ROMANCE OF A CAKE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5361, 19 February 1916, Page 3

ROMANCE OF A CAKE.

More than one “romance of a cake’’ has appeared in print since the war commenced, but the following local instance, says the Oaniaru Mail, may stir the public to a realisation of the shameful way in which the delivery of parcels is managed by the Government. Mrs Davev, of Cheimer street ,and another lady of Oamaru, had prepared a cake costing 4s Bd, which they sent Private Davey for his birthday, while in Egypt. Each lady wrote him « letter, which, with £2 in cash .they enclosed in a small tin, which was built into the cake. They also notified Private Davey of the advent of the cake. Dn the evening of his birthday several friends bought refreshments at the canteen, intending to gire him a good time. Among these was a cake, which cost the philanthropist 12s 6d (at the canteen). The little celebration in due course came off. The host, in cutting the cuke, came aerosts a tin, to his great disgust. “What a fraud!’’ ho exclaimed. “This thing is full of empty tins.” The tin. however, proved to l>e not empty by a long way. After reading the address on the letters, the host turned in blank surprise to Private Davey, end said : “Why this cake was sent to you f” After this instance of the selling of gifts in canteens, combined with this particular defact in the mail service, one wonders whether the mail troubles are dm to carelessness or to the undetected slimness of some “old soldier” whom the slack Government methods suit to a nicety.