AEROLITIS AT RATANUI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 183, 19 August 1909, Page 5

AEROLITIS AT RATANUI.

Mysterious Illumination.

The mysterious Eights which have been seen in various parts of the Dominion of late have been ascrib<?d to many different causes, and persons who report strange happenings are regarded with the cold eye of suspicion. They are also subjected to a rigorous cross examination as to their conduct prior to having passed through the mysterious experience. In a district like the King Country, however, and especially in such a locality as Ratanui, there can be no question as to a person's capabiltiy to distinguish between ordinary and extraordinary happ«nings. On Sunday evening last, between 8 and 9 o'clock, when Mr E. Buckley, a Ratanui settler, was returning home he was surprised when approaching the old clearing just where the track emerges from the bush, to see a light, which he at first thought was from a lantern. Mr Buckley cooecd, but received no answer. He then realised that the light was too bright to come from any lantern, and the next conjecture was that the wbare was on fire With considerable apprehension he hastened in that direction. Ttie clearing of 15 acres was illuminated, and although a dark night the trees and bush were clearly visible on either side. On approachnig the whare, the building was found to Ur in darkness. The light slowly died away, though |t» reflection could plainly be seen pasting away in the direction of the Heiraogi Range. The light remained in the locality for about a quarter of an hour. The Ratanui settlers are anxious to know if any reports of it have come from Mangaohac or Pomorangi. It >4 quite possible this mysterious light has some connection with others reported from other parts of the Dominion. •