Farmers Before Kaikohe Court Of Appeal

Northern Advocate, 2 April 1941, Page 4

Farmers Before Kaikohe Court Of Appeal

“We can’t spare doctors from New Zealand. They are getting very short,’’ said the chairman of the Military Forces Appeal Board at Kaikohe Monday. , morning; when Dr. C. J. Frongley, oh behalf of the Bay Hospital Board,. sought exemption for Harry Henry Gilbert, house surgeon at the Kawakawa Hospital.

Dr. Frengley stated that the appeal was made in the public interest by the board, Dr. Gilbert being prepared to undertake military services.

The appeal was adjourned sine die. Edward Henry Harlow, aged 27, appealed in public interest, bis application stating that he is farming in the Broadwood district. The area of the farm is 290 acres, of which 210 are in production. The appeal was adjourned to the next sitting of the board in Kaikohe, as inquiries arr- to be made as to whether appellant’s brother would be able to carry on the work or not. Position Altered. Stating that he realised that the position regarding production had altered considerably during the past week, the Hon. W. Grounds, M.L.C., who appeared in support of an appeal lodged by a son, asked the board to decide for him whether it was best for the appellant to remain on the farm or go into the army. The appellant was Gerard Grounds, aged 27, an assistant on a large Broadwood property. “My son is quite prepared to do his duty,” Mr Grounds stated. “In fact, the whole family is.” Not Money Matter. “It is not a matter of money either,” Mr Grounds continued, “for, when the war commenced, every member of the family handed their Post Office Savings Accounts to the Government free of interest.” The board stated that it appreciated the attitude Mr Grounds adopted, and dismissed the appeal, subject to not being called upon before June 1. Employers’ Responsibility, Alfred Buckley Bermingham, aged 26, who appealed on public interest, stated that he was managing a farm of 100 acres for a man living in Hokitika. He was prepared to go into camp, but couldn’t obtain anyone to take his place, and his employer did not seem to be bothered about obtaining help. The board stated that it was the employer’s responsibility to obtain labour, and dismissed the appeal, allowing appellant till April 15 to adjust his affairs. Brother Can Help. Sehvyn Charles Messenger, aged 22, of Omahuta, also appealed in public interest. Appellant stated that he had had a lease from his father, who had been unable to do heavy work for the past two years, and had found if impossible to obtain suitable labour so as to enable him to go into camp. The board felt that the heavy work on the farm could be done by a brother on an adjacent farm, and the appeal was dismissed, appellant not to be called for service before June 1. An appeal by Sydney George Feild, aged 22, and supported by his parti-ally-crippled father was adjourned sine die, the board agreeing that it seemed that it was impossible for the farm affairs to be conducted if appellant was ordered to camp. An appeal by Tosten Jarvis Doar was dismissed, provided the appellant was not called up prior to May 15. Unprofitable Farm. Stating that it was of the opinion that the Unutoke farm he was working was not a paying proposition, and, in view of the fact that his lease could be terminated if he went on active service, the board dismissed an appeal on public interest made by Bernard William Hick, aged 29.

It was decided that he should not be called upon before May 1, allowing time for him to sell his stock.

Mr Walter Atkinson, aged 74, appealed for Briton Fussell, farm worker, stating that as his son (Major Atkinson) was on active service, he could obtain no other suitable labour to look after his farm of 450 acres. Fussell had four brothers on active service, Mr Atkinson stated, and he himself was prepared to go into camp. The appeal was adjourned to the next Kaikohe sitting of the board. An appeal on behalf of Reginald Albert Blackblock, aged 22, of Pakaraka, was supported by his employer, Mr .W. S. Nelson, but was dismissed subject to his not being called upon before May 15. '