NOTES AND QUERIES

Otago Witness, Issue 2298, 17 March 1898, Page 38

NOTES AND QUERIES

Questions for reply in coming issue to be received not later than Monday night.

Squatter. — In preparing phosphorus by meant of bisulphide of carhon allow for each stick of phosphorus to bj dissolved a tablespoon ful of the bisulphide, with sufficient cold water to make a paste. The phosphorus will readily dissolve, and may be mixed in the ordinary Tvay, and with the ordinary proportion "of ingredients. W. P , St. Bathans. — The specimen sent is_ a mineral of the alum class, rather impure, having probably arisen tbrough decomposition of pyrites in the rocks. If ifc occurs in large quantities it may be of some small value for the production of commercial alum. PnosPECTOR.-Makaroa. — The fragments sent are not asbestos at all, but simply worthless talcose schist. Asbesto?, such sfcs is worked in the Nelson district, occurs in serpentine rocks, and its commercial value depends upon the luigth, fi.ieness, and, in some measure, strength of the fibre. T. M. — We are not in a position to inquire into your grievance and beiice do not think it wise to insert your letter. Why not complain to the local constable ' Constant Reader, Winton.— lnformation sent you; please return pampalet. Bethesda — The English " Lourdes " is a name given to St. Winefride's Well, Hoiywi'll. The spring is situated beneath a chapel said to have been bnilfc by the Lady Margaret, mother of Heniy VII, and the pious beuefactrpss of (Jambridße a&d Oxford universities. Remarkable cures are alleged to result from visits to this well. C. B. — When tbe Queen holds an investiture for the pm-pose of conferring decorations, each person 10 be decorated receives printed instructions befora hand of what he is to do and the exact ceremonial to be observed. When a man is dubbed knight the Queen simply taps Ms shoulder with a sv.ord and says "Sir John," or whatever the name may bo. Inquirer.— (l) Certainly nos ; complain to the Eiucation Board. (2) He would act very injudiciously ia £0 doing. (3) If he actually is the secretary, circumstances may arise which render a 3-eply desirable immediately ; but he should not make a practice of replying without consulting the chairman or the members of committee individually. (4) They should censuie him and see that the omission is rectified. Pansy. — Your friend is mistaken. The Governor is the fifth Earl of P_anf arly. A. F , Fordell — Your query was answered in our ifsue of the 3rd inst. The hansom cab stand is in the raiddle of Prirces street, opposite the Post Office ; the St. waggonettes in the middle of the street higher up ; broughams on the side-walk opposite tne Colonial Bank Duildings, and ordinary cabs on the side-walk opposite the Custom House. I". P. — Newspaper men are too busy to indulge in the luxury of piivate correspondence, and you must not expect us to reply privately to your litttrs. We don't quite understand what the stamps were sent for ; if for a paper let us know, and, it will be sent to you. Constant Reader. — If the tenancy is for a year . the landlord is entitled to possession at the end of the year. The Property Lien Consolidation Act provides as follows :—" Any tenancy not exceeding one year may be created by agreement ia writing or by parol, and if there bs a tenancy and no such agreement as to its duration, H shall bo deemed and held to be a tenancy determinable by one month's notice in writing." Waikaia.— " Ihe Contractors and Woikman's Lieu Act 1892," section 12, provides that "an employer or contractor shnll retain in his hands one-fourth part of the money payable under the contract to the contractor or sub-contractor until the expiration of 31 days after the completion of the work subscribed." You must proceed under "The Workman's Wages Act 1593." The company is liable to the extent of the funds in its hands payable to the contractor. In the case of a no-liability company the directors are personally liable. Subscriber, Wyudham.— The name of the shrub is Cassiua fulvida. Ifc grows to a height of from 2ft to 4ft, and is plentiful oa high ground. Argus — Mr Bsverly kindly replies :—(1,: — (1, 2) The rule for forming roads in England is to lay the raetal 61a Thick, sj that a cubic yard of metal ■will cover six square yard 3of the road, or a yard for evavy 2(t of length if it is 27ft broad Therefore 600 yards will be ( required for 400 yards long, whatever be the s'ze of the metal. If the road is, as you say, 2? >ards broad, it will require 1800 yarclj tf metal. (3) A dray 4£ffc x 6f 0 x lft deep holds a cubic yard of metal, which weighs about a ton. Miner.— lf you send your order to IMr Miller, at Arrowtown, it will bs attended to in due course. Inquirer, Hyde.— Will be replied to by "Agricola" in "iSlote3 on llural Topics" in due course.