Poetry. My Bro

My Bro.
Number one.
You have started the ball rolling for the next generation of Fitzthum’s
Something that was not expected you many years yet.
Although we have lived mostly long distances from each other for a large part of our lives, there has always been a communication, especially since I have moved to Australia.
I was looking forward to coming to Perth to spend Christmas with you and spending some quality time, but obviously too late, now all I have are those years of great memories.
Goodbye Bro.

This little pig never went to market

THIS LITTLE PIG NEVER WENT TO THE MARKET.


Here is a story that has survived nearly 50 years though good times and bad.


It all happened when some friends of mine Elaine and Alan Thomas invited me and my current girl friend to enjoy a few Feastive drinks and what was to be a nice meal but somehow when the time came to slice off some of their precious leg of ham it was to Elaine’s horror that somebody had got there before her, precisely a blow fly had worked it’s way into their safe, the only means of keeping the food cool in those early days , horror soon turned into a life long joke and it became a legend after my discovery of a cute card of a even cuter smiling pig.
Over the years which soon turned into decades the precious card has been passed from Elaine and I and back again, each being the minder for the next twelve months, A small comment was added each year and soon a photo copy was added, then a follow up card to cater for the messages, apart from a few times over the years of child raising not too many times were missed . At first the card was posted to each other but as time moved on and the card got fragile it was decided to hand deliver it.
Over the years this card has become a symbol of everlasting friendship that teaches one that all the up’s and down’s of life can be held together in a bond of a small card that has survived three score and ten.
Throughout the year this card is not forgotten, whoever is the minder quite often is reminded about keeping it in a safe place , Elaine and Alan’s daughter Annette has come to respect it to the extend that it is one of the most precious items that she wants passed on to her so she can treasure and realise that something so small can keep the quality of friendship alive for many more years to come.

Fond memories.

Jim Fitzthum.

Travel Overseas. My School Reunion

“My School Reunion”

On Tuesday 25th March 2003 my sister Nancy and I made the journey back to New Zealand for our Convent School Reunion at Te Aroha, our brother Maurice who also lives in Australia was four wheel driving and caravanning around the country with his wife Shirley and couldn’t make the trip
Sis. And I travelled by Freedom Air from Brisbane to Hamilton arriving at the horrible time of midnight. During the flight Nancy and I were discussing the reunion when the person sitting besides us heard us and would you believe he was going to the same reunion, he introduces himself as Jim Kilbride and was actually in Nancy’s class so the time soon past as the past schooling years were talked out.
Our other sister Noeline and husband Kevin were there to take us back to their place in Paeroa. We had a lot of things to talk about and finally got to bed about 3 am.
Next morning we needed to try out Kevin’s new barbeque area and enjoyed a suicide breakfast of bacon, eggs, tomatoes and Kumara ( oh how I miss this N.Z. sweet potato), this was topped off with lots of toasted buns.
As the reunion was not till Friday 28th this gave us an opportunity to visit our Uncle Max and my favourite Aunt Gloria at Red beach, near Orewa, a journey of nearly two hours. It was nice to see them again after 12 months since I left N.Z. to live in Australia, they both looked really good and of course our Aunt excelled herself as usual by her cooking, somehow the kitchen always runs so smoothly and produces some yummy food.
Next morning Max took Nancy, Noeline and Kevin on a tour of Whangaparoa Peninsular and Gulf harbour, I had seen this area often so Gloria and I sifted through boxes of photos, my favourite pastime, later we all took a trip to the home village of our ancestors called Puhoi, this Bohemian settlement has always meant so much to me, full of history and family ties. There is the lovely old wooden church, the school is now a museum and the old Puhoi Pub, the inside just oozes with relics of past generations, many of the photos linked my family and old implements used my our early pioneers. Time for a family photo among the history. A visit to the old Fitzthum homestead where my brother and I were born to is always a pleasure, the old villa is still standing in all its glory, a second story had been added and the inside has been tastefully renovated with wood panelling and period furniture.
I almost forgot to mention our uncle Max managed to attract a traffic cop while travelling through town at 71 klms. And hour in a 50 klm area, I think his years in Real Estate paid off, somehow he convinced the inspector he was busy showing his Australian relations the sights, he was let off with a warning.
On our return to Paeroa we called into Masonic Village to see our only other aunt, Ethel, who is now sadly a very sick lady and needs full care now, my memory of her was always as a lovely well spoken lady who always kept a neat and tidy home and now this is reduced to a small room in the hospital wing.
Arriving back to Paeroa late we all managed a little extra sleep in. Sending Kevin off to work Nancy, Noeline and I took a drive to the old Gold mining town of Thames, it was a showery day so we took shelter in the Goldfields shopping centre where I managed to buy some souvenirs to take home, during lunch down town I met some old friends from Hamilton, I guess this happens when you have been around for so long.
Friday night was the start of the reunion with a mix and mingles to meet with former pupils and old friends. It had been over fifty years since I left the school but over the years my ties with Te Aroha gave me the opportunity to keep in touch with many old school friends, the others who had moved away it was great to meet them again. No matter how old and wrinkled we look, after a few minutes talking we were still the same people as all those years ago.
The Saturday gathering brought lots more, school friends like Ernie Prime who I had seen occasionally in Hamilton, but his sister Violet, I hadn’t seen for over 25 years, other class friends included Kevin Fitzpatrick, Brian Fisher, some of the Fitzgerald and Mc McCarthy clan, Don Laurenson, Doug Finnegan, Mary Nobilo and Jack Cranch to name a few. My sister was busy going around meeting her class friends, being six years younger than I, a lot of them I just new by name except her close friends like Margaret Geraghty, (Mary Cronin wasn’t there but came to see Nancy next day). Some of brother Maurice’s school classes like the Magill brothers, some of the McCarthy’s, Margaret Schuler asked about him and to pass on a big hello.
The afternoon was taken up with group photos, mine took in pupils from 1940-1949 and there were so many of us it had to be done in two sittings. While waiting for my turn I was surprised to see a cousin of mine, Margaret Sutherland (Becker), her husband Colin had attended the convent school, also Tom Krippner’s cousin ( my second cousin) from Karapiro was there I just spoke to him briefly, his wife was a past pupil also.
After a very nice dinner served by the local restaurant Mokena it was dance time with some of the original band members who played in the Catholic hall from the early 60’s. Singer Ivor Fisher and piano player Geoff Case could still produce the great music of that very special era; in my younger days I never missed the Saturday night dances there. Sadly I couldn’t join in any of the dancing as I am waiting for a hip replacement operation, my penalty of being a health fanatic most of my life and always running marathons and less, plus high impact gym work. It was surprising to discover just how many of my fellow school friends have had the same operation and now could rock and roll and dance, this is very encouraging for me.
Two other ladies I met again after many decades were Renee McFarlane from Morrinsville( can’t remember her married name), she kindly pointed out another ex-Waitoa lady, Pat Steffert who used to come to school with us on the bus along with her brothers.
After a very enjoyable reunion with our past school days it had really been worth the effort to come all this way from Australia to join in the celebrations and meet up with all our friends from our old school.
A standing joke among my fellow ex-pupils was to remember the sore knuckles and hands where certain nuns would enforce their discipline.
On the Sunday my friends Gary and Patrice came to Paeroa to take me back to Hamilton for three days, we had a short stop at Waitoa to once again take a look at our small home we spent most of our early days, This was the first time I had met Patrice, having already spoken to her many times by phone it was great to finally meet this charming lady, it is the best thing that has ever happened to my friend Gary. I stayed the night with them and had the use of his car while in Hamilton which was a real bonus to be able to get around to visit lots of my friends I had made in the 40 plus years of living here.
First on my list was my foster daughter Rosenne and her husband Gary, they had been to visit me in Mooloolaba and fallen in love with my little paradise. I bought them a framed picture of the beach which they had admired and were so excited to have it, also my cousins Thelma and Colin Niel, good to see them also. A look in at my old unit was a bit sad, the garden was empty bar the weeds and shrubs overgrown, I was able to see one of my ex-neighbours, Jean, caught up on all the local gossip, ( Margaret and Leslie were not home)
Sunday evening Gary and Patrice took me to a welcome home for me at the Workingmans Club, lots of friends, reminded me of my farewell 12 months ago in the same place. I don’t like fuss but it was so nice to enjoy the gathering of so many friends, I have always kept in touch with them but it is much better to speak to them in person. Another great moment was being able to meet again a childhood friend, Roy Oates who lived next door to me in Waitoa, it must be 50 plus years since we had seen each other, it was thanks to my friends Elaine and Alan Thomas, along with Annette, their daughter who arranged for Roy and his partner Audrey to come over from Rotorua to spend the evening with me. Other friends included Fay & Bob Sparrow, Don & Judy Lines, Gerald Enright and his friend Ann, Des and Deanne. Another surprise was my dear old friend of college days, Marie Brocklesby, I had kept in touch with her over the years and it was nice to see her again. Also Jim & Jean hill, Nancy’s brother-in –law were there, they were going to pick her up and bring her to Hamilton for two days.
Monday morning I called into Greens Garden Centre where I had worked, it still looked lovely but there were only two people I new there. Morning tea at Placemakers where I had also worked gave me a chance to meet many of my ex-work mates and sample a huge muffin. A lot of my friends were working, I did manage a look around central Hamilton which still looks great except the old Bus Depot, it is in a disgraceful state, graffiti, broken windows boarded up, it looks like Baghdad after a bombing raid, I have sent a letter to the Mayor expressing my disappointment and embarrassment for tourist coming into the city.
Later in the day I moved into Fay & Bob’s home and managed to catch up with quite a few people by phone, after sampling a few glasses of the brown liquid we all went to dinner at the Loaded Hog, again there were more friends there, Jim & Jean had brought Nancy, Jean & Alex, John & Elaine & an ex-neighbour Leslie. As in the past meals there it was a very tasty dinner shared with great friends. Later we walked to the new Casino in the main Street, built around the old art decor Post Office it was a thrill to see the results of lifting the huge glass tiled dome to make a very attractive entranceway. I lost my usual limit of $2 on the pokies
Tuesday I was lucky to find some of my friends home, Gary’s parents Doug & Val, sampled some of his prize tomatoes, lunch with Elaine & Alan’s home. I also managed to spend some time with Bruce & Dolsie, my sign writer friends who are in the process of crossing the ditch, hopefully to settle in Brisbane. Bruce is the artist who created lots of lovely small gifts for me, my face was displayed on glasses, frig magnets and coasters. It was nice to catch up with Dave & Lynne Taylor who have a florist in town, also Brigit who worked with me in the Garden centre. Walking the streets of Hamilton I was soon chatting with quite a few folk I new, some were surprised that I don’t live here anymore.
Time had moved on to my last night, say goodbye to friends and change my lodgings to stay with Gerald, had a nice quiet meal at home with him and a good chat. Our plane was leaving at 6.20 am. So it was an early start for the airport. My friend Gerald kindly set an alarm for me, great except he had the clock upside down, goodness knows what time the alarm would go off! I did wake with plenty of time.
I hate goodbyes and thank goodness there was only Jim & Jean who brought Nancy to the airport and Gerald who brought me. I felt I was ready to go home, I just never new how I would react, although I do miss my friends in N.Z. the urge to return to my lovely unit in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine coast was strong, I do think it is maybe where your personal things are is where home is. Nancy has been away from N.Z. for over 15 years so Australia has to be her home now.
The trip home was pleasant, I talked to three people I new on the plane. We arrived early and were able to get an earlier bus back home, Nancy’s husband John came down from Bundaberg to pick her up and now I have settled in again, my brother Maurice and s.i.l. Shirley have been staying with me and have now moved on again so I guess I will just wait patiently for my hip operation so I can get on with my touring around this vast country and hopefully a return trip to Germany and France.
Till next time
Cheers
JIMBO

Travel. Overseas. The secrets of Machu Picchu

The Secrets of Machu Picchu.

Included in a most wonderful holiday in South America was a historical journey to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas .The old city of Cuzco in Peru was my base with it’s amazing examples of stone work used in the foundations by the Incas. Over the centuries the city suffered many severe earthquakes and new cities were built onto the solid stone bases, which are set together as if manufactured by high tech. machinery. Modern day Cuzco is still using the original foundation for its cities hotels, shops, churches and office buildings. Situated at about 3,500 mts. above sea level breathing is difficult which makes you walk slowly.
I took an early morning train to view the wonders of Machu Picchu, through some very steep terrane climbing a further 2000 mts. into the Andes from the Urubamba Valley there were times when the inclines were so steep the train needed to zigzag back and forth to negotiate sharp bends. On arrival at the Ruins there was a short steep bus trip to the most fantastic city ruins I have ever seen. Machu Picchu was not discovered till 1911 and had been hidden from the world for over four centuries. It has been suggested that the city was built by hauling each carved block of approximately 30 tonnes each up from the valley below and placed together whith such perfection that there was little signs of joins, no mortar was used.
The ruined city is a wonderful setting for some great photography, houses set among the curves of the landscape, the remains of temples and farm buildings set among the backdrop of higher mountain peaks. A question that seem to be asked each tourist by the guides was your opinion as to how the stone slabs were brought up without the means of wheels, my suggestion was that maybe it was carried up as a powder, moulded into huge blocks with a type of cement, I don’t think this answer was the right one.
The sight of this wonder of the world will always remain with me as a place I have been so fortunate to visit and recommend anyone who is interested in history not to miss out on this wonderful experience, whether it be travelling by the luxury of a train or hiking along the old Inca Trail it is worth the effort, it is listed on top of my travels around the world.

Poetry The Eye of an Eagle

The Eye of an Eagle
Heh! Mum, I can see you oh so clear
Still wearing those old of jeans with a tear in the rear
Betcha don’t know your zoomed in my frame
Oh Hell! You’ve got that red hat on again
Thanks for the camera; I can have lots of fun
I feel like God, looking down on everyone.

Don’t worry about me, my feet are quite stable
I’m tied down with a very strong cable
I can see Uncle Ned sneaking home from the pub
And your nosey neighbours are off to the club
The Jones twins are playing a game of skittle
There’s Harry Mc Donald taking another wee tipple

Tim Clarke and Anne Smith, just back from a walk in the clover
Grass and straw on their clothes, maybe they fell over
Gee, there’s the Thomas kids peeping in Nels window
Wow! She should pull down the blind, boy what a show
They are far too young for a sight like that
Here comes someone, watch them scat

Hold on a minute, I’ll adjust my magic glass
I need to make a long distance pass
Well, bless my soul and my lovely zoom lens
Looks like the start of some dirty weekends
Judge Mackey is all packed ready to go away
M/s Brown has her case, “I thought he was Gay”

They both wear disguises, dark glasses and all
Hoping the local’s wont notice, they’ll have a ball
There’s goes the hamper, I bet full of grog
Two sets of trainers, don’t think they will jog
I guess I’m jealous, M/s Brown is quite nice
With her looks no wonder she picked the right vice

Now Boris, my trusty pet Eagle circles all around
His keen eyes always looking for prey to be found
Gracefully gliding through the forbidding skies
What a sight to be had from an old eagles eyes
He guides me through many new sights to explore
Then suddenly beckons me to my very own back door

With my matching lens to the eagles game
A robber has broken a large windowpane
With a powerful thrust Boris was gone
I followed his dive to the prey he was on
The thief gave a cry of pain to his head
As powerful talons inserted, blood started to spread

Hi there Mum, I called from my mobile phone
Ring the police and Ambulance to go to my home
My place is being robbed but don’t despair
Boris has given him quite a huge scare
Alas my battery has finally gone flat
I’ll sign off for now Mum, no more chitchat.

Radio Script. Nearly a Dirty Weekend

Nearly a Dirty Weekend
At Work

“ Heh! Stuart, How would you like to come away with me for a weekend?”
“ Did I hear right Pete? “; “ I thought you said for us to go away together?” “ I am happily married and maybe you are too?”
“ I thought that would get your attention, actually I won a luxury weekend away in a Villa among the hinterland and Marg can’t come as she is still with her sick mother up north,
“ What’s out there?”
“I believe there are lot’s of tramping tracks, a good swimming hole and the prize also includes some pampering like massages and relaxing meditation. The prize offer ends this weekend
“ Sounds great, Pete, I like the massage part?” “ I’ll talk it over with Joan tonight”
Next Day.
‘ I say Pete! about that weekend away, Joan said it would a good break for me to get away from doing chores and the kids, but made me promise, no hanky panky”
“ That’s great, we’ll get away after work on Friday, I’ll take my car, it shouldn’t be more than an hour and a half, maybe there will be time for a short walk before dark”
“ Sounds good to me, Pete, better fish out my sturdy sneakers, mustn’t forget the insect repellent, I’ll bring that bottle of rum Joan gave me at Christmas, maybe we’ll need a nightcap”
Friday Night.
“Sorry I’m a bit late, Stuart, forgot to organise someone to feed the cat and dog, anyway we are off now, see you Joan”
“ Bye Joan, promise no mischief”
At the Villa.
“ Looks a bit posh for us, Pete? we had better practice talking with a plum in our mouths”.
“ Don’t worry too much, they are probably very nice people, I’ll go and get the key to our room”
At the bedroom
‘ Gees! Pete, look at the furniture, a huge T.V. screen and a bar, I don’t think I’ll bother with a walk, we better check out the sleeping arrangements and bring our gear in”
“ Holey cow, there has be a mistake, Pete, only one huge bed?”
“ Hell, your right Stuart, can’t have that, I’ll go down and complain, I told the receptionist to expect two males to stay.”
Return to bedroom.
“ The girl down there laughed, and then apologised, she forgot to tell us to take off the bedspread and we’ll see two single beds, just pull them apart, give us a hand, Stu”.
“ Thank god for that, you had me worried for a minute”
“ That’s all done, now lets have a drink before going to the restaurant for dinner, I’m starving”
“ Cheers, Stuart, heres to a relaxing weekend free from any worries and strife”
“ Cheers, Pete, can’t wait for that complimentary massage”
Next morning, early.
“Come on Pete, don’t lie there all day, I can smell bacon and eggs”.
“I need to catch up some sleep after your bloody snoring half the night”.
“Joan never complains, I guess she doesn’t want to wake me because I may get amorous”.
“Don’t kid yourself”.
Morning walk
Just look at that scenery and the air is so pure, it should clear your lungs, and do you still miss your fags?”.
“Sure do, Pete, especially when someone lights up near me”.
“ Heh! Stu, take a look at that, will you! What a beaut. I’ve never seen such a crystal
clear Pool way out in the sticks before”.
“Bugger, why didn’t we bring our cosies, Pete”
“Gee, you’re a prude, whose going to see us, come on lets skinny dip”.
“ Hell, I hope my kids never hear about this, the water sure is refreshing, isn’t it?”.
“ Pete, do you see some flashes of colour behind those bushes/”.
“ Yeh, it looks like a couple of old girls spying on us, tell you what, don’t take any notice of them and after a while we’ll both come out of the water. I bet that will send them running”.
“What a laugh, you wouldn’t think those oldies could run so fast”.
“You mean, looking at you would be like a scene from the Rocky Horror show”.
Mid morning.
“ Boy, that was a good walk and swim, what say we find out about that massage”.
“ Okay, by me, you go, I need a shower”.
“Are you powdered up Stuart?, we have our pampering session in half an hour, just time for a shower to sweeten the old bod up a bit”.
The massage room. Two big muscle men, one says
“Okay chaps, strip off, lie on the beds and put a sheet over you”.
“Gee, I don’t think that’s a good idea”.
“Me neither, Pete”.
2nd guy.
“Come on. Don’t be such wooses you two, a good rub down will do wonders “.
An hour later.
“ I must say I was a bit nervous having those huge hands sliding across my butt”.
“Come on, you enjoyed it”.
That evening.
“ Well, Pete, we sure have had some new experiences, let’s knock the top of a few stubbies then go and enjoy another nice meal”.
Sunday morning
“ What a great nights sleep, must be all the fresh air”.
“ Don’t kid yourself Stu, you probably dreamed about those huge hands gliding over you”.
“ Oh, shut up, Pete, I saw the smile on your face”.
“ How about checking out that bowling green down the far corner after breaky”.
“Sure, why not, lets go eat”>
The bowling green
“That’s not bowls, it looks like croquet, hell there are those two old tarts, hell, and they are calling us over”.
Old tarts.
“Did you enjoy your swim yesterday?, would you like a game of crochet, we can teach you if you like”.
“ Come on Stu, we’ve got nothing to loose, might be fun”.
“ They keep staring at us, Pete, wonder what they’re thinking”?.
“ That bigger one fancies you Stu, watch how she flutters her eye lashes”.
“ Bugger that, I’m off, maybe it is time for us to pack up and leave”.
On the way home.
“That was a real change, don’t you think, Pete. Maybe we should tone it down a little for the girls”.
“ Hell no, if we tell them the truth they will never believe that two middle aged fellows enjoyed a game of croquet with some old dears”.
‘ I think we could tone down the massage a bit, anyway I really enjoy the weekend, didn’t you”.
“ Sure did”

Word Count.1102.







‘
.

Radio Script. One Through the Hoop

One through the Hoop
Opening scene.
Social committee meeting, group discussion on the entertainment side of the club. Those present were… Jim, Roy, Colin, Ted, Paddy, Elaine, Ivy, Joan, Marg and Sally.
Chairman, first meeting.
Ted
Now that our club has been going for nearly twelve months I think it is about time we also had a social side to enjoy. I would like you all to think of ways that would include all the members and not cost a lot of money.
Elaine
I would like to suggest we hold a Saturday night dance in the Waitoa hall. I’m sure if we booked them early enough the Satellites Band would play for us.
Jim
Don’t you think that it would be risky as Te Aroha has a dance every Saturday night?
Elaine
I’m sure all the basketball players would support us. Maybe we could add some extra entertainment, we could ask around if anyone can play country and western music as a recital, or perhaps persuade Rickey Manson to perform some of his magic acts plus do some of his hypnotic performances.
Marg.
That sounds pretty exciting; let’s have some time out to think about different things to make our dance attractive
Ted
Good idea, this meeting was to get ideas and it looks like everyone is getting excited, we need to meet again as soon as possible if we decide on a dance so the band can be booked. Lets make it next week.
Another Meeting.
Ted
Well, everyone seems to be full of enthusiasm, where do we start? Roy, you seem to be excited, what are some of your suggestions?
Roy
I have been talking with some of the chaps in the Te Aroha Brass Band, they have been practicing a novel display of jazz music set to an action routine, looks good and they are willing to perform for us free to get up some confidence, also I have spoken to Rickey Manson, he is also very keen to perform for us without cost to help get our social club going.
Ted
That’s amazing, what luck, anyone else got any more good news?
Marg
Sally and I have talked to the Satellites singer Ivor Fisher and he said he was interested in learning how to play basketball and would be happy for us to hire his band at a much-reduced rate.
Ted
Everything seems to be falling together, now we had better set a date and start booking the hall, band and items, I can do the hall, let’s get all this information down with our secretary Ivy,
Much discussion, suggestions and allotted jobs.
Ted.
Okay everybody, we seem to have covered most of the important things, let’s see?? We have the bookings covered, Jim and Elaine to organise the decorations, Ivy, Joan and Sally to do up a list of what we should have for supper, Colin will help everyone and Paddy will be our M.C. for the night. Now what about applying for a permit to sell beer and spirits.?
The morning of the dance.
Jim.
Are you ready Elaine? Sorry I’m late, at least the ferns will be dry now after the rain.
Elaine.
Won’t be a minute, I will bring some old covers to protect the car, want a cuppa?
Jim.
No thanks, it’s late, better put on your gummies, it will be sloppy in the bush, the broom will be flowering now so that will give us a nice yellow colour contrast for the stage.
In the bush.
Jim
Have you ever heard about the ghost story here on Curtains Hill?
Elaine.
I don’t believe in ghosts, do you? Anyway what is it?
Jim.
No, me neither, this story is pretty convincing with the locals around the hill. A five year old girl disappeared about fifty years ago, went wandering into the bush and after a extensive search she was never found, disappeared without trace, some people reckon they have heard her some nights crying out Help! Help! I want my mummy!
Elaine
That’s a lot of rubbish; don’t expect me to believe any of your stories.
Jim.
Okay, don’t say I never warned you .Ha! Ha!
While gathering fern fronds there is the sound of someone crying
Elaine
Did you hear anything? Sounds like someone crying, must be other people in the bush?
Jim.
What have I just finished telling you? It’s the ghost of that girl. Better watch out, she may be looking for revenge.
More crying
Elaine drops the ferns and ran as fast as she could to the road
Jim
Heh! Come back here, thought you never believed in ghosts? How am I going to carry all these ferns?
Elaine (from a distance)
Get your own dam decorations, I’m off.
Jim. (Now by himself)
Sally and Marg, you can come out of hiding now! Elaine has taken off like a rocket, and I think our joke worked.
No answer!!
Back at the Hall
Jim.
So, there you are Sally, why didn’t you answer me in the bush, I needed some help with the ferns seeing Elaine ran off in a hurry.
Sally.
Marg and I never made it to the bush, some of our cakes were a disaster so we had to make some more.
Jim
Gees, wonder who was in the bush? If it was what I’m thinking, bugger the rest of the ferns.
The Dance.
Ted.
What do you reckon on those two girls that have just arrived, are they the one’s who go to the Saturday night dances in Te Aroha?, everyone says they are pretty course.
Jim
Looks like them, hope the Barbarich brothers don’t arrive, they are real trouble, just as well we have some pretty large club members that can handle fights, I think it was a good idea not to apply for a liquor license for our first dance.
Ted.
Bloody hell, talk of the devils, here are two of them, I’ll have a talk with them. First sign of trouble and they will be out.
Jim.
You’re brave, but don’t worry we will be all watching for any disturbance.
During the dance
Roy
The evening looks like it will be a great success, I have worked out our expenditures and looks like we should make a nice little profit from door sales, and hopefully the raffles will sell.
Jim
That’s a relief; at least we won’t have used any money from subscriptions.
Paddy.
There seems to be a lot of noise coming from outside the hall? Better go and check it out.
Ted
I’ll come with you, will you keep an eye on things here Colin, tell Jim to come outside when he gets back from the loo.
Colin.
Sure thing, I’ll tell a funny or two when the band stops.
Outside the Hall, a small gathering standing around.
Ted
What’s all the noise here?
Jim, running to meet Ted & Colin
Bloody Hell! There’s been an accident, I came out a while ago to check a disturbance, a car was taking off in a hurry, it looks like one of those girls we had discussed earlier is lying near the drain, there’s blood everywhere, I ran home to my home and rang the police and ambulance, they should be here in about ten minutes.
A small crowd is forming
Ted.
Okay folks, stand back a bit, we don’t want to disturb any evidence for the police.
Paddy.
I had better get back inside and try to keep everyone from coming outside. I just heard one of Colin’s stories, a bit rude I thought!
Police arrive at the scene; take photos, cordon off the scene and search for clues. The local doctor arrived and he didn’t take him very long to pronounce her dead. The body had stab wounds near her throat; a huge area of her scull was just one bloody mess. They decide to question everyone in the hall on completing their examinations and sending the body away.
Paddy. Back in the hall
Attention everyone, there has been a horrible accident outside, a girl has been attacked and badly bashed, the police wants to speak to everyone in the hall, just gather around and wait your turn to go and see them in the supper room.
Ted.
This is bad for our club, and the evening was going along so smoothly. Hope they get it over fast so we can get on with the evening.
Jim.
Well, they seem to be doing a good job; I guess their experience and knowledge of dealing with people are far better than we could do.
Nearly half of the people in the hall had been questioned when the chief of police came out and made a statement.
Police Chief.
Attention, everybody, thank you for your patience, we don’t need to hold up your dance any longer, we have arrested a suspect back in Te Aroha who is helping us with our enquiries and it is certain we will not be looking for anyone else.
Ted
Struth, that was swift, wonder who they have?
Jim
I never saw them with anyone outside, the two Barbarich brothers have returned and are in the hall. Guess we will have to wait till the police tell us.
Roy
I have a feeling the oldest brother Ben was hanging around but never came into the hall. There were some fights at last Saturday’s night dance at Te Aroha but nothing was proven that connected to any of the brothers.
The dance continued, a huge success even though there was a sad tragedy
The next committee meeting of the social club a week later
Ted.
I suppose you have all read the local paper about the trouble we had at our first dance, I have received a letter from the Te Aroha chief of police confirming what the paper printed. Ben Barbarich has been formally charged with Mary Foster’s murder, they say this will make headlines around the country being the first real crime ever in our small community. They state that Mary had stolen Ben’s stash of marijuana
Jim
The newspaper said Barbarich was waiting in his car, his brothers were in the dance hall, Mary came out to talk to him, she took his stash and ran off, he caught up with her and assaulted her, knowing his violent nature he just didn’t stop till he killed her. What a waste of a young life. He then drove off in a hurry.
Elaine.
I know Mary was not a very nice lady but I would like us all to attend her funeral which is next Saturday, It’s about time the Barbariches were all escorted out of town, they have been causing trouble for years.
Roy
Maybe we should invite them to play indoor basketball, they should be excellent for defence!!
Meeting closed; hopefully the sporting club can continue an enjoyable social life for all the players.
Footnote…
Indoor basketball was very popular for many years in Waitoa, when rugby became the main attraction the clubs soon disappeared, it is great to see the sport is coming back to popularity again. I certainly enjoyed the years I played the game and made some very good lifetime friends, what a bonus for a small town with very little other entertainment for the younger generations.

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