MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1917, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

NEW PLYMOUTH SITTING.

The Third Wellington District Military Service Board (Messrs. W. H. Sefton Moorhouse, chairman, A. 0. Considine and W. J. Mack) concluded its sittings at New Plymouth yesterday. Captain Baldwin, military representative, and Major officer commanding the group, were also present. 'A CASE REVIEWED. The first case taken was that of Albert Todd, farmer, Erankley road, which had been heard on Saturday and adjourned sine die, but was re-opened for further evidence. George Matthew Todd, one of the brothers, who was said to 'be an invalid, gave evidence that he was able to shovel coal occasionally and worked for the Gas Company. On one occasion he made 2s in a week. He could not manage on the farm, as ho was unable to drive horses. His brother drove two horses and had put in about 10 acres of crop. Witness could cut black berries. His sister could not milk/ He thought his other brother had lost his right arm; at least, it was tho one he wrote with. Witness lived in town, tout visited the farm occasionally. There was a lot of blackberry on the property. From the time the tenant hid given the farm up 12 months ago until his brother's accident he did not knoiw what improvements his brothers bad effected in addition to milking nine cows. His brother Albert did not work any where Mrs. Sarah Lilly, sister of appellant, deposed that her mother, who was in illhealth, lived with her in New Plymouth, as did also the previous witness, who was able to shovel coal. They had received £ls in cash from the farm besides vegetables, wood ,etc. Her brother with one arm could not milk. Captain Baldwin: Men with one arm do harder things than milk sometimes. . Witness said that the previous tenants had left at a fortnight's notice. Captain Baldwin: In order to go away to fight? From a monetary point of view he pointed tout that the appellant could leave his mother 21s per week from his pay. ' £ Witness said that she wished to remove the impression that appellant was supporting her and one of his brothers, as that was not what his evidence was intended to convey. Captain Baldwin: That was the impression I received. The Board reserved its decision, later announcing that it saw no reason to alfer the decision given oil Saturday to adjourn Jhe case sine die. PRODUCTION OE MEN. Henry Alfred Bowman, farmer, Lepperton (Mr. A. H. Johnstone), aged 31, single, was working for his mother on a farm of 120 acres. At present there Were 21 cows, seven heifers and 20 young cattle on the farm. His mother was unable to do much work and appellant had done all the work. He had no brothers, and three sisters, one in Queensland, another in New Plymouth with five children, and another whose husband had been called up by the ballot, hut had not been before the Medical Board yet. His farm of 250 acres.was six miles away. There were blackberries on the farm, ancT if neglected in the course of a couple of years the farm would foe overrun. He had endeavored to sell or lease, and had several enquiries. The best time to sell the cows would be in a couple of months. It was doubtful whether his mother could get on without him. To Captain Baldwin: His cows would come in during July. At sales cpws that had not calved sold better than those *ith calves, hut this did no apply to clearing sales. He thought that he could manage to dispose of his cows by Julv ■'24. Mr. Johnstone pointed out that there was also the farm to dispose of. Appellant, he said, was doing what the Minister of Defence had repeatedly advised appellants not to do without first placing their cases before the Military Appeal Board, that was disposing of their farms and herds. If a farmer disposed of his herd, the speaker understood it was a serious matter, as it was very difficult to again get together a good herd. Mr. Considine stated that if the herd •was disposed of, it would not go out of production. To a question, appellant stated that the farm was too small for sheep. The appeal was dismissed> leave being granted until July 24. A BELL BLOCK APPEAL. In the case of Percy Ballantyne Sole, dairy farmer, Brixton (Mr. A. H. John- • stone), which had been previously adjourned for a report from the Efficiency Trustees, appellant said he was married in June, 1915. "Forty-six days late," remarked Captain Baldwin. To Captain Baldwin: He took £GIC from 53 cows last year. He harvested seven acres of oats, but. only sold i'A ton of chaff. He waß drawn in the November ballot. He had made no effort to sell his farm or to put sharemilkers on. He had seen .enough of sharemilkers. He intended to sell his dairy herd and run young stock, which his wife would look after.. The bulk of his cows would come in by the end of September. To a further question, he acknowledged that 20 would calve after August 1 and all would come in before September 1. Mr. Johnstone: This proposal was made as far back as November, and the only thing that exercised the mind of the Mvlitarv Board, was -whether it was advisable that such a large producer should dispose of his herd and graze his place. That was the reason why the case was j plnced before the Efficiency Board. ■. Mr. Considine said that hundreds of ' people in Taranaki had let their herds to ; sharemilkers voluntarily. If appellant ; adopted the attitude that he would not i permit his caws to lie milked I>y share- \ milkers, then personally h'e could not • see that he was entitled to any more \ latitude than anyone else. ! Mr. Johnston'B said that the trouble ; with sharemilkers was that if any thing • was said to them they would leave with- \ out a moment's notice; possibly in the : middle of the season. If the Govern- | ment would see that the work was ' done, then farmers could go away withI out feeling that their farms were at the \ mercv of sharemilkers. i The chairman announced that the I majority of the Board had decided that ; the appeal should be dismissed, leave of V absence being granted until July 24. A VOLUNTEER'S APPEAL. I Avondale Dunbar Gray, a farmer, f Okato (Mr. A. H. Johnstone), who volunteered, and is now in camp, applied for lew, •-"'"' w '""""" '

William 'James Gray, farmer, Okato, father of appellant, deposed that his son 'had gone into camp three weeks a°o as a volunteer. His son was on a. farm of 24S acres, on which there were now only appellant's sister and a girl friend. Witness had recently undergone an operation and was unable- to do any manual work. There were 50 milking cows, 30 young cattle, some horses, sheep and pigs on the property, and, in addition, there were ploughing and furze grubbin<* to do. ° Mr. Johnstone said that a suggestion had been made that this case should be referred to the Efficiency Board. It was important that some one should bo on the farm when the coiws came in. Witness was on a farm of 100 acres, running dry stock. To Captain Baldwin: He had two sons. Appellant volunteered shortly after Christmas and was ordered into camp on May 30. He waited his son to go to the front if possible. His other son, aged 21, was on a farm of 170 acres. Captain Baldwin: Don't you think it possible that you and one son could manage the three places, or that you could sell one of them? Witness: It is impossible to manage the three dairy farms. The son now at home had been on the farm since he was sixteen, managing the milking machines, etc. The other son had 'been on, his farm five or six years. Captain Baldwin: A highly creditable record. Captain Baldwin: It is clear that you can't retain your two sons; what do you propose to do to release them for service? Witness said that he proposed to sell the stock off the 240-acre farm and either leave the place or run dry stock. His younger son, when called up, intended to ask the local Trustee Board to manage his farm, as witness was not a position to assist with the management. All witness wanted was time to enable him to sell the stock. He would like the Board to make it optional whether his son could come back from camp. The Board resolved that it had no recommendation to make. „ UNDER AGE. Frederick' George Smith, farm hand, Tariki, appealed on the ground that he was not a reservist. Martha Smith, mother of appellant, gave evidence that her son was 19 years of age on February 10 last. She had not brought the birth certificate as she understood her evidence was sufficient. Appellant and his hrother now in France registered themselves when in the cadets, and that probably caused the mistake. The brother was killed in France. Captain Baldwin stated that the date of his birth was given in his attestation papers and that he had heen attested without his age toeing noticed. A' DELICATE WIFE. Walter Clifford Ardern, railway fireman, New Plymouth, appealed on account of the state of his wife's health. He stated that he had a child nine months old. The case was held over pending production of a certificate from Dr. Walker. Appellant later stated that he had been unable to see Dr. Walker, and the case was accordingly adjourned to the Hawera sittings, appellant to forward a medical certificate. Otherwise the appeal would be dismissed. .SINGLE MEN FIRST. / f In the appeal of Russell Hohy, farmer, Bell Block, (Mr A. H. Johnstone) which had been adjourned from March 10, the evidence taken then was to the effect that appellant had one brother" at the front, and another married, milking on shares at Oakura. His sisters were married. His father and -mother were unable to do anyVork. Appellant was the only son left at home. The farm was still in the market. Mr. Johnstone stated this was a case in which appellant felt that he had conflicting duties, and wished the Board to decide. To Captain Baldwin: His father was the recipient, of the .Military Pension. Appellant intended to milk 14 cows next season. But milking was not all. Who would cut the gorse? Captain Baldwin: Who will fight? Appellant stated that he had another married hrother who was attached to one of tfhe medical Boards as a dentist. He considered that the farm should realise £4O per acre. Mr. Mack asked appellant if he recognised that in three months the second division would bo called on and that every fit single man would have to go before the second division was touched. "What, therefore," he asked, "do you propose to do?" Mr. Johnstone said that this was not according to the Act. There were scores of men in the Second Division that could go more easily than many men in the First Division. There were scores of well-to-do men about 30 years of age. Mi'. Mack: It may not 'bo the law, but hefore any Second Division man goes the men of the First Division must Mr. Johnstone said if that were so he was glad to have the expression of opinion. The time was so close when the Second Division would be called on that it was no use appealing, and the sooner men of the First Division recognised that the better. They had, hovrever, been so often told hy the authorities not to sell their farms and had received every consideration in that rqspect wherever possible from the Board that usually sat here. He was, however, certain, though he did not want to sec men of either division leave, that many men would be found in the Second Division- with less responsibility than some of the First Division. The chairman said that Mr. Mack was expressing the common-sense view when he said that single men'should go first. Mr. Johnstone said that some splendid married men had already volunteered because they considered it their duty. _ The chairman: In this particular case, how has the position altered since the date on which it was adjourned to May 27? "Mr. Johnstone stated that he at.kcd for time to sell his cattle. The appellant stated, in reply to retain Baldwin, that the present w.'.i , \y. best time to sell or lease, but, he ;,-i,...1, ■who would look after the place ami nrovide for his mother and father? The appeal was dismissed, leave being granted until July "24. | A BUSH FARMER'S APPEAL. j Henry James Blanchett, farmer, Carrington road, was not present whoa hi? appeal on the grounds of undue iisnlship was called, and it was acw.i ; m'ly struck out. Later he appeared, fiitl stated that he was delayed in cor. h>:to the Court, owing to having to wr- ■ a fallen tree, from the track. .His Appeal was accordingly rc-instatcd. Appellant stated he had a bush favr of about 600 acres, ten miles from i;.r

Plymdulh. 'About lialf was in grass. He carried 10 cows, 40 young cattle, and about -50 sheep and goats. j t waa a rough farm. His mother was a widow. He had no brothers but six sisters, two I of whom lived on the farm. He did, not see how it was possible for his sis- 1 ters to look after the farm. Owing to the heavy timber the cattle had to be put back in the hush. Appellant made butter, being too far away from a creamery. Appellant considered that it was very hard that the only man on a rough farm, alongside a farm covered in weeds, should have to sacrifice his farm, because that was what it would amount to, as women could not be expected to keep the place in order. He was anxious to go to the,front and would have done so before, but he could not get rid of the property. If the Board considered that it was his duty to go, he was willing to go. To the chairman: He was six miles from a factory, and none of his neighbors could give him any assistance, as they were in a similar position, Appellant would be 37 in January. The Board resolved to adjourn the case for a month, appellant meanwhile to do his best to obtain someone to take his place on. the farm. A CARDIFF APPEAL. Albert Ernest Benefield, dairy farmer, Cardiff, whose case had -been adjourned from a previous sitting, appealed on the ground of undue hardship. With his brother he was farming 89 acres, on which he milked 40 cows and carried 30 stock. To Captain Baldwin: His father and mother were alive. Appellant iiad three brothers, one being married in 1912, another in 1913, and the third, iballotted, was now in camp. When called up under Section 35 neither witness nor his brother had enlisted. Since February 29, when his appeal was adjourned, he had made iio effort to get a man, as the farm could nojt pay for a man. Captain Baldwin : x This farm can keep you and your brother and yet it will not pay wages for one man! , Appellant: We do not draw any wages, and hope to improve the farm. Captain Baldwin: Do you think it a fair thing that you should be allowed to stop and improve your pecuniary position when all whose appeals you heard this morning had to go to camp? Witness said that he had taken on tho farm 'because he had been in bad health for twelve years. He would have volunteered, only he thought that he would 'have 'been turned down. He would like to be examined again before he went to camp, as it would he very inconvenient if he were turned down later on, after having made arrangements with his brother to run the place. If lie did not pass he'would require more eows, and these could not be purchased later. Captain Baldwin said that he would be examined as soon as he reached camp, and if proved unfit would then have titae to make the arrangements. A clause could be put in his agreement with the brother that the agreement could be annulled if appellant did get rejected. Appellant then asked for time to enable him to help his brother get the place in order. The Board dismissed tho appeal giving leiive till June 20, pointing out that as appellant thought ho would not pass it was in his interests to get back from camp as early as possible. NON COMBATANT SERVICE. The appeal of Richard' Abraham'Warner, Main Souh road, Tataraimaka, Also adjourned from previous sittings, was ileait wrth. Appellant took the declaration, and in reply to Captain Baldwin stated that he belonged to tha religious body known as Plymouth Brethren, though that was not what they called themselves. Appellant was a married >nan with one child, and was engaged in mixed farming. To Captain Baldwin: His father owned 94 acres at Patea, valued at £3O per acre. One married brother owned 170 acres at Tauranga and another brother ICO acres at Kai-iwi, valued at £W per acre. His three unmarried brothers had no land. One single brother drawn in the ballot had been turned down on account of his eyesight. Captain Baldwin pointed out that appellant had been drawn in the first 'ballot and asked, What possible reason is tl ere why you should not go into camp and at once? Appellant said that he was quite willing if he could get rid of his property. He had done his best, but could not do so. Captain Baldwin pointed out that of six brothers, four of whom were in the First Divison, appellant was the only one available to take his position in the field. Appellant stated that two of his brothers who had been turned down, could not assist him. He had a brother, aged 20, who would be called up in a couple of Months, and his wife's brother was in the same position. He did not know whether ho would be ablo to dispose of his property in the next two months. He would prefer non-combatant service. The appeal was dismissed, leave being granted to July 21. The Board aiso recommended that appellant he placed to non-combatant service. A MtSHMDERSTAyDING.,,;, Alfred Benedict Hinz, dairy farmer, Kaimh'o, did not appear, having withdrawn his appeal, as he understood he was medically boarded C2. As, howover, lie was passed A (fit), the Board deckled to adjourn his case until Thursday at Hawera, to allow him to reinstate his appeal if he wished. AN ADJOURNMENT. J The appeal of Frank Gofdoh Boss, Bell View House, Waitara, was adjourned till November 19, appellant having been medically boarded B2 and ordered by the' Medical Board to report for re-examina-tion on November 18. WITHDRAWN. The following appeals were withdrawn, appellants having been medically boarded C2: George Hewitt Cash, dairy farmer, Kaimiro. Edward Brown, laborer, Blake street, Waitara. , Samuel .Robert Darlow, managing law clerk, Inglewood. George Wai. Tinning, marine-engineer, s.s. Malioe, Waitara. I Andrew Turnbull, farmer, Sentry Hill. | John Fay, farmer, Huirangi. i Henry Robert Houeyfleld, farmer, Onaero. * Albert Hedley, driver, New Plymouth. William Richard Davis, farmer, Moha•atino Augustus Theodore Davis, farmer, Miakatino. 'ii Tufluenza take Wood's Great ~~- '.L'lmiut Cure. Never fails, 1/6, 2/0.