WORK IN ARMY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24537, 20 March 1943, Page 6

WORK IN ARMY

MECHANIC'S DUTIES FIRM SEEKS FIELEASE Allegations that since the reservist joined the Army in May, 1942, he had not had any military training, were made before the No. 2 (Auckland) Armed Forces Appeal Hoard yesterday when an appeal was lodged by W. Duft'ett and Son, Limited, manufacturers of steel roller doors and shutters (Mr. Turner), for the release from camp of tiie junior partner, Louis Thomas Duffett. The reservist's father, Mr. W. Duffett, said that his firm was one_ of two such concerns in Auckland. Eight men had formerly been employed, but he was now on his own. Although steel was made available by the Government, ' •' many important contracts had been held up, 'aud only minor repair work bid been done since his sou went into camp. Repair work was also difficult, he said, and one large wareho jse had had to be left open for the last few nights. Statement About Work "Dufl'ett was taken on in the Army inspection department as a mechanic," Mr. Turner said. "An appeal was dig. missed in July, the Army stating that he would bo put on more important work in a short time. His work has not ■ changed, but he was given two stripes, probably as compensation." Duffett seldom worked more than 22 hours a week, and the amount of work done in some weeks would not take more than I five hours. I Mr. Turner said tint although Duffott 1 was officially grade one, he was not fit and suffered from quinsy and tonsilitis. Lieutenant B. C. Hart, representing the Army: Then the doctors who recently passed him fib are all wrong? The Crown representative, Mr. L. N. Harris, asked Duffett whether he had not been absent widiout leave for 41 davs at the beginning of the year. He replied that he had become ill while on Christmas leave and had been absent for 2 ( J days only. Board Reserves Decision "This man is certainly not without prejudice against the Army," said Lieutenant Hart. "He was posted a deserter for 41 day.; and should have ! been court-martialled, but he was dealt with summarily. He is at present under orders to proceed to an overseas camp, as a member of the Army inspection department. There is no reason why lie* should not go overseas." "I suggest that this board is here not to inquire what the Army thinks, hut what is in the public interest," said Mr. Turner. At the inquiry, he said, Duffett had been found guilty not of desertion, but of being absent without leave. The board reserved its decision. SHIP'S MONKEY DIES NAVAL BURIAL AT SEA A monkey which had been for soma time the mascot of a ship that ha* visited Auckland died this week and was accorded a naval burial at sea. Jt is thought that death was caused by the animal eating a large quantity of ovsters. He was a general favourite with all on board and had been m action with the ship. LOCAL AND GENERAL Gorse and Grass Fires The Takapuna brigade received a call at 12.30 p.m. yesterday to a fairly extensive gorse fire in Westwell Road, Takapv.na. The fire spread over about an acre and at one stage approached some houses, but it was extinguished without difficulty. Other brigades re- v ceived calls to grass fires at Tamaki, Mount Eden, Avondale and Parnell, but all the outbreaks were easily extinguished without damage. Record Mako Shark An effort to secure the carcase of the world's record mako shark of 10001b., caught off Tauranga recently, for display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum was defeated by the fish being mutilated. At a recent meeting of the museum council it was stated that an Auckland citizen had offered to pay the cost of mounting the huge fish for display, hut the damage had been done before advantage could be taken of the offer. Rationing and Stabilisation The recent conference between representatives of the New Zealand Farmers' Union (Auckland executive) and the Federation of Labour passed a resolution urging that rationing of all consumable commodities in short supply be introduced to ensure equal opportunities to everyone. A further reso- 5 lution stated that, while favouring the principle of stabilisation, the effects or taxation on prices should be included in the order of reference. Temperatures Fall Following light showers of rain yesterday morning temperatures fell suddenly during the day, a cold westerly wind making conditions in peaces not open to the sun unpleasantly chilly. The maximum and minimum readings on the Herald thermometer in the 21 hours were 68 degrees and 60 decrees. So far only ,35in. of rain has fallen this month, against the average of 3.17 in. For the 24 hours ended midnight the fall totalled only .Ooin. Jury Service in Wartime Speaking at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Law Society, the piesident, Mr. H. F. O'Leary, K.C., said the question of jury service during wartime had been considered by the society during the year, and the views of all societies had been obtained. It- was found that the majority _of district societies favoured the abolition of the Grand Jury and civil jury for the war period, but that the majority oppose!, any alteration of the existing: number of 12 which constitutes a jury ni criminal trials. New School Opening The official opening of the new lakapuna Primary School will be performed by the Minister of Education, the Horn H. 6. H. Mason, this afternoon. AM school, which is constructed of wood, contains six large classrooms, and pro* vision has been made for the addition of three more, all of them being of the semi-light and open-air type. It is adjacent to the old sc-hool in Anzac Street, of which three rooms and a brick 9linking for the infant classes will still be used until the further extension oi the new building. Dehydration o! Mutton Delay in establishing plants for the dehydration of mutton iu the Do* minion was mentioned at a meeting or tho Auckland provincial executive or the New Zealand Farmers" Union. & report stated, that although two years had elapsed since successful experiments in the dehydration of meat had been conducted by the union there were still no freezing" works in the country capable of producing this important article of food. Reference was made to recent developments in Australia an it was agreed to obtain information 83 to the extent of the commercial production there. Parcels for Overseas Troops Representatives of the var '?i U !! women's patriotic committees on 11 Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Conn* ) oil completed the packing of approximately 9000 parcels for members of t # overseas troops yesterday. Members 0 the house committee, with Miss • Carnachan as convener, prepared J the packing on Monday and Tuesda in the hall of the Seddon e " lor l? Technical College by setting up tres tables, cutting paper to the correct size, and providing sample parcels, so tna the actual work of packing. wMCfI began on Wednesday, went ahead wit - out complication The parcels include various tinned commodities, so>Ptoothbrushes and dentifrice. ■ workers were assisted by start niein and pupils of the Technical College a" were provided with_ tea by niem of the Women's Institute.