LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 83

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Ifotto.—We write (or the benefit of others, no* lor earielves. Dear Dot, —I have just been doing my garden up, and it looks very nice. I think ltds lovely to have a garden. Have you one? How is the Exhibition? It won't be long before it is all over. It should be lovely to be down for the last day. It will be a very big day. Love to all and your own dear sell. —Yours trulv, SWEET DIMPLES (Oamaru). [I have put an auto in for you, Sweet Dimplee. I have a garden. The Exhibition seems more popular than ever.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I was glad to sco my first letterin print. I have not been to the Exhibition yet, but I hope to go soon. I was sorry to start school again, as it did not seem six weeks after that long holiday we had last year. It was very lonely in the holidays without any school lessons to do, but I did not mind that. It is very cold and wet to-day, and some of the crops need it, as they arc all very diy. The oats are nearly ready for cutting, and the farmers will be busy then. Love to all and kind regards to yourself, —Yours truly, FATIMA (Hillend) [Holidays fly past, don’t they, Fatima? All farmers will be busy at harvest time.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Our picnic was held last Wednesday. The weatber was not very good, but everyone seemed to enjoy himself. The picnic started at one o’clock and continued on until six o’clock. About three o’clock it started to rain, so we all went into the hall and had afternoon tea and played games. After the shower passed over, the picnic continued under fairly unsatisfactory conditions. A largo crowd attended the dance that was held at night. The music was supplied by Foulke’s orchestra, which was very much appreciated. The school excursion was held on Friday. There were sixteen carriages on the train and they were all packed. We arrived in Dunedin at 10.30 a.in. The Exhibition is a very exciting place, the scenic railway, and dodgems seemed to be the main attraction. There are some very fine exhibits there. The Canadain and British Courts are the two best there We have formed a tennis club and have 24 members. We have not enough money to put down an asphalt court, but are going to chip one. Love to all. — Yours truly, MIDNIGHT WALTZ (Pukerau). [Rain always comes at picnics when it is not wanted, Midnight Waltz. You will have more funds later, and the asphalt court will be put down then.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—My mum is away just now, so I have English Lassie’s little girl staying with me. She is such a little hard case, end when I went to put her to bed the other night, ehe wondered if there were a mouse in bed. On Sunday it was a lovely day, so we went t,o Otautau. I had not been there before, so I enjoyed the trip. This morning I was busy scrubbing the kitchen, when 1 heard a knock at the door. I hurried to open the door, and it was only my brother playing a trick on me. I have asked one of my friends to join your so hope she does. Love to dear Dot and all. —Yours truly, A DEAR LITTLE LOVE BIRD (Centre Bush). [Children have some queer notions, Dear Little Love Bird. Did you spank your little brother?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I am going to tell yon about the trip I had to the Exhibition. We went there and back in one day, and it is about 116 miles, so we were very tired next day. Wo left home at six o’clock, and arrived at Dunedin about half past eight. It is roughly 56 miles into town. We had a very quick glance through the courts, and then went to the amusement park. We went on the scenic railway (isn’t it thrilling?), the caterpillar, dodgems, water caves, and into the fun factory Three other ladies and two young men came through it with me. The ladies just simply screamed the whole time they were in it. Have you been through it? Do you like it? I thought the railway was very sudden, but I managed not to say anything. We left Dunedin at five and owing to the roads being very bad, we had to go slowly. When we were about six miles from Milton the car broke down, and it had to be tied up with stringy until we reached the garage in Milton. We had to wait there for hours until it was fixed. We left there a good while after dark, and had to go very slowly the rest of the way to Balciutha, but we knew the next eight miles of the road very well, so we were 60on home. We landed home at 11.30 We w f ere tired, but I really did enjoy myself, and I am dying to go back. I was at a dance last night, and it was so hot dancing. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours tfuly, SYLVIE (Otago). [I have been through the fun factory, and I liked the slides, Sylvie. All letters must be written in ink. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your liappy band? I am thirteen years of age and I am in Standard VI at school. I went to the annual school picnic last week, and hacl a lovely time. I won four shillings in races. My youngest sister is ten on y lay, and she thinks she is going to receive a number of presents. My father is ill in the hospital, but is progressing. He has been there three weeks, but hopes to bo home sometime this week. We had three pet lambs this year and I call mine Mary. We are all looking forward to seeing our brother once again, all the way from Taihape. My other brother came home from Hawea, so it is quite nice to have him home again. I have three sisters and three brothers. Love to your own dear self.—Yours truly, GREEN SHAMROCK (Glenorchy). [Welcome, Green Shamrock. Your name was taken. I am sorry to hear father is ill. —DOT.] Dear -Dot,—The Roxburgh band went through to Dunedin yesterday, and they are to compete in the band contests at the Exhibition next week. We went to the station to see them and took some snaps of them, while they were playing. I hopo the snaps turn out all right. There is a surprise party on to-night and I think I am going to it. It’s good fun going to a surprise party when there is a big crowd. I was in Oamaru for my holidays, and had a lovoly time, only the fortnight wasn't long enough. Time flies when one is away. I saw one Little Folk badge while I was away. I was going to speak, but ehe turned away, and I think I was too shy to go after her and speak to her. I had my hair off while I was in Oamaru, and I like it very much. It is semi-shingled, and is much easier to do up now. I had much teasing when I came homo, but I'm over that now. Everything is very quiet. Where is Tired Tim these days? Kindest regards to all and yourself.—'Yours truly, SWEET SIXTEEN (Lawrence). [A surprise party is always good fun, Sweet Sixteen. You will not want your hair on again, now it is cnt<—DOT«]

Dear Dot, —May I join your liappy band of Little Folk? I am twelve and in Standard VI. We are having our school flower show on the 12th of March, and I am to be in the tearooms. —Yours truly , BIANCA (Dunedin). [Yes, you may join, Bianca, hut send your private name. Have you ever helped in the tearooms before?—DOT.] Dear Dot,—Mother and I have just returned from a walk. Half way home “the lightning flashed, the thunder roiled, the rain came down in torrents.” Yesterday grandma and I spent the day at Waitati. Wo bad a lovely time, but it was very cold. I have not written to niv correspondents for such a long time. One of my chums is leaving for the North Island, and as we are great friends, I shall inias her very much.—Yours truly, DOROTHY DIMILES (Dunedin). [The lightning storm was very fierce on Sunday, Dorothy Dimples. It is sad when a dear chum goes away.—DOT.] Dear Dot, —I have two pet cats, one kitten and the cat. She is blind and has such pretty eyes. Their names are Topsy and Tom. My mother is spending a few weeks' holiday in Queenstown. My youngest sister is staying at Orepuki till mother coines home. I have a flower garden with a few flowers in it. Mum has a number of flowers and rose buslus growing up the side of the house, We are milking about thirty-five cows, and the milk goes to the factory. We have eight horses. There names are Jean. Bonny, Kate # Bob, Star, Jack, Tommy, and Glen. Love to all and voursolf.—Yours truly, DAPn.,EY’S DAUGHTER (Pallia). [I am sorry puss is blind, Daphney’g Daughter. Which is vour favourite horse?— DOT.] Dear Dot, —During the holidays we motored through to the Exhibition by Roxburgh, and home by Palmerston. We had a most enjoyablo time, the weather being perfect. We also spent a fortnight at Tarras, and although it is very quiet we went for several motor drives to Lindis Pass and Morvcn Hills. Owing to an outbreak of sickness among the children, our concert had to be posponed until this year, so wc are now busily engaged in practising for it. Our lamb is growing bigger and fatter every day, and will soon be as broad as it is long. It is very fond of eating biscuits, lollies, and fruit, and also choice rose buds. Sometimes she will stand on her hind leg 3 and beg f or a biscuit. Love to all and your own dear self.—Yours truly, SUGAR SHOES (Bannockburn). [You have had an excellent holiday, Sugar Shoes. You must feed the lamb very well if it is “as broad as it is long.”—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l was very pleased to see my first letter in print in this week’s Witness. I was staying at Kinlccli for a part of my holidays. We are milking four cows, and we aro sending cream away once a week. My two brothers are breaking in a young filly, and it is wild. Will you please give me a name for-it? It has been raining here all night, and the rivers are high. My sister and I did not go to school to-day, as it was too wet. There are 14 pupils going to our school, and we have a good time together. We play rounders and many other games at school.—Yours truly, FLAKE OF SNOW (Bees Valley). [CaIJ the horse Dalla, Flake of Snow. Do you often make a rounder at school? —DOT.] Dear Dot,—l have been in the hospital f or ten weeks. I suppose you have been to the Exhibition? I have a fountain pen. My little sister is asleep in her pram. It has been very windy these last few days. Love to all and your own dear self.—Yours truly, TOM MIX JUNE, (Cambrians). [I am sorry you have been in hospital, Tom Mix Junr. Did you write the lettei with the fountain pen.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l have been a very interested reader of all the Little Folk letters, and I am now writing to ask if I may join your very happy band. I do not know any Little Folk at all. We have a daily farm a few miles from Riverton. We have two very mischievous goats and we have always the tiresome work o f shifting their pegs, as we keep them tied up. The harvesting is just beginning now, bu\ I think this rough weather will keep the farmers back. Our fruit trees have do fruit at all this year, and last year they were just laden, but we have to take everything as it comes, haven’t we? I have only one litle sister, and I am quite devoted to her, but I have four brothers. My eldest brother is going to visit the Exhibition in a fortnight, and he will see some wonderful sights there. Kindest regards to all the Little Folk, and your own dear self—Yours truly. PRETTY REDWING (Riverton). [Welcome, Pretty Rodwing. Your name was taken. Send your private name and address at once, please. —DOT.] Dear Dot, —Since last writing to the page I have left my home in Southland and sought “pastures new.” I came all the way to Wanganui, and I like it ever so much better than Southland. Wanganui is a very pretty place, especially just now when all the trees are green. The river too is very beautiful, and as one sails up, one notices that the banks on both sides are covered with willows right down to the water’s edge. As one goes further up the river, one comes occasionally on a Maori pa, and in the water the Moori children are enjoying themselves immensely. I was at a welcome social to our new Divisional Commander on Monday night, and had a very enjoyable time. I am going to a surprise party on Saturday night, and hope to have a good time. Wirth’s circus was in Wanganui, last week, but I did not go to see it. Love to all and your own dear self.— Yours truly, CRIMSON TAXIGER (Wanganui). [I am pleased you like your new home, Crimson Taniger. Wanganui river must be a very picturesque river.—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l was very pleased to see so many Old Writers remembering tho page. I read all the letters and found them very interesting. Since I last wrote to you, our postmistress has left here for Stewart Island. The people in the diatrict gave her a farewell social and presented her with a dressing case. We were all very sorry to have to part with her, but we may see lieu: again sometime. The Pukerau excursion was to-day. They went to the Exhibition. My father took my two sisters aud my eldest brother. The two girls were very excited about it the day before, but I think they will be two very tired little girls to-night when they reach home. My mother and two sister and two brothers spent a fortnight at Riverton during the school holidays. I wa3 cook hero for my father and ray brother. I like cc* king on the electrio rango for there are no ashes and dust. One of our black ponies has a wee piebald foal, and she is very proud of it. She takes it away when wo go near, and when it isn’t looking, she will come back and have her lollie or wuatever wo have for her. I noticed a letter in your page from Win of the Mountains. She is a little friond of raino. Love to all and your own dear self.— Yours truly, GRANDMA’S GIRL (Pukerau). [The postmistress will find Stewart Island a beautiful little spot, Grandma's Girl. Did you burn anything when you were oook? DOT.]

Dcai- Dot, —We luotoied up to Dunedin leaving Waipahi at eight o’clock in the morning. As it was the first time my father had motored the short way, lie naked a friend to draw a rough map of the road. Wo went across the punt at Clydcvale, und when we were some distance along the road, we came to a cross road which was not marked on our map We did not know which road to take, so we just took tho cross road. Wo went a long distance and at last we arrived at Waitahuna, which is a long way out of our way. When we arrived at Milton it was twelve o’clock. We were angry about the map, because we expected to be in Dunedin for dinner. Instead it was about half past two when we reached our destination. We went to the Exhibition at night, and had a look round the courts. The next day we all motored to St. Clair until dinner time. We then had dinner in town and went to the Exhibition until ten o clock at night. The next day we went to Tomahawk and after spending a fe-.v hours there we had dinner, and once more went to the Exhibition until late at night. I was on the scenic railway twice and thought it good. We were in Dunedin from 'Thursday afternoon until Monday. All hough it was not a very n-ng stay, we enjoyed oursolves very much. 'While 1 was there I met Lonesome Lass, and war so pleased to meet her, as she was the only Little Folk 1 met. Love to all and your own dear self.—Your* KSMA (Waipahi). [lt was unfortunate you took the wrong road, Esma. Did you like St. Clair better than Tomahawk?—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l have had six weeks’ holiday, and time soon goes by when one is enjoying' oneself. Now we have started school and are busy with lessons. I suppose you bavo been at the Exhibition several, times by now. Our school goes next mouth, but I cant go as I am not strong enough. Tho teacher will nave enough to look after those who are healthy. I should have liked very much to have gone. Love to all and vour own dear self.-Yours truly, SPUING SUNSHINE (Mabel Bush). [lime always seems short when ouc ia thoroughly occupied, Spring Sunshine. Healthy ones are harder to “keep an eye on” than ill oncs.-DOT.] Dear Dot,—-It is very hot here to-day, so some of the farmers are leading in grass, I am out working and like it very much. \Ve mux 18 cows at night, and 19 in the morning. I ieed four calves twice a day I was feeding twelve for a while, but the others are taken away. I can ride now. Ikere 13 a wee pony here I have to ride for the cows. The hens are going off laying, we have only three and four a dav. 1 have not been home for two months. There is to be a dance here on the 26th of next month. My sister has a baby girl about five weeks o.d. VVe have the electric range on, and I nnd it very handy. One has not to poke the hre about. The power has been shut off a tew times and we nnd it very awkward. 1 here is to be a marriage here next month. Hove to all and your own dear self —lours truly, LITTLE MISS LILY (Dunearn). [Four calves are quite enough to feed, are they not, Little Miss Lily? It must be awkward when the power goes off.—DOT.] A TT^°, ar .Dot, —It was rather funny to-night. We had the cows but half finished wben°the motor started going slower and slower and then stopped. The phone was quite busy for ilie neit ten minutes, neighbours were lir.ging up one another. The power aid not come on till about half an hour late. It seemed rather hard co start milking by hand, but as they said at the sub-station, the power would not be long, we thought it not worth while starting the oil engine. Eventuallv the co\vs weie finished, though Jater than usual. Our annual flower show was held hero last Wednesday. The weather was ideal, though much too hot for comfort m tho crowded hall, both afternoon and night. As usual the exhibits were beautiful, especially the flowers and needle work. It would bo a task to choose the best section, as all were lovely. On that day the paper mills and freezing works are open to tlio public. We went through both, and found it all very interesting indeed, though I have been through the paper mills many times before. I think I shall be going to Dunedin about the beginning of March, so I am quite\ looking forward to having a jolly time. Hove to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours YOU KNOW 7 iM at aura). [I suppose you would not like to have to milk the cows by hand always, lon Know. The new badges are not made yet, so it will DOT° me before you can have yours.— Dear Dot,—l have been away on a trip to the North Island. We left Invercargill on the 22nd of December for Timaru, where we stayed a \veek. On Christmas Day we went to Caroline Bay and had our Christma3 dinner there. On the 31st we left Timaru, and that night sailed to Wellington. We had a very smooth passage and hardly felt sick at all. It is very pretty going into Wellington in the early morning. On leaving Wellington we were whirled away towards Patea, where we stayed another week. We went to the pictures two or three times, and had picnics. We also saw a whale which had been stranded on the beach at Patea. It was 30 feet long and 20 feet round, and yet people said it was a small whale. Next we went to Okaiawa, a small township fifteen miles out of Hawera. We stayed three weeks ♦here, and bad a most enjoyable time. VVe went to Tenutu Park, a great Maori battlefield, in which a monument has been erected in memory of the fallen soldiers. There is very pretty native bush, a tennis court, and a pond on which ducks swim, at Tenutu Park. Then we stayed at the Ohawe beach, which is about ton miles away from Okaiawa, for over a week. We were in our bathing suits all day long, and in the sea half tho time. At night we went for walks along tka sand. One day we walked to the Inaha. beach seven miles away, and had a picnic. Wo were very tired that night, and before we reached home we had to cross a deep river with only a swing bridge, which was very shaky to cross upon. However, we went across, and the next day left the beach for Okaiawa again. A few days more and we had left the shores of the North Island. We had a lovely passage uoross and did,not feel a bit like being sick. We stayed in Dunedin five days to see the Exhibition. — Yours tmly, SONG THE HALF MOON GIRL (Invercargill). [You seem to bad a very interesting holiday, Song. Were you very brown uftoi being in your bathing suit all day?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —We have started school again, and I am sorry, as \ don’t like the town schools. One of our dogs was run over by a car, and was killed. I am vory foud of reading. Aro you? I read a book called “A Che’iy Tree/’ and it was a very nice book. We wont to the Waiwera sports on tho 13th, but it was wet. Them were not many there. I came in second in one race and received one shilling. As our house ia on the hill we can hrve a good view of the town. Fondest love Vo all.—Yours truly, BONNY HEATHER BELL (Balclutha). [I suppose you were sorry to lose the dog, Bonny Heather Bell. I am fond of leading* —DOT.]