Armed Services Appeal Board

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 192, 14 August 1941, Page 8

Armed Services Appeal Board

SITTING IN FEILDING The Armed Services Appeal Board sat in, Feilding yesterday, Mr. A. Coleman, S.M., presiding. The other members of the board were Messrs. T. H. L>. Ewen and T. R. Lees. Mr. C. H. Clinkard represented the Crown. The appeal was dismised in the caso of Clive Melville Oppatt, of Sanson, whoso father, W. H. Oppatt, told the board that* reservist and another son operated two threshing mills dealing with wheat and grass-seed harvested from 3000 acres. The work would last from the New Year until the end of June. The chairman remarked that he had not gathered the impression that the work was particularly skilled. In the case of Albert Masters, contract shearer, who last year handled 10,000 sheep and was capable of shearing 235 sheep a day, the board dismissed the appeal, conditional on reservist not being called upon before January 31 next.

Mention was made -of the appeal of Neville Benjamin Merritt which was heard last week. Counsel (Mr. C. E. Taylor) stated that arrangements had been made for the reservist’s brother-in-law to look after reservist’s farm. The appeal was dismissed, conditional on reservist not being called up before October 31.

Farming 272 in the Pohangina Valley the father of Cecil Stephen Maddison stated that he suffered ill-health and could not do without the assistance of reservist. There were 600 ewes on tho property and reservist did all the work. He had not considered the idea of neighbours managing the property iu order to release his son. The father admitted that he had at one time managed two neighbouring farms, but could not suggest that his place could be managed by a neighbour. Decision was reserved.

On behalf of Percival Gordon Hansen, farm labourer, John B. Bradley, farmer, Sanson, said that the reservist was head shepherd on a farm of 700 acres carrying over 3000 sheep of which 300 were stud Southdown ewes. It would be impossible to carry on the farm without skilled labour and to-day he was actually short of the requisite labour. Hq had already lost five hands, three having volunteered and two having been called up and Hansen made the sixth of his employees to be wanted for overseas service. The boa/d agreed to an adjournment for a month, meanwhile appellant to advertise for competent labour to Teplace tho reservist. The chairman said that appellant could rest assured that Mr. Bradley would not be left without competent labour.

August Kreegher, farmer, Halcombe, appealed on behalf of his son, Phillip Kreegher, whose services were needed on the farm. Another son who had been farming on his own account had been called up and had disposed of his herd. ■ Appellant had resumed possession of this farm. On one property of 200 acres he carried 900 ewes. An adjournment sine die was granted in respect of the overseas service appeal and reservist was transferred to the Territorial Fprce for three months 7 training next year. An appeal for extension of time until November 30 was lodged by the Director of National Service and Cyril G. C. Dermer on behalf of Arthur C. Dermer, farmer, Cheltenham. The farming operations related to a large pedigree dairy herd and stud sheep. The appeal was dismissed, the reservist not to be called up before November 30. Ivan C. Funnell, sawmiller, Bulls, appealed on behalf of an employeo named James Edward Shepherd, whom appellant considered indispensable. He was engaged in the production of cheese crate timber and the business was more or less under Government control. Appellant was unable to say whether it would be more economical to have the timber logs cut down in Palmerston North. Appeal dismissed, conditional on reservist not being called up before September 30. An adjournment sine die was granted in the case of Charles F. Coleman, whose father, a farmer at Bulls, said that the reservist was his only help in managing a herd of 40 cows and 100 stud Southdown ewes. Appellant was unable to do any work on account of ill-health. No other assistance was procurable. Another Bulls farmer, Arthur .Tames Simpson, appealed on behalf of his son, Lloyd Wriglit Simpson. Labour difficulties obliged appellant to appeal. The overseas appeal was adjourned sine die aud reservist was transferred to the

Territorial Force for three months training next year.

Mrs. Curtis, Halcombe, appealed on behalf of her son, Jack Compton Curtis, who was required for the working of her 60-acre farm on which 30 cows were milked. The reservist had had three months’ Territorial training and if he were called up she would have to sell the farm. An adjournment s'Jnc was granted, the board viewing Dm case as a border line one with insufficient work for one man.

In support of the appeal of Arthur H. Escott, farmer, of Bulls, his mother said that her farm of 32 acres was, prior to the war, managed by the reservist and another son who was at present overseas. She had a third son who was in the Air Force and was left with tho reservist. There was a dairy herd of 50 cows and 100 ewes to attend to. The appeal was adjourned sine die, reservist to meanwhile remain in the Home Guard.

A postponement of calling up for service was sought in the appeal of Misses J. D. and N. Wilson on behalf of Dmican Sinclair McConachy, shepherd, of Rata. The reservist had to attend to nearly 3000 breeding ewes and 1000 hoggets and was assisted by his father who was manager of the farm for the Misses Wilson. The appeal was dismissed, conditional on reservist not being called up before December 31 next.

An extension of time for five weeks was sought by Arthur Stephen William,Sion, farming 200 acre* at Waituna West. The appeal was dismissed, condtional on reservist not being called up for the time applied for. An adjournment sine die was granted in the appeal on behalf of Cha B David Hunt, dairyfarmcr, of Rongot< # i. The father stated that if the reservist were called up tho stock would have to be sold. Two sons were milking JLS cows.

John Gordon T. Humphrey, farmer, of Colyton, said he farmed 400 acres, 60 acres of which was devoted to wheat. He was fully occupied on this property which was distinct from properties * owned by his brothers. The appeal was adjourned sine die.

Owning a small farm of 66 acres at Bulls, Mrs. Ingram appealod on behalf of her son, Noel L. Ingram, whom, she said, was fully occupied in working on the farm, whereon 15 pedigree cows were milked and 300 sheep carried. Appellant admitted that her son assisted at times on other farms nearby. Another son had a farm at Ohakea which carried 550 sheep and 20 pedigree cows, and she did not think it would be possible for him to work her farm and so release reservist.

“Milking 15 cows and looking after 300 sheep was hardly a full-time job?’’ suggested the chairman. There was sufficient to keep reservist going and his cows averaged 4001bs. butterfat last season. He had no objection to service and did not want to be “one of those conscientious objectors.’’ The appeal was adjourned for two months to enable Mrs. Ingram to make other arrangements if possible. In partnership with his brother, who was now on leave before proceeding overseas, Stanley M. MeNabb, farmer, Colyton, said ho would be milking 54 cows'this season. He had no objection to serving and could not get any labour to replace him. He was not a member of the Home Guard because he could not find the time to attend parades. An adjournment sine die was granted, the chairman remarking that reservist might join tho Home Guard, although he would not make any order in view of the circumstances.

Farming 400 acres for his mother at the top end of the Pohangina Kenneth Charles Seaiie said that he did all the work. He had no objection to service and was ready to do whatever tho board decided. He was a member of tho Home Guard and was prepared to go into a Territorial camp for three months. The overseas appeal was adjourned sine die and reservist was transferred to the Territorial service for three months’ training next autumn.

Frank C. Saxton, farmer, Rongotea, appealed on behalf of his son, Clifford Kesteven Saxton, and stated that he had one boy overseas and another called up who was to join the Air Force. Ho and reservist were milking 80 cows and running 400 breeding ewes. In adjourning the appeal sine die, the chairman remarked that the appellant had a very good record.