A BRICKMAKER'S APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 66, 11 December 1917, Page 6

A BRICKMAKER'S APPEAL

A COUNTER-PETITION PRESENTED TO THE BOARD. •

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, December 10. The appeal of Clmrles !''• Gardner, or the Gardner Bros, and Parker Brick Manufacturing Company, yth works at New Lynn, came before the Ainit-aij Service Hoard to-day, following upon an adjournment of the case lor mquir). At a previous hearing appellant, professed a special knowledge ol chemistry and its application to the mamitactnre of bricks, and that ho was "he only man capable of running the works of the company, to which lie was essential, and in which he had a hnancial responsibility. The case as presented apparently aroused a good deal of public interest 111 and about Ne Lynn, the result being the holding of a meeting, at which decided opinions were expressed on Gardner s appeal, and a number of motions were passed condemning bis action.. A petition wa» sent around the district uigmg board to reconsider the matter .in the ljc?ht that Gardner was not essential to his business as alleged. The petition was brought before the board to-day. It contained 259 signatures including those of 30 » e V rh "-hl IS ence of brick-making m the district. Major' Conlan said that since the first hearing, as the ° u £°?V{w" auirv, he was surprised to hud tneie were no fewer than five firms carrynig on the brick trade, despite what Gardner had said that his was the only firm which had survived. Counsel bad discovered that since the war the firms engaged had found it necessary to curtail the-outmit, and some had decided to close down cortam of their works in common bricks.' With one exception, that of Gardner Bros, and Parker the firms which had closed down receiving a bonus as thmr share of the undertaking to close down. Mr. Blomfield strongly resented M. - * which, he Raid, .1 pi- ;«*» evince had been heard. Jhon xnnkiii<r arrangements .with other brickmaW firms, Mr. Gardner had made nn alternative proposition, which was that thev should pay him a royalty nnd release bim so that lie conld feo to the war. He was attacked bitterly before he had been given a chance to further exnlain himself. Evidence" was given as to the position of the business, and the appeal was adjourned for a week.