RESERVISTS' APPEALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1917, Page 2

RESERVISTS' APPEALS.

SITTING OF APPEAL BOARD. The sitting of the No. 1 Wellington Military Service Board (Messrs D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., D. McLaren and G. Williams) were concluded at New ■Plymouth yesterday. Captain Walker represented the Military authorities and Lieutenant Crutch the group officer. METHODIST CLERGYMEN. In the appeals of four Methodist clergymen, Fred Copelaml, 'Woolstonj Wallace Stanley Ileal, Ashurst;. John Dennis, Timaru; Chas. B. Jordan, Ekctahuna; Win. Rowe, Johnsonville; Mr, A. H, Bennett, who appeared for the Rev. W. A. Sinclair president of the Methodist conference, asked that the appeals should be adjourned sine die pending legislation that was being introduced. He added that the president of the conference desired that a number of the men should be released despite any legislation that might be brought down, and for this purpose was attending a conference to be held at Christehurch next week, when the resolution passed would probably be rescinded. He stated that the men were anxious to serve but the resolution passed by conference at present barred the president's hands in regard to giving permission. Captain Walker understood that there were less than a dozen eligible fit men in the clergy of that denomination. Rev. W. A. Sinclair: That is so. The appeals were adjourned sine die. AN UNNATURALISED POLE. Tn the appeal of Frank Schrider, farmer, Inglewood, Mr. A. H. Johnstone ( who appeared for him, stated that though he had not been instructed to that effect he had ascertained that appellant was an unnaturalised Pole, having been born in Poland 38 years ago, and arriving in the Dominion with his parents when he was a year old. Appellant's father was naturalised The chairman: If ha was naturalised before appellant was 21 years of age appellant is also naturalised. Appellant could not say when !his father was naturalised. Mr. Johnstone stated that appellant was not making this a ground of appeal. All he required was leave until January when his wife, who intended to carry on the farm during his absence, would be able to do so. Counsel considered it was right to mention the point to the Board. The chairman: Quite right, because if he is not naturalised he is not a reservist. The appeal was adjourned till next sitting for evidence on the question, the chairman remarking that if a reservist, there would be no difficulty over the question of leave. A STORE KEEPER'S SPIRIT. Cecil Johnston, storekeeper, New Plymouth, deposed that he was aged 2G„ married with one child. He was in partnership with his brother, Norman, who was at the front, having enlisted in the 4th reinforcements. They had had the business 5i years. He was only asking for three months' leave in order to get rid of his stock and get in his book debts. His brother's wife had gone as a nurse. The chairman: Is three months sufficient, do you think? Appellant: As far as I know now. He explained that if he could not sell the business as a going concern he would have to dispose of the stock. It was their own freehold property. The chairman considered that it would be a pity if the business had to be sacrificed. He suggested that appellant should put in a manager so as to have the business on his return. To Mr. McLaren, appellant stated that he would have difficulty in obtaining a manager. His father was in hospital at present and did not care to take the responsibility, and none of his employees were capable of managing the business. In reply to a question by the chairman, he stated that he was not keen to go to the front, but considered that it was necessary he should go. The chairman: A very fine spirit. The board decided to adjourn the case until the February sitting, to see what the position of the business would be then The Board complimented appellant en the spirit shown. A BUTCHER'S APPEAL. Harry Fletcher, butcher!, New Plymouth, manager of the City Meat Stores applied for leave. v Mr. P. A. Openshaw, proprietor, stated that the business was practically sold, hut he would not know until next week. If the sale eventuated appellant would like leave till the end of the year. If negotiations fell through he would appoint a manager and would only require a month's leave for appellant. The case was adjourned for a month. WITHDRAWN AND DISMISSED. In the following cases, appellants having been classed C2, the appeals were Withdrawn and dismissed:— Albert Edward Keig, cutter, New Plymouth. Christopher C. Bottrill, school master, New Plymouth (employers' appeal). David J. McEldowney, farm assistant, Puniho. Thomas George Corkill, farmer Pihama... LAND AGGREGATION. An important question was touched on during the hearing of the appeal of Chas. McGuinn, fanner, Whangaiuomona,. which had been adjourned from Huwera for the evidence of Mr. G. H. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands. Captain Walker said that McGuimi was a fit single man, and the holder of a section of 345 acres o.r.p. The case had previously been adjourned to enable appellant to obtain a purchaser. When it came up again, appellant stated that he had made a satisfactory sale to a Mr. Bray, who, with a partner, held 1000 acres adjoining, but when lie applied for a transfer the Land Board refused its approval. Mr. Bullard stated he was not present at the meeting when the matter was dealt with, and he wished to make it clear that anything he said could not bind the Land Board. He understood the hoard had adjourned the case to enable other arrangements to be made—for appellant to find another purchaser. All land boards have a great objection to aggregation. There was a great clamor for people to get on the land, hut if aggregation took place as fast as the land was thrown open, what would the position be? Captain Walker asked if he considered it would be aggregation if this transfer was allowed, having regard to the fact that it was second-class land, of which one man could hold up to 2000 acres, and jn this case the transferee held only half interest, in 1000 acres. Mr. Bulhrd said that aggregation was the. simple act of purchase of land by a man who owns or has a part interest in another section

Captain Walker: Do you personally consider that it would be contrary to public interest to allow this man, whose partner is at the war, and who hag a half interest in 1000-acres, to acquire this 315 acres? Mr. Billiard: Yes, it would. Ec added that McCuimi could purchase the freehold of his land and then dispose of it independent of the Land Board. The Land Board did not wish to create a precedent. _ Captain Walker said he did not think it would be regarded as a precedent, but it would release a fit man for'the front. He thought it looked very weak on the part of the board to say they did not want to transfer, but that the lessee could overcome the difficulty by purchasing .the freehold and transferring the land himself. Was that getting over aggregation? Continuing, Captain Walker asked under the circumstances would not Mr. Bullard use his influence to allow the transfer, if Mr. McGuinn said there was no other way. Mr. Bullard suggested that appellant might find a returned soldier to transfer the land to. Land Boards were going to find a difficulty in getting land for returned soldiers. There was a tendency now to urge military service as a reason or excuse lor aggregation. The chairman: This ia a reason, not an excuse. Mr. Bullard said the board had to be very careful or loose control would ensue. It had passed a resolution that transfers would not be permitted except to persons willing to serve, or who produced certificates of unfitness. There was also a tendency on the part of some people to take more land than they had capital to work properly. They were inclined to be land greedy. Captain Walker said the position really meant, that if the Taranaki Land Board refused the transfer it would be preventing a lit man from going to the front. Mr. Bullard said if that could be absolutely proved he thought the Land Board would, under the circumstances, allow the transfer. It did not want to prevent him from going to the front. Captain Walker said the Military Service Board was satisfied that appellant could not make other arrangements in time. Personally he did not think it would be possible to get a returned soldied to go out there. The place had been in agents' hands for sale. Mr. Bullard pointed out that the property was only six miles from the railway, and a good deal depended on the price asked. The Land Board would meet on Wednesday, when the application for transfer would he further considered, and the result would be telegraphed to the hoard at Hawera. Mr. McLaren agreed that the commissioner was quite right in stating that land boards had to exercise care to prevent aggregation at a time like this, when there would be a keen demand for land for returning soldiers. Mr. Dullard said the board had to subdivide the land at present into sections as small as could reasonably support a man. Some people would take up half the island and not consider it aggregation..