A SHOCKING CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2673, 1 December 1909, Page 5

A SHOCKING CASE.

CHARGE AGAINST A MAGNETIC

HEALER.

fPer Press Association.!

NELSON Nov. 30. A curious case occupied the attention, of the Court for the last three daysWilliam Henry Kingston, married, with an ailing wife and family in receipt of charitable aid, was charged under the Crimes Act with indecent assault on a girl aged 20, it being alleged that lie gained his ends by thefraud of pretending powers to diagnose cases by touch, and to electrically heat by rubbing. It was alleged in evidence* that, aided by a woman named Buxton, who believed in his supernatural powers, Kingston persuaded the girl to permit treatment for supposed appendicitis, which eventually led to her undoing. While the intimacy was proceeding Kingston professed to read in tea leaves at the bottom of a cup that her father and brother had a serious offence against her at an earlier age, and it was alleged that ha induced her to sign a written confession to that effect, with the woman. Buxton as a witness. Subsequently prisoner took the statement to the police to. lay an information against tha father of the girl, from whom he had previously obtained £5 on the plea of dire poverty. The police being suspicious of the affair, investigated it, and laid the present charge, with the result that accused Kingston was committed, no bail being forthcoming. The case created considerable localstir, as showing the maligiT influence* it was possible to exercise over neurotic girls. In evidence it was alleged that Kingston also endeavored to bring, under bis power and treatment a sister of his alleged original victim, writing her that his wife would die in January, and the girl must marry him, as his visions had foretold that tb& girl’s father, mother, and brother would meet violent deaths .shortly. The family of the alleged vietiin are very respectable, and that the victim was quite free of bodily ailments was proved on medical examination. Prisoner, ic was stated, attempted to treat the second girl for coming blindness diagnosing the cases of both by holding hands.