SUPREME COURT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2951, 24 November 1900, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

Per Press

THE STOKE CASES,

WELLINGTON, November 2.1

The Stoke case was co. uausd James Solan, otherwise BrorAir Killian, in giving evidence on his ».wn behalf, said that he had struck Davis in oris occasion, as the boy had misbelieved during prayers. The usual weapon of punishment at* the school was a supplejack. If any boy refused to hold his hand out he was struck on back or legs till he did so. Crossexamined by the Crown Prosecutor, witness said that he was the person who administered punishment to the boys' in the cells with a stick. While the boys were locked up 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 believe it was cruel then. • What da youi say now? Ido not believe it was. What was the longest period for which a bay was imprisoned in the cells? I do not know. Has any 1 boy been in tha -cells for a month? I heard a boy was there; I heard at the time of the Commission that a boy was imprisoned for (vo months. What is your own knowledge? 1 cannot swear as to the time,. Please give mean answer? I know a boy was imprisoned’ for three or four weeks. How many times did; you use the supplejack on him? Not. on more than three or four occasions. How many strokes did you give him each time? Pour to six. In answer to further questions witness denied having, used his fist to strike Davis, and contradicted a suggestion that a- boynamed McManiuiin had been taken from the cells and caned on four successive days. The boys had; been imprisoned in the cells under the direction of the head--1 eaeher. Brother Loetus. The jury retired at 5.38, and in less than ten minutes came back with a verdict of not guilty. Accused was discharged, and bail continued on the other charges against him, concerning which the Crown Prosecutor will make a statement on Monday, DUNEDIN, November 25. The hearing of the case in which Miss; McKenzie claimed. £IOOO damages from

the Roslyn Tramway Company was concluded tp-day. Plaintiff had been injured in the company’s oar, which had been stopped suddenly through the gripper catching on a projecting nut, which had not ben filed down. The jury gave a verdict for plaintiff for £BOO, and judgment was entered up for that amount u'Ph costs, including two extra days, at 10 guineas per day.