"IF I WERE KING."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10019, 15 April 1910, Page 4

"IF I WERE KING."

"A singular letter," *vps how Mr Corkill, secretary of tba School Commissioners, described a communication from the Advances to Settlers Office, read at the Commissioners' meeting held at Now Plymouth last week. The superintendent wrote in reference to.an application for a loan by one of the Board's lessees, the security offered being a renewable lease under the Board, io <:ome into force in Jun- next. The letter asked the Board uncer which Act it proposed to lease the land, and then calmly lequested to be informed by what right the Board leased at all that is, the superintendent wished to be informed of the date of the Or-der-in-Council under vfchich Commissioners derived their leasing powers. The cream of the joke lieain the fact that the Beard of School Commissioners is very little else bat a leasing authority, empowered under the Education Act. The secretary explained that the Advances to Settlers Department holds scores of the Board's leases as securities, and has done so for years past. Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., ejaculated--"I can't understand all the humbug that's going on. Bv Jove! I'd like to be king of the country for a bit! I would! I can't understand what's goingfon at all." None of his colleagues appeared able to enlighten him, and with a few jokes as to the term of Mr Jennings' reign as "His Majesty King William, of New Zealand," the Board passed the letter on to its solicitor for advice. An officer of the Board remarked subsequently that; he would "wipe the floor with the Department."