ASTROLOGER FINED

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 29

ASTROLOGER FINED

UNIVERSITY DEGREE CLAIMED. AUCKLAND, August 21.

Spencer Bone was fined £2O or one months’ imprisonment to-day for publicly using the initials “ M.A.,’’ intending to convey that he had a university degree. Detectives said that Bone was known as Dr Bone, and conducted a course in astrology. In a circular he described himself as M.A., P.R.D., S.F.R.S. He undertook publicly to read charts, and invited people to become members of the New Zealand Astrological Association at £1 per year. The defendant was formerly in Christchurch running a theatrical school, proposing to produce, but it came to nothing. The defendant requested an adjournment to enable him to secure his diplomas from America.

The magistrate (Mr F. K. Hunt) said he would grant an adjournment if defendant would swear on oath that he had diplomas, but warned him that if that were untrue he would risk prosecution for perjury. The defendant declined to enter the box, and when fined, declared that he would produce his diplomas later.