RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30275, 30 October 1963, Page 24

RANDOM REMINDER

SORRY, WRONG NUMBER

Not many readers of the daily newspaper appreciate the stresses and strains undertaken by those responsible for the gathering of the hundred and one items of local news which appear each day. It is not merely a matter of scaling mountains, bringing the story back by dog sled, rescuing firemen and being at the scene of the burglary before a police dog can start to slaver. There are all sorts of other problems. Such as the one encountered not long ago by a young reporter assigned to cover a meeting of the Christ’s Coileee Old Boys' Association—an assignment,

one might say, beautiful in its simplicity. But even this straightforward task had its difficulties. The reporter, who had been educated at another place, asked directions of a senior, and was given explicit instructions on how to get there. Which he followed explicitly. When he arrived, he found the main door open, so walked in. On one side of the hall, there was a door, so he knocked dutifully. But no-one answered. But he could hear, within the room, sounds. This reporter is a young man, but married, and he immediately identified the soft scurrying noises as those often emanating

from it'ino.. c. -.ip.eL.aied for a male visitor. Little giggles and rustling noises and hurried, whispered conversations. Blushing deeply, the young reporter tried another door. Similar sounds could be heard. He began to think that he had come to the wrong address. This conviction was deepened by a glimpse of a young woman, far down the hall, who was Not Fully Dressed.

The reporter left th* building in some haste and great consternation. And he is now as well aware as anyone that Julius House is not the same thing as Bishop Julius hostel. And so is his advisor.