Telling The Future By Numbers

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 188, 11 August 1936, Page 8

Telling The Future By Numbers

Magistrate Imposes a Fine

IN SAME CATEGORY AS TEACUP READERS Posing as a numerologist, Arthur Hill, aged 48 years, was fined in the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court-yester-day on a chargo of telling fortunes despite the fact that ho denied tho allegations. Hill gavo the Court somo inside knowledge of the profession he had been carrying on for tho past six years stating in addition that his object was to correct mistakes in people’s lives and get them to live constructively. Detectivo E. Barling prosecuted. Detective’s Fortune?

Detective O. Power detailed how he had called on defendant at 8 ‘p.m. on July 29 but found him engaged. He waited till 9 o’clock and then had to make an appointment for the following morning. Eventually he received an invitation in at 11 a.m, and was asked his name. He gave his Christian name/ omitting his surname. In a small office was a table and two chairs. Witness sat on ono side of tho table and defendant on the other. Hill printed out the name given and above and below the letters wrote down figures. Then followed some calculations, Hill finally asking for witness’ birth date. This was written down and underneath abbreviations for each month of the year commencing at tho birth mouth. To tho left of the column he wrote another column of figures in twos and above and between each pair, either symbols or other smaller figures. Hill then remarked: "If these were found in the tombs in tho pyramids of Egypt, people would wonder what tfley were all about.’’ Witness agreed that there would bo little doubt about that, whereupon Hill said there was something in them all the same. Defendant then said he would first tell witness something about his character as revealed by the figures, adding: "I don’t want to weary you and don’t want you to mind anything I say.’’ Defendant then described witness a 3 intelligent and a great thinker but lacked expression (laughter). Witness also liked tho company of old folk and did not like anything frivolous —was serious minded. If witness ceased using one of his flames it would bo much better. Hill had added that at the age of 24 witness had had a great disappointment which had altered the whole course of his life and that people did not understand him. Hill then asked if witness had ever considered making a complete break in October next and getting out of tho country. "I said I would find it more interesting 1 1 learn whether that was going to happen," added Detective Power, and defendant said the figures suggested it. Ho also said the months from August to January next would be hard ones for witness but February would see a definite uplift and he would continue serenely in the new conditions in ail ways. Defendant then made some calculations and said the hard times would commence from August 23 but finding it was a Sunday, did some further figuring and altered the date to August 25. Hill had continued: "In your new career which will blossom forth in February, you will have an inside job dealing with figures and generally directing. Defendant asked what work witness did and he had told Hill tho figures should reveal that. Hill, however, said it did not exactly, whereupon witness said he had had a lot of different jobs lately and was now investigating another (laughter;. Witness asked defendant if be could see anything about marriage, defendant replying that he could see witness was not married. (Detective Power is married with three children.) He also said: ‘‘ I can see you have had associations with women but you don’t like being tied down (laughter). You really shouldn’t marry, you wouldn't be contented." Witness asked: "But will I marry!" and defendant, after more figuring, said: "Yes, you will, in December of the year you are 35, that is, if you are not killed before then." (Laughter.) "I said I hoped he did not seo (hat in the figures,” said Detectivo Power, defendant replying: "Well, of course you know there is going to be a war and you may be killed at the war. I think your change in February will have something to do with war." Witness had then asked if the war was to be soon, Hill replying: "Oh, yes, Germany has been waiting a long time. You know they have what they call ‘der tag.’ That was August 4 and I think we will find that on August 4 of this year Germany will make a very definite move." Asked if he made readings by letter, defendant said that he did not and that ho had dozens of letters from peopio which he had not answered. He could keep a typiste and be going all the time but what could he tell, them? Ho must have the people present. , Witness paid defendant 2s fid..

Detective Power then detailed a second visit mado by Detective Compton and himself on August 3. hill was told that they were present to inquire into his practice. Hill said he had been engaged with numerology for six years and explained the science. Every letter in a person’s name had a numerical value and that these numbers had their own distinct vibrations which influenced the life and future of the person concerned. The same applied to the birth date. Hill had gone to some pains to explain that he was genuine and not fortune telling.' He made no definite statements as to future events but merely told people that if their numbers remained the same and their influence was not upset, t'- i certain things were likely to happen. About four people called and mado appointments while witness and Detective Compton were there. Vibrations and Impulses. To defendant Detective Power'admitted that he bad not given his full name,

Ho had left out the surname but he had givou tho correct birth date. Defendant: And after each statement I asked you if what I said was correct, didn’t I? Witness: Yes, you queried it. Defendant: And you replied that what I said was correct? Witness: Not all the way through. You told mo that at the ago of 24 1 had a disappointment. Hill: Didn’t I say you - were just going through one phase to enter another? Witness: You said I had had a disappointment. Defendant: I told Detectivo Compton something and he said I was wrong. Witness: Yes, you said, "Well, I’m a dud." Defendant: If you had said I was wrong I would not have gone on with your numbers. It is so contrary to my usual practice. I don’t work in that way. I have tp turn down people every day. I didn’t refer to your association with women. I didn’t say you would marry. Didn’t I put it to you this way, that if certain figures wero emphasised iu a certain way, then you would react to impulses? .Witness: I don’t remember any complications of that nature. Hill: You didn’t hear me say that tho reaction to numbers Drought the impulses which wero essential to the statements made and therefore that the vibrations would be made at the time 1 said? Witness: I can’t deny that you said anything of the sort. It would be impossible to remember all you said.

More Amiable as Bachelor. Detective Compton recalled the visit he had made with Detective Power to the room occupied by Hill. They had discussed numerology with him, Hill stating that he had been practising the art for six years. Ho had stressed his sincerity and liad denied fortune-telling. Defendant had offered to read witness' numbers. He said that at the age of 21 witness had entered into the second stage of his life and between 25 and 2G years ho had entered into another change with more responsibility. Asked by Hill if what he had said had been correct, witness said it was not. Hill had then declared he was a dud and could not tell witness anything about the future as witness had apparently upset his numbers and under the circumstances he would get his halfcrown back. However, Hill had added that for 46 years of age, witness’ numbers were most promising with a happy change due about that time—that the circumstances that prevailed in his boyhood would return. Defendant had also said he would make a more amiable bachelor than a married man (laughter). Hill: Didn’t I say thoso things would happen if the impulses were correctly obeyed?—Yes. Defendant (turning to the Court): Please noto that everybody. To witness: And I said they would probably prevail? Witness: You said I would enter into a happy change. Defendant: Of vibrations not just change. Witness: When I questioned you about this change you said the circumstances that predominated in my boyhood would return. Defendant: No, only the same impulse. Constable Who “Didn’t Like Work.’’ Constable O'Hoyle recounted how he had also paid a call on defendant to get his numbers read and had been told how he was inclined to form opinions very quickly and other things of a similar nature. Hill had divided his life for him into two stages—tho first stage up to 20 years of age and the second stage after that. Witness was told he was to continue in his present occupation for life, that ho moved about amongst the public and did not do manual labour —in fact did not like work and did not word, too hard (laughter). In 1930 he was said to have had a new interest in life and things were a lot better but from February last till the present time things had not been going too smoothly—that he had been caused annoyanco by his employers and mostly because of tuings left unsaid. Further, he was troubled by workmen of a jealous disposition. However, Irom January next his employers would bo giving him different little jobs to ,do to try him out. In March and May there would be other changes. Witness had paid Hill half a crown and as he left had been told to remember about March and May next. As a matter of fact Hill had offered to write it down for witness who produced the note.

Defendant Tells His Story. Defendant elected to enter the witness box to give his explanations but when handed a Bible on which to take the usual oath, informed the Court that he was not a Christian. "I hope it will not prejudice my case/' he added. The Magistrate stated that he could make an animation to speak the truth. Hill: I will do that. It is my purpose in life to speak the truth at all times. He then said he had been carrying on the system of numerology for 20 years and practising it for the last six years. Everyone who went to him was given a complete understanding of the subject. “I don’t know whether you will look into this book for a moment/’ he asked the Magistrate. Mr. Stout: You can explain your methods. Defendant: The principle is to take a name and birth date. Each letter has a numerical value and tho interpretation gives an understanding as to whether tho person will live constructively, destructively or negatively through life. My object is to qualify the individual to live constructively. Tho wholo principle of numerology is based on the fact that each individual is born with certain numbers which give him or her a qualification. It is my work to determine that qualification

for the individual and nothing else. J do not refer to the future except as a guide that impulses will be there and if the individual lives constructively to those impulses, it will be more satisfactory. I want you to understand 1 am not here bandying phrases but I wish you to understand these men (the police) came to me for the purpose or trying to prove their theory that I was predicting the future and only watered out for anything in their favour. My object is to tell people whether it would be wise to bring thoughts into material expression or not. I nave lectured for years that there is not one course alone open to the individual. Each one is swayed by impulses hour by hour and no man can say anything will happen at any given time. That is the principio of numerology. 1 cannot foretell the future. I cau tell you tho impulses that will be emphasised in your life but nothing more. Detective Barling: You told Detective Power a certain thing was going to happen on August 23 and then corrected it to August 25 when you found the first date fell on a Sunday. Defendant: But a statement like that uncoloured .... Detectivo Barling: Did you say a change would occur or not? Hill: I said the impulses would be there relative to the change but nobody could say what would occur. Detective Barling: You said Detective Power would marry. Mr. Stout: He means the impulse would bo there (laughter). Defendant to the Magistrate: Is it for you to laugh and smile in that way? The Magistrate: Yes, I can do that; it is judicial humour (laughter). Detectivo Barling to defendant: You are a bit of a humbug, aren’t you. Y"ou were before the Court in Christchurch in connection with a radio matter? Defendant admitted the fact and also that he had served four days in gaol. Detective Barling: You were brought up as a Christian Israelite? Defendant: I was born a Nazarene. Detective Barling: You told Detectivo Power you were not a Christian? The Magistrate: I don’t know that that matters. Answering Detective Barling, defendant denied that he had been doing good business in his profession. He had had many requests by letter asking such questions as “Will I marry” and “Will I be successful iu business,” but he had always replied that he must have the person inquiring before him so that he could correct mistakes in life as he saw them. Detective Barling: Are you married? Defendant: Has that anything to do with the question? Please leave it out. Detective Barling: You make your living out of credible people. Hill: I seek to give them advice. Detective Barling: You know the police acted in this matter because of complaints from the public? Defendant: No, I didn’t. I am very glad to hear it if that is so. The Magistrate considered that the system employed by defondant, even if it did not tell the future, would leave that impression with many who consulted him and that would bring him under the Act just as it brought those who professed to read teacups and the like. Fined £3. Defendant: And the alternative? The Magistrate: Fourteen days. Hill: I will tako the alternative, thank you s