IN GREAT BRITAIN.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7914, 4 August 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

IN GREAT BRITAIN.

SEPARATION ALLOWANCE HUMOURS. The records of the Army Pay Department uiro not confined to mere bookkeeping figures. Some of these are full of human curiosities, says the “Manchester Guardian,” and if complete stories could be got out of the writers of many of them, they would probably more than equal those Army tales winch made the fame of Rudyard Kipling, and by which probably he will be remembered. We are not in a position to attempt a record of the kind, but wo have had placed in our hands a few extracts from letters received by a committee in charge of separation allowances:—• 1. —Respected sir, dear sir,—Though I take this liberty as it leaves me at present, I beg to ask if you will kindly be kind enough to let me know where my husbin, though he is not my legible husbin, as he as a wife, though ho says she is dead, but I don’t think ho nos for sur_», but we are not married, though I are getting my allotment roglar which is no fault of Mr. Lov George who would stop it if r.e could and Mr. M‘Kenna, but if you know where he is belong to the Navy Royal Flying Corp for ever since he joined in January when he was sacked ironi his work for talking back at his !>oss which was r woman at the laundry where lie worked. I have not had any money from him since he joined, though he told Mrs. Harris what lives on the ground floor, that he was a pretty ossifer for six shillings a week and lots of underdosing for the cold weather, and I have three children, whats is been the father of them, though lie savs it was my fault, hoping you will write to ine as you are quit well as it leaves me at present. I must close hoping you are well. 2. I have received no pav since my '.-tisbaml has gone from nowhere. 3. —My husband lias been at the Crystal Palace, and got four days furlong, and has now gone to the Mind Sweepers. 4. —I have received your letter. T am his Grandfather and his Grandmother, he was born n.nd brought up in t!iis house in answer to vour letter. 5. —i am writing these few lines for Mrs. Morgan who cannot write herself. She is expecting t■> be confined and can do with it. 6. —Mrs. Hanes has been put to bed u ith n little lad, wife of Private Haynes. 7. —fn accordance with instructions on ring paper, 1 have given birth to a daughter on the 21st April. (Note the “ring paper” is the paper given by Gov anment to women drawing separation allowances, and is stamped with a circular stamp, giving the date of is.uto of last payment.) 8. —You have changed my little boy into a little girl. Will it make any difference? 9. —I am expect!" to be confined next month, will you please tell me what l am to do about it? 10. —My Bill has been put in charge of a spitoon. Shall 1 get more pay?