IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3610, 22 May 1923, Page 63

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

PARLIAMENT TO BE CONSULTED. WELLINGTON, May 14. The Prime Minister has received the following telegram from Mr Bonar Law through his Excellency the GovernorGeneral : Regarding the Imperial Conference, in 1 iew of the great importance of the subjects to be discussed, particularly foreign relations and defence, I would like to urge you to come to London this autumn if you possibly can. I feel very strongly that the conference would benefit by your wide experience and knowledge, and apart from this the absence of New Zealand s Prime Minister cannot but detract from its representative character. "1 propose to convene Parliament earlier than I first intended,” states the Prime Minister, “with the object of giving honourable members an opportunity of considering the position regarding the coming Empire and Economic Conferences.”

(All Rights Reserved.) No. 44. SILVER ISLANDBy Edith Howes. CHAPTER IX. During the next three days the childrea explored the island. They sailed or rowed completely round it, landing wherever it was possible to land, and scrambling through the bush in every direction, looking for tracks or any signs of human habitation. They climbed the three peaks, gazing from their different heights far up the inlet and across t-o the green and quiet shores of the mainland on either side, then down to the wooded slopes and valleys at their feet, their little bay and hidden camp on one hand and Arthur Seymour’s valley and wildgrown garden on the other precipitous cliffs behind them. There was no man on the island, no other habitation but the cave already discovered. The footprint remained a mystery. There were no goats on the island either. And though Jim had brought several handfuls of wheat from Aunt Kathleen’s bag of fowl feed and had scattered them oa the soft ground near the camp and covered them with loose earth and rubble, they gave no signs of growth as yet. But the children were in no danger of starving. They were resourceful, and they were bom explorers in the matter of food as in all else. Besides, from their reading, and from former experiences in camping, they had picked up many valuable hints about food and its preparation that now stood them in good stead. When Jim had cased his weka. in clay and baked it in the embers, lor instance, he was following a method described in a book about gypsies that he had read a year ago; and their little Maori oven, that cooked the food so perfectly in its own steam, was a copy of one that Dad had once made. The rocks and shelving beaches were rich in shellfish, many of which they learned to like. The tender oysters could be eaten straight from their shells; pipis arid winkles must be-boiled; mussels made an excellent soup; pa was must be well pounded before they were cooked or they would be tough. All these creatures could be obtained only when the tide was low, but then they were easily and quickly gathered. Fishing took longer, and was less sure to result in a meal, but its very uncertainty made it the more alluring. “It’s like dipping into a bran pie” Enid once remarked. “You never know what you are going to bring up.” One of them generally brought up something, for blue cod, butterfish, terakilii, and kelp fish, with their bright green bones, were numerous round the island. One day, when they had caught more than they wanted, Enid had a great idea. She strung the spare fish on a twisted cord made of several strands of string, and swung the cord from one tree to another so that the fish hung in the smoke of the fire. There, day after day, thev dried, and more were added. “Ready for a rainy day’’ as Enid said. That gave Jim an idea. He brought down an empty kerosene tin from the deserted cave, cut it open, and hammered it out flat. This, spread a couple of feet above the fireplace on four uprights which he cut from a tree and sharpened ready for sticking into the ground, would keep out the rain on wet days and enable them to do their cooking. They sometimes had other birds besides welcas, for Jim made a bow and arrow, which they had all learned to use. No-w and again they brought down a kaka by this means. They had been taught a fine reverence for the beauty and wonder of the native birds. “Never destroy the glory of your own country,” Mum used to say; “it- is only stupid'people who do that.” But they felt that hunger might well make their offence forgivable. Wekas, besides, were a pest, and kakas were very numerous. But when a great wild pigeon sat trustingly above the camp and Wuffles shot it down Enid was so sorehearted at the destruction of its loveliness, and refused so persistently to eat any of its flesh, that that particular offence was never repeated. For vegetable food, so necessary for health, there were lawyer and fuchsia berries, the gooseberries of the old garden, and plenty of wild turnip, which Enid sometimes boiled and served up like cabbage. There was a nativo cress, too, which was excellent, and a thick white fern root which they sometimes split and boiled. “Always take care to have some vegetable food,” Dad used to say, and they did their best to follow liis Remembered advice. The boys thought it strange that the cave contained no fire-arms of any sort, nor any fishing lines. Not even a hook

could they find, nor so much as a cartridge. How had Arthur Seymour lived? To be -on the island and not to fish seemed unthinkable, with the blue and silver beauties swimming all round the coast. The three made many excursions to the cave and the old garden. They went chiefly for gooseberries, which were ripening fast; but often they brought away something else of value for their camp. The strip of carpet, stretched vertically from tree to tree along the east side of the boys’ sleeping place, made an excellent screen from cold winds. The blankets from the bunk, dipped in middle stream and dried in the sun, were much appreciated as extra bed coverings, even though they were somewhat moth-eaten. Though days were warm, nights were apt to be chilly. Most precious of all were the books. Those printed in English were taken down to the camp ; those in the strange language were left with their strangeness. “Richard Feverel” proved too difficult for such young readers, but Dickens, Shakespeare, and ' Larntb and the delightful “Don Quixote” were devoured by them. The stories were the fascination, the immortal stories that ran like golden rivers through thick forests of wit and wisdom and humour and pathos. The forest did not matter; if you pushed strong through it, tossing its branches aside from your path, you could follow the river from its beginning to its golden end. That was ail that mattered now. Perhaps, coming that way again in later years, one might stop to admire the beauty of the fore-st; at present, the river, the story was all one cared to find. The books became nob onlv a comfort, filling in hours of enforced idleness when it rained, but also a joyful companionship, a kindling delight that left a life-long pleasant memory’. (To be Continued.) PROTECTION OF BIRD LIFE. d.l.f. competition. The following letter is commended to the careful attention of L.F., especially in country districts: Dear Dot, —Let us make a humble start on our bird crusade. We -want to interest our Little Polk in our native birds —teach them what they are like, what interesting habits they have, and, above all, to love and protect them. We want our children to know that many of these birds, only a few years ago quits' common, are now becoming very scarce, and we are anxious that each and every child should learn to use his or her eyes, tell us about- these birds and where they are Some of us will select, say, three best letters from June, 1923, to’ June, 19*24, and award a prize accordingly. Each competitor should mark his letter “Competition Letter, No. I,” etc. Of course common sense would tell you to select your descriptions at fairly wide intervals of the year, so as to include winter feeding, changes in plumage, mating of birds, nest-building, young birds, natural enemies, tricks or schemes of mothers to protect their young, etc., summer feeding. PRIZES. We have much pleasure in notifying L.P. that we are carrying out the suggestions proposed by Dr Fulton, and are offering the following prizes: First prize, £2 2s and the book prize donated by Mr Oscar Ceilings, entitled “Animals of New Zealand,” by Hutton and Drummond. Second prize, £l Is and- a book prize “Wild Life in Australia,” by Le Souef. Third prize, 103 6d. COMPETITION LETTER No. 1. Dear Dot, —Will you kindly enrol me as a member of the D.L.F. band? I ami 10 years old and in Standard V at school. I should like to write for the competition, if you think my letters are at all suitable. I do love birds. I could study them all day long, but really I get very few chances to know many birds, except those most common to our little township. I would like to tell you about a pretty little goldfinch and Lie mate, who usually build in a lilac bush in our garden. He is a beautiful bird, and my favourite. His head is black, and looks like a- hood, while all the front of his face is a dark red. His wings are- a mass of lovely shades in green and cold —indeed, be seems to have a gorgeous coat for such a tiny fellow. The first time I found his nest (which was quite small compared to some nests, but, oh! so soft and downy) I felt in it and found two tiny eggs, and what do you think happened, Dot? Well, they left their nest, and for that season didn’t come near it again. Wo left the. two eggs for a week or more, and then my brother took them for bis collection. My mother told me when first I touched the nest that the goldfinches would leave it. I wonder why they do that, when other birds take no such notice? This year there was another nest in the lilac bush, but I did not disturb it. Yesterday my mother called me to watch Father Goldfinch picking out seeds from some of our sunflowers. As he clung to the seeds the sunflower kept swinging up and down, btu he kept on feeding and throwing down the shells of the seeds. He looked so comical having his joy ride that I had to laugh, and, of course, off h-e flew*. Mother and I had a look at the sunflowers, and he had picked almost half the seeds out. of two small heads. Mother thinks she had better take her sunflowers in now, or she will have few seeds left for her fowls. T thought I should write and tell you this story about my little friend, and I hope the Little Folk find it interesting.—Yours truly, TYNE LASS. [Thanks, Tyne Lass, I found your letter very interesting, and am very pleased you arc a bird-lover. —DOT.] LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Ifcito. - We write for the benefit of others, )ril fo: ourselves, Vft letter to contain more than 350 wordo. Dear Dot, —I have kept silent until after a social we had, as I wanted to tell you about it. To begin with, it was in honour of a young lady who is visiting here for the purpose of organising Bible Classes. We decided to have the social after Maori style, and the supper, which was spread on the floor on cloths, was cold sausages and boil-ing-hot potatoes in their 'skins. You should have heard the screams of laughter ’’when the people came in to partake of it. Nobody knew what they were in for when they got their invitations, which, by the way, were typed on brown paper. Games and a fewmusical items took up the rest of the evening until 11 o'clock. Everybody said that it

was the most novel and interesting social they had ever been at. We are having miserable weather at present, though not quite so bad as it is down south, from all accounts. We are all practising hard for the hockey tournament, which 13 being held here on June 3. Our team has won the cup for several years running now, and we hope for the same In ;k this year. There was a big service held in the Show Grounds on Anzac Day, when all the returned soldiers, Cadets, and Territorials paraded. It was a very wintry day, which spoilt the function to a certain extent. The races were held here yesterday and to-day in teeming rain; but that doesn’t seem to make any difference to the majority of the people who attend race meetings. On the first night of the races there was a boxing tournament and also a jazz cabaret held. Both, I think, were well patronised. I have a cousin just come to the hospital for training. Not being used to that kind of work, she finds it rather hard, but likes it very much. Love to my correspondents and yourself.—Yours truly, CENTRE HALF [I have made the alteration, Centre Half. Thank j’ou for drawing my attention to the matter. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your band of merry L.F. ? I am nine years of age and in Standard I. I have two pet k’t'ens at home; one is a good jumper, while the ether is a capital rat-catcher. I am setting a few rabbit traps, and catch a lot of rabbits. Fishing season is out now, but duck-shooting fills its place. One man shot 18 ducks, and another shot six and two pukakoes. I was out shooting with a young man, and we got two ducks. Another man shot eight shags. Love to Leithen and Murray’s Tartan. —Yours truly, THISTLE OATMEAL. [Ycu are very welcome to join us, DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am in Standard Y now, and our term examination is on. After it is over we get one week’s holidays. Leithen is a schoolmate of mine, and we often go out crabbing and sometimes rabbiting. Football is our chief game at school. We might be going to ploy a match against Waikcikoi after the holidays. I hope you were one of the fortunate® to escape the flood waters. My uncle and auntie, who live in South Dunedin, were flooded out. Every place in the South Island seems to have suffered more or less through the heavy rains. Love to Leithen and Thistle Oatmeal and to your own dear self. —Yours truly, MURRAY’S TARTAN. Dear Dot, —Most of the trees are bare now. My mother’s floweis are nearly all dead with the frost. I saw the flood in Dunedin. The flood here was not a very big one, but it spoilt a piece of the road by the river. There has not been much rain lately.—Yours truly, SILVER BELLS. Dear Dot. —May I join your happy band of D.L.F.? I am 11 years old and in Standard IV at school. We are starting our examination on Monday. I walk two miles to the station, then go to school in the train. There are two teachers at our school and SO pupils. I was in the hospital about a month ago, and I met Vera-ndah Fairy there. She and I were sleeping the verandah, and wo had good fun together. I have been under three operations, and I hope I have not to go under any mora. It is after half-past 6 when I get home at night, because we have to wait two hours for the train after school, and it is very cold waiting there in winter. Love to Verandah Fairy and yourself.—Yours truly, LORNA DOONE. [lt must be very trying having to wait such a Tong time for the train, dear.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —I think someone must be doing something wrong for us to have such floods as we are having. Although I must say I needn’t growl, as we only had a quarter of it where we are, because there was snow not very far away, and rain doesn’t fall very long once snow gets near here. It was quite enough to do a bit of damage, such Q 3 stopping people from carting in their linseed for a few weeks, and also flooding a few rivers. My grandmother was down south when the flood was down there, and she was only back three days when it came up here. A few people up our way r*ut it down to her for bringing it up here. I have such a darling little grey kitten, and every time I sit down to play the piano it jumps on to my lap and runs up and down the kevs as if it likes the sound of the music he makes. He will never let me play if he is near. I have just had an attack of jaundice,. and I can say I don’t want another, as it wasn’t very nice to be in bed three weeks in fine weather. I am quite all right now, and I am going to the Ashburton races to-morrow, but we have found out they have been postponed until next week—on account of the rain, I expect. Best- wishes to all my pen friends, and especially yourself, Dot. —Yours trulv. WINONA. Dear Dot.—l have not written for a long while, but I mean to start again and write regularly to your paee. The weather is verv unsettled and cold up here. One day it is fine and the next either raining or blowing. We broke up at school for the term holidays on the 4th May till the 21st. The examinations were finished at 2 o’clock, eo we got an hour off from lessons. I did not go to a servif'e on Anzac Dav. but I to school to salute the flag. I also sold Bomo poppies. We had a lovely bier wreath of popTves with fern. Our tether “The Children’s Newspaper.” “The Childron’a r -» " .. " t “Cassell’s Children’s Book of Knowledge” for us to read. I like all. lv»cn’’se svnft have lovely stories in them Did the printing office get flooded out, TW ? ] saw flo mc pictures in the Witness of the town. Love to all the L F.. not forgetting your dear self. —Yours trulv, A LITTLE APPLE-PICKER. [Some water "of into the cellar, but that was all, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —There is plenty of mud around here. Some da vs ago there was a .flood here, and mv brother and I went rabbiting, and we caught 10 rabbits. Wo had our quarterly examination last week, and our term holidays are next week. I will stav at home to trap rabbits, and I hope to catch plenty. T will be sorry when the fro«*t cc.me®. We have a new teacher, and I bke her verv much. Lcre to the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, HAPPY’' MAURICE Dear Dot.— are haring lovely weather just now. It is just like spring weather during the day, but in the evening it begins to freeze. On Saturday night tberA wsß a dance held here in aid of the hall, and there were quite a number present. This morning my three little brothers went mushroom hunting, and they brought home enough for dinner. Yesterday when I went for my music lesson I saw about a dozen quails in a lucerne paddock, and they gave me quite a fright when they flew away, because I did not see them until they started to fly. The other day when I was reading the D.L.F. letters I noticed that another

girl hod taken my N.D.P., and I want to know if she would mind changing her name to another. As it is getting late, I will close with love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, ANGELA. Dear Dot, —We had our share of rain, but it was smaller than yours. We are having heavy frosts these mornings, and it is cold having to get up early to milk the cow 3. All the cows will be going dry about the end of this month, so it won’t be so bad. We have no mud round the cowbyre, so it makes a great difference. I go to the Southland Technical College on Mondays and Thursdays for dressmaking and millinery. On Thursday morning we have English and arithmetic, and millinery in the afternoon, and dressmaking on Mondays. It is quite dark when I get home now. Wo are getting a fortnight’s holiday after to-morrow. I am not going away for a holiday this term, as my two sister 3, Auld Lang Syne and A Cockey Farmer's Daughter, are away.— Yours truly. BUSH CLEMATIS (Southland). Dear Dot, —We are having very funny weather lately. I am busy knitting a jersey just now for my little cousin. She is stopping with us at present, and her name is Olive. I have a good few correspondents now. Our examination is next month, and I hope I will pass. I will be 12 very soon. I hope it will be fine on Saturday, as I am going out for a car ride. I have some fun with my cousin at nights. We get on the bed and play tig. One night she fell down through the bare of my bed. She always cries when I go away to school. Her mother is at our place for six weeks. — Yours trulv, THE GIRL FROM NORTH. Dear Dot, —At present it is raining heavily. Our creek is flooded, and the barley paddock is nearly covered with water; a quarter of a mile up the creek it has hardly risen at all. This is because a drain joins the I creek, which flows from tile swamps. I went to school to-day, but I returned home, as there were only 18 children there out of 90. The duck-shooting sea-son is now, and a number were shot about here. We have nearly finished our examination, and _we break-up on the 11th May. We are a new school this winter, and a hall.—Yours truly, THE FOREST KING (Milford). Dear Dot, —The weather is very bad now. Down at Deep Creek the road has fallen in. On Monday it was just a little hole, and in the afternoon it was a ’avge hole. One day after school we went down to see it; it was wors© than I thought it would be. Dad has bought us a nice Shetland pony. The girls at school play marbles now. When I started I had seven; now I have 15. Tlie rain has made the roads very muddy. We could not go to Sunday School because it was t-oo wet. I have not been away from school this year. Love to all the L.F not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly GASBAG. Dear Dot-,- We are having most horrible weather up _ this way. It started to clear up, out it is raining again, so I’m sure I dont know when it will stop. The cows are giving very little milk now. We were milking 14 cows about a couple of months we are milking only nine now. V\© have a little black pup, but it got its leg broken. We also have a little bluishBersian kitten, and its name is Buster lUy little sister and the kitten are great chums. I am reading a lovely book at present, the title of which is “Captain Cub,” by Ethel Turner. Last Sunday week was Harvest Festival Sunday, and the church looked very pretty adorned with fruit and vegetables. We had 20 young pigs, but they are nearly all sold. Love to all the D.-L.b., not forgetting your own dear self Y ours truly, PATCHES’ LITTLE MATE. Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am nine years old and m Standard 111. It is raining very heavilv to-day, and is also very cold. I have a, little brother and sister who are nearly four We get a great view from our window The mountains are very white to-day. There is going to be a school concert in June and I am in it, so I hope it will be fine for it. Wo one milking nine cows in tlie morning arid one at night, and feeding one Jersey calf. We have thrashed all our wheat and cats, but we have not got it away yet The paddocks are too soft to go across them just now, as there is water lying everywhere. We _ have three kittens and one cat. The kittens’ names are Jessie, Timothy, and Tiger. Love to all the L.F.— Yours truly, MAY FLOWER. [You are very welcome to join us, May Flower, but please remember to write on only one side of the paper.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? lam 10 years old and in Standard Y. I have two sisters and a brother. My elder sister and my brother go to High School in New Plymouth. My little sister is only two and a-half years old. We have had very wet weather lately, but it is all right, as we are having our holidays. I wrote a letter about a fortnight ago, but I did not see it in print, so I thought I would write again. We are milking our cows once a day now. Where I live there is a beautiful mountain called Mount Egmont. I live on the side on which Fantham’s Peak can be seen to the best advantage. I hav© been on the other side only twice, and I did not notice it much, but I have heard that it is not nearly so beautiful as on the side on which I live. I have been up to the Dawson Falls Mountain House a good mart” times, and past it, too. One day a few girls and myself went so far up that we were nearly out of the bush. —Yours truly, BUTT. [Unless the letter was written in pencil it must have ben published, Butt, as 1 have your name and address in the address hook. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your band of Little Folk? I am nine years old and in Standard 111. We have a relieving teacher just now, and we like her very much. I have a dog and three cats, and I set traps to catch rabbits to feed them. The days are getting short and the nights are cold. I have four sisters and two brothers. I will close with kind regards.— Tours truly, BUSY BOY 11. [lf you do not like the numerals after your pen-name, you might choos e another, Busy Boy.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am working at home now, as my mother was not keeping well. My brother and I set a few rabbit traps, and we have five dozen skins between us. We have seven ducks, and five of them are laying. They are very fond of boiled rabbits. The cows ar© going back fast, but we still milk them twice a day, as the milk is needed for the pigs. I will be 16 at the end of this month. Last birthday I got a new bicycle, and it is a very good one. Love to Monkey and Silver Lining, not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, SILVER LINING’S COBBER.

Dear Dot, —I do wish this weather would clear up. 0 ->e day after school Gasbag' and I went down to Deep Creek to see the land- ] slip. Th© hole was about 20ft deep. On 1 Sunday morning it was only a little hole, I and in the afternoon it had all fallen in. I am reading a book called "Little Lord Fauntleroy,” and I think it is a very nice book. Our dog has o, pup, which has brown on its head and a little on its body. I learn basket-making every second Saturday. I have made one basket, and am going to make a work basket. I am learning to ride on an old pony. At school the girls are playing chain-tig every day, and the boys are all over the playground playing marbles, and when the girls come round they jump up and try to stop them. The flowers are nearly over now, but the gardens are not bare yet, for the leaves are turning pretty colours. The trees are losing their pretty coloured leaves now, as winter is here. Have you read “Helen's Babies,” Dot. My mother read it when she was a girl, and when she • was in town she saw it in a shop and brought it home for Gasbag and mo to read. Gasbag is reading it just now, but I h ive not started it yet. They have pictures here every Thursday, and I always go to them. They have dances every AYednesday for the patients, but I never go to them. —Yours truly, LADY LORRIDAILE. Dear Dot, —We have been very busy this year. We were milking 19 cows, but now we have only 13, which is quite a change. The cows are very nice in the summer time, but when the yards become wet and dirty I must- say it is very unpleasant. Since I last wrote I have had all my teeth out. I have only had them out a fortnight. It was some fun; quite enjoyed tho whole affair. I had two lots of gas and two of painless, and I like the painless best. The last time I was in Tapanui I saw Possum. She was looking very well. They still have their shop. The harvest is not all in yet in this district, and there is still quite a lot of clover uncut. Next Wednesday we are expecting the mill, so we will be quite busy. Love to a Soldier’s Friend, Possum, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, MERVA. [AA r o hope you will not subside into another long period of silence, Merva.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of D.L.F. ? I am 13 years of age and in Standard VI. I have a- small bicycle. AA 7 e Lav© just had our examination, and I passed. There are a good few D.L.F. about here. It has been very bad weather here. I am reading a very interestng book called “In Mortal Peril.” Love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, BUCK JONES. [Ycu are very welcome to join us, Buck. — DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having very changeable weather here lately, but to-day is just all right. I am 131 years of age, and in Standard A r l at school. We play football at school, and our first match was against East Gore. I liavo a lot of pets. I have a seagull, a pigeon, a canary, and a cat. AVe had two ferrets, but we sold them, because there are no places to go ferreting.—■ Yours trulv, TOM MIX. Dear Dot, —I am having a very nice time up hero. It has been raining for the last two days. I hope to see a month or two of good weather, so the farmers will get in the crops. Lawrence is a very nice place. Have you ever been up hero? I suppose there are some D.L.F. in Lawrence. 1 have not seen any yet. I hear Prima Donna is getting married. —Yours truly, ROSEBUD. Dear Dot, —The weather to-day is very unsettled, heavy rain falling nearly all day. The river is very high to-night, and a lot of peopl© are shifting from their houses on the plain. The da ivy_ factory is running once in two days now, as the supply of milk is very small. Winter is on, and the days and nights are very cold. The apple trees about here were well laden with fruit this year, but they are nearly all picked now. I have taken some nice photos of the flood with my camera, and they turned out . all right. The thrashing was nearly finished when the flood came, but mary sacks of wheat were lying in the fields, with the result that they were ruined. The AVinter Show is to bo held in Dunedin early in June, and I think I will go to it.. There are also three days' racing at the samo time, so it will be a busy week in Dunedin. Love to Brave Allies, Doric, Erotaka, Love of Locked Gates, One of Three, and Gdadwiis©, not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, GLOAMING (Taieri). Dear Dot, —It is very dull here to-day, and looks as if it is raining in ether places. The flowers are nearly all past now, but we still have some violets out. All the trees have lost their leaves; they seem to have lest them earlier this year. I wonder if any of the D.L.F. have seen the native shrub the buli-buli. It is a shrub that grows fairly big, and has a flower like a potato flower—purple in colour with a yellow centre. The leaf is very dark green and resembles the stag-fern leaf. It has a green berry, which turns yellow. About now the berry is about the size of a starling's egg, only rounder. I have heard that it grows about Dunedin. I wonder if any of the D.L.F. can tell me the name of a creeper that we have. It grows quickly, and will grow quite easily from a cutting. It grows like a vino; the leaves fall off in winter, leaving the bare vines. The leaves are three-cornered and not very big; tlie flower is small and mauve in colour. It has a little bright red berry, which the chickens are very' fond of, and they hunt about in the grass for a long time trying to find them. The seeds are very small and white. AVe have had no severe frosts here yet. AVe have had a few, but they have not been hard enough to frc-st the flowers. I have just finished reading a book, “The World of Ice,” by R. M. Ballantyne. I am intending to read “Ungava,” by the same author. Love to all the D.L.F., especially A Briar Rose, Erica’s Daughter, and Little- Arden, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, SMALLEST (Clinton). [lf you were to send in a berry, leaf, or flower we could identify tbe plant for you, Smallest. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having our examination at school now. I had toothache last night, and went to bed early. We will be having our holidays soon. My sister is crochetisg herself a navy blue hat. Our liens are not laying much now. We have some eggs pickled, but they are getting used up. Do you like cats, Dot ? \A r e have only one black cat. Love to all the D.L.F. not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, PRINCESS OF THE FOREST. Dear Dot, —AVe are having very cold weather hero just now. Wf have some very cold frosts in the morning, but it is nice and warm in the day time. My brother is going pig-hunting with my brother-in-law up

at Clifden on Saturday. AVe have stopped | tile factory now, and are sending the cream away. We have to start and milk early now, as me nights are very cold and dark. There i is a_ little bird that comes in through our window nearly every day, and that is the fantail. Lest love to all the L.F , not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, DANCING DAYS (Pallia). Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band °f L.F. ? 1 have for some time read tm L.F. letters with great interest, hut could not till now bring myself to enter the columns. We have been having quite a flood here this week-end; but ive can be thankful we did not live in Dunedin during flood-time. Did you love school. Dot, when you were young? I sometimes wonder why so many children dislike it. It seems to me to be so lovely; but I think it depends a great deal upon the teaclier. I lhteau to be a school teacher some day, so I can be 1 like school. Love to all the L.F., not, of course, omitting your own dear self. —Yours truly, POST MAC (Lawrence). [I had no great objections to school, Post Mac, and liked it better as I g'rew older. —- HOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? I am eight years old and in Standard 11. We have only one cow milking, and i have a dear little calf. I call it Hazel. We are having miserable weather here. The flood washed away cur bridge, and father had to go through water to feed the calf. I have only one sister. Sh© does not go to school yet; she will bo six years old next month. I have a long way to go to school. We get the Witness, and i like reading ma L.F. letters and the short st-ory. Mother used to write to the page once, but it is a long time ago now. Hoping to see my letter in print soon, a-nd with love to all the Little Folk, not forgetting your own dear self, —Yours truly, WHITE A'EkONICA (Houipapa). [AVe are very pleased to have you join us. White Veronica. —DOT] Dear Dot, —It is a lovely day to-day, and it is appreciated alter all this rain. My hands have properly recovered alter suffering three long weeks with the eczema. We have a blacksmith shop of our own now, and it is so handy. My father does all the necessary work in it, and it saves many a shilling. I had such a lovely motor ride to-day, and it saved mo about six miles’ walk. I had a letter from Milkmaid 11, and it was very interesting. 1 will be glad when spring comes once more, as it is most beautiful here where we are living. In spring all the bush foliage is in bloom, the birds are flying to and fro singing their melodious songs as they hop among the leafy branches feeding their young. AVe ar© milking only six cows now, as it is nearly time to turn them out. Have you ever seen a lamb drinking from a cow? We have reared two from cows. This year one little lamb lost its mother, so we fed it oil a cow, and everywhere the cow went the lamb went too. My little niece is growing fat now, and she has three teeth, and is crawling. When we turn our cows out we are going up to see the Nightcaps coal mines. At Christmas time mother is going up to see Dunedin. She has never been yet, so it will be quit© a change for her. Love to Milkmaid II. —Yours truly, ANGELA, II (Round Hill). Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of D.L.F. ? I am 14 years of age. AVe are going to start our examination next week. AVe had the inspector at our school on Monday. AVe are getting some very cold frosts now. Love to the L.F., not forgettmg your own dear self.—Yours truly 'LITTLE MIS® LILLY. [AVill you pleaoe enclose your own name as well as your pen-name in your next letter.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your happy hand? 1 am 12 years old and in Standard V. We have one cow, one horse (just broken in), a pup, and a cat. AVe live near a river, and a bridge is being built across it. It "is called the Hina Hina Bridge. I am learnin 0 * music, and lilc© it very much. I get- my lesson on Saturdays. I am learning to do housework, as I would like to be o. good housekeeper when I grow up. AVhen I leave school my mother is going to teach me to cook and bake and sew. My father owns a farm about four miles from here, at a place called Hunt’s Road. AVe keep a lot of fowls and ducks. Love to all the D.L.F not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, BELL-BIRD. DOT’ 0 ] 1 316 VCry welcome to J oin us, dear.— Dear Dot,—We are starting cur examina10nn5n Monda y- We had marks for reading on Thursday, and our school breaks up ©5 r riday. I am expecting two of my cousin 3 from town for their term holidays. I was at the Anzac Day service, and there was a big crowd there. We have three ducks and a lot of pullets, and they are laying 1 have a little puppy, and I call him °Poy Ihe men putting in the electric light were at our place, and they have finished now. Love to all the ether D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly, POPPY (Menzies Ferry). Dear Dot, —We escaped the flood, but there were not many who did; and there is another flood at present. I think we have had quite enough rain for a few months. I do not see the Witness very often, but I always take a greet interest Tn tlie page nevertheless. I hav© been to a few dances lately, and enjoyed myself immensely. I had a letter form Pearl II about a week ago. I have not seen any L.F. that 1 know for quite a long time. The “ flu.” seems to be going the' rounds again, hut I have managed to escape it eo far, and I am not at all sorry either. Best love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.— Yours truly, ELSIE. Dear Dot, —It is raining here aga-in to-day, and if it doesn’t stop soon we will be having another flood. Tlie water is over tlie road in many places, and in some places it is up to one’s knees. In last week's Witness I noticed a number of new writers from Milton. I know some of them, and they all seem to know me. Just now mum is away for a holiday, and I am housekeeper. The day after she went away we had the ehaffeutter, so that was a good start. Our cows are going back in their milk very much, and w e are milking them just once a day now. It' is all right not having to go out into the mud these wet nights. On Monday night “Scandal” is coming to Milton, but I am not going'. During tlie last flood some of our neighbours and my sister and I went out rabbiting, and we caught 52. They were sitting up in the gorse fences out of th 0 water, hut the dogs soon hunted them out. Kindest regards to all the L.F., especially Midnight Chimes, Maiden of Dreams, A Scotch Lassie, A Milton Barrackcr. Red Lancer, and yourself. —Yours truly, FRECKLES (Milton).

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band? lam 13 years of age anil in Standard A r i at school. We are having very weather, but to-day it lo ks like rain. About three weeks ago we had a terrible rainstorm. It washed away nearly all the bridges and culverts, s-o we cannot go into town unless we go in by tlie beach. A\ e are 17 miles from Dunedin, so we can go into town in one day. AVe are milking 13 cows and feeding nine calves and seven pigs. I have five sisters and one brotner. All my mates at school are writing to the page Best wishes to all the D.L.T., not forgetting your own deai L f^^YNDEN. y ' [You are very welcome to join us, Lady Lynden.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—l hope you can find a space in the D.L.F. page for my little letter Today we helped mother with her work I got a half-sovereign for my birthday this v-ear AVe have a little pup called 1-.uff, and he does some very funny things somet’mos I find “Silver Island is very interin some places To-day was very warm compared to Thursday. My Rule brother is playing with his toy soldiers Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly A HIGHLANDER LASSIE. Dear Dot —AVe hav© had our first term test at school, and I am pleased it is over I just passed and no more. Just think it is a year on the 16th May since I was taken to the hospital. AVe have had a few fin® days this week. It must hav© been sa. for you to hear of Icilima’s death. H does get dark quickly these nights. W e have been playing marbles for the last few days at school. The frosts are very hard. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.—Yours truly. T _ HONEYSUCKLE. [lf you send the badge back I will forward you another one, dear. It just requires a little adjustment. DOT.] Dear Dot,—We are having such unsettled weather at present. I was a way from school last Friday, as I had a bad cold, but it,is going away by degrees. Cainpfiie Girl is away from my uncles just now, as she is not well. AA r © are not getting our term holidays this week, but “ext, so mf holiday over to Heather end Motor Girl s plac© will have to be postponed until next term. I am disappointed. A\ hirlwina 13 home from school' for his term holidays. I went to the unveiling of the AVaikaia memorial, and there was a large gathering, and also a procession of school children. I was talking to Dreamy Mick, and since 1 last saw her she has had her beautiful hair cut off. I think there is a hockey maten on AVednesday—th© Footballers against the Young Ladies; but I don’t know if I will go or not. Kindest regards -to Campfire Girl Motor Girl, Heather, Apple Blossom, Dreamv Mick, Campfire Girl's Mate, Sweetheart AVhiriwind, Dad’s Manager, and all my correspond,ills, ot forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, FOOTBALLER’S GIRL. Dear Dot,—We had six days’ rain last week, and we could not go to school, i l u r duck-pond is flowing over with water, and it is raining very hard. My father has gone away shooting. We ar© cutting chow-mellor for our cows; it is like cabbage, with a big, thick stalk. Love to all the L.h., not forgetting your own self. —Yours truly, DAD’S COWBOY (Arundel). [I have never seen that feed for cows, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—We have had a lot of rain lately. There was a gift auction m the hall near us on the 3rd of this month. We are getting our term holidays on the 18th (next Friday). Every time our uncle comes down we look forward to him bringing the Otago AVitness to see if our letters ar© in. I like reading the letters; they are very interesting. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, RANGITATA LASS. Dear Dot, —After hearing my cousin talk of how pleasant it was to write to you, I thought I would like to join your happy band of Little Folk. I am 14 years of age, and I left school at the end of last year. I did not like to leave very much, because of basket-ball and rounders, which I take a great interest in.—Yours truly, BUNTY. [Please remember to write on only one side of the paper, Bunty.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Though I have not made an appearance myself for some time, my eyes have eagerly scanned the Witness each week, and my interest in the page remains as fresh as the day 1 was numbered among the list of L.F. I left Dunedin on 23rd December for Mataura. Oh, that journey! Shall I ever forget it! Being used to travelling always with company, one does not take kindly to travelling alone, and either staring at one’s fellow passengers or else burying one’s head in a book for some four hours. However, after my destination was reached, all disagreeable thoughts of the train were scon swallowed up in a great clatter of tongues. On Christmas Day there was a great crowd for dinner —32 in all, —and by the time dinner was over and dishes washed there seemed very little time until the call of “Tea!” was heard, and in we all trooped again to partake of innumerable good and tasty dishes. In the evening several of us went out visiting, arriving home at about midnight. Next day (Boxing Day) the younger folk went to a Bible Class picnic at the Sawmill. AVe went cut in the sawmill proprietor's motor lorry, and numbered about 30 in all, so we made a very merry party. AVe got there at about 11 o’clock, and started making preparations for lunch by building a big fire to boil the billy on. After we had satisfied our hunger, w© toured round the bush and had an enjoyable afternoon. We arrived homo at 6 o’clock, feeling tired out and just about ready for bed. During my stay there I went through the Freezing AVorks. Next time I go (if there is a next) I >lOll take a mask with me to drown the odours that arose from the pots of rendering fat, intermingled with the non© too wholesome smell of the manure that has been made from the refuse, etc. AVliy, it is enough to make one’s hair stand on end for evermore. However, it was well worth seeing, and when one lias everything explained as one goes along one begins to realise that not a particle of that insignificant-looking creature the sheep is allowed to go to waste. The flesh provides us with meat, the blood is made into manure, and the bones into bonedust, etc. It looks rather canniballike to see a huge pile of burnt-up bones piled in a corner just waiting to be ground into dust. I also went through the Mataura and Gore Butter Factories. It is great to see the huge churns working the cream into butter. Then it is put into a machine which forces the butter through moulda and cuts it off in lib pieces as w© buy it in the shops, or els© it is rammed into boxes, and nailed down ready for sending away. I had many enjoyable trips while away. I went to Lumsden for a few days, and while there my cousin and I drove out to Five Rivers to see my other cousins who had a contract out there for cutting grass; but as

the grass was not quite ready for cutting j they were not busy, and we were able to have a look round. They hod six binders ready for grass-cutting, thus the camp looked quite business-like. My pen would wander on for ever, but I am. afraid I am trespassing on space now, so will close, with kind regards and wishes to yourself, Dot, and all the members of the page. —Yours truly, MEG. [lt is indeed good to get a letter from our old friends, Meg, and I appreciate the thought that prompts a letter. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—My sister, Lilac, is knitting a red jersey for the winter, and she is getting it finished. My brother and my sister-in-law are away to Oamaru for a holiday My little brother is out of the Dunedin Hospital, and I was glad to see him home. I will scon be 11 years old. My mother might be going to the show m Dunedin. Some of my schoolmates are going to the Winter Show, but I am not going Lilac and Lonesome are good friends when they get together. One of my sisters is working at the Dunstom Hotel at Clyde. 1 have written to her, but have not had an answer from her yet. Mum wrote last night to her. She is very kind to us, and so is Lilac and my other sister . Mother and father are not home from their traps yet, and it is nearly 11 o’clock. The flood P this way did a lot of damage. Magnum is going up to the football match to-day, 1 think it will be wet for it. I have been staying out at the camp with my sister-in-law, and I enjoyed myself very much My mother’s birthday was on the Ist of May. Lilac will soon be 17. She has a nice black cat. We have a little puppy; its name is Dandy. I go to Sunday School now, and we had a picnic. It was a wet day hut there were a good few there. We ail had our lunch in the school, and had some good fun. We are getting some lovely weather lately. We send our cream to the Waitaki Dairy Company, and they are not long sending our cans back. We have some, nice frost here at nights, and it is cold in tho mornings. Some mornings the grass is white with frost, it will soon be the Old Writers’ Weak. I have a Highlander doll, and it is pretty. My sister-in-law make 3 doll's dresses for it. Love to Lilac,, Lonesome, Milkmaid 11, A Lonely Soldier s Girl, The Fairy of the Gcrse, Twilight, Golden Foot, Inkpot, and your dear self. —Yours tIU,J ’ THE BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY. Dear Dot,— Every time I write to you it seems to be rainiug. Mother has finished my jersey now, and I am wearing it. Honeysuckle and 1 are great mates at school. The school creek was very high yesterday, and in some places it has been ever the road. Royal Fern’s aunt used to be our neighbour, and I used to sleep witb her sometimes. We have three pups; one is brown and white and the other two are black with a little bit of white on theim The people in Dunedin are having a rough time of it with the floods. I am in S'tandand V now, and am 12 years old. I don t know when this relieving teacher is going away. Love to all the L.F., net forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, BLUE RIBBON. Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I will soon he nine years old. We have three cows in milk. Wo had a lot of rain last night and to-day, and the water can be heard flowing in a creek near by. Our school is a long distance from the township, and bad weather affects the attendance. I hope you will be having better weather in Dunedin to-day. Love to all the L.F., not forgtting your own dear self. —Yours truly, MAID OF THE PLAIN. [We are very pleased to have you join us, dear.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have been having very wintry weather lately. but this last week hasn’t been so bad. I wonder what has become of Mount Rouse and Ap-etunia? I haven’t seen a letter in from them for a long time. Victoria Flower is away to Australia just now for a- holiday. I had a letter from her the other day, and she seems to he having a jolly time over there. She has been away three months now. X don't think I would care to go there for a holiday—too much water to cross for my liking. I was down at Orawia, staying with my sister about a month ago, while my brother-in-law was up here cutting our cats, and we had a great time down there on our own. Most of the farmers about here have finished their harvesting. It is surprising how they got it in at all owing to the awful weather we have been having. Dancing has started round here again; but I haven’t been to any so far. The chaffeutter is at our neighbour’s place just now, so I suppose it will be coming here next. Since last writing I have had the misfortune to lcoe my dear little brother, whom- we miss very much. My mother is in the hospital just now. Sh» has to go under an operation soma time next week, so I am head ccok. We have a good few violets out just now, and they look very nice. The Nightcaps football team are playing Invercargill to-day, so I hope they win. Ohaj is getting quite a busy place now; there are houses bobbing up everywhere. Thelmia has just been over for her milk. She was at a dance at Nightcaps last night, and she iooks very sleepy. I had my sister up to see mo yesterday. Love to Rose Pink, Vivienne, Thelma, Apetunia, Mount Rouse, Victoria Flower, Fiona 11, Blue Golliwog, and Len’s Sweetheart, not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, GOLD BRANCHEN. Dear Dot, —It is about six months or more since I penned you a letter. The weather down here is very cold, raining and blowing. This is the sort of w’eather which makes the cows go dry, as it is too cold for them. The football season has started, and the local team have won both games they have played. The next match is at Gor e against Albion, which is the strongest team this season so far. Love to Rosella, Taieri Lass, and all the L F.—Yours truly HAPPY LARRY.’ [I have posted the badge and cards, and hope you receive them safely, Larry.—DOT] Dear Dot, —I am a business girl now, Dot and I rather like th e new role. With business during the day, and night school, music practice, and lessons at night I do not have much time to myself. We havo holidays from night school just now, so I am availing mvself of the opportunity of writing. This is the eighth day of rain to-day, and consequently we are feeling rather blue. We are lucky not having floods in the city, but if is bad enough having them in some of the surrounding districts. Kaiapoi is flooded up to the window-sills of the houses. Christchurch would be in a bad way if we were to have floods, because it is so flat. I really thought I would have to swim to work last Monday, as it rained Bo hard on Sunday night, and the electric power went off till next day. You had an awful time in Dunedin with the floods. I fcopo you were not inconvenienced. Dot. It has been a terrible loss for a great many people, as the floods have wrought great damage. It seemed so strange to read in Bry father s last letter from Melbourne that

the weather was perfect for holiday-making, though not for the country, over there, while we were having day after day of rain. It is hard to be optimistic this weather, isn’t it? We had a dance at our place a while ago, and we did have a glorious time. I am hoping fervently it will, if not a fine day, at least behave itself in a respectable manner to-morrow, as it is the Canterbury College Students’ Capping .Carnival. It is to be a big affair this time, as,, it is the jubilee, so I am looking forward to it. 1 think I will finish this to-morrow, and say something about the carnival, as I am tired to-night. I intended to finish this yesterday, but here it is a quarter past 10 on Saturday night. I have just come home from playing tile violin in our class orchestra, and as my sisters won’t be home for about half an hour I thought I would finish my letter. The weather was not very favourable for the students’ carnival, but it stepped raining and cleared up beautifully after tbe celebrations were nearly over. I do not think the carnival was quite as gpod as last year, though it was very funny. The main item was the Tut-ankh-amen, which they took off very well. There were many other take-offs, amongst which weie Ku Klux Klan, dirty milk supply, Wild West a picture called “Blood and ‘Sand,” Kaiapoi life-saving during flood, beauty competition, Otira Tunnel, Everest climbers, Christchurch notabilities, etc. Their review is not going to be held till the end of June, as the hall is being used for the competitions. Well, Dot, it looks aS if have about exceeded the word limit, so “Au Rsvoir.’ Best love to yourself and your Little Folk.—Yours truly, STAR OF THE DESERT (Christchurch). Dear Dot, —We are having our winter holidays from school just now, so I have plenty of time to write a few lines to the page, as it is a good while since I have written. We are having very wintry weather up here, but I think we are very lucky to he o-ut of tho floods. It must be very hard on some of the poor people who have lost so much through the floods in Otago and Blenheim. It must have been very bad in Dunedin judging by the pictures that were m the Witness. My auntie, from Henley, was up here for a holiday, and when she got home their place was all under water; but they wer e fortunate in having another house on higher ground. Our cows are drying off very fast now, and we are milking them only once a day, and going to' the factory every second day. They are making casein out of the skim-milk this year. My only brother died about two months ago, and we do miss him He was nearly 10 years old, but he has been an invalid ever since he was a baby. I have a cousin writing to the page from Hawera now. Bonnie Jean ls . her N D.P. My mother has been stopping at her place a lot lately under the doctor. She went under an operation there about three months ago, and Bonnie Jean was her nurse. We hav e not been to see any more of the Maori redoubts since I last wrote but we were digging in the school grounds lately, and dug uu three Maori axes. I have one of them. One was Greenstone, and the other two were stone. Love to yourself and all the L.F.—Ycura truly MERRY JACK (M-okoia). . [Even thought you miss your brother it is a consolation to know his days of suffering are over, Jack.—DOT.] Dear Dot,-The weather has taken uu again, and is just like summer, and I hope you are having the same where you are. . We spent a day in cur bush to-day, and after w e arrived home we felt very tired, but happy. The day was nice and fine. We went for a walk, and we got tangled up m lawyers and vines. Twelve o’clock came round, when we boiled the billy and had lunch. Afterwards we gathered ferns and moss and other pretty shrubs. Winter is here, and the dances are starting There is a fancy-dress ball coming- off soon, but I do not know if I will go or not, as it is a long distance away. Our ducks are laying well now. My sister went with "a schoolmate of hers to the river and brought up four eggs. We have nine just now—five ducks and four drakes. Mv doves hutched their two eggs on which they were sitting; but the mother dove, in feeding them, stood on one, and. of course killed R. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self—Yours truly, SLEEPING BEAUTY'. Dear Dot, We have been having very wet weather here lately. Some of the farmers have not got their crops into stacks 3tacks yet. We had our quarterly examination at school last Monday. On the 14th tke train was held up for about three and a-haj hours because there was a washout on the line. The water was about 2ft deep on the read. I was out ferreting oil Saturday, and nearly lost my ferret There are not many rabbits about just now, but the skins are worth getting. We have not many flowers out in the garden, but some of tlm daffodils are above the ground.—Youra truly, I JOLLY JOE (Forsyth). . Eeai Dot, Many things have happened since I last wrote. The most recent is tne flood. We got the water all round our house, but did not leave home. The water came from the bursting of the darn at tho mine more than from the river T feel sorry for all the people who were -3 mded master went away on Friday to Wellington for a week in order to attend a teachers conference. Our new ' teacher arrived last week, and I like Aim very much My sister is knitting mo a jersey i UK (. is vary nice. I am joining th° Ladies Lodge on Thursday night and I am feeling rather nervous over the performance I was 14 last weex, but I am not godnoto leave school until th e end of the year T have not had a letter from Princess Natalie for a long time. I think she has forgotten me. The Soccer football started last Saturday, and there was great rivalry between the two home teams m the Senior Gracias to which was the better team I } lQ d my hand caught and cut in’ our milking macnino aoout six weeks ago. and it is not better yet. I was very glad that it was my left hand, and not my right one • but for some time I was unable to' do anything. Love to_ Lady Carey, Little Grey Coat, Irish Lassie, Princess Natalie, and ail the other L.F., not forgetting your own dear self. —Yours truly, RAINBOW. , n f r ,, Dot.—May I join your happy band of L-F. ■ I am 12 years of age and in Standard V at school. We are havin', our examination next week, and I am preparing for lt. We do not milk our cows at niHit now. We have finished our thrashing We had the mill for a week during wet weather It is raining off and on here to-day.' Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly ROSY MORN! [You are very welcome to join us Rosy Morn.—DOT.] ’ Dear Dot,—l am in Standard V at school now, and I am also in the Bible Class at Sunday School. My auntie wrote and told us about the disastrous floods which occurred a little while ago. She said the water was up to some of the people’s ranges. We have about 40 hens and 20

pullets, but we only get three eggs a day now. We think we are going to have our first quarterly examination on the 18th of this month. My father, mother, and sister are away to church, and I am at home learning my lessons, of which there are a good many. I am - reading a book called "Little Miss Joy,” by Emma Marshall. My uncle is going to get married sometime in J uly, but I don’t think I will be going to the wedding. Love to Kester’s Daughter, Queen Esther, Woodbine, A Fisherman's Daughter, Dorothy 11, and Nancy Stair, not forgetting your own dear self.—Y-ours truly, QUEEN ALEXANDRA. Dear Dot, —The weather up our way is very unsettled—in fact, if anything, it appears to-day as though it is set in for rain. At the present time the rain is just coming down in torrents. From all appearances I think there will be nothing more likely than another flood, which will mean much ruin to everyone, especially the poor unfortunates on the Taieri Plain. The slip on the Otago Central line must have been a fair one, as there were no trains running for two or three days. This was lather a drawback, as we could not obtain any goods, and, still more important, our bread. I can tell you, Dot, it was a relief to all when the smoke of the train was to be seen coming over the hill. People will again be anxious about the trains considering the rain we have been having, and, by the look of the sky, what we will still get. Were 3-011 affected by the recent flood, Dot? The people on the’rise would be quite safe, but those on the level would get all the water. Ate saw the photos in the Witness, and we could see the tremendous amount of water there must havo been. The only ones who enjoyed themselves were the children, by wading in the water. Since last I wrote to tho page there have been several dances held in Hyde. On .Saturday night there was a dance held, which turned out verj T good. AYe had a lovely night, but when coming home it began to rain, and has continued. In a short time the Hyde Defence Rifle Club will be holding a dance, s-o I hope it is a fine night, as I am looking forward to it. Our hens are not laying just now, so we havo to use the pickled eggs for baking with; but I suppose we are lucky to have them. The hens, according to tile feed that is given them, should be laying now, and I do not think they will be long in starting again. AA 7 e now have five dogs. My brother has a greyhound pup, which he takes to- the traps with him. A friend of ours, who has three big hounds, goes out sometimes hare-coursing, and my brother takes his hound. I should think this very interesting sport, and would very much like to see them- rise a lia-re and have a good chase after it. There is no trapping being carried 011 in Hyde, as everything is too wet. The only rabbiting which is done now 'is by the dogs, which are very handy in this dreary weather of ours. Best love to all my correspondents and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting your ow-n dear self.—Yours trulv, WHITE LILAC (Hyde). Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F. ? I am q-ight years of age and in Standard 11. This is my first letter in ink, as we are not allowed to use it at school. AYe have just finished our examination. We have had terrible weather this last fortnight, but not so- bad a-s Dunedin. Hoping you will accept my letter, dear Dot, —Yours truly, LITTLE SFLAYER. TASSEL. [You have done exceptionally well in yo-ur first attempt with ink, dear, and I think you will prove a very good writer.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am at work now, and like it very much. There is a children’s fancydress ball coming off soon, and tho children under 13 can dress up, and they are goingto get supper. AA’ith all the floods lately we have been very lucky so far. I have a little white cat, and it is the funniest little thing I ever saw. It is sitting on my lap now while I am writing. AA 7 e also have two dear little white rabbits with pink eyes,', and the cat is very fond of them. Tho cat’s name is Snowy, but it i 3 very seldom called by its proper name; it- is generally Puss. AAYhen milking time comes you just need to rattle the bucket and the cat is off to the shed as hard as it can go. A\ 7 e have a pigeon, and the cat likes to play with it. The pigeon gets on the shed roof, and when the cat gets up the pigeon flies off, and they keep on going. Love to all the D.L.F. not foorgettmg yourself.—Yo-urs truly, EASE’S PEARL. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of D.L.F. ? I have been going to write to you for a long time, but have been putting it off until now. The weather has been awfully rainy lately, and I think if it had been raining much more there would . have been another flood. AYe were out of work for three days when the last flood was on; but that didn’t trouble me much, as I like a holiday occasionally. I am 15 years old, and I work in the woollen mill. A\ 7 e have a new football ground here, and I always enjoy going to the matches to barrack for “Toko." AYe are very proud of our yellow and blue colours, as they are the colours of the team. AA r e have pictures here twice a week, and as there is not much else worth while doing I generally- go. I was at the Diggers, and enjoyed them immensely. “Scandal” was supposed to come last night, hut, worse luck, the company went straight, through and did not stop; but it didn’t matter much to me, r.s I wasn’t going. Lo-ve to- Freckles, Mutt and Jeff, A Toko B'»* ulcer. Coupons for Kisses and yourself.— 'ia-irs truly, A TOKO BARRACKER’S PAL, [We are very pleased to include you among our correspondents, dear. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F. ? I am 17 years of age. I enjov reading the D.L.F. page very much, and often thought I would like to write. AYe have had a dreadful flood, and some, v poor people have suffered a lot. Some places had the -water over their tables. AYe were very lucky to miss it. My sister used to write to the page; her N.D.P. was Russell’s FriendY but she is away just now, so my father and I live alone. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own deer self.— Yours trulv, A LONELY GIRL 11. [Will you please enclose your name and address with your next letter. It would he wise to choose another pen-narne also, to avoid duplication and confusion.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are milking 54 cows in the morning and 50 at night. It is very frosty getting up in tile morning to get ready for school. Our examination is next week, and I hop© I get good marks for everything. The name of the book I am reading is “Pollyanna Grows Up,” and it is very interesting. We had a lot of -apples this year. Mother pulled them all, and packed, them away in straw. I can ride a bicycle now, and I have only fallen off it once. Love to Holly Berry, A Winter Daisy, Blue Viola, Curly, and all the other D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours truly, MOUSED RA.S-S. Dear Dot, —AYe are having lovely weather here just now, and it is very welcome after the flood we bad recently. We have just got our wheat led in, so it has had a long spell

in the ground. I was out for a ride to-day, and had a good time. There is a dance in Waitahuna to-night, and my brother is away to it. I would have liked to go too, but no such luck for me. I was at a soiree in Waitahuna last week, and had good fun going down, also when I got there. There is to be a lantern lecture here some time soon, and I think I will be going if it is a nice night. There are quite a few D.L.F. around here; I know about seven or eight. Love to Anza-c Forever, The Human Hatpin, Mother Mochree, Dearness, A Hard Case, Telephonist’s Mate, and all my other D.L.F. cobbers, not forgetting yourself.—Yours trulv, COUPONS FOR KISSES (AYaitahuna). Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of D.L.F. ? I am eight years of age, and in Standard I. It is'raining very hard today. The boys play football and the girls play basket-ball. ‘I am going in for a competition of £SO; it is to find two missing words in a sentence. —Yours truly, YOUNGEST OF FIVE (Tokarahi). [I hope you succeed in discovering the missing words and pull off the prize. DOT..] Dear Dot,—May I join vopur happy band of Little Folk? I am 11 years old and in the Third Standard at school. The weather has been very- nvserable lately, and the snow is on tbe mountain tops. AVe are milking one cow; her name is Spot. AYe have six dogs and three puns. Kindest regards to all the D.L.F., not forgetting your own dear self —Yours trulv, WEEPING WILLOW (Moa Creek). [You are very welcome to join us, dear. - DOT.] Dear Dot,—Will you please allow me to join the band of D.L.F. ? I am seven and a-half years old and in Standard I at school. We start our holidays to-day, and I don’t like it. I would rather be at school, as I have been away once through illness already. Frank goes to school too, and Ernie and Cliff,-3 stay home with mum. Love to Ta.rati, Campania, and all the D.L.F. — Yours truly, FLUFFLEIS (AYaimatuku). [lt is unusual not to like holidays, Fluffles; but it is most commendable you should desire to get on. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —All the L.F. seem to b e talking about the awful weather we have been having lately. Here it has been very cold and wet—cold enough for snow. AYe have finished up oiy first quarterly examination, and. 'ray brother and I have passed. AYe are still milking two cows, but they' are going off their milk. We have two dear little pups and a kitten. I have two sisters and four brothers. One of my sisters is married and is living down in Invercargill, and one. of my brothers is working up in New Plymouth. Love to L-t-tle Red Head, Silver Thimble, and Wild Rose. —Yours truly. PINK ROSE (Forsyth). Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote to y T ou I have been very sick with pneumonia, but I am pdeased to cay that I am better now. [ have not started school yet. AYe are having lovely wea-ther here now, so far escaping tbe heavy rain experienced in Dunedin and Christchurch, and I hops it does not come over here. There was a terrible accident at the Reef ton Coal Company’s mine on Tuesday night. A man was killed in tho mine, and it was very sad. a-s his wife died only a few months ago. The saddest part as that four little children are left orpbaps. Love to all the L.F. and yourself —Yours trulv, CARPENTER BOY. [I am sorry to- learn you have been so ill, Carpenter Boy, but rejoice at your good recovery.—DOT. ] Dear Dot, —It is really such a long time since I last wrote to you that I’m rather ashamed of myself. AYe are having some ver3’ wet weather up here lately. It has been raining for nearly a week, and we haven’t been able to get our mail; but I hope it clears up soon. I have been away for* a month’s holiday down at the Lake Ferry, and had a lovely time. From there I went to tbe Pirinca sports, where my pony got a prize for jumping. It was a lovely day, which helped to make the day very pleasant. On Anzac Day we all went away for a picnic, and 11 some pig-shcoting. Our best dog got ripped by a big boar five times, and nearly died. Two of the rips were in the throat, and he bled something awful, but I am glad to say he is getting better slowly. There are thousands of wild g-cats here, and some of them ar© very pretty. A\ T hen riding up a river there are mobs of them each side of one. AYe have finished our sea-bathing for this season, but some days are so hot yet that o-n« feels like going in for a dip. AA T e are having plenty of mushrooms up here this season, and we have had some lovely lots. AYe are milking only one cow now, and I milk her. It isn’t very nice going to milk these cold mornings. Best love to Gladiola, Mou Mou, Auntie’s Little Companion, and Blue Iris, not forgetting yourself.—Y T ours truly, PANDORA. [J had come to the conclusion 31011 had quits forgotten us, Pandora, but am pleased 1 was wrong.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F. ? I am 14 years old, and have left school. I am working at the Roslyn AYoollen Mills, which I like very much. I have four sisters end two brothers. One of my brothers is an L.F.,, and his N.D.P. is AYe ary* AVillie. Last Sunday was very wet here, but since then it has not rained at- all. AYe think ourselves very lucky, because we got very little of the flood. I arn reading a very interesting book called “The Orphans of Merton Hall,” by Emily Brodie. Love to all the L.F., not forgetting your own dear self.— Yours truly, LITTLE MEG. [You are very welcome to join us, Littlo Meg—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I noticed in the Witness where we had chosen someone else’s N.D.P., so we have altered ours. Yen will think that I am not a very regular correspondent., but I always like to read all the other letters. AYe are having awful weather. AA T e have had a fair amount of rain up here, but not enough for a flood, so I suppose we can consider ourselves very lucky in this small town of ours. The Literary and Debating Society begins its sess-VU next Tuesday night, so I hope to have some pleasant evenings. It opens with a_social and dance. AVe don’t have very many places to go to at night, as the pictures very seldom come here now, and we don’t have many dances. The Tennis Club is holding a dance on Friday week, but I won’t b e going to- it. Kindest regards to Monkey, A AVaihola Las-s Down South ; Stick to Me, Kid; and Step-aside Jack, not forgetting vourself.—Yours truly, STICK TO ME, KID’S MATE. Dear Dot-, —I have nothing of much interest to tell you, as the floods have cast a gloom over everything. AYe had our first Bible Class social last Monday, and had quite a good time. My mate" and I are going to a social and dance on Tuesday night. There is a tennis dance on Friday night, fancy and plain dress. If I go I will bo an Italten girl. Do you like horse-riding, Dot? I think it is lovely, and always grab

a chance of a ride whenever I qan. It is very quiet here, and one really' does not know what to do during the long evenings, as one can’t always sit at the fire and do fancy-work. Love to all the D.L.F., not forgetting yourself.—Yours trulv, STICK TO ME, KID. Deaf Dot, —S ince last writing I have been spending some most enjoyable week-ends. For the Easter holidays I went to Ikamatua, about 30 miles along the Reefton line. As that was my first visit I was v-.-y much interested. The district is—well, rather much like tho rest of our coast; but I was very much surprised when on riding Up the Grey River I saw miles of plains. Farming is carried on on a large scale, and in tho wooded places there is quite a number of people employed in the mills. Perhaps this doesn’t interest the L.F. On the Sunday wo walked to Hukarere, where one of tho mills above mentioned is situated. This is owned by Stratford and Blair, wbo own and operate quite a number in different parts of the Coast, the timber of which is shipped to Greymouth, where they also have a mill. Monday morning dawned beautifully clear, the party drove about seven miles to the AA’aipuna Plains, where w e spent a mos-t enjoyable day. Because of my train going at 5.30 p.m., I had to be hurried off, tired but happy, and quite looking forward to my next trip up on Anzac Day. Anzac Day duly arrived, and on Tuesday night I went back to Ikamatua. That evening the clan met, so, of course, that meant a bright evening by a big wood fire. Some day. Dot, when you are travelling on the Coast—that is, of course, if you are not afraid of the wild AVest Coasters—you may find out what a clan means here, and their rules. Have you been over? AVhat did you think of it? I know; though, of course, you cannot answer all my questions in the space. I shall give Ikamatua a spell now, and tell you all about another week-end I snent at Taylorville and Brunner. I believe they are really very nearly the same- places. I was much interested in the remains of the old. mines, which are almost as the slip left them during the Brunner disaster, which so many AYest Coast people remember with sorrow. Dobson.—Often when travelling through there I had noticed the monument just beside the road, and I suppose had taken the story for granted; but mv interest was awakened by the story itself, which was told me by an old resident of Dobson long since pensioned off. AYhen one stands beside the monument on e realises just what the Coast was in those days. A party of men wore boring for coal a little out of Dobson. Should they prove that there is a big enough supnly, t-li© mining would be taken up again and Dobson become a thriving little townshin. At present it is very far from that. AYell. dear L.F., I must not take up any more space now, so shall say goodnight. with best wishes to all and kindest regards to Dot. —Yours truly, EMERALD. [I have been to the West Co-a-st-, liked it. though the sight of Brunner from a railway carriage is not very' inspiring.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —AVe are milking 11 cows just now'. I ant 10 years of age, and will soon be 11. I have one sister and five brothers. AA 7 o have 20 liens and fifteen ducks. AYe had a terrible flood up here a few weeks ago. This is the first time I have written to your page. Many I write again?—Yours truly, SILVER THREAD. [Certainly you may write again, dear. AYe shall always be pleased to hear from you.— DOT.] AUTOS. Bush Clematis (Edith M’Naught, Lady Barkly) wishes to correspond with any L.F. 14 to 15 years. Winona (Miss Rona Stringer, Kakahu Bush, Geraldine) wishes all her correspondents to write, especially Mattie (Maitland), as her address is lost; and would like to correspond with any willing from 16 years. Gasbag (Alice Stewart, Seacliff) wishes to correspond with Dorothy II and Johnny Go to Bed. Patches’ Little Mate (Ella Buzan, Melrose, Maheno) wishes to correspond with Mermaid. Lady Lorridaile (Mabel Stewart, Seacliff) wishes to correspond with Merry Jack and Joyful Joe. Tom Mix (Alex. M'Kinlay, AVig-an street, Gore), wishes to correspond with Doctor Jim, Nuggetv Ned, Queen Heather, and any L.F. 13 to 14 years. Angela (Myrtle Hart, Round Hill, via Colac) wishes to- correspond with A 7 amping Rose, Dorothy IX, and any L.F.. 14 to 16 y'cars. Freckles (Mavis Hawke, Bellevue, Milton) wishes to exchange antis and correspond with Scotch Bluebell, A Human Hatpin, Mary Allalone, and any L.F. willing. Bunty (Marjorie M’Kenzie, 40 Bank street, Timaru) wishes to correspond with A Dark Damsel, and any L.F. 16 yearn. White Lilac (Ida AVisnesky, Hvde, Otago Central) wishes to correspond with Sydney. Post Mac (Miss E. Collins, care of Mrs Loudon Lawrence) wishes to correspond with Swift Creek-ite, Postman Henry, and any LF. willing from 15 years. Buck Jones (Fred Cullen, Mary street, Gore) wishes to correspond with King Arthur or any L.F. willing. Queen Alexandra (Rebecca M'Lcod, Half Moon Boy, Stewart Island) wishes to correspond with A 'Star of Promise and Queen Heather. Pink Rose (Rita Dunlop, Forsvth) wishes to correspond with Mutt and Jeff. Little Meg (Margaret Shallish, 37 Richardson street, Dunedin) wishes t-o correspond with any L.F. 14 years of age