FORTUNE TELLING.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13567, 7 November 1912, Page 7

FORTUNE TELLING.

Investigations w.ado in Auckland (str.to.s the "Herald") as to the type of person who frequents tho haunts of fortune tellers, show that some of the higher class clairvoyants have a circle of clients exclusively composed of ladies. Others seem to be consulted by people of all classes in the community,, including matrons us well as young girls. The fees charged naturally have an effect on tho type of clients. It is often supposed that women attend in larger'numbers than men, but from observation it is apparent that at least as many, if not more, men than women are anxious to learn something of their character and their future from these

professed seers

The fees charged vary from one shilling upwards, according to details required, and the supposed occult powers of the "medium."

Estimates made from frequent attendances at seances and "public circles" show that on ecch night on wiiidi the "medium" sits the receipts vary from £1 to £3, according to the rate of entrance foe. Clairvoyants, who only see individuals separately, usually charge from luilf-a-crown to seven and sixpence lor their services. A fair estimate of the number of clients per day is half-a-dozen at the least. The fortune toller will therefore make an income of anything from £5 to £10 a week for a few hours' work a da^ 7. All this comes out of the pockets of a credulous public.

■ In connection with fortune telling it is interesting to note that now, in London, people professing to have occult powers r.rc forbidden to advertise or to put their names up outside their residences. In. Bond street and Oxford street alone more than 100 persons are engaged in the trade, and all have a

very fashionable circle of clients, charging proportionally high fees.