ReDorters diary

Press, 4 June 1988, Page 2

ReDorters diary

Creepy crawlies

GIANT wetas are not a pleasant subject for the squeamish. But they do have a claim to fame for being among the world’s heaviest insects. Sadly, another claim for the Kaikoura and Mahoenui giant wetas is that they face extinction unless the few surviving specimens can be placed in a ratfree environment. Both wetas, banned from capture and collection, are so

rare that the Ecology Division of the D.S.I.R. and the Conservation Department have begun a special breeding programme to produce healthy specimens. They would like to hear from anyone who knows where the Kaikoura or Mahoenui giant wetas are, or used to be.

...in demand THE record specimen of a giant weta weighed in at a plumptious 68g, which

helps explain why these insects cannot jump. As they also neither kick nor bite they must rely on their spiny back legs and tough carapace for protection. The Kaikoura weta has a stocky body about 6cm long. It is tanbrown and has a black stripe down each back leg. The Mahoe'nui has a similar body but is dark brown or black. People who think they have found one are warned not to disturb it (perish the thought) but to photograph it or make a rough sketch. They are also asked to note if the weta makes any noises, tries to hide or runs away. People to, get in touch with, once the finder has sufficiently recovered, include Ms Alison Balance, of the Ecology Division, D.5.1.R., Lower Hutt, and Mr Bill Cash, Conservation Department, Kaikoura.

Thaw point

FROM the handy hints department: people who dread hanging out washing on frosty mornings should put their pegs (any type) in a bucket, then cover with hand-hot water. Plunging in and out of the hot water prevents what one previous sufferer called the “La Boheme” syndrome — “Your Tiny Hand is Frozen.”

Light fantastic A glowing fantasy castle

in the window of the Nova Gallery, Hereford Street, has been attracting attention from passers-by of all ages. The pottery centrepiece was made by a

Christchurch potter, Roger Balson, in about 200 hours. He said one of the main problems in construction was controlling the drying of the clay, and trying to mould it before it dried.

Hint, hint

IN an attempt to stem the flood of inquiries about where one can buy copies of the “Westcoaster,” mentioned in this column recently, we suggest that bookshops such as Whitcoulls, The Strand, and Scorpio might be good places to start looking. Delusions

SPLITS in the Labour Party have stirred inventive wit in the ranks of the opposition. One tale doing the rounds concerns Richard Prebble who can’t get into Heaven because St Peter doesn’t know who he is. “But I was a Minister of the Crown. Someone here will vouch for me.” He looks through the gate and spots someone. “Look, there’s David Lange.” “No,” says St Peter, “that’s not David Lange. That’s God. He only thinks he’s David Lange.”

—Jenny Setchell