LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3555, 2 May 1922, Page 60

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto. —We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. No letter to contain more than 350 words. Bear Dot,—We have had wet weather here for a long* time, but I hope it clears up for Easter. There is going to be sports at Waikaia on Easter Monday, and I am going to go if it is fine. We are still milking GO cows, but they are not giving much milk. I am going to learn to dance soon. There is giong to be a waltzing competition at the dance on sports night. Dover's Sweetheart is coming to my place on sports night to stay. We have three black kittens, and one of them is a groat pet; it is a good mouiser too. Kindest regards to all. Yours truly DREAMY ALABAMA (Freshford). Dear Dot—l am writing to see if you will let me be a member of the Little Foik l We are having bad weather just now. There was an earthquake yesterday morning about half-past 6 o’clock. I think yon must have felt it, too, for it was simply awful. lhe Man from Snowy Riveif got first prize at the show for small birds’ eggs. I think I had better finish now. Love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.—Yours trUly ’ DOUGHBOY DICK (Frankton). [Yes, you may join us on sending on your proper name. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —My father went to a sale yesterday. One of my school . mates is coming to play with 'Wliite Rabbit and. me. There are 15 children going to our school. I have a little flower garden of my own. I have in it sweet peas, violets, pansies, and many other flowers. We have 18 pigs and seven horses. One horse is named M elcoma Willie; but I like riding Dollie best. One day last week we all went up the bush to rob a hive of bees of their honey. We had fires lit, and partially smoked them, out, but the honey was a little smoked. We have been Living on the Taieri for about four years, and before that we lived at Leith Valley. Love to Silver Shamrock, An Iceland Poppy, White Rabbit, and yourself. —Yc-urs truly, VERBENA.

Dear Dot, —We have had a wet Easter this year, haven’t we? However, to-day is not so bad, and I only hope to-morrow is fine, as it is my birthday. I shall be 19 years old. I have very little time now before retiring age. Dunedin must be a very pretty place. I’d very much like t-o see it, especially a glimpse of the gardens. Our# cosmos and chrysanthemums are at their best now. The football season will soon be in full swing again. Everybody about here takes a great interest in football. This year the school has a team, and my eldest brother is in it, and to hear him talk one would think his team was the teanj, of New Zealand. Just now we have our aunt staying with us, and when she goes back to Australia 1 hope to go as far as Auckland with her, so X>erhaps next time I write I’ll tell you about my trip. This place (Kaihu) has at one time been the scene of many battles between two Maori tribes, the names of which I cannot recall. The remains of several pas are still t-o be seen, and also the stone ovens, or . hangis, as- the Maori terms them. All these spots where the remain 3 are to be found the Maoris call taboo, and not for the world would they venture within a foot of them. Well, dear Dot, your family is growing larger every day. My sister, I think, has also joined the ranks. I think I have taken up enough space for this time. (I only wish Honey ot would take up more space in the L.F. page.) Wishing you and all the L.F. the best of luck, —Yours truly, KOWHAI'S PAL.

[I trust you had your wish granted, and had a fine day fol* your birthday.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We are milking two cows now. I am reading a book called “The Lady of Holt Dene.’’ My Ulster is going to the Gore High School. I am in Standard IV this year, and I am the only girl in my class. My school mate is Monthly Rose. I know a number of the girls writing to the page. There are 18 children going to our school now. There are four children of our family going to the public school, and one going to High school. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Ycuis truly, ' NIHILIST. Dear Dot, —This is the third time I have written to you. My brother's birthday is to-morrow, and he will be 14 years old. It is very cold to-night, and I think it will rain before morning. I have not much to say, so I will close with best love to A Lonely Soldier’s Girl and your own dear self. —Yours truly, BAGPIPER (Sutton). Dear Dot, —There are five of our family going to school now. I am helping my mother to set her traps, and we get a good few rabbits. Miy brother’s birthday is tomorrow, and he will be 14 years old. It is very cold to-night, and I think we will have some rain before morning. I know a good few D.L.F. about here. I was up at Middleniarch Show. My brother got second prize fair his horse, and my mother got first for her ducks. It was raining in the morning, but cleared off in the middle of the day. I was up at the dance at night, and I had a good time. My mother and sister were at the dance at night too, and we got home about 4 o'clock next morning, so I never had much of a sleep. We

are milking four cows night and morning. We have two little kittens, and they are a pretty pair. It is the first time we have had a pair of little bla-ck kittens. My brother has left Rockland now; he was out there for a long time. My two brothel's are dlopping you a few lines, Dot. I like reading the letters of the Little Folk, and some are very nice to read, so 1 thought I would write to you so that somebody else could read mine if he liked. That was a nice piece of poetry in this week’s Witness. Well, Dot, I have no more news to tell, so I will close, with best love to Snowdrop 11, A Lonely Soldier’s Girl, Fairy of the Gorse, and your own dear self.— Yours truly, SILVER TAIL (Sutton). [I congratulate your brother and your motner on their success at the show.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —I had better write to you to show my schoolmates that I can write. I am still going to school, and still rabbiting. I set 48 traps, and look round them early every morning, anl then in the daytime I go ferreting. I generally take the buggy, which has six spokes broken. You have to have your life insured to go in it. There are four boys and and four girls going to * our school, and the girts are “hard shots.’’ They love to be teased, and they love to tease me. My sister is making a brown and red jumper, and she is doing it qiti.ckly, so as to have it done foT Anzac Day, 25th April. The soldiers’ memorial is going to be unveiled on the 25th. My brother is at Timaru having a holiday. He lias not been -away before, so he will enjoy himself. I got a nice typewritten letter from Pouting Polly. We have two cows milking, and have two nice wee calves. The leaves are falling quickly now. Love to all the D.L.F., and all my correspondents, not forgetting yourself.—Yours trulv, COWBOY (Kycburn). [Your buggy must be rather a dangerous vehicle to ride in.—DOT.] x Dear Dot, —To-day is Good Friday, and as it is a holiday from school I thought I would write some letters We are all well up here. We are milking* three cows and feeding three calves. I haven’t much to say, so, as news is scarce, I will close, with love to Meah, Daisy, Dime juice, Lovdy, Milkmaid 11, Nibs, Freckles, and Freckles’ Mate, net forgetting your own dear self.— Yours truly,

SONIA. Dear Dot, —I am 11 years of age now', and in the Third Standard at school. We have had very bad weather lately. We had three days for Easter holidays. We are having our examination this week. The leaves a-re getting yellow, and that tells us it is near winter time. I was away at St. Clair for my Christmas holidays, and enjoyed myself very much. I spent a lot of time on the beach, and also visited the Museum and the Gardens. Everyone is busy harvesting here when the weather is fine. It has been very unsettled lately, but it seems to be clearing up now. I sometimes ride a pony to school. We have two tea-chers now at Dunrobin, and I am in the head teacher’s room. Love to Brown Eyes, Bunch of Blue Ribbons, and Brown Eyes' Mate, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, THORNA. Dear Dot,—We are having our holidays from school for Easter now. We get five days altogether. The harvesters finished leading in yesterday. It has been a long harvest this year. We have five wheat and 10 oat stacks. It was very showery yesterday. I ami in Standard 11, and am doing Standard 111 sums. I ride on a pony to school. When 1 ride him and use a switch he kicks and bucks, but I can ride him with a spur end he goes all right. I go to Dunrobin School. There are five children who ride to our school. There are two teachers. The head teacher teaches Tliorna, and the assistant teacher teaches me. Tliorna is in Standard 111. Love to all the D.L.F , not forgetting your own dear self. —Your;truly, BEN BOLT. Dear Dot, —Just a line to let you knov/ I have not forgotten you or the page. I have been away for a most enjoyable holi-' day. I hope you and all the D.L.F. had a nioe time at Christmas. I went to my grandma's at Kaitangat-a; I was there four weeks. After I arrived home I went to Glenur© Bush A Green Ixia, her mother, and a friend oa-me too. We went for a stroll and found, some lovely ferns and vines. We had a school excursion to Riverton. —Yours trulv, ' LOVER’S S WETHEART. [I have no objection to your changing your N.D.P., but hope you will riot find the one you -want to adopt inappropriate as time goes on.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It really seems a year since I last wrote to you. I didn’t go away at Easter, but all the some I enjoyed myself immensely. On Monday night" I went to the pictures to see Charlie Chaplin in “The Kid.” I regret to say that I had the misfortune to be made an “April fool” on the Ist . It happened early in the morning lx? fore I was up. I heard an awful rap at the door. The next minute my mother told me to hurry and get up, as my mate wa.tend to see me very urgently. If I had only remembered what day it was I would not have been so easily fooled. However, to resume my story, I was dressed in two minutes, and came running out to meet my supposed mate. When I found that she wasn’t there I suddenly realised that I was the victim of a joke planned by my brother. I was (speak it gently) very angry for the time, for one never likes to be made a fool of. 1 have just finished an interesting book called “The Border Legion,” by Zane Grey. Well, I find this is all the news. I shall conclude with love to Margaret, Ave Maria, Stella the Star, Beautiful Star, Wild Daisy, Killowen, and' all the other Little Folk, not forgetting your own dear self. Kindest regards.—Yours truly, POOR PI DO E.

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I have always taken an interest, in the Little Folk’s letters, and thought I would like to write too. I am 14 years old and iq Standard VI at school. Middleniarch at present is keeping up its reputation for bad weather. We are milking 13 cows at present, but they are not giving very much milk. It is Tiardly worth while milking them, but I suppose it’s got to be done. We are playing tennis at school, and I think it makes one active and quick at seeing. I have read a good many books lately, and the last one was “Windsor Castle.” I had seven brothers, but four of them are dead. The twenty-first annual show was held on Easter Monday, and I enjoyed myself very much at it. It was said that there wasn’t so many people there as there was last time. I enjoyed myself immensely during the Christmas holidays, and used to go out riding for the mail every day. Best love to Lilac, Beautiful Butterfly, and Fairy of the Corse, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, A BONNY PRINCES'S. [You are welcome to join us, dear.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I think it is about time I wrote you again. The weather up in Bannockburn has been very wet and cold, and I think to-night it will snow. On the 13th

of April our school was closed for the Easter holidays, but I did not enjoy myself very much, because it was raining all the time. When we went back to 6chool we had our term examination. On the 25th of April a roll of honour is to be vmveiled in the Presbyterian Church, and I think I will go. On the 20th there is going to bo a plain and fancy dress ball held in the hall. Dove to all the Little Folk.—Yours truly, ANC ELA. Dear Dot, —We are having very' bad weather here, and a lot of the crops are out yet. We are milking our cows only once a day now, as the bad weather has put them back. I have left school now, and am working at home. I like it better than at School. I am still learning music, and I have got a piano now. The Riverton races are on to-day, but it is not very nice weather for them. There are not many flowers about now, as the wind and hail have broken them all down. My mother has just , been away for a holiday, and I had to keep house for my father. I will close with the best of love to Bluebells, Flora - M'Donald, Mountain Rata, Sea Queen, Welsh Maid, Royal Fern, Fairy Rings, Beauty, and Pink Rosebud, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, BODIL. [I have no objection to your changing your an.D.P. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —The weather is very bad up at Cardrona. I have two little pups at home, and I call one of them Tweed and the other Toss. The thrashing mill is at Cardrona, and it cannot go over the hill until the road dries up. I got my birdegg money. I was talking through yesterday to one of my cousins. Winter will soon be here again, and I shall not like the cold mornings. All the people up hre have their crops in. Easter was very quiet up this way. There was a marriage here, and I enjoyed myself very much, but the rain spoilt the dance at night. We have five cows milking now, so we make our own butter. The mail car will soon be stopping again, and then we shall get our mail only twice a week. My sister, Caidrona Lass, arid Crown Range went to a dance down at Pembroke, and they landed home at 5 o’clock m the morning. As it is bed time, Dot, i I think I will stop.—Yours truly, WHITE ROSE COTTAGE. Dear Dot, —We have had very wet weather for the past few days. We had a wedding) here lost week, and I enjoyed myself very much. To-day the sun was warm. The came up yesterday afternoon, and it had six men. I was early for school this morning. Our sister wont away on Monday afternoon. She wanted to go to the dance at Pembroke. The ice is near holding now, and I will be able to slide on it. I like going to school because we have a good teacher. We had cardboard to-day at school. I was at Pembroke at a cricket match, and at tennis.—Yours truly, ROCKY MOUNTAIN. Dear Dot, —The weather has been very wet lately. To-day the sun was shining brightly. My sister Josephine was up here for a .. week. There was a wedding here the week before Easter. It was a very cold day. There was a dance in the evening, and it was raining heavily. My grandfather is staying here. He i 3 going away next week. Ihe mill is up here. It cannot go away until the roads get a little drier. I was down at- Pembroke on Easter Monday. I enjoyed myself very much. We have two little pups. They are very lyettv. Our Easter holidays are over now. ® We went back to schoo-l on the Tuesday after Easter Monday. My cousin, Cecilia, went home a few weeks ago. She liked up at Cardrona very much. Another one of my cousins is coming up in abo-ut a month’s time. This is my third letter to the page; I like writing to- the page. Dove to Cecilia, Josephine, River Head, and Silver Foot, not forgetting yo-ur own dear self. —Yours truly, A CARDRONA LASS. Dear Dot, —We are milking 12 cows. We have four calves, one pig, and one horse. My sister and I are going to our uncle’s wedding on Wednesday. I have two sisters and three brothers. I am in the Young! Helpers’ League.—Yours -truly, THE LITTLE BLACK GIRL. [You can change your N.D.P. if you desire to do so, but I hope this will not become general. Yours is the third request in letters by this day’s mail.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy bond of Little Folk? I am over 15 years of age, and am in my second year at the Normal Secondary .School. Owing to an accident at school I have been hindered at my lessons, so that now I have to work hard for my examination, which commences on Wednesday, 26th. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, THE CURLY CAVALIER. [You are welcome, dear. I hope you will be successful in your examination.—LOT.] Lear Lot, —My wrist is getting a little better, and I am hoping to have it out of the sling this week. I am living next door to a L.L.F., and we are very old friends. It was she who persuaded me to join. Best love to all the L.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Y'ours truly, UNEX. [I a.m pleased to hear your wrist is nearly all right again. I received stamps for a badge, but you did not give your own name in yoau; letter, and as it is not in my address book I cannot forward the badge until I hear from you.—LOT.] Lear Lot, —The weather has been horrid here lately. It was raining here this afternoon, but it lias cleared up now. This is a dreadful place for wind. We have all our crox>s in now, but some farmers around here have not been able to get theirs in yet. I did not go into the Matau.ra sports. I have not been into Mataura for three weeks, but I think I will be going in to-morrow. We are milking seven cows now. We hod to have one shot. I can milk three of my cows anywhere, and the others I milk in the cowyard. We have one dog called Black, and he is all right for getting the cows. My cow Larkey does not like dogs, and she always comes running to me when she sees Black. We have six young ducks, but they are not laying yet. Best wishes.— Yours truly, STALKY. [Some people hold that using dogs to the cows interferes with the milk flow, but I suppose it is necessary to send a dog after them on occasions.—LOT.] Lear Lot, —May I introduce myself? I am a Scotch girl just turned 16, and would like very much to read the letters written by the L.L.F. I live in a small village near the busy town of Glasgow. I left school two years ago, and now attend an evening school. I am very fond of writing letters, so will L.F. please write to me. When the Witness reaches us it is months behind time, but, of course, that cannot be helped. You are our antipodes, are you not? I thought it rather strange for you to have such hot weather at Christmas while we were having rain, hail, and snow; but, you see, while we are having winter you are into summer. I think your L.F. must be a jolly band; but some of you choose funny pen-names. I have many a chuckle over them. (No offence, I hope.)

I read that Lover’s Dream saw a picture | named "Humoresque. I saw that picture a few nights ago, and thought it very good. Do you like the pictures, Dot? I do. I wrote to you some time ago; but I’m afraid I am rather impatient, so I am writing again. We are. having nice weather here Hatelftf. Win tea' is gone, end spring is almost here. I think spring is the loveliest season of the year. Oh, dear, I can hear the rain pattering against the window panes. Bang goes my lovely spring weather! I wonder when you will get this letter; it takes so long to cross the sea. Well, as I am only a new member yet, I will make this letter short, hoping to gain some correspondents. Love to everybody, not forgetting your own dear self. D.L.F., please write soon. Noo, dinna- forget.—Yours truly, SCOTCH LASSIE. [Thanks for your letter, dear. I trust tome of our L.P. will communicate with you. To give them an opportunity I aim publishing your address.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —As I have not much longer to write to the page now, I thought I had better put in an appearance again to let you know I have not forgotten you altogether. The first thing I must ask you about is my nom-de-plume, as I see another L.F. has the same one. When the name came out in the column first it was "A Morning Star,” so I thought it was all right; but it is just the same as mine now. I went down to Invercargill for my Chris-t-------mas holidaj-s, and had a lovely time—just the usual complaint, not long enough; but holidays never are, or at least I think not, but I suppose we cannot always have holidays. I went to the Bluff Regatta, also to the Riverton Regatta, and I never saw a D.L.F. badge all the time I was away, but since I have read letters from several L.F. saying the 1 * were at t-h 1 same places. I went down to Lawrence for a few days at Easter. 1 think it is an ideal place fur a holiday, lie are having dreadful weather here at present, but I suppose we cannot always have good weather, especially when it is so near winter. AVel 1, Dot, I must close now, as there is very little news about here. Kind regards to A Simple Melodv, A Lonesome Melody, Fly Catcher, Terra Kova 11, Miss y Optimist, Oliva, -Napierite, true Emblem of Paeoe, Inez, June Rose, Rink Violet, Bonnie Mary of Argyle, Peggi 11, Margaret, and Stella ‘the Star,' not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, MORNING STAR.

[I am sorry that another writer's N.D.P. was confused with yours by the dropping of the "A.”—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It has been with great interest that I have read fox years past the wonderful and very interesting letters written by l me great number of your correspondents i have never been able to pluck up enough courage to write. I saw a letter by A Little Vinoennots, and answered his appeal for a New Zealander to write him, so I thou Hit I would join the D.L.F., and trust' you will accept me as a member: you always seem so pleased to liave new members. I have been , laid up now for about 12 months With a fractured spine, but I am well enough to work in the garden, etc. I enjoy it very much. I have been 14 weeks invalid heie, and I expect to get home scon. I would like to hear from' Ploughman and many of the other correspondents about IK years of age. I am interested in the following writers, and would be pleased to hear from them : Lizetta, Tea Cosy, Colleen Rhu, Brown Eyes, All-round Sport, Mischief, Margaret, Motor Jim, Anzac for Ever Marjorie, Smiles, Lady Hinemoa, and Bert to whom I send my love, not forgetting your o -vii dear self. —Yours truly,

Y.M.C.A. SPORT. [We gladly welcome you to the page, and trust some of the L.F. you name will write to you. With others, I respectfully tender my sympathy m your trying illness.—DOT.] uidff r !' ad Some frost, lastnight, and it toned out a lovely day today but it looks as if it was going to be a. change to-night. There is to be a concert on the 28th, and my sister is gang to eing at it. There is also a sal? of worksoon, and i thmk the Busy Bees are going to sing at it. My brother went away yesterday for a holiday My father was dipping, sheep to-day lie have four dogs, and they have such a set on cats tlia-t they killed tT'altol he n'r w Wl! l C c loso now - with Jove to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself icuts truly, J A LITTLE HAR’D CASE/ Dear Dot,—l think it must be about Diree years since I wrote p, the However, I shall try and write oftener. I will try and tell you what the place I live It is a little mining town about lo miles from the railway. It is connected with the nearest, railway station by a daily motor coach. It was a fltejv big place when my mother came here There were four general stores, two butchers’ shops, two banks, and three hotels. Now there are "° butchers’ shops, one bank (with a banker visiting every fort-n-gbt), and one hotel. The weather his been very cold here lately, and this afternoon it was raining. The wind has blown 111 Ure Thl* i the tr ( T 3 ' a " d h; s i€ff them hf.t ti, ° chrysanthemums are in bud but the earwigs are such a nest here ih-v wont leave anything alone. AVe I.nye three STLI? U i ,et? T Six T ks - one of the pullets is laying. I vent f or a bike nde with my. mate last Sunday. We left about 2 o clock and arrived home at 7 after a very enjoyable ride. There are a l? 4 of [ a b |} its about here just now, but they will be getting scarce as winter comes h? a t- h ' g ir“ J ¥ y Mother sl ‘ot a Wly black rabbit, and he gave me the skin to send to an uncle for his motor bike. I * my 4 )Tof iciency certificate at the end of last year, so I am going to try for it wh<*ri the t n-spoctor com-es c;; ] * _ I>l 7 ae , Tl f t ' had four days holiday 5 from school for Easter. There were 45 poppies aent up here to be sold for the soldiers five' oT'tLeTVn tke Boho ° l teacher, end f. .r children went round cellin' l them; there arc still five more to lie sold" We are milking eight cows in (1. „ • ’ and three at. night. They do not £> w ’ as fhere is no grass fbout I tK' {r w**end 11,e Empire’s Children”; they no nil very nice books Love to all the ‘ Lit-tU 1-mk, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly" PIN. fl have noted the change in vour NDP making the fourth for this week.—DOT ] ’’ Dear Dot,-We are having verv horrid weather up here. It has been railing A d blowing. We have had our Easier holidays and I enjoyed them very much, but it wae raining nearly all the time. I receiv d the badge, and was very well pleased Vith it. The sun is shining to-dav lmt - ii,l is still a little wind. 1 often "go for rides and drives with my friend. Our school teacher is a lady, and she is very nice I did not. go to the show, for I went away One of my schoolmates got first and second in the trots and another two thirds, so they did not do so badly. Love to' Lilac Laddie, and Beautiful Butterfly, not forgetting yourself.—Ytmrse truly, TWILIGHT.

Dear Dot, —We had our Busy Bee partyyesterday in the hall, as it was too wet to go up to The Boy frem Llanarth’s place. We are going to have our dinners down at the technical classes next day. We have only two or three days to go yet. I will be sorry when it stops, as I like it. We will soon be having our term examination. I think my sister is going to stay down in Dunedin for the winter. She is third top in her class. My mother is coming home on V\ ednesday. Some of our oats and timothy is not lead in yet. The weather has been very wet. One day it is a lovely diying day, and the next day it is raining again. We had the chaffcutter here on \\ ednesday night and Thursday morning. I hod to cook for the men. Love to Laly of the Nile, Our Bessie, Milkmaid II and her mate, Little Miss Mullet 11, Music Girl, the Hen AVife, Gentle Annie, Lover’s Sweetheart, and Lovdy, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly,

DukJTHY II (Balfour). [I trust your visitors appreciated the DOT ] ' 2 ° f imvillg you to work for them.—

Dear Dot,—We are having our Easter holidays from the 14th to tlie 19th. My mother and my two brothers went down to the sports at Maheno, and they said they v f}y nlcc - 'f'be train did not leave tUJ 1015 a.m., end arrived in Oiamaru at 12 oclock. Those who wished to go to Mal.emo got off at the Waiareka Junction, anti the express took them to Maheno. On airiviig there they had some tea. My mother was running in the relay team, and they came second, Palmerston c.oming first. i has f" 0, silver medals now for running. I am not spending my holidays in a very with f Way! A 0 *’ a f, 1 have to sta y inside with a sprained ankle. I sprained it in ITT WCeK Ma rch, and was in bed a, voek. I am m Standard VI now, and hope L? at the end ? f the .y° ai '* Our school has gone up a grade, and we now have an assistant teacher. Eellbird is up at Pixie Girls place in Tmwu for her holidays, and her sister, Pnde, went with her. We are having our term, examination now, and we have nearly finished. I will close now as I ‘ a f to Tu J° |' r °ggy and Goldie Locks. Love to all the L.F. and vourself.— lours truly, FOXGLOVE (Ngapara). ®n ar Oot—We have had real wintry" weather up here lately; it. is either blowing oi raining We have only seen a glimpse of the sun for at least a fortnight, so~ things dred°e= y K l l,n ri UP h€re * of the dredges about here was burnt down on wTwt m ,°T ng at , 2 o’clock, and what was Jett of her sank to tlie bottom of cf € th anl f l') 3 - 1 1S fo be seen is a piece were fi fr3 ' m ' e abo T e ' tlle water. The men Were fixing - ills buckets, and were just, finished and going to put them on next nay a bit of hard luck, wasn’t it? We T S ¥ , dr< ? adfu l ly , for the 3 o’clock whistle, ‘ 4 lo°l iS sf. bare without it when one men oid °T tlie , r ° ad ' 14 will put a few men oat oi a job, too, and the coal pit will not have so much trade. They Ire aOing to pull the dredge out, and sell all that is any good—so I heard them, saving. There was a very sad accident up here hfT / hl ' ee We ' ks ago ' A litf -l e toy and his sisfei were going home o«e night when oTcoiu-re , t u T f; °™ lier hor3c , and, ve k ’ C A arod aw£ y, tod the brother rave chase on his pony, and it is supposed n S the n kr PPed ’ and n llis *oot got caught n the stirrup, and when they found him Stolid* 8 -. dead at,ll l hanging j n the stirrup, i had a very quiet Easter over at WendonSKE. 1 was neither at the sports nor the I had intended to be at both but When A h™ 7 AT' 1 CHn teil yolJ ’ that I heard the cars passing to go to the aance I felt a bit down-hearted. The mill was at my uncle’s, or I would have been m at the dance. Anyhow, I am going to Gore to-morrow if all is well, so that il not. so baa. I have finished my sister’s jersey, and am, starting another one for m cousin. borne of the farmers have been sowng mere autumn oats, but this cold weather has stopped them. The mill will soon be finished thrashing if the weatlrer keeps fine. My brother is working with the null now, and it. has been awfully rough ever since he started. I have not sren him , ,ow he likcs Kindest re„.uds to all, not forgetting vourself lours truly, ° A WHITE MOSS ROSE, i had read about the accident you refer Ti l,'™ 3 -fl s fj- 1 and all must feel ejnipalhy with tho parents.—DOT] Dear Dot,—We are having- a week’s holik f ° r o a ' !tcr ' . an d our school teacher is away. Some of the farmers about, here “L 1 *’ 1 thelr sh6 -P' 1 went to Her ot on Thursday, with my father and motht i, and m the evening we all went to clm.cn. V© have a, great crop of a.polos this year ,and have given a. lot away. W© have a hothouse, and grow tomatoes and grapes. It has been very stormy weather this while. I have had a good holiday this year, and hope the ether school children have had the same. I have a garden of my own, a,nd have been gardening to-dav I his morning before I got up I f e lt ™ earthquake; it shook my bed. Love to all lAurs xxuly ’ not yourself.—

Dear Dot,—lt is raining to-day, and I expect it will stop a great many people going to the Beaumont races. There was an earthquake this morning. I think it was about 6 o’clock when I woke up and t tonight my sister had come over to shake me up, so I just said. "Wait till I get, you ’ It was rather dark and I did not take miAh notice of it. There are a lot of owls around here and we often hear them at night or early i„ the morning, and Tre limes s<?e one looking out o-f a hole in bank of the rood. My brothers and sisters donkey, and seem to be shaking everything. Love to all the L.F. and youiself.— Yours truly, roue

A MAID OF THE VALLEY Dear Dot-May I have the pleasure of jommg your happy band of Little Folk? As this is my first opportunity of writing to you, you will not expect me to write very much 1 hope. This is my first year as a boarder at the Girls’ Hostel, and I wiH be glad when the. sth of next month is up, as we are going home for three weeks’ holiday. 1 like boarding very much, and I kn ?w a T few tore who belong’ to the DLL. I will close now, with love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours trftly, LEMiON VERBENA. [I have pleasure, dear, in welcoming vou as a member.—DOT.] y Dear Dot,—May I join your liappy band ot D.L.1 1 l 1 am 10 years old, and in Standard 111. I have three brothers and one baby sister. At the present time I am staying at Ngapara, hut I am "oin.hback to Christchurch next Thursday. I will still write to you, because my friend Foxglove is going to send me the Witness every week. The weather is very nice just now but it was a bit chilly this morning Seeing tins is my fivst, letter, I will close now. Love to Foxglove and all the L.F., includin' l yourself.—Yours truly, RED RIDING HOOD. [I am pleased to have you join us, dear DOT]

Dear Dot, —1 was very pleased to see my letter in t-lie Witness a week or two ago. I passed in the first term examination. We all went to the jnctures, and when we came out it was raining. When, we were marching along the men were saying, “Left, right; left, right,” and so on. I hope you are keeping clear of the diphtheria. Dove to the D.D.F. and yourself.— lours truly; HAPPY HAWKDSTS. Dear Dot, —To tell you the truth, I am too lazy to write letters. The weather up this way has been very rough, but I hope it will take up soon. There was a Sunday school concert here on Good Friday night. I did not go, but my sisters and brothers went. My sister who was in the hospital is away for a holiday. It has been an awful season for the farmers. I have just finished reading a book called “The Day Dreams." It is a very nice book. I am reading “The Daughter of the Land” now. My mother and brother are away to Invercargill to-day. I did not go anywhere for the Easter holidays, as it was not long enough to go away for a holiday. The flower garden is looking bare just now, but when the spring flowers come out it will Ifcok pretty. Love to all my correspondents and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, LITTLE WHITE LILY. ' Dear Dot, —I may tell you I have not much news, as it is not long since I wrote. The weather—well, as 1 can't say much in its favour, I won't mention it. I have just finished reading a boo]?: called “Two .Sides of the Shield,” by C. M. Y onge. I have read a good many nice books by good authors, but I cannot tell you my' favourite author. I don’t like R. M. Ballantyne’s books. On Easter Saturday I went to se a wedding in the church. On Friday evening I was going to a concert and dance held in honour of M:sb Rae, the teacher of Mot-u Rimu School. She is leaving the district. Tlie night was so cold, wet, and windy that I did *!iot go. I did not go anywhere for the holidays. Yes, on Good Friday I went over to the bush and got my feet wet, and thatrewarded me with a dose of tlie sneezes* for the rest of the holidays. One day I was in town I saw two D.L.F. I knew, but was not speaking to- either of them I correspond with an Old Writer, and I get most interesting letters from her. Her N.D.P. is Strawberries and Cream. I have toanswer letters from three L.F. besides, so 3'o'ix see I have my work cut out. Mountain Daisy II is coming; down here for a holiday, so* I will most likely see her. In winter here usually euchre parties and dances are held in the school, but. this year they have not been started. I suppose they will soon be set going, as the new committee is appointed. The creek has been over the road during the recent - rain. It has only been twice over since we have been here, and that is five years. I will close with best wishes to Happy Jean, Marjorie, Inez, Lady of the Forest, Mud Lark’s Mate, Dunedin Girl, Wavenly, Pocohontas. Lonelv Vera, Strawberries and Cream, Hera, and others, not forgetting your dear self.—Yours truly, LEONORA M'KAY

Dear Dot., —I have not written for such a long time, as I have, been busy with my lessons. I am in Standard IV now, and I am coming 11 years old. We are having bad weather. We have a new boy .coining to our school, and he is such a funny little chap. 1 went down to see H.M..S. Chatham when it was at Bluff. I also had a, trip on the launch Despatch. I like playing football. We are getting a. football for the school this week. We play cricket at school now. Our neighbour gave us a paddock to play in. I was at the Woodend Minstrel Troupe’s concert and had a good time there. Love to Wild Rose, Johnny Cope, and yourself,---Yours truly, SANDY (Awarua Plains). AUTOS, Etc. Bagpiper (Harold Kennedy, Sutton) wishes to coirespond with A Lonely Soldier’s Girl and any L.F. 12 to 13 years willing. Nihilist (Nessie Donald, P. 0., Maitland) wishes to correspond with Silver Foot and A Lonely Soldier’s Girl. ( Silver Tail (David Kennedy, Cosy Dell, Sutton) wishes to correspond with Snowdrop 11, A Loflely Soldier’s Girl, Tire Fairy of the Gorse, and any L.F. 11 to 14 willing. Rocky Mountain (Lizzie Galvin, Cardrona) wishes to correspond with any L F willing. Y.M C.A. Sport (C. Martin, present address Clifton House, Mental Hospital Seacliff) would like to correspond with anv L.F. 18 years, and those mentioned in his letter in this issue, interested in photography a-nd stamu collecting. Snowdrop (Verb Crengle, Grove Bush, Southland) wishes Queen of Thorns to write, as she does not know her address. Billy M‘Goos?lv (W. G. Harvey, Awarua Plains, Southland) wishes to correspond with Jacky, Cowboy, A Canadian Despatch Rider, and Kiwi. ■Scotch Lassie (Margaret O’Brien, care of Mi Porter, Main street, Uddingston. near Glasgow, Scotland) would dearly like to receive -letters from some of the L.F. of about 16 years or so. This is an opportunity for some L.F. to interest 'an intelligent girl in the Homeland in New Zealand and its affairs, and through her possibly many others. Morning Star (Miss M. Brockie, 27 Macandrew road, South Dunedin, Otago) wishes to correspond with Fate’s Daughter and any L.F. from 17 to- 20 willing. ' — (M. E. Florence, Toronto street, East Gore) wishes her correspondents to note the change of her address, and also wishes to correspond with Grant and any other Gore D.L.F. girl. White Rose Cottage (Andrew Galvin White Rose Cottage, Cardrona) wishes to correspond with any L.F. willing. Sonia (Edna WeatlieraJl, Kyeburn Dig-g-ngs) wishes to correspond with Mother’s Darling. Kiwi, A Lonesome Melody, Cecilia, Goldie Locks, and any Little Folk 10 to 14 years. Sandy (Alex. AV. Harvey, Awarua Plains, Southland) would like to correspond with any L.F. in Standard IV, also H.R.H.. Hongi, and Old Bill. Rex (Joyce Kempthorne, Park Hill, Heriot) wishes to correspond with any L.F. of from eight to 10 years willing. Little AVI lit? Lily (Pearl Smith. Orawia, Southland) wishes to correspond with Kiwi, Lily of the Nile, Brown Eyes, and any D.L.F. from 13 to- 14 years of age willin' l . Young Meg (Miss Annie Bromley, Limehills Post Office, Southland) wishes to renew writing with all her old correspondents, whose addresses she has lost. She also wishes to correspond with any other D.L.F. willing. Creamoata. —Please send in your name and address, as these are not entered up in the address book. 1001 (Miss G. Thompson, care of Mrs C. O’Shea, Riversdale, via Gore) wishes to correspond with Lover’s Dream, Maid of Athens, Simple Melody, Lady Evelyn, Billy the Flirt, Paddy the Next Best Thing, Slim Jim. Peter the AV haler, and any L.F. 17 years willing, and would like to’ know the addresses of any French L.F. writers.

- A genuine bank-note, lightly folded, will bear a weight upwards of 501 b, so strong is tho paper on which it is printed.

Railway coal waggons in America hold as much as 50 tons, against our avergae of 10 tons.