Reporter’s diary

Press, 4 July 1985, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Try ours AN UPPER Riccarton man has been sent an English pub drinks coaster that shows our campaign to encourage the consumption of New Zealand lamb has been flung far in the British countryside. A friend from Montreal was visiting relatives when she came across the coaster during a preluncheon drink in a pub at Much Wenlock, a Shropshire town near the Welsh border. Much Wenlock is not only in the heart of farming country, said the local man, but is near the place where some of the tastiest lamb is produced, even if it is only about a quarter the size of a healthy New Zealand lamb. Another tale CANON Bob Lowe was not the only one to reveal the rugby league test score on television during Telethon, says a Kaikoura woman. Kaikoura residents receive their television service from Wellington, and some were getting ready to turn over to the delayed test coverage when they heard Peter Williams, a sports announcer, turn to a Telethon guest and tell her the Kiwis had been beaten. At least he had the grace to withhold the score, but he should have known not to say anything at all. Sweets, fizzles A RECENT survey of the eating habits of New Zealanders showed the latest trends in consumption of staples and fun foods. Whenever these studies come along, we often imagine the average person gobbling away at a tableload of food to keep up his average consumption. The main parts of the report

lished, but some of the sidelights are just now being listed. We are eating more than 7.7 kg a head of confectionery each year, and the total chocolate market has grown 25 per cent. The increase is a result mainly of market stimulation by competitors. They tout it, we are more likely to buy it. Still, the chocohave already been pub-

late-munching rate is comparatively low by world standards. New Zealanders now drink about 35 litres a head of carbonated drinks each year. That is less than half the Australian average of 74 litres, and well below the American average of 156 litres. Since the production of apple juices and apple-based juices began, New Zealanders now con-

»sume 40 per cent of their apples as juice. Family search A PORIRUA woman and her brother are trying to piece together their late mother’s background after years of wondering about that side of the family. As far as they know, they are the only family members left, but there could be connections in the South Island. Their mother was divorced when the children were very young. Joyce Hammond (nee Hill) had Mary Agnes Fuller (nee Hoban) for a maternal grandmother. Her grandfather on that side was Alfred Ernest Fuller, and Mrs Hammond’s mother’s birth was registered at Ellesmere. Her father, whose family name was Hill, was from Doyleston. Mrs Hammond said that the Hoban family, her grandmother’s family, was well known in the early days of Christchurch. If anyone can help her get past this stage in her research, we will let her know. Butcher bested MEMORIES of those who knew Tui Long, the Masterton butcher who loved practical jokes, continued to stir yesterday. One day, Mr Long wrote the letters, 8.8.0. E., across his shop window. He did not say what they meant, and the letters became the talk of the town. Some people wondered whether he had received a special degree or honour. Eventually, he revealed the meaning, and some loyal customers agreed that it was true — Best Butcher On Earth. The tables were turned on Mr Long on the day his daughter was getting married at a big church wedding in Greytown. The church was packed. When it came time for anyone to speak, up and declare any reason that the couple should not be married or forever hold his

peace, two well dressed guests stood up and spoke up loudly. For a while, the wedding was in chaos. Mr Long, who had had so much fun dishing it out, was not prepared for anyone to get theirs back on such a . serious occasion. He was not amused. Plague herb THE CRANE’S beak mentioned in a 500-year-old Black Death plague remedy on Tuesday would have been a herb described in “Gerard’s Herbal,” says a Christchurch resident. When the herb is in flower, it is called dove’s foot, but when the seed is set, the plant has the appearance of the head and bill of a bird. It then becomes crane’s bill. To quote in the spelling of the day: “It is found neere to common high waies, desart places, untilled grounds and specially upon mud walls almost everywhere.” Doubles RECENT Arnotts Biscuit advertisements on television have given a lot of viewers the pleasure of watching Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal again, reunited after their successful series, “The Good Life.” What viewers may not have noticed is that the ad for the latest cracker seems carefully to avoid showing faces, even though the voices are there. Briers walks up to a cupboard and reaches in for a packet of biscuits, says a Christchurch viewer who has studiedd the commercial. From then, the camera concentrates on hand motions as crackers are buttered and spread round a table. The answer? They must be using doubles, says the viewer, who admits that the man’s hand motions are similar to those we have seen Richard Briers make. However Briers hands are not as chubby as those on the screen. Will the double with the fleshy fingers please stand up?