SYDENHAM BURGESSES’ ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15511, 11 January 1911, Page 7

SYDENHAM BURGESSES’ ASSOCIATION.

A MUCH-INTERRUPTED DISCUSSION. The meeting of tlis Sydenham Burgesses’ Association last evening was of a somewhat turbulent character) the chairman, Mr G. E. Good, twice leaving the chair because his rulings were disputed. The matter under discussion was the condition of the lavatories in the Christchurch railway goods yard. In co"sequence of representations made by the Association some time ago inrecard to these conveniences, the iaailwav Department has recently improved them considerably, but at last evenmeeting Mr J. Buttenyorth stated that, he had reason to believe there was still cause for oomplaiut. Mr H. Hunter, the secretary of tho Association, 'therefore moved tlmt a subcomm itte© should he set up to inspect the lavatories. The motion was discussed -at-considerable length, and am amendment was moved that, the Christchurch Drainage Board should be written to and asked if its engineer had' massed the lavatories a.s satisfactory.* During a lull in the subsequent discussion Mr H. Hunter seized tne opportunity to reply. The chairman said the discussion had not been closed, and proceeded to speak on the matter himself. Another speaker then rose. Mr. Hunter raised a point of order that the fact, that he had replied as mover of tho original motion closed the discussion. The chairman ruled Mr Hunter’s contention out of order. Mr J. T. Forrester then rose and challenged tile correctness of the chair? man’s ruling. Mr Good heatedly said he would vacate the chair, and would ask a newspaper reporter present to take it and to take the opinion of the meeting as to whether his ruling was right, or wrong. The new chairman having been installed. Mr Forrester moved that the meeting should disagree with tho chairman’s ruling. MrGood esrilained that he had informed Mr Hunter chat the discussion was not closed as soon as he had ail opportunity. Ho eoiild not. ho said, be expected to pull Mr Hunter down by the coat-tails while that gentleman was speaking. ]\lr F’orfcstor’s motion was put- and lost-, only ill© mover and seconder supporting it. Mr Good. thereupon resumed the chair, and tne discussion was continued. At a later stage of the debate a further amendment was moved to the effect that the Association should take no. act ion in the matter of the railway lavatories until it had some definite information as to their condition. This brought Mr Butterworth to his feet again, but the chairman ruled that Mr Butterwortli could n'ofc speak till the amendment was seconded. A seconder was- found,and then Mr A. H. Hart rose to. speak to the amendment. The chairman informed Mr Hart that Mr Butterwortli ••'had the floor.” .Mr Hart said Mr Butterwortli had risen to speak before the amendment was seconded, and lisd no p re-emotive right over the floor. He cliallengecr the chairman’s ruling, on this matter. Mr Good said he must resign his position as chairman at once. He could not waste his time with the , meeting a moment longer. Mr Good’s' resignation being tendered to the secretary (Mr Hunter), the secretary took the chair and put the question as to whether the meeting would accept the resignation. The meeting unanimously decided that it would not, and Mr Good resumed the ohair. The discussion was continued further. Finally a member of the Association rose and asked what all - the trouble was about. He added that he worked eight, hours a day in the railway, goods sheds, and he had no fault whatever to find with the conveniences there. The speaker concluded- by stating that' he thought the meeting had been making a fool of itself, a statement which was received with an .almost unanimous chorus of assent. The discussion continued, and finally the

amendment that the Association should take no action till it had definite information was carried.