The Star: August 09, 2018

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Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday August 9 2018
Fire rages, homes at risk
Burger queen hangs up apron
People go
yum over
Mrs Lum’s
fast food
• By Matt Salmons
IF YOU love burgers, chances
are you’ve heard of Lowsee Lum,
affectionately known by most as
Mrs Lum.
Working in her son Steve
Lum’s Woolston eatery, Big
Ed’s Takeaways, almost every
day for more than 20 years, the
85-year-old mother of 11, and
grandmother of 21, finally hung
up the apron on Sunday as the
business changed hands.
“She’s just that kind of
woman, she can’t just be at
home, she’s got to be doing
something,” Mr Lum said.
“She was always hands-on, her
speciality was burgers. People
loved them.”
Mr Lum said Big Ed’s staff
were regularly asked if Mrs
Lum could prepare their order,
especially the crowd favourite
the Big Ed burger.
“She’s got the magic touch.
She does everything the same
as me but customers always ask
if she can make it. She’s been
doing it so long, everyone just
prefers her food.
“She just puts a lot of love
[into the food] I think,” he said.
Mother and son worked their
last shift together on Sunday
night before new owners took
over on Monday. Mr Lum said
it had been busy and quite emotional
for him, but his mother
took it all in her stride.
Before moving to New
Zealand in the 1990s, Mrs Lum
had emigrated from Guangdong
province, China, to Fiji in the
1950s. Eventually opening
Lumchew Restaurant in the
town of Ba with her husband,
speaking to customers in
RETIRED: Lowsee Lum, 85, tucks into one of her famous Big Ed’s burgers.
English, Hindi or Fijian.
Mr Lum said his mother had
been renowned for her wontons,
with families travelling from
around Fiji to try them.
When Mr Lum took over
Big Ed’s, in Ferry Rd, in 1994,
his mother’s vast experience
and tireless work ethic quickly
became an invaluable asset to
the business.
“She was the main lady, she
was the boss,” Mr Lum said.
“Without her, I couldn’t have
been as successful as I was. I
could always rely on her.”
When the February 22, 2011,
earthquake forced them out of
the building, the Lums cooked
all the remaining stock and
FAST FACTS
Big Ed’s Burger –
Bacon, egg, cheese,
hash browns, onion
rings, meat pattie,
tomato and aioli.
gave it away to the Woolston
community. With the help and
encouragement of his mother,
Mr Lum reopened on the same
site in 2014.
Mr Lum said both had recently
come to a point where they
were ready to move on from the
business. He said his mother’s
December holiday to Fiji and
China with her daughter Cathy
refocused her priorities.
“When she came back, I think
she realised that now’s the time
to spend time with family.”
Mrs Lum’s family from China
was set to visit for the first time
in November.
in brief
12 hurt in Bromley
chemical spill
A person suffered moderate
injuries and 11 others minor
injuries after a chemical spill in
the Bromley yesterday. Emergency
services were called Argus Heating
on Maces Rd at about 9.30am. All
12 were taken to Christchurch
Hospital to be assessed and treated.
Charges amended in
‘drown him’ case
Two youths defending charges
relating to the Rolleston “drown
him” case have had their charges
amended. Originally, the 15 and
16-year-old were charged with
aggravated robbery. A hearing on
Tuesday amended the charges to
injury with intent to injure. A two
or three-day hearing will be held
beginning on December 3. Police
allege the attack happened after a
fireworks display in Rolleston on
November 4. The 15-year-old victim
was allegedly beaten then dragged
to a water race where his head was
held under the water. The incident
came after the victim allegedly
refused to hand over his cap.
Vandals destroy trees
and shrubs
Twenty-six trees and more than
130 shrubs have been vandalised
around the central city’s Rauroa
Park in the past few weeks. Ōtākaro
has spent about $10,000 replacing
the damaged trees and shrubs. It is
now considering other short-term
measures to deter vandals.
Athletics track to be
completed soon
Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub’s first
stage – an international-standard
athletics track – is just months
away from opening. When
completed it will offer a 400m
track, 12 tennis courts, two hockey
turfs and two rugby league fields.
Each section of the complex will
have a staged opening as the work
is completed ahead of an overall
site opening planned for next
March. The athletics track will
open in October, with the hockey
turfs following in December.
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