MECHANICS RETAINED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20919, 20 October 1942, Page 5

MECHANICS RETAINED

REDUCED GARAGE STAFF ARMED FORCES APPEALS Three appeals against the -general service of motor mechanics lodged by Bignell and Holmes, Limited, were reviewed by the Gisborne Armed Forces Appeal Board to-day. The men concerned were L. A. Brown, L. W. Hays and C. P. Bayliss, motor mechanics In support, Mr. G. Bradley Smith said that before the war the appellant firm had a staff of 40, but at present it totalled nine. It was exceedingly difficult to carry on with so short a staff. Hays had been accepted as a driver mechanic in the R.N.Z.A.F. Mr. Smith added that’ the industry had been declared essential. In reply, the chairman of the board, Mr. F. R. Bali, said that because, an industry had been declared essential it did not give the employees any special, rights to be retained. It might have a bearing on the case, however. H. Holmes, manager of.the appellant firm, corroborated the statement made by Mr. Smith. V. G. Walker, chairman of the district Man-Power Utilisation Committee, said that his committee jiad recommended that the appeal board should not give any special consideration to reservists who had been accepted for the air force. If the committee was prepared to support an appeal against the service of a man in the' army, then its support to an appeal against service in the air force should be considered on equal merits. This applied also to the navy.—Sine die adjournments were recommended iq all three cases. The release from camp of R. and N. Koia, farm hands, was sought by Hirini Koia, who stated that lie required the reservists’ help on a farm of 1200 acres at Tikitiki. —'The decision was held over. Indefinite Leave

11. Ngarimu applied for the release from camp of W. T. Mcllroy, shepherd. In support, Mr. G. J. Jeune said the reservist was required to manage Whinari station of 1263 acres, carrying 2000 sheep and 300 head of cattle. The appellant owned another property 10 miles away, of an area of 1700 acres, carrying 2800 sheep and 300 cattle, situated two miles from Ruatoria. —Indefinite leave, the reservist to join the Home Guard, was recommended. On his own behalf, R-. C. G. Mortleman, farmer, appealed against general' service. The application was supported by Mr. N. 11. Bull. Mr. W. G. Sherratt, chairman of the East Coast Primary Production Council, said the Matawai council had recommended release. —The appeal was dismissed, the reservist not to be called before March 31. A station manager, G. F. V. Bullen, appealed personally against general service. Mr. T. A- Coleman said in support that the reservist was managing a station of 2283 acres, 35 miles inland from Tolaga Bay. The country was high and difficult to work. Last season’s wool clip was 65 bales. —A sine die adjournment was recommended. D. and W. Hair sought the release from camp of A. Murtagh, shepherd. Supporting the appeal, Mr. G. I. Parker said the appellants were running three .separate properties at Patutahi, comprising 1060 acres and carrying 4000 sheep. The reservist was required to help on one of these places.—Release was recommended to February 28.