THE SUMMIT ROAD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16292, 6 December 1920, Page 7

THE SUMMIT ROAD.

TO ITIE EDITOR, Sir, —2vfr Ell’s memory is evidently playing him false. The members of the committee present at the meeting mentioned in Ins letter numbered seventeen, not six. Those present were Messrs Machin, Geo. Harper, G, T. Booth A. W. Beavcn, E. W. Relph, 0. R Clark, .lolm Wood, A. W. Jamieson, - W. G •lanncson. G. M. Hall, Tlobfc, Malcolm, Dr Chilton, E. M Lovell-Smitli, Jas. Young, A. E. Smith, David Bates and 11. G. Ell. Mr Harper loft some time before the resolution affecting Mr Ell was brought before the meeting. Xow a word as to the position. Most of the. present members of the committee have joined the association to save Air Eli from the wrath of previous committees which had helped him. It has become painfully apparent, to most people that it is not Mr Ell who needs (he protection, but the committee who need protecting from Mr EH. These gentlemen (I am not speaking for myself) hare had a lot to pub up with, and the financial worries arc not those of their own making, but are the direct outcome of Mr Ell’s cheerful optimism in running into debt, and leaving the committee, who are quite in tho "dark, lo pay these debts. The reserves, which Mr Ell claims to have secured for the public, have I teen secured bv ,a ,small deposit, leaving the association the remaining liabilities. hen it is understood those liabilities amount to several thousands of pounds of money, it will readilv he seen that the payments of interest alone are a heavy drag on the funds of the association, which is trying to make a success of the whole scheme. Mr EH is so obsessed with his grievances, fancied or real, that ho is hampering the carrying out < of the work by the committee. For a long lime Mr Ell was able to hoodwink the public with glowing and optimistic reports furnished to the papers, presumably by his own pen, or at least prepared under his supervision. The reports had, no doubt, a very good advertising value ,to the public, but the clamouring of tradesmen for their money, and the heavy liabilities piling up. showed Air Ell’s supporters that the finances would need bo be straightened out. or the whole scheme was doomed to failure. The committee are doing their best to make a success of Mr Ell’s scheme, and given the proper support of the public they will do so.—T am, etc.. E. M- LOVELL-SMITH. December 3, 1920.