BRIEF SCENE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23514, 31 May 1938, Page 12

BRIEF SCENE

MEMBERS AT VARIANCE ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY ACTIVITIES OF A RANGER Allegations of improper dealings between members of the council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society and a ranger who recently left the society’s service led to a brief but acrimonious scene at the annual meeting of the society last night. The incident took the form of a verbal duel between Mr G. Howes and Mr S. F. Aburn. which was terminated when the chairman (Mr C. A. Wilson) closed the meeting hurriedly, amid remarks of “ let us get o'ut of here ” from members who were already beginning to leave the meeting. The subject was introduced when it was recommended that Mr Howes, who failed to secure re-election to the council, should be appointed a supernumerary member. Mr Howes said he would prefer not to remain on the council as, in his opinion, it had recently done one of the most unjust things possible in dismissing a ranger, A member: He was not dismissed. He gave notice. Mr Howes: He was dismissed on three months’ notice, but left after one month, as his position was not a happy one. Mr Howes added that the ranger in question had worked very hard for the society, and, as he considered that the man should not have been dismissed, he would prefer not to stay on the council. “A lot of things took place between that ranger and members of the council that were not to the credit of members of the council,” said Mr S. F. Aburn. Members were already rising from their seats to leave, and after a brief reference by Mr Aburn to the ranger’s abilities the chairman declared the meeting closed.