Letter to the Sunday News

- 1 February 1990

Tawa, 26 May, 1989

Dear Sir,

Recently your newspaper has featured several articles on the UFO phenomenon, with special reference to the theories of Jan Pajak from Dunedin.

Not knowing the philosophy of your paper, in reporting news with or without verification of the content, I would still like to point out that Jan Pajak is not a formal UFO investigator, nor does he apply scientific methods to this research on this subject. After 5 decades of worldwide, serious, UFO research, and a vast amount of scientific papers on the subject, I had hoped that the media would adopt a more responsible attitude in reporting on the UFO phenomenon.

It is usually not the aim or task of a true UFO investigator to speak out against fringe elements surrounding the UFO phenomenon. However Mr Pajak has gone too far, both in his hypothesis as well as in claims of his being the only-person (or scientist) in NZ to carry out formal research on the topic. Jan Pajak is not only considered an embarrassment to the serious UFO investigator, but also to the scientific community in general.

Mr Pajak indulges in crack-brained, shakey hypotheses, which surpasses even the wildest science fiction stories. His theories are based on misinterpretation of natural phenomena, contortion of facts and straight-out lies. Mr Pajak is a typical example of the religious-like mania which the subject of UFO traditionally has attracted. He is on the same level with members of the Aetherius Society (people who telepathically communicate with extraterrestrial beings) and followers of for example Aucklander Bruce Cathy.

Here follow some remarks on the specific content of your articles

1. Pajak’s spaceship impact at Tapanui, South Island, New Zealand.

Pajak’s translation for the words ‘Tapanui’ and ‘Waipahi’ is totally wrong. The maori word ‘Tapanui’ does NOT mean ‘Big explosion’, it means ‘Large crack’, or ‘Great edge’. This is in line with the geological feature seen at Tapanui. Waipahi means ‘Flowing water’ and not ‘Place of the exploding fire’. The maoris did not have a word for explosion until 1840.

The Tapanui feature is a normal, terrestrial, semicircular, landslide scarp, which is not formed by an impact of any sort. The scarp has formed a large ‘edge’ at the hill side. The land slide contains “China-man stones’ (not China-stones as reported). These are silicified quartz conglomerates, also known as Sarsen stone. These quartz deposits are a geological sequence of regional extent. The stones have been extensively studied and are found to contain some silicified plant remains only; no remains of animals or people!! Pajak’s claim of inclusions of mysterious metal splinters of alien spaceships, is a pure figment of his lively imagination.

Pajak’s mushroom rings do not grow as a result of heavy doses of microwave radiation. Pajak’s Tapanui flu comes under the umbrella of ME (Myalgic Encephalitis) which is a worldwide, common, affliction, and not restricted to Tapanui.

Pajak claims that there is a magnetic anomaly over Tapanui, throwing out the navigational instruments of airplanes. I have checked with navigation experts at Civil Aviation, Airforce and aviation training centers; they all confirmed that no magnetic anomaly exists over the Tapanui area, or any other area in NZ for that matter, which affects navigation.

2. Pajak’s Magnocraft.

In the years of UFO-mania, many crazy designs of saucer-like spaceships have been dreamed up, but the Magnocraft beats them all in idiocy. I can not find superlatives strong enough to describe the preposterous propulsion proposal for Pajak’s craft. His propulsion is generated from spheres, in which the atoms of an entire planet are contracted to one meter in diameter. Each craft would contain 5 (or more) of these spheres, making each as heavy as a gigantic planet (if one can conceive such weight). Still, the manoeverability of his craft is that of a featherlight flying-machine. His magnocraft design is so ridiculous that it becomes entirely fruitless to point out its endless array of shortcomings. To mention only one: the gravity field of the craft could possibly create a blackhole and suck up our entire solar system.

The tunnels with polished shiny walls, in the Nelson district, are not formed by passing extraterrestrial magnocrafts. The tunnels are formed by underground rivers; a terrestrial feature found in many other limestone caves all over the world.

In other articles Jan Pajak wrote about his ‘Devil stones’. Here he claims that all large solitary rocks scattered along the country side are strategically placed by extraterrestrials and contain electronic devices to guide their spaceships over the surface of this planet. After having traversed the universe do the aliens require every few kilometers a hearing-device to check their whereabouts?

The UFO phenomenon constitutes an international problem, studied by scientists of all disciplines. More than 95% of the reported cases are explained as misinterpretation of natural or man-made events. The remaining 5% form a remarkable atmospheric phenomenon with a high degree of strangeness. Although attractive to many people, an extraterrestrial explanation is premature. That UFO’s (better defined as an ‘Unusual Atmospheric Phenomenon’) do exist is a fact! Their explanation may be psychological or physical, but at present it is better to adhere to no explanation than the wrong one.

I would ask representatives of the media the following question: If astronomers announce a breakthrough in the understanding of processes in the universe, would you consult an astrologer on the verification and scientific clarification? Please, in reporting a UFO sighting, seek advice with somebody knowledgeable on the subject.

Nelson caves dug by UFOs?

Sunday News, 21 May 1989

A DUNEDIN scientist says he believes UFOs may be responsible for an unusual series of tubular caves discovered near Nelson.

Dr Jan Pajak has appealed for information about the caves, which he said could help in his Guest to build a magnetically propelled spacecraft, called a Magnocraft.

Dr Pajak said other civilisations had already developed such Magnocrafts and these vehicles had been used on Earth, giving rise to UFO sightings.

“When the Magnocraft is finally built on earth it will display a number of unusual capabilities.

“For example, it will be able to fly not only in free air, space and water. but also underground where it will produce (evaporate) long, glassy and technological-looking tunnels,” Dr Pajak said.

“UFOs are able to fit through solid matter.

“During such flights they evaporate a unique type of glassy tunnel, identical to the tunnels I am inquiring about.”

Nelson Speleological Group spokesman Arthur Freeman said cavers had been investigating a series of caves which fitted the description offered by Dr Pajak.

Mr Freeman said the tubular caves in the Ellis Karste field at Mt Arthur had smooth but not glassy walls.

Dr Pajuk has been collecting information on UFOs for some years and has been looking for evidence of tubular tunnels since his arrival in New Zealand in 1982.

“The purpose of collecting this evidence is to complete our Magnocraft faster and easier.” he said.

When UFOs landed on earth, the propelling devices acted like huge microwave ovens which magnetically scorched and sterilised the ground, he said.

“Such sterilised soil provides ideal mushroom growth conditions,

“The former UFO landing sites are subsequently populated by mushrooms that form a unique type of ring: such rings are called Fairy Rings in New Zealand.”

Dr Pajak said he was the only scientist in New Zealand doing formal research on UFOs.

“I am the only scientist who has accumulated overwhelming evidence that indicates the continuous use of these vehicles on earth, and who is not afraid to admit openly that these vehicles do exist”

Scientist seeks UFO tunnels in local rock

Sunday Star, 21 May 1989

A Dunedin scientist believes UFOs may be responsible for an unusual series of tube-shaped caves discovered near Nelson.

Jan Pajak has appealed for information about the caves, which he says could help in his attempt to build a magnetically propelled spacecraft, called a Magnocrait. °

Pajak says other civilisations had already developed Magnocrafts and they had been used on Earth, giving rise to UFO sightings.

“When the Magnocraft is finally built on earth it will display a number of unusual capabilities. For example, it will be able to fly not only in free air. space and water, but also underground where it will produce (evaporate) long, glassy and technological-looking tunnels,” Pajak said.

“UFOs are able to fly through solid matter. During such ts they evaporate a unique type of glassy tunnel, identica! to the tunnels I am inquiring about.”

Nelson Speleological Group spokesman Arthur Freeman said cavers had been investigating a series of caves which fitted the description offered by Pajak.

Freeman said the tubular caves in the Ellis Karste field at Mt Arthur had smooth but not glassy walls.

The phreatic tubes known as the Tomo Thyme Caves were formed by water pressure under the water table, Freeman said.

The caves were discovered 15 years ago but Nelson climbers began new investigations 18 months ago.

“The purpose of collecting this evidence is to complete our Magnocraft ‘ast and easier than it would take without having a ready operation model to copy from.” Pajak said.

When UFOs landed on earth, the propelling devices acted like huge microwave ovens which magnetically scorched and sterilised the ground.

“Such sterilised soil provides ideal mushroom-growth conditions,” he said.

“The former UFO landing sites are subsequently populated by mushrooms that form a unique type of ring, such rings are called Fairy Rings in New Zealand.”

—NZPA.