Reporter’s diary

Press, 9 February 1982, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Caught short VISITORS to Lake lanthe were understandably confused by this sign. Some West Coast prankster had got his arrows crossed because the direction to the toilets

pointed straight out into the middle of the lake a few metres away. The rest stop was actually back down the track and one kilometre further along the main road, so "The Press" photographer

who spotted the sign added his rubbish tin comment. Risky business CHRISTCHURCH also has its share of wits. A sign in a city hospital warned that the first three minutes of life are the most dangerous. Somebody had added at the bottom; “The last three minutes are pretty dodgy, too.” Up and away THE OPENING of the new Shirley Maximart discount store was not without its hitches yesterday. Early morning travellers at Christchurch Airport were amused at the antics of a light aircraft trailing a banner advertising “Shop Discount Mart.” The pilot took off with the sign upside down and had to land again. He was last seen struggling to right the banner. Lousy . . .

WITH children back at school for another year, the Health Department is warning parents lo be on the lookout for signs of headlice. Dr John Holden, the deputy director of health promotion, warns that if children

scratch their heads or cannot sleep because of irritation, they may have headlice. He says to check for darkish coloured eggs attached to hairs close to the scalp, particularly behind the ears and at the nape of the neck. Catching headlice does not mean you are dirty, he says. They are caught by being in close contact with an infected person. Treatment is straightforward and pamphlets are available from district health offices on how to deal with the problem.

. . . but lovely THERE is a bright side to every dismal subject. A world expert on lice, Mr John Maunder, is due to give a lecture at the Royal Institution on “The Appreciation of Lice,” a British newspaper reports. He claims to have a great respect for the little creatures and will offer free samples (in secure containers) to “those who wish to offer temporary companionship to a real live louse of their very own." He adds that the proud owner will then be able to see that a louse can be “a thing of wonder and of beauty.”