The Alleged Seduction Case.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3944, 19 August 1881, Page 3

The Alleged Seduction Case.

Mb T. W; Dunn Declared Innocent

, [By Tble&eath, pbb Peess Association ] -c Auckland, 'Yesterday. A special'meeting of the Presbytery was held this morning for the investißation of a charge of seduction preferred against Mr T. W. Dunn (student), now of Puke- j kohe, arid formerly of St David's, Sytnonds | street. Present .—The Revs. T. Norrie, (Moderator(, J. Macky, Chas. Bruce, G. B j Monro, A. W. Carrick, E. Somerville, B. j F. Macniccol, A. Thompson, Mr T. W. j Dunn, Mr McElv'ain'; Miss Don)! (the; alleged victim of seduction), Mrs Doul 1 I (the mother), and David Doull (her brother.) After some discussion, it was resolved to hold the inquiry with closed doors. Mr Dunn requested permission for the shorthand reporter to remain, in order that the evidence might be taken down verbatim. He might require to use notes in quite a different court altogether. He was standing at the bar of public opinion.;as well as at the bar of the Presbytery, and in justice to himself the application should be granted. After some discussion one shorthand reporter was allowed to remain on Mr Dunn's behalf, and another to take down evidence for the Presbytery. The inquiry was then commenced, David Doull being allowed the griTilege of remaining with his sister in SqmT All other witnesses being excluded as well as the representatives of the Press, the" following witnesses were examined :— Miss Elizabeth Jane Doull (accuser), Mrs Cecilia Donll, David Doull, H. Jalmer Nyberg, and Mrs Amelia Nyberg. Mr Dunn was questioned with regard to only one circumstance. The Court then proceeded to consider the matter before taking the defence, and after a conference threw open the doors and announced the following decision :—" The Presbytery having examined witnesses, and corefully examined same, and having carefully considered the case, find :—(1) Fo evidence has been adduced by Elizabeth Jane Doull iii support of her averment that Thomas William Dunn was guilty of fornication with her. (2) That the admissions made by Elizabeth Jane Donjl in session as to her own character, and gross contradictions in statements made by her to the Presbytery, destroyed the trustworthiness of her averment that Thomas William Dunn was the father of her child. (3) That no stigma rests on the character of Thomas William Dunn, and the Presbytery express their profound sympathy with him in the painful circumstances in which he has been placed." - Mr Dtinn said he had witnesses in attendance to prove an alibi to shew that he ' conld not possibly have been in the company of the girl on the nijiht on which the alleged fornication was committed. The Moderator, in the name of the Presbytery, said it had not been deemed necessary to enter into the defence, the charges not baring been substantiated Mr Dunn then received the individual congratulations of the members of the Presbytery upon the establishment of his innocence.