SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A MINISTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4517, 20 November 1884, Page 2

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A MINISTER.

Abram Ridings, described as a Congregational minister, was charged at the Police Court to-day with having committed an indecent and criminal assault upon William Chodwin on the third of November at Maungaturolo.—Mr Theo. Cooper appeared in defence.—Mr Superintendent Thomson said that ho had experienced some difficulty in this case- as to • the • proper course to pursue. He received a report from the constable at Heleiisrille to the effect that a criminal assault had-; been committed upon the Bon of an old settler by the accused, who had officiated aa a Congregational minister in that district but not being in full possession of the whole of the circumstances, he felt some anxiety " about arresting him. He had since procured fuller information, and three young lads had made admissions tending to criminatt the prisoner. As the prisoner, however, had suddenly left Maungaturoto by night) and, as was supposed, had gone to Russell, lie caused inquiries to be mado, and found that prisoner had mado arrangements for taking passage to Sydney by the s.g. Tara— wera. He intercepted, him, and caused him to be arrested. He would therefore ask for a remand for ' eight days, and then possibly he might have to ask for a further remand, as he intended to make a thorough investigation into the charges on the spot where the alleged offences were committed. Mr -"■■!' Cooper offered no objection to the remand; prisoner desired the fullest investigation, believing that he would bo able to establish his innocence. He would ask for bail, - which was granted, himself in £100, and :-\- ---two sureties in £50 each. . ■