ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23706, 13 January 1939, Page 6

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Questions will not be answered unless accompanied by tbe name and address of correspondents. “ Wager,” Pembroke.—So far as we know there is no official record of the average rainfall at Pembroke. An official record is kept for Alexandra, where the rainfall for 1936, was 12.59 in, and for the previous year 11.82 in. " Thank You,” Clinton.—The question of eligibility for a pension can be determined only by lodging an application with the Registrar of Pensions. 397 Princes street, Dunedin. On the facts supplied it would appear that an invalidity pension may be procurable. H. T., Dunedin,—Many such letters are now coming to hand. The Calpurnia took off from Southampton on November 25 with Christmas mails for Australia. On November 28 a message from Alexandria was sent to London that Air Force planes had located the Calpurnia at the south-west corner of Lake Habbania. where it had made a forced landing. A later message stated that the Calpurnia had been discovered in eight feet of water on Lake Rr.madi, 15 miles from the base at Lake Habbania. A large portion of the mails was recovered. " Would Like to Know,” Palmerston.— Household fat must bo clarified before being used for soap making. The method is to place the fat in water and boil. Spit is thereby reduced and most other impurities sink to the bottom, and the clean fat may be removed when cold. Soap may be made by taking five pounds of clarified fat. lib tin caustic soda, Jib resin, and 25 breakfast cups of water. Put the fat, resin, and water on fire to boil; take off and cool a little, adding slowly caustic soda. Boil for half an hour, or until it becomes creamy and thick, stirring occasionally. Pour into a box lined with a damp cloth until it sets. It is important that the fat should bo thoroughly cleansed, as the presence of salt will spoil the soap.