GOLDSBURY CASE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17933, 2 November 1918, Page 10

GOLDSBURY CASE.

BEFORE TECHNICAL COLLEGE BOARD. LEAVE OF ABSENCE MOTION RESCINDED. The Christchurch Technical College Board of Governors at its meeting last night' decided, by seventeen votes to four, to rescind tho motion granting leave of absence to Noel Goldsbury. Those who voted against the motion wero Mrs Ada Wells and Messrs H. Worrail, H- R. Rusbridge and J. M'Cullough.: • CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT. • The following staDement had been prepared by the chairman, Mr George Scott, for submission to the board:— In view of statements made by the .Press and by nieuioers of contrioutiug ooiuts, wion I'Bgu.i'a to lur vju.uouui> a appucation for leave of aosence, i wish 'trniaiie clear both what took place and what-is'my own'po&iuon. At tne outset' i desire to reier to a letter that appeared lh tue Onnstcuurch papers aoove tne signature or Mr setn aniith, in which it was stated that an attempt had been made to miluence tne vote ox the writer beiore the meeting. i desire to say tnat while 1 am speak to Mr &eth emith on tne matter, i spoke only a few words with hun, and my object in doing so was not to influence his opinion but to find out what his views were. 1 may say that I was in ooubt wiiether tne letter should be brought before the board at its last meeting or whether I snould hold it over until Mr Goiusbury had replied to a letter 1 sent him trying to persuade him to comply with the requirement for medical examination. I spoke very brieny to three members only between the conclusion of tue Agricultural Committee and the board meeting, and in no case was it done witn a view to influencing their opinion, but rather to obtain information as to their views. 1 wish'also briefly to refer to the remarks made by Mr Gahagan at the meeting of the Spreydon Borough Council. Mr Gahagan is reported to have said that " he was surprised at the unfair manner in which the matter had been brought up by the chairman at tho board meeting. Those present wero just gathering up their papers when Goidsbury's case was brougnt up. Before they were able to realise what was happening the motion was put through." I feel sure Mr Gahagan did. not intend to do me an injustice, but his statements have given to the public, and in particular to contributing bodies whose representatives were unable to be present at theimeeting, an entirely wrong imprssion of what took place. Tho letter,, which was only received from Mr Goldsbury on the day before the board meeting, was put before the board at tho conclusion of the correspondence, and therefore in the proper place and at the proper time. It is true it was not on the business, but the director had handed the letter over to mo on the day it was received, and did not know whether it was coming up at this meeting or when a reply had been received from Mr Goldsbury to my request that he should undergo medical examination. Subsequent to :'. my bringing the letter before the board the following reports were taken: —Agricultural Committee. Appointments Committee, Finance Committee, Special Committee to consider the new regulations, director's report, together with notice of motion by Mr Seth Smith, notice of motion by Mr Jones. It has been very painful to me to find that the loyalty of the college and of myself has been questioned. It is so utterly unreasonable, that I propose to do something which I have always strongly opposed doing, and that is, talking about what has been done in connection with the college to show how fully our responsibilities during war time have been realised. I venture to say that there is no school that has done more, when the circumstances of the pupils are taken into account, than our school has done. The following is a list, of some of the things, but the list is by no means complete':—

1914—Belgian and oiher funds, cash contributions, £35; two cases of clothing valued at £35. 191&—Belgian carnival, March, sale of tickets, £l7; Belgian festival, April, 6tall, over £25; Patriotic, Red Cross, Belgian, Serbian and Polish Funds, raised in cash, over £600; case of c'othing containing 300 garments for children of British soldiers and sailors. 1916—221 garments for widows and orphnns of sailors; Bdsrian Fund, £25; 120 Christmas parcels to Old Boys; GO pairs of crutches for disabled soldiers. 1917 —Garments for orphans of pallors;. garments for French refugees; 60 pnirs of crutchei for disabled soldiers; O'd Boys' Parcels Fu~d — over £7O raised, 175 pairs of,socks and 272 other earments nindo and about 170 parcels by pupils for O'd Bovs' Parcels a"d Memorial Funds, '£232. Dunns? 'he present voar nlso 'ho co"»kerv d;r>RrtmeV ] ms 011 njrbteen fwiarate orca«ions a«'i«+ed oi*her the Lady Livernno 1 Fund, tlin Bed Cross o 0„ , Nnvy Lea"»ve, tha fM'onern of Wnr Fund nr the MV'or Pa*rol Fund, makinir conoi'derahlci cnnHhn*''nue in cakes and *we»t6, *l)e lnsterf»l for winch hss bee-n sunr.Uor| Tjv mmiie nr Mends. For f-mr years past the ptipi's have fiiv©n irp all 'hfir nnV's for n'Weti" s-or+s as we l ! ss for c?a«s wwlt in o*d°<- fW 'tho moTipy mi*h* bo devoted to ono or other of the war funds.

JUast year in private conversation' witu the director we wore discussiny the question as to what woulu do tue best to do in the matter of raising a memorial to our old hoys, and as a result I proposed to the board that we should look forward to erecting a memorial hall and. physical training department. The scheme was approved, but it was deoided to take no staps until after the .war, except in the direction of raising funds. When discussing finances with the director wo each decided to make a contribution. On March 20'I presented a cheque for £4O, and the director then donated £IOO and the staff about £!4O. A committee was SBt up under my chairmanship, consisting of the, vice-chairman of the board and the chairmen of the standing committees, together with six members of the staff and six members" of the Old Students' Association. I suggested that a day might bo Bet apart for a street collection but the staff and the old students at once turned tlie proposal down, as they did not wish during time of war to make any call upon the public. After leaving the committee and admiring their loyal efforts to raise funds without soliciting public subscription I sent another cheque for £6O. The money, together with the amount contributed by the staff, was at once invested in loan certificates, on the principle that we should assist the Government in their finances. The staff and pupils are now in the middle of preparations for a bazaar, to be held on December 17 and 18. involving a great deal of work and making much demand on their time, but everything is done in a spirit of loyalty to the college, to the country, and to the memory of the old boys. 'During the whole of the time I have held the position of chairman of the board I have never heard an utterance by anyone connected with tlie college that was in any sense disloyal, while I have constantly seen evidences of a spirit of most sincere loyalty. I have forwarded to the chairman of the Heathcote County , Council a letter explaining my own. attitude, and what has taken place. A copy of this is submitted for the information of the members of the board. I may add that a letter ba.s been ■ received from Mr Goldsbury sending in his resignation.

The following is Mr Scott's letter to the Heathcote Road Board : I beg to acknowledge the receipt of the lei tor from the council asking me to res.s;u my position as its represen' ativo on tho Board of Gorernors of the Technical Collego. As I feel sure that tho council does not wish to do ap injustice and would not ttieh to injure tho college, I desire to place before you a statement in exDlanatiou of m^

action, and giving eomo account of the services winch 1 havo been ama lo render to die couego whi.e 1 have had the honour of being a member. Aoei UoidsDiuys letter was received and hauued to me on the Thursday previous to' tile board's meeting on the i'oiiovfruig day. It gave me eomo anxiety' as to what was my uuty in ih© ruat.er, and i consulted vfi.h two members ol the board and understood that they considered that owing lo uoiusbury's loyauy and taithful services there wou.d bo no harm in granting him leave ol aDsence. I aiso spoke 10 Mr Sethfamuh, but oniy a few'worus, not with any ln.ennon of influencing his opinion, bui 10 find out what his views wero, and when ho icft mo X understood he was' going to support, the motion. The motion was bruugnt forward m a,spirit of charity, not with any idea oi approving of Mr Goidsbury's courea of action, for iall disapproved of ii, buv wi.h uio it-ve.mg that ho and his wife and chad were sutienng heavy punishment, luy altitude towards his •action is sulhcientiy Bhow'n by vho fact that on the , aay his leUer arrived I caused a letter to bo sent him trying to. persuade hirn to submit to medical examination. Tho matter has been wiungiy repiebun.ed to the puo.ic, and we have therefore been misjuusjed. His letter was brougnt betoro the board m the proper manner at tho close ol the correspondence, wiucu was taken eariy in the meeting, and ample amo was given lor any discussion. 1 was eiecved a member ot tho boaid in 1908 and havo been cuuiiman lor six years ana a hail. When' 1 accepted the position oi chairman 1 tho uoard in huancial aniiciuties, and owing 10 tne increased demands and expemiuuro which had taken piaco, work then in progress had to bo stopped and workmen discharged. I then recommended a new poacy, wnereby contributing bodies increased their contributions, and additional contributing bodies wero secured. 1 aiso mauo a personal canvass of the city, obtaining, with the subsiuy, over £lO3, and in company with Mrs uowen and Mr VV. ii. Cooper proceeded to Wellington to interview the Mmis.er of .fc-au-cation for a special grant which we wore successful in obtaining. Ijunug my term as chairman tho boara has had a yeany credit balance, the hostel was comple.ed and furnished, tho liability on tho grounds paid lor, additional land and a caretaker's oottage purchased, pavilion • erected on the ground, extensive additions added to the couege buildings costing thousands of poundß, a thousand pounds has been invested in war bonds, to be devoted to the erection' of a memorial hall for physical cuituro and social gatherings for our returned boys and past ana present students, and the attendance of students h'aß increased from 1301 to 1730, Tho demands upon my time have been considerable, but tho work has been ngiuened by a wihing board and a truly loyal The Christchurch xechmcal College stands to-day second to none in tho Dominion, and is engaged in a section of educational work which the British Minister of Educauon considers so important that a Bill has been passed making it compulsory for all y.oun 3 persons to receive part-time education up to the age of eighteen years. If tho council is still of tho opinion that I shouid resign, I will do so after the next meeang, wi.h a clear conscience that I have represented the council in a faithful, honest and intelligent manner, and though I may not be on the board, I shall not relax my efforts in working for the principles of the new British Act, namely, part-;irac daily continuation schools for the development of the higher forms of education and tho improvement of the physical conditions of the young persons under instruction. THE DISCUSSION. ' The matter was Drought up by MiMay warn stating, aitw cue minutes iiau owjii cunnmitsU,, tnat aitiiou&u lie was not present, at tne ineeiuiji, it was ciear mmi tne parsing oi tne minutes' mat tlie boiu&uury matter was in oruer and was not, as many iiad lnierreu, a tncK. Stater tne suoject was again brought up in tue lorm oi correspondence U'om fine OuristonuTch Uny Council, the oanteioury ol Commerce, tlie Canterbury iiiinpio^ers' Association, tue rieatiicote UomiLy oounoii (caiung upon its representative, Mr G. Scott, to resign), anu the Canterbury JWuucation Uourd, stating that in the event ol the motion giving leave of absence to Goldsbury not ucing rescinded tneir grants to the college would be withdrawn. A letter from JNoel Goldsbury also was read, in which he tendered his resignation. Thor.-jh the letters formed the subject of suosequent discussion, they were not finally disposed of, nor was Goidsbury's resignation accepted. These will be dealt with in due course. Mr W. Jones moved:—"That the resolution granting leave of absence to Mr Goldsbury be rescinded." He stated that he hoped the board would not indulge in any recriminations, but approach the matter calmly. If the, board had made a mistake, let it frankly acknowledge it. He respected Mr Goldsbury for the qualities that he possessed as an officer of the board, and he thought he had done what he had probably from sheer cussedness. But he (Mr Jones) could not agree with what Goldsbury had done- He bad a right to abide by the law of the country, and dTscipline must be observed, The public confidence in the

college had been greatly shaken by what, UaU taken place, the college was also a Uoverument institution. The action of the board could be easily remedied by rescinding the original motion. _ The motion was seconded by Mr fe. O. Owen. Mr H. Langford remarked that he thought no good could come out of disciission. Members had, he felt sure, made up their mind, and he suggested that the vote should be taken. lUr O. Jti. tipift said that at the previous meetiDg he was under a misapprehension. Ho had had a bereavement in his family at the time, and was not possessed of full knowledge on tna matter concerning Goidsbury. Mr J. R. Jtlayward urged that the motion should bo pat. Mr H. Worrail objected. Members of the board liad been insulted by members of other public bodies. Mr H. J. iMarriner said that there was no reference on the order paper to Goldsbury, and the action of the board was out of order. The matter had to be discussed. It had got abroad that all was not right concerning the college. On tne previous day he had been in Wellington, and had heard references made to tho Christchurch Technical College, and was Lold that if the Goldsbury matter was not fixed up the Government would step in. Ihe Goldsbury affair was one of the .worst that ever appeared on the minutes of the board. ' It was only by the efforts of the Navy that this country had been immune from one of the most bestial nations on earth. What sort of support were those giving to the Navy who supported Goidsbury's action. Goldsbury had been asked to submit to medical examination. He belonged to the Society of Friends, and it was understood that Goldsbury was well aware that he would not be called on for service. Mr Marriner said he could not help saying that he felt that Goldsbury. had been backed by an officer of the college. . (Several, voices: No, no.) On that point he would have more to say later. There wore certain matters that wanted clearing up. Mr Scott here read a letter that ho had sent to Goldsbury, in which he had advised him to abide by the regulations. Ho deprecated tho suggestion made by Mr Marriner as to Goldsbury having been backed up in what he had done by. an officer of the college. The statement was untrue. Mr H. Worrail defended Goldsbury, who had, ho said, stood true to hia principles. • , Mrs Ada Wells considered tho place was running "war mad." The Citv Council was warring against tho pollege. She claimed that Goldsbury had not broken tho law. It was the Appeal Board that had done so. When she looked around the table she saw many men as well able to serve as Goldsbury, and until she saw them volunteering to serve she would not believe in thorn as earnest patriots. Goldsbury was _an oxamplo to tho coming generation, which would bow to him. She entered a strong protest against tho attacks that had been made on Mr Scott. Mr J. A. Uren said he was of opinion that in carrying the original motion a mistake had been made. Mr Rusbridge said the whole trouble was due to the Press of the city, which had treated the matter as a sensation. Mr A. Williams said that the carrying of the original motion was one of the worst things committed by any public bodv. He considered, however, that Mr Scott had been a very good chairman of tho board. After several others had spoken, Mr Jones's motion was put and carried. Subsequently Mr C. 11. Or>ie moved in the direction of asking tlie Heathcote County Council to reconsider and rescind its resolution calling upon the council's representative (Mr Scott) to resign. The motion eulogised Mr Scott's work on behalf of the board. Mr J. R. Hayward seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation. •