ALLEGED ABDUCTION BY A PRINCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9130, 11 August 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

ALLEGED ABDUCTION BY A PRINCE.

Ernr.XK Cot'rjox, Prince de Chandemagor, was brought up at Hammersmith Police Court on June 30, in custody of Inspector Morgan, of the Criminal Investigation Department attached to the T Division, on a warrant, charged with the abduction of a young girl named Margherita Perroni. Mr. F. Douglas Norman, who appeared to prosecute on behalf of the National Vigilant Association, stated that he applied for the warrant that (Saturday) morning, and was not prepared to go on with the case. He asked the magistrate to have the information read, and to grant a remand.

The prisoner here said that he had not time to consult his attorney. Mr. Paget explained that he would have every opportunity of consulting an attorney. At the request of the magistrate, the inspector was called to give evidence of the arrest. He said the warrant was placed in his hands to execute. At mid-day he saw the prisoner at his house at Guningham Road, Shepherd's Bush. After reading the warrant he said, "I have absolutely nothing to do with it." Later on., he said he consulted his solicitor, and lie advised him to have nothing to do with them. The information of the mother, Matilda Perroni, was rend. It was as follows :— " I have two children—Ada, aged IS, and Margherita, aged 1(5 last, birthday. I am an operatic singer, and my children are training for pianists. In April, I came to London with my two children, at the request of Prince de Chandemagor, otherwise Eugene Courjon, who promised to obtain employment forme and my children. My children and I were taken to 7, Thorn field Road, where the Prince engaged rooms for us through his agent, Henry Lester. The Prince frequently requested that 1 would consent to a marriage between him and my younger daughter, Margherita ; but I always refused. On Thursday, June 21, at 10.30 at night, Henry Lester came and saw me. lie brought a paper referring to the rooms, which he requested me to sign. 1 refused, because the arrangement was for the Prince to pay and for me to repay when I had the means, and the paper was worded that i had to pay to the Prince on demand. Ho took the paper away with him. When he left I went upstairs and found my children had gone, i verily believe that Henry Lester and the Prince had made this arrangement so that that the children could be got away. I took a cab and went to the Prince's lodgings, 102, Guningham Road, and knocked at the door. There was considerable scuffling and delay, and I heard tho chain put on the door. The Prince then opened the door, and I asked for my children. He said they were not there. I verily believe that my children have boon detained from me against their will by the Prince or his agents. The information of Police - Constable Adams, '231 T, was also read. He said: On the -'Ist- of June, about 10.30 p.m., I was on fixed point duty at Thorntield Road, when I saw a hansom cab stop at the junction of the Thorntield Road and St. Stephen's Avenue. I saw a gentleman get out of the cab, and heard him make a communication to lie cabman. The gentleman then went to No. 7, Thorntield Road, and about four minutes after i saw two young ladies come out of 7, Thorntield Road, and get into the cab, which was driven tip the St. Stephen's Avenue towards the Uxbridge Road. The informat ion of Inspector Morgan was next read. fie said : Acting on instructions, [, on Friday, the '22nd of June, made inquiry at -21, Uxbridge Road, and found that Henry Lester he-poke lodgings there for two young women, with Mrs. Emma Jaeobs, the occupier, a few days previously, and that the two daughters were taken there on the '21st by a cabman, and remained there until June 22nd, at 10.30 in the < veiling, when they were taken, by the direction of the Prince, by Nellie Decks, a servant of his, in a cab, leaving their luggage behind, to allium Green, to find lodgings, but, failing to do so. they were taken to her father's house, KM, Kensal Road. Nellie Decks told me that the Prince ordered her, before she took the girls from Uxbridge Rwud, to take hem back to his house in Cuningham Road. On June *2.';'. 1 1 found the girls at 104, Kensal Road, and took them to 7, Thornficld Road, and restored them to their mother.

The prisoner said he had letters to show that it v.a.s not necessary to take them away. He could prove that the lady never refused to allow her daughter to marry him. He loved the young lady. He was a musician and a composer, and she was the only person who could play his pieces. Mr. Paget: What are you ? Prisoner: I am a landed proprietor in India. Mr. Paget then remanded the prisoner, refusing to accept bail.