Reporter’s diary

Press, 13 December 1982, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Test plot THE WEEDS pictured have chosen a most appropriate place to grow — 5m up on the front wall of the Farmers’ Co-operative grain and seed store in Moorhouse Avenue. The trial seeds of a new high-country crop perhaps? Fit and happy? BEING FIT might make you healthier but not necessarily happier.. This is the finding of an Otago University psychology student Miriam Hughes, who surveyed 70 middle-aged adults and found there was no ■ correlation between physical fitness and enjoyment of life. Fitness was measured by pulse rates, before and after exercise: enjoyment of life was measured by Affectometer 2. a scale of general happiness developed by Miss Hughes's supervisor. Associate Professor Richard Kammann. The survey found that mostpeople determined their happiness through satisfaction with self, marriage,- family, work, friends, and finance. Satisfaction with personal

fitness was not a significant factor in a person's general sense of well-being. Record fair ORGANISERS of the Marylands Special School annual fair, held recently, were delighted with the total raised, a record $lB,OOO. The money will go towards paying off the deficit between Government grants to the . school, which takes boys from all New Zealand, and the running costs for the year. Big splash AIR NEW ZEALAND pilots flying into Narita, Japan, next year could find themselves' guiding their 747 s through a huge car wash, if Japan Air Lines' plan for a robot-operated aircraft wash are put into action. J.A.L. engineers estimate that two men will be able to use the planned $8 million giant car wash to wash a Boeing 747 jet in only 45 minutes. The traditional hose and mop method takes 20 men four hours to give the jets the required sparkle and gleam. The design of the “jumbo wash" includes mechanical

arms fitted with rotating brushes and wafer nozzles and special units for scrubbing the wings, tail, and under the wing and engine covers. Quicker washing will improve the airflow and result in a fuel saving of .038 per cent for each jet each year, the engineers say. Kaikoura disco YOUNG Kaikoura residents will soon have their own disco thanks to a $2765 Golden Kiwi lottery grant. Disco equipment and the rental of buildings will be paid for from the grant. The idea for a disco in the town came from the Kaikoura Maori Women's Welfare League, which was concerned about the lack of social ' activities for Kaikoura's 1200 young people. Quid pro quo? PROFESSOR David Metcalf has been employed by the Camden Council in London. The council' will pay him L 100 (SNZ224) a day to assess whether its lower-paid workers should get’ more monev.