Reporter’s diary

Press, 29 June 1983, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Headpiece THE FAMILY of the Marquis of Tavistock, who will return to New Zealand a tattooed Maori head that he owns, attempted to secure a head as early as the seventeenth Century. The first Marquis of Tavistock, who was also the fifth Earl and later the first Duke of Bedford, offered £lOO,OOO in 1683 for the safe-keeping of a head — that of his son, William, Lord Russell. Lord Russell, from whom the present Marquis is descended, was convicted of high treason in the reign of Charles 11. Even the old Earl’s offer of such a staggering sum for those days failed to save his son’s neck. Lord Russell was publicly beheaded in Lincoln’s Inn Fields 300 years ago next month and a plaque still marks the spot. The charge against him arose from his alleged complicity in the Rye House Plot, a conspiracy centred on religious factionalism and a desire to prevent the succession of a Roman Catholic king. Extremists in the plot planned to waylay and kill King Charles on his return from the Newmarket races; the plan was foiled when the King left the races early. Although Lord Russell, a member of the House of Commons for’ the family

seat of Tavistock, had publicly championed the Bill of Exclusion — designed to prevent the Roman Catholic James II becoming King of England — most historians accept that he had no knowledge of the Rye House Plot and was merely a scapegoat. The attainder against him was annulled by William and Mary five years after his execution. Stayer TELETHONS are always a time for personal achievements, both big and small. A Clare Road resident thought her 91 years old neighbour’s contribution to the event was worth noting. The hearty old lady stayed up until 6.30 on Sunday morning to watch the fun on television. Then got up after only three house rest to see it through to the end. Who's for squash

A BIG event on the Arthur’s Pass social calender is coming up in July. It will be the official opening of the Arthur’s Pass Community Centre squash courts. The idea of building the courts in the old railway engine shed in the little township was first put forward in 1976. The project has progressed slowly over the last six years, but now the courts are nearly finished

and they will be ready for use early in July. They have cost about $8000: $3300 being raised from donations, nearly $2OOO from fund-rais-ing efforts in the village, and a $5OO sport and recreation grant. Some of the locals have lent money for the project, which is expected to be recouped from proceeds from the courts over the next year. The courts will probably be opened also for table tennis and indoor bowls. There are plans to mount an alpine climbing wall outside the building and to install a much-needed heater inside. The facility, which will undoubtedly be a great boon to residents, cottage owners and to casual visitors to the village, will be opened by the local member of Parliament, Miss Ruth Richardson, on Saturday, July 9. Astrological KEEN followers of astrology will be busy this week with the visit to Christchurch of Alan Oken, a world-renowed writer on astrology and associated subjects. As part of a New Zealand tour, he is visiting Christchurch to give lectures each day until Friday. He has just attended a national conference of astrologers in Taupo. After his Christchurch visit he will head for Nelson. This week

he will give a lecture at 177 McKenzie Avenue at 10.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. daily on subjects ranging from metaphysical aspects of the soul and personality to transcendental horoscopes. Priorities IN NEW MEXICO, a school has been built with a nuclear fallout shelter beneath it. However, the “Curiosities” column of this month’s Post-Primary Teachers’ Association newsletter, tells us that the shelter is not for the schoolchildren. It is for the members of the local board of education. Jelly babies OUR brothers and sisters across the Tasman have some strange ideas about fun. The Australian correspondent of the Lion Breweries magazine, “Brew News,” reports that mudwrestling has become passe at one Canberra hotel. The attraction that now brings in enthusiastic crowds is the sight of men and women wrestling for cash prizes in 80 litres of jelly.