MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17341, 14 June 1918, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

SITTING AT MILTON. The Otago Military Servioo Board held a Bitting at Milton on Wednesday. The board consisted of Messrs 11. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), A. D. 8011, ami E. Kollott. Captain Frco was tho military representative. Alexander Fleming Baakell (farmer, Glenore), whesu appeal Had been previously adjourned, stated that tho position had not altered sinco ho was last before tho Ixxird. lfis brother, who worked for others, was unable to do team work, rjwing- to au injured leg.—Appeal dismissed. George Carl Aiagon (fanner, Glenore) had his appel supported by his father (Fredk. Magon).—Adjourned for three months. '1 ho Bruce Woollen Company applied for tho exemption of Robert Tiu-nbull.—Dugald Simpson (mill m.inager) deposed that lurnbull was the only dyer at tho mill. Ho had been with tho company for nine years. Dyors kept their recipes secret. It was impossible to securo another dyer to take Turn bull's place. Witness had, however, niudo no etfort to seouro a substitute. — Captain Free; If this man were to die, would tho mill havo to close down? —Witness: I suppose it -woukl, unices another man could bo procured. Witness said dyers wore unprocurable. Tho Mosgiol mill was carrying on with only one dyer where it formerly employed two. —Adjourned for a month, tho appellant company to make every effort in the meantime to replace the reservist. K. J. Jopp (farmer, Clarendon) appealed for his ploughman (William Thonuis). —Appellant stated that ho was willing to let tho reservist go if ho could get a man to replace him. —Captain Free suggested that tho appeal stand over for a month with a view to getting a man to replace tho reservist. — Adjourned accordingly. Robert Bruce (farmer, Milton) had his appeal supported by his father (James Bruce). —Tho reservist stated that it would be difficult to secure a substitute. He did not think his father could afford to pay £2 10s per week for a man. The reservist stated that ho was receiving 25s per week as _ wages from his father. —Captain Free pointed out that with the allowance of £1 Is from the reservist's military pay his father would lose only 4s. —Witness said that could be. done only at his (witness's) expense. — Captain Free (to witness): The question is whether you aro to servo your country, or hide yourself behind your obligations to your parents.—The chairman pointed out that, the board's advice was that tho father's financial position was easy. Conditional exemption would be grant eel, but efforts to replace the reservist must not be relaxed. Christopher John Robinson (farmer, Moneymore), who was in partnership with a brother who was now in the CI camp, had his appeal adjourned till next sitting to see how the brother now in camp got on. James Robertson (miner, Tokoiti), William M'Farlnne (truoker. Milton), and Albert G-. Anderson (trucker. Tokoiti) wero appealed for by Mr James Carruthers (manager of tho Bruce Coal Company).—Conditional exemption granted. Arthur Morris (manager of the Taratu Coal Company) appealed for Joseph Cecil Trotter (trucker). —Conditional exemption granted. SITTING AT BALCLUTHA. George Finch (farmer, Kaitangata), for whom Mr D. Stewart appeared, had his adjourned appeal considered. Captain Free said that although classed as a farmer, tho appellant was really a stock-dealer, and attended all the stock sales in the district. In addition to the reservist there were the father, uncle, and married brother on the property.—Appellant's father stated that his property consisted of 140 acres, 40 of which was let to his married sons. He had three sons at the front, one of whom had been killed. He (witness) was unable to do any work at present. Ho and his son did all the milking. They were milking 30 cows. —Captain Free said there was strong feeling in tho district regarding tho reservist. The police report snowed» that it was the best staffed farm in the district. —Referred to the Efficiency Board for report. William Frederick Hall (farmer, Clydevale) said he was working a 300-acre farm unassisted. —Conditional exemption granted, subject to review at any time Dunn Bros, (blacksmiths, Owaka) appealed on behalf of their manager, Robert G. Ferguson. _ The case had been adjourned from last sitting for inquiry.—Mr D. Stewart appeared for tho appellants.— Robert Dunn deposed that he had made no arrangements with a man named Logan to take the reservist's place in the event of his having to go. Logan had told him that he could go down for one day per week. Logan previously owned the business, and was now farming.—Adjourned till next sitting to see if some definite arrangement could be made with Logan. James Henry Turner (labourer, Balclutha), a First Division reservist, stated that he was married and had one child.— To go into camp with the August CI draft. Thomas Patrick Fitzgerald (farmer, Owaka Valley), for whom Mr J. R. M. Lemon appeared, said he had tried to sell his property since the case was last before the board, but was unsuccessful. He was milking 12 oows, and. he fattened other cattle. His wife's health was not good. He took up the farm about 12 months q.go. —Adjourned for two months to permit of some arrangement being come to. John Craig, for whom Mr R. R. Grigor appeared, withdrew his appeal. C. P. Keen (Owaka), who was wrongly classed, had his appeal allowed, and his name "was transferred to Class C of the Second Division. H. A. Ballantyne (farmer, Kahuika) was granted until the September draft before going into camp. William Johnston (farmer, Wangaloa), for whom Mr Grigor appeared, applied for time to do some ploughing.—Appellant's father stated that he was 50 years of age, and could assist' with the work. —Granted until the August CI draft. Joseph Shand (farmer, Hillend) appealed for his brother, W. J. Shand. —Mr D. Stewart appeared for the former, who stated that the reservist had no financial interest in the farm. He had a brother residing in Balclutha, who would bo 20 years of age on October 10. —Adjourned until first sitting after October 8. Thomas Gordon (farmer. Hillend) said he was farming 1400 acres. His brother, who was his partner in the farm, went with the Twenty-eighth Reinforcements, and was wounded in France.—Conditional exemption granted. wu Marshall (railway fireman, Balclutha) had his appeal adjourned pending the result of the railway appeal. Reginald Stokes (farmer, Awamangu) for whom Air Stewart appealed, stated that he was an export wooldasser, and had classed wool for all the settlers in tho district He was originally a tailor. He had a partner m the farm. They took up tho farm in May, and he was called up in June. He would like to be left on the farm until November. Witness did all the ploughing on the property. They purposed putting in 200 acres of crop.—To go into camp in August. Marcus John Low (saddler, Balclutha), for whom Mr Grigor appeared, said ho was the support of his aged parents, and carried on the business hitherto conducted by his father, who was now in feoble health.—Conditional exemption granted. John James Benjamin Morris (dairy farm manager, Owaka), for whom Mr D. Stewart appeared, appealed on the ground of undue hardship. He carried on farms for his father and brother. The former was an invalid, and tho latter was at tho front.— Appellant said; ho was called up under clase 35 of the Military Service Act. His brother was also called up under the same clause and subsequently volunteered. He had a married brother, who was classed C2, and who did work for neighbours in tho district. He -was paid £2 per -week, but they would require to pay £3 for a man to replace him.—The Chairman said: the board was of opinion that there was sufficient power in the family to work the property. Appellant would require to go into camp in August.

- A. PulJar (farmer, Katca) was represented by Mr J. R M. Lemon. Appellant's wife stated that the farm (247 acres) belonged to her. She had endeavoured to sell it, but had not been successful. Tho only cultivation done last year was 10 acres. The only work the reservist did fcr his neighbours was a little shearing. Th© property was used for grazing principally.—Mr Lemon suggested that tho appellant bo left until September.—To go into camp in August. Geo. Rutherford (farmer, Inch Clutha) asked for time. Mr Grigor stated that the appellant would like to be left until Septom ber, which was the earliest time he could profitably dispose of his cows.—To go into camp on September 10.

Eric Skinner (farmer, Waitapeka), for whom Mi- Stewart appeared, said he did all tho work on tho property.—Conditional exemption granted. J.amos Leal (labourer, Balcltrtha), for whom Mr Stewart appeared, applied for an extension of time. It was in the interest of his wifo that ho would like to see his brother's estate fixed up before ho went into oamp.—Application declined, but the authorities to be recommended to grant extended leave should the administration of his brother's estate be prolonged. James Thomson (miner, KaiNwigata), for whom Mr Grigor appoarod, hid his appeal xo-opened at tho reqacst of the military

representative. Tho reservist stniixl that ho was now employed as a nxirier at Morrison's pit. He was tho only man in Morrison's pit who had a permit from tlu- inspector of mines to carry orre; otherwise the mine could not bo conducted. He hud been employed as a miner continuously for 17 yours. Morrison's mine was idle for almost a week during- tho ]>unodm Winter Show. Archibald Morrison (fanner, contractor, and mine owner) said his brother carried on the mine for three years, an<l witness wont into partnership with him eight. months ago. rhe mine had previously worked only during the winter months. His output for May was 2912 tons. Throe miners were employed. He did not know what the annual output, was.—Conditional exemption renewed, provided reservist worked full timo at his occupation. Tho following miners were graarted conditional exemption:—Benjamin Beardsraoro, Robert Grundy, James Penman, William Snowdon, William Thomson, Rie,h/.rd J. Waters, and Simon D. Anderson, fill employed in the Kaiiangnta mine, and appealed for by Mr W Carson (mine manager). ■ Tho appeal of William M'Donald (railway surfaoenw.ll, Maclennans) was adjourned ponding tho result of tho Railway Department's appeal. Donald Lindsav Stuart (farmer, Knlraika) claimed to bo in class D and had his appeal adjourned to enable proof to be submitted. SITTING AT LAWRENCE. Tho uuujo iuilitary dol'Vjco ixjoi'd held a sitting at ijawronco yesterday. l'lie boara consistud of Messrs ±1. V. VViatlowson, &.-VJL. (ahan-man), A. 1). Jieii and K. V-apuun i.' ret was tho military repirefcemaUvo. Vvilliam Bryant Crano (farmer, Waitaiiuna) had lus appeal aupporttxi by Jo6epli Crane, wno applied for a roiieanng.—Tno latlier staled tiiat liis eyosigat pi evented him from doing mueu work on uie larm. liis son's services were required to look, litter tho steep and tlrivo Uie team, ilo liad 30J acres undea; crop, none of which was in wheat, his land being unsuitable tor ■ ; tho growing of that cereal 'i'ne appellant, "who was .single, was 22 years of age; tiienext koii was 20, and assisted on the farm, ile had a diliicuity in coping with rabbits, and labour was dittioult to procure.—'i'-he chairman said thai Mr Crane had had a great deal of consideration shown him, but the time liad come when the reservist would have to go. Tho application for a rehearing \rould bo refused. Mrs .Elizabeth Wood apipeaied in support of the appeal of Thomas A. Matlieson, who was a high-country shepherd and a ttecona Division reservist.—Adjourned for further inquiry. The appeal of John Ritchie Gilmour (medical practitioner, Roxburgh) was called; but the appellant did not appear.—lt wsa stated that he was now in camp.—Tho appeal was struck out. Samuel Orossan (shearer and rabbiter, Roxbwgb), appealed 011 tne ground of undue hardship.—He was the solo support of his mother, who was nursing her aged father — a confirmed invalid. Appellant was a widower, and his mother was tho guardian of his little daughter.—T'ho Chairman pointed out that financial" assistance could be obtained from tho Government. Tho appeal would have to .be dismissed, appellant to go into camp on August 13. Alexander Forbes Ridd (fruitgrower, Miller's Flat) _ appealed on the ground of undue hardship.—Ho waa classed CI, was married, and had one child. He wanted his time for going into camp extended until October owing to the indifferent state of his wife's health.—ln reply "to Captain Free, appellant admitted that he had been rabbitting for over a month His orchard was a small one — acres.—Appeal dismissed, appellant to go into camp on August 27. Murdoch M'Donald (sheep farmer, Roxburgh) appealed for lus brother Neil M'Donald', who was his partner. The reservist was looking after high-country (3160 ft), and would like to be left until October. The oountry was of such a nature that ho could _ not leavo it in the hands of anyone. His run was subject to snow, and was situated on the dark slopes of tho Nobbies. He was anxious to sell the run; but should he not succeed, he would disposo of the sheep and close it up.—Granted until the September draft, and if further extension is required leave will be granted until the October draft. Chas. S. G. Nicholson (Roxburgh), who was wrongly classed, liad his appeal allowed, and his name was transferred to tho C class. Thos. Houston (baker, Lawrence), a Second Division reservist, appealed on the ground of undue hardship. Ho had' one child,and in addition to supporting his wife and child he was the partial support of his mother and two sisters. He had three brothers, all ot whom were on active service.—The Chairman said the family record was an excellent one. The case would bo referred) to the • Efficiency Board for inquiry. Robert Hunter (farmer, Whenuakoa and Graham Hunter had their appeals supported by their father, Robt. Hunter, sen. The father stated that one son had enlisted and had died from wounds. He liad another son on service; but. he was at present in hospital in England as the result of "wounds. He and his wife were in feeble health. If his sons had! to go he would require to sell the property, probably at a sacrifice. —Conditional exemption granted to both.

Wm. James Kelly (maltster, Weatherstones) was classed C2; ho had four children to support.—Adjourned, the appeal to be considered when class E is called up. William Christie (miller, Lawrence), Iwul his appeal supported by his father, D. L. Christie (flour and oatmeal miller). The grounds of appeal were that tho reservist was engaged in an essential industry. Th,, reservist stated that the output of flom was 36 tons per month. In addition t.hoy made oatmeal, and did gristing. His father suffered from sciatica, and was unable to d& much work.—D. L. Christie stated that he and his son. carried on the mill unassisted. The mill ran one shift for nine months in the year. He would not be able to carry on with tho assistance of a labourer. He was a practical miller himself.—Referred for inquiry. James Anthony IVoude (railway fireman, Lawrence), who was wrongly classed, had his appeal allowed, and his name w&s transferred to the C class. James David Knarston (farmer, Evans Flat) said he was working a taum of 231 acres, wliich he bought in 1913. H© carried on the farm unassisted, with the exception of casual labour. He had four brothers on eetive service —Conditional exemption granted, appellant to endeavour to dispose of his farm. SITTING AT NAPIER. (Pes United Pbebs Association.) NAPIER, June 12. At a sitting of the Military Service Board to-day the Hon. G-. \V. Russell appealed for the sine die exemption of his fifth son, manager of a farm, three sens being at the front and the other returned. This was granted, and tho Minister stated that his son would enlist when the necessary arrangements could be made. In our report of the case in which Mr Isaac Green appealed for his son before the Otago Military Service Board on Tuesday, the former was credited with having said that his wife had not been out of bed for three years. Mr Green informs us that what he said was that his wife had been an invalid for years, and had not been off her bed this year.