ASK THE WITHC DOCTOR

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

ASK THE WITHC DOCTOR

International's questions are: (a) Where, at vjiat price, and what are the names or second-hand books on (earning German; Spanish, Italian, Zulu, Aboriginal and Dutch? (h) How old a girl must be in order to obtain a flying license?—(a) As you are a city reader I would advise that you pay a visit to a dealer in second-hand books, and there select the volumes you want I might add that to learn foreign languages the services of a good tutor are really necessary, (b) A flying license may be obtained by a girl after she has reached the age of 17. # # . Worried inquires: (a) The average ljeight and weight or a boy and a girl both fifteen years of age? (b) Tlie highest weight of an article that can pass into this country from America without duty?—(a) The average Height and weight of a girl 15 years of age is sft lin, and 7st £ Jib, whilst Tor a boy 15 years of age the average Height and weight is sft and 7st ijib. (b) The weight of an imported article is not the factor taken into consideration when estimating the customs duty: the class of goods and the value must be considered. • « * * L.M.H. wonders: (a) What is the average height and weight of a girl 11 years or age? (b) Where it is best to send collected stamps?—.(a) The average height and weight or a girl 11 years or age is 4ft sin. and -Ist 121b. <b) This question is stated rather vaguely: please send further particulars about the stamps collected, and the way you wish to dispose or tlioXll, then we shall do our best to supply the Information you require. Gumite wants to Know how to polish kauri gum?—To polish kauri gum. flrst or all cut it to the desired shape with a flue toothed tennon saw. then with a very sharp knire shape as desired. Wlien the gum has been smoothed as finely as possible, take a sheet or the finest glass paper obtainable, and smooth the gum still further. To finish the process get some olive oil,- some whiting and a soft cloth. Wet the cloth witli the olive oil, dip it in the whiting and j'ub the gum until it is perfectly smooth and shining. On no account put kerosene on the gum, as this will crack it.. To successfully poljsl; kauri gum time and trouble must be. taken, You may be abje to wash most of the clay away, but the remainder must be scraped off before the polishing is commenced. * » • ♦ H.B.—We eannot undertake to Supply the-soswer&to puwles to this eolwma

Mr R.A. asks the colour or a purebred Holstelh cow, and how did the name Hol-stein-Friesian originate? — This breed, which Is of Dutch origin, originated in the province or Frlesluud, and Its characteristic colours are black and white. The nanjfe HoMtein-Frleaian is officially used In U.S.A. and South America, but the snorter title Frfesian was adopted in this, country many years ago. • • » * Interested wishes to know: (a) If others besides men can join, the Toe H movement? (b) Under what conditions and where do you join the Toe H?—(a) Yes, there is a Women's Branch or Toe H known as Toe Emma League or Women Helpers, which is open to membership of girls over i 8 years of age. (b) Particulars for joining could fie obtained from Mrs. Basil Cadoux, 11, Liverpool Street, TJpsom, Auckland. J.E. asks: (a) If Pears' Cyclopaedia" can be bought m Auckland, and if so, the price of it? (b) The value or a used Mexican official stamp, that lias a blue border and a brown centre with a picture or a man, underneath which ni'e the words "Eplgmenio Gonzalez." At the top it has "Corres Mexico," and at the bottom "quince ceutaros" with a figure ID on each'side or it. The perforation is lij.~(a) Yes. From most prominent booksellers the new edition or this cyclopaedia may bo obtained for i/. (b) The catalogue value or this stamp is 3d. ' * # # * Jumbuck wishes to be informed how to treat, dress and dye a sheep's skin In order to make a rug.—To cure the sheepskin take all the flesh on* the skin and wash thoroughly in warm suds. Take 21b powdered alum, -lib of salt, 3 gallons of water, and 1 eggcupful or sulphuric acid. Dissolve the alum and salt in warm water, and when cold add the acid. Immerse the skin in the solution and leave for eight days, turning occasionally. Take out and rinse in several waters, then hang in a breeze in a shady place until dry. On no account dry in the sun. Work it up when dry and rub the Sskln well with pumico until it is soft and flexible. To dry the skin take two packets or good, reliable dyo, the colour required, and boil it quickly in a quart of water. Put tho skin in a tub or other vessel, and add the dye, which has been diluted Willi sufficient boiling water to cover the sfeui. in quantity this would be about two gallons. Leave the skin In the dye bath for five or six hours, working it about frequently. Take from the;dye bath, rinse in cojd water, tlien hang out to dry; m the shade is best. When thoroughly dry, work up tho back with a piece of pumice stone until it is like soft leather, then comb out tho wool, and when finished it will make a beautiful bedside fug.