Letter by CJD to J.G. Roberts 1915.03.24

Navy Office [undated] received 24 March 1915

Dear Dad,

Herewith a few remarks about the Censor.

I have received two letters from "Bulletin" Office explaining at length how he cut a couple of verses out of my Yankee Rhyme.

At first he struck out the whole thing, but, upon the editor threatening to go to the Minister about it, the Censor agreed to let the stuff go in with two verses deleted.

I am wondering how he will deal with this piece.

Hope to see you tomorrow night at Walking Club dinner. Saw "Pinafore" last night. Pretty shoddy.

Regards to mother & family.

Yours,
Den

PS. Have you seen Norm Lindsay's book?
I have sent the "Sentimental Bloke" on to Angus Robertson's at request of Bertram Stevens. D.

McLaren Collection, Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne.

Note:
This letter was tipped in to the J.G. Roberts copy of The Sentimental Bloke which is held in the McLaren Collection in the Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne.
The poem in question here (his "Yankee Rhyme") is probably The Battle of the Wazzir, which was to be included in The Moods of Ginger Mick, but which was left out by Dennis after the Censor intervened.
The second piece alluded to in the sentence: "I am wondering how he will deal with this piece." is unknown.
The Norman Lindsay book mentioned is probably Norman Lindsay's Book: No.II published in 1915, which includes Dennis's short story "A Night Out".
Bertram Stevens is mentioned in Dennis's initial letter to Angus & Robertson dated 1915.03.23 - he was editor of the Bulletin's Red Page in 1909-10 and edited The Lone Hand from 1912 to 1918.