Crossword

Press, 22 June 1987, Page 20

Crossword

Sir,—ln spite of David Pickering’s gloating letter (June 16), I cannot believe that ability to solve crossword puzzles alone can enable mere mortals like Wellingtonians to attain honorary citizenship’ of Christchurch. Not even 40 years of residence or membership of a high-IQ organisation can do that. The current Krypton Factor contest (named after the home planet of Superman) involves both physical and mental agility. Surely an Ovis Factor test to assess the qualifications of mere mortals to associate with Supersheep should, include not only a mental ability to solve crossword puzzles without recourse to dictionaries, but a physical test such as ability to walk on water. — Yours, etc., A. BROWN. June 16, 1987.

Sir,—My brother-in-law, the Vicar of St Albans, has got to be kidding — Cantabrians solve “The Press” crossword without the aid of references? It is hardly credible! The intellectual superiority of Canterbury may not be under such threat as I thought; nevertheless, my assault will continue unabated. While solving your crossword without the aid of references is a worthy objective, as he suggests, an even more worthy one for me is to get to be 87, like the delightful Cantabrian lady he quotes. By then I ought to have the crossword beaten, too. As for donating my reference works to the Parliamentary Library, a better repository would be St John’s Theological College, Sermons Department.—Yours, etc., ALLAN HOPE. Lower Hutt, June 16, 1987.

Sir,—May I suggest that there may be a degree of "Mainland" versus "Pig Island’ in the letters of A. Hope (June 10) and D. Pickering (June 13) concerning the solving of your crossword each day? However, my wife and I find the daily mental exercise of the crossword a very enjoyable time. Comes 10 a.m., or thereabouts, and we repair to our sunporch with a coffee each, and “do the crossword,” which generally takes about 30 to 45 minutes and about 98 per cent correctly completed. All this after 10 or 12 years of effort and with the help of “Concise," "Chambers” and various other

helpful books. Needless to say, we enjoy this daily pastime and fervently hope you will continue to print your crossword for the entertainment and mental exercise of all of the “Mainland” fanatics and “Pig Islanders,” too, if they are keen enough.—Yours, etc. J. E. and E. EDER. Rangiora, June 16, 1987.

Sir,—l enjoyed David Pickering’s letter, and its suggestion, that if Wellingtonians worked hard and were able to complete the crossword without recourse to reference material, they . could, perhaps apply for honorary citizenship of Christchurch. To whom would a qualified addict apply? Dare I mention it, there are denizens of our good old West Coast who readily demolish the dally offering! But the best sport is listening to a couple of devotees. Example: “What’s ten across?” “She’s a singer!”— Yours, etc.,

JOHN BATEMAN. Ahaura, June 16, 1987.