ASK THE WITCH DOCTOR

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 307, 28 December 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

ASK THE WITCH DOCTOR

Not?.—No questions are answered in this column unless the correct name ana address of the questioner is. submitted. Tip Top wishes to know the Latin and English version of the Seddon Memorial Technical College's motto.-—'"Vltae JNon Schojae Discimus," is the motto or the Seddon Memorial Technical College. Its translation is, "We learn not Tor school, hut for life." Kate wonders: %(a) What Is the greatest speed ever achieved in shorthand and. typewriting? (b) How many policemen are there in Auckland? —(a) The,fastest speed vet attained in shorthand was accomplished bv Miss E. B. Smith at Manchester, who, in a test of 263 words per minute and later 252. On prepared work she.accomplished 320 words. The only report I can obtain on typing is not quite up-to-date, but it states that 142 words per minute is, up to the time,the report was written, the record speed for typing. This test, I take it, was carried out with 99 per cent-accuracy, the standard which is usually maintained in such .tests. The certificate Tor typing issued by a New Zealand Correspondence School is awarded for work 98 per cent accurate. (b) The 1929' edition of the N.Z. Yearbook credits Auckland with 2-i 1 police officers.

Bookworm wants to know: (a) if Ethel Turner is still living and her address? -(b) What rrfakes the ftirniture crack?—(a) Ethel Turner is still living:. Her publishers are Ward, Lock and Co., and a letter care that firm would undoubtedly reach her. (b) This is due to the expansion and contraction or the wood. Dinkie says: Could you tell me the date the old Royal George Hotel in Newmarket was burnt down, and would it be possible to see the records of the llre?--I cannot ascertain this at the moment. Perhaps some reader can help. X-ray asks: (a) Who invented 'x-rays and in what year? <b) What does it oost to send a letter to America? —(a) Wilhelm Konrad Rontgen discovered X-rays in 1895. '(b) The postage on letters to America is Id per ounce. Grammai* asks: (a) Who are the two gondoliers in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Gondoliers"? (b) What part does Luiz Marco and Giuseppe were the two gondoliers, and Luiz was the drummer who turned out to be the real king. Puzzled's queries are: (a) Where can I obtain the piece of poetry "Alaska"? (b) Which is the correct letter to use in recognised, z or s? — (a) Are you sure that you do not mean the popular piece "Lasca," by Frank Desprez? . in it the story is told of a girl, Lasca, who saves the writer's life during a stampede of steers in Texas. If this is the piece you want you will find no difficulty in obtaining it' from your bookseller. '(b) The dictionary gives both spellings as correct.

Hilda Fitness tells mo about some kittens which she had. One used to try to beg- like its mother, but being'.unable to balance itself would tumble over. Eventually it put one of Its front paws on the ground, throwing: the other one into the air and meowing- like a grown-up cat. Raymond Carr suggests that gifts should be taken to the hospital children by Budget readers. That is a lovely thought, Hay, and I hope that you and others will take it up. Spread what cheer you can. E. Mottram—'You did have an exciting time. Did you And out what was the matter witk-the car? Joan Chalmers—Yes, Joan, Peter Pan speaks over the wireless. Bessie Parsons —Your prize should have -arrived by now, Bessie. If not to hand please advise. Jean Hawkins—The rough section of the trip certainly was good. Perhaps you have guessed that I like It rough. Adelaide Doming is to take the part of fairy queen in a school concert, and in the play she makes three appearances on the stage.—You must have an important part, Adelaide. I wish your concert every success. Leslie Crago unfortunately broke two fingers on his right hand and so has been unable to write to me for about two months.—l'm very sorry to hear of your accident, Leslie. /• There is no special length for short stories, but my advice is not'to write them too long, ns long stories tend to become tiresome and disjointed. Robert IVlcCall, who is staying Thames for his holidays, found a piece o 1 genuine quartz, which he Is going to wash to see ir he can obtain any gold from it. Alfred Ansley, whilst spending a fortnight's holiday in Christchyrca, saw over the premises of the Christchurch "Star," ■and also over the -Sockburn aerodrome.— You were lucky to be shown over the aerodrome, Alfred. Thanks for your Christmas wishes. Dawn Brcyd: Thanks for your good wishes, Many for .yourself., Marion Cork: I'm so pleased to hear from you, Marion. Writ? again soon. Mary Murphy—Congratulations on ycur pass, Mary. Joan Curtis tells me all about her birthday party.—My word, Joan, green orange and red jellies! You must have had a good time. Linda Taylor—l hope that you have a happy holiday, Linda. Dene Howard went swimming the other day and got so sunburnt that he could not drill or run about.—-You did get badly burnt, Dene. Next time you go swimming ask mother to rub some coconut oil on your shoulders and arms before you go out in the sun, then you will not be so bad afterwards. Botty Broyd's father has promised her a wristlet watch because she has passed into Standard II. —Congratulations. Kathleen Campbell—Your iprze has been sent, Kathleen, and you should have received it by ndw. If not to hand please advise. Eileen Quone tells me about a lovely party which she went to. During tea i strawberries were served as well as sweets; they were packed in paper serviettes, fojded to look like roses, Maude Atkinson—?l will be thinking of you when you climb that hill—your lookout upon the world. Dawn Collier—Regret that life is too busy to answer so many "direct questions." Glad to hear you are now a senior. Peter Pan acknowledges receipt of letters and other contributions as listed below:-— Letters. —Lola Hole, Mornrngsme; Doris Brown, Stratford; Ruth Angeli, Mount Eden; Vera Stevenson, Mount Albert, Sydney Levy, Timaru; Jean Hawkins, HuiaGe'offrey Coxhead, Kauri; D. Adams, Ponsonby; Clifton Thomson, Onehunga; Wynne Feil, Morpingside; Noel Atkins, Maromaku; joy Atkins. Maromaku; Ruth Duffus, Mt. Eden; Helen Coates, Epsom; Joan Coles, Mount Albert; Sheila Quinn, Mount Eden; Airred Ansley, Wanganui; Phyllis Rea, Grey Lynn; Marion Cork, Epsom; Sylvja Ingle, Mount Eden; Kathleen Bird, Taihape; Nancy Dixon, Te Puke; Althea Jerram, Mount Eden: Marie Garth. City; Lasca Lloyd, Dargavilie; R. Devereaux, Howick; Maurice Carbines, Epsom. Riddles, Jokes, Poetry.-—L, Jackson, City; Violet IS'ewald, Point Chevalier; Iris Elkington, Papakura. Cigarette Mills, Mt. Albert; Fay Fowle, Grey Lyr\n. Sketches.—Margaret Mears, Otahuhu; L. Jackson, City.