UNUSUAL CHARGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 207, 3 August 1931, Page 8

UNUSUAL CHARGE.

Per Press Association. WANGANUI, Aug 3. A case of considerable interest to tea-rooms was heard this morning before 3D Salmon, 5.31., when Annie Camille Reid was charged with undertaking to tell fortunes. The information was laid under Section 236 of the Justices of the Peace Act. It was stated that defendant had been engaged at the Ritz, Auckland, and in Wellington before coming to the D.1.C., in Wanganui, to read cups in the tea-rooms. Constable Fleming and Police 3latron Armstrong visited the rooms and requested to have their cups read. They were told to take the cup, turn it upside down and turn round three times. They were then told various events that would happen to them. The 3latron was going to be very prosperous, and she would live until she was over 80. The constable could also look forward to good prospects, and he would be going a long wav from New Zealand.

Mr Treadwell submitted that the whole thing was trivial and was carried on at tearooms all over the Dominion and in private houses. It was harmless and amusing, and created a certain amount of hilarity. Defendant in this instance did not undertake to tell fortunes. The Magistrate held that it was clear that under the circumstances under which defendant was engaged that she was undertaking to tell fortunes. and this was forbidden by the Statute and must be stopped. Defendant was convicted and ordered to pay costs. Counsel asked that no conviction be entered, as defendant was a nurse and it might be detrimental to her profession. The Magistrate intimated that under the circumstances he would not enter a conviction.