APPEALS FROM THE BALLOT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3088, 19 May 1917, Page 8

APPEALS FROM THE BALLOT

YESTERDAY'S SITTING OF THE BOARD

MARINE ENGINEERS

The Third Wellington Military Servico Board, consisting of Mr. W. H. Sefton Moorhouse (chairman), Iff, A. O'L. Cbnsidine, and Mr, M. 3. Mack, was occupied again yesterday hearing appeals lodged by compulsory recruits. Captain Spratt was the military representative. The board sat nil day, and dealt with a large, number of appeals.

Mr. W. A. Kennedy, Wellington manager for tho Union Steam Shipping Company, appeared in support of apjieals lodged on behalf of tho following marine engineers:—Colin S. Maefarlane (Wellington); David M'Caig, Charles Ferguson (Dunedin); H. A. Anderson (Lyttelton); C. do L. C. Cleary (Ngaruawahin); J. J. Kettle (Port Chalmers); A. L. Smith (Wellington); W. C. Ferguson (Auckland); .T. W. Weir (Dunedin); W. C. Falcouer (Christchurch); P. A. Wilson, J. W. G. Elloy (Wellington); J. J. Flaherty (Groymontli); and William Clias. Norvis (Wellington). In reply to a request from tho board for particulars as to tho number of engineers who could bo released from the .company's service, Mr. Kennedy said that the matter had been argued previously beforo the Second Wellington Board, and >he had understood that tho ruling then given had settled the matter as far as marine engineers wero concerned. The board had given 'exemption in tho cases of men employed on coastal steamers. Tho chairman said that the present board was not bound by the decision of another board, and adjourned the cases {or a week in order that Mr. Kennedy might have time to produce the information required. -• Police Constables. The Commissioner of Police (Mr. J. O'Douovan) appealed on bohalf of two police constables, J. W. E. Kennedy (Bokitika) and J. P. Pothoringham (Timaru). He 6tatod that the efficiency of the police force demanded the retention of all the men at present in the service. The police force had lost many men by enlistment, and was at presont below strength. Tho casos were adjourned sine die, tho men to remain in their present occupation. Tannery Workers. The position of the tanning industry was discussed in connection with tho appeals niado by Messrs. Hirst and Company, tanners, of Kahvarni, on behalf of James P. Blacklock (manager), Joseph J. Hodges (currier), and John M'Leod Rankin (tanner).

Blacklock stated that the maintenance of the tannin? industry in all its branches was essential at the presenttime. The military authorities required all tho leather that could be produced in tho classes suited to their purposes. Tho work was highly skilled, and there was a shortage of trained men. Tho employees entered the trade young, and required yoars of training and experience before they became thoroughly competent. His own experience extended over fifteen years, and he did not see how he would be roplaced. Without a thoroughly trained man to direct operations, the works % might have to olose. Mr. W. H, Harris, a director of the company, was asked by the board if ho could not tnko Blacklock's position himself. He replied that he know tho manufacturing side of the business, but had little experienco of buying, selling, and costing. These branches were in the hands of Blacklock. The board adjourned the cases in order that it might visit the tanuery. The Boot Trade. The board re-opened tho caso of Herbert Smith,, an employee of Messrs. Hannah, boot manufacturers. Mr'. T. W. Hislop, for the company, stated that Smith had control of three essential machines, and could not be replaced. He attended to the adjusting and repairing of the machines, and was training three learners. He was an organiser, and di- . rected the work of his department. Tho sole way of getting a substitute would be to rob another factory of a 6kille<l •man. Witnesses urged that the retention of the skilled head of each department was essential, in order that new hands might be grained. The firm could carry on, provided that .the highly skilled mon in chargo of departments were left, and it did not intend to appeal on beTTalf of any other operators. Tho board expressed a wish to have information regarding tho. number of men regarded as essential in all the Wellington boot factories, and adjourned the caso in order that "figures might be produced. A Farmer's Appeal. William Thomas York, farmer, Waikanae, claimed that he was aot a member of the First Division, and further "urged that he was trusteo of a minor's estate, and that ho could not leave his own farm. The board found that a certificate placing him in the Second Division had been issued in error. The trust estate took tho form of cash investments which would not require personal supervision. He had one brother in camp and a second brother, a farmer, on a place in the Wairarapa. He would" not hand over his farm to a manager. He would rather "shut up the gates or let it go back to the,mortgagee." 'The board adjourned the case for a month to. enable-appellant" to find a manager for his farm.

Appellant: "I am sure I can't find a Suitable man."

■ The chairman: "You have to use your test endeavours. If wo find that you 'have not done so, you will go to the front ,"■) y Other Cases. A further adjournment was granted in the case of James Henry Forrester, Customs examining officer, in order that tho reservist might be medically examined. William Honry Hall, dbnkeyman, was granted suspension on the usual terms. on the application of the secretary of tho Seamen's and Firemen's Union. An appeal, made on behalf of Walter Sarsficld, able seaman, was dismissed, tho secretary of the union heing unable to 'discover the present whereabouts and occupation of the resorvist. Private F. A. Ridgley, Twenty-sixth Specialists Company, a voluntary recruit, was 'allowed two months' leave for do-' mestic reasons. An appeal for temporary exemption inado by Private W. T. Bolton, Twenty-sixth Reinforcements, another voluntary recruit,''on account of the ill-health of his wife, was held over for further consideration. Henry H. Adams, butcher, of Wellington, was granted two months' leave in order that he might arrange private affairs.' The appeal'of Francis Mooney, slaughterman and butcher, in the employ of the Gear Meat Company; was held over for consideration. Appellant stated that he had one brother at tho front, one in camp, and four married in Australia. Thomas Francis Olson, shearer and farm labourer, of Wellington, appealed on tho ground of public interest. In answer to Captain Sprail, he stated that he had shorn about 5300 sheep in New Zealand last season and 4000 sheep the season before. He had done bushfelling and sawmill work during tho ofl'-soason. •The board granted oxemption on condition that appellant undertook to perform work of an essential nature during tho off-season. It directed appellant to forward to tho Defonco authorities a certificate that he was employed in shearing or other essential work connected with agricultural or pastoral industries.

Undue hardship was alleged in tho cafes of Leonard Marshall Avery, hardwire assistant, and George Avery, mercer, of Hataitai. called up under Section 35. Mr. Hoane, who appeared •for appellants, said that Leonard was prepared to abandon his appeal if his brother Georgo was exempted. Their ■father was partially paralysed, thefr mother was in ill-health, a brother was incapablo of supporting himself, and a married sister, who lived at home, was suffering from very serious illness. Tho father made a little money by cobbling, but the-.two appellants were the- chief support of tho family. The board adjourned the case of Georgo Avery sine die, with exemption from military servicein the meantime. Leonard Avery withdrew his anpeal. , The board then adjourned-. It probably Trill sit again on Tuesday,