In the Te Henui Cemetery in New Plymouth is a remarkable monument. Compared to the graves around it, it is massive. And very "Eastern." It is the Muslim-style mausoleum of a controversial Indian herbalist, buried with his Koran.
NB: this story contains racist attitudes and insults - I'm sure they weren't regarded as insults (well, at least not grievous ones) by those who made them at the time, but that would be because they were published by the "NZ Truth" - the weekly that many people bought but few admitted to reading. The "Truth" reflected and pandered to the baser feelings of the more narrow-minded elements of the population of the time. I include it here because it offers many more quotes and details than other publications. And it's amusing in itself.
I neither support nor condone its attitudes.
I also have no firm opinion on the usefulness - or lack of same - of Salaman's treatments. This story is merely a reportage of the reportage.
A REMARKABLE CLAIM.
NB: this story contains racist attitudes and insults - I'm sure they weren't regarded as insults (well, at least not grievous ones) by those who made them at the time, but that would be because they were published by the "NZ Truth" - the weekly that many people bought but few admitted to reading. The "Truth" reflected and pandered to the baser feelings of the more narrow-minded elements of the population of the time. I include it here because it offers many more quotes and details than other publications. And it's amusing in itself.
I neither support nor condone its attitudes.
I also have no firm opinion on the usefulness - or lack of same - of Salaman's treatments. This story is merely a reportage of the reportage.
A REMARKABLE CLAIM.
A remarkable claim for maintenance was made by Mrs. Salaman, a young New Zealand wife, aged 19, against her husband, W. Mahomed Salaman, an Assyrian, some six or seven years older. They were married last September, she being then only 18, and her complaint was that her husband was not adequately providing for her support. She was represented by Mr. P. W. Jackson, and in cross-examination by Mr. H. Buddle, who appeared for the husband, she admitted that her husband had given her a diamond ring valued at £75, and £25 worth of other jewellery, besides £50 worth of clothes during the last six months. The husband's evidence was a general denial of his wife's assertions, and he produced receipts which showed that he had paid for groceries and other household needs an average of £3 per week, the accounts having been incurred by his wife's orders. The diamond ring had been in his family for many years, and belonged to his mother, Under the circumstances, the Magistrate, Mr. L. G. Reid. S.M., said he would not make any order. -Dominion, 11/7/1916.
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| New Plymouth Cemetery |
MAHOMET'S "MISSUS"
The Brown Man's Wife
Madge Makes a Miss in Matrimony
And Fails to Establish Her Claim
A sort of pie-bald party was held before Mr. L. G. Reid, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court on Monday, when Madge Salaman, a petite and somewhat pretty damsel, sued her only lawful "hubby," Abraham Mahomet Wolly Salaman, which name represents about eight stone 6f sooty-colored Hindoo, who is proprietor of a dye works.
"Desdemona" was represented by Mr. P. W. Jackson, and the Oriental "brudder" was backed up by Mr. H. Buddle.
Madge got into the box, and said that holy matrimony had been accomplished between herself and the hundredweight of Hindoo on December 23, 1915. She was 19 years of age at the time of her inhabiting the witness box, and her Hindoo husband had promised to give her all
THE RICHES OF THE IND
when he made her his bonny bride; but he had failed to keep her in plain, ordinary "tucker," even.
Mr. Jackson elicited that she was a Miss Madge Cardno previous to becoming Mahomet's bride and that, for nine weeks after the consummation of piebald matrimony, they had lived at her mamma's place. Subsequently they went to Riddiford-street, and inhabited a house and shop there.
Mr. Jackson: Has he properly maintained you? — No.
Has he given you any money at all, .or any clothes? — Not a penny — none at all.
Did he give you sufficient food? — No, he did not.
Mr. Jackson: How did you come to leave? — He put me out. He told my mother to "take me to Hell out of that." I was afraid of my life. He
TRIED TO CHOKE ME
in bed the night before.
Here Mr. Buddle took a hand in the pie-bald marriage pie and sorted the ingredients out a bit. He ascertained that the loving bride and groom consummated their honeymoon at Adams terrace. She used to spend her evenings in a very miserable manner for a brand-new bride, as her husband was very jealous of his treasure.
Mr. Buddle got to work on the nonclothing and foodless part of the charge. He asked Madge about her mantle and drape department. The 19-year-old bride started off with a dash about her underclothing, but was quickly pulled up by the modest cross-question. He "didn't want to know about underclothing." Then Madge went into a list (on pressure) of silk blouses, slip bodices, silk hose, and "a wedding dress" that would have made a summer's sale of drapery look like a menu card by comparison. She also stated that she had worn a pearl ring, which she had sold for 10s, a gold pendant and heart which she had lost, and a gold watch, which was undergoing repairs There was also a diamond ring which her Hindoo "hubby" valued at £75, but she disputed the value.
Did you ever say to one of the employees that you had never worked before marriage, and that you were not going to work now that you were married to a black — ?
I NEVER SWEAR.
I never heard such words until I was married.
Mr. Buddle extracted a little, which was to the effect that the bridal dress (of silk) cost £17.
The evidence of the brown bridegroom was a recital of the values of silks, groceries, etc. He had always given his little bride plenty of money, and he had purchased enough groceries to feed an army corps. The bill for groceries alone amounted to the respectable sum of £6 4s 8d for one month.
Mr. Jackson: She says that she never saw
THE COLOR OF YOUR MONEY?
— What! She search my pocket every night (laughter).
A little altercation took place here, Mr. Jackson saying that the "diamond ring" was a work of the pastrycook's art and no diamond at all. He reckoned that it was valued at 35s.
Mahomet reckoned that he had practically kept the Cardno house, and that he was never asked to pay a part of the rent. He reckoned that he had done a great deal more than his share.
His Worship reckoned that the bonny bride had failed to establish her case, and was not entitled to separated matrimony and separation allowance. He thought that the defendant had clearly established his defence. The application would be dismissed. -NZ Truth, 15/7/1916.
LIQUIDATED CHEMICAL CO.
HINDU'S QUEER POSITION.
A MEETING THAT ENDED NOWHERE.
Another meeting of creditors against the Aniline Chemical Manufacturing Company was called by the request of Abraham Waller Mahomed Salaman, the hindu shareholder of the company of two, and was held in the presence of Mr. W. S. Fisher, the Official Assignee, this afternoon.
Mr. Stanton represented F. W. Peddle, the managing director of the Company, and Mr. J. J. Sullivan was engaged by Salaman.
The Assignee said he had approached Salaman as to whether he was willing to vacate the factory in England Street, Ponsonby, as he was notified to do by Mr. Clarke, the owner, and he had refused, for only one small parcel of the assets had been sold. He had taken steps to have Salaman evicted.
Mr. Sullivan explained that he had called the meeting so as to have an opportunity of examining the secretary and the managing director of the Company. His client had complained of being examined on oath at the last meeting while Mr. Peddle, the managing director of the Company, had not. Counsel wanted direct information of the financial and other standing of the Company. He wanted to know, also, whether the debt had been incurred before or after the formation of the Company. Definite information on these points was what he wished. Counsel questioned certain accounts that were tabled, on the grounds that they were dated before the Company was formed.
The Assignee said Peddle had advanced £510 8/4.
Mr. Sullivan drew attention to a letter signed by one of the creditors repudiating knowledge of the Company, which had been registered on November 22 last, and claiming that Peddle personally owed the money.
Frederick William Peddle, on oath, told the Official Assignee that under the articles of the Company he became managing director of the Company. He had suggested that he would be managing director because he found the whole of the money. He emphatically denied that he had agreed to pay Salaman £300 for goodwill previous to the formation of the Company, but he had agreed to advance £300 on loan. The Company was brought into existence by an agreement on August 1, though it had not been registered till November. At a meeting of himself and Mr. Stanton, Mr. Pinker, the secretary, and Salaman on December 2. it was agreed to wind up the affairs of the Company, because Salaman himself admitted he could not make the dyes he had promised to make. He was willing to advance up to £3000 if Salaman could have made what he promised.
Most interest was centred round Salaman's statement of his position. The Hindu said he had £375 worth of chemicals before he went to the factory, and had £480 cash in the bank. Up to February 18 there was due to him £99 18/3. This was for the balance of his wages, which Mr. Peddle had agreed should be £4 a week. In July he made 1301b. weight of dye, the first dye ever made in New Zealand. He could produce a real dye, any colour, at any time, and his family had followed the profession of dyers from generation unto generation in the Punjab. On December 18 there was £1,200 of stock in the factory. He had no idea where that went. He had received nothing from the business, and was penniless now. He said the factory had been burgled and the stock taken. He considered himself entitled still to £4 a week from the company, and also to stay on the premises in England street, though he could pay no rent.
To Mr. Stanton he admitted some of the stocks he said were stolen were still in the factory. He had allowed 7/ a pound for £l75 worth of yellow dye, because it had cost him 7/ a pound to make.
The Assignee: Do you think you can get anyone to give you any money at all for that dye?
After much pressing Salaman said he did not know.
To Mr. Stanton he admitted that there was a good deal of stock still at the factory.
Salaman explained that the £300 to be paid by Mr. Peddle was goodwill. Salaman himself was to spend the money for chemicals, then the company was to repay him. He was bound by the agreement not to work anywhere else while the company was in existence. When Peddle paid the other £300 he would be a half owner in the business.
To Mr. Sullivan: The £300 had really nothing to do with the company. The £500 was the real purchase price of the partnership. If he were released from the terms of the agreement he would work for himself not the factory. At present he had no money at all and if he left the factory he would have nowhere at all to go. If allowed to work, he could pay the rent.
The Assignee objected to Salaman carrying on work at the factory, as it would prevent realisation on the assets of the estate.
Mr. Sullivan asked for the Hindu to be left in the factory. The Assignee refused. Counsel then determined to press the points concerning the debts, whether they were contracted before or after the formation of the company.
The Assignee: It is a matter of law.
Mr. Stanton argued that it was of no avail to shift the debts from the company. They would only go on to someone else's shoulders, possibly Salaman's own, and that would avail neither Salaman nor the official liquidator. The meeting then closed. -Auckland Star, 6/3/1919.
Abraham Walley Mahomed Salaman, who had disregarded the provisions of a maintenance order made against him, was sentenced to a month's imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended as long as the arrears, £3 7s 6d, are paid off at the rate of 7s 6d per week and the current payments kept up. -Evening Post, 25/7/1919.
HABEAS CORPUS
HINDU FATHER WANTS HIS CHILD.
A peculiar action was commenced at the Supreme Court to-day by Abraham Walley Mahomed Salaman, a native of the Punjab, before Mr. Justice Hosking, under the provisions of the Habeas Corpus Act, the plea being that the Court should make an order giving petitioner the custody of a female child at present living with the mother, a white woman, Marjorie Salaman.
Salaman, who was previously in business at Wellington as a dyer and cleaner, married in 1915, separated from his wife in September, 1917, the child having been born in April of that year, and later went to Auckland, where he is now in business as a herbalist. On 28th October last Salaman obtained a decree nisi at Auckland on the ground that his wife had been guilty of misconduct, but the question of the custody of the child was not then before the Court. Since then, however, he has made certain allegations against the respondent, which allegations were contained in the petition under the Habeas Corpus Act proceeding.
Petitioner was represented by Mr. W. E. Leicester, and the respondent by Mr. E. G. Jellicoe.
(Proceeding). -Evening Post, 17/12/1921.
A HABEAS CORUPUS CONUNDRUM
THE SORROWS Of THE SALAMANS
HINDU FATHER AND SCOTS MOTHER FIGHT FOR THEIR EURASIAN OFFSPRING
Divorced Wife Acts As Housekeeper For Chinaman
A WEIRD STORY IS UNWOUND BEFORE THE COURT
For East is East, and West is West,
And never the twain shall meet. — Kipling.
Good old Habeas Corpus bobbed up his hoary head in the Wellington Supreme Court during the week, when the custody of an Eurasian child, Ayesha Salaman, now aged four years, was in dispute.
The mother of the child, Madge Salaman, is a Scots Woman, born in Aberdeen. She was recently divorced from Abraham Walley Mahomed Salaman, a Hindu, Who secured his release on an undefended petition after he had proved that his white wife had given birth to an illegitimate child by a man named Chandler. Mrs. Salaman is a Scotsbyterian by faith. Her dark-skinned husband that was is a Mahommedan, and to add a bit more variety into the complications, she is now acting as
HOUSEKEEPER TO A CHINESE PERSON,
Mr. Loui Lock, a merchant, of Rintoul street, Wellington. The father allowed the child to remain in the custody of his wife after the divorce was obtained, but he is now seeking to obtain possession of it.
Altogether a pretty little problem for his Honor Judge Hosking to worry his honorable headpiece over, and a merry little legal tangle for the lawyers (Mr. W. E; Leicester, for petitioner, and Mr. E. G. Jellicoe for respondent) to chew the rag about.
When the legal battle for the child started, Judge Hosking sought to try and stem the wordy tide try trying to nail the legal lads down to tin tacks. "Here we .have a case," he said, "where it is alleged that this woman, who is now divorced as the result of misconduct, which has resulted in her giving birth to an illegitimate child, is now living in a house with three Chinamen. That is an important matter as I see it."
"I assure your Honor," said Mr. Jellicoe, "that there is more in this case than at first appears. We have an answer to these matters."
Salaman was called. He said he came to New Zealand in 1912, and he knew his wife three or four weeks before he married her. She was twenty years of age at the time, but she told him she was only seventeen. He said he did hot want to marry the girl, but her parents persuaded him to marry her. He said that three days after the marriage he saw his wife take a soldier to her parents' house. He said he went round and saw his wife sitting on the soldier boy's knee and drinking with her parents. Domestic upsets like this lead to court proceedings, as he alleged that his wife would not look after herself, and was
ALWAYS RUNNING ABOUT
at night time. He did not accuse her of misconduct at that time. Two or three months afterwards he left and went to Auckland, leaving the baby with his wife. Salaman said he was not a Hindu herbalist by profession, and that he had property in Auckland, four houses to be correct. He stopped paying his wife maintenance when he heard that another child had been born. Salaman denied that he had tried to teach his wife to be a Mahommedan. The religion of Mahomet and the Congregational are nearly the same, he explained sweetly, only the Mahommedan religion is rather more strict. He did not try to teach her, but she tried to learn it. He repeated that he had caught his wife and the soldier and her father and mother drinking whisky together. Her parents sought to calm his qualms by saying, "Don't be frightened, she is with her parents." Since his wife had been with Loui Lock she had been dressed very flash, and he didn't like it at all. Witness said that recently he came down with a lady friend and her daughter to try and get the child. They advanced on Loui Lock's house and called to the child. Just as the kiddy was running in their direction, however, three Chows ran out and grabbed the child.
Mrs. Rebecca Thomas, living at Mt. Eden, Auckland, said she had known Salaman for three years. Her daughter, aged 17 years, went to Salaman's house every day. She worked for him. All the rooms in Salaman's pill emporium were furnished except one. He had a staff of Europeans working for him who came and went.
HE COOKED EUROPEAN FOOD,
and was on a position to give his child an excellent education. He was a decent-living man all right. Witness said her husband gave her permission to come down to Wellington with Salaman to try and get the child. She went to Lock's house on December 4. She had thoughtfully brought down a doll with her, which she waggled before the child's eyes and called out to her. But before the capture was made the Chinamen came running out and took the. child inside the house.
Police-Sergt. Ted McKelvie said Loui Lock lived in his district. He was a Chink who bore a good character, and witness put him down at about fifty-five or sixty years of age. He was undoubtedly a fit person to employ a housekeeper. He had also a little Chinese boy living in his house, which was very well furnished. Lock was an influential person amongst the Chows, and he thought Mrs. Salaman was exceedingly fortunate in getting such a nice place. To Mr. Leicester witness said he could not speak of Lock's family life as he had only been in his house on two occasions. He could not swear whether Mrs. Salaman was Lock's housekeeper or living with him as his wife. When Lock was away in Christchurch Mrs. Salaman's mother stayed there. Lock had a motor-car, but he had never seen. Mrs Salaman riding in it with him.
Madge Salaman herself was called. To Mr. Jellicoe she said she came to New Zealand with her parents in 1909. She said she became first acquainted with Salaman by going into his dye shop in Adelaide-road to buy some silk.
THEN SALAMAN SEDUCED HER
five months later and her parents, learning of her condition, decided that the best thing she could do was to marry her dusky seducer. This she did to her sorrow. Married, they lived at the shop, and all the furniture in the whole building was a bed, sofa and one chair. After a few days in the shop they went to her mother's place. He promised to get more furniture, but he did not. Her mother and father had then to keep witness, as Salaman bought nothing except some rice for himself. He would not even pay the rent. The soldier named by Salaman was a friend of her family's. The night he came round Salaman was there all the time, together with witness's seven sisters and her parents. Salaman got jealous and then wild. Nothing took place which might in any way be described as misconduct. Witness said she went to live with her husband at a shop he took in Riddiford Street. He was in business as a dyer. He only supplied her
WITH CURRY AND RICE TO EAT.
She had to eat it or starve, and he used to cook it because she could not cook it to suit him. A neighbor used to take pity on her and bring her in decent food to eat. They shifted to Adelaide-road and witness alleged that the neighbors had to intervene to protect her from Salaman. She appealed to the Society for the Protection of Women and Children and the police, and a constable was sent to watch the house. The curry and rice tucker still continued, and when her mother came round and complained, Salaman said he would put a knife into her if she did not get out. Witness said that Salaman never gave her any money. She left him. When he induced her to return she discovered that her wedding dress was missing from her box. It was traced by a detective to a sixteen-year-old girl who was working in Salaman's factory, and with whom witness alleged he was carrying on. When witness was carrying her baby she said Salaman left her alone, and would sleep in the factory. He would sleep on a bench or on the floor with a sack over him. Curry and rice once a day was all the tucker he provided, but the
NEIGHBORS CARRIED HER FOOD.
Salaman liked to treat the girls in his factory to steak and egg beanos. Witness said she saw him cooking it for them through a crack in the door. When the child was born Salaman neglected it. He never had it in his arms in his life. He was an utter stranger to the child. When she went to him for money for milk and food he used to knock her down in the factory.
His Honor: Did anyone see him do this to you? — No, sir. He was too cunning. He did it when no one was there, he is only trying to get the child because he has not made me suffer enough. It is his revenge.
Continuing, witness said Salaman gave her a ring when they married. He said it was worth £75. When witness was in want of food she went to pawn it one day.
THREE PAWNBROKERS LAUGHED
at her in succession, and told her it was only glass. She eventually got five bob for it.
Mr. Leicester: This man Wilfred Chandler, with whom you misconducted yourself with, I think he was a friend of your husband's? — I heard he and Salaman were talking of going into partnership.
He is a married man? — Yes. He used to sympathise with me.
And his sympathy got the best of you? — Yes. I was driven to it by Salaman's conduct.
And you had a child to Chandler? — Yes. I did make a grave error.
That child has been adopted? — Yes, I could not keep it, and I know it is being well looked after. But there will be a few broken hearts if you take this child, but Salaman's heart won't be broken.
Will you give the child up to your mother? — No, I will give it up to no one. And
HE IS TOO BRUTAL A MAN
to have the child.
What does Lock pay you? — Fifteen shillings a week. He provided the food for myself and child as well. Since the separation up to December 4 last, Salaman has never bothered about the child. I saw that woman trying to get the baby away with the doll.
What do you know about Lock's married life? — He is a widower. His wife, who was a white woman, died some six years ago. He was married to her for 23 years.
Witness added that it was not true that she was pregnant to Lock at the present time. Salaman had made similar charges against her before but they had been disproved.
Mr. Leicester: Did you ever visit the Cecil Hotel before your marriage? — I went there once to meet a man. They asked me inside to wait.
As a result you were once charged with stabbing a man with a hatpin? — Yes, but I was acquitted.
You were convicted and discharged you mean? — Well, I only did it to protect my honor.
How is it you did not investigate Salaman's position before you married him? — I was innocent and didn't know the ways of the world.
Have you ever lived with the soldier Elstrom? — I deny it.
Did you ever live with a man in Nelson? — I have never lived with any man but my husband.
Did not your husband catch you and Elstrom behaving
IN AN AMOROUS MANNER?
— No. We were just chasing each other round. There was nothing in his behavior to take exception at.
Were not you and your parents continually drunk? — No. It is against our family religion.
Who suggested that you should go to Lock's house? — I heard that his wife had died and the position of housekeeper would suit me exactly as I could have my child near me.
Why did you separate from Salaman? — Because he pulled me by the hair up and down the factory and said he would kill me and the baby.
Witness added that she saw Salaman and the girl to whom he gave the wedding dress. She was a girl with her hair down her back and Salaman had his arm round her. She did not think it was her duty to warn this girl. The second child was born in Loui Lock's house. She took Chandler to court to be adjudged the father of the child and gave evidence against him. Loui Lock was not accused of being the father of the child. She did not remember Chandler saying in the court that he had seen her in Lock's bed. She was glad to get rid of that man — a man who had ruined her life and
SHE HATED HIS NAME.
Do you remember a clerk coming to Lock's house and Lock giving him £30 to go on with the divorce?— Yes. A Mr. Hyman. He forced Lock to give him £30. He said, "If you don't pay £30 I won't charge Chandler as he hasn't any money, and I will bring you into it." She had never occupied the same room as Lock. He did not keep a Chinese housekeeper as he did not get on with them. She was in the habit of driving out in Lock's car with her mother and him. Lock had never showed any 'intention of marrying her and she didn't think he had any ideas in that direction. He had assisted her a little, but he had never bought her rings and jewellery.
Re-examined, witness, said that the petition was served on her after Mr. Hyman had been to see her. She told him that she did not think her health would stand the strain of fighting the divorce. He replied, "Your name won't be mentioned, and why do you want to be tied up to a man like that for?" A year before Hyman came, to the house in Tasman street. He said he had come from Mr. Singer, of :Auckland. He told her he was Salaman's lawyer. He told Lock that if he did not
PAY UP THE £30
he would take him to court as co-respondent. Lock replied, "I don't know why I should have to pay this. I have nothing to do with it, she is working for me. Chandler is the father of the child. Hyman, said: "I don't care, I am going to bring you into it. You will have to pay me £30 by Monday morning." He went away and came back on the following Monday morning and got the money. Witness and her father were present when the money was paid over. Lock's lawyer had the receipt for the money. Look got him to sign the butt of his cheque book. After that the case went on.
Margaret Searle said that she was one of the neighbors who helped to feed Mrs. Salaman when she was practically starving. The case was adjourned at this stage to the next sitting of the court after the Ollerdays. NZ Truth, 24/12/1921.
HABEAS CORPUS CONUNDRUM
THE SORROWS OF THE SALAMANS
Hindu Father And Scots Mother Fight For Eurasian Offspring
WHITE MOTHER, DIVORCED, LIVES WITH CHINESE
The unmeetability of East and West, of which Mr. Kipling sings, seems to be an established fact so far as the Salamans are concerned. Abraham Walley Mahomed Salaman is a Hindu. Recently he divorced his wife Madge. She is a white Scots woman, and was born in Aberdeen. At present she is acting as housekeeper to Loui Lock, a Chinese merchant, of Wellington, and Abraham Walley Mahomed has instituted proceedings under Habeas Corpus to secure the custody of the child of the ill-starred union, aged four years, and christened Ayesha ("She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed") Salaman.
Mr. Justice Hosking heard the opening of the case before Christmas, when two days were occupied in the hearing of a sordid story of marital unhappiness and misery. On Saturday last the adjourned hearing was taken when the sorry tale was reopened again. Mr. E, Q. Jellicoe again appeared for the mother and Mr. W. E. Leicester for Salaman. Mr. Leicester stated that Salaman had obtained his divorce in consequence of his wife having given birth to
TO AN ILLEGITIMATE CHILD
to a man named Chandler. Salaman had ceased to live with her in 1917, and as the child was only then five months old he allowed it to stay with the mother. From 1917 he had provided his wife with a/ house and 27s 6d a week maintenance. She allegedly left this house towards the end of 1920, taking the child with her. Since then he had not contributed any maintenance. Early in December last Salaman visited a house in Rintoul Street, where respondent and the child were living. Respondent refused to allow him to see the child, and when the child came into the garden, three Chinamen rushed out of the house and took the child inside. Petitioner carried on the business of herbalist in Auckland. He was a man of some substance and he had not taken the child away before because of its tender years. Now he wanted to take it away before it became influenced by its present surroundings.
Mr. Jellicoe unwound a lengthy legal argument in opposition to the petition. He contended that Salaman had never shown any real parental affection, but was a stranger to the child. He had not made suitable arrangements for it and he had abdicated to his wife his parental right since the child's birth. Should he remarry, the child might be at the mercy of any woman. The suit was tantamount to condemning the child to the habits and customs of Asiatics. His Honor pointed out that the Chinese were also Asiatics and said that the suit appeared to him to be a conflict between
CHINESE AND HINDU INFLUENCES.
Mr. Jellicoe: The child is now with its mother, your Honor, and is with Chinese. The Chinese profess Christianity, and the child is still under the influence of its European grandparents. Certain Hindu races, to one of which Salaman belonged, regarded female children as mere chattels.
Mr. Leicester, for petitioner, contended that she, being a white girl, should have had enough feminine intuition to prevent her being led astray by a man of colour. The marriage took place after she had informed her parents, excellent Scots people, that as the result of her intercourse with a Hindu, Salaman, she had got into trouble. The child was not born for sixteen months after the pair had married, and counsel suggested that it was an act of cunning on the part of respondent in urging imaginary pregnancy on her parents as a reason for hastening the marriage. The conceivable hypothesis was that the parents looked with favor on Salaman, who was prospering in business in Wellington at that time as a silk merchant. Then the war broke out and his business failed and he went to Auckland
A PENNILESS MAN.
There he made headway again, and he and his wife then found that they could not live together. They entered into a formal deed of separation and there was no suggestion whatever of desertion. Salaman was certainly lax in his payments, but he did not wilfully evade them, but that was because he did not understand that he should have paid the money regularly into the Magistrate's Court. Respondent left no stone unturned to paint her character as white as she could, added counsel, yet three days after the marriage, when they should have been enjoying the delights of the honeymoon, there was evidence that Salaman threatened to leave the house owing to her carrying on with another man. Later she got in tow with a married man and allowed him to seduce her. The illegitimate child of this white man was born in the house of a Chinaman, who paid the sum of £30 to keep out of the divorce court. That fact was admitted.
Mr. Jellicoe: That is admitted: It was blackmail.
Mr. Leicester: Here we have a wealthy Chinaman at whose house the woman lives, saying that her status is that of a housekeeper. This Chinaman can well afford to have a woman of his own race. If the child is left in such surroundings
THE SAME STIGMA
will attach to her as to her mother. It was unlikely that a white woman would take refuge in a Chinaman's house unless the door of her own people was barred against her.
Mr. Jellicoe: There are hundreds of white women married to them, as respectable as anyone in Wellington.
Mr. Leicester asked the court to look at the difference between the two parties before the court. On the one hand was the woman living in circumstances which had only one suggestion. Contrast the man with this. He had made good in a strange town and was now anxious to make a home for his child. Petitioner based his claim on the following points: That custody should be given to the innocent party. That the mother has been, and still is,
A PERSON TOTALLY UNFIT
to be the child's guardian, and is in every way incapable of looking after it. That the father on the other hand was a fit and proper person to look after it. That it was in the welfare of the child that she be placed in the care of her father.
His Honor seemed to regard the proposition as a pretty tough sort of nut to crack. He remarked that he could not make a neutral order, giving the child over to the care of a third party. The question was whether the child should be treated from a Hindu point of view or from a Christian one. The child was partly Hindu and partly Christian — in a general sense. Mr. Leicester stated that Salaman intended to bring the child up in the Christian faith.
Mr. Jellicoe inquired if his Honor would like to see the child, but the court frowned and remarked that it was always suspicious of seeing children in such cases. Such children were sometimes tutored. Anyway, this child did not know its father.
"This is a matter of very great importance," concluded his Honor. "It will he very difficult to arrive at a proper verdict." Decision was reserved. -NZ Truth, 1/4/1922.
SORROWS Of THE SALAMANS
Latest Chapter In Mixed Marriage Drama
DIVORCEE AND CHILD ARRESTED IN BED AND GAOLED.
The Sorrows of the Salamans, which have been running in serial form in the New Zealand courts for a long time now, seem to have reached some sort of finality at last. Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman is a Hindu. His recently divorced wife is a white woman. She has a child to Wally and since then she has brought another into the world by a white father. This was the little snag that caused Wally to fly for a divorce. Recently Wally instituted proceedings under good old habeas corpus to secure possession of his legitimate offspring, christened Ayesha. He reckoned that little "She-who-must-'be-obeyed" was not getting a fair deal owing to the fact that his wife, since the severing of the marriage tie, had been acting as housekeeper for Loui Lock, a Chinese merchant in Wellington. Judge Hosking decided: that the Eurasian child should be removed from the custody of its mother and handed over to daddy, who lives in Auckland. The court stipulated that mummy was to remain in Wellington when the offspring was sent north.
The little change over, however, did not go off without
SOME LITTLE EXCITEMENT.
This culminated in Mrs. Salaman landing herself in gaol, and as a result Chief Justice Stout heard an appeal by the woman against her arrest and detention. When the case came on on Monday Lawyer Jellicoe appeared for Mrs. Salaman and Mr. W. E. Leicester for Salaman.
Mr. Jellicoe, for the wife, alleged that she saw Salaman, who had come down from Auckland, at Mr. Leicester's office, when she pleaded in vain with him for some amicable arrangement to be made in regard to the child's future. Salaman refused and threatened to have her arrested. The woman was requested to bring the child to the lawyer's office the next morning. Next morning the mother swore in an affidavit, the child cried so piteously and clung to her so that she decided to take the child personally to Auckland and hand it over to the father there. When she got to Auckland she was met by detectives, who, she said, authorised her to take the child to the home of one Tong, a Chinese interpreter. The next morning the mother said she took the child to Salaman's house, but the little one screamed so terribly that she got Salaman's consent
TO STAY THE NIGHT
with the child. Before she had risen from bed the following morning detectives entered the bedroom and arrested her on a warrant issued from Wellington. Brought down to Wellington, she was cast into Point Halswell Prison, refused bail, and was still in the custody of the prison officials under direction of the warrant.
That was the lady's side of the story. For Salaman, Mr. Leicester said that the woman agreed to hand the child over on the Monday. When the child was called for the woman said it was to be operated upon for adenoids. The doctor said that the child could not be taken away before Wednesday. The writ of habeas corpus had been issued returnable to the Wellington Supreme Court. Salaman met the woman on Tuesday night and offered to assist her to Auckland so that she could hand over the child personally. The mother asked Salaman to let her keep the child, but he told her he wanted it. She was told to bring the child to the lawyer's office without fail on the Wednesday morning. She said she would do so on Wednesday afternoon. Salaman could not wait and went back to Auckland. Arriving at Auckland the woman went to stay at Tong's house and the private detectives called on her and told her that the game was up. The woman then went to Salamans house, and he allowed her to stay the night, and she then refused to leave the house without the child. The flight of the woman from Wellington was unknown in that city, at this time and a writ of attachment, to be issued at Wellington, had been applied for. The writ was sent onto Auckland by the Wellington Court, as soon as they knew she was in Auckland, and she was arrested by the sheriff at 10 am. The woman and child were both taken to the police station and the child was handed over to Salaman at six o'clock that evening.
Sir Robert Stout said it seemed to him a monstrous thing to arrest a woman under such circumstances and place her and her child in prison.
The sheriff's deputy said he had done this on his own responsibility.
His Honor said he thought there was harshness - unnecessary harshness. The woman was ordered to be released, and costs amounting to L2 2s were debited against Wally Salaman. -NZ Truth, 20/5/1922.
SUPREME COURT
CIVIL, DIVORCE, AND CRIMINAL CASES FOR HEARING.
The quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court will commence on Tuesday, 1st August, at 10.30 a.m. Following are the cases set down for hearing:— CIVIL LIST. Before a special jury of twelve: —
The quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court will commence on Tuesday, 1st August, at 10.30 a.m. Following are the cases set down for hearing:— CIVIL LIST. Before a special jury of twelve: —
...Marjorie Salaman v. Abraham Mahomed Wolley Salaman, £1000 damages for alleged malicious persecution;... -Evening Post, 29/7/1922.
1000 DAMAGES CLAIMED
ALLEGED MALICIOUS PROCEEDINGS
ACTION UNDER A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS.
Abraham Walley Mahomed Salaman, a Hindu merchant, now of Auckland, but formerly of Wellington, and his European wife, Marjorie Salaman, have been parties to several actions in the Supreme Court at Wellington and Auckland, and in the Court of Appeal, since their marriage, in December, 1915, and yesterday they were parties to an unusual action heard by Mr. Justice Salmond and a jury of twelve. Mrs. Salaman claimed £1000 damaged from Salaman for alleged malicious proceedings taken by him.
Mr. E. G. Jellicoe appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. M. Myers for the defence. Mr. A. B. Johnson was foreman of the jury. The story of the case goes back some time. The marriage was not a happy one and the parties, shortly after the birth of a female child, agreed to separate, Salaman going to Auckland, and agreeing to make provision for the maintenance of' his wife and child. .In August, 1919, Salaman commenced divorce proceedings against his wife on the ground of her misconduct with another man in Wellington, but the notion was not brought on till October, 1921, when a decree nisi was pronounced in his favour in the Auckland Supreme Court. No order was then made as to the custody of the child, which remained in the keeping of its mother. Salaman, not long afterwards, came to Wellington, and endeavoured to take the child away, but was not successful, and towards the end of last year instituted proceedings, under the provisions of the Habeas Corpus Act to procure the custody of the child. His Honour Mr. Justice Hoskings granted his application in April of this year, on the ground that the interests of the child would be best served were it given into the father's custody. The child was not delivered up to ,Salaman, and, in pursuance of the powers conferred by the order, Salaman, through his solicitors, had issued a writ of habeas corpus against Mrs. Salaman, calling upon her to appear, and give up the child. Mrs. Salaman failed to comply with the writ of habeas corpus, and as a result of her failure, a writ of attachment was issued against her in Wellington for contempt of Court. Mrs Salaman left Wellington the same day for Auckland with the child, and took her to Salaman's house, remaining in the house with the girl till next morning.
Meanwhile the writ of attachment was sent to Auckland, and on the morning oft 12th May Salaman instructed the sheriff's officers who came to his house with the authority of the writ to put Mrs. Salaman under arrest. Accordingly she was brought back to Wellington under escort, and was lodged in the Terrace Gaol and at the Point Halswell Reformatory until the afternoon of 15th May, when she \was called before the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, who dismissed the charges laid against her, awarding her costs.
The claim was based upon an allegation that Salaman's action in procuring the arrest of plaintiff was malicious and without proper and reasonable cause.
Mr. Jellicoe opened the case at length, but before the plaintiff was called to the witness-box, Mr. Myers asked leave to amend his pleadings in defence by the addition of a clause to the effect that as on all material dates mentioned in the statement of claim the parties were husband and wife (the decree Absolute not having been then pronounced) the action was untenable.
His Honour expressed surprise that that defence had not been advanced in the first place, since upon the facts it appeared to him to be an obvious defence.
Mr. Jellicoe objected to the amendment and asked leave to continue his case. As a plaintiff may not be nonsuited during the progress of an action without his consent, Mr. Myers did not press for a non-suit at that stage. Plaintiff, in the course of her evidence, said that she did not wish to recover a penny of damages if she could gain possession of her child again.
At the conclusion of the evidence in support of the claim Mr. Myers again moved for a non-suit, citing a ruling of the English High Court of Appeal, which, he maintained, bore directly upon the case and which laid down that a husband might not sue a wife, or vice versa, for the recovery of moneys in a civil action, and the position in the present case was that though Salaman had been granted a decree nisi some time prior to the dates mentioned in plaintiff's statement of claim the-decree nisi was not obtained by him till eight days after the issue of the writ in the present proceedings.
Mr. Jellicoe submitted that it was not the decree absolute alone which constituted the divorce. The moment the decree nisi was granted, he submitted, the marriage was technically at an end, the divorce being only one act of the Court which was automatically completed by the granting of the decree absolute. His Honour upheld Mr. Myers' contention and briefly explained the law, upon the point to the jury. The plaintiff had been named in her statement of claim as the divorced wife of the defendant, but actually she was not, since the decree absolute had not then matured, and the ruling that husband and wife could not sue each other for damages was clearly laid down.
His Honour added that he considered the whole of the litigation between the parties to have been most regrettable, and entered a non-suit against plaintiff without costs. -Evening Post, 26/7/1922.
AN INDIAN IMPOSTER?
Magistrate Reckons Salaman a Fraud.
The many hundreds of people of Auckland who have paid good money to Abraham Walley Mahomed Salaman, who describes himself as an "Indian Herb Atah," will hardly feel pleased to learn that the coon in question has been judged a false alarm and a fraud. At any rate this is the opinion of Magistrate Poynton, before whom Salaman came last week charged with that, not being a person registered under the Pharmacy Act, he used the name or title of druggist or chemist — to wit, "Indian Herb Atah." Chief McIlveney prosecuted and Mr Osbome Lilly appeared for the Indian. The defence was that the word "Atah" did not mean "chemist" or "druggist."
Detective Herbert Knight said that he had observed numbers of people waiting at the defendant's shop to be treated for any complaint they might have. Witness interviewed Salaman, who made a statement that he purchased drugs from wholesale houses. He would then prescribe them for patients, whose ailments he could tell by looking at the patient. He had the sign "Indian Herb Atah" painted on his window and had been advised by a solicitor that the police could not prosecute him for using the word "Atah."
An Indian law clerk gave evidence that there was no such word as "Atah," but it was probably a debasement of the word "attar," meaning perfumer, or it might be regarded as meaning druggist.
Mr Osbome Lilly submitted there was no evidence to show that the word "Atah" meant chemist or druggist, and Mr. Poynton agreed that this was so.
In dismissing the information his Worship said that Salaman was evidently a fraud and people who had passed by their own skilled doctors and chemists had been humbugged by the Indian. His Worship was not satisfied with the definition of the word "Atah," but the defendants, statement to the detective that he could tell what was the matter with his patients by looking at them was utter rubbish. "He has given people drugs containing mercury, a dangerous drug which might result in serious harm if wrongly administered."
"It is astonishing to me that people should patronise such a man," concluded his Worship. -NZ Truth, 4/11/1922.
FRAUD! RUFFIAN! HUMBUG!
Indian Herbalist
Denounced for Treatment of Maoris.
(From "Truth's" Auckland Rep.)
Salaman, the Indian herbalist of Auckland, cut a poor figure in an inquest here. "Truth" readers will remember when a prosecution against Salaman failed some time ago, because there was a contradiction of evidence as to whether the word "atah" meant "chemist." But Salaman was described by Magistrate Poynton as "a fraud," and now, by Magistrate Hunt, as a "humbug" and a ''ruffian."
The occasion of this was an inquest in Auckland on Tuesday last, on a Maori child, Mane Reiha, aged nine or ten years, whose grandmother had brought her from Whakarewarewa, in the Rotorua district, for "treatment" by Salaman. The first witness was Ngawarina Rikehaua, the grandmother of the child, who said that little Mane had been in the King George Hospital, Rotorua, for about a month. She brought the child on August 18 to Salaman, who has a shop in Khyber Pass. She paid Salaman 12s for which she received four bottles of medicine. The medicine was given to the child. The child got worse a few days later and died at 11 o'clock that night.
Magistrate Hunt wanted to know why the witness did not get a doctor, and Dr. Buck explained that, as a Maori, she had resigned herself to the inevitable.
THE SECOND INQUEST!
Magistrate Hunt: This is the second inquest I have held on a Maori who had been attended by this man. It is time it was stopped.
The witness, continuing, told Mr. Paterson, who appeared for Salaman, that Salaman had asked her if the child had been in hospital before, and that she told him yes.
Abraham Walley Mohamed Salaman, who described himself as a herbalist, but who admitted to the Coroner that he had no qualifications of any kind, and that he knew nothing of drugs except herbs, said he had carried on business in Auckland for four years.
Magistrate: It is high time you were stopped.
Salaman said, that the Maori woman had brought the child to him about a week previously, and told him it was ill. He looked at it, and asked her if she had been to a doctor, and she said that it had been in a hospital. Witness told her to take it back to the hospital, but she said that they could do nothing for it.
Magistrate: Well, how in the world could you do anything with it?
Witness: I did not say I could.
Magistrate: But you took money from the woman.
Salaman: I gave her a tonic.
Magistrate (with great contempt in his tones): Tonic!
Salaman said that what he gave the woman was a blood tonic and a bottle of almond oil.
Magistrate: What sort of herbs did you make it out of?
Salaman hummed and ha-d, and he had to be pressed considerably before he would answer. Then he said that the tonic was composed of quinine and iron. The almond oil was for strengthening the lungs.
COULDN'T REMEMBER THE MIXTURE.
Dr. Buck: You are a herbalist — an alleged herbalist? Were quinine and iron the only things in that tonic?
Salaman: I put all different sorts of herbs in, but I cannot now remember what they were.
The Magistrate: He mixed it up with as much skill as a barman mixes a cocktail.
Dr. Buck: Oh, that usually does require some skill.
The Magistrate: Why doesn't the Health Department prosecute this man?
Dr. Buck: We can't get at him. The doctor then referred to the previous case against the Indian, which had failed.
The Magistrate (turning to Mr. Paterson): Why does not the Crown prosecute him? I notice he is cunning enough to go to the Crown Law Office to get someone to appear for him. I had another case the other day. This man takes their money and fills them out with drugs. Ruffians of this sort know nothing. (To Salaman): What did you do in India?
Salaman: The same thing.
The Magistrate: Well, go back and practise on your own people.
To Mr. Paterson, Salaman said his business was hereditary— his ancestors dealt in it.
Mr. Hunt: My ancestors dealt in medicine, but I know nothing about it.
MARVELLOUS INDIAN DOCTOR.
Dr. Buck then addressed the Court. This is the second case of this nature that has occurred. The Maoris over a very large area think that Salaman is a fully qualified doctor. They hear of 'the marvellous Indian doctor,' they come to him from long distances, especially with cases practically hopeless; the patients die; then the trouble begins.
It is a Maori point of honor that the dead must go back to the place whence they came to be buried. The relatives go to an undertaker, but have no death certificate, Salaman not being in a position to give one, of course. That is how our Department comes to hear of the cases. The result is a coronial inquiry, a coffin has to be procured, the body sent back home — all this expense has to be borne by the Health Department, when the patient should have been left to die in peace in his own district.
Asked by Mr. Paterson how the idea of Salaman got about among the Maoris, Dr. Buck replied that those who did come to the Indian went back and spread it round. It was astonishing how it got about amongst the Maoris.
The Magistrate: People should be protected from men of this sort.
Dr. Buck: Men like him do an incalculable amount of harm amongst the Maoris.
The Magistrate (to Salaman): You give up dealing with the Maoris — you're a humbug! I am going to see what I can do to have you prosecuted.
Dr. D. N. W. Murray, who had made a post-mortem examination, certified that death had ensued from tuberculosis, and a verdict was returned accordingly. -NZ Truth, 30/8/1924.
INDIAN BRAND REMEDIES not connected with Salaman in any way. Trade Mark, "Red Indian." -Auckland Star, 6/9/1924.
According to "Te Ara, the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography," Mohammed married a second wife, Gladys Louisa Richards, in February, 1924. They would have two daughters. But life and his business continued to have its problems.
According to "Te Ara, the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography," Mohammed married a second wife, Gladys Louisa Richards, in February, 1924. They would have two daughters. But life and his business continued to have its problems.
Indian "Herbalist" In Court
Salaman to Pay £600
Medical condemnation - effect Of Opium On Patient
Goitre And "Herbs" — What Is An "Atah"?
The Indian herbalist Salaman figures in some remarkable proceedings in Auckland. His woman patient is alleged to have suffered from goitre, and. to have passed under his treatment from an operable to an inoperable condition, complicated by the opium habit.
Before Mr. Justice Stringer and a special jury at Auckland this week a civil action, extending over three days, was heard in which the well-known Indian herbalist of Auckland, Abraham Walley Mahomed Salamari, was sued by Agnes Wright Stewart for £2250 general damages and £34 special damages, for alleged negligence and pain caused by treatment from October 1923 to August 1924.
Mr. Singer with Mr. McLiver appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. Finlay, with Mr. Luxford, for defendant. A feature of the case was the appearance of the plaintiff, a woman of 30 years of age, who was brought into Court on a stretcher, a pathetic figure.
"PERMANENTLY INJURED."
Mr. Singer, in his opening address, stated that plaintiff was aged 30, had been earning £5 a week, and had perfect health till May, 1922. In February, 1923, she developed exophthalmic goitre. She went into Auckland hospital, where the aim was to prepare her for operation. She did not continue all the time in the hospital, but by October, 1923, she was in what Dr. Horton called an eminently suitable condition for an immediate operation. Unfortunately, somebody brought her in contact with defendant, who was prepared to treat her without operation. After using the stethoscope on plaintiff's neck Salaman said:
"Your kidneys are very badly strained; one lung has practically gone; and the water is just one inch from your heart. Had you neglected, this another week it would have been drowned."
There were people, said Mr. Singer, who listened to others who made astonishing and outrageous statements of that kind. Defendant told plaintiff that her goitre was only a minor thing and that her other organs must be attended to first. When asked if he could cure plaintiff, defendant laughed and declared that he could and said she would be running about in a month's time.
Counsel continued that the medicines given by the herbalist Salaman contained ingredients that were not herbal remedies. In cases of exophthalmic goitre, one of these drugs (potassium, iodide) was dangerous. Also, defendant had given plaintiff doses of opium, so that she was still suffering from the opium habit. Under his treatment, her condition had become inoperable, and she was permanently injured. The medical evidence would be to the effect that at the present time an operation was absolutely impossible.
According to a leading authority, the chances of success of an early operation, for cases such as plaintiff's was, were 100 per cent, whereas now plaintiff's chances were 50-50, if she returned to an operable condition.
When the family abandoned the idea of operation, defendant, said that if an operation was carried out she would never leave the table.
"And," he added, "these professional men had better go away and learn their profession over again."
Counsel's concluding sentences were: "We say the condition of this woman at the present time and the untold suffering she has undergone during the last twelve months are the direct result of the negligence and fraud of a man who at last, after many years of conduct such as this, has, I suggest, been brought to proper justice."
Albert James Parker, analytical chemist, gave evidence that 11 of the 26 medicines mentioned by defendant were not herbal. Some of the herbs were poisonous. Not one, in the opinion of witness, was an Indian herb.
Gladys Stewart, sister of plaintiff, spoke generally in support of plaintiff's story. Her sister got worse under the treatment of Salaman, but they persisted with the treatment because Salaman said he could cure without operation.
DR. HORTON, ON GOITRE
Dr. W. P. Horton said he had had a considerable experience in the treatment of goitre, having done about 70 operations, which had been uniformly successful so far. There was no opposition in modern surgery as to the efficacy of operation for goitre, though, in the older school operation was not favored. When he examined plaintiff in October, 1923, he found traces of nothing but exophthalmic goitre. A stethoscope applied to the neck would not indicate any affection of the kidneys, heart, or lungs. You would certainly not be able to tell whether a person had rheumatism in the foot or a crushed rib from putting the stethoscope to the neck. To put a stethoscope to the neck and state that the water was within, an inch of the heart and that it would be drowned in a few weeks was rather a poet's license in description. Such a condition could be found, but only when a person was approaching death from Brights disease. Plaintiff had shown no symptoms of anything but exophthalmic goitre, of which she was a text book picture when witness examined her in 1923. He considered there was no other cause of the plaintiff's condition. At that time, plaintiff was operable and witness would have been confident of success. Plaintiff's condition when examined in September this year was very much worse. She had really drawn on the overdraft of her strength account, and her heart was now permanently disabled. When witness examined plaintiff in September he found that if she was not a devotee of the drug she was on the high road to it.
Mr. Singer: Knowing the conglomeration of messes which the plaintiff was given to take, can you give any opinion of their worth? — I cannot give any suggestion individually or collectively. 'Opium repeated at regular intervals over a period would and did do plaintiff harm.
Mr Singer: Do you think defendant treated plaintiff, either intelligently or scientifically? — I think, neither.
Mr. Luxford: I think you are a member of the B.M.A.? — No, I am not.
Dr. Abbott gave evidence to the effect that the giving of medicine containing even half a grain of opium over a period of months would induce the opium habit, and would be very deleterious to a patient suffering from exophthalmic goitre. The drugs prescribed by the defendant were useless in a case like Miss Stewart's, and two at least of them would be harmful.
Mr. Finlay: There is generally an accepted connection between goitre and nerves; that is fright and so on ? — That is so.
So that to bring the lady into Court here, for instance, on a stretcher, and put her in front of the jury would have a considerable effect on her? — I should think it would.
PLAINTIFF ON A STRETCHER.
Agnes Wright Stewart, plaintiff on the first day of the hearing, was brought into Court, as stated above, on a stretcher, which was placed on two iron stands in front of the jury. She seemed a tall woman. Her face was deathly pale, under a white lace boudoir cap, and she held in her hands a bottle of salts, which she fingered nervously, and she disclosed a pair of long, thin, bony arms. A really pathetic figure. She was attended by her mother.
As soon as plaintiff appeared, Finlay said: I wish it to be clearly understood, sir, that I have no responsibility for bringing this woman here to-day. I wash my hands of the whole business.
The Judge: It is evident she is not fit to stay here long.
Mr. Finlay: I am willing, sir, to do everything I can to save plaintiff any pain or suffering. My friend, if he chooses, can put in her statement and I will accept it if the plaintiff can then get away.
After further discussion it was arranged that counsel get a statement from the plaintiff, of which a copy should be supplied to Mr. Finlay, who could peruse it and write the questions he wished to ask which/ would be answered.
Mr. Singer read plaintiff's statement on the second day, and stated that Mr. Finlay had agreed not to ask questions, but to rely on plaintiff's answers to interrogatories.
Plaintiff in her evidence set out in detail the incidents outlined in counsel's opening statement. She said that Salaman always told her she was getting on all right arid that he would cure her. She always called him doctor and he did not contradict her. When she took Salaman's night mixture she used to sleep well, but when she woke up she was dazed for most of the day. She had not been sleeping well since stopping Salaman's night mixture. In her replies to questions, plaintiff said she had not suffered from any other complaint in the past five years than the goitre.
INDIAN MEDICAL MAN.
Dr. Baldev Singh Share, an Indian, gave details of his degrees taken at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Brussels, and said he held special diplomas besides, including one for tropical medicines. He had attended plaintiff and saw the medicine she had been taking, which he knew, at once contained opium. If plaintiff had been taking that medicine nightly for ten or eleven months and frequently three times a day he would conclude that she could not do without it. Plaintiff was suffering from quite evident signs of the opium habit. Witness had since been treating her for the habit, which was very difficult to cure. No medical man could guarantee a cure. Plaintiff was in a serious condition when he saw her, and was still seriously ill. Witness had tested her kidneys arid lungs and found neither affected, but the heart now permanently affected in his opinion. Plaintiff's condition now could not be cured without operation, and she was inoperable now. It would take a very long time for' her to become operable, if she ever did. There was a possibility that she would never be operable. Her chances of successful operation had been very materially lessened consequent on the delay during the time she had been attended by Salaman. The treatment given by Salaman was most unscientific, undesirable and harmful. The opium, in plaintiff's condition, was very injurious.
At this point Mr. Finlay drew the attention of the Court to a colored gentleman; a solicitor's clerk, sitting behind the Press benches, who, counsel said, had been signalling answers to a lady witness on the previous day. He asked that the person in question be asked to leave the Court.
Mr. Finlay stated that he had been informed that the man in question had been nodding answers to Miss Stewart.
Mr. Singer said Mr. Finlay had apparently been misinformed, no doubt by his client, who had just before whispered something to counsel.
Mr. Finlay said that was not so. He had been told by independent people.
The case then proceeded.
Mr. Finlay: Do you know Salaman? — Yes.
Well? — I couldn't say that.
Have you seen any patients in Salaman's Grey Street rooms? — I have no recollection of that.
Is it not a fact you called on Salaman and found him treating patients ? —He called on me first.
And did you not call on him? — I did. He called himself a chemist. I thought if' he was an Indian chemist he might be useful. I asked where he learned his chemistry and he said never to mind that, he had it.
Did you not go to see some of his patients? — I went to Mangere to see a patient of his, and I haven't been paid for it yet. And he was a policeman, too. (Laughter.) I went principally to see the country as I had only recently arrived.
Have you not been to his house for dinner? — Not that I remember of.
Was there not a time when you ceased to be friendly with him? — I was never so friendly with him.
A MATTER OF INJURY.
Did you not do something to harm him? — He may have done something to harm me, but I did not do anything to injure him.
Did you not write to the Pharmacy Board about his putting opium in patent medicines and selling them?— I did not. I wrote drawing their attention to the fact that an unqualified man was dispensing medicine.
Did you consider that a friendly act? — I considered it was my duty. It is proper according to law.
Did you not say he was deliberately adding opium to medicine? — I did not.
Were you not at the back of a prosecution of Salaman? — I was not. I was asked what the word "Atah" meant, and I showed that it meant nothing. It was not in the Indian language. There is a word attar, which means mixer of perfumes or chemist. Salaman may have mis-spelt that word.
Have you not passed his door and shouted remarks to those standing there for treatment? — I have not.
Have you not shouted to them that they were attending an imposter? — I have never done anything of the sort.
Have you not thrown stones at him? — What, throw stones at him! I am not qualified in that line.
The Judge: Is this directed to the credit or capacity of the witness?
Mr. Finlay: It has a certain amount of relevancy as to his credit.
Were you not pleased to see Miss Stewart? — I am always pleased to see any patient who comes for treatment.
But were you not pleased to see her knowing you could get one back on Salaman? — I have no grudge whatever against him.
The Judge: Have you any grounds for imputing these things to the witness, Mr. Finlay?
Mr. Finlay: I have, sir.
The Judge: Then you must show the grounds you have for it, and until you do so I cannot allow that.
Mr. Finlay: I was going to put this to the witness.
The Judge: But I will see that you put nothing to the witness if you have no grounds for it.
Mr. Finlay: I will not press it further then, sir.
To witness: Did you not sell out your practice in Grey Lynn? — I sold my home there.
And did you not sell your practice? — If it is necessary I can give full particulars of the matter, but, if not, I need not trouble.
The Judge: I don't see where that has anything to do with this, has it?
Mr. Finlay: Did you not agree not to start in opposition to the man to whom you sold your practice, and that, after, you went back on that?
The Judge: I don't think that has really any bearing on the matter.
Counsel continued cross-examination along technical lines. Mr. Finlay: Can you say then that the patient has been broken off the drug craze? — No, she still has a craving for the drug.
Did you break her off right away? — I did. Instantly.
Did you tell her she had been having too many drugs? — I had to, to wean her. She was always asking for the night medicine and does so yet.
Mr. Singer: From your observation, had Salaman any capacity to treat patients? — I could see none.
When you asked where he got his chemical knowledge from he said he just had it? — Yes. That affected my relationship with him, when I discovered that he was just pretending I thought he was worth nothing.
The evidence of Dr. H. B. Gunson was to the effect that the chance of success in a future operation on the patient was considerably less than it was last year. He would not say that she would ever again become operable, but she might in six months' time. Her present condition was grave. The cure of the goitre was possible in time, but, however, if that resulted, her heart would always be inefficient. There was nothing wrong with /her lungs and kidneys.
DEFENDANT'S BIOGRAPHY.
Detective Knight gave evidence that he obtained a statement from defendant in connection with another case. In his statement defendant said he came to New Zealand eight years ago from India where he had been a dyer. He first resided in Ponsonby Road and carried on business as a silk importer for about a year. He then went to Wellington, where he carried on business of a draper in Lambton Quay until 1916. He gave up that business and started manufacturing dye in Adelaide Road until Christmas 1917. He then had a dispute with his wife, and left Wellington for Auckland, where he worked for a hat manufacturer. He took up his present position in May, 1920, and put up the sign "manufacturing, chemist." About May 1921 he was notified not to use this sign as he was not a registered chemist. He was manufacturing medicine at this time, and, after the notification, removed the sign and put up the name "Salaman — Indian Herb Atah." The word Atah in Punjab language means herbalist. He carried on his business as usual and people flocked to him with their ailments. He gave the people the usual stock medicine which he purchased from various firms and gave varying sorts according to the people's varying diseases. His knowledge of medicine was acquired through knowledge from his own countrymen who taught him. But as he had not got his native herbs and medicines he could only prescribe a limited number of drugs. He set out that he prescribed arrowroot for nerves, Parke Davis iron pills for the blood, white pills for the bowels, Parke Davis mercury pills for rheumatism. His prices varied according to the number and description of the pills given to the applicants. He consulted a solicitor about his business and he told him that so long as the word "chemist" was not used he was within the law.
He prescribed both herbal and mineral preparations and gave either in different strengths according to his knowledge of the ailments. He first started to make medicines for his own friends and the result of his cures brought so many people that he had to start up in his Khyber Pass premises. He never took any examination in chemistry and had never studied in any European country. He had never applied for registration. He knew by looking at a patient as soon as he came into the room what disease he was suffering from, and prescribed for him accordingly, but only gave stock pills or extract of arnica root. He bought pills in large quantities and then distributed them, so many at a time, charging according to the number of pills given. If he was in any way breaking the law he was prepared to give up his premises, but, if he did, his numerous patients would strongly protest. He had hundreds of references from people in both islands praising his medicine.
SALAMAN'S PREMISES.
Witness was asked to describe the premises occupied by defendant, and said that at that time the place apparently had been one large room. To divide it into two there was a high showcase containing perfumes and general chemical accessories. Behind the showcase was the waiting room, fitted with a low seat all round. Opening out of that was a room where defendant sat. That was a small room, and in it were a number of small fixtures, one containing perfumes, and around the walls were such things as enamel ware, instruments and numerous books. Defendant made the above statement to witness and said, it was correct.
Defendant told witness that he put up the word "Atah" on advice from his solicitor. The word in itself was mis-spelt and had no meaning arid therefore he thought he was within the law.
Mr. Finlay: Salaman was quite candid about the matter, was he not? — I think he was quite sincere so far as his knowledge went.
I think people were seeking his help very much, were they not? — They were at that time.
And he had obtained some very wonderful cures, had he not? — I have only his own statement for that.
A. McElwain, journalist, spoke to reporting an inquest on a Maori child which had been treated by Salaman. Salaman said he had no qualifications of any kind. He also said he knew .nothing of drugs, except herbs.
Margaret Stewart, mother of the plaintiff, corroborated her daughter's story. She stated that her daughter had always had a craving for the night medicine after which she was always dazed through the day.
DEFENDANT'S CASE.
Mr. Finlay, in his opening address, said that he would call evidence to show exactly the condition of the plaintiff from time to time. The plaintiff had gone through a curious cycle. She had fallen from doctors' hands to doctors' hands and yet to doctors' hands and at last into the hands of Salaman, who was apparently to be blamed for not succeeding where the doctors had failed. The vital point all through this curious disease, with its rise and fall, was what was the true condition of plaintiff at the various times. From the point of view of legal liability it was material that they should know exactly what representation it was that defendant had made to these people. It had been attempted all the time to call defendant Dr. Salaman to raise the liability of the defendant to that of a duly qualified medical practitioner. He would call evidence to show the footing on which defendant came to the Stewart household.
Helena Rosewarne said she was a qualified medical, surgical and midwifery nurse. She had been the means of introducing defendant to the plaintiff and her family. Plaintiff told her she had been turned out of the hospital because she asked the nature of an injection to her thigh and was not told what it was. She therefore refused to have further injections and left the hospital. Witness stated that she had never seen anyone more emaciated than plaintiff was. Plaintiff had made wonderful improvement under Salaman's treatment. Witness denied that Salaman had said anything about water being an inch from plaintiff's heart. It was abundantly untrue that plaintiff retrogressed under Salaman's treatment.
Mr. Singer: You have retired from nursing? — Yes, I have.
When did you retire? — Well, I have been nursing off and on since then.
When did you last nurse for a doctor? — Over a year ago. That was because it was a friend of mine. It was for Dr. William Petitt.
That is the doctor who practises the Abrams treatment? — Yes, he does.
You have not nursed for Dr. Dundas Mackenzie? (Laughter).
How long then is it since your retirement? — Well, fourteen years ago.
How long is it since you passed? — I passed last 1904 at the hospital here.
Where were you last employed before retirement? — I was nursing privately in Christchurch.
How long have you known Salaman? — Since August last year.
How did you come to know him? — I went to him myself.
Are you still under him? — To a certain extent, yes.
If I may ask, what was your complaint? — Catarrh.
So you have been under his treatment for sixteen months and he has not cured you?
Mr. Finlay: Good heavens, I have had it for twenty years and all the doctors in Auckland have not cured me. (Laughter.)
Mr. Singer: Then go to Salaman. (Laughter.)
Witness: I was cured, but after the 'flu it seemed to come back.
When you went to see him, what did you pay? — Something like 4/- each time.
Had you to wait four and five hours at a time? — Yes.
How many patients have you taken to Salaman? — Oh, a few.
How many? — Oh, about five or six.
MISS STEWART GRATEFUL.
Annie Marshall, Papatoetoe, said she had been attending Salaman since last January. She had seen Miss Stewart at Salaman's, along with Mrs. Stewart. They did not complain that Salaman's treatment was doing any harm, but that it was giving benefit. That was in June of this year. Mrs. Stewart said she was grateful for what Salaman had done, and that he had made her walk.
Mr. Singer: What is your trouble, Mrs. Marshall, you look alright? — There is nothing wrong with me.
What have you attended for then, since January last? — It is for my child. I have been going there for the last three years for my child.
What is wrong with your child? — "Malliman" cancer.
What? "Malliman" cancer! Not Salaman cancer? (Laughter).
What? "Malliman" cancer! Not Salaman cancer? (Laughter).
The Judge: Is it not malignant cancer?
Mr. Singer: Who said he had cancer?
— Dr. Carrick Robertson said he had cancer and gave him a fortnight to live.
So therefore you went to Salaman. (Laughter).
After further questions, put in a lighter vein by Mr. Singer, which caused much laughter, the Judge requested counsel to give over the buffoonery and conduct the case along the usual lines.
Mary Aitken, a married woman from Ellerslie, spoke to plaintiff stating that she had been given up by ten doctors, poisoned by a chemist, and had been taking poison three times a day. She also said she was going to sue the chemist, and asked them to watch the papers. The mother said, that but for Salaman plaintiff would be in her grave long ago.
Mr. Singer: What is your complaint? — Hereditary disease of the liver and digestive organs.
Did Salaman tell you that? — No.
What doctor told you that? — I have been to several doctors since the age of seven.
Did Salaman agree with that diagnosis? — He told me much the same thing.
The Judge: Did you derive any benefit from the treatment? — Well, I have obtained more benefit from him than from any doctor I have attended. I was operated on by a doctor and it did not do me a scrap of good. I have been attending doctors since.
The Judge: All right, that will do, thank you. Lily May Burne, who was dull of hearing, said plaintiff had spoken to her about the benefit she had derived from Salaman's treatment.
DEFENDANT'S WHITE WIFE.
Gladys Salaman, a white woman fashionably dressed, and wife of the defendant, gave evidence as to the improvement Miss Stewart had said she had derived from Salaman's treatment. Plaintiff had asked witness to find out from her husband if she was in a fit state to be married. She expressed considerable anxiety, and Salaman said it might be better for her to be married as she would then have something to do, would be able to get out into the country (as she said she was going on to a farm), and would have somebody to look after, she being then residing alone. Plaintiff was weighed on the day she mentioned matrimony, and was just on 11 stone. When weighed at the hospital, plaintiff was 6 stone). Witness said she mixed some of the medicines. If the night medicine had been used through the day she would have known of it, but her husband had never substituted the night medicine for the day. Such instructions would appear on the books or the bottles. Miss. Stewart had paid for treatment, according to the book, some £14. It was nothing like £37.
Mr. Singer: Do you see all the patients who come? — Yes,
How many would Salaman treat in a month? — I don't know.
The Judge: How many would he treat in a day? — Well, perhaps 40, sometimes 50.
Mr. Singer: Sometimes not so many. He works day and night, does he not? — From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A pretty profitable business, is it not? — I wouldn't say so.
The Judge: We are not concerned so much with the profits.
This closed the evidence for the defendant, and the case was adjourned for the addresses by counsel and the summing up. -NZ Truth, 6/12/1924.
A MONTH'S IMPRISONMENT
NOT A CASE FOR A FINE.
(by TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION)
AUCKLAND, This Day: Abraham Walley Mohamid Salaman was sentenced to one month's imprisonment by Mr. Poynton, S.M., on changes of attempting to receive money by false pretences. For falsely pretending to be a doctor skilled in the treatment of physical diseases and ailments he was convicted and order to pay costs.
Mr. Poynton said: "'It is not a case for a fine. He can easily pass the penalty on. A shilling a week on his dupes would quickly give him the amount and a little surplus for his trouble. A bad feature in this case is that he gives opium in his night medicine to make his patients sleep. There is also strychnine in some of his preparations. Numerous drug addicts were formerly made by medicines received from even qualified practitioners, but now the greatest care is taken to avoid this in administering such drugs as opium. A quack would, of course, have no such scruples. Another regrettable thing is the number of Maoris which Salaman seems to be humbugging. Whites deserve little sympathy, but Natives should be protected." -Evening Post, 16/12/1924.
ECHO OF SALAMAN CASE
AUCKLAND, Dec. 16. Miss Stewart, the successful plaintiff in an action for damages against Salaman, Indian herbalist, died last night. -Hawera and Normanby Star, 16/12/1924
SUSPENDED WARRANT.
THE SALAMAN CASE
COUNSEL TO APPEAL
AUCKLAND, This Day. At the Police Court today Mr. Findlay, a solicitor, asked that the sentence of imprisonment on Abraham Salaman be increased to one month and one day, giving Salaman the right of appeal on a question of fact.
Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M,. declined the application, saying that Salaman had "been swindling the public."
Mr. Findlay then said he would exercise the right of appealing on a question of law. Security for this appeal was fixed at £65 15s.
The effect is that the warrant of committal to prison will be suspended till next year.—Press Assn. -Northern Advocate, 17/12/1924.
A CORRECTION.
SALAMAN'S SENTENCE.
Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. June 18. The sentence in the case of Abraham Walley Mohamed Salaman, against which he appealed was one month, not eighteen months as telegraphed yesterday. -Stratford Evening Post, 16/6/1926.
LAST EFFORT FAILS
A TERM TO BE SERVED.
(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)
AUCKLAND, This Day. An appeal by Abraham Walley Mohamed Salaman against the sentence passed on 1st November, 1924, of eighteen months' imprisonment for attempted false pretences, was dismissed today with costs by the Supreme Court. Salaman will now serve the sentence, which has been held up, while various appeals have been before the Courts. -Evening Post, 17/6/1926.
HERE AND THERE
Abraham Wally Homad Salaman, a well-known Indian herbalist in business in Khyber Pass road, Auckland, was arrested this morning by detectives and charged with false pretences. A large quantity of materials used in connection with his business was seized at the shop, where a considerable crowd watched a car and a large police van being loaded. -Poverty Bay Herald, 23/3/1927.
ALLEGATION OF FRAUD.
CHARGE AGAINST INDIAN.
SALAMAN APPEARS IN COURT.
A charge that on December 30, 2926, with intent to defraud he attempted to obtain from David John O'Carroll a sum of 5s by falsely representing himself to be a person capable of diagnosing and curing ailments and skilled in the treatment of disease was brought against Abraham Wally Mohamed Salaman, aged 40 (Mr, Schramm), in the Police Court Yesterday.
Accused pleaded not guilty.
Chief Detective Cumming asked for a remand, stating that further charges were pending. He asked that bail should be made substantial, as more serious charges would be preferred. It was alleged that accused had been posing as a medial man who could cure ailments. Accused and his surety were both very financial and could easily find the money. Accused was remanded until April 4, bail being fixed at £250. -NZ Herald, 25/3/1927.
QUACKERY ALLEGED
HERBALIST BEFORE COURT
(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. The Indian herbalist, Abraham Wally Mohamid Salaman, 40, of Khyber Pass, was charged at the Police Court this morning with intent to defraud by obtaining sums totalling 75s from David .John O’Carroll and Charles Lawrence Packman by falsely representing that he was a person capable of diagnosing and curing ailments, and skilled in the treatment of disease.
O’Carroll, who is a constable, detailed three visits to Salaman’s shop in December. On the first, the herbalist, after putting a stethoscope on the base of the throat, said witness was very bad, and would soon lose the power of his legs. A bottle of medicine was given, and five boxes of pills, Salaman also applying to O’Carroll’s back a plaster, which was removed at the detective office. Much the same procedure followed on other visits, on both of which O’Carroll also left with five boxes of pills, having paid to Salaman sums ranging from 10s to 8s for the treatment.—Proceeding. -Poverty Bay Herald, 44/1927.
ATAH'S FORTUNE
SALAMAN PETITION
INVESTIGATION WANTED
Stating that he has been stopped from earning a livelihood and has been reduced from a position of plenty to one of mere existence, Abraham Walley Mahomed Salaman, of Auckland, has petitioned the House of Representatives seeking the appointment of a Commission to investigate various prosecutions brought against him, and other acts which have brought about his present position.
Salaman, who describes himself as a herbalist, figured in prosecutions in the Magistrate's Court in 1922, 1924, and in April of the present year. He states that he was in Wellington on home service in 1916-17 producing khaki aniline dyes for military purposes. When the epidemic of influenza broke out in 1918 he was in Auckland, and treated with herbal medicines many sufferers. Afterwards he continued to treat many other complaints. For the past seven years he has carried on business in Khyber Pass road, but during that period has been subjected to a series of prosecutions. The first, in 1922, was for using the word "Atah," meaning chemist. This charge was dismissed. On. 23rd March this year Salaman's premises were raided by the police, and the whole of his stock, which he valued at £3500, was removed to the police station. Salaman alleges that 95 per cent. of the stock seized had nothing whatever to do with the charges preferred against him. In consequence of the fact that it was stored for two months a large proportion of the stock was, he alleges, damaged or rendered useless owing to the dampness of the concrete strongroom and breakages. Medicine in process of manufacture was ruined. Salaman estimates his loss at over £1000. In order to pay the fines which were imposed on him, Salaman states that he had to sacrifice by private sales part of his stock, being compelled to take what was offered. When the prosecutions were commenced he had twelve properties in different parts of the Auckland district valued at £17,000. Most of these were disposed of, and Salaman says he wants an investigation into the ways and means of their disposal. -Evening Post, 29/10/1927.
In the year 1928 (Te Ara) one of Mohammed's daughters died of diptheria and his wife had developed tuberculosis. And his business was again the subject of a court appearance.
ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER.
INDIAN BEFORE COURT.
(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM)
NEW PLYMOUTH, September 12. Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman, an Indian herbalist, was charged before a Justice of the Peace to-day that: between July 30th and August 2nd, being an unregistered medical practitioner, he did in attending and prescribing for a boy Lyal Gordon Christie, of Fordell, Wanganui, fail to use competent skill, and by improper medical treatment unlawfully accelerated the death of Christie, thereby committing the crime of manslaughter.
Inspector Fraser applied for a remand till to-morrow, when the Magistrate could fix a date for the taking of evidence. The police had no objection to substantial bail being allowed, and accused was released on his personal surety of £500 and two of £250. Salaman was arrested following a raid on his premises by the police yesterday. -Press, 13/9/1930.
HERBALIST FACES GRAVE CHARGE
POLICE ALLEGE SALAMAN TREATED CHILD WHO DIED
SOME HEATED COURT EXCHANGES
(From N.Z. Truth's New Plymouth Representative)
There were some heated exchanges between Mr. A. A. Bennett, counsel for Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman, herbalist of New Plymouth and formerly carrying on business in Auckland, and Inspector Fraser, when the Indian herb dispenser appeared before Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., charged with the manslaughter of Lyall Gordon Christie, a child aged six and a-half years. Counsel alleged unfair police methods calculated to prejudice his client, but his statements received an emphatic denial by the, prosecuting officer.
A DOZEN or more patrons of New Plymouth's Indian herbalist were disappointed recently when their attendance at Salaman's rooms in Gill Street was interrupted by the .arrival of Detective Meiklejohn, Sergeant McGregor and Constable Palmer with a search warrant. The sequel to the visit, was Salaman's arrest on a charge of alleged manslaughter, other charges also being preferred against him.
The search warrant yielded three lorry loads of property, including herbs and chemicals which the police say Salaman used in the course of his business.
The main charge against Salaman was: "That between July 30 and August 2, 1930, at New Plymouth, being an unregistered medical practitioner, he did in attending to and prescribing for one Lyall Gordon Christie fail to use competent skill, and by improper medical treatment unlawfully accelerated the death of Christie, thereby committing the crime of manslaughter."
The child, Lyall Gordon Christie, and its parents resided at Fordell, near Wanganui. Prior to its death, on September 2 last, his parents had allegedly consulted Salaman in New Plymouth concerning its state of health.
Inspector Fraser asked for a fixture so that the whole matter might be dealt with. Other charges were pending that could be dealt with summarily if Mr. Bennett agreed.
Mr. Bennett: I have not seen the charges, but it is unlikely I would agree to that.
It was suggested that a day might be fixed for the hearing of the major charge and another for the summary charges. September 29 and 30 were fixed.
A complaint, was then made by counsel about the amount of the bail fixed before justices when Salaman was formally charged after arrest. He asked whether the high amount fixed had been necessary. Had counsel, been present he. would have suggested a personal surety of £250 and two others of £125 each. Instead bail had been double those figures. Counsel said bail was forthcoming and could be extended if necessary.
The inspector asked the court to impose a condition of bail that Salaman should undertake not to carry on his business in the meantime.
"I say that is a most improper application to make." declared counsel. "Nothing has been proved wrong with his business. It is for the police to prove that. I should say he will take the advice of counsel on that point."
Inspector Fraser: Very well, I shall object to bail being granted.
Mr. Tate, S.M.: Is he in a position to carry on his business?
Counsel conferred with Salaman and replied that he did not think Salaman was in a position to carry on because he understood that the police had taken everything away.
The Magistrate: Then the better way would be to leave it as it is. There is no need to complicate matters.
Mr. Bennett said he was prepared to give an undertaking that Salaman would not carry on his business between then and September 29 and 30.
"Then that will be satisfactory," said the inspector.
"There are one or two matters," said Mr. Bennett, "that I consider it my duty to mention, at the earliest possible moment. This man is entitled to fair play in accordance with the traditions of British justice and to an impartial hearing at his trial. This request to prevent him carrying on business is only one of the things calculated to prejudice him at his trial."
Without reflecting upon the officers of the court, counsel contended that there already had been improper and unfair comment tending to prejudice Salaman. He referred to a report of a local paper of Friday and the statement: "The child whose death was the subject of the major charge had been receiving treatment from the herbalist shortly before he died."
Such a statement, counsel contended, was wrong and harmful to Salaman. Part of Salaman's defence would be that he did not treat the boy, and the police still had to prove that.
"I should like to say now," interjected Inspector Fraser with some heat, "that we did not give that information to the paper. The police are not responsible for what appears in the papers."
Mr. Bennett: Don't get excited. I didn't say you did, but I don't care the information came from."
The magistrate said that Press comments might be harmful, as the Chief Justice had said. However, those things were quite irrelevant to the present question before the court. In any case he did not think the police were responsible for what appeared in the paper.'
"No, sir! But I do say that they are responsible for my next complaint," retorted counsel. "Notwithstanding that Inspector Fraser knew that Mr. Hine was watching Salaman's interests during my absence from town, and Mr. Hine had been given to understand that Salaman would not be brought before the court until the search of his premises 'was completed, the inspector brought Salaman before a justice of the peace at 10.30 a.m.
"That was notwithstanding the inspector knew that Mr. Hine was engaged at Salaman's house on the case and could not be present.
"But," continued Mr. Bennett, "he has Salaman brought here and dealt with and bail fixed, in the absence of counsel, at' a much higher sum than it was understood would be required. He knew neither Mr. Hine nor myself could be present." Detective Meiklejohn, counsel continued, had suggested that a bond of £250 would be sufficient, but the inspector had been a party to making it £500.
The Inspector: Who's been a party to, that? That is a matter in the discretion of the court!
His Worship: If this is a statement of your client's grievances in order to get publicity, it is almost the same as the Press comment you have complained about. What do you want me to do?
It was a complaint, said Mr. Bennett, not only about the treatment accorded his client, but also about the treatment accorded his firm by the police.
Inspector Fraser: I never gave Mr. Hine any such undertaking as you suggest. What you say is a lie!
Mr. Bennett: I know whose word I would take in this matter.
Inspector Fraser: Then this is not the place to raise such things.
Mr. Bennett: It will be raised in another place and you will writhe more then than now!
Former bail was renewed when the smoke cleared away, and the curtain was lowered on the scene until September 29. -NZ Truth, 25/9/1930.
TRAGIC STORY AT MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL
INDIAN HERBALIST CHARGED
Court Hears Mrs. Christie's Poignant Narrative of Childish Suffering
SAID SALAMAN WAS HER LAST RESORT
(From "N.Z. Truth' Special New Plymouth Representative.)
Charged with the manslaughter of Lyall Gordon Christie, of Fordell, a child aged six and a-half, and with five further charges involving alleged attempts to defraud and false pretences, Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman, Indian herbalist, of New Plymouth and one time of Auckland, appeared before Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., to answer the more serious indictment, the other charges being remanded until a later date. It was a poignant story told by the dead child's mother, Mary Ann Christie; a narrative of childish illness and suffering over a period of years with the tragic knowledge confronting the parents that their young son was, according to one doctor, doomed to die at an early age. The mother told the court that she went to Salaman as a last resort, so that she might feel that she had left nothing possible undone on behalf of her child.
THE first shot in the legal battle was fired when Crown Prosecutor C. H. Weston suggested that the evidence in connection with the manslaughter case be taken first and the summary charges be allowed to stand over, whereupon Mr. A. A. Bennett, counsel for Salaman, requested that the summary charges be proceeded with before the Supreme Court proceedings.
The magistrate said he thought in such cases it is not usual to take summary offences until the major charge was disposed of, and it was agreed to remand the other charges until October 29.
The charges against Salaman are: "That between July 30 and August 2, 1930, at New Plymouth, being an unlicensed medical practitioner, he did in attending to and prescribing for one Lyall Gordon Christie fail to use competent skill, and by improper medical treatment he did unlawfully accelerate the death of the said Lyall Gordon Christie, thereby committing the crime of manslaughter."
Summary charges were: "(1) That at New Plymouth on August 18, 1930, with intent to defraud he did obtain from James Hamlin Gill the sum of 15/-; (2) On September 9, 1930, with intent to defraud, he did obtain from James Hamlin Gill the sum of £1/7/6 in money; (3) That between January 1 and 7, 1930, with intent to defraud he did obtain from Mrs. Sidney Jane Merrin £4/1/6 in money; (4) On September 10, 1930, he did with intent to defraud obtain from Arthur David Ruston £2/5/6, in each case in money by means of certain false pretences, to wit, by falsely representing himself to be a person capable of diagnosing and curing ailments and skilled in the treatment of disease, and (5) That at New Plymouth between January 1 and 7, 1930, not being registered under the Medical Practitioners Act, he did practise medicine under the title of doctor, implying that he, the said Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman, was specially qualified to practise medicine.
The inquest proceedings were taken in conjunction with the preliminary hearing of the evidence in the manslaughter charge, and Mr. Weston applied for leave to amend the information by striking out the words, "being an unlicensed medical practitioner." He said he did so to emphasise the fact that it really made no difference, because if the case was proved there would be an offence whether a man was a licensed medical practitioner or not. Leave was granted and the amendment was consented to by Mr. Bennett.
At the latter's request all witnesses were ordered out of the court.
The dead boy's mother, Mary Ann Christie, said her son, Lyall Gordon Christie, was 6 years of age when he died on August 2.
When between two and three years old, Dr. Crawford was consulted, and he treated the child for glandular trouble in the neck.
The boy improved, but some time later he developed an abnormal thirst and Dr. Craiwford was again called in, and a consultation with Dr. Rennie was held, the diagnosis of diabetes being confirmed.
Her son was then taken to the Wanganui Hospital, and before entering the hospital the child showed signs of going into a state of coma.
When in hospital he appeared quite unconscious and the doctors said they did not know whether they could bring him out of that state. He was put on starvation diet and given insulin injections. The boy took a turn for the better and returned home after seven weeks. He was given a special diet, in accordance with the doctor's orders, consisting of special vegetables, half an egg twice a day, milk and oranges.
Her son, said witness, did not make progress on that diet, and so Dr. Crawford was further consulted, but he advised them to keep strictly to the diet. Mrs. Christie said she and her husband took matters somewhat into their own hands and decided to put the boy on a diet of fruit and vegetables, and as much water as he liked and lemon drinks.
They gave him as much as they thought good for him, and he improved over a period of several months,
Insulin Injections
The sugar content, however, which Dr. Crawford had discovered in her son's system, though eliminated in hospital under treatment, appeared again, and Dr. Crawford said that must be expected.
He was pleased with the progress made and advised witness to continue with the diet she had found so beneficial. The doctor was going to England and wished witness success with her child.
The boy showed signs some time after of going back, and witness consulted Dr. George Robertson about two years ago. Dr. Robertson prescribed a more liberal diet than the hospital had allowed.
Insulin injections were given by Dr. Robertson, and for weeks, said the mother, she took her boy into town every day. Subsequently, however, she and her daughter administered injections of insulin supplied through the Wanganui Hospital dispenser.
The doctor showed them the amount of insulin to use and how to make injections. The amount they used had to vary according to the quantity of sugar showing in the daily tests.
Vegetables And Fruit
They adhered strictly to the diet ordered by Dr. Robertson, and the boy's general health appeared to improve, but the sugar in the system could not be eliminated.
The diet excluded parsnips, beetroot, and green peas, but included apples, plums, oranges, strawberries, raspberries, lemons, gooseberries and rhubarb, as well as white meats, a little bacon, eggs, butter and cheese, but nothing with white flour. Nuts, with the exception of peanuts, were also allowed.
The boy was permitted to go to school, commencing with half-day attendances at first, and then full time. He got on all right at school up to the time he was brought to New Plymouth at the end of July, 1930.
He made quite good progress and was ahead of many other scholars.
Dr. Robertson was last seen on July 23, and the doctor left for- England about July 26. Witness said she left for New Plymouth on July 29, with the intention of consulting Salaman.
The boy was slipping back, and she was getting worried, and having heard of Salaman, she and her husband decided to consult him.
Salaman Visited
They stayed the night, at Kakaramea with their son, and on the following day they came on to New Plymouth, going straight to Salaman's residence. The mother added that she and her son, J. G. Christie, and the little boy went in.
She told Salaman about the boy, and asked if he could do anything for him. Salaman inquired what treatment the boy had been receiving, and when witness told him he had been receiving insulin treatment Salaman gave witness to understand he would not treat the child while he was receiving insulin.
Witness said she asked if he could do anything if the insulin was stopped, and his reply was, she thought, that he thought he could fix him. He also said the boy had a bad kidney, which was aggravating the diabetes.
Salaman said, continued the mother, he would have to see the child again before his treatment was commenced, and had told her that the further her son was off the insulin treatment the better it would be.
He told witness one or two things that gave her confidence in him. After she had described the tests she had been making, accused discovered some things, which she had observed without being told.
Salaman made one or two minor changes in the child's diet, but it remained practically the same as that prescribed by Dr. Robertson. He cut out cabbage, pumpkin and fish and the white of eggs, and allowed a little rice, sago and white bread.
Accused weighed the boy on his scales, which showed he had lost about 1\2lb. since he was previously weighed by Dr. Robertson.
He also examined the boy and tested with a stethoscope on the boy's neck. The instrument produced was, she thought, the one used.
Witness returned to her son's place at Kakaramea that night. She boiled some sago, but the child would not take it, so the diet remained the same as Dr. Robertson ordered, except that he did not have white of eggs.
The insulin treatment was discontinued. The boy seemed in splendid health and spirits the following day, but next morning, Friday, her son did not want to get up, and he refused his breakfast.
All Night Vigil
Witness and her daughter brought the boy into New Plymouth that day and he was sick on the way in. When they got to Salaman's place her son complained of a pain in his chest and stomach.
She again told accused about her boy, and said he had had no insulin treatment since Wednesday, but Salaman said he could not touch him then; if she wanted the boy treated she would have to stay in New Plymouth.
He did not seem surprised when witness told him of the pain which the boy had complained of. She decided to stay in New Plymouth, and Salaman told her to loosen the boy's clothes and then put him to bed. Accused told her to give him beef tea and bovril and some milk and hot water — not too much milk.
The boy was very thirsty and asking for a drink. Salaman said she should not give him any mixtures in the meantime, but just to give him the liquids suggested.
This was said to witness's daughter, who was sent to the accused to inquire what the boy might have, as he kept asking for drinks.
Witness and her daughter watched the boy all that night and his breathing was very heavy. When he roused they lifted him. He did not answer when witness spoke to him, and on Saturday morning he had difficulty in swallowing.
She reported to Salaman through his lady attendant, said Mrs. Christie. Two young ladies were brought into court and witness thought the shorter one of the two was the lady she saw. This was Miss Perreaux.
She had told witness to give the boy some medicine, only to make it half the usual dose. Witness went back, and her daughter gave the boy an injection of insulin, but as far as she could see it had no effect. Her daughter then went back to Salaman about ten o'clock in the morning to say the injection had not taken effect, but he said to give it about four hours.
She thought he had said that if the insulin did not have any effect by about two o'clock to give him another dose. Another injection was given, but the boy seemed to get worse.
They kept on reporting to Salaman who said he would see the boy between three and four o'clock. He was taken over to accused's house and, though she thought the boy was going, Salaman said, "No," and told her to take him back and pack him with hot water bottles. In a very little while the boy passed away.
Opinions of Doctors
Mr. Weston: Why, did you take the boy from his bed to Salaman's house instead of getting Salaman to come over and see him?— I understood he asked for him to be brought over as he did not go out to see patients.
Continuing, witness said Salaman told her to put hot water bottles round her son's heart as his circulation was bad. He had also said that this was the turning point, and if he got over this he would improve.
Witness sent a message to Salaman to the effect that her boy was dead and asked him to come over, but he declined, and said he had not treated the boy. Mrs. Christie said she then called for a doctor and Dr. Church came.
Later Senior-sergeant McCrorie visited her and she gave him the apparatus for making insulin injections. She identified the syringe produced as hers, and the insulin was like that which she had used. Replying to Mr. Bennett, witness said Dr. Crawford had attended her son in December 1926. The doctor did not think the boy would live beyond the age of six years. Before going to accused she had had the opinion of more than one doctor that there was no hope of saving the child's life, and she went to Salaman as a last resort so that she might feel she had left nothing possible undone on behalf of her child.
She had heard of other cases Salaman had treated, and she did not make any personal complaint against Salaman in connection with the death of her child.
He gave her no medicine for the boy, nor did he in any way treat him for any complaint whatever. He made suggestions as to diet, rest and a return to insulin treatment.
Accused did not order witness to stop the insulin treatment, but he left it to witness to stop the treatment if she wanted him to treat the child.
Re-examined by Mr. Weston, witness said she stopped the insulin because she wanted her boy to have Salaman's treatment. Dr. Robertson had allowed her to stop the treatment on some occasions.
Coralie Helen Batten, dispenser at Wanganui Hospital, gave evidence of a supply of insulin to the Christies. On each occasion two bottles were, supplied.
J. Marion May Christie; sister of the dead boy, said she took charge of the injections of insulin when ordered by the doctor, and she identified the syringe produced as that used. With her mother she watched the results of the injections. They were given only once daily, never twice. The diet prescribed by the doctor was followed carefully, and following the doctor's attention her brother appeared to live like any normal child.
Witness corroborated her mother's evidence, as to her brother's condition on the morning after the 30th when the insulin injections were stopped.
Injection In Leg
Mr. Weston: Did Mr. Salaman make any comment about the boy's condition as he lay on the couch? — Yes, he said, "Just as well we didn't give him any medicine or we might have been blamed for his condition."
Witness said her brother had to be carried from the consulting room to the car. They had not tried to make him walk.
Lyall had gone to bed at the boarding-house and had kept craving for drink. Some was given him, but he wanted so much that witness did not know if Salaman wished him to have so much.
The girl said she had interviewed Salaman, who said he would not give him more than one pint of scalded milk and water in 24 hours, but not to restrict Bovril and beef tea. The drink could be sweetened with half a teaspoonful of honey to each glass of milk and water. .
That night witness had taken turns with her mother in watching her brother, who had stopped asking for drinks at midnight and lay with eyes closed and breathing heavily.
Her mother had given deceased a drink but found the boy could not swallow very well. In consequence of what her mother had said witness gave deceased a half dose of insulin before 8 o'clock on the Saturday morning. Witness could say that deceased certainly did not eat anything and probably he drank nothing. After the dose of, insulin deceased appeared to be in about the same condition as before.
The next visit paid to Salaman was at 10 o'clock, said the girl. She told Salaman at 12 o'clock that the injection of insulin seemed to have had no effect except that the breathing seemed lighter.
"He asked me where I had made the injection," added witness, "and I said, 'in the leg.' He said, 'it would take too long to take effect from there,' and told me to give a quarter dose at 2 o'clock if there was no change."
Salaman told witness it would take three days for the boy to come out of the state he then was in, and stated he would gradually decrease the insulin and work his treatment in with it. "He wanted to see Lyall between three and four. We gave Lyall the quarter dose of insulin in his arm, when his condition had not changed as Salaman had instructed," added witness. Salaman had said her brother's circulation was bad, and he examined his heck with the stethoscope. He instructed an application of heat, especially round the heart. "We did that as quickly as we could," said witness. "Later a message was sent to Salaman by Miss Pearl Armistead to say that Lyall was thought to be gone, and asking him to come over." Salaman did not come over, then Dr. Church arrived after' the boy had died, concluded the girl.
Mr. Bennett had no questions to ask.
James Gray Christie, farmer, of Kakaramea, and brother of Lyall Christie, said his mother and sister and Lyall stayed at the place on the night of Tuesday, July 29. Witness knew it was proposed to consult Salaman.
His brother then had seemed quite normal. They all drove to Salaman's place in Gill Street.
"After waiting our turn," said the brother, I told Salaman what we had come for. He asked questions concerning the case and we told him of the insulin treatment.
"Salaman said that while the insulin was in the system he could not touch the case."
If we liked to discontinue the insulin he would make a thorough examination and he thought he could cure.
"He said, after an examination with the stethoscope, that there was kidney trouble, which was complicating the diabetes. Salaman said if the insulin were discontinued Lyall would be very ill and languid and inclined to be sick and would have to pass through a crisis.
"If we got the insulin out Salaman said he could give medicine to cure."
The child's diet had not been altered to witness's knowledge.
Further Evidence
"Salaman placed a stethoscope on Lyall's neck on both sides," added the brother, "and, if I remember rightly, turned the boy about and touched his back in the region of the kidneys.
"He said the kidney was in a very bad state."
Mr. Weston: When was the decision made as to giving up the insulin? — We consulted the rest of the family that night by 'phone, and it was decided to give up the insulin.
Did you tell Salaman what was the matter with the boy? — I'm not very clear on that point; my mother said sugar diabetes is the complaint.
Kate Elizabeth Armistead, proprietress of the Carlton boardinghouse, said that on Friday, August 1, deceased and Mrs. and Miss Christie commenced boarding near Salaman's residence.
Witness remembered being present outside Salaman's consulting-room on the Saturday, when deceased was taken to Salaman's.
Witness thought she heard Salaman say, "He will be all right." She thought deceased then was very ill, and thought he wouldn't last and was dying.
Pearl Armistead stated she had asked Salaman to go and see the little, child Christie, and declared that he said, "I can't go over, I am not taking the case."
"I told him I thought the little boy was dying, and he said, 'Oh, dying, eh?'"
Salaman, said witness, did not go over to see deceased. The case was proceeding when this edition went to press, and a full report of the remainder of the case will appear in next week's "Truth." -NZ Truth, 16/10/1930.
| NZ Truth photo. |
"CASE OF CHARLATANISM."
INDIAN HERBALIST FOUND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER.
SENTENCE OF TWELVE MONTHS.
NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. Found guilty of manslaughter on one of four counts, the Indian herbalist, Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman, was to-day sentenced to twelve months' hard labour by the Chief Justice Sir Michael Myers. The jury took two hours and 40 minutes to reach its decision. The charge on which Salaman was found guilty was that on August 2nd at New Plymouth he hastened the death of Lyall Gordon Christie, aged 6, and thereby committed manslaughter by omitting without lawful excuse to perform a legal duty assumed by him in respect of Christie in that in attending to and prescribing for him he failed to use reasonable care.
In reply to Mr O'Leary's plea for lenience the Judge said "I cannot lose sight of the fact that this is a plain case of charlatanism. In giving judgment in a similar case in the Court of Appeal in England the judge said that such quacks as prisoner should not be allowed to go unpunished. With that opinion I cordially agree.'' The recommendation to mercy was endorsed on the indictment by the jury but was not mentioned aloud in court.
In his address to the jury the Crown Prosecutor, Mr C. H. Weston, said the qualifications of accused were not at issue. Anyone could practise and could charge for service, but he could not sue for fees. The questions for the jury were: (1) Did accused, as the boy Christie's medical adviser, have conduct of the case of the boy; (2) did his conduct of the case cause or accelerate the death of the boy; (3) did such conduct show lack of skill and knowledge or lack of care, or both?
Counsel reviewed the evidence and dealt with the fact that when the insulin had been stopped the boy was brought to him evidently in a coma and Salaman took no action — when the case evidently was beyond him. -Horowhenua Chronicle, 25/11/1930.
IMPRISONED HERBALIST
PATIENTS CLAMOUR FOR RELEASE
[Per United Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, November 30. About 100 persons crowded, round the doors and forty more, were counted as they left the hall on Saturday night after passing unanimously resolutions asking for the immediate release from prison of Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman, the Indian herbalist, who was recently found guilty and sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment, on a charge of manslaughter of a boy who was taken to him for treatment for diabetes. The meeting was intensely in earnest, the remarks of the speakers being freely punctuated with applause.
The following resolutions were directed to be telegraphed to the Acting Prime Minister (Mr Ransom), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. G. Coates), and the Leader of the Labour Party (Mr H. E. Holland):
“That Salaman, in the unanimous opinion of this meeting, should be released from gaol at once. With all due respect to the Chief Justice, Salaman is, in the opinion of this meeting, no charlatan. The meeting respectfully asks that the Minister of Justice should immediately release Salaman, whose imprisonment is a great handicap and hardship to hundreds of sufferers who were being treated by him and now sadly need his help.’’
“That the necessary action be taken by means of petitioning the authorities and otherwise in order to bring about the release of Salaman with as little delay as possible.”
“That a committee of five be appointed to draft a petition and otherwise to carry into effect the desire of the meeting.”
“That having been informed that the police have intimated their intention of proceeding with certain minor charges against Salaman in the Magistrate’s Court, this meeting respectfully suggests that the Minister of Justice should give the necessary instructions that these charges be not proceeded with in view of Salaman’s conviction on a major charge.”
Petition lists praying for Salaman's immediate release were distributed and largely signed. -Evening Star, 1/12/1930.
NO ACTION.
SALAMAN CASE.
APPEALS TO GOVERNMENT.
WELLINGTON, Last Night. No action is to be taken by Cabinet concerning the request's made the Minister of Justice for the release of Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman, Indian herbalist, who was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for the manslaughter of a boy who was taken to him at New Plymouth for treatment. This decision was made by Cabinet to-day and announced by the Hon. E, A. Ransom, Acting-Prime Minister, this evening.
Mr. Ransom said petitions and letters written by persons who desired the release of Salaman had received careful attention. It was decided, however, that the question was not one for Cabinet as the prisoner had open to him the course prescribed by law and he could appeal in the proper way. In view of the fact that it was considered an appeal should be made to the court, Cabinet had declined to take any action. -Stratford Evening Post, 12/12/1930.
In 1931, Gladys died in Nelson of tuberculosis. Mohamed returned home to Amritsa, India, after 30 years' absence and opened a clinic. His plan was to remain there but he returned to New Zealand in March, 1933 married Annie Esther Perreaux. (Te Ara) The family went to India but could not settle there and returned to New Plymouth, NZ.
The first woman “counsel” to appear in the New Plymouth Court defended a civil claim the other day on behalf of her husband, Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman, an Indian herbalist. Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., agreed to waive certain technicalities, because he said Salaman himself either did not understand, or pretend not to understand, questions. The claim was made by a firm of solicitors for legal costs, amounting to £l3 2s 6d. Though the wife of defendant capably cross-examined witnesses, she was not successful, judgment going against her husband. -Horowhenua Chronicle, 1/7/1935.
DEATHS
SALAMAN. — At his residence, 101 Gill Street, New Plymouth, on Saturday, February 8, 1941, Abraham Walley Mahomed, dearly loved husband of Annie Salaman. — At rest. Funeral will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday. -NZ Herald, 13/2/1941.
MOSLEM RITES.
INDIAN HERBALIST.
RICH EASTERN CEREMONY.
(O.C.) NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. All the impressive ritual of the East was seen when Abraham Wally Mahomed Salaman was laid to rest in the family tomb at Te Henui Cemetery. Full Moslem rites were performed, possibly for the first time in New Zealand. Magnificently rolled in a green wrap, intricately patterned in spun silver sent to him by one of the princes of India, the remains of Mr. Salaman were watched night and day by close relatives and friends during the week that the body lay in state. The green of his robe was repeated in the background of the crescent and star of the family wreath, symbolising his faith. The green, colour of his sect, was found again in the large candles, in massive brass candlesticks, which were lit for the service in the chapel and also for the final service in the tomb, where they will remain. The richness of the East was seen again in the funeral clothing. Under the splendid wrap the body was clothed in white satin gowns in which it remained when placed in the specially made, hermetically sealed casket. His own Koran was entombed with his body. The casket, itself was a panelled oak, darkly French polished and ornamented with brass mountings.
The funeral rites, conducted at the chapel and at the tomb by the Rev. J. D. McL. Wilson, were read in both English and Arabic and in accordance with the Moslem faith. At the cemetery close friends were permitted near the tomb, but only the next-of-kin, Mrs. Salaman and her two daughters, were present at the final part of the ceremony in the tomb itself.
Minarets And Dome.
The tomb, which is a short distance behind the main chapel in the cemetery, is typically Moslem in design, with minarets at each corner and a dome in the centre with the star and crescent of Islam. The interior has a terrazo floor and the walls are finished in agate vitrolite surrounded by a wide orange band. Above the band the interior of the dome is finished in pastel blue. In the centre of the chamber is a massive granite table on which the candles were placed. On each side is a vitrolite platform as a resting place for a casket. "This tomb." said Mr. Wilson, "is not merely a last resting place, but was designed and erected as a lasting monument of his faith."
Mr. Salaman, who was a member of a prominent Indian family, was grandson of a former mayor of Amiritsar, Mahore, The Punjab, and was related to the late Sir Mahomed Shiffi. As a herbalist he was widely known in New Zealand and elsewhere. His father was also a herbalist. During his early days Mr. Salaman, in further search of knowledge in herbs, travelled throughout the world. He studied in almost every country and spent many years in Europe and in the East. Wide travelling was supplemcnted by experience with every nationality. He landed at Wellington 37 years ago where he began business as an Indian silk merchant. He also opened an establishment where he manufactured analine dyes. On the outbreak of the Great War he was under contract to the Government to use his own khaki analine dyes for the material for the troops' uniforms. He worked patriotically till he broke down in health and was ordered by his doctor to give up this work. From there he went to Auckland, where he set up business as a herbalist. Some years later he went to New Plymouth, where he had lived for 12 years, carrying on business as an importer of fine Indian silks and herbalist until his health began to fail. He was a great lover of outdoor life and an expert on precious stones. -Auckland Star, 19/2/1941.
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| New Plymouth Cemetery |
THEFT CHARGE
VIOLENCE ALLEGED
WOMAN'S COMPLAINT FAILS
BROTHER AND WIFE NOT GUILTY
(O.C.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday Charges of stealing £350 and of the use of violence in the theft alleged against Leo Oliver Perreaux and his wife, Freda Lilian Perreaux, were dismissed by Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M.. in the New Plymouth Court after a hearing that lasted three days. The charges related to alleged occurrences at the home of accused on February 24, Mrs. Annie Easter Salaman. Perreaux's sister, being the complainant.
Perreaux denied the accusations and said that Mrs. Salaman had promised him £500 for services and had handed £450 over to him quite quietly, there having been no trouble between them. Perreaux said that he still had the money and produced 86 £5 notes. After careful checking it was agreed that the money was £2O short. Perreaux said that the money had been handed over in two lots. £100 and £350, and that he had not counted it. Mr. A. A. Bennett, for the accused, submitted that the evidence showed the case was a dispute between a brother and a sister over a dead husband. He said .Mrs. Salaman had regretted promising her brother £500 and had endeavoured to reduce it to £200, but on her brother persisting she was not prepared to insist on a reduction that she knew was not right and had paid out £450. -NZ Herald, 15/4/1941.
QUIET WEDDING
SIMPSON — SALAMAN The marriage of Mrs. A. W. M. Salaman, of New Plymouth, to Mr. Kwong Simpson, late of Auckland, now of New Plymouth, was recently celebrated very quietly at the bride's own home in New Plymouth. The bride wore a charming fawn frock of Chinese material, chung-sue-sum, and a beige straw hat and Chinese accessories to match. She was attended by Miss Asher Salaman, who wore a frock of blue sue and hat to match, and carried a bouquet of orchids and asters. After a reception at the house the bride and bridegroom left for Palmerston North to make an extensive tour of New Zealand by air. As Mr. Simpson is well known throughout the Dominion, considerable interest will attach to the large Chinese reception which will be given the bride and bridegroom on their return to New Plymouth, where they will reside. -NZ Herald, 13/3/1943.
Asher Salaman seems to be Ayesha, his first daughter. She would be 26 at that time. Annie and Kwong kept Mohammed's herbal business going and traded as Salaman-Simpson until the 1970s. Annie died in 2008.
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