LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3965, 11 March 1930, Page 74

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

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

Dear Dot—May I join your happy hand of Little Folk? I am 14 years of age and I have left school. I do enjoy reading the Little Folks’ letters, as some are very interesting. "My mother used to write to your page when she was a little girl, but that is a long time ago. I have two sisters, one older than myself and the other younger; also one brother, the youngest of us all. My eldest sister has been in the Timaru Hospital for five years, but I am pleased to say she is improving and expect® to be home in about two weeks. We used to live in the country, but we have shifted to Timaru to be near iny sister who is in the hospital. I like country life very much, but it is a change to be in town for a while. I was away for six weeks’ holiday. I visited Oamaru,

Dunedin, and Invercargill, and on my way back 1 broke the journey at I’aleliithu I had a lovely time, but 1 shall tell you more about it next time 1 write. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours truly. VERBENA FLOWER (Timaru). [Yes, you may join us. Verbena Flower. Your name had been used before. You are a lucky little girl to have a mummy who used to write to Dot also. You will be able to discuss so many things with her. I hope the sister is out of hospital when you expect her. A great rejoicing there will be when she comes home. Tell us about the holiday.—DOT.] N’ Dear Dot, —I have been busy helping mum. Dad has just finished harvesting. I am in Standard V, and I am ten years old. My mother and father are going away for a trip to the North Island, and my sister and myself are going to stay at my auntie's. She has six children. five girls and one boy. My brother is going to stay at another auntie’s place. To-night ] was sliding down one of our stacks, and my legs are sore. Kind regards to all. —Yours truly, THISTLE FUFF (Herbert).

[Mothers need a great amount of help, Thistle Fluff. We do not realise how busy they are until we stay at home for a while. You will be able to write long letters to mother and father while they are away. You can practise using correct grammar in the letters you write me, and then they will be pleased to receive your neat letters to them in the North Island. —DOT. I

Dear Dot.—l am home on account of a bad hand, through milking cows. It is lucky for me it was only the one hand. I have one correspondent through this page, and I hope before very long that I shall have others. Last Tuesday I went to Waitati for the day, and I enjoyed myself. I went there on a bicycle. I left there about 4 o'clock, and was in town at half-past 5. I love the country. Do you? I go for a walk sometimes to the beach, or down to the gardens. J am fond of bicycle rides. I also like long walks in the country as well as in the town. When one is walking on a country road one does not have to be looking out for motor cars every few minutes. I am fond of reading also. On Wednesday 1 went to the talkies to see a picture named “ The Younger Generation.’’ and I enjoyed it. I am not very keen on the talkies. I think the silent pictures are better, because they make no difference for a deaf person. As for the talkies, they do. I can hear the bands playing on the Oval. Kind regards to all the Little Folk and yourI self. —Yours trulv. HAPPY LAD (Dunedin).

[I trust the hand will not take long to heal. Happy Lad. Yes, I like the country. It is invigorating to go for a long walk in the cool of the evening. Notice that the use of the comma is somewhat restricted. There is no need for a comma unless a pause or some other effect is needed. Good talkie pictures in a few years’ time may be better than stage plays, I think.—DOT.]

Dear Dot.- The swimming carnival in Cromwell which was postponed last week on account of the weather is being held to-night, but I am not going. Did you go to the opening of the new Town Hall in Dunedin? I said I would write and tell you the results of the proficiency examination, but 1 have been a long time in doing so. 1 passed my proficiency and was dux of the school. I received four prizes at the end of the year. They were “ Little Miss Wardlaw.” “ Rhoda's Reform.” “New Zealand Girls’ Annual,” and “The Bovs of Gunn Island.” My two sisters and I went to Mount Barker for a fortnight at Christmas, and we had a good time as our uncle has a farm. We used to have a ride on the farm horses every night, and sometimes we had a ride on the tractor. One day we went in to Lake Wanaka for a swim, and we had a good swim although the lake was rather rough. I go to Cromwell to high school. There are five of us going from Bannockburn. We meet the school bus at the other side of the bridge everj- morning at a-quarter past 8. We have dressmaking instead of cookery every Wednesday. I had a letter from Periwinkle the other day, and she said she might go to the Cromwell races. We have never met. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, KAWARAU SUNSET (Bannockburn) . [You did well in primary school, Kawarau Sunset. See if you can keep it up at high school. You will find the subjects really more interesting than the primary ones were. Have you made anything at dressmaking yet? We cannot ride on big horses in town. I can imagine what fun you had on the farm, and how tired you would be every night at bedtime. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We are well on with harvest. We still have some to cut. We

had about eight acres of barley shaken a few days ago. I walk out with lunch and drive with dinner. My little sister lias just learned to sit up on her own. There were many Old Writers this year. Captain Jackson Barry’s Daughter has a letter in every year. Sweet Kid and I met her on the Dunedin Railway Station when we went to the Exhibition. We all went to Timaru on the excursion trip and enjoyed ourselves. We were tired when we arrived home, as it was a long day. We were thinking of putting our coal range out. but the electricity has gone off too often lately, so I do not think we shall have it out now. Love to all. —Yours truly, THE SWEET KID'S MATE (Hakataramea Valley).

[You will be able to rest when harvesting is over. Sweet Kid's Mate. I wish 1 could see the little sister when she manages - to sit up without support. Captain Jackson Barry’s Daughter is a faithful writer to the page. It is wise to keep the coal range, for if the electric power went off how would you cook the dinner for the hungry family?-—DOT.] * •¥

Dear Dot. — I have just finished a book called “Black Beauty.'' It is about a horse. I am reading “Florence Nightingale.” Have you read them? I am not back at school, but hope to go on Monday. Last Friday we had the school picnic on our ground. We have bad them here for many years. To-morrow there is one- for the Blanket nurses, but I am not allowed to go. and have to stay at home and rest my feet. Stewart Island is known by the Maoris as Rakiura. sometimes ” Isle of Dreams.” It is about 4(1 miles in length, with a breadth of 20 miles, and has an area of 665 square miles. There is a charming township of Oban in Halfmoon Bay. Although you would not think it. there are 80 children going to the school. '1 he forests have a marvellous wealth of ferns, and tud„ bellbirds, and many other native birds have a happy home. The State lias several other bird sanctuaries, but Stewart Islam! probably offers the best opportunity to the public to form friendship with native birds. There are walks through forest. There are many sunny beaches for bathing, but I did not go in at all. My sister went in once, and my cousin. Flip's C hum. went in twice. There are cosy bays for boating and fishing. There are many pretty walks such as Hidden Island. Murderer Cove. Port Adventure. Fright Cove. Cannilral Bay. Smallcraft Retreat. Shipbuilders’ Cove. Chew Tobacco Bay, Sealers’ Bay. Pearl Island. Glory Cove. Misery Bay. Horseshoe Bay. Bathing Beach, anil Maori Beach. Have you been at Stewart Island? We were staying at Ferndale House. It accommodates 150. It is the largest one: then Greenvale. Oban House, and then Bay Yiew. —Yours truly, QUICK SILVER

[I have read about Florence Nightingale, Quick Silver. She was a very noble woman. You would like ” 'The Story of Heather.” which is about a Moor pony. Your feet must be rested or they will not heal quickly. I have been to Stewart Island. It is no wonder you enjoyed yourself in such an excellent holiday place. Some of the bays have peculiar names. — DOT.]

Dear Dot, — Harvest is in full swing, and the farmers are having good weather for it. Dad is cutting our wheat, and liopes to finish it to-night, and then he will start stacking the other paddock of wheat. I heard the concert which Mischief May told you about in her last letter. It was a very good band. One day last week a strong south-west wind sprang up. and it blew the top ol our chimney, which was all cracked, down. We have it put up again, but this time it is of brick, not Oamaru stone. The day the men came to put it up we were unable to have a fire, so cooked our mea.s the day before. Two of my correspondents have written to me. and I enjoyed read ing them. I am expecting the other two also on Saturday. Dad ban had two drafts of lambs away this season, and thei e are about 60 left. A\ c liaxe a black kitten with four white _ paws. Will voir please give me a name for it? Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours truly.

EYES OF BLUE (Otago). [A kitten with four white paws reminds me of Puss in Boots. Eyes of Blue. Call him Button. Father has chosen the correct weather for his harvesting. Most unsafe chimneys seem to fare badly in the wind. It is silch fun having unorthodox meals sometimes. It is as good as a picnic.— DOT.]

Dear Dot.- A special train went through here to-day. It had some very | heavy things on board. I hey were made of iron, and were going to the Awakino Public Works. Yesterday there was another special train, and it bad on board 20 round iron objects. 'They were for the works too. There have been some i very big sheep and grain trains passing I here. One of them had 43 trucks of | sheep on besides other trucks. My sister Charmary is spending a holiday in Oam- ■ am at my cousin’s. She has been away | a fortnight on Tuesday. M e have only two cows milking, but one is coining in at the end of the month. There have been two or three stoats around here lately, and they are very impudent. One has been running around the garden to.; day, and dad and my brothers chased it twice, but it did not wait for them. My cousin in Oamaru has a baby girl one month old, and another cousin has one one week old. We had a wee girl staying with us for a fortnight. She was a dear, and called my mother “grandma” when mum is only her auntie. Our tomatoes in one glasshouse are past, but the others are still eatable. Our pullets have started to lay. and we have three or four eggs a day so far. Dad has about 400 pullets, but only half are nearly old enough to lay. The school children have a new teacher, and like her very much. We have a Jersey calf, and it is very tame. She has no horns, and would like to butt us if she l ad the chance, but she does not nave it. Kind regards to the Little Folk and vour own dear self.—Yours trulv, NIPPER'S MISTRESS (Otago). [The Public Works required special trains, Nipper's Mistress. Can you tell

me all about the heavy iron things? Perhaps you know for what they were needed. Charmary will be a big help with the baby. Have you seen them both vet? I should like to stroke the calf.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have many lessons to do. I wrote you some letters, but did not post them. Mv sister works at home. Our school picnic was ou Wednesday and it was very wet. so I was glad I did not go. 1 was going to the beach, but as the rain came on I could not go. 1 went to the pictures on Saturday night. The name was “Slim Fingers.” It was rather good. The night before that was "Tlie Michigan Kid.” It was good too. The book I am reading just now is Greta's Domain.” It is a good book, an 1 has many thrilling adventures m it. The one 1 read before that was “ Comrade.” Have you seen any of the pictuies or read any of the books? I Lope you enjoyed them. Love to all y<ur Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yorns trulv, FALLING PEACH (Orepuki). jDo you write letters and then not post them to me. Talling Peach? It is against the rules to write on both sides of the paper. A picnic can be made an unhappy affair if it. lains. 1 h ive not read the books, so could you toll me some of the stories in them? I have not seen the pictures either. —DOT.j '*i’ Dear Dot.- May I become a member of your happy clan? I am nine years old. and J celebrate my biitliday on April 25. I live about a mile from my school. I am the oldest boy in our family. We have four foals, four calves, six kittens, and a eat. I have three brothers and three sisters, all of whom go to school but the youngest sister, who is only two years old. Best love to all. — Yours trulv. ' CLEVER PUSS TN BOOTS (Balfour). [Yes. you may be a member. Clover Puss in Boots. Your name had been chosen before, as it is a popular fairy tale name. What fun you will be able to have with your brothers and sisters. Take care of the littlest one. April is a famous month tor your birthday b.cause of Anzac Day.-—DOT-s-j

Dear Dot. —May 1 join your happy baud of Little Folk? 1 am eight Vial* old. My birthday is August 28. I live mi the Hokonui Hills, six miles from Balfour. It is our nearest township. 1 go to a little school with 12 pupils. 1 am in Standard 11. the only one in my class. It is the only school I have ever been to. I have two sisters writing to you, ami their names are Ylaid Marion of Sherwood, and Princess Blue Eyes. Dad has been cutting his oats, an! is stocking them. Best love to all. —Y ours truly,

GRIZZLY BILL (Balfour). [Yes, you may join. Grizzly Bill. 1 trust you are not so fierce as your mill - : suggests. You will be dux of yourself if your are dux of the class. I wonder if you would be surprised to sec our big schools. Do you go often into Balfour ?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I do find myself busier than ever. I am not very good at tennis. The matches are over for this season. The nights are too short, but 1 go down still. It is fairly cold for swimming, but the school children still go. The boys go on Thursday, and girls on Frida}'. 1 went to Timaru on February 12, and had a good time. 1 did not go with my father and mother, as I was staying with my mate. 1 went in for only one dip. as I had a cold. It was a fine day. We left Palmerston at 8.5, reaching Timaru at 11.30 a.m. There has been a good deal of sickness in the district. We have a hen sitting on ten eggs, and every one of them is chipped. We did not know she was sitting at first. It is a bit too late for wee chickens. Are not chickens dear, fluffy things? They grow too fast. There is a county cricket match here to-morrow. It begins at 10 o’clock. I was at a kitchen party ou Wednesday evening. It was very enjoyable. There were 30 to 40 people there. The Guides have lost one lieutenant, as she has gone to college. The company gave her a present of a wee clock. We were all very sorry to lose her. as she was a good sport. The Dunbaek Picnic sports were held on February Land I won the young ladies' race. 'The prize was 10s. The Girl Guides have to clean the monument. My father has all his teeth out. and his mouth is sore. Love to ail tiie Little Folk- Y’ours truly. POPPY' O’ FRANCE (Dunbaek)

[Notice that there “were” people, net there “ was." Poppy o’ France. Yes. chicks are darlings. When they fluff themselves out they look so cuddlesonie, but they soon lose their down and grow hard, smooth feathers. How will you clean the monument? That will be a big work. That was a big prize to receive for the race. — DOT.]

Dear Dot. —We are having fine weather for our harvesting as well as for bathing in the river nearby. Some of the farmers are wanting rain. YVe have been stacking, and shall be pleased when it is over, also the threshing. Now is the busiest time for the farmer, and not many can find convenient time to go holiday-making in such perfect weather. It will soon be Easter time. How quickly time seems to fly! Winter will soon be here with its cold mornings. Winter is my favourite season, as it brings with it some of the most fascinating twilights. Although it is a very cold season to me, it seems the healthiest. Of course, I cannot say that I should like all the yepr round to be one year of winter, because it would be too monotonous, and tbe other seasons all have their own charms. Not so very long ago I went to the river with my sisters. For a change we walked across the hills and saw some lovely scenery. The day was not very clear, as the sky was covered with black clouds, and we expected it to rain, but by good luck it did not. I As we were walking along some shingle we noticed hundreds of little moth-like creatures flying about, but they were much more beautiful than the ordinary moth, as their wings consisted of a

great number of varied colours, and they were so quick flying that one had to have very sharp eyes to notice all their different colours. When they alighted on a stone they did not stay long enough for anyone to have a close inspection. When we arrived at the river the sun had come out and it was hot. We had an enjoyable day. The river has not any native bush along its banks. Although it has just ordinary scrub and willows, it proves to have shady places to sit under when one is tired of being in the water. \\ e tramped the road home, and found it very monotonous and dust}’. That niade us more tired than walking over the hills did. To me hills seem to have some kind of fascination, as each one brings a different scene. One cool summer's night my sisters and 1 walked tight round a block which is about four miles. The block is made up of four farms with a road right round. It took an hour to walk it at an ordinary pace. It was an enjoyable walk, but still better was it to see the setting sun throwing its ' rays among the hills, river, and in the sky. making them look much prettier as it lit them up with rainbow colours. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.- -Y’ours trulv. LAVAND E R ETTE (Otago). [YY’e cannot imagine a farmer taking a holiday in his busy season, Lavenderette. Yes, the time is flying past this year. Winter is certainly a health-giving season, especially if it is frosty. Some people who are likely to catch colds dread the long rainy days. There are so many warming sports you young people can play. Walking is one of the best methods of exercise you can have. —DOT.j

Dear Dot. —You have a large number of Little Folk, and 1 am proud to say 1 am one of them. There was a good muster of Old Writers this year. The Ohl Writers’ letters are very interesting, and I do not miss reading them. This year I spent my holidays in Timaru. and I had a very enjoyable time. My idea of Timaru is that it is a very pretty town, and they have a beautiful bay: it is ho safe, too. One need not be scared of allowing children to go there to play. While there I also was fortunate enough to be able to spend a day in Christchurch, and 1 feel that day was indeed a well-spent one. I had a great day. I shall try to tell you something about some of tbe places we visited. We travelled by motor, my cousins and 1 leaving Timaru at half-past 6 in the morning, and we arrived in Christchurch about 11 o'clock after having had a good trip through. When we came into the town we went all round the centre in the car. crossing over the Avon several times. We also crossed the Bridge of Remembrance. Then we parked tbe car and walked around to the Square, where we caught a tramear which took us up on to Cashmere Hills. The view from there is beautiful. One looks right on to the town, which looks one large patch of red roofs. There are some tine houses on Cashmere Hills, and they all have lovely gardens attached. YVhen we came back into the town we bad our dinner, and after that we went to the Museum, where we spent a long time looking at eveiything. Then when we (•.line out we went all through tbe Gardens. Christchurch seems to have a good climate lor flowers, and all the flower lovers take good advantage of it. The Begonia House in the Christchurch gardens is pretty, and the rose bed is also lovely. After visiting those two places we went down the Avon to the boatshed and hired one of the boats and went for a row. Half the time I was on pins and needles as I thought I was going to be tipped out, and I was just settling down when a young fellow who was coming up-stream ran into us. I thought we were tipped out. After we had recovered our composure my cousin said. “ Why did you not squeal.” but. oh. I was too scared to do that. We were miles from our dry clothes, and should not have felt very comfortable in our wet ones if we had fallen in. The return up-stream was much calmer, and nobody ran into us. When we returned the beat and were safely on the dry land one of the patty looked at the time, and much to our disappointment it was time to be leaving for Timaru. so we had to leave the Avon. The Avon is a very pretty river. YVe arrived back in Timaru about halfpast 9. having left Christchurch about 5 o'clock. I was very sorry when we had to leave Timaru, and am looking forward to the time when we shall go again.—Y'ours trulv. ( UT'K'URA GIRL ( Balelutha). [Thank you for the photograph, C utieura Girl. The little sister looks a sweet child from her picture. I think the ponies liked carrying her too. as they would scarcely feel her weight on their backs. It is a good thing you were not tipped out in tbe river. Christchurch is noted for its gardens, and many are the lovely flowers grown there. —DOT.]

Dear Dot,- I often read the Little Folks’ letters, and find them very interesting. I passed into Standard 111 at the end of the year, and received two prizes—one for progress, and the other for writing. My little brother started school this year, and did not like going at first, but be soon grew used to it. I went to my aunt’s at Outrani for three weeks in the holidays, and enjoyed myself very much. YY'as it not sad about the Manuka being wrecked? We live about seven or eight miles from where it happened, and saw all the passengers being taken to Owaka in cars. Some of them seemed cheerful, and waved to us as they passed, although they must have had a bad experience. It was very lucky for them that it was a ealm night, as it is a very dangerous place when it is rough. VY’e learn to play tennis at school, and I am very fond of it. We ■often go at night to watch older ones playing. Mum is busy making apricot jam. and it is making my mouth water watching her cutting the fruit up. Kind regards to all the Little Folk and yourself. —Y’ours truly. RED RATA (Catlins).

[Yes, it was bad news about the Manuka. Red Rata. How sorry you must have felt when you saw the cars go past filled with shipwrecked people. It is a good thing to receive a progress prise. It shows that the school year has been used to advantage. When you eat the

jam you will remember how your mouth watered, and will enjoy it doubly.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,- —I am in Standard V, and I am 11 years old. I have a cousin in Orawia who is one of the Little Folk. We have three pet lambs, and we call them Punch, Judy, and Tim. I enjoyed reading the Old Writers’ letters, especially the ones about travels. I received many presents at Christmas time, some of them being a fountain pen, 25 handkerchiefs. and a box with a bottle of scent and a cake of soap in it. I did not go away for my holidays, as I had to help with the fruit. We have our grandma staying with us. I came first in Standard IV last year and received a book called “ Rosemary to the Rescue.” I have been reading a good bit lately. Some of the books are “ A Houseful of Girls ” and “ More About Peggy.”—Yours truly,

SUNNY CENTRAL (Clyde).

[You received a great number of handkerchiefs. Sunny Central. You must make yourself a big sachet to hold them all, or have you a special box? I like Punch, Judy, and Tim. though I have not seen them. Their names suggest that they are impudent lambs. There are manv good school stories for you to read. --DOT.]

Dear Dot.—l have settled down at School, and there are a number of new children who have come to our school this year. On Saturday we went to a picnic, and I won nothing because I was handicapped too much. About 3 o’clock I went in for a bathe with some of my friends. On Friday I went with the school excursion to Dunedin. We arrived at Dimedin at a-quarter past 11, and we had dinner, and then we went to the wharf, where there was a inan-o’-war boat in. The man showed tis all over the boat. After that we went to see the half-pounds of butter being'xut up and put into papers. We also went to the Museum, where we had a good time. There were two monkeys Which looked as if they were going to spring at us There were some wee birds beside their little nests and eggs. When we left the Museum we went to a place for afternoon tea. After we had that we had to hurry to the train, which left at 4 o’clock. Our Sunday school teacher has left this district, so I suppose we shall be having another one. During my holidays I went to Riversdale. I had a good time there because there were ponies to ride and a pool to bathe in. Love to ail your Little Folk and yourself. truly. THE RIVER FAIRY (Paretai).

[What can be more delightful than a pony to ride and a pool to swim in, and all in the one holiday spot. River Fairy? 1 am glad you saw over the man-o’-war. It is a compliment to you that you were so heavily handicapped. It shows that the judges have a high opinion of your running powers. Try to run even faster and you" will overtake your own handicap.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Everybody seems to be making the best of the days by bathing and swimming. I see that there is somebody writing from my home town. I wonder who it is? Our garden is just a mass of colour, and the roses are pretty. Many boys and girls, and even men and women, are busy cutting cocksfoot, tying it into sheaves, and threshing the seed out of it, as they are receiving a fairly high price for it this year. Are you fond of reading? I am always reading. Just now I am reading “ The Forger,” by Edgar Wallace, as I like mystery stories best. This seems to be a busy time of the year for school picnics, as school has just commenced again. I was glad in one way to meet all my old schoolmates, but sorry to see all the holidays slip by, but as another school year has commenced I must make the best of it.— Yours truly. THE BLACK KITTEN (Otautau). [Thank you for the address, Black Kitten. It will be fun trying to find out who the writer is. Most gardens are full of beautiful flowers now. It is worth while cutting cocksfoot if some money can be made. It lias to be kept down anyway, and children like to earn pennies this way. Yes. I like reading an interesting story.—DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —Please may I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am eight years of age. and I am in Standard 111 at school. I was away for five and ahalf weeks, and I enjoyed myself very much. I have a black kitten/and it is a hapny, wee thing. We have many beautiful flowers out at present. Do you like flowers? T have a little plot of flowers I look after myself. We have a hen which has 13 white chickens and one grev one which my sister feeds every day. Best wishes to yourself and the Little Folk. — V ours trulv. THE FAIRY LILY (Roxburgh). [Yes. you may join us, Fairy Lily. Do you belong to the fairy -neon’s garden? If so. she will come and see you when the sun is not too hot on her wings. I J.’ke fl° we rs and working among them. V hat have you in your little plot? Is the hen nroud of her one little grev chick?—DOT.] *

Dear Dot, —I am sure that numbers of Little Folk will wonder whatever has happened to me that I have started to write so often to the page. I think I should start and make up for what I neglected in the past, although I may be a little late in starting. I left Roxburgh over a fortnight ago and travelled up here without any delay, as 1 had several jobs offered me in this district. What a hot day it was too when I boarded the train at Dunedin for Lyttelton! The heat did not abate any all the way up. and it was with a thankful heart that I boarded the s.s. Maori. We had a beautiful trip across, and then a big surprise for my mates in Wellington when I called on them. They said I would be sick on the boat to Nelson, as it rolled badly, but it hardly moved at all all the journey, and when I woke up the Iroat was berthed. I stayed right in Nelson for four days and had a good look round. It is a lovely place, and I like it just as much as any other place that I have been to. After looking at several packing jobs 1 took one in the Redwood Valley shed for the season, and the few days 1 have had there have been all right. I board at night in Richmond, a distance of eight miles from Nelson and about the same distance from the packing shed. However, the boss passes here every morning, as he lives nearer Nelson, and I go backwards and forwards with him. The last day or so I have been at home with a swollen face, and I can tell you they are not the nicest things to have. I suppose Dunedin, or at least the music lovers of that city, would be all out to hear the bands last week, and there would be numbers of strangers in town too. Are there many Little Folk in NelsoYi? When I mentioned the Otago Witness here the people had never heard of it. so I sent away to Dunedin and am having a copy sent every week. As long as I can remember we have always had the Otago Witness every week, so I am keeping it up as long as I can. I think I had better - close this here with kind regards to all and yourself.—Y’ours truly, BUNTY (Nelson) [I hope your good resolutions to -write will long remain unbroken, Bunty. This, however, time will show. I have not been to Nelson, but have heard that it is quite as delightful as you describe it as being, and that to pick fruit there is a very pleasant occupation. I hope your face is soon better. What made it swell? Fancy the people not having heard of our Otago weekly!—DOT.]

Dear Dot. —YVe are back to school now, and I am in Standard IV this year. I did not like going back to school the first day. but since then I think it is delightful. That very windy day there were many birds’ nests blown down, and one of the nests I found had the little mother bird in it. and under the little bird were two little eggs. About a week ago I was over at a heap of wood, and I had two cats with me, and all of a sudden one of the cats ran up a tree; I ran over to see what it had. and on a branch was a weasel. I called for father, and he came over and shot it. We were glad we caught it. as it might have taken our chickens, as a weasel once before took them. I have a very sore finger, and I can't write very well as it is the finger I hold the pen with. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours trulv, FAIRY TITANIA (South Canterbury).

[I hope the finger will soon be better, Fairy Titania. Is it inflamed, or have you cut it? How sad about the birds’ nests being blown down! I am sure that we should not like that to happen to our homes. I suppose you left the mother bird aloue with her eggs. She would thank you, if you did. Weasels are destructive animals, as many a farmer knows.—DOT.]

Dear Dot. —I have been bridesmaid for my sister’s wedding, and I received from my ‘‘new” brother a gold bracelet. My cousin from Christchurch was the other bridesmaid. I saw the rough proofs yesterday, and friends remarked upon the pretty bride. I am very fond of reading, and once I become interested in a book my thoughts dwell upon the subject until I am finished. “ St. Elmo ” was one which I enjoyed reading. My aunt has just arrived home from a trip around the world, and she says it is so quiet and strange after the noisy cities she so recently visited. Kindest regards to all.—Yours truly. JUST ME (Invercargill).

[Y’ou have a free and interesting style of letter writing. Just Me. Try to remember it in all letters you write. Are you not proud to be the pretty bride’s sister? That gold bracelet will be a treasured gift. What wonderful tales your aunt can tell you.—DOT.]

Dear Dot. —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am in Standard IV at school, and I am 10 years of age. We have two cows and a calf. Would you please give me a name for the calf? We have a river near the school, and the boys are learning to swim. We have a tennis court at school, and I am learning to play. I learn music, and it is interesting.—Yours truly, RED APPLE (Orawia).

[Yes. yon may join us. Red Apple. Call the calf Amble. I wonder if you can swim? Y’ou will enjoy tennjs when you learn to serve properly. The scoring is really easy when one has learned it. too. Tell me which pieces you have had at music.—DOT.]

Dear Dot.-—May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am eight years old and in Class 11. I am very fond of school. We made an Indian tent at school last week. It is great fun. The older boys made a Maori pa. My sister writes to your page and has a large number of correspondents. I have three brothers and two sisters. Mother has a flower garden. Mother and father are away to-night, and my sister is minding my wee brother and me. My uncle (Snowies) is an Old Writer. I hope you will accept me as a Little Folk. Kind regards to the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours truly. A SHEEP JUDGE (Southland).

[Welcome to the Sheep Judge. If Dot ever owns some flocks she will call upon you for a judge of their excellence. How did you begin to make the Indian tent? Try not to have the last letter of a word in the next line in the page, and note that mother and father take “ are,” not *' is.”—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—l must tell you of the day I spent in Queenstown. YY’e boarded the train at .Murray Creek about 7.15 in the morning, feeling doubtful about the weather, but hoping the mist would lilt. YVe were fortunate in this respect, because when we reached Kingston all signs of fog had disappeared and the lake was very calm. Y\ hat a wonderful trip we had over the lake in the boat, the Earnslaw. I enjoyed every minute of it. The steep, rocky hills rose from the very shores of the lake and towered up into the blue, cloud-flecked sky. Some of them were snow-capped, which added to their beauty. At one place I noticed a waterfall. How very pretty it was as it tipped down from one rocky ledge to another, so natural in its beauty. We reached' Queenstown shortly after 11 o'clock and turned our steps towards the park, where we had lunch, alter which we went for a delightful walk through the gardens. I took a snap of the Scott Memorial. It is made of a rock that has been there for ages. It scorns to fit in with the surroundings very well, and makes a lovely snap. We visited various other beauty spots, but time was short, and it did not seem long until the boat gave a warning whistle and about 900 tired but happy excursionists trooped down to the wharf. Coming back there were music and dancing on deck, which helped to brighten things. Ihe train journey did not seem so long coming home, and we arrived back at dark, rather tired, but feeling it. was a day well spent, and I with my mind made up that sometime I am going back to Queenstown to spend more than one day. Best wishes to yourself and the Little Folk.—Y’ours truly. CLARICE ’ARRIS (Southland).

[A day in Queenstown is a day well spent, Clarice ’Arris. You will enjoy a stay there when you are lucky enough to go. Jazz music has the knack of brightening a weary party. That Scott Memorial is one of the most impressive of memorials. It is so simple and yet has such dignity.-—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have another correspondent. I am reading the book called " Bond or Free ” We have a number of dahlias out and they do look lovely in the early morning sunlight. My little sister Joyous Phil is playing the gramophone. I was at the Colac Bay picnic. I went with Pip 11, and we picked up Golden Floret, and we went in for a bathe, which we enjoyed immensely. I wish you good-bye till next time.--Yours trulv, SATIN SLIPPER (Mabel Bush).

[Early morning is the time when flowers look freshest. Satin Slipper. It is because the sun has not had time to dry the dew on the petals. It is growing too cold for bathing now, and the wind is icy.-—DOT.]

Dear Dot. —Bonny Rennie and also Lady Mary and A Young Football Player were paying a visit to us on Sunday. Eyes of Blue and I arc always great friends at our school this. year. Two of my correspondents have written to me. but the other ones have not. I am learning music this year, which is my first year at it. so I hope I succeed. We have had the mill, and have threshed about 20 acres of wheat, but have still some more to thresh. We have some very pretty flowers.—Yours truly. GOLI) SUNSET (Georgetown).

[YY e all succeed to a certain extent if we try hard enough, Gold Sunset. Music grows easier with every lesson. The more We pay attention, the more quickly we learn the necessary points. Did you enjoy seeing the mill at work? Think of the way the farmers had to thresh in the old days.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I am in Standard VI this year, and hope to pass my proficiency at the end of the year. We are going to have a tennis tournament when the weather clears up. Our schoolmaster took us for a good many bathes this season. We have a gramophone and some records at school. We sing to it every morning. I have another wee nephew, so I am aunt to six children. My sister is looking after us because our mother is minding my wee niece.—Yours trulv, QUEEN IRIS (Ilakataramea).

[Tell me about the baby, Queen Iris. Has she blue eyes or brown? I expect, however, you have not seen her yet to know. Did you reward your teacher and learn to swim? Which songs do you sing? There are some jolly songs for classes nowadays. You must take the first fine day for the tennis.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Here we are into March already. The year seems to be slipping past. I went lor my holidays during January’and had a good time. It was a little place called Mercury Bay, about 60 miles north of Thames. It is the same place Zane Grey always visits for his deep sea fishing. I spent the weekend in Palmerston North, and on Monday night left on the limited for my journey north. It was cold at Taumarunui and at Ohakune. and I found I could not sleep very much. We arrived at Frankton Junction at 7.30 in the morning. Here I had to change trains, and was just boarding the Rotorua express when a redcap informed me I was on the wrong train. Y’ou can guess how I scuttled along to the Thames train and just caught it in time. Another change at Paeroa. Finally I arrived in Thames about 11.30. There was time here for dinner and a tour round the town before leaving on the last stage of the journey, which was by car. For about 10 miles or more the road lay along the very edge of the sea, and really it was wonderful. Dozens of campers were passed en route, some of them to be recognised by such signs as “ The Better ’Ole,” “ My Blue Heaven.” “ The Gentlemen’s Retreat.” The road turned inland through the Calnith Range, and here was to be seen some wonderful scenery, all virgin bush, and at the highest point, 1425 ft. was to be had a marvellous view. Our destination was reached

about 5.30, and I for one was pleased to be able to stand again. YVe went for a dip every morning at 6 a.m., and spent the days climbing rocks and mountains, playing tennis, ami at night there were always dances or moonlight picnics. One night we went for a cruise in a motor lauiK h. The owner allowed me to steer it, but, alas! I’m airaid 1 am no captain. I had a lighthouse for a guide, but we always seemed to be either one side or the other—never in a straight line with it. Everyone told me he was glad there was plenty - of room. It seemed hard at first when 1 returned to work, but that holiday feeling has now worn ofi’ and I am eagerly looking forward to next year. Love and best wishes to yourself and the Little Folk.—Yours truly, HAEATA ( Dannevirke). I here is nothing more beautiful than New Zealand bush forests. Our bush is as famous as that of North America, but in a diflerent way. No doubt, people seeing it on the screen in other countries praise its magnificence.- -DOT.] Dear Dot.—YVe went to Oamaru on Sunday, and Red Hot Poker and I went to the Gardens. 1 do not think 1 saw such a large crowd of people in the Gardens before. YVe heard the band play, and it was very pleasing. The summer house is filled with the most beautiful flowers. YY e went up to my auntie's place for tea. My little cousin is a dear little trick. He is always, running about. 1 was not well at school to-dav. and the teacher sent me home. I am catching a cold as well, I think - . Red Flower may come over to-night for some fruit. IL d Hot Poker has a yellow and a gr’ey rabbit. J hey are not very tame yet. as she eaught them only on Saturday. I love animals, especially horses and cows. Do you like animals? I told another girl to write to you. but I do not know if she will. If she does every girl in the school will be a member of your page. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self .— Y’ours trulv. FALLING SN( )YVF LAK ES (Maercwhenua).

[ then the rabbits are really wild ones’. Lalling Snowflakes. Poor wee things! They will not like being caged. Tell Rod Hot Poker to be very kind indeed to them, for they will need special love if they are not to have their freedom. It will be fun if every girl in your school belongs to my band. YY ill you all wear your badges together?—DOT.)

Dear Dot. —So far I have kept up my good resolution, and will try to keep it up in the future. I read with interest the last four or five editions of the Little Folk letters, and noticed a letter from one of my old correspondents. I wonder will you write again. Dad's Daisy? I will be pleased to hear from you again. I was at a social the other night, and spent an enjoyable evening. There was not a very large gathering on account of the band contest. That would, no doubt, prove a better pastime than a social. I did not hear the bands, but would have liked to all the same. I have read some very interesting books lately. Some of their titles are “ Prodigal Parents.” byJoseph Hocking. ‘'Three Boys." " Thrilling Moments (a book consisting of a number of different stories). ‘'Grannie's Little Girl." and "Boys' Treasury." and am now commencing “That Printer of Udels." by Harold Bell Wright. YVe were in Dunedin yesterday, and saw the picture " Embarrassing Moments." with Reginald Denny. It was a really good picture. Leslie Y’. Harvey played some pretty pieces. There is a flower show here to-morrow, but I am not going. I shall close now with kindest regards to all and vour own dear self.—Yours truly, DUNIRA (Otago).

[The band contest was a great success. Dunira. ~ Thousands of people went to listen. Your books sound interesting. Do you like boys’ books and adventure stories better than books for girls? I have not seen the picture you mention, but. I know that the principal man in it is a good humorous actor. —DOT.] NOTES. Can anyone supply the address of The Helmsman (Old YVriter), please?—DOT'. Lavenderette. —You could send your poems ami stories to the Sun, Christchurch. That paper is interested in all young writers. —DOT. AUTOS. Haeata (Mona Thomson. 8 Ruahine street, Mangatua, Dannevirke) would be glad to correspond with any Little Folk 20 years of age or over. Thistle Fluff (Carrie Anderson. Herbert) would like to correspond with Dad's Daisy and Double E. Falling Peach (Laura Shaw, care of Mrs J. S. Shaw. Orepuki) would like to correspond with Carillon of Scarpa, Girlie, The Mav Princess, and any other boy or girl from 13 to 15 years of age. Cutieura Girl (Rose E. YY’ilson, Rural Box 28. Pukepito, Balclutha) wishes to correspond with Amelia, Dad’s Daisy, Eyali, and The Riding Kid From Powder Stream. She also wishes all her old correspondents to whom she wrote and received no answer to write again. Dunira (Alison Stevenson, Cemetery road. Mosgiel) wishes Dad’s Daisy to write again soon.

Charged with disorderly behaviour at a dance at YVhatawhata, Frank Kempthorne, a young man, was fined the maximum of £2O, in default three months’ imprisonment, in the Magistrate’s Court at Hamilton on YVednesday last. The prosecution was the sequel to a fracas at a dance on New Year's Eve. The police pointed out that they had been having a lot of trouble from this type of individual at dances in the country districts.

A number of Maoris on small sections at Manutuke adopted tomato growing this season as a means of supplementing their earnings, but most have been disappointed with the results (says the Poverty BayHerald). Although one of the largest growers appears to have achieved very fair success, most of those with sfnaller plantings have been able to gather very little of their crops as a result of the wet conditions that have prevailed recently.