MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17327, 29 May 1918, Page 2

MILITARY SERVICE BOARDS

SITTING AT GORE. (Fbom Oub Spkuijl Rrpobtbb.) i _. GORE, May 28. Ido Otago Military ik-rvToo Board— Me&srs 11. V. Wi<ldowaon, A. D. Bell, and E Kellett—opened a nitting at (Joru this afternoon, when 19 cases were dealt with. Thomas George Lush (fanner, iialfour) was represented by Mr Cochrane, who asked for a rehearing ami further leuve on the ground of family hardship. The board decided to reconimejul that indotiuito leave bo RTiinted. William Collins (Wendonside) was represented by Mr B. C. Smith, who said that Jus client's brother Charles, who hrid returned from tho war, was not lit for hard work. The easo was adjourned till next sitting for tho production of medical evidence Thomas Wilfred Grocn (blacksmith. Mandcvillo) had an application for a rehearing lodged on his behalf by his father (Joseph Green). Mr Smith appeared in the case. Joseph Green said that only ho and his father were in vJie business, and there was more than enough, for them to do. Ho had two brothers, and none of them had gouo to the war. Ho had not tried to arrange with his brothers to let one of them go. Tho father said he considered that his boys were doing more good to tho country by working at their business thaa by going to the war. It was decided to d-cfor the case and that of tho brother, Joseph.Green (blacksmith, Riversdale), till the next sitting for inquiry. Tho appeal of James Smith Williamson (Redan) was withdrawn, a brother having been sent back from camp. Mr Johnston appeared in tho case. Ja,s. Burries (farmer, Pyramid) had an appeal entered on his behalf for a rehearing. Mr Cochrane appeared for the appellant, lhe Chairman said the appellant had made all his arrangements to go to camp, and had then suddenly changed his mind, and had married and bought a new farm. The Loan and Mercantile Agency Company had financed him. Mr Hamann (branch manager of the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company) eaid that, according to the Prime Ministers instructions, tho company was seeking to carry on " business as usual." Captain Free: I thought that theory was exploded three months after the war started." The Chairman: "We are being asked to consider tho cold-blooded financial position of the company rather than this man s military obligations to his country." The appellant suggested that others in similar positions were receiving lenient treamont from tho board, but when asked by Captain Free for particulars he replied . No jolly fear." The Chairman said they could not extend leave further than for a couple of months Tho appellant would havo to leave with the August draft James Samuel M'Noo (farm manager, Otama) had an appeal entered on his bohalf by his employer (Robert Lon<r Byars). Mr Smith, who appeared in tho case, said the position was that if the appellant was sent to camp tho production for which he was responsible would cease. Three brothers had gone to the front, and one had been killed. Leave was granted till the August draft, and the board complimented the appellant on the excellent record of his family. William Twoedio Richmond (dairy factory engineer, Mataura) lodged an appeal and was appealed for by tho Mataura Dairy Factory Company. Mr _D. L. Poppelwell conducted tho appeal, which was based on the ground that Richmond's expert knowledge was essential to the industry. Ho was the only engineer there. Three of his brothers were on active service, and one had been rejected. Captain Free said the. company had made no effort to replace this man by one unfit for active service. The case was adjourned till the July sitting. William Gilder (pelt grader, Gore), for I whom Mr Bowler appeared, was appealed for by his emplyoers (Messrs R. and F. Wallis).—Mr Bowler said it had been found impossible to replace the man, whose employers were engaged on Government work. The appellant was classed Cl.— The case was adjourned till the following morning. j Charles Harold Hargcst (farmer, Mandeville) made application for leave to qualify for a flying certificate.—Mr Cochrane submitted proof that appellant had been accepted aa a pupil in the Canterbury Aviation School and had been passed as fit. The appellant had four brothers at the front. He was recommended for the leave necessary to enable him to obtain his flying certificate. Robert Craig (coal miner, Waikaia) was represented by Mr Smith.—Captain Free said this case had been adjourned for medical examination, which had not been carried out yet.—'iho case was adjourned till next sitting. The ciiso of George W. Folster (farmer, Brydone), which had been adjourned for a report, was again considered.—Mr Smith appeared for the appellant, who was a married man in tha First Division. Ho eaid he \yas" milking 22 cows. If he had to go to camp- he would sell the stock and "lease his farm. That was all he could do.—The board suggested that ho should not sell till ho saw how he stood the camp training.— The appellant produced two doctors' certificates of bad health..—The case was continued for medical re-examination. Hubert Humphries (farmer, Tuturau), classed A. handed in certificates showing that he belonged to class C, having two children.—His appeal was allowed accordingly. • Robert M'Liiy (farmer, PuJcewhenua) was appealed for by Moses M'Lay (Gore).—Mr Smith conducted the appeal.—Conditional exemption was granted, subject to review Robert James Miller (farmer. Gore), who was represented by Mr Smith, was appealed for by his wife (Kate Miller).—The appellant said he had exchanged a farm at' Knapdalo for a Dunedin property over a year ago. He bought his present property at Gore last October.—The appellant was a class B man, with one child.—Conditional exemption was granted, subject to review. There are 18 cases to come before the board tomorrow. SITTING AT CHRISTCHURCH. {.tsu United Phess associauo«.; OHRISTCHURCH, May 28 An appeal by tho city electrical engineer (Mr E. ii. Stark) on behalf of the assistant city electrical engineer (Joseph Lythgoe) waa before the Canterbury Military Service Board to-day. A statement handed in by Mr Stark showed that the minimum number of men required for operations, omitting all construction work, was 85, and the total number employed, including those on construction work, was 133 Of these, 45 were unfit and over ago, and 19 were returned soldiers. The number called or to be called in the ballots was 57. besides one whose appeal had been adjourned sine die, and the number of appeals and proposed appeals was 11. There were 13 men on active service. Of the 58 reservists subject to tho ballot, 41 were classed as non-essantial and 17' as essential. Mr Stark stated that three of the principal ofiieors of liis department had gone to the front. Lythgoe was qualified for all those positions, and was also assistant to witness. Evidence as to the great shortage of experienced electrical engineers was also given by tho witness. The only way in which ho rould fill Lytligoe's place was by " stealing" a man from another centre. Mr Bishop (chairman of the board): By 'stealing" you mean, of courso, bribing a man with a higher wage? Witness: Yes; that it what I mean The Chairman: Wo think Mr Stark has mado out a very good case. We don't want to interfere with this industry. Of course, .we don't know what tho future might forth. We might have to give up electricity for something else. The apoeal will be adjourned sine die.