History Notes - Apex in Barraba
History Notes
There isn't much to report this week as sorting and planning continues. The rate books are currently being sorted into the year of operation and put into order so we can refer to them at a later date.
This week I have come across a supplement to the Barraba Chronicle - a dozen pages compiled by the Barraba Apex Club to celebrate their 21st birthday and 500th dinner.
The Barraba Apex Club was formed in October, 1966, at a dinner held in the R.S.L. Hall when 20 'Prospexians' were presented to the National President. The club flourished cutting wood for pensioners, raising money for the scouts, supporting the hospital and raising money to buy an ambulance.
Looking through the twelve pages there are lots of laughs and remarks made by their fellow Apexians - some of which may not be repeated for obvious reasons.
In the section for Letters to the Editor there is a letter from one of the Apex members - it goes like this:
The Editor, Sir,
In reply to your request to send a cheque, I wish to inform you that the present condition of my bank account makes it ordinarily impossible.
My shattered financial condition is due to union laws, liquor laws, State Laws, town laws, sister-in-laws, mother-in-laws and outlaws.
Through these laws, I am compelled to pay a business tax, excise tax, tariff tax, sales tax, railway tax, petrol tax, and amusement tax, of which I have none.
I am suspected, inspected, disrespected, rejected, examined and re examined, informed, required, summoned, fined, commanded and compelled until I provide an inexhaustible supply of money for every known need, desire or hope of the human race.
Simply because I refuse to donate something or other I am boycotted, talked about, lied about, held up, held down and robbed until I am ruined.
I can honestly tell you that except for a miracle that happened I couldn't enclose this cheque.
The wolf that comes to my door so many times nowadays had pups in the kitchen. I sold them and here is the money.
Down and Out.