VIRGINIA CREEPER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3566, 18 July 1922, Page 63

VIRGINIA CREEPER.

[All Rights Reserved.]

By

Edith Howes.

“The Sun! I must see the Sun!’’ said Virginia Creeper, and she pushed up and up with her little pointed head. It was hard to find an opening, for this was a dreadful place; that careless Gardener Man had thrown her over the stone wall with the weeds! Here she had lain, crushed and half-choked, gasping for air and ready to die. But her little roots had not despaired. They had somehow pushed themselves down into the decaying rubbish, and had found rich food. They sent it streaming uu through the narrow passages into her green-brown stem, and “Push up!” thej' said. “If you can find the sun we can grow here.” “Oh, I will! I will!” she whispered ; I and now she was pushing this way and that, this way and that, threading her way between the weeds to any opening there might be. At last, Hurrah! out popped her little head. And there, looking over the edge of the stone wall, was the glorious sun, shining full upon her. He shone palely as yet, for it was early spring, but as his beams fell on her Virginia shook with ioy. “Ah! Now I shall live,” she breathed. “Open out, little soft buds, into wide green leaves, for the beautiful sun is shining on you.” Inside the stone wall was the orderly garden, with deeply-dug ground, broken and fine, in which it was easy to grow. There was room to breathe there too; weeds were not allowed to choke one. Out here it was very different. The ground was heaped with cast-out weeds, great thistles spread their prickly arms, rank grass looked over the low wall; duckweed and sorrel and shepherd’s purse sprang wherever they could find an inch of earth, and were already beginning to clamber over everything. “It doesn’t matter,” said Virginia Creeper. “I can push, too, and somehow I will find room.” Up she went. Her- little soft buds opened into wide green leaves, tender and bright. They spread themselves out like hands to catch the sweet spring air. They fluttered and waved in the whispering' winds that rustled along the wall. “The wall! If onlv I could get my back to the wall I should be safe,” thought Virginia. “I must reach the wall, or these great things that grow' so fast will smotliei^me.” She bent her head towards it, she pushed and struggled and lengthened herself, till, Joy! one day she felt the rough strong comfort of the stone behind her. -now she was safe. Now she could defy the world, from her back she sent out clusters of little root-like growths that found their way into the crevices of the wall and clung and held. And so supported she grew and grew. The roots sent up their sweet food ; more and more leaves opened out to catch the racing air ; up she went and up, till at last she could look over the fence into the garden; she could bask in the sun all day, from his glad uprising to his last long gleam. The thistles and weeds might stand as tall as they liked now; she clung tightly to the stone and found warmth and air and shelter there. New stems grew; she crept far along the wall. It was summer now, full, glowing summer. The garden was brilliant with flowers; new young birds came hopping along the wall and learning to fly; the sun shone high overhead. Every day he smiled more brightly on his children of the earth, and every day Virginia loved him more. No one noticed her there, growing green amongst the other greenness of the wall. Sorrel and chickweed clambered up beside her as the summer” went on, and couchgrass pushed its intruding fingers between her stems and sprang out in tufts among her leaves. But summer passed and autumn came, and then a wonderful thing happened to Virginia. ’1 lie sun sank lower and lower in the skv and shone less brightly every day. Little chilly winds wandered" by. “ Winter is coming,” they whispered. “You are to rest awhile. Pack away your precious leaf-food till the spring returns.” “Yes, that is what I must d*>,” said Virginia- She drew the rich food out of her leaves, and sent it down into the stems and roots to be stored till it was needed, and she grew a cork stopper, thin and round like a tiny plate, at (he foot of each leaf, right across its slender stalk. Now no more food could go up to the leaves. “The little new buds will need it. all,” Virginia told them softly. “But we shall fade if no sap conies up each day to bring ns fresh leaf green,” they said. “How can we stay green without the sap ?” “You will not stav green,” she replied. It was now that the wonderful thing happened. When the sunlight beat on the leaves and the green faded thousands of tiny yellow grains were left. They had

been there all the time, but the leaf-green had hidden them. Now- they shone out, turning each leaf to gold. At the same time, acids formed as the little chilly winds wandered by and the nights grew colder and colder ; aud wherever the acids touched the yellow grains they suddenly dyed them some brilliant colour. Orange and scarlet and red, carmine and crimson and russet, lay in streaks and splashes and little pools upon them. The leaves flamed along the low stone wall as if a fairy had flung rainbows on it or had heaped it with a thousand glittering gems. No weeds could hide Virginia now. “What is that beautiful thing down there?” exclaimed the Gardener Man, and he came to look. “So that is what happened to my Virginia Creeper! Thrown out among the rubbish! And she has somehow grown and made the old wall lovely. The brave thing shall be helped.” He brought the spade ar.d chopped away the thistles and the rank grass and the weeds, leaving Virginia to shine undimmed in all her glory. Day after day the leaves lay glowing there, day after day, till weeks had* passed. The poplars and the beech trees now stood draped in gold, but no tie could compare with Virginia—nothing, nothing in all the garden was so beautiful as she. One by one the little cork stoppers swelled in the middle and hurst, gently setting its leaf free. One by one the leaves fell away and lay about Virginia’s feet, there to shrivel and decay and form rich food and be drawn up again to form the new little buds of another spring. And Virginia grew and grew until she hid the wall with loveliness.

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto. —We write for the benefit of others, oat for ourselves. No letter to contain more than 360 words. Dear Dot, —I attend Glenham School now. I have a little pony, which I call Nelson. There aare 36 children at our school. We are .going to have a school concert at the end of the year. About three weeks ago we had our examination. We have three cows milking; but all the factories have stopped now. I ■am 11 years old. We have just had the mill, and thrashed 260 bags of oats. Dove to all the D.D.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, MAYFLOWER. Dear Dot, —It is very cold going to school in the morning'. I ride to school with my sister on a pony called Polly. I am sewing a workbag at school. We have cocoa at school. We are milking two cows, and have two little calves. We had some of our examination to-day, and I did pretty well Dove to Pride and your dear self.—Yours truly, JOHNNY’S GIRD (Ngapara). Dear Dot, —I am writing to thank you for allowing me to become one of your D.L.F. I have three correspondents-, but as we do not take the Witness now I don’t know many of the D.L.F. names. I am working away from home, but go home every Saturday , os I am only three miles away, and I have a horse to ride. I went to the pictures on Saturday night and Tuesday night. It was a special night on Tuesday night, called '‘My Lady of • the Cave.” I liked it very much, as I have read the story from' which it was taken. The scenery was taken from around the Bay of Plenty and Mayor Island, and the actors and actresses were all Lew Zealanders. The weather ha 3 been very unsettled lately, as it is blowing one minute and mining- the next. I have £een a good many football matches this season, and I am rather a football enthusiast. I like reading the D.L.F. letters in the Witness, and I also like receiving letters. Love to Mustard Keen, White Rose Cottage, Jim’s Sister, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Y'ours truly, Y. Y. Dear Dot, —It is very wet weather here just now. Tile other night the pig got out -and killed my pigeon, so we have onlv one now. I have started Sunday School, and a/m going every Sunday. On Saturday we went for our calves and brought them home, and I had a lot of running to get them out of the paddock. The little calf could run just like a deer, and it was a job to head it. I am going to the Milton School now, and I am not kept in at intervals like I was at the Akatore Coast School. I have no pony to ride new, as I have no paddock to keep her in. I can never get a ride cn her now. I am going home on Friday night and coming back on Sunday. I do not go home very often, as it is too far. I am stopping with my sister at present. — Yours truly, JOCKEY" BEET. Dear Dot, —I have not had much time to write, .as wo do home work at night. Oar baby brother is a year and a-half old, and ho can walk and run about after the others. Our school, teacher teaches us songs at school now, and they are very nice'’ones. tVo play rounders at school, and we are trying to got up a match soon. Tile boys are playing football against Cromwell tomorrow. We will be killing our pig on Sunday. We have a football at home now, but wo do not play very often, though my brother is always playing with it. Dad is at home now for three weeks. Eabbitskins have _ gone down a big drop. My sister is knitting a hat for herself, and at present I am doing a pair of mittens in brown and orange. A number of girls wear them at school now. We have an arithmetic test every Friday. Love to Violet, Dolly Cherry Blossom, Margaret, and your own dear self.—Yours truly, TA.SMA. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F. ? I am eight years old and in Standard I. I have four sisters and one brother going to school. We are milkinoone cow, but she does not give much milk. Sometimes we do not milk her at night. We play rounders at school. Some momin-s it is very cold going to school.—Yours truly CHERRY BLOSSOM.' ’ [Your part of the country must be cold in the winter.—DOT.] Dear Dot,-May I join your happy band? I am seven, and in Class 4. We have two miles to go to school. We have two cats and three dogs It is cold going to school in the mornings. Our little baby brother can walk everywhere, and he is 1.8 months old.—Yours truly, DOLLY. [We arc very pleased to have you join us Dolly.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your well-known band of L.F.? It has been a, lovely day to-day. I have just corn® back from setting my (raps, in which 1 caught 12 rabbits this morning. It is fine weather down here for trapping, and 1 take the opportunity, I can tell you. It will soon be midsummer again, and that will bo all right. We are

milking four cows at present, and I have to milk three of them, and it is not a verv interesting job; but still a person has to put up with those jobs on a farm. I had five dogs of my brothers to look after, but one got run over by a motor car and was killed.—Yours truly, VIXEN. [Most o-f us have a good deal of very uninteresting work to get through during a day, Vixen; but as it is necessary one must just make the best of it. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I expect you will be quite surprised at hearing from me again. I have another pony now, it is bigger Than the last one, and I call him Cobbler. I have just come back from a week’s holiday at a place called Tor-a, a sheep si i.lion about 14 miles from here, and enjoyed myself immensely. My mate and I went riding nearly every day. The Government steamer Tufcanekai oalled here about 10 days ago, and on account of the big sea was unable to land in the bay, but she went on to the Kawa Kawa Bay, about four miles away, so we rode around on horseback, and the men brought the cart around later. The weather has been horrid here this last few days, nothing but wind and rain all the time, and yesterday morning all the hills up at the back of our place were white with snow. Best love to Mau Mail, Gladiola, Auntie’s Little Companion, Blue Iris, Tuatara Lizard, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PANDORA. Dear Dot, —Every now and again we get the Witness, and I very much enjoy reading the L.F., so I have at last decided to write and task you if I might join your happy band. I am 15 years ol< and in' the Fourth Form at Waitaki Girls' High School. In school I sit in front of Waitakian, and it was she who persuaded me to write. We have been having lovely weather, but the mornings are so cold. On the 25th I am looking forward to a big Bible Class social. I am getting the lend of a book called “The Man of the Forest, by Zane Grey. Can you tell me whether Zane Grey is an author or an authoress ? We are having a concert at the end of this term, and I am just wondering what we are going to have. Love to Waitakian and all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.— a ours truly, WAITAICI [Zane Grey is an author, Waitaki.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have not written to you for a long time because I have been learning lessons for the examination. I have a cat and a dog called Tubby and Duggie, and the dog pulls everything out he gets' hold of. Pllissie sit© in the sun all day and chases everything that blows in her way. I have a rew niece, and we call her June Winifred. We had rain last week, but it has cleared uip, -and it is quite sunny now. I have been out playing- to-night, and it is getting late. Love to Flute Player, Flannel Flower, and Queen Heather, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, LOCHRANZA LASS. Dear Dot, —We are at present having very frosty weather, which makes the windows in the mornings just like stained ones. Father is in bed wit.i a bad cold, and os my youngest brother was the first to gei it, so I suppose it will give us a’l a ium. We have great fun up here, a>s there are so many hills about, and the frost on the ground enables us to slid a about. At the back of the school ground there is a hill, and the boys make sledges and go spinning down it like the wind. It is rather dangerous, but when we are on the sledges we do not think so. We have so far escaped from snow, but the other day we had -a slight fall of wet snow, and that night it froze, and the ground is as slippery as glass. The frost burst one of father’s dynamo pipes, and we cannot use the electric lights until he takes it out and puts-another in. We are having our winter holidays at present. My sister and I are studying up for a musical examination, and w© are going down to Invercargill at Christmas when it is held. I always look forward to Christmas, as I generally go down to Invercargill with my mother for a holiday, and every time I have enjoyed it. The only part of the journey I object to is getting there, as the train and boat are just horrible. I am expecting to see Florence Nightingale on the journey, but I will not be able to speak to her long, for the train would run away without me. Kindest regards to Elsie, Tea. Cosy, Beauty, Princess Molly I, Florence Nightingale, and Dorothy 11, not forgetting your own self. — Yours truly, PEARL 11. Dear Dot, —I have made myself a jersey, which is very warm and cosy these cold mornings. V e have our winter holidays now, and I am glad, because it is horrible getting out of bed. I lie in till 8 a.m. at least, and often father comes in to put his colds hands on our warm feet. He thinks that lie will get us up quicker by doing it, but so far he has not got mine yet. We have only one pig now, because a month ago father killed the other. However, he has the whole pig to himself, as I do not like pork until it is pickled, smoked, and properly cured, and then I only like the ham on sandwiches. I am going in for the Kewpie painting competition, and have all the advertisements painted with water colours', and pasted on the single piece of paper. When it is over I will write and tell you the results, although I do not expect much for it. Our cat is very lazy nowadays, and to-night, he popped into the oven to warm himself. Is it cold down in Dunedin? Best wishes to Daisy Fern, Marechal Neil, Milkmaid 11, A Maid of the Mountain’s Mate, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, RANGHILDA. [Quite a number of our L.F. are going in for the competition, so we will r.li be- interested in the results.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—lt has been terribly frosty weather lately. All our flowers have died cut now, and we are very Sony because we have no more flowers for our vases. One Saturday afternoon my father, two sisters, brothers, and I went into the stone house to cut some hay and oats. We were all the afternoon there. When it got a bit late our two cousins came, .and they had a try, but they could not keep it up long, because, it was too hard for then}. On Monday dad smoked the bacon, and we had some.' Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, MAY. Dear Dot, —We have a new football at our school. Our grannie and auntie from Canterbury have been staying here, and as our aunt had the influenza we did not go to school. At our school we play basket-ball, blackie up the chimney, and drop the hankie. Mrs Williamson sent my brother and I an Easter egg, and I liked it very much. Wo have three cats and two dogs. I have a sleeping doll. My brother is going to write to you as well. Love to yourself and the Little Folk.—Yours truly, DIANTHUS (Redan). Dear Dot, —I’lease may I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am seven years did, and in Standard I When I come home from, school I have to feed the hens and get in the morning wood, and Di, an tints has to ride for the cows. I was .second top at our last exam. As I have never written with ink before I will close. Love to you and the Little Folk.—Yours truly, DAYID HARUM (Redan).

[I should think you would have a bigchance of being first in the next examination, David. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I <am in Standard V at school now, and in about five weeks we shall be having our inspector’s exam. The weather here is very unsettled, one day it will rain and the next a- cold wind will blow. We have a Eusy Bee here, and we are working up a social, which is to be on Fiidav night. I have read a very good book lately, the name of it is “Swiss Family Robinson,” and I am reading another very good one named | “Ungava.” My brother has a white ferret. ! I have been setting 12 traps lately, but as j it is too wet I have brought them. homo. We | have two :ows milking now. Love t-o all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.—• Yours tiuly, PLOUGHBOY 11. Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your happy band? For some lime I have , been res ding the D.L.F. page, and have j found seme of the letters very interesting. My mates, Happy Larry and H. 0.5., are staying here at- present on holidays. As this is my first letter 1 will close. Love to all D.L.F. members.—Yours truly, TIN PLATE. [You are very welcome to join us, Tin Plate.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —There is nothing very startling to write about, only we are having white | frosts every morning, and it makes a. person think twice before they get ut>. The school is closed for one month’s holiday, and the children are running wild and enjoying themselves. Mum and dad are sick of them at home already. Dad says he will send our four to the Hakataramea School, which has just opened after the winter holidays. Last Tuesday night there was an awful accident up the Hakitaramea motor hill. Two m-n in a motor car comiug the motor hill, when the driver could not sec tho corner, because there was snow on the winaserten, and the car went over the bank. One of the occupants died four hours later, and the other suffered from several injuries, but is progressing as well as can be expected. I was trying to persuade L. C. to write, but she has a book, and on 2 might as well try to fly as ask her to do any tiring when she gets a. book. With love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, QUEEN OF THORNS (Hakataramea). Dear Dot, —We ere having very wet weather just now. There were only four at school on Monday. I was sick on Sunday, and I wa3 in bed all day Monday. Many of t.he people were wishing it would rain, because their tanks were empty. We are just milking, the one cow in the morning and two at night. Love to all tli-3 other D.L.F. and also Dot.—Yours truly, PEPPER-KIT. [I suppose, now the rain has started, everyone is longing for it to cease again, Popper-kit.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have had better weather this week, and not so much hard frost. Since the factory lias stopped we only milk three cows at night and two m the morning. My mother makes the butter every week. I ride to music every Friday morning, but sometimes I cr o on Thursday night and stay at my auntie’s. My brother is ploughing now, and dc>e.s not like walking behind, the plough, on these cold mornings. Nearly all the neighbours about here have started ploughing. One man has finished ploughing, and is now spreading lime. I have started to nit a pair of fawn stocings for myself, and have a good bit done, love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, HEARTY LASSIE. Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band? I am nine years old, and am in Standard IV at school. We got a relieving teacher about a mo-nth ago. There are nine children going to our school just now. We nre having good weather, but at night 'here is a frost. We are milking four cows at present. My father and our man were carting out turnips to-day. We have, two pigs, a black one and a red one. To-night is a very clear night, and a lot of stars are shining. Last Friday the ehaffcut.ter came in unexpectedly when my father and mother were at Balchitha. so my brother and I had to prepare tea. for them. The engine made a mess of the paddock. I am reading a book about Livingstone’s travels, and it is very interesting. I am very fond of reading books of adventures. Love to all the battle Folk and yourself.—Yam rs truly, JOHNNY FROM THE. SHOTOVER. [lt was a good thing you were able to give the men a meal, Johnnie. It is a good thing to be a handy man. —HOT.] Dear Hot-, —Bight months have now elapsed since I first wrote to the page, and I am ashamed to admit that this is only mry second letter. 1 left the King Country shortly after New Year, and after a. short holiday I came to my present situation on a dairy farm in Douglas, Taranaki. We have now 17 cows milking once a day, and three, just in, milking twice. We will be milking 85 through the coming season. This is an exceptionally hard farm to work, as it is almost all drained swamp land and literally swarming with drains. Occasionally a cow will fall into one and give us the unpleasant ■ task of digging her out. W e have 20 purebred shorthorn cows and three pedigree jerseys.. The three jerseys are the pick of the herd, and from my own experiences I am convinced that jerseys are the be3t-tempered and best productive cows to be had. This piece of country is practically devoid of bird life, but for a few mynas, blackbirds, sparrows, tomtits, and goldfinches. In Kaitlee, King Country, the Hrd3 are tco numerous to r.ame. Notable ones I have seen are the long-tailed cuckoo, bronze or shining cuckoo, a few native crows, the native thrush, and plenty of native pi goons. A bird I forgot to mention in this district is the pukaki or swamp bird. They look very pretty with their dark blue plumage and reddish-brown beaks. A boy on a neighbouring farm recently had a narrow escape from being gored by a bull. It was night time, and, being very dark, the boy took a lantern, red on one side, in order to find his way across a paddock. The bull, seeing the red light, went after it, and the boy, hearing him coming, threw the lantern away. Luckily for him the red side turned up, and the bull turned on it and smashed it to pieces, this giving the boy time to escape. With best wishes to ell L.F., pot forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, THE HAWK. [[ am sure the boy did fast time across the paddock, The Hawk. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have been very busy of late. We are having terribly cold weather up litre. I hope it is better in Dunedin. Everyone here ia talking either football or dancing. For my part I think it is far cold for either. I have been to quite a number of dances this winter, arid) always came home nearly* frozen and, of course, with a sore threat next day. People about here seera to think we are going to have a heavy fall of snow. I hope not, but the wax eyes are down from the hills in hundreds, and people say that is a. sure sign of snow. Love to you and all 1113 Little Folk. —Yen.rs truly, IIHONA. [T have made the alteration, Rhon.i.— 1 DOT J

Dear Dot, —Since I latst wrote we have a new teacher. We have eight horses, two calves, three dogs, four oats, four cows, and about 40 hens. I have read many different books, Among which are “Heroes of European History*’ and “Britten Long-Ago,” and I found them all very interesting. The cTiaffcutter has been at cur place, and has made an awful mcs3 of the paddock. VVe are having lovely weather just now, but very cold nights. My younger brother is writing to his grandmother. I'am in Standard V at school, and 1 also sweep out the school My mother has just come home from Balclutlia, and is feeling it very cold. It is a. very beautiful night to-night, but there are not very many stars out. Love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting your own dear seif. Yoras tiuh, X HE RAQER BOY. Dear Dot —We got our winter holidays on the 30th of June, ancl they la-st until the 17th of July, and on the 18th we go back t-o school. There was a. severe frost trus morning. We are milking 14 cows just now, but they are not giving much milk. In some cf the places where the sun cannot get the frost lies for days. One or two are are laying just now. It has been a fine day to-day, only for the frost, but the air was also very biting. I have to write to Lilac to-night, so I will have to hurry. I am not reading any book at present, but I think I will start and read my puzzle prize, -'The Old Pincushion.” Mother read it, and she said it Was a lovely book. My brother has just arrived home with his biack dog. A week has passed since we got our holidays. I think everyone about here hates these severe frosts that we get here. I like going to school, and will not stay at home because I have not mised a day yet. We had some beans at school in sawdust in a chalk box, but the horrid frost nipped them one, night, so that was the end of our beans. Love to Lilac, Little Maid Marigold, and all the rest of the L.F., not forgetting vour own dear self. —Yours truly, BLUE RIBBON. Dear Dot, —Every time I read the Witness I just wish I was over beside you all; you. do have some jolly "times. Three months is a long time to wait for an answer, isn t it, Oot? The Witness is really very old when it reaches me, but does not lessen my enjoyment —not a tiny bit. Do you remember about the exams. I was telling you about, Dot? Well, my,little brothers came through with flying colours, and the oldest of them, James, is going. to a High School the boginning of next term. We are proud of him. 1 am sitting in bed writing this, although it is not quite bedtime yet. Mother is in the middle of her spring, or rather summer, cleaning, my brothers are out playing cricket, and I ‘thought the best place to write a letter was in bed. I witnessed an amusing incident the other evening: two small boys were in “Mr Somebody's” garden robbing the birds’ nests. One of them was standing on the roof of an old shed (which was kept for storing rubbish), trying to get at a nest. His companion was sorting out the spoils, otherwise the eggs, when, we heard a crash, and looked up, to see two heels disappearing through a large hole in the roof. The small boy looked at me and whispered in awed tones, “He’s killed.” I am afraid I forgot my manners and burst out laughing. I laughed still louder when a head covered with mud appeared through the hole in the roof again, lie was far from being killed, as was hown by the way he ran when the gentleman who owned the shed came out to see what the noise was all about. There is an old ruined castle near here, Bothwell Castle: it has lovely grounds, and is an ideal spot for pie-nice. A large party of cripple children from Glasgow were here for a picnic last week, and the Boy Scouts were there to do all they could to help them enjoy themselves. I think they succeeded, for tire children went away looking very happy. We are having lovely weather just now, although it was rather showery to-day. I see one of the L.F. lias a pen-name like m/ine, but without the A; will she please write to me? If I sent a. postal order would I get a badge. Dot? Mother has stopped cleaning for to-nigiht, so I think I will close with best love to Rosapink, Freckles, and Motor Jim, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly', A SCOTCH LASSIE. [A foreign postal note would be quite suitable, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F. ? I am nine years of age, and I am in Standard II at the South School. MDy sister writes to the page,. and he<r N.D.P. is Miss Innocence. Best wishes and kind regards to all the L.F., not forgetting your dear self.—Yours truly, WILFUL ALICE. [You are very welcome to join ns, dear. —

DOT.] Dear Dot,—We have not been getting the Witness for some time, but as we have started it again I felt quite interested in the L.F. page, so thought I would like to write. We are having very frosty weather, but one thing after frost, we get nice days. Our school playß basket-ball, and I like the game very much. Our team played several games, but we were not successful in getting the shield, which was well worth winning. We have a quadrille every Saturday night, and I go sometimes. I have a nice doll, and I am very fond of making clothes for her. We have had a change in our school lately, as we have a new teacher. With love to all L.F.—Yours truly, BETTY BLUB. [I am glad to learn you are still interested in the page, Betty.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I wonder what has become of Vivo and Milkmaid 11. They have not written to me since the beginning of the year, and I have been looking for a letter all the time. We are just milking one cow now. Our hens have started laying now, and we are getting four and five eggs a day. We had the thrashing mill, and it thrashed five stacks. We have two straw stacks. I had to stay home from school one day to help mother and Grandmother’s Girl. The men just kept us all going getting the meals ready, and washing the dishes. It seemed to be all meals and dishes to me. We have a relieving teacher at- school, but our new schoolmaster will be coming on the Ist of August. The house in which our teacher is going to live, is not. big enough, so it is going to be built larger. Love to Vivo, Milkmaid 11, Puss in Boots 11, Brown Eyes II and yourself.—Yours truly, RED CHEEKS [The badge has been posted, end I hope you receive it safely.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having a concert down here on tire 4th of August. We have had a lot of frost down here. We have a lot of cows and calves. It is too cold to got up ir. the mornings, and I like to stay in bed for a long time, but I have to get up to ®et ready for school. Our teacher bought a slapping rope for all the school children.. It was blowing all day Sunday. W© play a lot of gomes at school. Lore to all the L.F., not fen getting your own dear self.—Yours truly, CHERRY BLOSSOM: Dear Dot,—May I join your lnappy band of Little Folk? I am 15 year of age and left school a year- ago. lam now head ploughman on my father’s estate. We have been having a lot of frost down here and,; it has been very cold getting up these mornings to feed my horses but nevertheless I

manage to do it. Imre to all the Little Folk, not- forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, THE WILD COLONIAL BOY. [You wouldn’t hold ycur position long if you baulked at early rising, The Wild Colonial Boy—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Wo have been having frosty j weather lately. When the frost thaws the i road is muddy, and that is what we have to j play on at school. I wish they would hurry j up and build our new school. Every week j wo have an hour in games, and we go to play on the ground where the school is ! going to be built. I think it is to get us used to it when it is built. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, EVE’S PEARL. Dear Dot, —My time is limited, so, as I have found a spare moment, I took it into my head to write and ask your permission if I may join ycur band of L.F. Captain Jackson Barry’s Daughter told me about it, so I thought I would write. I am working j on our farm, and do all the implement work, ! besides odd jobs. I know C. J. B. D. and i Rifle Shot, but he Ires rot- written for three 1 years, so he may make up his mind and j write again when he knows I have written. There have been a good few dances here lately; there is one at Makikihi on the Q2nd find one at Hook on the 23id. I am wondering whether I shall go to both or not. Two luto nights are no good, and especially after j cycling up and home, arriving homo at 3 o'clock. To-day 1 have been ploughing, and I am feeling tired, so I think bed is the be3t place. It is freezing, and I hope it does not freeze too hard. Love to all L.F., especially Captain Jackson Barry’s Daughter.— Yours truly, CAPTAIN JACKSON BARRY’S DAUGHTER’S SWEETHEART. [Two nights’ dancing woiuld prove fairly strenuous, especially when you have to cycle, —DOT.] Dear Dot, —At present we are bavin® very hard frost. There are pictures held in Mabeno every Friday night, and I think I am going with my brother. At present I am reading a very interesting book named “East Lynn.” I have just finished reading “Tire Ohannings,” and I found it very interesting. I think Mrs Henry Wood’s books are all very interesting. On Anzac Day I was at a service held in the hall. The garden locks very bar© at present, and I wi 11 be very pleased when summer cornea. I can crochet, and find it a very nice pastime. Kind regards to all tile L.F., not forgetting' yoniself.—Yours truly, PATCHES. Dear Dot,—May I johi your happy throng? I am 12 years of age, and in the Fourth Standard. I have a brother in the same standard as I am in. Our hens are beginning to lay, and we are milking four cows. YY’e have a. bull called Jack, and a pet lamb called Trick. I have two brothers, their names are Victor and Ray. Ra.y is the youngest, and is 10 yeans old, and ho is playing the violin. Victor has the, bagpipes. I am learning the violin, too, at present-, and after a while my mother is going to get the piano. We get the Otago Witness. With love to D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, MOTHER’S ONLY GIRL. [You are very welcome to join us, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —I think I owe a letter to the page, but I have been very busy lately with the heap of home work we always have, so that I have not been able to find time to write. Yesterday w© had a half-holiday to go to the great football match between Christ/s College and B.H.S. Neither team scored until after half time, when the B.H.S. team scored their first and only goal, after which Christ’s College team started making their score run up till, at the end of the match the points were 24 —3. I think the College scored six goals and three tries, und B.H.S. one goal. I think B.HJS'. lias won the mutch for the last four years, so Christ’s College miU3t. have been determined to win this time. There were crowds there, as nearly all the school and a great many firms had a half-holiday. I was a neutral barracker. We are starting ! cur basket ball matches next week, and have been practising hard lately. You seem to welcome heaps of new members to the page every week, so I will not take up your time and space. Love to all the L.F., especially Sirius, A Little Vincennois, .Southland For Ever, and yourself.—-Yours truly, SWEET LAVENDER (Christchurch). [We are always delighted at the nice cheery letters you send us, Sweet Lavender. DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We a.r© having fine weather just now, but I think it is going to rain again. My sister is staying at the teacher's place. I know a good few children that mi to to the page. Two of ray sisters write, -and their names are White Fleece and Buttercup. My father and brother are trapping at Hakataramea-, but I think they will be heme soon. My grandfather and ur.cle are staying with us just now. Love to Mudlark, Snapdragon, and Daffodil, rot forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, QUEEN HEATHER. Dear Dot, —YVe are having awfuiiy cold weather at the present time. The frosts are very severe, and sometimes even cur hot water taps are frozen. I hope this writing is plain enough for you to read 1 , as I have a poisoned finger, and it is awkward writing. It is _my first finger on my right hand that) is poisoned. It seems to be improving, but has been extremely painful and also very inconvenient, as I can't let my hand into water as the cloth on my finger would get wet. I am on my own all day to-day, and I have a frightful headache and nothing to do. I received such a funny book the othe_day. It is called “The Adventures of Mrs M'Sweeny,” and it is, as a friend assured me, a “sure cure for the blues.” In some places it is screamingly funny. I am away focr another holiday soon, and I hope the weather will behave itself for once. I saw in a previous Witness that An Old South Island Lassie has remembered the. page. I wonder does she remember slie lias such a thing as a correspondent ? Do you like Thackeray's books, Dot? I do, but there is only one in our public library, and os no one her© cares for his books we haven’t taken it from the library yet. I intend going for -it myself some night. I lead “Vanity Fair,” by Thackeray (I think I told you before), -and I think it is a splendid book. I got it as a- prize many years ago. Another author I like is Charles Dickens, and I have read a great number cf his books. My brother will only read Nat Gould’s books and the absurdly funny books by Steele Rudd. I would not read Nat Gould’s books for anything, as I think there is nothing in theme I will not ask you if you like reading as numerous others ask you the same question, and by your replies I see you do. Well, I will conclude for the present-, as -anything interesting rarely happens here. Sincerest regards to all my correspondents, especially yourself and Dorothy 11, An Old South Island Lassie.—Yours truly, GIRL O’ DREAMS. [I hope your finger is better, dear; it must be very painful this cold weather. I will give the address in the Auto Column.— DQT.J

Dear Dot,—Tie weather here is very disagreeable. We have had. a good deal of frost. Some mornings the frost was very hard. We have a mile and three-quarters to go to school. I have been reading a good number of books lately. arc not getting very many eggs just now. I have not seen Ladybird f-or a good w hile. The boys I are playing football at school. We have a new teacher. There are only nine going to our school. My father did not get many ducks this year. We are not milking many cows ju3t now. There is a library not far from here, and wo get books every week There are not very many flowers out at present. The daffodils are through the ground. Kind regards to all the L.F., not forgetting your dear self.—Ycurs truly, LADY SYBIL. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I would have written sooner, but 1 have been in the hospital for a long time. 1 held my thirteenth birthday in the hospital. My hands are very shaky still. YVe have a large farm up here.—Yours truly, DULCIE. [As soon as you feel strong enough will you please write your letters in ink, dear? 1 hops you are feeling much better. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —YVe are having very hard frost dcVn here, and it is very cold riding to school rn the frosty morning. We hare a nice little pony that my brother and 1 ride to school, and Grandma’s Mate rides a chestnut house. There was a dance on ci the school last night, but none of us went. YVe had a concert at home, and had real good fun Mum made two plates of toffy,, and provided supper for us. There is a lovely bush up hero with all kinds of ferns ar.d shrubs. It is lovely to hear the bellbiids singing in the summer time. YVe have had a baby brother since I last wrote to you, and he is such a dear wee thing. Love to all the D.L.F., especially Joyce's Little Maid.--Yours truly, MARY. Dear Dot, —The mornings are very frosty just now, though tliere has been no enow yet. Where we used to live the winters were very cold, with very bard frosts in the morning, and sometimes the whole creeks were frozen hard. One winter the snow was lift deep, and it took us all our time to walk through it, and as the frost froze on it. it made it lie for a long time. In our school wi have an organ, and so we have singing every clay, os it is a change from the school work. I planted some willow branches last week, ns they grow in the winter time if they are put in some damp soil. , lain collecting curios, and I 1 are some peculiar tub© shells, a part of a Maori axe, and some Moi bones. A neighbour of mine lias a museum of curios consisting of beautiful birds’ feathers, moa Cones, and other beautiful tilings He was telling me he saw a white starling in his plantation, and also a white sparrow, a most unusual tiling in those kind of birds. His sister has a Gallali parrot fhat talks, and it likes to liave a rub on its neck. To-day there is snow on the mountains. With best love to all the D.L.F., especially Persephone- 11, and Star of the Downs.—Yours truly, LOCHINYAR. Dear Dot, —May I join ycur happy band? I thought Ploughman's (Loehiel) letter was very interesting. I know three D.L.F.— Persephone 11, Loclrinvnr, and Star of the Downs. The weather here is verv unsettled, as it is blowing to-day, and there was a frost yesterday. As this is my first letter I will close. Love to Persephone 11, Loch invar, Star of the Downs, and all the L.F. — Ycurs trulj', LILY OF THE VALLEY 11. \ [As there is already a Lily of the Y T alley writing it would save confusion if you those another N.D.P.—DOT ] Dear Dot, —Mountain Lily was over heio to-day. The Ardlussa schoolboys played YVendonside football to-day, and Ardlussa! won, the scores bein® 12 to 5. I was over with Mountain Lily for four weeks, and we had a, very good time together. My mate is working about a male from here just now. YVe are miling two cows at present. MotorGirl and Dad’s Manager milk one each. Dad laid strychnine for rabbits about too weeks ago and he picked up 360 rabbits the next day. Love to all the Little Folk, especially my mate and sweetheart. —Yours truly, CAMPFIRE GIRL (Ardlussa). Dear Dot, —I am just going to tell you and your Little Folk about a trip my mate and I had to YY’dikouaati Beach a few days ago. Wo set out about II a.m on our bicycles, and we reached our destination about half-past 11. YVe went to YY’aikouaiti Beach first of all, and it must be about five miles in length, and we must have covered the five miles in about 10 minutes. YY’lien we were there a while we decided to go in the opposite direction, and when I jumped off my bike at one end of the beach I could just see a small black spot-, which happened to be my mate. Then we went to the lagoon, where we saw hundreds of birds (wild ducks), swans, and penguins) on each 6ide of us, anil we only had a narrow path about two yards wide and 4ft above the water to ride along. My mate found it very hard to stick to, because he has not had his bicycle very long. —Yours truly, $ TROOPER TOM. [Please remember to write on only cue side of the paper. Trooper Tom. Half your letter has had to be deleted through not observing this ruls. It is an unbreakable rule in newspaper offices. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is raining steadily here today, and it looks as if it’s going to continue. My mother is away for a holiday just now. YVendontide School played Ardlussa, and the match resulted in a win for the Ardlussa boys by 14 points to 5 points. YY r endonside boys defeated YVaikaia boys by 3 to 3. I have left school, and I am catching rabbits for my living. I am 15 years old. I still lea-ru music—the violin, —and it is just lovely.—Yours truly, CRIMBO (YY T endonside). [You will find your music great company, Crimbo. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—lt lias been very cold up here lately. The minister gave a lecture with lantern pictures on Dr Grenfell’s work in Labrador. It must be hard and cold there, and I would not like to live there. There are about 30 children going to our school. I saw that somebody had Little Dorrit for a name before I did, so I shall change my name to Dimple Darling. YY T e have a brown pony, but it is not broken in yet. Love to Twilight and all the rest of the D.L.F., not forgetting your dear self.—Yours truly. DIMPLE DARLING. [I have made the change, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Just a few lines to ask yon if you would be kind enough to allow me to join your happy band? 1 am 10 years old, and in Standard IV. 1 live about" three miles away from the township of Alexandra. I often read your letters in the Otago Witness, so I thought I would like to join the D.L.F. I liave one brother and a sister. My brother is learning the pipes and my sister and myself are learning the violin at present. YY’e have four cows, four noises, one dog, three oats, And about 100 hens, also 10 ducks, a pet lamb called Trick, and a wee calf called Toy. Trick (the lama/ <# a trick toot he follows me all over the countryside. Joy (the calf) is pretty, and has *

good run round the paddock when we are walking by her. It is very barren and cold up here in winter, but we cannot expect anything better. We go for a holiday every year, and this verj- we went to Purakstnui, and I enjoyed myself very much. It is very cold outside to-dav, but I am inside next to the fire, eo it does not matter. Best wishes to yourself and all the D.L.F. —Yours tiuly, FLUNKEY. [You are very welcome to join us, Flunkey. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote we have had the bazaar in aid of the swimming baths. They mode close on £2OO, and some more money is yet to come in from concerts, eti. The competitions were very good, especially the candle-lighting competition. There were 30 candles, and tlie one who lit th 9 most candles with one match received the prize. One boy lit 22, but I tliiuk it must have been a slow-burning match, because the rest never got more than 15. Mr Fox oame out with the Hastings, band. On Saturday Mahora Forth Seniors played Havelock Seniors, and won after a veryhard struggle, the scores being 3 to nil in tbe favour of Mahoea. The Juniors defeated Parkvale 12 to nil after a hard game. I don’t play in any team, but I think that if I practised hard I would get a game. We have been having very bad frosts up here lately. A lorry came into our school grounds to-day, and one wheel went on the asphalt. Of course the lorry was bogged, and it took a bit of work to get it out. I think they ought to have more sense then to go on asphalt with a heavy lorry. Kind regards to all L.F., not forgetting yourself. — Yours truly, BUNTY. [The bazaar must have been quite a great success both from a financial and amusement point of view, Bunty.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote I have been very ill. I have had quinssy in a very bad foim. I was in bed tor about a fortnight, and I still have a nice cold. But one really can’t expect to get well with the miserable •weather we are having at present. However, 1 am back at work again, and I am not sorry, only I soon get tired, as I am awfully' weak, and very often by dinner time I wish I were back in bed again. Well, Dot, as usual, every tiring is very quiet here; football and pictures are about the only things of any interest just now, and as it is too cold for me to go out at night and too cold for me to go and sit at the football match — or, at least, that is what they say—l really con't have anything very much to interest me. I think this will be all this time, as news is very scarce over here. Best love to Brereton, Tasma, Gold Branchen, Grant, Wyoming, Wee Muff, A Lonesome Melody, Margarite, Poor Pidge, Scotch Lassie, Aussie, A Y.M.C.A. Sport, Violet, Tom Moore, Motor Jim, Sweet Violet, Vivienne, Lizetta, and A Morning Star, not forgetting yourself. —Yours truly, MARGARET. [I hope you are quite recovered and regaining strength, Margaret.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have read with interest the letters in your Dh.P. section, and I was tempted to write one to you also. I have yielded to the temptation, as you see. After all, Auckland is not so far away from Dunedin, for New Zealand is just a little speck on the globe. Why, they say it is not known at all in America, but 1 guess it’3 well enough known in France and in Gallipoli. The main topic of conversation up here is, and has been for the last week, the magnificent match between North and South Islands. It was one of the most brilliant end spectacular matches ever seen in Auckland. South’s last minute win brought tears of grief to the eyes of the tinfortunate North supporters, for feeling runs very high up here between North and South. The South supporters, amongst which I was numbered, returned home very jubilant. The Auckland weather is about the same as usual. We get specimens of every season every week—wot, fine, hot, frosty, gales, calms all tend to show that Auckland contains the good (and bad) elements of every other town in the world. I don’t know what Dunedin weather is like, but if it is wor-se than Auckland’s I would not like to live there. Christchurch will do me, and I’m sorry I ever left it. It may interest you to know how I get the name under which I am writing. Well, I could not think of a suitable name, sc I put a lot of names from history in a hat, and drew. It came out to—Your3 truly, XANTHIPPE'S. [I hope you will be tempted quite a lot oi times, Xanthippus, and also yield to the temptation to write. Please inclose your name and address with your next letter. — DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your band of Little Folk? My sisters and I always have a race t-> see who will gee the Witness first, to lead the L.F. letters. My father is away i i the buck-blocks, end as we haven’t seen him since Easter we are looking forward to having h;m home again. We are having wet. cold days just now. I hope it is fine on Thursday, as Darkey Milkmaid and I hope to go to the pictures. We had a good time at our bazaar. Souse of my mates and I were selling button-holes As this is my first letter I will not make it. a long one. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.— Yours truly, BUSTERCUT. [You will be very glad to have your father home again after such a long absence.— DOT] Dear Dot,—May 1 join your happy band of D.L.F. ? I havs five sisters and one brother. I am in Standaid IV at school, and so is my sister. My eldest sister has just gone to work. We are milking one cow' just now, and I often milk her in the morning My little brother has just started school, but he will not go in his own clas3 We have a picture show every Thursday, so we are getting quite up to date. My sister and I are going this w-eek. Wo had our church bazaar last week, an* my two sisters and I are all Busy Bees There were 11 of us, and our Christmas-tree takings were £7 ss. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.— Yours truly, THE DARKEY MILKMAID [You got a good return for all your work, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join vour happy band of I am eight years old and "in the Third Standard. We are having good weather just now'. 1 was invited to a partyon Tuesday, but I did not go. We are having holidays just now, and we are going back on the 17th-of this month.—Yours truly, WHITE BUNNY. [Don’t you h'ke parties, White Bunny? I didn’t.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —For a long time now I have wished to be a member of your happy band, but could not pluck up enough courage lo write and tell you so. I am 15 years of age. an 1 arn staying with my auntie at, Mosgiel M v auntie used to write to the page under the nom de plume of Olive, and" so she urged me to write. She is married now, and ins five rowdy boys My mother three •asters, and brother live in Dunedin.' and I often go in for veek-ends. My father is ftnay tion home; fie ja working at Hai-

tangata. I like the min, hut not the mud it makes. We do not get much snow in winter now. I am sorry, because I love playing snow fight and going for long walks in the snow. I must tell yon, Dot, about my first ride on my cousin’s pony. One Sunday we though l -, we would go for a drive to V. hare Flat. W© were all going in the buggy except my eldest cousin, who was to ride “Molly,” the pony. We started off, and about a-quarter of the way there my cousin began to get tired and fell behind. We stopped and waited until he came up, and he said he wanted to go in the buggy. My uncle was going- to tie Molly on to a post on the roadside until eve oame buck, but. I said I would “give it a go.” I got on, and we started off. I had never ridden before, as I was always scared to. It is a lovely sensation when one does anything you are almost terrified to do. Well, Dot, I toon got into the way of riding, and I did rrot fall off once. I rode there and back, which was about 15 miles. I was always on tbe pony after that. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly, BUSTER. [Riding is very enjoyable, once one overcomes nervousness, Buster.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having misty weather her© just now, and it is not very nice when it is raining all the time. There was a farewell social to the minister in Waitahuna last week, but I did not go to it, as it was too far. It was a beautiful night, and freezing hard. I heard it was all right. The congregation presented him with a roll of notes. What do you think of having a sprained ankle, Dot? I had the job of nursing one to-day, and the foot was swollen nearly twice as big as its ordinary size. I am thinking of coining to Dunedin at Christmas time for a holiday. It will be my first time there, eo it will be all new to mo. My sister and I got a new piece of music each given us about a month ago—“ April Showers” and -‘Mammy's Little Sonney Honey Boy.” They are both, very nice ones, and Lavs lovely tunes. There was a dance in the schoolroom last week, and I enjoyed myself very much. Best love to Deemess, Sylvi, Telephonist-, Mother Macliree, and Olga, not forgetting yourself.—Yours tiuly, COUPONS FOR KISSES (Waitahuna). Dear Dot, —All the L.F. around here must have forgotten there- is such a thing as the page, as they do not write nowadays. I sos the new story in the Witness is “Jennifer J.,” by Ethel Turner, so it should be good. I have read a good many by that writer, including Miss Bobbie, Seven Little Australians, and Captain Cub. I started to write tLis, and then I was wanted to play cards, but I do not, like cards much. There are to be two or three lectures here shortly, and there are dances held every Wednesday night, fin Saturday the local football team played a town team, resulting in a win for the latter. There is a debating society held here every fortnight, and there are some very good arguments put up sometimes by several of the members. Love to all D.L.F., not forgetting Starlight, Ploughman, A Heart of Gold, and Buckeye, and your own self.—Yours truly, SMILING JACK. Dear Dot, —Last time I wrote we were living at Wairaki, but since then we have shifted tc Beaumont Settlement. I like Beaumont well enough, but it is very quiet after Wairaki, with all its coalminers. There were 32 children going to Wairaki School when we left, but I hear that a number more have started. The Aparima River flows about thiee miles from, our house, a.nd about three chains from the school which we attend. There are only 14 children going to Beaumont School, five girls and nine boys. I have to work very hard at my lessons this year, as I am going for my proficiency. If I get it 1 shall be going to Southland Girls’ High School next year. Love to Gold Branchen, Fiona 11, Mount Rouse, and Inverlochy, not forgetting your own dear self.— Yours truly, MIMOSA II (Beaumont). [Judging by your letters I think you should get your proficiency, Mimosa,—DOT.] Dear Dot, —It is mining at present, and is very cold, but the glass is going up now, so I think it will soon clear up. I w»as up at the Flower of the Family’s place for four days, and then sire oame down here, and is now stopping with me. We did not go to school to-day, because it was too wet, but I hope we shall get to-morrow. Grace Fisher went into Dunedin -last Tuesday, and she is supposed to come home to-night, but she is not home yet, We have the Wizard light in the house, and it is much better than the lamp. It is after the style of the gas, but it is worked with petrol. We have a cow in now, a.nd it makes a difference when one is used to milk, and all of a sudden one has to do without it. My father went to Milton to-day. I was at a dance on Friday night, and I enjoyed myself very well. It was a beautiful night both going to the dance and 'Coming home. We. have a little pig, and not long after we got it it got out of the sty, and, of course, we put it in again, hut it got out, so we left it out, but it was rooting up everything, and it was growing, so yesterday I put it in, and I had a terrible job. First of all I run it down to the sty, and then I tried to lift it up, but with the squealyig and the weight it beat me. The door was nailed down, so the pig couldn’t get it up, .and I did not want to take all the nails out, but I had to. Anyway when I did get tire door open the nig was glad to get in, because I put the dogs on him. Best wishes to The Flower of the Family, Machine Gun, Colleena, Garmyllie, The Fair-haired Lassie’s Sister, and all the rest of my correspondents, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly', SILVER SHOE, [Pigs are not the most tractable animals' to deal with, Silver Shoe.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Since I last wrote to you I have been enjoying myself very much. I am at present stopping -at Silver Shoe’s place. She was at our place for about four days before 1 I oame down here. She was helping me with the cows and housework, as mother was away for a holiday. I was head cook and bottlewasher. 1 went to a dance on Friday night, .and had a good time. On Sunday Silver Sliqe and I went for a, ride on horseback to see if we could find some cattle. We went three or four miles over rough ground, and we also went up a hill that I would not like to walk uip myself, it was so steep, but we came home and found no cattle. iSilver Shoe went to catch some horses to-day with great big gum-boots on. She did look a hard shot. It was raining heavily, and sho got. soaking wet. Hcatheote and I did some washing yesterday, and we did not think it would get dry, but it did. Erotaka has been away for such a long time from home helping her sister, who lias been very ill, but I hope she will soon come home, iaa she is much missed. Best wishes to Grace Fisher, Ileatbcote, Silver Shoe Garmyllie, Ooleena, Erotaka, and Licklo Tickle, not forgetting all my correspondents ancL.yourself.—Yours truly, . THE FLOWER. OF THE FAMILY. Dear Dot,—’Tis months now since I have written to the page, so here goes for another letter. I suppose it won’t be long now before I will be amongst the O.W. A few weeks ago my mate and I went to Brighton foT the week-end, and what a rare time wo hod. It- was the best week-end I put in for many a long day. f just simply love Brighton «md Taieri, Mouth, Qn the Siut-

day we hired a rowing boat for the day, and spent most of the time taking photos of the bush scenery, etc. On our return back to the shed we had a calamity. While exchanging seats three of us went on one side of the boat, and, of course, the thing capsized, and, to make matters worse, one of the crew yelled that she was getting wet. We were unable then to work for laughing, hut in spite of all this we managed to right the boat and continue cur interrupted journey horns. .Well, Dot, as I have a little work to do I think I will close. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting to take your share.— Yours truly, AVIATOR'S PAL, [There are some beautiful spots up the river, end one. can get some excellent views.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —Just a few lines to let you know that I received the badge yesterday, and I also saw my letter in the Witness. The weather down here is very g-pod, and it is freezing to-night. I received six letters from correspondents since I wrote last. There was a ball held Here last night, and it was a very nice one too. The hall was a picture to look at with all the streamers and coloured lights hanging from the roof and walls of the hall. Well, Dot, news is scarce down here, so I will close with best love to Velmer, Velr.a Lenora M‘Kay, Canzonetta, A Winter’s Night, and Lady Joans Companion, and all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, RALPH (Invercargill). [I suppose, like most young fellows, you like dancing, Ralph.—DOT.] Dear Dot—l have had a bad cold for this last month, and it was not very nice. Tne weather here is very' cold -and wet. A - cut a week ago the water was across the road, and we had to wade across to school. _ I was at the hunt on the Ist July, and it was very nice watching the hounds following tlie scent, and the horses jumping the fences. We are milking four cows and feeding' two calves. Our hens are laying well, and we get from eight to 10 eggs a- day. We have a little black kitten with one piece of white fur at its throat, and that is all the white that is on it. We are going to Pyramid to play a match some of these day's. \Ve have different sticks to what we had last match, so we should play better. Love to a.l the L F., not forgetting your own dear self Yours truly, KREMO. [I hope the new sticks cause you to be victorious, Ktemo. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—Quite a long time has elapsed since I last wrote to you. I am now in Standard VI at school, and I like it ail right. I was first in my last examination, and the inspector’s annual one is in a few weeks. My second eldest brother has got better from bronchitis. Last year he had a narrow escape from drowning in the river here. My eldest brother got his band caught in the churn at the dairy f actory here. Two of his fingers were damaged, and although it is about thiee months ago now, he has still two hollows in his fingers. A bazaar was held her© on tne 6th and .t.n of this month by the Church Ladies Guild in aid of the church. They gathered about £ll2, which was not bad. They had competitions, and I went- in for nail-driving and guessing the number of peas m -a bottle tor a bride doll, but nly luck was out both times. My father won a rooster and two little dresses at quoits. The dairy factory here only works twice a week. My father, who is manager,, does the work by himself now, but in the summer time they have about six assistants. M 37 father does not make cheese now, but separates the milk -and sends the cream to Invercargill. YYe play* basket-ball at school, and have a special half-hour on Friday afternoons for playing. It is one of my brother’s birthday to-mor-row, and he will be six years old. Last Christmas I spent a delightful holiday at Ashburton, staying- with an aunt who i 3 an 0.W., her N.D.P. being Edendale-ite. My father is going for his holiday soon, and lias decided to go to Middlemarch, and Ashburton too. We have been having some severe frosts lately, hut it has begun to rain now. Best wshes to all the D.L.F., not forgettng yourself.—Yours truly, MAC. [Your family have been unfortunate lately, Mac, and I hope all the invalids are now quite better.—DOT.] Dear Del, —I have always taken a keen interest in your D.L.F. column, so I am writing to -ask you if I may become a member. We have been having terribly frosty weather up here lately, but I think there is a change on to-day. I see there are a lot of DJL.F.. writers in Sutton, so I thought I would write and make one more. There was a hockey match at Middlemarch on Thursday afternoon and a football match on Friday afternoon —Middlemarch v. Matakanui. It was a very interesting match, the result being a draw. At night the _ hockey girls held" a concert and dance, which proved a great sucess. My sisters went, and enjoyed themselves immensely. It was a good night for a dance, as it was freezing very hard. We are just beginning to get busy on the farm, as the cows are coming in, and there are a ways a lot of turnips to cart for them. It is not altogether pleasant work these frosty mo-rnings, as they are frozen into the ground. Love to ali the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, A YOUNG-. DAIRY FARMER (Sutton). [One can think of warmer jobs than carting turnips in the frost, A Young Dairy Farmer, but I suppose you soon get warm. — DOT.] Dear Dot, —I ride to school every day on a little chestnut pony. Her name is Rose. My father has a motor car, and it is a Bui'ck. I have three miles to go to school, and I think it is a long way. My birthday was last week, and I had a party at night. I am 13 years of age, and am in the Fifth Standard. There were 20 boys and gills at my party, and w© had a glorious time. We had tea out on the lawn In the day time, ■and had supper inside at night. We have one servant, and she works ha-rd. We have a big' brother, and lie is 19 years of age, and he works in a draper’s shop. We went to the pictures last night, and we saw Charlie Chaplin and “The Kid." Our headmaster is very nice, and lie has never given me the strap yet. We went for a picnic in our rubber-tired gig, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. My big brother and A Little Mischievous Mischief’s big brother went in the motor bike and side-cliair. Our mother and A Little Mischievous Mischief’s mother and A Little Mischievous Mischief and A Little Mischief and myse’f all went up to Cliristclrur'cli for our holidays last Christmas. Yesterday my mother nnt-de me go into the bathroom, as I broke her lovely glass jug. We get the Weekly Press and the Otag-o Witness. I am learning the violin, and I am thinking of the time when I can play tunes on it. Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, A. LITTLE MISCHIEF-MAKER. Dear Dot, —A Little Mischievous Mischief, A Little Mischief-maker, and I ride to school. Wo had a cousin stopping at our place for three months. It is very cold just now. The garden looks very dull, as the flowers are all gone. We went for a picnic on Saturday in the bush. The three of us rode with two of our friends. Wo went last iSttturday in our gig. We got a new motor case two days ago l aid aold aux old one; the

new one is a Buick. I am in the Fifth Standard at school, and am 13 years of age. A Little Mischievous Mischief and A Little .Mischief-maker, and I are all in the same standard. My sister had a birthday party last week. I have a big brother 19 years of age, and he works in a draper]) shop. We went to the pictures last night, and we saw Charlie Chaplin .and “The Kid”: it was great fun. We have a large plantation, and we play many kinds of game* among the trees. When we were going to school this morning a motor lorry frightened our ponies. We did travel up the hill, and it did not take uis long to go to school. We went up to Christchurch for a holiday, and it was lovely. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours trulv, A LITTLE MISCHIEF. Dear Dot,—My little sister broke mv nib, and so my writing is not very neat, as this one is not new. The trees axe very bare just now, and the place is not very pretty. We were chased by a big bull to-day, and so we went through the paddocks. Most of the people are setting traps and ferreting. We play hockey and basketeball at school, and have good fun. We have- a lovely cheetnuc pony each, and we ride to school. Their names are Bessie, Ruth, and Rose. My father and A Little Mischief-maker’s father have motors, and they are both Buicks. We often go for drives in them, and enjoy them very much. We have a little rubber-tyred gig, and we went for a picnic the other Saturday and had good sport. My brother went to the picnic too. It has been raining lately, -and snowing too, so you can guess what it- was li]g£r 1 am 13 years of age and in the Fifth Standard at school. Our two brothers are playing at- wrestling on tho floor and making an awful din. W r e get the vv itness every week, and so we shall see our letters in the Witness. The fruit is all done, and I am very sorry, as we have a big orchard of our own, but the trees are mostly apricots, peaches, apples, and plums. W 7 e have a playhouse amongst the hawthorn, and so we called it Hawthornden. Don’t you think it is a- pretty name. My mother was ill, and so the servant had to do ell tho wot ] k. Igo to all the dances in the district-, and I like dancing very much. Our head master never straps the girls. We are very good in school, as we are very eager to le-arn. The man that is working for us killed two pigs, and they squealed like anything. Love to A Little Mischief-maker and, A Little Mischief, not forgetting your own dear self.— Yours truly, A LITTLE MISCHIEVOUS MISCHIEF. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy hand of Little Folk? I am II years old" and I am in Standard Vat school*. Y\ T e h-a-ve three cows milking just now. We have sonic hens and a dog. The weather latch.-- has been veiy wet. I have about two miles to go to school. Mother just came out .of the hospital a- while ago,, and she is not very well. Love to all i] le Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, KISS A MISS. [You s-re very welcome to join us, dear.— DOT.] AUTOS. Waitaki (Edna C-alder), Stour street, Oamaru, wishes Virginian Creeper to write to her, and wishes to correspond with any L.F. willing 13 to 16 years. May (Gwen M, Smith, Skippers Point, via Queenstown) wishes to correspond with Princess Olga. Tin Plate (A. Childs, care of Mr C. W. Wilkinson, 87 Harrow street, Dunedin) wishes to correspond with any L.F. 16 to 18 years. Queen Heather (Lillian Geary, Taieri Mouth) wishes to correspond with Gentle Annie, Freckles, Brownie, Beaver, Maggie Bell, and Water Lily. White Fleece (Mina Geary, Taieri Mouth) wishes to correspond with A Distant Friend, Tonrpey, and Sulky Boots. Patches (Mildred Buzan, “Melrose,” Maheno) wishes to correspond with Sally the Pedlar, Mountain Rider, Manager, and any L.F. willing. Girl o’ Dreams.—The address is Robert Galiini, 17 Avenue du Chateau, pres Paris, Vincennois, Fiance. Buster (Helen Kenyon, care of Mrs E. W. Jones, Gordon road, Mosgiel) wishes to correspond with Horse-lover, > Boots, 1001, Old Mother- Slip-per- slo pper, Y. Y., and an}- L.F. willing. Silver Shoe (M. Gardyne, Glenledi, Milton) wishes to correspond with any D.L.F. 15 to 16 years willing. The Flow'd- of the Family (M. Kennedy, R.aurekau, P. 0., via Milt-on) wishes to correspond with any L.F. 15 to 16 years. Pal (Mr W. J. Brown, care Box 352, Dunedin) wishes to correspond with Clyde and any L.F. in Australia "and North Island over 18 years.