THE TIMARU CONVEYANCE FORGERY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 259, 12 November 1879, Page 2

THE TIMARU CONVEYANCE FORGERY.

TiMARtr, November 4. The forgery case against Manning, Saunders, and Jumes has occupied the Magistrate* Court all day. The following atatement, made by James when arrested in Wellington, was read : " In the month of the shearing season, about twelve months ago, H. D. Manning came to me at Tarndale station (Adams and Kerr's) and asked me how loug it was since I left Timaru. I said about fifteen years ago. Manning said that there was an Edward James who owned some land in Timaru. I said, " It cannot be me, I have no land there." Manning said, "No matter, I will give you £500 for your name." He asked me to goto Nelson, and I would not, as I had some sheep to dip and would not neglect them. He left, and telegraphed from Christchurch three or four times, asking me to meet him at Waiau. I did not go to Waiau on horseback. When at Waiau I received a telegram asking me to meet him at Amberley. I did meet him there. I got very tipsy. The next morning we missed the train, and Manning hired a buggy and drove us to his house in Christchurch. I remained in his house three or fourdayg. 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:— •' lam glad to see you. I was afraid you would not be alive this morning." Saunders and Man- 1 ning took me into a lawyer's offl c in Christchurch, and got me to sign a transfer of some property in or near Timaru. I signed the paper, but knew nothing whatever about the property. During the time I was in the lawyer's office Sounders wrote a cheque for £500 and laid it on the table. The cheque was drawn in ray favor. Manning wanted to borrow the £500 from- me. I said I had not made up my mind as to what 1 should do with it. Mr Goodman, solicitor's clerk, said he could not act for Manning and for me as regards lending Manning money. The cheque was left with the solicitor. The letter you took from me, written by Adams and Kingdon, solicitors, Nelson, bears reference to that £500. Manning was to give me £100, and sent me £15 by Patrick Onlan, to Clark and another, to the landlord of the hotel where I Btayed at Waiau when on the way to Cbristcbnrch. I had a passage to Nelson in the Ladybird. Manning followed me on board. * He had a bundle of papers in , his hand, and asked me to sign, but I refused to do so. From Wellington I went to Nelson. When in Nelson my brother-in-law caused me to be locked up as I was Suffering from the effects of the drink I had in Christchurch. I never owned any land in or near Timaru. I was led into the thing, and I was a fool to doit. (Signed) E. James " The following letter, which James gave to Detective Sullivan, was also read, prisoner Baying it had been received by him :— "Nelson, New Zealand, 31at May, 1579. Dear Ned,— Mr Thomas is forwarding the papers to us, bat requires qa to gat y power .-■<•♦"■ ' ' " :

of attorney from you first. We forward power of attorney authorising io manage' your affairs for you. Regular accounts will be kept in our office, and you can always see exactly what money you hare and what you hare drawn out. On return of power of attorney wo can let yott hate some monfejr if you want it. Mr Thomas has Comre. need tin Mellon tin four behalf . agaiusf Kodgers, butcher, Tirtaru 1 , for payment of land occupied by him. Thomas saya the original James went from Oamaru to the West Coast, and wants evidence of your coming from there here, and the evidence of somebody down South who knows you* agate. Write us what you can prove about it, and don't forget to return the power of attorney, only witnessed by somebody as marked in pencil, writing his name, address, and occu-pation.--Yours faithfully, Adams & Kingdom" At the close of the case, which lasted* Until one o'clock in the morning, the Court being crowded the whole time, Saunders, James, and Manning were committed for trial In the case of Alfred Godfrey Saunders, bail was fixed at two sureties in £250 each and himself in £500. In the case of H. D. Manning, bail was fixed in two sureties in £400 each, and himself in £400.