FORETELLING THE FUTURE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1018, 10 November 1917, Page 3

FORETELLING THE FUTURE.

SPIRITUALIST IX COURT. A TEST ( ASK. _ AVAIHI, Nov. 6. In the Magistrate’s Court tills afternoon. Adolph Riekford, a registered mom her of tlio National ol Spiritualisus, who has boon lecturing hero under engagement to the AVaihi Spiritualists’ Society, was charged under section 2GI oi the Crimes Act, with undertaking to tell fortunes. Senior Sergeant O’Grady prosecuted, and Air Clendon appeared tor accused. Oreajf interest was manifested in the. ease. Sergeant O’Grady -stated . that accused, whilst in an trance, purported to give information to friends of relatives at the front, etc., a charge of three shillings being made. Annie Mills, a single woman, residing at AVaikino, said accused told witness that her brother wguld be wounded within fourteen days;* in point of fact this came true. Accused recommended pennyroyal and quinine tablets for her health. Witness placed three shillings on a plate, understanding this was a regular charge. Cross-examined, witness said most oi what accused told her came true. Accused did not mislead witness, nor ask for a fee. Dorothea A. Collodgc, wife of a soldier, .said she visited accused, but no charge was made. Evidence was also given by Aland Harvey, who proved to lie a hostile witness. Air Clendon, counsel for the defence, submitted that what took place was not fortune telling, that accused was a licensed mlssioner of the Spiritualist Church, and the local Society was duly registered. Accused claimed ids advice was given inspirationally. Counsel submitted that spiritualism was a potential force, and that a number ol the; brightest intellects of the dav believed in it. Counsel quoted authorities to show that for the nrosecution to succeed, intention to deceive must be proved. The ease was really a test ease, and of great importance to the Spritualisi Churches of the Dominion. Accused denied that he told fortunes, and asserted that he made no charge. He held he had acted within the authority of Ins license. The .Magistrate, said in ids opinion accused had brought himself within section 221 oi the Act, but he did not consider it a ease for imprisonment. A fine of I'd. and costs £2 7s'was imposed.