IN THE WAIRARAPA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 155, 20 March 1918, Page 6

IN THE WAIRARAPA

WORK SUSPENDED OWING TO THE DARKNESS. The effect of the heavy pall of smoke was felt all over the Wairarapa yesterday morning. Tho postmaster at Masterton telegraphed- yesterday morning :—"Atmospheric conditions abnormal since daylight; heavy banks of thick black apparent' smoke driving rapidly from north-west. Glass 28.80. Gastlepoint reports heavy northerly gale; heavy sea; glass 29.15."

Masterton, according to a Press Association telegram, was enveloped in almost total darkness vn the morning up till nearly 9 o'clock. The sky was a bright red for some threo hours,'and clouds of smoke passed overhead, and ashes fell. Work was siuspended for somo time owing to the darkness. A heavy gale was raging. At 10.30 a.m. the town was enveloped in dense smoke. Featherston reported:—

"Most unusual phenomenon occurred hero early this morning,. and continued until 8.30, sky being very black tinged with red, changing continuously. A light fall of ashes also noticed.."At 8 a.m. it became totally dark. At 8.30 sky cleared somewhat, but is still threatening."

Our Featherston correspondent states that late on Monday night the sky.in the northwest was observed to be of a fiery rod hue, and on Tuesday morning the whole northern sky line bore evidence of a big outbreak of fire. Until nearly nine- o'clock the district was in semi-darkness, and- people breakfasted by means of candle or lamp light. A distinct smell of fire was noticeable, coming from a north-westerly direction, the sky being still red, except towards the east, where it was very black. Naturally an uncanny feeling was created. The atmospheric conditions were warm.

Carterton, according to a Press Association telegram, was densely enveloped in smoke. _ Business places were using artificial light. All the factories were closed, as it was too dark to work The schools in. Carterton and district were closed, and the children sent home. The smoke lightened about 11 o'clock, though the smoke was still dense and hurtful to tho eyes.

Our Greytown correspondent states that there was heavy rain and a strong wind on Monday night. Yesterday morning broke with heavy clouds of smoke coming from tho north. At 8 a.m. it was necessary to have lights in the houses. Rumours were abroad that a great eruption bad taken rjlace, but later it was found to bo an immense fire. The windows were covered with a dust, which, on examination with a microscope, looked like ashes.