A SPORTING OFFER.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17206, 6 February 1918, Page 4

A SPORTING OFFER.

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD COMEDY. APPELLANT WITH A GRIEVAxS

The somewhat drab proceedings of the Military Service Board sitting yesterday were considerably brightened when the appeal of Sidney Bidlake, carpenter, living at Tawera, was heard. The appelant satisfied the Board he was 39 years of age, a married man with four children, and was consequently duly relegated to Class E. "Was there a mistake in my regitration paper '?" asked the appellant.' "Apparently there was," replied the Chairman (Mr D. G. A. Cooper.. S.M.;, "otherwise you would not have beeu here."

"Well,-it hafe cost me 2:js. to appear, also a day's pay. I think I should &c 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 ca.se; otherwise, we will pay you for coming here. Appellant: 1 havent misled the Board.

Mr. McLaren: I will tell you the experience the Board had in Wellington.

Appellant (gloomily) : I don't know anything about that. It has cost me iJ3s v and I )iave four children. J\?T. McLaren : We had fifteen cases in Wellington of men who went into the box and swore that they filled in their cards properly. The Board senu for Mr Fraser and he brought the cards. 1 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 is only a fair thing. Captain Walker : Well, the chairmaji has told you they wilt pay you if the Government Statistician is wrong.

Appellant (dubiously) : You might get me on a technical point. (Laughter). The Chairman assured the appellant he would get a fail1 deal. Appellant: I think it is a dangerous point, or I might take you up. (Laughter). Mr McLaren: He is not very sure of the odds. (Renewed laughter).