EXTRAORDINARY CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11180, 8 April 1922, Page 4

EXTRAORDINARY CASE

PASTOR PAGE CHARGE! SPIRITUALISTIC SERVICES AN® INTERVIEWS. “AN ATTACK ON THE CHURCH.” Six charges were preferred against Jonathan Page, pastor of the Spiritualistic Churoh, at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Three of the charges were for undertaking to tell fortunes. These charges were under the dates of March 22nd, 24th, and 25th. Alternative charges of “using a oertain subtle means” —to wit, simulated Spiritualism —to decieve were also preferred against him. The witnesses in the case were two constables specially detailed l for the work. Sub-Inspector McNamara conducted the prosecution and Mr A. B." Sievwright defended, while Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., occupied the bench. AN APPLICATION. At the outset, Mr Sievwright applied for the matter to be sent to the Supreme Court for hearing, as provided under section 261 of the Crimes Act. the warding of which was identical with that of section 224 of the Justioes of the Peace Act, 1908. - ‘This is an attack upon my client as pastor of the Spiritualistic Church;” he said. “He 13 the head of the Spiritualistic Church in Wellington, and regards this as an attack upon the institution over which he presides. Your. Worship has previously held that £5, fines in these cases are much inadequate, and we are charged with a. serious offence.” t “Yes ; but in this case there are several infonfiations,” said His Worship, “and it’s quite possible that I might think that a fine of £3O or £4O enough punishment.”

“CARRYING OUT THEIR TEACHING.” “Under section 261 the penalty is a year’s imprisonment,” said counsel, “and we oontend that there was no offenoe against the law and that these people were merely carrying out their religious teachings.” “Come on, let’s hear your application,’ ’ interrupted the bench. Mr Sievwright restated his petition. Hie Worship said it was his intention to pass on the case, if he considered that this was warranted. He. would give counsel an opportunity of preparing a proper defence, by granting an adjournment at the close of the evidence for the prosecution. . Counsel asked 1 if the evidence might ba taken down in writing in event of a possibility of appeal. tfria Worship: You can’t appeal on a question of fact, hut only on: one of law. “Very well, sir. At the close of the police case I shall ask for an ment in order to consider the defence,” said counsel. “NO' QUARREL WITH 1 SPIRITUALISM.” Sub-Inspector McNamara withdrew two other charges which had originally been preferred against the defendant. “We have no quarpel with spirits or Spiritualism,” he sand. “But when a man goes outside his religion and tells humbug stories which are not true, then he comes down, to the level of ah ordinary fortune-teller.” THE CASE OUTLINED. The sub-inspector proceeded to outline. the case:— The defendant held meetings on Wednesday evenings to which many people went, and a charge of Is was made alt the door. On Wednesday, Mjroh 22nd, two constables had attended, from 60 to 70 people being present. The defendant and a man named Fabling occupied the Stage. The’ defendant went through some magic passes, received inspiration and/ saw spirits floating above the heads of his audienoe. Then he picked up articles and gave their owners information. In one oase he urged a woman not to think of undergoing an operation. Counsel : Katana does that. Mr McNamara; Katana is absolutely outclassed by Uhls mail. The sub-inspector continued, and tare a brief detail of a visit paid Page y both constables on subsequent dates. He itben oaulad the first witness.

AT KENT TERRACE HALL. Wilburn Robert Murray, police constable, went to a hall in Kent terrace on Wednesday, March 22nd last, a(t about 8 p.m. He paid Ts admission at the door. Constable Hayburet was near by, having arrived first. Page and a man named FabSng were on the platform. After a hymn was sung the. lights were switched off. ' There was a table on the platform with a collection of miscellaneous articles upon it, suoh as ladies’ handbags, letters containing locks of hair, and articles of jewellery. A short prayer was said by Page and lights were ewitohed on again and Page addressed the meeting. He had, he said, lost oount of the number of psyohomanoy demonstrations whioh he had. given. He remembered the smile which used to greet his' demonstrations years ago; but things were different now. Then he commenced lifting artiole after article, dosing eyes and asking who ownfed it and the person would hold up a hand. He then desoribed events of cast and future and spirit forms which'he saw. Witness’s watch wgis the third artiole to be rais-

OPPORTUNITIBS MISSED. “About eighteen months agoy” said Page.” you were intending leaving this country. Since then you h(ave had opportunities which you have allowed to pass by. But hold on to what you are now doing. It will take much hard study before you attain your ambition. You will eventually leave the country. You have got to go—you understand P” He then spoke of. a spiraji who was beside Murray, and influencing him. Witness' appeared to be in some doubt, and Page said, “She passed away about six years ago; she has two children that will help you to place her.” Meantime he walked about the platform with his hand, to his head in great mental effort. Witness had no relative who had -died about tix years ago. “DON’T ALLOW THEM.” Another oase was of a woman. Page said, “You are worried, and illness is the ohief cause of your worry. You remember a relative who passed' away after a lingering illness?” “Yes,” said the woman. “Well,” said Page, “he is standing over you now. I would 1 say to you: be cautious for the future. The doctors will want to operate, but do not allow them. An operation will do no’ good. Look after your health: look to what you eat. Go in for the vegetarian diet, that is what you want-.

not an operation; you understand?” He spoke to many about future operations,' and his general advice was that an operation was not necessary; but that what they wanted was a metaphysician. He referred them to Fabhng, saying, “One week under Mr Fabling will put you right.” OTHER OASES. 'Addressing a woman, he said that there would be much trouble about a shop, and advised her to sell it. “Be done with it; you will never do well while you are in it.” A young woman was told that she had met with great trouble; (but the worst was over. ‘“Friends will he advising you over oertain things; hut act as you think best; you have had more experience.” On another occasion, after pacing the platform, Page said 1 to a woman, “Have you been throwing a pan at someone?” Mr McNamara: This was after the promenade on the stage? Witness: Yes.

The person addressed by Page said that she could not remember; and Page said, “Of course you cannot remember; I should forget that my wife’s name was Annie if I was so busy talking tjO tho person on either side of me.” He had always seemed 1 able to get out of a difficulty. Patting the table and l gesticulating Page sard that they were to remind him of what he had told them because he would not be able to remember it—“it will be gone.” AFTER THE MEETING. The meeting ended: at 9.46 p.m., and witness had asked for an appointment to see him, and they arranged for Friday morning, the 24th. Witness then went outside and met Constable Hayhurst at Courtenay place, later writing his notes at Taranaki street station. On the 24th he had gone to No. 1, Hay street, and Page took a chair facing him m the sitting-room. Page told him to say “Yes” to anything said to him: but to answer in the negative to anything that was not true. Witness gave him a watch, ! and Page wound tho ohain round Ins fingers and closed hie eyes, shuddering ,perceptibly. Page then said, “Peggy 1 Nelly! George 1” Mr McNamara: Did anyone come in answer to those calls? Page said that these were relatives, and witness replied that he could not recall the names. “Are you suneP” asked Page, and*witness said he was. “Is this watch your own?” queried Page, proceeding on different lines. “Yes,” said witness, “it has been a life-long possession.” “A GREAT BORROW.” Page went on, "Years ago when you .were but a cMld a great sorrow befell your home. It was the passing out of one whom I believe to have been your father. Your mother has experienced great difficulty and trial. In fact she passed through a veritable Gethsemane; but the future will he oalm and peaceful and happiness is in store for her. You yourself have passed through many experiences and many very great trials, and aa you look back on the past you are amazed at the varied experiences of your life. You oould write a .book, and a very interesting book. You are fond of writing, and if you had followed a literary career you would hare .been famous.” The magistrate: Well, it’s not too late now. “A GREAT SUCCESS.” “If yon Went in for journalism you would make a great suocess. You are a good organiser and would be great in business.” ‘‘Yon had better get out of the police force,” said counsel. r ■ Page had also. eaid that, witness should, be his own master. The next few years would' see great changes in his ljfe. “You will go home all right; bob will return to the land of your future. (T believe this to be the land of your future, and I can see you settling down. A good woman may share your life with you and be of great help and happiness to you,” ABOUT FIJI. Witness asked Pass’s advice oa two positions, one of which was in Fiji and one in Auckland. He had been advised to stay in the Dominion; though Fiji would add to his experience he would do better here. Reincarnation was one of Page’s beliefs, and far all this his fee was ss. To Mr Sievwright: He had been there for at least thirty minutes. Counsel: u It a fact that you left 6s on the table and said ‘‘The labourer is worthy of his hire.” Witness: It’s an absolute falsehood. In all, said the constable, he had been to tne Spiritualist Churoh three times. When the lights were switched off the platform was left in semi-dark-ness- He could remember no oase where Page had advised anybody to prooeed with an operation or to consult

a doctor, excepting the “metaphysician.” The wbolo meeting consisted of the demonstration by Page, the benedjotion being pronounced shortly after rts conclusion. He had been careful to give no more information than was neoessary to Page—other people might have helped bam in what, be had to tell them. When a person said that he did not remember anything Page seemed to become annoyed and said “I’m not guessing.” What witness had seen alt the meeting had not strengthened hie belief in spiritualism i—rather tho contrary, “ GET INTO IT 1” Constable Hayhurst, in the box, waa oalled to corroborate. At the meeting Page had told one man he was thinking of going into business, and advised aim to “get into it.” He told one young man he was worrtoo and overworked and advised him to be patient. Another young fellow had been advised to rise nalf-an-houi earlier every morning and study. He would say that be saw two or tnree Spirits behind each person. On 25th. witness had gone to No. 1, Home street, by appointment. He was left sitting in the hall for half-an-hour until Page came out and asked if he oould change half a sovereign. A well-dressed woman had come out of a room and left the house. “IN THE GOVERNMENT.”

Page had gone through the same procedure as with Murray, down to the shudder.

.“You have something to do with the Government,” said Page, “in your daily routine you are practically mixing with Government officials.” “‘So is everybody,” said the bench. Page had continued': “During the past nine years of your life you have passed a great crisis. You have had two serious illnesses, one of which has affected your nerves, and you are of a nervous nature. .You have had a lot to do with, the country, hut it did not prove satisfactory. The city is the place where your ambitions lead you. You will find’ the opportunity you seek, and you will leave the country with suooess. If this does not happen within eight months, live in hope. By then your affairs will' be settled, you will have a new lease of life and a fresh start, and if you are

cautious, whatever you do you will be Successful. *‘BEWARE OF WOMEN I” - “You should be very careful of the other * sex—they are the only things which will have power to stay you. You will see plenty of them, but be careful —they are mostly immoral.” Invited to question, witness asked for news of his sister’s boy. Page “went off into his dose again,” and asked if the boy had anything the matter with his head. Then, feeling his own throat, Page said, “This is the only dangerous spot. Tell your sister to get it put right.” . Mr MoNamara: You have a nephew, Constable Hayhurst, and I think you lost your sister in September, 1920. Witness: That is so. For this interview, said witness, he paid! ss. To Mr Sievwright: He and Page were the only persona present during the “reading.” No one saw him go into the house; he had no evidence to show that he had been on the premises. He gave a description of the servioe at the hall, similar to that of Murray. This concluded 1 the case for the police. THE CASE ADJOURNED. Mr Sievwright then stated that he might have to call other witnesses besides the defendant; but they were not all there. “They are holdihg a convention in Christchurch,‘’ he said; “it starts immediately, and Mr Page is leaving for it.”

“We will commence again on Monday,” said the bench. “But my client will not be here,” protested counsel. “Then, take the evidence now, sir,” suggested Mr McNamara to the magistrate.

“A conviction on this charge will be much more serious than one on the ordinary oharge,” said counsel. “Well, you’d better make up your mind pretty quickly whether you’re going to rely on the law or Gail evidence,” said His Worship. “I’m not going to give you indefinite time.” An adjournment till Monday was ordered and the court meat