MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1918, Page 7

MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

NEW PLYMOUTH SESSION. The Military Service Board resumed its New Plymouth sittings yesterday, the members present being: Messrs Cooper (chairman) D. McLaren and T. Young. Clara Miles, widow, Korito, applied for exemption in respect of her son, Ernest Thomas Miles, who left with the 'Mth Reinforcements. Mr Johnstone represented applicant. Witness stated she had a farm of ItfT acres. Her husband died five years ago, and the property had been left to her and at her death to the children. She had since carried on >the farm work. She was milking SO cows by hand, supplying a creamery one mile away. Sue had 20 head of young stock and pigs. Her family consisted of six daughters and one son. One of the daughters was married and living at Hawera, another was a school-teacher, and the others assisted on the farm, but one was a delicate 'girl. She had to employ outside labor at various periods for the heavy portion of the work. To Ma.jor Cox: Her son had previously volunteered. Her health had broken down through the extra work. Jas., Hawke, farmer, Albert Road stated he was a neighbor of witness. Asked whether he thought Mrs Miles coud carry on with her usual help, witness stated that a farm required a lot of] strong labor to keep down weeds, ploughing and growing crops,' and it was almost impossible to get labor for this class of work. In the early part of the season Mrs Miles might be able to manage, but lifting milk cans, etc., was heavy work, and he did not think the daughters capable of doing all the labor. The board rccomiiiended that her son be returned from the front, adding that owing to the death of the younger brother and this son being away had had a serious effect on the mother's health, and under these circumstances the case was sufficient to warrant Miles' return from the front. Sydney Edgar Sarten, farmer, Hulrangi, appealed on grounds of public interest. Witness said he had been farming during the past eighteen years. He had two sons, sixteen and ten. The eldest boy was in an office at New Plymouth, and was not strong, having met with an accident when young. His wife and the younger boy carried on the work. He had eight brothers, three being over age. Norman had returned from the front, and was helping a brother, L. L. Sarten was going into camp, and Harry was in camp. Darcy had been turned down and was now milking by hand, Louis was a contractor at Waitara, and married, with a family of three or four. All his brothers were busy, having as much as they could do, if not more. He had a tister who was married, and also engaged in farming. In reply to the chairman, Mr Bennett. lor appellant, stated It wm Intended

that when one of his brothers returned from the front L. L. Sarten would go into camp. Sarten desired to be allowed time till November before going into camp. The appeal was adjourned till next sitting. ', Sydney Septimus Wells, farmer, Pimiho, was represented by Mr Johnstone. Witness was farming on 208 acres, which was originally bush farm. Was milking 50 cows hy machine, and had 30 head young stock. He had cropped ten acres turnips and five acres in rape. He had assistance last season, but tiu3 man had. been caught in the ballot and left last January. Appellant had a wife and two children, one 14 (girl) and 11 (boy). He had nine brothers, the eldest, William, managing 'three farm_s at present. Charles was farming 400' acres, and had three children, two being at the front. Two brothers were at Pukearuhe, one with two children and the other four children. Edward was at Pungarehu, and had two children, one being at the front. Arnold was married, with two children, and Arthur had been called up. Another brother, Herbert, farming at Onaero, was married witli two children. Deeimiis was medically unfit, having been injured through gunfire in the arm. The appeal was adjourned to next sitting.

Arthur Douglas Lucas, farmer, who appealed at the July session, stated his position was exactly the same as then. Cows were coming in, and he had no ssistance.—Adjourned sine die. Louis Herbert Langman, farmer, Lepperton, in Class D, Second Division, appealed on the groundß of undue hardship. Witness stated he had a family of three children. Percy Samuel Haskell, driver, Fitzrov. appealed on similar grounds.—Both r 'l. ■ Andrew Coffey. orer, Rahotu, appealed to be classed 0, having a wife and three> children.—Appeal granted. Harry Looney, ICoru, farmer, appealed hecause of public interest. He was married, with two small children. He had two farms, one a west coast lease, comprising 232 acres, which was all clear, excepting 28 acres. The stock on this was 00 head of sheep, besides cattle. The other farm was freehold, the property of his mother-ifl-law, and comprised 60 acres, carrying 12 cows, 30 head of young stock, and 3 horses. His mother-in-law was an elderly woman, and this was all he had. Did all the work on the farm, except the usual casual labor. Had three brothers, Jack farming at Opotiki on 300 acres, Joe was at Rahotu, milking on shares, blit could not say for what period. His wife had five brothers, Frank being at Opunake, farming on 200 acres. Tom was farming and contracting; and the other three were in the Waikato and Onehunga.—Adjourned sine die. Walter Lawrence Newman, Tikorangi, farmer (Mr Johnstone) said ho was farming 101 acres. He was milking by machine, separating on the farm, and carting the cream to the factory. He had cropped 30 acres, 10 each in wheat, oats and rape. He did not bother about any labor, being able to do all necessary. He had one brother, an engineer, in the Waikato. Witness' land adjoined Maori property and made extra work as the native land was covered with blackbery.—Adjourned sine die. Thomas O'Shannessey, Tataraimaka, farmer (Mr Bennett) appealed for extension of time. His property had been on the market for some time, but nad not been sold. The appeal was dismissed. Mr Johnstone represented Allan Herbert George Marsh, farmer, Hillsborough, married, with two small children. Witness was working for his father on 180 acres. He was milking 40 cows, besides cropping and ploughing work. The land was not clean, having ft good deal of weeds and blackberry. His parents were elderly people, and not capable of giving much assistance, whilst his married (brothers were also engaged in farming pursuits and not able to'give a hand. The appeal was dismissed. The appeals of John Alan Peattie, fanner, Tataraimaka, was withdrawn, applicant having been classed C2- That of Arthur M'Keown, farmer, Okofce, was adjourned till the next session