PIN-PRICKING ALLEGED.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19724, 14 September 1929, Page 16

PIN-PRICKING ALLEGED.

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY TROUBLE. SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD. Resentment at what was called "pinpricking'' on the part of a small section of members of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was expressed by members of the Council of the Society at last night's meeting, when a requisition for a special meeting to discuss certain matters came before it. It was decided to hold the meeting on September 25th. The requisition, details of which have been published, was signed by Messrs C. J. Sloman, G. Ebert, C. G. Nicholas, T. C. Hatchard, J. B. Collie, S W. Hickmott, W. V. Howell, L. Blackler, C. J. Newell, L. R. Brunton, W. T. Billens, J. B. Maunder, and C. Brigley. "How have we flaunted the wish of the meeting?" asked Mr C. R. Clark, referring to a clause in the requisition. •'I object to this pin-pricking, and am going to see if it cannot be stopped. I am not going to sit on the Council and be shot at by 14 men out of 1400 members, and have it go out that we are abusing our trust. Either this thing has to stop or we will go out.of office. As a member of this Council I resent such slurs." Mr C. H. Lawrence said that none could gainsay the right of 14 men to ask for an alteration in the rules, but the Council was elected by vote, and he was sure it had the confidence of the majority of the members. If every decision was to be the cause of a special meeting, the Council would be in an intolerable position and they would be driving those men off the Council who had its interests at heart. Mr D. F. Hobbs: That's what they are trying to do. Mr Lawrence: There's a snake in the grass. I feel very strongly about it Regarding the demand for the production of all correspondence passing between the Society and the Department dealing with the registration of members. I am not in favour of it being discussed, as the matter is still sub judice. The chairman (Mr G. Robertson) said he was neutral in the matter, but was in favour of the dispute being settled amicably if possible. If the disgruntled members knew the position regarding the correspondence thev might withdraw this part of the requisition. That there was a personal element in the trouble was the opinion of Mr P. J. Molloy. Some of the disgruntled ones were keen to see the secretary and seme of the other paid servants removed. The Council had acceded to all the requests made at the annual meeting, and he saw no cause for grievance. "There's a snake in the grass," said Mr L. A. Shand. "There's someone who attends these meetings and takes confidential information outside We ought to discover him and shoot him out." The chairman remarked that he could bear out this statement. i Mr Sloman: I move that a special meeting he held, that it be called by advertisement, and that the names of ! those signing the requisition be published in the newspapers. Mr Mcllraith said he did not agree with this course. Special meetings had always been called by circular and he thought they should not do anything to antagonise the members unduly. If there was going to be a fight he hoped it would be the last. Let the Council fight cleanly. It was resolved to hold the special meeting in the Jellicoe Hall on Wednesday, September 25th, at* 7.30 p.m., notice of which is to be called by circular.