MILITARY APPEAL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1918, Page 6

MILITARY APPEAL BOARD.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The First Wellington Military Service Board'concluded its sittings in New Plymouth yesterday. Mr D. G. A. Cooper, B.M. (chairman) presided, and the other members of the Board were Messrs 1). McLaren and Russel Grace. Captain Walker represented the Defence Department. RETURN OF A SOLDIER. In the case of Captain Athol R. Mclsaac, whose mother applied to have him brought back from active service, the board pointed out that, as the soldier came within tlje scope of the new arrangements made by the Government for the return of men who had been on service for over a certain period, application should be made to the commandant of the forces for leave to be granted to the soldier. • FREEZING CO. EMPLOYEES. The Taranaki Farmers' Meat Co. appealed for several men employed in connection with the extension being made to the company's storage accommodation at Smart road. James Milne, general manager, stated that the building at present in course of erection would be completed by about the second week in December, and a further block to be put up would not be finished till the end of February, and the company desired leave for the men who were carpenters until that time. Twelve carpenters had been advertised for and only one application received. At present there were 19 carpenters employed on the works and 40 were required if the buildings were to- be completed in time for the coming season. Owing to the searcity of shipping it was absolutely essential that the extra storage accommodation should be provided. He had not been aware that the men were called up, else he would have lodged appeals at the time. He did not realise that the scarcity of carpenters was so acute. He had received permission, however, from the Director of Recruiting, to lodge the appeals, although the time for doing so had elapsed. One man was already in camp and he desired he should have special leave for the purpose required. Captain Walker pointed out that there s'iiould bo overwhelming reasons set out before a man was brought out of camp for special work. The man hjid been in camp a month and his training would be -seriously interfered with. The Board dismissed the appeals on behalf of A. G. Thomas and A. P. A. Mathieson (carpenters) with leave until the Marc'h draft. In the ease of John Walker, now in camp, the Board declined to make an recommendation.

The company also appealed on behalf of Wra. Henry Christian, puller and wool-classer, Mr Milne stating that the information at present was to the effect that there were only enough woolclassers in the country to go round the various works. Decision was reserved sine die on the usual conditions. TIMBER MERCHANT'S APPEAL. Alfred E. Surrey, timber merchant, Inglewood, appealed oil behalf of George Lamb, mechanic. He stated that prior to the war he employed about seven hands, two of whom had been called up, and two gone to camp. One man had left him, and if Lamb went lie would be left with three men beside himself. He iiad advertised in one of the local papers but li'ad got no replies.

I The Board was of opinion that tlic advertising had not been sufficiently wide, and adjourned the appeal till next sitting, to allow of further attempts bemade to secure a man to replace the reservist. SCHOOL TEACHER'S APPEAL. The Taranaki Education Board appealed for Henry Jtimes Bocock, head teacher, Iluiroa, Christian R. Larscu, head teacher, Okato, and Carvel E. Evetts, head teacher, Oaonui. Mr P. S. Whitcombe,' secretary of the Board appeared to support the appeals. He said the Board had lost 1-3 male teachers who had gone to the war, and the three reservists, who were all exceptionally good teatfhers, in grade 3, were the first for whom the Board had appealed. The Board was not appealing for grade 2 teachers. Decision was reserved sine die with the usual conditions.

ADJOURNED FOR FURTHER HEARING. The following appeals ivere adjourned for further hearing:—John T. Capper, freezing works' employee, till January sitting; Leonard H. Holland, sharemilker, Uruti, till first of Class D men called up: J. A. N. McEldowney, farmer, Prniiho, till next sitting.

SINE DIE. The appeals of Albert G Wood, farmer, Tikorangi, and Lawrence Wells, farmer, Puni'ho, were adjourned sine die. APPEALS V/ITHDRAWK. The appeal of Chae. Alfred Evans, electrical engineer, New Plymouth, was formally dismissed, having been withdrawn. Francis 11. Blundell, fanner, withdrew his appeal, he having been classed C2. Jack Albert Schinckcl, withdrew on being given leave till the November draft. DISMISSED. The appeal of Sydney George Perrett, farm assistant, itiro, was dismissed, there being no appearance of appellant. That of Frank Smith, fanner, Pimgareliu. was dismissed, with leave till the January diaft; Ijdslie Walter Spurr. farm hand. Waitoitoi, was granted leave till the January draft; and Wm. Henry Butler, dairy farmer, Pnniho, was given leave till the nearest draft.