SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2573, 6 August 1909, Page 3

SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHS

REPORT- OF THE COMMISSION OF I Maui ft Y.

ABSENCE OF PROOF

(London “Daily Mail,” June 19th.)

Mr T. Thorne Baker, who has acted as chairman of the commission appointed by this, journal to inquire into the genuineness or otherwise of what are called “spirit photographs,” has now handed us the following letters, which form tho final report of the commission of inquiry. The inquiry was instituted at the instance of Mr A. P. Sinnett, a-well-known theosophist and spiritualist. Mr Sinnett, like his spiritualist colleagues on the commission, Mr Serocold Skecls and Air Robert King, is an honest believer in spirit photography. The other three members of the commission arc experts in photography. The Spiritualist Report.—T. Thorne Baker, Esq., Dear Sir, —In reference to your suggestion that the commission ought now to draw up some sort of report, wo wish to expain why it is obviously unable at present to prepare any report worth publication. We three, of course, having had abundant experience in the matter, knew to begin with that spirit photography was possible. We endeavored to explain to the other members of the commission who were unacquainted with the intricate science of which spirit photography is a small part, that it was necessary for them to undertake some preliminary study of spiritualism generally before they could even appreciate the evidence they might be ea led upon .to deal with. They have shown no inclination to prepare themselves in this way for the work they undertook, nor even to go unprepared in search of the great volume of evidence available, i hey have merely asked for experimental ’ demonstrations, in ignorance of the conditions under which such demonstrations are possible. And though with perseverance it might .have been just possible to arrange for such demonstrations, the frequent postponements of our meetings by reason of your own conflicting engagements and the consequent protraction of onr work, have' defeated efforts in this direction.

We therefore can only agree to report that the commission has failed to secure proof that spirit photography is possible, not because evidence to that effect is otherwise than very abundant, hut by reason of the unfortunate and unpractical attitude adopted by those members of the commission who had no orevious experience of tho subject. —Yours very truly,

A. P. Sinnett. E. R. Serocold Skeols. Robert King. The “Daily Mail” Spirit Photography Commission. —Non-Spiritualist Report. — T. Thorne Baker, Esq., Sir, —Tho proceedings of the Spirit Photography Commission having come apparently to q deadlock, we think it t to report to you as follows: Efforts were made to carry out actual experiments, but it was pointed out by Mr A. P. Sinnett (the'member of the commission at whose suggestion it was formed) that before such experiments con d be earned out with any hope of success it would ho necessary to go through a preliminary training in what we should describe as “theosophy.” This we consider as outside the scope of the committee; but we wore and. are prepared to approach tho subject with perfectly open minds, and to he convinced should the evidence be forthcoming. We are of opinion that no such evidence was forthcoming, for the following .reasons: I. That none of the photographs submitted were shown to bo taken under conditions which precluded fraud. 11. That photographs submitted by Mr Sinnett as taken in his own presence were clearly the o result of “faking” and easily explainable on material grounds. 111. Other photographs shown to us were takep under conditions of which we were told less; but in these we also saw no reason to suppose that anything beyond defects due to careless manipulation, which were mistaken by their producers for supernatural results. IV. A large proportion of the photographs shown to us which had any definite spirit forms on them were produced by one photographer, who appears to be' carrying on a business in the production of these things for a profit. V. According to invitation, packets of plates were sealed by us and. submitted to Archdeacon Colley to receive “psychic writing” without being opened. ” This test, however, was not carried out, as Archdeacon Colley, after receipt of the plates, stated that “his discarnate friend having again recently made progress in the spheres may not from his higher degree yet for a while . '. . . be able to find the

communicating link to transmit through one or more minds removed from this life the faculty or power requisite to impress the photo plate with psychic writing or spirit faces.” VI. A gentleman in Manchester offered to arrange a series of seances with a lady medium at which experiments might be conducted. On the first occasion he was unable to be present. On ihe second he attended but informed the commission that the lady was indisposed and there was no prospect of the seances being held for a considerable time. Wo are therefore of opinion that no evidence whatever —experimental or otherwise—has boon placed before the committee in support of the contentions to investigate which the committee was formed. (Signed) R. Chied Bayley, E. J. Mortimer, E. Sanger-Shepherd.