DRAWN IN THE BALLOT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 215, 30 May 1918, Page 7

DRAWN IN THE BALLOT

APPEALS OF RESERVISTS

POSITION OF A BOATMAN

The eittiii" of the Second Wellington Military Service Board wart resumed yesterday. Mr. .1. \V. I'oynton, S.M., presided, and thero. wore associated with him Messrs. I l '. Curtico ami T. Baniber.

Captain J. B. liualc was the military representative.

An appeal was made by the Wellington Harbour Board, represented by Mr. T. S. AVeston, in the case of Kenneth J. fJrunnah, boatman. Mr. Weston said that Grunnali's services were essential in the mooring of vessels at the wharves. Captain J. E, Dawson, Harbourmaster at Wellington, said that Grunnah assisted the pilots and helpod in the work connected with tho mooring of ships. Such a man must be experienced as a seaman, but an old man could not satisfactorily carry out the duties. To tho military representative: A young man was required for such work as Grunnah did, as accuracy was essential. It would bo dangerous to shipping to employ old men. lie had employed about a dozen returned soldiers on N tho work, but they would not stay. Grunnali's wages were 12s. per day. Mr. Curtice: 1 think it would Bo possible to employ another man in this young man's place. Tho appeal was dismissed, leave being recommended until August li. William T. Foster, principal of Banks College, appealed on the ground that his work was essential in the public interest. Ho said he had to prepare boys for matriculation, and had about 2.SU students under his charge. Tho teaching of languages was appellant's speciality. Ho was a widower with one child. The case was adjourned until tho first sitting of the board in June. W. A. J. Dutch, brassfoundor, of Wellington appealed for Otto Gidall, a brass moulder in his employ, on tho ground that his work was essential. Mr. Dutch said his staff of moulders had been reducod from twenty-lour to nine, fiidall had been in his employ for about twenty years. More thau three-quart-ers of the work done by appellant's firm was for the Government. Gidall was a married man with ono child. The case was adjourned until the first sitting of tho board in September. Harold R. Carey, engineer, of ICelburn, for whom Mr. A. W. Blair appeared, asked for exemption ou tho ground of his wife's illness. He said ho was willing to go to sea, as an engineer in order to release a singlo man. Ho had sailed from New Zoalaud in 1917 on his way Home to join tho Navy, but when ho arrived in Sydney the state of his wife's health compelled him to return. Two years ago ho offered his services-to tho Union Company as a marine engineer in the place of a singlo man, but the company refused to accept him as he was over 35 years of age. Had ho been taken into the Union Company his wages -would have been M a month less than what ho was receiving from his present employers, the Kelburn Tramway Co. Appellant stated that he gave instruction in engineering at Petone Technical School. The board resolved to adjourn the case for tliTee months.

Walter J. Johnston, merchant, of Wellington, appealed on tho ground of being over age. Hβ gave his ago as -15 when ho was called up. The chairman 6aid the board could not grant exemption unless *ie appellant was JC years old, but the case was adjourned in order that Johnston might be medically .examined.

Dairy Farmer's Case Adjourned,

Edward Fitchett, dairy farmer, of Brooklyn, for whom Mr. M. F. luckio appeared, asked, for exemption on the ground of public interest. He supplied over 80 gallons of milk per day to tho citizens of Wellington, and had to nijlk 43 cows without assistance. Appellant worked 11 houi-3 per day, except on Sundays, when ho was employed for about 10 hours. Ho supplied 442 families Ho was married and had one child. His brother had been wounded at the front. "Speaking ss a member of tho City Council," remarked Mr. Luckio, "I may eaythat wo.havo had frightful trouble with the milk question, and this man's farm is the only one from which milk is delivered to tho citizens within three to ten hours of the cows being milked." The case was adjourned until I fie first meeting of the board in .September. Appeals of Bakers. John B. Brown, for whom Mr. P. J. 0 Began appeared, stated that he was a baker at Island Bay, and appealed on tho ground of undue hardship and public interest. Re supplied 4CB customers and had two carts running. He was tho only baker in Island Bay, and could not get a man to tako hi 3 place. Tlis partner was not a practical baker, but was a c , s ™', Ho held his premises on leasehold, there being three years to mill i and he had been in business for eight i years. The case was adjourned for further .inquiry, the chairman romarlun" that the board was reluctant to break up the maii's small business William C. Baird, baker, appealed for laimly reasons, and an appeal on Hie ground of public interest was mado bv Eairda employer. It was pointed out that bnkors-were very difficult to obtain , A letter from the Bakcre* Union was produced, whioh stated that 30 mombers of the union were at the front, and 12

ivoro employed on troopships, besides others who wove employed in camps. Ten bakers hnd boon called up in tho last ballot, 'i'ho case was adjourned for further inquiry. Leave for Returned Men. Pie. John Graham, returned soldier, with three and a haif years' eervico, slated that ho hnd a 'brother and eisier and ii mother dependent upon him, and lie desired to remain in Now Zealand to support thorn. Ho returned to New Zealand about two months ago and was at present at Trail ham camp. The chairman siid that men who had had war experience were required at the front as soon m possible, and much as they dosired to help appellant they could not exempt him. In view of his good eharaelcr and service lenvo was recommended until September 11. c>l. I'rederick J. Kerr, of Troiitham also a returned eoldier, with three years' service, and whoso two brothers were at I lie front, asked for extended leave on l.ho ground of family reasons. Ho had been wounded twioe. Leave without pay ivns recommended until August 19. Low-priced Footwoar Manufacturer. Georgo W. R. Chnrinnn, boot and shoo manufacturer, gave as his reuson for desiring- exemption the fact that he manufactured low-priced footwear, principally for women and children. He did a large business, and was tho only man in Now Zealand who wns engaged in such u distinctive class of work as tho making of cheap children's footwear. Ho was 43 yearn of ago, married, and classed Cl. Hα had no foreman or travellers. The highest price ho charged for an article •iva-s &s. Gd. a pair. Tho chairman: What is tho charge to I he unfortunate consumer when the article reaches him? Witness: Well, thero you nre. (Laugh-' tcr.) In answer to questions by his counsel, Mr. A. W. Blair, appo.lant said ho had orders in hand eufficient to last him for another eight or nine months. If ho had lo go into camp it would mean that his business would have to bo closed down. After the chairman ha-d referred to what he considered was the "scandalous ,, prices- charged for footwear at the present timo, tho board reserved its decision, ns it desired to make an inspection of appellant's factory. For Non-Combatant Service.

Frank G. Haydoli, grocer, of Brooklyn, appealed on the ground of religious objections. He said ho was brought up in tlio Brethren. He would do non-com-batant work. Two of liis brothers waro in tlio firing-lino, but they did not belong to the Brethren. The appeal was dismissed, leaving being granted until June 19, but appellant was recommended for non-combatant work. ' Appoals Allowed, An appeal was roado by Ernest A. Eyres, clerk, of Wellington, who stated that his lather was in. a bad state of health and waa likely to become dependent on appellant. Witness's brother had been killed at the front. The appeal was allowed, tlio civse being adjourned sino die. Mr. M. Aiyers appeared lor appellant. Pa-trick C. Murray, painter and paperhanger, of Johnsonyille, contended that ho was ovor age, ibeing 16 years old. His only child was at the front. Appellant was willing to go to .the front, but his wife wanted someone at home, 'i'ho appeal was allowed. Miscellaneous Cases. Frederick C. Chatter, drainlayer, was appealed for by his employer, Mr. M'.lvor, on tlio ground that tho work ho performed was essential in a place like Wellington. Tho appeal was dismissed, leave being granted until August 23. Frederick H. Hayward, accountant, asked for an extension of time on the ground of his wife's ill-health. The case was dismissed, leave being recommended until July 31. Edward 0. Thornton, managing director, Wellington, applied for au extension of time, and was granted leave until July 31.

An appeal by his employer, H. Savage, saddler, was mado in the caso of John H. Halliburton, saddler. It was represented that Mr. Savage employed fivo men, and performed work for the Government and 26 private firms, besides ovor 500 farmers.' He had taken steps Jo 'replace Halliburton, but without avail. The board adjourned the ciise for further inquiry. Frank M. Garner, proprietor of a private hotel, Plimmerton, asked for exemption, and stated that ho was 43 years of age, had been married 19 years, and had ono child. His wifo was very delicate, and if ho were sent to camp he could not continuo tlio business, which was his only sourco of revenue. Ho did the mo3t of tho work connected with his hotel. The appoiil was diemissed, lcavo ibeing granted until August 14. Alfred P. Hawkins, for whom Mr. W. F. Ward appeared, stated that ho was a dairy farmer at Makara, and requested leave in order to arrange family matters. He had a wife and two children. : His father, a man of 70 years, was too ] old to undertake the management of the I farm. The board granted leave until August 14. . William B. Caldow, manufacturers' agent, asked for an extension of. time in order that his wife might become acquainted with the details of his business, as sho would havo to carry on in his absence. Ho had no assistance, and did the travelling for the whole of tlio Dominion himself. Leave was granted until September 23. John Coffey, lineman, was granted leave until June 1!). Thomas J. Gardiner, shipping clerk, of Wellington, claimed that he was in Class D, and his application for transfer to that section of tho Second Divisiou was allowed.

Joseph Batcholor, bricklayer, asked for exemption for the reason that his wifo was ill. The application wns dismissed, but leave was recommended until August 14. ytnnloy C. Gillies, cleric, of Oriental Bay, wns granted loavo until September 11. George IV. Blair, packer, of Wellington South, was granted loave until September 25 on account of his wife's illhealth. Leonard W. Elliott, driver, of Wellington, showed that he belonged to Class D, Second Divinion, and his application to b» transferred thereto was approved. Alexander Y. Collins was able to subRtwitiiito his claim that ho belonged to Cinss (', and ho was transferred accordingly. The appeal of George Day, builder, of -Minimal , , was dismissed, leave being granted till September li The board adjourned until 10 a.m. today.