MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1916, Page 4

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

QUESTION OF RAILWAY SERVANT REDUCTION OP TRAINS URGE: - ). By Telegraph.—Press Association, Wellington, Last Night, "he Military Service Board this aftei* noon delivered a decision on the appealt madeby the Railway Department o» behalf of certain employees. In the case of W. H. Hales, expert time-table and train-running clerk, the Board reserved its decision for two months and granted suspension from military service in the jiieantime, provided Hales remained in present official position. "The Board," the chairman proceeded, "desires to impress upon the Department the neeesHty for training some officer in the duties carried out by Hales, in order that, should the necessity arise for Hales to be called to the front, ruck officer might be capable of filling his place. The Board wishes further to recommend to the Department the i'estability of reducing, if not altogether eliminating, the number of trains now run for the purpose of conveying tbs public to race meetings, shows, and othei excursions The necessity for this wai elicited in Hales' evidence, in which he stated that out of 2250 trains run in the Wellington district during the present year, 1500 of these were absolutely essential, leaving a, balance of 750 run for excursion purposes only Tho Board if. of opinion that it is about time that the pujjlic realised that they must do away with at lenst some of their trains, so as to help in filling up the reinforce* ments."

In other railway eases, Patrick Richaril Ryan (signalman), Frederick Henry Cunningham (fireman), and Leslie Baker (fireman), the Board reserved its decision for three months, and granted exemption from military service in the meantime, provided reservists remained in their present occupations. .Tames A. Dunn, farmer, Silvcfstream, had his appeal dismissed, but the military representative undertook to obtain leave foi him till the" end of Marihito enable him to dispose of his farm. The Wellington Meat Export Company desired exemption for Thomati Hope Murray, stock buyer and drafter, of Mastcrton, urging that the busy season had now started and the work would he greatly inconvenienced by Murray's withdrawal. Decision was reserved pending a medical examination of Murray. The same company appealed on behalf of Arthur Driscoll, slaughterman, on the ground of difficulty in getting men to carry on this essential industry. The ease was adjourned sine die, provided appellant remains in his present occupation and the military authoritiei receive periodical reports that the conditions of exemption are observed.

Samuel Cohvell, driver, who had appealed on the ground of hardship nnd medical unfitness, did not appear, and his appeal was dismissed.