MILITARY SERVICE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 962, 12 March 1917, Page 11

MILITARY SERVICE.

FOURTH BALLOT APPEALSSECOND BOARD SITTING. A list of 47 appeals was set down for hearing by the Second Military Service Board, which sat to-day. The board consisted of Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M. (chairman) and Messrs B. FT. Hunter-Weston and F. T. Eldridge. Captain Spratt acted as military representative. HELD OVER.

Meredith Doreen, electrical engineer and storage battery expert, employed by Turnbull and Jones, appealed on the ground of undue, hardship to his employers. His employers also appealed on his behalf. Mr J. A. Cassidy, who appeared for the appellants, explained that Doreen was in hospital, and the appeal was held over. The appellant was put into (Mass D. OBJECTION TO NON-COMBATANT SEBVICE.

Religious objections to military service were the grounds upon which David Barlass, a plumber, of Lincoln Road, Christchurch, based his appeal. He stated that he was a Seventh Day Adventist, and agreed to do non-combatant work. The appeal was dismissed, appellant to be reserved for non-combatant service. Later the appellant said he couldn't sign, and the appeal was dismissed. ADJOURNED. J as. Leonard Davis, assistant surveyor, of 7 Draper Street, Richmond, appealed on the ground that he was the sole support of his widowed mother, who was in bad health. He had previously enlisted. Under the extraordinary circumstances the appeal was adjourned sine die, appellant to be called up before the Second Division. A C2 APPEAL.

Thomas Breen, jun., a farmer, of Harewood Road, Papanui, staled that as his land would have to lie idle during his absence, and as he would lose this year's crop unless he were given time, asked for temporary exemption. As appellant is classed C2 and fit for home service the appeal was dismissed.

ANOTHER RELIGIOUS OBJECTOR. John Brighton, of 91 Moorhouse Avenue, a shearer or farm labourer by occupation, objected to serve on religious grounds. He was a Chrisjadelphian, and forwarded a lengthy letter in support of his case. Appellant objected to take the Oath and repeated an affirmation after the chairman. He had belonged to the Christadelphians since May, 1915. Appellant refused to undertake to sign on to do non-combatant work in the medical or army service corps. The appeal was dismissed. GOOD FAMILY RECORD.

Thomas Victor Crease, commercial traveller, 456 Papanui Road, asked for extension of time. It was mentioned that appellant had five brothers in the ranks. He himself had previously enlisted, and had got married after being rejected. He only asked until May 1, and the application was granted. A BASKET-MAKER'S DIFFICULTY. On behalf of Percy Dickson, a basket maker, of 50 Caledonian Road, his employer Henry Burson appealed. Three of Mr Burson's family had gone to the front, and his appeal was based on the circumstance that he had vainly endeavoured to replace Dickson, who was a skilled worker. It was impossible to teach the trade in a few months. It would take five years at least. The appeal was dismissed, Dickson not to be called up before May 31. AN OFFICER'S APPEAL.

Mr Geo. Harper appeared on behalf of William Ernest John Harvey, an officer on s.s. Canopus. The appeal was adjourned sine die, providing appellant remains in his present employment. TIME GRANTED. Mr Wright asked for lime for Walter Hemsley, a dairy farmer of Papanui, in order that he might dispose of his lease. The appellant had three brothers at the front and two others had enlisted but had been rejected. Time*was granted until May 29. CYCLE-MAKER GRANTED TIME. Arthur George Brisscw, cyclemaker, 48 Mayfield Avenue, appealed on*the ground that his business and five years' work would be sacrificed. He later withdrew his appeal for exemption and asked for time in which to arrange his affairs. The appeal was dismissed, time until April 30 being allowed. AN ESSENTIAL LAW-CLERK. Albert Graham Cameron, c/o M. Donnelly and Son, solicitors, Christchurch, appealed on the ground of undue hardship to himself and others. He and all his brothers had previously enlisted, those who were not at the front having been rejected. Mr Donnelly said that appellant was absolutely essential to him. The appeal was adjourned sine die, appellant to be called again before the First Division is exhausted. HOME SERVICE.

Maurice Davis, engineer and works manager of a gelatine and glue works, appealed on the ground that he could not he replaced. He was classed as G2 and the appeal was in consequence adjourned, appellant to he called up only for home service. DISMISSED. George Henry Frost, a horse trainer, aske;» for three months. The chairman said that he did not think horse-training was an essential business. "We'll have to sit down on this," he added as he dismissed the appeal. POTATO-GROWER'S REQUEST. Mr Cassidy asked that Thomas Gorinski, a farmer of Marshland, be given time to take out a crop of potatoes. Time till April 30 was granted. AN ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT. Robert Henry Harris, an expert shearer, of Teddington, Mt. Herbert, produced biters in support of his ability with the blades. He stated (that between the shearing seasons he was permanently engaged as a ploughman. The appeal was adjourned sine die. "As soon as the First Division is exhausted up you go," concluded the chairman. DISPOSAL OF MILK RUN. Frederick William, a milk vendor of Sydenham, asked for time to dispose of his run. He was quite willing to go in any capacity. He de-

livcred 34 gallons a day. He had a prospective buyer, and thought that if he had till April 30 he would be able j to fix ui) tilings. Leave till April 11 was granted. ANOTIIEB NON-COMBATANT. George William Edgar Hickmott, a j chemist's dispenser, said that he was i willing to do non-combatant work, but could not conscientiously serve in another capacity, as he belonged jto the Plymouth Brethren. He had a | brother in the First Division who I had not enlisted. The appeal was j dismissed and appellant was recommended for non-combatant service, j SOCIETY OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL Arthur Hill, a bootmaker, one of I the two representatives in New Zealand of the society of the House of i Israel, appealed on religious grounds. He was classed as 82. He refused to sign the undertaking to do non- j combatant service, and the appeal j was dismissed. AN ADJOURNED CASE. The adjourned appeal of William John Allen, a shearer who had shorn over 6000 sheep this year, was ad-j journed sine die so long as appellant! remained a shearer. A DRAUGHTSMAN'S APPEAL. Percy Harold Gwynn, employed as a draughtsman in the Electricity Department of the Public Works, appealed on the grounds that undue hardship would be placed on the department. Mr Lawrence Birks, in supporting the appeal, said that, while the department was desirous of assisting the military authorities as far as was possible, it was impossible to let all their men go if the Lake Coleridge scheme were to be kept going. He submitted a list of 10 First Division men out of a total of 38 whom he regarded as indispensable. A further list of 11 Second Division men, out of a total of 53, regarded as indispensable was also furnished. In all, 27 men had gone, one of whom had returned. The saving of coal brought about by the Lake Coleridge scheme meant the liberation of a large number of miners, etc. Gwynn acted as assistant engineer. To Captain Spratt: He understood that Gwynn had applied in December for a passport to leave New Zealand.

Appellant said that he had married about a year ago. His nerves were bad and he thought that this might have helped him to get his nerves back. The chairman suggested that a spell abroad might effect a cure. The application was adjourned sine die, appellant to be called up before the Second Division was asked for. Mr Biiks also appeared in supDort of the appeal of Ernest Albert Welsh, a switchboard attendant, who could not be replaced for a considerable time. The chairman said that the appeal came under the "shirkers' 'clause." That, he said, would prevent the board from looking at the matter sympathetically. The appeal would be dismissed. NO APPEABANCE. Leonard Ferris Brown, meat grader, employed by Borthwick and Sons, appealed on the grounds of undue hardship. His employers also appealed on his behalf. As there 'was no appearance the appeal was dismissed. "Shortage of labour for agricul- , tural purpo&es" was the brief reason given for the appeal of George D. Caldwell (ploughman, six-horse team), of West Melton. As there was no appearance, the appeal was dismissed. Herbert John Collins, a presser, had previously enlisted, and now asked for time to settle his affairs. Appellant did not appear, but as he was classed as Dl he was given until April 10. A similar course was followed with regard to the appeal of James Jellie, a farmer, of Upper Fendalton.

SICKNESS. Frank Oswald Drain was granted until April 30 owing to sickness in his family. NO EXCUSE. Henry Cyril Barnett appealed on the ground that, being a farmer, of Le Bons Bay, he was in sole charge of a sheep and cattle farm of 800 acres. An appeal was also lodged on his behalf by Henry Barnett, the owner of the farm, who stated that all the other men employed on the place had gone to the war. The chairman, in reply to Mr Hunt, who appeared to support the appeal, said that sheep and cattle raising could not be termed essential industries. The Efficiency Board might consider the case later, but exemption -could be granted onlv until May 1. UNFIT. The appeals of the following were dismissed automatically, appellants to be called upon for home service on account of their being declared unfit for service abroad:—Thomas Breen. Papanui; Henry Herbert Clifford, photographer, Christchurch; Maurice Davis, Opawa; Arthur Tom Freeman, Christchurch; Maitland Win. Hoggan; and Harvey Lloyd. As appellants came under Class D, the following appeals were allowed: Arthur Herbert Hay, and Wm. Jennings, Papanui. (Proceeding.)