Reporter’s Diary

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33875, 21 June 1975, Page 3

Reporter’s Diary

“Pack it in” UNION pressure had brought a stop to a fundraising project involving the packing of glass-ware, said the associate principal of Burnside High School (Mr John Godfrey) yesterday. Pupils had been working to raise $5OOO towards the cost of a new gymnasium by packing an export order of 80,000 glasses for Crown Crystal Glass. But the company had told the school to pack it in. “Someone in the union complained,” said Mr Godfrey, “and the company told us we had to stop. No work has been done today, and they will be coming to take the glasses away. The students were about one fifth of the way through the job. They ~ are very disappointed.” Orienteers

ABOUT 120 trampers set off on a 24-hour hike today in a test of their navigation and endurance. It is the annual orienteering exercise run by the Canterbury University Tramping Club. Competitors will be taken to some mystery starting point out in the country, and will set off at noon armed with compass, map, and torch. They will walk over hill and dale right through the night, finishing at the starting place again at noon on Sunday. The route brings them back to a wool shed for meals, and they have to sign in at checkpoints along the way. Trampers

from all over the South Island, and some from the North, are taking part. The winners will be those who cover the greatest distance in the time. Their prize will be the annual trophy — an old boot. Surf race HARDY types whose idea of fun is to leap into the sea in the middle of winter have a chance to do so ,in company today. There is a mid-winter surf race on for the experts, but there is another one at New Brighton at midday for social and casual winter swimmers. The 3ZME.M.I. Hellraisers will hold a surf race in which anyone can take part — with the prospect of hot soup when they return shivering to the beach, and a prize for the winner. Probably an electric blanket. Inder cover SEEN any livestock walking about wearing bright orange cow-covers? Or cars sheltering under such covers at night? Or stacks of timber keeping dry under them? If so, and they are stamped with the N.Z.R. sign, the Railways Department would like them back. They have launched a nation-wide adverti s i n g campaign offering S2O rewards for information leading to the recovery of any of the 2200 waggon tarpaulins found missing at the last annual stocktaking. The heavy-duty vinyl covers are worth about $62 each. They are clearly identified

with the Railways emblem, although the emblems do tend to fade. Reassessment IF LAWYERS forget, when appearing in court, that magistrates have a thorough working knowledge of the legal profession, they are soon reminded of it. Counsel in a drinking and driving case at Greymouth this week told his Worship that he intended to apply for a partial driver’s licence for his client, but because of the intricacies involved, he did not think he could draw it up in a fortnight. “You will,” replied Mr P. L. Molineaux, S.M., “You could draw up the Magna Carta in that time.” Forbidding? “THERE’S no sign up saying what this building is,” complained the Mayor (Mr H. G. Hay) at a meeting of the Christchurch Town Hall Board this week. Mr J. H. Gray, the Town Clerk, agreed that this was a problem. A recent American visitor had asked him: “Is that the State penitentiary?” Fast worker A MASTER at Christchurch Boys’ High School prides himself on the speed with which he does the daily crossword in “The Press.” Mr V. F. Wilkinson works so fast that he doesn’t even take time to write in the answers — he does the whole thing in his head. Yesterday morning’s crossword took him five minutes. His best time, he says, is a mere four minutes. Can any other puzzlers rival that?