HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 231, 27 June 1877, Page 2

H AW ERA.

[from our own correspondent.]

June 25. Since I last wrote the meeting convened by Messrs King, Baker, and others, on behalf of the shareholders of the Hawera Town Hall Co., has taken place, and has formed the subject of much discussion. The meeting was convened for the purpose of discussing the action taken by the directors of the Town Hall Company in postponing the time for the acceptance of tenders for the erection of the Town Hall, and in fixing the site for the hall. The meeting was convened for Friday last (the 22nd) at 7.30, and punctual to time about thirty-six gentlemen put in an appearance at tlie Blockhouse. Mr T. Middlemas was voted to the chair. Some gentlemen, however, venturing an opinion that one of the directors should accept that position, Mr G. V. Bate (chairman of directors) demurred, stating that this would be out of the question, as the meeting was an illegal one, and had not been called in accordance with the rules and regulations of the company. Mr Middlemas having accepted the position of chairman, Mr King thereupon apologised to the directors for the hasty way in which the meeting had been convened, but stated that the movers in the matter did not like to see the building of the hall laid in abeyance, but that they convened the meeting through noillfeeling towards ihe directors.

Mr Baker then proposed, “That the directors do reconsider their decision to call for fresh tenders in three months’ time, and start the work at once.” He stated that his reasons for so doing were, that in calling for fresh tenders the hall would not be finished before Christmas ; that the contractors could not get timber from Patea under six weeks ; that the wood ought to be well seasoned before being used for building ; and that in the event of his proposal being accepted, the least time that ought to be allowed for contractor to finish his work should be the commencement or middle of September.

Before putting the proposal to the meeting, the Chairman read certain of the rules of the company, which proved conclusively that the meeting was an illegal one, and he proceeded to explain that there were only two courses open to the meeting, cither to go on and discuss the action of the directors (although no decided action could be taken subsequently relative to any decision come to), or to dissolve the meeting and proceed to call a fresh meeting in a legal manner. The chairman of directors said he was quite willing to take the opinion of the shareholders, if the meeting was a regular one.

The chairman advised dissolution of meeting. Mr Baker said that the shareholders were very dissatisfied —that six months had already gone by—that three months more would elapse before building was commenced, and therefore that there would be fifteen months between the first action taken in the matter, and the completion of building, if the present action of directors was permitted to pass unquestioned. Mr G. V. Bate explained that the diroctoi a could nof.be expected to do more than they had already done, and that they had everything against them. lie stated that far from the directors not taking an interest in advancing the building, the very icverse must be the case, as was proved by them holding, individually, more shares than any other individual seven shareholders. Mr Baker replied that he did not stand alone in calling the meeting, and asked for a show of hands to test the feeling of the meeting, whether he had acted rightly or wrongly in the matter. Mr Davidson said that the directors were perfectly willing to face the public, and considered that by convening this meeting, they (the directors) were accused of diliatory conduct. Mr Baker considered that the directors lacked mechanical skill in carrying out their ideas.

Mr Furlong stated that the directory at Patea were twelve months in commencing their building after the company was incorporated, and even then they did not commence until the whole of the shares had been paid up. He called attention to the fact that Mr Baker being one of the provisional directors who signed the articles, he ought to have known what was contained in the same, and not have called an irregular meeting. Mr Furlong also pointed out the absurdity of getting the job done by Christmas, as timber was hard to obtain from the mill.

At this stage, Mr Middlemas advised dissolving the meeting, and proceeding properly another time. However, Messrs Baker and King wanted a motion put to the meeting. The Chairman then put the proposition. Mr Bate called attention to the state of the roads, and the uncertainty of obtaining timber from the mill, on account of three big contracts being let here, viz., Bank of New Zealand, the school-house at Ketemarae, and Mr Peterson’s house, and advanced other reasons for delay. Mr S. Adamson enquired whether the lowest tenderer would not take up the contract at extended time.

Mr Searling being asked, stated that he and Mr Strang (the second lowest tenderers) would take up contract, and finish it by the 15th December next. Mr A. Middleraas called attention to the fact that this and next month were the beat months in the year for cutting timber. Mr Baker considered the directors had made a mistake in not getting a deposit with tenders.

The proposition was then put, when ten (out of a meeting of thirty-six) voted for, and none against. The directors would not vote. _ _ Mr F. Adams said that he could not see what everyone was driving at, and asked if it was that the directors had not done their best. , . Mr King talked about “hard times coming, but he hoped that we should never see such an event take place. Mr G. V. Bate called attention to the fact that the voting could not be legal, as no one knew how many shareholders were present. Mr King stated that he believed a Freemasons and a Forester’s Lodge, were about to be formed here shortly, and the hall would, therefore, be needed for their meetings. To this he added a long rambling statement of matters that had come under his notice with regard to the affairs of a certain hall (the Masonic) in

Taranaki, and another hall Jn Turakhi.t? both of which had failed to do well ; but on a question from the Secretary as to the proportion in the number of balls which be knew to be doing well, 10 those which he knew to be faring badly, he was unable to reply, except by turning the question into one of personal interrogation. Mr Baker subsequently brought forward a further proposition, viz.: “That, taking into consideration the rental value of the corner business sites of the company’s section, this meeting recommends that the question of site of hall be reconsidered, and that this meeting is of opinion that the beat interests of the company would be advanced by erecting the building upon that portion of the section lying towards the Blockhouse.” Therms and cons were duly dilated upon in regard to this motion, during the discussion of which Mr Kingmade himself unpleasantly conspicuous. The meeting terminated rather abruptly, the hour being a late one ; personalities becoming frequent and verbage incoherent on account of the merriment caused thereby. Everyone, however, seemed to leave the meeting in good humour, after enjoying a pleasant evening, which partook more of the nature of a social “ beargarden,” than that of a public meeting. The only notable result accruing from the meeting is the Mr Furlong from the proceeding which is very likely to yjrol loved by some other directors. It is perfectly absurd that two or three of the shareholders should call a meeting on any occasion when they disagree with the action of the directorate ; it only implies (however much they like to say it does not) a meeting got up to pass a vote of censure and non-confidence upon the directors.

Some unprincipled travellers between Hawera and Ketemarae have been cutting down the posts and rails which have been erected across that part of the Mountain Road which has lately been metaled, under contract with Government, by Mr John Stevenson. As the contract has not yet been “ passed,” such actions ought to bo severely reproved, and the contractor intends taking action in the matter.