ALEGED QUACKERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 51, 1 March 1923, Page 11

ALEGED QUACKERY.

A '"CURE" FOR DEAFNESS. ALLEGATION' OF FRAUD. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHT-TICH, Wednesday. At the Magistrate's Court to-day Alfred Lewis, aged 25, was committed for trial on a charge that on July 22, at Christchurch, with intent to defraud, he obtained £33 in money from Florence Hill by the false pretence of stating that her deafness was curable and that he was able to cure such deafness. Senior-Detective Gibson said accused had been advertising that he could cure the worst forms of deafness. A lot of foolish people went to him, and this prosecution follows as a result of their complaints. Evidence was given that the complainant saw the accused's advertisement and visited him. Lewis examined her and told her thafc she would be able to hear across the table in three months. His charge would be £50, and he said that if she could not hear in 12 months he would refund the money, with the exception of £10. Lewis said that one drum was slightly withered, but he could put life into that. She paid him _15 and agreed to pay £2 a month. She undressed for massage by Lewis. She attended for 12 months. Her hearing was not improved, and Lewis had not refunded the money. He had not answered her letters. Her health was not bad •part from deafness. Sergeant Quartermain said that when Lewis was asked on what he relied for effecting cures, he said he relied on massage, hydro-therapy, electricity. dietetics, neuro-therapy, spinal adjustments, malprapsy, suggestive therapeutics, zone therapy, magnetic healing, homoeopathy, gymnastics. Lewis said that he had 450 patients, and he treated them all by a Method of his own termed "natural therapeutics.'' He also issued diplomas jo people undergoing a course of instruction with him. ' " Other evidence having been heard, the •ccused was committed for trial. Bail was allowed