THE HALL BOOKING DISPUTE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 287, 2 December 1914, Page 6

THE HALL BOOKING DISPUTE.

[To The Editor Stratford Post.] Sir,—Referring to the letter from Mr W. H. Hawkins in your issue of yesterday, no attempt whatever has been made to jockey him out <if his rights. On the contrary an attempt has. been made to snatch the Hall from Mr W: H. H. Young who first booked it for 9th December subject to the booking for the polling booth, rThe vifacts ate that Mr< Ydung pencilled his initials "W.H.H.Y.,"' ii.imecliately under the date of 9th December in ; Madame. Bernard's Ji-uy in her presence some time before the 28th October; •'This fact" is borne Out by Madame Bernard's affidavit. Mr Young reported to my Commutes st a meeting: ion i.2Bth October that he had pencilled the Town Hall for 2nd, Bth and 9th December, and I to-day offered, and am still willing, to show the three members of the Lib?r;J League who called on me (in. chiding Mr Hawkins) the minute book containing the entry. This pencilling was -done with Madame Bernard, hiit we understand Mr Black's memo written by Mr Diamond at Mr Black's rermest; The statement has.., beon made that Mr' Young's initials were not In the diary under date Duc'oinber 9th. when the acting-secretary call- , ed and paid the cheque, as stated by Mr Hawkins, but on the other hand, it is stated on oath that Mr Young booked the Hall for the 9th December in October, and did not call «in cither Madame Bernard or Mr Diamond after Mr Black called, until'after Mr Solo Had seen the booking diary on the morning of the 21st. Also Mr Sole admitted to two persons who have made affidavits on the point that he, Mr Sole, knew at least a fortnight before 21st November that Mr Young had booked the Hall for. 9t'December. The booking diary for 9th December will convince anyone who has an open and fair mind, that Mr Young has a prior claim to tJ?e Hall for 9th December. 1 think it is a fair question to ask why Mr Diamond wrote Mr Black's memo at the bottom right-hand corner of the space for 9th December if Mr Young s initials were not under the dale? 'Also why should Mr Sole approach another person who, had boo K-ed the Bth, for leave to use the Hall for a Prohibition meeting on that date "as he saw that'Mr Young had booked the 9th." This also is sworn to. I notice that ;Mr Hawkins carefully iefraitis from /Stating that Mr Young s initials were not in the diary when Mr Black's memo was written, lie leaves 'the public to -, infer that Mr•" Black booked subject to the Retiming Officer's booking' only. The public is invited to chotose between verbal statements which have been already denied on the one hand, and sworn affidavits on the other. My Committee has offered, and is still willing, to allow Mr Hawkins to have the Hall for Bth December.—l am, etc. HERBERT LAWRENCE, Sec. Stratford Reform League.