MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1917, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

, sjg[ 'APPEAL BOABD SITTING; *• The First Wellington Military Service Appeal Board resumed its sitting in 'Hawera on Saturday. .T. C. Biggar, who asked for time until March 31° did not appear, and his appeal was struck out. James Riddell Robertson, sheep farmer, Hawera, for whom Mr. Spratt appeared, appealed on the ground of public interest. Appellant said ho was married and 29 years of age. He was farming 1270 acres freehold at the back of Meremere, and appellant put in a written statement showing his financial obligations relating to the farm. He had considerably improved the farm, and at the present time the place was carrying 1800 sheep and 120 head of cattle. He was working the farm to its full capacity. lb wag very rough, hilly country, and there was just sufficient flat to build the house. It was a very rough farm to ivork, and mustering had to be done on foot. He did not think an elderly man tould work the farm. In pre-war times lie always kept a strong man, and the last assistant went away with the Sth Reinforcements, and appellant had been nn his own since. There was only one single eligible man in his district. He had had a great difficulty in getting his shearing done this season, and the position would be worse next season. The farm might he able to stand a manager, but he would not put in the hours appellant was doing. He had tried unsuccessfully to obtain labor by advertisements in four papers and by applications to labor agencies. The farm could not run the expense of two men. He was one of three brothers. His brother Jack went away with the Samoah force, and subsequently went to Gallipoli with the main body, where he was wounded. Afterwards Jack was invalided home, and later left with the L7th draft. The other brother, Oliver, enlisted with the '23 rd B-einforccments, and was now a ■sergeant in the 26th Reinforcements, Appellant considered he would be doing his duty by remaining on his farm, although he had no objection to lighting. und would go willingly if he had. to go ] to the front. He was asking for exemption sine die.

Mr. T. A. Winks, who had been nominated as a. member of the Board of Trustees, gave evidence in support of appellant's ease. He did not think a manager, working alone, could work the farm satisfactorily. It was very difficult country for a man to work without assistance. The farm would not stand a, manager and an assistant. If appellant put a manager in he did not th'n'.t the farm would result in a loss of production to the country.

To Captain Walker: Wth a pond manager he would not sav there would be a serious loss in production.

The Board reserved its decision. James Herbert Gwynne, farmer, Kapangs,, for whom Mr. A. Stewart ed, appealed on the ground of public interest and undue hardship.

Appellant said he was sinjle and 23 fears of age. Ho held a lease of 100 acres, on which he was m'lking 40 cows by patchine. His only help was from his sister, who was 2Si years of age. He had a- brother, aged 19, on the farm, but owing to ill-health he was unable to do nny heavy work. One other brother, who was in the postal service, had enlisted, but believed he had been rejected. His father, who was living in Auckland, would be unable to work the farm, as he was not in the best of health. Appellant put in a doctor's certificate .in support of this statement. ' Mr. Stewart suggested that the ea=e should be adjourned until the next sitting to enable him to communicate with the father as to his ability to work the

farm, and also enable him to put the appellant's position before the Efficiency Board.

The Board agreed to the adjournment until the next sitting. Ernest Victor Silby, dairy fanner, Awatuna, who had been "boarded" 81, and whose appeal had been adjourned from the previous sitting, did not appear, and tbe appeal was dismissed. . Henry Walker Harrison, dairy farmer, Hawera, appealed on the ground/ of public interest and undue hardship. Appellant said he was farming 100 acres, on which he was milking 50 cows by machine. He had no one to help him except his sister, who was not able to do a great deal because of a crippled arm. Two brothers had gone to the front, one of whom bad been killed and' the other wounded. The Board reserved its decision sine die, the appellant to report to the gToup commander monthly. Charles William Carlson, dairy farmer, Lower Hunter road, Eltham, for whom Mr. Weir appeared, appealed on tbe ground of public interest ad undue hardship.

Appellant said he was married and milking 48 cows, with the assistance only of a lad of 15 years of age, loaned by a neighbor. At tbe time he marned •he had three brothers on active service,

one of whom bad been invalided home, and wa.s not fit to do farm work.

Decision was reserved sine die, appellant to report to the group commander monthly. Frederick Gawith, dairy farmer, Hawera, for whom Mr. Spralt appeared, appealed on the ground of public intecrst and undue hardship.

When the case was called on appellant did not appear, and it was. allowed to stand down until the end of the list, when the appeal" was again called. Appellant did not appear. The Chairman: The appeal is dismissed.

Mr. Spraft: This is a serious case. . The Chairman: If it is serious, why is the appellant not here Appellant cannot expect the Board to be waiting up?n him. Mr. Spratt remarked that if appellant was not given time his farm would probably be thrown idle. The Chairman: That is his own fault. The following appeals were either allowed or formally dismissed, appellants having been "boarded" C2:—J. ?C. Death, Eitham; T. Death, Eitham:' T. HammerS'ley, Kaponga; R. A. Dyson. Okaiawa; E. Howat, Douglas; A. T. Moßeth, Xormanby; L. K. Sheard, Hawera. The Court was adjourned until Monday.—Star.