NEIGHBORLY SPITE ALLEGED

NZ Truth, Issue 1239, 29 August 1929, Page 7

NEIGHBORLY SPITE ALLEGED

Well-known Builder Clears His Name of Grave Charge

YOUNG GIRL'S STORY DISBELIEVED

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Representative).

A breach of neighborly relations has at times had disastrous effects on the harmony of domestic life for many people. According to Edward, Milner, a Sydenham contractor, it proved harmful to him for he alleged that it was such trouble that led the children of people living near him td swear m court that he had behaved m an improper manner before them.

MIDNER Avas charged with having , been expanded into one of serious uncommitted an objectionable offence port.

nvthe presence, of Margaret Simpson, her sister, Ruby Simpson, Cora Hancock and Ivy Jean Edwards, four young girls/each about thirteen years of age, but Avith the aid of. Mr. M. J. Burns, his counsel, he convinced a jury of twelve that he Avas innocent. The Simpson girls alleged that the offence took place Avhile they were going along Thackeray Street to the "Waltham School on the morning of May 30. When they Avere going home to lunch the same day, they, alleged that Milner passed them m his car and made an improper suggestion to them. Milner was also accused by Cora Hancock, a thirteen - year - old schoolgirl, that on the same morning he had been standing at, the 'corner of Thackeray ahd Hastings ■ Streets and had then committed an offence. A further offence was alleged against him by Ivy Jean EdAvards, also aged thirteen. In respect of the latter two charges, Milner proved an alibi, q.nd he strongly denied, the assertions of the Simpson 'girls. Counsel suggested that the matter had been passed on by the children to their parents, and on account of illfeeling which existed, the story had

Milner alleged that the Simpson children were not under proper control, and because he had complained to the police about the behavior of a number of children, including the Simpsons, the latter family had become antagonistic towards him. His children, who went to the same school, had been knocked, about hy the Simpsons, and since then feeling between the tAvo families had;been bad. He alleged that the two girls were cheeky- to him every time they passed the house. Sydney Robert Wright, engineer to the Ellesmere County Council, and William Henry Young, a tramway motorman, living near to Milner, testified to his good character. Young said Milner's ; home lif e Avas happy. - T'he Crcvyn Prosecutor, Mr. A. T. jbonrielly," called/ Mrs^ Elizabeth Simpson and Mrs. Winifred Edwards to give evidence m rebuttal of Milner's statement that there Were any family differences. "■. '■■ ...y ':'. Both women denied that. they knew of any trouble Avith ; Milner over the behavior of the '-children. V ' -' . Milner's story impressed/ the jury, Avhich required only fifteen minutes to find him not -guilty of the charges against him.