Biographical Details
Ronald Wallace Black was born in Christchurch on 5th March 1916. His parents were Ronald Anderson Paris Black and Janet Bisset Black(nee Wallace), recently emigrated from Glasgow, Scotland. They established house at 42 Cranley St, Linwood. His sister Noeline was born in 1920 and brother Eric in 1922. The family were staunch Presbyterians and attended St. George's, in Linwood Avenue.
He attended Christchurch Technical College (then a High School) from 1928-1932, showing aptitude with language. He had ambitions as a journalist or writer, but practical family needs during the depression years meant that his abilities with numbers were pressed into immediate service. So, after completing school, he worked for the Christchurch City Council, rising to become Assistant City Treasurer before the war. Although his family had no history of academic interest, he attended Canterbury College (which later became the University of Canterbury) part-time at night. From there he finally obtained first a B. Com. in 1948 and an M. Com. (Hons.) in Economics in 1949.
In November 1940, his name was drawn in the second Territorial
Ballot requiring him to be conscripted into the Army. However during
the 1930's his understanding of his Christian faith had led him
to a complete pacifist position. He regarded even medical service as
supporting the war machine. One of the last trips recorded in
these journals includes a visit to a centre of the Christian
Pacifist Society, Webb St Methodist Church, Wellington. There he
listened to the preaching of Ormond Burton and spent hours
discussing his position with A.C. Barrington. By October 1941 his
appeals on the basis of conscience were turned down and he was
convicted as a defaulter and sent to Paparua Prison just outside of
Christchurch. In the next few years he saw a string of prisons and
detention camps: Paiaka, Whitanui, Strathmore and Hautu. New Zealand
was particularly harsh amongst the allies when it came to the
handling of it's conscientious objectors. This was perhaps
surprising given that the wartime Prime Minister, Peter Fraser, and
his cronies had taken a strong the anti-conscription stand during
the first world war.
He was released on Parole in October 1945, and required to work in a
factory making rubber boots for a time. The last restriction on him,
the non-ability to vote, was finally lifted in time for the 1951
election.
The above paragraph is perhaps inaccurate in places as Dad never actually spoke about his wartime experiences. If he felt any betrayal by his country, the Presbyterian Church or the Labour party, he never showed it, though the hurt was clear. He felt his position was one of personal conscience and strongly resisted any desire to influence anyone else to his position.
Things improved however and Dad married Doris Good in 1949. I arrived in the family in 1957, and my sister Janet in 1959.
His city council position no longer available, he registered as an accountant and joined the firm of Wilkinson and Wilkinson, before taking the role of Registrar of the Christchurch Technical College in 1953. This was to remain his job throughout the rest of his life as the institution transformed into the Christchurch Technical Institute, then the Christchurch Polytech (now CPIT).
Dad recommenced attending St George's on his return from the camps. Later, when he and my mother moved into the new house in Shirley, Christchurch, he attended St Columba's then became a foundation member of St Aidan's Presbyterian in Emmett St Shirley. There he served on the session and as session clerk and as Presbytery elder.
Other activities he enjoyed were his long associations with the Shirley Bowling Club, and the Technical Soccer Club.
Ron died 3 September 1987 of a stroke - victim of his pipe.
Sadly missed.