LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Otago Witness, Issue 4032, 23 June 1931, Page 69

LETTERS FROM LITTLE FOLK.

Motto.—We write for the benefit of others, hot for ourselves. A LITTLE FOLK FROM SCOTLAND. Dear Dot, —I am 12| years of age, and would be ever so glad to join your happy band, as it seems so interesting. How would you like to live in my far-off country? It is surrounded by the lovely blue sea and the lovely green hills, the highest of which is Ben Screel. I am sure you have heard of the Cullins, or Red Hills. Well, if you climb the hill up to the Fishing Loch, about two miles' from our house, you get a splendid view of them. On Sabbath I go to Knox Church, and pass another loch where ghosts are supposed to be seen. I also pass the ruins of the Green Castle, the ancient seat of the Macdonalds, of Sleat. I am at present preparing for a bursary ■ examination, and I am kept exceedingly busy, but it will be over when this reaches you. Although I would receive a hundred correspondents, I would write to them all. It is after 11 o’clock, so off I go to bed. Good night and best love to yourself and your Little Folk.—Yours truly, HAPPY MAIRI (Scotland). [And I am “ever so glad” to welcome you to my band. Happy. Mairi. I like happy people, and delight in having them about me. I hope you will write often. As I have not been in your country I do not know if I should like living there. But I should certainly like'to visit it and see your high hills and your blue sea. So there are ghosts in Scotland? I have heard so before, and wondered if anybody had ever seen them.,. I have inserted an aiito, which should bring you a good number’of correspondents.—DOT]

“A HOME IN THE BUSH.” Dear Dot, —I think I should ask you, “Please may I join your happy band?” again, for I think it is nearly three years ago since 1 last wrote, and I suppose the page has forgotten me by this time, too. About three months ago our house was burnt down, and dad and Gentleman Jim and Mum’s Chick were out, mum being the only one at home. She saved only two pictures, one of herself when she was 12 and our family group, and now we have to start from the first again. Baby Blossom had her box burnt, and she and I are working hard to remake it. You know, one does miss the bush when one has to come out to the open country There was one walk I always admired (but I think* all the tracks in the bush were beautiful), but this one was exceedingly so. Imagine that we are starting off for the house, or to where the house once stood. You walked along a flat, say, about 100yds into some logs, and there you turned sharp to the left and followed a track down into a gully (going through logs all the time), and just as you thought you were over the gully the land seemed to go straight down and straight up again. You could go down all right, but going up the other side was less easy. Then you went over the top of a ridge, and as you were at the top you looked down on to a’ pond where wild ducks seemed always to be swimming, and where the reflections on the water were indescribable. It was like looking into a mirror of the bush. As you stood on the bank of the pond, and if you listened, away in the distance you cculd hear the creek that fed the little pond coming babbling along over rough stones and sticks and round beautiful trees. - But there you looked longingly at the bush in front of you, and said: “We must not linger too long here, for we have to walk a long way before we finish seeing the sights of the bush.” Then crossing the creek of this pond, you went up a steep hill, and looking up you saw birches, pines, and many other tai] trees, while down below them the logs were lying (I always thought) so as to show off the tall slenderness of the trees above them. After climbing up and up, until you thought that you were climbing to the height of the world, you came to a level piece of ground where three or four could stand without sliding backwards down again, and. if you turned round then you saw a picture you would never forget. On your fight were the logs; on the left the bush; in front was the pond you thought you would not see again after climbing so far up. but yes, there it was. and the ducks that were flying round

I while you were standing on the banks of I the pond were swimming peacefully again, 1 Then you lifted your eyes, and through 1 the bush you could see our once lovely home as the breeze parted the leaves. Stiff further away in the distance you could see the sea. and perhaps a steamer on its way to Bluff. Then, turning your back on this beautiful picture, you went along a winding path, through heavy bush this time, and perhaps in. two or three places you might have to crawl to get past, for the bush was so overgrown on this track. Then, there in front of you, as if Nature had opened the bush for you to look, was a herd of cows grazing peacefully among more logs, with the bush behind, grown close together as if to form a shelter spot for the lucky cattle and to fence themin. Listening, you would hear the ring of an axe—perhaps that of our neighbour —felling bush, or perhaps dad splitting stakes. And this is what people call wild life of the bush. Well, I must close, with love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, DAD’S OLD LADY (Southland).

[Thank you for leading me so gently through such a very charming piece of bush, Dad’s Old Lady. Every step of the way was a delight, and I saw everything you wished me-to see—even the smallest reflection in your pond. My dear, you must have loved your home and its approach very dearly to be able to describe it with such clarity and sympathy. I am so sorry about your loss, and hope your efforts will be rewarded quickly, so that you are soon back in another beautiful home again with another collection of possessions around you. Yours is th? best letter in the page this week. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Although it is nearly a year since I last wrote to you, I have followed the letters of the page from week to week with much interest. During the last term holidays I went to Central Otago, where I stayed with Singing Prisoner’s Sweetheart and One of the Dauntless Three. Even though the tennis season was over we played a good many games, which helped to pass away the time. While I was there I went over a windmill factory and down a coal mine with One of the Dauntless Three. The coal mine was just a .small one. which went down about 300 feet.' We had to walk down a kind of tunnel called a “ drive,’’ down the centre of which were two rails for the trucks of coal to travel up and down on. It sloped gradually down, and was rather slippery near the top, owing to the thawed frost, so we walked at the sides, for our clothes would

have been a bit the worse for it if we had sat down in the wet coal dust. On the King’s Birthday I played hockey at Logan Park, but although we were not fortunate enough to win the silver hockey stick brooches, we enjoyed the seven games we played, and the fine day made it even more enjoyable. How did- you like the enow? I thought it was lovely first thing in the morning, but as the traffic passed over it, it became slushy and very slippery. Everything looked clean under the white cloak and would have made a beautifulpicture to paint. The' other day we played a basket ball match. We won the match, and it was a good game, the weather not being too hot or too cold. Already we are past the .shortest day, and it seems only a few weeks ago since Christmas. I suppose it will not be long till next Christmas. As one grows older the years seem to take wings and fiy, and if you are slow time will not wait, but ticks on from minutes to hours and then days. I have written to L’Oiseau de France, but I have not received an answer yet. Although I have not been a regular writer during the three years and a-half I have been a member, I hope to be more regular in future. As news is scarce, I shall close with love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. — Yours truly. CHARLEYS AUNT (Dunedin).

[lt is possible to play tennis on a hard court nearly all the year round, Charley’s Aunt, eo I can imagine how much you enjoyed your holiday games. Your visit to the coal mine must have been interesting. Did you see much that was new to you in the windmill factory? I liked seeing the snow and wished I had had time to go out and play in it. L’Oiseau de France will write to you soon, I think. I am glad to hear that you are going to write regularly.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It is some time since 1 have written a letter to your page. The weather this year is very dry, hence the grass is all dried up. I suppose you were at the Dunedin Winter Show. One of my mates at school was down there with

a calf, and he won a third prize. We are beginning to play football at school now. but we have not a very good team this year. We have 60 acres of wheat in now, and we are going to plough for oats. My father is carting off the swedes and turnips. I set 14 traps the other day, and I caught eight rabbits. The rabbits are not very thick about here just now. We are milking only six cows now, but we shall be milking over 30- next year. I sent two pigeons down to Dunedin a, few weeks ago for a man to let go, and they arrived safely home. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.— Yours truly, OLD SHYLOCK (North Otago). [Your schoolmate would feel very proud of his third-prize calf, Old Shylock. It must have been very well looked after. Your team will become better with practice. Have you somebody to coach you in football? I believe there are veryfew rabbits anywhere in New Zealand now. How pleased you would be to see your two pigeons coming home to you.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Once again I take iip my pen to write to your interesting page. Although I have neglected your page, I always look forward to seeing the Little Folk’s letters every Wednesday, when the Otago Witness arrives. High school has commenced again after a vacation of three weeks. When we arrived back at school carpenters were busily working at the gymnasium, and we had to have drill outside. It is now finished and is very comfortable. The farmers around this district are wishing it would rain, as the paddocks are burnt up. and there is little food for the sheep. The spinsters and bachelors of this district held their annual ball about three weeks ago. I did not go. The winter show was also held about two months ago. I was lucky, as I gained six prizes, three firsts, one second, and two thirds. I notice you have another member from New South Wales writing to your page. She writes a very interesting letter. Dunedin would be very busy during the Winter Show. I was not among the lucky ones who went to it. The _ storekeeper is going away from this district soon, and she will be missed very much. It is very cold these mornings when one arises about 6.30 to see the ground blanketed with frost. It grows very dark early these nights. As news is scarce, I will close with love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, HIGHFIELD LASS (Georgetown).

[The noise of the carpenters’ tools would be forgotten as soon as you saw how pleasant the gymnasium was, Highfield Lass. Have you much apparatus in it? Congratulations on doing so weir

at the show. I hope your prizes were good ones. Yes, Dunedin was busy during Winter Show Week. -1 suppose you will give your storekeeper a public farewell.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —My retiring letter has been due for some time, as I was 21 last April. Since last writing I have been in the air. There really is not anything very thrilling about an aeroplane ride. I think that I would rather go along at a good speed in a motor car. The second time in the air I must say was really exciting, as it was all stunting. At first I was scared when we went head over heels, but after the first time oyer I enjoyed it. I think I had about all the stunting the pilot could do. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially when 1 did not have to pay for it. I was supposed to have a stunting plane for my first ride, but someone put me with the wrong pilot. I am leaving this place shortly for a position in Christchurch. It will be a big change from country life. I was up there about a month ago for a holiday, but I had a bad cold, so I did not enjoy it very much. 1 am letting my white rabbit go, as 1 do not want to take it away with me. Sausage Roll thinks he would look after it, but it is Very hard to feed rabbits in winter. At the present time it is looking after itself, running round the garden. I have been to some good talkies lately, including “ Loose Ends ” and “ Not so Quiet on the Western Front.”"' I went to a good one called “ Common Clay.” It was a sad picture. In Christchurch I went to see “ Charley's Aunt,’ which was very amusing. “ Whoopee ’’ and “ The Cohen’s and Kelly’s In Africa ” also were very good. They are the funniest pictures I had ever seen. I wish you and the page good luck. Love to all the Little Folk.—j r ours truly, GILD SHEBA (Timaru). [I am sorry to have to bid you goodbye, Wild Sheba—or at least, good-bye till Old Writers’ Week. But you will enjoy being 21 and not want to be a child again, so I must not bemoan voui going. You made my hair stand on end by telling me of your stunts in the aeroplane. What a very- fearless person you must be! Was the pilot not proud of you? I hope you like being in Christchurch and make plenty, of new friends. Are you wise to let your white rabbit loose? Surely some cat will kill it. I feel that you should make arrangements to have it looked after, for it is not used to living like a wild rabbit, and cannot look after itself properly.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I came first in Standard V this term with 40 marks more than the next pupil. I was 11 years of age on March 7. I go to the manual training school for one hour and a-half every Thursday. We made raisin scones one ihursday. I did not go away anywhere for my holidays. We are milking 17 cows now, as we put two out and sold four. We are milking by hand now. We have four pet rabbits,- three Angoras and one Chinchilla. We have shorn the three Angoras, but one will soon need shearing again. We call them Billie, Molly, Betty, and June. I will close now with love to all the Little Folk and yourself. —Yours truly, WEE DOROTHY (Southland).

[Congratulations on coming first, Wee Dorothy. You did splendidly. I should have liked to taste your raisin scones. Mere you allowed to take them home with you? Your rabbit family sounds a very happy one and is, I am sure, well looked after. I like their names and hope they are all good friends. Did your father shear the. Angoras?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It is a long time since I last wrote so I thought I would write tonight. We have been having very cold weather with plenty of rain and sleet. We stopped using the milking machines some weeks ago, and are milking 17 cows by hand. The dairy factory is receiving the milk only on alternate days now-, and I suppose will be closing altogether by the end of June. I have commenced learning music since I last wrote, and I like it very much. I was given a steel guitar for my birthday, which was on June 16. I am doing a cushion in wool, and have some handkerchiefs also for fancywork at present. I shall close now with love to all and your own dear self. —Yours truly, ZELDA (Southland).

[Yes, winter is here, Zelda. We cannot expect warm fine weather these davs. It must be very tiring milking 17 cows by hand unless you have plenty of people helping. I am glad to hear that you have begun to learn music. Do not neglect your practice, and some day you will play very well indeed. I should like to see your fancywork.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —We have started school again after our term holidays. All the pupils have had whooping cough, and the school was closed for a fortnight, so we have had a long holiday. I like going to school. There has been a fall of snow, but I did not manage to make a snow man. There is a lot of ice on the roads, and it’s very slippery for the pony. I often have a ride on him, and I enjoy it very much. He is growing very fat and cunning. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours truly, IVANHOE II (Arrowtown).

[I hope the whooping cough is all gone now, Ivanhoe 11. It is a nasty, painful complaint, and very cruel to children. Did you have it? Be sure not to make youi pony run when the roads are slippery, or he may fall and hurt his knees. What cunning things does he do?—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —How do you like this cold weather,? W had six inches of snow, but it is nearly all away now. It is cold going to school in the mornings, but I do not mind, as I ride my pony. Some days I walk as the road is very slippery on tup of the snow, and my ponv does not like slipping about. Since last writing I spent a very pleasant holiday in Dunedin. I went down with friends in their car, and came back in a service car. It is a very interesting trip, and the country is very beautiful —especially going through the Manuka Gorge. I did not go about very much, as I had cut my leg, and was lame, but I went to the talkies—to the beach, and to the museum. I could spend a long

time at the museum, as there are so many things to see. I intend to go there again when I go to Dunedin. Have you ever had whooping cough? I have had it for eight weeks, but it is nearly better now. I whoop only on wet days. We are back to school again after the term holidays. I spent a few days with my aunt during the term holidays. My twelfta birthday was on June 2, and 1 received some good presents. Sometimes I go out shooting rabbits. The other day I shot five. That is the most I have shot in one day. I still have Paddy, and he always comes with me, and brings the rabbits to me. As soon as I fire a shot he runs and brings the rabbit to me. Sometimes he is disappointed, as I do not always hit the rabbit. I enjoy reading the Little Folk’s page very much, and also the adventures of Peter, Patty, and Mr Pip. I will close now with love to you an.! High Mountain Laddie. Ivanhoe 11. King Pip. and Someone’s Sweetheart.—Yours, truly, THE RED ROVER (Arrowtown).

[I like it very well, thank you, Red Rover, but then I am one of the people, who like every kind of weather whether cold or warm. I am glad to hear that you walk when the roads are slippery, for it shows that you are thoughtful for your pony. Is your leg better now? It was a pity that it was sore during the holidays. When I was a baby I had vdiooning cough. Do you go shooting by yourself? That is very clever of you.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —As I have nothing much to do- at present, I decided to write to you. You will have to excuse the writing if it is not straight, because there does not seem to be any lines on the pages. The weather is not very good here Just now, and we had a slight fall of snow the other day. There was more snow here in Horse Shoe Bay than there was in Halfmoon Bay. It must be because' we are nearer the mountain. I went to a fancy dress ball the other night, and I enjoyed myself very ■much. The costumes that took the prizes were, "A Spanish Lady,” “Help the Unemployed,” “ Buy a Spanish Onion,’’ “ Bopeep,” and “Ragman.” I have six correspondents through the page, and they all write very interesting letters. Well, as news is scarce, I will close, with love

to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, FLOWER CHILD (Stewart Island).

[That was a good decision to make, Flower Child. I like to think that you write to me rather than spend an idle hour.. Your lines were very straight considering that you wrote on unlined paper. You did not tell me what dress you wore at the ball. I am glad that your correspondents write regularly to you.—DOT.]

* * * ~ Pe . ar D°L I have just finished reading the letters of the Little Folk, and I thought it was time I wrote again Did you go to the show? I went with my sister and brother, and we enjoyed ourselves very much. I was very much interested in the butter, and thought it was very beautiful. I would like to watch it being made into lovely shapes My sister was more interested in the baking, as she likes it better. But my brother was all the time looking at the calves, as he won the prize. Yes, we have started basket ball at school. I like it very much, although we have not been able to practise lately on account of the rain and snow we have had. Did not the trees look very beautiful on the morning of the snow? I was disappointed when we came out of school to find that the snow had melted, as I was looking forward to some fun. We had a half-holiday in the afternoon, as there were so many pupils absent. Our hens are just beginning to lay well again, and we found it a problem to bake without their eggs. Well, as I have no more news, I will close, with kind regards to the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, TOODLES (Otago). [I think you judged the time for this letter nicely, Toodlcs. I was just beginning to wonder when I was to hear from you again. I thought the show very interesting. No wonder you and your sister and brother enjoyed yourselves there eo much. Congratulate your brother for me on winning the prize. The trees certainly looked very beautiful against the snow. They made lacy patterns, did they not?—DOT.] *

Dear Dot, —I have just finished reading your Little Folk’s letters. I saw many

new names in this week. Did you see the photographs, of the glasshouse in the Oamaru I üblic Gardens in the Ota<>o Witness. I was m the glasshouse the other day, and the scene was beautiful. The other night I went to the pictures in Oamaru. The name of the picture was Africa Speaks. While I was away for I ayS my u llt , t!e T black . kitten died. When I came back I received another httte grey one, but when we went out one day someone took it, so now I have nn w i l1 I , close “w, with love to truly 16 e Po k and yourself.—Yours

ENGLISH ROSE FLOWER (North Otago). Lies. I saw the photograph of the glasshouse, English Rose Flower, and imagined how colourful the sight would be, and how sweet the scent for those who could see the house itself. I am sorry to hear about your kittens, and hope you will soon be given another one. You must ba very lonely without them.—DOT.]

Dear Dot.—May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I have one sister and one brother, and I am the eldest. I am nine years old and in Standard II at school. I did not start school until I was nearly six, as I have a long way to go, I have a bicycle now which I like riding to school, but I do not think it will be of much use to me during the winter, as part of the road is not metalled, and so gets into a very bad state in wet weather, Aly tather ana I sometimes go to the pictures in Balclutha if there is a good picture showing. The last one we went to was Africa Speaks,” and I enjoyed it very much. Our teacher told us all to see it if we possibly could. The children up to Standard II went home early the other day, as the teacher took the higher standards to see the dog trials at Warepa. Then they had to write an essay about it. All the schools between Clinton and Balclutha were invited to attend. A number of your Little Folk go to the same school as I do. I live quite near to a ? d , who are my aunties, I think I have written enough for my first letter, so I shall close, with love to yourself and all the Little Folk. —Yours truly, CUTHBERT TIM (Waitepeka).

[I am pleased to welcome you, Cuthbert Tim, and hope you will write many letters to the page. I know how you would enjoy “ Africa Speaks.” It was a splendid picture, and one that was an education to see. Did you not like the baby lions in it? Did you go to the dog trials, or were you too young? You are lucky to have two Little Folk for your aunties. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It is a long time since I wrote to you. Wild Sheba is going away, so she is helping me for the last time. 1 still go to dancing, and I like it very much. Barb Wire does not go now, as she does not care for it. I was ten years old last” month, and I received two books, a manicure set, and 2s 6d for my birthday. We still ride our ponies to school, and the other day Barb Wire and Sausage Holl fell off Sugar. My little sister Yvonne double-banks on my pony now. We have a new baby sister, and she is four months old. We call her Erena. Do you like this photograph? Wild Sheba took it one morning before we went to school. Sausage Roll and myself are in the back, and Barb Wire and Yvonne in the front. The weather is growing very cold now. I hope you and the Little Folk are all well.—Yours truly, RUMPELSTILTS (Canterbury). [lt was good of Wild Sheba to help you, Rumpelstilts. Big sisters ry?e dears, are they not? You were a fortunate person to have so many splendid birthday presents, and I suppose you wish that you could have a birthday every week. I hope the children did not hurt themselves when they fell from their ponies. Tell Erena I love her name. Yes, I like the photograph so 'well that I have had it put in the page.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —May I join your happy band of Little Folk? I have been reading the Otago Witness for a long time, and I would like to join. I am 12 years of age and in Standard V. My birthday is on August 18. I go to Gorge Road Schoo!, which is three miles from our place. It is a fairly big school. We are milking 14 cows, and I help to milk at night. I was given a little kitten the other day, and would like you please to give me a name for it. We are playing basket ball at school, and the boys are playing football. My grandmother lives with us, and she is 85. I had a fountain pen given to me, and it is a good one. I will close now with

love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self. —Yours truly, GOLDEN DEWDROP (Southland).

[You Inay certainly join, Golden Dewdrop. You have chosen a very bright and sparkling name. Do you walk or ride to school? A three-mile walk a day would keep you in good condition. If you wrote this letter with’your fountain pen the pen is certainly a good one, for the letter was very clearly written. Call your little kitten Pom Pom.—DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Here I am again. It seems ages since I last wrote to the page, but we have been shifting. Since last writing we have moved from William street to Matilda street, to a far bigger house, and it suits us much better. We are having lovely weather up here with very hard frosts, but we have lovely hot sunny days. My w;ord, I do hug the blankets these cold mornings. Rising at 6.30 a.m. is not too much fun, and it is so dark, too. I went to the pictures one night to see Norma Shearer in “ Let Us Be Gay,” and it was delightful . I think she is a charming actress. “ The Dawn Patrol ” will be a good picture when it comes here. Since last writing my father died after being in the hospital for.nearly three years. So we could not wish him back after all he has suffered, could we? I have a very bad cold just now, and have been feeling pretty miserable lately. There was a band concert on in the Theatre Royal the other night for the Unemployment Relief Fund, so I hope they had a good attendance, as it was for a good cause. There are so many girls and boys being put off at different places. Things are pretty bad here. I have been doing a good deal of fancywork lately, and am working a cushion just now. When I’ finish that I am going to work a tray-cloth, so I shall be well set up for these cold nights. I have a good many new records for my gramophone now, including three humorous ones —“ Our Lizzie Goes Shopping ” coupled with “Our Lizzie Loses Her Handbag,” and “Our Lizzie Buys a Gramophone ” and “ Our Lizzie Listens In,” also “ Mrs Higgins at the Night Club.” They are funny, and we do have some fun listening to them. I was up at Fraser Park to -watch the football, and it was exciting. I love football, and go to every match I can. There are many dances on here just now, but one really needs a fortune to go to them all. I like the country dances best, as one can have more fun at them than at the town ones.

I went round to the Scottish Hall to th-.-fancy dress dance, and it was good, although I went in after the pictures. Caroline Bay is pretty dreary just now, and is very bare. It is the same with Uie Park. Well, I must close, as it is time for bed. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.—Yours truly, QUEEN CHARLOTTE (Timaru).

[lt is always an exciting and busy time when one is moving into a new house, Queen Charlotte. I am glad you like yours, and that it is bigger and better than the previous one. It is sad that your father could not see it, but, as you say, he is better to be at rdst than suffering. You have the right attitude towards his death.—DOT.]

Dear Dot,—We have been having very cold and rough weather. One week-end the ground was covered with snow’. I have been away to my auntie’s for a holiday, and had a good time. Two girl friends and I have been taking dressmaking lessons in Invercargill, but wa have stopped now. One Wednesday night I was at a “ five hundred ” card evening at Aparima, and had a good time. Later I was at a card evening at Scott’s Gap, and enjoyed myself. Mother and I have been tidying the garden, but the soil is now too w r et to work. I gave a wee cousin my white rabbit, and I do miss her. I have gained my dairymaid’s, cook’s, and child nurse’s badges for Girl Guides, and hope to gain my needlewoman’s and sicK nurse’s badges this month. Then I am going for my first class next month. We had tracking at Guides recently, and we had fun trying to find the right tracks. I have beefi reading a number of books, the names of a few of them being “Torn. Sails,” “A Welsh Singer,” “Deep Down,’ “ The Man of the Forest,” and “ Sandy’s Selection.” I have three Little Folk correspondents. and they write interesting letters. A few weeks ago Dew Glass and I went to see the picture, “ The Flying Fleet,” and we both thought it was very good. There are no pictures shown in Otautau now. as there is a gallery being built in the hall. It is mail time, so I will close with kindest regards to thi Little Folk and your own dear self. Yours truly, SHELDA (Otautau). [Can you make frocks for yourself yet, Shelda? If so your dressmaking lessons have been anything but in vain. There is little to do in the garden these days,

though soon there will be plenty of work. I know how you will miss your rabbit. Is your cousin old enough to look after her properly? Congratulations on having gained so many badges. I hope you will pass your first class test. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —I have just finished reading Funny Face’s letter in the Otago Witness about his visit to Curio Bay and Waikawa, and thought it extremely interesting, as it reminded me of an experience a small party of us had almost a year ago. We started out one clear, sunny morning with the intentions of going to Curio Bay, but landed up at Waikawa or thereabouts. We left home at 7.30 a.m. (as Curio Bay happens to be many miles distant from our home), and after passing through beautiful scenery and by miniature waterfalls, we came to a little lake, which looked just like a picture with a background of a few hills and lovely green bush and fern trees reflected in it. It was there we had to end Our journey by car, as we could see in the distance a car which seemed to be in difficulties. Descending from the car we made our way as best we could- along a very unpleasant, muddy road to see-what mishap had befallen the car ahead of us. Arriving there we found the unfortunate car bogged up to the axles in mud, so my brother and cousin, after a lengthy period, helped the unlucky vehicle out of the bog. After partaking of a meal, we made our way over countless hills and gullies and around numerous bends in the track until we came to a beautiful little bay, which was situated somewhere near Curio Bay. After wandering around for a while searching for our much-looked-forward-to Curio Bay, and not being successful in finding it, we decided to rest, and dip our weary feet in the lovely clear water of the bay before starting on that unforgettable journey back. ' We arrived at the car after tramping over, I am sure, eight miles or more of rough ,-road, about 3.30 p.m. Although we were very much disappointed at not, reaching our right destination, still, we enjoyed the scenery and sea (with the exception of that awful tramp through the bush) very much- The whole household is playing euchre here, and as I do not play, I am not interested in the game. I was at a gift evening one Tuesday night, and enjoyed it immensely. The bride received many gifts of different descriptions. We had a small fall of snow a fortnight ago? but it lasted only a few hours, as it barely covered the ground. I think it a very pretty sight to see a big fall of snow for miles and miles around. Is it not a beautiful sight, especially when it is smooth and white before being marred by the human foot? It is prettier, I think, in the country than in the town, as one has a better chance of seeing miles further away. I did enjoy reading “ The Forest Ranger.” and was thrilled when our hero murdered Raoul de Terry. De Terry deserved to be put to death, as he had killed many other innocent ones. What a dear little poem was in a recent Otago Witness about the “ Song of the Train ”! I like reading poetry very much, and shall cut it out and put it in my sister’s scrap book, as she saves verses of poetry. Well, mother is filling the hot -water bottle for me, and it is too tempting to resist on cold nights like these, so I shall say “ Good night ” to you and all the Little Folk.—Yours truly, NIGELLA (Southland).

[lf you liked reading Funny Face’s •.letter, Nigella, Funny Face will like reading yours, for it is very interesting . and diverting. The bogged motorist must have been glad when you arrived. I -wish I I had had a “ Curio Bay ” adventure! I Yes, it is a beautiful sight to see snow, especially in the country. I am glad you ' enjoyed “ The Forest Ranger ” so well. -Most of the poems in the Little Folk’s page are worth cutting out and keeping.*’ —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —It is very cold riding to school these mornings. My oldest brother is in bed just now with a cold. Our football is burst, so we cannot play football. Our master is sending away for a new one. We have not played any matches yet. but hope to play one soon. My little baby brother can crawl about the floors, and my mother has to watch him.—Yours truly, THE LITTLE GREY MOUSE (North Otago). [I am sure it must be cold riding to school, Little Grey Mouse. Do you wear warm thick gloves and a muffler? They would help to keep you warm. I hope your brother is better now, and that your football is mended. I suppose you' help mother to look after baby, now that he is able to crawl.—DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥

Dear Dot,- —Here I am again, turning up to pen a few lines to the page. I do not feel very much like writing letters somehow, but I have just noticed a very grave mistake with the insertion of my auto, so I am writing to ask' you to have it altered. ' I know you will be only too pleased to do so. We are having bad weather here just now, with plenty of rain and heavy fogs. Everything looks so miserable. One does not like leaving tnc fires these days, but like everything else, one must take the bad with the good.

Things are very quiet over this way. I think the -present depression has a good deal to do with it. Are there not a large number of people unemployed ? • One is very lucky to have a position these hard times. Well, I have no more news just now, so I. shall close once more, and promise to write a more interesting letter next time. Love to all the Little Folk and your dear self. —-Yours truly. TRUE BLUE (Nelson).

[I am sorry that your auto was inserted wrongly, True Blue, and have made the alteration this -week. I hope the mistake has not interfered with your receiving letters. You are correct when you say that people are lucky to have positions nowadays. To work, now, is a privilege,* as I am sure you realise. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Please do not think I have forgotten you, but I havd been always going to write as a neighbour of ours gives me the Little Folk’s pages. I love the short stories about the animals, also Peter, Patty, and Mr Pip. Teddy and Golly, too, have great adventures, have they not? We had some snow here about a fortnight ago, but it did not stay long on the flats, except in shady places. There was only about an inch, but, as it had been

raining before, it was rather soft for snowballs. Did you have any snow in Dunedin? My garden looks rather bare now, as all the flowers have finished blooming, and everything looks dead. I had a number of flowers in it in the summer—sweet peas, clarkia, asters, goldenrod, larkspur, and several others. We have two tiny grey kittens now. Their names are Dick and Pixie. They are so funny sometimes.— Pixie loves to sit on my shoulder, but Dick likes to get as close to the fire as he can. I also have a pet goat, Billy, who tries to get in the garden. When it was apple season, Billy used lo break through the orchard fence, and go and knock the apples from the trees, and then eat pieces out of them. I think that was a splendid letter that Nectar wrote about framing pictures with “passe partout.” I will close now with love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.— Yours truly,

DELCO’S SISTER (Lake Wakatipu). [I did not think you had forgotten me, Delco’s Sister. Y'ou have been busy, that is all. I quite understand. We had a little snow in Dunedin, and ma«je the most of it while it was here. But it lay for only a day, so we could not do much. Your garden must have looked very pretty in the summer with all its brightly-col-oured flowers. Yes, Nectar’s was an excellent letter. I am glad you liked it.— DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Our hens have started to lay again, but they do not lay many eggs, as they are too old. I went to Palmerston North for the term holidays, and had a lovely time. I had a kite given to me, and it broke with the wind. My brother-in-law has made me another one, as big as myself, but there is no wind to fly it. We had a sharp frost one morning, and it was very cold. My granny is not well, and has gone to bed. Toki Lad is playing cards. Love to all the Little Folk and your own dear self.- —-Yours truly, BRER RABBIT (Mangatainoka). [Could you not obtain some new hens, Brer Rabbits? You would receive more eggs from younger birds. I was interested to read about your kite, and hope that a big wind will soon come and'lift it well into the air without breaking the string. Is granny better now? I hope so. —DOT.]

Dear Dot, —Do not think I have been neglecting the page lately, for that is not so. I look forward to the Otago Witness every week. I have been very busy this last week or so housekeeping, as mother and father have been up to Dunedin. They are home again now, and I am extremely pleased, for I do not like housekeeping. There is a euchre party and dance held in the hall fortnightly, and we always look forward to it, as it is a great pastime. We have a basket ball team now, and I love playing, as it is very exciting. I also love playing hockey. We used to play at school, and we had some really jolly games. There are not many eggs about lately, and -one misses them when it comes to baking. One cannot make much without eggs. How do you like Saturday half-holiday? I do not like it at all. as it does not give the country people much of a chance to shop, for it is usually country people’s day in town on Saturday. It was six months ago on th etwentieth this month since I had my teeth out, and I shall be getting my false teeth next month. I am looking forward to getting them in. You will have to excuse my writing, as they are playing ball with a 121 b melon, and I can tell you I am running a big risk of being hie on the head. It is terrible to be without flowers. I love flowers. All we havenow are chrysanthemums and a few wallflowers. I do not know what has become of all my correspondents, but I very seldom hear from them. ' Mother brought some good snaps of Dunedin back with her, and it is a very interesting place by the look of the snaps. We have had some delightful music over the wireless lately, i and one is kept un all hours of the nignt I listening to it. Well, I cannot think of I any more news just now, so I shall close. I —Yours truly, j SATIN SLIPPERS (Southland).

[Housekeeping takes so much time, that I do not wonder that you have been too busy to write, Satin Slippers. No wonder you were pleased when your parents returned home. I am glad that you lise outdoor games, as they are very good for you. We have always had a Saturday half-holidav in Dunedin, so are not affected by the change in Invercargill. I hope the melon did not hit you.—DOT.] # * *

Dear Dot, —Once again I take up my pen to write you a few lines. Winter is here again, and it is real winter too, witn that snow we had recently. You had a fair coating of snow in Dunedin, I be- . lieve, as mum and dad were there for the show, and were telling us about it. Mum took several snaps of Dunedin, and some of them are developed, but there are three spools to develop yet, and we are expecting to see some good views out of those. We had a great time keeping house when mum and dad were away. Satin Slipper and I experimented in cooking. Although it is a bit wasteful, it is great to try dirferent things to cook. Of course they, are not always a success, and often the liens had a mixture to peck at. Mother says there are a number of flowers out in Dunedin. There are very few here, as the frost just about killed everything, but mother brought some beautiful ones home with her. And what lovely gifts we ail received —silken things, and, oh. lots of different things! We have a basket bad team in. our district now, and four out of our. family have joined. It is a great game, and we do so enjoy it. .We have not played any other team yet, as we are hardly good enough, but next season we hope to do so. I wish hockey would start, as we do so like hockey. Do you play? I will close with kindest regards to you and all the Little Folk. —Yours truly, JOYOUS JUNE (Southland).

[I hope the snaps were a success, Joyous June, for Dunedin is really a beautiful city, and I should like you to realise so from photographs of it. I can imagine the fun you had with your baking expetiments. Did the fowls object to your mixtures? I should not think so. I do not play hockey, although when I was at primary school I played for a year. —DOT.]

Dear .Dot, —I was very much pleased to see my first letter in print, so I am penning a few more lines to the page. The weather has been very cold and foggy

here lately. I do, not like fog at all. There was a show storm here, and snow on the ground/ I enjoyed snowballing my brothers and sister. I like being a VVolf Cub, because it teaches one to be kind and honest. I also have a brother in the Scouts. We gave one of our assistant cubmasters _ a send-off one Saturday, as he was leaving Cromwell for Omakau. We shall miss him very much. I enjoyed my holiday very much. The weather was good all the time I was away. I will now close, with love to your dear self and all your Little Folk.—Yours truly, LUCKY BLACK CAT (Cromwell)'. [I am glad to hear from you again. Lucky Black Cat. Do you like writing letters? Fog is beautiful to look at, though cold and unpleasant to live with. I thought you liked being a Wolf Cub, for kindness and honesty are excellent virtues. Tell me about the send-off you gave your assistant cubmaster. —DOT.] ¥ ¥ ¥ Dear Dot, —After a long lapse of time I again take up my pen to send a few lines to the dear old page. I have not been a very regular writer, but I always read the letters from the Little Folk. If the next four years pass as swiftly as the last one it will not be long till I have to say good-bye to the page. Let us hope though, that I will write more frequently in the future than in the past.,. I celebrated my seventeenth birthday on May 14. One friend gave me a duchess set “ for my box,” she said. I also have a pair of pillowshams, and the same friend, gave me enough stuff to make another' duchess set. Since I have been out of work I have worked a number of fancy aprons both for myself and a friend. I have just completed “ A Fair Colonist,” and I am reading “ The Vanishing Indian,” by Zane Grey. It is not as nice as other books of his I have read. I also like Edgar Wallace’s books. One of my correspondents who lives in Dunedin asked me to meet her, and since then we have gone to the pictures together... We went to see “The Texan.” Did you see it? We liked it very much, also the comedy, which kept ... everyone in fits of laughter. I did not go home afterwards, but went out to Caversham to stay the night with some friends. Although w’e are all out of work, my friends and I enjoy ourselves, as we are always being invited to parties. It is hard to realise that we are in the middle of winter, is it not? Ido not suppose the fine weather we have been enjoying, will last after the shortest day is past. The fall of snow spoilt our garden for a while, but the flowers are lifting up. their heads again. ) I surprised my friends the other day by wearing three rosebuds from one of our rose bushes. Mum’s bulbs are all showing their heads above ground, and some are in bud also. We are wondering when another vessel will arrive at the Ravensbourne wharf yrith phosphate for the works there. As we live opposite, we had an uninterrupted view of the two that have been over there. The only thing that is not very pleasant is when they are working at night. The trucks running up and down the wharf make a noise which is easily heard over here. I thought everyone knew where Macandrew Bay is, especially people living in Dunedin. But I have often been asked where it is. One girl thought I travelled to and from town by train. Well, I shall clos e now, with best of wishes to all.—Yours truly, ELIPP’S BRIDE (Macandrew Bay). [lf you really want to write to me more frequently during the next four years, Fhpp’s Bride, you will be able to do so. We all do what w e want to do, do. we not? Think about it and you will see that I am right. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying yourself, even though you are out of work. You must tell us about the phosphate works if' you have been oyer them, for such a description’ would be very interesting.—DOT.]

OUR NEW MEMBERS. Dot extends a special welcome to the following Little Folk who have ■written to the page for the first time this week: — Cuthbert Tim (Waitepeka). Golden Dewdrop (Gorge Road). Happy Mairi (Scotland). MANY HAPPY RETURNS. Dot wishes many happy returns of the day to — Flipp’s Bride, who was 17 on May 14. lhe Red Rover, who was 12 on June 2. whose birthday was on June 16. AUTOS. As the Little Folk inserting the following autos do not know the addresses of the companions with whom they wish to correspond, it is necessary tirat those whose names are mentioned in the autos should the first letter.—DOT. ¥¥¥ ■ 4 FJower Child (Vera MUrystall, Stewair Island) wishes to correspond with Bee Busy and Prisoner’s Dream. ■¥ ¥ ¥ Highfield Lass (Jessie Strachan, Georgetown, via Oamaru, North Otago) wishes to correspond with Dot From Australia and Henbane. * ¥ ¥ <® he . ba (Evaline Woolford, caie of Mrs Squire, the Tycho Delivery, Timaru) would like any Little Folk over 20 years of age to write to her. ¥ ¥ ¥ Happy Mairi (Mairi Fraser, Isleornsav. Skye, via Kyle, Scotland) wishes to correspond with any Little Folk willing and promises to answer any letter she receives. * * « nm rUe n ßlue care of Post Office Gowan Bridge, via Nelson) would like to correspond with any Little Folk Little “ d “ y ° ven «” * * * < .. Dad ’ s T Old Dady (Violet Thompson, Sec- « la Y ercar ? J l,l ,'.9 tara Ru r a l Delivery, Southland) would like all her correspondents to write again, and wishes to correspond with Dot From Australia.