"HOME TESTS OF WATER DIVINING."

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20619, 8 August 1932, Page 9

"HOME TESTS OF WATER DIVINING."

*■ *** EKTO& Or THE PRESS. **i—With reference to the special 'S&ty Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf which ** Jdfofaed in Tire Press, I will ®C%rtalu my own experience. About *»fat waek in May of this year I •***» d that the divining Tod 3y* W hands I was not satabout with this thing, but WHljWued to find out whether or not :*2Js;''J 1 "« iM o to find water or SSjj&t f" 8 means. In eonjunc'SlJPr m J brother, I decided to get zJ*Wt»ith the best men who had jSfry behind them, and to take i2Jj**w an area which we conj**Ww» a likely reefing area. What Hfc*rt to do was to see if a reef |]s*B Sold, not necessarily a rich 2a*s^ ear ing gold, could be found iJlTOfli indicated. Altogether we Sl? Wiriiaen on this work, two of ' £** **fe brothers. Each set out ' SSJS* ™e«» each gave approxidepth, and each stated ! jjj2 , ™*Jß*rticu]ar reef we decided to Efrjy.wfag to the moderate cost, opinion a payable reef. iftit?*'L*» 8»t the reef, and it was ; *SJL™ nia among reefers as a iajj"f*.ft ß f> one with no continuous wrtß (gold bearing) mixed Bnd «cnist rock. Never- : Mjrji!'*** a reef bearing gold. All lit feu lva » studying and watching ftjtfiS? B * and I found that what SrStW do l could do - f™" ** , ever >' opportunity to W&iii2!,* ut over known areas, and checked up with go gradually I proI was sure that I could P&rE »r certain. But as in all SMfcS ±\}°° fast - I got mv setSs4ffilL rod <Jelicate tliat Blft *> »P«ct the smallest grain of •»ng bwn renred in a knew that this Mould went hook to Weka" tried out a ratio of »y, I don't claim per™n defiiiit€lv say r alluvial field is likelv one. Only time and rine absolute accuracy. 1 r<y>f discovered pracwkirm of Duntdin and fifr -.Government assay

and elsewhere, but Fhave crushed and ( washed somo myself and find it payable. However, we haye about the ' some proportion of sceptics here as In | Christehurch, who would not accept my assay. Therefore, lam merely l marking time and studying geology I especially the geology of Otago. It may be said that this is not waterbut mineral-divining. They I are just the same. Reading the report by Dr. Hilgendorf,.l do not understand how any man would submit to his blindfolding conditions. You might as well blindfold a surgeon and tell him to remove an appendix, and then blame him for removing his patient's bend. This work requires the very greatest care and concentration, and every movement of the rod must be carefully watched. To state that the movement of the rod is caused' bv muscular contrnction is really laughable If, as Dr. Hilgendorf states, he saw the rod twist and break and still says it'whs muscular contraction, then if do not think he has enough power of observation to report on the action of a wheelbarrow. The whole trouble seems to me is that men claim too much and have not given their subject care and thought. Such diviners, are seized on by critics like Dr. Hilgendorf and induced to do or try to do things they are utterly incapable of doing, and, of course, divining is discredited. A few "don'ts." Don't profess to be a diviner till vou can distinguish one thing from another by its pulsation. Samples are unreliable. Don't go treasure-finding in a building. There may be other specimens that will trick you. Don't accept anyone's word that there are no other specimens; they may not know, or. as I have found, may lie outright to confound you. In closing I would say to doubters. Suspend judgment meantime. Not all surgeons are good surgeons; neither are all.men who claim the gift good diviners.—Yours, etc GEO. LIVINGSTON. Dunedin, August 6th, 1932. , TO THE EDITOR 0» THE fSSSS . Sir, —After reading two letters from correspondents on the question of divining for water, as explained •in The Press of July 30th by Dr. Hilgendorf, it may be interesting to give my own experience of the test to which Dr. Hilgendorf subjected me. In explaining why the rod turns, he compares the balancing of a pyramid on its point with' tie holding of the rod by the diviner until fatigue causes the rod to turn, owing to the diviner's releasing his grip. In my opinion there is no question of balance. After finding a strong stream, I asked Dr. Hilgendorf and two witnesses who were present to hold the rod also. The united grip of four men could not prevent the rod from turning. Surely this requires some other explanation than one of balance? Another test was tried. Dr. Hilgendorf held the rod with one hand, I held the other end; and although he tried his utmost to prevent the rod from turning, he could not do so. I cannot understand why he questions this peculiar force that will turn the rod against the combined grip of four men. After locating three streams, which were pegged to determine the width, I was asked whether I would care to try and find the streams blindfolded. I agreed to try the experiment. Dr. Hilgendorf blindfolded me and directed me where to walk. After passing over the same ground where the streams had been located, the bandage was removed and I was shown the result of the test. I had located the streams blindfolded within the boundaries of the pegs. My explanation of not finding the stream exactly at the pegs or the edge of the stream is that, not being able to see the rod turn, one must feel a strong pull ■ of the rod, with only the sense of touch to rsly upon. Dr. Hilgendorf states that other diviners who were tested failed to loeate the streams, after being blindfolded.:. I am not surprised. It is a most difficult test. ■ Personally I am convinced that divining for water is a science, and would urge anyone who intends to sink a well for water to use the services of a diviner.— Yours, etc., , MAGNETISM. Amberley, August 6th, 1932.