A Clerical Impostor.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 101, 25 March 1884, Page 2

A Clerical Impostor.

[A.uqkland Herald, March 14.]

A youiig man who has got some notoriety, m the nmil districts as " Boetor Rodgers," and who possesses tlie alias of OecilJohnston, was arrested yesterday by Detectivo Hughes, at the New Zealand timber mill, on a charge of 'stealing a case of surgical instrument's^ the property of the Auckland Company from Mercury Bay. Pri.sonjer has been "wanted " for some time past. To begin at the beginning, Hodgers came out from home some time ag,» m the ship "Warwick,and gave himself out a«s a medical student, who hud also" 'studied for the church,- He preached on boaid ship on 'the passage' out, but sqme passenger of a literary turn of mind turned up one of the discourses m the Quiver. The r third onicer of'tfie ship, Mr Pollbdk; had letters of .'introduction to the Bishop and the principal residents.. Possessing himself" of these, be is alleged to havesucceeded m passing himself off as Pollock, being cordially received %t the homes. His luggage carried' abode the country, had painted • upon 'it; -the word "Bishopscourt ' asaddressjand fhiis palmed himself off as the guest of the Bishod. He always managed to remove : from any place before -the' hews had arrived! of his imposture. At 3>ne place, he attended a child, and gave an e^ressibn 'on' the aeattAof 'thej «hfld, which opinion did duty for a ceitifi-cfttcwJGLodgers-,._disappearerl. for . spme time, and afterwards attempted m Waikato to join the' ■'Wesley an body, and went over to Kawhia, wheie Bis escapade??.: brought him into; trouble. The visiting cards found upon him are inscribed' "D i- G. Wi Rodgers. "-Lltfiii alleged that hei-receivedj fees at Mercury Bay, wliere he practised, and delivered, a woman. Jlpdgers reappeared at the Sailors' JResfc next, and made the a ; cquaintance !r of ;i Mr JFeljt's. .so^i^ ; w ori : \\r.e.dne.sday eivening,. two yo,ufig men : fi;omj, o the, Satfor.*'./3esi, iajrodiiped'. ;Eodgers to the Rev.. ,!ft( r Tebbs, ; of St." ! Matthew's, as al .niedical student. ll' I^o, happened that one of the membra of the chnrch chokwas a fellow-pas isenger of Rodgers by the Warwick, jand-i at i<)Qcet recoo[nised,lum, j.^nd disclosed to Mr,:.3, ? e'bbs some partienlars concerning Rodgeiv r -which put that gentleman; on hiy; guard, and .ip.^ue c6nrae i led to /bis . arrest, as- above Stated-. >;> ■ : -i ; /; . ' ■•: : . .-. I