CALLED TO SERVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16567, 16 June 1917, Page 8

CALLED TO SERVE.

SHIP'S OFFICER ESSENTIAL. OTHER APPEALS ALLOWED. Ftotheb appeals for exemption were heard yesterday by the First Auckland Military Service Board. The chairman, Mr. F. J. Burgess, S.M., presided. Application for the exemption of John V. Ruthe, second officer on the steamer Clansman, was made by the Northern Steamship Company. Roland Hammond, assistant manager of the company, emphasised the scarcity of ship's officers. Extra men were wanted for relieving, but they were not bailable. The Clansman carried primary products. The board aujourned the appeal sine die. The appeal of Allan A. O'Neil, Henderson, was adjourned sine die, the appellant stating that he had three brothers on service and another had been killed in the Boer War. He was supporting his mother and the wife and children of a brother now at the front. George H. Cook applied for exemption for his son, Herbert A Cook, on the ground that the latter was under military ago, and was a half-caste Maori. The registrar of births- at Kawakawa, wrote stating that a birth was registered on August 16, 1897, under the name.of Cook, but _no Christian name was given. A family Bible was produced to support appellant's statements. The appeal was allowed. Owes for Inquiry. Exemption was sought by Louis G. Boss, Ponsonby, who explained that he was the sole support of his mother. Ho had four brothers and three sisters. Two brothers were on active service; neither contributed to the support of the family. Hi? other brothers were under age. He would endeavour to arrange with his two absent brothers to help to keep the home together if he was given time. The board adjourned the case for further inquiry. Occupation was the ground upon which Frederick A. Mandeno, slaughterman at the Westfield Freezing Company's works, applied for exemption. Appellant said he was also a bacon-curer, and had been engaged on this work lately. A letter was received from appellant's employers supporting the appeal, and stating that his calling up would greatly inconvenience them. The chairman said he would like it ascertained if this kind of labour was scarce, and the appeal was adjourned until Wednesday for inquiry in that'direction. Francis R. Bennett, Devonport {Mr. A. Moody), applied for financial assistance. After hearing the evidence the board decided it could not make any recommendation. Further Leave Granted. Extension of leave until September was sought by Wilfred George Davis, farmer, Mangere, who stated that the selling of his stock at present would entail considerable loss. He was married, and his parents also were partially dependent upon him. Leave until September 30 was granted. The appeal of" Charles H. Mackwood, dairy farmer. Patnmahoe, was adjourned for two months to enable him to sell his farm or to make arrangements for its management. Undue hardship wag urged by Thomas Firth, Archhill. who stated he was supporting his widowed mother and three young children. A brother had been wounded, and appellant desired leave until he returned. Leave was granted till Sentember 20. Extension of leave to July 26 was granted to James Burrows, farmer, Howick, to enable him to complete certain farm work. APPEALS FOB SEAMEN. BONA-FIDES QUESTIONED. [bt TELEGRAPH.—PRESS association.] WELLINGTON. Friday. Fifty appeals on behalf of seamen and firemen were set down for hearing before the Military Service Board to-day. Each appeal was lodged by Mr. W. T. Young, secretary of the Federated Seamen s Union, the ground in every case being public interest. Mr. Young asserted that each appellant was a bona-fide employee •in the mercantile marine, but he was only' prepared to prove 12 month's service at sea. The military representative stated that did not satisfy him, and he doubted very much whether it would satisfy the board. He thought Mr. Young should show at least 12 months' service before the passing of the Military Service Act, otherwise there might be a suggestion that the mercantile marine was a haven for men who wished to escape military duties. The board endorsed these remarks, and adjourned the cases until Tuesday next, in order to allow Mr. Young time to j secure further information.