GETTING AWAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 36, 6 November 1917, Page 3

GETTING AWAY

THE STRIKING WAYS OF WAR TIME

(By "Sylvius.")

Jenkins wished to leave for Australia, eo he approached a shipping firm which now and then was in the habit of diapatching eteamers that way. There had been some little- trouble in getting the requisite leave, but having obtained that Jenkins thought that .the rest was easy, so forth ho went to the shipping olliee with a "wad" of notes, ready to pay whatever was asked for tho three uid a half days' accommodation afloat. He knew, or thought ho knew, that there was a boat leaving eomewhoro for Australia, so boldly approached the counter tl.d asked for a berth to Sydney by the .

"You want to go to Sydney?" grid the girl clerk, with a subtle raising of her right eyebrow. "Yes, that is my intention," fcsjd Jenkins.

"I'm afraid I cannot book wiyone here to Sydney," said tho young ludy, still twitching her right eyebrow subtly. "Perhaps you had better see tho niai'i""Perhaps I had," said Jenkins, quite convinced that lady clerks wculd never bo a permanent success in any bi siness.

So he tapped at the manager's door, poked his noso round the cornor, and followed it up with himself. "You have a boat leaving Auckland for Sydney?" commenced Jenkins. "Have we, when?" returned (he manager, impcrturbably. "I don't know when, but bnT6 you got a boat leaving Auckland?" said a chastened Jenkins. "Wo may have," replied l!io manager evasively. "Can I book a berth by her. F must »et over ae soon as possible." " "Oh, no—we don't like to book berths 1C "l' can't book? Look here, do you think it advisable for me to go to Auckland ?" pleaded Jenkins. "Jt may be-I really couldn t say. "But, look-put yourself in my place; would vou go to Auckland and risk being ablo id book there?" said the perplexed Jenkins. "Perhaps I would-it all deponds. I don't like to givo definite advice in these times." "Oh, 3s that it?" . "Yes, that's it. Hare you a passport and permit?" asked the inanadgcr. "Good lor', no," said Jenkins; "never thought of that!" "You will have to got a permit and passport beforo you can leave the country, being oE military ago. If you had them, it might be arranged," said the manager. Jenkins eplurted out a "Thank you, and bolted to tho offico of the Undersecretary of Internal Affairs, whoro ho was asked what steamer he intended to travel

by. Jenkins did not know the steamer-he had only heard tho name of ono casually mentioned as a likely starter, so the clerk informed him that they must have the name of the boat ho intended to travel by beforo the permit could be issued. Back travelled poor Jenkins to the shipping offico in good "wasting" trim; told Tiis story, and asked for a ticket by the boat that might leave Auckland in the nebulous future. "Got.your passport and permit?" asked the clerk. "No—they won't give it to me until I can show them a ticket," explained Jenkins, sweating with anxiety. "That's awkward, for we're not allowed to issue a ticket without the purchaser exhibits his passport!" At this point Jenkins felt a sagging in the knees. Ho crawled up town, had a ninepenny whisky and soda, and reflected. Next day lie went north by the Main Trunk express, and some time later ills name figured among those who "had recently left Hew Zealand for Australia."