THE HALL BOOKING DISPUTE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 288, 3 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 ont of 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. The facts are that Mr Young pencilled his initials “W.H.H.Y.,” immediately under the date of 9th December in Madame Bernard’s diary in her presence some time before the 28th October. This fact is borne out by Madame Bernard’s affidavit. Mr Young reported to my Committee at a meeting on 28th October that he had pencilled the Town Hall for 2nd, Bth and 9th December, and I to-day otfpred, and am still willing, to show the three members of the "Liberal League who called on me (including Mr Hawkins) the minute book containing the entry. This pencilling was done with Madame Bernard, but we understand Mr Black’s , memo aas written by Mr Diamond at Mr Black’s request. The statement has boon made that Mr Young’s initials were not In the diary under date December 9th.'when tho acting-secretary called 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 on cither Madame Bernard or / Air Diamond after Mr Black called, until after Mr Sole 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 the Hall for 9th December. I think it is a fair question to ask why Mr Diamond wrotjp, 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 date? Also why should Mr .Sole approach another person who had b'ooiced the Bth, for leave to use the Hall lor a Prohibition meeting on that date “as he saw that Mr Young had booked the 9th.” This also is sworn to. 1 notice that Mr Hawkins carefully icfrains from stating that Mr Young's initials were not in the diary lyhen Mr Black’s memo was written. He leaves the public to infer that Mr Black booked subject to the Ret lining Officer’s booking only. The public is invited to choose 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. —I am, etc. HERBERT LAW REN OE,* Sec. Stratford, Reform League.