ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22366, 13 September 1934, Page 8

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

" A Subscriber, ’’ North Otago.—We do not doubt the Information which you supply, but It should have been accompanied by your name and address. “ Rotarex,” Pukcrau. —So fan as can' be ascertained there Is no agency for the Rotarex vacuum cleaner in Dunedin. " Belinda,” Dunedin. —We cannot in any circumstances advise on matters which Involve medical considerations. An experienced chemist could possibly advise you regarding the use of the preparation. “Appreciation,” Clyde.—(l) The use of black as a colour for mourning was a Roman custom, borrowed from the Egyptians. It Is not, however, universal, though very general, throughout Europe. Symbolical of night and of the privation of light, and denoting the termination of life, the absence of colour is regarded as best lifted -to express ' grief. in China the colour for mourning is white, the emblem of purity, which colour was also the mourning of the ancient Spartan and Roman women. In Egypt the colour is now yellow, and this symbol of decay—falling leaves and fading flowers —signifies.. that death Is the end of all human hopes. The Central African native paints his body yellow as a sign of mourning, the Australian aboriginal paints himself white, and the American Indian uses black. The Ethiopian uses brown, denoting the earth to which all dead return, while In Turkey blue is used, an emblem of the happiness which It Is hoped the departed enjoys. (2) The president occupying the chair at a meeting Is addressed first. "Mr Chairman, your W’orshlp, ladles and gentlemen,” would bo correct if the Mayor was present. (3) The calico stretched on the forcing frames could bo painted over with raw linseed oil.