Lack of staff — like in many other sectors — was an industry-wide problem and it was particularly difficult to recruit in small, rural districts, Mr Pickles said. Mrs Pickles (55), with her shock of pink hair and a smile as wide as the nearby Waitaki River, was now doing her mechanic’s apprenticeship. Asked how she coped in the aftermath of her husband’s accident, Mrs Pickles said philosophically, "you box on". And at a time when there had been a diminishing of country garages, Mr Pickles said they offered a skill set. Mr Pickles said he was going well health-wise now.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 13, 2022 17:03 UTC