MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3062, 25 April 1917, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD

. » CITY CASES YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS The Second Wellington Military Service Board, consisting of Messrs. J. W. Poynton, S.M. (chairman), T. Bamber, and F. Curtice, continued its sittings in the old Parliamentary Buildings yesterday. Captain Cowlishaw was the military representative. Employers' appenls made on behalf of W. J. Washbourne, G. Donnelly, and A. Skene-Smith wore adjourned 6ino die. . The men were wireless telegraphists, and it was held that their occupation was essential in public interest. The board directed that the cases should be reviewed before the First, Division was exhausted. . G. M. Park, a shearer, appealed on the ground of public interest, and the board adjourned the case sine die, conditional upon the appellant undertaking to engage in some essential industry during the off season. Walter Solomon, clergyman, of Fielding, had forwarded evidenco that he was over military age, and his appeal on this ground was allowed.

Alexander Wiardlaw, presser, (Wellington, also proved that he was over military age, and therefore not liable for service.

G." H. Clay, apprenticej Trentham, and Saul Solomons, tailor's cutter, Wellington (Mr. Evans), proved that they were under age, and their appeals were allowed.

: Colin Drake Truebridge, surveyor, Plimmerton, who was represented by Mr. Ward, was "ranted an adjournment until September 30 in order that he might sit for an examination for which lie had been studying. The appeal of James Alexander Nicholson, labourer, Wellington, was adjourned until. July 4 on the representation of appellant that his immediate enlistment would involve undue hardship for domestic reasons.

Llewellyn Eldridge Lewis, printer, Seatoun, proved that he was not a reservist, having been discharged from tho Expeditionary Force after service outside New Zealand. His appeal was allowed.

Francis Kavanagh, wharf labourer, Wellington, appealed on the ground that he was a member of the Second Division. Ho showed that he had been married for fifteen years, and his appeal was allowed. Mr. W. T. Young, secretary of the Seamen's and Firemen's Federation, appealed l on behalf of G. R. Harris, fireman, and H. M. M'Geachie, 6. 0. Lloyd, A. Walterson, W. Daws, and E. A. Heap}', seamen. Tho appeals were allowed on tho usual conditions, on tho ground of public interest. John Ernest Holtharo, evangelist, Wellington, stated that he had religious objections to military service. Ho did not belong to any particular Beet, and the board ruled, therefore, that ho did not come.within tka excmjjtion clause of the Act, which provides only for' religious objectors who are guided by tho tenets of a sect. The chairman suggested that Holtham should withdraw his appeal, the board then recommending that ho should be employed in a non-combatant capacity. The appellant replied that he objected to serving in any capacity at all. The appeal was dismissed.

Duncan Bright Wilson, plumber and tinsmith, Otaki, said that he had two brothers serving in France. He contributed to the support of invalid parents and two sisters. He was willing to serve, but wished ; time to settle his affairs. The board granted leave until May 28.

Frank Preston, attendant at the Porirua Mental Hospital, appealed oa the ground of undue hardship. He forwarded a letter stating that his only brother was serving at the front. _ He was supporting a mother and sister in England. _ Appellant did not appear to support his letter, and the case was dismissed.

A mother's appeal on behalf of F. A. E. Siriney, warehouseman, Wellington, was adjourned until July 24. It was stated that the father was in illhealth, and that one hrother had already fallen at the front.

Cyril Manley, grocer, Wellington, appealed on the ground of religious objections and undue hardship. He stated, in answer to a question, that he belonged to no sect. "Then you have no claim to exemption, on religious grounds," said the chairman. Appellant said that his only brother of military age was at the front. He was the support of a widowed mother. The chairman said that the evidence showed appellant to be exempt under Section 18 of the Military Service Act. The appeal was allowed on an amended ground.

Charles Clifford Sage, confectioner, Petone, did not appear in support of a claim for financial assistance. The case was dismissed. P. W. Galvin, tobacconist and hairdresser, Hataitai; T. N. C. Rayney, storeman, Lyall Bay; J r M. M'Keegan, bootmaker, Wellington ; W. Murphy, driver, Wellington; and S. Brogan, labourer, AYellington, did not appear in support of their appeals, and the cases" were dismissed. The board adjourned until April 30.