CELESTIAL GUIDE TO FINANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12859, 6 May 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

CELESTIAL GUIDE TO FINANCE

COMPANY-PROMOTING BY AID OP ASTROLOGER'S HOROSCOPES. A coMPANY-riioMOTKU who was alleged to have sought the assistance of an astrologer in furthering his schemes appeared before Mr. Justice Bigham at the Leeds Assizes He was Samuel Cooper, the ex-managim, director of the defunct Perseverance Home Assurance Company, who is charged with deceiving shareholders- by issuing false bal-ance-sheets and reports. Cooper was originally a joiner, and in 1896 the idea of the company suggested itself to him. He got into communication with a Sheffield astrologer, and corrr'spoii derico which passed between them showed that Cooper obtained advice from the reader of the stars." as to the best dav hour and minute, to begin operations *' In answer to one appeal from Cooper for a horoscope regarding the formation of the company, the astrologer wrote: "You will do well to get two doctors on the company. One should be tall and dark The other should be medium height, rather dark, sharp, small eves, will walk verv erect and rather proud. You should get '«, lady to sign who will be well-built, round-' face, light complexion, who will havemonev and be your friend, and take up a number of shares, and will do well by them. I shall send twi> bottles of wine, as* ho will require them." ' "I suppose the wine was for one of the doctors," commented counsel. "Or for the lady?" suggested the judge. The letter concluded : " I shall be clad to receive your cheque by Saturday morning for £6 12s, as it will be a great help at the present time. " . Then Cooper found that to form an insurance company it was necessary to do. posit £20.000 with the Board of Trade under the Insurance Comnanies Act, Again he had recourse to the astrologer, to whom he wrote:— you kindly describe how and where to get the £20.000 deposit? May Cod bless ami guide and help us in'the matter." Apparently, the astrologer failed in this instance, for the £20.000 was not forthcoming. Eventually, the company was formed in 1898. An army of clerks was employed, and liearlv 4000 agents were at. one time work- , ing for the company. The clients were chiefly gentlemen's sen-ants, shopkeepers, and women resident in remote parts of the country. Finally the company was wound up compulsorily. ...;« Then it was' found that in the balancesheets wrong amounts were in the profit ' and Toss account treated as asset?. Various witnesses staled that "they had been deceived by Cooper as to the position of the company. One. an agent from Stoke-on-Trent, stated that he particularly inquired from Cooper if the company was all right, because some of his clients were local preachers, and thev wished to know whether thev could pray about the matter. "T have been led to believe that comnanies have no souls." said Mr. Justice Bighain as he joined in the general laughter. *" The. ease was adjourned, Cooper being allowed bail. c