MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17033, 18 June 1917, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS

SITTING AT ALEXANDRA. The No. 1 Military Servico Board — Messrs H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), E. Kellett, and A. D. Bell—sat at Alexandra 011 Friday evening to hear a number of appeals.—Captain Free represented tho military authorities. Hfcnry Thomas Bell appealed on tho ground that he had a widowed mother and a nephew dependent upon him, and that ho had certain financial difficulties. Ho had also a wool-classing contract to finish. — The Chairman said this was not a case of undue hardship so far as tho appellant and his dependents were concerned, but it might bo considered so with regard to tho settlers. Tho board was of the opinion that tho requirements of tho Act would bo met by adjourning tho case sine die, which meant that the appellant would not be called up until tho end of tho First Division.

Richard W. Stagpool (Bendigo) appealed on tho ground of undue hardship, in that ho was a farmer and was tho solo support of his mother and the only man at home to work tho farm.—The board decided that tho case should lie adjourned sine die, tho appellant to be called up at tho end of tho First Division.

James A. T. Steel appealed on the ground that there wna no one to look after his interests, and also that he was financially involved. He stated that he had enlisted on four occasions prior to being called .in the ballot, but had been turned down on each occasion. He worked on a dredgo, and in his spare time looked after a fruit farm. —Tho appeal was adjourned until the end of the First Division.

Guy Winter (Waenga) appealed on tho ground of public interest. Ho ako raised the point, through Mr Bodkin, that he was not a First _ Division reservist, seeing that he was married when 19 years of ago.—The appellant stated that he took delivery of goods which arrived by rail at Waenga, between Clyde and Cromwell, and saw that theso goods were despatched in a proper way to their destination. Regarding the point raised by Mr Bodkin, the -Chairman said that- the Solicitor-general had given an opinion respecting a widower on tho lines of the argument put forward by counsel, but that had no bearing on this case, and lie (the chairman) did not agree with the opinion of the Solicitor-general. The appellant was given a month in which to settle his affairs prior to going into camp. Richard Victor Wilson appealed on the ground that he wa3 a fanner engaged in the production of grain, wool, and fat stock for export to the United Kingdom, and, further, on tho ground that he managed a farm for his brother, who was absent on active service.—The case had been adjourned from the last sitting of the board. —Tho Chairman said the appellant's father owned a largo place, and the appellant owned a small grazing run. Tho family appeared to be in a position to employ labour, the' father employing nine permanent hands. This was not what constituted undue hardship, and the appellant would be given until tho August draft to set his affairs in order.

Simon Munro (sheep farmer, Tarras) appealed on the gTound of public interest. He i had a run of 2000 acres, and he also managed two 500-acre farms for his father, ' who was beyond doing any work. Owing l to the shortage of labour it was impossible for him to make arrangements which would enable him to go away.—The Chairman: We are advised that there is a good supply of married labour.—ln answer to a question by' the chairman, appellant said that there was no accpmmodation on his place for a married man. —Mr Kellett: I think you will find in future that it will become a question of ' providing this accommodation. —The Chairman said the trouble appeared to he that of accommodation. The appellant's father was over 80 years of ago, and this man managed the whole place and produced large quantities of wool, grain, and mutton. Conditional. exemption would be granted, and the case would be adjourned until the end of the First Division. —At a later stage this case "was called on again at the request of Captain Free, who put further questions to the appellant.— Captain Free: You have a partner in this run of jonrs. Who is he?—My brother, who has 700 acres of grain-growing land close to mine.—The Chairman: "Why didn't yoa tell us this before? —I didn't think it of importance.—The Chairman; You are bound to tell us everything.—Mr Kellett: What is yottr brother's interest in your run?— Just a small interest.—Mr Bell: What do you call a small interest?— One-third.— Mr Bell: You don't call that a small interest in 7000 acres.—The Chairman: Do you want the board to understand that you consider a whole interest bettor than one-third.— Yes.—The Chairman said, the board was of the opinion that the appeal should bo dismissed, but that the appellant should not be called ap until the August draft. Thomas . M'Nulty (Mr Bodkin) appealed on the ground that ho was a coal dealer, and supplied the town of Cromwell with coal. He had two brothers at the front and three brothers at home, aged 18 and 16 years respectively, and his mother and two young sisters to care for. He gave his mother £5 per month, and supplied her with coal and other things.—He was granted ■until the end of the First Division to enable him to arrange for the carrying on of his business. The appeal of James Nash was ordered to stand over until the next sitting of the board. The appeals of Morris Walker and George M'lntosh, each of whom had been declared C2, were formally dismissed.

SITTING AT LAWRENCE. THE POSITION OP SHEARERS. - . The Second Ctago Military Service Board sat at Lawrence on Saturday; presentMessrs V. G. Day, S.M. (chairman), R. Breen, and A. S. Or.bell. Captain Barrett was the military representative, and Captain Stevens was associated with him. Henry I.yons (gold miner, Roxburgh) ax>pealed on the ground of hardship. The Teviot-Molyneux Goldmining Company also appealed oil behalf of the reservist. —Mr John Ewing represented the company.—

The Chairman said the board granted exemption only in oases where a company was scouring returns. —Mr Ewing said the company was getting returns, but not remunerative returns. Ho put in a statement showing its position. Tlio concoro, lie said, was the largest hydraulio concern in the dominion. Twenty-five of its men had already gone to the war, and at present it was oarrying on with about half tho numbor of men it required. Hero wero only three single men in its employ to-day. Exemption was given in industries which wcto not so important as goldmining. —The Chairman: Tho 'board grants exemption only in oonnoction with the production of foodstuffs.—Mr Ewing: Gold is as important as food.—The Chairman: Yea, when produced in largo quantities.—Mr Ewing: This company will be a large producer in tho near future. —After consideration the Chairman said the board was of opinion that the man should go, and the appeals would too dismissed, the reservist to go into camp with the 32nd draft on July 20. Owen OUrien (general farm labourer, Roxburgh) asked for time, and was allowed until August 18, when he will go into camp with the 33rd draft.

Denis Roughan (ploughman, Roxburgh) appealed on tho ground of hardship, and an appeal on his behalf was also lodged by Walter Cockburn (Roxburgh). He put in a typewritten statement of his affairs, and w'as represented by Mr Fletcher. Ho said ho had a brother at tho front, and another in camp.—Evidence was given by Walter Cockburn, who is under contract to plough on Teviot Station. —To Captain Barrett: Witness's son was 19 years of age, ajid had worked with him, but oould not do Roughan's work. He was now earning £7 a rabbiting, and would not take Roughan's place at £2 10s. Witness sometimes went away from the station to look after his father's place, and ho required a head ploughman to attend to things when ho was away. —The appeal wore dismissed, appellant to go into camp on August 18. Joseph Turnbull (Iblaoksmith, Roxburgh) appealed on the ground of hardship, and was also appealed for by Wm. Price (his employer). Tho reservist said one brother had volunteered, another was in Trentham, and two were in France. —Wm. Price said his son was 19 years of age, and could not bo taught the trade -under two years. There was another blacksmith in the _ town. —Tho oaso was referred to tho Efficiency Board to ascertain the position of tho blacksmith's business in Roxburgh. The case of Geo. Walter Cockburn (contract ploughman, Roxburgh) was adjourned until next sitting for medical examination. Francis Patrick Kelly (rabbit agent, Lawrence) was exempted on the ground that he is over age. . John Geddes (mill owner, Tuapeka Mouth) asked for a month's time to enable him to sell his plant. Four farmers at Greenfield and Tuapeka West petitioned tho hoard, stating. that this man did all their thrashing and chaffcutting, and was an expert shearer.—Mr Fletcher said he, would like to be heard on behalf of the farmers. — The Chairman: They are not employers, and no thrashing will be done for eight or nine months.—Mr Fletcher: No, not

till January.—Tbo Chairman: And in the moantimo the State loses a soldier.—ln answer to the board, the reservist said he shore 7000 sheep last season. —Mr Fletcher urged that the man's servicps as a shearer were also necessary. —The Chairman: With regard to shearers, it has been stated already that it is not absolutely necessary that they should bo kept, and the agricultural members of the boards are of the same opinion. It may delav operations a little, but the work will sttfl bo done somehow. There is no necessity to keep men for a few weeks' work.—Mr Fletcher said the farmers would be inconvenienced if the man went. — The Chairman: Everybody must suffer inconvenience at the present time. —Witness said he had three brothers, but they were married and had their own work to do,— Captain Barrett: Perhaps they will work overtime and help these farmers.—The board allowed the reservist until August 38. Duncan Angus Sellars (farmer, Miller's Flat] handed the board a document.—The Chairman observed that the country was high, and Mr Bennett, the district trustee, was of opinion that someone should be kept on it.—The appeal was adjourned sine die, conditional on the appellant working the rim.

Thecase of David Henry Lawrence Brett (chemist, Lawrence) was referred to the Efficiency Board for a report. Samuel French (farmer, Forsyth) said he was working two farms—one belonging to his mother, who was a widow, and the other to his two brothers and himself, these brothers being now at the front. He was the only son left.—The appeal was adjourned sine die, conditional on the appellant working the farms. i John M'Millan (farmer, Waitahuna) appealed on the ground of hardship. Ono brother left with the Main Body and one with the Seventh Reinforcements, and he was the only son left. He was willing to go if the farm was sold.—After reading documents which were handed in; the board adjourned the case for three months.

Harry Noel Winmill (salesman, Lawrence) appealed on the ground of hardship; and his father also appealed on his behalf. The reservist asked to be put down to the end of the First Division. His brother was away to the front.—After consideration the case was adjourned for two months, the chairman adding that the reservist would probably have to. go then. Francis Solomon Russell (gold miner, "Waipori) asked for time, and was allowed until July 20. Wm Bryant Crane (ploughman, WaitaJrnna) appealed on the ground of hardship, and was also appealed for by his father, Joseph - Crane.—A written document was handed to the board.—The case was adjourned for two months. Geo. Robertson Talboys (salesman, Lawrence) asked for time until the end. of September to arrange business affairs.— After looking into documents, the' board decided to give the reservist until Autrust 18, a report to be obtained from the Efficiency Board in the meantime. Frederick Edward Shaw (teamster, Waitaiiuna) said five of his brothers had gone. Another had' enlisted, but was turned down." —Exemption was granted, conditional on the appellant working his farm. Duncan M'Donald (shepherd, Rae's Junction) said he had not been before the Medical Board, and the case was adjourned until next sitting. Frederick Ellis (blacksmith, Waitahuna) said that since his case was last before the board he had' advertised the business for sale, but without success.—Referred to the Efficiency Board for a report, Alex. Arthur (general merchant, Lawrence) said that since the last sitting of the board he had ascertained that his brother would not take on the business. He (appellant) had applied for further medical exammation, having bad his leg fractured some years a<ro. Ho had not obtained a certificate from his doctor.—The case was adjourned until next sitting, and the appellant was warned to make arrangements, as he might have to <ro. G® o - Crawford Welsh (farm manager Beaumont) appealed on the ground of hardship, and an appeal was put in by Elk. Wood on his behalf.—This was a n adjourned case. Mrs Wood said she had advertised for a man to take Welsh's place, but it was pointed out to her that shehad ad veristed only for a single man.—The Cha-rman said the' Efficiency Board had said ™;L re we re married men available, but the difficulty was that 1 here was no accommodation for a married couple on many farms —Tne case was adjourned until n»xt <n'ttm"-' f °ra report from the Efficiency Board Thos. Francis Ryan (coal merchant, Waitahuna) _ had been ordered to be radically re-examined, but as the Medical Board* will not sit in Lawrence nntil July 3 or so the case was adjourned until the next sitting of the board. ° The_ following cases were withdrawn, the reservists named being classed C2:-€harlp S Middleton (farmer, Waitahuna West) Donald Mlntvre (farm labourer, koa), Geo. Frederick Saxon (farmer, Rongaherp.) Chas. MTLoan (station manager Ettriok), John Thos. Roughan (farmer' Whenuakoa), John BrodeWck (motor mechanic. Waitahuna), Geo. Hunter Murdoch (ninholder, Waitahuna), Cornrlms CTDri--eoll (dairy farmer. Lawrence), Philip Henrv Brook (farmer. Evans Flat), Chas. Edgar Young (ploughman, Tnapcka West). Alex Gordon Mackenzie (storekentxr, Blufspur) John Mnllane (farmer. Miller's Fl.it.)! and James Thos. Smith (surfaceman, Tuanoba Flat). The appeal of W. R. Smyth, on be«t f„° _, Iva ? oTiv ' cr , Walker ' (salesman, Weather stones) was withdrawn, the reservist being in class C2.