GREEK FORTUNE-TELLERS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2715, 24 June 1925, Page 7

GREEK FORTUNE-TELLERS

Waylaying Wayfarers Near iasterton WOMEN FORESEE GOLDEN FUTURE. (By Telegraph. Special to “Times.”) MASTERTON, Last Night. A party of sixteen naturalised Greeks, all members of the same family, arrived in Wellington by the Makura about fourteen days ago. It was stated on their arrival that, though being able to pay for accommodation, they were unable to secure it, and were forced to seek temporary lodging in a shed in Wellington, On the following day. they removed to Silverstream. where they camped on the banks of the river, but the heavy weath* •• end the rising river again forced them from their temporary abode. Next day they boarded the evening train and came to Walrarapa, alighting at Waignawa station, three miles south of Masterton.

Here they have been camped ever since, and their behaviour is beginning to cause concern. The party is leading the life of the gipsy, camped near the roadside on the banks of the Waignawa river, and their main occupation appears to be in waylaying motorists, to tell their fortunes and otherwise soliciting alms. Two of the women recently visited the freezing works close by, allegedly for this purpose, and after half an hour’s fortunetelling, left hurriedly, much to the regret of one of the clerks. Two young females yesterday visited Grey town, and as the result of an episode in the Club Hotel, they will come before the Court on Friday to answer a charge of theft.

It is alleged that the women visited the hotel ostensibly to tell fortunes, and that while the barman’s attention was distracted, the till was robbed of over £4O. On noticing the loss of the money, the licensee Immediately informed the police, who arrested the women as they were about to board the northward train for home. With the perspicacity of the foreigner anxious to evade the law, very confusing statements were given. The women gave their names as Mary Rosie Sterlo Trist and Rachael Adams. Both are married. The latter told the police that she was married to Trist's brother-in-law, but that the custom of her race was for the women not to change their maiden names. One of the women is 19 years of age, and has four children, and the other is 21', and has five children. In the circumstances, they were not placed in custody, but were allowed to proceed to their camp. They had a fairly large sum of money in their possession, but the whole of the £4O was not recovered.