MILITARY SERVICE APPEALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1917, Page 7

MILITARY SERVICE APPEALS.

HAWERA SITTING. The First Wellington Military Service Board sat in Ilawera on Monday. In the appeal of George Pickering, Hawera, heard on Saturday, the Board reserved its decision sine die. The appeals of William Joseph Pearson, farm hand, Manaia, William Edwards, fanner, Mokoia. Samuel Bleam-' ish, farmer, Inaha, and Thomas Hall were *®rmally dismissed, appellants hating be*a medicc.ly boavded C2. Tie appeals of Ernest Atkinson, sharemilker, l>j.upokonui, and Gordon Butler, ■ Jtereman Waverley, were ad'pfflsSS*# i*. k Sil the November sitting to enable appellants to be medically boarded. Sergeant John MacLeod. Veterinary Corps, N.Z.E.F., now on leave, for whom Mr. O'Dea appeared, applied for his discharge. The chairman: This soldier is asking for a straight out discharge. The commandant is the only official who can grant it. Mr. O'Dea: I take it. sir, that any recommendation you may make will carry weight. The chairman mentioned further that the commandant had referred Sergeant MacLeod's case to the Board for consideration. Sergeant MacLeod deposed that ho was, sworn in as a member of the Expeditionary Force on August 13, IM4, nine days after war was declared, and left with the Second Reinforcements. His two brothers, Donald and Andrew, wentaway with the main Body as privates, and had been promoted to sergeants while in the field, Donald had been awarded the Military Cross. Another brother, William, went away with witness. William l>ful since returned and had been granted his discharge. Two other brothers, George and Robert, went to France with later Reinforcements about 18 months ago. All the brothers, with the exception of one who had returned, were utill on active sarvicc. He took part in the fighting in 'Palestine a few months ago, and witness only returned to the Dominion on September 9 of this year. He was now asking for his discharge, as he thought he and his family had done their share. His fathor was nearly 70 and his mother CO. Mr. O'Dea said that he had figured it i out that Sergeant MacLeod and his broI thers had a military service of about fifteen years. He did not know of a finer record.

Mr. Williams: It is a very fine record. The chairman: The Board has not the slightest hesitation in recommending the discharge. The Board wish me to say that they desire to congratulate Mr. MacLeod, senior, on the very fine record ,of his family and also that of Sergeant MacLood and his brothers. James Rye. dairy farmer, Eltham, for whom Mr. Gow appeared, appealed on the ground of public interest and undue hardship. The appellant gave evidence that lie was working his own farm without assistance. His father and mother resided with him—Reserved decision sine die. The appeal of Arnold i White, furniture maker. Hawera, was'allowed on the ground that the appellant was the only surviving son. His only brother was killed at the front. Arthur Morris Evans, who was represented by Mr. O'Dea. appealed on the ground of public interest and undue hardship. The appellant gave evidence that he was working a farm of 100 acres He also deposed as to his financial responsibilities. His mother was an invalid. Decision reserved. Anthony Moratti, farmer, Midhirst, for whom Mr. King appeared, appealed on the ground of public interest and undue hardship. Evidence was given by the appellant that lie was managing a farm for his brother Peter, who was on active service. Another brother was going into camp on Wednesday. His only assistance was from a boy.' The Board reserved its decision .sine die. George Robert 1 Smith, farmer, Kapuni, for whom Mr. Welsh appeared, appealed on the ground of public interest. Evidence was given by the appellant that he was working his mother':: farm which had been held by the family for 32 years, with the assistance of his sister and a young man (W. T. Christian) who had recently returned from the front. Christian had been wounded and was therefore unable to do heavy work; His brother William was on active service. Decision was reserved. William Leslie Pinny, dairy farmer. Hawera. who appealed on the ground of public interest, gave evidene . that he' was working his farm without asststane. Ilis wife was unable to-do any heavy work. Mr. Welsh appeared for the appellant. Decision was reserved. Frank Arthur Dawson, farm manager, Hawera, who appealed on the ground of public interest, deposed that he was managing his mother's farm. His two brothers, Fred and AVilliam, were on active service, and another brother John, was in camp. The Board reserved its decision sine die, and the chairman congratulated Mrs Dawson on the fine spirit shown by her and her sons. John Leo. farm manager, Waverley, for/whom Mr. O'Dea appeared, appealed on the ground of public interest. The appellant deposed that he had been managing a large sheep farm for his father, who had recently died. He was now working the property for the estate. Appellant stated his financial obligations. Decision was reserved. The appeal of Charles Sneddon, farmer, Waverley, whose case was before the Third Wellington Board in June last, was further considered. The appellant said that he bad been to dispose of the two farms held by him. He had his aged father and mother and a wife and child to support. The Board adjourned its decision sine die. The appeal of Jesse Isgar, farmer, Tuna, which was previously before the Board, was further adjourned until the November sitting to enable the appel l lant to dispose of his farm. Mr. O'Dea appeared for the appellant. The Board gave its reserved decisions in the following cases: —A. M. Ewans, Awatuna; W. L. Pinny, Hawera, to be referred to the Efficiency Board for certain enquiries; J. Leo, Waverley, adjourned antil the December sitting; G. R. Smith, decision reserved sine die.