POLICE COURT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11565, 23 April 1903, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

Messrs J. M. Thompson, G. Richardson, and John Barritt, J.l'.'s, presided at the Police Court yesterday. A PALMIST FIXED. Madame G-iddes, of 324 St. Arsaph street, was charged by the police -with using "a subtle craft, to wit palmistry, to deceive and impose on his Majesty's eubjects." It appeal's that a number of palmists nnd for-tune-teliera have como under the notice of the police of late, with tha result that the detectives have been paying visits and taking peeps into the future, and in dc-fenda-nt'e case with the present result.

The oitenoo was admitted by Mr Hoban, who appeared for Madame Criddee. the lady not being present, counsel pressing the Bench to inflict a light penalty.

The Bench decided to deal leniently with the case, Mr J. M. Thompson remarking, however, that it ought to be put down, for it was not only the waste of money entailed in such practice, but nteo the domestic uuhappiness which often followed, and there had been a good deal of this in Christchurch. It was an old saying that what fools believed in knaves practised. Personally he thought that the people who went to these fortune-tellers ought to be punished as well ne the latter. Hcwever. it was a long time since such a case had come, before the local Courts, and in view cf that a fine of 5s and costs would be inflicted on t!io first charge, and the second dismissed.

A similar charge against Madame Zillah was adjourned, Detective Chryetal stating that it was now understood that Madame had been in Dunedin when the summons was served at her residence.