After some investigation it seems that this magazine (it's a stretch to call it a journal, a title which should be reserved for scientific publications) is being purchased by at least one public library (Titirangi).
After a bloodless coup, the NZ Skeptic has a new editor. This doesn't mean much in practical terms; for many years I've been working closely with previous ed Annette Taylor. She will now take on the roles that I used to-subediting, proofing, making cups of tea, cooking dinner and the like. It won't be long before we can enlist the daughter into the production of this fine publication.
It is hard to be sure what Mike Houlding is on about in his rather opaque letter but I gather that he is lumping the use of clairvoyants, homoeopathic remedies and ADHD under some collective rubric of quackery.
Post-mortem on the autopsy or autopsy on the post-mortem?
Several copies of each issue of our newsletter are sent to the international skeptical movement's headquarters in Buffalo, New York. Many of these are distributed to our sister organisations around the world, and it is gratifying when items by our members are noticed in other publications.
I return this born-again spoon to you as a symbol of the power of the press. I assure you I have no knowledge of what sleight of hand unbent it. I only left it in the newsroom for a few moments, too.
For many readers this newsletter will be their main method of contact with other skeptics. It is essential then that it be a lively and thought provoking assessment of the scene in New Zealand. The stimulating and amusing material can only come from members. It is true that there is plenty of good stuff in the Skeptical Inquirer and the Australian Skeptic but I do not want to use that as I suspect that most N.Z. sceptics will receive one of those publications already. Hence this is a strong plea for articles. I have already sent some begging letters to particular members and I shall send more. We also need members to send me cuttings from the the press with examples of fatuity and danger (I seem to see very little of this in our New Plymouth papers, perhaps we are more sensible than elsewhere in N.Z.). Please send me material to make this a trenchant, relaxed and informative publication.