TIN HAT CLUB PRESIDENCY

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28265, 1 May 1957, Page 12

TIN HAT CLUB PRESIDENCY

Move To Restrict Term Defeated

A motion aimed at restricting the eligibility of one person in the office of president to three consecutive years in any one term was defeated by a majority of 80 members present at a special meeting of the 1000-strong Tin Hat Club last evening. The present president of the club (Mr D. W. Russell), a foundation member, has held office since the club, the social branch of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association, was formed in 1945.

The motion was put by Mr George Easterbrook, on behalf of Mr C. L. Bacon, who was absent in the North Island In a letter read to the meeting, Mr Bacon said the object of bringing the motion was that he thought it “a good thing for such an importand office to rotate.” He knew of “unfortunate consequences” developing from unduly long tenures. The special meeting to consider the motion was called at the requisition of 20 members. “We have some very fine men on the list of vice-presidents who have done outstanding service to the community in their various professions,” said Mr H. D. Capper, seconding the motion. “The motion would give them an opportunity of holding the office of president and they would do so with dignity and decorum.” Mr Russell said he wished to remind the speaker that vicepresidents were elected on the recommendation of the club executive “for meritorious service to the club.”

If persons who aspired to the president’s job wished to stand for election they only had to get the support of their friends, Mr Gordon Catto said. Into Committee Mr Russell interrupted the speaker and said he had noticed that a reporter was present. “The affairs of this club are not for public consumption,” he said, moving that the meeting go into committee. [“The Press” had received an invitation to the special meeting from the club secretary (Mr L. W. Menzies.}" The meeting then went into committee for further discussion. A statement handed to “The Press” later said that the motion was “overwhelmingly defeated.” A further motion that the officers of the club should include the immediate past-president, was carried. There is, at present, no immediate past-president.