A BRICKMAKER'S APPEAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1917, Page 7

A BRICKMAKER'S APPEAL.

1 *■ A COUNTER-PETITION PRESENTED TQTHEiOAP.p. Auckland, Dec. 10. . The appeal of Charles F. Gardner, of the Gardner Tiros, ai'd Parker Brick Manufacturing Company, with works at New Lynn, came before the Military Service Board to-day, flowing upon an ad-1 joumment of the case for inquiry. At a previous hearing appellant professed a special knowledge of chemistry and its application to the manufacture of bricks, and that he was the only man capable of running the works of the company, to which ho was essential, and in which ho had a financial responsibility. The case as presented apparently aroused a good deal of public interest in and about New Lynn, the result being the holding of & meeting, at which decided opinions were expressed on Gardner's appsal, and a number of motions were passed condemning his action. A petition was sent around the district urging the board to reconsider the matter in the light that Gardner was not essential to his business as alleged. The petition was brought before the board to-day. It contained 239 signatures, including those ,of 30 men who had had experience of brick-making in the district. Major Conlan said that since the first hearing, "s the outcome of inquiry, he was surprised to find there were no fewer (hah five firms carrying on the brick trade, despite what Gardner had said that his was the only firm which had survived. Counsel had discovered that since the war the firms cngagad had found it nScessa.ry to curtail the output, and some had decided to close down cer ; tain of their works in common bricks. With 'one exception, that of Gardner Bros, and Parker, the firms which had closed down were receiving a bonus as their share of the xmdertaking to close down. Mr. Bloomfield strongly resented Major Conlan's remarks, which] he said, were entirely out of place until the evidence had been heard. When making arrangements with other brickmalcing firms, Mr. Gardner had made an alternative proposition, which was that they should pay I im a royalty and rclca'se him so that I'o. could go to the war. He was attacktd bitterly beforo lie had been given a chance to further explain himself. Evidence was given as to the position of the business, and the» appeal was adMimed for a week.