SUGAR LOAF RESERVE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16736, 18 May 1922, Page 8

SUGAR LOAF RESERVE.

MR ELL’S MOTION. ANOTHER LIVELY MEETING A special meeting of the Summit Rond Scenic Reserves Board was field yesterday to consider the following motion, of which Mr H. G- Ell had previously given notice:—“ That 50 per cent of tho profits of the * Sign of the Kiwi ’ be expended in reducing the debt for interest on til© Sugar Loaf purchase, and in the discharge of the present debt for interest, and 33 1-3 per cent of the profits be set aside to meet interest charges and towards the discharge of the unpaid purchase price of the land.” There were present—Messrs G. H Bullard (chairman), AY. Machin, H. G. Ell, F. M. AYarren, D. Bates, R. Ma. colm, G- Harper, G. Bowron, G. T Booth, H. S. Hobday and A. \V. Duncan (secretary). Speaking to the motion, Mr Ell said he understood that there would be hostility to his proposal. He was astonished at this, because the reserve, if secured by the board, would be exceedingly valuable to the people of Christchurch, particularly the rising generation. The board should make an effort to pay off the liabilities on the reserve. Only £25 had been paid off the capital, this being a deposit paid by the rpeaker. The purchase price was £6 per acre for the 272 acres 1 rood of tho reserve. The interest debt amounted to £357 on Afarch 81 last. He (Afr Ell) had raised money by collection to pay off some of the interest and to pay for the making of a track on the reserve, to which latter object the Government had given £6O. It had been suggested that the percentages of tho Kiwi profits proposed to be allotted to this cause were too high. Tn that case he would be satisfied if the board would pay £IOO off the capital of the Sugar Loaf purchase, and use 33 1-3 per cent of the Kiwi profits to pay interest. He quoted from the purchase agreement covenant to show that the charge made against him that he had “ landed ” the trustees into a bad position was " a. scan dalous. and a false and a monstrous statement. * Tn urging tho board to take immediate action, Air Ell deprecated any shunting of responsibili tics or whittling down the area of the reserve- He read a letter from a legal firm pressing him for payment of an account connected with the reserves. “ That’s the sort, of letter I get,” he said. “ AYhnt am T going to do 3

Shirk it? No fear!” Mr EH’s motion was not seconded. POTNT OF ORDER RAISEDAir Machin asked for the chairman’s iuling as to whether Air Ell’s motion was in order, seeing that at a previous meeting a sub-committee had been set up to go into the whole question ot accounts and liabilities. He thought that Air Ell’s motion could not be proceeded with until the sub-committee had reported to the board. The < bairman said that the committee had not yet met, as it had not received any accounts. Mr Ell: There’s no time for shirking—no time for shelving. Air Machin said that the committee could meet at any time, and then Air Ell’s motion could he gone on with. The chairman agreed that this was the best coarse. Orderliness’ was necessary in. the matter of liabilities. Air Machin went on to say that all members would endorse Air Eli’s re marks on the Sugar Loaf reserve. (Hear, hear.) He went on to comment on a speech made by Air Ell at a function when Air Bates interjected, protesting against personalities, ana asking for a little “ peace and quietness.” Mr Ell jumped to his feet and turned aside the chairman’s protests. ‘‘ There is a charge against me, and I must answer it-” He went on to speak of a previous matter to which Air Mnchin’s unfinished remarks referred “There is a charge against me and I must answer it,” he said. “ The committee refused to have anything to do with the purchase of reserves. The committee passed a resolution behind my back.” The chairman, who had been trying to persuade Air Ell to resume his seat, eventually succeeded in his request for ” one moment, Air Ell,” and Mr Ell sat down with the final shot: “ I’m going to stand by the purchase in the interest <\f the public. ** Air Bowron asked if there was a proper agreement with the Cashmere Estate trustees, as otherwise they might pay in money and lose it. Air Atachin (to the chairman): If the resolution is in order— Mr F.U : Oh! it’s in order all right. Don’t worry about that ! But I will postpone the motion. There must be another meeting next week, and the sub-committee’s report must be brought in. Air Machin : Oh. we can’t have any “musts.” Mr Ell. Mr Ell replied that the trustees wanted to know what the board was going to do in th© matter.

ANOTHER AIOTION PROPOSED. Air Machin proposed that tile subcommittee already appointed should be requested to go fully into th© question of agreements and arrangements made concerning pieces of land iu which the board’s interest wus sought, and that this committee be requested to report to the board on tho present positions of these lands, and make recommendations as to how the board can assist in their acquisition. Mr Ell said that all he wanted wa* to see the board complete the purchase of the Sugar Loaf. Air Bates seconded Mr Machin motion, and said that he was prepared to support Mr Ell’s proposal to nav £IOO off th© capital. Al r Ell deserved groat consideration Air Ell: I’ve been condemned! I’ve bean condemned! Air Bates went on to deprecate per sonal remarks made by member* of the board. Mr Hobday : I object. Air Bates : These remarks should be nipped ih the bud. The public will resent such attacks on an old and esteemed member. I appeal to the chairman to nip these personal remarks in the bud. Air Hobday denied the existence of any personal remarks. The chairman then put Mr Machin’s motion to the vote, and it was carried, Air Ell dissenting.