Confessions of a scaredy-cat

They say flying is the way to travel and although I’ve flown from time to time I’ve never been convinced that it is. The incongruity of being hurtled through the air at unimaginable speeds in a flimsy aluminium tube and being totally reliant on engines made in the Rolls-Royce factory by unionised British workers potentially on a Monday causes me a good deal of anxiety.And I’ve had my share of anxious moments in the air.The first was when...

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A tale of doctors and dustmen

When I was about 10 years old Hugh Berney took my appendix out. A couple of years later he removed my tonsils and adenoids. Hugh Berney was our family doctor; only we didn’t call him “Hugh.” In deference to his standing in society we invariably referred to him as “Doctor” Berney. These were those halcyon days when doctors were treated with respect and to some degree, awe. After all if they were going to squirt chloroform in your face...

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Solutions to a grave situation

The two codes representing the round ball and the oval ball should be applauded for the common sense decision to settle on one major ground to showcase their contests. Exactly the opposite is happening in Wellington where the Phoenix Association Footballers want the Lower Hutt ratepayers to install a new more compact venue for them away from the Hurricane headquarters. Westpac stadium is apparently too large and too flash for the failing...

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Dreaming of an unlikely future

Legend has it that a group of world’s most prominent jurists once gathered together - I think in London - to study the Ten Commandments. They came to the conclusion that these were the most perfect set of laws ever devised. Well given the claimed authorship, they would be wouldn’t they? The eminent advocates went on to proclaim that if only everyone were inclined to keep these laws, we could create paradise on earth.No more stealing, no...

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Pot is harmless? You must be high

A few months ago “legal highs” were the talking point as distraught parents pleaded with the government to ban the sales. Shops selling the seductive sachets were picketed and a number of the young victims were paraded before us on our TV screens. We saw first-hand the devastating results these mind-altering substances had on those who foolishly chose to partake. We were told that the most common effects included violent seizures, vomiting...

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