Reporter’s diary

Press, 29 January 1982, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

LADIES

More signs THE SAGA of the crazy signs continues with the accompanying gem, photographed near the piecart in Waimate several years ago. It was on a post pointing down an alleyway to the women’s toilets, .reports Mr Colin Keith, of North New Brighton. Mr Keith is not sure if the sign is still there. Meanwhile, another reader spotted a “Mt Misery — No Exit” sign in Oamaru recently. Weathervane

DO SEAGULLS 'sense impending bad weather? The Yusaf family, of South Brighton, has been puzzling over that since a drive home along the coast recently from Nelson. -South of

FOU USE umo

Kaikoura, and in strong winds, they saw “hundreds of thousands” of seagulls on rocks. “It was almost aS if they expected a storm,” said Mrs Ruth Yusaf. The family was also delighted to see two colonies of seals in the same area — one of five and the other of 17. “We go to Nelson every year on holiday and we have never seen that many seals before,” she said. Life savers CANTERBURY Surf LifeSaving Association members will be out on the streets today collecting money for their annual appeal. About 250 collectors will be in and around Cathedral Square, and suburban shopping areas in an attempt to better the $4OOO raised last, year. The money is split between the

association and nine clubs. In conjunction with the appeal, a display will be set up in the Square from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring a Landrover and rescue boat, and resuscitation displays. Anyone wanting to help with the collection can go to the State Trinity Centre in Worcester Street. Swinging PAPANUI boasts New Zealand’s oldest set of peeling bells, and St Paul’s Church parishioners are going all out to raise $lO,OOO to give them a more secure home. Although the bell tower has been strengthened twice, the bells swing about so much that a steel frame is needed inside to give them a more stable support. Already about $6OOO has been raised from car rallies, garage and newspaper sales. The bells, installed in 1880, were made by John Warner and Sons in London, and were a gift from Mr John Matson. They were the second set made; the first was lost in a shipwreck off South Africa during the voyage out.

Savings THE AGE of the micro-chip is well and truly here. A hotel in London’s West End claims to have saved about $160,000 on staff pilferage since installing a micro-chip barmaid in its lobby. “Miss Super Bar” dispenses beers, spirits and mixed drinks at the drop of a coin, and also has a flair for languages. "Hello, I’m your Miss Super Bar. I am here to give you a step-by-step guide to this machine. Press the red button and I will rotate,” she tells customers in up to 12 languages. The robot is the brainchild of two brothers, William, and Elias Fattel, who run “Roboserve,” a private vending company which they launched in the late 19605. Their latest project is a drinks dispenser which grinds its own beans to give fresh coffee. Lighting up A SHOP in Manhattan, New York, sells 2500 different types of light bulbs. The best one emits a light like sunshine.