GAOL FOR FRAUD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1924, Page 7

GAOL FOR FRAUD.

INDIAN HERBALIST’S CASE. ONE MONTH’S IMPRISONMENT. OPIUM GIVEN IN MEDICINE, MAORIS AMONG VICTIMS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Abraham Wally Mohamid Salariian was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment by Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., this morning on a charge of false pretences. Salaman was charged at the Folice Court last week with attempting to receive money by false pretences by falsely pretending to be a doctor and skilled in t’»e treatment of physical ailments and diseases. After a lengthy hearing of the charges decision was reserved. Mr. A. H. Johnstone prosecuted on behalf of Dr. Herbert Chesson, medical officer of health, Auckland, while Mr. J. Osburne-Lilly appeared for the defendant.

This morning the magistrate promulgated his judgment. Defendant was not present. “The pretence was saying that he was an Indan doctor and herbalist,” said the magistrate, “or rather, assenting to questions put to him, asking if he was such an individual. He is not on the medical register, and has no training in surgery, chemistry or medicine. He was formerly a dyer of fabric and clothes, but no doubt found his present occupation more ..lucrative. He keeps a shop, where he sells medicine, mostly well-known remedies. He has a large number of patients. “TO MYSTIFY THE IGNORANT.”

“In the three cases before the court , the same remedies were given, although the complaints to be treated were quite different. He has on his window, a sign with the word ‘Atari’ after his naine. This is to mystify the ignorant and to ; attract patients. He uses a stethoscope, but places it over the neck qf behind the ear, where, of course, it is useless. This is done, as he admitted to a witness, to impress his patients. His bottles are embossed with his name and the word ‘Atah, which indicates that he must be doing a good business.

“In one case, that of Lenden, the person parted with his cash (15s) under the belief that the accused was a doctor. It was a case of fa]s e pretences, but the other two patients know he was not one. Therefore, the charges of false pretences must fail in those two charges,” said the magistrate. “An attempt to obtain money or goods by false pretences may be sustained in a charge, even if the person on whom the attempt is made knew that the pretence was false. It does not require any words to be spoken to induce the victim to part with his cash or goods. Thus, wher e a fraud donned a student’s university gown and by wearing it got credit, which he otherwise would not have got, he was held to be guilty. The accused will be-convicted of attempting to receive on three charges.” PLEA FOR ACCUSED.

Mr. Osburne-Lilly then addressed the magistrate. It was, he said, th e first time that Salaman had been before the court on a charge of this nature. Counsel then pointed out that in two of the present cases witnesses went to Salaman deliberately to obtain an admission from him, and to trap him into saying that he was a doctor. Salaman had got a reputation and was known by many persons, never went to him, as “the Indian doctor.” They referred to him as such. Salaman himself never once held out to the public by means of advertisements that he was a doctor, or that he possessed any qualifications. The witness Shiells went to Salaman with a definite object. Shiells was the tool of Dr. B. S. Share.

That the majority of th e people who went to Salaman were given up by medical men was submitted by Mr. OsburneLilly. He knew himself of three cases where Salaman had effected a cure when medical men had given those three perfcons up. They had not heard of on e of Salsman’s failures. Counsel then pleaded with the magistrate to inflict a fine and not imprisonment. USE OF OPIUM. "It is not a case for a fine,” stated Mr. Poynton. “He can easily pass the penalty on, as a shilling a week on his dupes would quickly give him the amount and a little surplus for his trouble. A bad feature in this cat e is that he gives opium in his 'night medicine’ to make his patients sleep. There is also strychnine in some of his preparations. Numerous drug addicts were formerly made by medicines received from even qualified practitioners, but now the greatest care is taken to avoid this. In administering such drugs as opium a ‘quack’ would of course have no.sueh scruples. “Another, regrettable thing,” added the magistrate, “is the number of Maoris which Salaman seems to be humbugging. Whites deserve little sympathy, but natives should be protected. On one of the charges (Lender’s case) the accused will be convicted and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, while he will be convicted and ordered to pay coats on the other two.” The costs amounted to l2s.

Mr. Osburne-Lilly: My client Salaman ?s not here, but I will get him on the telephone and see that he reports himself to the police station. There will not be any need to have him arrested. H e will go all right.” Mr. Poynton: “Oh, yes. That will be alright.” The warrant for committal has been suspended pending an appeal. DEATH OF PATIENT. Auckland, Dec. 16. Miss Agnes Stewart, the successful plaintiff ini the action for damages against Salaman, the Indian herbalist, died last night.