The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-07-30

Mr.. EpIToR:-As you men of the quill are ex-
pected to know everything, and be able to answer the
ten thousand queries that the multitude may put to
you, I will make bold to request, that either you or
some of your able contributors solve the questions 1
may put relative to zinc paint.
When last at the Metropolis, 1 was induced by a
friend, who is a merchant, to purchase, instead of
white lead, a quantity of zinc. 1 had never used
any of the kind beESs As my painting was out
side work, 1 used Instead of linseed oil.
Great was my surprise to find fhSs6iEspore IS I put
in, the thicker the paint became. 1 now the
removal of my piiikia. 1 was forced to resort
linseed oil, to be able to use the mixture.
The query is, why does zinc paint mixed with raw
kukui OF, become thicker the more oil you put ins
What is TIE chemical affinity between the zinc and
oil tina ca ses them to unite, The quantity of the
zinc sec end to be increased by this chemical process,
and the n aght occurred that possibly the unity of
these articles may be found to so increase the bulk of
the zinc as to render it profitable to mix them. This
pilikia 1 should like to have solved, even though no
other kuaaina or Metropolitan may have found him.
self in the same fix. YoursE QUERY.
Mr.. EDrron:-Hearing thai Ehere was going to be
a trial of the Engines of thk Fire Department, on
Saturday last. l proposed, y my friend Crookshanks
to be round on an occasi@ of such public interest.
He seconde6e Y motto eand proposed as we lived in
the suburbs 3 Metropolis, to borrow a friends
turnout, <Aszported at an immense expense. to show
off. Awaiting myself of such an opportu
nifty of improving my credit, Gas contemplated buy
ing a clipper sloop on time) I leaped into the wagon,
and with a seedy hat and borrowed coat patron
izingly bowed to all the tight sc irregulars'' on the
road, not emitting two kaikos, who hold some 1. O.
US of mine, and thanks to Crookshanks' Sc fast''
driving, we arrived on the ground exactly fifteen min
utes past four, Dayid's time.
A small machine with q large company was on the
ground, having two men with Nos. on their hats
which signifed that that was No. 2. After they had
ascertained what chose meant, they commenced to
play to get their hand in. A small boy shouted with
poetical inspiration, MY eye, how high!'' and was
confidently assured by a man with a cast in his eve
that she would g knock spots'' out Of the other on.
gine which was now seen coming up street. After
nnding out what her propelling power was, and being
confidently assured that she had some men with her,
| offered to stake a bogus v. on the result. but INV in.
tended victim Indignantly wanted 10 know = he
" looked like a man that would bet on an engine -,
After several frantic attempts bv some ;nd;S;du.,.
IN biue shirts to find the right hose, things were de-
ciaIed all right and off they went. Saw the { nuh.
he taking hold OF the le-ge machine, among which
were my esteemed friends Of the :. Press.., .on'
GUIDED she was to win, bet my borrowed coat and
nat, and watched with intense anxiety the result
Mr.: Editor that coat aud hat are gone. Below vnr
pointed: "e'0 "'' up
3 '@'n engine s ss:s:
" ~