LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3890, 2 October 1928, Page 78

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Motto.—We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. Dear Dot, —There is great excitement now that the aeroplane has arrived in New Zealand. They had better luck than the other aviators. Were you listening-in on the wireless? It must have been rough weather when they came across. Our garden is looking pretty with the spring flowers. We also have a good many seeds up in the vegetable garden. I had a letter from A Cow Spanker’s Daughter. She writes well. Best wishes to yourself and all the Little Folk.—Yours truly, WENDY (North Otago). [I was not listening-in to hear about the aviators, Wendy. Would you like to fly over the Tasman Sea? See “ Points ” with regard to “ nice.”—DOT.] * ft * Dear Dot, —We are receiving about three or four dozen eggs a day. Our daffodils are out in bloom. We have about 60 lambs. ■ My sister has a little pet lamb, and she calls it Jack. I have one, and I call it Jill. We are milking three cows, and we shall have five altogether. We have three calves to feed. My mother has 18 small white leghorn chicks. Will you give me a name for my calf, please? We have sown nearly all our seeds, and in my garden I have green peas up and showing. I have a new school teacher at our Otekaike School. I like her very much. The other teacher was a beautiful one. The school gave her a bed quilt. We shall soon have our Christmas holidays. It does not seem any time since we began the year. The Otiake orchard is in beautiful bloom. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself. —Yours truly. SWEET PEA FLOWER (Oamaru). [You would be sorry to lose your beautiful teacher. Sweet Pea Flower. Call your calf Hobble. See “ Points ” with regard to “ get.’’—DOT.] * * * Deal* Dot, —To-day the teacher gave us different desks, and I have a boy for my partner. We have some bulbs and a little bunch of cowslips out. One of our neighbours has lovely violets, and she gave me a bunch. We are going to play Haka in football and basket ball. I am playing in the basket ball team, I think. Mum has some little day-old chickens. Dad brought a black lamb home, but it died in the night. I am reading one of Bertha Ruck’s books, and I do not 'ike it very much. I read your Points in Grammar,- and they helped me over •ome hard parts in English. We are '.laving Arbor Day on the same day as the natch again Haka. < nly it is in the mornng. It is Lint Hill's birthday to-day. [ am making an apron at school, and I im sewing the pocket. Love to the Little P'olk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, TINY MOON (Otago). [Do not read books by Bertha Ruck, Finy Moon. Read some school girl books. I am sorry the lamb died.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot,—l do not know what lias Happened to Perriwinkle Fred, for he has not written to me for some time. The snow last week was hard on the lambs, of which there are a good many here. We are playing the last match of our Rugby season on Friday or Saturday, a kind of fourth test. The second grade team from here won the banner this year, and seven of the Pukerau men represented Eastern District reps against South Otago. Dad is ill in hospital, and may be in for some time. There are several cases of influenza, though there is only one really bad case. Love to all.—Yours truly, OMAR THE OUTLAW (Pukerau). [Tell me the result of the match, Omar the Outlaw. I hope father will be quite better soon.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —The men are busy ploughing and harrowing the grass ’paddocks. The musterers are out on the hills mustering the wild cattle. The willow trees are looking pretty with their green leaves shining in the sun. The daffodils are coming out. but the crocus flowers are all past. Some of _us were in the bush on Sunday for a walk. We went up a small track through the bush übtil we came to the bare hills. Then we turned back. When we arrived back we took photographs of the dog and some of ourselves. Love to all tlie Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, NETA LYALL (Glenaray). [Did the dog like to have his photograph taken, Neta Lyall? Do you often go to the bush for walks?—DOT.] * ft ft Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band? I am 12 years of age, and I am in Standard V at school. My brother and sister and I are working under the correspondence school. We have a few lambs. My brother and I rise early every morning to help the cowboy. We are milking five cows, and have foJlr calves —Nigger, a black and white steer; Barnos, a red steer; Roaney, a roan steer; and Bill, a red and white steer. Our hens are laying' from 20 to 30 eggs a day. Tlie Kurow races are on the 6th of next month. I am taking Hugh of Lochiel for a noni de plume, because we are descended from the Lochiel Camerons'. Love to all. —Yours truly, HUGH OF LOCHIEL (Hakataramea). [I shall enter you when you send your private name, Hugh of Lochiel. You seem to be benefiting by the correspondence school, for your spelling is good.— DOT.] * ft * Dear Dot, —I am unable to go to school, because I have influenza. The days are growing long again. There is another girl in my standard at 'school. I shall not gain a school certificate this year, because I have missed 11 half days. I shall be 12 years of age on Sunday. We have hundreds of daffodils out in the garden. My two ducks and mum’s old goose are

clucking. Some days we have over 30 eggs from the hens.—Yours truly, A FLOWER GIRL (Balfour). [I hope you have a happy birthday, J lower Girl. Are youc. ducks brown ones? See “Points” with regard to “nice.”— DOT.] * ft * Dear Dot, —We have only one lamb. It was born yesterday on Castle Hill. One of our dogs, called Toss, wouldn’t work. Dad had to kill our little calf two or three days ago, because it was starving. We enjoy being in the new school, as it is _so sunny. We have a number of primroses and violets.-—Yours truly. A LITTLE MOON - FAIRY (Pukerangi). [ls the lamb very frisky in the evening, Little Moon Fairy? How many rooms has the new school?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am eight years of age, and I am in Standard II at school. I walk a mile and a-half to school with my little brother. At present we are having very wet weather in Southland. I am not at school to-day, because of the rain.—Yours truly, JOY, THE FLOWER GIRL (Southland) .

[Yes, you may join, Joy, the Flower Girl. Does your little brother grow tired going to and from school?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have been in bed with a bad cold and toothache. I did not like going back to school again, as I had such a good time at Gore’s Gaiety Gala. I thought everything was good, but not quite as well arranged as last time. There is to be a ball here on Friday night for benedicts. Last night there was a picture here, and the name of it was “ Ben Hur.” Pictures come here once every fortnight, and the next one is “Mother Machree.” A football tournament was held about a week ago, but none of the Waikaia teams won any cups. There are 15 men working in the King Solomon mine, which is about five miles from our place. My father works in it, and comes home every week-end. Love to the Little Folk and yourself.—-Yours truly.

WHITE BROOM (Waikaia)

[ls the King Solomon mine an underground one. White Broom? Has your tooth a hole in it?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We have had our holidays from school. I went to Dunedin for mine, and while I was there I went to see Charlie Chaplin, and I think he is very good. Did you go to see him? The Empire Theatre is now opened. There are numbers of little lambs about. There are two more children going to our school. One is a boy and one a girl. Seven children go to our school now. We are milking nine cows and feeding three calves and one lamb. I saved up the fronts of the packets of ’Varsity cigarettes, and sent them up to Wellington for a photograph of Limerick the horse, and I am now saving them for my sister who goes to high school. We had a school picnic some, time ago, and my two sisters won a prize. Both of them received a cup and saucer and plate and a butter dish. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, CHARMAINE (Otago). [Yes, I did see the picture, Charmaine. Are the calves friendly?—DOT,]

Dear Dot—We i c ceived the Otago Witness to-day. Our hens have been laying well lately. To-day we received 64 eggs. On Friday my father, mother, and sister motored to Invercargill in the ear. Today my mother cut out a dress for me. I sewed up the sides of the bodice and skirt, while my mother fixed the joining and parts that I could not manage. I have never made a dress all by myself yet. but I intend to when I have had a little more experience. We have daffodils, primroses, and violets out in our garden. We have not sown many vegetables or flower seeds yet, as the ground has been too wet. My little brother, who is five years of age, has started school. He had a pencil-case and slate given to him for his birthday. When he is home from school he is always drawing on the slate, and his pencil-case is hardly ever -cut of his hand. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, AMELIA (Lillburn Valley). [You will always be glad that you can make your dresses, Amelia. Your brother should do well at school.—DOT.]

ft * * Dear Dot, —I am glad to-morrow is Saturday, as I shall be able to stay at home from school. Do you like work? Can you make your own dresses? I can’t. My oldest brother and sister are working. I am next in age, so I have to work hard. I am in the Young Helpers’ League at school. Our teacher asked us if we could bring something for a bazaar. It was last month, and I think we raised £l4 19s 4|d, counting the bazaar money and the money out of the boxes. Have you a cow, a pig, and hens? We have. Our cow is a pet one, and her name is Ada. The pig is a pet too, and her name is Susie. We have 11 hens and a wild rooster. He pecked mother on the leg four weeks ago, and it is not better yet. —Yours truly, x ONION PICKLE (Seacliff). [Were you not thankful the bazaar was a success. Onion Pickle? I cannot make, my clothes. We have hens, but no cow or pig. See “ Points ” with regard to “ shall.”—DOT.] * » » Dear Dot, —It is very hot to-day in the house. I have not been to school for some days, as I have had a bad cold. I am reading a book called “A Saxon Maid.” It is a very interesting book. Have you read it? My little brother is a year old, and he is beginning to say words now. He can stand up, but he is too frightened to walk yet. He likes to be out in the sun in the morning when everything is fresh and bright. My other little brother is in Primer 111. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Y’ours truly,

'•FANNY (Otago). [No, I have not read “A Saxon Maid,” Fanny, Your brother will soon be confident in himself when his legs are a little stronger.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I was pleased when I heard that the. All Blacks had won the fourth test, because I didn’t expect them to win.

I see in the papers that the Dunedin people are going to have a visit from the Tasman Sea fliers. I saw that Teddy and Golly are, going to join the Scouts. I suppose they will go about trying to do a good turn every day. I read nearly all the Otago Witness, including the serials “The River Baby” and the ‘ Mystery Maker,” the last of which I am keenly interested in. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours truly, MATAGOURI BILL (Otago). [I am sure all my Little Folk will be excited about seeing such famous fliers, Matagouri Bill. Are you keen about local football, too? See “Points” with regard to “ very.”—DOT.] ft * * Dear Dot, —I had to visit the doctor, because I had a sore Land. He said that it had septic poison in it. It was bad for two months, and I had to have my face lanced twice, and it has left a little lump on it. All the farmers are busy ploughing and sowing crops. They are also busy looking after the sheep and little lambs. Most of the women are busy sowing flower and vegetable seeds. We have violets, primroses, and daffodils out. The willow, trees are looking beautiful. I think spring is a lovely season, because you see all the little lambs frisking about at sunset, and everything is so green. It is nearly a year since I left school. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, CINDERELLA’S SISTER (Central Otago).

[Your hand must have been extremely painful, Cinderella's Sister. Is spring your favourite season?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We have had unsettled weather lately, and to-day is very wet and cold. We have a number of daffodils and violets in flower. The seeds which I sowed sometime ago are growing. lam reading a book called “ Deerfoot in the Mountains,” by Edward S. Ellis, and it/is a very exciting story. We arc milking eight cows and feeding six calves. It will not be long before we have the inspector’s examination, so we shall have to work hard at school.—Yours truly, PARADISE BIRD (Lake Wakatipu). [Do the inspectors coine more than once every year, Paradise Bird? Have you any white violets? See “Points” with regard to “ very.”—DOT.]

Dear Dot—l went away for my holidays, and enjoyed myself, but I think I like school better than holidays. This term we are not playing basket ball, and the boys have left off football. Cricket has been started, and the girls are going to have a pitch to themselves. We have been playing rounders with mixed sides. Two girls, a boy, and myself are going in for junior scholarship this year. Our headmaster has been giving us extra lessons. Mother's Brown Eyes is in my class at school. On Friday night we went to the opening of the new Empire Theatre. It looks lovely. The first half of the pictures were very good, but I did not like “Faust” very much. I belong to the Junior Red Cross Society. We have some very good times going to the hospital on Saturdays. We are being presented with our nurses’ veils soon, so we are looking forward to the event. I liked the serial “Lawless Days,” but I think the “River Baby ” will nearly equal it. I have been reading a number of books lately. We have a library for Standards V and VI at school, 120 of the books being from the Public Library. There are some very good girls’ and boys’ school stories, too. In this week’s Otago Witness I saw a letter from another South African correspondent. If he puts an auto in I think I shall write to him, but I am not a veryconstant correspondent. Love to the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, SOUTH AFRICAN (Dunedin). [I hope you pass your examination. South African, as it would be a great honour. Is Mother’s Brown Eyes entering too? —DOT.] ft * ft Dear Dot, —I have had such great pleasure in reading the Little Folk’s letters that I thought I should like to write a letter to your page myself. My brother is writing to you too. My mother is an Old Writer, and her noni de plume was Flower of the South. We are having changeable weather here. All the fruit trees are beginning to bloom. We have an enormous plum tree, which is covered with white blossom. We also have 10 acres of apple orchard which will be a picture when all the trees are in bloom. This is only our first year here, and we have not yet had the pleasure of seeing an orchard in bloom yet. We live three miles from the school and post office, but I have left school, and I do not envy my brothers and sisters their walk every morning and night. I am milking three cows for my grandfather, and he gives me some milk to feed my two pet calves. Love to all the Little Folk. —Yours truly, BEAU GESTE (Nelson). [Yes, you may join, Beau Geste. What colours are your two calves, and what are their names?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I went to Dunedin and Gore for my term holidays. When I was in Gore there was a gala, which lasted for a week. At night the main streets were lit up with rows of coloured lights, and it was a pretty sight. Last Saturday was the opening shoot of the Rifle Club, and a large number was there. The ladies gave the men afternoon tea. I have finished reading a book called “ My Friend Phil A Have you read it? It has been blowing and raining here for a week. I have a little girl friend in Byron Bay, New South Wales, who writes to me, and I like receiving her letters. We shall have our examination in about six weeks’ time, and I hope to pass into the fourth standard. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, PERSEPHONE 111 (Glenorchy). [I do not remember having read that book, Persephone 111. I wish you good luck in .your examination. See lt Points” with regard to " number.”—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I had all-Tny teeth out last week, and my gums healed up very quickly. Wo have a few vegetables in the garden, but it has rarely been fine enough to do much. My little brother is crying with toothache, and I know it is not very pleasant company. I had my friend, A

Screw Loose, to see me to-day. Love to you and all the Little Folk.—Yours truly, HAPPY SUSIE (Clifton). [You will do more gardening now the weather is fine, Happy Susie. I hope your gums are healed enough to have your teeth soon.—DOT.] * ft * Dear Dot, —My father bought another ■black pony about a month ago, and we named him Marti. He also bought a black stallion named Prince Charming. My brothgp looks after him. The last book 1 read was “ Macleod’s Wife,” by Annie S. Swan. Have you read it? Numbers of our sheep have lambed. The cold weather is hard on the young lambs. Last holidays my sister, some friends, and myself went to The Rocks, Riverton, for a week. We camped in a tent, and had a good tune. Love to all and yourself, —lours truly, GRANDAD’S RUBY (Pukerau). [I should like to pat Maru, Grandads Where . was our pitched? ft ft * Dear Dot, —I spent a holiday at Barry’s Bay on Banks Peninsula. The roads are au wind in and out among the hills. They must be pretty in the summer when all the shrubs are in bloom. There is some native bush about which always adds to the beauty of a place. We had a number of trips in a gar. and sonie of the places we visited were Little Akaloa, Duvauchelle, Stoney, and o , Kain , s Bays, also Akaroa, French Farm, and Wainui. The Akaroa Harbour is beautiful, and Akaroa town is such a prettyplace. It is a popular summer seaside resort, but was rather quiet while I was there. My brother-in-law and sister brought me into Christchurch, where, after a little shopping, I caught the express. I came as far as Palmerston that dav. and spent an enjoyable night with some friends. Next day I came back to Edendale, and, after motoring six miles, reached home again. I didn’t like starting work again, but the cows .will all be milking soon, so I shall be busy until next winter. My sister and I went to the local hall on Thursday night, where we saw “Mother Machree.” "We enjoyed it very much, although it was rather sad. The dances are becoming rather scarce, but there is some talk of a footballers’ ball, so we’re living in hope. I like a dance every week or even oftener. We had an “old timers’” ball here a little while ago, but we young ones didn’t enjoy it very much, as we couldn’t do the old dances, and the older ones wouldn’t start first. Some of the old dances are very pretty, especially the Valse of Vienna. We have finished chipping our tennis court, but it has been too wet latelj- to have any games. I saw Apple Blossom Dryad at church to-day. On Monday night I went to a surprise party, and had a good time. We played games most of the time. Can you play charades? Agnes’s Comrade is playing and singing at the organ, so I find it rather hard to write. I'm reading a good book called “The Doctor of Crow’s Nest,” by Ralph Connor. Love to all and yourself.—Yours truly.

COPPER NOB (Seaward Downs). [I can play charades, and have had much fun over them. Copper Nob. Some of the old dances are much more graceful than the new ones. —DOT.]

ft * * Dear Dot, —This cold weather is very hard on the little lambs. We have . a few lambs. Influenza is common around this district. We have all had it. I am just recovering fronr it. My brother was home from school for nearly a fortnight. I am all alone this afternoon. My mother, sisters, and brother are at church, and my father is attending a funeral in Gore. The results for the theory examination are-to hand, and I passed with Honours again this year. I received 87 marks. My brother, who works in Gore, returned last Sunday after spending a fortnight with us. We missed him after he left, because he doesn’t come home often. I was at my grandmother’s and grandfather’s golden wedding. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and so did everyone else. I was at Gore’s Griety Gala, but I cannot say I liked it better than last year. The procession on the Saturday evening was not as good as last year, but I liked it all the same. I hope you and all the Little Folk are well. —Yours truly, HENRY VHl’s SISTER (Mandeville). [Congratulations on .your theory results, Henry VHl’s Sister. Were the old people happy on their wedding day? —DOT.] * ft * M Dear Dot, —I sent away six tobacco tin lids to receive a photograph of the 1928 All Blacks. My father bought cows, sheep, and horses, also some implements. We have had them two days. We have seven lambs. We have a dog-. His name is Rock. He is a collie. VKe saw a big ship on Friday night. We watched it come in nearer to avoid the storm, and then it disappeared. I went for a walk with two other girls on Sunday. I have nearly 400 cigarette cards. I suppose the All Blacks will be back soon. We receive our milk from one of our neighbours, as we have no cows milking.—Yours truly, QUEEN OF DAUNT (Kuri Bush). [Does Rock help with the sheep, Queen of Daunt? Did you walk far with your friends?—DOT.] * * ft Dear Dot, —-We are milking six cows, and have four calves to feed. The weather has been bad since we started school. .We have many little lambs, and I go round them every night and morning to see that they are all right. A fur seal came up on the beach below our place, where the sea elephants come up. I was reading some of the letters in your page, and I found them interesting. *1 am reading a book named “Westward Ho ” at school. There will be some fun at Kaka Point this year, as there is going to be a carnival all the summer holidays. They are going to bring down the merry-go-round that they had at the Exhibition. Love to the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, BROWN-EYED. ALICE (Port - Molyneux). [Do you enjoy riding on the merry-go-round, Brown-Eyed Alice. I have never seen a fur seal.—DOT.] * * *

Dear Dot, —This is the last term and I must try to gain my proficiency. We had a visit from the inspector last term.

and he showed us a new style of writing. It is neat, but takes up a big space. We play basket ball at school, and I like it. The gramophone is playing a Scotch song, “ Beside the Bonnie Brier Bush.” Do you know it? I like violin records very much, but I am fond of all music. I hope the fliers arrive safely home. We heard of their safe arrival over the wireless, rnd it was a relief to know they had landed. The little lambs are beginning to frisk about. The spring flowers are out in the garden, and the vegetable seeds are peeping up. We had our lawns dug up, and re-sown, because the grass was too old. The Dunedin Gardens will be lovely just now. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly. • GEM (Southland). [ls the new style of writing being adopted, Gem? Newly-sown lawns are fresh looking.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Please may I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 10 years of age, and I am in Standard 111. We have a hen and eight chicks, and a cow and a wee black calf. We play roundels at our school, and I like them. I go half a mile to school. .1 have two sisters and three brothers. We have a pet lamb, and we call her Nancy. We had two pups, but they both died with distemper. A bus runs from Berwick to Dunedin, and the name of it is the King of the Bead. My father and his mates pulled a dredge down at Cardrona, and Meadow Sweet took a snap of it falling. My sister used to write to your page. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, FAIRY FAN (Berwick). [Yes, you may join, Fairy Fan. Your name was taken before. Y r ou must send me an auto on a separate piece of paper. —DOT.] W.' * * * • Dear Dot. —May I join your band of Little Folk? I am eight years of age, and I am in Standard II at school. We have six in our class. We have two pups. Would you please give me names for them? We have a ferret, and dad caught another ferret in the henhouse, so now we have two. We have a number of spring-flowers, but this cold wind is against them. Our trees are in bud and nearly in leaf. I love summer, don’t you? Love to all and your own dear self. “Yours truly. SHINING WATERS (Central Otago). [Welcome. Shining Waters. Call the puppies Pickwick and Sam. Yes, I love summer.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot. —I was pleased to sec my first letter in print. The inspector was at our school to-day. My birthday'"was last week, and I received a great many presents. No, I have not read the book “Brer Rabbit.”.„ We drive to school ’every morning with a wee pony and governess cart, and it is lovely. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours truly, PALE ROSE (Herbert). [Are you glad that the inspector’s visit is over, Pale Rose? It must be pleasant driving to school on a fine morning.— DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Please may I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am nine years of age, and I am in Standard II at school. At our school there are three girls with long hair, one being Light Star, another Maid of the South, and the other another of my sisters. Light Star . is writing to you also, and I hope the letters can be published. Dad has 10 horses. Their names are Jess, Snip, Barney. Pride, Dolly, Comley, Blossom, Belle, Gentle, _and Maud. Grandad has one horse called Flower, and has another which was lent to him. It’s name is Dolly. I feed the hens on dry mornings, and usually bring in the cows.—Yours truly, THE LITTLE WHITE PUSSY (Balclutha). [Welcome, Little White Pussy. Do you like a saucer of milk? Your horses have interesting names.—-DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —If I could join your happy little band I should be glad. We live in the country, and my brother and I go to the Mataura primary school. My eldest brother goes to the Gore High School. We are milking 18 cows. I [earn music and like it very much. The second-last Sunday, it snowed and I did not go to Sunday school. On Friday I was sick in bed, and on Friday evening mj^brothers came and played with ■ me.—Yours trulv, SUNGLINT (Mataura). [Welcome, Sunglint. Your name was taken. It was kind of your brothers to help you to forget the weary hours.— DOT.] > * * it Dear Dot, —May I become one of your happy band? I am 13 years of age and in the sixth standard. We are going to send our milk to the nearest factory soon, and I am going to drive the horse and cart over with it and leave the-cart at school in the horse paddock. Satin Slipper, my sister, wrote to you last week and was pleased to see her letter published, so I hope to share her excitement next week if our letters appear in print. Kindest regards and best wishes to yourself and all Little Folk. — Yours trulv, IVORY TIPS (Mabel Bush). [Welcome, Ivory Tips. You will be a busy person when you drive the milk to the factory.—DOT,] * * »

Dear Dot, —Since last writing to you I have been away for nearly a month’s holiday. I was at Queenstown for a few days, and then at Invercargill, Bluff, and Riverton, where I stayed with April Showers. When I was in Invercargill I met Stella Rudd’s Cobber, one of my friends through the Page. She is the first one of my correspondents I have seen. I stayed at Otama with my uncle, and at Knapdale with my aunt. From Knapdale I went to Kelso,, and dad came there last Sunday and brought me home, so I have had a good tour round. Our spring flowers are all coming out. J here is going to be much lilac this ?®? r ’ I had a letter and an Otago Witness from Just a Cook a few days ago. so J. must write to her. Irresistible, •Jack o Lantern, and Coreopsis seem to have forgotten me, as I have not heard from them for a long while. There was a dance here on Friday night, and it

was a great success. I was at a bazaar in Ophir on Thursday night, and enjoyed myself very much. Our tomatoes in the glasshouse are out in flower, so they ought to be ready fairly early. Dad, mum, and my brother are away to Alexandra this morning, so I am in charge of the farm. Kind regards to all. —Yours truly, LADY CLARICE (Central Otago).

[You must'be busy alone on the farm, Lady Clarice. You have had an interesting holiday.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I was glad to see my first letter in print, and thank you very much for your welcome. My mother used to tell me the names of many of the Little Folk. We received the Otago Witness on Saturday, and I was excited to see my letter in it. I was interested in The Immigrant’s letter. I thought it was about the best on the Page. I have a black horse at home. Will you please give me a name for it? We are milking six cows, and separating the milk and making our own butter. I think that is better than buying it, don’t you? We have eight guinea' pigs at home, and they are such dear little things. Best love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours trulv, SATIN SLIPPER (Mabel Bush).

[Call the horse King Coal, Satin Slipper. It is better to make butter than have the expense of buying it.— DOT.] °

Dear Dot, —We are milking eight cows at present. We had 10 ducklings, but three died. Most people are sending their calves to the factory. They are taken away and sold in England as veal. We have just held a flower show. I did not put any flowers or fancywork in. It has been fairly stormy. Love to all and your own dear self.—Yours truly, PETALS OF A ROSE (Winton). [I love ducklings, Petals of a Rose. Were they yellow, fluffy ones?—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am nine years of age, and in Standard I at school. The farmers will have to be looking after the sheep and lambs now. We have 19 ducks and 5 hens. 4 are laying. We have three geese. Red, White, and Blue is my sister. Isn’t it lovely to think it is spring again. Red. White, and Blue will soon be an Old Writer. Red, White and Grey is my sister. We are working on a farm.—Yours trulv. RED WHITE AND GREY’S SCHOOL MATE (Otekura). [Welcome, Red White and Grey’s School Mate. ■ I am also glad to welcome spring.—DOT.] • * » Dear Dot, —On Saturday afternoon we played a game of hockey against the football boys, but we lost by 5 points to 7. In the evening we had a dance to finish up with. So far I have no correspondents, but my brother, Jim Whistle Breeches, is writing to two or three Little Folk. We were successful with our hockey team this year. We won the Crowther Cup and the shield for the best improved team. There are numbers of dances here. The next one is to be held at Oreti on Friday night. I I I think I shall go to it.—Yours truly, I PARLEY YOU (Southland). [Thank you for your private name, I Parley You. You must be proud of I your hockey team. See “Points.” with ” “ a nuln her.”— * # * Dear Dot, —It is windy outside. My -brother won’t stop bumping my elbow. I like the teacher we have, but she is leaving on Friday. I think I know a number of Little Folk who write to your Page. We have two cows in. My wee sister is in her pram and I thought she was sleeping, but she is not. —Yours trulv, GILPIN’S WIFE (Wendon Valley). [The little girl must be good if she lies awake and does not cry, Gilpin’s Wife. You cannot write clearly if your elbow is being bumped.-—DOT:] * * * Dear Dot—l think if you came here to live you would die, for nothing can be seen but a top of a shed and a mill, the rest being trees and hills. Have you read any of William M'Leod Raine’s books? If I could have them I should read no others. I have read two of his books. Since I last wrote to you I found an owl’s nest. I brought one home. Every time we went there the big owl would take one away, until she had them all away. There were five of them. We called ours Joe. I do not like living in Otekura as well as I did in Katea. 1 have one correspondent through the page. I saw a good letter in the last week’s Otago Witness from American Rose. — Yours truly,

KATEA LASS (Otekura). [I have read some of ‘the books of the author you mention, Katea Lass. The big owl would not like you to see her nest—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Clandeboye school was burnt down, and as the flames had a good hold on the building before-it was seen, nothing was saved. A good gramophone and a piano were burned. Since then a big marquee has been put up and the senior children are taken in, while the juniors are taken in the shelter sheds. We have started cricket again, but one of my friends brings the bats, because the school bats were burnt. We have all our crops in and they are growing well. The Clandeboye school held a fancy dress ball, and I went as a Red Indian, and my smaller brother went as Reckitts Blue. Love to all and yourself.—Yours truly, BRAVE TOM MIX (Clandeboye). [I am sorry to hear that the school was burned down, Brave Tom Mix. Did you wear feathers in your hair when you were a Red Indian?—DOT.]

Dear Dot. —I made some walnut bread Have yon read “ Under Cook’s Flag ? I have, and it is enjoyable. We are milking 20 cows. Our teacher sowed some seeds on baturday. I -was busy sowing seeds yesterday too. Daddy’s Wee Woman does not take the Otago Witness Kind regards to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly.

YELLOW] LOCKS (Southland).

[Do you allow Daddy’s Wee Woman to see your Otago Witness, Yellow Locks? 1 have not read the book.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—May I join your happv band of Little Folk? I am 18 years ot age, and I live on a farm. I like farming. I have two sisters and two brothers, but they have all left school. We have a man working for us, and he has a motor bicycle, on which I often have rides. We have a lorrv, in which we bring the milk to the factory. Love to all.— lours truly, PIGEON TOES (Balclutha). [Yes, you may join, Pigeon Toes. You “° not walk as your namesake does, do you? Be careful not to fall from the motor cycle.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—We have about 60 lambs and my brother helps to look after them. We have a great many spring flowers out. I usually read the Little I'oiks letters, and there seem to be more writing every week. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours truly.

THISTLE FLUFF (Herbert). [Have you seen pale blue primroses, Ihistle Fluff? Have you any pet lambs, or have they all mothers?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We have eleven cows in, and expect a number in any dav. Dad is sending away two heifers and one bull calf to-night. He has already sent away three bull calves. I should much sooner see them sold in preference to having them killed. . Dad was saying it was a pity he hadn't a camera, because he could have taken some very unusual snaps. He said that 10 of our baby pigs crawled into the calves’ pen and turned in with the calves. He said some were actually on top of the calves, while one crawled in between a calf’s head and another’s body. I did not go for my holidays after all, because dad took a bad turn of lumbago and was confined to his bed for about a week. I was therefore acting manager for over a week. A kindly neighbour used to give me a hand to feed the cows every morning, and he also said that if we needed any other help we were just to tell him and he would come. My little sister is going to school and likes it, so we find it quiet since she has gone. In some ways I don’t mind her being away, because one always knows where to find things, whereas if she were at home half the time she would go off with them and not know where she put them. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself. —Yours trulv, MATAI BELLE (Matai). [You are fortunate in having such a kind neighbour, Matai Belle. I am sorry father did not have a camera with which a pllotograpll of tlle pigdets.T—AUTOS. Queen of Daunt (F. Harraway, Kuri Bush) wishes to correspond with Ladysmock, Cowboy Bill, and Onion Pickle and requests that they write first and soon. Brown-eyed Alice (Alice Hines, Nugget Bay, Port Molyneux, Otago) wishes to correspond with The Immigrant. Will he please write first? Happy Susie (Winnie Sj’camore, George street, Clifton, via Invercargill) would like to correspond with any boy or girl friend about 18 years of age. Ginger II (Eileen Ross, Eden terrace, Menzies Ferry)-wishes to correspond with the Office Boy, General Manager, Monkey Byes, and any other Little Folk from 14 to 16 years of age. Neta Lyall (Lillias Moffatt, Glenaray Station, Waikaia, Southland) wishes to correspond with Rose Ashes, The Butcher’s Sweetheart, and Bashful Fifteen. She requests that they write first. She also wishes her other correspondents to write again, please. Pigeon Toes (Morris Holgate. Balclutha) wishes to -correspond with Tip loes. Will she please write first and soon? Beau Geste (W. Collis, Upper Moutere, Nelson) wishes to correspond with anv Dunedin Little Folk. POINTS IN GRAMMAR. The following notes are made in order to help Little Folk to write purer English:— Got —get.—These are two words which are better left unsaid. There is always another word more preferable, and that is the one to use. - For instance: “ I caught a cold,” not “ I got a cold.” “We found or received five eggs,” not “We got five eggs.” Quite. —Almost everybody uses this word wrongly. It means “completely,” not very. For instance, you may say “ I was quite covered with soot when I fell down the chimney,” because you man that you were completely covered. But you may not say “ I was quite cold without my coat,” because you mean “ very cold,” which is a different matter. Only.—This word must always come immediately before the word it is describ-ing-Say, “We are milking only one cow ’ n Ot w We ar - e on,y milking one cow." .. Shall.—Every time you use the pronouns I or we use the verb “ shall ” instead of “will.” Use “will” with the pronoun “you.” For instance: “We shall be pleased if you will come to tea.” Very.—Strangely enough “ very ” cannot be used by itself before a past participle —that is, a word ending in “cd.” Say- “ ! was so pleased ” or “ I was very much pleased, but not “ I was very pleased to see my first letter in print.” Nice.—The real meaning of this word is a mixture of “ dainty,” “ precise ” “delicate,” “perfect,” and many other similar adjectives. Most of us use it quite wrongly. We may say “It was* a nice piece of embroidery” if we mean that it was exquisitely done. But we may not say, “It was a nice piece of embroidery” if we mean that it was “pretty,” or “becoming.” Hence it is wrong to talk of food as being “nice.” We should say “ tasty ” or “delicious” instead.

Paragraphs.—A separate paragraph is not required for each sentence. In one letter received recently there were 16 sentences and 15 paragraphs. None.—This means “ no one,” and so refers to only one person. Hence it must

have a singular verb, 8v •>; “None of us was an expert at dancing,’ not “None of us were experts.”

N umber. This word also takes a singular verb. Say either “ A number of visitors was coming to see us,” or “Numbers of visitors were coming to r-ee us.” For. If you become confused with this word, take the sentence to pieces, and you F oon seen the right way to use it. Mother bought some wool for Golden Hair and I. Would you say “for I i k OU see that the sentence should be Mother bought some wool for Golden Hair and me (for me).” Everyone, everybody.—Each of these words stands for only one person, so it has to be used with a singular verb. Do not say: “ Everyone (or everybody) ? va ® a make their own amusements,” but Everyone (or everybody) was able to make his (or her) own amusement.” they are sometimes awkward words to use, so, if you wish to speak of more than one person and to use a plural verb, say all of us, or “ people,” or some other vorcl or phrase which conveys your meaning’

wh^h“7n bis ’ ’ ike " got ” is a word for which there is generally a substitute. •i en i.Y e use J* when we mean “ a considerable number or amount ” or “ a good or a great deal,” and., in this sense ... » bet v er to say something other than lot For example:—“l have read a ior o f cr bo°oks” • not “- 1 have read a

Crepe de chine.—Do not spell the last “oak” s’® Da T ?, hen ?” whieh means oak. Say chine,” which stands for Lhina, and makes the name of the cloth Chinese crepe.”

Y el ’b following a group of words joined by “and” must be plural, therefore, you should say “ There were a concert and dance,” not “There was a concert and dance?*

, Learn and Teach.—Remember that “to learn means to obtain knowledge, and to teach means to give knowledge. Do not say He learned me my lessons,” for that puts the matter upside-down. Say either. He taught me my lessons.” or else I learned the lessons which he taught me.” DOT.