EXTRAORDINARY FORGERY CASE AT TIMARU.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1107, 5 November 1879, Page 2

EXTRAORDINARY FORGERY CASE AT TIMARU.

TIMAE.U, November 4. The forgery case . against planning, 1 SaundpLs, anci Jamc3 lias occupied the R.M. Court all day, and i 3 still going on. The following statement, made by James, when arrested in Wellington, was read : —" In the month of the .shearing season, about 12 months ago, H. : D. Manning 1 came to iji<3 at jpariidrjo (-*. d;uns ' and Kerr Bros.) and asked me how long it was since I left Titnaru. I said about 15 years ago. Manning said that there was an Edward James who owned some land in Timaru. I said, It cannot bo me; I have 110 land there. Manning said, No matter, I will give you LSOO for your name. He asked me to go to Nelson, and I would not, as I had some sheep to dip, (ii) 4 voulcl not neglect them. He left, and telegraphed from Uhrlstchurch tliroo or four times, asking me to meet him at Waiho, and I did go to Waiho on horseback. When at Waio I received a telegram, asking me to meet liim at Ainberley. I him there. I got very tipsy. The next morning we niissc4 the train, and Manning hired a bu<igy and drove lis to His house in Phrjslr church. I remembered being in his house three or four days. I was drunk every night and muddled every day while I was at Manning's. Mr. Saunders came there in the morning and shook me by the hand, and said : " I am glad to see you. I was afraid you would not be alive this mopning." Saunders and Manning took me into a lawyer l ? office (Mr. Williams's) in Christchurch, and had' me to sign a transfer of some property in or near Timaru. I signed the paper, but I know nothing whatever about the property. During the time I was in the lawyer's office Mr. Saunders wrote a cheque for LSOO and laid it on the table. I said I had not made up my mind as to what I should dp with it. Mr- Goodman's solicitor's clerk said he could not act for Manning and me as regards lending Manning the money. The cheque was left with the solicitor. The letter you t":tk from me, written by Adams and Kinccdott, solicitors, Nelson, bears referci;gu~ to that LfjQO. Manning was to give me LIGO. lie' sent me LIS by Patrick' O'Nolan, and another to the landlord of the hotel where I stayed at Waiho. I had a passage up to . Nelson in -the - Ladybird. Manning fallowed me. on board. He had a bundle of papers'in' his hand, vfliioh l;o asked me to sign, I refused to do so. From Wellington I to Nelson. When in Kelson my brother-in-law paused me to"be locked up as I was

suffering from the effects of the drink I had in Christchurch. I ilever owned any land in or near Timaru. I was led into this thing, and I was-a fool to do it.—E. James." The following ,letter, which James gave to Detective, Sullivan, was also,read,, prisoner saying it had beenreceived by him —" Nelson, N.Z., 31st May, 1879.—Dear Ned,—Mr. Thomas is forwarding the papers-to us, but requires us to" get' a power of attorney from, you first. We forward a power of attorney authorising us to manage your affairs for you. Regular accounts will be kept in our office, and you can always see exactly what money you have, and what you have drawn out. On return of power of attorney we can let you have some money if you want it. Mr. Thomas has commenced an action on your behalf against Rodgers, butcher, Timaru, for payment for the land occupied by him.' : Mr. Thomas says the original James went from Oamaru to the West Coast. He wants evidence of your coming from there here, and evidence of somebody down south who knows you again. Write us what you can prove about it, and don't forget to return the power of attorney, duly witnessed by somebody, as marked in pencil, writing his name, address, and occupation.—-Yours faithfully, Adams and Kingdon." Richard Dunn Thomas, Solicitor, of Christchurch, also gave evidence, and is still in the witness box. Later. Saunders, Manning, and James have all been committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supremo Court. James is now making a long statement, which is similar to, but more detailed than, that made to the police in Wellington.