Reporter’s diary

Press, 14 March 1985, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Coming home

WHEN THE Coasters cross the divide, they don't mess about. We hear that the police were called to a private hotel in Christchurch about 6.15 a.m. on Tuesday after a report that some men were trying to climb through the hotel windows. It turned out to be only a visiting West Coast rugby team, trying to find its way back to its accommodation after a quiet night out. The police verdict? No further action. Justice is done THE CHRISTCHURCH Polytechnic Council has grudgingly agreed to pay $921.06 for mistakenly felling an old elm tree during the extension of the Polytechnic’s Ensors Road site. The elm was not on the Christchurch City Council’s list of protected trees, but it was certainly not supposed to come down, according to the council’s arboriculturist, Mr Walter Fielding-Cotter-rill. He says that there was definitely nothing punitive about the bill which the council sent the Polytechnic. It was for the labour involved in carting away the trunk and branches of the fallen elm, excavating the stump, and replacing the tree with the biggest transplantable pin oak. The Polytechnic Council paid the bill from its discretionary funds account — quite appropriate for suck- an indiscretion.

No windfall

LAST WEEK-END, a woman sent her young daughter with a wheelbar-row-load of rubbish to one of the rubbish skips parked in Malvern Park, St Albans. When the barrow had been emptied by the helpful attendants, the girl left it to talk to someone. The mother was still head down and posterior up in the garden a few minutes’ later when she heard her wheelbarrow coming along the footpath. (She recognised it by its distinctive squeak.) “How did you get on, dear?” she asked, not bothering to look up. The wheelbarrow went right on past. She peered over the fence to see an elderly woman pushing it off up the street. “It’s amazing what people throw away these days!” said the elderly woman innocently after the surprised gardener had caught up with her.

Former supporter ALL THE HOO-HA about the Ranfurly Shield and oneeyed Cantabrians may have been more far-reaching than we realise. Tony Ostoja, of Christchurch, had been fishing the Waimakariri River with a silver lure all this salmon season without success. On Tuesday he changed to a red and black lure — and caught a oneeyed salmon. It was otherwise a healthy fish of 7kg or more. Mr Ostoja was reluctant to dispatch such a loyal Canterbury supporter, but a

salmon is a salmon, and there are not too many of them around North Canterbury this year.

Waitaki run

NORTH CANTERBURY anglers may be envious to learn that the salmon have been running in a big way in the Waitaki River in the last couple of weeks. The word spreads fast, and big crowds of anglers, many of them from overseas, have lined the banks near the mouth. One man took three limit bags (four salmon a day) last week. Helping hands THE CANTERBURY Aged People’s Welfare Council is pleased to report that its school visiting scheme seminar was attended by about 150 students. Students are still available to befriend and help in a practical way elderly people in Riccarton, Papanui, and St Albans. Anyone who might enjoy the company and assistance should telephone Michelle, at 60-503. Hobson’s boots

“HOBSON'S CHOICE,” which opens at The Court Theatre this week-end, is set round a family shoe business in northern England last century. Hobson is the owner of a cobbling establishment; his three daughters are the sales staff; out the back craftsmen labour at lasts making Hobson’s woes. Finding authen-

tic footwear posed a few problems for the Court’s set dresser and properties master, Alec Bathgate: boots from the 1880 s are not easy to come by. The Ferrymead Trust has'come to the rescue with a fine collection of boots and shoes that trod the streets of early Christchurch. It has also been able to supply all the old tools and equipment of the cobbler’s trade. Repercussions READERS may have heard the radio news item recently about the man whose car got bogged on a North Island beach. While he was away getting help, the tide came in and the car floated off. It had to be towed back to shore by a boat "Blue Water,” the'magazine of the Small Boat Safety Committee, points out' that the incident has raised some interesting questions. For example, whether the owner of the car should be prosecuted under the Marine Collision Regulations for not keeping a proper look-out and, since the vehicle managed to stay afloat all night, for failing to show correct navigation lights. He could also be “done” under the Road Traffic Act for dangerous parking and using a vehicle without a driver. The Customs Department might also be concerned about his failure to obtain a customs clearance before departure.

—Peter Coifter