Reporter’s Diary (Press, 26 December 1975)

On 26 December 1975, various unusual events were reported from Christchurch and beyond. A significant mix-up occurred in the Christchurch Magistrate's Court when an unidentified defendant inadvertently appeared before the wrong magistrate and answered to the name of another individual. This "mystery" defendant managed to have a case remanded to January 20 before the error was identified. The true defendant, who had been waiting in the same court, was brought in shortly after the mix-up was realised. The genuine defendant's identity was only confirmed later when his case was called in another courtroom, but the "mystery" defendant had already left by then, leading to the decision to let the remand date remain. In another story, an American alpine guide at Fox Glacier showcased tourists' gullibility. He once convinced a woman that a piece of quartz was "petrified ice" which would not melt, and another tourist was given a piece of quartz to suck on when he was thirsty. Moreover, the guide's creativity was rivalled by that of a New Zealand colleague who pretended that a stuffed opossum skin found frozen in a glacier was a preserved ancient animal, astonishing the next day’s tourists. A woman subscriber to "The Press" raised concerns regarding the newspaper’s practice of publishing the ages of accident victims, arguing that a woman’s age should remain a private matter. The reporter explained that age serves to identify individuals involved in accidents more accurately. However, the woman resolved to avoid carrying her driving licence to prevent revealing her age should an accident occur. In Italy, courts have taken a stand against the defamation of a deceased individual’s memory, leading to a Jesuit priest being sentenced to four months in jail for defacing posters in remembrance of filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini, whose last film was banned. Pasolini, recently murdered, had created a controversial film titled “The 120 Days of Sodom.” Reflecting on the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy, which devastated Darwin last Christmas, reports indicate that the city, now home to 37,000 residents, is thriving again, although housing remains tight. Newly designed "cyclone-proof" houses are in development, yet public servants seeking accommodation have faced offers of cramped caravan living situations shared with others. Lastly, a light-hearted note about Christmas gift costs mentioned that gold remained the most expensive festive gift this year at approximately NZ$137 an ounce, with frankincense and myrrh selling for NZ$5.50 and NZ$7.70 per pound, respectively. The report also highlighted a quirky American invention—a branding iron for toasting bread that imprints a “Good morning” message, catering to those wanting to add a humorous touch to breakfast during the holiday season.

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