RANGER FRIEND

Southland Times, Issue 17025, 25 April 1912, Page 6

RANGER FRIEND

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY. AND ITS TROUBLES. A special meeting of tire Council of ' the Acclimatisation Society was held last evening to consider a notice of motion tabled in regard to the dismissal Df Ranger Friend, and to appoint a successor in his place. The President (Air Eustace Russell) Occupied the chair, and there were also present:—Messrs AV. T. Haziett, Jas. Mulvey, J. Urey. Turner. Johnson, Bows, Cochrane, Double. C. Haziett. Patchett, Steans, Pearce, AlcKenzie, Collins, AlcGavock, and Dr Sale. Air Dalrymple. in moving his motion, said that there had been many disagreeable meetings in the past. He had forestalled those who had expressed the opinion that lie would not move his motion. Air AlcKenzie seconded the motion, and In doing so said that lie did it on the understanding that the incoming Council Would deal with the matter. The Chairman said that he could not accept any qualification. Dr Sale then seconded the motion, for the purpose, he said, of opening the ball. Air Mulvey asked if all the evidence Should not be heard in the face of the scurrilous and calumnious statements published. He also asked if it would not be in order to call on the chairman of the Stock Committee to speak regarding the evidence that had been adduced at its last meeting. The Chairman said that such information would be given to members if questions were asked accordingly. Air Mulvey said that in the first place they wanted the evidence brought before the Stock Committee in consideration of tlie calumny and slander —(\oiccs: Oh!) —that had been made use of. and lie asked that the report presented to last meeting be read. The secretary read the report. Air Steans traversed the instructions that had been given the Ranger, and gave instances when he had not carried out his duties, and to exonerate himself he had given certain excuses. He had previously stuck -up for Friend, but, latterly, had come to the conclusion .that he was not doing his work. Messrs C. Haziett, AV. T. Haziett, and J. Mulvey at this stage continued to fire questions at Air Steans, until Air Collins objected. The Chairman ruled that any inform- ’ ation asked for should be supplied. After numerous interruptions, during Which time rules of debate were absolutely thrown to the winds, the secretary read instructions which had been given the secretary, and his replies for pot attending to them. Then Mr Mulvey again took the floor, and kept up a dialogue with tho chairman, his final remark being that unless properly cleared, a wrong impression would go abroad. Air Collins now took a hand, and others joined issue, and for a time it was difficult to decide as to what really was the matter. Tho chairman ruled Mr Alulvey out of order, and at this stage asked leave to withdraw, and that his vote be recorded in favour of tho motion. Mr W. T. Haziett asked Dr Sale several questions, and Air Collins again objected, the Chairman ruling that members of the Stock Committee could be asked questions. Dr Sale said that Ranger Friend had been most unsatisfactory, and ho had been more and more inclined to hang round town. He had taken no notice of instructions, and ought to have been dismissed summarily. Mr Alulvey asked that the reports for February and Alarch be read, which was done, and Air Alulvey said that the Ranger had spent 24 days in the vicinity of the town. Air Collins and Air AV. T. Haziett were hereabouts very prominent, and Air Bews put things in something like ship-shape order by asking for the number of convictions recorded during 1911. The Chairman said that in- 1911 there had been two convictions; in 1910 live convictions; and in 1909 nine convictions?' Air Pearce spoke shortly, then Mr Collins had another turn, and Messrs Mulvey and AV. T. Haziett Joined issue, tho terms, convictions and prosecution seeming to confuse some members. Air Collins then proceeded to question Mr Steans (Alossrs Alulvey and Haziett again interrupting) in regard to Ranger Friend’s activity or inactivity, Air /Steans said that Air Friend had not been as active as he was capable of being. Mr Collins asked if that had not occurred to the Stock Committee before. Air Steans said that it had not. Air Collins asked if it wore not true that the Ranger had called at the Chairman of the Stock Committee’s house, and bad found him absent from home. The Chairman said that lie wanted it made clear that tho Ranger was acquainted with the absence of the Chairman of the Stock Committee at Queenstown, Air Collins continued his catechising of Mr Steans, and in reply to a query the latter admitted that Friend might have called at his house while lie was away. Alore talking across the floor followed, and Mr Steans read instiTictions that had been given Ranger Friend. Air Pearce, who was interrupted by Air W. T. Haziett, said that there were two opposing tickets, and there was a eon-, siderable amount of feeling shown. A large attendance could be expected at the annual meeting. He moved as an amendment that tho question of dismissing Friend bo deferred until after the annual meeting. Mr Collins seconded the amendment. He said that an examination of Friend’s reports proved that he had been most satisfactory. As a ranger lie had no equal in New Zealand, and lie was sorry that no comparative statement was available for the whole of the societies throughout New Zealand. Air Dalrymple said that the position was not a happy one, and lie wonl.d like consideration of the motion delayed. Mr AV. T. Haziett; ’You moved the motion.” A controversy here ensued regarding a proposal to withdraw the motion, and Air Dalrymple a-.-nin made reference to the unhappiness of tilings, and Air Bows referred to tin- oos-ilu !i I y of new councillors being elected. Air AValter Johnstone said that tho Council ought not now to show die white feather. They had done the right tiling, and would be finishing the year with a clear sheet to n i rybo.l v. Air Alulvey again had the floor for a time, an appeal by Air Coiiins cutting short Ids career. On tho motion being put it was carried by 11 votes to !, Aiessrs Pearce, Collins, AlcKenzie. and Dalrymple being the dissentients. This by no means coneln'ied matters, and the Chairman allowed each member to speak on the matter, Messrs Haziett, Steans, Alulvey, end Pritchett being prominent. Air Collins noon asserted himself. and ho dwell at some length on the alleged reason why friend’s services were more valuable near town than away from it. | Tito Chairmen refused to accept a mo- ; tion to the efleet that tin- question of i Friend’s dismissal Ire held over till next ' meeting. Alore recriminatin':-, interruptions, and unparliamentary precede.:'-- followed. Alessrs Collins, Mulvey and liazh-U milting in .some effect: ve work ;n that three- 1 tion, and AI- s-u-s Drey. Dalrymple. ’ Pearce, and AleiOnzie between limes : had someihing to say. ' Eventually lie- a : pointr.irnl of n new ranger was proc,--de-l with, .'if H. il. Wall, of Invercargill, set wring the- posi- ; Uua. .