RESULT OF INQUIRY

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1933, Page 8

RESULT OF INQUIRY

JSOJfiFIDBNCE IN STAFF

COMMITTEE'S REPORT

."■ The report of the committee set up by the Victoria College Council '"to jnye?stjg»*.e certain charges or insinuations made in recent correspondence in the Wellington Press upon ithe staff of the college," was presented to a meeting of the council last night, .and the findings were discussed in . camera. After hearing evidence and carrying out certain inquiries, the lio.mmiHee stated that it was satisfied .there jvgs 110 evidence in any way . reflecting upon the members of, the Reaching, staff of the college, and considered that they deserved the entire confidence of the council. The committee also expressed regret that unfounded charges and insinuations 'had been made against the staff of .the college by the Welfare League. The committee comprised Messrs. P. Xcvi (cbajrman), A. Pair, X.0., and H. Ik, R. Huggins, and its investigation followed. as' a result of the motion moved by Professor T. A. Hunter at the previous meeting of tho council. This motion leads "That this council set-up ;st committee to invite Mr. McCallum (the Hoa, B. McCallum, M.L.C.), Canon .tame», the Welfare League, and other •persons to support the charges and insinuations made, against the staff of the college*" In announcing its sittings, the committee stated that it wouia Ireat any evidence that might be . brought before it as confidential, save ;as to the chairman of the Professorial Board and any person affected. The ,fconimittee held two sittings and presented its report at last night's meetiDg of the College Council. ; Tfeose present at the meeting were Mr. P. Levi .(chairman), Professors T. "'A Hunter, aud W. H. Gould, Messrs. 'A. Fair, K.C., H. A. Parkinson, A. lE. ■ Atkinson, F. H. Bakewell, Valentine, and. the Registrar (Mr. G. G, S. Kobi.fto'n).' Apologies were received from Mr. Justice Ostler, the Hon. E. McCalJnm, 'ana Messrs..T. Porsyth, H. A. E. 'Hugging, and T. E. Cresswell. .COUNCIL'S STATEMENT. Immediately the report came lip for Consideration the council went into coni'Jijittee, an/ 1 after ■ deliberations lasting ■over two hours, the following statement •yvas handed; to,the Press:— •: "The committee appointed by the College Council; to inquire into charges 'and insinuations made against the ataff of the college issued invitations ■is 6 the persons and the association mentioned ia the "resolution of the council, and also advertised inviting evidence on the rnfttt'er ,a.nd took steps to insure vthat ftn^.cojjiiiunieations made to the fcommittete';slibiiid be confidential and Vpnvilcged,' the members of the staff unanimously consenting to this arrangement. They held two meetings—on ■Thursday, August 18, at 11.30 a.m., and ■-on Tuesday, August 22, at 7.30 p.m. ■■'■' ''The secretary of the Welfare League appeared at both meetings and matte lengthy statements. He made statements in ■writing and verbally, and expressly stated that the league made no charges or insinuations against the teaching staff of Victoria University College, and stated that tin* league had never intended to make such charges or insinuations. The committee, however, considers that such charges and insinuations were •"The committee also received a letter jfrom .Canon James denying that he inside any charge against the teaching Btaff of this college. Mr. McCallum sad Mr. McLaren also wrote stating that they had no evidence to offer and yvould not appear before the committee. *.. "The' committee made certain other inquiries and is satisfied that there is jio evidence in any way reflecting upon the teaching staff of the college, and considers that they deserve the entire confidence of the council and that any (suggestions to the contrary are unbounded. "In adopting the report; the council jjxpresses its regret that such unfounded itharges and insinuations were made Against the staff of the college by the Welfare League." >