Military Service Board.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 12 October 1917, Page 3

Military Service Board.

Sitting at Ranfurly.

A sitting of the Otago No. 1 Military Service Board was held at Ranfurly last week. The board consisted of Messrs H. Y. Widdowson, S.M. (chairman), A. D. Bell, and E. Kellefct. Captain Free was the military representative.

William O'Dowd (farmer, St. Bathans) appealed on the ground of undue hardship. His father was 81 years of age. He had two sisters, one of whom had recently been ill for a period of four years, and was still unable to work. —Adjourned for three months, any change in conditions in the mean time to be reported to the military representative. James Pottinger (farmer, Ranfurly) i appealed on the ground of undue hardship. He stated that in the event of his 1 having to go his mother and sister would be left with no one to manage and work the farm, which usually carried 680 sheep, including 230 lambs.

Ha carried oh mixed farming, including dairying.—Adjourned sine die. Cyril Schrick (butcher and baker, Patearoa) had his appeal supported by his mother. The reservist stated that his mother was. a widow, who whs carrying on a business as butcher and baker. Witness assisted in the conduct of the business, and iiis mother was absolutely dependent on him for carrying it on. He was the only child in the family.—Appear to be reconsidered when reservists of the Second Division are called up. Arthur Walter Hill (farm hand, Gimmerburn), whose appeal had been previously dismissed, had a re-bearing applied for by his employer (Mrs P. I. Roberts, who had written to the Minister of Agriculture on the subject. Mrs Roberta stated that she had 2200 acres of land, and had 80 acres in wheat. She had been unable to get anyone to take Hill's place. A former manager had gone, to the war.—Recommended that the reservist be granted leave until the November draft.

Wm. Walter Smith (farmer, Wedderbarn) had his appeal supported by his father. The reservist stated that he was managing a brother's place,, this brother having gone to the, war. His father was not able to superintend. He had two brothers at the front.—The Chairman said that, "the report of the Efficiency Board was to the effect that the reservist was not essential to the working of the place.— Captain Free contended that the fattier would be able to superintend.—-Ad-journed for further inquiry. . David Wilabn (farm manager, Gimmerburn), had his appeal supported by his father, who was stated to be-in poor health. He had a-property c'onsisting of 1079 acres, l.i.p.j which carried.4so breeding ewes. He.'.had 80 acres ploughed for turnips. —Adjourned for one month. *

John .Thos. Beck (Oturehua), who was described as a farm manager and working engineer of a coal mine; appealed on the ground that he was engaged in an essential industry! He stated that if be bad to go the mine would have to close down. All the farmers in the district*got their supplies of cdal for thrashing, chaffcutting, and household purposes from the mine which appellant managed. He also managed his mother's farm of 1350 acres. His mother was a widow; He had three brothers at the front. —Adjournad for a month. Alexander Helm (farm labourer, Gimmerborn) had hia appeal supported by his employer-(Jas.'J Scott), who considered that the reservist's services were indispensable. He was the only man employed on the farm, and did the team work and'the bill shepherding.— Adjourned sine \ v

John Hastie (fcrm * manager, Kokonga) had his appeal supported by his mother. The reservist stated that his mother was a widow, and he had two unmarried sisters and a delicate brother dependent on him.—Adjourned for one month, the reservist to be medically re-examined meantime. I Harold Edwin Pearce (farmer, Paerau), Htated.that he was managing the properties of two brothers who were away at the war. The farmg were 30 miles apSrt. The appellant and his father were the only people left to look after these properties.— Adjourned sine die. Daniel Tbos. Weir (sheep and agricultural farm manager) stated that .he was managing a large property at Patearoa for his father, who was 72 years of age. The property carried [SOOO sheep and 80 cattle, and was practically all high country.—Adjourned sine die. Wm. Ambrose Shea (farm assiatanij had his. appeal supported by his mother—a widow. The reservist stated that he was looking after his mother's property, which consisted of 1650 acres, leasehold. They had an employee a man 23 years of age, who had been with them for 10 months. It required at least two men look after the place. When the reservist's father was alive there were three men on the place. The employee referred to was not capable of controlling the place.— Adjourned sine die.

John Coy I a (sheep farmer, Kyeburn) had his appeal supported by his father. The property owned by the father consisted of 12,400 acres leasehold, which carried 3000' sheep. The reservist was the only son. I —Adjourned sine die. . Watson Shennan (sb6ep farmer, Puketoi), applied for time for Alexander 1 ; Cameron, an " employee. The reservist's services were essential during lambing and shearing. He would like time allowed till the January draft: —■ To go into camp with the January draft.

The appeal ef Frank Roberts was dismissed,' appellant to go into camp with the November draft.

Thos. Richd. Crutchley (farm as ; sistant, Kyeburn), had his appeal supported by his mother, who stated that the appellant w»b the only son available for working the farm.—Appeal dismissed, appellant not to go into camp until the January draft. John Edward Mulholland (sheep farmer, Paerau), had his appeal pupported by his mother, who stated that the reservis.t wa's the only one available to wf-rk and manage ,her farm. The reservist had a farm of his own to" look after 'as wall.—Adjourned sine die.

Herbert Ernest Brown (farm assistant, Oturehua) had his appeal sup ported by his mother ,(a widow), who stated that this reservist was ; the only son available to. work and manage the farm. Adjourned till December sitting., The following reservists who were classed C2, had their appeals .either withdrawn or formally dismissed:— Geo. G. Davenney (Ranfurly), Wm. Currie (Naseby), Wm. Johston (Patearoa); Albert Geo: : Kinsman (Pukepauri), and Matthew M'Knight (oturer hua):