ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25481, 10 March 1944, Page 2

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

M. S., Hindon. —Communicate with the district superintendent. Department of Agriculture. Dunedin. "Anxious.” —A man and his wife may have between them £IOOO in the bank and each receive the full age benefit. “ Wayback,” Fruitlands.—The official name of the range of mountains on Which the Old Man Rock is situated is Old Man Range. N. D. P., Wanaka. —You should address your inquiry to the Conservator of Forests. Invercargill, who will be able to provide you with the information you require. " Inquirer,” Oamaru.—Mr W. Lowrey was elected vice-president of the Oamaru branch of the New Zealand Labour Party at the annual meeting in March of last year. “ True Patriotism,” Lawrence. —A statement which we have received from the Mayor of the borough with reference to the complaints made in your letter leads to the, conclusion that no useful purpose would be served by the publication of them. “ Curious.” —Fowls acquire the habit of picking feathers out of other members of the flock through having nothing to dc-. Bury wheat under the litter and make them work. You should also put a handful of quassia in a quart of water and spray the birds with the emulsion. “ Curious.” Mornington.—Any person whose name appears on the Parliamentary rolls is eligible to vote for the election of a Licensing Committee. The issue is not a ratepayers' question. Those persons whose names appear on the Parliamentary roll for Dunedin South are eligible to vote for the Dunedin South Licensing Committee, and those who are on the Parliamentary rolls for Dunedin North. Central, and West are eligible to vote in the election of the Dunedin Licensing Committee. W. E. M.—Any person wishing to join the merchant navy must serve as a boy aboard ship before becoming a seaman, the only other position rpen being lhat of a trimmer. Any further particulars will be supplied on application to tne Roval Naval Reserve Divisional Headquarters. St. Andrew street, Dunedin. "Curious.” Balclutha. —(1) A storeman in a motor garage comes under the storemen and packers’ award, and his wages are £4 17s Cd a week, plus 5 per cent, and an additional 5 per cent, on the first £5. (21 If - the income from ell sources of husband, wife, and children does not exceed £5 5s per week. an allowance of 7s 6d per week is obtainable for each dependent child under 16 years of age.

“ Reader.”—(l) To clear a room of mosquitoes, place a small piece of gum camphor in a tin vessel and evaporate it ever a flame, taking care that it docs not ignite. A sponge dipped in camphorated spirits and made fast to the top of the bedstead will be found serviceable in the sleeping room. A small amount of pennyroyal sprinkled around Die room will also drive away mosquitccs. (2) To alleviate the unpleasant sensation caused by the bite of a mosquito, various remedies have been suggested. Among them are oil of cloves, ammonia, bicarbonate of soda, chloroform, thymol, and ordinary soap. Doctors say that more relief can be obtained from a solution of cocaine, 4 per cent., than from anything else. (3) A solution of pentachloraphenal crystals applied to the timber should penetrate the wood and protect it from the borer. This chemical may be difficult to obtain, and even when it is procured difficulty may be found in dissolving the crystals in oil or kerosene. It would be safer to consult .a firm dealing with borer extermination. From it you would be able to purchase a ready-made solution, together with detailed Instructions.