DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3714, 19 May 1925, Page 71

DOT’S LITTLE FOLK.

Dot invites short letters from her young friends throughout the Dominion on matters of interest to them* selves, the result of their observations in the animal world, descriptions of anything they are interested In, of the district in which they live, of their school and home life, holiday trips, Aa. The letters are to be written by the little folk themselves, and addressed "Dot, care of Editor Witness”

Dot’s Little Folk’s Badge with pin, tor nse as a brooch, obtainable on application to Dot. Price, 3s 6d in stamps or postal notes. Auto. Cards are obtainable from Dot, Witness Office, Dunedin. Price, 9d for 35

SEPTIMUS SILVER-RABBIT.

By Josephine O'Neill. Illustrated by Dorothy Law. (Copyright.—For the Witness.) Septimus Silver was the youngest bunny in the garden, and he was as miserable as could be. When all the other rabbits were frisking under the moon he would sit alone and frown. “You are all out of time,” he would cry, “ and your music is rotten,” which made the warren very angry indeed. Old Peter Buck used to snort and grunt: “The cheek of that young fellow.” But nobody understood the real reason for the sorrow of Septimus, which was this: • One quiet evening, when the garden trees were black against the stars, he had heard, far away, music in the Fairy Ring, with the wail of the violins and the song of the big bassoon. Little white tail bobbing, he had hopped nearer and listened, until his furry heart was filled with longing to sit on a toadstool by fairy folk and make music for their dancing. As soon as every rabbit was snuggled sale in bed Septimus would creep from his hole, pit-pat rustle m the dark, to crouch just over the hill until the dawn came, and the .fairies melted into air.

Now one night, as Septimus gained his accustomed place, his nose waggled *n dismay, for something was very wrong with the elfin music. The wail of the violins and the song of the big bassoon were wavering sadly out of time. And why? Because the little fat fay with his kettledrum was no longer there to beat. How could pretty fairy feet be gav with no drum to tap the measure! Septimus listened, oh! so impatiently. His head went nodding in uneven jerks. As the tattered tune soared moonwards the youngest rabbit grew more and more annoyed. His furry white tail began to beat the ground very softly. Why didn’t they keep time? Louder and loudfer banged the silver tail “ ThumpetyThump.” J Down in the hollow the fairies uncreased their pretty brows. “ The drummer has come,” they whispered in absorbed delight. Feet and tail and violins irang together until the dance ended in tinkling laughter. The Queen, erect on her mossy seat, summoned the Chamberlain. “ Why was the drummer so late?” she inquired.

Off trotted the Chamberlain to the orchestra, which he found in some con-

fusion. “ Her Majesty wants the Drum elf,” he said pompously. Tiny mouse stepped forward. “ But the Drum elf is not here, Sir.” “ Nonsense,” puffed the Chamberlain, who was as short of temper as of breath. But when he found it was so he was a puzzled person. The orchestra whispered and rustled, while the dancers broke up into perplexed groups. Who could it have been? was the question. Even her Majesty was biting her pretty lips in doubt when suddenly over the hill appealed two long ears. “ Lawk-a-mussy! ” shrieked the Chamberlain. It was just the sort of thing he would say. “ Please don’t be alarmed,” said a nervous voice, as Septimus towered inch by inch against the moon. A dead silence fell. Then, very politely and very eagerly, the youngest rabbit explained his action, his longing to play for fairy hearers. “ The little fay has gone,” he stammered. “ Oh, your Majesty 1 If I might . . .?” “On no account, your Majesty,'’ puffed the Chamberlain. The Queen raised her eyebrows, and he retreated behind a blade of grass in confusion.

“ It is most kind of you, Septimus,” she answered graciously. “ And I really think that, if the orchestra would be satisfied ? ” “ Indeed, yes, your Majesty,” they cried. Every fairy clapped its wings as Septimus, quivering from long ears to furry tail, stepped down into the ring. “ One, two—ready ! ” called the leader, and, to the rap of Septimus's tail, the orchestra swung into a gay fandango. So there he sits every evening, and raps his polished tail to the moon, while the fairies dance up the dawn. And Septimus Silver is the happiest rabbit in the garden, for he has won his heart’s desire. LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Motto.—We write tor the benefit of others, not for ourselves. Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F.? I am ten‘years old, and I am in Standard IV. We have started school about a week. I like school very much. We have four cows and two big 4 calve«. I go to school every day. My brother writes to the L.F. He just started the other night. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, THE GIPSY GHGST. [Welcome, Gipsy Ghost, but I altered your name. Do you help with the milking? -DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F.? I am fifteen years of age, and have left school nearly two years now. I have six sisters and three brothers. My oldest sister is married, and has a baby girl. I was at a big dance last Thursday night, and had a lovely time. Winter is beginning to come in earnest now. Are you goiDg to the Exhibition? All the gardens and trees are bare. One of my sisters has been in the hospital, and we were very glad to gee her home again. Love to all the L.F. and your dear seif. —Yours truly, THE BLAKESWOItTH GIRL. [You may join us, Blakeswortli Girl. I am going to the Exhibition. How else shall I be able to answer the L.F.’s questions which I am sure will be numerous ?—DOT.] Dear Dot,—School has taken up again, and we have many lessons to learn. My birthday was last Saturday, and I received some nice presents. We have about nine cats here, counting the kittens. There are four little ones that are very playful. Our little blue one we call Billy darts inside whenever we open the door. He like® to go in the oven on the cold mornings. We have three pigeons. They laid two eggs about three weeks ago. We were very disappointed when I looked at them last night to find that one egg was all broken, and nothing in it. The other one also felt very light. I have a cold just now, and it makes me feel very miserable at times. We had a dance in our barn on the first of May, and we enjoyed ourselves very much. They kept it going until about half past two in the morning. Love and kisses to all the D.L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, DOUBLE VIOLET. [Billy reminds me of a manx kitten which slept in the oven, Double Violet. Wore you tired next morning after the dance?—DOT.] Dear Dot,—We have started school again, and I am glad. One Sunday I went out in the car with Lily of the Nile and Mistress of the Sea. We went out as far ag Pukemaori. It is very pretty out that way. After a pleasant outing, we arrived home at •lx o’clock. I think “Chums in Nursery Land” is very nice. Last yoar I received 4s Gd for second beat hand sewing in the school. I write to Aunt Roberta’s column, whioh I think is very nice. The inspector was at our school the other day, and a few days after the lady doctor came. Best love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, GOLDEN BIRD. [I have not been to Pukernaori, but it soundß Maori by ita name, Golden Bird. Perhaps you will gain first prize for sewing this year.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—Our school has started on Monday, and we are very glad. The men are here putting the electric light into t ho houses. We are going to have a variety of chrysanthemums at home. My stepfather works for the baker, and he goe® a few places out ot town. Love to the D.L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, MALONE MOLLY. [Practise making capital letters, Malone Molly. I have some beautiful chrysanthemums in the garden.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are milking our cows once a day now, and have stopped sending cream to the factory. My brothers and sisters have begun school again after such a long holiday. We are having no eggs at present, as the fowl a are moulting. Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, BUSH WHACKER’S FRIEND. [I suppose it is cold fox you to milk these frosty mornings, Bush Whacker's Friend. Is the house quiet with the school children away? See notes.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l help my mother to wash the cans, and do some of the housework. I am tlad school has started again, because I can o my leßsons better. We have only one dog, and his name is Ned. Baggy Breeches has a bad leg, and can’t walk just now. She is I am unlucky, too, as I ran a rusty nail into my arm about four months ago, and it is not better yet. I have two cousins working in the Otago Daily Times office. The duck shooting season is on, and now the ducks have hidden themselves. We have a piano, but I do not play it. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, MITI. [You must be wary of rusty nails in the future, Miti. Perhaps you will learn to play the piano some day.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —On Saturday morning the men had a working bee at the school, and put up a swing. The show is to be held at Clydevale on tne 20th of May. I am going to put in a spongs cake, and my doves. My brother is going to put in his rabbit, and my other brothers are going to put in a bantam and guinea pigs. My sister is going to put in a bantam. Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, QUEEN BEE. [I really thought you meant a honey bee before I read your letter through, Queen Bee. Won’t it be jolly if you all win a prize at the show.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have been away for a week staying at Otokia. While away I went for a ride to Kuri Bush some seven miles from where I was staying. Although it is a long, lonely road, I had a lovely time while there. I was at a concert and dance on Friday night, and enjoyed myself immensely. Most of the people, in this locality have the electric light installed. It is very convenient. We are still milking twenty cows, and it is cold to milk these frosty mornings. The school® have taken up again, and it did seem funny the first day when the boys were away. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, TOPSY. * [Were you by yourself when you went for the ride, Topsy? I do not know what I should do if there were no electric light in Dunedin. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—We went to the pictures on Wednesday night, and they were very goal. My father caught ten fish on Wednesday, April 29. Thursday, 30th of April, was the last day of the fishing season for a while. We went to Fortroae for a day, and we boiled the billy while we were there, and after we had boiled the billy we went for a walk over to the other beach, and on the way wo saw a dead horse lying on its side in the sand. When we arrived at the other part of the beach, we went over to some rocks, and had a look to see if the sea were tit; enough for fishing. My father said that it was no good for fishing. We went to the other beach. He had a look to see if the sea water were any good over there, but it was no good either, so we just turned back. My father left hie rod and gatf on some rocks thinking that no one would take them, and when we came back they were gone. He had to ask if anyone had seen a man wih a rod in his hand. Someone had seen some boys carrying a rod and gaff under their arms. When we went to the second beach, we had great fun running up and down the sand hills, and turning sharp corners and falling over. There was a storm brewing at the other end of the sea coast, and the sea was very rough. How are they progressing with the Exhibition building? On Saturday, Anzao Day, we went to sec the wreaths on the Memorial, and they looked very pretty. The Gore public school made a wreath for the monument, and it looked very nice. The headworks at Monowai were turned on Friday, the Ist of this month, —Yours truly, JACKO THE MONKEY. [Jacko, you must not use such long sentences, or your readers will feel they cannot reach the end of them. The Exhibition is going forward -.very quickly.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We are having some hard frosts here (Five Rivers), and I do not like them at all. The schools are all opened now, and the children are glad to be back. I am doing a nightdress for myself, and I have nearly finished it. Love to all—Yours truly, BAMBINO [Are you fond of fancy work, Bambino? Have you ever noticed the wonderful patterns frost makes on the window?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am still in the hospital. I have been in a month next Tuesday. I had two operations, but the doctor is better pleased with me. I love receiving letters, though I am unable to answer them yet. My room is simply filled with flowers t rosee, violets, chrysanthemums, larkspurs. I received a big box of violets from Auckland the other day, and they were beautiful, and as fresh as if they had just been picked. Nurse is bringing in my afternoon tea. Fondest love to all the L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, LONESOME LASS. [I don’t like any L.F. to be ill, Lonesome Lass, so hurry and be better. Do not allow Dorothy Dimples to think I was angry with her. I understand about her N.D.P.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your happy hand of L.F.? I am fourteen years old, and left school over a year ago. I have three brothers and three sisters. I love reading the L.F. letters in the Witness, and I thought I should like to see one of my letters in print-. The Harvest Home dance was held here a week ago. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, RED ROSE LEAFLET. [Yes, you may join, Red Rose Leaflet, but your N.D.P. was taken. Send mo your private-name and address.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band of D.L.F.? I am seven yoara old. I have two sisters and one brother. I am in Class IV. We are milking four cows. I have a doll called Isobel. My aunty’s little baby has a sore finger.—Yours truly, THE PRINCESS WITH A SILVER WAND. [Welcome, Princess With a Silver Wand. If you really had a magic silver wand, what would you do with it?—DOT.) Dear Dot,—May I join jour happy band of L.F.? I am twelve years of age, and in

Standard VI. I also have a sister m Standard 11, her age is seven. Wo are milling twenty-six eov.c, and we are feeding them or. chou-moilier. We are having some verv hard frusta just now. but the weather is fine. There are thirty children going to our school, eleven giris and nineteen boys. We have a dear little white kitten, and it 13 such a pretty little thing. We had long holidays this year, and 1 was very pleased when school re-opened. Love to ail the L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, QUEEN MAILS PAGE. [Welcome, Queen slab's Page. Your name was taken. You children realty need a spanking for net sending your names and addresses when you write first!—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l am writing to ask you if I may become a. niemoer ot your page. 1 am thirteen years of age, and in totandard Vi at school. We just started school again alter a long holiday. we have lour ferret? at home, and cannot sell them anywhere. 1 have seven sisters and two brothers. One of iny sisters is married, anci uus such a dear wee girl. My brother was playing footbail last winter. He is woming on a nnil just now. I have to milk three cows night ana morning. My fataer pitted our potatoes on batumay. nove to ail tne L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, TIN. [You may certainly join us, Tobacco Tin. Did you know there were seven star 3 named the Seven Sisters ?—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l received the badge a tew weens ago, and 1 think it is lovely. Lumsden hockey team came down and played us last Inursiiay, ana we were beaten by six to one. We also travelled to Riversdale on tne Saturday, anu were beaten by seven to nil. It was a long journey. We left Dipton by cars at hall-past ten in the morning, and arrived at our destination at a quarter to one. We did not arrive home again until eight o’clock. Balfour is coming down to piuy us next Saturday, so i hope we have better luck this time. There is a dance on Friday night, and. I think I shall be going. I have four correspondents through the page. One lives in Atuo.. 1 am looxuig forward to going to Athol with the hockey team. I .shall wear my badge, and then l shall be abie to go up and speak to her. Her N.J-/.P. is A Lily of the Frame, leu asked me what colour the dress was that 1 had on when 1 had the snap taken. It was a jazz dress, a background oi green, with red and white and blue rings on it. Kind regards to all the DL.F. and your own dear seif. —Youi3 truly, CUDDL-ESOME KIDDIE. [You are a hockey enthusiast, Cuddlesome Kiddie. Good luck to you next match.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —On Sunday afternoon two othei gins and i went icr a bike ride nearly to Centre Bush, and we had to walk nearly ail the way home, as we had no lamps, ana tne wind was in our faces. We reached home about seven o’clock, and were ail tired out. and glad to get to bed. My baby brother is funnier nearly every day. It is funny to hear him talking. He cnatters away, and one cannot understand a word he is saying. He rides on the cats, and pulls their tails to make them go, and thinks it quite a joke. Tlio cats seem to like it, too, as they hardly ever run away from him or scratch him. I went with a picnic party to Lake Monowai one day, and we had an enjoyable day. Dipton will soon have the electric light here, as the men are here wiring up. On the 26th the Bishop was here for confirmation, and there were eleven candidates. It was a lovely day, so the white dresses did not lock out of place. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, A NEW FOREST GIPSY. ,[You must be careful not to be without a light when you ride at night, New Forest Gipsy The cats must have good tempers.— DOT.] Dear Dot, —Did you go anywhere for your Easter holidays? We are milking four cows at night, and eight in the morning. There was a church social on Monday night. The party came from Invercargill. We go to the Technics school every Monday, four girls and three boys. The girls go for cooking, and the boy® woodwork. I am in Standard V. Did Ilarry Lauder go to Dunedin?— Yours truly, WHITE LILY OF THE MOUNTAIN. [What do you make at cooking, White Lily. Harry Lauder began his Dunedin season on Saturday.—DOT.] Dear Dot,— Dancing will soon be in full swing, and there is gome talk of pictures coming hero once a month. It will be lovely if they do. Our annual show is to be held on May 20. I see the schools have re-opened. The mothers will be glad, I’m sure. The little boy here is a hard case. His grandmother gave him a dahlia bloom that had broken off. The little boy looked at it, and said, ‘Grandma, it has no handle.” meant it had no stem. He says some funny things sometimes. I notice seme of my Toiro acquaintances wrote to the page last week, also a new correspondent, Honey Fairy. I used to live in the house Honey Fairy is staying at. A Starry Night is making me a dance frock, but she has my sympathy just now, as she had her teeth pulled to-day. I have just finished reading a bock, “The Border Legion,” by Zane Grey. I am a book worm, though I do a little fancy work occasionally. Kind regard® to all the L.F. and your own self.—Yours truly, A BUNCH O’ CUDDLES. [Children are so natural that they are always interesting, Bunch O’ Cuddles. Tell me what your frock is made of. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was home for the week-e*.d, and had a lively time. Sweet Sixteen was there, too, so we all landed together. There arc no cows, which I am thankful for. There are only a few fowls and the birds. I went for a ride on the pony when I was homo, and I’m still feeling the effects of it. It wag over a month since I’d been on a horse of any kind. Before that I could line all day, and not feel any the worse. We had two pukakis given to us to-day. They arc funny things with red noses and long legß and toes. Round their necks and half way down their bodies are bright blue feathors. Tho rest of their bodies is covered in black feathers. Kind regards to all and yourself.— Youi’a truly, PROSERPIIINE. [You need to go for another ride to wear off the stiffness, Proserphine. I have not seen a pukaki, but it seems to be funny.— DOT.] Dear Dot t —You will see by my address that I am in Balclutha now, and like hero very much. What kind of weather aro you having in Dunedin? We aro having fine weather here just now, only it is a bit cold. Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—lours truly, ESMA. [I am glad you like Balclutha, Esma. The Dunedin weather is winter weather. —DOT.] Dear Dot, — My oldest brother works at the gold mine with my father. Ho i® the hauler driver. I f’as thirteen years of age on the BtV /i March, and received many presents. 1 have only two correspondents now. Ov of my mates bus twelve corespondents. She did have 18, but some of them have stopped writing. I havo just finished my

®c.'oi>; lessons. Love to you and your IAL.F. —T-'oura truly, • PATSY'S MATE. [1 ehculd prefer you to have few correspom*ents and write regularly than to have mar* and neglect them, Fatty’s Mate.— DO’J;] Duir Dot, —The schools have opened at last. We find the house very quiet after beinfj used to the children at home all the time. Something seerns to be missing. Fineapple is away out working now. bhe has only spent about three week® at home since Christmas time. My marsh mallow tree® aro about five feet high now, bo they are just a nice size tor the frost to come on. It won’t do them any harm. What kind of an Easter did you have? It wa® fairly up this way. I did not go anywhere.’ Mum and I may be going up to Hokitika in June. If we go we shall be going right over to Kaiapoi. Much love to all and ycur own dear seif.—Youis truly, QUEEN TELEPHASSA. [Children seem most natural when playing and making a noise, Queen Telephassa. Easter was quiet for me, too.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Your page is growing larger every week. What number of L.F. are there? Dad h*s just finished digging his potatoes, and out of half an acre wo received forty-five bags. Nearly everyone’s potatoes were cut down with the frosts, but ours were not touched once. My wee brother started school to-day, and was excited about it. I suppose that will soon wear off when hard work begins. I am not a hockey player, as my music day always falls on the" practice day. Next year I may join. The electric light is going to be laid on soon, and it will be a boon after the old, tiresome lamp and wax candle. We are milking four cows for winter, and it is a change after mining eighty-five cov/® all year. Love to all and your own dear self.—Yours truly, MUSIC Gla.aa. [I really cannot count my large family, Music Girl. You were lucky about the potatoes.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We played Lumsden hockey at Lumsden, and we beat them 5 to 4. It was cold at Lumsden. We are playing Riversdale on Saturday. I have a new piece of music, "Silver Chimes.” I have eleven, correspondents now. 1 have left school. I am very glad. The football has started. I like watching football very much. I was 14 years to-day (May s).—lours truly, LILY OF THE PIunRIE [Well done about the hockey, Lily oi th® Prairie. Tell me how you fare against Riversdale.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We were all very pleased to be back at school in our old places. We have a new master relieving until the other one comes, and a new pupil teacher as well. The other one is not long away, and the residents gave her a social evening, and the last day she taught she received some presents from the scholars, and we all sang her favourite song, which was "The Auld Hoose. * We were sorry she went away, but we like tho new one as well. When we went back to school after being away so long, we found that cows and horses had been in, and they don’t care where they walk on our gardens, but we have them in order again. We have our drill on the new lawn, so there is not much grass to be ®een there now, and our last master was so proud of it, and we were not allowed to play on it. The road up past our place is not yet gravelled, and one day I heard my two brothers laughing, so I looked out, and it happened that a motor car had gone up the road, and just as it came to the top of the hill it skidded, and slipped right back down again, and it looked so strange to see a car going so fast backward instead of forward, but next time ;t went up it didn’t slip back again. We were waiting to see some more fun. My wee sister had a nasty accident, but is all right again. She i® over two, and I am sure she noticed the moon the other night for the first time. She was at the door, and came running in, so I went to see what she wanted, and she pointed up, and said, "What is that?” How strange she never noticed it before! Warm regards to all.— Yours truly, COSETTE. [lsn’t the lawn wet for you to drill on these days, Cosette? Take notice, and you will see that there are many other things the little girl has not yet seen.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—We have had all these months to play. What fun we had, but I am very glad to go back to school. We have three little kittens, and we had three big ones, but when I went to put the wee ones in their box, I found that Sam was dead. Our three big cats all had kittens, and Sam was one of their kittens. We have Patches, a sick six month kitten, and she always wants to come inside. Our calf is still nameless. She has had many names offered her, but she has refused them all. Could you give me a. name for her? I am now in Standard IV, and Sweet Rose is in Standard lll.—loura truly, ICA. [Have you any pure grey kittens, lea. or are they all black and white? Perhaps the calf will not refuse Flyn for a name—DOT.] Dear Dotlt is very cold to-day, and there is snow on Mount Grey. I am reading a book called “Faithful, but not Famous,” by Emma Leslie. Have you ever read it? The school committed is giving prizes to the children on the 15th of. May. Our school gardens are quite a wilderness now with our being away from school so long. The senior ohildren are going to play basketball at school this winter, lou asked me what colour the kittens are —two are black, one smoke grey, and three smoke and brown. Silvery Iris has toothache. Men are poisoning rabbits. One of our cats was bad last week with eating a poisoned rabbit. Kind regards to all the L.F. and yourself—Youra truly, SKA BELL. [No, I have not read the book you mention, Sea Bell. You will have to take fingers and hoe, and weed the gardens.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l believe that song, "It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More,” is quite truthful, as we have given up hope of seeing rain up this way. Our tank is empty still, and we have been carrying water for weeks. We had a fow drops of rain to-night, which made a ttokle-tinkle in the tank, and we all rushed out to listen. But it was all a farce. Yesterday afternoon wo motored out to a friend’s place for a game of tennis. Wo ® ont a splendid time, and were loth to leave the court. I had not played tennis for several months, with the result that I am feeling the effects to-day. But it was worth it! In the evening most of tho family assembled at Winnie’s, where we talked and joked and reminiscenced. We motored to the pictures on Saturday evening, ami a fairly good programme was shown. Last Wednesday we went to the bush for a picnic. The mill iB built, and is cutting timber up there now. The bullock team was pulling the logs on to the Bkids, and it was interesting to watch them. Little Fae is growing quite a big girl now, and is such a lovely girl, too. Love to all and yourself .—Yours truly, RED BAGGER. [You may have some of our rain and frost, Red Bagger. A few peoplo J)luy tennis here now, but football is the chief attraction.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —"We have been to school for two weeks now, and I am sure everybody is pleased. Just as school re-opened, my teacher jad wo»d to say that his mother was dying. Do had to go to Dunedin, and arrived there in time for the funeral. Be missed the nrst •week of school. My sister is still _at home, and she reems to be enjoying herself. I hope she for a long time yet. Red Bagger, A Lass From the Land of Logs, and Winnie are cross-wording at present, and the dictionaries that are piled up around | them, well, we shall not mention anything about them. Now that we are back at echool we have not much time for anything else but lessons. The people with whom 1 stay have a wireless set, and I often listen to Dunedin, Auckland, and Sydney. One night we heard the Australian Parliament speaking on labour. We heard a good concert the other night. The Cub has a catalogue of jewellery, and she is asking me which ones I like best. I think that, if I had all the ones I like, I should be a lucky girl. We are starting hockey and basket ball soon, and we girls are looking forward to matches. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.— icurs truly, A LITTLE BUSH MAID. [A Lass asked me if I “cross-worded,' Little Bush Maid. Tell her I have not much time. I am sorry for your teacher.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—My sister Edna is sitting beside us suggesting all manner of things for us to say to you. She asks, “Does Dot crossword?" We. find they help to pass the evening hours away very nicely. Edna hersel? is always regretting that she is too old to join the L.F. ranks, as she is very interested in the page, and also in the dear little footnotes you put to eacE letter. To-day I received a parcel from Dick and her •ister Mary. When I opened it, I found it was a little present for Fae, a crocheted bonnet and bib. Winnie was so pleased with them, too. It seemed such a kindly thought on their part, don’t you think so? At the place I board in Te Karaka, they have a wireless set. We have listened in twice, and we could hear quite plainly. We heard a speech of a Labour member of Parliament in Sydney. We are going to buy a motor lorry to cart the timber from the mill \,o the railway station. Just lately our district seems to be overrun with mice, and Terence is in his glory. It is quite a common sight to see a curly tail from beneath a log, while Terence deals death to all rodents that come his way. Our “darlin’ dog’s" days are brimful of action. Best love to all and yourself.—Yours truly, A LASS FROM THE LAND OF LOGS. [lt was a kind thought, Lass, and I know bow you nil appreciated it. Terence will be quite a mouse-expert scon.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—We have a seagull, and we call it Elijah, nnd we allow it out to have some feed, and we have a tin for it to paddle in. and it likes to splash in the water. It has its wing* cut, so it cannot fly away. My brother made a trolley, and it is nice to ride in, and we can cart weeds in it. It ha« a steering wheel to steor the wheels rounds the corners. We have started school, and it was on Monday, and I shall have to work haid, and make up for lost time.— Yours truly, TWOPENCE. [I smiled at jour seagull’s name, Twopence. Have you any slope you can lide the trolley down? Dunedin boys fly in their trolleys.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—May I join the banpy band of p.L.F.? I am eight years old, and in Standard I. I have two sisters and two brothers. Sometimes four of us ride to school on the horses. I go rabbiting with my brother, who has two ferrets and a

little fox terrier. We have twelve cows and five dogs. We have five cats, and two of them have lost legs in the traps. Love to all the D.L.F. and yourself.—Yours truly, BEE BUSY. [You may join us, Bee Busy, but your name was taken. Are you the youngest of the family?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of L.F.? I am ten years old, and in Standard 111 at school. We do not take the Witness, but I do like reading them very much. We are milking nine cows just now, but they are not giving very much, and we have twentyfour fowls, but none of them is laying. My brother has three doge, and their names are Scot, Sharp, and Rock. Scot is a very clever dog, and when I say “give paw," he always holds out his left one. Why he holds out that one I do not know. When I wave my handkerchief he pokes out his tongue and wags his tail. That is the way he says “Goodbye."—Yours truly, TOODLES. [You may join, Toodles. Is that your nickname? Scot seems to be very intelligent —DOT.] Dear Dot,—My three sisters and I have just been away for a walk, and we enjoyed ourselves very much, although the road is very muddy in places. It has not been gravelled. We saw a great many deer marks. Father shot a deer on Saturday morning, and it is lovely to eat. I went to see School Girl Sport’s mother and sister on Friday, and it was a sunny day. Bush Whacker’s Friend is away setting traps this afternoon, and he hopes to get a good catch in the morning. Father and he have been busy digging potatoes the last week, and some are very big. I am going to start and knit a saxe blue and brown scarf very soon for the winter. I have just about finished crocheting my dressing table cover, and it is very pretty. My wee sister’s guinea pig is growing very fast now. It is just like silk to feel. We. have dried our cows off to once a day, and we have dried 14 right off now. My sisters and brothers like going to echool, although they have io walk six miles night and morning. Love to all the L.F. and your dear self.— Yours truly, MIDGE. [You will to knit hard at the scarf, as it is cold already, Midge. It will make the children warm to walk to school.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We all like to snuggle down in bed these mornings again after we wake up. When are you coming out to the bush to see us? It would be quite nice to have you out some holiday time, for I’m sure you don’t work all the time. On Monday the new alterations will be carried out, so it will seem awkward until we are into the way of things. We had many visitors out to-day, but the last of them just went away half an hour ago, and it seems quiet after they have all departed. We do not take the Witness now, so I won't see any autos in for me, and I shall not be able to write. Duck shooting is in full swing, and onfcv often sees some men shoot eighty ducks in one day.—Yours truly,

BETTY JO. [Thank you, Betty Jo, for the invitation, but I oould not stay with one L.F. and not with another. Doesn't a house seem big and quiet when the visitors have gone?—DOT.] Dear Dot,—This district (Eamont) is situated nine miles from the nearest railway and township (Lawrence). There are no shops, so we are dependent on the grocer every Thursday fortnight. I suppose that would be very inconvenient for town people, but. we become quite used to it. There is ■ school in the centre of this district, and there is Freabyterian church every Sunday

night, and Methodist 'church every Sunday fortnight. It is a farming district, mainly agricultural and sheep farming. This is an extremely hot. climate in summer, and very cold in winter. The population is about 120, and about 20 children attend the school, as many left last year. I have been reading “Girls of the Forest,” “Headmistress Hilary,” “Betty the Scribe,” and “Sheila the Prefect.' Love to all and yourself.—Yours truly, EAMONT. [I like you to describe where you live, Eamont. What sports do the Tuapeka West people play?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am very glad to be back to school. I am in Standard V, and I find the fraction sums very hard. My mother and father are going out, and Eamont and Wax Eye and the man who is working here are playing cards. There waa a church social, and there were not many einging, but those who sang sang very well. My father went to the bush and gathered a load of wood. We have a new teacher, and she is a very nice teacher, and she docs not growl at us. We have a little calf. Could you give me a name for it? —Yours truly, SNAP. [Attend closely when fraction sums are being explained, Snap. Call the calf Biddy. —DOT] Dear Dot, —I am glad school is open, as I am in P. IV, and I was 6even in April. I shall tell you about our pet lamb, uer rjiime was Bunty. When she was a very sick baby lamb, a man gave her to Waxeye, and we thought she would die, but we feci her up with new iniik, and she became fat. She broke into the garden, so my father put her clown on our rape, and she became fatter, and last week dad sold her, and now she will be mutton. Isn’t it sad? We have clipped nearly all the horses. Love to uot and all.—Yours truly, LITTLE DOT. [Thank you for the kisses, Little Dot. I should net like to be petted, and then killed.—DOT.] Dear Dot, — We are going to school. There was ice on the water. The girls at school have a scrub house. I am in Standard IV, and I am nine years old. I have not haa the strap. My mother is making me a red dress, and I like it. My baby sister will soon be two years old. She is a hard case. She can say anything, and she can run. We are milking three cows, but one will be ooming in in about two or three more days. Two of„ my brothers and one sister are left school. There are four of us going to school. We are feeding two pigs and a black calf.—Yours truly, PIRI PIRI. [Have you dark hair, Piri Piri? It will suit your red dress if you have. Won’t ■you be sorry when the baby grows up?—DOT.] DeaT Dot, —Mother’s Curls, Blue Ribbon, and I Tent for a long walk to-day. My three brothers shot two deer to-day. We have been digging potatoes lately. The leaves are all off the trees now. Our flowers are nearly all finished. We had an exam, on geography on Friday, and we are going to have one on history on Monday. Love to all the L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, LONG TONGUE. [Where did you go for your long walk, Long Tongue? How did you do in the exam.?—DOT.] Dear Dot. —The Clifden harvest home sale was held last Monday night in Clifden hall. There was a big crowd there, and everything was sold. It is very cold in the mornings now. 1 think we are in for a hard winter. We had about five inches of snow here, and we had a game of snowball. Since last writing I have paid a visit to the dentist, and had all my top teetfi extracted. The electricity is in Tuatapere now. It will be about three weeks before we have it here. There was a big crowd at Lake Monowai the day it wa» opened. The Oddfellows’ ball is to be held in Tuatapere to-morrow night, so I hope it is fine. My little sister is pleased that the school has opened again. She likes school very much. I was at Clifden for my music lesson yesterday, and I gave her a ride home on the bike. The Tuatapere hockey girls played Clifden last Wednesday. They had a good beating. Clifden won 6 to nil. Hockey and football are all the rage now that winter is here again.—Yours, truly, SHEIK’S LOVER. [I hope it is not much colder here in mid-winter than it has been lately, Sheik’s Lover. Better luck next time in the hockey match. —DOT.] Dear Dot,—l am glad school started. We have two pigs. Our little baby sister has a bad cold just now. Are you going to the Exhibition this year? Heaps of love.—Tours COWSPANKER’S CHUM. [lt is not nice to gee babies- with colds or coughs, is it, Cowspanker’s Chum? I shall go to the Exhibition sometime. —DOT.] Dear Dot—We are putting our cows dry now, and we are going to the factory every second morning, and I am glad, as one tites of the same thing every day. Duck shooting season has started now, and there is nothing but the sound of guns around. My two brothers and their mate went out duck shooting one day, and thfey had 16 ducks. I think that was very good for one day's shooting. After the ducks have been frightened from one place to another, as they say, it is very hard to have a shot at them, as they are easily frightened. I was at a send off at Thornhill last Tuesday night, and I enjoyed myself immensely. But there was too big a crowd there to have a dance. Love to all the L.F. and your own dear self.— Yours truly, WAIPANGO LASSIE. [When I was very little, I used to like to play with a decoy duck, Waipango Lassie. It is painful to dance in a crowded room.— DOT.] Dear Dot,—There was a bazaar at Wreysbush, lasting five nights. I went four. I am going to the pictures to-night. There was a euchre social and dance here (Nightcapß) last night in aid of the Nightcaps hockey club. I have written nine letters to D.L.F. to-day. Love to all the L.F. and yourself.— Yours truly, GOLDEN RINGLETS. [Do you go to the euchre parties, Golden Ringlets? Did you buy anything useful at the bazaar? —DOT.] Dear Dot,—We have been to the pictures lately. One was “Darwin Was Right." It was a laugh from beginning to end. The old professor was searching to And out how to bring back lost youth, and he and his secretary and butler were old. They discovered it, and the butler was a negro, as was hie wife, and whon the professor said he thought he was nearer and nearer to it, he said, "I’m farther and farther away from it.” The fear and terror on the negro’s face was enough to make the dourest person laugh. In the meantime a man wanted to Sut the pfofessor in an asylum, and just as re professor had this stuff ready, > dog came in with three wee babies in a cart, and tipped them out. They were two white and a black baby. The man and his two assistants kidnapped the three men. When the professor# sister and niece and the negress went in and saw the three babies they nearly fainted. The negress §at v down on the floor

and said, “Now, I’ll have to raise a husband.” How the people laughed. The girl ran to the telephone, and called up a boy friend. In the meantime three monkeys had escaped from a circus, and the boy had found the babies, and the monkeys came in, and when these people went into the room again, three monkeys were on the floor playing. That was the funniest part of the picture. My jaws were sore with laughing. The three old men escaped, and everything came right, but they all agreed, “Darwin was Right.” Last night’s picture wasn’t so good.—Yours truly, A WAIHOLA LASS DOWN SOUTH. [I had to cut the last page of your letter, Waihola Lass, as it was too long. Do you know who Darwin was?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have all colds. Mine started with a sore throat. Beaumont Smith was here (Oamaru) and we went to see the amateur screen stars. They caused a great deal of merriment. I fully intended to go, but the cold prevented me. I have always had a mania for going on the stage, but I have not had such luck. I had my dress ready, and my shoes and stockings, and I was going to have put my hair up. I was teased, but I didn't mind it. Everyone thought that when I hud seen them on the stage acting, I would give up the idea, but it would have taken much more than the sights I saw to make me drop the idea. I don’t suppose Beaumont Smith will ever come to Oamaru again. I shall always call the three days Beaumont Smith was here my unlucky days. We all have good fires cn. these nights. I always take my hot water bag to bed these nights to keep the cold from nipping my toes. Your large family still keeps increasing! I should think you must have thousands writing to the page. Skating has started now, but I don’t care for it. I should rather stay at home and read book. My mother went in for the Nugget Competition, so I am hoping she has a win. Love to all the D.L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, PRINCESS TOKIO. [You will be able to try next time he cornea round, Princess Tokio. Ycu need to do plenty of exercise this weather.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have 29 hens and one calf. We are in our new school, and it is very nice. We are having a new cow in because we are turning one out now. I am in Standard II now, so it is very hard for me. Love to the D.L.F. and your own dear self.—j Yours truly, MOTHER’S RACHEL. [Work while you work, and you will not find it so hard, Mother’s Rachel. Do you play basket ball?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —The days are shorter and shorter, because it is near winter. I have another correspondent, so now I have ten. I shall be fourteen on May 28, We are drying off one of our cows, so then we will have only one left.—Yours truly, A RABBITER’S MATE. [We are nearing the shortest day, Rabbiter’s Mate. Have you time to write to ten correspondents ? —DOT.] Dear Dot,—We are milking two cows, and feeding one calf. We have twenty-seven hens. We have started school in our new' school. Our mother and father are out to-night. Love to all the L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, LOW TIDE. [Are you the cow milker of the family, Low Tide? How many rooms has the new school?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have started work in an office in the Stock Exchange buildings, and I like it very much, although I do not have r so much time to myself. Do you like pets? I do very much, and at present we have two dogs, Tony and Sandy. We used to have two magpies, Tony and Barney, and also an owl, which we called Harry, after the man who gave it £0 us. We had a dog called Echo, but dad gave and every year when the shooting season opened he used to come home and howl until we went out, and then dad used to take him up Central duck shooting. Dad has just come back from Moa Creek, and he brought back many ducks, and a pair of quail. The quail is a very pretty little bird, and the male bird has a little notch of coloured feathers on its head. My sister is going up Central at the end of this month, but I think it will be rather cold, and I should sooner stay at home than have a holiday in such a oold place as Central Otago is. Love to all the merry crowd and your dear self. — Yours truly, THE WELSH GOOSEGIRL. [I like a dog for a pet, Welsh Goosegirl. It is certainly very cold in Central in the winter.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Betty Jo will be coming 'home for a while at the end of this month, as the Government is taking over the railway refreshment rooms, where she is working at present, and she prefers going into Dunedin to learn tailoring to staying on under the new management. As the trains are running differently now and as the trains don’t stop for dinner at Clinton a* formerly, the refreshment rooms are holding an auction sale of all their dining room cutlery and furniture, and also most of their kitchen utensils. The sale is on Thursday next, and as it is also the day of the fortnightly sheep sale, there ought to be a good sale attendance. Our violets are blooming well at present, though it is out of season. I suppose it is owing to the exceptionally good weather we have had. I have just finished reading a book called “St. Elmo,” by A. J. E. Wilson. At present I am reading the poetical works of Lord Byron. Do you like poetry? Best love to all L.F. and your own dear self.—Yours truly, THE MOONSHINE LADY. [We hope Betty Jo likes her tailoring, Moonshine Lady. I like good poetry, but some verses called "poetry” are trash.— DOT.] Dear Dot.—My sister has a camera, and we have some great fun taking lihe snaps. I have left the farm for the present, and am staying with my father and sister for a few months. My sister Jessie, The Flower of Dumblaine, has not been keeping too well of late, so she and mum are going to Christchurch to-morrow. Love to all and youT own dear self.—Yours truly, A GIRL FROM AIRAN. [I saw the negative plate of a flash of lightning, Girl From Airan. I hope your eister is well soon.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l have two little grey rabbits, and one night they both escaped out 01 their box, but I caught one in the hedge, and oouldn’t find the other one. About three days after dad was fencing in one of the paddocks near the house. He found the other one sitting on the ground with a big cut in the back of hie neck. I took him home, and he is etill living, and is nearly well now. My pup is growing to be a bag dog, and is not so playful as he wss when he was little. I have a dog I can yoke up in a little trolley with wheels, aiKd I drive her like a pony. I sometimes have a ride in it, too. The puppy is very fond of having rides in the cart. He jumps in ss soon as we are ready for a run. Love to all the D.L.F. and your own dear aelf.—Youre ‘ rU ' T ’ FANNY’S FAVOURITE.

[l# the lost rabbit tame now that it i® found, Fanny’s Favourite? Have you ever wheeled the pup in the wheelbarrow 7 Dear Dot, —I received a letter from a North Island friend to-night, and she sent rue two linen huniikcrchifcis lor my birthday. 1 am sorry school is started. We play skipping ana rounaera. There is a number of new children at school. My sister has started to write to you. My grandmother is staying here.—Yours truly, WEE WALNUT. [You would have become tired of holidays if they had been much longer, Wee Walnut. Do you piuy "Keep the kettle boiling ’ at skipping 7—DOT.] Dear Dot, —Last Wednesday, May 6, Tuatapere hockey girls travelled by motor lorry out to Ohai to play hockey, but owing to disagreements between our team and the referee, who belonged to Ohai, we walked off the field fifteen minutes after we had started. On our way we passed through Orawia, Birchwood, Felwick, and Mount Linton, which 10 not far from Ohai. Not long after leaving Tuatapere, one of our players discovered she had iorgotten her boots, 60 we called in at a house in Orawia, and found a pair of shoes for her. Birchwood is very hilly country, and in one place on a hill on the road we had to jump out and walk, as the road was so bad. There were heaps of gTavel on the road, but they had not been spread. We were glad to go out and walk, though, as we were nearly frozen sitting in the bus with a bitter cold wind blowing in on us. Felwick is also hilly, but the roads are much better, although acme of the hills we had to go looked almost perpendicular, when looking from the bus. Wlicn passing through Mt. Linton, which is not so hilly, we could see a house and garden beautifully decorated for a wedding which was being held there that day. We also noticed a large number of motor cars standing under the trees which surrounded the house. On nearing Ohai we could see the smoke of numerous coal mines, which Ohai is noted for. I met one of my correspondents there, and she was very nice, and took me to see her mother. I had not seen her before, and waa very pleased to meet her through the dear old L.F. page. There was a football match there that day between Otautau and Ohai, the latter winning by one point, as the scores were five —four. We left Ohai at half past five, and arrived home in nice time for the train. —Yours truly, A STRANGE LOVER OF OLD. [Hockey i 3 a good game. Have you a strong team, Strange Lover of Old? I am very glad you met a correspondent.—DOT.] NOTES. Chatham Island Lily.—Thank you for the spindleberry. Their colouring is very beautilui.—DOT. Reddie.—The address you asked for is Brenda Hansen, Surprise Downs, Kapuka.— DOT. Bush Whacker’s Friend.—The D.L.F. roll is being re-classified, and if two L.F. have the same name they are made I and 11, or as near as can be to the old N.D.P. There are two L.F. before you writing under Bush S Whacker— one ha« been writing for about four years, I should think, and the other nearly as long. You cannot be Bush Whacker, but it you prefer another N.D.P., tell me, and I shall give it to you if it is not taken. Try to be more courteous next time you write. —DOT. Bambino. —The date you asked for is April 22—DOT. Cow Spanker’s Chum.—D.L.F. badges are 2s 6d. The postage is paid by us.—DOT. AUTOS. Queen Telephassa (Sara Mahinaka, Bruce Bay P. 0., South W r estland) wishes to correspond with Bush Whacker, A Rolling Stone, (Queen of Thorns, and any other L.F. willing. Music Girl (Susie Keavin, Box 6, Balfour) wishes to correspond with A Lass from the Land of Logs. Bambino (Lorna Harker, Five Rivers, via Lumsden) wishes to correspond with Cowboy Jim, Silver Shoe, Effie Bell, and any D.L.F. from 14 te 19 years of age. Will they please write first ? Lonesome Lass (Doris Wilson) wishes some of her correspondents to write to her (c/o Prospect House, St. David street, Dunedin). She naa been ill. Esina (Iris Watkins, c/o Mrs J. Scott, Box 73, Balclutha) wishes all her correspondents to* note her change of address, and wishes A Secret Writer to write soon. Patsy’s Mate (Jessie lteece, Round Hill, via Colac Bay) wishes to correspond with Beautiful Butterfly. Prosephine (M. Bartlett, c/o Mr Thorby, Milburn) wishes to correspond with A Cuddlesome Kiddie and A Strange Lover of Old. Will they please write first? Sheik's Lover (Edith Lockley, Box 37, Tuatapere) wishes to correspond with Student’s Mate, Nobody’s Sweetheart, and any L.t. 17 to 20 years of age. Low Tide (James Muir, Five Rivers) wishes to correspond with Lonely Crusoe, and wishes him to write first. . Mother’s Rachel (D. Muir, Five Rivera) wishes to correspond with Nobody's Pet. Betty Jo (Maggie Irving, c/o Refreshment Rooms, Clinton) wishes to correspond with Secret of the Sea, Peggy the Tease, Eamont, General Manager, and any L.F. 16 to SO. Please will they write first? . . Girl from Airan (M. Robertson, 133 Tainui street, Greymouth) wishes to correspond with any L.F. 18 to 20 years of age. The Moonshine Lady (E. Irving, Wairuna Bush, Clinton) wishes to correspond with Moeraki Lass, Paddy the Next Beet Thing, Rosaline, Black Onyx, and other L.F. from 17 to 19 willing. Will they please write firßt? Will any other L.F. who have had autos in wishing to correspond with her also write?