JABEZ JAGGER POTTS, sixth child and fifth son.

Jabez remained at school till he was 15 years of age. He then worked for a blacksmith (Cobden) in Healesville for 5s. a week and keep. Cobden was a socialist and used to talk on the Yarra Bank on Sundays. After 10 months in the blacksmithing trade, an opportunity offered to become a Printer.

A chap named Patterson (a Greek scholar and spiritualist) founded the Healesville Standard news- paper. The other paper, The Guardian, was printed at Lilydale. Therefore, the Standard became the local popular paper. Mum, with her usual perspective and devotion to her children, interviewed Mr Patterson and secured a Position for Jay. So he entered the world of Printing and Journalism.

He moved on to Lilydale after T. A. Pettit bought both Printing offices. Anxious to learn as much as possible Jay travelled the 23 miles by steam train from Melbourne once a week to attend the Royal Melbourne Technical Lilydale to College, where he proved efficient and won several awards. He moved to Yarraville and later to a city office; and continued his studies at the College for three years. He also attended Stott & Hoare's Business College to study shorthand and Journalism.
After serving with the 7th Battalion, A.I.F., in World War 1 he worked at Box Hill, travelling daily from Mordialloc by Steam train. He was offered a Position at Cheltenham with the News (now Standard) newspaper group. He was outside representative from Mentone to Frankston.

Owing to his wife's ill health, he took a Position as manager to the Dimboola Banner, in April 1924. In collaboration with the owner he bought the opposition paper, The Chronicle. After looking for a place without a paper, he eventually sold the goodwill to the Banner and moved the plant to Kaniva at the end of 1930. He had taken over the Lawloit (now Kaniva) Times in July, 1929. He has remained at Kaniva since 1930, and built up a sound business and large circulation. His two sons: Geoff and Athol, who are Partners, now manage the business, although Jay drives to the office each day(1967) and still writes reports and the leading articles.

He was made a Justice of the Peace and in the 1967 Queen's Honours List, had the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) conferred on him. He was nominated for the honour by the Shire Council for his work in education and civic life. He is a life member of the Kaniva Agricultural and Pastoral Society and the Kaniva Brass Band. He was president of the society and later as honorary secretary for a further four years. Also a life membership of the Kaniva Chamber of Commerce has been conferred upon him. He is also the only honorary member of the Victorian Wheat and Wool Growers' Association. He received this honour for his work for primary producers, more particularly in his work for the Wheat Stabilisation Plan.

His first wife, Ruby Caroline Miller, a great and conscientious girl, died on May 6, 1933. There was a family of four children-Noel (deceased) ; Yvonne (Mrs. L. MePhee), Velma (Administrative Officer Shire of Kaniva):and Geoffrey, advertising manager and linotype operator at Kaniva Times.

On February 5, 1936, he married Mary Jane Sassella, a girl who devoted herself to the family and its career with loving care and affection. There are two children Athol (editor Kaniva Times), and Lynette (Mrs A. H, Collins).

"Combo George" was brought before Messrs Jollife and Privett, J's.P., at the Healesville. court yesterday and charged with assault with intent to commit an offence.

Superintendent Graves appeared to prosecute.

The young girl, who was the victim of the brutal assault, gave her evidence clearly and calmly under the circumstances. She said she lived about five miles from Healesville with her mother. She was in Healesville on Saturday, 7th-inst., and left the township about 5.30 to return home along the main road. She had got about half way when the accused without any notice jumped out from behind some bushes He grabbed her roughly and :threw her in the bushes, at the same time placing his hand over her mouth. She struggled and fought with him and had nearly succeeded in getting up when he struck her and knocked her down again. She could not use her hands as he had hold of them, but she kicked violently. After struggling for some time she managed again to almost free herself, but he knocked her back into the bushes. He then suddenly relaxed his hold and made off towards Healesville. She scrambled to her feet and ran to Mr Potts' house. She saw Jabez, Oliver and Miss Violet Potts and told them the same as she had told the Bench. She was carrying a basket containing various, goods at the time of 'the assault but she had nothing when she arrived at Potts'. Her hat and umbrella were also left behind in the struggle. She stayed at the house for about an hour and then went home accompanied by one of the Potts boys. She never saw the accused till he sprang out from behind the bushes; he never gave her a second's notice.

The blouse and skirt the girl, was wearing at the time of the assault were produced and identified by the witness. They were much dirtied and torn as the result of the black's savage attack.

Jabez Potts, residing at Badger Creek, said he remembered the 7th September, when the previous witness came to his house at about 6.40 in the evening. She was greatly upset and crying. She rushed through the open door and fell up against the one opposite which was closed. His brother Olly and sister Violet and others were there also. The evidence the girl gave that day was to the same effect as what she told them at the house. He went with his brother to the scene of the assault - about 400 yards from his place - to search for the girl's property. He found an open umbrella and basket with its contents scattered about some with wrappers off lying on the side of the road. The bushes were broken down and the ferns trampled, showing in his opinion, where a desperate struggle had taken place. He also found a hat and one glove at the spot. He recognised the accused from the description given by the girl.

Oliver Henry Potts corroborated his brother's evidence, as also did his sister, Miss Violet Potts, who added that the girl's coat was open and her hair down when she arrived at the house - she was in a terrible state.

Constable Hutchinson deposed to visiting a blacks camp at Badger Creek when he heard of the attack. He asked for Combo George, and accused said “I’m the man." He (witness) asked him how he was dressed on Saturday night and he said he was wearing the same clothes as he was then. He informed accused that a girl had been assaulted by a man answering his description. He never denied it, but said "I left here about 11 o'clock Saturday morning and went to Gracedale and slept all day returning to Healesville about 7.30." He (witness), accompanied by accused, then visited the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, and picked out two black fellows resembling Combo George as nearly as possible. He conveyed the three to the police station and placed them in the office side by side, He then sent for the girl, who identified accused as the man who assaulted her. She said, pointing to George, "This is the man, I am positive." He then arrested him.

Constable McLeod (Yarra Glen) corroborated Constable Hutchinson's evidence, and said that accused denied to him that he was the offender.

This concluded the evidence for the prosecution.

The accused, after having his position clearly explained by the Clerk of Courts, pleaded guilty and signed the charge. He was remanded to stand his trial at the Supreme Court on Monday, September 16.

The Bench (to accused): You know the meaning of what you have said?

The black nodded his head, and Superintendent Graves exclaimed, “Oh yes! He's been through the mill before."

The prisoner was then removed and conveyed to the City lock-up by the morning train. .