"DECEIVING AND IMPOSING."

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13108, 23 April 1903, Page 3

"DECEIVING AND IMPOSING."

A CONVICTION FOR " USING SUBTLE CRAFT." At tie Police Court yesterday morning, Madam Geddes was charged with having, on March 18 and 19, "used subtle craft,_ to wit, palmistry, to deceive and impose on his Majesty's subjects." Mr Hoban appeared on behalf of the accus3cl, and stated that the charge was admitted- The woman, who had six small children dependent on her, was ire bad health. She bore an excellent character, and had net previously offended. Of course, she had been wrong, but the people who went to her were just as culpable. She had no property, and even a small fine would be a serious matter to her. He understood that some of the police had availed themselves of her professional services l . Chief-Detective- Chrystall said that it was quite correct that there had been, no previous charge aigainst the accused. At the same time, the practice of fortune-telling was beginning to prevail in Christchurch to a, very great extent. When the. police had visited the accuses house on March 18 and 19, there had been numbers, of people going in and out. The evil was serious, and unless a penalty were imposed that would meet the case, it 'would go from bad to worse.

Mr Hoban said that the woman would discontinue the practice. The presiding Justices, Messrs J. M. Thompson, J. Barrett and Richardson, said that they would deal leniently with accused, though the offence was serious. A great deal of harm had been done by such women, and the domestic happiness of families, had been interfered with. It was an old but true adage regarding fortune-telling, that " fools believe in it, aud knaves practise at." The accused would be fined 5s and costs, but must understand that the practice must be stopped. A similar charge against a woman named Madame Zillah was held ever for a week, on the application of the Chief Detective.