MILITARY SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 41, 16 August 1918, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE

DECISIONS OF WELLINGTON

BOARD

On resuming yesterday afternoon, the Chairman of the First Wellington Military Service Board (Mr. I). G. A. Cooper, S.M.)- stated that the board had come to decisions in respect to appeals on behalf of the following, evidence in the cases having been taken at the morning sitting:—Arthur 15. Chapman, cashier, Karori, sine die decision; Leonard O'Connor, accounts clerk, Wellington, sine die; F. S. Jarman, correspondence clerk, Christchurch (a. majority decision), sine die ; Lance-Corporal Rau Parata, no recommendation; Private R. G. Assad, that he be returned to New Zealand on indefinite leave ; Private G. H. Elliffe, correspondence clerk, Wellington, sine die.

Sergeant W. J. Souter, 42nd Reinforcements, Trentham, said he left New Zealand with the Main Body in October, 1914, and had been on active service ever since. He returned on 6th March, and wont into camp on 21st May. Before enlisting he was a miner at Blackball. His brother-in-law went into camp with the 21st Reinforcements, and was then "turned down." He asked appellant if he would go into a contract with him, and an arrangement was made for a partnership. The contract was for stripping kauri trees of gum. If the contract was not carried out, it would mean a loss of money to appellant. He asked for some months' leave. The Chairman congratulated appellant on his fine military record, which included a decoration for gallantry. The board agreed to recommend leave till January next.

Lieutenant A. E. Thompson, N.Z.R.8., 44th Reinforcements, who recently returned after active service since February, 1915, applied for nine days' additional leave, in order to help in carrying out certain work on his father's farm. His father, he said, was unwell, and could get no assistance. The board congratulated appellant on his military record, and agreed to lecommend that the additional leave be granted.

The board agreed to recommend indefinite leave to Private John F. O'Connor, 44th Reinforcements, to enable him to carry out certain farming improvements and make good some losses sustained in the Raobiti bush fire.