TEMPERANCE HOTEL COMPANY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1543, 29 January 1879, Page 3

TEMPERANCE HOTEL COMPANY.

A special general meeting of the shareholders of the Temperance Hotel Company was held at seven o'ciock last evening at the Temperance Hall, Gloucester street, for the purpose of appointing directors, considering the question of a suitable site, and for the transaction of any other business that might be brought before the meeting. About thirtyfive shareholders were present. On the motion of the Rev. H. O. M. Watson the chair was taken by Mr W. Pratt. The Chairman commenced the proceedings by reading the advertisement convening the meeting, which he explained was originally called for last Thursday, but in consequence of the absence of a number of the shareholders it was not then held. He might state that in the meantime the provisional directors, in order to save time and advance the interests of the company, had transacted certain business while the share list was being filled up, and amongst other things they had put down a list of sites, which would be submitted to the meeting that evening. The first business would be to report the number of shares taken and to consider tho expediency of forming themselves into a company and electing directors. He would call upon the secretary to state how they stood with regard to the disposal of shares. The Secretary stated that up to that day there have been exactly five thousand taken. Of this number some 200 had been taken at Rangiora, 150 at Kaiapoi, and the remainder in and around Christohurch. There had been besides a great number of additional promises. People wore hanging back until the company was once started.

The Chairman said that ho had no doubt two or three thousand would bo taken up afterwards. A good many people wanted to know where tho site was to be before they would subscribe.

After some discussion about a paragraph in the prospectus with regard to the registration of tho company, Mr Henry Thomson moved—" That tho Temperance Hotel Company be now formed." Seconded by tho Very Rev. the Dean and agreed to. The Chairman said the next business would be the election of the director,?. After some discussion ai to the brst number to elect, it was resolved that tho best number would be twelve, and ultimately the following gentlemen were elected on tho directory:— The Very Rev. the Deun, tho Rev. 11. 0. M. Watson, and Messrs H. Thomson, G. Booth, A. Saunders, T. M. Hassal, S. P. Andrews, E. H. Packer, C. C. Bo wen, Clephane, Bush, and Hebworth.

On the question of a vacancy in the directora occurring coming up,

Mr Andrews moved, "That on the occaieion of any ench vacancy, the shareholders bo called together to fill it." Tlie Rev. IL 0. M. Watson moved as an amendment, " That the directors be empowered to fill up vacancies to the extent of three, but in tho event of that number being exceeded that tho shareholders bo called together." Ultimately after considerable discussion, an amendment of Mr Saunders was agreed to, to tho effect that a meeting of the shareholders should bo called whenever the number of directors became less than nine.

Mr C. R. Blaliiaton mooted the question of trustees, but af;er some discussion tho matter was allowed to drop. Mr Thomson and other gentlemen stated that in the case of registered joint stock companies there was no necessity for such officers.

The question of tho proposed site was then brought, forward, nv.d the secretary waff about to point out certain places on the map when

Mr H. Thomson asked the meeting if they would not allow the directors to themselves decide the matter. If tho meeting now affirmed the desirability of procuring a certain piece of land they might depend upon it that the owners of that land would increase their price when they went to purchase it. A deal of discussion here took place as to whether it would be best to have the hotel on the east or the west side of the river, and some remarks were made upon tho desirability of having tho land freehold. The Chairman said the directors fully recognised the importance of this, and would cDrtainly bo prepared to negotiate for none but freehold property. The Very Rev. the Dean thought they had better leave the directors unfettered with regard to tho site. Any resolution passed then might only be a hindrance to them.

Mr Thomson moved a resolution to this effect, which was seconded by the Dean and agreed to. The Very Rav. tho Dean said before parting there was one thing ho would like to hoar an expression of opinion on, and that was tho proposed name. He was inclined to think they should give tho hotel some general name, and not call it tho Temperance Hotel. They might call it some such name as the " Canterbury Hotel," and let it bo known by advertisement and otherwise exactly what their objects were. He did not say that they should be ashamed of the namo, but he thought that a general name would be more beneficial to its interests. Ho would therefore move that it should be called by some general name. Mr Thomson did not like to sail under false colours. Was there any objection to the word " Temperance" being embodied in the general name as proposed ? The Rev. H. 0. M. Watson felt very strongly in the direction of the Dean's remarks. Mr Mclntyre asked if the Dean would object to have the word " temperance "printed in very small type. [Laughter.] Tho Venerable Archdeacon Dudley was of opinion that the mere name of " Temperance Hotel " would carry great weight. Mr Andrews said he would movo that the name be the Temperance Company's Hotel. Messrs Thomson and Packer remarked that they were not a temperance company. They were a Temperance Hotel Company, which was another matter. Tho Rev. H. C. M. Watson said that the namo suggested would be like the one referred to by the " Loafer in the Streot " and only so confuse the render as to induce him to go to another hotel. The Chairman thought tho matter might also be left to the directors. The Very Rev. tho Dean being satisfied with the discussion elicited, would withdraw his motion. Mr Thomson thought they might at all events leave the matter of the name in abeyance until the foundation stone was laid. The motion was then withdrawn. On the motion of Mr Andrews the newly appointed directors received authority to reimburse the preliminary expenses incurred by the provisional directors. Some discussion took place as to confirming the appointments of the Bank and the solicitors of tho company, but this matter was also left to tho directors. The Rev. H. C. M. Watson said ho had great pleasure in moving a hearty vote of thanks to their chairman, Mr Pratt, for the great interest he had taken in the formation of the company, and which had done much towards its success so far.

The motion was carried unanimously, and the proceedings terminated.