TELLING FORTUNES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22166, 20 July 1935, Page 17

TELLING FORTUNES

SIX WOMEN CONVICTED "MISCHIEVOUS OCCUPATION" VARIOUS FINES IMPOSED On charges of undertaking to tell fortunes, six -women appeared in the Magistrate s Court yesterday—five before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., and one before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M. Evidence was given in each case that police matrons visited premises occupied by the defendants and were told such things as that they would live to be 90 years of age, that they would have a change of residence, that there would be removals near them, that a handsome gift would be received and that they woulcl never be surrounded by wealth, although they would always earn a comfortable living. " Could you make the fine a little lighter; I shall have to borrow the money to p:»y," said Annie Marie Bond, when Mr. McKean imposed a fine of t'S. The magistrate pointed out that defendant, who pleaded guilty, had been fined a similar amount sis years ago, but he allowed a week in which to pay. " Do Not See Any Harm " " You know it is an offence to undertake to tell fortunes? " as,ked Mr. McKe< n, when Mary Gillard, also known as " Madame G," was charged. Defendant: I do not see any harm in it. The Magistrate: No, but the Government does. In some cases there is no harm, but in some instances there undoubtedly is. A fine of £2 was imposed, defendant having pleaded guilty. On behalf of May Lewis, who admitted the charge, Mr. Aekins said the offence was committed before similar cases were decided in Auckland.

A fine of £1 was imposed. This defendant told the police matrons that they had much to do with hospitals and courts," said Sub-Inspec-tor Fox, when the case of Elizabeth Watson (Mr. Spring) was dealt with. Defendant pleaded guilty. The sub-in-spector aclded that the only portion which dealt with the future related to visits to the Blue Mountains, Australia, and to the United States. " Spiritual Psychologist " " Defendant is a spiritual psychologist, who claims she can read the mind," said counsel. " She makes no charge, but accepts donations." In fining defendant £2, the magistrate remarked that the case was not very diffei'ent from the others. ' r This Tfoman apparently has a bedridden husband," said Mr. McKean, in imposing u fine of £3 on Mary Lyons, who pleaded guilty. The case of Kate E. Coghlan (Mr. Schramm) was taken before Mr. Wilson. The charge was denied. Defendant stated that she only held " health and character meetings." They really were psychometry meetings. " I hare no doubt that you delved into the future," said Mr. Wilson. " It is a mischievous occupation, for it upsets' people to be told these fairy tales. After hearing vou in the witness box. I can see you have a certain histrionic abilitv which creates an impression upon the feeble-minded." A fine of £2 was imposed.