GOLFER LEAVES MEETING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 48, 12 March 1937, Page 15

GOLFER LEAVES MEETING

Difference Between Mr j. Harris & Mr J. Mason RULING NOT ACCEPTED ; i The peaceful atmosphere prevailing at the annual general meeting of the Maraenui Golf Club in Napier last evening was shattered when, after an exchange of words with the president, Mr. John Mason, regarding the proper moment to deal with a notice of motion, one of the members, Mr. .Jack I Harris, left the meeting. After a concinued eft'ort to laake his point that the matter shonld be considered prior uo the election of officers, Mr Harris declared that he had never before attended a meeting where such arbitrary .metliods had been employed by a chairman. The question at i$sue was a notice standing ua the name of Mr Harris, the effeet of which would be that nominations for executivo officers should be made at the annual general meeting and not made in writing at least 24 hours before the meeting ra aecordance with the club'a rules. Becaase Mr Harris walked out of the room after his exchange of words with Mr Mason. his motion was not put to the meeting, and therefore lapsed. After Mr Mason had concluded his oommentary on the annual report.and just prior to the eleetion of officers, Mr Harris asked for permission to reier •to the notice of inotion, Mr Mason replied that he would be given the opportunity later on. Mr Harris: But this notice of motion should be dealt with immediately after the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet. Mr Mason: Well, Mr Harris, I am chairman here, and my ruling is that we shali proceed with the business of the meeting}, Mr Harris; But Mr Chairman, what I want to say is — — Mr Mason : Please do not delay the meeting. T.here can only be oue head of this meeting, and I am in charge. Mr Harris : But, Mr c'Chairman, this notice of motion was given at the last annual meeting and surely we don't have to wait for two years before it takes effect. Because that is what will faappen Mr Mason: I must ask you to sit down, Mr Harris. I am cjpirman here and I won't have any of this arguiug between us. You must accept my ruling. Mr Harris; All I want to say is — - Mr Mason: Well, ladies and gentlemen, all in favour of hearing what Mr Harris has to say, say "aye" (no reply from members). All those against say "no" (a chorus of "noes.") There you axe, Mr Harris 1 - Mr Harris: But I still want to point out that— .. ..Mr Mason: Will you force me to ask you to leave this meeting? Mr Harris: That's all right. I'm not sbaying. But I do say ijhat never before have I attended a meeting} where such arbitrary methods have been used. That'a all. 1 shall go now. With these remarks he left the room. making some inaudible oomments as he did so, -"No-body regrete more than 1 do that Mr Harris has found it necessary to leave the room," said Mr Mason, when thanking members for his reelection as president., "Unless the chairman is able to control such a situation, the meeting gets out of hand. You can't have two chairmen. I regret exceedingly that Mr Harris has not seen fit to abide by my ruling, This is the first occasion when a ruling of mine has been questioned like this, and 1 hope it will'be the last."