Reporter’s diary

Press, 26 December 1986, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Christmas meterings AS A GOOD-WILL gesture to shoppers in Wanganui, a Santa Claus from Wanganui Newspapers made lunch-time trips through the shopping precinct putting money into expired parking meters. The “Wanganui Chronicle” says the response from the errant-parking public has been very good, but the newspaper does not report on the reaction from the Ministry of Transport. i How free is free? FREE GIFTS have come a long way since the days of picture cards with breakfast cereals. Seen in a Christchurch store on Wednesday “Free micro-

wave oven with every waterbed on a six-drawer base.” Will we soon see “Free corporation with every jumbo jet?” Ouch! HOW the Sydney “Bulletin” sees us this week: “In Perth, the travel industry people are becoming increasingly concerned about the possibility of a New Zealand challenge for the America’s Cup. Will there be enough doorways for the Kiwis to sleep in? The social security people are also concerned — will the dole office be able to cope with all the applications?” Soapful WHAT DO you give the wizard who has everything? A friend of Christ-

church’s Wiz, mindful of the many notorious philosophies held by the “Living Work of Art,” came up with a splendid solution; “Last Hope Soap,” made by Over the Hill Cosmetics. That’s a bit rough on a being who should not be affected by human concerns such as age. Does a wizard get wizened? Getting the sack BIZARRE Christmas presents make a fascinating topic to discuss. A colleague recalled a supreme example of “The Practical Gift,” bestowed upon her by her parents in the early 1970 s when a sugar shortage threatened: a monster sack of white, sugar. —Jenny Feltham.