"DOLORES" IN COURT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 12

"DOLORES" IN COURT

A SUMMONS FOR DEBT ' DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND PAYMENT BEFORE , LEAVING Some hours, prior to the, departure of the steamer Maunganui for Sydney yesterday, Claude McLaughlin, aged 22, an Auckland spiritualistic "medium" and fortune-teller, more commonly known as "Claude Dolores," was served with a judgment summons for debt. He later appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court.

The matter concerned money owing to a tramways conductor, who, in June last year, brought an action against McLaughlin for the recovery of £lO, and obtained judgment for the full amount.

When the case was called yesterday counsel for the tramways conductor said that although judgment had been entered more than a year ago, the debt was still outstanding. The debt concerned two £5 notes which claimant had given McLaughlin at the latter's request in connection with a fortune reading. McLaughlin inserted what claimant took to be the notes in an envelope, which he placed in a saucer of spirits, and set on fire. In reality, the notes were not placed in an envelope, and McLaughlin was subsequently convicted of theft. " Given My Boat Ticket "

Counsel said he understood . that McLaughlin intended sailing by tho Maunganui for Sydney, en route to England. The proceedings to recover the amount of judgment had been brought at short notice, as it was considered that McLaughlin should not be allowed to leave tho country without settling the debt. The Magistrate (to McLaughlin): Why don't you pay your debts before yon go away ? McLaughlin: I have no money. Do you do any work?—No, the doctor told mo I was not to work for 12 months. I recently met- with an accident, .being knocked down by a motor-car. I did not know this debt was owing. The Magistrate: Oh, that's nonsense. In reply to questions, McLaughlin said he had not been telling fortunes since liis ielease 0 from prison some months ago. .Asked what ho had been doing he said: "Oh, just walking around." The Magistrate: If you have no money, how are you going homo to England ? How' much is the fare ?—I do not know. I have been given my boat ticket. Ordered to Pay

"Well, I will not have you leaving the country without paying your debts," said Mr. Hunt, in ordering the payment forthwith of the amount of the judgment, £lO, plus legal and Court costs, £3 13s 6d. Before leaving the Court buildings McLaughlin made arrangement!! with a Court bailiff to return in a short time and pay the money owing. When he> failed to return at the appointed hour a bailiff was despatched in search of the debtor, armed with a'warrant of committal to prison which had been signed by Mr. Hunt. The bailiff later saw McLaughlin" at his home in Newton and obtained the money from him, McLaughlin being permitted to board the Maunganui. It is understood that McLaughlin has been . incited to London . under contract to give seances, an opening fee of £IOOO being mentioned.