CORRESPONDENCE. MILITARY SERVICE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1918, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

MILITARY SERVICE.

(To the Editor). Sir, —-At the last Hitting of the Miliary Appeal Board at Hokitika Mr. G. 1) Seale appeared and was at first nformed that his appeal was allowed s he was over age. Mr Seale then eft the Board room and in his absence Captain Pilkington informed the Bench that a mistake, had been made —the iiessenger then called Mr Beale hack—ind the Chairman announced that the jtatement put in writing by Mr Seale ivaa not correct and consequently the. decision was revised. The explanation put up by Mr Seale was to the effect that he meant hp would be 46 years old next November. The Cliainnan stated that the written statement indicated that the appellant was over age and then asked Mr Seale if he did not know tile difference between “was”, and “will be” to which Mr Seale made,, no reply. The' Chairman then asked why the appellant had not gone up for-medical examination to which Mr Scale replied that he bad a telegram which h c had shewn to the Chairman that morning evidently referring to some interview which had been held in pnvate. The Chairman then replied that- no doubt the telegram came from some one who had been misled as to appellant’s age. Now, Mr Editor, whnt I want tc know is first:—How does it come about that any appellant should try t< see the Board on appeal business ir private and not in the ordinary wav and secondly ; What steps arc t-o he tak en in the case of any appellant havin' made an incorrect statement as to hi: age to the Board. The whole bn,sines; leaves a nasty taste in the mouths o those who are willing to do their shaT> in defence of their King and Coun try, and the matter cannot be allow ed to' rest with the puerile explanatio already given.—l- am,' (not will be.) ■ - A TOE PATRIOT.