INDIAN HERBALIST

Grey River Argus, 12 December 1924, Page 1

INDIAN HERBALIST

AUCKLAND PROSECUTIONS. AUCKLAND, Dec 11 “These are cases of barefaced quackeiy,” said Mr Johnstone in conducting the prosecution before Mr Poynton, SM. on behalf of the Health Department, against Abraham Walley Mohamid Sala n an for three alleged instances of false pretences or, alternatively, of attempted false pretences. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr Johnston said it was alleged that Sala man, who had described himself as an “Indian Herb Atah, ” had falsely represented that he was a doctor and skilled in the treatment of physical ailments, and had on this pretence obtained sums of money from three individuals . Witness for the prosecution gave evidence as to receiving treatment from Salaman. Mr Osborne Lily, for the defence, said it would bo absurd to suppose* the witnesses could have believed that Sala man was posing as a doctor. Obviously none of them believed it. For a charge of false pretences to succeed, it would have to b<* shown that those witnesses actually paid money to Sala man thinking they were getting advice from a qualified medical man. Defendant did not advertise (hat lie could cure people, Everybody went to him wit hou i any such persuasion. The Magistrate reserved his decision . Mr Johnston said there would be iurtlier charges under the Medical Prue titioners Act fur alleged illegal in-e /*f the title doctor. IL* asked for an ad muniment on this, until judgment was given in the present cases.