NOTES AND QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3382, 8 January 1919, Page 35

NOTES AND QUERIES.

Questions lor reply tn coming Issue to b« fceiro* not later than SATURDAY night. Questions will NOT b» replied to thxougb ih« post.

Constant Readeb, Mataura.—lt requires an expert to adjust a barometer correctly. The screw at the back, to which you refer, should not be turned' both ways. By doing bo there is a great likelihood of damaging the instrument altogether. When selling a barometer the jewellers usually ask the name of the place it is destined for, and then, according to the altitude, adjust it to correspond with sea level. Even ' though the barometer has not been adjusted, it still indicates whether the glass is rising or falling, which is practically all one requires to know, except for scientific purposes. It may register higher or lower than an adjusted one, but invariably serves its purpose. Amatetjb.—A copper preserving pan maybe used for all kinds of jams and jellies. It must be kept bright and thoroughly clean, and not cleaned with anything that would tend to verdigris—such as salt or vinegar. M. M. writes: "Please explain origin and meaning "of Labour Day?" The idea of holding a Labour Day on the lines of Eighthours Day in Australia appears to have originated with the late Mr J. A. Millar, then secretary of the Maritime Council, and Mr R. Slater, \then secretary of the Otago Trades and Labour . Council. In June, 18"F0 they communicated with all the trades councils in the Dominion, ■ suggesting that October 28 would be a suitable date to observe as Labour Day, which might bo observed by holding demonstrations, processions, sports, or a 'picnic. The suggestion was generally approved, and, despite some opposition, wns > given effect jto. The first demonstration in . Dunedin was held on the Caledonian Ofrounds, and proved -Jig great success, and

the day has been since celebrated in some form or other in most centres. The day was made a statutory holiday in 1899, when the Labour Day Act was passed. Labour Day means the establishment of a national holiday sacred to the cause of Labour, and it has done something to cement the workers together. Koi. —In a game of 500 (no trumps) the holder of the joker can play it when he can follow suit —can, in fact, play it at any time except where he had not previously followed suit. Where he has not followed suit in a previous round he cannot use the joker on that suit. Widow.—A widow received £l2 per year for the first child and JE6 per year for each additional child under 14 years, with a bonus of £6 per year for each child.' In'the case you mention the total"pension would be £3O per year. - ;.. Constant Reader foe Twentx-eive Years.— Mr H. M. Davey, architect, replies: " I will ask, you to give more particulars, such as follows:—{1) Is the house to be one of more storeys in height? (2) Is it to be a 1 dwelling-house, and what height are the rooms to be? (3) Give approximate sizes .'of rooms? They seem so long as compared with their width on your drawing. When these are to hand it is more than probable that you can be saved a ( lot of expense, as unless it is far different to what is—now supposed the outside walls could be thinner, and the bolts far lighter than you propose; but as no sizes or heights are given it would not be safe to give the needed thicknesses till these were ; known. Have you got a good foundation to build on. Inquries re a suitable book are being made, but so far. only books of a highly technical, character have: been met with, though a simple one with plain directions may be yet found."

Progress, Awamoko, Oamaru. —Mr H. M. Davey,. consulting engineer, replies: "It is hot quite understood what use the tank would be, as, if you \have a race, _ as you ' say, is it not better to run a pipe line from the race right to the motor that would drive your separator? Even supposing that the race does not give sufficient water to feed the motor, would it .not be better to form an enlargement in ' it .that would hold, say, 1000 or more gallons ? If it happens that you have overlooked this, and you could do as suggested, give the quantity of water the race delivers and ihe vertical height above the motor that works the separator and the length of the pipe line from the race to the motor. Inquiries have been made, and it is supposed that you will need to have : one-quarter of a horse-power, but till the height and length.of pipe line and quantity of available water is known, no more can be stated. If, however, this cannot be done for some reason at present unknown, the question can be answered as you put it."