LETTER FROM LAGOS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 12

LETTER FROM LAGOS

Boy Wants Visit To Christchurch

A "free scholarship” to enable him to visit Christchurch and the Christchurch Boys’ High School is suggested by a Nigerian boy, G. Ishola Abiodun, writing from Lagos to the Canterbury Public Relations Office.

He also asks the office to forward him pictures of New Zealand, men, women, and children, and of colleges and universities, although pictures of “ladies” and New Zealand schoolboys appear to be his favourites. The letter, addressed to the “Christchurch public relations officer,” says: “Dear Sir—Having written several letters to you requesting to forward your latest publications of Christchurch-New Zealand catalogues, including all pictures of men, women, children, colleges, and universities of New Zealand, I received no reply from you.” [“That, is because this is the first letter we have actually received from him,” said Mr E. G. Beckett, the public relations officer. yesterday.] “Please, Sir, I am interested in pictures from foreign countries, and I shall be grateful and thankful if you should be good enough as to forward me the current pictures and catalogues,” the letter continues.

“Moreover, 1 will like you to sponsor a free scholarship for me to enable me to pay a visit to your country and Christchurch Boys’ High School. “Furthermore, kindly send me more pictures of ladies, and boys too.

“I shall be awaiting the said pictures and catalogues of your country in due course. Thanks very much. Yours truly, G. I Abiodun.”

Surveying the several dozen publicity and New Zealand travel publications displayed in the Public Relations Office, Mr Beckett said: “We'll send him one of everything!—and we’ll also include a Christchurch Boys’ High School prospectus.” The parcel of publications is unlikely to contain news of a free scholarship to Christchurch—but Mr Beckett intends sending a copy of Ishola Abiodun’s letter to the Minister of Education.