Reporter’s diary

Press, 28 June 1989, Page 2

Reporter’s diary

Bunchtime? BARBARA and David Bryce planted a banana tree in their garden about seven years ago. For the first time it has just started to flower, which is unusual since the Bryces live in Moncks Spur Road, Mount Pleasant. Christchurch is not noted for its banana crops, so the Bryces were amazed that the plant grew to its height of about 7.6 m. “We certainly weren’t expecting it to flower,” said Mr Bryce, who said he thought it was more of an ornamental variety that is normally grown indoors. Promises, promises IN our files of clippings from “The Press” we came across a story from April 2, 1980. “Big future for gasohol” the headline proclaimed. The story went on to quote an excited Barry Brill who, as Under-Secretary of Energy at the time, had big plans for production of gasohol in New Zealand. “This will have a significant impact on us,” he gurgled. Nothing more was heard, and the rest of the file is completely and eloquently blank. Long, long way YET another tale of a Fastpost letter sent for a long holiday by the nice people at New Zealand Post. Mrs Sheila Walker, of Christchurch, sent a special Fastpost issue letter to her son and his wife at London Street, Dunedin, on Thursday, June 8. It reached them on Wednesday, June 21, after a jolly jaunt to Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Britain. How Stevenage could be mistaken for Dunedin is difficult to guess. Luckily someone at that end had enough common sense to scribble on the envelope: “Try New Zealand.” Clothing down FUND-RAISING barometers come in all shapes and sizes. The latest is an effigy of a Radio Avon announcer, Barty Ross, which is in the window of a Chistchurch clothing store. His look-a-like, wearing nothing but socks,

a fig leaf, and a smile, is helping to raise money for the Canterbury Cot Death Society. As customer donations increase, so do the clothes he wears. After two days almost enough has been raised for a shirt. Dog or God?

CONFUSED Christian Concepts, No. 2: Several years ago a small boy rang a Pacific Radio talkback show. He was very upset, he sobbed, because his parents had just lost

their “salvation.” The retired politician decided this was a subject for his partner, a minister. Finally the facts became clear. Yes, their “salvation” had indeed gone missing — but it had left its dog collar and chain behind.

Steps to a degree IT seems that the way to higher education these days is by the stairs, not the lifts. Officialdom at the University of Canterbury who have taken cost-

cutting warnings to heart have plastered signs on every floor of the registry next to the lifts, which read: “You save our energy and we keep you fit. Lifts use a lot of power. Walking upstairs can be VERY good for you. Please consider using the stairs for trips of two floors or less.” Student reactions (or is it staff?) to the plea which are best described as transcribed raspberries, have been added to most notices..

—Jenny Setchell