MILITARY APPEAL BOARD.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 28 March 1917, Page 4

MILITARY APPEAL BOARD.

The First'Wellington Military Appeal Board held a sitting at Marton yesterday. Mr D. G. Cooper, S.M., presided, with Messrs D. McLaren and W. Perry. Captain Walker appeared on behalf of the Defence Department. FARMERS' APPEALS.

William L. Green, Gilbert J. Green, and Fred L. Green (three brothers) farmers, Mangaweka, appealed on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. Mr Miles appeared for the appellents and stated that Fred L. Green had gone into camp on the 13th March. The appeal was dismissed. William L. Green, sworn, stated that with his brothers, he farmed 1400 acres, partly freehold and leasehold. He had been manager for 16 years. His father's age was 67. If his brother Gilbert went away he would have to decrease the stock. The witness was cross-examined at some length by Captain Walker. In reply to Mr McLaren as to whether

either of them had made a serious attempt to> enlist, the appellent stated that he thought he was doing his best for the country by working the farm. He had been on the farm since he was 14. John Green, father of the appellants,, stated that he had acted as rouseabout on the farm. He was unable to assist in mustering. To Captain McLaren: He kept the accounts on the farm. His son was manager. Gilbert J. Green, farmer, corroborated his brother's evidence. John Hamilton Miles, solicitor, sworn, stated that he had a farm >of 2200 acres at Pipiriki. He had a manager, who died in June* 1916, and since then he had been endeavouring to get a manager. He had had two—one stayed for two months and the other stayed three months.

It was extremely difficult to get a man to go to the back country. The place was close to a town and school. He offered £175, house and meat. Labour there was generally unprocurable, and natives wanted £1 a day. The Board gave it decision in the Green Brothers' appeal. W. L. Green's appeal was adjourned sine die on condition that he remained in his present occupation. Gilbert John Green's appeal was dismissed. .--...

James Ashmore, farmer, Raetihi, apV pealed on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. Appellent, sworn, stated that he was a farmer at Eaetihi, in partnership with Greig, who was at the front. He managed a farm of 2719 acres, divided into four farms. He employed a cadet and shepherd, under military age, and a married man over military age with a family.

The Board granted exemption sine die, provided that appellent remained in his present occupation. 'A FELLMONGER'S APPEAL. John Dunlop, f ellmongcr, Taihape, appealed on the ground of public interest. Appellent stated that he was employed at the Otaihape Farmers' Meat Co., ) and was employed in pelt curing . Maurice Kirshberg, head fellmohger for the company, stated that Dunlop took pelts from the puller flesher, washes, lines, stacks, bastes, cures, grades and cashed them. They killed about 400 to 500 sheep a day. 500 was a good average for a day's work, and Dunlop did them. He did not have an under study. There was no one to take Dunlop's place. It would take four years to teach a man the work. To Captain Walker: In the event of Dunlop being taken there was an alternative for the Government to start a central depot for curing skins, where all pelts could" be sent. This would release about 20 men from this department in the different works. The Board reserved its decision till 30th June next, provided that appellent remain in his present position when the Board will review the case at the end of that period, j

Carl Victor Anderson, sheep farmer, Mangaweka.—Appeal dismissed sine die as the appellent was medically unfit. William Douglas, sawmill hand, Raetihi, appealed for exemption until the end of June. His wife was in delicate health, and he had a mother and sister partly dependent on him.—Exemption granted until 29th April. Francis J. G. Thompson, tailor, Mangaweka, appealed on the ground of undue hardship. Appellent stated that he was single, 32 years of age and managing a business for his mother,, who had a lease for three years. He had two sisters 12 and 16 years of age. Mary Thomson, mother of appellant, stated that the business was hers, and her son cleared ( .;-l a week. He retained £1 per week, but it was often borrowed back. It would take all a man could

earn to pay an outsider his wages. The Board reserved its decision sine die. John Quillinan, labourer, Taihape, appealed on ground of undue hardship. .As there was no appearance of appcllent the appeal was dismissed. Frank Arthur Voss, farmer, Eaetihi, asked for two months' leave from 19th February to arrange business. —Exemption granted till 29th April. Lloyd Henry Brown, sheep farmer, Eaetihi, appealed on grounds of public interest and undue hardship. Mr Christenscn appeared for appellcnt. Appellant stated that he was willing to sell the farm, as there would not be

sufficient money to carry on in his ab» sence. Appeal adjourned till next sitting. William Bourke, kune Junction, asked for three months in order to dispose of his house and section. No appearance of appellant and appeal dismissed. William Arthur Jones,i sawmill foreman, Ohakune, appealed on all grounds* George Bartholomew, sawmiller and timber merchant, and managing director of Fielding Sash and Door Company,, also appealled on Jones' behalf. Witness statecL,that Jones was foreman of : Mill No. these men were hard toget. About'twelve men had gone to* the front. Jones had been with them eight years and could take any job in. the mill. About 25 men worked at each. of their mills. He recognised that farms, must be recognised as more essential than mills. The lowest w T age paid was. lis a day. Captain Walker: Perhaps that is the reason why farmers cannot get labour on the farms. They don't pay big. enough wages. The Board reserved its decision.