THE STOKE CASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11537, 23 November 1900, Page 5

THE STOKE CASES.

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. [nr TEliEGiiArn.— association-.] Wellington, Thursday. Tin: Stoke Orphanage cases were continued to-day. For the defence, Mr. Wilford, in opening, said Kilian, being a schoolmaster, had, under the law, the right to use reasonable force in correcting boys under his charge. Accused, in giving evidence on his own behalf, said he remembered the circumstances of the alleged assault on the boy Owens. A day or two prior to the occurrence he aad punished the boy for disobedience in the school. He gave him a few smacks on the band with a supplejack. On the evening in question the boys were formed into ranks to go out. He noticed Owens talking, and requested him to maintain silence. The boy answered him back, and witness boxed his ears. He kicked at witness, and witness slapped him again. The boy then threw himself on the ground and started screaming. Witness denied having punished Owens in the eye or kicked him. At the time there was a mutinous spirit in the school. By Mr. Bell: Witness had asked to be allowed to give evidence before the Commission, but the director of the school said it was not necessary. He understood the reason he had been ordered to leave the orphanage was that it was considered his conduct had not been satisfactory. Witness had never put boys in cells, had never struck any bay with his fist, nor did he lose his temper with Owens. His Honor, in summing up, said it was beyond doubt that at the time a strong spirit of insubordination existed in the school, and it was before all things necessary that discipline should be maintained. Accused did not seem to be a strong man, and Owens was" a sturdy youth. He directed the jury to dismiss all prejudice from their minds, and reminded them that one of the growing evils of the day was the insubordination of the young. The jury, after a-quarter of an hour's retirement, returned to Court with a verdict of not guilty, and accused was discharged. The Crown Prosecutor stated that he would proceed with the charge of assault on Davis against the same accused next day.