Rau, you remember?’ continued Mrs Heremaia. She cooee-ed out, and before long they were in the party. It was a good morning that they had. Auntie dozed in the car, and every now and again Mrs Heremaia would pop a really ripe blackberry into her mouth, which made her happy. After they had all gone, Mrs Heremaia stood by her car, and looked at the acre, of which she owned one-ninth piece. A woman came down one of the wide-swept driveways with her pekinese at her heels and shook her head resignedly as she looked at the Chev. She straightened her shoulders purposefully, with an air of being determined to ‘do something about it’ in her bearing and strode back to the house. Mrs Heremaia gazed thoughtfully after her. ‘I'll bring the kids an' the ol' man here tonight. Auntie nodded drowsily. ‘You know, I've a good mind to pay them rates myself.’ Auntie's eyes opened like a lizard awakening in the sun to see brightness. ‘I'll go you halves,’ she said. Mrs Heremaia chuckled softly as she got back into the Chev. She patted Auntie's arm and fed her a berry. ‘Tomorrow I'll take Mr Wellington-Crosby a billy of blackberries.’ It was noon and a hot, hot, day.

learn now — your breath could save a life … … in cases of drowning, electric shock, smothering, choking, overdose of drugs, smoke suffocation, carbon monoxide gas, other gas poisoning, head or chest injuries, heart attack or stroke, poisoning. Begin at once! Delay may be fatal!

THE FOUR BASIC STEPS IN RESCUE BREATHING 1. Place the victim on his back, quickly inspect the mouth to ensure nothing is blocking the air passage. 2. Tilt head right back and pull chin forward, if breathing does not start normally commence rescue breathing. 3. Blow through nose (or mouth if nose is blocked) until you see the chest rise. First 5–10 breaths deep and rapid. Then repeat 10–15 times a minute. 4. Remove your mouth and listen for snoring and gurgling, which are signs of throat obstruction. When victim starts trying to breathe for himself, keep your breaths in time with his efforts. • For infants and children. Keep the head tilted right back, seal your mouth around the child's mouth and nose, and blow gently. Repeat breaths 20 times a minute. • For victims of drowning. Attempt rescue breathing as soon as you can reach victim's face. Ensure air passage is clear. Support victim by locking your arm under his body. (Always use mouth-to-nose in deep water.) For further information contact your local District Health Officer. Issued by the New Zealand Health Department.