Reporter’s Diary

Press, 14 August 1976, Page 2

Reporter’s Diary

Hornby Trust TWELVE years ago, Mr Mick Connelly, M.P., downed the first draught of beer from the new Hornby Trust Hotel’s cellar, and pronounced it good. The after-taste must have lingered on, because he’ll be hack there on Sunday evening for a repeat performance. It seems that although the trust had an official opening, it did not get around to putting up a plaque to mark the occasion. Mr Connelly will remedy that by unveiling one. 12 years on. In the meantime the trust has gone from strength to strength. Takings have multiplied more than six times to the present SI 7,000 a week, and the hotel has nearlv trebled in size with more bar space, more bedrooms, a bigger dining-room and more kitchen space. Mr Jim Tocker, the trust's secretary, puts the value of the notel at about $1 million. Campaign odds MR JIMMY CARTER, the Democrat nominee, is now a three-to-one-on favourite to win the United States Presidential election, according to the latest odds of London bookmakers. At Ladbrokes and Playboy bookmakers, the odds on Mr Carter have shortened from 5-2 on a month ago. Ladbrokes offered 2-1 and Playboy 3-1 against President Fords returning to the White House. Ronald Reagan was 8-1 against with Playboy, and 12-1 with Ladbrokes. Substitute GLOCKENSPIELS are a bit thm on the ground in Christchurch, so Dobbs Franks, musical director of the Canterbury Orchestra, was considerably relieved this week to be offered an acceptable substitute called a dulcitone. A glockenspiel — which makes bell sounds — is needed for the next subscription concert on September 11. when the orchestra will present “Divertimento for Mozart." which includes a miniature concerto for glockenspiel. Th* glock-

enspiel is needed to represent the set of bells which a lad called Papageno from “The Magic Flute” plays with a mallet. Ordinarily, said Mr Franks, he would have been able to borrow the Symphony Orchestra’s glockenspiel, but by an unusual coincidence it will be in use. The dulcitone is an 87-year-old Scottish keyboard instrument which makes a very similar sound. It will be played by the pianist, John Luxton. A plot? “HURRAY! That will be my pension,” exclaimed an •elderly patient at Parklands Hospital when she saw an envelope lying on her bed on Tuesday. It wasn't. It was an account from the Cremation' Society for a rose to be planted on her reserved plot. Fortunately, she has a well-developed sense of humour. I nronstricted THEY don't beat about the jungle in the Nigerian business world. If one company tries to steal a march on another, the offended party lets him have both barrels, as this advertisement in the Nigerian “Daily Times” clearly shows: “It has been brought to our notice that our unhealthy competitors and their touts are engaged in carrying about false and unfounded rumours in order to attract our customers. We wish to state categorically to the general public and our customers in particular that none of our numerous drivers was ever swallowed by a boa constrictor in a bush near Ore Town. The rumour should be regarded as false and unpatriotic. For reliability and your personal safety you are well advised to travel by: Ekene Dili Chukwu (Nigeria), Ltd." A lemon MARKETERS of citrus fruit must have been surprised to see that TVI has discovered a new use for lemons. Through some mix-up, the soundtrack accompanying their advertisement appeared to recommend that humble fruit as a remedy for worms.

Last survivor I THOSE familiar with the Otago Early Settlers’ Museum in Dunedin, where scores of portraits of the stern-bearded pioneers of yesteryear look down from the walls, will remember perhaps the most remarkable portrait of all — that of Mr and Mrs James Loudon, of Green Island, and their 13 daughters. The last survivor of the 13 daughters, the youngest of them, died in Auckland recently. She was Miss Agnes Lang Loudon, aged 86, who was three or four when the old family photograph was taken. Her obituarv appeared in “The Press” of August 11. Driven to golf CELIBACY is a “source of tension” for Roman Catholic priests because the allmale seminary life makes them afraid of emotional involvement with women, according to a study of the reasons why men leave the priesthood. It also said it turned former priests to golf and drink. A report in the British Roman Catholic journal. “Clergy Review,” said priests could not make relationships “because of their emotional underdevelopment.” They had been trained as men apart when they should be men for others, able to make mature relationships with men and women. Insecure outside the brotherhood of priests, they tended to retreat into a defensive eccentricity. After the seminary they found there was no instant comradeship, so they acquired a superficial bonhomie to replace a real involvement of committed friendship. They were insensitive. lacking knowledge of how people behaved. They made up for their emotional immaturity with golf, drink, materia] possessions, and bachelorhood, the report said. Coing south WATCH OUT. Dunedin Botanic Gardens, there's competition on the way. “Ride needed to Dunedin,” says a sign on a Christchurch restaurant’s notice board, “for one person and II indoor plants. Leave any time.” —Garry Arthur