Reporter’s diary

Press, 7 May 1987, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Top gear ADDING to the debate about protective headgear for cyclists, we offer the results of a study .by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the United .States: the Commission found that facial injuries caused by bicycle accidents send more American children to hospital emergency rooms than any sport. In one year, facial injuries from cycles totalled 67,075. Next came 46,527 caused by falls from stairs, 30,063 from playing baseball, and 5696 from playing football. After the age of five, knocked-out teeth, and injuries to the cheek, eye sockets, upper jaw and nose all Increase. The moral — use helmets. “Fry a Duck” DUCK shooters have been warned not to cook their birds in microwave ovens until all lead shot has been removed. What if a cook did leave some tiny pieces of lead? Christchurch microwave experts say they are not sure, exactly, as no-one has put it to the test yet. Much would depend on the amdunt of shot, and the size of the bird, but "it could play havoc” with a microwave, and it is strongly recommended that shot be removed, they said. Traditional symbols BROAD arrows which were' traditionally used in several countries to signify Government property (such as convict clothing and prison bricks) seem to have disappeared. A reader, merely curious, would like to know when the broad arrows were last used for this purpose

in New Zealand. Clue: a Christchurch prison superintendent said that after 25 years in the prison service he had never heard broad arrows mentioned, let alone used.

Acoustical odours SMELL problems for the Irish Government as reported last week reminded a reader of an incident mentioned in G. W. E. Russell’s "Collections and Recollections,” published in 1903 or 1904. He quotes; "When the London County Council first came into existence, it used to assemble in the

Guildhall, and the following dialogue took place between a highly cultured councillor and one of his commercial colleagues. Cultured councillor: The acoustics of this place seem very bad. Commercial councillor (sniffing): Indeed, sir? I haven’t perceived anything unpleasant. Speechless ON MONDAY, Mr Russell Marshall had to leave Wellington to give a speech in Christchurch, before his speech was ready. No problem, he

was told, It would follow on the next plane. Problem: the plane was cancelled. At 6.45 p.m. Mr Marshall’s harassed press secretary telephonfed "The Press” to ask If Mr Marshall could borrow a copy of his speech which had already arrived by facsimile machine. The speech, on education, was safely delivered to an unsuspecting audience. Crowd of smoke REHEARSALS for the opera, “Carmen,” performed by the Canterbury Opera, are now under way. Much of the action for the women In the chorus takes place outside a cigarette factory where the women work, and therefore, they are required to enjoy their fags at smoko, during Act I. The hitch is that out of a chorus of 30-plus, no-one smokes. A good sign for the no-smoking lobby but a hurdle for the singers who are already stoically tackling the challenge of performing Spanish dance steps and singing simultaneously; Thingamy revisited THE ONLY plausible purpose for our "thingamy,” which appeared In yesterday’s “Diary,” is as a potplant holder. A reader has used such a one for seven years to hold ferns, although it still does not explain the removable cups and spigots. Another reader who worked in a gift shop about 15 years ago said that similar “thingamies” sold by the dozens — but even then no-one, least of all the sellers, knew what they were. But they were very popular. — Jenny Feltham