APPEAL BOARD

Grey River Argus, 18 August 1944, Page 6

APPEAL BOARD

SITTING AT GREYMOUTH.

Mr. W. Meldrum presided over a sitting of the Armed Forces Appeal Board at Greymouth yesterday. With him were Messrs P. J. O’Regan and A. Panther. Mr. G. G. M. Mitchell was Secretary. Appeals in respect of a number of coal mine employees were heard as follows: —R. L. IVJcQuinn and D. G. Wallace, miners; J. T. Thorp, trucker (Dobson mine); P. W. Ronchi, J. R. Wright, and G. R. Bowkett (Paparoa Coal Coy.)—Adjourned sine die. A. T. Beattie, shiftman (Wallsend mine). —Adjourned for three months for review.

N.Z. Railways (Mr. P. H. Morey) appealed for E. J. Breeze, casual surfaceman. Mr. Morey said that Breeze was engaged on the Ross line and had been employed by the Department since April 14. The track at present required a good deal of attention, and Breeze was one of an extra gang which witness had authority to employ on the line for 12 months. He was a good 1 worker.. —Adjourned sine die.

Gilbert and Tomasi appealed for Michael L. Teen, fiddler, aged .20 years. Reservist had previously been realeased from camp and was now required for the Air Force. The mill was short handed and could lose no more men.—Adjourned sine die.

West Coast Sawmiiler's Association appealed for the release from the Air Force of G. A. Stapleton to be yardman at Butler Bros. Sawmill, Ruatapu.—Release recommended. United Sawmills applied to adopt an appeal for M. J. Kees, bushman. Reservist had been manpowered to United Sawmills which was like other mills, particularly short of bushmen.—Adjourned sine die. , Grey County Council (Mr. W. D. Taylor) appealed for John O. Burrows, roadman.

John Higgins, County Engineer, said that the road at Ahaura 1 could not be maintained by a gang of less than three men. Reservist was a member of that gang and could not be released. It was difficult to secure roadmen for country areas.-—Ad-journed sine die. Ogilvie and Co., appealed against R.N.Z.A.F., mobilisation of R. A. C. Woollett, painter. Reservist’s services were required to assist in the construction of about ten sawmill houses. His job would be to paint the houses. —Adjourned sine die. The following are appeals for release from the R.N.Z.A.F. except where otherwise stated:- — West Coast Sawmillers’ Association for P. A. Butcher, loco-fireman, who had been in camp for two years. Men for locomotives were urgently needed.—Sine die release recommended.

.W. C. Bruce for Wallace Bruce, farm employee. David B. Jellie, chairman of Primary Production, gave evidence in support of the appeal. The new season was very; close at hand and the one boy left at home could not manage the cows and sheep.. Reservist did a great deal, of shearing, for his. neighbours, , and the position as far' as shearers was concerned this year was very poor. A herd of about 50 cows was milked, but that would have to be reduced. —Sine die release recommended.

Greymouth Technical High School for Flight Lieutenant A. L. Litt, teacher. Evidence was given by W. M. Stewart, Principal, who said that the senior mathematics master had resigned and four months advertising had brought no replies. Eventually reservist who had four and a half years air force service, applied for the position, as the unit at which he was instructor was being disbanded. Wing Commander Caraaus had in a' letter favourably viewed the release of reservist. —Sine die release recommended. PLUMBER’S APPEAL

An appeal was lodged by Aircraftsman Peter Raymond Wilkins, plumber, (Mr. A. M. Jamieson). Appellant said he had for nine years been plumbing at Greymputh.' A staff of five had been reduced to two and to meet the plumbing work offering in Greymouth, and the shortage of plumbers he desired to obtain his release from R.N.Z.A.F. It would take him only half a day to train an unskilled person to the work being carried out by him in the Air Force. L. B. Davenport, representative of Master Builders’ Association, said there was a definite shortage of plumbers in Greymouth, not only as far as new work was concerned, but for maintenance. There were about five plumbing firms in the town. John Robert Williams, Building controller for the district, said that twelve Government houses were in the course of construction in Cobden dnd arrangements were in hand for the construction of a further eighty to a hundred. He endorsed statements that there was a great deal of plumbing work available. There were about 300 applications a, month for repair plumbing work. —Sine die re-

L. T. Tainui, farmer, lodged an appeal for his release. D. B. J'ellie said that reservist required release for three months to look after his sheep, which were being worried by dogs. The release was recommended by the Primary Production Council. —Release for t’<-ree months recommended. An appeal by G. E. Fergus, Westport for the release of P. Clark, W.A.A.C., was dismissed, reservist advising that she was not desirous of being; released. An” appeal by E. Flood, hairdresser, for release was adjourned, reservist being unable to obtain leave to appear.

F. H. Haves appealed for Aircraftsman William Frederick Hayes, cabinet maker. Reservist said his father was not in good health and reservist was the only cabinet maker now employed. If he was not released for three months the business would to close.—Release for three months recommended. Mrs. M. Richardson for the release of Aircraftsman L. F. Richardson, railway porter. Reservist said he wished to set up a home for his wife and children in Greymouth. He had endeavoured to be posted overseas several times, but had received no notice. —Decision reserved.

E. W. Dumpleton appealed for the release of his brother, R. Dumpleton, baker’s labourer.

Appellant said that if an indefinite release could not be secured for reservist he suggested that at least three months’ leave be granted. He, his wife and an assistance were feeling the strain of the job, which entailed 60 to 70 hours work a week. Reservist had been in the Air F'orce on the ground staff for two but could see no advancement.—Release for three months recommended. T. E. O’Brien (Mr. W. D. Taylor) annealed for the release of Ernest R. Eastwick, upholster. Appellant said reservist was twenty years of age. and a qualified upholster. He had been released from camp to enter the mines, but his health had broken down.

Mr Mitdhell said that he had been demobilised m order to take up m'n-'h-onm u Wllei l lle left t,,at work he sh nld have been mobilised again — Adiourned sine die S Greymouth "Evening Star” (Mr Jamieson) appealed for Richard P Pascoe, printer’s machinist. A. J. Wilson, manager, sa’d jobbing work was two months behind Th» apprenticeship of reservist had been extended until 1946. He was grade 2. There was a Dominion wi c ] e