Wanganui Education Board.

Manawatu Herald, 25 August 1904, Page 3

Wanganui Education Board.

RESULT OF ELECTION

The result of the election to fill the three vacancies on the Wanganui Education Board caused by the statutory retirement of the Rev. J Ross, and Messrs F. M. Spurd'e and J. W. Baker, was declared on Tuesday as follows: —

F, ftl. Spurdle, Wanganui ... 417 '. Gilbert Carson, Wanganui ... 294 A. H. Atkinson, Hunterville... 291 C Rev. J. Rosa, Wanganui ... 266 Jas. Smith, Rangitikei ... 255 T. R Rodder, Palmerston ... 250 A If. Fraser, Poxton ... 203 ! W. T Wood, M.H.R., Pal's ton 190 The first three were declared duly e’ected. [The result of the election is-tp bq regretted. Two of the can--1 ditaies elected are from Wanganui and one from Hunterville, which r<s ‘ means that this-end of the district is sti‘l (Unrepresented. This result emphasises more than aver the neceslity of forming a. new district indev pf| t|ie Wangapui Board.—

there was a remarkable coincidence. He thought if there had been any row, the men who slept in the house must have heard it. No costs were asked for.

Complainant's story was that she and a friend, Elizabeth Tollison, had been engaged on Saturday, July 00th, by accused as domestic servants. and that after working there one day, they, on Sunday, July 31 st, left his house to go to complainant's sister, who lived about two miles away, for some clothes. They did not return that day or until the following Sunday, when they Went to tea, returning to complainant’s sister at G.oO. They returned to defendant's house about 9,30 p.m., and after talking to accused for some time, asked for a lamp to go to their room. The accused refused to give them the lamp, and made improper suggestions to them They went to their room and put a bed in front of the door. Accused came to their room, forced his way in and assaulted them. They tried to leave the house, but found the doors and windows locked. Eventually accused let them out and they had to walk two miles to complainant’s sister’s house, where they arrived at 11.45 p.m. Under cross-examination complainant admitted that they had been accompanied by two young men to defendant’s house.

'Elizabeth Tollison corroborated the statements of complainant as to the alleged assoult, but contradicted her in the case. She admitted having an illegitimate child at Kaikora.

Accused gave evidence on his his own behalf, completely denying the girl’s story. He proved that he was at Palmerston when he was alleged to have engaged the girls, and he and three independent witnesaess, Trewick and two men who slept in the house with him positively denied that the girls ever returned on Sunday, 7th July, after 6.80. The men also stated that the girls had been at the house to take away certain working things they had left on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday following the assault, and not a word had been said about the assault.

The last witness called for the defence was a Mrs Hayes, a sister of the complainant, who volunteered herself a witness. She stated she had offered herself “ because she did not want to see a decent man swindled.” She alleged that the girls had told her . that Pearce had never assaulted them, but that they meant to sue him for £SO and then leave for Wanganui Mr P.R. 11. Baldwin appeared for accused, and Mr H. G. Moore for complainant.