Reporter’s Diary (Press, 6 November 1985)

On 6 November 1985, a variety of local stories highlighted different aspects of life in New Zealand. Lindsay Eder, a vegetable grower from Woodend, sought last season's corn cobs with husks to test which labels adhered best for his new marketing venture, "Kool Corn." He anticipated minimal response, but was pleasantly surprised when over 30 cobs were offered. The label tests were reportedly progressing well, although one individual mentioned he only had husks from his freezer, intended for a Chilean recipe. In another notable development, two New Zealanders were recently honoured with Japanese orders, bringing the total to eight since 1945. Thomas Larkin, a former Ambassador to Japan, received the First Class of the Order of the Rising Sun, while Walter Harris, now residing in London, was awarded the Third Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Harris was instrumental in founding the Japan Society of New Zealand in 1959. Further in the local news, Ann Hercus, the local MP for Lyttelton, faced criticism as constituents received a blue note in their mailboxes urging them to express their discontent regarding her potential support for the Homosexual Law Reform Bill. This note encouraged individuals to communicate their concerns to Hercus, but amusingly suggested they address their correspondence to "Mr A. Hercus," sharing a phone line with her. A Christchurch man experienced a distressing burglary when a briefcase containing 15 years of family history research was stolen from his home along with other items. He appealed to the public for any information regarding the missing briefcase. Meanwhile, in a rather alarming incident in Sydney, bank employees were undergoing a training session on how to handle an armed robbery when an actual robber entered the bank. A teller, recognising the threat, surrendered approximately NZD 3,000 before the robber fled. Fortunately, the incident was captured on video, providing a potential lead for the police. The upcoming 1986 Race Relations Office calendar will feature murals created by New Zealand schoolchildren depicting Māori myths and legends. One notable artwork from Bluff School illustrates a legend for their local marae, while this year’s calendar continues to highlight Māori stories, albeit in pencil drawings, following a previous multi-cultural theme. Lastly, a retired policeman reminisced about his past experiences on a small farm during the Depression, sharing a wise piece of advice: any potential farm workers should inspect the farmer's sheds for signs of their livelihood before accepting a job, specifically noting the presence of "thin dogs and a shiny shovel." In a lighter note, a woman working at a suburban bakery discovered her cupcakes had gained a loyal customer. After baking fresh batches at 11 a.m., the enticing aroma would often lure a neighbour, who would buy dozens of cupcakes to impress her husband, passing them off as home-baked.

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