MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 3339, 13 March 1918, Page 7

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

SITTING AT LAWRENCE. The Otago Military Service Board, consisting of Messrs H. Y. Wiowson B.M. (chairman), A. D. Bell, and E Keljett, held a sitting at Lawrence on Inursday, 7th inst. Captain Free was the military representative. . . Further consideration was given toi the appeal of David .Henry Lawrence Brett (chemist, Lawrence), who asked for exemption on the grounds of public interest and unduo hardship.—Mr Moore, who appeared for tho appellant, said that so tar the reservist had not been able to secure either a manager or a purchaser for his business, although ho had been in communication with several persons. Continuing, Mr Moore said that it now appeared that the Financial Assistance Board had found it impossible to make grants for the purpose of enabling businesses to be carried on, and, that being so, tho reservist could not make suitable arrangements for the conduct of his business,—The appellant stated that wages were now so high that he could not afford to pay a manager. —Captain Free said he had nothing to say about the case, and the chairman added that so far as he could see the appellant had done all in his power to make suitable arrangements.—l he appeal was adjourned sine die, any change of circumstances to be reported. ■ Arthur Peter iSmith (stationmaster, Lawrence) appealed on the ground that he belonged to class B of the Second Division. —Mr Moore appeared. —The appellant stated that -the Railway Department was entering an appeal on his behalf.—The board thereupon decided to adjourn the case until this apepal had been disposed of. Robert M'Corkindale appealed for his son, Herbert Blaikie M'Corkindale (farmer, Waitahuna) on the ground that he was engaged in an essential industry, and that he was the last surviving son on a farm, of 460 acres.—Mr Fletcher, who appeared, said the reservist's only brother had been killed in action, and his parents were stated to be in indifferent health.—Adjourned sine die en the ground that the reservist was tho only surviving son. . The Commandant of the Forces (Majorgeneral Sir A. W. Robin) applied for a rehearing of the appeal of Ernest Samuel Crawford Blair, a storeman, of Tar a, Waitahuna, on the ground that the reservist having been previously classed C2 had been re-examined and placed in the CI classification. In his personal appeal the reservist asked for exemption on the ground of undue hardship as two brothers were already at the front, and he was the only son left at home with his elderly parents, who needed his support. —As there was no appearance of the reservist the appeal was dismissed. The appeals of Thomas Alexander Matheson (shepherd, Beaumont) and Robert Hunter (farmer, Lawrence) were allowed, each of the appellants being placed in B Class of the reserve.

SITTING AT MILTON. The Otago Military Service Board sat at Milton on Friday; present—Messrs H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chaircnanh A. D. Bell, and E. Kellett. Captain Free was the military representative. The first appeal dealt with was' that of William Henry Costello (farmer, Lovell's Flat), who had been classed CI, and for whom Mr Rutherford appeared.—The reservist stated that he was working a farm of his own, and was the only man on the place. He had endeavoured to sell the property so that he could enlist, and if he found a buyer he would enlist at once. — Conditional exemption was granted. The adjourned appeal of Robert Bateman Allan (farmer. Moneymore) was further considered.—Conditional exemption was granted. Messrs Peter M'Gill and Co. appealed for Edward Peter Powley (flourmiller, Milton), who had been classed Bl.—Conditional exemption was granted. Further consideration was given to the adjourned appeal of James Patrick Lynch (woolclasser and puller, Tokoiti), and also to the appeal of Mary Scanlon (his em ployer) on his behalf.—The Chairman said the Efficiency Board had reported that as soon as the shearing season was over the reservist could be spared.—The Chairman said the board did not want to stop the works in any way, and therefore if the reservist went forward in May that would provide an opportunity to replace him. The appeal would be dismissed. Joseph Andrew M'Neill (farmer, Milburn) had' his adjourned appeal on the ground of undue hardship further considered. The position in regard to this appeal that it had been deferred in order to mako arrangements to release a brother from camp, who had been classed C2, so as to replace- the present reservist, who had been passed as fit. —Mr Rutherford stated that the brother was at present not in good health, and could not take appellant's place on the farm. The properties consisted of two farms of 600 acres, and all that was wanted was to have a capable manager left on the place. At the present time there were two brothers at the front. —The Chairman said the board had_ taken what it considered the best course in this case. The appeal would bo dismissed. Ernest Rudkin appealed, as employer, on behalf of Edward Arthur -Hill (farm labourer, Milton), who, he stated, was essential to the working of his property. The reservist was classed as .CI. The board had before it a report on this case from the Efficiency Board.—Conditional exemption was granted. John Francis Williamson (labourer, Waihola). who had been classed CI, appealed on the ground of undue hardship.—After discussing the appellant's financial position the board decided to dismiss the appeal, as the reservist would not go forward until Juno. The appeal of James Norman Adam (farmer, Clarksvillc) was adjourned, as the reservist had not been medically examined. The appeals of Denis Hagset't, jun. (labourer, Milton), B class, and George Harrison Wyber (baker, Milton), D class, were allowed. SITTING AT BALCLUTHA. The board sat at Balclutha in the afternoon, the same members being present. George Selwyn Wright (farmer, Waiwera South) had the hearing of his appeal continued, it having been previously adjourned in order, that certain farming conditions might bo carried out. —In reply to the chairman, the appellant stated that he was working a farm of 515 acres, on which he and his parents lived. His father was advanced in yearc, and could not help him on the- farm.—Conditional exemption was granted.

Tho adjourned appeal of Joseph Henry Turner (casual railway surfaceman), on the ground of undue hardship, was again before the board.—The Chairman said the understanding was that this man, who had a discharge from the forces, should be placed in the Second Division. —The case was adjourned until class B of tho Second Division was being called up. Mr John Dick (blacksmith) appealed, as employer, on behalf of James Alfred James (coaehbuilder, Ovvaka), who, he stated, waa necessary to his business. Ho had not been able to secure anyone to replace tho reservist.—Conditional exemption was granted. Frederick S. M'Cullough (farmer, Kahuika) entered an appeal on tho ground of undue hardship, but stated that all ho desired was a little time to put hie affairs on the farm in order. He had a brother at the front and another on tho farm at home. —The appeal was dismissed, tho reservist to go forward with the June draft. John Craig (carpenter, Benhar), who was represented by Mr Grigor, asked for an extension of leave, as his wife was very ill.— His apoeal was idjourned for two months. Tho Commandant of the Forces applied for a rehearing on behalf of David Bond, who was the last man left on his farm at Taftakopa.—The appeal was dismissed, the appellant to go into camp in June. Tho appeals of Thomas Moylan and James M'Grath (truckers, Kaitangata), which had been adjourned sino dio on account of tho occupation in which the reservists were engaged, were brought under review, as it had been reported to the board that they had left the employ of the Kaitangata Company. In regard to M'Grath, Mr Carson, manager of the mine, said he understood tho reservist had left for the Blackball mine. He did not know where Moylan was.— Captain Free said the local group office had been advised by Headquarters that M'Grath was employed at Blackball and Moylan had notified his change of address to a West Coast area. He suggested that both appeals should be dismissed, and if the men were employed by another comnany it could appeal for them.—Mr Kellett said the regulations regarding these cases should be made more stringent.—The Chairman said he took the view that the first appeal by an employer should hold good. It. was the place of the military authorities to ascertain whether the. reservists concerned were engaged at all times in an essential industry.—The board decided to adjourn the appeal concerning M'Grath to ascertain definitely whether the reservist was continuing in an essential industry. It would make no order in the case of Moylan. _ On tho application of Wm. Carson (manager of the Kaitangata coal-mine) David Proctor and Francis Luke Cleveland (miners) wore granted conditional exemption.—There was also an appeal on behalf of Matthew Anderson, another employee of the mine, who was present and who asked that the appeal be withdrawn, as he would like to go into camp.—The chairman pointed out that a man might do his duty just as completely by remaining in an essential industry as by going to the front. —The reservist asked if he could -enlist, but was informed bv the chairman that he had been drawn in the ballot —Captain Free: If at any time vou are not engaged in an essential industry you will bo sent forward to camp.—The Reservist: I will leave it at that.—Conditional exemption was granted by the board. Tho appeal by William Charles Begg (traction engine-driver) on the ground that he had been wrongly classified, was adjourned until the next meeting of the board, as tho appellant did not appear. The appeal of Herbert H. Clark (farmer. Balclutha) was formally dismissed, the reservist being classed as C2. Tho following appeals were allowed: — John Buchanan (farmer, Houipana), D class; Walter Fuller (railway clerk. Cbnton), D class; James C. Feild (appeal by Messrs Begg and Co., flaxmillers). D class; and Robert James (appeal by his mother) on the ground that he was under age.