UNUSUAL ASSAULT CASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2220, 28 December 1920, Page 1

UNUSUAL ASSAULT CASE.

MAN ACCUSES HIS WIFE. '‘SPIRITUALISTIC HEALING.” METHOD OF DIAGNOSIS. An unusual ease was heard by AH’ E. C. Cntien, S.M., in the Auckland Magistrate's Court last week, when Arthur Burgess (Mr Hosking), blacksmith, sough! to have his wife, Sarah Burgess (Mr Singer), hound over to keen the peace on the ground that she had used provoking' and insulting language to him, had seized him by the clothes and committed an assault. The complainant, who carries on business at the Dominion Road tram terminus, gave evidence to the. effect that he and his wife were married about 29 years ago, and there were 10 children living. He and his wife were living apart, she receiving an allowance from him. He alleged that his wife had frequently met and abused him during their separation, and had on occasions assaulted him. Complainant was subjected to a lengthy cross-examination. He said that about three years ago he commenced spiritualistic healing. He did not think qualifications wore necessary. He treated men for any complaint about which they consulted him, but treated women for varicose veins and skin diseases only, for which he gave a lotion. He diagnised their complaints, but did not treat them. Mr Singer: Can you diagnose? — Yes. Do you understand the meaning of diagnosis? —When anyone consults me my body goes the same as theirs. That is what I mean by diagnosis. “THE MASSAGE KISS.” In reply to Mr Singer, complainant sa.id lie had no knowledge of the meaning of I lie “massage kiss,’’ and denied that he had ever administered (lie treatment to a certain woman. He refused to say whether he had ever written to the woman mentioning that lie had given her the “massage kiss,” or that he had written her many letters. He admitted (hat the woman’s, husband had commenced divorce proceedings, and Rial he was served with notice, but the proceedings bad been withdrawn. He bad written to the woman under an assumed name. The letters might have been in most affectionate terms. To his knowledge he had not given her the "massage kiss." She was a “medium." and had attended Ids spiritualistic meet - digs, lie could not remember when tie bad discovered she was a medium. When shown a teller purporting to be from a woman, ami commencing “My darting Arthur,” complainant said lie bad never seen it. Mrs Burgess : Thai is from another woman. Mr Singer: Oh! then we have another. This is something new. Under further cross-examinalio** complainant said the letter produced was written six years ago, and was from a man. He could not remember his wife showing it to him. AN A FFECTI()XA TE LETT ER. The letter was read. 11 was signed by a woman, and was in the most affectionate and intimate terms. Iu contained reference to past and future meetings, and the writer requested complainant not to go to the front, but to go South with Iter and her mother. It included an offer of £2O to provide complainant with new clot lies. The writer further looked forward to the time .when (hey might Jive together, and concluded with (he statement that if the recipient did not keep the appointment suggested the writer would kidnap him. Complainant denied that he had over received money from any woman. He admitted lie had recently given certain jewellery to a single woman. He had given money to a married woman. Further, complainant said he was not in a sound financial position at present. Counsel questioned him at great length regarding his finances and his relationship with certain women, and was asking witness as to the cost and ingredients of the lotion supplied to patients and the. payments received, when Mr Husking appealed to the magistrate to stop the cross-examination on these lines. The Magistrate: I cannot stop it. Air Ho.sking; A Veil, sir, if you cannot, who can ? Air Singer: No one! In reply to Air Singer, complainant said he conducted spiritualistic classes, and admitted that it was necessary to put Hie lights out. He had a church. Further evidence was given for complainant. Counsel for defendant said it was very fortunate that the case hud been brought before the public. It might perhaps be a warning to those, especially women, who took part and believed in such methods of spiritualism and mental healing f as practised by complainant, Men

of his type'wore not to bo confused with sincere believers in spiritualism, such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, for while the latter dealt only with the dead, this man dealt with the living’. Counsel submitted there was no case against the wife. The magistrate said an application by a husband to have his wife bound over was, to say the least, unusual. In the circumstances disclosed, ho could not make an order. The case was dismissed, and defendant was allowed costs.