FORTUNE TELLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15603, 5 November 1912, Page 8

FORTUNE TELLING.

A PROSPEROUS CALLING. (From Ooii Own ConitEsroNnENT.) AUCKLAND, November 4. Tlte apparent increase in the number of fortune-tellers now plying, llieir trade in Auckland raises several questions of public mtercst. Uesi-'Jes the many who publicly announce themselves as clairvoyants, psyclwmctrisUs, or crystal seers, there are. numbers following this ancient calling who trade upon the credulous public without such notification. These individuals have their own regular eirdi) of diente, and do not court publicity or a possible jwlico prosecution, 'the Jaw on the subject ot fortune-telling is mixed and complicated. Hriefly, it enacts that anyone who professes to foretell the future by palmistry or any other means is liable to be ptmished as the iaw directs. Many of those who practise the art of palmistry will only read character from their clients' hand. This apparently is not an offence against the law. isUd-gazers and others who profess to oe visions in a glass globe or a bowl of water cannot strictly be said to be forecasting the future, although those who imagine they can see tho visions as often as not look at future events happening before their eves.

Another means by wliich the long arm of the law is evaded by fortune-tellers is by frequently changing their addresses. A regular system seems to be in vogue amongst some of them in Auckland of exchanging residences for the time being. Those in a position to speak with authority express the opinion Uiat thexo are now more palmists and fortune-tellers at prcsont in Auckland tlian thero are in tho other large cities of New Zealand. Investigations made by an Auckland Herald representative as to the typo of person who frequents Uio haunts of these fortune-tellers show that somo of tho higher-class clairvoyants have a circlo of clients exclusively composed of ladies. Others seem to be consulted by people of all classes in the community, including matrons as well as young girls. The fees charged naturally have an effect on the type of clients. It is supposed, that women attend in larger numbers than men, but from observation it is apparent that at least as many, if not more, men tlian women are anxious to learn something of their character and their fntlure Irom these professed seere. The fees charged vary from Is upwards, according to the details required and the supposed occult powers of "the medium." Estimates made from fivvpicnt attendances at " seances" and public circles show that on each night on which tho medium sits the receipts vary from £1 to £3, according to the rate of entrance fee. The clairvoyants who sec individuals only separately usually chargo from 2s 6d to 7s 6d for their services. A fair estimate of the number of clients i>er day is half a dozen at the least. 'Die fortnnc-tcller will therefore make an income of anything front £5 to £8 a week for a few hours a day. All this conies out of the pockets of a credulous public.