PUNI.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 245, 26 January 1917, Page 4

PUNI.

PUBLIC HALL CONTROVERSY,

EXECUTIVE ASKED TO RESIGN.

The Puni Public Hall controversy, which has been the subject of no little correspondence in the columns of this paper, culminated last Tuesday evening in a motion passed unanimously at a public meeting of residents of the district calling on the Hall trustees and committee to resign their respective appointments. The meeting, which was convened by an advertised petition, signed by twelve residents, was largely attended, the assembly in the nail, including several ladies, numbering just upon 100, whilst outside the entrance-door stood an interested knot of spectators. Motor cars rolled up with full loads and several visitors were present from Pukekohe. Expectations of " Donnybrook" happenings, however, failed to materialise, for in the absence of any opposition, other than a courteous protest raised by Mr W. E. Harvie, the meeting seemed of one mind and being firmly controlled by Mr C. K. Lawrie, of Pukekohe, who was voted to the chair, the proceedings were most orderly. Such exceeding good temper indeed prevailed that after the meeting hid been declared closed the floor was cleared for dancing, and the evening was far spent before the co npany separated.

AX " INDEPENDENT " CHAIRMAN.

At the outset Mr J. Crosbie proposed that Mr C. K. Lawrie, as a disinterested person as far as the hall was concerned, should preside over the gathering, and this was unanimously agreed to by the meeting. Mr Lawrie, in a few brief remarks, said he had pleasure in occupying the chair, chiefly as one who took up a neutral position. He thought that it being war time and to preserve the best spirit in the gathering they could not do better than sing the National Anthem This the company soon responded to and there was struck a loyal spirit amid an atmosphere which at first appeared to be of a threatening nature.

The chairman then read the notice convening the meeting as advertised in the " Times." He next intimated that it would be better if someone was appointed secretary of the meeting, whereupon Mr Preston was proposed and consented t> act in the secretarial capacity. The chairman next suggested that someone interested should explain the reason for calling the meeting, and said as Mr Fulton's name had been freely mentioned in connection with the hall he would call on him to speak. A PROTEST. Mr Fulton, amid applause, mounted the platform, but at this juncture Mr W. E. Harvie also ascended the platform and handed the chairman a protest, which read as follows: To the chairman of meeting convened for to-night and purporting to have the power of (1) Declaring the recent election of Trustees and Committee void; (2) To call upon them to resign; (3) To elect successors in their places: Sir,—We, the uudersigned, hereby formally lodge our protest against the holding of this meeting, asserting as our reasons for such protest: (a) That the proceeding is contrary to law ; (b) that any resolutions passed for the purpose expressed in (1) and (3) are ultra vires; (c) that the Supreme Court of New Zealand is the only authori y which possesses the power to do what this meeting proposes to do; (d) that the opinions of twc solicitors, Messrs Mason and J. R. Reed, K.C, have been obtained and are as stated above; (e) that a grave liability rests on your shoulders as chairman of this meeting if any resolution to the above effect as notified as part of the business of the meeting is passed and is signed by you. We would state herein that while the meeting has been called it would be <juito in order to discuss the matter, but the Committee have been advised to keep away from the meeting and as it cannot do otherwise than as directed by its legal adviser it regrets that the only course open is to follow this course. We would state that had this meeting been convened to discuss the subject of management the whole committee would have been present and the present unsatisfactory state of affairs could have been brought to some finality. As it is, the committee is at your service and will fit any night most suitable to go into the matter, but as no charges have been made no defence can be given and the purposes of this meeting are defined by the advertised notice and do not state that the Committee has done or not done its duty. (Signed). W. Preece (chairman), J. LaDdon (trustee), S. J. Murray, J. B. Nicholls and W. E. Harvie (hon. sec).

the chairman's ruling

The chairman then indicated that events had taken an unexpected turn. While he recognised Lis responsibility as chairman, he stated that his part of the business was quite clear as he was not in any way interested in the hall. He added " I koow of no reason why this meeting should not go on," and then in a clear voice, evidently to the pleasure of tho meeting, he said "This meeting is to go on" This produced great applause. Continuing, the chairman said, "As far as the legal position is concerned I know nothing about it. Apparently there are no rules, and I. ask that this meeting proceed as advised in the local paper." MR FULTON OPENS FIRE Mr Fulton then rose and commenced by saving, "As you are aware I am not a public speaker, not a bush lawyer, or the son of one, but when one sees such letters going about as there have been during the past two or thiee weeks, I feel it only right to make clear the whole itositiou from the ttart. (Applause). . might mention that this business is not one committee against another but ' Landon v. Fulton.' "

Proceeding, Mr Fulton detailed past unsuccessful endeavours to obtain a hall until ultimately he purchased the discarded local creamery for the purpose. Mr Fulton read the offer from the owners and explained that finally be bought the building for £42 !>#, paid cash for it and got a receipt. He then told his fellow members on the committee that he would give his section on Tramway road, taking for it 20 shares in the hall at £ 1 per share. Then the question cropped up at the meeting about a vote. He submitted to the principle one share one vote but this was turned down in favour of one man one vote. However, he (Mr Fulton) did not withdraw his section Afterwards Mr Whinwray offered a quarter-acre section for £ls or half-acre for £2O. The purchase of that quarter-acre was agreed to and on that section the hall now stood. Mr Fulton then hinted that although the section would cost £ls, survey fees would amount to six guineas, legal expenses probably 10 guineas altogether £3l. "Whereas (continued Mr Fulton) they would get mine free." Mr Fulton then reminded the meeting that £2 10s had been mentioned in the paper as the value of his land. He contradicted that by reading a letter from the County clerk who stated that the valuation of the section referred was £3O. PURSUED BY CREDITORS. Adverting to the legal aspect of the formation of the Hall Committee Mr Fulton affirmed that there had been no legal basis from the start. They arranged to erect the hall on the share system. After a few days a committee meeting was held and it was proposed that the hall should be built Jby public subscription. He opposed it and very strongly as he objected to public subscription. However, the majority ruled and they went on collecting money and erecting the hall on public subscription. The hall was built and he financed it throughout. He also insured it to protect the contractor, first for two months then for 12 months and he paid the premiums. Then question arose and it was stated that " the hall was not to be in the Trustees names it was to be a Public Hall for Puni." He (Mr Fulton) at once resigned. Owing to the inability of the contractor to carry out the contract fresh arrangements were made for building and it was arranged that he (Mr Fulton) should finance the hall. As soon as Umber came he was asked by the suppliers as to who was to pay und as the other parties would not accept any responsibility, and rather than the hall should be " hung up " he took the responsibility. Mr Fulton then read letters from those who had supplied timber and carted it applying for an "immediate settlement" from him. The reading of these caused much amusement.

Mr Fulton next related that behind the meetings of the trustees there were rumours with regard to their legal position. The trustees were not legally appointed and the minutes of the first meeting in the school had not been taken. He claimed that they were not legally in office. CALLED TO ORDER. Mr Fulton, at this stage, mentioned the names of certain persons who, he suggested, were working against him but the chairman interrupted and asked the speaker to avoid personalities. Continuing, Mr Fulton dealt with financial matters and claimed that no arrangement had been made with the bank, as had been freely stated, for an overdraft to meet the expenses incurred, the Trustees having refused to sign a guarantee form. The consequence was that claims for settlement were being made on him personally and Mr Fulton added "that is just how tLings were six months ago." A voice: " Time we had a change." THE VOTING RADIUS Alluding to the work of the committee, Mr Fulton said they first confined the boundary for power of voting to residents within the school electorate. Though they had collected £SO 16s outside the school electorate district out of a gross total of £l5O such subscribers were denied the right to vote. Anyone in the school electorate could vote whether he was a subscriber or not. Through his objection the voting area was in the end extended to a radius of two and a half miles but even then subscribers to the extent of £2l 5s were debarred a vote.

Exception was next taken by Mr Fulton to a certain individual having voted at the meeting called to elect the executive, Mr Fulton maintaining that the person he referred to was neither a resident nor eubscnber. " AXTI-HTMBI'G " CWTKISED " Anti-Humbug's " letter, as had appeared in the "Times," was next read and criticised by Mr Fulton, a chorus of disapproval of the contents of the letter coming from the lips of the audience. Mr Fulton suggested that the writer was afraid to sign his name to it, and added " What I do I am not ashamed of."

Mention of further names being made Ly Mr Fulton, the chairman again interrupted and called him to order. "No personalities, please," said the chairman, courteously.

LEX THE PUBLIC DECIDE !

Mr Fulton then alluded to the money for the hall which he was apparently liable to pay, saying " I have never been chased so much for money in all my life and I suppose I shall have to pay.'' His closing words were: "lam quite satisfied to leave myself in the hands of the public. If you do not think I deserve your support turn mo down." AN L'NACCEPTEJJ INVITATION. The chairman, addressing tho gathering, expressed the opinion that it would be best that paragraph 2 of the notice convening the meeting, viz., calling on the trustees to resign, should alone bo dealt with. If the meeting decided by a fairly large majority to ask the trustees to resign he thought in the interests of the district they would do so. Continuing, the chairman considered it would not be legal to appoint trustees at that meeting. If they decided to resign another meeting could be called.

Mr L. J. Hastings asked that Mr Landon should give his version of

the mittor as the meeting wanted to hear both sides, but from a member of the audience near tho door came the statement " He has gone out."

Mr Harvie was then appealed to, and after some persuasion he appeared on the plat'orm. Cautiously, yet clearly, Mr Harvie informed the meeting that as the result of legal advice he did not intend to make a speech. " If," said Mr Harvie, " we take any part in the meeting we are directly acting contrary to the legal advice we received."

Mr Fulton, interjecting, said that the meeting had been legally called under clause 7of the hall rules. He added that if ten residents signified their desire in writing to call a meeting giving eight clear days' notice by publishing it in the paper circulating in the district they could do so. Some heated words by a person in the body of the hall being resented by Mr Harvie, the latter left the platform. THE RESOLUTION Mr Hemsworth then proposed that the commitee and trustees should be asked to resign, and this was seconded by Mr J. H. Donald. a lady's advice Mrs Whinwray as one of the committee then rose and in an impassioned speech regretted that Mr Whinwray was unable to be present that night. She said that the committee meetings had been nothing more than squabbles. " Something should be done (continued Mrs Whinwray) so as to get this matter cleared up. I should like Mr Landon to come in and stand his ground. Mr Fulton has done his best. The people of Puni (pleadingly continued the lady) should make up their mind and work together as a community ought to do.'' (Applause.) A UNANIMOUS VOTE Before putting the motion, the chairman asked that only those living within the 2.] mile radius of the hall should vote. Forty six hands were held up in favour of the motion and none to the contrary, the resolution being declared by the Chairman to have been carried unanimously. It was then agreed to forward a copy of the resolution to the Trustees and Committee with a request that another meeting should be called to carry out a fresh election.

A vote of thanks to Mr Lawrie for his able and impartial conduct of the meeting brought the formal pro* ceedings to a close.