A HYPNOTIC DRIVE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8124, 1 June 1906, Page 2

A HYPNOTIC DRIVE.

A good deal of interest was taken yesterday afternoon in the demonstration given by Professor Bonner, of Bostock & Wombwell's Circus, and his subject, Mr S. C. Williams. At 2.30. the Citizens Committee, consisting of Messrs F. G. Kimbell, E. P. Webster h. M. Montcith, W. A. Collis, J. Cody and W. C, 'Westpn met at the circus tent. The Professor explained tho nature of the experiment, and Mr Kimbell being declared by the subject to possess the greatest power of concentration, was detailed to hide an article—a penknife. Half the committee rcmaiaed in the tent with the Professor anij Air Williams, while the

rest accompanied Mr gimbcll in a cab. After following a circuitous route, the knife was finally deposited amongst some rugs in Arcli. Clark & Co.'s , warehouse. On their return Mr Williams was hypnotised by the Professor and blindfolded. He then reeled, rathor than walked, quickly to tho waiting cab, whete ho fook the place of the driver. His appearance was haggard, to the hundreds of observers betokening great mental agitation, if not actual suffering. To the wrists of the cataleptic driver was attached a length of /jopper wire, held by Mr Kimbell and touched by the other members of the Goinmijtpe in the carriage, and all were exhorted to focus, their thoughts on the route taken on the previous occasion. Whether the Committeemen were lacking in the essential power of concentration or not, Mr Williams evinced much uncertainty to divining th« route, which, however, was followed In the majn, Beaching Currie street, lie soon pulled up at the warehouse and quickly discovered tho hidden article. He was then released from the hypnotic stato, the eye bandages removed, and after a short spell to recover his composure, drove the party back to the circus tent, leaving no doubt that the performance tfas a genuine one,