HER FUTURE

NZ Truth, Issue 1143, 27 October 1927, Page 5

HER FUTURE

Police Matron Peeps Into Beyond '(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Rep.) Although Ann Coppell, a police matron, said she did not believe i what she had been told when she 1 , visited Mrs. Kate Coghlan for the purpose of having her fortune told — and treated the prediction as "a lot of rubbish" — Magistrate Hunt assessed their value at 40/-. •THIS was the amount of the fine the • * S.M. Imposed when Mrs. Coghlan appeared at the Auckland Police Court to answer a charge of having undertaken to tell fortunes. The police matron's evidence was taken several days before Mrs. Coghlan'a appearance m court, Lawyer Sullivan, who pleaded for the defendant, expressing 1 no objection. When she had called at the defendant's house m Hopetoun Street about 10 a.m. on September 29, said witness, she was informed that she could not be "taken" until the same hour on the following day. She kept the appointment and was shown into the sitting-room and told .to take a seat. THE MAGIC CARPET Mrs. Coghlan then seated herself almost opposite her visitor and — closing lier eyes — asked witness to concentrate hor niind upon what she was about to be told concerning herself and anyone connected with her. Thus comfortably established upon the magic carpet of prescience, Mrs. Cophlan proceeded to take her "client" into the wonder realms of the future. The witness described what was told to her on the journey. "I see a lady who is suffering from severe nervous debility and indigestion. "You are about to be removed m a short time; m fact, there is a good deal of upheaval where you are just know. '•'You will shortly take train journeys that will be broken three times. There is a fair lady about sft. 6in. m height, medium build and about 38 years of age, whom you will visit on a sick bed. She is very ill, but will recover." At this stage of her trip through the vistas of anticipation, witness broke [the spell by asking for some information about her father. "LOSING HIS MEMORY" This was duly given as follows: "He is a tall man with grey eyes. I can see him losing his memory. He is 1 / about 70 years of age. He will die beL fore the elderly lady whom I think is r your mother. I "You will have three removals — the third will be the most profitable one." On coming to earth, witness inquired what faro she owed for her brief glide into the future and Mrs. Coghlan asked for a modest halferown. Asked by Counsel Sullivan whether she was commissioned by the police to carry out the visit to his client, witness admitted that she was. Mrs. Coghlan's defence was that she did not actually tell the future; her business was to make a medical diagnosis of health and then send her clients to a herbalist. "What training or qualifications nave you m that direction?" asked Chief Detective Cummings. Kate claimed that it was purely a "natural gift." On her behalf, counsel submitted that there had not been any regular charge; his client had only accepted whatever her visitors saw fit to offer, i But offerings would need to be very I substantial if every visitor that solicits I Kate's knowledge costs that lady 40/-. I But, of course, everyone is not a police ■ matron.