CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC HALL.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1394, 9 June 1881, Page 3

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC HALL.

In pursuance of advertisement, in the Waikato Times, calling a 1 meeting- of the Cambridge public, for the purpose of oleofcinjr n committee of management for the Public Hall, for the ensuing year, a meeting was held in the hall, at 8 o'clock on Monday evening last, at which about toA persons attended. On the motion of Mr. Wells, Mr. J. Fisher was unamiously voted to the Chair. The Chairman then introduced Mr. Brooks treasurer, of the out-going committtee who read the annual report and balance sheet. The report referred briefly to a few matters which had during their term of office engaged their attenion. In compliance with a public desire the hall had been fenced in new steps had been made in front of the building, and the screen of the statre had been made to work more aatisfaotor lly. A revised tariff had been also adopted, which was as low and conistent as the expenditure for lighting and cleaning 1 would permit of. Native Land Courts and Royal Commissions had been held in the Hall from time to time, and the amount received from the Government was inadequate to meet necesBaty expenses. The Court concluded with a recommendation that the district member should be requested to ask the Government to give a substantial contribution towards the improvement of the property. The balance-sheet was then road, and (showed a deficit balance of £97 14s 4d. On the motion of Mr Wells, heconded by Captain Runciman, the annual report and statement of accounts wero adopted. The election of a coiumitteo for the ensuing year was then gono into, and on the motion of Mr Wells, Captain Runciman and Lieutenant Fisher were appointed trustees respecting the Cavalry interests). Mr J. P. Thompson then proposed that the following gentlemen constitute the new committee : — Messrs Houghton, Wells, Keesing, Bruoks, Thompson, Beale, and Hewitt. This proposition was seconded by Mr H. W. Moore. Mr Mackintosh then entered the Hall and rose to a point of order. He maintained that it was wrong to appoint seven men on the motion of one, one matf not constituting the whole public. _ Any member of the public, had a right to nominate a/iy person whom he liked, if ho desired ; ahjfet was not for one man to nominate a whole committee of seven. Mr Wells could not see whore gross injustice had been perpetrated, as any person in the room was at liberty to nominate seven of a committee. What Mr Thompson had done in nominating the whole committee, was done with the intention of shortening the proceedings, and he could not see why any person should come in late and try to rescind what had already been done. Mr Mackintosh could nominate whoever he liked, and put his motion to the meeting if he chose. Mr Mackintosh protested againpt the committee being appointed collectively, and would maintain that they should do as was done the preceding year, and appoint them individually. The Chairman thought Mr Thompson perfectly right in proposing the whole seven nimes, any other person being at liberty to follow the same precedent. Mr Brooks stiid it was not fair for any gentleman to come in iv the middle of the meeting when the business is done, and throw discredit on what had been done. The list had not been made out by one man only, but by several, and it was agreed by the majority that the names should be adopted. The nomination of members — on Mr Mackintosh's principle— was then gone into, nnd the same members as named above were re-nominated, Mr Mackintosh declining to bo elected. The ( hairinan declared the committee duly elected. Mr Wells then addressed the meeting on the matter of Government remuneration for the use of the hall. The Government, he thought, should pay rent if they used it, or else pay a little more towards current expenses. It Mas dining their (the Government's) teim of occupation the scenery, window-glass, and other furniture came to rack and mm, and he consequently thought that if they did not {jay lent they should contiibute more iberally towards the cost of lepairs. Mr Hewitt maintained that as the Government had conti United €100 towards the erection of the hall and given the site gratis, they Avere entitled to the use of it gratis, according to stipulated conditions, and that if they did not get the Cambridge Hall they would go to Hamilton and hold their Land Courts there. Mr Wells proposed, "That the publicans should pay rent for the Government during Land Court times," but Mr Hewitt having vehemently objected to any such a proposition, the motion was silenced on the score of incompatibility. The following was proposed by Mr Wells and adopted :—" That the committee communicate with the Government through the member for the district, asking them to contribute rent for the use of the hall during Land Court sittings. " A committee meeting followed, at which Mr Houghton was appointed chairman, Mr Brooks treasurer, and Mr Stuart re-appointed secretary. This concluded the business.