PUBLIC INTEREST

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXI, Issue 8834, 19 October 1942, Page 2

PUBLIC INTEREST

APPEALS BY BUSINESSMEN. BOARD CONSIDERS CASES SOME ADJOURNED SINE DIE Appeals against general service on the grounds of public interest were' made by or on behalf of a number of young married business men at sittings of the Armed Forces Appeal board in Waihi. Adjournments sine die. were granted in several cases. The Only Electrician Appearing on behalf of the Mayor, Mr W. M. Wallnutt, who sought exemption for Harry Arthur Fenwick Haszard, electrician, Mr F. C. V. Clark said he wished it made clear that the appeal was not lodged by reservist himself, but by the Mayor on behalf of the townspeople. The appeal was also supported by the Farmers’ Union. Reservist-was now the only electrician left in the town, with the exception of those engaged solely by the Martha Gold Mining Co. (Waihi), Ltd., and, in fact, was the only electrician between Paeroa and Tauranga. He not only served the town, the population of which was more than 4090, but also a large surrounding area, doing much work for farmers. Nobody would be available if he were sent into camp, and it was submitted that, even for the sake of the Waihi hospital service alone, there should be at least one electrician in a town the size of Waihi. Rpservist had done a good deal of E.P.S. work, and evidence would be called to show that the position was as stated. “I don’t think it is necessary to waste any more time on this case,” remarked the chairman, Mr Edwin Edwards. “The board realises that it. is necessary to, .have at least one} electrician available' in every district.” j

An adjournment sine die” ; was granted, conditionally on reservist remaining in his present occupation and* continuing to serve }n the E.P.S. Essential Material Supplied In connection with the appeal of John E. Angle, carrier and contractor, Mr H. L. Boughton read a lengthy statement setting out in detail the many activities in which ,re'servist was engaged. It was shown that, in addition to supplying large quantities of timber for milling for use by the Martha Company, Mr Angle had supplied, and would continue to supply, a very large tonnage of scrap iron, brass, etc., to Judd’s foundry, Thames, and other concerns engaged in war work. Mr Boughton said evidence could be called. The- Chairman: I don’t think we need go any further. The statement itself is substantially sufficient to show’ that reservist is doing an important work, for the time being at least.

An adjournment s sine die was granted, reservist to remain in his present occupation and continue to serve in the transport section of the E.P.S. Butcher’s Difficulties Difficulties in obtaining sufficient skilled labour were mentioned by Mr Clark when he appeared for Cuthbert Dudley Margan, butcher. Mr Clark said appellant, who had two shops, .had employed eight butchers before the war and now there was only one besides himself. All concerned were overworked. The board said the case had been considered some months ago in conjunction with another appeal, and it had been decided that one of the reservists should serve. An adjournment sine die would be granted, reservist to continue to serve, in the supply section of the E.P.S.' Plumber’s Services Needed

“The board considers that reservist’s service will fie \>f .greater use in the town and district,” said the chairman, in granting an adjournment sine die in the case of William A. Parry, plumber (Mr Clark), appellant to continue to serve in the works section of the EJP.S. An appeal by Mr 'Parry oh the grounds of undue hardship had been withdrawn, reservist stating that he would prefer the matter to be a straight-out one of how best his services could be utilised. Appeals by Watchmaker General appeals by Arthur B. Ross, watchmaker and jeweller (Mr Boughton), at present on leave from a military camp, were dismissed, the board stating that although there was an element of public interest it was not sufficient to warrant release. The board recommended, however, that one month’s extension of leave be granted, and that reservist be transferred to the Air Force, where his skill could be used to greater advantage. In support of the appeal, it was stated that the only other watchmaker in Waihi intended shortly to retire, and that the town and district would be left without a qualified man. Timber for Mining

An adjournment sine die was granted in the case of Herbert Percy Buchanan, sawmiller, Woodlands Road (Mr Boughton), so long as reservist continues to supply timher to the Martha Company and remains in the Home Guard. It was stated that if the essentiality of mining operations were removed the case would-be reviewed. Other Adjournments In the case of A. E. Ritchie, taxidriver, an adjournment was made until November 30, to see if the state of health of the owner of the business, Mr D. G. Mackie, who (recently returned from overseas, would by that time permit of his taking over control again. Mr Boughton appeared for appellant. The appeal of William Ernest Ludwig, newsagent, now on full-time service with the Home iGuard (Mr Boughton), was dismissed.