MELVILLE GNOME VANISHES OVERNIGHT, NEIGHBOURLY THREAD HITS 147 REPLIES AND ZERO LEADS
Owner says the gnome, Reginald, had been on the front lawn since 2009. Theories include a possum, a magpie, and the bloke from number 42.
A garden gnome named Reginald has been declared missing from a front lawn on Bader Street, Melville. The Neighbourly thread has now outlasted the search.
Owner Cheryl Whittaker, 71, noticed Reginald was gone on Tuesday morning while putting the bin out. "He was there Monday night. I said goodnight to him, as you do. By morning, just a dent in the grass where his boots had been."
The thread, started at 9.14am Tuesday, had 147 replies by Thursday. Theories include a possum, a magpie, students walking home from the Uni, and "that bloke from number 42 who's been odd since the roundabout went in". None have produced Reginald.
Neighbour Trevor Bunning said he'd seen "a shape" moving down Bader Street around midnight, then conceded it may have been his own reflection. "I'd had a wine. Two, if we're being honest. Could've been a cat. Could've been Reginald walking himself off."
Hamilton City Council said gnomes did not fall under their remit but wished the family well. A spokesperson added that gnome callouts had risen "slightly" since the last roundabout went in, and declined to elaborate.
Cheryl has left Reginald's wheelbarrow on the lawn in case he finds his way home. The Neighbourly thread is on page four and has moved on to a suspicious hatchback.
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Reader Letters
GnomeHunter69
Someone should check that hatchback!
FrustratedInFrankton
Can we just acknowledge how truly bloody ridiculous this situation has become? All over a gnome!
SueHunt
Reginald was the pride of Bader Street. Used to wave to him every morning. It’s a shame how things are just disappearing these days.
UniDad
Probably some Uni students on an O-Week adventure. They'll bring him back, eventually.
tired_in_riccarton
Mate, they said it could be a magpie, not just the students.
couchgremlin
Lol.
Margaret_F
In 1981, gnomes were a staple in every household. Gerald and I used to paint them on Sundays.
SecuritySteve
Cheryl should get a security camera. Too many things going missing in Melville these days.
ConcernedKiwis
You all laugh, but I reckon this has got something to do with council budget cuts. First it’s Reginald, next thing you know half the suburb’s gone missing!