ASSESSING THE DAMAGE

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 30 July 1919, Page 3

ASSESSING THE DAMAGE

Sling Fat wanted a divorce, and, judging by the things he told his lawyer, the odds were about 100 to 1 that he would get it. When he was told the whole job would cost £3O, he got up from his chair. “No fear,” he said, as ho walked towards the door. The lawyer induced him to come back. He told him how it was possible to make the co-respondent —another Chinaman —pay all the costs and damages as well. “Has this other fellow any money?” the lawyer asked. “Oh, kli ! Him got plcn’y—gotem one, two, thlce tousau close up” Sling Fat assured him.

“Well, then,” said Mr. Sixandcightpencc, “it won’t cost you a penny. How much damages do you think you ought to claim ?” Sling Fat looked about’ as intelli-

gent as a wooden image. “See here,” the lawyer explained, “this man has wrecked your life. He has broken up your home. Ho has taken away your wife. How much damage has he done you ?” Sling Fat’s face brightened —like the sun rising over a glue factory in mid-winter.

“How do you feel about it ? Don’t you see what I mean ? You have lost your wife. Now, what do you think you ought to claim ?’' Sling Fat thought deeply. Then he said, “You thinkem two shillin’ too much V’