RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32804, 3 January 1972, Page 12

RANDOM REMINDER

FACE IT

At the start of a new year, if at no other time, there is often a note of optimism about which cannot be detected later. Peonle tell each other that they are not going to leave the payment of the rates to last thing this time, that they are going to organise their affairs so that the Inland Revenue Department’s demands do not present a particular crisis, and they even say, before December is out, that they will shop early next time. There is no intention, here, however, of trying to gild any lilies, or indulge in games of make believe. Of course you will be rushing in to avoid penal payments on the rates, of course the I.R.D. will hit you like a hammer and of course you will spend the last couple of day before next Christmas in a frantic rush. So it is likely to be

just another black year. The car repair bill will be even higher, the mother-in-law will stay even longer, Canterbury will not win back the Ranfurly Shield, and the promotion you know deep down that you have earned will not come your way. And figs to you too. What is it then, that makes it all worth while? People, of course. Nice people. You meet them, now and then. A North Canterbury couple met some recently, so they are still about. The N.C. couple had been invited to the wedding of the husband’s cousin, but could not get to the church from another appointment. They went to the reception. They were almost the first to arrive, and thus were able to take up a strategic post near the bar. Moreover, the barman got to know them, and look after them

with considerable solicitude.

They did not know any of the other guests, so they applied themselves to the whisky industriously. But when the company numbered about 200, it seemed strange that they still did not know anyone. It was when the bridal party arrived that all was unveiled, in a manner of speaking. They were at the wrong reception. Simultaneously, as they heard a boom of noise from a Rabelaisian frolic in the next room . , . They ran through the dividing doors to their own group. She had the courage to come back and apologise to the two perfect strangers who had refrained from giving chase, who thought the whole thing immensely funny, and who invited them warmly to stay on and have some more. Nice people.