Reporter’s diary

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Fares ..

A GRUMPY Christchurch ratepayer reports that, on the day his bus fare went up 25 per cent, a bus driver decided his money was not good enough to accept anyway. Grumpy Ratepayer had tried to do the decent thing, scratching round in his change so he could tender the exact amount, and was told that a slightly bent five-cent piece was unacceptable because it would “gum up the counting machine.” Grumpy Ratepayer is prepared to abandon the buses. He was last seen vanishing, on foot, muttering that the “b ... board even count on its fingers any more.” ... fair UNLESS A COIN was so badly mutilated or defaced that the amount could not be recognised, or that it had been cut, making dangerous jagged edges, bus drivers should accept slightly bent coins, said a spokesman for the Christchurch Transport Board. He said that the drivers would then warn those responsible for counting the coins so that the machines would not get jammed. That should mollify the grumpy ratepayer. Boomer performance MUSIGBtNS from the

Welsh Philharmonic Orchestra and two brass bands were happily rehearsing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture in Swansea when they were “busted” by the police. The 999 call had been made by a helpful citizen, alarmed at the smoke and explosions made by the cannon. Taking no chances, the police later patrolled the streets, warning residents of the next performance. Good news IN THE WAKE of stabbings, fights, murders, and other nasties which inevitably come with the festive season, it is nice to know that old-fashioned events such as the “Family Fun Night” held at the end of last year in the Pioneer Stadium, raised $1550. The square and round dance club organisers, the "Cathedral Squares” will present the $1550 to Ferrymead Historic Park on January 10 at the Country and Western afternoon at Ferrymead. Acting the part

OUR WASHINGTON reporter says that actor Cary Grant told a reporter just before he died that President Reagan could have been one of Hollywood’s leading stars. “He was a very good actor,” he told the “Texarfana

Gazette.” “If Errol Flynn hadn’t been a big star at the same studio, Ronald Reagan would have been the top leading man there.” He gets plenty of chance to use his talents, all the same. Room with a view TEMPORARY BUILDINGS erected for the eleventh New Zealand jamboree at Rangiora have the basic necessities, but few refinements. So when the toilets were built, there were walls, but no roof — which was fine, until the absailing tower was built nearby. Swarms of small boys who developed sudden crazes for scaling the heights lost much of their enthusiasm once a roof was slapped over the “ladies.” Howzat CRICKET FANS who have been following the continued misfortunes of the woebegone Australian side — just trounced by the England and West Indies cricketers — will not be surprised to hear the rumour that there is a difference between the Australian team and the Milford track: well, after all, not everyone has walked all over the track

—Jenny Feltham.