MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1917, Page 7

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

NEW PLYMOUTH SITTINGS. A sittings of the Third Wellington | Military Service Board was opened in Xew Plymouth yesterday before Messrs W. H. Moorhonse (chairman), A. 0. Considine, and W. J. Mack. Captain P. R Baldwin appeared as military representative of the Defence Department. 1 REEZIXG COMPANY'S APPEAL. A further 'extension of exemption for Corporal A. L. Humphries was applied for by the Taranaki Producers' Freezing Works Company, of which company lie is secretary. Mr. A. Morton, who appeared for the appellant company, explained that the application was for an extension of litres months, as from May 1 last. Corporal Humphries had held a.commission in the Territorials and had been advised to apply for a commission in the Expeditionary Forces. He did so, and was advised to fro into the NX'.O. Camp. This he also did, assuming thai. his partner, Mr. Stoeker, won! 1 hj" ""' to catry on the business, but ately Mr. Stoeker had died. '> tioh was that the services of ( Humphries-were indispensable to : th. company, in whose affairs the Imperial authorities were interested, because of the quantity of cheese in. store, and the extension was asked to enable the. new appointee to his position to be trained to his work. Corporal Humphries gave evidence to the effect indicated by Mr. Morton, and stated that he was anxious to get to the front so long as he had time to complete the work he had to do, and arrange his own private business, which would take about two months. ' He- had voluntarily enlisted with, the Sevenths. He worked nearly every night, on half holidays, and even on Sundays, at the Freezing Co.'s work, almost entirely in connection with the Imperial Government's cheese, His own business was one of agencies and secretaryships, which could not be handed over, and so he thought he would have to wind up his business altogether. He had certain financial obligations running into some hundreds a year, and if he had to go away at 5s per day it would place him in avery awkward position. Mr. Morton suggested that no inconvenience would be caused by further extension being granted. If Corporal Humphries did not go away at once someone else would go in his place. Mr. Mack: Do you suggest that a married man should go.in his place Mr. Morton; No, I do not. Mr. Mack: Someone else has already gone in his place, and soon there will be no single men left. The chairman announced that the hoard would recommend an extension to June 20. A FATHER'S APPLICATION. In the case of Robert Trimble, farm manager, OkatO, his employer and father appealed for his exemption. Captain Baldwin said the man had not complied with the notice to submit himself for medical examination. Mr. Bennett, W'ho appeared for the appellant, said Robert Trimble would be in town the following morning for medical examination. Thomas Trimble, the father, deposed that ho was 00 years of age. His farm consisted ob about 500 aces. He milked 04. cows by machine, and had about 100 young dry stock, about 100 sheep and a good number of draught horses. Ho cropped from a hundred to a hundred and fifty acres. Robert was the only son he had, and did most of the work. If his son went away he thought he would have to shut down altogether. There was no accommodation on the farm for a married man. His son had enlisted in the First Reinforcements, but had heard nothing more about it. If a suitable man could be found to take his son's place he would offer no objection to him going away. Appellant here put in a statement sowing the value of his property and other private financial details. To Captain Baldwin: His son had enlisted with his consent, He would not expect a married man to go while his son remained at home. He had not taken any steps to fill his son's place. It would' not be easy to find a man capable of doing so. Mr. Bennett: Wo are only asking fer time to enable us to replace him. Captain Baldwin: And I am suggest'ng that a reasonable time would be to the end of July, when the heavy milking would be over. Appellant said it was not the milk.n.; only, but also harvesting the crops vhich would not be over till the end of October. The Board adjourned the appeal <i!l after the medical examination on Ihe following morning. FAMILY REASONS. Harry Glen Cunningham (Mr. !i?nnctM, farmer, at Tikoiangi, in support of his application, said the farm ho managed belonged io his mother, two brothers, three sisters and himself. One brother was at the front, and th" of n er. aged 21, was engaged in a dairy factory making casein. His three sisters were mnvrioil and ,all lived at Tikoranai. The farm was a dairy farm, milking 30 cows by hand. The country was rough and had a lot. of weeds on it, especially blackberries. His mother had no other source of income hut the farm. He had been unable to get anyone to take hi; place, but he had net advertised. The farm could not be sold, i-x-ept with the consent of the whole, family, but if granted a little time he would "iiiravor to lease it. To Captain Ballvin: Th.' farm of his nearest brother-in-hw e'as about a mile and a-half away. He could not iissist in managing ap.H'liant's fcc:>i rind neither could the other hrothersin-law. Unc of them was n-awging a farm for a man who was a' the front. Appeal dismissed ,with leave till 24th .•Inly. A>-XT''l'S TO ?ERVJS. Victor Fabian (Mr FitzherbortV farmer, Rat'pikn, near Jnglcwood, applied for exemption. Mr. Fitzlr.'-bert said the lope 1 ant was anxious to get nwny to the front, if he was allowed a little time. There were some little diflieullies in She way, the first being that the appellant was the son of unnahirnlisetl aliens. Poles, and presumably German Poles. The parents had been in the colony for forty years, - and there was no suspicion as to their lovaltv. He was anx'ious to get, away as earlv as possible, so as to go with his friends The chairman said the only dates that would fit in with camp arrangements were the 2Cth June and 24th July If the appellant would agree to go on 2(lth June the case need not be gone. into, but if not the board would require somo

evidence to justify it in extcudmg~"tke time bill July 24. Mi'. Fitidierbort said t'rint leave until •Tune 2i> oiay would scarcely suffice for the necessary arrangements to lease his place, sell his slock, etc. Captain Baldwin; There, is a very unfortunate impression abroad that men called tip need not start to make their arrangements for, goinp away until they actually come before the board. ill". Fitzherbcrt quite agreed with rapt ain Baldwin, and thought it should be more widely known 1 hut men should start to make their arrangements as soon as they were called up. Appellant, in answer to Captain Baldwin, said he had begun endeavoring to dispose of his place immediately after his medical examination, but so far without success. The board granted leave till June 20. ASSISTANCE NEEDED. John Norman Jones, dairy farmer, Warea, applied for exemption on the ground of undue hardship. Mr. Johnstone, who appeared for the appellant, stated that he was the son of a widow whose husband had died about twelvo years afro, leaving her with a family of seven children to bring upon, tlie proceeds of the farm. The appellant was her oldest son, while his mother ,'ind sisters would be able, to do the work, there was no one but the appellant to attend to the fencing, draining, and other heavy farm work. It wa,s very difficult, if not quite impossible, to get farm labor in this district at present. Mrs. Jones gave evidence in support of counsel's statement. Captain Baldwin suggested that this was a cose that might be referred to the Efficiency Trustees to see if they could arrange for assistance to Mrß. Jones in the heavy farm work. The chairman said the board had decided to ndopt Captain Baldwin's application. The appeal would be adjourned until the next sittings of the board in New Plymouth, the case in the meantime to be referred to the Efficiency Trustees, FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES. Carles Kendall, farmer, Omata, appeared before the beard in support of an application for further c-xeinption. Mr. Johnstone appeared for the Appellant, and stated that the case had been adjourned by the First Wellington Board till May 31, on condition that appellant remained in his occupation. The appellant, although a single man, was in the position of a Second Division reservist, inasmuch as lie was the only support of an aged mother and niece. The board adjourned the appeal pending a report from the Financial Assistance Board. , OTHER CASES. Arthur Pentelow, farmer, Oaontii, appealed on behalf of undue hardship, and was examined on oath by Captain Baldwin as to the work on bis fathers three farms on which he was employed. The evidence of the appellant's father was also taken.—Appeal dismissed, with leave till June 24. Leo John V. Newman, shearer and freezing works hand, appeared in connection with his employers' appeal on the ground of public service, and after giving particulars stilted that he left it to the board to decide when he should E'o.-—Anpeal dismissed, leave granted to June 20.

Thomas Walsh, farmer, Omnia, stated in connection with Ills appeal, that he had arranged with another man to take over his place on August 1, and if given leave till July 24 lie could "go away liappv."—Appeal dismissed, leave granted till July 24. George Costiek Simons, farmer, Tariki road, stnted that he had arranged with a man to carry on while he was away, and leave till July 24 would suit him' all right. Captain Baldwin said this was another case where the man had honestly endeavored to make the arrangements necessary to get away Appeal dismissed, leave granted till July 24. Ernest John Hook, contractor at Sentry Hill, and huntsman for the Taranaki Hunt, stated that he was married in October, 1015. He was a ploughman, hr.d appealed on the ground of public interest, but it was too early to get any ploughing contracts yet. He had six teams of horses and fa™ implements ol his own, which it would tnkc him some time to sell.—Appeal dismissed, leave granted till Julv 24. Godfrey Alfred Smith, road foreman, Taratii—Xo appearance; appeal dismissed.

Frederick Harrison Buckthought, far mer, Kortto—Clased D, appeal with' drawn.

William Reed Wheeler, dairy farmer, Tnglowood Classed B2: adjourned till the first sitting of the board after June 18. Harold Band Alexander, farmer, Tikorangi.—Nn appearance; appeal dismissed. Eric Heighten Kobson, ehcesemaker. Ngaere, Stratford (employer's appeal). —Classed C2, withdrawn.

Archibald Leonard Jupp, farmer, Tikorangi.—Withdrawn. Xoramn Oswin Heppell, farmer, Sentry Hill—Classed as B2; adjourned till first sitting of court at Hawera after Jllly 28. liobert Horace 'Phillips, farmer, Ma tan.

—Adjourned for medical examination. Patrick John Manning, butter maker Oakura (employer's appeal).-Willi drawn. Alfred James Hodges, fanner, Nga tori), classed C2—Appeal withdrawn. William Oilivcr, farmer, Uremii, class cd €2.—Withdrawn.

Charles Henry Ihleiii, farmer, Tarata. ,—Clased B2; adjourned till first meeting of board in July.

Hubert John Fetch, butter make)'. Inglewood.—- Appeal on ground of neccs rarv public service. Mr. Johnstone, who appeared for the appellant and his employers, the. Moa Dairy Factory, said the rase had been adjourned from December last to May 31. The position had altered somewhat since, the company having advertised in lhr> middle of last month' for a man to take appellant's place and one of the seven applicants was probably qualified. Butter umkin». counsel 'submitted, was an extremely important industry, and ii was very difficult indeed to get men so competent as the appellant, who bad not yet turned out second-grade butter I\o doubt the company could release lum-at once and replace him with another man. but it was very questionable whether they could get so good a man. The appellant was practically on the same position as a. second division man, as be had a wife and child, having married in June, lMr,,-Appeal disuu.sed, leave granted till July 34> nn.l permission allowed appelant to apply to the Financial Aid Board for assistance | The board then rose till 10 a.m.-to-day. ' ■