LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3913, 12 March 1929, Page 78

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Motto. —We write for the beneOt of others, not for ourselves.

Dear Dot, —I was pleased to see my fust letter in print. My little sister is going to join. Will you please give me a name for my kitten? It was caught in a* trap. I have a lame chicken. I am in Standard ll.—Yours truly. CAREFUL HANS (Kennington). [Call the kitten. Hansel. Careful Hans. Is your chicken able to run around though it has a lame foot?—DOT.]

Dear Dot. —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am in Standard I, and I am six years of age. Careful Hans helped me. We have some chickens.— lours truly,

PATTY MAY (Kennington). [■Welcome, Patty May. You write well, or did Careful Hans write it for you?—

Dear Dot, —Please mav I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 10 years of age in September. I have two canaries at home, and would you please give me names for them? I have a green one, and my little brother has a yellow one. We have three cows, two calves, and a pig. Love to all the Little Folk and your dear self.—Yours truly, NAOMI II (Sutton). [Welcome, Naomi 11. Your name has been used by another Little Folk. Call the canaries Emerald and Amber.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Santa Claus came to me. I am now in Standard II at school. I was at a picnic on Friday. I won a little washing stand; I am also going to run at the sports at Oturehua. My father and mother .have been away for a long holiday. My sister is going to Dunedin next week. I did not go anywhere for my Christmas holidays. I hope you and your Little Folk are all well.—Yours truly, GLORY (Ida Valley). [A washing stand is a useful thing to win, Glory. Is it for your dolls or lor yourself?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am writing to ask you if I may be a member of your big circle. I am 10 years of age, and I am in Standard IV at school. I went in for the writing competition. It is held in conjunction with the flower show Our school garden is looking gay with beautiful flowers. We play rounders and cricket at school. We have two new school teachers, and they are very good. We have finished harvesting, and we are glad

we finished while it is fine weather. Love to all.—Yours truly ROSEBUD’S SISTER (Pareora West). [Welcome, Rosebud’s Sister. I shall enter your name when you send your private name and address. Did you gain a place in the writing competition?— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I did not go anywhere for my Christmas holidays, but I had a good time, as my aunt from Oamaru came to see us. W T e have a number of asters. There are five different colours, red. pale pink, white, mauve, and blue Mother gave me a beautiful doll for Christmas. I call her Rosemary, and she sleeps beside my bed. I have five dolls. I received many presents at Christmas My father is busy stacking oats. I love harvest time. My mother made me a blue felt bonnet, and trimmed it with black. Love to the Little Folk.—Yours truly, UKELELE BABY (Waitepeka). [Rosemary is a pretty name for vour baby, Ukelele Baby. You should make her a dress of pink and a bonnet to match.—DOT.] * * #

Dear Dot, —I went to the pictures last night, but they were not very good. We are going to bed early to-night, as we were late last night. Till We Meet Again went home this morning, and we did not like losing her or her mummie, who is such a dear, just like ours. I am progressing at school, and I like it better now. When the clocks are put back the davs will seem short. Love to all the Little Folk and your dear self.—Yours truly. MOTHER’S GOLDIE (Dunedin). [Do not stay up too late, Mother’s Goldie. Mother i s wise to put her Little Jean and Goldie to bed early. It will make them grow up fresh and strong.

Dear Dot, —Since last writing to you we have had our school picnic to Tiinaru. The day was very fine, and I think most of the children enjoyed themselves thoroughly. The weather is still fine for harvesting, but nearly everything is becoming very dry. I have just begun learning typewriting, but am not at all expert at it yet. While at Timaru I saw the Port Alma from London, and the Northumberland from Liverpool, also the Breeze, which left for Wellington shortly after 3 in the afternoon. Love to all and your own dear self.—Yours truly, MISCHIEF MAY (South Canterbury). [Have you finished your harvesting, Mischief May? I wonder if you will ever see those boats from Home again?—• DOT.]

Dear Dot. —I am working in a sweet factory, and I like it very much. I have all my top teeth out, and I am having

my false ones soon. How did yon enjoy your holidays? Best wishes to all anil your own deal’ self.—Yours truly, NUNNY (Christchurch). [Do you have easy hours while you are working, Nunny? Will you have to have your bottom set of teeth extracted?

Dear Dot.—Although we do not take the Otago Witness, I always read the letters, as our teacher brings the paper over to the school every week. We have not received all our new books at school yet. We have only about half of.them, and they seem to be easier than the old ones were. There is a picnic at limaru to-day by the Palmerston people, and they invited us school children to go with them, but we did not go as it was too far. We are milking three cows, and I have to go for them and milk them every night and morning. It is not much fun in the winter time, as one has to feed them, and one’s fingers "row very cold. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly, FARMER JIM (Macrae's Flat). [’S on will have to work hard to make up for lost time when the new books do arrive, Farmer Jim. Do you wear big boots when you feed the cows?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Some time ago the Waimate school picnic was held at" Timaru. We had a fine day. though it was rather hot to go far for a walk. We bad a good view of the country when we were going up in the train. When nearing limaru we could see five fishing boats out at sea. After we arrived at Timaru we saw the steamer Port Alma coming in. At a-quarter past 3 the Breeze left for Wellington. We went down to the wharf, and had a look at the Port Alma, Waikouaiti, and the Northumberland. We saw motor boats and rowing boats. All the-way up to Timaru people were busy harvesting. At Pareora men were busy unloading sheep for the freezing works. We left Timaru for Waimate by the 5.46 p.m. train, the second train leaving at 6.13 p.m. After leaving a. imam we could see another steamer going’ in to the wharf. Love to all and yourself.—Yours trulv, PURPLE PANSY (South Canterbury). [You were lucky- to have a fine dayfor the picnic, Purple Pansy. Did you dream of big steamers that night?—DOT.] Dear Dot, —May T join your happy band of Little Folk? 1 am 19 years of age. and I always like reading .the letters of the page. The grass is all burnt and dried up. The weather is good for those who like swimming.—Yours truly, HAPPY JACK TAR (Hakataramca).

[Welcome, Happy Jack Tar. Your name was taken. Are vou a swimmer? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have left school. I am working on the farm milking cows and stumping. We play cards at nights, and have some fun occasionally. We went to Bluff on Wednesday, and had a good time. There were 20 carriages oh the train, and 1114 people. I received an attendance certificate this year. My sister was nearly late for school the other morning, because she had been eating fuchsia berries. Our pussy has had a cold. I did not go anywhere for my holidays, because of the cows. Best wishes to all the_ Little Folk and your own dear self. >—Yours truly, ENGLISH JUMBO (Longwood).

[Which card games can you play, English Jumbo? You must be careful not to eat poisonous berries.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I did not see my last letter in print, as I was at school when the Otago Witness came. We do not buy the Otago Witness, but a gentleman is so kind as to lend it to us every week. I gained my senior free place last year, and I hope to be as successful in passing an examination I have entered for this year. I also received a home nursing certificate last year. It is gratifying to think that one knows how to act in the case of an emergency or illness. I learn first aid from the doctor of Herbert, and his lectures are so interesting that it makes one feel disappointed if one is unable to attend. I did not like the idea of starting school again, but I had “ just to put up with it” as the saying is. One of the girls who attends our school obtained the highest marks in New Zealand for an examination, and sixteenth in merit for all the candidates who entered for the examination, so the teachers are feeling proud that one of their pupils should do so well. Kind regards to yourself and all the Little Folk.—Yours truly, MOUNTAIN DAISY FLOWER (Herbert).

[Are you going to matriculate this year. Mountain Daisy Flower? I ani pleased that you are learning first aid—DOT*]

Dear Dot, —Will you give me a name for a pup, please? I am reading a book called “ The New Head and Barbara.” Have you read it? I have been home this last week with a sore eye. It was inflamed. We have started school again, and it is good to be back. I was going to go in for an attendance certificate this year, but the sore eye has put a stop to that. I have never won one yet, but should like to have-, one before I leave school. We have made many jams, pickles, and sauces this season. I sometimes think that our big cupboard shelves will break down with the weight. One day mother was making plum sauce when a man came to the door. He remarked that the spity smell made him feel hungry. Poor man, he had been at a sale where there were no refreshments provided. Love to you and all.—Yours truly, JOYOUS JUNE (Southland).

[Call the puppy Explorer, Joyous June. I have not read the book. The smell of food generally makes us hungry.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Babs is a lovely fat lamb. The air is cold in the evenings as it is nearly winter. We had a school picnic at Colac Bay a week or two ago, and it was lovely. We have our crop of oats cut and stooked, but it is not in stack yet. I have had an invitation to my Little Folk friend’s place for a holiday. I think We shall have a good time together, and I am hoping to go. We have a number of asters out. —Yours truly. SATIN SLIPPER. (Southland).

[ls Colac Bay many miles from your home, Satin Slipper? Where does your friend live? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Just a Cook is in the Clyde Hospital at present, and we all hope she will soon be well and home again. Our Sunday school is progressing slowly, but we have lost one of our teachers—Chatto’s Pride. She has gone to Dunedin to live. We have most of our fruit picked now, and our apple crop is not very large this season. Our wireless is not going tonight, as the battery is run down. We always hear church on Sunday nights I had letters from Irresistible, Stella Rudd’s Cobber, and Erica G. the other day, so I must answer them to-night. Dad and my brother went fishing to-day, but they did not have much luck. My grandfather is here at present, and he likes working in the garden, as he has been a great gardener all his life. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly LADY CLARICE (Central Otago). [I am sorry to hear that Just a Cook is in hospital, and I trust that she is better by this time. Lady Clarice. Her correspondents should all write to her now. —DOT.]

Dear Dot,—l have left school three years ago. My eldest brother is going to the Gore High School this year. He said he likes it better than primary school. A Rabbiter’s Mate has just returned from her holiday to Forest Hill, which she enjoyed immensely. I went to the Lumsden Flower Show] but it was poor to what it has been other years. I also went to the pictures that night, as “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was shown, and if ever I had the chance to go and see it again I should think twice before saying “no,” for it was good. The worst part of the pleasure is when one has to walk home. I suppose we all consider pleasure first. I went for a dip in the river today, as it was so hot. If we do not have rain soon we shall have to start irrigation up this way, for everything is looking for a drink. I think that the tennis court has been much played on because there is no grass on it in places. I cannot play myself. Kindest regards to you and all the Little Folk.—Yours truly GRANNIE'S BONNET (Southland). [Have you seen pictures of people planting rice in water-covered fields. Grannie’s Bonnet? It would be peculiar to see irrigation canals among our crops.—'DOT. j

Dear Dot. —My sister has been away for a week's holiday. I was staying with my cousin in town for a week at Christmas, and we had a good time I went out to the St. Clair carnival, 'and a friend of mine and I walked to St. Kilda on the beach, and came into town again on the St. Kilda car. I am going to Auckland next month, so I shall. be able to write to yon from there We are going to tour the lakes and Alotnit Egmont and all the other places of importance. I went to Queenstown last November before all the holiday-makers arrived, and we played tennis most of the time. As it is my birthday on Thursday and Friday, I have a good many letters to write, so I must bring this to a close. lou must think it queer my saving two days were my birthday, but 'you see my birthday is February 29. I was 17 years of age. I have one real birthday onlv every four years. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours truly,

ROSEWOOD (North Otago). [lon are the first person I have known whose birthday is on February 29, Rosewood. What a celebration there must be every four years.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—l am now in the Sixth Standard, and we are learning French. We have had two lessons so far, and I am not very fond of it. During the Christmas holidays I was at Dunedin, and enjoyed myself immensely. While I was there I was at the St. Clair baths, and I thought it most enjoyable. We have a wee black kitten, and I should be pleased if you would kindly give me a name for it.—Yours truly, BLUE HEATHER BELLS (Southland). [Call the kitten Blot, Blue Heather Bells. Did you go to Lawyer’s Head Beach and see the big waves?—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—l have now come to the time when I shall have to leave the Little Folk’s page and join the Old Writers. The time seems to be going too quickly. I wonder where Margaret is now. I have not heard from her for a long time. I was in Dunedin for three weeks in January, and I enjoyed myself very much. We had the mill in on Tuesday night. It went away on Friday morning. There were only six hours threshing, but one day was too windy to thresh. We shall have very little oats or wheat to thresh this year. I go to Gore to learn dressmaking now. I go to Gore on Fridays. I think Girl o’ Dreams is in Dunedin. I wish the page every success during this year.—Yours truly, DOROTHY II (Southland).

[I wonder how many friends you have made, or how many other Little Folk came to know you through the page, Dorothy II? We shall hear from you at Christmas.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I have always taken great interest in the Little Folk’s letters, so I thought I would try and be one of them. I am 17 years of age, and have been working on farms for the past two years. I like farming very much. We have been having very dry weather lately. All our water-races have dried up, so we have to sleigh water from a near-by creek. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Oturehua).

[Yes, you may join, Attorney-general. Do you spill much water when you carry it up so far?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —The farmers are busy lead-ing-in the hay, and some of them are cutting oats. The river is low, but it is very cold to go in for a swim. Four of us went for a walk to the bush on Sunday. We left home at 1 o’clock with lunch and billy. When we had walked about four miles to Piano Flat we boiled the billy, and had lunch. We left our bags there and set out for Post Office

Creek. We went through bush ail the way. I was at the picture “ For the Term of His Natural Life ” a fortnight ago, and I thought it was very sad in places. I went to the play “ East Lynne,” and it was rather good. I should like to see it in one of the big theatres.— Yours truly. NETA LYALL (Glenaray).

[You wrote bn both sides of the page, so I did not print that portion of your letter, Neta Lyall. I wonder what you would think of some of the big London theatres?—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —I know a number of Dot’s Little Folk down this way. The Edendale School excursion was to Orepuki. I went, and I enjoyed myself, but I did not care much for the beach. I was at the factory ball about a fortnight ago. There was a big crowd there, so there was not very much room for dancing. My mate and I have joined the Foresters’ Lodge, and we are very keen on it. We are going to Wyndham to their lodge social next Monday night. In return we have invited them to our social the next night. I had my holidays just before Christmas, and I went as far as Evansdale. While at Evansdale I spent most of my time at Billy Blue Boy’s place. I was also at Dunedin and Milton. All that I was wishing was that I could have a few weeks longer. Now that the children are back at school I am lunchboy when the men are harvesting. The cows are gradually going back in their milk, and I am not sorry, as we are milking the biggest herd about here. Golden Flower and Scarecrow both passed their standard, so they are working hard at their new lessons. Kind regard to all.—Yours trulv, MONKEY PUZZLE (Southland). [Tell me more about the lodge. Monkey Puzzle. Do you miss the children who carry out the lunches?—DOT.] ❖ * * Dear Dot, —I am now back at school and lessons. I was at work six weeks during the holidays, but it was only a temporary position. I know A Bunch of Bluebells very well. She used to work near at hand. I also know an Old Writer. I think her nom de plume was Grandmother’s Girl, but I am not sure. I have a correspondent in America as well as the one in Scotland, and I look forward to their letters. My correspondent in Scotland gave me a description in her last letter of what she expected a New Zealand girl was like. Apparently she confused us with the American cow girl. I am looking forward to a game of hockey. Best love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours trulv. SUNSHOWER (Gore). [You will easily find work when you leave school if you have already been working temporarily, Sunshower. Are you in a hockey team? —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Since last writing I ha-.e been at Bannockburn working at the hotel. I was there 13 months. I am working at Poolburn now. _ I like here very much. The house is just newly built, and is a lovely home. There are no children

here where I work, only an elderly couple and their son and heir. There was a bazaar in this district about a week ago, and I went, but did not, win anything. I must be very unlucky. Empire and I spent a lovely day to-day. My mistress, her son, and her daughter-in-law were away to the opening of the Roman Catholic Church at Omakau. It has just been newly built. While I was in Bannockburn I met Peter the Ferret, and thought she was a nice girl to speak to. She asked me to her home, but I did not go, as I could not find time. Empire is going to Dunedin to work soon. She likes the city life far better than the country life. Love to you, Dot, and all.—Yours truly.

DOT'S SWEETHEART (Poolburn). [I am pleased to hear you like your work. Dot's Sweetheart. Are you a liockcv player?—DOT.] ❖ Dear Dot, —I was up at the bush on Saturday, and had a lovely time. The school teacher came with me, and she enjoyed herself. We had a lovely da for riding, as the sun was shining. The men have been busy with the harvest, but the rain has stopped them. One morning when mum rose there were 10 of our chickens missing. A weasel had taken them. I went to see a gold mine one Saturday, and I was shown all through it. The Chums are having some funny experiences. Did you go anywhere at Christmas? I did not. We are having the mill soon. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, PINCUSHION (Waikaia 1.

[I think it is a shame that weasels can squeeze through wire netting, even when it has a fine mesh. Pincushion. Did you ride horses?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Since last I wrote to your page I have been learning to be a waitress, and I like it very much. The weather has been unsettled lately. It is fine one day and wet the next day. The new hall is made of wood. My twin sister is away just now, and I r iss her very much, as I have a good deal of work to do myself. I have been away from home this year. Love to the Little Folk and your own deal' self.—Yours truly. BROWN-EYED ALICE (Port (Molyneux).

[ls your twin sister going to learn to be a waitress, too, Brown-eyed Alice? What colour is the uniform you wear? —DOT.] . * * * Dear Dot, —I have been in bed since last Friday with tonsilitis, but I am nearly better. I had a lovely letter from Till We Meet Again yesterday, and I have recently received letters from Fay Fairy, Tall Mountain Daisies, and Queen of Daunt. I have made many friends through the page. The book I am reading is “ Molly Hazeldene’s Schooldays,” by Maude G. Forsey, and it seems rather good book. I shall be glad when I am up again and back to school. Love to all the Little Folk and your dear self.—Yours truly, LITTLE JEAN (Dunedin). [I hope you are soon up again, Little Jean. You will welcome letters.—DOT.] *, * * Dear Dot, —We have had visitors staying with us for a fortnight. To-day they sailed for The house is quiet

now that they have gone. The Plunket Society held its annual carnival to-day. This afternoon was fine for them, and there was a number of prams, bicycles, motor cars, tricycles, and horses decorated. I won a lib box of chocolates and a cake of soap. I have a sister in the hospital with appendicitis. I went to the pictures last Tuesday night to see “The Golden Clown.” To-night I am going to “ His House in Order ” and “ Hoofbeats of Vengeance.” Have you seen them? I have just finished reading two interesting books called “Sandy and C 0.,” and “ Navada.” I have a black kitten. Would you please give me a name for it? Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, LIGHTNING FIRE (Waipukurau).

[I have seen a play named " His House in Order,” Lightning Fire. Would Blacking suit the kitten?—DOT.]

Dear Dot. —I have been away for three weeks holiday, which I enjoyed very much. A car load of us motored through to the Nuggets. - This place seems to be a good place for a holiday. While I was there the Government steamer Tutanekai landed stores there. The captain took a number of us aboard. She did not land at Waipapapa this time, as the sea was too rough, so the stores were sent overland. We live just a little'wav from the Waipapapa lighthouse. My brother is temporary keeper there just now while the principal keeper is having his holiday. There has been a large lump of ambergris picked up on the Waipapapa Beach. We arc milking 65 cows. We have all our cows named, as we have the herd tester in every month. I have a pct calf, and would like you to please give me a name for it. We have our crop of oats cut. My sister and I took out afternoon tea to the men when they were stocking, and we took a few snaps. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.— Yours trulv, ROSE MARY (Otara).

[Call the calf Apple, Rose Mary. Y'ou were lucky to go aboard the steamer. -DOT.]

Dear Dot.—l was pleased to see my first letter in print. I passed mv proficiency in 1927. I have one sister and two brothers going to school. Winter seems to have come on us already. We have a good many gramophone records. Some of them are good. There is to be a Girl Guide rally at Invercargill soon, and my sister is going, but, as I am not a Guide, I shall not be going. Last Sunday we went for a ramble through the bush and found a gold miner's cave, but we did not explore it, as it was late. We hope to do so next Sunday. Best wishes to all.—Yours trulv. WILD WOOD FLOWER (Southland). .[Which arc your favourite records. Mild Wood Flower? Y’ou must tell me about the cave.—DOT.] NOTES. Grannie's Bonnet.—l have not the address—DOT. AUTOS. Bambino (L. Harker, Five Rivers, via Lumsden, Southland) wishes to correspond with Ace of Spades and A Reader, and requests them to write first and soon. Blue Heather Bells (Ella Pringle, Box 27. Balfour) wishes to correspond with Little Brown Elf and A Harum-Scarum School Girl.

Rose Mary (Mary Thwaites, , Otara. Southland) wishes to correspond with any Little Folk about 15 or 16 years of age. Will they please write first and soon? Pincushion (Thelma Stevens, Glenaray, rural delivery, Waikaia) wishes to correspond with Nectar. Yellow Primrose, and A Gumnut Girl Will they please write first and soon? Mountain Daisy Flower (Gwen Kirkwood, Otepopo, Herbert) wishes to correspond with E. Pari Ra, D.0.D., and Bright Northern Star. Will they please write first and soon?

Joyous June (Joyce M’Leod, Grove Bush) wishes Ace of Spades to send her address.

Happy Jack Tar (J. D. Frew, Hurstlea, Hakataramca) would like to correspond with any Little Folk between 18 and 20 years of age. Naomi (Betty Meldrum, Sutton, Otago Central) wishes to correspond with Little Jean, Mother’s Goldie, and Mother’s Pride. Queen of the School (Jessie Meldrum Sutton, Otago Central) wishes to correspond with Flower Maiden, I See, White Broom, and Brave Joan of Arc. Nunny (Violet Nunn, No. 7 Walker street. Christchurch) wishes to correspond with Till We Meet Again, Rainbow Girl, Jerry Boy, and Morven Lily. She also wishes her old correspondents to note her change of address. Will A Cottage Girl’s Mate kindly write, as she has Tost her address? 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 ,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 wor« 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.” 1 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 Jiave 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 see us,” or “ Numbers of visitors were coming to see us.” For.—lt you become contused with this word, take the sentence to pieces, and >’ ou , soon , see , t,le " a y to use it. Mother bought some wool for Golden Hair and I.” Would you say “ for I”? l °'« -w 0 ? ou sce 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. D> 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.” Iney are sometimes awkward words to use, so, if you wish to speak of more than one person and to use i plural verb, say all of us, or “ people,” or some other uora or phrase which conveys your meaning. ' ■

E°t. This, like got, is a word for which there is generally a substitute. Otten we use it when we mean “ a considerable number or amount,” or “ a good or a great deal,” and in this sense >< i'f e^r- er something other than lot. tor example:—“l 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 “ ch one,” which means oak. bay “clime,” which stands for Otiina, and makes the name of the cloth Chinese crepe.”

And.—The verb following a group of words joined by “ and ” must be plural, therefore, 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 ny 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.”

Abbreviations. —To cut a word short in conversation is often permitted, although it is not a good habit into which to fall. But to do so in writing shows bad taste. Therefore, do not write such abbreviations as “ bike,” “ exam, “ ’flu,’ 1 and “ Witness,” but “ bicycle,” “ examina. tion,” “influenza,” and “Otago Witness.’ DOT.

It might not be generally known that if a ratepayer owns a vacant section and has not water laid on, he still has to pay a water rate. This point was made clear by the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup) at a recent meeting of the Wellington City. Council, when replying to a deputation (reports the Dominion). He pointed out as the reason for this that if a house was remotely situated above a reservoir it still had to be provided with water, and at considerable cost, and so all were taxed.

Visitors to Rotorua often comment upon the lack of drinking fountains in the sanatorium grounds (says an exchange). There is only one fountain—at the entrance to the Bowling Club pavilion, near the roadway—and this is required to serve tennis and croquet players, who are some distance away. The provision of further drinking fountains would be appreciated by the many hundreds who weekly u the croquet and tennis courts during the busy season of the year. Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the water obtainable in Rotorua is not equalled in quality anywhere in New Zealand.

There is still no sign of the driving of the test piles in the bed of the Ashburton River where the new traffic bridge is to be built (reports the Ashburton Guardian). The three piles, of rein« forced concrete, have been made for weeks and the willows on the river bank have been cut away. The "work is being carried out by the Public Works Department, but is being held up through the nonarrival of the pile-driving gear from Pareora. The new bridge at the latter place has been advanced to the stage where only the decking remains to be carried out. The necessary equipment for the Ashburton bridge is expected to arrive here any day now.

“Fifteen shillings ton dear for a hatf But perhaps with a head the shape of yours a brim alone will do.” —Nagels.