MILITARY SERVICE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 964, 14 March 1917, Page 10

MILITARY SERVICE.

APPEALS AT RANGSORA, FIRST BOARD SITTING. The First Canterbury Military Service Board, consisting of Messrs J. S. Evans. S.M. (chairman), J. 1). Millton, and E. C. Studhohnc, is sitting in Rangiora to-day. John William Hanna, farm hand, Sefton, and David Anderson Hanna, farmer, Sefton, were drawn in the ballot, but the latter was classified as lit only for home service, and so his appeal was dismissed CASK FOR EFFICIENCY BOARD. Mr Van Asch. appeared for John William Hanna, who stated thai he assisted his father, a farmer and threshing machine proprietor, and did all the hard work on the farm. He had one brother, who was serving at the front. His father had a ,-jtarge number of customers in connection with the threshing mill. His father did the hulk of the threshing in his district, but mills came from other districts. On lhe*farm about 100 acres had been broken up mostly for wheat. To the chairman: David Anderson Hanna was an uncle, and lived about three miles away from appellant's father's farm. In reply to Captain Pilkington (military' representative) appellant said that he did not work on the mill. Appellant's father also gave evidence in which he stated that there were three idle mills in the district. He had threshed about 40,000 bushels of grain this season and had about 30.000 bushels to do. The appeal was adjourned sine die, but the matter is to be referred to the Efficiency Board, and appellant may have to go before the Sec- ' end Division is called up. • A RABBITEIVS CASF. Frederick Richard Oldfield, farmer and grazier, Temuka, appealed for leave until the end of May for William Henry Rippingale, a rahbiter and packman, at "The Poplars," Culverden. Rippingale did not appear personally. Oldfield explained that he had a run of about 104,000 acres at Glen Wye, up the Waiau, and Rippingale was required for packing in food ■ etc., for the mustercrs on the high ' country. Time until the end of May was allowed. HOME SERVICE APPEALS. Although John Graham McPherson, farmer, Cheviot, had been classed as fit only for home service, his appeal was proceeded with, to guard against the possibility of his being called up for hime service, the board apparently not being aware that there are to be separate appeals from home service. .Mr A. F. Wright appeared for appellant. The appeal was adjourned sine die. This misapprehension of the board was also reflected in the case of Harry Banks, a farmer, of Coutt's Island, Kaiapoi, who was also fit only for home service. His appeal . was dismissed, but he is to get six "' week's notice if he is called up for home service. TIME ALLOWED. In the case of John Andrew Petrie, farmer, Coldstream, Rangiora, MiVan Asch stated that Petrie voluntarily enlisted and was accepted before he was drawn in the ballot, but was given leave until May 29, owing to special circumstances.

Appellant's leave pass having been produced, the board allowed time until May 20. _ A MISSING BROTHER Claude McClelland and Frank McClelland, sheep farmers, Scargill, came up under section 35, but the latter was classified as fit only for home service. The evidence of Ihe appellants showed that they had two other brothers. One was in the Second Division, but nothing was known of the present address or condition of the other brother, who was last seen in Scargill Iwo or three years ago, and from whom the appellants had not heard since. The appeal of Claude McClelland was adjourned for inquiries to be made about this other single brother. That of Frank McClelland was allowed, he being unfit. A MOTHER'S APPEAL. Mrs E. A. Robertshaw, of Kaiapoi, appealed for the exemption of her son, T. E. Robertshaw, a farm labourer, at Greenhills, Waiau, hut her son did not appeal. Appellant slated that she had six sons, four of whom were on active service—two of them had been wounded. Another son had been drawn in the present ballot. This one was a wool-sorter, and lived with her. The one for whom she appealed partly supported her. As Robertshaw has not been medically examined yet the appeal was adjourned for that to be done. If the other brother appeals, both appeals are to be taken together. AN APPELLANT REPRIMANDED. Richard Dawson, farmer. West Fyreton, who appealed on the ground of the public interest, said he was 15 years old. His niolbcr was nearly 80 years old, and was partly dependent on him. He had no brothers, but he had seven sisters, four of whom were married. He employed three men, one of whom was a married man with a good deal of experience, but appellant's place was a difficult one to manage. Appellant was reprimanded by the chairman for the way he hedged when asked questions. When asked if he had any means apart form his farm, appellant said that he had none. Cross-examination by Captain Pilkington elicited the fact that Dawson has a bank account of nearly £2OOO. This brought a sterner reprimand from the chairman, wdio said "yoti know you're not telling the truth." The cross-examination also showed that appellant has a couple of trotting horses for his own pleasure. "The way in which you have given your evidence is most unsatisfactory," said the chairman, "you can get a manager and can pay him, but you don't want to do so. The appeal is dismissed, but you are allowed until the end of April to make arrangements." "Oh well, I can't do it in that time," said Dawson. (Proceeding.)