ATTACKED BY LION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22794, 30 July 1937, Page 11

ATTACKED BY LION

DEAHA IN CAGE BRAVE GIRL RESCUER FORMER RECTOR OF STIFFKEY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 20, 5.10 p.m.) LONDON. July 29 A lion sprang at and severely mauled Mr. Harold Davidson, former rector of Stiffkey, Norfolk, while he was speaking at the Skegness Amusement Park from a cage containing a lion and lioness. He tripped over the lioness while stepping back and the lion attacked him. Mr. Davidson defended himself with a stick until Reneo Somer, a 16-years-old attendant, who was standing outside, courageously dashed into the cage and held the snarling lion at bay with a whip while she thrust an iron bar into its mouth. The-spectators stood horror stricken and women screamed and fainted. Renee Somer, having forced the lion into a corner, dragged Mr. Davidson to the front of the cage, thus enabling attendants to complete the rescue. She fainted immediately after she left the cage. Mr. Davidson was taken to hospital in a grave condition, suffering from shock and claw wounds on one shoulder and on his back. The Rev. Harold F. Davidson, rector of Stiffkey, was charged in March, 1932, before the Norwich Consistory Court, with a series of grave acts of misconduct. The charges were preferred under the Clergy Discipline Act at the instance of the Bishop of Norwich. Great public interest was aroused in the case. In August of the same year Mr. Davidson was inhibited from holding church services in the diocese of Norwich until the sentence of the Consistor\ T Court was known.

The order imposing the inhibition was signed by the Bishop of Norwich. It stated that, whereas, from the nature of the offences alleged against Mr. Davidson, it appeared to the bishop that great scandal was likely to arise from his continuing to perform the services of the Church while any such charge was under investigation,. the bishop inhibited him from performing any services of the Church within the diocese. Mr. Davidson made a vigorous defence of his case, and to allegations of constant association with women replied that he was engaged in rescue work. The Consistory Court found him guilty of immoral conduct and he appealed to the Privy Council, but his appeal was dismissed. In September, 1932, he appeared as an "exhibition" on the promenade at Blackpool, when he sat in a barrel in a sideshow.