Reporter’s diary

Press, 11 February 1983, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Subtle distinctions WHEN IS a borrowed book immorally overdue? That was what vexed a colleague who received an overdue book card from the Christchurch Polytechnic Library. Printed on the card was a column of words: Overdue. Seriously overdue. Absurdly overdue. Immorally overdue. Someone had put a cross beside “seriously overdue,” presumably denoting the status of his borrowed book. Polytechnic library staff confirmed this yesterday, but had trouble explaining the distinction between an overdue book, a seriously overdue book and an immorally overdue 'book. It apparently depends less on the amount of time overdue than on the number of cards sent out, the mood of the librarian, that sort of thing. What happens after a book is immorally overdue? It becomes intolerably overdue, and you get a bill. Insect repellent PEOPLE who use Brylcreem are slickly avoiding greenfly

infestation. According to the British “Farmers’ Weekly,” the chemical used to perfume the hair dressing turns into synthetic pheromones that smell like crushed greenflies and serve as a danger signal to other aphids. This spin-off has a , disadvantage, however, as the smell is attractive to ladybirds and bees. Vital information THE SECRETARY of a local boat club was puzzled by the official brown envelope that arrived with his mail on Monday. “0.H.M.5.” ’ was stamped on the top left corner, and “If unclaimed return to the Ministry of Transport, Wellington” was printed beneath. It was addressed to the boating club secretary. Nothing unusual so far, but beneath his address was a heavily-outlined box enclosing words in big black capitals. “AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION CRITICAL TO FLIGHT SAFETY,” they said. Upon opening the envelope he found a marine notice on the sate operation of fishing vessels near rocks.

There, there WHEN it comes to work that needs doing in Christchurch streets, sometimes it is hard to convince residents that the Christchurch City Council has a logical and fair plan for getting to their street as soon as possible. At a works and traffic committee meeting this week the chairman, Cr David Close, emphasised the importance of spreading street work round the city so that people could see work was being done in their area. It was at least some reassurance to say to disgruntled residents: “Well, we cannot do your street this year, but we are doing your neighbour's,” he said. Other councillors thought that reassurance might be less than effective. Lucky 13 A RANGIORA couple struck it lucky on Monday when their telephone number was selected randomly in a Radio Avon travel competition. Mrs Maureen Cottam had followed the competition, in which listeners checked off QE II cabin numbers until

only one remained, and supplied the correct number to win. She and her husband Lyall won a cruise in the luxury liner between Auckland and Sydney, three days in a leading hotel; then jet travel back to Christchurch. Mrs Cottam was the thirteenth Christchurch resident called. All at sea A FALKLANDS task-force couple who snatched a few hours of love aboard the hospital ship Uganda, became the parents of a bouncing baby boy yesterday. Mrs Rosemary Lake, aged 28, was a nurse aboard the Uganda when her, husband, Jim. a petty officer in H.M.S. Hermes, arrived in a helicopter escorting injured soldiers. Jim was supposed to stay a few minutes but fog delayed his departure. Understanding officers approved their temporary use of the bridal suite. Rosemary broke the news to her husband when he met the Uganda on its return to England three months later. The baby has. not yet been named.