A WELLINGTON HOUSEWHIPPING CASE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2320, 24 August 1880, Page 2

A WELLINGTON HOUSEWHIPPING CASE.

Mr 11. A. Willis, a schoolmaster at the Lower Hutt, was charged before Mr Shaw, Ecsidont Magistrate, at Wellington, on the 17th inst., with having assaulted Mr G. W. Jordan, at the Hutt, on the 9th inst. Complainant stated that he had children attending the Lower Hutt School. Ho sent a letter to the Board, and also one to the defendant for the purpose of giving him an opportunity of rebutting it. He met defendant the

same evening on the main road, near the railway station. Defendant crossed over to him, and said “By God, I am going to horsewhip you," and struck him several heavy blows on the head and face, saying, as lie (witness) retreated into a garden, “ There I have marked you, and you can do your worst.’’ He did not see the instrument used. The reason he wrote the letter was in consequence of hearing somethings affecting the character of defendant ; the letter was one the Board must take cognisance of. He had no other school to send his children to. He had no spite against Mr Willis, and no desire for the head mastership of the school ; he was not competent. Mr Travers, who pleaded “Not guilty’’ for defendant, said the circumstances of the assault had arisen out ol the letter Mr Jordan wrote to the Board, and that if he believed the charges contained in that letter he ought not to have allowed his children to remain at the school. Defendant had no other remedy ; for if he had proceeded criminally he was not in a position to pay costs; his only remedy, therefore, was to take the law into his ow T u hands, knowing that he was justified in doing so. With regard to the severity of the assault, he did not deny that a good caning had been administered on the legs, but held that the blows on the head were accidental.

His Worship was quite willing to take any evidence in extenuation of the assault, but could admit of no palliation, unless such evidence was produced.

After some discussion, Mr Travers handed in the letter, which was read by Mr James (Clerk of the Court) as follows:—

Lower llutt, August 19.

Sir, —I beg to band you, for the purpose of being laid before the Education Board at its next meeting, a statement with respect to the condition of the Lower llutt State School and the relations existing between the head-master and mistress of the school. My allegations are as follows :

1. That the present head master and mistress obtained, and still hold, their position by a gross fraud upon the Board inasmuch as they represented themselves as man and wife, and since the retention of the office have cohabited as such. That there exists in the office of the Commissioner of Police in this city conclusive evidence that the master (Mr Willis) had at the time of his appointment a wife then living - , and a short time ago was resident in Mount Macedon, Victoria.

2. That previous to his appointment at the Hutt, Mr Willis held a similar appointment under the Nelson Education Board, which he resigned for no ostensible reason, but it was generally ascribed to the relations which existed between himself and the present head mistress of the Hutt school.

3. That previous to this Mr Willis held a similar appointment under the Wellington Education Board at Johnson ville, dui'ing which time he passed off as a single man, and that probably owing to this circumstance the usual inquiry into character was dispensed with on re-appointment to the Hutt school, the ollicers of the Education Board being ignorant of what had occurred in the interval. <L. That a search has been made of the official register of the colony, and no record can be found of any marriage having taken place between the parties in question. 5. That the existence of such relations between the master and mistress of a Stale school is a violation of the Education Act and of the Board's regulations and an insult alike to parents, teachers, and scholars, and a scandal to the district.

I am fully aware of the step I have taken in making these charges, and am prepared to abide by the consequences, for I am satisfied that the circumstances which will be brought to light in the inquiry which will ensue will justify me in the course I have taken in this matter in the mind of every right-thinking man. —I have, etc.,

G. W. Jordan, Lower Hutt. To the Chairman of the Wollingtor Education Board.

la answer to his Worship Mr Travers stated that defendant declined to go into the witness box, and would submit to the judgment of the Court. His Worship, in giving judgment, remarked it was defendant’s right to step into the box and refute the imputations contained in the letter. Defendant, by his training and position, ought to have been an example to those around him, but instead of that he had elected to take the law into his own hands, and refused to justify his conduct by meeting the charges made against him. He would be imprisoned, with hard labor, for two calendar months in Wellington Gaol.

Willis was scarcely in gaol when a .deputation, introduced by the Hon Mr Bryce, interviewed the Minister of Justice on his behalf. The Minister promised to consider the matter, and sec what could be done to lighten or remit the sentence. On Thursday another deputation besieged Mr Rolleston, who replied that the matter was under consideration. The second deputation was headed by Sir Wm. Fitzherbcrt.