DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 56

DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Dot invites short letters from her young frienrls throughout the Dominion on matters of interest to themselves, the result of their observations in the animal world, descriptions of anything they are interested in, of the district in which they live, of their school and home life, holiday trips, &c. The letters are to be written by the little folk themselves, and addressed “Dot, care of Editor Witness.’'

iVot’s T,ittle Folk’s with pin, for use as a brooch, obtainable on a {-.plication to Dot. Price, 2s 6d in stamps cr postal notes. Auto. Cards are obtainable from Dot, Witness Office, Dunedin. Price, lid for 25

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO D.L.F. BADGES. PRICE 2s 6d. We 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 rate. The badges will now be "supplied post free at 2s 6d. LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Motto.—"We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. No letter to contain more than 350 words. Dear D-ot.—At last I have managed to sit down to writ© my retiring letter. I intended to write it abcut a month ago; but better lat© than never. This is not going to be a very easy letter to write—when it is my last as an L.F., and one always likes it to be a litfle interesting. Although I was never a very regular correspondent to the page, I always took a keen interest, in reading the other J. I’. letters, and X trust in the future we will always be able to turn up the D.L.F. page in the Witness. I am going to give you an idea wherel have roamed since 1 first wrote. About 10 years ago I wrote mv first letter to the page under the N.D.P. of Dusty Miller, fiom a small country place called Te Was Wae, away down south. We lived there for about three years, and then moved a little further on to Te Tua, where we resided for two years. At this place I finished my schooling, and I must say I was sorry when I left school. Getting tired of that district, I then went to a small country township named Cola-c Bay. I liked there very much, and I can remember tbe walks I took down to the beach and up to the beautiful lake. After being down in Southland for about 14 years, I thought I would like a change, so X .found myself in rainy Catlins, where I slaved for five years, and now I am a Balcluthaite. Last Wednesday I journeyed down fo Gore by train. I went to my cousin’s wedding, and although I had only two and a-lialf hours there 1° enj'oyed myself thoroughly. I expected to meet two of my correspondents, but I suppose they were proven.e-d from coining to the station to 95© me. X was disappointed bavins to come away without seeing them. It ° has been snowing here to-night—not a great deai, but it is very cold; and beside the fire is the liest p’ace these nights. I attended a fancy-dress dance last Thursday night. W £ d T re **” good and others vary funny I did net stay very long, but all the time I was there I enjoyed myself. X hear that there is a “hard up” social on m!f vetTlvl A"’* kn ° W if 1 will «' but tU Th u 13 n . ot ver f interesting. WI,J ,:> e print-cd, so my correleTr Bee „ that 1 did a "retiring ,' ter f „ ( Wishing the page every success in the future, and with love to all my oorrespondents, not forgetting yourself,-Yours rT ,, , TERRA NOVA 11. L here is always one consolation, Terra h‘ova and that la though no longer an frA',l ° an stlU kecp ln touch with our old friends onoe a year.—DOT.] Dear Doi.—My mate is writing to you I £Td I tT UeMY iB , Up “ Auckland, and 1 hope she sees my letter and writes o„ + T e ' to Ausaie - Motor Jim, Masked Outlaw, Gloaming, A Fly-catcher, Aussie’s Admirer, .A Lonesome Melody, Freckles’ ocufrmT Puffin ” I Tom the Skite, IK,‘ for. getting jour own dear self.—Yours truly A SIMPLE MELODY Dear Dot-I am j 7 veara of j know who A Simple Melody is. also Aussie ! { nOW A , bom-some Melo-lv by sfeht’ ' I, has been raining for about three weeks r Tom? ‘Nr'", d °° d - d - Best wishes to A Lonesome Melody, Aussie. A Simple Melody, and yourself.-Yours truly 1 AUSSIE’S ADMIRER Admirer.—DOT.] 1 * J '° in Dear Dot,—Mav I join your happy band 9 • We have two cows, but one is dw. and the other will scon be dry. We have a. pup a d its name is Flo. It is a very nauo-htv i;ni pnp. hoeauvo it is alwara ' I am nine years old and in Standard tit Love to Brownie Braver. Dell Bird, and Much ‘ yo r L n^,;r rgeit,ng y °" r ° wn ■ THE daffodil LADY. [1 nave forwarded flio. /j, r ~ , hope it reaches you safely.—' DOT] ’ 011,1 l Dear Dot,-I got such a surprise a few 1 weeks ago. T told vou it yvnlel I, ' birthday on July 21." nnd „n 7h»t d.v”’! ‘ had to go down to West.r nr . . When I got .l.e-e srhool was ? ™**»g*. . of my aist-rs handed "n " j anil °’l e . my name and address on it. On openin'- it j I found a little square box and it, that ” wrapped in tissue nr.per. was a D T F badoe. I was delighted, but I can’t tbb k who sent it. I was i.t a wedding on Wed- t nesday. 3rd August which was held in St 1 Paul s ( nuroll. Tne bride was an old echoo.mate of mine and the bridegroom was * Mao Marsli a brother. \Y<> j j receive I invitation to the woddin <*■ t]ie w-edfliri obreakfast’ -rl n reception, which was held i at night. Mother and T went, and we on- I i joyed ourselves very much. It was a vmw 1 pretty h’UJe wedding and the bride looked , beautiful. The bridesmaid and. tw> litilo flower erirls were sifters of the bridegroom < Love to Mae Marsh, Miss Reka, Moth; r’s « Fairy, and Morfown.—Yours truly i PRINCESS VAX A DA (Ard-owan). J Dear Dot, —Since my last letter T have 1 done a lot of shifting about from one place i to -another. I was up at Kaikonra, winch t if* away past Christchurch. It tokos a ' whole day to ,get there bv car. I left Christ- c ehtzrch at nine o’clock in the morning, and J

got ‘there about five at night. By Hie time my destination was reached I was feeling pretty tired, and looking a bit dusty. It is a great fishing place, and it is lovely to go down to the harbour and watcli the fishing boats come in with their loads of fish. I think I must have got home sick, and so I have landed buck in my old town once again. It is very cold here just now, but 1 suppose we will soon get warm weather again. We ha\is had a bit of excitement in Oarnaru this week. I suppose you saw by the papers where the two young men escaped from gaol. They were at large for two days, and then they wore captured. We have just received a visit from Lord and Lady Jellicoe and the Hon. Lucy Jellicoe. Tt caused quite a sensation in Oarnaru, seeing it is so slow. They gave thorn a dinner a% the Queen’s Hotel, and held a receptioK in the Drill Hall after. All the school children turned out to see him, and he granted them a holiday the next day. was at a dance the other night, and •after enjoying myself very much I arrived homo at four next morning. It is all right when one is having pleasure, but the next day when one has to work it begins to tell on one. My sister, Mo.heriess Lassie, has two cows just in, end I always enjoy a plate of pudding with cream on when I go up to her place. She has two little boys, one is four and the other not quite two. fctar Rose, my other sister, has a son .also. i*est love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, MOONLIGHT MOG (Oarnaru). Dear Dot, —The other day we were out of water, so dad fixed a pump on the windmil], and it is hard work pumping. My youngest sister celebrated her seventh birthday' on Ist August. Next month Captain Jackson Barry, Jun., my eldest sister and my birthdays are all in the same month. Dad is home from Port Chalmers and Dunedin, where he spent liis holidays. The day he came home one of our cows calved, so he came home in good time to milk her. My Het are so cold I don’t like moving from the table. There is going to be a presentation to one of our pupil teachers who left some time ago. lam going, and hope to have a good time. lam also going to the Y.M.C.A. pictures at Makikihi on the 10th of August. We are still milking six cows, and they still give a good bit of milk. I have a, cousin in the telegraph department in Gore; he sard it was a great deal colder down there than in Christchurch. Some of the shops in Waimate are shut half day on Saturday. On Wednesday the South African's played football against Canterbury. Love to Milkmaid, Tea Cosy, Jerry Joy, Silver Shoe, Heathcote, Dear Love, Drd's Daisy, flhe Sport, Independent, An English Girl, Patriotic Paul, Billy' Unlimited, Tom Atkins, Brownie, Mutton Chop, and all the rest of the L.F., including your dear self, and especially' The Boy That Loves the Girls. —- Yours truly, CAPTAIN JACKSON BARRY'S DAUGHTER. Dear Dot, —Since writing to you last there have been many changes. We are living in the country now, and I like it very much. Lonesome Melody and I are related. lam her aunt, and have been trying to get her address for somo time, but she lias shifted. Love to all, also yourself.—Yours truly, BROKEN MELODY (Waipango). Dear Dot, —Although latf Monday was the first day “of spring we are very coid and rough weather. Yesterday the snow was falling thickly all day, but it did not lie very long. I was hoping there would be enough for snowballing, but was dlsOur annual examination is drawing near, and we have to work liara. I hope to gain my proficiency this year. There are 19 children going to our school now, and the majority of them ride or drive. The Clutha Valley football team played a match against Clutha, and were beaten by 12 points to 3. The Springboks’ tour through New Zealand is causing grseat excitement. Love to all. not forgetting .yourself.—Yours truly, BEAUTIFUL STAR. Dear Dot, —May I have the pleasure of joining your band? I have* two sisters and three brothers. lam 15 years old, and I am the youngest cf the family, so we have all left school. We have been having miserable weather lately. We have ail our cows dried oh except one, and she is only milking once a day. We have a groat many hens and ducks; they are laying very well. Love to Konini and Lady Tritomia, not forgetting- your own dear self.—Yours truly, HIGHLAND LASS. \ You are very welcome to join us, High- j land Lass. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having winter properly j these last few days. We had a fall of snow ! yesterday, but it has all melted again. I have been home from school for a week with the cold, so didn't have the pleasure of having a snowball with the rest. My uncle was out on Sunday, and started to walk to Dunedin m all the snow, but was lucky, as a good friend gave him a ride home in his mots:*. I’m sure he was pleased to o-ofc there out of all the cold. He is such a dear uncle; we always like to see him. Love to all my correspondents, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, POSTMAN'S NIECE. ; Dear Dot, It lias been snowing for two days now and the snow i.s lying thick on die ground. In places it- lias drifted. The i ail way ball was held on the 29th of July 1 • / h f l yictlm> * 011 the 27th. We have just finished our term examination, and it ns only about four weeks till the proper ° nv hens are laying, and we ° l alxu,t * lxe eggs a day.—Yours truly, j PIGOTTEE (Clinton). J Dear Dot —I was in town working, but as 110 w VC f of 1 s<)on ca, ne homo a am. We have been having rough weather l* 1 * 1 /: al ,®° U htl!e 811 ? - The y have a new L dJPVT'f d OVe bD li3S “lafieyo, A g M ; i t of Athens, Tangles Wonnie, Nifers a Ip*' l ’ TT GjA Tl “ at Lovc<l a., lors, A Inm Ip, White Violet, Maypole Queen, A.8.C., Ilappy-go-LuekV ond Kosepink, not forgetting your own dear . elf —Yours truly, j I’FC O’ MY HEART. j Hear Dot-We are not experiencing nice! weather at all jiwt now, though we can ' loudly expect good weather at this time of i'P 1 ' r fi- y '* hll3 ,\ )eon v ery cold, with ,‘;'a ial ii, o'.- ; cißion?.lly. so I } mVt been Silling by the fire nearly all clay road bio j 1 1 oulside for a little while make a lew snowballs, but the snow was niit ,lnck enough to make decent ones, so 11 V 0 "I 1 ' 1 lather hop© it snows more to-night, tlien we will have such fun at school to-morrow liaving snow fights with one another. The hoys at our school pelt the ' e' r, a with snowballs, and they make such bard ones, too. We are stru t ing our second ' term examination at school to-morrow so 1 hope I get through all right. Last examination I run:- third top, so this time I want to try hard and see if ) cannot get top. ' We will soon be writing our Navj League essay. The junior subject is to bo mi Blake. I have never written on© before.

» so I do not know how I will get on at all. \ I have a nice jersey to wear everyday, and i it keeps me lovely and warm, especially on > cold days. Most of my mates have jerf seys or junipers, and there are lots of differ- . ent colours. We had a new kind of bird about the river bank last spring, and I just noticed the other day that they are - coming again this year. Wo found out that • they are called stilts. That sec-ms rather i a funny name for birds to have, but when s you see them getting along the river bank L you can understand the name all right. 1 i think I noticed one of the D.L.F. writing • about the same birds .some time ago, also Ornathologist mentioned them in one his < interesting letters. I will tell you of one ‘ of their strange peculiarities. When you ’ approach their nests they pretend they have broken wings and legs, and keep fluttering round you, -at the same time leading you from their nests while uttering tlieir warning cry. Love to Blue Mountain Lily and Phil’s Sweetheart, not forgetting your own > dear self. —Yours trulv, **' ESCALONIA. Cl hope you do well in the essay, Escalonti.. You have quite a good chance I ‘ should think.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are going to have cur examination soon, and 1 hope to pass well. There has been a b:g concert hafe lately. I went, and enjoyed myself immensely. "We have crocuses and violets out. Are you | going to see the Springboks play? Love to Biddy, Kcster's Daughter, A Blue Mountain Lily, Caloola, and y> ursclf. —Yours truly, JUST J U D Y (Tapanui). Dear Dot, —May 1 join your happy band? Wo aro having rather bid weather here lately and heavy rain. We had a fall of snow hero a few weeks ago. We have some lovely spring flowers out. I suppose there will be a crowd about Dunedin for the Springboks' visit. We have had a conceit here lately, and the proceeds went to aid a wounded soldier, and I should think it would be very acceptable. We are having cur term examination on Monday, and I hope, to got a good pass. There is a football match here on Saturday. Love to Aaibie, Caloola, Biddy, Black and Gold, and Possum, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, SOO LING CHONG. [You are very welcome to join us, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—lt is very cold to-day, and there are showers oi snow, and the wind is very sharp. 1 at a ball the other night, and I enjoyed myself immensely, but it was a- little bit cold coming home. Dancing is in full swing now; there have been three balls here so far, and the spinsters and benedicts are having theirs on the 25th of this month. The Girls’ Club are having a Bring and Buy'night some time this month, but I don’t know what date it is on. The ; spring bulbs aro all conning on, and we will ; have some daffodils out soon, as I noticed some of tlieir buds are cracking. We have a few flowers out. I like to see a nice flower garden. I think it makes a place look so cheery, but it was so dry, and it made a lot of things wither before they got «, chance to grow. There isn’t much teed for the cows at all this year. We have two newly-calved cows, but we are not getting much milk from them. Love to ail the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. — Yours truly, BILL, THE HARDCASE. Dear Dot, —We have a week’s holiday this week. We have all our cousins stopping here just now, and we do have some fun when we all get together. 1 am not going anywhere for my holidays. Colds seem to be general just now. 1 have just had one myself for the first time for about two months. —You is truly, SILVER STREAM (Ngapara). Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of D.L.F. ? i am 15£ years old, and have left school. The weather lie re at present 13 awful; we get nothing but rain and wind. I have four brothers, but no sisters. The winter show was held at the beginning of last month, arid was a great success, the weather being all that could be desired. It was ou for a week. I went three nights, and enjoyed myself immensely. I have just finished reading “Retribution,” the author being Ranger Cull, and 1 have another new one called “Martin Rattler." There have been a good many looiball matches played here lately, but I have not 1 ' been to many, as it is so cold and wet. i Best wishes to all the D.L.F., not forgetting l yourself.—Yours truly, CHUMMY (Hawera). [You are very welcome to join us, • C hu mm y.—DOT.] f Dear Dot, —We are starting our second term examination to-m-orrow, ana I will be glad when it is finished, as I do not care for them much. We have a new school teacher now, and I like liinl very much. He comes out to the football field every dinner time and has a game. I think he often comes out to give us a few bruised shins as there is always somebody complaining of having received a kick. I went to a social about two weeks ago, and I had a good time; it was given to the school teacher who was , going away j she was given a manicure set. j This morning when I woke up I was sur- ! prised lo see the ground white with snow. I did not think it was going to snow as the sky was very biue, and the ground was quite hard by half past six. I was out rabbiting about two weeks ago, but I only got three, as 1 had no dogs which could run fast enough to catch them. I will be glad when the spring holidays commence, as I will be able to get a few more skins. Love to Ginger | Bread Cake, Maid of the Valley, and Victor j Royal.—Yours truly, A CANADIAN DESPATCH RIDER. Dear Dot, —We are having some fearful weather at Gore lately. It is snowing here to-day. We are going to have our term examination this month. There are a good many D.L.F. in Gore, and we hope to get a picnic up soon. I am sitting by a nice open lire. I read a few books now and again. I am reading a good book called “Wild Adventures Round the Pole.” Love to ell the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours trulv, TOM MIX.” Dear Dot, —I have been ill, and have not been to school for three weeks. Ii is very cold to-day. My brother and 1 went to Fairfax for two days, and had a good time. We have six cows milking. My little sister will be seven on the 9lh of August. The last hook I read was “The Cross Pull/’ The daffodils arc in bud, and the piinuoses are out in flower. The farmers are busy ploughing their ground now. Love to Hippy Jack, Toni Mix, and all the other L.F., not forgetting your own dear seif.— Y r ours truly, HAPPY MAURICE. [I am sorry to learn you have been ill Maurice, and trust you are now quite re- 4 covered.—HOT.J ’ Dear Dot.—W© are having' very cold weather op hcio. Hurt all til© hillrr or© covered with snow. It will be lovely when " summer comes. Our hens aro all laying ! i

well. My little fox terrier cut his foot very T badly. I washed it well, and put a clean ( bandage with ointment on it. He looked very sulky while I was doing it. We are expecting snow on the flat. —Yours truly, j A LOVER OF ANIMALS. [Animals do not always appreciate one’s efforts in die nursing line.—DOT.] Dear Dot>, —There is snow three inches deep car the ground, and it is very cold out of doors. We did not win the hockey match against Lumsden. We are milking three cow’s, but they are giving very little milk as they are going off. Our second term examination is at the end of this month. The daffodils will be flowering soon now that spring has set in. We are having worse weather in spring than we had ail winter. The wild ducks are coming about now that the duck shooting season is past. 1 am i learning to milk the cows, but I don’t like going out on the wet nights. With best? regards to Jumping Jack, Dreamy Mick, Lazy Bones, not forgetting your own sell, j —Yours truly, Mlb.fi NOBODY OF NOWHERE, j Dear Dot, —I am nine years of age, and in I Standard 11 at school. Wo have a cousin ! m Scotland who has an airship, and 1 would like a ride in it very much. Our teacher at 1 school has been very ill, and that is why ve got our holidays. I have one sister, and she left school when she was li years old. My other sister goes to school with me, and wo have one ana a-lialf miles to go. Love to N-w American Asters, not forgetting yourself.—YLurs lruly, ROSE OF JAPAN. j [\ou are very welcome to join us, dear.— 1 DOT.] Dear Dot,—We are having cold weather up here. We have had four falls of snow. We have 12 and they are about a week ohl. We have -i very tyig yellow cat, and Ins name is Tiger. I have a little sister lime years old. We will have 24 cows milking this year, and 1 am going to milk six or seven cows. We got our holidays last Monday at 10 o’clock in the morning. Love to all, nut forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, ! NEW AMERICAN ASTERS. | Dear Dot,—l came top at school, but I was away the week I was top, and when I went back I was put down third bottom. It was a sore throat I was away with.—Yours truly, S'LNSET IN THE WEST (Roxburgh). ! [lt was unfortunate you were unable to maintain your high position, but 1 am suio you will soon be top again.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since last writing to the page 1 we have left the town, and live in a small ! township about six miles from Napier. I Ime the country much better than the town. . We have not yery much ground, but there is enough to have a flower garden and grow aI J our vegetables. Did you see “Chu Chin Chow, Dot? Most people thought it was very good, but I really don’t think any play v.yrtn waiting outside a booking office ail nignt to book seats for. Much interest is being shown m the South African football team the Springboks. 1 was glad to s©e that Canterbury beat them. They ar© to piay Hawke s Bay in Napier on the 31st of August, I would Uk© to see the match, but one of the disadvantages of the country is that on© cannot always get into town when one likes We htivfc been having soma roirnh weather here lately, but the rain is all neeued. \V© have a lot of vegetables up now, though the wood lie© eat their share of , them. -the Rev. Howard Elliott was to speak out here to-night, but owing to illness was unable to do so. My sister lias to bpaid m town now, as she has to go by tram to her school every .day. There are two ■ ohaaespeare s plays coming here soon, , Hie Merchant of Venice” and “The Merry \\ ives of ’Windsor.” I do not play hockey, 1 bi t we have some good games of cricket. , Last week tli© boys of our family played the girls, and we heat them. Love to Morning •jmr, Cl\ do, Motor Jim, Tre Von, Tele-filf-Yours^t^l 1 ' Ule ° tber L ’ F ’ and your - OLIVIA. j i [Chu Chin Chow has not reached here vet : I Olivia, and I certainly would not wait' in { the queue to secure seats. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—My grannie looks in the Witness I every week to see if I have a letter. The 1 roads are very muddy. 1 go to the same scnool as Daddy’s Chum and Young Otto ■ - My daddy killed a big steer last Friday. ' Love to all the Little Folk.—Yours truly AUXTY’S BOY. ; , [I have posted the badge, Aunty’s Boy, and i hop© you have received it safely.—DOT.] I Dear Dot, —Ma\' I join your happy band ? 1 I am 10 years old, and in Stanadrd II at 5 school. VVe milk one cow. I have three sisters and six brothers. 1 can row a boat. 1 Love to Jessie b me Islay, Robin. lloocl, and. I your own dear self.—Yours tin I;/, J LITTLE BOY BLUE. ! [Will you please enclose you own name 1 with your next letter, Little Boy Blue— ' LOT.] | J Bear Dot, —It is very cold to-day, as a i south wind is blowing. Wo have two weeks' holiday from school. I am looking- forward to a bachelors’ ball, which is coming off very h shortly. I was in Dunedin at show time, , and enjoyed myself immensely. I had some , tecili out while I was in Dunedin. Our J hens are laying well at present. We have not had much snow this winter, but I think I by the look of the weather to-day we are going to have some. Our examination will + ba soon, and I hope I will pass. I have a pet rabbit, .and he is very fond of bread | ( and milk. Love to all the L.F., not for- / getting your own dear self. —Yours truly, COLDLY WEST. | Dear Dot, —My mother is only milking three cows. Wo are getting four or five ! eggs from our liens lateljn We have only 1 one hen sitting. Our three ducks m,v, y started to lay now. There was a foot call 1 match about three clays ago. Our Sunday v School has been closed for about three or 1 four weeks. There is a dance to-nightr but ? I clicl not go, as it was too wet and cold. We have not any flowers out just now. At !' Orawia School the girls play skipping and i l ' the boys play football. My brothers are j going to build a washhouse in about a week’s 1 time. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting I fvour own dear self. —Yours truly, TRUMBET LILY (Orawia). ! g Dear Dot, —It is snowing hard outside, j V and has been all day. It is quite a bliz- j ,• zard. I have been at home from school for i ! a few clays with a sore throat. It is quite ' )' better now though. The snow is about four ; indies deep. The plunk we cross going to ! j school will be very slippery. The snow is ; , right down to the edge of the Nokomai ! ■ Creek. Yesterday I had a good snow fight with ray two cousins and my sister and j brothers. After a time my mother came h and took our photo. I tried to print some li others, but they turned out too dark. We p have a very nice teacher at school. Yes tor- . e day I noticed Flint the sky was of a greenish li huo. I have started to knit a scarf. It fi is made of light brown wool. The snow C looks very pretty among the green leaves of (~ the tn s and hedges. Many of the early j S

; spring flowers will bo killed by the enow. '< You cannot see the hilltops for mist. Most , of the poplar and willow trees are in bud. ! I think it will freeze to-night. There are j about twelve children going to our school. — Y'uurs truly, MOTHER’S HELP. Dear Dot, —The ground is all covered with : snow, but the snow is beginning to melt now. Wc have six little lambs. They look funny going through the snow. A young horse we have here hurt one of the lambs, and I have it as a pot. It could not walk for two or three days after, but it is much better now. We are milking three cows. Two of them don’t give muca milk, but the other gives a fair amount, i Some of the children were away from school 1 to-day. The boys who were at school made two snowmen. They put mud on their faces for eyes and mouth, but tire rain washed it everywhere. I am reading a book named "Tho Law and the Lady,” and it is a good j book. Ido not do much reading. Love i to Lady Evelyn, Madge Evans, and Buffalo I Dili, not forgetting yourself.—Y'ours trulv, CRIMSON RATA.' 1 [lt must be cold for the tiny wee lambs.— DO I.] Dear Dot,—Wo have had very cold, wet weather lately, but no snow until last night, but it thawed again this morning. I have had no time io wnte letters lately, as' 1 am busy pr. paring lor an examination. Yesterclnj’ there was a football match between Southland and the Springboks. 1 am very fond of reading. Some good books I have read latelj' are “Freckles,” “Windsor Castle, ’ “larzan of the Apes," “The Keeper of the Door,” “Hal o’ the Ironsides,” and “The Rucks of Yalpre.” My brother-in-law had appendicitis, and when t-h© doctors had operated on him the}’ found that something was lost, so they had to opera; c again. There was a double wedding here some time ago. There was a kitchen party alio at a week before, and a dance when the brides and bridegrooms came home. 1 went to both, and nod a very good time. Well, Dot, I hope j r ou will excuse this writing, as my little nephew Trevor is trying to bit© my pen as 1 write. Kind regards to ail_ tile L.F., especially Boxwood, Snowball, Kathleen Mavourneen, and Queen Mary Y , not forgetting your own dear self. —Ymtrs^ truly, [Strang© to say your letter was not closed down, tiro flap was merely turned in. I cannot find any enclosure, so 1 am wondering if you overlooked putting in the stamps, or have they been lost. —DO l l .] Dear Dot, —We are having very unsettled, weather up her© at the present time rain, frost, and sometimes snow showers. The winter will soon bo over, and v. f e will have nice warm sunny daj'S. I notice a few little lambs about again, and the cold days must make them miserable. You will see bj r my address that I am not at home. 1 am working at a place about four miles from home, °and I get home about every second Sunday. I like being out at work very much, and this is a good place that I am at. The people that I am working with are away io the Christchurch races at present, and will not bo back for about a week yet. In about a fortnight or three weeks’ time 1 have to gc down to the Invercargill Hospital. I will not have to stop in there. lam not more than seven months back from the hospital after undergoing two operations. I liked in there very much, except for a few days after my operation, when I felt pretty miserable. The hospital was full when 1 was there, but someone is always going and coming. Doctors are good people to keep away from and have nothing to do with. The Arthur’s Point School is closed now, and my sister, The Silver Star, lias to Walk four miles to the Queenstown School. The last time I was home she was quite excited about it, but I don’t think she will like it very much alter she lias a few trips on the cold frosty mornings. Tho frost has boon very severe these last few mornings, and nearly all the taps are frozen. Love to Guilder Rose, Mud Lark's Mate, Golden Daffodil, D.1.C., Pink and White Maple, and ail the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, THE YELLOW BUTTERCUP. [I am sorry you have had such a bad time, Yellow Buttercup.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It snowed this morning, and we had great fun. We have never tiled to snowball before, but we tried this morning, but the snow was frozen, and we got a little tin full of snow. —Yours truly, MAGPIE. Dear Dot, —We are having very bud weather up here just now, and it is blowing and snowing. The daffodils in our garden aro beginning to siiow their heads, and some of the violets are out. 1 was at a lantern display at our school not long ago, and I enjoyed myself immensely. lam reading a book called “The Old Curiosity Shop,” and it is very good. Have you ever read it, Dot? Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, A LaD FRAE CALEDONIA. Dear Dot, —Might I be permitted to draw your attention to the death which occurred suddenly in Dunedin a few days ago of a very old contributor to the page. 1 refer to the late Mr Henry George, of Berwick, whose , letters, over the nom de plume of Harry Farrar, were a feature of the Little Folk’s page in the old days. Though Harry Farrar was many years my senior, I was a fellow contributor with him in the early days of tho page, and there must be many of the real old writers who will remember his letters to Dot in those far off days, and will be sorry that he has passed from amongst us. —Yours trills', BLACK WATCH. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy hand? I have a garden of my own. I am nine years old, and lam in Standard HI. I have a ponj r called Kodak. 1 like riding very much, but I haven’t been able to ride it lately as it bucked my .lister and brother off. One of the men is going to get it quiet for me. It is four years ©ld. I help to milk ihe cows, and 1 like milking. Love to all the D.L.F. —Yours truly, PET. [Y'ou are very welcome to join us, Pet DOT.] Dear Dot, —There is snow lying on the ground here, and it has been snowing the last three days. There is a dance here on Friday night, the 12th of August; it is for the football club. We arc waiting till the weather takes up, and then I am going to the back of the West Dome rabbi ling. Love to Slow Co-acli and The Lad That Loves the Girls, and all the other L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, POM DER KING (Mossburn). Dear Dot, —There is !o be a sale of work here on the 19th of this month; it was to have been held on tho 4th, but was postponed. We will be having our second term examination sometime this week. 1 am Learning tho Highland Fling now. I have finished the sword dance. Best love to The Grey Dawn, Roses and Grey Mist, Ilera Queen of Immortals, A Country Kid, Thrupp, Silver Mcon Baggy Brooches, Avice’s Niece,

Tulip, Joker, and The River Princess and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, SILVER MOON’S PAL. Dear Dot,—l think my little chat to-day will be about the scenery around about here. 1 will start at the Pacific Ocean, that being the east. The sunrise over the sea is beautiful on u fine, clear morning, and makes the water sparkle. Then we will gradually turn our eyes towards Moeraki Heads, where there is beautiful scenery. Towards the west the hills run along ju-st behind the hills are the Kakanui Mountains. In the winter time they are very pretty, being covered with snow. The hills are covered wiih bush, and when it has been raining the bush looks lovely and fresh. Love to The Clansman, Tarati, and Weeping Willow, and all my other correspondents, not forgetting your dear self. — lours truly, GOLDEN EAGLE. [I have posted the badge and cards, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having very rough weather here at present. All the hills and mountains are covered with snow. They look beautiful, but the air is very cold, and as we have to drive five miles to school every day I will be glad when the summer comes. There is a nice bush a few miles away; there are a lot of opposums in it. I think we will be going to Invercargill for the jubilee celebrations.—Yours truly, ‘ MAY. Dear Dot, —I am spending a very enjoyable day at Foxglove’s place. Our school went into Oamaru to see the Governor-General, and we went through the Oamaru Gardens, and the spring flowers were coming out. On Sunday we unveiled the roll of honour, and ! 1 liked the ceremony very much. My father is going to Dunedin to see the football match. My cousin is coming up to our place for a holiday. One day when I was m Oamaru I went through the butter and cream factory, and I was surprised at the large churns. My grandmother knitted my sister Jill a pretty brown and green jersey, and it is a great amusement to her t-o pull ; the tassels. We have not had snow this j winter, but we have had some severe frosts. } 1 went to Bill s birthday party, and we had j a lovely time, though it was not the best of i weather. At sewing class at school we have i a very nice book to lead aloud. Love to Pixie Girl, Foxglove, The Taniwha, Bill, | Ciaggie Van, Silver Moon, and all the other 8.b., not forgetting your own dear self.— lours truly, BELLBIRD. Dear Dot, Beilbird is here to-day, and we vent for a long ride on the pony up the hid On the top of the hill we got a good view or the township. Most of our violets j aie out now, and they make a very pre‘tv ' b-Gider. Most of my bulbs are up now. j ■'°®t of cur school went into Oamaru to i see the Governor-General. My eldest j brother is in bed with a bad cold. We ! arc having very heavy gales at nights just- i now. On Sunday we unveiled the roll of i honour, and General Stuart, from Milton was there and gave us an address. The ! test match of the Springboks v. New Zca- ! land is on Saturday' and I think a good j lew people from Ngapara are going down.! Ue are having a week’s holiday from school, j .*c»st> week we had some very .severe frosts, i cn *y milking three cows just new.’ I -tJoilbird and I do rot sit together now, but j wo sit together cn sowing davs. Bill and ' another mate of hers had a b-’rthdav var**- i one Saturday, but it. was not. a verv nice ! day. Beilbird was there, and she sV : d it I was very nice. Love to Beilbird, Purple Pocket, Joybells, Guinea Stamp Bill, Silver I Moon, Pixie Girl, Pride, The Taniwha, ! 1 1 eagle Trousers, Loehella. Willochra, not I forgetting your own self. —Yours truly, I FOXGLOVE. j Bear Dot.—We are having very cold j weather just now. Lord Jellicoe has been t.owu here. When lie arrived lie was driven to the rotunda, where he spoke f.r a short time. Then he went to ‘the Brill Hall where nearly 4000 children had assembled’. , he through the ranks cud on to the platform cheers arose from every child After an address of welcome by the mayor’ on behalf of the children, the- north and south Invercargill schools gave a drill performance under the instruction of Mr Reid | Lady Jellicoe and the Hon. Lucy Jellicoe ! "’ e . r ,°, pmeented with a bouquet by *two little cmldren. Other items were given, and then | B rd Jelneoo gave a speech, in which he | asked the leathers to let tin school children ! have a holiday next day. He then wont I thiough the ranas of the children, and on i to the Grand Hotel. Our Governor l i d a i very pleasant slay in Invercargill, and when I he left he sent, the mayor a letter of ap- I piecintion. lie is a verv popular man ! Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, red rose. Bear Dot,- We are having miserable weather here at present. It has snowed for 1h- last two or three days, but to-night it is raining. My brothers and sisters have been having great sport snowballing. My auntie was staying with ns for a few days, but she went away to-day to go to the doctor as she has a poisoned hand. My mother went, with her. so 1 am having a pretty busy time, for besides looking after my own j brothers and sisters I have our cousin too. Since last writing I have been over and epent ten days with Campfire Girl. I saw Mountain I.ilv while there. I also met Crimb© and Whirlwind at a concert I was at One afternoon Campfire Girl and I went for a walk around the hills to the old gold claim. We did net see them sluicing for gold, but we saw where they had beer, sluicing. Altogether J spent it most enjoyable time while away. The only tiling that spoilt it was my having l toothache the last two or three days I was there. 1 am going down t> Gore one of these days to get most of my top teeth out There is to be a Busy Bee concert in Balfour some time this month, and 1 ami looking forward to getting to it. I am teaching sewing at the Ardlussa School, and I like it very much. J «m very fond of sowing of any kind. In my class I have two ILL. K. Their X.D.IVs are Heather and Music Giil. There are quite a lot of J.itth Foik 'ii Balfour district now. Love to Music Girl’s Sweetheart, Motor Girl's Sweetheart, Campfire Girl, Mountain Lily, Queen Diana. Bill's Sweei.hea.rt, Tommie's Giriio end all the rest of th- L.F., most especially the Ardlus-a and Balfour L. I*\. let forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, MOTOR G»KL lAidhissa). Bear Dot,—We have been having very rough weather here this last fortnight. Terrific winds liavo been blowing, after which the snow came down. The snow, which was about six inches deep here, lasted for two days, and then showers of rain fell and melted it in the low-lying plain. A streak here and there lies on vho hillsides. The weather to-day seems very unsettled. The poor animals find it quite a task to discover enough food to keep them alive. One of our geese has started to lay. borne of the farmers down this

way have young- lambs, but it. is not good management on their part, for it is too early. We are having a week’s holiday in September, and I am looking forward to a good time. Love to Gloaming, Brave Allies, and Mysterious Girl, not forgetting your own dear self.— Yours truly. A SAUCY LOVER. [I have made the necessary alteration, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I live in the country. There are many bright coloured birds on the trees j about here. The fields are lovely and green, and we expect a very early spring. The peach trees .are in blossom. Our examination is in September. I am knitting a cap at school. 1 ride to school, and it is very cold in the winter. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, MAYFLOWER. Dear Dot, —It was very wet last week, but this week it turned out lovelj\ The Man-awatu River was flooded. My father is porter hero. We live the next station t Levin. I am in Standard VI at school, and I am 13 years old. I am learning music, and my sister is learning the violin. She is going to a dance to-night, but vve are both going to one on Friday. We have cocoa at school, but I never have any, as the school i 3 only about two chains away. I have just read a bock called “Meg’s Friend, and it is a good book. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself. — Yours truly, MAID MARIAN. [Will you please put your address on your next Jotter, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I I know some more children who a.re joinmg your happy band. We have some pet bantams at home, also a pug dog.—Yours truly, PEAR BLOSSOM. [T ou are very welcome to join us, Pear Blossom-.—DOT.] Dear Do'j,—Last (Sunday afternoon my three cousins, Caimyllic, Jack Symons, and i Uoleena, were up. They all wanted to go j t° r ft walk, and then the job was to decide j where to go. 1 wanted to go to the bush, j but nobody would agree with me. However i I got my own way, and away we went. • ; Just at the entrance to the bn*h there is i i a creek, which was higher than w? expected it to be; anyway we crossed, but eciddn t get far up the* creek for undergrowth, so we decided to recross crock and try tlie opposite side. I managed to get across fiist, Jack Symons following-, then we turned to see how the others were progressing, but they were not getting on at all well, ally Carmy 1 lie and Heathcote. Every time j Heathcote or Carmyllic get her foot wet one I would blame it on the other. it. was a | very pretty spot where we crossed, the- : banks were, covered with mess and ferns, | and the slcncs in the creek not covered with j water were covered with moss. Not many j of the stones the girls were standing on i were covered after they crossed. Then we i scrambled through dead brandies and ferns | and all sorts ojf rubbish, hi eluding the i lawyer, which seemed to be always in mv ! way or where I wanted to go. Everything j was y cry wet from recent rain, so* we soon I j got very damp. You may be sure T was j called no* end of names, * Dot. for taking j them to such a place, but it is verv pretty m the summer time when everything is dry. > As for local news there is none, ns most ! the talk at present is trm an 1 I football. The weather lia.s given 'us cause I t'' talk, for we have had 'wind, rain, hail. | and snow. Dad found a box of old AVit- ! nesses, 1900, 1901, and some of 1902 and ! 190 J, nncl in them were some very inUresti ir.g letters, and such long ones. Em afraid. | Dot. if we were to write about the L.F. j a « they did there would be “wars and j rumours of wars. Best wishes and kind 1 regards to yourself, Pearl White, Mae Marsh, Ikawai, Knotiika. Mud Lark and her j and the rest of my correspondents, forgetting my Redan L.E. friends.-—Yours truly, GRACE FISHER. Space in those days was net so precious, i nor the price of paper so- high. DOT.] j Dear Dot,— May 1 become one- of your many correspondents? I will be 14 on the | ! sth of October, and 1 am in Standard VI. > ! 1 have four brothers and two sisters. One 1 | of my sisters is older than myself, and lias I | left, r-ehool. The w. at her has been verv i j rough down here lately. Snow fell fairly j | thickly, accompanied by sleet and hail. E ! | was not a very nice job feeding the cattle j jin it. We are going to have a concert I : here on the 12th, and I think 1 will be | j going. Our road has beau gravelled this j i year, and I am glad because it was verv i j muddy before. Kind regards to all the j i L.F.. not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, ! SPRING BOK. j [You are vc;.v welcome to join us, K*nmi,r- ---( bok.—DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have often read your letters and wished to jin the page. 1 uni just homo from a live works’ holiday up at A Southland Girl s place, which 1 enjoyed very much. There is going to be a social and dance here on the 17th. of August, at which 1 hope to enjoy myself. AVe have been having glorious weather here kilclv. j but it is just* the reverse now, and we had a slight fall of snow the other night. Love to A Southland Girl, Cairngorm, Alan-a-dale. Taniwha, Sims, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours trulv, A SOUTHLAND’ GIRL’S PAL. [Please enclose your own name as well as vour N.D.P. with your next letter.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —May J join your happy band? 1 am in Standard 111. I was nine on February 271 b. I have a bantam lien and a. bantam chicken. The inspector lias just been at our school. My mother used to write- to you when she was a little girl. Love to all the D.L.F.. not forgetting your-self.--Yours trulv, JIM’S SISTER. [I am glad you are maintaining your mother’s interest in the page.— DOT.] Dear Dot,- We are having- real wintry weather now. 1 am learning Highland dancing now, and 1 like it very much. ] am writing this in school, whore we wenallowed to have our dinner, as it is wet. Two of mv mates are writing to you also. Tire Maoris are giving a concert here tonight, but tbe weather does not look very hopeful at present. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.--Yours truly, CORRA LYNN. Dear Pot, —May 1 join your happy hand? I am 10 years of age, and in Standard IV at Sob 01. T have two cats, one ferret, and two baby rabbits. I know a member of tbe page, Corra Lynn. My brother and 1 went to a party on Saturday. AA 7 e are having very wintry weather just now, and it is not very nice to go out in. I Fee in the paper that the Springboks beat Otago. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your self. Yours trulv, MAB, QUEEN OF THE FAIRIES. [Welcome to the page, Mab.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,- The weather has been very rough, and we have had about two feet of snow. I was cut ferreting yesterday, but I did not get any rabbits. 1 have a white rabbit, and I have had it four months. I have two pups, their names are Tweed and Glen. AVe have 27 ducks and 40 hens, and none of them are laying. There* are* a few vegetables in our garden. Love to Caroline Bay, and also all the other D.L.F. and you reelf.—Yours trulv, PRINCESS MOLLY. [Wo do not think it advisable to change the N.D.P.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —On Monday and Tuesday of this week we had cur proficiency examination, but as yet we do not know the results. My mother went to Mosgie! to-day for the week-end, so I had to stay at home arid look after my little brother, as lie has a* very bad cold. There are a lot of colds going about just now, and many of the school children arc at home with them. During last week-end it snowed heavily, and by Monday we were able to have snow fights at school. At the end of this month our new headmaster, Mr Bowie, is to begin teaching here. I am looking forward to the spring holidays which we are 1o have e-'on. Love to Freckles’ Mate, Glencra, Red Lancer, Maiden of Dreams, Hera. Sonia*, Erotaka, Saddler Tommy, and The Girl Beyond the Trail, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, FRECKLES (Milton). [I have posted the cards, Freckles.—DOT.] Dear Dot,— Sdnce 1 last wrote my people have sold their business in the town, and arc now living in the country. As J go to work in the train every day I am compelled to board in town. We are having a terrific gale this evening. The wind came up so suddenly, and is blowing out to sea. As I came along the praade this j afternoon I noticed a small fishing vessel making for the port, and the spray was dashing rigid over it. lam looking forward with much plesaure to the coming of the her, and also the swimming season. We are now living quite close to a river, and T think that "lie river is much nicer than the ba'lis for ’••'thing Wo arc having an earl}* spring up north this year. In nearly every garden in the town patches o. daffodils and jonquils are to be seen, j and Lie leaves are beginning >o appear on tlm willow trees. At present 1 have a craze for reading Charles Dickens’s bocks. J am reading “Bleak House” just now. I had it given to me over five years ago, and have always imagined it to be a very dry book, but 1 know better now. At the place where I am boarding we have just had tli.' electric light .nstulled. and it is such an improvement cm Hr: gas. In two weeks’ time we shall b* having a fortnight’s holiday, and as it lias been a long strenuous term I think that all the teachers shall bo quite ready for them. AVe are going to j have a senooi call the last night before the j holidays, so I : upposo we shall begin prac- j for it in a day or two. Love to all | the !i_". 1*5.,. not' .forgetting- VGurself.—Yours : truly.. XA FIERI TE. i Dear Dot. ihe aeroplane arrived one fine j morning about 11 a.m., to the great aMonishi ment of the pub Jo. and when it lauded quite i a crowd of inioro-s od spectators soon j garnered round. D. was surprising whore I they all came from in such a short time. They did not < ■ .•m.monc:- passenger flights uniil 2 pan. ; come people vv; re frightened at the sight of it while others were verv cm.or to* secure flights. In fact, on? woman ) was so anxious tbe she jumped in head | first (a. 3 the mechanic put it), but that is a iiiiic exaggerated, as she accidentally fell 1 in head first, at which a burst of laughter was raised from the byslanders. Anyhow Uni sensation so :n passed eft, and the n;-mg was resumed. All went well until 5 p.m., when liipy were taking an extra long ! flight, during which engine trouble was developed, but a successful landing was effect: d with the exception of uprooting about a chain of fencing. A new propel! r (as it was also damaged) and engine we re obtained from Timani. thus one fine dnv ! wasted in repairing, together with several ; j other days of bed weather. The day on j ! which suitable weather came was the day \ | of tlie football match, which drew the most' l addition, henc© Hie Rm.dl crowd at ‘the j ! aoropkufL I was one of those who enjoyed I I the pleasures of the air that <lnv, and J | really did enj.y it. ;ic it was most beautij ful to look upon th- sights of the viciniiv, j especially the AYuitaki River. it was | htir;y high at the time. To the regret of ! som? people (myse’f included) Hie aeroplane i left next day, and thus ended its stay in i Kurow. AA e are having a v:uy mild winter j ibis year, as Hie snow has not attempted ■ to reach us yet, but I don’t think it r.dvis- | able to say to* much about it. as there is j plenty of tme for it to come- yet. Se cm ingle th? tries do not; think there will b? any winter, because- wlnle out riding ye-steiday I noticed that a few willow trees were already putting forth their leaves. The school cliildrn are holding their annual conceit on the 25th of this month, with a dance following. I think they are making it fairly stiff, seeing that they are going to charge for the concert and then again for the dance, and a mighty high price each bine, bu; I sup]x>s we will have to put up with that, as if all serves a good purpose. Best wishes to all mv correspondents, and love to all the rest of the L.F., not forgetting vourself. Yours trulv, CLOVER. Dear Dot,—My mother died on the 15th June, and we miss her very much. It seems so lonely at nights without her. I have four cows to milk in the mornings, and three at night. One of the cows died owing to a turnip getting stuck in its throat. AVe have some spring flowers out. such us violets, primroses, crocuses, and daffodils. The most important game up here now is football. 1 am no* learning music now, but I would like to start again*’ The other day I found a bird stuck iu a jam bottle. I took it out, and put it in the sun. and now it can nearly fly. Bill’s .Sweetheart is my cousin. I* have started knitting now to pass away the time at nights. Low to Jessie Frae Islay, Tommies Gii'iie, and Bill’s Sweetheart, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours trulv. OSTRICH FEATHER.. [I am -sincerely soiry to learn of your sad loss, and I know how you must miss vour mother. -DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy baud? i 1 am nine years old, and I am in Standard HI Hazel Dell, Ngaire the Fairy and J | drive to the I’kasant Point School. 1 have not been to school for a* fortnight, a*s I have been in bed sick. Skipping is the latest game at school, and our teacher often comes and plays with us. Site is a. good skipper. My auntie is making me a nice dress. We nr-e having a- nor - west shower now. Love to Ngaire the Fairy, Evening Star. Ereka, and all the* other L.F., not forgetting your own. dear self.—Yours truly KOSEFUL FAME (Levells Valley). [You are very welcome to join us, dear.— DOT.]

Dear Dot,—l go to P casaut* Point School, and 1 am in Stand-aid V. It was raining yesterday, and to-day everything is looking fresh, just like in spring. lam very glad that the winter is nc.W'ly over, because on frosty mornings going to sell .ol 1 cannot keep my hands warm. My auntie made mo a lovely new jersey and hat. and you could not imagine how warm it is till you weaL it. AVe have about a dozen dear little* lambs, and we have also eight cows calving m about a month, as well as the one we are milking now. There is a bad illness which is going about. AVe all were ill, and my sister and I have both been away from school a fortnight, but we intend going next week. Love to Xgaire- the Fairy, Evening Star, Ereka. and all the other Little Folk, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, HAZEL DELL (Levels Valley). [I a.m sorry you have both been so ill, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — The store here was burnt down on I* ru!ay night. The birds are starting to put m tluir appearance, which is a sign of spring. lam learning music new, and I like it very much. Not very long ago my brother was down cn holidays. There is going to be a concert and dance here on AA edne&day night, to which I am going. A\ e have had a week’s holiday from school, and we go back on Monday m ruing. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourseli’. —Yours truly, SILVER AND GOLD. [I have made the necessary alteration. — DOT.] Dear Dot,—The lady doctor is at our school, and she examined u.s. A AVattle Flower has not been well lately, but is better new AA’e are having unusual at present for this time et the year. Yours truly, RED RIDING HOOD. Dear Dot, —There is a sch.-ci concert coining off here on the 24;h of this month, and it is in aid of Hie Rdi oi’ Honour. Inc inspector is ccnung to examine us on Monday. lam in Standard AM at schcrd. L is very quiet here- to-day, as most of the people are away to the football match in Dunedin. \A*e are learning dressmaking at school now. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting veur own dear self and Sunshine Giil.— Tours truly, MADCAP MOLLY. OLD WRITERS’ WEEK. SUGG E3TED CHANGE OF DATE. Dear Dot,—The importunity of Mistress J<? n lias brought me to do it- to pen again ! the old magic, mystic name of Dot. Year ! by year M*-tress Jean reminds me that it | is still the* fashion for Old AYriters tc re- j i assemble once in the year, to clasp hands j | reioss the spaces and renew the covenant ; of comrade-ship, and lias cn occasions proved | it by sending along .i copy of the O.VV. j record of that gathering, and year by year i I am reminded thereby of my lack of fidelity !to tlie cause. Now, Dot. this is by way of j apology and suggestion, and 1 hop..- to* i>? j wii’n the band at their next gathering. This ! j year O.AAWV. comes of age. It was on i | August 23rd. 1900. Hint tit tlie su-'-csti.jn of | Laddie, tlie firs: O.W.W. was held’. Since j tfifn I think tin custom les 1 men to hold ! the meeting- at abou; the same time- - August. ! or September. Thfci m.;v I y- a sprcial j reason for the date chosen: if ,e> I have for- 1 : gotten it. but if ,oi my snegestion is to 1 j move <” l! ' annual gathering along io the 1 | good old season ©f re-union and cordiality ; j and thanksgiving, that is the time of Xmas. Were that date fixed upon I think that more ! oi our wanderers near and far, some of whom never see a Witness and who are apt : <•’> forget the present date would make a j point of rallying and of taking at least the i Xmas and Xiw Year issues of the Witno-s 1 for the sake of Auld Lung Syne. As T shall not see the reply to this suggest'on, l ' trust that mistress Joan will dron nn a I line in due season. With a little for - | thought and effort the L.F. might mat * i],:s I ; twenty-first anniversary of Old Writers’ Week . one of tlie really big things in the history of ! | 8.L.1* ,-dom. With kindest regards to your- j I seif and all present and past writers, not I j forgetting special mention of Mistress Jean. I —Yours truly, BOY. | CHAXGE OF BATE TO BE TKI.EB. After due consideration of the above pro- j posal we have decided to hold the annual ! re-union ci Old Writers during the Christ- j mas and New Year weeks. As it will be | necessary to go to press early during those ! weeks letter* will need to* bo at this office no Inter than December 10 to In inserted in those issues. It is to be hoped old friends v.ul! approve of this decision, and show their approval by sending in letters. S! ould this change prove a success, the date will always remain tin* same s.* that wln-re-ever any writer may be lie or she can be assured of hearing from eld friends, and through the paper may keep in touch with old associations and memories. This rear We would like to hear from some of " til.-? very early writers, and we trust we will not be disappointed. AUTOS. J.s!a II (B. M'Ewan. Florence street, Wyndhunn wishes to correspond with Sweet Kid. Princess Molly (Mary Johnstone, Mauke Br.-h, South Wyiidhcin) wishes to correspond with Aphilmjs and any Gore L.F. Ostrich Feit her (Sophia Jansen. Lower Sho'.over. via Quoeust-j-vn) wishes to c* i rcsnoml with Sunshine Girl. Josepliine, Grandmothers Girl, and any L.F. willing 15 veers or over. Beilbird (Kura Hood. Nuauara, via Oamaru). wishes to correspond with Lueretia. Mocs’ Moths, Vivienne, Father's Lassie! Foxglove iNellie Watson, Xgapai i' wishes ! t > correspond with Bluebird. Goldie Locks, j Madcap Moily, Burma, and Froggv Florence Xigtingale (Miss Jane" M'lntcsh. lud> r sou street, Vest. Gore) wishes to corre- I fiponil with A Basket of Hose ~n , | ... . i ;.* i willing. ’ ' ' Patricia. The addresses are: Father's Lassie. Mci aret Allan, Cliarlcston. Nelson: Lueretia, Doreen George. P. 0.. Glenorehv: and Hmu. Una Thompson, Springlands, Blenheim. ' ’ Gniee Darling (Grace Butterg. Box G. Balfour.' wishes to correspond ui-h Caraptirc Girls .sweetheart and British Bov. j The Music Girl (Susie Keoivn, Box G. Balfour) wishes to correspond with Motor Girl's Sweetheart and British Boy. Kose of the Wilderness (Aimin' Leitch Gi a vria wishes to eonespond with An l*k,**l hAh (lirl, A Cabbage Tree Hitler, end A Jum Crimson Taniger (Joan Buchanan. _\sh- I meed, Dipton) wishes to correspond with j Erin’s Girl, Little* Son Eric. Th Sport, I Cowboy Jim, and Avice’s Niece. Mary, the Wild Swan of Fairyland (Mary j M‘M.a-th, Bailour) wishes to* correspond with 1 any L.F. from 10 to 12 years.