A Brazen-faced Imposior

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 200, 23 April 1887, Page 8

A Brazen-faced Imposior

According to revelations recently made (says the Melbourne "Ago"), it appears that Cleme&t Jackson, "^B.A., of Kind's College, London," who, as reported in tne " Age," by misrepresentation led Pastor Allan, of Sydney^ to belie va that he was an " eteaped Jesuit of the name of Father Jerosae Clement Vernon," thoroughly enjoyed himself during brief stay in^Ballarat. Having o, fairly good address,, he in the first instance became acquainted with a well-known magistrate, who introduced hiri to various friends, including a leading broker. The man of the 1 Corner drove him around' tho city in a tandem, stopping every now and again at " thi& memorable or "that remarkable sight." " Father Vernon " express od " pleshah " at wtca-tihe had seen from tho seat of the tandem, and upon i ct nrning to -the city, ho shook hands with the mining man, and said he was a, " really good fallow." Jackson,, iv is stated, nixt appeared at the palace of the ft oman Catholic rJishop, Dr. Moore, and through tie medium of apparently genuine introductions, he, report say.i, obtained admission to the sanctum* of his lordship, who gave him a kindly reception. Subsequently he met o their dignitaries of the Romaro Catholic Church, who felt delighl ed with the grace and polished manners of the now arrival. Whether " Father Jerome" was successful in securing monoy or other valuables at th' 2 palace has not been ascertained, but, a.s already reported, he aftecwards "• stole " property from the house of a Prote.stanb clergyman. Prior to this, however, Jackson visited the residences of other frotcstant ministers, and as he pretended lie- had a knowledge of medicine and roirgery he was allowed to pciform an operation orvt/ieneck of one minister of the Gospel. How tne unfortunate clcigyman is progressing after tho " lancing" process is not stated, but " respecters of the cloth" hope that he is damq well. Ea'cji Martin Ho-sking, the lowii missionary at Ballarat, who ought to be the last man in the world to be victimised, suftci-ed at the- hands of u Cl»-:meat Jackson, 8.A., King's College. London " Clement, in conversation with, a newly-made acquaintance, said thru ho had great love for the poor, and it was hi? custom to distribute as alms in e\ cry town he visited sums- of money which hi) leceir. Ed as birthday presents from his modh-er in England. Mr JHLosking Aviih forthwith intiodwceri, and at thu request of '* Fatlier- Jerome," othenv'so Clement Jack-on, 8.A., he summoned from tlib highways and from the bywa>s, trom the- Chines quwrt<-i^ ;'nd from the batik slum.- 1 , the halt 'wid the l">hnd, the poor and the a^etl, in '»rder to pavtuke of the ieast provided jSh- .') .ud-cson. The indigent made merryto t-h-eir hufti't°'c)uh-'nt, and during th>M-epastMongoli«in an-1 European were nnaniiiKHis th,'.t " Mr Jaiv^pn welly -good man." Mr Jirk- )n, ho',ve\or, disa])penred, and tl\e cost oi Lhab expen-ive meal had not been defrayed by him. CLmont made the sittiixg' u]i wi.*h the '•'';!; a. Idnd of hobby, and Ins- earnc- 1 praj c* and other devotions won for him many friends in the N"orthwestei n distriut, in one of thy gaols in which he sol red a sentence. In Sj'dney, according to the report, he succeeded in passing himfselj" oft' on Pastor Allen as an ex-Jesuit lale of Kew College, ftnd the pastor was so impressed with tlie Mory of the impostor that lie formed the statements which he had heard into a lecture, which was anything but complivnenta-iy to the lloman Catholic faith. O ? ooiuse Jack»on was never an inmate of the J'^'iil Collegia at Kew. Writing to tho editor of the I'ulhrot "• Star" of Friday night, Father Kulty, the principal of the college, emphatically contradicts the statement. The police are making inquiries about Clement .Jackson.