READING THE CUPS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 273, 13 August 1932, Page 12

READING THE CUPS

Fortune-tellers Convicted “FUN & AMUSEMENT” Yesterday’s Police Cases Following on visits paid by the police matron and plain clothes constables to tearooms in the city, two women appeared before Mr. E. Page, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday on charges of undertaking to tell fortunes. Each was convicted and discharged. Defendants were Kathleen Buchanan, otherwise known as "Madame Queen, employed by the Lyric Tearooms, and Alice Beale, otherwise known as “Madame Glyn,” of the Quick Step In Tearooms. The proprietors of the premises, Tabacaru Andrew and Alfred George Hanson, respectively, were each fined £3 for aiding and abetting in the offence. , . , . “Madame Queen,” who pleaded not guilty to the charge, said that on each table was a notice drawing the attention of patrons to the fact that fortunes would not be told. All she did was to read the signs in the cups. The object of this was merely to create fun and amusement. After hearing evidence, Mr. E. Page. S.M., said it appeared that although prominent notices were displayed in the rooms intimating fortunes would not be told, defendant in fact predicted the future. He did not think that the mere of the notices and the drawing of patrons’ attention to the fact was sufficient to protect the defendant from the acts which she subsequently carried out. “I think it is clear,” the magistrate added, “that she did in fact tell the. future in such a way as they say the cups denote it. I think her action has been to undertake fortunes, and I propose to enter a conviction.” Evidence had been given by the police matron that “Madame Queen” had told her she was going a short journey, that she would never be in want, and that ' if she entered into any business venture it would be a success. Miscellaneous Cases. Vincent John Flynn was fined £1 for behaving In a disorderly manner at Kaiwarra. Edward Henry Aiken was convicted and ordered to pay costs for permitting a horse to wander in Adelaide Road. Peter Flynn was fined £1 for striking Percy Gordon Staples In Ghuznee Street.