FORTUNE-TELLING

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1935, Page 3

FORTUNE-TELLING

WOMEN CONVICTED. FINES OF £1 TO £3. [Special to “Northern Advocate.”] AUCKLAND, This Day. Fines ranging from £1 to £3 were imposed in the Police Court yesterday upon women convicted on charges of undertaking to tell fortunes. Concerning Annie Marie Bond, *who pleaded guilty, Sub-Inspector Fox stated that two police matrons visited her home in Seymour Square. Mrs Bond told one that she would live to be 90, that she had a lot of “ups and downs” in life, etc. The charge for that information was 2/6. Defendant had been fined £3 for a similar offence in 1929. Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., fined defendant £3 and costs and allowed one week in which to pay. Known as “Madame G,” Mary Gillard was fined £2 for telling fortunes, a charge to which.she pleaded guilty. There was no appearance of Mary Lyons, and in her absence the police matron gave evidence that she was told by defendant that she would have a lot of “comings and goings,” and, besides other things, that she was going to take a steamer journey. Sub-Inspector Fox said defendant, had been fined £5 for a similar offence.

“Apparently this woman has a bedridden husband,” said Mr McKean, after reading a communication sent by defendant. She was fined £3 and costs.

Elizabeth Watson pleaded guilty to the charge. Mr Fox said defendant dealt with the present more than the future. The police matron was told she had a lot to do with hospitals and police courts. The only reference to the future was an impeding visit to the Blue Mountains and the United States. (Laughter). Mr Spring, fofi Mrs Watson, said defendant was a spiritual psychologist. “I won’t attempt to define that term,” he said. “She claims that she can read the mind. She does not use crystals or any other such aids an 4 does.not charge, although she accepts donations.’-'

“There is really very little difference between this case and the others,” was the magistrate’s reply. Defendant was fined £2 and costs. To two informations the reader of teacups in a tearoom, May Lewis (Mr K. C. Aekins), pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Fox said police matrons visited the Regent Tearooms on two different occasions. One was’told that she would always be comfortable, while the other was informed that she would have an interesting talk with a lawyer over property matters. On one charge defendant was fined £1 and on the other she was convicted and ordered to pay the costs, 10/. Kate E. Coghlan, for whom Mr Schramm appeared, pleaded not guilty. Her case was taken before Mr Wyvern ' Wilson, S.M. After evidence had been given by two police matrons, Mr Schramm submitted that the charge should be dismissed. Mr Wilson: “You will be fined £2.”