TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16435, 31 January 1919, Page 7

TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

STUDENTS' DEFENCE OF ME. J. H. HOWELL. AN" ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. 1 A meeting of the Christchurch Toch nical Collego Past and Present Senior < Students' Association, was held in e College Hall last night, to protest against certain statomente appearing in the public Press, from time to timo, which were interpreted as reflecting ■upon the loyalty of the Director, i r J. H. liowoll, and the resolution passed by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerco on January 11th, tion was describod as a dircc - tion upon tho loyalty and uselulna» ot the Colloge students." , The meeting, which was presided over bv tho president. Mr •J- -P 0 > was hold at the written requisition ot live members of the Association, was attended bv over 300 members. Mr Dobbs, in his opening remarks, stated tliat tho meeting was cailocl tor the purpose of discussing tho statements made through the Press recently, casting a slur and an insult on tho Director, Mr Howell, and thoy were presont to refute and challenge these statements, and to stand by the Director in the chargcs made against him. First of all ho would like it to bo perfectly understood that the mooting had no connexion with tho "regrettable' and widely-known "Goldsbury case.' Mr Dobbs then read many letters received from all parts of New Zealand, eulogising tho great work and services rendered by Mr Howell during his term of office as It had beon assorted by several unreliable persons that Mr Howell had exhibited unpatriotic feelings, and he (Mr Dobbs) could say emphatically that in all his ten years' connexion with tho College ho had never heard one word uttered by the Director ' that could be 60 conr struod; in fact, he could safely say that he was a man among men, and as patriotic as anybody. (Applause.) Ho had at different times heard Mr Howell discourse on things, educational nnd pciitical, and on subjocts dealing with the war, and right through he had exhibited a noble and patriotic spirit. "Wo, as students of the College—particularly those numbers who have fought in tho groat war, only know Mr Howell's true patriotic qualities," said Mr Dobbs, and "his College has a rocord practically unequalled during tho war, which is greatly to tho credit of the Director." Regarding tho resolution passed at tho last meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerco, Mr Dobbs contended that the Technical College was as good as any other such institution in Now Zealand at tho present time. (Hear, hear.) Mr Dobbs stated that no other .College. in New Zealand possessed an association like tho Technical College Past' up r l Present Senior Students' Association, and the Assbciation felt it its duty to back up 'Mr llowell in such a situation as ho was at present placod. He (Mr Howell) had kept the association going, and had inspired it with a good spirit, which always prevailed. (Loud applause). Ho (Mr Dobbs) quite failed to see that that spirit was in any way unpatriotic, as Mr Howell was of a loveablo disposition, although cringing to no ono in the execution of his duty. "In conclusion," said Mr Dobbs, "I again state that the criticisms levelled at our worthy director are not facts, and certainly do not apply to so kind and so just a fellow as Mr Howell." (Prolonged applause). The next speaker was Mr I<\ W. Amblor, a returned soldier, and an old member of the Association. He stated , that, as all past and present students knew, Mr Howell was a patriotic man, possessing clean, sound, and educational ; Qualities. He had conversed with many , returned soldiers on tho question of tho ■ resolution passed by the Chamber of | Commerce, and they had all replied [ "absolute jingoism." "There ace at j present," said Mr Ambler, '"over 400 • names on the 801 lof Honour Board of

the College, and this resolution is nothing short of a direct insult to both tlio living and the dead. Not only that, but other things count, as over £1100 has been raised, for patriotic purposes by members of the College, and this reflects great credit on the promoter, Mr Howell." Mr Ambler then moved the following: —

"<1) That this meeting, representative as it ie of past and present students of tho Christchurch Tochnical College, places on record its appreciation of the great work executed by the Director, Mr J. H. Howell, in the interests of the College, and its indignation at the imputation of disloyalty levelled against him, and desires to assure him of its unbounded confidence and affection. "<2) That this meeting,' representative as it is of past and present students of the Chrietchurch Technical

College, protests against the reflection cast on the College and its students by a motion passed by the executive of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce at its meeting, held on January 11th, in so far as the said motion reflects on the general teaching of the College and the loyalty, responsibility,, and/ usefulness of its students as citizens,! on the ground that the imputation is umvarranted, and has no foundation in fact. Both resolutions were seconded by Mi , E. Hudson, and carried unanimously. . , The following also spoke in laudatory terms of Mr Howell: —Miss E. Carter, Miss E. Skelton, Miss M. Higgins, and Messrs E. Hudson, C. H. Fletcher, H. Bigham, and W. Lawson. Tho following letter was read: — Christohurch, Mth January, 1919. To the President, C.T.C. P. and S.S. Aeeociation. Dear Sir,—Wβ, the undereigned, deeire to join wit! you in expressing our appreciation of th© services rendered to Tie from time to time by Mr Howell, end heartily give our support to this motion of confidence and affection which you are proposing. Wβ sue unanimoue in the opinion that Mr Howell 'has been excelled by none in hie efforts on behalf of returned eoldiers, and we feel that if.* number of his critics had been equally saalous the lot •of the returned eoldier in this citv would be greatly improved. We desire to place on record emp recognition of the patriotic work of the director, which, although unostentatious, ie nevertheless very real, and ie highly appreciated by as.

The letter was signed by Private W. a member of the 3rd C.Y.0., on behalf of 20 returned soldiers, who have been, and who are at present, attending the College. A general discussion then ensued, ending finally in cheers for the Director (Mr J. H. Howell) and Mr Dobbs. The secretary of the Association (Mies E. Carter) was instructed to convey to the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce the full resolutions.