HERBS AND PREDICTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22362, 11 June 1936, Page 6

HERBS AND PREDICTIONS

FORTUNE TELLER FINED PUBLIC IMPOSED OH [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 10. Stated to have been convicted and fined £l5O in 1916 for false pretences in connection with herbs, Joseph Isherwood, aged 60, who recently came back to New Zealand and described himself as a magnetic healer and herbalist, was fined £3O to-day on fortune-telling charges. The magistrate warned him to confine himself to lecturing and keep within the law, for if ho were convicted again he 'would be sent to gaol. Detective-sergeant Revell, giving evidence, said the accused capie to New Zealand in January, 1936, and advertised his presence by notices in the newspapers and engaged a suite of rooms. _ He had conducted semi-private and private meetings and also had been holding public meetings in various parts of the city. On the night of May 31, Detective Revell said, ne attended a lecture given by the accused. There were between 200 and 300 persons present. The accused informed the audience that he’ was in direct communication with the spirits, who would deliver a lecture through him. Ho then went into a trance and delivered a lecture on ‘ The Beyond.’ Admission was by means of a collection at the door, which was attended to by the accused’s lady secretary. During the evening the accused answered numerous questions, some being about relatives who had died. He would explain that he was in touch with the deceased, who was sending a reply to the message, and he invariably gave the reply in a suitable verse or'poetry. Several questions were asked by people who wanted to know whether certain business ventures would be successful or not, or about the proposed purchase of property. In each case he told them what he thought about the propositions. He also advis'ed several people to see him privately. The accused had told him that only opinions were expressed, but from observations witness was satisfied that every question answered on the night of May 31 with the exception of those relating to deceased persons amounted to foretelling future events. Addressing the court, Detective Revell said that in view of complaints made to the Police Department arrangements had been made for a number of members of the force to visit the rooms of the accused. The accused held himself out as a herbalist, and had issued a notice with the following statement in it:—“ J. Isherwood, herbalist, specialises in the treatment of asthma, rheumatism, insomnia, piles, nervous debility, amemia, kidney and stomach trouble, and feminine weaknesses. Over 1,000 different herbs in stock. Special herbs for rejuvenation from India.” In one case at least of persons going to see him an objectionable feature had been that he handled the patient as only a medical practitioner was entitled to do. He bad charged private visitors 10s Cd and ss, and 2s 6d and 2s for semi-private parties. Counsel for the accused said the accused pleaded guilty to the five charges. He had been carrying on in a similar manner in other countries, and so far as the lectures were concerned they had been considered unobjectionable. The Magistrate said that men of the stamp of the accused had a great influence with the female sex, and the community had to be protected from their impositions. A fine would be inflicted that would make the accused remember that he must keep within the bounds of the law.