LETTING THE TOWN HALL

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 14, 11 October 1921, Page 5

LETTING THE TOWN HALL

Sir —There are two inaccuracies in the Town Clerk's statement published on Saturday:— , , (1) That. 'Monday, October 3. was "pencilled” for tho West Coasters’ Reunion. The fact is that several weeks ago a definite and, as far as the West Coasters wore concerned, an unconditional contract for hire was entered into between tho association and tho council. (2) That, tho Town Clerk promised to let Mr. M'Grath know by Friday, should it be necessary to postpone tho function, and that Mr. M'Grath was willing to abide by that promise. This statement, is only a half-truth. Tho words "in time for publication in that night’s ‘Post’ should be inserted after the word ‘Friday.’ ” Tho association’s executive were present on Thursday evening, when, after being humbugged for several days, this arrangement was made by telephone, and) they, can confirm it. About 2.30 p.m. on Friday, as no reply was received from tho Town Clerk. I telephoned him. and ho informed mo that “no reply had been received from Sir Francis Bell or the Prime Minister, but tho reception was practically certain to tako place, in which case the association could not have the hall.” I have no knowledge of that portion of tho Town Clock’s reply relating to what took place between him and the Mayor, oi the Salvation Army, or the Savage Club, and make no comment on it. Tho Mavor says that if the association had waited two hours longer he would hav» been in receipt of n telegram that would have enabled him to postpone tho reception and make tho hall free for the West Coasters. Ho docs not mention that we had waited several days for this telegram, and that when the “Post" went to press on Friday ho had no idea of when ho would l receive tho telegram, and that there were only two available issues of the Press in which we could advertise tho jiostponcnient. The news that it was not convenient for tho Primo Minister to have a reception on Monday night was coup muniented to mo at 0 p.m. on Friday. Tho position on Friday afternoon was that tho telegram might have arrived even as late as Monday after tho "Post” went to press, in which case perhaps wo could have had our reunion, and perilous we couldn’t. Will the Mayor explain why our arrangements wore disturbed at all, as, although the Town Tfa.ll will bo emptyon Monday night. I seo by the Press that his reception to tho Primo Minister is to take place in the Concert Chamber ? Our association appreciates tho candour of tho Mayor. Ho confesses his sin, and expresses yegret, but doesn’t

think it fair to pla<* the “whole of tha blame on. him.” Ho will Ire forgiven by our association if the damage is paid and he doesn’t become a second! offender. As to the apjiortionrncnt of the blame, if he and tho Town Clerk cannot agree J. suggest they divide >t in the proportion of five-sixths to the Town Clerk and one-sixth io the Mayor. This is arrived nt by ■‘lie projiartion of your space taken up by their respective excuses. —I am, etc., J„ J. M-GRATH, President of West Coasters’ Association.