MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 39

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

SITTING IN DUNEDIN. A siteing of the Otago Military Service Board was held on the 28th ult. in Dunedin; present—Messrs H. Y. Widdowspn, S.M. (chairman), A. D. Bell, and E. Kcllet. Captain Free was the military representative. Extensions of time were granted in appeals of Hugh Win. Eitzsimmons, taxf proprietor, Berwick; John Graham M'Laren, storeman; Henry Rarwell Burton, ironmonger; Harry G. W. Green, blousemaker. In the following appeals the cases were deferred sine die: —Francis Martin Corcoran, telegraphist; Robert Hedfick, upholsterer: Br A. W. T. O'Sullivan,. health officer; Wm. James Reid, station manager, Lee Stream; Edgar A. P. Bayne, railway fireman; Henry Docherty, meat preserver. Conditional exemption was granted vo Murdoch Johnson, butcher, Port Chalmers; Andrew Carruthers, farmer, Ngapara ; David H. M. Daniels, baker; Wm. Burdett Rca, bank olerk; Wm. Gumming,' roller machinist; John N. M'Lean, baker, Green Island. Decision was reserved in the case of Harry Hall, wool broker. The appeals were dismissed in the case of George Washington Brown, plumber; Irving Sv D. Ritson and John Hallum, farmers, Waikouaiti; and Henry R. Tisdall, farm employee. George Ilenry Trafford, coal miner, having left the Shag Point coal mine to work in another mine without obtaining permission, his original appeal was dismissed. SECOND DAY. Tho Otago Military Service Board resumed its sittings in Dunedin on Friday. Conditional exemption was granted in tho following cases: Richard O'Connell, farmer, Rock and Pillar; Alfred Gallon, moulder, Ravensbourne; James Guthrie, patternmaker ; William Webster, blacksmith, Port Chalmers; John P. O'Brien, farmer, Wingatui: Robert James Frame, baker, Caversham ; Alex. Jamieson, baker, Caversham; Donald Cameron, managing shepherd and ploughman; Robert Constable, naval architect for Union S.S. Co.; Wm. J. L. Saul, head pressor with Ross and Glendining ; Archibald Smellie, manager Iron , Rolling Mills. Conditional exemption was granted in 29 other cases, the men being mostly connected with maritime pursuits. The following cases were adjourned sine die, subject to review:—.Frank Rawnsley, firewood cutter, Waitati; Henry St. A. Knox, mason, Dunedin; Henry M. H. Torrance, railway signal erector; James Wm. Morgan, railway porter; Robert Dixon, draper, Dunedin; also the cases of some stewards and other hands on oversea vessels. Peter Lawson, grocer, Port Chalmers, was ordered to proceed to camp on April 8; Alex. L. Gilchrist, farmer, Waikouaiti to go with the June 01 draft; also James Hay, apprentice carpenter, Caversham; Arthur J. H. Dyon; apprentice painter, June draft. Some appeals were ordered to stand over, including those of the Otago Harbour Board for Captain Frank G. Macdonald, pilot; and the Reefs Syndicate's appeal for Arthur C. Buckland, manager. Eleven appeals were allowed as reservists had been wrongly classed. SITTING AT OAMARU. The Otago Military Service Board held a sitting at Oamaru on Saturday; present— Messrs H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), E. Kellett, and A. D. Bell. Captain Free was the military representative. The adjourned , appeal of Lewis Charles Knight (larnier, Awamoko) was further considered, there being an application for a rehearing. The appellant is in charge of 191 acres of land.—Mr Ongley, who appeared, said the only circumstance now remaining in this case was that the appellant was the only man left on the farm.—The Chairman said it was a question of what' would happen to the farm. It had never been the policy of the board to put farms out of action, and the Efficiency Board had reported that this property could still be kept in production.—The board gave careful consideration to the matter, and the Chairman reviewed the history of the case at some length, stating that from reports received it was apparent that labour could be obtained for the farm. They were of opinion that the appellant should bo res. quired to go into camp with the May draft. The Chairman added that he was rather surprised at the application for a rehearing in this case, as the appellant had been given a great deal of consideration already.

Further consideration was given to tho appeal of James Don (Windsor), on behalf of his son, William Marshall Don (farm labourer), on the ground of. undue hardship.—Mr W. G. Grave, who appeared, said that three brothers of the appellant had gone to tho front, and since the case had been previously before the board one of these had been killed and another wounded. The only remaining brother was an invalid, and the appellant's father was practically confined to the house. —The appellant said that the whole work of the farm.had now devolved upon him. He added that lie himself had volunteered, but had been rejected.—Conditional exemption was granted. Robert Claguo (farmer, Ngapara) had his adjourned appeal further considered. He stated that his only brother was at tho front, and ho had no relatives who could bo left in charge of the property.—Conditional exemption was granted. George M'Donald (Ngapara) appealed on behalf of his son, John M'Donald, a farm labourer, who was working 893 acres of land. This appeal had been before the board on more than one occasion previously, and the father, who was present, said there had been no change of circumstances since the last time. —To Captain Free: He w r ould have the harvest work all finished within a month or two, but there would bo no crop sown for next year. Labour was practically unprocurable in the district, and he did not think ho would be able to get a ploughman. —After a lengthy consultation the board decided to grant conditional exemption, subject to review at any time. Robert Anderson Taylor (of Kokoamo), who is working farms of 1114 acres for himself and for a brother on active service, was again before tho board. —Tho Chairman said the board would recommend that indefinite leave bo granted.

Messrs White and Co. (Dvmediu) appealed on behalf of John Barry, of Georgetown, a rabbit grader, who had been classed ns CI. —Mr Adams, who appeared, said that Barry had been employed by Messrs White during the whole of last season as a grader at Alexandra, and, with the approach of

tho new season, his services would bo necessary -within the next few weeks. Graders were very scarce at the present time.—Mr Storey, on behalf of the company, said it was hoped to get the output away during the coming season, as it had been purchased by the Imperial Government. They also expected to bo able to despatch 24.000 crates in the near future. —In reply to Captain Free, the witness said that rabbit grading was work that required long training and a great deal of judgment. It was necessary to have a skilled trader in charge of the works.—Deferred for a report. Stewart Alexander Harper (farmer. Maheno), who was classed as CI, appealed on the ground of undue hardship. Two of his brothers had gone to the. front, and one of these had been killed. He had 83 acres of his own, which he kept under cultivation, and he also had the cropping rights of some leased land. His father was able to do a little work, and he also had another brother who was classed as C 2— The Chairman said the board was of opinion that this man should go. He would be required to enter camp with the May draft of Cl men. Findlay Cook Elder (of Papakaio) applied for an extension of leave for his son, Wm, John Calder Elder, who was working his farm. The appellant said j he wanted the young man in order to help him with his harvest and the carting of his grain.—The board decided to recommend leave until the May draft. , , , , Henry Schaffer (of Windsor) appealed for Wm. Diedrich Schaffer, a farmer and shearer, whose services he required on his farm, where he had about 200 acres of crop to get Leave was granted until the May draft. William Gordon M'Hardy (farmer, Benmore), in whose case determination had been reserved, had his appeal finally disposed of.—The Chairman said that the appellant held a run in partnership with another man, and he had said before the board that he was the only man -who could manage the property. His partner, however, had satisfied the Land Board that he was a competent sheep-farmer, and the board, therefore, could not acquiesce m the appellant's contention. Continuing, the Chairman said the board was of opinion that if this appeal were allowed it was simply evading the Act. Under tho whole of the circumstances M'Hardy could rot be allowed to shelter himself behind his property, and he would have to go. —Mr Ongley said that in fairness to_ M'Hardy ho would like to point out that in tho last instance the man had only asked for an extension of time, and this had been granted on the ground that he was a high country shepherd. The man was in no sense a shirker, and had always been willing to go.—The appeal was dismissed, M'Hardy to go forward with the May draft. The appeal of Andrew Geddes (farmer, Dtintroon) was deferred for a further month, as the appellant is still in hospital. An appeal was entered by Richard Dorsey (Tokarahi) on behalf of his son, Wm. John Dorsey. who was necessary to the working of the property. The father said tho young man for whom he appealed was just" 20 years of age, and was tho only one capable of assisting him. The reservist had sown 28 acres of wheat and 17 acres of oats during "last year. Witness added that he had another son at the front. His properties were divided, being some four or five miles apart,, and they could not bo managed satisfactorily -by one man.—The appeal was dismissed, the young man to go forward in May. Andrew Watt (of Island Cliff) applied for a rehearing of the case of his son, John Robert Watt, who. he said, was essential to the working of his farm—Mr Lee, who appeared, said the voung man had now left the railway service, and was working on the appellant's property. Two of his brothers were at the front, and another had died just prior to leaving for camp. A married brother was due in camp shortly.—Th * Chairman said that under the circumstances the board would grant conditional exemption. , The adjourned appeal of John Tait (farmer, Herbert) was reopened.—Captain Free asked the appellant if he knew that his brother in the North Island had left the railway service.—Witness: I do not know whether he has or not.—The appeal was adjourned for a month, in order that the appellant might write to his brother asking him if ho would undertake the management of the property at Herbert. Further consideration was given .to the appeal of Allan M'Phee (farmer, Oamaru), who had been classed as Cl. Mr Hjorring appeared.—Captain Free suggested that if the matter were adjourned arrangements might bo made for working the property.— Deferred for a report. Tho adjourned appeal of William Robert •Nelson (fireman, dairy factory, Oamaru), on the ground of undue hardship, was further considered, the appellant's wife being in a very nervous and unsettled state of health.—Adjourned sine die, to be reviewed at any time. Further consideration was given to the adjourned appeal of John William Stringer (undertaker, Herbert).—Mr A. Forbes, who was called bv Mr Hjorring, gave evidence that Stringer, who was classed as Cl, was very necessary to tho district,, and could practically not be replaced.—Conditional exemption was granted. The United Friendly Societies Board, Oamaru, appealed on behalf of David Stewart Bain, focal manager of the business, who was a qualified chemist. Mr Lee appeared for the societies. Mr M. E. F. Cooney (chairman of the board) gave evidence, after which conditional exemption-was granted. William Macaulay, of Maheno, appealed for time on behalf of his son, William Robert Maoaulay, whose- assistance, he stated, was essential to the working of his property. He said ho wished to got his sheep off tho high country, and would be satisfied if his son were granted leave until Juno.—Tho request was granted. Tho New Zealand Refrigerating Company appealed on behalf of Geoffrey Thomson and Percy Muriro, wool pullers and classers at Pukeuri Junction.—Mr S. Dickson (manager) said that if tlicse men were left until June the company would endeavour to train men to take their places.— The appeals were dismissed, tho reservists to go forward in June.

The appeal of William Stott on behalf of William Leonard Kay Stott was reopened. Tn this case tho young man was working a farm of 873 acres, on which three men had formerly been employed.— After hearing- some further evidence in this caso the board considered some aspects of it in private. On retnniinsr to the bench the chairman said the case would be judged on the facts as In id before the board that day. Sir Stott had two valuable farms, one of which was being? carried on by the reservist and himself, and he was also able to exercise an interest over the other property. There was a considerable difference

between a man who held rather poor land and Mr Stott, who, in the opinion of the board, was in the position of being able to employ labour. Taking all tho facts into consideration, ihc board noted that there were two sons of military age in this family —both singlo men —and it was of opinion that the present reservist should be liberated for service. At the same time, the board felt that it should allow as much time as possible. Although the appeal would be dismissed, the young man would not bo required to go forward until the Juno draft. An application for an extension of leave was entered by RoberE Honry Bennett, of Milton, on behalf of his son, Harry Fredk. Bennett, of Waitaii. —Granted until the May draft. The following appeals were allowed: William John Eceles (D class), George William Hunt (C class), Thomas Johnston (D class), William Kiely (under age), William Ellis (B class), and John Ernest Latimer (O cla.ss).