Criminal Sessions.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5143, 11 July 1885, Page 3

Criminal Sessions.

(Pee Pbess Association).

Chbistchtjbch, Thursday.

John Russell, charged with a breach of the Larceny Act by inducing Reuben Light, by means of false pretences to sign a paper afterwards to be converted into a valuable security, was acquitted—Ernest Rowland Dan's, alias Reid, alias Oliver, was indicted for forgery and utten'Dg. The accused had formerly been connected in Dunedin with the " National " Sick and Burial Association, and latterly he had started a "ISational" Sick and Burial Society of his own in Christcburch. When in Waimate last October he bad put a few pounds in the P.O. Savings Bank, and had withdrawn it all except Is. He retained his bank book and came on to Chrißtchurch, where he showed the book to several persons, but, instead of a balance of Is, the figures had been altered and added so as to appear that there was £300 to his credit. The name of J. Copstick, clerk in the Post Office at Waimate, bad been forged to one of the false entries. Davis obtained considerable credit from several persons there by showing them the bank book. He was found guilty of uttering, sentence being reserved, as there are other charges pending against him— one of administering laudanum to a woman, and two others for breaches of the Friendly Societies' Act. Yesterday.

The Supreme Court was occupied all day with the second charge against Ernest Borland Davis, who is accused of administering laudanum to a young girl, with intent to commit a felonious assault upon her. The prisoner conducted his own case with considerable smartness. He crossexamined the witnesses at great length, and took voluminous notes of the evidence. He dUplayed great self assurance, and frequently insolence in his demeanour before the Court. Mr Justice Johnson allowed him much latitude, but frequently had to caution him to conduct himself with decency. The young woman was a member of the Salvation Army, and was employed by Davis as a canvasser for his National Sick and Burial Society. He was courting her, and, it is said, administered the potion in a cup of cocoa which be induced her to take in bis house. He made promises of marriage to her, and she remained with him five days after the alleged commission of the act. The case is not yet finished.