PASTOR IN COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18292, 8 January 1923, Page 7

PASTOR IN COURT.

FORTUNE TELLING CHARGE. EVIDENCE OF POLICE.DOINGS AT A MEETING. A somewhat unusual case was before the Magistrate's Court in Wellington on Friday, when the Rev. Reuben Webb, pastor of the Spiritualist Church, -was charged with There were four charges preferred against him. Mr. E. G. Jellicoe appeared on behalf of the accused, and Sub-Inspector Cummings prosecuted. Sub-Inspector Cummings said the accused gave meetings on Sunday evening in the Kent Terrace Spiritualist Church. The charges laid were in connection with the Wednesday evening meetings, which were held at N'o. 1, Home Street. Everybody attending this meeting was asked to pay Is. Articles such as handkerchiefs, watches, keys, fountainpens; etc., were placed on a table in the house, and later Mr. Webb read these articles. • Constable Millar said he visited No. 1, Home Street, on Wednesday,' December 15. It was a private residence, situated at the rear of the Kent Terrace Spiritualist Church. He was admitted on the payment of Is to the man at the door. The man who received the money was not the defendant. About two or three people were present when ho and Constable Smith entered. The meeting opened with the singing of a hymn. A short address on spiritualism was then delivered. As the people came in they, placed an article on the table. His article was a bunch of keys. The first article read (a photo) had been brought by Constable Smith. Mr. Webb described the subject of the photo. He also said Smith would make a change in life. A lady put up a brooch, saying she wished to know about somebody's health, and to ask his (Mr. Webb's) advice. Mr. Webb said this woman also wanted a change. He also described the Woman who was ill. He said she would benefit by taking certain herbs; but, above all, what was desired was a change. He told others they would make certain changes in life. • i Progress in the Constable. " He then took up my article," said the constable, " and gave what was a fairly good description of the owner. He said my life would be free from any great changes; but that I would make steady progress. He next took up the article of a lady, and she had a friend who was at present very ill. She would recover from this illness; but would never be the same as before the illness." " The meeting," said Constable Millar, " concluded with a hymn." " Did you understand that the collection was taken up at the door by one of the church -bearers ?" asked Mr. Jellicoe of the witness.

" I do not know who the gentleman on the door was," answered the constable. " Did the: defendant make a promise to you whereby he would tell you anything relating to the future in return for, a sum of money V —" He read my article, anyway." When the Lights Were Low. Constable Smith , was then called, and Save evidence on similar lines to Constable lillar. He said he attended the meeting with Millar, and paid Is to gain admittance. The lights were turned low while the reading was taking place. His article, which was the first read, was the photo of. a woman. Mr. Webb said ij, was a magnetic and spiritual face. She was contemplating a change; but he (defendant) did not advise this step. She thought of others before herself, he. said, and could be very witty on occasions. The witness said a woman next him kept on xepeating the word " handcuffs." He thought she was some kind of a medium. " Was the shilling paid to an officebearer asked Mr. Jellicoe of the witness. " I do not know," answered the constable. " It was not paid to Mr. Webb, was it?"—" No." At this stage the proceedings were adjourned until Saturday. THE CHARGE DISMISSES. WARNING BY MAGISTRATE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Saturday. The charge of fortune telling against the Rev. Reuben Webb was dismissed by Mr. .Hunt, S.M., who said defendant had gone on the border-line and would probably have gone further if not warned by a female medium calling, out " handcuffs " wtule a constable was interviewing him. Mr. Hunt warned defendant that if he were caught at fortune telling he Would be sent to gaol.