"CHARACTER UNSTAINED"

NZ Truth, Issue 1199, 22 November 1928, Page 8

"CHARACTER UNSTAINED"

But Swimming Council Satisfied Ena Stockiey Was Worried CAN THE OLYMPIC COUNCIL EXPLAIN? f t , = . (From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Representative.) . CO there was internal trouble m connection with the visit to Amsterdam of the New Zealand Olympic Games team and that trouble has narrowed itself down as being between Ena Stockiey and Manager Harry Amos. After due consideration the swimming council is satisfied that Ena conducted herself as a lady and as a representative of her country should, and has gone so far as to say so. * But is Ena prepared to let -things rest: at that? Developments should be interesting.

WHEN "N.Z. Truth's" Christchurch representative called on W. E. D. ..', Bishop, . chairman of the New Zealand' SSvihiniinsr^Qouncil, followinga meeting of that bodyr'-aslting for a; statement ' which he had declined, to make prior to the meeting, BiMop-^ai^,,, I that had it not been for "Truth's" ar-' tide m last week's issue he would have had no statement to make. He thought, however, that there was an explanation of some sort due m the interests of Ena Stockley. Bishop then dictated the following statement: "The council has gone thoroughly into the matter and finds that during the tour there was .unfortunately, a grave misunderstanding i'for which Miss Stockley was m no way' to- blame, but through which she suffered' much mental worry and distress. "Miss Stockley has completely vindicated herself and the council is satisfied that there is not the slightest stain, on her character." . "That is my statement," said Bishop, "and I want you to publish no more, and no Jess." When it " was pointed out that the statement did not cover the point at issue, the chairman of the council intimated that" the council had satisfied itself that so far as swimming was concerned, Miss Stockley had upheld the h<?r?or ar.d

traditions of the sport while she was away. "Were you satisfied wilK the man-, agoment?" Bishop was asked. : , He replied that he had no desire to drug Amos into a public discussion. £A.s a business manager, Amos was a ■>3j§y..sood man," said Bishop, "but as an %%letic manager; well, that might 1 be. different.'.' . "The Olympic Council has our views on the management," Bishop added, and with that statement he removed the responsibility of giving the public the true facts of the case from the shoulders of his own council to those of the Olympic Council. He definitely reiterated that he clicl not wish to discuss the management when it was put to him that the Olympic Council, through his decision, would now have to take the public into its confidence. The position now is that the New Zealand Swimming Council has satisfled itself that Miss Stockley's character is unstained, yet it has made no apparent effort, m face of Bishop's statement, to investigate the truth of her allegation that she was slandered, By the statement issued by its chairman, the swimming council accepts IVliss Stockley's defence of. her character, yet it expresses no opinion, except to the Olympic Council, as to whether it accepts Amos' statement or explanation, which ever It may be called.