Tag Archives: New Zealand Social History

Glimpses into Spirit Life – a rare book of spiritualist seances

Posted on March 30, 2020 by esotericnz

Images from ‘Glimpses into Spirit Life’ (1927), a New Zealand published book of records of spirit communications in the mold of 1909’s ‘Occult Research, Reincarnation, Life in Other Planets & Antiquity Unveiled by Spirit Intelligences’.

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Dunedin Cenotaph’s that might have been

Posted on March 16, 2020 by esotericnz

A picture of the accepted plan for the cenotaph, featuring frescoes and bronze figures that were not included in the final design due to a lack of funds. Some notes from the judge of the competition held to pick the … Continue reading →

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Two Meloncholy Deaths

Posted on October 14, 2019 by esotericnz

SOCIAL AND GENERAL. OTAGO DAILY TIMES, ISSUE 11419, 10 MAY 1899 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT18990510.2.4 With thanks to the National Library of New Zealand.

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Popular Magic Handbooks Available in New Zealand 1850-1935

Posted on September 16, 2019 by esotericnz

Advertisements for various fortune telling handbooks of the kind sold in the UK as chapbooks. The national library of Scotland as well as the internet archive have large collections, readable online, of these books.  Typically they will consist of a … Continue reading →

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Taranaki Highwayman Robert Wallath 1893

Posted on June 15, 2019 by esotericnz
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MOTOR CRIME GANG.

Posted on January 22, 2018 by esotericnz

A rare case of gang crime in inter-war New Zealand NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME LXIV, ISSUE 19818, 13 DECEMBER 1927   https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19271213.2.129?query=mcgregor%20barnett With thanks to the National Library of New Zealand

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O.E. Hugo, Spiritualist.

Posted on November 20, 2017 by esotericnz

O.E. Hugo, who wrote two of the more convincing hymns to the ancient gods that were produced in 19th century New Zealand, seems to have been a colourful character. Like many of the eccentrics who provide material for this blog, … Continue reading →

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House of Dreams

Posted on June 5, 2017 by esotericnz

HOUSE OF DREAMS. NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME LXVII, ISSUE 20484, 8 FEBRUARY 1930, SUPPLEMENT https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19300208.2.178.45.2?query=lares%20shrine With thanks to the National Library of New Zealand

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Cold Blooded Murder

Posted on September 26, 2016 by esotericnz

A further story from John Wilson’s ‘Reminiscences of the Early Settlement of Dunedin and South Otago‘. The context suggests this story takes place in the 1860s. A report of a double murder at Switzers reached Blatch at Clutha. Two brothers, named Tibbetts. had a station at Switzers. … Continue reading →

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Omens of Succession

Posted on September 19, 2016 by esotericnz

Another tale from John Wilson’s ‘Reminiscences of the Early Settlement of Dunedin and South Otago‘. The Nicols, father and son. took a contract to build a bridge and an accommodation house at the Mataura River. Not having seen the place, they had to trust to the … Continue reading →

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