Answers To Correspondents

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27345, 22 March 1950, Page 6

Answers To Correspondents

J. D. S. R., Cromwell.—The eight largest lakes in New Zealand, so far as area in concerned, are: Taupo, 238 square miles; Te Anau, 132 square miles; Wakatipu, 112 square miles; Ellesmere, 107 J square miles; Wanaka, 75 square miles; Manapouri, 56 square miles; Hawea, 48 square miles. The order when measured by the number of cubic feet discharged per second is: Wakatipu, 13,000; Te Anau and Manapouri, each 12,660; Wanaka and Hawea, each 5700; Pukaki, 6000; Taupo, 5000. Lake Ellesmere is very. shallow, and its discharge is much below that of the others mentioned. Manapouri is ' 1458 feet in depth—the deepest lake in New Zealand. “Anxious,” Queenstown. —To stiffen the backs of mats or floor rugs, heat a kerosene tin three-quarters full of tar till near boiling point and then stir in gradually enough powdered lime (air slaked is the best) to make a creamy mixture. When it froths it is ready to use, and gives a surface like black enamel. Mats so treated are pliable and will last for year 3.

" Farmer,” Waitahuna. —There is a poisonmixing depot at Frankton Junction where phosphorus for your purpose may be procured. Communicate with the office of the Department of Agriculture at Hamilton for particulars.

" Interested,” Owaka.—The secretary of the Model Engineering Club in Dunedin is Mr Harold Riddle, J. and J. Arthur’s Building. George street. “ Star Gazer,” Hampden.—Venus is visible at the present time high up in the north-eastern sky in the mornings before sunrise (and afterwards, before the sun is too bright, if your eyesight is good enough). Venus is a twin sister to the earth.

“Curious,” Kaikorai.—There is no skating rink operating in Dunedin at the present time, and we are unable to say what the intentions are in this respect during the coming winter season. “ Curious," South Canterbury.—The following are the postage rates, for parcels sent by air mail to places within New Zealand:—lib and not over 31b, 2s 2d; over 31b and not over 71b, 3s 9d; over 71b and not over 141 b, 5s 6d; over 141 b and not over 211 b, 8s 9d; over 211 b and>up to 281 b, which is the maximum, 11s. The rate for parcels sent bv air mail from New Zealand to Great Britain is lOd for each loz.