THE SIXTH SENSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2619, 29 September 1909, Page 6

THE SIXTH SENSE.

A NEW WATER FINDER. There resides in Auckland a gentleman who has discovered himself to possess that “sixth sense” which has made the Rev. H. Aiason, of Otahuhu, famous as a water-finder. This new rival of the cleric named, however, only claims to possess the power with the rod. Ho cannot locate underground streams by the mere repellant action upon his person, but needs the assistance of the bending twig. At the same time, his divining capacity is not confined to mere water, but extends to the mineral kingdom, thus enabling him, so he believes, to locate- seams of coal and silver reefs.

A “New' Zealand Herald” reporter sought an interview with the -gentleman in question, and whilst the latter was reluctant to allow liis name to be published (people nowadays being such sceptics), he readily gave some interesting particulars as to his experiments to date—he was careful to explain that so far, lie is only in the experimental stage—and followed this up by actual demonstrations of what he could do. “I ascertained that I possessed this •sixth sense’ as a result of a visit to the Rev. H. Mason,” he said. “At that time I was sceptical, but after watching Mr Aiason I tried the rod myself, to my surprise finding that it acted with me. Since then I have been experimenting with minerals (silver and coal particularly), with water, and with auriferous reefs. 'l'Jie rod will net for me in each of these. I am not sure whether my pijwer can lie brought to any commercial use. Probably one of my best tests was on a coal company’s property at Kiripaka. In walking over the surface above where the coal was being worked, at a depth of 170 ft., the rod distinctly answered all over the known coal area. When I arrived above a fault where the coal was absolutely cut off, the real refused to act. Again, at the Kamo springs, recently I located a place where I told the manager that a new spring existed. Visiting the district at a latter date, I was informed by the manager that he had not had to bore at the spot indicated, as after a heavy rain the spring had duly burst through the crust of the earth.” “About a fortnight ago,” continued the experimenter, “I gave an exhibition at Coromandel before 20 or 30 people in finding silver coins that had been buried in places unknown to me. Several ha'ferowtis were so hidden, and in every case I located their position. Tests are now being made on a coal mining property where my experiments lead me to believe a now seam will he found. The chief problem I have to solve is whether the bending rod indicates water or minerals. I use any kind of a stick- or switch, so long as it is light and supple. 'There is only a slight bodily effect upon me, though after experimenting for some time I was very fatigued and experienced a cramping sensation in the wrists and arms In riding on horseback across running streams or over country known to be mineral bearing, the rod acts the same as it does when I am afoot.” j

A series of practical demonstrations was then given by the speaker. The first test was made in his ora office. A half-crown was placed on the floor, and on walking over it slowly with the rod gripped tightly in both hands ‘it dipped. The experiment was repeated with a lump of coal containing 80 per cent, of carbon, and the rod once more dipped. Later the experimenter and the pressman adjourned to the Domain. There the latter buried half-a-crown, his companion meanwhile turning his back. The now “diviner” was given a I line to traverse, which would ensure him passing over the concealed coin. ‘Alter two or three false “casts” the dipping of the rod enabled its holder to locate, if not the exact position of the hidden piece of money, its close vicinity. The experiment was repeated three or four times, and only once proved unsuccessful. Apparently the ground selected was rendered unsuitable by underground streams, and the somewhat frequent bending of the switch was baffling. Sufficient evidence was given, however, to demonstrate that the fiower claimed existed, though whether to a reliable extent can only be proved by its. possessor’s further experiments.