Reporter’s diary

Press, 21 January 1982, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Ice stamps ORDERS for first-day covers of the new Ross Dependency definitive stamp set, released yesterday to coincide with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the base, were heavy, said a Post Office spokesman. Although the stamps are valid only for posting from Antarctica (they cannot be used on mail from New Zealand), collectors moved in quickly to purchase their stamps. About 3000 orders

for first-day covers had been received. The covers will be franked at the base and returned to their purchaser within a few weeks. The stamps were designed by Maurice Conly, a former Christchurch artist, who is the Antarctic Division's official artist. The designs are Adelie penguins (sc), vehicles on the ice (10c), Scott Base (20c), a scientific field party (30c), Vanda Station (40c), and Captain Scott's Cape Evans hut (50c). Stumped TIRED of having his copy of “The Press” stolen morning after morning, a colleague who lives in Latimer Square, decided to do something about it. In the wee small hours he rose, rolled up an old newspaper and carefully placed it out on the footpath — where his paper is often "delivered” — in the hope that the thief would come along early and steal the “decoy” paper. When he went out that morning, both old

and new papers had been thrown over the fence on to his lawn. Back to the drawing board (his paper is still being stolen).

Sporting punks THE SOCCER fever sweeping New Zealand after the national team’s triumphs has permeated even the Christchurch “punk rock” community. About 30 “punkers” turned out for an impromptu match in North Hagley Park on Tuesday evening. Few pairs of shorts were in evidence, according to a motorist who was distracted by the spectacle — most of the players preferring their well-worn drainpipes. Pointy "winklepicker” shoes, which might have posed a threat to the ball, were discarded for sandshoes in most cases. The standard was surprising, says an informant. He said the score was 6-5 to the team that looked no different from the other. The next punk rock sporting spectacular is ru-

moured to be a cricket match — with guitars as bats. Short exchange A CHRISTCHURCH man. Mr Noel Rudkin, returned from holiday to find Christmas greetings from Buckingham Palace among his accumulated mail. In a conversation with the Duke of Edinburgh aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia at Lyttelton last year, Mr Rudkin had recalled a visit by the Queen and the Duke to Lane Walker Rudkin, Ltd. during their tour of New Zealand back in 1953. The Duke remembered the occasion well, and mentioned that the pair of swimming shorts given to the Royal couple on that day were now worn out. The sequel was the despatch, post-haste, to London of two pairs of replacement shorts. The gift was obviously appreciated. A letter to Mr Rudkin ■ from Captain Jeremy Wills, Secretary to the Duke, reads: “The Duke of Edinburgh has asked

me to thank you for your letter and kind thought in sending two pairs of swimming shorts which arrived in excellent condition. His Royal Highness is pleased to have these and sends you his best wishes for a happy Christmas.” Invasion fails SPACE INVADERS have been swallowed up by the black hole of falling popularity. Leaders of Britain's entertainment industry say that millions of dollars were lost as the craze on the bleeping, flashing machines slumped. Mr Alan Wills, secretary of the British Amusement Catering Trades Association, said that the machines had passed their peak. “A lot of people have burned their fingers and everyone, on balance, has lost on these machines,” said Mr Wills. Space Invaders have dominated thousands of pubs, clubs, cafes, and amusement parks in Britain for the past five years.