REJECTED VOLUNTEER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16750, 17 January 1918, Page 5

REJECTED VOLUNTEER.

♦ ORDERED TO CI CAMP. SOLICITOR'S DIFFICULTIES. The difficulties of a reservist who has to go into the CI camp were revealed yesterday in a case which came before the First Military Service Board, when Patrick E. E. Dromgool, barrister and solicitor, of Auckland applied for leave. Appellant said he was an unmarried First Division reservist who had been medically examined four times and rejected, On the fifth occasion when he presented himself for re-examination he was classed as CI and ordered into the CI camp. He was in partnership with his brother, and practised in the city and country districts, while his brother was in charge of the practice at Tauranga. Appellant was also the owner of a partly improved farm near Mercer, which required personal supervision. As ho had been drafted to a probationary camp he had arranged for his business to be carried on temporarily, but in case he should be passed on to the A camp he asked the board to grant him three months' leave from the date of transfer from one camp to the other to enable him to return to Auckland and wind up his business. The chairman said there were difficulties in the way of granting such a request, as appellant might not be transferred from the CI camp. Appellant said he wanted to be quite certain of his position before going into camp. He was prepared to go to camp now, but if he was not able to return subsequently if passed as fit it would mean serious hardship and loss to him. He added that short sight was his only defect, and it was hard to see how a month's training was going to improve his eight. He felt that the Medical Board could have definitely settled his case instead of leaving it to the camp doctors to find oat if his sight was adequate. Mr. Duthie: If they cannot tell in Auckland how can they tell in camp? Appellant: I cannot say, sir. After further discussion appellant agreed to withdraw his appeal and proceed to ramp at once on the board promising that if appellant was transferred from toe CI camp to a reinforcement to grant him three months' leave from the date of transfer.