RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34106, 19 March 1976, Page 17

RANDOM REMINDER

NOT SEEING IS BELIEVING

Shortly we will be counting the number of shopping days to Christmas, but in a northern suburb of Christchurch there is a Mr X who still remembers the last shopping day before last Christmas. He had had a busy year and was knocking off for, in his opinion, a wellearned holiday. That morning his wife had directed that after work he call at the butcher’s for the Christmas meat and then go on to the supermarket for a few odd? and ends, including a half gallon jar of vinegar. Preferring love to war he put these domestic chores ahead of his social engagements.

It was late, nigh on closing time, when he arrived at the butchers. Here he was invited round the back where a kindly keg was supplying goodwill to a little gathering of regular customers. From there he moved on to the supermarket where he met an old friend who was just knocking off and suggested that, together, they head for the local pub. Some convivial time later Mr X sadly but ever so nobly hade farewell to his friends and left to drive home. But his car was missing. He searched the parking area, up and down the road, but to no avail. After a hurried consultation with a friend he phoned the police and

with much scratching of head and wallet searching, was able to give them sufficient details of his stolen car. Having done eveiything in his power to find the missing vehicle he returned to the bar. A little later in the evening, at the same place, the subject of his car being stolen was again being discussed. On hearing the talk Mr X s friend from the supermarket nearly spilt his beer laughing before he could explain that he had driven Mr X to the hotel and that Mr X's car would more than likely be obediently waiting outside the supermarket where Mr X had last parked it.