MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 October 1917, Page 2

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

DEARTH OF ENGINEERS.

AMONG the number of appeals for exemption and leave at the First Auckland Military Service Board on Monday last, W. Sadin, master and owner of an auxiliary schooner running between Helensville and Otamatea, appealed on behalf of Fred E. Le Grice, marine engineer. The boat was engaged in carrying general cargo and wool. Exemption until the end of the year was desired in order to get through the wool season, and to train a man to take appellant's place. Witness stated that at the present time marine engineers were practically unprocurable. The case was adjourned for two months in order to give witness further opportunity , securing a suitable man. - jjtfjj LAST MAN ON THE FArM^ Alexander Me Adam, farm^^^f Parakai, represented that he WM^H the only man on a farm of l^r^H acres, supporting a widowed-^H mother and sister. Stephen J. Ambury, acquainted with the ■ circumstances, gave evidence, 9 and the Board agreed that it was ™ a case where a man was abso- • lutely necessary. McAdam had two brothers, one on active service, and another on 500 acres, \. 100 miles away. It was stated that the farm, which was run by appellant and his sister, carried over 50 cows, over 40 being milked t© augment the city supply. If McAdam had to go, the farm would have to be closed. . The case was adjourned sine die.

A KAFKAPAKAPA APPELLANT. • The interests of the settlers of the " roadless North " were advanced the other day before the Military Service Board, as a. ground for the exemption . of. Allen W. Shanks, road-repairer-for the Waitemata CountyCouncil. It was stated that appellant, in addition to assisting his father on the latter's farm, was in charge of contracts forthe maintenance of about 50 miles of road in the Kaukapakapa district. Supporting evidence was given by the engineer and.: Chairman of the Waitemata County Council, the latter stating that appellant was most essential to the carrying out of important work, arid as this required the/ services of a young and strong man, he could not possibly be replaced at the present time. It was further stated that the abnormally wet weather in the earlier part of the year had resulted in many slips and washouts on the roads, and if these were not cleared the roads would be impassable for settlers.. There was a great amount of construction work to be done to bridges and culverts, as well as repairsto the road itself, and it would take all the present season to get this done. Dealing with the personal side of the case, appellant stated that he was the only son at home, two brothers were already on service, and another in camp. The Board granted exemption sine die.