RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31154, 2 September 1966, Page 22

RANDOM REMINDER

MAN OF PARTS

The primary schools are not yet back in business, but for most parents, it will soon be time to heave a gusty sigh of relief. There is fairly general sympathy for the housewife who has small children at home during the holidays. It’s not that she isn’t happy to have them about her: it’s simply that it’s hard to get on with the day’s work when the small son and two or three of his friends swarm all over the washing machine, under the strange misapprehension that it is a space capsule.

But she is not the only one with problems. Another who has an extremely difficult time is her husband. if he comes home for lunch each day. because he is expected to take a brief but vital part in whatever his children, and the hosts of friends they gather about them at this period, are doing. And it’s not always easy to pick tip the thread of the story, at very short notice. A man in this situation who keeps a diap’ might write something like this:— Monday, August 22: Am SPECTRE agent, picked up

by Bond who stepped out from hedge as I entered gate. Informed me he had licence to kill. Informed him it customary for Bond to allow victim lunch before extermination. Bond displayed excellent appetite. Still eating when I made my getaway in specially equipped 1939 Morris. Tuesday, August 23: Helped lose Ranfurly Shield for Auckland. Was outnumbered by Canterbury, five to one, but put up convincing struggle. Winning team showed distressing conceit, and irritating habit of barging in line-outs, in which full Canterbury team took part. Wednesday, August 24: An arrow across my bows despatched from rockery and lusty cheering, from group sheltering behind trellis proclaimed that I was in Injun territory but was military force arriving to relieve waggon train. Operation abandoned by consent of both parties on production of new ball of string for reconstruction of kite. Thursday, August 25: Captured, when only a

few yards short of safety, by detachment of elite S.S. troops but rescued only minutes later from locked wash-house by fearless commandos. Counter-attack by Nazis, fiercely resisted, and deadlock resolved only by Ministry of Food threatening severe rationing. Noise appalling. Friday, August 26: Brought disgrace to Old England. Became first English team to lose cricket test to New Zealand. England consisted of one batsman, batting lefthanded. New Zealand had eight, all of whom talked vigorously throughout match. Then required to assess value of son’s stamp collection. Generous estimate put it at 7s lOd.

Saturday, August 27: Host at picture party of eight children. Lost two on going into theatre. When time to buy ice creams discovered both missing persons had returned and force had been supplemented by arrival of three more. Assess cost of expedition, including mileage. at £2 3s 6d. Decide to have lunch in town next week.