Reporter’s diary

Press, 7 February 1985, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Boycotted

A MAN was about to hop into the second taxi on the Armagh Street rank the -other day, when the cabbie, according to cabbies’ etiquette, suggested that he should take the first taxi on the rank. “But that’s a Holden, mate,” said the fare. “They’re made in Australia. It might seem silly to you, but after all this hoo-ha I’m not going to ride in an Aussie car.” The cab driver saw the man’s point, but doubless omitted to point out that his own taxi was a Ford — also made in Australia. Kitemakers

THE WORK of two Canterbury kitemakers, Peter Lynn, of Ashburton, and Des Pitfield, of the Seagull Kite Co-operative, Christchurch, is featured in the Christchurch Town Hall’s foyer events programme this week. Peter Lynn, aged 38, admits to having a personal collection of more than 500 kites. His kite-making business now employs five people full-time, turning out 30,000 kites a year, mostly small. Peter Lynn’s personal preference is for monster kit A with a span of up to 10 Metres. He prefers

these because they fly better once the knack of handling them is mastered. With Civil Aviation approval, they fly to 2500 metres, anchored to a heavy object by braided nylon with an 800 kg breaking strain. At times, said Peter Lynn, it is bv no means a foregone conclusion who calls the tune — the kite or the operator. The Town Hall kite display will be open from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow. Misty? THE TELEPHONE call of the week, from the visiting Australian clairvoyant, Mrs Mabel Norris: “Sorry. I can’t see my way clear for this afternoon ...” Ready supply

A MEMBER of the Christchurch police recently spent a fishing holiday at Lake Ohau. He reports that a fellow angler was having remarkable success with a particular fly, a main feature of which was a canary yellow feather. He had a ready supply of these in a canary which he brought with him in a cage. When he wanted to Aje a new fly, he just pluclrd a suitable feather trum the

bird. Fortunately for the canary, the fisherman’s holiday was not too long.

Bulk order

WHAT ARE they serving in the cookhouse these days? A British chemist has asked if the local army barracks could contribute to the 4000 litres of fresh male urine he needs daily to produce an anti-thrombosis drug at a new factory in Chippenham. Army headquarters at Aidershot has refused — on security grounds.

One man’s answer AT A TIME when many New Zealand farmers have become philosophical about seemingly endless cost increases, one can see the day when the only farmers able to make the grade will be “the lean and hungry young blokes.” He would have all farmers humanely “put down” on their fortieth birthdays, and the places handed over to suitable 21 year olds. He is well past the age of termination, being 48, and intends just to plug on. Flipping tops

READERS who have seen marathon runners strug-

gling to drink liquids at “feed stations” may be interested to learn that the Westport Harriers’ and Joggers Club has come to the aid of the competitors in its P.D.L. and Westland Savings Bank Buller Gorge marathon on Saturday. Runners will be supplied with 200 ml plastic bottles with flip-top lids, which will be served with the lids closed. All the runners have to do to gulp down the liquid is to flick open the lid with the thumb, raise the bottle to a horizontal level, and gently squeeze. The club will be offering a choice of plain water, water with trace elements or diluted orange juice. Eyes have it ADVERTISING is a very competitive business, and the consumer usually discerning. A particular radio advertisement asserts that the ear has it all over the eye when it comes to taking in information. If listeners want to know more about this, the advertisement says, they may pick up further printed information from their radio station. Presumably, one will read it with one’s ears ...

— >Peter Comer