KEEN RESERVIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23994, 18 June 1941, Page 9

KEEN RESERVIST

PASSING THE DOCTOR

EYE TEST MEMORISED APPEAL BOARD CASES A statement that appellant had been so keen to join the Army that he had memorised the eyesight test letters and had been passed lit. although actually he was unable lo see the bull'seye of a target on a 25-yards ritle range, was made by Mr. Bainbridgo when appearing for Kenneth Christopher Reardon before the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board yesterday. The grounds of the appeal were undue hardship. Mr. Bainbridgo sairl appellant had joined the Territorial Forces when he was 19. At that time hi.s father was alive, but his death last year had resulted in appellant having to support his mother. When he was examined at. the drill hall he had been left alone for some time whilo other men were being examined and had memorised the eyesight test. In addition to being unable to qualify for musketry he could only see tlag signals through a telescope, although he was an expert with a Morse key. The appeal was adjourned and appellant ordered to be re-examined. Conscientious Objector

Edward Arbtickle, grocer's assistant, who appealed on the ground of conconscientious objection, said lie was roadv to sorvo overseas im n non-coni-bat a lit capacity. He had previously been called up for the Territorial Force and had expressed a desire- to be drafted to the Army Service Corps or Field Ambulance. but was posted to a niachine-guii unit. His service had deepened his conviction that, it was wrong to take life. The Rev. .1. Macky. minister of the Papatoetoc Baptist Church, said appellant had been a member of his church for a number of years and was secretary of the Bible classes. He bad expressed his convictions to witness on several occasions and witness considered he was sincere in them. Non-combatant Service

"They are not liiv opinions or the onos I teach." said Mr. Macky. ''ln fact, L have taught the opposite view for many years." The hoard dismissed the appeal, but ordered that appellant be given noncombatant service. Adjournments sine die were granted to several munition workers, for whom the Colonial Ammunition Company (Mr. West) appealed on the grounds of public interest.