“MADAME CARA” FINED

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 December 1939, Page 2

“MADAME CARA” FINED

FORTUNE-TELLING CHARGE CHRISTCHURCH, December 7. “Madame Cara,” who was claimed by h’er counsel (Mr. J. K. Moloney) to be a national figure by virtue of her talks on astrology over 3ZB, and her articles in the “Radio Record,” was fined £2 by Mr. E. C. Levvey, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, today, for undertaking to tell a fortune. She was charged in the. name of Charlotte Marie Dimond.

DetectivefSergeant F. Sinclair said that, because of complaints received, a constable went, to get a reading from the accused. “The constable enclosed a - fee of 6/-, which she acknowledged.” said Detective-Sergeant Sinclair, “and he received seven typed sheets of the usual piffle. She said he would be married, but as he was already married. that was liable to get. him into trouble. She told him that, when be had a lucky day, he was to count 39 days and he would have another lucky one. ' She admitted the offence quite frankly.” “My client is a national figure inasmuch as from 3ZB she gives- weekly readings.” said Mr. Moloney. She also contributed articles to the “Radio Record,” he said. The fact that she took money for the readingbrought her within the scope of the legislation. However, she came within an entirely different category from the ordinary fortune-teller, who took money for telling fortunes from palms. “She sincerely believes in the power of the stars,” said Mr. Moloney, “and I suggest, your Worship, that there is something in the old saw. “there are more things in heaven and earth.’ ” Mr. Levvey; And also there is something about one being born every minute. Accused had for a long time been supplying readings, said Mr. Moloney, and had cast SOOO horoscopes and given 10,000 letters. She did not attempt directly to influence people to invest in lotteries, or anything of that sort, but. endeavoured to direct the minds of those who consulted her along certain lines in regard to business, character, and marriage. It was a technical breach, and in England would not have resulted in her being before the Court.

“If she had kept to giving advice over the air. even if she had received a- salary for it, she probably would not have been before the Court,” said the S.M.

“She has received letters from all sorts of respectable persons thanking her for her help,” said Mr. Moloney. “She has one from a minister saying that lie received great help from' accused’s mental suggestion.” Mr. Moloney asked for suppression ot the name, hut no order was made.