A PLEA FOR EXEMPTION.

Mataura Ensign, 2 October 1918, Page 3

A PLEA FOR EXEMPTION.

SOME STRAIGHT TALK. THE BOAKITofiDURATE. At yesterday’s sitting of the Otago and Southland Military Board at Gore R. C. Turnbull, Waikaka, a single man of First Division, called up about IS months ago, applied for indefinite leave on the grounds that he had 4000 sheep and that owing to the recent snow he j had lost a large number he had not been able to get a manager to look after the property, and had sustained heavy Joss, Ho had a man engaged to look after his place and stock, but the man when he saw it declined to take it on. The Chairman : How long were you in camp? Turnbull; Ninety-nine days exactly. The Chairman: You are a fully-train-ed man then, and after the country going to the expense of training you, you want indefinite leave? Appellant said there was practically no one in charge of the run while he was in camp. He could ave got a man at £2OO a year, bur just at that time the man got a place of his own and would not take on his (Turnbull’s), The Chairman; In April last you applied for three weeks’ leave in order to get a man. Turnbull: He came, sir, but- would not take it on. The Chairman: On May 31 you made application to the Wellington Board for a month’s leave to wind up your affairs, but the "Wellington Board had no recommendation to make, beyond giving five weeks’ leave. Turnbull: I tried to sell the place. Mr Bell: How is it that you are wearing mufti now? You are supposed to ho in uniform when on leave. Turnbull: I got leave to wear mufti. Captain Levien said special permission could bo given for that, Mr Kellett; When do you intend to do your duty? You have a record for Gtagn and Southland in appearing before Military Boards. Y T ou should nave been in Franco 12 months ago. Turnbull; I have no relatives to assist me in working the place. Mr Kellett; You are a First Division man, and this thing can’t go on for ever. It- has been going on for over 18 months, and it is time it was slopped.

Turnbull: 1 would like the Board to allow me time to get my shearing tli rough.

Mr Kellett; Yes. and then the harvest.

The Chairman : Who were yon going to got to look after your place? Turnbull: A Mr McLean, was going to look after it at first but he took another place. He was an independent man and could afford to choose his place. There was also a Mr Stewart, but he would not take, it on as the was high and rough. Air feellett: I toll you candidly, you will got no mores time as' far as I am concerned. I wouldn’t give a man like you an hour, I. would pub you on the first transport leaving the country. Your attitude all through has been disgraceful. * Turnbull: I am all on my mra and have no one to assist me. Nor can I got anyone. The 'Chairman: Don’t talk nonsense. You have had 18 months to get some one and you have done nothing. You have had plenty of time. Air Kollott: it is a standing disgrace. The Chairman : We had a man before ns the other day—a married man, which you are not. "He had 8000 sheep and only asked for a month’s extension of time. Yon have had ample time and you have done nothing. If you show the same pertinacity as a soldier as you do before this Ooa; d you will be a valuable man. Turnbull: i would like, seeing I have lost 500 sheep, to have a little time allowed. The Chairman: This Board will nmke no recommendation beyond that your place is in camp and there you ought to be. Turnbull; When will I have to go there? The Chairman: Your leave pass will toll you. Mr Bell; If all appellants were like vou we would require half a dozen extra Military Service Boards.