Reporter’s diary

Press, 20 October 1986, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Not just William

PRINCE WILLIAM has received his first invitation to an official engagement, in a most auspicious year for the French. They are even calling 1987 “The William Year,” to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the death of William the Conqueror. Normandy officials thought that the boy who should one day be King William himself ought to be there for the festivities to honour the Norman duke who was crowned King of England. Along with his parents and Prince Harry, Prince William has been invited to attend the dedication of William the Conqueror’s new tombstone in iCaen

next September. The Minister of Tourism for Seine Maritime, Philippe Rabany said: “We are making three dragon ships like those used in William’s invasion of England, which will be rowed in the harbour. Prince William could sit in one.”

Growing interest NEW ZEALAND kiwifruit growers may have to face competition from the Italians, according to a report in “The Orchardist.” Italy expects to become a major supplier of kiwifruit to Europe soon. There are about 2000 ha in kiwifruit throughout Italy, which should start producing high volumes of the fruit to rival our out-

put. Nest packs and smaller lidded trays like egg packaging are some of the specially designed containers available in Italy, says the report. So far no good TRAVEL AGENTS must prefer their journeys to be long-distance ones. Part of the Canterbury Promotion Council activities for the delegates and partners attending the Travel Agents’ Association convention last week were walking and cycling tours. The cycling tour scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday was notable for lack of response: not one of the 600 delegates or their spouses took advantage of the offer.

For sail HIDDEN in the pages of this month’s “Yachting World” magazine is an advertisement for a craft which is modestly headed: “One careful owner — only 7000 miles.” The craft turns out to be Richard Branson’s recordbreaking Virgin Atlantic Challenger 11, which is expected to fetch more than $2.5 million.

Budding Brierley Excuses for lateness have changed since some of us were at school. This week a sixth former at an East Christchurch school was late for his first class and offered his apologies. He had, he said, been ringing his sharebroker.

—Jenny Ctlark.