ALL FOR THE SAKE OF THE ARMY!
From Mr. C. Bounder to Mr. T. Tenterfive.
Dear Tommy,—I say, can't you give me a leg up, to get the Government to adopt my confounded pop-guns? The foreigners don't seem to see them much, and, hang it all! a true-hearted Johnnie should give his native land the first chance.
Thine ever,
Charles Bounder.
From Mr. T. Tenterfive to Mr. C. Bounder.
Dear Charley,—I'm afraid I'm not of much use. Send in application about your pop-guns, and I will look after it as much as can. You mustn't expect much, as the Department has a way of knocking a thing about for months—sometimes years—and then quietly shelving it. Hope to see you soon.
Thine ever,
Thomas Tenterfive.
Report of Ordnance Committee, to be forwarded to the Adjutant-General.
We have examined the Bounder Patent Ironclad Pocket Revolving Cannonette, and consider it a weapon that might possibly be introduced into the Service with advantage, if the cost of production is not excessive.
Report of Adjutant-General, to be forwarded to Quartermaster-General.
I enclose report of Ordnance Committee of which I approve. However, as the matter involves a financial question, your opinion thereon would be of great value.
Report of the Quartermaster-Gen., to be forwarded to Inspector-Gen. of Fortifications.
Can offer no suggestion about the cost of production until it can be ascertained whether the Cannonette will be suitable for Home Defences. What is your opinion on this point?
Report of Inspector-General of Fortifications, to be forwarded to Secretary of State.
No doubt the Cannonette might be used in a variety of ways. But it will be observed that the Ordnance Committee raised the question of expense—a matter that scarcely concerns my Department.
Memo. of Secretary of State, to be forwarded to Financial Secretary.
Please read inclosed Report, and send on.
Report of Financial Secretary, to be forwarded to the Director-General of Ordnance.
It is premature to consider the question of expense until it has been decided that the introduction of this Cannonette will be of advantage to the Service. The Ordnance Committee use the words, "Might possibly," which are not, in themselves, a strong recommendation. It must be borne in mind that the Army Estimates must be calculated with the greatest attention to economy.
Report of Director-General of Ordnance to Commander-in-Chief.
I have examined Cannonette, which appears to have been constructed on the lines of a weapon manufactured in the reign of Henry the Eighth, of which there is a specimen in the Museum at Woolwich.
Endorsement of Commander-in-Chief. (Packet to be put in Pigeon-hole 404,567 B.)
Possibly something in the notion—immediate attention unnecessary.
From Mr. T. Tenterfive to Mr. C. Bounder.
Dear Charley,—Have just been looking through our papers relative to your pop-gun. I am afraid you will have to wait for a decision a good long while.
Thine ever,
Thomas Tenterfive.
