AMBERLEY TOWN HALL COMPANY, LIMITED.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5588, 22 January 1879, Page 6

AMBERLEY TOWN HALL COMPANY, LIMITED.

A general meeting of shareholders of the Amberley Town Hall Company was hell m the TT«11 on Monday evening j Directors present — Messrs Courage (Chairman), Benn, JM'Naught, Douglas, Foster, Greig and Crampton. There was a small attendance of shareholders, owing, no doubt, to the threatening state of the weather. The Chairman said the object of the meeting was to receive the balance-sheet, which he hoped would be satisfactory to the shareholders, and appoint Directors for the ensuing Mr Higgins then submitted the balancesheet for the past year, after which Mr Benn said that, before the balance-sheet was put before the meeting, he wished to mention that the amount of £4, stated by the Secretory as being overpaid his firm, was not so, and submitted his books to bear out his statement. If such an amount had been paid, it was a matter between the Secretary and the contractor for the building, Mr Ashworth. Mr Williams thought that this matter should.have been settled before the meeting was called. Mr Benn said he. Had. only a few minutes ago heard that this item .was put down as an overcharge paid,his firm. Mr Foster, as one of the Directors, quite agreed with Mr Williams that this was not the time to bring such a matter forward. He thought the accounts should have been audited before bringing thsm under the notice of the shareholders. The Secretary said, the Directors bad not appointed auditors, and he did not think himself that he was the proper person to appoint them. ■--- Mr Williams suggested that the meeting should adjourn for an hour, for the purpose of looking into the matter. Mr Greig moved the following resolution, —“ That this meeting adjourn until the following Saturday, for the purpose of having the accounts duly audited.” Seconded by Mr Bristow. Mr Greig said he wished it to be distinctly understood that he cast no reflection on the action of the Secretory. Mr Benn said he thought it was only due to the shareholders present, that an apology should be made them for causing them to attend another meeting. Mr Courage quite agreed with Mr Benn, and that it was quite an oversight ou the part of lie Directors, in not having the accounts audited, and hoped at the next meeting to present a balance sheet duly audited. MV Crumpton moved as an amendment — “That the business of the meeting be proceeded with.” Ho (Mr Crampton) understood from the Secretory that two gentlemen had seen the balance-sheet as produced by the Secretory, and that all was in order. The amendment not being seconded, Mr Greig’s resolution was put and carried unanimously. Mr Foster said before the meeting closed, he would like to let the shareholders know the result of the winter evening entertainments. The proceeds amounted to £72 19s, which amount had gone a great way towards paying for the piano, lighting, and seating of the hall. He bad given a statement of his account to the Secretary, which would doubtless appear before the shareholders in due course. Mr Williams thought that a cordial vote of thanks should be given Mr Foster for the very hearty manner in which he had undertaken the management of the winter entertainments. Without him they could not have been such a success, and he (McWilliams) thought that the Directors, as well as the few shareholders present, should pass their thanks to Mr Foster. The resolution was seconded by Mr Thomas, and carried, Mr Foster returning thanks to those present. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the general meeting. A meeting of the Directors was afterwards held for the purpose of electing auditors Mr Courage presided. Mr Douglas said he was very much sur prised to see the way in which the accounts were brought before the meeting. Hs thought that everything would have been it order, and that some authority would have been given the Secretary to have the account! properly audited. The Secretary said he had Mr Spur anc another gentleman to look through th< accounts with him, and they had hot pointed out anything that was not in order. Mr Foster said he thought himself as much to blame as the Secretary, if blame was dui to any one individual. The Secretary hac asked him a fortnight ago about auditing th< accounts. He was sure that the Secretary had acted in every way for the benefit of th< Company, and that it was more the fault o: the Directors in not appointing auditors, Mr Higgins said that, apart from his offici of hon secretory, he had taken a great deal o: interest in the Town Hall Company, hutafte; the remarks made by Mr Douglas, he woulc certainly wash his hands of the whole affaii after the next meeting. Mr Douglas said he was sorry that Mi Higgins had token the matter up in such a spirit, as he (Mr Douglas) knew that the Secretary had been most energetic in hii duties. It was proposed by Mr Greig, seconded bj Mr Foster, and carried—“ That Messrs A. 0 Williams and G. Kemp be requested to audil the accounts, and, failing Mr Kemp’s accept ance of the office, that Mr Williams b< empowered to obtain the assistance of anothei gentleman.” A vote of thanks to Mr Courag< sharing been passed, the meeting adjourned.