HOW A DIVINER SAVED VILLAGE

Western Star, 10 July 1936, Page 2

HOW A DIVINER SAVED VILLAGE

The power of Mr Geoffrey Shake speare, M.P.. as a water diviner., was mentioned at a Norwich inquest on James Hall and Theresa Mary Hall, says the 'Daily Telegraph.’ Mr and Mrs Hall were asleep when their house collapsed. They were buried in a deep shaft. The coroner (Mr W. L. Liddell) said that Mr Shakespeare visited the scene of the tragedy and exercised his gift as a. water diviner The yew tirg he used strongly indicated the presence oi water in tlie old chalk workings in . the district.

Mr Shakespeare. Mr Liddell added, had telephoned to the Ministry o'. Mines, who would send down an inspector to advise the city authorities. The only witness, Mr Scarlett, n builder, of Merton road, Norwich, said inhabitants in the area were worried, and lie hoped there would be a full investigation. The inquest was adjourned sine die to enable the inspector of mines to investigate the neighbourhood. Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare, M.P., in an interview, said that lie discovered his powers as a water diviner while staying with a friend The friend was also a diviner. “I was invited to make a test,” said Mr Shakespeare. “I was led to a spot where water was known to exist. The twig almost jumped out-of my hand. “Scon after'l discovered my gift,” he continued, “I told my brother, Major W. Shakespeare, who is with the R.A.M.C., all about it. “We made tests and found that he also was extremely sensitive to water. “Naturally he found himself in great demand when he was in India.

’ “In one case the well which supplied a whole village went dry, • and ruin 'stared the inhabitants in the face. “My brother was asked to help. He took a twig and discovered that the course of the stream which supplied the well had shifted. A well wa s sunk at the spot lie indicated, and water was duly found. “So strong is the water sense in ray brother that he is able to tell at what depth it will he found.” Mr Shakespeare concluded by saying that he felt nothing when the twig started to move. He sometimes, however, had to straggle hard to retain his hold.