TERRIFIC STORM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1546, 16 September 1912, Page 4

TERRIFIC STORM.

BURSTS OVER AUCKLAND.

(By Telerraph.-Special Correspondent.)

Auckland, September 15.

A phenomenal storm burst over Auckland on f-aturday night, lasting from about lOo'ctock until 10.30 o'clock and culminating in a, terrific downpour of hail. Old residents describe the electrical disturbance as ono of the worst that lias ever been witnessed in Auckland. The lightning was so frequent as to be almost continuous, and, during the period of the storm, one peal of thunder was followed instantly by the crash and rumble of the next. Throughout, the rain was tropical. At one' time the lower part of Queen Street was running knee-deep in water, as many ladies, who braved the storm in order to reach the shelter of tramcars, learned to their discomfort. Several premises in the lower-lying streets were flooded, and doubtless Monday's resumption of business will bring to light tales of damage and destruction in Etorago cellars. Quite the feature of the 6torm, however, was the lightning. At the outsof; it was of the safe and spectacular "sheet" variety, but, as tho full fury of tho elements were let loose, sightseers _ at open doors and windows fled into their houses when vivid flashes of forked lightning began to bisect the night. Seen across the open spaces to the horizon, the sight was a magnificent one, the wicked zigzag streaks speeding from one end cf the sky to tho other. It was possible to fee for miles when the flashes came, and they lasted for an abnormally long time. Finally, down oame the hail, and indoor conversation was drowned most effectually. It was impossible to hear one another in tho tremendous din and rattlo of hailstones on the roof and windows. S-ome of the stones were as big as pigeon s eggs, and in various quarters windows were smashed. So heavy was the fall that this morning's early milkmen found heaps of hail frozen Into piles in every '""The'passing of tho storm left a starry night, and to-day the air is clear aud fine.