Stoke School Cases. Wellington, November 23.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 77, 27 November 1900, Page 3

Stoke School Cases. Wellington, November 23.

The Stoko case was continued to-day. James Sedan, otherwise Brother Killjan, giving evidence on his own behalf, said he had struck Davis on one occasion, as the boy had misbehaved d,ui-ing prayers. The usual weapon of punishment at the 9ohool was a supplejack. If any boy refused to hold his hand out he was struck qu tUa back jaud lega till he did so. Cross-examined by the Crown Proaeeotor, witness said he waa th« peifson who administered punishment to the boys in the cells with a stick. While the boys were locked in the colls they were taken out on successive days and | caned with a supplejack by him. 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 j which a boy was impriboned in the cells ?-— I do not know. Have, any boys been in tba cells for a month ? — I heard a boy wag there^. I beard at the time of the Comrqission that a boy was imprisQned for two months. What is your own knowledge ? — I 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 more than on three or four occasions. How many strokes did you give him each time ? —Four to si». In answer to further questions, witness denied having used his fist to strike Davis, and contradicted a suggestion that a boy named McManimin had been taken from the cells and caned on fovu- successive days, Jsoys had been imprisoned, in cells under the direction of the head teacher, Brother Loetus. The jury retired at £.88 p.m., and in less than ten minutes they came back with a verdict of " not guilty." Accused was discharged, and bail continued on the other charges against him, concerning which tbe Crowo Prosecutor will make a statement on Monday,