ASK THE WITCH DOCTOR

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 176, 27 July 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

ASK THE WITCH DOCTOR

Well Gwyn asks: (a) When did Prince John die? (b) Which poem of Longfellow's does the line "Ships that pass in the night" come in?—(a) Prince John died on January IS, 1919, at the age of 14. (b) This comes in the Tlieolog'ians Second Tale, Elizabeth, Octo. 4 of "Tales of a Wayside Inn." Engine Whistle wants to know: (a) Of what use are the tablets on trains? (b) Which was the first section of railway opened in New Zealand? —(a) Tablets are used as a safety device in order that no two trains can be on the one section at the same time. The tablet is an "ail clear" sign between stations, (b) The first section of line opened in New Zealand was between Ferrymeade and Cliristchurch. The first train ran on December 1, 1863. Curiosity asks': (a) What is the name of a six-sided figure? (b) What is the :hoight of the statue of Nelson and the area of Trafalgar Square In London? — (a) A hexagon is a six-sided figure, (b) The Nelson column Is 145 feet high, and the figure itself is 17 feet high and weighs nearly 18 tons. Although we have no actual measurements to go by, we should think that Trafalgar Square is about four acres in extent. Spring 11. asks (a) Would you give me the measurements for making a fairly large cardboard model glider with one wing? (b) How often do aeroplanes take up passengers at the Auckland aerodrome? — (a) A 12-inch monoplane, made from light card, has wings 12 inches x 21 inches, tail 10 inclies x i$ inches, ailerons each about 2 inches long by } inch wide, and rudder about 2 lncnes high. The entire glider is made of cardboard, the body being canoe shaped, having the planes fixed on small trestles of cardboard. Cardboard wheels and cardboard landing gear makes it possible for the plane to make a landing without damaging itself. (b) Passengers are taken up any day, providing the weather is favourable. Tony wants to know: What Is the largest word in the English language? — The longest word in tne English language cannot be ascertained, for there are many words built up by adding prefixes and suffixes, both positive and negative. Many or these words are positively ridiculous, and could be done away with altogether, more simple words iDeing: used in their stead.

Eileen wants to know: (a) How are etchings done, and are they expensive? (b) Are all thoroughbred fox terriers pure, white over their backs and have black heads? —(a) Pen and ink drawings upon ordinary white board are usually known as etchings, but real etchings are una work on rnetal. Copper is the metal usually employed for etching, aud occasionally steel plates are used. Whether copper or steel, a resisting coating sucii as wax is placed upon the surface or the metal, and the image or picture is scratched upon this wax surface with a steel point, so that in these parts the metal is open to the action of an etching solution, this solution generally being of a nitrous character. The etched image being sunk into the metal intaglio, it is necessary to rub still' plate ink into the lines and rub the surface of the plate thoroughly clean. Proof paper is then laid upon the surface of the plate -and the whole is passed through a plate press under great pressure. On removal from the press the, paper is lifted gently from the plate and one then has what is generally spoken of as an etching. Prices of etchings vary greatly, the main ruling factors being the reputation or the etcher and the age of tlie etching, (b) The markings of a clog are never to be taken into account when trying to find whether or not it is a purebred. The colour of a rox terrier is usually blart and white, sometimes pure white, an. sometimes with a tinge or ginger. Wluu ever the colour the markings cannot !'•' taken into account. The only way to tel. iT a pup is a thoroughbred is to obtain its pedigree. Tlresome's queries are: (a) What was -- the thickness or the wall or Babylon? (b) How were the hanging gardens or Babylon suspended?—(a) The wall of Babylon was 200 cubits (or about 366 feet) high, 50 cubits (or about 92 feet) thick, and was furnished with 100 brazen gate.-, (b) The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were a series or terraced gardens rising 300 feet above the ground, and are said to have been built by Nebuchadnezzar to please his w r ife, Amytis, who wearied ot the plains of Babylon. Royalist inquires (a) What are the ful! names of all the Royal Family? (b) Have they any surname?—(a) The names ot the Royal Family are: King, George Frederick Ernest Albert; Queen Mary: Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes; H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, EdwarJ Albert Christian George Andrew Pati'icll David: H.R.H. the Duke of York, Alter I Frederick Arthur George; H.R.H. PrinccsMary, Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary; H.R.H. Prince Henry, Henry William Frederick Albert; H.R.H. Prince George, Edward Alexander Edmund, (b) The family name Is Windsor,