MAN UP POLE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29706, 27 December 1961, Page 11

MAN UP POLE

Attempt On Record Happy and talkative, late last evening, was Mr C. L. Boyles, who ascended a 66ft pole in the Addington Show Grounds at 2.45 p.m. to attempt pole-sitting records. "I’m feeling fine," he said. ”1 ve got a comfortable chair and plenty of foam rubber cushions. There was a bit of a breeze about four o’clock and the old pole rocked a bit. but she’s good now.” Mr Boyles, who is married with six children, has taken a week off his job at the Christchurch Gas Company’s works in Moorhouse avenue to s.t up the pole. He spoke on his telephone that he keeps in a ’’cubbyhole” with cigarettes, books, and magazines. “I’ve got plenty to think about." Mr Boyles said. "I’ve just been watching the Maori concert party. About 200 people have telephoned me."

Most callers, he said, wished him luck, asked after the weather, and what it felt like. Most of them sounded sincere. A few said funny things. Promise of Whisky "One little girl who sounded about eight years old—said she bet me £5 I didn’t stay up two days. Somebody promised me a bottle of whisky if it gets too cold, but 'they didn’t leave any ’phone number. “The wife and kids have all been to see me and, of course, they ring me up. The wife wasn’t too keen on the idea, but she’s taken it in good part.” Mr Boyles described h’s perch as an easy chair with a back that could be moved back to make a comfortable sleeping position A platform supported his feet A rope, pulley and box arrangement raised his food to the platform. “I’ve only had one meal so far and it was pretty good." he said. Mr Boyles said he was one of eight men who volunteered for the job when it was suggested bv the Shirlev Rugby League Football Club, which is sponsoring a carnival in the grounds It was his first attempt. He was not sure of the number of hours he had to oass to break the record, but he honed to stay up until the end of the carnival next Tuesday.