MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 17734, 11 August 1917, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, (Before Messrs V. G. Day, chairman, and Messrs R. Breen and J. S. Orbell.) A sitting of the Board opened in Invercargill at 11.30 a.m. Samuel Bows (Mokoreta) handed in a statement and explained his reference to certain financial matters. He had been working the place since a hoy, and had no assistance except for casual labour when available. He ran 1400 sheep in winter time. It was doubtful if a manager could be obtained who would work fourteen hours a day in the summer, which was necessary. The Government valuation was £4 15s an acre. To Captain Barrett: Thought with supervision the boy on the farm would not be able to carry on. He had 700 acres. —Adjourned till next sitting. Mr C. E. Davcy (Wyndhami appeared for the appellant. David D. M’ishart (Ryal Bushi, Mr W. A. Stout for appellant’s father, who asked for time to get in the oats. Six weeks, he said, would be required.—To go into camp on September 15. P. H. McLeod, who asked for time, was given till the departure of the 3(ilh Reinforcements.

Wm. Campbell, appeal by his father, James Campbell (Mr W. A. Stout). Appellant said this was the only son at. home. He had a dairy farm of 16t» acres at Mataura Island. His two daughters assisted. About forty acres of the farm were ploughed. It was difficult to get labour, and the farm was too small to be used other than for dairying. He had another son, John, with 136 acres, milking 35 cows. One son had left with the lust reinforcements. John Campbell (Mr Stouti, son of the previous appellant, said he and his brother Hubert, now in camp, were in partnership. He was working the farm without assistance. Forty acres were ploughed each year for turnips, oats, and potatoes. His farm and that of his father adjoined. He would require time to sell his dairy herd and put some other class of stock on the land. The Board decided that one of the sons must go, and John said he would leave if given time. The Chairman stated that two of them should have been serving the country twelve months ago, and could have been brought up under section 35. John was ordered to go into camp cm October 13, and William’s appeal was adjourned till November, conditional on his remaining at work on his father’s farm.

Herbert A. Bridgman (Mr 11. Macalister) handed in a statement. He had a farm and worked it himself.—Adjourned till first sitting in November, appellant to endeavour to arrange for his brother, who is married, to take charge of the farm. John Munro (Gorge Road) (Mr H. A. Macdonald) said he grazed sheep and cattle, and could not get anyone to supervise if he went to the war.—Adjourned till next siltihS for tlie EQtcioacy Board’s report.

James Dyet (Mr W. A. Stout) was appealed for by his father, who had a small farm at West Plains, which he said he could not work without his son’s assistance. The son was occupied for part of the year as a slaughterman. They milked twenty cows.—Adjourned for two mouths. David John Watson, farmer, Lochicl (Mr W. A. Stout i handed in a statement. His father gave evidence and the case was referred to the Efficiency Board.

Colin Alex. McDonald, farmer, Winton (Mr W. A. Stonl i gave evidence as to the farm he occupied.—To go into camp with the 39th Reinforcements. William Nevin, farmer, said his brother was not in good health hut would supervise if labour were procured. His farm carried 750 sheep.—Given till 30th November, the Efficiency Board to bo asked to get labour to work the property. Arthur Win. llae (Mr W. A. Stout I was the only support of his mother, who had a farm. The chairman examined appellant with a view to showing that Ids brothers could take his place, but he stated that the others had no experience of handling breeding ewes. The chairman said this family was more favourably situated than 00 per cent, of those who had appealed before the Board. —To go into camp on October 13.

Chas. Livingstone, Browns (Mr Haggittl, appeal by Mary Livingstone, his mother. After perusing appellant's statement, the chairman said the ease would he adjourned sine file, not to he reviewed until after the end of December.

Chas. C. Munro, farmer, Mokotua (Mr H. Macalistcri.—Adjourned till next sitting, for the Efficiency Board’s report. John Griffin (Mr O’Bcirne), who appealed on behalf of his son, said lambing at Tuatapcre would not finish until the expiry of two months and he would require the assistance of appellant. One son was in France and another in indifferent health. Appellant also did the dairy work and the property would have to be sold or the cows made dry if the reservist went to the front. Mr O'Beirne asked that time be allowed the father to make arrangements.—Given till October 13.

James P. McCallum appealed for his son. He said he had a dairy farm of 440 acres. This son was the only one left on the farm. Three nephews, whom appellant had brought up, had gone to the front.-—Ad-journed sine die, not to be reviewed until the end of November.

F. A. Wilson, carpenter, BlufT (Mr H. A. Macdonald) stated that lie had work to do on a house and asked for time. —Allowed to September 15. J. C. Flint, farmer, West Plains (Mr Stout), saitl he had two brothers in France and he was practically the only support of his mother.—Adjourned till November, by which time his brother, Louis, was to take his place on the farm. James McLauchlan, farmer, Greenhills ('Mr Longuet), staled that he had enlisted and been turned down, after which he married and took up a small farm. Upon being drawn in the ballot he applied for time, but owing to a mistake had been sent to camp without a chance of appearing; but having now been more than six weeks in camp and become a corporal he was anxious to go to the front and to enable him to do so his father had undertaken to get the farm ploughed. The appeal would be withdrawn. The chairman and also Captain Barrett remarked that this was very creditable. Arthur J. Barker, farmer, Kapuka. His father, who appealed, had not prepared a statement as to his financial position.— Adjourned till next sitting, the Efficiency Board to be asked to report. Thos. D. King, farmer, Tokanui (Mr Stout), asked for time to complete a business transaction. —Given to October 13.

John Fosbender, farmer, New River (Mr W. A. Stout I. Counsel said appellant was in a large way as a cattle breeder and asked for time. —Given to October 13.

P. Black, A. B. Boyd, and M. Flynn, coal-miners, appeal by Nightcaps Coal Co. William Fosbery Handyside gave evidence as to the time the men had been in the Company’s employment.—Adjourned sine die, conditional on the men remaining in their present employment and working full time.

J. J. W. Bell, evangelist, Invercargill, appealed on religious grounds. He was willing to undertake non-combatant service.—Appeal dismissed, this being the usual course in such cases. The desire of tiic appellant was acceded to. W. J. Mouat, shepherd, Eastern Bush (Mr Stout). —Adjourned to next sitting for Efficiency Board’s report. Willi am Wilson, cheescmaker, Pine Bush, had religious objections to active service. He signed the declaration expressing his willingness to undertake non-combatant service.

Denis O'Brien, Longbush (Mr O’Beirne), said he had received no notice to present himself for medical examination.—Adjourned to next, sitting. E. Mortimer (Mr Haggitt). The foreman of the Southland Frozen Meat Co.’s works appealed on the ground that (he reservist, who was a meat grader, was an essential employee. The chairman thought retail butchers would be competent to do work of the nature.—Referred to Efficiency Board, the chairman slating that a capable retail butcher might be found to do the work.

Alfred Driscoll (Mr O’Beirne) was given extended time till October 13, to make business arrangements.