MEETING OF THE OPERA HOUSE COMPANY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8166, 18 August 1887, Page 5

MEETING OF THE OPERA HOUSE COMPANY.

A LITTLE BREEZE, A special general meeting of the shareholders of the Opera House Company was held in the Social Hall of the Theatre yesterday afternoon. There were about eighteenshareholders present, and Mr J. McDowell -■occupied the chair. He explained that the meeting had been called to confirm a resolu- ■ tion passed at a previous meeting, which related to altering the qualifications of the Directors. If the meeting confirmed the resolution the shareholders would have a larger body of shareholders from which to choose the Directory. The resolution was _as follows :—“That in rule 47 of'the articles of association the word ‘ contributing ’ be struck - out.” The Secretary said that any sharev holder who held 25 shares would be qualified to stand as a Director if the resolution was confirmed. The Chairman wished it to be understood that no shareholder should be allowed to vote unless his calls, • application, and allotment had been paid up. Mr A. Rickman wished to ask the Secretary -- if all the Directors had paid up their calls. The Chairman said the Directors had paid

their calls. Mr Rickman wished to know whether they had paid them in cash. The Chairman said the Secretary should not - answer that question. Mr Rickman: I’ll find out elsewhere. The Chairman said that Mr Rickman had made himself, a busybody, .-. and had tried to do all the harm he could. He was only a little shareholder, and he had been continually backward in his calls. Mr Miller said that if Mr Rickman had not paid -■ liis calls, then the Chairman should prevent him voting, and that’s all. He thought it -was disgraceful that the Chairman should • speak as he had done. The Chairman ; I think it’s disgraceful that he (Mr Rickman) should come into my shop and - abuse me about theatrical matters. Mr Miller: That’s private business. The ‘■'Chairman : It is not private business. Mr Miller said if Mr McDowell or any oi the Directors wished to burke this question, let them do it. The Chairman said if the Directors were not able to conduct the business of the Company, then the shareholders - oonld got others. Ho then called on the . Secretary to read the names of those share- ■ holders who had not paid their calls. Mr ■ Sample proposed that any shareholder who had not paid his first call should not be allowed to vote. The Chairman said the meet- . ing could not consider any business except that which the meeting was called for. Mr Flookton asked if it was necessary that the -first call should be paid before any persons at ■ the meeting should be allowed to vote. The Chairman : Not at all. Mr Miller drew attention to rule No. 42 of the articles, which said that no shareholder was entitled to •rote at any meeting unless all his calls -are paid. (Hear, hear.) -Mr Sample : You will collect a lot of money it you allow me •to propose that resolution of mine. Mr Barber moved that the resolution be confirmed. This was seconded by Mr Nees, and •carried unanimously. Mr Miller asked if a •statement he had seen in a newspaper that the Directors did not intend to appoint a 'Custodian was correct. The Chairman said Jt was wrong. At their meeting it was found that the interim Directors had appointed Mr McLean as secretary for the year, and they had decided to let the appointment remain. In the interests of the Company they appointed Mr McLean in conjunction with a man whom he brought forward as custodian. Mr Miller asked who was to bear the expense of advertisements calling for applications for secretary and custodian. The Chairman said the Company. Mr Miller said that if he was alive when the auditors brought up their report he would object to that item. The Chairman said he was not aware that l Mr McLean had been previously appointed. Mr Miller said he know better, Messrs Gilmer and Saunders, Directors, said they knew nothing of the previous appointment. The matter then dropped, and the meeting adjourned.