Thanks. I had already set the correct php path.
I can't run the script without php in the line
[admin@MyHost scripts]$ cat test_msg.txt | maillist.php 1
-bash: maillist.php: command not found
So I have run it with the line you suggest. I see no result in my command line. I don't see the message appear on the forum. But maybe it buried under all those Anonymous Coward posts which have started up again since I tried that command line.
I've had to disable the forum again. There are hundreds on blank posts going onto the forum - and to my mailing list.
Are you sure I shouldn't start again. Maybe with version 2.6.12?