MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1917, Page 1

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

GREYMOUTH SITTINGS. Tho Greymouth Sittings of the Mill tary Service Board commenced at th< Court-house Greymouth yesterday morning. The members of the Board were Messrs J. S. Evans, S.M., (Chairman) J. D. Milton and E. C. Studliolme, wit-1: A. W. Duncan (secretary). Captaii Pilkington (Auckland) represented the military authorities. Altogether, about 75 appeals were sci down for hearing. These include mei called upon to serve under Section 35 as well as those drawn by ballot. It is anticipated the Board wll requro to sil again to-day and.on Friday next to dispose of the business. Isaac James, manager of tlie State Coal Mines (Mr. J. Hannan), appealec on behalf of John Law Roberts, Johr Kyle, Samuel Mason, Robert Ernosl Blair, John Connolly and William Me Taggart, employees of the State mine The Chairman said -there were other: from the State mine who had not appealed and he purposed taking the whole of them on tlie 19tli inst. He would, however, desire a statement oi what each of the appellants was doin'] at the mine. The appeals were adjourn ed ustil later in the sitting. _ The appeals of Henry Patten, and Frederick Patten, two brothers, daily farmers, Cobden (Mr F. A. Kitchingliani), were taken together. The appeal of Henry Patton was dismissed, and that of his brother held over. Walter Angel, 30 years and 11 months married, merchant, Greymouth, wlic enlisted six months ago and was turned down medically, asked for some time to fix up his business. Both brothers were drawn in the ballot. The appeal was .adjourned till next sitting of the Board, who would decide on the medical report which brotlici was the better fitted to go. Cedric Walker Batty.—Appeal withdrawn and dismissed. Mr. Win. J. Hesscl, chief traffic clerk at Greymouth, appealed on /behalf of tho following railway employees Joseph Peter Packer (fireman). Parker Samuel Bevan (fitter). Thomas Henry McEwan (boiler-maker), Peter Christopher Daly and John Connolly (Seddonville). The appeals, together with that of Henry Herbert Goodman (cleaner), were adpourned. The appeal of Eugene Sullivan (Mr. Hannan), who had been classed for home service, was withdrawn. Francis Edward O’Flynn (Mr. M. Hannan).—Appeal withdrawn and dismissed. James Arthur Sullivan appealed on the ground of being over. age. He had five brothers; four within the military age, two being married. Three of whom had received notice under Section 35. Tho appeal was allowed, appellant not being a Reservist. Patrick tlefferman, farm hand (Mr. W. J. Joyce), one of seven brothers, appealed on the grounds of undue hardship and that he was required for homo industries. Ho was a single man. Five brothers were in the First Division and two in the' Second Division. He had no brotliers/jserving. There were three sisters. Three unmarried brothers at home supported-tho -three, sisters. Ap pellant was employed in clearing busli land for Mr. Shannon. The appeal was dismissed. William Alfred Baird. —Appeal withdrawn and dismissed. Donald William Ross, State mine, sawmiller, appealed on behalf of Frank O’Neill (Dunollie), "who worked as a snigger, getting props for the State mine. Mr. J. Hannan appeared on behalf of the employer. After l(eatring evidence the appeal was adjourned sine die. Tho appeal of James Joseph Sliannalian was allowed, appellant not coming within the interpretation of Section 35. Meliael McCormack nd James McCormack, Greymouth (Mr. W. J. Joyce), summoned under Section 35. — Michael McCormack said lie was in the employ of the Grey Borough Council, in place of his brother, who was unable to work. He was 25 years of ago and single. There were four brothers altogether. The eldest had been manned for ten or twelve years. The second brother bad been away for yoappellant could riot say whether he was married or single. The third brother (JmnefiL bad been certified to by the

doctor as unfit. Appellant was tie only support of his mother. jßotli appeals were allowed, Jan. -s being in Class D (unlit) and Mich •■ I not, coming within the Section. . Neil Leslie Nicholson (Mr. F. A. Kitchingham), manager of Ho Ho sawmill, appealed on behalf of Henry Jones, a loading husliman' with six ljien working under him, on the grounds that Jones’ services were indispensable. Four other of his present employees had bee nclraw#i in the ballot, hut had not appealed, hor was lie appealing on their behalf. Witness himself had onlisted, but failed* to pass. The Board allowed the appeal. There had been a good drain on the mill in question. The appeal would be adjourned sine die, but appellant must remain in his present occupation or notifv anv change of address. GREYMOUTH, Jan. 15. At the afternoon sittings of the Military Appeal Board the coal minors and truckers who appealed had their cases adjourned sine die. Stress was laid on the point that if they leave their employment the Mine Manager will be responsible to the authorities. Sawmillers in extreme cases had their appeals allowed. The Board sits again to-morriw. ROTORUA, Jan. Is. Tho Military Service Appeal Board sal-to-day Fifteen appeals were dealt with, twelve of which w. re dismissed, hut granted exemption to various dates and was dismissed and two upheld.