MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 37

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

SITTING AT PALMERSTON. A sitting- of the O.tago Military Service Board was held at Pahnerston on Monday. The board consisted of Messrs H. i!. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), A. D. Bell, and E. Kellett. Captain Free was the military representative. William Sutherland (farmer, Goodwood), whose adjourned appeal was considered, stated that ho was looking after his mother's place, which consisted of 176 acres. He had 18. acres in wheat. The property was carrying- 350 sheep, eight or nine milking cows, and seven or eight young cat.tle.-sTn reply to Captain Free, appellant stated that if compelled to go he would require to sell off some of the stock. The property was unencumbered. If he had to go the productiveness of the property would be reduced by 50 per cent. He was single, and had a delicate sister. —Appellant's mother stated that she had not made any effort to get to take her son's place. She had thought over the matter a good deal. She could not afford to keep a man steadily on the place, and casual labour was scarce. —Deferred for further inquiry. George Henry Reynolds applied for extension of leave. II is wife was very ill, but was walking about. He was endeavouiing to get her admitted to the Sanatorium. —Captain Free: "I say advisedly that this case has no merits. I do not say that appellant's wife is not ill, but I am sure that Reynolds is only using his wife's ill ness as an excuse to evado military service."—Appellant admitted that it was found necessary to get a maintenance order against him to compel him to contribute to the support of h:s child. —Captain Free stated that appellant had failed to register. —To go into camp with the July draft. Thomas Aaron Kennaid had his appeal supported by his father, who produced a birth certificate showing that his son was under age.—Appeal allowed.

John Purvis (farmer, Stoneburn) applied for an extension of time. He wanted permission to remain on the farm until shearing- was completed; this would bo about tho .beginning of the .year.—He had a brother, a returned soldier, ■who was in Central Otago. This brother was not capable of- doing' any work. Appellant had no one to assist him. If required to go ho would have to sell off the stock and lease tho property. He was quite prepared to go to the war. He Was no shirker, and had three brothers on active service.—Adjourned until tho August sitting 07 board.

James Service (farmer, Palmerston), for whom Mr Arkle appeared, said ho was farming 169 acres of freehold, and had, recently acquired a leasehold of 158 acres. - To Captain Free: Ho was not anxious to go, but he was not a shirker. He had a proviso in tho lease, which was for a period of two years, that in the event of his going on active service tho lease could bo annulled.—To Mr Bell: He did all the skilled work on Mis Pagan's property, as well as attending to his own. Ho ran 360 sheep.—Deferred for inquiry. Alexander Twaddle (farmer, Palmerston) said his partner took up tho property in 1910, and he came into the partnership some 12 months ago.—To go into camp witli the September draft. John M'Gregor (baker, Palmerston),, for whom Mr Arkle appeared, had his appeal supported by his brother, who was the reservist's employer.—The latter stated that ho was called up also, and his case would come before the board at its next sitting.— Adjourned till the next sitting of tho board to permit of both appeals being heard simultaneously. William John Alexander M'Kenney (farmer, Palmerston) said ho was a First Division man. It was 16 months since he first appealed. He had not yet been able to dispose of his farm. —Tho chairman said the time had now come for appellant to como to some definite arrangement. He would havo to go into camp with the August draft. SITTING AT OAMARU. Robert Alexander Matheson (farmer, Tokarahi), for whom Mr Hjorring appeared, and who was classed 01, asked for a medical re-examination owing to deafness. If again passed fit ho was prepared to go into camp.—Adjourned till the next sitting of the board to permit of medical re-examina-tion. William Fleming Wamock (farmer, Whitestone) had his adjourned appeal considered. Appellant stated that he was milk-

ing 15 or 16 cows. He was the only man on the farm, and was unmarried. He had a mother and Bister dependent upon him, both of whom lived on the place. Ho did not think ho would bo able to carry on even if the services of a youth were obtained. His mother and sister helped with the milking, and occasionally did its all.—The Chairman said tho board was of opinion that somo effort should be mado to get someone to cany on the farm. Tho appeal would be adjourned for a report from tho Efficiency Board. William _ Ellis (agricultural farmer, Oamaru) aaid he was carrying on a leasehold property of 217 acres. Two brothers had gone on active service, one of whom had. heen killed.—To Captain Free: Ho had anticipated being called up, and had endeavoured to dispose of Ihe property, with no success.—Adjourned for two months. Tho case of Samuel Charles Meynell, who was classed 82, was adjourned until the November sitting of the board. Robert Orombio (farmer, Weston) said ho was farming 158 acres. Ho carried on dairying, combined with a little cropping. He was the only man on tho place. Ho knew of no on© who would tako over tha management of the property.—To Captain Free: He did not think it was possible to got a man to tako the same interest in th» placo as he did himself.—Captain Free: "Yes, somo people tako more interest in their farm than they do in their country." —Conditional exemption was granted. James Aitchison (farmer, Awamoko) was granted conditional exemption on tho grounds of undue hardship. James M'Ncill (farm labourer, Mahono), for whom Mr E. P. Lee appeared,,had his application supported by his father, who stated that ho was unable to carrv on the farm unassisted. He had a son who had returned from the front crippled. He was not able to work yet, but was a good teamster before going to the war. The younger children, who were going to school, did most of tho milking.—Adjourned for further- inquiry. Leslie Priest (farmer, Enfield), for whom Mr Ongley appeared, appealed on the ground of undue hardship. He was engaged growing wheat principally, and had heavy financial responsibilities. He took up 153 acres of leasehold quite recently. Tho lease had not been completed when appellant was drawn in the ballot. Tho freehold property had beeu on the market for some time. The two properties would sell better a* one than the freehold by itself. —Adjourned for two months to see how appellant succeeded in his efforts in the matter of disposing of the property.

Francis Bernard Hauptfieisch Bartons) had his appeal adjourned for two months for inquiry as to nationality. Alfred Henry King (railway porter, Maheno), who was classed CI, applied for financial assistance. —The Chairman Raid that aa the allowance would be equal to appellant's salary the appeal would bo dismissed. Robert Kirkcaldy (farmer, Otokaike), for whom Mr Hjorring appeared, deposed thafi lie was growing- wheat and barley. Him wife was in a delicate state of health. She had been under the doctor for nine years.— To Captain Free: He had taken a deal of interest in the patriotic movement, and had been present at. a good many functions in connection with the departure of soldiers, and had spoken at these gatherings. He had not said that he was willing to go when his turn came. 1113 inability to dispose of his farm, and the condition of his wife's health, precluded this.---Deferred for inquiry.

Jaboz Luxon" (fisherman, Oamaru), for whom Mr Leo appeared, applied for financial assistance.—Appeal withdrawn. Angus M'Millan, for whom Mr Lee appeared, applied for time in order to assist his father with the lambing and the putting in of the crop.—Appellant's father stated that he had a freehold farm of 862 acres. Ho had 100 acres of white crop and 160 acres which he purposed putting in green feed. He had 12C0 bleeding ewes. His son was a First Division reservist.—A.ppeal dismissed, appellant not to 'be called up until the September draft.

George Walter Sheiwin (watchmaker and jeweller), who was classed CI, applied, for financial assistance. His mother, wife, and child were solely dependent upon him.—Appeal dismissed, appellant to go into carap with the August draft. Frank Templeton (coal merchant., Kurow), for whom Mr Lee appeared, was transferred to C class, Second Division, a second child having been born a few days befora he was drawn in the ballot.

William Robert Barnes (cold miner, Livingstone), for whom Mr Hjorring appeared, appealed on the ground that, if ho had to go into camp, his mining privileges would be forfeited unless the board granted him protection. Ho also, wanted financial assistance;. —Protection granted, and question, of financial assistance adjourned til! noxfc sitting of the board. Albert Edwin Howell (farmer, Wa.iareka" Junction), for whom Mr Lee appeared, said ho was farming 123 acres of leasehold He had a milk run, and milked 19 cows. He worked on an average 70 hours per week. His brother, who was a partner in the business, was drawn in the ballot, and had gone on active service. _ Ho wanted exemption.—Deferred for inquiry. Wiliam Argyle Hannington (coilmaker) had his appeal allowed. Captain Free stating that his name was in the ballot through an oversight. He had come from Australia on special business. Ulysses Stanley Barr (labourer, Oamaru), for whom Mr Ongley appeared, and who was under age, had his appeal a.llowed. Arthur Edward Bate (railway cleric, Oamaru) appealed on the ground of unduo hardship.—Adjourned pending result of railway appeal. John Coupland Stevenson (farmer, Incholme), who was represented by Mr Ongley, said he -was farming 289 acres, and was unable to leavo anyone to carry on tho property.—Adjourned till next sitting of the board.

George Meldrum Wilson (coal merchant, Oamaru), for whom Mr Lee appeared, appealed on the ground of undue wardship.— Dismissed.