Notes and Queries

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 46

Notes and Queries

Questions for reply in the coming Issue of the Otago Witness must be received not later than SATURDAY Night.

Questions will NOT be 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.

’‘Somewhat Dumb/' Timaru. —Your questions have been submitted to an expert. ♦‘Veritas,” Riverton. —The question has been inquired into, and you will be advised later.

♦‘Wing Forward,” Waimate, asks: “(1) How many of the Rugby football matches played during the last seven years between England and Scotland have been won by England ? (2) In what years were they won by England ? ” (1) In the football matches between England and Scotland from 1923 to 1929 England has won three and Scotland four. (2) England won in 1923, 1924, and 1928. J 1 Kiltie,” Oamaru, wishes to know how or where she would obtain a. readymade pair of dark tartan Highland socks to fit a child of six years. The different clans have their own particular tartans, and it would be difficult to procure a pattern, as. you do not mention the tartan required. However, you can procure from Messrs Charles Begg and Co., Ltd., 21-2 o Princes street, Dunedin, anything desired in the foregoing connection. •‘Sailor,” Wyndham, asks: “(1) Is it correct to say' ‘ a pair of twins when speaking of two lambs ? (2) Where must I write for information regarding joining the training ship in New Zealand ? (1) No. (2) If you refer to the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy, make application for a pamphlet containing the terms and conditions under which boys and men accept service, to the Navy' Office, Wellington. •Doubtful,” Otautau. asks: “Is it possible to locate water, gold, coal, or any other mineral by means of a divining rod ? Has any been found by means of this method ? ” Water, has been found by means of the divining rod, and experts contend that they' can locate mineralised reefs. It is suggested that you communicate with Mr J. Mosley, of Stirling, who has considerable experience in respect to the divining rod. •Miner,” W T est Coast—With regard to y'our question in our issue of September 2 Mr H. M. Davey is informed that if a pelton wheel,. 135 b.h.p., 40in in diameter, automatically governed, and fitted with ball-joint nozzle, ring-oiled bearings, complete in case, and on a large bedplate, seems to suit you, you can be put in communication with the owners, who have also a "winch with about 600 ft of steel cable, 3in (i.e., |m in diameter). The winch has a double drum.

•Lee,” Otago, writes : “(D I "would like to know the name of a good Englis.i company where I could get an English radio for about £3O. (2) What would be the duty on same ? W hat would be the duty on a Majestic or Roger radio from Canada or a Radiolo from America ? ” (1) Messrs Brown Bros., Ltd., Great Eastern street, London, E.C. 2. (2) The duty on a broadcast receiving set valued at £3O of English or Canadian origin would be £4 Is, and on a United States of America set of same value £l4 3s. “ Information,” Central Otago, asks : “(1) "Where can I procure the game called Halma ? As it is sold in boards for two and four players, I would like to know the price of each board. (2) In what book could I find the recitation called ‘Marion Lee,’ about a bushranger’s sweetheart who died whilst trying to save him ? Where can the book be bought and what would be the price of it ? ” -(l)At Messrs Duncan and Simpson, booksellers and stationers, 126 George street. Dunedin; price Is 6d, postage 6d. (2) If a reader can supply this information we shall be obliged. •Argument,” Balfour asks : “(1) Can you advise me how to prevent rabbit skins from getting weevily ? (2) What method is adopted to keep rabbit skins over a lengthy period ? (3) How long can skins be kept ? (4) What is used on the skins ? (5) Where can I procure same ? (6) How often have they to be treated ? (7) Can they be packed in bales ? ” “Agricola ” replies : “(1) and (2) Dry thoroughly and treat skins with powdered naphthalene. (3) About a year under good conditions. (4) Naptlialene. _ (5) Any' of the stock and station agents. (6) Once, at the rate of, say, 81b to a bale. (7) Yes.” “Dickybird,” Hakataramea, wishes to know if goldfinches migrate in the winter months, for he has not noticed any during the winter months. It is probable, owing to New Zealand’s equable climate, that the goldfinch is no longer migratory. “There is every probability that it is only within comparatively recent times,” says the Hon. G. M. Thomson in his book on the animals and plants in New Zealand, “ that these birds have ceased to migrate in England, and therefore we may fairly conjecture that there are now local races of finches in the Dominion.” M. 8., Otara, described an hydraulic ram which was -water logging, and wished to know the cause of same. His letter was referred to Mr H. M. Davey, consulting engineer, who formed the opinion that leakage was the trouble. Mr Shanks, one of Messrs A. and T. Burt’s engineers, confirmed this opinion, adding that if M. B. could not remedy

the leak, he could send the dome to Messrs A. and T. Burt’s. The leak is obviously so minute that it might be termed a “ weep.” It may be in the dome—that is to say, right through the metal—or at one or more of the joints near there. Mr Davey would also like to know if the defect was always there, or if it had developed later, and, if so, when; also what was the make of the ram.

“ Farmer,” Otago, wishes to know the rates of "wages of shearers and hands in shed in Otago for the season 1930“L——The following rates have been decided upon for the coming season:— (a) Shearers: (1) 25s per 100 and found (5s extra per 100 where shearers find themselves) for hand and machine shorn, also for lambs; (2) stud sheep by agreement; (3) rams double rate, except hogget rams (rate and a-half). (b) Pressers : (1) Is 9Jd per hour or £3 2s 6d a week. (c) Other shed hands : (1) Is 71d per hour or £2 17s 6d a week, (d) Youths (16 and under 12 s 6d a week; by the hour, Is Bd. ( e ) Cooks: (1) 12 men or . under—£3 12s 6d a week; (2) over 12 men, by agreement, with a minimum of ® (O Cooks’ assistants: (1) £3 2s 6d a week. . “Interested,” Kurow, asks: “(1) What is the best method of using corrugated covering a haystack? (2) What is the name of the grass or weed sent under separate cover ? Has it any . food value for stock ? ” Agricola" replies; “(1) We have no information m regard to the use of iron for haystacks, and owing to the probable expense are doubtful whether it is practicable to attempt such a covering. . A permanent structure, roofed with iron, to which all hay could be carted, should prove useful, and probably the better way of making use of the iron. (2) The specimen of grass cannot be identified owing to its fragmentary nature. If later in the s ® a ®? n ou car e to send in a specimen of the grass, with flower head, I shall be pleased to . have it named. The grass was submitted to Mr Tennent, of Department of Agriculture, but he did not. care to pronounce an opinion in the circumstances.” Inquirer, "Wyndham, asks : “Are lawn tennis courts a success for playing on in Southland ?. When laying one, is it advisable to dig down to the clay and sow grass there, or can it be sown on the top soil and give a hard playin" area . I have heard that brown top is the best grass to sow. Is that so. and when is the best time to sow it ? ’’ -—-Yes, grass lawns are in use in Southland, but are not so "widely favoured as concrete or asphalt, owing to the trouble incurred in coping with the growth of grass and the marking of the courts so often as compared with a chip, concrete, or asphalt court. Ihe area intended for a grass court should be levelled, the soil well worked up, weedy growth, etc., eliminated, the land harrowed, rolled, and fertilised, and a mixture of grasses sown comprising, say, 10 parts of certified perennial iyeglass, one part of brown top, two parts of Chewing’s fescue, and two parts of crested dogtail. Sow the mixture at the rate of 2oz per square yard.