MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1917, Page 8

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

HAWERA APPEALS. .the First Wellington Service Board sat m Hawera 011 Monday. home servicf The appeals of Edward Joseph Doyle, factory manager, Okaiawa; George Ernest Bonnell, painte- ITawera; George ■turner, farmer, Eltham; Alexander George Robertson, cheesemaker, Manga■c.vi; William Woiler, sharemilker, Ararata, were all formally dismissed, appellants having been medical boarded C2. DAIRY FACTORY CASES. The appeals of Charles McQueen, manager dairy factory, Manutahi (Mr. \\elsk); Arthur Fleming, factory manager, Oaonui (Mr. O'Dea); Albert'Tvnan. factory manager, Ngutuwera; Theophilus Renton, cheesemaker, Pihama (Mr. Spratt); James Bessitt, factorv manager Waverley (Mr. O'Dea); Thomas Laidlaw Cnrne, cheesemaker, Okaiawa; R. H. Le Fleming, cheesemaker. Normanby (Mr, Welsh); Arthur Joseph Laeey, dairy fac. Tory assistant, Ararata (Mr. Welsh), were called on.

Mr. Welsh led evidence as to the posi tion of the industry generally in Tara naki.

Mr. J, B. Murdoch deposed that there was a great scarcity of dairy factory labor in the district, due to the demand for men for active service. The dairy factories could not do with less than the irreducible minimum as laid down by the National Dairy Association. There was a great shortage of skilled or expert dairy employees, with the result that many men, without a great deal of experience, but who showed some ability above the average casual men, were being promoted to first assistant positions. In some cases this had resulted in more second-grade cheese being made than was done two years ago. The Manutahi factory, a seven-vat concern, could not do with less than three exeprt men. Captain Walker: Have you exhausted all efforts in regard to amalgamation in South Taranaki?

Mr. Murdoch replied that so far as South Taranaki was concerned amalgamation would only release three men.

Mr. G. H. Buckeridge presented a return showing the number of skilled men required. No fewer than 342 expert men were required in Taranaki, and of this number 201 were available, leaving a shortage of 81. He nad notice 1 that~rhe quality of eheeie in some districts had not been as good as it used to be. and this was due to less experienced men being promoted to the higher positions. Decisions in all the foregoing cases were reserved.

OTHER APPEALS. J. S. 'Barleyman, farmer, Kaponga, for whom Mr. Weir appeared, said lir. had endeavored to secure sharemilkers to run the farm, but he had not been successful. He had done his best to get'away. Decision was reserved. The appeal of Robert Robertson, farmer, Opunake, who was represented by Mr Weir, was further considered. The Board granted appellant leave until 'February 3. 1018, and congratulated Robertson on the fine record of the family. The chairman said the board recognised that appellant had done his best to get away. , The appeal of Ti>omas Kelliher, farmer, Eltham, previously before the board, [ was further considered. Appellant stated that ho was quito willing to serve, but he desired time to enable him to complete the heavy work on the farm, which a younger brother, who was in delicate health, was unable to perform. He had three brothers at the front, two of whom had been killed. There was another brother in Mesopotamia. The case was adjourned until the next sitting to enable a doctor's certificate to be produced as to the brother's health. Herbert Rudkin. farmer, Hawora, for whom Mr. Welsh appeared, appealed on the ground of public interest. Appellant was boarded CI. Decision was reserved.

The appeal of Andrew Gallagher, draughtsman, Hawera, was adjourned until the next sitting, as appellant had not. been examined by the medical board. Robert Archibald Shewry, farmer, Tahora (Mr. O'Deal, appealed on the ground of public interest. . The appellant deposed that he ivas working three sheen farms held by bis brother and himself. His partner was at the front. The farms consisted of 1344 acres, and carried a large Hock of sheep, consisting of SOO breeding ewes, 050 lambs, '250 hoggets. 21 rams, besides other stock. Anothe?- brother was killed, in the Messines battle. A number of the neighbors used his sheds for shearing. which was now commencing. The appeal was adjourned sine dis, The board then adjourned.—Star.