MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1917, Page 3

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

HAWERA APPEALS. A silting of the First Wellington Miliary Appeal Board (Alrs-rs I). 0. A. (.oopcr, chairman, D. McLaren, and W. Perry) was held at Hawcra yesterday. t.ftpJ.ain Walker, military representative. ami Major Cox, officer in charge of the group, were also present.

A FOHOKURA APPEAL.

Herbert Winmill, farmipr, Pehokura (Mr. O'Dea), appealed on the ground? of public interest and undue hardship. He deposed that his age was -24, and tliat be owned a farjn of fNJfi acres freehold, of v.*hich 520 acres were in grass. He carried 000 sheep, 4S cattle, and U horses. In the spring he could carry more. Re had been on the place three years in July, as manager at the start for his unele, who left appellant the property on his death about a year ago. Appellant had no assistance. It was rough, hilly country, carrying about \% -sheep to the acre. There was some second growth on the property, which witness was working to its utmost capacity. To Captain "Walker: He had tried to dispose of the property at Government valuation, having placed it in the hands of three agents, as be was anxious to go to the front. He had filso offered to lease the property to his neighbors at their own price, but without success.

Captain Walker pointed out thrit people in towns had closed their businesses in order to go to the front. Mr. O'Dea: But they don't leave £3OGO behind them.

Appellant suggested that tho Government should take over the property at valuation.

Captain Walker said it was not such a hardship to appellant as it would be to a man who had worked for years and y>ars to work himself up. , Continuing, appellant said lie worked 011 the place all the time and sheared his own sheep. Captain Walker: If you had to go to the front what would be the position?

Appellant: I would have to let the Inrnl go back. To a suggestion by Captain Wklker that some of his neighbors might look after ,place, nppclhmt sai,d they had plenty to do to look after their own planes. Xono of his neighbors hail offered to manage the place. He had tried to sell it for the last six months. Tho Board decided to adjourn the ease until next sitting. KILL OR BE KILLED. .Alfred Moore, farmer, Mangatoki (Mr O'Dea). appealed on similar grounds. His age was 34, and he fanned 104 acres of leasehold, which had another year to run. Hii father died about four years aSn, and his mother was aged TO. He had one brother aged 40, married and in the second division, managing a sheep farm near Ngaere, 12 miles from witness' farm. All his sisters were married. After some questioning, witness stated that- he had a brother aged 3S working on the farm with him. Appellant was milking 7+ cows by machines, with the assitance of his brother, who was delicate. A medical certificate was handed in. Appellant did about 30 acres of cropping. If he went his brother could not. poss'l'ly oni-r y on > as was impossible to get labor. In reply to Captain Walker, appellant stated that his brother attended to the business side. He had no relatives who could assist his brother, nor could he obtain any labor.' lie,had made no application to the local Trustee Board, nor had any member of the Board spoken to him re labor. Later, appellant said he had approached Mr. Murdoch, who could not get him any labor. ' 1 Herbert Moore, brother of the appellant, deposed that in wet weather his health would not permit him to do anything but assist in the Bhed. If his brother -went they would have to call a sale, as labor wag unobtainable. His nieces could not assist, as they were fully occupied in dairying. He did not think share-milkers could bo got. Even if they could be.it would not pay to put them on. To Captain Walker: He did not know wha't he would <jo with tho lease if his brother went to the front. If his brother took il\. witness would have to milk fewer cows. He had not looked for Bhare-milkers. His cows were worth £ls per head. Witness had not thought about carrying on a smaller place. The chairman: Do you really and seriously say that wet weather stops you working on that small farm! Witness: Yes, The chairman: What about oilskins? Witness: You can't work in oilskins, i To Mr. Perry witness said he could renew the lease if lie wished, but had made no arrangements to do st>. His married brother could not come to his assistance, ( bccause he 'was the only man managing a big place for Mr. Hawkcn. To Mr. McLaren: It would not pay to get eharemilkers even for the fine year. He had advertised for assistance last summer unsuccessfully. To Captain Walker: When witness wa3 ill his mother had assisted in milking. To Mr. McLaren: Neither witness nor his brother had discussed going to the front. They thought they were esesntial farmers, and were doing their share in producing. Mr. McLaren: You think that farmers are' an essential class, and thai others should go to the war. Who do you think should do the fighting? Witness gave no answer, and Mr. McLaren continued: 'You never cared about that." Witness said that 'he never wished to kill. Mr. McLaren: No one wishes to kill, but at present you must recognise that our people either have to kill or be killed. Which do you prefer? I do not think that you have thought seriously about the matter. Devision was reserved. After luncheon the chairman announced ..that the appeal would be dismissed, Captain Walker undertaking to obtain leave until June 2A.~ A GRANDFATHER'S APPEAL. Frederick Walter Hodder, aged 72, residing at Tututawa (Mr.'Spratt), appealed on behalf of his grandson, Alexander M. Brown, on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. In support he stated that he had previously been farming at Dannevirke, and his grandson, who had been with him since a boy, assisted him there. In December last he, took up a farm of 773 acres, partly freehold, 0.r.p., and Education Reserve, on which he carried 1200 sheep, and had put off 50 head of fat cattle. lie now proposed to milk 30 cows by hand. The farm was hilly and fairly rough.His son was with him for a while, but had to go hack to his work as a carpenter and bridge bui/er for the Stratford Count; Council. Witness had hurt his

I'ip ami could jfoi ride. IE lie lost bin. grandson lie could not work t.lie farm. Appellant was the oldest of twelve children, Ms oldest brother being lii. Witness bad two sons and two daughters, br.t neither they nor their children were able to give him any assistance on the farm.

To Captain Walker: He took up the sheep ferni with the oijject of having less strenuous work, but at the time he did not contemplate ti is grandson being drawn in the lmilcl. He had no son or grandson at the war, this being the only one old enough. He had made 110 attempt to get a manager. Witness had had experience as a sheep farmer. Besides appellant, witness had no grandson over the age pt 1:5 years. His grandson did not appeal, being very anxious to go to the front. Witness iiad placed his farm in the market so as to let his grandson get away. , If his grandson witness would have to do as other people did—make the best of it.

To Mr. Perry: His son at Stratford would probably assist him, but he knew nothing about stock. To Mr. McLaren: When his grandson spoke of volunteering, witness had askea what wes he to do.

Mr. McLaren: Yen put yo;irself before the country. How can you expect the country to assist you if you do not try to assist the country? Witness said lie understood the country wanted, produce. Mr. McLaren said the Empire wanted men. In reply to further questions, witness said he thought shu'lo men should go first before married men. and, if his grandson was sent, lie would have to carry on, even if it meant disposing of his farm. •. >. The appeal was dismissed. THE RIGHT SPIRIT. Horatio John Xeilson, farmer, Alton (Mr. Spratt), -who was farming with bis brother, asked for leave until June '-Li to enable him to do some necessary road work to shorten Die distance to his farm by two or three miles, and make it easier lor his brother, who intended to carry on with the help of a sister, wiio was coming from Napier. His other brother was in France. The chairman said this was the right spirit, and in dismissing the appeal, with the proviso that Captain Walker would obtain leave until .Tune 24, remarked that lie wished more young ladies would show the same spirit. A DEFIANT APPELLANT. Garfield Ogle, dairy farmer, Araratn (Mr. O'Dea) appealed, on the usual grounds. He was 24 years of age and single, and milked 04 cows on 1451 acres of native leasehold. He usually cropped 12 acres each year. The farm was difficult to work, owing to gullies. There were three girls, himself, his father, mother and uncle on the farm. His father and uncle were not able to do much work on account of age and health. Appellant did the stumping, G acres each year, and the fencing. 'He was the only young man on the place. His sisters could not do the work of the farm without appellant's assistance. He had one brother in France, another at Whakatane freezing works, who had been away from home nearly thirty years, but had not done any farming. His other four brothers were married. To Captain Walker: Two brothers were on the. Fraser road. One who was share milking was drawn in the same ballot, but was turned down. He would not come home and share milk for hi? father. Appellant did not know whether his brother had been asked to take his place, but he thought that his brother had taken the sharemilking on for next season. His brother had not been home for 13 or 14 years. Appellant under further cross-examin-ation appeared to adopt a defiant ati itpde. The chairman: Look here, young man, your attitude is net to our liking.. Be pioro careful with your answers. Take warning. I will not warn you again. To Mr. McLaren: His uncle had been farming, but knew nothing about cows. He did not know what would occur if he left the farm, as they could not go on. without him. Who, he asked, would milk the eows? Mr. McLaren: Your sisters could do that. We have had evidence that fewer sisters than you mention have been milking more cows. Mr. McLaren asked if appellant had ever made any effort to volunteer, Appellant.—No! Mr. McLaren: Did you not want to go? Appellant Was about to reply when Mr. McLaren said: I have asked you a straight question. Appellant made no answer. In reply to Captain Walker appellant admitted that he had been prosecuted in connection with the Territorials. George Ogle, father of appellant, supported the appeal. Witness was a strong conscientious objector to the introduction of military service. Mr. McLaren: It's very easy to be a conscientious objector and let someone 'else carry the load. To the chairman: Witness did not persuade his son to shirk his drill. The appeal was dismissed. THE POSITION OF BUSH FARMERS. Charles Robertson Sneddon, farmer Waverley, appealed on the grounds of undue hardship and public interest. Appellant was aged 31, married. He owned a bush farm of 897 acres sixteen miles from Waverley, 370 acres being in grass. He resided on his father's farm of 227 acres, on which were carried 400 head of breeding ewes and 40 head of cattle. Witness worked both farms in conjunction. The two farms were 12 miles apart. He was providing for his father and mother, aged 71 and 80 respectively, To Captain Walker: He had not considered obtaining a manager. Appellant had lived in Waverley 14 years. It was only the way appellant was situated that prevented him from going to the front before the ballot. He was prepared to go if the Government would take o't ■ '-irm at valuation. Ho considers. it was hard to get rid of a bush f.By the time tlio first division was exhausted it would be a serious thing for tlie back blocks farmer. Most of his neighbors were single men who had not been drawn in the ballot. It required vigorous single young men in the bush or else some one with money at his back. Decision was reserved until next sittings. A PATRIOTIC QUARTETTE, James Ritchie, sharcmilker. Manntalii (Mr. Spratt), appealed on the grounds of undue hardship and public service. Mr. Spratt stated that this was a case in which two brothers were concerned. George, who was married, had already appealed and decision was reserved until May 31. He had been medical-bonrded 81, whereas the present appellant had been boarded A. Each was willing to go provided the other was left. He pointed out that four brothers originallv had a tharsmilkinfi contract to milk 100

cows. Two of them ,one married, had gone to the front, and when this one had gone the remaining one would have to milk with the assistance of his mother and a sister of twelve. The wife of one of the brothers already gone wouli also assist. After consultation it was decided that the present appellant would go into camp. He was anxious to go with the nevt 'draft, out his brother represented that there was certain work to be done, and he asked for six weeks' leave. The board dismissed the appeal, Captain Walker undertaking to obtain leave until June 2G. The board also decided to give its reserved decision on the case of George Ritchie on Monday. This was in response to a query by Mr. Taylor, for whom appellant was sharemilking. Mr. Taylor stated that he was anxious tc> know the position, because in the event of George Ritchie's appeal not being allowed he would have to make other arrangements for next season. WITHDRAWN OR DISMISSED. The following eases were withdrawn and formally dismissed, the appellants having been classed a sunfit for service: —James Parr, farmer, Waverley (D): Harold Whitcombe, dairy farmer, Otakcho (C'2); Krnest Slaughter, dairy farmer, Koke (C2); William Barker Munro, dairy farmer, Te Keri (D); Richard Dassler, farm manager, Waverley (C2): Albert Victor Dassler, farmer, Waitotara (C2). The following appellants did not appear, and their appeals were dismissed: —Art.hr/ Sheldon Hone, farmer, Waverley; William Frederick Windelborn, sliaremilker, Alton (who had applied for time), and Robert Sharkey, butcller, Patea. '• • The appeal of Frederick Rye, farmer, of Lowgarth, was withdrawn, appellant having arranged to go into camp on May 30. TO-DAY'S LIST. The board then adjourned until.lo n.m to-day, when the following eases will be heard:—Ernest ITedley, cabinet maker, Haweva; Charles Bernard Lee, dairy farmer, Dalziel Road, Elcham: William Mortloek, diary farnu.r. Normanby; John Monro, laborer. Waihi; Gerald Flynn, farm laborer, Te Wcra; Norman Raymond Corkill, dairv farmer, Stratford; General Gordon Nightingale. fancy goods dealer, Inglewood and Mariaia; Thos. Lynch, dairy farmer, Matapu: ■James Adamson, blacksmith's assistant, Manaia.