ARMY BEFORE FARM

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 42, 19 February 1942, Page 5

ARMY BEFORE FARM

DECISION OF TWO BROTHERS

(0.C.)

DUNEDIN, Feb. 18,

"The board must acknowledge the wonderful spirit shown by these two young men. It is one of the most excellent cases that has come before us," said Mr. J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., chairman of the Armed Forces Appeal Board, when commenting on the action of two appellants, William Robert Sprott and Hugh Edward Sprott, farmers, Momona. Mr. Hartstonge, who appeared for them, told the board that the two men had carefully considered the matter after lodging their appeal and had decided that they should go overseas. All they wanted now was time to harvest their crops and dry off their dairy cows.

Giving evidence, Hugh Edward Sprott said he and his brother milked 68 cows and had 23 acres of crops to be gathered in. Their father would carry on the farm, running dry cows. At present their milk was sent to a cheese factory.

"That will mean a big drop in production, won't it?" asked Lieutenant A. N. Haggitt, who appeared for the Crown. "What if the board decided that one of you should remain and carry on?"

Appellant: One man could not attend to all the cows.

Lieutenant Haggitt: Could not one man manage, say, 25 cows?

Appellant: You could manage a good few if you half-milked them.

In answer to a further question, Sprott said it would not seem fair if one of them went and the other one stayed behind. There was nothing to choose between them as farmers.

The chairman: You have calmly considered the question, have you, and you prefer that both of you ' should go?— Yes.

"The board had evidence of the way this farm was being carried on when a previous appeal was heard," Mr. Bartholomew said, "and the way these two young men have brought this land into production and milked all these cows is a wonderful performance. The board acknowledges their wonderful spirit. Instead of prosecuting their appeals they both wish to go overseas."

The appeals were withdrawn, appellants to be given till April 30 to complete their arrangements.