A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1922, 3 December 1913, Page 9

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

ALAKMINfi EXPERIENCES AT ! INYEHO'ARGILL. One of the most snvero;thund«r.storliis experienced in lnvereargill for some tin.io (says tho "Southland News") burst over the town between i and 5 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon', " The sharp peals of thunder rattled like tho report of a thousand riftes;' developing into a deep roar like 'that ef the report of numerous cannons at a short distance, while tho lightning was oxecptioually vivid. Following several thunderclaps ami flashes of lightning, which caused those who were out-of-doors to feel a stinging sensation in' the eyes, came a torrential downpour of rain, which lasted for about half an hour, Some idea of the violence of" the visitation may bo judged by the damage sus-: taincd by a private- dwollifig : laouse occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Crofts and family in Centro Street. Georgetown. From appearances the ligntning first struck tile footpath opposite a house occupied by Mr. and Mrs Frctwcll, who were absent at the time. A hole about seven inches in depth and of similar width was made'under tho fence. At the spot there, is a water plug) and it would appear that the current had followed tho water mains, coming out a.t : tho entrance'to the main at the side- of tho house alongside occupied by Mr, fa. Crofts, as tho mouth of tho drain Wan badly damaged, while tho boards on the fence at this spot wero smashed to splinters. Tho house occupied by, Air, l'rctwcll sustained damage to tho windows only, but- tho adjoining house did not escape so lightly. Several bricks wero removed from Uio top of tho chimney, the framework of one of the windows on tho opposite siuo' of the building to whero the current appeared to coins was broken away as if the window had been pushed • in, but tho glass wait intact. Tho spouting in several placer, was badly twisted and broken, and the end of an outhouse adjoining tlso residence- was burst completely out. From the cornel of the damaged building a clothes lino extended across tho backyard to tho board fence. 'This wire, a r.ew one, Was discoloured, and where the ends were attached .there were black blotches where tho wood had been scorched by the lightning. There were other damages, such as cracks in the cement, iu one place the lightning piercing the foundation, which is several inches in thickness. At tho time of tho occurrence Mrs. Crofts was engaged in one of the front rooms, her attention being attracted by tho cries of her two children, who were in the kitchen. Tire children hail a very lucky escape, as they were close by the window, which is directly above the entrance to the water main, and which-was smashed completely out, tho glass scattering about them. Fortunately they did no!, receive ii scratch, but must have had a somewhat severe shock. Severn! children were walking along tho street at Ihe time of tho incident, au'fj,"i\!ihough close, were fortunately beyond tho dan-

gor limit. The owner of the property, ?ilr. Andrew Ihiin, estimates the daiii-si-jo st about JUIO. \Y riling to a friend it AYaianiwa. ngrieulturist said a startling experience bofell liim during a thunderstorm. Tie had unyoked bis 'horses. „ and, , sought shelter beloind a gorso fence, Unexpectedly he received what seemed to him a severe blow on the head, at the same time hearing a sharp report liko a shot overhead. Ho was partly stunned, and it was only after detecting a siilnimroiis odour that ho .realised..he 'had been within tho danger sioinj'of.a flash of lightning. On looking round, ho found that ids horses had goije, ami he saw smoke issuing from tho fence about l'Jft. from where lie was standing.