Random reminder

Press, 23 February 1978, Page 29

Random reminder

GRANDFATHER CHRISTMAS

Although childhood is supposed to be an age of innocence, with clouds of glory trailing the infant rather like an old varsity scarf, and although we would not for a moment dispute that there are aspects of both innocence and glory in the conduct of children, that conduct is also distinguished by a sort of brutal rationality which few adults would have the courage to exhibit in its naked form, Children make swift deductions and extrapolations from visible phenomena, without allowing sentiment to deflect them from the consequences of their observations. An example of this occurred recently, arising out of the jolly but

rather geriatric appearance of Father Christmas. A Christchurch mother, just before last Christmas, to.ok her two small boys to visit Father Christmas in his customary lodging place at a city department store. The boys had been to the same store, for the same reason, the previous Christmas, and it was obvious that they retained clear memories of what they regarded as the moribund condition of the elderly and rubicund gentleman. This lack of condition on the part of St Nick had most impressed the older of the two lads, and prompted him to announce during the course of the usual extended discussion l about what gifts Santa Claus would be called upon to supply, that he

(the older boy), was going to ask for absolutely . everything he could think . of. i “Why?” queried his i sibling, perhaps wondering what was different about this /newlyannounced policy as opposed to that previously in effect. ■» “Because he’s so old,” said the older and wiser lad. “You remember what he looked like - last Christmas. He must be about 90. He’ll probably be dead by next Christmas.” It may be that in order to allay this sort of anxiety about the annual renaissance of Pere Noel, that he should be depicted ;nq ‘ubui Xpapia ue sb iou as someone more approximating the condition of a Junior All Black.

HOSPITAL VISITING HOURS Burwood: Gene'af wards. 3.15-730 p.m Maternity. 3-4 p.m. and 8-8.30 p.m. Calvary: II an» • noon. 3t p.m., and 7 8 p.m Christchurch Hospital: 2 304.30 p.m and tt.ju-7.3u pm. Christchurch Womens: Maternity. 3-4 p.m and 8-8.30 p.m Gvnaccology. 2.30-430 p.m and 6.30-730 p.m. Princess Margaret: 2.304.30 p.m and 6.30-7.30 p :n. St George’s: 3 pm 4 pm. and 7 p.m.-8 p.m Maternity, 2.30 p.m.-3.30 p.m. LEISURE Swimming pools: Centennial. 7 a.m. to 5 45 p.m., 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Queen Elizabeth II Park. 7 a.m. to 8.30 p.m Waltham. 10 a.m. to 4.45 p.m.. 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 pin. .lellie Park, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sockbum Park and Halswel! Swimming Centre •'.< a m io 5.30 p.m,, 7 p.m to 8 p.m. Wharenui, 10 a.m to 12 noon. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Canterbun, Museum: 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Art Galleries: Robert McDougall, 10 a.m to 4.30 pm. C.S.A. 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Brooke/Gifford. 10.30 am. to 5.30 p.m. Public Library: Lending and reading, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m Newspaper room. 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Children’s library. 10 a.m. to 5.30 pjn. Wildlife Parks: Otar a 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Willow bank, 10 am. to 530 pm. SERVICES Emergency doctor: If you cannot contact vour doctor, or a doctor in vour area, telephone 69133 for information. Urgent pharmacy (15 New Regent Sreefl: 6 p.m to 11 p.m. Citizen’s Advice Bureau; Telephone 68-413 or 66-490 REFUSE PITS Bexley: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. I Heathcote: 8 a.m. to 5 p.tn. Waimairi: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Paparua: 8 a.m. to noon. 12.30 p.m. to 4 p.m.