What happened to local words I knew when I lived in Hastings?

I am fast approaching ninety and am working on my life story for the benefit of my great grandchildren. I spent the first thirty years of my life in Hastings (save for three evacuated) and attended the grammar school - sadly now no more - before emigrating to the land of the All Blacks.

There are several words of local patois that I recall but inquiries that I have made of younger friends still resident in Hastings tell me that they are no longer in everyday usage. One in particular remains firmly in my memory and that is “chitney” with the sense of being cowardly. I am wondering if any of your older readers can remember hearing this.

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