CANOE CLUB DISPUTE.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19013, 2 August 1933, Page 8

CANOE CLUB DISPUTE.

MEMBERS AT VARIANCE^

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS INVOLVED* PLAIN SPEAKING AT MEETING. Differences of opinion which hav« existed among several executive members of the Hamilton Canoe Club for some months were ventilated at a largely-attended meeting called hy the president, Mr H. P. Evans, and held last night in Pearson’s Hall, in Hamilton East. There were about 150 present, including a considerable number of lady members, and several vicepresidents and supporters of the club. Mr H. D, Caro presided. The principals involved in the trouble, which has been a disturbing influence in the club in recent months,! were the president, Mr Evans, vice- 1 president, Mr R. R. Lovegrove, and the secretary, Mr R. Hill, and the meet-j lng was mostly devoted to allegations and counter-allegations made between these members. .1

The bone of contention appeared to be the allegation that the vice-presl-! dent, as chairman of the club’s social committee, had acted in various matters relative to the weekly social functions without consulting members of the committee. The president also complained that the secretary had refused him access to the club’s books, and would not agree to furnish him, with a list of financial members. \-f There was a strong undercurrent of| feeling in evidence and much plain speaking was indulged in. Many aspects of the club's affairs were discussed. „ ,

Storm In a Teacup. v The speakers were subjected to fre-j quent interjections, but the three mem-' bers concerned in the trouble each, stated his case, and at the conclusion the chairman expressed the opinion that the dispute appeared to him to be a storm in a teacup, which would, never have arisen if the club had a proper constitution, and had been incorporated.- He advised the club to become incorporated, and then it would have constitutional means of dealing with disputes. Mr Evans had been elected president by the members and-the speaker thought they should give him their loyalty. It was his opinion that the club would benefit from what he termed the .** clearing up of the windy weather.” After some further dlsoussion Mr Wilkinson contended that the meeting was out of order, as it had been called by the president and not by the secretary. At the same time he asked the chairman if he was prepared to accept a motion of no-confidence in Mr Evan* as president of the club. ; i The motion was seconded In several places, and was accepted by the chairman. . ' .. • . I There was some difference of opinion as to the manner in which the ad-! vertisement calling the meeting had been worded. Mr Evans pointed out that it was not a meeting of the Canoe Club, but a publio meeting called by himself to clear up the trouble which had arisen.

The motion was then put and was \ carried by a large majority. Mr Caro said he did not intend to proceed fur-J ther with the meeting, but he thought j that although the motion had been ' , carried efforts should be made to patch jjf. up the trouble, which was not goo(*7* for the club or for Hamilton.