"DEAR SIR,--Referring to the recent Methylated Spirit (Motor Fuel)
Restriction Order, No. 2, 1917, I wish to know whether I am at
liberty to use my car as a means of conveyance to a farm about ten
miles away where the rabbits are eating the young blades of wheat.
A friend has invited me to help him shoot them--the rabbits, I
mean."
Well, that was lucid enough, wasn't it? But the reply was not so
helpful as I could have wished. It opened intelligibly with the words
"Dear Sir," but continued:--
"I am directed by the Methylated Spirit Controller to inform you
that the employment of a hackney motor vehicle, not licensed to
ply for hire, as a conveyance to divine service constitutes
a breach of Regulation 8 ZZ of the Defence of the Realm
Regulations."
Not a word about the rabbits, you see.
I was so fascinated by the unexpected results of my first effort that
I tried again, this time breaking new ground.
"DEAR SIR," I wrote,--"Referring to Methylated Spirit (Motor Fuel)
Restriction Order, No. 2, 1917, am I at liberty to use my car
daily to take my children to their school, which is five miles
from my residence? The only alternative form of conveyance
available is a donkey and cart, the employment of which means
that my offspring would have to start overnight."