REPATRIATION BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 122, 23 May 1919, Page 5

REPATRIATION BOARD.

HAVING A BDST: TIME.

LENGTHY SITTING YESTERDAY. The amount of work done by the local Repatriation Board aud Mr. F. H. Burbu.SU, together with the staff of officials, may be ganged by the fact that on Tuesday alone no less than 70 returned soldiers were interviewed by the financial assistance department, while yesterday no less than 110 applications were dealt with by the Board itself, which sat until close on 5 p.m. The Financia' Committee sat on Monday and Tuesday, and the Industrial Committee on the latter day. Positions have been found for 00 returned men for home service, and in this evening's issue appears an advertisement notifying that about 20 fit men are wanted for various field artillery details. There is a possibility that if applicants so desire, they may be placed on the permanent stafT to fill vacancies created by the demobilisation of men who joined during the war.

The following members attended the meeting of the Repatriation Board, which lasted till late yesterday after-noon:--Messrs. A. VV. Gillies (chairman). J. Robertson C. J. Bishop, G. Eliott, J. S. Rutherford, R. E. Fenton, J. Ambury, M. MacCallum, George George, S. J. Ilarbutt, and P. H. Burbush (repatriation officer). Mr. A. Spencer being in Wellington was unable to he present, and apologies were received from Messrs. J. McLeod and J. Stanton.

The report of the Finance Committee was adopted. This dealt with 110 applications for assistance. In G7 cases advances were allowed for aid towards the purchase of furniture and tools, and four cases were deferred for further information. Thirty-nine applications for assistance for returned soldiers to establish themselves in business were also dealt with, all but two or three being recommended to the Ministerial Board. The sums asked for ranged from ,£2O to .f'SOO. A report was also submitted by the Industrial Committee dealing with the training and education of returned soldiers. This was also adopted, and 34 cases were disposed of by the Board yesterday.

The Boards employment department is also doing jjood work. From April 20 to May 20 positions were found for 93 returned soldiers. About 130 names are on the books awaiting employment.