Reporter’s diary

Press, 18 May 1982, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Bush telegraph THE “NOMADIC existence” of a Riccarton flat owner is causing a problem for the Christchurch Drainage Board which is trying to get all the residents of a block of six flats to sign an easement transfer document. Two have signed, and the other three signatures are expected. But that last one could be more difficult. "One of the owners lives in Australia ... he appears to lead a nomadic existence and there is usually several months delay before he receives his mail,” reported the chief engineer, Mr H. P. Hunt. The completed document would, in normal course, allow tenders to be called (in this case for protection of the proposed piping of the Riccarton main drain). But now the board is likely to proceed with the work and complete the document as soon as it is possible. The board has previously gained the approval of the owners for the work. There was no suggestion of sending a Drainage Board

tracker into the outback to chase the man’s pen-hand .... The first? "PEOPLE thought we were crazy, living on the hills,” said Mrs F. E. Page of Cashmere. Mrs Page is the sister of the late Mr E. B. E. Taylor, the former Christchurch Coroner, who died recently. Her family, consisting of her brother, four sisters and their parents, lived in what was possibly the first house built on the Cashmere Hills. It still stands, in Dyers Pass Road. It was built by her father, Mr Thomas Taylor, a former Mayor of Christchurch, who died in 1911. There was doubt about whether it was actually the first house there — a Mr Cole was building close by during that year, 1896. The Taylor house was called “Whareora,” or home of the happy (or healthy), as it is in Maori. Whareora Terrape was named after the house, which Mrs Page “never goes near — I can’t even remember the number now."

Time and trouble A FRAIL, elderly gentleman parked a large, obviously new, Mercedes Benz in an inner-city parking space in Christchurch the other day. The pride with which he view’ed his gleaming car caused an onlooker to suspect that he had saved for years to be able to afford a quality vehicle. However, technology had seemingly overtaken him during this thrift. He couldn’t work the parking meter. Witch trial “WOULD YOU be interested in a bit of devil worship in the Square on Wednesday?” Of course we .would, our caller was told. The University Drama Club is presenting the Arthur Miller play, “The Crucible," at the end of this month. Tomorrow, in an unashamed publicity stunt, there will be a “devilish ritual” in Cathedral Square. It will feature about twelve characters, dressed in black, dancing, and drinking vile

potions from cauldrons. The play focuses on Salem, in the witch-trials era, which should be of interest to that gentleman in the pointed hat. Brained BEING first with the news is not always an advantage, some newspapermen learnt this week. “The Press” contacted other papers to advise them that it would transmit a picture of the winner of the “Mastermind” television contest. Our. illustrations department gave details of the photograph. It received several "strongly worded” replies to its memo, from staff in other illustrations departments who hoped to abscond from work to watch the show with, all the associated tension of waiting for the winner. Round again WE HAVE what we believe is the 100-cal angle — a minute in a recent Malvern County Council report: “Department of Health, Circular Public Toilets.”.