MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 45

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

SECOND SITTING AT 0 AMARU. FEW APPEALS ALLOWED. THREE OUT OF THIRTEEN. Tho Military Service Board sat in Oamaru yesterday to hear 13 appeals—two under section 35 and 11 from the first ballot. Tho three members of tho board were present Messrs H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), E. Kellett, and A. D. Bell. Captain Free was the military representative, and with him was associated Captain Redmond (local group area commander). NO GROUND OF APPEAL.

John Crowley, of Oamaru, tailor, appealed on tho ground that he was medically unfit. The Chairman said the board had no option but to dismiss the appeal. The ground alleged was no ground of appeal. If tho appellant was unfit, he would be turned down by the Medical Board. The appeal was dismissed. MEN SHOULD LOOK AHEAD. Albert, Win. Hoy, of Duntroon, appealed on the ground that his calling up would be contrary to tho public interest, as he was, an hot'elkeeper, catering lor tho travelling public. Further, he was in possession of a farm, and his calling up would cause undue hardship on account of tho scarcity of labor, he being tho only son on the premises, without assistance, to supervise the hotel and farm, and with no chance of recovering the purchase nioney in the present disturbed state of affairs. Mr Ongley appeared for the appellant. The appellant said he was 28 years of ago, and looked after the hotel, the license of which was held by his mother. Ho had 100 acres of land that he worked in connection with the place. He had seven cows on tho farm, five milking, but usually ran 14. He used to send milk to the creamery. His mother was 73 years of age, and could not look after the hotel. His sister was also in the hotel.

To Captain Free: He had not tried to dispose of his property. In the present state of affairs ho would practically have to give it away. He did not expect to be called up so soon. He thought he was in the second division, as he had dependents.. Mr Ongley said it was ridiculous to suppose that every man in the First Division should make provision to go. The Chairman said they had had six months' notice.

Mr Ongley said 1 some of the men might not be called up for 12 months, and was every man in the First Division to dispose of his business?

The Chairman; We don't say eo but man should look ahead. The appeal was dismissed. WILLING TO GO.

Arthur Preston Cameron, of Hakataramea, appealed on the grounds (1) that he was a sheep farmer and station manager, %\ J°? k } gGt n ,°, one t 0 tako his Place, and (j) that ho could get no one to look after the property satisfactorily, and that his interests would be sacrificed, the station being managed for his uncle, who would suffer great loss. Mr Borton appeared for the appellant. L

lhe appellant said he was 30 years of age. He was willing to go, but wished for time to fix up his affairs. A statement of Ins finances was handed to the bench He desired to remain on the place till May His uncle could not manage the place, as he had enough on hand already. To Captain_ Free: The oats and hay would not be cut till the- end of May. The work might bo done by the middle of February, but there was a shortage of labour. ine appeal was dismissed. UNFIT FOR SERVICE John Mannix and Cornelius Mannix Duntroon who were called up under section 35 appealed on the ground: (1) That their enlistment would be contrary to the public interest in that they were thrashing-mill and chaff-cutting machine-owners; (2) that they were permanently unfit for military service; and (3) that, when they received notice, they had no brothers belonging to tho First Division who were fit for military service.

_ Tho Chairman said the board had before it a medical certificate relating to the two men.

Captain Free said the men were Reservists They were medically unfit, but might bo called up under the ballot. Both appeals wero allowed. NOT ESSENTIAL.

Patrick M'Kono, of Oamaru, labourer, appealed on the ground that he was employed by the New Zealand Refrigerating Company at tho Pukeuri works during (lie season; also, that he was tho main support of his mother, of two younger brothers, and of five sisters. Mr Hjonring appeared for the appellant. Giving evidence, appellant said ho was ono of a family of 15. Prior to the war ho had five single brothers. One was killed in France in October; another went to Hamoa, was discharged on account of illhealth, and was now living at home, working on the railway; James volunteered for service, and was rejected as ho was under age; and Charles was 18 years of ago. At present, there were four boys, five girls, and his father at home. His father was 60 years of age. The Chairman : That is not old. In the course of further evidence, witness referred to financial matters. He was the mainstay of tho family. When the freezing works were open, he was employed there, receiving about £3 a, week. He worked in the cooling-room, on the switches. which was a work requiring some experience. Captain Free said family had clone a certain amount of service for the State. for which it deserved credit. As for the man's employment, tho group commander had received from the freezing works the names of lb*' nv n whom Hie company considered essential For its work, and this man's mime wns nol on the lis I The Chairman Raid no doubt some of the family Jim.! done their dul . to the country. The board, however, had no option but to dismiss the appeal.

NO OPTION FOR THE BOARD. Ernest Alfred Ravenwood, of Duntroon. railway surfaceman, appealed on the ground that he was rejected over a year ago and could not get away, since which timo ho had married, and had now a wife and child to keep. Appellant said ho was married since May 1. 1914. He had four brothers away, one of whom had been killed.

Captain Free submitted that the case was one for the Medical Board. The Chairman said if the man was rejected before, ho would probably be rejected again. Tho board had no option but to dismiss tho appeal. A POULTRY FARMER'S CASE.

Charles Ernest William Wilson, of Herbert, poultrv farmer, appealed on the ground that his father (aged 70 years) was an invalid, at present suffering from a second attack of rheumatic fever, the appeallant being the only one available to attend him. Appellant said he was 35 years of age. He had always been in ill-health. The Chairman said that was a question for the Medical Board. To Captain Free: He had three brothers —George Henry James. Central Otago, married 15 years ago; Albert Herbert, married; and Arthur Edward, labourer, single, who was up country. Captain Free: Cannot your father look after the poultry farm? The Chairman: It seems a question of the father being looked after by another of the sons. The Chairman said the father could live with the married son, and the appellant would be examined by the Medical Board. The appeal was dismissed. THE ONLY SON.

Rhodes Smith, of Oamaru, carrier, appealed on the ground that he was an only son and the sole support of a widowed mother, and that ho had lost three brothers of his family, and considered it his duty to look after the home, consisting of his mother, sister, and himself.

In giving evidence, the appellant said he lived with his mother in Oamaru. His sister partly supported the home. The property belonged to his mother. Ho admitted that he could give his mother portion of his soldier's pay, and that she would receive a separation allowance. The undue hardship which would result if he went away was not altogether monetary. The appeal was dismissed. ' A MONTH'S LEAVE.

Archibald M'Lucas, of Strachan's, Otiake, appealed on the ground that he was a farmer and a working manager, growing 100 acres of grain crop each year, doing the work himself, and that he was the sole support of a widowed mother and a delicate sister.

Appellant said ho was 29 years_ of age. He had one brother. Four of his sisters were married, one of whom lived a mile away. His brother-in-law could not run the farm, because he might he called up himscif later on. It was difficult to work a farm, as labour was scarce. The farm carried 140 sheep. The Chairman, after consulting his colleagues, said the board was of opinion the man should have a month's time in which to arrange his affairs. Captain Free suggested that the appeal should be dismissed and the man given a month's leave of absence. That practice was followed in Wellington, as it had the effect of relieving the records. The Chairman said that was the English method. Of course, at the end of the month the appeal would be dismissed. All the board wanted was to make sure the man got time. Captain Free said there need be no doubt on that score.

The Chairman: When do the men go into camp in February? Captain Free: There will be a draft going away in the last week in January. The .board made the following order': "Appeal dismissed, but appellant not to be called up until January 18."

A CASE FOR THE MEDICAL BOARD. David Dunn, Jun., of Oamaru, drover, appealed on the ground that he was medically unfit, having lost, his right thumb and that his left leg was two inches short. Appellant gave evidence. The Chairman said there was no ground for appeal. The man would have to go before the Medical Board. The appeal was dismissed. PASSPORT OF NO AVAIL. John Johnston, of Oamaru, dealer, appealed on the ground that he was tho sole support of his widowed mother, who had received no pension from the Government, although she had been a widow for 22 years, and also because his eldest sister, being m ill-health, was unable to earn her own living Appellant said he was 36 years of age. He had been a resident of Oamaru for many years. He had made several visits to Australia. Some months ago he came over here from Australia; getting a passport in Sydney to leave the country. He intended to go' back to Australia on that passport. The Chairman : Don't you want to serve your country? —Witness: Yes, when it is my time to go I will go. You have been balloted for? —I think I have reason to stay behind. I have two dependents. The same reason might crop up next time you are balloted for?—Perhaps not. When do you think will be your time to go?—I think lam in the same position as a married man.

Have you got your passport?—No, tho Government has held it. 1 have not seen it since I sent it up.

Captain Free: When you went to Australia you took a racehorse with you? —I have taken several.

That has been largely your object in visiting Australia? —I have raced horses there, and I haA'o sold them too.

You came to New Zealand to manage your brother's butchery business? —Yes. And it was only when you got afraid of conscription that you decided to leave the business? —No.

Haven't you made a boast that you had something in your pocket (meaning your passport) that would beat the ballot?—No. Have you offered to bet £IOO that you would not go? —No, I have never done anything of the sort. Perhaps it was £lso?—No.

Further cross-examined': He came to New Zealand and managed his brother's business for sis' months. He had four married brothers, who had families of their own to look after, and it was appellant's place to look after his mother. 110 could not sav that some of his brothers were well off. Tf they washed Tip they might not bo worth much. Captain Free contended that tho appellant

was a British subject, and resident in New Zealand, and therefore liable. A man who managed a business for six months was clearly a resident. The Chairman (after a consultation) : The appeal is dismissed. OYER AGE. Daniel Forbes, of Herbert, appealed on the ground that he was not a reservist, as ho was over ago, and produced a certificate to show lie was over 46 years old. The appeal was allowed.