Reporter's Diary

Press, 25 September 1980, Page 2

Reporter's Diary

Stumped IN WHAT can only be described as sheer vandalism, two oak trees in South Hagley Park have been chopped down, A reader noticed the two trees lying on the ground while walking in the park, in the space between the rugby and. hockey fields, yesterday morning. But by the time our photographer arrived, City/ Council workmen had - removed them and only’ two

stumps remain. Mr Alan Jolliffe, the curator of the Botanic Gardens and Hagley Park, said that the trees, which stood between eight and 10 metres high, had been chopped down with an axe and were discovered on Monday morning. “We can only assume they were felled on Saturday or Sunday night. It is just out-and-out vandalism, and I would like to know who did it and ’ why,” he said.

“We have told the police about it, but of course there - is not much they

can do. now. Those trees are gone forever.” Two new, much smaller trees will be planted in the same spot next year. No return?

HEART patients travelling to Dunedin for surgery have understandably been taken aback when presented with their air tickets by the North Canterbury Hospital Board. The board has been giving them all a one-way ticket, which, as can easily be imagined, is not exactly encouraging. However, from October 1, the board will be able to be seen as more optimistic — all heart patients will be given a return ticket when they travel south. Spring fever? COULD it be a coincidence or was it only to be expected that the neonatal unit at Auckland Hospital would be too busy to care for a premature baby earlier this month? A study of New Zealand vital statistics for the last 10 years would suggest that a small baby boom is only to be expected in September. Other months that consistently score highly with births are March, May, August, and October. But why September? Obviously a lot of women favour the idea of carrying their baby in the winter and giving birth in the spring. On the other hand, a lot more might be swept off their feet during the festive month of December. Cookie costs AMONG the burning issues to be put before yesterday’s meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board was the question of whether the staff should pay for biscuits at morning tea. At present,') the biscuits are issued free to staff members at afternoon tea and supper, but a retrenchment policy may have to be adopted and the staff may. have to pay for them.