LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 83

LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK.

Motto:— We wiite for the benefit of others, not for ourse'ves. fgrXo letter to contain more than 430 woids. Dear Dot,— We are having very fine weather down here. I received a letter from Briar Rose the other da}-. Can any D.L.F. go to the meetings in Invercargill? I heard that there was a D.L.F. paper: is there? My hirthday was on February 2, when I was 12 years old. Our school started on Mondarj 3rd February. — Yours truly, TELEPHONE BOY. [Yes, anj P..LJF. yg»j %q to the club mfirt-

ings in Inveicargill, and I am certain you will get ft very hearty welcome if you go to them. Theie is a. D.L.F. paper which Appears at intervals, but I cannot tell you when the next number is to come out. — ■ DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have been silent for a few months, so I thought I would write and make an attempt to describe a trip my sister and I had to Oamaru on New Year's Day. We started from home at half-past 7, and reached the -township at 8. The train left »t 25 past 8 and arrived in Oamaru *t about 11 o'clock. Up-to-Date and I went first t» the tea-rooms, and then down to- the wh*rf to watch the steamer come in. I am glad we were not among the disappointed crowd who weni— on to the wrong wharf. Up-to-Date and I made the acquaintance of a, L.P-. called Flower Girl, and s£e told us where the steamer was to come in. While on the wharf we met Gramophone, and were pleased 1 , as he is such a well-known L.F* We also met our West Coast comrade Paparoft, »ncl seeing her was a pleasant surprise. A great many L.F. were gathered near the wharf. 1! could pick out Giulia from amongst them. but she would not know me. I am sorry to say that we> had no tinie to go to th«i picnic. I was very much disappointed at) not seeing Harry. I had hoped especially to see him. After we left the wharf we passed} a few L.F., who smiled and said, "Hullo!"' We went to the sports ground until the balloon ascended, after which we left. Amongsti the most interesting events at the sports were the Highland dances, the bike races, and a sack race. I would like to exchange autos with Flower Girl. Paparoa, and Gramo phone if they will. I enjoyed myself very well on New Year's* Day. but I wouldn't' like to live in the town ; I like the country bast. For a. pastime I have been learning to walk on sti'ts; it ie great fun. The harvesting is in full swing just now. There »re some very good crops about here — muohi better than last year's. We have been busy making jam lately, but the fruit is almost done — I mean the gooseberries and currants'. The children "have had "their School concert, and are just now having their holidays; they are going to hold the picnic « week after school begins again. W» feel rather lonely at home, as Up-to-Date is away froro home — Yours truly, MUMBO. Dear Dot, — It is a good while since I lasi wiote to you. and I thought I would writa to-night. We are having; very windy wreathe* down here just now. My father in very busy getting his turnips thinned now. We had oui school picnic on the 20th December. «nd w« spent a very enjoyable day. On Christina* Day we went rm to the bush and gathered eooseberries. With kind regards to Flag' Lily. Star of Bethlehem Snowdrop, and Th« Last Rose of Summer, — Yours truly. PINK WOOL. De«r Dot, — You asked me to describe t hawk's egg" if you have not seen a hnwk'a egg you probably have not seen a nest, s» I vvill start at the beginning if you do nof mind. The nest which I found was between, two large tussocks and some- ruches. It was triangular in shape, and was made of dry toitois sticks, very coarse tussock «md coaT?e grass. The toi-tois sticks are laid down like a framework, and then the inside ie mad» of tussock and lined with grass. The hawk, lays from four to five eggs. Thej are very 1 small considering the size- of the bircf. They are of a diity white colour, and the inside skin round the white of the egg -is of a very pretty} pale blue. I do not know how lony the birds sits on the eggs, but when the young birds are hatched they are very furmv, objects. They have large bodies, a flat htad", short, thick le«e, and » laTge hooked beakDear Dot. I think this is all I can tell you about the hawk at present, but if 1 find out anvthitr* tipw about it I will let youl and the other D.L.F. Jcrrnw also. — Yours truly, CURTIS MKLVIN. [Th«nk rou for this excellent little account of a hawk's nest, eggs', and yeung, Curtis Melvin. I sunpoae the hawk always builds on the ground, doesn't it? It would be interesting to make a list of nll>the birds tb»6 do: do you think you could undertake that? -DOT.]" Dear Dot.— .This is my first letter to yon. and I hope you will accept me as one of your L.F. I am' 10 years o!d and in th« Second Standard. I have been U. Christchurch for mv holidays. Our school etarts on Tuesdaj. I am going to Bluff on Friday. We live near tbe-beach. and have grand time* in the water. Mv cousin is o L.F. ; bis nonr de plume is N.Z. Railway.— Yours trnlv. APPLEBY. [I sha'l accept you gladly as one of my Little Folk, Appleby. I suppose you have already had about two weeks of school by this time; are you glad to be back ?— DOT.JI Dear Dot —There have been a lot of bush fires round here lately. Our school ouetied again last Monday. We h«a three weeks' holiday. We are gom« to the oush to-morrow for firewood 1 , and we ' were in the bush last Sunday picking currants. I was «t the Waiau r«ce« on New Year's Day. With love to Buci Boy, Balmore, and Footballer ll— Yours truly, ST - IvES. Dear Dot,— l was staying with Mat and Pan<=y Blossom for a fortnight. The book* that I like reading best are "The Dog Crusoe," "The Young Fur Traders," ' and! "The Little Governess." 1 think we ere <*oing to cut the crop to-morrow. My birthday is on the 19th of February. Do you know what I imagine I see the postman, aoing? Well, I see him staggering up the stairs with a bag of letteTS. I milk one cove every night I know only a few L.F .—Mat. Pansy Blossom. Mat's Mate. Rosy Cheeks. Swamp Hen, «nd Kitty. There are 250 children going to our school.— Yours truly. LEX. Dear Dot. — There was a wedding up hers on the 15th January, and I was present. The bride and bridesmaids looked charming. _ I had a drive of five miles to the wedding. There was a dance at night, and I stayed! foi it, and enjoyed myself very much. The bride and bridegroom went away on theiv honeymoon to Dunedin and Chriatchurcb. Well Dot, the old merry-go-round has gone away at last to Cromwell, and I am not sorry. I was at the show on the 7th December, and! I went to the concert at night. There was a picnic on New Year's Day. and I attended it The (3-ay was fine, esnd they all «ni?y<» < J themselves. I attend the Arrow Distnc* ' High School. I got a, prize at school a.{ 1 Christmas time, and it was very nice. I »VX learning to ride a bike now. I practise on' my sister's every night. My sister lias befctt laid up with influenza. I intend going to the military sports this- year. I have all th« work to do now, as my sister is ill. Love to Sandstone. — Yours truly, . ; / ROSE OF MY HEART. ■ Dear Dot,— lbe weather here is as dry a*, ever it was, and -his awful wind is almost unbearable, but. of course, we have to take the good with the bad. I went^ with * picnic from Milton to where I live; it was a- very good one, and, having a fine d*y, things were made very enjoyable. Everyboqy^ going there bearded, the train on Milton at about

,80 minutes to 8, and we were soon sailing along; we had very few stoppages, so we ■arrived, there some time before 11 a.m. I •tr&s -taking stock of some of the crops near lithe railway, and I noticed some very short tones in the vicinity of Clarendon, so it must t» verj dry there. After Dunedin was passed il noticed that some of the crops were good, .(but very green. Work seems to be a bit •lack in business pkces -just now, out I .jdon't suppose it will be so for long. Well T)ot, I have actually seen one badge here. I don't think there can be any more. I would like, Dot, jto exchange autos with any of the D.L.F that, would send theirs to Apprentice, Clarko-vil'e P.O. — Yours truly. APPRENTICE.

Deai Dot, — "We are having very Hot weather out at the Taiexi just now. I went to St. Ciair for my holidays. I was there three weeks, and stayed in town one week, and mow I am staying at. home for the rest of B*y holidays. I had a lovely holiday. I went into the baths nearly every morning at St. Ciair, and had a look at the shops in town in the afternoons. I miss my bathe Slow. We have a peacock, and it makes a yery funny noise. I live on a farm in the ISa-ieri called Lee Creek. We have 15 little chickens. anO one little calf, two kittens, a Shetland pony, six cows, and a lot of horses and cattle. I em in the Fourth Standard at school. I will like to get back again. Nearly -all the apples were blown off the trees. — Yours truly

MOTHER'S HELPER,

Dear Dot, — I must try to give you a inscription of a p-leasant holiday I spent with my relations. I drove to JMilton and took the train to Burnside, four miles out of Dunedin. I went in on the MonQay before Christmas Day. I went into town On Christmas Ev«, but it was so packed you Qould- hardly walk; were you in town, Dot? I was over at my auntie's for Christmas Binner and tea, and spent a very pleasant liny listening to the graphophone. I went to St. Clair, and was wading; and then we went round to the Second Beach and stayed (till 7 o'clock. I went to the Gardens one beautiful summer day. and the flowers were just magnificent; the fernery was so lovely and feool. Thej are- busy building a place — the JWintei ' Gardens. Auntie took me to Green Island Beach, and Winter Eobin's sister and B hadn't been there five minutes before we ■were soaking wet. I think it is a? nice as St. Clair, because there are nor many people ; yre had a very enjoyable day there. My aaoin that I was staying vatb is sxich a

tease. He *s "Winter Robin's father. I don't think she can get much of a life when he is about. He is always giving you flights ; one nigh' he gave me a fright, and I scr-eamed. One day I went all through Harraway's flour mill, and it was all right. When I came out of the flourmill I was white with flour. It is Winter Robin's grandfather's flourmill, and it is four storeys high. I went from top to bottom. I do like being in the cars, and I went for c lot of rides in them. I was coming in to see you one day, only I was going to the train. I shall try and come to see you next time I am in Dunedin. I had a month's holiday, and had an enjoyable time. Hazel Tree's leg is getting on splendidly now ; she is walking on crutches. It has been broken nine weeks — Yours truly, FANTAIL. Dear Dot, — I am looking forward to going to liunedin, Dot ? I think it is a lovely city. I always enjoy myself at Dunedin. I must come- and see you the first time I am in town. The last time I was in I saw you having a- chat with different D.L.F. at the social. How is the debate, Dot? Do you always go to it? I enjoyed myself the night I was at the debate. I thought it was great fun. I always read the account of the D.L.F. debates. I never see a letter fiom Tomahawk, Dot, but I suppose he is too busy to writ© many letters. Gwen, I never see a letter from you. Did you get my letter. Gwen? I wrote before Christmas, and I am expecting a letter from you. I hope you will see this. We are having glorious weather just now. It is so lovely bathing. I have only 'bad two dips this year. I haven't had much time for jjathing, a.- we have been out in the buggy almost every day. Winter Robin and her sister have been stopping with us, and we three girls had a love.y time together. We went for a drive as far *s Glenledi one- day, so, as we were that far, we drove over to the wreck. It was a lovely day, and we enjoyed ourselves very much. There is only half of the wreck left now. After we got back to U-lenledi we went into Vaizaleen's place and had tea. I have been to another dance since I last wrote. I enjoyed myself very much. A week last Friday I was at a concert and dance, and this Friday I was at a social at Taieri Beach. I might go to Milton on Tuesday to get my photo, taken. — Yours truly, LADY AKATORE.

Dear Dot — When is Cinderella soi^g *° write again? <. am in the Third Stand*rd at school now. Our school begins on Monday. "What a lot of letters are in the Witness

now! I have three canaries, and one laid five eggs, but no birds came out. Our hay is cut and the paddock looks green again. We bave three cows, but two are dry. — Yours truly, CANARY. Dear Dot, — As it is now over a fortnight since I came home, I think it is about time I wrote to the page I have been going to write ever since I came home but put it off in the first place because at a meeting two o\ three nights after I returned it was decided to hold the annual milk suppliers' picnic on Wednesday, the 22nd ult. ; so I thought I would wait until it was over. However, at a meeting of tho committee a week later it was decided to postpone the picnic until Easter Saturday, as such a large number of the farmers intended to commence reaping during the week. We went to the beach for a drive the day the picnic- was to have been held. Two rnoie retiring letters have appeared since I returned, one of them fiom one of our best writers, Cornish. Most of those who were constant writers when I first started have retired, and in another four short years' time I, too, shall have reached the age limit. There is to be a sports meeting held on Wednesday ; I should like to go. but may not be able to. My sister says she is going to do nothing but play all next w-eek, as the school reopens after that. Although she says this she is anxious to know what the new teacher is like; I heard he was very strict. Dear Dot, I have not received those photos. I have been expecting to get them for over a week now; when I get them I shall send you one, as I promised. I see you have another correspondent writing from here, and I think he is very foolish to give his name away so soon. I have been thinking of changing my N.D.P. to a more sensible one, but aa I do not want to give my new N.D.P. away to my friends. I shall write under my old one for the present. I used to write under the name of Wild Duck, but as therewas another L.F. writing under that name. I changed mine to my present one. Six months ' ago the average attendance at our school was 1 218, but I do not know the number of names on the roll, whi 1 © for the corresponding quarI ter m 1906 the average attendance was 289, , with between 297 or 300 names on the roll. Perhaps now that the Hanipden School has been disrated as a D H. School the attendance may increase. Will Kippiehoe please correspond with me 9 It is very dull here to-day, and I hope it rains, as everything is all dried up, and the grass and some of the flowers are dying for want of water — Yours tru'y, A. W. D F. Dear Dot — As I have always taken an interest in the D.L F. Page of the Otago Witness, I have decided to become a member of your band, if you wil! allow me the privilege. My brother and I are busy cleaning turnips, and we shall finish about the end of next week. I have lately been working in a shearing shed with Ned De Vine. I suppose some of the L.F have never been in a shearing shed, so I will do my best to describe one. As a general rule, a shearing shed is something like the letter T, and is surrounded on three sides by yards. At the marrow end is a race, up which the sheep run into the shed, where theie are small pens called catching pens. Along the sides are small doors, called portholes, which open into pens, into which 'the sheep are put after being shorn. These pens open into a large yard, at the- end of which is a narrow race called the branding race, in which the sheep are branded. — Yours truly. i BILLY BURLOW. [What a busy life you must lead, in the rush of the shearing season, Billy! I am glad to make any such good worker as you a member of my band. — DOT.J Dear Dot. — Again I put in my appearance after an absence of seven months. The weather has been excessively hot ■for some months past. There have been bush fires blazing all round here ; and on Tuesday the sun shone through the smoke like a red ball of fire. Everything is all burnt up; the heat haa been so- intense. The harvest is going to be very early this year; some of the farmers are cutting their crops now. I was not able to go anywhere for my holidays this year. One of my aunts was taken very ill, and mv sister had to go and look after her; and I did not like to leave my mother to do all the work herself. I think I was just as happy at home. Wf go back to school tomorrow after a vacation of six weeks. I/know nine D.L.F —Yours truly, LADY JIM. Dear Dot, — It is very warm weather just now ; two or three days' .rain would do a lot of good to the turnips, oats, and other [ things, but it would spoil some of the grass I seed. It wil] be a very early harvest this season We had a montli for our Christmas and New Year holidays, -and they finish today, the 20th of January. We had very good weather for them, especially for Christmas and New Year. — Yours truly, FOOTBALLER 11. Dear Dot. — Another year has passed away carrying with it many joys and sorrows. It was beautiful weather for the holidays, and people were able to em'oy themselves thoroughly. Christmas and New Year were very quiet up here. I was at the races on New Year's Day, and I enjoyed myself at them The school picnics are just coming on, and I hope to get to some of them if all goes well. Isn't -it very dry weather now? We will soon be scorched out. The bush fires are burning all round and causing a great smoke. It must be terrible in Australia. I hope it will soon rain and put the fires out. You are a long time in answering my letter, A Telescope. Have you forgotten to posi it again? I shall have to keep reminding you of it until I get it. Did you receive my post-card, Lady Leash 9 There was a great erdwd of Old Writers this time. I see by last week's Witness that another well-known writer has sent in his retiring letter. I was too far from any of the D.LF. picnics to get to them, though I would have liked to go to one. — Yours truly, MARJORY. Dear Dot — Again we put in our apnearance after an absence of many weeks. We were "cry pleased to see our first letter in the Witness and it has encouraged us to write again. We are having lovely weather up liere, and it is simply glorious to go into the bush or to the beach to wade. We went for a picnic last Thursday up Pahia Hill, and had a pood time looking for brambles and othei berries. We also found some beautiful ferns. When we got to the top of the hill we discovered thai we had forgotten the water to boil our billy, so Tui and I had to go for some, which was a very disagreeable task, as the water was right at the bottom of ;he hill. Tui can manage' to walk a little without her crutches, but uses them still when going a long distance. We both ' collect post-cards, and have a good many. Tui has her album full, and mine is just . about full. We will close now. with kindest j regards to all the D.L.F.— Yours truly, j XTJI AND TOY. ' Dear Dot, — I think lam going to the High ] School this year, and I am eagerly looking forward to it. Perhaps after spending a few months there 1 will be eagerly looking forward to the hc'idays. I have a bicycle, Dot, and my mother doesn't think I keep it very.

clean, although I can't see that it looks very dirty ; perhaps that is because I am for ever riding it. Do you like "reading. Dot ? I am always to be found with a book in my hand. We are having vers changeable weather up here just now; one day it's fine and the next will be wet. Rachel has been staying with me for about a fortnight ; but she has gone home now. She and I went to the Presbyterian Sunday School picnic last Wednesday. There were not many people at it, end the games were few and far between, but I spent a very enjoyable afternoon. Did you ever try to make a hammock out of a sack. Dot ' My cousin explained to me how to do it, so I went home with high hopes of having a cheap hammock. Well, I took c sack and opened it, got a hammer and four staples, and nailed it to an apple tree ; then without testing it first to see if it was secure I jumped into it. I got rather a surprise when I found myself lying on the ground — not in the hammock, as I expected. Well, I nailed it up again, and one day I was lying in it reading when a little calf which is kept in the paddock came and started bumping me with its head. I was too surprised at first to move, but when I recovered from the shock I scrambled up and chased it round the paddock to pay it out for its rudeness. Two writers to the page — I Beg Your Pardon and Audrie Maude— both come from Wyndham, if I am not mistaken. I think I remember I Beg Your Pardon. Our school picnic is going to be on about the 15th February at Wyndham. My mother and my sister, Crimson Star, have been to Dunedin ; my sister was not ■well, 90 she went to Dunedjn for a holiday. I received two autos from Waikaia. last night, one from Vita Vincta and the other from her sister, Lady Constance. I sent away some autos to D.L P., but have not had a reply yet. My mother, Rachel, and myself went gathering ferns on Thursday, Dot. When we got into th-e bush I found out that I had a sore toe, so I had to ait on a log until enough ferns were gathered. I think I arrived home about first, regardless of my sore foot The holidays are nearly at an end now, and I am glad, because I like going to school best. I hope I Beg Your Pardon and Audrie Maude will not fail to notice my wish to exchange post-cards with them. — Yours truly,

ENGLISH MYETLE. Dear Dot. — Once more I take my pen to write a letter to your page. I have not had much time for writing lately, as we have been kept very busy making hay and thinning turnips ; but we have finished all this now for this year. D-ear Dot, I hope you enjoyed Christmas and New Year as well as w« did down here. Although it was raining the afternoon of Christmas Day, we had some good fun. Our schoo 1 concert is over now, and we are looking forward to the picnic which is going to be held soon. — Yours truly, BEDELIA. Dear Dot — It is over 13 months since I wrote my last letter to your page. Time after time I was going to write, but, somehow or other, the letter was never written. The only thing you can put it down to is laziness, but in the future I will try and mend my ways and write a little oftener. The New Year holidays are all over. I did not go away anywhere, having had my holiday before, when my sister and I went round the go'dfields. It would take up too much of your space to tell you what a good time we had, and what we saw, but I will just tell you a little about it. We went * via Oueenstown, stopping at Gore and Lumpden, then across the Crown R-ange to Lake Wanaka, and on to Clyde, and back by way of the Otago Central. Queenstown is a pretty place to spend « holiday, but I should not like to- live there. I shan't forget the drive we had to Skippers; I thought we would not get back alive. Going from Queenstown to Lake Wanaka we were driving from 8 in the morning till 5 at night. My sister and I walked up the Crown Range just to be- able to say we did it. It w»s a warm day. so we were pleased wh-en we got to the top. Going: from Wanaka to Cromwell we were driving from 9 in the morning -mi 6 at night. It is a gTand way to see the country, and as we had never been in. that part before, you may &B sure we enioyed ourselves. The train iourney down was also new as we had never been past Middlemarch before. We arrived in Dunedin quite pleased with ourselves and our holidays, then came home the next clay. The harvest is in full swing in this district now; it is earlier this year on account of the dry weather. There have been such a number "of holidaymakers out here this summer. It seems to be a favourite rZ-ace for campers. During the New Year holidajs everywhere you went there were tents pitched The beach is the attraction : it is» three miles long, and lovely for bathing. — Youra truly, C. A.

Dear Dot, — Since last I wrote to you spring has come and gone and summer is on the ■want. I hope you spent a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Malta Vita and tny- • self went to the sports on Boxing Day and also on New Year's Day. We only saw one D.L.F., whose N D.P. was Brisk. (How did you enjoy the picnic. Brisk?) The weather up here is very windy, and is also very hot 'and dry The turnip crops are all going backwards instead of coming forward. The oat and wheat crops about here, I am pleased to say, are looking wonderfully well, considering the dry weather we are having. One I day last week M. 1., her sister, and two } brothers, my two brothers, and myself all went gooseberry-picking, and I can assure you, Dot. we did have a glorious time. There is a 'bush about five miles from our place, and in it, growing wild, are red currents, red and white raspberries, and gooseberries galore I do love to go for a ramble in the bush. I think M. I. and myself gathered more ferns than we lid gooseberries. A3 I am writing this letter, my little cousin keeps asking me to whom am I writing, and when I say I am writing to Dot he wants to know who Dot is, and why can't he write to Dot j too. . Before this reaches you I shall be in Dunedin. May I come- and see you, Dot? I think I will close now, with love to Veronica, Brisk, the editor, and yourself. — Yours truly, MANZA NITA. [Yes. certainly you may come to see me; any D L.F. are welcome. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I am just a little boy five yeare old. I would like to join your band of LF. I have a cousin and an auntie writing to your page. My cousin, Mianza Nita, is holding my hand and helping me to write this letter. This is the first letter I have ever written, so I think I will close, «3 my hand is tired holding the pen. With lots of love, — Yours truly, ROYAL. VICTOR. [So you did write, after all. Royal Victor! Your cousin told me- in her letter how you wanted to know all about Dot, and said you wished to write too. I am, very glad to get your little letter, and hope you will wiitc to me again some- day. — DOT.] Dear Dot,— This is my first letter to you, and I hope you will let ma become a member of your large and prosperous band. I am staying at Popotunoa with my twc nousins, Sunflower II and Pomah-aka. They have a little pony, and I have some nice rides on it. X know al) the D.LJF. m this district, and

there are some lively ones. Pomahaka an I were at the river yesterday watching the settlers digging coal. We rode the- pony down, and when we were coming back we fell off. Neither of us was hurt, .and we went galloping on again as quick as ever. Well, Dot, I think this letter is long enough for a beginner. With love to all the D.L.F., — Youra truly, LIVELY BILL. [Have you always been "lively," Bill? Or is it just since you 'have -been staying with the lively D.L.F. at Popotunoa that you have m-erited the name? I am glad to admit yo 1 to our company. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I thought I would write you » fe v hnesi before the school takes up again, as during school time I am always busy at night learning my lessons. We have ha> dry weather, and our tanK is empty. My ccusin is staying with me just- now. Wo have been wading in the river these two days. The oats are getting ripe, and some of the f aimers are busy with the grass. The rest ar,* coal-digging. The garden looks verypretty with all its bright and pretty flowers. The. D.L.F. are becoming numerous about here. I enjoy reading the letters very much. With love to all the Popotunoa D.L.F., Yours truly, POMAHAKA. Dear Dot,— l hope you will excuse me fo, not writing sooner. We are having lovel" • weather jußt now, and I go in for a bath© ' nearly every day. The ladies got over £iOT from the bazaar, but I dan-H think they have ' got enough to build: the new manse. I got a doll and a little- Christmas-tree in the dip, and mother bought 4wo pretty pinafore for me-. — Youra truly, TIT-BIT. I Dear Dot, — he school holidays are nearly of an end, and I am truly sorry. But I will feel all right when I get back to the school again. Then I suppose I shall be -wishing there were no more holidays for a long time. This is a queer letter, isn't it? — Your. truly, TUTNEY. [I am so glad Tit-Bit and Tutney have come back to me. I began to wonder if they had forgotten all about the D.L.P. Page and Dot. But bazaars and holidays are quite upsetting, aren't they? ami make you forge all the usual things.— DOT.J Dear Dot,— l Hod bsen intending to writ, to you for some- time, but put it off until I forgot all about it. The weather here, Dot, is most trying, and lastly there) seems to be smoke in the atmosphere and all up-country. I read in the paper that some people say it is the bush fires in Australia, but I would think it would be more likely to be the bush fires in New Zealand. The fruit here is coming in very quick, and the waggons and horsee are travelling all day. andi often at night, conveying the fruit to the station at Edievale. Don't you think we should have a station,. Dot? I do. Our school holidays are almost ended. I like school, but I dsread having to go in the heat, although I have only a mile to go. I am in the Sixth Standard. I shall have to bring my letter to a close as the clock io telling the time for retiring. — Yours truly. JUBILEE ROSE. Dear Dot, — It seems a long time since I wrote to the page. I really seem to have forgotten it, Uut the fact is I do not seem to have anything to write about; but must try and write this letter to show I have not deserted it altogether. It is very hot here to-day; rain is badly wanted, but 'it does not look like rain yet. Bush fires are raging about six mites away from here. They commenced about two weeks ago, and seem to be burning strongly yet. I am sure those about the fire will have a very anxious time of it. The people from the mill up there have got the furniture out in the paddocks under a tent. It must be very trying to the people with children; one might just as well call them homeless, as they sleep -in the tents or wherever they can get. As far as I know, just one house haa yet been burned. But the people who owned it were not at home at the 'time, therefore it devolved or the 1 people about to do their best to saw tho furniture, etc. In the short space of 10 minutes they bad everything out except the bed and oilcloth, and in quarter of an. hour the house was in ashes. The people must have battled away very courageously to clear the house in that time; don't you think so, Dot? Of course, there are some of the men up all night — at least, they take shifts, some working one part of the night, arid beini, followed by another party to take their place. Well, dear Dot, I will not say any more about this, but will leave it to abler pens than mine. New Zealand Fern, try your pen at a description of the fire. I received your letter and auto, last night, To-ngala, and will answer it as soon aa time affords the opportunity of doing so. What a lot of L.F. I have made acquaintance with this Christmas! I attended the club meeting in Invercargill when there on my holiday, and although having been there before, did not get to know many D.L.F., but I was fortunate enough to procure autos from the majority of those present. I consider that a person who knows some L.F., or has even just met them, takes far more interest in the page. Fot instance, before my connection with the club I never used to look at the club reports, but of late I always turn first to them. I consider also that attending the club meetings is the) inerans of drawing one's attention to the reports, and" even of getting one to contribute papers for the benefit of the club. Then one has the pleasure of Eeeingextiacts from one's paper among the reports, and that awakens one's interest in the page affairs. At least, it has been so in my case. Well, Dot, as I said before. I have nothing worth writing about, so T think I shall close; hut before dbing so I should like to mention that I want Happy Wag to send me his auto. — Yours truly, SWEETHEART. Dear Dot, — This is my first letter to" you, an 3 I hope you will let me become one o£ your band. I "am 15 years old, and I hay« left school. My birthdaj was on Tuesday. I do not know many D.L.F. about here. There is- only one with a badge, named Crafter. Brown Bess has been awny tor » holiday up to Eiver3dale, and she is- not back yet. I have not been away for a holiday yet, but I am going up to St. Kilda soon to see some friends of mine, and I hope to come and see you if I may. There was a picnio held here yesterday, but I did not go. I stayed at home with my sister, who is ill in bed; but all the rest went. They had a lovely day for it. The picnic was held in Mr Campbell's bush, a- most lovely place for a picnic. There is going to be a school excursion here on the 18th February, the day of the flower show. The excursion is for the Orepuki, Riverton, and South Invercargill Schools. I suppose there will be a number of people from Invercargill, because there aTe over 700 going to that school. With love to Brown Bess and R. E. W.,— Yours truly, A. D. L. F. II hope you will enjoy your holiday very much when you get it, dear. As you have left school, you can get away at any tima without your work being interfered with. I have entered your name in my book as a D.L.F— DOT.] Dear Dot, — We missed Lola when she was away at the Interclub Debate, but the children were very good. I often go to the club, and I like it very much. X wish I were cleve*

enough to write papers. I think Lola must have been very clever to write stories when she was only a little gir; 10 years old She has a lot of them parted in a scrap-book, *nd I am going to read them some day when I get time. Dear Dot, I wish j-ou could have seen Lola writing her paper for the debate ; she had so little time to write her paper and get ready to g . She had a big ironing to do, 'so while she waited for the irons to beat, she wrote some of her paper. It looked co funny to see her ironing as fast as she could while the irons were hot, and then writing as fast as she could when the irons were cool. I suppose. she was thinking what to put in the paper while she was ironing, es she had not a word to say to us all day I don't know how she got all her *oik done and her paper written too. and got away as sue did. A few months ago I did not knowany D.L.F., but I know a lot now, and they ere all so nice and friendly. I am so glad that I wrote to the page. 'With love to all U.L..F. and yourself, — Yours truly,

TRIX. [Lola certainly deserved the win her sid* ebtamed, when she had to work as hard as that to get her paper written. We might «.lmosfu--Bay that it was written "at white heat," mightn't we, Trix'— DOT.] Dear Dot. — Christmas and New Year are over now. We spent a very quiet Christmas. but the New Year was not so bad. I shall try to tell you how I spent New Year's Day About 11 o'clock our neighbour brought his waggon along, and after a great hurry we started for the beach, which we reached after driving four or five miles. We soon got our ietOe boiled and made some tea. when we discovered the sugaj^had b 2 en forgotten That soon' remedied by Alvera appearing on the scene; she gave us pome of theirs. When lunch was over most of the young folk went fading, while a number of men got out the ■boat and tried fishing with a net. but had no success. .The afternoon yon went past, so we again boiled the kettle end had tea Then we all got seated in the wasgon, and started for borne, where n-e arrived between 5 and 6. well pleased with our day's emoyment, and also very tired. Since 'a"st wiiting to you I have made the aeauaintance of Another Primrose ard Lord Roberts. They were staying with their brother, who is a near neighbour of ours. We had a good time while the> were here. I will ston now, with love to Rofv Cheeks. Another Primrose, lona, and Lord Roberts,— Your« truly. SWAMP HEN. Dear Dot, — I wish to express the great satisfaction I enioyed when I was advi=ed of •the triumph of the Invercargill Cub in th~ recent debate. I am confident that it will mark an epoch in the history of the clubs and will be beneficial to the members interested. I was very much disaDpointed when I found, practioallv at the last minute, that I should not be able to go ; neverthe'ess, q good substitute was fcund reedy in "Lola. If we had a few more like Lola in our -lub we ■would ba fortunate indeed. She has very little time to scare, yet she manages to evince a great interest in the club, and her attendance is an example to «oma of the younger member?. In niv last letter I suggested a scheme by which we could interest the country D.L.F. Well, I am pleased to -be in a position to state that it is now an accc-mplish2d fact as far ns the Invercarpill C!ul> is concerned. Any D.L.F. living in Southland outside of Invercargill can become an honorary member by paynTg 6d a year. Conue on. now. country members: 'et thp sixpences roll in. Send your N.D.-P. and address to the secretary. I expect to see Tisbury, Riverton and tbe Buff well represented. I met several old D.L.F. members at tl>e Summer School which was lipM here. My ■photo appeared in last week's Witness nmoi-g the group of officials. You will notice I have my badge on. Well. Dot when are you joii-g to pay our club a visit?" I envy the" Dunpdin club in thnf. resp-ect. I thorows;hly bs'ieve that great things are going to <ake nlace this year in the club under the guidance of •Shas+a ; the member? are awakening to the possibilities of our cub I did not meet as many wearers of the badges as I anticipated, at our last <=how. We ore indebted to Mr Fenwick for his thoughtful donation of some more volumes to further increase our collection. That the book? were in demand as coon as they were banded ever it is not necessary for m« to add. With the best of wishes to all D.L.F. and kind regards to yourself, — YourE tmly SMOKING FLAX TAny arrangements you might wish me to help you with in connection with the enrolling of new country members would be better suggested through your secretary. Smoking Flax, if you wish it to be an official arrangement. I had not noticed the alteration of the motto in the secretary's report till you drew my attention to it; the change must have been made in the printing room, and I shall send word asking that it stand in future as it is sent in. — DOT.] Dear Dot, — I have been down to the beach two or three times, and enjoyed oiy c elf very much. I ws down at the wharf to Witness the arrival of the Tarawera from Dunedin on New Year's Day, but I did not chance to onset any D.L.F. The weather has been fine, but "some days have bean i far too hot to do anything. I did not go away anywhere for my holidays this year. The school has now taken up again. I am in the Foui ai Standard, but I do not find it so hard a% at first.— Yours truly, PRINCESS ENA. AUTOS AND POST CARDS. Telephone Boy, Hedgehope. would like to exchange post-cards with any D.L.F. willing. A Wild Duck's Feather, care The Manager. T. and P. Creamery. Palmerston, Otago. would like to exchange autos with any Ruapuke and Ahaura D.L.F.. and with Giavel. English Myrtle, York House, Orepuki. wishes to exchange aiitoa with any D.L.F. in Waikaia, Wendonside, or Riverton. Sweetheart (A. Collings. P. 0.. Otau'.axi) wo\ild like to exchange post-caids and auto°. with Casino, Willow Brook Texas Jack. Ai eta, Lady Esler, Emerald, Cornish. Happy Wag, or any D.L.F. willing. (Coloured cards preferred. Prompt reuliec.) Swamp Hen (Catherine Park, F!fsr Swamp) wishes to exchange post-caids with Alvera Tona, A Wild Duck's Feather, aad Lord Koberts. Sweet Angeline (Jessie Murray. Biydoi'e) would .like to exchange nost-cards with •English Myrtle. Bramble. Thistle Sheubprd's Maiden, Maidie M., and ary other D L.F. willing. East Lynne (Jli=s E. Al3weiler. Belgrave House. Tyne street, Invercargill) would like to exchange autos cr post-cards with Darky. Mother's Help. Wandering Boy, Ivy Leaf. and any other « that are v.il'iEgr Young Cycli=t. care Sirs W. Anders-on, Centre Hill Stption Lunisde-i wishes fo exchange post-cards with any D.L.F. willirg. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS Dahky. — Roby has sent me a post-c->rd V r i' you, which I am unable to forward, as T oj do not know your addiess. If you should tl see this, will you send me f line, letting li me know how to direct it. ti Robt,— l fonrtrdeA post-card ta

it Augelesea, but am sorry not to be able n to do the same with Darky's, as I do not c know her address. I have asked for it :, above, and when I have received it I will n at once send on the card, c Tongala. — You can get autograph albums at, ; all prices; I have purchased several for r different D.L.F. at about Ss^ and I think g if you wrote to Mr Joseph Braithwaite. o Princes street, enclosing 3s in stamps, and d 3d stamps for postage, he would send you c one that you would like. Say what colour n you piefer. s Tenehiffe. — I received safely the additional ■I three stamps for your badge, and quite !• understand how the mistake was made. a D.L.F. BADGES. v Badges sent to Madame Ceriolo, Silvery y Wave, Belgrave, Winifred 11, Poke Bonnet.