The year is 1961, the place: Kawakawa pre Hunterwasser. The car: An Austin A40 1951 vintage. The driver ... a nervous male bank officer age 19. The usual test formalities completed and a license given, so the young banker returns to park outside the Bank on the Main Street where the railway line has run through for an eternity. One space available between two parked cars so the staff hurry out to see the newly licensed driver do his thing. The Austin reverses into the tight space and hello there is a sound of bumper on number plate. Oh, the embarrassment! Passers-by join the gathering outside the bank as the A40 edges slowly forward. Again, the dreaded sound is heard, and it is all too much for those watching ... suppressed giggles turn into a round of applause as the vehicle then reverses and fits nicely into the space. Only the relieving branch manager is unmoved ... it is his car that was hit first!
Last word
Chris Bradley of Beach Haven writes: "My granddaughter Niamh proudly held up a small toy she had received for Christmas and said it was her most precious present because it had come all the way from China."
