CENOTAPH FUNDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 January 1923, Page 5

CENOTAPH FUNDS

MR. D. TENNENT’S STATEMENTS “SUBSTANTIATE OR WITHDRAW.” The atmosphere prevailing at last evening’s meeting ot the Grey District War Memorial Committee was aptly described by the Chairman (Mr. J. D. Lynch) as “electrical,” and much plain speaking was indulged in by the members present. The action of Mr. David Tennent in suggesting the Committee were attempting to divert war memorial funds to other purposes was resented and it was decided to invite Mr. Tennent to attend a meeting of the Committee to be held on Tuesday next, and to either substantiate his allegations or withdraw them. The first sensation was caused by Captain AV. C. S. Colclough, who made a dramatic exit before the business of the meeting was completed. “After the rumours published in the paper about the funds, I beg to tender you my resignation,” said the Captain, as he laid his written resignation on the table. “I was one of tho signatories of the cheques.” He then left his seat and walked to the door, ignoring requests to remain until the business was concluded. “I am very sorry, Captain Colclough,” said the Chairman. “We feel just as strongly as you do.” The resignation of Captain Colclough read as follows:—“I beg to tender you my resignation as a member of the War Memorial Committee. ‘Let those who criticise others’ actions carry on the good work.' ” Mr. R. G. Caigou : Are we to understand that Captain Colclough is quite in earnest in tho matter? The Chairman : Absolutely. Mr. Caigou: Then the only thing we can do is to accept the resignation with regret.

Mr. J. D. Gillies: I move that Captain Colclough be asked to reconsider his resignation. He is resigning with hurt feelings, which in my opinion are quite justified. Perhaps after consideration he may withdraw his resignation. Mr. E., Ashton said it seemed hard that a gentleman who had done so much good work should resign. He would sooner resign himself that let Captain Colclough do so. Mr. A. H. McKane paid a tribute to Captain Colclough’s work, and said that the members of the Committee all felt alike regarding the remarks that had been made through the Press. If members resigned the cenotaph scheme would be thrown right back to where it started. He would . like to see the Committee carry out the work and ignore those who criticised them. Mr. Caigou also expressed regret at the resignation, and said he thought Captain Colclough must have ! resigned on the spur of the moment. The Chairman : I don’t think so. The secretary (Mr. F. H. Denton) j has also sent in his resignation. He > read Mr. Denton’s letter, dated De- < cember 20 (already published in the > “Star”), and explained that owing to the holidays he had been unable to : rail a meeting earlier. “I have no < ioubt,” continued Mr. lynch, “that Mr. Denton felt, as I did, that a ] stigma was thrown upon the Commit- r L— _ ...K . 1. . jl. • > , • ;

tee as a whole by the imputation that something was wrong with tire funds in connection with the memorial. I replied to some remarks made by Mr. David Tennent in the ‘Evening'' Star’ on December 16. Mr Tennent replied, and sent the correspondence to the Minister of Def nice and the President of the R.S.A., asking them to take a h ind in the affairs of the Committee. It is surely a serious matter indeed when such aspersions are cast on public men who have given their time*, as the Committee have done. I hope that Mr. Tennent will come out into the open and tell the Committee what is in his mind. Let us have daylight. If we have done anything wrong, for goodness sake let the public know. If we have done anything wrong lot us bo brought to book. On the other hand, if Mr. Tennent has made an error, 1 hope that he will act as an honourable man and admit his error. A grievous imputation has been cast. The castigation on Decem-

ber 16 was very severe, ami cannot bo allowed to stand. I for one will not allow it to stand. While I am Mayor of this town I will not allow Mr. Tennent or any other citizens to castaspersions on a committee of which I am chairman. I want .Air. Tennent and an anonymous correspondent to come out and say what is wrong about the affairs of the Committee. I know the Town Clerk’s feelings and if 1 were in his position I would not rest content under the stigma which has been thrown.. The matter has got t) be cleared up.” The accounts, books, and statements were on the table. Mr. Tennent wanted to know the amount of subscriptions to date and where the money was deposited. The figures were there, and the money was in the Post Office Savings Bank in the names of the trustees (Messrs Lynch, Caigou and Colclough). The first deposit was made on August 26, 1921. Mr. Denton read detailed statements, showing that the total money collected was £ll4l 9s 7|d; total expenditure £26 13s; credit balance, £lll4 16s 7£d. Mr. Gillies: I presume these accounts are subject to Government audit? Mr. Denton: No; but they ought to be. The Chairman: That is what Mr. Denton is asking for. Mr. Caigou : It is quite unnecessary for us to reaffirm that every penny will be spent on the cenotaph and surroundings. Mr. McKane stated that the R.S.A. adopted a recommendation to that effect. The Chairman asked members whether a proposal to divert the funds had ever been discussed by the Committee, and received a unanimous negative. The Chairman: Air. Tennent charges the Committee, and more particularly myself, as Mayor, with attempting to divert money for other purposes. He goes so far as to say that he is going to seek the assistance of the Minister in charge. Air. Tennent should either substantiate bis statements or withdraw. Air. Gillies asked Air. Deuton to withdraw his resignation. VVhy should any member resign simply because such statements were made ? Air. 11. T. Trouland said that the people who made statements about, public men were never prepared to come along to the meetings and back up their assertions. There was no reason for any member to resign because of such statements. Air. Denton : AVhat protection has the individual against the scandalmonger? Mr. Ashton said that Air. Tennent had signed his name' in the Press, 1 and lie should be asked to attend the next meeting of the Committee. The motion that Captain (,'iflclongh t be asked to reconsider his resignation was amended to include Mr. Denton, ’ ami was carried. I The Chairman moved : That this meeting ‘be adjourned until Tiies-

day next, and that Mr. D. Tennent, the writer of the letters which appeared in the “Evening Star” on December 16 and 18 last, be asked to attend to substantiate his contention that this Committee intended diverting a portion of its funds to any purpose other than the erection of the cenotaph, and failing that, that he withdraw the offensive statements contained in the letters. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gillies and carried unanimously. The 'Chairman said he trusted that the air would be cleared, and that Mr. Tennent, if he extended the Committee tho courtesy of attending the next meeting, would bring forth his arguments and show what, ground ho had for his letters; on the other hand, if he had no justification, that he would make the amende honourable. and join with the Committee in seeing that a cenotaph was erected. There was too much bickering. The sooner the people of Greymouth became more united and pulled together the better for all concerned. They were damning their district .by being at “sixes and sevens ’ with each, other. That was not the AVest ('oast spirit. He trusted that Mr. Tennent and others who had been throwing stones al i fie ('< >in ni it. lee would take a hand ; in seeing that a fitting war" memorial was erected.