"NO DECEPTION"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22056, 12 March 1935, Page 11

"NO DECEPTION"

FORTUNE-TELLING CHARGE POLICE MATRON'S VISIT SECOND CASE ALSO DISMISSED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] TIMARU. Monday Some amusing comment was made in the Magistrate's Court at Tiniaru on Saturday when Mrs. A. St. Vincent Jaxon and Beatrice O'Donnell, known as Madam Elucidus, appeared on charges of pretending to tell fortunes. Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., dismissed the charges on the ground that the police matron who gave evidence in the case had not been deceived or imposed

on.* The charge against each accused was that she used subtle means by palmistry to deceive and impose on Charlotte Hodgson. Mrs. Jaxon, who was represented by Mr. J. P. Steven, pleaded not guilty, and Madam Elucidus, who conducted her own defence, also pleaded not guilty. The police matron, Mrs. Hodgson, said she had consulted Mrs. Jaxon, who asked her age, whether she was married and if she had any children. "Mrs. Jaxon said my son was a very clever boy," witness continued, "but he wanted a change of occupation. She could see water and ships, and advised me to try to get him into the Union Company's offices, where he would do well. She said my daughter was very clever and would do well; that she would get married between the age of 24 and 26; that so far there had been no man in her life, and that she had had no love affairs. Mrs. Jaxon said my daughter would do well in lier marriage and afterward, in reply to a question, Mrs. Jaxon said the fee was 2s 6d, which 1 paid." The magistrate said that witness declared she was not deceived or imposed on. The charge could not be substantiated and must be dismissed. In the case against, Madam Elucidus, the police matron said she visited de- | fendant's house and informed defendant that she wanted her fortune told or her hand read. "She told me I had a very clever son who should have been a lawyer," said witness, "and also that I was a very refreshing lady to meet. She said I had two children and that she thought one had died. She said my daughter would go away and do well." Witness paid a fee of 2s 6d. The Magistrate: You were not imposed on or deceived. In fact, you went to get evidence in the course of your job. There is not much fortune telling in that. Defendant, in evidence, said she had studied palmistry scientifically for 40 years and liad worked under Professor Rasmussen. It was a form of clairvoyance. "Could you tell me whether 1 am going to go away and do well?" asked the senior sergeant, who is to be transferred shortly. , , .. Witness said that, if she had five minutes' chat with him, she could judge his psvehologv. "I am a born psychologist,"'she added. "1 cannot help it. The Magistrate: Could you tell him the names of the horses that would win at the races to-day ? Witness: I do not dabble in horse racing. . "There is more money in it than readinn palms at half-a-crown a time, said the magistrate. He added that there was practically no fortune telling and the case was very weak. He dismissed the charge.