MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17426, 21 September 1918, Page 5

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

SrrTTNG AT MILTON. A sitting of t.ho Otago Military Service Board was held at Milton yesterday. Mr 11. Y. Widdovvson, S.M., presided. Captain Levien jvas tbo military representative. James Liddle (farmer, Taieri Beach) appealed on the ground that ho was engagxxl in an essential industry, and, in addition, shoro for farmers. Ho clipped 7000 sheop last season. Ho and his wife milked IPcaws in the season.—Conditional exemption granted. lSdward Peter Powloy (flourmiller, Milton) appealed for by Fleming and Co., had his case reopened oring to the firm having intimated that the reservist was no longer in their employ —Tho firm's manager stated that, the reservist had resumed employment with Fleming and Co., and was essential to the carrying on of tho flourmilling. Tho mill was idle for a fortnight owing to the reservist being away. —Conditional exemption granted. Frederiok Magan appealed on behalf of George Carl Magan (son of the appellant), who was assiating on the farm. Ho had a son who had returned invalided from the front. Ho was suffering from an injured foot, and could do only light work on the place. The appellant strained hintself some years ago, and was laid up at intervals.—Conditional exemption granted Donald Charles Clarke (farmer, Milton) was appealed for by his father, who put in a statement showing that the output of the farm would be reduced if the reservist had to go to oamp.—At this stage Mr Rutherford had a whispered conversation with tho members of the board and tho military representative, the purport of which was not disclosed.—The reservist's mother stated that there were three sons on the farm.— The Chairman said the appeal would have to be dismissed.—Tho reservist's mother then asked for time to enable the turnips to bo got in.—To go into camp with the November draft, no further applications to be entertained.

William Hunt (XL mechanic in,the Bruce Woollen Mills) was appealed for by the Bruce Woollen. Mill Company.—The hosiery foreman stated th;tt the reservist v/as in ohargo of 26 hosiery machines. If the reservist hud to go this department would have_ to close down until a substitute was obtained. There were no men available in the dominion. —Mr Kellett said it seemed extraordinary that an understudy was not available to tako the appellant's place in an emergency.—Deferred for inquiry. Robert Craighead (contractor shearer, Clarksville) said he shore about 10,000 sheep in a season. His assistant was not ixnv available.—Captain Levien said it seemed extraordinary that if his services were so essential the farmers in the district had not appealed for him. —The Qiairmian said that it was recognised that shearers were scarce.—Jasper Clark said there -was no_. doubt that shearers were scarce.—Referring to a question by the Chairman, Mr Bell said that if the shearing were delayed the quality of the wool would suffer. —Deferred for inquiry. William Richard Williams (farmer, Milton) said he was farming 437 acres. He had been trying to sell the property for five years.—A report by the Efficiency Board showed that the farm could not be carried on profitably.—To go into camp with the January draft. Henry John Scott (farmer, Ratirekau) applied for a rehearing. He explained that owing to the '"bad state of fcho roads he was late in arriving at Milton at the last sitting, and the appeal was heard and determined in his absence, and dismissed. He had a farm of 300 acres. He was also a shearer, and shore 9000 sheep kst season. He wanted time to got through the shearing season.—To go into camp with the February draft. William Robson (blacksmith, Lovell's Flat) was appealed for by the farmers in the district, for whom Mr Joseph Clark appeared. Mr Clark said the reservist was going to close up his shop and go into camp, but t"he farmers considered they would be seriously inconvenienced if the shop were closed.—The reservist stated that he was entirely in the hands of the farmers in the district.—Conditional exemption granted.

James Oarruthers (Waroniri, coal miner) appealed for, liis son, Alexander Denton Oarruthers, who was an experienced miner, and was at present engaged as enginedriver.—Conditional exemption granted. Robert Barker (labourer, Milton) was appealed for by George Grey (Milton), who did not appear.—The reservist stated he was employed breaking' lime for the Dominion Lime Company, and left himself entirely in the hands of the board.—Appeal dismissed.

Robert M'Vee (coal miner, Kaitangata) was appealed for by Arthur Morris (manager of tlie Taratu Coal Company) on the ground that he was engaged in an essential industry.—Conditional exemption granted.

SITTING AT BALCLUTHA. , A sitting of the board was subsequently hold at Balclutha.

Andrew Charles Gordon Small (coal miner, Kaitangata) was granted conditional exemption.

James John Benjamin Morris (farmer, Owaka Valley) applied for a rehearing. A statement put in showed that since the case was last before the board a brother had been killed. The father was 71 years of age, and a Since the appeal was heard a brother, William, who was working on the property, had taken a position as shepherd at- Fairlie, and had removed there with his wife. This brother could not do farm work, being unable to follow a team.— Benjamin Morris (father of appellant) said he had a broken knee. His son William left on account of his health. His son Thomas had a property of over 200 acres to look after. The reservist was looking after his deceased son's property.—To Captain Levien: was unaware of any feeling in the district with regard to the reservist not going .to the war.—Captain Levien pointed out that this was a family that was called up under clause 35.—Mr Kellett said ho was not at all satisfied as to how the son William came to leave the district—The Chairman said that neither Mr Bell_ nor himself was satisfied on that point either. The appeal would be adjourned for two months, and at the end of that time he expected the family to make arrangements to permit the reservist to go.

Huffh Andrew Ballantino (farmer. Kahuika) applied for a rehearing.—His counsel stated that the reservist was laid up with scarlet' fever, and his period of isolation would not expire until tlie November draft.

Andrew Turnbull (butcher, Owaka), whose appeal had been adjourned from last sitting of the board, was again caJledi on.— John Craig (storekeeper, Owaka) said that Turnbull was employed by James Ahern, and did all the tailing, and the shop work as well. He thought that if Turnbull were taken away the shop would have to be closed. To Captain Ijevien ■ He knew that a man named Creo -was employed by Ahern, and ho had seen him driving* the delivery cart. He had also seen Mrs Ahern m the shop, cutting up meat.—Jamos Ahern, in reply to Captain Levien, said that a man named Jim Horn had done most of the killing 1 siroe another employee went to tlie ww some two years ago. He was a clrovcr and dealer, and he could not always rely on getting Horn to do tho killing, iurnbiul was his manager and shopman. Creo was a returned soldier.— In reply to the Chairman, witness said tliat ll J urnbull had to go the shop would have to be closed.—Deferred for, inquiry. George Brown (railway surfaceman, Balclutha), who did not appear, had his appeal dismissed.

George William Gray (Hfllend), who was classcd CI, and who gave his age as 41 years, had his appeal adjourned sine die Frederick Bidder ■ (farm manager, ClinV l % appealed for by his employer (Alfred J. She.it), who stated that the reservist did the shepherding as well as other work. He wanted the reservist retained until the end of March—t'te end of tho financial year.—Appeal dismissed, reservist not to be called up before March 31 Adam Thomas Harris (farmer, Clinton) said ho was the only man on the farm Plis property consisted of 3210 acres, whicli carried 2000 sheep.—Conditional exemption granted.

James Christie Pennell (butcher, Kaitangata) was appealed for by his father (John Pennell), who stated that his only two other sons wore at the front. There were two other butchering businesses in the township. lie was dependent on tho business, and would havo to close if his son were taken. — Conditional exemption granted.

William Carson (Kaitangata Coal Co.) appealed for the following employees, who were granted conditional exemption: — Albert Edward Chapman (underground deputy), Arthur Cooko (trucker), Thomas Christian Frank (miner), Alfred Hillary (tracker), James Jenkinson (miner), James Kylo (minor), James Parfitt (miner), Wm. Reid Rutherford (miner), Wm. Shore (miner), Andrew Smith (miner), and Sidney Rogers (miner). William M'Ara (former, Towamii) said ho wns working a farm of 154 acres, and wanted' time. His wifo had been ill.—Adjourned to noxt sitting. Robert Hculiston (thrashing mill owner, Balclutha) put in a petition signod by a number of farmers in tho Stirling district f6r wlwiaj lie -,Md tbreebinjj, Ac&thor

thrashed for two or throo others in that district.—Adjourned til] tho November sitting. John Murdock (farmer, Port Molyneux) said he was working «a leasehold property of 72 acres. He was milking 14 cows at present, but purposed milking 20 in tho flush of tho season.—Conditional exemption granted. David S. Smollett (farmer, Awnngu) said ho was farming 200 acres of land, carrying over 500 sheep at present. Ho did ploughing for others.—Conditional exemption granted. W. Guest and Sons (drapers, Balcltrfcha.) applied for leave for J. TL Guest until tho January draff, The reservist said ho was managing four departments. His mother retired from tho business some time ago, but purposed going back again.— Application granted. Thomas Andrew Kldd (dairy factory manager, Wftiruna) was appealod for by the u airuna Dairy Factory Co.—Captain Lovion said that ho knew of at least three returned soldiers capable of managing factories who were at present out of work.— The Chairman suggested that theso men should register their names with tho Efficiency Board. — Conditional exemption granted Patrick J. Morahan (dairy farmer, dinton) said his .property consisted of 255 acres, and he milked 26 cows. He did all the work on the property. His wife assisted with the milking.—Conditional exemption granted. Thomas Bruce Christie (thrashing mill owner, Greenfield) was appealed for by tho farmers of the district.—Mr Adams .appeared for tho appellants.—The Efficiency Board favoured the retention of the reservist. The board's report stated that the other mill-owner in tho district had gone to camp, and his mill was laid up.—The reservist stated that ho was classed Cl. and was 41 years of age—The Chairman pointed oiit that it was unnecessary to proceed further with the appeal as no Cl men over 40 years of age were taken into camp.— Conditional exemption granted.