THE SPIRITUALISM AND THE EPSOM MURDER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 55, 26 February 1876, Page 4

THE SPIRITUALISM AND THE EPSOM MURDER.

We recently published a telegram giving some particulars of a spiritist seance at Auckland. The Southern Cross gives some further details : — "We are in receipt of a further commuoication from the spiritist circle from whom we obtained the statement published in yesterday's Cross. As the statement appears to have excited donsiderable attention, we think it ouly fair, not only to our correspondents, but to their unseen informants, that they should have a hearing. The following is tbe communication: — ' To the Editor : Sir—One of your contemporaries attempts to cast blame on this circle, and alleges that there are two mistakes in the communication made to you yesterday.. Before we shall be satisfied that the spirits have deceived this circle, the denial must come from a more reliable authority than your contemporary, and in a more circumstantial way. Let it be understood that we do

not ourselves absolutely vouch for the truth of tbe communication made to us,, seeing that we are not in a position to verify it. . All we can at present do .is to state the circumstances, and leave the statements to speak for themselves. The circle commenced ita sittings at 927 p.m. on Sunday, February 6ih. It consisted of three persons,, who sat at the table, and a fourth who sat at a little distance and kept a record of tbe communication as it was rapped out by the table. The latter was a heavy 100 table, with a solid pedestal, so heavy tbat it is more than one person can lift, and far too heavy for any two persons to tilt over without a great exertion of strength. And yet the table rapped out the answers with a rapidity greater than the eye could always follow, and \ during the greater part of the sitting it j moved without a hand resting on it. The circle did not sit with any immediate intention of communicating wiih the spirit of the deceased Edwin Packer, but after messages had heen received from other spirits, the question was asked — Is the spirit of Edwin Packer present ? The reply was — Yes. Tbe message as published in to-day's Cross was then spelt out with the aid of the alphabet. The following conversation was then carried on by means of the code of table-tilts used at spiritcircles : — Cao you tell where the murderer is? —Yes. Can you spell the name of the place? —No. Did he go through the Hunua ?— Yes. Through the Wairoa bush ? — Yes. Did he go near Paparata ?— Yes. Did he then go south? — No. South-west ? — Yes. How far in miles ? — Five. Is it a Maori settlement ? — Yes. Is he there still ? — Yes. Is it near Pokeoo ? — Yes. Is he getting food from the Maoris ? —Yes. Is it in the bush?— Yes. Can you see him aow ? A long pause ensued, and then came the answer, Yes. Is he awake P— Yes. Has he the same clothes on as when he committed the murder? — Yes, How far is it from Pokeno? — Three raps. How far is it from Romboy? — Four raps. Is it near a creek? — Yes. How many natives are there ?— Thirty raps. Are they all meD?-r-No. How many men? — Twelve raps. Do they kpow he is the murderer?— No. Will he leave there on Monday?— Yes. Has he any arms? — No. Have the natives any arms? — Yes. Will he tell them he is a murderer? No. Is he in a house? — Yes. Has anyooe been there in search of him?— No. Has be travelled through the bush? —Yes. Ib Brass's story about tbe murderer passing while the natives were at breakfast true? — Yes. Did Brass see him again? — Yes. On Thursday? — No. On Friday? — Yes. At what hour? — Five raps. In the afternoon? — No. In the morning?— Yes. Did he take foo J with him? — Yes. Were they biscuits? — Yee. Any other food? — No, Is there any other village near this one? — No. How many houses are in it?— A pause, and then seven raps. How many hours would it take to go tbere on a good horse? — Two raps. Is it forty miles? — No. Thirty?— Yes. More? — No. Could the murderer be captured there to-night?— Doubtful. Have tbe natives there heard of the murder? — Yes. From a European? — No. * From a Native? — Yes. Was that native in town? — Yes. How many natives will accompany the murderer? Six raps. Are they armed? — Yea. Would they defend him? — Yes. These, sir, are the answers, and they must speak for themselves. As to their value, we simply leave that to time. Tboee who wish any information on the subject of spiritism may obtain it in hundreds of publications, nnd from thousands of credible witnesses in this colony, and hundreds in Auckland. I am, &c , Mebium.