DOCTOR'S RESIDENCE AT NIGHTCAPS.

Western Star, 7 February 1922, Page 2

DOCTOR'S RESIDENCE AT NIGHTCAPS.

[Own Correspondent.]

At the adjourned meeting of subscribers to the Doctor's Residence bund, held in the .supper room of the Coronation Hall on Friday evening, there were forty-eight present. Mr A. Greer declined to take the chair, and Mr Andrew Dixon was voted to the .position after several others had politely refused'it. . ' Before commencing business the chairman allowed'Mr Greer to give an explanation of why he, as, chairman, did not accept a motion at the last meeting to build) or buy a residence. The Secretary proceeded to state that at the last meeting the issue was either Buy or build a residence, but he had since gone into the matter, and found that they were entirely wrong, as the lists sent out were all headed! "to build a residence,'' and they therefore could not buy one already built. At the first public •meeting in July, 1920, Mr Irwin in the chair, it was decided to form a committee to work in. . conjunction with the Town Board to "devise ways anrli means of erecting a doctor's residence. The money therefore, was collected for a specific purpose, and could not be used for another.

Mr Greer: It is a strange thing

I that nothing had been said until, now of this matter. The Secretary was one of the" Committee, and he had never mentioned it. The 'Secretary: It was overlooked. Mr Cameron: The- Secretary admits a mistake in not informing the eonnmbined committee of this fact.—M... Holmes: The pollectors should have been made aware ofHhis fact—Mr Greer said an apology was due to the'owner of the residence under question, as he was approached by the Committee to offer the house—Mr Cameron said he understood the house was offered before the deputation interviewed! the owner.—Sfr Greer: If subscribers decided to buy coffins with the money subscribed, should the money be used for that purpose?—Mr Taylor: What is this meeting'called for? At this point the Chairman called for order and asked that the busiuess be proceeded with. Mr Greer: According to the Secretarf Ave cannot buy.—r Secretar y: The heading of the lists prevent us, and if we diid otherwise the subscribers could get their money back. Mr Taylor: Is the trouble in contemplating building, to find the finance? Money was.found easily by guarantors to. build the Coronation Hall.—Mr Cameron: If ( the Committee got power to build or buy the matter would go on.—Chairman: The Committee have the- power, but did! not use it, as the minutes of the first meeting after the Committee was formed will show.—Mr Dahren: We are here now to devise ways and means (as the minute read). M,r Sleep; What w the amount of money collected? —Secretary £2lB. • The Secretary suggested that the old Committee resign, and this was put in the form of a motion, seconded and carried. Mr J. O. Clapp: This meeting was called! to decide whethor to Ibuy or build a residence, and it would not be ..straightforward to form another Committee when there were those on the old, Committee who were nOjt present.—Chairman: It .seems strange that the Chairman should resign that night.—Mr Greer: A new comiimittee could not dto worse than the old one.' They spent money advertising their meetings and could riot get enough to attend to make a quorum.—Mr Cameron: We have got mixed again. It might be a good thing if the old Committee went off. —Mr'Career: Perfectly correct. I attended! most of the meetings. xin amendment to the .'Secretary's motion w r as moved by Mr Cameron that the Committee be authorised to build, and this was seconded by Mr Holmes.—The Chairman: There is no Committee.—'Mr Cameron : There is

a Committee.--—Mr A- G'. Thomson: This is not - a proper pTocedmre. There is a Committee.—Mr Clapp:, It would \c necessary to give notice before a new Oonnniiittee could 'be formed, although it may probably be the best way out of the difficulty.— Mr Holmes: The old Committee could appoint a new' chairman arid secretary. (Laughter).—Mr Cameron; This is not a Committee meeting. Mr Taylor: In reference to the amendment, if the Secretary would, withdraw his .motion the amendment could stand, with power to' add. The Secretary withdrew his motion with the Chairman's consent, and the amendment was referred back with power to add. Mr' Clapp moved an amendment, that tFis meeting of subscribers move a vote of non-confidtenco in. the Committee. (Laughter.) Mr Excell, in speaking to the amendment, said it imight be a good thing if a new Committee was formed. —Mr Johnstone : Nomsdnse i Surely to goodness matters .could foe fixed up. Tlie old: Committee have a better grasp o? the business than « new one would have. They had a legal adviser in their Secretary, who was always ready with plenty of advice, such as it was.

I Mr .1. Grant, sonr.: This is a childlish wrangle. Put the motion -to the meeting or I go home.—Mr Greer: Will that defer the amendment. (Laughter). Mr TJahren : A pack of schoolboys! If tlie old Ccanmittee wants to resign, let it do so. This is the same as last, meeting—build or buy. I

Mr Francis: Tlie motion and ! amendment are out of order. I move that a secret ballet be taken to build or buy.—This was seconded and carried. Mr Taylor here . withdrew his amendment, and Mir Clapp withdrew his no-confidence amendment.

Messrs M. Hammill and H. Dalirer were appointed scrutineers for the ballot. All persons present, whether subscribers or not, were allowed tc vote. The result of the ballet was'-f To build, 33; to buy, 1)3. Mr Taylor moved that tlie Committee have power to /act on the result of the ballot- —Tips was seconded by Mr Adcock and. carried. Mr Hammill cxpre&sod the opinion that" it would bo wise to see that the J

Committee went about the business in a proper manner; that they hare an architect employed, also someone' > to supervise the erection of the buildinc.

Mr Greer gave his opinion,that it might be possible to secure a site. ' tree from a local gentleman., It would \ be worth the secretary's trying at ft any rate. ' ' Mr Dahren expressed! the opinion ., that a little new .blood in the old Committee would not do any 'harm.— Mr Lysaght's opinion was that the smaller a Committee the better tho attendance. . '

A liearty vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.