Reporter’s diary

Press, 24 February 1984, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Stowaway lost BEN, the Hororata Labrador’s stowaway ride to the big city yesterday ended in disaster. Mr David Hutton, of Black Hills, Hororata, did not know he had a fourlegged passenger when he set off with a truckload of wool for Christchurch. At Aylesbury he looked in the rear-view mirror and there was Ben, peering over the wool bales. Mr Hutton decided to carry on. Ben was still there at the Blenheim Road roundabout, but soon after, as the truck went along Moorhouse Avenue, he was missing. Mrs Hutton believes that Ben, four years old and a much loved family pet, probably got

confused by the sights and sounds of the city and jumped off the truck. He had never been to Christchurch before. “We have spent hours looking for him round the park and Moorhouse Avenue, but there wasn’t a sign,” said Mrs Hutton. Ben, a trained gun dog, was not wearing a collar. The Huttons would be grateful if anyone who sees him could telephone Glenroy 858, collect. Oyster prices WE OYSTER lovers in New Zealand are not doing too badly after all, in spite of all the moans about prices approaching $2 a dozen. Leading London restaurants

at present otter raw oysters (not even Bluff oysters) at £5 ($11) for six. For those with even more expensive tastes, there are oysters coated in garlic, with cheese sauce and breadcrumbs, at £1.50 ($3.30) each. Mr Bernie Walker, of Christchurch, remembers when he was involved in air-freighting 150 dozen genuine Bluff oysters to Edinburgh for a banquet during the Commonwealth Games there in 1970. One of the guests approached Mr Walker, extolled the succulence and superb flavour of the oysters, and said, guiltily: “I’m sorry, but I've eaten six.” Chain store INVENTIVE people, the Chinese. The "China Daily” reports that an engineer in Shenyang has invented a bicycle that can be converted into a tricycle, a desk, a sofa, or a wheelchair. Creating a demand for the contraption might be more difficult. Old radios A LARGE collection of old radios and transmitters is languishing at Ferrymead. For some time the trust’s director, Mr Don Muir, has been looking for someone to give some loving care to these treasures. The group could include those with an interest in transmitters, receivers, radio and television, cabinetmakers, French or just

general .handypersons. “I am sure there must be a large number of retired people about who would like to use their skills and get some companionship and sense of purpose by joining a group such as this,” said Mr Muir. Anyone interested should write to P.O. Box 2500, Christchurch. Fun ride AN EFFORT to raise $20,000 or more for the National Heart Foundation by getting New Zealanders on their bikes next Sunday looks set to succeed, according to the organisers, Morrison Industries, Ltd. “We saw it as a chance for fun first, fitness second,” said a spokesman yesterday. In Christchurch the 10km or 20km ride, depending on the rider’s preference, will start from Cranmer Square at 10.30 a.m. There will be an “ambulance'' for failing bikes or riders, and prizes for the weirdest bike or rider. Sixth sense DETERMINING the precise difference between State Coal and the Mines Division has probably puzzled many. The newsletter, "Mining Monitor,” once tried to discover the distinction between the two and finally asked a senior official how he decided which paper to use. The official seemed stumped, but eventually he replied: "The typists always seem to know.” *