Witchcraft in Carterton.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1725, 26 August 1885, Page 3

Witchcraft in Carterton.

SEVERAL OF THE RESIDENTS ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN BEWITCHED

In Tears long gone by the belief in witchcraft was universal in Europe. In France and England witches were supposed to ride through the air on broomsticks, and the devil himself, in the shape of a goat, used to transport them on his Lack, which, it is said, lengthened or shortened according to the number of witches he was desirous cf accommodating. V, hen a witch entered a house it was generally through the keyhole; and when she left, it was by tire chimney. Tire early annals of Europe abound in the most absurd stories concerning wizards and witches, and terrible were the sufferings indicted upon any person who was suspected to possess the powers attributed to witches. The middle ages present one of the blackest picturi-s of history owing to the ignorant and popular belief in witchcraft. Nowadays, we laugh at the credulity of the past and at those supe:?tr-- n? ’ynple who ara still frightened at certain signs. Yesterday a report gained currency that a bad case of witchcraft had occurred at Carterton. One individual in Greytown appeared to be bewitched himself, judging by the earnest and confidential way in which ho detailed with great minuteness what had happened at Carterton to all who came in his way. It was reported that one Olisoski, well known in Greytown and Carterton, had been throwing his evil spell on several persona and animals at tire latter township. No less than fifteen persons were said to be affected in a grievous manner, and so excited had sonm of Ofi'soski’s fellow countrymen become th,t be was in danger of being tied in a bag ami thrown into the Waiohiue as was customary in olden days. It J was even said £ that Offsoski had been obliged to hide himself and could not then be found. Of course it was only the most ignorant persons who credited such reports, but it caused much interest among a certain class.

Our reporter yesterday, having business in Carterton, interviewed the supposed necromancer. Until he had fairly introduced himdtdf our reporter's reception was not of a very hospitable nature, but when matters had become somewhat adjusted and the alleged wizard bad been correctly enlightened as to the purport of the visit, which in fact was to reason in a rational manner, the desired information as to the state of affairs was obtained It is apparent from the story told by Offsoski that, having a conveyance, ha undertook the onerous commission of obtaining for certain ot bis countrymen at Carterton several gallons of beer from Mr Fuller’s brewery, which he described as “ sthrong,” having in several instances “ car-racked” the bottles. He at the same time procured for himself a quantity of the beverage, and, being cold after the journey, and also having a peculiar taste, he mixed up with Fuller’s XXX some mustard. The countryman for whom he obtained the beer saw this mixing process, and asked if if “ dat vas goot.” Upon his being informed that 11 dat vas ver goot,” he imitated Offsoski g example with evident satisfaction. Offsoski informs us that his decoction was “ ver goot" for a cold day, but that his friend did not stop there. Ha went to the pubs in Carterton and after that to Masterton, when he got too much beer. Several other Scandinavians got “boozy” and 1-y nut means (probably oiiginated by their own people) the report got abroad in the district that they had been bewitched by Olisosjii, who, when interviewed yesterday, was not in a very good temper because of the report. He blamed the beer for doing all the mischief, It was rather amusing to see a certain Greytown tonsorical artist at Carterton yesterday badgering the police, the bailiff and probably the Magistrate himself to go and fee tue dreulful state of things in the neighborhood of the supposed sorcerer.