MILITARY SERVICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12082, 10 August 1917, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE.

FIRST CANTERBURY APPEAL BOARD. The First. Canterbury Military Service Board met at. this morning; present —Messrs J. S. Evans (chairman), .1. I"). Milton and Jv C. Btudholme. Captain Pilkington represented the military authorities. LISA YE GRANTED. The appeal of "\\ ilia in M'CI lire, farmer. Kilfinchv (Mr Gresson). adjourned in April pending a report, was again before the board. Mr Gresson said thatsince last hearing appellant had put 111 1.60 acres of wheat and was putting in over 100 acres of oats, peas and barley. He was assisted l>v a ploughman, a First Division man. who had not yet been nailed up by ballot, and who must he called up very «oon. The chairman said tli.it the report showed that, the farm could be carried on. If the ploughman could he spared appellant could be .spared. There was a family of brothers in this case, and some of them must serve. Mr Gresson said that appellant's two brothers were in the Second Division. They were all farmers. Tie applied for leave until October to enable appellant to get his sowing done. Leave was granted till October 20.

Tho appeal of Joseph Bernard Carroll, farmer, Southbridgo. adjourned, was further heard. After hearing appellant, who caid he was the only man on the farm who could drive a sixhoiwe ream, and the evidence of appellant's brother, a member of the Second Divison, the board decided that as there were four brothers in the family, and none serving, the appeal must be dismissed. Appellant would be allowed leave till October 20. A COXSCIBXTTOrS OBJE<TOR.

The appeal of Herbert Cecil Church, farmer, Greendnlo, on grounds of occupation and conscience, which had been adjourned from a previous sitting, was continued. Appellant repeated evidence previously given, and said that, as a member of the Richmond Mission he had ,no objection to signing the new form of agreement to undertake noncombatant service. The chairman said that in cases whore the hoard was satisfied that the objection made to military service was really conscientious it did not adhere absolutely strictly to the very restricted wording of the Act, provided there was a willingness to undertake non-combatant, service. Appellant said he -would withdraw his appeal on grounds of occupation, if assured that, ho would be drafted to a non-combatant branch of the service. Tho appeal was dismissed, tho appellant signing an agreement to undertake non-combatant service.

ONE TO GO. The appeal of Francis James M'Cormick. farmer. Lakeside, which had boon adjourned in April, was continued. Appellant gave evidence in corroboration of previous statements. The chairman said there were two class A brothers in this family If the other brother would go into camp appellant might bo allowed to remain. The case would be further adjourned for one month. One brother must go in October.

The board then adjourned, to meet at Hokitika on Monday next.

SECOND BOARD'S WORK. TO-DAY'S SITTING. Tho Second Canterbury Board met at. noon. M r I.J. \\'. Bishop, S.M., presided, and Messrs F. T. Eldridge and M. G. Hich also attended. UNDER AGE. In the case of Vernon Bowker, a. student at the Agricultural Collego at. Lincoln, an appeal against service was r.lh.wed. the applicant, not being of age. EXTENDED LEAVE. In regard to the calling up of Edward William Barnard, carpenter, ot Rutland Street, St Albans, Mr Ross, on his behalf, stated that he was called 'up on July 20, and made arrangements lor the maintenance of his wife and family. These arrangements had fallen through, and he asked that the man should be allowed to go with tho next draft. The application was granted, on condition that everything 1 was in order. Arthur Muin, Read, farmer, of Ashburton. W. Cartwright, farmer, Pleasant Point near Timaru, and Felix M'Guigan. farmer. Ohortsey. were given extended time until September 17. A WIFE'S APPLICATION. Mrs Shoard withdrew her application that leave without pay should be granted to her husband. E. J. Shoard, as a, reconciliation had taken place, and the hoard, after hearing a statement by Mrs Sherd, decided to make no recommendation.