MILITARY APPEALS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3091, 23 May 1917, Page 6

MILITARY APPEALS

CASES HEARD IN WELLINGTON The Third Wellington Military Service Board, consisting of Messrs. W. H. Sefton Moorhouse (chairman), A. O'L. Con6idine, and M. j. Mack, sat again in tho old Parliamentary Buildings yesterday. Captain Baldwin, Assistant-Director of Recruiting, was the militnry-Tepresenta-tive. The case of George Murray Ness, mercer, of Wellington, was held over 'for consideration. . Ness was willing to go into camp, but asked for financial assistance in connection with certain liabilities.

Sewing-Machine Expert. The local agents of the .Singer Sewing Machine Company made application for the exemption of David Leslie Burt, mechanic. Air. Watson, who appeared for the employers, stated that Burt was n voluntary recruit. Ho was an expert in the setting up and repair of sewingmachines, and his services were essential in connection with various industries. The firm was responsible for maintaining in .repair in Wellington 104" commercial machines, used in the clothing, boot-making, and saddlery trades. Several hundred of the machines were at present used on Government contracts in connection with tho production of munitions. The firm had only two experts, and had failed' to secure another man. An inexperienced man would require several years' training before being able to take over Burt's work. .T. Wilson, agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, said that tho firm had six mechanics in Wellington, but four of them wcro engaged on inside work. In answer to questions., put by Captain Baldwin, witness said that ho had tried to secure another expert from iho head office in Sydney. Tho inside mechanics'wcro capable of dealing with the household sewing-machines, but highly skilled experts were required for tho commercial machines. The firm had not contracted to maintain the commercial machines, but had always dono so. About 250 of the more complicated types of machino were in uso in AVollington. If Burt were taken away, no other man would bo able to carry on the work, which was essential to many industries. Captain Baldwin: What wages does this indispensable expert receive? Mr. Wilson: .£3 ss. a week.

Burt stated that ho had entered tho service of the firm in 1908, and had been given a period of training in Sydney some years later. The special tvpes of sewing-machines were liable to get out of order, ( and a stoppage might block the work of a factory. The board dismissed the appeal. Boys' Institute Director. The president of the AYellington. Boys' Institute appealed on behalf of Frank Ross, director of the institute, on the ground of public interest. Mr. J. Jacks, lor the institute, said that Boss had enlisted voluntarily, but the institute felt that his services should be retained iu the interests of national efficiency. Ho was performing a very important work in the training and development of a large body of boys. George A. Troup, president of tho institute, said that about 520 boys wero members of the institute. Thoy required a good deal of control, and Ross was the only thoroughly satisfactory director the institute had ever employed. He was able to maintain discipline and direct the work, Ross had gained experience of similar work in Glasgow, and his influence with the bovs was very important. He was helping hundreds of lads physically, mentally, and morally, and he could not lie rejdaced. He stood in loco parentis to a largo number of boys who otherwise would not have proper guidance. Captain Baldwin: Is it your opinion that Ross should be kept here while married men are taken from their wives and children and sent to the front? Mr. Troup: Yes, for this reason: Ross is looking after the boys of many men who are already at the front. He ha? become responsible for the welfare of hundreds of boys. Captain Baldwin said that masters had been taken from Wanganui College and Waitaki College. Mr. Troup said he did not think a Second Division man could take Ross's place. The work demanded a young man as well as peculiar qualifications. If Ross was taken, the, doors of the institute might have to be closed. Witness had not advertised for a director or asked the Y.M.C.A. to supply one. The board deferred its decision. Other Cases. Suspension for two months was granted in the case of John Larsen, clerk, of Wellington, for domestic reasons. In the case of Andrew Duncan, carpenter, of Roseneath, his father, as employer, made application for temporary exemption. The father said that he could not earn a living without the assistance of his son. Ho had two other sons, who were not lit for service. I The board dismissed the appeal. The board made no recommendation m connection with a claim made by Pte. George Caldwell, 29th Specialists' Company, for financial assistance. Tiie hoard adjourned until 10 a.m. today.