MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17215, 18 January 1918, Page 2

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

BITTING IN DUNEDIN,

Tho Qtago Military Service Board--Messrs 11. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), A. D. 8011, and K. Kellett il« •sitting L'l D'unixlin yesterday.—Captain Free was tho military reiiresejila-tivc. The appeals of John (.'adman (Class D) and Janice Ihonan (Class K), Edward Georgo Page (Class B), Denis Whelan (Claes B), Harold R Brownirur (Class B), Angus M'lvor (Class 15), Robert Angus Apes (Claj* V), AllKTt R. (i. Biimt-s (Claw; B), Charles JI. Austin (Class D), .William, i'Vrgio (Cla.ss E), J,un/>s I'Viiser (CW.s B), Albert Ildlyer (Class I'.), Robertson Knox (Class l< , ), William Olson (Class C), JaiiK'.s. Wilson Penman (Chu-s C), Thomas Scot* (Class (J), Herbert JI. Sterling (Class J J), Georgo RolxYt Ritchie (Class B), Thonuis Eoclcs (Class I)), John William Hnrbrow (Class D), and John Diduson (Class 15), all Second Division reservists wrongly drawn in Class A, were allowed. William Butler appealed for exemption for Thomas John Butler, who was under age-.—Appeal allowed. Alfred Spoor (farmer, Pino Hill), for whom Mr Daivson appeared, appealed on tho ground of undue hardship.—Appellant stated that ho was milking 16 cows without any assistance whatever. —In reply to Captain Free, ho said ho did not think his farm could be 1 rased satisfactorily. Ho realised that sacrifices wero inevitable, but ho thought ho would be doing more_ good on his farm than ho would be by going to tho war.—Tho Chairman said that considering tho ago of appellant, and without establishing a precedent, the aboard proposed to allow him to remain at his work in tho meantime. Conditional exemption would" therefore* bo granted. Herbert Samuel Baker (seaman), at present employed on Traquair .Station, appealed on tho ground that ho was a transport worker. In view of tho fact that ho had been called up when ho last returned with tho transport cm which bo was employed, ho did not sign on again-.—ln reply to Captain Free, he said ho had been two years in the transi>ort service.—Captain Freo said this man was a soldier by force of law, and unless he could prove uudiio hardship he was not entitled to exemption. —Mr Kellett eiid tho appellant had served his tim-o as a seaman, and was not like a man who joined a ship for three or four trips as a fireman or a. trimmer. —In reply to" the Chairrrwn, appellant said the Seamen's Union had not appealed for him, as he had not five years , continuous discharge. —Tiie Chairman and Mr Bell each raised 'the point an to whether the transport service had had an opportunity of appealing for tin's man, and "the case was adjourned for a month for inquiry. James Clark (draper, Dune-din) appealed on tho ground that he was not a reservist en the day he >vas drawn in the ballot. Ho would have enlisted, but had no opportunity to do so. —The board decided that the appellant was a reservist, as he was drawn on the day following his twentieth birthday, and tho appeal was formally dismissed. Thomas W. T. Harper (farmer, Pi.kcteraki) appealed on the ground that lie was a member of tho Native race. —In reply to tho Chairman, he qaid that bo was a halfcaste, but Captain Free raised the point that appellant was less than a lialf-casto Maori his instructions being that his father was a quartev-easfco and his mother a half caste —After looking up tho la,w on the point, the board allowed the appeal.

Margaret Ramsay Fan Ids (Mr Ramsay) applied for an extension of timo for her son, John Faulds, who hod been ro-examined' and pa.sscd CI. —Appellant stated that this son -vvas> tho principal hand on her dairy farm at Green Island. —Tho reservist was granted timo till the April CI draft went into camp.

Matthew Alexander M'Gregor (mercer and clothier, Caycrsham), who had been classed _Cl. applied for time. He also put in his doctor's certificate, after a perusal of which the board recommended a rcexnmination, and the case was adjourned.

James M'Millan (coal merchant. Green Island), for whom Mr Allan appeared, Appealed on tho ground of undue hardship and public interest.—Counsel stated that appellant would have been classed A but for the fact that ho had a .sprained ankle, and Dr Harrison was of tho opinion _ that he would not be improved by tho training he would receive in camp.—Mr Kellett pointed out that .in these cases reservists should place their private medical certificates before the medical boards. —Adjourned for a further examination.

Mr Skinner, manager of Messrs Sargood, Son, and Ewing's boot factory, appealed for exemption for Strop C. A. Ringroso (clicker, Dalmore).—After hearing the evidence of the .appellant and tho reservist, the board dismissed tho appeal.

Arthur Jolin Robertson (farmer. Outram), for whom Mr Payno appeared, appealed on tho ground of 'undue hardship. Three brothers had gone to tho war, one of whom had been killed. He had his farm to look after, and he also had certain financial obligations.—Conditional exemption granted. Mr G. R. Checsman, general manager of the Taratu Coal Company, appealed for the exemption of Eobert Rdbson (railway surfaceinau, Lovell's Flat), and for Arthur Morris (coal-mine manager, Taratii). —He said lie did Bot press tho point regarding Kobson, but would like exemption for Morris, who was about to take up the position of mine manager with the company. —The appeal for E-obson was dismissed and conditional exemption was granted for tho other man. —A further appeal by the same company for Alexander M'Kenzio (minor, Kaitangata) was granted, conditionally upon the man working full time.

Tho Portobello Railway Ferry Company (Mr Haggitt) appealed for exemption for Percy Wilfred Moss (master mariner. Portobo!lo). —There was also a personal appeal.— Giving evidence, the reservist said his ship, tho Tarewai, was tho only' one equipped for the handling of explosives in Otago Harbour. Hα d«l not think there would be any great difficulty in securing a mart to take his place on tho eliip, but it would not be easy to get a man ca,pable of handling explosives.—After hearing further evidence the board dismissed the appeal, the reservist not to be called up until the May draft.

Matthew Devlin (mcnUl hospital attendant, Seaclifi), wlio was represented by Mr Irwin, appealed on the ground of undue hiircLsliip.* Ho stated that when first examined ho had been classed C2, and as a result ho had married and oiitemj into other obligations. Ho had since bren recxiimincd and classed CL—The Chairman B:'.id the board consi<Jere<l that the. reservist was entitled to sonio consideration. The. appeal would be adjourned until Clasa B of tiie Second Division was called up. William A. B. Johnston (farmer, Outran)), who hail been classed CI, appealed on the ground that, ho was the only ono on a farm who could work horses. Jlis brothnr, who worked with him, did not have very good health He (appellant) was just over 20 years of age. They milked 54 cows.—Conditional exemption was granted. On the application of Mr It. Green, Robert Ednie, a miner at Freeman's mine, was granted exemption on condition that ho worked full time and remained in iiis prosent position. * Peter Lawson (grocer, Port Chalmers), said lie had volunteered and had been drawn in the ballot, and on each occasion bad been rejected. On rc-cxamination he had been classed CI. He now applied for time in which to settle up his affairs—Adjourned till the February sitting. Robert, Hoderick (upholsterer, St. Kilda), for whom Mr Scurr appeared, appealed on the- ground of undue hardship. He had a mother and sister dependent upon him.— Adjourned for a report from Mr dimming. Frederick Shaw (storekeeper, Wingatui), who had been classed. Cl, appealed on tho ground of undue hardship. He had a contract to cart explosives for • the Government to and from the tunnel magazine cicoo to Wingatui.—Conditional exemption was sranted. _ , ™ i_ Tho appeal of John Herbert Clements (cook on a transport) was adjourned sino Henry G V. Green (blouse manufacturer, St. Clair) appealed for exemption on the ground of undue hardship. He had been in business for five years and employed from 18 to 20 hands. If he were, taken away it would mean that he -would have to close down and his machinery would be sacrificed, no did all the designing in the business.—. In reply to Captain Free, he said ho knew of a man who Tvas in Class C of the Second Division who might manage the business for him Tho only point was that this man, too might bo taken.-Adjourned for a month to enable the appellant to see what arrangements could be made. W M'Carthy, for the firm of A. ana W M'Carthy. appealed for the exemption of Charles, E. Hassard (gunsmith St. KiWa) on the "-round of undue, hardship Inis man was the only competent gunsmith they had now, and it'would bo a serious matter if ho wore taken away. Ho was 41 years of age, and had been with the firm for II years. Ho was married, but had no farm y. —In reply to Captain Free, he said he had a nephew who used to assist in tho shop.—Captain Free: Where is ho now ■.— Appellant: I don't know.-Captain Free: You know that ho , "was drawn in tho ballot and he disappeared.—Appellant: les.—Captain Free: Where is ho now?— Appellant: 1 don't know where ho went to. What has that to do with this case? Ho then remarked something about conscientious objections, which was not audible to the press—The board, after considering tho evidence, dismissed tho appeal. Tho appeal of 'lhomus Stewart for Alexander Jameson (baker, Brook street, Duncdm) was deferred for a report. Tho appeal of Donald M'Donald (marine officer) was formally dismissed, there being no appearanco of appellant. Wiinain Li. M'Ui-egor (carrier, Dalmore, Mr Woods), who had volunteered and been rejected three years ago and had since married, applied to bo placed in Class B of tho Second Division.—This was agreed to, but at a later stage Captain Free asked the board not to enter up its judgment in tins case, as ho desired to maku further inquiries.—Judgment was accordingly suspended until tho following morning. Tho appeal of Joseph William Oxley (Government wool valuer) was adjourned until the February sittings , Conditional exemption was granted in tho cases of Hugh M'Lcan (carpenter on a troopship) and Albert James Paterson (.optical mechanic, Iloslyn). David Hannah Bcattio (marine engineer on a transport) was granted conditional exemption. Conditional exemption was granted in tho following appeals made by the secretary of the Seamen's Union: —William Allan, Oswald O. Phillips, Henry Graye, Joseph Armstrong, Roderick M'Leod Baird, Clement Bell, A. J. Bobbett, Edward Clifford, Patrick Connor, Francis Daley, Walter Reign Dixon, Alexander Ferguson, John Flanagan, George Hurley, Henry Inglis, A. H. Jordan, Herbert John Kidd, Ronald A. K. Lovetf, James MaJlon, Ewen M'Donald, Alexander M'Gregor, John M'Ncill, John Morgan, Douglas Morris, Joseph Murray, Malcolm Nicholson, Edward George Power, Henry P'eckford Scrivener, Joseph Switalla, Aleck Thorn, Edward Finnigan White, George Williams, Thomas Williams, John Wilson, James Jones, Leslie Frank Faulkner, Richard Benston, Charles Craig, William Stewart Lindsay, John Minnes, William Collin, William Arthur Jarvis, George Henry Lowe, and Edwin Schlaadfc.