FIERCE DUST STORMS

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 570, 14 November 1902, Page 2

FIERCE DUST STORMS

MELBOURNE IN SEMI-DARKNESS B_, Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright Melbourne, Nov. 18. Severe dust storms have been raging in Melbourne. The city is in semi-darkness. Similar storms aro reported Loin many inland towns, i-'ieico squalls and much damage to property has disorganised the telegraphic service. A REMARKABLE UIENOMENA. BALLS UF PitiE. CAUSE SHOWERS OF SPARKS. HOUSES AND CHURCHES DESTROYED. INTENSE DARKNESS DURING DAY TIME. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Melbourne Nov. 111. Later reports show the storm was very severe, and swept a wide area. It was accompanied with a remarkable phenomena at lioort. Great halls of fire fell, throwing up showers of sparks as they struck the earth. At Wychcproof the whole air appeared on fire. Lanterns had to be used during the day time. Trees and buildings wero blown down in all directions. At Langdalo a house was set on tiro by the firo halls and destroyed. The Soalac Presbyterian Church is so injured by tlio wind that it will havo to bo pulled down. The balls of fire burst- trio poppotbeads of tho Baramboogie mine. At Chiltcren the tiro spread to a timber shaft, and it was with great difficulty that it was extinguished. Bush fires spread in every district. The extent of tho damago cannot bo learned at present. Nearly all tho telegraph lines aro down. Almost every station heard from makes the same report in regard to the gales of dust and lighting halls of fire. Tho darkness was so iutenso that the fowls went to roost in tho afternoon, and people were stumbling around trying to find their way with the aid of lanterns through tlie storm. Melbourne is strongly reminiscent of Black Thursday. The wind is from the north-west, the velocity being 50 miles an hour, and is sweeping dust, stones, and debris in tho air. It is difficult for peoplo to make their way through tho stroots. Many shops linvo been closed. Tlie heat is stilling. STORM BLOWN OUT. ASTRONOMER’S OPINION OF PHENOMENA. By Teh graph. Press Association. Copyright Melbourne, Nov. 13. The storm lias blown out, and there was rain this afternoon. An astronomer states that tho phenomena is duo to the immense bodies of dust iu the atmosphere. Tho halls of Dre are the result of electrical disturbances.