LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3917, 9 April 1929, Page 79

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

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

Dear Dot, It is a long time since my silver cloud appeared on earth. She was very tired after her long holiday some time- ago, you know, and what with dancing at cloud balls, eating and sleeping she has really not had time to attend to her business on earth, and the Otago Witness, but I think she has found a moment at last. A’ young nanny goat arrived, here some time ago, straight from the hills, and made it clear that 1 was to look after her. First night we P u .t her in the front garden plot. Instead of eating the good grass she went straight for a solitary rose bush, which grows there, and ate off every leaf as far up as she could reach. Then it rained, and she spent the night bn the veranda, so we tied her up. The first two collars we put on her she broke, and being as wild as the winds she took ’some catching. I think we have her set now, however, and she is taming quickly. I feed her on acorns, and- when I give her one she is always so obligingly polite as to bite my fingers. She is a most handsome goat—brown with white spots along her ribs. One ear is as all a respectable goat’s ears should be. The other began the right way, but seemed to have some unknown desire to reach the ground, and accordingly grew that way. This gives Alpi rather a crooked appearance. I think the goat’s greatest enemy is Jock, a proud. young collie pup, who thinks there is no one in the world more important than himself, and chases the hens at his pleasure. He’will sit down, shake hands, and fetch, though never to the right place, and is on most friendly terms with the pig.—Yours truly, LITTLE SILVER CLOUD IN THE .WILKIN (Makarora).

[Yours is the most charming letter I have received for a long time, Little Silver Cloud. Mind that you keep the silver on your wings when you grow up.—DOT.] ¥ ¥ Dear Dot. —I have received a letter from Daddy's Little Farmyard Girl, but have not received any from Maid of the Mist or Sunny Sahib yet. We have finished harvesting, and are working the ground up for the winter. Last week I cycled into Waimate, a distance of about 10 miles. I hope you were not flooded out the other week. About a mile up one of our paddocks there is a small bush, in which grow native trees, ferns, and moss. It is a lovely place for a picnic, so cool and fdiady. I live on a 350 acre farm, four miles from Morven, and I never feel lonely, as I can go up to the bush. I do not think I have ever told you the name of our farm, so I shall now. It is “ Alderbank.” Yes, of course the pet lambs are firm friends. Although they are fattening on the rape they still come up to us. Love to all. —Yours truly. MORVEN LILY (Morven). [A bicycle is a handy means of transport, Morven Lily, but we do not have many here, because of the hills. That is a pretty name for your farm.—DOT.] * * # Dear Dot, —Just lately at school the boys have been making aeroplanes and propellers. The carpenters are progressing with the new school. My father is working there, and my brother Charlie and I come home for dinner with him every day. Just the other day I went to a very interesting picture called, “ What Price Glory.” It was a war picture. Last Sunday I went to Rangitata with a neighbour for a picnic. There are many fishing huts there, and the Ashburton huts are on the other side of the river. Many men were fishing for salmon, but as the river was too dirty I did not see any being caught, but a very big quantity of herrings were caught. That very night a friend drove up and gave’ us a piece of a 251 b salmon that they had caught. We have all our harvest in, and the mill was at our place and threshed just the peas. They were threshed from the paddocks. The cows are nearly dry, and I am glad, and we have started feeding them. We have still the magpie, and he is such a funny chap. He has learnt to whistle, and it is cheerful to sit on a quiet day and listen to him. If he sees any small child running about with bare feet he will chase him and nip his feet. Three children next to us are frightened of him, but if they come over with their boots on he does not touch them. We sold three fat pigs a week ago, and my brother had to take them into the trucks. That morning when my brother was caning

in the gate from the factory the horse shied, and turned the dray upside down with the cans and all. My brother managed to jump clear, but the wheel swung round and hit him on the leg. He was not hurt. Love to all.—Yours trulv, BRAVE TOM MIX (Clandeboye). [Aeroplanes are good things to make, Brave Tom Mix. I am thankful that your brother was not hurt.—DOT.] ¥ * V. Dear Dot, —We have a dear httle pony. Its name is Fairy. We have another called Dobbin. We drive to school. We take a little boy to school. He walks about two miles to our place, and we drive three miles. I should not like to have been on the engine when it dropped down from the line.—Yours truly DADDY’S WILD ROSE GIRL (Otago). [I like the horses’ names, Daddy’s Wild Rose Girl. Be careful of your spelling, and do not write on both sides of the paper.—DOT.] * * # Dear Dot, —About a month ago I received a note to say that I had been accepted as a cadet to enter the Salvation Army Training College this session, and here lam in Wellington. It is nearly a week since I have landed here, and it is lovely. Our life is a very busy one, and I regret that I am unable to continue my correspondence with Little Folk. Nevertheless I shall think of you all, and occasionally you will hear from Dad’s Daisy through the dear old page. I rather like Wellington, and the weather since I have landed has been perfect, so we are having good impressions so far. We can have a lovely view of the harbour if we climb up the steps to the back lawn. It really is a picture to gaze upon. There are hills all round, and the houses here are closely situated. I have not been out much yet, as this lifeja similar to that of a boarding school, and we are allowed out only at certain times, but when we are settled we shall Im out more. Love to all.—Yours truly, DAD’S DAISY (Wellington). [We are pleased to hear that you were accepted as a cadet, Dad’s Daisy. You will appreciate your exits if you ar« allowed out only at certain times.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Slay I join? I am trying to go to school every day this year so that I can have a gold seal on my certificate. I have not had any seals for the last two years. Last year I had a bad cold, and the year before I had measles. I have two brothers, one seven years old and the other four years. They have been making tents lately and playing soldiers. We went to the north for holidays. I have not been to Oamaru one*

since Christinas. Love to all the Little Folk and to yourself.—Yours truly, NOTI (Waianakarua). [Welcome, Noti. Do not write on both sides of your paper. I hope you win a seal. —DOT,] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot. —We have not threshed our fescue as yet, but I am expecting the mill in any time now, and I hope it comes soon, as we have ten stacks to thresh, and the days are drawing in so quickly. Since last writing I have learned to drive the car. I rode for the mail to-day, but I am afraid the Jiorse would have been sadly neglected if my brother-in-law had not had the car away to the sale. We all went to the pictures in Mossburn last night, but came home very much disappointed. I, for one, would rather have stayed home and read a book. I have not read a book for some considerable time, as I devote my spare time to fancywork. I have just finished working and hemstitching a table centre, and have two cushions to work yet, but I like doing fancywork very much. Three weeks ago I spent a fortnight’s holiday at Invercargill with my sister, and had a very enjoyable time. We went to see “ A Bush Cinderella,” and enjoyed it. Ritonella is staying with my sister for the Easter holidays, and J hope she has as enjoyable a time as I did. She was eagerly scanning the paper to-night to see what picture will be on Cloverdean and I took several snaps up on the water tower, and they came out very clearly, although it was a dull day. Our flower garden is looking lovely at present. The sweet peas were so preety, but they are all dying off now. I always wish they would last longer. The chrysanthemums in my garden are coming out in bloom, and look very pretty. I received them from a neighbour, so have taken special pains with them. We have tomatoes growing in the garden, also pumpkins. I suppose they will end up in being frosted. Our fruit trees vvere loaded with fruit this year, but the birds have played havoc with many others. They had the cherries to themselves, as they ate them before they were ripe. My little niece has started school. She has two miles to walk, but likes going very much. When my nephew was at Invercargill he was given a canary, which he liked. When he brought it home the cat was for ever trying to eat it, so he gave it to me. First I thought it was going to share the same fate, but my cats are used to it, and do not even trouble to look at it. I think it is a pity to see them always in captivity. I had two pet lambs this year, and my brothers dipped them .the other day with the rest of the sheep, but that was not the first time they had been washed. I often ride round the sheep when my brothers are busy, and I enjoy’ it very much. I found one of my lambs in a ditch almost dead, but to see it now lone would think it was not the same lamb. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Y’ours truly. FESCUE QUEEN (Mossburn). [An unhappy bird in a cage is a heartbreaking sight. Fescue Queen. Your pets were lucky to be so clean. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot. —It was my’ elder sister’s birthday' in March, and she received two aprons, a pair of scissors, and a belt, and my youngest sister’s birthday was the next day, and she received a mouth organ and some handkerchiefs. I have six kewpies. There are five different sizes. Their names are Bertha, Martha, Peggy. Ivy, Evelyn, and Cissy. One Sunday I had Bertha out with me in the baby’s pram, and she fell out and the wheel ran over her head. My brother is a hard little case. He can say daddy, baby and kitten, and he is keen on cars and boats. He sometimes hears our cat purring, and he is so excited, and thinks it is a boat on the lake. The mustering has started here, and after they’ had been three days it began to rain, and it rained for two days, but on the third day they took the sheep away. I passed into Standard IV this year. There are six children going to school here. Three are my sisters and two my cousins. I was given two writing pads for Christmas, and one had 2]in by 2fin envelopes.— Yours truly, REBECCA (Hawea Flat). [Your sister will never need to have spotty frocks if she has two aprons, Rebecca. That is sweet of the little boy to say about the purring.—DOT.] # * * Dear Dot, —I am now attending high school, but still have to travel by train We have also half an hour more schooling than we did last year, and it seems like years. Last Saturday four Mangatapu Girl Guides had a very enjoyable , excursion up at a favourite spot in the . bush. We left at about 10 o’clock, and on arriving at the picnic spot we spent about half an hour trying to light a fire with a few damp sticks. However, it was at last alight. When it was burning steadily we heated the billy for tea, and boiled our eggs. When this feat was accomplished the fire was replenished with sticks, . and we began on the most de licate item of the dinner menu, “ angels on horseback,” which is merely a piece of bacon wrapped round a small square of cheese. This is suspended over the fire on a stick, and when it is satisfactorily roasted it makes a respectable dish. After that we made some damper, but mine caught fire and when I found it it was but a blackened cinder. However, such trifles did not matter. Then several potatoes and onions were roasted in the embers, and when they were raked out they were tasty enough to satisfy even us. When all these strange concoctions were eaten we spent the whole afternoon in wandering through the lovely bush. We discovered an owl, which , gazed at us until we felt small under ' his solemn stare. When we wended our way homeward we felt tired but happy, and we hope to spend many more such . days.—Yours truly, E. PARI RA (Mangatapu). [Thank you for the interesting letter, E. Pari Ra. You must have had in- . teresting fun at the camp.—DOT.] « * « Dear Dot, —We all rushed to the Otago Witness to see our first letters in print. Sin,ce I last wrote poor Binkle, our rabbit, is dead. One night when w.e were all at tea we noticed the cat carrying ?oor wee Binkle. whom he had dragged rom the cage. We were sorry to lose the rabbit. I am nine years old to-day,

and I am having a little party. Mother put the clock back on Sunday, so now it seems quite dark when we go to bed. Love to all the Little Folk and youiself. —Yours truly, SILVER LEAF (Tarras). [I am sorry to hear of Binkle’s sad end. Silver Leaf. Do yon like going to DOT] l ater ” now the clock is back - — * * * Dear Dot, —I was pleased when I saw my first letter in print. I set 21 traps yesterday, and caught only three rabbits this morning, but another daj’ I set the same number of traps and caught 11 rabbits and a weasel. I ride round my traps on my pony, and enjov an early morning ride. My garden Jias been good this year, and I have already dug the carrots to pit them for the winter. I like gardening, and grow all the vegetables for the house. Dad was in Dunedin for a week, and ordered a wireless set. We expect it at the end of this week, and are looking forward to listen-ing-in. One of our cows calved lately, so now we have plenty of cream and butter. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly. SUNNY’ CENTRAL (Tarras). [You will always find amusement for the evenings now you have the wireless, Sunny Central. Well done, gardener! — DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —Our apples and tomatoes are ripe enough to pick, and our gardens are looking lovely after the rain. We are having a birthday party to-dav, because it is my sister’s birthday. ‘ Although we have looked for mushrooms we have not found many this year. We have a new little calf. It is' red with a white face. Some of the leaves on our willow trees are turning yellow, so the days will be soon colder. I sleep on the veranda all the year round. Love to all the Little Folk and yourself.— Yours truly. TIGER LILY FLOWER (Lindis Downs). [Mushrooms are fairy umbrellas, and do not like to be found and eaten, Tiger Lily Flower. Many happy returns of the day to your sister.—DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —We used to have a shop, but mum’s health broke down, and we had to shift to where the air is fresh. Mum used to write to your page. She had about 30 Little Folk correspondents, and I am going to try to have as many also. I have left school three years, so I am going to try to find work now. My auntie and uncle are going to Oamaru in their car, and they are taking mum and dad with them. My sister and I were going, but there is no room for us in Oamaru. We are staying at friends here. The house we live in now on the highest part of Invercargill. Where we lived before we had a good garden, but here we have not a good one. A big, new picture theatre was opened here last week. I have a sleeping porch, and mum said I would not sleep in it a week, but I have slept in it three weeks, like it. Fondest love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly, FLEUR-DE-LIS (Invercargill).

[You are fortunate to have a sleeping porch. Fleur-de-lis. Does your mother sleep outside too? If her health is bad it would be good for her. I wonder if you will succeed in having as many correspondents as she had.—DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —I came home from camp on Thursday. We arrived at Christchurch at 11.30 a.m. There are the Y.M.C.A hall and swimming baths at Burnham. Sunday was visitors’ day. At technical we have a North-west Mounted policeman (Canadian) on our teaching staff, and you should see him ride! At Burnham we had the following pictures: “Button,” “ The General,” and “ White Hope.” I have read the following books: “ Anthony Crazy Tenant,” “ Plutarch’s Lives,” “Old New Zealand,” “The Hope of the Stable,” “Wonderful Journey,” and “The Shadow on the School.” also “ The Lost River.” What is your favourite hobby? Mine are gardening and reading. Thank you for putting my auto in, as I have received a letter from one correspondent.—Yours truly, HANKERING BUDDY (Christchurch ). [You have named two of my favourite hobbies. Hankering Buddy. I am glad to see that you ire fond of reading. Are you looking forward to the next camp? —DOT.] ❖ * ❖ Dear Dot, —May I join your band of happy Little Folk? I often read the letters in your page, and I enjoy them very much. Have you ever been in Invercargill. Fleur-de-lis and her sister are staying with us, and it has rained all the time. We were disappointed at not being able to go for any picnics this Easter. Last year I went to the technical college, but this year I am staying at home. I do not mind staying at home, because when the weather is fine I take my sister’s baby out. It is only six weeks old, and has not a name yet. there is only one beach in Invercargill, and it is not a good one, so instead" of cycling right out to Oreti Beach we usually go to the municipal baths. Last year at school certain classes went to the baths at certain times to take swimming lessons. My friend Fleur-de-lis and I nnnn H‘V > ths on Saturday afterSm 1 tl wY k la T RO, ? K tO j° in the Moth n ?i ie Kardens . ln Invercargill looked well this summer with their variety ?n S?7fl\ S n a? d q CO,OUrS - ? Vere vou ca,, K ht u j “°. od? S° me People must have had a bad time. Best love to vou and all your Little Folk.—Yours truly BLUEBIRD MEANS HAPPINESS r-nr i (Invercargill). [Welcome, Bluebird Means Happiness. Your name was taken. I have been to Invercargill. You must tell me the sweet baby s name. I am glad to hear that you intend joining the Guides.—DOT ] ¥ ¥ ¥ ’

Dear Dot,—l have been to Dunedin foi a fortnight s holiday. I had a most enjoyable time. One day we went to the Gardens, out as soon as we arrived there we had to turn round and come home again, as it started to rain.. I am going to the sports to see if I can win another medal. At the Oturehua sports I won a medal and a book. The name of the book was, “The Girl from the Northwest.” For Christmas I received a comb,

a writing pad. and a pair of stockings. My little brother’s birthday will be on April 26. I always look forward to my birthday, which is a long time off yet. My father is away to the Easter shoot--ing, but I do not think he has any prizes. I did not see his name in the paper on Saturday. We have two dear little foals. Would you please give me names for them? . I have been doing fancywork. All the willow trees are beginning to turn yellow. We have a black pony. We have 12 ducks, but they are not laying yet. The hens are beginning to go off laying.—Yours truly, ELM (Gimmerburn). ([I hope you win another medal, Elm. Call the foals Grimm and Hans Andersen, after two famous fairy-tale writers. I am glad you liked our city. It is a beautiful one, is it not?—DOT.] Dear Dot,—l am in Standard 111 at school. My father is in town shooting. I received for my birthday five handkerchiefs, one pair of slippers and two chocolate sticks. My sister is going to town to run at the sports. We have three calves. Will you please give me names for them? I ride to school on a little black pony, which a kind friend gave me. We have had holidays for one week. One of our Sunday school teachers is away, and we gave her a Bible. We were sorry to lose her. I am sewing a table runner at school. There are ”16 going to school.—Yours truly, OAK APPLE (Gimmerburn). [Call the calves Coral, Constance, and Kipper. Oak Apple. Do you love the little black pony? I think you are a very lucky person to have such a kind friend.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —My grandmother is looking after us while mother has a holiday. We have not all our school books, as they are not printed yet. We had a week’s holiday for Easter. Have you read a book called “Anne of Avonlea”? I have almost finished it. It is very interesting. We have a great many apples this year, but most of them are cooking apples. My father is working away, and does not come home at nights. The nights are becoming longer now. and colder. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly DADDY’S HOUSEKEEPER (Gore). [I have read the book, Daddy's Housekeeper. and I remember that Anne preferred her name to be spelt with an e ” at the end. Do you have father home at the week-ends? I suppose you are all helping grandmother.—DOT.]' * * * Dear Dot. —-My eldest sister has been married, and is at present on her honeymoon. M.P. s sister, D.0.D., is staying with us for a holiday, and she goes away on Friday. I was sorry M.P. could not come, but hope she will be here for the Winter Show. I did not go away for Easter, but we were out motoring most of the time. On Friday we went to Lee Stream, and had an enjoyable drive. The roads are fairly good up that way, and it was smooth running most of the time. I have to go to music to-night, and am looking forward to it. as I have a new piece called “Lilac Land.” Most likelv you have heard it, as they play it at the pictures sometimes. My last piece was ‘ Grey Clouds.” and the one before it | “ Polly.” On Saturday night I went to see ’ Sunrise.” and was verv much disappointed in it.' I did not like the actor nor the picture itself. To-night I am going to the baths, and hope it is warmer than it was the last night I went. The water was freezing, and I took a long time to dive in. Love to all the Little I I oik and your own ' dear self.—Yours truly, TTP TOES (Dunedin). [Have you ever heard “The Little Shepherd of Debussy,” Tip Toes? Do you care for modern music, or prefer the old “classical” type?-—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot, —Me had a flood here last week, and we had a holiday from school. The Waikaia children had a holiday from school yesterday, and we did not. Do you think that was fair, Dot? It is easily seen that winter is coming on. because the leaves are falling off the willow trees. I had a letter from Queen of Daunt the other day. We have a little P U P-. Pi eas e could you give me a name for it? Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, OATMEAL JOY’ (Waikaia). [Well, Oatmeal Joy, as I do not know the circumstances I cannot say whether it was fair or not. But I should think it would be fair. Do you like watchiii" th DOT linS leaveS? Call the pup Tuck - V - * ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —I had the luck to gain my proficiency without sitting for it. I go to the high school at Balclutha now. and enjoy that life very much. As I had always attended the one primary school I did not meet many new friends until this year at high school. Ye’sterday two friends and my two sisters and myself went to gather brambles. The brambles were very difficult to reach, as they are almost overgrown with weeds. One of our friends was observing native plants. As it was near the bush we noticed many native plants. The lancewood or grass tree we saw in three different forms. The first time it had long leaves hanging'down, forming a triangular shape.- Next time it had short leaves about two or three inches. These leaves seemed to grow closer together, and also the trunk was much thicker. The third time it had dark green or black berries. We could not see what colour they were properly, as they were so high up. My friend and I pushed through a great deal of undergrowth, such as brambles, thistles, and lawyers, to go near, but when we were through we were no nearer than before. Robbie, our youngest brother, is three and a-half. He is very spoilt, as there is nine years between him and my youngest sister. He says that when he goes to school he will have a pony. To-night he fell asleep in a chair, and dad had to undress him while he was sleeping. Mum and my two sisters and two brothers are at church, but I stayed at home. As- this covers nearly all news I will close with love to all the Little Folk and yourself.—Yours truly, FROSTY’S MATE (Romahapa). [I hope you will like high school, Frosty’s Mate. I did when.-I used to go. How interesting to see the lancewood

in such a variety of .stages! I think Robbie must be a darling.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am now in Standard V at school. My friend, also in the same class, fell and broke her collarbone. She is at home, but goes to the doctor every three days. Our teacher has left, and we are having a new one soon. We gave our teacher a pocket book when he went away. I go to school on my own, as my sister has left. IV e had three visitors at Easter. Yesterday we went picking brambles, and went this morning also. Do you like brambles? ■ I do. There are many bushes, and well laden. In February our school went to Quarantine Island. We had a good time on the island and the boat. There was a little shop on the ferry where we could buy lemonade and chocolate. Three of us walked round the island. It was not very big, but very hilly. There were swings and a hall. The hall was very pretty. I here were Angora rabbits in cages—such lovely white fluffy little things. The champion rabbit was called Chinook. The best dog that went down to the Pole was also called Chinook, but he was lost. Our minister died about a week ago in town. Our Sunday School teacher wrote a letter of sympathy to his wife. There are about seven around here who belong to your band. Kind regards to you and your Little Folk.—Y’ours truly, BEE BUSY’ (Romahapa). [I hope the collarbone is soon mended. Bee Bus}'. It must be painful for your friend. Y’es, I am fond of brambles! I was interested to hear of your visit to Quarantine Island. It was very sad about Chinook the dog, was it not?— DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, — Since I wrote to you last I have gained by proficiency, and have left school. I like at home best. We are milking two cows night and morning. It has been very warm here these last few days. Did you go away for Easter? We went up to Timaru for the day on Sunday, and we left early’ in the morning, so we were tired at night. We buy the Otago Witness every week, and I enjoy’ reading the Little Folk letters very much. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Y’ours truly, RED FLOWER (Maerewhenua). [Congratulations on passing the proficiency examination. Red Flower. I did not go away at Easter. I am glad that you like reading my Little Folk letters. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot.—We are having lovely weather down here just -now. There are four people fishing, and they’ always catch a number of fish. Yesterday one caught 144, the second one 120. and the last one 116 groper. The carnival -at Christmas time was a great success. The Taieri queen won by £65. The boarding house is burnt down, so there were not many people down here this Easter. Kind regards to all the Little Folk, and to your own dear self.—Yours truly. LUCY’ LOCKETT’S MATE (Taieii Mouth). [Your fishermen seem a clever quartet, Lucy Lockett’s Mate. You would be pleased about the success of the Taieri queen. Read “ Points in Grammar ” with regard to “ lot ” and “ got."—DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —We had lovely weather here for Easter, but at the beginning of the week it was very’ miserable. I did not go anywhere. We have frost here almost every night, but we always have a beautiful day afterwards. The fortnightly dances have started here again, but I do not go. as I am too young. I noticed by the Otago ’Witness that there are more joining your page from here now. There is a pond here, which is just full of frogs, and everybody is coming and taking them away to put in other ponds. I must close now with love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Y’ours truly. HYPATIA (Bannockburn). [The beautiful day' following a frosty night is one of the good things of winter, Hypatia. Poor little frogs! I wonder if they like being taken away from tlieir home.—DOT.] * * * Dear Dot,-—Some weeks ago I received the badge, so I thought it was only right for me to write and thank you for it. The Invercargill cricketers are playing a match with the Hawea cricketers today. Ido not know what has gone wrong with my pen friends. I have not had a letter from any' of them for some time, and I hope I shall-hear from them soon. Dad has all his garden ready’ for the seeds, and mother has also been digging her flower garden. It is very’ warm after the sun conies in the mornings,- but when it sets it is very cold. Love to all. — Y’ours truly, THRALDOM (Hawea Flat). [The badge is a pretty thing, is it not. Thraldom? Thank you for thanking me for it. Perhaps you have not done your share of writing to your pen friends. If you have, they’ will probably write to you soon. —DOT.] t Dear Dot. —Did you feel the earthquake we had? I did, and did not like it at all. Do you like trout? Aly father went out fishing on Saturday’ night, and caught some lovely' big fish. I am 15 now; I was 14 last time I wrote to y’Oti. Dot. please do you know any' autographs? I would like you to tell me one if you know any, because I had a book given to me for my birthday, and I am trying to fill it. As this is all the news I have at present I will close. Love to all and yourself.— Y’ours truly. CHRISTMAS LILY’ (Temuka). [1 did not feel the earthquake, Christmas Lily, I am glad to say. Yes, dear, I know some autographs, but it would not aid you if I told them to you. Send y’our book to your friends, and ask them to help you fill it. That is what it was given to you for. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am nine years of age, and lam in Standard 111. My' brother (joes to high school, about six miles away from here. I used to have my hair cut, but. did not like it, so I have grown it again. One of my sisters is a school teacher, and the other works in Dunedin. I had a little Persian kitten given me for my birthday. Would you please give me a name for it? Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, ARUM LILY’ (Bannockburn).

[Certainly you may join. Arum Lily, Have .you any- of your namesakes in the garden? Would Darius suit the Persian kitten ? —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot,—May I join your happy band ot Bittie I’olk.' I am eight years of age. VVe have several cats at home, and 1 own tlnee of them. I like sewing and hardening best at school. Love to all the Little I* oik and your dear self.—Y’ours truly OLIVENA (North Otago). [Welcome to Olivena. Did you know that an Egypian goddess had a templu specially tor cats? Thev are sacred animals to Egyptians.—DOT.] AUTOS. Dad’s Daisy (Cadet Daisy M Cann, Sal. vation Army, Training Garrison, Aro street. Wellington), would like to 1 iear Irom any Wellington Little Folk. Hankering Buddy’ (Gordon Wilson). 31) Princess street, Riccarton, Christchurch) wishes any Little Folk 13 to 15 years old to correspond with him. Christinas Card (Mina Clinch, Cass stieet, xeniuka). wishes to correspon<l with any Little Folk from 15 to 16 years of age. W ill they’ please write first ami soon? Luc.v Locket’s Mate (Mabel Geary, Taieri Mouth) wishes to correspond with Ngaire the Fairy, One of the Dauntless 1 hree, and Farmer Hayseed. Will her old correspondents write again, please? Queen Heather (Lily Geary, Taieri Mouth) wishes all her old correspondents to write again, and also wishes to correspond with Norah Hayseed. The Attorneygeneral. and any Little Folk from 17 to 16 years old. 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 -he 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 16 sentences and 15 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 lancing,” 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. —If you become contused with this word, take the sentence to pieces, and y° u soon see the right way to use it. ‘ Mother bought some wool for Golden Hair and I.” Would you say “for I"? No,. So 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. D<. not say: “ Everyone (or everybody) 'vas 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 one person and to use a plural verb, say a j us ’” or “ P eo Pl e >” or some other word or phrase which conveys your meaning. Eot. 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 it is better to say something other than “lot.” For 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 “ chene,” which means “ oak.” Say “ chine,” which stands for China, 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,” and “ Witness,” but “ bicycle,” “ examination,” “ influenza,” and “ Otago Witness.” dot, .