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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2416, 3 February 1909, Page 5

A serious injury was received by one man in Newcastle, last week, through coming into contact with a live wire connected with the municipal council’s electric light station, and another man who attempted to release him was also burnt- and shaken. It appears that Henry Holmes, a master painter, was superintending the painting of the A.J.S. Bank at the corner of Hunter and Watt streets, and while on the balcony roof of the building came into contact w ith a live wire suspended over the roadway. To save himself from falling he grasped the wire with both hands. 'The palms of Ids hands were severely burnt., while the fourth and fifth fingers of the left hand were almost severed. He also sustained a deep wound in the back of his neck, where the wire burnt its way into the flesh. A plumber named John Street, residing at Cook’s . Hill, went to Holme’s assistance and in trying to release him from his dangerous position lie, too, received a charge of electricity, which gave/him a nasty shock, hut he recovered soon afterwards and was taken home.