LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3898, 27 November 1928, Page 78

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Motto.—We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. Dear Dot, —We are milking 33 cows. We milk them all by hand. I have a little Jersey calf, and would vou please give it a name? I went to the Waimate Show’, and enjoyed myself. It was a most beautiful day. The horse-jumping was good. I liked it best. My sister, DarkEyed Lassie, is busy sitting for her proficiency examination, and I hope she passes. All the teams are working, so the farmers can put in their turnips and swedes for their stock in the winter. All the farmers will soon start shearing. Thei'e are some sheep about here shorn already. I am busy making a supper cloth. It will be pretty when it is finished. My second youngest brother’s birthday is this month, and he will be 10 years of age. We have 16 little pigs, and they are growing. I enjo.v reading “The Chums Join the Boy Scouts.” They always do something good in the end. It will soon be Old Writers’ Week again, and I am

longing to read the letters. Love to all and your own dear self.—Yours truly. HOOKITE (Makikihi). c< A lave your badge, Hookite, Call the catf Marble.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, When I begin chopping wood, sometimes tiie mugpie follows me around and pecks the pieces of bark from the wood. Have you ever been to Temuka? If so I am sure that vou will have found it’ a delightful little place. Of course, it is a great change from Dunedin, but I am beginning to be used to it now. _ We have a beautiful domain here, and in it is the swimming baths*} I have been in them once, and I am going-* to-morrow. I am in Standard VI at the lemuka District High School, and v. e have already started our proficiency • examination. We have had four subjects, and the rest will be taken by the inspector next Thursday. There is a garden fete to-morrow at the English Church vicarage. If it is fine I am going with some girl friends. There must have been a nice garden here at one time, for mother has unearthed a number of bulbs and plants from amongst the long grass, I have a little garden of my own, and j in it I have some night-scented stock, cosmos, mignonette, sweet peas, and antirrhinums.—Yours truly, THE PORTIA LADY (Temuka). [Do not change your name, Portia Lady. I have been to Temuka. I hope mother finds some more plants.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I was at a spring evening last night, and enjoyed myself very much. VV e had a lady friend with us who has travelled many parts of the country, and she gave us an interesting address, and the items were good. We had a lovely white rabbit, and it used to run out in the paddocks and come back again at night, and sleep in its hole, and one night we thought we heard it squeal, and next ■ day it was nowhere to be seen, and we have never seen it since, but a week after v e dug out its hole, and we found eight little white rabbits, and they were all alive except one. We have' about 60 chickens, and a turkey sat on 32 duck eggs, and it brought out one duckling. We 7 are having new tennis courts, and they are to be finished at the end of this month. We are milking eight cows. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—• lours truly, SUNFLORET (Southland). [That was clever of the turkey, Sunfloret. Have you made pets of the rabbit babies?—DOT.] * * * , Dear Dot, —I haven’t caught many fish yet, as the weather has been too rough, but I hope to catch more later on. 1 was out yesterday for two hours, and caught only two perch no bigger than sardines, so I threw’ them back and came home in disgust. Since last writing to you we have had the bazaar I mentioned in my last letter. I do not think we did so badly considering the bad weather we had while it was on. We have four lambs. Pet lambs grow’ quite forward. Hasn’t this year gone quickly? We shall soon have Christmas again, and it seems no time since last Christmas. My father and brother are working up Central Otago, and we have not seen them for nearly four months, as it is a long way for them to come home. Do you like reading? I do, and I also like doing fancywork. My eldest sister is sitting for her proficiency next week, and she is hoping that she passes. Since they wrote to you, a dog came through our felice and worried on® of the guinea pigs, but we bought tvj> more for mates for the other one. Love to you and all the other Little Folk.— Yours trulv, SONIA (Taieri). [Do not change your name. Sonia. Have you seen the absurd drawing by Heath Robinson of the tinned sardines being hooked to the lines of patient but unsuccessful fishermen?—DOT.] * * -x Dear Dot, —We have four lambs, and we call them Nancy, Dollie, Jimmy, and Billy. We had five, but one died. It was too cold to live, and we called it Betty. My sisters are writing to you. I caught an eel on my fishing line, and when it was on it bent the rod over. Sometimes the lambs come with us when we go fishing. My aunt has a new baby a daughter I have not caught many fish, but I shall catch more later on. My two brothers were out fishing yesterday, and caught a trout which weighed lib lloz. Love to all Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, FAIRY FAN (Berwick). [What is the little girl’s name, Fairy Fan? I should think the lambs are gooi company when you are fishing.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I was pleased to see mv first letter in the Otago Witness. Thank you for the name you gave me for my lamb. She is growing up to be very big, and is beginning to be fat. We have a pullet, and set 11 duck eggs under her, but she could not cover them, and one of them was broken, but she sat on the rest all right. Last night she hatched out eight little ducklings. The ninth egg is chipped, so I suppose it will be out

by to-night. We had a cyclone, here one early morning last week, and our cowshed was blown down. Dad had a huge tree trunk dug into the ground, and it broke level with the ground, and went about 100yds with the roof down a gully. All the rest is smashed to matchwood, except one side. It was blown about 20yds. There were thousands of huge trees blown down. —Yours truly, A SWEET-SCENTED ROSE (Puketi).

[Eight ducklings will cause some excitement. Sweet-Scented Rose. It is well that you were not inside the shed when the cyclone blew.—DOT.] * * *

Dear Dot, —May I become a member of your happy circle? I am in Standard VI at school, and I shall be. 14 years of age in December. We have two guinea pigs, four lambs, and some chickens. We also have an old pet hen, and she has eight black chickens. We call her the granny, as she is . the oldest hen we have. I have two sisters writing to you, so I thought I would join too. We are •jmilking two cows-, but we shall soon ~be milking three. My father is working at the Shotover, and he has been away 16 weeks on Tuesday next. One of my brothers caught a big trout yesterday. We are about one mile from school. Nearly every day two big six-wheeled lorries go up here. I like to read when stories are interesting. Love to all. — Yours truly, THE MAY PRINCESS (Taieri). [Welcome, May Princess. Your name was taken. Granny is a good name for the proud old hen.—DOT.] * * *

Dear Dot, —My mother and two sisters are away to a euchre party at Taieri Mouth. It is being held in aid of the Taieri Mouth queen. We shall soon be having our school examination, and I shall be glad when it is over. My father and mother went to the school to vote, and we had a holiday from school. We have seven little chickens and eight ducklings. I have one correspondent, and her nom de plume is Charley’s Aunt. We are not having a concert this year, as there are not enough children. Love to all and your own dear self.—Yours truly, CHARMAINE (Otago). [You would be pleased that the voting was at the school, Charmaine. Do the ducklings cause you trouble by bathing in every pool and coming out wet and shivering?—DOT.] * * *

Dear Dot, —It is near Christmas. This year seems to have passed so quickly. Shearing will soon be starting. We do not start until the New Year, but many start earlier this time. Everybody’s Friend is staying at home, and it is lovely having her, as she lives over 60 miles away. I think she will write for the

Old Writers’ Week. We are not having good luck with our chickens so far this year, as we have only six. There are three more hens sitting, so they may bring, out more chicks. I suppose the election would cause great excitement in Dunedin. We heard the results over the telephone. We have all our spring cleaning finished. I have three pet lambs, and they are such dear wee things. They all drink out of the bottle. At present we are milking only one cow, but another one will be in soon. My girl friend was here last night. We have some great times together. If she were to leave her place I should miss her. This will be my last letter until after Christmas. I wish all the Little Folk and yourself a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, and I hope there will be a good reunion of Old Writers.—Yours truly, KEEP SMILING (Waihemo). [You will have time to breathe at last now that spring cleaning is over, Keep Smiling. Yes, the elections caused excitement in front of the Otago Witness office.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —May I join the happy band of Little Folk? I always read the Little Folk’s letters. Teddy and Golly are interesting. Our garden is coming on. I am 12 years of age, and I am in Standard V at school. We have 19 cows in, and 13 calves. We have about 30 pigs. I have a little kitten. Would you please give me a name for it? We live by the sea. The sea is rough to-day. One of our geese has six goslings. We always take the Otago Witness. We have a foal. Love to all and your own dear self.—Yours truly, A MUSICAL BIRD (Southland). [Welcome, Musical Bird. Do you sing or play? Gall the kitten Playbox.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We are milking 20 cows, and there are still 10 more to come in yet. I am cycling to Tuatapere to-day to bring two dresses which a dressmaker made for me. Father, my sister, and I were in Invercargill last Friday, and we had a lovely day. I was tired when I arrived home. I was at the pictures on Wednesday, and it was sad. The name of it was “ The Unknown Soldier.” It brought tears to my eyes. My two brothers and a boy friend went eeling last night, and they caught two, so we had them for breakfast. I am going to Aparima for the week-end to a cousin’s place, so I hope to have a good time. I have 'Washed all 'the blankets, and spring cleaned three rooms, so I hope to finish the other two this coming week, as I want to have some Christmas cakes made, and some sewing done. 1 am looking forward to going to Christchurch at Christmas. We intend leaving on Boxing Day if all

goes well, so I am beginning to feel excited. I am busy working a fuji nightdress, and my sister is working a runner. My brother Bill is going to Oreti Beach on Saturday, as they are holding the motor cycle races there, and he is going in the race, so I hope he does all right. I wish all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.—Yours truly. MIDGE (Tuatapere).

[Have you ever made a dress for yourself, Midge? You will be having good weather for the spring cleaning.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May 1 join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 11 years of age, and I am in Standard IV, and go to St. Mary’s Convent School. We have five/acres of ground, and keep three ponies and three cows. I have two little brothers, Alan and Cyril. I have not been at school yesterday or to-day, for I have had a sore neck and ear. I am fond of fancy work and crochet. I am crocheting eight handkerchiefs, and I have finished only one. I have not long finished reading two books—“ In Taunton Town.” by Everett Green, and " Baek at Our Selection,” by A. H. Davis. Love to all and yourself.—Yours trulv, KATE SHELLEY, AN lOWA HEROINE (Gore). [You may join us, Kate Shelley. You must hurry with your handkerchiefs if they are for Christmas gifts.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I have been for many picnics. I am reading a book called “ Red Ashes,” by Margaret Pedlar, and it is interesting. The evenings are long, and my sister and I often go for a game on a neighbouring court. There is to be a dance at _ Mataura to-night, and I am going to it. I have a new solo for my steel guitar entitled “Hawaiian Dreams,” so I must soon be busy • raetising. We have a black kitten, and could you please give me a name for her? Love to yourself and all.—Yours trulv, (Gore). [Call the kitten Fuzzy. Pegeen. How did you enjoy the dance?—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Our teacher was away for his examination, but he gave us "work to do. I am reading a book called “ Four Little Kind Hearts.” I like it very much. Love to the Little Folk and yourself.— Yours trulv. A LITTLE TOMTIT (Otekura). [Write on a larger page next time. Tomtit. I hope you were as quiet as mice when your teacher was away.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I think I shall go in for a few dips this summer. The sea is not far from our house. We are milking 15 cows at present, and I think it is plenty, as I have to help. I have all the spring cleaning done, and I am not sorry. There are a few Little Folk about here, but none of them write often. Scarlet Pimpernel is talking of sending his retiring letter in at Christmas time. It will not be very long before I shall be sending mine in. It does not seem long since I left school, but it is three years and a-half. I have a red cactus flower out. It has taken months to come out. I have another plant with three flowers on it. They are very small just yet, so they will not be out till next year sometime. —Yours truly, OLIVE (Otekura). [You must take advantage of the sea if you live near it, Olive. You must be proud of the red cactus.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I am looking forward to the Old Writers’ letters in the Otago Witness, as they are always very interesting. We shall soon be having our summer holidays, and during that time our school jubilee will be celebrated. To-day my father, three brothers, and a friend are away fishing. One day they were lucky, and the five of them caught 33 fish. Next week we all hope to be going, and if it is as hot as it is to-day it will be lovely by the cool river. We are starting our examination on Monday, and two of Standard VI (High Admiral and myself) start ours on Tuesday, but we are lucky, because we have onlj’ two subjects, as we both passed our proficiency in the inspectors’ examination, but if we stay away before the holidays it will not be given to us. We have a wireless in our house, and we listened-in to the landing and departure as well as the flights of the Southern Cross, ami the four stations were open all night. I still have my pet rabbit, and I have had him for two years. He is very quiet. I always read “The River Baby,” and it is a lovely story. I know a number of Little Folk here, and there are four going to our school. We have some lovely red pansies in our garden, and we also have Princess Mary. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours trulv, RED MANUKA FLOWER (Kononi).

[I hope the last fishing trip was successful, Red Manuka. It would not be fair to stay away from school because you have passed proficiency, -would it? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We have had our Sundav school concert. All the little ones said a piece of poetry called “No Joke to Be a Baby,” and we had great fun, because all of us had to have nightdresses on. We have finished our third term examination. I do not know how many marks I have. We are practising for our school concert. My sister is going to say a verse, and so am I. Last Sunday when we were coming home we were caught in a big shower. All the gardens look beautiful with summer flowers in them. I love summer. Kind regards to all.—Yours truly, PURPLE PANSY (Romaliapa).

[I should have liked to see you all reciting in your long clothes, Purple Pansy. Which verse -will you say at the concert? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —On Friday w-e were at the Oamaru Show. The sun was shining all day, and we went into many sideshows. Some of the things I went to see were a little lady, a little man, and the glass blower. I liked on the merry-go-round, but I did not go on the merry mix-up. There was a man there selling a fountain pen, a silver pencil, and four lead pencils for half a crown. I did not buy one, as I thought they might be no good. My correspondents have both stopped writing to me. and I am sorry. The carpenters have been at school, and have shifted the playshed round so that the opening is facing the west. We are going to the

public works to-night. My brother has been ill with bronchial pneumonia. On December 13 we may be going with other schools to Timaru for our school picnic. I shall be glad when Old Writers’ Week comes round. I am collecting birds’ eggs. I save Players’ packets, and Bonnie Rennie saves Legation. Love to all and your own dear self.—Yours truly, LADY MARY (Hakataramea).

[I trust that the boy is now improving, Lady Mary. Does the plaj’shed receive the sun now?—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—My brother was pleased to see his letter in print. A fortnight ago my mates and I cycled into Palmerston to see the picture called “ Ben Hur,” and we thought it was lovely. We did not arrive home till about half-past 7. We are going to have our school concert on December 14. It is a week before we break up. Standard VI are going to have their proficiency examination soon. We shall have our Guide uniforms soon. My brother started to help to milk the cows. We send cream away once a week. I am reading the New Zealand Girls’ Annual. They are very nice books for girls. My mother is feeling better lately. My sister and I have to do all the spring cleaning and scrubbing when we have the time. The opening of the tennis courts will be on Saturday. They are lovely courts. I was 13 years of age last Wednesday, and my twin brother and sister were 12 last Friday. Love to yourself and all the Little Folk.—Yours trulv, POPPY O’ FRANCE (Dunback).

[Did you not think that Mary was beautiful in “ Ben Hur,” Poppy o’ France? Have you joined the tennis club?—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—We have a calf, and would you please give me a name for it? We were at the show on Friday, and I saw a little man and woman. We have about 10 birds’ eggs in three days. My sister is writing to you. It will soon be Christinas. It is hot to-day. The power was off yesterday afternoon. I shall soon be gathering the hens’ eggs. We are milking three cows, and have three tiny pi"s. l am reading a book called “A Golden Thread.'’ We may be shearing next week. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly. BONNIE RENNIE (Hakataramea).

[Call the calf Coral, Bonnie Rennie. Are yon going to hang up your stocking this Christmas?—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—We have two little kittens, one black and the other black and grey. My sister and another girl are singing a song for the bazaar. They are practising now. The bazaar is on December 7. We are going to have a good concert this year. Our hens are laying well. I wrote to my grandma yesterday while my mother was out. My sister is writing down her poetry in a new book she bought to-night. My mother is darning. My brother was not at school to-day, because he has had toothache. We are practising for the school concert after school, and before we go into school in the morning. We have not had our examination yet, but the Glenpark School girls and boys have had theirs. My sister is doing an apron for the bazaar, and so is mother. —Tours truly,

SILVER-TIPPED FERN (Dunback). [How is you brother now, Silver-Tipped Fern? You did not tell me which songs you are singing.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I was in for a swim to-day. and it was lovely. Rambling Star and I have not been for any more bicycle rides, but we intend -going to Riverton shortly. It is IS miles from Orepuki. I daresay we shall manage if we have our haversacks well packed. My grandmother has broken her leg. She is . now a patient in the Riverton Hospital. She is over 80 years of age, so it will be a long time before she is about again. My brother has hurt his arm. Last Sunday my sister. Rambling Star, and myself walked to Pallia to see dad. Although it is not far, we were tired w’hen we arrived home. My cousin from Invercargill was staying for a few days. We went to the sawmill. It was a lovely walk through the bush, as the scenery is very pretty. I have a yellow rabbit. Will you please give me a name for it? We have three calves and three pet lambs. The lambs arc big. Kindest regards to you and all the Little Folk. — Yours truly, DESERT MOON (Southland). [Call the yellow' rabbit Sunny, Desert Moon. You are wise to fill your spare time with walking and riding.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Dad and the man we have working here have been taking advantage of these fine days, because they have been making a road, and filling 'in the muddy gateways. They came home laughing one dinner time, and said that Nell (the mare) had fallen in the mud with the dray on top of her, and then went to sleep while they were making ready to take her out again. Dad put a day in the garden yesterday, and now’ the place is more shipshape. I have been trying to do up the flower garden, but I have not finished it yet by' a bit. We have 157 fluffy chickens, but I expect several willdie sooner or later. It is my work to feed and clean their houses out in the morning, but mum usually feeds them when their other mealtimes come. As our hens are pure white Leghorns, they do not cluck as frequently as Orpingtons do. Water Lily set some of her hens for us. The hawthorn is all a mass of bloom. We have the single white and the double red, white, and blue violet. The head teacher in the Ngahere School is making' ready for a concert for the school children. Everyone-says she is leaving at Christmas, so I suppose she will have a good send-off. I hope she does, because she was very good to us Matai pupils. She used to keep us in school until halfpast 4 in the afternoon, because we did not arrive there until half-past 10. It really did not put her out, because she stayed until 6 on account of her train going at that time. I suppose all the Little Folk are looking forward to the Christmas holidays. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.—Yours truly, MATAI BELLE (Matai). [The gateways will be very muddy at present, Matai Belle. How long will it take you to finish the flower garden?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, — We have nearly finished the last examination for this year. I was at the bay last Saturday, and had a good day. One of my best mates shifted to Napier last Thursday. We have two kittens. Would you please give me names for them? Christmas is near. I have just finished a book called “ Charley Laurel.” I was at lodge last night. It was my first night at it. It is called the boifihern Cross Tent in the Independent Order of Rechabites. New officers were elected for the term. I have not sec [J Bab of the Backwoods for a good while. Best wishes to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly. CHARLEY’S AUNT (Dunedin). [Call the kittens Rab and Bab, Char—DOT]l*l’ Did >OU bathe at tTle bay? * * * _ Dear Dot,- —We have some seeds in. I have started to read “ The Girls’ Own Annual.” Have you read it? We have II pet lambs, and are milking seven cows. We have a new horse, and its name is Ben. We send cream away twice a week. My brother is away fishing. One of his mates is teaching him to fish. It is very strange that all the big fish escape. I shall be 11 years of a°-e on December 21. Love to all—Yours truly, SHEER OFF (Wendon Valley). , [I have often read the book you mention, Sheer Off. Have you read “ The New Zealand Girls’ Annual ”?—DOT.] * * * Dear proficiency examination is on Friday, and we have been doing school work for the last three weeks. I hope I pass. This year has not taken long to pass. It seems no time since it began. It will not be long till Old Writers* Week. I wonder if many will write. Christmas time will soon be here again. Then we shall all have some good times going for picnics. I wonder how many of us Santa Claus will visit? —Yours truly, LOUVAIN (Lumsden). [I have posted the badge, Louvain, Santa always remembers good children, even if he is not able to leave a present in the toe of the stockings.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —May I join the happv band of Little Folk? We take the ' Otago Witness every week, and I like reading letters from the Little Folk. I have racing pigeons. We flew a race from Hobart on Saturday, and I won first and second prize. I have a pair of young pigeons. Could you give me a name for them? There are papers in Tasmania to which the little folk write, but I do not write to them. Love to the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours trulv, TASMANIAN STARLIGHT (Huon, Tasmania). [Welcome, Tasmanian Starlight. Your name was taken. Call the pigeons Flutter and B ° y ’ Teb US ° f y ° U 1 Sellool, NOTES. Star of Hope,—Certainly write for Old Writers’ Week. Your name is not on this roll book, as it holds only present and recently-grown-up Little Folk, but you have every right to write if you were a Little Folk.—DOT. AUTOS. Desert Moon (Vina M'Kenzie, Orepuki) would like to correspond with General Manager, Jerry Joy, “Allan” of the Impostors, and any other boy Little Folk from 17 years to 20 years of age. Will they please write first? Lady Mary (Annie Ross, Hakataramea, South Canterbury) wishes to correspond with any Little Folk from 11 to 13 years of age who are willing. Bonnie. Rennie (Molly Ross, Hakataramea) wishes to correspond with any Little Folk from eight to ten years of age who are willing. Fairy of the Snow-capped Mountains (T. Andrews, R.M.D. Oturehua) wishes The Whitest Violet to write again. Fairy Fan (Ethel Weatherall, Berwick, Taieri) wishes to correspond with Mother’s Goldie, Tip Toes, and any Little Folk. .May Princess (May Weatherall, Berwick, Taieri) wishes to correspond with any Little Folk. An Otekura Lass (E. V. Ward, P.O. Otekura,- via Balelutha) wishes to correspond with The Impostors. Will they write first and soon? Olive (E. M. Ward, P. 0., Otekura, via Balelutha) wishes Aero to write soon again. 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 “ 1 was quite covered with soot when I fell down the chimney,” because you »ean 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 describing. Say “We are milking only one cow," not “ We are only milking one cow.” Shall.—Every time you use the pronouns “ I ” or “we ” use die 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 “ ed.” Say: “ I 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 1G sentences and'ls paragraphs. None.—This means “ no one,” and so refers to only one person. Hence it must have a singular verb. Say: “None of us was an expert at dancing,” not “ None of us were experts.”

Number.—This word also takes a singular verb. Say either “ A number of visitors was coming to sec us,” or “ Numbers of visitors were coming to see us.”

For.—lf you become confused with this word, take the sentence to pieces, and y ou will soon seen the right way to use it. Mother bought some wool for Golden Hair and I.” Would you say “ for I”? you 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) was able to 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 o ,le „ P e E s °n and t 0 use a plural verb, say all of us, or “ people,” or some other nord or phrase which convevs your meaning.

Lot- This, like “ got,” is a word for which there is generally a substitute. Often we use it when we mean “ a considerable number or amount,” or “a good or a great deal,” and in this sense ~ et^ or t 0 sa y something other than lot. I*or example:—“ I have read a number of books,” not “ I have read a lot of books.”

Crepe de chine.—Do not spell the last word of this name “ chene,” which means oak. Say chine,” which stands for Unina, and makes the name of the cloth Chinese crepe.”

And. The verb following a group of words joined by “ and ” must be plural, i herefore, you should say “ There were a sister and brother,” not “ There was a sister and brother.”

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 1 learned the lessons which he taught me.

Abbreviations.—To cut a word short in conversation is often permitted, although it is not a good habit into which to tall But to do so in writing shows bad taste. Therefore, do not write such abbreviations as “ bike,” “ exam, “ ’flu ” and “Witness,” but “ bicvcle,” “examination, “influenza,” and “Otago Witness.” DOT.