ARGUS ON THE AIR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 388, 23 June 1928, Page 14

ARGUS ON THE AIR

STARTLING EXPERIMENTS AT IYA ; “Hello! Is that the Prince Edward Theatre? IYA Auckland calling. Are you ready for the tests, Argus?” “Yes, I am ready,” came the reply, and the committee of representative Aucklanders who had assembled at IYA to test Argus edged forward a few inches in their chairs. Last evening several interesting experiments were made in which “Argus the Propret” read the minds of several people whose connection with him was through several hundred feet of radio land line only. At the theatre, Argus was seated on the stage before a microphone, while several loud-speakers were distributed about the theatre, enabling the audience to hear all the questions and answers that were being put “on the air" by IYA. Shortly before the time that Argus was scheduled to appear, Mr. S. Hayden, station director of IYA. produced a pack of cards, several members of . the committee drawing one each. The : persons holding cards walked up to the . microphone, and Argus correctly named them on each occasion, finding trouble only with the five of diamonds, which, however, he successfully designated as a red card —a diamond. Several members of the committee then approached the microphone. Argus, reading the questions in their minds, in most cases giving their initials when , it was asked for, describing the silent questioners. Professor Thomas approached the microphone with a small metal object in his hand that even his fellowcommitteemen could not see. but immediately Argus spoke: “This gentleman has a car key,” and in response to further questions put by his manager. Mr. C. L. Copeland, “It is the key j of a Packard motor-car, the number j of which is 525.” Mr. Copeland: Could 1 you describe the gentleman? “He is a professional gentleman. ! a professor at the University; a professor of economics; his name is—Thomas.” Professor Thomas: Quite right, quite j right, except the economic part. Altogether the tests were remarkable, j Argus having difficulty with only one question, and the committee couid see absolutely nothing out of order. Though i many were incredulous, "not believing • their eyes.”'they could suggest no means by which the tests could be per- 1 formed other than by telepathy. In conversation with a Sun representative last evening. Mr. Copeland intimated his intention of trying the j same tests between Auckland and Well- j ington. “So confident am I of suecess,” he said, “that I have signed a i bond for £SOO, indemnifying the Radio j j Broadcasting Company against failure." j