CHARGES AGAINST CLERGYMAN

Evening Star, Issue 19923, 20 July 1928, Page 8

CHARGES AGAINST CLERGYMAN

THE CASE FOR THE POLICE [PiR Unitbo Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 19. The case for the police was opened to-dav in the Magistrate’s Court before ‘Mr E. Page, S.M., against the Rev. Feilclen Taylor, wfio appeared to answer cloven charges ot indecent assault on males, whoso ages varied irom 14 to 16 years. The offences were alleged to have been committed between Juno 24, 1927. and April 27 1928 Mr P. S. Jv. Macassey (Crown Prosecutor) appeared for the police, and Mr A. Gray, K.C., with him Mr D. WVirtue, for accused, lue court was cleared. ~ ~ .. Mr Macassey did not address the court, but immediately called evidence. Tho first witness, a 15-year-old boy, said he was warned by accused ct the danger of comiuitting a certain act, and accused requested him to cease doing it. Accused, he said, had always been kind to him. To Mr Grav, witness said tfiat he was sure accused examined Inin, because he wished to do his best tor witness, lie appreciated what accused had done for him. The next witness, aged lb, said certain improper actions took place between him and accused almost eveiy time witness went to accused s house. Under cross-examination tho witness admitted losing several jobs for stealing. Witness admitted that accused urired him to give up committing the acts, but added that the mutual practices continued daily. Ho consented to them because, being on probation, ho was afraid ho would get into a row if fie did not consent. Witness first mentioned the matter to his father. Albert Bulivant, officer in the Child Welfare Department, said that, so far as he knew, those boys who went to accused were looked alter in a satisfactory manner. To Mr Gray, witness said accused was a unique personality, with methods of his own. His methods were unorthodox, but he had tho confidence ol the boys. As far as witness knew, accused line! a beneficial influence on the boys. _ Another buy, an orphan, aged 1/, said accused had given him lectures on sexual matters, had examined his .heart and body, and felt.ids.pulse. Witness did not protest, as he was led to understand it was for ids own good. To Mr Gray, witness said accusca was verv good to him, and said iwould still do. anything for accma Witness considered accused gave good advice to the boys, and he lokl counsel lie never considered or suggested there was anything indecent in accused’s acU °J)r J. S. Elliott gave evidence that such examination as that said to have been given by accused could not be of much value. At this stage Mr \ irtue collapsed and had to bo taken out into the air, where he quickly revived and returned to court. The case will be continued to-mor-row.