Reporter’s diary

Press, 14 July 1982, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Sic transit TALES of disappearing cargoes consigned through the Railways have been around since the days of steam. Some of the stories are apocryphal; some are. undoubtedly, unkind to the corporation: but.at the root of most of them there is a germ of truth. For those who have wondered how anyone could misplace an object as large as a railway waggon, we provide a possible answer. In the Christchurch marshalling yard last week was a waggon that could be shunted from one end of the country to the other and still not find a home. The “destination" boldly chalked on the waggon’s side was "Orkla nd.” It is not known if the cargo was one of fruit from Central Otago “auchards." or perhaps instruments belonging to some symphony "auchestraa.” Wrecks

REFERENCE in this column on Monday to the misfortune of Mr Ralph Sewell, of Auckland. whose 16-berth brigantine Breeze is laid up for -lack of a buyer, reminded a Riccarton reader of another. Breeze which was also hard

to get. rid of. In December, 1931, the steamer Breeze, on a voyage from Wellington to Lyttelton went ashore at Port Robinson. The vessel was floated off, and with the pumps at full pressure, went to Lyttelton and was put in dry dock. It was found that it would cost more than the value of the ship to repair it. She was towed out of harbour to be sunk by the gunfire of ships of the New Zealand squadron, but the tow rope broke and the Breeze went ashore near the heads. There she was destroyed by a charge of explosives. Occupational disease THERE were some startled looks from passers-by who read the notice in the window of a Christchurch restaurant: “Closed because of illness. We are sick of cooking." It was a temporary ailment. The restaurant is open for business again. Billet doux THE NORTH Canterbury Catchment Board and Regional Water Board has had

another letter from “W. Bill Plover," signed with a footprint. who professes to be on holiday at “Mud Flat Home," Manukau Harbour, Auckland." The letter is in support of the "Save the Rakaia" movement. In brief A THIRD-YEAR pupil in a Walthamstow school, was asked in his geography examination paper to describe reclaimed land, says the “Daily Telegraph." He replied "Port Stanley." Double take ST ALBANS (in Hertfordshire. not Christchurch) has a dry cleaning business which offered "our guarantee. Should you feel we have failed you in any way, we will be only too pleased to do it again at no extra charge." This way IT WAS bound to happen. The “Daily Telegraph"- in England reported a sign outside a Texas church which read: “Drive-in coiifessional and Quick-lunch counter." (“Diary” last week). It has one to challenge it, also from a Texas church: ‘Toot and Tell or Go to Hell."