A BOY SEER.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1920, Page 6

A BOY SEER.

FATHER AND SON CHARGED. AFTER PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS. By Telegrapn.—Press Association. Christchurch, Dec. 14. Nathaniel Copeland, known as "Argus the Prophet," aged 11, appeared in the Magistrate's Cor rt charged with having undertaken to tell fortunes. Louis Copeland, his father, was similarly charged. The informations were laid by the police.in respect of performances just concluded at the Grand Theatre, Argus purporting amongst other things to tell the whereabouts of missing property.

Counsel for defendants said if the case had to stand over and defendant remain in Christeliurcli to make a test case it would mean serious loss to their employers and great expense to Copeland. He .suggested that the boy be not asked to plead guilty as he acted under, the influence of his father and that the case against him bo dismissed without prejudice on that case to avoid an adjournment. The father would plead guilty to the charge and undertake, on hi« arrival in Auckland, to give the police an opportunity, to bring another case which could become a test case.

The magistrate asked what the police proposed. The police said they wanted an adjournment if the case was to be defended. An adjournment was necessary to get witnesses. Counsel said Copeland would supply all the facts in Auckland for a test case.

The magistrate said he did not want to hamper Copeland in .his engagements and both cases would be adjourned sine