Reporter’s diary

Press, 10 January 1983, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Antarctic mural PUPILS of Room 7 at Thorrington School, Cashmere, have painted two Antarctic murals to brighten life at Scott Base. The team at Scott Base thinks the murals are “great,” the Antarctic Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research reports. Each mural is three metres long. They are painted in bright, clear colours and depict the huskies, helicopters, seals, penguins, toboggans, sledges, orange polar tents, and the green Scott Base buildings. One part of the murals shows the dramatic scene of.a killer whale breaking through ice to catch a penguin. One of the murals has been' put up in the main corridor of the new accommodation building at the base and the other is in the new dining room.

Going to the top

A CALLER to “The Press" on Friday asked the telephonist if he had the display advertising department. The telephonist replied that she would put him through to the department and, asked if he wanted to speak to anyone in particular. “Yes." the caller said, “that’s who I want, no-one in particular." In Other words THE UNICORN HUNTERS, a group that monitors the English language, has issued its annual list of words that should be banned. Top of the list is Reaganomics. The word had become so tiresome it deserved to be banned for at least a year, said the- group, which is based at Lake Superior State College in Michigan. Among the words on the list are highway user fee, which

means petrol tax, diplomatic signals (talks), pre-plan (which is impossible by definition) and office effectivity. The last was nominated by the college’s assistant registrar who objected to an office memo which said: “Over-all office effectivity will come only through increased automotive support.” He said that this actually meant: “We'll do a better job with modern equipment.” Give it a go IF YOU are thinking of learning a craft, taking up a hobby, or studying a new subject — anything from shorthand to Spanish — have a look at the display on Classes ’B3, which is in the Gloucester Street window of the Canterbury Public Library until February 6. The display gives information on all kinds of day and night classes and courses for

adults which will be offered in Christchurch this year by high schools, the Christchurch Polytechnic, community centres, and other community organisations. Information on the courses and classes is held at the library’s social sciences desk and is available on request throughout the year. Misunderstood MANY American parents were upset by a talking doll which they bought their children for Christmas. They thought the doll ordered “Kill mummy” when a dummy was pulled from its mouth. The doll has apparently been misunderstood. According to the manufacturers, it says “Quiero a mami,” which means in Spanish, “I want mummy.” The doll was designed for the Hispanic and South American market.