MILITARY' SERVICE BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 3325, 5 December 1917, Page 42

MILITARY' SERVICE BOARD

SITTING IN DUNEDIN. j A sitting of the Otago Military Service Board was held on tho 3rd. The board consisted of Messrs H. Y. Widdowson, | S.M.. A. D. Bell, and E. Kellett. Captain I Free was military representative. Melville Campbell, farm labourer, Middlemarch, had his appeal allowed, on tne ground that ho was under age, having been born ill January, 1898. Andrew Carruthers, former, Ng-apuna (Mr J. Cook) stated that ho had one brother who managed .a 'farm; otherwise he had no relatives in the dominion.—Adjourned to hist sitting in January to see how tho brother fares in the medical examination. The appeals of the following medical students wore adjourned sine die, Dr Lindo Ferguson (dean of the medical faculty) appearing in support of the three last named: Kenneth J. L. Scott, Heriot row (cl :sed C2); Herbert John Qolvin, Forth street; Raymond Leopold A. Kitchen, Duke street; •and'Albert George M'Clymont, King street. " T. G. Marwiok, dairy farmer, Mosgiel '(Mr Allan), applied for extended leave for his son, who was a member of the Expeditionary Force, and was at present home on leave. The applioant said he was not in good health.—Mr Allan staiod that the applicant only wanted the services of his | son for a few months. One of the milk carts was being driven by a young daughter, Mid the reservist was wanted to take her iiaoe, until the father was able to resume Trorfc. A man had been employed on the farm since tho son went into camp, but 'the father felt that he could not afford to continue to employ this man. —The Chairman said the timo was fast approaching v.-hen women would have to take their part in carrying on the industries of tho counirj. Tho trouble was that the applioant C':d not. appear to appreciate the difficulties of the authorities. Tho position was that foe reservist was fully trained and should have been away by this time. It was only in very extreme cases that the board would interfere, and take a man out of camp, and tho board did not think the present case came under that heading, therefore they did" not purpose interfering. The application would be refused. Samuel MTntosh, waterside worker and 'stage'worker, who was represented by Mr Kay, had his appeal further adjourned until January owing to the illness of his mother. _ ■ , ■ Edward Schnack, baker, Fort Chalmers, had his adjourned appeal supported by his employer, James Pickford Milnes— Referred to the Efficiency Board for a report. Alfred Allan Knewstubb, shipwright (Mr A. S. Adams) said he was engaged in transport work. He was the only son of a widowed mother, who was suffering from locomotor ataxia, and had to be wheeled about in a chair. Ho had no sisters to attend to her. —Adjourned sine die. Joseph William Murray Fraser, teamster and carter, Seacliff (Mr E. J. Smith), withdrew his appeal provided he was allowed until January 18 before going into camp.— Allowed accordingly. (■ William Ernest Metcalfe, hairdresser, JiTorth-East Valley (Mr Irwin), said he had now disposed of his business at a sacrifice -but wanted until March to arrango the sale of some other property.—To go into camp in February. • In connection with the appeal of Geo. •Bruce Nichol, farmer, Lee Stream (Mr Allan), Captain Free stated that there were "points in the case about which he was not quite satisfied, and he would liko to inquire into it further. He thought it ■would be as well to adjourn the case until jannz'-y. —The Chairman said he thought the Efficiency Board report covered the position. The apnea! would be dismissed, appellant notto be called up until the February draft. . Father Coffey appealed for John Lynch. - Roman Catholic clergyman, Lawrence.—Adjourned sine die. Mathew Alexander M'Clue, packer (Mr Scurr), had his appeal formally dismissed, appellant to go into camp with the January draft. Ernest Albert Choo Quee, fruiterer, produced evidence in support of his contention that he was over military age, and his appeal was allowed. Vernon Towzel Burton, warehouseman (Mr Irwin) had his appeal allowed, appellant to be transferred to Class B of the Second Division.

James Dobbin, mental hospital attendant, had his appeal adjourned till January pending an application to the Financial Board for assistance. The following reservists, who proved that they were wrongly classed, had their appeals allowed, and were transferred to the class of the Second Division set opposite their naiads: —John James Gawn, draper's assistant (CJuss B), Frederick ( Hodgson, painter (Class B), Arnold Frederick HurnrftiJL joiner, Sawyers Bay (Class B); 'Albert JBdward .Joixnafeoiie, storeman (Class B); Robert Kor? Johaston. joiner (Class B); 3&vac« Thos. Whyte, engine-fitter (Class B; ; John Warifl Monro, carter (Glass F); William Barron, farmer, Saddle Hill (Class C) ; tChcwi. Fraser, flaxmill hand, Sandymount (Class F) ; Ohaa. Hammond, farmer, Morton {Class Bh James Hornal, telegraph linesman. Hallway Bush (Class B); Clifford Ed*vara MafUn>ws, mental hospital attendant, jS&aijHrt (Class B); James Pearson, gold;niner (Class D); Clnua. Sehultz, boot cutter g,lnss 0); Ceo. Troup, wheelwright (Class ); Chas. Tint-inner, machinist, St. Kilda fflas* B); Geo. Andrew, Boapworker (Class C) Riohaul Rodvroll Barnes, window-cleaner, Anderson Bay (Class D); and Henry Cranefiold, labourer, Oiversharn (Class F). David Alexander Smith, dairy farmer, Eenley. stated that he had a brother going into camp in December. Appellant would bo the only one left on a freehold farm of 194 nores.--Conditional exemption granted. Arthur. Wellington White, commercial traveller '(Mr Irwin) 6aid that he had adopted a child four years ago, but the necessary formalities wore not completed. until June 1916.—Mr Irwin applied, for an adjournment until February, which was granted, the board expressing themselves as satisfied with the bona fides of the case. Thos. Warne Wilson, bootmaker, St. Kilda, had his appeal adjourned for Mr F. G. Cumming's report. Robert James Lochhoad, farm worker, Highcliff, had his appeal adjourned to the January sitting of the board. William Chas. Bradley, railway fireman (Mr Scurr) had his appeal adjourned to permit of the Railway Department's appeal on his behalf being disposed of. A. E. Butters, contractor, Rarensbourno,

who was classed C2, produced a certificate showing that he would be 46 years of age on the 20th iiist. —Adjourned sine die. David Patcrson Burt, piesser, Maori Hill (Mr Scurr), stated that his appeal was really intended as an employer's appeal. —Counsel stated that tho appeal was probably not strictly in order, but, nevertheless, should be allowed.—Adjourned for report from Efficiency Board. - Frank Ellis, loom tuner, Roslyn (Mr Irwin) appealed for his son, George Ellis, engine-driver, Government railways, stationed at Biuff.—Mr Irwin stated that there were live sons in the family, three of whom were at the front, and a fourth was in camp. Counsel stated that he understood tho Railway Department was appealing for tho reservist. Ho therefore suggested that the case be adjourned to see whether there is an employer's appeal lodged.—Captain Free said that the reservist had been away from home for 17 years, and had been married for 11 years.—Adjourned till next sitting of the board. David Hunter Mervyn Daniels, baker (Mr Payne), had his appeal supported by Messrs Anderson Bros., his employers.—A member of the firm deposed that they turned out 640 loaves per day.—Jesse Haymes, secretary of tho Bakers' Union, deposed that there was a shortage of men in the baking trade. —Referred to the Efficiency Board. David Henderson M'Lean, baker, Green for whom Mr Wilkinson appeared, had his appeal supported by his employer, John M'Lean.—Referred to tho Efficiency Geo. Alexander Calder, school teacher, Roslyn (Mr Payne), had his appeal adjourned to permit of an application for financial assistance being disposed of. Joseph Wairoa Hill, slaughterman, Concord (Mr Irwin), had his appeal supported by Jas. Poland, foreman at the abattoirs, who appealed on the ground that the 10servist was engaged in an essential industry. —Counsel stated that Mr Snowball had informed him that, if married men were taken from tho abattoirs, the remaining men wou:.t be induoed to go to the freezing works. Tho freezing works in the dominion were advertising in the Australian papers for slaughtermen, and were offering a free passage both ways, in addition to immunity from conscription.—Captain Free stated that there were at present something like two million carcases of mutton in store, as against practically nil at this time last year, which meant that two million less sheep would be killed at the freezing works during the coming season.—Mr Bell pointed out that additional storage accommodation was being provided.—Captain Free: "Tea, but not fqual to two million carcases." —W. D. Snowball corroborated counsel's statement regarding the probability of slaughtermen going_ over to the freezing works. A contract had recently been arranged between the Corporation and the butchers, but he understood "that the men would bo prepared to forfeit the small deposit they had made and go over to the freezing works in preference to running the risk of having to go to camp.— Adjourned sine die, subject to review at any time if required. Thomas Irvine, accountant, had his ap : peal supported by his the Trustees, Executors, and Agency Company.—W. Lawrence Simpson, manager of the company, deposed that the reservist's services were indispensable. He was familiar with the history of the estates dealt with. Mr Clew 3 was the principal accountant, but he was not familiar with many of the estates. Four out of a staff of eight had gone, and it was possible that two others would have to go.—-The reservist stated that he was 35 years of age. He joined the company's service 17 years ago, and had been 12 years in his present position.— Referred to the Efficiency Board for report. Philip Garsido, brassfounder (Mr Payne), stated that he was a member of the firm of J. Garside and Co. His brother was tho other partner. Brass workers were not procurable. Ho had recently turned down a large order owing to a shortage of men. He could give positions to two men at the present time if they were available. —To Captain Free: They employed four men. Appellant regarded himself as the principal man in the business. —Adjourned sine die, subject to review at any time. Robert W. M'Killop, window-dresser, Mosgiel, had his appeal allowed, on the ground that ho was under age—he would not be 20 until the 11th of the present month.

James Thomson Scott, corporal in Homo Service, Quarantine Island, had his appeal allowed on the ground that he would not be 20 years of age until the 4th March next.

William Watson, carpenter on a; transport, now at sea.—Captain (U.S.S. Co.) deposed that appellant's services were essential. —Conditional exemption granted. Captain Free, who applied for a rehearing of the appeal of Neil Shuker, enginefitter, stated that certain facts had come under his notioe which warranted his applying for the case to be re-opened. The applicant stated that when the man was down on final leave recently he married a daughter of a Union Company official.—L. 0. Cordeck, foreman of the Union Co.'s rer pair staff, stated that when the man was down on final leave he made inquiries concerning him, but It was not on account of his marrying a Union Company official's daughter that ho was desirous of retaining his services. Men were scarce, and if this man wero taken on active service it would be at the expense of tho work.—Captain Free pointed out that he understood that this man was little better than an improver.—Witness stated that Shuker was the makings of a good engineer. The shortage of men was so acute that it was found necessary to work every available hour overtime, and every Sunday.—The application was refused, which means that the reservist's services will be retained by the Union Co.

D. A. R. M'Ewan, secretary of the Hotel Employoes' Union, appealed for John M'Donald, by occupation a cook.—Captain Free said the reservist was now at sea. — The Chairman said that this man should never have signed on without permission.— Captain Free said there was no reason why the appeal should receive any consideration. The appeal was late in being lodged.—Adjourned till next sitting of the board. W. Clarke, secretary of the Seamen's [Jnion, appealed for the following seamen, who were granted conditional exemptions: William Reilly, Donald Robertson, Albert Cook, Fred. Elliott, William Townshend Harvey. Percival James Ingles, William Irvine, Charles Johnson, Frank Johnston, Georgo Johnson, Alexander ' Matheson, Norman M'Loan, Daniel William O'Connell, Albeit Robert Price, Archie Scott, John Henry Sydenham, Douglas Travis, and John Williams.

James Thomas Beadle (pastrycook, NorthEast Valley, Mr Adams) appealed on the ground of tho precarious condition of his wife's health. —Mr Adams produced certificates from medic-al men in support of tho

statement as to appellant's wife's health. — Adjourned sine die. George Henry Roberts, coachbuilder, King street (Mr Adams), deposed that he was managing a business for his father, who was 70 years of ago. There 'was one brother at the front.—Referred to the Efficiency Board for report. William dimming, roller machinist, Duke street, employed at Sawyers' Bay (Mr Braseh), had his appeal supported by his employer, D. E. Thcomin. —Referred to Efficiency Board for report. Ernest Edmund Taylor, railway porter, Parkside, had his appeal deferred with a view to finding out whether tho department purposed appealing for him. E. C. Reynolds applied, on behalf of Fruitlands (Limited), in support of Charles Fuzzell Ivory, for an extension of leave. — The applicant stated that Ivory was at present engaged in attending to the irrigation of tho white- crops. There ha'd been considerable difficulty in getting men, and tho company was endeavouring to induce returned soldiers to go up to the estate. The company had 320 acrea in orchard, which represented 40 000 fruit trees.—Application granted, appellant to go into camp :i April. Albert Edward Massey, labourer, Allanton, who was classed C2, had his appeal adjourned to next sitting of the board. The appeal of William Howard Miles, bridge carpenter, was referred to Mr F. G. dimming for report. James Arthur Martin, lamplighter, had his oaso adjourned till the January sitting of the board.

The appeals of Henry Kinney, whose occupation was given as a meesroom steward, and who had recently sailed on a transport, and that of Roderick M'Neill, seaman, were dismissed. Determination was reserved in the case of John William Oram, engineer, who claimed that he was not a Class A Second Division reservist, for the production of proof of his statement.

The case of' William L. Quirk, storekeeper, Berwick, was adjourned sine die. Several appeals, most of which 'were classed C2, were withdrawn. In the case of Private Hyde-Harris, who was appealed for by his wife at last sitting of the board, the Chairman said the board would recommend that the soldier be released from oamp and granted leave without pay until Class; F is called up. The Chairman, addressing the applicant., said : "Don't blame us if anything happens." Mr Allan applied for the release of Trooper M'Hattie. —Tho Chairman said applications for the release of soldiers now in camp were out of all reason and out of all proportion. He stated that if all the applications recently received by military boards had been acceded to the Thirty-first Reinforcements could not have sailed.—Mr Allan said the applicant's services were wanted in connection with the harvest.—The board decided that it could not make any recommendation.