After reading Jim Bunny's comment ‘Why pay when you can pick?' regarding a matron helping herself to hydrangeas by The Strand, (The Weekend Sun, December 8) I thought I had better ‘fess up.

Four years ago our first great-granddaughter was born. Zinnia was chosen as her name. I thought it would be just great to welcome her and reward her parents with a bouquet of zinnias. I was informed at the fourth florist visited with such a request that there were no zinnias available from the florist suppliers. However, this florist told me of the council plantings of zinnias at Bureta and that maybe I could pick a small bunch for this auspicious occasion. He suggested wearing a hoodie and dark glasses and do the deed at dusk. Considering I have been paying council rates for 50-plus years, I thought why not – but completed the task minus the disguise. The bouquet of 10 colourful zinnias was much appreciated by the new parents. With bated breath I await a visit from the council parks man, or Mr Plod.

M Ware, Otumoetai.