MEMBERS LEAVE MEETING

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21470, 11 May 1935, Page 23

MEMBERS LEAVE MEETING

I * ASHBURTON fanciers* SOCIETY CHAIHMAVS ACTION DISPUTED Sixtce-''' members of the Ashburton Fanciers' Society resigned and walked ou t of the general meeting of the society last evening because the president Mr W. H. Robinson, refused to vacate the chair after having resigned at a previ:iu; meeting of the committee. There a heated debate lasting A'Ct'i"" nieii-'nr: of an hour on the preright to preside, and several members would not allow Mr Kobinscn to open the meeting which had j x'tm called to iii) vacancies. A vigorous dispute arose terminating in Mr G H. Nic'.»lJ. a member of the comini'.te, re .-agoing verbally. He left the 1 room', folio .v-d by 15 other members, nr.d as there w;n not a quorum to tarry Mr Robin-on raid he would tloie the meeting. Beginning »>£ the Trouble At a meeting of the commit ice on April y. it was decided that a grant up to £2O for ca di special prizes be made from the trophy- fund which »howed a credit balance of about £125. The president and Messrs T. Raitrav and W. J. Hocking objected to this a'cien 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. Last evening's general meeting was Called to till the vacancy. Mr Robinson took the chair when Mr N'icoll rose to a point of order, stating that a president had no standing hs he had resigned at the last committee meeting. Mr Robinson maintained that he was still Jinancial on the society's books, 9i.ci that he had only resigned from the committee. He said that he was still president and had the right to preside at general meetings. 4fr Nicoli moved that they accept Mr Robinson's resignation as a member of the society. Mr Robinson: You cannot do that. Yuu have not allowed me to open the meeting yet. Mr R. P. Chibnail asked the president if he did not think it was advisable to appoint another chairman for the meeting in fairness to himue\l. "I am not going to block any discussion," replied Mr Robinson. Mr T. Rattray said Mr Robinson was elected pr -.ident, and he must profit! e. Mr Robinson: ."Vow, gentlemen, are jou ready to open the meeting? Mr Chibnail: I object, and move that tve appoint an outside chairman. Mr jR. 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 rot resigned as president. He argued that under rule three, the president »f the society need not necessarily be s member of the committee. Mr W. K. Waters said the resignation waj in the minutes of the committee meeting, but the minutes had i not been confirmed. He moved that trie general meeting adjourn to allow the committee t.o meet and confirm the minutes. Mr Robinson said that he would not filim. that. I No Quorum Left | 'Your attitude has made "oats of "io s V"i' cent, of ins." said Mr Chibnail, act(.irossim: Mr Robinson. Mr JSicoU: f ai;ree. absolutely. I -Mr Robi;)>.oii: I ask you to withdraw t.'jat. | .Mr .N'jfoli: I will withdraw from !o> <•).l'u: Mini you will have my l' ton in writing. \lr C.uibnaU: I will withdraw also. J'uurteen other members followca .Nicoll arid Chibnail as they Ji-ft the room. Mr Robinson proceeded to explain 'o tin; remaining members that there vere no vacancies to DII. "I don't know why they wanted to put me out," he said. Mr Loy said that he did not wish to walk out with the other members, he felt Jikc it. The whole business is unsavourv In many ways," he stated. As there was not a quorum, Mr Robinson said he would close the m^et-