“SPIRIT” IN LIMELIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1926, Page 9

“SPIRIT” IN LIMELIGHT

DRAMATIC DISCLOSURE A SWINDLE LAID BARE. SPIRITUALISM INVESTIGATED. By Telegraph—P-ess Assn.—Copyright. London, Oct. 31. The Sunday Chronicle’s committee, including Professors Julian, Huxley, Low and an X-ray expert, Mr. J. C. Wilson, is investigating spiritualism. Being suspicious at former seances they arranged a special seance at the home of Mrs. Estelle Stead and Professor Low. Mr. Wilson roped Evans in a chair, the room being darkened. The committee heard a clucking sound, which Mrs. Stead had formerly ascribed to spirits drawing ectoplasm from Evans, after which voices spoke, bells tinkled and a draped figure purporting to be a materialised form of Sister Catherine, appeared. At a pre-arranged signal, the committee flashed electric torches, disclosing Evans in his shirt sleeves and stockinged feet, draped in a flowing white overall. The ropes with which he was bound lay in a tangled heap on the chair. Evans attempted to tear off the robes and swooned. Doctors who examined him declared that he was shamming. He offered to give up mediumship if the chronicle did not expose the matter, adding: “This is the end of the world for me.” The Chronicle offers £<loo to any medium in any part of the world who will satisfy investigators that he can produce spiritualistically in any form a substance capable of examination by physical apparatus. >