Mr Pickering upset by writ service

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33794, 17 March 1975, Page 1

Mr Pickering upset by writ service

Ihe former Mayor of Christchurch, Mr \. (>. Pickering, is upset by the way in which a writ was served on him by a member of the Christchurch Civic Orchestra Foundation al

a public function at which the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) was present.

The writ was served on Mr Pickering at the opening of the Christchurch Arts Festival in the foyer of the Town Hall, on the morning of March 8, by. Mrs L. France, one of the signatories to the writ.

The other signatory to the writ was Trevor William Turner. Mr Pickering said he was told by a doorman that somelone wanted to see him. He went to the door and Mrs France served him the writ. I Mr Rowling was only a few

[lfeet away and there were . other Ministers and officials ■ about. “I think it was despicable I that this writ should be served on me at such a fune- ■ tion. It caused great consternation amongst the 1 officials.” said Mr Pickering I yesterday when "The Press" ■ asked him to confirm that a writ had been served on him. He said he did not know why such a place and time ■ had been chosen to serve the J Writ. There had been plenty !of opportunities etr'ier. “After all. they knew 1 was ' going round reading meters." ; he said. ( Mr Pickering said the writ was the same as i those served last year on Messrs R. D. Monk, IG. A. Connal, and D Millt|gan. It called for a declaratory judgment as to whether he had had the right to use his casting vote not to reI anpoint the former musical director of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (Vanco Cavdarski), the right of Messrs Monk, Connal, and Milligan to be on the board of management, and various other matters. "Apparently these peonle want to carry on a vendetta,” said Mr Pickering. “I I thought the whole matter was i settled. After all, William Southgate (the new musical | director) has been on the payI roll since February 1.” i Mr Pickering said he would ' brief his lawyer to defend ■ him in court.