SPIRITUALIST’S DEATH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 117, 14 April 1930, Page 7

SPIRITUALIST’S DEATH.

PICTURES FROM SPIRIT WORLD. LONDON, April 13. W. M. Atkinson, who is believed to be from New Zealand, was found gassed in his room at York Street, Marylebone. Atiknson was always very retiring, according to his landlady. His room was always closed. Atkinson claimed that his work was inspired from the spirit world. Soon after arrival here he made friends in spiritualistic circles, and had conversations with Sir Conan Doyle. According to the Daily Express, a book dealing with psychic matters lay on his bedside table, open at a verse describing meetings of spirits. There were lines heavily pencilled. It is believed that Atkinson had relatives in Auckland. KNOWN IN WELLINGTON. Atkinson came to Wellington from Sheffield, England, whero ho was employed in tho works of Sir Robert Hadficld, states a Wellington paper. He had been a professional Association football player, having beon in tho Sheffield United team. A big man physically, ho had no interest in drawing, but while in Wellington suddenly developed the facility of drawing extraordinary pictures. Ho apparently drow automatically, seeming to be spiritually guided. Ho would look at tho ceiling, or elsewhere, and draw. He was advised to go to England, and did so, and was understood to have boon engaged iir commercial drawing. When in New Zealand Atkinson refuted tho idea that spiritualism was the cause of his drawings, and was inclined to be worried about it. According to a friend in Auckland, lie met Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who'said that apparently ho was under the spiritual influence of some artist, but Atkinson was inclined to sneer at this.