COUNCIL RESIGNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22493, 10 August 1936, Page 11

COUNCIL RESIGNS

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY PLAIN SPEAKING AT MEETING [llV TELEGRAPH —OWN CORK ESPONDENT] WHANGAREI, Sunday There was some very plain speaking 011 Friday evening at a special meeting of the Whangarei Acclimatisation Society, called by eleven members by requisition for the purpose of considering their request that the present council of the society should resign, as it was their opinion that the council could not function, as at present constituted, for the benefit of the society. There was a very large attendance of members, tho vice-president, Mr. E. W. Bickard, presiding. Tho president, Mr. J. W. Parkin, had tendered his resignation a few weeks ago.

Mr. W. J. Bell, a member of the council and one of those who signed the requisition, said he was elected to the council at the last annual meeting. He strongly criticised the first council meeting and said that there was " nothing but backbiting and snarling going 011 all the evening." ''Nothing was accomplished and 1 left the meeting about 11 o'clock 111 disgust," said Mr. Bell. Mr. Bell referred to alleged differences between the president and the late secretary, Mr. J. F. S. Briggs, and after some discussion Mr. H. W. James, a life member, said he wanted to see the society put back on a footing which would bo worthy of the district. Finally a motion moved by Mr. Whitelaw that the whole council resign was carried, the voting being 34 to 11. The following officers were then elected: —President, Mr. H. W. James; vice-president, Mr. M. J. Snow; council, Messrs. F. Dickey, M. Whitelaw, L. Dent, C. Smith, L. Sands, W. J. Bell, J. W. Parkin, E. W. Bickard, Harding Hawken and X. Walker, This number includes most of tho old council.

Ml-. James said that Mr. Briggs had undoubtedly been of great service to the society over a period of about fifteen year's, and on his motion Mr. Briggs was unanimously elected a honorary life member.