TROUBLE AT TISBURY

Southland Times, Issue 19592, 2 July 1925, Page 7

TROUBLE AT TISBURY

A STORMY MEETING BARBED WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS OUTSIDERS INTERFERE. A meeting of subscribers to the Hall Fund was held last evening in the Tisbury Public Hall, the discussion of business inside the building being accompanied by a running fire of comment from outside. Mr F. Holloway (chairman) opened the meeting by requesting all those who were not £1 subscribers to leave the hall, as a public meeting would be called in a fortnight’s time. This was done quietly and the door was bolted, someone outside apparently hammering it with a slab of wood. Mr Holloway continued that the meeting had been called at the request' of the Committee. He then asked the secretary (Mr W. McChesney) to read legal advice on the question of forming an incorporated society. Mr McChesney then read a lengthy letter from Mr F. G. O’Beirne, solicitor, whose opinion was that such a society could not be formed without the consent of the £1 subscribers. ’

The Chairman remarked that he was convinced that the best way had been to call a meeting of such subscribers. Mr A. Wixon then rose and expressed a contrary opinion. A loud disturbance came from outside.

The Chairman began to explain the position, when Mr Wixon said that he was getting away from the subject. “You be quiet,” retorted the Chairman.

Mr Wixon: I'm quite entitled to ask a fair question. (Cries of “Fairplay” and a loud noise outside). Mr McChesney then rose and explained that it would mean putting the hall on a sound business footing if they formed an incorporated society and had it registered. It would then be under the control of the Government. He thought the legal position was quite -clear. Mr Wixon began to speak. The Chairman: Look here, we don’t want a stump speech. Mr Wixon sit down. Mr Wixon: I’m entitled to ask a reasonable question. Mr Holloway: I rule you out of order. Voices: Boo! Mr Wixon: I’ve come here to speak. The Chairman: You’re ruled out of order. There’s no motion. You’re not going to give a biography here. Mr Wixon t I’m a legal authority. (A roaring noise from outside). Mr Holloway: You’re out of order; be a gentleman. Mr Wixon: I’m entitled to speak; I am a gentleman. A period of quietness followed, and Mr Holloway then moved: “That the meeting consents to the formation of an incorporated society for the purpose of controlling the hall now in charge of the three trustees.” Mr Wixon then moved an amendment that the meeting did not agree to so doing until a public meeting was called. The motion was put and carried by 13 votes to 4, while the amendment was ruled as a direct negative, and was not put. Mr P. Hynds complained that there should have been a bigger meeting. “They are getting disgusted,” said Mr Wixon. The Secretary replied that if any of those present wished, they could consult their solicitors and obtain an injunction. Mr Wixon: The hall belongs to the Tisbury Hall Company, and is practically the property of the trustees. The Secreta*-/ then read the rules by which the Society would be run. The Chairman moved that they be adopted. Mr Wixon: The question stated that the rules were drawn up by the Registrar. I say that they were not. The Secretary: I did not say that. If you had a proper sense of intelligence you could understand them. Mr Wixon: I move that the rules be held over. The Chairman: It’s a direct negative. The motion was carried by 13 votes to Mr McChesney went on to explain the dangers of having trustees. It would be most expensive to have the matter righted legally if one of them were to die or to go elsewhere. Again, if one went bankrupt, it was possible that 'a third of the property might be regarded as an asset. The documents necessary for the formation of an Incorporated Society were then signed by all those who had voted for that motion, and the meeting began to disperse. On an attempt being made to unbolt the door, it was found to be fastened from the outside. After it had been forced several lengths of barbed wire were found to be nailed across.