Notes and Queries?

Otago Witness, Issue 3853, 17 January 1928, Page 48

Notes and Queries?

tor r»ply in coming is«ue to be r»m*t*4 not Inter than SATURDAY night. Queotione will NOT be replied to through Ibe poet. Quettiens must be accompanied by the name Bad address of the writer, but a nom do plucae snay be adopted tor publication. “ Pihoihoi,” Dunedin.—Next wvek. “ Inquirer,” Southland, wishes to know of any correspondence schools which would prepare a candidate for civil service and matriculation examinations, preferably any near at hand. International Correspondence School (Department A), Box 087, Dunedin.

“ Cook,” Waimate. —In answer to your request for a recipe for' “melting moments, “ Windsor ’’ has kindly supplied the following : —lOoz butter, 3oz sugar, soz flour soz cornflour. Cream butter and sugar and work in flour and cornflour. Drop in teaspoonfuls on a cold tray. Bake in a moderate oven.

“Motorist,” Lawrence, asks: “ (1) Is it a good idea to give a car a coat of varnish now and again, say every year to keep thu paint in good order. (2) If so, what is the best kind of varnish to use, and where can it be obtained? (3) Could an amateur apply it successfully? (1) Yes, usually, if applied by someone with a good idea of painting. It is at times advisable to smooth down badly worn places with powdered pumice before varnishing. (2) Any English make of varnish, obtainable at any dealers in paints, etc. (3) Yes, if he is at all proficient in the art of painting, etc.

“Constant Reader," Mataura, asks how to remove dyU from a fugi silk dress which has gone patchy when dyed; so as to make it fit to dye it another colour. This question presents some difliculty. If ordinary household dye has been used you may find that ammonia and soft soap will clean the garment in a gentle boiling. The proportions are about a cupful of ammonia to three gallons of water, with 2oz of soft soap. If this fails you will have to use hydrosulphite of soda. This can be obtained from a chemist, but the City Dyeworks, 139 George street, Dunedin, would supply the quantity required. In cases of difficulty like this, it is sometimes better to hand ' over the job to an expert.

“ Jumper,” Napier, had given to her a beautiful white hairbrush and comb. “ (1) Will you please tell me how to wash them the proper way? (2) How to wash a fugi silk jumper to prevent it from turning yellow? " (1) In course of time, as the result of age the ivory (if ivory it is) will go yellow more or less despite all precautions, but it is possible to retard discolouration by washing in good soapy water in which th’ere is a little ammonia. Then rinse in clear cold water and dry in shade. (2) The tendency to go yellow may be checked by thorough washing in rinsing, but do not dry in the sun, but in preference roll the washed article in a cloth and leave for a few hours. Then iron garment in the usual method.

“ Farmer,” Clyde, writes as follows: — “We have a practically new well-built hut, lined inside with American t. and- g. timber, and it has become badly infested with bugs. We sealed it up and sprayed it twice with a very strong solution of formalin without any success. We would be very glad to know of an effective remedy.” “Agricola ” replies : “ If the . nature of the insect termed ‘ bug ’ had L’een described it would have been helpful, as this designation is often applied to many crawling offensive animals. However, before suggesting a more or less dangerous liquid like carbon-bisulphide, it would be advisable to try a preparation put up by the Standard Oil Company called ' Flit,’ which is the best eradicator the writer knows of for eliminating flies. n”*--. fleas, cockroaches, etc.”

“W. H.,' Geraldi-c, \,r.l_s: “1 am building a house on Bluff Hill, Napier. The position is rather an exposed one facing the westerly winds, which are the prt?- ' liling winds there, and the ground falls away rather abruptly towards the west. The soil is a deep, free loam on limer.one bottom. The climate is rather dry and hot in summer, and there is rarely any frost in winter. Would Mr Tannock advise through your ‘ Notes and Queries ’ column what I should plant to make a breakwind for my garden, and something that would grow quickly? I am also thinking of putting up a live fence for an inner fence (say, posts and wire netting,) and would be glad to be advised whas is best to grow up tire wire netting.” Mr D. Tannock, F.R.H.S., Superintendent Gardens, Reserves, Plantations, kindly replies: “Tree lucerne would be very suitable for providing quick, temporary shelter. Pinus radiata will also provide shelter quickly, but it will not stand up to the wind like tree lucerne. Plants to grow on wire netting are clematis Montana and its variety rubens, rambler roses, Cobaea scandens, and wistaria.”

“ Ben Lomond ’ asks tor the measurement of a stream of water. “A box was made 20in widv, with slide. All the water was passed through an aperture of 20in by IJin, and the depth of pressure board measured from top of aperture to top of water was sin. I have a sketch to further explain what I am asking for namely, the amount of water passing through the aperture.” Mr H M Davey replies: “ I regret having no reliable means of finding the exact amount of water issuing from the aperture in your sketch, as the box made that way is not the way boxes are made for the correct measuring of water for miners and others. The aperture should be 20in by 2in, and not be at the bottom as you show it, but 2in up, as a strip of wood 20in by 2m wide. should be nailed on the bottom. You see, the friction of the water along the bottom itself would varv considerably if rough or dressed timber were used, so a 2in bed of water is arranged for, so that the flow is as tjqual as possible. I have asked the editor to post you a card with an end vfew of a proper box. Probably 40 to 45 cubic feet per minute might be somewhere about the amount of water from the aperture you show.

New < Chum Miner,” Invercargill, writes: 1 , working a small mining claim consisting of gold-bearing wash (alluvial). I have electric power close at hand, inere is no natural water head pressure, but same can be obtained by suitable pumps connected to motor. Of the two propositions I wish to know which is the most efficient and economical. The height to elevate wash is ' 22ft: (1) To operate an Sin suction gravel pump workud by 35 h.p. motor; (2) to operate by . otn hydraulic elevator, force jet being

supplied by self-regulating multi-stage pump driven by same power (35 h.p. motor) —which plant would lift the most material?” Mr H. M. Davey, consulting engineer, replies With regard to your questions, as opinion entered into the replies, I consulted Mr Drew, the chief engineer of Mvssrs A. and T. Burt. You wish to know which we consider the better, a gravel pump or a hydraulic elevator which is not being worked in the ®sual manner by a natural stream of ®ater, but actuated by a high-pressure ©ntrifugal pump. We consider the latter the better plan for you, especially if you can do with little or no suction, by placing the elevator and its jet as low as possible, seeing it appears to require more water if you have suction and elevation, and pumped water is expensive. Also such a plant would be cheaper to move if you desired to move it to another part of the claim.”

" Novice,” Invercargill, asks for a recipe for gooseberry wine. “In fact,” our correspondent writes, “ I am using up all the remaining fruits (currants, gooseberries, etc.) after making jam, and wondering if they would do to make into wine. If you do not think so, would you give me one for gooseberry? ” Wine may be made from many things, but we cannot advise you as to the best method of using mixfed fruits. Gooseberry wine : For this take a gallon measure of fruit, 241 b of sugar, a pint of best brandy, and the whites of three eggs. Bruise the gooseberries till all are burst, pour on eight gallons of clear, soft water, and let it steep for 48 hours if warm, and a day longer if coolish weather. Strain and add the sugar to th’e liquid, putting it into a keg or small cask. Leave three days to ferment. Taste, and if too sugary let fermentation go on. When not too syrupy put in the brandy to stop fermentation. Drop in the whites of the eggs (or Joz of isinglass) to catch the dross, and lay the bung on the hole to keep out dust. After four weeks draw off, bottle, and seal. Put a date on the bottles and keep six months or a year before using. This makes a “ sweet ” wine ; longer fermentation will make it “ dry.”

“ Constant Reader,” Pareora, writes: “ Would you please reply to the following various questions :—A 12-year-old mare foaled December 20 (first foal). The foal did remarkably well until the beginning of this week, when it started to scour, and it is still not right. It lies down a lot, and when down it seems to eat earth, for it makes a hole under its nose. The mare has been running in a small paddock (eight-year-old grass), and the water is carried to her from a pump. She does not work, and is very fat. (1) What causes foal to eat earth? (2) Do you think earth-eating cause of trouble? (3) What is to be done to prevent foal from eating earth? (4) Could you give me population of North Island takfen at the last two census, also population of South Island both census? (5) After a body has been cremated, can the friends take the ashes and bury them in their own garden if they wish?”The veterinarian with whom this question was discussed is of the opinion that a change of feed, that is, of the grass paswhich the mare is grazing, is advisable. He suggested also giving the toal a tablespoonful of lime water in half a pint of cow’s milk. (1) Probably the mare s milk is not normal” owing to \® ed aa< l’ P erh aps, water conditions. (2) No. (3) Sefe that the mother has a change of feed. (4) North Island: tPi 2 \ 74 / 1 .> 25 , 5 ; 1926, 831,748. South Island: (including Stewart Island and Island): 1921, 477,658; 1926, (5) Y»es. LAW QUERIES. [AMwered by a nliciter of th* Supreme Wew Zealand. Letter* and Telegram* must Hy addreeaed te “LBX,” Editor, Otago Witn-t-Daoodiv. ]

“ Burgie,” South Otago.—Next week. Anxious,” Henley.—Your question arrived too late for attention this week. "Hard Up.”—The Secretary, Art Gallery Dunedin, could tell you if the picture had any monetary value. “Constant Reader,” Otago, asks: “ (1) 'What age must a boy be before he can obtain a motor car driver’s licence? (2) What age must a boy be before he can get a permit to buy a gun?” (1) Fifteen years of age. (2) Sixteen years of age (if with the consent of parents).

Dodge " asks: “If a widow takes in two boarders with a view to paying off mortgage on house in which she lives, would she have her widow’s pension reduced?” Yes, if her income exceeded £52 a year, her pension would be diminished by £1 for every complete pound of income in excess of £52.

Sister asks: 1 I have a brother of whom we have heard nothing for three years, all letters being returned per dead letter box. His old address was 27 Town Hall Brisbane. To whom should I write for further information? ” —You can advertise in the Brisbane papers for information as to your brother’s movements.

Retlaw asks : “ I bought a house costing £620. I paid £25 deposit, borrowed £4OO from the local Building Society, and the previous owner took over the other £2OO on mortgage. Can you give me any idea as to what the costs should be?" (1) Stamp duty. (2) Transfer fee. (3) Solicitor’s fee. (1) £6 17s. (2) Registration fee on transfer if one title, 10s (3) £5 15s 6d.

‘ Farmer ” asks : “ I am not satisfied with the way the stock agent has been making up my account. (1) Can I employ an outside accountant to look over my account in their books, and if so how many years could he go back? (2) Can the stock agent increase my rate of interest from 6 per cent, to 7 per cent, without giving me notice? ” (1) You cannot inspect the company’s books without its consent, (2) Yes.

Anxious ' asks if the Old Age Pension is reduced. “ My mother’s pension has been reduced to £1 5s per month. She has no money, only land which is valued at z.x ’ * s a widow 82 years of age. (1) To whom should I write about the matter? (2) Please give the address of Mr J. M*C. Dickson, • M.P.” (1) You should interview the Pension’s Officer, Dunedin, as to the matter. Failing satisfactLOlk yO P should write the Commissioner of Pensions Wellington. (2) Mr J. M’C. Dickson s address is Portobello

“Accident," Otago asks: “A and B were riding along the road on horseback A on the left hand side and B on the right

hand side. C and D were riding on the left hand side on bicycles, and in the same direction. C rang the bell when about 50 yards in the rear of A and B. A looked round and pulled further to the left, B took no notice, and stayed where he was. C then attempted to pass. When C was between A and B, B suddenly pulled across the road to A, and knocked C off his machine. (1) Who was responsible for the accident? (2) Can C claim damages? ” (1) B was responsible. (2) C can claim damages.

An endeavour to obtain Continental quotations for a supply of rails and fishplates needed by the Wellington .City Council in August last has (our special correspondent reports) resulted in the discovery of an international rail combine. “ Erma,” the European Rail Manufacturers’ Association includes four countries, and possesses a central allotment committee which makes its allocations on the basis of 1,000,000 tons of steel rails each year. These allotments are divided on the proportions of 42 per cent, to Great Britain, 22 per cent, to Germany, 19 per cent, to France, and 17 per cent, to the Customs Union of Belgium and Luxemburg. It is stated also that there is an understanding between the various countries which results in a refusal to quote against Great Britain -where a supply to her Dominions is concerned. In any case the cablegrams to the Continent from New Zealand remained unanswered.

It is understood that negotiations ’.or the sale of the old-established business of Messrs Stevenson and Cook, of Port Chalmers, are practically completer’. The new owner will be Mr J. W. Scuti of Dunedin.

It is satisfactory to know that the strong protest made by Dunedin citizens at the exclusion of Otago and Southland, and especially of Dunedin, from the itinerary ot Dr Hill, director of Kew Gardens, in his tour of New Zealand, ha 3 secured a revision of the programme of visits to the various cities. Mr T. K.- Sidey, M.P., who was chairman of the meeting at which the resolution of protest was carried, and other prominent movers in the matter, last night received telegrams from the Hon. W. Downie Stewart intimating that it has now been arranged that Dr Hill will leave Christchurch on February 1 for Dunedin, where he will remain for a day and a-half, returning to Christchurch on the 3rd. Mr Stewart explains that he was not aware of the arrangements concerning Dr Hill’s visit until he read the Dunedin protest in the papers. “The most responsible job a woman can take up is that of being a mother, yet there is nothing to prevent her rushing into it without any preparation or experience whatever,” said Lady Alice Fergusson "n the course of an address to the League of Mothers on Friday. “We all know that for difficult and important work, special training is necessary. Practically all professions and callings are open to women to-day. In each and all a woman needs training before she is fit to be employed, and does it not strike you is extraordinary that no preparation is necessary for the one most important work that a woman can take up? ” Friday was the warmest day experienced this summer. The sun’s bright rays flooded the land from a clear blue sky, and a gentle wind from the northwest fanned the hot atmosphere. The barometer rose to 71deg, which was the highest maximum temperature recorded during the past few months. The minmum temperature was 48deg. There was a sudden change in the climatic conditions about 5 p.m., when the sky became overcast with dark clouds, and the wind veered to the south-west. The conditions were decidedly much more pleasant last evening.' A light steady rain set in in the evening. Not the least exciting incident at the Masterton Solway show grounds, on the occasion of the historic Ranfurly Shield match on July 9 last was the collapse of two motor stands which, while being used as vantage points by a number of spectators, caved in beneath the load *jf human freight. In the meantime the stands have been re-erected by the owners, who have claimed a refund of the amount, £3B from the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association. At a meeting of the General Committee of the association, the two accounts, which had been forwarded to the Wairarapa Rugby Union for settlement, were returned, with a covering letter from the secretary of the union, intimating that his Management Committee disclaimed any liability in the matter. After discussion, the agricultural and pastoral association decided to take legal action to recover the amount from the Rugby Union. The great heat of Friday was followed by a drop in the temperature last night (reports our Queenstown correspondent). A chilly southerly sprang up, accom panied by light showers. It is profoundly hoped that the change may develop into steady rain, but the barometer does noi indicate any sudden alteration in the weather conditions.

Mr R. E. Aubin, son of Dr Aubin, cf Auckland, climbed Mount Cook on Thursday with Guide Jack Pope. Weather conditions were perfect and the climb was made in the excellent time of 18 hours.

It is well known that foreigners experience the greatest difficulty in mastering the English language. Englishmen, however, often find themselves in a similar dilemma as regards other langanges. The British and Foreign Bible Society has recently printed a translation of the Bible in the Lengua language of South America, and this is one which abounds with difficulties. For example, the word for ” eighteen” is “ Sohog-emek-wakthla-mok-eminikantan-thlama.” A literal translation of it is, “ Finish my hands, pass to my other foot, three.” Anyone who follows the instructions correctly will arrive at the num-, ber 18. . The people who speak the Lengua language count by means of their fingers and toes. Another example of the way in which the language is built up is shown by the word for “ butter.” This is “ Wait-kyana . mankukingminik-ikpithmuk/ which literally means “ the grease of . the juice of the udder of the cow.”