MILITARY SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1917, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE.

SOUTH TARANAKI APPEALS. STOCK-BREEDERS' APPLICATIONS. The first Wellington Military Service Doard opened its sittings in Hawera yesterday. Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, presided, lind associated with him were Messrs D. McLaren and Guy Williams. Captain Orr Walker appeared as military representative. Edward John Kirkwood, farmer, Stratford (Mr. Coleman), appealed on the ground of hardship, and said he had live brothers. One was a major in the 10th Gloucester Regiment, who had won the D.5.0., and had been mentioned in despatches. There was only one other, brother fit and eligible for service in the first division, and he had been drawn tn the ballot and had not appealed. Appellant held a freehold, property of 190 acre 3, on which were 40 dairy cows, 300 Bheep and f»0 head of stock. He was a stock-breeder. If he had to go to the front he would have to sell, and the present time was not suitable. . The difficulty of obtaining labor had been met with, and other farmers could not undertake the care of additional herds in milk. Appellant said hfs herd was a pedigree one, and required special attention. At anyrate,~it was of the utmost importance that appellant should be present at the sale of pedigree stock, and it was essential that the young stock should be specially prepared prior to the sale, in order to get anything like an adequate return. Appellant said he would like to go into camp at once, if he could overcome the difficulty with which he was faced. He wanted leave until June. Counsel said appellant was prepared to turn the whole of his stock over to the Government at valuation. To Captain Walker: He was drawn in the ballot in December. He had not taken any' steps to dispose of the property, because he regarded himself as unfit for active service, and because it was entirely inadvisable to sell stock at the present time. His married brother could manage the (dairying on the farm. His difficulty was witli the pedigree ntoch He would probably have to lose on the sale owing to the war condition*. He wanted to avoid unnecessary loss. If he sold them now he might only get freezing works prices for them. Appellant remarked that of the men recently examined at Hawera a large number were given leave until April without a request being preferred by the recruits.

Captain Walker: Will yon name a «in2le recruit who was treated thus?

The appellant admitted that he could not off-hand, but said that this had been reported in the papers. He could >iot*say whether the men were volunteers or balloted men.

Captain Walker said tlint volunteers could enlist for two months ahead. Eal ioted men were required to go into camp iii fourteen days, or at tlip most three iyeek-B.

Appellant: What I heard gave me the impression that men were not urgently needed.

The chairman: You can disabuse yonr mind of that. Men are urgently needed.

To the chairman: His brother 'had been dairying for six years, but he did not think the latter Jihew enough ol the breed stock to Iwrn sufficient in a month to sell them to the best advantage. Asked whether there were any stockbreeders in the district who would as-

Biat his brother, appellant said competition was keen. Mr. Williams: At a time like this you would think they would assist him. Counsel:. I don't think they would. Mr. McLaren: They may have to. Counsel: I am afraid that stockbreeders are not suflieienlly disinterested to take the matter up. Referring to the risk of loss tbtt might be incurred by appellant, Mr. McLaren thought that people should under stand the risk the Empire was tajcing «t the present time. Counsel offered to give evidence and to call Mr. Eustatius Griffiths, an expert from New Plymouth. The chairman said he had no doubt about the truth of appellant's statements, but he doubted the necessity of delay until June. Tile appeal was dismissed, leave being granted until April 29. UN-ABLE TO GET HELP. Michael Kavann.gh, dairy fanner, Whareroa (Mr. P. O'Dca), who was called up under Clause 35, appealed on the ground of undue hardship. Appellant was 28 years of age, and was sharemilking 50 cows by hand. His partner could not do all the work without help, and he had found it impossible to get someone to take his place. Appellant had made casual inquiries for help, but had not advertised or interviewed labor agencies. He took up milking in July last. Prior to that' date lie had been on general farm work. Captain Walker: Apparently all the owner wants is a youth to help with the milking. To the chairman: Appellant could •bear 120 sheep per day. The cows wore beginning to dry oIT now. They cajue iu in August and September. Counsel: A cow that comes in in August will not dry off any sooner than the cows that come in in December. Of course cows that came in early were only giving half their yield now. The appeal was dismissed and leave was granted until April 29. 1 FARMER DISPOSES OF HIS •PROPERTY. Thomas Kavanagh, dairy farmer, Haivera (Mr. P. O'Dea), who mas not present when his name, was first called, was •dmonished and told his appeal would have been dismissed had it not been lor his counsel's intercession. Counsel said appellant could go into camp at the end of April. He had done what a large number had not done—had got ready and had disposed of hia property. The herd on the property had also been sold. To Captain Walker: Appellant was milking 24 cows, and ho would dry them off at the end of April. The appeal wa3 dismissed, and leave was granted until the end of April. NOT IN -FIRST DIVISION. John Armstrong Shearer and Robert fieorgc Shearer, farmers,' Okaiawa, who had been medical-boarded, and had been classed a* B2 and C2 respectively, were the next appellants. John Armstrong submitted .that he was not in the first division, and produced a marriage certificate showing that he had been married on April 24, 1912. The appeal was allowed. Robert George withdrew his appeal, and-, it was formally dismissed, -,

A COXCESSTOX GRANTED. Patrick Edward Callaghan, farmer, Finncrty Road, Xgaerc (Mr. King), said he was farming a holding of 83 acres for his mother, who was very old, and ivho depended on the farm. One brother enlisted in the early stages of the war and another brother, a butter factory manager, was married. There was no one else who could help his mother. Dei-ision was reserved until April 29, when appellant's position will be reconsidered. SHORTAGE OF lu)R3ESHOERS. Arthur Chapman, blacksmith, Strat. ford (Mr. Fookes), appealed on the ground of undue hardship. His two brothers, who were.farmers afc Tariki, had been classed as C2. They had withdrawn their appeals, which had been dismissed. Appellant had married since the war. He went on to say there was a great shortage of horsp-shoers in the district. . Four businesses in the district had been closed owing to enlistments. To Captain Walker: He had not worked overtime since Christmas. His employer had turned work away. There were three horse-shoeing businesses between Inglewood and Stratford. Counsel asked for total exemption ow< ing to public interest. To Captain Walker: There were no apprentices in Stratford. He knew .of three doormen who could not 'fit and make shoes. It took five years to learn the trade, and four years to make a shoe. Witness had been called in the ballot as well as under Clause 35. George Mcßain, a member of the firm that employed the appellant, paid the appeal had been practically made at his instance. Horsc-shoers, he said ;were very scarce. To Mr. McLaren: He paid lis per day. Overtime was not worked at the trade. To Captain Walker: Considering the circumstances of the war, he would not go so far as to say appellant was indispensable. He agreed that appellant's loss would mean a temporary inconvenience. About eight dozen horses per week were sltoed at the firm's premises. At the present time there were twu sho'ers and a doorman employed. To counsel: There were uo-pleasuro dorses in the district. The chairman: I have seen a stationhand fit a shoe, and do it well. The appeal w*s dismissed, jnd leave was granted until April 20. APPELLANT FROM MAKAHU. Undue hardship was alleged in support of the appeal of Martin Patrick Ford, farm hand, Makahu (Mr. O'Dca). Appellant said he was 23 years of age, single, and was employed by his father on a farm of 200 acres at Makahu. Ho milked 37 cows, and there were SO sheep and 30 dry stock. Appellant was the mainstay of his father.

Counsel read u letter from tlie chair man- of the Makahu Dairy Company, which showed that tho factory was onn of the smallest concerns of the kind in New Zealand, and appellant supplied one-fifth of the milK. It was stated that if appellant's supply could not be miaiii tained, the output of the factory would be considerably reduced, and the factory might have to close down. A medical certificate was read showing that appel. laiit's father was in a very weal; rtatc and unable to ::arry on the farm without the assistance supplied by appellant. Counsel: It is not so much the milking as the cropping and fencing that presents the didiculty in this case. Decision was .reserved until April ill when the appellant's position will bo reviewed. time only Asked for. Time only was asked for in the case of Louis Fcltham Newman Cane, dair.v farmer, Inaha (Mr. Hpratt). He . wa'n 33 years of age, and was married in .Tune, l!)lfl. Appellant said he was working 130 acres, and he and his wife were milking 58 cows by hand. Appellant had a brother in camp, who had helped him prior to enlisting, hi Ids notice of appe»,l he said tlu>t since his brother went away he had been managing what were practically two farms and two different herds. Appellant said his mother was dependent on him and his brother. in view of his. having to go into camp he had made arrangements for the lease of a portion of the farm. Appellant had his brother's interests to consider, and ho asked for leave until the end o/ June.

To Captain Walker: He managed- to run the two herds successfully. In \m experience iic had found-no'difficulty. Captain Walker quoted the -New Plymouth cases where it was argued that it would he impracticable to work two herds of an average of ?A cows each. The appeal was dismissed, and leave granted until June 30. DAIRY FARMER'S APPEAL. Leonard Eugene Hann, dairy farmer. Stratford (Mr Fookes), appealed on the ground of undue hardship. Appellant sail! he occupied a leasehold farm, of 200 acres, on which he milked 36 cows by hand. He had been a widower, but had married again in October, 1915. Appellant had two brothers who were in tho second division. One brother "occupied a farm which adjoined appellant's. Appellant would like to go on milking unt-ii the end of the season and then get his brother to take charge of the cows. It would not be practicable to merge appellant's and his brother's herds i-\)w, owing to the forward condition of tincows and the fact that his brother's animals were milked by machine. The appeal was dismissed, and appellant was granted leave until April 21). DISLOYALTY DENIED. Robert William Harris, dairy farmer, Okaiawa (Mr Spratt) appealed on the ground of undue hardship. His brcVher. Timothy Patrick Harris, had bifm medical boarded class C2, and his appeal had been withdrawn. . Evidence was given flat he had dii ficulty on his farm owing to a defective plant which operated the milking machines. Consequently there was a good deal of milking by hand. His fat-hot was an old man and was unable to do anything but light work. Captain Walker: Is it not a fact that you have expressed your intention not to go to the front? —No. Have yon ever expressed sentiments to the plt'ect that you were not going to the (front? —No. You swear that?— Yes. Is not your case one that has bees, spoken about a great deal in this district?—No! No one lias icntioned It to me. Did you ever think oi lusting?—l Hid not see any chance of doing so. Have yon ever advised anybody not to go?— No.

Captain Walker: Well, your evidence is. contrary to my instructions. * Are you well off?— Pretty well ofl. Has your brother offered to pay an assistant?— Yes. but he-could not rot on« to stay, '

Up to what price is ho prepared to pay? —About £3. Captain Walker: ITto is a man appealing ou the ground of undue hardship. I don't think it has teen sub' sta:'.tiato;!. Decision was reserved. LOST AN EYE. Bonbon Hartley, laborer, Awatnnu (ill- O'Dea) said iji support of his appeal that in consequence of the faet that ho had lost an eye he married 13 months ago. He had been medical* boarded and classed A. Appellant had purchased a farm of lfiO acres, but it was heavily mortgaged-; H* had not yet taken possession, but he had done Ecvoral acres of stumping and cropping. An instalment of £2OO was due in Jim*. If he- did not pay he would probably'forfeit Iris deposit. The former or, ner was Btill milking. Decision was reserved. A MODEST REQUEST. An application for time was preferred by John Armstrong, dairy farmer, Kakaramea (Mr Spratt). Appellant 'said he and his brother, worked as partners on a farm of 97 acres, on which CO cows were milked by machine. In May, 1010, appellant and his brother enlisted and were turned down. At that ti,me they could hays disposed of the farm, but "there was a difficulty now. Appellant asked for six weeks' time. He thought his brother could manage by then. He had his finances to arrange, The appeal was dismissed and the lime asked for avowed. ASSISTANCE FOR PARMER. The easo of Kenneth Archibald Carmiehaol, farmer, Kakarainea (Mr Sprats), which was adjourned at the last sitting of the iioard in Hawera, came up for reconsideration. Counsel said appellant was willing to go to camp, but the state of his finances ivaa such that there was a change of his parents' means of livelihood being crippled. Counsel asked the Hoard to recommend the Government to make a grant of -10s in order to provide labor to keep appellant's farm going. He said appellant was in the position of many others. He had not received a cent for 'ins produce for three months owing lo the Government commandeering the produce. On the basis of 1/7, the prici. received for butter last year (and there was no guarantee that the price would not bo less this year) appellant's proceeds would ho £lO9 less than those of last year. Owing to the drought, said counsel, this season had been a bad one, and had it TTof. been for tne high prices, the year would have been a disastrous one. . Captain Walker suggested that on the figures supplied the farm had not been a success owing lo circumstances not connected with the war. . Counsel submitted that it was a ease of real hardship. The sum of £239 was made out of the farm last year, £l5O ivas taken up in living expenses, and £l2O had to be paid in accordance with n covenant under which l>e was working. Capiain Walker: I still think there is nothing in the farm. Counsel: This familyUtas made a noble struggle, and I submit should be «ssisted. "" " " -' Captain Walker: It is a question for the Board to say how much should bo paid. Decision was reserved. "TOSSED" FOR IT. Ernest Frank Cox and Thomas Samuel Cox l , formers, Opunake (Mr O'Dea), who were called up under section 35. asked for exemption on the ground of undue hardship. It was stated by appellants that for over tv.-o and a half years they had leased SO:) acres of land from their father. They milked 100 cows by machines, and on the property were lOfl cheep, 100 fattening cattle, and 10U ralvcs. There were three married brothers ami one single brother of 18. The father had been ill for 20 years and was unable to do much. One was prepared to go into camp in April, the other to be left to look after the farm. They had not decided which brother aliould go. To Captain Walker.- There was an orchard of 10 acres. Appellants had two sisters. One worked in the house, und the other was not sufficiently well to do much. There was a dam, drains and the blackberries to ho attended to. Walker: Come on now, make » sporting offer. 'Will you go into camp Bn April 1 ? | The spokesman, after a moment's , thought, said: "Righto." Captain Walker: Now which one" of you will go and leave the other to look' if tor the farm?

The spokesman appellant (Ernest): We haven't decided yet. Captain Walker: Who is the best farmer? I reckon we are about tho name. Mr O'Dea: Come now, let us toss foi lt?-Very well. Mr O'Dea: Heads you go, Ernest; tails you go, Thomas? Are you agreed? -Yes. The coin was spun, and Mr O'Dea air"lounccd: "It's you, Thomas." (Laughter). Captain Walker: Thomas is the lucky One. The spokesman (Ernest): But will he agree to go into camp in April. Thomas: Oh, yes. I offered to go in the first place, in the street just -now. The Board decided to dismiss Thomas' appeal, and to grant him leave till April 1. Ernest' appe'al was adjourned sine die, and he was ordered to report limself monthly.

A SON'S RESPONSIBILITY. In (.lie case of James Fonnell, farmer Opu'nake (Mr O'Dea) appellant stated that of his three brothers one was in camp and another was going to camp, and the third was a schoolboy. Appellant looked after his father's farm, and lie and his sister milked 45 cows by hand. Decision was reserved until April 20 Hum appellant's position will be conlidcred. APPEAL FOR CLERK. James David Thomson, accountant in the employ of the West Coast Refrigerating Company, Patca, appealed on behalf of Roderick Elder, a clerk in the company's employ. Leave-until the end of March was asked for. It was stated that Elder hart charge of the stock books. The, fact that the Government had commandeered the output ' ' increased the clerical work. The appeal was dismissed and leave was granted until March 21. POSITION OF SLAUGHTERMEN. The Patca Freezing Company asked for examption for Cyril William Henry Langdon until May or June. The secretary of the company said Langdon was a beef and mutton butcher. The company's board complement was (I beef and 10 mutton butchers. TJuvy had

only 3 beef and 3 mutton butchers employed. The company slaughtered an average of 40 cattle "and from 300 to 100 sheep per day. Langdon was a lirst-chua mutton butcher and a good beef butcher. He was engaged on mutton at present. Tlio chairman: This case is harder Ulan the one heard in New Plymouth. Witness asked wliat would be the position next year, and the chairman replied that next year was too far ahead to' •receive consideration yet. The appeal was dismissed, and leave was granted until May 31, provided tho Hjcretary of the company reported to Die group commander monthly. 'DECISION RESERVED. The case of James Patcrson, saddler, I,'afcea, whose case was held over from December 0 last, was again considered, and appellant's business affairs were infjiiired into. Decision was reserved. A lIERDSMAiX'S CLAIM. John Morton Welsh, herdsman, who 'appealed on the grounds ot public interest and hardship, said he was employed on the State farm at Waverlcy. He had to look after (ii) stud cattle, milk them, and teach six cadets. Appellant naid the. manager regarded him,as indispensable and wanted to appeal tor him, but the Department wouldn't Jet him. The chairman: I shouldn't think so. Appellant said he was specially quali. nod for the work. Tn answer to questions, appellant said unybody could look after.the cattle if he put his, mind to it. Appellant added that he had volunteered in November, 191.5. He had a brother at the front. The appeal was dismissed. APrEALS DISMISSED. The following appeals were formally dismissed for the reasons stated:—Robt. George Shearer, farmer, Okaiawa, class 02 (withdrawn): James Patrick Malone, nliaremilUer, Okaiawa, class! A (withdrawn); Charles Angwiu, laborer, Makahu, class 02 (no appearance); Laurence Coutls, laborer, Waipuku, said to bo totally unfit (no appearance); William John McC'omisky, painter, I'atea, class D (withdrawn); Albert Edward Willis, Patea, class D (withdrawn); John Andrew Malone, graver's assistant, Patea, class C2 (withdrawn); Thomas H. Free, shearer, Waitara (withdrawn, leave granted uuti March 21).