STRANGE THEORY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1933, Page 2

STRANGE THEORY

ATTRACTION FOR LICHTNING ,

SPOT WHERE MAORI WAS KILLED

(Per Press Association, Copyright).

NEW PLYMOUTH, November 17. A remarkable theory that the spot on the farm at Barrett Road, Omata, where a -Maori, Hohopata ‘Wbanau, was struck and killed instantly by lightning on November 2, has some powerful attraction for lightning, was advanced by 'Mr R. Davies, of Omata, after the fatality. The theory was investigated yesterday, by experts, but no definite • conclusion can be reached until the effects of lightning upon the lightning arresters, erected at the spot, are observed. Oil the day after the fatality, Dav-; ies tested the spot for attraction, recollecting that 'many years ago cattle were killed by lightning at the same place. He made a study of metallurgyami location of some of metals by divining. His instruments gave a lead to the spot where the Maori was killed, and gave the most definite oscillations on the point where the effect of lightning was most apparent. ’ These tests vyere. renewed, after Dav" ies had . demonstrated the power of bis instruments to locate metal, in the presence of Mr \V. H. Huggetf (Borough electrical engineer) and Mr Donaldson (engineering staff of the P. and T. Department), Mr Davies’ theory, then advanced, was that there .was some metallic substance, nickel

oi> metals, usually found in meteorites, in the ground at the spot.