SOLE SUPPORT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 107, 8 May 1941, Page 18

SOLE SUPPORT

RESERVIST'S HARDSHIPS

CONTRIBUTING £3 A WEEK

The heavy family responsibilities of a young man, Robert Leyton Reeder. a clerk employed by a city furnishing firm, were recounted before the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board this morning. The appeal was made on the ground of undue hardship, appellant being the sole support of his widowed mother, young brother and sister. Appellant said he had two brothers and one sister. One brother had been called up and would be going overseas. The other brother was 13 years of age and was at school. His sister was now nursing temporarily. She was 16 years of age, but did not earn sufficient to keep herself. His mother was In receipt of a widow's pension, and appellant was responsible for the runriing of the home, which cost him £3 a week. Appellant said his father died at the outbreak of the war and left a house, which was mortgaged, to his wife and appellant had to shoulder the full responsibility of the payment of the mortgage money interest, rates and other outgoings. In reply to the chairman. Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M.. appellant said he was 24 years of age and his brother, who had been called up, was 22. The appeal was adjourned until the board's first sitting in August. and in the meantime inquiries will I be made as to the brother's service.