightened. ’llls she-ep are all on turnips new for the winter. We have a lo' of cattle and sho p fattening for the market. It was my birthday on Friday, and J was eight years old. Love to all" the D.L.F.— Yours truly, BEN BOLT. T Dear Dot.—Mv father took me to the M inter Show in Dunedin, and 1 enjoyed myself very much. Wo had a ■ cod ] c -. k round, and .saw all the cheese, rco s, "Tain wool, and the baskets that the soldiers had nyidc. Wo also saw the fat sheep anil cattle and motor cars, and I was much surprised to s:e the long roots <:•' ut 10ft) which a plant of lucerne had. No wonder it grows well in a dry area. There are some i e-7 boys and girls coming to our school now, an:,' w-e have fine fun o.t our winter games. Some of us have quite a long way to go to school. I am learning to ride and ! drive now. Love to yourself and all the D.L.F. — Yours trulv, | " TIIQRNA. , Dear Dot,-—lt is a very cold day to day. j Billy Unlimited lias a- long way to com to i school, but she Our schoolmaster, Mr • Buck, has not given one of us the strap yet, but he- makes us write out a hundred words instead. D-o you like pen-oamlm-*, I>nt? Best _ wishes to Nora of Bilabong, Billy Unlimited, and Hawaiian Maid, not ! forgetting yourself.—Yours truly BROWNIE (Fortrose). ! Dear Dot,—l have a good few chrysanthei mums this year, but I have to cover them oil frosty nights. Yfc lulled our pig a I while ago. Mo3t of us have had colds. I Dad is trapping, but it will not be long | before he will stop.. The ica has not been hard enough to slide cn yet. Wc have | about a mile to go to school. I knew two j D.L.h. I have four sisters and one i biOther. ft is only tho bigger ones of us : who can make our pony go. 11-• will only . go to the stable or get down and roll. [ | have fallen off him three- cr .four times, but | he is so low a fall does not hurt much.— j Yours truly, FINGERPRINT. Dear Dot, —The weather we are having I proves to be just a little on the cold side? - I think we might have some snow before ! long, as the Hokonuis are covered with i snow. Since last writing to you I have had three weeks’ holiday at Wyoming’s ; place, where I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The only fault was that the time passed too quickly. While out there I was at two dances, and had a good time. * When not at dances I was playing cards, so you see i how I spent the evenings. Wyoming has ! had a bad time of it with toothache, but i she is not so had now. I am going to j the pictures to-night. I am going to a | dance on July 12, and hope to have a good time. I had my sixteenth birthday last Friday, and received some very nice prei -scuta.' Nellie’s Pet’s mother knitted me" a nice jersey, and it is very handy these c Id d.ays. Bro-oinbush is away out home, and i I guess she is having a good time. While ) out in the country I was a* a concert, and j noticed a girl with -a D.L.F. badge on", but • I could not pluck up courage to go and j speak to her. Not very long* aco I met j two D.L.F.—Campfire Girl and Motor Girl. I Two aeroplanes passed over here not so very j long ago. I would just- love to go up in - one, but it is rather expensive. Love to all I the D.L.F., especially Leo, Pollyop, Gloaming, and your own dear self.—Yours truly LOVER’S D REAM'. Dear Dot, —Our new inspector, Mr Ser- | vice, was at cur school last week. He is | coming again in August. There are nine j horses and ponies at school just now. Most | of the Balfour children write to you. | Dauntless Patty is the only girl in Standard | VI this year, but I don’t suppose she minds, I as she does not sit with the boys. On? of ; our teachers is leaving at the end cr this j month, and I am collecting money to get her a present. Wo are getting our foo'- ) ball either on Monday or Tuesday. Love to | all my correspondents and all the Little ! Folk, not forgetting your own dear self. — i Yours truly, A FARMER'S GIRL (Balfour). j Dear Dot, —There was an aeroplane here | two or three months ago. There is a boys’ j football match here on Saturday, and" I | hope our boys succeed. We are milking ! four cows, and making butter. We are ; losing one of our good teachers at school. Wo are gathering for it now, and I hope we will make a lot. There was a drilling inspector here last month. Love to all the L.F., net forgetting your dear self. -Yours truly, THE HEN WIFE (Balfour). Dear Dot.—l am 10 years old and in Standard 111. We live 14 miles from Dannevirke. We ride nearly two miles to- school. 1 have three kittens, and cheeky little pussies they are. I would like to send you a, I photo of them, but my brother said he would < not waste a- film on them. If you would

like a photo I will buy some films when we go to town, and get them taken. I have also a black eat that springs at the dogs. They are all afraid to tackle him. He is like the Irishman who was asked who did he -spring from, and he said, “Irishmen spring from no one; they spring at them.” Last holidays we had I went to Mahia Peninsula, and I saw the penguins. Would you like to hear about them?—Yours truly TROTTIE. [He would like to hear about ths- penguins, Trottie; also, if convenient, I would like a snap cf tho kit'ens. Will you endow your name and address with vour next letter, please.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am staying at home to-day, as I have not been very well. It is not very nice trying to -sit in school patiently, is it, Dot? Wo all went to the opening of the sawmill at Glencoe, and enjoyed ourselves immensely. The men 'there showed us the process right from the felling of a tree to the sawing of it into lengths of all different, shapes and sizes. We did not get a holiday from school, but we just took one. My brother and 1 were the only tv.c school childern there. We are milking* 13 cows now, so we have to get up fairly early. I am in the Fifth Standard now, and do not find it quite so hard as I used to at the beginning of the year. We started having tea at school this week. It is nice for some of those children who live from three up lo nine miles away from sell©?!. The flowers in iln garden are dying now. Later on m tho season I suppose the hardy daffodil -will lie making its appearance. Mother and I have boon making sonic artificial flowers, and I think; it is pleasant work making them. It i® nice to ’ know how to do such things, for it amuses o.ie in the lon<* win ror evenings. i can knit and crochet, and like doing both. I started to knit my brother a tie for Ins birthday, but the needles were to coarse, so when T go into Gore I will get some finer ones. 1 have an uncle over in India, end I like writing to him, but best oi all I like receiving his letters, because they are very interesting to read. I have three cousins writing to the page. Best wishes to A Bose Leaf. A Lb'.'e Bln bid J, A Lonesome Baby, Bed Che.jks, Grandma her's Girl, Brown Eyes 11, and your own dear self.—Yen: s truly PUSS IN BOOTS IT (W ai mu mu). [I hope you are better now, Puss.—-DOT.] 1 P-ar Dot, —We have had very wet weather ncr_ lately, 1-ut it is get’ing h.-tter now. The creek has been in flood. We have no pupil teacher yet, but 1 think cue will be Cuming soon A let of children had th© measles, but they are marly all better now. Our dairy factory has closed now J °r the season. I hive jus l finished reading a book called “Mates at Bilk .bong,” by Mary Giant Bruce, and T liked it very much. There is to be a Bachelors’ Ball here on Ft ; day night, and I sunposc. there will be a big ernwd there. Love to all ihe D.L.F., not forgetting Briar B-ose, Billo, Nancy Lee, Heart cf Gold, and your own dear self.—Yours trulv, SMILING JACK. Dear DM,- Since lasi -writing to the page I have been in Dun din fo’- holiday. I was down during Easter time. I enjoyed myself, and stayed for a month; bu* when I came home mum was sick, so I had to b© nurse and cook and do all the work of tho house. My mother was a wc k and a few days in h d, and then the doctor said that sho could get up. The last week or two lias been terribly cold and foggy, but ioday was beautiful. We are all stuffed up *with the cold just now, and dad thought that he could not go l io w*. rk ibis morning. All this winter we have no* had. one fall of snow. Y\ ith best wishes.—Ye urs truly NOBODY KNOWS t NOBODY CARES. [Colds seem to b? the general complaint just now, dear.—DOT.] AUTOS. Roses and Grey Mist (Mena Nicol, Taranaki street-. Pic 4 on) wishes to correspond wd.li Cowboy Jim’s Sis'er, A June Rose, Silver Moon’s Pal, Pale Ice Queen, a fid any L.F. 15 or 16 years. Irish Lassie (Miss Margaret Finch, car© of J. W. Finch, Ka-itcngata) wishes to correspond with Lo Mont mart ro is or any other French L.F. willing. Ellsorella (Mabel Town ley, Fairlie) wishes to correspond with Avo Maria, Little Whit© Lily, Wattle Blosfom, and any' L.F. willing. Frockles’s Mat© (Agnes Russell, Helensbrook, Milton) wishes to correspond with Cr-coaunt Palm, A >Simple Melody, Darkey, Madge Evans, and any L.F. willing. Freckles (Mavis Hawke, Bellevue, Milton) wishes to exchange autos with Dcwdrop, Lonesome, C coca-nut Palm, Bim, Hera, Qitf?en of Immortals, and any L. F. willing. A Maytime Princess (Alice Burrows, Box 22. Cromwell) wishes to correspond with Madcap, Flagstaff, Sirius, The Boy That Loves the- Girls; Hera, Queen of Immortals; Silver Shoe, and any other L.F. 14 to 15 years willing. Mar area (Miss A lie Roberta, care of Captain Roberts,. Lake To Anau) wishes to correspond with Joey and Nellie’s Mate and A Farmer’s Girl. New Potato (William J. Tcrrev. Cardrona) wishes to correspond with any L.F. about 16 ye; rs. The Little Cuckoo (Vic'or Roberts, car© o.f Captain Roberts, Lake Te Anau) wishes to correspond with Broadway Bill, Smiling Jack, and Jolly Jack Tar. A Girl from the Rectory (Gladys Ley, Girls’ High School, Timaru) wishes to correspond with Salvador and Bim. Treacle Trousers (George M iller, Pap-aka io) wishes to correspond with any L.F. 14 to 15 year®. Yolit-a AYinifred Wa 11 ace, F» ankten) wishes to correspond with Jessie the Flower of Dumb lane. Checkers (May Spcden, Denton street Gore) v. is lies to correspond with Tom Moore ana Tcm Moore’s Sweetheart. White Iris (Olive Attficdd, Clyde) wishes to correspond with any L.F. 16 or over. H. Johnston, 27 Burke street, Mcrnington, is the address asked for. A Simple Melody.—The addresses ar© Aviator’s Pal, W. 1 t.’wn, care of Box 124, Dunedin, and Lover’s Dream, Miss MTvinery, Uigan streoT, Gore. Patriotic Paul (Ruth Whittinghani, Main South road, Gor ) wishes to cor respond with Auntie’s Little Companion, Ncvavore, True Patriot, I’n Chevalor d’ Amour, and requests Smile®, Arline, and Koliitcre to write again. Sonia (Edna Weathcrall, Pars Hotel, Kyeburn Diggings) wishes to correspond with Lovdy, Dewdrop, Milkmaid 11, and any L.F. 10 to 16 years. MARRIAGE. I desire to extend my best wishes and th© wishes of all tho L.F. to Oh, Christina for all joy and happiness in her married life. On April 27, at St. Saviour’s Church, .Geraldine, Elizabeth Christina (Oh, Clirie-tin-a), elder daughter of David and the late Mary Walton, of Mntaara, was married, to Henry, third son of the late Mr and Mrs H. Coulter, The Pines, Rnagitata*.