Struck by Lightning- on Parade.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 17, 9 March 1870, Page 3

Struck by Lightning- on Parade.

The Times of Natal gives an account of a most extraordinary occurrence, which took place at Pietermaritzburg on the 14th October. It appears that Fort Napier is situated on a hill abounding with iron stone, and that while the 20th Regiment were being paraded, during a violent storm, about fourteen of the men belonging to Captain M'Namee's company were struck by lightning. The right-hand man was instantaneously killed by the shock, his rifle being split from top to boitoni. Two other rifles were similarly damagsd. Four of the men were, removed to the hospital. It seems it was fortunate for the men that their arms were at the "order," with bayonets unfixed, for if it had happened when the men were standing with bayonets fixed it is impossible to conceive the loss of life that might have followed The other men who were thrown by the shock are in a fair way of recovery. We understand that about the year 1855 a patrol was knocked down by lightning, and two or three men killed, so that with this precedent the military authorities should have been, to say. the least, careful, and not have exposed the men to unnecessary danger. A few days previous to the occurrence, a Kaffir leader and seven of his men were killed by a flash in the immediate vicinity of the present accident.

We have heard many stories of the discovery of gold in the gizzards and crops of Australian ducks and fowls, but never did we hear before yesterday that members of the finny tribes were given to secreting the precious metal. We were, however, informed by an individual in whom the fact seems to have developed a singular affection for the bed of the Thames Estuary, that he positively found a fitt of gold, as large as a pin's head, attached to the gills of a schnapper, which ho was cleaning. "Oh," remarked he, with an envious and yet hopeless sigh, " it's my be- , lief that mosfc of the gold is in the bed of that there riyef."— Thames Times.