APPEAL IN VERSE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 11

APPEAL IN VERSE

* Sydney Aldermen Respond Sydney, May 14. Tim example of the Melbourne resident who successfully appealed in verse for an extension of time in which to pay his taxes has been followed by a ratepayer of Hunter's Hili, Sydney, with like success. The taxpayer invited aidermen to morning tea at bis home and to inspect a footpath, adding:— “Our pilgrim feet must daily tread This avenue of woes, Where two-edged Hints lie passively In wait for martyred toes.” One of the aidermen, emulating the Victorian Tax Commissioner, replied in verse:— “If you want it soon to be (Mark the aidermen’s cheer), Then please cut out the morning tea, Our hobby still is beer.” A .Melbourne cable on February 14 stated that probably for the first time on record a Commissioner of Taxation had composed au official reply iu rhyme to a taxpayer seeking time to pay. The taxpayer was poetic, and he couched bi.-s application to the commissioner in moving rhythm with a pathetic jingle. The commissioner (Mr. R. W. Chenoweth) adopted the same rhythm and jingle for his reply, and gave the taxpayer time in which to pay.