AUCKLAND RESERVISTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 149, 24 June 1918, Page 6

AUCKLAND RESERVISTS.

APPEALS BEFORE FIRST BOAR. • CASES CONSIDERED. Tlic First Auckland Military Servicb Board recommenced sitting in the city to-day.

A voluntary recruit, John McMullen, miner, Kingslaud, was allowed leave till November to complete drainage contracts in connection with St. John's Lake-

Charles R. Buchanan, of Sydney, chief steward on an overseas mail steamer, was appealed for by the Union. Company on the ground that he was essential. The Board adjourned the appeal sine die.

I CARRYING ON FARMS. The adjourned application of Eobt. Maeefield, Bombay (Mr MaJioney) was ■■ further considered. He was doing ail ; the work on a 60-acre farm, and milking 29 cows. After hearing details the i Board decided to let its former decision, j sine die, remain. The case of Thomas Shaw, farmer,

■Jess Valley (Mr Clayton) was recalled, ifter being adjourned pending inquiry, t was reported that a brother was on lome service as a member of the military police. Major Conlan suggested .bat the appeal should stand over till ;he brother at camp was released to ;ake appellant's place. Appellant, who a working two properties, said he ■ nought one farm from his brother, whom he could ask but could not force to nanage it. The case was adjourned in the meantime. MORE PRODUCTION WANTED. The appeal of Ernest W. Pook, farmer, Ness Valley (Mr McConnell), adjourned for report, was re-opened, a tetter from neighbours being read, in which it was stated that Pook was essential to a personally-improved farm, and was so regarded in the district, where he helped with the harvesting. The Efficiency Board's report suggested that the farm could be dispo-ed of, as the production was not large. Mr Pirie, a member of the Board, said he only kept a few sheep, and if he had gone in for dairying he might he said to be a far more useful producer. Appellant said he would have done this if his wife had been strong enough to assist with the .milking. He did not think, he could sell or lease the farm, which would not pay a manager. If he left the place it would soon deteriorate. The Board was not satisfied that the production justified exemption, but decided to give the appellant four months' chance to increase the production, preferably by going in for cattle in lieu of steep, or otherwise the appellant would be required to make arrangements to proceed on service. Wm. G. Mabey appealed for his son, Sydney W. Mabey, of Maramarua. The farm was 747 acres in area. 'He milked 98 cows last season by machine, and ■was trying for 120 next season. Appellant said three sons had gone 0 n active service and one was rejected, the reservist in question being engaged helping with the farm-work. One of the soldier sons had returned, and worked a farm of 2S acres of his own. The. rejected son was also on a farm of 235 acres of his own. The reservist was essential to appellant because he looked .. after all the machinery on the farm, and was really the engineer on the place. If he was taken appellant would sell the dairying up, and go in for grazing. Two other hands were generally employed, appellant saying he was unable to work himself. To Major Conlan he denied that he had recently sold his farm, or part of it, but said lie _.a_ made inquiries in that direction. The son gave evidence, and said he did not think his father could get labour to replace him. The Board adjourned the appeal sine die on account of the productivity of the farm. The adjourned case of James Littler, grocer, Grey Lynn (Mr. Inder), Was proceeded with, appellant stating that hehad been unable to sell the business. He adverth-'i- and the only reply was an offer to exchange a oG-acre farm for the business. The Board granted exemption till August 15. • A STRONG OBJECTION.

Rowland H. St. J. Wilson, sewing machine mechanic, appealed for extension of leave of forty days to enable him to train a man to take his place and to arrange affairs involving the removal of' a liability of £800 for machines due. Major Conlan said he wished to enter a very strong objection to this case being brought on again. The particular point about it was that this appeal was dismissed on February 6, and he was allowed as long as May 2S to sell up his business or make the necessary arrangements, after being drawn so long ago as September, 1917. As the Board would recall, the original appeal was found to be based on bogus grounds, and on being further heard he was given time to arrange -Is affairs. As he was a single man he should have known it was his duty to hav.e been training a man long ago. If he was allowed any further time it would accentuate the grave dissatisfaction that would arise amongst I married men being called up and taken i away from wives and children. Even if Wilson was suffering any hardship, it was hardship brought on by his own actions, as he had not faced the situa- ' tion. Appellant said the last appeal was largely that of manufacturers on his behalf. He wished to make arrangements to deal with about £SOO worth of machinery due to arrive here for him. Major Conlan said the man hail squeezed a month of leave out for himself by this application. 1' The Board details from Wilson, The Board heard details from Wilson, and granted leave until July IS.