Notes and Queries

Otago Witness, Issue 3890, 2 October 1928, Page 48

Notes and Queries

Questions for reply In the comtng Issue of the Otago Witness must be received not later than SATURDAY Night. Questions will NOT bo replied to through the post. Questions must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, but a nom de plume may be adopted for publication. “ Subscriber,” Queenstown.—Sec Home Interests next week. “Anxious” (Warcpa) and “Argument” (Lake Wakatipu)Next week. “Big Beu,” Akaroa, wishes to know (1) where a publication called the Commonwealth Jeweller and Watchmaker could be procured; (2) the address of a Melbourne book shop. (1) Write to 24 Bond street, -Sydney. New South Wales. (2) Cole’s Book Arcade. Rubber, ’ Riverton, would like to know 1 where he could procure good secondhand rubber hose (Jin) in lengths of 100 ft, without nozzle, and what would be the price of same. If you advertise your requirements you would, no doubt, receive replies; “ Constant Reader ” wishes to know the best and cheapest way to ob.ain a complete collection of foreign stamps. Should h*. go to a stamp dealer or deal direct with the different countries? If so, to whom should he write? Messrs Wilcox. Smith, and Co., stamp dealers, Dunedin, would give you the information as to prices. You can then decide by investigation as to which ;s the best method of buying or exchanging. Firms in various parts of the world issue catalogues. E. K„ Southland, wishes to know what to do for warts on cows’ teats, and asks if they are contagious. “ Agricola ” replies: “Warts that have slim necks may be snipped off with blunt scissors, a few at a time, then apply tincture of iodine. Other warts will come off in time if saturated several times daily with warm water containing one tablespoonful of washing soda per cup. Bacon grease or lard containing all the common salt it will take up is said to be useful for the removal of warts. W arts are not contagious.” “ Ignoramus,” Invercargill, wishes to know (1) the address of a good school which teaches dressmaking and millinery by correspondence; (2) how to take the stickiness off oiled doors and windows; (3) how to plant kow.hai seeds. (1) We are not aware of any school teaching these arts by correspondence. Perhaps some of our readers can supply “ Ignoramus ” with the desired information. (2) Apparently the oiling has been indifferently done. It is necessary that some drier such as japan oil be used with the raw linseed oil. (3) Soak the seeds for a month in wet sand, and then sow seeds and sand in soil, covering. with some scrub. Keep slightly moist. The filing of seeds halfway through the hard shells will hasten germination of, say, two-year-old seeds. “Shelter,” Bannockburn, asks: “Could you give me some information in regards to which species of tree would thrive the quickest at Nevis, the altitide of which is over 2000 ft. and which is subject during the winter to very severe frosts and heavy snowfalls? We have planted poplars and willows, but they are growing very slowly. The growth does not start here until well on into October, but when it starts it ia fairly rapid. If you can advise me which tree would be the most suitable please state where it can be procured.” The following named trees in their respective order are recommended: — Pinus ponderosa, P. insignia, and Cupressus Lawsoniana. “Motor,” Invercargill, writes: “With reference to the Kingston-Queenstown road now in course of construction (1) when will this work be ready for motor traffic? (2) How wide is it being made? It is said that it is only to be a one-way road. Any further remarks of general interest about this road, uhich is going to be of great value, will be welcomed.” (1) It is impossible to say, as it depends upon the amount of money available. (2) Fourteen feet. Motors will be able to pass. In view of the rapid development of motor traffic it is not unlikely that its effect on the steamer trade will be of an adverse nature. Road construction of this character is providing employment, and will assist in the relief work put in hand by the Government from time to time. “ Subscriber,” Oamaru, asks for a recipe for (1) forcer biscuits; (2) mock cream for spong filling. (1) Perhaps some reader will oblige ub with this recipe. (2) (a)_One tablespoon butter; icing sugar. Mix and add well-beaten white of egg and a little raspberry jam. (b) Small cup sugar, one tablespoon butter, juice of one orange, one lemon or two passion fruit. Bring to the boil, add the yolk of an egg, and stir till thick. If not thick enough add a little cornflour when cold, (c) One dessertspoon- , luaizena cooked in one cupful of milk. Remove from fire and add one dessertspoonful butter. When cold beat up until of a creamy consistency, sweeten to taste and flavour with essence of vanilla. “ Dunedinite,” Invercargill, writes: To settle a friendly argument would you kindly publish the rainfall in Dunedin and Invercargill for a period, say, from 10 to 15 years past, i.e., the number of days on which rain fell each year and the amount of rain? I remember reading in the Otago Witness some time ago some figures mentioned by Mr Tanncck, and by comparison Dunedin is mwh drier than either Wei-

lington or Auckland. If you can publish the statistics for the four centres and Invercargill I am sure the information would be welcomed by your readers.”

Mo. o£ days. To’.al fall. Dunedin, 1917 Inches. . 164 42.48 < Invercargill, 1917 . 208 46.39 Dunedin, 191S . . . 159 36.90 - Invercargill, 1918 . 226 49.08 . Dunedin, Invercargill, 1919 . 175 42.90 . 230 53.73 Dunedin. 1920 . . . 159 28.45 Invercargill, 1920 . 207 48.87 Dunedin. 1921 Incorrn Invercargill, 1921 . 221 47.99 Dunedin, 1922 . 177 38.09 Invercargill, 1922 . 217 44.32 Dunedin, 1923 . 155 44.70 Invercargill, 1923 Dunod.n, 192'4 . . Invercarg'll, 1924 . 212 47.82 . 1: 0 32.90 . 197 36.73 Dunedin, 1925 . . . 172 38.93 Invercargill, 1925 39.24 Dunelin, 1926 . . 193 44.98 Invercnr"’!!. 1926 225 S47.24