Dot's Little Folk

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24416, 30 September 1940, Page 8

Dot's Little Folk

TO ALL Dear Little Folk,—The lirst week in Oetober has been set apart as Animal Welfare Week, and at this time we are asked to give special thought to the welfare of oui animal friends 1 am quite sure that vou arc all fond jf youi household pets, but this alone is not enough; you must devote a certain amount or time each day to looking aftei them and seeing that they are regularly supplied with suitable food Then animals like company, so be sure that your pets are not suffering from loneliness. Those that are free to run about—such as dogs and cats—as f rule do not lack companionship, but birds shut up in cages and rabbits in hutches are often left alone for long hours at a time, so make a point of visiting them as often as possible and talking to them. Then, of course, you must see that their quarters are kept clean, and that they have a plentiful supply of fresh water. The fact that pets belong to you makes you responsible to a very large extent for their health and well-being, and you will be well repaid for all the care and attention you give them Animals have feelings and can suffer lust like ourselves, and this applies to waifs and stravs just as much as it does to household pets, so never tease these poor creatures or, if you can prevent it leave them out in the cold to starve for they too, have claims on us. I would remind you once again that the essav competition closes next Monday, so 'do not forget to send in your entries before then.—Your loving DOT ESSAY COMPETITION The first week in October will be Animal Welfare Week and, in connection with this, the Otago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is arranging an essay competition to be conducted through the Little Folk's page This competition is to be divided into three sections—a senior, an intermediate, and a junior—in each of which there will be two prizes, and it is open to all young people under 17 years of age living in the society's districts, namely; Hampden to Clinton. Central Otago, and the Lakes districts The following are the particulars and rules:Senior Section (14 and under 17 years).- *' Influences Emanating from Kindness to Animals" (not exceeding 500 words) First prize, £2; second prize, £l. Intermediate Section (10 and undei 14 years).—" Benefits Derived from Kindness to Animals" (not exceeding 400 words) First prize, £1 ss; second prize. 15s. Junior Section (under 10 years).—" Kindness to Household Pets" (not exceeding 300 words) First prize 12s fid: second prize, 7s 6d Each essay is to be signed by a nom de plume only, and the age given. With each entry a sealed envelope with nom de plume only on the outside must be enclosed, the name and address of the competitor being placed inside the sealed envelope The entries close on October 7, and should be addressed to " Dot, c/o the Editor, Otago Daily Times, Dunedin," the envelopes being marked " Essay Competition " LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK Motto. We write for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. NEW MEMBERS Dot extends <* special welcome to the following Little Folk who have written to the page foi th* hrs» time this week:— Golden Eka, Fairy Phoebe, Flying Pirate Ace, Queen Airini, Little Fantail, Tinkerbell, Harry Farrar's Niece. Snowdrop. FIRST LETTERS Dear Dot,—Please may I join your happy band? . I am eight years of age, and am in Standard I. My sister is Silver ',■ Eka'.v.'As this is my first letter, I shall close now With love to all the Little Folk and to yourself. '"■-'[' GOLDF.r -,EKA (Kaka Point) ■ :■■ ■ ; v ,'* " * Dear Dot,—l would like to join your Little Folk band. I am 11 years of age, and am in Standard V at school. My mother used to write to Dot's page when she was small Her name was Mimosa 11. I am very .ond of horses, and have the use of a little piebald pony. I have a pony of my own. but he is old now, and is getting slow. With kind regards to all. FAIRY PHOEBE (Mosgiel). ¥ V * Dear Dot, —Just a few lines to you. 1 wish to join your band of Little Folk I am 12 years of age. I go to school, and' 1 am ih Standard IV. 1 have two brothers and one sistfr, I have a Dutch greyhound, and his name -is Cobber I am in. hospital now, and I can't write very wel) Wt live "out in the country, and it is not very good. My .brother Ben just went out of the hospital to-day. and I am missing him. I like being in the. hospital. Ther are four men in my ward. •: FLYING PIRATE ACE (Tarara) ■ if am sorry to hear that you are in hospital. Flying Pirate Ace, and, even although you like it, I hope you will not have to stay there much longer.— DOT.I * * * Dear Dot,—l like reading your page very much,-and would like to join your band of happy folk. I have just become 14 vears old, and I am in Standard VI. Well,' Dot, as there is not much news up Moeraki wav, I shall close. With lots of love to the Little Folk and your own dear self

QUEEN AIRINI (Mooraki)

Dear Dot,—May I join your band of Little Folk? I am in Standard IV at school. My age is 12. I liked "The Little Castaways " very much. Love from LITTLE FANTAII (Waitahuna) ¥ * -VDear Dot,—May i join your merry band? I am 10 years old, and have two brothers and one sister My youngest brother has not started school yet, but he will be going soon He said he was going to fight ill the boys and make them cry. My father has a sheep dog called Trv. and she has two little pups One of them is black and white, while the other is dark brown Try is all black, and we don't like her much, because she bites.' We have just moved here, and have not been to school yet because we have had bad colds.. TINKERBELL (Tarras). •Y- * * Dear Dot,—Pleas" may I join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 10 years old, and in Standard II at school. 1 have two brothers ind one sister Their names are. Trevor Johnny, and Mairie. Trevor and Johnny go to school. Johnny has just started We go in a bus. There are .11 children at our school. We- have a dog called Peter and a pup called Cobber, also a kitten called Tommy. Msii'ie nearly cut her wee toe off some time ago. but i 1 is nearly better now Wfe live just beside the Taieri Rivet and sometimes go out in a. boat for a row LP the river. We were going to go out to-day. but it rained w wo couldn't go Kind regards lo all HARRY TARRAR'S NIECE [ (Taieri Mouth) - ...,;:. * . ■'!■ ■■: * ' ' Dear Dot,—Please 'may 1 join your happy band of Little Folk? I am 10 years' old, and am in Standard IV. 1 like reading the letters of your Little Folk We have nearly 100 children at out school. It is situated in lovely grounds Not very far away from our house is a children's playground. With love to all the Little Folk and your, own' dear self - SNOWDROP (Dunedih) BEST LETTERS JUNIOR SECTION (under 14 years). Dear Dot,—First of all 1 must thank you very much for having me as a member of your happy band of Little Folk. This time I am going to tell you about the Busy Bees. Our leader is very kind to all of us. and I like her very much. There are 15 members, and they all attend fairly regularly. At present we are busy making different articles for our sale of work, which is to be held on October 5. I like being a member of the Busy Bees, and try to attend as often as possible. With heaps of love to your large and" nappy family, not forgetting your dear self. - BONNIE BLUE EYES (Clinton). ' P am glad vou like being a Busy Bee, Bonnie Blue Eyes, and I hope the sale of work will be a success.—DOT.]

Jury 16,1886, 0 by th.e OTAGO WITNESS

Dot invites letters of nul mure tliun IiOO words in length from her young friends throughout the Dominion on any matters In which llii'.v are Interested. New members must enclose llicii name'dud address. ltiese Will not be published, and are for registration purposes only Little Folk should wrile on one side of the paper only, and In ink. and should address their letters " Dor, care of Editor, Otago Daily Times." Every letter must state the age of Ihe writer for Dot's private Information The retiring age I? 21. after which Little Folk become Old Writers Dot's Utile Folk's Badge, with pin, for use as a brooch, is obtainable ou application to Dot. Price 2s 6d, in stamps or postal notes

Dear Dot,—l shall now tell you ol the experience -I had when I was helping grandad to canvass for votes for a friend who stood foi Hie Shire Council elections. My duty was to go with Granno and look up those whose names were in the voters' roll list. When we came to a house we would ask if his or her name was Black, Brown or Grant, and if he or she said " yes," Granno would explain his mission, and praise the candidate up to the skies Some of the answers he got were amusing, and some of the voters knew as much about the candidate as Granno did. and they told him so On the election day 1 carried the list of figures from the pollm?. booth to the house which the campaign committee were using to direct operations. As the afternoon wore on, and a lot of the voters who had promised to give our friend theii votes had not turned up, I went, with a man or woman in a taxi to the house and told the voter that a taxi was outside waiting, and then on to another house in some other part of the suburb It was' verv interesting work, and 1 enjoyed it Outfriend got elected by 28 votes He thanked me. and said that I was the best man he had, and if he had not succeeded in winning it would not have been mv fault Wishing yourself ind the Little Folk the best of luck HARRY FARRAR'S GIRI (Maidstone. Victoria).

[You evidently made yourself very useful at the election, Harry Farrar's Girl, and you would feel pleased that your candidate was successful and that he appreciated what vou did for him.—DOT I

Deat Dot,—During the holidays l spent a very exciting time at Paretai, which is situated about seven or eight miles from Balclutha. To Balclutha 1 went by train, and from there I travelled by bus. The district between Balclutha and Paretai is mostly farming lands. On the way in the bus we passed the Finegand Freezing Works, where sheep are killed and frozen. At Paretai there is a big cheese factory to which surrounding farmers bring theii milk. As there is no bridge across the Molyneux River here, all traffic wishing to cross must do so by the ferry. This is a wooden punt, which is worked by two long cable wires running from either side of the river. There are also two short cable wires on each side of the punt, these making the pulleys run. The current forcing against the rudder pulls the punt along. On one side of it there is an engine which drives along the punt when the current is not so swift. ■ Love to the Little Folk and vourself. BRAVE WARRIOR (Maia).

lit is much more interesting to cross a river by a punt than by an ordinary bridge, Brave Warrior. Do you not think so?—DOT.] * ¥ #

Dear Dot, —I have another little brother, whose name is Neville John, and Donald is my other brother. Donald has fair hair and brown eyes that always seem to be ready for mischief. Neville is a good wee boy at night. He has dark black hair and brown eyes. Neville is always bright' at the end of meal times. We have two teachers and 47 pupils at our school —24 in our room and 23 in the infant room. I am in Standard 11, and there are five in my class. In our playground we have a basketball and a tennis court. We also have swings and a lot of grass to play on. The games we play are eights, basketball, tennis, and hide and seek. We have planted elms and chestnut trees. We have gardening every Wednesday and Thursday. In both rooms in the school there are two fires—a stove and an open fire. The outside of the school is painted yellow and brown in places. There are two tanks—one for drinking and the other for washing—and also a tap for flower vases. Isn't it lovely to see. spring dressed In her coloured robes? It will hot be long till we are in light frocks T was glad when school started again. MAY FLOWER (Benhar) I You will be delighted with your new brother, May Flower. What a nice school you hayel—DOT.J BEST LETTERS .-.. SENIOR SECTION (14 and under 21 years) Dear Dot,—What a variety of hobbies there are that one can take up for recreation, varying as to age and tastes I There is no need for anyone to be discontented with life through not having anything to do. There is such a lot that can be done if we like to look for it, and a life that is occupied from morning to night is much happier than one that is self-centred and lazy or else merely pleasure seeking. These may satisfy for a while, but sooner or later the question has to be faced, "What have I done with my spare time and my life?" There is happiness to be found in giving pleasure to other people first of all, and men, women, and. qhildren can do that bv being "considerate in the small things as well as in the big things of life. For the children, and for all, there are sports, such as swimming, tennir, cricket, basketball, football, hockey, bowls, and games according to the age and taste. Stamp-collect-ing is interesting, but not many people realise the value of a used twopenny stamp and usually discard it A vear or so ago. £27 was collected for mission work by these stamps being sent overseas Silver paper is also collected for overseas. Drawing Is another hobby, various kinds /of -canework' and carpentry and letter-writing, in which could be included writing more frequently: to Dot before the time is too late and the age limit is reached. There is gardening, too, and knitting, tapestry work, fahcywork, sewing, and many other hobbies that one can find to do

" It isn't the things you do. dear, It's the things that you leave undone That give the bitterest heartache At the setting of the sun." Kindest regards. NEW ZEALAND ROSE (Otago).

I.To those of our readers who are feeling bored, or discontented, New Zealand Rose, your letter should act as a tonic DOT.I

Dear Dot,—One of my first thoughts when entering the hospital was, "Now I will see those earphones." Imagine my surprise when, as I looked around, not one person was wearing the earphones. As night came 1 soon heat'd the reason; one earphone was 4YA and the other 4ZB Then after a few days this was righted. My bed was in the centre of the ward, so I did not have earphones Dot, I'm sure if the sponsors knew how boring it is for the centre patients they would have found a way of hanging earphones from the roof. I was lucky, as each day I shifted on to a balcony, which looked over the street. Before, one at least heard the ward radio However, after three weeks I shifted to the side, and, I am afraid, rather forgot to pity the " centres," as nearly all the time I had the earphones on. 1 omitted to tell you of how I heard chuckles at night. and that was all, from side patients. How annoying they sounded ! The earphones are a wonderful innovation They sound differently to an ordinary wireless, there being more vibration. The patient, can himself switch to 4ZB 4YA. or off. Love from ■ LAUGH YOUR TROUBLES AWAV (Otago).

lit must be tantalising, Laugh Your Troubles Away, for the patients in the centre beds to be debarred from listening to' the wireless programmes, but it does not. seem clear how this can be remedied.— DOT.I

Dear Dot,—Below the salt of the festive board of " Moss Bank " Station were gathered men from all the corners of the earth —the Irishman and the Scotsman, the Englishman, American, and Chinaman Swede, Russian, and the Cockney, with the Native.a brother to them all. Hot and cool heads were mingled there, all with a tale worth telling of their past life Each had his own characteristics—the Scotchman always with a hand on his pocket, and yet with a soft heart under his mean exterior; the Irishman with his habit of. expressing .joy by pulling one down to the mud. Why, it was known that once in a. busy Dunedin street Pat O'Garo had all but broken his best friend's backbone by making, him bite the dust through hauling him down in his joy at seeing him after an absence of two years Then there were the American, long -and apparently lazy, with his low, monotonous drawl and an amount of strength behind his long limbs which one would . never suspect, and the Englishman with his blue eyes, which always appeared to be laughing. Pat O'Garo was probably; he only one who had seen those eyes, freeze up, with not the glimmer of a smile in their depths, on that unfortunate occasion when-lie had laid him full length on the street. /Pat.'has not done that to Harry Fenton since. Then came the Chinaman, with his black almond- eyes and inscrutable face, who found, it convenient to say " Me no savee" to- a

question which it was inconvenient to answer, but who was nevertheless an excellent cook. The Swede and the Russian had weight and brawn behind their big, bulky frames, which made them excel in heavy work about, the station, All were so different, yet so alike, for were they not all brothers in those longpast station days ? PORTHOS (South Otago).

II am afraid, Porlhos, that a gathering such as you describe would not be characterised by the same spirit of brothcrliness under present conditions.— DOT. I

Dear Dot,—ln this letter I am about to tell you of my uncle's send-off at Invercargill, My mother and I went down to it. and we had a lovely time All Friday night we danced and played a few games. We did not get to bed that night, but molhei got abovit an hour's test We held the send-oft at the home ot another oJ my uncles, and there were about 50 of us altogether When the time cam.' for us to go back I can tell you I did not like to leave There was another big send-off in the hall at Invercargill, so you will know how uncle Jack felt when he had to go on his way With love to the Little Folk and vour >wn dear self. PRIMROSE (Lovcll's flat) iYour uncle evidently had a splendid send-off, Primrose, and you would be very glad that you were able to take oari in it.—DOT.! # + * Dear Dot,—Here is another poem for the page • RIVER SECRETS. Who knows, but on these beaches Where willows cast their shade '\nd up the river's reaches The long grass, blade by blade. Che rushes green and slender. Might wondrous tales surrender Of Maoriland's old splendour Wlien history was made Che small night breezes blowing Round islands in the stream, Where golden broom is growing And silvered ripples gleam. Each evening seems to waken Old songs, old dreams, forsaken, That long, slow years have taken Into the past a-dream Spring's first full moon is gleaming On hill and dale and dell— Oh, would she cease from dreaming. What stories could she tell ! The ripples flash and quiver, The night winds sigh and shiver: The moon, the wind, the river— They keep their secrets well. Kindest regards to vourself and all the Little Folk. GREY-EYED BLONDE (Hakataramea) (Thank you, Grey-eyed Blonde, for this charming poem. I like it very much indeed. You have caught the right atmosphere, and the whole poem is full of what Tennyson calls " the tender grace of a day that is dead."—DOT.l # * * Dear Dot,—lt is a long time since 1 Jast wrote, but I know you will forgive me. I read your page every Monday, and in a recent issue I noticed my little niece had her first letter, and 1 know how delighted she would be Well, Dot, I have been to lots of places since I last wrote but will just give you some details of one In May I left home to go to work foi the first time. The town I went to was Owaka. It is a quiet little place down among the bush and hills. I liked it all right, but got very homesick at times I have now returned home, and have a job in my own town. They had a community sing here the other Friday night, which I did enjoy. We sang all the songs that are sung by the troops and so forth With love to all the Little Folk and you" own dear self and special love to Otago Rose. EX-NURSE GIRL (Kaitangata). 11 am glad to hear from you again, ExNurse Girl. You will be pleased to be home again.—DOT.l * * * Dear Dot, —Since I last wrote to you we have shifted from South Otago to Central Otago. The trip was quite a thrill to me, as we travelled 120 miles. I like Alexandra, and at present it is looking very picturesque, as all the fruit trees are draped in their colourful blossoms. 1 like the peach blossom best as it is a pretty pink. This morning when I awoke I saw all the fire pots burning. I suppose some Little Folk will wonder what fire pots are. They are little buckets, which, after being filled with oil, are placed at intervals in the orchards. When a frost starts the oil is set alight, thereby preventing the fruit buds from being frosted Orchard work is very interesting, and I was surprised at the amount of labour necessary to keep an orchard I wonder if there are any Little Folk who live on orchard farms and enjoy it as much as I do? With love to the Little Folk and your own dear self LONELY FLOWER (Alexandra). U am glad to hear, Lonely Flower, that you like your new home so much. I can imagine how very beautiful the orchards must be looking at present.—DOT.l * -Y- -YDear Dot,—Like many another Little Folk, 1 am a book-lover, and many a pleasant hour have I whiled away with these ever-present and always constant companions Dickens is one of my favourite authors, and many a good laugh have I had over the doings of Mr Pickwick and Co. Somehow Dickens has a knack of adding a very human touch to his characters, and when reading of them they often remind me of someone or other that I know, described just as 1 would myself have liked to portray them, but not having his great ability to sketch likenesses in a manner so picturesque and human I shall not try. I am also fond of poetry, and enjoy the works of Tennyson, Longfellow. Wordsworth, and many other poets. I cannot enjoy Burns's poems as I would like to, for, although of Scotch extraction. I seem not to have the right twist of the tongue to get around his Highland language nor the brain to unravel the meaning of each word. I also have never been, as yet, able to interest myself in Milton's works, as I find their meaning too well hidden for me to unearth. Of Tennyson's works " The Charge of the Light Brigade ' and " Crossing the Bar" are both, I think, splendid poems. The charge of the Light Brigade would in all probability have always stood out in history as a deed of unwavering devotion to duty, but it would never, I think, have been so well known had not this famous poet written of that awful slaughter in such stirring words. "The Queen of the May. by the same author, is very beautiful, and describes many of springtime's beauties, for like many other poets, Tennyson too seems to have fallen under the charm of this season and has added one more poem to a very numerous list, on that.most-written-of season of the year. With best wishes to yourself. Dot. and also all the Little Folk. ATHog (Sou)h Qtago , ! Those who love books, Athos, need never be lonely or bored, for in a moment thev can be transported to another world and can enjoy the companionship of great men and women of all ages.—Dor.i OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS bittle Folk wishing to correspond with residents overseas should write to Miss M A Vernon, c/o Dot. Otago Daily Times, Dunedin enclosing stamped, addressed envelope for reply, nnd staling age hobbies and requirements and aUo in which country correspondents are desired JUNIOR TIMES If the Junior Times was 6d a copy, would you buy a number, or even two/ Of course you would! Now what I want vou to do is to write to me, or ring 14-302 between 5.30 and 7 on any evening, or else at the foot of your next letter to the page draw a cross for every copy you desire. Please note that we are not promising such a reduction, but can only make it if the response is good enough. SOUTHERN CROSS 417 Cumberland street, Dunedin C.l. D.L.F. SOCIAL CLUB AND JUNIOR TIMES At a committee meeting held last Wednesday it was decided that each committee member would be responsible for 15 minutes entertainment at the next social which will be held on October 8 in the Trinity Methodist Church Hall Stuart street. An interesting competition, lor which a valuable prize has been donated, will be the principal feature ot the evening. This promises to be one of the most entertaining programmes that we have ever presented, so we trust that you will give us your full support The success of these meetings depends entirely on the co-operation we receive from you, and the best way for you to help us is by attending as regularly as possible at ail our functions. The September issues ol the Junior Times is selling rapidly, and there are only two or three copies loft, so those who have not vet received theirs should write to me without delay. The October number will soon be ready, and promises to be of the same high standard as previous issues. Some of the highlights are: Associate Editorial, Allegro; A Trip to Hastings. Kilmeiy of the Pool: ' The Perfect Crime," Rex Fowler; Poet's Corner; Excerpt/ from the Page; Hollywood Here; Clippings of Interest; Outdoor Page; and lots of articles and jokes. The price is Is, and copies may be had by writing to me. We would like as many as possible U, state whether or not they desir< a regular order, as it helps us to know how many copies to get printed. Ml profits are to be donated to the Red Cross Society, so by entertaining yourselves you are helping a great work. We would be pleased to have stories, articles, poems, etc., from Little Folk, and these should be sent to the Editor. Junior Times, 1 417 Cumberland street, Dunedin, N.l KTLMENY OF THE POOL, Sec. 2 Forth street, Dunedin. N.l.