THE GUYRA MYSTERY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1921, Page 1

THE GUYRA MYSTERY

SYDNEY, April 12. A severe attack of nerves is rapidly developing in Guyra, a small country town in northern New South Wales. There has been a series of occurrences which appear to some to be supernatural in character, and unless some reasonable explanation is forthcoming soon, there is going to be a general conversion to Conan Doyle-isln. A girl who occupies a room in a wooden house on the outskirts of Guyra was awakened one night by rappings on the wall, and by stones being thrown against the outside of the house. An investigation disclosed no reason for the occurrence, it happened again on succeeding nights, and people began to get alarmed. A watch was set, inside and outside the house. The rappings were heard, and apparently the noise of stones striking the wall, yet no one could-be seen.

Last Thursday night, the girl was removed to a. neighbour’s, and about 70 people surrounded the house. Nothing happened. On Friday afternoon tho girl was brought hack. That night a stone was thrown through her windaw, and fell into the room, and there were rappings. Nothing happened on Saturday night. On Sunday night about 30 persons surrounded the house, and four men guarded the girl in her room. The sound of heavy stones striking the outside wall was heard yet those outside could see nothing. The girl was quietly removed to the kitchen, on the opposite side of the house. Immediately, the sounds commenced on that side of the house. The watchers drew close in around the house, yet could see nothing—not even the stones which they could hear falling. After a time the sounds ceased. On Monday night of this week the watchers gathered again. No stones were thrown, hut a series of rappings on the wall could be heard. An excited search on the spot and orouml the neighbourhood revealed nothing. The majority of the Guyra people refused to accept the supernatural theory, and are taking further steps with a view to solving the mystery. THE GUYRA AFFAIR. SYDNEY, April 22. ' Amongst ether new theories advanced in explanation of the Guyra mystery is one by Mr H. J. Moors, a prominent Samoan merchant and the biographer of Ilobt. Louis Stevenson, who is also an interested inquirer into things suggesting spirit manifestations. After careful investigations on the spot, lie attributes the happenings to “poltergeist,” a German term for n racketing spirit. Mr Moors supports this contention with ancient and modern instance of the performances of these Hun rocketers.