MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2257, 17 September 1914, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

ALLEGED FORTUNE-TELLING A "PROFESSOR" IN COURT A man calling himself "Professor" Robert Henry Gibson was charged in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. TV. G. Riddell, S.M., with undertaking to tell tho fortunes of two women. Tlio charges, which were of an indictable character, were token in conjunction. Mr. 0. O. Mazengarb appeared for Gibsoa. Evelyn Blencowe, a married woman, residing at 30 Roy Street, said that on Monday afternoon, August 31, accused came to her house and said lie was Professor Gibson, the only pupil of a professor who had told the King's fortune; He offered to read her character from a chart and later to read her hand. Witness called another woman, Mrs. Foothead, who was staying in her house, and evjntually they asked the fortune-teller to come inside and tell their fortunes. TVhile witness remained ill the kitchen, Mrs. Foothead went with accused in the diningroom. The two remained there for about a quarter of an hour. Gibson then came into the kitchen and said, "Won't the' other lady have filer's told?" Witness went into the diningroom with Gibson. He took her right hand and said, "You will have to be very careful of your health." He continued that witness was being^deceived by her husband, who was keeping another woman "AH this i e was telling from your hand?" interrupted Inspector Hendrey. Witness: Yes. Continuing, witness said that accused told her that after her husband had been with her a year they would be parted. She asked accused, "Do you mean to tell me my husband is keeping another woman?" He replied, 'Tee. by this time Gibson had let go her hand and had told her that she .would have two children, but that as her husband would leave her, this would be a nuisance, and that he (accused) would do something to her which would prevent her having these children. At this stage Mr. Mazengarb objected to the evidence as irrelevant. Tho magistrate upheld the objection and the caso proceeded. Mrs. said that eventually because of Gibson's conduct she had run out of the room to Mrs. Foothead, to whpm she said that she was "in a terrible way because the fortune-teller had told her some terrible things." Mrs. Foothead went in to Gibson and said, "What have you been telling this ivoman?" He replied, "I have not been telling her anything, only that she will . bo parted from her husband." Mrs. Foothead thereupon ordered Gibson out of the house, but he said that' he would not go without receiv-_ ing his fee. Mrs. Footohcad said, "You' have got my half-crown, so go." Gibson went. . _ Questioned by Air Mazengarb. witness said she did not' believo in fortunetelling. She believed that Gibson could tell the future as lie had told her ho could read hands like a map, and did tell the future and anything to avoid. The man did not say anything about fortune reading. TVhen lie was about to leave witness said that he was not fit to be at large, and that she -was going .for the polico. At this stage. Inspector Hendrey called Dr. Martin to give evidence. 'The inspector exhibited to the Court one of Gibson's charts with a written prescription on the back. The Magistrate:• I don't think it is relevant." .• Inspector Hendrey: Very Dr. Martin's evidence will 'not be required. Another Woman's Story. Pansy Foothead, a married woman residing at 30 Roy Street, Newtown, said that when she was haying her fortune told by accused he took hold of her right hand, and told her that she had had a hard struggle for the past few years, that 'her lucky month was December, arid advised her to send a ticket away to "Tatts" ' in December, and to get it back on the same month. Continuing, he told her that sho would bo a widow shortly, but that her husband would not die through sickness. "There's a portion he told you I am not to ask you," remarked Inspector Hendrey at this stage, "that is about children, etc. After he had told you about children. . . what did he do ?" Witness continued on in evidence corroborative of that of the previous witness. Detective Sergeant Cassells said that he had seen accused on the afternoon of September 10, when he had read tho warrant to him charging him with the offences. Accused replied that he did character reading, and handed witness one of his papers. On being shown one of his papers with the prescriptions written on tho back, and being told it was alleged ho had given it to one of tho women, accused had replied, "I know that. Tho Defence.' At the conclusion of the evidence Mr. Mazengarb submitted that there was uo offence disclosed on the , evidence. At t'he best accused had delineated the character of the two witnesses from cards, at the worst accused had been decoyed by the two women into telling stories which no one believes. Mr. Mazengarb submitted that fortunetelling was no offence. The . essential ■ element was an intention to deceive, and no evidence had been given to show there had been any deception. 1 The Magistrate said that he did- not dispute the law that had been set out, yet at the 'anie time he was not prepared to dismiss the information. There was some evideuce. against defendant, but he (the Magistrate) did not propose to decide the matter —he would leave the case to be fully argued before a jury in the Supreme Court. Mr. Marangarl) then made application under Section 224 of the Justices of the Peace Act to liave the case dealt with summarily before his Worship. Mr. Riddell said he was not prepared' to hear the case. A plea of not guilty was_ entered by accused, and he was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. _ Bail was alio ved in £50, and tiro sureties of £25. THE ORIENTAL' BAY TRAGEDY. William' Amos Mullins appeared on remand charged with the attempted murdor of his wife, Eliza Johnson Mullins, and attempted suicide. Mullins was still in a weak state and had to be assisted into the dock. On the application of Inspector Hendrey he was further remanded till next Wednesday. Mr. Gaulter appeared for the prisoner. THEFT CHARGES. Thomas Yates appeared to answer threo theft charges as follow: (1) On September 2, the theft of an overcoat and razor valued at £3, from A. G. Sutton; (2) on September 3, the theft of an overcoat, watch, chain, and medal, from Chvistopher Jansen; (3) On September 6, the theft of an overcoat and pair of gloves, valued at 305., from Daniol M. Bromley. Yates pleaded not guilty to the whole of the charges. Having hoard evidence tho Magistrate entered a conviction and sentenced tho accused to one month's imprisonment ! on each charge, the sentences to be cumulative. James Oliver Armstrong pleaded not guilty to the theft of 16 sacks, valued at Bs., from John Murray. Accused and anpther person had been seen coming out of Murray's coal yard with bvudies of aacks, Armstrong had been

oauglit, but his companion had escaped. Accused, who has been convicted 58 times, mostly for similar offences, was sentenced to 0110 month's imprisonment. OTHER OASES. Ethel Hendry was fined 405., or seven days for importuning. For drunkenness Elizabeth Kempton was fined 205., or three days, while three first offenders similarly charged were dealt with. Daniel Gallaway, charged with being found .helplessly drunk, was ordered to pay 17s. 6d., the cost of medical treatment or spend 48 hours in. gaol. ' A CHARGE OF PERJURY. An information, laid by Matthias Ellison, charged William. Daubrey, a seafaring man, with committing perjury at Wellington on August 7. On the application of Mr. P. B. Cooke, who appeared for the informant, Daubrey was reiranded until Wednesday next, bail being allowed in the sum of £50, and one surety of £50. Mr. P. H. Putman appeared for the accused.