MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1916, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Hawera, Thursday. The Board resumed its sittings today. Present: Messrs. D. G. Cooper (chairman), D. McLaren, and W. Perry. Captain Drr Walker represented the Defence Department. Major Cox, group eftnmander, was also present. The first appeals heard were those lodged by. Charles Stewart Barclay, storekeeper, Kapuni, and John Crabb Barclay, storekeeper and carrier, Okaiawa, for whom Mr. O'Dea appeared Tim former appealed on the grounds of ooci!" pation and undue hardship', and that leaving for camp would affect his business. The second brother, J. C. Barclay, appealed on the grounds of bring medically unfit. He had previously tried to enlist, but had been turned down by the .Medical Board. He offered to reenlist' when 'he had an offer for his business.

Mr. Cooper adjourned the appeal of I j C S. Barclay till February, and that of J. C. Barclay sine die. j The appeal by George Ryan, ud- j juurncd from Wednesday, was reported I by the Board. It,.was agreed then, that, | I should his brother, T. Ryan, pas.; the Medical Board test, the case of George Ryan would be adjourned sine die. T. Ryan had since passed the Board. 'The appeal was sustained, provided G. Ryan remains in his present occupation and takes his chance in the ballot. Thomas Theodore Foreman and William George Foreman, farmers, Altou, appealed against serving. The former's objections were that e.e was unfit for service. The Medical Board reported him fit for home a service. W. G. Foreman's objections were on ail grounds, except religious and being fit for service, also tliat he could not get a suitable substitute to carry on for him. Mr. O'Dea, who appeared for appellants, said the boys rather objected to being called up umlei sections 3'.">, and preferred to have 'been chosen by ballot. One had a defective foot, and was unfit for active esrvice. If given till the end . of March, William Foreman would be able to go into camp. The appeal of W. 0. Foreman was ■ dismissed. Captajn Walker undertook to grant appellant to March 31. The case" of Thomas T. Foreman was adjourned sine die, Captain Walker intimating there was little probability of his being called up by ballot. Alfred Moreland, share-milker, Patea, appealed on the ground of hardship, nniilncss, and brothers unfit. There were ■ five in the family to support, with two brothers. The Medical Board reported ' him fit for service, and appellant had

also been drawn in the ballot. Robert Moreland appealed on similar grounds. The Medical Board also reported him fit for service. . ' ; <"; '*. Mr. O'Dea stated that tlie appellants were share-milkers at Whenuakum, assisting their father on a farm owned by Mr. V. 15. Powdrell. Appellants worked 10 hours a day. In reply to a question by Captain Walker as to why they had not enlisted, Robert Moreland said they had not been able to do so, but 'had attended territorial parades. They had discussed the matter of enlisting, but had not mentioned it to Mr. Powdrell. They were not afraid to go to the front. Onc. could go after the holidays (New Year), but it was a question of labor. Mr. McLaren wished to know if they realised the seriousness of the war?— Do you know that in some instances all brothers eligible in a family have voluntarily enlisted ?—Yes. Captain Walker: Naturally you vvaiu your country preserved and protected? —Yes. Mr. Powdrell said he was prepared to make any sacrifice to help to- win the war. It would be a hardship on tlie share-milkers if one had to. go into camp immediately, as it was difficult to obtain labor. From his own personal experience, he knew that labor was very difficult to obtain. In reply to Captain Walker, he stated he thought one of the. boys should have gone to the front ere this. The Board retired, and, on returning, said the appeal oc fidbert Moreland would be dismissed, Captain Walker granting leave until January 31. Alfred Moreland -was granted leave until *May

2S - , •,: Edward Arnold Jolinson, .wilder Patea, appealed on the ground that In was not a reservist, and on the grduni of undue hardship. He had enlisted am been rejected, and thereupon entered into a partnership as building contrac tor, and had work six months ahead. Captain Walker stated that Jolmsor had that day been medically passed bj the Board, and was agreeable to gb ink camp at the end of January. The appeal was formally dismissed Johnson being granted leave until tin end of January. Albert John Hughes, farmer, Msmaia appealed on the ground of hardship. He was the only son at home assisting at the farm work, and it was difficult tc get anyone to take his place. Mr, R D. Welsh appeared for Hughes. Captain Walker stated that hughes had only just turned 20, and intended to enlist after the milking season hat' reached its flush. He thought that exemption should be garnted until Marel: 31. The Board then rose.