AMAZING CASE IN LONDON.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 16 May 1925, Page 9

AMAZING CASE IN LONDON.

Appeal Against Deportation

PSYOHO-ANALYST BEFORE THE COURT.

By Cable—Bros. Association —Copyright,

Australian and i'.'.Z. Cabl. Association.

(Received May 15, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 14,

Amazing letters were read at the hearing of an appeal by Homer T. Lane, tho American psycho-analyst, against the sentence oruenng deportation.

Tlio Court was crowded by fashionably dressed people. Sir Curtis Bennet, for the police, contended that the letters from women found at Lane’s flat, could only mean that indecency occurred during Lane’s treatment of his. patients. One signed “The Devil,” from a girl aged 24, read “One hundred times you told my pal you loved her. You did not love her. lou were merely amused by her. Where did you get the motor car money P Despite my absolute disapproval, she gave back your rotten promise to pay two cheques of £S(JU and £IOOO. You have just taken her money to buy yourself a car. 1 think you a great hypocrite.” Counsel said the girl really Wrote of herself. The same day the same girl, signing herself G.0.D., wrote: “Dearest, 1 am fearfully upset because a man living in the same house insisted on writing you. Don’t believe a word. I like reading your book. It is like when mother read the “Life ot Christ” at bedtime. 1 do not mind how you spent the money. I like you to have it. “The Devil” says you do not love me. That makes no difference. I love you far too much ever to many anyone. You are the only man I shall ever want. 1 want everlasting life with you. You are three times more aristocratic than anyone 1 ever met when presented at Court.” Another woman, who is. married, wrote in a similar strain. The defence was that the offence charged was a mere technicality. Lane had openly practised as a psychologist and was consulted by a large clientele. He received just as erratic letters from men, but the police only produced those from women.

The appeal was dismissed, hut the sentence was reduced to a fine of 40s, and tho deportation order was withdrawn, upon Lane promising voluntarily to leave the country, and not return.

[Mr Homer T. Lane, an American, who was lecturer to tlie Australia.,.. Expeditionary force, on Marcli tJ4, was ordered by a magistrate at the Bow Street Police Court to be deported for an offence under the Aliens Act. It was stated in evidence tiiat Lane had sumptuous rooms in Gordon Square, where he gave private lectures to men and women on psychoanalysis. He charged two guineas an hour. His income was £2suo a year. The prosecution described Lane as a charlatan and a danger to society, the police having alleged that Lane Lad assaulted girl inmates. It was also stated in evidence that a woman patient gave Lane £ISOO. On the othei hand, the Bishop of Liverpool, formerly headmaster of Rugby College, gave evidence that Lane’s treatment was extremely helpful to the spiritual growth of youths. Lady Betty Balfour and other well-known people gave similar testimony.]