? Ask ? The Witch Doctor

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 3 (Supplement)

? Ask ? The Witch Doctor

I Each iccch in tills column questions that puzzle our juvenile readers will be answered. It is not intended thut rccipex, household hints, controversial matters or sub/eels of interest to adults I only should b<' covered i:i this column, I the main purpose of which is to supply answers tu the man!J queries that spring [ from the natural curio-titn of boas and lyirlf. Question" relating to holibycraft will at&» be touched uaon hern n.u. inquires: (;i) What are Hie proportions ana mimes or 1Ik j cnendeals used in the propelling mixture of skyrockets? (l>) What is me duty on a .worse code set, price Io cents from America? — (a) The mixture used in tne sk\ .oeket cons.sts oi' • nitre 2Goz, sulphur r> toz, and enareoal i 9oz. I do not recommend tliat you try to make fireworks at iiotne. In the hands of an amateur any iorni of explosive is dangerous, and c. . .j(e instructions would lie required in . jltion to the information given in mis reply. (b) The (ltity on thws set would be 5o per cent of the cost, plus a surtax of !)-4 oth of the duty. Koughly this would amount to Oct. Waterproof would like to know what is used in the. oil to dye oilSKins.—The cloth of which thin on ski us are manufactured is dyed prior to waterproofing. In the making oi canvas coats It will l>e found advisable to use oilskin varnish, which is already coloured. Wanderer wants some information about the castor oil plant.—A local seedsman advises that there is little to commend the cultivation of the castor oil plant in Auckland. Here it is found to grow and spread without difilculty. Under the name ol' rietnus It comprises about 21 known varieties, four of which are grown in Auckland. Lynne wants the rules of the Peter Pan Cluo.—-in reference to this question I would refer you to Peter l'an's letter of May in, which points out thai beyond the fact that active membership ceases at 18, the club motto of " lie Loyal" is Die guiding principle of all members, making other rules unnecessary. ' R.M. inquires Tor a recipe for making invisible ink.—One part of sulphuric acid mixed with 20 parts or water will give an Invisible ink that will show only after healing, because acid eats into metal it is necessary, when using this ink, to write with a quill pen. J.D. says: Would you please tell me (a) if there are any scientific books tor children published and sold in Auckland. (b) How the electricity is generated through the battery iu a torch? — (a) 1 know of no children's books on scientific subjects that are published in Auckland, (b) In a torch battery electricity is generated by chemical action upon the carbon rods and zinc case of the battery. When the torch is switched oil and the electric circuit thus completed, hydrogen travels from the zinc to the carbon, and sets an electric current In motion. *#, * * Astronomer wonders if it is true that some kind of stars have rallen to earth as she has seen huge, rough boulders fixed flrjmiy into the ground, and has been told that they are pieces of rallen stars. —IV o star has ever actually rallen to earth, for as wo know them, are comparable in size to the planet ujion which we live. However, meteors are constantly dashing earthwards under the pull of gravitation, and some ol' these are large enough to reach the earth's suiTacc berore being burnt to powder by the friction or the atmosphere. The origin of most of these meteorites can be traced to disintegrated comets. Quizzy wants a remedy for pimples and blackheads.—Pimples and ' blackheads are caused frequently by digestive troubles. •Blackheads can be removed by pressure or squeezing, and by the frequent use or antiseptic soap and plenty or water; both may be removed by the persistent application of a lotion prepared from glycerine, (lowers of sulphur, spirits of wine and elder flower water applied nightly berore retiring.

Patrita asks How to become a stewardess. —At the present time mere are few vacancies for stewardesses. Such posts are usually given to older women, a voting: girl standing but little chance or obtaining a billet. lierore making- application at a shipping: office ror sucli a post, it would be necessary to join the union covering this branch of work.