SIMPLE LIFE

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 January 1929, Page 9

SIMPLE LIFE

CHARGE OF ASSAULT.

LONDON, December 8. Mr Herbert E. Durham, one of the founders of the simple life colony run on communal lines at Kelling, Norfolk was summoned with his two sons at Holt yesterday for asaulting Mrs Reeves. The colony was formed on twenty acres of land near Holt ,und huts and bungalows were built. Eventually the members dispersed, but Mr Durham and his family and Mrs Reeves remained. Ml- Steward, prosecuting, said as Mrs Reeves was going home by a road belonging to the Durhams, Mrs Reeves said to Mrs Durham: “You had better call off youi- apes,” meaning Mr Durham and his sons. Durham butted into her back with such force that she fell on her face. He then ,it was alleged, took a stick and beat her mercilessly. His son brought up an old barrow and tried to lift her into it, although she was a woman of about list. They failed and tried to march her off the place. Mrs Reeves, giving evidence, said she was an ex-Mayoress of St. Pancras and had held various positions und->-.' the Government. She had been twice assaulted by the Durhams but had not taken action. Mr Keefe, for the defence: Who is the superintendent of the colony?— The man, T suppose, who is trying to carry out Bolshevik Communistic doctrines.

Is that Mr E. B. Reeves? —Oh, no. Mi- Keefe said there had been proceedings with regard to the land be tween Mr Reeves and the Durham." and it was they who needed protection. Mrs Durham said that Mrs Reeves tried to strike her. Mr Durham and his sons said wher they tried to put Mrs Reeves off the premises she threw herself to the ground. They denied striking blows -with a stick. The case was dismissed.