FOOL OR ROGUE?

Evening Star, Issue 9471, 16 August 1894, Page 2

FOOL OR ROGUE?

[Special to tiie Stak.]

WELLINGTON, August Itf.

It is a notorious fact that residents in Wellington have been clearing out in largo numbers recently in consequence of the prophecy (sic) of an earthquake and tidal wave that were shortly to visit the Empire City. The .member for Wauganui brought the matter under tho attention of the Government to-day, and asked that steps* should be taken to punish Eugene, the socalled prophet. Tho Premier replied that Eugene waa originally a bookmaker, but the totalisator having rendered that calling less profitable he had taken up the role of healer and prophet. He had given a number of unfortunate people the "straight tip" that a tidal wave and earthquake would shortly swallow up Wellington. It was singular that in the nineteenth century sane people could believe such arrant nonsense, but it was nevertheless the fact that people were fleeing from New Zealand to South Africa and elsewhere. In all seriousness, the Government objected to capital being driven out of the colony in this manner, and would put the police on Engene's track, so that if the law were violated by his prophecying he might be brought to book.