AIR STILL THICK

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 49, 26 August 1930, Page 16

AIR STILL THICK

CYCLING CONTROVERSY

ANOTHER MEETING HELD

OBJECTIONS RAISED

In spite of meetings that have been held and statements that have been made since the stormy meeting of cyclists in Wellington last April when a majority of those present at the annual meeting of the Port Nieholson Amateur Road Cycling Club decided to cancel affiliation to the Wellington Centre, N.Z.A.A.A., and link up with a new organisation, the New Zealand Union of Cyclists, the position so far as riders in Wellington are concerned is still somewhat confused. The air has not yet cleared.

Last evening, in view of the fact that, the meeting in April had been declared invalid, a special general meeting was called, which had before it the business dealt with at the annual meeting. Mr. J. S. Stalker presided, and among those present were Mr.. A. C. Kitto, president of the "Wellington. Amateur Athletic Centre, and a delegation from the Port Nicholson Club (Inc.), and affiliated to the N.Z.U.0., comprising Messrs. A. White, D. Evans, E. Fawcett, and H. Wisknowsky. These representatives presented a statement, setting out objections to the meeting being held. The statement was tabled and the meeting was proceeded with. The chairman (Mr. J. S. Stalker) said that since tho meeting on 29th April advice had been received from the club's legal representatives that the meeting was invalid for several technical reasons. The annual report and balance-sheet of the club for the previous season, presented to the meetfiig on 29th April, were, taken as read. Mr. White said that he would like' to raise certain objections to the holding of the meeting on behalf of the Port Nicholson Club (Inc.) before the meeting proceeded further.-. Mr. Bright at once objected to Mr. White being allowed to speak, on the; ground that he fiacT been suspended bjr the TWellirigton Centre. .-■■<■ .' ; Mr. Kitto. ,- agreed- that Mr. White had. no .right to speak. He thought the • meeting J had been" properly' called and was properly constituted, and he moved that the meeting should be continued. •"•' • ' '•• ■ •■■ ■•'■■■• ■ • This was done, and the meeting proceeded to elect officers after the chairman! had pointed out that no one who was not ii financial member before 2Qth April had the right to vote. ':'.'. OFFICERS ELECTED. The following officers were elected:— Patron, Mr. H. W. Thomas; president, Mr, J. ,S. Stalker; vice-presidents, Messrs. G. Gane, senr., A. C. Kitto, C.' O. ,Toomer, senr:, A. J. Couchman, G. Wilson; E. J. Murphy, E. G. Guy, A. A. Nattrass, J. o'Sullivan; club captain, Mr. :P. N. Robinson; vice-captain, Mr. M. Gane; hon. secretary, Mr. R Fehan; assistant hon. secretary, Mr. G. _S. Bright; hon. treasurer, Mr. P. N. Robinson; delegates to Wellington Centre, N.Z.A.A.A., Messrs. J. S. Stalker and P. N. Robinson; committee, Messrs. F. Christensen, G. Harrison, S. H. Webber, F. Robinson, C. Ericsson, C. O. Toomer, C. Thompson, C. Clark; handicapper, Mr. C. Thompson. The notice of motion which appeared on the order paper on 29th April that the club should cancel its affiliation with the Wellington Centre, N.Z.A.A.A., was then considered. , The i motion subsequently was declared to have lapsed for want of a mover and seconder. Mr. D. Evans said he wished to place the objections of the Port Nicholson Club (Inc.) before the meeting. He wanted to know whether tho meeting was the annual meeting of the PoTt Nieholson Club. OBJECTIONS TO MEETING. The chairman said it was, and Mr. Evans thereupon asked Mr. Stalker to read to the meeting a statement prepared by the solicitors of the Port Nicholson . Club (Inc.), raising objections to the meeting being held. Mr. White said he withdrew as a delegate from the cfub. Mr., Stalker read tho statement, which said, inter alia, that the members of the Port Nicholson Club (Inc.) were advised not to be present at the meeting because their presence would only result in a repetition of the personal feeling displayed at the meeting in April. The statement alleged that several members, Mr. White included, had not received notice of the meeting in -accordance with the rules. It was contended that ,the meeting was unconstitutional and'contrary to the rules of the club, in that, firstly, sufficient notice had not been given as prescribed by the rules, and, secondly, that it was called the annual general meeting whereas the rules of the club provided that the annual general meeting was to be held not later than the last day in April. Several other minor objections to the meeting were also raised. After reading, the statement, Mr. Stalker said that as it was addressed to the chairman'it should have been handed to him by Mr. White before the meeting. Mr. F. Fehan moved the correspondence should not be discussed or received. , STATEMENT TABLED. '•I think the motion proposed by Mr. Fehan is quite in order," said Mr. Kitto, "but I would not say we shall not receive it." He moved that the letter should be tabled, and this was agreed upon. Mr. Kitto said it was easily explained why Mr. White did not receive a notice of the meeting. Mr. White was a disqualified member. Mr. Bright said that the venue of the meeting had certainly been changed from that originally specified, but a notice to that effect had been sent out and the fact was advertised. Further, steps had been taken to ensure that anyone who attended at the first meeting place named should be directed to the.correct address. Tho delegation then withdrew from the meeting, after which Mr. Bright read a legal opinion prepared by Mr. H. M'Cormick. After reading the statement Mr. Bright said that it showed, the meeting was the annual general meeting of the club. Mr. P.: N. Robinson referred to the opinions expressed by th© solicitors for the other club. Mr. Bright: "I am not concerned with what the opposing people say." Discussion then turned to . other matters, to which reference is made elsewhere^ <^_>^_____>i _ > __ i _