Reporter’s diary

Press, 11 May 1984, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Post dated MOUNT COOK Group tour staff are unhappy about the new 40c postage stamp. It shows a scene at Coronet Peak ski-field that is two years out of date. The building shown on the stamp was demolished in 1982. The public affairs manager for Mount Cook, Mr Ted Beckett, said that a new complex costing nearly $2 million was now on the site. “The presentation is far from professional. Overseas people could think twice about coming if they see the old facilities on the stamp.” Mr Beckett was also critical that the stamp showed a scene looking down the mountain instead of up the slope where all the good snow lay. The press office of the Post Office said that when work commenced on the stamps midway through last year no transparencies were available of the new facilities. The set of four stamps is meant to promote ski-ing in general and not depict the facilities of individual companies, the Post Office spokesman said. Caged canary RED FACTOR canaries seem to be freedom lovers. After reading the ir

yesterday a Redcliffs woman told a similar story but with different ending. Recently a red factor canary flew into her house. It was captured and put in a cage. The household grew fond of it, but one day a strong north-west wind knocked over the cage and the bird escaped. That evening the bird reappeared on a neighbour’s pear tree so the cage and fresh seed were placed outside. The bird obliged by flying into the cage. The woman was proud of her smart bird; but her smarter cat knocked the cage over later and ate the canary. Driving contest CANTERBURY truck drivers will be competing in the regional driving contest to be held at Addington Raceway on May 19. Nearly 50 contestants will compete in articulated, truck and trailer and rigid truck sections. Mr Evan Williams, the executive director of the Christchurch Road Transport Association, said that with the increasing emphasis on road safety, such contests help to improve the skills of professional drivers. The winner and runner-up will go to Palmerston North for the final.

Playing dead CAST and back-stage workers at Canterbury Children’s Theatre productions have become quite expert at fielding all sorts of questions from members of the audience who come on stage at the end of each performance. Their present production, “Treasure Island,” bristles with all sorts of weaponry, from ship’s cannon to muskets, pistols and knives. A small boy earnestly asked one of the scene shifters if the pirate he had seen shot had really died. “No,” replied the man, “he wasn’t shot. He just pretended to die.” “Why?” persisted the young critic. “Because he has to be in the play each night for the full two weeks of the school holidays,” said the fastthinking stage hand. That seemed to satisfy the young man, but the cast is wondering if he will return for the final pefonnance and expect to see those dastardly pirates shot down, never to rise again. Cross purposes WHEN collecting door-to-door during Red Cross week recently, a collector was met at one door by a three-year-old. “Is your mother at homef" “Nope.” “Is your

father at home?” “Nope.” Thinking it strange that the child should be at home by himself, the collector asked the boy to go inside and tell mummy that a Red Cross lady was outside. In he went and soon a puzzled-looking woman emerged. On seeing the Red Cross collector she burst out laughing. “I was told a very cross lady was outside,” she chortled. Nurses Day TOMORROW is “International Nurses’ Day,” chosen because it is the birth date of Florence Nightingale — “the Lady with the Lamp.” The International Council of Nurses’ theme for this year is: “Nurses speak up for better health.” Cheap seats IS THE “Phantom of the Opera” abroad again? During rehearsals of the “Phantom” at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, England, the theatre’s rock-crystal chandelier began shaking and a few days later shed one of its pieces. The management is not necessarily superstitious, but it reduced the price of the five seats directly below the chandelier from SNZIO.7O to JNZI.OS. f