Queer Story Of Fortune Telling

Chronicle (Levin), 24 March 1949, Page 6

Queer Story Of Fortune Telling

Press Associcttion)

(Per

ROTORUA, March 23. An amazing story of fortune-telling, Buggested hypnotism, money blessing and of bank notes coneealed in a ioaf of bread was related in the Rotorua Police Court today when Kate Williams (aged 27) and Diana Williams (aged 21) described as show people of mixed G-reek and Syrian descent were charged with having undertaken to tell a fortune. Each pleaded guilty. It was alleged by Detective-Sergeanr. J. B. McLean, that the two women haci ealled at a shop at Rotorua last Saturday and said to the shopkeeper: "I'll read your fortune, bosS. " Kate Williams then aslced to see some money and was taken to the till whore she leaned over and blew on the eash. After this she asked: "16 that all you've got?" The shopkeeper then took her to the rear of the shop and showed her £12 in silver in a bag. She then asked to see some notes. When the shopkeeper said he did not have any she asked if she eould see through the rooms. During this time the other woman, Diana, was telling the shopkeeper 's wife lxer fortune, added the proseeutor. She asked for a presentt of £3 from £5 which she was holding and was given this. They then l,eft the shop. Yesterday with a third woman, Coleen Williams, they went to another store and said they wanted money to bless. The shopkeeper produced one penny. They asked fo'r more. He then gave her sixpence. When one woman told him he would soon ' ' reeeive a fortune" he took £20 from the till. After telling him he would live to tho age of 98 they left. The police last night arrested and charged Kate and Diana Williams. The third woman, Coleen Williams, took ill at the police station and was taken to hospital. She was not charged. When defendants' motor car was cxarnined last night the police found a Loaf of bread. Breaking it open they discovered £17 2s 5d in the loaf. Defendants admitted putting it there as a hiding plaee. "The real purpose of the visits was to steal money," said Detective-Ser-geant McLean. " We do not know if the shopkeepers were hypnotised, buf it seems very strange that this could have happened to normal business people. "They may have some strange hypnotie power," he added, saying that other people would be more cautious on hearing of this incident. Mr. R. A. Potter, in defence, said that a suspicious construction had been placed on innocent actions. "They were shovv people wlio will advertise however they can. Tliey were considering bringing a show here soon. The loaf of bread incident was accounted for as the best place to hide the money. ' ' Mr. Potter asked for lenient treatment and applied for the suppression

of the names from pnblimition. The bench oi' lhu.d eso-h woman £3 and ordertd ihe nouey otitained during the I'oitune-K.Hing to 1-e returned to the ov.ners. Tlie anplii-a-tion for the suppression oi; nsnnes w: s ' rejected. The niaxiinum penalty for this oft'ence is £5 fine or oue montli 's gaol.