THE COSTLEY HOME

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 54, 5 March 1901, Page 3

THE COSTLEY HOME

For some time past a committee of the Charitable Aid Board has been enquiring into certain allegations made with regard to the Coatley Home, and at the meeting of the Board hold yesterday afternoon it was decided to hold a special meeting this evening to consider the report of the committee.

Mr Stichbury. when moving that the special meeting should be held, said ho thought the press should be present, an the Board had nothing to conceal in the matter.

Mr J. G. Garland questioned whether it would be wise for the matter to be made public in its present stage. The Chairman (Mr A. Bruce) said he doubted whether the press should be present, because statements had been made by various reputable people, and they ought to be very cautious when dealing with private character until they were absolutely satisfied. So far they had simply collected evidence, merely to see whether further action would be necessary. Mr Sticl^bury said the committee had taken evidence and now the public wished to know the result. Unless the public was satisfied there would soon be a torrenE of correspondence in the press. He thought persons against whom charges were made should have the power to cross-examine the witnesses who were giving evidence. Mr A. P. Friend said some of the witnesses were told that their names would not be made public. Mr Jamieson said he had only attended one meeting, and it was understood that if the formal charge was laid then they could question the witnesses. No one was cross-questioned at the Inquiry. The committee simply had what he considered were garbled statements. Mr Warren asked if It was fair to take voluntary statements made in private. Charges should be made openly, and let the man defend himself. The motion was then adopted to hold a special meeting to go Into the matter.