THE INSPECTOR AND THE BABY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 113, 30 January 1918, Page 6

THE INSPECTOR AND THE BABY

FRAUDS ON PATRIOTIC FUNDS. Tt is sometimes complained against the administration of the Lord Mayor's Patriotic Fund (states the Sydney "Sun"), thai the officers inquire too closely into the circumstances of applicants; but that there is reason to guard against attempts at imposition is shown' by tlio following story told by the officers of the fund :— A soldier's wife was in tlio habit of writing pathetic' letters, asking for grants over and above the regular allotment Then she wrote stating that she expected an addition to her small family, and applying for the pre-ma-ternity bonus of £5, which is given from the futtd to the wives of soldiers on active service. The officials were suspicious, and the money was not paid. Later, she wrote that her child had been born three days before, and again ajiplied for tue !)onus. The secretary dispatched an inspector to interview the applicant. When he arrived be asked to see the baby. The reply was thai it was asleep upstairs. The inspector said that he must see it, and the mother retorted that that was impossible, as i* had measles. The inspector-'declared that he was too old to fear measles. After more argument she said that the officer had hotter see her husband about it. The inspector, to his surprise, was then informed that her husband was home on sick leave. _ The inspector decided to wait. In duo course the husband irrived and expressed his pleasure at meeting tho representative of the fund. "As i matter of fact," said the inspector, "I've called to see the baby." "The 1-abyl" repeated the soldier. "What baby?" "Your baby," said the inspector; "born three (lays ago " "You're mad," declared tho soldier; "we've got no new baby." The fund officials have since received from the applicant a penitent letter, begging fojgiveness, and saying that she only attempted the imposition because it looked easy and that she was in need of niouoy,