Hori Brennan to take legal action

Press, 21 October 1987, Page 1

Hori Brennan to take legal action

By

JANE ENGLAND

The former secretary of the National Marae, Mr Hori Brennan, with supporters, has launched legal action against the marae’s new executive.

An application for a review of the marae executive has been filed in the High Court by Mr Brennan and three others. Mr Brennan last month walked out of a special meeting which officially deposed him when a new marae executive was elected. Members of the executive are • named as first respondents in Mr Brennan’s application. The incorporated society of the marae has been named as second respondent

Legal counsel for the applicants, Mr Michael Knowles, declined yesterday to comment on the application.

The marae’s executive held a special meeting last evening to consider the action which could freeze its efforts to gain information from Mr Brennan necessary to ensure a full audit for the last

financial year. The marae has been plagued with financial problems during the last few months which precipitated the action taken by the board of trustees in electing a new executive.

Mr Brennan, a Christchurch City councillor, and four of his sons, were arrested on AugustJ22 after a clash with the police when trustees sought to regain administrative control of the marae by changing locks. Mr Brennan and his family have refused to leave the marae where they have remained in residence since the administrative problems began. Members of the executive are named as Mr Stirling; vicechairwoman, Mrs Aroha, ReritiCrofts; acting secretary, Mrs Marina Hughes; assistant secre-. tary, Mr Peter , Heal; and treasurer, Mr Frank Chisholm. Members of the executive resolved at last evening’s meeting to clarify some of their information before' making any public statements.