CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 142, 26 October 1868, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

This Day. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R._f.) Vagranct. — Walter Dowdney was brought up in custody, charged with this offence Detective i-east said he apprehended the prisoner this morning at Lodge's dining rooms, in consequence of complaints which had been made respecting his conduct During the past week prisoner had been round to almost every member of the medical profession, stating that he was a surgeon, and had his diploma in Port, but was hard up, aud had nothing to eat. Witness explained the charge when arresting him, and he replied that he was a surgeon. Mr Coward said prisoner called upon him on Wednesday evening, and represented himself as a member of the profession in want of employment. He said he had recently come out of the Dunedin Hospital, where he had been Buffering from Bright's disease. Witness doubted this, and on examination found no symptoms of the malady. Be, however, went to the < hristchurch hospital to see if any employment could be given him, but none being available, witness gave him 10s, and tod him to call again if unable to procure anything to do. Prisoner then went away, but hearing afterwards that he had been to other members of the profession in a similar manner, witness gave informa tion to the police. By prisoner : You said you were willing to work for your board Mr Prins said prisoner called upon him some days ago, making the same statement detailed by Mr Coward, and asked if witness could recommend him to any employment. Witness told him that there was no medical man at Leithfield, and advised him to get his diploma and go into practice there. Prisoner replied that he had no money, and witness then gave him £1 to pay his expenses on the road. By prisoner : You did not ask me for pecuniary assistance but said you had had nothing to eat and was without money. Dr. Frankish aaid prisoner had applied to him iv a similar manner, stating he had undergone his medical course at . t Thomas' Hospital in London, and was qualified in 1862. Witness having a knowledge of several persons connected with the Hospital, questioned him thereon, and received perfectly satisfactory answers. Witness further examined him upon several important medical cases, and he gave most lucid explanations. He also afterwards stated himself to be brother to the Her. Mr Dowdney, Rector of St Paul's Church, Brighton, and a cousin of Dr Charles Kagge. In consequence of these representations and evident knowledge, witness gave him money on two separate occasions — 5s the first, and £l the second — besides giving him advice as to how he might procure employment. Mr Hiffe said prisoner had also waited upon him and made use of similar language to that he had used to Mr Coward, and he gave him money. Mr Sandstein, watchmaker, said prisoner had called at his shop in Cashel street, on Saturday week, and represented himself as a watchmaker out of employment. He said he had been in the hospital at Dunedin, and was starving. Witness had no work for him, but supplied him with tea, and gave him half a crown. He said he had been working half a day at Coates and Co.'s, and had originally served his time at Bennett's, in London. Mr

Smith, of the firm of Coates and Co., watchmakers, Colombo street, said prisoner called upon him on Saturday afternoon, making a similar statement to that repeated by Mr Sandstein. Witness had no work for him, and did not give him money. Sergt. Pardy said that was the case, but several other members of the medical profession on whom prisoner had calle 2, could also give evidence if necessary. Prisoner stated in defence that he arrived from Dunedin on Saturday week, without money with which to procure food. He had been in the hospital at Dunedin, as represented to Mr Coward; and in answer to that gentleman he must state, that Bright's disease did not always show itself in the face, as Mr Coward expected when .X'imining him His statements to the various witne3se* were all correct. He had originally been apprenticed to tho watchmaking business, but his health failing him he was advised by his friends to select another occupation. This he did, and then underwent a course of medical study, eventually obtaining his diplomas. Being perfectly destitute on arriving in the province, he was compelled to ado* t the means he ha 1 done for obtaining food. He h.-.d not asked for help in any case without offering to work for it. His Worship said he had adopted a very unusual course, but he would be remandul in order lhat enquiries might be made as to the truth of his state 'iients. and what hid been his t revious conduct. Prisoner r. quested the Bench to communicate with Dr Hnlme, of Dunedin, for particulars of hi. stay in that city.