CHORAL SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 123, 22 February 1928, Page 6

CHORAL SOCIETY

DISPUTE WITH CHAIRMAN MEMBER ASKED TO LEAVE MEETING “I am very glad to say that we have now adjusted out internal differences, and are now a very happy family indeed,” said Mr. AV. J. Charters, acting chairman at last night’s general annual meeting of the Royal Wellington Choral Union. ... „ , ~ A moment later Mr. 1. Campbell, one of the members, said he would like to know more about the conductors fees than the balance-sheet, revealed. On the balance-sheet there was one Jump sum mentioned, but he required further information. . . . Mr. Charters: Are you*sincere in asking that, or do you want to stir up trouble, which I hope is now over and done with?. Mr. Campbell: I am asking it because I have a right to know, and you have no right in refuse me such information. (Hear, hear.) Air. Charters stated ho did nof think he could give the informa Hon io the meeting, much as he would like to. It was not a thing the committee wished Jo make public, but if Air. Campbell so desired. he would bo fold after the meeting. Mr. Campbell: I. do not wish to be toll after the meeting, but now. Airs. Campbell. ' He is quite right. (Hoar, hear.) , ■ The acting-chairman said his decision was final, and it was no good Air. Campbell talking further on the subject. Several members then spoke, saying that Air. Campbell had a right to bo told, and finally Air. Charters said he would divulge fho information, if the Press did not take it down. A voice: The Press have a. right to it. It was proposed, to move that the reporters withdraw from the meeting, but the acting-chairman was told he had no power to do so by some of the members. “Very well,” said Air. Charters, "that being so, I will have to stand by mv former decision.” Air. Campbell rose again, and demanded that his question bo answered. “We have come here to discuss matters concerning the Choral Society,” he said, “and we have a right to ask questions.”

Air. Bock, Mr. Flawes, Mr. AV. Maddley, and others nil said that they thought Air. Campbell should be given (lie infoemntion, but Air. Charters maintained that ho would not give it for Ute Press.

Air. Campbell: One can never get anything from this committee. The balancesheet is all of a tangle, and we don't know what it is about. The chairman must answer my question. A vote was taken on a proposal that the chairman answer the question, but it was defeated by a big majority. Air. Campbell stood up again demanding that the question bo answered. The chairman was hiding something which bo had no right to hide, he declared. Air. Canipbe'il was asked to stop casting a reflection on the chair, but be said he declined to sit down or to recognise the chairman.

Air. Charters requested Air. Campbell either to sit down or leave the room, but this he refused to do, saying that the chairman of the choral society or no other chairman would put him out. A motion by Air. AV. Aladdiey, seconded by Air. Tennyson, that Air. Campbell either sit down or leave the room was carried on a show of hands.

Mr. Campbell: I take no notice of the motion.

Mr. Charters: You had better sit down and let us get on with the business. You have no right to be here now at all. Mr. E. P. Hay suggested that Mr. Campbell be given five minutes to say all he had to say, and then sit down and be quiet, but this the latter declined to do saying that ho could not say all he had to say about the committee in that time. A moment later he left the meeting. Mr. G. C. Mitchell said that he did not think British justice or fair play bad been done to Mr. Campbell, who,should have been given the information ns coon as he asked for it.

The acting-chairman said that Mr. Campbell had not been asked to leave on account of wanting any information, but because he bad refused to sit down and kept reflecting on the chairman. One or two ladies said that the committee were always doing some illegal tiling at their meetings, and keeping members in the dark.

A few minutes before the close of the meeting the chairman said he wished to place on record that he was sorry to have had to order Mr. Campbell out of the hall, but he had to do so on account of the reflections being cast on the chair. A resolution had also been carried that he should leave, and if he had acted properly there would have been no need for such action to have been taken. ; Mrs. Campbell said it was all the chairman's fault, as he should have answered her husband’s question. She added that Mr. Charters had no right to be talking about Mr. Campbell while be was absent.