Shocking incident in Invercargill
first hand impression of the reverence which marked the solemn occasion, but they will also prove a lasting intimate spectacle of a nation’s grief. No one should fail to see this picture, as it conveys an idea of the great thought the burial embodied.
A strange occurrence, the first of its kind to happen at Invercargill, and probably without parallel in the dominion, took place at Gladstone on Saturday forenoon (says the Southland Times). An electric wire, which conveys the current necessary to operate a circular saw in a yard, became broken, and the current was conducted along the damp roofing and was earthed. The ground was saturated with the previous night’s rain, and an innocent and unsuspecting horse which advanced within the danger zone had its career cut short with startling suddenness. The horse’s shoes apparently made a good “connection” with the charged
ground, and after a fit of trembling the horse collapsed and died. Mr Gibbs saw the horse fall and dashed forward, but as soon as he touched its body, he was hurled back violently several yards, receiving a bad shock. A lad who also went forward to assist touched the horse’s shoe, and met with a similar fate, and it was deemed wise to leave any further dealings in electric current to an expert. One was summoned and the danger was removed. An incident of such sensational nature should serve to direct attention to the dangers arising from the breaking of wires that are “alive”. Mr Gibbs and the boy were not injured in any way by their falls, but both sustained severe shocks.
strange object, and promptly captured it. In appearance it was of a red crayfish colour, and had the proportions of a 50lb groper, though it conformed more to the schnapper type. Its unusual colour and the possession of a piglike snout were the most interesting features. Owing to the inability of any of the fishermen to identify the fish, it was decided to forward it to the curator of the Otago Museum for classification.
alienated the public. Mr F.A. De La Mare (Wellington) said that students made the ceremonies noisy affairs because the public expected some excitement. Professor Segar said he had organised a certain function in Auckland, and had induced prominent people to participate, but he was ashamed and disgusted when the students howled the speakers down. Professor T.A. Hunter said that the interruptions at ceremonies came only from a relatively small section of students. He would favour the motion if the universities could properly control the ceremonies, but he was not satisfied that they could. The Chancellor (Sir Robert Stout) said that the misconduct of students brought disgrace on the university. He referred to the fact that Victoria College lost a handsome donation on account of students’ disturbances. The motion was earned on a division by 13 votes to 8. The Chancellor remarked that he personally would not conduct any ceremony. — ODT, 27.1.1921.