NZ Skeptics

WELLINGTON (PA) — The death of a 5-month-old baby had uncovered an appalling picture of a parent's belief in homeopathic medicine, a coroner said.

Gentlemen attending the most recent Christchurch meeting of NZCSICOP unselfishly agreed to give of their all for their country. They have member Lawrence Livingstone to thank for the suggestion.

Christopher Urswick, was almoner (an alms-giver or medieval social worker) to Henry VIL. His account of the king's run-in with an astrologer was repeated, with glee, by Erasmus.

In a memorable encounter, National

On the National Programme recently, Vicki Hyde mentioned a claim that a bird had changed one element to another inside one of its vital organs.

A breathless story about a Tibetan who supposedly cures brain tumours prompted the Skeptics to give their annual Bent Spoon award to the New Zealand Listener.

William of Malmesbury chronicled the reign of ill-fated William Rufus, the red-headed son of William The Conqueror who was shot, so 'tis said, in mistake for a squirrel. In the early part of the 12th Century, he expressed some scepticism concerning portents following the king's burial within the tower of Winchester Cathedral.

Even the most republican-minded skeptic must admit that monarchical feelings sometimes have their uses. New Zealand was recently visited by Jacqueline Stallone. She arrived in a blaze of publicity, widely airing her views on astrology and other psychic matters.

By KINGSLEY FIELD and FIONA BARBER

The symbol of infinity is the emblem of those Extraterrestrials who created Mankind using DNA and genetic engineering. The original Hebrew biblical text refers to them as ELOHIM (those who come from the sky) mistranslated in english by the word "GOD". This explanation of the mystery of God and Life is a part of the Apocalypse (Apocalypse in Greek means Revelation) which has been announced by the prophets of all religions. The Elohim would like to be welcomed officially in an Embassy we will build for them on earth.

1. A couple have had five girls in a row. What is their next baby likely to be? (a) boy, (b) girl, (c) either equally likely.

A strange phenomenon is again manifesting itself in the pastoral areas of our borough. October has once again brought appearances of what we Mt Eden Skeptics call "Crop Rectangles" — bare, rectangular patches of earth amongst the normally verdant parklands. They have no reasonable explanation, but they do have a common, peculiar feature, which leads us to believe that they are associated with some sort of meteorological cult.

MANILA—Philippine psychics predicted last week that Iraqi troops will pull out of Kuwait and a Persian Gulf war will be averted.

Researchers in Kansas City recently went to five professional astrologers with the horoscope of convicted serial murderer John Wayne Gacy. Without knowing to whom it belonged, they described him as having a "well rounded personality", that he could "offer a good role model" and that he would "be excellent for working around young people."

The Crusader Radulph of Caen expressed doubts about the discovery of the Holy Lance of Antioch during the First Crusade. The drawing at left shows Adhemar, bishop of Le Puy, carrying the Lance in battle outside the gates of Antioch.

Homeopathy could provide the answer to New Zealand's possum problems, according to Napier Mayor Alan Dick.

Advocates of Britain's internationally known alternative cancer clinic, the Bristol Cancer Help Centre, have been surprised and shocked to find that their patients are dying faster than those under conventional care.

The results of a study of women attending the Bristol Cancer Help Centre have concentrated a few minds. The findings published in The Lancet last week may be baffling, but they are undoubtedly disturbing: women with breast cancer who attended the centre in addition to having conventional treatment fared very much worse than a control group of women who received conventional treatment alone.

Picture's ratio of cheesecake to beefcake favours the former to such an extent it must be considered a man's magazine.

(from the New Zealand Herald 1/5/90)

While archiving material on Irene F. Hughes, the Golden Numbers astrologer about whom Hugh -Young spoke at the 1989 Conference, I noticed she has a variety of signatures. The three printed below no doubt reflect her varying state of mind. Interpretative comment is welcomed.

E. Frenkel, the Russian who late last year undertook the ultimate test of his ability to stop on-coming trains using only his brain power, was a hit with NZ Skeptics too. Members have sent in eight clippings relating to the incident—an all-time record by a long way.

Even those who find the new look Skeptical Inquirer a little tedious will have to admit it is more stylish than the old. Reading the certainly-not-tedious The Fringes of Reason: A Whole Earth Catalog edited by Ted Schulz (now available in Wellington at Whitcoulls and Unity Books at $45.00) I was astonished by the similarity between the logo for the Hypno-

(From the London Sunday Times Supplement)

The following item was sent by Mr A.S. Hamlyn of Dargaville. It appeared in The Northland Times of 23 March 1990 under the headline "Sceptic flabbergasted by Indian holy woman".

An intention to celebrate the New Zealand Sesquicentennial with a series "Great Paranormal Moments in New Zealand History" has been abandoned. Readers may, however, be interested in the following item from "100 Years of News', a publication of the New Zealand Herald on the occasion of its centennial in 1963.

I have just got around to reading the article "Science vs Religion" in Skeptic No. 11, and am still wondering why it was written for such a journal (or was it?).

David Shanks' report on Mr Beta and Filippino psychic surgery reminded me of Brian Edwards' investigations of this on his Saturday night TV show many years ago. He used a Filippino magician to present a very convincing demonstration of the bloodless removal of offending growths from a sufferer. He then revealed the true identity of the "surgeon" and they gave a detailed demonstration of the trickery used in the operation. It was a very powerful presentation and must have been seen by thousands of viewers.

We want to be active Skeptics but there is always something real to do and anyway the lunatic fringe aren't daft enough not to charge admission. (Our scepticism has financial limits.) But, one hot holiday evening, a free talk sponsored by the "Emin Foundation" was announced. With joy in the feeling of joining a jihad we went along—only to fail!

To all those who came to the Annual Conference in Christchurch—thank you for your support, and for making the event such a great and satisfying success. To those who could not come—we missed you. To all members—we hope to meet you at the Fifth Conference next year in Palmerston North.

The 1989 Annual General Meeting of NZCSICOP was held at the Science Lecture Theatre, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, on 3 September 1989.

Massey University Palmerston North August 17,18,19, 1990

At the Annual Dinner on 2 September media excellence awards were made to the following:

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

The education subcommittee of the US CSICOP is working on two projects: First, it is compiling materials on the scientific investigation of the paranormal, suitable for 6 and 7th form High school and for University level and second it is designing a'set of guidelines for tertiary institutions considering offering extension and adult courses on paranormal subjects. If you are interested in these topics and can suggest something that might be useful to them, you are urged to contact the Chairperson: Steven Hoffmaster, Education Subcommittee CSICOP, Physics Department, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, 99258, USA.

James Randi, a member of the US CSICOP has been named the recipient of the 1989 Forum Award of the American Physical Society. The Award is given for promoting public understanding of the relation of physics to society. The citation reads, "For his unique defense of science and the scientific method in many disciplines, including physics, against pseudoscience, frauds, and charlatans. His use of scientific techniques has contributed to refuting suspicious and fraudulent claims of paranormal results. He has contributed significantly to public understanding of important issues where science and society intersect."

A report of a meeting of the Wellington Skeptics

Otago Daily Times, 18 October 1988

An alternative approach to health is being expounded in New Plymouth by an Australian visitor, Mr Nick Singer.

The Press Council has not accepted that a jam-eating poltergeist was a logical explanation for a series of events reported in a Truth story.

A HAMILTON woman claims the predictions of a computerised horoscope she subscribed to were so accurate that she had a nervous breakdown.

Interest in the healing power of mineral stone crystals has taken off in the past five years and not only in the United States.

God forgot to make, and which, therefore,

The University of Edinburgh announced on Saturday 18 May that Dr Robert Morris had been invited and accepted an offer to become the first holder of the Koestler Chair of Parapsychology at the University of Edinburgh. Dr Morris, who is expected to take up his post at Edinburgh by 1 January 1986 is currently Senior Research Scientist in the School of Computer and Information Science at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York State, USA.

Psychic healer Ola Williams' latest triumph is curing a bumble bee with a cold.

The first two NZCSICOP conferences enjoyed such success that they are difficult acts to follow ... but our third conference may prove the most lively of all.