“PERSONAL INSULT.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 257, 29 October 1931, Page 14

“PERSONAL INSULT.”

Mr E!I Annoyed at Motion. SUMMIT ROAD BOARD. “ With that dirty insult Hung in my face and while that motion stands on the books I can’t attend any further gatherings here.” In those terms Mr H. G. Ell addressed the Summit Road Board at its meeting yesterday afternoon, when he gave notice to rescind a certain motion which was carried at the previous meeting of the board. The motion was passed after a discussion that came as a sequel to letters published by Mr Ell in two Christchurch newspapers. It read as follows: “That Mr J- J- Thomson be written to expressing regret that he should have been hurt by anything written in Mr Ell’s letters, and informed that Mr Ell has been requested not to write any further letters of the kind to the Press apart from the board with which he is working.” Referring to the motion. Mr Ell said that he had gone through his letters and could not find one word in them that was offensive to Mr Thomson. He had referred to Mr Thomson’s generosity and considered that he had not done harm to anyone. The chairman (Mr W. Stewart) : We can only take }-our notice of motion to-day, Mr Ell. Mr Ell: I wrote to you that I was intending to move that the motion be rescinded. The chairman: We can only lake the notice to-day.

Mr Ell: I want that motion rescinded. With that dirty insult flung in my face I can’t attend any further gatherings here. I regard it as a personal insult, and a hit at me. I am the founder of the movement, and I cannot accept this Mr Ell was cut short by the chairman calling him to order, but he remained on his feet. The chairman: We must have your reasons briefly, Mr Ell. Mr Ell: I am not going to be blocked. This business has got to be made public. Two reporters were here at the last meeting but not one word appeared in the newspapers through some influence that was brought to bear. I intend to publish a leaflet and place the full facts before the public. On Mr Ell being again reminded that the board could not take more than formal notice of motion, he resumed his seat. Mr Ell’s Letter. At the previous meeting of the board a letter was received from Mr J. J. Thomson drawing attention to statements made by Mr Ell in regard to tree planting and lire damage at Thomson Park. It was suggested that Mr Ell should write to Mr Thomson expressing regret at having hurt his feelings by writing as he did, and that he should also agree not to write to the newspapers in that manner in the future. In reply, Mr Ell stated that he would not be dictated to by the board, and would write to Mr Thomson as he thought fit. As Mr Ell was not prepared to indicate to the board the lines that his letter would take, Mr Machin then moved the motion to which Mr Ell took exception at yesterday’s meeting of the board.