Random reminder

Press, 21 January 1982, Page 20

Random reminder

GONE WITH THE WIND

Many old-timers will remember the bad old days during the depression when winter came and women were want to ensnare husbands to have something to put their cold feet on in bed as hot water bottles were too expensive. Hard times they were. Today electric blankets and mattresses have greatly helped women gain their independence: nor do they snore. However, an electric mattress that does not go is of no more use than a husband on permanent night-shift. That is why a Banks Peninsula man, a heavy smoker we regret to say, loaded hisfaulty mattress on to his trailer and set off for the big city to have it recovered and fixed.

Round the little bays, through Duvauxelles and past the Hilltop he went. About Little River a strong wind arose. By the time he reached Motukarara it was near gale force. Suddenly one almighty gust lifted the mattress from the trailer to fly through the air like some awesome u.f.o. till it crashed landed against a wire fence. Fortunately a farmer working nearby came over to help reload. The driver thanked the farmer, lit a

cigarette and once more headed for the city. It cost in the vicinity of $lOO to have the thing fixed but it was on the trailer again late that afternoon and our friend lit his cigarette then happily began the drive homeward. Through Tai Tapu and past the Black Tulip he drove, quietly puffing away and pondering on cabbages and kings and flicking ash out of the window. All was calm the wind was blowing itself out. At Motukarara he chanced to glance up at the rear vision mirror and saw smoke billowing out behind him somewhere. He wondered where the fire was. it seemed quite close. A second glance gave him the answer. His electric mattress was on fire. Quickly he braked and pulled the trailer into the side of the road.

A farmer who happened to be working close by leapt over a gate and rushed to help him remove the burning mattress. It was the same man who much earlier that day had helped him reload it on to the trailer after it had blown off at precisely the same spot.