A "WITCH" SWINDLES A MAORI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7865, 6 July 1905, Page 3

A "WITCH" SWINDLES A MAORI.

EXORCISES KVIL SPIRITS. BUT CANNOT WARD OFF DEATH. (Per Press Association.) AL'CKLAND, July 5. Madam Jordan, alias Maty Ann Hill, a widow, was charged at the Police Court with unlawfully pretending to exercise or use witch-craft upon a Maori named Wilson (Whakanian), and also with obtaining £IOO by false pretences from Wilson. Mr May, for the Crown, said that on Dec. 13 or 14 of last year, Wilson came to Auckland to be treated lor jaundice. A day or two iater a Maori directed him to go to Madam Jordan. Madam came to sec him, and said she could cure him and would for £IOO. She said he hail ghosts all over him. After receiving £IOO she treated Wilson, who died early; in January. Maimaj, wife of Wilson, gave evidence supporting Mr May's statement. She also said Madam Jordan said she was a Maori tohunga, and would cure him lor £IOO in two weeks. Witness, when asked to demonstrate what defendant did to her husband, rubbed her chest, and said lhat defendant told her husband that "evil spin Is were killing him."' The defendant then put her hands to her forehead and remained so for some

time. She then looked upwards and gazed at the sky. Witness' husband getting no better, Ihev went back to Mercer. After arrival at bome he got worse, and witness sent another Maori down to bring defendant up, but she refused to go up, and sent some medicine. SOon afterwards witness' husband died. Two other Maoris gave evidence. Defendant pleaded "no! guilty," and was committed for trial. Her defence was reserved. Hail was allowed, accused in one surely of £IOO, and two sureties ol £SO each or one of £IOO. Sureties were forthcoming.