MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1917, Page 8

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

NEW PLYMOUTH APPEALS,

A sitting of the No. 1 Wellington Military .Service Board (Messrs j}. (J. A. Cooper, chairman, W. Perry and !>. McLaren) was held at New Plymouth yesterday. Captain Walker, military representative, and .Major Cox, area officer, were i'.lso present.

WHEN DOCTOKS DIFFER.

John Duggan dairy fanner, Tataraimaka (Mr. A. H. -Johnstone) who', appealed on the grounds of undue hardship, deposed that his farm was 15:! acres freehold. He milked about 30 cows by hand. Last year he had the assistance of a girl, daughter of a tenant in his house, who hadeince left. Witness was aged 40. He had volunteered n year ago, but had been turned down owing to ono of his feet being cut through. At that time a brother who hud sold his farm would have looked after appellant's farm. There was a difference of opinion on the Medical Board, one doctor saying that the tendons were cut through. After witness was ordered out cf the room the doctors had a "cor-

roboree" and lie was passed. He knew that he would not go through camp, hecause he could not keep his hoot on for many hours. He got rheumatism in the summer, and could only plough for half i day at a time. At present he only had five cows.

Captain Walker: If you are so certain that you will be turned out, why not give it a go? You would be back on the farm in a week or two.

Appellant: Yes: and they might shift me to Sydney. Captain Walker: There is no fighting over there unless it is against the stril; ers!

Appellant: I understand some' of the training is done over there. Captain Walker: Perhaps the horses mav he exercised there.

Appellant said that lie had carried the scar ten years. He could milk and walk a little. Mr. Johnstone stated that it was a difficult case, as appellant was certain to go out. . Appellant: One doctor refused to let the other look at hit foot.

Mr. Johnstone suggested that Dr. J.eatham, who had attended appellant, might be culled. The chairman stated that the Board could not go behind the Medical Hoard. They could not decide differences o 1 opinion. Mr. Johnstone staled (hat the Board might consider the doctor's evidence in conjunction with other circumstances. To Captain Walker: lie had no dependents.

Captain Walker did not see that appellant would suffer if turned down. A good deal was said about the hardship

of a mail being turned out of camp after a week or two. but his care was not cue fifth as hard as that of the man who after going ihrough his training stopped a bullet the first day. Mr. Johnstoffe: The latter has done some good lor '" s country, whereas in ibis case he would do no good for his country o' him.-ell, as his all is in the farm.

The Board decided to dismiss the ap,eal, with the l'ec 'mmendation tint hould he he found lit. hi' be given leave o arrange to dispose of his farm.

YOUNG FARMER'S APPEAL. Ernest Harrington (!ibson, dairy farmer, Okato/Mr. Bennett), deposed (hat he was a married man, aged 28, with one j child, having been married in March, ] 1010. His farm was of 200 acres lease- I bold, with compulsory purchasing clause. | and appellant milked 45 cows by machine, carried 100 ewes and five horses. This winter he had I!) cows. 20 yearlings and 100 iambs, lie had 30 acres in swedes and 20 acres soft turnips. Appellant had no brothers, and five married sisters, the nearest 35 miles away. Hi ' father, aged 74, was ab-o on the farm, but was a cripple. Appellant had had his farm on the market for two months. He could have done so earlier but for the advice of the family doctor, who said be could not pass, A statement of bis financial position was handed in. One of his neighbors had gone to the front and sold his herd, and the other neighbor was going to the front, but his father was running the farm. His other two neighbors wenfirst division men.

To Captain Walker: Appellant had taken up the farm in February, Previously his father had lived with hi*sister at Tikorangi. One brother rin-lsuv had never been fanning. He had no relatives that would hoi]) him in any ivay. If he could dispose of his property he would be willing to go. To Mr. McLaren: Appellant had never volunteered, because he understood from iwo doctors that he would not pass. He had previously been farming at Ureuui. To. Captain Walker: His wife had several sifters and one brother ISVI- years, but appellant did not think this brother eould carry on with appellant's wife. Mr. Bennett: He will be going to the ivar soon.

Captain Walker: Xot for a long time Appellant: He has already volunteered.

Mr. Bennett suggested that this was a case in which the report of the Ellicieney Board should be obtained before taking the last male worker off the farm.

Mr. McLaren: This Board has to consider the matter from a wider standpoint than the National Efficiency Board. There is one aspect that stajjgers me. Ikwas in a position IS months ago when he had no farm and no responsibility, and did not take the opportunity of volunteering.

' Appellant stated that he war -prsK-l i - cally an invalid at the time for nine months, and submitted a iluctor'K cerlilicate. Both Drs Bertram (Rotorua) and Blacklcy had advised liim not to dispose of his property, as lie would not pass. Captain Walker said that doctors tool: a big responsibility in advising men to that effect, though they were quite right in telling a man not to dispose of his property. Mr. Bennett: It Is justified in some in-.-dances. Decision was reserved. Later the board intimated that the ease would be adjourned to the next, sitting, a report in (he meantime to be obtained from the Efficiency Board.

TIME GRANTED. ■lr,mas Benedict Ooppertli, farmer, Kaimiro (Mr. R. H. Billing), applied for extension of time until October to enable hirn to make certain arrangements and get bin farm in order. He also wished to sell his farm if possible. Leave was granted, until October 10th.

■A MANGOREI APPEAL. Arthur Richard Hawke, dajry fanner, Mangorei (Mr. Bennett), aged 32, married with one child, said bis wife suffered from .bad health. His farm was 103 acres, on which he milked 20 cows by hand, and Also carried 20 young* stock.

Ho did about 20 acres of cropping. It \v;:s blackberry country. He had three brothers, one aged 44, single, residing with his mother on U3O acres at Mangorei, another brother, aged 33, single, on the same farm, which ran dry stock. J Lis third brother, agci! :JO, single, was a shearer. The last brother was drawn in (he second ballot, but he thought he was on home service. Appellant had ihree sistciv;, one married, ami milking 25 cows in the same district; the others were at home. Appellant had tried to sell his farm through his agents, but had had do oiiers. lie submitted a financial statement.

To Captain Walker: Ilis elder brother had been drawn in the ballot and classed C2. On his mother's farm they ran about 40 head of young stock. Ilis brothers would not run the the farm, as they considered they had too much to do now. Witness had not volunteered before he took his farm in duly, 191.1. Appellant paid ,L'!'2 an acre for his farm, and was asking £•>.% He had stumped several aires, the cost of which would he £7 or £8 per acre. He had also done (iO or 70 yhain of fencing and other improvements. If he had to go to the front the property would probably go to the mortgagees. His brothers went out working for farmers. He 'id not know whether it would be possible to keep young stock on his farm, and get his brothers to look after them. Mr. McLaren: Your brothers could help, but thev wont. None of them have gone to the front yet, and I know of cases where all four brothers have gone. Captain "Walker instanced .a case where of seven brothers, one was killed at the front, five had been wounded, and the la«t had recently been farewelled.

Decision was reserved. Later the hoard announced that the repeal would be dismissed, leave being granted till September IS.

AN ALIEN'S APPEAL, l In the case of Michael Knklinski, farmer, Kaimata, there, "./as no appearance oi tttisiclliint. Mr. A. H. .Johnstone stated that he had previously appeared for this appellant., who had volunteered, Olid after being in camp for some time lad lieen turned out for no other reason apparently than that he was an alien

In reply to the chairman. Captain Walker stated thai, the nuthorit'us w:shed every case dealt with on its merits,

«».! each ca:.e would (hen be decided by the director of recruiting.

Mr. Johnstonp pointed out that if suit forward, the /nail would probably be again turned out of camp. Captain Walker stated that tie matter would be decided before appellant went into camp. The appeal was held over until later, when, as there was still 110 appearance of appellant, it -was dismissed.

AX OKATO APPEAL. Harold Edward Corbett, dairy farn er. Okato, deposed that he was Meed 28, married in -Silly, l!) 15, with tws chihhcn. He had a freehold farm and milkc! 23 cows iiy hand, besides carrying yoi.ng stuck and piss. Only his wife and himself -were on the farm. He gave particulars regarding his iinaijciai obl'-gatitjis. Appellant had seven' brothers, foil.- of whom were married (one being in the first- Division), one was a lad of ninot"en, another had been killed at the front, and another was in France. Two of his brothers, one aged 2-j (manvd) and the other 10, were on hi s fati.iv's jarm of 700 acres, milking 35 cows by hand, llie farm also carried IPO youn L' stock and 300 shcctp. His father and mother were alive. Appellant bad live

s:-.ivrs, two of whom were at home with their parents: tlu> other three were mar'ried. Appellant's farm joined Lis lather's.

To Captain Walker: Appellant had had" hi., fd'rm since August ], ICM. His live!her Percy had been drawn in the ballot and classed C 3. Appellant stated he would rather sell his cows and clcse up the .farm, allowing his wife to run dry cattle, than let others milk them. He would sell his,farm if he got a good price for it, but was not prepared' to jlea<e it until lie got a good price. Captain Walker: That is a rather independent attitude.

To Captain Walker: He said that his brothers and brolhcr-in-huv already had enough to do. He had not considered the question of changing round the farms so that his cows could be milked by machine on his father's farm, wliteb he admitted might be done.

To Mr. Perry: It, would only take a month or six weeks to instal machines. To the chairman: Mr. C. Andrews, his father-in-law, was a member of the EQiciency Hoard.

The appeal was dismissed, leave being granted until October IG.

A LOYAL EMPLOYEE. ' " Herbert Sydney George TloneyMd, Urcnui, deposed that he was vo a ".'3 old anil was a farm laborer on Mr A. 11. Ilalionibe's 'property of ("Mi awes. They milked GO cows by maehv.es and carried 400 head of sheep and "4 larsc and 20 young cattle. There were 24 pedigree Jer-ey bulls. Mr. Halcombe and appellant milked last year, This year they had the assistance of a lad of IT. lie asked that tee department should send a home service man to take his place, when he would he prepared to go in 2S days: failing that, appellant wouid like leave till the end of October. Mr. Halcombe was not appealing, but witness was appealing in his employer's interest. Appellant slated that lie'had enlisted and been turned down. Captain Walker: Mr. Halcombe intimated to me that ho would like leave 'for about six weeks.

Appellant: Oh, well, if he is satisfied, I am.

The appeal -was dismissed, leave being granted until September IS.

TIME FOR SHEARING. Charles Henry Ililein, farmer, Tarata, whose ease was adjourned from .Inly, stated that lie asked for time until aft;:r shearing 309 sheep. Leave was granted until November 3U.

A SIIEEP FARMER'S DIFFICULTY. Walter James Huston, farmer, Inglewood (Mr. Johnstone), applied for leave until the end of November, He was married, with two children, and managed three properties, one at Pnkearuhe oi 2:>7 acres carrying 300 sheep, another at Waipuku of two acres currying 1200 slireji; both belonged to ilia' father. There was also a leasehold property of 530 acres between lnglewood and Tarata, carrying (Hi!) sheep. Appellant (inly required time to shear all the sheep, which, owing to the diHiculty of obtaining labor, be expected be would have to do himself. They were trying to sell the property. Tie had one brother fanning two properties of ISOO acres in the \\ raikato. One brother was proprietor of a billiard room with 20 tables at Featlierston camp, and the other was a captain in the Salvation Army. Appellant would like leave till the end of December, as the lambs were to bo shorn. Mr. Perry-. The Efficiency Board recommends that lambs Ibe not shorn this your. Last vear lie shear2<s*BoTO sheep,- I|

thev could not sell tho properties they would leave them in some stock agents' hands.

Leave was granted until December 11, A THAXKRJL APPELLANT.

Oscar Harold Johns, dairy farmer, Oiiiata, who stated hj» w:'.s Mi-felly deaf, applied for time. He stnLu that he was aged "20 and had a freehold farm of 50 acres, and with three other brothvrs had an interest in R4 acres a mile and a quarter away. They milked 30 cows and carried other stock. Ho worked the two farms himself./ Two brothers ivere at'the front and one had been turned down. If grantail a few weeks' leave he thought that he could put things to rights, so that ho could go. Chairman: Leave granted till October 10. Appellant: That will do me nicely, thanks. The chairman: Good iuck.

A FARM ASSISTANT'S APPEAL. C.vril Clive James, farm assistant, Egmont Village (Mr. Johnstone), deposed that he his father's farm of 5i)2 acres, which was divided into blocks of 142 acres and 250 acres three or four miles away, farm was situato in blackberry country. Tliey milked 47 cows, and proposed to milk 54 this year by machine, in addition to carrying a.. hundred and twenty-four young stock. He had one brother, a tram eondnoipr. who had been twice turned do.wi, St;d another, a'dairy factory assistant. There was another brother away, who was in the First Division, but had uor.c no farming. Appellant •>P'as the only one on the farm to assist his father, lie had one married sister, lie did all the labor, including piougbin':. The appeal was adjourned sine die.

A STOREKEEPER AND FARMER. Wilfred Gibbons, farmer, Warea (Mr. Johnstone) deposed that he. was aged 27, single, a dairy farmer, also the keeper of a store at Pihama (27 miles away), which he ran with, a manager. His farm was 94 acres, and he milked 35 cows by machine. He also ran horses, yearlings, aiul 30 pigs. He had no assistance at present During the last twelve months lie haaiasked several people (including Mr. J. %nrn, butcher) to undertake the supervision of the farm. He had made arrangements with a man to milk on shares, but the man had taken a larger herd. It was very uiilieult to get sharemilkers for small herds. His farm was alongside the Maori run, which, was absolutely overrun with noxious weeds, anil his farm needed close attention. It was almost impossible to get help, and he knew of no man that he could get to take his place.

To Captain Walker: He' had no brothers, but two sisters married, one at Hawke's Bay and one at Taihdpo, He had no dependents, and tpok the farm ("our years ago. lie had never enlisted, but had tried to prepare the way to get away when called. He could only suggest that he might be left as long as possible to enable him to lease his farm. He quite realised that it was the duty of a single man to go. His next doer neighbor had also appealed, so would not be available to look after his farm. Mr. Johnstone said that the only thing was for appellant to sell out and leave the farm. It would not pay him to employ sharemilkers for such a small herd. Mr. Perry: I think if he could it would pay appellant to make it worth while. i Appellant said it would be doubtful whether another man would get the returns. Appellant had increased the yield from 5001bs to flOOlbs. He would be prepared to give»60 per cent, onj shares v Mr. 'Johnstone said''unless he could: got a man outside the Second Division, j sharemilkers would only be a temporary expedient. He would advise appellant to sell out, j ' To-Mr, Peny.r-Appellant said-that Jtefe!

had put most of Hie money that lie got back into the farm in manure e'r.

Mr. Perry said there were slmremilKera who wove not in the Second Division. He also pointed out that appellant. bavins: no dependents and with his military pay, could afforJi to keep the farm if lie wished.

The eh airman thought that appellant could put in sharcmilkcrs.

Mr. Johnstone staled that farmers generally had very little faith in sharomilkers. Appellant quite realised he had to go to camp.

The chairman stated that many people who told the board their places would go to wreck and ruin if sharemilkera were put in had iince put in sharsmilkcrs. •

Appellant: Rharemilkers would not get two-thirds of the results he did. The appeal was dismissed, leave being granted until October IG.

A WITHDRAWAL. Ohnrles F.Uis, dairy farmer, Mangorei withdrew his appeal, which was dismissed. SINE DIE CASES.

Lindsay Roe Yeoman Brightwcll, farmer, Tarata. whose case had been befr.ro the Third Military Appeal Bftird. asked for leave, and was granted until December 01, to enable him to shear, etc. i

Thomas Bicsick, dairy farmer, of T!afapiko, whose ease had been before the board on July 11. stated that the circumstances had not altered since. The appeal was again adjourned sine die. Albort Todd, dairy farmer, Franklcy Road, aged 38. whose ease was before the Third Wellington Appeal Board in June, stated that his circumstances liaft not altered since, ".vo that nothing was now coming in. He was managing his mother's farm and milking 0 cows'. He had ten acres to plough for grass, oats, and turnips. The property had been leased for two years, and lied been neglected, being covered with blnekherrv. He had two brothjsjs, one aged 40 and 'me 34, who bad lost his left hand, an,? was unable to work on the farm. To the ehairmawi His mother and brother were dependent cn him.

The chairman announced that the decision given by the-board on June it to adjourn the case sine die was confirmed. The hoard then,, adjourned till ten o'clock this morning.