RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33694, 18 November 1974, Page 22

RANDOM REMINDER

SAD SONG

While the debate about pollution in the lower reaches of the Waimakariri River continues, public use of the river increases. The colour of the water —and its flavour and smell —are often far from appetising, but fishermen and boaties still multiply there. There is even talk of a sea-plane operating pleasure flights, much to the alarm of yachties and water-skiers 'who have enough difficulties avoiding each other without having to decide who gives way to aircraft. One yachtie not so long

ago decided the pollution has gone too far. It cost him his pride and joy—a crisp, grey, curly beard. Ail his own fault, of course. He was sailing late in the day and when he capsized on a lonely stretch not a friendly craft was in sight. To make matters worse he and his crew, instead of righting their boat, only succedded in turning it over completely so that the mast stuck in the ooze. After a long, cold wait in the middle of the river two power-boats finally extricated them. But wash, shower, scrub as he might, the skipper could not remove

from his beard the unique Waimakariri smell. Living with a constant reminder of his long imersion under his very nose was bad enough. His wife began finding reasons for sleeping elsewhere; his friends made far too much space for him at the bar; even the cat would get up, pointedly, and leave the room when he entered. Finally, the beard had to go. Better a freezing face than a permanent pong. But when they say the pollution isn't too bad, or that even more might be beardless skipper who turns an angry red.