SUPREME COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3669, 27 November 1900, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

THE STOKE CASES. Wellington. Nov. 23. The Stoke case was continued. James Solan, otherwise Brother Killian, in giving evidence on his own behalf, said that he had struck Davis in one occasion, as the boy had misbehaved during prayers. The usual weapon of punishment at the school was a supplejack. If any boy refused to bold his hand out he was struck on back or legs till he did so Cross-examined 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 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 ? —I do not know.

Has any boy been in the cells for a month?—l 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 .'—l cannot swear as to the 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 on more than three or four occasions.

How many strokes did you give him each time? —Four to six.

In answer to further questions witness denied having used his fist to strike Davis, and contradicted a suggestion that a buy named McManimin 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 headteacher, Brother Loetas. The jury retired at 5.35, and in loss than ten minutes caino 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 : Christchiiuch, Inov. 23. In the Divorce Court this morning, decrees nisi were granted in the following cases : —Young v. Young, in which Francis Soliua Young sought dissolution of her marriage with Robert Hunter Young, late of Gisborae. on the ground of desertion. Ebeue.-.er Swinerd v. .Tano Swinerd, with costs against a co-respondent, George Bellingham, of New South Wales. Lilian Hamer v. James Nathaniel Hamer, ca account of the latter's admitted adultery in Wellington. Sarah Jackson v. John George Jackson, for cruelty and desertion. Ann Charlotte Vallance v. Walter Raymond Vallance, on account of adultery. Dunedin, Nov. 23. The hearing of the case in which Miss McKenzie claimed £IOOO damages from the Roslyn Tramway Company was concluded to-day. Plaintiff had been injured in the company's car, which had been stopped suddenly through the gripper catching on a pivjocliug nut, which had not been filed down. The jury gave a verdict for plaintiff for £BOO, and judgment was entered up for that amount with costs, including two extra days, at 10 guineas per day.