A MEETING AND A MEMORY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 201, 21 August 1918, Page 7

A MEETING AND A MEMORY.

"It was a beast of a day, extremely cold, and tiro snow was driving in a hurrincane wind, when a captain, seeing some likely signs of shelter, calledat our shanty, and asked to stay awhile until he could- get a, lorry for . Naturally we were only too pleased to shelter him, and made him as com fortable as possible under the circumstances. After he had thawed, the following conversation was carried on : "I suppose you are a fully qualified chartered accountant, and everyone else in your unit?" "No, only our officers." "What, then, were you before trie war?" '' Commercial Clerk.'' "Where?" "Cadbury." "Were you really? At Bournville? Ah, I remember Bournville. Spent the happiest day I ever remember thei-e." "Really?" "Yes, I went with the British Association. I can see the children dancing round' the maypole now—the play m those lovely grounds. Oh, it was tophole." "Of course, I told him I helped to entertain them, and for a. quarter of an hour spent a very happy time—not in Fraaice —but Bournville, and it was surprising what a- lot ho had remembered after. some eight years, .recalling even the box of chocolate that he took home. The lorry arrived, and he was soon white with snow, and I wondered if his spirit was still at Bournville in the sunshine." Bournville supplies are strictly rationed, Britain's necessities and consequent prohibition of export of foodstuffs alone prevent Bournville Cocoa and Cadbury's Chocolate from reaching New Zealand at present.