MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17158, 10 November 1917, Page 5

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

BELTING AT LAWRENCE. The Otago Military Service BoardMessrs H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), A. D. Bell, and E. Kellett-eat at Lawrence yesterday, and dealt with a number of appeals and adjourned appeals.—Captain Free was the military representative. Dnncan Angus SeLlars (Benmore) appealed on the ground that he was managing a sheep run for his brother, -who was away on active serrioe.—Mr Fletcher, on behalf of the appellant, said this was really an application for total exemption. The report from the Efficiency Board recommended an extension of time. —Appellant eaid ho was managing his soldier brother's place at Benmore, which was 250 miles from, his own farm at Miller's Flat.—The Chairman said that the position in regard to the matter was that Samuel Sellars, while in camp, drew a portion of the Benmoro Eon. At that time First Division men were not allowed to compete for a run. It appeared, however, that soldiers could compete, and if one was successful he could hold a section pending his return from the front. Samuel drew the run, and left his First Division brother in charge. If thie was to be allowed, then the whole intention of the Government would bo defeated, and the Military Service Act would bo defeated. — Captain Free suggested that the appeal be dismissed, and that the appellant be given leave until the February draft, and also that the board l recommend that Samuel, who was now doing duty in Eingland as an orderly at a hospital, be returned to New Zealand. —This suggestion was agreed to. Frederick Edward Shaw (Waitahuna), who had five brothers at the front, and was the main support of his aged parents on their farm, was given conditional exemption. William Gordon Harris (Roxburgh) appealed on the ground that he was the Bole support of his aged mother, and there were others dependent upon him. —This appellant had previously been given conditional exemption, and this was renewed. Richard Toms (Roxburgh) appealed on the ground that ho was the only man on his mother's orchard of 21 acres, and he was the only support of his mother and sister. H« had one brother killed at GaDipoli; another brother was living about a mile from his home. He was married and ha'd three. children. The Efficiency Board recommended that h© be allowed to remain. Conditional exemption 'granted. Francis Mac Donald (Miller's Flat) was granted leave until the February draft, to enable him to.assist in shearing operations in the district.

John Scllars (Miller's Mat) appealed on the ground that he was the only one left to look after a farm of 735 acres. He had enlisted for the Eighteenth Reinforcements, and had been rejected, bat was subsequently drawn in the ballot and passed fit.—Conditional exemption was granted. James Smith (Waitahuna West) appealed on the ground that he had a farm of 723 acres, which he leased from his father. The latter was 70 years of age, and lived with appellant. .He had a brother who had been rejected for active service.—Referred to the Efficiency Board for inquiry. John Duncan Grant applied for leave, and was granted until the February draft to arrange his affairs. Richard Henry Blaekmore (Lawrence) appealed on the ground that he was the sole support of his mother.—After evidence had been heard, the appeal was dissmised, appellant not to be called up until the February draft. William Leonard Harris (Beaumont), for whom Mr Moore appeared, was granted leave until the March draft. George Bartlett (Waitahixna) appealed on the ground that he was managing the farm of his late father, and had no one to put in his place.—Conditional exemption granted. The appeal of John Melville Dimmock, who did not appear, was dismissed. Harry Angus (Waitahuna) appealed on the ground that if he were taken away from the farm owned jointly by his father and himself there would be no one to do the agricultural work. He desired to fro to the war. but his father could not do the horse work.—Exemption granted till the January drafts / The caso- t>f Ronald Sutherland waa adjourned until next sitting for the purpose of medical examination. An application bv Carlton Kain for leave from camp for Ph'lip Madden and Farquhar M'lvTjr Sutherland, for the purpose of assisting m his shearing operations, was allowed to stand over pending , communication ■with Commandant. Francis Henry Worocster was allowed until the February draft in order that he might finish- his shearing engagements.