KILLED BY LIGHTNING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1005, 4 March 1871, Page 8

KILLED BY LIGHTNING.

The Ravenswood (Queensland) Miner publishes the subjoined narrative. We may state, by way of preface, that the Mr Hacket mentioned waa formerly wellknown in Dunedin as assistant to Dr Hector : —

On Saturday night last, between eight and nine o'clock, a very violent thunderatom, accompanied by heavy rain and hail, passed over Ravenswood. The lightning at times was very vivid, and several most terrific peals of thunder shook the town to its very centre. A short time after the storm had abated a report ran through the town that the Commissioner's house had been struck by the lightning. First the report was to the effect that the Commissioner, his servant, and Mr Stable, solicitor, were killed ; afterwards that Mr Stable alone had been killed, that Mr Hacket and his servant, although badly hurt and insensible for some time, had regained consciousness, and were recovering. Naturally the report at first waa not believed ; but on our proceeding to the scene of the melancholy accident, which is situated close to Elphinstone Creek, about a ndle from the township, we found that it was only too true. It appears that Mr Stable had been spending the evening at Mr Lord's, and that on his way home he had been caught by tHe storm, and (unfortunately for him) had taken shelter at Mr Hackefs. At the time the electric fluid struck the house, Mr Haoket and Mr Stable were sitting conversing together. Mrß Clarke (Mr Hacket's servant) being also present, she having come into the room some time previous. The lightning struck the house immediately behind where Mr Stable was sitting, splitting and tearing the saplings of which the wall is constructed,

and strewing the table and floor of the room with the debris. Mr Haoket was sitting not more than three feet from Mr Stable at the time, and it is marvellous how he escaped ; indeed it is a wonder to us how he and Mrs Clarke did not suffer the same fate as Mr Stable. As it was, they were both insensible for & considerable time. We believe Mr Stable, who was about thirty-five years of age, was a native of Devonshire, and the descendant of an old county family. He migrated to this colony about eight years ago, and settled in Toowoomba, where he was Very successful in his professional capacity. Owing to losses which he sustained by the failure of the Bank of Queensland, Mr Stable removed to Gympie in '68, where he remained for about two years enjoying a good practice. H0 came to Bavenswood in June last, and the large attendance at his funeral (which took place on Sunday morning) testified the reapeot In which he was held by the inhabitants. Mr Hacket read the Burial Service over the gjrave. Mr Stable waa married, and his wife is at present living at Gympie.