Exhibition Committee.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 777, 21 March 1905, Page 2

Exhibition Committee.

A GUARANTOR'S LETTER DISCUSSED. A DEPUTATION APPOINTED, The exhibition committee met at the Town Hall on Monday evening, when there was an attendance of about twenty committeemen, presided over by Mr H. Gooducie (Chuirninn).

On the motion of Mr MncDiurmid it wus decided to admit the press to the meeting. A lon 3 letter was received from Mr (). Samuel, declining to accept any liutylity in reference to iiis guarantee, and asking for certain information. Curtain imputations were also reflected in the tone of the letter, 'the writer further asked for an explanation of the statement by Mr Dockrill thut there would be a surplus of £4OO.

Mr Dockrill rose to deny the statement thut he had said the surplus would be £IOO. Jl e had not attempted to specify any amount, but all he had disclosed wus the revenue and estimated expenditure, slating that if there wus a surplus! it would be small.

Mr Alexander suggested thut Mr Samuel wus acting ia the inleicsts of the heavies! guarantors. He thought a deputation from the committee would be able to satisfy Mr Samuel «» to the position. Tile Chairman said that he was quite willing for the doors to be thrown wide open for a thorough inspection of the books to be made. If Mr Samuel wus asking for n special concession he should not lie treated differently from other guarantors. If Mr Samuel was representing the other guarantors then it might bo advisable to appoint u deputation to furnish all information required. There wus nothing that he (the Chairman) wished to hide. Mr Alexander contended that a dopu tat ion waiting on Mr Samuel would bo able lo point out and explain the exact position to him, and thus induce him to assist in winding up the affairs, instead of nsking for vouchers which could not possfjly be supplied. Mr MacDiumiid pointed out that the guarantors had peculiar privileges, and everyone had a right to get particulars. He made the suggestion that a letter bo sent to Mr Samuel enclosing a copy of the bal-ance-sheet, and asking hiui lo apply to the auditor for any information he desired beyond that given in the balance-sheet.

Messrs MacDiariuid, Morgnn, and Newman were nominated by -Mr Alexander as a committee to interview Mr Samuel.

Mr MaclMiirmid, in declining to uct, expressed the opinion that some members of the executive committee should be on the deputation. He suggested- that the chnirmnn. president, and secretary be appointed, as lliey were in a better position to supply whatever information was asked fqr. The Chairman took objection to this course, because he considered the xecutive wore practically on their trial, and therefore outside members should be appointed. He had no hesitation in saying that there was no transaction that would nol stand the light of day. Assertions had been made outside for which there was no foundation in fact.

Acceding to the wish of the molting, Mr MacOiarmid agreed to go on the deputation. Mr Spencer considered that if tlu« executive were on their trial, its rcmarked, the members' should be prepared to face questions. The Chairman was ngtiinsl including the executive, pointing out that one portion of the letter was directly aimed at himself. Mr Samuel should not be hampered bj their presence, but bo perfectly (free to ask questions l . The secretary, however, should be present so that he could refer to any minutes necessary. Continuing, he made un explanation in reference to Mr Samuel's remarks as to space. The committee decided to grant free space to working exhibits, nml he (the speaker) was sent to Wellington lo persuade certain manufacturing (inns to exhibit. Several funis agreed to do so, hut later on withdrew when it was announced that the colonial exhibition would be held. Space was then left on the committee's hands, in eonsequence of which he wrote a letter to the committee on behalf of his llrm, submitting a certain offer to make a working exhibit, n'hilo this wns accepted, lie all along was desirous that the space should lie otherwise allocated if it was required. His firm gained nothing, as the expense and loss by removing the plant ran into three figures. The chuirman, in conclusion, said he was certain Mr Samuel was referring particularly 'to this matter, and therefore he made this explanation. This was confirmed by other memh'erai Mr S|>cncer thought it was not 0 wise thing to introduce personal nt this stage.

The Chairman raid lie had mudo the explanation to show why the executive 'should not be (included on the deputation.

Mr Spencer differed. He argued that the executive should bo prepared to fuco the position, nnd moved that the president bo added to the deputation. Finally, as it was not known whether Mr Newman would be available the committee was formed to consist of the president (Mr H. Cock), und Messrs Mnclliarmid, Morgan, and Alexander.