DOCTOR'S RESIDENCE AT NIGHTCAPS.

Western Star, 31 January 1922, Page 3

DOCTOR'S RESIDENCE AT NIGHTCAPS.

A meeting of subscribers to the doctor's residence fund was held in, the Coronation Hall last Thursday evening. Mr A. Greer was in the chair, and a good! number of those interested were ■■'present. There were two issues put before the meeting by the chairman—whether it would be advisable to buy a house already built, or build a new one, the plans of which were laid' on the table. The two questions .provoked much heated argument during the meeting, both proposals having their supporters. The Chairmau, in explaining the matter, said that the tenders .submitted that night for building a new residence could: not be accepted as they were, as they would not be complete without an architect's fee. On the other hand the residence offered was suitable as it stood, aird there had been a reduction m the price since last meeting. Mr Dahren asked what alterations would be needed if they decided to purchase the residence.-Chairman : None, the building is qui* good enough for the class of,doctor that is needed. A first class man is not nccessary.-Mr Cameron: We do- want a first-class doctor. _ Mr Francis: What is the size or the residence.—Chairman: Six rooms, hot and cold water, and conveniences. Mr Cameron: This is a ticklish question. It was necessary to 'be particularly careful in spending money on what appeared to be "a pig in a poke." It was now over two years since the Chairman helped to collect funds for a doctor's residence, and it was time something was done audi less said. !..■»!, Mrs Johnstone: It is a wonder «ir Cameron did not inspect the house. —Mr Cameron: We have the report of'those who did inspect it-Messrs Kxcell, Sinclair and raan: And, one of the drawbacks m their reiport was that there was only a clay road, not suitable for a car, into the property.. Mr Irwin who was present, would be asked,, his opinion. -. Mr Irwin said as far as his knowledge went ho considered the house was° good and: the rooms large.—At this point the Secretary asked for the dimensions, which the owner who was present, gave roughly.—Mr inos. Thomson: The Secretary'was one ot the inspectors, and should know the *ize of it— Secretary: I only stepped it—Mr Johnstone: Wo want the si z e of the building in the other plans too. s ' . Mr Dahren moved a motion that they buy the house. - Chairman: Don't be in "a hurry; we will accept a motion later on. The Secretary explained! the size of the plans for three different designs before the .meeting from Mr D. Sinclair, jnr.-A voice: Did he step them out. # , ■,, Mr Cameron: The business should have been done by the Committee appointed, and the people should say whether they would buy or build.— !llr Thos Thomson: The subscribers [want to know all about it.—Mr | Irwin- The report of the inspectors j has been read.-Mr Thomson: We will hoar it again. Mr Irwin moved that a (private ballot to buy or build be taken. Mr Hammill moved that the report of the Committee's findings be given to the meeting firstly.—This amotion ' was seconded by Mr Dahren. The Secretary said that' the first 1 price was £900; £2OO down, balance at 7 per cent. The Committee did not feel bound to accept this offer, and they decided to call tenders' for building a new residence and solicit offers from any person having a suitable home* for-sale. The 'business had been given the greatest publicity, and no reflection could be cast on the Committee. The offer before them now stood at £870; £2OO down, the balance at 6J, per cent. Mr D. 'Sinclair's prices for building were: one at £B7O, another at £B9O, and one at £895, without a section. The >rice asked for the .section on offer; I war, £l2O. « | The Chairman asked the"" Secretary how he proposed to find the money if a new building was erected.—The Secretary stated that with what they had in hand, and what was promised, the house could be built. He had also a promise of a loan of £OOO from a local gentleman. —Chairman: Hare you the promise in writing.— Secretary: No; but I can vouch for the truth cf it.—Chairman: We take no man's word in this matter. Get it in black and white, and show the signatureThe Chairman said he had been asked! by a building contractor about the, matter of' calling for tenders, and he had expressed the view that they were only feelers.—Secretary: Who aver said these plans were only feelers ivas no man, and was just waiting to see. Mr Dahren: It will be another 3i years before a house is built and a doctor secured. The Chairman expressed his willingness to accept a motion that thell ouse be accepted or a building be erected.—At this point cries of No! and Yes! drowned the speaker, and when order was partially restored Mr Thomson expressed his opinion that the motion to buy or build was out of order. ' A copy of the newspaper advertisement calling the meeting was thereupon secured. —Mr Thomson aiked the Chairman if the proceedings' of the meetings held were !ce;pt, and, on being answered in the affirmative, asked for the minute in reference to advertising in the newspapers'. —The Secretary read the minute and also the wording of the 'advertisement, which he remarked amidst laughter was perhaps not to Use letter of the law. —A hubbub then arose over motions and amendments, l and the Chairman adlmitted that t-ho j matter had become slightly, mixed.— A lady made a remark about granv mar, and the .Chairman was asked to call her to order. —Mrs Johnstone :' The advertisement,jJiowedi that the meeting 11 was called to settle the offer of trie "house or the plans, and it was now either build or buy.—Secretary: Hold your tongue. Mr Irwin and Mr Cameron* at this 1 ; stage left the meeting.

Mr H. Ferguson here moved an amendment to Mr Dahren's motion that they decide to build according to one of the plans presented. This, he considered, would open up a discussion on the relative prices of the highest plan; plus a section, and the residence under offer. —The motion was seconded by Mr Jas. Grant, jnr. This brought matters to a head,

the Secretary and Chairman each insinuating that the other.was .partial to his own side. Personalities were freely indulged in, and the end was that Mr D.~ Sinclair, jnr., asked to> withdraw his plans and specifications. —The 'Chairman allowed the withdrawal without putting it to the meeting.—Mr Adcock objected, saying that the Chairman should have got permission from the meeting of subscribers to withdraw the plans while under discussion. —A voter : We want our money back. The Secretary moved that the meeting be adjourned.—Mr J. G'rant moved as an amendment that the meeting, adjourn for a week until the dimensions of the house under! offer be taken. The meeting came ■ to a dramatic finish when the gas was turned off, those left in the hall finding their way out in the darkness.