THE O'DONOGHUE CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 45, 22 February 1905, Page 5

THE O'DONOGHUE CASE.

COMMENT AT THE EDUCATION BOARD MEETING. MR. HOBES WITHDRAWS HIS RE- , SIGNATION. The O'Donoghue case came up for for a further discussion at to-day's meeting of the Education Board, when Mr. Hobbs rose- to make a personal explanation. He said that, with reference to his threat to resign which he made at last meeting, and in view of representations of friends, he had determined not to carry out this purpose. Without making any reflection on any members of the Board, he felt very strongly that there should be any teacher in tlie employ of the Board charged with any offence. It was highly improper for anyone to insinuate that this matter was dealt with by the Court of Appeal. He felt it was his duty to put his protest on record. Mr. Parr: I think it is quite unnecessary to revive the matter. Mr. Greenslade: I thought Mr. Hobbs was making a personal explanation. Mr. Hobbs: I have been accused of persecuting this man, and I say that this is untrue, and I don't care if a man is a Mahomedan; if he is a good man I will bo his friend. It is a legal quibble to say that the matter was dealt with by the Court of Appeal." The committee had been placed at a great disadvantage by the action of the Board, and he hoped such an occurrence would never occur again.

Mr. Parr: I did think when the committee decided 'to withdraw proceedings that the Mount Roskill episode was dead and buried. He regretted that Mr. Hobhs persisted in misrepresenting \this matter. Mr. Hobbs persisted tliat all the charges were, not investigated. That Avaa absolutely incorrect. At the Court of Appeal, in addition to the inspector's reports, which were considered, a> mass of evidence against Mr. O'Donoghue's character was brought out by Mr. Hobbs.

Mr. Hobbs: Quite untrue.

Mr. Parr: It is true. I say Mr. Hobbs made himself a private detective. Mr. Hobbs: Absolutely incorrect. Mr. Parr: If it is not correct, I would like to know who got the evidence.

Mr. Hobbs: I did not. I never went there at all.

Mr. Parr: Who did? The court decided the charges were not proved, and that the teacher must be reinstated. That decision, one would have thought, would have been accepted by any reasonable man. The committee repudiated the finding of the court, and urged a further inquiry. When they attempted to take the matter to the Supreme Court they withdrew proceedings when informed that they had no case. He thought that they had heard the last of the matter, but if it was persisted in he was prepared to fight it out, and bring the real facts before the public. Mr. O'Doaoghue's private character had been blackened, and he had been followed in the matter with an animus and a venom that was almost incredible. He (Mr. Parr) hoped that the teacher's enemies would give him a breathing space.

Mr. Bagnall regretted that Mr. Parr had spoken with such heat, and did not think he had stated the case fairly.

Mr. Greenslade agreed with Mr. Parr's remarks, and said that notwithstanding all the turmoil, the attendance at the Mount Roskill School had increased.

Mr. Harris thought that the whole affair had been caused by the bungling of the late chairman. He had eve'j respect for Mr. Hobbs, but it seemed that when the late chairman "got the knife into a man he must keep it moving."

Other members regretted that the matter had been opened up, and deprecated the strong remarks made. Mr. Luke: I am very glad, however, that Mr. Hobbs has withdrawn bis resignation.