ASK THE WITCH DOCTOR

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 94, 21 April 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

ASK THE WITCH DOCTOR

ii wnaar Red Cmt Inquires: (a) How much is ten cents in English money? (b) How is a boot made from the time it leaves the home of the writer?—(a) \ cent (present rate of exchange) is the value or a half-penny in English money, so ten cents would be worth sd. (b) To go into detail of the making of books would require too much space. I suggest you get a book on this subject. Guy Fawkea would like to know: (a) Why is Luna Park called Luna? —Luna means moon, and as fun is enjoyed by moonlight, it takes its name from this. Inquirer asks: (a) When was money flrst introduced? (b) Who was the first man to find gold? — (a) Money includes anything that will perform the money work, It is hard to l'raine an account which will hold good of the manv objects that have served as money. Money, or exchange that passed as money, dates back to the days of Caesar. Coins were used" in Britain in the days of Canute. (b) From early times the ancients were attracted by the beautiful colour of gold. It was the first metal observed and collected. In the Code of Menes, who reigned in Egypt in 3600 B.C. or about 2000 years before Moses, gold is mentioned.

Ono is anxious io know: (a) All about TolenskjolespladesTn Norway, (b) What Is our destiny?—(a) There is a monument in a public place in IVorwav to a hero's memory. The name of the'monument Is TordenskvoJdspleadsen. not as you spelt it. (b) This is in hig-her hands than ours.

Simple Simon inquires: (a) Why docs a ship's compass point north? <b) Why do we call a ship or train "she"?—(a) All compasses are set at magnetic north, (b) There Is no special reason why a ship or train is called "she." It might have been taken from the Latin tonpue, where there Is no neuter gentler, so that everything must be called either "he" or "she."

Vincit Veritas writes: What is the most precious jewel and metal in the world?— A diamond is the most precious stone, and platinum the most precious of the more common metals.

Quizzy would like to know: (a) What Is the surname of the King- of England, (b) What is approximately the area of the world?—(a) The surname of His Majesty the Xing' or England is Windsor. (b) The earth is about 197 million square miles in area, of which 57 millions are land.

Lave to Knew asks: (a) What is putty made of? (b) What was the first animal to live in New Zealand?—(a) There are many different kinds of putty, but ordinary glazier's potty i 3 made from equal parts of whiting and linseed oil mixed together, (b) The rat and dog' were introduced by Maoris. In the beginning: there were no animals, only lizards (reptiles) and birds.

"Esma" is curious to know: (ai Why does the apple (when cut in hair), go brown when left standing?—(a) This is the effect of the air on the acid contained In the apple, which causes the oxidation.

Interrogator asks: (a) When (lid April Fool's Day originate? (b) What Is the best selling 1 book In the world? — (a) The first or April is consecrated from immemorial ages to the practice of making an April fool of one's friends. From the sending hither and thither of the Saviour from Annas to Cariophas ana from Pilate to Herod. The ancient practice of making an April Tool of one's friends is derived from France, (b) The best selling book in the world Is the Bible, as It is printed In every language in the world. Fathead asks: (a) How many people are there in the British Isles? (b) How many countries are in Europe?—(a) From the last census taken there are in England and Wales 37,885,242 (1921); Scotland 4,882,497 (1921); Ireland, 4,390,219 (1981). (b) There are 36 countries in Europe, Including the British Isles. Innocent asks: (a) What makes the sky look so blue? (b) Why is it dark at night?—(a) The colour of the sky is due to minute particles of matter suspended in the atmosphere, (b) The earth revolving on its axis is facing the sun at day time and away from the sun at night time, hence the darkness.

Worried Gardener writes: (a) Would you give me a recipe for home-made bird lime? I have heard of one using holly bark; is it available in IVew Zealand? — There are various ways of making bird lime from holly, but the simplest process is to boil the inner holly bark, then stand it about 14 days in a barrel to Terment and become sticky. A much simpler way to make bird lime is to simmer raw linseed oil from three to four hours—overboiling spoils it. Test this arter three hours by dipping a stick first into the oil, then into cold water. If the oil on the stick adtieres to the fingers and can be drawn out in a Ion? thread it is getting done. After removing from the fire allow to cool slowly. Good lime can be drawn out in a thread three feet long. Hollv bark can be obtained in New Zealand, as it is grown in the garden, but do not think it is to be bought in the shops.

Authoress To Be inquires: (a> I would like to know all about the Massacre of Amboyna, 1623, also the day and month of it. (b) All about the Island of Stromboli; wether there arc any towns or villages on it and their names.-:—(a) I suggest that you rerer to the books on the "Dutch East Indies" and "Dutch Colonies in the East," which will gtve you full details and dates of all you require (b) The Island or Strornboli is one of the Lipari Islands off the north coast of Sicily, Italy. It has a population of 1220 and is chiefly noted for its famous active volcano bearing the same name, which is 3038 feet high. I suggest that you refer to works on "Lipari Islands" and also history of same. Works upon volcanoes, especially those in Europe, •will give further details.

Lady Dawn inquires: (a) Why was the first of April called April Fool Day? (b) Why does it only last till half-past twelve? (a) This was answered last week, (b) it lasts until twelve o'clock. Noon ends the period of which the jokes may be played.

£.B —Queries by "Nauta," "Swimmer" and 'Sticky Beak" will be answered upon receipt of the writers' correct names and addresses. This is the only condition upon which the Witch Doctor answers questions.