United Charitable Aid Board.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5553, 26 February 1886, Page 3

United Charitable Aid Board.

SPECIAL MEETING. THE MASTER OF THE ORPHANAGE. The following is the conclusion of the report, as it appeared in «ur Third Edition of yesterday : — Mr Westenra thought in jftstice to himself and the Committee he should mention what the position of the Committee was. All the members of the staff, except Mr Kitchey, had received notice. In this the Board had made a mistake. The Committee were new to the work, and required a number of returns. In one case they had to wait six weeks for a return that might have been done in two days. This return was accompanied by the objectionable memorandum, which waß attached to it, and the Committee could come to no other conclusion than that it was intended for the Committee. Mr Ritchey Bhould have written to the Committee representing that he was overworked. He (Mr Westenra) had always been in favour of Mr Ritchey, but had been forced to the conclusion that he was trying to get the upper hand of the Committee. Thi3 he (Mr Westenra) would never submit to. He was at one with Mr Nalder and Mr White in this matter. With regard to Mr Nalder, he would like to say publicly that from the very beginning Mr Nalder stated that he had had some difference with Mr Ritchey, and wished to take no prominent part in this question. He, on every occasion, took the opportunity of putting himself last in any discussion. Mr White remarked that there was no " private " on the memo, on Dec. 25, 1885. Mr Ritchey addressed Mr March, on Jan. 19, 1886, on Jan. 18 several memoranda, and on Jan. 5 one memorandum also to Mr March. No less than eight memoranda intended for the Board were thus addressed. In addressing the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Ritchey had twice written to H. N. Nalder, Esq. Some of the returns were in the handwriting of Mr Catterick, though Mr Ritchey would leave the Board to infer that he had no assistance. Mr Ivory supported the amendment. He thought that Mr Ritchey had set the Committee at defiance. He (Mr Ivory) had been told that it was only a church quarrel, but Mr Ritchey might well say, " Save me from my friends." He (Mr Ivory) would like to see Mr Eitchey i^ instated. " . M * Vincent perfectly agreed* with what oajl peea sa id by Messrs Westenra and w hite. He could not think that the reinstatement of Mr Ritchey would be to the advantage of the institution. There was a great deal of pressure being brought to bear on the Board, who, however, had more to consider than the welfare of Mr Ritchey. It was preposterous for the Lyttelton people to come and make such a proposition as that made by the deputation. The Mayor of Lyttelton had made a great mistake in resigning his seat on the Committee. It was a most untruthful statement to say that Mr Nalder had acted from personal motives. Mr Toomer had not voted on the question previously. He thought Mr Ritchey the beet man that could be secured. At the same time be would support the amendment. Mr Jon«s, in reply, said that now' that the matter had been fully ventilated he would withdraw his resolution. He: wa s desirous to act with the fullest courtesy towardß the Committee. After the full apology of Mr Ritchey he thought it would have been in good taste for the Committee to have moved a resolution. Mr Vincent: You are taking Mr Ritchey's statement. Mr Jones : Here is the Committee's statement in the letter to Mr Ritchey. Nothing further can be said by the Committee. It was satisfactory to see that the great majority of the Board was in favour of Mr Ritchey'e reinstatement. Mr White wished it to be understood that the Committee would take everything into consideration that had been said by the Board, and would thoroughly consider Mr Ritchey's statement. Leave was given to Mr Jones to withdraw his resolution, and Mr Louisson's amendment as a substantive motion was put and carried unanimously. It was understood that as soon as the Committee have decided on their report, a special meeting of the Board will be summoned, to take the report into consideration. The Treasurer laid before the Board a balance-sheet duly audited by the Audit Inspector. The balance was £2388 10s sd. This brought the business to a close.