NOTES AND QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 38

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Questions for reply in coming issiu. to Be received not later than Monday night.

M. Smith,* Dunedin.— You are mistaken, as you will find on teference to the catalogue. One or two of the supposed omissions may have been shown for exhibition only, .but they were neither in the catalogue nor were awarded any prize. Constant Evader.— Bore a hole about 18in deep and l£in in diameter down the centre of the stump. Put into the hole l£oz saltpetre,, and plug up tightly. Leave this until spring and then pour into the bole about a glass and a-half of kerosene, applying a light at the same time. The stump will smoulder '.way. D. C— We know of no place where American stamps aie obtainable in quantities, but if it is

only in reply to a letter you can, we believe, get one at the post office by showing the letter you are writing, for which the reply is intended. 8..S. — Knots were taken very early in heraldry as cognisances and mottoes, being symbols of astuteness, unity, strength, and wisdom. The gordian knot was a classic rebua which puzzled everybody. Alexander cut it, but did not solve or untie it — an action which proclaimed his defeat. Bachelob. — (1) Yes, if carefully done by an experienced man. (2) The autumn, so that the ground would have time to become consolidated before growth set in. You are sure to have some failures no matter how care-

fully the work is done. Stars and Strifes.— For command and dis■cipline the United States army is under a military chief. The regular forces of the United States are limited by. acta of Congress to a peace 'force not exceeding 25,000 men. Recruits must be between the ages of 16 and. 35, and not less than sft Sin in height. The term of --service is five years, with power to - re-engage. In. case of national danger, the' Constitution of the United States con.templates the liability of every able-bodied male citizen between, the ages of 18 and 45 to render service. "A certain proportion of the citizens receive- military training in the State troops ' of the National Gruard. •Interested. — The national debt ia made of sums amounting to about £700,000,000, borrowed by various Governments at different times for carrying on war. The money was lent in sums of £100, called stock, and for each receipt or bond a certain half-yearly interest was guaranteed until the loan was paid off. These bonds are bought and sold on the Exchange under the name of Consols, because the various debts were consolidated into one fund. The fund is usually divided under the following heads . — (1) Funded or permanent 'debts, which the Government is under the obligation to pay off in a fixed time. (2) Unfunded debts, which the Government is bound to pay off at certain dates, - and which are represented by the Exchequer Bills .and Exchequer Bonds, both paying interest, and, like bank notes, repayable on demand. (3) Terminable annuities — that is, sums paid for a certain, mirnber of years and then terminating altogether. The Treasury is empowered, * under- act of Parliament, to give an enhanced anmiity for a certain time in exchange for funded stock; by this means chiefly, and the balance of surplus taxes, the national debt, at the end of the year, is being gradually reduced.