MILITARY SERVICE

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1918, Page 6

MILITARY SERVICE

SITTING 0!7 THE APPEAL BOARD. 'Ji sitting of the No. 1 Wellicfitoii Military District Appeal Boaid (7i.t:«Kis D. Q. A. Cooper, S.M.. D. ">=• Laa-.i and Guy C. Williams) was held at Plymouth yesterday. Captain Walker, military representative, and Major Cc:;, the representative of the group, were also present. BOROUGH COUNCIL'S APPEAL. Mr. .T. H. Quillinm asked leave to mention the New Plymouth Borough Counoil's appeal on behalf of William Henry Hnggoit, electrician, power-house superintendent, whose appeal was to be heard that day. An appeal had also been lodged on behalf of R. H. Bartley, tramways and electrical engineer. It was felt that if Huggett's appeal were granted it might prejudice the appeal for hartley, who was the more important of the two. Mr, Quilliam therefore, asked that Hugjjett's appeal be adjourned until Bartley's casa was beard. Both men were classed us essential Tlte chairman said that the request made was a fair one. and the appeal was udjourned till next meeting.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S APPEAL. The Justice Department appealed , <m neli&lf of William Henry .Freeman, clerk af the Court at Elihair. tatd btratford. Mr. Crooke, S.M., deposed that he had been instruct.'.l by the Justice Department to appeal on 'behalf of appellant, whn was ;-lcrl. ir sole cnargc of the Magistrate's Court at Stratford and Eltliaiv. residing in Eltham. There were fc.ii sittings of tlic Court <<l. Stratford and i.wo at Eltha.n, monthly. Mr. Freemen bad no assistance, except a baliifi" in each office. The Justice Department found it diliicult to obtain experienced clerks. He submitte:! a Ma i ?i:h-ih showing that chf- approximate mimbcr of clerical nfliceiv '"as HiC. Since vli& way begun they tnid lost by fc.iigi'atioii or death 40: there, were m. aclivo jervioo 50. and li had seen killed ■ in. siCtior. With the ?:;eeptiim of a few single, officers, who had beer, rejected as i.nfit. the whole of the saiglf- officers had joined the forces. Wl-ercvot possible bailiffs had been utilised .1.5 clerk.- Mil the whole of that material iiad been used up. /Pontile chairman: (Ho knew that the Department were short of experienced men. To Captain Walker. \i w&s a Departmental appeal, by the- instructions of the Under-Secretary of Justice Mr. Freeman, who was a married mar. without children, was not appealing. Decision was reserved sine die, A GOOD RECORD, Cyril Gilbert Jonev, 3hc-ep farmer, Okokc. Urenui, aged 20, appealed on the ground:, of undue hardship and public j interest. I 'William ./ones, appellant's father, I aged 57, deposed that he owned three 1 farms aggregating 2-i!>7J acres One I farm of 1050 acres, 0.R.P., belonged to I appellant, half in gTass, and the bal--1 ance standing bush. Six hundred and thii ty acres adjoining belonged to his son, I -\V. P. Jones who was now at the front. ! Two hundred and fifty acres were in grass. The adjoining farm of 587 A acres belonged to bis son, Alfred, also at the front About 440 acres wa: down In grass. He bad another son, Arthur, at the front. They carried IG6O beau, of slier p on the three farms, and 130 head of cuttle. Witnesr, and '.'.ppollant were the only ones c.i the property, and did all the shearing. He bad two other sons, Mewtoii, aged 10, a cripple, who bad met with an accident, and Eiwin, aged eleven. Captnii Walker stated that he had no questions to ask, remarking that it was an excellent record. Decision, was reserved sine ('.:".• ;'

A GOOD MILKING HERD. Henry Gordon Addenbrooke. farmer, I'ruti (Mr. Bennett), appealed on the grounds cf public interest and undue lordship. He deposed that jie was aged 30, and married. At his medical examination he was classed CI. He held 301 acres leasehold, and 96 acres freehold. He had held the leasehold nine years and' the freehold I*2 months. He was dairying and milked 31 cows by machine, and carried 42 young slock and 2ijo head of sheep. The cows were the leading herd in the district, averaging 300 lb of butter fat, nearly double tile average Taranaki cow He only had the assistance of his wife, who helped with the milking. Ho had one married sister residing in Auckland, wth three children. Decision reserved sine die. AN OKAU CASK. ' Arthur William Blanchard, sheep farmer, Okau (Mr. Bennett), appealed on similar grounds. He deposed that he was aged 28, single, and classed A. Captain Walker expressed surprise that appellant had escaped the ballot. Appellant stated that he had waited to be drawn in the ballot, but on his name not appearing, he notified the Defence Office, Hawera. •Mr. Bennett explained that the mistake was not appellant's. It had been made by the Defence Department. . Major Cox said that the Government Statistician was to blame. Continuing his evidence, appellant said the farm consisted of 1272 acres O.R.P. at Kolare, appellant being in partnership with his brother, .W H. Bhinehard, who had left with the 28th reinforcements. Seven hundred acres was in grass and carried 1400 head big sheep, 300 lambs and 120 head of cattle. He did all his own shearing and employed casual labor. Appellant had three sisters, all single, and an invalid mother. There was only a whare on the property. He had held the property for ten years. Mr. McLaren asked whether any attempt had been made to get any one. to take charge of the propertyMr. Bennett, understood iiot. The property was too hard for an unfit man to work, and to appoint .1 fit man would only be u -temporary expedient, as he would also be liable to be called up. Appellant's only brother and partner had gone on active service. Mr. Williams pointed out that r.ianv strong men wer" rejected for military service en account of defects such as the loss nf u finger or flat feet who were first-class shepherds and were good on the hills. Appellant, recalled* stated that he had taken no steps to" put any one in his place. If he could set a. good reliable man lie. would put him in charge. • He thought arrangements could be made with his neighbor? to supervise any ono left in charge. Dejision was reserved. .'•*" A HILLSBOROUGH APPEAL, rhos. Sampson, farmer, Hillsborough (Mr. A. H. Tohnstone), appealed on.'<tho same grounds. He deposed that no was aged 39 and married. His farm consisted of 113 acres, freehold, and he milked 29 cowi by machine- and ab» ctnk-1 24

calves, five 'horses and 10 pigs. A girl assisted with the milking and appellant did a'l other farm work. Twenty-five ncrea v.'evo in bush and 30 to -40 acres in slumps. It took considerable work to .keep the farm clear of blackberry. A casual nand, who put in about 20 days a month, did this work. Appellant had a lot of draining to do. He knew of no I.iv 'J:at he could gel: to manage his farni who was not liable to be. called up. liis wife was under the doctor's care. Decision was reserved sine die. A FIREMAN'S APPEAL, Walter Clifford Arden. railway fireman, Nov,- Plymouth, whose appeal bad been adjourned from October on account of the illness of his wife and to enable him to arrange for the payment of his hospital and doctors' accounts], stated that there was Tto difference in the circumstances now. The appeal was dismissed, leave beisjg granted until April 2.

AN OMAT.A CASE. Alphonso Wood, farmer, Omata, appealed on the grounds of undue bardship and public interest. He deposed that he 'had, since hir, appeal, sold his place by way of exchange for other properties." He[ however, still held 50 acres of leasehold, and 210 acres in the two adjoining farms freehold. 105 acres of this he had purchased from a. soldier, who left with the sth reinforcements. He was aged 2!' and married. Last winter he carried 500 big sheep and 150 yearlings and liad shorn over 100. At present he had 500 mixed sheep, and 50 weaners, 45 eighteen-month? steers, 10 18nionths heifers, 10 bulls and seven horses, lie hired bulls to his neighbors for the season. Witness employed a little casual labor. To Capt. Walker: Two brother?, one an invalid discharged from camp, were oh bis father's farm of 700 acres, North Auckland. Appellant was prepared to go to camp if he could sell his properties. To the chairman: Two brothers had been killed at the front. Decision reserved. A BOOT RETAILER'S APPEAL. Win. Thomas McEwen, boot retailer, New Plymouth (Mr. A. H. Johnstone), deposed be was aged 44. He was now classed CI, having previously been classed C2. He employed five bands, besides bis brother, who was a partner, and did the repairing. His parents resided on the farm at Carrington road. His eldest broffrsr was on leave granted by the Board. His partner was classed C2. His brothers A. T., and P. B„ who were farming at Inglewood, were at tha front, as were also F. E. Another brother was married and at Hawera. Stanley had been killed in action, and Augustus was in bad health. To Mr. Williams: Two of his brothers had volunteered. Decision reserved sine die. 'FARM MANAGER'S APPEAL. Patrick Joseph O'Grady, farm manager, Urenui (Mr. J. R. S. Stanford), appealed on all grounds. Ho (vas aged 32, had been married eight years, was managing a farm of 400 acres, L.1.P., five miles from Urenui, for his single sister, who 1 resided in Cbristehurch with his mother, an invalid. The farm carried 100 heail^ of cattle- and 150 sheep. He had no 1 other assistance. He had three married 1 brothers in the South Island, but they could not take over the farm, as owing ' to the state of the road their children would not be able to attend school. The farm was in the market for sale. To Capt. Walker: His sister had taken up the property six years ago, but never . lived there. His neighbors were unable ' to assist him, and he had no relatives that could run the place. Adjourned till February sitting for further information.

A MILK VENDOR'S APPEAL Edgar Richmond Bayly, farmer, Omata (Mr. A. H. Johnstone), appealed on behalf of his son, Keith John Bayly, on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. Appellant deposed that he was residing at Omata, farming 195 acres of freehold land, and milking 55 cows by machine. He also carried 18 heifers, two bulls 25 calves, eight horses. He supplied milk to 120 customers in New Plymouth Appellant lVad carried on this business for seven and a-half years, and the necessity for a regular supply of milk all the year round meant nearly double the work to ordinary dairying, entailing a lot of cropping. Appellant had seven sons, and two (laughters. The eldest, Albert Richmond' aged 22, was at the front. The reservist for whom he was appealing, Keith John, was aged ill. Harold, aged 18, wag on the milk cart, Vaughan aged 16, helped on the farm. Others aged 13, S and 5 went to school. His daughters were aged 19 and 11. The reservist since being drawn in the ballot in June had been operated on for appendicitis, and was still under medical attention. Appellant himself was in ill-health, having been in the hospital in November. The reservist did the main work on the farm, and if he could not be replaced witness would have to give up the milk run. To Capt. Walker: During his son's illness neighbors assisted, with the ploughing. Captain Walker: Do you mean to seriously tell the Board that if your son has to go to camp or was taken ill again you would be compelled by circumstances to give up your milk round? Appellant: I have made up my mind to do so. Later, he stated he would be compelled to do so. Captain Walker: Do you seriously expect the Board to believe that? Appellant: Yes, I do; I'm not accustomed to tell fairies.

In further questioning, appellant admitted that during his son's illness he had carried on for four months under difficulties. He could afford to pay some one to take his son's place if he could get any one. He would either sell the farm or take his milk to a factory. There were six or seven others supplying New Plymouth with milk, so that he did not suggest that his customers would have to go without milk if he gave up, though lie added that there was room in New Plymouth now for another milkman in the town. Mr. Johnstone said it would be conceded that the disposal of the milk run would not affect public interest. Continuing, appellant said that taking the milk to the factory would reduce his profits but he had made up his miud to do so. Decision was reserved. ' A MOTHEK'S APPEAL. Mrs. Grace Spargo, dairy farmer, of Huirangi, appealed on behalf of her son, Alfred James Spargo, aged 23, who was classed t)l. Witness deposed they were farming 81 acres, milking_23 cows by hand., and carrying IS young stock. Witness and her son and daughter did the milking. There was vjaQarr non, aged 10, going to school. To Captain Walker: Witness required onagtieq for a» lAgg an p>«#& <B»

son's arm was affected. Decision was reserved sine die, KESERVED DECISIONS. After the luncheon adjournment, decision was given in the following appeals: Arthur William Blanehanl, adjourned till next sitting; Keith John Bayly, appeal dismissed, leave being granted until April 2; Alphonso Wood, adjourned sine die. WRONG CLASSIFICATION The following appeal?, were allowed, appiMlariti-baving been wrongly classed: F. M. .Doughty,, fireman, New Plymouth, class D: Cecil Ernest Jorclaj:, farm laborer. Bob Block, class ]'• Robert William James Danes, nuisenmnn. New Plymouth, ;lasa C: William .hunts Batten, packer, New Plymouth, class L; Percy Vcaln. compositor. New Pivmouth. class B. Following were adiournc-i foj production of certificates: Walter Hadrick Smith, fisherman. New Plymouth, class D; Albert Uackley, larme/, Motonui, class C; Alfred Deacon, laborer, Warea, class D. The following appeals adjourned from Hawera for production of marriage certificates: .Tolin J. Wallace. Kaimata, class B: John Tlios. Reardon, Mahoe, class B. were allowed. NOT A RESERVIST. John Edward Bond, driver, New Plymouth, appealed on the grounds that he was in class >E. In bis examination. bo stated that according to the family bible bis age was 47. The chairman remarked if this could be proved, he was not a reservist and adjourned the case for production of the bible. Appellant later returned with the family bible, after inspecting which the Board allowed the appeal, appellant not being a reservist. 'DISMISSED. The following appeal was dismissed: Ernest Chas. Locke, farmer, New Plymouth, appellant having been medically boarded C2. Gordon Murray Sykes, chemist, New Plymouth, who appealed for time, did not appear. Captain Walker stated that appellant bad had the time he required. Appeal formally dismissed. John James Gray, carter, New Plymouth, who stated lie was in class C and Waiter James Haimes, laborer, New Ply. mouth, class B, did not appear; their appeals were dismissed. LEAVE GRANTED. Following appellants appealed for time, which was granted:— John O'Neill, farm assistant, Urenui, April f 2; Chas. William Cook, farm manager, Oaonui, June 2,<; John Simeon Lister, storekeeper, New Plymouth, April 2. A QUESTION! OF NATIONALITY. Albert Trebes, laborer, Urenui, appealed on the ground that he was in class F. In the course of his evidence he stated that he was married at Midhirst on the 20th, but he could not say what month or year. The certificate "was lost in a fire at Midhirst 14 years ago. He produced the birth certificates of three , children, the other three of his family having been borne at Manaia, Wanganu'i, and Gisborne. His children were in a home at Nelson and he was paying 4s per week each for their maintenance. He did not know where his wife was. Ho was born in Inglewood of German parents. To the. chairman: He was naturalised. Captain Walker said that but for the question of nationality he would be prepared to raise the point as to whether appellant was adequately maintaining his family within the meaning of the Act. The Board adjourned the case in order to get the decision of the authorities as to whether appellant was eligible to serve on the ground of nationality.