Ngaire Duke has heard some unusual questions in her time.
Mrs Duke (66) retired yesterday after a 21-year career as the manager of Citizens Advice Bureau in Dunedin.
Some of the questions posed by clients were easier to answer than others.
A man who went for a drink every Friday morning with friends used the pub clock to inform him when to catch his bus home.
When a new publican removed the clock, he missed the bus.
The angry man stormed in to the bureau and asked if pubs had a legal obligation to supply a clock.‘‘We found out and no, they aren't,'' Mrs Duke said.
Some questions were prison-related.
A bureau investigation revealed the dimensions of a prison cell for a client.
Another man, set to do a prison term, asked the best place to store clothing for 10 years.
A health-conscious client asked the number of calories in a walnut.
Another client wanted to know if it was cheaper to be buried at sea or in a cemetery.
Questions which "stumped'' the bureau included how many words Eskimos had for snow and who got legal custody of a dog in a divorce.
Some clients' requests were straightforward, such as a man needing a toothpick before seeing a dentist and a woman needing a mirror to adjust her scarf.
Some clients visited the bureau regularly, including a blind man having his mail read to him.
A client visit which stuck in Mrs Duke's mind was a young mother needing to flee Dunedin and a violent relationship but with no way of travelling to a safe house outside the city.
The bureau contacted Women's Refuge, which arranged the bus fare.
Mrs Duke said she would miss the work and the thought of leaving had brought her to tears this week.
"It's been a great place to work.''
Dianne Lowry takes over as manager after volunteering at the bureau for 10 years.
Bureau staff needed to have a sense of humour, to be non-judgemental, and to be able to keep a straight face, Ms Lowry said.
Question time
Most common topics at Citizens Advice Bureau Dunedin.
• Consumer law.
• Disputes about trees and neighbours.
• Employment law.
• Information for new migrants.
• Justice of the Peace service.
• Passport applications.
• Tenancy law.
