THE WRONG NUMBER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 67, 20 March 1940, Page 4

THE WRONG NUMBER

MAN WHO ADVERTISED CHEAP TOMATOES PRESBYTERIAN MANSE DISTURBED. “I have had enough tomatoes to last me until the end ot my life,” said the Rev. W. Berry, of St. David’s Manse, Somme Parade, yesterday, when it was explained to him that a cash advertisement received by the “Chronicle” had given the manse telephone, 4276, as the means of obtaining tomatoes, 201 b. for 2s. “Telephone rings started before breakfast, and since I have come in for tea, half an hour ago, 1 have answered at least a dozen enquiries,” he said. It was explained to Mr. Berry that the advertisement, one of four lines, had been ordered by a casual advertiser, who had paid cash and left without leaving his address. Evidently he had used the wrong telephone number. “I can quite understand how it happened,” Mr. Berry said, “but you can understand how it is here. This is a telephone that must always be answered. Death may have happened, there may be a wedding, sickness, other things of human importance. But, strange to say, the rings all seemed to be for tomatoes.” The enquiries did not come from the city only. There were two from Hunterville, some from Marton and

one from as far away as Taihape. Mr. Berry automatically gave the “Chronicle” telephone number to those making enquiries, but intending purchasers could not be helped even then. The advertiser had paid his cash, was waiting anonymously for enquiries that never came. Meanwhile the minister and those in the manse were repeatedly breaking off their daily occupations to tell people that it was all a mistake, and that the manse did not grow tomatoes, let alone have them for sale at the price advertised. The correct telephone number is advertised this morning,