By Isle of Wight Observer
This extract from the Isle of Wight Observer was published on Saturday, 21st February, 1903. Elsewhere in the same newspaper there is a lengthy article about Mr John Collinson “who lives in a delightfully-situated residence called Delphi Cliff, overlooking the sea”. The reporter listed some of the instruments the ‘weather doctor’ used to control the elements, they included a collection of crystals together with “An equestrian exerciser, a long steel tube, a fine American organ, a pair of blue spectacles, a large block of amethystine stone, an aerolite and a collection of jewelled rings”.
If any descendent of Mr Collinson is still around and possesses similar powers, we would certainly like to hear from them.
A DANGEROUS INDIVIDUAL. – We reprint elsewhere, from a London magazine, an amusing account of an interview with Mr Collinson, of Shanklin, the gentleman who claims to have such occult powers that he can influence the weather just as he pleases, and bring on fogs, thunderstorms, etc., whenever he chooses to do so. On his own confession it is quite evident that Mr Collinson deserves to be charged with high treason. He can be no liege subject of His Most Gracious Majesty, King Edward, to permit such an important event as the Naval Review of last year to be so marred by the weather. If he produced the tremendous downpour which caused such inconvenience to thousands of those who went to see the illumination of the Fleet, he should be instantly committed to the Tower as a dangerous character. On the other hand, if he could have prevented such a unique spectacle being spoilt by the weather, and failed to exert his powers, he is equally deserving of punishment. On the last day of the Review, too, when King Edward proceeded in his yacht to take farewell of his Fleet, the manoeuvres were spoilt by fog. Are we to believe that Mr Collinson, out of sheer malicious intent, brought on that fog? If not, why did he not exert his powers to prevent this serious disappointment to His Majesty and his liege subjects? It will be seen, therefore, that Mr Collinson is on the horns of a serious dilemma, and that an explanation is due from him not only to his sovereign, but to the country at large. Unless this is forthcoming, we think an armed and very strong force should be sent to Shanklin, to capture a personage so formidable, and that he should at once be banished to some dry climate (say Australia) and be held in durance till he has thoroughly relieved the drought that exists there, and so expiate the disloyalty of which he appears to have been guilty.