MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 3353, 19 June 1918, Page 43

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

SITTING AT DUNEDIN. The Otago Military Service Board held a sitting at Dunedin on the 11th. The board consisted of Messrs H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), A. D. Bell, and E. Kellett. Captain Free was the military representative. Conditional exemption was granted to three medical students; to F. G. E. Hall, miller; Charles Gordon, engineer; James Howell, 6heep farmer, Claries; John Anderson, homo missionary, Tuapeka West, and to four seamen. Timo was granted in the cases of Robert Johnson, auctioneer; Archibald Spence Thomson, plumber; Henry Alexander Simpson, farm labourer; John C. Hislop, engine driver; John Frederick Milligan, •blacksmith Sutton. The appeals of Robert Wilson Wyse, carter, and Richard Corbett Cooper Green, corporation employee, were referred to Mr F. G. Gumming for report. Two appeals were formally dismissed, appellants to bo released from camp on leave at a later date. The appeal of Arthur C. Crisp, Church of Christ evangelist, was adjourned sine die. SITTING AT MILTON. The Otago Military Service Board held a sitting at Milton on Wednesday. The board consisted of Messrs H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), A. D. Bell, and E. Kellett. Captain Free was the military representative. • • Alexander Fleming Paskcll (farmer. Glenore). —Appeal dismissed. George Carl Magon (farmer, Glenorc) had his appel supported by his father (Fredk. Magon,).—Adjourned for three months. The Bruce Woollen Company applied for the exemption of Robert Turnbull.—Adjourned for. a month, the appellant company to make every effort in the meantime to replace the reservist. K. J. Jopp (farmer, Clarendon) appealed for his ploughman (William Thomas).—Adjourned for a month. / • , pellant stated that he was filling to let the reservist go if he could get a man to replace him.—Captain Free suggested that the appeal stand over for a month with a view to getting- a man to replace the reservist. — Adjourned accordingly. Robert Bruce (farmer. Milton) had his appeal supported by his father (James Bruce).—The reservist stated that it would be difficult to seoure a substitute. He did not think his father could afford to pay £2 10s per week for a man. The reservist stated that he was receiving 25s per week as wages from his*father.—Captain Free pointed out that with the allowance of £1 Is from the reservist's military pay his father would lose only 4s.—Witness said that could be done only at his (witness's) expense.— Captain Free (to witness): The question is whether you aro to serve your country, or hide yourself behind your obligations to your parents.—The chairman pointed out that the board's advice was that the father's financial position was easy. Conditional exemption would be granted, but efforts to replace the reservist must not be relaxed. Christopher John Robinson (farmer, Moneymore), who was in partnership with a brother who was now in the CI camp, had his appeal adjourned till next sitting to see how the brother now in camp got on. James Robertson (miner, Tokoiti), William M'Farlane (trucker, Milton), and Albert G. Anderson (trucker. Tokoiti) were appealed for by Mr James Carruthers (manager of the Bruce Coal Company).—Conditional exemption granted. Arthur Morris (manager of the Taratu Coal Company) appealed for Joseph Cecil Trotter (trucker).—Conditional exemption granted. SITTING AT BALCLUTHA. George Finch (farmer, Kaitangata) for whom Mr D. Stewart appeared, had his adjourned appeal considered. Captain Free said that although classed as a farmer, the appellant was really a stock-dealer. —Referred to the Efficiency Board for report. William Frederick Hall (Farmer, Clydevale) said he was working a 300-acre farm unassisted.—Conditional exemption granted, subject to review at any time Dunn Bros, (blacksmiths, Owaka) appealed on behalf of their manager, Robert G Ferguson. The case had been adjourned from last sitting for inquiry.—Mr D. Stewart appeared for the appellants.— Adjourned till next sitting to see if some definite arrangement could be made with James Henry Turner (labourer, Balclutha), a First Division reservist, stated that he was married and had one child. — "To go into camp with the August CI draft. • _. ~ .. Thomas Patrick Fitzgerald (farmer, Owaka Valley), for whom Mr J. R. M. Lemon appeared, said he had tried to sell his property since the case was last before the board, but was unsuccessful. He was milking 12 cows, and ho fattened other cattle His wife's health was not good. Ho took up the farm about 12 months ago. —Adjourned for two months to permit of some arrangement being come to. _ John Craig, for whom Mr R. R. Grigor appeared, withdrew his appeal. C. P. Keen (Owaka). who was wrongly classed.' had his appeal allowed, and his name was transferred to Class C of the Second Division. M A. Ballantyne (farmer, Ivahuika) was granted until the September draft before going into camp. William 'Johnston (farmer, Wangaloa), for whom Mr Grigor appeared, applied for timo to do somo ploughing.—Appellant s father stated that he was 50 • years of age and could assist with the work.—Granted until the August CI draft. Joseph Shand (farmer, Hillend) appealed for his brother, W. J. lShand.--Mr D Stewart appeared for the former, who stated that the reservist had no financial interest in the farm. . He had a brother residing m Balclutha, who would be 20 years of age on October 10.—Adjourned until first sitting after October 8. ,-,,..,, Thomas Gordon (farmer. Hillend] said he was farming 1400 acres. His brother, who was his partner in the farm, went with the Twenty-eighth Reinforcements, and was wounded "in France. —Conditional exemption granted.' O. E. Marshall (railway fireman, Balclutha) had his appeal adjourned pending the result of the railway appeal. Reginald Stokes (farmer, Awamangu), for whom Mr Stewart appeared, stated that he was an expert woolclasser, and had classed wool for all the settlers in the district. — To go into camp in August. Marcus John Low (saddler, Balclutha). for whom Mr Grigor appeared, said ho was the support of his aged parents, and carried on the business hitherto conducted by his

father, who was now in feeble health. —Conditional exemption granted. John James Benjamin Morris (dairy farm manag-er, Owaka), for whom Mr D. Stewart appeared, appealed on the ground of undue hardship. He carried on farms for his father and brother. Tho former was an invalid, and tho latter- was at tho frontf — Appellant to go into camp In August. W, A. Pullar (farmer, Katea) was represented by Mr J. R. M. Lemon. Appellant's wife stated that tho farm (247 acres) belonged to her. She had endeavoured to sell it, but had not been successful. The only cultivation done last year was 10 acres. The only work tho reservist did for his neighbours was a little shearing. The property was used for grazing principally.—Mr Lemon suggested that the appellant be left until September.—To go into camp in August. Geo. Rutherford (farmer, Inch Clutha) asked for time. Mr Grigor stated that the appellant would like to be left until Septem ber, which was the earliest time he could profitably dispose of his cows. —To go into camp on September 10. Eric Skinner (farmer, Waitapeka), for whom Mr Stewart appeared, said he did all tho work on the property.—Conditional exemption granted. James Leal (labourer, Balclutha), for whom Mr Stewart appeared, applied for an extension of timo. It was in the interest of his wife that ho would like to see his brother's estate fixed up before he went into camp.—Application declined, but the authorities to be recommended to grant extended leave should tho administration of his brother's estate be prolonged. James Thomson (miner, Kaitangata), for whom Mr Grigor appeared, had his appeal re-opsned at the request of the military representative.—Conditional exemption renewed, provided reservist worked full time at his occupation. The following miners were granted conditional exemption :— Benjamin Beardsmore, Robert Grundy, James Penman, William Snowden, William Thomson, Richard J. Waters, and Simon D. Anderson, all employed in tho Kaitangata mine, and appealed for by Mr W. Carson (mine manager). Tho appeal of William M'Donald (railway surfaceman, Maelermans) was adjourned pending the result of the Railway Department's appeal. Donald Lindsav Stuart (farmer, Kahuika) claimed to be in class D and had his appeal adjourned to enable proof to be submitted. SITTING AT LAWRENCE. . The Otago Military Service Board held a sitting at Lawrence on the 13th. The board consisted of Messrs H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), A. D. Bell and E. Kellett. Captain Free was the military representative. William Bryant Crane (farmer,- Waitahuna) had his appeal supported - by Joseph Crane, who applied for a rehearing.—The chairman said that Mr Crane had had a great deal of consideration shown him, but * the time had come when the reservist would have to go. The application for a rehearing would be refused. Mrs Elizabeth Wood appeared in support of the appeal of Thomas A. Matheson, who was a high-country shepherd and a Second Division reservist." —Adjourned for further inquiry. The appeal of John Ritchie Gilmour (medical practitioner, Roxburgh) was called; but tho appellant did not appear.—lt wsa stated that he was now in camp. —The appeal was struck out. Samuel Crossan (shearer and rabbiter. Roxburgh), appealed on the ground of undue hardship.—He was the sole support of his mother, who was nursing her aged father — a confirmed invalid. Appellant was _ a widower, and his mother was the guardian of his little daughter.—The Chairman pointed out that financial assistance could be obtained from the Government. The appeal would have to be dismissed, appellant to go into camp on August 13. Alexander Forbes Ridd (fruitgrower, Miller's Flat) appealed : on, the ground of undue hardship.—He was classed CI, was married, and had one child. He wanted his timo for going into camp extended until October owing to the indiffere,nt state of his wifo's health.—ln reply to Captain Free, appellant admitted that he had been tabbitting for over a month His orchard was a small one —2£ acres. —Appeal dismissed, appellant to go into canip on August 27. Murdoch M'Donald (sheep farmer, Roxburgh) appealed for _ his brother Neil M'Donald, who was his partner. —Granted until the September draft, and if further extension is required leave will be granted until' the October draft.. Chas. S. G. Nicholson (Roxburgh), who was wrongly classed, had hi* appeal allowed, and his name w r as transferred to the C class. Thos. Houston (baker, Lawrence), a Second Division reservist, appealed on the gi'ound of undue hardship. Ho had one child,and in addition to supporting his wife and child ho was the partial support of his mother and two sisters. He had three brothers, all of whom were on active service.—The Chairman said the family record was an excellent one. The case would be referred to the Efficiency Board for inquiry.! Robert Hunter (farmer. Whonaakoa and Graham Hunter had their appeals supported by their father, Robt. Hunter, sen. The father stated that one son had enlisted and had died from wounds. Ho had another son on active service ; but hb was at present in hospital in Ens-land as the result of wounds. He and his wife were in feeble health. If his sons had to pro he would require to sell the property, probably at a sacrifice. —Conditional exemption granted to both Wm. James Kellv (maltster. Weatherstones) was classed C2; ho had four children to support.—Adjourned, _ the appeal to bo considered when class E is called up. William Christie (miller. Lawrence), had hi-? appeal supported by his father. D. L Christie (flour and oatmeal miller). The Christie (flour and oatmeal ferred for inquiry. James Anthony Froude (railway fireman. Lnwrence). who -was wrongly classed, had his appeal allowed, and his name was transferred to the C elass. •» James David Knarston (farmer, Evans Flat) said he was workinsr a farm of 231 aorev which ho bouc-ht in 1913 He enrried on the farm unassisted, with the exception of casual labour. He hn-di four brothers on cetive service —Conrlitional exemntion crnnfod. appellant to endeavour to dispose of his farm. PITTING ATNAPTJSR. NAPIER, Juno 12. At a sitting of the Military Service Board to-day the Hon. G. W. Russell appealed

for tho sine die exemption of his fifth son, manager of a farm, three sons being at the front and the other returned. This was granted, and the Minister stated that his son would enlist when tho necessary arrangements could be made.