TEST DEMANDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1932, Page 7

TEST DEMANDED.

CONTROVERSY OVER MEDIUM. LONDON, May 19, The conflict between the Magic Circle and the National Laboratory of Psychical Research over the Austrian medium Rudi Schneider has apparently reached an impasse in London. Mr. Harry Price, director of the laboratory, flatly refused to accept the £100 challenge of the occult committee of the Magic Circle to produce a sensational medium for a test seance.

"Three years ago, when Rudi Schneider was in London for the purpose of being 'tested,' I offered to pay £1000 to any person who could duplicate his feat," Mr. Price says. "After Rudi had returned to Austria we had a 'timid' inquiry from the.Magic Circle asking for 'conditions.'

"Rudi is now in London for some delicate photographic experiments, and certainly I cannot permit our work to be interfered with by the Magic Circle. This body of magicians had every opportunity to duplicate Rudi's phenomena when he was in the National Laboratory in 1929, but, for the very best of reasons, failed to do so."

The following comment from the Magic Circle was as emphatic as Mr. Price's refusal. "Just what we expected!" declared Dr. Edwin Smith, the West London coroner, who was one of the challengers. "And what a beautifully absurd explanation.

"How in the world does Mr. Price expect us to duplicate Rudi Schneider's demonstrations until we have seen them? Let ue watch him with a mutu-ally-appointed judge present—and if we are satisfied w© will pay £100 to any agreed charity."