“Eggs-asperating.”

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 173, 24 July 1888, Page 2

“Eggs-asperating.”

The famous, or notorious, egg puzzle has been the cause of unlimited interest and worry, and we would that it were possible to bring to bear upon more serious matters the interest that has been centred on this question. In the minds of some there appears to be a misconception as to how the question is to be decided. In our last issue we explained that we relied solely on the decision of the Wellington Press, and in case that a “ catch ’* answer (as many imagine) is required to carry off the honor, it will make no difference so far as we are concerned—to be candid, we are as much in the dark as other calculators. The Press will not give the answer until it has been correctly guessed, and our plan is to compare the answers we receive with those already published as incorrect. Any answer that has not been so published will be forwarded on to Wellington to take its chance '• with the rest. If one of the latter should prove to be correct, there is the possibility of carrying off our Wellington contemporary’s prize of five shillings as well as our own of half a guinea. Incorrect answers:- Pull it, 28,42,16, 27',; 8., 24 ; Matawhero Chick, 68 : Bantam. 49; Nell, 0 (if Nell keeps hens of that description she will lose by them); Bumpkin, Ormond, 14 (other answers informal); Box, 42; Leo, 42 ; Science, 28 ; Fox, 7; A. 8., 56 ; A.8.C.; 42; R.H., 28; Leo, 28; X., 42; A..M.T., 7; Slynter, Ormond, 13; Lily, 10; School boy, 274 (and other incorrect replies); O.nana, 23|; Niagara, Matawhero, 820 (go up top—wrong all the same, though); J.L., 43J; Juno, 68; Jeannie, 24; Pouri, 36; Egg in the Cap, 23J; Kiwi, 41'9 (doubtful, but believed to be incorrect); Nero, 42; N.G., 52J (not yet recorded, but very doubtful); N.G., 37; J.T., 27J ; A.A., 27.—Numerous answers, being repetitions of the above, are not published, as they would be superfluous. One answer received must be correct, though we cannot guarantee that it will gain the prize. Petrolea manages it with this answer—- “ Twice half the number." As a catch this hits it very well, and it will be forwarded on to the judge. W. L. File’s 6J has not been previously given, and will be treated the same as Petrolea's also 321 Besides numerous incorrect answers for which space cannot be spared, many amusing ones have been given. The majority have been put in the “ basket,” but a few are given as samples :— “ Dorking ” breaks into rhyme on the matter— Your puzzle’s a teazer, that I'll confess; The more that I try the worse do I guess. I've eggs for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea, But your half egg thing’s a demon to me. (That’s what they all say.) " Etna ” cannot see why people should bother themselves over such a paltry question. " I (he says) have only one hen, but I get two eggs every day. This would puzzle some people but I never trouble my head about it.” (Perhaps your neighbors could explain, Etna.) “ Chicken ” enquires whether he is to understand the hens laid every day of the seven or took a rest on Sunday.