Notes and Queries

Otago Witness, Issue 3833, 30 August 1927, Page 48

Notes and Queries

for reply in coining issue to be re•cived not later than SATURDAY night. Queetiona will NOT ba replied, to through the post. Quaations must be accompanied, by the name and address of the writer, but a nom de pluma saay ba adopted for publication. “ Puzzled,” Southland.—Next week. “ Inquirer,” Palmerston, wishes to know (1) a recipe for making raisin wine; (2) the method of making it. Can any reader oblige us with this information? “Ignorant,” Gummies Bush, writes: “ (1) Do egg shells when added to clarify, add to the nutritious quality of the soup, etc.? (2) Is coarse salt, as ordinarily obtained, iodised salt? ” (1) No. (2) No. “ Claptus ” writes : “ Could you please tell me what causes prominent muscles in the legs, and how to cure them. They are especially noticeable when walking, and appear like two small lumps.” This is really a medical question, and should be treated by a competent person after seeing the leg. 11. J. W., Roxburgh, writes: “I noticed in the Otago Witness that a man in Christchurch had a parrot that laid an egg. When they gave it a bantam egg it hatched that out also. Could you oblige me with his address? ” We cannot supply the address, but the interested party or some reader might be able to supply the information. “ Farmer,” South Westland, writes: “Is there any known process whereby cement that has become hard in the bags could be rendered useful again? Would the process be available for farmers? ” It is possible in a measure to recondition cement which has not set very hard, but it depends upon the degree of hardness. If “ set ” throughout the bags the stuff would require to be put through the mill again and treated, a process not usually available to farmers.

“ Twenty-year Subscriber,” Awarua Plains, cUsires (1) a recipe for making buttermilk scones; (2) a recipe for making boys’ short gumboots watertight; the water oozes through the rubber. (1) Can any reader please oblige us with this recipe? (21 The rubber may be faulty. Some experts in handling rubber can effect repairs, but it is a difficult job. There is no preparation on the market so far as we can ascertain that is effective in an amateur’s hands.

“Acre,” Owaka.—The line across the angles may be useful as a check, but it is quite useless for measurement of the contents. Mr H. M. Davy, consulting engineer, says : " I consulted Mr B. T. Edginton, who very kindly said that if you gave the three distances marked on a tracing of your plan the contents could be calculated. If, however, you gave the number of section, block, etc., he might get all wanted from the map. I have asked the editor to post your plan for the three places required by the surveyor. Please send the measurements, and a reply will be given.”

“Interested,” Houipapa, writes: “(1) How much do school commissioners get per annum? (2) I do fencing and repairs for the Education Board at usual rates of pay. Can I sit on committee or act as commissioner? ” (1) School commissioners and members of school committees are not entitled to any salary for acting as such. (2) The position is governed by section 42 of the Education Act, which states: “No householder who is a paid servant of . . . any education board or school committee . . . shall be eligible to be elected, or to be a member of any school committee.” In tho circumstances stated it is considered that you would not be ineligible, as you might be regarded as a contractor, and not a paid servant.

“Farmer,” Southland, wishes to know (1) is it injurious to stock to lime a paddock with either burnt or ground lime on which they are grazing? (2) Which is the best month of the year to sow lime? (3) Are Chinese allowed to take degrees at a New Zealand university? “ Agricola ” replies : “ I should not anticipate any ill effects from a dressing of, say, lOcwt burnt or ground lime per acre, but I should, as being ‘ better practice,’ wait until this caustic lime had absorbed water from the atmosphere before allowing stock on the pasture. Lime as it comes from the kiln after burning is caustic, but rapidly slakes in a moist atmosphere. (2) There is no best month. If the land is ploughed I recommend the autumn period as the best time, and, if pasture, very early spring. (3) Yes.”

“ Curious,” Oturchua, writes : “ Having a big hole of water to empty we were thinking of using a syphon, but were not sure which way to get the best results. Which way would be the best to lift it straight up, say, 50ft, or to take it up on a grade? I might mention that there is plenty of fall to work the syphon? ” Mr H. M. Davey replies: “It does not matter at what angle the pipes are placed, but what you ask is utterly impossible. You might lift, say, from 18ft to 20ft, or even with perfectly fitting pipes slightly more. You see a syphon is like a pump, only perhaps rather more sensitive—that is to sav you might pump rather more than a syphon will lift, for when you get near the limit the flow is very feeble. Now you are, say, not far from 2000 ft above sea level, and so everything that depends on the density of the atmosphere is lessened. Thus water boils at a less temperature than it does here.”

" Myosotis,” Queenstown writes: “ I have difficulty in growing cabbages and cauliflowers, they blight so badly. Can you give me the name of a spray to cure or cheek the blight? ” Cabbage blight or aphis thrives best in a dry climate, and. generally speaking, the success of this variety -of cruciferous crops depends upon the rainfall. A kerosene spray made up as follows is useful :—Dissolve 2oz of softsoap in Igal of water by heating it, and then gradually pour in 2gal of kerosene, vigorously churning the while by squirting the mixture back into itself through a spray pump or syringe. A thick, creamy emulsion will result, which will keep indefinitely without the kerosene separating from it. Just before using on cabbages, etc., dilute the emulsion with 15 times its volume of water. A somewhat similar spray is “ Sox,’ 1 and another “ Blackleaf 40,” which can be bought from any hardware merchants.

R. L. A., Otautau, wishes to be supplied with answers to the following:—(1) At excursion rates what is the return fare to Queenstown from Invercargill—first class and second class? (2) What would be the excursion fare from Invercargill to Queenstown, and by the Crown Range and through Otago Central and Dunedin to Invercargill—first class and second class? (3) What would be the approximate cost

of medium class board at Queenstown per week? (4) What are the names of a few middle class houses at Queenstown? (5) What would the first class return excursion fare from Invercargill to Stewart Island cost? (6) What would be the cost of middle class board at the island per week? (7) Is it advisable to give sweet peas liquid manure every week? The young plants are now about 3in high. (8) Are fur-trimmed ladies' coats going out' of fashion? (9) What is the duty on coats, dresses, suitcases, cutlery, razors, wringers, and other household things, umbrellas, and hats from England? (10) What is a recipe (plain) for Scotch bun, marble cake, lamingtons, coconut cakes, candy, butterscotch, almond toffee, and currant bread made with yeast? (1) to (6) The fare from Queenstown to Invercargill direct, by rail, is—first class, 18s 7d ; second class, 12s 5d ; if via Waimea the- train fares are respectively—first class, single, 21s 6d; second, 14s Bd, the return fares in each case being double. Invercargill to Bluff—the fare is 2s 7d first, and Is 8d second class; and Bluff to Stewart Island, 9s. Board can be obtained at Queenstown for £2 16s to £4 4s at Beach House, Hamilton House, Laurel Bank; and at Stewart Island for £3 to £3 3s per week at Oban House, Ferndale, Greenvale, and Seafield House. Board is a matter of arrangement, and our advertising columns as yet do not indicate all the accommodation available. When excursion rates are available they are advertised in the daily papers, and can be ascertained at railway stations. (7) No. In a general way an occasional watering should suffice, the plants having first been watered with fresh water. (8) No. (9) If made in England the duty on coats, etc., is 26 per cent., on cutlery 21 per cent., umbrellas 21 per cent., on hats 26 per cent. (10) As any cookery book will supply the answers to these questions we do not feel that we can spare the space which our answering them would take up.

LAW QUERIES.

[An«wer«d by a solicitor of tho Supreme Court ef New Zealand. Letter* and Telegrams must bo addressed to "LEX,” e/o Editor, Otago Witney Dunedia.]

“ Macro." —Received too late for reply this week.

“ Pensioner,” Dunedin.—Your question reached our office too late for attention this week. “ Meryl ” asks: “At what age can a girl leave home without her parents’ consent? ’’ A father has a right to the custody of his daughter whilst she is under the age of 21 years, but the right determines on her marriage under age. “ Colin ” asks: “ A town board has just issued its rate demands for the current year. The demand is in the usual form, and as far as the body of it is concerned it is correct in every way, but the form has been dated August 21—a Sunday. Does that fact in any way affect the legality? ” No. “Constant Reader” asks: “ (1) I catch two dogs worrying sheep belonging to different people. I get one dog and destroy it; the other dog gets away, and I do not know who is the owner. Can I make the owner of the dog I destroyed pay compensation for all damage done? (2) Can I also claim damages to the flock apart from the sheep killed?” (1) The owner of the dog is liable only for the damage done by his dog. (2) Y'es. “Puzzled" asks: “(1) Who has the right to frame the rules governing a tennis club? Is it the executive, or do all financial members have a say? (2) Is it the correct procedure to adopt a balance sheet and then throw it open for discussion, or should the discussion precede the adoption?” (1) The members of the club or the executive where it has been empowered to do so. (2) The balance sheet is first adopted, and then it is open for discussion. “ Poplar ” asks: “ A and B have adjoining properties. A has poplar and pine trees growing on his land close to the boundary. A has lopped trees on one side so that they do not overhang on to B’s property. The trees have been planted about 25 years ago. B has purchased his property about five years ago. Can B compel A to cut down the trees? ’’ If the trees have been planted without the written consent of your predecessor in title you can compel your neighbour to cut down the trees. “ Interested ” asks: “ A pays B two large sums of money by crossed cheques for contract work done. A writes B for receipts for same, but B does not acknowledge letters or cheques received from A. What is A’s remedy? ” Under the Stamp Duties Act every person is liable on summary conviction to a fine of £lO who in any case where a receipt would be liable to duty refuses to give a receipt duly stamped. If you ascertain the cheques reached B you should write him that you are laying an information against him under the Stamp Duties Act unless he gives you the receipts. “Mother" asks: “If a parent with over two of a family can apply for the 2s 6d per week that was advertised in the papers some time ago, and where to apply? ” On application to the Commissioner of Pensions, Wellington; by the father of three or more children an allowance at the rate of 2s per week shall be made for every child of the applicant in excess of two if the average weekly income from all sources of the family of the applicant (including any allowance payable under the Act) shall not exceed £4,. together with 2s for each child of the applicant in excess of two.

After paying a business visit to the Cook Islands, Mr J. Thompson, of Auckland, is greatly impressed with the daylightsaving scheme practised, in the group. Work, he said, commenced at 7 o’clock in the morning, and finished at 4 p.m., thus giving over two hours of daylight for games, etc., even in the middle of winter, and making a big difference to the day. Bananas, oranges, and coconuts grew prolifically in the group, but nothing was done in the cultivation of pineapples, owing to the fact that vessels, with the exception of mail boats, did not call at the Islands in the hurricane season. It was at that time that the pineapples were ripe. The passing of the Summer Time Bill next week Mr T. K. Sidey regards as practically assured. In reply to an inquiry from Mr L. Joel (president of the Otago Cricket Association) Mr Sidey telegraphed stating that there would be no necessity to hold the proposed public meeting a s he was confident that the Bill would be passed. Discussing the same subject our parliamentary correspondent, telegraphing from Wellington, says that some of those interested in the Bill have been conferring with officials of the Railway Department, and it is stated that there will bo no difficulty in arranging country timetables t° suit dairy farmers. This, he adds, removes the principal objection to the measure, and if it passes the Lower House again there is no likelihood that the Legislative Council will oppose its passing into law. A claim is being made by a Christchurch man for a half share of the estate, valued at 22,000,000 dollars, of the late Mr Andrew Crawford, an American millionaire. Said to bo descendants of tho doad man, the Christchurch man and a sister living in Ireland, are believed to be the only claimants upon the estate, and it is stated (telegraphs our special correspondent) that they have proof of their relationship to the late millionaire. Twice now an American attorney has crossed the Atlantic to confer with the man’s sister in Ireland. He was the first to acquaint her of her believed relationship with the deceased millionaire. It was the sister in Ireland who wrote to the claimant in Christchurch and told him of the visits. Some years ago the late Mr Andrew Crawford left Ireland for America, where he amassed a huge fortune.

When -the case was called in the Magistrate’s Court at Hamilton on Wednesday, in which William Wood Diilicar, on a private information, charged Nathaniel Claud Clarke -with assaulting him by punching him on the neck and threatening him with a knife, it was announced that a satisfactory undertaking had been given by the defendant which would probably prove acceptable to the plaintiff. An assurance would bo given that Clarke would not attempt to do Diilicar any bodily harm. Mr D. Seymour, who appeared for complainant, intimated to Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., that a certain course had been proposed and he wished to explain tho reasons for it. It appeared that the defendant regarded Dillcar as a rival and took an action designed to frighten him away altogether. Counsel was now assured, on behalf of the defendant, that whatever his words and actions the defendant did not seriously intend violence. The relationship of Diilicar with the woman concerned had never involved anything more than a mere friendship. The plaintiff recognised that proceeding with the case would probably punish the defendant without benefiting anybody, and as a satisfactory undertaking had been given the plaintiff had decided not to tender evidence. Mr J. F. Strang, for the defendant, accepted the course suggested, and gave an assurance that defendant would not molest complainant again. While tho defendant’s conduct was not free from censure, it resulted from infatuation, but he never intended to carry his threats into effect, though Dillicar had reasonable ground for apprehension. Counsel added that tho defendant intended at an early date t 0 return to Australia. The magistrate dismissed the case for want of prosecution.

Mr P. A. C. Bates, assisted by scientists at tho Sydney University, has perfected an invention for the derivation of power from tho waves of the sea, which, if commercialised, may revolutionise industry (says the Sydney Daily Telegraph and News Pictorial). Describing his invention, Mr Bates, who is a native of Sydney, says that the waves are guided into channels, or a number of channels, having wide entrances. The water surges in and out, moving floats or pontoons, which operate powerful pumps, forcing water at. high pressure into accumulators, specially designed for the purpose. From the accumulators the water passes at a regulated pressure through nozzles to water turbines, from which machinery may bo driven direct, or 'he turbines may be coupled to electric generators to produce power or light. A message from Christchurch states that although no deaths occurred in the private maternity home that was recently closed by the Public Health Department for a week, one of the patients who was removed died in Christchurch Hospital, and the life of another was saved only by a blood transfusion. At the meeting of the Waikouaiti County Council on Friday it was decided that, in the event of the Waihemo County Council not agreeing before September 1 to the amalgamation of the two countries as recommended by a resolution passed by the Waikouaiti Council at its meeting on May 27, the chairman be instructed to have a petition drawn up praying for the union of Waikouaiti and Maheno Counties as provided by section 3 of the Counties Amendment Act, 1925, and presented to his Excellency the Governor-General.

Speaking at the civic reception on Friday afternoon, the Rev. Mr Barr mentioned the interesting fact that Glasgow, always prominent in municipal achievements, had instituted a 2d maximum fare on its trams, and one could now travel from Denniston to Govan, a distance of 30 miles, for that moderate sum. The reduction had been justified, for the City Council's revenue -increased in the following year by £82,000.

The deputy chairman of tho Harbour Board (Mr 11. E. Moller) reported at the meeting last week that the report of the sub-committee regarding the Albany Street School site was not yet ready. He stated, however, that the engineer had suggested a new site opposite the one where it had been proposed to build the school. Tho site of 18 acres which the engineer now suggested was behind the boat harbour and on the opposite side of the canal.

Tho New Zealand Society of Accountants will bo asked to consider, at the annual meeting, an amendment to the regulations covering the examinations necessary for admission to membership of the society. “Your council,” says the society’s annual report, “ proposes that after ' 1929 tho accountants’ preliminary examinations should be abolished and that the matriculation examination be compulsory, commencing as from 1930, but that candidates be allowed one year in which to complete a partial pass for the accountant’s preliminary examination ; and also, that on and after January 31, 1929, no candidate shall bo credited with a pass in any professional subject unless ho has passed the entrance examination or has been already credited with a sectional pass in the professional examination prior to January 31, 1929.” The North Island Motor Union decided at its annual meeting on Friday to request the Government to make the unauthorised use of a car the subject of a charge of theft, with a term of imprisonment without the option of a fine.

Regarding the carriage of fresh fruit and vegetables by express trains between Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill, the Minister of Railways (Mr J. G. Coates) announces that it has been decided mat fruit and vegetables from Christchurch to Dunedin and Invercargill will be accepted on such trains at double the ordinary fruit rate. In exceptional circumstances, when the express goods train is not running, small Jots will bo conveyed at ordinary fruit rates, subject to the district traffic managers being satisfied that the circumstances are such as to warrant the concession, and that the quantity is not excessive for conveyance by the passenger express train.

Two members of the House of Representatives were (says our parliamentary reporter) wheeled into the Chamber on Tuesday on chairs—Mr 11. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition) who was accompanied by Mr M. J. Savage (Member for Auckland West) and Mr W. E. Parry, who was wheeled in by a messenger. Mr Parry was unable to put his left foot to the ground, and had to be helped into his seat. A few minutes later Mr Downie Stewart, smoking his pipe, was wheeled in by his personal attendant. Mr Stewart is, however, able to walk with the aid of his crutches.

A memorial tablet to the late Mr A. D. Lubecki, who for over 50 years was actively associated with the Church of England in New Zealand, was unveiled by Archbishop Averill at the morning service in St. Matthew’s Church, Auckland, on Sunday week. “He died full of years and honour.” said the archbishop, in referring to Mr Lubecki. The possessor of spiritual gifts, he proceeded, should regard them in a spirit of stewardship, and realise that they were not for his personal edification, but for the benefit of all. Mr Lubecki’s sense of stewardship had been one of many Christian virtues that adorned his life. “ Men like this are the greatest examples of the meaning of religion. Their lives, ideals and principles are woven into the Church, and Go 1 alone can estimate their value,” concluded tho archbishop. The tablet is of brass, and is fixed to the west wall of tho church. It is inscribed as follows: To the glory of God and in grateful remembrance of Alois Duffus Lubecki, who passed into the higher life on July 26, 1926. As a member of the General Synod of the province and of the Synod of the dioceses of Dunedin, Nelson and Auckland, and a regular worshipper in this church for the last 25 years of his life, he rendered conspicuous service to the Church of God, and left behind him an example of loyal and loving devotion t 0 Jesus Christ.”

There are some people who are of tho opinion that virtue’s only reward should not merely be the ability to do more good. This was demonstrated at the Boys’ High School on Tuesday, when a boy’s honesty was recognised- in a practical manner by those who had profited by his integrity. When Roy A. Johnston, a High School boy, stumbled across a suitcase of stolen jewellery in the sand at St. Kilda, he reported his discovery to the police with little hope of reward. A great deal of the loot thus found, however, was prized by its owners, and they were determined, that the boy's readiness in doing the right thing should not go unrecognised. Thus it was that yesterday morning before hie assembled schoolfellows Roy Johnston was presented by the rector (Mr W. J. Morrell) with a handsome gold watch and chain, engraved with his initials, and accompanied by a grateful letter signed by the owners of the stolen property. Mr H. Turner, who represented the signatories of the letter, stressed the point that the donors did not desire the gift to be accepted as a reward for honesty. That quality of character, ho said, was expected in a High School boy. They simply wished to provide the boy with a tangible and lasting token of their appreciation of his action. And as such the rector handl’d over the gift, and called upon his schoolfellows to give the proud lad three cheers.

The public debt of New Zealand on March 31, 1927, totalled £182,113,695, says (he annual report o f the Public Debt ComStewart was wheeled in by his personal attendant. Mr Stewart is, however, able to walk with the aid of his crutches.

on Tuesday (telegraphs our parliamentary reporter). The debt redeemed or repaid during the financial year totalled £942,020, while the total redeemed or repaid since the Repayment of Debt Act of 1925 came into force is £1,831,3?E_