THE STORE CASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11538, 24 November 1900, Page 5

THE STORE CASES.

THE SECOND CHARGE. { ' VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. f [BY TEI^ORAPH,—-PBSfIS ASSOCIATION.) ', Wellington, Friday: The second case against Kilian, charged with assault in school on a Maori boy named John Davis, whom he is alleged to have punched in the eye, was proceceded with at the Supreme Court to-day. -■-< The Crown Prosecutor intimated that he does not intend proceeding with the other four charges against Kilian. • ! James Solan (otherwise Brother Kilian) giving evidence on his own behalf, said he had struck Davis on one occasion as the boy had misbehaved during prayers. The usual weapon of punishment at school was a supplejack. If any boy refused to hold his hand out he was struck on the back or legs till he did so. Cross-examined by the Crown Prosecutor, witness said he was the person who administered punishment to the boys in the cells. . With a stick ? Yes. While the boys were locked in the cells they were taken out on successive days and caned with a supplejack by you ? Yes. Do you say that was not cruel treatment? I did not believe it was cruel then. What do you say now ? I do not believe it was. What was the longest period for which a boy was imprisoned in the cells ? Ido not know. Has any boy been in the cells for a month? I heard a boy was there. I heard at the time of the Commission that a boy was imprisoned for two months. What is your own knowledge ? I cannot swear as to time. Please give me an answer ? I know a boy was imprisoned for three or four weeks. How many times did you use the supplejack on him ? Not more than three or four occasions. How many strokes did you give him each time r Four to six. In answer to further questions witness denied having used his fist to strike Davies, and contradicted a suggestion that a boy named McMonamen had been taken from the cells and caned on four successive days. Boys had been imprisoned in cells under the direction of the head-teacher, Brother Loetus. The jury retired at twenty-two minutes to sis, and in less than ten minutes came back with a verdict of not guilty. Accused was discharged, and the bail continued on the other charges against him, concerning which the Crown Prosecutor will make a statement on Monday.