Masterton’s most exclusive club

The following story is true, though I concede it may beggar belief. Some names have been omitted to protect the innocent, if indeed there were any. Circa 1960; I am of course single and at a party at a house in Masterton in which four young women “flat”. Back then we called them girls and these particular females were mostly school teachers. The house was brim full of revelers of both genders and I decided to tell a joke. It wasn’t...

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Are you being served?

The district’s mayors’ are constantly on our wireless’s imploring us to buy locally, not to shop out of town and keep the money revolving in the Wairarapa. It’s a good message. I just hope that it’s a public service broadcast and not a charge on ratepayers. Ironically our radio stations are mostly run by computers domiciled I imagine in Auckland where I suspect most of the advertising revenue accumulates. There is no doubt local businesses, particularly retailers, are having a tough time, but I can’t help but wonder if...

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Confessions of a confirmed peasant

Beauty, they say is in the eye of the beholder. When Ralph Hotere died I Googled his website to be beholden by the images of his art. I’m sorry to say I was sorely disappointed. Obviously my eye has a different focus to those who revered him. Don’t misunderstand me here; I’m not suggesting for one minute that Hotere and his admirers are wrong and that I am right. Quite the opposite. I am lamenting my inadequacy to recognise and appreciate art in all its forms. And I am a long way behind the eight ball. Writing in the...

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Two dollar shops eye new venture

It was the best of times and the worst of times for the airline industry last week with  Air New Zealand announcing that it had more than doubled its half yearly profit compared to last year and then having to admit that one of its overworked pilots fell asleep at the wheel twice on a long haul flight. Meanwhile Jetstar, already plagued with problems involving well-publicised passenger dissatisfaction, refused to change the bookings for the Murawai beach shark victims mum so she could travel from Wellington to Auckland...

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