"THE ACT OF GOD."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18198, 18 September 1922, Page 10

"THE ACT OF GOD."

Sir, —Most of «s wil'. recollect the cyclonic storm that wrought great havoc in certain parts of North Auckland in March of this year,, but none has cause* to remember it more than have Mr. Alfred Osborxi and his f»mily, whose home, struck by lightning, was literally smashed to splinters and blown here', there, and . very where. Tt is stated that some of the keys of his piano were found with some of his papers a distance of over 20 miles from the spot wrJiere his homestead once stood. But. the destruction of his home was as nothing compared with the bodily injuries inflicted on Mr. Osborn and his wife by "the act. of God,'' to use tha term quoted with satisfaction' by an insurance company wheal its liability for loss after a storm is called in question. How Mr. Osborn and h\% wife escaped with their lives no one can tell, for their injuries were so terrible tifiiat death would not • have been unwelcooie. .out after months of careful nursing 5n the Auckland Hospital both are now rtJble to face the world again with enfeeble.il bodies indeed, but with the same indomitable spirit with which they fought against death. Mr. Osborn has" lost his right eyp, hut his limbs are unimpaired, his scalp * wiounds have healed, and he is r.ot afrafid "to face the farm work again. Though Hilrs. Osborn had many bones broken and was burnt hy lightning she is now able to- get about, and it is hoped she will soon be as well as ever. But they hove no hcai*3 to which to return, and no ftirniture to« put into another home should they be arable to get one. Their loss is estimated at about £1000. Insurance avails them nothing, because the destruction was tho " act of God." Indeed, they were ivot well i covered by insurance for the reason that ! they were struggling farmers, and! it took \ them all their time to make end's meet with interest to pay and falling pivces for their produce. The people of WcVlsford, as true Britishers, have done their '" little bit'-' to help their unfortunate neigbiSours, but they are only a small community-. and like other farmers have felt the pinch of the adversity created by the slump. .And so it comes that we, the undersigned, j being acquainted with the true fact-* nf tne case, venture with confidence to fisk ] the people of Auckland to show thvir ! practical sympathy with the Osbc/i n family. We believer that the story of the misfortunes of this family through " t.h»' | act of God" has only to be known to youn ' readers to evoke from them such gifts* I from their surplus as will amply provide for the restoration' of the Osborn home, and give the family the means of makini,their farm come again into profit. G. H. Wasox, | Connor Smyth, > W. J. G.vTENBY.