AN EVER-GROWING BILL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1547, 6 May 1916, Page 4

AN EVER-GROWING BILL.

The Premier of Queensland Ims received a little hill for £10,000,000 from, an unknown identity. There is not much doubt, however, (hat the claim is from a well-known person. This interesting personality has keen quiesent for some time, and as there has been a change of Government since he last submitted his bill the present is an opportune occasion for him to put in his account. This time ho has magnanimously refrained from claiming the odd shillings and pence, being merely content with a. round sixteen millions. On that: sum being forthcoming he will be prepared to forego any further claims —even to compensation for the invention of telephones. The claimant bases his bill on the fact that a reward of £IO,OOO was ottered .years ago for the discovery of a new goldfield (states the Brisbane Daily Standard). Ho claims to have discovered the Clermont goldfield, but as the £IO,OOO was not paid to him he has been adding to that sum compound interest each year—with the assistance of an accountant —till the amount has now assumed the alarming proportions of £10,000,000 ! All the various Governments and Ministers —Premiers and Treasurers in particular—have been assailed in turn, but all have been obdurate and too miserly to upbutton their pockets. Appeals to the Commonwealth and to the King have been equally unsuccessful, and with each year’s delay the amount increases considerably. When last; heard of the claim was for about 15 millions odd.