Reporter’s diary

Press, 25 September 1987, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Scottish pen-

friends

ABOUT 60 women from Edinburgh and Glasgow have written to Mrs Lorena Taylor, of UB Kaputone Place, Christchurch 5, wanting suitable New Zealand pen-friends. The women, all married, are in their 30s, 40s, and early 60s. Anyone interested should send a stamped addressed envelope to Mrs Taylor. Wrong analogy? THE MINISTER of Overseas Trade and Marketing, Mr Mike Moore, had this to say when speaking to international marketing students at Canterbury University yesterday: “While we negotiate on yesterday’s needs, we ought to ensure that we are not left discussing the problems of trench and tank warfare in the nuclear age.” What kind of analogy is that, for a Minister in an antinuclear Government?

Litany of saints

SUGGESTIONS for alternative patron saints of barbeques have been sparked by the item “Toast of Saints” in yesterday’s diary. St Blaise would be a good starter. To go with St Edburga might be St Winefride, and definitely (for those who like mustard) St Colman. Providing, of course, it wasn’t burnt to a St Crispin. Then it would be fit only as a St Dogmeel. Dog's tail FOR its production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” the Court Theatre needed a special sofa. A tip-off sent the Court’s properties mistress, Ms Helen Morrish, to a Darfield house, where the right piece of furniture was rumoured to be found. In the event, it was not at all what the theatre wanted. A disappointed Ms Morrish was about to leave when she spotted the perfect sofa. Unfor-

tunately it was already being used — as the dog’s bed. A swap was arranged — the theatre could have the dog’s bed if it provided another for the pooch in the meantime. When the sofa arrived at the theatre, it was discovered to be so doggly that it could not be used before being cleaned. Which it soon was, but initial rehearsals meant the cast had to suffer a damp sofa.

Fly-ball A Christchurch woman has been driven to distraction by a large blowfly in her kitchen. There was neither aerosol spray in the house nor fly swat, so she hit on the idea of using a tennis racket to comer the buzzing brute. It was not easy, but she perversely enjoyed the thrill of the — at times energetic — chase, part of which included moving the fridge. Finally after five minutes thwacking, swishing and leaping, she dispatched the fly. Elated,

our heroine glanced up from the carcase to notice her neighbours lined up along the adjoining fence in mute admiration. They had not seen such fine strokes since McEnroe disgraced the courts at Wimbledon. Flashpoint FROM the "Grimsby Evening Telegraph” comes advice given by Constable Dave Follan when he was asked, at a village meeting, the best way to deal with flashers: “It is inadvisable to approach them,” he said “But if you can contact the police and keep them under surveillance until we arrive, that is the best way.” Chequered career BUMPER sticker seen on a car at Christchurch Airport: “Me? Overdrawn? But I’ve still got some cheques...”

—Jenny Feltham