A SPORTING OFFER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16050, 7 February 1918, Page 3

A SPORTING OFFER.

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD COMEDY. The somewhat drab proceedings of the Military Service Board sitting 'in Wanganui on Tuesday were considerably brightened when the appeal of Sidney Bidlake, carpenter, living 'at Tawera, was hoard. . , The appellant satisfied the board he was 39 years of ago, » married man with four children, and was consequently duly relegated to Class B. ‘ “Was there a mistake in my registration paper?” asked the appellant- “ Apparently tiior© was, 1 replied the chairman (Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.), , “otherwise you would not have been/ here.” • ’ “Well, it has cost me 23s to appear, also a day’s pay. 1 think 1 should bo , shown the registration paper, to see if it was my ‘bloomer.’ ” The Chairman: Well, we will make you a sporting offer. If you made the mistake, you pay the board for Coming here to hear your case; otherwise, we will pay you for coming here. Appellant ! I liaven t misted "fcii® bo®™- ... „ " ' Mr. M'Lareni 1 will tell you the experience the "board bad in Wellington. Appellant (gloomily): I don’t know anything aboiit that. It has cost m® 235, and I have four children. > Mr M'Laren: We had fifteen oases in Wellington of men who went into the box and swore that they filled in their cards properly. The board sept for' Mr. Fraser and he brought the cards. I examined them, and in not one single instance were they correctly filled in. You had better not take the sporting offer. _ The appellant--- Still I think it Ss-Only a fair thing- . . Captain Walker: Well, the chairman has told you they will pay you if the - Government Statistician is wrong. _ Appellant (dubiously): _ You might get me on a technical point. (Laughter.) The chairman assured 1 the appelant he would get a fair deal. Appellant: I think it is a dangerous point, or I might take, you up. (Laughter.) . . Mr. M'Laren; He is not very sure of the odds. (Renewed laughter.)