Reporter’s diary

Press, 5 August 1983, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Superman

PROFESSOR Bhim is an Indian living in Auckland who blows up football bladders and hot water bottles with his nose. The professor can also withstand a steam roller being driven slowly on to his chest, heave on ropes until he stops two cars being driven away from him, and tear a brass plate in two like a piece of paper. He can also thread a string through one nostril until it appears from his mouth. Both ends of string can then be pulled to and fro in a game of facial tug-of-war. His explanation of his powers lies in yoga. The “real superman” is really a professor of physical education at Kurukshetra University, near New Delhi. He is on leave from the University for 12 months for a world tour. So far, the tour has lasted three years; but who is going to argue with a man who bursts football bladders with his nose? Suitable case

TWENTY-FIVE are needed by the Arts

Employment Scheme for a performance to mark the beginning of Spring on September 1. The suitcases given should only be old ones; they will be painted. They should be about 60cm long by 45cm high. The organisers do not wish to disclose any more details about the performance, as they want it to be a surprise for the public. Anyone who has an unwanted old suitcase that they would like to give to the scheme, should ring David Merritt or Martin McPherson at 63-324.

Loot. A GOLDEN apple, worth $85,000, gold bars, gold nuggets and silver bars — together worth $lOO,OOO — will be on display at the Court Theatre for the opening night of the theatre’s next production, “Loot,” by Joe Orton. The display, lent by the Auckland Coin and Bullion Exchange, will be at the Court for one evening only.

To sign 0r...

RESIDENTS of Merivale

Lane are causing confusion for the Waimairi District Council works and traffic committee. A petition suggesting the closing of the street at Papanui Road was received and considered by the committee at its June meeting. It was resolved to look at the suggestion during the preparation of the neighbourhood plan for the street. Last month, the committee received another petitionsigned by 46 people who are not in favour of the closing. The signatories were mainly residents living near the Papanui Road end of the street. Local opinion, says a report to the committee’s August meeting, is too divided for a full closing to be practicable. Some residents, it noted, had signed both petitions. Crocodile. A SALTWATER crocodile leapt into a mooored boat at Bynde Harbour near Darwin at and at-tacked®2l-year-old fisherman. Gavin Confoo was fish-

ing for snapper in an estuary when the crocodile leapt out of the water and into the four-metre cabin cruiser. The crocodile, about two metres long, scrambled off the boat and back into the water. Mr Confoo suffered long cuts on his arms and teeth puncture marks on a shoulder. The party on board the cruiser returned to Darwin for medical treatment for Mr Confoo. “We did nothing to provoke the crocodile, but it’s about a month before breeding season so it may have been declaring its territory,” he said. Play time. A TOY library in Vermont is lending toys that are too expensive for families to buy. Families pay an annual membership fee of SUS6O, and schools pay $lOO to belong. Items for borrowing include a rocking horse that can accommodate a whole family, computers, arcade games, and a Steinway grand piano.