MR HAVILAND’S SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9418, 20 May 1882, Page 3

MR HAVILAND’S SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPH.

We (Sydney Evening News) have teen requested to publish tie following declaration, made by Mr Cyril Haviland, before Mr Eichard M’Coy, J.P.“ Statutory Declara. tion.—l, Edward Cyril Haviland, of Sydney, N.S. Wales, do hereby solemnly and sincerely declare as follows: —That for the past month I have been endeavouring, from time to time, to obtain ‘spirit photographs, such having been taken by photographers in England and America, That after my lecture on Tuesday night, the 18th April, 1882, on ‘Spiritualism as a science,’ a lady came to me and offered to sit for the purpose of obtaining photographs of spirits, such having been got through her before several years ago. That I appointed Saturday afternoon last, and purchased one dozen five by four inch plates (dry process) for the purpose. That no one handled these plates but myself. That I undid the original package at the medium’s house after the camera was focussed and took eight pictures ; that I developed the plates myself at my own house and printed this positive myself; and that from beginning to end of the operations no one touched the plates or camera but myself. That I was never absent from the room during the time of operations, and that no part of the apparatus ever left my possession from the time I arrived at the medium’* house until the present print was obtained. That in putting the plate in the dark shade I accidentally scratched it, which scratch further identify it. That no earthly form was in the room beyond us three, viz., f a gentleman, a lady aud myself ; and that the gentleman was sitting in tho chair during the exposure of this plate, his shirt sleeves appearing on the print. That the baby on this print was not visible, and that there Was no baby in the house in earthly form. That I never before in my life taken a photograph of a baby, and that every precaution was taken to guard against tricksy. That X believe this to he the portrait of a baby in spirit form,Jwho may be recognised by someone. Declared at Sydney, this 24th day of April, 1832, before me— Eichard M'Coy, J.P.—Cyril Haviland.”