RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31628, 14 March 1968, Page 18

RANDOM REMINDER

COLD FEET

There is at least one prophet who is not without honour in his own country. He is a Christchurch businessman who went on a tour of the North Island and passed through some spectacularly wild-looking back country. It was extremely hot, so when he came upon a wayside hotel, he went in for a drink. He was not alone in this thought. There was a considerable clientele, consisting almost entirely of gentlemen who clearly made a living felling timber or slaughtering the beasts of the field. He was perfectly turned out, in neatly-pressed shorts and knee-length socks, etc. It was obvious to him that he was the centre of considerable interest among the men in the bar, most of whom were carrying reading matter produced for those

who follow the fortunes of racehorses. There was an unexpected hush. Then a spokesman for the home team spoke: “Hey boy, you from t’ South Island?” Our man said he was. “Where from, hey?” Our man said he came from Christchurch. And then: “Hey boy, whatcher know for t’ first leg at Addington?” Our man felt happier then. He was not a student of the turf, but somewhere, someone had told him about a horse that should do well next day. In the interests of the horse, it shall remain anonymous. But as he gave out the name, there was much scribbling, and nodding of heads. They asked him about the second leg. After a quick peep at a list thrust in front of him, he made a wild guess. More scribbling. Then the bar emptied with dramatic rapidity as the good

townsfolk rushed to the T.A.8., but not before an enormous 20oz. glass had been pushed in front of him. Our man got out while the going was firm. But 30 miles on, he made a second error. He went in to try again for a quiet beer. Exactly the same performance was enacted, down to the enormous schooner of beer. He was in Auckland on the next night, and looked to see how his nominations had fared. They had both won, the double had paid several hundred dollars. He made bis return trip by a different route. He was filled with misgivings that if he went back the way he bad come, the inhabitants would not allow him thoroughfare, and that he would be propped up making predictions for the rest of his life. He was also fearful that he would not survive their hospitality.