FORTUNE-TELLER FINED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18020, 20 February 1922, Page 8

FORTUNE-TELLER FINED.

MAGISTRATE'S COMMENTS,

! "ONLY A COMMON CHEAT.' An insight into tho information con veyed to persons by a fortune-teller was obtained from several witnesses in a case at the Wellington Magistrate's Court last Friday. A married woman named Clara Sinclair was charged before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., with undertaking to toll fortunes. She was not represented by counsel. Sub-Inspector McNamara conducted the prosecution. The police matron stated that she went to defendant's premises one evening, and after being called upon to cut a pack of cards, the fortune-teller made somo reference to the witness being in love. She had had hard luck, and had worked very hard. Further, she (the witness) was going to buy a house, but was not going to marry again. By means of a crystal the fortune-teller then told hor that in any business she took up she would be very successful. She was going to get monev in small lots from across the water. The charge for the interview was 2s. Witness had observed another lady waiting there, and in consequence had to watt her turn. The next witness was the assistantmatron, who visited tho defendant's premises one morning. Again the cards were cut, and witness was" requested to divide them into three lots. The information conveyed to this witness was to the e/Tect that she would receive a letter contain aig money. According to" the fortune-teller, she was to receive, a pleasant surprise, and was to go on a land journey, during which she would be slightly sick. Defendant next read witness' hand, and said that she would make a good nurse and was very determined. The charge asked by defendant was 2s. Defendant: Did I tell you your character by hand? —Yes. Defendant: That is what you were charged for. That is palmistry. It is very strange that I told you you were going to be sick on a land journey. I should not earn my living if I told people silly things like that. I A police constable next detailed an interview with the defendant, who took him by the hand and wanted to know if he had had a shock. (Laughter.) He was told, by reading of the hand, that he would be successful in any line of business be took up, and that he would be lucky. By means of the cards, defendant again told him how lucky he was. She said that "Tatt's were good," and sugSested that he should "have a try in att's." He would have a journey across water, and would have a fit of sickness, from which he would recover. The subject of marriage was touched upon, and he was informed that he was to have a family of three. (Renewed laughter.) The charge for the interview was 2s. The defendant in' evidence stated that the laws allowed her to give functions and entertainments. The Magistrate: I know all about the laws. I want you to give evidence. Defendant (holding up a copy of the Bible): In the Bible it says, "There is length of days in the right hand, and riches and honour in -the left." If palmistry is not true— The magistrate again had occasion to urge the defendant not to give a lecture. "You say it is not fortune-telling?" he asked finally. The defendant assented. "It is not right," said the magistrate, "for you to take 2s out of others' pockets for a lot of nonsense. If you want to do good to your fellow-creatures and assist them in their troubles, you must not charge for it. It i s a wicked thing to do. You are liable to a month's imprisonment, but i to-day I will convict you and fine you £5, i yon are only a common cheat. . . .If you come here again I will give you a j month's hard labour."