RESERVISTS APPEAL

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 40, 15 August 1918, Page 7

RESERVISTS APPEAL

PUBLIC SERVICE OR WAR

SERVICE?

DECISIONS OF WELLINGTON

BOARD,

The First Wellington Military Service Board (Messrs. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., chairman, W. Perry, and D. M'Laren) continued its sittings in Wellington today, and dealt with a number of appeals in respect to military service.

Frank Henry Taylor, Assistant' Controller, Department of Imperial Government Supplies, appealed on behalf of Arthur B. Chapman, cashier, who has been in the Department since August last. Total exemption was desired if possible. Mr. Chapman was in charge of all the cashbooks. That entailed work requiring a very great deal of care. There was no one who could be put in Mr. Chapman's place,, and there was great difficulty in getting suitable officers. The reservist was formerly on the staff of Messrs. J. Duthie and Co., iron merchants. He was §0 years of age, married, and had two children. There was no understudy to Mr. Chapman. The Department was only created for* service during the war, and no permanent position coujd. be offered. The office had advertised almost continuously for months past, but with very poor results. The work had been so continuously heavy that it could not be overtaken—in fact, , the j office, owing to pressure, had always been behind hand with, its work. The board reserved its decision.

_ An application was made by the Wellington Harbour Board for the exemption of Charles William Pritchard, foraman mechanic, and Joseph William Grant, turner, Ngaip. The evidence given on behalf of the appeal showed that the work in this department had increased 50 per cent, compared with three years ago. There were numerous articles which were formerly imported, which had now to be made locally. Ihe board reserved its decision sine die.

Appeals by the Seamen's Union (representedl by Mr. W. T. Young, secretary) were mad© in regard to the following: — Thomas Balmer, fireman, Wellington; Alick MacjKinripjn, A.8.; James P. Grenell, fireman, Petone; Alfred 6. Carter, fireman; John Farman, fireman ; Charles B. Kites, Robert G. Bourne, Michael Barry, Arthur E. Pearcy, seamen ; and George A. Alexander, fireman, Newtown. Sine die decisions were given on the usual conditions.

The Prisons Department, represented, by Mr. C. E. Matthews, Inspector of Prisons, asked for the exemption of Arthur H. Challis, farm overseer, Invercargill; Isaac A. Sterling, Arthur G. Palyle, and Edward S. Watson, prison warders. Mr. Matthews described the farm work being carried out in connection with the Department near Invercargill. . The prisons staff was now from 12 to 15 below its normal strength. Some temporary men had had to be engaged. The reservist, in addition to farm work, controlled the prisoners while at work on that class of labour. The warders appealed for were experienced officers, and, owing to the reduction of the staff caused by sthe war, it was necessary to retain a, proportion of experienced men. The board reserved its decision sine die.

The Public Trust Department, represented by Mr. T. S. Ronaldson, Assistant Public Trustee, appealed on behalf of George H. Elliffe, correspondence clerk, Wellington. Mr. Ronaldson said the duties of the. correspondence clerk included the administration of a large number, of estates. He regarded Elliffe as indispensable at the present time. All the Department's understudies had gone to the front. Tho duties of the officer leferred to involved a considerable amount of legal and accountancy knowledge. An appeal was also made in behalf of Leonard O'Connor, senior accounts clerk in the Will's Office. It was stated that this officer had special knowledge of taxing work involved under recent legislation. A similar request for exemption was made with respect to F. S. Jarman, correspondence clerk, Christchurch. It was stated thai the Christchurch office was already two men short. It was most difficult to get suitable men just now. The board reserved its decision.

A request was made for the return of Lance-Corporal Ran Pavata, who has been on active service for over three years. The application was mads by his brother, who said that it was desired that certain land owned by the family should be leased, and Rau Parata's presence in the Dominion was necessary to enable that lease to be granted. The board reserved its decision.

The Justice Department applied for the exemption of Henry Morgan, clerk, Magistrate's Court, Hawera. The reservist was stated to be 32 years of age, was married, and had two children. The Chief Clerk of the Department stated that it was necessary to retain a certain number of experienced men in this branch of the Public Service. The board reserved its decision.

A mother's application was made for th<* return from the front of Private Richard Gr. Assad and Private Peter T. Noon. It was explained that the name Assad was a family name, which was assumed by Richard G. Noon to avoid his enlistment being objected to. The appellant, Mrs. Noon, said that her son Richard- enlisted under age. He had been wounded; and had been on active service for three years. The board reserved its decision.

Mrs. A. M. Sharp, M'Kenzie-avenue, Karon, applied for the return of her husband, Captain Edward H. -Sharp, who left in January, 1917, with the 21st Reinforcements. He was reported to have been classed permanently unfit for further active service, but was being retained at Sling Camp owing to a shortage of officers, and was employed in the work of training officers. Witness said she had a family of five, and her husband's presence; with his growing family was important. At the suggestion of the Chairman, Mrs. Sharp agreed) to withdraw the application, it being understood that appellant will write to her husband and let him make an application to the Defence authorities in England.

• The wife of Sapper Alfred Searaer applied for his return to New Zealand. Mrs. Seamer said her husband left with the 10th Reinforcements. He was in ill health, and his presence here was necessary in connection with some family affairs. The board agreed to recommend that six months' leave be granted. Mr. D. G. Clark, Commissioner of Taxes, appealed on behalf of Harold S. Barron, a section clerk of the Tax Department. Mr. Clark said that, the officer referred to had been twenty years in the Department, was 39 years of age, was married, and had two children. The general position of the staff of the office had been explained to the board at. a previous sittiner. The board reserved its decision sine die.

An employers' appeal (the HuddartParker Steamship Company.) on behalf of Richard Bracken, chief officer of one of the company's ships on war service, was allowed—a sine die decision being given. The Post and Telegraph Department, represented by Mr. A. T. Markman, chief clerk, appealed on behalf of Leonard Spillor, Assistant Telegraph Engineer, Christchurch ; Herbert L. Cumminsss, District Telegraph Engineer, Nt;iuo; Kenneth M. M'lntyre, mechanic, Wellington; and Francis J. Shanks, clork, P. and T Department, Wellington.. Mr. Markman eaid the work of

telegraph engineers was of a technical and important character. M'lntyre was the only turner left in the Department's workshops. Snie die decisions were, given in respect to the appeals. The mottier of Alexander D. Cargo asked for his release from military service, the ground given being that her other son had been killed on active service. The board agreed to recommend that indefinite leave be granted.

(Proceeding.)