RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31120, 25 July 1966, Page 22

RANDOM REMINDER

REASONING

It is good news for the citizens of Christchurch that a new mayoral car has been purchased. Already a deal has been done in Auckland for a 1964 Austin Princess, which sounds very good, and which should provide a proper vehicle for a very popular first citizen and his lady. It is admirable that any thought of purchasing something really elaborate, such as a Rolls Royce, has been thrust aside. New Zealanders, even the more eminent ones, seldom suit Rolls Royces, and that applies not only to the

more eminent ones, but also to the wealthier ones. Perhaps the story is apocryphal: but it could and would have happened to a good many dinkutn Kiwis, in the particular situation. It was a wealthy New Zealand farmer, who was on a trip to Europe, who went into a glittering London motor salon to purchase a car to take home with him. He wanted a Rolls Royce, and with typical Kiwi aplomb did not mind what colour it was, or if the tyres were ordinary or bore Constable reproductions.

He had only one request, before pulling out his cheque book. He wanted to make sure that there was a sound glass partition to separate the driving seat from the back seat. The first secretary (he couldn't have been just a salesman, in those surroundings) was appalled at the thought of the lovely machine being used as a taxi. He went so far as to demur tactfully. Then the farmer Explained it wasn’t to be driven as a taxi. The glass, he said, was to stop his sheep dogs from licking him.