RETURNED “DIGGER”

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XVII, Issue 5605, 30 April 1919, Page 2

RETURNED “DIGGER”

a AT THE BANK. ! HIS LITTLE PILE. Methodically and with the greatest care a returned soldier sorted over a pile of bank notes outside the deposits counter at the Wellington Savings Bank on Tuesday. He conscientiously folded over each note separately, us he arranged them in little piles in front of ham. There was a gleam of satisfaction in his eye and once, when he looked up and observed the crowd of do positors around, him watching his little pile with undisguised interest, he sniffed appreciatively. “Do you know,” ho «aid as he lovingly fingered a £5 note, “I can't realise the war’s over yet," Soon all tire banknotes were impressively arrayed in front of him and he pushed them beneath the railing to the clerk at the other side. '‘Can’t t ake them that way, they must bo all placed flat one on top of the other,” rapped out the clerk, who turned to another depositor. The soldier looked momentarily dismayed. Well, what do you think of that!” he exclaimed and without further parley raked back his notes and proceeded to carry out the clerk’s orders. Just as slowly and methodically he rearranged all his money into one big pile, and at last, with a sigh of relief, pushed it to tire clerk again. But there was another setback from the official at the other side. The bank book, after being duly entered up, was placed on one side and the soldier left waiting. “Cfail’t j I hare my book?” cried the soldier. “No,” replied the clerk peremptorily, - • ‘you are not discharged and there may be some claims on your account.” The . distressed “digger”- was absolutely staggered. “But,” added the bank other a I more kindly, “you may draw on your account any time you like, but your book must remain hero until your discharge.” The soldier took one lingering look at his heap of notes, far removed on the other side of the railing*,, and left the building with a mystified', expression on his face.—N.Z, Times.