SIXTEEN RESIGN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 178, 11 May 1935, Page 3

SIXTEEN RESIGN

MEMBERS LEAVE MEETING. ASHBURTON FANCIERS' SOCIETY. DISPUTE OVER CHAIRMANSHIP. When the president of the Ashburton Fanciers' Society (Mr W. H. Robinson) refused to vacate the chair at a general meeting of the society last evening, after having resigned at a previous meeting of the committee, 16 members resigned and left the meeting.

The general meeting was called to fill vacancies on the committee, and there was a heated discussion for threequarters of an hour on the president's right to preside, several members not allowing Mr Robinson to open the meeting. A vigorous dispute ended when Mr G. H. Nicoil,'a member of the committee; tendered, his resignation verbally and left the rooim He was followed by 15 other members, and as there was then no quorum Mr Robinson closed the meeting.

At a meeting of the committee on April 9, it was decided that a grant up to £2O for cash special prizes be made from the trophy fund, which showed a credit balance of about £125. The president and Messrs T. Rattray and VV. J. Hocking objected to this action and said they would resign. Mr Hocking sent in his resignation, and the president resigned as a member of the society at the next committee meeting and left the room. President Has No Standings Mr Robinson took the chair last evening, when Mr Nicoil rose to a point or order, stilting that the president had no standing as he had resigned' at the last committee meeting. Mr Robinson maintained that he was still financial on the spciety's books, and that he had only resigned from t : he committee. He said he was still president and had the right to pieside at general meetings. Mr Nicoil moved that they accept Mr Robinson's resignation as a member of the society. Mi- Robinson: i!"ou cannot do that. You have not allowed me to open the meeting 1 yet. Mr K. P. Chibnall asked the president if he did not think it was advisable to appoint another chairman for the meeting in fairness to himself. "i am not going to block any discussion," replied Mr Robinson. Mr T. Rattray said Mr Robinson was elected' president, and he must preside. Mr Robinson: Now, gentlemen, are you ready to open the meeting ? Mr Chibnall: 1 object, and move that we appoint an outside chairman. Mi- R. H. Loy stated that he understood that the chairman had resigned. He would not occupy the chair if he were in Mr Robinson's position. The president maintained that he had not resigned as president. He argued that under Rule 3 the president of the society need necessarily be a member of the committee. Minutes Not Confirmed. Mr W. K. Waters said the resignation was in the minutes of the committee meeting, but the minutes had not been confirmed. He moved that the general meeting adjourn to allow the committee to meet, and confirm the

minutes. Mr Robinson said he would not allow that. "Your attitude has made goats of 75 per cent, of us," said Mr Chibnali, addressing Mr Robinson. Mr Nicoll: I agree absolutely. Mr Robinson: I ask you to withdraw that. Mr Nicoll: I will withdraw from the meeting and you will have my resignation in writing. Mr Chibnali: I will withdraw also. Fourteen other members followed • Messrs Nicoll and Chibnali as they left the room. Mr Robinson proceeded to explain to the remaining members that there | were.no vacancies to fill. "I don't know why they wanted to '< put me out," he said. Mr Loy said he did not wish to ] walk out with the other members, but ; he felt like it. "The whole business is unsavoury ] in many ways," he stated. As there was not a quorum, Mr Rob- I inson said he would close the meeting.

FANCIERS AND EXHIBITORS.

GENERAL MEETING NEXT WEEK. Speaking to a representative of the "Guardian" this morning, Mr G. H. Nicoll stated that he had communicated with Mr G, H. Bradford, of Christchurch (president of the South Island Poultry Association), who had consented to come to Ashburton early next week. Mr Bradford would probably visit Ashburton on Tuesday, said Mr Nicoll, to call a general meeting of fanciers and exhibitors in order to endeavour to effect a reconciliation. Mr Nicoll also stated that pending developments, several businessmen had withdrawn their donations to the cash special prize fund, thi9 including two miniature cups.