DELAWARE DIPLOMA

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 14

DELAWARE DIPLOMA

Lecturer Given Time to Produce It

J. ISHERWOOD CHARGED

By Telegraph—Press Association,

Auckland, July 21

Although lie protested that he held a diploma which he liad received after working for two or _three months on a thesis and paying 50 dollars, Joseph Isherwood, described as a lecturer, herbalist, and psychologist, appeared on summons iu the Magistrate's Court charged with publicly using in connection with his calling the initials "D.Sc.,” intended to cause persons to believe he held a degree diploma or certificate issued by a university or other institution, society, or association. Defendaut, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr. Hall Skelton, who asked for an adjournment so that defendant eould secure his diploma from Melbourne. His client said he bad a degree from the Delaware University, and eould go into the witness box and swear he had a diploma. Senior-Detective Hall opposed the application for an adjournment, and evidence was given by Detective Sneddon that be interviewed defendant regarding newspaper advertisements in which the letters D.Sc. were used. Defendant said the letters stood for doctor of science, and said that he obtained an honorary diploma at Delaware University, New Jersey, in 1928. He intended to hold classes in psychology, and told the detective he would delete the letters. Defendant said that be was interviewed by detectives at Sydney, but was not asked to produce his diploma. In evidence defendant said his diploma was in Melbourne with his books. Senior-Detective Hall: How long did it take you to get your degree? Defendant: The course takes about three months. Are you aware it takes five years to get a doctor of science degree at Delaware? —“No.” Are -you also aware that you cannot get D.Sc.’without first getting B.Sc.?— No. Were you in Delaware in 1928: — 1 merely submitted a thesis on psychology. It was done by correspondence.” Who was president of Delaware m 1928? —“My diploma was signed by Dr. Are you aware that Dr. IV Hullihcn wiw president in 1928? —“No.’ What did the diploma cost you.'— “About 50 dollars by subscription.” Senior-Detective Hall then asked a number of questions regarding defendant’s movements in the past year, and Mr. Hall Skelton objected to these bein" asked. Some of his objections were upheld by the magistrate, Mr. W. R. McKean. , , „ “This man is gulling the public ot Auckland by false pretences and fortunetelling,” said Senior-Detective Hall. Mr. Hall Skelton: _ Why don t you charge him with that? Senior-Detective Hall: Give us another week. , , . , After Mr. Hall Skelton had again objected to questions, Mr. McKean said the police were attempting to show that there were substantial reasons for doubting the credibility" of defendant’s statements. Mr. Hall Skelton : This is an attempt to discredit this man. He haa his lectures in the Lewis Eady Hall and gets quite a crowd, Senior-Detective Hall: He makes quite a lot of money. Mr. Hall Skelton: I have not seen any ° f When Senior-Detective Hall asked defendant questions regarding his movements in Australia defendant said he preferred not to answer. Senior-Detective Hall: Last month at Wellington you were convicted on six charges of fortune telling?—“Yes.’ “This man is an absolute fraud, known to the police all over the southern hemisphere.” said Senior-Detective Hall. Mr. Hall Skelton objected that, such a statement was gravely improper. A warning that if be did not have the diploma he would have committed perjury, was given to defendant by the magistrate. T . “Oh, I have it all right. It is in a frame this big,” said defendant, extending his arms. Mr. McKean: You got it not for any course of study at the university?—“No. I am quite frank about that.” An adjournment for two weeks was granted to enable defendant to get his diploma from Melbourne.